Abby scoffed, then isn't sure if she envies his optimism or pities his naiveté. Or both. She does long for such a view, that this place could build without destroying.

But she's far too much the daughter of two mental health experts to buy that. She nodded to his arms, and the bandages, "Traumatic events don't build character. It's a pleasant lie to make the shit feel less shitty."

She frowned at herself, what an unpleasant line of conversation. She was suddenly far more aware of herself than she really wanted. "Sorry, this is a little too deep for 'after work drinking' conversation. At least for me."