[She resolutely ignores that blush. It was a compliment to an older version of her friend and there was nothing weird about it. Just... there was something weird about all this.

..."became sweeties."

No, she's not thinking about that right now.]

If you remember living out here the whole time, I can see why.

[Isolation = bad; Community = good.]

If you're so set against staying with us, then why aren't you in town?

[Making new friends and getting complimented on your beard.

...why does thinking that way feel weird?]