gifts and knowledge...

lance sighed...

he felt a flicker of hope and a joy rush through him... he longed to--

ben: lance?

lance: oh! hey ben.

ben: um lance...i think...i should cut my visit short...

lance: because of bastian?

ben: WHAT? WHAT DID HE SAY? HE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME! I DIDN'T DO NOTHING! WHY DO YOU EVEN SUGGEST THAT?!

lance:... um... i just see bastian being really sad when you ignore his attempts to reach out to you...

ben: *sigh* lance... what would you do...if you...liked...someone...but they...are...um...unavailable...

lance: well...you should do what you believe is best...

ben: oh...

lance: but cutting someone off without an explanation... would be hurtful to the other person because they wouldn't know what is even happening. excuses will do nothing...