Support: Taren and Schall

C
Taren: Whatcha' got there, Schall?
Schall: Huh? Oh, I finally finished a little home for this squirrel. It took me three days to carve it and hollow it out.
Taren: You spent all that time on a squirrel house?
Schall: Yes?
Taren: Schall, why did you waste that many minutes of your life?
Schall: But the squirrel got hurt... Gill nearly trampled him, he was lucky he didn’t die.
Taren: So what? He’s a squirrel, his life’s impact on the world is astronomically puny.
Schall: All life matters, Taren, no matter how big or how small.
Taren: Schall, humans are the true impactors, without us, nothing on this Earth would ever change.
Schall: But why does that give us the right to bully other creatures?
Taren: That isn't what I meant, I'm just saying I don't think that squirrel was going to affect the number of casualties in our next battle.
Schall: Why must it always be battle? Even in war, other things are important too.
Taren: In war, in all battles, you have to be focused.
Schall: Well, this is how I stay focused. Goodbye, Taren.
Taren: Okay?

B
Taren: Schall, I wanted to apologize.
Schall: I forgive you.
Taren: Really? But I haven't even told you why I wanted to apologize yet.
Schall: There are plenty of people who don't understand why I do stupid things like lift baby birds back in their nest when they failed to fly, or leave baskets of fruit at people's houses when I don't know them, or... build squirrel houses. Hah. I know, I'm a weirdo.
Taren: No, that's not it, you're sweet.
Schall: But I always do it. I can't stop myself, even when it feels sort of embarrassing. Occasionally, when I try to be nice to someone, they don't trust me or don't accept my help. And it makes me sad. Because all I ever want to do is help. And there aren't many people like that, that don't expect a reward.
Taren: Because not everyone can afford to give freely. You come from a rich family, Schall. Did you ever think about how much money that fruit costs? Or how much time it takes for someone to climb up a tree and find a bird's nest? It's cute that you want to help people, but it can be sort of off putting when it could be interpreted as charity. Not everyone wants that.
Schall: I guess.
Taren: Look, I wanted to apologize, not because I was thinking you were weird, but because I called it a waste of time. How you decide to spend your time, your money, or your wood, it's your business.
Schall: Thank you.

A
Taren: Schall, I know we had a nice conversation the other day
Schall: It was refreshing, yes-
Taren: And you're just so sweet, but- you really didn't have to give me a fruit basket.
Schall: I didn't.
Taren: What?
Schall: I just told other people about what I did at the capital. You know, giving without reward, and I suppose they followed suit.
Taren: So, who is this from?
Schall: Does it matter?
Taren: A little?
Schall: It doesn't matter.
Taren: But then I can't thank them.
Schall: So thank yourself- for being such an encouraging friend.
Taren: Aww... c'mere, you big dope.
Schall: You're... crushing me... a little.