(Brandon helps Bradly cope with his anger management) (spoilers for side order, octo expansion, and grand festival, etc)
(At alterna)
*Brandon talks to callie*
Callie: so lemme get this straight? You wanna work the splatfests?
Brandon: of course I do…it’s not fair that Bradly can’t work and I’m grizzco’s employee of the year
Callie: yeah Marie’s been telling me about it…but you sure you wanna do this?
Brandon: yeah…
Callie: well I can try to talk to Marie about it but I bet you could give it your best
Brandon: all I can do is hope
(Later)
*Brandon plays with his switch as Dj Octavio looks from his dome*
Dj Octavio: so this is about Bradly isn’t it?
Brandon: he thinks he’s the only one with issues…but it’s not fair to do so
Dj Octavio: so korra’s told you…
Brandon: I wanna help his issues but he’s only getting the therapy that’s making slow progress
Dj Octavio: maybe you’re seeing it the wrong way…
Brandon: really?
Dj Octavio: you gotta see it from a different perspective
Brandon: we’ve confronted his issues with Mr grizz…but I don’t know
Dj Octavio: why not solve his anger issues? If he’s attacked Octavia cause of it…why not you try something
Brandon: that could work…hopefully it does
(The next day)
*Brandon sits with Bradly at the picnic table*
Bradly: so…what are we doing here?
Brandon: Marie and Korra have a good point Bradly…you have a anger problem and it needs to be resolved
Bradly: really?
Brandon: I’m trying to help Bradly so please just give me a chance…I’m gonna give you some examples of situations which are sure anger triggers
*Brandon pulls out 7 colored balls and sets them on the table*
Bradly: what’s all this?
Brandon: these balls are pretty colorful and pretty to look at…aren’t they?
Bradly: I guess they are
Brandon: yes indeed
*he brings out a stand showing different colored slots and intentionally puts them in the incorrect colored slots*
Bradly: woah! What are you doing?
Brandon: putting the balls in their slots
Bradly: you kidding me? obviously indi could tell the colors apart!
Brandon: I bet that would infuriate you?
Bradly: I mean not too much *puts the colored balls in the correct slots* just gotta fix it right
Brandon: okay so that’s just one of the many reasons to get mad
*he pulls out two bowls of marshmallow cereals*
Bradly: huh? That’s the cereal I ate growing up
Brandon: so it is^^
Bradly: so…what’s all this? Just the cereal? Where’s the marshmallows?
Brandon: what if I were to tell you…that a crazy person ate all the marshmallows before closing the box
*Bradly begins steaming a little*
Brandon: okay…I can see you getting a little bit fumed…so why don’t we do a little deep breathing and maybe some “I” statements
Bradly: okay!
*he takes a deep breath and calmly collects himself*
Bradly: “I” feel very annoyed that the marshmallows aren’t in the cereal box…and “I” wanted to have the marshmallows with the cereal too
Brandon: okay perfect! We’re starting to make some headway
*he pulls out some octoling plushies*
Bradly: are those…
Brandon: I feel it’s only right to address what put your job in jeopardy in the first place
*he places the name tags on the plushies and places them recreating the incident*
Brandon: you saw and heard Octavia insulting korra and it really got you angry and because you let your anger get the better of you…
*he recreates the devastating attack*
Brandon: you lost control and Marie decided you needed to get professional help to get your job back
Bradly: if anything I’m impressed you remember how the whole thing happened
Brandon: but what I wanted to do is see how things could’ve been handled differently
*he hands him one of the octoling plushies*
Brandon: you wanted to defend korra…but how can you do that without getting mad, or resorting to violence
Bradly: what “ask her to be nice”
Brandon: close…but what about the “I” statements? Focus the feelings, avoid the blame game, and take responsibility for your own feelings
Bradly: okay I’m starting to see what you mean
*he takes octoling plushie and takes a deep breath*
Bradly: I feel upset when you made fun of korra…because you aren’t treating korra with the respect that she deserves
Brandon: and…what else?
Bradly: I’m not saying it’s your fault or anything…but I’m only asking you to consider her feelings too
Brandon: and what if she doesn’t listen? Or even tells you to shut up?
Bradly: *breathes calmly* then I won’t escalate the situation…and just say “I” feel disrespected when I was told to be quiet…because it’s not helping the situation that’s going on
Brandon: this method avoids blame and allows some room for some reasonable conversations…now let’s try adding a need or a want
Bradly: okay…I want for us to all get along with each other or maybe at least respect the others feelings
Brandon: that’s great^^
Bradly: really^^
Brandon: now the situation may escalate or maybe not…but we have to understand that escalating the escalating situation can only lead for even worse outcomes and even worse consequences
*he sighs*
Brandon: we don’t wanna truly blame anyone, or try to deflect the blame in anyway
*he pulls out a small plushie representing indi*
Brandon: plus…it affects the children too! It scares them, teaches them bad lessons, and for friends it dissolves their trust
Bradly: yikes…
Brandon: and these are the consequences that aren’t easy to erase if anything…you live with the regrets and the guilt of having wronged the person and…
Bradly: hey!
*he settles down*
Bradly: *takes a deep breath* why don’t you make a “I” statement too
*he hands him one of the octoling plushie*
Brandon: really?
Bradly: it’s not fair for us to ignore your wants too…
Brandon: *looks at the plushie and takes a deep breath* I feel unheard when my friends are fighting amongst themselves and I want them to get along
Bradly: *looks at the deep cut news station*
Brandon: especially since those stupid tickets…
Bradly: hey…I get it…you want the best for everyone
Brandon: *shows him his idol amiibos* everyone was amazing that day…
Bradly: I don’t blame you bud
*he slowly sets them up positioning them to the performance of “three wishes”*
Bradly: you helped me with my problems…so let’s give you a little reassurance
Marina: hey guys what’s going on?
Brandon: hey
Bradly: actually we were just about to do something
Pearl: judging by his amiibos…OH YEAH^^
Bradly: come on *grabs the marina amiibo* why not remember that night
Marina: I guess I could pull a couple strings…but yeah^^
*they head over to the train station as Bradly looks at Brandon*
Bradly: maybe he’s right…this feels right
(The end)
Enjoy^^
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