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“I didn’t like your fic.”
“Pardon me?”
“I said I didn’t like your fic.”
“Erm… Good morning, and you are?”
“I’m a fanfic reader. I came here to tell you I’ve read yours.”
“Uh-huh.”
“And I’m telling you I didn’t like your fic.”
“Got it.”
“That was all.”
“All right, but why?”
“No real reason, I just didn’t like it.”
“Okay…?”
“And now I’m telling you that, as I thought I should.”
“No, I mean. I was asking another question. ‘Why’ did you feel like telling me that?”
“Because I can.”
“Sorry?”
“I can tell you. The comment section is public. I can write whatever I want here.”
“Uh, yes, the comments are open, as I usually set them to be.”
“So, I thought I was allowed to share my opinion.”
“You thought I should know…”
“No, I thought I could state it.”
“Well, yes, you technically can…”
“Why couldn’t I?”
“I didn’t say you could not.”
“I can disclose my opinion. It’s my literal right.”
“Of course, but listen—”
“You wouldn’t be so upset if I had liked it.”
“Look, this exchange is getting nowhere. What would you like me to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s just… you came here to tell me you didn’t like it, right?”
“That is correct.”
“Are you trying to suggest some changes? Is there anything specific? Let me know.”
“Nah, there’s nothing.”
“Huh?”
“I simply didn’t like it.”
“…”
“I’m stating I didn’t like it, what’s the matter?”
“Well, if you didn’t like it, that’s fine. No one’s forced to.”
“But I wanted to say I didn’t. And you’re the author of the fic, so, it’s who I should tell about it.”
“You could’ve told anyone else.”
“Doesn’t it interest you, since it’s your story?”
“Man…”
“I have to be able to speak my mind.”
“And I have to accept it…?”
“You have to listen, you’re the author.”
“I am listening, though.”
“No. You’ve questioned me. That isn’t listening.”
“I don’t get it. Am I supposed to apologize, or what?”
“Why are you speaking over me?”
“I’m not speaking over you. I mean to say it’s my fic, and it’s your opinion about my fic. I thought it was okay to try to understand why you came to me to tell me—”
“Because I didn’t like it.”
“I’m afraid I can’t refund you or anything.”
“I just had to state my opinion.”
“It’s not a matter of ‘had to’.”
“I can state my opinion.”
“…Yes, you can.”
“That’s what I thought at the time. And it’s what I think of your fic.”
“What for?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you’ll write a better one in the future.”
“Okay, so, tell me how to do it.”
“Can’t say. But I don’t like this one.”