The concept of ownership had had absolutely no presence in Eloise's mind for potentially years, so perhaps it shouldn't surprise her anymore when it turned out her ideas didn't line up with everyone else's. It just seemed strange -- in a world where money had no more bearing, where supplies lay frozen in time throughout the city (just slightly inconvenient due to the ravenous wandering dead) and people had to learn to rely on eachother or go it alone, it didn't make sense to look at anything as property anymore. It may not have ever actually made sense. Ellie wanted very much to rely on people and have people rely on her. It wasn't because she thought life alone was particularly bad in essence -- but there were of course negative associations attached to any period in one's existence without clear or encouraging memory.
"Why should I do anything about it?" Ellie wondered genuinely. "I can go get another machete if I want. Exactly like that one, even."
She was mirroring his expression, and didn't realise it until she felt her head tilting steadily to the right. Maybe it would be better for everyone if she wore a t-shirt explaining her situation. Eloise: Recovering Recluse.
"If you're in need, you shouldn't have to worry about offending others."