Being excluded doesn't necessarily mean left out. It's not easy to explain, but just because someone is in the middle of it all doesn't entail that they feel included. No matter how much RP and immersion goes into stalkers, it's still a game. And everyone goes into a game with their own expectations of fun. I played Julia a certain way, gave her a certain mindset with certain goals. And I met those goals, sometimes being pushy over others to accomplish them myself. Because I wanted that experience, and those emotions, all to myself. It was fulfilling, and I enjoyed it immensely. But I've also had my fair share of times where I sacrifice my own interests for the good of a team, or story, or some other larger goal. Often I'd be watching others enjoy themselves, achieving their sense of fulfillment, while I abandoned or simply was unable to fulfill my own. When I'm unable to reach that height it doesn't matter how much work I've put in, all it creates is feeling of letdown and exclusion, especially as those around you ignorantly climb to their own fulfillment.

Few things go to a person's head like success without effort, but even fewer things can dishearten a person like hard work and effort without payoff.

I don't know if this is what Noble is feeling. I could be completely in the wrong direction and making things worse. But I felt I should say it anyway, because the only error in judgement I can see is staying silent when I feel something needs to be said.