⚡ hadriel - ic inbox

[evocation]

This is Kyna. You should just text me if you actually want me to answer.

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[evocation]

[Kyna shrugs in response, looking awkward. This is sweet, but she feels like she's intruding on a moment she shouldn't intrude on.]

Um... No. Sorry. We were arguing, and...

[She tugs on her braid absently, turning her attention to Ephemera.]

I shouldn't have gotten you all worked up.

[requiemshark]

Not your fault.

[They just happen sometimes. He shouldn't have yelled at her. Shouldn't have thrown his helmet. It spiraled. Got away from him.

Ephemera shifts, leaning against Drake. Just a little.]

Shouldn't have yelled at you.

[braveoff]

[ Obviously Drake wants to know what they were arguing about, and his eyes are curious, but. If it's important, Ephemera can tell him at home. No need to rehash it with Kyna and risk either of them getting upset again. ]

Hey, at least you didn't fight this time? That's a step up.

[ A big one. ]

[evocation]

[Kyna rocks back on her heels, lips quirking up.]

Yeah, well, I guess Ephemera's okay sometimes.

[requiemshark]

You're an ass, [Ephemera informs her, fondly. No matter how it ended, that's true. ] I will show you how to throw a punch sometime. A real one.

[braveoff]

Sometime. Not now. [ He tries to spur Ephemera into motion, back towards their place. Where they can talk about the frequency of these episodes in private. ] Let's go, man.

[evocation]

Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Hurry up.

[requiemshark]

Bye, Kyna.

[He gives her a little wave. Because it's fine, isn't it? Everything is going to be fine. No one died.]

I'm coming. Promise.

[braveoff]

[ It's not fine, unfortunately. It's not the end of the world, no, but it's definitely not fine. He's fairly quiet on the walk home. ]

How's your head?

[requiemshark]

[Ephemera manages to retrieve his helmet without having to explain why he threw it in the first place, and they walk. He breathes. It's almost simple.]

Little fuzzy.

[Don't lie. Not to him.]

[braveoff]

Does it hurt? I'm just... trying to figure out if this is getting worse or not.

[ There's no hiding his worry. ]

I know there's nobody here who can check the implants but maybe we should get Pell over in case it's a brain damage thing? You've gotten zapped more than I like to think about.

[requiemshark]

Hurts when it's happening.

[Ephemera is quiet for a long moment.]

Dunno if they're worse. But I'm getting them more.

[He looks away.]

I didn't want anyone to worry. And I know how fucking selfish that is. I'm sorry.

[braveoff]

[ Drake goes quiet again, processing that. Knowing that if there's really nothing they can do about it he's just going to have to learn to cope right along with Ephemera. ]

Hey, I was too fucked up to deal with it anyway. But I'm not now, so we're gonna figure this out. Starting with what triggers it.

[requiemshark]

[That helps, a little. Ephemera feels his shoulder relax.]

Okay. I don't remember what caused it at the beginning.

[It just...happened.]

Now it's...when I'm arguing with people, sometimes?

[braveoff]

So it could be a stress response? That's a problem.

[ They're kind of always stressed, in Hadriel. Over one thing or another. ]

What were you and Kyna talking about, anyway?

[requiemshark]

I know.

It's grim thought, not to mention dangerous.]

...she asked. About what my team was doing before Freelancer. Why we were fighting. It didn't....

[It hadn't gone well.]

[braveoff]

Yeah, that's a sensitive topic.

[ But he can't be expected to just avoid everything that might upset him. Hmm. ]

I think we should get you looked at. See if there's a simpler answer first.

[requiemshark]

I don't--hnn.

[Ephemera shakes his head.]

I hate that it just--stops things. And then it's like I win or maybe it didn't matter at all. Don't like that.