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[evocation]

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

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[evocation]

What? Weird how?

[hardwearing]

I feel like I've hardly seen you. Like maybe... you need a break?

[evocation]

[Oh. That's what he means. She shakes her head, reaching for his hands automatically.]

No! I never need a break from you.

[It's kind of ironic that, when she's been spending so much time freaking out about how serious her feelings for him have gotten, he feels like she's pulling away.]

It's just... There's been all this shit going on with Caedra. And Lance. I'm sorry.

[hardwearing]

[ That's reassuring, at least, but still doesn't explain why she's seemed withdrawn. ]

I know, but I still want to know what's going on to make sure you don't get hur-- wait, what happened to Lance? He just interrogated me the other day, he was fine.

[evocation]

Um...

[She sighs, looking down.]

You know Michael's ghost monster thing?

[hardwearing]

His what now? No. I definitely don't.

[evocation]

Oh. Shit.

[Well, whatever. It's not like it's a secret.]

It's this... Thing. I don't know what it is exactly. It's like... Possessing him, sort of, but he doesn't seem to mind it. It wrecked shop with the Null when they invaded.

[She shrugs awkwardly.]

I guess if it feels threatened or whatever it manifests? Michael passes out when that happens.

[hardwearing]

And it felt threatened by Lance? No offense to the guy, but I've personally kicked the shit out of Michael and nothing happened.

[ That didn't sound very sensitive, let him try again. ]

I mean. Is he still in danger? This monster doesn't have a grudge or anything, does it?

[evocation]

[That actually gets Kyna to smile a little bit, and she squeezes his hands.]

You're way scarier. But it was because of the paranoia thing. That flu.

[hardwearing]

Oh.

[ And then it clicks. ]

Is that what he used the last of his ammo on? I just assumed it was the demon summoning but he's not really the demon fighting type.

[evocation]

I think so. It was... it was really bad, you know? There was blood everywhere and he was really freaked out.

[And understandably so.]

[hardwearing]

I didn't. He seemed... well, not fine exactly, but not freaked over something like this, either. And he's stocked up now, but magical defenses would probably be more effective. If this is the kind of thing that could happen again.

[evocation]

Yeah, I know. He's really good at faking it. He doesn't want people to worry about him. I stayed at his place that night and he kept apologizing, like he was... I don't know. Bothering me.

[hardwearing]

[ Wash and Lance have something in common after all, then, go figure. He hums softly, not sure how to deal with that. Or this new threat -- yet another that he's useless against. ]

[evocation]

[Kyna rocks back on her heels, not sure how to take that reaction.]

So, um... That's part of why I've been stressed, I guess.

[hardwearing]

That's all just part?

[ Because that's already a ton. And if he's honest... ]

I guess I was hoping whatever it was, there'd be something I could help with. Seems like not so much.

[evocation]

You're helping.

[She leans forward again, wrapping her arms around him and settling her head against his chest.]

You always help. It's just... I don't know how to fix any of it, either.

[hardwearing]

[ Instinct makes him want to argue that, because it sure feels like he just dumps more crap on her, but she's made it very clear she thinks otherwise. And right when he needed to hear it the most. She said he made things easier, somehow. He was delirious, but he remembers every word of her list. So maybe... he can do that now? Just by sticking around. ]

Okay... do you want a distraction or a game plan?

[evocation]

Um...

[She's quiet for a few seconds, considering that.]

Can I have both?

[hardwearing]

Maybe not at once, but we can try. C'mere.

[ It's easy enough to steer her to the couch and gather her hair up, quickly braiding it out of the way so he can settle his hands on her shoulders. ]

Let's start small. Has anyone talked to Michael yet?

[evocation]

[Oh. That's cute. Kyna's already smiling a little, twisting the end of the braid between her fingers.]

I don't know. I talked to Harlan, but he's being all... overprotective and shit. He says he doesn't want Michael to hate himself or something.

[She makes a face.]

And yeah, I guess it sucks, but Lance could have died. I care about that more than how sad Michael is.

[hardwearing]

[ Her shoulders are knotted up tight so this might not be the most enjoyable massage, but Wash tries to be gentle. Even as he acknowledges he probably shouldn't comment on whether or not Michael should hate himself. ]

If he'd be sad about it, isn't that more reason to improve his control over this thing?

[evocation]

[Kyna nods, the tension in her shoulders slowly easing under his hands.]

I don't think Harlan wants to push him right now or whatever.

[hardwearing]

[ Wash would disagree with Harlan there. It's not like Michael's the first person ever to deal with something violent inside him. There's an element of responsibility necessary and denying that feels like coddling. But it's not his business. ]

Then Harlan's responsible if it gets out again. What do you know about it? Maybe Lance could learn a better shield?

[evocation]

He said the shield spell worked okay. Harlan thinks we could take it down, but I don't know what it is. If it was something like from my world, at least I'd know what spells would work.