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[evocation]

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

Comments

[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.

[hardwearing]

You might have to leave the digging to Harlan. I don't agree with how he's handling it but I know you trust him, so. Focus on helping Lance feel safe.

[evocation]

Okay.

[She reaches up to cover one of his hands with hers.]

How do you think he should handle it?

[hardwearing]

I think he should learn everything that Michael knows about it, at least, so you guys know how to take it down if it manifests again. And it seems like he needs a push to work on control, but that involves personal responsibility so I don't know how Harlan would approach it. He knows Michael best, right?

Some kind of magical alert for if it gets free seems like a good idea, too, not that I know how that would work.

[evocation]

[Kyna sighs, considering that.]

Yeah. I don't know. I think he's more worried about not making Michael feel like a monster or something.

[hardwearing]

He isn't. But there's one inside him, there's no use sugarcoating that.

[evocation]

Yeah, I know. I just don't think Harlan will be up for an alarm or something.

[hardwearing]

[ Wash just shrugs. Again, it's not his business, Kyna just asked what he'd do so he gave his opinion. He works his hands down her back, trying to ease the tension. ]

People will be on guard around him for awhile at least, anyway. That'll have to be good enough.

[evocation]

I know.

[The massage is really, really nice, and she relaxes, letting out a contented little hum.]

You'll be careful too, right?

[hardwearing]

Sure. Not that I'm ever around Michael in the first place.

[evocation]

Yeah, but just in case.

[Kyna leans back into him, turning her head to kiss him on the cheek.]

Thanks for being so sweet.

[hardwearing]

[ That gets a tiny, awkward smile. ]

I'm just trying to help. Let me know if there's anything I can do besides listening.