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[ That only makes him curl his arms tighter around her. ]
Is there anything I can do to help?
Is there anything I can do to help?
[ what a benign term. passenger. ]
She is loud, since... that trial.
She is loud, since... that trial.
I see. Would that I knew best how to quiet her. I mentioned that I know a spell to help with sleep, but I do not know if that would help or hurt the situation.
You mentioned such things make you feel ill, anyroad.
You mentioned such things make you feel ill, anyroad.
I have concerns induced sleep would push me too far down, and leave her open pathway to surface.
[ then I'd be alone in here.
I mean. what?
pulling from the embrace to gaze up at him ]
You could do this?
I mean. what?
pulling from the embrace to gaze up at him ]
You could do this?
I-- honestly, I don't know. 'Tis likely the spell as I know it now would only be effective on her would she rise to the fore, and there is always a risk that she would resist it.
But... should it work, and provide you a modicum of peace, I would be willing to try.
But... should it work, and provide you a modicum of peace, I would be willing to try.
Oni.
[ He takes a moment to turn the word over in his head. ]
I know of them from Hingan folklore. They are some sort of demon, yes? Yokai.
[ He takes a moment to turn the word over in his head. ]
I know of them from Hingan folklore. They are some sort of demon, yes? Yokai.
Demon. Correct. And she takes this very much to heart.
[ LAUGHS ] Oh, worse for you if she surfaces.
[ That laugh startles him a bit, and his expression turns concerned. ]
I see. Then I shall simply have to think of something else.
[ He's already making mental notes about how he might be able to alter Repose. There must surely be away to have the magic reach beyond her consciousness to something lurking beneath, and he aims to find it. ]
I see. Then I shall simply have to think of something else.
[ He's already making mental notes about how he might be able to alter Repose. There must surely be away to have the magic reach beyond her consciousness to something lurking beneath, and he aims to find it. ]
[ it startles her, too; she's never heard that sound come from her lips. haltingly, she brings a hand up and puts it through her hair, mussing and then fixing it ]
Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian have already offered. It... things suffice. I only want you not to be surprised if, one day, I am not who you think.
Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian have already offered. It... things suffice. I only want you not to be surprised if, one day, I am not who you think.
[ That certainly doesn't inspire enough confidence to get him to stop looking for a way to help. ]
... And what would you have me do, were I to come across you when you are not yourself?
... And what would you have me do, were I to come across you when you are not yourself?
[ boy you do not want to know the answer to that
her gaze is unwavering and opaque for a... long moment. then she turns and collapses into a chair. ]
Run, I suppose.
her gaze is unwavering and opaque for a... long moment. then she turns and collapses into a chair. ]
Run, I suppose.
[ He has no idea what to make of the way she looks at him, but when she moves away, he follows, pulling out a chair to sit with her. ]
You think she'll try to hurt me?
You think she'll try to hurt me?
[ her tail down Reim's throat. Miles' broken ribs. Wilbur, lighting the dynamite fuse. ]
Without question.
Without question.
[ His ears tick back a little. Out of distress, perhaps, or concern. ]
I understand. If that's what you wish, then I shall try to keep my distance from her.
I understand. If that's what you wish, then I shall try to keep my distance from her.
[ tiredly, ] She would torture anyone I care for, given chance.
[ Oh, now is not the time to come back and ask "does this mean you care about me?" and he knows that, but of course his ears give him away, lifting slightly.
Not now, ears. ]
Because she knows it hurts you?
Not now, ears. ]
Because she knows it hurts you?
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