When Lion tried to help me before, that... [ He shrugs one shoulder. A twinge of shame, at his own lack of impulse control. ] Called it magic. That's all.
Even more than the hastily taped-up holes in his memory, that subject gets a wide berth of avoidance. That's just too deep a hell for him to contemplate dealing with right now. ]
...Yeah. The illusions, right? That's magic from our world.
[ That explains why Lion's been so vague about the whole thing. They're already scared shitless about falling down the same plot hooks, refusing to use their illusions for anything. But if Alex showed heartfelt gratitude, they'd never be able to say No. ]
Lion's aware. But... don't make a hobby out of it.
[ Smart kid. The only thing he gets back through the oath is a deep silence, like perfectly still water, and something infinitely close to gratitude. ]
Good. You can get better magic lessons when I'm not in time out.
[ Thinking of it like that, magic lessons... It gets him excited. Just a little. He curbs it, though, as he feels that. ...The more emotion he gets back through the Oath, the more he's glad for it, accidental as it was. ]
[ Okay, yeah, all that above? Nix that. All that's left is an irritation strong enough to blot out the sun. ]
I have no idea! He doesn't tell me shit. [ For good reason. There's an attempt to say something, cut off into a moment of silence, then staring at Mia's gift again. The speech is oddly strained. Like using a word you've never had to use in a sentence before, and aren't quite sure what it means. ] A few... days? Leg's almost fixed.
[ Oh, that's startling. What's his... Jeez, why's that the reaction? ]
It is? Damn, wonders of...modern...medicine magic... [ Ugh, that's dumb- ] 'Least some things never change, docs never give you anything. [ ... ] Don't...end up here again, like this? [ Worry. Concern, a bunch of concern. ] It... We were all real worried about you, Will.
[ Alex is given free reign to wander through various awkward conversation rejoiners with the patience of a very tired saint. It's only that last one, all worries and honest feelings, does anything change. Reach over and shut the display off. Lion's already reached the realization that comes after that concern. Last thing he needs is it playing in stereo.
Downside to the oath is, even with shutting off the receiving end, Alex gets - of all things - a mix of precision and focus. ]
[ He's going to have to get used to that, isn't he? The strange feelings he can't pinpoint or understand. What is it? ...He realizes, maybe, comparing notes with Lion will be a good idea. ]
Plans go awry. That's true in every universe. [ Light, breezy. ] ...I'll worry less. Okay? I know you're a capable fighter.
The blond one with the large cat I don't know his name He tracked me down and had me thrown in the brig after a fight
I just want to know if I should expect any more retaliatory assaults on your behalf after him and Will [He didn't mention Will's attack before because it had been fun but now that it's causing him problems he figures he can complain about it.]
[He was gonna get more specific about how he saw Alex make a fool of himself over wifegate but now he needs to clarify something else instead.]
You realize they took my weapons before they put me in here I don’t have the means to kill anyone else at this point nor am I in a condition to do so to be entirely honest [Because surely that’s what Alex meant.]
No?? What the fuck is with you, I don't want people to die period It fucking sucks, okay, you wanted to know? It hurts and it's dark and it's miserable, and on top of that you lose a piece of yourself I don't want people to die if it can be avoided and I'd rather not contribute to it anymore than I already have
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