|
Bones
Bones walked up to the door of Klaire's house and knocked. They wore a black and red hoody and black swooshy skirt with black boots that went mid-calf.
"... Lesja keeps saying... and I need to ... all the gods... dammit..."
Klaire
The knock was cut short as the sound of the lock unlatching and handle turning made the door open...and Rook ran forward to come say hi the Mage! The sound of a pot being drained can be heard just as Klaire shouts.
"Come in Tommy! Sorry about that!"
Bones
"Hey Rook, buddy," they scritched the dog's jaw.
Tommy meandered forwards, hesitancy in their gait. Eventually, they came upon the kitchen and sat at a stool, to watch the psychic make dinner.
Klaire
Rook was sooooo happy to see them. Klaire was pouring out the pasta by hand, half focusing on the boiling veggies that she was stirring with her mind. Timing and whatnot, ya know? It always works out in the worst of ways.
"Hey, Tommy. Food is basically up." A nod of her head and she turns off the stove, a cabinet opening and two plates setting themself at the table, followed by hot pads, napkins, and forks. A second later the parmesean cheese joins too because who could forget that. She takes a deep breath, and carries the food itself over by hand, sitting next to them.
"How are you feeling?"
Bones
"Confused as fuck, also, wondering what the difference between yesterday and today with your mood," she said simply. A puppy treat was slipped from their pocket to Rook.
"I don't do politics. I've not been part of a consilium for years. Just going from Caucus to Caucus of the Mysterium... and now I'm a Sentinel? Field promotion, sure, but still?"
Klaire
Klaire frowns at the first bit, and watches the treat...but doesnt stop it.
"Because I realize I have been exactly the person I didn't want to be...and was called out on it.. and pushed people away in an unhealthy way."
She serves herself since Tommy wasn't, then offers then the food.
"Because you put in the effort. Others were twiddling their thumbs but you spent time at this. I'm on several mage's shit lists currently and they made me deputy...so I am fairly certain they're trying to put those that already know a lot to the forefront of this, since we both have shown initative in this problem."
Bones
"I just ... passed on information. The information you got. And I passed on things aboutAwakenings... other communities... Jesus shit. No wonder..."
They sighed and scrubbed their face, "Gods damn it."
Klaire
Klaire's eyebrow raises. "What?"
Bones
"I hate politics. And now I"m inpolitics. And this is now the third time in as many months of Cam calling me out to the whole damn place. I'm really not into being that well known and targetted. Someone's going to certainly target me. I like books. reading, researching... an occasional Astral Journey...."
Klaire
Klaire offers a hand. "Then may I be the asshole here and make a suggestion?"
Bones
"As opposed to the last two months?" she bit out before wincing, "Sorry."
Klaire
She pauses, and retracts her hand. "Pointed, but accurate."
Bones
"But, what was the suggestion?"
Klaire
"Tell her you aren't up for it. This isn't...some ploy or anything, I promise. I'm just looking out for a friend. Your mental health should come first, and they can find someone else."
Bones
"Nope. Not how it works. I'm sworn to the Caucus, sworn to the Consilium. I uphold my debts and I am loyal to those to whom I swear. This is what is needed, and so this is what I must do. Besides, I seek the Truth. This Truth includes the truth of those trapped, who need to be freed."
Klaire
Klaire frowns and her face twists slightly. "That's...kind of dumb. For a group so focused on the betterment of...well everything, you'd expect mental health to at least be on the radar."
Bones
"I'm sure I could do it. Cambryses would accept it. The others would have to accept it. It's just not how it works, for me."
Klaire
She nods. "And we are proud and support you on that decision. You're a good person Tommy."
She offers the hand again. "How can I help you, as a friend?"
Bones
They took the hand and smiled, "Deputy."
Klaire
"Yes yes, as a deputy, but also as a friend. That's the side I'm frankly more worried about tonight."
Bones
"Talk me through your worries."
Klaire
"That you're pushing yourself and will burn out. Detective word is hard and mentally demanding. I want you to be okay."
Bones
"I will be. Though hopefully you'll do more of the detective stuff... I can try to do more of the book stuff. And maybe dig through the Athenaeum and the Caucus resources to learn more. Or travel to a different caucus to learn things..."
A hand ran through their hair, "I have books and scrolls... And maybe some magic to help. People? Less so. Investigating? Clues? Middle of the road."
Klaire
Klaire smiles. "I can do that. Point me in the right directions, and I'll help. As we've proven...they tend to overlook Sleepwalkers, so I can be in places I need to be. Does that sound good to you?"
Bones
"Yeah. Definitely. First, I think I should try to talk to Yaroslav... the Mastigos Councilor, and she's one of the Mysterium. Sociologist too. Maybe you should come with, with your knowledges. I also want to find... Maybe ask one of the Fateweavers to find you an in tact robot brain or something. Could be useful to us. To the Hackers."
Klaire
She nods. "I would like that. And it sounds like a good place to start. If Jay could boost my ability to read people again...we could likely get some definite answers. Instead of having to pick and choose questions I'm able to slide out of their heads."
Bones
"I could probably help boost that. If it's something that you already have skill at."
Klaire
She nods. "It is... the power I rely on the most. The more I'm able to relate to someone, the easier it becomes. Most people I can figure out at a glance...at the riot it was like I knew what everyone was feeling...even if not always why."
She nods. "If you're willing to do the spell, then I would not be against it. It makes my job easier and less tiring."
Bones
"May I explore your mind to see how you do it from your perspective? See what parts of you are used?"
Klaire
There's an immediete flinch and almost an immediete response...but she pauses and takes a deep breath.
"Sure, if you wish. Or we can text Jay."
Bones
"I won't go anywhere else... just connect to Rook or something, and I'll look to see what parts of your knowledge are used to enhance it. Easier if I see it myself, unless you trust your Cadremate more."
Klaire
"The last time I was poked at with magic, it ended with me shutting down for a day, yelling at a close friend, and feeling like shit. I'll connect to Rook."
She takes a breath and forms the connection, this one was quite strong. She was used to this mind.
"I'm not sure what you mean? Jay is a friend who is helping watch over me while I make a decision of where I feel most comfortable. I'm no member of the Soulwardens."
Bones
"Oh, the way the bat said you were with the Soulwardens, I thought you had joined them..."
And they brought up both the Mind sight, and pushed into Klaire's mind with some magic to study what knowledge seemed to help.
Klaire
"No. I'm...not sure where people are getting that impression. I have doubts they would want me to join after this past week."
A frown at the focus into her own mind. "I am not part of a Cadre and doubt I'll be for a long time."
Bones
They pulled out their stone wand and touched Klaire with it. SHe got a perfect night's sleep in that moment, "Okay, now drop the connection..."
ONce the connection was dropped, they tried something else to see how it would go.
Klaire
She sighs contently at the nights rest, and drops the connection.
Bones
They touched Klaire with the wand again, and Klaire's mind's quick wit and empathy both improved.
"Now try it again, see if its easier."
Klaire
She looked to Rook again, and while still hella strong...was indeed a slight bit stronger.
"Yep, that did the trick. Thank you."
Bones
"So... It'll chance some paradox to push you harder. But I can make it so you have superhuman levels for a while. ANd if I do it right, I can veil you as well, so it doesn't light up unless someone is studying you with magic visions."
Klaire
She nods. "That's what Jay did at the protest. I'd enjoy it while we are working, should that be an option. Veil would be preferred please."
Bones
"Good to know. It's a plan. I'll ask to meet with her, and let you know, and together, we'll go."
Klaire
Klaire nods. "Yes, please. Meeting with her seems like a good first step."
A pause. "And I am sorry for the pain I've caused you."
Bones
"We are friends, and I'm sorry that you're upset that I slept with Ylva. She told me she'd talk to you about her and I being something more. I understand."
Klaire
A confused look. "What? Sorry. No that's the first I've heard of it. I ask to not be informed who she sleeps with, only if it turns into something more."
Bones
"....THen... I guess you were mad that I ... entered without breaking. THat... that makes more sense."
Klaire
"Slightly... yes... but I was not mad at you...I was mad at myself and pushed others away to be able to feel worse about myself."
Bones
"Oh... I... I rad that wrong. SOrry," they scrubbed the back of their head, "What a cluster... I'm an idjit."
Klaire
She frowns. "It is not your fault. I was being a stuck up asshole and was taking it out on those around me. You're not the idiot, I am."
Bones
"Well... make sure you apologize to Kenzie, Fox, and whoever else witnessed your meltdown."
1
Klaire
A frown. "So you heard about that? I...am sorry if my meltdown changed your perspective of me. I'm realizing I am...more like my parents than I ever wish to be, and wish to change that. I can't change my actions...but I can work to improve. Words...unfortunatly mean nothing...I hope this investigation will repair some of my public image."
Bones
"Well we are friends, regardless," they started eating the food finally, never worrying about the temperature dropping for the food.
Klaire
She nods slowly, taking a deep breath. She hasn't touched her food in a while, and doesn't look particuarly like touching it again.
"Thank you."
Bones
"So... anything other than mage stuff and emotional baggage?"
Klaire
She shakes her head. "Mage stuff and emotional baggage is the theme of this week..."
Bones
"I'm resolving some baggae I think, by and large."
Klaire
She nods.
"Resolving baggage is good."
She took a sip of her water and gently pushes away her food. She watches their reactions carefully.
"I spoke with Jay...he is going to speak with the Deacon of the Silver Ladder. I wish to join..."
Bones
"If you turn out like Jay, after their instructions or whatever... that'll be good. If you come out more like the person from the last week or two ? Honestly? Not even Rook will be enough for me to take that."
Klaire
There's a genuine flinch and she hangs her head. There is no push back at all.
"That...I understand. I am sorry."
Bones
"I do not wish to lie to you. You are my friend, but when we talk about mental health, you understand?"
Klaire
"I don't wish for you to lie to me. If you wish to leave and not talk to me, I understand. I've been a horrible person and have no excuse."
Bones
"You are my friend. That's the end of story. I said if things change for the worse and you become more like the other one? THat's the line. That's when I'm done."
Klaire
She nods, not responding for a solid minute or two and just sitting there to compose herself.
"I hope I can live up to that then. I do wish to be more like Jay...I'm...trying my hardest to push away from who I've been recently. I...regret it very much. I hope you can see that."
Bones
"I do see all of it. I love you, kiddo. I do. You're one of my people. I've called you sister. I just want to clearly communicate how much that hurt, and how bad it could have been."
Klaire
She doesn't make eye contact, but nods. "I know I've hurt people...I'm just....just hoping it can be undone. That I can work to be better. That's all I ask."
Rook comes over and plops his head on her lap. She idly pets him.
Bones
"Work is important. You put in the work to better yourself, I will recognize it, deal?" offered the hand.
Klaire
She nods and shakes the hand. "I can do that."
Bones
They finished up the food and stood, heading to the door, "Have a good night you two... I have thinks to figure out."
Klaire
"Good night..." She doesn't stop them, just sitting there in silence. Petting Rook being just about the only thing proving she's not a statue. Eventually she moves and talks to the pupper.
"Let's take you to go potty... then I'm going to bed..."
|