voidtreckerexpress | I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take.

Who: Nita and YOU. Preferably close CR, but anyone can stop by.
Where: Quiet Car, second floor, a room near the front of the carriage.
When: Middle half of Grasshopper; post-platform, pre-event.
What: A(n ex-) wizard retreats. Some may come to reprimand, some to console, some just to find out WTF happened.
Warnings: ... Discussion of what's basically psychic assault in this log, folks. Mind your headspace!

After the platform, Nita retreated into herself. That was the best way to describe it; she could not be 'booked' in one of these rooms the same way she could have been in the Medical Car, but she spent as much time as she could in just the one room, not speaking unless spoken to, not leaving except to go to the restroom or fetch another journal.

No matter when one arrived to check on her, she would be either resting - staring off into space more than actually sleeping - or writing.

Some of the words were crossed out, as if she had had a tough time finding the right ones, but the writing looked to be formal in nature. A report. And, most notably, it was in English, not the alien curves of the Speech.

If she had to live with her actions, Nita figured, the least she could do was explain them - and explain why they were wrong.

Mostly, though, what encompassed her mind was the emptiness of it all. She couldn't even be angry now.

Fitting.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Of course Dairine was there with Nita during this moment of truth. While the two of them got on each others' nerves quite frequently, she'd always be behind her sister in the end, wizardry or not. She wanted to be able to show that support. Also having a wizard present for the mitigation process wouldn't be a bad idea, though usually it'd be one of the older, wiser types. Not some youngster whose personally connected to the conflict, desperately hoping this goes well.

She does a pretty good job at keeping her nerves well hidden, her expression showing the usual cool focus she reserves for serious situations. But Neets might know her well enough to see past that.

"Hang on, I'll check."

Dairine reaches up to wall, placing her palm on the surface. For Nita's benefit, she speaks outright, though still in the Speech.

"Hello again. You up?" She glances back at Nita. "Someone would like to talk to you."

There's a... Not quite a flinch, at the first poke of wizardry, but that presence is there. Distant as ever and not coming any closer. There is no reaction, but Dairine will feel the connection, as she has before.

Well, that's not exactly reassuring, but at least the train isn't angry this time.

"It's here. Or as close to 'here' as it's ever been."

Dairine nods towards Neets, "You ready?"

Settling herself on the floor, she nods right back up at her sister.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

With that, she puts one hand to the wall - no sense of connection from it, and if Dairine warns her she'll put it right back, but it's symbolic all the same.

Then, she begins to focus: putting her horror and regret at her own actions out of words and into feeling.

I hurt you, and you did not deserve it, and I am sorry.

And then, after that, trying her best to parse it into emotions:

[Willingness][Offering] You can have one strike at me, and I won't fight back.

/And at me, as well./

Nita feels that flicker, and her eyes briefly open wide in shock, before she returns to the request. If you wish it. Otherwise, we will keep to ourselves as best we can, and continue to aid the Voidtreckers in saving worlds.

Pleading, alongside resolute commitment: We will not let this happen again.

If anything, when Nita draws closer the presence becomes more distance. But when no attack is forthcoming it steadies, that normal listening state. Not coming closer, not responding. But there is no fear, no anger.

Acknowledgement. Acceptance even. A message heard, a message understood. No attack comes, nothing strikes out at Nita. A sense that all is well, this apology was not needed.

First, Nita realizes she can feel that response, and she also realizes she'd been holding her breath.

Then she starts blinking, as a chord of power strikes back through her - not a hit but a surge, not a shout but a sigh - relief.

"I- I'm glad to hear you feel that way. /Thank you,/" she adds, almost in a whisper - and if she's crying, if it feels like she's being hugged by another presence that would cry too if it could, then what of it?

Dairine kept her hand on the engine wall to keep tabs. While Dairine could not hear their conversation, she could tell the train's mood wasn't hostile.

However, once Spot pings her about Nita's wizardry returning, she drops her hand pretty much immediately. Dairine has more pressings things she's gotta do. Like giving her sister a big ol' hug.

(Hopefully Bobo isn't too badly squished.)

"Good to have you back."

/Right back at you,/ Nita murmurs, hugging her sister back with absolutely zero hesitation.

We're going to be just fine, she thinks, to silent affirmation.

It has more than a grain of truth to it.

I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take.

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Aaaand wrap.