An appointment with heirtothearcane

[chiron_survivor]

Adia sits eagerly in the waiting room of Viatorus's office, a small notebook and pen in her hands. Surprised that the dreamwalker had agreed to meet with her so soon after Khan's invasion, she leapt at the chance anyway. The anti-violence was restored, after all, and Isidor surely wouldn't have let her brother return to the Nexus if any danger remained.

In a way, Adia, too, was restored, freed from a filthy settlement and returned to her spaceship. She is once again dressed semi-professionally, her hair clean, the mottled bruise on the left side of her face the only reminder of her close call on New Caprica. More importantly, her heart is filled with hope -- hope for her people's future, and hope for her own.

Absently doodling a tulip in the corner of her notebook, she glances up every so often at the office door in anticipation of it opening. She can't wait to talk to Viatorus about the possibility of a research lab in the Nexus, one that caters to both magic and science. Oh, and maybe she should mention Iphigenia's idea of building a shrine to their gods in the Nexus, too...

And her nightmares. She's supposed to ask about how to stop her nightmares.

Her excitement tempered by the unpleasant reminder, she scratches out the tulip while she waits. By the time Viatorus arrives, it's nothing but an angry blue blot.

Comments

[chiron_survivor]

It's a common refrain from many of the Earths she hears about. Limited space travel. Why her own world has such advanced space travel but similar levels of technology in other areas is such a mystery to her. She watches his dreamy expression with a small smile. "I wish I could invite you on board the Chiron but it would raise too many questions... maybe someday, after we find Earth?"

"Okay!" Adia chirps enthusiastically before clearing her throat. "I mean, sure, if that's all right with you." She wonders if he's being serious about asking his cat if she can dreamwalk, but doesn't say anything at the risk of sounding foolish. It doesn't matter anyway, she's excited to see a cat again, no matter how ordinary.

That does make her feel better, the uneasy look in her eyes disappearing. She's not as worried about meeting notorious characters in the Nexus, as the AV field does offer some protection (when it's working, anyway), and she still thinks of the Nexus as neutral ground. At any rate, she's content to let the subject drop. She has enough to worry about without adding scary fairies into the mix.

"It sounds nice, doesn't it?" She looks away briefly, feeling oddly guilty for having experienced the thing that Viatorus so obviously craves. She wishes that she could tell him that he can still have his romance, that love can blossom as easily from a friendship as an enchanted evening in a moonlit garden, but she doesn't want to give him false hope. Runa sounds like a lovely young woman, but an arranged marriage starts things off on such a weird note... at least in Adia's opinion. She returns her gaze to him and smiles sadly. "Early on, that's what I dreamed about... the flowers, and our week of being together. It was almost worse waking up from those dreams. But I miss having them."

[heirtothearcane]

The apologetic slant to her words gets a gentle smile. "That would be nice, but it's all right if you can't. Usually I'm the one wishing I could take people places. Into dreams, usually. I'm happy to hear about it. And dream about it."

"Of course. I'll only be a minute." He smiles as he gets up, the door opening at a lift of his hand. It doesn't take him long to return with a small ginger and white tabby in his arms that stretches out, digging her claws into his tie. "She's very playful so she nips sometimes, but hopefully she'll behave for you..." He rubs her head as he tries to untangle her from his tie. "Her name is Lyra. Would you like to hold her?"

There's a bittersweetness to hearing the precious memories Adia has of Caspar, but they are her memories. He can only live vicariously through them, but he suspects that's all he'll ever get so it will have to do. Besides, he is happy for her, that she had those moments. Especially when she has had to go through so much. "That's understandable. The sweetest dreams are the hardest to leave behind. You'll have them again, though, I'm sure of it. Or maybe even better ones."

[chiron_survivor]

She's touched by his gracious reply. All too often, she wishes she could repay the generosity of her friends. "I'm back on my spaceship, at least, so that's a step in the right direction. It's no luxury liner, but we have an observation deck."

Adia eagerly turns in her seat so she can see the cat as soon as Viatorus retrieves her. "That's a lovely name," she says, giggling when Lyra attaches herself to his tie. "Oh, she's very cute. Yes, I'd love to hold her -- one second." She quickly unwraps her scarf and tucks it into her pants' pocket. No need to tempt the cat with the delicate material. She holds out her hands. "Okay, I'm ready."

If she knew the full extent of his thoughts, she'd recommend that he find someone else to live through vicariously, someone with a successful romance that has spanned many years. Not that she is in any position to judge, she's the Orpheus and Eurydice fangirl, after all. A tragedy can make the romantic moments all the more sweet. "Thanks," she says softly. "As cliche as it sounds, I'm going to spend time on myself for a while before I even think of entering another relationship. I could have saved myself some trouble if I had done that the first time around."

[heirtothearcane]

"Is it still nice to look out at the stars? I think that would be pretty special. I've made dreams like that, but I don't think they were very realistic."

Lyra trills quietly as Viatorus hands her over, but she's perfectly happy to go from one set of arms to another. At first she sniffs Adia, getting familiar with the new scent, then she headbutts the young woman's chin. Viatorus laughs, brushing off a few stray cat hairs. "It looks like she likes you."

"That's a good idea." He nods and takes his seat again. "I... don't really know what it's like to... go through what you went through, but you deserve to have a break and find some happiness."

[chiron_survivor]

"It's very nice," Adia confirms. "You can see a lot more of them. They don't twinkle, though, because there's no atmosphere in the way. What were your dreams of them like?"

Carefully, she takes Lyra into her arms and cradles her gently, marveling at her soft fur. She positively melts when she's headbutted, rewarding the cat's friendliness with a gentle stroke along her back. "Who's a good kitty," she murmurs happily, untroubled by the stray hairs. After a moment or two, she returns her attention to Viatorus, although it's hard to not be at least a little distracted by a friendly cat.

"Thanks... that's kind of you to say." She's well aware that he doesn't know what it's like, but she doesn't hold that against him. "I hope you find happiness, too. With Runa," she adds quickly. If he's really going through with an arranged marriage, she's absolutely not going to advocate for some sort of loophole. "I, um... I mean, I don't know anything and I'm the last person to give advice, but she sounds nice and... that's a good start. Sometimes." She looks down, suddenly finding something very fascinating about the pattern of Lyra's fur.

[heirtothearcane]

"Atmosphere is what does that? I'd never have guessed that." He settles back into his seat, expression becoming thoughtful once more. "They twinkle, in my dreams, and distance doesn't matter there. You can fly through galaxies that are like the most beautiful stardust, or see nebula and stars and suns and planets in all kinds of amazing combinations. Everything feels so close, even though it's so vast."

All the attention has her purring away softly and pressing against her good new human friend. If Adia is ever distracted by her conversation Lyra is more than happy to seek out her stroking hand and remind her of what's important here - Namely more petting.

"Thank you." He tries not to let his smile waver, but it's difficult. Adia is not alone in feeling like his situation is an awkward way to start a relationship. "She's gotten along well with my friends so far. I'm grateful for that." He ducks his head guiltily and rubs a knuckle between his fingers. "I think it's just... It feels strange. To be meet this stranger and be told she's going to be my wife. It's, um... practical. It didn't strike me how odd a practical marriage would feel."

[chiron_survivor]

"I wouldn't have, either, but an astronomy major explained it to me, once. You don't really notice, otherwise." She smiles, enchanted by his description. "That doesn't sound much like the view from my ship, but that's okay. Dreams are supposed to be more like a fantasy, right? Those were always my favorite ones."

Adia never had a pet cat, but she's well-versed in doling out affection to one. She keeps up with the petting, even as she tries to think of something to say in response to her friend's concerns. An arranged marriage is strange, to her, but to say so wouldn't be comforting at all (and culturally insensitive to boot). "It's, um... it's rarely done where I'm from." She looks away again, sheepish. "When I first met you, I thought that you were maybe from an earlier time period. But... anyway. That's good that she gets along with your friends. What do they think of her?"

[heirtothearcane]

"That's why I like talking to different people. There's always something to learn about the things we take for granted," he muses aloud. "They can be as fantastical as the human imagination. Which means they can be quite nonsensical, but sometimes that makes them all the more wonderful."

Viatorus responds with a sheepish smile and a shrug. "My family does like its traditions. We're old fashioned, even in my world." It's hard not to think of Adia as being from a far flung future with all its talk of technology and space travel. Honestly he's just glad she seems so normal considering all of that. "They like her, I think. Maybe in time it will feel more normal... I'm not sure how, really. Dating isn't normal for me, this isn't normal for me. Everything is new. Different... Did it feel strange for you the first time you dated someone?"

[chiron_survivor]

It's a refreshing, open-minded way to approach the world, especially for someone as sheltered as Viatorus. "Me, too... well, when I'm not feeling too nervous." She grins and gives Lyra a gentle scratch behind the ears. "I've always found, at least for me, that my dreams make sense while I'm having them, and only get all weird after I've woken up. Do they work like that for the dreams you create? What's the strangest dream you've made?"

"It is because of the magic?" she asks curiously. "Or, um, your family's history with magic?" His sister doesn't seem nearly as old-fashioned, but she's the one who has to interact with the rest of the world. She briefly wonders if Isidor knows about things like swine flu, but that thought is cut short when Viatorus asks about her first date. She blinks, hand pausing halfway down Lyra's back, before laughing self-consciously. "Well, sure. It was strange, and awkward, and nerve-wracking, too. I never liked dating." She blushes a little at her admission, but there's a smile, too, an amusement at her own foibles. "I always did better if I was friends with someone first. Then the dating didn't feel so strange."

[heirtothearcane]

His laugh is light, breathless as he smiles knowingly and nods in agreement with a familiar sentiment. With her questions he smiles and nods some more. "In dreams nothing seems strange. There's a simple logic to everything that usually doesn't make sense in the waking world." Then he hums thoughtfully. "The strangest dream I've made? Hm... I'm not sure..." After a reasonable bit of thinking he suggests, "Maybe the one where the people were all brightly coloured marshmallow shapes, and everyone had to do things backwards. Like put the apples back on the trees or talk backwards."

"I suppose it is," he says thoughtfully. It hadn't occurred to him before, and it shows in the sliver of surprise in his tone. "Our blood was considered precious, worth protecting, preserving. I guess it just never lost its value."

There's a small, relieved sigh from Viatorus and Lyra turns this way and that to see why Adia paused in her stroking. "That's good to hear." Then he jumps in to add, "N-Not th-that it was awkward. B-But, I mean, that it's not... not entirely strange to be nervous. Everyone seems to like the idea of dating so much. I thought I want meant to too."

[chiron_survivor]

In a multiverse of extroverts, it's nice to know that she isn't the only one who has to struggle sometimes to talk to others. But on the topic of dreams, she seems quite comfortable. It doesn't hurt that she has a friendly cat sitting in her lap, either. She laughs brightly at the description of his dream. "Oh, wow. That sounds like something I'd dream after eating too much candy. Why did you create it? Were you testing your limits?"

Sometimes an outside perspective is necessary to realize such things. "It does sound precious, if it's tied to your magic." She smiles encouragingly. "All the same, I'm glad that you're open to other points of view."

"It's okay, I know what you meant." She lifts her hand reassuringly, then giggles when Lyra headbutts it. "Sorry," she tells the cat before resuming her petting. She responds to her friend's explanation with an uncharacteristic eye roll, but it's not directed at him. "People are only into dating as a means to an end, a relationship or someone to fool around with. I can't imagine anyone dating for the sake of dating." She pauses and adds thoughtfully, "Maybe if they're very social and outgoing. Maybe then it's fun."

[heirtothearcane]

It's nice to see Adia enjoy his descriptions, odd as they may be. Seeing people pleased by his anecdotes is still a relatively novel thing for him. "It was a young boy's dream. His dreams were unsettled, trying to understand something in his life. I don't know what. All I know is that he didn't understand the things around him and that the reverse marshmallow world made him happy. It made him feel safe. Secure."

She gets a smile in return. "Me too. I would hate to miss hearing about the wonders of science."

"It sounds very difficult," Viatorus agrees. "I think I'd rather stay at home with Lyra and read a book..." A small smile appears again and he jokes softly, "Maybe it's just as well my marriage was arranged."

[chiron_survivor]

The dream makes more sense now, that it's meant for a small child. "Marshmallows are safe," Adia muses aloud. "And things going in reverse..." Her expression turns distant for a moment or two. Who wouldn't like to turn back time, to undo awful things that have happened? But Adia worries that she is projecting too much of her own neuroses onto a boy's dream, so she keeps that thought to herself, returning her focus to Viatorus and smiling kindly. "How wonderful, that you could help him feel safe. You have a real gift."

"Can I ask you something?" Adia scratches behind Lyra's ears in lieu of having a scarf to fidget with. "Were you not taught much science as a kid? Or, um... sorry, I don't want to assume anything about your education. But it'd be nice to know what your baseline knowledge is." She pauses before adding helpfully, "My magic knowledge is zero, by the way. Aside from what you've told me."

She knows that he means his words humorously, but something about the way he says them makes her frown a little in concern. "It's stressful," she agrees. "But I'm sure that if you wanted to, you would have found someone on your own. You're very kind and a good listener, and... and you shouldn't have to be an extravert to find someone to love. I mean, I managed to do it. You would have been able to, too."

[heirtothearcane]

Viatorus ducks his head, bashful this time but happy for the compliment. "Thank you. It's my favourite thing to do, help people feel safe in their dreams. Especially children. I always try to show them they have more strength and control than they think, and they always make such wonderful dreams. Honest ones. Pure."

When she asks about asking a question, he nods, only to then hum as he considers his response. "I was taught some... It's difficult to judge, because I don't know how much of science there is to learn in the first place... But if it's anything like magic, then not much. I understand the basics, and then anything that relates to magical practice. I know a little geography, because it's related to nature magic... And I know about the brain and the body, about how both react to sleep and dreams. That's the most science I've studied, because it's connected to my research."

"Oh..." He smiles and half laughs, dipping his head to hide his reddening cheeks. "Thank you, that's kind of you to say, b-but it's different." His lips flicker, widening his smile briefly. "You're intelligent and pretty. And I don't think your parents would scare people off like mine would."

[chiron_survivor]

"Children sometimes need that help the most, to feel safe." She knows that she shouldn't feel selfish about asking for Viatorus's help, but she hopes that she isn't taking time away from him that he could use to be helping children. She smiles wistfully. "I wish we had someone with your powers in our fleet. For the kids, more than anyone."

She relaxes a little, glad that he didn't take her question the wrong way. "You're farther along than some people I know," she says, once he's done answering. Even people who don't have his excuse of a sheltered upbringing. "You probably know more about the brain than I do, I only took an introduction to psychology course. Was there anything you found especially interesting?"

"But you're pretty, too," she replies in honest confusion before adding hastily, "Handsome, sorry." She blushes as well, but it's her own fault for trying to deflect a compliment with an awkward one of her own. Clearing her throat, she tries again. "What I mean is, you aren't any less nice-looking than I am. But, um... you may have a point about your parents. My dad was a lot like me and my mom was always so happy I was seeing someone that she usually welcomed them with open arms. What about your parents would have scared people off? Their magic?"

[heirtothearcane]

"I wish I could spend more time doing it, for everyone," he admits. "But I'm glad I can help some people, like you, o-or at least try to."

"The REM cycles were interesting. I don't think I really understood everything about the brain chemistry, but it's helped me learn how to refine my walking when I need to." Despite dreams being his specialty it feels a little misleading to be too confident in his own abilities when he understands the science so little. "Did learning some psychology help you?"

The points he made felt less like compliments and more like facts. Nice facts, but facts nonetheless. Somehow he didn't expect to have his comments turned back on him. He also clears his throat a little and straightens his tie to stop himself from fidgeting or feeling his cheeks burn brighter. "Um, well, um, partially. Their reputation too. And... well." Viatorus' eyes flicker away as he imagines any one of his friends meeting his parents personally. He pulls at his collar and then clasps his hands together. "My, um. My father is... um... He's... Some people call him 'der Drache'. It means 'the dragon'. He's... very... very formal. Stern. Powerful a-a-and knowledgeable too, of course, but... he's... ah, well, scary sometimes."

[chiron_survivor]

"There's only so much any one person can do. And you don't want to burn yourself out, either." She knows personally how the impulse to help others, to put their needs above your own, can get out of hand. "The fact that you're willing to help people in the Nexus is incredibly generous of you." Like herself, which he already pointed out. She briefly wishes that Viatorus could make her dream run backwards, too... but that wouldn't work, would it. Then she'd be following Caspar into the underworld. A world full of marshmallow people sounds awfully comforting, though.

"I wish I could help you there, but my knowledge of brain chemistry is limited to prion diseases which are... um, not pleasant." She frowns thoughtfully at his question, the lessons she learned her freshman year of college nearly a decade old. "I guess so... I liked learning about brain biology, and how neurons work." She shifts a little in her seat, mindful of the cat in her lap. "But I knew right away that I didn't want to make a career out of it. Human behavior is so... nebulous. Too many variables. I much prefer studying something specific and concrete."

Relieved as she is that he moves past her weird attempt at reassurance, she hopes that he doesn't think that she's only saying he looks nice to make him feel better. It hasn't been her experience for men to worry about such things. Although maybe with a father like the one he describes, self-confidence is that much harder to come by. "He does sound scary," she says sympathetically. "Was he like that with you? Formal?"

[heirtothearcane]

For a minute he's not sure what to say, but he eventually settles on, "Thank you." Again he hesitates before continuing. "It doesn't feel like much at all. Especially when bad things happen and I can't help. Perhaps... Perhaps one day I'll manage to give lots of people good dreams in one go. Not that it would do much, but..." It's all he's got.

Curiosity nearly has him asking what prion diseases are, but a flash of sense suggest that maybe, just maybe, he doesn't want to know. Thankfully it doesn't take much to distract him from that thought. "That's understandable. I like working with people and the human mind... but I'm not as good when it's not in the dreamlands. In their dreams people are more... honest. Not everyone is when they're awake."

"Yes," Viatorus laughs nervously before he can help himself, his hands fidgeting again. "Yes, he's like that with everyone. Even his children. He, um, he taught Isidor and I a little on his area of study, but he's a busy man, and important. We don't speak much on anything other than study and business. I think he wants to treat everyone equally, no matter who they are."

[chiron_survivor]

"I know the feeling," she says with a soft, wry laugh. "After everything that's happened recently, I've tried very hard not to beat myself up over not being able to do more." Encounters with Cylon ex-boyfriends non-withstanding. "But is that possible, what you're describing? To give a lot of dreams at once?"

Adia is more than fine with not elaborating on the nature of mad cow disease and its human variants. His confession makes her smile at how well she can relate. "It's harder to help people when they aren't being honest," she agrees. "But the body doesn't lie. Maybe that's why I've grown comfortable with first aid."

His description of his father shouldn't surprise her, based on what he's said before about his parents, but it's still sad to hear, made even sadder by how accepting he sounds of it. She's known people with cold, distant fathers before, but never has it been presented so equitably. She wishes she could comfort him somehow, but she doesn't know where to start. "I'm sorry," she says finally, giving Lyra extra attention by way of compensation. "My dad wasn't anything like that... I wish you could have met him. He would have treated you a lot differently."

[heirtothearcane]

Viatorus pulls a sympathetic smile, then takes a deep breath, slowly exhaling as he considers her question. "I'm sure it is. It's avoiding any unexpected side effects that's the problem. Everyone having the same dream would be easiest, but not as nice as one that's tailored to them. Then there's avoiding creating a psychic link, and only picking certain people, and making the dream secure, making sure no negativity influences the dream... Dreams are delicate things."

"That's true." A thought occurs to him and he smiles sheepishly. "I don't think I'd have a steady enough hands or nerve for it, personally. Although you must be good at that, dealing with small things like you do."

"It's all right," he's quick to say. If he were in her position he'd apologise too, but it's something he'd long since gotten used to. "Your dad sounds like he was a good father. He had a sense for it. Mine... Durants are good at studying, at working. I would have liked to meet your father too. He must have been a good man to raise a daughter like you."

[chiron_survivor]

"That's a lot of conditions," Adia murmurs. Although they all make sense, in a strange sort of way. Trying to give that many dreams at once is bound to be difficult, barely within in the grasp of a skilled mage. "I think it would be amazing, to accomplish something like that. Tell me more about the psychic link? Could two people share a dream that you've created?"

"Preparing slides and petri slides has given me a lot of practice," she says with a small smile. A smile that fades when she thinks about the other quality he's mentioned. Nerves. "It was scary at first, especially when I didn't know what to do yet. And it's so hard to see people in pain. But I... I've seen worse. And when you can help, it takes away a lot of the fear."

Adia blushes bashfully at the double compliment. "He was," she says finally, scratching gentle lines into Lyra's fur. It's her father who deserves the praise, not her. There's a lot she could say about her father, how warm and caring he was, how he always found a way to balance the demands of work and family, but that feels too much like bragging. "Has your father met Runa? Or, um, is he too busy for that?"

[heirtothearcane]

It shouldn't make him so glad or proud as it does to hear another academic sympathise with the difficulties of his area, but it feels like such a rare thing. Without noticing, he bounces on his seat a little. "Certainly. Psychic links depend on the people and the method of connection, of course, but it's not hard to get some kind of connection. Like, ah, empathetic links are quite common. Especially with empaths who make them naturally, instinctively. Dreams deal with the subconscious so it's much easier for psychic abilities to work with, like clairvoyancy or mediumship. So bringing two people together for a dream could potentially forge a strong psychic link between them."

Viatorus mirrors her smile when she confirms his suspicions, but he sobers again and nods as she continues. Then his smile returns. "That's wonderful, Adia. Not everyone faces what scares them. I'm glad you could do that, and it's helped other people too, not just you."

Lyra decides it's a good idea to find the closest bit of bare skin and start licking helpfully. Her antics give Viatorus something to smile at while they talk about his father. "He met her when our families met to go over the terms of our engagement. I don't think he really wanted to be there though." He laughs nervously. "Runa's family is a bit... cheerful for him, I think."

[chiron_survivor]

Adia never would have expected to relate so easily to a magic user, but his talk of academia reminds her so strongly of her own. It's not quite the scientific method, but there is an internal consistency to his research that she can follow well enough. His explanation of how psychic links are formed makes sense to her, despite it only being the stuff of fantasy on her world. So far as she knows, anyway. "Empath?" she echoes, unfamiliar with the term, before frowning thoughtfully. "Doesn't sound like a psychic link is something you'd want to happen accidentally... I can't think of anyone I'd want to be that closely connected to... not currently, anyway."

There's another bashful look in response to his praise, but this time it's accompanied by a small smile. She's learning to accept his compliments with grace, especially when he delivers them so kindly. "Thanks. It feels good to help others." She pauses a moment before adding wryly, "And it's still less scary than going to a party where I don't know anyone."

That patch of bare skin happens to be Adia's throat, previously covered by her floral scarf that is now safely tugged away. Adia giggles in surprise at the sensation of scratchy cat tongue. "Lyra!" she protests through another laugh, gently pushing her head away. She resumes her previous petting, if only to encourage the cat to settle on her lap and stop making trouble. "Oh, gosh. That sounds awkward." And kind of funny, too. It serves his dad right, to be besieged by a family that isn't afraid to show happiness. "That's nice to hear that her family is cheerful. Do you get along with them? It could be nice to have them for in-laws." Or a nightmare, if they're the type of cheerful that never leaves you alone.

[heirtothearcane]

"No, it's… it's not something you'd want to make carelessly," he agrees, the smile on his face almost a cringe at the idea of it. "Not unless you were able to control it extremely well." He takes a deep breath to move back into the comfortable area of explanations. "An empath is someone who tunes into another person's emotions on a psychic level. There are a lot of people who are empathic without knowing it. They're often dismissed as 'sensitive', but it can be very powerful and confusing. Everything varies, of course." He hesitates and then taps his chest once before fidgeting. "I'm an empath. A reasonably mediocre one, but I think it helps a lot with dreamwalking."

It's not often that it happens, but Viatorus laughs and only barely attempts to stop himself at her joke. His mouth pinches as he composes himself again and he straightens his straight tie. "I-It's only 'pretty scary' then."

"If it was I was too distracted to notice," he admits. He watches Lyra get distracted again and start headbutting Adia's hand as it tries to push her away. Eventually she flops back onto her side. "I haven't talked to them much. We only once, but they seem nice. Her mother passed away, but she has a lot of sisters, and her father, of course. They all seem very close. More like your family."

[chiron_survivor]

"Are you able to make one on purpose?" she asks out of general curiosity. A psychic link would be incredibly useful in some circumstances, now that she thinks about it. "I was friends with a psychic. She was more the type to have visions, but sometimes they were from the point of view of someone else. She knew what the Cylons were thinking, a couple of times..."

Oh, that is something she's heard of, just not by that specific term. She blinks a little at his admission, but otherwise doesn't seem surprised. "Just mediocre?" she says in a gently disbelieving voice. "I think it must help a lot... I know what it's like to be called sensitive, though. Not that I'm anywhere close to being psychic." No, if she were truly an empath, she wouldn't have been blindsided by Caspar's behavior.

Her expression brightens at his laughter. It's one thing that they don't have in common, as she rarely stifles hers, but she's grateful to know someone who also appreciates the terror of small talk with strangers. "Right," she agrees, with a small giggle of her own. She settles back in her seat when Lyra flops over, her expression sobering. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that about her mother. What's her father like? I'm sure they'll all like you very much once they've gotten to know you." How could possibly not like him??