mykidisthebest

( frowns!!

but he does pass the lamp over, pulling off the top part to expose the flame. )

...Thank you.

[the way he says "thank you" makes it sound like it's for more than just passing over the lamp.

but then with zero hesitation he puts his hand over the flame and keeps it there right up until it starts to burn and then yanks it back]

--Ack, that's really hot!

( firmly but tenderly grasps his wrist, turning the hand over. crying on command is very useful, but also lethe probably hasn't had to see his eyes get all glassy before he fake cries so. might take it as actual crying. )

[he does think it's actual crying; even though perci told him that he could cry on command, it's one thing to know that and quite another to see it in action. he gets a deer-in-headlights kind of look while his hand is being healed]

You don't have to...It doesn't hurt that much.

( he does sound a little sniffly. )

It's still a burn. Let me do this.

[the back of his neck heats up again. why is this healing method the most emotionally embarrassing and upsetting]

...If it's private you don't have to tell me. But how did you get burned in the past?

( to his credit, perci is quiet. maybe he won't say anything. maybe it's too private, and he swipes his thumb across the last of lethe's burn to make sure it's fully healed. )

It was my former Master's favorite way to make me obey. He was a very gifted fire mage and healer, one of the strongest I've ever met... he would burn me until I was nearly dead and then heal me completely, and repeat the process until I would agree to be obedient.

[HEY WHAT THE HELL THAT'S HORRIFYING????]

[takes a small, shallow breath. there are a lot of follow-up questions one could have about that whole situation. most of them feel too private to ask, given that revelation. so he settles on a slightly safe one.]

Is he dead?

( ... blink. )

Why does that tend to be everyone's first question...?

Any other question feels bad to ask. And obviously no one wants him to be able to hurt you again. If he's dead he can't hurt anyone.

I would point out that the Weed did die and came back, but I think that's a moot point now...

He is dead, yes.

On other worlds, death is a little more permanent than it is here.

[...leans over and, mindful of the lamp, gives him a quick hug]

Sorry I asked something too personal. And thanks for telling me.

( ...........

briefly clings back, but he does let go. )

If it was too personal, I wouldn't have shared it. It's alright...

( but once he pulls back, perci has to suck in a deep breath, exhale, and nervously glance to the lamp. this flame is the hurdle between him and his staff.

he's hesitant as he hovers his hand near, and then on the flame, shutting his eyes tight and turning his head away. )

[normally he might keep hugging him and not let go, but in this particular instance he isn't sure if it will help the task at hand or hinder it. he does take perci's free hand and give it an encouraging squeeze, though; he keeps an eye on the flame so that he can pull the lamp away as soon as perci's palm is burned just enough to satisfy the quest]

( he'll need it. as time goes on, his grip gets more slack, and his eyes get a little distant, like he's not altogether there.

honestly it's a wonder he didn't dissociate earlier.

once the lamp is pulled away and the pain stops he snaps out of it, blinking wide eyes like he just woke up. )

[he's already popped the cork off of a bottle of tears one-handed and is pouring it onto the burn]

You did good. Next time Red asks you to do something like that, just argue with him until he changes the quest.

( winces and lets out a soft hiss. )

He said this was a discount... I didn't want to argue with him in case he'd make it worse.

[adds tears bit by bit until there isn't even a trace of pink left on his hand]

This is a scam, not a discount! He shouldn't be tricking people into bad deals.

( smiles a little, rueful. )

Well, he is a charlatan.

That's not an excuse. Some lines shouldn't be crossed. He knows that too.

[fuming silently like WHY, RED!!!! as he inspects perci's hand and only lets it go once he's satisfied it's healed]

( thank u

he looks over both of his hands. if you don't know where to look, you can't see that he was really hurt, but there's tiny flicks of skin that are too red and some that have slight blistering. )

Maybe he thought he could have fun with me. Either way, it's over now. If he intends on asking me to burn myself again, I'll refuse. My magic is the only thing I'll do that for.

You shouldn't have to do it to get your magic back either.

Still. Congratulations.

Thank you.

Will you show me some of your magic when you get it back? I'm always curious about everyone's skills. There's a variety here.

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cw: tor... ture... burning...

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