( there's a pause where she might dispute the term-- a breath drawn to do so-- and she does not. there is a wall, between herself and her brother and his people. it is a wall that she and nuada have built between them, and it won't come down if she keeps adding stones. )
I am well, and I believe that in time, so too will be his grace.
( this is not a belief based on anything. she just does. )
Still-- yes. My father knew of such things; what of their nature I have is his doing, but too small in scope. ( and unnecessary? no; that rock can stay. )
[ Pause and remove sound like correction, all the same, but he is not within range to detect the meaning of it -- nor does Charles care to, anyway. It's not the matter at hand. ]
( literally everything that followed the first face to face encounter came from the fact that they've been strutting about like arrogant kittens who've mastered pouncing and forgotten that other cats probably know how to do that, too. )
Ah, good, trial and error. That sounds exactly the sort of strategy one should take in developing psychological defense against psychological invasion.
[ Another laugh, this time startled out of him. This would be a good time to point out she has some clear advantages, but that would also mean admitting she's a superior telepath and that's not very sporting. ]
Lacking an economy, we'll have to be rather creative.
( he has it on record, her admission that she's already not only experienced but quite confident in her ability to break into somebody's mind if she wants to-- which really means that he only has himself to blame for nevertheless agreeing to what is as much a (terrible) game as it is a practical and useful exercise. )
First of all, the winner must teach the loser their technique.
voice.
I am well, and I believe that in time, so too will be his grace.
( this is not a belief based on anything. she just does. )
Still-- yes. My father knew of such things; what of their nature I have is his doing, but too small in scope. ( and unnecessary? no; that rock can stay. )
voice.
But you aren't asking for my tutorage, I take it.
voice.
( literally everything that followed the first face to face encounter came from the fact that they've been strutting about like arrogant kittens who've mastered pouncing and forgotten that other cats probably know how to do that, too. )
voice.
Fair point. What did you have in mind?
voice.
( ................. Nuala's bright idea is the worst game of tag ever, yes. )
voice.
And I'll take that bet, by the way.
voice.
What shall our terms be?
voice.
Lacking an economy, we'll have to be rather creative.
voice.
First of all, the winner must teach the loser their technique.
voice.
Agreed. I imagine you'd be terribly put out if I didn't.
[ He is going to get his ass kicked! ] In addition, I'll request a story, of your choosing. Over dinner.
voice.
Hm! Very well.
I will have of you...
( let's see. )
...your waistcoat.
voice.
[ At least he didn't explicitly comment on her rack. ]
At your convenience, of course.
voice.
( somewhere nuada just had a rage black-out and doesn't know why. )
Perhaps-- soon? There's so much, presently. The young woman in Engineering.
voice.