Isla
"A therapist?" Isla echoes, quietly impressed both by Maea's forethought in taking care of her own mental health, and for the profession in general. "That's a very good friend to have," she agrees. "It always seems like quite a difficult job, having to try and keep your own feelings and experiences separate from the people you see. I have a great admiration for anyone who can do it."
Once she's given the tea enough time to steep, Isla reaches out to pour them both a cup, only for Maea to beat her to it. With a grateful nod, she accepts her tea, and a rich aroma of chai spice fills the air. "In my experience of companions, it's very much a two-way street. So even if it's for your sake, arguably it's always for theirs as well," she says slowly, sitting back with her cup to take an immediate sip.
A comparison, then, seems the best approach considering her own forays into death, Isla frowning as she considers how to put it into words. "I was killed the first Longnight we came here to Caido. A monster had infected a luxere, and it attacked me. Remi found out, begged Ludo to have me back, and I was returned as his companion in the form of a unicorn. At first things were clear, if not... difficult, in that new shape. But over time it felt as though I became less, as if the person I was had gone to sleep. All that was left was the part of me that cared for Remi and his wellbeing." Which, she imagines, was exactly the price of Ludo's gift.
"When he realised that... Remi killed me - out of mercy, let it be understood. I stepped back through from Mort's halls as myself only when The Voice laid claim to the Festival of Lights that one year."
Once she's given the tea enough time to steep, Isla reaches out to pour them both a cup, only for Maea to beat her to it. With a grateful nod, she accepts her tea, and a rich aroma of chai spice fills the air. "In my experience of companions, it's very much a two-way street. So even if it's for your sake, arguably it's always for theirs as well," she says slowly, sitting back with her cup to take an immediate sip.
A comparison, then, seems the best approach considering her own forays into death, Isla frowning as she considers how to put it into words. "I was killed the first Longnight we came here to Caido. A monster had infected a luxere, and it attacked me. Remi found out, begged Ludo to have me back, and I was returned as his companion in the form of a unicorn. At first things were clear, if not... difficult, in that new shape. But over time it felt as though I became less, as if the person I was had gone to sleep. All that was left was the part of me that cared for Remi and his wellbeing." Which, she imagines, was exactly the price of Ludo's gift.
"When he realised that... Remi killed me - out of mercy, let it be understood. I stepped back through from Mort's halls as myself only when The Voice laid claim to the Festival of Lights that one year."
I'll take a bruise, I know you're worth it
When you hit me, hit me hard
When you hit me, hit me hard
