growing roses in the disarray

MAEA

Carry me through this world alive
I feel no more, this suffering

In the end, it was the tone she responded to more than the words. Perhaps he wasn't very warm, but there was kindness and care somewhere in what he said, and it gave her the key she needed.

Moving a little, she placed the palms flat onto the floor. Focused on whatever she could, while she clung to the sound of his voice. Let it remind her of things that were light and good and safe. She couldn't hurt him? That was good. Loren was stronger than her, for all that she'd promised to take that burden from him one day. It would not be today though, and not tomorrow... and as she leaned into this knowledge, something eased in her. Warmed.

Gradually, the spikes began to fade. Melt, almost, until she could keep them from erupting randomly. It was a bare minimum, but it was control. As she found it, her breathing eased a little more. Deepened.

"I think... I got it," she mumbled. Reached out for the water that blocked him from sight, to see if she could shift it out of the way, just a little.

Bury me in this cold light
I feed the wolf, and shed my skin