to heal a wound, you need to stop touching it
Gods it's a mess. Vai can do little more than listen, her fingers closing around Sunjata's as she leads him through the evacuated shop towards a couple of stone steps that lead down a corridor, presumably towards a stock room. It's her intention for them to sit there and chat, for the Flood to get everything off his chest. But gods if there's not a lot for him to talk about, and so Vai pauses before the stairs, still standing in front of him, and turns to take both of his hands.
"Sunjata," she says softly, a smile trying to tug at the corners of her lips. "...That... all of that is more than anyone should ever have to deal with. Especially after all that you've been through already. I don't think anyone can say that you don't have nerves of steel. But first... congratulations, Sunny. You're a father. What's her name?" Leaning in, Vai wraps her arms around him in a secure, motherly sort of hug that speaks of bright futures and wonderful memories, even though things are difficult now.
"Let's pick through it one thing at a time. Is your daughter alright? Where is she staying?"
"Sunjata," she says softly, a smile trying to tug at the corners of her lips. "...That... all of that is more than anyone should ever have to deal with. Especially after all that you've been through already. I don't think anyone can say that you don't have nerves of steel. But first... congratulations, Sunny. You're a father. What's her name?" Leaning in, Vai wraps her arms around him in a secure, motherly sort of hug that speaks of bright futures and wonderful memories, even though things are difficult now.
"Let's pick through it one thing at a time. Is your daughter alright? Where is she staying?"
Vervain
