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[magicalarchaeologist]

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[magicalarchaeologist]

[ Istredd is good at reading Lucifer even when he's giving him static, he can sense something is off, and that confusion seeps through the bond. It could just be that he's bad at family relationships. He hesitates in indecision but then decides to let him off the hook for now. ]

When he went through the ritual, he became indoctrinated. He started thinking they were the good guys and trying to convince people to join them. I don't know why it was different for him, but it made taking care of him harder. I don't know how much of it he remembers.

[thedevilwhorose]

Hopefully none of it. That's the last thing he needs on top of it all, especially if he did convince anyone.

[magicalarchaeologist]

I don't think he managed to. That guilt would be very hard to combat even if everyone was unwell and did things they may regret. I managed to heal Kell early on so he was more capable during the escape. I believe he managed to help clear some of Wilhelm's head himself.

[ He doesn't know that Kell felt bad about leaving him behind, as it was his choice and insistence. ]

Have you seen him yet?

technically he'd have seen them but y'know not threaded yet soooo *jazz hands*

[thedevilwhorose]

I saw him. Them. About as good as to be predicted.

[fortunately for Istredd he has Lucifer to tell him all about Kell's Issues!!]

Yeah speaking of guilt though, Kell by the way was ridden with it when we found him. Thought he should have done more to save you even though you were dead set on dying if it'd get them out. [mm, bit accusatory there, whoops, backtrack] I logic'ed him around but I'm sure there's going to be a resurgence of it again at some point.

*jazz hands*

[magicalarchaeologist]

I insisted he go and take care of them, I already knew I was staying.

[ Something Lucifer already guessed at and they both know to be true, but he's saying it out loud. ]

I was stabbed at the time and bleeding, I couldn't have made it with them anyway. I thought he understood.

[ AKA more proof that Istredd was positive he was going to die so he was doing what he could in those last few minutes. ]

[thedevilwhorose]

Oh, trust me, I told him all about your deathwish. [That's not really... quite how it happened, but it may as well be.] He clearly did not "understand." I was able to be derail him by asking if he took care of Wilhelm, because obviously he did.

[magicalarchaeologist]

I don't have a deathwish. I am very glad to be alive.

[ Semantics. Istredd didn't think that Kell would hold onto guilt about that since it had been his request, and concern floods through him. He'll have to check in with the boy, make certain he understands it wasn't in any way his fault. ]

I'll talk to him. I can understand that leaving someone to die isn't easy no matter the reason.

[thedevilwhorose]

Don't offer him empty condolences.

I promise you he will not take it well.

[magicalarchaeologist]

Did you try that first?

[thedevilwhorose]

Obviously.

It didn't stick from me. I have this funny suspicion he'll react negatively to it from you.

[magicalarchaeologist]

I'll just apologize. Sincerely. I don't regret getting them out, but it was traumatic all around, he was put in a hard position.

[thedevilwhorose]

Good luck.

[magicalarchaeologist]

[ Fine, he can take a turn when he wants to. ]

Is there a point in time when the static is going to stop?

[thedevilwhorose]

When I can sleep for a week.

[magicalarchaeologist]

So when we go back to Thorne, can I shut you in the room for a week?

[thedevilwhorose]

So pessimistic that you think I won't do it on my own. [Unlike his usual sing-song tone there is a very, very, very faint malicious edge to this.

(It's really not Istredd's fault, even as the primary source for an outlet now. Nocwich and Lucifer rarely go well.)]

[magicalarchaeologist]

Whatever it takes. You didn't sleep at all? I thought you were sharing the room with Rhy and Kyle.

[thedevilwhorose]

If you call fits and snatches and unconsciousness "sleep" whenever any of us were back from where we'd set out to.

[magicalarchaeologist]

You're in the room with an emotional support animal. You could sleep right now.

[thedevilwhorose]

[he's unfortunately considered it: the biggest tragedy of today]

I'm not going to get any real rest until we're back in Thorne.

Which is an abysmal prospect that I willingly would rather be in Thorne.

[magicalarchaeologist]

I'd say you could go back without us, but I would hate that, so you're not allowed to.

[ He means it a little jokingly, as if he could disallow Lucifer anything. ]

[thedevilwhorose]

But think of all the fun I could get into with a castle empty of Summoned!

[Ambrose would love that.]

I don't think anyone stayed in Thorne. [Thorne Summoned mobilized. They were all each other's unhealthy shadows.] Doubt anyone's gone back yet either.

[magicalarchaeologist]

Oh I'm sure Ambrose would love that.

[ Someone squealed. ]

The kids need longer, they were badly damaged.

[thedevilwhorose]

Eh.

[He's going to lean into the hope that Istredd doesn't know the extent of Lucifer's Ambrose Incident. Re: actually getting imprisoned in the dungeons for a day.]

The benefit of teenagers is that their bodies will shake off the physical damage quicker than you'd expect.

It's the emotional damage that will take time.

[This is all laid out very methodical. Neutral, informational. Not so much a closing off of emotions as it is that alien nature of someone that knew how to break down souls.

Likely how his tone would have been when he told Istredd to weigh his pros and cons in the pit, had they access to the bond at the time.]

[magicalarchaeologist]

Yes, that's been on my mind. The mental trauma taking a toll is inevitable. With no solution I know of.

[ Therapy isn't really a thing in his sphere, and definitely not in the Brotherhood.]

You're an expert on surviving extensive mental trauma, any recommendations?