The Seer accepted the hug without moving, but her gaze was focused somewhere else.  This time it was a memory, Kel struggling against the straps that held her to the bed, short hair plastered to her forehead with sweat as wild laughter spilled from her lips.  And then the awful, empty expression of a body that no longer held a living mind.  Amuné forced her attention back to the present, falling into the easy rhythm of breathing that she'd learned for meditation but used frequently.

"Don't make promises you can't guarantee."  It was sweet he wanted to protect her, but she knew better than to believe.  "Hope is a dangerous thing," she added softly.  She didn't like it.  It made things hurt all the worse.

The sound of heavy steps approaching interrupted the moment, and Amuné found herself looking up at a giant of a man.  "Marcus," she concluded, glancing at Tsitua for confirmation.  The apology got a wry twist of a smile.  "I appreciate the gesture, but it is hardly your fault," she said.  His words echoed strangely in her ears, as if there was a second, far softer voice speaking under them, though it was not clear enough to make out.  When Tsitua waved for her to follow him she fell in at his side and slightly behind.  "...I will try to trust you."  For a moment she focused on the fire that surrounded him.  "I can't promise, and I don't know how well I'll manage, but...I'll do what I can."

---

"This morning?  Man, you work fast.  Whoa, whoa, back up!"  Jareth held up his hands.  "Chakra...that's weea -- erm, otaku talk for like magic, right?  Maghold'd be what, magnetic?  ...AI /what/?!  You guys have artificial intelligence?"  This he had to see.  Lya was completely forgotten as he moved over to take a better look at the craft.  He had little interest in women when presented with a new piece of machinery.  "May I?" he asked, wanting permission before he touched it.  "Sounds like you've got some real advanced stuff here.  I'd love to take a proper look."

[@TheMinorFall]