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[flicker_flash]

[Katie's been back for some time.  She thinks, anyway.  She has a vague recollection of saving a certain captain from drowning.  Silly place to sleep, the middle of the ocean.  She shall lecture him on it one day.  Maybe.  It's not important.

What is important to Katie is not readily apparent to anyone who finds her in the woods today, though they

Comments

[Action]

[the_soother]

[It's always nice to take a walk in the woods. At least that's how Capell feels as he leisurely strolls along. It's almost like being back home. Except the small dirty and bloody child. That's out of place.

... Whoa, wait, what?

Abrupt change of direction. He's now heading Katie's way.]

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[flicker_flash]

[Oh now, there's a familiar face. She thinks. Katie pauses midstep, peering at him as he approaches. And then closes her eyes with a blissful smile, sinking down to sit against a tree, muttering whether he's close enough to hear her or not--]

There's something different about you today.

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[the_soother]

[Capell is both relieved and alarmed to see her stop and sink down. Even more alarming is that she is smiling and seemingly talking to herself though he only hears a faint murmur.

He approaches and kneels down beside her.]

Are you alright?

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[flicker_flash]

[And her eyes open at that.] Oh, I'm terrible. I think I may die any moment. [And she frowns.] But you're missing. Why didn't you - oh, I suppose you can't. It wouldn't be very fair of me, would it?

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[the_soother]

Uh... [For someone who might die at any moment, you are not acting much like it, small child. Poor Capell is quite confused and he has to wonder if she's been hit over the head.]

My name is Capell. I'm going to help you, alright?

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[flicker_flash]

[And then there is owlish blinking before she frowns.]

No. It's not. [And point.] You're not Capell. Did you hit your head? Maybe that's why the other you went away. ...or maybe there are three of you. You sound the same.

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[the_soother]

[And this is a familiar scene. Though a third person hasn't been thrown in before.]

I'm not Sigmund. We... just look alike. [No need to get into the complications of just why that's so.]

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[flicker_flash]

But you're not-- oh. [You're not Volsung, either. But she's not sure she should say that, even now.] Are you his brother, then?

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[the_soother]

Not exactly. It's complicated. [He smiles and holds out his hand to her.] Come on. I'll take you back to the village.

[Action]

[flicker_flash]

[He's so close to Sigmund that she reaches out before she thinks better of it, and then hesitates, suspicion written on her face.] Not an evil twin? Or a golem?

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[the_soother]

[He laughs.] No, I'm not. I promise.

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[flicker_flash]

[And at the last word, she finally focuses fully on his face, gaze oddly intent a moment, before she gives way to a smile. Promises are good.]

All right, then.

[And she'll take his hand. Hope he doesn't mind how dirty it is.]

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[the_soother]

[Nope, he doesn't mind at all. Capell will curl his fingers around her hand.]

Are you very hurt? [He can't tell if she's in an pain and he doesn't want her to make any injuries worse by walking back to the village.]

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[flicker_flash]

Oh, very much so. [And just as deadpan as before. Though she is moving carefully, and gripping his hand a little too much. And because he promised, she adds hesitantly:] Though I think I've eaten too much recently.

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[the_soother]

[He frowns at once again being given an indecipherable answer, but at least he can tell by her actions that something must be wrong.]

If you don't think you can make it back, I'll carry you. [Here Capell stands up slowly, careful not to yank her up with him.]

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[flicker_flash]

[Carrying means she doesn't have to walk, and her legs are being very annoying of late. Katie wrinkles her nose and then peers up at him hopefully.] Piggyback?