[closed to Alcuin]

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin's thoughts seem a little scattered, like most of his attention is elsewhere.]

Ah, Alcuin. Are you... busy right now?

Comments

[willyousee]

[Alcuin is also preoccupied, and it takes him a moment to remember how to do this, but he replies shortly, mental voice alert and calm, but with an undertone of wariness that he can't quite hide in thoughts.]

Is something wrong?

[neverfeltthatway]

Ah, not as such. But you might want to head outside. We just got a new Traveler, and I think she's a... what do you call them? A D'Angeline?

She mentioned "blessed Elua", anyway, and I haven't heard anyone but you and Joscelin say that before.

[willyousee]

[There's a short, startled silence and the sense of a lot of thought whipping by in a blurred murmur, some of which might be names. Still, he manages to present a calm voice with only the slightest hint of a tremor that speaks to his apprehension and excitement.]

Yes, we are d'Angeline. I'll come right away. Where are you?

[neverfeltthatway]

We're just past the... the moat, a little to the right. [His thought stutters a little, having difficulty defining it as a moat - but however ridiculous it is, there's no better description to be had.]

The woman looks half-drowned, spluttering like she was brought here out of the water, and she has a lot of cuts and bruises. [There's a pause, as he talks to her in person.] ...She says her name is Phèdre.

[willyousee]

[The quality of the long silence at the other end tastes of shock, and the next words are in a mental whisper almost certainly not meant to be heard.]

It can't be.

[He must realize that it's audible, because suddenly even the background noise of his thoughts shuts off sharply. Then he's back, tone bright with urgency and determination.]

Joscelin. He needs to see her first. Stay with her - I'll find him.

[neverfeltthatway]

Joscelin? [He doesn't really know the other boy well, yet. But he had mastered broadcasting on the psychic network nearly immediately, even though he had just gone through a major trauma. The lapse in focus necessary to allow something to slip through unintentionally - well, it didn't take a genius to figure out this woman meant a lot to him, and he had not expected to see her again.

The tone of his thoughts turns sympathetic and comforting.] Of course.

U-um... try not to worry. She's been through a lot, but I don't think she's in any immediate danger.

[willyousee]

[He's distracted, a powerful mix of emotion leaking down the link - alarm, love, fear, relief, grief, and an overwhelming sense of hope.]

Yes, Joscelin, he has to know. She is - was - is his ward, his charge, his--

[He doesn't have the time or the words to describe the complicated relationship of a Cassiline to his companion, and given what he suspects about Joscelin and Phèdre, it becomes even more convoluted. It gives him pause, though, and he realizes that he's not helping. An abundance of warmth and gratitude infuses a mental laugh.]

He's been looking for her for a long time. Thank you, Armin. This is truly wonderful news! If you would, don't mention me to her? She will not think to see me, or hear of me, and I would rather tell her myself.