[Jaunt-Locked] || [Some time after Phillip's Message]

[backwordscompatible]

 --no!

[The transmission--a sudden, sharp burst of mental screaming--carried with it a wave of terrified panic...for those would could sense it.]

[There was a pause.  Time to realize what was happening.  What had happened.  Where she was.  The fact that she was safe now.  That lingering pain in her chest?  A ghost wound, no longer physical, but a reminder that she hadn't dreamed it.  That she really had died.]

[Again.]

[And now her fear was being broadcast for all Investigators.  Too late to take it back.  She didn't even have time to sort through her jumbled thoughts.]

The castle.  Something calling...not the bracelets...no, different...except...didn't want us there...couldn't help myself...had to look...and then...flash...a knife...

[Wait, no!  She didn't--]

[Why did it broadcast?  She didn't want that.  She just needed...time to think.  By herself.  Whenever things got too much for her, she would isolate herself.  Better than letting them see her freak.  Or worse, cry.]

[She needed something else to focus on.  Anything.]

...my...familiar.  The tiger.

What happened to him?

Comments

[backwordscompatible]

[You know she can't be going around making promises like that.]

Are you sure?

[Although rest sounds like a beautiful, beautiful thing right then. Especially if her grandfather was coming. She wouldn't be alone for too long.]

Things are still going down. Big things, if what I saw in the castle was any indication.

[turbedon]

I'll coordinate with the others to see what can be done about it, don't worry.

[backwordscompatible]

No promises.

[She tried to make it sound like one of her usual quips. Casual, light-hearted, humorous. She almost succeeded.]

But...call me if something new comes up, okay?

[turbedon]

Right back at you. No talking backwards for a bit until you've settled properly, okay?

[backwordscompatible]

Why do I feel like I've just been grounded?

[Again]

[turbedon]

Is that even allowed? I mean, given I'm younger and I'm not captain.

[backwordscompatible]

Would it really stop you if it wasn't?

[She highly doubted a few technicalities could ever stop him.]

Then again...you know what tends to happen when I get grounded....

[She creates clones and sneaks out of the house, namely.]

[turbedon]

That's why we put trackers in the team when they're asleep.

... I mean- [Snigger]

[backwordscompatible]

Excuse you. You're not putting anything in me when I'm asleep.

[A pause. Then--wow.]

...okay, that came out wrong. [If still accurate.]

[turbedon]

Pretty sure everyone would kill me for even thinking about it.

[backwordscompatible]

[Awkward. But accurate.]

So we're agreed. No trackers. [Using the awkward to her advantage; she figured he wouldn't dare protest now.] And in return, I promise to sit out. For a little while.

[turbedon]

I guess that'll have to do for now. I make no promises for the future though.

[backwordscompatible]

Fair enough.

See you later?

[If not back in the Jaunt, then when all this was over.]

[turbedon]

Yeah, see you later.