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[abrightboy]

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[abrightboy]

Malcolm isn’t a therapist, though. He’s an investigator with a psychiatric bent. A puzzle solver where the puzzles are made of human motivations. And he hates slow walking.

“Is this about her magic?” Malcolm asks. “How it’s born with her in her heart and she’s deprived of it here, so she’s missing a significant part of herself?”

[kingsroads]

"Yes," he says, with a nod. "It's about hers, and mine, and probably a handful of others on the Barge. I do not think most people understand just how maddening the sensation of losing or lessening one's magic it. Not that you are incapable of understanding, of course," Strange points out, "simply that most people have not experienced something like it."

He frowns a little, still choosing his words carefully. "It is like a singer losing her voice or a chef losing his sense of taste. Yes, it is possible for us to move to a different profession, but Christ, the loss of it all! At least for me, I feel off-kilter, as I am always viewing the world through tinted glasses or always walking with one leg asleep. And I suspect she feels the same way."

[abrightboy]

“I know she does,” Malcolm tells him. “But here’s the stumbling block: she’s demonstrated that she will repeatedly solve her problems with violence. In situations where she’d had full access to her powers, she’s used them to threaten people. I’ve started returning her magic, one discipline at a time. In order to regain access to the rest, she’ll have to demonstrate that she is internalizing other coping mechanisms. She has regained Oracle Magic so far.”

[kingsroads]

"You do see the obvious problem," he points out. "At some point, you will have to trust Miss Kikimora with full access to her magic so you can see that she does not resort to violence. It is all rather useless hypotheticals until then. Besides, I think she's already developed one coping mechanism rather underrated on the Barge."

[abrightboy]

“I do see the obvious problem. That’s why I’m already returning her power, but in increments. But here’s the thing: she resorts to violence with or without her powers and she expresses a desire to use them to punish her enemies even without access to them. So. We’re working up to it,” Malcolm explains. “Which coping mechanism are you referring to?”

[kingsroads]

There's a wry smile on Strange's face as he points out, "Complaining to a friend instead of doing something rash in the moment. I quite like Miss Kikimora - I wouldn't be bothering you if I didn't."

[abrightboy]

"Good. I like her too. She has a lot of heart, crusted in anger and resentment and betrayal, so I hope you'll keep being a safe place for her to vent. That's a healthy coping mechanism. Having a friend. Dissipating anger by getting it out to them. Her closest friends have vanished from the Barge," Malcolm tells him. "She has a hard time thinking anyone will stick around."

[kingsroads]

"A healthy coping mechanism that warrants more of her magic back?" he asks, in a hopeful manner. There's a moment before Strange continues,

"Honestly, she's been very well-behaved lately. It has been people like myself or that Collins chap who have been causing trouble these past few months."

[abrightboy]

“I already set the expectations for that. But I think having healthy coping mechanisms will probably help her reach them faster,” Malcolm tells him.

[kingsroads]

"What would help her reach your expectations even further is a sign of good faith."

Strange shrugs a little before pointing out, "I do wish you had at least some magical ability yourself. I am starting to think this is something you can't fully understand unless you experience it. At least do something so she knows you understand just how horrible it all feels."

[abrightboy]

"I do have an idea, but I have two responsibilities here. One is to Kikimora's welfare and graduation. The other is to the safety of other people on the Barge. She has used her magic to hurt people. She has expressed that she would do so again. That's why she is getting it back in increments. It's caution, not punishment."

[kingsroads]

"It is foolish to think that only magic could hurt people. Honestly, it seems that the past few incidents of someone causing trouble have been incidents without magic. If Miss Kikimora truly wanted to hurt people, wouldn't she have done so already?"

[abrightboy]

"You lack a lot of background on the whole situation, Mr Strange. You've made your case and I absolutely accept your premise, but you're not her Warden and the responsibility isn't on you, is it? Have you spoken to the people I told you about?" he asks.

[kingsroads]

There's a pause and a frown before,

"Which people?"

So that's a no.

[abrightboy]

Malcolm shakes his head with an expansive shrug.

“Nevermind. Not everyone is cut out for this line of work. But Kiryu gave you something to clean, right? Or… you could empty the waste paper baskets or something.”

[kingsroads]

Strange has the sneakiest feeling he's being condescended to. He keeps his expression as calm as he can make it, though inwardly he bristles a little bit.

"That much is true. After all, I doubt you'd manage in my line of work back home!" It's said with a bright smile and a blatant hint of annoyance.

"I keep myself busy. And you'll find that I'm a fair enough counselor in my own ways."

[abrightboy]

"I actually don't doubt that," Malcolm concedes sincerely. "You made a connection with Kikimora and she doesn't allow that easily."

[kingsroads]

"We're both in the same situation," Strange shrugs. "It's easy enough to empathize with someone that way, especially when you're both treated unjustly."

[abrightboy]

"Unjustly. That's an interesting choice of words. Have you hurt anyone since you came on board?" Malcolm asks him.

[kingsroads]

"I was only doing what I thought best," hrrmphs the person who knows damn well that he hurt someone wince he came on board.

"Besides, most people would not feel sympathetic to a parasite."

[abrightboy]

“Do you think your actions or even that comment feel just to your victim?” Malcolm asks.

[kingsroads]

Strange simply raises an eyebrow. Yeah, this is counseling, buddy. And as far as Strange is concerned, he hadn't signed up for a session. He takes a moment to give Malcolm a Look before continuing,

"What does Kikimora need to do to reach whatever metric you feel is appropriate for her to get her next round of magic back? So much on this ship is nebulous enough already, one hard goal and definite line in the sand would certainly be appreciated."

[abrightboy]

“Again, I appreciate your concern for her, but that’s between her and me. You’re not involved. You’re not her lawyer. I won’t be disclosing private details of my discussions or arrangements with her with you. Understand?” Malcolm asks, his tone pleasant but firm.

[kingsroads]

"A simple yes or no answer would stop my prying," he says, with a little shrug. Just saying! "But fine. If you wish to ignore my concerns, I suppose there is nothing I can do about it."

[abrightboy]

"You asked me what the criteria are. That isn't a yes or no question," Malcolm points out. "And I do take your concerns seriously. More seriously than you took mine, since you were looking for an assignment and I gave you one and you've forgotten what it was. But you don't get to be involved in the solution. That's the difference."