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[abrightboy]

This is Bright. Leave a message.

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[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."

[kingsroads]

Strange frowns, looking over at Malcolm before pointing out, "If I have forgotten your assignment, then it must not have been one of any use. I am trying, you know. I would love to put in the effort and leave this damned boat! But instead of giving me anything useful, people give me something to keep me busy. Make fripperies for a pageant, empty the waste baskets, talk to...whomever it was that you wanted me to talk to instead of you talking to them yourself."

Shaw? Maybe? He can't exactly remember.

"Very few of you truly give a damn about my redemption. You simply want me out of your hair."

[abrightboy]

"Actually, I gave you counseling clients that I was having a hard time reaching. It was a huge gesture of trust and confidence. But you don't seem to have time for anything as mundane as counseling, so I'm not sure why you decided to work here. What did you think the job entailed if not talking to people?" he asks curiously.

[kingsroads]

"Again, I did not decide to work here, this position was thrust on me." There's a small pause before Strange remembers oh goddammit, this conversation isn't supposed to be about him! He's supposed to be making a case for Kikimora! Time to reroute the conversation!

"Why are you giving that gesture of trust to me, a practical stranger, but not your inmate? Again, Miss Kikimora is trying. The least you could do is recognize that."

[abrightboy]

"I do give her gestures of trust, but they're between me and her, not you and me," Malcolm tells him. "And if you don't want to work in counselling, you can literally choose to work in any other department. I hear they need help in the kitchens."

[kingsroads]

"I did not say that I didn't like working here. You, Kiryu, and Sheehan are all interesting men and I enjoy your company greatly. I simply wish that I could be more useful—though again, this conversation is not about me!"

Damn, it's hard to not talk about yourself. Strange frowns for a moment, letting out a flustered little sigh before,

"At least tell me you understand what I've been trying to tell you with regards to Kikimora and her magic. There are very few people who can understand just how stifling this feeling is. How the absence could drive you to extremes more than the presence would."

[abrightboy]

"I do understand," Malcolm tells him. "Like I said. And I don't take her mental health lightly. But I'll only be discussing her options with her directly."