[15:43] <Arlie_B> "Ok, for today, I want to try something different."

[15:43] <Arlie_B> "I want to talk about your gift, if you are ready."

[15:44] * Aurelia tilts her head, and otherwise waits.

[15:44] <Arlie_B> "... I had a friend, Kaylarr, who was a maydarr. Everything he touched turned to stone."

[15:45] <Arlie_B> "He was a lot like you in many ways. Quiet, kept to himself. Liked his pet projects, worked on beautiful flowers in his spare time."

[15:46] * Aurelia waits patiently until Arlie is finished.

[15:46] <Arlie_B> "A good stand up guy. Even though everything he touched turned to stone, he was still a gentle person."

[15:46] <Arlie_B> "And most importantly, he knew how to use his gifts for the good of the mission."

[15:47] <Arlie_B> "Now, we're not soliders, but you may be in a situation again where you have to use your gift to save your life or your honor."

[15:48] <Arlie_B> "If you want, I could help with that."

[15:48] <Arlie_B> "If you're ready."

[15:48] * Aurelia watches Arlie for a moment, then looks away and shakes her head.

[15:49] <Arlie_B> "You don't have anything to be ashamed of, Aurelia. I'm proud of you, in fact."

[15:50] <Aurelia> "Grimdancer is my hand in battle."

[15:50] <Arlie_B> "You've seen-- you've seen things you shouldn't have had to face. And you've come through it in one piece."

[15:51] * Arlie_B nods. "That's fine,"

[15:52] <Arlie_B> "I just thought that these lessons were supposed to be for your protection. You won't always have a sword, but you'll always have yourself."

[15:53] <Aurelia> "Those times I have been without him... my touch was not avoided."

[15:54] <Arlie_B> emotionally, he's trying to help. How sullen is she acting?

[15:56] <Aurelia> More distant than sullen. Perhaps a bit self-reproachful when she first looked away.

[15:57] <Arlie_B> "I just to help to teach how to use it to it's fullest. Frankly, I see you hiding from your nature. If you know how and when to use it, that might help you confront and master it. I know my limits well."

[16:01] <Aurelia> "I know its how as I know that of breathing. I do not wish it made easier." A bit sullen, a bit resolute.

[16:01] <Arlie_B> "Did you know you can hold your breath for 2 and a half minutes?"

[16:02] <Arlie_B> "You hyperventilate before taking a big breath. They taught us that in the special forces."

[16:02] <Arlie_B> "It's saved my life underwater more times that I can count."

[16:04] <Aurelia> "Do you know that Hornet Rust can flay a man with a caress?"

[16:05] <Arlie_B> "I did not. Who is Hornet Rust?"

[16:06] * Aurelia hesitates. "He is of the Dark Champion's chosen. He reeves with Laird's strong favor."

[16:07] <Arlie_B> "In that case, you're nothing like him, Aurelia."

[16:10] <Aurelia> "The desire to be so sometimes burns."

[16:13] <Arlie_B> "You resist whereas he gives in. That makes all the difference."

[16:13] <Arlie_B> "Come, enough of this, I'll teach you how to parry instead."

[16:14] * Aurelia nods slightly and picks up the practice sword.

[16:14] <Arlie_B> after the training,

[16:15] <Arlie_B> "When are you going to tell the band about what you feel, Aurelia?"

[16:15] <Arlie_B> "Most of them still think you are an empath."

[16:17] <Arlie_B> "Look at Sue, the band was so supportive."

[16:17] * Aurelia nods slightly.

[16:19] <Arlie_B> "So you're going to tell them?"

[16:20] <Aurelia> "No."

[16:20] <Arlie_B> "Why not?"

[16:21] <Arlie_B> "The sooner you deal with this, the better."

[16:22] <Aurelia> "Why?"

[16:23] <Arlie_B> "Why hide it?"

[16:25] <Aurelia> "They have no need of such secrets."

[16:26] <Arlie_B> "They can help you in ways I can't, Aurelia."

[16:26] <Arlie_B> "There's no need to stand alone."

[16:27] <Arlie_B> "At least promise me you'll talk with Avery about it?"

[16:28] <Aurelia> "I may not have a sword. I will always have myself."

[16:28] <Aurelia> "Avery knows."

[16:29] <Arlie_B> "No, talk with him about telling the group. At least promise that you'll tell him I'm a crazy old bossy fool that doesn't know when to stop, ok?"

[16:29] <Arlie_B> "It'd mean a lot to me."

[16:33] <Aurelia> "I do not understand."

[16:35] <Arlie_B> "Because you insist on keeping this secret, Avery and I are the only people you've been talking to. Promise me you'll talk with Avery, if not with me?"

[16:37] * Aurelia tilts her head, then shakes it. "I have not met with Avery since before..."

[16:38] <Arlie_B> "Why in the bloody hell not? You two were getting along like dynamite."

[16:39] * Aurelia blinks and takes a step back. "There has been no cause to speak..."

[16:42] <Arlie_B> "I swear, that boy is daft. I'm sorry Aurelia, I would have come sooner had I known you two weren't speaking regularly."

[16:42] <Arlie_B> "Avery's got a bit of a blind spot when it comes to women."

[16:43] * Aurelia blinks again in confusion.