Sepdet is sitting up next to Sebek, quietly eating something dry and edible out of a bowl.
Sebek wakes up from a disturbed slumber, screaming.
Hazmat startles out of a doze.
Sepdet drops her bowl of soup on the edge of the mattress, blanching. She reaches out and slips her hand under his, voice pitched just loud enough to cut through. ~You're okay, you're okay. They're not here.~
Sebek glances around anxiously to see if what Sepdet says is true. He relaxes as Sepdet touches his hand and he lies back down, crying.
Hazmat hops off the top bunk of her bed and wanders over, leaving a comic book behind.
Matt climbs out of the hatch in the floor.
Matt has arrived.
Sepdet strokes Sebek's cheek uncertainly, still as skittish around him as a child around broken glass. ~Heya. I know. We're safe, hidden from them now. They can't get down here.~
Hazmat grins widely and crouches down. "Yah. Place is super-safe-secret. Ain't nobody gonna get'cha here."
Sebek nods and lets his crying die down. He hugs the teddy bear tightly. He seems to have recovered greatly from his wounds, especially since the infected bullet wound was closed up.
Matt pulls himself up from the ladder, then glances around. He wipes his nose with the back of his hand then crosses the room. "Hey guys. How are we doing today?"
Sebek wipes his nose on his arm. "I feel bad. Can I wash up?"
Sepdet looks up at Matt, shaking her head. ~Cozy down here. Fairly well.~ She gives Sebek a gentle touch on his shoulder. ~Of course.~
Hazmat noddles. "Sure! We gots clean clothes fer yuh, too. Though they may na' fit too good."
Matt nods at Sepdet, offering Sebek a friendly but uncomfortable smile. " Well, you look better than the last time I seen ya." He drops his backpack off his shoulder., "I brought some comics I had been savin', case you got bored or something. I din't know what else you liked to do, but if you need something you can just ask."
Sebek glances at his clothes. "Anything is better than these."
Sepdet seems a little dazed herself. She reaches over to pick up her dreamcatcher off the corner of the adjoining bed, hooks it carefully on her necklace, and sighs. ~Can we get Sebek to a shower, or bring water over here?~
Sebek says "Thank you..."
Hazmat points over toward the bathrooms. "There's showers an' toilets in there. Everything!"
Sebek struggles to stand.
Sepdet shakes her head. ~You people are more well-built than the Glass Walkers.~ She offers Sebek an arm. ~Take it slowly. Tipper...you get him, I'll stay right here.~ She smiles at Sebek apologetically. ~My leg's still weak, or I'd give you a hand.~
Hazmat nods and offers her arms to Sebek. "Mr. Biggs showed Mac this place an' let us stay here."
Sepdet flashes Matt a sincere smile. ~My pack is going to owe you the world, by the time we get through this. Not that I mind.~
Sebek looks somewhat disappointed at Sepdet, but nods. "I think I can make it."
Sepdet passes a hand over her eyes and gives Sebek her best reassuring smile.
Sebek takes Hazmat's arms and stumbles to the shower.
Hazmat shows the boy the shower stalls. "Uh," she says, suddenly aware of how homids usually react to certain situations, "yuh want me t'turn around while you get cleaned up?"
Sebek shrugs. "You are a girl," he says, and starts stripping off his clothes.
Hazmat nods and politely turns around to give Sebek some privacy.
Sepdet shakes her head slowly at Matt, muttering, ~I couldn't even speak, when they brought me back. Sebek has much strength.~
Sebek showers for quite a while.
Matt pulls out the supplies he brought and drops them onto the floor. He watches Haz lead the kid towards the shower then turns to Sepdet. "Yea, well don't sweat it. It's no big deal or nothing." He glances in the direction the pair left in, then back at Sepdet. "So what's the deal with him anyway?"
Sepdet lowers her eyes. ~I don't know, mostly. My enemies had him prisoner. A month or so ago, they started making him call my packmates, asking for me. They know much about me, apparently, and so does he. But beyond the fact that there's at least one Dancer...~ she grimaces, looking down at her side...~and that they can tap phones, we're still in the dark. I'm going to have to ask Sebek to tell us more, and that is going to be hard for him. They've done everything to him that the Wyrm is capable of.~
Sepdet shudders at her own words.
Matt nods. "He seems to be dealin with it okay. I mean, as far as I would imagine you'd be able to do it."
Sepdet nods, glancing towards the shower. ~Asking him to tell us of his captors is going to be difficult, but we've got to do it.~ She looks uneasy. ~Matt? I don't know if you usually go to the caern, at this time, but if so...could you leave a message there, telling people that Hazmat and I were on a raid against my pack's enemies, that I was hurt, that I cannot come to the caern, but that I am safe? There are those that will worry.~
Matt nods. "I don't usually go there, just for moots or other stuff. But I can find my way out there and let people know." He smiles slightly, "I can't promise that I'm going to make it sound as cool as you do."
Sepdet smiles faintly. ~Thank you so much. You can tell them we've rescued the boy that was calling for help--Joseph knows of this, and a few others, and he is the one that will worry most. Just don't say where we've taken him. Our enemies seem to be adept at spying and listening.
Sebek finishes showering. He pokes his head out of the stall, eyes squinted shut. "Towel?"
Matt face clouds a little. "Okay, I won't tell em nothin 'bout where you are."
Hazmat gets a towel and holds it out to Sebek, one hand over her eyes.
Sebek takes the towel and tries his head off. "Thank you."
Hazmat nods.
Sepdet taps the side of her nose. ~Well. Use your judgement. This is your pack's hideout, and I know how important secrets are to be kept.~
Hazmat sticks her hands into her pockets, back turned to Sebek once more.
Matt grabs his backpack and shoulder it. "It'll take me some time to get out there and back, so I may be gone for a while. Can I bring you back anything? I mean for your leg, or some French fries or somethin?"
Sebek dries himself off, ouching a few times as he hits a sore spot.
Sepdet looks hopeful. ~I think we should see if Sebek likes chocolate. If you happen to pass by any on your travels.~
Matt grins. "No Sweat. I have a stash of M&Ms somewhere at the factory." He heads across to the ladder. "Tell Haz I'll be back later tonight."
Sebek glances around. "Can I have some clothes?"
Sepdet smiles, pleased. ~Will do. Walk safe, Matt.~
Matt climbs own the laddder and disappears into the sewers.
Matt opens the hatch and climbs down through it.
Matt has left.
Sepdet starts to slide off the cot where she's sitting at Sebek's question, grimaces, and stays where she is.
Hazmat grins and hands a paper bag backwards to Sebek. Inside are several old pants, shirts, underthings, even a mis-matched pair of old sneakers that _might_ fit.
Sebek takes the bag. He looks confusedly at Hazmat. "You won't hurt me. You don't have to not look." He pulls the bag into the stall and begins searching for wearable clothes.
Hazmat turns around. "I was bein' polite, yuh know?" She grins. "I mean, Matt gets _real_ wiggly if he thinks I see him wi'out no clothes on."
Sebek pulls on some clothing. "Really?"
Hazmat nods. "Yah." She cocks her head. "Na' you?"
Sepdet smiles from where she is. ~It is a human thing, Sebek. They have forgotten they wear clothes for warmth, and now feel it is like having no fur, not to have them on.~
Sebek glances at Sepdet as he steps out of the stall. He wiggles in the loose pants and manages a small smile. "Girls looking at me isn't bad. Girls don't hurt boys like me."
Hazmat looks slightly quizzical, but doesn't ask.
Sepdet's eyes darken slightly but she nods, managing to hide most of it. ~No,~ she agrees simply. ~They won't. How is your belly feeling?~
Sebek glances at his stomach. "Hungry." He limps to sit beside Sepdet, his stride more sure and strong than before.
Sepdet slips an arm over his shoulder, starting to get the hang of this. ~Well, maybe we can try you on something good tonight. Hazmat, do you have anything...quiet? I'm afraid the "McDonald's" food may be too difficult to eat.~
Sebek sits facing Sepdet, staring at her face.
Sepdet drops her eyes shyly. ~So...how do you come to know of me, Sebek?~ she asks cautiously, obviously debating between several more difficult questions. ~It seems you have been hearing of me for a little while. I am surprised.~
Hazmat sits down nearby, expression quizzical and curious.
Sebek frowns. "Nobody told you?"
Sepdet's eyes widen slightly. ~Friend, my packmates told me of your calls. But that is the first we have heard of you.~
Sebek shakes his head and looks down. "I've been looking for you a very long time."
Sepdet's face goes very still, watching his movements uneasily. ~Tell me, please?~ she asks, a little bit of fear sliding under her words. ~I have...a feeling I know you. A dream that tells me something. But you tell me. I want to understand.~
Sebek looks straight into Sepdet's eyes. "I'm your brother."
Hazmat blinks.
Sepdet closes her eyes tightly, her face slowly melting out from under the Strider's mask of reserve that she often hides behind. When she opens them again, her face is young and raw and hungry and afraid. ~Ketet . So you are Ma'i's too. Hold my hands.~ She puts them out. ~Have you been...caged all this time I was free? Have they let you run at all?~
Sepdet sounds desperately tired. Her voice shakes slightly with anger or pain.
Sebek says, ~I was free for a long time. Long enough.~
Sebek takes Sepdet's hands and holds them close to his chest. ~Mother didn't...she didn't know?~
Sepdet's eyes glisten, but her face is dry. ~No. No. We've looked for father. But he...he broke the bridge between mother and me, and we lost him. I've been looking for my life...for all my life. We even went to the Duat. But we didn't know to look for you. We didn't know.~
Sebek frowns and his shoulders droop. ~My mother didn't even feel me.~
Mac climbs out of the hatch in the floor.
Mac has arrived.
Sepdet shifts herself to huddle closer to the boy. ~I'm sorry,~ she says, at a loss. ~How? But it's over now. I'm so sorry, Sen, I wish you had not had to look so long...we'll keep you safe now.~
Hazmat returns from the kitchen, carrying several kinds of canned foods in her arms. "Yuh like soup or raviolis?"
Mac pops his head through the hatch, looking about the shelter. He pulls himself up and closes the hatch behind him.
You paged Sebek with 'Sen means brother, btw.'.
l sebek
This four and a half foot tall, thin brown-skinned boy has a soft, sad look about him. His dark hair is brushed back, revealing his knotted brow, wrinkled with concern and worry. Beyond his hazel eyes lie a wisdom far past his almost fourteen years. The four small claw marks across his face bear testament to his experience. His light body moves quietly, his feet treading gently upon the ground with natural grace. Thin, delicate hands dangle from his scarred, small wrists, moving almost constantly with nervous energy. Sebek speaks with a slight Egyptian accent in a clear and distinctly soft voice.
Sebek is wearing a pair of somewhat baggy and oversized blue jeans with holes worn in the knees, as well as a black tee-shirt. A mismatched pair of shoes (one pair of red Chucks and a black Nike cross trainer) adorn his tiny feet.
This boy has seen better days. His face isn't puffy, but he has some small scars across it. His eyes aren't swollen as much as they were yesterday and small torture scars crisscross his back, sides, and belly, but he'll survive.
Sebek pulls Sepdet close. "I looked so long."
From afar, Sebek grins. "I noticed. You know your stuff."
Hazmat pauses, blinking a bit. "Uh... um, soup, then?"
You paged Sebek with 'Not really, but enough to add a touch of authenticity!'.
From afar, Sebek grins.
Sepdet looks up at Hazmat and begins to laugh very softly, desperation breaking out in strange ways. ~Soup will be well,~ she answers shakily. ~Thanks.~
Hazmat nods and darts back into the kitchen to heat up some soup.
Sebek's eyes shoot over towards where Mac stands. He stares warily at the man and his hands begin to quiver.
Mac sighs softly, putting on his friendliest grin. "Hey. You got nothing to fear from me, kid."
Sepdet slips her hands to his shoulders. ~Mac is a true friend. He will not hurt you. He could not think of acting that way.~
Sebek glances at Sepdet with desperation. "He's a man."
Sepdet says softly to Sebek, ~Our father was a man.~
Mac waits patiently, thinking Sepdet will deal with this better than he can.
Sebek doesn't seem very settled by this revelation. He bites his lip and buries his head in Sepdet's shoulder. ~Don't let him touch me, please.~
Sepdet holds the boy carefully. ~I promise you, Hazmat and I will let none touch you, if you don't wish it. I give you my name as my word.~
Mac looks to Sepdet. "I'll come back later, if you think that would be better."
Sebek whispers ~I trust you, sister.~
Sepdet sighs at Mac, stroking Sebek's shoulder at something he's said. ~Perhaps it's better, Mac, just for now. Thanks.~
Mac looks around quickly, grabbing a book out from under one of the mattresses. He slips quickly and quitely back through the hatch.
Sepdet quietly murmurs to the boy's ear, ~He's gone.~
Mac opens the hatch and climbs down through it.
Mac has left.
Sebek relaxes, leaning back on a pillow.
Sepdet remains sitting, still to stiff to move with comfort, loking down at the boy. ~Hazmat's making you some soup. I'm afraid we need to know, soon, about the bad people, so that we can find them and stop them.~
Sebek frowns. "I don't know much. They just started chasing me when I got to California."
Mac climbs out of the hatch in the floor.
Mac has arrived.
Sepdet nods. ~Well. When we fought them...~ she grimaces... ~We didn't see how many there were, and I'm not even sure which ones are Dancers.~
Mac barks a soft greeting as he makes his way out of the hatch, wagging his tail happily.
Sebek says "I think they all were. Not all of them changed in front of me."
Mac pads softly towards the two, watching closely for any reaction from Sebek.
Sepdet nods. She speaks as gently as she can, trying not to stir more bad memories than necessary. Her glance flies momentarily to the hatch, and she smiles a bit, then looks back.
Sebek glances warily at Mac, then back at Sepdet. He whispers to her, shakily.
Sebek whispers "~The one with the streak was the one that hurt me most.~"
Sebek whispers "~_He_ was garou.~"
Mac sits back on his haunches, his eyes sadly regarding the young striders.
Sepdet nods. ~This is not him, though,~ she says firmly. ~Did he...did he have wings, under his arms, when he changed.~
Sebek says, ~I don't know. He only...touched me...when he was a wolf and man.~
Mac shakes his head roughly. I'm not going to touch anyone. Not unless they ask me to.
Sebek says, ~I wont let anyone touch me like they did. Never again.~
Sebek squeezes Sepdet's hand tightly.
Sepdet touches Sebek's cheek. ~I know. What happened...I got caught too once. I won't let anyone near you either, anyone that I don't trust completely.~
Mac lays down on the floor away from Sepdet and Sebek. If Sepdet didn't trust me, she wouldn't let you sleep in my bed.
Sepdet nods at Sebek. ~He...offered us his den to hide in, because this is a safe haven. It is a secret of his tribe, like our tribe's secrets. This he did, for me, and for you.~
Sebek bites his lip and looks at Mac. "Thank you. I'm sorry I'm scared of you."
Mac looks to the boy, nodding. It's okay. I'm kind of used to it..
The smell of hot chicken soup and hot dogs comes from the kitchen. Hey, the loop can boil water!
Sepdet squeezes Sebek's hand. ~I know how you feel, brother. You _will_ walk steady and strong again. You are Sekhmet's blood too, and we don't give up easy.~
Sebek frowns. ~She doesn't love me.~
Hazmat pokes her head out and motions to Mac.
Sepdet raises her chin. ~Well, she will, when she knows the truth.~ She sighs and looks down. ~So. There was the one. There was another named Mika, whom I fought. He was tall too, with...hair curled like ours, but brown. He seemed Greek. Were there any others, you saw?~
Mac cocks his head to one side curiously, but stands up and pads towards the kitchen.
Hazmat mutters to Mac. "Help me get th' trays an' bowls an' stuff up."
Sebek says, ~I think there was a woman too. She shot me while I was running away, I think. I'm not sure.~
Sepdet hisses softly between her teeth, but nods. ~She wasn't there, when we were searching. Did they have names? _I_ will be the hunter, if they spoke names. I already have the one.~
Mac looks up at Hazmat. I'm in Lupus to make the kid more comnfortable. He seemed really scared of my Homid.
Hazmat frowns at Mac, chewing on her lip. "Then make sure nuthin' boils over, okay?"
Mac puts his paws up on the counter and pulls himself up to where he can see the stove.
Sebek shakes his head. ~The only ones I saw were the two men...the tall man and the man with the streak. I didn't see any others.~
Sebek's eyes begin to glisten.
Sepdet nods and nuzzles Sebek's shoulder in a lupine gesture, her movements still faintly awkward--this much body contact is apparently unusual for the reserved Strider.
As efficiently as possible, Hazmat starts setting up trays, one for each person. Bowls and plates and eating utensils, too. Even napkins and cups.
Tears begins trickling down Sebek's face as he remembers: "They got me a few weeks ago...and the tall man put me in the basement and put a needle in my arm and the handcuffs. Then he cut me, and then..." The boy breaks down in tears, putting his head in his hands.
Hazmat pauses, brow creased in worry. Then she heads back into the kitchen to get the food.
Mac sniffs at the soup, considering a little taste.
Hazmat yanks lightly on Mac's tail. "You'll get some, Father," she grins.
Sepdet stiffens, slipping both hands flat behind his shoulders. She seems reluctant to hold him, only touch in ways that don't confine. ~It's behind you,~ she says into the pain. ~It's behind you, and you don't have to walk that road anymore. You're awake and alive and away from there.~
Sebek sobs, leaning into Sepdet.
Mac turns his head and barks softly. Just not used to you cooking.
Hazmat makes several trips to and from the kitchen. It's apparent that the Gnawer has decided that a small feast would be best for healing bodies and souls. Soup in bowls, hot dogs, crackers, mustard and ketchup and water to drink.
Sepdet's eyes glisten but she doesn't seem to be able to cry. ~Hold on, Sen,~ she murmurs into his shoulder. ~Just hold on and remember who's with you now. Hazmat's brought you food, too.~
Hazmat grins. "Joshua showed me howta make soup an' hot dogs. It's easy." She sets Mac's dinner on the floor where he can reach it easily in lupus.
Sebek sniffs. His tears fade away after a while, when the pangs of hunger sink in.
Mac snaps up the hot dog, leaning his head back and gulping it down. Not bad. It would have been better with mustard, though.
Hazmat snorts and gives Mac a goodly thump in the side, grinning.
Sebek pulls his hands from his face, wiping his eyes on his shirt.
Sepdet holds Sebek until most of the tears are gone. ~Take you time,~ she says softly. ~Just take it slow.~
Sepdet fetches Sebek's soup. ~Want to try it on your own?~
Hazmat watches the two Striders quietly, munching on a hot dog.
Sebek nods, taking the bowl and bringing it to his lips.
Sepdet shoots a glance at Hazmat, grins to herself, and takes up her own bowl, lapping it neatly with her tongue.
Hazmat grins at Sepdet. "Tha's why I like eatin' wi' you, Seppie." She also ignores her silverware.
Mac shakes his head at Hazmat, but starts to lap up his soup after blowing on it to cool it off a little.
Matt climbs out of the hatch in the floor.
Matt has arrived.
Sebek quickly drains the soup bowl.
Matt throws his backpack up over his shoulder, then pulls himself after it. He stands up and leans over slightly, struggling to catch his breath.
Hazmat puts her bowl down and wipes her mouth on her sleeve. "Get some soup an' dogs, Matt. I cooked!"
Sepdet watches the other Strider, pleased. ~Take this "hot dog" carefully, and we will get you something else if the meat doesn't sit well.~ She pauses in her soup to cut her own into small even pieces, reaching for her wrist (still shirtless, her wrist-knife should be visible) before remembering and using an eating utensil to do it.
Matt grins and says rather breathlessly, "Soup and hotdogs? My favorite." He stands up and moves towards the food.
Mac nudges Hazmat with his nose. We got anything good to drink?
Hazmat grins teasingly down at Mac. "Plenny a' milk."
Sebek takes the hotdog and glances at it for a few moments. He shivers and bites into it, chewing carefully.
Mac nudges Hazmat with his nose again. I said something good to drink. I'm gettin' sick of milk already.
Matt helps himself to a hotdog, finishing it off in several large bites. he starts to talk, but spits a small piece of meat onto his shirt. He quickly scoops it up and returns it to his mouth, giving a few more chews before managing to speak successfully. "I made it to the woods. They were as warm and welcoming as ever."
Hazmat nudges Mac. "Joshua's challenging. When're you?"
Sebek takes a few bites from the hotdog and puts it in the drained soup bowl.
Mac looks up into her eyes. Next moot, as soon as I find someone to challenge.
Sepdet gives Sebek's shoulder a reassuring squeeze as Matt comes up. She grimaces at Matt's words. ~I'm sorry. Thank you. Was Joseph there?~
Matt shakes his head and eyes another hot dog. "No, I didn't know most of em. Beth showed up and I told her. Mr. Powers called Hank and Hank called me, so I think he knows you're okay."
Sepdet nods, looking to Hazmat and Mac. ~I wasn't sure whether to tell Fa...to tell Michael where I am.~
Sebek pushes the bowl away and rubs his stomach.
Mac looks to Hazmat quickly, then to Sepdet. "I'd really rahter not. I know you probably want to see him, but the less people who know, the safer we all are."
Mac -"
Sepdet nods at Mac. ~I understand,~ she says simply. ~But I do still have that phone which the alpha would not be pleased to know I keep. I shall call him and tell him what is happening, yes?~
Matt grabs a seat and opens his knapsack, taking out a small brown bag and passing it to Sepdet. That task done, he lies back and relaxes.
Sepdet sniffs the bag and brightens. ~You are too good to us. My pack will be feeding you many, many times, this winter, I think.~
Sebek lies on the bed, hugging the teddy bear.
Sepdet looks obliquely at Sebek. ~How does it feel? You want any more soup, or is that enough for now?~
Mac looks around and shrugs to Sepdet. You can try to call, but I'm not sure it will get through the walls.
Sepdet's brows furrow in puzzlement at Mac, but she nods.
Sebek says, ~I've had enough.~
Matt says "We told him that if he needed to get in touch with you that he could either try calling the phone we got, or leave a message with a Gnawer or at the palace."
Mac flicks an ear. It is a fallout shelter, Sepdet. We can deliver messages if you want.
Hazmat watches Sebek with an air of honest maternal concern.
Sepdet nods gratefully at the two of them, although Mac's explanation doesn't seem to help. With a faint frown, she turns back to the weary Strider. ~There's also dessert,~ she says, digging out a few M&Ms with her good hand. ~But it will wait until you can enjoy it properly. Want to sleep some more?~
Sebek shakes his head. He rolls out of bed carefully and makes his way to the bathroom, leaving the bear behind.
Sepdet sighs, not looking particularly surprised. ~It's like this for a few weeks, the stomach,~ she murmurs softly to the others. ~And the being afraid takes a long time. Hopefully my pack can find a good safe place for him soon, so we can get back to hunting.~
Hazmat nods quietly.
Sebek returns from the bathroom, crying as he staggers to the bed.
Sepdet holds out her arms to collect Sebek into bed, murmuring to him softly in her own tongue.
Sebek puts his arms tightly around his sister and sobs loudly.
You whisper "Here find comfort. I'll watch over you. Hold on." to Sebek.
Mac paces, walking over to a corner and standing in it.
Sebek whispers "~Why did they do that to me? I didn't hurt anyone...~"
Hazmat's face crumples slightly, and she gets up to kneel at the head of Sebek's bed.
Sepdet draws her thin arms up around him, biting her lip and looking more at a loss than she'd be against a bane. SHe rocks him gently.
Mac chuffs quietly to Hazmat. I need air. I'm gonna go patrol.
Hazmat nods to Mac.
You whisper "~Because they are the enemy, and they are insane. There's no right to it, no reason, no why, no Ma'at. But we will stop them. I swear it.~" to Sebek.
Sepdet dips her eyes to the Gnawer elder sadly.
Sebek whispers "~They made me disgusting. The put things in me...into my arm...and they...I'm so scared.~"
Mac walks quietly over to the hatch, looking back over his shoulder to Hazmat. You want my gun, just in case?
Hazmat glances up, frowning. "Uh, sure."
Sepdet looks down at Sebek's arm, face paling slightly, and continues to murmur to him quietly.
You whisper "~Do you think they changed you? Is that what gives you fear?~" to Sebek.
Sebek shakes his head vehemently.
Mac shifts quickly, pulling his shotgun and a box of shells out of his pocket and slipping them under a blanket while trying to block Sebek's view. That done, he slips quickly through the hatch and into the sewers. "Take care, kids."
Mac contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Mac shifts into Homid form.
Sepdet pats his shoulder reassuringly. She nods to Mac, holding and shielding her brother with her arms.
Mac opens the hatch and climbs down through it.
Mac has left.
Sebek whispers "~They stuck a needle in me and said it'd make me...it...make me...want to do things with them.~"
Hazmat rests her forehead on the pillow near Sebek's head and sighs softly.
Sebek draws a ragged breath. ~They said...it would make me want them to do the things to me.~
Sepdet murmurs softly, ~They tried to take you. But they took you no more than me. And they _lost_. They do not have you, and they cannot make you do anything, ever again? Do you understand me? I was...hurt. They did this to me. My friends brought me away, and I am strong now. Strong enough for both of us. I will guard you like Nekhbet guards her children, and I will keep you, my brother, until you have healed enough to stand on your own legs again.~
Sebek cries, clutching his sister.
Sepdet looks over his shoulder towards Hazmat, angry and afraid, and lets him take what he can from her. She mimicks Hazmat's actions of last night, stroking his hair.
Sebek says, ~I'm so dirty...~
Hazmat reaches out and touches Sepdet's arm lightly. Then she leans over and presses her face into the Strider girl's shoulder, offering what strength she can.
Sepdet shivers but says firmly, ~You are not. Let the tears wash you clean. The enemy never touched your heart, and so long as that is yours, you can be Gaia's again. I tell you this, as my Elders told me, and I found it true.~
Sebek keeps sobbing, this time quietly, holding his sister so as never to lose her again.
Sepdet holds onto Sebek with what strength she has, until he's well and truly asleep.
Sebek cries himself to sleep, his nose snuffling from his tears.
Sebek has disconnected.
Sepdet shuts her eyes and murmurs softly, ~Hazmat? I'm frightened too. What they did... I don't want to remember things I put behind me. I want to be a wolf, and forget.~
Hazmat presses her nose against the Strider's arm, still. "Yuh safe here."
Sepdet shuts her eyes. ~I know. Except from my own memories, and they are cold and dim. Where is...~ She fumbles at her throat, and puts out a circle, and two feathers, and relaxes. ~I told Joseph what happened to me. That was when he made this for me. To give me new, good things to remember, and dream.~
Hazmat ohs quietly. Then she says, "I like Joseph."
Sepdet's face tightens on the word 'dream', and her eyes dart down to the face so much like her own. She shakes her head slightly. ~We'll keep him safe. We won't let them get him.~
Hazmat nods vigorously at this.
Sepdet sighs. ~Sebek will be afraid of him. But I wish he was here.~ She is silent for a moment, then smiles a little. ~But I'm glad you're here, Tipper. We will sleep well, and forget the dreams we don't want to listen to.~
Sepdet smiles and shuts her eyes. "Ankh 'm Ma'at. And no, that doesn't mean honk your nose."
Hazmat blinks. "Huh?"
Sepdet chuckles softly. ~Something a Gnawer once told me, at those words. It means, live in...in... right. Truth. Gaia. It is a thing my mother used to say.~
Hazmat ohs.
Sepdet's breathing slows after that. She is very tired. 1