A forgotten feeling...

[Aredhel]

"Screwing around with you?!" I repeated, incredulous. "Doc, how can you say that?! People work their entire lives to reach the level that you've been granted! They've given you what everyone wants; a way to fight, to - to protect the people you care about! To protect yourself! How is that screwing around with you?! How does that bite?!"

"Perhaps it is better that he is reluctant," Aralin said quietly.

"What do you mean it's--" I stopped. "Oh, Lin, no, please, I didn't..."

"Have you forgotten so easily?" she questioned, rather harshly; with good reason.

"No, I didn't... I mean, I," I stopped, shaking my head. "I'm sorry, Lin."

"Do not apologize to me, I hold no grudge against you," she replied sadly. "Doc, we cannot force you to accept this honour, but it is yours now and one day, you'll have to come to terms with that. This is a gift."

I sighed. It was a gift. But she was right, rushing into it wasn't safe; if one thought they were invincible... I looked away. How could I not have thought of that?

[Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison]

"The fact it happened in the middle of a big battle," I said quietly. "Mere minutes before my sister, my last remaining, living blood family, used an stone unlocking an ancient evil I had to use this 'gift' to help lock away again. I don't believe in coincidence."

[Aredhel]

"Of course it wasn't mere coincidence," Aralin put in. "It never is."

((forgive the lack of decent post-age, but my muse has abandoned me!))

["Rogue" Annie Amina Cross]

((I know the feeling.))

[Jackson ''Doc'' Ellison]

"So, why now, then?" I asked, looking up. "I refuse to believe it was just for that battle," I tucked my hands 8in my pockets. "Maybe this is the reason I never had a guardian angel."

(((Something I've been playing around with.)))

["Rogue" Annie Amina Cross]

((Interesting))

I stood quietly watching their exchange.