I8: With pain purchased

[Sean Hall]

Sean had let Tala lead him to the infirmary a nurse had carefully cleaned and then wrapped his chest with a bandage. Sean sat on the bed silently.

[Tala Davis]

Tala was physically fine, though she had sore red patches in similar locations to Sean's. "Are you here?" She sat on the bed beside him.

[Sean Hall]

"I'm here," Sean said after a moment, "Head hurts, mouth feels like I chewed on coals, and I dragged you into something I shouldn't have."

[Tala Davis]

"Most people do, empath remember." She touched her temple. "Shared vision is a first. You were young Sean, I think it was a memory. You need either Sam or Dr. Strange, I suggest both."

[Sean Hall]

Sean was in a great deal of psychological pain though he was hiding it somewhat well.

"I sincerely doubt the Sorcerer Supreme has time to drop by and talk to young mages and the headmistress is missing," Sean said, "So we're at neither."

"I'm still hoping this is all just some bizarre dream..."

[Tala Davis]

"Aunt Sam and Dr. Strange are the best, but by no means are they the only ones. Sean, even if it was a dream, it's touching you in reality." She touched his bandage. "If what I saw was a memory and it's affecting you now, it's possible time was messed with, even if not, it wan't an animated origami wolf. It was big and it was bad. Stop being a thick head and ask for help. My Dad is here, he has connections."

[Sean Hall]

Sean looked uneasy about dragging more people along for this, whatever it was.

"I thought being thick headed was what men were supposed to do," Sean joked, "If it was a memory. I don't remember any of it. I don't know the people, the place, nothing in it is familiar other than the voice at the end."

[Tala Davis]

"Being thick headed is what boys do, men realize when they are out of their league and ask for help from those who can give it. There's a reason there are adults in the world, they've survived longer, they know more." She poked him between the eyes. "You mentioned you family is distant, you're used to doing things on your own, but just because you have doesn't mean you have to. Besides, children repress memories all the time. What child would want to remember that?"

[Sean Hall]

Sean chuckled softly

"Sure my mum and dad are a bit distant," Sean said, "Comes with being management with a defense contractor. Often on business trips. Makes me wonder why they adopted me..."

Sean trailed off like something fell into place that he'd been carefully ignoring this whole time. He rubbed his temple.

"Bloody fucking goddamn hell."

[Tala Davis]

"A little slow." She smiled. "I thought that's who the Voice might have been too. Didn't know you were adopted so I didn't want to say. What do you want to do, Sean? I'll help you with everything I can."

[Sean Hall]

"I wan- no I need to figure this out," Sean said, "I just always figured I didn't remember my childhood because who does, right? My adopted parents told me that there were no records of my biological ones and the orphanage wasn't much help either. Something about protecting their identities or some such tripe. It was enough to keep younger me from looking into it too deeply."

Sean smiled sadly before continuing.

"I need to see if I can...unlock the whole memory. Might help with figuring it all out. You're a good friend for volunteering like that, who knows what we'll find out."

[Tala Davis]

"That's why you need a professional. Someone who can lead you there and back out, it's obviously connected to your magic. Remembering on your own has been painful and dangerous. I'm here for you, you're a friend. I warned you that I was loyal." She smiled and lifted her shirt revealing her stomach a few of the marks remained but were still fading. "I've only ever had a physical reaction like this with Logan. What you felt was big and I was close. I'm tougher then I look."

[Sean Hall]

"I know you're tough, Tala. Doesn't stop me from feeling sorry for hurting you," Sean said, "I suppose we'll have to wait until the headmistress gets back, or do it in a controlled environment...or I could talk to the Phoenix."

[Tala Davis]

"No harm in telling her, at least on the girlfriend side of things, but keep in mind she might be bound to not help. I recall the Phoenix was big on watching, learning. It's older now, wiser, it may not be able to help no matter how much Altmaria might want to. The Danger rooms are build for destruction, there would be safest. As for waiting for Sam, that is up to you. As I said my Dad is here, he has resources."

[Sean Hall]

"You're most likely right about Altamira. While she would care the Phoenix most likely does not intervene in this sort of situation.

Maybe your father can introduce me to another telepath on campus?" Sean asked. "I'd heard that the Genoshan Ambassador is a telepath, but I'm not exactly sure how or if one is suppose to approach an important government official. Maybe your dad can help me there?"

[Tala Davis]

"Stay and rest. I'll go look for him." She smiled and changed as she took off out of the infirmary, nose leading the way.

[Sean Hall]

Sean watched her leave and scratched his chest.

"Right, be careful," Sean said, "Same rune."