[profoundly backdated]

[10_20_15_5_50]

[private to Rathan]

Hello.

[That Sam isn't opening with her usual 'hey' isn't insignificant; given that she's not yet met this Guardian---she knows he's a recommended resource for magical information, and a dragon, and that's all---to be respectful is only appropriate.]

I'm sorry to bother you, but if you've the time to, I'd like to meet up to talk. I've got a couple of questions, and Irja suggested I take them to you.

[private to Wing]

Hey, man. Suppose you'd be free sometime this evening? Got a conversation I want to have with you, and I'd rather have it in person, but don't worry, it's not bad news or anything.

Comments

[10_20_15_5_50]

My middle name's Jadzia. It's also my best-kept secret, so telling her I told you as insurance should suffice.

[knight_light]

[Wing looks at her, just...studying her.]

Jadzia. [Tone is soft as he repeats the name, committing it to memory.] I'm honored that you would trust me with your name...your middle name? [Why do you have more than one name?]

Why is it a secret, if I may ask?

[10_20_15_5_50]

[She just looks back at him, a small smile playing about the corners of her mouth.]

No-one better trusted. [A few---a very few---people on-par, but none better. At the question in Wing's tone, she nods.] Last name---family name---is Patchowski. Middle names see next to no use, so they can be concealed with some success.

You can always ask. I keep it a secret as a kind of precaution. A person with their whole name out in the open is vulnerable, in a way, since knowing a person's name makes it easier to attach certain magics to them---a name can become something to aim at. I haven't made any enemies who'd know that, and it's not like I've made many in my life, but I'm still a small fish. Spell-wise.

[knight_light]

I see. And finding yourself suddenly far from home, surrounded by oddities and odd people, finding one who knew your full name would be a comfort.

[He smiles at her again.] I do hope I never have to make use of this knowledge. But if I do, I am glad to know you trusted me with it.

[10_20_15_5_50]

Especially after hearing why that was. It'd convince me, and so should also other Sams.

I hope you never have to, too. [She looks thoughtful, gaze wandering across Haven as it's seen at 'held' height.] Worst case comes about, though? That other Sam'll be gladdest, fast. It's friends like you I have here that make being here as okay as it can be.

[knight_light]

I imagine it must be really hard to be pulled so suddenly from your home. [It was hard for him too, and yet he’s let it go....he is, after all, dead back home. No point lamenting people he’d not see again anyway.]

[10_20_15_5_50]

...In ways.

[She quiets, considering, even as she repositions herself to more comfortably lean against Wing, shoulder pressed to his armour.]

I was getting ready to move cross-country, so there's that. Manitoba was meant to be a short stay, something like two years tops, just to see what things were like on the easterly end. I liked it, but I never got too attached since I knew from the start I wouldn't stay. The suddenness isn't an issue; I'm adaptable. The, the severance, though... yeah, that's the bad bit.

[Sam abruptly draws a deep breath and swallows hard, but otherwise manages to keep her composure. She has a handle on it now, and in that moment was just making sure.]

If I could just let someone know I'm okay, it would be a lot better. Got to see everybody not long before I arrived, which was good. Really good. We got all the goodbyes and 'I love you's and the 'be safe's in, so I got no regrets for the last things I said, but goddamn my parents have got to be sick over what might've become of me. That's what's kept me up nights, more than anything else.

[knight_light]

I often wish the same. If only there was a way to let those back home know that we are well. [How shocked would they be to even know he’s still alive.]

At the least we can live our lives here knowing that those we saw last were safe when we last saw them.

[10_20_15_5_50]

Even if it doesn't get me anywhere, I'm gonna keep trying. Periodically. Seems like the least I can do, and what the hell; even if the odds are against it, there's the off chance the stars'll be right and I'll luck out. The odds of all of this, after all...

[Shaking her head, Sam looses a weak little laugh.]

Yeah. And yeah, there's that.

How's it been for you, adjusting?