intofireforever | 007 - [VOICE] - from the infirmary

007 - [VOICE] - from the infirmary

[Laura's coma is over, but when she speaks, there's residual grogginess in her voice.]

Why am I in the infirmary?

[Aw shit.]

...How long have I been out?

[Aw, SHIT. Now she sounds very worried.]

Wanda? Where are you, are you okay?

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[Wanda nods, feeling a bit buzzy.] Yeah, you got it.

Oh holy crap, your gifts! [She pulls the two packages out of her bag and slides them over.] I totally derped them for a while there.

Oh! I forgot, too.

[Laura settles the packages in front of herself, but pauses, looking guilty.]

I fell into my coma before I got a chance to write to Santa. I don't have anything for you.

Hey, don't sweat it. Though I admit I may ask you for something a little bit weird when it's time for me to go.

Sure, of course.

[Laura tears the paper off the first package.]

[Inside is a tablet computer with only one thing on it, but the file is so enormous that it takes up most of the memory. It is an exotic looking map that looks a little like stellar cartography. It is titled "The Known Multiverse".]

I got these for a lot of people including myself. You know, so we can see where we're all from and where we've been.

Oh, wow. Thank you! It sounds amazing.

[Laura picks up the tablet and turns it this way and that, looking slightly perplexed. It's not that she doesn't know how a touch-screen works; this is just so much bigger than the communicators and therefore more intimidating.]

You'll probably need to help me work it the first time, though.

Hey, you're welcome. I figured it would be useful to anyone dealing with this place. I'll walk you through making it work.

[She pokes at the small package.] This one is especially for you though.

[Laura carefully opens the small box to find a ring. She lifts it out and feels...something. Not with her body, but with her mind.]

...what is this?

[Because it feels like MIKE's ring.]

[Wanda hesitates, looking a little shy.]

My wards weren't strong enough for Overlook. It didn't help that we were directly under the most haunted room in the place, but...I've been trying to figure out how to do right by you in a situation like that ever since.

Right now, the Admiral is stronger than I am, and he can make and power magical items. I tested him with my Christmas list. That ring protects the wearer against evil spirits. It should be pretty damn potent.

[Laura finds her mouth suddenly dry. She licks her lips.]

That wasn't your fault.

[She examines the ring carefully, but doesn't put it on.]

Is this going to make some kind of...contract, between me and the Admiral? He gets something in exchange for the protection?

[When she put on MIKE's ring, it kept BOB from seizing control of her body. It also bound her soul to MIKE until she died...giving him the freedom to eat her final release of pain and sorrow after she was killed, when it would normally have belonged to BOB.]

Oh yeah, I know it wasn't my fault, but...it's a thing, with me. Even if we weren't working together, and even if I didn't like you, there are some things nobody should go through, and nasty evil spirits are up there, you know?

[She considers the ring.] It didn't come with conditions. The Admiral, well, he pretty much gave us the impulse to wish for stuff for people, and I decided to see just how far he was willing to go with that. Because sometimes a bit of magic can be just what people need.

You know Duo? Cute as hell, long-ass braid, cheerful, definitely on my short list of guys to look up once my head's together? He's running a shelter when he's done here. I asked for a self-refilling pantry on wheels for him.

[Laura, after studying the ring in silence for a few moments more, finally tucks the ring into her pocket. Then she wipes at her eyes. Were there tears forming there? Maybe.]

Thank you, Wanda. I'm going to save it for emergencies. You've read my file, and I hope you can understand why I'm hesitant to wear it until I know I'll need it.

[The last ring like this guaranteed her death and all. She leans over and hugs her inmate.]

Yeah, I know. It's just that rings are harder to steal than necklaces or something. And also...I want to be someone you can trust when she says she wants to help.

[This time she hugs back without the awkward.]

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007 - [VOICE] - from the infirmary

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