007 - [VOICE] - from the infirmary

[intofireforever]

[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?

Comments

Re: [spam]

[intofireforever]

[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.]

[spam]

[scarlet_discord]

[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.

Re: [spam]

[intofireforever]

[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.]

[spam]

[scarlet_discord]

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.

Re: [spam]

[intofireforever]

[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.]

[spam]

[scarlet_discord]

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.]