mental link;

[shri]

[ Knock-knock -

- or something like the creak of city gates of her wanting to reach out to anyone else in the hive that will respond. ]

( These ability we have aside from communication. I require a trainer for my own.

And a decent explanation of what they are and their pitfalls. I am not familiar with this kind of... magic. )

[ Yeah she can't think of another word for it. ]

Comments

[shri]

( On how certain members of the hive should be dealt with. )

[deployed]

( Is this about the fight I felt when you first came down? )

[shri]

( Yes. I tried to kill Elena, Damon repayed the favour. Sam tied me up. )

[deployed]

[ mm that's complicated. ]

( We can't kill each other. The symbiote would have stopped you even if Prince and Cathaway hadn't. )

[ though clear disapproval bleeds through at the series of events she outlined. sam's interference had been on the behalf of the wrong person ]

[shri]

[ So very complicated. ]

( I have been made aware of that issue. )

[deployed]

( But you're going to hold it against Cathaway and Prince anyway? )

[ the tendril of suspicion comes snaking through: there's someone higher, someone must be above them... ]

[shri]

( That remains to be seen. I was hardly there long enough. )

[deployed]

[ hesitation, and then— ]

( They aren't your enemy. )

[shri]

( As I said, that remains to be seen. )

[deployed]

( I'll be there with you, if you want. )

[ to do what??? we just don't know ]

[shri]

[ She's somewhere between laughing and - she softens, he is too brave, too good in his heart and it's better if she just didn't - ]

( That... would not be advisable. I do not want you caught in my own squabbles in such a manner. )

[ Her own fight would be her own fight. She bend that much. ]

[deployed]

( You can change your mind. )

[ But that's about the answer he expected. ]

[shri]

( No, thank you. But I would be remiss if I did. )

[deployed]

( When we get back, I'll practice with you. )

[ in his mind, practice takes the shape of sparring, rather than engaging the symbiote. ]

[shri]

( If that is not too late. I need to start using this immediately. )

[deployed]

( Rani, you're already formidable without using it. )

[ jsyk ]

[shri]

[ Oh -

She lingers a moment, a pleased little huff of laughter that she doesn't quite not to do with such honest praise given without prompting. Used to it certainly, a Queen is, she has to be, to make sense of all that flattery but that was - well Bellamy wasn't her subject.

He was a honest one, wasn't he? ]

( I do my best, but anything new should be taken in hand rather than simply avoided. )

[deployed]

[ That assertion is the polar opposite of how Bellamy had approached his own abilities. As much as he dislikes the idea, he still has a begrudging admiration for the route Lakshmi wants to take. ]

( It's not always that simple with the symbiotes. But if you're determined, all I can tell you is to be careful. I'll be there to help you if you need it. )

[shri]

( As long as I breathe, I will always try. )

[ A statement of moving forward, blunt as she always is - but more than that, a curl around of her fingers, the sensation of her hand settling over another's. Surety, reassurance. Things greater than this have tried. Even if this wasn't strictly the same. ]

[deployed]

[ That sentiment could easily be something Bellamy voiced. His own fingers twitch as he settles into the prickling impression of her hand on his own. Quiet approval radiates back as the connection narrows, then fades away as Bellamy lets the conversation end. ]