She shifted slightly as she felt his hand on her cheek. She looked up at him, eyes wide. Her cheeks become reddened as her eyes shift from looking at his to looking away

“I…uh…I mean…th-those exercises really helped me when I’m…well, on most days. It doesn’t take it away completely but it helps.”

// all laughing aside work is stressful and holiday shopping is stressful

// …….keeping that typo in because I needed that laugh

-c- stray tear from her eye. Someone once told her the words she’s speaking now. Back when Ivette felt cornered and afraid. It brought comfort to her back then. Maybe it would bring comfort to him

-c- out to be, I live with so much fear and so much regret it can be overwhelming at times.”

she stays silent for a few seconds. She wants to say more but…it’s a lot to admit to herself out loud.

“…but in this moment? You’re not alone…I’m sitting right here next to you, okay?”

she wiped a -c-

-c- hearing. Everything around you. Think about what they are. Think about their colours. Think about how it feels to…walk in that place. Feel the walls or ground of that place. Think about the scents…”

she hesitantly reached out her arm

“I…know it’s a lot. Despite…who I turned -c-

she looked away for a moment, before looking back at him

“Close your eyes. Inhale for four seconds through the nose, hold for two, and exhale for six seconds through the mouth. While doing that, imagine a place that brings you comfort. Focus on the sounds you remember -c-

she led him into the car and chuckled softly

“Well, luckily, humans don’t live that long. Unless you consider the afterlife. In which case, I…well, I don’t know where I’d end up.”

she looked out the window thoughtfully as she closed the door

She instinctively reached behind her and grabbed hold of his hand

“Don’t worry. They’re…”

she checks her phone to see the rating of the driver. Five stars. That’s a good sign

“…friendly.”

The driver gives them both a puzzled look

As the car pulled close by, Ivette stepped forward. She looked at him and whispered

“Try to keep talk of magic to a whisper.”

she opened the door to the backseat and muttered quietly

“…Ivette…um, this is my friend…Lim. We’re heading to the park for a walk.”

“……Tell you what. Once you rest up and heal, along with some food? I’ll show you some of the good it can do.”

“…I imagine magic is the same way. Some of it can be used to benefit others. Some of it can be used to harm.”

she sighed

“Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who’d rather harm than help. Especially if it benefits one person’s greed.”

“It’s not magic. It’s…technology. It’s like…god, I’m not the right person to explain it.”

she stares at the map as the driver gets closer

“…It’s one of many methods of communication.”

she pauses for a moment

“…I fought a giant robot once. With some help, but I did fight one.

…size doesn’t always matter…granted, I do wish I was a bit taller sometimes.”

her phone vibrates

“Ride is almost here.”

“…..I could help patch any injuries up. And we could then work to find your friends and save them.

…My guess whoever is behind this isn’t a small player. So they’ll have a lot on their side. Nothing I can’t handle.”

At least she hopes

“…I…they really hurt you, didn’t they?”

she reaches out for his cheek, examining the cut closer

“I…don’t suppose you have magical fast healing, do you?”

she couldn’t help but smile

“You must be new to this part of the world. We got a lot of humans who can preform magic…

…O-Okay…not a lot. But definitely more than you’d think. Or maybe I’m just part of some weird social circles.”

“I…y-yes. It mostly comes from the helmet. It’s my connection to him.”

she looks down at her feet and mumbles

“I’m told I still have…trace amounts in me. But I’m not much without it…”