[ Scott stops trying to take his hands away. Instead he turns them over to take hold of Alayne’s, and he takes a step closer to her. He’d been reacting to everything she said – worry and alarm when she mentioned Lady, along with recognition because of that phrase ’among the dead’, understanding and sympathy when she talked about her friend, and then as she finished, his face had become very serious.

Scott has no powers at the moment, he can’t access them. Not even passively, to heal the cuts on his hands. But that doesn’t stop him wanting to protect the people around him. That’s just his nature. He untangles one of his hands from hers and puts his arm around her, just like he’d do with anyone in this state. ]

Alayne, Alayne. It’s okay, you don’t have to be sorry. You can talk to me any time, I’ll do whatever I can to help.

Look, Lady…that place you were talking about, it sounds like the place I was in. I’ll look for her, okay? Maybe she’s there somewhere. And I’m sorry about your friend. It seems like everyone’s taking that stuff, it’s crazy. I’m really glad that you’re not. And I know it’s confusing, but I’ll help. I promise, okay?