And that's psychologically unhealthy?

Both of them can't stand awfulness they aren't currently in motion on fixing and can barely stand awfulness they are currently in motion on fixing and if it hits them wrong it'll break them and I know how to take care of people like that and I know how to keep her safe.

Good. Keep doing that.

Trust me, I will.

He looks over at the two alts, the elder having decided to occupy the younger so she didn't get nosy about what her dad and the pretty Quendi were talking about. It's--certainly something, getting a glimpse of what your child is likely to grow up to be.

You and, uh, Erik, should both be as psychologically healthy as you can, you two being hurt is one of the things she doesn't really get over.

He smiles wryly. It's a little late for that, I'm afraid. But we do what we can.

I know the feeling.

Sometimes it's difficult to know what's going to be necessary until it's too late.

Yeah.

I nearly mishandled Raven and Erik both badly enough to lose them, because I didn't understand what they needed from me. I was very, very lucky to get a second chance, there.

I'd sort of expect mindreading to help with that problem.

Raven made me promise not to read her mind when we were children, and Erik--was too far outside of my experience for mindreading alone to be enough, and I had been using it as a crutch.

I am really glad that it worked out.

I think we all are.

Things going to get easier or harder once her magic spreads in your world?

More complicated, certainly, but better overall, I believe.

I think knowing you have forever is generally very psychologically healthy for people, but I haven't seen it happen for mortals en masse.

There are people who won't accept it, he admits sadly.

I know a lot of people who don't get to choose whether to accept it who'd be really relieved to have ceasing to exist as an option. But now it is an option, that's something, yeah?

Indeed.

What you said earlier about not deserving her regard--I think being good for her is more relevant to that than being a good person.

Good. I can do that.

It does seem that way. I'm glad you two found each other.

Our whole world is glad of Odette.

Well, of course.