It can, but it'd be back in force as soon as you figured it out, and it wouldn't take much to trigger figuring it out. Why? Are you worried Maitimo's sworn something and forgotten?

I'm not sure they remember that one. It doesn't sound like it'll be a problem, though.

I really doubt he doesn't remember that one, but no, it shouldn't be.

...the Enemy took a lot of their memories, I'd assumed they'd told you that. I don't know which ones, but I know they're missing a lot of things about their family - not everything, but -

He'd have to pretty much have erased everything in the years leading up to Angband to get that, it was a strongly phrased oath and pulled on them a lot. 

All right.

So he's probably found a loophole, then. Damn.

Thanks.

What's going on?

Still shouldn't talk about it.

Okay.

Sorry.

You're the one who appears to be hurting.

Yup, and probably not going to be doing a very good job of keeping it to myself for the next while. So, sorry about that.

I don't need you to keep it to yourself when you're sad. This is a lot for anyone to cope with, certainly alone.

Mmhmm. Being upset and not letting you do anything about it is pretty rude though.

...it would not actually be a bad idea to keep an eye on me and make sure I'm still eating okay.

I can do that. Should I just ask, or do you want to switch to eating here?

Asking's fine, but it's okay to make me switch if you're worried. Um - I'm not sure what Eldar need, for kobolds if we stop eating altogether it's serious after two or three days and an emergency after five or six; I can't get by indefinitely on one meal a day but that'll be good enough if there's a temporary problem, two is better. I don't think this is going to get that bad, but it is how I tend to react when I'm very stressed, so it's a good idea for you to know anyway... someone bringing me food and sitting with me while I eat it is almost always enough to get me to; if I ever don't respond to that you should probably take that seriously, too.

Okay.

Maybe you should ask someone else to take over looking after Maitimo. It seems like it's hurting you a lot, and that can't make him happy either.

She sighs. If that seems wise, I will. I don't think it is right now. I'll be okay.

Okay. Hugs. Did you eat today?

Hugs: Good. Small breakfast, half of lunch. Shouldn't skip dinner completely but I'm okay, yeah.

You can tell him to cut it out. He will.

Yeah, I know. If I need a break I have better options than that - I have a pretty good idea of what I can tolerate, I've been through worse than this.

I know it doesn't feel like it but it's probably a good sign that he's acting on wanting something even though it's making the person he's dependent on unhappy.

Mmhmm. Which is why I'm letting them do it, mostly.

But it'd be okay to make him put that on people who love him and who he won't hurt.