So personal information he has about various people gets flagged; Angband gets flagged; his personal life gets flagged -

- "that should be it -"

"Okay. Ready?"

"Yes."

And she shows him what she's doing, insofar as any of it registers sensibly to a mind which doesn't naturally perceive other minds directly. Here is the empty space that fills itself with terror in quiet moments - here is how it is choosing where to source its input - a little pinch a little nudge a little tuck - the bounced sensation is very confusing but it's possible to tell that whatever she's doing she's being very meticulous and taking her time to be precise about it -

- and eventually, "There."

He is only trembling a little bit. "Okay.

Thank you."

"You're welcome. We can call it a day for now?"

"I don't know what kind of schedule you're on - you're the one who's doing something demanding of concentration -"

"I'm busy in terms of total time available much more than in terms of time slots available, and I don't want to overwhelm you, but if you'd rather take a 'get it over with' approach that's valid too."

"I'd just as soon get it over with, I think."

Nod. "Association disruption is probably next. I don't expect to be able to track down all of it in one sitting unless you've actually cataloged them, but I can get whatever's troubling you right now and whatever else you remember, and come back when you've noticed some leftovers?"

"I don't think I have them comprehensively catalogued, but I can probably call up a lot -"

She nods, and once again after all explanations and assurances have been explained and assured goes in and pinches connections closed.

Which is terrifying but that's okay, if it means he is back to what he was - Kib said 'maybe you'll be okay someday', maybe all he needs to do is sit still for this -

It takes a long time. She runs out of stamina to operate safely before he runs out of associations.

"Thanks for your time," he says. "I gather it's exhausting."

"Please don't worry about it," she says. "When would be a good time for me to come back?"

So he names the next point when he'll have his time clear.

"I'll be here."

And to Kib - I am not quite up for a hug right now but if you stay a couple minutes -

(Boots vanishes.)

Of course.

He said a couple minutes so he gives himself two and a half. He gets it together. He smiles weakly at his boyfriend. Hug?

Are you actually in the mood for a hug or does it just seem like the thing to do...

I am using heuristics? But I'm always using heuristics, it's how I function, I would not be happier if they stopped working -

...okay. Hug.