Haru very visibly puts his hand on Nick's hand and it feels like nothing at all, not even a feather - just guiding, albeit not much of it.

"So we are playing...?"

"...Interesting. This would definitely be good from a backlash reducing standpoint. Sufficiently strong guiding beats the unpleasantness of backlash for certain ranges of guiding and backlash anyway, but it's very, very distracting, and this isn't. And sure, I'll try most boardgames once. What is it?"

"It's this deck building game where you build up a fleet of spaceships and sci-fi industries, but there's a bit of a twist..." And he will explain in his excited voice the latest Cool Board Game.

It's a good premise. Haru maintains his backlash at a level where he can read without help (at least, can read the cards for board game purposes; the option of reading a book goes almost instantly.)

Nick is not a touchy-feely person, anyway. He has rather withering sarcasm, but it's not really malicious.

"And here comes the combo... I activate trade fleet for three coins, trade fleet is a bulk carrier and that triggers the fuel factory and lets me draw a card, and also I have patent farm which means I get 1 coin whenever I draw a card, and also that fills out my 'rush contract' which means I get three coins back, which means I can afford to buy the battleship."

"Seriously, I've had this game for a couple weeks, how are you better at it already?"

"It's all just numbers and symbols, really. Also, I think I got lucky."

"I keep drawing tariff cards, why did I add so many of those, I have a few pointed questions for past me."

"Fillin' up your deck with junk is a common failure mode. This is fun, though. I could do it more. Nick, you done?"

He nods.

"Okay so I have... Very little, again. I'm just going to buy another asteroid. Done, Haru's turn."

"I guess I'm imposing neodymium tariffs!"

Teddy helps parse out the mechanics. It's faster this way.

"Right, so with that and that and that... You have five coins this turn. Plus a colony point. Colonies cost two." He turns towards Nick and Wendy. "So, uh... I want to ask something actually, you guys are full-partnering with each other?"

"Outside of, like, guiding emergencies, yeah?"

"...So, actually, if I may explain my feelings on this? Anyone object?"

"Do tell."

"I have shitty parents. I accordingly have issues with being relied upon for something critical. And on taking on responsibilities I do not... Words... That I don't endorse. There are a number of private factors that weigh out in favor of partnering with Wendy, such aaaas..."

Glance.

Blushnodding.

"Wendy has complex parental feelings as well, and I empathize. And I'm quite attracted. Not to be TMI, but in an intellectual sense as well, the energy and the sense of... Not quite cynicism? Understanding of the unfairness? That she has. I think we are good for each other. I think we can do the version of partnering where it's basically a romance, but that kind of includes monogamy feelings. I don't really want to do extensive guiding with anyone else, and I especially do not want to feel obligated about it."

"Understandable to have monogamy feelings, and obviously do whatever makes sense for you, though, like, bear in mind that most monogamy feelings don't interpose themselves in medical situations and espers do keep getting ourselves into medical situations."

"I hope I will feel glad that treatment is being given rather than anything more complicated in such a scenario."

Wendy hugs him. Gently, telegraphed-ly. "Feelings can be really hard."

Pat, pat.

"Also I'm quite straight. So if I'm to be a backlash clearing resource for you, Haru, please keep these things in mind and it will absolutely be clinical and kind of unpleasant for me but also I won't agree without it being worth it on net. Backlash is such a bitch."

"If you're in an emergency so dire that you can't wait for Wendy I assume neither of us is going to be having any fun with it and also you will not be able to feel it as I just demonstrated. If I'm in an emergency so dire that I can't wait for Teddy then, like, I get it, do whatever you can put up with best."

"Espers have it hard enough, no need to throw down any additional emotional caltrops!"

"Yeah... And if you're in an emergency, Wendy, well, I'll endorse any guiding in a storm. Well, glad that's cleared up. Still your turn."