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He's had the sociology lessons, he knows in theory how these people run things, but wow, he still kind of has trouble with the idea that there's an entire functioning society out there where people just don't ever torture each other.

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What the fuck is this tower even like.

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"When I was a little kid I painspelled somebody for a full minute because she stole my undead squirrel."

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He laughs. "What's that look for?"

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"It is horrifying that you or anyone else had to grow up here."

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He shrugs. "I guess."

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"I guess getting your toys stolen isn't something that never happens to kids, but..."

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"What do kids out there even do when somebody messes with their stuff?"

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"Tell an adult. Or punch the other kid and take it back, sometimes, but that's discouraged."

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"Nobody'd have taken me seriously if I just punched them!"

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"Yes, because this place is a horrible cesspit where the stakes are higher than that."

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"My Anaseverina used to call it that too."

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"Well, she was right."

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"Yeah."

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"Do you have anything resembling a plan for after he's dead?"

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"Not really."

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Shrug. "It shouldn't be too hard. Skilled magic-users can find work just about anywhere. Although you'd probably need to not admit the torture."

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"Hmm?"

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"...People get uncomfortable around people who've done things they consider horrible."

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"Huh. All right."

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Nod.

It transpires, over the course of the next few weeks, that Ikera has exactly two modes: working ruthlessly and obstinately towards vengeance, whether that means attending her lessons with sufficient levels of faux-submission to not give the game away or ruthlessly practicing the pain spell on animals or working her way through the curriculum she has to "catch up" with, and curled up crying for her mother. The latter doesn't occur very frequently. The closest thing she has to an off switch is "asleep," and she does less of that than would be perfectly optimal for her health. Not to mention that she doesn't sleep as well as she might, given that she banished herself to the floor before Sairu had a chance; she does not trust him enough to sleep next to him.

The first time he catches her in the latter state is four days after she arrives.

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He looks at her.

 

"Do you want a hug."

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Hug.

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