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Personally I don't think it's good to blame someone for something they can't possibly know about... but I also know emotions aren't rational and this isn't a question of whether you will or won't.

[ He purses his lips, one elbow moving to the table, so his hand can prop his head up. ]

Being that upset means you'd probably have to appeal to her emotions before you could get any logic in, and it's difficult because emotions are the problem in the first place. And really, it's not you, right now, that she has to forgive. You haven't actually done this yet, Lucretia.

I know, (she says shakily, and takes a deep, slow breath, holding it for a moment before she releases it.) I just have to keep telling myself that. It's all I have to go on right now.

(She realises how hard she's gripping herself, fingers digging into her arms, and releases her stranglehold.)

You know, I've been thinking about it a lot and... if it came down to their safety, if it was between this, or lose them entirely, I would pick this. Every time. And maybe that's why it happened.

[ Cain doesn't answer right away. What he does is stand up and grab his chair, walking them around the table next to Lucretia before setting himself back down. His arm comes around her shoulder and he gently nudges her to lean against his side; depending on how she receives it, he'll probably tilt his head to rest it on top of hers.

He gives her some time before he speaks. ]

I don't doubt that you'd do whatever you could to protect them, one thing over the other, but there isn't anything you can imagine that would inspire that. Playing what-if just doesn't work here.

(What she likes very much about Cain is that he is an excellent judge of knowing exactly when to stop talking and offer physical comfort instead. The arm around is vastly appreciated, and after a beat Lucretia sighs, and leans against him properly, head tipping to rest against his shoulder.)

You're right, (she says eventually, in a defeated sort of way.

She's not quite got around to his clearly more sensible way of thinking, but at least she's admitting that to herself? It's complicated.)

Just take your time.

[ There isn't much else he can say to it, because sometimes the realization and growth just can't be forced. Getting on the right path is about all he can help someone to do. ]

(She nods, falling silent as she starts to mull all of this over.

It's strange to think that this only really just happened, that an hour or two ago she'd been just coming down off the edge of a panic attack, sick with anger and resent. It's quite a feat, then, for Cain to have brought her back around so quickly.)

You're very good at this.

[ Cain shifts to turn a smile down at her, then rests his chin on the top of her head. Even as long as he's been alive, there's never just one solution to anything and people are the hardest to predict or assess overall. What's worked before might not ever work again. Thankfully not the case here. ]

Well, I've got a lot of practice. Glad I could help, though.

Mmm.

(She kind of doesn't want to talk any more about it, now. She's got a lot to think about. She sighs, content as he leans back on her a little; when she speaks next, her voice is quiet, thoughtful.)

Would you mind telling me about your brother?

[ There's a moment of silence while Cain just breathes. It's not hard for him to talk about Abel, per se, but right now the question reminds him of the tensions currently between them. It reminds him how the blackouts stopped again once he got here. There's something behind that and he doesn't want to examine it too closely. ]

I don't mind. What do you want to know?

What's he like?

(Hopefully that isn't too hard a question for him to answer; Lucretia can tell that it's quite complicated. She finds his hand from where his arm is about her shoulder, and gives it a little reassuring pat.)

[ There's a brief breath of laughter for the pat. ]

Nowadays? He's pretty... well, rigid, but he's strong and kind and even thoughtful sometimes, even if he doesn't realize what he's doing or not. A good dad, and that in and of itself is a hoot.

He sounds lovely.

(Hopefully he doesn't mind that she's just blatantly got her eyes closed as she listens. It's comforting, to just sit and listen to him talk. She briefly rests her palm against the back of his knuckles before she lets her hand drop.)

Does he have children?

[ This is all very endearing, and doesn't help the definite knowledge Cain has of mentally adopting Lucretia for sure. His now, sorry. ]

He's got an adopted daughter. Holly. She's got the same ability we do, so it's sort of a work thing... more than that to him, though, thankfully.

[ More than that, but not above it. They both know that. Cain wonders briefly if Holly does. ]

(Maybe that's just fine!!)

The same ability? (Hmm. And this means that Cain is an uncle by way of adoption. Interesting.)

Where we see ghosts and the time people would die.

[ Did he not mention that? Whoops. ... It also means Cain is a great-great-grandparent by way of genetics. ]

(HE FAILED TO MENTION THAT.

Lucretia's eyes pop open.)

You what?

[ He shifts a bit, makes sure she'll stay held against him before chuckling softly. ]

It's just how it goes. Deathsight. We see ghosts and... when people should become them, essentially. It's how Enforcers can work so well.

(Lucretia just stares straight ahead for a moment, vaguely disconcerted by the whole thing.)

Okay.

That's... neat.

(She's trying to be supportive!)

[ He sighs a little in amusement. ]

It's something like that. Morbid as it sounds, you get used to it. Sorry, I didn't mean to spring it out of nowhere.

No, it's okay.

(Wait wait wait wait wait.) Have... can you tell when I'm going to die? Have you known that this whole time?

(That's... she doesn't know how to feel.)

Yes, but... telling people their time is exactly how you get Enforcers after you in the the first place. [ He hums thoughtfully. ] Everyone's given their time for a reason, even if what they do with it is up to them.

... Okay.

(This is weird.) Could... could you maybe not look at it? (It feels like an invasion of privacy some how.)

Or is it involuntary?

[ He reaches up with his free hand and taps her on the tip of her nose. ]

It's like trying not to see your nose when looking at your face.

I see.

(So Cain knows when she will die. That's... fine.)

I don't know what the situation is with Enforcers here; as in whether they are able to get through the portal or not. But in any case, I don't want to know. About when I will die, I mean.

[ Part of him wants to laugh, because there's just no way Cain will ever tell anyone their time. He can't, for his own sake. If he told someone after not telling Remus, then that's a betrayal of the deepest sort. It's also why he can't abide by others going around and abusing the power. ]

No, don't worry about it. I won't say a word.

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