[ He can see what he's doing. Some medical nonsense, he's heard of topsiders trying to do this thing. It never works β it wouldn't work β Kaladin is approaching, into their space, his and his daughter's, trying to insert himself into their business. Into her breakdown.
He can feel it, there's that rushing buzzing, the sensation of waves and water lapping at his neck, the tightness, the tightness β he freezes for a half-second, lungs and limbs arrested ]
Stop trying to fix this. I know what to do.
[ He snaps at him, standing with his fists tightening to leave crescents in his palms, his teeth gritted. What is he doing, is he trying to get convince her to leave? Is that what it is? His fists shake, but he can't β He has to β
He breathes, he runs a hand through his hair. Putting it all back into place. Compartmentalizing. It's tucked back away, and he looks down at Kaladin for only a second more, before he ignores him, and keeps his focus on Jinx. On the broken little girl β it's always been like this. They've always been like this. It'll pass, it'll β ]
It's because they don't know. Not really.
[ Tone lower now, as if it could keep him from hearing. He doesn't hold back from approaching, but he's lowered on one knee β he reaches out to wrap an arm around her shoulders, using his own thin back to block her from Kaladin's sight. Boxing her in, but keeping the rest of the world out. He keeps his voice even lower, as if he could prevent the other man in the room from hearing him. ]
It's okay. They can't do anything to us, Jinx. They won't. You're strong, remember? I know you are, more than anyone thinks. We can show them the truth, can't we?
no subject
He can feel it, there's that rushing buzzing, the sensation of waves and water lapping at his neck, the tightness, the tightness β he freezes for a half-second, lungs and limbs arrested ]
Stop trying to fix this. I know what to do.
[ He snaps at him, standing with his fists tightening to leave crescents in his palms, his teeth gritted. What is he doing, is he trying to get convince her to leave? Is that what it is? His fists shake, but he can't β He has to β
He breathes, he runs a hand through his hair. Putting it all back into place. Compartmentalizing. It's tucked back away, and he looks down at Kaladin for only a second more, before he ignores him, and keeps his focus on Jinx. On the broken little girl β it's always been like this. They've always been like this. It'll pass, it'll β ]
It's because they don't know. Not really.
[ Tone lower now, as if it could keep him from hearing. He doesn't hold back from approaching, but he's lowered on one knee β he reaches out to wrap an arm around her shoulders, using his own thin back to block her from Kaladin's sight. Boxing her in, but keeping the rest of the world out. He keeps his voice even lower, as if he could prevent the other man in the room from hearing him. ]
It's okay. They can't do anything to us, Jinx. They won't. You're strong, remember? I know you are, more than anyone thinks. We can show them the truth, can't we?