#technicallyanax

Lys would be lying if they said their panic didn’t go beyond normal levels currently. And with the way they were looking at Douxie? It would be hard to sell that lie. He’s shaking and looks paler than a ghost... And for a moment Lys doesn’t know what to do.

But Archie’s pawing snaps him out of it. Cat was smart, they’d give him that. Right, deep breaths, you need to stay focused. “I- I know Archie, just- Let me get him onto the couch would you?” No need for claws Archie, Lys will let you look as soon as there no danger of Lys dropping Douxie on the floor. 

Jim swallowed, feeling prickly and tense. Something about the way Douxie didn’t seem to care-- and, okay, the wizard was flippant about injuries on a good day, but-- it seemed different this time. Off.

He offered a meager smile, though, hoping that it was just paranoia. “Oh, uh. The issue wasn’t that I could... see it... um. I’m just worried about you. Where are you hurt? Can I take a look at it?” 

“What’s this now?” A malicious chuckle. “Has the boy wizard finally found himself a fitting form?”

He peers into the small space in which Merlin’s successor has wedged himself. He recognizes him, from the decorated garments to the ridiculous fake skulls.

“Did you think you could trick me again?” Skrael’s eyes are shining with sadistic delight as he delicately taps a tiny toe with a cold finger. “Surely you don’t need all your toes...” He’s about to paint a picture, about to tell Douxie how he’ll freeze his toes one by one and pluck them like berries, when he looks the boy in the eye.

And his smile falters. Because there’s no recognition in the wide, terror-filled eyes, no hint of the clever wizard of a thousand tricks. Only a terrified little boy who seems, at a glance, to not be aware of who he is facing, and why.

He’s shaking?

Skrael pauses, unsure of what to do. He’s never had the stomach for hurting children, and if this isn’t Douxie hiding in a smaller form, but him as a small boy...

“Don’t you not–?” Douxie started before he realized he was denying himself some Nari cuddles and what self-hating madman would do that? And he could (almost) never say no to her anyway, so he folded back the covers and shooed Archie to lay at his feet. “Of course you can, ankle-biter, the more the merrier. Are you doing alright?”

[msg to Douxie 🔮, 7:34pm]: First, please don’t scry on me

[msg to Douxie 🔮, 7:34pm]: I mean I’m decent, but I’m also not in any danger don’t worry

[msg to Douxie 🔮, 7:35pm]: Everything is fine

The boy shook his head, and only belated realized that he couldn’t be seen. “Oh, um, no, there’s no teenager! It’s just me. My name is James--” he made a startled noise, then, cutting himself off. “No! Wait! Sorry, I wanna-- I wanna go by Jim. I’m Jim. My name is Jim Lake. I needed to call you because of, um.” He blinked.