inbox for saltburnt

[preborns]

WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK

USERNAME:
coan_tean

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[holyposition]

it’s not that hard, if I remember right. My mom used to make them.

Really? You can tell things like that?

[preborns]

Can you teach me?

Yes, of course. I can feel everyone here, all the time.

[holyposition]

I can try. It's been a while.

How much are you feeling?

[preborns]

You already know more than I. I never baked or cooked anything, at home.

It depends. I feel everyone's presence, all the time, but if I choose, I can lean in more to any one person, see what they're feeling.

I'm not spying on you in indelicate moments, if that's your worry.

[holyposition]

What we're feeling specifically? Or broad things? Like happy, or sad.

[preborns]

It depends. I can focus in harder, see thoughts and actions and intent, but that’s generally frowned upon. Bad manners.

So: broad strokes, yes. As a rule.

[holyposition]

Do you know what I'm feeling?

[preborns]

[A pause, then -- a subtle push, the pinprick of her mind to his, the same as when she'd used the Voice, attempting to gather more information.]

I can. I'd need to try harder, though. [His presence, his relative safety and comfort -- that she can feel with no effort, as much a part of her environment as the birdsong and the scent of cinnamon and the silky press of her sheets.]

[holyposition]

How much can you feel if you don't try?

[preborns]

That you're concerned, tired. Not sleeping well.

But safe.

[holyposition]

I've been sleeping better.

But okay. I guess that's fine.

[preborns]

You've had nightmares.

I was more reckless, when I was younger. I didn't understand that people's minds are private -- I could enter as I pleased, so why wouldn't I?

It's a difficult habit to break.

[holyposition]

Not often.

I don't mind if you check to see if I'm still safe, or if we're about to meet and you need to know where I am. But the rest is private, okay?

[preborns]

Mmm. What do you dream about, Tim?

I understand. I won't intrude beyond that unless you ask me.

[holyposition]

Wolfmen, jumping out of windows, Hell. There's a lot to worry about here.

[preborns]

Cake, too. Don't forget turning into cake.

Ah, and the sex dungeon.

[holyposition]

How could I forget the cake?

Otherworld has been the least disturbing thing about this place.

[preborns]

And the baths. I liked the baths.

Has it, now? Perhaps that's a sign of growth. Were you more scandalized by it at the beginning?

[holyposition]

I mean it in the sense of nobody getting mauled by feral monsters down there. All the overt sex doesn't seem as problematic when people are bleeding out.

I go down there to dance sometimes. It's not so bad.