8th Spell [Accidental Voice] (After all of the rescues)

[lastdragonlord]

[The first sort of sound to filter through the PCD is a horrified, male scream. There, that ought to get everyone's attention, right? Followed by a muted, sniffling sound that transitions slowly into heaving sobs that eventually translate into words.]

Oh n-no, oh no. No, no, no, no. Sorry - 'm so sorry. Don't want to, didn't...

[His mutterings

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[paisho_everyday]

[Iroh's still around. And although he can't sense emotions any more, well - you hardly need to be an empath to work out what Merlin is going through. He makes tea - it's a thing - and goes to find a PTSD-afflicted boy wizard.]

Merlin.

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[lastdragonlord]

I-Iroh. [Looking down and away.]

You should probably go home - I'm sure Zuko's worried about you.

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[paisho_everyday]

I am sure he is. But what my years has taken in flexibility and roguish good looks, they have returned in being able to take care of myself, and I should hope that my nephew knows me well enough by now to realise that.

[He half-smiles and sits down near Merlin, placing the two teacups on the tabletop.]

And I am worried about you, my young friend.

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[lastdragonlord]

[Still not looking at you Iroh. He said some terrible things to your nephew.]

Y-you shouldn't be.

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[paisho_everyday]

That you are saying that is precisely why I should.

[He takes a small sip of his tea.]

I have said before that you are driven by your emotions. You are a man who acts on his instincts, and allows his feelings to dictate his behaviour. But this time, you must accept that these emotions were not your own. What you did was not your fault.

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[lastdragonlord]

[And now he actually looks at Iroh, a sideways glance that seems terribly unsure. His eyes dart down to the tea and, hesitantly, he picks up the other cup.]

But that's the things though. [He twists the cup in his hands, stares down into it.] I. I think parts of it were. Mine.

T-the desperation, at least.

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[paisho_everyday]

Yes, maybe. The desperation, and the urge to protect the people you care about at any cost...I suspected that they were yours all along. But they alone would never do any harm, Merlin, except perhaps to yourself. Indeed, without those feelings to temper and give direction to the emotions that you suddenly found you were host to...this all could have been much worse.

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[lastdragonlord]

[Merlin shivers distastefully at the thought.]

Yeah. I suppose things can always be worse.

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[paisho_everyday]

[Iroh nods, and he's reflectively silent for a moment.]

...and your friends will forgive you. The people who care about you will be able to look past their grievances and understand that there were forces at work here far beyond your control. We are all subject to the will of these spirits, after all.

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[lastdragonlord]

I hope you're right. [Hesitant smile.]