Actually, It Is

"Come here," you say, holding out your arms, "Amelia."

Amelia looks absolutely delighted as Susan lets her go, the older woman giving you a curious look as her daughter quickly rushes into your arms. You embrace her and give her a quick peck on the lips. "I'm glad to hear you're willing," you say to her, "but are you sure this is really what YOU want?"

With that, using the same kind of **** you had tugged on the Soul Reins from Harmony, you push on them towards Amelia. Some of the life pops back in her eyes and she seems momentarily disoriented. "I-I mean," she suddenly stutters, finding it hard to look at you as she squirms in your grip, "I... that... it's weird but..."

"Amelia," you state, pushing more of the Soul Rein energy towards her again.

Suddenly she breaks free from your grip, taking a step back, eyes wide in alarm. "I DON'T KNOW! I WANNA BUT IT'S WEIRD AND I SHOULDN'T BUT--"

Susan suddenly darts forward, placing the tips of the fingers on her right hand on the back of Amelia's neck as she whispers, "It's okay, Sleepy-Bear. Be safe."

Like a puppet with her strings cut, Amelia suddenly slumps into her arms. "I am so sorry," she whispers.

"What did you DO to her?!" you all but snarl, both glad and frustrated that your knowledge of combat magic is lacking so the temptation to do something rash is harder to answer.

"It's okay," Susan replies, holding up a hand towards you, "Just a little hypnotic suggestion that stuck from when she was a small child and got upset at nightmares. I'll bring her up in a minute or so and she'll be none the wiser that she freaked out."

"How do I know trusting you on that isn't some other trick?!"

"No more tricks," Susan replies, moving her hand to stroke Amelia's hair, "No more tests. At least not from me. You refused to ignore confirmed consent both when you were unsure you could gain power over someone by doing so and when you knew for certain you had power over them in the first place. That was all I was looking for."

"Why?" you ask, still angry but the way Susan looks down sorrowfully at Amelia and the slump in her own body language makes you more inclined to believe she is telling the truth this time.

"Because the Soul Reins are a very potent ability," she replies, "And if you were planning to **** them... well... let's just say the others in the know wanted that contained."

She gives an almost mournful look at Amelia again and you cannot help but wonder what would have happened if you had kept on pulling.

"You were saying things like she wanted it though," you finally state once you are ready to continue.

"Yes," Susan answers with a nod, "That's the trick with the Soul Reins. They can't create a connection out of nothing but once a connection is formed, pulling on them... well... draws them in. It can turn an enemy into an obedient lover... and an obedient lover into a devout fanatic. Pull tight enough and they'll forget or ignore everything but what they need to so they can please that person they're tied to."

You take a deep breath and run your hands through your hair. Yeah, that sounds like a pretty dangerous ability for a neophyte to have.

"So what does all that have to do with you, Professor Aspecta, and Professor Zizana talking about this Roh'demus guy?" you ask, "I mean, you three weren't really hiding much of anything back there so there's no need to pretend that wasn't them anymore."

"I suppose not," Susan sighs, "There's not too much I can tell you at this time, Sweetie."

She lifts her head to expose her throat, a line of orange, unreadable runes momentarily flashing across it before fading away.

"... and not because I don't want to," she continues, "Rikka can be a bit paranoid that way and she is not wrong that SOME information might end up hurting you if you learned it too soon. All I can really say for now is, while we three are ultimately on your side, we ARE going to test you. And part of being tested means we have to allow for the chance that you will fail. With all the consequences that has."

A smile quirks across her lips as she adds, "Though, if you want to understand more about why Lord Roh'demus is important, get closer to Rikka. Of the three of us she... has special knowledge of him."

You nod in understanding even as you frown in thought and sit down on the edge of your bed. "So... what now?" you ask.

Susan suddenly smiles again. "Well," she says, "I WOULD like to make up for how I treated you tonight, Sweetie. But..."

She looks down at Amelia before raising an eyebrow at you and adding, "... Think she might still be up for that mother/daughter bonding experience?"