Xaviers!

"We'll be fine," Tereza says, "I just... I don't know what I need."

"It's not easy to put words to, is it?"

"Leaning into what you shift into doesn't usually need words. You have to do what feels right...

...while making sure you can live with it when you shift back."

"Yeah, well, this shifting business is still kind of new to me. And I know what it's like to have someone to force their will onto you and I don't like thinking I could do that to Sam... or anyone else." Sam can pick up the wolf growling in the background in obvious disagreement.

"Maybe now that we know it can happen it won't blindside us, aye?"

"And it's not so bad, as long as everyone involves trusts one another..." Will said, after a pause.

"Maybe," Tereza says, not sounding particularly sure.

"I mean, to each their own..." Will hastily added. "You need to do what feels right for you."

"...Tereza I can hear her back there."

"So can I... all the damn time," Tereza growls, "Maybe I should go out to the Point. Don't want to hit you with another guitar."

"...Did you break my guitar?" Will asked, confused.

"No, she hit me with the acoustic. I'd really be hurting if it was the electric."

"...WHY did she hit you with a guitar?"

"Because I was irrationally angry and out of control."

"All the more reason you should find healthy outlets, I suppose."

"I mean, fights are okay, aye? Sometimes they're even fun."

"That really goes according to taste...I'd prefer to avoid them, where possible."

"I mean I'm not... trying to push here. I just like it sometimes? It's not a bad outlet, or it doesn't have to be."

"I'm still not sure what happened there."

"Well...

...Maybe there's more to this 'pack' thing than you thought, at first. Back home, I had several different relationships with, uh, my Sam. One was based on us as just two people, and was more or less 'normal', and another was as follower-and-goddess. She needed both of them, whether she realized it or not.

You're a wolf, hairy. And you don't have another wolf to, uh, be with, so you reached out. And your, uh, packmate has the ability to fill that role for you. Telepathy's a heck of a drug."

"And it did feel like we were an actual, literal pack when your wolf called out to me."

"I suppose. I mean, I know wolves aren't meant to be alone. I can feel that in... well, what's left of my soul."

"...What's left of your soul?"

Tereza sighs, "Sorry. Just a figure of speech."

"Well, I don't like it," Will said, crossing her arms. "You should be happy with what you are and what you can do. And you should feel lucky you have such a wonderful woman to help see you through things."

"I don't... think flattering me is really necessary here."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make anyone uncomfortable," Will said, shrinking down (metaphorically, not literally).

"I don't think you're making anyone uncomfortable, Will. I'm just... in a mood."

"Do you want to be in a mood? Sometimes I like feeling bad for a bit, and then snapping out of it later."

"Would you maybe want some company in that mood? I'm already tuned into you, and you already said the wolf doesn't want to be alone."

"Are you okay with being angry with yourself... or me? I'm not sure which it would be. Cause if you tune into me, that's what you're going to get."

"I just want to help shoulder the load, love."

As she says this, she opens up her end of the link, letting everything flow freely. She lets go of some of her control over her form, trying to allow herself to become what Tereza, the wolf, or both need or want her to be right now.

Tereza is experiencing a lot of self-loathing at the moment and, though she tries to hold it back, that becomes obvious across the link. The wolf is angry as she believes she did what she had to do and that's not something they should be embarrassed about. The internal fight between them is a little vicious.

"...you know what I saw, when we were running as a pack?"

"I saw you controlling both sides of yourself. I saw you using both your ice and your beast. I saw you coordinating us so she didn't have anywhere to go."

"It was brutal, but it was also beautiful."

"And I saw threats everywhere. One more dangerous than the others, but everything was either a threat or prey in some way. I only convinced her to back down when she saw she was hurting you. What's worse? I let her have that control. I knew she was a dangerous animal and I handed her the reins."

"You didn't hurt me, love. And you'll get better at this."

"Practice makes perfect."

"I have to get better... before I seriously hurt someone."

"Well... maybe the time to figure this shite out isn't when we're on a mission?"

"That means we've got to try it some time when nothing's on the line, aye?"

"When are things ever *not* on the line?"