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I know I know. I try to relax but there’s always SOMETHING. I know Sean’s grown up now but a mother worries.

[She lifts her head for a moment.]

How long is going to take you to realise I’m still attracted to you.

You’re always making comments about your looks. I /know/ it’s different, but I-

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Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · May 24

don't cast that spell here, what the hell

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Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · May 24

Elaborate.

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Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · May 24

I was wondering why I hadn't heard her much lately.

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎. @gunslingin.bsky.social · May 24

that only happens when you aren’t here.

Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · May 24

I thought we had a level ten Ethel Cain incident.

Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · May 24

I thought we had a level ten Ethel Cain incident.

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎. @gunslingin.bsky.social · May 24

what does that mean.

Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · May 24

Oh thank God.

Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · May 24

Oh thank God.

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎. @gunslingin.bsky.social · May 24

it’s the horny one i’m fine

Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · May 24

Babe are you okay? I heard Ethel Cain @gunslingin.bsky.social

Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · May 24

Babe are you okay? I heard Ethel Cain @gunslingin.bsky.social

Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · Apr 5

he carefully, steadily removes the wood, tending to the splintered pieces quickly with a clean pair of tweezers, wiping away grime and blood with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol.

Hard part done. Now to make sure that wound closed enough to get out...

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Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · Apr 5

"Alright. I know this won't hurt, but I am gonna start now, so hold still, alright?" He's sanitizing his hands as he talks, which is about the cleanest he can manage right now. He turns her ankle, assessing it and the angle of the spike's entry.

Once he's sure they won't worsen the damage,

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Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · Apr 5

He kneels and readies everything they'll need first, because this will have to be quick and it'll go faster if he's not stopping to open everything as he goes.

He's listening, trying to hear any footsteps... and the second name his mother mentions sounds familiar, but he can't place it right now.

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Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · Apr 5

"It sure shouldn't! Careful, I'll take it out. How about watching my back while I do?"

She always seemed to respond well to a calm tone, and he's seen enough fire (and firefights) that he can mostly keep that. If his voice shakes a little, his hands, at least, stay steady.

Thankfully.

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Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · Apr 5

He doesn't know the ghoul with them but he seems fine, if a little old and dazed. Without signs of pain from either Claire or Clarice, the latter is the obvious choice.

"Clarice, your foot. Mom, can you cover me while I patch her up?"

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Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · Apr 5

but he swings his medpack forward on his shoulder and changes his trajectory to track the wounded. He's glad instinct made him find it before running.

And even happier when he finds its source.

"Mom! Clarice –"

It takes him a second to figure out who's actually wounded.

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Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · Apr 5

"Mom?! Mom!" Her home had been his first stop when the fighting started (again, God...) but finding it empty, he had to search elsewhere. On his way, he found fresh blood streaking the ground, and paced wide enough to know it came from someone running.

For just that moment he hesitates,

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Shaun Brannen @s923.bsky.social · Mar 30

complicated right now - but that's not something he needs to worry her with.

Instead, he braces to worry her with, "Uh... I'll be around a while, but mostly on bed rest and light duty. It's nothing bad!"

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