The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Haliel Lightsong]

Haliel only takes a second to catch on. "About that... slimeball in the cavern? I... yes, I was trained for that. And have had some practice with mind healing on that... topic. Not a lot but... yes." She takes a slow breath. "First... are you comfortable talking with me? About this? The most vital part of mind healing is trusting and being comfortable with your healer."

[Marian Hawke]

She hesitates, then finally nods. "As much as I am with anyone," she admits. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

A look of compassion and sorrow fills the aasimar's eyes for a moment. "Oh Marian," she murmurs. "Alright. Then... then the first thing to do is... to ask if  you feel up for talking about the assault now. We can work our way up to it, come at it slowly or sideways... However you prefer.  We can talk about other sexual encounters, we can talk about how you feel- about the assault or sex in general- or we can just chat about whatever for now. You have control, you have the choice and ability to decide."

[Marian Hawke]

She shrugs a shoulder. "I don't have other sexual encounters. That was it."

[Haliel Lightsong]

That can often make this worse... "Sorry to hear that," she says quietly. "Not having a good thing to hold against the bad can make it feel worse."

[Marian Hawke]

"Yes, well, sapphic." She shrugs.

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lightsong frowns slightly. "There are other sapphics in the world, Marian. Beth seems inclined that way. I... think Shiori is sapphic, assuming she doesn't also like men. Given my new understanding of sexualites, I think I know of at least two couples back at Draslina..."

[Marian Hawke]

"I guess... I guess I just figured, between being sapphic -- which is rare, no matter how you slice it -- and being, well... a bastard, I'd never find someone."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Well, even really, really bright, clever and scholarly people can think stupid things from time to time," Haliel says kindly, eyes dancing with teasing mirth.

[Marian Hawke]

She huffs, a little, a ghost of a smile slipping across her lips. "As for how I feel... I mostly don't think about it. It happened, it's over."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lightsong cocks her head to the side. "Then... why do you flinch or look away when someone says rent? Or if a male touches you when you're not expecting it? It's small, but if one is paying attention- and I must confess to be a little... over-watchful perhaps in regards to you- one can see it."

[Marian Hawke]

She swallows, hard. "I just don't like to be... reminded. That's all."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Understandable but... if you can face the fear and pain, it can take the teeth of it."

[Marian Hawke]

"How?" she whispers. 

[Haliel Lightsong]

"It's like... have you ever been afraid of something? Something that later on you realized wasn't that scary once you understood it or had actually encountered it?"