taxonomites | 10 [Location: Castle Summers / visual] Everything will be okay

It's taken Willow a really, really long time to work up the courage to make this broadcast, and even when she convinces herself she can't wait any longer, she still has to have some measure of comfort. Colette, her calico kitten, is tucked in her lap, purring contentedly as Willow leans back against the back of the chair she's sitting in. She's in her bedroom, the one she shares with Tara, and she looks nervous as she flicks on the feed.

"Uh, hi, Taxon!" She's using a falsely bright tone at the moment, because it's easier than acknowledging the fear and worry she's trying to keep at bay. Come on, Willow. You can do this.

"I-I know most of you probably know me by now, but, uh, if you don't, my name's Willow and I've been here for a couple of months now."

Pause. Breathe. Stroke the cat for comfort.

"What I really wanted to talk about is... my glitch a couple of months ago. Back in February. I know it's been a really long time and words aren't gonna make up for everything, but... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

Well, yes, actually she had, but that was her glitched self, so that doesn't count at all.

"I'm a witch and I have some really powerful magic. I just... I'm learning how to control it so that doesn't happen again. My magic's just a part of me and I-I'm... sorry any of that happened."

Before she can beat herself up any more, she switches the feed off and waits to see how the rest of Taxon responds to her apology. Castle Summers residents can find her in her room. She'll be happy for visitors.

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Tara's expression tightens a little - she's angry, but not at Willow, for the moment. "They like poking at things, I think," she says, deliberately. "Seeing where people's weaknesses are."

She can't help thinking of DG's glitch, of poor Piper before she went home. Willow wasn't the only of her friends she'd seen pushed by the aliens farther than she should go.

Willow really wouldn't blame Tara if she was angry with her. Not at all.

"Yeah... And they sure got mine."

Magic. It's her power, but also her downfall. She would be learning to control it now so that never happens again.

"That's the only book they gave me, though. The rest was... circumstance-" She looks down at the bed and the kitten. "-and my unwillingness to see what was happening."

She takes a deep breath and lets her eyes move back up to her girlfriend. "Um... Tara, I-I... just wanted to ask you one thing." It's a huge favor to ask, especially after what happened, but Willow has no one else to turn to and Tara's the one person she trusts above all others.

Tara looks up. "Of course. Ask whatever you want," she says, quietly. She's not quite sure what to prepare for, but she couldn't help but thinking honesty would be good for them both.

Willow takes another deep breath. "I need to learn to control this better a-and not rely on my magic so much. I feel like I barely know anything about what kind of power I have and how to make to work, but... I-I guess being glitched like that made me realize how close I am to that happening again." She stops petting Colette and rests her hands in her lap so she can give Tara her full attention. "I thought you might be able to help."

Better Tara than a lecture-happy Mayland Long anyway.

"Of - of course. If I c-can," she says, softer. "You have a lot more raw power than I do, Will, I'm not sure how I can help." She's more than willing to try, and Willow wanting help was a big step in the right direction, but even so.

"I know..." Willow answers quickly, her gaze dropping back to the bed. "But..." She's not exactly sure what to do otherwise. Even if all they can do is try, it's better than nothing at all. "I know my magic's different, but I don't want it to just sit there. I don't know what else to do. I-I feel like if I just leave it and don't try anything, I'll just be... y'know..." She shrugs half-heartedly. "...leaving myself open for a repeat."

"I think... I think maybe it's a good idea, if you're careful. B-but it's two different things, you know," Tara adds, after hesitating. "How to use your magic and when. The problems you were having at home - that was more when, and it was bad, but it didn't get glitch-bad until there was a reason."

Tara still doesn't want to tell Willow all of it. There's a reason she hasn't. But she also thinks it's probably unfair not to, and that (knowing the aliens) Willow will find out somehow.

"I know..." Willow trails off, eventually looking back up. She can sense the hesitation in them both, but she figures that's just due to the tension between them, what this glitch has brought to their relationship. Whatever it is, Willow wants to work through it. She's tired of trying to hide from who and what she is.

"Guess the aliens wanted this time to be pretty much exactly what happened last time. But hopefully, it'll never happen again a-and I'm gonna do everything I can to be sure of that."

She doesn't get it at all.

10 [Location: Castle Summers / visual] Everything will be okay

[Location: Castle Summers]

[Location: Castle Summers]

[Location: Castle Summers]

[Location: Castle Summers]

[Location: Castle Summers]

[Location: Castle Summers]

[Location: Castle Summers]

[Location: Castle Summers]