Elaine Mallory [The Dresden Files] (finessing) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-05-06 08:30:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, elaine mallory, nathan summers (cable) |
WHO: Elaine Mallory, Nate Summers
WHAT: reiki & visiting
WHEN: Monday 3/29
WHERE: Evergrace
WARNINGS: none
Nate smiled as he slid his bike to a stop, and walked it up to the Mallory house door. He stretched and sipped from his water bottle, then grinned and knocked. He was there for another in his continuing massage therapy sessions, which might even end soon. In a way, that would make him sad, really, and he hoped that he would always be able to come over and say hi, anyway.
He knocked, then, and smiled, resting with one hand on his new bike. He had started working at Frost Enterprises the previous week, and he was quickly enjoying the different environment of it.
Elaine answered the door, greeting her expected guest with a fond smile, and an outstretched arm. He had quickly become part of the extended household over the past few weeks, and she enjoyed having him over, whether it was for therapy and conversation, or just watching him and Corazon be kids together. Life just wouldn’t be the same without the Summers family, now.
“Welcome,” she said, “How are you feeling?”
"Good. Its been a long week, but an okay one. " He smiled as he considered her. She was a nice woman and he felt that her family were almost like a second family for him. "How are you? "
“Good,” she said, “I’m good.” They’d all had a rough weekend, it seemed, but hopefully nothing that they couldn’t bounce back from. “You ready to get started? Anything sore muscles, or scrapes and bruises I should know about?”
“Good. I’ve lost enough people.” He nodded and then smiled softly. “Just some... bleedover soreness of the right side, pretty much the whole thing, and part of the right chest. I was in someone’s head when a bomb went off.” He blanched a little at the memory. And worried.
"Oof." Elaine gave a sympathetic grimace, and ruffled his hair, extending her awareness as she let her hand drift to his right shoulder. "Psychic injuries and empathic pain? What are we going to do with you?" She didn't doubt that the experience had been very real and intense. She'd seen how stressed Thomas had been, just dealing with the aftermath. "You want to try some reiki today? A little energetic tune up?"
Nate nodded. “I think so. Something like that.” He sighed and smiled a little. Then he brightened at her offer. “oooh! Can we? yes please!” That sounded cool! He had always wondered about it.
“Sure!” She smiled back. She knew there would be no stopping Nate from leaping to the rescue whenever possible, any more than she could stop Harry, but at least she could help patch them up afterward. “You can stay fully dressed for that, if you want to, but we can head down to the treatment room for ease of working.”
“Whatever is best for you, Miss Mallory. You know I’m flexible on clothingness.” He offered her a lopsided smile. He never saw much use in the nudity taboo, but tried to respect laws and others’ feelings.
“I know,” she said, smiling back. They’d bounced back very quickly from their awkward moment during Orange County’s flexible-clothing incident, and that was good. “And some types of work are easier to do with less clothing--so if you want to blend the hands-on massage with the energy work, then feel free to undress to your comfort level. I’ll wait outside while you get changed.”
“Okay.” He slipped in and stripped to his underwear, and then flopped under the covers, and settled with a sigh. It was always nice in here.
She made this place really feel like a second home.
Listening for the telltale rustle of covers, Elaine knocked, and then entered at Nate's cue. "Comfy? Is the table warm enough?"
Nate smiled at her, and then grinned. “Yes, ma’am! It’s snuggly! I could sleep here!” He grinned at her, eyes warm and wiggled.
“Well, you’re more than welcome to!” Elaine said, moving to stand beside the table. She’d lain down on it a few times herself, so she knew just how cushy the memory foam pad could be. “But first...” She raised her right hand, letting it hover palm downward over Nate’s solar plexus. “Go ahead and take a few deep breaths, from your diaphragm, and give yourself permission to relax.”
It seemed as if Nate was already off to a good start, but that was just part of their ritual.
Nate smiled and took a long slow breath, and then another, and a third as he relaxed, and groaned softly, letting go of worries and traumas and feelings and just being. He melted somewhat and slowly relaxed under her hand, gently letting his energy flow slower. He felt warmth and care for this woman, and as his shields melted some, that warmth flowed outward.
Sensing the shift as Nate began to let his guard down, Elaine let her own care and compassion flow toward him. Extending her senses, she raised her other hand, letting it hover over his right shoulder, both hands drifting in slow, feathery motions; not quite touching his skin. She let her intuition, and what she sensed from Nathan guide her hands to wherever he most needed the attention.
He fell into attunement with her and his aura sang to hers, energies slowly moving toward sync, and showing her where they were jumbled and out of tune. He smiled as he felt her care and energy washing over him. It was like an embrace and it felt good, healing, welcoming.
Breathing deeply, Elaine kept her gaze soft and diffuse, looking at the space around Nate’s body. She’d learned to Look even before she had discovered her wizard’s Sight, but now her skills were becoming even more fine-tuned. She watched as her hands stroked the energies that seemed to clash with one another, whispering a soothing Word, encouraging things to flow as they were meant to do.
She offered a thought for the healing and well-being of his friend who had been physically present in the explosion he had vicariously survived, in accord with the care she knew Nate had for them. If Nate and this other person shared some kind of link, perhaps the psychic bond would resonate both ways, and offer comfort and refreshment to the other party as well. “You carry heavy burdens for those that you hold close to your heart, Nate,” she said softly, “Don’t forget to let us help you carry yours.”
He relaxed under her touch, feeling his mind and body seem to settle more, feel more in tune.
Nate shivered and smiled to her. “I try, Elaine, and when I can, I do. But sometimes, I am all that there is, and the only one who can.” He looked up at her and his eyes were older, far older. Time itself stared out of those eyes for a moment, as if she was looking into a gulf of a distance unending and yet filled with energy, with life. And then he was just Nate again and smiling softly to her.
“But I will try.”
Elaine looked into those eyes and recognized that this was a man who would stand in the gap come hell or high water, even if he was the last man standing. A good man, who would fight against all odds for what he knew to be right. But then, she’d already known that about him, hadn’t she?
She smiled, and brushed his hair back from his face, resting her hand at the crown of his head. The gesture was almost more maternal than professional, but Nate would never be just a patient. “We’ll do our best to help you to be ready, when those times come. Even if we can’t be there in person.”
Nate smiled softly. “You just being here is more than enough. Knowing people care and that good people exist, and need to live, to love, is worth it.” He reached up and gently touched her hand. “Don’t ever forget to call if you need help.”
Elaine took his hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze. “I will,” she promised. She knew that he had a need to be needed, and to belong--and hopefully not that he had found that place, he would get to stay for a while. “You’re a good man, Nate Summers. Our world is a better place for having you in it.”
Nate blushed. He had been born Nate Prior, but had a destiny to be more it seemed. And he had a name that people knew, now, despite him not trying to use it too often. “I dunno about that. I just try to do my best.” He smiled to her.
Elaine smiled back. No matter what he called himself, he would always be a friend. “Your best is good enough for me,” she said, “We like having you around.”
Nate smiled at her. “Well, I like being around all of you, too. It’s like a second home, really.” He smiled wider. “I got you something.” He pulled out a hastily wrapped package and handed it over. Inside, found at a street market, was a handwoven shawl in purple, blue, and green, with a yellow lightning bolt shimmering through it.
Elaine wasn’t really surprised that Nate came bearing gifts--that was just part of who he was. She smiled as she unwrapped the package, and held up the shawl to see its design; aptly chosen, as always. “Thank you, Nate,” she said, draping it over her shoulders. “This is lovely.”
“Not nearly as lovely as the one who wears it. Ma’am.” He nodded to her and bowed. The shawl had a nice design, and he grinned. She fit it, quite well.
“Oh, hush,” Elaine scolded, but her tone was light, and there was no offense in it. “I’m sure I will put it to good use.” She held her arms out to draw him into a hug. “Wherever life takes you, you will always be welcome here.”
He blushed and hugged her, smiling, and nodded. “Thank you, Miss M. You’re amazing. And the same will always be true for you and yours.”