This was why she continued helping people like him, even when others couldn't understand it. Even when Margo gave her shit for her growing collection of "damaged men". Because he was good. He was a kind person, even after everything. And she wanted so badly to be kind. After everything she had suffered, it was practically an act of defiance to still be kind. People like Richie helped her remember that it was possible. They reminded her that the world wasn't quite so broken as it sometimes seemed.
"That's sweet of you to say," she said, her smile sad as she looked at him. "It took...a lot...to get here. So I'm glad it's all worked out." Her mind strayed to Reynard. To bodies and blood and screaming. But she forced herself back. Even now, she could still remember it clear as day. She probably always would. Maybe it was just that Richie's situation reminded her of her own. But she couldn't focus on that. It would be dangerous to let herself be distracted by her own pain. That sort of thing had its way of leaking in to things like this. "For what it's worth," she said, "you're a good person. I think you'll make it through this just fine."
She moved around the room, making a few more preparations. Nothing much. This would mostly come from her. And from him. But she could create an atmosphere conducive to a proper ritual. She lit incense and drew symbols on the floor in chalk. Checked her wards again. And then sat down next to Richie, slipping off her own shoes and tucking her legs under herself. "I want you to close your eyes," she said, her voice gentle but firm. With a power underneath it. "And just relax for me. I need you to trust me and just let go, okay?"
She reached over, resting her hands on either side of his face. And it was as if she lit up from the inside. She her eyes were pure golden light and a similar light moved from her hands and into him. She breathed and focused on reaching into him, finding the sickness inside of him - the darkness and the evil - and pulling it out. She fully expected it to fight back. Things like that didn't just give up and die quietly. But she was stronger. And so was Richie. She was sure of that.