Annabeth Stagitta- [i]Lamia Scale[/i]

Niti was bitter. She should have expected it, in hindsight; for a healing magic practitioner to not be able to save a comrade was distressing enough, let alone having somebody else swoop in and solve the problem with nary a word in addition to it. 

[b][color=f26522]"I suppose I am. I owe you an apology, Niti. I should've offered you an explanation, and I didn't. Too wrapped up in myself, as usual."[/color][/b]

At that point, Niti asked politely yet forcefully about her secret that she so very much wanted kept. She paused, deep in thought for a moment while she pondered what to say. The young healer was certainly owed his answer, but was he owed that much? No, she finally decided- the less people knew about that secret, the better. However, that did not mean he couldn't be made privy to the bit that concerned him.

[color=f26522][b]"Alright, listen carefully, I can't say this very loud..."[/b][/color] she began as she leaned in to whisper, so that only they two could hear, [color=f26522][b]"The reason your healing spells weren't able to restore Jeanne is because of her own magic. It's very powerful, but such power comes at a price- if she overtaxes herself, like she did in Augustine, it causes a backlash that results in her own power trying to consume her. It's a continuous damage, like a disease, but because it's her magic any healing arts designed to combat such things don't recognize it as hostile. And if they never identify the source of the damage..."[/b][/color]

She paused to watch Niti piece the puzzle together. Part of nurturing was letting the younglings figure out some conclusions on their own, after all. And with his skill and knowledge, Anna was certain he would understand.

[color=f26522][b]"Now, the reason I was able to take care of it is because the magic itself needs to be harnessed and essentially pulled off of its victim. I know how to do that, because I used to use that very magic. In fact... Jeanne received her magic, albeit indirectly, from me. I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner, but when I saw what was happening... I knew time was of the essence, and I acted as quickly as I could."[/b][/color]

[color=f26522][b]"But, you know..."[/b][/color] she continued, musing to herself in the standard volume of casual speech, [color=f26522][b]"Usually, that backlash spreads so quickly that there's almost no time to react to it. By the time I got to her, Jeanne should have been nearly gone... but the damage was limited to her torso. I think she has you to thank for that, Niti. Being able to hold off the Vengeful Curse is a great feat- most healers would simply be overwhelmed. It's something to be proud of, beyond any doubt. Perhaps one day you'll be strong enough to fight it off completely, if you keep practicing."[/b][/color]

Reaching a hand out, Anna smiled warmly as she gently ruffled Niti's red hair. A pat on the shoulder was her final gesture before rising and stretching her arms.

[color=f26522][b]"I suppose I'd best get back to the main hall, there may be something that needs doing. Oh, and Niti?"[/b][/color] she said as she turned back toward the soap mage on her way out, [color=f26522][b]"If you ever need anything, I'm always here."[/b][/color]

And with that, she made her way out to the hall proper.

[@Bleu Chess]