Silence. Quiet contemplations kept the sixteen year old Hufflepuff silent as she sat in the library. Jean clad knees were drawn up to her chest and long, black hair curtained her face. She was studying, her nose in a book as it had been for the past week. The full moon was approaching fast and she was feeling sicker than ever. Wizarding make up and charms had been used to cover up the dark circles under her eyes and the paler tint her skin had taken. Anything to make her appear totally normal. Most people had gotten used to her disappearing during her studying stints and thought nothing of it, though she still worried constantly about the day someone would put two and two together and realized it equaled werewolf.

Long pale fingers reached out and turned the page of the potions book she was reading. Her right hand reached around her knees and moved at a sluggish pace across the parchment on the table in front of her. Lips moved slightly as she transferred the information from the book to the parchment for her essay. She was cutting it close, too close in her opinion, but her mind had been else were.

Thoughts were jumbled with her weakened state. A heavy sigh left her lips as she popped the quill into the ink bottle and leaned back against her chair. Long fingers stretched from their cramped position. India had spent three hours in the library already. Not unusual for her. Closer to the full moon she holed herself up in places and studied nonstop. It was her way of avoiding people. A way to minimize the risk of people finding out about her little secret. India noticed quickly that people left others alone when they looked to be seriously studying. It also helped that she didn't have a whole lot of friends and the ones she did have knew how important her studies were to her.

Pale hands reached up and pulled her long hair back out of her face and into a ponytail. Hazel eyes looked around the library. Practically empty. Not very surprising. It was a beautiful Saturday. Most of her peers were outside enjoying the pleasant weather. A humorless chuckle left her lips as she cracked her neck and stretched out the rest of her body before returning to her marathon of studying.

Ravenclaw robes in a library, not to mention the stack of book in the thin girls hands. She might have been small in frame, but fighting her younger brothers, and training with her older sister made her much stronger than she happened to look. Not to mention the small fact she was researching something made people leave her alone all the more. That and her lack of a smile despite nearly any circumstance. It wasn't that she didn't smile, she just preferred to keep hers hidden.

Books on herbs and potions lay in her hands, one in particular she found missing from the shelves but that was okay. She could easily do without it for now. The fact the full moon was coming up made her think of her sister, and while Aiden didn't find her werewolf condition a....well condition, she wanted to find a way to make it comfortable as possible. Sure she knew of the main potion used to suppress the rather wild nature of the werewolf, but the symptoms of an upcoming moon were what she wanted to get rid of. She only got to witness her sisters last year of school in Hogwarts, but the days approaching the full moon seemed dreadful. Pale skin, weak weary eyes. Bags the size of balloons. She'd have a bit of an ill temper, but that might have been from weakness or the feral nature inside. She wasn't sure. It seemed like few people actually cared about the comfort of a werewolf, and instead only focused on how deadly they could be. Rhiannon knew her sister as the kindest most loving person ever. Even if she did sent bludgers at peoples heads.

Setting the books down on a table she noticed she wasn't the only one researching potions at the moment. She wondered if the girl was actually researching, or if perhaps she was doing homework. She looked a bit familiar, but as always Rhiannon could remember an off the wall potion ingredient but never a person's name. She was pretty sure the girl was in her year though, that was at least some kind of progress. “Is that for our potions homework?” It wasn't exactly normal for Rhiannon to ask questions, but she might have forgotten to write down the potions homework herself. Oh well, the latest Percy Jackson book happened to be far too interesting to give up.

words : : 400
comments : : Hey, I wanted to thread since I say the application. I hope you don't mind?

Hazel eyes snapped up from her book to the girl in front of her. Her hand stopped skating over the parchment as she looked to the girl in front of her. All words caught in her throat as she looked to the other person. Hazel eyes scanned her face and vague recognition sparked in her mind but she just couldn't pull a name out of her mind. A soft frown marred her lips as she looked back down to her work. As nice as India could be, it wasn't entirely the best time for someone looking for a friendly person.

"It is." India responded in a tight voice. Long pale fingers turned the page of her book as her hand once more began shooting back and forth over the parchment. Hazel eyes glanced up to the books that had been set down at the place across from her. Her head cocked to the side slightly as she looked over the titles. "What are you studying?"

Brows furrowed slightly as she looked back up to the girl. She couldn't put a name with a face, still, but she was sure that she had seen her around. Pale fingers popped the quill back into the ink bottle as she examined the girl in front of her quietly. Hazel eyes drooped a bit from weariness. Not doing anything was exhausting this close to the full moon. India leaned back in her chair, rolling her shoulders to try and lessen the discomfort and tightness she felt in them. Her nerves were frayed and her patience was just about gone. The entire reason she avoided people like the plague this close to her transformation.

Her altered mood would alert people. She was normally a very nice and quiet girl. This close to a full moon and if someone looked at her wrong she was ready to bite off their head. Moodiness, something she didn't even remotely have normally. What would her friends think if they realized what she was? Worse yet, what if the wrong person put two and two together? Her life was already limited, it would be completely over if the ministry ever found out about her little condition.

OOC: Hey there! I do not mind at all.

Oh well, Rhiannon had gone and surprised another person out of their skin. What was she to do. Just another reason she should keep quiet in her own little corner she supposed. She still never actually tried, but after living on the streets it became part of her way of moving, to move quickly and quietly. Then she moved to the country with half a dozen new siblings. If you weren't quiet when you got up for a midnight snack you were in trouble. The surprise seemed momentary though, and the girl was back to work. She supposed that was a good thing. Though she still needed to know what the homework was going to be. If it was just a page, or a foot of parchment she supposed was the correct term, she'd be able to write it out in a half our or so depending on the subject. Potions was her specialty.

“Herbs and potions to ease the transition of the full moon for werewolves.” she said without a care in the world, her voice plain and emotionless as it always was. Certainly there had been a time or two people would scoff at her for such research, and she'd defend werewolves to her last breath if she needed to. She'd really rather not do such a thing though, far too much work she could do without trying to get through the impossibly thick skulls of bigots. “I didn't actually catch what the homework was.” she continued as if it were part of a normal conversation. As if the Ministry hadn't pegged every werewolf as a criminal just for existing. Her eyes glancing over the girls work, what she had been writing down. Rhiannon didn't copy work, no point in that. She never actually cared if people copied her own though, they would only hurt themselves in the long run.

Upon closer inspection maybe it wasn't just that Rhiannon had surprised the girl. She wasn't someone she knew well, but her complexion seemed pale and it almost looked like a bit of make up covered up some dark circles, though the tell tale droop was still there. “I....I don't mean to pry...but are you okay?” for a moment her dull emotionless voice was tinged with worry. It was one of the few things that could really get to her, worrying about people and animals. She had been bitten with words when she'd ask such questions before though, so she tended to be careful about it.

words : : 417
notes : : Thanks!

Brows furrowed deeper at the girl's words. Concern for a werewolf? Now that was rare. Unfounded for most people. The corners of her lips turned down slightly before she spoke. "Not many people care about werewolves." India said in a soft voice. Hazel eyes watched the girl in front of her. The young Hufflepuff ignored the comment about the homework. Her mind was far from the work she had been busying herself with. Werewolf sympathizers were rare and a very interesting topic for her. Although, India had tried to find reasons as to why she would be interested that didn't lead to people finding out about her.

A pale hand waved agitatedly. "I'm fine." India said shortly as she tried to veer the conversation off of herself. Hazel eyes examined the girl's face before sighing as she realizing how short tempered she was being. Frowning, India spoke in her normal soft tone. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. My name is India." A tired smile crossed her lips as she introduced herself in a hope of salvaging her normal kindness. Long fingers reached up to push a strand of hair out of her face as she looked to the girl, tugging at the hems of her long sleeves.

Her mind turned over quickly. Maybe she should go back to the potions topic. This was straying dangerously close to the line of secrecy she kept at all times. Her interest in this subject might give her away, especially since most sympathizers had someone close to them who was a werewolf. Those people could put two and two together far quicker than those who like to be blissfully unaware of anything but themselves. Thankfully for India, the majority of the population only thought of themselves and liked to live unaware of what really goes on in others. That was the only thing that had kept her condition in the shadows, people didn't truly want to know what was going on behind closed doors.

India blinked, clearing her mind of the thoughts that had been bouncing around distractingly. Hazel eyes fixed on the girl in front of her once more, trying to only show a normal amount of interest in the fact she cared about werewolves. It could be interesting to any regular person and she was hoping that it would come off as normal interest. Praying that this girl wouldn't put two and two together and if she did that she wouldn't say anything.

People would berate werewolves, or show a distance disconnect to them. It was normally enough, but something about the girls tone seemed a bit odd. The way she said it, what she had said. All of it gave Rhiannon an uneasy feeling. She couldn't tell what that was exactly though. She used to be much better at crediting people as trust worthy or not, but she had begun giving everyone a chance instead of simple judgment. It was a luxury she could afford now, and she'd much rather have a reason for disliking someone instead of a gut feeling. Besides, she wouldn't peg this as dislike, or distrust. It was something, and her curious nature wondered exactly what that was.

“Rhiannon Faollan, nice to meet you.” She offered the girl her hand, and for a moment wondered if she would recognize the last name. Her sister had graduated from Hufflepuff years ago, but she was on the quidditch team and sent many a bludger at the other teams. But she was in a different year, and this girl didn't seem too much of a social type. “I'm used to much worse.” her tone flat, lacking in emotion. She had a great poker face, most of the time. Certain things would anger her quickly, and she hated it. As a Ravenclaw, and with thoughts of her dad in mind, she felt like emotions had a reason behind them, and she should be able to rationalize them She shouldn't allow things to make her angry enough to act without thinking. That was inexcusable for her, acting without thinking. Perhaps that was why she normally got along terribly with Gryffindors.

“Werewolves happen to be humans also, it's rather normal to show concern I think. Though if you're looking for a more solid reason I worry about my sister.” she hoped her words came out more natural and calm, often when talking about her sister she'd loose a bit of her grip on emotions. When she talked about discrimination she'd feel them slipping more. Her knuckles cracked a little as she leaned them on the table. It seemed as though the girl hadn't a reply for her question on the homework. Gazing at the words on the page she tried to figure it out, considering the general type of homework their potions professor gave it was probably only a page of work. Foot of parchment. Whatever you wanted to call it. Same thing, the only difference was that she couldn't use a pencil and white lined paper. After six years of writing on parchment you'd think her words would stop shifting down on the right, or stop scrunching together on the left. Nope, still a mess.

Words :: 452

This girl was increasingly intriguing. Her love of werewolves sparked more interest in the irate girl. Rhiannon. Of course, she could easily place the name with the face now. India's exhausted brain was clicking into action slowly. Tired eyes examined her silently for a moment as the girl spoke once more. India continued to watch the other girl with interest. Could she trust her enough to let her in on the secret? Would she be willing to carry that burden along with India? It was extremely stressful trying to disappear once a month without anyone noticing.

"Your sister is a werewolf?" India perked up slightly. Her tired, soft voice hinted at far more curiosity and excitement than she had wanted to show. This girl was so different. How many people felt that werewolves were humans too? In fact, no werewolf asked to be one. She had been only five when she was turned. Her mother had died protecting her, but India had still become a victim of the curse. Her father, in a rash and fearful decision, had hidden her condition from the ministry. After a moment, India smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I shouldn't pry." The young, dark haired girl said.

Hazel eyes glanced down to the paper she was working on and looked back to the girl, her mind vaguely recalling a question about it. "I'm sorry, um, we have to write a foot long essay on Everlasting Elixirs." Her smile was apologetic as she pushed her hair out of her face, picking up her quill again, pale hand dancing over the parchment as she continued writing out her essay. India's stomach knotted as she kept her eyes glued to the parchment and book, praying her prying didn't spark too much of an interest in the girl. Teeth caught her lips as she thought of the alternative. What if she was able to figure out why India was so interested in her feelings toward werewolves? A deep breath calmed her nerves slightly as she glanced up at the girl through dark lashes before continuing writing, hoping the werewolf talk was over.

A gentle smile spread across Rhiannon's lips as she leaned here hip on the table a little bit. Not enough to move it, but enough to rest on it. “Yeah, my sister's a werewolf.” She said kindly, almost proudly. Probably because she was proud of her sister. Aiden was brave and strong, she took to lycanthropy like it was naturally a part of her. Though she of course hadn't asked for such a thing. Then she went on to become a teacher, outside of the Ministry's reaches of course. A teacher none the less, and happily enjoying the rather harsh Drumstrang Institute. They hadn't a care in the world that she was a werewolf. Only if she was a competent teacher, and she was. She really was one of the best teachers she knew. Always hands on with the work. The funny thing was, the Institute was more concerned over her being a Muggle born than it had of her being a werewolf. In the end she was accepted more as a middle finger to the Ministry than anything else.

“No, don't worry about it.” She gave the girl a bit of a nod, partially sitting on the heavy library table. “Trust me when I say, I would tell you if I didn't want to give you information. Or if I felt you didn't need to know anything more” Her tone was matter of factually, and flat as an aircraft carrier. There was no hesitation or pause for interpretation. “I love my sister. I'm proud of her. I have no problems talking about her.” She never thought of lycanthropy to be a disease, though some people considered it an incurable one. Perhaps by some definition it was, but it seemed to cause a stigma. The way that Cold Sores where often from a type of Herpes, it was a touchy subject and people hardly associated the two. She supposed she was being like that, just a little bit.

She gave a brief nod of her head, her black hair shifting to and fro. The bit of scar tissue in a line across her cheek glistened slightly in the low light. It'd been healed for year, but a scar remained. “Thanks. Sorry if I bothered you.” though her tone hardly seemed apologetic at all, or thankful. It was the same tone that made so many people think she was being condescending, or that she was attempting to take a jab at them of some kind. Not to mention her sometimes ill placed smirks. She had never tried to get along with people, and seemed to master the art of insulting them instead. Though she did try and make it up, and she would try and apologize.

India smiled slightly at the Ravenclaw, hazel eyes examining her. It was amazing that there was such a fondness in her voice for her werewolf sister. Anyone else would have disowned them, left them to their curse in solitude. It seemed her father wasn't the only one who believed werewolves were just people. Pale hands reached forward to move her stuff toward her side of the table. She smiled apologetically to Rhiannon, putting the stuff she wasn't using in her bag.

"That's nice." India said after a moment. " Your sister is very lucky to have you." The young Hufflepuff looked back down to her paper. She only had a couple more inches left. Her pale hand hovered over the paper, mind blank to how she was going to finish her paper. India's concentration had been lost. Not that it mattered, her mind was becoming more and more tired as the day went on. It was only a matter of time before she wouldn't have been able to finish on her own. With a sigh, India dropped the quill in the ink bottle with a soft plunk and looked back to the Ravenclaw across from her. Hazel eyes examined her, stopping for a moment on the scar that marred her cheek.

Her head cocked slightly, curious as to what had happened though not daring to ask. She didn't want to upset her if it was something she was self conscious about. Long fingers tugged at the hems of her long sleeve in a self conscious move, her mind thinking of the multitude of ugly scars that lined her body. "You didn't bother me." India said with a small smile, moving her hands away from the hems of her shirt sleeves. The young Hufflepuff looked down to her book for a moment before looking back up. "I don't mind." It was true. This intriguing girl made her feel slightly at ease. Knowing that she still loved her sister even though she was a werewolf was comforting. A feeling she only got while at home, where her father would comfort her before and after her transformations.

The things on the table were moved, though Rhiannon hadn't exactly expected it. She didn't think she was being too much in the way, nor that the book were in hers. A small step to the side allowed the other girl more room, along with her things. Though she proceeded to put them into her bag with a smile. "Sorry." Rhiannon spoke plainly, with a calmness to her voice that wasn't there, that couldn't be there, when she talked about her sister. She was too fond, to in love with her family to speak of them so causally. To do what she did with most of her words, speak with calm polite eloquence. Or so she tried to do, it often just came out as rude indifference.

Rhiannon was used to the moment of quiet that normally followed such a proud proclamation, but the words were a bit different. "It's the other way around. I'm lucky to have her." she could easily go into better detail, about how she lived on the streets, about how just before her first year at Hogwarts she was shot at. Or perhaps about the people who used to beat her within an inch of her life. She didn't. It wasn't pleasant conversation, and people didn't need such intimate knowledge of her. Though if asked, she would provide any information they wanted. It was a bit of a flaw of hers. People could easily take hold of her fears, her weaknesses with a question or two. The only thing was, she would never comply. Too stubborn. Too hardheaded. Not a single authority figure seriously held authority over her. If she did as you asked, it was often because it suited her to. Possibly the reason why the hat asked if she'd rather be in Ravenclaw or Slytherin.

Her eyes traveled to the parchment. Only a few inches left, but the girl looked so worn out already. "Try restating everything in the first paragraph, but in a different and finalizing tone. It'll close that up." Sometimes when Rhiannon wasn't in the mood to do homework she'd use tricks to fill up the page. Extra words that could have been easily condensed, and explaining obvious topics in better detail. She'd end up turning one or two paragraphs into an entire paper.

"Are you...cold?" she asked, though the building always seemed overly warm to Rhiannon she knew others didn't find it that way. If she didn't feel improper walking around with out the wizards robes, she would. When she was off class she'd even recline in a classroom, no robes, no tie, no vest, and the top few buttons of her dress shirt undone. Simply to relax in between classes. They kept the school cool enough to wear the robes, but Rhiannon was basically a small furnace and a great commodity at home in the winter.

She rolled her shoulders, as small cracking sounds came from them. She never thought of it much, but it was a habit. When something felt uncomfortable, she'd try and pop it back into place. Probably not the best conclusion she should come to though.

Hazel eyes studied the girl silently. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as the girl apologized. Politeness oozed from the girl's voice as she spoke. India blinked slightly and looked down. Eyes studied her paper as her tired mind turned in thought. She was different then the people she normally hung out with. Though Hufflepuffs in general were more outgoing and happy than Ravenclaws. India glanced up once more as she thought about the girls words. About how she was lucky to have her sister and not the other way around. It was nice to hear, warmed her heart.

"Thanks." India said after a moment of silence, the words taking a moment to register. A grateful smile crossed her lips as she looked down at her paper and quickly did as was suggested. In less than five minutes she had finished her paper. Hazel eyes scanned the words as she dropped the quill in the bottle of ink. A relieved sigh left her lips as she finished reading over the work and rolled up the parchment, putting it in her bag as she pulled out another parchment to begin work on the extensive charms essay. Professor Rosewood was tough and expected a lot from her students. A three foot essay on bubble head charms as well as being able to perform a decent bubble head charm during their class on Monday. So far she had gotten the bubble head charm almost down but her tired mind was having problems performing it. There was no way she would be able to do it decent by Monday. She might as well try and get full marks for her essay. That should balance out the horrific marks she would get for her charm.

Her head snapped up at the question. Cold? No, never. She always managed to get long sleeves that worked with the seasons. Light weight for fall, spring and summer and thick sweaters for winter. Jeans seemed to work for every season but she also had long skirts and tights. "Um.. a little." India hesitated with answering. Most people didn't comment on her trademark sleeves. They had grown used to it. In fact, she was pretty sure that they would be shocked if she wore anything else. Not to mention her horrific scars would probably disgust them. A pale hand rubbed her thigh lightly. That had to be one of the worst scars. Next to the one in her side. Where the werewolf had attacked. India's breath caught slightly as the flash back of the attack washed over her. The sixteen year old shook her head to free her mind of the memory. Her smile was long gone as she looked to Rhiannon. She shifted in her seat as she looked away. This conversation was moving far too close to uncomfortable.

OOC: Sorry for the wait!!

It seemed her suggestion had struck a cord, and the girl was off to finish her essay. The smile across her lips seemed legitimately grateful, especially compared to the previous weary turn of her lips. It happened to cause a pleasant feeling for Rhiannon, she did enjoy helping people when she could, even with something so small as an extra paragraph on their homework. As long as they didn't copy hers at any rate. The faintest of smiles, and a gentle left of her cheeks played on her face. “It's not a problem.” she replied softly, as they were still in the library. Though she had come dangerously close to raising her voice when she spoke of Aiden, and werewolves. It would have possibly been the first time she was kicked out of the library in years. Apparently laying across three chairs, putting your feet on the table, sitting on the tables, and climbing on the bookshelf to get to something where no acceptable. If the forbidden section had still been there, as opposed to he ministry taking away all of those kinds of books, she'd have certainly gotten in trouble for breaking into there as well.

With the finality of rolling up her parchment Rhiannon stepped aside. Tugging on a chair next to her own pile of books. Tracing her fingers softly against the book spines, trying to find the first she wished to look into. Down the entire column she had to go back up, passing over it the first time. When she found it she tugged softly on it, letting the other books fall into place with hardly a sound. Not only was it an advanced potions book, it was something supposed to be beyond their sixth year understanding. Rhiannon tried to avoid the school books, and the potions they would cover in class. Techniques on the other hand, and theory, was another matter. She would read that all day, and though her classes she would come to better understand what she had read. There were notes all over her personal books on how to better prepare potions. Perhaps a few notes on things to try adding to food as well, but they were practically the same thing anyway.

There was an uncomfortable air about her again when Rhiannon asked about the sleeves. It was a simple thing to do, drop the subject. Nothing wrong with that, though the thought made her own arms feel a bit warm. She let her robes fall against the back of the chair, her short sleeved white shirt was clean and well pressed. The bronze and blue Ravenclaw vest a bit large on her, for comforts sake she hated tight clothing. On her tanned skin a few scars stood out. Smooth pale skin covered the jaggedly shaped scars. She paid no attention to them, no mind to trying to cover them. Simply leaning her face on her fist as she read over the first few pages of the book.

notes : : Haha, no problem. Take as long as you need.

Silence fell between them, the sounds of parchment shuffling and quills scratching filling the void. Hazel eyes stayed fixed on her parchment, quill not moving. Her eyes slid from her paper to the girl. It took a moment for her to focus on what she was seeing. The other girl's arms were scars. Most people, especially women, with obvious scars tried to hide them, even if they weren't hiding a secret like her own. Brows furrowed slightly as she examined her arms for several moments before it clicked in her mind that she was staring rudely. She blinked and looked down once more. "Sorry, I didn't mean to stare." India said in a soft voice.

Her eyes looked back to the girl's arm, curiosity wrapping around her. It was weird to see someone so nonchalant about their scars. A pale hand moved up to rub her upper arm. Long fingers moved over the covered skin, running over the multitude of scars hidden beneath. "If you don't mind my asking, what happened?" India questioned, removing her hand from her own arm before she noticed. She was having an easier time talking to this girl. Well, on subjects closer to her secret. With her friends India steered far away from these subjects. It had only taken a couple of months before they got the hint and simply stopped asking about it, but they always still wanted to know if she was ok during the full moon week. It was why she tended to hide out in the library, surrounded with books. She could make it seem like she was simply studying.

Hazel eyes stared at the girl in tired interest. Would she answer the question or brush her off? Would she be upset that she had even asked? India attempted a small smile, but it probably came out as more of a grimace. Her fingers let go of her quill, allowing it drop into the ink bottle. India's attention was on this intriguing girl before her.

Something about staring? Rhiannon glanced up at the girl, she was too into her own book and project to notice the girl had been staring. Normally a child’s injuries should heal well, and easily because their bodies were still growing. However hers where not properly taken care of. Thankfully her father and had putinto her mind at an early age how to take care of injuries at home. Though she had probably broken a few bones, and should have gone to the hospital several times in the few years before she was adopted by the Faollan family. “It's fine. If you'd like I can cover them again. I would rather not bother your studies.” she honestly didn't care about her scars anymore, they were there and they were part of her past. No denying it. No changing it. Not that she'd want to, any change to her past might bring a change to her future, and she liked her current life.

The girl had gotten her attention again, and pale hands curled around long sleeves. Rhiannon couldn't help but wonder if she too had scars, if perhaps that was why she felt uncomfortable. Delicate fingers, though stronger than her tiny hands could seem, pulled a ribbon book mark down the pages. Even her fingers had broken many times, though mostly in small fissures to strengthen them. “I don't mind. But are you certain you'd not mind the answer?” she asked politely, not trying to scare the girl. They were the same age, had some of the same classes. She didn't mind her own scars, but sometimes people didn't like the story that came with them.

It seemed like the girl had prepared herself for the answer. Putting the quill down and folding those pale fingers together. The strange grimace that came across her face concerned Rhiannon a bit though. This girl really did seem to be in a poor condition. With a brief sigh she gave a gentle nod. “Most are from my own recklessness. Potion pots exploding, attempting a jump from one building to the next, and failing. A few are from my own sense of justice, which had lead me into several fights. The rest are from idiots attempting to discipline me. The burn marks fall into the last category.” she rolled her arm over to show the inside, which had small circular burns. Her voice was detached from the subject, and her eyes lingered more over the other girl than it did the scars on her own arm. Not wanting to over step her boundaries of comfort. Sick in body was one thing, to make someone sick because of the scars and the imagery it might bring up was another. Something she did not want.