Whitelighter office hours are now in session [open]

[student_lighter]

Chris had replicated a pen and padd of paper--it just felt weird to work on spells on a PADD and he couldn't afford distractions. Trying to help Trever last night hadn't gone well, but hopefully he'd show up today for their 'date' AKA the only way he could get the man to sit with him and brainstorm about how to break whatever magic had hold of him.

So, Chris was in Ten Forward, a couple of pieces of paper spread over the table, each containing a different spell or potion, or some combination of the two. He had a couple different spells and potions for sleeping, a spell to discourage a lover and remove gods from mortals that he had found in the Warren Book of Shadows. But he was still concerned with how any magic he did might react with the magic already working on Trever.

Chris bit his pen, and twirled it between his fingers, frustrated. Maybe he could find a leprechaun? They could use a little luck.

Comments

[student_lighter]

Honestly, it was like trying to argue with Piper. "Right, but what if something happens this week? Something that you actually need to be fully functional for? Then you're going to be screwed because you didn't take the time to take care of yourself."

As for the name, Chris let it go. It wasn't like he couldn't just find you by sensing. The name didn't matter.

"Look, I know you have no reason to trust me. But, if you ever need me, or you're ever in trouble, just say my name. I'll hear."

[notalwaysstrong]

"It's a pulled muscle. If something happens, I can fight through it." He eyes Chris, taking him in. He's really trying to push this Guardian Angel bullshit. "I don't see the point in wasting Sickbay resources on a self-inflicted injury."

[student_lighter]

Yeah. Chris was a bit obsessive. But he was Piper and Leo's son, so, it was probably partially genetic. And partially because his mother's neurotic too. Sorry Mack, too bad you couldn't have Wyatt.

"Fine. I'm not going to force you, that's not my job."

[notalwaysstrong]

"And what is your job? And spare the guardian angel bullshit."

[student_lighter]

Alright. This guy needed proof. Fine. Chris orbed in place in a flash of blue and white lights, reforming in a nearby chair. "Chris Halliwell, Whitelighter-Witch. Look, I didn't choose this and I'm actually up to my eyeballs in charges right now. I'm kind of new to this whitelighter thing, it's not my strongest half."

[notalwaysstrong]

And excuse Mack whilst he just puts his face in his hand. Wonderful. He's going to kill Q when he sees him next...

"Alright, arlight. Fine. Sure. I get it. Why are you bugging me? I don't need a guardian angel." And the stuff he's done? He doesn't exactly deserve one, either.

[student_lighter]

"Yeah, well, someone thinks you do. You obviously aren't magical, so you probably either need a guide to keep you on the right path, or magical protection. I wouldn't be connected to you otherwise. There's always a reason. Magic always works, just...sometimes not in the way you think it should. Now, are you going to let me touch your leg or not?"

[notalwaysstrong]

Mack sighs heavily. He's not of the opinion he needs magical protection, and this whole thing just stinks of "Q", but he shakes his head.

"You wanna help? Medkit behind the bar. Grab me it."

[student_lighter]

Chris got up, not wanting to use telekinesis and freak him out further....and because he wasn't quite sure what the medit looked like. So, he got up and went to the bar to rummage around. Holding it up, he asked, 'This?" and brought it over to him.

Really, he just needed to learn how to heal. For one, it would make convincing people a whole lot easier.

[notalwaysstrong]

"Yeah."

He takes the kit, opening it, taking the Tricorder out and folding it open to scan over his leg. Maybe this will get the kid to shut up.

[student_lighter]

Chris took a deep breath, trying to remember what his Dad wrote in the book of shadows about being a Whitelighter. Guiding his aunts and his mother were one thing. Guiding complete strangers? It was kind of overwhelming.He'd never had a 'real' charge before. Not one that he didn't orchestrate on his own.

How did Dad, Sam and Paige do it? He knew Paige had her own set of troubles, trying to find a balance between her two sides; the same trouble Chris was now having.

"So what does that do?"

[notalwaysstrong]

"Scans. Let's me know where's injured."

He sets the tricorder aside, picking up another wand-like device, turning it on, running it over a section of his leg. The pain starts to go away.

[student_lighter]

"And that device heals? Good." He still needed to figure out how to heal but at least it wasn't pressing with whatever that was.

Chris took a deep breath, working up the courage. "I know this wasn't exactly what you had in mind. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind either. "

[notalwaysstrong]

"You ever thought that this might be Q messing around with ya?" He remarks, starting to pack the kit away. "I don't need any magical help."

[student_lighter]

"It might be, but it also might not be. And at least where I'm from, things happen for a reason. It might not be the reason you or I think of, but it's always there."

Chris put his feet up on a nearby chair

"So why don't we just get to know each other and if you ever feel you need to talk or you need me, just say 'Chris'. Wherever I am, I'll come. " He shrugged.

"I'm not going to shrink on my duty just because Q might have messed with me. What if he didn't and you get hurt because I wasn't doing my job?"

[notalwaysstrong]

Mack watches the kid, judging him, sizing him up. He has a point.

"Thinkin' in "What-ifs" will drive ya insane if ya focus on it too much." Mack remarks. There was plenty of times where he caught himself doing just that. "And I can look after myself. I won't be callin' ya."

[student_lighter]

"Look, someone once told me trust goes both ways. You don't trust me, I get it. But right now I can't trust you not to pride get in the way. " Chris was going to have to monitor this guy.

"There's nothing wrong with asking for help. Working together. Teamwork." But then again, Chris comes from a family where they're stronger working together. It's ingrained.

[notalwaysstrong]

"I didn't last most've my life in the Army by not bein' careful." He remarks. "Folks who're idiots tend to get shot."

He leans back, watching Chris. "I'll be fine."

[student_lighter]

You know Mack, if you're not careful Chris is going to engineer a situation to 'help' you realize that you need assistance. Sorry, your Whitelighter's a Slytherin.

"So you were in the Army? As a soldier or a medic?" Chris asked, hoping to get some more insight into his new charge.

"And you know, you are very adamant that you're fine." Suspicious Chris was suspicious.

[notalwaysstrong]

A slight shrug at Chris' suspicions.

"I was a soldier. A Clerk in the 303rd Logistical Studies Group."

And something will smell about that story. This guy? All muscle and attitude, sat behind a desk?

[student_lighter]

Don't lie to a liar Mack.

"Yeaaah I'm going to call your bullshit on that one. If you don't want to tell me, fine, don't tell me. But at least have the decency to come up with a plausible lie." It was honestly taking all of Chris's willpower to not orb away from this guy. WHY were his charges here such a pain?

[notalwaysstrong]

And Mack reaches into his jeans pocket, pulling out a wallet, tossing it forward onto the table.

"My ID's in there."

And, sure enough, there'll be an Army ID card in the wallet.

Gerhardt, MacDonald J. MSG - US Army -Fort Griffith - 303rd Logistical Studies Group.

[student_lighter]

"Alright, then Sergeant, I'm going to ask the next logical question. Why was a guy like you sitting behind a desk? Is it by choice or did you piss someone off?"

Despite their not great interaction, Chris kind of liked this guy. Maybe he just felt a connection because Leo had been in the army too.

[notalwaysstrong]

"S'what happens when you sleep with the CO's mistress." He replies with a shrug. "'sides, it ain't the end of the world. Kinda miss bein' a Ranger, though."

[student_lighter]

"And you just kept up physically by living at the gym? You really expect me to believe that just because you slept with your CO's mistress, they grounded you to a desk job? That's an awful big waste don't you think?"

He just....didn't quite buy it. Maybe this guy hadn't been a clerk for a while? "How long have you been stuck doing this?"