You have my Sword . . . And my Bow

[Coco]

"I think that, if your ghost...husband?" A scarlet brow raised briefly in query. "Well, if it can indeed cut as well as batter, then you have a potent weapon. The fact that it can be in a place separate from your body is quite potent, too. However, it is not something that could be used in a crowd. Perhaps that doesn't matter, as in a crowd you could simply run, but it is worth noting. The thing that I think you must learn, dear Lynn, is what your advantage with such a weapon is," the Claviger attempted to explain.

"If you simply stand there and play then someone like myself will kill you. If my cane were a blade then it would have entered quite close to your heart, if you've notice. That was when I was holding back, I shall add, for I did not wish to truly hurt you. Regardless, you must think strategy with your weapon. If you had surprised me and damaged my leg at the start of the encounter, we'll say? Well, then you could keep away from my blade and safely damage me until I could not follow you. Indeed, I believe that is your best recourse. If you wished to slay something with that weapon, you would need help. In fact, that is something you should consider. You would be far safer with a Motely, and your weapon could compliment their abilities, keeping them safer just as they did the same for you."

[Trickster]

Lynn nodded, still rubbing at at the bruise on her chest. "Yes, it's obvious that I'll never be the mighty warrior, standing alone on the field of battle." A brief grin crossed her face. "But at least I'm not as helpless as I was afraid of. I'll concentrate on finding ways to use my natural talents to their best advantage."

With a sigh, Lynn stretched, wincing a bit as sore muscles pulled. "Thank you, most sincerely Coco. This has been a most instructive lesson."

[Coco]

"Excellent, then! You are a truly marvelous student. Much better than Terri Nutkins, but don't tell anyone I said so," Coco confided, skipping over to Lynn with a most pleased grin. "Now that the lesson is over, would you care to get a drink? A meal? A snack? Perhaps a message to help you relax and to ease the pain away?"

A hopeful look shone in the Claviger's faceted eyes.

[Trickster]

Lynn bit her lip and glanced away, honest regret showing on her face. "I'd love to, I really would. But I'm afraid that using the fiddle in this way has more than one cost." She looked down and traced the join of a bit of bone with one finger. "Once I put the fiddle to sleep again" she shrugged a bit. "It's like I lose him all over again. I feel that loss as freshly as the day it first happened." She cleared her throat. "I'll be find after a little while. I just need a bit of time to get past it."

[Coco]

"And you wish to be alone? I've heard it said that company can be quite soothing for those dealing with grief," Coco pressed, sidling closer to the musician. "I would be more than willing to listen, if you'd like."

[Trickster]

Lynn smiled a bit at Coco's offer and took a deep breath. As ever, this would be one of the hardest things she'd ever had to deal with. She held her fiddle in her hands, looking over at where Jason's ghost stood, still waiting. It hadn't moved since she'd stopped playing. She looked into his eyes, wishing and praying for just a moment of recognition. But there was nothing. There never was.

"Time to sleep now, my love." Lynn whispered. She watched as the wraith faded back into the mist it was formed of; watched as the mist was drawn into the fiddle, shaping it back into familiar shape that she knew so well. The last thing to change was the scroll work, the remains of their entwined wedding bands winking cruelly at her before they disappeared.

Lynn gasped as it felt like the bottom fell out of her world. The love of her life was gone and she'd never get him back. Tears fell from her eyes as she collapsed to her knees, wrapping her arms around her stomach, rocking forwards as her breath struggled to escape. She choked on a sob, trying to force herself to move past it, move past the moment and the memory. She'd done this before and survived. She could get through this. After a long moment she forced herself to sit up, to put her fiddle away with shaking hands. She'd get through this. She'd done it before, she could do it again. Turning back to Coco, she brushed futility at the tear stains on her cheeks; shoulders slumped and head bowed.

"I'm sorry. I'll get past it after a while."

Lynn has gained the Melancholia derangement until she gets the chance to sleep.

[Coco]

As the tears fell and the kneeling Lynn tried to comfort herself, Coco stood nearby, rocking from foot to foot. Sadness was...It was not something she knew how to handle. Pretending it didn't exist was how she coped with it, and when others chose instead to acknowledge it? It threw her quite thoroughly. Madness, it was, and none of the Lost were comfortable with madness. Eventually, though, once Lynn began to move with purpose again, returning to sanity, Coco decided on a course of action.

"Do not apologize Lynn. Just get to your feet now, upsy-daisy," the Wasp said, stepping over to help the musician find her footing again. "I shall escort you home, so that you might safe even as you grieve, and then I shall leave you in peace. It is my duty to protect you so do not argue. I shall not be swayed."

[Trickster]

Lynn didn't argue, but neither did she say much as the Wasp gathered her things and lead them out to where they might find a taxi. She was finding it hard to keep going, but the knowledge that she'd been here before and survived was keeping her going. She cradled the fiddle on her lap and stared out the window, watching without interest as the city's streets passed by. She didn't even realize it when they arrived at her apartment; Coco had to lean over and shake her shoulder for Lynn to realize where they were. Lynn simply lead Coco around the back to the stairs that lead up to her tiny third floor apartment. She quietly lead her friend up the stairs and to her door; unlocking and opening the door to reveal a tiny but comfortably furnished space.

Lynn turned and smiled with a bit of effort. "Here we go. Home sweet home."

[Coco]

"Take care, Lynn. And remember, should you need help of any kind, I am but a phone call away," Coco promised the musician before taking a step backward, toward the stairs.

"Until we speak again." An imaginary hat was tipped and then the Claviger turned to go, content in the belief that Lynn was as safe as she could be, only feet from her home.

Fun Scene! Merci!

[Trickster]

Lynn nodded as Coco turned away and then unlocked the door and went inside. With a heavy sigh, she kicked her shoes off and curled up on the sofa. Reaching out one arm, she keyed up the CD player and slipped in a collection of love songs. The soft notes filled the room and she curled her arms around her fiddle, remembering happier times.

Very well done, my thanks for your time and attention!