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[It makes perfect sense. It's a bitter pill to swallow. Allison has an authority that Nakia doesn't when explaining these things. Kamala starts to accept the painfully obvious.] Kamran's mom died the day they came for him too. She was awful, but it's not like Damage Control knew all the terrible things she did and thought he was the same.

[Kamala sniffles, wiping her face with her free hand.] The only people I ever felt bad about lying to were my family and Nakia. I should have told them sooner who I really was a lot sooner than I did.

If lying to your friends about having powers is the worst of your sins, then I think you're doing okay.

[Allison's definitely done way worse. There's a man in Dallas with a coffee-scalded hand who can attest to that.]

When you're up against someone who doesn't see you as a person, it can be hard to ... stick to the plan of honor and dignity. I've definitely let myself go too far because I could, because I'm angry and I know they deserve it. But they're never going to see their hate as wrong, because in their mind, they're the ones who are "right."

[Kamala lets herself enjoy the relief from that for about five seconds before she recalls another shortcoming of hers.] I am kind of a jerk to my parents sometimes. Like almost making them cry kind of jerk. I'm working on it. The not lying about who I really am is a big part of it.

[No one tells her that's a normal part of being a teenager. She takes learning about Allison's past choices in stride. It gives her hope if anything for Kamran's future. Allison has turned out great despite having a bad parent and righteous anger. He can too.] Kamran tried to kill them. I stopped him, but just barely. Maybe I should have been mad at him for fighting me on it, but... [She shrugs.] It's hard to do good when no one gives you a reason to.

You're not wrong.

[Allison had a reason. But sometimes that reason wasn't enough and it wasn't a sense of altruism Reginald Hargreeves installed in his children, it was obedience. And even that wasn't always enough. But her story about Kamran makes her think of Viktor.]

I'm glad you found a way to stop him though. I had to do that for my brother once, and ... the option I was left with at the time didn't help as much as I wanted it to, but we all lived to tell the story. I guess that counts for something.

[Kamala's eyes light up with empathy. She cares deeply for Kamran, but he isn't family. She can't imagine having to fight her family.] It counts for a lot. It's not easy being a sister, but I'm lucky. My parents totally treat us differently, but he has my back no matter what. He actually showed up to help with Damage Control and followed my lead. I couldn't imagine having to do that with him so it's awesome you could.

Yeah, siblings are pretty great that way.

[She would know. She has six of them.]

My brothers are some of my favorite people. I can't even imagine what would have happened if we were alone growing up.

Yeah, I feel kind of bad for Aamir that he spent so much time as an only child. Good thing I arrived to grace him with my presence. [She makes a v with her fingers and winks. After a beat, Kamala hates somberly.]

Thanks for hearing me out. I know we have bigger problems, but I miss my family so much. I hate having stuff from home thrown in my face when I can't even make it better.

Hey, there may be bigger problems happening, but that doesn't mean the little ones go away.

[And that doesn't mean they matter any less. She also ... doesn't think that this place punching them in the face with their issues is going to stop anytime soon.]

We'll figure it out.

We will. We're a team. [Kamala says aloud. It's a comfort to her to have Allison. Suddenly she recalls this problem may not be exclusive to her. She grabs Allison's arm.]

Have you been okay? I didn't mean to come here and make it all about me. You're just the first person I think of when I'm freaking out.

And I am happy to help. But yeah, I'm ...

[She's about to say she's good, but the sun starts to set and there's footsteps on the wood of the boat, both of them turning to find a handsome man in the doorway.

"A bad time?"]

No, it's okay. Kamala, this is my husband, Ray. Though ... not exactly.

Oh my God! [Kamala absolutely beams at the extremely beautiful man in the doorway.] This is a great time! I'm so honored to meet you. I'm Kamala. I'm Allison's friend-slash-ward, but not in a tragic superhero way. My parents are totally still alive.

[She chuckles at her very funny joke before the record scratches in her brain. Kamala turns her head to Allison.] What do you mean by not exactly?

You have your ghosts and ... I've got mine.

[Aka Ray. But he just gives her a small soft smile. "It's nice to meet you, Kamala. I was just going to see if Allison was free for a drink."]

Oh cool! That makes sense since you're married and that's probably very romantic when you're not a Muslim couple.

[Kamala responds warring between being awkward, sincere, and nervous. She drops to a whisper.] Is this a friendly ghost? Are we okay right now?

Yeah, we're okay. He doesn't stay long.

[Just five minutes at the end of the day. It's both not enough and more than she ever thought she would have again.

"I've never been a big drinker, regardless. But it's nice to have a little night cap at the end of the day."]

[Kamala nods, mulling it over in her head. She's never had a boyfriend: just a series of almost. She thinks she would want to be alone in Allison's shoes. She smiles chiperly.] I can't really nightcap with you guys so I'll leave you to it. Call me later? I promise to cry like ninety-five percent less.

Yeah, I will.

[She gives her a small smile as she goes.]

Be careful out there.

eastbound } { ic inbox | @taken for granite

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