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It probably won't help, but I have to try. "A, we're just trying to figure out what we can do, what will work to keep every one safe. No one should be hurt."

I bring my knees to my chest. It's not often I'll sit this way, but I don't have any chocolate. "Incarceration?" I suggest.

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And it helps. L would add his suggestion, but he is physically lifting A out of his... shrink, and wrapping him up in a bony hug. The two of them are nothing but knees and elbows, so the hugging ability is somewhat limited. But L is going to try. He can at least tuck A against him.

"But he can't make you be filthy, remember? No one can do that, my friend." Nothing but patience in his voice. "If this is too much, we could go visit the kittens. You have only to say. Matt could fill me in later, if you would rather not stay."

The glance he spares the others over A's head dares any of them to object, if A makes up his mind that he wants to go.

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Near's rather uncomfortable with the whole thing; A's quavering declaration, the nurturing way L is comforting him. It's all rather raw and emotional, in a much less palatable form than Mello's fierce affection and flashes of neediness.

And it's at Mello he looks, helplessly. How to react to this?

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"It was not my intent to frighten you, deshi," Kusuriyuri murmurs, using the word 'deshi,' student, as an affectionate term. "As Mello said, we want to keep B from causing more harm. I was too harsh. Forgive me." He bows to A, letting his fingertips touch the mat in front of him.

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A is silent, cowering in L's arms and clinging to him. If he breathes, just breathes and focuses on that, he can keep himself from further disgracing himself by crying.

To show that he's not angered, that he doesn't blame his teacher, A touches the mat close to Kusuriyuri's fingers, not quite touching.

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"It's going to be okay, A," Matt says, quietly. "We're going to sort this out. You shouldn't have to..."

He trails off. L's better at comforting him, anyway.

Deep breath.

"It's not a total solution, maybe, but surely Kusuriyuri's reiki thing would be a start? It limits what B would be able to..."

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I only see Near looking at me because he's sitting slightly in front of me. I pull him close, moving so I can hold him in my lap.

"I don't know, Matt. It could make him madder, too." I rock Near a little, partially to soothe him, partially to soothe me. "If we do that, and if we incarcerate him, it may be possible to introduce a post hypnotic suggestion, though I doubt he'd let us actually hypnotize him."

I think a little bit more. "Do you think there might be some magic that would actually prevent him from being violent? Or from acting out specific patterns of behavior?"

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"Nothing legal, that I have come across. And nothing illegal that doesn't take sustained concentration."

Though he would be totally willing to try an unforgivable. He's confident that he could vanish out from under the Ministry's noses, if the situation so required.

While he muses, he soothes a hand back and forth, across A's shoulders.

"But I have not studied potions extensively. Our answer might lie in that direction. The love potion is the only reference I have found to long-term magic that affects the mind and will; not that a love potion would be remotely appropriate, but it means that some potions are capable of it."

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"Potions, I haven't looked into those yet," Near murmurs, wrapping an arm around Mello's waist. He seems a bit rattled, and Near's certainly shaken as well. And if a potion could sway the emotions in one direction, surely it could do so in another."

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Kusuriyuri reaches over and touches A's hand lightly. He sits up. "There are some medicines that will alter behavior. Valerian root, tincture of poppy, but they would need to be taken on a regular basis. I have not looked into potions yet, I'm afraid. If there is something more lasting, it would possibly be a good thing."

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A's beginning to relax, just a little, but he's not ready to talk yet, not ready to look at anyone. He presses his face to L's chest.

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"So... look into modifying a potion somehow, then trying to slip it to him somehow? That doesn't seem too impossible - we know he drinks in both bars, for one thing."

Pause.

"I've got surveillance equipment, if that might come in handy."

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"Near, your better at chemistry than I am. Maybe you could work with Kusuriyuri and A to work up a potion. L and Matt could work on observation. And, I think, even if it does...excite him, I would feel better if we all continued self-defense lessons."

I look over at A. "If you want, I'll give you the chance to try an hex me. We should practice."

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"The self-defense is a good ideal," Near agrees, "But I'm not very well informed about potions yet. I can look into the matter, though."

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"If Kusuriyuri is amenable, he should perhaps play a greater part. He is the only one of us B does not know."

L, whose hand is still on A's back, chooses to add,

"I feel it appropriate to mention that Near and I have acquired truth serum. What it could be used for, I am not certain, but we possess the option."

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Kusuriyuri listens quietly. "If the truth serum is long acting, then knowing its ingredients would be beneficial in creating a long acting impulse restraining serum. However, if it is short acting, it may only let us know which ingredients are responsible for that restraint. The love potion that was mentioned would be beneficial to study as well."

He turns to L. "How is it you see me being of more help?" He is not opposed to the idea, just want to make sure he is following the same line of thought, that since he is an unknown, he could more easily access B.

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He's silent, but A is listening. He is learning medicinal herbs, and the making of medicines; perhaps potions use some of the same principles, maybe even the same ingredients. He can learn potions as well.

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"I'm good with observation, anyway. Kusuriyuri, I think the idea might be that - well, you're obviously going to be pretty good with potions, but since you're the only one here that B doesn't know... maybe you could play a part in both?" He glances at L, hoping he's not misinterpreted.

"Another thing is the possibility of creating spells to suit our needs. I've mostly been creating stuff with runes, but --" Matt stops, suddenly. "Holy fucking shit I'm an idiot. I can make us some bindrunes. One for A, at the very least."

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"You're only an idiot because you make yourself one, Matt." I only say it because he's my best friend and it needs to be said. "Bindrunes? Would that be like a warding charm or something like that?"

"And, I think Matt and L are right. The teacher is the only one of us B doesn't know, unless he's been watching us recently." It'd be nice if he had a shorter name.

At least A looks calmer and Near seems a little more relaxed, but that might be the medicine starting to work. He still feels too warm. When we're done here, I'm going to make him rest, as much as I believe we should practice. He's not up for it.

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"Are bindrunes difficult to make? How effective are they?" So far, their classes had mostly concentrated on the symbology of runes, and Near's mainly been studying charms.

The medication does seem to be helping, but Near's still feeling rather wretched. He sneezes again.

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He nods to Kusuriyuri; they've said exactly what he meant. And asks Matt,

"I have never heard of those. Effectiveness aside, what do they actually accomplish?"

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"The wards I employ can act as a barrier. Though, I only know that they react to humans at this point. I do not know if they will act as a barrier. It would be most interesting to experiment, Matt."

He turns back to L. "I shall be honoured to be of service. A is my deshi, my student. It is my duty to him."

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That's not something A was expecting, and he tilts his face towards Kusuriyuri, giving him a vague, surprised smile. As shaken as he is, the unprecedented feeling of being cared for, of being looked after, is a marvel he treasures.

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From his place leaning against the wall, Matt gives Mello a rude gesture. (Because Mello is his best friend, and middle fingers mean love.)

"It's a bindrune that's on the case of your laptop," Matt tells L. To everyone else:

"I've never used them on people... they're not all that difficult to create, you just need to combine them in the right way to get the right meaning. If that makes sense. It'd be like a charm - a physical charm he'd need to wear." He spreads his hands. "I honestly couldn't say how well it'd work, but it's worth a try, right?"

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