Audrey caught something in those words. A thought stirred, and she said with a smile:
"Of course I would... In fact, I'm terrified."
Alice turned to look at her and listened closely.
The change was subtle, but it was enough for a Spectator. Audrey continued gently:
"You're different from the people I've dealt with before. My Beyonder abilities probably won't work on you, will they?"
Audrey looked to Alice for an answer. Two beats later, Alice nodded and gave a soft "Mm."
Audrey sighed.
"Without my Beyonder abilities, I'm just an ordinary person. All I can do is talk with you, and that means..."
She let the sentence trail off, shook her head, and sighed again.
Alice stared at her, then frowned. "Why did you agree to help me, then?"
Audrey said helplessly:
"If you had a better choice, why would you have chosen me?"
Alice paused, then asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll feel worse after talking to you today?"
So that's what she's worried about... Audrey let out a breath and smiled.
"But I'm not bad at this, either... Besides, how would we know it won't work unless we try?
"I've studied so much psychology, after all, and I've counseled quite a few people..."
Alice froze slightly. For a moment, she stepped back from her unease at being counted on and examined her past.
I'm not bad at this, either... Am I?
After two seconds of silence, she turned and asked Audrey out of nowhere:
"What kind of... what kind of god do you think I am?"
"I don't know," Audrey said honestly. "Powerful and mysterious? I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that... But I'd guess anyone who knows you well would think you're like a child..."
She glanced at Alice, her voice growing hesitant. After