[ she feels like there should be a time limit, but annabeth doesn't get any sense that claire wants to rush her. she simply... lets her sit there and holds her, and she can't help but think of sally jackson. while she might have been introduced similarly to both women via percy, sally has welcomed annabeth into her arms and her home with open invitation even without her son around. it's the only good comparison she has for that sort of familial affection. ]

[ she squeezes her eyes shut at the next offer, of a hug day or night, and despite thinking it sounds too good to be true, annabeth knows it to be genuine. she's not sure how long she sits there, but at some point she worries it's become too much, however much claire doesn't actually make her feel that way. ]

I can get in. [ she mumbles it, then finally lifts her head away, feeling like she's gotten a better handle on herself. her eyes are red, but at least they're not leaking anymore. ]

And I've started on my domain. [ lest claire think she knows nothing, gods forbid. ] The meditation part isn't my strong suit. But we're not supposed to stay very long in Thorne anyway, so it hasn't been too big a deal yet.

[ she will slide immediately into horizon talk to avoid her mini breakdown! ]