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A small pause follows. “What does it involve?” Dr. Sawyer asks.

“We’re still working that out.”

She exhales softly. “Old bond traditions sometimes preserve observations that formal medicine ignored. They can also confuse symbolic release with physiological stability.”

Theo leans forward. “What does that mean?”

“Traditions may contain insight modern medicine overlooked. Symbolic acts are also sometimes treated as physical cures without evidence that they change the underlying condition.”

“You mean they don’t work.”

“That isn’t my area of expertise,” Dr. Sawyer says. “I can only tell you what medicine may be able to do.”

Pepper asks, “Could the dampener interfere with Ezra’s ability to understand what he wants while it’s active?”

“It may reduce emotional intensity.”

“Could it reduce recognition?” she asks.

Dr. Sawyer pauses before answering. “That is one of the variables we would monitor.”

Pepper remains curled against me, but her voice gains a sharper edge. “Could the drug interfere with Ezra’s ability to understand what he wants while it is active?”

“It may reduce emotional intensity.”

“Could it reduce recognition?”

“That is one of the variables we would monitor.”

Pepper’s fingers tighten around mine.

Dr. Sawyer continues carefully. “Pepper, based on the records Ezra submitted, your presence appears to be his most consistent external stabilizing factor. Your scent and voice may help during the protocol.”

Pepper freezes.

“Pepper isn’t part of the equipment list,” I say.

Sawyer’s tone remains calm. “Of course not. Her participation would be voluntary.”

“Voluntary means more than asking after you tell her I might disappear without her,” I say.

Pepper turns her face toward me. Warmth rises beneath the fear in her scent. Then she pinches my side.

“Ow,” I say.

“What did I just say about choosing what I can handle?”

“I was defending you.”

“You may continue doing that while I speak for myself.”

Theo’s mouth almost curves.

My face heats. All right. I see how protectiveness becomes a slippery slope.

Pepper shifts higher in my lap and addresses the phone. “I’m willing to provide observations and be present for non-invasive testing. I will not consent tonight to chemical dampening or to being used as an anchor while Ezra’s ability to recognize distress may be altered.”

“Thank you for making your limits clear,” Dr. Sawyer says.