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Cressa's expression crinkled with concern. "...Usually, the mind does not have enough reach to work any magic while you're asleep. Evie, if you've reached out and injured someone while sleeping, we've got a major problem. Not one that can't be solved, mind you, but still... it's serious. It's serious because the root cause is often a complicated one..."

She paused, and reached out to touch the girl reassuringly. It was probably best to leave the explanations there for now - if Cressa started throwing around terms like 'MENTAL INSTABILITY,' Evelyn might just start crying. "Nevermind that for now, though. Where are these wounds? Once we've dealt with them, we can think about getting some treatment for you, to make sure it doesn't happen again."

The teacher took Evelyns hands and examined her arms. The cuts were long and deep, and strategically placed. "You really did a number on yourself here." She probed a little deeper, testing them.

"There's nothing inherently special about these wounds. I can heal them for you, easily. The question is, why couldn't you heal them for yourself?"

She looked at Evelyn deeply. After a little silence, she petted her again and gave her a little smile. "Let me explain to you. Most mages who reach out in their sleep attack their surroundings. It is unusual for the mind to reach out with the purpose of attacking itself. Either way, the manifestation of magic during sleep and dreams is the sign of a troubled mind... but... do you see what I'm getting at?"

"I think these wounds aren't healing because you don't want them to. Oh, your surface mind wants them to heal, but the subconscious mind? The part of you you can't directly control? The part of you that did this? It doesn't want them to heal. And to change its opinion, well... that is going to take an awful lot of work."

"Shh, shh, shh...!" Cressa soothed, hugging her as the tears came. "Like I said, it's going to be hard. There's no one single reason for why this has happened! It's complicated and personal."

As she held Evelyn, she muttered a little spell. Every mage tended to produce different side effects when healing - for example, Lorika's produced a pleasant tickling sensation, while Lacine's was so gentle hardly anything could be felt at all. Cressa's produced the strange, albeit momentary feeling of being pumped full of something that was both boiling hot and icy cold, as if your veins were filled with molten ice-lava. It didn't hurt - it was simply the most... unique feeling in the world, and quite powerful and surprising when it happened. It lasted only a few seconds. The odd impression of glittering colours that accompanied it, however, lasted longer.

None of Evelyn's injuries had escaped - every one knitted and healed, leaving flawless, unmarred white skin. Cressa loosed her grip on the girl. "There we go. Now that that's done, we need to make sure it doesn't happen again! Restock your Draught of Dreamless Sleep. I can write you a note to Thomas so that he gives you minimal hassle," she said. She couldn't guarantee absolutely no hassle at all. Thomas made it no secret that he didn't particularly enjoy obeying either her or Jessie.

"We can get you a charm of negation that should protect you while you sleep, too. In the long-term, however... I mean, I can't force you to do anything about it, but I really think addressing the root of the problem is in your interest. Have you ever been to see Lorika for therapy before now?"

"Well, I think it would be a good idea to pursue it, if you have the time. She could help you overcome the problems that have caused this."

Cressa gave a little, mischievous smile. "And she'll always have time for her dearest friends, won't she?"

Cressa nodded emphatically. "Exactly! So she must find time for you, too!"

"In the meantime," she continued, mischief still tweaking the corners of her mouth a little further than usual, "I don't suppose you have anything going on in your life that could, perchance, help distract you from the intolerable depths of the woes which plague you in your sleep?"

"Yes, yes, those are certainly ways to keep yourself busy," said Cressa, somehow resisting the urge to just proclaim 'NEEEEEERD' at the top of her lungs. Any minute now, she was going to just drag Evelyn out to a bar for drink and dancing. IT WOULD DO HER THE WORLD OF GOOD. "I was thinking, though, more along the lines of... extracurricular activities."

Cressa took Evelyn by her shoulders. "Evie. Evie. Evie..."

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE MEANING OF 'EXTRACURRICULAR' IS? THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN SCHOOL AND BOOKS!"

Well, someone needed to tell her! "And I know for a fact that school and books are not the only thing you have going on," she winked.

"Awww...! I also know a certain someone would certainly be upset if he knew you had forgotten him so easily...!"