[Got to at least test it before he can guess what the problem might be. Sam takes Feste's hands across the invisible barrier, then steps back, aiming to pull Feste with him. He isn't pulling hard, not enough to hurt them if it doesn't work, but enough to hopefully overcome any simple mental blocks.]
[It is very much not a mental block, as Sam will discover- Feste can't even reach their hands across where the barrier is, and when he pulls, Sam will find that there is something preventing his grandchild from going any further.]
It's what I'm here for. Figuring out what makes you stop for no reason in the middle of the sidewalk.
[He's a bit more rattled by this than he lets on, but Sam is a pro with a capital P at acting unbothered and unimpressed. It tends to help other people not panic. He gives Feste's shoulders a brief hug, then goes to open the car door for them.]
[Feste gives him a small, still slightly anxious smile- but there's not really any way Sam could make this not weird enough that they would have a lot of worries about it. But they lean into the hug before jumping in the car. Hopefully this will be fine...]
[Sam comes around to the driver's side and drops in, starts the engine up, and lets it roll forward slowly, in case any stray salt in the road causes Feste a problem.]
[For the most part, it's fine- they flinch a bit here and there as they sense something deeply Wrong as they pass over some but as long as there's not a line of salt perfectly in line with where they're sitting in the car they'll make it.]
So I was going to tell them that I was stuck in traffic, but then I realized that was dumb so I was going to tell them I was sick, and I wound up saying I was sick in traffic.
[Sorry, Feste, Sam can't help but chuckle at that one. Or maybe it's a groan. It's hard to tell.]
I'm taking you home, then. You can call them again later if you want.
Maybe we should talk about getting you a license to drive, if walking is going to trip you up like this. Or at least test whether you can cross salt on a bike.
[Feste sighs, messing with their hair. That might be for the best, but work would have at least distracted them from worrying about this too much today.]
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It's right over where the road salt starts.
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...........That makes no sense.
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It's the same as any road salt I've ever smelled. Here.
[He starts brushing it away, making a little path for Feste.]
Try now.
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it works. Whatever barrier that was holding them back is gone and they blink, stopping there because-]
What.
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[He sounds sarcastic first, but then adds, more seriously,]
We're gonna have to warn your mum. I'd hate to think what salt in your food would do. And there's salt in just about everything these days.
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...Am I going to be able to eat anything? [this will be awful.]
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[Sam straightens up and pats Feste on the shoulder.]
Come on, I'll take you wherever you were planning on going. And we'll see if driving over the salt is a problem, too.
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[This is all terrible and they hate it a lot??? But they'll nod, and continue heading towards work.] Thanks, Grandpa.
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[He's a bit more rattled by this than he lets on, but Sam is a pro with a capital P at acting unbothered and unimpressed. It tends to help other people not panic. He gives Feste's shoulders a brief hug, then goes to open the car door for them.]
Hop in, kiddo.
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So where were you heading, anyway? Or should I just take you home?
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[no swearing in front of grandpa.]
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What did you tell them exactly?
[Is it worth it to take them to work, if it's that bad? He turns the big car in that direction, anyway.]
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[...this is kind of par for the course for them.]
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I'm taking you home, then. You can call them again later if you want.
Maybe we should talk about getting you a license to drive, if walking is going to trip you up like this. Or at least test whether you can cross salt on a bike.
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Right...
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We'll figure this out. Promise.