Ugh, god, this conversation has gone in a completely different way than Max wanted. And the worst part is she doesn't even fully get how it happened. But somehow she's turned riding roller coasters into a one-time attempt at normal living. Which shouldn't be how it feels, right?

So.

Sorry, Tim.

She raises her hand, palm outward, fingers spread. A familiar sensation tugs at the air around her as the carnival's rushing colors all at once lurch backwards, blurring together. The noise around them becomes nonsensical as it winds in reverse, until finally she finds something she can reply to.

And then all at once everything snaps back-