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 Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 9:46 pm
There was a knock on Jericho's door. She never knocked. She didn't have to.
But she knocked, and waited, nonetheless.
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 9:53 pm
"HAH! EAT THAT!" Jericho exclaimed as he took down a boss in Human Age: 2. Soon after the final blow was struck, he heard a knocking at his door. Looking over towards the door briefly, he had to wonder just who it could be at this hour of the night.
Getting up from his seat, he went on over and opened the door, surprised to find Riley standing there, soaked.
"Oh hey Riley. Did you lose your --" he paused before saying 'key'. Something wasn't quite right here. Looking more serious he motioned for her to come on in, "What's wrong?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:16 pm
I didn't lose my key. Her voice was neutral, emotionless, and held nothing but words. She leaned in, and gave him an awkward hug, before stepping inside. I didn't want to interrupt you if you're-
Her eyes caught a glimpse of the game, and she paused, before finishing. -.. busy. She took a step back. I can return another time.
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:21 pm
Furrowing his brow, Jericho was confused with the rather awkward hug Riley gave him. Something was definitely wrong, but he couldn't really tell what it was. His eyes shot towards his game but he looked back at her and shook his head.
"Nono, I'm not busy," he said while closing the door and making his way towards the treasure pile, "So... what's going on?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:36 pm
Riley pointedly ignored the question and moved in to sit in front of the video game console. She bent in and studied the game casually. What are you playing, then? She murmured.
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:40 pm
Frowning as he was dismissed, Jericho watched Riley briefly.
"Human Age 2, but really.. you're acting strangely. What's wrong?" he said while moving towards her and placing a hand on her shoulder lightly.
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:51 pm
Nothing's wrong. She emitted, keeping her eyes focused quite sternly on the screen. I'm not acting strangely. I'm not acting anything at all. What is the game about?
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:53 pm
"Don't lie to me.." Jericho said softly, "You're going on like you've been stripped of emotion."
If she was going to be difficult, he was going to ignore her inquiries on the game.
"You don't have to put up a front around me. You should know that."
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:56 pm
How do you know I'm lying to you? Her voice took on a softer tone, and her head turned slightly away from the screen to look at the floor as she said it. Then, her eyes lifted, staring straight at him with a practiced mask of ease. How do you know I haven't been lying to you all along?
She stood up and stood face to face with him. You seem so perceptive, Jericho. You have always seen right through me, haven't you? She lifted her hand up, and pressed it against his cheek.
Her eyes told no story. Tell me what you see now.
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Blade Kuroda rolled 1 20-sided dice:
15
Total: 15 (1-20)
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:58 pm
For a moment, Jericho stiffened at the thing she said. But no, that couldn't be right. He could feel that something was very wrong. Riley's eyes and words had the perfect mask... but there was more to it than that. The hand that was at his face was trembling. And he knew better in general.
Relaxing, he stared at her and brought a hand up to place over hers.
"I see my best friend in pain. I see her trying her hardest not to show it.. but she doesn't need to wear a mask here."
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:10 pm
Riley's eyes slit in a moment of petulant anger, and she snatched her hand away. He wasn't supposed to actually see through her, this time. She had been hiding her true emotions perfectly. PERFECTLY. He had no right to see past her walls like that.
No right.
She swiveled in place and folded her arms in front of her stubbornly. You're wrong. Maybe it's pointless around you, but that doesn't mean my mask comes off.
The word mask itself helplessly bubbled forth a reminder of someone she didn't want to think about, and her voice cracked. Her hands tightened slightly around her arms. You are my best friend. You are my strongest ally. I won't lie to you, because the truth is far more powerful. But that doesn't mean you need to see-
Her hand brushed the thought away before it managed to escape, and she walked away from him, towards his fire pit. She could feel the waves of heat already, even from this far. It was a challenge to ignore it. Challenges were wonderful distractions.
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:18 pm
For a moment, Jericho was confused as he caught the look of anger in her eyes. What in Halloween had happened to her? Did something happen between her and the doctor? He really couldn't tell. Furrowing his brow, he watched her for a moment before quickly stepping towards the Mindflayer, reaching to grab her by the shoulder. The dragon didn't know what she had in mind but walking towards the lava pit did not seem like a good sign to him.
"Riley. Stop. In my weakest moments you were there to support me. You.. nor anyone else had to see me like that either," he said.
<<I don't know what's happened, but let me support you..>>
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:23 pm
Riley was forced to stop when a heavy hand rested on her shoulder. She turned her head and gave him a withering look.
Nothing has happened. In fact, if you knew any better, you'd have asked that question days ago. Not today. Not now, when things are finally clear.
She turned fully around, allowing his hand to remain on her shoulder. Her head tilted up slightly. Do you know what your problem is, Jericho? You've seen me at my worst. Injured, emotional, practically bleeding my heart out. This is probably what you think is normal. Is that the only Riley you care for, then? The one that cries, the one that laughs, the one that would crumble in the face of true challenge?
Now, she shrugged his hand off. Is all you want a smiling face and a kind word? Because believe me, Jericho. If that is the case, I am not your girl.
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:33 pm
Now Jericho was even more confused and wanted to know what had happened. Whatever it was, it had struck her hard. Her words confused him even more. He didn't understand what she was going about here.
"I have seen you at your worst, but I've also seen you in some of your triumphs. While a smiling face and kind words are nice at times... I know there's more to you than just that. You aren't one to crumble.. If you ever do, you just dust yourself up and stand proud, ready to continue."
Glancing away for the moment, he shook his head a bit.
"I don't know what you're trying to get at. The Riley I know is one who leads firmly. Yes she can laugh and cry but she's capable of far more. She's one with great ambition and I'm sure she can achieve her goals if she really puts her great mind to it."
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:46 pm
Not only did he have the power to see through her facade, but he was saying all the right things. He saw her exactly as she was meant to be seen. No wonder he was her right hand man. Her eyes crescented just slightly, and she reached up to pat him on the shoulder.
Good. That is what I wanted to hear. So there's no problem, then. Jericho, you will always be by my side. Her hand patted down once, before dropping to her side. So stop worrying. Everything is fine. She nudged her head towards the game console behind him. So, the game?
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