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 Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2015 7:22 pm
While the temptation to pout and sulkily refute some of his assumptions was nearly impossible to resist, she'd have to stew about it for a time while getting clean in order to go along with his request. Doing as he wished, even if done begrudgingly and in a sassy manner. The lengths she went to, to show that that loyalty of hers was ever in tact. Didn't mean that she couldn't shoot some sort of look over her shoulder before disappearing for a while, though. An agitated look, though not borne of irritation. Flustered from being reminded of just how much she liked him, just from him being his usual self.
Once the bathroom door was secured behind her the lazy facade of clothing she'd put together was unnecessary. And so within a swirl of her energy she changed forms once more, assumed form of a dress reabsorbed along with all of the unique anatomy that had to be phased through the actual clothes she insisted on wearing. Once she was back to normal size, with one hand on her lower back and the other on her head she took a moment to silently acknowledge that which she had to keep concealed for the purposes of safety. Most would probably see it as a superficial change at best, but there was no denying the underlying message of her choice. A sacrifice of self. Eventually her hands made it back to her still too-long hair as a reminder that it wasn't without benefit.
She was back to being hot-tempered as she scrubbed herself down, unsettled by the observation that it seemed that he'd taken in some of her ridiculous story instead of completely deflecting it as usual. Or was she imagining it? That was also entirely possible. Once Patches had been scrubbed as well, there was plenty of time to ruminate over it as she sank into a quick soak. Her contemplative set of less mismatched eyes was just above the water as a gleeful rabbit swam laps around her. It did and didn't matter. What could be called a crush still remained but even in a year her feelings had matured past simply that, emerging as a reason for her to flourish rather than stagnate regardless of reciprocation. Shaking that feeling off once more the same as the water in her hair, with a spring in her step she was out and through a portal to finally pack.
Being covered was such a task when she was feeling so very lazy, but once she'd toweled off it was a consideration for his sake that she'd have to resort to eventually. A pocket of a robe was a convenient place to keep a damp rabbit from wandering all around, too. Only the idea of him waiting on her kept her from collapsing on to her bed, whether he actually was or not. Still didn't mean that she was interested in the task at hand though, as she mostly automatically packed her bag. Her predominantly monochrome wardrobe became all of a black and white blur in her inattentiveness, though some thought was put into practicality. There'd be more believability in sensible things and nope, still no intention of seducing a doll. After snagging an extra bag in order to do as he'd suggested, she opened an entrance into the main room of the apartment to drag her bag through.
And being that she'd done as he'd asked, she was once more free to sass him as she pleased. "Surely you can't be serious about being carried around in a bag." Well, he had before. But that was different! "I don't want to be arrested. If I'm assumed to be a mother and I'm stuffing my presumed child into handbags, I'm going to be arrested." Perhaps some exaggeration involved on her part, but her distaste for law enforcement was obvious from the grimace upon her face to the way she fidgeted as she stood. "I really, really don't want to be arrested."
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 1:46 am
".... Oh yeah. That would be awful," came the muffled reply from the tin. His personal issues with the cops aside, that kind of negligence was probably why he was not allowed near the pediatric wards unless (absolutely) necessary. Practicality over common sense? Come on! He sat up, dusting the white layer off his face to watch for a while. "I'll... Ah, okay. There's not really any other alternative, is there?" He sighed. Yeah, he should probably start getting used to getting carried everywhere. Until he managed to piece himself back together, hopefully.
Well, she was packing her things, he should fix his end too. Back to the tin! This... was going to take a while. Don't end up sleeping in the tin, now! Processing all the powder for calcium, and since it was milk powder the amount he'd be getting would be barely enough for a bigger shell, but eh, he could skimp on the legs and focus more on making a body sturdy enough to hold up the head. Her suggestion wasn't that bad after all. "I'll try not to make myself too heavy, if you're going to be carrying me everywhere. Especially up any amount of stairs." What, not going to let her have the privilege of seeing him struggle up steps that were half his height? For shame!
Leaving the sweet sappy duo upstairs to get ready, how about a look downstairs? Really now, with Erhard's (constant) presence in Amarante's life, surely people might say something about the strange customers that sometimes showed up. The brash robot was one, the little girl was another, this strange man in a trenchcoat wouldn't be a third, would it? Surely not! Maybe he'd just go up to the cashier and buy a drink like everyone else? Nope, he goes and knocks on the order counter and waits instead, choosing to remain impassive behind those dark shades of his.
No one ever gets a break now, huh?
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 2:45 am
"I'm glad that you agree." Not only was there a sigh of relief, but a defensive and reflexive rubbing at her wrists alternately until she noticed what she was unintentionally doing. Though the handcuffs themselves were only a precursor to the true source of her concern, which manifested itself in the form of seals and wards. How else to capture someone that could simply phase through walls or portal away, after all? Though it wasn't long before her focus was drawn back to her concern over the comfort and safety of her temporary ward. "Could always carry you around in a sling, if you like," was her suggestion, and seriously so. Most would jump at the opportunity to have some fun with the idea of carrying him around in something that was meant for a baby, but of course her mind had already made the jump to far dreamier and noble thoughts. "Though there are few places safer for you than these arms~" Perhaps in a different situation he'd be inclined to disagree with her. But for the time being, either choice was better than something like a pram.
Her self-inflicted distraction left her mind forgetful of what else she'd meant to confute at first, but the sudden clarity in her eyes showed that it hadn't taken her long to remember. "And there is so a point to your inclusion to social bathing," she stated, both pleading and pouting simultaneously. Only to have flustered herself in the next moment, as it was obvious that she was fond of the idea and had already given it quite enough thought. "And it's not... it's not just due to impure intentions!" And while it was obvious that she was into him, and pretty much everything about him, it was doubtful that what she had implied had occurred to him at all. Though that suddenly flushed face lent itself well to the bashful look that followed, index finger at her cheekbone as she indicated towards the part of her face that was seldom uncovered. "It's trust." A shy smile showed that she didn't mistake his level of comfort as mistrust, though she could hardly blame him if he was slow to trust either. Old habits died hard, and misplaced trust was difficult to recover from.
Downstairs was a situation entirely apart from the saccharine ongoings above, with a mop of pink and black hair rising from behind the counter as if rising from a tomb. "Whooo. Isss. Ittt." The gravestone grey eyes brimming with suspicion that ended up fixed upon the strange man hardly helped matters. But her feigned intimidation was quick to break once she noticed that whoever the person was, it wasn't her intended prey. And even with all the creepy crawlies she tended to keep company with, it was probably difficult to really be afraid of someone so twee and candy-colored despite her nonhuman features. So with her focus broken and her usual stoicism back in tact, she addressed him once more. "What I meant to say was, was there something you needed?" Coffee maybe, but her mind was still geared towards fending off any intrusions from what she'd interpreted as a delicate state of her important person. She'd been told to go home. But she didn't necessarily have to stay there, right? She'd spent too long in the protective care of others to leave it at that, especially with her restless feelings that wouldn't leave her be. So there she was, regarded awkwardly and politely by the employees as the owner's strange progeny, using the counter to function as a questionably spooky jack in the box in an attempt to ward the bad guys away from her mother. The family strangeness was definitely surfacing in her.
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 11:29 pm
"... Impure... what?" The mop of messy hair popped out a little of the tin, the lone red eye regarding her with confusion. Was bathing not an activity to get clean? How would one be... oh, she wouldn't be pouring mud or honey or some other liquid that was not pure water into her bath, right? Right? The eye looked away, trying not to imagine what else she might put into her bathtub. "You say the strangest things, Ama." And it was not like he thought the strangest things, nope. How would someone fill a tub with trust? It certainly was not a distillable liquid, was it? Figuratively? How? Ah, he should stop, yes?
"Okay, okay. Arms it is." He sighed. No getting around to her, then. She's won this time, let her have her way for once. Getting strapped to her like a bag or being made like a carry-on caterpillar, naaah. He climbed out of the tin, flopping onto the ground and leaving a white cloud of dust on her floor. Oops. Looks like she was not the only one that would need a bath. "... Sorry, I'll clean the floor once I'm done," muttered the now completely-white doll. "And I'll clean myself up too, yes." Next tin, next tin! Even if there's no visible change other than colour!
Oh, it's not every day that a denizen of the creepy hospital would get out-creeped by someone outside of it! The man hastily bit down on any expression of shock that decided to show, his mouth pulled into a light frown and one eyebrow adding on the wrinkles in its ascent. "....... No. I was wondering if you've seen... Ahh," he paused, holding up a hand that was way too tall for the person he was intending it for, "someone around this height, with red hair, maybe." Was it Miyabi's oddness that was making him sound so uncertain or was it just the fleeting glances of the person in question he could only refer from?
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 3:58 am
Oop, now he'd done it. What surfaced was far from blistering fury, but was enough to manifest itself in frustrated trembling and a low groan of irritation. "Physical intimacy," she blurted out, already thinking through how she'd defrost him if the inevitable happened yet again. Would a change of wording make a difference at all? Regardless, her wording was stiff as she continued. "But that's far from the primary intention and benefit. The trust is implied, due to a lack of armaments and revelation of self." An exasperated sigh showed her continued lack of anger, but the hurt in her voice was increasingly more audible as she continued to speak. "Just because you don't understand something, doesn't make it 'strange.'" She managed to stumble over to the counter to finally retrieve a lighter and some cigarettes, retreating to the sofa and out of his line of sight once she had. "Just because you're uninterested in doing those things with me doesn't mean you have to torture me over it." It was unlike her to let her doubts surface so readily, but he'd gone a little too far with the fragility of her feelings. She could deal with it as an unspoken fact of the matter. Having what she interpreted as it flaunted in her face, not so much. The rabbit crawled out of her pocket as she lied on her back, settling in against her stomach as she smoked. Even if she could accept her situation, it wasn't done with ease.
Her devotee, however, seemed to have the upper hand in her own situation. "Heh." She seemed satisfied with the reaction she'd gotten, the vertical slit of her pupils dilating some as her eyes lidded over a little. Even her prim but sharp smile emphasized her lack of humanity, delicately elongated canines still quite visible within the shadow of her mouth. The mention of red hair was enough to twist her mouth into a grimace, obviously distrusting what intentions such a person might have. How irritating! It didn't even seem to be a sort of person she could threaten to scrap as she would to any meddling android. She made the attempt to play it off as lacking significance though, casually moving her head from side to side some as she avoided revealing too much too soon. "What interest would you have in finding a person like that?" She could only expect more antagonism, as that what she'd laid in wait to prevent in the first place. The abundantly blunt Miyabi saw no harm in making her observations and the resulting expectations perfectly clear. "I'm sure you're aware that without your intentions fully expressed, you'll be assumed to want to cause that person harm." The mumbles of those dead and inhuman that surrounded her invisibly could be heard more easily as their restless voices raised some to echo her concern. The voices were more numerous than they usually were, but she'd arrived prepared for the worst. And while her intent was to conserve her energy, the faintest monstrous hiss could be heard as something quite sizable began to flicker above her, filling a decent amount of the high ceiling as it did. While it hadn't been intentional, she looked to be content with the effect it might lend to her words. "So you'd best be doing so if you've any hope of finding what you seek. And from there, I can decide just whether or not you'll be successful." So very much for a presumably innocent inquiry! But to her so much was at stake, and with someone she'd seek to protect at any cost.
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Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 6:36 am
"Oh."
Silence.
No ice, but icy silence.
"Oh, like allowing someone to operate on themselves, is that it."
Nope, he clearly didn't get it. Or if, in the unlikely chance he actually did, none of the usual symptoms are appearing. "... Come on, it's not like..." Yeah, return her blurting with more blurting. Not like she didn't already have physical intimacy via hugs and cuddles on a semi-regular basis already. Fuel the situation more, why doesn't he? "... It's not like you can't get that intimacy outside of the bathroom." Ah, it came out wrong. Try again. No, he'll just dig a bigger grave, he should leave it at that. No fretting! Don't show her that frowny face or she'll know!
Ah, there was no one to advise on the next course of action. Okay, how would he go about settling this? He had to, right? Surely his skull wasn't so dense that the atmosphere couldn't get in. "... If it really bothers you, then I guess you could just put me in a separate tub. But no putting me in water that anyone else is going to use, alright?" Hm, it was a lot harder to learn without someone guiding him 24/7. No, don't think about that now. Now's not the time.
He should scold the errant little surgeon for dabbling with people like these, yes. But that would be making him out to be a kettle. Nevertheless, her display of intimidation certainly hit the mark. Steady that tone, don't want her to think he's scared now, okay? "No. I just want to ask her about someone. Er... A friend of hers." Nah, she would know he's unsettled at least, since he involuntarily stepped back from the counter. Oops. Never mind, he should just continue with his inquiry. "I'm looking for her friend, he's supposed to be at work now. Thought he might come here." The lie rolled off his tongue as easy as milk, but the truth was ah, far less presentable, then again. A quick glance around showed that no, there was no truant mop in the seating areas, neither were there any too-obvious signs of suddenly-vacated seats or drinks. Right, he should deal with the er, creepy little lady first. "Is either of them here?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2015 2:12 am
His decision to pacify her allowed the related trauma to take hold of her, sensation all too similar to strangulation as her true eye dilated in her fright. "No! It's not, it's not that--" she managed to choke out, before crushing her cigarette in an ashtray and rushing over to his side. Her rabbit friend had ended up unintentionally relocated in the process, falling harmlessly on to the sofa once more. Being near him was enough to soothe Amarante, even with the less familiar form he had and the mess he'd made. She sat just outside of his area of disarray, breathing continuing to slow to a more normal pace as she continued to calm down. And as much as she wanted to assure him with touches and with what she meant as closeness, between the heavy mood and the fact that she'd just gotten back from a bath made it absolutely the wrong time to do so. So with a short sigh and her fingers wringing at the part of the robe just above her knees, she decided to try to make amends with him with words.
"Erhard. You've been forced to compromise for my sake, and more than just once. I know that much." It was terrible to have to admit it. The shame of it all was practically hanging from her face. But even if the result had been relatively innocent, it'd still been his sacrifice every time. And that it had all progressed to the point at hand, well. She couldn't stand for it. "But that's too far. It's too much to ask of you, if you don't actually want to do it." Even with as selfish as she'd been, the very idea of it caused her great distress. He could probably surmise what would come next, but she saw no harm in repeating it. "As much as I'd like you to return them, my feelings aren't conditional. By your side is where I want to be, forever. And sharing everything I can with you is just part of that. But you need to realize that you can say 'no' at any time. Though..." She shifted in her seat some, looking to be uncomfortable with admitting why she'd reacted the way she had. "There will always be emotion involved with those actions and questions, so it can hurt when you don't take that into consideration." Some sort of nice thoughts seemed to have filled her head after that, head tilted to the side with heavily lidded eyes as she mumbled the last of her concerns. "I hope the petting and embraces are still all right. I..." She bit her lip before continuing, voice faltering with some humor when she did. "Heh. I treasure them." One born as a monster that had inherited too much emotion, and one born as a human that had inherited too little. The resulting misunderstandings were bound to continue cropping up from time to time, but she'd no intention of giving up on him in any fashion whatsoever.
The spookier one's resolve was letting up some, though, mostly out of confusion than anything else. Attempting a bluff asking why the man might've thought he'd find them together would be without merit. Even if there hadn't been much said or visual evidence, Amarante's insistence was enough to make that connection obvious. But Miyabi had only seen the one without the likelihood of her leaving to get the other, so she didn't quite understand why he'd think they were together at that point. Maybe he wouldn't be happy with the resolution she'd come to, but she considered it to be quite the fair one. She pulled her phone from her bag as she presented her intentions without yet taking the action she was about to propose. "How all right are you with your picture being taken?" Probably not at all, but it wasn't as if she'd actually done anything just yet. "For the purposes of research, you understand. To let them see. Better to pass the decision along to those it pertains to, after all." And even if the one that received the image wouldn't recognize the person and instead feel inclined to protectively lie, if the other was in fact there and did recognize him maybe things would turn out for the best. She had to think so, anyway, and considered it to be quite the generous gesture on her part. "Maybe they won't cooperate, but a show of good will couldn't hurt." Who was to say if that person could be trusted. The disembodied voices quieted to whispers as she waited for an answer.
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 1:59 am
Eh? But it had worked before! Or did he phrase it wrongly? Why was she...? Confusing, confusing. "But I said no to sharing water only. And sharing tubs. And towels. And soap. Does soap count?" One would probably question the kind of hygiene routine he was used to in the hospital, but nah.
Okay, today he had better commit that to memory. "So in decision making processes, I am to consider both emotional responses and logical outcomes before arriving at a conclusion. Duly noted." Ah, she had helped out with that longtime dilemma now. "That means in this problem, there would be four responses from two people, disregarding any extra guests. Therefore, the two things to be considered here would be..." And off rambling to himself, pacing around in a little circle and leaving a trail of milk powder for her to clean up. So efficient.
So what was his answer? Undiluted, without a second opinion to sway it any which way. Which made it harder ironically. ".... Then my answer is no. I'm sorry, Ama." Funnily enough, his voice was lacking in that usual determination for these kinds of questions and answers. "As much as I trust you to clean up thoroughly afterwards, I still don't trust myself enough to avoid turning the bath into a soapy glacier." An awkward pause. Yep, maybe he should just leave the jokes for a conversation less serious. How did the 'lighten the mood' thing work again?
Ah, this girl. Of course she'd like the cuddling. What kind of person likes cuddling an ice block, he'd ne - no, he knew the answer, and it had been drilled in many, many times now. Okay. ".... Always clean yourself thoroughly after, or I'll do it for you. Basic hygiene protocol for coming into contact with any biological hazards," he huffed. The too-serious face certainly made the threat of rough scrubbing a lot more severe than it should be.
Immediately, the man shook his head. "Not alright by me, but also not necessary. If they are really not here, then..." Then what? He glanced at the door, pursing his mouth for a while. Then a decision would have to be made, without one rather important person's presence. Which would end up in more heartless work, even more restrictions laid out, and...
"... Then I'll just have to hope she returns him soon, if she found him," he finished with a sigh. "I can't force it. Got warned as much, anyway. Thank you for your cooperation." For a simple search, it sure sounded very depressing. But it was clear to him, if the redhead had not come here after her little stint at the hospital, there was no other place that he could search for either of them. Purpose technically fulfilled, he started walking towards the door.
"Oh. And," he paused, just before leaving, "if they do come back, please do me a favor and inform them that the cleaning duties will be taken care of in his absence. Thank you, miss."
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2015 7:06 am
His confusion was understandable, as she'd gotten as she'd wanted. It was obvious just how high her level of discomfort had gotten though, as she had pulled her limbs in as tightly as she could to make herself as small as possible. "The cost is too high, if getting my way has made you unhappy." Trembling some due to her tightened muscles, her head hung some as she continued. "Sometimes I ask for too much, and sometimes I don't think things through. But..." Her usually bright and bold voice became dim and distant at that moment, unhappy to have to show him a glimpse of the darkness that hung over her but still willing to let him see. "I've had my own will stripped from me too often and too severely to perpetrate it myself. Especially towards you. No, never. Never." Eyes shut tightly as she finally shook off that feeling for the time being, with a sigh she began to relax again. Her own issues seemed so insignificant in comparison to his. Bothering him with them was something she'd rather just avoid if at all possible.
Watching him pace and think certainly didn't hurt matters, even if he was expanding his area of mess. "Eheh." Doing nothing out of the ordinary or special, and yet being what she saw as adorable as well. And as expected, she'd been declined. And yet, she couldn't look more happy about it. "That's all right," she answered, voice practically dancing with sunbeams in its warmth. With a slow and understanding nod, she admitted what she'd surmised all along. "I'd resigned myself to that reality, for the same reason." It wasn't something she felt depressed over, though, instead smiling lightly as she considered the possibilities. "Maybe someday. But, maybe not. And even then, that would still be okay." She was definitely being both sweet and sappy about it, but honest as well. Being with him was what really mattered to her, even if she might still ask for a little more and mess up at times.
Keeping herself from pouncing on and likely flattening him was so very difficult at that point, and ultimately she sat on her hands for a moment to keep herself rooted to that spot. Wouldn't stop her emotions from being showcased within her eyes though, both incredibly bright for a moment before shifting downwards to reflect how grateful she was. "Th... thank you." And while his situation was regarded with the utmost of seriousness, his threats hardly had the effect he'd wanted them to. "Being scrubbed by you is hardly something I would consider unpleasant, but irresponsibility is not an option with you." Well, she'd confirmed as he'd wanted even if the way she'd done it was a little weird. To be expected, perhaps. A helpless shrug followed, palms extended forth in a show of submission. "I listened to you even when I had less reason to, remember? I did." Back before a lingering curiosity had developed into that pesky thing called love, and back when she had little regard for her own safety. There'd been nothing more than small considerations then, but any bit of care was a lot for someone who'd had none. Not unlike feeding a stray cat who'd then decided to stay, even if that cat was more insistent and monstrous than expected.
With a curious head tilt, she decided to address the last of the issues on her mind. "Can I help you clean? Draw you a bath? We still need to polish up your appearance as well, but that can wait until morning." She was definitely allowing him to procrastinate, even if she knew the process was painless.
"If you'd really wanted to see them, you might've tried to compromise," was the retort that slapped at the man's back. Nope, not above scolding even total strangers. The wrist that held her phone had become slack, and what was obviously irritation had occupied that incredibly pale face. "Your purpose must not have been a very important one if you've given up so easily." Both frightened then harassed about the decision he'd made. Unquestionably she was quite the tenacious one, expecting everyone else to meet her high standards. And even if she presented herself as a nearly impassable obstacle, perhaps he could consider himself lucky that she wasn't actually the one he'd ultimately have to deal with. "If your parting message is all you'd like to pass along, that's all very well. But even without an image a vague physical description or similar coded message relaying just who you are would do just as well." Was he someone merely following orders, or was he someone taking a great personal risk to be there? Whatever the reason was, her reasoning was candid but something she considered just. "We're not unreasonable creatures, but we've been given little reason to trust." The elder could at least transform herself in order to make her life a little easier. The younger was not so lucky. Perhaps in that way her refusal of anything but absolutes was something she considered justified, asserting control over some elements in her life she'd been denied in others. "Leave if you like. But will it really be all right, not knowing?" As uncompromising as the point was, it was still a valid one as well.
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Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2015 8:39 pm
Yeah, better not break it to her that the only time imaginable that he could get into a bath with someone else, not just her, in it would probably mean that he was either now dead and haunting her or dead anyway. No no, don't get any id - but there's no one to get ideas! "I'm really sorry, Ama. But surely there are other ways of ahem, socializing if need be. I think we've been doing fine so far, even without baths." He'd question just why she would even listen when he wasn't using the excuses of 'doctor's orders' but - hey no wait he knew the answer. Correcting himself now, this was going to take a bit getting used to. "True," he replied, with the unsaid 'but you shouldn't have', as always. "But those aren't a bother. Not really. Well, since I don't have any work to do, you can't bother me now, is that how it goes? Or you can't not bother me? Um." Round and round that little head goes! "... You get the idea. As long as I'm not working, and as long as you remember to clean yourself up afterwards. We should be just fine like that." As it had always been since throwing cans and curses, so vanilla.
"... Ah." Only now does he look down, after treading enough white prints to pass off for a fairy ring. Good thing he had a nice layer of white on his face, otherwise the blush would have stood out again! He briefly considered grabbing a rag to clean - no, he'd have to walk, and that would make a bigger mess. "I think I'll finish up first, then I'll take care of the cleaning. Sorry about the floor!" Off he dived into the tin again, and more puffs of powder scattered onto the ground around him. Genius-level of priorities, that.
The first thing the man thought of was that he was too old for any of this. The second was about his charge's innate ability to somehow end up with the difficult ones. Might as well entertain her with an answer, he was not dying to go get some uncertain form of disappointment either. Enough with the sighing and turn around! "Not really. But I've been trying not to meddle in their personal life, and handing you a photo, or waiting around, would be deemed as a breach of trust." Always with the trust issues, all these people. Surely she'd relate better then. "If they haven't been here, surely there must be a reason why. As much as I'd like to, I know I shouldn't pry into it." Like he had not figured it out already, with the amount of times the surgeon was late due to having 'extended coffee runs', or the stone-silent wreck that walked in shortly after a payload of boxes got delivered outside the office.
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2015 6:54 am
Despite her status as one of the few with the capability to maintain a physical relationship with a ghost, it certainly wasn't a thought she'd cheerily entertain if it had been expressed to her. But it hadn't, and she was far too caught up with what he'd actually said anyway. If not for his tiny size reminding her both that he'd gone through a lot over the past few days and it'd make for an entirely too weird sort of experience, he might find himself dangerously close to being kissed yet again. And nevermind the imagined images that flashed in her mind all at once, or the heartbeat that had suddenly jumped to her throat. At last they were honestly discussing the issue like the adults they in fact were, despite the ever-deepening shade of red that had settled into her face. "In time," was all she could manage to get out in response to that perplexing bit of phrasing that she in all likelihood was completely misinterpreting. Besides, she'd already expressed interest in her interpretation many a time. And he was both being open and yet still very much being what she understood as himself. Deliberately pushing him to the point of freezing would be too cruel and just out of the consideration for the emotionally worn little redhead. That withered semblance of a heart had definitely swelled as a result of those understated and practical words, though. So in spite of his words having no special emphasis to them, of course she'd end up sitting there with a vulnerable look in her eyes while batting her eyelashes at him all the while anyway. With a content sigh she repeated a bit of her usual mischief at him. "I'll hold you to that." Clinging to him at that point would've added a nice touch to her words, though the reality of the present situation would've either left him squished or had her hitting her head on the box and its tins. So, better to keep that nice scene within her mind for the time being, though she did have a little more sentiment for him. "I feel safe, when I'm close to you." No need to ruin that nice thought with what they both knew very well. That fleeting illusion of safety was too fragile and precious to be constantly crushed with the truth.
She stifled a bit of a laugh. So covered in a presumably edible substance, and yet still so tiny and awkwardness-inducing! More lavishly intimate ideas to keep to herself, then. Amused comments weren't out of the question, though. "Self-sufficient as always, I see~" Wasn't any helping it, even with his currently tiny state. Couldn't force him to take any help, after all.
At the very least the man had been spared the tantrum he'd likely expected, getting a face full of confusion instead. "I don't get it. You're already prying but you draw the line at getting actual confirmation?" Perhaps the level of tact and consideration he was showing was something unfamiliar to goal-minded Miyabi. After some obvious hesitation, she reluctantly said a little of what she knew. "I couldn't say if they're together at this time." She really couldn't. Had he shown up after she'd left? The connection between what she'd tried to acquire for the lab and the strange man in question wasn't being made at all. "But seeing as you've showed up here, you're likely to already know that she'd want to rescue him if at all possible." He didn't seem to have shown up for any violent purpose, and it seemed odd to physically hunt for all of a missing employee. She couldn't understand it, though without a threat of violence it was hardly fun to try to frighten him more to change his tune. In a huff she finally just tried to helpful, though far from friendly exactly. "If all you want is your message passed along, I suppose that will have to be fine. Adults who don't use phones, hmph." No longer a teenager, but hardly the most mature of deities either.
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Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 8:51 pm
Couldn't he wait? Just a moment, for her to enjoy the her feelings? Nope, he goes to shoo her along for her trip. "And shouldn't you continue with your packing?" He couldn't be the only hyper-efficient one in the place, could he? Maybe with just a little nagging... "I don't know how your portals work, but I don't want to assume that you aren't packing simply because you can walk back in here whenever you need to." Like why she even needed a plane in the first place if she could just walk there. But there was a time to be thinking that, and now certainly wasn't it. At least he had nothing to pack, he had basically nothing at the moment. To depend on someone yet again, oh well. One day, he just might despise it.
Back to milk powder! Go! Shoo!
Another one that would complain about protocol, yep. Whatever was the runaway charge getting into? But maybe she didn't know. Fair enough, no one went around proclaiming the lack of their freedom anyway. "Last I saw her, she was going to. I just need to know if she has, and if she has, where he is. If she hasn't, then in case they come back here, you've already gotten something to pass along." And that was already too much information to give. Chances are, she'd latch onto his words and they'd switch roles in this interrogation session. So he had better get on out of there before she did! Just open the door and go! Go!
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Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 3:48 am
Without so much as a word beforehand, she quickly and rigidly walked a straight path over to the smaller sterilizer and placed it within the bag she'd brought. "I'm packed," was her conclusion, looking to feel as if she'd been scolded if the look of shame she was trying to hide was of any indication. That shame was quick to degrade to irritation as she gritted her teeth. "Tch. If only I hadn't been forced to make that promise to that stubborn retainer, that I wouldn't tarnish the legacy of the master through my various magical shortcuts. Teleporting right in would be breaking that promise." And back to shame. A practical person such as himself couldn't possibly understand, right? Well, she'd have to admit it anyway. "Perhaps it's absurd, to still be keeping a promise to someone long since dead." That head that'd ended up hanging looked to him placidly, tiny and engorging himself as he was. "Maybe... it's time to put a little more focus upon the living." There was an alternate path to do just that, and once she'd mustered her courage she sought to voice that intention. "There is a way to both avoid flying and keep my promise, if you're up to it. Change our point of entry, and take a train from there. Less privacy, but also less documentation that we're in the country." It seemed inevitable that he'd question why she hadn't said so sooner, and she wasn't looking forward to further scolding. "...Sorry." He had every right to be upset at her, hadn't he? And many a reason. And while she couldn't excuse the selfishness that had led everything along from the start, she could at least explain the reasoning there'd been for not providing a redirection earlier. "I've always tended to keep those places separate. Somewhere I'd live if I weren't rooted here, and somewhere that equates to sacred ground. Some place I run to, and some place I can never get away from." Not to mention, the very same place she'd ran to in the midst of the past year's romantic turmoil. Tilting her head to one side prior to being drawn over to retrieve the rabbit, she affirmed the optional path as she took a seat upon the sofa once again. "We can move over immediately if you like, and still take off in the morning." At least she could pet at that soft little bunny while she awaited the verdict she'd receive.
Something had occurred to the guard downstairs, and she'd nearly blurted it out as it came to her. "It's like--" Even if Miyabi's suspicions seemed to be formed from a solid basis, there was no need for her to be openly expressing what she'd observed as the truth. The resulting frown wasn't so easily as hidden though, showing clearly that she was troubled by the connection she'd made. Coincidental, wasn't it? Definitely one of those situations that her self-appointed uncle would look all too knowing over. Maybe she was wrong. But that someone who'd already had a hard lot in life would be able to find someone similarly burdened, seemingly almost with ease? The choice between a laugh and a sigh would be a difficult one, in that case. But from one monitor to what she assumed as another, she felt the need to try to get the point across to him once again, without exposing either's interest. "Umm. Maybe a theory isn't good as confirmation, and maybe the intentions involved don't matter. But if she's found him... she knows she can't keep him. It would be more difficult for both of them to try to run away, so I can't imagine she'd try." Right? Even with Amarante's history of crime and overall misbehavior, she'd been showing a greater understanding of responsibility since she'd met that doctor. "If she hasn't found him, she will. If she has, she won't let him out of her sight until he's eventually returned." Keeping an eye on things by proxy wasn't much, but. A disembodied voice seemed to sleepily make a sound of agreement as Miyabi shrugged with one shoulder before the man slipped away. "It's something." Those with situations that had gone awry, and those that had to look after them. For Miyabi it was a responsibility she'd taken on willingly, though a feeling of obligation certainly still lingered.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 11:26 pm
"N-No, that's alright. We can take the plane." Oddly sharp response, but she didn't know that trains had a rather odd habit of ending up in the worst places. Take the plane, yes, that's much safer. The diagnostician can't touch planes, they didn't need tunnels. But other than that! "That's alright. You could consider that tradition, then. And it's alright to respect the wishes of the dead." Yeah, like he'd know, working with ghosts and the like. One wrong step and it's food-fight eternal or a head's worth of sass. Then again, not like he was the best person to consult about that, having clung on to dead people all the way up till now.
He should let go. They're not even around to annoy him at the moment, but their mark was still around all the same. He sighed. No, no getting mopey again. Cram another handful of milk powder before anything else happens.
Might as well, anyway. Consider it practice or something? Not like the pinches and scrapes they were getting into would lighten up anytime soon, so why not. "... If there was a kind of transport that didn't violate your promise and keep documentation to a minimum, I'd gladly take it. But since there isn't, your promise comes first." Just like him to not mind, when the person giving up things was himself. But eh, the stoic face staring back at her was doing a good job of hiding any resent, if there even was any. Hard to tell with this one, even with the inversely proportionate law of size and expressiveness.
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 6:46 am
While he received a quizzical look in return for his stuttered answer, it seemed that there'd be no questions over it. "All right." Her focus was quickly captured by the fact that her confession hadn't provoked a negative reaction, after all. And again she elected to initially react with only quiet, light happiness expressed through some bouncing in her seat as she smiled. "I'm glad that... that you don't think it's strange." Perhaps the meaning she'd gleaned from what was said hadn't even been implied exactly as she'd interpreted it, but. Close enough.
After taking a moment to quietly relocate herself to the bed, she continued to watch him from that closer viewpoint. His consumption of the powder was definitely something outside of her understanding. But she found the way in which he actively rebuilt himself rather admirable. Certainly, her own equivalent seemed lazy and inefficient in comparison. Once her head had shaken away that potential exasperation, she could better take in what he'd said. Somehow it sounded a little like resignation, even if there was no way she could be sure about it outside of asking. And it was probably better to flop on her side instead of trying to pick at his brain matter and risking upsetting him. Instead that inherent need to comfort simmered over, in the form of sleepily mumbled words. "If I thought that stealing you away from everyone and everything would help, I'd do just that. But it won't, so..." Her irresponsible thoughts had already been framed within responsible words, so he hadn't even had the chance to be worried that she'd try something. But of course she couldn't leave it just at that, going full force into her expected bold statement. "I'll never stop wanting to help you, though, even if..." Rolling over to her stomach did poorly as an attempt to hide herself. A frustrated little sigh indicated that she understood, even if she didn't like what came next. "Even if that means leaving you be." Her face ended up turning mostly into the mattress as she mumbled a selfish request though, eyes suddenly bleary. "Please don't make me go away, though. Please don't leave me alone." Hand hiding the rest of her face, she could only be quiet over that terrible possibility. It hurt to even consider.
Embarrassed by what she considered to be a childish plea, her flushed face shot back up to try to fumble to another subject. "Ready for bed? I mean." Thumbs twiddling and face filled with uncertainty, it was obvious that she felt she'd failed already. "Well. Being that your box is a mess, and..." He'd already said that he was going to clean up, hadn't he? Back her face went to the mattress, clearly having surrendered for that night. "I can find you a pillow. Yes."
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