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Sleepy face mashed into her hand thoughtfully rather than out of embarrassment that time, she continued to observe him for little reason more than the fact that she could. Little emotion to see as ever, and definitely engrossed in his task at hand. Likely to be seen as uninteresting to anyone outside of his present company, who was naturally caught up in what few words he'd given her. "I see." He didn't have to explain himself. The understanding was enough. To her it was everything, even if the coincidences that'd led to it were far from pleasant or healthy a great deal of the time. The wall that'd been constructed between them before they'd so much as met seemed especially cruel, in that way. Who'd gotten him into hunting the supernatural anyway? And who'd decided that some spiritual creatures were more worthy of esteem of others?

And being that she was already at the precipice of pouting, it wasn't much of a jump to what her next humbled statement entailed. "Which is exactly the problem, and why it will never not be a worry." She couldn't help but smile over their rotten luck, even if with the frustration that was involved. But it was never a burden, and just part of their daily routine as far as she was concerned. What came next, well. She was happy enough, and that was what mattered. "Thank you." She hadn't asked for any promises she knew he couldn't give, after all. Outside factors aside what assurance she could get was certainly very soothing, as she further relaxed as she lied there.

"But... !" Only to resist some upon being told to sleep, despite the pawing and knuckling at her eyes involved in her attempt to look more awake. That resistance was short-lived though, as with a sigh her reclined position was resumed quickly enough. "Okay." There were some signs of intentions to prepare herself, but ultimately the drowsiness won out. Not without her having the last word though, as soft and airy as it ended up being. "Goodnight... dearest." Definitely sloppy, falling asleep outside of her covers without so much as washing her face or even changing out of her robe. But definitely happy, falling asleep with a peaceful smile upon her face.

For the tiny figure of a person that'd managed to curl herself into a ball as much as was possible for a humanoid form, it was simple to unconsciously ignore the first few utterances of her name. And why not, after all, being that she was a world away in a dream of what perhaps both of them would consider a 'better' reality. Her unconscious mind wasn't so creative as to make guesses at what differences they might have in careers if life had been more kind to them, but the usuals minus the usual nightmares was enough for her to take comfort in. Same jobs, same personalities, same extrapolated situation despite her mind's intentional removal of the many unpleasant factors that had led to those results. Understandable if hopeless wishing. But perhaps most unusually, the whole of that alternate world casually hinged itself upon an idea that in its stereotypical nature was radical for her. Despite any of the assumptions that could be made about her, one was consistently never true. Why would she? Only the strangest of flukes could prompt her into thinking gaining any sense of humanity would be a good idea. But under the assumption that his humanity was in tact, why not?

Her ears catching the sound of a familiar voice was enough to finally pull her from her incredibly ordinary imaginings. Though what she'd expected to find upon awakening and what was actually there were two different things entirely. Just what was she looking at? In her rush to react she'd managed to forget that what she'd assembled as a general understanding of him had been completely changed, but what she was faced with was more than just his currently small form. How to react? It was forever a moral dilemma, with him. True to her word she'd accept any form he took, but being too supportive of qualities that he himself was unlikely to be happy with would be little better than reacting with horror.

So, curiosity it was. A cautious hand reached out, even if it hesitated. He didn't seem to be enthused to be touched regardless, more or less in an effort where she could be contaminating herself when she should be readying herself instead. "How did--" Only to be forcibly reminded of her barely dressed state, outstretched arm pulling the rest of the robe loose. With a reactionary stumble she was up, hands clutched over the robe to recover herself and every visible part of her tinged with pink. She wouldn't wait around for a reaction though, taking a few steps backward into the closet and closing the door afterwards. What was to be accomplished from such an action was uncertain. And while perhaps his own personal brand of strangeness hadn't been met, it'd certainly found competent company with hers.

What reappeared might've been strange indeed, if the suddenly-fully-dressed creature in question hadn't been known to portal away at her slightest convenience. But even so, she'd tried her best to play her 'part' in the scenario, with varying results. The too-long hair she'd been hesitant to cut yet had been partially braided back, revealing a large black flower earring upon the exposed ear. A black zipper dress might not've been unusual for her, but the white collared shirt and black plaid underskirt underneath just might've been. And just who wore gartered stockings and a cardigan in the same outfit anyway? Though full of visual disparities as usual... the extra effort only made her match up with the intended 'child' all the more, didn't it? And though an attempted look of indifference had started to form upon that still-red face, her efforts to play off just how affected her feelings for him left her were for naught. A better look at what he'd become just made that struggling face fill with red all over again! "C-cute..." With any luck, the lack of decent lighting at that moment and her mumbling would spare her some embarrassment and scorn. The more cute variables of his appearance didn't deprecate the rest of his person to her, after all. As per usual she hadn't fully prepared herself for the consequences of her actions, however, and the pretense she'd entered was intoxicating to a point past any she could've imagined. Reality wouldn't be lost to her, but the clarity of one point wasn't either. His child, her child, that was practically a clone of him. She hadn't the strength to resist associating her daydreams with what was staring her in the face right there.

"Hour. We should be there in an hour. Yes." How silently thankful she was, to be anchored into reality with questions she needed to answer. He was probably used to that dazed weird look of hers that'd surface every now and then by that time, right? And she wasn't even the one having to regenerate bodily matter, yet her voice was reduced to breathless squeaks all the same. "Don't be silly!" From the silliest voice ever. Clearing her throat helped. Sort of. "I should be providing for you, after all... especially now." Rather than pity those words took on warmth, presenting her desire to fill her role properly. Which hooked her mind into decadent thoughts again, though with wobbly limbs she was determined to continue on as she'd planned. However she managed to maintain her composition in spite of the room spinning, she managed to make it the short distance over to present her phone to him. "I think this is for you." The usual short back and forths of two people that spoke often but hadn't much to say were there, with something else that stood out as a little out of the ordinary.


She'd left him to digest the meaning of the message in peace, digging out a small black box with what looked to be some trepidation. Whatever it was, unsteady hands made it to be almost dropped at first pass. Stiffly putting the box aside, facing off with the nearby mirror as necessity demanded only deepened that uncertainty. Would it fit? Wasn't as if she'd grown since. But would it fit. The remembered motions were in play before she'd realized, leaving her with only the final result. A black oval of silicone covered the sensitive part of her face, much more sleekly than eyepatches could. The ornate decoration that held it in place was distinctive enough that perhaps even he could recognize it; the stylized marking of a wadjet eye. So much more of her face was showing. Whether it was good or bad, the feeling seizing up in her chest begged for a quick reversal. Which was quickly rejected as, even in her insecurity, she turned to him with a smile. "What... what do you think?"

What began as a blank stare quickly turned itself over into an appreciative, if small, smile. She could hear compliments from anyone, and she hadn't expected them from him. That practical and concerned nature would always been something she saw as care, which meant much more. She'd already decided long ago, anyway. Being that way towards most everyone didn't negate that he was caring towards her. Though some displeasure began to surface upon her face, most certainly related to the words that followed. "It adheres through the silicone, and... enchantment." Simple enough. But it was more than a little old; older than a 'silicone' probably could be. And using magical items wasn't exactly her style either. "My father helped me make it." The crux of the matter; the man of illogical qualities, and for her, much irritation. Busying herself in some methodical and attention free packing was a temporary relief. She could be baffled over just what she'd packed for herself later. Though it wasn't long before she offered an explanation for the sudden change, before any sort of 'why' could be asked. "I don't mind it. As much. Acknowledging that I'm different." They weren't boldly defiant words or even just disdainfully indifferent ones as they could've been a short while ago. No special attention paid to it, not even so much as making a point to look his way as she made that quiet admission. Just sunnily keeping at her tasks, smiling as she did so. "Egg sandwiches? Tomato? Omelette!" It was unclear whether she was asking what he wanted or intending to make them all simply because she could, all the while enjoying the ideas of food more than she was paying attention to what she was doing.

Only to be stopped up by having him acknowledge that tomato face of hers. A moment of quiet passed, though from the look of peaceful face that turned towards him afterwards it hadn't been spent in apprehension. The flushed quality of her face still in tact, but eye full of bright determination. "Erhard. Can I tell you a secret?" No teasing tones, and no hints of worry either. He hadn't much luck but from the looks of it, it was neither a horrifyingly embarrassing nor a deep dark secret. The deeply affectionate look of the eye upon his person probably wasn't all that assuring of what might come of his answer, though.

His words were both as practical and appreciated by her as ever. One might've thought her affection-addled brain interpreted his comments as compliments. But no, that quiet admiration was a result of what she took as him feeling comfortable enough to speak freely. Her aesthetics were fairly simple, as her chipper explanation detailed well enough. "It's part of my heritage, after all." Of which the details were obscured to her, but of which she had never really questioned either. Any sort of existential crisis was far from her mind at that moment though, all too eager to be flirty and unsettling over even things like eye patches. "The other one has the wide strap. I've taken it off in front of you before, you know~" She had to privately lament that, that the unlikely situation of he himself removing it from her person had never taken place. Though while shrugging over her unspoken words, the sight in the mirror was jarring enough to bring her back to reality with quickness. One anxious stare later and index finger met bridge of the nose sheepishly, rubbing at the dappling of freckles there that hadn't been seen in quite some time.

That lingering insecurity provided some ease to swooping in and scooping him up before he could toddle away. He'd have to get used to it, right? She didn't linger before proceeding to take him with her to the kitchen, but there was still some tangible relief to be found in it. She tried to ignore the distress resulting from both nearly losing him and being unable to do anything about it, but trying to push it to the back of her mind only did so much. But focusing on that, for the most part, he was all right would have to do. Taking extra care as she placed him on the island counter, with some attention to sanitation she went about making preparations for whatever she'd decided to create upon an opposite counter. On any other day his concerns over her enthusiasm more than likely would've had merit, but the person that turned around to face him while tying on an apron looked decidedly different than usual. Wistful. Even her voice reflected the change of mood, taking a tempered and calm tone that lacked its usual dry but sweet quality. "When I was working there, at that place..." She neither took the time to explain just where, nor found it important. Keeping her hands busy became her focus as she continued, conditioned hands carefully and methodically working their way through the process even if she wasn't fully paying attention. "The entire time, anything I did was with only one motivation in mind... fulfillment of wishes. My dreams." She lifted her head for a moment, line of sight slowly making its way across the wall and towards the nearest window. Eye reflecting the beginnings of sunrise, the slightest smile began to form. "This place was part of it, but more than anything..." With her eye closed, the smile was completed. "I wanted it. To take that child I'd created though stubbornness and science, and escape. To start again, and do it right that time... enough money should've made that possible, but I got caught anyway." Sad laughter was all she could express over her failure, finally able to look him in the eye at that moment as she admitted it. Though the realization of what she'd just done caught up with her eventually, and turning back to the half prepared meal probably wasn't enough to hide her wide-eyed and freshly flushed face. "I've never wanted to tell anyone, before now. I'd say not to tell anyone, but... the idea that a prideful individual such as myself has a nurturing heart? They'd never believe you~" With the warmth returning to her voice and playful demeanor resurfacing, she couldn't say she regretted telling him regardless of what reaction or lack thereof she'd end up with. He'd unknowingly dodged the bullet of any feelings she had towards an improbable happily ever after for the two of them, but had still ended up with something deeply personal. The finality, of both the feeling and what he'd be served, were presented simultaneously. "It's not ideal, the situation, but... I'm happy. To care for you, when you need it. Or want it." The latter of which he was unlikely to ever seek of her, but even the contents of the plate couldn't avoid her sentimentality. Nothing heart-shaped or cloyingly obvious, but an egg and tomato sandwich probably said enough even in its simplicity. Pushing her own personal narrative, as usual.

He was allowed a moment's respite from those heartfelt feelings as in a moment of recollection she wandered off and returned with a packet she called his attention to before placing it alongside the luggage for the time being. "For you. It's a cooling blanket. It'll make it easier to maintain your body temperature. Maybe... make things easier." Regardless of how much he'd tolerate being held, it was a gesture meant to comfort. And already he was trying to wander away! "You'll be staying right here~" Though after a moment's petulance with her hands upon her hips, she was quick to offer a solution to make him stay put. "Here." Alongside the previously presented food, a pitcher of iced coffee and unnecessarily oversized container of sugar were added. Pushing a glass and sugar scoop in his direction, it seemed her sunny disposition was mostly back in tact. "Try to ask if you want something, okay?" She could only try to encourage him, as much as he was likely to be unable to comply.

Hearing his request abruptly end due to it being fulfilled before he'd finished evoked a sense of pride in his attendant. Expressing that pride might've been a natural conclusion in the past, had she learned nothing in all the time she'd been able to spend with him. Caution had to be his default state of mind and for good reason. Being able to assuage that feeling even for a short time whilst in her company, while being something she was happy to provide, was also something she did without any expectation of reward. Just a necessity of keeping his company, right? So a happy little nod was the only acknowledgment she found apt.

Was it right to feel mostly happiness over that cute comment, being that he himself had ended up in her company mostly by chance? Decided effort had been involved, surely. But had any of the many fair-haired ladies seeking him actually wanted him instead of merely someone to fill a role, well. Thinking about what was now long since past her did her no favors. But she couldn't take any satisfaction from coming out 'on top,' when it was never about that. Though it didn't take long for that bittersweet feeling to not only pass but be completely forgotten about as well. Saying such a cute thing, while looking even more cute than usual. He could be a writhing mass of nothing but tentacles and she'd still be completely smitten. That much was true. But with the overwhelming adorableness that had been presented to her, the restraint she'd shown previously was perilously strained. Conscious effort was involved in not just redeclaring her feelings for him, again, and resulting in all sorts of ice. Again. Sometimes a lack of subtlety was necessary to get through to him. But right then? Sparing him from an onslaught of feelings wasn't always a bad thing.

Sharing that she was pleased was still something that came naturally though, along with one of the sappy comments he was likely to expect by then. "If you could be the person that knew me best, I don't know what more I could ask for." Only to be completely caught offguard by his following question, in a way he probably wouldn't have expected. The plate that she'd dropped as a result hadn't broken but had caused more than enough noise with the resulting clatter. He'd only meant it in one way. She knew that. But logic was easily washed away when emotions were involved. Answering the question as intended while clearly blushing, yet again, provided another hilarious display of dissonance she seemed unintentionally wont to do. "I haven't been allowed in the lab without supervision since that time. They're in need of my knowledge, but afraid of what I'm capable of actually doing." A statement she didn't seem the least bit bothered over. Being that her mind was elsewhere, caught up with the thoughts of 'trying' that certainly involved him, of course she wouldn't. Though once she was back in the present and with her face looking normal for a change, she had a question of her own. "Have you ever had thoughts like that? About having a family." The perhaps expected blushing and suggestive tones were completely absent, as she was honestly asking about him and not in the interest of her own imaginings. His personal circumstances aside, he almost seemed too practical to really be the type. But she always wanted to know more about him, and assumed little. And despite her openness, some anxiety persisted in a way that made her feel obligated to justify her dreams. "My mother's life ended the day I was born. My father--" The same displeased expression as before was quick to surface, and she dropped the subject again just as quickly. "I wasn't without caretakers, but..." That too-human feeling, that she was ungrateful, came along with her understanding of the situation. "Who wants to take care of someone else's child?" Guilt couldn't sidetrack her point, though, as she continued. "I hadn't a point of reference for anything else, but... loneliness is in no need of comparisons to exist, as it is." Even so, she could forget about all the unpleasant feelings involved for the time being, smiling to herself instead. "It might not be nice. But, it might be. Nice." Being able to confide in him was more than enough to be happy over, for certain.

Though the sight of him gratefully, if gluttonously, receiving what he'd been provided wasn't bad either. He was certainly lacking in fortune, but that he'd happened to capture the affections of a non-human involved in the food industry probably wasn't the worst thing he'd managed. There was a lot of overwhelming emotion to contend with still, but she was learning. "Was there anything else you needed, before we leave?" Luggage packed and kitty-face-shaped carry-on bag packed, but as expected, still willing to apply more care and effort if necessary.

Though the answer was as expected, in a way he seemed somewhat more resilient than she would have expected previously. Shaken, but not completely removed from communication and even his own voice as had happened before. As far as she could tell, anyway, considering the voice speaking to her at that moment also wasn't the usual one. And whether it was meant as an excuse or reasoning structured through logic, his comment about child leave was of course taken far more emotionally than he'd likely meant it. She wouldn't mistake his reasoning as merely a lack of opportunity. But regardless of how it'd arrived there, that his mind had skipped to an inability to provide for said hypothetical child was a point that naturally she'd find charming. He'd already struggled enough in providing her his answer, though, so any teasing there was to be had over the possibility of the mother providing in his stead would have to be resisted. An appreciative smile and some sort of indication that she understood would have to do instead. "It's irresponsible, really, with the state of the world today." The question of just what would result from two such abominations would never occur to her, of course. She'd love it, with the whole of what was understood to be a heart. But in doing so, would again gain something it'd be unbearable to lose. Biting her lip over a farfetched possibility, saying the inevitable somehow helped her to feel a little better about it. "Happiness often is, though~" She hadn't and had no plans to spirit him away from his responsibilities, but she hadn't budged from his side when warned off either. Perhaps not enough to be considered reckless, but not enough to actually be considered responsible either.

The part of her that in any other case would lash out miserably at a lifelong loss she could never reconcile instead seemed to be soothed. Because it was him. Carefully making her way over to retrieve the blanket she'd acknowledged previously, the usual lilt in her voice couldn't hide the numbed undertones that her words contained. "It's quite the lesson, isn't it?" With careful fingers she made sure he was comfortably surrounded by blanket prior to picking him up. "To be shown straight off, that loss is a guaranteed inevitability." Though in a showing of some sense she'd left his face uncovered, maybe the close proximity would lend itself to obscuring the misery upon her face at that moment from him.

Cat bag secured across her person and luggage handle knuckled in her opposite hand, what was left to address had her a little uncomfortable. "With you in my care I'm not taking any chances... so." Already that watchful eye was beginning to roll around in its socket erratically, seeking any threat as she made her way out of the apartment. "Bending reality is not out of the question, and I have every intent of doing so to my every advantage." The application of that intention was far less dangerous than her words implied, however. "You'll be close to my person at all times, so you might... feel a little relaxed." He'd faced off against creatures with far greater manipulative powers, right? Her abilities were subdued by comparison. And being charmed by her whilst in his current doll body would do both of them no favors. "It doesn't bend the subject's will, but rather, gives them a nudge in the direction they were headed anyway. And before you ask, no, I haven't used it on you previously." Her explanation wasn't lacking humility, however, as eventually that indignant face was half smiling as she settled them into the back seat of the car that had arrived for them.