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 Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:01 am
Today was the day. Riley had woken up earlier than usual, which meant the sky outside was still a pleasantly dreary pitch black. She had laid out her clothes the day before; a black two piece suit, very professional looking. There was even a tie - and with no lack of subtlety, it was covered in the round, smiling face of Jack himself.
She took her time getting ready, both mentally and physically. All manner of challenges awaited her today, and she wanted to be ready to handle them all. It was the day she went door-to-door campaigning for Student Body President, and she had no room for failure.
There was a long, typed out list of students she was prepared to go see. She had deliberated long and hard on where to start first, and after changing her mind a hundred times, she had finally settled on an order.
And first stop on her list was Emily Device. This question mark of a student made her a prime target. As far as Riley knew, she had no opinion yet - and that meant fresh meat. So, armed with her clipboarded list, several pieces of campaign paraphernalia, and a heart of gold determination of a bull, she got up, moved over to her couch, and sat.
And sat.
And then she sat some more.
Only when the pumpkin sun was grinning down at her from a high enough position did she finally get up, leave her dorm, and head to the Reaper dorms. Riley knew better than to try and campaign in the wee hours of the morning - grumpy students are not voting students.
Approximately eight minutes later, (give or take a minute, Riley wasn't counting.), she was in front of Emily's door, rapping gently on it with the back of her knuckles. She couldn't call out to the ghoul, because she had never touched her mind before. She couldn't even tell if anyone was inside. It would just be her luck if her first stop ended in failure..
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Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 3:05 pm
Behind the door came a muffled exclamation and a loud serious of thumps and crashes. Hands fumbled with a large number of locks until the door finally opened a crack and a wide, frightened red eye peeked out, "Ye..yes?"
Closer to the floor a feline head peered up at the Illithid, sniffed the air for baked goods, and told the ghoul, "Just shut it. I don't think she's selling anything of use."
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Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 6:55 pm
Riley did her best impression of someone friendly and not at all imposing, as she gave Emily's one peeking eye a small wave. Hello. Emily Device, I presume? My name is Riley, I was in charge of the prom companion set-up. I would like to speak with you about our upcoming Student Council elections, if you could spare just a moment for me?
Her words were short, and to the point. She said them quickly, hoping to get as much out as possible before doors were slammed in her face.
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Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:05 pm
The moment she heard Riley's voice in her head, Emily's eyes widened and she stepped back from the door. "Um...are...you...I'm..." She looked like she didn't quite know if she should panic and run, panic and hide, or just have a nervous breakdown.
"Calm down. Do you see any fog? No. It looks like an Illithid, they don't have mouths so they use other means," the familiar hissed up at the witch, tail lashing with impatience.
"S-s-sorry um come in? Prom...yes oh...oh yes! And elections...oh...again? But it's only..."
"She's still about three months behind..." the cat explained, sizing Riley up with a hairy stare. "State your campaign platform and then go away."
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 2:49 pm
Well, it wasn't a slammed door. In fact, she seemed to be moving away, allowing Riley to push the door wider open and look inside. What caught her eye at first, of course, was the talking cat. Riley's only sign of surprise was the subtle raise of her eyebrows. The brusque attitude of the cat, however, brushed away Riley's curiosity. Instead, she turned to look directly at Emily, who still appeared to be flustering.
May I come inside to do so? I'd rather not stand at the doorway to speak with you, if you don't mind.
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 3:53 pm
The ghoul couldn't help but startle again at the voice in her head. But...at least this one wasn't saying anything mean to her. Yet. "Sorry! Y-yes! Do please come in! It's a little...um...sorry!"
The dark, gloomy room was a "little" hard to move around in. Piles of clothes and casting equipment littered the floor, the bed's mattresses had been overturned, and one corner seemed to hold a giant nest of blankets. The walls weren't much better, as the kittens that had to valiantly been "hanging in there" had been torn down, with only shreds and scraps remaining.
"Um...please take a se-..." Emily glanced around again, "...ah...sorry! I'm so sorry!"
"You aren't asking for campaign funding are you? Because unlike some, she does have a mouth to feed." His.
The ghoul flushed, "...sorry."
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Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:25 pm
It took a moment to really understand what she was looking at. The room was not dark to her, and she approved of gloomy decor, but she doubted any of this was on purpose. And Riley was definitely not a fan of disorder and messiness. The bed itself.. why was the ghoul living this way? Riley looked legitimately worried.
Don't apologize. Her voice emitted quietly. I don't mind standing. Believe me, I am perfectly comfortable as I am. And I can set your mind at ease right off the bat - I am not here looking for funding. I am perfectly capable of funding my own campaign, thankfully. I am actually here because I feel as though I have not gotten to know you, and I would like to rectify that.
She even managed to speak to both Emily, and the snarky cat, as her eyes flit from one to another. You see, it is my belief that if I am to become president of our student council, I am going to need a lot of input from the students themselves. And that requires knowing them, and having them know they can come to me with their questions. Their problems. That is my greatest goal. So, Emily. She paused here, trying to find a way to verbalize her worry without being rude. How are you doing, right now? Is everything all right? Has anything, or.. anyone, been troubling you?
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Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 10:29 pm
Nodding and beginning to relax as Riley went on, Emily immediately tensed up again at the questions, "What...me? I'm fine! D-did someone say anything? B-because I'm great. Really! I am...I am hanging in there!" She was practically shaking as she babbled. "I am..."
The familiar, unimpressed by the onset of what appeared to be a nervous breakdown, responded, "Really not the best questions to ask her, at least if you want an intelligible answer. So I have one for you. As president, what are you planning to do about the people in the cloaks, the ones with the glowing weapons?"
The witch grew silent and still at Mr. Monty's question.
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 12:28 pm
Emily was legitimately worrying Riley. She hardly knew the ghoul, and yet everything about her seemed so anxious, so jittery. Her familiar's question stole Riley's attention away, however, and a glimmer of hatred sparked in her eyes before she blinked it away. Still, her gaze was solid, and penetrating.
You are a perceptive little creature. Of course, as you well know, even the President of our Student Council is still a student, and our Headmaster has strictly forbidden all of us from so much as thinking about doing anything on the subject.
Her eyes thinned, and if she had a mouth, it would be smiling. Strictly speaking, of course. There is no harm in talking about it amongst ourselves, however. And that is exactly the reason I wish to speak with as many students - and other residents, she tacked on, quick to make it obvious that the cat now had her attention - as I can. It's your input that matters.
She pressed her finger to her chin, adopting a thoughtful expression. Though, should the cloaked figures present themselves to me, personally, I would have no choice but to defend myself and my school. There is no question, I would lay down my life to keep my fellow students safe. She looked pleasant, and cordial as she said this. And since I've already learned that these, ah, figures, drain FEAR, I suppose that means a physical fight is in order. I can assure you - her expression lifted further, a ghost of a grin within it - I do not lack.
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 10:27 pm
Looking up at Riley, Emily managed a small, tremulous smile of admiration, "That's...that's really brave of you. You must be very...strong." She wished she could be brave, effectively brave. Not that she hadn't tried but trying only does so much. Trying doesn't equal strength or skill. Trying meant becoming a sub-par meat shield that serves only to give the enemy a few more moments to quip before going after your friends. The witch's gaze fell, as did her expression.
"Gee that's great," chirped the familiar in impressed tones, "for a mindless thug. Maybe you should leave the positions of authority to someone capable of more than just hitting things?" Turning to look at the witch, he continued, "I think you should just vote for Count Chocula this year."
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:49 pm
Riley's eye twitched at the word mindless. The cat may not have realized just how foul an insult that was for a mindflayer, but Riley really couldn't stop the vein in her neck from pulsing with rage, and she quickly covered her eyes for a moment in case they were turning red. She took a deep breath, and shook her head, chuckling.
I can understand your concern - ah, I did not get your name, may I ask it, little familiar? Her eyes opened to look at it, once more calm and collected. But I don't believe I would consider myself a mindless- her eye twitched -thug. I hope you don't mind me asking, though, since this is an important topic. What do you know about these figures you speak of? Something tells me you might even know more than I do, and if there's one thing that could help me to serve the student body, it's information.
Emily's sudden downtrodden expression made Riley bend her head down, trying to catch her gaze. Emily, I can tell you're worried. You have my word, anything I can do, I will do. And, if you ever need my help - with anything - you must know I will be there for you. I hope you will remember that?
She looked broken - like a little china doll just asking to be mended.
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 10:01 pm
Pulling himself up proudly, the cat announced, "Oh? So you do, at least remember the importance of information. With prodding. Well then, I am the familiar Monetcristo. Guardian to five generations of Device witches." So I know my s**t, thug-lite. "But the one with the answers is that," he nodded toward Emily, "...over there. That place kept her from summoning me for the duration of her stay."
Peeking up at the Illithid's words, the witch was torn between pleasure at the ghoul's warm concern and the crushing depression that mention of the island always brought. "Um...I...I don't really know much. I thought only a few days had passed but..."
"Three months. That's how long she was there. She didn't go there in one of your little boats, they got her here. They were here first. In Halloween."
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:36 am
Riley had not met Emily, in the days before the incident they were speaking of. She had no idea what kind of a ghoul Emily had been before, nor did she have clue as to what, exactly, had happened to her.
Nevertheless..
Three months?!
Riley's exclamation expressed the sudden shock at the news with a startling sympathy. That's ridiculous! You're telling me you were missing for three months, and the faculty didn't even notice? Or- or DO anything?
This meeting was no longer about Riley's election campaign. It was about survival.
She looked away, her eyes heavy with calculating thought. Finally, in a quiet voice, she said something most students would quail at before considering.
I must speak with the Headmistress. Her voice was hushed, but there was no fear within it - only determination. I will schedule an appointment with her immediately. She finally looked back up at Emily, and her eyebrows furrowed. Her hand reached to rest on her shoulder, brushing it down the side. I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Emily. If there's anything I can do.. I will do. It won't happen again.
Her eyes slit thin. I promise.
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:36 pm
The witch hunched in further, oddly ashamed by Riley's dismay. Maybe if she had been a better witch and student...
Mr. Monty, however, looked rather pleased with himself, "Much better plan than simply waiting about to get attacked and laying down your life to keep students safe." The last was said with an audible sneer and dismissive wave of his paw. "Let's just hope you're not all talk, no walk, hm?"
"Just...just be careful," Emily looked up at the Illithid and tried to muster up a smile of hope and confidence. It was a bit lacking to say the least, but there was earnest sincerity of her request.
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Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 4:59 pm
Riley stood, surged with new purpose, and gathered her things. This conversation hadn't gone at all as she'd hoped, but there were (surprisingly) more important things on her mind than the student council elections, for once. She brushed Emily's head softly, before nodding to the familiar.
I'll try not to disappoint you. She quipped, moving to the door in strong, self-assured movements. When she reached it, she touched the doorknob, and her thoughts murmured quietly to Emily.
You be careful, too. The softer, hesitant whisper emitted, before she rushed out the door.
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