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 Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 10:55 pm
Malodore walked up that familiar path to the demon dormitory, its brow furrowed underneath its bandages and the bone of its mask. The past few days felt like a whirlwind: the field trip it had expected to take a week had lasted less than a day, and the triage afterwards had been the second most intense experience of its professional life.
And after that, it had just felt sort of numb.
Thus, it found itself entering the dormitories, pace measured, head bowed slightly. It needed Riley: needed her advice, her wisdom, her discourse. Her touch. It needed to make sense of everything that had been going on. Mia cara? it projected as it reached her door, claws reaching out to try the doorknob.
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:18 pm
Her door had opened and closed quite frequently since the students had returned from their trip. She had expected it. In fact, she was usually there, making sure she was available for consultation as much as needed. As it turned out, that ended up being a fair amount.
This feeling, however, told her that her next visitor was one she needed more than it needed her. The door opened just as she heard Malodore's voice, and her eyelids fluttered for just a moment. She needn't tell it to come inside, as the door was open and she was waiting on her couch, perched perhaps a little too happily on the side. Her hand rose, palm downward, waiting for it.
The one person I always hope for when that door opens. She admitted in a whispered voice.
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:40 pm
It opened its beak in a smile, though it wasn't entirely joyful; there was deep worry worked into the plague doctor's mind right now. "Busy days, mia cara? I would expect no less, from the rumors I have heard." It had not attended the sham 'retirement', but it had gotten the full story about what, exactly, had transpired.
"Hunters," it said, after a moment, sitting down next to her on the couch, tucking its legs up and curling towards her. "Truly?"
Oooh, the Hunter will get you, Celeste said in its memory, wiggling her claws at a class of plaguelings, who screamed obediently. Those folktales, those myths... they were old enough that even those in the Casa knew of them. It had seen the hooded figures on the Island, but they had ended up being the same Horsemen who now inhabited the co-ed bathroom, had they not?
It rested its beak on her shoulder, letting out a sigh.
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:49 pm
Truly. Her arms wrapped around the plague doctor the moment it had curled up and made itself comfortable. She pulled it into her arms without a second thought. They hunt us, and will continue to hunt us, I believe, until the last of us are in their hands, wielded as their weapons in the fight against our fantastically deviant kind.
She brushed the pad of her thumb along the bottom edge of it's mask. How are you feeling? I have wondered how the aftermath has left you, after seeing how much destruction these humans can manage.
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Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 10:32 pm
Malodore closed its eyes. "I remember from the lighthouse - the hooded man, the one that wasn't the Horseman, he said his scythe... well. So he was a Hunter.."
The plague doctor sighed and leaned into her embrace. It felt like all they had were pieces that didn't quite fit together. "I am feeling rather helpless, quite honestly. Not crushingly so, but... although it is my truest vocation, I do not always wish to clean up after such terrible events. I wish to make such events not necessary in the first place, but I have very little idea of how to start..."
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Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:11 am
But we have already begun. Riley soothed, brushing her finger along the rim of Malodore's hat. Every step that is taken, follows a path that already lies before us inevitably. Whether it ends in success, or failure, relies solely on how strong we become. Our goal then, is to surpass our limits. One of her cheeks lifted slightly, and she squeezed the plague doctor in her arms. Stay focused, and learn how to fight.
She sighed in content. This was starting to sound like preparation for war - which is exactly what it was. And that, above all, made her feel tingly and warm inside. That, and having Malodore in her arms.
With perseverance and patience, we will crush our enemies.
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Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:08 am
"But Hunters being real..." Malodore lifted its chin off of her shoulder just enough to shake its head. "Utter madness. It is no wonder there are such terrible stories spreading across Halloween. You saw the bit of newspaper, did you not? They are stories to scare children with. They aren't meant to be real. I am worried about this school, mia cara. I am not leaving, but if something happens... this is my home. I have nowhere else to go."
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Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 2:48 am
Despite the dark nature of the conversation, Riley realized that Malodore's words had a comfort in them that she did not expect. She knew this was it's only home now, and she had accepted that the only place she would ever call home was with Malodore. Therefore, that meant this school was her only home, as well.
Priorities shifted silently.
I have been worried about this school for quite some time. You are right to be worried. But worry should always be used proactively. Measures must be taken to protect the school, the students, the very essence of Fear itself. When the time comes, the choices we make will define the tide of war.
She gave the plague doctor a comforting squeeze. I suppose, in the end, all this means is that we'll all have to grow up a little faster than we'd planned, in order to earn our chance at a future. I think we can do that.
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Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:31 am
"War," Malodore said quietly, its beak clacking shut. It was very quiet for a moment, considering the implications of the word, its grip on Riley tightening. "I don't want to be in a war," it said, after a long moment, it's tone weary and just a bit self-mocking. "But everyone who went on the field trip said that Professor Red told them all that Halloween can never die... even though she did. I know that people, beings of Halloween can cease to exist. It happened, sometimes, in the Casa..."
Its claws pricked at her, so tight did its grip become. "I don't want to lose you, mia cara. I can't. Part of me wants to take you and run as far away as possible, so you will be safe..." The admittance cost it; the echoes of guilt and shame were clear.
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Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:18 am
The conflict that bubbled within her was overwhelming. On the one hand, Malodore's possessive admission flushed her with heat. This is what she wanted, she realized in an almost embarrassing moment. She wanted Malodore to need her as much as she needed it. And it was in the worst of situations that this need was presenting itself, because Riley also felt the shame of the mere idea of abandoning in a time of war.
There was no excuse for a deed that foul. It was impossible, to her. But the intention that Malodore wanted to do it, for her, made her feel lovely - and then guilty for feeling lovely about such a shameful thought.
All in all, Riley was very.. torn.
You will not lose me. Riley's voice emitted - though the subtle undertones betrayed her conflict. But neither will we run from this fight. Red's proclamation may not have been intended for personal use, after all. It is her death that will spur on the students to prepare themselves, and ultimately, may save Halloween as a whole. She died so that Halloween never will.
Her eyes lifted, meeting the lenses of the plague doctor she adored. She was starting to understand Malodore's moment of weakness. Her voice hushed to a whisper. I can't lose you, either, Malodore. I won't let that happen.
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:56 am
"Neither will I permit it," Malodore said, more forcefully. "I am not a great fighter, but I can heal - I proved my worth in those tents." A hint of pride came into its voice. "I can repair what they seek to destroy. But that is reaction, not action... and I am not sure what action I should take. Hah," it added, a depreciating laugh. "Part of me expects that you should know, but that is foolish. You should not bear every burden."
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Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:32 am
Riley nuzzled into Malodore affectionately, a hint of pride touching her features at the comment. I like that expectation. Funny enough, I know what action is next. I will take you there, soon. There is, ah, a meeting of the minds, shall we say? Coming soon. It is our next step in this great fight. Bul informed me of it earlier today.
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Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 8:56 am
"Wait, Bul? You mean that large monster boil with the, ah, mucus ball?" Malodore sounded a little skeptical; Riley was the best planner it had ever met. From the brief encounter it had had with Bul in the post-field-trip 'infirmary', the monster had seemed a good sort but hardly the intellectual type.
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Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:48 pm
Riley chuckled at the surprise in Malodore's voice. He is a good friend, but simply the messenger for this particular meeting. Our hosts will be the Horsemen, in their private domain within the school. I think it will be to our benefits to attend - they are, after all, the only of our kind strong enough to stand up to the hunters and emerge. They, above all, are our greatest strength.
She squeezed the plague doctor affectionately. You will join me, won't you?
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 10:59 pm
"In anything, mia cara," it assured her, then shook its head. Only a little, of course, since it was still resting its head on her shoulder. "But is that strength all we can hope for? Is physical mettle all that is required? From what little I have seen, they are strong, but not..."
Its voice trailed off. It couldn't think of a diplomatic way to say not that sane.
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