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 Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:13 pm
When Malodore returned, the first thing it did was return to its dormitory to put down its things. It was greeted by a delighted, barking Luce and a more sedate Dolce; Fedele was nowhere to be seen, oddly enough. Still, Malodore trusted that the corrividus was well. The bird was of Armida's breeding, after all...
After a half-hour lavishing attention on Luce, it hooked her up to her leash and took her for a walk, heading along the familiar path to the demon dorms. It could probably find Riley's room blind by now - it could only hope that she had also returned to Amityville. If not...
... well, at least it had walked Luce.
It knocked on the door; Luce sat down next to it with a thump, her tail wagging as she looked up at her master. Are you there, mia cara? it projected, knocking lightly on her door.
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:41 pm
Riley had just gotten back to her dorm when a knock at the door had her turning back to it. She was still rough around the edges, bandages all but gone, and her outfit was torn and dirty. She had planned to take a bath before finding Malodore, but ah, it seemed to have found her instead. And despite her state of disarray, when she opened the door she looked absolutely thrilled to see it. Both of her hands reached out, palms upward, beckoning it to her.
Malodore. She breathed out in an exhale that sounded as though she hadn't been able to truly breathe since the moment she'd left it.
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:10 pm
"Ah," it said aloud, then folded itself into her arms with a quiet sigh. Ti ho trovato. The leash slithered out of its hand, but that was fine; Luce trotted in through the open door and immediately began sniffing around for Ombra.
It pressed its beak to where her nose wasn't, then opened said beak in a smile, radiating nothing but contentment and pleasure at seeing her again, being touched by her mentally and physically.
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:35 pm
Riley wrapped her arms around Malodore and let out a frightfully pathetic noise as she buried herself as far into it as she could, practically trying to worm her way into it's robe if it was even possible. The beaked kiss was short lived, because her face slid down past it and smothered against Malodore's neck, shifting back and forth as she rubbed her face against it's bandages.
I have been so lost without you. She whispered hoarsely, and quickly let out a breath of laughter at just how pathetic she sounded.
Ombra had been hiding under the bed when Malodore and Luce came to call, still not quite over the fact that his mommy had left him alone for so very long, with nothing but the other minipets as company. So when Luce went searching for him, all she would find in the end was a tiny nose, twitching as it stuck out from the dark abyss of Riley's bed, sniffing the air cautiously.
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:57 pm
"No, mia cara, I know that isn't entirely true. You are capable and powerful - just moreso, when I am near," Malodore said, with a grin. It radiated a teasing good humor. "How is your leg? All healed, I hope?" It tried to guide the two of them backwards, taking a step and shifting its meager weight. Not that it minded a long embrace - quite the opposite in fact - but it was a private creature.
Luce found the other nose and pressed her own to it before kicking under the bed itself.
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 9:53 pm
No, no, no, no, She murmured pathetically, and her face brushed against it's neck over and over with each no. I was lost, truly lost. Moreso than I ever could have thought. This is not to say that you can never leave me again, but oh, I cannot help but be grateful we will have our second week at the Isle together. I am so weak to temptation, Malodore. Her arms gripped tightly around it, snuggling against it's entire body. I will not falter again.
The topic of her leg sobered her up enough to pull away and nod, briefly looking at the tattered bandage around her leg. It was a clean shot. The last time I looked, my bandages were holding fine. She didn't seem very interested in her own well being, however. She was too busy touching every inch of Malodore's face, and neck, and shoulders, as if rememorizing the feel of it underneath her fingertips.
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 10:32 pm
"I should examine it, still," Malodore said firmly, guiding her towards the bedroom, where it could actually see to check her wounds. "To ensure it was treated to my own exacting standards. I cannot have just anyone tending to you, after all..."
It sat down on the bed and patted the mattress next to it. "And then, since we will be on the bed already, I propose we test the ancient adage. I feel many of these phrases we take for granted have not been properly determined through experimentation. What was it...? Ah, yes. Absence makes the heart grow fonder."
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 10:56 pm
Riley let Malodore lead her all the way to the bedroom, sitting down easily on her bed and arching her leg up to lay across it's lap. She unwrapped her own bandages, which were crude and hadn't really done anything but keep the bleeding of the wound minimal. In fact, no one had really looked at Riley's arrow wound, because it wasn't something she considered a big deal, and would have just let it heal on it's own.
The offer- no, the promise of affection that Malodore's subtle words held within it made Riley blush unexpectedly, and she fidgeted with her nails for a moment, staring down at them in embarrassment.
Speaking of proposing. She latched onto the weak segue and tried to slide her way easily into the topic. I've been meaning to talk to you about something..
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 11:13 pm
"Ah, si?" Malodore said, leaning to bump the tip of its beak against her cheek before peering at her wound. It was indeed clean, nothing ragged or torn, but... "I would be happier if I redressed it with a salve," it said, after a moment, straightening and beginning to rummage into one sleeve. "How was your experience with the Clan of War? Filled with battle, no doubt... I suppose it should be obvious how you came by such a wound, but I will inquire anyway." It pulled out a roll of gauze and a small vial.
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:13 am
Riley had no issue with letting Malodore redress her wound, since she knew she'd done little more than wrap it in a piece of cloth. She leaned in when the tip of it's beak came to bump against her, her eyes closing just briefly at the touch, before opening again. She latched on to it's line of questioning, all too happy to be distracted from her actual topic.
It was in a spar. We had so many. I won as many as I lost, but even the losses felt like learning experiences. The Clan of War are so.. She sighed wistfully, staring off into the distance, and her next word sounded like she was in love. Brutal.
She sobered up quickly and crinkled her eyes in lieu of a smile. I'm terrible with a bow and arrow, though. So I'm going to need to try and practice that, else I get another arrow sunk into me before I can even let out a shot.
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:49 pm
Malodore tilted its head to one side, amused at the affectionate way she said the word brutal. "So fond of violence and force, then - ah, I knew it, I shall never be your equal. You would snap my bones like twigs." It radiated good humor even as it spoke in mock-sadness, dabbing some of the salve onto a clean bit of gauze. "It may sting," it added, then pressed the salve firmly to the wound.
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:58 pm
Riley's wistful gaze returned, to rest on Malodore this time. She reached out, and brushed the back of her fingers against the side of it's mask. You are correct. She murmured softly. You will never be my equal. You are infinitely, and without question, far beyond my reach. Too good for me, in fact. You honor me with your love.
And just as it had warned, the salve stung, and her body tensed, every muscle tightening as a hissing sound left her. Then at once she relaxed, and her eyes fluttered for a moment. I've missed your healing hands. I told Sammy that it was important to know how to take care of oneself, in case you are not around to treat us, but I admit a little selfish pleasure in how frequently I have you to take care of me.
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 9:44 pm
At the mention of honor, Malodore ducked its head, almost embarrassed - but pleasantly so. "We are complements," it said, finally, nuzzling at her cheek for a moment.
After a few seconds, it managed to regain its composure. "It is fortunate that I take a certain pleasure in caring for you, then - though I wish the pain was not needed, tending to your needs is a delight." Malodore lightly rubbed the salve into the wound further, then removed the gauze and fanned at the air lightly with its fiingertips. "We shall let this dry for a few moments, I think... were you victorious in any of your bouts? Surely so." Its beak opened in a smile.
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:53 pm
And in a heartbeat, Riley's face lit up brightly, an innocence and wonder present in her gaze that had never been seen before. Oh, I won many of them. About half. Most of my wins came from the big, arrogant males. The females of the War Clan are so much more precise, so vicious. I had no chance with most of them. And I even battled one of our own, the big boil, Herryk? The poor thing.. She chuckled gently. After a week of fighting clansmen, I was, perhaps, a little rough on him. He will not soon forgive me, I bet.
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 11:04 pm
"Those who underestimate you do so at their extreme peril," Malodore said; obscurely, it felt an upwelling of pride at the news of Riley's victories. "It is well. I did not master the arts of Alchemy, but the practice of the Horsemen is an arcane art of fascinating possibilities. I hope, perhaps, that I might learn more of it someday. If properly understood, the properties of their work could be applied to other fields..."
It gently finished taping re-applying a bandage, then lightly ran one hand down her calf. "There we are. All done," it declared, smiling at her. "And what of Conquest? Will your natural inclination to conquer all come through, I wonder?" Ah, it was being impish again.
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