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 Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:01 pm
This would be good for him, Riley promised herself. It was dangerous, certainly. Life threatening, even. But he needed this. She had to accept that Jericho was all grown up now and wasn't her responsibility -
Had he ever been her responsibility?
Riley was knitting again. She realized that she did this most when she worried. And she'd learned how to do some intricate designs lately, so that her work was no longer strictly in wool. Now she was working on an entire shirt. A big, red and orange and ridiculous shirt.
Because as dangerous as it was, Riley was confident Jericho would return victorious. He always did.
At least, she thought he always did.
No, she was sure of it. Somehow.
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:27 pm
It was strange. Coming back, he had his body once more. But that wasn't what was odd. No. During his time there, he saw memories. Memories that he didn't have before stepping in there. They weren't new memories either. And because of this, he came back with these. Once he had the chance, he came blazing on towards Riley's room. He didn't.. completely understand the memory. But there was something there. There was something there. Maybe she could help him figure out just what it was. Coming to a screeching halt outside of her door, he soon let out a deep breath. Then. He knocked.
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:56 pm
The threading needles sliced right through the completed fabric - not when he knocked, but before that. When she felt his presence, a tangible and effervescent thing, coming for her. She lifted the needles to look at her handiwork - and concluding that it was suitably destroyed, she balled the entire mess up and threw it on the floor. She was on her feet before he'd reached the hallway, and when he stood in front of her door, she was already there, waiting.
The pause before he knocked sent a shiver of fear through her. But he eventually put her out of her misery, and she opened the door as soon as the knuckles rapped against it. Subtlety was not in her nature.
It took you long enough. Riley teased, her voice shivering slightly with the threat of exposing the actual emotions behind it. I was starting to worry about you. Just a little.
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 10:27 pm
Jericho was a little winded, since he had run here as quickly as he could. In any case, here she was. Not destroyed by the Tear or anything like that. Good. It wouldn't be good if he had just gone through all of that only for her to be distorted or whatever the hell that thing was doing to the world. "I'm fine. But. I ... I remember things. Not everything, but I remember a few very specific things. I don't fully understand it. Maybe you can help me.
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 10:37 pm
The teasing stopped. Riley moved away from the doorway, and gestured. Come inside. She offered. Sit down and catch your breath. I want to hear all about what you remember.
There was no hint of what truly rumbled within her, in her voice. She sounded calm, and interested, but all she wanted to do was tear into him, take every thought at once out of sheer impatience. He remembered things. She wanted those things.
It was a strain to keep herself from invading him right there on the doorstep.
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 10:57 pm
Nodding to her, Jericho made his way in and took a seat on the couch, taking care that his wings were properly positioned as he did so. He took a few moments to catch his breath, then tried to figure out a way to describe things. "We were flying together. Well. You were riding my back while I was in my true form. It was exhiliarating but.. that wasn't it. I could... feel something. I... I don't know how to describe it. It's like.. Gah."
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:04 pm
Riley closed the door behind him, and watched him walk away. It was only after he was seated, that she allowed herself to move around the couch and take a seat beside him. He was catching his breath, just like she'd offered. He was taking his time. He was -
- driving her mad -
- just doing what he needed to -
- make her hands shake with impatience -
When his lips parted to speak, she visibly shuddered in relief. But his words were too enigmatic, and told her too little. He should have known by now, what she wanted. May I.. see? If you really can't explain, that is.
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:09 pm
Jericho could practically taste how impatient she was right now. taking in a deep breath, he nodded to her and closed his eyes. To the best of his ability, he projected what he had seen in that memory to her. The benefits of having a telepathic friend.
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:22 pm
Her eyes closed, as she slid effortlessly into his mind. He was offering her what he wanted, but she took all, because she could. She took all, and let it sink in, as she flipped through his memories like a children's book. Their first meeting. The ride he described. The feeling. The bond.
She would be his only rider. No other would have the chance to feel this way. To share this...
The indescribable. She saw it, then. Like a thread, winding its way around hearts, until they were forced to beat in time. To thrum as if they were one organ, and not two.
She felt the thread tugging, winding, claiming.
And then she saw the scissors.
Her eyes opened when the echo of her dying keen filled both of their minds, and she blinked, trying to digest what she'd seen. There was something so close, just at the precipice, begging for closure. The bond, tied up in loose thread.
And then there was death. Hers, to be precise.
Why? She whispered. She had to know.
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:32 pm
He showed it all too her, though when she made that terrible keening noise, he cringed and rubbed his head. "Dammit," he winced as he heard that terrible keening once more. It was painful the first time, and it wasn't any less of a pain this time as well. "It..was the task for the goddess. In there, I knew nothing. My memories were wiped clean... again. We had to retrieve a heart and.. that happened. When that..doppleganger came I didn't know who you were. But it was trying to kill me.."
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:53 pm
Everything he said added up, and she had to accept that she had no reason to fear him. It wasn't some hidden wish, to cut out her heart with scissors and take it away.
Was it?
Quietly, and hopefully without him noticing, she just probed. To be sure.
I'm sorry that you had to go through that. She whispered, holding her arms out. But I'm glad you returned to me safely. With or without memories, that's what I care about most.
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Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:05 am
"I sure hope I'd be back with memories. There.. was an option before it was all over, to leave behind the burdens. Having amnesia once is more than enough for me. I'm still trying to sort things out from the first time as is," Jericho snorted. Shaking his head to himself, he scooted closer to her, going into her her arms and wrapping his own around her. "I don't know why I would want to forget any of you again.."
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Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:27 am
Riley's hand lifted just enough to sift the long, clawed fingers through his hair as he settled against her. She stiffened just slightly when the option of amnesia by choice was mentioned. Something about that enraged her. Who would choose to give up who they were?
I should hope you don't. She pressed the flat plane of her face against the top of his head. I don't want to forget any of you either. It was hard enough coming to terms with how much I would have lost once. It's a wonder I ever let you or Malodore out of my sight, anymore.
She turned her head, and her cheek laid against him. I felt what you were trying to explain, you know. Her voice had grown far more hushed. Reverent. I still feel it. It's a very strange experience. I can't tell you what it is, as I've never experienced it. But it hurts. Her free hand pressed against her chest. Here, as if something's cracked, or broken.
She tried not to think about those scissors.
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Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 9:21 am
Jericho nodded slowly to her. "I don't know. It was like... a connection or.. something. I feel kind of broken all around, really. Ever since I came back I haven't really been feeling.. whole. I kinda figured it was just well.. you know. Not knowing a damn thing about myself."The dragon rubbed the back of his neck, trying to make sense of this. "What's confusing me more.. you're with Malodore aren't you? And were back then too?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 3:03 pm
Usually, when Jericho spoke of his loss, Riley knew exactly what he was talking about, as she'd felt the same way. This was no exception. The edges left ragged and undone around her life were still sharp, and easy to cut. So she nodded, continuing to brush down his hair in comforting strokes.
But her fingers froze on his head when he made a connection that she'd actually never thought of until the moment it fell from his lips. She was with Malodore. But mentioning it at a time like this meant that this connection between them; this urgent, painful tug at her heart, could have something to do with a past relationship she had not previously considered. This was a surprise to her, as it made logical sense - except it didn't. She'd taken Jericho in. Taken care of him. Dressed him. Bathed him. Told him bedtime stories to put him to sleep. There was a new dissonance to the idea that, now that he was back to normal, there might have been.. something between them..
Her brow furrowed as she regarded him very carefully. It wasn't a stretch of the imagination. She considered Jericho entirely attractive. And, stemming from her past, she had never once been a monogamous creature. But it had been so easy to assume Malodore had changed that. It was her mate in more than just physical need. So she'd never considered the idea that -
Jericho. Riley's voice was a tentative whisper. Small. A little scared. Certainly not her normal voice. Do you think I might have been cheating on Malodore?
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