|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:05 am
Riley hadn't answered Amrita's question about the clothes, simply because she wanted Amrita's imagination to make the decision for her. When she finally answered in the end, Riley knew she had done just that.
Scary was a response Riley easily expected. Her thumbs rubbed the top of Amrita's hand in a comforting, lulling rhythm. It can be scary. I understand. Just remember, it's not scary to him. Try to think about how it feels to him. How do you think that confidence makes him feel? How would you feel, if you were Livi as you imagine him?
Here came the hard part. Look at his smile. I want you to smile like that. Mimic his posture. Feel the aura of confidence begin to envelop you, just as if he was reaching out to hug you himself.
Though Amrita couldn't see it, Riley's eyes focused sharply on the physical responses she observed in the next few seconds. Just for this one moment, you're Livi. Step into his shoes, see through his eyes. The aura is emanating from you now.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:16 am
Step into Livi's shoes...ugh she hated shoes. So uncomfortable! But that was beside the point! Imagine herself as Livi, that taller, very green Envy Demon...who could laugh at himself and make jokes at his own expense and not feel bad about it.
It was quite clear she was trying very hard to do this; her expressions twisted in various stages and strengths of concentration, her hidden toes wiggling just a little bit. No matter how hard she tried, it just wasn't happening. She could see Livi being proud and confident and smiling, but she couldn't step into his shoes. Whether it was her general lack of imagination or if it was her own hesitations keeping her at a lower level, she just couldn't do it. She couldn't picture herself with Livi's confidence! The more she tried the more a dull ache in her head formed, and the harder it was to focus.
Her concentration fell instead into distress, and soon enough she heaved a heavy sigh, peeking one eye open to shakily see their hands.
"I can't." Amrita said softly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:44 am
But you tried. Riley's response would likely come as a surprise to Amrita's failure, because her voice was filled with a strange sort of victorious pride. Her eyes were slit, almost maniacal in their pleasure. You tried, very hard I might add, and I am proud of you. And, you'll try again, the next time we meet. Riley squeezed Amrita's hands, before finally letting them go.
You'll find, as we continue with these sessions - She lifted a finger - And rest assured there will be quite a few - that it is not in the reaching of a goal that one finds achievement, but in the journey and struggle itself.
Riley stood from her chair, and her eyes turned to crescents in lieu of a smile. You did wonderfully today, Amrita. I suppose you might be surprised at how little time we will spend together each time we meet. I am aware of the physical limitations that may complicate your situation, and I am fully prepared to work with them. We will take it slow, and frequent. In time, you will see a change.
She moved to the door of the study. Would you like a refreshment of some sort? I don't usually have anything in stock, but Israfel has taken to keeping beverages in my refrigerator for when he visits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 10:06 am
Surprise was an understatement.
Her eye was practically bugging out of it's socket it was opened so wide. She...she did good? Wonderful, even? That...that was not what she was expecting out of this, not by a long shot. She was expecting quite the opposite, even. At most being told that the project was over, she was a lost cause. But...she had done very well? That just didn't compute!
"Uuuhhhh..." Was all she could get out, much too thrown off to form anything coherent for a while. When she did, it was in a voice that proved her wonder. "W-well, thank...you...?" She glanced up at Riley when she spoke, if only because she was told to look at who she was speaking to, but once more her gaze dropped afterwards.
"N-no, it's okay, thank you. I don't want to take Israfel's things." That would be terrible! He was her band mate! Was, of course. Once things settled down, she lifted a backwards hand to press it against her fleshy temple, her face contorting in discomfort.
"My head hurts."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:30 pm
At the rebuff of her offer, Riley moved back to stand just behind Amrita. I know, she murmured smoothly. That's why our sessions will be short, and frequent. You'll build up a tolerance to the journey into your own mind, and I most certainly will not push you so far as to cause you too much distress. Here..
She brought both of her hands to rest on Amrita's head, and her long fingers slid into the girl's hair. The pads of her fingers pressed gently against the scalp with light touches, offering an expertly executed soothing headrub. This should help a touch. Just lay back and relax.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 12:24 am
"Oh...well, okay...?" She was starting to understand that working slow would be the best for everyone in the end, but she did have to wonder how many times 'frequent' meant. She was considering asking Riley for a number, but she was mostly - or rather, very - distracted by the hands on her head. The little Undead had never had a headrub before! Headpats were always loved, but nobody had actually rubbed her scalp before.
If Amrita could purr, she would be.
Her eye closed and she slumped to lean further back into the chair, thoroughly enjoying this. Then, like a puppy getting an ear rub, she started to feel comfortable, and then quickly drowsy. If Riley didn't stop soon, she'd have a sleeping Vetala on her chair; but Amrita was enjoying it too much to remember or even think of piping up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 12:39 am
Truthfully, Riley wouldn't necessarily mind if Amrita fell asleep in her study. It was kind of like karma for her last encounter with Amrita, which had her falling asleep accidentally in Malodore's chair. She had felt so safe, so comfortable, that night. She would only assume that if Amrita felt comfortable enough to fall asleep in her chambers, then she would have taken yet another step towards helping the girl gain her confidence back. So her ministrations did not cease, even as she witnessed a slow and steady slump of drowsiness. Her fingers swept through the ghoul's hair, and with small movements she massaged the entire scalp evenly. The skull and it's pressure points were no stranger to Riley's touch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:56 pm
Like a child fighting sleep, Amrita's head bobbled a little bit, her eye fluttering for a moment in an attempt to stay awake. However, sadly, the comfort of the headrub and the earlier brain break from all that thinking and imagining won out, and she fell asleep (or at least unconsciously rested).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 3:45 am
Riley's hands slid away from Amrita's scalp, and she cocked her head to watch the ghoul rest comfortably. It was a charming sight, and Riley felt a rush of determination fill her. She would be sure to do everything she could for Amrita. She didn't know exactly why.. it must simply be a sense of completion. Yes, she would go with that.
She moved quietly into her room, and pulled a cover off of her bed. Returning to the study, she settled the comforter around Amrita, and watched her affectionately for a moment, before turning off the lights and heading to bed herself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
