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 Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 6:13 pm
Malodore hadn't been expecting Riley to open her mind to it... at least not in this particular way. Relaying what Christof was saying. The patchwork's thoughts (overlaid, naturally, with Riley's own) felt strange in its mind. It quieted as it 'listened', unconsciously tilting its head to one side.
Strange, but... useful. Very useful. It was actually a little jealous.
"Ah..." It said, and its voice sounded odd to it. Intrusive, almost, after the rest of the conversation being held entirely in the realm of thought. "Christof, we all... we all had terrible dreams and saw terrible things. I saw Riley..." It trailed off, and squeezed the mindflayer's hand tightly.
... it was grateful, at least, that it hadn't been able to see when Riley actually.. dissipated.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 6:37 pm
He shook his head, looking utterly frustrated, NO that is not what I mean! Of my own volition- logical choice and... "Hrnnn!"... Came to check on the Lepus, Master, Apologies for... for interrupting, He slipped off the bed, face still red as he moved quietly towards the door, not registering that Malodore had also responded to his thoughts just yet it would seem.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 7:59 pm
Christof's sudden attempt at departure angered her. Riley's eyes slitted as she rose her hand up, and a single finger arched. Christof. She warned. Stop trying to run away. Come and talk to me, right now. I won't have you suffering if there's something I can do to help.
She felt the squeeze at her hand, and without looking she returned it. She continued to try and talk Christof through his troubles. You tell me you logically chose to hurt Barth. I call that a lie. You would never hurt Barth of your own choice. You may think you were in your right mind, Christof, but none of us were in our right mind while we were in that place. Perhaps you are worried because you chose to act out of the hallucination, but that does not mean the hallucination itself is not to blame. You were impaired, Christof. For the entire duration of our trip, we were all impaired by the trauma of the experience.
Riley reached out, and picked up a lamp from a bedpost. Take this. Take it in your hands right now. Do you want to hit me with it? Is your logical choice to strike me, right now? Neither would it ever be, for Barth. You must believe that.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 8:32 pm
His brows furrowed as he stared at the lamp was suddenly shoved into his hands, eyes widening in frantic contemplation. No... no I don't... why would I? But... but if Mistress commanded... but... but and Igor must Never Harm their Master- but... but An Igor must complete a task given to them and... He wobbled, looking as though his brain were about to melt out of his ears.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 9:24 pm
Riley's hand continued to comfort the patchwork, along with her thoughts. That is exactly why I am glad you are my Igor now. And I will continue to be selfish about that. I will not be commanding you to kill Barth, or anyone, anytime soon. I am confident you have nothing to worry about.
She leaned in and gave him a hug. Now. I want you to try not to worry about this. It will still haunt you sometimes. I cannot possibly hope to make you forget the horrors that have affected us. But please try? I am confident that you are good, and you will not do anything wrong.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 9:29 pm
Malodore listened to the thoughts - back and forth, but all sounding similar in its mind. The overall effect was strange and more than a little disorienting. It was rather glad it was sitting down. It did, however, nod at Riley's assertion... inasmuch as its opinion mattered. This seemed private business. Demon business.
Luce padded up the bed and settled next to the plague doctor, resting her chin on its side even as she kept her gaze locked on Christof. Not growling any more, but still very focused. Ready if he tried anything.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 9:46 pm
His eyes darted to the side, flushing slightly at the continued touch of Riley's hand on his hunch, and swallowed thickly. After a few moments, his thoughts bubbled up weakly, Could... could I spend the night here tonight? With you two? I will be quiet I am good at being quiet.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:50 pm
Christof really wasn't getting it. Riley sighed quickly, and removed her hand from Christof's head. If there is one thing I will give you, as your Mistress, it will be a lesson in manners and etiquette. Those are more important to me than many other things, and thus they shall be as important to you. This is not my room, and it is in bad taste to allow you to sleep in someone's else's room simply because I am in it.
Her brow furrowed deeply. You must know, however, that I don't like the idea of leaving you alone at a time like this. I would feel better if you took some time to visit a friend. Perhaps Barth? It is, of course, your choice.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:57 pm
"It is my room, however," Malodore said - its voice once again sounding strange to it, breaking the silence. "You did come to see me, Christof, did you not? It was only fortunate chance that meant Riley was here as well."
Well, fortunate chance and trauma, but who was counting?
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:08 pm
The hunchback flinched as he realized Malodore was speaking- the flush returned. He wasn't sure how much the Plague Doctor had "heard", assuming as always that only his Mistress could "hear" him. Clearing his throat, his mind churning in anguish, he glanced around the work shop for any sign of the Lepus they had been working on together. With a shy grunt in his throat, if only to make it feel a bit better for being the only one vocalizing, he gestured to the Doctor's work table a ways away.
He couldn't help but think, I do not want to see Barth. He fidgeted, lowering his hand, and his gaze. Barth was... well, it would be a safe place to sleep and he had done so before, usually at the workbench there only to wake up with a pillow under his head and a blanket on his shoulders- (The Sloth took sleeping very seriously, apparently), but... how could he face him? Not until he was ready, and he had to see Calder first and... he was feeling anxious about visiting the Kelpie too.
He had hoped Malodore had been busy with a late night project and needed help... apparently, an Igor was not needed when Riley was involved.
He sagged a bit, brows furrowing and mouth twitching at the corners.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:16 pm
Ah. The workbench. He had come seeking it to aid or watch its normal night-time work, probably... driven especially because of that dream. Looking for distraction.
Cara mia... there is a small side project I have been helping Christof with. A sort of precursor to Amrita's body. As bad as Malodore felt it was with touchy-feely emotional things - mad social sciences were best left to Riley - it did not want to dismiss or patronize the patchwork. The Igor wasn't stupid, after all.
... Do you think he might be jealous...?
Luce hopped off the bed and padded over to Christof, evidently deciding that if Riley and Malodore hadn't thrown him out yet, he must be allowed. She sat down on the patchwork's foot and yawned dramatically.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:24 pm
For all the intelligence in all the world, there were certain moments Riley could be very thick about. Her eyes widened just slightly, as she took in the thought, and mulled it over. Then she backed up slowly, wrapping her arms around her knees.
Though severely unhappy about his response to seeing Barth, it was more important to deal with the issue at hand. Is that it, then..? Don't let me get in the way of your work, if the two of you have something to do. Unless you would feel more comfortable if I left? Though she was looking at Christof when she asked, she was asking them both.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:34 pm
No, no, Mistress and Master's business comes first, Christof thought quickly, shoving the pillowcase into his pajama pocket and was about to move when he realized he was still anchored down by puppy. Gingerly, he reached down to scratch Luce's ear before shifting his foot out from under her to retrieve his boots. I am interrupting. I will not come unannounced again, I am sorry. I was foolish and rude-
They had been busy. Without him. Touching her... and he was not allowed. He admired Malodore, enough to keep these thoughts at bay until now but... He was loyal, wasn't he? He was damn loyal. He was a Good Igor, she had said so herself. She loved him, she had said. Then why...? "Hnnn..." He gave a stiff bow, hobbling towards the door, face still red.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 11:44 pm
"A knock would be appreciated, next time, but you need not... call ahead like a lesser servant. You are my - our - Igor, are you not?" Malodore nodded firmly, hoping that Riley agreed with what it was saying. It felt absurdly like it was walking on the edge of a blade, with bad things lurking if it fell to either side.
It was obvious that neither it nor Riley was on the same page as Christof... but it was trying, dannazione!
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Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 12:26 am
Riley's eyes crescented slightly, and she nodded. You are our Igor. That will never change. She made no move to stop him this time, because she felt that some leeway had been made with his manners, and how to handle a situation such as this. Certainly, knocking would have been the right option.
.. Climbing into bed was also discouraged.
Overall, she still worried about leaving Christof on his own, but was slightly comforted by the fact that he'd learned something important today. It would hopefully come in handy later on.
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