|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:21 pm
Malodore studied the other book with a critical eye. "I make it a particular point not to be mad in the classic sense. I've tried insanity. It didn't go well," it said, ruefully. Yet, despite that, it was still oddly flattered by the gesture.
"Be more useful to me, cara mia? If you believe you lack in that department, I assure you nothing could be further from the truth."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:36 pm
Riley picked at the soft cover of the book, before looking up at Malodore curiously. Her voice was breathy, awed. You tried insanity? How I wish I'd been there to see it.. The vision of a cackling, maddened Malodore hovering over a body sent a shiver of fear through her - it was effortlessly alluring.
Nevertheless, even this book would be a disappointment, it seemed. She set it down on the table, and brushed her hand against it. Well, perhaps a part of me simply wanted to see things through your eyes. You're.. She paused here, holding back the automatic response to admit that Malodore was everything she wasn't, among a long list of wordy compliments that threatened to spill out one after the other. In the end, she said nothing at all. She opened the book, flipping idly through the pages. Chapter 1: Acquiring an Igor.
She held back a laugh.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 10:13 pm
Malodore ducked its head. "Er... you were there. You... you remember. It wasn't very fun for anyone involved."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 10:50 pm
Riley's hand left the book as the words sank in, and her image of the delightfully creepy mad scientist fled in place of a memory knocking it's way back into her mind. She stuffed it back down and brushed her hand up Malodore's shoulder. I'm sorry. I suppose I was picturing something different. Not.. well. That. Her head tilted forward just slightly as waves of comfort spread over it's mind.
Ah. Well. She picked up one of the books in an effort to move the subject away from the memories of that event, and read the title.
Earth Girls Are Easy.
Clearly this one was chock full of how to dominate the female portion of humans. She was especially excited to read this one. What do you say we make the best of this unfortunate situation? Will you read with me?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:04 pm
"It's quite all right." Malodore padded over to her and embraced her, pulling her close. "I object to the genuine madness, deployed on all without thought or premeditation. Feigning such for purposes of terror is entirely within my purview... though I've not had a chance to hone such skills yet."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:29 pm
Riley was never the type of person to find a silver lining in situations. In fact, she was confident that pessimism was a valid method of handling anything at first. However, when it came to coping with the experience they had all shared on that island, Riley found a silver lining almost necessary - and this, this was her silver lining. She curled into the embrace, resting her head in the nook of Malodore's neck.
When you do hone them, I shall be extremely pleased to see them at work, much as I am with everything you do. She murmured quietly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:09 am
"I have been working on my cackle. It is slightly improved, I think, from the first time? It is hard to get proper resonance with my lungs as they are, but I am slowly strengthening them." Malodore cleared its throat.
"Muahahahaha! Ha. Ha ha?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:33 am
Riley pulled away so she had a chance to watch him cackle. At first, there was some real effort. In the end, however, it had turned so charming, and precious, that she would have normally been underwhelmed. But as it was Malodore, she was absolutely smitten with it.
That was a delightful improvement. You've made me shiver. That isn't easy. Do it again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 9:41 am
"It's so hard on the vocal cords," Malodore lamented, tapping its long neck with one claw - but it also opened its beak in a smile. "Do you think cackling is overdoing it, perhaps? I've heard that measured, total silence while maintaining a crazed expression is also effective."
Of course, given that Malodore had a hard time making more than one or two 'expressions', this would likely be a challenge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 5:06 pm
I love a good cackle. Silence can be used effectively, but I'm much fonder of the image of you cackling. Claws out, creeping closer, etc. Yes, that's a fine image. Her hand reached up, brushing the back of her fingers against it's neck. But if it hurts, you shouldn't worry about it. It's not worth bringing you discomfort. I suppose it's easy for me to forget the strain vocal chords can create - since my cackles don't use them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 5:49 pm
Malodore opened its beak a bit wider, then snapped playfully at an errant tentacle. "Indeed. Your vocal cords must be atrophied by now. Completely useless. A sad tale," it lamented, its tone just on the edge of teasing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:15 pm
Unaware that it was in danger, the tentacle jerked backward in response to the beaksnap, before lifting up and pointing straight at Malodore. Riley didn't seem to be reacting much, it simply looked like it was staring the plague doctor down on it's own. A moment later, it slid around the beak, resting comfortably on top of it. It poked at the tip. If Malodore wanted to play chicken, it was paying attention now.
It hasn't been that long, I'm sure it would take much longer than that for my vocal chords to atrophy. I used them just the other day with you, after all. She countered his teasing with an airy response. Not that I care, of course. You should be careful. She finally seemed to notice her tentacle perch. If it wants to play with you, I'm not at liberty to stop it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:22 pm
"Your tentacles are wholly autonomous beings? I doubt that, somehow." Malodore backed out of the tentacle's grip and glanced down at the books again. "Are there, perhaps, fascinating facts about mindflayers in one of these tomes? I would be most interested in reading such a book."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 7:28 pm
Riley's face squished slightly as it called her on her bluff. Curses, that was no fun. Dropping her tentacles back down to their limp position behind her, she took a quick look at the books and shook her head. I bet you would, but no. I saw a few books on the subject, but I was smart enough to check the content on those. They are nothing but heresy and nonsense, mixed in with a good bit of complimentary rumors that are clearly meant to dissuade the general public from befriending one of us. I almost bought one, but, ah, I was mostly shopping for you, really. They were a gift, after all. Shall I send for one of them? They would be an amusing read, at least.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 7:54 pm
Malodore shrugged. "It might be interesting, and you could have Jericho burn it afterwards if it is too insulting to your race. Or you could send it to your hive as an experiment. I would be most interested in the results... on the publishing company." Its grin this time had a vague predatory edge to it, which was quite a feat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
