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 Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 8:06 pm
Malodore did not have to translate, but Riley appreciated the effort it went to for her. She listened carefully, bristling with excitement at confirmation that it was indeed Amrida contacting it. The memories were fresh in her mind, and would never fade - she felt the relief upon hearing Celeste's senses had been returned to her successfully, and she gave the crow a careful glance when it was mentioned. Was it.. was Amrita watching them through the crow right now?
Her worry turned into deeply blushing embarrassment when the letter mentioned her, and both of her hands lifted to slap loudly against her cheeks. Malodore! I thought you said we didn't need protection charms. Should I go get some right now?!
She looked legitimately worried.
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Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 10:53 pm
"We aren't... we're not mixing FEAR," Malodore spluttered, after a moment. Then it sighed, opening its beak in a slow but genuine smile. It smoothed out the letter and folded it with gentle reverence, then bowed to the crow.
"Grazie a voi, il mio insegnante. Non ho dimenticato la tua saggezza ... o la nostra vendetta," it murmured. It was not sure if Armida was looking through the crow's - Fedele's - eyes right now, but... just in case.
Fedele cawed and took flight, gliding over to perch on the back of Malodore's chair as if he belonged there. He flipped one wing open and began preening. Luce peered up at him suspiciously, but he paid the cwn pup no mind.
"Ah. Well. That... ah... that is that, I suppose..."
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Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 12:23 am
Riley sighed in relief, and let her hands drop. She watched carefully while Malodore spoke to the crow as if Armida could hear through it. Could she..? The crow took a place on the chair, and Riley started to fidget, just slightly.
It almost felt like they were being chaperoned.
It was, ah, nice of her to write to you. You have accomplished so much.. She must be so proud. She reached out, and took both of its hands in her own - but she did not pull it close. Just in case.
I know I am.
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Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 12:30 am
"I am touched that she still... still cares," Malodore murmured, tugging Riley close to it, then pulling its hands free from her own and wrapping its arms around her. "I was not sure, truly. I thought perhaps that, like the Casa, once I was gone I was... inconsequential. Forgotten."
It emanated a sort of odd, almost childlike gratitude at the thought. It was not often that Malodore felt itself approved of by its elders. Peers, yes, but that wasn't quite the same...
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Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 12:44 am
She fell into its arms effortlessly, but only because it had called for her with the tug, and she was only too happy to comply. Her body curled in the embrace she had come to call home, and she shook her head with a soft chuckle.
You are too precious of a gem to be forgotten, Malodore. Armida saw that. And, I suppose, she's still seeing it now.
Her eyes drifted warily to the crow for a moment. Her voice was a hushed whisper, despite how pointless it was to be quiet. Do you.. do you think she's watching us right now?
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Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:03 pm
Malodore's gaze flicked over to the crow once more. Fedele was still preening, his head buried under one wing as he plucked and poked industriously at his own feathers. "If she is, she is not getting a very good view," it said, then chuckled. "I do not think so. Perhaps once, but not now. This place is very far from the swamp, and it must be a strain to send her senses so far, even with her great skill."
It sighed and nuzzled its beak against the curve of her neck. "Strange. Just a few moments ago this enterprise felt worthless... and now, quite the opposite is true."
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Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:25 pm
Riley visibly relaxed as the logic in Malodore's explanation took hold, and she tilted her head to the side to let it nuzzle into her neck openly. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she curled her arms around it. Well. In that case, I'll just get back to having my way with you. Cheekily. She snickered, bending her head to rest against its shoulder.. At its next comment, her eyes opened to look at the wings in her view, and her expression lifted in lieu of a smile.
Then the visit was aptly timed. I'm glad. I would never want you to lose sight of just how amazing what you are doing truly is. Every day that I look at you, I am inspired.
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Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:33 pm
"Grazie, molto grazie," it said quietly, whispering the words against her skin. "It is a long road, yes, and a painful one, but it is mine. My choice... I have not made terribly many of them, you know. Not important choices. Truly, only these..."
One hand came up to cup her cheek. "E tu."
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Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:51 pm
Her head lifted when she felt Malodore's hand reaching for it, and as it settled against the claws that cupped it, she felt the metal warming. It was her only indication of the dark, spreading blush that Malodore's gentle last two words summoned forth from her. She met its eyes, and stared, transfixed and immobile, for an undetermined amount of time. Finally she sucked in a short, ragged breath, and let it go in a sigh. Her eyes blinked out of their reverie, and a weak chuckle escaped her.
Both extremely painful choices, I'd say. But, hopefully, both worth it.
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Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:22 pm
"Estremamente," it said, gently. "Before I came here, I truly did not understand the power there was in choosing... I do now, I think. Si. Come sono fortunato ad avere te al mio fianco, in tutte le cose."
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Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:22 pm
Riley's eyes crinkled at the sides, and she reached up to brush one finger down the length of Malodore's beak. And I will continue to be by your side. In all things. I do not let go easy. Her tone was playfully warning. You poor thing. Stuck with me until the end of days.
She pulled away, chuckling, and held her hands on Malodore's hips, holding it steady. I think it's time you got back to practicing. If you're not careful, I won't let you go.
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Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:31 pm
"I suppose I ought to, hm?" It opened its beak in a smile, then straightened, its wings shifting in their slings of their own accord. "So strange, to think someday they may carry me through the skies, when now I can barely support them - let alone the reverse..."
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Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:56 pm
I don't think it's so strange. At least, I can imagine it. Perhaps this is because, when I look at you, I see potential. Much as a mother bird might see the potential in her little chicks, as she shoves them out of the nest.
She paused in her step, as she was leading it to walk, and made a face. Not that you should view me as a mother. ... Or worry that I will push you out any windows. That was a bad example. I apologize.
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Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:58 pm
Malodore paused too, then tilted its head so far to one side that its hat nearly fell off. "Not until my wings are sufficient to support flight, per favore," it said, teasing.
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Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 7:57 pm
Not even then. She shook her finger at the teasing she received, reaching out to adjust Malodore's hat back into place before it decided to fall off. But I hope you understand my point. In my eyes, it seems only fitting that you will one day use them to fly. Kind of like- ah, no, that's a bad comparison. Nevermind. The point is, well, you get the point. You're flustering me, I think. I shall not speak for another five minutes until I get my senses back.
She took both hands in her own, and began to lead it forward to begin walking again, while trying to keep her head tucked in subtly to hide her blush.
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