Welcome to Gaia! ::

I want you to take care of it, now that I am gone. You know that, don't you? Riley dropped down from the tree smoothly, landing with feline grace before righting herself and stalking over to him. There was no imprint on the ground where she landed. So brilliant, but so fragile.. it needs you just as much as I needed you. Her hand lifted to rest on his muzzle. It felt cool against his heated scales. So please.

Now that she'd reached him, however, her arms flung out and collapsed around his head, snuggling shamelessly. Haha, this is such cheating fate. I love cheating. Ah, but as soon as he noticed she hadn't answered his question, she perked and did so. My death lit a fire under Malodore. It will find a cure before you become too far gone. It won't lose you, too.

She scritched under his chin, and set the side of her face down on his muzzle. It cares for you. So much.

Thank you. She whispered fondly, continuing to snuggle against him. Now we just have to work on you. What is there that I can do for you to bring back the Jericho I knew and loved? Her hands reached up to push up against his muzzle lips. Come on, now. Smile for me, smile in my stead because I cannot.

It was dfficult to tell if she meant because she had no lips, or because she was dead.

I did come back. She murmured gently. Aren't I here for you? Am I not good enough? She didn't sound offended, but it was always hard to tell, with Riley.
I know its hard. That is why I am trying to assist. She pushed his lips up higher.

She stopped prodding his lips when she felt them rise, and returned to holding the muzzle fondly in her arms, as she always used to do. I had never experienced friendship before you, but if I could have chosen anyone in the world to be my best friend, it would have always been you. She moved to flop down on the grass in front of him, sitting indian style. Choosing that seat in the Ickis car was the best decision of my life.

The tears fell but received no purchase, darkening the dirt underneath her body. Then why are you crying? Do you regret it? Do you regret me?

It stands to reason, then, that you don't need me, as much as you might need to believe in yourself. She pushed forward, until she was at his front paw, and curled up beside it. Did I ever say anything to make you doubt you were anything less than the absolute finest boil I had ever met? I wanted you by my side, my general. My right hand. Your word would be as though it were mine. Do I seem like the type to make a mistake in judgement?

This time, she did sound offended.

Malodore was there. Her head brushed against his claw. Don't you think if there was something to be done, it would have done it?

She lifted her head slowly. Or do you secretly blame it for its inaction?

You question that. She stated simply. There was no point in hiding anything from her. But you have no proof to the contrary. Perhaps what you need is to look at it a different way. Through another set of eyes, if you will. Her own eyes narrowed mischievously. So let us look at this from a purely logistical view. Is it more logical to assume Malodore rolled over and gave up, or is it easier to believe that it tried everything in its power, but there was simply nothing -to- be done?