|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 4:36 pm
Her fingers stopped worrying at its sleeve as the ease in its voice brought her a warm comfort. She leaned against Malodore's side, her expression lifting just slightly in wistful content. Her eyes fluttered closed when the claw brushed her skin, raising goosebumps on her flesh. You have a good eye. She muttered thickly, distracted. It's all I have left to do here. I spend every waking moment training. She opened one eye, and settled her gaze on it impishly. Well, except the good moments. Like this one.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:30 pm
It closed its beak, leaning against her back, one wing coming around to curl around her automatically. What have they done to you? it asked, silently. Do they run tests? Do they feed you, strengthen you in any way? Their methodology... I do not know if I have any hope of duplicating it, but...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:46 pm
Riley stiffened automatically when it asked her what they did to her. It felt like she was closing up for a moment, before she forced herself to relax back into it's embrace. They run tests. She answered carefully. And they test my limits. They feed me, but I strengthen myself. Her eyes lidded, but turned to lock her gaze with Malodore, careful to keep herself calm. Do not attempt to duplicate their methodology. Please. I tolerate this simply so others do not have to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:06 pm
Ah... I had thought, perhaps, that they had been introducing something to improve your state, somehow. Or is it simply time and your own will that returns your strength? Its claws curled around her, possessively. Protectively. It loved experiments as much as anything, but somehow the matter of consent meant more to it than it had in the past.
I wish to know their secrets. Somehow, they brought you back - I am deeply grateful for that, but... The plague doctor shook its head. I seek something that can be deployed for the sake of many. A preventative. A cure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:29 pm
Indeed. Riley murmured in reply. Time, and my own will are the only factors in my recuperation. Their job is to try to extract from me the knowledge of how insanity affects the body - and how it can be removed. Unfortunately, so far the answer eludes them. They try any, and all methods.. She stiffened up again. And therefore, others won't have to go through these failed experiments. The work is not in vain. I know that. She sounded like she was trying to convince herself. But it is nothing that needs be repeated.
Riley could hear the inherent good in what Malodore was trying to say. It made her expression lighten in amusement. If there is a cure, you are far more likely to find it than anyone. Her hand brushed against the side of it's mask. They should let you work here, with their technology. If they truly wished to figure this out..
She hesitated, and dropped her hand. Of course they did not allow Malodore to work at the facility. No creature as good hearted as it would stand for their methods. Especially when applied to her. The thought warmed her heart, and she curled tighter against Malodore. Her thoughts were easily diverted from the topic at hand.
I like having you here. She whispered. I hope you come see me more often.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 12:02 am
Hm. It was less a sound than the sensation of thought, spreading outwards and then contracting as Malodore concentrated, its brow furrowing beneath its mask. One finger came up and traced along one of her stripes, its touch feather-light. I wish they had discovered such things... the thought of you being... taken by it once more is... It did not need to finish the sentence; its emotions concluded it quite aptly.
It opened its beak, taking a deep breath to calm itself. I will, I swear. I would stay here always were I not concerned that such things might give them an excuse to try and detain me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 12:52 am
The protectiveness surrounding it's thoughts enveloped her with contentment. I believe you. She closed her eyes and leaned in, brushing her cheek against it's neck. Though I hope none of it will matter, soon enough. I am, with any luck, going to rid myself of this place soon. Her head lifted up, her eyes opened, and she glared hatefully at the tiny camera attached to the ceiling. If someone would simply stop ignoring me. Her voice had elevated as it reached out further, clearly meant to be heard by more than just Malodore. When she returned to speaking privately, her eyes fell on her companion once more. I have been trying to get Sinclaire in here, to negotiate with her. So far she has been.. elusive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 4:06 pm
Is that so... I have something for her. My research, it said, gaze flicking to its sleeve for a moment, where the copy it had made rested. Carefully manipulated to remove certain information, of course, but... it should grant me access to her. Shall I say anything on your behalf, mia cara? Or simply demand your hand in exchange for the book? Faint amusement flickered through its mind for a moment, the mental equivalent of a wry, self-mocking smile.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 4:13 pm
Riley rose one hand up, and slid it through Malodore's claws, intertwining her fingers with it's own. There was an amusement echoing in her thoughts when she answered, if only because Malodore made her feel a lightness that even her present situation could not stamp out. She forgot where she was, around it. And she forgot her troubles.
It was nice.
Demand it. She growled out fiercely, but lacking any real seriousness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 4:25 pm
I shall, then, Malodore said, after a moment; apparently Riley wasn't the only one who forgot herself easily. I want you home... I want you home, and free to walk down this new path with me. I am a selfish creature; consider this your warning, it intoned with mock solemnity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 5:00 pm
Home.
The sound of the word triggered multiple reactions within her. There was something so sweet, so tender about the way it wanted her home with it. Her heart soared with emotion, and the amusement of how easily Malodore stirred her in such ways, immediately followed. It made her eyes crinkle at the edges.
But another, entirely different reaction blossomed deep in the pit of her stomach. It made her hands clench tightly around Malodore's claws. Her eyes flashed with a moment of cold desire, and her voice turned heavy and thick.
We want to go home, as well. Her voice unnerved even her. Very much. Soon, though. Her gaze turned distant. Soon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 5:04 pm
Its claws tightened convulsively around her fingers, but it had nothing to do with her renewed grip. "Our home. Amityville Academy is where we belong," it said, aloud, its voice sounding strange in the cell that had been silent for so long. "You - you." Aen'ryllis, it echoed, making the sentence flow from spoken word to thought. You are an I. Not a we, mia cara... remember, per favore...
It was a painful reminder. No, the Insanity had not left her. Don't leave me again, per favore, the thought escaped, sounding very small and very lost. Very desperate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 5:20 pm
Riley's eyes focused sharply back on Malodore when it's voice rang out audibly in the cell. Her brow furrowed for a moment until she heard it speak her true name, and her shoulders visibly relaxed. She was usually so good about fighting the urges, but that one word..
Her hands pulled away from the claws that held them, and lifted up to cup the plague doctor's mask, pulling it closer. She held it's head tenderly, pressing her forehead against it, and closed her eyes. I am so, so sorry. The sound of it's desperation had broken her heart. I will fight this with everything I have. Malodore, I promise you. Her eyes pinched shut even tighter, trying to keep her negative thoughts at bay. I will not leave you.
Her former self had been a fool, a weakling, to let the disease pull her away from something as precious and important as Malodore. She would not make the same mistake.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 5:32 pm
The act of drawing breath was deliberate, soothing; it did so now, and exhaled shakily. "Si... si, grazie mille... ah... I should teach you Italian." One hand came up to trace the line of her cheek again. "Mi dispiace - that is, I am sorry... the thought of losing you again, even if they have their methods of resurrection... I would not have you go through all this again." It trembled a bit - the effort of not thinking about what had happened was immense, but it would not share those memories with her. It would not.
The urge to crush her close against it was strong, but doing so would not help... not really. It attempted to convince itself of that as the adrenaline slowly began to work its way out of its veins.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 6:30 pm
Her head leaned, just slightly, towards the touch that ran across her cheek. It was gentle, and held no malice, no disdain, no manipulation.. it simply touched her because it wanted to. Distantly, she realized that she could not recall anyone touching her that way before. It was one of many reasons why she'd cleaved to Malodore so quickly; everything it did was a new experience. And each felt more necessary than the last.
And yet, with it's tremble she realized that it's love made it weak for her. Would it make her weak, as well? She idly wondered if she'd already had this conversation with it before. It sounded like something she would do.
Si dimentica. The thought felt so good, as it passed through her mind; smooth, and soothing. I remember how to speak Italian. It was the only thing that I retained, though I cannot for the life of me figure out why. But what she did know, was that thinking in Italian made her feel whole. It was the only part of her mind that wasn't ravaged by amnesia. Forse è perché è venuto da voi.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
