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 Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:42 pm
So far, so good. She sighed, and opened the door, walking inside and locking the door behind her. Only then did she let the elf go, for the first time since she'd gotten a hold of it. She hadn't even realized just how possessive of a hold she'd had on the elf until that moment. It was if she was scared that if she let go..
He'd disappear again.
She felt the warmth of his lava pit already, and moved to the other side of the room, where it was least heated, for his sake. I'm sure this all looks foreign to you. But you chose all these things. That pile, there - was it smaller, now? That is your bed. And this is where you did homework. She touched the desk lightly with one hand, while waiting with held breath for his reaction to the room.
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Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:45 pm
Jericho suddenly felt a blast of heat as the door opened up. And he couldn't help but stare hard as he looked at the very cavernous room. It was HUGE. It was also really hot. And really? He slept on a pile of treasure?
And was that lava?
"This can't be right. I think you have the wrong guy. I mean... Do I look like a dragon? I'm an elf!"
If only he knew the irony.
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Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:55 pm
I do not have the wrong guy. Riley murmured, very patiently, as she moved to sit on the floor. But I can understand the confusion. I don't mind you disbelieving it. Truly, I just want you to see all of it. Touch everything. Well.. Her eyes flickered to the lava. Not everything.
She chuckled weakly, but it died soon after. Just take a good look around. If you need help, tell me. When you're done inspecting the room, come, come to me. She sat indian style in the coolest corner of the room, waiting. Her mind reached out, very carefully. She knew what she would find on the surface, and it disgusted her. But she had to push past all of the JOY, all of the happyhappyhappy and even past the confusion, before she had any hope of finding Jericho within his mind.
So far, she had no luck.
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Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:00 pm
Jericho eyed her critically, before he stretched out now that he was on the ground once more. Slowly, he began to wander around the room. There was something here tugging at the back of his mind. Was it familiar? Or was it just the heat getting to his little elf brain?
He blamed it on the latter. Slowly, he moved towards the treasure. It was all very shiny. He felt like it was a pretty small pile considering. Reaching down, he slowly picked up one coin. Unknowingly to him, this was the very first gold coin that his former dragon self had acquired. He looked it over some, then put it back.
It was then, that he saw... a little dragon pop out of the pile. Red with black stripes, though its tail faded to grey.
"Um... you sure this room doesn't belong to this little guy?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:19 pm
Riley tensed when she saw him reach for his treasure. Was there recognition there? She couldn't see, or feel it in his mind. Curiosity, perhaps. But there was no way to tell if he knew any of it.
The dragon that popped out of the pile made Riley's heart sink. It looked just like him. That minipet, staring at the elf that held Jericho's core at that very moment, just made Riley inexplicably melancholy.
Was it time for the truth yet?
She hesitated to try it, but the door was locked, so there was no danger of him running away. Perhaps he needed to hear. She felt the sting of indecision biting her.
In a way, it does. She hedged. He is your minipet. He has been guarding your treasure for you, while you were gone. You were gone a very long time, Jericho. Her voice quieted, lowering to a soft lull. I missed you. Very much.
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Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:29 pm
The little dragon peered up at him before letting out a sort of snort. Bits of smoke left its nostrils. Jericho looked back with curiosity, but then turned towards Riley, looking more confused now. She seemed really sad. And he didn't like that.
"I don't understand. I don't remember any of this," he said with a frown before making his way towards the mindflayer, reaching out to give her a hug.
"You shouldn't be so sad though. My job is to make people happy right?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:02 am
Riley looked at the little stubby hands that reached out for her, and chuckled at the sad irony of his offered hug. If he'd been himself, he would have done the same, but his reasons were so very different now. Nevertheless, she bent in to pick the elf up and settle him onto her lap, accepting the hug while wrapping her own arms loosely around him.
I don't remember my life here, either, you know. She admitted, feeling it was easier to tell him the truth if he knew he wasn't alone in this. Except for the feelings in my heart. Those did not go away. They took time to return to me, however. Her eyes glittered, as if threatening to cry, but no tears fell. My heart helped me to know who to trust. Who was important. Her hand touched his chin fondly. When I met you, I felt you there, in my heart. Even though you don't remember me, and I don't remember my past either, I still know I love you.
Her eyes tilted upwards in crescents. Don't be scared. It just takes time. Right now, you don't have to worry about any of that. You do make me happy, just by being here. Just by being alive.
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:11 am
Once he was on her lap and such, Jericho settled down, hugging her warmly. Her words touched him. Resonated deeply. He didn't really understand all of it... but love? That was a concept he knew. It was all really strange. Here he was, not remembering a lick of anything, and yet there was a sort of comforting familiarity with all of this.
The elf didn't think much of it at all though. Not now at least. But he was thinking over what the mindflayer was saying to him. It was a powerful thing, knowing that he was loved despite all of this. It was a little scary actually, being in a strange place, not recalling himself.
But.. it seemed that he hadn't lost everything.
Smiling, he rested his little head onto her shoulder.
"I love you too."
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:23 am
Riley closed her eyes, and breathed quietly for a moment, letting her mind wander. If she stopped thinking about it so hard, and ignored what she felt in her arms, she could imagine, just for a moment..
Her heart beat a painful throb, and she opened her eyes.
Jericho. She whispered. I have had a thought. There is something you used to do, something you used to love more than anything. I can - maybe - give you a taste of that, if I try hard enough.
She was still so very bad at it, but if she just concentrated..
But it would require a certain level of trust in me. If you're not ready for that, it can wait. She pulled away to look at him uncertainly. Would you like to try flying, with me?
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:26 am
Looking up as he heard his name, Jericho tilted his head as she brought up an offer of sorts to him. The offer itself was rather intriguing. And kinda exciting too!
"Flying?" he said. His eyes might have sparkled a bit, "You have reindeer here?! Or a magic sleigh!?"
It hadn't occurred to him that those crystalline wings on her back can actually work.
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:33 am
All those warm and fuzzy feelings just melted away at the ridiculousness of his response.
No, but I do have wings. I fly. Sort of.
She certainly hadn't crashed in the last few weeks, at least. That was an improvement..?
I can easily carry you on a flight. But, as I said, it would require trust. In me. She tugged on the tiny bell that hung from his hat. So it's up to you.
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:58 am
Jericho looked at her wings a little skeptically. Maybe she had a bit of reindeer magic in her.
"Alright. It runs on the power of belief and joy right? If I believe hard enough, you'll fly better?" he beamed.
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 1:03 am
Riley was about to disprove his theories, but when she thought about it..
Well.. She murmured thoughtfully. Actually. If you believe in me hard enough, then yes.. I think I probably will fly better. It wasn't some magic she expected. She simply assumed that Jericho's unfailing trust and faith would give her the strength she needed to fly. He'd done the same, back when he'd first taught her to fly, but she remembered none of her own feelings on the matter. It just sounded right to her.
So yes. Believe in me hard enough, Jericho. Her expression lifted wryly. And anything can happen.
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 9:34 am
The little elf beamed up at Riley as she replied to him.
"Then I believe you can fly!" he said before kind of bouncing out of her lap.
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 2:21 pm
His exuberance was infectious. Riley snickered and pushed to stand up, walking over to the door and unlocking it. Then let us go test the strength of your belief, Jericho. I look forward to bringing you to the skies once more. I regret that I cannot give you the same experiences you once must have given me, because I cannot go as high or as fast as you. However, I'm sure it will be satisfactory.
She opened the door, very carefully, and hesitated, before closing it once more.
Please stay near me, while we head outdoors. All right? I.. I can't lose you. Her voice tightened as she reined in all emotion. It's not an option.
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