|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 12:48 pm
Friendly? Helpful? No way were they talking about the same guy. Sure, Mort's Zak had been nothing but courteous to his mother, but . . . just no. "Doubt it," he murmured. "But can ask if you want. N'way, sleeping underground's like, er . . . Well sleeping n' bed. Sorta. Is harder n' can't really move, sure, but covers all around like cool sheets. Nothing comes bother you unless are digging up, n yeah don't have to breathe so it's all good. Liked the solitude of eternal sleep . . ." His brow creased a little as he fought to remember. "Think was there for two months or so. S'what the reaper said after resurrecting at least. Heh, said rent was up n' that had t-to move on." And that was creeping into "First Mama" territory, which he wanted to avoid.
So fire played a big part in their magic, huh? Well it was a devious thing, fire, always shifting, burning hands with its bite yet soothing feet with its warmth; it sounded right up a witch's alley along with their mystical moon. "Can't, ah, say I like fire," Mort commented with an apologetic grimace, just to be sure he didn't accidentally cause further insult. "S'an undead thing, started way back with first patchwork Frankenstein. Pitchforks n' fire n' all that. Way too easy to catch on fire." Maybe it was good Ramona had convinced him to lop off the extra inches of hair . . .
Mort pondered over the witch talk for a moment, tapping his cheek. "Mrrr. So when did tarot cards come in? How does it work? Always wondered how reapers decide if get weapon or familiar, see, thought for a moment yours was Binx 'til said was just enchanted."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 7:40 pm
"That sounds delightful... If, you know, one doesn't have to breath air." Being all curled up and comfy-cozy? Surrounded by Mother Earth? Yes, delightful. But rent? Did zombies actually rent out plots of land to sleep on? That sounded so interesting, but a little bit annoying too. What if you got evicted? Literally! That would be terrible, and always having to search for a new place to sleep. Goodness, being a zombie sounded like an awful lot of work. "Do you really think you'll ever go to eternal sleep? And just never, ever wake up?" Belladonna asked, wide-eyed with her eyebrows puckered in a bit of worry. It was silly, really and truly, to worry about such a thing now, but... She just couldn't help but hope that Mort wasn't planning on going into eternal sleep anytime soon... She'd just gotten him back! At his difference toward fire, Belladonna only shrugged. She wasn't fire's number one fan, of course. It made for fun candle-lit nights and was nice during those big Monster festivals, but besides that... She much preferred electricity and light bulbs. "Ah yes, poor Mr. Frankenstein. But its ok, I'm not huge on fire either. Some witches were burned in the Human World, you know. A long time ago. Granted, they only got one or two, but it was enough." Enough to put the taste of ash in one's mouth and further blacken Human's names. They were horrid creatures, more often than not. But still, the witch couldn't help but be a bit curious over them... "Well, no candle lit dinners for us then." She giggled with a wink and a small knuckle-tap to the chest. It was meant in jest, but she did at least hope that Mort would plan something romantic. Eventually. If not, Belladonna would have to take matters into her own hands and that would probably be an utter disaster. Planning was not one of her strong suits... "Tarot cards came in a bit later. When witches started divining the future, they devised various ways to do it. There are all sorts of techniques! Cards, runes, scrying mirrors, smoke. Anything really!" This was such fun! Belladonna kicked her feet a little as she reshifted herself in Mort's lap. "Well, it really depends on the Reaper, I suppose. Some prefer weapons and some like something a bit more personal. I always thought I would just use a familiar, until I bonded with my Tarot cards." She shrugged in a manner to suggest 'It just happens'. There were more questions she wanted to ask, specifically about his past and whole adoption story, but something told the witch to hold on that particular subject. They weren't invested enough yet in this relationship to start treading over those graves. So... What was next, what was next? "Have you ever had a ghoul friend before?!"Eeerrr, Hecate why did she always ask the worst questions!?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:13 pm
"No, wouldn't go back." It was immediate and without a second thought, he even surprised himself. But it was true. "Sleep is nice, but . . . not nicer than this. Not better than friends. Sometimes need the quiet n' solitude, but not eternal kind. No, like it here very much in spite've dangers. Besides, c-couldn't trade earth-sleep for warm hugs n' kisses," Mort assured her and, grinning, playfully poked the place where her creased brows met with worry. "Would be crazy to."
He winced sympathetically a bit at the mention of the witch burnings, having heard a bit about them during his various interweb explorations; yet another sign of human ignorance and a cautionary tale to those who went to their world for FEAR harvesting. Still, the many possibilities witches could explore with magic was almost awe-inspiring: why, just some words and a gesture could give them the future, or freeze a person in place, or maybe even teleport them to wherever they wanted. In comparison he felt like a second-hand lightbulb with a bad smell.
And on ghoulfriends, well . . . "Errrr." He retracted his hand from Bella's face and let it hang somewhere by his chest as if unsure what to do with it. "No. Th-Th-Thought was obvious by terrible boilfriend skills . . ." he said, trailing off with another self-conscious neck-rub. By now they should've made out passionately as music swelled in the background to congratulate them on their reunion. Or something. All Mort had done was start them on a game of 20 questions! Sure it was good to know more about your partner, but . . . it wasn't romantic in the slightest the way he was going about it.
Good thing Belladonna was patient.
"M-More used to, ah, sidelines. Or secondhand through book o-or comic. Not first-person." He dropped his gaze off towards Thor awkwardly. "Used to walls, used to limits, used t-to reading about him, not being him. N-N-Now is like putting in big open room without orders - don't know first thing to do." Were there manuals or how-tos he could check out of the library? Maybe it'd be prudent to check. Mort scrambled for a question not retaliate with, but he could hardly ask Bells the same: he already knew she had two other crushes and there wasn't any point dredging those memories up.
Awkward pause is a go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:04 pm
The witch was surprised by his quick and very sincere reply, but her surprise quickly melted into some ooey-gooey joy. Not better than this? Oh Mort, you really do know the right things to say! Belladonna closed her eyes to better unhinge the crease above her brows, but after a moment she opened one pink eye to peer up at him. He really was all sorts of wonderful... "Terrible boyfriend skills?! Are you kidding me? You're fantastic!" To show this, Belladonna snuggled closer to him and pressed her face into his chest. She wanted to argue more, but instead she let him explain himself in a stilted, stuttering tongue that she patiently waited through. What he was saying was rather... Well, it fit for Belladonna too. She had filled her shelves with romance novels, she had packed her brain full of love stories and had always longed for the day when she got to become a heroine. But now that she was that heroine, now that she was that woman lucky enough to find a man who wanted her... She just fizzled out. The witch let out a tiny "hmmm" before she straightened up to look at Mort. "I don't really know the first thing to do either. I guess we just... Keep doing what we were doing before. Talk and play video games and hang out. But we just... Kiss every once in a while too. And get all..." Here she inserted a hand wave that was supposed to mean "Swoon at each other's touch or melt into each other's arms and make our hearts get all sorts of excited", but it really ended up just being a flail around her chest. She shrugged again, but gave him the glint of a mischievous smile. "But at least tell me, how does it feel to have gotten the girl?" It meant as a joke, but after she said it, Belladonna realized Mort might actually take it seriously. Well, she supposed that was alright. A little flattery never hurt...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:26 am
Fantastic? Jack, sometimes Mort wondered. He made a little disbelieving sound, but the corners of his mouth still turned upward.
"Mrrr . . . True." Status change didn't necessarily mean he had to change his schedule. After all, wasn't this just hanging out? Granted, people who were just friends didn't go sitting in each other's laps and pressing their faces into chests, but still. The sensation was nice, and he looped an arm about her to keep that warmth his, like there was any other contender in the room. "G-Get easily flustered, see. If not thinking, then thinking too much. Hard finding balance." Kinda like how the cards had said back at Bella's tarot reading.
Hmm. Although maybe he could salvage this after all.
"How does it feel?" His face slowly spread into a grin, lifting a hand to trace a finger across her cheek. "Feels as good as warm skin. A-As good as coming home n' seeing that smile. Mrr, feels like . . ." With that very hand he tilted her chin up and began to kiss her, some of that hesitance from before showing but mixed with newfound eagerness as well - this was the first real kiss as a couple he was initiating here, it had to be good.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 8:04 pm
Mort's sound of disbelief was meet with a vigorous nod by the witch to further cement her feelings. Whether he believed them or not was another matter entirely, but she'd have time to change his mind, surely. "Balance is always a difficult thing to find. But you'll get it. And even if you don't, that's ok because you're rather adorable when you're flustered." The witch giggled a little, but blushed rather heavily when he took her chin into his hand. Her heart slammed within her as she realized just exactly what he intended to do. Somewhere in her mind she struck up a loud, jubilant sound that halted the moment their lips touched and all other thoughts stopped. Careful not to totally fling herself into the kiss and knock the poor boil over, Belladonna instead applied a liberal dose of tenderness into her return of the kiss. But it still didn't stop her fingers from winding into his hair, or from clutching at the front of his shirt to pull him closer. This was what she had wanted for, well... Ever, really. So she certainly wasn't going to let this go now. Well, that is until she had to take a very deep gasp of air. "Sorry..." She mumbled against his mouth and pulled back, her cheeks a bright red from both excitement and embarrassment. Unused to such activity, the witch had yet to learn the proper breathing techniques required, so when she did pull back, she was certainly a little winded. Was it ok to stop? Did he want to keep on? Or should she distract him from that horrid display of finesse? Distractiooooonnn!!! "Whenever you're ready we'll go get Lanna! I have a present for you back in my room too! Well, two actually... But we can go whenever you'd like! Not that I'm saying we should leave now, or anything..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 8:37 pm
Imagine eighteen days of being tight-lipped in all company (save for Callista) as a dam, with the water being a mixture of emotions and thoughts. Now imagine the kiss creating a nice little crack in it. Easy to handle, but still leaking. A weak point. A small, insistent voice that cried for more, one Mort could ignore, tell himself he could control.
Now put the jackhammer to it. The wave of fingers through his hair, the insistent tug at his shirt, they both eroded and picked at that hole until water was clearly beginning to escape. Freedom. Willful ghouls manufactured willful responses: a hand slid up her back, the other sought out her hair to brush away from her face, fingers lost to those seemingly endless curls. Control was slowly slipping as that voice demanded for more, more. Go forever if he had to if that's what it took to get what it needed.
Of course, Belladonna's deep gasp reminded him that forever was impossible. While she caught her breath, he straightened back and just began to shake with laughter at nothing in particular, the stitches of his lips threatening to break as his own face grew flushed. It was just . . . there was nothing but glee. The satisfaction that for once he had initiated something and it hadn't blown up in his face, that only reaped him rewards! "S-Sorry for what? Needing to breathe?" he teased, and then laughed some more for the hell of it. He hadn't heard the sound in so long anyway.
At last when he recovered from his post-kiss punch-drunk behavior, Mort bobbed his head in a nod. "M'ready when you are!," he replied, though his hands didn't seem to get the message: one was still quite stubbornly pressed against her back, the other still playing with red ringlets it had been caught in moments before. "Assuming Lanna wants to leave your room at least. Would be downsizing by coming back after all."
Although what was this second present she mentioned? Mrrrr. He wanted to find out, but half of him didn't feel like moving yet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:03 pm
Maybe she could sense his insistence, his need, because Belladonna hadn't wanted to stop. She wanted to let out all those potentialities that had been wasted, she wanted to release all the emotions and the tears and fears and everything and anything in this one kiss. But jackdamn it all she just had to be a living creature that needed to breath. The small burst of laugh startled her and caused her eyebrows to crumble up in worry, but even her worry that stopping was the wrong thing to do dissolved in the face of Mort's laughter. Had he ever laughed so freely? With such absolute joy? She couldn't be sure, but to see him like this certainly made her heart race in a wholly new way. Before it had been mixed with a bit of lust, now it was totally innocent and ready to give. If there was anything else she could do to make that smile and that laughter and that small spark of hope stay in his eye forever, Belladonna would do it in a heartbeat. Or whatever small space of time undead used as a measuring tool. Finally the blush started to lessen, so Belladonna jumped excitedly when he nodded. "Lanna totally misses you! Once I told her you were coming back she started to look at the door and wander over every so often. So I'm sure she's excited to see you again."As for the presents, well... Those were a bit of a surprise, to Belladonna as well. The idea had only popped into her head recently, so she figured his homecoming would be the perfect time to give them. Maybe she couldn't throw a party, but she certainly wanted to do something besides make out with him. Actually, she wanted to do that some more too. Though slightly unwilling to leave her spot in his lap, Belladonna still saw the reason in leaving and heaved a small sigh. But before she left, she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. No words, since nothing needed to be said, she just wanted one moment to hold him and let it sink that he was really and truly here, safe and sound with her and wholly her's. Nothing this precious had ever belonged to the witch before.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 5:13 am
"Mrrr~ Well, good! Kingdom is lost without princess," he said with a little sweeping motion about the room, though he was quick to go back to holding her like the witch would drift away if his grip wasn't tight enough.
Was Mort disappointed that they weren't resuming the make out? A little. But the close proximity appealed to the craving for now (and it wasn't as if they had only today, silly zombie), and with that lingering grin pressed his cheek to hers, letting the whir of his brain fill the silence for him like a content cat. He managed to form the thought that if he wasn't careful, he might one day accidentally Death Grip her into a less than romantic embrace; he filed away that thought for later, keeping his arms lose enough to let her breathe. Was this still a bit too stiff for her? Hmmm.
He wasn't sure how much time had passed, really, before he broke the embrace, still grinning like a fool. "Come, princess awaits! And can only hold suspense a-about other gift for so long."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 12:40 pm
Though for a moment the witch was slightly confused as to who the princess was (wasn't she Mort's princess!? Oh, wait... She had only said that in her head, never out loud! Whoops!), she quickly followed and nodded vigorously. To say Lanna would be excited for Mort's return would be quite an understatement, but the witch finally placed one quick peck on his check and slid off him and the bed. "I have to get my broom before we leave, but we won't fly over. Its such a short ride... I don't know why I took my broom to begin with, I couldn't fly fast or anything... I guess I was just nervous." Her cheeks suddenly flashed a bright pink and Belladonna realized how totally lame that sounded. Why would she just confess like that!? Hecate, she was bad at this whole 'cool in the relationship' thing. "I hope you like them! They're small, but still good. I hope." Belladonna replied as she took his hand and lead him from the room. Once on the landing she broke off to retrieve her broom (only to find a pair of gnomes passionately making out in the closet, but she only sneered and snatched up her broom) but quickly came back and lead him out and toward the Reaper dorms. A small bit of silence stretched out between them and the witch cast about for something to talk about. Anything, anything! Um um uuuummmmmmm~ "Did you finish A Game of Magic and Death?" She finally asked, a small bounce in her step. It had been a fairly decent story that she had enjoyed quite a lot, but the rest of the series was a bit... Depressing, to say the least.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 3:27 pm
Nervous enough to grab a broom? Huh. Mort wasn't sure what she meant. Like in case things went bad, she had a getaway? Didn't Belladonna remember he lived in a windowless basement? But he only patted her head like she was a little scareling or minipet, smiling and saying, "S'fine~" before she led them off.
So the homecoming gift was in fact homecoming gifts? Mrrr . . . What was small and good for this purpose? Sweets? Candied brains were a great weaknesses of his, mmmmm~ Or maybe something more practical? Like . . . Jack, Mort didn't know what. He was still sitting on the edge of cloud nine and in no mood to be puzzling things logically for once, taking ahold of her free hand until they neared her door.
"Er, close to finishing actually. Wish Ned wasn't gone," he answered with a tiny frown. "Liked him. Bookmarked around the point where Jon n' co are getting attacked by the humans they found beyond The Wall." He'd hoped to finish the book in time for his arrival back at school, but time had slid away from him towards the end. That, and other things got in the way. "Found show online too, so started switching off in tandem between book n' live action to see differences n' similarities. Do like portrayals for the most part, e-especially Daenarys's actress."
As they approached Bella's dorm door, they could hear the scrambling sounds of paw steps and short breaths. A white paw was picking underneath the door, accompanied by soft whines. Someone was eager to see them without having to see them!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 4:54 pm
The kiss on the head sent the witch into a dizzying spell of swooning, but she recovered quickly and eventually just smiled like a dolt. This was something she was greatly looking forward to getting used to. "Wow! You sure knocked that out quick! It took me two months to finish it. But I'm glad you like it... I like Jon so much! He's always so nice, but those Humans beyond The Wall are icky." As for the live action show, Belladonna had only seen a few episodes. Yet, of what she'd seen she enjoy quite a lot. All the portrayals were rather good and even though some things had been changed, it was still enjoyable. "The Khaleesi is definitely my favorite." The witch conceded with a small smile. Even if it was just fictional, she still respected the girl's wish to be called by her new, true title. The walk was short and the climb wasn't so difficult when in good company. So when they reached the door and Belladonna fished out her key, she was quick to spot the little paw under the door. "Incoming!" She called as she opened the door and watched Lanna shoot out to meet her master. D'aawwww, this was going to be so adorable to watch! Their fluffy reunion where Lanna would completely forgive Mort for the mishap and then lavish affection on him. Not that she really needed any. Belladonna had given her plenty!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 5:17 pm
FWOOSH. Out went the foxfire like a rocket, whirling about their legs in a tangle of yips and bum-wiggling until she finally recognized Mort's scent, which just sent her further into a tizzy. Why did he look different?? WAS HE REALLY HERE? OR WAS IT AN IMPOSTER? OvO Yapyapyapyapyapyap -
Mort, who had braced for impact when Belladonna warned him, scooped Lanna up with a large smile, hardly able to get anything out for the first few seconds as she alternated between prodding him with her nose and giving him a tongue-bath. "Slow down!" he tried to tell her, but the foxfire was incorrigibly excited and wriggling all up in his bizniz. Eventually he managed to wrangle Lanna and settle her down, stroking her fur to keep her content enough to stop moving so much. "There we go . . . Ah, she looks great, Bells! Thanks again." Much better from the frightened, lightweight, semi-singed minipet he had begat.
Shifting Lanna a bit so she wasn't persistently trying to lap at his face (and more importantly not have her wings slap him), he followed the witch into her room. The pinkness barraged him again, though the impact was lessened by now. "So how'd Lanna do with Binx?" Mort prompted, watching for the drawling cat somewhere in the nooks and crannies. "I, er, hope she wasn't too much to handle."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:01 pm
All the cuddles and excitement and wiggling and generally sdfghjklkjhgfd Lanna was currently exhibiting only sent the witch into a frenzy of laughter. It was just so funny to watch the foxfire nearly fly laps around her owner, but it was wonderful to know that she still loved Mort. Belladonna had done her best to fatten the little foxfire up, so she might have gone a bit overboard with the food and definitely turned out a few pounds over her normal weight. Oh well! She was happy and that's what mattered! "She was pleasure!" Belladonna cooed as she swept into her room. "She was a terror." Binx drawled from his spot atop the bookshelf. After he pawed the air before him as if contemplating coming down, but finally he took the plunge and jumped right into Belladona's arms. "Binx was just jealous, so don't listen to him." The witch retorted as she cuddled her cat close. Though having Lanna was quite a lot of fun, it would be absolutely lovely to just cuddle close with her familiar. And though the witch wanted to wait, she just couldn't help herself. With a few hop-skips, she was at her desk and had yanked open a drawer that clattered with things inside. The noise startled the cat and Binx hopped away and back, onto the bed. With both hands now free, Belladonna snatched something from the drawer and closed it quickly. She whirled around, her face uncertain but twitching with a smile as she crossed the room to Mort. Careful not to upset Lanna, Belladonna took one of his hands and held it palm up in her's. There was a small pause where she took a deep breath, before she finally set a small object in the middle of his open hand.  "Its not much, but I've never given one away before... You're the only person to ever have one of my pins. So... Keep it safe." Her voice was steady, if soft and her cheeks were turning a darker shade every second, but Belladonna smiled widely. It was stupid to be this nervous over something so small, but for whatever reason, it didn't feel small.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:50 pm
Ah, there we go! "Hello to you too, Binx," Mort greeted. "She's leaving today, no worries." He still remembered how antsy the cat had made him feel last time. Funny how right now Binx could probably say anything to Mort and he'd still keep on smiling like the familiar had merely said "Lovely weather isn't it?" Lanna still yipped at the cat, though there was more endearment in it now that they had spent some time together.
And now, the homecoming gifts! Mort watched her grab something from the drawer and waited with some anticipation, though he couldn't see anything to hint at what would be given. Small enough to fit in her hand? So that was a no to candied brains . . . He blinked as the witch took one of his hands and pressed something thin into his palm, looking down at the thing with some mild confusion before it hit him.
Her pin . . .?
"Bells . . . Y-You don't have to," he began, though he had a feeling she wouldn't care about "have to's". Pin exchange didn't look like much on the outside, but this was a literal symbol that she would back him up in pretty much any situation, for better or for worse. Did she feel so strongly in spite of their scattered past times together being emotionally all over the place? Or was it expected for a new couple to give each other their pins their first day? Either way, Belladonna was blushing so fiercely that it made him all the more self-conscious; hell, he probably looked a bit purple in the face himself.
He gazed at the smiling skull for a few seconds more, slowly curling his fingers atop it. "You, e-er, sure?" Mort couldn't help but ask, so on the spot by this surprisingly intimate gesture that his voice came out small. "S-S-Sometimes can barely k-keep own self safe, let alone . . ." He trailed off, briefly pressing his tongue between his teeth as if that could cure him of the stutters.
This wasn't a small matter to him either. This was Bells putting her trust in him everyday when some days he barely could put trust in himself. Asking her out had seemed like such an insurmountable issue, but in comparison to this it felt like a tiny molehill.
Or maybe he was just making another mountain out of one again. Commitments always did make Mort nervous.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
