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 Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:42 pm
"You are most welcome, mia cara," Malodore said, softly; there, again, was that pang of pain, that small inner voice screaming that it had indeed given her flowers before, but the delight on her face and in her 'voice' more than silenced it. "I wish..." That it could stay here with her for hours, but.
Prom, yes.
"Prom," it reminded her, with a chuckle, nuzzling affectionately at her palm before dipping down to search for the long-awaited lint brush.
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:54 pm
Prom. She repeated, with a touch of embarrassment in her voice. She'd fallen into a gravitating pull, when it had spoken, waiting for the plague doctor's wish with a fierce intensity. The reminder had shaken her out of it. Right. She chuckled. So. Where would I keep a lint brush..
The answer was actually helpful. Logically, a lint brush would be in the closet with her clothing. And sure enough, when she opened the closet, she searched some of the boxes at the top shelf. She opened four before she found a set of supplies that included - lo and behold - a lint brush!
Victory! She pulled the lint brush out and walked out of the closet, pulling off the top layer of the sticky substance and holding it up to Malodore's robes.
There, she paused. May I?
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:58 pm
"Of course," it said immediately, surprised that she actually wanted to, well, lint-brush it. It definitely wasn't the act of the superior mindflayer that it had seen a flicker of before - that she had been in that long-ago 'December' in Christmas Town. Interesting. "And after, I shall ensure that no clinging fur remains on your lovely dress. And then we shall depart?"
Through the door, sadly; the thought had crossed its mind that they could scurry down the ladder and run, but Riley needed care and stability, not chaos. She was not yet recovered.
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:07 pm
The consent made her eyes lift for just a moment in mirth, before she ran the rolling lint brush down across it's robes. Yes. We shall. She let out a sigh of annoyance as she was reminded of what waited for them outside her door, but did not voice her concern. She simply brushed down Malodore's robes gently, in silence. She did not rush. She took care to make sure the robes were clean, including the sleeves, but eventually she had to admit she was done. So she ripped off the layer of the lint brush, and handed it to Malodore.
Okay. Now me. Both of her arms rose in wait.
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:15 pm
"Grazie - ah, do you recall any Italian? No matter, I shall teach you again, if you would like to learn," it said, taking the lint brush and carefully brushing at her dress. It was a beautiful example of the seamstress' art, and it wondered briefly if Junko had made it. The plague doctor didn't have much experience with delicate fabrics, but it did its best.
"There, now..." It put the brush down on the foot of the bed, then tilted its head as it examined her. "You look lovely, mia cara... but we should devise some sort of a plan. For attending," it said, quietly. "There will be many people there, most who will be pleased to see you, but not everyone knows you have, ah, returned. Some may be entirely shocked at your appearance, and the... the markings. The stripes." It reached out and lightly traced one of her arm-stripes with one claw. "They signify the infection, the reason you were... taken... in the first place. For many there, the last time they saw you... you were not yourself, and trying to do them harm. Their emotions are likely to be strong, and varied."
It took a deep breath, for calmness and stability. "I know this is meant to be a test for you, for whatever reason the Bogeymen have deemed necessary... but I want to protect you, should that be required. How... would be the best way to respond, do you think?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:22 pm
Surprisingly? She chuckled out, Mi ricordo perfettamente l'italiano. And I know that has to be new, because I do not recall learning it. I'm not.. sure why that has stayed with me? Her hand grazed along the sleeve of the plague doctor as it lintbrushed her. But I like it. It is a beautiful language. Did I learn it for you?
The conversation turned to something less enjoyable, and Riley rose her arm up, to survey the markings. She didn't realize they would have been a problem, but her answer was the same, nonetheless.
I have no shame for what has occurred to me. That I survived is enough. Let them see my marks, and know there is always hope.
She put her hand under Malodore's arm, and clutched it playfully. But I don't mind you protecting me, as well.
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:25 pm
"Ah, bene," Malodore said, opening its beak in a smile. "And si, si, it is entirely my fault. As the empathic awareness I now bear is your fault. It seems that spending a great deal of time with a mindflayer is somehow... contagious."
It approved of her answer, too, nodding and reaching out to her with its free hand. "Va bene. I will do what I can - I know you are strong, and can protect yourself. You know the ways of the mind more than any other being I have ever met." It looked at itself in her mirror, then looked at her.
"Shall we collect our chaperone, then, and go?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:32 pm
Their chaperone. Ugh. If we must. She muttered, as both of her hands settled on it's arm and she let it lead the way out.
Vek. The first words the boogeyman would have heard in quite some time. We are departing. She was being entirely too bossy, considering her situation.. but it was nothing less than what would be expected of her.
She let go of Malodore, and gently led it out the door. Then, she waited at the doorway, and just.. stared at Vek until he moved out of the way so she could close the door.
I suppose you're going to come with us. She muttered lowly at the boogeyman, and turned her back to him. But for the record, I am doing very well so far.
He was here to collect information, was he not? She knew full well he didn't actually care about her well being. But she was doing well, and there was always the chance that her continued recovery meant her freedom. So she walked off, gathering Malodore up and .. well .. going to prom.
The thought made her snicker.
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