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 Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:04 am
"Oh, Lee!" She whimpered as he continued apologizing. "It's n-not your fault, and you are the same Liam Rhodes I'd met... You...I... I'd i-imagine if our positions were r-r-reversed, I would have done the same..."
She curled closer to him, ears flicking quickly in her unease. She wanted to reassure him, but couldn't properly do it until she had seen...what happened, truly, while she had been crated up in the storage unit. Wriggling, she managed to squeeze even closer to him.
"...so..." She murmured, pulling her head up a little to peek at Neve through her bangs. "Would you like...something to eat before you show me all that happened..? Or would you rather wait until afterwards?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:29 pm
Nevada quickly shook his head. "No...I try to eat anything before, I'll be sick afterwards..." he sighed and slowly got up going to the pile where his armor was and retrieved his helmet. He slowly went back to the bed and pulled Ellie's card out of the slot and offered it to her while he put on his helmet. Once she was in her card he sat down and reinserted her. And very slowly opened the door to the memories he'd locked away.
He'd decided to start at the beginning. It was usually wisest in a situation like this....Him screaming her name, his frantic dash down the hall trying to reach her before they locked her away forever...beating his paws bloody on the door...being taken to his room and...nothing...darkness, emptiness...waking up finding one of his paws broken...more nothing...being beaten when he refused to work anymore...he may have not been useful as a solider...but he still had the mind they needed...a mind for weapons...pain flashing across his body as he burned himself unthinkingly. Nothing....empty...longing...and a slow realization...darkness...waking up with blood on his paws...a body at his feet...he did that two more times...Death...release...longing for death...three times....the first time he'd tried to cut his wrists...they'd caught him...the scars on his wrists reminders that he carefully kept hidden...twice on his medication...they'd pumped his stomach....and finally no more...they'd forced him put himself back together with the one thing he wanted....Ellie...promise, promise, promise...but never fulfilled....despair...and then...nothing...
Nev gasped as he finished showing Ellie his memories of what had happened to him immediately after their separation...he heaved and ripped of his helmet unable to stand being in it anymore. His paws shook and he panted in a cold sweat as he tried to collect himself. "Ellie...?" he called out hesitantly...What will she think of me...? he thought with a sob.
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Lady Argentum Draconis Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 2:29 pm
Ellie nodded at his deductions, watching with wide eyes as he left the bed. Holding back a worried whimper, she sighed in breathless relief as he only retrieved his helmet and came back. She nuzzled against him gently before disappearing into the AI card. She had just made herself comfortable when the memories started, pouring quickly past her along with every ounce of emotion Neve had while going through that.
She was disoriented as she lost connection with Neve as he yanked the helmet off, and spent several moments trying to collect herself enough to figure out she was needed outside. She struggled a moment before flashing out and stumbling, still disoriented.
"L-L-Le-Le-L-L-Lee?"
Her squeak was quiet against his panting, eyes still unfocused somewhat, binary digits flickering and shifting as she processed everything, sifting through the memories once again at a slower pace as she clawed her way across the bed towards him, immediately grasping at his two front paws to nuzzle at the scars hidden beneath his fur, shoulders heaving with her tearless sobs.
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 2:44 pm
Nev slowly looked up at Ellie as she nuzzled his wrists. "Baby Doll...." he said quietly "Ellie..." he wriggled his paw away from her in order to place it on her cheek and get her to look at him. "Now you know..." he said sadly, his blue eyes misty. "I couldn't live without you...I barely lived without you..." he trailed off and looked away swallowing hard before looking back at her.
"I love you..." he whispered. "Honestly, truly, deeply...you are the world to me..." he then very slowly leaned forward and kissed her mouth hesitantly before pulling back with an awkward grin.
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Lady Argentum Draconis Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:01 pm
Ellie clutched his paws tighter a moment. That flash was what stuck out to her. Him hurting himself physically over her...as if all the mental anguish wasn't enough. She whimpered softly as he used his freed paw to turn her face upwards. Her eyes shimmered, not with tears, but the slender binary digits. It played over and over, she couldn't help it...but his next words stopped her.
"I...I-I-I...I know..." She managed, the kind of realization dawning upon her features as he dipped his head to hers for a kiss. If she could have blushed, she would be bright scarlet at the moment. Of course she knew. It had been underlying beneath everything else he had shown her. She shuddered and slid closer, burying her face into his fur.
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:17 pm
Nev slowly wrapped his arms around Ellie. "Oh, Baby Doll..." he nuzzled her and stroked her hair. "I hope I didn't scare you..." he said.
He gently pulled her face up and looked into her eyes. "Ellie..." he caressed her cheek again and leaned in and kissed her forehead before glancing at the clock. "9:30 already...I slept in." he sighed. He nuzzled Ellie. "We gotta a few things to do today." he said. "One's a surprise though...well they both are really..." he said. "And I promise nothing bad. I just need to shower, eat, and then we can go."
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Lady Argentum Draconis Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:47 pm
Ellie sighed as she felt Neve's arms curl around her and she huddled up against him, eyes closing as he stroked her hair. She shook her head gently, though it was a lie, before blinking as he raised her head again. Her eyes fluttered closed as he leaned in again to kiss her forehead this time. Her tail twitched lightly before she curled it around him.
She panicked when Neve mentioned a surprise, mind automatically straying for a moment to 'going back to the base' before common sense kicked in and she relaxed, his words helping to calm her. Releasing a shuddering breath, she pressed herself up against him and nuzzled him softly.
"L-Lee... I...I c-can cook y-you something wh-while you shower..?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:54 pm
Nev was a little surprised at the request to make him something. "Uh...okay." he said. He got up and stretched out and then looked around for some clean clothes. "Laundry...gotta do laundry..." he muttered. He finally located a clean shirt and pants and looked back at Ellie. "Recipe box is in the second drawer next to the sink." he said. "And everything is pretty much where you expect it to be." he said.
He trotted over towards the bathroom and smiled at Ellie. "I'll only be about 15 minutes, then I need to make a quick phone call from in here. So I'll be out in 20-25 minutes. I promise." he said. He fiddled with the clothes in his paws for a few seconds before going back to the bed and kissing Ellie on the cheek. "Have fun in the kitchen, okay?" he said smiling gently at her.
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Lady Argentum Draconis Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:17 pm
Ellie couldn't quite manage to suppress her soft whine as he moved to gather the things he would need. She clipped her tail around herself, slinking to the edge of the bed to watch him, eyes darting quickly. She frowned, bottom lip quivering slightly before she squeezed her eyes shut, only opening them when she heard his soft steps across the floor, immediately leaning in against him with a minuscule sigh of contentment before she nodded.
" 'kay..."
She waited a moment before slowly slinking from the bed, through the hall and into the kitchen to grab the box containing Neve's handwritten recipes. Any other fox would have face-faulted at the near-illegible scribbles on the paper, but Ellie lived in his mind for so long that it was as easy to read as her own.
She chose a simple but filling recipe card from the index and brought out eggs, bilk, butter, some cheese, onions and ham, as well as mushrooms, and set about making a scrambled skillet, content to follow the outline of the recipe without deviating from it. Tear the ham, slice the mushrooms, chop the onion. Let it warm in a separate skillet. Beat the eggs, add a certain amount of milk, mix. Heat another skillet with a tablespoon of butter, toss the eggs in and transfer the meat and veg in, as well. Add salt and a dash of pepper. Stir and cook until the eggs are fluffy.
She shoved her ingredients back into the fridge after sprinkling a thin layer of cheese over top and letting it melt, grabbing an orange and a plate. Deftly, she cut the orange into six sections before putting the skillet-scramble onto the plate, doing well to not disturb the melted cheese on top too much before setting the orange segments around the outside. Her ears twitched as she waited for Neve, and before she could start to get nervous, she started to wash the twp pans and the knives she had used to keep herself busy, biting her bottom lip.
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:24 pm
Nev quickly went into the bathroom and took a quick shower. He'd probably take another one tonight after being out all day, especially as one trip would require him to go downtown, and he really hated going down there.
He sighed and finished up his shower and toweled himself off. He may hate downtown but it was necessary. Ellie needed a few things in order to make this work, and he never wanted to run the risk of her getting caught because of something stupid. He stretched and then quickly pulled his clothes on before going back into the bedroom and picking up the phone. He dialed a number and waited for the other end to pick up, talking briefly and quietly when they did. Once he was finished he hung up and then went to his dresser and pulled out some things and shoved them in his pocket.
By this time he could smell what ever Ellie had made and he went out into the kitchen. "Smells wonderful, Baby Doll." he said smiling at her. He came up behind her and nuzzled her quickly before going to investigate the smell. "Looks delicious too!" he said happily, before sitting down and taking a bite. "Thats great. You're a very good cook, sweetheart." he said smiling at her.
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Lady Argentum Draconis Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:34 pm
Ellie relaxed as Neve came up behind her, leaning back automatically against him, only to flail her arms as he left to regain her balance. Turning, she smiled at him, pleased yet not about to deny the truth.
"It's your recipe, Lee... I only followed the directions given." She smiled very slightly, curling her tail around herself and inhaling quietly, nose stuck to the white shirt of his she was wearing. It smelled like him still. The tip of her tail twitched as she stayed where she was, content to watch him eat, happy he liked it even if it was only her following directions.
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:48 pm
Nev chuckled. "Give yourself more credit, Baby Doll. My instructions and handwriting are not always the easiest thing to read or do. You did a wonderful job." he said.
He munched quietly for several minutes thinking how to get the things he need to do today done...He really couldn't take Ellie with him...but he didn't and couldn't leave her here in the apartment all day either. He'd worry and she'd have a fit. And it wasn't that he didn't mind having her along...it was just he didn't want to have to answer any questions about where she was from and who she was.
He pondered for several more minutes as he finished the eggs and then began eating the orange, and then it struck him. Her AI Card. He could carry it in his pocket or something, it wasn't ideal but that way she would be with him and he wouldn't have to worry about asking her to stay alone in his apartment. It wasn't the best answer...but it seemed doable.
Nev quickly finished up the orange before taking his plate to the sink and setting it down. "I'm going to get your card, okay?" he said. "And I'm going to ask you a small favor...I know you don't want me to leave you here alone, but I'm worried about your safety and I don't want to risk anything right now, until I get some things for you. So..." he swallowed and looked at her pleadingly. "Would you be willing to let me carry you around in your AI card for the day? Just today, after this we won't have to worry about it...but...I'm just a little nervous today, Okay?" he finished.
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Lady Argentum Draconis Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:02 am
Ellie swallowed nervously, tail flicking back and forth as Neve started to speak, asking her to remain in her AI card for the day. She whimpered softly, edging towards him bit by bit... Until she was close enough to look straight up at him, desperately wanting to fling herself against him but somehow resisting, though it caused her to tremble even more.
"L-L-L...Y-Yo-ou c-c-could l-le-let me ss-stay with Bastian..." She murmured, eyes wide as she looked up at him before crumbling and throwing herself into his arms. "W-Wh-Why c-c-c-can't I b-be out-tside with y-you?"
She whimpered and buried her head against his chest, tiny paws clinging to his shirt, shoulders quaking as she contained the sound of her sobs from breaking loose. They slowed eventually, and she pulled away just slightly, flicking her gaze up to Neve a moment before nodding, resigned.
" 'kay..." She muttered, flicking her ears back and forth abruptly, turning and talking with him to his room, waiting until he retrieved the card from his helmet before reaching out wordlessly and disappearing inside of it, whimpering to herself at being alone.
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:28 am
Nev winced and felt like a cretin. Because I'm feeling possessive and I want to know you're with me...and I don't want you with someone else... He thought to himself. He slowly followed her as she took him to his room and waited while he got her card. Once she was inside it he looked at it for a few minutes.
"I'm sorry...I'll be quick...I promise. Just a few hours." he said a strangled voice feeling probably as miserable as she did. He gently touched the part of the card he could touch to his mouth and then put it in the pocket in his pullover and zipped it.
He then took a deep breath grabbed the last few things he needed and ran out the door to get the things he needed done.
~~~
All in all it took him four hours to run his errands. The biggest and most important one was something that couldn't be rushed and the second one had helped kill the time. He didn't have everything he needed from the first one but he had a good portion of it. Enough that it eased his mind about his and Ellie's safety.
He unlocked the door to his apartment and walked in carrying one large bag. He quickly unzipped his pocket and retrieved Ellie's card. "We're home." he said, and then waited for her to appear.
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Lady Argentum Draconis Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 11:28 pm
Sounds and sensations barely registered as she settled into her card, cutting off completely as she was put into Neve's pocket. With a helpless whimper, she curled into a tight ball with only her mind for company...apparently, she had several hours to wait, and wasn't looking forwards to any of them. It didn't take long for her whimpers to become wails, but by the end of the first hour and a half, she quieted again.
She could have sworn that the past day or so had all been a dream, and she was still encased within the storage unit.
When sensations and muffled sounds finally returned, she gasped, hardly daring to hope as she exited her AI card to appear on the floor near Neve,. Instantly, her gaze dipped to the floor and she flicked her tail around herself. Ellie was torn between relief that it hadn't been a dream, the other half being saddened that she couldn't have just stayed out with him. She bit her lip to stall the whimper, keeping her eyes downcast as she waited...well, for anything.
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