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 Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 4:05 pm
Malodore nodded, shifted slightly, and relaxed. As it stopped putting forth the effort to hold the blade-sockets open, the muscles clamped shut, drawing the blade-roots back into the musculature where they belonged. It stung as the sharp roots reseated themselves, but it was a pain the plague doctor was entirely used to.
It let out a long breath once it was done, turning its head to confirm that the blades were all properly aligned once more. "Grazie." That hadn't been so bad, had it?
It was itching to put its coat back on properly now, though.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 6:44 pm
Riley felt the blades get grabbed and winced slightly, but she heard no audible complaint and relaxed when Malodore turned it's head to thank her. Her hands were still held up in the position they had been when they held the blades, but they dropped now, useless.
You're welcome, she murmured, barely able to tear her eyes away from the blades. When she did, however, she took the sagged coat in her hands and pulled it up, gently re-setting it around the blades and onto it's body. She let it do all of the buttoning, however. In a spur of the moment gesture, she put her head down on it's shoulder and rested it there for a moment. And thank you. She whispered, before finally removing her arms from around it (where they had been to put it's coat back on) and raising her head once more.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 6:52 pm
Malodore opened its beak in a relieved smile as it took the few steps to its sleeping nook. It quickly retrieved its sleeves and re-attached them, and as it did so the last bit of tension finally faded away. It couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief as it stepped back into the main room. "It is... a bit silly, perhaps, how much better I feel when properly clothed," it admitted, smoothing out one sleeve. "Thank you for your help..."
The rest of the sentence was unspoken. E grazie per non pensare che era strano.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:56 pm
It is not silly. We all grow up in an environment that directly affects the way we act and how we feel about certain things. It's natural. As soon as it returned, she reached out and collected it's hand, putting it between both of her own.
For example, she murmured in quiet amusement. I grew up in a household where the only physical touch we ever received was in battle. Affection, if given at all, was mental in nature. Her words were wrapped in an affectionate caress, to further express what she was discussing. Before I came here, I saw no reason for physical expressions of any kind. But, I learned quickly that many of the students here have grown up not only comfortable with, but craving touch. A hug seems to do wonders for them. And in using their desire of affection for my own means, I think perhaps they seem to be evolving within me, as well. Her fingers slid between his, intertwining them, and she laughed. It's absurd. It's actually completely disgusting, in my culture. Maybe that's why it's so fun.
Her eyes had been carefully kept down, watching her hands envelop his claws. Her voice turned very quiet. And yet, for as long as I've lived without the desire for anything physical, now my hand feels empty without yours in it. Now that, I think, is something worth being called silly.
She processed the unspoken words, and her eyes lifted up to look at it finally. She wasn't sure what it could have thought was strange, but she shook her head regardless. No, Malodore. That was far from strange. You're absolutely fascinating to me. The most interesting person I've ever known. And to be quite embarrassingly honest, if it were not taboo for you and therefore uncomfortable, I would have loved to see more of you. However, your comfort is priority to me. I'd rather you be happy, than satisfy my raging curiosity to know you better in every aspect. She squeezed it's hand in a gesture of comfort.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:02 pm
It squeezed her fingers, lightly, then opened its beak in a smile. "I will say, it does please part of me to be so... defiant, as it were. In some matters. Just being here is an act of defiance."
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:14 pm
Although Riley knew that Malodore meant being at the Academy was its act of defiance, its words held a different meaning for her - being in this room, holding its hand, and feeling the way she did, was her act of defiance. And it suited her just fine.
You have no idea. She murmured low, almost too quiet to hear, before bringing its hand into her lap. So, the blades are in comfortably? She asked in a more normal voice.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:19 pm
"Ah, yes... absolutely." It ruffled its back-blades as it spoke; they chimed against each other, a far better sound than the dissonant clanging earlier. "It is much easier with help. I would not have been finished by now, at all... it takes so long to pound them out. Plague doctors are not renowned for their physical strength."
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:28 pm
Good. I'm glad I could be of help to you. She reached for her small pocketbook, and slid her phone out of it. With a few touches, she had silenced it - if only because a stray thought had reached her. The dance would be all but ended soon, which meant Sammy was going to try to call her for round 2 of that conversation. She didn't want to be disturbed right now .. or ever, when it came to that topic.
She slid the phone back in her pocketbook. Mindflayers are actually pretty average when it comes to strength, other than our tentacles. My strength mostly comes from training. I like to work out, a lot. It gives me an edge during my trials, when my opponent tries to think their way out of the fight, and I simply pull them apart. A very brief, and accidental, memory of her first trial leaked through while she spoke, but it faded away as quickly as it came. And I enjoy the rush of adrenaline that comes with working out, and running. It's one of the few physical pleasures I actually enjoy.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:32 pm
Malodore... noticed.
The flash was like lightning, images burned into its brain; Riley. But not Riley but very much Riley, tentacles writhing, blood-covered. It came with context that made the images make sense (somehow, somehow). A child. Riley as a child. Attacking, defending...
"... Madre di paura, che cosa è stato?" it managed, completely missing everything she'd said after that memory. Its hand shook slightly in hers.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:40 pm
It was simple enough to realize just what Malodore was reacting to, when she herself saw the image that it had accidentally gleened through her words and followed her train of thought on it's path. Her face drained of color, and her eyes widened just slightly. She had been scared, most of all, of how Malodore would react to her natural form and her primal nature. Sadly, she assumed its words and shaking were that very reaction she feared, and her hand very subtly removed itself from its grasp.
Sorry. She muttered, though her tone was crisper than usual. Her thoughts were now on a tight leash - no emotion came through anymore. I didn't mean to. That was just a memory. Her voice betrayed nothing of the anguish she was feeling. Nothing. She took a few steps back, and then picked up her pocketbook.
I should get going. She murmured in a deadpan voice.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:46 pm
"No!" It reached out, practically lunging for her hand. "No. Per favore, arresto ... arrestare l'esecuzione da me ogni volta che inciampo in una ferita ..." Its voice was entreating; the emotions surrounding it more so.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:57 pm
Riley instinctively jerked away when it reached for her, but the movement was slight enough that her hand was still caught. When its words sunk in, however, her stiff and retreating composure began to relax. She didn't know how to do anything but run away from a situation like this. Her brow furrowed deeply, and she refused to look directly at Malodore.
I thought that was what you would want, after seeing that. I didn't mean for you to see me like that. Not by accident, at least. I'm sorry if it.. you know. Disgusted you.
Her hand did not curl to hold the one around it, but neither did it pull away anymore. It just lay, limp and trembling, in Malodore's grasp.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:05 pm
"It was... surprising, but..." Malodore shrugged, the movement making its back-blades chime against each other. "Just as I am not to assume that I disgust you... well, you must do the same, yes?" It smiled and squeezed her hand again.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:12 pm
Riley narrowed her eyes, clearly not convinced at all. There's no comparison. You're good. Gentle. Wonderful. I'm.. not any of these things. I am, by definition, the opposite of these things. Her hand twitched within Malodores, expressing the desire to turn and hold its hand but tempering it with stubborn force of will.
When she finally looked up to see the expression on Malodores face, her stubborn tension broke. I would have at least liked to have had the chance to explain myself, instead of letting a foolish little memory escape on it's own. Her thoughts had returned the lucid, open quality they had held before. I've become so lax. I worry that one day I will accidentally show you something that truly would scare you away.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:24 pm
"Do you think I am so easy to frighten, truly?" Malodore tilted its head to one side. "I assure you, I am not..." It was curious about what it had been inadvertently shown, but it had not yet expressed that in words; still, Riley might pick up on the emotion if she was paying attention.
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