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Riley's head turned back to smother against the pillow, unhindered by such frivolous things as a nose or mouth to keep her from it. She had no answer for her friends, because it's what she would have done - but that didn't make it any easier for her to accept.

Her chest lifted her body when she took in a deep sigh. Cricket's question had her pausing in deep thought. After a moment, her hesitant answer came. They won't come out. I think.. if I tried, it might break me. I don't know for sure. What I do know is, if I don't learn how to control them, they're going to control me.

And she supposed the answer was there, without really choosing it. So I have to learn how to keep them under control, I guess. Wonderful, one more thing to add to the splendor of burden on her mind.

"Very well then." It hadn't been quite what Cricket had been asking about, but it was still a good answer. Frankly, it was better knowing Riley was going to make those wings her b***h than need Cricket coming over every two weeks to patch her up. So that was an extra bonus.

Finally, Cricket pressed her fingers into the place she'd been working on, feeling around with a less-than-gentle touch to assess the work - she'd managed to clean it up with only the smallest amount of scarring. It could have looked much nastier, but also Cricket probably could have cleaned it up neater than that as well.

"Your skin has done some toughening up where I've applied FEAR to, so that should help with your situation some." she said, seeming pleased overall with the patch job. "Take it slow in getting up again, but at least sitting up properly should be your goal for the day." the ghost looked at the rest of the room and the...literally bloody mess that had been made, seeming to assess how she felt about it.

"If you don't go outside, at the very least some fresh air would do some good."

Either way, with her ticking off final notes, she seemed to be finished with the minimum of patching up Riley's back. As for anything else, at least their nurse was capable of finding ways to make things...perhaps even comfortable for the mindflayer?

Seeing that Cricket was more or less finished now, Jericho let out a breath and nodded to the nurse.

"Thank you Nurse Cricket," he said with a weak smile before glancing to Riley as she showed a great deal of gratitude to the school nurse. Indeed, the ghost had done a great favor here, even if it was a part of her job.

"Do... you want those brains now, Riley?"

Riley chuckled low and quiet at Cricket's response, and nodded her head once. I will do just that, then. Everything within my power is now dedicating to making sure the next time we see one another, it will be in the classroom, and not on the operating table.

She briefly looked like she was going to try and get up, to see Nurse Cricket out, but a brief second was all it took to remind her that the movement was not yet possible. She let go of Nurse Cricket's hand, and gave her a solemn, tight bow. I truly apologize for not being able to see you out. Jericho? Or Malodore, perhaps? She looked at her companions, hoping that they could take the burden of hospitality off her shoulders for the time being. Though, Jericho's offer made her keenly aware of a returning appetite..

Actually, Jericho, I'd love that. Thank you dear.

"Grazie mille for your aid, Infermiera Cricket - a thousand thanks," Malodore said fervently. Now that Riley's back looked more like a back and less like ground meat, the plague doctor's mood was much improved. "Is there anything else you need?"

Christof was feeling increasingly useless as he watched the Nurse go, twisting his soiled rag between his hands before glancing back at the trio of friends...

He was just part of the furniture, which... was what Igors were for, right? They lurk. They wait. They're called upon. They obey. But he wasn't just some little robot you kept in your closet until you wanted to play with it and vacuum the carpet. Staring now at the remaining stains, his mental voice finally meekly spoke up, although it was quiet and weak, wary of being intrusive, Please tell me what I might do to help, Mistress?

She had probably even forgotten that he was there. Last year, perhaps, he would have been proud of this. It showed he was good at lurking. Now, though... things were all different.

Jericho sat by while Riley ate, watching her and just trying to make sure that everything was going well... even if she was just eating. When she motioned towards Christof, he glanced up at the Igor briefly, then turned his attention back to his best friend.

He was a little curious why she spoke with the patchwork specifically for that, since he could help out with that sort of thing as well.

"Let me know if you need anything else."

The sudden change in Christof had Riley stilling in shock, and her tentacles ceased the throbbing that meant they were eating as she stared at him. Even Christof was making her feel that dreaded guilt, and she cringed from it, just slightly.

No one questioned her power, he said.

Her eyes closed, furrowed in conflict. He had no idea just how wrong he was.

I'm sorry. She murmured quickly. I don't always- No, even she was loathe to admit that she was not infallable. Just.. just help me up, Christof.

She was done eating. Her appetite was lost.