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 Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 11:43 pm
Malodore opened the door to its dorm room quietly; while it had never actually met any of its floormates, it presumed that some other, unknown students lurked behind the other closed doors that lined the chilly hallway. Given that it was a bit late, it was probably best not to risk angering a vampire or two. It turned on the lamp by the door, then gestured for Riley to follow it in.
The room was... off, somehow. It was as neat and clean as ever, but a little too neat. The books were all squared off exactly, everything laid out with a precision so great that it was obvious someone had taken way too much time fussing over them. Arranging them just so. Malodore's desk/experiment slab was also emptier than it had been last time Riley was there...
And a few rose petals, obviously tumbled off the dried rose bouquet, lay scattered in a small path from Malodore's armchair to the door. Evidently, the path the plague doctor had taken when it made its decision.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:35 am
Riley had maintained a solemn silence on their slow trip to the dorm - it wasn't necessary, she knew it. Yet, there was something about a sleeping pup in her arms that made her walk just a little bit slower, and try to be just a little bit quieter. This carried over into her thoughts, without meaning to. She had never carried anything with such respect and care in her life, the way she did with her precious cargo. She welcomed the dark blanket of night as it kept her hidden from prying eyes, as much as she welcomed the unlit hallway. No one needed to see the look of captivation on her face as she watched Luce sleep. No one needed to see her soften this much.
When she stepped into the dorm, she didn't notice anything amiss at first. It was only when her eyes lifted to fall on the desk, that something finally stirred disturbingly within her. Her brow furrowed as she contemplated the subtle differences. Her mind brought up an exact visual of Malodore's room as it had been the last time she'd visited, and overlaid it with what she saw now. Every tiny difference was suddenly brought to life, and her heart clenched painfully as comprehension dawned on her.
Before she could react, she bent down and settled Luce against the pillow of the bed. Her hands took great care in sliding away from her with as little disruption as possible, before she moved away and took the few steps needed to stand at Malodore's desk. Her finger grazed against the rim.
Its actions this night had already proven that it cared about her. She wasn't surprised. These reminders of how it had suffered for its care, however, were no less heartwrenching.
I'm sorry. She felt compelled to reiterate. She had never said that phrase so much in her entire life; and she'd never meant it the way she did when she spoke to Malodore. There was much more than an apology in her words. There was a heart, unused to the feeling it clenched with, laid bare and open for it to see.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:41 pm
Luce yawned and lapped sleepily at Riley's hand as the ithilid deposited her onto the pillow, but she was too exhausted to really wake up. Once Riley had pulled away, the pup curled up into a ball, a tiny snore occasionally rising from her sleeping form.
Malodore, for its part, had finished lighting the lamps. It turned back to Riley when it 'heard' her thoughts brush against its own. "I know," it said, quietly. There wasn't... really anything else it could think to say in response. "But... it is well now, is it not?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:05 pm
Riley turned her back to the table, lifting her eyes to meet Malodore's. Is it? She had to ask. It was nearly impossible for her to imagine it. She took a step forward, and stood face to face with it. Her arms wrapped around herself lightly. This may not seem as puzzling to you, Malodore, but it's difficult for me to understand why you put up with me. I've always been too passionate, too destructive. In contrast, you are this calm wave of sensibility. Her eyes were narrowed just slightly, deep in thought as she tried to understand it. I shall have to discover some way to give you the same gift you give me. As of that moment, however, she was at a loss. She would make certain to dedicate some time to the thought, when she was alone with her thoughts.
Until then.. she turned her head back slightly to look at the table, and then returned her eyes to Malodore. Okay. What can we do to make this right? She gestured to the table with one hand. Put me to work.
It was a step in the right direction, she wagered.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:14 pm
"That very difference is part of why I find you so interesting," Malodore said, with a wry smile. "You do things I would never think of doing. Which is good, and bad, depending on the circumstances. But more good than bad, I think."
It did chuckle when she suggested putting herself to work! "Are you sure? I thought Christof might enjoy it. Then again, he is probably getting the last bit of possible use out of that rotting tongue of his..."
By which Malodore meant talking, of course, rather than what Christof probably hoped for. Alas.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:25 pm
The mention of Christof's tongue sent a whole new flurry of thoughts through Riley's mind. Oh.. oh no. I forgot about the tongue.. I meant to rip it out before I left.
While the phrasing of Riley's words may sound shocking, her next words would hopefully assure Malodore that she only had Christof's best intentions at heart. I can't believe he went so long without telling me. She seethed. He's suffering. He's been suffering, and all because of that.. that kelpie. She couldn't even say his name. Doesn't he know better than to deal with matters of which he has no knowledge? She ran a hand through her tentacles and sighed. It was pretty clear she had some knowledge about Christof's condition.
I only hope no one comes calling when they find out he's been disobeying them. The last thing I need right now is a fight on my hands.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:36 pm
"The stitches or the flesh itself will give soon enough. I examined Christof's mouth earlier this evening. The decay has advanced to the point that... well, it would surprise me if it held beyond tonight." Malodore shook its head... and, at the mention of Calder, studiously did not look at the leech jars in the far corner. What was done was done.
It was Riley's mention of disobeying that drew Malodore's attention. "Disobeying? I did notice that Christof's own FEAR was not flowing through the tongue as it should have been. It seemed quite odd to me." Its voice was tinged with concern. "Is there another force at work, then?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 4:52 pm
Mm. She hesitated, but only for a moment - this was Malodore, after all. It must be a previous master. I don't know who, or why, but Christof wasn't allowed to have a tongue for a reason. I know what it looks like, I've seen it happen before. Eventually, that tongue is just going to rot right out of his mouth - but every second it's in there, he's hurting. Her eyes betrayed a touch too much empathy for the pain Christof suffered. I didn't want to remove it before the dance, because it would be messy. I'm going to have to find him first thing tomorrow.. and I'm not necessarily sure he'll be up for working much, after I do it. It was common knowledge Riley didn't have the gentle, doctor's touch that Malodore possessed. She literally planned to wrench it out of his mouth by force. Like a band-aid. A disgusting, rotting, band-aid.
So. Yes, I want to help you put things back the way they were. Besides, it'll help me feel better.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 5:18 pm
"It seems cruel to me, to inflict such things on another as this mysterious 'previous master' has done..." Malodore shook its head. "But the choice is not mine. It is Christof's alone, and I do not think he will continue with the experiment. He said as much to me, earlier."
But Christof's worries were also his own, and being vaguely maudlin about them wasn't what it had come here to do. The plague doctor opened its beak in a small smile. "It is mostly the brain cultures." Those were kept in an interconnected series of jars, shaded from light in the plague doctor's personal alcove. Riley may have seen the empty shelf when putting Luce to bed. "I tried to put them into a stasis state, but I am not entirely sure if I succeeded... this room is no lab, after all."
Oh, what it wouldn't give to have a properly appointed laboratory facility!
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 6:33 pm
Riley was careful not to respond to the cruelties of masters, all too happy to think about brains instead. Ah, I did wonder how that particular experiment had been going. Since you told me about it, it's itched at my curiosity. Though, all unfortunate incidents aside, now I'm kind of curious as to whether brain cultures -can- survive a stasis. Can we find out? What can I do to help?
Though happy for the distraction, Riley realized she was actually excited about Malodore's experiment. It was exactly the sort of activity she craved at the moment, and she realized it was because she had severely lacked intellectual stimulation in the past few days.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:52 pm
"We can re-activate the system." Malodore walked over to its closet door and opened it. There were a number of Malodore's coats in there, a sizeable box labeled 'fresh bandages', and a few assorted hats and other items. The bulk of the space within, however, seemed occupied with scientific equipment.
"If you'll help with the jars, I can get the chemicals for the restart. I believe an electric jolt would do best to get them going again. Stick with the classics."
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:08 pm
As tempting as it was to play with Malodores hat collection, Riley got to work removing the jars from their perch and placing them back on the desk. She made sure to be quite careful as she moved them, trying to cause as little disruption as possible. This meant that each jar was put down with a solemn slowness, before she went to retrieve another. Still, she knew it was better to be safe than sorry.
Out of sheer morbid curiosity, she reached out to the brains to see if there was any activity within them. It was like trying to reach out to a wall. She heard nothing but static. Her eyes brightened slightly. That sounds exciting. I wonder if there will be any readable activity during, and after, the jolt. I've never tried to read the mind of someone who's being electricuted.. Her voice sounded wistful at the thought.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:16 pm
"Feel free to experiment with that aspect all you like," Malodore chuckled. Thankfully, the school's electrical systems would provide plenty of electricity for the startup. It worked quickly yet efficiently, until the full series of jars was set up. Within the slightly clouded liquid were the remains of Jollymeals... or so it seemed.
"I'll change out the solution once I know the restart is viable," Malodore said, glancing up as it plugged in the mechanism. "Are you ready? Would you like to flip the switch, as it were?" Not that it was much of a switch, but... it was working on a shoestring, here!
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:24 pm
Riley looked up at the switch, quirking a brow in amusement. As fun as this was, she couldn't help but make the connection to an igors main job in a situation like this, and when she moved to the switch, she put Malodore between her and the switch, forcing her to lean against it just slightly to flip it. Ever the flirt, she couldn't help but tease. As you wish, Master Malodore. She emphasized the word master, as it was the main source of teasing, even though the liquid velvet her voice had turned into was just as much of a culprit. She was terrible.
She straightened up, preparing to pay more attention to what was in the jars once things really started heating up.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:29 pm
Malodore tilted its head to one side, radiating amusement for a moment before focusing abruptly on the jar as the electricity discharged from the shock mechanism. The occupants of the jars twitched, setting the liquid sloshing against the jar lids... and then the first pulse was over.
"Can you feel any activity? If I can avoid opening the jars at this state, I'd like to," Malodore murmured.
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