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 Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 5:42 pm
Knock, knock. Riley had not been looking forward to the conversation she knew she had to have with Junko. This was because Riley was never wrong about things, and never apologized for mistakes. She would have to do both, tonight, and it set her out of her element. She was ill at ease, fidgeting her claws together with a clacking sound, as she waited in front of the door. She knew Junko was home, and waiting for her arrival, as she'd asked her first before coming - there was no escaping this now.
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Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 6:00 pm
Junko had immediately set about to herding her minipets into their playpen. Kuro was the easiest, he went along willingly..Aoi took some bribing with fear treats; it was Sayuri that took the longest what with all her energy. Thankfully she was able to use the whip to lure and calm her into the pen. It was then closed off and the rest of the room was tidied to make it presentable for Riley. She was curious how this conversation would go considering it was sparked by Junko seeing something that contradicted what Riley had said to her. She was a little..bothered by that. Just a little...okay a lot.
When she finally heard the knocks on the door Junko looked up, walking up to the door and opening it wide to see who it was. She smiled when she saw it was the very ghoul she was hoping for. "Hello, Riley! Come in~." She said as she stepped aside to allow her in, closing the door behind Riley once she was inside. She was very curious.
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Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 3:35 am
Instantly on guard from the moment Junko opened the door, Riley looked as stiff as a board. She entered the room with a slow gait, moving to one side to allow Junko to close it, before moving back into place.
It's lovely to see you again, Junko. You look like you're doing well. Small talk came easily, it was the meat of conversation that she was trying to avoid. How have you been? Working on any new projects lately?
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Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 4:15 am
That was odd. Why was Riley so...tense? Junko blinked and tilted her head, watching her friend curiously. A bit of her hair lifted as she quietly hummed to herself, stepping away from the door and walking further into the room herself. "And it's really good to see you again, too. Thank you." Now that the bruise had faded and she'd patched things up with people she had upset that she liked she was feeling much better, though she still had some trouble sleeping. Not as much just...she still couldn't help but give Riley as subtle of an inspection as she could, as if she'd merely been sewn back together and whatever seam was holding her in one piece would tear apart.
"I've been..okay. I had decided I never wanted to leave my room ever again, but Tomoko talked me out of that." Junko chuckled and rubbed at the back of her neck. It had been a silly thought. "Not exactly. I've just been...fixing things that were wrecked when Red's boat sank. It's been keeping me busy when I have trouble sleeping." A pause. "And you..?"
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Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 7:17 pm
Riley seemed much more relaxed as she listened to Junko's idle banter about the past few days, and moved to make herself more comfortable somewhere within the room. She sat and listened, nodding at the appropriate moments. I don't have the luxury you do, sadly. Everything I wore on our trip is now incinerated - I had no desire to try and mend anything. Though I have been trying my hand at a different kind of sewing, recently. Not really clothing, but just little things for my own amusement. The website referred to them as plushies. They're rather crude now, as I am a beginner at the skill, but it remains as something to pass the time and keep idle hands and mind occupied.
She pressed her hands together and dropped them against her knee, looking up at Junko critically. Well, I am never one to mince words, so let me get straight to the point. I owe you an apology. I hope you accept it. She was hesitant to get into the details, so she paused here, looking appropriately contrite.
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Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 7:29 pm
Junko winced a bit at the idea of clothes being incinerated. Oh dear, that was bad. If that had happened to Junko's clothes she would surely be rather devastated; Junko didn't have much money to her name, what she did have she had been saving for a long time, and she made all her own clothes...so losing them was really not an option for the ghoul. "I'm sorry to hear that, Riley. Maybe um...maybe I could try making something for you?" Not a kimono, she didn't see Riley as the type to want to wear one of those, but if Riley wanted something she could try her hand at making it for her! She was getting better with making things outside of her comfort zone. There was a mostly finished dress in her closet waiting for more attention as they spoke! Her eyes widened and she gasped with delight when she heard what Riley was making. Plushies?! How adorable! She clapped her hands and sat up, some of her hair lifting in reaction to her excitement. "Cuuuuute! You must show me when you finish some! Pleasepleaseplease?" She pleaded happily, intertwining her own fingers and pouting at Riley in that 'I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU PUPPY DOG EYES AND YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE IN TO MY DEMANDS' sort of way. If Tomoko could do it she could do it, right?
Not long after it seemed the subject was turning to more important matters and Junko calmed down, folding her own hands on her lap and listening curiously to Riley's words. An apology? For wha--oh! Oh, right...the sleeping thing. Junko frowned a bit and scratched at her cheek, her lips pouting as she looked from Riley to the floor. There was a faint hint of a blush on her cheeks. "It's...er...okay, I guess. I was just kind of..I don't want to say hurt? I think more confused...or something. I.." She made a fairly frustrated little sound as she tried to think of how to word this. "It just wasn't fair that you scolded me for spending one night with Seiji when nothing happened and then you..turned around and did the very same thing. I mean, now that I think about it, it was probably better you did that after all that happened than what I did but still.." As she thought back to what happened she gave Riley another critical look. She was still whole. Still whole. She was okay, Malodore was okay, Seiji was okay, everyone was okay...
She did accept Riley's apology! But it was very clear Junko was nervous to say how she'd felt. And why wouldn't she be? After what had happened the last time she spoke her mind..
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Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 8:31 pm
Riley was unsurprised at Junko's plea. Her eyes lifted just slightly in expected amusement. I will make a note to show you my progress once I feel I have begun to flourish.
The topic died off quickly, and Junko's response to her apology struck her deeply. I never meant to hurt you, Junko. Riley stood, and reached out for her hand. You must understand, I am a product of my upbringing. There are certain.. rules.. certain unspoken boundaries. I have stepped over my own comfort boundaries several times already in my time here at this school. You happened to have caught me just before taking yet another step.
Riley chuckled, and let Junko's hand drop. I am at an absolute loss as to where my steps are taking me anymore, Junko. This goes much farther than just a simple matter of people sharing bed quarters. You can't imagine how much farther. She turned away, walking a few steps away from the ghoul. But the one thing I have learned is that the last thing I should be doing for anyone, is giving them advice on relationships. To be honest, if you'd asked me a month ago, I would be wary about the idea of a relationship at all. Needless to say, I am the worst person to listen to when it comes to this subject, and I apologize again for trying to put my own prejudices upon you. I was wrong.
It was those last, three words, that hurt the most to say - no matter what the subject matter. But they were true, and would be true several more times in the future.
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Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 8:55 pm
She could understand the uprbringing part...sort of. Junko wasn't raised the same way as Riley, not even in the slightest, but she was a product of her own upbringing in her...actually somewhat mentally abusive home. Everyone was in some way. She had not been taught anything about relationships with people, it had been a given that she most likely wouldn't have friendly relationships because of Her; it was a big surprise to everyone how well Junko's life was going despite Her efforts. It was a very pleasant surprise for Junko, one she was never going to take for granted again. She looked to their hands and then up at Riley's face, frowning a little as she released her hand.
Junko was quietly listening to every word, looking a bit confused when Riley said she was at an absolute loss. Riley? The confident, wise, strong Riley? She wasn't sure about something? Nonsense! Riley was always very sure of herself and everything she did...she always ways. She giggled softly as she admitted she was the last person one should ask for advice, sighing and rubbing at the back of her neck. "It's..alright. I understand, kind of. Sort of...a teensy bit." She hadn't experienced most, or probably any, of what was making Riley so confused about herself but at least she understood the gist. Junko was overstepping quite a few of her own boundaries just being in this school! Socializing? Hugging? Having friends? Having a boilfriend? She never thought she'd be doing any of those things, not ever. To hear Riley admit she was wrong nearly blew Junko's mind.
"I didn't think you had something like that in your vocabulary." Junko teased warmheartedly, giving her friend a closed-eyed smile. The Mistress wished She had eyes to roll. "I'm not used to having friends let alone a boilfriend. I didn't think I'd ever have any of this, not with...well..." She pointed back toward Her and She smirked.
"I'm still working on fixing this mess." Junko glared back toward Her for a moment before turning back to Riley with a much warmer expression.
"I forgive you, Riley. You didn't really need to apologize, I would have gotten over something so petty eventually, but I thank you for taking the time to do it." There was nothing but sincerity behind every word. Though after that Junko eyed her friend again now that she was standing. Her stomach churned and she cleared her throat, trying not to imagine that thin red line that appeared through the mindflayer before she split apart. "S-so um...I...so it's..safe to assume things are go-going well with Malodore?" Stop thinking about it, stop thinking about it! Riley was okay! She was here! She was alive! She didn't have a scratch on her! Ugh. Junko breathed deeply for a moment, releasing the breath quietly until she was somewhat calmed again.
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 7:15 pm
Riley turned her head, just slightly, and glanced at Junko out of the corner of her eye. There was a touch of amusement there, followed by a small breath of chuckle. Though she said nothing, she thought the word wrong was one she'd never find herself using, as well. It seemed Junko understood the conflicting nature of being caught in unnatural situations because of their exposure to others here at the school, and took that to mean the ghoul understood her position. It was enough to relieve the tension and anxiety that had built up within her, until Malodore was mentioned.
Suddenly, a new tension and anxiety had taken the previous ones place.
Well. Riley repeated the word, mulling it over. Going well. I would answer this question, if I was sure I understood what it means. The only thing I can say is that.. we are happy. Perhaps that is all that is needed for a relationship to 'go well', mmm? She doubted it, but that wouldn't change her resolve to keep that which she loved most.
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 10:28 pm
Junko clapped her hands together under her chin, a huge smile on her face. "That's great! I'm so happy to hear that~. And um..I don't see why being happy would mean anything else? That's what everyone wants, right? To be happy?" It was what Junko wanted! It'd be easier to be happy if She would just cooperate. Ugh. Her hands dropped to fold neatly on her lap again, leaning in like she wanted to hear some kind of juicy gossip.
Really, the idea of Junko being some kind of gossip queen was laughable. But this was what friends did, right? They gushed about boilfriends to each other?
"I wonder what Malodore would say if he heard you admit you were wrong about something~." Again with the wrong pronoun..but whatever! Shut up! Junko wasn't always the sharpest tack in the corkboard. She seemed to remember something, perking up with a small 'oh!' "Your boots! From...Christmas Town! I still have them! Do you want them back now? I'm...really never going to wear them again. I don't understand how anyone can walk in shoes like that, they're so uncomfortable." Sandals and small flat shoes for her! Those boots, while she was grateful Riley had so graciously offered them to her, had been hell to walk in.
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Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 1:19 am
Malodore has heard me admit my mistakes before. Riley almost whispered, very solemnly. A echoey whisper of memory traveled through her guild mind. Counting. Fingers pressed against one another. Listing all the times Malodore had been forced to save her from herself.
She suppressed a shudder.
Riley blinked up at Junko at the sudden mention of boots, and found herself surprised at being reminded of them. How had she forgotten? She never forgot anything.. she certainly did not forget the incident that the boots had come from. Offering them in exchange. Counting Junko as one among many meant to bear her mark, to be cast into the role of her minion and saved from the harvest.
As if that would save anyone, anymore. As if it ever could. She hadn't so much as given a passing thought to marking in far longer than she'd expected. Things were just.. different, now.
Riley considered letting her keep them, but she sounded like she didn't like them, and figured they would be wasted here. Of course, I will take them from you now. Thank you for reminding me.
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Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 10:02 pm
What was that? Junko blinked and tilted her head a bit, sneakily side-stepping closer to Riley with about as much stealth and nonchalance as a ghoul wearing chains of bells all over her body as she moved. Really, there was nothing stealthy about how she took a large step and then slid closer, looking very curious until she felt it. It hurt, it hurt a lot. Was that...Malodore? What was he doing? Wh-what was Rile--it was so...sad. What was this? Junko's eyes widened as the memory seeped away from her own mind, her eyes filling with tears as she suddenly sniffed and pursed her lips while trying to hold them back. What just happened? Suddenly Junko wanted to just cry, cry and cling tightly to Riley and tell her everything would be okay. Why did she feel like this? What just happened? She'd never seen Malodore count things off on its fingers, so what was that just now? She didn't like it. It made her feel..heartbroken. Junko sniffled again and hugged the boots tightly against her chest, wiping at her face with her sleeve. Keep calm! Keep calm! It must have been nothing. Clearly Riley and Malodore were doing just fine! Maybe they had a fight or two but what couple didn't? Even Junko and Seiji had just had their first fight! She really didn't like it... "I-I'm sorry. Idon'tknowwhatjustcameoverme." She whimpered out while trying to sound as cheerful as possible, even forcing a laugh as she sniffed once more and looked up at Riley again with a smile.
"A-as a thank you for letting me bor-borrow them, and keep them for so long, I want to make you something. Anything." By anything she meant 'clothing' obviously, but she hoped that went without saying. She couldn't do metal but she could do fabrics! And Riley had just said all her clothes from the trip were gone now.
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Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 2:16 am
Riley's attention was forced back to the present as Junko began to cry. She had no idea her thoughts were slipping past her like that, and the last thing anyone deserved was to feel what she felt the day Malodore-
She stopped herself before thinking about it again, if only to save Junko the heartbreak. Her arms reached out and easily collected the ghoul, holding her tightly against her. Shhh, there now. I'm sorry. I am usually in more control over my thoughts and memories than that.. I don't know why I've been slipping so much lately. I am so sorry. I would not wish that feeling upon anyone.
The best way to make the ghoul feel better would be to get her mind off of the emotions she'd been exposed to, and Riley grabbed on to the offer she'd made quickly. I don't normally need clothing, but the things you make are so beautiful, how can I say no? I'm not sure exactly what - ah, well, perhaps.. something for the coming heat? It will get hotter soon, and my dress collection does not offer anything that will be suitable. Normally I would just wear shorts, but with your gift, I will bet you can create something beautiful.
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 3:41 pm
The hug caught her a little by surprise though it was anything but rejected. Junko laughed quietly at herself, trying to shake off her own sudden bought of inexplicable heartbreak. Oh, they were Riley's memories?! That was just awful! What had happened that...it was so sad! Hadn't Riley said they were happy? Junko hugged her tightly, burying her face against Riley and refusing to let go for a long while. She had nothing to say. What could she say? It was too late to give her friend comfort over whatever incident she had been remembering, especially when Riley had just told her how she was happy with Malodore!
The change of topic really helped, and Junko more than happily stayed with it. In fact she blushed at the praise, smiling shyly and loosening her hug a little. "You're always giving me so much praise. I think you overestimate my skills sometimes." Junko laughed, not trying to bring herself down just trying to be a little more realistic. Her mother made beautiful creations, though her mother was also a broken shell of the woman she had once been but hey! Details. Who needed them? She gave a small nod at Riley's request though, her smile showing a bit more confidence now. "Alright. I think I have a few ideas. Do you want it a certain color or does it have to be black?" Black tended to be hotter to wear, after all! She already had a few different design ideas going in her head, so it was going to hard to choose just one.
Riley wouldn't mind if she did multiple pieces, would she?
"When do you wear shorts?" That was new! She couldn't remember ever seeing Riley wearing anything but dresses.
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 4:18 pm
I do not underestimate anyone, or anything. I always make accurate estimations based on current information and observation. Riley replied quite seriously, and then shook her head. I wear all colors, although I prefer red, black, white, purple, and some shades of blue. So you have free range to make almost anything. I am particularly turned off by yellow, however.
When Junko pulled away, she looked down at the girl and tilted her head. I wear shorts quite often, actually. I wear them every morning when I run with Malodore and Luce. I also wear them when I work out, at the Fitness Club. Her mind pulled up a memory of the sign up sheet, and she sifted through it for a split second before blinking. You know, I'd love if you considered joining my club. It's going to be a lot of fun, we're having a paintball game soon.
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