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 Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:16 pm
It was a delightful lazy afternoon, for once; just the kind Malodore liked best. It had a good book - Hyde's Medical Anomalies in Monsters. Luce was spread out on the floor, dozing, occasionally opening her eyes to peer at the cardboard box in the corner. Said box hid Dolce, the newly-emerged (hatched? baked?) pastry-feline, who was currently hiding and getting used to his new home.
And, of course, Riley was on the bed next to it.
A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, by all accounts. It turned the page, supremely content. "How is your tome, mia cara?" it murmured, sending a curl of affection to her. "Fascinating as always, I hope?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:31 pm
Said book, entitled One Thousand Ways to Be Convincing, was entirely too fascinating for Riley's own good. She had never relied on books to tell her how to dominate another in any aspect, be it physical, mental, or social. Therefore, books filled with all these silly quirky tips had her deep in the throes of entertainment.
She was so deep, in fact, that she almost missed the question. Huh? When she realized she'd been asked something, she looked up at Malodore, and sucked in a breath before letting out a chuckle. Oh, oh yes. This is one of the best reads I've had in a while. I haven't stopped laughing since I started it.
It had been all in her head, of course, so Malodore would have just seen her intently page flicking the entire time.
Now that the plague doctor had her attention, however, she put the book down and crunched her face up in an impish impression of a smile. Say, Malodore. She murmured affectionately. You know I haven't met your friend Hasuko, yet. I had hoped I would see her in my classes, but it doesn't seem to be working out that way. Her fingers brushed against the fabric of it's long sleeves. You should introduce me, sometime. I must admit to some curiosity about someone you knew in the past, being here.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:36 pm
"Ah - you should have come to Botany, then," Malodore said, opening its beak in a smile. "Didn't you miss Steve terribly? Perhaps he would have been better behaved if you were present."
The plague doctor put its book aside and stretched, its joints popping as it did so. "Well, do you want to take a brief break? I'd like to take Dolce around the campus a bit more. He seems so shy, poor creature... perhaps you could help me soothe him, get him acclimatized? We could walk over to see Hasuko, if you like. I imagine she would like Dolce."
As if aware it was being talked about, the pastry-cat poked its gingery head out of the box, its wide eyes blinking rapidly against the light.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:49 pm
The mention of Botany had her cringing. Her reasons for missing the class were vast and mysterious, but the mention of Steve had her blinking in curiosity.
She tried not to sound too curious as she asked, Was Steve truly there? Sometimes, it is very difficult for me to believe that creature exists. Perhaps I should have.. She shook her head. No, I don't think Botany is for me anymore. A shame I missed meeting Hasuko, though.
At the mention of the Nyancat, Riley turned and sat up, looking at the box in question. She never would have thought something that bright and colorful would turn out to be shy. As its head popped out suddenly, Riley took Malodore's words to heart, and reached out carefully to see if she could-
NYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYANNYAN-
NOPE. Riley sat up straight, disconnecting herself from the mind of the Nyancat almost instantly. I cannot help that one. Luce, I can help. That, ah, it is out of my limits.
Limits of toleration, that is.
I would love to go visit Hasuko. She quickly murmured, trying to think of anything - ANYTHING - but the song that was now ringing in her head.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:58 pm
"Oh, yes," Malodore said, wryly. "He was very much present." The plague doctor slid off the bed, then turned to offer one hand to Riley to help her down as well. "Him and all his six million vines. Indeed."
As Malodore touched the ground, Dolce slid out of the box and zipped to crouch under the bed, a brief burst of rainbow trailing it, just for a moment. "Such a strange creature. I suppose I'll have to take him to Professor Malcolm, yes? But Hasuko first, naturally."
Luce sat up as well, thumping her tail; she wasn't too sure what to think of her new 'playmate' other than vague confusion.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:23 pm
Riley's hand slid directly into the offered one, though she hardly used it for support, managing to stand on her own. No, she was, as usual, just using it as a poorly veiled excuse to keep her hand intertwined with Mal's. This was evident by the fact that, once standing, she didn't seem to want to let go.
Felines. Riley sighed out gently. I don't know if I will ever understand them. She turned her head, and gave Luce a wink. She had a clear favorite, after all.
A moment of pause, before a thought seemed to settle upon her, dimming her eyes in thought. Malodore. Her quieted voice emitted. Do you think Hasuko will like me? It was no small wonder that Riley could think of nothing worse than Malodore being close friends with someone who didn't like her.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:34 pm
A brief flick of surprise came from the plague doctor's mind - it didn't have the sharp focus of a meant thought, just bleed-over. Then it squeezed the offered hand and opened its beak in a smile. "I am sure she will. I am also sure that if she knew we were coming, she would be as worried about you... if not more so. You are rather imposing, mia cara." It punctuated the sentence with a fond chuckle.
Luce circled towards the door happily, then sighed and ducked back. A moment later there was a feline yowl of surprise, and then Luce trotted back into view, with tiny Dolce held firmly in her mouth, the little pastry-cat shedding flecks of rainbow from his hind legs.
"She's growing up, my little Luce-tresorina," Malodore said, fondly, then nodded to Riley. "Shall we go? Hasuko lives in the monster dorms, naturally."
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 12:02 am
Riley opened the door as she thought on the subject, and her expression brightened considerably. Her cheeks lifted, and her eyes slit dangerously thin.
Mmmm. She purred. I am rather imposing, aren't I. The idea pleased visibly pleased her, so much so that it had her lost in happy little thoughts of total domination of underlings using nothing but a glare. She shuddered happily at the thought.
Walking to the monster dorms were almost second nature to her now. She was quiet, still pleased about the idea of being called imposing, but after a few minutes of walking she cast a devious side glance to the plague doctor on her arm, and bumped it, just slightly, on it's side.
I'm excited. Riley admitted with a hushed voice, just as they made it to the front doors of the dorm. It's silly, isn't it? It's just. Here. She held the door open, leading Malodore inside and waiting for Luce to carry the squirming Nyancat in, before closing the door. Then, she continued.
It's just. Part of your past. Something I never had the chance to be a part of. I suppose, deep down, I wish I had known you all of your life, as well. But this is as close as I will ever get.
She counted doors, until she found the right one, and knocked on it with two knuckles before finishing her thought. And I want to make good use of it.
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Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:27 pm
There was a knock at the door. Hasuko jerked awake and guiltily fumbled with her books and notebook until she realized that she wasn't in class. She blinked groggily and readjusted her glasses, grimacing at the bit of dried drool at the side of her beak.
Homework was so tedious and it was so easy to to give into the temptation to close her eyes and drift when her mother wasn't there to keep her on track. Hasuko sighed. She wasn't making much headway though her pile of assignments by napping though. She'd probably have to pull another late night to get everything done.
It was only her second week of class and while in a lot of ways Hasuko was settling in but in other ways, she was beginning to feel a little overwhelmed. And sleep deprived. Living away from home was hard.
"Yes?" Hasuko cleared her froggy voice and tried again. "Yes? Who is it?" She walked over to the door and opened it a crack. "Oh, hello Malodore." she said, pleased by the surprise visit. "What brings you by here?"
Hasuko smiled and went to open her door wider before she noticed that the Plague Doctor wasn't alone. She hesitated for a moment, looking at the tall and imposing figure standing next to it. Wow, she's pretty.
"Y-you brought a friend?" she stammered. Hasuko found herself blushing slightly, feeling grubby and askew in comparison to the stately other woman. She was suddenly aware that her hair was messy from napping at her desk and she probably had an leather patterned imprint on her cheek from using her book as a pillow. Way to give a good first impression.
"Nice to meet you." Hasuko said automatically, her mind on politeness autopilot thanks to all those years of her mother drilling manners into her head. She frantically tried to gather her flustered wits; trying not to look like a complete bumpkin in front of Malodore's friend. She opened her door and stepped aside. "Please, won't you two come in?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:35 pm
Malodore opened its beak in a smile and bobbed its head. "Buon giorno, Hasuko - I hope I didn't interrupt anything?" It put one hand on Riley's shoulder. "Hasuko, this is my... ah..."
It paused for a moment.
"I suppose... ghoulfriend?" It sounded faintly amused and bemused at the word. "My ghoulfriend... lab partner... yes. Riley. Riley, this is Hasuko." At least it didn't have to think about that part!
To Riley alone, it thought - If you had known me all my life, you would have likely murdered half my family. They would have given you indigestion, I'm sure.
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Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:44 pm
It was, perhaps, not the best thought to have slipped into Riley's mind at a first meeting with someone.
Riley tilted her head when the door opened, looking as perfectly poised as someone who would never question her own worth in a million years - but as she was introduced, her eyes crinkled just a little more than usual in light of being introduced as Malodore's ghoulfriend. It she had a mouth, she would probably be grinning - and it would probably be a little frightening.
The pleasure is all mine, Miss Hasuko. Riley purred gently as the first thought to touch the ghoul's mind. She was always gentle the first time, to lessen the surprise. She stepped inside, and turned to hold her hand out in greeting. I have so very much looked forward to meeting you.
Malodore's little side-thought had Riley just a touch distracted, however, and her eyes brightened at the thought of murdering those who had hurt it. She couldn't help herself, it was such a delicious thought. So much so, in fact, that her expression may have accidentally looked more devious than friendly. It would be unsurprising to note that Riley enjoyed the idea of a visit to The Casa for a snack.
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:15 am
"N-no, you're not interrupting anything at all." Hasuko said distractedly to Malodore as she frantically hurried around her dorm room, trying to straighten things up without being too obvious about it. Half-empty tea mug with cold tea; miscellaneous books and manga; a chewed piece of dried frog that Pochi had left on the couch; Hasuko scooped up a small pile of dirty laundry she had left in a corner and tried to discretely shove it into her closet.
The worst of the clutter put away, Hasuko paused to focus on the rest of what her friend had said. "Ah!" Hasuko raised a webbed hand to cover her mouth in surprise. She automatically turned to bow at the mindflayer but managed to catch herself in time before she spilled her waterdish on the top of her head. "Of course, you're Riley!" She reached out to clasp Riley's offered hand. "It's so good to meet you finally." She said with genuine warmth.
Hasuko twitched in slight startlement when she heard Riley's 'voice' in her mind. It was an odd sensation though not unpleasant. Just odd. She had never met someone who communicated telepathically before.
"I apologize, I should have known you were Riley." Hasuko went on. "Though perhaps you can forgive me; Malodore speaks of you quite often but it mostly extols the virtues of your mind rather than the physical."
Hasuko smiled at the Plague Doctor, "I didn't realize you were dating a mindflayer until I heard some of the students on campus talking about the two of you. I was surprised." She gently teased.
"Not that I think you make a bad pair though! Lor-- er, Malodore seems so much happier now." Hasuko quickly added, realizing that what she had said could be misinterpreted. She looked nervously at Riley's odd expression.
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:23 pm
Malodore blinked at the sudden flurry of activity their arrival had produced, but smiled warmly as Hasuko returned, looking none the worse for wear despite the abrupt cleaning frenzy.
"Ah, yes - while I do appreciate the aesthetics of a strong musculature or fascinating skeletal system, finding those things combined with a powerful and intelligent mind is a true treasure." It canted its head in Riley's direction, its tone lightly teasing but affectionate. "Any boor can have an exquisite tibia, after all."
Suddenly, Dolce slipped past them, the pastry-cat accelerating until a brief burst of rainbow trailed behind it... for all of a few seconds. Then the feline found the bit of frog that Hasuko had tried to hide and settled down, picking daintily at the webbed toes.
"Ah... pardon the intrusion," Malodore added, apologetically.
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:43 pm
The devious expression melted away when Hasuko informed her that a certain someone had been speaking well of her mind. In fact, it was downright embarrassing how Riley's expression changed, as she was more than uncomfortable blushing in front of a new person. Yet, there it was, the helpless darkness seeping into her cheeks, and she turned quickly to take a look around the room in order to hide her blush.
Though, at Hasuko's last words, Riley stole a glance towards the plague doctor, and imperceptibly nodded to herself in satisfaction. It was happier now. Maybe that had to do with her, maybe it didn't, but it was a fact, nonetheless. For that much, she was thankful.
Unfortunately, Malodore was simply making things worse as it continued to lavish unintentional praise upon her. Normally, she would accept such praise from someone as simple fact. It was different, always different with Malodore. Her face turned a deep, rich color, and she was glad she was turned away.
The nyancat made for a wonderful distraction, and Riley followed it with her eyes, focusing on how disgusted she was with the rainbow it emitted. Ah, yes. Much better. Her face didn't feel so hot anymore. She turned, and gave Hasuko a friendly expression.
Are students gossiping about us? I knew it. It's all Malodore's fault, really. She took on a tragic, suffering expression. It's such a troublemaker, Hasuko. Sometimes it's all I can do to keep it from running off into the night, raising hell.
Of course, this was a complete and obvious lie, but Riley told it with such fluent suffering that if Hasuko didn't know Malodore at all, she might have been inclined to believe it. But perhaps, now that you're here, I will not be led astray by it's devious ways. She reached out and patted Hasuko's shoulder, her facial structure immediately changing to amusement.
And, as if she hadn't just made up a completely absurd tale, she tilted her head and asked with great interest, So, how have you enjoyed Amityville so far? Any good classes?
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:35 pm
Hasuko smiled nervously at Riley, not really sure how to respond to the Mindflayer's grandiose tales of Malodore's trouble-making ways. Riley was joking, right? A strange dry sort of humor but surely she was joking, Malodore wasn't like that. At least Hasuko thought so. But then Riley talked so earnestly...
Hasuko settled for a small uncertain chuckle, eyes darting from Riley, to Malodore, and back to Riley again, trying to gauge if she had made the right response.
Thankfully, Riley didn't seem offended and Hasuko jumped at her next question, grateful for the change of subject. "Oh yes, Amityville is quite grand and I've mostly settled in, I think." Hasuko put on her brave face; she wasn't about to say that she also felt a little homesick for her home river. Somehow, it felt like if she were to admit that aloud she'd be failing.
"Um, as for classes, I took a botany class with Malodore, actually. It was...educational." she said diplomatically. "Do you have a favorite class?" Hasuko asked Riley. "Or perhaps, suggestions for other classes I should take?"
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