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 Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 11:26 pm
There wasn't much to do, when she was locked in the cell, except sit and stew in her own thoughts. They were terrible thoughts, that turned to terrible plans and terrible desires. But they were hers, and no one else here had the power to extract them from her. She supposed that was the one good thing about being cut off from her people - no one was able to read her mind, anymore.
But it was a lonely place. Not the cell, but her mind; after a lifetime of living in the bliss of multi-thought process.. it was just her.
Alone.
Probably for good.
Riley's posture was impeccable, despite how dirty and distraught she felt. Her dress from prom, the only outfit she actually owned here, was gone; in it's place she wore nothing but a lab coat, discarded by a worker and given to her so she wouldn't have to stand there naked. It was.. distracting people. But now she sat in the closed lab coat, and stared at the bars in front of her. Her back leaned against the wall, and she sat in the cot, unmoving, all day long.
Thinking.
Planning.
Desiring.
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 12:43 am
Paranoia had fought to keep the demon from doing this. Coming to see her. She wouldn't even remember him, so why on earth would he stroll right into a place that might very well want to cage him, too?
Deacon had strongly considered overdressing to such an outlandish level that surely he wouldn't have even been allowed in. Thank Jack he had realized how stupid covering himself more excessively really was. He just... Couldn't push aside the mental image of being caught, locked away like she had been. Not able to come and go as he pleased. Not able to see his family, friends, or...
What friends?
Riyo had up and left, with no explanation but a very worrisome note on her door. If he had anyone he considered a friend as of late, she was the closest he could get.
The bakeneko had spent hours that day preparing. He was so sick of looking in a mirror by the time all was over that he could have shattered the damn thing. Knowing he already had plenty of bad luck, he'd left it be. But, at least then, he knew that no visible patch of gray would show. Under pants, sleeves and gloves he could hide it all. He'd obsessively searched every last inch of exposed skin, fur and had combed through his hair to be sure. At his level of tension, if he'd found a natural gray hair the boil would have had a mental breakdown.
All to talk to Riley. He didn't even know how long he could stay.
The entire process to get inside was stressful, for sure, but the tabby managed to fill out the forms required to see the mindflayer. He tried not to seem rushed, or too focused on the paperwork either. What did he expect her real friends would act like, when they came here to visit the first time? He certainly hoped that Riley wouldn't be disappointed to see him, instead of someone she'd reconnected with at Prom.
When at last he was led to the cell, Deacon tried to wrangle his thoughts. All day he'd tried to figure out what to say, what to ask. It wasn't going to help if his mind was in a jumble of panic, especially not for her. Words were only part of what he needed to communicate with her. Would his mental distress upset her? He had to get it under control, had to calm down...
The sound of the cell being unlocked was loud on his ears, and it drew him rather suddenly back to attention of where he was walking. They had arrived, it appeared.
Moments later, Deacon stood in Riley's cell. He stared, perhaps without realizing, in awkward shock. How... Did they stop it? After a long moment, he spoke quietly, concerned.
"Riley?"
A thought stood out against the turmoil of his mind, and he tried to will it to her. He'd never tried to communicate with her without words before... How it worked was beyond him.
'Do they listen to us?'
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 1:01 am
Every minute. Of every day. The response came quick, and cold, as if Riley hadn't yet realized someone was actually communicating them to her. In fact, her eyes did not lift until a moment after she'd responded, and her dark, dreary stare came to life when she realized she wasn't looking at another guard.
Hello.
The awkward, and rushed sound breezed through Deacon's mind. It was a thought that held more than just a greeting within it. She was welcoming him inside, pulling him towards her, luring him to her side. All of this, and it was just a single word. She had moved no more than her eyes, but everything about her was brand new, and welcomed his presence with an intense fervor. Finally, she held her hand out, and the long fingers extended towards him, beckoning him towards her.
Come. She whispered greedily. Sit beside me, won't you? I cannot express how glad I am to see you, though I'm sure you must wonder why. Truth be told, I'm glad to see anyone, at this point. Her eyes crinkled gently. I hope you do not take offense to that. Simply know that your presence beside me is welcome. She patted the cot beside her. I would offer better accommodations, but you see.. I am not at liberty to perform any major redecorating.
Memories or not, Riley's dry sense of humor remained fully intact.
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 1:47 am
He'd gotten his question across, but the response made him recoil. He couldn't blame her, though, for being upset... Deacon didn't want to imagine what his state would be in such a situation.
The way her demeanor changed when she looked up to him was a bit of a relief. Deacon released the breath he'd been holding, and relaxed. Relaxed a little, at least. Riley's welcoming gesture, the mental and physical, guided him toward her when she requested it. The comment on redecorating enticed a small smirk from him and he gently waved a gloved hand.
"No use in worrying about that... Now that you're recovering, you won't be here much longer. Right?"
He carefully sat down on the cot next to her, as if concerned he might damage what little accommodations they'd granted her by adding the weight of another being. "No offense taken, of course... We're glad to see you, too." Although, for entirely different reasons. "Everyone thought..." he finally made eye contact again. "We thought you were dead, Riley..."
Surely, she'd heard that phrase or variations of it when she had arrived at Prom. "We would have talked to you... We should have, but- There were so many others there. Your friends... We've heard that you can't remember us, Riley, you didn't know us well..."
Clearly, the thought communication wasn't his thing, but with the way he was rattling on verbally he might not have been any easier to understand. Just remember your words, Deacon...
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 2:54 am
There was no need to worry the boil with a little thing like truth. So Riley nodded at the first question, letting him think that it would only be a matter of time before they granted her freedom. He didn't need to be burdened with the knowledge that Sinclaire had assured her no such future.
None of what Deacon said sounded disturbing. In fact, Riley was more used to the plural pronoun by now than the more awkward singular one she'd been forcing upon herself. The boil's words were simply responded to with nods, and a gentle gaze that never left his eyes.
She had no idea who he was, but he wasn't mad. And that, alone, was enough to make her grateful.
Not yet. She corrected. The memories may return at a later date. No one has been very clear with me concerning the details. But, for now, you are correct. Everyone is new to me. She reached out, and pressed her hand on top of his. But that also means everyone is on equal footing. So tell me, sweet friend who comes to visit me in my asylum, and alleviate me from this torturous boredom. Her eyes thinned to happy crescents. What is your name?
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:20 am
When Riley corrected him, Deacon offered a smile. He hoped she would get her memories back, and with them realize what all of those other students meant to her. Some of them had been inseparable, and for her to not remember them must be crushing.
Looking down as the ghoul put her hand over his, he felt awkward. It seemed such an intimate gesture to him. Though, when he looked up to her face again his smile returned. With her looking so pleased, how could he bring himself to say anything against her?
"Deacon."
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 12:30 am
Deacon. She repeated the word with a slow, gentle caress of thought. It was as if she could taste the word, and found it pleasing. It's lovely to meet you, Deacon. And rest assured, right now, you alone have my full attention. Her hand never left his as she spoke, liquid and inviting. So tell me, my dear, sweet friend Deacon. To what do I owe the extreme pleasure of your company, this evening? And more importantly, what can I do for you?
There was no measure of awkwardness in her voice, or her manners. If he didn't know any better, it would be easy enough for Deacon to mistake her as someone who thought him a trusted, beloved friend. Perhaps she was starved for attention, or she was trying her best to make new connections where the old, severed ones had left behind holes in her heart.
It was impossible to say.
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 4:04 am
Sweet Sally, Deacon hadn't been talked to like this in his life.
The more she continued, the more ashamed he felt that the entire reason he had come here was to try and help himself and not truly because he wanted to visit with the ghoul out of the kindness of his heart.
"We, honestly, Riley... We hope that you can help us."
His eyes took on a more desperate, panicked look, as if someone else other than she could somehow intercept the thoughts he focused to her.
'They fixed you, here... We must know how.'
His free hand rested over hers, initially seeming as though he were returning the friendly gesture. He hooked a claw beneath the wrist of his glove below her fingers and exposed the smallest peek of skin beneath. Gray, in majority.
'It spreads faster. We cannot hide it much longer.'
"Please, Riley..." Deacon breathed, barely a whisper. "Help us..."
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 11:24 pm
The gentle, caring gaze that Riley had been offering turned into something much more realistic the moment she caught a glimpse of that streak of grey. Her hand pressed against the glove, pushing it back down, and her eyes shone genuinely with concern.
Deacon. She murmured thickly, as her hand came up to cup his cheek. You shouldn't be here. She sounded truly concerned. If they see you, if they find out.. they will detain you. Keep yourself covered, at all times. And do not engage in conversation with anyone you don't need to. But above all, don't look guilty. And..
She let out a long sigh through her tentacles, and then quite unexpectedly pulled the boil hard, forcing him into her arms.
I know this is going to be hard to hear. But please understand. They did not fix me. I am not fixed - I am still infected, and I am still getting worse. All they did was delay the inevitable. But I promise you one thing.
She pulled him away long enough to look in his eyes.
Whatever research they gain from me, from what they do to my body, will be used to help you all. Keep that hope close, and.. I will do my best to survive.
It might be jarring, but the woman who spoke to him now was nothing like the suave, soft presence he'd walked in on. She was genuine, honest, and sharp. The game could wait - he needed to know the truth.
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:17 am
With the flayer's first response, the demon's gaze snapped from their hands back up to her face. "I know, but-" All of her words made sense. He knew that. Most were things he had mulled over all day, telling himself not to come here and worrying over what would happen if any of these Boogeymen discovered that he was suffering from the same condition that put Riley here... But he'd been willing to take the risk, believing that from Riley he could get the knowledge of how to cure it.
If hearing someone else telling him all of these things wasn't enough to stir paranoia and terror, nothing would. When Riley suddenly embraced him, his already erratic emotional state threatened to pull him into a very real breakdown. Deacon struggled to swallow the painful, growing lump in his throat, his eyes watering against his will as his ears pressed back against his skull.
However, he couldn't help but hug her against him as well. How rarely was such a simple gesture offered to him?
'I can get out of here.' His thoughts wavered in emotion, as he tried to convince not her but also himself. 'But when I cannot cover it anymore... Then... Then everyone will know.'
Deacon's watery gaze focused on Riley when the hug ended just as quickly, and his eyes grew wide and fearful.
"Wh-what..." Deacon hiccuped, his voice failing him.
'Why... How can they be allowed to use you?'
As much as he likely didn't really want the elaboration, Deacon could only imagine the worst. As though being alone, sick and without one's entire life wasn't enough. What were they doing to her?Nio Love idek if you saw this already, but if you did sorry for the needless quote. :'D
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Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:56 am
There was no chance of Riley detailing the procedures the bogeymen were performing on her. She kept her eyes guarded, and lidded, as his desperate questions filtered into her thoughts. She ignored them completely - some things were best left unsaid.
You will find a creature named Malodore. It is a plague doctor. She started off on an entirely different tangent of thought, if only to get away from the one she'd managed to set forth. And it will assist you in remaining safe, and secure. They will not find you. They have not found the other, she kept Jericho's name out of it. And Malodore is brilliant. It will help you, until they have wrought the last drop of information from my body. Hopefully, by then, they will have found a cure.
She sighed sharply. Until then, the only thing we can do is remain strong. I hate to think these people are our only hope, but they have the technology and research we need. For now, we must let them continue.
Her eyes slit thin, unfocused as her mind turned to darker thoughts.
For now.Hitsuzen sorry for the wait bby I was in San Francisco, ty for quoting me again it helped! <3
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:05 am
It didn't take a genius to know that she was avoiding his question of her treatment, and while he understood that it only made the dread thicken. He adverted his gaze from her, as if ashamed of himself for forcing her to think about all of this when she was gained what could only be considered peace in comparison.
Deacon looked up to her again when she spoke of Malodore. He nodded softly, knowing of the plague doctor. 'Malodore,' he repeated mentally. He wouldn't forget the creature he was to seek out. There was a spark of hope in knowing that it was keeping someone else hidden, somehow out of sight of the boogeymen or those who would reveal the other to them. He didn't ask whom the other was... It wasn't as important to him right now.
When the ghoul fell silent again, it was Deacon's turn to offer a comforting embrace, hugging her gently and managing a whisper. "Don't let them break you..."
'Somehow, Riley... We'll rescue you from this... All of us.'
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:19 am
Riley accepted Deacon's embrace, but when she looked up at him from within his arms, her eyes were surprisingly light with mirth. I never break. She whispered fiercely, all of the smugness and strength laid bare there in her eyes. His promise was sweet, but she knew it wasn't meant to be. Her freedom lie in her own hands, and in her patience. She would wait it out.
Go. She reached up and cupped his cheek, squeezing it softly. Go and live now. I'll see you all soon. That is my promise.
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 12:55 pm
When he relaxed his hold on her, drawing back to look her in the eye again, the demon nodded softly. He supposed he knew that she wouldn't let them break her. She was strong. Honestly, much stronger than he believed he could hope to be in her situation.
The light pinch to his cheek drew him from his mild distraction of thoughts, and he managed a small smile for her. Sad as it looked, it was the best little bit of reassurance he could muster.
Deacon stood and wordlessly padded to the cell's door to leave. Self consciously, he tugged at his clothes, a habit that he'd tried to force himself to cease.
When he was granted his exit, he let a final thought reach out to her softly as he crossed the threshold.
'We'll hold you to that promise. In the meantime... Don't lose hope.'Nio Love Done I think? Sorry I took forever! XD;
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