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 Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 4:55 am
Quote: After the disturbing talk with one of Tro's clan members, Needle had quietly insisted that they do as Muka suggested and actually talk to the boil in question. She wanted to sort out what she could and she had questions of her own, leaving Muka's only real job to lead her through the maze of the Monster Dorms. Her last attempt at the dorms ended in disaster, it was nice to have a guide. The entire walk up had been in near silence as well; the Engraver was busy counting the way in her head. So many steps forward, turn left. So many steps, turn. So on and so forth until they stood in front of the Tikbalang's door.
Muka decided to wait in the hallway, leaving Needle alone to knock on Petro's door. "Petro? Are you in?" Quote: The tikbalang had been in the middle of gargling his mouth out with salt. After having bitten the inside of his cheek twice in such a short span of time he decided to take precautions from letting the wound fester. Hearing the knock had him finishing up, hearing the voice had him rushing to the door in surprise. It wasn't that he never got visitors but this had been the first time either of the Sisters ever came over and he didn't want to keep either of them waiting.
"Needle!" he greeted brightly, wiping the last traces of the salty water from his mouth while opening the door, "What're y' doing here? Anything y' need me to do?" The idea that anyone would want to simply spend time with him as opposed to requiring something from him rarely crossed his mind. Quote: "Petro." Needle smiled softly, rather relieved at the bright greeting she had received. There was something she knew about Petro, and it was that he was a lot more expressive than she could ever hope to be. It was good, because it let her know that Girlie's last words to her likely weren't true. "No, everything is fine. I would just...like to speak with you, if that is all right?" She asked, quietly stepping into his room the moment she was allowed.
"How have you been, my friend?" It was a very important first real question, considering she hadn't seen him since Prom.
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 4:57 am
Quote: The horse boil sidestepped out of the way to grant Needle entrance to his room. Once the ghoul passed, he popped his head out the door, noting a familiar presence further down the hallway but made no motion to invite the strix in. There must have been a reason for the distance he kept with Needle this time around, because Ulmuka was usually so eager to drape himself all over... well... anyone who didn't mind.
"'S good to hear that," he answered, relieved that there wasn't yet another school-wide emergency and feeling more than a little pleased that she was here because she just wanted to be. He began to fetch some woven mats from the closet for Needle to sit on, because unlike the ghouls' room with their particular flooring, Tro's lair was mostly bare and not meant for company. "Been keeping myself moving, taking lots'v open classes, trying to bake without sending anyone to Cricket." If Needle meant to ask how he was emotionally, she was going to have to specify. Quote: "Ah, thank you~" She watched the boil set out some mats, and when they were ready she knelt on one, sitting comfortably back on her heels. It was nice to hang out with him like this, it had been a long while...and yet, this one had somewhat ulterior motives. "Fascinating! I would love to try your baking again one day! I believe my stomach is...ah, how did you put it? Steeled? Heh." Needle almost giggled, tilting her head to the side and pressing her fingertips against her lips.
"I am glad you are doing okay...even more so that you seem to not have a problem with me." The Engraver breathed an obvious sigh of relief, the hand on her lips drifting down to rest over her heart, further showing how she felt. She hadn't thought to clarify about the emotional well being, his body language was enough to make her notice that nothing had changed in regards to her. Quote: "Heh, well, set a time and place. We'll see'v my baking's gotten better of if y'r stomach has steeled some," Petro grinned easily, sitting himself across the ghoul. He was completely unaware of any ulterior motives, especially since Needle had stated outright she didn't require his assistance for anything, believing completely that she simply wanted his presence. "Could be doing better, but those courses ain't easy." He shook his head but sounding encouraged more than anything. "But 's worth it. If y' want, y' and Lattice and even Muka're more'n welcome to join me."
When exactly Tro had come to conclude that the strix and the sisters were a package deal, might have begun at Prom. And while he wasn't completely comfortable with the owl boil he was certainly less apprehensive of him. "'M surprised Muka ain't in here with y'," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, partly relieved for the fact. "But 's best. Room's probably too bare for him." Tro thought Ulmuka's room screamed of excess and extravagance but different strokes for different folks. The smile faltered a bit at the last sentiment Needle expressed, square-root brows knitting in mild confusion, "Problem with y'? Why'd y' say that?"
Some tiny part of him was tempted to ask if Ulmuka put her up to this or if it was some other third party because he sure as hell wouldn't ever suspect Lattice. But he left it at that to wait for her answer.
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:00 am
Quote: "As soon as possible, without it being today. I have plans later." Like making up to a certain Strix for bailing on their shopping date so early. How late was the maul open, anyway? Oh well. "I understand, it is tough being us." Another soft chuckle, another low shake of her head. "Of course...I can not speak for them, but I would like to join you in an open class one day. I have yet to do any." She...probably should. But really, what was the point in them? No skills she could learn there would help her when she got back to the manor.
"Ah...Muka is...very easy to please. You have seen my room, it is also very bare...and yet he seemed to like it. He is a surprising boil at every turn." Needle smiled lightly, her head tilting to look down at her knees, her hands folded on her lap. She couldn't put a name to the emotion, but she did feel a little strange to have Muka brought up right now. It was almost a relief when he asked her to clarify what she meant.
"Well I...rather, Muka and I...ran into Girlie at the maul today. She seemed to think that I hurt you deeply, and that was the reason you had not contacted home in months." Quote: "Y' got it," Petro nodded, and did not pry any further in Needle's plans. For reasons that extended beyond common courtesy and an understanding of privacy. Strange how a Clan who has no qualms about going through their daily lives barely dress (if at all) still understood there were things that were not meant to be shared with the general populace. Still, his decision to move onto the next subect of the conversation just skimmed that respect for privacy, and had more to do with that niggling sense of... not-quite-but-almost disappointment that had taken root in his mind ever since he found out Needle was going to Prom with Muka. But the horse boil, lacking the desire for introspection, had yet to realize this foreign feeling let alone acknowledge it.
A feeling that spiked sharply upon learning the strix had visited Needle's room. Idly he scratched at his sternum, thinking the feeling would alleviate if he applied enough pressure on certain parts of his body. To little success. And because there was little reason for him to be feeling this whatever it was, the only response Tro could give was, "Oh. I see." The syllables were not drawn out the way a certain female tikbalang said them but their curt tone suggested that, no, Tro did not really see but will simply take Needle for her word.
But all sense of calm and confusion was sharply replaced with panic and alarm and dawning horror when Needle spoke of "Tita Girlie?!" Quote: "Mmm...Yes, I do believe she mentioned that name. What does Tita mean?" The very one-sided conversation with Girlie left her unable to ask about the words she didn't recognize. The ghoul took in a breath, fidgeting slightly where she sat. There was one particular reason that Girlie thought this about the situation, and for whatever reason, she was hesitant to say it.
Likely because she was still under the assumption she couldn't have male friends because she was now dating one.
"But yes, she...kept asking us personal questions and making assumptions and...It was very uncomfortable." Needle was nervous, really not wanting to lose a friend because of an unwritten social rule she did not know anything about. "She thinks I broke your heart, and that is why you disappeared and have not written home. Is that true?" It couldn't have been. She met Muka near the tail end of Petro's silence, and the dating thing was very new; in fact, she only found out about it today!
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:19 am
Quote: Petro began to sweat, profusely, he was rarely ever this nervous, had never been this nervous, not even when he had asked Needle to Prom or Lattice for that matter. That was a different sort combination of nerves and anxiety, which was by far preferable to the one currently wrecking havok with him. What was his aunt doing here!? What did it mean? The Clan couldn't have been in any danger, otherwise she'd have marched straight into the Academy, rules or no. And even then she wouldn't be the one the Elders would send to fetch him.
Knowing what the female tikbalang was like simply added to her apprehension, his hands clenching and unclenching without realizing the actions. "Tita 's aunt in my native tongue. 'S also used to show respect for an older woman y' got a good amount of familiarity with."
And if Petro thought he had been nervous at the discovery of Girlie's arrival, alarms were blaring in his head when Needle continued to tell him of her (and Muka's) encounter with his relative. "And 'm sorry 'bout that. Tita Girlie's got a real knack'v asking the wrong people 'bout the wrong things. But she's always got some reason for it. Ain't always a good one and ain't always one that makes sense but she has 'em."
Damage control was never something Tro enjoyed, but something he'd been forced to do because his aunt wasn't the only busy-body in the Clan. Usually when it involved two parties that would more than likely end up fighting to the death and right now it felt very much like a life-or-death scenario for him. Especially that part about not having written home (it had been ages since he last sent word) his momma must be worried sick about him!
But the reason Needle had given for his lack of letters gave him pause. "Broke my heart? D-don't think so, y' and y'r sister'v come close to impaling my liver'n kidneys but the only time y' came close to my heart was to tattoo me."
Perhaps Girlie should have used a different turn of phrase. Or perhaps Petro just needed a bit of time to digest that it was his aunt who had given the reason. And when it clicked, the boil's face turned a brilliant, furious shade of red. He'd never been so glad for Needle's weak eyesight.
"Was definitely heartsick then but..." he was struggling with what came next. He couldn't tell her that she had nothing to do with it because that would have been a lie. Part of his self-imposed isolation had been because he believed himself unworthy to be Needle or Lattice or anyone's protector. And his shame had been so great that he could not bear to write to his momma about it. Quote: "For once I do not mean it in the literal sense." A small smile creeped onto Needle's lips at the idea; usually it was her taking things literally, by definition not implications. Luckily for Petro she didn't notice his blushing, but the tone of his voice may as well have been.
"...But?" Needle encouraged softly, feeling those pangs she had come to associate with guilt. Quote: The boil sighed, deep and regretful, trying to ignore the ache that suddenly began to carve in his chest. "But saying y' ain't got nothing to do with it'd be lying. Ain't y'r fault, ain't no one's fault but mine." He insists strongly, suddenly taking her hands into his, gently squeezing as if to assure her of... something. Something he wasn't really aware of what it was, or if there was anything he needed to assure at all but he tried anyway. "No matter what my tita says or asks, it ain't y'r fault."
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:27 am
Quote: ...So it had something to do with her, but it wasn't her fault? That didn't clear up anything at all! Yet the way he took her hand was reassuring; the way he squeezed it just seemed to confirm those feelings.
"I...am unaccustomed to these situations. I am afraid I have no idea how to handle them properly, but...you are a dear friend to me, and before you really believe it is not my fault I feel I should be open and honest with you." The ghoul kept her hands in his, keeping his hands there for some vague lingering sense of reassurance.
"The conversation we had with Girlie boiled down to you not contacting your Clan and making them worry. But with the questions beforehand, she came to the conclusion that it was my relationship with Ulmuka that had sparked the silence from you." Needle paused for a moment, her lips pressing together thoughtfully. "By the time she admitted what her purpose was, she had me convinced it was my fault, that I had failed as your friend for reasons I still can not fully comprehend." Her head shook softly, almost sadly.
"So I have decided to take her advice--" She didn't want to, really. Girlie had left a sour taste in her mouth, but it seemed too important to overlook. "--and be up front with you. I am dating Ulmuka...and even though the timelines do not make sense to me, I hope it was not the reason." Quote: Petro silently listened to the ghoul's narration of the events, the pads of his thumb gently skimming over the ghoul's fingers in an attempt to further calm her, and indirectly himself. He remembered, when he briefly visited the Engraver's Clan, how she hadn't flinched away when he touched her and thought this time would be no different. At Needle's pause he frowned, "My failure to write home ain't got nothing to do with y' being friends with Muka." already planning on which words to use when he spoke to his aunt later. While he appreciated the older female's concern, he did not appreciate nor did he approve the distress she'd caused his friends.
Then she continued and said she was going to take Girlie's advice, which may have elicited an I-wouldn't-do-that-if-I-were-you snort from the boil. But any sense of amusement disappeared when she told him that she and Ulmuka was dating. That odd, dull ache in his chest changed, it shifted and twisted into something worse.
And all of a sudden Tro let go of her hands with little else than an "Oh. I see." Quote: The brush of his thumbs were as reassuring as he meant them to be. Needle loved any and all contact, and this was the nicer kind. The sudden change in his demeanor though, that cut right through her. Her hands remained where they were for a moment or two after he released them, a familiar, painful feeling bubbling in her heart. She felt as though she had severely disappointed someone close to her.
Her hands lowered slowly, folding neatly on her lap and for a moment seemed to slouch in pain. His reaction had spoken volumes, especially to someone who thrived on contact; it stung more than anything he could have done or said to her. For a brief moment her mind became a jumble of things, chaos whirling around as she tried to think of what to do, what to say. In the end she resorted to the only thing she knew how; she put on her Engraver's mask, buried her feelings and covered them with polite, proper steel. She carefully sat straight once more, her hands folded with practiced poise on her lap as she continued speaking as smoothly as ever.
"Please forgive my ignorance, but does this mean we can no longer be friends?" If she hadn't buried her feelings, she might have been incredibly worried about his answer. Deep down, in a place currently buried...she didn't want to lose a a friend.
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:31 am
Quote: The horse boil suddenly didn't know what to do with his hands. Part of him wanted to hold Needle again, just her hands, to shake them in congratulations because dating was a rather big step. After all, Needle had already met Ulmuka's father, which while the strix told him was merely for formality's sake it was still a big deal to have met a friend's parent by yourself. It wasn't like his visit to Lizzy's, that had been as a group and he had spent most of his time trying not to strangle Charlie. Not to mention that if Needle had spoken to Girlie at any length of time and ended up on this line of conversation, she would know the importance his Clan gave such a thing.
Another part of him stamped down on that desire, that part of him that gave importance to propriety insisted he maintain an appropriate distance between himself and another boil's ghoulfriend. Even if they were friends first, tenure wasn't something that mattered in these circumstances. Besides, it wasn't as if he'd been planning to court Needle himself, yeah? He'd taken to folding his arms across his chest, hands firmly pressed against his sides.
But... but they were still friends, yeah? And it sounded like Needle still wished to continue their friendship because if she didn't, she wouldn't have come here would she? And she said as much that he was a dear friend.
Slowly, hesitantly, he placed his hands on Needle's shoulders as he answered with a sad, wan smile, "Still friends. Still friends." He would have rested his forehead against hers like he was wont to do but refrained. That gesture was too intimate an act for him to make when she was spoken for. Instead he gave her shoulders a light squeeze, hoping she remembered that this was the closest thing to a hug he could give her (unless he was in the mood for another impalement).
"'M happy y' found someone," he congratulated honestly because he was happy. For her. As for himself? ... Let's not go there. Quote: "Good, I am glad." Despite her words, she hadn't stopped sitting as rigid as she had been. She was still stinging from the way he pulled his hands from her, and pulling herself out from being that metaphorical mask was never easy.
"It was a mutual agreement...I want to explore what I can in the time I have left, and he has a similar want so...we decided to experience these things together." It sounded like she was dying, but in her mind that was pretty close to the truth. Going back to the Manor was like letting her school-persona die. "We do not have any plans for a permanent bond, Petro...Girlie seemed keen that this meant forever. I do not have forever." It seemed like an important thing to stress to him as well, since it was something that was touched upon by Girlie. Sure she had in fact found someone, but it wasn't the same as the stories she had read in her magazines. "We are just...being common society teenagers." At least, what seemed to be common with average teenagers in this world. It was clear all three of them came from stark different backgrounds.
"But, more importantly...Why did you disappear?" The dating topic was easily brushed aside by the more-stoic-than-usual Engraver, who was still thoroughly burying any hints of how she felt. Quote: The smile on his mouth gradually tapered into a thin line of pressed lips as he listened to her recount how she ended up dating Ulmuka. He had felt the tension of her body, seen the ramrod straight posture of her back, and understood he'd caused that. She had not relaxed when he placed his hands on her shoulders, and a knot twisted in his gut. "Muka's definitely a better choice for 'sploring that sorta stuff," he agreed as he pulled back one arm while still keeping the other on Needle. "'M sure he'll make y' happy. Even if y' did have forever."
At the sentiment of being common society teenagers, Tro had to whicker in amusement, "Ain't nothing common about y'." Not to me. going unsaid. "Don't worry about Tita Girlie, 'm gonna set things straight with her. Can't promise an apology from her but if y'd have me, 'd apologize on her behalf," he offered. He'd also completely understand if Needle refused, knowing how his aunt had a penchant for crossing the line whether intentionally or not.
Needle's question, however, had the horse boil mirroring her body language."Didn't really disappear. Just. Been out. Running." He'd already had this conversation with Lattice, but it was under different circumstances. Telling Needle just made the shame and guilt clutching at his heart squeeze tighter, grip harder, impressing upon him further the full weight of his unworthiness.
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:54 am
Quote: She allowed the tiny hint of a smile at his words. It was reassuring to explain it to him from her point of view, and to know that it seemed to ease him a little bit. One hand rose closely, inked fingers brushing against his tanned skin for only a moment before she went back to leaving them folded on her lap.
"I would always have you, Petro. You were my first friend here, and very few things will change that." Like, for example, he slighted Lattice. That would make her hate him forever, and hell hath no fury. "Thank you. I hope she understands it better from you." Girlie was too much for her, but as a member of their Tribe she hoped Petro had a little more sway on the ghoul's opinion or outlook. Unlikely, but he could always hope.
"Running." She repeated as if confirming. "Why were you running? What does it have to do with me? Please, my friend, tell me the truth." Quote: Hearing Needle say he would always be her friend made Petro want to rest his forehead against the ghoul, to feel her cool, pale skin against his own, to be close enough he could smell the mixture of blood and ink so telling of the Sisters. But he refrained, half because it wouldn't be appropriate to nuzzle someone else's ghoul and half because he was sure he'd smell Ulmuka on her. He'd seen how the strix carried himself around Needle, though in fairness Ulmuka was like that with nearly everyone who'd let him.
A wry chuckle, "If I can't get her to listen, there's always my momma." Petro saw no shame in asking his mother for help, no one in the Clan would think twice when Girlie was involved. But despite the female tikbalang's tendency to cause disruptions amongst individuals, family was family and the Clan suffered through it with as much grace as they could. Besides, the older female had always done things with the best of intentions as misplaced as they often times were.
And Tro was finding it more and more necessary of this fact as Needle pressed him to elaborate further. In the recesses of his mind, he blamed his aunt for this uncomfortable conversation for even happening. "Wouldn't've been as bad'v my failings just affected me. The... the Trials made me see just how weak I am and no amount of training'r practice'r studying was working. Didn't think I could stand to see something bad happen to y' 'cuz'v my failings."
It had begun during the Island, this decline in confidence. Further exacerbated wtih each new Field Trip, each new School-Sanctioned activity, each new encounter with the Hunters and Horsemen. "I just. Moved. Did things on my own. Didn't realize how much time'd pass until Prom was announced." Quote: When he did fess up to what happened, Needle was honestly relieved. It really didn't have anything to do with her! She hadn't started this at all, he was just worried about her...in an admittedly strange way. She thought on how best to tackle this, but with her intent on burying her feelings she couldn't quite get the proper sentiment in her head.
"Just like you will always be my friend, you will always be my Protector. I have faith that Lattice would feel the same if you asked her. Dearest, nobody is perfect. There will always be someone better, someone or something more dangerous and threatening...but even if you fall short I would know that you did your best. It is all I could ever hope for, and I would be honoured and touched that you tried at all." The ghoul shifted slightly, inky hands raising to rest on the sides of his face, carefully using his facial tattoos as a guide.
"Your absence was felt. I missed my friend and I am glad to have you back. Please do not run from us anymore, Petro. I can not speak for Lattice, but...I would like any chance to help you as you have helped me. If you feel like this again, please let us - or even just me - help you. Run towards us, not from us."
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:57 am
Quote: Tro wondered if it still appropriate for him to continue to be his Protector now that Needle had Muka. "Temporary" as the pair may be, there were still his Clan's rules and customs and things he had to follow, Jack damn it, and one of them involved relinquishing that sort of responsibility over to the chosen mate. Suitor? Partner? Tro didn't know what to call the role Muka now had exclusive hold of.
Her encouragement was welcomed, though, the assurance that he was still her friend, that he could run to them. He wanted to tell her he'd tried, but just ended up running in circles, the same attempt at humor he made with Lattice. Surely sharing this sentiment would not go against the unspoken and unwritten rules of his Clan. After all, his and Needle's... relationship was friends. But was he still her Protector?
Jack damn it, now even his thoughts were going in circles.
In the end, he shoved the thought aside (still running), placed a hand over his heart, "Will remember that, I promise." Quote: Needle was relaxing from the earlier sting, slowly losing her grip on the reigns she had put on her emotions. They were still holed up, though certainly not as tightly. When he made his promise she allowed herself to smile, seeing the way the tattoo on his chest was shaded over by his hand. Petro always kept his word, and that was enough for her.
Her hands, still on his cheeks, gently pulled him closer, tilting his head down so she could press a cold, brief kiss to his forehead. "I am sorry to have caused you distress...but I imagine your Aunt will be here soon. I hope you understand, but I would rather not face her again today." She had enough damage done to her character for one day, thank you very much. Imagining he understood that she was excusing herself, she released the gentle hold she had on his face, and moved to stand. Quote: The tikbalang instinctively tensed at the gesture but let his shoulders and neck go slack eventually. Just friends, just friends, just friends. he silently breathed. This wasn't like the kiss he'd given her, he knew it and was fine with it. That ache was beginning to throb again, but he was going to have to learn to deal with it, wouldn't he? He'd have to learn soon, and fast. He couldn't go avoiding the pair again, wasn't that how he ended up missing everything?
When he felt her hands leave his face, the tikbalang rose to stand as well, bare feet padding towards the door, his hand on the handle waiting for her to be ready. "Got a feeling she's already here." He wasn't referring to the campus, though. Girlie wouldn't be allowed on the premises, school rules and all, but something told him his aunt was nearby.
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:07 am
Quote: If she heard him, she might have corrected him. They weren't just friends! They were close friends. He was her Protector, she...tattooed him when he let her. Yup. More than just friends in her mind! She would be sad to lose him when the time came to go home. When she stood she did nothing more than a brief dusting of her hakama, and turned easily towards the door.
"I wish you luck." Needle murmured, tilting in a small bow to her friend. "Please come visit soon! I will hold you to your word for baking." And, with that, she left his room to go find the wayward Strix. Quote: The door closed after the ghoul and Petro turned to prepare himself for a brief family reunion.
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