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Maybe she'd been hasty. What exactly did the ghoul think she was going to do with the elf, on her own? She wanted to protect Jericho from.. from everything. The scathing looks. The confusion. The hurt in a strangers eyes. The mistrust. And that was just from other students.. it didn't even begin to touch on the danger from the boogeymen. Her hands clutched tighter around the elf, ignoring its cries of anger.

They would hurt him.

They would tear him apart, piece by piece, and unmake him until there was nothing left of him. They would do it, she knew, because that was exactly what they'd done to her. In some respects, she felt she might have been better off left dead. She owed the boogeys her life - but Jericho wasn't dead. He was just.. different.

She was different, too.

Riley sped up her footsteps, heading for the monster dorms.

Malodore hurried up too - it didn't have quite the speed the mindflayer was capable of pulling out, but it was doing its best, even augmenting its forward motion with little wingflaps. Whether or not it was making a difference... well, it wasn't sure. (But it was damn cute.)

Mia cara? it called out, mentally, not wanting to startle Jericho - it felt things might be delicate, at this juncture. Do you wish my assistance? The question was also delicate, carrying with it an inflection of wishing to help, but not to pester. It really wasn't sure how she was doing - its concern was not only for Jericho, but also for her.

"You saying I used to live in this creepy place? I think you're a little crazy, lady," the elf marveled. He was from Christmastown! That... was where his home was.. right?

Jericho actually couldn't be so certain of that answer. But why would he have lived here before when this was his first time coming to this dreary place.

"But alright. Take me there. At least it should be more cheery than the rest of his building."

I was taking him back to his room. In hopes that.. the familiar environment stirs something within him that makes him comfortable. It was a long shot, though - he clearly had no memory of living in Halloweentown, which meant nothing was going to feel comfortable to him. Her room never brought her any memories, or comfort. The only things that had felt right from the moment she'd returned to them.. were Malodore and Jericho.

This was why she clung so hard to the elf. This was why she was about to saturate him with her presence. He didn't need to remember Amityville, or his room, or even Halloweentown. He just needed to know he would never be alone. And hopefully, he would remember how he felt about her, even if he couldn't remember who she was.

It had worked for her. That didn't guarantee it would work for him. But she was ready to try.

I'm going to.. need some time with him. She paused, her eyes glancing at Malodore regretfully. Alone. Does this displease you? Her heart ached to think of how it sounded, but she wanted Malodore to understand. This was her chance to fix something. To do something right, for once. And if she failed, she would still carry the burden without complaint.

She was starting to understand the burden Malodore had been carrying since she'd returned, just a little bit more than she wished she did. The guilt settled on her heart heavily, and shown clear in her eyes.

Ah... That took a moment to digest, but then Malodore nodded. Mi fido di te, it said, simply, and let its own feelings fill in the gaps between the words - it did trust her, implicitly, and in that trust were both its love for it and its knowledge that other than Red, she was the only one who had gone through this thing. And that it was here for her, and for Jericho, should either of them need it. I can handle the others, it added, firmly. I am concerned for Shehk, but... this needs careful handling. Just be careful not to overstrain yourself, mia cara? I can bring you meals. Ah, and... perhaps something for Jericho? Something filled with FEAR? I think there might be some, ah, more jolly items that would be suitable.

Out loud, it bobbed its head once more at the elf. "I am glad you are here, my friend. If there is anything you need, you have only to ask." Truth be told, it really wasn't sure how to interact with him at this stage. It was honestly a bit afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing and causing everything to fall apart.

"Uhh.. Maybe a candy cane? Do you have one?" the little elf asked. Candy canes sounded really nice right about now. Though, his attention shifted towards Riley for the moment as she asked about food anyway.

"Oh! I want... chocolate chip cookies, figgy pudding, and fruit cake!"

Draconic Jericho probably wouldn't touch fruitcake with a ten foot pole.

"You have these here right?"

Excellent. Candy it is then. Her eyes twinkled with appreciation when Malodore added what she'd asked for, and she hefted the elf up, carrying it into the monster dorms.

Believe it or not, you did live here, once. It's all right that you don't remember, you know. You don't have to remember everything to be who you are. All you have to do is look forward. She stopped at his door, reaching up to run her fingers down the dry erase board with his name on it. She remembered the first time she'd come to her own room and seen the board with all its little signings. Memories of friends lost long ago.

Her own writing was on Jericho's board. She recognized it. But more importantly, she tapped his name with her claw. You see? Your room. Don't fret, even if you can't remember it, I'm still here with you. You won't go through this alone.

She checked the door, and then dipped her hand into her dress to take his key out and unlock the door. She turned, and gave Malodore a wary look.

Wish me good luck?

Buona fortuna, mia cara, it said, immediately, giving her its own featherlight brush of a mental kiss - not as potent as the ones she gave to it, of course, but pleasant nevertheless, or so it fervently hoped. "Enjoy," it said aloud, waving to them both and turning away.

Though it did kind of hover at the end of the hall until they both went in.