|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:40 pm
Calder knew he would be graduating, and at the prospect of the future, he had thought of a world of exciting things awaiting him and Barth. They needed to pick a castle with lots of space, a yard big enough for all their scarlings to run around, a graveyard for Barth and Amrita, rooms for friends and the big family Calder was planning for, and a garage for all the inventions. Then there was the decor!
Arms full of magazines, Calder was always excited to get as much time as he could when Barth was awake to gab. Unfortunately, Barth wasn't saying too much and seemed a bit overwelmed. He needed other people who were always looking to the future, and there happened to be a door open right next door.
Calder hadn't spoken with Riley much if at all since her recovery. They weren't really friends, just starting actually, when she lost her memory. At the time, Calder was there for Malodore to help it through this time. It felt too strange for him to show up at her and pretend they had had a nice history full of fluttering bats and ivy.
But the urge to gab was too strong, and stepping in front of the open door-frame, Calder knocked. "Hello? Anyone home?" It seemed strange for even Riley to have her door wide open like this.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:52 pm
It was the first day Riley had actually come back to her dorm, alone. When she'd returned, she'd left the door wide open, in case Jericho had changed his mind, or needed something, or - well, let's face it, she kept it open because there was no reason to close it anymore. She'd walked into her dorm, the silence overwhelming her, and flopped face down onto the floor behind the couch. This was where she had remained for the last four hours.
Calder's voice was the first thing that stirred her, and she turned around when she heard it, slowly pushing herself up to pop her head over the edge of the couch into view.
I am. She answered, quite frankly. She stood up from behind the couch, moved around to sit on it instead, and gestured Calder inside as if she hadn't just been caught hiding behind her couch in her dorm room. Please, come on in. How can I help you, Calder?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 10:43 pm
Calder turned his head to see Riley....behind the couch. Was she hiding or did she dropped something on the floor? The thought she might be sleeping had never crossed his mind as, well, he hardly ever tried to imagine Riley sleeping. To him, it would require her to be in a situation where she was completely at ease, even a bit vulnerable, and to have her eyes closed. The last part was hard to imagine as the kelpie often thought Riley always had her eyes open, like a beckon of a lighthouse forever shinning in the dark.
"Uh...well. Barth is sleeping and I've been wanting to talk and I haven't talked to you in a long time and I didn't want it to get too long not that it hasn't but you know weird long long where we see each other on the street after graduation and......." He paused.
Then he held up some magazines. "Want to look at magazines with me?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:10 pm
Riley did not want to talk to Calder. She did not want to look at magazines. And she did not want to entertain a visitor at all. But more than anything, more than all of the 'do not wants' she had ever had before, she did not want one thing above all.
She did not want to be alone.
She patted the spot on the couch beside her as her response, and kept a smooth, impassive expression. What are your magazines about? Most of her memories of Calder were pleasant, because they were all from Malodore's point of view. She knew they'd had rough spots, but she was pleasantly unaware of why. Spending some time listening to the boil discuss whatever he was interested in seemed like a safe enough distraction from her aching heart.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:17 pm
Perking, Calder stepped into the room. Despite being invited, he still felt like a animal crossing unfamiliar and dangerous territory. He'd only been in Riley's room once, back when she invited him over to dress up for a secret date that had soured the dance for him. Still, he had been involved in the circle with all his friends without being excluded because he and Riley did not get along. That was the biggest downside to their bickering.
Still feeling a tad uncomfortable, he eased onto the couch, not used to any piece of furniture that wasn't able to swallow you up whole in a soft warmth that made you pass out. Barth's entire room was a trap that something that just kept you comfortable yet awake was surprising to experience again.
Setting the stack down, he smiled. "Home and Graves. Modern Dying. Dead Designs. Classic Castles. Oh, and my favorite of all..." He held up one of the magazines titled "Lings" with the image of a smiling cyclops mother holding a drooling, sleeping child against her chest. "Aren't they adorableeeeee?" Calder turned the cover and smiled. Oh, he wanted one right now!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:04 am
Riley was not the type to ever be against home decorating. She had a taste for decor all her own, and while it might not have been in style, she certainly enjoyed it. As Calder went through each magazine he brought over, she realized his intent. He was planning for the future - and his future, if Classic Castles had any say, was to be extravagant. It was unsurprising, with his choice in mate, and she actually thought she might be able to enjoy the topic of discussion if it remained within the realms of decadent design.
The last magazine, however, had alarm bells ringing so loudly in her head she had to place her hand against it.
She ignored his question, and used her other hand to slowly push the magazine down out of her view. So. Castles, is it? Subjectchangesubjectchange oh, for the love of Jack, take the subject change.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:10 am
The fact Riley wasn't in any way squirming at the sight of a wittle scarling had Calder frowning, but he looked to the pile with a nod. "Barth wants to live in a castle, and I want somewhere big because Christof and Amrita might live with us. Oh, and anyone else who might come by. I also want room for the kids. I'd need some water to live by to swim and stretch my legs and to teach my scarlings how to swim. There would need to be a garage for Barth's buggie and Christof's motorcycle. Maybe a graveyard for them too. I've been trying to think of the perfect place to look for since I want it to be the home for us and our family." He smiled as he looked up at Riley, then down at hte magazine that he slowly opened.
"I've been thinking about it ever since I was a little boil. A bunch of scarlings of my ow and a big, happy family to share our company with so we won't ever be alone." He looked up to Riley. "Doesn't it just make you...I don't know...feel warm inside?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:21 am
Nothing about the topic made Riley feel warm inside. Nauseous, perhaps. Antsy, definitely. But if anything, the warmth inside of her was somehow escaping, leaving her cold and unhappy. I do not share your nurturing desires, it seems. Though I am sure you will make a fine parent, I cannot truly add to the conversation in that regard - I have never, and will never allow myself to spawn.
The topic change hadn't worked, and she didn't feel like trying again. She just picked up one of the other, non-horrific magazines, and flipped through it idly. But I feel the warmth you mention, when I think of a life, together, with Malodore. I could do with a castle.. but I highly doubt that's what it would want. Someplace warmer, perhaps. And nearby. It wants to be nearby.
They'd just had this conversation, in fact. It was fresh on her mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:29 am
"I haven't talked to Mal yet about where it might want to live. Nearby to....Amityville?" He wasn't sure what Mal wanted to do, though it was pretty sure It wanted to work in medicine. Aside from that, they hadn't really talked about what else. Calder was already certain It would want to live with Riley considering how loyal It was, and Calder couldn't see it any other way. Naturally, he would think a family would follow.
When Riley stated she in no way wanted or would allow herself to have a scarling, Calder covered his mouth and tried to hold back the faintest of whimpers. It was one of the saddest things he ever heard, and he reached out to pat Riley's leg. "Riley....why? Why would you not want a scarling of your own? I know...I know life has been hard for you, but you shouldn't punish yourself like this." Don't worry, Riley. Calder was here for you. He'd help you out of your moment of crazy to see the light of logic and reason once more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:35 am
Calder's reaction was.. actually just a little amusing. Riley's eyes widened in a moment of surprise, before her expression settled subtly and she let out a soft chuckle. It's complicated, Calder. I'm not punishing myself. I'm protecting myself - and Malodore. It's safer if I don't spawn. The chance that an Illithid may emerge from that pumpkin.. The thought made her shudder. It's not worth the risk.
And suddenly, despite how amused she'd seemed at the idea of her having scarelings, it was starting to wear on her. She had never wanted spawn in her life. Why, then, so soon after losing Jericho's constant presence, did the idea of never having anyone to take care of suddenly leave her feeling.. just a little hollow?
It was disturbing her. She flickered through the pages of the magazine with more of a snappish air.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:39 am
"Protecting yourself? How is not having a scarling protecting you? I know that it might come with it's own trials, but that shouldn't something to be afraid of, and you two have a great relationship so it's not like a little scarling is going to tear you two apart. You handle the student council plenty well after all." She had experience in managing others that a little scarling shouldn't stress her out that much.
Thinking about it, Calder could only smile and, removing his hand from Riley's leg, clasped his hands. "I don't think you're imagining it. Just think about it. Close your eyes." He looked at Riley, waiting for her to do just that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:44 am
She almost told him. When he asked her, so frankly, so innocently, why refraining from spawning would protect her, she almost slipped and simply explained it all to him in one breath. But he kept talking, and suddenly, he was asking her to do something..
Riley let out a breath of impatience. Calder, I appreciate your good intentions, but honestly, imagining it isn't going to help. I'm not meant to have scarelings. Can you even imagine me as a mother? Maybe you should close your eyes and see that, for yourself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:54 am
Huffing, he crossed his arms and closed his eyes. "Fine! But you have to close your eyes too." He opened one eye to make sure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:59 am
Why do I... Was there even a point to arguing with him? She rolled her eyes, before they fluttered closed. She waited at least a few seconds, before saying anything. Fine. Here, in this imaginative world, where you live in a castle with all of your scarelings and the people you love most, you will see that there is a very beautiful little building, not too far from Amityville, where Malodore practices medicine and I.. She.. what? Her eyebrows furrowed tightly - this was no time to have another philosophical crisis. She could only handle one at a time. I'm there, too. And now, imagine someone putting a young life in my hands. What, exactly, do you see me doing to shape and mold that young life, Calder?
Her imagination had conjured up the image, as well. Funny, how her psyche removed the option of the child being an Illithid, simply to keep the trauma of possibility safely away from her thoughts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 1:13 am
Challenge Accepted.
Calder turned his head just so, painting the setting that Riley placed for him to start. "Malodore has been practicing medicine and comes home after a long day of taking care of people, but like everything It does, is always has time for those It loves the most. The little scarlings, because you should have more than one so they don't feel alone, one like you and one like Mal, have spent today with you. The littlest, a Plague Doctor....Let's call It....uh...Barloza!" Calder thought it was a very charming name. "Barloza had just learned colors with It's brother who looks like you, Riley. His name isss..." Yup, prepare yourself. "Helfug. You spent today teaching them colors. Greens and blues and reds. You went around your house, picking out all the pretty pillows and decorations you have just like you have in your dorm. Ones you and Malodore picked together when you moved in and the toys you both picked when you bought them presents. You gathered these things for these two and you sat down with them and taught them colors. Tomorrow, you will teach them shapes, because they are super smart because you and Malodore are both super smart, and Helfug wants to go to work with Daddy when he grows up, and Barloza favors you and asks you question after question every day."
He smiled at this little image, of Malodore coming home. "You and Mal gather the kids, because you and the kids were waiting to feel like a whole family again, and even waiting a while for work makes you feel apart. With the kids between you, you kiss, have supper, and you put them to bed. They're tired and exhausted because they had a big, full day, and you're tired cause you gave them that full day. You and Mal then watch them just as they go to sleep. You get to watch them grow and become big and smart and know that they were made and grew up from your love. A love that I saw go through a whole lot and will keep on going through a whole lot."
He opened his eyes to look at her. "Because no matter what, you two have been together through it all and you'd go through it all for them too just like you went through a lot for your friends. Your scarlings wouldn't just be the most adorable thing ever..." He said, smiling at that cute image. "...they'd be good too."
He set his hands on the magazine on his lap and perked up his chin just so. "That is what I see."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
