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Post by Kai Rose on Feb 27, 2021 0:33:33 GMT -8
Why was she here, actually? When you got right down to it, the question was far less complicated than you might think. A nice place to live? A friend who needed protection? A kid who she might have to run like a football? A desire to pursue Whimsical Bullshit with the one Lost she was close to?
No, it was much more mundane than that.
"I'm here because I'd like a safe home with a nice housemate, and because Abigail was kind enough to invite me. I wouldn't call myself part of any party circle, though I know some folks who are. But I definitely know she almost died." That part had a bit of an edge, not anger at him but at the situation. "If I ever find out who is responsible for that..." How did you put it to a mortal? "...I'll be going straight to the police."
And she was very sure that Inspector Solomon would be excited to hear about it.
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Post by Anthony Cartwright on Feb 27, 2021 0:41:50 GMT -8
Okay, fine. She was the stable friend that decided to experiment and ran into the pair one night, and Abigail did her thing. He was still erring on the side she had invited Kai reflexively-
"When you met her, did she, like, immediately offer you shit? I'm- I'm sorry that sounds like I'm being weird about money. It's not about insulting you, or like- um. I'm not-" She wasn't a charity case.
But she was.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, Wendy's chiding voice talks about classism and making judgements.
"When did this arrangement happen? Before or after she almost died? How long have you known each other?" his voice cracked again.
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Post by Kai Rose on Feb 27, 2021 0:49:41 GMT -8
"You're good, man. She and I first bumped into each other at the Jewel last September. The offer of a free place to crash happened pretty quick. I told her no, because that's weird and I don't stay at random people's houses who I just met. For obvious reasons." After all, safety was something she had just indicated was of interest to her. She stood up and rinsed her mug out before placing it in the dishwasher. "She offered again about a week ago, the same night she told me about her accident. This time, I was down because I knew her. Told her I'd rent."
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Post by Anthony Cartwright on Feb 27, 2021 1:04:53 GMT -8
Anthony sniffed, unsure what else to say at this point.
He just drank the coffee.
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Post by Kai Rose on Feb 27, 2021 1:07:49 GMT -8
She let the silence stretch on for a long minute, just tidying up after herself. If he wanted to ask her more questions, he could. If not, she'd be a decent housemate and go get a workout in.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Feb 27, 2021 7:04:25 GMT -8
Ivory, it seemed, was rising later than normal, but nonetheless, finally made her way into the kitchen. She had taken the time to shower nonetheless, though her outfit decidedly showed she was not aiming to do much today. An old t-shirt, sweats, and socks. A decidedly more casual look than Kai was used to seeing her, but that Anthony saw her wear on occasion. The Pale Dragon's face was free of makeup and she was surprisingly bright eyed and she wasn't even hungover.
"Good morning!" she offered as she made her way to the coffee, before stopping and pausing, finally registering that the sudden meeting was likely awkward, "Ah. Good. You've met."
Turning back to the coffee, she'd dip into the fridge for some creamer.
"I... should have told you I was renting out the spare room," she admitted, looking over to Anthony with an apologetic smile, "I'm guessing I'm a bit late to properly introduce you both?"
Disappearing to the fridge again the Pale Dragon would take out some bacon and eggs.
"Breakfast?" she asked, her eyes hovering between the pair.
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Post by Anthony Cartwright on Feb 27, 2021 7:42:17 GMT -8
"Morning," Anthony managed, hands wrapped around the mug.
"I mean, sure. I'm sure your pro-athlete friend is cool. She seems cool," he said, tone even but the sentence almost word-salad. "I'm fine, already ate. You guys have a good work out." His hand snaked into his pocket to fish out his phone, thumb idly texting despite the hour.
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Post by Kai Rose on Feb 27, 2021 11:07:43 GMT -8
"Morning." Kai flashed a smile at Ivory. Something was in her eyes - concern? Sadness? - as she did. "Too late for an introduction, though he's a very kind host for someone who had no idea I was going to be here." Anthony really had done his best to keep his shit together. What emotions he had let bubble out were both critical to understanding the nature of the issue here and establishing any semblance of rapport. The kid was scared. Her near-death experience had rattled him, and now Ivory wasn't talking to him about who was going to be residing with him.
"I appreciate the offer, but I've eaten. We can hit the gym later, Abigail. Enjoy some quality time, I'm going to go for a run."
She had wanted martial training, after all. But there was a talk needing to be had here.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Feb 27, 2021 16:40:54 GMT -8
There was a light shrug from the Pale Dragon, but her gaze lingered on Anthony for a moment - and the walls he sought to build.
"Suit yourselves," she said, putting the the bacon and eggs back in the fridge and opening the freezer, retrieving her hidden stash of Moose Tracks ice cream.
A look of surprise was leveled at Kai as Anthony spoke of a work out, but then the Polychromatic spoke her words.
"I'm more than happy to delay," she quipped, "Later then."
She'd grant the Wizened a smile as they departed. Then, she began to scoop her bowl. One scoop, two scoops.
"So," she offered when they were alone, "I can tell when you have something on your mind."
Three scoops. And a spoon.
The Fairest moved, seating herself at the island.
"Talk to me?" she asked.
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Post by Anthony Cartwright on Feb 27, 2021 17:28:12 GMT -8
There was a pause, as the woman situated herself in the kitchen and Anthony switched gears.
"...How are you doing? Like, actually."
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Feb 27, 2021 17:43:32 GMT -8
Ivory smiled, dipping her spoon into the ice cream and taking that first spoonful with an audible grunt of satisfaction.
"I'm good," she responded, "I'm enjoying a day off, in sweatpants, with absolutely no plans beyond this ice cream and maybe a movie."
The Pale Dragon would let a comfortable silence to rest before continuing.
"Or are you concerned about my health?" she asked, "I'm fine Anthony. I was given a clean bill of help and no lasting problems. All is well."
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Post by Anthony Cartwright on Feb 27, 2021 17:57:29 GMT -8
"Mental, actually. Do we want to start seeing the therapist again?"
It had been a good experience, after Arthur had passed. It also had helped Abigail not shoulder the entire grieving situation with no extended family and an older teenager left behind. 'There's no manual' wasn't as grating when faced with the reality that the Fairest had zero reference or framework to refer to with these novel situations. It wasn't like Evelyn was a mother either, and her own was never mentioned.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Feb 27, 2021 18:08:02 GMT -8
There was a long pause after the teenager's question, the Pale Dragon eventually breathing out a long breath before placing the spoon back in the bowl.
"Ah," she finally offered, "You think I'm unstable, I assume? Given recent events, I can't blame you."
Ivory granted the boy her full attention.
"Let's discuss it," she said, "Why would you like to return to therapy? Or rather... why do you want me to?"
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Post by Anthony Cartwright on Feb 27, 2021 18:22:38 GMT -8
"I meant both...family therapy? I don't know what to call it," he laughed, the nervous edge obvious, but he was doing his best to diffuse whatever emotion he was deciding on.
"I'm not calling you crazy or unstable, I don't know why you'd jump to that when we've been going for a year already."**
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Feb 27, 2021 19:10:01 GMT -8
Ivory's face flushed a bit in obvious embarrassment at some inner revelation.
"Oh, you meant the regular sessions," she said, a small laugh sounding to offer levity, "Yeah, I'm ready to go back. Are you? We can wait a bit if you need to. With your studies and all..."
Ivory offered Anthony an out, as she often did. It wasn't that Ivory was unsure, Anthony had often been her priority, but sometimes she felt she was stifling him.
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