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Post by Nadia on Oct 23, 2019 10:42:51 GMT -6
Nadia's chest ached.
How long had she been hunched over, staring into a gutter, now splattered with her own bile? Her vision swam - she could hear people passing, the occasional whisper of a concerned bystander, but she could find no energy to pay them heed. No one had stopped. She wouldn't have known what to do if they had, except shoo them away and pray they didn't ask.
Those protestors. That Slynk, with its head smashed to pieces, lifeless a few metres from her. She hadn't even tried to help them - she'd turned tail and bolted the second she could, consumed by terror, the worst kind of coward imaginable--
She didn't know when she'd started crying, but she could feel the tears dripping from her nose, down into the puddle of vomit. Her shoulders shook with the force of her sobs. Behind her, the day rolled on.
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Post by Jewel on Oct 23, 2019 11:38:01 GMT -6
It was typical of Jewel, to miss the hullabaloo. By the time he'd rocked up in town, the crowds had dissipated and there were barely any signals that unrest had occurred at all - he saw a few folk bustling past, but it was nothing out of the norm in a busy city. All appeared well. Eilonwi appeared hesitant, sniffing at the air as she went, but made no indication to him that they should change route. Her spot alongside him remained filled.
That was, until she heard something else. A horrible racket. Nothing extraordinary nor deafening, but piercing enough to make her ears lay flat. She paused. On the corner, ducked into the gutter, a woman.
Jewel had only walked a few steps when he noticed that his Felusine wasn't alongside him, and he turned back immediately. He was about to ask her - fruitlessly - what she was looking at, but it was easier to stare himself. The red hair was familiar. That small stature... was it...?
"Uh... Nadia?"
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Post by Nadia on Oct 24, 2019 4:51:02 GMT -6
Nadia flinched. It was still a shock, to hear someone referring to her by her real name - she'd gone by the alias for so long that it had become natural. She didn't want to turn around. Whoever it was that had recognised her would have seen her in her composed form, not reduced to an anxious wreck, vomiting on the side of the street--
Shaking fingers fumbled around in her pockets to pull out a handkerchief, which was used to dab at her mouth as delicately as she could manage. When she did at last move to face the man, her breath caught in her throat.
"You did stay..." It had been months since she had seen Jewel, and had proposed that he visit the Labs in his search for a new home. Even in her awful state, a vague smile ghosted over her lips. "It is... it is nice to see you."
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Post by Jewel on Oct 24, 2019 13:46:13 GMT -6
Jewel had to hold back a gasp. The shock - the difference between what he knew her as, even briefly, and what he could see before him - was extreme. Eilonwi made no such noise, but her tail flicked bath and forth in agitation, and he was sure he could see the closest thing a Felusine could express to concern on her face.
"Never mind that," He said; when he recognised how abrasive his tone was, he softened his posture and voice. "Are you okay? Are you sick?"
That was a stupid question. The pallidness of her complexion, as well as the sick pooled in the gutter, was evidence enough. Even so, he wasn't sure what else there was to say. He couldn't greet her as an old friend, nor treat her as a stranger. They would instead meet at the crossroads of acquaintanceship, and he would hope that it would be sufficient to comfort her.
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Post by Nadia on Oct 24, 2019 13:59:28 GMT -6
Nadia drew in towards herself at the initial sharp tone of Jewel's voice. He hadn't intended it, of course, but the slightest change in behaviour could and would frighten her. The sight of his Felusine seemed to comfort her, though - she extended her wavering smile to her, and offered a half-hearted wave.
"Hello," She murmured. "Who's this?"
It was a cover, to disguise her inability to express what the problem was. What could she say? She couldn't bear to burden a near-stranger with what she'd seen, but was also terrified of facing her thoughts alone. She'd go back to her house and tremble in the shadows and go to bed wrapped in more than a handful of blankets.
"I would greatly appreciate some company to a coffee shop, if that isn't a bother," She settled with saying, in an attempt to appear collected. "I understand if you do not have the time."
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Post by Jewel on Oct 26, 2019 14:39:12 GMT -6
Eilonwi was not typically fond of any human other than Jewel. Of course, the boy was a fool, but she was accustomed to his breed of idiocy. With others, it was impossible to tell whether they'd be an improvement or a downgrade from him, and she preferred not to run the risk. Still, there was something different about this one. Uncomfortable. She stunk of fear and sadness, and it was enough to have the Felusine padding forward, coiling around her legs.
"That's Eilonwi," Jewel said, and then offered his arm. "Not a bother. Let's get you away from here, hmm? Come on."
If she would allow it, he would gently guide her around and away from her own secretions and back onto the main street. There was nothing out of the ordinary to be seen. His being oblivious to what had happened was good, because he walked with ease; with a bit of luck, his relaxation would coax Nadia into calmness.
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Post by Nadia on Oct 27, 2019 14:39:38 GMT -6
Nadia couldn't help but feel better, with the warmth of Eilonwi's fur around her legs. Creatures worked miracles for her mood. Though there was nothing to be done about what she had seen, she could stay connected to the real world through them, and her interior monologue could be put aside for a while.
Her eyes were wide, where they settled on Jewel's offered arm. She wasn't a fan of touching. Still, she thought it sensible to allow him to guide her, given how fiercely her knees knocked together.
"Thank you," Her voice was barely a murmur.
It startled her, how normal everything appeared. It was as if nothing had happened at all. As improper as it might have been to leave her vomit without even attempting to clean up, that was a hopeless task as things stood, and she needed a cup of something soothing. It was fortune indeed that she had never been drunk - alcohol would have been an acceptable alternative.
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Post by Jewel on Oct 31, 2019 14:58:58 GMT -6
It was nothing. Nothing at all. Jewel wasn't going out of his way to help her - it was no chore to get a coffee, especially in company. Still, he smiled and accepted her thanks, and kept a hold on her, making sure it was light when he noticed the way she winced when his fingers tightened.
There were plenty of tea shops to choose from, but he swept them into the first he came across. They all served hot drinks, so what did it matter? The one he'd selected was warm, inviting, and had enough plush armchairs and low sofas to cater for ten times the number of visible patrons. A quiet corner away from the window with vacant seats was where he steered Nadia to.
"Sit down, okay?" He only let her go once he was sure she wouldn't wobble or keel over. "I'll get the drinks in. What can I get you?"
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Post by Nadia on Oct 31, 2019 15:37:07 GMT -6
Nadia was grateful to sink into the armchair at the coffee shop. The cushioning was a balm to her weary muscles, and she pushed herself against the back with a grateful sigh, wriggling her shoulders until she had found the optimum position for comfort. Wonderful. She'd never been to that particular establishment before, but it was a cosy little place. Maybe she'd have to return in better circumstances.
"Really?" She was still startled and caught off-guard by Jewel's kindness. "I... would much appreciate a pot of tea, in that case. Thank you."
Tea was not the solution to the world's problems, but by heavens, it helped. A smidge of caffeine might rejuvenate her, and release her from the plague of feeling boneless and weak. How uncivilised. The capacity to be embarrassed about vomiting on a sidewalk was returning to her, and by the time the fae had turned to put their order in at the counter, her head was in her hands and her cheeks were scarlet.
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Post by Jewel on Nov 7, 2019 12:45:04 GMT -6
Tea it was. Jewel nodded, then wandered over to the counter to put in their order. They could share a pot; it would keep the cost down and hopefully get her to open up to him a bit.
He wasn't an idiot. Something was wrong, in a major way - he didn't know Nadia well, but he knew that panic attacks on the side of the road were not her style. There had to be a reason behind it, and he wanted to know what that was. For his own gain, or to comfort her? Perhaps a bit of both. There was no harm in siphoning information subtly like that.
Eilonwi stayed with Nadia, taking watch duty from the floor next to her chair. There was no need for her to be told. The woman was getting some sort of comfort from her presence, and it gave her some time away from her bumbling idiot. She was gently rubbing her cheek against Nadia's knee when Jewel returned with the tea tray, laden with cups, milk and sugar.
"Here you are..." He passed her cup over to her, then settled back in his own seat, allowing her to make her drink first. "So, do you want to talk about what's going on?"
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Post by Nadia on Jun 19, 2020 11:06:33 GMT -6
Truthfully, Nadia had no desire to talk about what was going on, at all. In fact, if she could've erased the entire day from her memory, she would have - but it was too late, and she would have that unfortunate image, that poor creature, etched into her brain forever. What a miserable prospect. She was silent as she reached for their teapot, two fingers holding the lid in place as she poured herself a cup.
"I assume you heard about the demonstrations today," She began. Curls of steam rose from the chinaware. "Or at least may have seen the crowds dissipating recently. I happened to be passing, and got caught in the hubbub."
Enough tea. Some milk, now -- too much, on account of her unsteady hand -- and three sugarcubes. Probably not good for settling her roiling stomach, but she needed a boost.
"Something very unfortunate happened. There was a spot of violence, and... well. Not everyone made it out unharmed."
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Post by Jewel on Jul 19, 2020 9:15:19 GMT -6
Jewel blinked. He was none the wiser about any kind of demonstration - he'd made the assumption that the departing bustle was part of living in the City, and that it was a normal day. To hear that he was mistaken was equal parts fascinating and concerning. Now he'd gotten his teeth into the subject, he wanted to know more... but he'd at least attempt to be tactful about it.
He was next to take the teapot. No milk, but plenty of sugar. The two of them together were fit to rip through the whole bowl of cubes before their conversation was over. Eilonwi stared at the fae insistently until he slipped her a lump.
"I had no idea," He said. "Never seen anything like that around here."
Though, thinking about it, it made sense. There was no way everyone lived in peace and harmony in such a melting pot of cultures. There were bound to be clashes, and bound to be those who wanted change. But what kind...?
"You say violence. What kind of violence?"
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