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Post by Nadia on Jun 24, 2020 19:36:15 GMT -6
Nadia had been met with plenty of surprises from Obsidion thus far, and yet still did not expect the kiss to her hand. It distressed her, how quickly those silly acts of chivalrous respect made her flush, but that was as far as it would go. Anything further would be terribly inappropriate.
"Safe journey, Obsidion," She replied, with a softer, more genuine smile. "Try not to bump your head or anything. I fear something else may come loose."
Gelert was sullen. He was not happy about play having ended - he could have gone on forever and ever! Nadia had to go and collect him rather than him coming to her, as sulky as he was. It was a good thing he was still a puppy, and that carrying him would not be an issue. As she turned and made her way along the street, back towards her home, she forced herself not to drown alive in waves of uncertainty.
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Post by Obsidion on Jun 24, 2020 19:44:56 GMT -6
It had gone off without a hitch, and the little thing squirmed under his arm out of irritation, but there wasn't much the whelp could do. He figured she would sleep most of the way, but this one was a little fiery. Honestly he doubted she would be missed, but... stranger things had happened. At least he'd left a note! Eventually he would pay for her, just... he had to leave an IOU. Cookie rumbled under her breath at him as she trotted alongside him, sniffing at the whelp a little from time to time as they walked toward... Miisaa? Huh, weird name for a street, but whatever. Obsidion yawned and stretched as he finally found the address and raised a brow at the house. It looked... cute? Small, but cute, he supposed, and in a bunch of trees which worked for him he supposed. He stared at the paper in one hand, then down at the whelp in his other before giving a small shrug, stuffing the paper into his pocket again, and then striding up to the house to knock on the door. Giving a smirk, he held the whelp up to the doorway, hopefully surprising Nadia when she came to the door. "Nadiaaaaa!" the man called in a teasing tone, actually using her name.  [Obsidion: 6/10] [Cookie: 3 1/5; 6 1/5] |
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Post by Nadia on Jun 24, 2020 19:56:27 GMT -6
One thing that Nadia was grateful for was that Obsidion's need to prepare had given her time to spruce the house up a little. There wasn't a terrible lot to be done - some dusting, some tidying - but she felt better for it all the same. Giving a bad impression of her home was almost as mortifying as letting a strange man into it in the first place.
Do get over yourself, woman. This is a charitable arrangement. How can there be shame in helping a person in need? Nonetheless, no matter what she told herself, she kept having to swallow the rising shame each time it reared its ugly head.
She'd also dressed down. If Obsidion was going to be in her house, she would have to get accustomed to the notion of him seeing her in casual wear, so... an old sweater would have to do, with her long hair left to hang down in waves.
A knock at the door! Gelert had long since fallen flat asleep, exhausted by his day of play; she was unaccompanied when she opened it, and was faced with--
"Oh, my goodness!" If she had shrieked somewhat, who could blame her? Nadia had been expecting to see Obsidion's face and instead was met by that of a whelp, whose features were unnerving at the best of times. She used the door as a shield, peering around it to ensure there was no imminent danger. "Good lord, you might have killed me! Who is... your friend?"
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Post by Obsidion on Jun 24, 2020 20:02:37 GMT -6
Obsidion, the whelp, AND Cookie all jumped at her shriek, with Cookie's addition of a bark of surprise right back at her. He finally grinned after a moment and looked at her as she peered around the door, holding the little whelp out a bit further from himself, "Your payment! I told you I couldn't pay, but I didn't say I couldn't do anything at all!" Beaming, he looked around at what he could of the house, very soft colors, definitely something he expected of the woman, but that was alright, he'd get used to it. He of course was used to darker colors and wore black quite often, which went with his hair and pitch black eyes with the smallest hint of white around them. To be honest, he was just pleased she wasn't scared of him!
"You look good princess, your hair looks better this way," he finished up with a bit of a wink, offering the whelp to her with a small step forward, "Here you are! She's a... tier two? Whatever that means."
[Obsidion: 7/10]
[Cookie: 3 2/5; 6 2/5]
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Post by Nadia on Jun 24, 2020 20:57:04 GMT -6
Nadia stared for a moment, wondering if she had heard him correctly. Obsidion was giving her... a whelp, as payment? For letting him stay? It took her a good few seconds to regain the ability to speak, as floored as she was by the development.
“I... well, thank you,” She said, and pushed the door further open with her hip so she could take the baby in her arms. The hen gave a spirited wiggle, enough to almost free herself from the woman’a grip. “That is — ah — most generous of you, but... may I ask— please be still, dear — may I ask where you acquired such a thing?”
He didn’t know where anything was and was living in his kennel, but could snap up a lucrative hatchling at the drop of a hat? She didn’t want to be suspicious of him, but couldn’t quash her concerns entirely.
”Do, um, do come in,” She stepped back from the entrance to make room for the man and his Vulticus. It may have been impolite of her to not verbally respond to the compliment, but she certainly blushed, as she was prone to. “If I am such a princess, I suppose that makes this my castle.”
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Post by Obsidion on Jun 25, 2020 7:38:16 GMT -6
Cookie woofed happily and trotted into the house as happy as she could be while Obsidion stood on the porch, hands on his hips as he stared at Nadia for a moment. Part of him wondered what to say and how to be tactful, but the other part of him was talking before he could think, just like always apparently. "I can't believe it! She's not a 'thing', she's a Sarane!" he exclaimed, attempting to gloss over the question a little. Maybe it would confuse her enough to make her drop the subject, but he had an inkling this was going to come up from time to time in the future, which would hopefully get a little easier as time went on, especially once he, you know, paid the woman back for the whelp she hopefully wouldn't miss.
Giving a winning smile, he then followed his Vulticus into the house and stood just inside the doorway, staring at the pale pink interior. Well then. This... was going to take some getting used to, but hey, it was going to be a bed or a couch, definitely better than the haystack and coat he was sleeping on right now. "Well it suits you!" he said happily, beaming at the woman.
[Obsidion: 8/10]
[Cookie: 3 3/5; 6 3/5]
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Post by Nadia on Jun 25, 2020 9:25:27 GMT -6
Nadia scowled. Of course she knew the poor thing was a Sarane - that wasn't the problem! Suspecting that she wasn't going to get a straight answer out of Obsidion immediately, she resolved to drop the subject. They'd get back to it, though. She wasn't done, not by a long shot.
"She is very lovely," She settled with saying, although she was still holding the whelp at arm's length. Good lord. Veles had been a challenge enough, what was she going to do with a particularly sassy little girl? "There really was no need, but thank you."
Did she dare put the Sarane down? Yes, she supposed she did; she was content to sniff along the ground for a moment, grateful to be out of a human's grasp. Man, Gelert would find her interesting, that was for sure.
"I imagine it isn't exactly to your tastes, but... it should be an improvement on the kennel!" With her hands free, she could close the door behind them. "I can show you your room, if you'd like."
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Post by Obsidion on Jun 25, 2020 9:34:22 GMT -6
He smirked a little and gave a small bow, hoping she'd dropped the subject at least for a little while. That was the best part, getting away with something, though the other woman might hunt him down, but that was alright, wasn't it? It wasn't like she could do anything that hadn't already been done, besides, from what he remembered, she had brought him back. He honestly doubted she would send him back. "Glad you like her!" Obsidion finally piped up with a smile, reaching down to pat the little whelp on the head as he looked over at Cookie. The Vulticus was curled up and yawning next to a couch, and he smiled affectionately at her. To be truthful, he couldn't have picked a better animal himself.
"Definitely different," he said, keeping close to her for now so he didn't get her nice clean house all dirty, who knew where he'd been after all? "Considering I've been sleeping on a hay pile with my coat over it in the Kennel, anything's an improvement."
[Obsidion: 9/10]
[Cookie: 3 4/5; 6 4/5]
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Post by Nadia on Jun 26, 2020 18:42:13 GMT -6
Nadia was glad to see that Cookie had settled right in. Sometimes, her own companions could find it difficult to grow accustomed to new spaces; it was a relief that the Vulticus was easygoing. When Gelert awoke and came to investigate, he'd be delighted to find her there, no doubt!
"Good grief. I'm glad I-- ah!" A snapping pair of jaws had caught over her ankle, and she leaned down to gently disengage the whelp. Thank goodness the little girl was still teething. She enjoyed having use of both of her feet, thank you. "I see you, darling. I was saying, I'm glad I could help. Those sleeping arrangements will do terribly for your back."
It was a short trip up the stairs and along the hall to the guest bedroom. Unlike her own, it was not dressed up in pinks - she'd kept it neutral, in white and cream with light wood. A modest window allowed for a nice view onto the garden and the woodland beyond.
"It isn't anything extravagant, but... I hope it will suit you. I have some towels and that sort of thing, if... if you need them."
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Post by Obsidion on Jun 26, 2020 19:02:40 GMT -6
After patting the already sleeping Vulticus on the head once, Obsidion followed Nadia up the stairs after chuckling a little at the Sarane. Already Nadia was doing well with her, he figured, she had a steady hand, and although he didn't have much of a weathered eye, he figured she was the best person to have her, at least in his mind. Touching his own back lightly, Obs winced a little and nodded in agreement, "Agreed, it's been murder, I really am grateful though." Beaming at her, he wished he could do something else for her, but he wasn't really sure, well, why.
"Towels for..." he started before he saw the room and smiled, "It's great! I'm happy to even be a guest, princess!" Towels meant a bath or a shower though, he figured, and he groaned a little. When was the last proper one he'd had? Who knew at this point, the Kennels weren't exactly equipped all that well unless you paid for it. "Oh I'm not modest!" the man finally said cheerfully, "Just point me to the bathroom!" Maybe he needed new clothes. He should probably wear a towel for her sake if he washed them though...
[Obsidion: 10/10 +1]
[Cookie: 3 5/5; 6 5/5 +]
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Post by Nadia on Jun 29, 2020 18:40:42 GMT -6
The enormity of the situation was, at last, beginning to weigh on her. Observing her guest room empty made Nadia realise that she had offered to allow someone to stay there - it wasn't a joke. Charitable or not, she'd given up her privacy for free... on a whim. To a man she'd met for the first time that day, on the street. Who knew nothing of himself or where he came from.
"I, um... I hope you will be comfortable," She said, trying to cover up her mortification with a smile. It didn't quite touch the sides. "Yes, yes, it is... just at the end of the hallway, there. Past... past m-my room."
The door didn't have a lock. She hated to think ill of anyone, but the anxiety rising in her chest cared little for her feelings. What was she doing? It would be unforgiveable for her to turf him out, especially after he'd brought her a gift. A living, breathing gift. With teeth.
"Would you... like me to leave you to it?"
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Post by Obsidion on Jun 29, 2020 19:30:14 GMT -6
Giving a low chuckle, Obsidion reached out to take her hand again to kiss the back of it, "Sure thing, princess. I'll see you in the morning?" He then reached out to tussle her hair a little and then bowed. Turning, he surveyed the room a little and then stretched out before grabbing a towel and heading down the hallway, smiling at her when he passed.
The bathroom, was, well, pink again. Oh well, he figured he could deal with it. The sad thing was, there wasn't a lock on the door, but he figured she wouldn't walk in on him, and he wasn't all that concerned anyway, to tell the truth. It'd be her own fault at this point if she got a show. Chuckling again, he started to take off his clothes and piled them on the floor. Giving himself a glance in the mirror, he frowned and touched the three scars on his neck, he didn't know what they were from, but they looked like brands for whatever reason. There were scars all over him, crisscrossing his back and what looked like claw marks up and down his arms. It was what happened, he supposed, with whatever he used to do?
A shrug occurred as he stepped into the shower and yawned, he was actually... pretty tired.
[Obsidion: 1/10]
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Post by Nadia on Jun 30, 2020 17:36:08 GMT -6
The chivalry was appreciated, but the hair tousling... Nadia stared at him, dumbfounded, and was rooted to the spot until Obsidion had passed her on the way to the bathroom. After that, she regained the ability to move. Straight into her bedroom she went, without a second thought, closing the door swiftly behind her.
Oh boy.
What am I doing? Downstairs, a Sarane whelp was undoubtedly running amuck, along with the sweet Vulticus owned by the stranger she'd welcomed into her home. The home she'd only recently learned to appreciate as a place of comfort and familiarity. In one afternoon, she had given all of that security up, in the impulsive urge to help a lost lamb. He could be anyone! You bought into the story without even thinking - this could be a trap! You cannot even defend yourself!
It was lunacy. Utter madness. She allowed herself a moment of sinking dread before getting up to go and settle her new baby before bedtime. Perhaps tomorrow would bring greater clarity.
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Post by Obsidion on Jul 2, 2020 19:09:46 GMT -6
The water was nice and warm over him, and soon he was clean thanks to the soap he'd managed to find. His hair was much too short, almost like a buzz cut due to the rebirth that had happened, but he had somehow forgotten. Either way, it didn't matter to him, though he did prefer if it would grow. Smoothing it down a little, as best as he could, he stepped out of the shower and dried off, stretching out and reaching to the ceiling before he yanked on his boxers and jeans, tossing his shirt over his shoulder and left the bathroom, still buttoning up his pants.
Cookie was doing fine downstairs, though he did call for her and she raced up the stairs, pausing only to nuzzle up to Nadia if she allowed it, and then trotted into the guest room where Obsidion was staying. He yawned a little and smiled, patting her on the head before he moved over to where Nadia was, whether upstairs in the hallway or downstairs with the whelp, and smiled a little, forgetting he didn't have a shirt on and was still beaded with a bit of water from his shower, "Night then, Nadia." A wink escaped him, and he waved and went back to the room he was staying in, curling up under the covers and swiftly falling asleep.
[Obsidion: 2/10]
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Post by Nadia on Jul 5, 2020 17:26:34 GMT -6
Nadia was introducing her new whelp to a nest of blankets when she heard Obsidion again. Ah, she was going to have to grow accustomed to that - if he was staying, he'd pop up in any number of places, and she'd have to bear with it. So, she stood up straight and turned to offer a smile.
"Oh, good ni--" Her words froze in her throat. No shirt. Standing in front of her, bold as day, with no shirt! Her hand flew to her face to cover her eyes, and she angled herself away, just as the rush of blood to her face was coming. Gods preserve her and forgive her soul. How indecent! "Um. G-good night, Obsidion, I... I hope you s-sleep well..."
The protective fingers did not move until he was safely upstairs and out of sight. Her mortification was tangible; she leaned against the doorframe to regain her composure, while the whelp stared at her with a blank expression. What was wrong with her?
It was only day one.
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