life and its complications.

[putrefaction]

[It is a laundry day in someone else's mind.

He took extra steps to leave her alone to her task. She has quite a task ahead of her, and Nigel would only be in the way. Thus, he kept to cat naps, to shifting between waking and sleeping states.

Eventually, his throat demands a trip, and he emerges from his room with the intent to go to the kitchen. An intent that cuts short inches from his destination, when he catches sight of white-gold in the laundry room. Of skin he shouldn't be catching, a floral shape etched against the pale. White with a blue edge. Maybe. It's hard to tell with his sight.

Nigel halts, caught in an emotion unnamed. And as with all his awkward steps, he begins with words.]

A tattoo?

Comments

[putrefaction]

Hm. I know. Never thought you were.

[He drinks a bit of water, wondering if he shouldn't have called attention to anything at all. That would be simpler.]

[purificatio]

[ He was rude, but she has crumbled before. There's no need for the high ground when one has already apologized.

She flits a hand to the small of her back, tracing well-known lines. ]

This came when I found freedom. I took my own name, my own mark, and my own life in one fell swoop. It's cliche maybe. But it's a reminder. That this body is my own.

[putrefaction]

A reminder. It isn't as cliche as you may think.

[She's forgiven him. Maybe. It doesn't make things easier.]

If you don't mind-- That is a lotus, correct?

[purificatio]

[ She pauses again, and looks back, violet-blue eyes interested. ]

A lotus.

[ She hesitates, but only briefly. ]

A lotus for renewal. White for purification of the mind and spirit. Blue for wisdom through common sense and knowledge.

[putrefaction]

[He has the bad luck of glancing back, of catching two-toned eyes looking in his direction. The man freezes and somehow, manages not to choke.]

Purification. Knowledge.

[He looks away and swallows with difficulty.]

Enlightenment as well?

[purificatio]

[ She gives a tired smile. Clever man. ]

Understanding, maybe. Renewal mostly. I wanted to become a different person than that girl.

[putrefaction]

[Renewal. Everything reeks of familiarity.

Nigel struggles to take in the rest of his water, but still, he does so in one gulp.]

Do you think you've changed?

[purificatio]

[ She watches him now, with bright, vivid eyes. ]

I did back then. I made sure of it.

[putrefaction]

[He smiles, despite everything.]

I'm hardly surprised. You have quite a will.

[purificatio]

[ She makes a face, and in the same moment, throws a balled up pair of underwear at his head. ]

Don't condescend. Or I'll make you do this instead.

[putrefaction]

[...Damp underwear just hit the backside of his head.]

I offer you sincerity, and this is how you repay me.

[purificatio]

This is how I repay you. Would you say that to me if I were male?

[putrefaction]

[Reaching down to pick up her damp girly things, yo.]

If you acted exactly as you are, yes.

[purificatio]

So you think I'd be a feminine male.

[putrefaction]

I think you would be you, regardless of your gender.

[He holds up the underwear without really thinking about the meaning of what he is doing.]

[purificatio]

[ Which she then points at. ]

Those are why I prefer boxers.

[putrefaction]

Those--

[Those pair of panties in his hand. DROPPING LIKE IT'S HOT.]

[purificatio]

[ The quiet girl bursts out laughing, a sound that continues for a brief amount of time. ]

Cute. Scared of undies.

[putrefaction]

[Comment and laughter both are enough to mortify, and Nigel again reaches down to retrieve the cursed item. He then delivers it to the owner in a hasty fashion before beginning his silent retreat toward his room.]

[purificatio]

Aw, Nigel, come on, I'm sorry.

[ The next load was already in, she had just been separating out clothes that could be machine dried and air dried. So she trails after him, hair swishing against her bare back. ]

I just thought it was funny.

[putrefaction]

[The apology is enough to stop him, to settle the pieces of his mind from their initial shock.

He runs a hand over his face as if to steady himself. His green eyes rest on her.]

I-- I must be acting strange. Running away from your-- Running away from panties.

[purificatio]

[ She shakes her head. ]

It's fine. I was being weird myself. Let me borrow some of your clothes and we'll get ice cream or something.

[putrefaction]

Ice cream?

[He breathes, trying desperately for an ounce of calm.]

Yeah, sure. Let me get you one of my shirts.

[purificatio]

[ Cool, cool. The boxers would pass for shorts and an oversized shirt is her style. She follows him into the room. ]

I wish I was a guy. Things would probably be easier.

[putrefaction]

[Opens a drawer and grabs the first shirt he sees: an unassuming gray sweatshirt. This he holds out to her.]

Is it truly suffering to be female?