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]

[Oh. Okay. That isn't as bad as he expected. He exhales in mild relief.]

You're up for that?

[purificatio]

[ Head cocking further. ]

Do I need to prepare myself?

[putrefaction]

[Stares at her, eyes blinking. As comprehension slowly sets in, he carefully plants his face into his hands.]

[purificatio]

[ Happy, she smiles, and reaches up to again touch his hair. ]

You're feeling better.

[putrefaction]

[Muffled:]

Maybe.

[purificatio]

You think too much.

[ Analyze and break apart what they have. ]

Nigel. Just enjoy being with me. I'm here for you.

[putrefaction]

[He drops his hands to look at her.]

I'll sleep, then. With you.

[With the petting. His cheeks flush at the prospect.]

[purificatio]

[ Hmm. This calls for something Sarah taught her. Alanna had refused to say it back, but she remembered. ]

...Owaaa, so bold.

[putrefaction]

[There are stares. Long stares.]

I can't say which is worse: your tone or your expression.

[purificatio]

[ She shifts and slaps her hands loudly on her face. Her mouth opens in a "o" of false surprise. ]

Ahh, I'm not your type; how sad. Let me fall into a pit of never-ending dismay.

[putrefaction]

[Very long stares. He also brings a hand to his chin.]

Yes, definitely the expression.

[purificatio]

Wooow.

[ In a perfect monotone of course. ]

Disliking my appearance so much.

[putrefaction]

[With her back to her usual monotone, he shrugs dramatically, hands rising and all.]

You're cute; I'll give you that. But sometimes you have that look. That I'm-gonna-kill-you-in-your-safe-little-bed look.

[purificatio]

[ Still in his lap, she tilts her head, seemingly in thought. Then she slightly widens her eyes in a show of recall. ]

Ah. Right. You don't know. I mastered several martial arts styles.

[putrefaction]

[It's an intriguing fact she's giving, enough for him to nod along and forget her proximity.]

There it is.

[A pause.]

What kinds?

[purificatio]

[ She cocks her head, then recites easily. ]

Aikido, Wing Chun, Bajiquan, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

[putrefaction]

[He whistles, albeit he is not teasing. He is very much impressed.]

So if I had any doubts about you being able to kill me...

[purificatio]

You'd have an easier time of it.

[ She states, the same as she's been. ]

You would just break my heart and I would die.

[putrefaction]

[It takes him a moment.]

...Am I really that callous toward you?

[purificatio]

[ She pauses, contemplates. She is aware that this boy was sad very recently. And she is also aware that she respects him enough to maintain a degree of truth.

Alanna closes her eyes, then opens them. ]

I'm lonely sometimes. I think you don't want me here.

[putrefaction]

[She does not tease. She does not speak blandly, as though stating mere words.

Nigel stares at the woman.]

...I get scared. Sometimes.

[He blinks.]

I feel like I sometimes can't understand you.

[purificatio]

I'm just me.

[ She does not realize her voice is small until she speaks, then, abashed, she blinks and looks away. ]

[putrefaction]

[A pause.]

You're just you, and I'm...lacking courage. That's all.

[purificatio]

[ She peers back at him, watchful, then leans her elbows on her thighs and leans forward, to plant a kiss on the tip of his nose.

His eyes seem to change color, this close. ]

...Then I'll have courage for the both of us.

[putrefaction]

[Lips brush against the tip of his nose, and the sensation proves strange. Strange enough for him to react in surprise.

Not in dismay.]

That's a tall order for such a tiny person.