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

[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.

[purificatio]

[ Again, her arms reach up, to curl around his neck and bring her closer. For their cheeks to brush as she snuggles into the curve at his throat.

It is strange. That this person would make her toss aside her tendency to abhor contact. It is something she should question, not accept.

And still. ]

Then I will be brave for you, until you can return the favor and take care of me.

[putrefaction]

[Such contact he should reject, forcing it away from him despite every fiber of his being wanting the affection. She presses her head against his throat, and he finds he has enough of that otherwise lackluster courage to touch her hair. Enough to curl his arms around her waist.

He swallows.]

I can accept that.

[purificatio]

[ She allows a full beat in this nice comforting hold before returning to habitual behavior. She nuzzles skin and inhales the scent resting there.

She pretends the hand in her hair does not shake her insides as much as she knows. ]

...Owaaa, you accepted. When should we get married?

[putrefaction]

[..................What?

Oh, she must be joking. He laughs uneasily.]

Come on. Do I look like marriageable material to you?

[purificatio]

Sure you look munchable.

[putrefaction]

Oh......

[He feels more awkward than he sounds.]

So that's your plan, hm? Cannibalism.

[purificatio]

[ She finally leans back, leaving her arms where they are. ]

What would you prefer? Being eaten, or making out?

[putrefaction]

[Yes, definitely awkward.]

...Is this a trick question?

[purificatio]

Sometimes.

[ She contemplates her movements, the meaning behind her motions.

She ceases analyzing. ]

Sometimes I want to know if you'd want to kiss me.

[putrefaction]

[He can't grasp her intentions.]

...Do you want me to kiss you?

[purificatio]

Should we continue asking questions?