|
Post by The Jenn on Oct 27, 2009 11:18:16 GMT -5
Some part of that statement got through Femi's confusion. Her panting breaths slowed slightly and she blinked, expression going from frantic confusion in a slow slide to hopeful confusion. "Oh. Yes, I think that Kazifel needs a hand up. He has a hurt foot. Would you help?" What was going through her head just then would be difficult for anyone to imagine.
She didn't register the source of his panic, or why she'd been so upset before. They needed help getting home. Kazifel was hurt. They should go and see a doctor. That was what you did when you got hurt, and the squirrel took good care of her toys. And her people. Her people-toys. Hee.
Her grip went from desperate cling to loving squeeze as she waited for assistance. How strange-looking this person was. Were they a person? Or just a mouth? Two mouths? A mouth and a beak? She'd always thought beaks would be terribly awkward. Maybe he grew a mouth because he got tired of using a beak?
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Oct 27, 2009 11:38:02 GMT -5
What?! Kazifel's head snapped around to stare at his wife in utter horror. She was asking it to help her? He tried to make a sound but nothing but a horrified squeak came out.
Honker didn't need instruction. He knew what Lythero was going to say. Slowly he padded towards the panicked man and the white squirrel, his head bowed as he slowly reached out with his beak for the man's jacket. He did manage to grab hold of his shoulder.
And then Kazifel stood up, mostly out of terror that the thing was touching him and he wanted to get away. Femi was still clinging to him, even if it was a loving cling, she was still there and he wasn't about to shrug her off.
"Well, I suppose we should help you to your house, herm? And then maybe you'd be willing to help me out a bit... we've been traveling for quite some time...." He was persistent. He wouldn't leave the Queen alone until he got what he wanted.
Honker was still holding on to the man's coat and he gave a slight tug, pulling him in the direction of the nearest house.
Kazifel made a panicked noise as he was pulled forwards. Wincing at his foot.
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Oct 27, 2009 11:51:51 GMT -5
"Oh, oh, Kazifel, careful!" Femi squeaked, holding onto him to try and help. It probably didn't help his balance in the slightest, but at least she wasn't overbalancing him just then. But he was up. And oh, his poor foot! It was so messy! They needed to get that cleaned up and bandaged and then it would be okay again.
She smiled at the face with the beak, since that was easier for her brain than smiling at the mouth with the teeth. "Oh, well, maybe. We do need to get home. And you did help him up. And you aren't Outsiders. Kazifel might need the help. Our house is that way." She pointed through the trees in a random direction that was, in fact, the right way.
Had the Femi of twenty years ago, even ten years, been able to see her now... she would have beat her upside the head with a pillow and screamed at her for putting their love in danger. And inviting strangers into the house! Even if they were Tulgey! Still! Strangers!
This odd little Femi just smiled and swished her tail and walked along meekly, clinging to her hobbled King.
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Oct 27, 2009 15:23:56 GMT -5
Kazifel wanted to scream. She had just invited the monster in to their home. The monster. In their home. He made a sound of protest as he tried to brush off the swan dog. Unfortunately with his balance the way it was he simply stumbled, feeling worse than he had the moment of before.
He wanted the old Femi back. He wanted his Queen. The woman who had saved him from suffering. He didn't want this. This was not... not right. But he couldn't find the words as he walked with tears in his eyes towards home.
Lythero felt victorious. How couldn't he? The squirrel seemed like she would be perfect to solve his little problem. The mouth was smiling as Honker gave the Queen and King a curious look. He nodded as he let go of the man's clothing. Okay, he would just follow and make sure he didn't fall or anything.
It was a long and awkward walk, but when they reached the door, Kazifel desperately clung to it. "We're not letting that thing inside," he stated flatly.
Lythero made a scoffing sound. "Oh come now, we've helped you this far. Couldn't you at least spare us a drink?"
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Nov 3, 2009 19:58:14 GMT -5
Femi didn't take much note of the swan-dog's curious look. She was paying more attention to their route and making sure that Kazifel didn't trip or hurt himself anymore. It was dubious how well she succeeded. When they finally returned to their home, she couldn't help but smile with childish delight at the sight of it. Their home! They were home. This couldn't be anything but good. Right?
She stared at her husband in confusion when he spoke and clung like a cat near a bathtub. "But Kazifel, we need to go inside. Your foot hurts. We always wash hurts or they turn bad." The tone was childish and confused. When the stomach-with-teeth spoke, she turned her head and blinked at it in concern. "Oh. Yes, you helped us. You want a drink? Do you want some tea? Kazifel, would you make them some tea please?"
And then she turned her head back to him and remember. "Oh! No. You're hurt. You can't make tea. I can make tea!" This last statement was exclaimed brightly.
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Nov 3, 2009 23:36:36 GMT -5
The man stared at his wife, his expression one of pure horror. He could feel the pit of his stomach tie itself in a knot. The pain in his foot continued to seep through his entire body as he leaned heavily on the door.
This wasn't happening. It couldn't be. Femi couldn't be this far gone. The man opened his mouth to speak, nothing came out but a pitiful whimper.
He couldn't win. No matter how much he protested. Wordlessly he turned around to open the door. Strangers were going to be in his house. A monster. And his wife was letting it in. Wasn't he suppose to stop it? Did any of it really matter anymore. He'd obviously failed.
He glanced back at the swan-dog thing. It was only a two... it wouldn't hurt Femi. Right. Kazifel limped through the door. "Don't make tea," he said finally. "Just get the drinks out of the icebox please. I'm going to go upstairs."
Honker hesitated to step inside for only a moment. No one was threatening him, so it didn't seem like he had anything to be afraid of. And they were offering drinks. His tail wagged slightly.
Lythero sounded downright cheerful when he spoke up. "Regular water is just fine before we get on our way, Miss Femi."
Kazifel cringed when he heard the thing spoke. He would linger at the bottom of the stairs for a little while, just in case.
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Nov 4, 2009 12:50:42 GMT -5
Oh dear, her poor Kazifel. His foot must have hurt so badly for him to make those faces. And that whimper. She carefully hugged around his middle, squeezing less than she had been previously to try and comfort him. He needed to lay down.
"Okay, love, no tea. I'll see what we have in the icebox. You go lay down and feel better." She stook up on tiptoe to peck him on the cheek before sliding beside him and into the house. Her tail fluffed happily and she took a deep breath. Home. This was much safer than being outdoors. It seemed like she spent most of her life inside and that was what kept her safe. That and her wonderful Kazifel.
She wandered into the kitchen, assuming that the talking mouth and his beaky host would follow her. Previous fear had done much to wipe concerns from her mind and she fiddled around with the latch to the icebox before pulling out an airtight container and sniffing inside. That smelled like juice. "Oh, are you sure? We have very good juice. Someone from the next town over makes it and we keep it cold or frozen so it stays good. Very good juice." Even if he still requested water, that was what she would have as she got him a bowl suitable for animal forms. Having a diverse collection of children meant that their cabinets were full of all sorts of containers.
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Nov 5, 2009 17:29:20 GMT -5
The swan dog did follow the bright cheery squirrel. She seemed a lot nicer than the wolf, and he was actually quite thirsty. When as the last time he had had something to drink? How long had it been since he had something proper to eat?
The swan gave a mildly surprised honk when she addressed him. "I'll have juice..."
Lythero was far from interested in juice or water. He just wanted the squirrel's attention. "Miss Femi... I was wondering if you would be willing to help me out. Something a bit more than a drink. I have a problem that only you can really solve."
Kazifel remained at the bottom of the stairs for a few moments, straining to listen for anything out of the unusual. After a few moments of not hearing anything at all, he slowly made his way up the stairs. It was bad. He shouldn't leave her alone with that monster. But what could he even do against it?
She'd be fine. She was a Queen. It wouldn't hurt her.
|
|
|
Post by The Jenn on Dec 9, 2009 10:29:44 GMT -5
Femi hummed as she poured a bowl of juice for the ugly swan thing and then a glass for herself. The mouth didn't want any, so maybe she could just get him some later. Everybody got thirsty eventually.
Unfortunately for Lythero, her attention wasn't always as sure as her thirst. She bustled around in the kitchen for another five minutes, humming an annoying little tune, before she turned back to the pair of them with the bowl. She placed it on the ground and only then paid much attention to Lythero.
"Oh, you have a problem? I'm sorry. I don't have any problems. Kazifel makes them go away for me. Maybe he could help you when he's feeling better. I'm bad with problems. Are you sure you don't want anything to drink? I'm no good at problems, but I can ge you that. I can reach the cupboards." She gave him a sunny little smile.
|
|
|
Post by Kari Muffin on Dec 10, 2009 13:51:38 GMT -5
Kazifel would be preoccupied with cleaning and dressing his wonderful bite while Femi and the strange monstrosity were downstairs. He would be busy for a while, after all the pain was horrible and the stairs didn't look like a promising trip.
Honker shifted uncomfortably as he watched the Squirrel. She didn't seem like she was right in the head or something. Earlier she had seemed so well put together, but now? His ears pressed against his skull at the tune. What was wrong with her?
Lythero suppressed whatever annoyance he had. He had a mission, and this woman was just perfect. He just had to keep stringing her along until she agreed to help him. And he was so close he could taste it. No more pain. No more idiot swan dog. Freedom.
"Oh no, You're the only one who can help me Femi. You just really need to agree to help me. All I need is your body, a helping hand so to speak." He smiled, though considering he was nothing but a mouth sticking out of someone's abdomen it looked fairly creepy.
Honker froze as he was about to drink his juice. What had Lythero just said?
|
|