WHEN: 1943 May 26th; afternoon into evening
WHERE: Roesler's airship
WHO: Dinah and Niles
--
[11:27] Dinah (dollihead) had left a note saying that she would be gone for the day, that she was visiting Roesler, and that dorian would not be coming this time. She had made sure to underline the NOT coming part a few times just to make absolutely certain that the point was driven home. The last thing she wanted was another 'heart' situation all over again with him passed out chained to the wall.
As soon as she had gotten into the transporter she had dropped her glamour, quite certain that the pilot wouldn't have minded, though she had to admit there was some...trepidation in her this time. She had been warned, after all, that this would be a painful one. She carried nothing with her except in one taloned hand, a tiny curio bottle with a cork in which something rattled and clattered.
[11:35] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently): As before, that circular craft waited at the docks to bear Dinah up toward the doctor's airship. Its pilot was familiar to her, the same hawkish-looking individual that had maneuvered the thing before. He was just as quiet, lacking in any talkative habits that may have made the ride a bit more comfortable. He did not mind her true form. He barely looked at her beyond a single glance and an immediate double-take before something, likely telepathic instruction from the doctor, prompted him to keep his eyes on the skies, as it were. The only noises he made were when they 'docked' with the airship proper, a brief, "We're here, Ma'am," and a word or two of warning as he assisted her across the little plank to the dock.
Waiting for Dinah were the doctor himself and one of his attendants, the former unglamoured and minimally dressed - a loose white collared shirt that was slit in the back for his wings, buttoned just to the bottom of the ornate black and gold collar that seemed affixed to his skin, a fitted pair of dark grey trousers that hugged his legs until the start of the black coloration that crept up his feet. The latter was a slender, masculine figure that came up to the doctor's shoulder, vivid greens and purple in veined patterns more like leaves than skin. There was a sweetness in his vicinity like honey and vanilla that seemed to seed an ease tension when inhaled.
"Welcome back," Niles greeted with a warm smile and a lift of his hand to help her off the plank. "How was the trip? This is my surgical attendant, Edulis. The sweetness you smell is... pollen, of a kind. It tends to help one relax leading up to a procedure but... I can dismiss him if you'd prefer."
[11:41] Dinah (dollihead) had been slightly less tense on the way up this time but she still clutched tightly to the bottle she was worried the glass would crack. only once or twice would she glance out of the windows, but when they arrived she stood smoothly and gave a soft "Thank you" to the pilot.
She smiled when she saw the doctor and the dryad being beside him, reaching her empty hand to take Roesler's and step down onto the ship with a click of claw and heel.
"I think I might actually be getting used to it. Somewhat at least. pleasure to meet you, Edulis" she dipped her head politely, curious at the notion of the pollen. "no, it's quite alright. you already prewarned me that this one would be more of a trial than the last. I have something for you" she uncurled her claws from the glass and lifted it towards him. It just looked like a tiny cluster of garnets in sparkling crimson in the bottom, though formed in the same strange geode points as her own jewels.
"When dorian beat you, he gave me the gloves afterwards. I made these with your blood from the leather. I was hoping they would be bigger, but... I suppose it had been a while" she finished with a mumble, dark eyes all fixed to see the reaction "..it didnt seem fair I kept your blood"
[11:51] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) took her hand firmly, his grip lingering a little even when she was safely on the deck. "I am glad. I would hate for the entire experience to be problematic," he said with a little chuckle. Edulis smiled at her almost bashfully, putting a hand to his chest and bowing. "It...It's a pleasure, Lady Windgrace," he said with some reverence. His voice was quiet and melodic. The doctor's hand tugged, a gentle insistance she follow as he turned to lead her toward the receiving room and the rest of the ship. It only let go when she offered the bottle, and then he was taking it and holding it to his eyes to peer at the red gems within.
"...oh Dinah, you shouldn't have..." Niles remarked, lowering the bottle to peer at her over its side with a widening smile. "After all, I can hardly return a digested heart. Nutrients or... flesh, muscle perhaps - but it's certainly not so direct an exchange." He held the bottle carefully, pausing at the door off the deck and to the inside and bowing at the waist. "Thank you.
[11:51] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently): It's a lovely gift," he said and the door eased itself open, allowing them in. The interior was just as it had been - a stairway that led down to a hall stretching the length of the ship, rooms on either side with the galley to one end, more stairs at a point that led to offices and his work rooms. It was odd, considering how vonfined the space seemed to be and yet how... unlimited. He did not seem too close to the ceiling despite the height given by his affected legs, nor did his wings feel cramped. He traversed the hall with easy strides, ever thoughtful of how his pace might affect her own.
"Typically I would offer you something to eat... but I would not recommend a fully meal prior to working so closely to your central nervous system. Even if you'll be remaining awake I hardly want to accidentally make you sick," he said as they passed the galley and rounded stairs to move downward. "I can, however, offer you a drink. Would you like one? Between some alcohol and Edulis, we may yet make this less than agonizing for you."
[11:57] Dinah (dollihead) was in no immediate hurry to let go of his hand until he did, careful not to catch him with the jeweled claws. Edulis and his reaction to her was met with a curious sort of bemusement, following the doctor close at his side. She laughed and shook her head at his words, folding her hands behind her.
"it is hardly a gift, more akin to...returning something that is already yours. I couldn't very well give you the gloves too, I thought that might be a little... much, considering, but it IS your blood, after all, just perhaps temporarily mislaid." she said helpfully, falling into step again. She hummed, shaking her head when he mentioned food.
"I think that's almost definitely wise. i'm not exactly squeamish but better not to chance it. If you think a drink would help, I would gladly take one. I can't imagine this will be a particularly fun time when it gets down to business" she tittered. "I apologize in advance if anything gets damaged. you've seen the nails already at least, and a few of the crystals are quite pointy. Do we have a means to collect the blood? we could give it to the vessel afterwards, if it would be viable"
[12:08] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) chuckled and nodded. If he was bothered by the notion of Dorian making gloves from his hide and blood he didn't show it. "Well, I suppose so but these came from things that were given to you. Gifts aren't to be taken lightly. Your blood, when you used it to heal me... certainly counted as gift in my opinion." It did not take them long to get to the Chirurgie, though the dryad disappeared at a point. With a nudge of his mind the handless door slid open for them, admitting them inside.
Some changes had been made to the room, evidently to make it more comfortable. The monitors were still there showing the Shard's chamber next door but the table had been replaced with a chaise lounge and there were other items around the room - a bookshelf, a gramophone, both encased in galss. The chaise had pillows arranged against its arm, one of which was circular with a space for Dinah to nestle her face into to support her head while laying facedown. Along its base was a metal bar, reachable by arm's length. The cushions and seating itself seemed to be made of a dark, smooth leather. It certainly didn't look strong enough to withstand her claws.
"Don't worry about damage, my dear," he assurred, laying a hand on her shoulder as Edulis returned with a bottle of wine and a glass. "Have a drink and have a seat. Become... acquainted with your surroundings. And do let me know if there's anything you'd like to listen to." Once she touched it, Dinah would become aware that the "chaise" was warm, firm but with enough springy give to be comfortable. It was, perhaps alarmingly, like resting on a person with a considerable amount of muscle and cushion on their frame.
[12:15] Dinah (dollihead) made a noise in her throat and she glanced up towards Niles with interest. "Is there any truth to the old stories about your people and gifting?" she asked "I wouldn't wish to unintentionally offend, after all. Nor put you in the position of expected obligation" she smiled when he spoke of her blood and she gave a casual shrug.
"if it works, I am pleased to do so. and it seems no unintentional mutations since?" she asked hopefully, though when they stepped into the Chirugie again, she absently rubbed at her newer arm. She approached the monitors first, standing on her tiptoes to get a better look with rapt admiration, but she turned back and gave a sunny, if fanged, smile towards the others. "it looks lovely in here. Thank you, Edulis" she took the glass gratefully and perched herself on the chaise, taking a deep drink from the glass.
"Tell me honestly, Niles, what sort of a mess am I going to be in for this?" she tapped her fingers against the 'leather' of the chaise. It wasn't that she was Worried about it, at least, seeming quitie at ease with the very real prospect of horrible pain to come
[12:36] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) hummed, tilting his head for a moment as he lingered by one of the glass-encased bookshelves. "There is truth to them yes. But I think you know by now, Dinah, that many of the rules that bind the Fae no longer apply to me. I can hardly be called a Sidhe anymore." There was another pause as she mentioned mutations and he licked his lips before lowering his eyes to the floor. It was not a shameful avoidance but one, like when she mentioned Drystan, more akin to hiding a delectable little secret he enjoyed.
"Well, I was going to perhaps wait until an easier time in case it alarmed you, but... since you ask. There were some changes." The last bits of illusion, minute enough to hide the little seam of an eyelid, dropped from the backs of his hands and his forehead. Eyes opened in each spot, blinking and looking around the room. They were bloodshot, the irises red and frantic. After some erratic movement and a bit of a hum of thought from the doctor they focused on Dinah. "I can control them well enough but it's certainly a new experience," he said, sounding immensely pleased.
At her next question Niles came to settle himself on the chaise next to her. It tensed a little bit before seeming to relax and settle into bearing the weight of them both. "I think... that it will be inordinately painful though I was hoping to spare you excessive bloodloss. Your companion here will catch the majority of it," he said and tapped the chaise with a darkened claw. "and yes, I think we can salvage it for our friend next door. But the elongation, reshaping of bone... if you're the type to lash out in response to pain? We may have to restrain you."
[12:44] Dinah (dollihead) nodded as she took in this new information, swirling the wine in her glass. She laughed softly. "enough does that I thought it prudent to ask." she agreed, but when he mentioned that there WAS in fact mutations... and he showed her his eyes, she jolted to her feet again and squealed, leaning forward and reaching for his hands.
"you have them! The same as mine, gods be good. it is very difficult to get used to, isnt it? if nothing else, one has to be terribly careful when using soap and washing hands" she laughed, craning her neck again to peer up towards the eye on his brow.
"they look so grand on you. Be careful of strong lights, at least until they are stronger. I got so many headaches when they first came in, but this one..." she tapped the skin of her sternum just beneath the larger, more agitated eye in her chest "This one was the hardest, and still is. Light was always terrible for me back then. I practiced in the dark until I was used to seeing so many angles at once.." she pondered his words about the procedure itself, and she nodded.
"I have always been able to tolerate pain well enough in my own self mutilations but this will be different. Restraints might be wise" she conceded. "but i do also have some...very amateurish...telekinesis. I cannot imagine that would be as easy to restrain"
[12:56] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) smiled wide when she took his hands, letting her look at the eyes as they peered up at her with their watery stares. They were obviously irritated, still getting accustomed to being used. They shut again once she was finished examining them, allowing Niles to focus a bit on the eye in her chest. "Well. In the event I need more of your blood I suppose I'll prepare for something to grow in my sternum. For the time being... I'm happy to adjust to these. They're striking, I think... and the extra perspective will be useful."
As he listened he considered the items in the room - and the attendant that was still standing nearby observing them. With a nod from Niles Edulis poured a glass of wine and handed it to Dinah. It was fae wine, very sweet and ridiculously strong, fruity on the nose and crisp like spring water. "Have a sip. Or several. I'll make my own preparations and when you're ready... I'd like you to lay down, face down on that pillow there or head turned to the side - whichever you prefer. I think between Edulis and I we can manage some wayward telekinetic attacks."
He did not move from his place seated next to her, even as he reached for his own wrists. There was a little pop and some squelching as he pushed on the closed eyeball, moving it to open in his palm instead of the back of his hand. He repeated the process with the other before taking some time to make sure all the bits and connective pieces were still proper as Dinah situated herself.
[13:02] Dinah (dollihead) beamed and she nodded, humming in delight at the sight of the eyes. "it s always hard to get used to. I definitely recommend practicing in the dark. then again. I just generally feel more at home in the dark.." she trailed off, but she nodded. "Very striking! Hopefully you do not get this chest eye too. it's very restrictive, all things considered, and it's always harder to 'see' through" she admitted. She finished off her regular wine and set the glass aside, taking the fae wine and sipped it, wrinkling her nose in surprise at the sweetness.
"...what is this?" she tittered, but she nodded at his instruction. "the hair might get in the way, but I can try to mitigate that" she agreed, taking a deep breath and swallowing the rest of the glass. Likely ill advised, considering she had been recommended to sip it. She shuddered at the strength and she shifted on the chaise, pulling her knees up beneath herself and shifting herself onto her stomach. "...another reason the chest eye is awkward" she muttered, lowering herself carefully so the crystals didn't gouge the leather, and she gathered the thick tentacles of her hair with one arm, tugging them onto one side for them to lay against her hip instead.
"...that... drink was very strong. very, very strong.."
[13:11] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) held up his hands, both eyes blinking as they got accustomed to their new positioning. "Good that we'll be by and large in the dark dark for this then," he said with a nod to Edulis. The dryad dimmed the lights in the room before coming over to join them at the chaise, standing at its head. The veins in him glowed a gentle light blue that gathered in the palms of his hands and his fingertips. The light could be directed with the movements of his hands, little spots that illuminated specific parts of her back. When he saw her down the drink he tutted, reaching to boldly run a hand through the tendrils that made up her hair. When he reached the tips his claws pierced into the chaise itself and he fed the tips through the "wounds" created until the flesh simply... healed and squeezed in around them.
"You drank that quickly, you silly thing. It's fae wine. You'll be on a cloud before too long in more ways that the literal," he said with a quiet laugh. His hand moved to her shoulder then down to her wrist, attempting to direct her hand to plunge into the chaise as he'd done with her hair. If she let him, he guided her in through the soft resistance of its interior to something hard, rigid that felt like bone. "Grab it. Go on, it'll hold," he encouraged her. The other arm he guided to the metal bar. "And that, I'm leaving free. For you to grip the bar and hold it of your own accord. The conscious effort to do so will be more of a deterrant to flailing at me than you realize."
[13:19] Dinah (dollihead) tilted her face to rest against the chaise, frowning at the strange sensation of it being warm. Her lips peeled back and she tested the point of one of her teeth against it, though didn't apply any pressure for now, distracted as she was by his hand on her hair. She lifted her head and stared at him, wide eyed, though she laughed at his chiding.
"well. I apologize if I make a fool of myself. I had expected it to be.. to be strong but.. that is quite a lot moreso than I 'spected" she mumbled. watching his hand on her shoulder and down to her hand, She followed his lead, grimacing at the queer feeling of reaching into something like this, but her hand squeezed the bone. Her hand grasped out towards the metal bar and she nodded wordlessly, tapping her claws against it for a moment.
"at least im not.... not as strong as the boys" she smiled sheepishly
[13:34] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) withdrew his own hand and seemed to knead and pinch the chaise's cushiony substance around her arm, sealing it into the interior. It would give a bit when she struggled but it was certainly clinging to her, contracting stiffly like muscle clenched around the intrusion. "I'm certain you'll do nothing of the sort," he replied though he did sound distracted, slipping into the mindset he did when working and only tangentially parsing the conversation for important bits. His hand was dry, gore-free when it touched her shoulder again. "You're stronger in many ways... but I'm confident." He fell silent and his hand moved but did not touch her again.
Instead he spoke in her mind, doing that little knock and waiting for her to let him in before speaking, his words inviting her to the little mental space they'd shared. <"Remember? Where we met, and you saw me after you gave blood for the first time?"> he asked, appearing there with the pulse and thud of a heartbeat around them. Gradually, it synced itself up with Dinah's own. <"I want to see if experiencing this while you are... in here, may help compartmentalize the sensations. I can explain to you... and show you what's being done. And while you will still FEEL it, being detached can alter the experience somewhat, I've found.">
[13:41] Dinah (dollihead) grimaced at the strangeness of the chaise and she tugged her arm, though it kept her well restrained. She shifted her position, making herself more comfortable against the living restraint, though she laughed quietly at his praise. "Gallant as ever, doctor" she murmured, though her words were beginning to slur more now the fae wine was being metabolised. She'd surely regret slugging the lot sooner rather than later, no doubt. The knock would be accepted and the mind-space was joined once more. She focused, whilst not speaking an assent she almost certainly 'nodded', making sure her heartbeat was steady and she did her best to fight her mind to focus better.
<"I will be glad to try it"> she agreed after a few moments. <"detachment might help but.. we shall see how much I can remain 'detached' when the time comes"> she admitted <"if it comes to it and I cannot focus, carry on regardless. When it's done, I am certain I shall forgive you">
[13:47] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) appeared in his true form there, sharing the center of the space with her as her heartbeat reverberated around them. <"You're going to feel me touching you. Lower lumbar, toward the base of your spine. The incisions into the skin will sting, but only mildly compared to when we start working on the bone. Breathe as... normally as you're able. Don't fight the wine... or the effects of Edulis' presence,"> he instructed as his attendant moved the lights of his hands down in the physical world. The doctor was careful not to brush her accidentally as he lifted her clothing, bunching it around her upper back and draping a blanket over her legs and the curve of her ass. His fingers felt along her spine, counting vertebrae, feeling for landmarks before the tip of his claw began to slice so he could mold the flesh away from it. He was deliberate, careful, and precise... movements carrying the accuracy of practice, experience and more than a little imagination. <"Are you curious about the chaise?"> he asked as it gripped her a bit tighter for that initial cut, steeling for some response and adjusting its grip accordingly.
[13:55] Dinah (dollihead) , unlike last time, appeared as her true form too, albeit the modified, glittering crystal creature she had made herself. She nodded at his words, bunching her hands up tighter around the metal and bone.
<"When you are ready."> she replied. She tensed only briefly when he lifted the back of her dress, knowing full well the bite of the first cut would come soon after. She hissed when it did, pressing her face against the chaise but otherwise, not moving. Cuts, she could handle. She performed them on herself on a nigh daily basis, after all.
<"I am"> she admitted <"it feels... strange. Will it protest if i bite it?"> she replied, testing her nails against the bone to see if her nails could scratch them, focusing on that rather than the movement of her flesh and the seperating of it from herself.
[14:18] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) exposed her spine from lumbar to coccyx, parting tissue and keeping it spread so he could work. He hadn't yet touched her bone, focusing on sealing the blood vessels he'd sliced apart and making the ends of muscle more amenable to taking the addition of a tail. <"It was a crew member of mine,"> the doctor explained though he deliberately kept a face or identity from showing up, perhaps to keep the inhuman nature of the living piece of furniture from instilling any pity. <"Willing participation in a study. And technically he does owe me his life. I'm sure he didn't quite imagine me cashing in exactly like this but.. he doesn't seem to mind terribly. He regenerates as quickly as you do so... bite away if you must. Only don't keep your face inside for too long or I'm afraid I'll have to dig you out."> There was the very serious intimation that he would simply heal around her mouth if she weren't quick about it. The bone seemed hard. She was able to scrape at it and doing so made the flesh-chaise around her arm shudder but she couldn't scratch deeply enough to do damage that didn't simply buff itself back out.
<"Steel yourself Dinah, I'm going to start on your spine,"> Niles warned. <"I'm reshaping the existing bones, extending, enlarging... then you'll feel a very frigid chill in that location, something to prompt the nerves to... grow to fill the space. It'll be jarring. And painful. Tell me when you're ready."> Like the gentleman he was he waited for a signal.
[14:24] Dinah (dollihead) surprised herself at the thought that upon finding out that the chaise was a crew member, it didn't really seem to shock her that much. The small logical part of her mind decided it was probably not the snake, if it were warm, at least.
<"A study. in what it's like to be a chair?"> there was equal parts bafflement and amusement in the question, though she paused briefly at the sensation of more slicing, gritting her teeth a little more. Definitely different than her knife.
The warning came, and she took a deep inhalation of breath and nodded against the chaise, already pale knuckles whitening further as she gripped onto her handholds.
<"do your worst, Niles. I am ready"> she replied after a few more moments of focus, though there was at least, despite the confidence of her answer, a few considerable spikes of nerves from her side of the mental plane. <"I shall try not to thrash.">
[14:34] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) chuckled, both in their mental space and the real world. <"A study in the tenacity of sentience under certain circumstances," he elaborated. <"So yes. In a sense. What it's like to be a chair."> Once she answered him and braced herself he waited for the spikes of nervousness, the rapid rise of pulse to subside a little. The voice that reached her, both audibly and telepathically, was soft and soothing. "Oh my dear, I'd never do that to you," he answered and his fingers slid in around her vertebrae. He pulled and squeezed, manipulating the bone like clay, pulling lengths at a time out and extending them before molding them to a proper shape to maintain stability. He worked at the brute, basic shapes of it in those first few moments, taking that time to gauge how strongly she'd react and how well the chaise and her own restraint could hold her as the air sweetened around them from an increase in shedding of the dryad's pollen.
[14:40] Dinah (dollihead) pondered the words. The tenacity of sentience. So the chair WAS sentient then? a curious thought, no doubt another being to add to dorian's 'to kill' list, no doubt, which made her snicker just the once. The quiet reassurance didn't do a great deal to quell the nervousness, though as he gripped at the bone and she felt the pain he described she would, she tensed in absolute stillness for a few moments before the noise she made was somewhere close between a shriek and a bestial howl, stifling herself by clamping her fanged mouth around some of the chaise, squeezing her claws against bone and metal. She remembered the warning about the bite and she released her teeth, trembling and pressing her face against the lounger. there were no audible words from her, but a flurry of colourful and incredibly unladylike curses burst through the mindscape like fireworks.
[14:56] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) stilled his movements as Dinah bite into the chaise. It tasted more like jerky than skin but beneath, the muscle and connective tissue were easy to recognize. Niles sought out the moments where she quivered or shook or twitched the least to make his more minute adjustments, shaping vertebrae, separating bone, stretching cartilage between the pieces. He worked until there was a a third leg's length of bone extending from the base of her spine, held by the gentle invisible hand of his telekinesis. He paused then, giving her and himself a break, letting his new eyes rest from giving him more of a view of his work than he was used to or could comfortably handle. His head hurt - and he was feeling rather tired already from the exertion. <"...this, is something of a gift from our mutual friend,"> he told her in the space between his adjustments. The chill seeped into her spine, like a tap into her nervous system that sparked into menthol and vapor and unnaturally frigid cold. It filled their little space with smoke, black and fluid and heavy, and with little electric sparks in which the glimpses of other times, other places, other lives could be seen. He funneled the liquid into the space between her vertebrae near where her tailbone used to be, prompting the nerves to shiver, then burst into extensions of themselves, feeling more than they could feel as if the contact with the fluid had made them remember, impossibly, a time that she'd always had a tail, or perhaps even a moment in the near future when it was already completed. It rattled the sensation of existence up and down her body, forcing her brain to connect to the new appendage and the fact that it was very much exposed and raw.
[15:03] Dinah (dollihead) didn't scream again, nor did she bite the lounger again. She did shudder and hiss between her teeth, more than once and in a way that suggested that the part her face was pressed to would be wet with tears when she lifted it. for now, though, she bore the pain mostly silently but she still quivered at every touch and manipulation. Even when he paused, she remained shaking for a long moment until she took a few deep gulps of air, gills in her side flaring as if she'd been submerged.
Even with the warning the cold shook her by surprise but at the word that it had been a gift from next door, she did her best to whisper out a prayer between gritted teeth. She cried out again at the invasive sensation of her nerves reacting to the eldritch intervention. Even unfinished, the tail lashed once or twice and the hand that was gripping the metal bar let go and she jabbed her nails at the lounger instead, not deep as the other but enough that if it had blood near to the surface, her claws would be seeping in it now. Another whispered prayer, another brief lash of the tail before she forced herself to still again, sniffling against the couch
[15:12] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) did not stop at the hissing or at the hint of tears. In the mindscape he showed her, explaining the bits as they went so she could take apart the sensations - this was the bone, these were the nerves, this was the muscle being connected to it all. The tail lashed and whipped across his face, scoring over his lip and down his chin and drawing blood. He merely settled a hand on her upper back, curled a finger against her cheek. <"We'll be finished soon Dinah, you're doing wonderfully,"> he praised but the doctor's voice wasn't alone. Someone whispered her name, a rattle of a breath, a choppy sorta heckle. There was apology in there as well as pure indulgence in the suffering - not simply the pain, but what the pain meant. Their friend next door loved such modifications. Niles paused again once the bone was sheathed in muscle. He lifted it and looked over it to make sure things were connected in a way that would WORK before beginning again, this time taking the layers of skin that he'd bunched off to the sides and stretching them. He let the flesh heal when it tore from being stretched too thinly before pulling again, working slowly until the entire appendage was covered with enough elasticity to not rip itself asunder whenever she thrashed.
[15:19] Dinah (dollihead) didn't respond, even in the mindscape. The mentally projected Dinah was still as a statue, with only her eyes shifting as they followed what he showed her as a sign that she was paying attention. As his hand moved to her cheek she tilted her head towards it, predictably wet from the tears she'd been bleeding onto the couch. She didn't seem aware that her tail had snagged him, or at least, didn't seem to respond or apologize, but at the whisper she tensed again and the clench-toothed prayers returned in that unearthly tongue of deepspeech. Her tail didn't swipe or flick when he worked, only sometimes squirming in his grip when something made her tense or clench up, and from time to time the prayers would pause for a soft growl, or something between a whimper and a groan.
[15:28] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) went over the tail a second time. He touched at her spine further up, checking the way the muscles moved when he moved the tail one way and the other. All eyes were on the new appendage and the flesh that connected it, making sure that nothing tore, nothing stretched too much, nothing seemed out of place in motion. When he was satisfied it was formed as well as he could make it he sat back on his haunches and reached out to tap Dinah on the shoulder. It was safe, then, to bleed that pain away and leave just a blissful buzzing like a dull electric hum. <"Dinah. Breathe. Focus. I've taken the pain but I need you to try and move it yourself now. Can you?"> he asked, the full visual of the thing shared for her to see in the link they shared.
[15:32] Dinah (dollihead) jolted as he tapped her on the shoulder and the eyes in her hands flicked towards him, shark-black and staring. She exhaled as the pain seeped away and she lifted herself up the best she could, still trembling, onto the untrapped hand and at least a little of her knees.
"...yes" she croaked aloud after a long pause, and she focused, curling the tail and straightening it, reaching out to probe towards the edge of the couch and towards him, then back again.
<"it feels strange"> she admitted, the darkness of her corruption starting to leech through the veins as her body acclimatized to the new addition to tint the tail like the rest of her. <"...everything is...spinning.">
[15:39] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) walked towards her in the mindscape, reaching out a hand to gently take hers. <"Back to the physical now. Slowly. You've felt and seen everything, you know exactly what you're returning to,"> he said as slowly the space they shared dissolved to return them in full consciousness to the room, dark as it was, just the glow and a short of breath Edulis hovering near the head of the chaise. The poor thing was trembling from the onslought of Dinah's claws and teeth but it had regenerated from the damage already, forcing the doctor to plunge his own claws in around her arm to seize her wrist and free it. Once she wasn't in danger of being reswallowed by the thing's reforming flesh he sat himself with his back to the seat to catch his own breath, and to slowly restore sensation to the tail - the cool air of the airship, the feel of fabric, of movement. Everything but the pain, which he worked to keep away for the time being.
[15:44] Dinah (dollihead) nodded slowly and reached for his astral self as he did, cliimbing backwards into herself. She didn't move for a few heartbeats even then, and when her arm was freed she let it flop limp beside herself as she gathered her senses again. She focused on each in turn, from touching the strange warmth of the chaise, to focusing her hearing on what she could from the ship, to the taste of blood in her mouth. She moved only then, crawling herself to the edge of the chaise to rest a clammy cheek against his shoulder.
"thank you" she rasped out, then swallowed again, attempting to push herself up once more, huffing as her still-unsteady arms gave up underneath her and she flopped back down into a sprawl once more with another muttered curse and a quiet laugh at her own enfeeblement.
[15:51] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) settled his breathing quickly enough. He smiled as he felt her cheek, his shirt wet with sweat and blood but warm from the exertion. "...of course. I do apologize that it was an ordeal," he said with a wave of his hand at Edulis. The dryad nodded and created a little mote of light that he left on a nearby shelf for illumination before stepping out. "Edulis is fetching some water. You'll need it. For the time being just rest," he said. After a pause the Sidhe pivoted, sitting sideways so he could at least look at her to ensure all bits of her - hair included - were free of the chaise. "...would you like a less sentient thing to rest on?" he offered with a smile. "I can carry you. Or have someone else carry you that might incur less wrath from your brother," he added after a pause and a chuckle.
[15:55] Dinah (dollihead) made a noncommittal noise at his apology though when Edulis made the light, the eyes on her hands turned to watch it, and she shifted her head to watch it too. She nodded that she needed water and rubbed her palm against her mouth. With a huff, she rolled herself onto her side, though she laughed at his offer and shook her head
"no. thank you. I am fine here for the moment. I think we bonded" she patted the chaise with the flat of her hand "if he's going to be wrathful it would be at you, of course because no doubt this is one of your schemes, and probably at me for coming here alone. Even without hunter this time" she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath that was exhaled in a rattle. "that was..definitely worse than the heart. At least I was dead for a part of that" she conceded, flexing each of her limbs in turn with a wince
[16:03] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) settled for resting his arms elbow to hand on the chaise and his cheek against one of them, the response making him laugh quietly. "He wasn't the friendliest one," he said with a pat to the chaise. "So I can assure you the bonding process was far easier with him in this particular state. He makes a good chaise." He reached out a hand, eyes still in his palms and carefully nudged one of the forelocks of her tentacle-hair off to one side so he could better look at her eyes. The slash across his lip and chin had stopped bleeding but, slower as he was to regenerate, it hadn't yet closed. "...well I have no designs on taking advantage of your recovery," he said with a tsk of his tongue. "I'm more than willing to leave you in less dangerous care once I'm sure I can make the walk to the door without stumbling myself. Taxing thing, fleshcraft... especially to that degree. I hope it works well."
[16:12] Dinah (dollihead) smiled wearily and she laughed again, shaking her head a little "you surround yourself with so many strange people up here in the sky. doesnt it ever get lonely?" she watched his fingers as they reached for her 'hair' and she noticed then his lip and she frowned. that much she could do, and one of her fingers reached out to touch the tip of her claw to it for just that tiniest nudge of healing magic.
"that's right...last time was predominantly surgical?" she turned her head enough to watch her tail as she curled it around her lower leg and then unwound it again. It was strange, even with the 'knowledge' of how, getting used to moving the thing. She seemed to watch it, considering something for a long few moments before she let her head shift back to look back towards him.
"Niles, I..." she paused. Frowned in consideration. "when I was growing up, we were raised in nobility. my parents always had us learn those lessons. Mother always told me that people will always be 'wanters' or 'needers'. That they will want to be around us because they want something from us, or they need something. you... seem to be neither" The shark-eyes glanced towards the nebula patterns and the crystals of her wrists. "..you have always been so kind to me. and i'm...grateful for that. With dorian, especially, I... i am not really used to it. especially not from a gentleman. you helped me a great deal when i came here last. when you showed me what you did. so... thank you. for that." her words had all but trailed off to an almost bashful mutter at the last, resting her cheek against the chaise again
[16:23] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) shared the laugh, tipping his head back to consider the ceiling. "I suppose it does," he admitted after a moment of quiet. "But it always has been. If you've lived a noble's life you would know that status comes with distance. Rank, propriety - they demand a certain solitude. I suppose siblings ease that a bit, and so I understand Dorian's... closeness. Protectiveness." He looked down at her again, head tilted and eyes soft. "The Sidhe are royals in the world of the fae, you know. And the Seelie... do have similar notions. The rest of the world beyond the pure and the light and the good... are wanton. They need and they desire and they - ah, corrupt the things they crave. A shade of the Summer Court not many hear from the stories. Everyone is told the happy things." He heaved a little sigh but the smile didn't leave his face. "Thanks to my connection with our friend... there is little I could truly want or need, Dinah. But there is ever more to learn, to experience, to know. Whether or not I do is up to Time and I'm certainly not the one to question his whims." He rested his hand gently atop her own. "You are welcome here anytime. And I... will help whenever and however I can."
[16:33] Dinah (dollihead) made a noise of distaste. Rank, propriety. Endless lessons on posture and grammar and mannerisms, preened and picked over like a store dummy. She nodded. "My brothers are my everything." she agreed. "I honestly don't know where..or what i would be without them. Dorian and I will always be inseperable. we are the same person, but split in two. my solar half" she listened to his words, expression thoughtful. "what was your first step?" she murmured. "...mine was a book. just a book open to the wrong page by a tutor, and I saw things I oughtn't. just enough to snag and wheedle and tug until i learned more"
As his hand rested on hers, for a moment she seemed to tense again, almost as if she were surprised. A flicker of a smile touched her lips again and she closed her opposite hand atop his.
"I would say the feeling is mutual but i am not the only soul in that house, and i suspect an invitation like that would not be entirely true of all parties" she withdrew her hands, finally pushing herself up so she could sit on her knees, though even that was exhausting. "i... i suppose I wanted to say because sometimes.. I suppose i am not terribly used to having friends and.. it can.. I can be a little...strange. sometimes. and I know that strange is to be somewhat expected considering.." she gestured with her tail towards herself, towards the monitors before it curled around herself again. "...but.. ugh.. I don't even know what it is i'm trying to say. just that i am pleased i know you, niles."
[16:43] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) nodded when she spoke of her family. There was no resentment when she spoke of Dorian, merely a quiet thoughtfulness. "Sometimes I have wondered about timelines where the two of you are one person," he mused, gesturing at the wall opposite and the monitors that occupied the center of it. "He could show you, you know. The only danger is getting lost in THAT reality, being unable to... disentangle yourself and find this version of you. I've... lost track, of the number of times I've gotten lost. Early on in our acquaintance it was rather frequent," he said, sounding wistful. "...I've learned how to better ground myself now but. Ah... you could say the practice has made friendship an alien thing to me, as well. You're in good company. And THAT sentiment is very much shared," he said, the eyelid of his palm eyeball fluttering against her hand.
[16:51] Dinah (dollihead) laughed softly and she nodded. "I often thought the same. When I was younger, especially, our parents sought to keep us apart a lot. that is why they sent him to the navy, to keep him from me. To stop him being....as much how he is, and so I could focus on what I was taught. I think we fit better as two. Frankly I would be frightened for the island if we were one, because his temper would almost certainly win out over mine. I cannot really protest his protective nature. I was much the same only less visceral, back in the day. Nowadays I think most know better" she turned her hand over, and his, looking at the eye where it matched hers.
"Aletheia's marks. I am sure of it. She was my first patron, you know. The goddess of truth. but... all truths, of course, not just the pretty ones" she murmured. "...I was frightened to tell you, in truth. Not because.. because I was worried that it would all be some ploy, but just in case you were just being kind and that any such kinship I had imagined was just that. I do have..." she paused and sighed "..somewhat prior experience in making poor assumptions."
[17:04] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) rolled his shoulders in the approximation of a shrug. "Well. He is here for a reason. And I'm sure the Gatekeeper knows that and what that may bring to us and to this place. WE, you and I, Dorian and Drystan.... have come together for something I am sure. Even if your twin would hate to think of the two of us as part of any sort of design together." He chuckled and leaned sideways against one of the pillows as the door opened, admitted Edulis with a frosty carafe of water and a couple of glasses. He poured one for each of them, handing them across to the doctor, who levitated one out of his hand to gingerly offer Dinah, helping with holing and tilting it for her to drink before taking a sip of his own. "Well. Feel free to air any and all assumptions about me, as I am dedicated to finishing this glass of water before I move anywhere. I can dispel quite a few, I'm sure."
[17:10] Dinah (dollihead) turned to give a tired, grateful smile and a nod to the dryad and she cradled the cup as it was offered to her. the first sip was just as unsteady and she coughed a bit, but nodded and held it between both hands in her lap.
"there is a plan for us here. those tarot cards. did you ever see them? the one giving them, she is on the path too. she called me 'dread queen'" she peered down into her cup and she sipped at it again, far more cautious with this than the fae wine in case it slopped over herself. She laughed quietly and she nodded.
"oh, assumptions. mine, or his? because his predominantly is that you are some grand seducer trying to steal me away" she chuckled again, touching her fingertips to different parts of the chilled glass. She dipped her fingers in it, carefully dabbing it against her gills. "despite me telling him at great length that you have never made any such overtures at all. A grand difference from how many on the isles have behaved with him" she added bitterly. "I am not sure I have assumptions about you. curiosities, yes, but I daresay you'd not indulge those as easily."
[17:19] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) laughed in between sips of his own water. He nursed it as well though his hands were less shaky. There was a time or two where he seemed to JUST miss his mouth, the blurry vision from his hand-eyes a bit too much to take after the strain of making her tail. He sighed and wiped himself off with a summoned towel from a nearby cart. "Yours, his, any you've heard..." he answered, setting the cloth on his lap. The mention of him being a grand seducer brought a laugh. "Well... I have seduced. It does take practice to craft a warm and congenial face, especially when your true becomes further from the norm," he admitted. "In entertainment especially, it was... part and parcel of the role I played. So you see - I am every bit the cad we joke that I am," he said with a raise of his glass. "But you, Dinah... seduction implies deception, or... manipulation, of a kind. And that is simply far too disrespectful." He took another sip, watching her features for how she took the most recent responses. "Well, in lieu of assumptions... tell me your curiosities. And perhaps I can indulge."
[17:29] Dinah (dollihead) smiled again, knowing all too well the strangeness that came with the altered vision. "if it helps..blindfold yourself sometimes. when you are in a place you are familiar with. it will help your vision in your other eyes get stronger" she offered. Another dip, and another dab at the gills on the opposite side of her ribcage.
"generally, I don't much care what is done to other people, as long as those others aren't my kin" she admitted "your caddishness done to them isn't done to us so.. what would it matter to me? it wouldn't. it doesnt." she hazarded a sip from her glass in careful slowness. "I think that is what he is worried of. that you are deceiving me somehow. manipulating me. frankly at this point if i had managed to miss such a thing even whilst being inside your mind, i would be more the fool for not seeing it" she smiled, watching the surface of the water in her glass.
"the most curious, i suppose is something i daresay i'll never know. I wonder what your name is. your actual name." she lifted a hand and waved it vaguely "as i said. I'm not expecting an answer to that one. And i wondered, after you showed me what you used to look like, how many others had seen it before. And how old you are. I honestly have very little concept of that"
[17:48] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) shut the two eyes in his head. It took some time for his forehead and face to relax, too accustomed to OPEN being the natural state of his eyes to easily keep them closed without effort. "Well... consider the Windgraces immune to my caddish behavior, unless Drystan finds himself besotted. But... I think he's taken enough with his fiance." He turned his palms upwards, using those eyes and the one on his forehead to see. "....goodness, this is an adjustment... but good practice. You're hardly a fool, Miss Dinah. And - I think I neglected to answer your first question." He took another sip before continuing, slower, taking his time to think of the words. "I found him. The shard," he said with a nod at the monitors. "In an insane asylum, locked up in the arms of a cult devoted to... worship, though in their minds worship led to control, restraint, using him for their own gain. The annals of time in his nerves and they sought to contain him." He shook his head. "I took him from that place, and he has taken me... everywhere. Taught me more of what exists beyond, spurred by own research into the others, the Elders, the Gatekeeper. It has been hundreds of years, Dinah... but it has felt like eons. Lifetimes, over and over again. I couldn't tell you how old. I'm simply not sure which one of me... I currently am." He laughed and shook his head. "But such is the life of one so entwined." Niles took a moment to consider her other inquiries. "....many, back then. But now? Here? I think you and Louis - the human side of our shard there - are the only ones."
[17:58] Dinah (dollihead) laughed louder this time and promptly winced, tittering somewhat more subdued. "It's strange to actually see drystan besotted with anybody. I like hector, though. I just worry what will happen. Eventually he will age, and we just...won't." she finished thoughtfully, watching as he closed his eyes. she nodded again. "I got the idea from reading a book about pirates. That apparently they kept the eyepatches to help them adjust their vision to the dark quicker. I have no idea if it's true, of course, but it helped me a little. the strangest sensation though is getting used to depth perception when your hands move independently" she nursed the glass of water as he explained, turning to look up towards the monitors.
"it's so strange how often that happens. confinement as a means of worship. if I thought that there would be the chance for one of the elder blood to walk amongst us, it would be the opposite to keep him from doing that" she said thoughtfully. "I cannot imagine existing so close to one and being so lucid as you are." she returned her gaze to him and she nodded.
"it's a curious thing. it seemed strange to see you like that. like a costume more than.. you. though that is likely just because i have become accustomed to you as you are." she set the glass down on her lap again. "...would you change back? if you could? just snap your fingers and look as you did? I used to wish that. all the time, when i first started changing. The black came first. before I could hide it, my parents would simply tell people I was sick. It was fine and easily concealed enough until this" she reached a claw to tap at the mark over her eye. "then again they never much fancied me interacting with too many others outside of the order anyway. 'distractions', the wanters and needers"
[18:11] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) hummed. "Is he not the type? Curious," he wondered aloud. "Drystan I mean. Hector seems... to fall hard and fast despite being so long-lived. I wish them well. And Hector... perhaps he will. Only time will tell, hm?" He shut all of his eyes, resting against his arms on the chaise for a moment in the dark of complete lack of vision. "You should ask your pirate friend," he said with a little poke of a finger upwards. "Mr. Risley is at the bridge informing our pilot and co-pilot. If you like, I could call him down. He'd be more than happy for the conversation, I'm sure." It was a slight tease and his tone betrayed that but when he opened his eyes he made no move to call the man. Instead he looked at his hands. "...yes, I think it was the black. The discoloration. It began in my veins, my skin. You can imagine how that must have been at Court." He let out a sharper laugh. "There is a secret to the lucidity, of course. That.... perhaps bears showing rather than explaining, but. We'll have to pick a time we're both not terribly exhausted, hm?"
[18:20] Dinah (dollihead) shrugged a shoulder, crystals glinting in the low light of the motes. "in his way. Drystan has always been the more personable of us all. Dorian and I only ever had each other. Drystan was the wild one. actual romance though? affection? that is different for him" she conceded. "I suppose I could see that with hector. he has an artists temperament in that respect." she followed the pointed finger to look up towards the ceiling and she laughed.
"Perhaps another time. that one is a rascal" she smiled, shaking her head. "did he tell you that he thought I had wanted to see him so he could flirt? he tried, back at the house. I was quite sure hunter was about to eat him" she feigned a pout, and she smiled. "The black came first. Then the pallor.. then my eyes changed, and then I grew more of them...the rest sort of...rapidly increased since coming here. with additions, of course" she flexed her webbed fingers and reached a hand out to touch the new tail tentatively, as if not expecting it to feel like a part of herself. She curled it around her wrist, then released her grip. "i should offer the same to you in kind, you know. indulging your curiosities, if you have any outstanding. not that I haven't been something of a chatterbox open book about..basically everything"
[18:29] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) flapped his wings, making a little gust of air that buffeted the room around them. He hadn't moved them to keep the dryad's pollen concentrated where it was, but now that things were calming he seemed to be making an effort to push it out of their space so they could clear their heads a bit. "He certainly is. Did he tell you he ate one of my culinary chief's birds? Right before dinner? Poor Kherys was beside herself working with me for a new menu..." he waved his hand, that eye opening when it stilled again. "As for my name... I can tell you, though I will also tell you it holds weaker power over me now. You could summon me with it, of course... but commanding me? Well. That's something to be done with utmost care, even knowing the name Napellus." All eyes opened then, all of them resting on Dinah. "Which does bring up something of a curiosity. What would you ask of me? Knowing my true name?"
[18:36] Dinah (dollihead) wrinkled her nose and she shook her head, chuckling. "naturally, he did not say. as i said..you surround yourself with strange sorts up here. I suspect you have more patience with that sort of thing than I do. then again, our butler is at least part snake and I believe he has yet to eat any of the family menagerie. That I know about." she leaned forward just a little when he spoke of his name holding power and she grinned, fangs shining in the low light.
"I cannot imagine there would be much could command you at all, even with your name. It's the same basic principle with most magical names, isnt it? they hold a degree of power in some manner but that doesnt always make you immune to the effects of what happens if you use it" she paused when he spoke it, echoing the name a few times to herself, but when he asked what she'd do with it, she canted her head to one side. "I had never really considered doing anything with it, truth be told. I suppose it became just something I was curious about. I knew you must have had a true name." she tapped her fingers to the glass. "I could 'summon' you just as easily if i sent you a letter if it were urgent enough. why would I need to do otherwise? you're not my butler" her smile turned impish. "for what it's worth, though mine is a chosen name granted on learning rites and doesn't really have the same power associated with it... I am Astraea" she considered for a moment "...though I honestly think none else but me have ever used it."
[18:44] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) grinned, lifting his eyes to the poor dryad that was still standing patiently in the room. "Oh, just leave the carafe and go on about your day," he said to Edulis. "And thank you. You have my and the dear lady's utmost gratitude for your assistance." His eyes lingered, something passing there from one mind to the next before the dryad bowed and took his leave. "I like to surround myself with the extraordinary," he said as he watched the young man go. "They come willingly, for one reason or another. None are forced to stay." Draining his water glass he pushed himself to his feet, standing for a moment before offering a hand to Dinah. "Well, Lady Astraea. Do you feel up to attempting to stand? I think you should test your balance on your feet."
[18:50] Dinah (dollihead) turned to give Edulis another warm smile and she dipped her head "I am definitely very grateful for your help" she agreed, though she nodded back towards Roesler again.
"we are different in that regard, then. I would find that...unsettling. I suppose being unchanging myself, when the people around me change too often too, it puts me ill at ease" she watched as he stood and she shuffled, sliding her feet to the floor.
"I had better try it at least some point tonight, shouldn't i? though if I fall over, it's just as likely to be the fae wine than my balance." she reached for his hand and pushed herself up from the chaise, glancing back at her tail as it shifted into a more natural 'balance' posture "..this is all very strange" she mumbled with another quiet laugh. "even with the 'gift'. when I am more familiar with it I shall stop worrying so much about what it's doing, I suppose" she carefully released his hand, attempting a few hesitant steps away from the lounger. "...ah but it does help though. quite a bit."
[18:54] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) did not wander far. He took a few steps as she did, staying nearby and keeping his wings very still in case their movement threw her off. When the tail moved naturally to counter the shift of weight he clapped his hands together then winced, his eyes shutting from the accidental squish of palm-eyeballs together. "Ah - well - it'll be as natural as the other additions before too long I expect," he said, squinting out of one eye. "There's a room for you, if you'd like to recover. A bath, a robe, something to sleep in. They've been generated ahead of time, so no need to worry about sprites in the drawers waiting to make your clothes." He set his glass down and wiped the moisture from it off on the loose clothing he wore. "I am so pleased it's helping. And I'm sure Dorian will be happy with its... dexterity." Another tease - the doctor was recovering his energy quickly.
[19:00] Dinah (dollihead) looked up at the clap and then she laughed, nodding again "there is a reason that mine stay on the backs of my hands most frequently" she pointed out with amusement, and she took another few steps.
"as gracious as your offer is, I think if i were to stay here overnight there would definitely be raging hellfire come down on the place. As curious as I am about the sprites too" she turned, looking over her shoulder towards the tail. "I shall have to practice more with it. and amend some of my wardrobe, I suspect. though perhaps...no. I shall find a way. if i've managed to keep this mess under wraps, a tail will be no chore at all" she gestured broadly to her hair and she smiled up towards him once more.
"thank you. again. for everything. I had no idea it would tire you quite so much for this. hopefully now this ought to be the last time you will need to pull my spine out, or make some other such drastic amendments"
[19:08] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) squinted down at one palm, the eye there staring widely up at him. "Well. Once I'm able I'll certainly be returning them there," he said though he laughed at his own discomfort. "And yes... well, I'm quite helpless at the moment. I'll not invite Dorian's wrath with a sleepover." He escorted her to the door, turning to her for a moment with it shut in front of them. "...you are very welcome. And thank you - for the company, and for not wreaking telekinetic havoc on my ship," he said with a smile. "No more spinal adjustments, yes." The door slid open, revealing a blinking and black-haired pirate standing dimly in the hallway as if he'd just woken from a nap. His eyes widened at the sight of them and at Dinah's tail before shooting back to Roesler and narrowing. "...did...did you call?" Risley asked, hesitant and a bit discombobulated. "...I did. Kindly escort Miss Windgrace to the mainland would you? And... do behave. I'd hate to have another report of... caddish behavior."
[19:16] Dinah (dollihead) gave a sympathetic nod, the smile still on her face. "it does get easier. after a time. just hope you shan't get the chest eye. sooner or later I might remove the damned thing myself but knowing my luck, it'd only come back. everything else usually does" she walked carefully, thankful for the extra practice, grinning up towards him at the words of her telekinesis.
"I am still very much an amateur. i would have been just as likely to throw myself through a wall than anything else. But I am glad too. The less havoc I can wreak the more amenable people are to inviting you back, i find" she tilted her head towards the door and smiled at Risley, amusement on her features.
"good afternoon, dear. I am on my own today, no guard bunny" she promised, stepping towards the hall, though one hand was half-lifted to catch herself on the wall if necessary.
"make sure you get plenty of rest. I shall write to you and let you know that all is inevitably well with this" she swished her tail experimentally. "ever a pleasure to see you, Niles. do let me know when you are down on solid ground again? or if you need anything else for the vessel. Or if you have any trouble with the eyes."
[19:20] Niles Roesler (ohsoincoherently) smiled wider as Risley blushed a little, the serpentine tongue flicking out and tasting the blood and... magic in the air of that room. He took a couple steps back to allow Dinah to walk into the hallway before glancing at the doctor who gave him a little nod of a nudge to go on and be a good escort. "...er...well, you won't need the bunny. Not making any moves this time," grumbled the pirate, though he seemed at least eager at the opportunity for an apology. Niles for his part, lingered in the doorway, leaning against it with a wave that was more fingers than hand considering the eye in his palm was watching them. "Happy travels. I'll be eagerly awaiting your correspondence," he bid them. It was only when they faded from view that he turned back and pushed himself through the gate into the room next door, evidently where he chose to make his own recovery.
[19:28] Dinah (dollihead) followed him out into the corridor and she lingered there a moment, taking a brave few steps away from the wall. She laughed again and she nodded.
"I didn't expect you would. " she agreed, chuckling again. She gave a wave of her own, nodding once more.
"rest well" she called back, following after the pirate snake.
"so, i heard there was something about a bird~?"