Softer in the Dark
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: CShades on 19-12-2014, 19:12:29</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>19-12-2014, 19:12:29</strong>
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				The hallway was familiar as ever -- she had been at this school for a long time, and it held few secrets to her. Outside, the light of the sun caressed her skin from above, promising there were still hours of daylight to enjoy. There is always a marked difference between day and night that one can feel with senses other than sight, and warmth was always welcome. Past the main gate and to the right, that is where he always waited for her, and this day was no exception: the scent of her father lingered a little further away this time, behind another two distinct ones, which meant she would need to find her way past them to get to him, but when she does she will have him to herself - for two whole days.<br><br><strong>"Hello, young Lady"</strong> he greeted her from there, like he usually did when they were among other people. His light accent was familiar, a mere hint of a closed vowel or an extended fricative - he grew up elsewhere, he had explained once, or many elsewheres as he would put it later, which is what happens when you are a career diplomat's son. Her grandfather was long gone, and so now he only had her. He'd always made sure she knew how much this meant to him, and more than a few of her classmates had released the occasional envious sigh at that kind of attention. But of course they were not blind, and most of them had mothers too, so it evened out eventually. <br><br>He watched from where he stood, his voice coming from well above, which meant he was standing straight and tall by the wrought iron fence, without rushing to greet her or expecting her to do just that, but rather taking his time to observe her negotiation of the world around her with a sense of pride she might feel at some deep-down level -- even if she couldn't see it in his face. <strong>"It is a beautiful afternoon, what do you think about a walk in the park before dinner?"</strong> His arm would be where it always was by the time she got there, extended at waist level in order to make it easy to find and triangulate where the rest of him was.&nbsp; <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bibliophilia</strong> on <strong>20-12-2014, 13:24:28</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Talia turned her face up to the sun as she stepped out of the cool building into warmth, taking a moment to savor the feel of the sunlight on her pale skin.&nbsp; The sounds of the students chatting around her, always so excited in those first few moments of the weekend, reminded her of birds twittering to one another in trees.&nbsp; After a moment, she began walking confidently along the concrete path that led to the front gates of the imposing school, counting her paces without being conscious of the act.<br><br>A voice broke through the noise, bringing a smile to her face and putting a slight bounce in her step, though she maintained her steady pace.&nbsp; Her nostrils flared to catch his scent, head cocking faintly to the left as she recognized others in her path.&nbsp; Talia hesitated only briefly before slipping between them with a softly murmured <strong>"Excuse me..."</strong> and crossing the remaining distance between herself and her father.<br><br><strong>"Hello, father.&nbsp; I think a walk in the park would be lovely."</strong>&nbsp; Her hands found his arm with a light touch, and she oriented herself at his side, slipping one arm through his and leaning up to kiss his cheek.&nbsp; She could feel his smile, sense his pride, and it pleased her.&nbsp; She never worried that if she stumbled he would be disappointed, but knowing that he trusted her to make her way on her own, and was proud when she managed it with aplomb, was part of what made the world a less frightening place.&nbsp; Plus, Talia knew that he would catch her, if she did fall.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>20-12-2014, 14:56:20</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				And thus far, he always had. The fabric of his suit was soft as ever, its threads packed tight, yet remaining thin enough to account for the warm weather -- it had the comfortable, lived-in feel that made it familiar; one of those few her father had kept for longer than a year. The forearm underneath was welcoming as ever, muscular and firm in ways none of her teaches or classmates would ever be. Her father leaned in for the kiss -- she might even be taller than most girls, but still had a bit to catch up to him -- and pressed one of his own right back, tickling the side of her jaw. His cheek was clean-shaven where her lips met it, though a nest of short-trimmed hair remained a different texture above and below his lips. He took a deep breath from there like he was wont to do, letting the air rush up her neck, jaw and cheek to the nostriles where he savored her whole day away from him.<br><br><strong>"Wondeful"</strong> he exclaimed, a grin of satisfaction audible in his voice when he placed his free hand on top of those on his arm. Like the forearm below, it was a firm, large, familiar touch. "Let us go, then." He withdrew his hand to reach for something below, and the rustle of paper - a shopping bag by the sound of it - accompanied his usual wave toward the school's gate and those few still gathered around it. He began walking without warning, letting the motion of his arm guide her forward, though he called twice for the curb to let her know what to expect as they crossed the avenue. The park was right there, in fact, though the first few metres could hardly be called such as he led her over the gravel road and into the more shaded space ahead. He kept silent for a while, just taking in the scent of the trees, the wind and sun that trickled through them and the delightful company. He always liked to give some space to separate the time with People from the time with him. <br><br>He led her in silence well into the depths of the park, where they would still cross paths with people until finally he took that extra step and led her out of the marked trail. This is where it got tricky, but also where she would have come to feel most free; they had often played in here, games of hide and seek and treasure hunts among many others as she grew up. The land always changed fast enough that it was always a challenge, as did the scents -- squirrels and birds by the dozen, rabbits further in and the hint of still water. The pond would be in that direction, then.<strong> "First thing that comes to mind?" </strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bibliophilia</strong> on <strong>20-12-2014, 16:11:22</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				She breathed in deeply when she felt the trees block the sun, inhaling the cleaner scent of the park with a soft sigh of delight.&nbsp; Tension melted from her shoulders in his presence, the soothing quiet and fresher air helped to scrub away the noise and unpleasantness of the day.&nbsp; Most people never noticed how overwhelming the sounds and scents could be in public buildings, especially schools.&nbsp; She had learned to focus past those things, otherwise she would never have been able to concentrate in her classrooms.&nbsp; Still, the effort required sometimes left her taut and weary.<br><br>The shift in terrain beneath her feet made her smile and she stopped, releasing him to bend down and slip off her penny loafers, before sitting in the grass and easing her knee-high socks from her lean legs.&nbsp; She grinned and tucked her socks into her shoes, then climbed back to her feet, wriggling her toes in the cool grass with a shiver of pleasure.&nbsp; <strong>"First thought?&nbsp; Picnic.&nbsp; I thought I heard a shopping bag, and we often have picnics here.&nbsp; Am I right?"</strong>&nbsp; She bit her lower lip, faded juniper eyes turned up toward his face with an expression of anticipation.<br><br>As she waited for his reply, her hands rose to slip the elastic from the end of her braid, wearing it as a bracelet while her fingers combed through her silvery-blond hair.&nbsp; Talia was determined never to evoke pity in others, and that translated to her being very careful about how she presented herself in public.&nbsp; She was aware of what value those with sight placed upon appearances, and she never wished to appear broken to anyone.&nbsp; She didn't consider herself broken, and she knew her father would never think of her that way, but the rest of the world was so quick to judge anyone different as somehow inferior.&nbsp; Thus, she made certain to project an air of confidence and maturity elsewhere, but with him, in private, she could be herself...be comfortable.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>20-12-2014, 16:45:02</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Her father stopped in place when she did, giving her time to get comfortable while observing the ease of movement with which she carried herself. This was how he had brought her up to be, confident and comfortable enough to even make people believe she could actually see when she looked at them that way. Her anticipation only widened his grin, and he met those unseeing eyes with his own automatically - like so many others always found themselves doing. A shake of the bag was her first answer, light but full enough.<strong> "Just enough to hold us until dinner"</strong> he remarked, knowing that a large feast would barely make a dent in her teenage state of perpetual starvation. He catered to it, frequent small meals in between the larger ones. He did not touch her shoes, she would remember where they were in any case, and proceeded to take a step further upon the grass. <br><br>She felt him move away through scent and sound and closeness, the changes in the air as telling as any sight could be. Her father appreciated the change coming upon her and welcomed it, giving her time to relax and set aside the demands of the outside world in order to come back to him whole -- it was as much a necessity as it was a pleasure to observe the changes that came daily with it. Was her hair lighter today? He couldn't quite tell yet, but that didn't mean he'd stop watching.<strong> "You are growing up too quickly, Beautiful" he teased from up there. "One of these days you will come out of school and I won't recognize you."</strong> Of course he would - always, and she was well aware of that. He settled in waiting to see what she would do with her school bag, and pulled the ubiquitous washcloth from the bag, wetting it from a bottle before offering it her way. Another way to set the rest of the world aside, would be to wipe it off of herself - and it always helped with the eating. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bibliophilia</strong> on <strong>21-12-2014, 20:00:26</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				A smile lit up her face as she tossed her hair back, letting the silky locks tumble down her back to her waist in a cascade of platinum.&nbsp; As she'd grown older, her hair hadn't darkened the way most blond children's does, instead it had grown lighter, and now it was nearly the color of polished silver, or white gold.&nbsp; She slipped her backpack off and set it aside, instinctively placing it beside her shoes, so that all her things would be easy to find when it was time to leave.<br><br><strong>"Don't worry, daddy.&nbsp; No matter how old I get, you'll always recognize me and I'll always recognize you."</strong>&nbsp; She grinned and reached out, her hand finding his in the darkness behind her eyes and closing around the damp cloth.&nbsp; <strong>"Thank you.&nbsp; So, did you have any special plans for this weekend?&nbsp; I loved the amusement park last week, even though I think my stomach is <em>still</em> jumping from the tall, bouncy ride."</strong>&nbsp; She giggled and closed her eyes as she began washing her face, cleaning off the slight make-up she wore to make herself appear older, as well as the impurities from the air.<br><br>Once she was sufficiently scrubbed, face and hands, she held the washcloth out to her father, knowing his hand would be waiting once more.&nbsp; She sometimes wondered if there was something preternatural to their bond.&nbsp; She seemed always to know just where he was, and could find him even in a crowd, and they always seemed to know just where to reach to find one another.&nbsp; Maybe it was particularly honed instincts, each of them having to adapt to her condition in some way, or some low-level telepathic link.&nbsp; Either way, she was infinitely grateful for their connection.&nbsp; <strong>"You remembered to bring blackberries, right?"</strong>&nbsp; They were her favorites, and he knew that.&nbsp; She'd eat them at every meal if he'd let her.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>22-12-2014, 07:31:14</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				She wouldn't be able to see his smile, but perhaps she would know it was there nevertheless. <strong>"It was fun, I know you enjoyed the movement as much as I."</strong> The cloth gone, he capped the bottle and set it aside, waiting for the return of the cloth to take her hand in order to guide her down to himself. He was settled down indian style, the familiar nest formed by legs and arms having grown smaller through the years, but still carried the same sense of safety and intimacy. Closeness always tended to tighten their awareness of each other much better than sight could. "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find blackberries in this season" he teased mercilessly. Regardless of the season, there were always blackberries being grown /somewhere./ <br><br><strong>"I shall never understand how you can like fruit so much. You must get that from your mother."</strong> Her father's voice wouldn't conceal the smile in his face either way. The bag was next to his thigh, as easy to feel as to reach. Inside it, and amongst the water and washcloths she would be able to find a number of wrapped sandwiches next to a closed plastic bowl filled with said berries as well as a bottle on the side -- the nuns might disagree, but he had always maintained a glass of wine was better for anyone than any sodas or juices, as long as one didn't indulge too much.&nbsp; Of course, it depended on the wine; there was always Quality to account for.&nbsp; <br><br><strong>"As for plans, I haven't considered anything terribly special; maybe we ought to stay home and prepare for the long weekend next; the boat should be docking at the harbor soon."</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bibliophilia</strong> on <strong>22-12-2014, 18:27:31</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				She curled her fingers around his, grinning as she lowered herself into his lap and snuggled in close.&nbsp; <strong>"No, but I know that no matter how hard it is to find them, you'll find them anyhow.&nbsp; That's what makes you so wonderful."</strong>&nbsp; A soft giggle slipped through her lips as she felt for the bag and slipped a hand inside, reaching past the sandwiches and wine to ease out the container of berries.&nbsp; Her legs stretched out before them, she put the berries in her lap, leaning back against her father's chest with a soft sigh of contentment.<br><br><strong>"If I get my love of fruit from mom, then I got my voracious appetite for meat from you.&nbsp; I like to think the two balance each other out."</strong>&nbsp; She turned her head faintly to smile impishly up at him, hands deftly working to open the container of blackberries.&nbsp; The feel of his warmth and strength behind her melted any last vestiges of tension from her body.&nbsp; The world was far more dangerous for her than others, but in his arms she felt utterly protected.&nbsp; Talia plucked a berry from the container and popped it into her mouth, resting her head against his shoulder as she chewed slowly.&nbsp; The fruit burst between her teeth, flooding her mouth with the sweet, bright juice.&nbsp; Her eyes drifted closed as she savored the soft flesh and pop of the tiny seeds between her teeth before swallowing.<br><br><strong>"A weekend at home with you sounds perfect.&nbsp; Are we going to meet the ship when it docks?&nbsp; I like Captain Warren, and he always remembers to bring me a little gift from wherever he's sailed to.&nbsp; Remember, last time he brought back that lovely little porcelain doll from China?"</strong>&nbsp; Her fingertips lightly moved over the berries, finally selecting one of the largest and holding it up unerringly to his lips.&nbsp; She knew his face as well, if not better, than her own.&nbsp; Countless hours over the years had been spent softly caressing the planes and angles of his visage, learning every expression, every line and contour, and etching them into her memory.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>22-12-2014, 19:39:39</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Thaler welcomed his daughter's weight against himself, shifting just enough to accommodate her better against his chest and between his arms which closed all too easily into a comfortable embrace. Her impish smile made him smile in turn, which she would feel a moment later when his lips brushed her cheek in a playful kiss. His chest was firm against her back, a steady wall of flesh that carried all the sense of safety and Presence she had long grown accustomed to. Protected indeed. <strong>"We can if you want to, or maybe give them a day or so to get it re-stocked before we get in the way."</strong> The first option would likely be more fun and let them move around without most of the crew, but the second would mean things would be in their known place and wouldn't have to fumble around as much.<br><br><strong>"He always spoils you."</strong> The comment came with another grin, the short scruff around his mouth chafing slightly the side of her temple and cheekbone as he spoke. There was appreciation for the captain, together with mild, amused annoyance when the subject of gifts came up. <strong>"And they've been chartered around the caribbean this time, so perhaps he'll bring you a big, ripe coconut."</strong> Her father is most definitely teasing, though it might be difficult for an outsider to tell - a problem she had never had, thankfully. There came the berry though, and he went silent for a moment when his lips closed around it and plucked it easily from his daughter's grip. Never one for sweets, he wouldn't admit he actually enjoyed those little things, the texture and explosion of juice together with the crunch of the seeds making him wish they had a different taste. <br><br>He kissed the tip of Talia's fingers as he swallowed, pressing his cheek to the side of her face a second later. Now things were as they should be at last, without the outside world clinging to them -- which made it easier to be examined with more detachment. <strong>"Tell me about this place."</strong> It wasn't like her father to ever rest too long, and this was proof of it. Even as peace settled around and within them, he made sure she was thinking and taking stock of her surroundings with as many senses as she could - and that she was able to notice every possible opportunity and danger alike.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bibliophilia</strong> on <strong>23-12-2014, 16:03:00</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The kiss to her fingertips brought a smile to her face, and she turned her back into his chest again, huffing playfully.&nbsp; <strong>"I take issue with that phrase.&nbsp; Food spoils, Daddy.&nbsp; I'm always very appreciative of Captain Warren's gifts...and I understand that he brings them to me because he can't bring them to his own daughter anymore.&nbsp; I just wish there was more I could do to soothe his grief."</strong>&nbsp; She selected another berry for herself from the container and slipped it into her mouth to let it roll across her tongue before biting down.<br><br>The idea of getting a coconut as a gift made her giggle and she nudged him gently with her elbow, tongue darting out to brush across her lips.&nbsp; <strong>"Well, if he <em>does</em> bring me a coconut, it'll be your job to break it open for me.&nbsp; So, maybe you shouldn't give the universe any ideas, hm?"</strong>&nbsp; She grinned impishly up at him, then exhaled softly as her face turned outward once more and she curled back into his chest.&nbsp; His request hardly surprised her, and she didn't mind the practice.<br><br>She shifted her legs, planting her bare feet in the grass before him and wiggling her toes, pressing them into the rich soil.&nbsp; <strong>"It's been about a week since the grass was mowed here, so it is taller than normal.&nbsp; Likely because it rained a couple of days ago, and that was when they'd planned to do it."</strong>&nbsp; Talia allowed her senses to expand outward, beyond their cocoon, listening and breathing in the scents carried on the air, feeling the world in their small corner of it.&nbsp; <strong>"I can hear a very agitated chipmunk...not too far off to the right.&nbsp; Oh!&nbsp; The lilac bush by the water is in bloom, we should prune off some of the flowers and take them home with us."</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>23-12-2014, 17:27:22</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Her father tensed noticeably when reminded of the captain's loss, his arms only tightening around his own daughter's frame in a protective embrace that said more than any words he could have shared. There was a bit of a snort against her ear to the coconut quip, only to relax a measure when she settled against his chest. Thaler stretched behind and under her to ease the motion of her legs and compensate for it, eyes closing in turn to try to feel the world the same way she did. He got the chipmunk easily, and was well aware of the grass, but the flowers? He reopened his eyes just to look, confirming her words and tickling her side in response.<strong> "Pilfering flowers from the park? You ought to get in trouble for that!"</strong><br><br>His tone was amused, truly, and he didn't move for a while as he checked a wide circle around them -- he hadn't noticed anything before, but it didn't hurt to do a thorough sweep of his surroundings once in a while on top of the usual vigilance. Everything was clear for the time being, as it had been since they moved into the city, but it was never a good idea to get too comfortable, which he knew he was; Captain Warren could have many other daughters, while his own was more than irreplaceable. This is when bad things happen, isn't it? He pushed that thought away, focusing in the present and drawing in a deep breath. <strong>"How did you know about the flowers"</strong> he asked instead.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bibliophilia</strong> on <strong>23-12-2014, 18:54:31</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Talia squealed softly at the tickling and wriggled in her father's lap, her musical laughter drowning out the chatter of the chipmunk.&nbsp; When he grew still, she let her giggles fade and listened with him, picking up on his watchfulness, as she always did.&nbsp; She knew that there was something which made him different, more cautious, and it had little to do with her lack of sight.&nbsp; She tilted her head faintly, murmuring to him.&nbsp; <strong>"We're alone, Daddy."</strong>&nbsp; She bit her lip against the question that always begged to be asked in these moments, knowing that it would hang between them anyway.<br><br>To avoid putting him on the spot, she turned sideways in his lap, reaching up to lay one soft hand across his eyes.&nbsp; <strong>"Relax, and forget that you can't see.&nbsp; Let yourself reach out from inside, beyond us.&nbsp; Slowly breathe in through your nose, gather all the scents on the breeze, and listen to world."</strong>&nbsp; She spoke softly, falling silent a moment to allow him to fully adjust to the darkness that was so intimately familiar to her.&nbsp; Leaning up, she whispered against his ear, velvet cheek nestled against his.&nbsp; <strong>"Filter out the obvious noises and scents, let them fall away until you can pick up on the subtler sensations.&nbsp; The warm, refreshing scent of the water that plucks at your animal instincts...and near that, it's where you'll find the plush smell of the lilacs.&nbsp; They always make me think of Mommy."</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Softer in the Dark</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>CShades</strong> on <strong>24-12-2014, 03:54:20</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<br>And alone they were. perhaps more so than she could even imagine. He smiled at her statement, nodding in agreement before he placed a kiss to the top of her head and found his eyes covered by her hand. Well, probably not half as covered as they could have been with both or a blindfold, but he knew it for the gesture it was and closed his eyes again to indulge her. He breathed in deeply, smiling at the words that were as familiar as the wind and let himself sink into the world of sensations instead. The world was always alive around him, but more often than not he had to ignore&nbsp; its layers in order to remain unnoticed himself. It was hard not to let go and reach further, search the flows of energy and know where they were disturbed the most. He noticed it anyway, far to the east, but closer than it had been last.<br><br>Thaler withdrew slowly rather than rushing; prey that ran always got noticed first, and focused fully on the water and the flower scent mixed with that of his daughter, followed by the mention of her mother. She had her tells, his Talia, and he washed the findings from his mind to focus on her statement. <strong>"Does it?"</strong> Rhetorical question, clearly, but enough to cast a doubt and let him gather her even more closely, lips breathing words into her ear a moment later. <strong>"You seem to have been thinking a lot lately, from the fruit to captain Warren and the flowers now. I should ask you now how the scent relates to her, but there is logic in madness, so I'll ask about it instead. Have you come up with something you need to know about her, now?"</strong>
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