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Post by Countess on Sept 1, 2024 14:09:05 GMT
Desiree has made many deals with many devils. Ones she knows, ones she doesn't. What's one more? She takes the colorful and oddly undulating hand without much care to the fact. Her only issue here is that unmistakable wrongness in being used. At least take her out to dinner first.
It had been an inkling before, something akin to just being in a confident mood, but the moment their skin touches, it is an overwhelming feeling of competency. No, more than that, it is abstract and hard to describe, but she can very suddenly... do anything, everything, that her abilities, knowledge, and powers could at their peak. Perhaps even beyond it.
The answer is there, it always has been there, she was just simply too distracted by other things to see it clearly. Her training, her experiences, everything had led her to this moment. It feels almost like kismet, something divine reaching down to touch her mind and bring forth the inspiration needed. Desiree has earned her name of Muse, well and truly, for this is beyond magic.
.... and it can be addictive.
"Well, there you have it," Des says, withdrawing. The power remains there, slowly fading away. It will last another few hours, though the peak has already passed. "I believe our business is concluded?"
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Post by swapgo on Sept 1, 2024 17:28:49 GMT
Sophia's left hand stayed firm, but their right trembled and held her glasses tight as they peered beyond, or rather, inward, to depths that they felt were there but had no interest in plumbing. The human mystery that is imagination, for once firmly in their grasp, a treasure they will coddle and protect. The certainty of their purpose and the pride in their identity. Everything was already possible, and their blind, boorish confidence was, for a moment, not so shortsighted.
The woman's left hand very briefly twitched as if to regrasp Des' retreating hand before she finished taking in her senses. Her face, and her whole body was flush with color, expressive neon purples and blues, her sclera had shifted hues with her black eyes, the roots of her hair wanted in on on the fun as shone in vibrant pink. Were these things Sophia neglected to learn, or were they things they felt inspired to try? "I...believe we are. I can't imagine this is good for my heart", she suggested, rolling a strand of her hair in one finger and sliding it down, painting it in vibrant green. It was an unearthly kind of joy, being honest with oneself. "I can say with confidence that my last regret in life will be to have been so untowards with you Ms. Allard", she apologized, to her only, the other guy can rub his temple a bit more.
"I'll see myself out, and see myself through"
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Post by Countess on Sept 1, 2024 17:53:55 GMT
"To the contrary, you will find yourself at peak conditioning. I'm not allowed at sorting events for this reason," Desiree says with a prim little sniff. Her thoughts stray to another client... "It can be overwhelming. Do not be afraid to take a moment, sit, and breathe," she instructs her. The color show is... fascinating. At least she isn't Mystique. Des suppresses a shudder.
The apology was unexpected. Des nods, digesting it briefly. "Then pay it forward. Don't make the same mistake. That is how we continue whatever it is we do- art, science, life... We learn from our mistakes. Failure is giving up," she says, sweeping her hair to the side as she lifts a shoulder. "Though we had a rocky start, I do wish you the best," she adds, though she says it a little snottily, as if to cover up the fact she is saying something nice.
"Good luck."
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Post by Nomz on Sept 1, 2024 18:55:46 GMT
Secretary West wants to sigh in relief that the meeting seems to be coming to an end without any type of physical conflict. While he had told Des he would be there if she needed him, he hadn't been looking forward to it. He's seen enough conflict in his life. More than enough.
It does not escape Wally's notice that he doesn't get an apology for having a marker tossed at his forehead. His eyes narrow behind his completely unneeded sunglasses and he glances to see if Des is looking at him. In what he assumes is a safe moment, he tips his head up at the Sophia and sticks his tongue out just a fraction. Just enough to be seen before he tucks it back in his mouth. It is the first and only time he's broken character, but, honestly, being Secretary West is boring.
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Post by swapgo on Sept 1, 2024 19:45:26 GMT
"Ah hardly, feels like I need to vent the thrill off"[/color], the woman rejected Desiree's suggestion to simmer down, retrieving her pen from her ear and resuming her intricate knuckle movements to balance it on her fist. Sophia made a motion walk out before something caught in the corner of their eye, staring at Wally with visible disdain, but invisible curiosity. In the end, they decided to show her a smile, as the woman puffed her cheeks briefly before rolling out a lengthy, thin tongue with a slimy, wet tip in front of him, see if he would appreciate the gesture.
"Auf Wiedersehen, Ms. Allard", she mouthed a moment after sluriping her tongue back into her mouth, leaving a transformed woman. She pulled out her drab smartphone from her pocket with her left hand while the right used the pen to open the front door. They had much to consider, including what will ever happen to Sofia Meyer after all of this.
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Post by Countess on Sept 1, 2024 20:49:18 GMT
Des watches Sophia leave, her vision swimming. Just stand up a little longer, just stay strong for a couple more minutes. She doesn't even see the little game the two play, instead opting for a neutral face to mask her waning strength. When she hears her name, it sounds like a mile away, but she raises her hand, waving politely.
Just a few more moments.
One foot in front of the other. She knows the layout of her office. This isn't her first rodeo. All she has to do is get to the couch. She is so close, she has to be. Des starts to sway, and stumbles, legs giving out completely. Her power, so draining when done like that. It was for the best, she says to herself.
Wally is here.
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Post by Nomz on Sept 1, 2024 21:21:26 GMT
Wally's nose wrinkles as the woman's weird and oddly long tongue slithers out from her mouth like a garden snake. He watches her like a hawk as she makes her way out of the office. "What an odd bird," he mumbles to himself before turning his attention back to Ms. Allard.
His brows knit over his eyes in worry as he watches her try to walk towards the couch. He's seen enough of his friends on the edge of not okay to notice that she's wobbling just a little. Warm hands catch Des as she starts to fall, one tucking easily under her knees and another shifting to cradle her in his arms.
Worried green eyes trace over her face as he pulls her closer to his chest. The sound of the pen and pad hitting the floor arrives along with the sound of his voice, "Des? Hey, can you hear me?" Wally shifts to sit on the couch, placing her in his lap. The hand under her knees and brushes over her cheek.
"You use too much of your power or do I need to hunt down the tongue lady?"
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Post by Countess on Sept 1, 2024 22:04:32 GMT
Des feels the world shift around her, and it takes too long for her to realize it is because Wally has picked her up.
"Too... much, my....fault," Des says, her eyes firmly shut. She is very certain that if she opens them, she will vomit. While that isn't the first time this office has seen that of her, it would be a first for Wally. Let's preserve that illusion of perfection he has of her. As of now, she is just a swooning damsel in distress. She can work with that.
"Don't... have to... stay here," she says, and she is gasping for breath now, as if she had run a marathon. In a way, for her, she had done a marathon as a sprint. Her body is rebelling. He can feel it, too, or rather... the lack of her, even as he is touching her. "Home?"
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Post by Nomz on Sept 1, 2024 22:30:10 GMT
"I could have just kicked her out," he mumbles under his breath, glancing around the office and making sure they are alone. He's not letting his worry get the best of him and, for a moment, it's easy to see that this man is in his element.
"Okay. Yeah, we can go, Des. I've got you and this likely won't make any of this better." Already, he is slowly climbing back to his feet with her held close to his chest. His steps are careful and graceful as he approaches her desk. Wally picks up her clutch, holding it with the hand under her knees. "Okay. Take a deep breath and keep your eyes closed. I have you."
One moment, they are surrounded by the near-silent sound of her office and the muffled music of the city. The next, they are in an equally quiet space, though the city feels further away. Wally glances down at Des, checking in on her. "Hey, you're home. We're just outside the bathroom."
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Post by Countess on Sept 1, 2024 22:48:14 GMT
Des does everything to ignore the world as she knows he is about to run. It is easier like this, with her senses already playing tricks on her. It is the noise that gets her, so much and so little, none of it really making sense. She tries to just take deep breaths, steadying herself.
It is not enough.
"Bathroom," Des says, already gagging. She scrambles a little, and once she is deposited near a toilet, she empties her lunch into it. Damn. She had really wanted to spare him this. And her ego. At least she is home.
".... Better," she murmurs, sitting back against her shower. She reaches into a nearby cabinet, pulling out mouthwash to swish around in her mouth. This isn't her first rodeo. She spits it into the toilet, then flushes it. In that same cabinet are pedialytes, and she weakly opens one.
"I'm okay," Des murmurs. "Thank you," she says, feeling a little bad she didn't give him any warning. She didn't want to... and end up warning Sophia, too. Means a lot, that she can trust Wally like this.
".... you don't have to stay," Des says, humbled and ashamed.
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Post by Nomz on Sept 1, 2024 23:30:33 GMT
Des is delicately placed on the floor near the toilet the moment she finishes the 'm' in 'bathroom.' Hell, he even has the toilet lid lifted for her, and gentle fingers pull her hair up and away from her face. Wally is kneeling on the floor next to her, seemingly unbothered by any of this.
He doesn't stop her from getting the mouthwash, holding her hair still with one loose fist. His other hand rests on his knee. "Hey there, glad you're doing better."
Wally glances around the bathroom as if he is intentionally not focusing too hard on her at this moment. It is a courtesy he is extending in what many would assume is a moment of weakness. When she thanks him, his eyes find her again.
"No need to thank me. I just did what needed to be done, ya know? Told you I had you." He lets go of her hair, letting the strands fall back around her face and ears. "And I'm staying if that is okay with you."
One moment, he's wearing the outfit she put him in, and the next, he has that button-down in his hands. Wally watches her for a moment before draping it over her shoulders. The fabric still carries his warmth. "Wanna move to another room? I'll walk at a normal pace."
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Post by Countess on Sept 2, 2024 1:59:44 GMT
"Promised you a meal..." Des says, and just motions to her clutch. The moment that it is given to her, she pulls out her phone. "Uber eats... Did I promise anything? I don't care, get whatever you want, just get me mild noodles, I don't care after that...." Des says, starting to shake a little.
"You'll stay with me?" Des asks, as if she is so very used to people who don't stay. "Can... can we lay in my bed?" she asks, hopeful eyes. He gave an inch, and now she wants a mile. No one ever takes care of her, but herself. "Please?"
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Post by Nomz on Sept 2, 2024 2:16:46 GMT
A meal is the last thing on his mind as Des motions for her clutch, but Wally hands it over without complaint. "Mild noodles, I can do that," he assures her quietly, taking the phone gently from her shaking hands. His free arm comes to rest across her shoulders as he searches for noodles in the area.
Those green eyes find her as he notes her surprise and they crinkle a little as he smiles at her, "Of course I'll stay with you." He says it as if he is merely commenting on the color of the walls in her bathroom. Wally glances at her phone, placing two orders for mild noodles from the first place to autofill in the search bar.
When she requests that they lay in her bed, he tucks her phone into his pocket and slowly reaches out to pick her up again. His button-down is secure around her shoulders as he cradles her in his arms. Wally's every movement is slow and carefully measured. He doesn't intend to rock her or upset her stomach further.
Wally makes sure the toilet flushes before they leave. He has her held in such a way that it would be too natural for her head to rest on his chest. Delicately, he places her in her bed and under the covers. A calloused hand smooths her hair away from her face before he lays on top of her covers near her, but not close enough to touch. Wally rests his head on his arm, placing her phone in the space between them with Uber Eats open and he closes his eyes.
"Rest, Princess. I'll let you know when the food is here."
END THREAD
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