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Post by Erik on Sept 24, 2008 11:18:09 GMT -5
Not much time had passed, not much at all, but Erik was little better at noting it than Mortimer and the loss of Christian and Pina together had caused another rift.
When Erik recovered, at least enough to take an interest in the world around him, he noted the creature's absence and was afraid that it had left him, too. Had Mortimer wandered in behind the others, perhaps, and taken off? Erik did not like surprises. He did not like not being told these things.
He would look.
Mortimer was not in the lake, nor in the cellars. Erik did not find it likely that he would take to the roof, and so he concentrated on the dark corners of the Opera, the seldom-visited places where the sharkman could hide apples and avoid the stares of strangers.
He found him, eventually, wandering backstage. Erik's pleasure at the sight of Mortimer unharmed--and the lack of personnel in the vicinity--caused him to drop some of his defenses and "appear" beside the creature.
"Mortimer," he said warmly. "Erik was worried."
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Post by Wanizame on Sept 24, 2008 11:27:06 GMT -5
It gave a startled shriek that peeled down into a trilling laugh and skittered a couple of circles around Erik like an excited dog before standing upright and pawing at the skeletal man's chest, stretching.
"Care care! Is good? Mortimer listen f' sing--very pretty, many sing together, lots of voices, pretty pretty." it beamed and bumped its snout against Erik's shoulder.
"Not as pretty as ErikJulian sing."
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Post by Erik on Sept 24, 2008 11:40:58 GMT -5
The relief that Erik felt at not having "lost" Mortimer was palpable, and he stroked the creature's head lovingly, smiling broadly behind the mask.
"Yes, it is very pretty," he agreed. "I'm glad you think so. You... have heard Erik and Julian sing?"
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Post by Wanizame on Sept 24, 2008 11:46:21 GMT -5
It nodded enthusiastically, its downturned mouth curling the other way as it clicked at the attentions.
"Yes. Very pretty, like Mortimer-Love love. Only, Shark, Love love, no singing. Mortimer went away f' ErikJulian be alone."
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Post by Erik on Sept 24, 2008 11:53:20 GMT -5
Erik chuckled, relieved in the extreme.
"Not everyone is like Julian, or Erik," he said in agreement. "But Mortimer-Love... Do you mean Professor Jamison?"
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Post by Wanizame on Sept 24, 2008 11:59:38 GMT -5
It pulled itself closer to Erik and clung to him a moment, its claws catching in his coat.
"Yes. Henry Love love." Its mouth turned downward again and it gave a sort of whimper, but settled after a moment.
"Is okay. Practice f' make Mortimer-person." It grinned a bit mysteriously. "Watch lots, very careful, see lots--always people come in Erik's House alone, leave not-alone."
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Post by Erik on Sept 24, 2008 12:02:30 GMT -5
The words made sense, and even in conjunction they were not entirely inscrutable. But Erik was, for once, at a loss. And not just at the thought of Jamison and Wanizame, whatever that meant.
"But what must you practice for, Mortimer?"
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Post by Wanizame on Sept 24, 2008 12:10:09 GMT -5
Its grin broadened and triangular teeth were revealed among pale gums.
"F' be person! Is good. Pretty like Julian, smartstrong like Erik. Wear clothes, make sing." it nodded. "Real person f' to be around not-scared people."
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Post by Erik on Sept 24, 2008 12:22:03 GMT -5
Something like dread clutched at Erik's heart. Mortimer... would never be like people. Erik had not even managed that, for all his desire to walk among men. Not for long, anyway, and not without otherworldly help.
He did not wish to see the creature disappointed.
"But are you not beautiful and strong, just as you are?" he asked gently. "Why should you wish to wear clothes, to walk among those who would shun you now?"
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Post by Wanizame on Sept 24, 2008 12:25:09 GMT -5
Its mouth pursed a little, becoming comically small under its snout.
"Mortimer is not like f' be alone. Alllll alone now. Not one else like...so...be like others, be not-alone. ....is not good?"
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Post by Erik on Sept 24, 2008 12:52:10 GMT -5
Erik sat ((what, it's really secluded!)) and gathered the creature up.
"I know, I know. Erik knows what it is like to be all alone. To be... different. We were different together once, weren't we? But you had your Henry... And now I have my Julian. But Mortimer, you had Henry and he was not like you. Sometimes you cannot be what others want of you. Erik has learned this."
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Post by Wanizame on Sept 24, 2008 18:08:18 GMT -5
It clicked and nuzzled against the man, curling thick fingers into his coat.
"Shark not look like this with Henry. Look more person. Henry still say "dumb animal" f' long time then...Love love very smart, but see Shark animal now think animal...pet. No Love love."
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Post by Erik on Sept 27, 2008 21:21:22 GMT -5
Though Erik was somewhat guilty of falling into this way of thinking, he recognized its fallacy. And Mortimer's correct appraisal.
"Well then... These changes--are they within your control?"
The thought astonished him, and the possibilities were boggling. He'd never determined what Wanizame was, and this was an unprecedented opportunity to discover more. It was possible, he thought, that Mortimer could effect such changes, which meant he wasn't silly to dream these dreams at all.
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Post by Wanizame on Sept 27, 2008 22:43:17 GMT -5
"Never do f' purpose before. Try though, is good. Watch watch people, all pretty walk straight, tall backs." It grinned, proud of its observations and reached up to pat the top of Erik's head.
"Hair on most, and hair on faces too--is normal? Mortimer will have hair like Care care. Is good?"
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Post by Erik on Sept 29, 2008 16:53:19 GMT -5
Erik's hair had been questionable to start with, and after his injuries he was almost prepared to admit it.
"Perhaps you should look to others for hair," he said. "Care care's hair is not suitable. In fact, do not try to look like Erik at all, Mortimer. You will be better off with another model."
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