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Post by Norman Bates on Aug 5, 2008 9:25:53 GMT -5
**EVENING**
Norman knocked, a pile of bed linens in his arms. Vampires did not sweat, as such, but one had to keep up the old habits. Just adjusted for the night shift.
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Post by Sarah von Krolock on Aug 9, 2008 19:32:57 GMT -5
*From inside came an unsteady voice.*
"Who...who is it?"
*But without waiting for a response, Sarah opened the door a crack. It was apparent that she'd been crying for some time, her cheeks stained with hints of blood.*
"Oh...um...I'm sorry." *She started, wiping ineffectively at them.*
"Was there something...?"
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Post by Norman Bates on Aug 10, 2008 11:44:42 GMT -5
The sight of the woman in obvious distress activated some forgotten manners in Norman, and he looked down sheepishly.
"Sorry," he said reflexively. "Didn't mean to disturb you." He raised the bundle of sheets in his arms. "Housekeeping. But I can come back tomorrow."
He glanced at her quickly.
"Um. You okay?"
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Post by Sarah von Krolock on Aug 10, 2008 13:49:04 GMT -5
*Sarah stepped back to let him in, trying to get over herself and be polite.*
"It's foolish. I just...I thought that...I had a place to go home to."
*She turned away, trusting him to come in.*
"But...I was mistaken."
*She smoothed her skirt, trying to smile as she looked back to him.*
"Guess that means you'll be having me for a while. If that's not a problem."
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Post by Norman Bates on Aug 11, 2008 11:44:24 GMT -5
"It's bad policy to encourage one's paying customers to leave," he pointed out, not ungently. He followed her into the room, stripping down the bed quickly and making it anew with a practiced air.
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Post by Sarah von Krolock on Aug 11, 2008 12:25:40 GMT -5
*Sarah stood back, half-watching him, but a bit lost in thought.*
"Sir..." *She started hesitantly.*
"May I...ask you a personal question?"
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Post by Norman Bates on Aug 11, 2008 12:52:04 GMT -5
Norman stopped, surprised. Now that he looked at her, the woman fit a sort of pattern of his; beautiful and somehow alone. Needy. The sort his heart went out to--or had, when it had beat--and which Mother couldn't abide.
The recognition held him still and prompted his answer.
"Okay."
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Post by Sarah von Krolock on Aug 11, 2008 12:57:23 GMT -5
((Sorry to be just another in the herd. Poor Norman.))
*Sarah's brow lowered, still in thought. When she spoke, it seemed to be half to herself.*
"Do you...think I'm pretty?"
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Post by Norman Bates on Aug 11, 2008 16:11:48 GMT -5
((For now, dear. You can't deny it, and it's a way "in."))
Norman's eyes widened, and for now one who had known him as a human might not have been able to tell the difference.
"I... yes, of course," he said, not by rote but because it seemed obvious that this girl was pretty. "Surely you don't need me to tell you that."
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Post by Sarah von Krolock on Aug 11, 2008 16:22:30 GMT -5
((Yeah well...*sigh*))
*Sarah sighed, somewhat relieved. She shook her head, turning away.*
"I'm not sure of anything any more. But...thank you. You are very sweet to say so."
*She frowned like there was more to the story, which of course, there was.*
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Post by Norman Bates on Aug 11, 2008 16:35:06 GMT -5
Norman watched her a moment more, the part of him that did not care, which was usually stronger, losing out to the part awakened by her vulnerability.
"I'm not sweet," he said, aware of the vast understatement involved. "Look, er..." He paused. He'd been about to offer her a sandwich. "You sure you don't want something? A snack?"
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Post by Sarah von Krolock on Aug 11, 2008 16:43:24 GMT -5
*Sarah lowered here eyes and shook her head.*
"No. I'm fine, really. Just...I lost two...well..."
*She shook her head again.*
"It was just a bad night."
*She forced a smile.*
"How have you been?"
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Post by Norman Bates on Aug 11, 2008 17:07:29 GMT -5
"Never better," he said.
Norman felt that newer part of him take over. No, not newer, not really. Just... more recently brought to the fore.
"That's unfortunate," he said. "A pretty girl like you should never have one of those."
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Post by Sarah von Krolock on Aug 11, 2008 17:09:21 GMT -5
*Sarah sighed and sat gently on the edge of the freshly made bed.*
"It's hard not to when you're abandoned by the only two people you've ever loved in the same evening."
*She frowned at her lap, unable to look at him.*
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Post by Norman Bates on Aug 11, 2008 18:01:31 GMT -5
Torn between his two impulses--which were both, oddly enough, impulses to comfort, just in wildly different manners--Norman hovered near her.
"Oh," he said. "I... that's awful. I can't imagine what that feels like."
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