She smiles at the obedience, though she assumes it stems from the girl's desire to keep her wings in tact. She's curious to see just how long Iris will keep up her awkward pose, so she's not quick to tell her it's all right to move, if not a bit carefully.
"Your body wants to conform to the change, it gives way and lets itself be manipulated much easier than working with someone who fights it." She smiles. "It makes the work easier and more enjoyable."
She waits a couple more moments then adds, "You can move now."
The smile stays in place, even through her aching. "I'm-- glad," she says, her voice now a touch strained. "I'm really glad it's fun for you." A tiny, half-stifled laugh escapes her. "It's fun for me."
She sinks back down into the couch at Aurora's permission. "Whew." She giggles again, though this time with relief. "Thanks for letting me know. I really wouldn't have wanted to damage anything." She winces visibly at the very idea. "...I can feel how much my body wants to take that shape. It's like-- it's like being all cramped up, and then suddenly you get to stretch out, and you realise you're-- so much more magnificent than you were all curled up and hidden." She flashes Aurora a bright grin. "It's amazing. I owe you so much."
f"I won't let you," she assures. "The work is still delicate, even if it is made more simple by your body's desire to conform. I would rather not have to start over." Not that she expects that shed will. She takes care to preserve her work.
"There are worse people to owe," she says, not unkindly. "Though I don't let debts slide." She figures she's not telling her anything she couldn't already guess. "But I also have no cause to call in favors, and I'm not one to waste my resources, so I can't promise you'll pay me back any time soon." It's supposed to be reassuring. Somehow.
She nods, fervently, now that she can move. "I wouldn't want you to have to start over either," she says, in a tone of whoa, glad we avoided that one. She wouldn't want to ruin Aurora's beautiful work-- her beautiful wings, she reminds herself, a shiver of joy running through her. Besides, if they have to start over, then that's longer she has to wait.
"I don't mind oweing you. It's only fair. ...How long will it be?" she can't help but ask, though she tries to sound curious rather than eager. She doesn't want to sound pushy, but she'd love a date to look forward to, even a rough one. Even if they've only just begun.
"For the wings?" She considers. "Not that long, a month, maybe two. It shouldn't take more than that. One more session to set in the bones of the thing, then we'll get to the tissue. We'll be working with the blood most of the time, so that won't require anything on it's own. Another for the skin and the last because we want to make sure the feathers get set in properly."
"This is, of course," she adds. "Not rushing things. I can get things done faster technically but the slower the crafting, the better they'll be."
A month. Maybe two. That's almost no time at all. Her smile widens further yet, a happy shiver running through her. She'll soon be complete. So very soon.
It takes all her courage not to cry.
"Make them your best," she insists. She'd love to have them sooner, but she wants them to be beautiful, as good as Aurora can get. "I have to live with them forever, after all."
A thought crosses her mind just then, at the earlier mention of debts. "Hey, what do you like to eat?" she asks. "I cook pretty well. If you want, I can bring you gifts when I come. I won't consider it paying the debt-- it's just because I want to. I wanna thank you, and it doesn't feel like I can thank you enough."
"I intend to," she assures, reaching a hand out to ghost it over the skin on Iris' back, not over her scars per se but just her back. "After all, they're going to be a reflection of what I can do, I have to make them look good."
At the question of food, she smiles a little. "I like all sorts of things," she informs. "But that's not very helpful, is it?" She considers. "I like anything with honey in it. Sweets in general honestly and bread. I like spices too though."
She laughs, her fingers lightly drumming against the small of Iris' back. "If you bring food of any sort, it will be accepted."
"I'll be happy to show off your work," she says with a smile, then giggles and squirms as Aurora taps. It's too low down to bother her scars: it just tickles. "Every day. People'll know how amazing you are."
She mentally notes Aurora's words, and nods. "I can do sweet things, and bread, definitely. Honey...." She counts off on her fingers. "Those are all things I've worked with before. I guess our worlds have some similarities." She dips her head a little. "It's agreed, then. Next time I come, and every time thereafter, I'll definitely bring you something good to eat."
"I think," she says with a laugh, her fingers no longer tapping but merely resting against her skin. "That you have a certain bias that might skew your perceptions about what I am."
"All right then," she agrees. "I can't see a reason to complain about this."
Then she removes her hand, bringing it back to hover over the scars again. "The wings will be much nicer than these," she muses aloud. "Though they do have a certain...charm to them."
"Maybe I do," she says, laughing as well. Aurora's touch is gentle and light, a simple gesture that makes her feel soothed. It's neither friendly nor romantic, familial nor businesslike: it's just comfort, transcending all boundaries. It's nice. She's nice.
"But, well, you haven't given me any reason to think otherwise. And you've done so much for me. I mean-- the wings, but you've been nice to me as well. Letting me stay the night when I was tired, and things...." She almost shrugs, but stops the motion before it can complete. That particular movement doesn't seem like such a good idea right now, even if the wings are faded. And even if it'd feel divine, to give her back muscles a nice good stretch. "I don't see why I should think you're anything less than amazing."
She twists her head over her shoulder again when Aurora's hand goes to her scars, though it's not as if she needs to look to tell it's there. The sensitive nexuses at her back can feel the energy of her hand, even if it isn't touching. "My scars?" she asks. "I... they're something, I guess. They make me feel like I have wings there, even though nothing can show." A bright smile crosses her features. "But no, they're not anywhere near as beautiful as the wings'll be. And I mean, any wings'd be better than none, but yours, I'm sure, are gonna be the best." She nods emphatically.
There's no persuasion laced in her touch but she doesn't need it. She's worked with human bodies for centuries, knows the kind of touches that are welcomed and the ones that aren't. She studied them, learned about what works and what doesn't and she considers herself quite well versed in what she does.
If she wanted to make Iris uncomfortable, she could, it would be so easy but there's nothing to gain from that. Her comfort and relaxation is much more useful.
She laughs when Iris talks, pressing her hand against hte scars now and pouring energy there. It had been a trickle before but now it's a steady stream as she aligns and hardens the bones of her wings.
"I promise," she assures, her other hand reaching out to stroke Iris' head. "They'll be magnificent. You'll be as complete as I can make you."
Which is technically untrue. She could make her an angel, a real angel, if she wanted but that's not what Iris asked for. She wanted wings and that's what she'll get.
And this is about where meta-Iris starts kicking herself. Mightily.
But she's content for now, at least, that touch and those words combining in her mind into something beautiful. As energy flows into her, coursing freely through the new, brittle bones, giving them life and strength, she can easily believe that promise is coming true, right before her eyes.
Or rather, she supposes, within her bones, given she's currently not watching the work. She's closed her eyes instead, settling into the feeling of the magic winding through her, and the rhythmic stroking of her hair. If she were a cat, she'd be purring her loudest right about now, but as it is, there's a simple radiance of warmth pouring out of her that Aurora might be able to detect. Gratitude, and satisfaction, and maybe just a sliver of affection.
Yeeeeah, the narration thought as much. There can always be more deals though. Aurora is never adverse to more deals.
She starts humming again her hands moving to the same rhythm. it's so easy to let herself align with he magic and everything is so much simpler when she does. It flows more smoothly the bones give in just the right way and the maci curls around them, hardening them and making them real just the way she needs it too.
It won't be much longer, maybe only about five more minutes of this but she's content with that. There was more bonework done than she expected and she may get a little more time to go back and fuss over details than she would before. Not that she was rushing herself but the fact that she can go at an even more leisurely pace is always pleasant.
Her hands will come to a stand still and she looks down at the girl. "I want you to take a deep breath and count to ten."
Iris falls back in with her rhythm just as quickly, humming along again to the tune. They fall in step with each other so easily. She supposes that's what happens when you both have the same goal in mind.
She's letting the feeling consume her, letting the bounds of her body melt away and into Aurora's touch, when she hears the instruction, a dim echo flitting over the surface of her mind. The touch on her back having ceased helps with her noticing something's changed, too. She doesn't nod, not wanting to move more than she needs, but simply obeys, breathing in as deeply as her lungs will allow and slowly letting it out again.
"One," she murmurs, still half in trance. "Two... three...."
She forces the wings to bend and fold in on themselves as she counts, She's careful, so careful, to make sure that no damage is sustained as she puts them away but she can't help but always be slightly concerned when she's forcing such delicate work to do much of anything.
By the time Iris gets to nine, she's done and her hands are resting against her back as she watches the girl carefully.
Iris can't help wincing a little through the four and the five, even in her trance. Feeling the wings tuck away inside is an interesting sensation, but it burns. And continues to burn, even after they've settled, the trapped energy pressing against her insides making her skin feel taut and hot. She'd much rather have them out.
But this is necessary, she's sure, so she goes along with it. By nine, there's a light sheen of sweat on her skin, and the number comes out shakily. She sinks more deeply into the couch cushions, her body at once drained and held taut.
She nods weakly at that, a small smile spreading over her lips. That's wonderful, she wants to say, but she can't make her mouth form the words. Her lips feel all numb, and her body's so warm. Moving sounds like such a bad idea.
"...Can stay here?" she eventually manages to murmur. She really doesn't think she's going to make it back again tonight.
Getting to her feet, she retrieves the blanket and pillow that Iris had used before. Draping the blanket over her, she gently lifts her head up and slides the pillow beneath.
"Dream sweet," she says, smiling from the edge of the couch.
There's no answer, although her lips may have moved in a ghost of a thank you. She just pulls the blanket in around herself, her small hands clinging tight to the fabric.
Aurora's last words flit like a dream over the fringes of her consciousness, about a second before she plunges into sleep. She'll dream of wings, once more: the only time she ever does.
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timeasmymeasure
Still plagued sadly. I went out yesterday in hopes of starting the zombie apocalypse but no luck.
Date: 2011-01-02 07:00 pm (UTC)"Your body wants to conform to the change, it gives way and lets itself be manipulated much easier than working with someone who fights it." She smiles. "It makes the work easier and more enjoyable."
She waits a couple more moments then adds, "You can move now."
Bah. :< Feel better soon! Or at least zombify people.
Date: 2011-01-02 07:09 pm (UTC)She sinks back down into the couch at Aurora's permission. "Whew." She giggles again, though this time with relief. "Thanks for letting me know. I really wouldn't have wanted to damage anything." She winces visibly at the very idea. "...I can feel how much my body wants to take that shape. It's like-- it's like being all cramped up, and then suddenly you get to stretch out, and you realise you're-- so much more magnificent than you were all curled up and hidden." She flashes Aurora a bright grin. "It's amazing. I owe you so much."
no subject
Date: 2011-01-02 09:57 pm (UTC)"There are worse people to owe," she says, not unkindly. "Though I don't let debts slide." She figures she's not telling her anything she couldn't already guess. "But I also have no cause to call in favors, and I'm not one to waste my resources, so I can't promise you'll pay me back any time soon." It's supposed to be reassuring. Somehow.
Bouncing between feral serial killer!Iris and rift is whiplashy. :3
Date: 2011-01-02 10:03 pm (UTC)"I don't mind oweing you. It's only fair. ...How long will it be?" she can't help but ask, though she tries to sound curious rather than eager. She doesn't want to sound pushy, but she'd love a date to look forward to, even a rough one. Even if they've only just begun.
....That has got to be really jarring.
Date: 2011-01-02 11:03 pm (UTC)"This is, of course," she adds. "Not rushing things. I can get things done faster technically but the slower the crafting, the better they'll be."
no subject
Date: 2011-01-02 11:20 pm (UTC)It takes all her courage not to cry.
"Make them your best," she insists. She'd love to have them sooner, but she wants them to be beautiful, as good as Aurora can get. "I have to live with them forever, after all."
A thought crosses her mind just then, at the earlier mention of debts. "Hey, what do you like to eat?" she asks. "I cook pretty well. If you want, I can bring you gifts when I come. I won't consider it paying the debt-- it's just because I want to. I wanna thank you, and it doesn't feel like I can thank you enough."
no subject
Date: 2011-01-03 12:00 am (UTC)At the question of food, she smiles a little. "I like all sorts of things," she informs. "But that's not very helpful, is it?" She considers. "I like anything with honey in it. Sweets in general honestly and bread. I like spices too though."
She laughs, her fingers lightly drumming against the small of Iris' back. "If you bring food of any sort, it will be accepted."
no subject
Date: 2011-01-03 12:05 am (UTC)She mentally notes Aurora's words, and nods. "I can do sweet things, and bread, definitely. Honey...." She counts off on her fingers. "Those are all things I've worked with before. I guess our worlds have some similarities." She dips her head a little. "It's agreed, then. Next time I come, and every time thereafter, I'll definitely bring you something good to eat."
no subject
Date: 2011-01-03 07:37 pm (UTC)"All right then," she agrees. "I can't see a reason to complain about this."
Then she removes her hand, bringing it back to hover over the scars again. "The wings will be much nicer than these," she muses aloud. "Though they do have a certain...charm to them."
no subject
Date: 2011-01-03 07:49 pm (UTC)"But, well, you haven't given me any reason to think otherwise. And you've done so much for me. I mean-- the wings, but you've been nice to me as well. Letting me stay the night when I was tired, and things...." She almost shrugs, but stops the motion before it can complete. That particular movement doesn't seem like such a good idea right now, even if the wings are faded. And even if it'd feel divine, to give her back muscles a nice good stretch. "I don't see why I should think you're anything less than amazing."
She twists her head over her shoulder again when Aurora's hand goes to her scars, though it's not as if she needs to look to tell it's there. The sensitive nexuses at her back can feel the energy of her hand, even if it isn't touching. "My scars?" she asks. "I... they're something, I guess. They make me feel like I have wings there, even though nothing can show." A bright smile crosses her features. "But no, they're not anywhere near as beautiful as the wings'll be. And I mean, any wings'd be better than none, but yours, I'm sure, are gonna be the best." She nods emphatically.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-04 06:50 pm (UTC)If she wanted to make Iris uncomfortable, she could, it would be so easy but there's nothing to gain from that. Her comfort and relaxation is much more useful.
She laughs when Iris talks, pressing her hand against hte scars now and pouring energy there. It had been a trickle before but now it's a steady stream as she aligns and hardens the bones of her wings.
"I promise," she assures, her other hand reaching out to stroke Iris' head. "They'll be magnificent. You'll be as complete as I can make you."
Which is technically untrue. She could make her an angel, a real angel, if she wanted but that's not what Iris asked for. She wanted wings and that's what she'll get.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-04 08:40 pm (UTC)But she's content for now, at least, that touch and those words combining in her mind into something beautiful. As energy flows into her, coursing freely through the new, brittle bones, giving them life and strength, she can easily believe that promise is coming true, right before her eyes.
Or rather, she supposes, within her bones, given she's currently not watching the work. She's closed her eyes instead, settling into the feeling of the magic winding through her, and the rhythmic stroking of her hair. If she were a cat, she'd be purring her loudest right about now, but as it is, there's a simple radiance of warmth pouring out of her that Aurora might be able to detect. Gratitude, and satisfaction, and maybe just a sliver of affection.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-04 08:56 pm (UTC)She starts humming again her hands moving to the same rhythm. it's so easy to let herself align with he magic and everything is so much simpler when she does. It flows more smoothly the bones give in just the right way and the maci curls around them, hardening them and making them real just the way she needs it too.
It won't be much longer, maybe only about five more minutes of this but she's content with that. There was more bonework done than she expected and she may get a little more time to go back and fuss over details than she would before. Not that she was rushing herself but the fact that she can go at an even more leisurely pace is always pleasant.
Her hands will come to a stand still and she looks down at the girl. "I want you to take a deep breath and count to ten."
no subject
Date: 2011-01-04 09:39 pm (UTC)She's letting the feeling consume her, letting the bounds of her body melt away and into Aurora's touch, when she hears the instruction, a dim echo flitting over the surface of her mind. The touch on her back having ceased helps with her noticing something's changed, too. She doesn't nod, not wanting to move more than she needs, but simply obeys, breathing in as deeply as her lungs will allow and slowly letting it out again.
"One," she murmurs, still half in trance. "Two... three...."
no subject
Date: 2011-01-04 09:44 pm (UTC)By the time Iris gets to nine, she's done and her hands are resting against her back as she watches the girl carefully.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-04 10:02 pm (UTC)But this is necessary, she's sure, so she goes along with it. By nine, there's a light sheen of sweat on her skin, and the number comes out shakily. She sinks more deeply into the couch cushions, her body at once drained and held taut.
It might be time for another nap.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-04 10:08 pm (UTC)"Soon enough," she assure quietly. "You'll only put them away if you want to."
no subject
Date: 2011-01-04 10:18 pm (UTC)"...Can stay here?" she eventually manages to murmur. She really doesn't think she's going to make it back again tonight.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-04 10:37 pm (UTC)Getting to her feet, she retrieves the blanket and pillow that Iris had used before. Draping the blanket over her, she gently lifts her head up and slides the pillow beneath.
"Dream sweet," she says, smiling from the edge of the couch.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-04 10:52 pm (UTC)Aurora's last words flit like a dream over the fringes of her consciousness, about a second before she plunges into sleep. She'll dream of wings, once more: the only time she ever does.