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
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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.
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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.
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Date: 2011-01-04 10:08 pm (UTC)"Soon enough," she assure quietly. "You'll only put them away if you want to."
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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.
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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.