video | november 12, 2016

[inkulcation]

[Right off, what will be remarkable is that China has enabled video; those familiar with her network habits will probably recall she doesn't usually.]

[The second remarkable thing is the small fluffball she's holding cradled to her chest. It's a rabbit. It's small, it's white, it's adorable, and it's got a collar around its neck with a soul gem. Which means yes, the small animal China is cuddling is none other than Erskine Ravel.]

[She's stroking the bunny very nicely.]

I wonder. Wasn't some fine gentleman giving us updates on the weather, occasionally?

I find I miss his gardening tips.

[She sounds and looks entirely earnest, blue eyes wide, face innocent, and she pauses only a moment to scratch behind the bunny's ears very delicately.]

And some sort of a forecast would be useful, I think, as things turn cooler.

[This is completely and totally the only reason she's made this post. Really.]

Comments

[gistful]

[Anton looks back at her with an expression that should have been bland, but came out rather flat. Given the heat in his chest, even that's rather impressive. His gaze, nevertheless, is sharper than usual.]

How did you get Erskine?

[inkulcation]

A kind young woman allowed me to borrow him from her.

[She strokes Erskine very gently, with two fingers along the top of his head, between his ears.]

She seemed quite overcome.

[It's earnest. It even almost sounds like don't blame her. Almost.]

[China steps back a pace. Not to distance herself from Shudder: to allow him room to come in.]

Do you plan to stand on my doorstep all day, Master Shudder?

[gistful]

[A kind young woman. Anton will have to look into that. His gaze falls on those stroking fingers and fixes on them, as though he'd rather like to rip them off.]

No. Give me Erskine.

[He holds out his arms.]

[inkulcation]

I'm happy to return him to you, of course.

[China shifts Erskine off her chest, cradles him in her cupped hands. It's not a stretch; he's so terribly small. And she's so very, very careful, like he's the most precious book.]

But, Master Shudder. Are you sure you should take him when you're so...

[Angry.]

[But China's complying, really she is. She tilts her head a little, earnest, and extends her hands a little. Not all the way; Anton will have to come a little toward her.]

[gistful]

[She's still playing games. She's playing games and taunting him with the loss of control she caused, and it makes Anton's face flatten. She's also forcing him to step forward and he does, all unconscious looming height in the doorway, filling it almost to the point of daylight being blocked despite his lack of width.]

[inkulcation]

[China is absolutely playing games, but that loss of control is cause for some genuine concern. Which would stop her, only she's still holding a very useful trump card.]

[Anton steps forward. So does she, into him, bringing Erskine up before her. She doesn't loom as Anton does, she still has to look up to him -- singularly frustrating on some occasions -- but she puts herself too close to him, till she can feel the warmth of his body.]

[It is a closeness for friends or lovers. Not whatever they are. China rests Erskine on Anton's chest, and does not smile, only arches one eyebrow.]

[She says nothing. Her judgment is implied.]

[gistful]

[For a few moments they stand like that, with Anton all but glaring down at her, coiled tensely as a spring and radiating heat. It doesn't take much for China to bring the gist to the surface, ever since she subverted him. Just a taunt. And this is a taunt.

[Finally Anton brings up his hands and, very carefully, takes Erskine, keeping him against his chest so that tiny, calm bunny heart is a counterpoint. A needed one. He does not touch China. He isn't sure what he'll do if he touches her right now.

[Then, without another word, he takes a step back and turns and walks away with a tiny white bunny cradled gently in his arms.]

[inkulcation]

Do be careful with that, Master Shudder.

[It's casual, offhanded. China watches him go.]

[His intent, when it is brought to bear, is breathtaking.]

[She stands in her doorway until he is gone from sight, and then sighs, and goes to look at what he's done to her doorbell.]