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]

[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.]