[ Flagg's gotten no less imposing in the two weeks since she last saw him. He's still sitting there, big and dark and with eyes as red as fresh blood. But god, how he wishes he could lay down, or stand up. Maybe this one could be convinced to loosen his chains eventually. Not to free him, just to give him room to stretch and relieve his cramped muscles. ]
I was led to believe you'd never come back.
[ The sarcasm is almost palatable. She held out for two weeks, which is impressive for someone with as much exposure to him as she had. Even when he's not at full power, there's a good reason why you're not supposed to touch him or engage in conversation with him or - god forbid - tell him your name. Not that the latter was her fault, it was someone else's fuck-up, but here they were.
And she still held out. That's nice, he thinks as he licks his lips. He likes them strong-willed. ]
[There's no protest that she shouldn't speak to him this time. Her hands still shake, but not as much as the first time. She's been here before, she didn't burst into flames or suffer hauntings in the night. Not of the preternatural sort, at least.
And for someone supposedly desperate for company, he's not making much effort to be polite. Nadine stays by the door again, lips a thin line.]
Do you want to eat, or do you want to be condescending?
[ He has some other comments to make about that, but he'll save it for when she's closer. Right now she could just throw the tray at him and leave, like some of the others have done.
None of them spoke a word to him. Some of them came in with their ears covered so they couldn't hear him. Most of them wouldn't even make eye contact. Their fear meant he still had power and that was satisfying, but he was somewhat lonely, too. Not lonely in the way a human might get, but he was very bored. He's not a lone wolf, he needs company and stimulation. ]
I want to eat. It's about the only comfort I'm permitted here. [ He yanks at his chains, a display of the seated, hunched over position they've forced him into. He has very little room to move about; he can just barely reach his mouth with his hands. ]
You can't really be surprised at how you're being treated.
[It's cruel, Nadine can admit that. But it isn't as though she has any say in it, and she understands why. This isn't some chicken thief or highwayman. It's all as much for caution's sake as punishment's.
And, she supposes, it could still be worse. There were always ways to make it worse, to be crueler. It's a small mercy, but it's a mercy. And they feed him.
She takes a few steps closer, less hesitantly, looking at him as she comes.]
If I were in their place, I'd devour them whole, Nadine. You know that.
[ He's careful to say them and not you, like she's exempt. She's special. People love to be special.
He licks his sharp teeth slowly, his grin wild and ravenous. He's reminded of a fable he heard once in another world: my, what sharp teeth you have! The better to eat you with, my dear. She looks so delicate and perfect, like a porcelain doll. Oh, how he'd love to put a bite mark onto her and show it off around town before he killed them and carried his new bride off to who-knows-where. ]
Come closer. I won't hurt you. They'd just make it worse for me if I did. [ He holds one hand out to accept the food. ]
[A shudder goes through her at that wolfish, monster's grin.]
I do.
[And so she only has so much sympathy for him - but there is some. He's a living thing and Nadine's a kind hearted soul. But she does know what he's capable of, exactly (more or less) why such drastic precautions are put in place.
She'd been close to him before, and nothing too great and terrible had transpired. He'd touched her, but not in any threatening way. Of course it could be argued any touch from him is a threat.]
You might not hurt me, but you want something. And I have a hard time believing it's the milk of human kindness.
[Still, she finds herself approaching. That sick, mad curiosity unfurls itself again, compelling her to come close enough to give him the tray. The danger radiates off of him like a great caged beast but...really, what could he do?]
Don't we all want something, or did humans stop having desires in the time since I've been one?
[ He tilts his head to one side, taking the tray and setting it down beside him. Food could wait, she's already seen him tear into strips of meat once. Might be a bit of a mood-killer, anyway.
He holds out his hand again. ]
I may not desire the milk of human kindness but it has been a long time since I've had human anything. And I know it's my own fault but I crave it just the same, on rare occasions.
[ His claws are sharp and his hands would dwarf Nadine's in size, but maybe it's not too much to ask, that she hold his hand for a little while. Or at least touch him without recoiling in horror. ]
[How far removed from humanity is he? Nadine's not sure if it matters, but she wants to know. She looks at that hand, that tremendous clawed hand, thinking of things that lurk in the dark. There is nothing safe about it, nothing reassuring. It's the hand of a creature, not a man.
But despite her suspicions and fear, there is something of a man to him. It's a difficult choice to weigh, whether to offer this kindness and take the risk or not. He could cut her, even chained, if she put her hand in his. He'd already had the chance, though, the last time she fed him. One hand lifts, but curls in on itself cautiously, undecided. She thinks of the old stories, the ones they tell children and claim are true but may or may not be. Tales of beasts who's terror was stopped by a simple kind act...and tales of things that gobble up girls if given the chance.]
[ And he doesn't mourn it, but he tries to sound so mournful. Like he really does miss it, whatever part of him is still more human than monster.
He doesn't even know if such a part of him exists anymore, but the possibility of it is such a tantalizing thing. Perhaps this beast can be tamed and the world will be free of its monstrous scourge forever and ever. ]
[It's probably stupid. Stupid and reckless and without point, that she's even entertaining the idea is madness...
But what purpose does this serve? Chaining him, leaving him to rot more or less, with only the barest minimum. What could possibly come of it? The gears continue to turn in Nadine's mind, her face a mask of confliction. It can't be argued that their collective treatment of this man they call The Dark Man is cruel. Whether or not it's deserved...that's something else, and too large and complicated a moral tangle for her to try and work through. But there are smaller arguments to make. Is mercy truly mercy if it's conditional, or contingent on the 'deserving'?
She has been taught that mercy is a virtue. To be a good person, one should demonstrate mercy and forgiveness. Those are both easier said than done, and she knows as well as anyone that few actually live by the morals they preach, but...why shouldn't they? Was it really so difficult to be kind?
Of course there's a risk. It could be that a kind heart and faith in mercy are all that he's playing to, but if there was no risk and no doubt, it wouldn't mean anything. Anyone can be kind when it's easy and costs nothing.
She, Nadine decides, is better than that. If she ends up dead on the floor of this miserable cell, so be it, at least she'll know she tried to do the right thing.]
Alright.
[She says it as much for herself as for him. Taking a deep breath, muscles tense and breath quick as though ready for flight, she puts one small, pale hand in his.]
[ He holds her hand in his. It's always a surprise, how...small humans really were. So fragile, so easy to tear limb from limb. Even in his current state, he could take this one and leave nothing but a bloody stain on the floor.
He won't, but he'd be lying if he denied being delighted by the fact that he could.
Instead, he just holds her as gently as he can, his skin soft as silk and warm, too. Some would expect something like him to be rough and callused, perhaps even cold. If that was what Nadine expected, she would be in for a surprise. ]
Thank you. [ He squeezes her hand just to let her know that it's alright, that he's looking out for her right now. What human could protect her from him? But he could certainly protect her from any human. ]
There's no sudden pain, no shift in the man bound before her, just his surprisingly normal hand around hers. Aside from it's size, inhuman and unnerving, it feels much like any other hand. There's no hint of claw against her skin, only his palm and broad fingers.]
You're welcome.
[It's eerie, how mundane and normal this really is. Even his grip is startlingly gentle. And so very warm and smooth...she hadn't expected the smoothness. It's not as though she's in the habit of holding men's hands - honestly can't remember the last time she had - but she's always had the impression that their hands were coarse and roughened.]
[ Not a very monstrous name for a monster. It's not his original name, but all of his chosen names are names that any man could have. It frightens people more, he finds, when he's a lot like they are.
And for a rare few, it allures them, too.
He bends down and looks her in the eyes, his own eyes gleaming with light but there's something human behind them, too. ]
Not too many people would shake my hand. [ He lingers for another moment and then lets go. ] But it didn't hurt you none, did it?
[It's such an ordinary and unassuming name. The sort any man in the village might have. Nadine doesn't know what she expected, but it wasn't 'Randall'. She's beginning to realize there's a great deal about him that's unexpected. Maybe he was telling the truth, about the fact he was human once.
She can believe it, right now.
Her hand withdraws when he lets go, and she frowns slightly, shaking her head. What's even the point to this? Even if she feels some sympathy or compassion for his plight...]
You know...there's nothing I can do to help you. I don't have any authority here, I'm just the school teacher. There isn't anything more I can do for you.
[ He scoffs. ] Just the school teacher! Look how they have you talking, my darling. What do your glorious rulers do?
[ It's sweet talk, but he doesn't entirely disbelieve it. He has issues with certain types of authority figures, despite the fact that he'd happily claim such authority for himself. At least he's honest about his intentions. He's here to have fun and destroy as much as he can. ]
They don't educate anyone. They don't come here and feed me. They don't grow food, or cook it. They don't build anything. Good leaders don't just sit on their high horses all day, they're shoulder to shoulder with their people. [ He tilts his head back, licking his lips. ] Sounds like yours are too important to do anything of importance.
[ He looks down at his hand, pressing his fingers into his palm. ] You've already done more than they will ever do.
[Why does an affectionate term on his lips make something twist inside of her? And not wholly unpleasantly.
But she shakes her head, ignoring it, pushing it away. She's too old for girlish flights of fancy because a powerful, dangerous man said something sweet to her.]
Rulers who work alongside their people, sure, I'll believe that when I see it. That's how the world works. Nobody becomes the mayor to do work, they do it so they don't have to do any work.
[Nadine has no love for local authority, but it's just part of life she accepts. Like everything else. It's the way things are, and she's in no position to change that.]
But it doesn't matter. I just mean that you can be nice and flatter me all you want, and I can feel badly for you and disagree with treating you this way but it doesn't matter.
Good thing these lazy leaders always make good decisions then, right?
[ Like, for example, the decision to keep him trapped here. It's mostly a joke, but anything he can do to poison her faith in their authority is a good thing. ]
It matters to me that I'm not suffering in silence. And... [ He glances over at the wall, where the crank his chains are attached to are. ] ...you could loosen my chains, just for a few minutes. It won't let me escape. It'll just let me stretch my sore muscles.
She doesn't believe him. Not entirely. The risks are many and great. If someone hears, investigates...she isn't sure what would happen to her. Bad enough she's talked to him at length, bad enough she let him touch her, loosening his chains would likely end her in a similar position. Or worse.
And she isn't so sure he wouldn't escape. He's bound this way for a reason. What then? She supposes, if she survived, there likely wouldn't be anyone left to punish her anyway. The thought doesn't bother her as much as it should. There's no great love for most of the people here. Only the children, really. The rest don't matter, there's no one she's close to, no one she cares for or who cares for her. There never really has been.
But she does feel for him, locked up in a manner that would be cruel to do even to an animal. Despite all the fearsome stories and all she knows, there's a person in there. An intelligent one.
With a sigh, Nadine looks back to Flagg, indecision clear on her face.]
I don't know. The trouble I could get in... And I'm not entirely convinced you won't break loose and take your revenge on the people who did this to you. Then what would I do? Even if you just...disappeared into the night, they'd know it was because of me. Look at what they're doing to you, what do you think they'd do to me?
It doesn't matter, because it won't be enough to let me escape.
[ Unfortunately, he's being truthful about that: he needs the key. Somehow, some way, he needs the damned key. ] But let's say I got out. What makes you think I'd just run off and leave you here to be punished?
[ He growls under his breath, looking her over. This time, he really lets his gaze linger. ]
Nah, I'd steal you away with me. We could frolic in an empty field under the light of the moon. [ And by 'frolic' he means...well, he's always been an obscene sort. ] Chase wanderers through the forest. Sleep all day, stay up all night. Be free. [ He tries to stretch out again, only for the chains to tense and clatter. ] For now, though, I'll take the freedom to stand up.
[Nadine can't help the sudden laugh that bubbles up out of her, but she claps her hand over her mouth to try. She isn't laughing at him, but at the picture he paints with his words. It's...ridiculous.
Appealing, yes, of course it is. Whatever he is, he's powerful and magical and the idea of capturing his attention is darkly thrilling. As is the way his eyes seem to bore into her.
But also ridiculous. Who is she? No one important, no one with anything to offer him. She's boring and mundane and has barely been beyond the edges of this place in her entire thirty eight years.]
Why would you do that? I'm nobody. You don't even know me.
[But she's moving towards the crank as she speaks.]
You're not nobody, Nadine. I don't believe in coincidences.
[ He watches intently as she moves towards the crank. ]
There's a reason you're not like the others, who greet me with trembling knees and downcast eyes: we have been fated to meet. I don't know why, but I want to find out.
[She casts a look to the door as she reaches the crank, weighing the risk. She's given no alarm, no reason for anyone to investigate. Even if she's taking a while, who's keeping track? As long as she's quiet...]
Sometimes I think life is just...things happening. There's no meaning in it, there's no real guiding force to existence.
[Much as she'd like to believe otherwise, she isn't sure. Good things happen, bad things happen, Nadine has never seen any real evidence there's anything much deeper. Still...she's lived the way they say is the right way, and lived in fear of some divine retribution she's never witnessed in all her years.
The crank turns slowly, as she tries to be as quiet as possible.]
Maybe I'm not really so different. Maybe I'm just tired and bored and willing to risk my skin for a little thrill.
[ He watches the crank as it turns, feeling the tension loosen. When the time is right, he gets up on his feet, still crouched, and slowly rises to his full height as the crank turns.
He's huge, around eight feet tall, and his long, shaggy mane of hair makes him look even more imposing. The shadow he casts dwarfs Nadine, and makes the entire room feel small. It's easy to see why most people run screaming from him. He laughs, but keeps it quiet enough to avoid attracting unwanted attention. ]
Oh, my back has been bothering me for so long. You've done me quite the favor, my dear.
Bound and bent, it's clear he's large, but it only offers a vague impression. Nadine can't help but shrink back some as he rises, unfolding to a height that shocks her.
She really is being a fool. He could take her in both his hands and break her in two with hardly any effort.]
You're welcome.
[The words come out small and quiet, half swallowed by the thread of primal fear his true height inspires in her.]
Don't be afraid, hon. If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already.
[ He holds one hand out to her, inviting her into his warm embrace. He may not be at full power, but if he can get her close enough maybe he can leave a bit of himself with her.
Keep watch in her dreams, look through her eyes every now and then, and make sure she doesn't forget about him here. ]
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[ Flagg's gotten no less imposing in the two weeks since she last saw him. He's still sitting there, big and dark and with eyes as red as fresh blood. But god, how he wishes he could lay down, or stand up. Maybe this one could be convinced to loosen his chains eventually. Not to free him, just to give him room to stretch and relieve his cramped muscles. ]
I was led to believe you'd never come back.
[ The sarcasm is almost palatable. She held out for two weeks, which is impressive for someone with as much exposure to him as she had. Even when he's not at full power, there's a good reason why you're not supposed to touch him or engage in conversation with him or - god forbid - tell him your name. Not that the latter was her fault, it was someone else's fuck-up, but here they were.
And she still held out. That's nice, he thinks as he licks his lips. He likes them strong-willed. ]
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[There's no protest that she shouldn't speak to him this time. Her hands still shake, but not as much as the first time. She's been here before, she didn't burst into flames or suffer hauntings in the night. Not of the preternatural sort, at least.
And for someone supposedly desperate for company, he's not making much effort to be polite. Nadine stays by the door again, lips a thin line.]
Do you want to eat, or do you want to be condescending?
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[ He has some other comments to make about that, but he'll save it for when she's closer. Right now she could just throw the tray at him and leave, like some of the others have done.
None of them spoke a word to him. Some of them came in with their ears covered so they couldn't hear him. Most of them wouldn't even make eye contact. Their fear meant he still had power and that was satisfying, but he was somewhat lonely, too. Not lonely in the way a human might get, but he was very bored. He's not a lone wolf, he needs company and stimulation. ]
I want to eat. It's about the only comfort I'm permitted here. [ He yanks at his chains, a display of the seated, hunched over position they've forced him into. He has very little room to move about; he can just barely reach his mouth with his hands. ]
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[It's cruel, Nadine can admit that. But it isn't as though she has any say in it, and she understands why. This isn't some chicken thief or highwayman. It's all as much for caution's sake as punishment's.
And, she supposes, it could still be worse. There were always ways to make it worse, to be crueler. It's a small mercy, but it's a mercy. And they feed him.
She takes a few steps closer, less hesitantly, looking at him as she comes.]
Would you be any kinder, in our place?
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[ He's careful to say them and not you, like she's exempt. She's special. People love to be special.
He licks his sharp teeth slowly, his grin wild and ravenous. He's reminded of a fable he heard once in another world: my, what sharp teeth you have! The better to eat you with, my dear. She looks so delicate and perfect, like a porcelain doll. Oh, how he'd love to put a bite mark onto her and show it off around town before he killed them and carried his new bride off to who-knows-where. ]
Come closer. I won't hurt you. They'd just make it worse for me if I did. [ He holds one hand out to accept the food. ]
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I do.
[And so she only has so much sympathy for him - but there is some. He's a living thing and Nadine's a kind hearted soul. But she does know what he's capable of, exactly (more or less) why such drastic precautions are put in place.
She'd been close to him before, and nothing too great and terrible had transpired. He'd touched her, but not in any threatening way. Of course it could be argued any touch from him is a threat.]
You might not hurt me, but you want something. And I have a hard time believing it's the milk of human kindness.
[Still, she finds herself approaching. That sick, mad curiosity unfurls itself again, compelling her to come close enough to give him the tray. The danger radiates off of him like a great caged beast but...really, what could he do?]
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[ He tilts his head to one side, taking the tray and setting it down beside him. Food could wait, she's already seen him tear into strips of meat once. Might be a bit of a mood-killer, anyway.
He holds out his hand again. ]
I may not desire the milk of human kindness but it has been a long time since I've had human anything. And I know it's my own fault but I crave it just the same, on rare occasions.
[ His claws are sharp and his hands would dwarf Nadine's in size, but maybe it's not too much to ask, that she hold his hand for a little while. Or at least touch him without recoiling in horror. ]
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[How far removed from humanity is he? Nadine's not sure if it matters, but she wants to know. She looks at that hand, that tremendous clawed hand, thinking of things that lurk in the dark. There is nothing safe about it, nothing reassuring. It's the hand of a creature, not a man.
But despite her suspicions and fear, there is something of a man to him. It's a difficult choice to weigh, whether to offer this kindness and take the risk or not. He could cut her, even chained, if she put her hand in his. He'd already had the chance, though, the last time she fed him. One hand lifts, but curls in on itself cautiously, undecided. She thinks of the old stories, the ones they tell children and claim are true but may or may not be. Tales of beasts who's terror was stopped by a simple kind act...and tales of things that gobble up girls if given the chance.]
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[ And he doesn't mourn it, but he tries to sound so mournful. Like he really does miss it, whatever part of him is still more human than monster.
He doesn't even know if such a part of him exists anymore, but the possibility of it is such a tantalizing thing. Perhaps this beast can be tamed and the world will be free of its monstrous scourge forever and ever. ]
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But what purpose does this serve? Chaining him, leaving him to rot more or less, with only the barest minimum. What could possibly come of it? The gears continue to turn in Nadine's mind, her face a mask of confliction. It can't be argued that their collective treatment of this man they call The Dark Man is cruel. Whether or not it's deserved...that's something else, and too large and complicated a moral tangle for her to try and work through. But there are smaller arguments to make. Is mercy truly mercy if it's conditional, or contingent on the 'deserving'?
She has been taught that mercy is a virtue. To be a good person, one should demonstrate mercy and forgiveness. Those are both easier said than done, and she knows as well as anyone that few actually live by the morals they preach, but...why shouldn't they? Was it really so difficult to be kind?
Of course there's a risk. It could be that a kind heart and faith in mercy are all that he's playing to, but if there was no risk and no doubt, it wouldn't mean anything. Anyone can be kind when it's easy and costs nothing.
She, Nadine decides, is better than that. If she ends up dead on the floor of this miserable cell, so be it, at least she'll know she tried to do the right thing.]
Alright.
[She says it as much for herself as for him. Taking a deep breath, muscles tense and breath quick as though ready for flight, she puts one small, pale hand in his.]
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He won't, but he'd be lying if he denied being delighted by the fact that he could.
Instead, he just holds her as gently as he can, his skin soft as silk and warm, too. Some would expect something like him to be rough and callused, perhaps even cold. If that was what Nadine expected, she would be in for a surprise. ]
Thank you. [ He squeezes her hand just to let her know that it's alright, that he's looking out for her right now. What human could protect her from him? But he could certainly protect her from any human. ]
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There's no sudden pain, no shift in the man bound before her, just his surprisingly normal hand around hers. Aside from it's size, inhuman and unnerving, it feels much like any other hand. There's no hint of claw against her skin, only his palm and broad fingers.]
You're welcome.
[It's eerie, how mundane and normal this really is. Even his grip is startlingly gentle. And so very warm and smooth...she hadn't expected the smoothness. It's not as though she's in the habit of holding men's hands - honestly can't remember the last time she had - but she's always had the impression that their hands were coarse and roughened.]
What...what do you want to be called?
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[ Not a very monstrous name for a monster. It's not his original name, but all of his chosen names are names that any man could have. It frightens people more, he finds, when he's a lot like they are.
And for a rare few, it allures them, too.
He bends down and looks her in the eyes, his own eyes gleaming with light but there's something human behind them, too. ]
Not too many people would shake my hand. [ He lingers for another moment and then lets go. ] But it didn't hurt you none, did it?
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[It's such an ordinary and unassuming name. The sort any man in the village might have. Nadine doesn't know what she expected, but it wasn't 'Randall'. She's beginning to realize there's a great deal about him that's unexpected. Maybe he was telling the truth, about the fact he was human once.
She can believe it, right now.
Her hand withdraws when he lets go, and she frowns slightly, shaking her head. What's even the point to this? Even if she feels some sympathy or compassion for his plight...]
You know...there's nothing I can do to help you. I don't have any authority here, I'm just the school teacher. There isn't anything more I can do for you.
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[ It's sweet talk, but he doesn't entirely disbelieve it. He has issues with certain types of authority figures, despite the fact that he'd happily claim such authority for himself. At least he's honest about his intentions. He's here to have fun and destroy as much as he can. ]
They don't educate anyone. They don't come here and feed me. They don't grow food, or cook it. They don't build anything. Good leaders don't just sit on their high horses all day, they're shoulder to shoulder with their people. [ He tilts his head back, licking his lips. ] Sounds like yours are too important to do anything of importance.
[ He looks down at his hand, pressing his fingers into his palm. ] You've already done more than they will ever do.
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But she shakes her head, ignoring it, pushing it away. She's too old for girlish flights of fancy because a powerful, dangerous man said something sweet to her.]
Rulers who work alongside their people, sure, I'll believe that when I see it. That's how the world works. Nobody becomes the mayor to do work, they do it so they don't have to do any work.
[Nadine has no love for local authority, but it's just part of life she accepts. Like everything else. It's the way things are, and she's in no position to change that.]
But it doesn't matter. I just mean that you can be nice and flatter me all you want, and I can feel badly for you and disagree with treating you this way but it doesn't matter.
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[ Like, for example, the decision to keep him trapped here. It's mostly a joke, but anything he can do to poison her faith in their authority is a good thing. ]
It matters to me that I'm not suffering in silence. And... [ He glances over at the wall, where the crank his chains are attached to are. ] ...you could loosen my chains, just for a few minutes. It won't let me escape. It'll just let me stretch my sore muscles.
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She doesn't believe him. Not entirely. The risks are many and great. If someone hears, investigates...she isn't sure what would happen to her. Bad enough she's talked to him at length, bad enough she let him touch her, loosening his chains would likely end her in a similar position. Or worse.
And she isn't so sure he wouldn't escape. He's bound this way for a reason. What then? She supposes, if she survived, there likely wouldn't be anyone left to punish her anyway. The thought doesn't bother her as much as it should. There's no great love for most of the people here. Only the children, really. The rest don't matter, there's no one she's close to, no one she cares for or who cares for her. There never really has been.
But she does feel for him, locked up in a manner that would be cruel to do even to an animal. Despite all the fearsome stories and all she knows, there's a person in there. An intelligent one.
With a sigh, Nadine looks back to Flagg, indecision clear on her face.]
I don't know. The trouble I could get in... And I'm not entirely convinced you won't break loose and take your revenge on the people who did this to you. Then what would I do? Even if you just...disappeared into the night, they'd know it was because of me. Look at what they're doing to you, what do you think they'd do to me?
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[ Unfortunately, he's being truthful about that: he needs the key. Somehow, some way, he needs the damned key. ] But let's say I got out. What makes you think I'd just run off and leave you here to be punished?
[ He growls under his breath, looking her over. This time, he really lets his gaze linger. ]
Nah, I'd steal you away with me. We could frolic in an empty field under the light of the moon. [ And by 'frolic' he means...well, he's always been an obscene sort. ] Chase wanderers through the forest. Sleep all day, stay up all night. Be free. [ He tries to stretch out again, only for the chains to tense and clatter. ] For now, though, I'll take the freedom to stand up.
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Appealing, yes, of course it is. Whatever he is, he's powerful and magical and the idea of capturing his attention is darkly thrilling. As is the way his eyes seem to bore into her.
But also ridiculous. Who is she? No one important, no one with anything to offer him. She's boring and mundane and has barely been beyond the edges of this place in her entire thirty eight years.]
Why would you do that? I'm nobody. You don't even know me.
[But she's moving towards the crank as she speaks.]
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[ He watches intently as she moves towards the crank. ]
There's a reason you're not like the others, who greet me with trembling knees and downcast eyes: we have been fated to meet. I don't know why, but I want to find out.
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[She casts a look to the door as she reaches the crank, weighing the risk. She's given no alarm, no reason for anyone to investigate. Even if she's taking a while, who's keeping track? As long as she's quiet...]
Sometimes I think life is just...things happening. There's no meaning in it, there's no real guiding force to existence.
[Much as she'd like to believe otherwise, she isn't sure. Good things happen, bad things happen, Nadine has never seen any real evidence there's anything much deeper. Still...she's lived the way they say is the right way, and lived in fear of some divine retribution she's never witnessed in all her years.
The crank turns slowly, as she tries to be as quiet as possible.]
Maybe I'm not really so different. Maybe I'm just tired and bored and willing to risk my skin for a little thrill.
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[ He watches the crank as it turns, feeling the tension loosen. When the time is right, he gets up on his feet, still crouched, and slowly rises to his full height as the crank turns.
He's huge, around eight feet tall, and his long, shaggy mane of hair makes him look even more imposing. The shadow he casts dwarfs Nadine, and makes the entire room feel small. It's easy to see why most people run screaming from him. He laughs, but keeps it quiet enough to avoid attracting unwanted attention. ]
Oh, my back has been bothering me for so long. You've done me quite the favor, my dear.
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Bound and bent, it's clear he's large, but it only offers a vague impression. Nadine can't help but shrink back some as he rises, unfolding to a height that shocks her.
She really is being a fool. He could take her in both his hands and break her in two with hardly any effort.]
You're welcome.
[The words come out small and quiet, half swallowed by the thread of primal fear his true height inspires in her.]
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[ He holds one hand out to her, inviting her into his warm embrace. He may not be at full power, but if he can get her close enough maybe he can leave a bit of himself with her.
Keep watch in her dreams, look through her eyes every now and then, and make sure she doesn't forget about him here. ]
Come. Feel me.
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