[oom] The Second Full Moon

[hell_in_highheels]

She started as soon as he left, working through the afternoon and into night.  Bar was very accommodating, and seemed to take a bit of enjoyment out of her list of possible ideas.

They started with the basic floor plan.  An open floor plan, doubling the size of the flat.  Ceilings pushed to twelve feet, harsh edges softened with a gentle organic line.  For the floors, a beautiful dark hardwood.   Hand hewn beams for the four massive columns (cover, not just concealment) that marked the corners of the living area, with the fireplace at the focal point.  Persian rugs in reds and golds, and a proper seating area, leather couches, overstuffed and deep.  A low table (more surfaces for books).

The picture window grew and curved outward to become a window seat big enough for both of them to stretch out in at the same time.  Curtains and cushions all a palette of dark greens, the walls in a warm ivory.  Art would come later, she thought.

A kitchen with a table and two chairs, ample counter space to cook.  She thinks about the fact that she hasn't cooked in ages, and how nice it would be to cook for the two of them.  And friends even.

In a smaller but still open alcove beyond the main room, she places a broader bed on a low heavy platform, also in dark wood.  Big enough for two people and a large dog.  The requested dressers on each side of the bed.  An oval free-standing long mirror .  A bathroom with two sinks, a shower and a large clawfoot tub (Are those wolf paws?) tucked into a niche.

Back in the main room, bookshelves along one wall.  She pondered that for awhile.  They can always add more if they need them.

About two o'clock in the morning, Bar refuses to rearrange the rugs again.  Yes, you're right, she thinks. Time for sleep.

~~~

She woke at their usual time and it took a moment to remember why the other side of the bed was cold and empty.  She showered quickly and dressed, thinking she'd go down and eat something.   She ended up sitting in the picture window, looking out over the lake, into the forest beyond, wondering where he was.  She drew the shawl around her and picked up a book (William Blake, today).

It wasn't long before she was dozing sitting up.

Comments

[hell_in_highheels]

"Interesting. Cellular biology and genetics. Were you as curious as I was when you first found out he was a werewolf?"

She pours their tea, and leans on her elbows, rather curious to hear his answer.

[hatchingviper.livejournal.com]

"I convinced him to go down to the clinic the first chance I got so that I could guess whether he was infectious or not," Wesker admitted, "and checked his brainwaves while I was at it--we didn't know how his state and 'werewolf' interacted. But I wasn't permitted to keep data or samples, then, and we had a time limit to answer minimal questions. I was able to do very little further.

"I think much of that time was still while he was adjusting to it himself. There were many things to learn." His face is cold, his eyes are hard with some memory. But then it's gone. He sips tea.

[hell_in_highheels]

River listens intently. She meets his gaze, blinking occasionally. She can hear/see Richard's description of the young man again. Pack. She knows why now.

It warms her to think that Deitmar was here to take care of him before she arrived. She's glad there was someone for him, in that horrific period of adjustment.

"Did you ever get a determination on whether or not he's infectious?"

She leaves the words 'Thank you' unspoken. She's not sure he'd appreciate them.

[hatchingviper.livejournal.com]

"Given the behavior of his cells, there is no reason to think that he couldn't infect someone through biting," Deitmar says. "But other vectors are much less clear."

He doesn't really want to explain about what a difference being dead makes.

[hell_in_highheels]

River can be clinical as well, when she is in the mindset.

"And by 'state', you mean deceased in his world, correct?"

[hatchingviper.livejournal.com]

Deitmar can all the time.

"Correct. After leaving his mouth--we verified this with different dyes--the cells became damaged, dead. I would guess that implies a lack of ability to infect oneself through a needlestick, or any similar incident where his body was not immediately present."

[hell_in_highheels]

"I'm assuming he wouldn't let you attempt to directly infect living cells."

[hatchingviper.livejournal.com]

"I believe at the time he would have been wary of my motives in trying. He had me destroy every sample afterwards."

He's very curious to see where she will take this.

[hell_in_highheels]

That gets an impressed little smirk out of her. "He would. Stubborn bastard."

Her hand strays to the side of her throat, where she adjusts her turtleneck gingerly.

"And we are left wanting for empirical evidence." She sips her tea. "Though you can hardly blame him. I understand it was his government that put him in harm's way in the first place, for that very reason."

Science, you are a cruel mistress.

[hatchingviper.livejournal.com]

Deitmar nods a little at the stubborn comment. "Suzi has... met him outside. I did something similar once."

He pretty much passed out after Suzi, in a Sue-provoked envy fit, set him off and made him kill a tree. And then Ryan came and slept curled around him. Not that he wanted to go into that wreck of a time in detail, thank you.

"I never took a camera. The flash would have irritated him; he has excellent night vision."

[hell_in_highheels]

River sips her tea, listening intently. "He's asked me to stay here. I have to respect that."

Her eyes stray to the picture window and linger for a long moment.

"I like to think he would know me, but I've been told one can't be sure."

[hatchingviper.livejournal.com]

"Neither incident was intentional. Although they went well, I still would have preferred neither occurred. And they were hardly in early days." Deitmar shakes his head. "I think respecting the request is an excellent idea."

[hell_in_highheels]

River's lips press into a thin line, but she holds her tongue. Different subject.

"So please, tell me about yourself. I am curious to know all about the young man Richard holds in such high esteem."