It was already too risky for those that were changing courts around the beginning of the season. I know.
[ Either he was making the strict time limit very clear, or it was one of those unspoken offers. Yet being offered is almost scarier, after what happened. What if the luck of each Maker got progressively worse? ]
I don't want anything bad happening to you. It could be even worse than what happened to Karma.
Don't be stupid, kid. You didn't have anything to do with whatever happened to Karma.
[ People don't just disappear, that much Bones knows. ]
You don't got a lot of options, but I won't force you either. I know I'm a crotchety bastard who's pretty much yelled at you since day 1. But I wouldn't be offering if I didn't feel at least somewhat responsible for making sure you don't die.
I realized pretty quickly that you yell when you care as well. Honestly, I ruined any chances of other options when preparing myself to ask Karma to be my
Second Maker
This looks and sounds ridiculous. Are they even going to allow a novice to graduate after going through so many Makers in a single court? You could be signing up for a lot of work, to only get a lot of pain at the end of it all.
Damn right. I'd be ignoring you if I didn't give a damn.
It sure as hell ain't normal, but these are what we in the biz call "extenuating circumstances." People don't just disappear.
But look, as much of a pain in the ass as you think you might be, I'm not about to stand by and let you die just because I ain't never had a novice before. You're the one who could be in for it—I might be shit at this, what then?
[ Hold on, she's actually thinking about it. You can tell because there's a rhythm to how a dot of ink gets a little bigger before she starts writing. ]
If it gets unbearable, I could always let Jim know that we have a bond, and you've been making things difficult. I think he could come up with some very imaginative ways of 'just desserts' as I've heard it called.
[ Spoilers: Underneath the sheltered and sweet Eden is a ruthless monster. She's thought of worse punishments for older novices that bothered her when those Whisperfang articles first started coming out. This is a much more harmless terror, but she knows them. ]
Fucking Founders, Eden. I wasn't asking how you planned on using my best friend against me. You got one of these planned for everyone you meet?
No, I don't wanna know. You got shit for options, kid. I'm offering to help you out of the kindness of my heart. And if we both regret it, well, it'll only be for about a season anyway.
[ She comes up with answers to most questions she's given. He'll realize that one eventually... ]
I don't actually think you'd be shit at it, though. That's the thing. I'm more afraid of you disappearing or abandoning me as well. That's proving to be more likely.
[ Will he ever learn to stop asking stupid questions, though? Probably not. ]
Last time I had anyone rely on me I fucked it up pretty royally, so don't get your hopes up too much. Hopefully I'm over the whole abandoning thing—I didn't die and come back just to make the same mistakes all over again.
All that said, I promise not to disappear on you if I can help it.
Great. Lucky for us, a blood claim'll probably be easy since we had the same Maker.
We'll pretty much just need to swap blood and you'll be set. Course, your Becoming's coming up fast, so if you've got any plans for that, you better tell me now.
This kinda thing is supposed to be a little more special than a visit to the infirmary. I don't usually make house calls, but if you're gonna be my Novice I'll make an exception for you.
[ He wants to do it right!! And also the idea of him living in the clinic almost makes him laugh, because she's so right. He resembles that remark. ]
I'm not sure what kind of plans are usually made for Becomings. Karma and I didn't really get to that conversation. We didn't even get to how... You know. The death itself.
My room's quite easy to find.
[ She'll right down where her room is, and she's right about being easy to find for two reasons. One is the spider plant hanging in a basked on the door. The other is that there's a distinct herbal scent coming from it. Nothing particularly funky, but it certainly gives off 'I grew up at an apothecary/herbalist/witch's place' vibe before even getting there. ]
Ain't much you can do to plan for your own death. But I'll be sure to make it quick -- hell, I could make it painless too, we're good at that in the Silver Court.
Hold tight and I'll be there in a sec.
[ What a terribly morbid thing to talk about. But that's vampires for you. Bones shows up just a few minutes later, knocking on her door. ]
[ Eden wouldn't be surprised if Steinbach was still holed up in that room, researching whatever he was so focused on.
Though knowing that McCoy was coming to their room was a good incentive to clean up... Well, some of the things that are around the room. The stuff that would probably get him yelling about because he didn't want to think about people with them. It was better to spare him, which would spare them in turn. The 'Dad' effect was already working... Of course there were things like belladonna just out on the desk, but that's normal.
The only unavoidable thing was that there were a lot of clothes, as Eden needed a wardrobe for two very different forms, and they've been experimenting with styles. It didn't get in the way of moving around, or getting somewhere to sit, so all in all, it's pretty good when she opens the door. ]
Come on in and make yourself comfortable.
[ Get a good look at the giant birch tree outside her window that she's put little lanterns on the sill of. It makes for a nice late-spring evening scene. Also a giant marker for what was causing those allergies early in the season... ]
[ McCoy sticks his head in, taking in their room before he actually steps in. He's the kind of guy who generally looks uncomfortable unless he's in his own space, so it's nothing personal that he draws himself up tight and crosses his arms while he looks around.
Clothes in every style, herbs and all the rest... Yeah, he can work with this. He's going to have to get familiar with their stuff, even if only for a few more months. Makers are supposed to check in on their novices, and the fourth season can be the toughest one. He's too committed to helping people to not do right by his own Novice.
Naturally, his eyes land on the tree by the window. Ah. Yep, that'll do it. ]
Those curtains better be thick. You're gonna start burning up in the sun pretty soon.
[ Leave it to Bones to find a way to criticize... but it comes from a place of concern, of course. ]
[ Yeah, she wasn't expecting him to make himself as comfortable as Jim had. This was close enough for a McCoy comfortable, though, so she'll work with it. Especially with that- Eden wasn't going to roll her eyes, but there's a raised look in the eyebrows. ]
I would hope it's thick enough, as it's what was put in when I first got here. I was using the lighter layer only for a while when it got warm, until your suggestions for the allergy issue.
[ One that was reaching the end of being an issue, for multiple reasons involving seasons. Which meant there was a bit of improvement, but when you're literally having the source out your window, it was unavoidable. ]
I almost thought you were going to start a lecture about grinding belladonna in front of an open window.
[ She's not actually grinding it.... This time. That was a different project for a different day, and her nose and mouth were covered during it. The plant was too fresh, and next to the mortar was also a press to get oils out. ]
Well, you're Silver Court through and through, I can't stop ya from learnin' from your own mistakes.
[ Which is about as honest as he gets, but proof that this is him trying to be nicer. At least as she becomes a vampire, she'll learn whatever they're immune to. ]
I'll bet I could give you a list of shit to avoid and you'd still try some for yourself.
[ He rolls his eyes—honestly, what is it with kids being reckless these days. Do they just gravitate to him for some reason? ]
Speakin' of tryin', I know you got your mask squared up and all that— [ He gestures towards their clothes. ] So if I ever say anythin' stupid or you gotta correct me on somethin', you let me know. Lotta people change their names or their identities after their Becoming since the whole point is "finding yourself" or whatever.
[ Truly the bluntest and yet most ass-backwards way of saying he'll accept whatever pronouns you want to use, Eden. He's just, you know, Bones. ]
It's not for trying... I'm putting it together for some medicine. It's good for topical pain relief, for novices and thralls, to keep in stock for the daytime or whenever the clinic's too busy.
[ Did he automatically decide they were testing it on their own systems? ]
It's... Kind of a hobby. Like making the skin creams for winters and summers.
[ All of that was a good way of figuring out what to say about the identities. She's definitely still figuring it out, and still will after this is taken care of. ]
Aside from some expected adjustments, the mask doesn't make me less comfortable or feel like shying away from my normal self. Sometimes I like going around that way, or even prefer it, but aside from the growing pains while being here, I'm happy with my body this way as well. Does that make sense? Both feel right.
[ He will always assume the worst, it's his natural super power. ]
Good, then. Just make sure you don't make anythin' you wouldn't use on yourself.
[ McCoy is a firm believer of testing medicine himself. Yeah. If anyone is going to end up sick or injured from his mistakes, it should be him and no one else. And if Eden is going to follow in his footsteps, then... there you have it.
He nods. It does make sense, of course, but ultimately his own mask isn't very different from his usual look. ]
As long as it makes sense to you, it don't matter what sense it makes to me. Its different for everybody, I just mean, you know, I don't wanna step on your toes by usin' the wrong pronouns or anythin'. Keep me in the loop if anythin' changes.
[ That's not like, a hard rule obviously, but mostly they're about to do something that's important—he may be a grump who has yelled at her since day 1, but he's trying to do right by her.
You know, but instead of saying that, he just keeps his arms crossed and rolls his eyes. ]
If you want, anyway. I'm only gonna be your Maker for a few months, but you ain't stuck with me. This ain't a bindin' contract, you can cut loose once your fourth season's up if you really wanna.
Oh, these are ones I've been able to make for a long time, and have used for myself. The only changes were the quality of ingredients and a few straight improvements thanks to the resources here.
[ What Eden's not going to share is that she's also been made to try belladonna berries- just a couple, which was enough to get sick on but nothing more than that. It was a hard lesson, but one of those principles that the woman that raised her had in common with McCoy. ]
I'll let you know, but there's no preference. Probably because I haven't heard the others enough to know whether I feel comfortable with them or not.
[ It was a bit like the fashion; trying to see what felt right. Switching up forms when going to classes was part of it, but they still didn't have an answer. Though, the real issue isn't pronouns or any of that right now. It was something else, which Eden sighs about when sitting down. ]
You keep making it sound like I'm being pushed one foot out the door, hoping I'd run away. Maybe I don't sound enthusiastic, but Karma disappearing hurts. Hurts for us both, I'm sure. Thing is, you're the closest youngblood to me, that's in our court, that's still around. That's not even just in our court alone...
[ At least that's how it's easy to interpret when you often are misunderstood with intentions, and with that ugly history Eden ended up with. Despite that, it's made her a bit stubborn when it came to the idea of being the one who leaves. Shit, she stayed with Steinbach far too long than she should've. That was for someone she didn't even like. Meanwhile, McCoy was someone they admired. Despite the yelling. ]
So if you're hoping to be free of things after the fourth season, you're the one that will have to do it.
[ So... Nyeh. Seems to be the intention. It's rare to catch Eden being petulant and stubborn. ]
[ Bones nods. Well, it'll either come up or it won't. Some vampires change their mask like they change their socks. It's not as common in the Silver Court, but he won't judge one way or another. ]
I'd just hate to make ya feel pressured on top of everythin' else, kid. Karma disappearin's weird enough. I ain't never had a novice before, either, so I'll do my best but I can't make no promises on how good I'll do.
[ He sighs. In other words, he's rushing into this too a bit. But maybe they make a weird pair, both too stubborn to just be honest with each other. McCoy will try, at least. They're about to get real honest, after all. Or at least Eden will have to be, what with the bond only going one-way until they graduate. ]
's like you said. Karma disappearin' hurts. It hurts like hell. I reckon we can make this better by tryin' to pick up where they left off. I just don't want ya to feel like ya made a mistake 'cause I was the only option.
[ There. Full disclosure. ]
But if you're mind's made up, there ain't much left to do but swap blood. I'll drink some of yours, and you can drink some of mine. [ He holds out his hand, assuming they'll want to give him their wrist. ] A sip oughta do it, I won't bite too hard.
Then aren't you lucky to get a novice that's already mostly done? Maybe it'll even give you the confidence to start making your own at some point.
[ They were both stubborn, and the truth was, McCoy wasn't really the only option. Eden got more attached than she was willing to admit, because there was a complex building up from suddenly being left alone so many times. They were even afraid to show it, and made things seem more shallow than how they really felt.
She looked down at the hand before placing her wrist in it. At least it was still personable, unlike some other (NPC) Makers that would rather use needles. ]
I suppose it really wouldn't take much. Steinbach was barely a thread of attachment, but even that's more than a lack of someone. You won't even have to distract me with compulsion to make it feel nice.
[ He is, you're just not allowed to call him out like this, Eden! Though he'll just have to get used to it, what with them making this an official situation.
He's quite the gentleman as he takes her wrist and bends down to reach it -- she's a good deal shorter than him, and he won't make her stand on her toes to do this. ]
Believe it or not, I know a thing or two about drinkin' blood.
[ He's careful, pressing his lips to her wrist before biting down. He doesn't take much, her blood tastes more like Karma's than human blood anyway, so he only takes a few swallows before he pulls back and licks the wound clean. If anyone can heal a bite, it's Bones. ]
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[ Ah yeah, fuck... it hits him then that she'll be without a Maker. And approaching her fourth season. Shit. ]
I don't know what's going on or why Karma would suddenly vanish, but you can't graduate without a Maker, kid.
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[ She's very sad and aware of this. ]
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[ He would have to be pretty damn heartless to turn her away after all this... ]
You get what I'm getting at, right?
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[ Either he was making the strict time limit very clear, or it was one of those unspoken offers. Yet being offered is almost scarier, after what happened. What if the luck of each Maker got progressively worse? ]
I don't want anything bad happening to you. It could be even worse than what happened to Karma.
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[ People don't just disappear, that much Bones knows. ]
You don't got a lot of options, but I won't force you either. I know I'm a crotchety bastard who's pretty much yelled at you since day 1. But I wouldn't be offering if I didn't feel at least somewhat responsible for making sure you don't die.
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Second Maker
This looks and sounds ridiculous. Are they even going to allow a novice to graduate after going through so many Makers in a single court? You could be signing up for a lot of work, to only get a lot of pain at the end of it all.
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It sure as hell ain't normal, but these are what we in the biz call "extenuating circumstances." People don't just disappear.
But look, as much of a pain in the ass as you think you might be, I'm not about to stand by and let you die just because I ain't never had a novice before. You're the one who could be in for it—I might be shit at this, what then?
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[ Hold on, she's actually thinking about it. You can tell because there's a rhythm to how a dot of ink gets a little bigger before she starts writing. ]
If it gets unbearable, I could always let Jim know that we have a bond, and you've been making things difficult. I think he could come up with some very imaginative ways of 'just desserts' as I've heard it called.
[ Spoilers: Underneath the sheltered and sweet Eden is a ruthless monster. She's thought of worse punishments for older novices that bothered her when those Whisperfang articles first started coming out. This is a much more harmless terror, but she knows them. ]
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No, I don't wanna know. You got shit for options, kid. I'm offering to help you out of the kindness of my heart. And if we both regret it, well, it'll only be for about a season anyway.
You in or not?
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I don't actually think you'd be shit at it, though. That's the thing. I'm more afraid of you disappearing or abandoning me as well. That's proving to be more likely.
Yes, I'm in.
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Last time I had anyone rely on me I fucked it up pretty royally, so don't get your hopes up too much. Hopefully I'm over the whole abandoning thing—I didn't die and come back just to make the same mistakes all over again.
All that said, I promise not to disappear on you if I can help it.
Great. Lucky for us, a blood claim'll probably be easy since we had the same Maker.
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As long as you don't do those two things, my hopes can't really be crushed.
I thought it'd also be easy because there's nothing to fight against, and we're the same court.
I also know you don't actually live in the clinic, but is that where I should be going, or am I meeting you elsewhere?
[ What with his office being connected there, and all. At least she can acknowledge that he gets out of that area once in a while. Probably. ]
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We'll pretty much just need to swap blood and you'll be set. Course, your Becoming's coming up fast, so if you've got any plans for that, you better tell me now.
This kinda thing is supposed to be a little more special than a visit to the infirmary. I don't usually make house calls, but if you're gonna be my Novice I'll make an exception for you.
[ He wants to do it right!! And also the idea of him living in the clinic almost makes him laugh, because she's so right. He resembles that remark. ]
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I'm not sure what kind of plans are usually made for Becomings. Karma and I didn't really get to that conversation. We didn't even get to how... You know. The death itself.
My room's quite easy to find.
[ She'll right down where her room is, and she's right about being easy to find for two reasons. One is the spider plant hanging in a basked on the door. The other is that there's a distinct herbal scent coming from it. Nothing particularly funky, but it certainly gives off 'I grew up at an apothecary/herbalist/witch's place' vibe before even getting there. ]
> action
Ain't much you can do to plan for your own death. But I'll be sure to make it quick -- hell, I could make it painless too, we're good at that in the Silver Court.
Hold tight and I'll be there in a sec.
[ What a terribly morbid thing to talk about. But that's vampires for you. Bones shows up just a few minutes later, knocking on her door. ]
Hey, it's me.
Re: > action
Though knowing that McCoy was coming to their room was a good incentive to clean up... Well, some of the things that are around the room. The stuff that would probably get him yelling about because he didn't want to think about people with them. It was better to spare him, which would spare them in turn.
The 'Dad' effect was already working...Of course there were things like belladonna just out on the desk, but that's normal.The only unavoidable thing was that there were a lot of clothes, as Eden needed a wardrobe for two very different forms, and they've been experimenting with styles. It didn't get in the way of moving around, or getting somewhere to sit, so all in all, it's pretty good when she opens the door. ]
Come on in and make yourself comfortable.
[ Get a good look at the giant birch tree outside her window that she's put little lanterns on the sill of. It makes for a nice late-spring evening scene. Also a giant marker for what was causing those allergies early in the season... ]
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Clothes in every style, herbs and all the rest... Yeah, he can work with this. He's going to have to get familiar with their stuff, even if only for a few more months. Makers are supposed to check in on their novices, and the fourth season can be the toughest one. He's too committed to helping people to not do right by his own Novice.
Naturally, his eyes land on the tree by the window. Ah. Yep, that'll do it. ]
Those curtains better be thick. You're gonna start burning up in the sun pretty soon.
[ Leave it to Bones to find a way to criticize... but it comes from a place of concern, of course. ]
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I would hope it's thick enough, as it's what was put in when I first got here. I was using the lighter layer only for a while when it got warm, until your suggestions for the allergy issue.
[ One that was reaching the end of being an issue, for multiple reasons involving seasons. Which meant there was a bit of improvement, but when you're literally having the source out your window, it was unavoidable. ]
I almost thought you were going to start a lecture about grinding belladonna in front of an open window.
[ She's not actually grinding it.... This time. That was a different project for a different day, and her nose and mouth were covered during it. The plant was too fresh, and next to the mortar was also a press to get oils out. ]
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[ Which is about as honest as he gets, but proof that this is him trying to be nicer. At least as she becomes a vampire, she'll learn whatever they're immune to. ]
I'll bet I could give you a list of shit to avoid and you'd still try some for yourself.
[ He rolls his eyes—honestly, what is it with kids being reckless these days. Do they just gravitate to him for some reason? ]
Speakin' of tryin', I know you got your mask squared up and all that— [ He gestures towards their clothes. ] So if I ever say anythin' stupid or you gotta correct me on somethin', you let me know. Lotta people change their names or their identities after their Becoming since the whole point is "finding yourself" or whatever.
[ Truly the bluntest and yet most ass-backwards way of saying he'll accept whatever pronouns you want to use, Eden. He's just, you know, Bones. ]
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[ Did he automatically decide they were testing it on their own systems? ]
It's... Kind of a hobby. Like making the skin creams for winters and summers.
[ All of that was a good way of figuring out what to say about the identities. She's definitely still figuring it out, and still will after this is taken care of. ]
Aside from some expected adjustments, the mask doesn't make me less comfortable or feel like shying away from my normal self. Sometimes I like going around that way, or even prefer it, but aside from the growing pains while being here, I'm happy with my body this way as well. Does that make sense? Both feel right.
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Good, then. Just make sure you don't make anythin' you wouldn't use on yourself.
[ McCoy is a firm believer of testing medicine himself. Yeah. If anyone is going to end up sick or injured from his mistakes, it should be him and no one else. And if Eden is going to follow in his footsteps, then... there you have it.
He nods. It does make sense, of course, but ultimately his own mask isn't very different from his usual look. ]
As long as it makes sense to you, it don't matter what sense it makes to me. Its different for everybody, I just mean, you know, I don't wanna step on your toes by usin' the wrong pronouns or anythin'. Keep me in the loop if anythin' changes.
[ That's not like, a hard rule obviously, but mostly they're about to do something that's important—he may be a grump who has yelled at her since day 1, but he's trying to do right by her.
You know, but instead of saying that, he just keeps his arms crossed and rolls his eyes. ]
If you want, anyway. I'm only gonna be your Maker for a few months, but you ain't stuck with me. This ain't a bindin' contract, you can cut loose once your fourth season's up if you really wanna.
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[ What Eden's not going to share is that she's also been made to try belladonna berries- just a couple, which was enough to get sick on but nothing more than that. It was a hard lesson, but one of those principles that the woman that raised her had in common with McCoy. ]
I'll let you know, but there's no preference. Probably because I haven't heard the others enough to know whether I feel comfortable with them or not.
[ It was a bit like the fashion; trying to see what felt right. Switching up forms when going to classes was part of it, but they still didn't have an answer. Though, the real issue isn't pronouns or any of that right now. It was something else, which Eden sighs about when sitting down. ]
You keep making it sound like I'm being pushed one foot out the door, hoping I'd run away. Maybe I don't sound enthusiastic, but Karma disappearing hurts. Hurts for us both, I'm sure. Thing is, you're the closest youngblood to me, that's in our court, that's still around. That's not even just in our court alone...
[ At least that's how it's easy to interpret when you often are misunderstood with intentions, and with that ugly history Eden ended up with. Despite that, it's made her a bit stubborn when it came to the idea of being the one who leaves. Shit, she stayed with Steinbach far too long than she should've. That was for someone she didn't even like. Meanwhile, McCoy was someone they admired. Despite the yelling. ]
So if you're hoping to be free of things after the fourth season, you're the one that will have to do it.
[ So... Nyeh. Seems to be the intention. It's rare to catch Eden being petulant and stubborn. ]
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I'd just hate to make ya feel pressured on top of everythin' else, kid. Karma disappearin's weird enough. I ain't never had a novice before, either, so I'll do my best but I can't make no promises on how good I'll do.
[ He sighs. In other words, he's rushing into this too a bit. But maybe they make a weird pair, both too stubborn to just be honest with each other. McCoy will try, at least. They're about to get real honest, after all. Or at least Eden will have to be, what with the bond only going one-way until they graduate. ]
's like you said. Karma disappearin' hurts. It hurts like hell. I reckon we can make this better by tryin' to pick up where they left off. I just don't want ya to feel like ya made a mistake 'cause I was the only option.
[ There. Full disclosure. ]
But if you're mind's made up, there ain't much left to do but swap blood. I'll drink some of yours, and you can drink some of mine. [ He holds out his hand, assuming they'll want to give him their wrist. ] A sip oughta do it, I won't bite too hard.
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[ They were both stubborn, and the truth was, McCoy wasn't really the only option. Eden got more attached than she was willing to admit, because there was a complex building up from suddenly being left alone so many times. They were even afraid to show it, and made things seem more shallow than how they really felt.
She looked down at the hand before placing her wrist in it. At least it was still personable, unlike some other (NPC) Makers that would rather use needles. ]
I suppose it really wouldn't take much. Steinbach was barely a thread of attachment, but even that's more than a lack of someone. You won't even have to distract me with compulsion to make it feel nice.
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[ He is, you're just not allowed to call him out like this, Eden! Though he'll just have to get used to it, what with them making this an official situation.
He's quite the gentleman as he takes her wrist and bends down to reach it -- she's a good deal shorter than him, and he won't make her stand on her toes to do this. ]
Believe it or not, I know a thing or two about drinkin' blood.
[ He's careful, pressing his lips to her wrist before biting down. He doesn't take much, her blood tastes more like Karma's than human blood anyway, so he only takes a few swallows before he pulls back and licks the wound clean. If anyone can heal a bite, it's Bones. ]
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