Even Malodore's amazing hat couldn't keep it dry - not in weather like this. The thunderhead had passed, but a persistent, mucky drizzle seemed determined to drown the plague doctor as it slogged back to the undead dormitory. The euphoria of a successful experiment well-conducted was thoroughly diminished... especially because Riley hadn't been in her room. It had checked, naturally... and then checked from the outside, in case the window was smashed open and she'd run off again.
It hadn't been, thankfully. Perhaps Malodore was worrying too much...
It let itself into the dormitory and dripped its way upstairs; squishy bandages were highly unpleasant, and even though its coat was water-resistant it was still pretty damp. It wasn't until it got to the second floor that it realized it was following another trail of water... one that led to its own door.
Its heart jumped, and it hurried down the hallway. "Riley?
Mia cara?" it called out, throwing the door open - to find only Luce, blinking sleepily at it from her perch on its bed. A bed with rumpled covers, slightly damp to the touch. A wet towel was curled on the floor. It smelled of her.
So. She'd been here... and left...?
Malodore sighed and closed the door behind itself. Evidently she'd needed comfort, but not from it. That was... acceptable, it supposed. She wouldn't have come here at all if she'd been angry beyond reason, right? Surely not.
Perhaps she just needed space.
It doffed its hat, tossing it onto the foot of the bed, then peeled off its coat and began carefully unwinding the bandages. Luce watched, clearly unconcerned - another point in favor of Calming Down. She seemed content and comfortable. Riley must have snuggled her thoroughly.
Snuggles.
Sigh.It would give her her space, then... but come morning, it
would find her and make sure everything was okay.
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