Lizbeth looks at that big man, assuringly totally incredulous about her being real.
"It's not common to see creatures like me around, either it's a hushing deer that you nearly miss with your car, or it's some random woman. But something in between, like me, I can feel that you are very doubtful." Lizbeth was indeed a feral deer once, but in years of 'living' with humans, she gained to the astonishment of many, quite a strong knowledge of human language. Sometimes she even were forced to learn human speech and behavior. Lizbeth doesn't point out that this man has a strange way of speaking, she wouldn't dare to be disrespectful.
"Yes, you are right, something bothers me, same as you I ask myself what this kid is doing here at this time. I have seen and experienced the behavior it shows, that bothers me." The deer doesn't speak about her possible illness, her rather weak health actually, she will deal with that later. She takes another sip of her tea, astonished about herself being so open to this stranger, as normally she's extremely wary towards humans. Maybe she senses no harm inside this man, maybe she knows that deep inside he's made of goodwill. Her inner voices are quiet for the moment, struggling with that invading illness.
At least there's no need to help that boy with paying, he might have more money than herself. Her ears picking up all the conversation between the kid and the waitress, effortlessly.
"It's not common to see creatures like me around, either it's a hushing deer that you nearly miss with your car, or it's some random woman. But something in between, like me, I can feel that you are very doubtful." Lizbeth was indeed a feral deer once, but in years of 'living' with humans, she gained to the astonishment of many, quite a strong knowledge of human language. Sometimes she even were forced to learn human speech and behavior. Lizbeth doesn't point out that this man has a strange way of speaking, she wouldn't dare to be disrespectful.
"Yes, you are right, something bothers me, same as you I ask myself what this kid is doing here at this time. I have seen and experienced the behavior it shows, that bothers me." The deer doesn't speak about her possible illness, her rather weak health actually, she will deal with that later. She takes another sip of her tea, astonished about herself being so open to this stranger, as normally she's extremely wary towards humans. Maybe she senses no harm inside this man, maybe she knows that deep inside he's made of goodwill. Her inner voices are quiet for the moment, struggling with that invading illness.
At least there's no need to help that boy with paying, he might have more money than herself. Her ears picking up all the conversation between the kid and the waitress, effortlessly.
Mordecai peered down at his half-empty coffee cup, wondering what kind of substance the waitress must have slipped into it as he listened to the copper-brown-furred woman speak. There was just no way he was seeing this while sober.
Although it was clear even to him that she wasn’t a native english speaker, he noted her ability to pronounce words so well in spite of appearing to have a deer’s snout, which lended evidence to the possibility of her being a 'normal' woman and him hallucinating... but even that didn't work. Her words confirmed that she believed herself to be a doe-woman; an ‘in-between’ creature.
What caught his attention most for the moment, though, was the fact that she’d picked up on his unbelief. If she hadn’t seen him gawking at her earlier, she would have to be a very perceptive individual to have practically read his mind. Usually, unless he willingly displayed something he thought or felt, he was a very hard man to read. Mordecai was impressed.
He took the chance to briefly get off the subject of his doubt of deer-women being real when she mentioned the young kid. His deep voice dropped low in order to be heard by only her radial ears that swiveled about, "Ja, he does seem troubled. I vas going to keep an eye on him—perhaps speak viss him, if he is not shy.” Eyeing her with curiosity, the man doubted that the lone child's arrival was the sole cause for her tenseness when she seemed to allude to it. But he didn't press her on it—it wasn't really his business, and it wouldn't do to make her more uncomfortable with such probing questions.
Before going on, he went for another sip of the coffee. But then, remembered that it was probably drugged. Catching himself, he scrutinized it for a second... before shrugging and taking a drink anyway. It was good coffee.
Mordecai gestured a large, calloused hand toward the empty seat opposite the doe. "Vould you mind if I sit down?" He asked politely. "I must ask you more, if I may, about zhis 'in-between' kind of creature you call yourself. Are zhere ozhers of your kind?” He decided to play along for now and suppose that she was actually a deer. Sometimes a man from a mundane world just had a hard time believing his eyes.
He wanted to reach out and touch that snout to feel if it was real; that would prove to him what the truth was. But he wouldn’t dare—women were usually sensitive about that sort of thing, and this one would be no different. Besides, it would be just plain rude to grab someone's nose.
Although it was clear even to him that she wasn’t a native english speaker, he noted her ability to pronounce words so well in spite of appearing to have a deer’s snout, which lended evidence to the possibility of her being a 'normal' woman and him hallucinating... but even that didn't work. Her words confirmed that she believed herself to be a doe-woman; an ‘in-between’ creature.
What caught his attention most for the moment, though, was the fact that she’d picked up on his unbelief. If she hadn’t seen him gawking at her earlier, she would have to be a very perceptive individual to have practically read his mind. Usually, unless he willingly displayed something he thought or felt, he was a very hard man to read. Mordecai was impressed.
He took the chance to briefly get off the subject of his doubt of deer-women being real when she mentioned the young kid. His deep voice dropped low in order to be heard by only her radial ears that swiveled about, "Ja, he does seem troubled. I vas going to keep an eye on him—perhaps speak viss him, if he is not shy.” Eyeing her with curiosity, the man doubted that the lone child's arrival was the sole cause for her tenseness when she seemed to allude to it. But he didn't press her on it—it wasn't really his business, and it wouldn't do to make her more uncomfortable with such probing questions.
Before going on, he went for another sip of the coffee. But then, remembered that it was probably drugged. Catching himself, he scrutinized it for a second... before shrugging and taking a drink anyway. It was good coffee.
Mordecai gestured a large, calloused hand toward the empty seat opposite the doe. "Vould you mind if I sit down?" He asked politely. "I must ask you more, if I may, about zhis 'in-between' kind of creature you call yourself. Are zhere ozhers of your kind?” He decided to play along for now and suppose that she was actually a deer. Sometimes a man from a mundane world just had a hard time believing his eyes.
He wanted to reach out and touch that snout to feel if it was real; that would prove to him what the truth was. But he wouldn’t dare—women were usually sensitive about that sort of thing, and this one would be no different. Besides, it would be just plain rude to grab someone's nose.
Lizbeth nods, her doubts and fears like disappeared, as it is about someone being in possible danger. Her motherly instincts throne upon everything, her own Mom gotten herself in fatal danger only for her. "I saw you looking concerned at him, as I saw you looking confused over at me. I can feel fear in that figure, same as my own fear when fleeing. I can't tell you why or how, I just feel."
Lizbeth accepts this towering man to sit at her table, obviously, curious and confused. She knows that behavior very well from the time when she was in that infamous zoo, men looking at her in curious confusion, mostly ending in, for them, a rather happy ending, not for her. But this man, as big as he is, as harmless he seems to be. Yes he's rough and mysterious, a foreigner due to his strange accent, his hands show that he works with them, yet his demeanor reveals more. His concern about others, here the hooded kid, shows that he is not just a handyman, minding just his own business. In all these years, this doe has learned a lot about humans and her observations tended to get a more accurate knowledge about that kin. She herself is just a simple doe, she hasn't much knowledge but learned how to appear appreciated.
His questions on anthropomorphic figures makes her almost smile. "Yes, I have come to encounter more of creatures like me. I don't know if you believe in magic, but I'm a result of said magic. A shaman turned me into this humanoid form." Lizbeth keeps silent about the reason for this shifting. "I was a happy feral doe before, living in the forest, circumstances made this appearance out of me and I learned to live with it, learned to be a deer in a human world. I am a deer.... with a humanized body." Her last words were more spoken with a lowering voice, as if to emphasize that she never wanted it like that. "If you want you can touch, it feels like deer, it is cervine fur...", her head goes slightly towards that man, her eyes closed, prepared to be touched by a stranger, prepared to get like an electrical shock at contact.
Lizbeth accepts this towering man to sit at her table, obviously, curious and confused. She knows that behavior very well from the time when she was in that infamous zoo, men looking at her in curious confusion, mostly ending in, for them, a rather happy ending, not for her. But this man, as big as he is, as harmless he seems to be. Yes he's rough and mysterious, a foreigner due to his strange accent, his hands show that he works with them, yet his demeanor reveals more. His concern about others, here the hooded kid, shows that he is not just a handyman, minding just his own business. In all these years, this doe has learned a lot about humans and her observations tended to get a more accurate knowledge about that kin. She herself is just a simple doe, she hasn't much knowledge but learned how to appear appreciated.
His questions on anthropomorphic figures makes her almost smile. "Yes, I have come to encounter more of creatures like me. I don't know if you believe in magic, but I'm a result of said magic. A shaman turned me into this humanoid form." Lizbeth keeps silent about the reason for this shifting. "I was a happy feral doe before, living in the forest, circumstances made this appearance out of me and I learned to live with it, learned to be a deer in a human world. I am a deer.... with a humanized body." Her last words were more spoken with a lowering voice, as if to emphasize that she never wanted it like that. "If you want you can touch, it feels like deer, it is cervine fur...", her head goes slightly towards that man, her eyes closed, prepared to be touched by a stranger, prepared to get like an electrical shock at contact.
(4RTHURFoRD, you're more than welcome to jump back in here any time if you want. Just so you know 
)
He gratefully lowered himself into the seat, sitting on the edge with one knee sticking out into the aisle while he listened to the doe. His brow furrowed slightly as he processed her words. There was a lot for him to consider: magic, shamans, how she could feel some things, and the mention of more creatures like her. He wondered if she meant she’d come across more deer-people, or other kinds of animals that had similar things happen to them. He had some understanding of magic in the world, though—probably a bit more than most people in that diner—and so he wasn’t taken aback when it was mentioned… but he’d never seen or heard of magic like the kind the doe described.
Mordecai was then stunned into silence when the woman offered her face for him to touch. She was either a mind-reader, or she had encountered disbelieving people so often that she knew exactly what was going through their minds as they tried to process her very existence. The latter was more likely. He cleared his throat a little awkwardly, unsure whether it would be more polite to turn down the offer rather than accept it. But his curiosity, as it usually did, won over his mind. Slowly, he extended his hand across the table. Only three of his fingers made contact with the coarse brown fur between her eyes, and from there they carefully ran all the way down to the tip of her nose. The fingers were rough in texture but gentle, as if they were handling fine, delicate glass.
Pulling his hand back, he softly cursed in German under his breath, finally met with evidence he couldn’t possibly explain away. “I sought I vas going crazy,” he said honestly. A faint half-smile returned to his moderately lined face when he added, “I might be anyvay, but at least I cannot deny you any longer.” The reality of the woman literally being a deer didn’t shock him anymore, now that he was sufficiently convinced. Though still fascinated, the man accepted the fact rather quickly.
He lifted his coffee to his lips thoughtfully, blue eyes peering over the cup to study her intelligent caramel ones as he wondered whether her humanlike mind came from the magical change or if she’d always had it even before. With only two fingers and a thumb on the handle, he set down the cup. His other hand rested half-curled, relaxed, on the table. The knuckles of both hands had been recently bloodied—the blood had been mostly wiped away but the skin was torn and raw.
Challenging as it was for him to read her facial expressions, her tone of voice when she’d explained how she came to be was easy enough to interpret. "I doubt I am as perceptive as you are,” he said, his small smile ever-present, “but even I can see you do not seem thrilled about ze change. I imagine you haff trouble getting along viss both deer und human, ja? Haff you ever tried to seek out ze person responsible?” After a short pause, he realized something and spoke again, waving a hand. “Ah, I am probing too much. Please forgive my intrusive curiosity, ma’am.”
Many additional questions flitted through his mind. One of the biggest things he wondered about was why someone with such power would bother doing something like that. Mordecai had noticed the doe’s omission of that detail, but he couldn’t assume she would know the answer. Magical or no, one thing he had come to learn long ago was that sometimes people did things that others could not understand. Sometimes, people even did things that had no sensical reason at all.
)He gratefully lowered himself into the seat, sitting on the edge with one knee sticking out into the aisle while he listened to the doe. His brow furrowed slightly as he processed her words. There was a lot for him to consider: magic, shamans, how she could feel some things, and the mention of more creatures like her. He wondered if she meant she’d come across more deer-people, or other kinds of animals that had similar things happen to them. He had some understanding of magic in the world, though—probably a bit more than most people in that diner—and so he wasn’t taken aback when it was mentioned… but he’d never seen or heard of magic like the kind the doe described.
Mordecai was then stunned into silence when the woman offered her face for him to touch. She was either a mind-reader, or she had encountered disbelieving people so often that she knew exactly what was going through their minds as they tried to process her very existence. The latter was more likely. He cleared his throat a little awkwardly, unsure whether it would be more polite to turn down the offer rather than accept it. But his curiosity, as it usually did, won over his mind. Slowly, he extended his hand across the table. Only three of his fingers made contact with the coarse brown fur between her eyes, and from there they carefully ran all the way down to the tip of her nose. The fingers were rough in texture but gentle, as if they were handling fine, delicate glass.
Pulling his hand back, he softly cursed in German under his breath, finally met with evidence he couldn’t possibly explain away. “I sought I vas going crazy,” he said honestly. A faint half-smile returned to his moderately lined face when he added, “I might be anyvay, but at least I cannot deny you any longer.” The reality of the woman literally being a deer didn’t shock him anymore, now that he was sufficiently convinced. Though still fascinated, the man accepted the fact rather quickly.
He lifted his coffee to his lips thoughtfully, blue eyes peering over the cup to study her intelligent caramel ones as he wondered whether her humanlike mind came from the magical change or if she’d always had it even before. With only two fingers and a thumb on the handle, he set down the cup. His other hand rested half-curled, relaxed, on the table. The knuckles of both hands had been recently bloodied—the blood had been mostly wiped away but the skin was torn and raw.
Challenging as it was for him to read her facial expressions, her tone of voice when she’d explained how she came to be was easy enough to interpret. "I doubt I am as perceptive as you are,” he said, his small smile ever-present, “but even I can see you do not seem thrilled about ze change. I imagine you haff trouble getting along viss both deer und human, ja? Haff you ever tried to seek out ze person responsible?” After a short pause, he realized something and spoke again, waving a hand. “Ah, I am probing too much. Please forgive my intrusive curiosity, ma’am.”
Many additional questions flitted through his mind. One of the biggest things he wondered about was why someone with such power would bother doing something like that. Mordecai had noticed the doe’s omission of that detail, but he couldn’t assume she would know the answer. Magical or no, one thing he had come to learn long ago was that sometimes people did things that others could not understand. Sometimes, people even did things that had no sensical reason at all.
Lizbeth holds still as that hand barely touches her, but the moment of contact all her body shivers once, her fingers curl and stiffen for a moment, her breath hitched. The doe is flooded with an electrical impulse, an impulse that should normally make her flee, make her move, but she stays. The man's soul isn't open, isn't readable, knowledge and wisdom fill him, his critical sense doesn't allow to bare his inner. Lizbeth is overwhelmed but doesn't show this, her posture doesn't change. His scent reaches her nostrils as his fingers pass over her nose, bitter smell, these hands have touched many material, a hint of metal is in the air, acrid, blood.
She opens her eyes to look at that man, at those hands. His hands reveal something different, something rough, maybe a fight, and yet no sign of aggressiveness. Lizbeth is confused.
The man questions her, out of curiosity or searching for wisdom. Her body relaxes, her fingers searching for that cup of tea.
"Many men have said this before to me, and then... " her head goes down, "Yes, I don't know what I really am, I'm a deer, but congeners don't see me as deer, but as bipedal, as human. I'm a human woman, with a human female body, but then I look like a deer again." Lizbeth softly shakes her head, "I never searched for revenge or to find the one responsible, that will not change anything. Anyway, I found my peace and my place, my forest, my little Eden. There where human society mix with nature, where wildlife comes peacefully visit me, that deer in the human world. "
A first smile shows shyly at the man's excuse, "I'm not Ma'am, I'm Lizbeth, Lizbeth Redwood."
Lizbeth's body shows many signs of relaxing, settling into calm. The man might not have seen it yet, even Lizbeth's tail, as she has that typical white tail, shows more tranquility, it doesn't flare anymore.
She opens her eyes to look at that man, at those hands. His hands reveal something different, something rough, maybe a fight, and yet no sign of aggressiveness. Lizbeth is confused.
The man questions her, out of curiosity or searching for wisdom. Her body relaxes, her fingers searching for that cup of tea.
"Many men have said this before to me, and then... " her head goes down, "Yes, I don't know what I really am, I'm a deer, but congeners don't see me as deer, but as bipedal, as human. I'm a human woman, with a human female body, but then I look like a deer again." Lizbeth softly shakes her head, "I never searched for revenge or to find the one responsible, that will not change anything. Anyway, I found my peace and my place, my forest, my little Eden. There where human society mix with nature, where wildlife comes peacefully visit me, that deer in the human world. "
A first smile shows shyly at the man's excuse, "I'm not Ma'am, I'm Lizbeth, Lizbeth Redwood."
Lizbeth's body shows many signs of relaxing, settling into calm. The man might not have seen it yet, even Lizbeth's tail, as she has that typical white tail, shows more tranquility, it doesn't flare anymore.
He had felt the brief shiver beneath his fingers when first touching her fur. It wouldn’t have surprised him if she’d bolted right then. Except for feet, face, and fur she was like a woman, yet the sense of a deer seemed to still be in her. But maybe she had learned to overcome her instincts.
Seeing her smile made his own grow a tad wider. Having never seen a doe smile before, it was an interesting sight. In addition, he appreciated her graciousness when it came to his questions about her personal affairs. While he hadn’t caught the change in her tail’s position, he did observe that her demeanor, as she continued to talk to him and grasped at her steaming mint tea, had become more at ease. Though understandably shy toward strangers, perhaps she was warming up to him.
"Lizbess Redvood?" He struggled to pronounce the name, but did his best, "I must admit, I vas not expecting you to haff a name like zhat. But it is good to meet you; I am Mordecai— just Mordecai. I can only imagine ze challenges you must haff faced before finding zhis forest home you speak of, being as unique a creature as you are." He paused, wondering about this place she mentioned. '...Where human society mix with nature, where wildlife comes peacefully to visit me...' Sounded like it was from a fairy tale. It would be fitting, then, for an animal like herself who seemed to belong in such stories.
He was thinking quite a lot about what Lizbeth said, and was formulating more questions in his mind when he noticed her glance at his hands. He idly ran his fingers over the knuckles on his left hand, causing them to sting a little more and his smile became the slightest bit rueful. His thoughts were drawn away from their current conversation, eyes leaving the doe’s. “Ah, I encountered some trouble a few blocks from here,” he explained succinctly, “I hope it does not make me look frightening.” He said the last part with a facetious tone. It was an honest summary, although lacking the details that would reveal what really had happened. After speaking, he turned his head to look at the diner’s front door and out the windows. The morning was slowly brightening as the sun had not yet fully risen. Even though it was no longer raining, it was shaping up to be a bright but chilly start to the day. A few dark clouds here and there threatened another downpour later on.
Not seeing what he was watching for, he returned his gaze to the doe in front of him and smiled warmly. He eyed her linen vest momentarily, though, for it seemed to be the only layer of clothing she had. Of course, her fur would keep her warmer than a normal person, but it just seemed that she might get cold out there without a coat. He made a mental note to ask about it whenever she decided to leave, perhaps offer his black overcoat.
Seeing her smile made his own grow a tad wider. Having never seen a doe smile before, it was an interesting sight. In addition, he appreciated her graciousness when it came to his questions about her personal affairs. While he hadn’t caught the change in her tail’s position, he did observe that her demeanor, as she continued to talk to him and grasped at her steaming mint tea, had become more at ease. Though understandably shy toward strangers, perhaps she was warming up to him.
"Lizbess Redvood?" He struggled to pronounce the name, but did his best, "I must admit, I vas not expecting you to haff a name like zhat. But it is good to meet you; I am Mordecai— just Mordecai. I can only imagine ze challenges you must haff faced before finding zhis forest home you speak of, being as unique a creature as you are." He paused, wondering about this place she mentioned. '...Where human society mix with nature, where wildlife comes peacefully to visit me...' Sounded like it was from a fairy tale. It would be fitting, then, for an animal like herself who seemed to belong in such stories.
He was thinking quite a lot about what Lizbeth said, and was formulating more questions in his mind when he noticed her glance at his hands. He idly ran his fingers over the knuckles on his left hand, causing them to sting a little more and his smile became the slightest bit rueful. His thoughts were drawn away from their current conversation, eyes leaving the doe’s. “Ah, I encountered some trouble a few blocks from here,” he explained succinctly, “I hope it does not make me look frightening.” He said the last part with a facetious tone. It was an honest summary, although lacking the details that would reveal what really had happened. After speaking, he turned his head to look at the diner’s front door and out the windows. The morning was slowly brightening as the sun had not yet fully risen. Even though it was no longer raining, it was shaping up to be a bright but chilly start to the day. A few dark clouds here and there threatened another downpour later on.
Not seeing what he was watching for, he returned his gaze to the doe in front of him and smiled warmly. He eyed her linen vest momentarily, though, for it seemed to be the only layer of clothing she had. Of course, her fur would keep her warmer than a normal person, but it just seemed that she might get cold out there without a coat. He made a mental note to ask about it whenever she decided to leave, perhaps offer his black overcoat.
The man, called Mordecai, turning away his head showed to Lizbeth his possible shame of that said 'trouble'. What kind of trouble, Lizbeth might never know, but for sure he wasn't proud of it. Respectfully the doe doesn't ask more. Compulsively she looks out of the window with him, seeing the sun announcing herself through residual clouds.
She simply picks up their conversation again before the 'hand-incident', before that slight cold breeze almost destroyed their building relationship, even if this one is on curiosity based.
"It's very nice to meet you, Mohr-duh-keye" she pronounces without mockery, "Yes, my parents Maxwell and Angel gave me the name.You might not know, but all animals can speak to each other, in a language unheard and undetected by human. We have names and words, not always same as humans. Those challenges you mentioned made me come here and find rest. And I believe you to have same, or am I wrong." The doe doesn't mention all she lived before settling in this place, which was rather a nightmare.
His glimpse down her linen vest isn't unnoticed but yet unmentioned, Lizbeth doesn't mind as she's used to be 'stared' at from time to time. Even if in this town, she's become a rather common sight and luckily without becoming a local tourist attraction.
The deer has become rather calm, convinced of being in no danger anymore. Anyway she needs to sooth her breathing as she still recovers from the possible cold she took in the night. She empties her mug of tea, her tongue once slightly rushing over her lips as last drop of that infusion moistens her throat. She didn't realize, but this throat was drying, slight pricking ache felt uncomfortable, yes, she absolutely took a cold in the night.
She simply picks up their conversation again before the 'hand-incident', before that slight cold breeze almost destroyed their building relationship, even if this one is on curiosity based.
"It's very nice to meet you, Mohr-duh-keye" she pronounces without mockery, "Yes, my parents Maxwell and Angel gave me the name.You might not know, but all animals can speak to each other, in a language unheard and undetected by human. We have names and words, not always same as humans. Those challenges you mentioned made me come here and find rest. And I believe you to have same, or am I wrong." The doe doesn't mention all she lived before settling in this place, which was rather a nightmare.
His glimpse down her linen vest isn't unnoticed but yet unmentioned, Lizbeth doesn't mind as she's used to be 'stared' at from time to time. Even if in this town, she's become a rather common sight and luckily without becoming a local tourist attraction.
The deer has become rather calm, convinced of being in no danger anymore. Anyway she needs to sooth her breathing as she still recovers from the possible cold she took in the night. She empties her mug of tea, her tongue once slightly rushing over her lips as last drop of that infusion moistens her throat. She didn't realize, but this throat was drying, slight pricking ache felt uncomfortable, yes, she absolutely took a cold in the night.
Though Lizbeth was a very observant deer, Mordecai noted that she was also one who didn’t probe. For him, once he became used to her appearance, it made her easy company to be around. He gladly allowed the subject to drop, draining the last bit of his coffee as the doe went back to the more welcome topic.
“Ze pleasure is mine, Lizbess,” he said with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes after she pronounced his name so carefully, “you are very kind to consider my questions, zhough I understand you probably hear zhem endlessly.”
Mordecai’s left hand raised to touch his chin, which was shadowed with a black beard threatening to grow, when the doe mentioned a language among animals. Fascinating, he thought, wondering why humans couldn’t hear it, and thinking briefly of what kind of device could be crafted to grant them the ability. He also wondered whether Lizbeth could still hear and use this language, being an ‘in-between’ creature. But before voicing these musings, he decided to first answer her. "You vould not be wrong to say ze same of me. It almost seems as if zhis restaurant attracts individuals looking for some kind of refuge," he said the last sentence a little more quietly as his eyes scanned the diner's clientele once again. There were plenty of people who looked like locals, regular folk, but there were also a fair amount of people who looked like they didn't quite belong: like the doe and himself. And the young kid. A few of the locals were still staring at the doe, but to Mordecai's surprise it didn’t seem like they were in as much disbelief as he had been. Lizbeth had said she'd lived in the area for a few years; the locals probably knew about her to some extent. When his eyes met theirs, they stopped staring and went back to their breakfast.
The man’s gaze returned to her. For a woman he'd just met at a diner in the small hours of the morning, she seemed to be quite honest and open. It was refreshing. The engaging conversation eased his broad shoulders which he hadn’t even realized were a little tense, and that along with the caffeine he’d just ingested made him feel a little more open than usual. With a shrug, he continued, "Actually, I just came here to regain my bearings. I vas—" he stopped mid-sentence when a waitress stomped toward their booth.
While the caring young waitress was serving the young boy and the other side of the diner, a wide middle-aged one loomed over the unlikely pair with all five feet of her height. The silver name tag high on her chest revealed her name, 'Beth'. Beth leered at Mordecai first. "Done movin' around?" She asked icily.
"Yes ma'am," he replied pleasantly, looking slightly up at her, "money is on ze ozher table."
She grunted in acknowledgement as she filled his cup with more fresh coffee, more of an automatic motion than courtesy. Then she turned to the doe. There was the faintest flash of confusion, or curiosity, in the waitress’ dark eyes, but it was gone in a moment and replaced with mild disdain. "You gonna actually order something, or you just drinking tea for breakfast?"
“Ze pleasure is mine, Lizbess,” he said with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes after she pronounced his name so carefully, “you are very kind to consider my questions, zhough I understand you probably hear zhem endlessly.”
Mordecai’s left hand raised to touch his chin, which was shadowed with a black beard threatening to grow, when the doe mentioned a language among animals. Fascinating, he thought, wondering why humans couldn’t hear it, and thinking briefly of what kind of device could be crafted to grant them the ability. He also wondered whether Lizbeth could still hear and use this language, being an ‘in-between’ creature. But before voicing these musings, he decided to first answer her. "You vould not be wrong to say ze same of me. It almost seems as if zhis restaurant attracts individuals looking for some kind of refuge," he said the last sentence a little more quietly as his eyes scanned the diner's clientele once again. There were plenty of people who looked like locals, regular folk, but there were also a fair amount of people who looked like they didn't quite belong: like the doe and himself. And the young kid. A few of the locals were still staring at the doe, but to Mordecai's surprise it didn’t seem like they were in as much disbelief as he had been. Lizbeth had said she'd lived in the area for a few years; the locals probably knew about her to some extent. When his eyes met theirs, they stopped staring and went back to their breakfast.
The man’s gaze returned to her. For a woman he'd just met at a diner in the small hours of the morning, she seemed to be quite honest and open. It was refreshing. The engaging conversation eased his broad shoulders which he hadn’t even realized were a little tense, and that along with the caffeine he’d just ingested made him feel a little more open than usual. With a shrug, he continued, "Actually, I just came here to regain my bearings. I vas—" he stopped mid-sentence when a waitress stomped toward their booth.
While the caring young waitress was serving the young boy and the other side of the diner, a wide middle-aged one loomed over the unlikely pair with all five feet of her height. The silver name tag high on her chest revealed her name, 'Beth'. Beth leered at Mordecai first. "Done movin' around?" She asked icily.
"Yes ma'am," he replied pleasantly, looking slightly up at her, "money is on ze ozher table."
She grunted in acknowledgement as she filled his cup with more fresh coffee, more of an automatic motion than courtesy. Then she turned to the doe. There was the faintest flash of confusion, or curiosity, in the waitress’ dark eyes, but it was gone in a moment and replaced with mild disdain. "You gonna actually order something, or you just drinking tea for breakfast?"
Outside, a van parks a says away in the dhadies of the streetlight and the driver uses a scope to magnify their view of the diner.
(posting go take the spam off the forum main page)
(posting go take the spam off the forum main page)
Lizbeth detects easily the raising curiosity in this man, almost magnifying his will to learn, outside of the beaten path. The doe likes such open mindedness, allowing himself to accept things he might not await.
"It seems indeed that this place is a kind of refuge, especially this diner. Even if it's absolutely first time for me. I'm not very often in public places.", a reason why she still was attraction point, but not bothered physically. Not even by this still professionally cold waitress, that only wants to sell her goods.
Surprised by the sudden obligation, Lizbeth again nervously pats her belongings to see if she might have a few more coins. Marge gave her the usual loan for harvesting herbs and plants, but Lizbeth is unable to say how much she has. She simply knows that the herbalist doesn't dupe her. Appear in her hand a few coins, for someone like the waitress, there are easily to be seen 10$, no bills. Lizbeth, living with the forest, doesn't need money to survive, nature gives her all she needs. She only buys necessities like her linen clothing or sometimes some seed to make grow vegetables. "I will already pay for the tea, if there's enough for a fruit or some dried nuts, please take it. Maybe also a coffee for this gentleman here.", she points at Mordecai while saying so and shows her hand to Beth, coins clinking softly in the palm. Lizbeth smiles warmly, genuinely, she has no intention to be rude or unmannered, she just can't read, she never made the effort to learn to read, no necessity for her.
Should the waitress accept her coins, she would afterwards return towards Mordecai and patiently wait Beth to be gone, before asking, "What do you mean with regaining your bearings? " The man turns out to be of pleasant company, something this doe doesn't find often. In times, such encounter would turn into something completely else, but Lizbeth knows and accepted that this is past for her.
A twitch in her ear as some van parks outside, just under the neighbor window, she sees movement inside, but nobody steps out.
"It seems indeed that this place is a kind of refuge, especially this diner. Even if it's absolutely first time for me. I'm not very often in public places.", a reason why she still was attraction point, but not bothered physically. Not even by this still professionally cold waitress, that only wants to sell her goods.
Surprised by the sudden obligation, Lizbeth again nervously pats her belongings to see if she might have a few more coins. Marge gave her the usual loan for harvesting herbs and plants, but Lizbeth is unable to say how much she has. She simply knows that the herbalist doesn't dupe her. Appear in her hand a few coins, for someone like the waitress, there are easily to be seen 10$, no bills. Lizbeth, living with the forest, doesn't need money to survive, nature gives her all she needs. She only buys necessities like her linen clothing or sometimes some seed to make grow vegetables. "I will already pay for the tea, if there's enough for a fruit or some dried nuts, please take it. Maybe also a coffee for this gentleman here.", she points at Mordecai while saying so and shows her hand to Beth, coins clinking softly in the palm. Lizbeth smiles warmly, genuinely, she has no intention to be rude or unmannered, she just can't read, she never made the effort to learn to read, no necessity for her.
Should the waitress accept her coins, she would afterwards return towards Mordecai and patiently wait Beth to be gone, before asking, "What do you mean with regaining your bearings? " The man turns out to be of pleasant company, something this doe doesn't find often. In times, such encounter would turn into something completely else, but Lizbeth knows and accepted that this is past for her.
A twitch in her ear as some van parks outside, just under the neighbor window, she sees movement inside, but nobody steps out.
*Buys the hot chocolate, and sits silently, sipping.*
When she said that she didn’t go to public places very often, his eyes twinkled again with amusement. I can understand why, he thought.
Beth scribbled something on her notepad. “We don’t serve nuts but we’ve got a fruit bowl.” Then, she gave the doe a half-confused, half-annoyed look when she offered up about ten dollars worth of change in her furry palm. Quickly, Mordecai intervened, waving a hand gently to encourage Lizbeth to put away her money, although he was smiling after she’d so kindly offered to buy him more coffee. “You are generous. But at a diner, you eat first und pay vhen you leave,” he explained patiently as he reached into his overcoat. With that said, he pulled out a twenty dollar bill and handed it to the waitress. “Unless you are trying to intercept somebody else’s bill,” he added kindly. “Keep ze change,” he said to the waitress, who accepted the twenty without further argument and went away to take care of other customers. His first instinct had been to pay the bill when he’d noticed her digging through her clothes before she produced the collection of change. He had no idea how a two-legged talking deer made a living around here, but to him it looked like she was down to the last bit of her money.
He watched as Beth interacted with another table in the distance, sipping his refilled coffee. He was deep in thought, not actually paying attention to the waitress. His blue eyes snapped back to attention, meeting the large caramel ones across the table from him when Lizbeth addressed him with a question.
Mordecai shifted slightly and lifted the fresh coffee to take another drink, giving him a little extra time to consider his answer. Leaning back against the booth, he rubbed the back of his head. "I suppose I mean ‘regain my bearings’ as in to resink my plans in order to overcome a few unforeseen… ah… hurdles.” He chuckled lightly and shook his head, adding in a somewhat lower volume, “und to vait until my left ear stops ringing.”
“But zhat is not very interesting,” he said easily, although beneath one of his eyes was a subtle, involuntary twitch of the muscle. Stress. “You, Fraulein, are interesting, however. Ze animal language you mentioned: are you still able to hear und speak it?”
He then noticed her attention briefly shift to something behind him. Turning his head, twisting a little in his seat, he peered out the window of the diner and spotted the van. He narrowed his eyes at it watchfully.
The waitress that had given the kid the hot chocolate lingered just a moment longer when he didn’t answer her questions. “Hey, kid, you gonna be okay?” She asked again.
Beth scribbled something on her notepad. “We don’t serve nuts but we’ve got a fruit bowl.” Then, she gave the doe a half-confused, half-annoyed look when she offered up about ten dollars worth of change in her furry palm. Quickly, Mordecai intervened, waving a hand gently to encourage Lizbeth to put away her money, although he was smiling after she’d so kindly offered to buy him more coffee. “You are generous. But at a diner, you eat first und pay vhen you leave,” he explained patiently as he reached into his overcoat. With that said, he pulled out a twenty dollar bill and handed it to the waitress. “Unless you are trying to intercept somebody else’s bill,” he added kindly. “Keep ze change,” he said to the waitress, who accepted the twenty without further argument and went away to take care of other customers. His first instinct had been to pay the bill when he’d noticed her digging through her clothes before she produced the collection of change. He had no idea how a two-legged talking deer made a living around here, but to him it looked like she was down to the last bit of her money.
He watched as Beth interacted with another table in the distance, sipping his refilled coffee. He was deep in thought, not actually paying attention to the waitress. His blue eyes snapped back to attention, meeting the large caramel ones across the table from him when Lizbeth addressed him with a question.
Mordecai shifted slightly and lifted the fresh coffee to take another drink, giving him a little extra time to consider his answer. Leaning back against the booth, he rubbed the back of his head. "I suppose I mean ‘regain my bearings’ as in to resink my plans in order to overcome a few unforeseen… ah… hurdles.” He chuckled lightly and shook his head, adding in a somewhat lower volume, “und to vait until my left ear stops ringing.”
“But zhat is not very interesting,” he said easily, although beneath one of his eyes was a subtle, involuntary twitch of the muscle. Stress. “You, Fraulein, are interesting, however. Ze animal language you mentioned: are you still able to hear und speak it?”
He then noticed her attention briefly shift to something behind him. Turning his head, twisting a little in his seat, he peered out the window of the diner and spotted the van. He narrowed his eyes at it watchfully.
The waitress that had given the kid the hot chocolate lingered just a moment longer when he didn’t answer her questions. “Hey, kid, you gonna be okay?” She asked again.
"Probably..... Not. My dad probably got home from the bar hours ago. He knows I'm gone."
Lizbeth doesn't argue with Mordecai, yet retracts her arm a bit reluctantly. She's not angry, but she might 'revenge' in an other way. The doe accepts her bill to be paid, "This is very kind of you, sir, but I will equal your generosity. I might not have much to give but if I can be helpful at any time, just ask." She nods respectfully to the waitress and genuinely feels happy with that fruit bowl.
"With your explanation, I hope you do not often pay beforehand in a diner then, unless you are very wealthy." Lizbeth smiles.
Her question towards Mordecai is answered slightly vague, "I suppose those hurdles are in relation with your bruised knuckles. I will not ask further." Lizbeth softly shakes her head, it's rude to insist and rudeness leads to punishment. "But I have heard that a cat's purr would give relief for a fawn call in your ear. Angel would surely hum a soft tone."
The change of conversation makes the deer feel at ease, as said she likes open-minded people and is always happy to give information. Her fear, her panic, all has definitely faded for a more serene demeanor, yet is this doe alert at any moment. "No unfortunately I don't hear anymore the language of deer. But I know I still can feel and hear them, but human speech overweighs. At moments I am able to hear cervine talking, on very sparse moments. I'm trying to find a way, same as all the deer instincts I were able to gain back."
For Lizbeth the van is quickly forgotten, even should the driver not climb out, it seems no imminent danger for her. She relays on her quick reactions should there raise something harmful.
The fine ears of the doe catch the words of that kid, she knows what it means when humans 'go to the bar' for longer time, she dealt with many drunken people. She knows also that the kid doesn't tell the truth, as drunken men either get violent or fall asleep profoundly. "That kid doesn't say right..." she whispers to Mordecai.
"With your explanation, I hope you do not often pay beforehand in a diner then, unless you are very wealthy." Lizbeth smiles.
Her question towards Mordecai is answered slightly vague, "I suppose those hurdles are in relation with your bruised knuckles. I will not ask further." Lizbeth softly shakes her head, it's rude to insist and rudeness leads to punishment. "But I have heard that a cat's purr would give relief for a fawn call in your ear. Angel would surely hum a soft tone."
The change of conversation makes the deer feel at ease, as said she likes open-minded people and is always happy to give information. Her fear, her panic, all has definitely faded for a more serene demeanor, yet is this doe alert at any moment. "No unfortunately I don't hear anymore the language of deer. But I know I still can feel and hear them, but human speech overweighs. At moments I am able to hear cervine talking, on very sparse moments. I'm trying to find a way, same as all the deer instincts I were able to gain back."
For Lizbeth the van is quickly forgotten, even should the driver not climb out, it seems no imminent danger for her. She relays on her quick reactions should there raise something harmful.
The fine ears of the doe catch the words of that kid, she knows what it means when humans 'go to the bar' for longer time, she dealt with many drunken people. She knows also that the kid doesn't tell the truth, as drunken men either get violent or fall asleep profoundly. "That kid doesn't say right..." she whispers to Mordecai.
"When he finds me..... He's probably going to hurt me and mom......"
Mordecai waved a hand again and shook his head when the doe claimed she would find a way to pay him back in some way. He was far from wealthy, but it was the least he could do in appreciation for her willingness to entertain his curiosity. Especially if she was particularly low on funds.
“Yes,” he nodded, smiling, “I am afraid it is related.” It was interesting for him to listen to her pattern of speech. Neither of them were native English speakers, so each probably had to try to decipher what the other was saying to a stronger degree. This time, he was a little stumped by what she meant about the cat's purr, fawn's call, and who Angel was. "It just takes time for it to cease," he replied simply, assuming she was referring to the ringing in his ear. “But it is fascinating,” he added, “zhat you have somevhat—yet not entirely—lost ze ability to understand your kind. But human speech is fluently heard… I vonder vhy…” his sentence drifted along with his ponderous thoughts.
Blinking, he drove himself to return to the current conversation, another thing coming to mind about what he’d encountered before coming to the diner. Suddenly, he asked, “You said you haff lived here a few years, ja? If I may, about how far from here is your home?" Mostly, he was wondering whether the doe was going to potentially be in danger when she decided to walk home—assuming she wasn't driving. He couldn't imagine a deer trying to drive a car, operating the pedals with those hooves.
He kept his eyes on the van for the duration of their conversation, occasionally glancing at Lizbeth to show that he was still interested and listening, until she whispered to him. He leaned forward slightly to hear her. He had almost tuned out the interaction between the lone kid and the waitress until he heard the mention of a dad and a bar. Then he started paying attention again. His eyes locked with Lizbeth's, assuming that her far more sensitive ears had picked up the whole context of the conversation. "Vhat do you mean?" He mumbled to her without looking over at the others, not wanting to reveal that he was observing.
Lizbeth’s assumption that there was more to the story was vindicated and Mordecai’s question answered, however, when the boy spoke again very blatantly. The German’s eyes widened slightly, then narrowed in thought.
The waitress didn't know what to say to that for a moment. "I certainly hope not," she said, "um... enjoy your hot chocolate, hon. I'll be right back." With that, the waitress hustled away. But instead of going to her other customers, she went into the kitchen where the boss was.
“Yes,” he nodded, smiling, “I am afraid it is related.” It was interesting for him to listen to her pattern of speech. Neither of them were native English speakers, so each probably had to try to decipher what the other was saying to a stronger degree. This time, he was a little stumped by what she meant about the cat's purr, fawn's call, and who Angel was. "It just takes time for it to cease," he replied simply, assuming she was referring to the ringing in his ear. “But it is fascinating,” he added, “zhat you have somevhat—yet not entirely—lost ze ability to understand your kind. But human speech is fluently heard… I vonder vhy…” his sentence drifted along with his ponderous thoughts.
Blinking, he drove himself to return to the current conversation, another thing coming to mind about what he’d encountered before coming to the diner. Suddenly, he asked, “You said you haff lived here a few years, ja? If I may, about how far from here is your home?" Mostly, he was wondering whether the doe was going to potentially be in danger when she decided to walk home—assuming she wasn't driving. He couldn't imagine a deer trying to drive a car, operating the pedals with those hooves.
He kept his eyes on the van for the duration of their conversation, occasionally glancing at Lizbeth to show that he was still interested and listening, until she whispered to him. He leaned forward slightly to hear her. He had almost tuned out the interaction between the lone kid and the waitress until he heard the mention of a dad and a bar. Then he started paying attention again. His eyes locked with Lizbeth's, assuming that her far more sensitive ears had picked up the whole context of the conversation. "Vhat do you mean?" He mumbled to her without looking over at the others, not wanting to reveal that he was observing.
Lizbeth’s assumption that there was more to the story was vindicated and Mordecai’s question answered, however, when the boy spoke again very blatantly. The German’s eyes widened slightly, then narrowed in thought.
The waitress didn't know what to say to that for a moment. "I certainly hope not," she said, "um... enjoy your hot chocolate, hon. I'll be right back." With that, the waitress hustled away. But instead of going to her other customers, she went into the kitchen where the boss was.
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