[D3 LE] Helping Hand (Chantelle's Apartment)

[Marcus Kendall]

Then she turns back around, saying, "I think I'm at least going to clean myself up. I don't feel human anymore." But then she catches herself and adds, "Perhaps because I'm not. Where is the bathroom, anyway? Oh, and my apologies in advance but, uh, I do use quite a bit of shampoo - for obvious reasons. I could pay you for the bottle but, uh, I only have pounds sterling, so ... "

"Missus, none of us are humans anymore. It's what it is." the beast shrugged, his voice rumbling with frustration. "Well, at least you can use shampoo still." there was was bemused grin on his snout. "Or you have hair at all." he nodded at Jack.

[Chantelle Rossette]

“Wha’ do you call all dis?” Chantelle asked playfully, flicking at his coat with the sudden insight that the rough and crinkly fur was apparently exacerbated by the need for a decent conditioner. She was struck by the image of Marcus wearing a collar and being subjected to a hydrobath, and giggled quietly, a hand in front of her beak.

[Tiffani]

Tiffani leaves the window and returns to her chair by the table where she left the small bag she had had on her when she was snatched. There wasn't much in there, really, just a few odds and ends, most of them make-up products that a girl might need when out and about to do some touch-up work. She took a quick inventory then slung it over her shoulder.

"Yes, I still have hair. My ... benefactor," she all but spat that last word, "made sure of it."

She then eyes Marcus from head to paws and back again as if inspecting the wolf. "I think Chantelle is right. You have more hair than I'll ever have. I mean, is there really a difference between fur and hair? I'm not really certain there is."

She gives the werewolf a wry little smile. "You never did tell me what you do out in the bayou by yourself. But if you wish to keep it a secret, well, that's fine. I guess we all have to keep secrets. Now, if everyone will excuse me, I'm going to get ready for my big night out." She chuckles at her own little joke. "I'll be done in maybe half an hour."

Tiffani sort-of side-steps around Marcus and strides purposefully down the hall and disappears into the bathroom, the sound of the door closing following shortly behind.

[Marcus Kendall]

“Wha’ do you call all dis?” Chantelle asked playfully, flicking at his coat with the sudden insight that the rough and crinkly fur was apparently exacerbated by the need for a decent conditioner. She was struck by the image of Marcus wearing a collar and being subjected to a hydrobath, and giggled quietly, a hand in front of her beak.

"Fur." the beast snorted, his nostrils flaring. "Mangy, rotten fur." Scent of rotten fruits accompanied his words, betraying his bitterness. The beast found the situation less amusing, having been reminded just how abhuman he had become. Chantelle's touch, however, seemed to placate him a little. "

"Yes, I still have hair. My ... benefactor," she all but spat that last word, "made sure of it."

She then eyes Marcus from head to paws and back again as if inspecting the wolf. "I think Chantelle is right. You have more hair than I'll ever have. I mean, is there really a difference between fur and hair? I'm not really certain there is."

She gives the werewolf a wry little smile. "You never did tell me what you do out in the bayou by yourself. But if you wish to keep it a secret, well, that's fine. I guess we all have to keep secrets. Now, if everyone will excuse me, I'm going to get ready for my big night out." She chuckles at her own little joke. "I'll be done in maybe half an hour."

Tiffani sort-of side-steps around Marcus and strides purposefully down the hall and disappears into the bathroom, the sound of the door closing following shortly behind.

"There is. One's on your hair, the other's on your arse." the bitterness crept back into his tone. "Your's is in all the right places, mine, is fucking everywhere. Grrr..." the tall beast growled, baring his sharp, impossibly white teeth to the fairest. "I go eat out there." Marcus cackled like a hyena once more, lolling out his garish tongue, the appendage reaching nearly a foot out of his mouth. His breath stunk of death and decay. "Lots of food out there if you aren't too picky."

[Chantelle Rossette]

Sniffing, Chantelle stroked Marcus’ shoulder, “I li’ your fur,” her voice a little sulky. It occurred to her that it was absurd to expect this little group of misfits to get along, but something in her was seeking a connection, desperately fighting the tug-of-war inside her that needed attention—lest she shrivel up and die like a neglected house plant—and the voice inside that reminded her every day how insincere such attentions were.

[Marcus Kendall]

The beast harrumphed, though mirth puffed in the air, dispelling some of the more negative emotions. "At least someone does."

[Tiffani]

And before Tiffani disappears into the bathroom - she pauses in the hallway, her stormy gaze directed back over her shoulder at Marcus as he desparages his fur. Even baring his fangs did not frighten her now - she had been around him enough to become somewhat desensitized to his bestial form. But it wasn't bravery that overcame her misgivings - it was ambivalence. At this moment in time, nothing really seemed to matter. Not even her own life.

She could both see and sense the connection Chantelle and Marcus had. Of course, she couldn't tell exactly what kind of connection, but it was there. As she lingered in the bathroom door, she watched the little touch that Chantelle gave him, a touch that bespoke of something more than the casual touch of two mere acquaintences.

But that was their business and their lives. Yet it served to remind her just what she was. When Chantelle and Marcus were exchanging their words and no one was looking in her direction, she dropped her forehead onto the doorjamb, her hair - in the right place, apparently - falling across the side of her face - and summoned every ounce of her will to hold back a sob.

And then the bathroom door closes - followed by the sound of the shower a minute or so later.

[Marcus Kendall]

When he heard the sound of the shower, Marcus turned to regard Chantelle. "That was... I guess I was bit the same when I tumbled through the Hedge. Lost, afraid. Upset." there was a soft growl in his voice, and the scent of bitter emotions returned. "She'll have to learn to manage her new form."

[Tiffani]

Quite awhile later, Tiffani comes out of the bathroom followed by a gout of steam. She walks over to the loveseat, sits down and begins toweling her hair dry, the spirals in her hair already beginning to tighten. Digging out a rat tail comb, she begins silently teasing her hair ever so gently, her eyes occasionally fixing on Marcus or Chantelle ... but she never speaks, merely going about her business. She figured everyone would be leaving soon anyway, so she got it into her head to perhaps step out herself for awhile and see what's out there.

[Chantelle Rossette]

By this point, Chantelle was in the kitchen, washing dishes.