8523/A trip back to the Griffon

A trip back to the Griffon
Date of Scene:	02 November 2021
Location:	The Griffin
Synopsis:	Mairin gets a glimpse of the lion inside the man.
Cast of Characters:	Thomas Blake, Mairin Moran

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Thomas Blake has posed:
Bloord lets Mairin in. He glowers for a moment, but his voice is polite. No unspoken 'human filths' to replace periods. "Thomas Blake is in the tub. You may join him. Mistress and Saeko are occupied," he says. His yellow eyes gleam in anticipation of nothing good.

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Mairin squints and frowns at Bloord at this news. "He asked to see me and he's in the bath?" She's genuinely confused, but eventually just shrugs. "Well lead me there, then. I have no idea where his tub is."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Bloord blink blinks and cackles. "Silly silly. Not bath tub, hot tub. He likes using it in the cold. Less crowded." He shows his teeth in a smile then opens the closet and holds out a swimsuit to Mairin with a shrug. "Want?"

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Mairin blinks, then smiles, taking the suit. "We'll see," is all she says before turning to head to the back.

    She walks outside with a smile Thomas could no doubt see from the tub, even as she's walking through the door. She's dressed in a dark blue cotton dress with gold threadwork in flowers today, black tights underneath and a black cardigan over top to protect against the fall chill outside. "Good day, Thomas,"she calls out, bathing suit draped over one arm. "How are you today?"

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake has his eyes open, focussed on infinity. They quickly focus on Mairin. The outfit gets a raised eyebrow. Then he gets out of the tub, in a speedo and commences to walk about her to take it all in. He towels himself off as he surveys her. Finally he stands in front of her, stooping to look her in the eyes.

"I'm going away. I don't know how long. I wanted to warn you. Don't come here unless Saeko is about. I heard from Bloord about the prank Satana played on you." He almost awkwardly reaches out to give her arm a squeeze.

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Mairin chuckles as he walks about her. "Am I a piece of art on exibit?" she teases, but as he says he's going away, her expression actually falls.

    "Oh, don't worry about that," she says, laying a hand on his that is squeezing her arm in a polite bid to loosen it. "I don't think she meant any harm. She was just trying to cheer me up, I think. And she made sure I had everything back." She says nothing about breaking down into a sobbing mess in Saeko's arms.

    "But why are you leaving? Is something wrong?" Yes, that is actual genuine concern.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake shrugs. "We'll see. I need to sort some things out. Join me?" He lets go of her arm and walks back to the tub. He gets in with a sigh.

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Her look only groes more concerned, and for a second she starts to protest, thinking that he is asking her to join him in leaving. Then she realizes what he meeans and she just purses her lips a minute before going to change.

    A few minutes later she is slipping into the tub, her hair pulled up and out of the way to keep it dry. Her concern still evident. She waits till she's settled, then narrows her gaze at Thoams.

    "Tell me what's going on. I've never seen you like this. Did something happen?"

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake says, "I have something I want to tell you. I want to sit closer though." He gets up and sets next to her very close and puts his arm behind her, not touching her. "I went through some things lately. It woke something up in me. You know that saying about everyone having two wolves?" He toys with her hair a little.

Mairin Moran has posed:
    She shift, not away from him exactly, but turning to face him better, her concerned look not leaving his eyes. "Yes..." she answers slowly, trying to gauge where this is going. "What wolf did you wake?"

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake chuckles. "First of all... I don't think it's a wolf. More a lion or tiger. What I'm getting out, you dear, sweet, little, woman is... I only have the one lion. It's awake. I need to figure out if I'm going to feed it or kill it. That's the only way I can explain it. I'm keeping it from you. Don't worry."

He does put his arm around her. "You fascinate me... every time you get disrespected, or disillusioned or made to look ridiculous, you come back stronger. It is a very attractive quality. Don't sell yourself short. Sorry. You must get short jokes a lot."

Mairin Moran has posed:
    She blushes a little, or pershaps it's just the heat of the water making her face red. "Thank you. I... I've had a lot to think about the past month. And a lot of good friends to help me see things in a new light. Including yourself." She clears her throat. "I'm starting to realize that I am both more than I think, and less than I wanted. And I'm happy being that person." She pauses, leaning back a bit, into his arm. "I take it this lion is dangerous, then?"

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake leans more into Mairin, careful of the difference in stature. "If anyone ever shows you a lion and pronounces it safe, leave immediately. They're an idiot. I think if you woke up to me platonically spooning you now, your reaction would be very different. Try to stay awake if I'm wrong." Then he rubs her scalp with one hand. The hand about covers her scalp. No need to use his other and cut the snug short. "This sort of thing is really just a show of affection... ravaging you would be out of the question. You sleeping on me would be nice. I sort of prove to that lion who's boss. Your hair, by the way, is beautiful. Your eyes too. I tell you this as a friend. I know you're busy playing with my girlfriends. I am envious." He chuckles again.

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Mairin does close her eyes a little, possibly from the massage, possibly just from being comfortable. "Mmmm... Just the one really," she says softly. "But, thank you. I... still find it hard to believe. But you can't *all* be wrong." She opens up her eyes, looking sidelong at Thomas. "I think that's why I trust you. I'm well aware of what you'd like to do. But you don't. You could have... multiple times. But you've never taken advantage of me. And I know you wouldn't. I beleive you can keep that lion away from me, no matter how much it may want to devour me."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake nuzzles Mairin's cheek. Then he does reach up with his other hand and begins to give her the full scalp massage. "... I wouldn't be opposed to some nibbling though if we're being honest. I won't let it devour you. If it turns out I'm hanging onto it... I won't let it trouble you.If you want to see how the other half live, I volunteer." His voice drops low and soothing.

Mairin Moran has posed:
    She shifts her cheek away, but with a smile as he workes her scalp. "Oh, I'm well aware of the nibbling you'd like to do, Thomas," she says, a hint of good-natured admonishment. "And I've no desire to see how the other half live. I'm quite happy in my own half. But I do appreciate the offer. I suppose you will just have to continue resisting my multitude of charms." She grins, obviously enjoying herself.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake's grip tightens for a single, awful moment. Then he pulls back. "You should go... this is like you putting your head in the lion's mouth, but let me..." Then he gives her the softest possible kiss on the forehead. A good-bye perhaps. He holds her face in his hands for a moment. Then he says simply, "Go. As I said, there are no safe lions."

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Mairin looks into his eyes, and for just a moment there is an actul hint of fear in them. She nods slowly, and climbs out of the tub, grabbing her robe to wrap around her before turning around. When she does so, the fear is gone. "I trust you, Thomas. Still. No matter how unsafe the lion is. But... you're right. It would be best not to tempt it." She takes a deep breath. "I hope you have a good trip. And I hope to see you again soon. You've been a good friend to me. I hope... I hope I've been the same to you."

    Then she turns to go back to the house, change, and leave.