07-14-2018, 08:11 PM
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It is rather unnerving to be unable to see Washington's face. She can sense when his gaze meets hers, but she cannot see it; like staring into the pitch blackness and sensing someone--something--staring back. "It is rather strange seeing you without it on," she admits with an awkward laugh. Peri finds herself staring at his scars, argentine eyes making note of scars created by blades and more natural trauma, while others are small and circular. She does not know what caused the latter, but she suspects they must be a projectile of some sort to injure with such precision. "Oh thank you Imperia. You uhhh don't have to stand so far away." Silver dollar eyes widen like two full moons as the meek she-wolf comes to the realization that she is, in fact, standing an uncomfortably large distance away from the smilodon. "Oh, uh, right--" she stammers. Could wolves blush, Imperia would be bright red. She wishes that she could just behave normally. Maybe this is why people are hesitant to become her friend. She is too bland, too nice, too awkward. Peri inches forward until she is at a respectable distance.
Hate is not an emotion with which Imperia is familiar. It is far too strong and far too ignorant for a creature as empathetic as she to experience. Take her father, for example. Pierre was nothing but cruel and abusive to both Peri and her mother. She remembers being able to predict how terrible the beatings would be depending on the time of day he lost his temper. The later in the day, the worse it was going to be. It was never the physical pain which harmed her. Pierre was cruel, but he was not a sadist. It was usually just a nip here or there, or maybe a shove. No, it was the words that cut the deepest. The emotional aspect of the abuse is what rendered her unable to receive a compliment and made her stutter when speaking to strangers. Pierre made Imperia feel weak and useless for many moons--not just because she failed to meet his expectations, but also because her failures also impacted her dear, sickly mother. She never minded being called stupid or worthless, because while a part of her started believing it, another part of her knew that it wasn't true. It did hurt when she started recognizing that the bullying she endured upset Marguerite terribly. Peri did not want her mother to worry, so she did her very best to please everyone even if it was at the expense of her dignity. As horrible as Pierre was, Imperia cannot find it within herself to hate him. She knows that he is broken inside, and all his cruelty and rage manifested from old wounds which never healed properly. How can she hate someone for being in pain? She might dislike his methods of coping, but she can understand his pain.
Which is why she would be shocked to hear the Washington believes she might hate Agent Carolina. Distrust, maybe. Intimidation, too. Not hate. Imperia does not like how the beautiful leopardess bosses everyone around and refuses to get along with the group; however, she recognized the fear and confusion on the creature's face when she first "joined," so Peri suspects that whatever terrible place Carolina and the others came from had a serious effect on them. They have history, they have a mission, and they've made it very clear that Imperia and everyone else are not invited to know. Curious though she may be, all the girl really wants is for them to be her friend. Especially Washington, although as time passes, she becomes less and less sure it is possible. But that does not mean she is going to stop trying. "Thank you. I am pleased you both enjoy it," she replies with a genuine smile. They may not be friends, but at least she knows that she has helped them, even in a small way. "Jerky is not enough to sustain you both, I'm afraid," Imperia continues, her inner caretaker breaking free. "I would be happy to teach you how to cook meats yourself, if that is something you would like?" The offer is genuine, but it is clear from the way she glances down at her paws that she expects Wash to refuse.
In an attempt to distract herself from a train of thought that will surely end in more depressing topics, Imperia redirects her attention back to the armor. With there being very few full-scale wars within the known lands, she does not really understand the necessity of such technology. It is heavy and lessens mobility and it isolates one from the people around them. But from what Peri has gathered, Washington and the others are soldiers of some sort. Maybe technology is far more advanced where they come from? "You mentioned that your armor is made from a titanium alloy so I am assuming that it is a stronger metal that most we have available here. Do you know what exactly it is made of?" she is already thinking about how she can reinforce buildings with the stuff, imagining a safer place to live by incorporating materials that can withstand even the most extreme of weather.
Hate is not an emotion with which Imperia is familiar. It is far too strong and far too ignorant for a creature as empathetic as she to experience. Take her father, for example. Pierre was nothing but cruel and abusive to both Peri and her mother. She remembers being able to predict how terrible the beatings would be depending on the time of day he lost his temper. The later in the day, the worse it was going to be. It was never the physical pain which harmed her. Pierre was cruel, but he was not a sadist. It was usually just a nip here or there, or maybe a shove. No, it was the words that cut the deepest. The emotional aspect of the abuse is what rendered her unable to receive a compliment and made her stutter when speaking to strangers. Pierre made Imperia feel weak and useless for many moons--not just because she failed to meet his expectations, but also because her failures also impacted her dear, sickly mother. She never minded being called stupid or worthless, because while a part of her started believing it, another part of her knew that it wasn't true. It did hurt when she started recognizing that the bullying she endured upset Marguerite terribly. Peri did not want her mother to worry, so she did her very best to please everyone even if it was at the expense of her dignity. As horrible as Pierre was, Imperia cannot find it within herself to hate him. She knows that he is broken inside, and all his cruelty and rage manifested from old wounds which never healed properly. How can she hate someone for being in pain? She might dislike his methods of coping, but she can understand his pain.
Which is why she would be shocked to hear the Washington believes she might hate Agent Carolina. Distrust, maybe. Intimidation, too. Not hate. Imperia does not like how the beautiful leopardess bosses everyone around and refuses to get along with the group; however, she recognized the fear and confusion on the creature's face when she first "joined," so Peri suspects that whatever terrible place Carolina and the others came from had a serious effect on them. They have history, they have a mission, and they've made it very clear that Imperia and everyone else are not invited to know. Curious though she may be, all the girl really wants is for them to be her friend. Especially Washington, although as time passes, she becomes less and less sure it is possible. But that does not mean she is going to stop trying. "Thank you. I am pleased you both enjoy it," she replies with a genuine smile. They may not be friends, but at least she knows that she has helped them, even in a small way. "Jerky is not enough to sustain you both, I'm afraid," Imperia continues, her inner caretaker breaking free. "I would be happy to teach you how to cook meats yourself, if that is something you would like?" The offer is genuine, but it is clear from the way she glances down at her paws that she expects Wash to refuse.
In an attempt to distract herself from a train of thought that will surely end in more depressing topics, Imperia redirects her attention back to the armor. With there being very few full-scale wars within the known lands, she does not really understand the necessity of such technology. It is heavy and lessens mobility and it isolates one from the people around them. But from what Peri has gathered, Washington and the others are soldiers of some sort. Maybe technology is far more advanced where they come from? "You mentioned that your armor is made from a titanium alloy so I am assuming that it is a stronger metal that most we have available here. Do you know what exactly it is made of?" she is already thinking about how she can reinforce buildings with the stuff, imagining a safer place to live by incorporating materials that can withstand even the most extreme of weather.