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Derlik gently poked Nik's shoulder.
"What have I said about responding? Use your words." He sighed. "And you'll have to get used to this, anyway. There won't be many nights at all you won't be sleeping like this."
(I don't understand Derlik's last sentence?)
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(he's telling Nik he's going to be a doll everyone night)
(ahh okay thanks)
Nik chewed on his llip. "I…" he closed his eyes.
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Derlik put his hand around Nik, moving to sit cross-legged.
"You might be human occasionally, but don't count on it all the time." He patted Nik's head.
"I can control every part of you."
Nik didn't open his eyes, feeling very small and very weak.
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Derlik finally set Nik down, off of his lap. He touched Nik's cheek, turning him back to being human. Not only that, but normal sized too.
"But that doesn't mean you'll never get to be like this." He patted Nik's cheek. "If you behave, you'll get to be like this more. Do you understand?"
Nik nodded a little bit, curling up into himself and not looking at Derlik. He reached out and scooped up Smoke, holding the kitten close.
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"Nodding isn't using your words," Derlik chided. He reached over, flicking Nik's head. It wouldn't have near as much impact with Nik this size, but the action was still the same.
Nik flinched just a little bit. "I understand." he mumbled, holding onto the grey tabby kitten and still not looking at Derlik.
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Derlik reached out, patting Nik's head.
"Good boy~" he purred. He let his hand fall to Nik's chin, tilting his head up to look at Derlik. Derlik smirked at him, pulling him a little closer.
"You'll be treated well, then, at least for a bit. It'll be longer if you keep behaving."
Nik's eyes flicked away, not making eye contact with the god. He closed his eyes, shifting to press his face in Smoke's fur.
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Derlik sighed, releasing Nik and patting his head.
"I have things I need to do. You can stay here, but you're not too leave the clearing. If you do, I won't hesitate." He didn't say what he wouldn't hesitate to do, but it couldn't be good.
Nik didn't move, only nodded a little bit, still holding tightly to Smoke.
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Derlik slid off the boulder, stretching again.
"Now, both of you be good while I'm gone. Smoke, you're in charge." He laughed lightly, then started to walk away with a strut.
Nik frowned a little at that, but kept Smoke in his arms, trembling just a little bit.
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Eventually, Derlik disappeared into the trees. Nik had a few moments of silence to himself, but it wasn't long before a large looking wolf slowly made it's way into the clearing, looking at Nik the entire time.
Nik froze at the sight of the wolf, and he hugged Smoke closer, swallowing fearfully.
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The wolf made it's way towards Nik, sniffing. It pushed it's nose against him, inhaling. Then, it just sat down, tail wagging a little.
Nik stared at it, unsure how to react. He had no idea what it wanted from him.
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The wolf laid down, tail still wagging a little. It was the size of a horse, easily. It nudged Nik with it's nose again, trying to get him to pet it.
Nik flinched at the nudge, curling into himself a little bit and still clinging desperately to his kitten.
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The wolf set it's head down on the boulder, seeming distressed at how Nik was doing.
Smoke shifted a little, starting to wake up. He mewed softly, shifting in Nik's arms. Nik held onto Smoke gently.
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The wolf whined a little, then pulled away. In a moment, a girl with the same colored hair as the wolf was standing where it had been. She slowly came towards Nik, slowly sighing something with her hands. It seemed she was mute.
Nik peeked up at her, blinking when he saw the girl. He didn't really understand sign language.
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The girl saw how Nik didn't understand him. She held up one finger, then pulled a whiteboard out from her pocket.
I'm not going to hurt you, she wrote out.
Nik studied him carefully. "I…okay…who are you?" he asked slowly, looking at her.
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The girl erased the board, writing again.
My name is Twili. Derlik did the same thing to me long ago. she was like Nik then. I'm so sorry.
Nik nodded slowly. "Oh." he replied quietly. "I'm…sorry."
