Chapter 4
While it continued raining outside, while the storm blew in, and blew by, a fire crackled in the study, and the essence of warmth came through it. Pictures of famous scientists, and physics books remained on the bookshelf, as well as thousands of essays, books, and theses written by Mandark. Mandark remained in his reading chair, with a robe on, and boxers. He wore a robe decorated with cherry lips, and kisses. Emily came in….seeing Mandark. "Baby". Mandark whispered, kindly with gentleness and a soothing voice. "Baby, darling". Mandark whispered, kindly in a soothing, gentle, relaxed, and loving whisper. Emily lifted her head. "Yes?". Emily asked.
"Come visit me for a while, coochie". "Come sit with me". "Let me hold you". Mandark whispered, kindly with soothing gentleness. Emily nodded, as she came to see Mandark. She was brought into Mandark's arms, as the only noise present was the crackling of the fire in the fireplace. Emily sat in Mandark's arms, as he held her close….kissing her at some intervals….yet, and however, he just remained quiet….cuddling her, nuzzling her, keeping his arms tight around her, as he held her close. "Love you". Mandark whispered, gently with soothingness. Emily fell asleep in his arms, as she heard an off-key lullaby….she felt kisses, and she felt warmth, and safety. Mandark smiled, as he rested his head on top of Emily's. Emily slept, wrapped up in her blanket, while Mandark picked her up in his arms, carrying her to his bed, where they both laid down for the night. They slept. And they slept all day the next day as well, and the day after that. They just slept…..
Mandark pulled Emily close one evening in bed, holding her, wrapping his arms around her, in safety. He hummed a gentle lullaby, kissing her forehead, as he kept her close. She remained close….relaxing in his arms…..as they both slept….soundly. They both cuddled….enjoying the epitome of the most important thing….sleep.
One evening…the night before Emily went back to school, Mandark smacked his lips together while he laid in bed. He was busy contemplating something. "Honey….you know what?". "You haven't had a bath in some time…let's give you a bath". Mandark suggested, kindly with a gentle, soothing voice. "Ok". Emily replied. Mandark smiled, as he hoisted himself upwards, out of bed, putting on his robe. "Let's go get a bath, sweet girl". Mandark said, kindly with gentle soothingness. Emily nodded, as she walked with Mandark into the bathroom….all while one of his maids undressed Emily, and filled the tub. "Thank you, Eleanor". Mandark said, politely.
Mandark sat by the tub, as Emily sat in 90 degree water. "Feels nice, doesn't it?". Mandark said, kindly with soothingness. "It feels good". Emily replied. Mandark smiled, as he sat in a chair near the tub. "Sweetie, you have something near your eye….some red mark, or red spot we didn't take a look at yet". "Is that a bug bite, or something?". Mandark asked, in a mutter.
"There was something on the ceiling….it fell down, and bit me on the face". Emily said. "It hurts a lot….and it's swollen….but I'm ok….really, I'm ok". Emily heaved a sigh.
"Probably a centipede I would think….we get them this time of year". "One didn't get Belle, did it?". Mandark asked, kindly with soothingness. "No….she is ok". Emily replied, sighing.
"I'm sorry that happened, baby". "Are you ok?". Mandark asked in a softened, gentle, soothing voice. "I am ok". Emily replied, as she drank milk from her sippy cup. "That's always good, honey". "I know it's hard when we get stung or bitten by something….we'll get some medicine for it". "It'll be ok, coochie". "I'll fix it….your big brother will fix it". Mandark said, soothingly with gentle kindness, and softness. "Ok…thank you". Emily replied, plainly.
"Awww, someone needs a kiss, and a hug, coochie". "Luckily, I have just the thing….come give me some nuzzles, and I'll make the bad bug bite go away". Mandark said, soothingly with kind softness. Emily nodded, as she felt Mandark kiss near her forehead, where the sting was. Emily sniffled, as she began crying…much like a kitten, or a baby bunny in pain.
"Shhh, it's ok, coochie". "I know it hurts…we'll fix it, I promise". "It's ok….The Monarch of Darkness and his magic will fix it, lovey". Mandark said, in a soothing, gentle, kind, softened voice. Emily continued crying.
"I know, honey". "I know…..I understand it's painful….let's drink our milk for right now, and we'll get some medicine after…..wait, hold on….". Mandark said, kindly, as he turned to his maid. "Eleanor, would you mind getting Emily some of that antibiotic that's in my lab upstairs?". "It's Floboxixin". Mandark requested. "Sure". Eleanor replied, as she disappeared upstairs to Mandark's lab.
Mandark got the antibiotic soon after in liquid form, as he gave the syrupy medicine to Emily. "Drink some of this, and your sting will get better…..it doesn't hurt, all it does is make you sleep for a long period of time….but we're going to bed, anyhow….so it doesn't matter". Mandark said, gently with kind soothingness. "O-k". Emily replied. "There you go, coochie". "Drink up, now". Mandark prompted, soothingly with gentleness. Emily's eyes looked exhausted now, as bags remained under them….as well as redness. Emily looked similar to a young kitten, or a young chinchilla who needed milk from a bottle. "That's it….you're doing so well, swallowing". "You're focused, you're listening to directions, you're doing a fantastic job". Mandark said, kindly with a cuddly, softened, soothing voice. Mandark brushed Emily's face, gently. Emily drank from her sippy cup, after, as she was shampooed at the top of her hair. "Very good, coochie". "You're certainly all ready for bed, now". "You look beautiful, baby". Mandark said, in a soothing, kind, gentle, loving, softened voice. He brushed Emily's face again, rinsing her hair.
"Thank you". Emily replied. Mandark kissed both of Emily's cheeks, gently. "How does the medicine taste, coochie?". "It tastes nasty, huh?". Mandark said, soothingly with kind gentleness. "It tastes bad". Emily said. "Yes, it's an antibiotic, so it tastes pretty horrendous". Mandark said, in a soothing, softened, gentle voice. "But you're hanging on….you're doing well, coochie". Mandark smiled, as he kissed Emily's cheeks again. "Almost time for bed, baby". "Let's get your body washed real quick". Mandark said, in a soothing, kind, gentle voice. "I don't want to go to bed….I'm not tired". Emily winced, as she yawned.
"Your eyes look like they're closing, honey". "The medicine is kicking in….it's time to lay down, huh?". "Under the comfy….warm, gentle, lovely, soft, cuddly cute blankets, that are silky, and soft". "I have silk sheets that feel good on the face". "That, and I have that comforter that's soft, too". "And a fuzzy blanket….fuzzy warm". Mandark said, soothingly with kindness, and softness. He brushed Emily's face, rinsing her body from the rosegold delight body soap.
"Ok". Emily replied, as she yawned again, her eyes falling, as she sucked on her sippy cup. "I don't want bed….I want to play". Emily winced, with a tired voice. "I think bedtime is in our midst, cutie girl". Mandark whispered, gently as he emptied the tub quietly, and gently helped Emily to her feet. "There you go….you've got it". Mandark said, in a softened, soothing voice. "Let's dry off now…please step out". Mandark helped Emily out, as she was wrapped in a towel, and sprinkled with Lotion. "You smell divine, baby". "Divinely luscious, cute girl". Mandark chuckled, soothingly with kindness, as he dressed Emily in her little girl pajamas. Emily had her hair dried, as she was wrapped in a blanket. "Mmm, I feel tired, too". "I just took those vitamins for sleep…Melatonin…have you ever tried it?". Mandark asked, in a soothing, softened, gentle voice. "Kind of….I have". Emily replied.
"Yes, your mom and dad used to give you those when you had trouble falling asleep". "But I take those to balance out the nicotine because I smoke….it's a game changer". "I love Melatonin, and Xanax for sleep as well". "Those vitamins and pills mixed….it knocks me right out at 7 or 8:00". "I get right to sleep, and I wake up at 4 or 5". Mandark said, in a soothing, softened, gentle, nerdy voice.
"You take sleeping pills, too, sometimes….along with your Fish oil supplements that help you concentrate in school". Mandark said, soothingly with gentle softness. "You're doing well, though….you have straight A's…you'll get your math test back, and I'm sure you did well on that". "I'm beyond proud of you, honey". Mandark smiled, as he turned down the sheets to the bed, and tucked the pillows upwards. "I know…thank you". Emily said, as she got into bed.
Mandark got into bed on his side. Emily sighed a bit, as she sucked in air, letting out a cry. "What's the problem, honey?". "You like school, don't you?". "You have a lot of new friends…". Mandark said, in a soothing, gentle, and softened voice. "It's not that….well, kind of". "It's about my math test". Emily said, as she sniffled.
"Did you get it back yet?". Mandark asked, in a soothing, softened voice. "I did….and I got an F on it….even though I studied really hard….and I tried". "I got a bad grade on it….and I tried my best….I did". Emily said, sniffling. She was ready to cry again.
Mandark smacked his lips again. "Honey….it's ok….it's ok…there's no need to be sad". Mandark assured, soothingly with gentle kindness. "It took so much courage, and bravery on your end to be as honest, and up front with me about your grades". "That's why I admire you so much…and think of you as my idol". "Because you are so honest…..whatever it is, however bad it is, you always tell me….and you're never afraid". "I'm so proud of you beyond words because….no matter how bad it hurts, or how bad you're hurting, you never lie to me". "You're always so honest….and it makes me happy". "Thank you for being so honest". "I am a proud person". Mandark said, in a soothing, softened, gentle, kind voice. "You're welcome". Emily replied.
"We'll see what we can do to improve your score". "I might have some techniques in my back pocket to help you on test day". "I know you've been working hard, though". "I'm so proud of you for studying, and looking over the material". "That makes me happy". Mandark said, soothingly with softened, gentle kindness. "You truly are the smartest, most brilliant, most enlightened person I've come across". "I am so proud of you, coochie". Mandark smiled, brushing Emily's cheeks, gently. "Thank you". Emily replied.
Mandark smiled, as he laid on his side of the bed. "Mmmm, hey, are you still up?". Mandark asked, gently with soothing softness after a long, beautiful, comforting bedtime conversation. It was a LONG conversation that is cut for time constraints.
Emily didn't reply, as she curled up with her sippy cup, falling asleep. Mandark smiled, as he brushed Emily's cheeks, gently. "This might sound kind of nerdy, and weird, but…I love our nighttime chats". "It always makes me happy to be beside my best friend…..and extraordinary baby sister". Mandark whispered, kindly with gentleness. "...ok". Emily replied, in a long sigh that was past the point of being awake. She sounded like Neville Brown.
Mandark gently took Emily's sippy cup from her hands, placing it on the nightstand. He kissed Emily's cheeks, and forehead, tucking her in under the blankets. "Love you eternally, coochie". "Goodnight". Mandark whispered, gently with kind soothingness. Emily sighed, as she fell asleep. Mandark smiled a warm smile, as he situated himself on his side of the bed. "Mmmm a rabies warning in Palm Bay". Mandark muttered. "We need to be careful". Mandark smacked his lips together, feeling his eyes fall, as he turned off the T.V. falling asleep. It seemed everyone, and everything around his mansion fell asleep too. With that in mind…..goodnight. Zzzzzzzzzz.
The next morning, a fleshy pink was in effect for the sky. Mandark was up at 5:30….facing the mirror as he put on his clothes, and tied his necktie. He buttoned the cuffs on his collared shirt, as he brushed his teeth, and combed his bowl like hair. Or his hair cut into a bowl haircut.
Mandark went outside onto the porch, as he stretched a bit, looking around. He opened a box of new cigarettes, taking one out to smoke. Emily came outside as she yawned a bit…her eyes languid with tiredness. Mandark smiled a gentle, soothing, loving smile. "There's my baby….my darling baby….she means the world to me, coochie". "My darling baby….my lovey coochie….can I have a good morning kiss?". Mandark asked gently with kind softness and soothingness. Emily nodded as a blanket was draped over her….a warm blanket as she sat on the chaise with Mandark brushing her face.
"How are you feeling this morning, coo coo?". Mandark asked in a soothing, gentle, loving whisper. "I'm ok". Emily said. Mandark smiled as he kissed both of Emily's cheeks. "I thought you might be doing well, my love". "I was wondering how you were….you slept so well last night…..big bro is so proud of you, little love". "How does your bug bite feel?". "It looks like it's getting better, coochie". Mandark said, gently with kind soothingness.
"It feels much better". Emily said. "It feels much better?". "The antibiotic is working well". Mandark said, gently with soothing kindness. "Your face looks better, honey".
Mandark smoked his cigarette. "Mmmm, it's cloudy and rainy this morning, too". "I like when it rains though". "It's good for the grass". Mandark said, gently. Emily nodded as she drank her milk.
"Do you like when it's sunny, or rainy, sweetie coo?". Mandark said, gently with soothing kindness. Emily nodded as she looked upwards from her milk. "I like when it's sunny out". Emily said. "Sun is always good but it gets so hot down here…that no one can enjoy it". Mandark said, soothingly with gentle softness. "It is kind of hot". Emily said.
"Yes, it is a tumultuous thing in its aspect". Mandark said, with gentle soothingness. Emily drank more of her milk, as she looked upwards at Mandark. "My dad liked when it rained". Emily said.
"You lived in Pennsylvania, so you were used to the rain and cold". "But it is something else indeed". Mandark said gently. He flicked away cigarette ash. "It is nice to have the sun every once in a while". "I had the sun when I came back and forth from San Diego a few times as a young student on the math team". "It was cold, but the sun was very enjoyable". "Watching the sunset was comforting as well….luckily enough". "With as much stress and pressure for academic success, it was easy to become misconstrued….when I saw something as comforting as the sunset, it made me happiest". Mandark said, kindly with gentle, loving, soothingness. "You always liked watching the sunset too, baby". "You were a sunset girl". Mandark smiled, as he smoked. Emily nodded, as she sniffled. "What's wrong, baby?". "You don't sound like your old self". Mandark said, gently with kind, softened, soothingness. "I don't want to see my best friend feel blue". Mandark chuckled a bit, as he brushed Emily's cheeks, gently. Emily nodded. "I'm fine". Emily replied.
"I just kind of….I miss my mom and dad". Emily said. Emily looked away for a moment. She remained quiet, and plain. "I understand, honey". "They were excellent parents…..with a beautiful outlook on life". "Well, it's ok now…you have someone to remember, and someone who will always look after you from beyond". Mandark said, kindly with a soothing, softened, gentle voice. Emily nodded. "Here's something special….at night, sometimes….when I'm conducting an evening prayer, I usually thank your mom and dad….for giving me you….and for allowing me the opportunity to take good care of you, and look after you the way they used to". "They are amazing parents…..and I usually tell them ahead of time…..that it's my apologies that they passed away….and on the other side of the coin, they were excellent parents….and that they did a beautiful, eloquent, amazing job of raising you". "Parents are amazing people…and with that, they can make a beautiful world of difference". "You had beautiful parents who loved you, raised you, cared for you, and nourished you". "You are very lucky because there are some children who happen to have the opposite in terms of parents…..and they don't seem as fortunate". "I know it seems hard now….but you and I were meant to be together….we were meant to change the world…..don't feel sad now…remember a part of me will always belong to you…and a part of you stays with me…wherever we go". Mandark explained, soothingly with softened, kind, gentleness.
Emily nodded. "I know….and I'm really happy". Emily replied. "My mom and dad were nice….and you're nice to me, too". "Thank you". Emily drank more milk from her sippy cup. Mandark nodded a gentle nod. "I'm happy I could help, honey". Mandark said, softly with gentle kindness. Emily drank some milk, laying her head down near Mandark's necktie.
"Well, it's almost breakfast time….we have some oatmeal, some oat yogurt with fruit at the bottom, we have some greek yogurt….whatever we're in the mood for". Mandark said, kindly with gentle soothingness. Mandark rose from the chaise, as he came inside for a moment. He heard a bulletin on the morning news come on, about the rabies warning in Palm Bay. "hmm, it's somewhere near the Elementary school….you might not have school today because of it". "They might have a stay-in-place notification until that person gets treated with antibodies". Mandark said, gently with soothing, kind, softness. Mandark set out some yogurt, scooping raisins and fruit into it.
Emily nodded, as she ate her yogurt. Emily remained still, as she ate her yogurt. "Is everything ok, honey?". "You seem kind of quiet this morning….,still, expressionless….kind of like a zombie….you're really quiet….is something the problem?". Mandark asked, gently with kind soothingness and softness as he helped Emily eat her yogurt, while she remained still, and quiet.
Emily shook her head, slowly. "ok….I hope I didn't say anything to sadden you, or make you upset". "I would never want to do that…..just as long as you're ok, I'm happy". "I'm just concerned because you haven't said all but 2 words since you woke up". Mandark said, kindly with gentle softness. Emily nodded, slowly and quietly.
Emily sat, expressionless as Mandark spoonfed her some yogurt. He seemed agitated, as she took some bites without a word. Mandark listened to the T.V. hearing the announcement that school was canceled due to the rabies warning, and case.
"No school today, again". "Hmm, that's interesting". "Well, I suppose we could get you cuddled in bed, and just snuggle". "There's no new reasons for me to go to the office, anyways". Mandark said, kindly with soothing softness. He fiddled with his necktie.
"You do seem awfully quiet this morning…..and catatonic…..I'm really worried, honey". Mandark said, in a softened, gentle, soothing, soft tone. Emily nodded, as she didn't say a word, and her stare was blank. Mandark fed Emily more yogurt. Emily had some yogurt dribble down her chin.
Mandark wiped her chin, kindly. "It's ok, honey". "Let's get you into bed, and down for some sleep". "You might need to sleep a bit more". Mandark said, kindly with soothing, gentle, softness. Mandark picked Emily up in his arms, carrying her to the bedroom, while he set her down….she was wrapped in a blanket.
Emily sat, as she sucked on her sippy cup, while Mandark undid his tie. He undid his tie, placing it on the bedpost.
He rubbed his eyes underneath his glasses, as some wrinkles were shown on his face. "Darling….". Mandark said, kindly with soothing, softened, kindness….a sultry, alluring, somewhat sexual, gentle, loving, charismatic, deep, raspy voice. Some silk rustled as he spoke in this kind voice. Emily looked off to the side, distracted. "Emily, baby". Mandark said, with an even gentler, more sultry, somewhat orgasmic voice. Emily looked over at Mandark, as he buttoned his lips a bit….as if to give her a kiss. Emily just looked upwards at him without saying a word. An expressionless, Autistic, catatonic gaze was seen.
"Darling, as it turns out, the medicine I gave you for your bug bite, was an antipsychotic medication used for agitation in schizophrenia, apparently". "That's what the ingredient compound information said". "Mmmm, I wasn't paying attention….mmm, now, I figured out why you were so quiet, and so stoic…..you were on that medicine, and not yourself". "Mmmm, how unfortunate that I didn't pay any attention to that". "I wasn't looking". Mandark said, soothingly with a gentle, softened, kind voice. "I'm sorry, honey". "I'll be sure to fix that, right away". Mandark unbuttoned his collared shirt, as he kissed Emily's cheeks, gently. "Let's get you into bed, and rested for now….you have your oat milk, and it doesn't need a refill". "You'll be ok, sweet girl". Mandark said, kindly with a soothing, gentle softness. Emily drank, sucking on the mouthpiece of her sippy cup. "Your bite's looking much better today". "Though, you have some redness around your eyes….don't scratch it….I think it might be pink eye". Mandark said, soothingly with softened, gentle kindness. Emily laid down, as she began rocking back and forth on her hands. Mandark's voice surrounded Emily as he spoke….and silk rustled, or fabric rustled while he saw Emily rocking back and forth on her hands….like she used to do as an infant.
"Darling….". Mandark whispered, kindly with a soothing, gentle softness to his loving voice. Mandark sighed, a depressed sigh, as he felt sniffles come to call. Emily continued rocking back and forth on her hands. "Come see me, baby". "Come to cookie, come see me". Mandark whispered, gently with soothing, kind softness. Emily perhaps couldn't hear or process the instruction as she continued rocking.
Mandark gently held out his hands, and arms for Emily, as she seemed to give him a passing glance. "Emily". Mandark whispered, gently with kindness, as he opened his arms. "Come see me". "I want to hug you and kiss you, little one". Mandark whispered, kindly with gentleness. Emily crawled to Mandark, as Mandark wrapped her in a blanket, holding her in his arms. "There now, sweetie". "It's ok now….I've got you…no need to worry". Mandark whispered, gently with softened, soothing kindness. Emily looked around, as she snuggled into Mandark's arms, kindly. "Were you scared, honey?". Mandark asked, in a soothing, gentle, softened, kind whisper. Emily shook her head. "I am really scared". Emily replied, as she began shaking. She was experiencing anxiety.
"I understand it is scary….but it's ok….I've got you, and everything is alright now". "We don't need to worry, little blossom". "Everything is ok….cookie's got you….I will never let you go, baby". Mandark whispered, gently as he touched his forehead against Emily's forehead. Outside, some thunder boomed. As it turned out, there was a thunderstorm that Emily was afraid of.
"Shhhh, shhh, shhh….it's ok now". Mandark whispered, kindly with soothing, softened, gentle kindness. He comforted Emily softly with gentle kindness. Emily calmed down, as she relaxed in Mandark's arms. Mandark smiled, as he helped Emily calm down. Emily began feeling calm, as she closed her eyes…sleeping in Mandark's arms. Mandark tucked Emily into bed, as he sat beside her….rocking her to sleep. He laid in bed beside her, as they both slept….soundly at that. It was a fine, peaceful day.