After the ordeal in what was apparently the Human World, Malodore definitely needed a rest. The whole mad scramble near the end was a blur in the plague doctor's memory, moreso than usual. As if bits of said memory had faded out just as the students' bodies had. What a terrible place! And not terrible in the good way, either...
When Malodore climbed into its bed, it laid on its side; Luce jumped up to curl tightly next to its chest. She was still shaking, her ears tucked back in abject canine misery. "Shh, shh," Malodore whispered, gently running its fingers down her spine. "
Sarà bene, tresorina..."
Luce whined and put one paw on Malodore's hand. The plague doctor held her closer, fretting internally. There was no physical damage to the little pup, but... she was so very little, far far smaller and possessed of less FEAR than any student. The vanishing had affected her even more strongly. "We are here, in Halloween Town, and you need never go to that place again," Malodore said firmly, pulling a blanket up over itself and Luce both. "
Prometto."
Luce leaned into Malodore, then let out a long sigh. As if she'd breathed out her worries, the trembling slowly ceased.
Still, Malodore kept petting her until she fell asleep.
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