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Post by Lovely on Jun 30, 2010 2:31:38 GMT -5
April 26, 2009
9 p.m.
Warehouses"Why am I in this again?" The panted question fell as the running footsteps stopped. Justice looked down three choices of direction as the alley split. His stomach rumbled, reminding him. "Cuz the cash is good..." Someone grabbed him, knife to throat and whispered, "Also deadly.."Neat, bounty hunter as bounty? "Can you get off me now? I have a job to finish and he's getting away." He kicked her off and got moving again. She growled, "Unless you want to be the job.. Guess you do.."Funny how he noticed he seemed to run faster when being chased than when he was trying to get his meal ticket... he picked a direction and ran. She chuckled as she stepped out in front of him. "Forget what sort of creatures you're dealing with?"He offered a sardonic smile, stopping and seeming more annoyed than fearful. "So I've got competition. Grand... my price just went up. Might need it for the hospital bills," he added but kept going, stopped suddenly, faking a dodge and used the butt of his satchel to knock her aside. "Nope..," he hadn't forgotten. "But you have... excuse me." He didn't make it far before tripping over his own feet near the dumpsters and wall. "Damnit." She dove to tackle him, defying gravity.His eyes widened briefly. "Sh*t..." He rolled in a panic and reached for his pack. "C'mon... it's only one! I need the cash," he defended, swinging the pack at her. "Yeah? What about the one before.. and the one after?" She ducked and swung back.He dodged and shrugged, dodging again to get back to his feet. "Okay... so I needed the cash then too..." "There are better ways to get cash.. ones that won't be so harmful to your health." She moved fast and dropped down slightly to come up with a kick towards his side.She bowled him into the wall of the alley, taking out the cans in the process. He coughed and reeled a little getting back to his feet. Now he was annoyed. "Since you put it that way, sister... maybe I'll make it a two -for-one deal." "Mmmm I'm sure you'd like to." She swung at him again. "I'm not in the mood to lose right now.""That's usually my luck." He dodged and tried to get back to his pack. "Women around me usually aren't in the mood," he said, pausing to think out loud. "Maybe it's my form... hmm..." He blocked a kick, but looked like it hurt him more than it hurt her. "Could be that you're a heartless killer.. and you just haven't met a girl who likes that." She kicked and swung again, noting that he was trying to get to his pack and doing her best to keep him from it."Who told you I'm heartless? I have a heart. I just separate business..." He blocked and sent a double-fisted swing toward her. "... from pleasure..." "You kill innocent creatures for money!" She ducked, but got caught in the shoulder with the second fist, grunting a little. "How can you speak of a heart?""They're not innocent.... why should I be?" He swung again. "What crime has he commited?" She asks through clenched teeth as she takes the blow and ducks beneath his arm to swing herself."He..," the words sputtered through a cough as the wind is knocked from him. Catching his breath, "He's on the list of 'dangerous'... the kind that turn into assassins and guns for hire." He turned with a kick toward her side to clear his path. "Like me..." Half-blocking the kick, she stumbled back with a soft growl. "So take him out before he has the chance to choose his path.. before he could choose to be a guardian.. a protector.. like me?""He made his choice. He tried to kill me... so now he's on my list." He reached his pack. "Tried to kill you or defend himself from you killing him for sport?" She took a step toward him, preparing to knock him back again."It's not sport. Baseball... is a sport. This is a career. And he did try to kill me first. I just happened to wake up in time." "And I s'pose you expect me to simply take your word for it.. that you're justified in taking him out and getting paid for it? You pursue him and he flees.. ""You'll have to, won't you? He's not here to ask now and he has my list, so... guess that leaves you and me, doesn't it?" She paused for a second, hand drawn back and eyes narrowed. "Your list?.. Well isn't that terrible for you? Now you don't know which innocent to kill next..""Only my list. I know who's on it... which might just be terrible for you," he said, looking up, expecting to have to dodge, but not fighting her. "C'mon.. you're making it sound like I'm some sort of indiscriminate killing machine. Who's to say I'm not bringing him back alive... did ya consider that?" "No..I didn't consider it.. you're a bounty hunter and my orders are to stop you.. even if you bring him or any others in alive.. they are killing them.. So you're just as bad for delivering them to murderers.""Well my orders don't sound much different than yours, then, do they? That makes us about even," he said, pulling a smoke grenade from his pack and setting it off between them in hopes of dodging far enough to catch up to his quarry. She spun back and went off in a direction to clear around the smoke and circle ahead. She hoped she'd detained him long enough that the boy had gotten ahead far enough ahead to get away for the moment.. perhaps the other guardian had met up with him.Scene fade to black...
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Post by Lovely on Jun 30, 2010 18:30:32 GMT -5
April 27, 2009
"Mm mmmm.." The small noise came from the girl who was slowly begining to stir and awaken from the deep sleep she'd been cast into, for how long she was yet unaware. Her eyes fluttered open and her head turned on the.. very comfortable pillows, as she started to move she realized she'd been laid out like a princess in a fairytale. The thought of that made her chuckle quietly, she blinked and gently pushed herself up on her elbows. The bed was quite regal and piled with plush pillows, it reminded her of something a king or queen might have.. this was definitely not her bed or her room which was much more sparse. She glanced down and saw the way the bodice of her dress accentuated her shape in a certain manner and her eyebrow raised up. She never wore garments like this and it was quite odd to see the downward view of how she looked in it, so different from her normal style of clothing. Aless felt like she was coming out of a fog as the effects of what had put her to sleep wore off.
"If you move too fast the room will spin and you'll likely regret it. Relax and enjoy your predicament." The male voice stirred the air from beside the window. She'd woken so there was little sense to keeping her entirely in shadows now. He pulled open the curtains, flooding the room with pale, filtered light through the sheer coverings that retained their privacy. Silhouetted against it, he was merely a dark figure of male shape and presence.
Her head turned at the voice and she experienced a lesser version of what he'd warned her of, Aless winced and let herself slowly ease back to the pillows. She wasn't laying down as she had been, but was not fully sitting up either, somewhere between so she could see the room and the silhouette of a man while supported by the generous cushions. "How long will it take to wear off?" She started with asking for information about herself.
"A few more hours. Hopefully less so I can enjoy the sparkle of sunshine on your dress before it sets. Comfortable?" He stepped away from the window now though he was still a dark silhouette - a lean and muscular form clad in black with dark hair and chiseled features.
"A few hours.. " She echoed softly and reached her hand up to her cheek and then to her forehead, wondering just how badly she'd regret moving fast if she decided to try to.. what was she going to do? "Where am I?.. who are you?" She asked, her gaze going to the man who stepped out and she was surprised by how handsome she found him. He was quite the visage in black with his striking blue eyes.
His grin curled up on one side as he watched her test her surroundings and all. He leaned against the polished, dark valet, standing like a regal portrait himself. "Where you are is safely in my care until I say otherwise. Who I am is another story that will take some time to explain. In case you're concerned, remember what I just told you. You're safely in my care and no further harm will come to you. Ah, but I do hope you have your appetite. I must say I timed it quite well. The soup will still be warm for you."
"I see..." She spoke in a quite manner but it was not timid, she was cautious but not shy and only a reasonable amount of fear was in her for not knowing who he was, where she was, or what his true intent was toward her. Aless licked her lips, pulling the lower one between her teeth for a moment. "I'm not sure if I have any appetite... ah.. what did you.. or anyone else do to me while I was out.. besides the obvious wardrobe change. Ohh.. and ah.. what's with the dress anyway?"
"No harm and nothing you need to be concerned of for your health or modesty. I had you changed by attendants and the dress was my choosing.... something for a princess... my princess," he explained simply as if she would accept such a story easily.
"Well.. thank you.. for the.. modesty." Her tongue and teeth played over her lower lip again and she looked sort of apologetic really with her next words. "Umm not to be ungrateful.. I mean the dress is simply beautiful and I kind of feel like one in it.. but.. I'm.. not .. a princess."
"But I say you are, so now you are. Start behaving like one," he insisted with caution. "You're in no position to say otherwise."
"I can't.." She protested in the same soft voice, shaking her head just a little as not to jar herself too much. "I'm not spoiled rotten or concieted.. I don't know how else a princess is supposed to act.. "
"You have every right to be. Beauty, grace, strength... power... Perhaps not conceit, or pride, but you have everything else you could possibly need to be heir to this forsaken world. I intend to see you rise to that... by my side." The wickedness of his description brought a fury of wildness to his expression. He stepped away from the cabinet and stepped closer to her bedside.
"By your side... wow, I feel like I'm just repeating everything you say. How annoying.. I'm just.. a little shocked.. which doesn't happen to me often." Aless watched him as his expressions changed and he moved closer to the bed she was laying in. Considering the furnishings she could see, the way she'd been dressed by attendants, which meant he had attendants and.. "So you're really a prince.. and you intend for me to be your princess? I'm... really flattered.. especially after what you just said about me.. beauty and grace.. and that was very sweet.. You do know what I am.. I mean you must.. to have known what to use to put me out like that.. Why me?"
He folded his arms, pouting a bit as she tried to understand but still didn't quite. "A prince of my own domain, yes, but not royalty - not that you specifically are familiar or comfortable with, I'm sure. I chose you because I... because. Why not you?"
She pushed herself up a little more, slowly adjusting herself so she could eventually be upright without unpleasant side effects. "Does that mean you are royalty.. just not one I'm familiar with? Which of course leads to the question of what sort that is.. " She folded her arms much like he had and regarded him. "Why not me.. well for starters because I don't know you.. which you know is sort of a good reason all on it's own. And because you what?"
"You don't need to know me. You only need to accept that you've been chosen. The times as they are I wouldn't argue, Alessandra." he said dryly, still telling her little. She was upset and rightly so and to see her face tightened with it softened him a little. He sat at the foot of the expanse of thickly-covered bed, leaning against the corner post. "The times like they are with creatures such as we are, we need to convene and stick together, wouldn't you agree?"
Aless licked at her lips, her eyes flowing over him as he found a perch near the end of the bed, he did have a point and a valid one at that. "The times being what they are.." She echoed softly, her voice somewhat sad and haunted as was her expression though her gaze shifted away from him and she looked distant for a moment. "I suppose.. Yes, I would agree that creatures of a certain.. nature, should indeed stick together. That's part of what I have been working toward.. working on.. working with others to try to achieve.. " She bit her lip, she'd been on her way to.. "M-my sister.. where is she? Did you harm.. is she here?"
"No. She's not harmed, but she's not here, either. It's just us," he said, his hand sweeping to the emptiness of the suite around them. "And those few I allow in to serve you while you stay."
She nodded, relieved that her sister wasn't harmed, for that she offered him a small smile. "Thank you.. for telling me.. I feel better knowing she's unharmed." and also not held as a prisoner, though the last she didn't voice out loud. She glanced around the room and then back down to her attire. "The attendants you spoke of... the dress is very lovely." Her hand brushed lightly over her abdomen and down over the top of the skirt.
"A design based on the wedding gown of my great grandmere. I'm glad you like it," he smiled, touched and pleased that she'd said anything about it. "And it suits you very well. Would you like to see yourself in it?" He offered her help to stand and nodded to the antique mirror that stood in the corner.
His smile changed his face but made him no less handsome and for a moment Aless only studied him in silence. She then nodded gently and shifted, reaching her hands out to him to accept his help in getting up. "I think I'm nervous to see myself in it... I don't believe I've ever worn anything so... "
"So perfectly becoming? I think you'll be pleased, then. Steadily. I'll keep you from falling," he said, ready to hold her up and move as slowly as she needed to. The effects of the powders were wearing off, but the ward that sealed her in would still wear down her strength and ability to break free for a while yet.
Her cheeks warmed with a blush though she smiled softly at his compliment. She didn't have much choice in allowing him so close and to help her stay on her feet, she realized this as she leaned heavily into him with the initial wave of dizziness that came with being on her feet. "Wow.. you really know how to knock a girl off her feet, don't you?" She chuckled quietly, teasing him a little as she felt the wave passing, not near full strength but not completely weak.
"Only the very special ones of course. Easy... one slow step. I don't intend for you to break anything. There now... another step or two and...," he said, letting her take the steps and stop before the mirror. He stood closely beside her, looking into the glass with her.
"Of course." She whispered in reply, closing her eyes as they came toward the mirror, not wanting to glimpse until she was fully in front of it. When her hand slipped to hold onto his in the way it was now, she didn't know but her fingers squeezed his slightly as she took in a deep breath and then opened her eyes. She gasped, her eyes widening and her mouth staying open as she stared into the mirror, feeling awed at how she looked standing there with him. The dress was gorgeous and she could hardly believe it was herself in the reflection, her hair even looked elegant.. and what a pair the two of them made.
"I agree," he said with a small smile at her shoulder, one hand still grasped in hers and the other shifting the ringlets that fell over her shoulder. "Tell me now that you don't know how to be a princess, hah? There you are, you see?"
"Are you certain that's me?" She asked, lifting her hand slightly to point at her reflection, she smiled in that sweet small way she had and turned her face toward his. "I hardly recognise myself.. I look so... beautiful.."
"Don't doubt it so much. That's every inch 'you' and yes, you are very beautiful, with or without the benefit of the dress. You were chosen for many reasons. That was actually the least of them, but you won't hear me complaining," he teased, the tone far less gruff than before, almost like a dear friend. "You have questions, no doubt you have a headache, and soon you'll like decide that you are hungry. I'll see about what's taking the food so long. Should have been here by now."
"Questions, yes.. hungry.. only if it won't make me ill to eat." She watched his face as best she could as she spoke to him, his tone had changed and she found that she liked his less gruff manner. "Perhaps.. we could sit? I'm sure you have that in the plan somewhere.. you seem to have everything arranged quite well for this."
"There's an adjoining room I think you'll find more comfortable being in with a strange man, although if you're feeling faint or unwell, do not hesitate to tell me. I fear it may have been too much, too powerful a spe-... special blend... your knockout dust."
"So far it's only been as you said.. upleasant to move too quickly. I believe I'm well enough to sit in your company awhile." She wondered if his concern was that she was ill or unwell or if he worried that she'd regain her strength and smack him around for kidnapping her.. or even escape. Those thoughts were in her mind but kept to the side until she felt well enough to seriously consider them. "It does take something powerful to knockout a creature such as myself. We're few but not easily taken down."
"A truth I'd rather not admit," he said sadly. "Others have been taken down, Aless. Too many and it's nearly time to fight back."
She hadn't meant her comment in reference to the battles she'd been fighting before, yet somehow she sensed that's what he was refering to. "You believe that yanking a warrior from that fight is the best way to go about that?"
"No, I believe combining the forces of two, perhaps more, dwindling armies is a benefit that cannot be overlooked. Let's get you seated," he said, before launching into thoughts and prospects. He motioned to the heavy door near the window he'd been gazing out. "I had hoped to start off better than this."
She kept her hand in his and let him assist her toward the door and the other room. "You could have tried talking to me.. to us.. before kidnapping one of us."
"My brother did try. His negotiations weren't very solid and he made a rather nice heap of enemies in the process... enough that he's now dead. Now it's my turn with different ways. One on one, with hopefully a much more agreeable outcome. "
"And you figured kidnapping was a better idea?" She chuckled slightly though her face grew serious with the turn of the discussion and she sighed quietly. "My condolences for your loss."
"Kidnapping.. I'd rather prefer to call it creative introduction to negotiations, actually... was a last resort. By my reckoning, I have your undivided attention in a safe place - for us both - long enough to hear me out, think about the discussion, and then you can return and have the minions of your battalion finish me off. But at least I know I had your attention," he said with a toying smile as he passed through the doorway to another elaborate room and offered her a choice of comfortably thick chairs.
"Ahh so all this talk of being a princess and the dress.. all to butter me up between the snatching and negotiations?... mm that was clever." She complimented his methods in her own manner and for the moment believed that he had no intention of trying to make her his princess as he'd told her at first. "Any seat will do.. thank you."
"Clever? No, it's not just buttering you up. The dress and station I offer you aren't fluff, Alessandra. They're really truly meant. That's just another part of the discussion." He'd stopped beside the closest chair that would hold the volumes of cloth comfortably as she sat. "Once I do have your attention, I do intend to keep it."
She lowered as gracefully as she could into the chair, looking up at him with a curious expression, she was confused as to what his true intent was and only hoped that he would be more clear about it as their negotiations proceeded. "There is no one else here to take my attention. I'm listening if you care to begin."
He squatted down beside her chair so she would not feel dizzy from looking up. His hand rested over hers again for a moment. "So far everything is going perfectly then isn't it?" A tap at the door came a moment later. He sighed and stood. "Except interruptions, though this one was planned. Just a moment."
"Perfectly if this is how you intended it all to be.. perfect for you." Her voice was soft and she appreciated the extra things he seemed to be doing to try to make her more comfortable. What a perplexing creature he was.. she didn't want to admit how curious.. how intrigued, she really was by him. Aless watched him as he rose to go to the door, feeling how the air touched her hand without his over it and realizing that she noticed the change when normally she wouldn't. Odd.
He stepped away again, leaving her questions to wait longer still. Opening the door only partway, it was clear there was a flutter of activity in the hallway and murmurs he tried to hush of excited helpers wishing to see the girl flaunt her finery. 'The girl' might hear a few odd squeaks and giggles of excitement with the occassional words that said they'd get their chance to see her later, but not until he was ready for them to. He pulled in the cart himself, full into heaps of fruits and bread, cheese and decanters of wine, baskets of sweets and a heated tray that smelled of gravied roast and another of eggs and sausages. An ornate pot rested on the rack below and steamed its scents of broth and herbs. A small vase held four tiny roses and around the glass was a dark ribbon that matched the delicate filligree of the piping on his jacket, not any random sampling, but all carefully chosen and presented.
As he answered the door and dealt with whomever was on the other side, Aless shaded her eyes with her hand and let herself take a moment to regather her wits and rest. She couldn't see what was beyond the door and could only hear brief bits of the sounds, she assumed were from his attendants. The cart that he pulled in was large and filled with an assortment of things which took her several moments to take in with so much variety and the different scents coming from everything. "My goodness.." She said softly, her smile sweet and surprised just by the amount of food nevermind that they all smelled delicious. Her fingers played lightly over her closed mouth which was watering and she tried not to appear overly eager to dive into any of it.
"Yes, your goodness... and your appetite and your health. None will go to waste, I assure you, so only eat what delights you," he said, rolling the cart closer and pulling the plates from their cover to set out.
Her teeth pulled at her lips and she felt herself giggle ever so softly. "Strawberries delight me very much." She told him, hiding her smile behind her fingers as her eyes moved over the cart and it's contents.
"Strawberries?" He questionned playfully, hoping to find them piled in the mix of fruits on their tray. A few were tossed through and he plucked them free to adorn her plate before anything else. He spied something else in the sweets and held up another that clung to a long stem and was drizzled in layers of delicately swirled chocolate. "Strawberries... what else," he said with a triumphant chuckle.
"They're my favorite." She told him when he questioned and she was delighted that there were a few in the mix. She sort of shrugged and shook her head at what else she might pick. "Anything is fine."
"There's a great deal of anything. You're awake and the soup it still hot...," he said, deciding on that for her to start small. To reassure her, he took a bowl as well. "Strawberries, chocolate and soup. Interesting, but effective. Here you are. And here we are, back and ready to answer questions."
"Honestly, I'm more than happy with just the strawberries." She took the plate and pieces of fruit he'd found for her, leaving the one with the chocolate on it to the side, untouched as she began to nibble on the others. With all of her layers of skirt and no table to set the bowl on while she balanced the plate on her lap, she politely declined the soup. She felt terribly rude since she'd told him anything would be fine but she'd expected him to add a few things on her plate not give her a bowl as well.
He chuckled and realized things were not quite so simple and casual as even he was used to. "Please, give me those and come sit here. Not a perfect dining table, but much more appropriate for actually dining. I wasn't thinking." He moved a few things from what appeared to be meant more as a secretary, but the chair was an appropriate height.
She felt fine where she was but was unable to balance so much and eat at once, she felt like she'd insulted him and she was not usually unkind to anyone without very good reason. Despite the kidnapping, she didn't feel she had any need to be rude to him. She handed him her plate back with an apologetic smile that faded to a frown as she tried to figure out was was making her feel and act this way. Aless slowly rose from the chair she'd settled comfortably in and moved toward the one he indicated with the small table near it. "Where do you normally dine?" She asked, halting her steps and turning to look at him curiously.
His smile turned strangely and his thumb brushed over his lip. "I dine out... often. I've forgotten others manners and certain hospitalities and you have my utmost apology for the awkwardness." He seemed to be garnering secrets as well as stories. He helped her again with the items and set her place properly enough. "Or curled up near the window with a cup."
"Please.. you don't have to go out of your way. I usually eat in my room.. curled up in a chair or.. near the window.." Her voice faded for a moment as she realized she was telling him something they seemed to have in common. "I usually only have a plate or a bowl or sometimes none at all.. I.. only.. It wasn't intended as though you'd done anything wrong at all, only that my two hands couldn't balance it all without spilling it and I would hate to soil such a beautiful dress. I'm very unaccostumned to anything fancy like this or proper manners it seems."
"I insist. And across the room is not out of the way. There's no harm done and no insult, not even if the soup is spilled. If I told you it was charmed... Not to worry about the dress, please. I want you to have your strength. It's important."
"The soup is charmed.. or the dress.. or something else entirely?" She chuckled softly, almost amused at her own confushion though she continued to make her way to sit in the chair he had insisted on. "It shouldn't be too much longer for the effects of the .." She waved her hand in a small circle around her face to indicate what he'd used to knock her out. ".. to wear off, should it?"
"The dress and its wearer are both charmed," he chuckled again. He'd confused her well. "The effects will wear off faster once you've eaten. I'm not sure its to blame for your confusion or if its simply my poor explanation. I'm truly unaccustomed to ... well, speaking."
"Alright.. alright.. I'm eating.." She smiled at him as she reached to take her strawberries back and bit into one with a soft. "mmmm." She truly loved the little red pieces of fruit and looked to him with a slightly guilty expression for enjoying them so much. "Please.." She shifted her bowl to make room for him to share the small table with her. "Sit with me? and perhaps we can come to some sort of understanding. I'm really not trying to be difficult.. yet.. but I would appreciate if you would try to explain what all is going on and what exactly you want with me."
"Exactly? Exactly everything," he said softly, looking to the floor a moment. Words were becoming difficult and his eyes shifted closed a moment. Upon opening them she'd see them darker and stranger, wild and alert, depicting the fire within this man. He sat beside her, watching her delight with the berries and almost tasting for himself each vibrant mouthful she enjoyed. "I'll try to explain, but I may need to show you and I may simply need time."
Everything? She didn't know what that meant, there were too many possibilities and some of them wouldn't be able to happen if others did. "Everything." She echoed the word softly, trying to find some way to settle it in herself to deal with it, as she looked to him for some other sort of explaination she saw how he closed his eyes and how they changed when he opened them again. "Do you think that perhaps we could start with what I should call you?" Perhaps something easy, simple, direct would help with his difficulty in communicating things to her. She curled her hand into her lap to keep herself from reaching out to touch his cheek. "..and maybe from there work on explaining the rest."
"Venge," he said in a near whisper, trying not to reach for the essence of the strawberries that sweetly painted her lips. "Please call me Venge." His eyes darted like a bird's would, spying a cat and being cautious of any sudden movement.
Aless smiled again, pleased at having one clear answer and being given the information without being confused more. "You already know my name.. It's very nice to meet you, Venge." She lifted the hand that she'd curled to herself to keep from stroking his cheek and now offered it to him in a 'proper' introduction.
His hands were thin but strong, long fingered with dark nails, different now from before the attentandants had arrived. Venge curled his fingers with hers. "Thank you. I do have an unfair advantage, knowing who and what you are, though I believe you're beginning to understand a little more about me on your own."
Her fingers curled around his and her smile brightened just a little for a moment, she kept hold of his hand longer than needed for the introduction but then slowly let go. "I believe I am.. that does lead to the next question.. How do you know who and what I am?" It wasn't like she walked around with a sign on that said love child of a couple of fallen angels or flaunted the wings she did have. Like now, they were not visible at all, though the dress was cut in a way that wouldn't hinder them if she allowed them to be out. Looking at her smooth back and it's soft skin you wouldn't know that such large wings could burst from them.
"Research, a band of snitches and my brother. He was my grand informant and did most of my dirty work. Then, he turns up dead and a list of everyone he knows mysteriously vanishes along with several on the list. Ah, but I believe you know more about this story already," he said, distantly staring as his mind worked over the details he did know.
"If it's the list that I think you're referring to.. you need better snitches." She pondered it a moment wondering if his brother's list was the same one they were after and she'd actually been on her way to assist her sister in making sure it and it's carrier made it safely out of an unpleasant situation. "That still.. " She sighed, running her thumb over her lower lip. "..how did your brother know who I was? We were always so careful.. Alright, so were you looking for someone like me.. my kind or.. maybe I'm just still having trouble with the why me part." She sighed again and let her gaze work over him carefully. "Skipping over my being stuck on the why me.. I'm not worthy part, this list.. people he knew.. his informants? his contacts? his poker buddies? people he knew or people he knew of?"
"They're not people," he started with a curious grin. "They're people like the both of us in very grave danger. People my brother and I wished to protect - sort of like searching for all the four-leaf clovers in the world and putting them in a glass case. Only if you know exactly what they look like ... yourself... me... will you know what you're looking for. The unfortunate thing is knowing there are other collectors out there who strive to thwart your every attempt to succeed." His tone was suddenly sharp again though it remained quiet. "Poker buddies. Yes, and informants, both," he sighed, agreeing to simplified terms.
"So it was just people he knew? That's what I was asking.. I figured out the part of it being people who were.. special." She started slowly, giving a slight shrug and then explaining her question. "I was trying to figure out if it was the same list we're after.. I'm thinking it's not but similar to what we have been trying to protect and what we were after when you.. creatively introduced yourself." She looked down at her hands which she folded in her lap and let out a quiet sigh. "I know quite well about other.. collectors and murderers.. Which is exactly why I should be out there fighting.. not in here.. playing dress up.. no offence."
"None taken," he grinned wanly. As her hands fell to her lap, he stepped back, rubbing his fingers together, his dark nails occassionally catching the light and appearing darker, thicker. "I don't want you to fight. How's that for a reason. You might be strong, resillient... brilliant in your mastery of knocking back the enemies, but what I'm getting at is falling back, pulling away... for now."
She stared at him with a questioning expression, his reasons for bringing her here were being revealed but were causing more questions to rise. "You don't want me to fight?" She echoed it softly like she was questioning if she'd heard him clearly though she had. "Why.. and what makes you feel you have the power to make that decision?"
He turned with a playful grin and a slight shrug, coming back beside her from his pacing and speaking closely, "Because for the moment, you're my captive and it is what I want. Among other things."
"Captive.. hmm? Do you always put your captives in such beautiful dresses?" Her eyebrow arched with the question and the movement of her hand caused her fingers to brush the back of his hand. "Why don't you want me to fight?"
"No. Usually in irons in very tight, non elaborate dungeons with no light and little hope of seeing it. Not all captives are kept for torture, though.. you are quite kept," he said in such a way that sounded awed and proud. He turned his hand at her touch, a slight spark glowing there a moment.
Aless smiled softly, her eyes holding a faint glow for a moment as she watched his expression and how it seemed awed and proud. She couldn't help but admire his beauty and grace, the power that was within him and showed in even his slight movements. She reached to delibrately touch his hand this time, running her knuckle over the back of his fingers. "How long will you keep me?"
"Eternity... if the fates allow it. You won't. You can't, but it's my wish to try and damn my already very dark soul, I will try. The moment I learned of you, I decided it. Once I saw you, I demanded it. Petulant perhaps... I prefer to think of it a little less melodramatic.... only a little less," he qualified with a boyish smile. "I don't wish for you to fight for fear I'll lose you too soon. I have every faith in your ability, believe me. It's chance... I don't like the taste of it and never have."
Her laugh was like a whisper and her eyes never left his face, as she gently curled her fingers around his hand. "You don't want me to get hurt?.. or worse.. You.. kidnapped me to keep me away from the fight.. to protect me?"
"I did exactly that," he whispered, hoping that she didn't become furious or protest too greatly and overcome the spells that were knit so carefully to keep her here. He hoped she might decide to stay on her own, but wasn't convinced of that, yet. Her hand curled around his and the very surge of wills and powers colliding was like a fury in a bubble, sparking around their twined fingers. He didn't hold it back now. She knew more of what he was and what his intent was. It was best to explain himself little by little. The raw, undirected power was nothing compared to what he believed she knew or was capable of, but he hoped she found it a pleasant discovery.
Her fingers grasped his a little more tightly as their powers collided and sparked around their joined hands, she seemed pleased as she watched and it promted her to reach for his other hand as well. "I don't suppose I can be too mad at you for that.. and I do suppose I should be quite flattered.. and I am." Her gaze shifted back to his eyes, her smile warm and her words honest. She gripped his hands tighter and gently pulled herself to her feet, she was light but she didn't hide the fact that she needed his assistance as she rose and steadied herself. Not quite eye to eye with him but much closer than before, she sighed quietly. "Much better."
"I agree," he smiled, almost sparklingly as the connection at their fingers. "My very second wish is not to disappoint," he admitted with a whisper, drawn into the depths of her brown eyes so very like a haunting forest, beckoning him in deeper.
She found herself drawn to him now as if by touching him she'd made a deep connection from her very core to his, like a moth to a flame. He was dangerous but would she get burned if she willingly sought him? She'd been wondering at the scent which she kept getting hints of, not realizing it was his until she inhaled it deeply as she stood close to him. "Your scent is.. intoxicating. I think the magic you used to get me here was clouding my senses, but there is no denying it now." She smiled as she leaned ever so slightly to take a breath near his collar. "Mmmm."
"Clouding your senses? What does the lady sense, then?" He grinned, more curious still about this wondrous creature. A slight shudder of anticipation slipped down his shoulder under her exploration though she had not yet touched his skin beyond the caress of her fingers on his. "Am I to assume that, so far, you are not disappointed?"
His first questions confused her, hadn't she just said what she sensed, had she not just told him that his scent was intoxicating? Leaning back to look at his face again, she studied him for a few moments. "I did not know you or of you before this evening, so it's impossible for me to be disappointed. I had no expectations."
"Then expect only to be surprised," he quipped, almost providing her a challenge to guess how and when he might do so. The power in his fingertips seemed to dance in small sparks in his gaze as well and he smiled gently, leaning closer to test an opportunity for a kiss. "Here's to believing in the impossible," he whispered.
"If I expect to be surprised, every moment between will be a disappointment.. constantly waiting for it to happen. Of course it's never truly a surprise if you're expecting one.. I think we would both find that a terrible way to exist." She explained her point of view softly since he leaned in closer to her, she didn't shy away from him.
He frowned a little at her logic. Damn that he'd tried to sound mysterious and intriguing only to be countered by such a simple philosophical observation. "Well now that I have disappointed, allow me to make amends," he offered, pulling gently on her hands to steady them both and hold her close as he dared to brush against her lips.
Her mouth was opening to protest, to tell him he had not disappointed her in the least, when his lips brushed against hers. She felt the spark, like when their hands touched but it was a pleasant tingle and she reached for more. One of her hands untangled from his grip and she brought it to rest against the back of his neck, to keep him where he was so she could continue to kiss him.
She was as delicious as much as delightful, responding so tenderly and just as eagerly as himself to the connections made one by one. Every moment of her touch seemed to enhance so much in his own senses and the power he channeled seemed that much stronger... better still to keep the wards in place that held her as snugly as the arm he now slipped around her slender waist. A brief moment of desire to rid her of the adorning dress and delicate finery flashed through his mind, flickering the sparks into dancing dragons in his gaze for that moment. Desires he'd kept in check for a very long time were beginning to crack through the exterior and guide him to turn her back toward the room she'd woken in and the bed from where she'd gazed upon him the first time.
She showed no intention of shying away from him, the signs of his power building more with each touch they shared did not prompt her to stop. She smiled as she watched the desire take shape and dance in his eyes, he turned her and she glanced over her shoulder. As her gaze came back to meet his, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Carry me?" She asked him with a warm smile, not bothering to pretend she didn't realize his intent or that she minded the destination.
"Indeed," he whispered with that dangerous smile, sliding down before her to wrap his arm beneath her knees and rise to float her nearly effortlessly over the tiles to the bed chamber. Some part of that power within him held her cushioned on the air but still enrapt tenderly in his care. "Though, I warn you, I don't intend to let go of you now."
"I don't believe I want you to let go... which works perfectly with your intent, so there you are." She murmured softly, letting her fingers brush lightly over his cheek. His face was more handsome than any she'd seen, his eyes more beautiful than any others she'd ever looked into. How could such a creature exist without a flock of admirers surrounding him? Why would such a creature want her?
"No, here we are," he teased, slipping through the doorway with her. The sun had moved away from the window where he'd stood haloed before but the room was still richly glowing in its natural colors of wood and soft earthen tones that seemed to perk and turn and bow in his presence. A shimmer of vitality glossed everything in reach of where he walked with her as he brought her back to the ever-soft cushions to set her down as gently as a mist.
He corrected her, though teasingly, it left her with nothing to reply to and so she was quiet. She'd woken in this room and it had not changed in the short time she was out of it, part of her wondered if it was his room. With the things he had said to her, it would make sense that it could be his. He'd told her he intended to keep her, why not have her resting in his own quarters? Her thoughts wandered curiously as he crossed the room and set her down, he was gentle but she was not light as mist and settled down to the cushions more heavily than that. She gazed at him, not expecting anything but waiting for whatever his next action might be.
He stayed near, hovering over her as she settled back into the pillows and soft covers. His hand, still near her knee, shifted the fabric aside. Another flash of an image, this time a quick swipe of razor-like talons rending the dress to ribbons and freeing her exploded through his thoughts and in the next moment, he'd hopped up on the end of the bed, kneeling at her feet to carry the fabric of her dress up higher and allow his kiss on her bared knee if she did not protest and simply kick or wrestle free.
She was what she was and anyone who witnessed the litteral sparks between them would know they'd formed a connection.. it was because of these two things that what flashed through his mind was strong enough of an image to filter into hers as well. Aless watched him curiously as he did not act upon that strong desire, his kiss to her knee was a gentle contradiction. It was sweet and it made her laugh softly, she shifted her other leg and rested her foot on his shoulder, giving him a slight nudge back. "There are far too many layers and frills to get tangled in.. would you mind if we simply got them out of the way.. now?"
The exquisite design of the dress was considered only briefly as the talons as sharp as his thoughts had been extended long and dark from his fingertips. He did not slash quickly as he did not wish to harm the girl beneath. Instead, he leaned over her, first tenderly gliding his palms up the bodice in gentle caress, then turning the claws into the threads, splitting them apart slowly down her sides so that she was still modestly covered but free to breathe. At the flounce of skirt and ruffle the tenderness was abandoned and the claws turned sharply to split the skirt apart from bodice and girl. "And once that is done, m'lady?"
Her strength was returning to her and she could feel the power that seemed to flow so freely between them, it enticed her and bonded her to him in ways that shackles and wards never could. She smiled up at him, wrapping one lithe leg around his waist and used it to propell him up toward her where she rested against the pillows. "You do the same." She finally replied to his inquiry, reaching to flick his collar lightly, though she did lean to offer him a kiss for his trouble.
"The same?" He was astonished that not only had he not offended her, he'd apparently intrigued her more. His own attire he held even less regard for, reaching to his shoulder and ripping through the cloth as if it was made of rose petals. The rags fell from his shoulders as he slithered up along her for another kiss. He ripped the fabric across his hip but encouraged her help to complete the task, or at least provided her the opportunity if she wished to tug the weakened cloth away.
"Did you expect something different?" Her eyebrow arched slightly. "I don't wish to disappoint you." He'd left her slightly covered but loosened, as he tore the cloth from himself, she dealt with her remaining pieces, tossing them aside before reaching to roughly tear away the weakened fabric from his hip. Her gaze bore into his as they danced around each other, tearing and discarding until they were equally bare.
"I had no expectations, just... desires," he admitted in a hushed breath, bathing in the surges that rippled between them at every place they touched. The talons receded though his gaze was still as sharp. The two lay among the tatters and he chuckled, gliding his hand over the leg she'd ensnared him with before. "Perhaps that desire is to be kept as much as being the keeper. How tightly might you hold on, I wonder," he said, suggesting that she hold hiim and his desire with more than her gaze as he settled down against her bare thigh.
Scene fade to black...
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Post by Lovely on Jun 30, 2010 19:53:40 GMT -5
April 28, 2009
9:30 a.m.
How had he slept here? The narrow peek at the light that began to flood the room as the sun shifted behind the curtains told him he was more than disoriented. He was displaced, his head against the foot rail and his arm draped over both it and the winter quilt that padded his fog-filled skull. Surely he hadn't had that much wine, had he? A jolt burst through him, the panic in the instant of a breath that he'd been rendered unconscious and his lovely captive had managed to escape him and the warding spells. He rose suddenly with that fear, finding his shoulders shrouded and tangled in bedsheets with the soft scent of a bare knee curled near his elbow. The deeply restful sleep clouded his gaze only enough to paint her beautifully in a mist only he could see. She hadn't gone at all, except to as restful a sleep as his own. Venge moved slowly, not for fear of waking her, but feeling the aches wake with him, reminding him of how he'd come to lay against the foot of the bed, holding onto the rail so dearly. He hummed with the delightful memory and stretched out alongside the beautiful creature, hoping she didn't intend to sleep much longer.
Aless shifted and hummed softly in her sleep as Venge moved and turned himself beside her. She stretched as he did, curling to fit herself perfectly against him, a content sigh easing out of her. Her hair had long been freed of the pins that had held it as elegantly as the dress she'd worn the evening before, now her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulder and against the pillow. Her eyes fluttered open and as the room came into focus she gasped, realizing she was not in her own room or her own bed.. and she was not alone or dressed. The memories came tumbling in vivid images and after a moment she knew where she was and how she'd gotten there, as well as who lay with her in this very comfortable bed. She chuckled ever so quietly as she realized exactly why she felt sore this morning.
Her small laugh and smaller movements made him smile and try to curl her against him more. It appeared no spells beyond their comfort were needed to keep her here with him. "You're a beautiful creature and I should want to adore you forever," he murmured into her thin dreams, casting kisses down her neck and shoulder. "Mm, but so much more than just adoring comes to mind right now."
She didn't resist as he sought to curl her more to him, she was quite happy to be snuggled up with him. "I will not protest your eternal adoration.." She giggled quietly as his kisses tickled her neck. "But it's only fair that I should tell you that I think -you- are a beautiful creature." Aless sighed and let her eyes close, enjoying his attention for a moment. "Mmm and what is it you have in mind?"
He chuckled and moved against her ever so much to give her plenty more ideas without uttering a word more about it. "Beautiful and fair? I'm truly blessed," he hummed with his smiling kisses.
Her smile curved playfully and her eyes sparkled as she turned to look over her shoulder at him. "And.. that's not part of adoring me?" She asked, letting her teeth catch her lower lip as she awaited what answer he might give to her question.
"And smart," he conceded, snaking out of the embrace to chase after the lip she caught, sliding over and around her and shielding her from the slip of sunlight that sliced across their sheets. "Whole, part, it is everything you deserve - being eternally adored, but I intended also mm... nibble, caress, squeeeeeze," he said playfully, suggesting tickles and licks as well as he did so.
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