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| Home is Small Comfort; Cricket! | |
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| Topic Started: Nov 26 2011, 12:18 PM (1,089 Views) | |
| Alexandros | Nov 26 2011, 12:18 PM Post #1 |
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One-Liner Wonder
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It had been a long trip, and with little sleep for him, though he'd been content enough to hold onto the woman sitting in front of him in the saddle as she dozed, the hound trotting along beside the warhorse at a steady ground-eating pace, only stopping when Spot's steps began to falter. The wind had whipped the flames higher, fanning them and spreading them until even leaving the city behind, all he'd been able to smell, to taste, was ash. Now all he wanted to do was take some of his stock of valerian root and sleep, not that it was likely he'd be able to. Cricket probably wouldn't come inside the house, and he'd have to make a place for her outside, somewhere that she wouldn't get cold, or wet. He'd protect her, as long as he was able to at least. That thought caused him a tightness in the chest and a tiny sigh. The repercussions weren't going to be pleasant, and if someone had been able to pinpoint his face then it meant trouble. Ashoka might even see it as a personal attack by Morrim. Ridiculous considering he was part of both countries, but he doubted they'd let him explain. If it came to that, the Empress would likely be...well, for better word, pissed. They weren't far from Kinaldi as he turned towards the house sitting on the plain, buffeted by the wind. It was simple enough, two stories and an attic, the ground floor sprawling where it had been added to over the years, eating into the gardens which were well tended, his mother made sure of that. If it were down to him they'd have likely been overgrown years ago, turning into a wild and scrambled jungle, obscuring the house. It was not so however, and all was neat and trimmed as they rode up the path leading from the road towards it. It was mid morning, a little overcast as clouds scudded across a blue sky, hinting at rain but never promising, and pulling his own grey gaze down, he moved swiftly out of the way as a carriage came clattering towards them. He wish it hadn't stopped. "Alexandros? Look at the state of you! Where have you been?! I was worried sick! Who's that? Isn't that the...dog, that was making all that noise?" The tide of questions washed over him, shadowed eyes simply staring blankly at the aged woman as she leaned from the window, her piercing blue gaze scrutinizing the pair of them as he answered almost mechanically. "Good morning, mother." "Don't you 'good morning mother' me! You rush off in the middle of the night without an explanation, and..and bring back...who is she? Aren't you going to introduce us?" Her gaze lingered on the savaged state of Cricket, then flew up to her son's soot stained and grimy visage, grim and fatigued, vacant. "This is Cricket. Cricket, my mother, Mrs Maria Phloropoulos. Cricket will be staying a while with us. Now if you don't mind, mother, I'd like a hot bath, and a bed to fall into." "You look like you haven't slept in a week, boy, what have you been doing?" "Not now, mother, please?" Her tone growing icy, though she smiled pleasantly enough the woman retreating into the carriage again with some difficulty, managing her oversized hat. "I'm just off to meet with your sisters. They shall be returning for dinner. Freshen yourself up, won't you?" With that she tapped the roof of the carriage and it clattered away down the path, leaving them to gaze after it. Silently Alex turned his horse and nudged him into a trot up the path and around the back to the stables, a large wooden structure with a selection of empty stalls and two other horses currently eating. He stopped just outside, and slid stiffly from the saddle, knees popping as he bent over massaging his calves a moment, then turned and offered a hand to the woman still astride the animal, lifting her down, then leading Spot into the closest stall. His motions felt automatic, programmed as he unbuckling the saddle from the warhorse, motioning at the shelf on the wall and speaking again in the flat numb tone, "there are brushes, if you want to help." He hefted it up in his arms and shoved it onto the lower loft shelf hanging above, then began to work on the bridle. |
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| Cricket | Nov 27 2011, 02:54 AM Post #2 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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Cricket had been dozing as they rode, exhausted by the events and feeling rather safe in the saddle with her back against Alexandros, head lulled back to rest on his shoulders. Her dressed crept up due to the position necessary to ride horseback, resting at a scandalously high level on her thighs. Her head was tilted a bit, resting against his lightly while Hugo walked beside the horse. He had kept up just fine for the most part, though had required a few moments of rest due to the wounds he had suffered and the sheer exhaustion he had faced after the battle. He glanced up at the pair as he walked beside Spot, eyes lingering on Cricket’s maimed face before he looked back at the house they were heading towards. <Nice place.> He mused to Alexandros. His hackles raised, however, when a carriage came clattering towards them. When it slowed to a stop, the grim let out a low, threatening growl, only to relax when Alexandros addressed the aged woman as his mother. Hugo looked between them, during the exchange. Feeling Alexandros spoke had roused Cricket from the half-sleep she had fallen into, sitting up a bit and hiding her disfigurement against Alexandros’ shoulder, only half her face visible as she peered at the woman. Her anxiety was increased by discomfort, making it feel impossible to talk to this new woman but she waved a little with her only hand at the greeting. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She managed, politely. After that all she did was listen. A hot bath? The mere idea of such a thing made Cricket almost desperate, but she doubted this would be a treat she could enjoy, thanks to her claustrophobia. Still, maybe, if she could muster the courage... When the horse-drawn vehicle went rolling away, however, she leaned forward from Alexandros. She didn’t like burdening the male with her weight when she was awake, feeling guilty for his beaten appearance and the emptiness that filled both his eyes and his now monotone voice. Hugo however, wagged his tail when they reached the barn and asked Alexandros, addressing his mothers hat <What was that horrible thing on her head?> Cricket took the offered hand and slid down gracelessly, stumbling and grabbing him to stay up. She grimaced, rubbing at her legs the way he had, though it proved less effective due to the previous wounds she had sustained. Her dress however slid down to a more modest level, yellowed and covered in dirt and dried blood. She jerked her head sharply to one side, cracking the bones with a satisfied little groan before she moved to follow him. On impulse, she lingered in the doorway to the stable, eyes roaming the inside as if to check for traps and potential dangers. Still, she urged herself to step inside and did so with a small shudder. When he indicated the brushes she moved over and picked one up, trying to decide how to use it she brushed it over the warhorses side lightly, all while speaking to the equestrian pointedly so that Alexandros would hear. “Listen, Spot, he had a voice like a deadman, doesn’t he?” She asked him, but she spied on the engineer from the corners of her eyes, “It seems like I did him in. How could I possibly bring him back?” Hugo laid down just inside to stables, just taking a moment to rest as he listened to Cricket speak to the horse, though her attention was on Alexandros as he spoke to him, curious, <Where will she be sleeping?> Cricket was unaware though, as she moved over and stroked the horses love face then, doing her best to silently thank the animal before she looked over at Alexandros, making a small attempt at conversation, “You have sisters?” her face turned back to the horse though as she asked, “Do... do you mind if I borrow some of your clothes?” She wanted to ask him more about that hot bath, but she wasn’t sure if she was even invited into the house, what with her lack of both status and decent clothing. Edited by Cricket, Nov 27 2011, 03:56 AM.
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| Alexandros | Nov 27 2011, 07:59 AM Post #3 |
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I'd have settled for something smaller, it's a waste to have so much space when it's not being used... That and the fact he wasn't the type to throw parties so much as go to them. It did have a sort of charm to it, he supposed, though most of the time being inside it, he didn't really tend to notice. People opted to mark you as a bit strange in the head if you wanted to sit out staring at your house for long periods of time. His mother's questions could come later, likely they would whether he wanted to regardless, or chose to answer them. It was simply better to just answer when they came however, else more would come amidst a tirade of scolding and reprimands. Neverending of course, to say it was anything less was...well. It just was. A smile twitched the corners of his mouth at Hugo's question, though it was quick to fade. "Like half the cloth market in Soto. I do believe it was meant to be a hat." Once they were in the stables and beginning to curry Spot, his face softened at Cricket's conversation with his horse, then he placed the brush back on the shelf and moved to open the large sliding doors, letting the sunlight in and opening out the front of the stalls. The very same doors that Hugo had jumped and scratched at trying to get his attention. With the doors now open, it felt a lot more airy and not quite so closed off from the greenery outside. Hopefully it'd set her at ease. Returning to Spot's side he began to roughly brush the beast down, then leaned on his back and peered over at the woman on the other side. "Just tired, not dead yet. I could use a bloody drink, and I don't mean the non-alcoholic kind." He watched her a moment then returned to brushing, keeping up the talk as he did so. "We'll both feel better for having a good scrub and real food in us. Honestly I'd like nothing more than to just collapse here right now and sleep but..." Well, she'd heard the conversation with mother anyway. They'd have company before the afternoon was done. "I don't think either of needs to be smelling of horse and light knows what else when my sisters arrive. I'd never hear the end of it. Are you sure you wouldn't rather wear a dress? I mean, you can wear my clothes but they might be a bit big...I don't suppose you'd come inside for a bath? I mean you could take it on the terrace..." He flushed a bit at that, racing ahead, "I don't mean with me! I meant...ah..well I won't look! It's up to you." Glad of the horse between them so that she couldn't see his face, he ducked down checking the stallion's hooves. "You need to get some new shoes Spot. These are worn to nothing." She can sleep wherever she chooses. We'll think of something, never fear. Replacing the brush back on the shelf he led Spot into the stall and checked the supply of hay hanging from the basket fixed to the wall, then made to leave the stable, offering Cricket his arm. "I have two younger sisters. Talia is the elder, Magdalen is the younger. I had a brother...Sabastian." He smiled a touch sadly at that, shook his head. "He used to ride with me, when I was just a boy. Played with me in the yard, practiced the sword and used to help me sneak out after dark...he's gone now though. Both him, and father." A little more roughly than he'd intended, he began dragging the sliding doors back so that they slammed against the frames, not bothering to lock them behind him this time, then began leading Cricket and Hugo around to the front of the house again. |
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| Cricket | Nov 27 2011, 10:10 AM Post #4 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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Cricket looked over the back of the horse as he spoke, eyes lingering on her face a moment even as he set back to brushing the tired animal. She imitated him now, in firmness and the like. A small smile turned her mouth though as he spoke of drinking and she said lightly, matter of fact-ly, “You need some iskie bae.” She smiled a little at the small joke, then explained, “Thats what they used to call whisky, you know... it means ‘water of life’. My father used to tell me all the time I’d be dead were it not for whisky. I guess I cried for days when I started teething, untill my mother finally let him give me a few drops.” She paused and went on, a bit melancholy, “He never joked like that after I actually died, though.” She grew quiet then, setting more readily to the task at hand while she listened to him speak. Her thoughts were starting to wander places that made her blush but his sudden flustered instances against such actions just made her smile a bit more. He ducked down to hide his face and she rose up on tip toe, leaning on Spot a bit to peer down at him, laughing softly. <You can still make her laugh...> A thoughtful murmur on the edge of his mind by Hugo. The dog watched with icy eyes, head tilted slightly as Cricket set her heels back to the earth and her eyes strayed to her own very bare feet. She tucked the curry comb under her chin so that she could pet Spot’s neck, and then watched him be lead away. She was too reluctant to follow so she lingered in the doorway, letting the sunshine warm her bones and illuminate that hideous expanse on her features. She closed her eyes, waiting for him to return and just heaved a heavy sigh. Hugo looked at her, saying something private that made her eyes shoot open and promptly narrow, but she chose not to respond aloud as Alexandros returned and offered her his arm. She took it, leaning on him a bit heavily as she staggered beside him. Her leg was painful and tense, and more reluctant than ever to bare her weight. She said, sounding mad until it was obvious she was talking to Hugo, “It’s not my fault deathwish is gone- I was arrested!” She paused and said in a rush, do Alexandros would not have time to question. “I think a bath sounds really nice, especially if I’m going to be seeing your whole family. As for clothes... just... get me whatever you think will look good?” Utility, after all, was hardly an issue now that she lacked an arm, a workshop, and an occupation. Hugo trotted along behind them, watching the way Cricket glanced over at Alex evry so often from the corner of her eyes. “I was an only child. Both my parents died when I was fifteen...” She stopped however, at the front of the house, eyeing it with sudden reproach, as if it were some monster intent on gobbling up her and her bedraggled dog companion. Still, her grip tightened a bit and she closed her eyes as she moved inside, asking, talking to keep up her nerve, though her tone was anxious, “I’d like some bandages too, if it’s no t-to, for what’s left of my my arm and..well... my face.” She spoke quickly while they moved into the dwelling and she followed him blindly, eyes shut tight. Hugo mocked them however, <Won’t look, hm? I doubt that. I suppose an open window might convince her to share your bed though. Which is the motive, isn’t it?> he moved away from them, though, already on a mission for food. He scented the air and followed his nose, seeing nothing at all wrong with helping himself to whatever he could find. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 27 2011, 10:45 AM Post #5 |
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"Deathwish?" He cast a curious glance at the duo, then shrugged and pulled a small key from his pocket, unlocking the door and pushing it open as a man wearing the house livery stepped forward to greet them, his eye resting on Cricket with evident curiosity. "Good morning sir." "Morning, Martin. Can you send Myrelle to us? I need her to run some tasks for me." He waited til the little man nodded and bustled off, uncomfortable with giving the orders. He always found himself asking rather than telling. As they stood waiting, he watched Cricket, his expression blank, trying to think on what might help alleviate the sudden discomfort of having to enter the house. "I'm sorry, that must have been very hard for you. I can fetch bandages...I think I could make you a new mask too, though I don't know how long it'd take. If you'd rather have the bandages though, that's doable." He led her to the window in the hall, overlooking the front of the house where the path stretched away until it finally met the road, unlatching it and throwing it wide. "Better?" He turned, eyes widening and a flush of color touching his cheeks at Hugo's statement, throwing up his hands. "Hugo! I have more manners than..than that." He stood watching as the big mutt trailed off in the direction of the kitchens, and scratched at one cheek, dark with stubble, thoughts wandering now as they waited on the butler returning with the head maid. It wasn't that admiring a woman in her skin embarrassed him, nor bedding one, but the bluntness of the statement had caught him off guard. He glanced at Cricket, then back to the hall as Martin reappeared, leading an olive-skinned tall woman, willowy and greying, her face lined and softened with age. "You sent for me, M'lord?" "Mm. I don't blame you for wrinkling your nose...I'm in need of a bath, for each of us, and fresh clothes. Please lay out a selection for the lady, that she might pick and choose what suits her. Something to eat would be good too, we'll take it in the garden if you please, and bring some bandages too." "Of course." The head maid turned and glided away down one of the darkened hallways, firing off orders at unseen hands, her voice receding as she went, and Alex rested one hand on Cricket's shoulder. "Do you want to see the bathing room? If you don't want to wash in there I'll have it set up for you elsewhere. I'm sure we can make a screen or something for you." He thought a moment, then grinned. "And you can come and see my workspace, if you like, while we wait for them to heat the water." |
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| Cricket | Nov 27 2011, 11:09 AM Post #6 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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<No you don’t.> Came Hugo’s rebuttal as he trotted away to find some sustenance, no doubt scaring some of the help half to death with his size and his forwardness as he started to nose about in the kitchen, stomach growling. Cricket watched him go and blushed a little, eyes still shut tight as she asked Alexandros, “More manners than what?- what did he say?” Still her mind was taken elsewhere as she moved closer to the window and took a deep breath of the fresh air, “Yea, this helps a bit... thank you.” She glanced back at his blush and blushed too, not sure for what but certain that Hugo had said something excessively lewd. She was used to his constantly making comments about just what she needed to fill the void in her life, but she wished he would at least spare the man who had ridden all the way to Ashoka to get her out of hell. Her eyes lingered on him, watching as he scratched his stubble and saying, eyes turning back to the front lawns, “...You should leave your face scruffy like that.” When more help arrive however Cricket turned her head, her deformed visage eying the elderly made with curiosity and uncertainty. She should have assumed he’d have hired help, after all, but it was something she had never even dreamed of. Just ebing able to tell someone what to do? The idea made her uncomfortable, thoughts wandering. At least Alexandros was not a bossy man to work for, phrasing all his requests politely, including the painfully long list of things she had request- bandages, clothes, hot water. “Sorry to be a burden.” She murmured, looking back out at the pathway that lead to the house. When he offered her such pass times as seeing the bathing room she smiled but the joy met her eyes when he mentioned his workshop. She turned back to face him, noding quickly, “I’d like that...” She wanted to see the whole house, at some point, thought she hardly had the courage to be tromping through the entire dwelling. For now she contented herself to just follow Alexandros, her grip on his arm relieving some of the tension though her breath still felt short the further they moved away from the window. “Can I see your bedroom too? Ah- I mean- uhm-” her face turned scarlet and she turned it away from Alexandros quickly, stumbling over and explanation, “I just thought since you were showing me- and you’ve seen mine so- so it’s just- uhm...” She trailed off into embarrassed silence and swallowed hard. She took a shaky breath and tried to remedy the fact she had just made a complete ass of herself, “B-before you asked about deathwish- thats my walking stick, it’s actually enchanted but its gotten weak so all I can do now is summon the blade...” <It’s not the only thing thats gotten weak. Her, me, your knees.> Even from elsewhere in the house Hugo eavesdropped with a dogs keen hearing and offered little comments here and there, even while he put his front legs on the counter and stretched up with his huge body, knocking a cupboard open so that he could peer inside. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 27 2011, 12:19 PM Post #7 |
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"Ah...nevermind. He's just being lewd. And you're not a burden...I expect they're glad of something to do, I try not to ask too much of them." Smiling gently, the engineer led her through one of the darkened halls where a light closer to the other end was glowing dimly, with several more interspersed along the hallway where the doors were. "My room? If you like...I mean...aha, I don't spend much time there...I don't sleep much." He chuckled at her nervousness, grinning as he pondered a moment what she meant by that. "Sorry it's so dark, most of the shutters on the windows are down because of the wind recently. Last time half a tree blew through my mother's study. Luckily she wasn't in there." They turned at the last door at the end of the hall and entered a spacious tiled room with a high ceiling and small windows and vents, a large depression filled most of the floor while several copper bathing tubs sat at the other side by small grates in the floor. "All the water used here gets recycled and used for the crops. Sent back to the ground, if you like. It would be a waste not to. If you don't feel comfortable in here I'll have a tub moved outside and you can wash there behind a screen..." "I'll show you my real room after then hmm? Save the excitement for last!" Leading her back along the hall they climbed the wide staircase curving up and around to the second floor overlooking the hall below. He made straight for the hall on the opposite side of the house that they had previously exited, and opened the door, revealing the room beyond to be...well, relatively simple. Cream and burgundy papered walls and a plush wine colored carpet beneath their feet, the bed sat against the far wall, several chairs strewn with books, some on the floor, pulled up to the fireplace and a tall window overlooking the garden and beyond, the woodland, the floor raised to steps here where a large brass telescope sat angled at the sky. One corner appeared to be a small library of books, half of them dragged off the shelf and scattered all over the hearth, a bottle of wine and a glass sitting by a fat armchair seemed to have been the most recent in use. "Well. This is it. Amazing I'm sure...the maids don't come in here often, I don't like them ordering my notes. The guest rooms are central and my mother's are on the opposite side." He flicked his hand vaguely in the direction that he spoke, then waited, tilting his head as she got her fill of his personal quarters, though he frowned when he noticed that he'd left the valerian root out beside the bed. Oh well. It's not like it's some sort of secret. What if she thinks I'm a drug addict? Noo I have enough dangerous substances around without breathing them in. No wait, I do that anyway...well not on purpose. He turned as footsteps hesitated at the end of the hall, a young maid dithering, clearly distressed. "Sir! There's a beast in the kitchen! I'm sorry, I don't know how it got in!" "Beast..? Oh! That's Hugo, it's alright, he's probably hungry. Let him have what he likes, he can tell you what he wants as well." Uncertain she hovered there a moment longer, then nodded and dashed off, leaving them there again. |
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| Cricket | Nov 27 2011, 12:41 PM Post #8 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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Cricket lingered shyly in the doorway on the bathroom, though her eyes wandered around. Well this was... a definite improvement, considering her version of a hot bath had been a washtub in front of the fireplace while Hugo guarded the door. She smiled a little as Alexandros explained, and her eyes lingered on him, “Thats good.. I mean...waste not, want not, right?” Her head tilted, eyeing the copper tubs and sizing up the room. Could she manage to keep breathing in such a closed off room? It would be a challenge, but she seemed to be doing alright so long at Alexandros was near. How near do you want him in a room like this? The thought made Cricket blush and look away, though they did not linger long before she was following him once more through the large house. She felt certain that if she spent any large amount of time in the estate she was going to get lost and make a fool of herself more than once, what with all the stairs and doors and window. He grip tightened on him a bit as they moved. Her breath felt sharp, head dizzy as the walls closed in a bit. They found his room and he threw the door open with such flourish that Cricket couldn’t help but offer him another uneasy smile before she stepped inside, tilting her head as she investigated a bit. At first she was stationary, eying the plush carpet and mentally comparing his bed to the hammock she had slept in for years. But that wont be where I’m sleeping, so why am I thinking like that? “I like it.” She told him finally, such a bland statement though she finally let go of his arm and ventured in, glancing back at the door, and over to the window before she approached the books on the floor and knelt, picking one up. “Can I borrow some of these, while I’m here? I love to read, I don’t... didn’t... own many books before, though.” She held this particular tome against her chest like it might protect her from the enclosed space, eyes flicking aaround before he attention was drawn to the flustered servant. Hugo was scratching at the pantry door in frustration, trying to turn the knob with his teeth but finding that his massive jaws, while useful for fighting, were a burden when attempting such delicate tasks. Cricket laughed a little, “I guess the last man he lived with was very wealthy.” She told Alexandros, moving back to him, pausing only to set the book neatly on the back of the arm chair, and then slide her only hand into his somewhat shyly. “I knew you were noble, I didn’t realize how well you lived. “ She blinked, however, and added quickly, “It’s not a bad thing, though! Just different.” She smiled at him weakly. Her breath was getting a little short, lusting after an open window or a door thrown ajar to the outside door. Still she just gave his hand a squeeze and waited to be lead on, before she paused. “Valerian?” She guessed idly, eyes catching on the stock and then looking at his face. head tilted, “I used to use that, smells awful.” Her eyes lingered a bit and then she nudged him a bit, “Show me your workshop, now, if thats where you really spend all your time.” She took a deep, shaky breath and managed another smile, resting her head against him a moment, some small form of comfort seeking before she made her way from the room. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 27 2011, 01:21 PM Post #9 |
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Watching her as she moved around the room, he smiled a little, scratching at his cheek again. Damned itch. "Borrow whatever you like. You're staying here now so...make the most of it right?" He strode to the window, pushing it open and letting a sharp gust of air whip the curtains out. "It's a bit windy this time of year here in Morrim, so most of the lower windows will be shuttered to protect from..debris, mostly. So long as you're alright with papers flying everywhere you can have the windows open." He was reluctant to let her sleep outside in such weather, thinking of how it could turn so suddenly. Still, if she wanted to sleep inside the house instead, if she thought she could stomach the walls and the roof, then he'd set her up with a room as well. It wasn't as if they'd be having a sudden influx of people clamoring to stay. He turned, arms folded with the wind and the sunlight at his back, and grinned. "I don't tend to have people over much. I don't really fit in with the gentry, so don't expect any sudden parties or anything." He teased mildly then moved back to the door, offering his arm once more, nodding at her comment about the valerian. Well, at least she didn't think he was a weird addict who needed herbs to get a fix. No, he'd rather do something completely reckless for that. "Are you sure you're up for this? You're looking pale, and there aren't any windows in there...well there is but it's very small. I only use it when I have to vent the room quickly." After they'd made their way back down the stairs, he stopped, pulling several keys from from his pocket and examining them. "I just need to unlock the door...and disarm the...nevermind. Wait here a moment." He motioned at the side of the stairs where an alcove held a curtain and drawing it back revealed the steel door, several locks embedded on one side which he began opening with a series of clicks and pulling the door wide, careful not to thump the wall. Alex hunched down, fiddling with the trip for the trap that would set unless disarmed on closing the door, designed to simply drop the intruder into the basement beneath the house, into a wire net that would latch shut once enough weight was dropped into it. Simple, really. "Don't go in here unless you know it's safe...scratch that, it's never really safe is it? I mean, unless I say it's safe. You never know...wouldn't want to have to pull you out of the spider's web, so to speak. There." He straightened and held out a hand to her again. "Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my lair." The room beyond was a jumble of contraptions, the walls shelved and cluttered with half finished things, papers and writing implements, tools and odd half constructed assemblages littered the long bench that spanned one wall. It had been dark and polished once but since had become charred and gouged by light knew what, in some places even scratched numerical equations into the surface when he'd run out of paper to write on. The alchemists apparatus sat on another long table adjoining the work bench, the brazier cold and the vials mostly empty, except for one bell-shaped which held a clear liquid in the bottom. "It's a bit cluttered but...well...it's mine." He pushed a stool out of the way back under the bench to make more room to walk, carefully scooting objects aside with his boot so they wouldn't hinder, or get damaged. "Truth be told you're the first to come in here." It felt good being back in the room, familiar, the odd chemical smell and stained or charred papers stacked on nearly every surface available, and scattered on the floor as well. Not to mention the design underfoot where he had at one point, snatched up a piece of charcoal and drawn there too, the paper not big enough for his musing. |
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| Cricket | Nov 27 2011, 05:07 PM Post #10 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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When the window opened and the gust of air made the curtains flutter, Cricket took a huge breath and felt her lungs expand again, grateful for the action she moved over and peeked through the telescope curiously as she spoke lightly, “Before I got arrested, there was this brass sailors telescope I saw. It made me think of you.” She glanced back at him before she approached and took his hand when it was offered, “I don’t know how much time I’ll be spending inside.” She warned him, glancing back at the window, “Your room isn’t so bad though, if I stay near the window...” Staggering along at her usual pained tempo she followed him yet again from one room to another. Her head tilted at the sight of the heavy door with the many locks, The hair on the back of her neck stood up and, just as he straightened from unfastening the lock at the bottom her pupils contracted to pinpricks and she made a pained face rubbing at the furiously and just stepping inside. She didn’t want to see those terrible things, she’d been witness to enough horrors in the last few days. The chemical smell was harsh at first, but every short breath Cricket managed seemed to mellow it even as she responded, sounding a bit out of breath. “I-I’ll keep that in mind, but how come its dangerous?” Her answer was pretty obvious as she looked around at the contents, bits of paper and a shelf of half finished devices. She moved closer to it, without thinking, and picked one up to have a closer look before she set it back and moved to the work bench, curiously examining all the strange things she didn’t really understand. The walls were getting tight around her though, and the mind numbing similarity between his lair and a tomb made her hand press against her chest, taking a harsh gasp and turning quickly, limping out of the room and into the hallway, back pressed to the wall, eyes closed tight as she seemed to struggle to breath, heart racing. She felt dizzy, sliding down to the floor where she seemed to continue to struggle, though was a bit less frantic. Hugo growled a bit, appearing in the hallway with an entire ham grasped in his jaws. He nosed her a bit and looked in the room before he chastised Alexandros, <What were you thinking?! > Cricket however, determined to save what was left of her dignity looked up and saw, inhaling hard again, “H-how can you breath in there? It’s like a tomb...” She closed her eyes and struggled to stand. Hugo pressed the ham to the floor and put a paw on it, ripping off a hunk and eating it before he picked it up again. <I think someones calling for you.> he informed Alexandros, perking his ears and trotting away, back towards to man room. Cricket was frustrated by her own upset, biting her lip while an angry blush tinged her face while she followed Hugo, her leg seeming to remain in complete rebellion, limping along with heavy steps and a small flinch every so often. She seemed to have withdrawn a little bit due to the small panic attack, due both to embarrassment and that fact that her odd panic attacks made her feel even less human. Her fingertips touched the exposed muscle on her face, she couldn’t wait to have it hidden away. All the same despite the sudden wave of self loathing the girl felt she asked him, glancing from the corners of her red eyes over at his face. "Why do you keep scratching at your face?" Edited by Cricket, Nov 27 2011, 05:15 PM.
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| Alexandros | Nov 27 2011, 05:51 PM Post #11 |
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She seemed to be enjoying herself looking at the oddments in his room, but when she began gasping, he reached out to steady her, but she already gone again. It always seemed that when things were going so well she dashed away, panicking, but what could he do? He couldn't exactly move everything outside. Maybe in time, she'd become more used to it. As he stepped outside though, leaving the door open, her comment made him frown. A tomb? He opened his mouth, started to speak then found he didn't honestly have any sort of argument to that. He himself had said before that he regularly spent days at a time without stopping in there, and that if he died in the process it'd be good to be surrounded by things he loved. That would make it a tomb. Still, she had been excited until he'd unlocked the door, then she'd been hesitant and almost fearful. "A tomb? But..I..why would you say that? I'm sorry...I shouldn't have taken you in there after you'd already been in the house so long." I just wanted to show her things. I made a mistake... "Sir Alexandros? The water is ready." The head maid, Myrelle stood politely waiting, hands clasped in front of her, peering first at Cricket, then at Alex. "Could you fill a tub on the terrace please, and bring some of the folding screens out. You know, the ones for changing behind." "Yes sir...should we bring the clothing as well?" "If you would. I'll be along in a moment." "As you say, sir." He watched until she was out of earshot then turned back to the woman hunched against the wall, rubbing at his chin. "I suppose you'll be wanting to sleep outside. I'll have the arrangements made for a suitable bed to be set out for you. Come, I don't know about you but I really want that bath." He turned, closing the door and listening as the locks clicked back in place, securing the room again, speaking all the while. "It's bloody itchy is why. Didn't notice much on the road here because...well, other things to think about. It gets that way when it grows. Ask any man old enough to grow a beard, he'll tell you the same." Alex held out his hands, offering to pull her up. She could take them, or ignore them. Either way he felt like a fool for taking her into the workroom after that, but only one would make him look like an idiot, even if it was between just the three of them right now. Quirking an eyebrow at Hugo he remarked, "made friends with the kitchen staff then, I see." |
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| Cricket | Nov 27 2011, 08:05 PM Post #12 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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“...It’s not your fault...” Cricket told him as he came rushing out after her, the door open behind her, her face turned slightly to one side, “I mean it Alexandros, it’s okay, it’s just...crowded, and small- there’s only one way out.” She tried to explain, all while she caught her breath and Hugo nudged her hair with his nose. She pushed him away a bit, she seemed to not want to be touched at all, for the moment. She just needed to feel her own space, her own freedom- the hallway was hardly spacious but it was better than the workspace had been. She looked up at him completely finally, “What if something happened and you were... Nevermind.” She heaved another heavy sigh. “I’m sorry, we can try again another time.” She only paused a moment before insisting, “Really sorry...” Her face was tinged red somewhat but her head turned to look up at the maid as she spoke. It lingered only a moment before she looked down. Self loathing had bubbled up inside herself- could she not have controlled her fear a moment long? She looked past Alexandros into the dim room before he pulled the door shut and sealed it up tightly once more. “What I did get to see was amazing.” She managed finally into the awkward silence that had grown between them. Sir? She wasn’t sure why, but the title felt almost silly to her. His comment about her bed however made her face turn, looking up at him. “Well I was planning on spending most of my time outside but I though,” She glanced down at her bare feet, “I just thought that on the off chance that if do sleep, I could just share your bed.” Her face got redder and she swatted at Hugo a bit, the grim having felt the need to make some comment in response to her assumption. Just the same, she started to move when she saw his out stretched hand and reached out, clasping it to be pulled up. Cricket fell into silence briefly as they walked down the hallway, but at his comment regarding beards she pulled her hand a bit roughly from his and stepped in front of him, making him halt abruptly just so she could reach up and run her hand over the rough stubble. Her eyes were trying to talk for her. I’m sorry, they seemed to say, and Don’t be angry. “Scratchy...” She murmured before she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and moved quickly away, a few steps ahead with her back to him so she would not have to witness any look of disgust he might wear. With her eyes forward, he could see the lacerations on her back from where she had been whipped in prison. It was an odd sight, since she had seemed capable of healing such injuries in previous situations. Now she seemed unable to even dull her own pain as she limped hard down the passage, bruises lingering on her neck as well. Hugo rolled his eyes, eating a few more angry mouthfuls of ham during the exchange before he trotted out onto the Terrace, settling down to watch the help move everything. Cricket stepped outside blinking, and took the first deep breath she had managed since they entered the house. Crisp warm autumn air filled her lungs and coaxed her eyes to close a moment. Hugo looked up at her, tail swaying a bit as he responded to Alexandros, <Of course I did, SIR Alexandros. I’m famished. Where do you keep the good stuff? I could use a drink, if I’m going to have to sit around stuffing myself waiting for you two to finish bathing.> |
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| Alexandros | Nov 28 2011, 08:03 AM Post #13 |
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"Ah...stop apologizing! It's not something you can help. You don't have to worry about me, I'll be fine." I know almost exactly what I'm doing. Usually. Pulling her up, Alex raised an eyebrow as she began to color again, clearly embarrassed on the subject. Aside from the few times they'd stopped she'd spent most of the journey leaning against him whether dozing or not so it wasn't a completely unusual request, except for the fact that it was indoors and he'd have thought her claustrophobia would limit her to sleeping outside. He shrugged, stopped as she touched his face, her own trying to tell him something, though what, he couldn't fathom. Then there was that tickly little kiss and she was off again, leaving him to give a sigh, half frustrated, half puzzled. "If you want to sleep upstairs I'm not stopping you. I just thought it would be uncomfortable for you." Not that I can guarantee I'll be there all the time anyway. Neither of us sleep well. I say, are you mocking me Hugo? Heh...depends on what you want really...I expect if you're pulling the puppy face you'll get whatever you want hmm? He wasn't sure if Cricket knew where she was going, so he followed behind, hands in pockets with an amused glint in his eye, until they reached a split in the hall and he guided her with one hand towards the dining room, where double doors were set between the large glass windows, already open as the maid ferried hot water to the bathtub, which was shielded by several tall screens, simple wood and linen stretched over the frame. "And here I shall have to leave you M'lady. If you need help with the bandages, I'm sure Myrelle can assist..." he shot a sidelong glance at the woman then back to Cricket. "I'd help but...aside from your arm and your face, as you requested...it would be most improper." He adopted a haughty tone at the last, then winked jokingly and brushed the ruined side of her face with his knuckles. "Send someone if you need me, alright?" Turning on his heel he headed back into the house towards the bathing room, plucking at his stiff and bloodstained shirt, eager to cast it off and be clean again. Stepping into the bathroom he stretched, feeling muscles pop and glanced across at the single copper tub by itself. He always considered the bath to be too large for just himself and was more comfortable with just the tub and the single bucket of water beside it for rinsing, and a small cake of herbal soap. It took but a moment to shrug out of the filthy clothing, kicking his boots of into the corner and stepping into the water in that heart-stopping 'too hot!' moment, before he sank down, one hand clasped over the wound in his side which began to throb with the heat. "I swear when it's all over I'm going to invent a suit that is immune to bladed weapons and more comfortable that steel armor." Grunting he leaned over and grabbed the soap, singing softly as he began to wash the grime from the fire and several hard days of riding from himself. "Meria mortre ever greet shawel Graing graing gra Mertis a moti e chest a gron tu Saing saing sa... Mi af marka dia on di eva green... Meria mortre intu da greet shawel Graing graing gra Mertis a moti e chest a gron tu Saing saing sa... Mi af marka dia on di eva green..." Edited by Alexandros, Nov 28 2011, 08:08 AM.
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| Cricket | Nov 28 2011, 02:17 PM Post #14 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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“I guess it would but I could always make you leave the window open. Papers everywhere.” She said lightly from where she lead, limping along until she had to pause and wait for him to direct her. She glanced back at him, the small amusement in his eyes made her feel a bit better for panicking in his workroom. Hugo set his ham down outside and, after a paranoid look, hid it right beside the tub being filled. Cricket stood right in the doorway, looking up at Alexandros. Her face colored when he touched her face and teased about the bandages- how could he touch her ruined flesh? How could he still look at her with such softness after her body had become so mangled? He left her to contemplate just that as he moved away and she moved behind the screens. It hardly took any effort at all to discard what was left of the destroyed dress, the dirty cloth pooling around her feet. She looked down at the bruises and bite marks across her chest, the nail marks on her thighs, and a sudden wave of nausea made her stomach sick. She shook it away and stepped into the water, sliding down into it with heavy sigh, sinking until just her face was above water. The warmth soothed angry muscles, and just the act of submersion seemed to wash away at least some of the bad memories. She picked up the soap and started to scrub at her flesh, a bit vicious at times but she wanted to wash away all the dirt and grime, as if by doing so she might be able to erase that this little adventure had ever happened. It made her think of before, being the captive of the banshee king, seeing how he died as he peered into her eyes... She was brought from her memories as Hugo pressed his cold wet nose against the back of her neck, poking her and making her flail her arm in surprise, “H-hey!” She yelled, wrinkling her nose at him. The stump where her arm had been still hurt but she did her best to ignore it, though Hugo nudged what was left of the arm with his long face again and then nodded towards a window nearby. <I want to show you something, out of the tub.> Cricket frowned, “Wait.” The grim let out an exasperate sigh as Cricket washed her short hair and relaxed a moment longer and then finally hauled herself from the tub, water dripping onto the terrace as she stood and wrapped a blanket around her body, tucking the end so it was stay curled around her as she followed him, leaving wet foot prints in her wake, hair dripping. The dog rose up a bit though he didn’t have to stand too far back on his legs to peer in a rather raised window. <Shhhhh...> He warned her and she ducked down, slowly rising up so just her eyes could peer in. She stared a moment at Alexandro’s bathing figure and then turned, shoving Hugo, “Why would you- Hugo!” The grim was already prancing away, full of himself as Cricket stumbled back over behind the screens to investigate the clothes she’d been left. She wasn’t used to such finery- her own clothes having been more practical than appealing. She investigated each article and finally before she found what she’d been hoping for: some brown linen pants and a black shirt with the family crest on the heart. She pulled the them on and smiled a bit, though they were the same in height they were obviously different in other areas, and his clothes, though the right length, were still a bit big. She brushed her hair out with her fingers and did her bandaging herself, too nervous about meeting new people to ask for help. By the end of it she looked vaguely presentable, moving into the house to hunt for Alexandros. Hugo had moved to wait in the kitchen, where he was drinking wine out of a bowl witha pleased look on his canine face, tail wagging a bit. Cricket used her teeth to pull the sleeve up on the remaining arm so it rested above her elbow while the other one just sort of trailed behind her, empty. She frowned, stopping in one of the hallways and looking back down it, “U-uhm...” She moved down a different passage and frowned, starting to panic, heart beating, “Ahh...uhm...Alex?!” She tried calling for him, looking around, “Hugo?!” |
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| Alexandros | Nov 28 2011, 02:44 PM Post #15 |
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Standing from the water, the engineer stepped onto the tiles and lifted the bucket of now lukewarm water and upended it over his head, shaking his wet hair from his face. A slight scuffling sound caught his attention as he stood, half turning to peer behind him and dropping the bucket from his loose grip with a noisy clatter, frowning at the high windows, empty but for the view of the end of the garden. Shrugging uneasily he reached for a drying cloth, though cast another look at the windows suspiciously before attacking his hair with it and trying to fight the lethargy that was settling on his muscles, now thoroughly warmed by the hot water. A drink, a drink, my house for a drink...I hope Cricket's alright out there. She has Hugo, stop fretting, they'll be fine. He wrapped the cloth around his waist then went in search of bandages, which he found lying atop the neatly folded clothes left for him by the maids. How thoughtful. At the sound of a raised voice in the hall, half panicked, he hurried to the door, slipping on the wet tiles and steadying himself by grabbing at the wall before throwing the door open and stepping onto the carpet, leaving wet footprints on the plush flooring. "Cricket?!" He blinked at the dim figure down the hall, relieved to see that she was alright, and apparently dressed in his clothes though they were somewhat baggy on her. It caused a smile to tug at the corner of his mouth. "Are you alright?" He stopped, using one hand to push his damp hair from his eyes then made an awkward noise, grabbing at the towel as it began to slip from his waist. "Gah..just...give me a second! I just need to..." Alex ducked back into the bathroom, shutting the door again and roughly drying himself down before dragging on his linen pants and stepping into the hall again, beckoning her. "What's the matter? Don't panic, calm, breathe...I'm here right, if the walls fall in I'll hold them off you." He grinned teasingly then began to wind the bandage around his middle, tongue sticking from the side of his mouth as he concentrated, then tied it off in a messy knot. |
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| Cricket | Nov 28 2011, 03:16 PM Post #16 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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And overwhelming amount of relief flooded Cricket as a door opened behind her and she could hear Alex’s voice. She turned and moved with surprising speed towards him, hugging him tightly as she inhaled a shaking breath, pressing her face against his shoulder before her brain began forming thoughts, the first of which was simply Oh god, he’s naked. She took a step back quickly, face turning red, and growing redder as he almost dropped his towel, but it soothed her a bit to correct herself, No, only mostly naked. She watched him disappear back through the door and looking around the hallway, fumbling with the oversized shirt as she waited. Hugo had not budged except to demand more wine and nuzzled the cook in thanks, tail wagging as he ignored her cries for help at having gotten lost. Cricket was perturbed by this fact but also sort of glad as Alexandros reappeared and she smiled sheepishly, cheeks still a little pink. At least she got to spend some time with Alex now. She moved closer when beckoned, leg stabbed with pain, making her trip a bit but she was eager to stand closer to where he was, looking around the hallway even as she inhaled deeply, his proximity reminding her how to breath. “I just got lost...” She bit her lip, frowning a little when he teased, “It’s not about being smooshed, it’s-” Her eyes lifted to his and she caught that amused look and felt any embarressment from before wash away. She smiled a bit, more confident with her face bandages, and just replied, “Thats good to know, but haven’t you played the white knight enough? Saving me from constant peril?” Her hand reached out, touching the messy bandages and she smiled weakly. If she had her other arm, she’d have redone the bandages and tied the knots, but it had been hard enough to bandage her face, so she just gently touched the wound, “I’m sorry I can’t heal you.” She murmured, looking up at his face and then stepped back, spinning on her good leg as if showing off a new dress and not oversized men’s clothing, “How do I look?” She looked back at his face and her pupils contracted once more, she flinched and stepped back. It seemed like every time she got too happy something got in the way, and she was stepping out of his reach. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 28 2011, 03:43 PM Post #17 |
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Alex blinked as she hugged him tightly, then coughed delicately, grinning. After he'd tied the bandage clumsily, he pulled on his fresh shirt, fiddling with the little pin of the green bird on the collar, starting on the buttons as she talked, then stooping to pick up the dirty shirt he'd thrown to the ground earlier, and took the pin from the collar. Turning he used it to fold the empty sleeve to a more manageable length for her, pinning it in place, the little avian oddly festive on the sleeve. "Would you rather I put you peril instead? Though I'm not telling what kind. That's part of the fun." Laughing gently he pulled on his belt and tightened it, then slipped the coat on over his shoulders, a green so dark it was nearly black, oddly somber on his person as he began transferring items from the old coat to the new one. "Don't worry about it, I knock myself about all the time, surprised I don't heal twice as fast for it by now. You're pretty amazing, you know, being able to do that. And tying bandages with just one hand. You'll never fail to surprise me, I'm sure." He straightened up, patted himself down to check everything was there, then began loosely plaiting his hair into a messy braid, his gaze flicking up to rest on her as she did a little twirl. "Well...I'd say you look simply..." He moved forward, pinning her to the door frame a moment, smirking as he leaned close, enough so that he could near taste the scent of herbal soap. "Ravishing." Then she was gone again, dancing away as usual, her face strained, worried. Bollocks. "I'm sorry. Feel free to slap me upside the head." He sighed, leaning back against the door, a rueful smile on his lips. Such is fate, let things pan out and something awkward always rises to the surface. Oh well. "I think it's about time for something to eat. And more importantly, a drink." |
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| Cricket | Nov 28 2011, 04:03 PM Post #18 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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Cricket let out a small sound as she was pinned back, eyes wide, mouth opening and closing before the vision threw her backwards. She rubbed her eyes, as if that might somehow work the horrid images from where they had played behind her eyes. Her gaze lifted after a moment, settling back on Alexandros leaning in the doorway. Her eyes fixed on his gray and she paused a moment, wishing the vision had chosen some other time to torment her. She stepped closer, “Alright, then I’ll hit you.” She drew her hand back and brought it down swiftly, but it slowed, only lightly resting on his face as she leaned forward and kissed him, eyes closed. It was easier to find this bravery when they were alone, fully clothed, and not plagued by any real worries. She lingered this time, enjoying the contact before she withdrew, still close, her hand sliding down from where t had rested and brushing his hair from his eyes. Her face was a little red but she found his hand and gave it a little tug, “Come on... I hope the rest of your family is as nice as you, about my face. I was pretty sure you’d be disgusted.” She informed him as they moved, letting him lead and glancing down at the little green bird on the flopping sleeve. Hugo lifted his head when he heard footsteps and trotted over to them. “I called you and you ignored me.” Cricket accused but Hugo just wagged his tail, looking between the two and moving back into the pantry nosing through for more food while he grumbled in Alexandros mind, <Nag nag nag. How can you stand her? Nag nag nag naaaaag. Doesn’t even do her job- we could be healed, you know, if she just-> He grew quiet and reappeared, sniffing about as he scented new females entering the house. Cricket seemed unaware that Hugo was blathering on to Alexandros, her eyes fixing instead on the bottle of wine Hugo had been working on, a little anxious. “You should get me a drink too, I don’t want to help myself...” She told her friend, were they just friends? She wasn’t sure, smiling a little at him, she leaned and gave him another quick kiss on the cheek. She certainly wouldn’t do that to just any friend. Hugo however wagged his tail, <Your mother better be nice, or I’ll eat her hat.> He warned Alexandros. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 28 2011, 04:27 PM Post #19 |
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Surprised at the woman before him as she raised her hand, he more or less expected to feel the hot sting of her palm, wincing his eyes shut, and instead was rewarded with a pleasant surprise. He'd have happily stayed there right then, but it was all over too soon, and he was being tugged along out of the room, and down the hall. "I don't see how it concerns them, frankly. It's none of their business. Ill have to find you some boots that fit too..." Musing, he almost missed the last part, frowning at her as they headed towards the warmth of the kitchen. "I'm not disgusted. A pretty face is all well and good but if they have a voice that can sour milk...well you know what I mean." She's not nagging me...yet. What do you mean about her job? Call me ignorant but I thought she just built coffins? "Drinks it is then. Food should be waiting for us in the garden by now as well." He realized then that as he opened a cupboard, yet again they'd shifted things around, leaving him confused. Why do women do that? Just leave things where they are, it doesn't need to be tidied or moved...ahh...hmm. "Problem sir?" Alex turned, jumped a little at how stealthily the cook had crept up on them, heart thudding a little at the surprise. "You moved all the glasses again." The man chuckled, eyes crinkling and cheerfully produced a bottle and two glasses from behind his back. "Figured you'd be wanting a drink when you n' your guest finally came this way. They already took the food and a pitcher out to the gardens for you. Had them send along some more tidbits for the puppy as well." Puppy? Right. I wasn't aware half a pig was a tidbit either. He took the glasses, holding them between slender fingers and the bottle in his other hand, frowning a little at the missing digits. It was still odd to look at, sometimes he felt like there were still there as well. Which reminded him of the earlier thought process on the ride, his grey eyes sliding to Cricket's arm again, the hint of a smile returning to his face. "Thank you Dardanus. You're so good to me," he grinned lightly. "Just doing my job sir." "Cricket, this is Dardanus, the master of the house, really. He always seems to know when something needs doing. I swear he's a magician." The big man chuckled, shaking his head cheerfully and resting a hand on the counter top. "Go on, be off with you, I got a meal to prepare yet for yon missus and her flock. Will you be dining as well or in your rooms again?" "We'll be eating with the family...I guess." He shifted uncomfortably, then shrugged. "Don't see the girls often, you know? Thank you again, we'll be off, before the food gets stone cold." "That you will. I'll send one of the lads down with a bottle in the hour." Alex laughed, raised a hand as he led Cricket from the room again and towards the gardens, though froze as Hugo made the remark about the hat. "They're here? Oh...joy. Come on, I really don't want to run into them in the hall. They'll probably eat in the dining room and catch up later." |
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| Cricket | Nov 28 2011, 04:52 PM Post #20 |
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<Coffin building if the job that pays the build, I suppose, but it can’t keep her in her skin.> Hugo laughed darkly in Alexandros mind but was instantly distracted as Dardanus came in, but said nothing, enjoying the way the engineer jumped in surprise at the cook’s enviable stealth. Cricket smiled sheepishly, looking down a bit at her bare feet, eyes glancing sideways at her missing arm- it felt strange, seeing nothing there when she could still feel the limb, could practical enjoy the sensation of flexing her fingers again. “Puppy?” She asked Hugo, arching an eyebrow as the huge black beast moved over to Dardanus and nudged the man’s now empty hands so he could make the other scratch him behind his ears and then move away, outside upon hearing there were tidbits waiting for him. He followed the scent of food eagerly, stepping quickly. Cricket watched him go, “A pleasure to meet you...You’ll spoil him, I usually just let him hunt bunnies and things.” She told the happy looking cook. With his hands occupied, she slid her own digits around his arm, leaning on him a bit as they moved, relieved by the lessening of the pain in her limb as they moved. Hugo responded to Alexandros’ question, though he was long gone, <I assume, unless you have clouds of women visiting you.> Cricket seemed happy enough to be outside, even barefoot, feet stepping softly in the plush grass though she knew it would be changing soon enough, a light breeze tugged the bandages on her face and she leaned on him a bit, worried, “Your mother won’t be mad that I’m here, right? I mean, I’m just... you know...” She smiled weakly. Hugo had gotten distracted from his food related mission, head turning to see Hugo had stopped, looking back at them. Suddenly the dog darted forward, running past them and around them in a tight circle, tail wagging. Cricket’s face colored Hugo no doubt telling her something privately before he dashed away and she looked over at Alexandros. “He thinks we look cute together.” She informed him, though that was probably pretty far from a direct translation. The death-hound found the food left for him and fell on it as if starved, snarling a bit in his eagerness. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 28 2011, 05:16 PM Post #21 |
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"I don't see how it really matters, it's my house. Well, that's not entirely true. Keeping the estates fell to me. When my father died, it passed to my brother, I was never meant to inherit it. But I did, when he died too. Now I make sure everyone's happy, or at least try." I don't have clouds of women visiting me. If I did, I'd never leave the house. He decided he'd let the comment about staying in her skin go, he didn't really understand what the big mutt meant, and was too tired to question it right now. Entering the garden he sighed, giving a slight shiver as the breeze tousled his damp hair and tugged on their clothes, eyebrows raising as Hugo circled them like some sort of excited puppy. "Does he now? I expect there's more to it than that? No, don't tell me, I'm not sure I need to know." Laughing he led her to a wide polished table set at the end of the garden near the high brick wall, a small gate set in the bottom a few feet away leading out to the woods, and set the bottle atop the wood, pulling a chair out for her to sit in. The aroma from the covered tray resting on the tabletop was making his stomach growl. After all, all they'd really eaten in the last few days were some dried travel rations and then he'd tried to divide them so that Cricket got the most, always worrying about her strength. Setting the glasses down he uncorked the bottle and poured them both a generous dose before replacing it and removing the cover. A silver worked tray sat with a glass pitcher of strawberry cordial and two glasses, several small warm loaves of bread, butter, slices of roasted pork, beef and venison, and a bowl of fruit. "Feast fit for a king. Well, hope you're hungry, I know I am." Nudging a chair out with his foot he almost sat on the wrapped ham laid on the seat before he realized, then sighed, pulling the oilpaper off of it and tucking it beneath the edge of the tray to stop it from blowing away. "Tidbits for the puppy." He placed the meat down beside the table where Hugo could easily reach, then took a plate and began selecting food. "Help yourself, madam. Don't stand on ceremony for my sake, I know you're hungry 'cause I heard your stomach when we in the bathing room." He winked, lifted the glass and drank more than he should have, breathing a sigh of relief as though it were the elixir of life. |
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| Cricket | Nov 28 2011, 05:37 PM Post #22 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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Cricket flopped gracelessly into a chair, sighing and leaning back as if it were a well cushioned throne, just happy to be off her feet. Her eyes wandered the table hungrily, but she waited, hand resting in her lap as he took his seat. She smiled a bit as Hugo fell upon another ham, her own stomach aching to be filled but she didn’t want to be impolite, watching as he fell in his own chair. She took her beverage of choice in hand, drinking it with un-lady-like quickness and setting the glass down before she fell on the food- first the bread, taking a hardy hunk and slathering it with butter before she started to eat with more delicate ferocity than her canine companion. She licked the butter off her fingers and reached for a slice of meat. She did her best to cut it but fumbled, frowning and finally giving up, she just stabbed the hunk and held it up, eating it in hungry mouthfuls. Hugo looked up as she ate and then just wagged his tail, attention turning back to his own meal. “May I have more, please?” She asked, setting her fork down and holding out the empty glass from before. Suddenly it fell through her fingertips and her body seemed to sway head lulling backwards. her eyes grew empty and dead in that blink of an eye, and Hugo stood up, alert. It lasted only a moment though, and just as fast as she’d dropped the glass she was reaching to retrieve it, looking it over nervously, and relieved. “It’s alright, I didn’t break it- sorry, I got light headed.” She lied, smiling at him. She wished she could get closer to him, much preferring when they’d sat side by side on her porch to the way they were no separated by space, propped up by chairs. Hugo moved over to her, nudging her knee with his head anxiously, head tilting and finally just picked up his ham, setting it beside her chair so that he could sit at a more suitable proximity, protective, eyes glancing to Alexandro. <You’re drinking quite a bit, I hope that doesn’t effect your performance later on, SIR Alexandros.> He mocked the male, making every attempt to distract him from what had happened and wagging his tail the same good natured way he had before. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 28 2011, 06:42 PM Post #23 |
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One-Liner Wonder
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"Oooh my various gods, I think my stomach just did a flip. Been waitin' for this!" Not even waiting to butter the loaf, Alex stuffed it in his mouth and took a huge bite, chewing vigorously as he flopped back into the seat, trying not to laugh at the way Cricket attacked the food. He leaned forward, picking up the bottle to refill her glass as she had asked, though shot up, knocking the chair over backwards when it fell from her grip and she seemed to become a ragdoll. It was a bare second but he was sure it had happened, and swallowing the bread, he frowned, concern written all over his face. "Cricket! Are you alright? What-?" He could care less for the glass and whether it broke or, not, just stood staring at her until Hugo began the mocking again. Breaking his eyes from the woman opposite, he turned and picked up the chair, setting it upright again and sliding onto it. That depends on what performance you're talking about, puppydog. His gaze slid sideways to the hound, though his eyes were cautious still, until he broke the contact again, filling both glasses and drinking half of his. If you see what I'm going to have to endure, you'd drink some more too. I'm just preparing myself. I promise I won't embarrass you, probably. Besides, it helps me to relax. Need a lot of relaxation to deal with the dragon. Well she wasn't really a dragon. She just had that sort of tone that made you automatically obey, and after a few drinks he found he became more resistant to it. Well, more than a few, more like an entire bottle or so to himself. In a way, he relished the verbal battles with his mother, because she was so well bred, she felt that she had to pull him up about every little thing, and he resisting it, being more laid back, having spent enough time out of the house and with 'the common folk' as she called them. e didn't fit to her ideals, and never would. Of course they cared for each other, in a sort of bitter conflicting way that only family can manage. Still he wasn't looking forward to her pointed questions about everything. She knew where his soft spots were and could wind him up tighter than clockwork. And no doubt she'd be gliding over soon enough like some great widow spider trying to catch them both into her webs. He drained the rest of his glass, scowling now as his mood took a nosedive into a black pit, and refilled both glasses again where needed. "Bloody woman, she better not bring that hat back over here, might just let you eat it after all." |
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| Cricket | Nov 28 2011, 08:15 PM Post #24 |
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if love is a labor I'll slave 'til the end
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Cricket’s face was red, biting her lip as her glass was filled and she set it down, untouched, bringing her hand back to cover her mouth slightly as if worried, looking down at Hugo who was eying her with something akin to reproach. She was shaking slightly but she did her best to remedy it with wine, drinking quite a bit in one go and setting it down, picking up some venison by stabbing it and taking bites like she had before. Hugo seemed reluctant to return to his meal however, nosing it. <Dragon lady, hm? Then perhaps I will have to eat that horrid hat.> There was a soft laugh again, but this was much less jovial. Cricket set her fork down and put her hand in her lap, looking down, a fist holding the leg of her pants but she did her best to hide any discomfort as she shifted and Hugo looked back to her, sharply, ears laying back and growling so softly it was almost inaudible, <I hope they won’t give her too much trouble. I doubt they want their only male pup off wooing the common girl. Not that Persephone is of the common breed...> Hugo’s ears perked a bit, thinking he might hear foot steps. He turned his head to the right and growled lowly, apparently at nothing. “Leave him alone Hugo.” Cricket whispered, trying to be as discreet as possible but Hugo crouched down a bit, watching as something apparently came close and he turned, whining at Cricket who ignored him, taking a drink of her wine, finishing another glass and setting it aside. <That thick headed- Alexandros how did your father die?> Hugo demanded of him as Cricket at in complete silence for a moment, as if pointedly ignoring something. Still she lifted her eyes and tried to make conversation with Alexandros, “Sorry, I just got dizzy, it’s no problem... So you’re mother and you don’t get along? How come?” She smiled a bit, doing her best to regain the cheerfulness from before. Hugo however had his eyes on that invisible presence again, and Cricket’s eyes flicked to the same spot, and then down, eating her venison again, wishing his sisters would appear so there would be no more questions. |
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| Alexandros | Nov 28 2011, 08:44 PM Post #25 |
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One-Liner Wonder
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Shrugging slightly uncomfortably he returned to eating his plateful with all speed, trying not to give himself the hiccups in the process, though he stopped again, eyes flicking from one to the other. What they want doesn't really factor in my priorities. It's my life, not theirs. Finishing his plate of food, he plucked a late strawberry from the fruit bowl and settled back, one hand resting on his stomach while he nibbled at the fruit, a little unfocused, stretching out his legs beneath the table, one foot brushing against Cricket's. The question made his gaze shift back to the hound, trying to follow where he was looking and seeing nothing, the peculiar sense one gets when being stared at intently making the hairs on the back of his neck prickle. That's rather personal... The silence began to draw out, awkward as the engineer placed the half eaten strawberry on his plate, looking away as an uneasiness settled like a weight on his chest, and finally reached over to drain his glass of wine. I was sent home, I got to watch him literally waste away in the last days of his life. Nothing I could do about it but watch it happen. How are you supposed to fight something that destroys you from the inside out like that? Alex made a disgruntled noise, pouring yet another glass of wine, his grip on the bottle white knuckled. "We have many disagreements. She thinks I should act the upper class and treat people like crap, for one. She can't accept that I'm not the favourite, that I am not a true nobleman nor a businessman who can manage the estate with an expert hand. I wasn't raised for that, I was the second son. Trying to adapt wasn't easy, but she doesn't see it that way. I can't just..sit back and do nothing." He took a mouthful of the rich dark liquid and settled back, tense as if a dark cloud hung over him. Thoughts of his family in that time came flooding back, his mother too weak to even get up, even though she'd managed to pull through, and how frail she was, even now, though she hid it well. He was always concerned for her, troubled on her behalf, though he knew if he let it show she'd think worse of him for it. Better she think him a failure and a willfully resistant one at that. |
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