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| August 2008 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 12 2010, 09:09 PM (2,835 Views) | |
| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:24 PM Post #121 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:50 pm Tristan
"Heh." Tristan gave a soft, half-snort, half-laugh, as the hawk threw up her head and swallowed the last of the rabbit meat in a gulp that visibly distended her throat, the lump traveling down until it became lost in her chest feathers. The scout watched her fondly for a moment, then scooped her up again and stood, wiping the hand that had held the meat on his thigh. "Yeah, she'll be fine." He reached up and clucked softly to the hawk, tapping her just lightly on the tail feathers, and she waddled up his arm to his shoulder, her wing held out awkwardly in the splint, but much more contented now that she had eaten. As Bors might be, too, by the looks of things. Not to mention it was getting chilly out here. "Tavern?" Tristan asked with typical verbal economy, taking a step in that direction while looking back at Bors expectantly. Linnesse The knock came to Linnesse through her wandering in half-dreams...a sound that at first seemed to be in her head only. She had the thought that she was back at the Villa Rosarum, and that the sound was the tap on the door of Maeve her servant coming to bring her breakfast in her quarters...or maybe she was in the infirmary, and the sound was the man coming around with the lunch cart? Disoriented, she opened her eyes, saw the shapes of an unfamiliar room...and sat bolt upright, eyes wide, only then really remembering that she was in her new quarters, that she and Linnette and Derfel had moved into that day. It was dark- almost completely, except for some guards' torchlight from across the street outside the window. She had slept for an hour, at least, probably much more...and someone was still knocking at the door. Belatedly, swung her feet out of the bed, grabbing the top blanket and wrapping it around her shoulders for a little more modesty- and warmth- as she padded her way quickly across the inner room and then Linnette's outer one. Who could be knocking? What did they want? Neither Derfel nor Linnette seemed to be home yet, so perhaps it was not that late after all- but who would be coming to see her? Or maybe it was Derfel they wanted...there hadn't been another attack? Nervousness, shading into fear, was already rising in Linnesse's chest as she pulled open the door into the corridor- so it was with a noticeable sigh of relief that she saw that it was the weaver, Ione, standing there, an indeterminate lumpy package under her arm. "Ione!" Linnesse blinked, then sheepishly rubbed her eyes, still trying to get herself fully oriented to the waking world. Tucking her arms back inside the warmth of her blanket, she stood back from the doorway, allowing a clear path for Ione to enter the darkened room. "Come in if you like...I'm sorry, I was taking a rest." Linnesse made for the table in the center of the outer room, where she was pretty sure they had set a candle, but it was impossible to see in the dark- she groped around on the table here and there for a moment, with no success. |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:28 PM Post #122 |
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Author: Pinkie Date: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:53 am Mari Why didn't it feel like enough? Mari had never been as close to anyone as she was to Milan right now and yet she felt as if there was a gulf between them. It created an air of neediness about her kisses, a hint of desperation in the way her small fingertips cluthed at his tunic about the back. Her bent knee tilted inwards, pressing against the side of his body hard enough that he had to press back so as not to tipple sideways. But he didn't tipple sideways - he remained poised about her, kissing gently at first, but with a previously unknown passion soon after. His hand traced along her arm to her shoulder and Mari held her breath, her body wound up so tight that she trembled under his touch. She pulled at his tunic, feeling it an impediment to their current closeness. Tenacity won out and she finally pulled the tunic off over his head, tossing it away above her head . Her hands replaced the material, sliding along his pale skin, feeling the shifting of muscle and sinew beneath his skin from his shoulders to his hips.
Her head swam and her eyes found it hard to focus on his face because it was so close. Mari's breathing was erratic, quick and shallow, her lips remained parted as she rounded in on Milan's worried expression. "Wh... what?" she whispered, confused by his admission. She shook her head a little bit, lifting a hand to touch his cheek, taking a deep breath, deep enough that the flesh of her chest barely brushed against Milan's bare chest. "Why would you ... oh." she finally realised what he meant and felt a flush of red to her cheeks to think that that is where their actions were heading. And she knew that now was not the right time for it either, now was too soon for her and yet ... she wanted it, she wanted to be this close to him, to explore him and discover these hidden feelings inside of herself. Biting her bottom lip, Mari shook her head, unable to look Milan in the eye now that she had figured out what they had been intending, a faint hint of a smile about her lips. "We don't have to... it doesn't have to be ... we can just stay here, this moment, no further. Right? We don't have to ..." she said ever so gently and genuinely seeking answers to her half-questions. She didn't know if what she was saying was right. Could you go this far with a man then turn around and say 'no more'? Mari had no idea. She shut her eyes and lifted her head up off the ground, craning her neck as she pressed her lips to the ball of his shoulder. Tentatively she parted her lips and tasted his skin, brushing her teeth softly to the warmth of his body before laying her head back down on the floor, her eyes shut, a look of dazed pleasure on her face. Amadeus
Oh how damn admirable. He could stand on his own two feet. Well good for him. If Arthur was to survive in this pit of imbeciles then he would have to learn to stand on his own two feet because he certainly could not trust any of his men to do his bidding to the letter. Except, perhaps, Tristan. The time waiting for the weaker sex to leave allowed the Optio a moment to calm himself, to plan what he was going to say wisely because he had no wish nor desire to anger Arthur, to turn him against him at the very get-go. He had to do this correctly, he had to win the Commander's favour. Once the women were gone the Optio released a heavy sigh and tensed his jaw. He shook his head and looked down at the ground, eyebrows raised. He lifted a hand and raked it back through his damp, black hair. Grey eyes peered through a curtain of lank black hair towards Arthur and his lips tensed as he shook his head again. "It was a disaster." he admitted in a gritty tone of voice. "The woad guide you sent led us on a wild goose chase. We came upon an abandonned camp and were then ambushed by Merlin. We were outnumbered.. hugely, though there seems to be some cracks appearing in their united front." the Optio reported and glanced towards the chair, willing Arthur to tell him to sit. The pain on the back of his thigh was excrutiating, always made worse by horse-riding no matter the precautions he took, the efforts he went to to make sure he was comfortable. Swallowing hard, Amadeus looked back at Arthur and lifted his hands in supplication and helplessness. "Things might have gone smoother had your Captain, Barbattus, not opened his mouth. His insubordination made us a laughing stock. Had we been on the field of battle under the banner of Rome I would have had no choice but to strike him down, Commander. It was only in consideration of your status, respect for your authority and confidence in your fair justice that bid me bring him back here to face the consequences of his actions...." the Optio trailed off, his passionate voice quietening as he shook his head, recalling the violence he had tempered when faced with the imbecile. Drake
She took a step back and craned her neck to see out the door. Drake cocked an eyebrow in curiosity at this, glancing towards teh door himself though he could not see out of it beyond what lay around her form. Any moment now he felt that someone would spring out of the doorframe and cry 'boo'... or that there would be laughter somewhere distance as the joke was made upon him. Linnette moved the little book to hold it in front of her as if she expected ... as if she expected what? Drake's green eyes looked down at her pale hands, disappearing in behind the cover of the book, her wrists bent slightly to hold the book in place. Curious eyes lifted to her face when she spoke. Their choice of company in each other the past few days had made sense to Drake. It had made sense to him to look out for the pregnant wife of a man he could respect though he knew little about Gedeon. She had been alone and she had been vulnerable... and he had found something in her manner to remind him of a woman he had once loved. Now, having come to know her more, he knew that Linnette was nothing like Cecile. Somethign in her touch reminded Drake of his dead wife but that might have been because 'touch' was not something he had paid much attention to for many, many years. 'Touch' was not something that he allowed, nothing gentle, nothing without it's purpose. For Linnette he had made a compromise and he was paying for it now because ... it seemed she was seeking his company for ... company's sake? And worse -- he was not about to deny her anything that he was able to give, even if he knew that his company was not good for her. Were his intentions correct? He was trying so hard to stay out of any feelings of fondness and affection for her yet now she purposely sought his company ... ? It was a recipe for disaster. Drake looked straight at her for the few moments it took for those thoughts to scamper through his guilty conscience. He had no real expression on his face, not surprise, not reluctance, not enthusiasm - it was just a look of judging, weighing up a situation without coming to a conclusion. "No." he finally answered, turning from her and tugging his miserable red cloak from beneath the bundle on the ground. He shook it out and swung it over the dark blue tunic, walking towards Linnette. "I wouldn't mind." he added to confirm that the 'no' was in relation to that and not 'no go away woman'. Awkward in adding to a conversation not initiated by himself, awkward knowing that he was not following her for her own safety but rather because he had been invited, Drake had to scour his previous lifetime to figure out what to say as he exitted the room, clicking the door behind him... "Hands?" he asked, gesturing to the bandaged appendages which looked rather dusty now from all the moving and rearranging in her new room. Right next door to his. Inwardly, Drake groaned. Kolya Would Alina understand the code between Sarmatian brothers? Would she understand that her little-boy-lover was still alive because of that code? How easy it would have been for him to destroy the little twerp but he had resisted because he was Sarmatian, and because he had been drunk too. Galahad might not have been so willing or idiotic to pick a fight with him when stone-cold sober, but he had started it drunk so Kolya had taught him a lesson, nothing more. As for not taking another Sarmatians woman to his bed... ? Well, there was nothing in any code about that. Besides, it wasn't as if he had wooed Alina, it wasn't as if he had tried to seduce her. She could have easily said no a couple of more times and saved herself all this heartache... Her hand lifted to his face. The old Sarmatian winced in anticipation of a slap at first but relaxed into a wry grin when she just examined the damage to his face done by her official lover.
Kolya chuckled darkly as she clung to his arm and made to walk away. He shrugged his shoulders and stood quite still, unmoveable, as if nothing could shift him. "Who knows?" he laughed huskily, watching her step away from him, her weak ankle making it look precarious but ... if she wasn't going to suck it up and ask him to help then she cuold go slipping and sliding again. It would do his humour good to have a laugh before picking her out of the mud anyways. When she got a few feet away he smirked deviously and stepped down another step, leaning his huge shoulder against the wall, folding his arms across his chest, narrowing his blue eyes at her -- "Hey Alina!" he called out, waiting for a sign that she had heard him before continuing - "Ever fuck in the rain?" he asked deviantly, recalling her fury earlier when he had asked the same thing about the stables, deliberaetly prodding her, deliberately showing her that he was still the same guy as before, that just because they had fucked that nothing between them had really changed. Not really. Right? Catherine Dirt, despite what some might think, did not repulse Catherine. She did not like to be dirty herself, but that was because of what people thought and said when they saw a known whore with a smudge of dirt on her, with the hint of grubbiness about the back of her ears. It implied things, things that Catherine did not believe of herself. She knew what she did and she knew why she did it. Other people saw what she did and made up things around that. Well, let them be damned or they knew nothing about her real reasons. Lancelot, for instance, may have been only interested in one thing from her, but he would surely be willing to speak about being Sarmatian, to tell her about Sarmatia where Tristan had not. Where Gawain would not. He clasped her hand and Catherine smiled, looking almost sheepish for having been caught being so forward without permission. But it was an almost petulant smile. Did Lancelot enjoy a bit of life from his women? He certainly did not seem to be the type to want her to stay shutting up for too long, like Tristan. And he was also not adverse to her trying to attract his attention and custom, like Gawain. She smiled...
A genuine surge of pride brightened Catherine's beautiful face when he sniffed her skin and commented on it. Her initial reaction to his declaration that he had had bad luck with women tonight was one of mock surprise, quiet alarm that someone like him could have bad luck with women at all. Whilst in her mind, the whore was conjuring the perfect response which was suitably brazen but undeniably sweet and innocent too, almost vulnerable. The question after her name made her smile, and she dipped her head in greeting before lifting her pretty eyes to his grubby, bruised face once more. He was handsome under all the grime...
He released her hand and the smirk and playful smile disappeared with it. Catherine lifted her eyebrows, giving a sweet pout of her perfectly red lips. She was not to be dissuaded so easily and lifted her hand once more, this time to touch the dark curls at the side of his head. Despite the wholly innocent look about her, there was a twinkle in her green eyes, a sparkle in the edge to her contained smile as she looked at his mussed up hair -- "But you have never had my sex... how can you know a thing about it before trying it?" she purred sweetly, "Besides... we don't have to kiss." Catherine laughed, lightly deflecting his last question, lifting a hand to her mouth to cover her lips as she laughed, watching him carefully. |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:29 PM Post #123 |
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Author: lady ione Date: Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:49 am Ione Ione nervously waited for the door to be answered all the while looking about her as it was quite dark except for some dim light eminating from somewhere down the long hall. What if Linnesse was asleep, or what if she had disrupted an intimate moment with....? The sound from the other side of the door made Ione start a bit causing her to break her thoughts. As the door slowly opened, Ione looked down fearing that Linnesse would yell at her for the disruption. The face that met hers was kind, but with a shade of sleep Ione thought....damn, she had woken her up!
"Linnesse," Ione swallowed a bit afraid that the other woman would be upset. "I-I am sorry I woke you up," Ione said softly noting poor Linnesse trying to wake up still. Besides, she had been ill if Ione had recalled correctly, and so rest was needed. As Linnesse allowed her to enter, Ione felt badly about having woken her. The room was very dimly lit, and Ione had to let her eyes try to adjust to the dark. Ione shut the door behind her while Linnesse had gone off somewhere in the room...probably to find light. The weaver could bearly see as the only light was coming from some distant torch. Well, she couldn't show Linnesse the dress unless they had light, and the room was cold. Ione held the package to her as well as the cloak. Should she help? All she had to do was make sure that Linnesse didn't hurt herself while searching for whatever she was searching for... |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:31 PM Post #124 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:01 pm Linnesse
"It's all right," Linnesse assured her distractedly, still groping around on the table, slapping her hand down in first one spot and then the other, until finally, almost at the edge of the tabletop, her fingers curled around a candlestick, and next to it, Derfel's tinderbox, which, as she remembered, had fortunately been left there in the course of getting things organized. Working by feel, she pulled the candle to the center of the table, and after a couple of tries at the tinderbox, had a small candle flame glowing in the darkness of the outer room. It partially illuminated Ione's rather hesitant face, made craggy-looking by the shadows, and Linnesse gestured for her to sit down on the couch if she wanted to, as she hitched the blanket back up around her shoulders. "Is something wrong?" she asked, the worry in Ione's face putting worry into hers, too. Once again, the thought of another attack threatened around the corners of her mind- but surely she would have heard more of an alarm if that were the case? Linnette
"Oh...no worse, at least." Linnette met his eyes sideways and gave a rueful grimace, then quickly segued into a hasty reassurance. "I've been careful," she added, with a smile that expressed some sadness, too- sadness that she had had cause for a breakdown in the hallway in the first place, but once again- she didn't want Drake to worry. She couldn't stand the thought of him being unnecessarily worried for her. He had enough to do, had done enough for her- he didn't need more dumped on him. And it was true, what she said- her hands were still sore, and the left one very tender where the bone was presumably cracked- but no worse. No worse. She started momentarily as they came back out into the hallway- they had apparently just missed someone going into the new quarters that she now shared with Linnesse and Derfel, because the door next to Drake's the one that led to their outer room, was just clicking shut from the inside. Linnette paused for a moment, half stepping towards her door...but then decided against it. It was almost certainly just Derfel returning with some food, as he had said he would bring, and Linnette was neither very hungry nor inclined to interact with her brother-in-law just now. Better to let him and Linnesse have a private moment- if she were even awake. Making up her mind not to go in, Linnette tucked the small book inconspicuously under her arm and turned away from her door, trying not to feel just a tinge of resentment that she could no longer come and go as she pleased to her own quarters. Well, of course, she could go in and stash the book- but circumstances had made it so that she didn't want to, and that was an uncomfortable feeling. "So..." Linnette paused and cleared her throat a bit awkwardly as she and Drake started down the corridor. Once again, she felt she should say something, make conversation- but topics were so hard to come by, so silly-sounding, all of them, in her head. As she shifted her arm again, though, the presence of the book reminded her of a very interesting topic for discussion indeed. "Where did you get the books?" she asked curiously, her face turned up towards Drake's, pale in the dim light, as she started to push open the outside door of the knights' quarters. |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:33 PM Post #125 |
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Author: lady ione Date: Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:31 pm Ione
Ione waited and watched while Linnesse continued to search for something on the table, and the worry on her face was there because She just did not want Linnesse to hurt herself by striking her foot on something, or tripping and falling. She clutched the package closer to her still hoping that Linnesse would accept the gift. Ione did not know the woman, that was certain, but she was sure the dress would fit her, and she had wanted to know her better. Ione hadn't realized that the frown was still on her face when the candle flickered to life...
Seeing the worry mirrored on the blonde's face, Ione raised an eyebrow, then shook her head slightly, "Er...no...there is nothing wrong. I just did not want you to fall while walking around in the dim light..." Ione caught herself babbling, and took a heavy sigh looking from the package to Linnesse and back. "I-I made this, and I want you to have it," Ione held out the package to Linnesse. "And...I wanted to see how you were." Ione smiled at the other woman as she always prided herself on her needle work and weaving. Her mind was on so many things right now: Javier, the injured hawk and Tristan, Mirtha, her child, and the work she had to catch up on at the shop. What she needed was advice, and just someone who hopefully would understand, and not judge her. She just needed to talk: plain and simple. |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:34 PM Post #126 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:00 pm Linnesse
"Oh...much better- thank you. I hope you are well?" Linnesse tilted her head to the side and gave Ione a social smile as she returned the greeting- but she found her attention drawn curiously and confusedly back to the package Ione was still holding out to her. Wanted her to have this? What...she frowned slightly in consternation and confusion, then met Ione's eyes a little more cautiously as she reached out to take it. Whatever it was was not heavy, but it was not exactly small, either, and the texture of the package had the yielding bulk of cloth. Totally mystified as to what the object was- or what was the occasion for it- Linnesse set the package down on the table, where some of the light from the candle illuminated it, and opened the paper wrapping. Inside...she drew it up and held it up, partially unfolded so as to get a good look at what it was. It was a dress, a whole dress, yellow in the candle's small circle of illumination, and of good quality, too, by the feel of the fabric. Blinking even more confusedly, Linnesse lowered the garment back to the table, and turned back to Ione. "But why..." she shook her head, pushing the dress, still half in its paper, partway back across the table towards the other woman. "It's beautiful work, Ione- but why give it to me?" Linnesse was quite confused by that- she didn't know Ione by more than a few conversations. She knew that Ione had used to work in the tavern with Linnette, before she acquired a weaving shop and set herself up selling her wares, there- and that Linnette had always said that Ione was a flighty thing who had a crush on a new man every week, though Linnesse also seemed to remember something about her recently becoming betrothed to a soldier- but Ione and Linnesse weren't what the blonde woman would have called close. A whole dress? She had no idea what the motivation for such a valuable gift would be. |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:35 PM Post #127 |
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Author: sabor ice Date: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:37 pm Ash
Ash could only find himself agreeing at Juna's description of the dysfunctional trio. The healer had always seemed marginally neutral when passing judgment - judgment conceived from actualities rather than mere personal belief. He was very much in the same frame of mind. Her opinion was something he had grown to respect. Every action in the world had its price. With responsibility came accountability. Guinevere had abused her authority and acted out of turn, inadvertently resulting in the deaths of several warriors. Neeria had treated with the enemy, leaving a vulnerability to her people, in order to save her own skin. Connell was a deserter, and Mona was an unstable git who had attacked Merlin's daughter unprovoked, a pure physical liability. Actions. Responsibilities. Each of them should have been held personally accountable despite status or state of sanity, and punished with a consequence befitting of the crime. For those who were missing, it was the Gods who controlled their fate. For those who were present, it was Merlin. The magician's word was law, and his decisions would go unquestioned by the faithful. Gods willing, justice would be served.
The healer's sincere appreciation for his trials and suffering caught the Woad off guard. Ash was an extremely modest individual. He was one to act without conscious thought of receiving fame or glory or even praise from his accomplishments. He did something because he felt it was right, and sought not personal gain from the outcome. He watched Eala as she huddled closely to him, and he knew he had done something right.
He gave Juna a fond nod before she moved away, glancing back at the little blonde girl beside him and giving her a half-hearted playful nudge of his shoulder. Two warriors approached soon after and offered to aide Ash onto the litter. In his weakened and slightly disoriented state, the young man had no other option than to swallow his pride and comply. He would never admit the prospect of rest now was most agreeable. |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:36 PM Post #128 |
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Author: Eledhwen Date: Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:26 am Bors
Bors glanced up at the dark countenance before him, and nodded shortly as he struggled to stand. "Yeah, sounds good," he grunted, pushing himself up with one meaty hand braced against the wall. "You're buyin'" He grinned briefly and began to limp across the courtyard towards the comparitive heat and light of the crowded tavern, looking forward to some good grub. Then realised Vanora wouldn't be there and resigned himself to mediocre grub instead. Not that it ever made much difference to Bors - whatever was put in front of him he ate, no quibbles, no complaints. It was food. Pushing open the door he felt the thrum of many voices, Roman and Sarmatian and Briton alike, wash over him in a dull roar. The heat and smell of soldiers hit him as he limped inside, but he paid it no head, he barely noticed it. Waiting for Tristan to enter, he let the door bang behind them before moving carefully to the bar. |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:37 PM Post #129 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:14 am Tristan
Tristan gave a snort that he hoped left that ambiguous as they moved off in the direction of the tavern. He hadn't decided yet whether he'd be willing to buy an ale or two for Bors or not. Sometimes he was- sometimes he wasn't. It just depended on his mood. The tavern was warm and stuffy, the closer, more crowded air hitting Tristan in the face almost like a blow after the cold clarity of outside. He always felt a bit stifled in here, like his senses were dulled when under a roof- but even Tristan had to admit that indoor spaces had their uses. Warmth, for one. He could almost feel the blood rushing back into his ears. Various soldiers scattered around, in their little groups, playing dice and chatting raucously...Tristan spotted Derfel, sitting with one particular soldier, a whole barrel of ale between them and both looking rather morose. Someone was drowning his sorrows, that was for sure. Tristan slid onto a bench at the empty table next to theirs, putting his back to the wall, as always, and beckoned a serving girl over, holding up two fingers for two ales. "And some food," he added in a low, barely there voice. The girl nodded nervously- Tristan tended to make many women nervous, though that didn't bother him- and went to collect their requirements. |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:38 PM Post #130 |
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Author: lady ione Date: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:08 am Ione
Ione smiled at the good news that Linnesse was feeling better...being pregnant so far was not as pleasant a thing as she had first thought: morning sickness, unable to eat things that normally sounded good, feeling tired...though waiting for the birth of Javier's child was worth it all. She could not love anyone more than she had him. Ione looked down at the ground, and then slightly up at her host, "I have been doing well...though I am pregnant....I think...." There was a space of time when Linnesse just looked at the package Ione held out to her, bu t Ione was glad when the young woman took the package finally. She was proud of her work as, to her, it was like a lost art form. Anxiously, Ione watched Linnesse set the bundle on a table, and open it. As the gift was revealed to the light, Ione marveled at the pale yellow of the fabric and how is looked in the soft light of the candle. Dark eyes went from the dress to Linnesse then back as the blonde looked over the gift then set it back down on the table...was there something wrong with it?
"Well, the lady who ordered it...she decided that she did not like it. It was a special order," Ione stepped a bit closer, but not too close. She did not know Linnesse that well, and was a bit shy. " I did not know who else could fit into it, and you were the first who came to mind..." Ione looked down at the floor wondering whys she sometimes put fourth effort only to have a special piece of work rejected. She did not know Linnesse that well, and it was true that she did not know why she really wanted the other woman to have it, except that Ione was always that kind of person to give gifts, and to make others happy. Happiness was something that had eluded her since she got back to the fort. She could not be happy without Javier, except for the fact that she was carrying his child, and that alone made her happy: A creation made of happy memories and love she swore she'd never know again. What man would want a woman who already had a child? |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:39 PM Post #131 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:10 am Linnesse
“Oh!” Linnesse exclaimed in surprise- and increased understanding. She pulled the dress up again, examining it more carefully now in the meager candlelight- it did look to be about her size in the waist and shoulders. It was a pleasant pale yellow color- and the embroidery on the bodice was quite pretty. It would fit Linnette, too- at least for the time being, considering her pregnancy- and that might be an added bonus. Pregnancy…Linnesse blinked, suddenly realizing what Ione had said under her questioning about the dress- in response to her query of whether she was well. “You’re pregnant? Congratulations!” she exclaimed with a warm smile that maybe held a touch of wistfulness, too. She herself couldn’t have children- and while she had never wanted one either while she was under Rufus’s sway, with Derfel, she could understand the desire to create something out of their joining, a little person that would be a piece of both of them, and continue after they were gone. Linnette’s pregnancy had reinforced it for her, and while it was not something Linnesse dwelled on- she did, sometimes, fantasize about what it would be like for her to be the one carrying a child in her belly instead. It might even be easier that way- what with Gedeon being gone, now. |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:40 PM Post #132 |
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Author: Lancelot Date: Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:44 pm Lancelot The knight cocked his head and stared down at the pretty blond whore. He'd never known this one, and as tired and downtrodden and agitated as he was, he found her fascinating. Why not at least talk with the girl? He was certain Arthur was busy with others, at any rate. What had Lancelot to do for him, save reporting on the knights that were in their same state as this morning, and hiding yet another fight from him? Or perhaps he could go to the commander's quarters and be yelled at - again - by the lovely Optio? Mmmm. Just how he wanted to spend his evening.
A laugh burst out of Lancelot's throat, and he leaned his head a bit closer to her hand as she touched lightly at his curls. "You are a brazen one, love. A trait I admire in women. And no, I've not had a ... taste of you, yet." His voice dropped into huskiness, and he winked his good eye, and then winced when the skin around his bruise pulled. He sighed. "Do you have a room here? I'd like to take a few moments to rest and perhaps eat - and I would find it most pleasing to have such beautiful company as yours. My barrack accomodations are no place for a lady." The decorative, somewhat false smile played about his face again. "I must report to the commander, but later. He can wait for me." As I always follow him. As I always wish to. He swallowed hard, and felt in his pocket surreptitiously for coin. A few would do it - and ah. He'd just have to pay Gawain back later - he did have a secret stash of enough to sustain him for a while, but he'd be damned if he went around talking about that. Better to play the pauper and to trick the legionaries into believing he was a dumb, poor, Sarmatian idiot. That certainly helped him win at dice. "And perhaps a wash stand? I still carry the grime of battle," although not the real battle, damnedable Galahad, "and would be most...appreciative of the loan of some water and a cloth." He widened his smile - he knew it was a dazzling one, and he also knew his charm would never fail him when he needed it. Except with the nun. And Arthur. Lancelot reached out and gripped at Catherine's arm, maybe a bit too tightly. His lips pulled and his smile become something of a death's head mask - and he breathed a bit roughly as his emotions threatened to come to the fore. "Are you game, my dove?" |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:41 PM Post #133 |
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Author: lady ione Date: Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:34 pm Ione The weaver continued to watch as Linnesse admired the dress. The lady she had made it for only demanded the best work, so Ione had put in a lot of hours on the detail, and every aspect. Well, sometimes she felt her work needed a few tips on how to do them better. This dress though was one of her better works....or at least she thought so. "Do you like it?" She could not resist asking. The style was one she had not tried before, especially in the bodice which dipped gracefully in the front, but not really low...just modestly curved. Ione shifted a bit as her stomach seemed to move a bit under her cloak. It felt odd to feel the baby move a bit...
Ione looked down at the lovely ring on her finger with a touch of sadness. The moment in which Javier had placed it on her finger had been full of love, and even now, she could still feel the joy in that moment when he had made love to her over and over....and the first time after the first woad attack: Javier had come to care for her after Neeve had left....the slow tender love they had discovered in each other. "Thank you," Ione said softly still looking down at the ring. It would always stay on her finger. She looked up briefly greeted by the warm smile, and she returned it....but then her head bowed, and for some odd reason, she suddenly felt like crying. "I-I fear my beloved Javier will not be returning..." Ione paused for a moment. "He went back to settle his father's estate..." She placed her face in her hands, and softly chocked back a sob. "I am so afraid right now. I do not know if he'll ever return back to me....I have received no word from him at all..." Raising her head to the ceiling as if searching for answers, Ione said, "I will have to raise my child on my own...I know of no man that would step in and care for another's child..." The weaver found herself babbling, but she was trying to put it in words that Linnesse would not look down on her for....nor anyone else. Not many had known she was going with Javier, and now that he was gone, Ione had no man around her so that she could say that he was the father. No, she did not want to be frowned upon because she was pregnant, and the fear that Javier had left her with no intentions of coming back made her even more afraid of what others thought. Wiping the tears on her cheek with the back of her hand, she whispered, "I did not know who to tell, or talk to...Darya...Accolon...vanora...anyone who'd listen, but right now, I feel alone and scared and need advice..." Ione had always longed to be loved and cared for, and she had found that dream in Javier only to be hit with the realization that he had maybe played her for a fool. When would she ever find a loyal, kind, and loving man who would be there for her forever? |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:43 PM Post #134 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:20 pm Linnesse
"Advice? My sister is in the same position you are, but still I don't think I have any advice." Feeling a wave of tiredness return, seemingly accompanying Ione's outpouring of woes, Linnesse sank down in the chair nearest to her, the one at the table in front of the dress. Privately she thought Ione was probably right to fear Javier would not return- it did seem odd that he would be called so far away, so conveniently soon after his betrothal to Ione, and not just marry her immediately and take her with him. And assuming he had known about the child...well, Ione wasn't the first woman to be used by a soldier until it was no longer convenient for him. But it was a bad situation, all around. Linnesse sighed and leaned her head on her hand, her elbow propped up on the table and her other hand still holding the blanket around her. It was chilly in the room, and truthfully she wished very much that she was back in bed. "Vanora might- at least I'm sure she'll understand," Linnesse added, trying to muster an encouraging smile for Ione as she gestured for the other woman to sit if she wanted to. The head of the tavern was a kind, sensible, and accepting woman- Linnesse was sure of that. Darya...well, Linnesse had nothing good to say about Darya, really, but she would withhold comment on that, especially since Ione seemed to be numbering the black-haired woman among those she trusted. Who else had she mentioned, though? Accolan? Had that been a slip? "You...you still talk with Accolan?" Linnesse asked cautiously, leaning a bit forward and searching what she could see of Ione's face by the light of the single candle. Accolan had been one of Ione's "loves" quite a while ago, according to Linnette- but was it possible that Ione did not now know that the knight was dead? Linnesse's heart seemed to sink like a stone into her stomach...on top of everything else, she had to be the bearer of this bad news, too? |
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| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:44 PM Post #135 |
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Author: Kayla Date: Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:41 pm Fiona Fiona hadn't really expected for Galahad to tell her what had happened and how he had gotten so banged up but a part of her couldn't help but be a little disappointed when he withheld the information from her. She supposed that she could have asked Gawain or someone else who had seen it, but the curiousity in her had been looking for an answer and at not receiving one, she normally would have pressed until she found out what it was. It was clear that the knight was in no mood for that, however and she wasn't keen on pressing her luck, especially when she had just messed up a very simple task of cleaning the wound. It seemed that her apologies were lost as well and for a few moments, she didn't know how to react. It had been alright when she had been cleaning the wound but aside from that, she wasn't sure what to say to him. Thankfully, her mind was always working, and she was able to conjure something up, just so that there wouldn't have to be any silence. She didn't want to spend time feeling sorry for herself over hurting him.
Fiona nodded at his answer but one of her eyebrows quirked slightly at the last part of his words and the way that his face changed when he said them, almost as if the person he was thinking about wasn't someone that was top on his friends list - actually, more like on the very bottom. She tilted her head, taking in his expression for a moment before asking, "Really? What's his name?" She couldn't be sure what made her ask it, maybe his reaction and the way he had brought it up made her curious. Her nature to question things was almost neverending, whether you were a friend or enemy. A stir behind the woad caused her to look back and she smiled slightly when she saw Gawain and Lavinia come up, the woman looking grumpy as seemed to be routine. "I ... cleaned it as much as possible," she told the nun. Before I managed to hurt him, she thought in her head but didn't say it out loud. She'd come to help and so far, she probably hadn't been as helpful as she wanted to be. |
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