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RonSWEF
Overly Evil Overlord
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Mush and Cold Water

It was a lovely summer morning in Reines, though because of recent events, everyone seemed too busy or too disturbed to notice it. Some of the patrol was off doing their own thing, while Martin sat out in the stables repairing tack and trying to make sense of the dream everyone had the night before. He was so involved in his thoughts, he hardly noticed the hoofbeats just outside the stable doors.

Madeline approached the Tenth's temporary HQ in Reines and reined Mystery in to a slow trot as she came into the courtyard. Once her horse has stopped she tied her to a rail outside the stables and stepped inside the barn to get her horse some hay to munch on. While she had decided to pay Martin a surprise visit, she had expected him to be inside the HQ, doing something Captain-ish. She didn't expect to see him before her working on riding gear.

He knew someone had entered the barn, yet he didn't look up. He assumed it was Selena, who had gone with Jo'har out for their usual vigorous morning ride.

"That was a short ride," he said.

Madeline smirked as she pulled off her riding gloves. She leaned against the frame of the barn door and folded her arms, "Well I don't know... coming all the way from Bascone, I'd hardly call it short."

Martin looked up at the different voice.

"Oh!" At the sight of Madeline, he smiled, "I thought it was one of my people, most of them are taking some time off this morning."

She smiled and pushed off from the doorframe. She made her way over toward him, "Much the same way I am this morning."

He set aside the saddle he was inspecting and stood up, surveying his lady-friend who looked (as usual) astonishing and pristine in her riding skirts and soft blouse, "Patrolman Bright, the morning is beautiful but you are putting it to shame."

She raised her eyebrows in mock indignation, "Patrolman? It's Corporal Bright to you now, Mr. Du Vraise." She tapped the fingers of her riding gloves against his chest as her joy in seeing him spreads across her face in a warm smile. He grinned sheepishly and bowed.

"My apologies, my fellow officer." he said.

She continued to smile, being in his presence kept it glued to her face. "Ahh, we're off duty so dispense with the formalities." She glanced quickly around to see that no one was looking as she stepped closer to him, "You can kiss me now."

"If you insist," he replied and stepped closer, kissing her softly. He then took a step back to look down into her eyes, "What brings you out here to the refugee camps?"

She let out a breath after relishing his kiss, "Mmm, I wanted to see you... I somehow missed having someone watch over me as I slept..."

She winked at him as she slinked her arms up around his neck.

He laughed softly and sneaked his arms around her waist, "Only girl in the world who welcomes a Peeping Tom..."

She blinked, "Me? I'm not the one who wore a hole in the floor..!"

He took advantage of the position of his hands to tickle her ribs, "I'm not to blame for the weak spot, I just stepped on what I thought was a sound board and discovered it wasn't..."

She cringed and giggled outloud, "Uh huh, so is that what you tell all your victims?"

"So far, yes..." he said as he kept tickling her. Her laughter echoed through the barn as she squirmed away from him, instinctively grabbing his hands.

"So how was your first day back? Did your patrol miss you?"

"Well, miss might be too strong a word. They seemed to have gotten along well without me, though they don't seem sorry to have me back." He said.

She nodded as she held his hands, "Well, that's good news then... one of my Patrol I think is having trouble with taking orders from a woman... but I'll take care of him."

"It wouldn't by any chance be Gaston, the ambitious one, would it?"

She blinked, "How'd you know?"

"I remember him making a few comments during a briefing once, right about when Corporal Montrichard was promoted." he said, "His problem with you probably doesn't have as much to do with you being a woman as with you being promoted ahead of him.

She nodded, "Yes, that's what I thought too. He'll make a fine leader one day... " she smirked, "But not before his time... he still has a lot to learn..."

Martin nodded and laughed too, "Like how to not want the job..."

"Yeah." she chuckled, "maybe a taste of leadership is what he needs to slow him down..." she got thoughtful for a moment, "Hmm... I'll have to keep that one in mind..." she squeezed his hand, "Anyway... I didn't come here to talk about him..."

Martin smiled, "What did you come here to talk about then?"

She shrugged, "Oh, I don't know... you... me..." there was a little bit of an uneasy grin, "Us..."

He winked, "Perhaps we should take this somewhere a little less public? We wouldn't want to spoil the tender feelings of any of the horses... Fortunately the one that gossips isn't here at the moment..."

Madeline blinked and looked at him in disbelief, "You have a horse that gossips?"

She laughed like he made a joke, obviously not believing him. Yet he nodded and offered her his arm, "Oh yes, a little white Crescent mare. I'm always having to tell her and her rider to stop chattering while on patrol..."

She took his arm as they began to walk. She looked at him curiously, "You're serious aren't you? They really do chatter? Martin... don't insult my intelligence... horses don't talk to people..."

He grinned knowingly, "You'd be surprised what can happen. When you consider that there are people who can rip holes in the air or summon storms by writing a symbol, a talking horse doesn't seem so impossible. Granted, it's only her rider who can understand her, but after some of the things I've seen I don't doubt it one bit..."

Her smile faded a little as she recalled her own branch of magic, which she hadn't yet told him about, "Yes, I think I know of the sorcery you are talking about know... Crescent, right?" he nodded, "I don't know the name of it but I have heard of it. There are lots of things in this little country that will surprise us..."

He nodded, "Having one in my team has been an enlightening experience... But you didn't come here to hear about my people either..."

"No, but it makes for interesting conversation.

He lead her out of the stable and toward a stand of trees behind the HQ to a secluded little spot where a stream filled into a small pool beneath some trees.

"True, but I'd rather not get into a "whose unit is stranger" contest, there's no way to win that one..."

She laughed, "That is quite true... I think all the patrols in La Lanterne could give each other a run for the money... I've always been amused by the sight of the Blue Moustaches..."

"Yes, especially the ladies." Martin snickered, "Sometimes I think they're loonier than the Bone Dancers.

He sat down next to the pool on a large rock that overhung the water. He began to pull his boots off, "After all that riding, I thought you might enjoy a chance to cool your feet..."

Her eyes widened with delight as she gazed down at the pool, "Oooh, you certainly know how to appeal to a lady's needs, Mr. Du Vraise...." she smiled at him playfully, "I do hope you keep this up...."

He grinned, "Well, I confess I'm improvising as I go... If I'd known you were coming I might have stashed a picnic basket here..."

"Oh, it's quite alright... I do have to be back before dinner, we're due out on patrol this evening and I have a meeting to organize...."

He nodded and dipped his bare feet in the water, "As do I..."

She sat next to him and removed her boots. She then slipped her skirts upward to remove her stockings, showing perhaps a little more leg than was neccessary mainly just to tease Martin. He grinned.

"Miss Bright, on the day they were handing out modesty, were you off going for a ride?"

She blinked and looked at him innocently, "I'm sorry?"

He puts an arm around her, "You seem to have this bad habit of showing me far more than a sensible lady would dare... A man does have his limits, you know..."

She gazed up at him with her eyebrows raised, "Is that a complaint, Mr. Du Vraise?"

He gently tweaked her nose, "More like a warning..."

She slipped her feet into the water and chuckled as she let her skirts rest on her knees so as not to get them wet, I didn't hear you complaining when you were having a good look down through the hole in your floor..."

"Yes, well, you weren't close enough for me to reach out and grab then either..."

She grinned playfully and reached down to stroke the cool clean water, "Too bad for you then, huh..?"

"Yes, well...." he began to say but stopped. He tried to think of something teasing to say back to her but somehow he found his mind completely blank. He sighed, "You are a very confusing woman, Madeline Bright..."

She looked back at him, "Oh?"

"I'm never quite sure what it is you want... Of course, I'm used to dealing with women who know the rules of society by heart, so that they may violate them without the appearance of doing so..."

She sat up while she continued to swirl the water with her bare feet. She couldn't help but frown, "Well... I'm a little disappointed... I thought that I had made myself clear already...."

He sighed, still keeping his arm around her, "I'm sorry. I'm not used to that sort of clarity. I'm used to subtlety, schemes, and second-guessing everything..."

She nodded, then looked up into his eyes, "I understand." she said, "But you don't need to second guess me... I'm not going anywhere...

She touched his cheek tenderly as he took her into his arms and hugged her. He kissed her cheek.

"I hope you'll forgive me if it takes a little while for me to get used to that..."

She inhaled deeply, enjoying his warmth as she snuggled into his embrace, "Of course... and I hope you'll forgive my abruptness sometimes... My guardian always told me that I should never deprive myself of the things that I wanted if I could get them....... within reason of course."

He laughed softly and kept holding her since it felt so nice, "And where does one draw the line of reason?"

She didn't move, "Ahh well... I guess he was going to leave that up to me...."

"That was probably wise," he replied, "anything else might have resulted in your doing something unreasonable in rebellion..."

She laughed, "Probably. I had a lot of.... err... spirit... as a child."

"That's believeable, considering how much ..... spirit......you have as an adult."

She wrinkled her nose and gave him a little poke in the ribs. He withdrew slightly with a twinkle in his eye, rather than poke her back, he quickly reached down and scooped up a handful of cold creek water and poured it down the back of her neck. Her scream echoed in the trees as her back caves to avoid the chill of the water. Squirming, she leaped to her feet, the edges of her skirts falling in the water.

"Ahh, Mr. Du Vraise... don't start what you can't finish!..." she warned and with that bent over to scoop up two handfuls of water, sending them flying his way with a playful laugh. He laughed as he got splashed, and followed her into the water. It was a small pool, only about knee-deep.

"Oh? Who says I can't finish it?" he said and splashed her back. With a laugh she dodged the water and then turned to kick water at him.

As the sounds of the splashing and laughter rang through the small thicket of trees, they continued thier water fight. Little did they know they would have to cut their visit even shorter (by just a short time of course) to change before their duties call on them. Very wet and dripping from their encounter, he bid Madeline good-bye some time later and headed to headquarters to change.

Selena had just arrived back from her morning run and let Jo'har go into her stall for a drink. As Selena grabbed some hay from the pile outside, she caught sight of Martin sopping wet as he climbed the steps of the HQ with a wry grin on his face and his long hair dripping wet. He seemed to be off in another world as he went inside leaving Selena a little confused as to what he was at to make him so wet and with such a silly grin on his face.

She smirked to herself as she headed into the barn. It was probably a silly story no doubt and she hoped to ask him about it before their afternoon patrol.....




---
"Define interesting."
"Oh God, oh God, we're all gonna die?"
16/Nov/05, 4:30 pm Send Email to RonSWEF   Send PM to RonSWEF
 
admiralla
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An evening out... err... I mean in...

Mush Warning - Those with weak stomachs should now avert thier eyes. Those who don't have weak stomachs... enjoy!



As the sun started to set on a lovely day, the air was still and fragrant with the smells of blossoming flowers from a warm afternoon. Madeline was in the kitchen, preparing dinner in hopes that Martin was able to get away from his duties to spend an hour with her before retiring for the night and duty the next morning. As she worked busily preparing the picnic basket, there came a knock at the back door (which also led to the kitchen).

Madeline, jumped and looked at the door strangely before answering it. She saw Martin her face became that of surprise and pleasure at the same time.

"Martin! What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd come and see if any of the kitchen staff needed their bottoms pinched..." he said trying to keep a straight face.

She blinked and stared at him in disbelief for a moment before laughing heartily and stepping back to allow him to enter.

"Oh you, Rogue!" she said giving him a playful swat, "I meant why are you at this door? I was expecting you to come in the front..."

He gave her bottom a friendly pinch as he passed, "Thought I'd take you by surprise... As you can see, I managed to steal a little time."

She jumped and swatted at him again.

"That's not all you've stolen...." She muttered and went to the basket to continue to pack the dinner. He gave her a hand with getting the rest of the supplies into the basket and she stepped back giving him a satisfactory smile.

"If you would do the honours," she said motioning to the basket. He nodded and picked it up.

"And where shall I honor it to, milady?" he asked, straining slightly under it's weight.

"This way." she said motioning to the door with a smile as she put on her bonnet and headed for the kitchen door, "there's a clearing near the river that's just spectacular on an evening like this."

He grinned as they headed out into the fresh air, "I don't know, the two of us and bodies of water don't seem to be the safest combination."

She smiled, "I've brought towels this time...."



They headed down a path toward the creek that wound it's way through the forest. Martin whistled cheerfully as he walked, enjoying her company immensely. It was almost scary how relaxed he was.

"Did you have any trouble getting the time off today?" she asked as they walked along.

"Not really, we were mainly settling in today. I don't have that many posessions, and the refugees didn't either."

She nodded and smiled shyly, "I hope I didn't make myself too obvious today... it's so hard to be professional around you..."

He shrugged, "No one's teased me about you, so I doubt anyone's noticed anything..." he smiled, "But it's nice to know I'm having an effect on you...."

She gave him a playful shove, "Oh I'd say you're having more of an effect on me..."

He gazed affectionately down at her, "Oh? Do tell..."

They headed toward the clearing.

"Well, there's not much to tell..." she said blushing, "I think about you all the time... I wish you were here so I could.... well... spend more time with you..."

He grinned wickedly, "My dear Corporal Bright, you are showing all the signs of a serious crush..."

She laughed nervously.

"It certainly feels more than a crush," she admitted as they reached the clearing.

As Martin set down the basket, Madeline spread out a lovely white blanket over the lush green grass. The clearing was very smooth save for a few bushes surrounding them on opposite sides, with some tall trees to sit in the shade. The river slowly trickled by with just the slightest rush of water over rocks and a mild waterfall, somewhere further up. It's banks met the grass only a few meters from the large tree under which Madeline had chosen to place them.

She knelt on the grass and spread out the blanket, giving Martin a chance to take in his surroundings, hoping that he'll enjoy it as much as she does.

"You certainly do know how to pick the spots..." he said admiring the clearing.

"Well, I am a sucker for a romantic evening, Mr. Du Vraise.... " she admitted as she started to unload the basket.

He nodded, "Well this should certainly qualify. We've both been pretty busy lately..."

"Yes, unfortunately... Many times I wish you were still assigned with us...." she said with a sigh.

He smiled a little, "And you have no idea how tempting it is to ask for the First and the Tenth to be posted together..."

"I guess the temptation would increase if we were...." she said with a smile.

She sat and began to take out the dishes and the food as he took up a position next to her. She then took out a bottle of wine and smiled at him holding it up.

"I had been saving this for just such an occaision..." she said.

He eyed the wine ruefully then gave her a devilish wink, "All right, but only one glass for me tonight. I've too many bad memories of the last time I let myself get drunk..."

He dished out some food for her as she poured the wine, then took up some of his own. She smiled and handed him his glass once his hands were free.

"Well then, let's focus on creating some new memories, shall we?" she winked back at him, "Some good ones...."

He took the glass and raised it to his lips, then proceeded to lean in to give her a wine flavoured kiss, "like that?"

She smiled and hummed her approval, "Mmm... exactly like that...."

She didn't move. She instead leaned in to kiss him a little longer. He sneaked an arm around her waist, pulling her close as she slinked her arms around his neck.

"This is much better than having my skull cracked..." he said softly as she nuzzled his neck.

"I should hope so...." she said.

As they shared this tender moment together something sounded from across the river. It was indistinct at first, but as they both listened, the could tell it was some kind of a low growl. The moment was suddenly lost as Madeline sat up straight suddenly alert.

"Did you hear that?"

Martin started and looked around, "Sounds a little like a wolf or something...

Madeline suddenly looked worried, "I didn't think they travelled so close to town... of course, if it is... you never can tell.... " she looked at him, "You think we should leave?"

He frowned, "What we should do is get your riders together and do a sweep of the area. If it is a wolf, then it's either rabid or ...worse. I've always heard that normal wolves try to stay well away from humans unless they're starving."

As Martin spoke, there was a rustling coming from the thick bushes across the stream. Whatever made the growl suddenly was dashed off into the darkness. The silence of the
evening returns along with the river's trickling and the songs of several birds.

Martin frowned again. "I'm not sure if that's good or bad..."

Madeline stared across the river, then back at Martin. "From what I've heard of those bloodwolves, I'm betting on the bad. We should head back to the house... the rest of the patrol is off tonight so we should have some privacy for a little while until you have to go...."

She gave him a weak smile as they got to their feet.

"I feel silly about having to take all this food back after bringing it out here, but I think a little privacy would be better right now anyway."

Madeline nodded and they quickly packed everything up again and headed back for the house.



As they entered the kitchen, Madeline let out a sigh. She was disappointed that the evening didn't go as she had planned and her emotions were evident on her face.

"I'm sorry this didn't work out, Martin..." she said. He put his arm around her and squeezed her shoulders as he set the basket on the table.

"It's okay... I'm just happy to be here with you, Madeline."

She smiled feeling reassured, "Yes, just spending time together is precious, isn't it?"

He kissed her foreheas as he held her, "We've both chosen responsibility. Our time has to be precious, or we'll lose it."

She looked up at him, "You think we'll have difficulty getting together like this?"

He shrugged a little, "I really don't know. You could be given a border assignment, I could be sent on extended missions...Things could happen. Or they might not."

"I guess we'll have to take it as it comes, won't we?" she said, "It could be worse... one of us could be reassigned somewhere else in La Motte..."

"There really isn't anywhere else to be assigned yet, but eventually there will be..." he said.

Madeline opened the basket and began to set up dinner on the table, "Of course... and right now I'm assigning us to this dinner... I don't know about you, but I'm famished."

He nodded, "So am I. Granted, I have more than one hunger, but there's no reason that we can't sate another."

His voice trailed off as he helped her get dinner ready. His words made her heart race and she tried very hard to hide the fact that her colour was now rising as they sat down to eat. Martin helped her into a chair and then pulled one around the table so he could sit next to her. They didn't talk much while they ate, due mostly to the fact that they were both very hungry. There was something about his closeness tonight, however that made her tremble a little. She too was very hungry for something else and tried hard not to let it show.

"Are you cold?" he asked as he felt her shiver a little.

"Just a little," she lied, "but it's okay... I'm getting warmed up now..."

"Good" he said giving her a squeeze before raising his glass in a silent toast to her.

They finished their meal and adjourned to some time together on one of a pair of loveseats in the lounge. Martin took Madeline into his arms and they engaged in a few quiet affectionate moments to themselves before he had to leave again. Her heart longed for him to stay tonight, but she knew that he had duty in the morning and so did she. Perhaps the moment would be right another time.

"You look dazzling with your hair down..." he said kissing her warmly and running his fingers through her long auburn hair. She had taken it down from it's usual formal bun at the base of her neck as they got cozy on the couch.

"So do you..." she teased between kisses. He laughed and tickled her.

"Just as long as we understand which of us is prettier... That's you, by the way..."

"Well of course," she said squirming and trying to tickle him in defense. He laughed and gave silent defeat.

"Not only pretty, but merciful too," he said.

"Oh, I wouldn't be too sure of that... you should see how merciful I am during a sparring match...."

His smile brightened, "Now that, my dear, I look foward to. Ever since I realized what your cape meant, in fact..."

She raised an eyebrow, "Well, I'll take that as an acceptance of my challenge then. Perhaps next time we meet when we aren't so full of food?"

He kissed her quickly as his time to depart drew even nearer, "I'll send word when I am available next. Your training grounds? Or mine? Or perhaps we should select a neutral and more private location?"

She nodded at the latter, "That would be better..." she grinned, "I wouldn't want to sway the odds either way.... we'd best make it as even as possible...."

He gave her another quick kiss as if he couldn't get enough of them, "Would a semi-abandoned convent be suitable, you think? We could find a quiet place somewhere on the grounds..."

"Semi-abandoned?"

He nodded, "A fellow who used to be a member of the Tenth has been living there and fixing it up. He's also claimed that there's at least one well-meaning ghost..."

She nodded understandingly, "That sounds like a good place..."

He smiled, "I'll ask him to make sure. It's a bit of a ride, but if we make an early start of it we'll have plenty of time."

He then got up and made his way to the door, taking her hand in his. As he reached the front door, she put her arms around his neck again, giving a longing sigh and an embrace.

"I wish you didn't have to go... I find myself eagerly anticipating our next meeting...." she said.

He smiled and kissed her, "Anticipation will only make it better when we are together again..."

"Abscence makes the heart grow fonder, " she said, repeating the old phrase.

"Which means I should make myself absent... before I forget to altogether....."

They gave each other another long lasting kiss, one that lingered perhaps a little too long before they finally took a step back and smiled at each other.

"Good night, Monsieur Du Vraise... " she said softly.

He bowed deeply, " Goodnight, Lady Bright..."

And he stepped out into the darkening night, to find his horse and gallop away into the shadows....

---
Why are you worried about "You know who?" .... You should be worried about You No Poo! -- The constipation sensation that's gripping the nation!
14/Jan/06, 4:37 pm   Blog
 
RonSWEF
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With Much Smacking of the Forehead

Warning! The following contains very little mush! Those with weak stomachs will not have to avert anything!

"Idiot!" Martin smacked his forehead with his palm. "Idiot idiot idiot!"

By this point, his head was starting to hurt, so he stopped hitting it. Instead, he plopped himself down on his bed (the makeshift bedframe groaning) and started pulling off his boots. He'd gone to the party to watch the juggling, and rather than stick with that, he'd gone and done what was possibly the most foolish thing he'd done in weeks.

"Idiot!" In spite of himself, he smacked his forehead again. "Why do you do this to yourself? Why should you care who she dances with? She's nothing of yours, never was, and never should be. You already have a good thing going, you fool, why make trouble?" He didn't answer himself, at least not verbally. Instead he kicked his boots to the corner and lay back.

His mind, of course, put in its own reply in the mental image of Selena dancing. Theus, the way that woman could move... He tried to replace it with the image of Madeline's smile, and only partially succeeded. Martin sighed. "I know entirely too many pretty women for my own good..."

---
"Define interesting."
"Oh God, oh God, we're all gonna die?"
27/Jan/06, 2:48 am Send Email to RonSWEF   Send PM to RonSWEF
 
admiralla
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Martin du Vraise - Oh What a night... (Warning: Severe Mush rating)

Martin closed his door and ambled slowly to his bed. He silently relished the fact that he finally had a bed as he sat to pull his boots off. As he set his boots neatly at the end of the bed, he pulled off his shirt. Right about then, a fuzzy young wolf butted against his not-quite-latched door and bounded inside, tackling him to the bed and licking his face

“ACK!!” he cried. Selena heard the cry from below her room and winced. No doubt Simian had attacked Martin again and was killing him by trying to lick his face off.

She had just finished changing into her nightshirt when her young wolf had left her room to galumph down the stairs. She had a feeling as to where he might be headed having just heard Martin scuffle around in his room. She had tried calling him back, but she knew it was no use. It wasn’t until Martin’s alarming cry that she figured she’d better act fast to rescue him and the only way to do that was through the fireplace they both shared.

Having never been used, with the exception of only once before to escape violent ghosts, Selena jumped into the pristine hearth to the room below. She spied Simian on Martin’s bed next to him with his paws on him trying to lick him while Martin tried to push him off.

“Simian, No! Get down!” She cried hurrying over to tug the squirming wolf off him. Martin righted himself as the slobbery creature was finally removed. Grabbing his just-doffed shirt, he used it to wipe the wolf drool off his face

“I swear that thing has it in for me...” he grumbled. Selena stepped back holding the pup in her arms as he wriggled and licked her face then looked at Martin excitedly, wagging his tail as if eager for more.

“I'm really sorry. I thought I had my door closed...” She couldn’t help but smirk, now, “He just likes you that’s all. Which is odd because he doesn't take to people easily... not unless I like them...”

Selena suddenly realized the impact of her words and blushed heavily (thank Theus for the low lighting).

“Err... well, I mean... people I trust... you know what I mean... he just senses it from me, is all...”

Martin blinked two or three times, “I'm lost. Did you just say he likes me because you don't like me?”

She shook her head quickly, “No, I'm saying he likes you so much because I do too...”

Well done, just bury yourself in deeper Selena...

She winced and put the squirming pup out of her arms. She mumbled softly in Crescent that sounded like it could easily have been a swear word. She wanted to run now, hide under her bed to avoid having to face the embarrassing exchange which was to come.

Martin, taken aback at what she had just said regarded her for a moment. He swallowed, taking it in and suddenly found himself noticing just how short her nightshirt was.

Mid thigh... thin material... thin enough to see the curves of her –

He winced snapping out of those thoughts before they went too far, “Well, I'm glad to know I'm well-regarded by someone... and their pet...”

“Err, yeah, well... it's purely on a professional level of course.” Selena lied nervously, “You umm... being... who you are....”

Her eyes fixated on him as he stared at her. He suddenly became aware she was looking at him and tore his eyes away from her legs. He looked down at the wolf pup, “Simian. I want you to run back upstairs, climb up on Selena's bed, and keep it nice and warm for her. Would you do that for me please?”

The wolf was aware this human was speaking to him, but he couldn’t understand it. He c0cked his head curiously at him then looked up at Selena, hoping she would know what the human was saying. The female human he could understand. He always knew what she wanted him to do. They met eyes for a moment as they exchanged thoughts.

He needs me to go to her sleeping den up the hill...

The situation wasn’t as fun anymore anyway and Simian obeyed heading out through his door and back upstairs.

Martin watched the silent exchange and blinked. “Is it my imagination or does every animal who keeps company with you end up a little smarter than they seem?”

Selena fidgeted with her fingers as she glanced down at them. A smile played at her lips. “Not exactly. I just... understand them, that's all... and it's not every animal... it's only Jo'har and Simian.”

There was a slight pause as he smiled back at her. They seemed to do that a lot. For the past two weeks while they were on their way to Vergogne, things seemed to have changed a little for them. There was something more going on than just a Corporal/patrolman relationship. There always had been. But now seemed the time to address it.

“Look, I know you've got to be up early tomorrow, but I've been thinking. Maybe you and I should talk.” He pointed to the chair at his desk.

Selena slowly walked across the room, giving him a curious look. Her bare feet hardly make a sound as she gingerly sat on the edge of the chair. He tried hard not to look at where sitting down had made the nightgown ride up.

“What... did you want to talk about?” she asked. “The mission right? I promise I'll be careful. I know you don't like me going alone... but I've been on my own before --”

“No, it's not that.” he said shaking his head. “Besides, if I went with you it'd only slow you down.... I've been noticing a connection between us for quite a while now.”

She smirked and nodded as she glancing at her hands in her lap, “Yeah. We do kind of have a bit of a... well... friendship going on... don't we...?”

“I wouldn't call it friendship, exactly.” He said softly. His unease was apparent too yet he pushed on, this had to be said. “You must be aware how beautiful you are...”

Her eyes snapped to his as a slight look of surprise comes to her features. She could hardly believe that he just called her beautiful. A small smile came to her lips. “You think we're... more than friends...?”

He couldn’t help but laugh as he lowered his head and shook it in disbelief, “Mistress Byn'hali, if you haven't noticed the way I've been alternatively mooning over you or trying to avoid you these last few months, you're a much thicker woman than I'd ever imagined.”

The corner of her mouth drew up into a smirk and she can't help but laugh softly too.

“Well, I.... guess maybe I didn't want to see it... I would have thought it too good to be true actually...” She lowered her voice a little, “I'm not so sure I've been very good at hiding my feelings either...”

He looked at her again, then looked away. “Well, I've noticed, but I've been trying not to see.”

She found herself staring at her hands again. “Ever since that night.... both of us in the hayloft... the night before you got dismissed.... I knew there was something...”

He nodded in agreement, “Nothing really happened that night. We were drunk enough to admit to what we were feeling, but too drunk to do anything about it.”

She tried hard to meet his eyes but found herself closing them instead when she lifted her head. “I've been wishing for a night like that ever since... without the wine.”

He looked at her. “And I've been trying to avoid it...”

She gave him an imploring look, “But why.....?”

Suddenly, she knew why. The answer was in Bascone. The Captain of the First Patrol. Selena’s features hardened.

“It's because of Corporal Bright isn't it...?” She asked, not really wanted to hear the answer. Her eyes went glassy. He moved forward on his bed to get a little closer to her as he took one of her hands in his.

“Madeline's part of it now, yes but
she wasn't at the start.” He explained, “It started with the Captain's unofficial but very firm policy against unit leaders having relationships with their subordinates.”

She stared down at his hand and hers, “So... you're telling me this can never happen?”

“I don't know...” he replied, “It's cruel to even think about but we could have a new Captain soon. Or at the very least, he'll have ample time to change his mind...”

“So.. what do we do? After all this time of hiding our feelings... trying to fight it... I don't honestly think I can anymore....”

He smiled a little, “I really don't know... and there's also the fact that I do care a great deal about Madeline. When I started seeing her, there probably was a small part of it that was because I couldn't be with you but my feelings for her are based on who she is...”

Selena sat more upright and withdrew her hand from his, “So you're telling me you want to be with her now that you can't be involved with me?”

She blinked back the tears that were stinging her eyes and got up, taking a few steps away from him, “Why are you even telling me any of this Martin? Why couldn't you just leave well enough alone if you only wanted her...?”

He shook his head, “I don't know what result I expected from this. I just wanted to be honest and up front with you about the situation. Dancing around each other hasn't exactly made us happy.”

She whirled to face him.

“And now I'm supposed to be happy that we've got it out in the open...?” She swallowed, “Well I'm sorry... but it's just made me more miserable, thank you.”

He got to his feet, taking a step toward her. He somehow got the feeling she was going to try and leave soon. He stared her in the eyes.

“Look, I have no idea why you were ever interested in me in the first place.” He said trying to keep his voice level. “I'm just a man, a very flawed one at that, who's been lucky enough to meet two women he could love. I fully realize that this means I'll probably lose you both in the process, but I'd rather see you walk away than hurt you by lying.”

“You can't help who you love, Martin. You're not supposed to. No one knows why two people become attracted to each other... they just do.” Tears were spilling onto her cheeks now and her voice cracked as she spoke. “I guess I should thank you..... for being honest.”

Selena’s heart was breaking and Martin’s was agonizing over watching her in so much pain. He knew he was right and he wasn’t a fool to think that it would be easy on her. They stood staring at each for a moment.

She broke the silence with a anguished laugh though her tears. “You know what that shaman told me? The one I'm going to look for tomorrow....?”

Martin slowly shook his head, “What did he say?”

“He said.. ‘It's best you and he aren't together... she hates to lose.’” Selena wiped her tears away as fresh ones began to fall. She gave another sad chuckle, “I guess there's our answer, huh?”

Martin quickly stepped to her and pulled her into a warm embrace. One he suspected she’d fight.

“Don’t think like that,” he said trying to comfort her, “Whatever is happening, it's not a competition..... and I will not let you two do anything silly like fight over me....”

To his surprise she didn’t fight him. Instead she buried her face into his warm shoulder, relishing his warmth and melting into him. She wished she could stay there all night. But the pain of reality set in and she tried to take a step back. This was too painful to endure any longer. He felt her tug against him and gave her another little squeeze. He didn’t want her to go. It felt so good to be holding her yet, he was ready to let go if she really wanted to. He was also ready for the slap across the face he half expected but it didn’t come.

Her heart pounded as his arms held her tighter. Her mind was screaming to leave, but his embrace was strong and her will was weak. Her heart was telling her to stay. She slipped her hands under his arms and around him, holding him tight. She didn't make a move only to raise her head and look up at him unsure of what to say now. He craned his head back slightly to look down at her moist eyes and slightly-parted lips. Before he could even register what he was doing his mouth covered hers in a deeply passionate kiss.

She closed her eyes, the meaning behind his actions making her forget everything but the love she felt for him. She pressed herself to him as her arms slipped out from around his waist to come around his neck.

The moments that followed were a blur and the pain of what would still be a reality when the morning came were now lost. They didn’t worry about the many rules they were breaking nor did they care. For they would deal with that later.

Right now, all that mattered was acting on the feelings that they had both hidden and suppressed for so long.

---
Why are you worried about "You know who?" .... You should be worried about You No Poo! -- The constipation sensation that's gripping the nation!
4/May/06, 11:06 am   Blog
 
admiralla
Seductive Temptress of Enchantment
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Martin du Vraise - The Truth? You can't handle the truth!

Martin left Phenix later in the afternoon to head into Bascone. His heart was heavy as Roderigo thundered his way toward the headquarters of the Duke’s Own. Yet, he knew what had to be done and wanted to do it with as little procrastination as possible.

As he stopped in front of the door, he dismounted and nodded to one of the DO’s as he passed. To his surprise the young patrolman just smiled and waved him in.

“No need to knock,” he said with a smile, “Just go on in. Madeline’s in the kitchen.”

Martin grinned, “Thanks.”

He made his way down the hallway. He could hear women talking from the kitchen and figured they must be just clearing away the supper dishes. He poked his head around the edge of the doorway and spied Maddy working busily next to one of the other lady patrolmen.

“Any pretty scullery maids need pinching in here?” he said wryly.

Madeline looked up as a few of the ladies smiled at him and laughed cheerfully. Madeline's face broadened into a grin as she put aside her dishcloth, making her way to him.

“None that you should be interested in anyway.” she said with a glance back over her shoulder.

Martin nodded and saluted, “ Wouldn't want to get on the bad side of the head cook.”

With another glance over her shoulder, she took his hand and led him out into the hallway out of sight of everyone else. Once she knew they were somewhat alone, she put her arms around him and kissed him deeply. Martin relished her kiss and returned it, even though he knew he might regret it later.

“Would you like to take a walk down by the stream?” he asked, “There's too many eager ears around here.

He gave the door a light kick and was rewarded with feminine yelps. Madeline chuckled softly and nodded eagerly, taking his hand again, “I would love that... let's go...”

He smiled and led her outside, “So, how are you feeling? You looked rather worn out this afternoon...”

She smiled wearily and nodded, “Well, it has been rough these past few days. I honestly didn't think that the Captain was going to make it. If it weren't for that cure Miette brought..."

She smiled up at him, “That patrol of yours CAN work miracles Martin... you're most fortunate to have them...”

He nodded in agreement and smiled, though his smile faded a little as he was reminded of who actually went and found the cure.

“Yes, I've become very proud of them these last few weeks.” he said as he led her down into the trees along the stream, “You really should make Etienne tell you about his exploits on the trip back from Vergogne, he and Halden were surprisingly heroic.”

Madeline laughed, “Yes, he strikes me as that type. Heroic and not afraid to brag about it. I'll probably take you up on that.

She snuggled into him as she walked along. She was enjoying his company immensely.

“Goodness I've missed you...” She sighed, “it seems like this past few weeks, Theus has had it in for us to keep missing each other.”

He put his arm around her, “I have missed you too..... But...... we need to talk. Or more specifically, there's something I need to tell you...”

Madeline looked up at him curiously. “Yes, you mentioned something like that back at Headquarters... is everything alright?”

Martin frowned a little, “At the moment? Yes. But by the time I finish explaining I'm pretty sure it won't be... Do you remember that incident that got me sent to the First in the first place?”

Her smile faded as her pace slowed a little. She nodded, “Yes. One of your patrol got you drunk and you were taken by the Bone Dancers to Madam Marie’s.”

She couldn’t help but smirk at the thought, but it faded again, “Why?”

He swallowed, then forged ahead before he could talk himself out of it. “It was a mutual getting drunk, and the person who I got drunk with...was a woman. One I'd been attracted to for quite some time....”

Madeline stopped in her tracks and looked up at him. Her face was solemn, “and... your feelings for her now...? Surely they can't exist after everything that we've.... shared....”

He sighed and looked down, slowly taking his arm from around her, “That's the problem. My feelings for you haven't changed. But over the last few weeks on that mission to Vergogne, my feelings for her grew.”

Madeline stares at him, not speaking. Her face a mixture of hurt, anger and denial. He looked her in the eyes, knowing that he mustn't turn away from her right now. He kept talking.

“At this moment, both of you occupy important places in my heart. Neither of you are interchangeable or a 'second choice' for the other. I love you each for who you are. And I also know that this means I'll likely end up without either one of you.”

Madeline searched his eyes. It was as if she wasn’t hearing him right. She somehow felt like she was an outsider looking in until she felt the pain begin to emanate from her heart. There were a few moments before she said anything and what came out was a laugh. It was hardly a genuine laugh. Instead it was a sad mirthless laugh.

“You're telling me... you're in love with us Both??”

He nodded slowly.

Madeline felt her fist clench and unclench at her side. And without warning, without even thinking about it, her hand came up to slap Martin hard across the face. The force staggered him but she didn’t care.

“What kind of a fool do you take me for Martin Du Vraise!?!” she shrieked, “Do you honestly think I believe that you're in love with two women? That's absurd and the most rediculous thing I've ever heard of!”

He staggered from the blow, though he was hardly surprised he got it. He grabbed a tree to keep from falling in the water, “I won't deny that it's strange and not something I was looking for. I tried my damndest to keep this from happening.”

“Well, not hard enough!” she cried. Her shrill angry voice carrying through the forest. Her anger quickly turned to denial as tears stung her eyes.

“I can't believe this is happening! This can't be happening...” her voice cracked and she turned away from him, “things were going so great... and now... what happened??

It was almost as if she was just talking to herself now. He reached out his hand to lay it on her shoulder, to offer some kind of support and comfort. He knew she was either going to knock it away or knock him again. Or probably both, but he didn’t say anything. The truth was he didn’t have anything else to say at the moment. She needed to absorb what he’d told her.

She jerked her shoulder away from him and took a step forward. She turned back to face him, “Who is she? Which one is it? It's that... that Crescent girl isn't it??”

Martin nodded slowly, “Her name is Selena Byn'hali.”

Madeline shook her head in disbelief. Tears filled her eyes and she started to tremble, “I can’t believe this...”
She whispered hoarsely again. Martin couldn’t stand to see her in so much pain. He reached out to her again despite his expectation of her either beating him senseless or run out of anger and let him comfort her.

He was right on both accounts, no sooner had he reached out to her, then she batted his hands away. This turned into more slapping and escalated into her hitting him. All the anger hurt and spite comes out as she starts slapping him wherever she can find a spot. Arms, chest, face... she couldn’t even see anymore through the tears that were clouding her vision. Martin cringed slightly but he didn’t defend himself. Her hitting wasn’t as intense as he knew it could be, she was too weak with grief.

Once her efforts of letting off her steam dwindled, she found herself sobbing uncontrollably. Martin reached out and caught her in his arms. This time she didn’t fight him, she just fell into his arms crying. He held her close, rubbing her back softly and stroking her hair as she cried into his shoulder.

She didn’t know how long she had been crying but when she got hold of herself, she lifted her head and looked up at him. She took a step away from him.

“I... I want..... I need.... to be alone....” she croaked, not meeting his eyes.

Martin nodded slowly. “I understand.”

He let her go and stepped away from her as Madeline headed for the headquarters in silence.

He watched her walk away. His heart ached at what he had just done and he tried to reassure himself once he thought she was far enough away. “That hurt, but it had to be done...”

But Maddy heard him. She turned to look back to him, her eyes still red and swollen.

“And this hurts....” she said laying her hand on her heart, “I don't know what's supposed to be accomplished here... but as for seeing you again... I.... I don't know....”

She turned to continue walking.

“I wasn't trying to accomplish anything, Madeline.” He told her, “I owed you the truth, even if it hurt. If you found out from anyone else it would have been much worse.”

She swallowed hard and nodded in silent agreement as they reached the fork in the road.

“I just need to know one thing....” she said softly.

“Yes?”

“Did you......” she paused, “Did you sleep with her...?”

Her eyes closed as if afraid to see the look on his face. Afraid too, of hearing the answer which she had already knew....

“Yes.....”

Her jaw tightened and her fist clenched again.

“When...?” But she held up her hand and shook her head, “Never mind... I don't want to know anymore.....” she turned away from him, “I have to go...”

He nodded and breathed deeply as he walked over to Roderigo, mounting up. He watched Madeline keep her eyes to the ground as she headed back to Headquarters.

“If you need me... you know where to find me....” He called out to her but she didn’t answer. She paused in her gait to acknowledge that she’d heard him....... but she kept on going.......

---
Why are you worried about "You know who?" .... You should be worried about You No Poo! -- The constipation sensation that's gripping the nation!
20/May/06, 8:31 pm   Blog
 


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