|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 25, 2006 9:40:07 GMT -5
Finally we were in the carriage and it began to move, leaving all of the strange dictonomy of cruelty and gentility of the other City-folk behind. Some think the Shahrizai and those who follow a similar path are the only ones capable of hurt- they are blind fools.
Looking at Tal, his costume still intact, made me only want to made it slightly less so and I reaches a hand out to pop a button off of the shirt- just a top one, nothing anyone with something better to do would notice. "Thank you for attending with me, even if we didn't get to spend any time dancing."
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2006 6:39:45 GMT -5
It was quite a relief to step in the darkness of the carriage, leaving all the loud and superficial glitter of the Masque behind. Although for all my reluctance it had not been nearly as horrific as I had feared. M’lady wolf, despite her abstraction, had been a pleasant dancing partner … and there was the little Orchis of course. I glanced down to where her flower was still somewhat incongruously tucked. I ran my hands through my hair, dislodging some of the grey dust, and feeling more like myself. It felt so strange, and light, without the braids.
I shrugged, and then smiled, watching her hand creep towards my buttons and flick one open. “I’ll never leave your side … even if you and your side insist on going to parties. But what does a public dance matter when we have our own?”
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2006 6:55:18 GMT -5
"Because a proper public dance is decent and somewhat expected if neither of us is busy," I replied sweetly. "Though I do like our own dances better, I always will."
His hands went to his hair, revealing more of the shining darkness, so like a girls without the braids, and the flower tucked in them. Gracefully I reached the flower and plucked it as softly as though it were still alive, running my fingers along a silky petal. With a brow raised I set it on the seat next to me and then began to brush the rest of the grey from his hair- luckily I had worn the deep grey instead of the black. "And what dance do you see occurring this evening?" My every motion and sound was soft and apologetic.
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2006 8:47:03 GMT -5
“I never feel decent when I touch you,” I replied. “I can’t brush your hands without remembering them on my body or feel you against me without thinking of you under me. A public dance could have undone me.”
It would be have been torture, pure and simple, and probably wonderful if I could have brought myself to endure it. Sirena, of course, would have been as graceful and serene as ever, she is too much of a Shahrizai to be anything other than perfectly controlled when she exerts her will. But I wouldn’t have been able to match her, and I knew she would have enjoyed that.
Her fingers moved softly through my hair, sending a wave of purest pleasure through me. “However you want it,” I whispered, lulled by the momentary gentleness of her touch and mood.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2006 9:02:18 GMT -5
"How about you on a silver platter?" I trilled musically, massaging his scalp and thinking about my own set of shiny flechettes where they rested- and all of the other toys I kept secreted away, though it wasn't much of a secret. He'd probably seen everything at least once, even borrowed a few things from time to time. I'd been angry at him for long enough and was ready to let our own sort of amends be made.
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2006 9:19:38 GMT -5
The musical quality of her voice made me shudder. Only Sirena can promise pain with such sweetness.
“I … I’m not sure we’ve got a silver platter,” I said, leaning into her touch.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2006 9:28:01 GMT -5
I laughed with pure mirth at his taking my words so literally- it was delightful and nice, especially since so many people never took me seriously at all. Evidently, if you aren't always frightening people think you have no sense of threat. Ignorant barbarians.
With his shudder I felt my skin heat and gave a slight purr, giving him a deliberately chaste kiss on the cheek. My nails traced his gloves over the wrist teasingly, remembering the ragged tears he had caused with a hateful willingness. I had new bindings that I was anxious to try but wouldn't be very fun with him still wounded. "Maybe just steel and chain then."
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2006 10:17:31 GMT -5
And there, her laugh, a sound as beautiful as it is dangerous, a velvet whip tipped with steel. I looked into her eyes, infinitely blue, everything and nothing, like the sky mirroring the sea. I realised my heart was beating quickly, the breath fleeing my lips with an unsteadiness that betrayed excitement … fear … who knew.
The light touch of her hand upon my wrist held me as surely as a chain could have done, and the pressure of her nails made the material chafe the still-sensitive skin. A reminder, a promise, a threat. I remembered the last time we had danced our dance and played our game, and the assurance of vengeance that had flashed in her eyes. Still, it would take more than her laugh and her nails to exact it from me.
“One us will surely end up in chains,” I said, with a challenging look.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2006 10:27:21 GMT -5
He seemed to be bound by will alone, a lovely idea, but under the surface seethed the seas of home, roiling and deep as his eyes. Could the fire in my veins kill the chill in his own? "Yes, one of us," I replied with a predatory smile. My hand wrapped, quick as a lash, around his wrist in a tight grip. It wasn't a strong one, my hands being small and delicate, but a moment's reminder was all I needed. "Cold metal is always nice against the skin, isn't it? Better than rope in some respects."
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2006 10:52:20 GMT -5
I closed my lips firmly to prevent anything more than a hiss escaping. The suddenness of it had startled me and the contrast to previous tenderness; moreover the tight grip aggravated the marks I had left upon my own skin with my struggles. I could have broken easily from her hold but I didn’t. It is not been the strength of her hands that holds me helpless and immobile beside her. Love is the most powerful cage of all.
She flashed a smile at me. How apt her costume seemed just then. I imagine sirens flashed just such a smile at sailors before they watched them drown. And at he words I could imagine the chill of her chains against my skin, and hear their discordant clank. There was something terrifying about the certainty of chain: ropes could wear down, knots could slip. But chain is eternal.
“It’s certainly more aesthetic,” I agreed, as casually as I could.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 26, 2006 11:11:55 GMT -5
"We always have such similar tastes," I replied, loosening my grip a little as a reward. "At least often enough that the rest of the times don't matter."
The carriage was clattering to a slower speed and I realized that home was only about ten more minutes away. "Soon it will be time to depart this little bastion of quiet and go into the house, where these soft City people have left their influence. Some days I'd like to paint everything in black and grey."
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 28, 2006 8:53:38 GMT -5
I gave a strange sort of laugh at her words. “Always your own way,” I said. “Most people like their world painted black and white.”
Her clasp was no longer as tight upon my wrist but her encircling fingers still caused my gloves to chafe. Pain trickled up my forearm, buzzing softly. I closed my other hand over hers and pressed down hard. The old wounds flared into life, making me gasp.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 28, 2006 9:10:17 GMT -5
For a moment I was almost speechless- and then a smile of pure sweetness and love crossed as I left my grasp as tight as he was urging me and brought my other hand to his face, tracing the lines softly with my fingernails. "White is nothing- just black turned backwards," I told him softly. "White skin darkens with bruises, reddens with blows and blood- it's so temporary, nothing but a provision for contrast, for seeing differences. A white world would be mad."
Smoothly I slid my body closer to his, my gown brushing his legs as I knelt between them. my head against his neck as I let my breath caress the skin there even as my fingernails kept their movements on his cheek- he was always my love, no other person could even turn my head. "Were the girls you danced with lovely?" I asked softly.
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 28, 2006 9:49:32 GMT -5
My eyes closed, caught between her two hands, as if she held me like a world between the palms of a God. Pain sparked from her nails against my wrist, and I could feel blood gathering beneath the cracking scabs. The other hand brought only pleasure, fingers skimming lightly across the planes of my face.
I heard the rustle of her gown as she moved. And then came the heat of her body between my thighs, the whisper of her breath against my neck. I opened my eyes, knowing she liked to see the temporary taming of the wild grey sea they reflected.
“Probably,” I answered, turning my face into her hand to kiss the palm. “I can’t remember.”
And, at this moment, I couldn’t. There was nothing but Sirena. There will never be.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 28, 2006 10:01:07 GMT -5
His answer pleased me- beneath any confidence is a sense of insecurity, else there would need to be no effort made to look one's best. The carriage came to a stop and I smiled into the temporarily calm grey of his eyes, my hands and head staying where they were as I gracefully stood, bent at the waist- and then I let my hands slide away as I sat back on the other cushion, touching him as long as possible.
The door was soon opened and I stepped out into the cold air, taking in the stars that seemed so dim here. I missed my stars and my ocean. This was not the time for brooding though- I had Tal. His eyes would be my ocean and stars, his sounds the roaring of waves. "Tell the servants that if I encounter any in the halls this evening there will be Kushiel to pay," I said to the crew of the carriage and noted their nods.
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 28, 2006 10:46:31 GMT -5
I followed my cousin out of the carriage. She did not need to raise it for her voice carried effortlessly through the murky night, as commanding as only one born to it can be. Although she had barely touched me, I felt strangely unsteady. My wrist throbbed dully … not enough … not enough. There were flickers of warmth were she rested against me … not enough … not enough.
I felt self-conscious as I stood in the courtyard next to her, as if every servant there could see right through me, all the way to the heart that beat its desperate rhythm for Sirena alone. I might as well have been naked and kneeling at her feet. I shook the last of the dust my hair and walked swiftly towards the door of the house.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 28, 2006 10:57:53 GMT -5
Face serene I followed him into the house and then walked to the stairs and up, my room my goal and it easily reached. If he wished to follow me then that would be fine- otherwise I would gather what I wanted and bring it to him. I liked things that were easily portable.
The door opened and I looked at the area with a sigh- it was not as good as home,the fireplace smaller, but at least the lack of a balcony was a blessing. I wouldn't have the accidental urge to go out and see something besides my ocean and shale and sky. "I miss it sometimes," I said offhandedly.
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 28, 2006 11:05:53 GMT -5
I walked heedlessly to my room only realising where I watched when I came face to face with the door. The wood was cool beneath my hands but I knew as soon as I touched it that I would not go inside. I could not. Even if her caprice directed her to send me away again, I had to go to my cousin. I don’t know why I enact this pointless ritual so often. I just can’t bring myself to follow her, led on chains of love, desire, and darker things.
I arrived on the threshold of her room just in time to hear her speak. She still had her back to me. She had known I would come, as surely as I had known I could not stay away.
“I miss it all the time,” I replied.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 28, 2006 11:13:43 GMT -5
"Then we have that in common as well," I said softly. There were no more sounds from downstairs and I knew that my will had been carried out- that always put me in a better mood. "Would you do me the favor of closing the door?"
In every Shahrizai household the servants know certain things from training, instinct and experience- screams are not to be reacted to, orders are to be followed and those who obey are richly rewarded. Tonight there would be no disturbance and I took a deep breath as I turned to him, unclasping the pearl and onyz necklace I'd worn.
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 29, 2006 7:56:34 GMT -5
I took a step further into the room and closed the door behind me. It shut out the unusual of silence of the house with a soft click, and the world contracted to just Sirena and I, alone in her room deep in the darkness of the longest night of year.
I lent against the door, my hands resting flat against the wood, and watched her in silence as she removed her necklace, leaving her neck pale and vulnerable and beautiful without it.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 29, 2006 8:10:24 GMT -5
His eyes were on me as I set the string of beads on the table nearby, my neck left bare to see if it would tempt him to an attack of kisses and caresses. His eyes still showed the daze and caution of unease at the events of this evening and my own softness and reactions and I smiled slightly, watching him in return. So rare, for me to see him like this- his hair looked so much longer out of the braids. Finally, after a moment of my eyes on his, I said, "Please take off your gloves so I can look at your wrists." It was always good for both of us to have visual reminders.
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 29, 2006 8:25:54 GMT -5
Pressed back against the door, I must have looked like an animal at bay, my eyes dark and wary. I made myself adopt a more relaxed posture, my attention still never straying from my cousin. She looked magnificent tonight, every inch the creature her costume mimicked. I would let her entice to my doom and gladly.
I shook my head impatiently to stop my hair falling into my eyes, obscuring my view of her. It’s so inconvenient; I don’t know how people manage. I didn’t want to take my eyes from her for a second. Part of me still toyed with the idea of rushing forward to overpower her and take exactly what I wanted … needed … from her until we both dissolved in flames. But I knew better than to let emotion overcome my judgement at times like this. We tread an uncertain knife edge together.
Still silent for the moment, I peeled the gloves from hands and dropped them to the floor. I looked down at the marks I had made with my struggles the last time. One wrist still showed the pale, criss-cross landscape of healing skin, the other had a series of dark lines were blood had seeped from beneath the pressure of Sirena’s nails.
I held out my wrists towards her.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 29, 2006 8:35:51 GMT -5
Cocking my head sideways I watched him relax and the then made my way over, fingers tracing ever so softly the injured flesh as I watched his face interestedly. Delicacy was something we were taught to deliver just as much as harshness- because soft movements cause greater fear, the anticipation of actions turning cruel at any moment. "You are healing well," I said softly, then lowered my mouth to the blood and licked it away.
With a smooth motion I backed away and spun in a circle, letting the gown flow around me. "When I showed you this you said it would look better on the floor- do you still believe that's true?"
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 29, 2006 8:48:29 GMT -5
I actually flinched as she touched me, and it was mortifying, because there was no way it could have evaded her intent gaze. But she was feather soft and the tip of her tongue against the re-opened wounds made me bite my lip to stop from gasping. She was teasing me, I know her games well enough, but they affect me all the same.
She danced away from me like the receding tide.
“I’m not denying that you look lovely in it,” I said, my wrists still warm from the gentle pressure of her lips, “but I think both you and the dress would look better on the floor.”
I took a step towards her, stalking her.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 29, 2006 8:58:37 GMT -5
This would have to be carefully timed and executed to avoid giving him the immediate upper hand. With a quick motion I ripped the side of the gown up to my thigh, both to entice him, remind him of my control over the situation and to allow myself to manuver more easily. He was not going to get me on the floor when I knew exactly where I wanted him. It would take quickness but I could manage- or I would be bound instead. I didn't want to lose.
With a sliding step to the left I neared the bed and waited for his move, weight even so he wouldn't be able to judge the direction of my quick dodge by where my balance rested. "Your costume must have influenced your nature- you're slow," I taunted.
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 29, 2006 9:32:46 GMT -5
The sound of rending fabric distracted me momentarily – as did the suddenly exposed length of her thigh. It gave her time to retreat to the bed. Well, bed for floor, it made no difference as long as I had her. Or she had me. However the demands of our blood played out tonight.
There was a glitter to her eyes that suggested she had no intention of losing tonight. And, really, my strength is no matter for the full force of Sirena’s Shahrizai will.
“And you want me to rush at you like a bull so you can use my strength again me,” I replied, approaching her cautiously.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 29, 2006 9:40:43 GMT -5
Delightedly I laughed and clapped my hands, edging back towards the wall across from the bed and wondering, for once, if he would follow me or make me rush him. "I have no strength of my own, I must use yours," I replied with a wicked grin. "But if you don't wish to I'm sure I can work around it. Constantly inventive and adaptable, part of what training is about, no?"
Quickly I took a mental inventory of what would be possible this night- I was really looking forward to chain, cold metal reflecting flames, but I knew he would only grudgingly accept such a thing unless I tricked him into it. In earlier years it would have been easier, just asking and then refusing to give him whatever else he wanted unless he aquiesced, but we were far beyond that, sophisticated and older.
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 29, 2006 9:59:13 GMT -5
“You have a powerful beauty,” I said, temporarily displaced into the closest I am capable of coming to playfulness by the music of her laughter. “It’s quite a weapon to use against me.”
I prowled a little closer, stopping just out of reach. It was a control I knew I would not be able to maintain for much longer. My skin yearned for the touch of hers, even all she brought was pain … especially if all she brought was pain.
|
|
|
Post by Sirena Shahrizai on Sept 29, 2006 10:19:58 GMT -5
Composing my face into an expression of serene beauty I looked at him and batted my lashes. "But of course- otherwise you would still be speaking to some Mandrake or Orchis." I could almost feel the tension inside his skin and his almost yearning toward me. "If you want to yield now I wouldn't hold it against you."
|
|
|
Post by Talenon Shahrizai on Sept 29, 2006 10:29:45 GMT -5
Oh, if only it were that easy. My nature, or my pride, or something will not let me surrender without at least the semblance of a struggle. And her mention of the Orchis adept made my heart cringe guiltily. How had I let myself get so distracted?
“I am no Valerian to yield merely for the asking,” I murmured, springing at her.
|
|