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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Feb 15, 2011 17:30:01 GMT -5
The City. Finally, I was here, out and about like I'd always dreamed of, exploring on my own. I'd have liked Sophine to be with me, but as she was busy at a dinner party with her husband and I couldn't find my brother, I struck out alone.
Two little bags dangled from my left wrist as I wandered, small things I'd seen and picked up during my afternoon out, but it had seemed for the past hour that the further I walked, the... less classy my surroundings. Trying to turn around had done little good; I didn't have a sense of direction enough to be able to tell which way was north, and I wasn't feeling quite brave or desperate enough to ask for directions... So, instead I made my way along on my own, doing my best to act at ease, but all too aware of the dimming light; the sun was setting behind the heavy clouds that masked its exact where-abouts.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Feb 15, 2011 17:59:50 GMT -5
Cosette and Garland were out shopping and I had told them not to expect me back for quite a while. I didn't give a reason, not wanting to be caught in a lie. Just as dusk was hitting I had changed into my guise of the scorpion and set off to the place that most often needed my attention, Night's Doorstep. I had found a nice lookout, an inn, and most likely the center of other activities, which had a slight height advantage and a flat roof from which to hide and observe. From there I saw a lady who clearly looked like she didn't frequent this neighborhood walking along with two bags. Probably went shopping and got lost. I kept my eye on her, for she was extremely beautiful, even by our high standards, and one never knows what might happen around here.
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Feb 16, 2011 16:47:08 GMT -5
The sun sank, and with it went the warmth of the day. The City was warmer than the my estate had been by at least a little, but not so much that I could really rely on it. Goosebumps broke out over my arm, and I paused near the window of one mostly friendly looking tavern, debating on going in before a man burst into the streets, already drunk, staggering before swiveling his head over towards me.
I gasped before I realized I was even going to, and a low, throaty chuckle fell from him before he turned and made his way down the path next to me, half leering, half watching the paving stones to make sure they didn't move out from under him. As nonchalantly as I could, I edged away from him til he was well past and hurried on my way, not looking at the friendly-looking tavern again as I passed it. Elua, where was I?
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Post by Ansel Roux on Feb 16, 2011 17:11:23 GMT -5
It was clear now that the girl was lost and, most likely scared. While punishing was more in my line than helping folks out, I suppose I could escort her back to the main part of the city. Prevention is more effective than punishment anyway. Silently I lept down and was about to greet her. I then thought better of it. Me in a mask would only create trouble. I could change were it not for the fact my clothing was all back in the hiding spot and to unmask myself would be foolish. I'd risk the scream.
I entered the street ahead of her out on an alley, walking slowly so that she would be the one to catch up to me, my ears attuned to her footsteps.
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Feb 16, 2011 21:39:26 GMT -5
The darker it became, the more nerved I was. Why had I gone out alone? Eluas balls, this was the dumbest thing I'd done in a long time. My cheeks heated even at thinking the curse word, and I almost looked over my shoulder right after, but instead I kept my gaze forward, low to the ground, not challenging anyone by meeting their gaze.
The streets weren't empty and nor were they full, and the low heels of my shoes made soft clipping sounds as I walked. My eyes lifted enough to know when a tavern or inn was coming up, but it seemed one was just as bad or worse than the last, and if I didn't already look lost, turning around surely would blare it. A quick glance up gave me all the information I needed; there was nothing coming up shortly, and other than a quite tall figure up ahead, there was nothing new. He was moving slowly, though; I dropped my gaze and skirted to the side in preparation to walk around him, not realizing I was holding my breath as I did so.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Feb 17, 2011 2:13:23 GMT -5
When she got nearer I assumed she would try to pass me. I needed to stop her and choose my words carefully. "Evening milady. I'm guessing by your footsteps you are lost. I would turn around and greet you," I said in my low, accentless voice, "However I wear a mask. If you have heard of the Red Scorpion I am that very same person." I had no clue if anyone other than rabble and policemen had heard of me yet, so it was gamble. "The fighter of crime, the hero to the forgotten streets."
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Feb 17, 2011 16:23:09 GMT -5
I was almost past the tall figure, my eyes averted and quite smartly not calling attention to myself when suddenly he spoke. As keyed as I was, it was enough to startle me into gasping and jumping, my eyes flying wide and up towards his face before I had time to even form a thought.
The sight that met me wasn't what I expected; a masked man, taller than I'd even originally thought and forbidding toboot, his dark clothing only vaguely silhouetted against the murky darkness that was settling in around us. I.. wait; he wore a mask? I could hardly see enough of his face to make my own assumptions, but I immediately slowed my movements, keeping him in front of me, my hands gripping the duo shopping bags; I'd swing them like a club if I had to.
His words sank in further, and while I didn't try to come up next to him, I studied him; the line of his shoulders, the trimness of his hips. I supposed it stood to reason that if he wanted to harm me he wouldn't be talking to me, but Elua, I didn't know which was up from down in this city.
"Pardon monsieur," I began before pausing; what could I say in response? "I've never heard of the.. Red Scoropion, but I'm new-come to the city... I apologize."
Elua help me, I was babbling, and to his back! My fingers still clutched the bags in the case he tried to grab me, but I edged out around his side a little, my face angling up and towards him, trying to peek at him and being utterly shameless about the fact that I was.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Feb 18, 2011 18:45:20 GMT -5
I did not turn to face her, only softened my voice. "I'd like to help you get unlost, milady," I said, folding my gloved hands behind my back. "I'd just need to know where you'd like to get you. I offer you my protection and guidance." I could tell that I was still somewhat unnerving to her and tried to be as comforting as possible, given the situation.
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Feb 20, 2011 20:14:11 GMT -5
He seemed soft spoken enough, and with each word I started to calm a little, though given where we were my grip on my bags didn't lessen... but I didn't think so much to swing it at him anymore, either. Drawing a shaky breath, I nodded before I realized he couldn't see me, drawing up along side him finally. "I'd appreciate that," I said softly, biting at my lower lip.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Feb 20, 2011 20:30:22 GMT -5
I glanced at her from the corner of my eye as she came to walk along beside me. "So where is it that you're headed to, milady?" I turned my head and smiled, in hopes it would brighten my expression. I again took note of her looks, her sweet and innocent appearance that many in this area would love to prey on.
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Feb 23, 2011 16:05:35 GMT -5
His smile reassured me more than I would have liked to admit, and before I knew what I was doing I flashed a smile back to him. "The West Borough," I said softly in response to his question. I didn't huddle next to him or walk close to him, but neither did I stray away, merely carrying on as I had been, glancing up at him almost as much as I did around me. "I was shopping in the Artisans District and managed to get turned around... I never did have a head for directions," I admitted, coloring slightly.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Feb 24, 2011 11:24:32 GMT -5
"Well then I believe we are going backwards, m'lady." I smiled and began to turn around. "West Borough is this way, and not terribly far. And don't worry you're not the first person I've had to escort home before who was lost." My face had a look of mirth on it and then my thoughts drifted to Cosette and I wondered what she was doing at the moment. Perhaps cleaning up after dinner, or preparing for bed.
"You were actually heading in the direction of Mont Nuit."
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Feb 24, 2011 15:34:27 GMT -5
"Mont Nuit?"
Oh, Elua, that explained a few things. I glanced around me again by reflex as if I could see into the shadows, and before I knew it I was stepping closer to the man next to me. With a start I realized that, and moved back away again, feeling a right fool.
"I'd love to say I'm not usually this bad with directions, but..."
Blushing and abashed, I smiled anyway, my shoulders shrugging a tiny bit. "I appreciate your help though, a great deal."
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Post by Ansel Roux on Feb 24, 2011 16:14:26 GMT -5
"Think nothing of it, milady. I consider it both a pleasure and a duty," I told her with all the chivalry of a knight. I glanced at her again, taking note of her beauty this time. But this was not the place to think of such things.
We were almost out of Night's Doorstep at this point and I wasn't certain if she'd need me to take her all the way home or not.
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Mar 2, 2011 13:39:55 GMT -5
A kind gentleman, it seemed, though the mask was something I was not yet used to. Did they do that much here, masquerade after dark as such? It was something I was going to have to ask Sophine about.
The neighborhood seemed to shift for the better, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. I wasn't sure how far he intended to walk with me, but I while I wasn't going to gainsay it, I didn't want him feeling obligated to accompany me if he didn't wish it, either.
I glanced to him, the strong line of his jaw and pretty eyes the few times I'd managed to see them. I wondered what he would look like without the mask, but it wasn't something I could ask, so instead I simply fantasized and painted pictures in my mind. Was he disfigured? Horribly scarred? A mystery!
"Do you do this often?" I asked as we walked; the more we left the shady neighborhoods behind, the more I felt like I was strolling and not waiting to be pounced on like a field mouse. "I know you said I wasn't the first, but hopefully there's not a great deal of people wandering around like me," I added, smiling suddenly at the thought.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Mar 2, 2011 20:22:51 GMT -5
"Less than five occasions," I replied, letting some of the coldness leave my voice, but still holding back my natural accent. "Most people come to that part of town because they intend to."
West borough was not that far off now and I wondered when it would be best to leave a crows plus my mask could cause trouble. I decided to risk it though, call it the heedlessness of youth. But it was dark, and we kept to the alleyways. "How much more from here?" I asked, not in the tone of one weary, but simply curious.
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Mar 4, 2011 13:01:01 GMT -5
He seemed to warm some the further along we went, but mayhap that had to do with getting away from Mont Nuit. I couldn't imagine people actually liking to live there -- having to look over your shoulder constantly? Elua, not for me. Just the thought brought a shudder rippling through me, and I clasped my arms around my waist.
"Aah.. not too much I don't think. I recognize some houses around here." I glanced up to him, wondering, before hesitantly speaking again. "You don't have to keep walking with me if you don't want to .. I don't want to keep you from anything."
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Post by Ansel Roux on Mar 5, 2011 11:02:14 GMT -5
I shook my head, kindly touching her arm with my gloved hand. "No, it is my duty and my joy so see you arrive at home safe." The look in my eyes was one of ernest, though even the mask couldn't keep me from appreciating the beauty of her face. "I think we are nearly there anyway."
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Mar 5, 2011 23:58:06 GMT -5
A blush rose over my cheeks before I even realized I was coloring, and I ducked my eyes down away from his gaze by habit before peeking back up again. I'd flirted with the village boys, the stable boys and a few of my brothers friends, but I wasn't quite as suave as I wished I was. A smile crossed my mouth though, gentle and full, and I picked my opposite hand to touch his gloved hand where it lay across my arm, my fingers gently stroking the fabric before falling away again. "Thank you," I murmured, though I'd said it enough times already by now, it still felt insufficient.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Mar 6, 2011 12:08:19 GMT -5
When she touched my hand with hers the gate that held back my lust broke open and I couldn't help what happened next. "There's not need to say thank you," I said softly, one arm slipping around her waist as I dipped her into a kiss, not deep, but there was an intensity to it, the kind that are known for leaving heads spinning. I let her up and took a step back in case she decided to slap me. I wanted to do it again, but I no clue what was going through her mind.
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Mar 6, 2011 21:49:44 GMT -5
The last thing I expected was to be kissed, and I gasped as he took me up in his arm and dipped me backward before kissing me. Part of me wanted to scramble away, but the other part of me enjoyed having his lips against mine, and I wasn't quite sure which way to turn. My fingers curled into his coat before he let go and stepped away, and I stepped back out of instinct as well, my eyes wide and breath short in my lungs.
"I'm going to assume that's how people say, 'you're welcome' in the City," I breathed, still quite torn between both reactions.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Mar 7, 2011 9:46:23 GMT -5
I shook my head slightly. "No, not always." I was sure it had probably happened many times in reality, but of course it wasn't the norm. "My apologies if I offended you." My eyes never left hers the entire time. "You have lovely lips." The corners of my mouth turned up a hair and I hoped she wasn't mad.
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Mar 8, 2011 22:28:15 GMT -5
"You didn't..." I swallowed, humor beginning to trickle through me at the entire situation. "You didn't offend me."
My humor wasn't helped by his compliment to my lips, and my mouth twitched in a smile that rose, coupled nearly instantly with a short, soft laugh. "I don't know," I said, sighing as if defeated. "I think my lower lip isn't near as lovely as my upper."
Jest sparkled in my eyes as I tilted my head a little to look up at him, wondering if he'd take the bait, or if he was as easily confused as some of the boys back home.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Mar 9, 2011 0:36:26 GMT -5
I caught the meaning in her words as soon as she said them and I felt desire for her growing by the second. It wasn't a situation I was used to being in, the Scorpion flirting with a very lovely girl when there are people to save and criminals to punish.
There might not be another opportunity like this, though.
"Well I suppose I'd have to give it a shot too. Suppose you come back over here and we give this another try?" I chuckled my irresistible smirk taking its place on my mouth. I wasn't the Scoprion right now, just Ansel in a mask.
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Mar 22, 2011 10:07:35 GMT -5
A strange thrill ran through me at his comment, and I found myself looking over his face, taking in the curl of his lip below the line of his mask. I wanted very badly to pull the mask from his face, to see exactly what he looked like, but I had a feeling if I were to do that his good humor would evaporate like a mist. I owed him his secrecy anyway, for helping me so selflessly like he did.
A little quirking smile curved the left corner of my mouth as well, and boldly I stepped forward, reaching up with my hand to gently touch the line of his jaw. I kept my fingers away from his mask, not wanting to startle him or cause nervousness, but instead of vocally answering I merely lifted myself up on toe, pressing my mouth against his once more. Heat flashed through me, the little bag of items I'd purchased dangling from my wrist still as I parted my lips, suckling softly upon his upper lip, tasting him.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Mar 22, 2011 17:41:06 GMT -5
She stepped forward and kissed me, giving me a tasted of what I suddenly wanted so desperately. I was putting my mask on the line and I didn't care. I wrapped my strong arms around her and held her close to me and I felt her breasts pressing against the leather which guarded my chest. My tongue licked her bottom lip slowly, savoring every second of the kiss.
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Mar 23, 2011 9:41:32 GMT -5
When his arms wrapped 'round me and pulled me close, I felt so... small, delicate. I wasn't large by any means, but I was taller than most other women, and that alone was enough that I didn't generally feel like this. This man, though, was tall and strong, and I fair melted against him, yet another reaction I wasn't used to having.
His tongue caressed over my lower lip, and a small noise left me, breathy and quiet. My tongue too tasted his upper lip before I parted my lips just a little bit more, a small indication, a nonpushy invitation of him into my mouth.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Mar 23, 2011 11:39:40 GMT -5
My lips parted as well and my tongue slowly entered her mouth, loving the way she tasted. My right hand buried itself in her blond locks and I was pleased with how soft and fine it was. Our kiss was sensual and just bordering on the passionate, a line it would no doubt soon cross.
My cape fell around and enveloped us while we kissed in a shroud of false privacy.
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Post by Lillianne du Verais on Mar 23, 2011 14:38:11 GMT -5
A little moan left me as the kiss deepened, a soft, breathy sound that fell more from my throat than my mouth. My hands left his face in favor of wrapping 'round his neck, arms lifted up over his lofty shoulders, but it was the tongue he was slipping between my lips that held my attention. Slowly I parted my lips more, slowly I pressed my body against his more fully, and though I could feel stiff armor rather than a warm body, it still... drove me. My tongue touched his gently, a delicate graze, and I failed to swallow a whimper in time.
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Post by Ansel Roux on Mar 23, 2011 15:28:39 GMT -5
My arms were tight around her waist as hers were draped around my neck. Her wimper aroused me and my tongue touched hers, brushing up alongside it before closing my lips over her bottom one, only to reopen them again.
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