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Post by Joliette Thorne on Dec 26, 2006 10:45:24 GMT -5
Castellian watches Tenebrae's approach with a subtle smile drawn on ebon lips, strong arms sweeping out to wrap about her hips as her lithe figure collides with his own. A crush of feminine curves to masculine edges, and the two are suddenly a living contrast. As she wraps about him, taking the liberty of laying her cheek to his smooth chest, Castellian presses his lips to the arch of her brow. "As was I. Dost thou sea the ocean, Tenebrae? My love for thee stretches farther than its waters ever could, and runs deeper than even the most dark and bottomless trench."
Leoxander called the ocean his home. As home as there ever would be in the Rogue's life. Therefore, it wasn't unreasonable that Leo should be sleeping on some strange boat deck, stowing away under a protective covering to escape a stormy rain. Jack had roamed down the beach to torment crabs, but alas, the shaggy animal just then planned to return to check on his human companion, who hugged a near empty bottle with a worn label to his skinny ribs.
Tenebrae blushed faintly, turning to look to the waves, the salt tang of ocean breeze touching her tongue as she took a long breath. "I just hope I can learn to call it home." She shivers, slightly. "I believe I can."
Castellian softens to stroke a large palm against Tenebrae's silken cheek, ennobled features sympathetic to the vixen's anxiety. The water beyond would not settle the faint of heart. The horizon seemed some immeasurable distance away, and the expanse was all filled with water. The immensity of the ocean was daunting on its own, but coupled with the seemingly ominous roll of waves to shore, terrifying. The Drow's words are assuring however, but mid-way through his eyes leave Tene's own to track along the dog as it trotted across the dock's planks toward Leoxander's half-hidden frame. "I believe it will pleasure thee, in time, to feel its gentle caress beneath us while we lay together. It's really n- Hey, there. I believe we know that creature."
Tenebrae laughed, nodding, as the dog loped that last few feet toward them, his plumey tail fanning in the wind. "It's Jack, love, Leo's dog..." She knelt, a slap to her thigh to call him over, fingers tangling to the mutt's black ruff. "Such a good dog." This, with her face tilted back to avoid the dog's 'kisses' - ever a point of contention between the two. Tene casts a quick look around. "Which means Leo won't be far away." She released the fur of his neck. "Where's that rogue of a master of yours, friend?" And she stood, shoulder leant to Caste's, to watch him.
Leoxander moved. Or he twitched, if you could call it that. One booted foot bucked and folded over at the top -swashbuckler style- slid across the planks with a low groan sounding, ungrateful response to Jack's licking to wake the man. One hand wrapped in fingerless leather, black, shoved at Jack's maw. While the other gripped the side of the small boat. Some poor fisherman's, maybe. "Go do something useful, mutt... like catch breakfast." The mutter was low, but those near had... sensitive ears, most likely.
Castellian considers Leoxander as he rises, austere features belying little of his thoughts as he climbs from the deck of the battered vessel. A stiff breeze has taken up travel along the bustling docks, who even in the depths of a rather placid evening are shifting with the activity of Cenril's commerce. Large, brutish looking men handle large barrels, the sounds of their curses calling up chorus in the distance and competing with the cadence of the water nearby. In truth, of the trio, it is the scraggly thief that looks as though he belongs most to the scene. Tenebrae's stunning beauty is undoubtable in comparison to the bulky sailors and coarsely-bearded dock workers, and Castellian's regal air and definitively alien appearance leave him towering, and foreign. His words measured, the Drow lifts a long-fingered hand, extending a solitary digit to point Leoxander's shuffling frame out. "There, love. And I see he has experience with ships.
Tenebrae's smile broadened, a hand rising in greeting to her friend, a soft laugh in her words as her voice lifted above the soft sound of water slapping wood and stone, and the voices of the dockworkers. "Leo!" She turned to Caste, patently pleased. "That he does, and has promised to help me learn more about life aboard a ship. And just as well ..." Another laugh, as Jack dashed up and down the boards, evidently trying to engage the vampiress in another game. As the human approached, she shook her head and gave lop-sided grin and knowing look as she addressed him. "Rough night, eh?" Understatement, yes. But did anyone expect otherwise?
Leoxander did, indeed, crawl to his feet eventually, using the easy balance of the rocking boat with his hand gripped to the side. Picking up the bottle on the way, he lifted it to his mouth, only to swish the potent liquor and spit it into the water between the boat, and the dock, with a turn of his head. Killed germs, y'know. Squinted eyes of different color, however, landed upon the blurry image of the ironically opposite but magnetic pair, while Jack hopped back and forth in the usual excitement of seeing the Necromancer. A glance at the empty bottle, and it was chucked carelessly toward the water, landing to float for awhile, until sea water filled it up. That hand went to rub his jaw, unshaven for a day or two, now. "You could say that." Grated words were his greeting, glancing warily toward the gap he had to jump to reach them on the dock.
Castellian follows briefly Jack's swift-footed gait atop the Dock's weathered planks. Disconnected, it seemed, the Drow Lord marvelled briefly at the animal's energy and movements. Canines were, as one might gather, remarkably rare inside the caverns the Drow had spent the majority of his time. Less interesting was the dilemma facing the animal's master, faced with not only the divide between he and the harbor, but the movements of the ship beneath him as it rocked slightly atop relentless waves. There was a genuine kind of humor to the scoundrel's appearance, disheveled and discontented, and suddenly lacking the bottle that rounded his entire ensemble. To the matter the Drow Lord found no poignant words, and remained instead as still as always; motionless save the subtle stroke of his deft fingers along the small of Tenebrae's back.
Tenebrae clasped her fingers to Castellian's, reaching behind to twine her own with those long ebon digits, a squeeze given, before stepping forward across the salt-warped wood to extend a hand through the space between she and Leo. A doubtful glance was cast to the water below, and back up to greet those particoloured eyes. "Need a hand, pet?" Normally she'd not have offered, but the rogue looked rough on his feet, something that had been happening more often of late, it occurred to her. More than likely, she thought, the presence of his old foe was to blame; all the same, she'd have to have a word with Leo about it, in quiet. For now, all she was really worried about was both of them ending up in the brine.
Leoxander just shook his head with a step up onto the side of the ship, grasping one of the taut sail ropes to pull himself up, though there were no sails in sight in the harbor. The distance was cleared easily in a jump off that side, landing a little roughly, but on his feet on the dock. "Caught me on one'a my bad days, Lady..." This was muttered with a rub of gloved palm against his closed blue eye before peering toward Castellian. "You must be Castellian." Wasn't hard to figure out, even hung over.
Castellian allowed a thin smile to crawl across his lips at Leoxander's manner, a seemingly flawless seem of etiquette and debauchery. Flawless kept in his leathers, and his hair maintained in a stunning tail, the Drow affirmed the Rogue's assumption with a subtle dip of his chin. "I am, indeed, Castellian D'Onri, Lord of the House that bears my name. Leoxander? I've heard much of thee." So measured were his words, offered precisely in that foreign form of common speech, and gifted with the mountain lilt that accented more fluid syllables. Again the breeze raced out across the harbor, succeeding now in catching the folds of the hunter's cloak and plastering it briefly to his sculpted frame. "The Lady insists thee serves to organize our home's order. Forgive me, but hast thou been trained in the handling of slaves before?"
Tenebrae chewed her lip a bit. She was banking on these two getting along, on Leo handling the ship as mate and the hiring and management of their crew. Ever eclectic was the range of folk she associated with, and the ingénue in her never took to account differences that might exist between them. To her, they were all just 'her people'. The contrast here, twixt her dearest friend and her lover, broke through even that blindness. She watched the men, carefully, quietly, for some time; though seemingly distracted by a rather effusive reunion with Jack, whom was only too pleased to be fed tidbits and fussed over.
Leoxander pulled back his hood slowly, carried back by aid of the breeze that touched them all; for him, it tossed a mess of blonde hair over his brow and eyes, then back the opposite way, away from his young but worn features. Wind always was a fickle element. The use of his whole, full name had brows raising. He'd never given Tenebrae that name. He didn't give many that name, whatsoever. But somehow, it didn't surprise him that one of such regal stature and demeanor knew it. It did, however, make the thief already suspicious. Keeping a certain amount of space between himself and the newly met drow, his arms folded over his chest, decorated in tattoos where sleeves had been torn away. Was the Lord of the House speaking commontongue? The expression on his face was almost a wince. "...Slaves? Y'know, I can't say I'm very experienced in that at all." Jack would stick to Tenebrae's side, but not until he'd given a good wary sniff Castellian's way.
Castellian smiles simply to the scoundrel, considering him a moment with those white-on-white oculars that unsettled so many. His manner, however, spoke of some concealed pleasure at the interaction. Amusement, perhaps, at the thought of hiring a man he had once seen attempt to pilfer pockets left forgotten in the mines. He was familiar with those skilled in the slight of hand, and found the entire existance that Leo seemed to perpetuate having a quasi-romantic hint to it when compared with the stiff-lipped upbringing of a Drow Noble. "All the same, it requires little thought. I am sure that they will not take much attention. They will be from my house, and accompanied by one of my own hands. I imagine he will relieve thee of the unpleasant work that is slave tending. They're unsettling, slaves, depressing things. What has thee so eager to lend a hand?"
Leoxander narrowed his eyes subtly. Keen vision might take it as the briefest attempt to size the Drow up, but really, the thief was just being observant as ever, taking in everything from respectable build, to a colorless stare, to the expensive clothing worn and the estimated weight of any visible pockets, or pouches. All of it done in a brief drop of his own eyes, one a natural blue, one stained a rusty red hue. He waited until the question came to respond, his own slang intensified with an appropriate hint of roguish accent. "I was under the impression I was tendin' to a ship, not a bunch'a bloody slaves. I'm not here to babysit a handful of chained saps and pass out rations, Castellian. I'm here to get you from one dock to another without an overturned boat." Was that answer enough? The pirate loved the sea.
Castellian considers Leo briefly, studying him against the backdrop of that battered fishing schooner. There was a patience to the noble, and an appreciation for the Rogue's manner, all melded in a simple answer. "Of course, Leo. However, our ship has thirty oars which must be rowed by some form of hands. Slaves, of course, are the most tolerable option. As I said, thou wilt not have to suffer their care. But recognize, my sea-faring friend, that save for a hand-selected few, the crew of our ship will consist of these possessions. Take heart, I trust that thou wilt find them easy to direct, and if thou would rather not deal with them at all, thou can relay orders to the slaver I bring to watch them. I understand such sentiments."
Leoxander looked down at the ground momentarily, as if in thought, one boot overturning a weather worn, tied bucket to prop that foot on idly. A glance in Tenebrae's direction was given, jaw tensed against the ache in his head, and finally, his shoulder rose in a shrug, elevating the bow strapped to his back. "So long as they don't have any authority misunderstandings, I don't think we'll have a problem." He wasn't a slaver, but he could direct a ship. There was a difference, to him. "There a chance I'll be bringin' a few of my own men to tend the deck. That alright with you?" He wasn't necessarily asking in earnest, or for permission. Leo didn't seem the type that liked to be told entirely what to do, and that definitely wasn't a part of his personality he kept concealed.
Castellian said to Leoxander, "Yes, quite, for more able and skilled hands are needed." Castellian would observe Leoxander's practice with a keen eye, but cared little for indiscretions that seemed sure in the future. Roughians, Scoundrels, all were welcomed so long as his Lady remained pleased and their home remained a float. "Just be sure that their quality is at least similar enough to mark some kind of resemblence to thee."
Tenebrae 's smile was hidden behind Jack's fur, and it broadened by the minute. She would have her ship, her crew, her friend and husband all in one place, by the look of things. She stood, the strength in her deceptively slender thighs allowing that motion to be achieved with uncanny fluidity, and moved to the side of Castellian. Anxiety lessened, still she watched between them eagerly. For if things went to plan, what a crew they'd be, and none to equal them on land or sea.
Leoxander took a step forward over that bucket at that point, beckoning Jack nearer with his arms unfolding to lower one gloved hand. By the time Tenebrae returned to her bond's side, Leo seemed pretty relaxed. "Whatever that means. Though I'll have you know, I won't be tendin' a ship with no name. Bad karma." A smirk touched his expression, and with a slight turn of his head, he cast a wink the Necromancer's way, as if to say all was well. Castellian might see it, but the thief didn't look overly concerned about that. Jack sat at the rogue's feet with a sway of plumey tail, grinning to the trio, tongue lolled to pant salty sea air. His, and his human companion's, favorite kind of air.
Castellian allows for a faint, and throaty chuckle to lift from him as he agreeably bowed his head to the swashbuckler. "She will have a name, when Tenebrae chooses one."
Tenebrae looked startled. "Me? Oh ..." Of course, impulsive as she was, she put it to immediate thought.. and came up blank. She shrugged helplessly, brows raised. "Mind if I take a day, to think on it?" She was sure she'd think of something appropriate, for the vessel of such a mix of folk as they.
Leoxander said to you, ""Shouldn't be somethin' rushed." He'd put in his two cents, even if it was Castellian's place to answer. Maybe he just liked to test nerves, who knew? One hand reached to rub the back of his neck, achy from his choice of rest. But hey, one couldn't always choose where they passed out. "I s'pose I'll be on my merry way."
Castellian was hardly unnerved by the Rogue's words, or his manner, and merely smiled. Contented it seemed, he was once again a stoic sentinal, motionless save the hand that caressed his lover's spine and a faint nod of parting to the Rogue himself. "Go safely."
Tenebrae nodded to Leo, and couldn't have looked more pleased by the turn of events. One last treat thrown to Jack, who'd eyed her hand and was ready for it, a slight lift of forelegs and snap of jaw taking care of that. "We still need to decide where we'll moor the ship. I was hoping you'd help decide, Leo." But that was for another time, the rogue patently eager to be away. Her finger were raised in a slight wave. "Talk soon, 'kay?"
Leoxander started to walk past, Jack gobbling up whatever he'd been thrown, anxious at the Rogue's heels to be on their way soon enough. But he'd pause, duo colored eyes lifting to the drow, from behind a mess of blonde hair never in any sort of tidy order. "Say, Castellian." A slight nudge of his jaw as if to indicate something eye level. "Where'd you get those ear pieces?" The pirate obviously meant the bone hoops hanging from lobes, seen since hair was tailed back. Something caught the thief's eye...
Castellian replied with a simple smile, the gesture remarkably calloused when taken with the casual air of his words. "I took them from Sebias, after I removed his eye."
Leoxander looked away with a bit of a blank expression, his single worded sound expelling some fogged warm air into the crisp, chilly atmosphere of the shoreline. "Huh." And with that, hands slid into pockets, surprisingly staying away from the newly met drow's pockets as he passed. But there would always be other chances for that...
Tenebrae could also have seemed calloused, body parts her stock-in-trade quite often, and she was no stranger to brutality. Her farewell smile came with a plan, a surprise for each of them, to celebrate the success of the meeting. Leo's would be a pair of bone earrings...
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Post by Joliette Thorne on Dec 26, 2006 10:56:17 GMT -5
Leoxander lifted his head at the sound of another approach, drawing his hood back from messy blonde with eyes following the path of the Necromancer, settling upon her when she took her seat at the bar. Fingerless gloved hand curled around the base of the bottle, twisting it in place, staring silently.
Tenebrae didn't turn around, as she raised her voice then, the sound carrying clear and sweet across the musty tavern air. "Does not the first mate of The Eternity have word of greeting for a lady, anymore?"
Tenebrae glanced toward Morivan, glinting green of one eye darkening momentarily as she offered him a wink and raised the glass to her lips, sipping delicately, if long, at the liquor it held.
Morivan elaborates. Griffen Atolicus Morivan, one Avian at twenty-seven years of age, 5'10", 227lbs, black hair green eyes, type O+ blood, has his left and right buttock muscles laid quite softly and most precariously upon a piece of wood. This piece of wood is balanced on four pieces of wood, which are cross-supported by four others. These pieces of wood are stood upon the first floor of the Kelay, a.k.a. Lore's Tavern. Griff's vocal chords, throat, and lips are all still, the only sounds being emitted originating from his nostrils, left mostly as the right appears to be blocked at approximately 55%, taking air in and out, which makes his lungs expand. That, and the gentle doublebeat of his heart.
Leoxander said to you, "Well, now she's got a name, if no face, in my mind..." He had yet to see the ship, after all. Different colored eyes moved back to the fire. No greeting, but just a murmur almost to himself. "A fine name..."
Tenebrae watched as Griff sat silently, before sliding from her seat. Newly sharpened heels take little divots of wood from the boards she crosses the room, sinking sidelong in an armchair by the fire. A pallid hand was held out to Jack, in greeting.
Leoxander stretched his jaw beneath the mask worn in a yawn, paying little to no attention (approximately) to the newcomer to rest his gentle behind on the wood, or what not. The Rogue had an addiction to the allure of the flames, that evening, and they illuminated his rugged features where exposed, reflecting some of that glow in the surface of his eyes, even if unkempt hair distracted some of his vision.
Leoxander 's dog was on his paws at once, moving to accept Tenebrae's greeting by rubbing his head against her hand, in range and hinting at the want for a good pet. Tongue came out to lick her thumb, always the gentleman to kiss a lady's hand.
Tenebrae said to Leoxander, "I'm glad you like it. Work will be complete on her soon. I laid the basic plan for your quarters. Um ... cabin? Anyway, I'd like to know how you want it furnished. My treat, so don't make it too spare, pet. Unless you'd like." Her hand was removed from the questing - and previously, no doubt, doggishly occupied - tongue, to rest against the mutt's sleek skull.
Leoxander didn't open that bottle, yet. Though, he obviously possessed quite a hangover from the day before, by the sluggish look of his eyes. His jaw rested in a palm, settling against worn black leather, attention lowering to watch Jack recieve all the attention. "I've never required much, Cap'n." The murmur came with a hint of a smirk, though it wasn't the sort that leaked humor into his eyes.
Morivan seemed to be brooding. In fact, he looked entirely agitated. Rumor carries like air on Hollow, and it drives one to madness.
Donovan cants his head to Griff and Tenebrae as he peruses the goings-on.
Tenebrae scruffled the dog's ears, as Jack slipped from under her hand to snuffle doubtfully at some stain a little further along the flooring. At Leo's appellation, she made a soft snorting noise. "Cap'n..." And raised her verdant eyes to his, red and blue. "Hardly. I'll be little more than baggage, 'til I learn what it's all about." She looked decidedly doubtful, after that comment. Studying the rogue, lips pursed, Tene reached her hand toward the bottle in his hand. "Mind?"
Tenebrae offered Donovan a courteous nod, the necromancer catching his gesture in the periphery of her vision.
Leoxander uncurled his fingers from the glass in acknowledgement, which was enough to answer the single worded question. He cast a glance toward Donovan casually, only since he was a new addition to the room, before returning his gaze to the welcoming fire, warm against his slightly unshaven features.
Tenebrae took the bottle, the glass making a soft thud as she stood it on the floor beside her seat. Her voice was lowered, tone gentle. "Aboard my ship, you'll not go wanting for anything. Except, perhaps the bottle for a while, eh?"
Morivan sighs. "...I'm hungry..."
Leoxander leaned back in his chair slowly, with arms tattooed in dark, faded ink tensing, and crossing over his chest. His attention shifted, eyes moving from the fire, to land upon her pale, exquisite features. The question came in a deep tone that was held quiet, but still out loud, the slightest quirk of a brow accompanying it. "...You sure about that, Lady?"
Tenebrae caught the waitress' eye and in a subtle series of gestures, ordered repast sent the way of Griff Morivan and turned to nod to the rogue. "Leo, you've been laying on thick with the whisky lately. I'm a little concerned, y'know?"
Leoxander smirked to himself when the subtle meaning of his question seemed to either slip passed her, or it was ignored. "You want me to quit?" He asked casually, and Jack wandered his way toward Morivan since the smell of turkey and baked potatos seemed to come from that general direction.
Morivan blinks, looking over the meal. "...Um... I... er..." He wasn't sure which patron had sent the meal his way, but he happily accepted the mystery gift.
Tenebrae 's brow was marred with a frown, then, her eyes glinting amber - though whether by reflection of the firelight in them, or some inner fire was uncertain. "Quit the bottle. Not the ship." She shook her head. "Not even quit the bottle, pet, I'm not your mother to be telling a man what to do with himself." She sighed, her features smoothing. "Just ... go easy, yeah?"
Leoxander 's reply was easy, casual, and that hint of a smirk remained. Jack sat at the edge of Morivan's table, waiting a scrap to drop. His human companion briefly closed his eyes, since the tavern was empty enough to be... somewhat comfortable in the middle of it. "Yes, Mistress." One foot propped up on the leg of the table, and Leo did his best to ignore the throb of a familiar headache.
Morivan took only a baked potato. Looking down, he spotted Jack, a dog. He looked like a hound, Griff thought. A poor little bloodhound. With no hesitation, the freelancer took his plates and placed them on the ground, offering the dog plenty.
Tenebrae 's lips pursed again, though thier edges fought a grin. "I'm getting used to you calling me that." She takes a stray coal up from the floor, lobbing the cold cinder at the rogue. "Got any plans, for the next little while?"
Leoxander 's dog was... a mutt. Only that could really be determined, beyond the coal black color of shaggy fur. But none of that mattered, because he ate as happily as any dog, and food was a passion for the canine. A lowered plate meant a clean plate, soon enough. The thrown piece of coal brought out quick reflexes unintentionally from the Rogue, whose arms unfolded to catch the piece against a palm just before it hit him in the chest or shoulder. His fingers closed tightly around it, not quite able to make a diamond, but instead, dust of crushed coal slipped from his gloved hand onto the floor. "None in particular."
Tenebrae said to Leoxander, "Good. I was hoping you might come with me, out to the coast, and help me decide where to keep the boat. Would you?" Her fingers reached for the strap of her pack, legs swung down to place heels to boards. "Please?"
Leoxander watched her for a few long moments, noticing by the silence around and the return of Jack that the tavern had about cleared out. "I'll take a walk with you." Already on his feet, the dog determined a departure, and his tail wagged happily as both heavy boots dropped to bring the thief to his feet, movements languid, lazy.
Tenebrae returned his words with a broadening of her smile, slinging pack to shoulder. "Right. I thought Rynvale. Good chance to test my sealegs, with those herbs of Myrall's. That okay with you?" Hardly waiting for his answer, she made her way to the door. "Oh - I have small errand to run, before we go. Mind meeting me at the dock?"
Leoxander made certain his belongings were there, intact, secure, before his hood was gripped and pulled back over his head, shadowing his eyes in that familiar, cryptic way. "I'll see you there. Don't get in any trouble before then..." Leoxander looked at you. You grinned. "I'll do my best."
- BEACH
Tenebrae had followed the sound of Jack's barking, that volley of a familiar pitch and tone that told her he was at the crabs again. Lifting a hand to wave to Leo, wind billowing hair and cloak to seamless darkness, she made her way across the sands.
Leoxander stood against the backdrop of watery horizon quietly, his wistful gaze on the waters. It was tempting, escaping that land again, disappearing out onto the waters. But even the sea wouldn't be any sort of escape from the dreams that plagued him. Dreams that melded with reality when her approach sounded against the soft sand, and Leo turned to see the subject of those visions approaching with a wave. Jack grinned from afar, but was soon caught up in chasing a sidewalker down toward the water's edge. Duo colored vision lingered, until she neared enough to see the focus and intent in his stare. He hid that, by turning his attention away, toward the dock in the distance.
Tenebrae was soon by his side, circling his lanky frame to bring herself to face him. Fingers reached to brush aside the vagrant lock of blond that ever covered one or both of his eyes. The vampiress jiggled a little on her toes. "Got a surprise for you." His hand was taken, a small leather pouch pressed to his palm. "I heard you speak of them, the other day."
Leoxander remained calm when she reached up to touch his brow, duo colored eyes resting in a sometimes unsettling stare devoted to the Necromancer. Closing his fingers around the small pouch, he enjoyed moments more of peridot color, before looking down at the item given. "...You didn't have to get me anything." He squeezed his hand gently around the pouch, before the other lifted with intentions of unveiling the small, hard objects felt within.
Tenebrae laughed softly. "I know. Oh ..." She reached to a fold in her robe, her eyes glinting now, with something of thier old mischief. "Another thing." This object was not so neatly wrapped, indeed, it looked as though it's recently been worn, judging by the flecks of blood on its shining surface. "Thought this might suit you. Pirate, that you'll be." She spoke the joke fondly.
Tenebrae gave 1 diamond band to Leoxander.
Leoxander sprinkled the bone earrings into his palm with a grin, before the diamond band was set beside them in his palm. "You think it would suit me..?" A ring? On his thieving fingers? That seemed oddly ironic, but he couldn't hide the grin of ivories, no fangs as she possessed. "This' awefully nice of you. Mind fillin' me in on what I did to deserve it?" Hood was cast back, and reaching up, the old silver ring he'd worn in his left ear forever was removed. He'd have to get the other pierced, yet, to wear them both.
Tenebrae arced a slender brow. "Nothing whatsoever, you villain." That forefinger, ever ready to nudge at his ribs. "I just wanted to see whether I still had it. There's one fat merchant who'll never try my patience again." She looks to his open hand. "And I think it will suit you. A diamond is eternal, and it goes with the ship." Well, the logic seemed flawless to her. "And I'd just like to see you looking prosperous. You have a home, now."
Leoxander sucked in his stomach a bit at the poke, his frame skinny and nearly causing pouched belt to slide lower on his waist from the move. Sliding the post through the hole in his earlobe, one of those bone earrings was adorned, his eyes leveling upon her. "You sure it's not an engagement ring, now?" A teasing grin touched his fingers, inspecting the diamond idly after shoving it down on his thumb, unable to push it passed the first thick knuckle of that digit. In gratitude, Leo leaned in to harmlessly peck her cheek, his mask removed to do so.
Tenebrae snickered in that machiavellian manner only she could achieve, hand raised to her cheek as he pulled away. "I dunno, pet. It might've been." She licked her own thumb, scrubbing a crimson fleck from the glittering band, raising it to her lips after. "Anyways, won't be long now, and we'll be afloat." She sucked the ball of the digit idly a moment. "Wait til you see what I have planned for your cabin."
Leoxander pocketed the ring for now, with his eyes lingering upon her, hinting the usual mischief. Holding his smile just for her, it remained until he looked down the beach to sharply whistle, and after brushing by her to head toward the dock, Jack soon galloped passed her, to join his human companion's side. Did she expect some extravagant thanks? She should know the rogue better than that.
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Post by Joliette Thorne on Dec 27, 2006 9:08:51 GMT -5
Tenebrae is convinced Leo's growing affections for her are caused by the Thrall, the result of her blood in the rogue's veins. Unable to stand seeing him suffer, she arranges for him to take the only known cure -- the blood of a dragon, toxic to vampires.
Tenebrae was used to finding him here, the often drunken dwarven guards a rich source of resources, obviously ... She slipped in the door, eyes keen on his form, as soon as she caught sight of it.
Leoxander wasn't moving, however. Not the usual ruckus and slap of knuckles on bone. He sat in the hallway near the door, fingerless gloved hands slowly turning a small bottle of dark liquid over and over in hand. Leo lifted his eyes to Tenebrae slowly, shadowed between the hood and the mask he wore. His jaw lifted in greeting with one deep spoken, but quiet word. "Hey."
Tenebrae stepped across that floor, eyes rivetted on that bottle... "Hey." It was a soft reply, as she she dropped thigh to heel to squat beside the rogue. Her eyes traced the line from bottle to his won mismatched gaze. "Wha's that, then?" She had a good idea, already.
Leoxander’s reply was casual. "Something for you." But he didn't hand it over for her to take. No, that lovely honor would be his. His hood was pushed back, and a grip to his mask brought the dark material down around his throat, staring up at her. "Think it's enough?" It was small, corked, still warm in his palm. Blood, of some sort.
Tenebrae reached for the bottle, not to take it, but for her fingers to hover above the glass. The poison - enough in that small vessel to kill a dozen of her kind -- sloshed thickly within. "Just a few drops will do you, sweet, no more..." Though drinking the whole thing wouldn't cause any more pain. It just, she'd heard, had a vile taste, to boot. That hand shifted, brushed the tattooed band around one corded bicep. "I'm here for you, should you need me, when it's time."
Leoxander kept his gaze trained to hers, one last enthralling, deep look into peridot, in case that feeling of peace left him the next time he enjoyed that view, after drinking the blood. But he doubted he would feel much different at all. "This is what you want... I wanna hear you say it." His vocals remained quiet, maybe a little weaker than normal.
Tenebrae shook her head a little, though, glance dropping to the bottle, the word she spoke was: "Yes." The sound came thick over her tongue. "Yes, it is." She wanted to explain that his thralldom - to whatever degree it'd taken him had ever caused her anguish. It was his spirit that she admired, one gifted to so few... "I think it's for the best. I know it is." Her lips were tight, cheeks flushing with a higher colour. Likely this'd be the last time she got so close to him.
Leoxander, despite everything, offered the Necromancer a handsome smile with his mask removed. He didn't say a word as he lowered his eyes from hers, twisting out the cork with a cautious lean away from her, aware that the blood was dangerous, to her. But he paused just before bringing that bottle to his lips, and a hint of familiar mischief touched his eyes as he did, after all, speak a request. "...Kiss me, first." The blood filled vessel was lowered aside, and the rogue leaned forward. "Just one more time."
Tenebrae raised her fingers, the pads soft against his lips, as she leaned forward to press her own against his cheek. Her speech was a warm breath, gentle. "I'll not betray us all, now." She almost added the goodbye that in her heart she felt was coming, with sinking certainty. But there was still the chance, and she swallowed it. "Turn your back to me, Leo. It's going to hurt. I'll have to keep you steady." She frowned. "I hope it's quick."
Leoxander was denied. The mischief and youth died from his eyes when she leaned close, and he felt her complexion cool against his own. Silent, reverent for her words, her frown brought his free hand lifting to his chest, the ache there a bit of a mystery to him. He could try to be optimistic, hope it would fade. But what was the point? A soft sigh of barely audible words in his roguish accent was murmured as he lifted the bottle to his lips. "...This blood won't change what I know will haunt me forever." Without regard to any pain, or taste, the lot of it was downed quickly, in one or two thick swallows, like a shot of bad medicine. He didn't care what it did to him, how much it hurt, so long as he didn't have to suffer through that sort of emotion with the woman again - ever.
Tenebrae was ready for him, arms already twining tight to his as she slipped to his back, his body twisting away from the wall in the first of the coming throes. Coltish legs hooked over his knees, and vampiric strength had the rogue pinned, as far as she was able. His teeth would grit, she was waiting for the grind, the strangled cry that would be forced through them. Her own low sob would go unnoticed, as would the tears that coursed to stain her cheeks in a meander of crimson. Her throat corded with the strain of arcing back against the first convulsion, and her words rang through the empty guardhouse, a keening wail: "I'm so sorry, Leo! Gods, I'm so sorry!"
Leoxander squinted his eyes, which burned and watered at once at the taste of the thick, warm blood sinking into his stomach, spreading it's vampire cell destroying plague through his body at once. He was tense, waiting for... well, he wasn't uncertain what was to come next, but his features began to pale with sickness and a slight lurch of his throat, swallowing hard to prevent emptying his stomach on instinctive want to rid himself of that poisonous blood. Her weight pressed him back, made him clench his jaw with a hand automatically reaching up to start to push her away, but his spine suddenly arched upward with the first jab of pain into the core of his body, grating a low growl of agony through the clench of his bore white teeth. It was the start of a painful process.
Tenebrae locked herself around him hard, the violence of his wrenching form driving elbow to ribs and his head back into the cheek she'd fortunately turned, saving her nose from the smashing blow. For what seemed to her hours the struggle went on; in truth, not more than half a one. All the while, she wept for him, for his pain, and her loss -- the human she'd come to love as her own blood, her blood no longer. Together they cried their anguish, together they thrashed out his pain upon that splintered floor until the rogue's struggles lessened, then ceased, his breath a horrid rattle in his chest and the muscles clamped under her flaccid. It was then she pressed her lips to the back of his neck, gentle murmured words of comfort threading her own ragged inhalations.
Leoxander writhed beneath her, but by the end of that stretch of time, with panted breath weak to reveal his exhaustion, it eventually became a slight and subtle twitch below her more petite weight. She was still strong enough to keep him pinned to the floor, however, his head turned and eyes closed with cheek smashed against that surface, a slight tremble of what might be mistaken cold revealing the exhaustion of his muscles. It was over, though, and those dwarven structured halls no longer carried the sound of his yelled out pain down their corridor, to a card game some distance away. Unable to do much more than lay there at first, and recover from the shock of ache, his eyes remained closed, beads of sweat following across the slope of freckled nose.
Tenebrae, by the time she had untangled their frames and shifted back to have him lie to the floor, head resting on her lap, was inwardly steeled to whatever response might come, when he'd at last gained his senses. Fingers softly stroked his pallor, nigh to her own, and wiped away the sweat from his freckled skin. The song began then, as a murmured croon half-broken of word, unsure of melody. It was the vaguest memory, remnant of a time when the world was a single yard, and the gods were just a man and a woman struggling to make their life. The necromancer sang her sorrow, 'til the thief's breath calmed, and she watched him all through those long hours of a deep and healing sleep.
Leoxander didn't move much in that pass of time, not because he couldn't, but because he didn't have the will to escape that moment, with his head rested upon her lap, one arm draping weakly over her legs to slightly hug the limbs he was rested again. Alright, he'd submit. He'd never bother her again after that night, if that's the way she wanted it... But while he could, he'd savor that time spent with her, and the soft, calming song from his friend had the pace of his heartbeat, and the rhythm of his breath, slowing to something more relaxed. The pain faded away, all but the sting deep in the cage of his breastbone.
Tenebrae at last could not hold her eyes open, her last act before exhaustion claimed her perhaps futile, but it was the gesture she'd sought him out to make that night, and make it she would. Her hand was shoved through the flap of the pack nearby, a large box pulled open. With reverence the gift was lain on his chest, the hair stroked from his eyes, as her own succumbed to weariness.
Leoxander 's eyes were slitted, pale glimpses of blue and red color, watery from sleepy conditions. Laying in the shadows at the edge of the hall where he'd been, though, he was safe enough, and made no move to push his weight up from the floor, just yet. A deep breath lifted the hat on his chest, exhaled a sigh, before sinking into a healing sort of wolf nap, Jack hovering somewhere near for protection.
Schalk appears from the north.
Schalk looks surprised to find Leoxander and Tenebrae in the guardhouse, where he came to have a word with the guard. Kindly the levergast bows his head in greeting and mumbles a few words of greeting Leoxander was fitfully snoozing in the shadows, the dwarf was all his, if he wanted it.
Tenebrae was the first awake. Slipping from beneath his weight, the vampiress improvised a pillow via a softer corner of her pack, the rogue not stirring even then, oddly - but understandably. Soft press of lips to his forehead, she mused that he could look so young, the harsher lines relaxed, his face plumped with fatigue and sleep. She took herself to the table, fingers brushing abandoned cards, her thoughts on the ironies of fortune. She would wait, til he woke, and see what path fate had paved for them in the night.
Schalk looks at the vampiress and the sailor ''Actually, now I meet the two of you here, perhaps I could have a word?''
Tenebrae shook her head to the elverman. "Not now, pet... if it's alright. A little later..."
Leoxander looked a bit pale, if anything, as though he had a bit of stomach sickness and was sleeping it off. Tenebrae's movement from near had him pushing against the wall a little more, kinda just sprawled out on his back, a black clothed mass on the hall floor.
Schalk nods ''Very well, though I must remark upon the fact that my good friend Ernhout and his division have landed and we will set sail for the Horneburgh in a weeks time, if the winds prove fair'''
Tenebrae 's nod was curt. "Might we speak of it, later, pet?"
Schalk 's blue eyes gleam for a moment as the dwarven guard seems to be chuckling, having once met Ernhout, son of Koenraad. The elvergast turns, not waiting for an answer, prefering to leave the two alone for now. A few fast swipes are however dealt to the guard in retaliation as he passes
Leoxander 's eyes had but cracked open to make it known that he knew of the extra presence, but he still feigned sleep, his tired eyes closing again soon enough. Still, to expect him to miss it entirely? He was too cautious for that.
Leoxander exhaled another hesitant sigh once they were alone, even the guard wandering near had been slain, courtesy of Schalk. Jack finally wandered near after the noise, padding slowly toward Leoxander with his ears and tail sagged in what could be the dog's only expression of a frown. A lick to the edge of his jaw didn't bring much response, not the push of hands to furry face, like usual. His movements were rare, yet.
Tenebrae watched the two a moment, unwilling to disturb Leo's rest. But as ever her curiosity ate at her, until she pushed herself up from the table and crossed the floor to kneel beside him, taking up the hat to pop a buckled bit out and laid it once more on his chest, and took the back of her hand to his face, a gentle stroke. "Leo....?"
Leoxander opened his eyes calmly, perhaps that was surprising, that he was awake to respond but still laid on the ground. His energy levels were a bit low, but otherwise, he just had what he could have called a lovesick hangover. "...Yeah." The whispered word wasn't spoken like a question, but more an acknowledgement, a subtle reassurance he was alright. Well, he'd live on, anyhow.
Tenebrae smiled, a little crookedly. "Still love me?" Her lips broke to a grin, that dreadful humour as ever a plea for the tension to be broken. "I really wouldn't blame you, if you did. I'm pretty fantastic."
Leoxander responded in the only way you could really expect a rogue like him to. His voice grated out through his throat in a murmur of quiet, jesting, but grumbled words. "...You're still a damn pain in the arse, that's for sure..." With one hand lifting to grip the hat rested on his chest, he started to sit up carefully, taking his time.
Tenebrae chuckled, offering him a helping hand to elbow - which he didn't need, she knew, but it made her feel better. Her grin faded back to something softer as peridot sought his bicoloured gaze. "Look. I got you this." She placed the hat upon his head, the cornices skewed and that small dent still evident. Still, it's suit him, if he wanted it.
Leoxander hinted a rough smirk with a lift of the hat and a drop of his eyes, looking it over. "Now I just need a boat to wear it with, eh?" He lifted the hat, started to put it on his own head, but paused, and instead tried it on her, if she'd let him. "Still gonna let me teach you..?"
Tenebrae did look fetching in the tricorner. Kind of rakish, the way it sat on her ... "You bet, Cap'n." She beamed. "If you can put up with a landlubber, that is. It'd be my honour to have you show me how to love the sea."
Leoxander admired it in just a brief, bored glance, with a lean against the wall. He heard the shuffle of heavy, armored feet down the hall, and Jack paced with an irritable whine, nearby. "We should get outta here..."
Tenebrae nodded, her hand again under his elbow, hooking his arm around her shoulder. "Giolla's ..." It wasn't far, and she could use a drink about now.
Schalk appears from the south. Leoxander hoped they found some table near a hasty exit, if necessary, but he'd let Tenebrae lead them in, for most part. He wasn't normally well liked in dwarven territory, but he wasn't in any condition to travel far, either. First opportunity he got, he'd settle into some sort of seat.
Tenebrae looked to the men, once assured Leo was settled, and not alone. "Take care of him, Schalk?" A warm smile to he, one of the first of her friends in the lands. "I'll be back..." And turned for the door at a jog.
******
Tenebrae banged back in the door, looking flushed. "Back..." Mistress of the obvious, as well it seemed. She slipped to a seat quietly and tried to catch up on the conversation.
Leoxander lifted dangerously keen eyes for a young adult like himself, toward those introduced, one hand slipping into the folds of his jerkin for a small leather pouch. "Can I be frank? I'm not sure how you know my full name, Schalk, but Leo'll do just fine, for now." The titles and build up was pretty pointless to him, but he nodded all the same. "These your right an' left hand, then?"
Leoxander said to, Tenebrae "Would you grab me somethin' to drink while you're up?" He wasn't too serious to pass up a slight grin. "I don't imagine they got much beside liquor in a place like this."
Schalk smiles ''I make it my business to know those sort of things Leo.'' the elvergast winks for Giolla to bring him a drink and opens his mouth to speak, being cut off however by Ernhout who snickers and speaks in his heavy Frisi accent '' 'is right 'and? you've got to be djokin' . I wouldn't serve that old bastard in my life...'' a grin appears on both mens faces ''Ányway, Ernhout here is merely a trusted friend, who has kindly agreed to sail me back to my homeland for war'' says the elverman
Tenebrae nodded. She wasn't up, but right now she'd do about anything if it made Leo smile. Moments later, elbow leant to the bar, brief word of greeting to the dwarven hostess, she placed thier order. Returning with two large tankards, she slid one across the table to Leo.
Schalk watches Giolla trot back to their table with a large jug of wine and serving it up in four goblets, the two guards not getting any wine
Tenebrae grinned as the table filled rapidly with drinks. She was in the mood for a bit of a bender. Might make a night of it.
Leoxander was about the only one that didn't particularly do something, and he sank into his seat lazily, opening the leather pouch that was, to his dismay, empty. Great. "I get it.." This was murmured out loud to the clarification of who the men were to Schalk. "Sounds intense. Like somethin' you could need a hand with, eventually..."
Leoxander smirked a soft thanks to Tenebrae, but it was rare for him to actually say a 'Thank you' out loud. He stuffed his pack and pipe away with a sigh.
Tenebrae eyed the strangers, head canting as she listened to make sense of their thick accent, til her ears attuned to it.
Schalk nods ''What I wanted to talk to you about my friends, is wether you fancy sailing to war with me in a week....'' the elvergast looks at their faces for a moment ''In that case Gearbrand over here'' his thumb jots to the blonde guard ''Who is now serving as bosun on der Erndt, can serve you as constable, for which he is more than qualified, being the assistant armourer of the Erndhalter Terp''
Leoxander lifted the tankard to his mouth for a long drink, eyes drifting silently to Tenebrae with the question produced.
Tenebrae looked a bit blank at that, and turned to Leo, brows raised, blinking slowly. Leoxander drank a dwarvish meade.
Leoxander said to Schalk, "That's quite a proposition to present across the table, Mate. Somethin' that I'd have to take to an assembly of crew."
Tenebrae nodded her agreement. "Leo is Captain, Schalk. But I'd be happy to fight with you, be it on your ship or my own."
Schalk nods and seems to be wanting to answer, though wether he was one can never tell as Ernhout cuts across ''Our need is great at present. I beliefe Skalk has already spoken to you about dis. We are offerin' our services to get your ship seawordy.''
Tenebrae turned back to Leo, blinking again.
Leoxander brought his hand up to the edge of his jaw, quiet, his eyes glittering with the unspoken question of profit. But he wouldn't make Tenebrae look bad by demanding to know what was in it for them. Seawordy..? That didn't shine like gold and weapons. "I can't promise you your crew is ready to jump into war until I see em, Lady." This was murmured to Tenebrae with a slight turn of his head.
Schalk speaks, now uninterrupted by anything than the gulping sound of the second guard emptying and refiling his goblet ''You would off course get a share in the loot and I dare say that you can count on 3 bars of silver per head that sets out to aide us''
Tenebrae sipped her drink, heedless of the slight foam moustache left on her upper lip as the tankard was lowered to the table. "Leo, this is your crew. As long as they keep my home afloat and the slaves from revolting, I trust your judgement in all things. I offer only my personal service. Whether the Eternity and her crew join me, I leave in your hands entirely." A frown creased her brow, her concern sending untested crew and maiden ship to war. Surely, a terrible risk. But the rogue would know what to do.
Leoxander rolled his shoulders back with a sickening pop of bones being cracked into their normal positioning; ah the joys of being mortal and aging... "Yes, ma'am." The response was quiet, solemn, since she depended on him to make the right decision. And it wasn't going to be one made immediately that night, that was for sure.
Schalk smiles ''Perhaps I shall leave you to ponder upon that matter for a moment and catch up with the news from the home front with my friends here, while you discuss this?''
Schalk turns in his seat and starts to chat with the three men in their native tongue. The three all seem to liven up a bit and the conversation starts to flow easily.
Tenebrae extended her hand toward Schalk, a pat to his shoulder, as she rose. "Might be best, friend. Please, let me know the news, when it comes?" She'd winced at the sound of gristle settling in Leo's joints. " I should think a few days at least would be needed, to have things settled enough to even discuss it. yeah?" She obviously deferred to Leo in matters concerning her ship. Probably wise, from a woman who 'til recently couldn't sit on a boat for an hour without running for the rails.
Leoxander merely nodded, falling into a quiet, reserved mode that was normal for the rogue, drinking the mead he hoped would dull those minor aches.
Leoxander bowed his head back to the drink, the large tankard made for dwarven hands too big for his own, really. But he had no problems tilting it back to drain it. Empty, it was replaced to the table, booted feet propping on an empty chair.
Tenebrae was indeed, back in a moment. Lithe steps had her once more slid to a seat by Leo, a small pouch thrust to his palm. Her aside to him was quiet. "Thought you could do with some relaxing, after .. you know." Tene chewed at her lip, mostly to hide the smirk that hovered there. "And this..." Her voice dropped, eyes shifting to the other men, who seemed deep in conversation.” For later." Tenebrae took up her tankard again, exhaling a deep breath, before sipping.
Leoxander dropped his eyes to the things pushed not so subtly into his hand, his own smirk hinting at the edge of his features. He was grateful for a quite night, where he could relax, even if Schalk had intended to talk business. There wasn't much to talk about, just then. "Thanks. Though I can't say I recognize that colorful leaf..." Low vocals grated with some humor, slouched low in that seat built pretty low to the ground, anyhow.
Tenebrae tilted her head a little, soft fall of ebon trailing across her cheek. "Leo..."
Leoxander lifted different colored eyes behind a mess of blonde hair, hanging carelessly over his vision enough to give just glimpses of red and blue. "Tenebrae..?"
Tenebrae said to Leoxander, "Would you like a little time.. You know. To think things over a bit?" She didn't really want to leave him, but he looked tired. "Up to you pet."
Leoxander shook his head. "You can't expect me to make the decision tonight, that's for damn sure." One hand lifted, rubbing his cheek and nose, under the red of his eyes. "Give me a day, maybe two."
Tenebrae righted her head, plump lower lip pressed under ivory teeth again, briefly. "I wasn't talking about the ship."
Leoxander paused, his eyes focusing a little clearer, studying her a little more intently. He was tired, that wasn't hard to see. But at least he didn't hurt, anymore. ...Did he? "...What're you talkin' about?" He was a little hesitant to listen for that answer. Not even the thief was sure how well he could lie to her face.
Tenebrae shook her head, leant across to place a kiss on his forehead, lifting the captain's hat from her head to plop it on his own. "Never mind. Have a good rest. We'll have much to do, in the days ahead, I'm sure." Hand to pack strap, pack to shoulder, and she was standing. "Just ... look after yourself, 'k?" And a grin over her shoulder, as she turned for the door. "Or get one of those eager lasses that swarm about you to do it for you..."
Leoxander sent a lazy look after her, his brain continuing the encouragements to himself. Act careless, cured. It didn't matter anymore. He couldn't ruin her smile, again. "Yeah, sure. I always look after myself." A reminder, with his feet propped up, and his eyes shifted away, so he wouldn't have to witness her leaving. He stared at the old carvings in the table. It was gonna be a long night for the lone rogue.
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Post by Joliette Thorne on Dec 27, 2006 9:14:03 GMT -5
Tenebrae’s voice can heard, from the room outside a jail cell
"I will bloody not, you horrid little man! Get your filthy ... right! You've done it now… And your mates! Three on one, will you? Gooood! I'm feeling a bit peckish!"
inside the cell block
Tenebrae lurched into the room, the obviously soused Captain of the Guard latched to her shoulders, one hand fumbling at his trousers, possibly for his weapon. It was unclear as to whether he was trying to kill her or ... Well, in any case, Tene was having none of it. "Gerroff, you fat squid!" A timely knee was raised, to catch him the groin, the vampiress' head driven down hard to the back of his, as the sottish guard doubled over in agony. His crumpled form escaped with a cursory vicious kicking, she never one to take advantage of the unconscious. At least, not with a belly full of his two friends, who were once and were no more the type to gang up on a pretty lass wandering the streets at night ... Blowing out a breath, perspiration on her brow, Tene glared at the fallen jailer. "The nerve of ye... I'd kill ye, were ye not so piss-poor a man."
Leoxander was a shadowed mass curled in the corner of the small room. Jack, unfortunately, was prisoner with the rogue, and completely miserable at the idea of being caged, the animal laid on the ground with his head on a paw. That was until the yell from down the corridor had dog ears perking, and the human's hooded head slightly lifting from it's bowed position. Wrists bound together, his arm draped an elevated knee in a minor attempt for comfort on the cold, stone floor. But in a place that smelled like urine and blood, there wasn't much luck in finding comfort of -any- sort. At least it was a roof over his head, that night, hence the reason he hadn't escaped yet. Listening to the disturbances from the way he'd been led in, his eyes squinted, unable to penetrate the darkness without the aid of the vampiress' blood. Of course, the scene became clear when the yelling volume increased, and Jack was on his paws with some excited barks continuing even after that last guard was put out of conscious misery. Leo smirked from his place on the floor, quietly.
Tenebrae whirled at the sound of that familiar bark, her eyes wide, incredulous. "Jack...?" She peered into that shadowed cell, catching glimpse of the dark-clad figure, the dog beside him shouting a volley of greeting to the necromancer. "Leo! Bloody hell... How...?" Tsk. Stupid question. But was he alright? She didn't take the time to ask, hooking a pointed boot-toe into the iron keyring at the belt of the prone guard, swift kick upward bringing it to her hand. In moments, the key was grating in lock, the iron door groaning open. Small, strong hands were inspecting his bonds, vampiric pupils better in the dark than others might have been. "You hurt?" Now seemed a better time for that question.
Leoxander didn't see reason to move, but that was a feat not easily accomplished with his legs half asleep and his hands shackled in iron, anyhow. He watched quietly as Tenebrae made short work of the cell door he probably could have picked with one of the hidden pegs disguised into his studded belt, but he hadn't bothered. When the cell door swung open, Tenebrae would barely be able to reach him, because of the dog who nearly tackled her with gratitude. After all, Jack was terribly bored in there. "I'm alright..." Bruises from a brief struggle were no big deal, and none of them would be seen on his ribs and stomach with his jerkin covering upper torso. "...What're you doin' here?" Duo colored eyes searched her features with a dull, sober expression. She seemed surprised to find him, so obviously -he- wasn't the reason for her presence.
Tenebrae tilted her chin at the man on the floor outside that dank space. "Him and his mates, decided I might be their bit of fluff for the night. I decided it was dinnertime. We discussed it - y'know." The thin smear of crimson still leading from corner of mouth to cheek spoke volumes as to how that conversation had gone. Tene worked one of the smaller keys on the ring into the lock on his irons, grunting her frustration when it failed. "What about yourself?" Lips twitched to a smirk, peridot eyes meeting his. "Waiting for a friend?"
Leoxander didn't bother to watch as she worked at the lock of his cuffs, and only his elevated knee presented his hands at high enough level to attempt the smaller keys easily enough. His eyes never left hers. "Hey, it's not much worse than the rooms these inns around here rent out, I just figure I'm gettin' this one for free." Leave it to Leo to crack humor even in his more rock-bottom moments. His mirrored expression of a smirk remained, even slight. Jack was already outside the cell wandering around, free at last. "Though... I figure there's a reason I didn't bust out yet. Maybe I was waitin' for you..." The murmur of quiet words was too soft to determine whether that, too, was just another joke. Finally, his head bowed to shadow his gaze with the edge of the hood hanging over his brow, strands of blonde peeking from beneath it.
Tenebrae found the proper key, at length, manacles clattering to the floor. Her only reply to his last for that time was a smallish smile, her face flushing slightly; this not hard, since she had so recently fed. It wasn't what he'd said that caused that rise in hue, but rather the sudden realisation that he'd witnessed one of her ... finer moments. "Well, fate works in funny ways, sweet." She'd taken one of Leo's wrists, rubbing the circulation back into that hand. Tene was familiar with what chains did to flesh, even vampiric flesh, after a while. "Knots things together, like." She wrinkled her nose. He was right, about it resembling the cheaper inns, in one regard. The place smelled pretty bad.
Leoxander lowered his eyes to watch the removal of iron, and then her cool hands grasped his, and he couldn't help but study her slender, pale fingers for those moments that she spoke on. As for the blood at the corner of her mouth? He'd had closer experiences with those fine moments of hers. One in particular almost too close. "Yeah... I guess it does, doesn't it..?" Like Castellian's sudden return, he thought to himself. Automatically, his fingers curled around her wrist, starting to grasp onto her gently in return. But the hesitant touch failed before he could take any real grip, and it wasn't unexpected that she'd pull away soon. "...You here to save me, then?" Unable to meet that painful ice-green stare again just yet, not wanting to betray any of the emotions he hid so damn well, he just leaned against that cold wall, wondering when he'd have the motive to stand and walk out.
Tenebrae's ebon brow arced faintly. "I just did, didn't I?" His touch halted her treatment of his numbed hands, the vampiress thinking perhaps the rogue's pride was stung, being jailed and all. A noise, the sound of booted feet on cobbles had her whip her gaze toward the cell door, and beyond... Jack was mercifully quiet, happy to be sniffing after a rat or two, and didn't raise the alarm. Or maybe being the companion of a thief had taught him a thing or two. "We should get out of here." Her palm brushed his cheek lightly, before his hands were taken in her own. "C'mon. Get up, pet. This is not a place to be lingering."
Leoxander wasn't the type to argue, much. He had his pride, but he also had his intelligence, and knew she spoke the truth. He would've been okay to stay, had she not offed the guards of his cell for a midnight snack. And so, rough thieving hands clutched hers, dragonscale boots planted to stone floor, and Leo stood slowly in front of her, trying hard to ignore the tingle of sensation on his cheek. "Where do you suggest we go?" He still looked a little tired, worn. When he finally braved a look back toward those intense, beautiful green eyes, he felt her stare penetrate right into his soul. "And when're you gonna find another nickname to call me?" After all, she had so many pets, he'd noticed...
Tenebrae's eyes searched his, head canted upward now to meet that mismatched gaze, the faint trace of mirth in hers tinged with something that resembled regret. "Just a way of talking, where I was from." She'd lost a lot of it over the centuries, but the speech one learned in infancy often died hard. Especially when reason was outweighed by adrenaline. "I'll not say it to you anymore." Turning toward the outer door, the vampiress clasped fingers to his upper arm. "Though, Cap'n, I'm likely to forget, from time to time. What about that flophouse of an inn, up the road? Giolla's would be better, but a bit too far, for now."
Leoxander released her hands if she hadn't already. He wasn't going to risk pushing her away, anymore, and it seemed anytime he got too close, or looked at her the wrong way, she avoided his eyes from some foreign discomfort. The urge to touch her hair, reassure her of whatever she doubted, was barely resisted as he walked past. Bi-colored stare dropped to watch his feet, and the path he took, which wasn't necessary save to spare himself of the knots in his stomach each time his eyes locked to hers. Jack stepped out of nowhere with an impatient look that seemed to ask when they were leaving that god-awful, smelly place. In acknowledgement, Leo reached to scratch behind the dog's ears, speaking first to her, and then a murmur to him. "Yeah... I think I can make it there. I'm bettin' you have plenty of other things to attend to, but thanks, all the same." A bit of a salute given, but would she actually notice that for once, the rogue outright thanked her? "C'mon, dog. Let's ge'outta here." Jack was happy to oblige.
Tenebrae hunched her shoulders a bit, crooked smile given. "'S'alright. You'd probably do the same for me." In fact, she he knew he would. It was a nice feeling, trust, though it was still -- and more than likely always would be -- tentative. All the same, she gave him more than most folk had ever gotten. "Rest up, Cap'n. You've had it rough lately. And ..." She allowed the semblance of a grin. "I'll not be smelling your breath too closely on the morrow, should we happen to meet." Stepping over the erstwhile lover-boy's body, an 'accidental' tread of heel perforating some part him, by the stifled groan, she stooped to ruffle Jack a last time, before a hand swept the hair from Leo's eyes and the necromancer melted back into her darknesses, leaving him to watch her go.
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Post by Joliette Thorne on Dec 27, 2006 9:19:20 GMT -5
As time passes, it becomes increasingly obvious that the 'thrall' Leo was under was not one of blood, but of genuine love for the necromancer.
Leoxander was alone, intoxicated... That didn't mean he was necessarily depressed, but that's how it was for him that night. Giolla's called to him after a tough battle with some elemental creature he'd hoped would drop some interesting gems, but in the end, it just gave him a black eye. The bruise was somewhat concealed by the low tip of the pirate-captain's hat Tenebrae had given him, dropped at a low angle hiding blue eye almost entirely. He leaned against the table he'd chosen to himself, reaching down near his foot for a new bottle, though this one had warmed a bit from the fire. One of twin daggers was stabbed hilt upright into the surface of the wood table.
Tenebrae was still laughing as she pushed through the rough wooded door, eyes shining with the mirth of a joke she'd been told by some drunk on the steps outside. In her hand she swung a bottle idly, crimson liquid sluggishly swirling, appearing black through the green glass. As her laughter faded to a grin, she cast her peridot gaze about the room, foot tapping in time to some miner's dirge cranked out by the harpist, the musician wincing at the dismal accompaniment given by surrounding occupants. A place by the fire'd be just the thing. And then a man with a hat caught her eye... "Evening, Cap'n."
Leoxander lifted his gaze just under the brim of the hat, larger than he was used to, in just a hood, normally. But he was drunk enough to appreciate it, and his teeth gripped cork to pull, and spit it out. He had a shot glass left for him on the table, but the only thing it was being used for was tips, bouncing coppers and silvers into the small vessel in 'quarters' fashion. He lifted the newly open bottle in salute. "Mistress Tenebrae... Don't you look happy tonight." A smirk worn, and he took another long drink.
Tenebrae slid to a seat beside him. This wasn't her usual sinuous descent; more literally, she lost her footing half-way down and landed with far less grace than that. Quick to regain her composure, however, she cleared her throat and stood the bottle to the table, pack slung with armour to an untidy heap on the floor. "Do I?" Her face was flushed, no doubt about it. "I suppose I am, rather." Fortunately there'd been not a lot left to her wine, and the last inch of the liquid stood, unspilled, before tipped to her lips and finished in a few short swallows. A glassy thud had it replaced, Tene canting her head toward Leo, her face brought closer, eyes narrowed. "You alright?" A forefinger was raised, to be waved agitatedly before him in some all-inclusive gesture. "You're looking ... kinda rough."
Leoxander had a lazy smile and a squint to glazed eyes, which revealed he was less than sober, but happy enough with the world. Another drink helped all the more, then he dipped his head in a nod with the front of his throat shifting in a swallow. A chain held the ring she'd given him, there. "Yeah, m'alright. But... y'know. You mentioned you weren't up to checkin' my breath or somethin' like that, so..." He gave a shrug. Okay, so maybe he was a little intoxi*Hic!* ...inebriated. He had nothin' better to do, and Jack had ditched him to stay near the shore, anxiously.
Tenebrae shook her head rather vehemently. "T’isn't my business if you drink off the ship." Wasn't it? She peered at his torso, lips pursed. "Though you could do with some feeding up, by the look." Straightening, she leant back in her chair, gaze kept on the rogue's angular form. "Someone should take care of you." Yes, he was a vagabond sailor, thief and no doubt a swathe of other nefarious titles, and was used to doing for himself. Bah. Look how thin it'd gotten him. The vampiress bent to scrabble fingers at the buckles of her pack, a few more green bottles brought to stand on the table. "Mind if I stick about?"
Leoxander also wasn't that old. He'd lived twenty one years, with little discipline, and a lot of hard learned lessons. So it wasn't entirely uncommon for him to forget about things like food, and sleep, and concentrate on money, travel. And though he wouldn't admit it, especially drunk as he was, he did look rough. Something ate him from the inside out, and he concealed it damn well. "Sure, pretty. If you wanna..." There was a soft laughter in his tone at her idea of someone taking care of him. No one had taken care of him since the day he could walk, except maybe Jack. "You want some'a this brew I brought from the docks?" The bottle he'd been drinking from was lifted, but then he just took another drink, terribly thirsty again.
Thea walks in and heads quietly to the counter, viridian gaze lingering over the list briefly before acknowledging Tenebrae and Leoxander with a curt nod and smile. She gathers up the goods into her sack and waves to the pair, not wanting to interrupt their conversation.
Leoxander turned his lazy stare after Thea with a hint of mischief hidden somewhere in it. He pulled off his hat and set it on the table, as was more appropriate and less annoying, blonde hair in his eyes.
Tenebrae shook her head again, her eyes a mite unfocussed by the time she'd stopped. "I've got my wine..." More like liquid dinner, cold comfort it was, but she wasn't going to say it. "And what's left of some other stuff for after." That forefinger again, waved toward her pack, before a bottle was lifted from the table, deftly uncorked and raised. A quarter was gone, when she put it down again. The necromancer glanced to Leo, and away, then back. And giggled. Not a noise she'd usually make. But there'd been the drinks with Thea in Kelay, and her flushed cheeks were evidence of the pixie's influence. "I like that hat on you. You look ... quite rugged." She sounded like the sort of twit she'd usually be making fun of. Blame it on the tequila.
Leoxander flushed with some color, himself, just enough to darken the bridge of his nose, his eyes lowering, but hidden anyhow by the mess of hair he was likely to cut with a blade, soon. "Yeah, I'm hopin' it suits me." Another greedy drink, and his vision was blurry when he looked back up at her, hearing the giggle. It made him grin. "Doesn't matter, though..." The liquor loosened his tongue, even if he was quieter. "Who would I impress?" Leaning back in his chair, he was starting to look sleepy, not hungry... But no food and three bottles sometimes did that.
Tenebrae raised a brow, and her hand as well, beckoning Giolla as she regarded Leo quietly. "I've no doubt there's a few wenches who'd just love to try that hat on for size..." The dwarfess waved back, obviously busy taking another order. "I've noticed a few making eyes at you lately." Another quarter bottle was downed, before she looked back to him.
Leoxander spoke such an oddly simple question, in a solemn manner that made it seem like she had the answer. "I don't want them, do I?" Lazy eyes searched her way with the neck of the large bottle brought to his mouth, tilting it back for another drink. The bottle would be brought upright again, set on the table, but his head remained back, over the back of the chair.
Tenebrae exhaled, the teasing merriment fading from her eyes, though her lips soon smiled again. "It does suit you. I think you shall make a very good Captain." If the blasted boat ever got finished .. she was chafing for it now. Tene watched him a moment. "Sleepy, Cap'n? Would you rather I left you?" But Giolla had arived, short brown fingers stroked through her luxurious ginger beard as the dwarfess stood by, politely. Tene glanced to her, and then to Leo. "I was going to order a bit of supper, but if you want .."
Leoxander laughed softly at the ceiling. "Maybe a cheese sandwich? I haven't had one'a those in forever, mate..." His head was brought forward with a bit of nod, taking a moment to focus his eyes. With the bottle propped to an elevated knee, boot set up against a table leg, it wasn't much of a lift to reach his mouth again. It was tasting good, now.
Roelstra pokes her head in, closes the door behind her and quietly makes her way quietly towards Giolla to breeze through the menu.
Tenebrae had spoken the order quietly, the tavern-keep hurrying off the serve Roelstra, to who Tene gave a friendly wave before scrutinising the rogue. "Better slow down a bit. I'll have to scrape you up before night's end."
Leoxander seemed to hear her speak against his drinking a lot, while he was doing it. But then she sort encouraged it, when he was sober. Overall, Leo didn't understand women, but lowered the bottle to the table with a scratch of a hand against his stomach under the bottom of armoring jerkin protecting his torso. "S'alright, I got a solution to that." He'd smirk at his own private joke, looking at the pack hung over his chair, in reach.
Corine looks around before going upstairs to where she usually sleeps, and notices Leo. She smiles softly to him, coming down to sit with him, knowing he would be leaving soon. Corine said to Leoxander, "Hello"
Tenebrae turned from her curious inspection of the pack to glance upward, as Giolla returned with a laden tray, steaming plates of meat and gravy, and a platter of buttered bread. Tene offered Leo a small smile. "They were out of cheese sandwiches..."
Corine nods softly to Tene, wondering if she was going to get a cold shoulder or not.
Tenebrae was busy sorting out the food, but managed a wave to Corine.
Corine looks at the food, really wanting some, but just sitting there quietly and waiting for it to be offered.
Corine smiles softly at Tene's wave, happy to see she was in a good mood, "Hello..."
You saw that Corine looked a bit peckish, and threw her a large chunk of meat. "Sorry, pet, just a bit busy here, you know?"
Leoxander snapped out of his daze at the smell of food, sitting up slowly with a blink of his eyes that indicated he was still awake, not quite passed out. Different colored eyes shifted to Corine.
Corine nods softly, to Tene, "Thank you...”
Corine giggles softly at Leo, "Are you in there?"
Tenebrae lofted a brow, more to herself than anyone, at the sound of giggle, and blushed a bit.
Leoxander lifted a hand with a wave of fingers to the red haired elf, though he was eagerly leaning forward, at the edge of the seat he should have just scooted toward the table, but instead he did thing the hard way. Unable to resist with his stomach suddenly twisted with hunger, he reached hesitantly for a piece of buttered bread, dipping it a bit shamelessly in some gravy before the mouthful was shoved in, chewed. The rogue was starved, now that he thought about it.
Corine smiles softly to Tene, still giggling, a smile wide across her beautiful face, "I've never seen you blush before...." She sticks out her tongue to Tene and blows her a small childish raspberry and then giggles.
Corine got out of her chair, still slightly giggling, and moved Leoxander's chair in, so he wasn't stretched out like a show pony. "There..."
Tenebrae 's smile was ... toothsome. "Erm ... " She was suddenly hungry too, she'd decided.
Leoxander nearly fell in between the table and the chair when his seat was scooted closer, but a hand gloved in black leather clutched the side to pull himself up, swallowing his second bite. Laughter was a bit snorted and muffled, since he was still chewing, and it was quiet, drunk sort of humor.
Tenebrae dipped her finger experimentally in the gravy on her plate, digit raised to her lips, for a taste. She didn't need solid food as such, but still liked to indulge now and then, if the cooking was good.
Corine couldn't help but find him funny, but yet pitiful, but the funniness out weighed the pitifulness at the moment, so she giggles with him, patting his back softly, repeating words very child got tired of, "Chew..."
Corine said to Tenebrae, "When is your wedding?"
Leoxander figured poor Jack was missing a treat, as he bit into the leg of Turkey cooked to perfection. Or so thought a guy that once ate dead rats to survive in the sewers when he had to hide out for weeks on end. Ah, the life of a rogue. His eyes were nearly closed, contently chewing, swallowing, taking swigs of the bottle now and then. Good thing Tenebrae remembered him now and then. He'd probably let himself go hungry.
Leoxander listened to the question asked, duo colored eyes drifting to Tenebrae with a faint interest to hear her answer. He glanced toward the elf now and then, though. She seemed like she wasn't throwing up blood anymore. That was a plus.
Tenebrae glanced to the elf and returned her finger to the gravy. "Soon, though the date hasn't been set yet." Another taste taken. But somehow, oddly dissatisfying. Tene's gaze was on Corine, sharp and intent.
Leoxander nearly let the liquor override his sense of better judgement, to add something to that, but he was too occupied eating, anyhow. Thumb popped into his mouth to savor chicken grease, thank goodness for fingerless gloves.
Corine looks down to her hands as she still stands, slightly behind Leo to his right. Her fingers fidget slightly as she watches them, pretending to be interested, as she feels like she has opened her mouth and said the wrong thing.
Leoxander half turned in his seat to lean against the back, cheek rested on the post of the high backed but short dwarven style seat. He had to slouch enough as it was with his height. "Did you ever have your kid?" Blunt, blame the alcohol.
Tenebrae smiled. "As a matter of fact, I'll be making up the invitations this week." Tene wasn't being hesitant. She was just ... hungry. She continued her vigil of Corine, gaze fastened mainly on the woman's throat.
Corine nods softly to Leoxander as she finds her mouth saying words that she hasn't yet admitted to anyone, "Yes... Anni.... she has been missing for quiet sometime now.... my ex fiancé took off with her, and he hasn't been back to Hollow since..."
Tenebrae licked her lips. And smiled, a bit more.
Corine smiles softly to Tene, knowing what she wanted and understanding that, but still not wanting to be fed off of.
Leoxander was oblivious, since Tenebrae had mentioned she'd come prepared. Leaning sideways in his seat, his eyes lingered on Corine, as well. He was too lazy to move just yet. "Why don't you hire someone to find her..?"
Tenebrae 's chair scraped back as the necromancer rose, her movements suddenly more lithe, as though the alcohol's effects had simply ... vanished. Moving 'round behind Corine, she leaned in, the woman's voice a provocative purr in the sharp elven ear. "You're very pretty..."
Corine said to Leoxander, "He left hollow, it's useless.... there's a million different places he could be, and after two month... I don't think there’s any chance of seeing her alive again.... " Her gaze falls softly to the floor, sadness lurking in them for a second, before she puts it away for another time and she looks to Leo and Tene.
Corine looks surprised at Tene, quick movements, wincing for a millisecond, before calming walking away to the other side of Leo, hoping Tene would come to her senses.
Leoxander listened to the response, though his attention was drawn up toward Tenebrae's approach. Sitting upright slowly in his chair, he reached back for his bottle, nearly tipping it over before skilled reflexes helped him snag hold of the neck just in time. Watching between the two, it was lifted to his lips warily.
Tenebrae 's eyes had taken that wolfish hue, fading to a near-white, the rim darkening to stand in stark contrast. She didn't seem perturbed as the elf moved off. Rather, the vampiress was eerily serene, the whole of her attention on the woman.
Corine sort of climbs into Leo's lap, knowing that he was probably to drunk to care and hoping it would keep Tene from attacking her.
Leoxander had turned to face her at his right, therefore, by moving to his left, she had sort of rounded behind him. He started to sit up with a wince, bottle set to the edge of the table... until he had a elf climbing in his lap, and groaned when she sat down on him a little... wrong. "Oy. What's the friggen idea? Tenebrae, bloody quit scarin' her..." Duo colored eyes rolled, all full from his meal and liquor, and now he had someone using him for a chair? Hopefully she wouldn't smother if he passed out.
Tenebrae 's lips compressed, briefly to a thin line, as she stooped to retrieve a bottle from her pack. In what could only be called utter silence, she took her chair again, cork pulled and wine raised to her lips.
Corine sighs softly, not yet retreating from Leoxander's lap as she looks at Tene, "Im sorry.... It's just... I don't like to be fed off of.. bad memories..."
Leoxander shoved the elf over a bit so that she wasn't crushing his groin, but settled more to one knee, at least. He'd have preferred she get off, but he didn't wanna offend her or hurt her feelings, and she seemed, afraid. "Tene... the wine not doin' it..?" Maybe more honestly than he'd intended, concern sounded in his roguish vocals. He watched the necromancer carefully, a moment.
Tenebrae kept sipping her wine. Less sipping really, than draining the bottle. She looked on, impassively.
Leoxander was waiting for some acknowledgement. Would she really ignore the question?
Corine looks to watch Tene from Leo's lap but speaks to him, trying to keep him coherent, "When do you set sail?"
Tenebrae said, "I'm perfectly fine." The voice was flat in tone, had a sort of rough burr to it. "No need to worry."
Corine doesn't move, wanting to run as she trembles slightly in Leo's lap, but knowing that if she did, Tene probably wouldn't be able to control herself.
Leoxander stared toward Tenebrae, something of hope fading from his eyes with the worry, to leave them dull, again. In fact, his eyes almost seemed to darken, to something of a glare toward the Necromancer, and when Corine snuggled closer, Leo suddenly knit his brow and pressed his palms into the woman's back and ribs, roughly shoving her off his lap, onto the floor. Poor Corine, wrong place at the wrong time. Or, she'd crossed him on a bad moment. With a slight unsteady sway, he stood, pushing away from the table, though not without grabbing the bottle off of it. "Fine, I won't." A pack slung over his shoulder, and he grabbed his hat. Maybe because he was drunk, or even so, he felt the cold wall she put up between them.
Corine skittered to the floor. She pushes herself up quickly and runs outside, just to stand there, hoping Tene won't follow and the pain that Leo always causes her will be left behind.
Tenebrae took another bottle from the table, blinking slowly. "You'd leave me, then?"
Leoxander shoved the bottle into his pack after punching the cork deep into the neck of it once more. "This hurts too damn much." Strictly business, or something. That's what would keep him from feeling that familiar sickness in his stomach. The dragon's blood hadn't worked at all. "I can't keep this up. Gods, woman, I don't live that bloody long..." Was he saying he was wasting his time trying to stay close to her? Well, it was getting hard to hear much of anything, with his tired murmur. He shrugged on his pack and stomped, stumbled, then.. eventually walked to the door.
Corine walks back in, not sure if this was a good idea, but not wanting to stand outside anymore, not knowing.
Tenebrae raised her feet to the chair, one arm clasping round them, bottle still held in the other hand. She lowered her head, nodded. "I'm sorry." She raised the bottle toward her mouth, stopped, and slid it to the table. "I understand ..."
Leoxander was already on his way out. It had started a good night, but he was also pretty good at feigning indifference, even laughter. Slipping passed the elf, the tavern door thumped heavily behind him. Solitude once more, not even Jack followed him into the street.
Tenebrae 's lip was raised in a feral snarl at the reappearance of the elf. "You really -do- want to have your throat torn out, don't you?" Tene was a messy feeder.
Corine exits south.
Tenebrae had caught up to him, hand reached to clasp his shoulder, a tug that would have him turning to face her, quite easily. He might feel the tremor in her fingers at that touch. "You said you wouldn't."
Leoxander hadn't made it far, but the place he did finally sink down into a seat at was dark, quiet, smelled bad but he'd dealt with worse. Alcohol would numb his senses first, then his memories, and that worked fine for him. Sliding down a slimy, mossy wall, he ignored the moldy odor and lift the bottle, working on the cork with a drop of his eyes. The center of his brow was furrowed in concentration, or maybe some sort of ache or discomfort. Jaw clenched in a manner that had the edges defining sharper. Leoxander didn't look up when she caught up. He didn't feel like walk anymore. "Wouldn't what?"
Tenebrae said, "Wouldn't leave me." There was an accusation in her tone. "But if I'm so bloody horrible, so painful to be around as you say, perhaps I shouldn't be here."
Leoxander couldn't get the bottle open, he'd drove it too hard. Letting it shatter on stone after rolling a few feet of way, his hands lifted, threading into his hair with head bowed, tense. "...I just want you." His eyes lifted to the necromancer, and his angry expression was betraying him for something a little weaker. "You're on this pedestal, ouch of my reach. And no matter how many times I tell myself that..." Fingers curled into fists, finally opening up somewhat, to somebody. "I... I can't stop." His head sunk down again, caught only by hands, clutching messy hair. There, it had taken being drunk and incoherent but if she understood that... well, it was said.
Tenebrae 's lips parted to speak, and closed again. She'd not expected that, to be spoken so bluntly. Eyes, still faintly rimmed in darkness though approaching their normal hue, shimmered as she blinked down at him and turned her own back to the wall, sliding to squat beside him. "I'm not out of your reach, Leo. I'm ..." She glanced around the mildewed space. "On no pedestal. But I can't love you." Her voice sounded tight, strained. "I mean, I can't be your ..." She was making matters worse, she knew. Half-turning toward him, gentle fingers swept the blond swathe from his eyes. "I've been selfish, haven't I?"
Leoxander lifted his own dark eyes, shadowed from lack of good sleep, to her. Every time she said those words it twisted the knots a little harder, but was he even asking her that much? Love was something he didn't even understand. When she brushed away hair, she'd see the restrained pain that not many other people had ever seen. And never for the same reasons. "What do you want me to do, Mistress..?" The title was weaker, this time, too somber to be a jest. "..Go hungry? Starve? Following a mirage every time I see a faint flicker of hope in this desert?" Duo colored eyes lowered, then closed. He was too tired to talk too much more.
Tenebrae shook her head gently. "I'd not want that for you..." The next blink sent crimson welling down her cheek. Her own chest was tight, stinging. "I'd never want to hurt you, Leo." She flipped the opening of her pack, woolen blanket, warm and soft, taken from it. Shaking it open, she drew it 'round him. "And my selfishness is this: I can't bear the thought of you leaving me, of not seeing you anymore. Can you forgive for that?" Her fingers stroked his brow. "All I want to do is take care of you." She didn't know why, exactly. Wasn't a desire she experienced all that often. "But neither can I bear to have you so unhappy." Tucking the blanket a little further across his shoulders, she smiled faintly. "I don't think I'm doing you any good."
Leoxander couldn't help himself. He was... desperate. Something the rogue had never remembered being victim to beside. When her arms wrapped around his shoulders, even if only to draw the blanket over his frame, he leaned nearer to her. "...You don't hold me, or touch me, anymore..." He wasn't trying to rub her face in guilt with those words, but they were sleepily murmured with his head tilting in to try to nuzzle nearer her throat. "Once you kissed me like it made you happy... Now I can't get you that near for anything..." And she couldn't deny that he'd certainly tried.
Tenebrae 's cheeks were stained, her sadness too profound for words. Slender arms went round his shoulders, drawing him close as she lowered herself to sit on the ground properly. One palm, rested at the back of his head, made gentle pressure to have him brought to rest against her. "Leo .." Her voice was a whisper. "Dear Cap'n. Don't fret, I'm here for you." Fingers stroked through that shock of blond hair, words offered in a soothing murmur. "I'm as near you as I can be."
Leoxander knew, in a way, she was humoring him. Making up whatever guilt he'd pressed in the only way she could. Tomorrow he'd wake up and probably feel miserable again. But for that night, even in those foul environments, his head was coaxed to rest against her shoulder and automatically, his eyes closed. Warm-blooded weight sank little by little until he completely relaxed against her, and for the first time in awhile, through alcohol, or because of her comfort, he fell asleep against her, to sleep well.
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Post by Joliette Thorne on Dec 27, 2006 9:33:38 GMT -5
Finally, the strain becomes too much...
Tenebrae hadn't been looking for him - at least, she'd swear to it, if asked. But since she'd spotted him, she could hardly just walk by, could she? The vampiress lingered in the doorway, her expression soft, eyes luminous in the little candle-light that reached that place.
Leoxander was there, unfortunately for her. The guardhouse was empty, save the rogue, and a few dwarves either bleeding out or knocked unconscious by his brief temper. Now, alone, he was a lot calmer, with his back to the door, seated at the table the armored guards had been playing cards on. He flipped over cards boredly, masked features bowed, turning a game of gin into solitaire.
Tenebrae cleared her throat quietly. It always paid to give Leo warning, when his back was turned. "Leo ..." She'd worried, all that day, about the effect her words of the night before might've had on the rogue. He would have no idea, of course, what it had cost her, to speak to him that way. To speak down to one of the few living creatures she valued. But if his hatred was the price for pulling Leo out of the spin he was in, she'd pay it.
Leoxander was hardly snuck up on. He paused when he heard the clearing of throat, and from her position, she'd see a glimpse of blue through messy blonde hair in his eyes, even if his head barely turned to cast the look over his shoulder. By the time he heard her voice, he returned to his pointless card game, not speaking a word in return so far. His gaze stayed lowered to the revealed numbers, colors, shapes.
Tenebrae, she felt, had said more than enough lately; intruded on him, wounded his pride... among other things. She wasn't about to make matters any worse by forcing a conversation he obviously didn't want to have. But, she was stubborn. So she stood in that doorway, arms folded, head leant to the frame and watched him a while. It was good enough for her. At least she had her eye on him.
Leoxander knew she was there, and she probably wouldn't leave. Part of him wished she would, of course, the other part of him wanted her only to come closer. "Look..." His voice was broken, he couldn't help that. He hadn't spoken to anyone in a good while, but anyone else, he might have been able to muster a voice deeper and more solid than what she'd hear. But it was an attempt. "...Just don't say anything else. You've opened my eyes, alright..?" Leo couldn't bring himself to look back at her. "...Just... don't... say anything else..." ...'Please'... he thought that last word to himself, forgetting to care about cards. His hand rested to the table slowly.
Tenebrae didn't leave, or come closer. She kept to the doorway and, per his request, kept her silence, too. He hadn't demanded she leave as yet, so took it as a at least a sign all was not lost, and as much as she wanted to cross that room and drape her arms to his shoulders, make a joke, make him laugh again... she merely stood, cool peridot gaze watching his back.
Leoxander missed his dog. But Jack knew better than to depend on a human who couldn't even take care of himself, to take care of him. The silence was far worse, and he knew it would be. It made him think, relive memories, and regret. But with her standing right there, behind him, in view and damn near in reach, it was worse. To be weak in front of her again would just drive everything she'd said home. But his mind blanked from the card game, and he set what he held down, curling fingers around the blood touched dagger laying on the table near. Bracing his weight on his arms, he lowered the side of his head against the bicep of a folded arm, driving the tip of the blade against the wood surface to peel shavings of the table away. She'd leave at any moment now... he just had to keep his mouth shut, and refuse to give into the want to look at her. So far, he managed, but how long would that last..?
Tenebrae wasn't going anywhere. Not until he drove her off, or indicated she was welcome. She saw him shift in his seat, take up the knife. How acutely was he feeling her presence? Did he care, anymore, whether she was there or not? Her next breath emerged a soft sigh, the necromancer's slight weight shifted from one foot to the other. However it went, there was no way she was leaving him to his own devices after last night's episode. If he couldn't take care of himself, she'd do it for him, directly or indirectly, whatever it took.
Leoxander felt his heart twist at the sound, but he mistook it completely. The sigh, the shift of her footing.... his face turned to bury in his arm with a wipe of his brow and eyes against the ruined sleeve, and he knew then she was leaving. It was what he wanted, he thought, but at the moment where... if she HAD left... he'd catch that last glimpse of her, he lifted his head with bitter tears in his eyes, to look directly at her, half turning abruptly. The move almost appeared as though he were prepared to stand, and chase her down, but instead of seeing the ends of her skirt or hair disappearing around the corner, the silent necromancer was still standing right there, and she'd be given front row view to the heartbroken look that was too much in his eyes for the mask to hide, completely. With his hands gripped against blade and table, froze in that position, his heart hammered against his chest and he held his breath. She... definitely wasn't supposed to see him start to run after her...
Tenebrae had been prepared for pretty much anything, except ... that look on his face, the shine of moisture in his eyes. Almost startled by his abrupt movement, her own eyes widened a little, locked to his, and like two animals trapped in the light of the other they remained, for what seemed a very long time, before Tene stepped forward with a fluid stride, her pace quickening with every step, and came to a halt in front of him. Her features still held that self-contained calm, as her fingers reached to push the hair from his eyes. Her inner state ... well, that was a different matter.
Leoxander would only feel his heart quicken when she came to him. And in the way she did so, he wanted to crawl up to his feet, cross the room to her before she could get away, and collect her in his arms. But... Leo was suddenly cold. Freezing. That had to be it, because his jaw tensed to keep teeth from chattering, he felt a shiver suddenly course his body, and his muscles were locked from that icy chill, refusing to work. Duo colored eyes rose - still seated, her height would for once outdo his own. And there he was, left to look up to her from the edge of that seat when she paused, still clutching the end of the table a moment longer as if he still had intentions of getting up. There wasn't any hope of hiding the vague glaze of moisture in his eyes, especially when his hair was brushed away to clarify view of his vision. The clatter of a knife sounded as it hit the floor, landing sideways, and that hand started to reach for the front of whatever garments she wore. If only he could just touch her, grasp hold of her, and hold on forever...
Tenebrae 's own eyes were starting to well crimson, in that suspended moment before he brought his hand up toward her. His anger, she could manage, though the risk was always that it might spark her own. His silence, she could match. But his tears ... they ate at the very foundation she stood on. The first sanguine drop had escaped over ebon lashes to trail down the pallid plane of her cheek, when the knife fell to the floor, the glance averted seeming to break that silent spell. When she looked back, he was reaching for her. She prayed, then, in some quiet corner of her awareness, that this moment might be ... a healing one.
Leoxander curled his fingers into fabric. Whatever it may be. Folds of velvet, the end laces of a corset... even if it meant digging fingers into the cut of fabric to brush knuckles against bare skin. Somehow, Leo got ahold of her, with both hands, in a manner that anyone walking in would swear to be the human begging for his life, at her hands. The pull was slight, just enough to bring her a step closer, and with his gaze locked on her own, watching the fall of tears, his chest expanded with a breath to speak. Just one question would do. One last time. He refused to let that moisture spill down his own cheeks, so he didn't blink much, or hard. "Tenebrae..." The taste of her name on his tongue was like a blade against that soft texture, stinging, splitting muscled flesh open to make him want to studder, and slur. "I..." His deep voice cracked on the very first word, making him pause, knuckles white in the tense and desperate clutch he finally had on her. "...I can't ...ever have you... can I..?" Managing to keep hold on the fraying threads of his composure, he wouldn't, however, manage that question in anything more than a deep whisper for her ears alone.
Tenebrae 's slender palm was brought to rest against his roughened cheek, cradling it, her thumb stroking the curve of his lip, in almost the same way his own calloused thumb had caressed her skin at the cliff-top, what seemed like an age ago, now. Her composure was lost as he spoke, a voiceless sob wracking her sight form, as she shook her head, dumbly. Knowing the agony she'd caused, was still causing, had her losing her strength, too, and she sank to her knees before him, arms folding across those lanky legs of his, her face buried to the comfort of them, she wept, slender shoulders heaving with the force of her sorrow.
Leoxander 's head bowed as if he were mourning the life of something lost. In a way, it was true. She answered him in the only way she was able, but he was waiting for anything, any sort of given answer, to take to heart this time. Once, he'd asked her if she wanted him to give it up. Now, he knew her decision. His grip on her clothing was lost when she knelt, and he stared down at the woman he could never have. Unable to stop himself, his fingers went for glossy ebon strands, rough, worn fingerprints threading through lengthy tresses in silent admiration. It would be the last time he'd ever be allowed such pleasures. And for now, all he could do was let her cry; something he couldn't allow himself.
Tenebrae canted her head against those fingers, the strength of them, while her own sluiced the bloodied tracks of tears from her eyes as she raised her face to him. Her voice was thickened, hoarse, words interspersed with sniffs. "I love you, you know. Not ... the way you want me to. But the way a person loves another, when they know that person can see inside them, like there's a window only they can see, looking into the other's soul. That's how it is with you, Leo. That's why I can't let you go, why I keep coming back." She hoped he might still stroke his hair, for the comfort it gave her. "When I feel a barrier between us, it's like my very self is being torn in two." Her smile was faint. "I sound like a madwoman..."
Leoxander couldn't smile, even faintly. It was terrible to subject her to that expression he wore, but he couldn't cast even a vague hint of joy on his features. The hope she'd kept burning slightly was fading, flickering, leaving just a trail of wisp in memory of the things he could no longer allow himself to feel. Listening, and respectfully silent (or maybe he couldn't find his voice, yet), his fingers continued to pet the length of onyx threads, woven into the thick mane he so often had fantasized combing his fingers through. Now, he did so without any emotion to the process. The words she spoke now contrasted sharply with everything she'd said last night, burned into his memory, even through the fog of alcohol. When his voice sounded, he appeared to be talking to himself, or maybe he was whispering his thoughts out loud. His gaze was unfocused and dull. "...You told me not to give up..." And the question that he didn't ask out loud was burning in glazed eyes when they targeted her features, half turned to view, slowly. Why? Why had she ever said that?
Tenebrae understood then. The terrible consequence, of her speaking from her heart, without thought. "Oh..." Her dismay was exhaled, with that sound. "Leo, I meant ... I meant, don't turn away from me, altogether. Don't give up on -me- even if things became difficult. Stay with me, part of my life, of myself; love me, in a way that won't hurt either of us...." She looked dangerously close to tears again. "I had no idea, how very much you ... " She had to stop there. Looked down. Her finger traced the crimson stains on his knee. "I ruined your pants."
Leoxander swallowed hard as she spoke, the front of his throat shifting the adam's apple as if it was the cause of the tight, constrictive way he felt it close up on him every time he tried to speak. His head dipped in a nod, still combing those glossy strands back away from her face, not wanting to dampen them with red tears, even when she looked up. He couldn't meet her eyes, though, especially when she realized, just then it seemed, what exactly she was asking him to deny. She wanted him to lie about how he felt. So the rogue would do so, like a professional. "...I won't leave you." These were the soft spoken words he managed, before his hand, trembling some, moved away from her hair. As she had to stop there, so did he. Leo didn't want to suffer nightmares with the lingering sensation of her mane through his fingers, those were always the worst. Looking down at his tear stained thighs and knees of the pants worn, he just stared there silently, obviously not overly concerned about something so.. material, at a time like that. Leo was preparing to rip his own heart out and leave it behind.
Tenebrae drew up a little, as thought that softly spoken affirmation had returned something to her, some inner strength. Lowering again, to sit on her heels, she canted her head a little, peridot gaze meeting his crimson and azure. "Promise me, you'll start looking after yourself a bit? I've been sick with worry. Eat, you know? Cut back on the booze. Get yourself fit, for our crew, our ship." That ship ... it had become something of a great white hope for her, too, it seemed. "I'll not have you fall off one of those big sail-poles, because you were on the sauce the night before." She nodded affirmatively. "Plus, you look horrible without a shave. Your face all rough like that. Looks like you glued a cat to your face, and tore it off again." If he was looking, he's see a little of that former wicked glint return to her eye, the teasing in it. She wanted her Leo back.
Leoxander would try, for her sake, but for one more night he would feel needles in his heart; it would take time to transform that vulnerable organ to something akin to stone, or ice. But damn if he would let this happen to him again, ever. He couldn't smile, but when his eyes lifted to hers, briefly, still a source of tears he held onto and refused to let build beyond control, he did say something that might give her reason to believe he'd be alright. He corrected her terminology, in a broken whisper... "...Mast." Big sail-pole made him want to laugh. But that would just remind him how adorable she could be. Slowly, he stood, after curling his fingers around the fallen blade to jam it into the sheath at his hip. Only a few words of explanation were given, before he walked away from her, prepared to leave her only for the moment, since forever was not an option. "...I gotta go find Jack." It was funny, but without the dog, Leo seemed half the person he normally was.
Tenebrae nodded, and was glad."That's a good idea, it really is. I've missed him." She brought herself to her feet, collecting up her pack. "Thankyou, Leo." Simple words of parting.
Leoxander couldn't bring himself to speak a syllable. For one more night he'd hate the world around him, but then... well, he'd just have to try to get over it, and trudge on. Not so much for his own sake, but other reasons...
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