Post by Pandora LeAmour on Jun 19, 2009 0:03:32 GMT -5
Pandora LeAmour
Tathar Seregon
Dian
Hajia Portier
Location: The Square
Time: An hour after sunset
She spent the last hour changing into a simple but beautiful gown. Something she had not bothered with before. Her appearances were never the more important things to focus on, but today Pandora took extra care to look... Well, like a girl.
Perhaps it was because she didn't feel so girly lately, perhaps the Smithy had something to do with it. Either way, she traded in the usual trousers and bland grey gowns for something more... pleasant appearing.
The deep blue set off the paleness of her own skin, and made the icy blue in her eye's stand out. She even took pains to have one of the servants from the Castle come over and pin her hair. Sometimes a little makeover served wonders for the soul. If she still had one.
Now she was tucked snuggly in the quiet darkness of the Library. ever since she brought the Lycan up here two nights ago, it held a certain comforts for her that her own quarters simply didn't provide. Perhaps it was time to have those chambers decorated. They had so long been bland and simple.
As it was, the guards stationed throughout the Tower knew where the Master of the City could be located, should she be needed, thus she was quite content in the chair that she had one of the servants lower down via pully from her own private quarters.
Though vampires had little need to sit comfortably, she found herself tucked into a ball, her stockings drawn up underneath the three layered gown, that blasted stack of parchments on the floor besider her. One by one, she read through a transcript and sorted it on the floor around her chair. Then she would scoop up the next parchment, settle back into her nook, and read. Repeating each time she reached the end of the page.
Finally he was finished, holding the blade up and peering down it's almost flawlessly merged edge. It was still straight, the heat having not warped the old sword as he had thought it might, and for that he was thankful. He would have to have a sheath made, now, though as he was unwilling to let it rest against him in it's current, freshly sharpened state. He didn't want to cause himself injury by it accidentally slicing through his shirt as he walked.
Lowering the parchment she had just finished, the last of the stack she thought would never end, Pandora glanced around the silent room. It wasn't elagantly decorated either, so why was she insistant on staying here rather then in her own private quarters.
Just then, an idea came to her, and Pandora sprang from her chair, her silent slippered feet carring her across the room, around one of the bookshelves and to the table where always there was quilted pen and parchment.
She then, standing there and leaning over the table, began to scribe.
He set it aside now, glancing to the dying coals as his mind moved to things...He began to debate whether or not he would go to the Tower this eve, with his new toy, of course, and attempt to force her to understand, but that was likely a very bad idea. He wouldn't go for the kill, but it was likely that the guards would see it otherwise, and while he was willing to risk great pain and injury for the end result that he hoped for, dying wasn't an option. He looked then to the back room where he had slept last night, and at the slight bit of dark green fabric that hung through the doorway.
When she finished the scribing, Pandora carefully folded the letter and, carrying it with her, crossed the Library once more to the drop. She barely landed before she was moving again, from Williams Room, down the short hall, and into the Meeting Room, where her stamp waited her.
Carefully sealing the parchment, Pandora then prepaired to summon a carrier to bring it into town, then thought better of it. Might as well deliver it personally, so that she could use it as an excuse to escape the walls of the Tower.
Returning from the direction she came, Pandora stepped into Williams room and before she even had the chance to state her plans, William was already brustling about to fetch her cloak. Fastening it on, she then waited patiently while he struggled with the lock, and opened the door for her.
Slipping out, Pandora walked the length of the Tower, her hands busily drawing up her hood as she went. When she was directly infront of it, and on the path, Pandora turned towards the square, allowing the hood of her deep blue cloak to fall around her shoulders once more.
He stood and moved to the barrel of water, splashing some of it on his face. The heat inside was stifling, and he felt cooped up, so he moved to the door, opening it to allow for the exchange of even more cool air. He felt a shiver slightly as a slight breeze moved inside, and he relished it for a moment before turning around and standing once more at the anvil, running his hand almost lovingly across the sword where it lay, keeping his touch well away from the silver...While such short exposure wouldn't have any lasting damage to him, it caused slight discomfort, and he didn't want that right now, his hand coming to a stop on the handle.
Her footsteps were silent, though who in their right mind would listen for them? Honestly, the path wasn't all that busy just yet, for though it was after sunset, it wasn't quite past dinner hour and thus most drunkards would still be settled in at their wives tables, listening to the children tell of tall tales.
Either way, Pandora's trip from the Tower through the skirts of Tranquility, and into the square made great time, and as she approached the shops, she certainly made point to slow down her steps.
She watched the days workers begin the process of packing up for the evening, politely smiling and giving curt nods as she went, but she never stopped. Even as she passed the Smithary, her steps slowed but never came to rest. Heck, she adverted her eye's to the other side of the lane when she passed by the open door, knowing perfectly well the Lycan was in.
*finishing stocking the shelves with the bottles and jugs of Dian's brews... I sigh as I move to the manager's office calling to Thar to hold the bar down... I need to make a list of what is needed as far as traded goods... Dian makes a excellent assortment but elven wine is low an a few special ales kept on hand for special visitors*
For a moment, just a split second, he thought he heard a cloak swish as if someone was moving by his shop, and then a certain scent, ever so small, met his nostrils, making him turn and peer out into the shadow covered village, looking for the source of it, but apparently she had gone by the time he'd noticed, and it made him sigh. Perhaps the vampire wanted nothing more to do with him after all.
She was actually heading for the Tavern. It seemed the perfect place to post up the letter she had just scribed but moments ago, and as she slipped in the door, her eye's skirted around in search of one of the sisters. Her eye's fell upon Obsi, and Pandora quickly crossed the room, aware that the eyes of those few patrions that were in had spotted her. Not exactly appropiate, a well dressed lady entering a tavern alone. Not that Pandora had any wories, but still.
He moved to take his sword in hand, not feeling comfortable at the moment, so he walked to the back room, small as it was, and sat down on the broken remains of his cot. It wasn't much better than standing, but it did offer a little more comfort, so he lay down, propping up the weapon in the corner so it was close enough to grab should something happen. He thought, for a moment, about getting out that small leatherbound book and trying to write a page or two in it, but he didn't know what to say, so he just lay there, staring at the ceiling.
*seeing you my silver eyes light up I pause and move to stand before you... I curtsy and smile my words soft and husky with almost a low growl in my excitement* Greetings Master, you look quite lovely tonight *smiles*
She gave a brisk nod of her head, mentally stating a thankyou without moving her lips.
She could have easily pushed the nail in with her finger, but how would the patrions take that?
So instead, she stood there waiting until the shapeshifter fetched these stupid items for her.
*nods and quickly moves to the bar reaching under... I pull out a hammer and frown as I pull out my last 6 nails... I will have to get more... rising with gentle grace not flowing like Dian's movements but definately a gentle movement of one sure of themself and their surroundings... I grab a man's arm as I come around the bar and turn him back to the bar* The lady doesn't wish to hear your war story, Amthar.
*moves to you with an easy lope and a smile on my lips* A hammer and six nails Master. *my voic quite enough no one but you and the staff the nonhumans can hear me*
Taking the hammer and a single nail from Obsi, she then crossed the Tavern once more and stood just inside the door. Very carefully, she placed the parchment against the wall, and stuck a nail into it. Then she looked around. How the heck do people do this? Why, you'd need three hands to hold the parchment against the wall, hold the nail in place, and swing the hammer.
She was still trying to figure it out when one of the men within the Tavern approached her to see if she'd like some help. She instantly fought back the snide remark that threatened to jump from her lips, and gave a small nod, as if she were too shy to talk. Actually, if she had opened her mouth she'd probably snap something about how a Meal wasn't about to help her, thus it was probably best she remained silent.
Taking a step back, Pandora handed first hammer, then nail and finally parchment to the Meal, and waited, forcing herself to look at least somewhat shocked at the way he slowly described each move he made, teaching her how to use the stupid manmade tool.
The Parchment read
As he finished and looked back over his shoulder at her, Pandora caught his eyesight and glamoured him into thinking she smiled. Then she gave a polite thank you, and even flirtingly brushed his shoulder, before holding her hands out for the hammer.
He laughed and returned the blasted tool to her, and without another word, Pandora faced away from him and started towards Obsi once more. Handing the 'self strength' tool back to her, she gave a brisk nod of her head once more and left her standing there, hammer in hand, as she headed for the door.
*doesn't look with shock as the man approaches nor wince when I sense how you might react to his lesson... I just simply stand there my eyes to the floor until you return the hammer to me... I raise silver orbs to you and give a quick curtsy as a mere merchant like me may do for a Lady of stature like you... a soft smile on my lips. As you leave I follow so I may read the missive after you leave* Be well Master.[/b][/u]
Laying there on the cot, nothing much to do since he could no longer work under threat of angering every villager in hearing range, he just started to count the grains of the wood on the ceiling, trying to see how many different and varied patterns and designs he could see and discover. Oddly enough, it was a method he used commonly when lacking the mindpower to create an original design from scratch, as it allowed his imagination, however little he may have whenever he needed to do so, to graft them for him at an innocent glance.
Pandora clearly caught her words, and as she stepped out of the Tavern and into the night, her right hand came up to gesture, as if a wave over her shoulder. She then scanned the path, and slipping her hand back underneath the deep blue cloak, began walking again.
She took the same route she had used to reach the Tavern back to towards the tower. This time, however, when she passed the Smithary, it's door open, she peered inside. She did not, however, see the Lycan, but she could smell him. Probably fast asleep in that dreadful little room with the broken cot, his door wide open as if waiting to be robbed blind.
Pausing a moment at the doorway, Pandora's eye's scanned the small room of the Smithary, seeing if there was anything worthy of an unauthorized borrow. There was nothing. So, thumping her hand on the door, Pandora turned and continued her slow pace past the smithary, approaching the new carpentry, who's lights were out for the night, and eventually she would reach the edge of the Square and head for home.
He heard that swish sound again, though this time it was followed by a thumping sound, and against his own door, no less. Was someone trying to rob him...? Oh he hoped so...It would give him a chance and excuse to test the new edge to his sword, and this he grabbed, making sure to keep as silent as he possibly could, dashing out of the back room and into the main area, but upon seeing nothing or anyone there he moved out into the street, only to see her, grip tightening on the hilt"No hello?"[/b][/u]
She froze. Hearing his voice seemed to have that effect on her, and very slowly she turned to face him. Oh, what a sight he was, standing there with sword in hand. Keeping her face expressionless, and forcing her tone of voice to match, she curtly greeted him with a hello.
That was it. The only movement came from within her cloak as the fingers on her left hand toyed with the dagger strapped to her wrist. She said nothing more, and yet she didn't move. Instead choosing to stand there, looking expressionlessly at him.
He didn't really know what to do next...Here she was, standing right in front of him, acting as cold as ever like nothing had ever happened. Oh how he wanted to make that face show something, anything, just anything that resembled emotion, be it joy or sadness or anger or even pain, and he raised the sword, pointing the curved end toward her, the torchlight nearby dancing along the wicked silver teeth of the serrated blade, as well as along the rest of the length of it. He had no idea what to say, so he merely said what first came to mind"What were you doing at my shop...?"[/b][/u]
Pandora remained expressionless, as if she didn't even see the aggressive move he made raising his sword. Infact, she took a step forward, the tip of the silver just an inch away fron her bossom. God, that hurt even from this distance, but still her face remained unreadable. Her voice, as if speaking from a trance, greeted his question.
No, she wouldn't call him Lycan, simply because other's could hear. But no way was she calling him by his name again. Staring directly ahead, she took another extreamly small step towards him, the blasted painful silver finally making a slight touch of contact against the ruffle of her gown.
Even through the material she could feel it. Her first instint was to back away. Her second, to draw her oow. Instead, very calmly, she spoke again.
He stared at her....Into those cold eyes...She had never tried to do anything before, so he figured that he might as well show her that he at least trusted her, even if she did treat him so very disrespectfully....and hurtfully...He twisted the sword, bringing the cutting edge within a hair's breadth away from her neck ever so slowly, though it would never touch her skin...He just didn't know what to do, or how to go about it. They were in the open...exposed...so it wasn't like he could very well just spill it out right here just in case some other NightWorlder was nearby and within earshot"Perhaps."[/b][/u]
Finally, an expression crossed her face, or just barely of one. Her eyebrows arched. Just that. Her lip didn't twitch, the distant look in her eye's didn't shift. Two fuzzys rose. Thats all. But at least it was a movement.
Her tone wasn't cocky. Wasn't frightened. Wasn't anything but monotoned. Out of touch. Nonchalant, if you will.
shifting her cloak down a little bit so it rested in the crook of her elbows, and running loosly in a U around her back, she tilted her head ever so slightly, so that the side of her neck in which the sword was located was exposed. With her hair pinned up, there was nothing there but the bare painted exposure of skin from her hairline around her ears, to the ruffled blue of her gown that snugged each forearm, her shoulders exposed.
Her arms hung at her side, bent at the elbow to support the draped cloak. Feet somewhere beneath the helm of that gown she had spent so much time slipping on, evenly spaced.
He clenched his teeth, baring them at her as she made such a bold move. Did she have a death wish? Did she want to die? Or did she simply think that he didn't have the nerve to do it....With a mere flick of his wrist he would be able to make it quick and clean, and his hand twitched ever so slightly...He wanted to...he felt that he had to....but if she was assuming that he wouldn't be able to then she was right, and he felt shamed....He did not have the heart to kill her, a mortal enemy, because his heart told him otherwise, and he withdrew it from her, letting the large blade stick into the ground at his feet...He didn't care whether or not there were guards...If there were, they would provide him with the necessary outlet for the rage he was feeling right now.
She finally focused her eyes, but not at Tathar. Instead, she turned her gaze behind him to where her two escorts stood, their own swords at the ready in their hands. Silently, she held up a hand, her palm outward.
Pandora then turned her gaze back to the Lycan, choosing to look at his chest rather then his face. Her eyebrows had lowered and her face took on that expressionless wonder once more.
Without waiting for his reply, she spoke louder, so the guards would have little trouble hearing her.
And then she fell silent, letting that last sentence sink in before she slowly began to turn from him once more.
An apology. Of course, it meant nothing. They were, afterall, in the open and to everyone else, she was simply an average young lady.
And once more, she kept the mortals pace, slowly walking further through the square, intent to head for the Garden. Suddenly, she didn't feel like going back to the Tower. No, a quiet moment in the garden may be just what she needed.
The guards shouldered past the Smithy and followed at a respectable distance behind.
His lips curled back once more as the men shouldered past him...How very, very rude...He wasn't about to let the chance to speak with her pass by so easily just like that...No, they were going to share words, armed guards or not...Though he did much prefer that they weren't around for their conversation...And since when did she have escorts, anyway? Was she expecting someone, maybe him, to attack her? He shook the thought away, clipping the hilt of the sword into the harness that he wore under his shirts, the small protrusion justting out from behind his neck and just a little lower allowing him to keep it there relatively safely, even though it did sway a lot when he moved, and he hoped that it wouldn't cut through his shirt and into himself right now, because that would most likely end badly for all parties involved. No, he moved foreward, sword swaying at his back dangerously, using his size to his advantage and attempting to bowl right between the guards, an arm out at each side to allow for a little push which if he managed to do so would no doubt send them to the ground so as not to attract too much attention to himself"We need to talk."
She would have stopped again at his words, if they had not followed the oof and grunt as her guards landed squarely on their butts. They were no match for a Lycan, and she had known this, but still she couldn't help but roll her eyes mentally as they two of them quickly brustled about to rise to their feet.
Pandora once again held up her hand, stopping them from advancing. She glanced, quite pointedly, around the Lycan to where her escorts were now looking rather peeved off and ready to brawl. Then, turning empty eye's back to the Lycans form rather this his face, she spoke.
She stood there, her arms positioned stubbornly on her hips, her face still errily absent of any emotion. Clearly she was waiting for him to apologize to the guards. After all, they were just doing what they are ordered and paid to do.
An apology was what she wanted...? She...the one who had treated him so, evicted him from his home in the middle of the night...Who had granted him a gift, as she had called it, and had taken it away before she even told him about it....If an apology was due, it wasn't on his part, it was to be from her...But he did decide to humor her at the very least, though he didn't plan on actually going through with it the way she had planned...Plus, her guards seemed ready for a fight and so did he....better them than her, in his eyes, and if he could coax them into a rage then by all means, he wanted to"An apology...? For those weaklings...? Fine. I apologise for hurting their feelings. Next time I will make sure that something sharp breaks their fall. Now, where do you want to speak...? Privately."
Pandora held up her left hand a third time since the Lycan stepped out his small shop door. A simple gesture, and the Guards remained where they were, clearly not pleased about it but hey. She was paying them, and they wouldn't be on duty ALL night. The Smithary would be easy to find when their duty was complete.
For someone whom hated her so bloody much, he certainly was trying to speak with her. If she were anyone else, Pandora would have simply dismissed him and carried on her way. She, however, was not. The Master of the City never dismissed a NightWorlder demanding to speak with her, for she never quite knew if the topic of discussion would prove to be valueable.
Oh, if they wanted to come and pay him a visit after their duties to the vampire were finished for the night then they were welcome...He would be sure to show them all the hospitality that he could muster...After all, a long enough period within the burning coals of the forge would reduce all evidence of their visit. If he was going to break the laws, he wasn't going to be stupid enough to get caught for them. As she called herself a lady he nearly laughed...A lady knew how to act when someone spoke to them the way he had the night before...But maybe she was just rusty. After all, he had no idea how old she really and truly was, but he wasn't about to ask. That would just be plain rude of him. He didn't speak, merely stepping to the side and motioning with his hand back toward his shop..He preferred there to be few interruptions and even fewer witnesses to their coming conversation
Pandora gave a brisk nod of her head and, following his gesture, stepped around him towards Hammerfall Forge. As she stepped to the doorway, one of the guards grunted. Pandora clearly read his thoughts, and stepped away allowing him to enter first. His quick glance around the small room took but a moment. The trip to the small room in the back took longer, but eventually he reappeared and stepped back outside. Before entering Pandora turned and spoke to the guards.
Then, turning from them, she stepped into the Smithary and walked halfway across the room to allow the lycan to enter behind her. Turning, she watched for his entry, her face still the mask of emotionless.
He watched patiently as the guard stepped within, no doubt investigating as to whether or not he had anything set up as a possible trap. He didn't, of course, he wasn't an assassin persay, but he knew many, many entertaining uses for the many tools within his shop, having on occasion to use them as implements of torture for a Lord...And for quite a bit of coin, too...It seemed that Smithy's were very valuable members of society, in more ways than one. Once the guard had found the entire area to be to his satisfaction he grinned wickedly to him before following her within, closing the door pointedly as soon as he was inside. Where they were standing at this moment was out of angle for anyone to observe through the windows along the other wall unless they stuck their head in and looked to the left, so he didn't bother to try and close them, instead stepping foreward, a look of pure determination on his features...He was going to get his point across...tonight...no matter what. He removed his sword from his back and tossed it to the floor behind her. He made no attempt to stop, moving in a non-aggressive manner, but backing her up to the wall, making sure that she had no avenue for escape before leaning in quite quickly. He wasn't going to waste this chance, even though he was very likely risking his very head in doing what he was about to do, but the risk was well worth it. The feeling of her cold skin against his face was a testament to the difference of their kinds, but something he was willing to look past, and in a quick movement he pressed his lips to hers, waiting for the consequences that were no doubt to come.
As he advanced on her, she found herself backing up until her bottom rested against the wall behind her. When she could back no more, she waited. Sure, she could have attacked but what good would that have done. The guards simply would have beat the door down and waited for no explination. She didn't want him dead unless he was so by her own hands.
With his face directly infront of her, Pandora instantly raised her hands, palms outstretched infront of her, as if she were going to push him away. The more he leaned forward, the more his chest pushed against her palms, but with her elbows locked she didn't budge.
The lock of his lips on hers, however, had been completely unexpected. She was waiting on an attack, or a sound lashing. A growl even. But this... It froze her place... For about a split second.
Then her left palm abandoned his chest and as her right palm planted against him in a push, her left hook caught him squarely in the chin. She heard the sound of his head turning, and then with right hand, gripped hold of the back of his neck roughly, pulling him back to her where their lips met once more, hard, rough. A mere peck, but painfully so. And then, once again she pushed him back and decked him a second time.
Her voice was low, to ensure the guards outside wouldnt' hear and come breaking in, her expression grim. The corner of her lips had turned down, and her jaw was set. Her eyes, somewhere between furious and floored.
The tone in her voice clearly didn't match her words, and seemed to hint of anything but hope.
For that split second that she allowed it he began to feel a slight, tiny, inkling of hope...Maybe now she would finally understand what his words to her had meant, rather than the perverse way she had mistaken them. That is, until she pushed him back, the first blow causing his head to snap to the side...She was fast, he would give her that, but if she wanted to hurt him she had better hit him a lot harder than that...He started to say something to that effect but she kissed him on her own after returning his head to a foreward position. It held almost no passion whatsoever, but a kiss was a kiss...He would take a win when he could get it. The second blow was expected a little less than the first, so his head turned to the side with greater force than before, but he recovered quickly, standing there with a hgumored look in his eyes. He disreguarded her first words...How dare he, indeed...But her next sentence....It made him think, and he reached up a hand to rub his jaw for a moment, grinning "Aye, I do believe it was pleasant, don't you agree?"[/u][/b]
She scowed at his words, and both pale hands darted out, catching him squarely in the chest just as he finished that sentence. A split second later, he hit the opposite wall, his back just missing the doorframe. A small stab of satisfaction flickered through her briefly as the poor wood seemed to tremble with his impact.
Pandora's left hand then came up to rub the disgusting feel of Lycan off her lips, her eye's aglow glaring at him. He wanted a reaction, and he got one.
She shook her head, her eye's still glaring at him. Her mind was wheeling and if a Vampires mind was going that fast, there was a mighty big picture show going on that only she could see. The entire course of their relationship flashed before her. From the day they met, to the day he aquired the Smithary. The punishment fight. The first stay in the Cells. The playful encounter in the Library. The way he shot her down. And now this. Enough time for him to recover from his little trip across the room.
The noise inside the Smithary caught the attention of Pandora's two escorts positioned outside the door, and it swung open, each of them trying to step through the frame at the same time.
Pandora's eye's flickered red and she glared at them, a simple gesture of her right hand dismissing them back outside. They took one glance around, spotted the Lycan clear across the room and with gleeful chuckles, stepped back outside, closing the door behind them. [/color]
He waited for her response, hoping that she would take it as the joke it had been, as well as hoping that if she didn't that he hadn't offended her too terribly much by saying that....Maybe the smile had been a bit too much. Apparently so, because she shoved him....hard....and he found himself flying through the air and into the wall beside the door, several of his vertebrae popping in protest to the sudden blow, and to be honest, it took the breath out of him for a moment. He liked women who were fiesty, and she had just crowned herself the champion of that little niche, glancing over at the guards as they made their little entrance and matching their giggling with a sneer, her mention of wining and dining making him scoff as he stood up straight, grabbing his shirt and snapping it foreward to clear any dust, soot, or debris from it before advancing again. If she wanted to play rough, then he was going to be nothing if not accomodating. During their last little debate he hadn't aimed for her face, but this time he had no qualms about it. After all, it wasn't like he had claws to scar her with right now, and he threw a thundering punch straight for her jaw, sending her own form hurtling back and into the wall behind her, a humored grin still on his lips. They were evenly matched like this, so if this continued it was likely to go on for quite a while, and the walls could only take so much"My moodswings...? You are the one who seems to be unable to make up your mind on what mood you want to be in at any....given...time."[/b][/u]
OKay, so she hadn't expected that at all. She should have known he'd get all excited at the aggressive move. The Lycan was more like a dog then any other. Kick em, and they still come back for more.
Her back slammed up against the wall behind her, just nearly missing one of the blades on display there. Luckily, she doesn't need to breath, and thus nothing was knocked out of her but the idea that he wouldn't hit a woman. That one went up in smoke, mingling with the dust his unexpected punch stirred up.
Straightening herself and stepping a safe distance away from the sharp objects behind her, Pandora took a moment to adjust the damned gown she elected to wear tonight. From now on, it was strictly mens trousers, no matter who thought it weird.
Planting her feet, Pandora slowly swept her gaze from the floor, across the room, and up his poster until they rested on the tip of his nose. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of looking into his eyes again. Although they held no enchantments, it was said that the eyes were the window to the soul, and she didn't want to risk him finding out she damn near didn't have one.
The back of her left hand came up to brush at her lower lip, glancing down to ensure no blood had been spilled. Her jaw was a little sore, but luckily that would heal just fine.
A small smirk came to rest on her lips, and she flashed forward, her right hand reaching forward until she snagged the light shirt in her grip. Then she jerked, bringing him closer towards her. She didn't bite. She didn't throw a punch. She simply stood there, his shirt clutched in her hand. Leaning her face forward, as if she were approaching his lips once more, she took one of those annoying mortals breath out, and diverted, her head slipping past his face so that her lips would brush against his ear while she whispered.
He watched intently, this little meeting going far better than he had anticipated. By his estimates, he should have had his head removed twenty minutes before, but apparently they were wrong, as he was still very much alive, as well as in quite high spirits as compared to just earlier, eyes moving over her form as she adjusted her gown. It looked rather nice on her. A big change from the usual men's clothing that she normally chose to wear. He grinned again, almost laughing as she jeered him on the strength of his punch...That was much more like it, and he stood firm as she moved closer, keeping his body loose for when she jerked him foreward. Her next words having the same effect as the last ones, and he darted his face to the side for a moment, stealing a slight peck on her cheek with a mischevious look in his eyes, spinning to the side and around her, arms wrapping around her middle and giving a slight squeeze, his own voice a whisper as well"Oh, but I expect no compliments from you, of all beings, Pandora."[/b][/u]
She allowed herself to be spun and when he had his arms around her, she too slipped her own right arm behind her, ultimately resting on his waist.
Then putting all her strength into it, Pandora did what any other woman would do, given the situation. She lifted her right leg, bending it at the knee, and let it down with a stomp, directly on his own, hoping that the moment would at least cause him to falter his grip on her.
The instant his hands released her, Pandora spun and rose her knee again, this time to make contact directly where it could reach. And hard.
Then she took a step back to ensure she would nto be in the line of what was destined to come next, and her voice echoed even as he reacted to it.
He was relishing the feel of her for the moment, and he started to feel as if she was feeling the same, her arm reaching behind her and to him, giving him a false sense of security, and wham, she slammed her foot down on his own, a momentary reaction based on instinct making him move his hands to his sides and clench them into fists. Her next move had been completely unexpected...unorthodox...completely uncalled for, but she did it anyway, nailing him where it counted, and he groaned, falling to one knee and catching and supporting his torso with hands outstretched, looking up at her for a moment with a single brow raised"I...don't recall...a single compliment..."[/b][/u]
"Funny how now you have trouble remembering."
As he was down, the transformation took over Pandora. She rigged her stance, her shoulders squaring, arms straight as boards at her sides, and her fists clenched. Her gaze looked not at him, but rather over his head, getting that distint expression in them once more.
As she spoke, her voice lowered from emotionally intense to that glazed over monotoned she used all too often. However, her gaze did lower to look upon the Lycan there infront of her, and something inside her shook. He may very well see her as a toy to play with when he felt the mood arise, to belittle when she was honest with him, and to tease her beyond that a servant ought to, but he was Tathar. None of that mattered in this moment.
Reaching out, she offered him her hand, a peace offering as she stood there to see if he would let her help him up. When she spoke next, her voice sounded nothing like he had heard it before. Instead, it was soft spoken, and reflected just a little sadness that she never showed before.
She honestly did look not only exausted, but defeated. [/color]
He looked up at her still, even as that strange expression covered her features and she recanted the words that she had spoken to him the previous night. At the time, he hadn't seen them as a compliment, but now he saw them for what they were. It must have been almost painful for her to reveal that to him, and he had mistaken her words as bad as she had mistaken his. As she offered her hand to him he pushed aside his honor and pride, taking it within his own and standing, albeit shakily at first, a cramping feeling in his lower gut erupting as he did so, but for just a moment before it subsided. He let his hand linger there for a moment before withdrawing it, listening intently to her as she spoke...It was true...every word...They fought, constantly at odds even if it wasn't a physical altercation, and each and every time they withdrew at the last moment...But he wasn't the only one who was guilty of that...She had a hand in it just as much as he, but right now he wouldn't bring it up...She seemed all too human and suddenly fragile, and he wanted to reach out to her, to take her into his arms and comfort her, but he remembered the way she had reacted before when he'd tried as much, so he thought better of it, deciding to wait for now"Pandora, I apologise for mistaking your words. But, you also mistook my own. When I said that you had no need to try and win me, I meant it. After all, why try and win what is already yours? You have but to open your eyes enough to see it...And I am sure that we shall continue to fight eachother...It is our natures to do so, but the fact that we withdraw from the end that our ancestors have always sought for should be testament enough to the fact that we are different than they. As such, I have stuck to it in my own way. Have I not been in your personal chambers twice now? Once to wake you, and the other to lay you down to rest and heal. I fed you of myself...willingly. Is that not proof enough for you that I am different?"[/b][/u]
Leaving the confines of her small cage of a room at the inn. She paused briefly against the door to the inn. Suckin' in a breath. Something was wrong. Seriously wrong. Her eyes darted to and then back. She had felt that feeling before, arching her brows she moved. With every step she took, it seemed to pound against her temples. It was Pandora, and either she was in severe trouble or someone else was
Moving to the Smithery she tried the door gently finding it locked. Staying away from the windows, she frowned. Then ducking down and creeping acrossed she broke the window to the smithery with ease and little noise and jumped right on in. Standing there, her orbs wide.
She looked from one to the other, her hand moved to sit on the hilt of her Katana. The words coming in a harsh wishper.
If she ever doubted the whole soul thing, she wasn't now. The feeling within her as if that very heart that had not beat a day in almost four centuries tightened. Such a pointless organ now, seemed so important. So significant.
Even as he spoke the words, she felt them. She didn't hear them the way she heard the rest of the pointless declarations towards her. No, this she heard with something other then her mind.
And each word rang true. Damn, did it ring true. Taking a tentive step towards him, Pandora reached up to rest her ice pale palm along his cheek. Her eye's sought out his own, not expecting him to return the gaze, nay hoping he would not return the gaze. She feared she would glamour him.
She hadn't the need to before, but suddenly she was in uncharted waters without a compass and the easiest thing would be to glamour her way out of it.
Before he even had the chance to react, a scent caught Pandora's attention and she froze. Moments later, Portiers voice echoed in the room and she tensed. Bloody woman always had the knack to make a grand enterance.. when none would have been best. Very slowly, she removed her hand from Tathar's cheek and clenched her fist, her voice low.
And then reflexes kicked in and she went to lunge for her.
His hand rose to cup her own as it layed on his cheek, feeling and relishing the difference in their levels of heat, or in her case the lack thereof, and he had very nearly started to return that gaze, to match it with his own. For once, she looked as if she had emotion...And his heart very nearly skipped a beat, but before his eyes could meet hers they were drawn to the side with a snapping motion of his head, narrowing at the sight of that damnable shifter. Not only was her timing severely lacking, but she had broken a window....His window! Now what was to keep the regular thieves from doing the very same and taking away everything here that was his livelyhood? He almost growled at it...As soon as Pandora and he had finally managed to get on the same page and let eachother know exactly how they felt about eachother, even if not in words, she'd had to bust in and ruin the moment...Had he the chance he would have grabbed his sword to give the new silvered edge a run, but the fact that Pandora leaped at her caught his attention before he could do so, and if he couldn't do anything, then neither could she, and while she was in the air his form moved with unimaginable speed, flashing foreward and grabbing her about the waist, keeping her from going foreward any farther before lowering her until her feet could reach the floor"Now now, if she is dead then how is she to replace my window?"[/b][/u]
She sighed ultimately, and shifted her weight backwards and away from pandora. Removing her hand from the hilt of her weapon she ground her teeth together. Great, here she thought someone was in trouble, and they were preparing to discuss birds and the bees. ".. You should have let her do it...It's what she wants anyway. There's coin in my purse. Take it all. "
Her words were bitter, short and cut cold. She glanced from one to the other, and shook her head.
She gestured to Tathar.
Portiers words struck her and struck her hard. The woman had a point, but that didn't mean Pandora had to like it. Hell, she wasn't even going to agree with it! She glared a look that would have rightly struck her dead were they actually able to kill, and a quiet hiss escaped her lips.
Choosing to ignore her, Pandora broke out of Tathar's grip, and stalked to the door. She didn't, however open it. Instead she mentally communicated with the two guards positioned outside the door, ordering them back to the Tower. She would remain here tonight, and they could pick her up the moment the sun set tomorrow eve.
As she listened to them depart, gossiping between the two of them about the Master of the City bedding down at a shop, Pandora too chose to ignore that, the tips of her fingers digging into the skin on her palms, breaking just enough skin to allow the faintest dribbles of blood to escape and run around the edges of her nails.
She then turned to Tathar and Portier. Quickly, her expression glazed over, and she became that expressionless zombie once more. Her tone, emotionless.
Then, not wasting another minute, Pandora riggedly turned and crossed the length of the Smithary, disappearing into the back room where both darkness, and a broken cot awaited her.
(Pandora departs for the night, thus end of her scripting the RP)
Tathar Seregon
Dian
Hajia Portier
Location: The Square
Time: An hour after sunset
She spent the last hour changing into a simple but beautiful gown. Something she had not bothered with before. Her appearances were never the more important things to focus on, but today Pandora took extra care to look... Well, like a girl. Perhaps it was because she didn't feel so girly lately, perhaps the Smithy had something to do with it. Either way, she traded in the usual trousers and bland grey gowns for something more... pleasant appearing.
The deep blue set off the paleness of her own skin, and made the icy blue in her eye's stand out. She even took pains to have one of the servants from the Castle come over and pin her hair. Sometimes a little makeover served wonders for the soul. If she still had one.
Now she was tucked snuggly in the quiet darkness of the Library. ever since she brought the Lycan up here two nights ago, it held a certain comforts for her that her own quarters simply didn't provide. Perhaps it was time to have those chambers decorated. They had so long been bland and simple.
As it was, the guards stationed throughout the Tower knew where the Master of the City could be located, should she be needed, thus she was quite content in the chair that she had one of the servants lower down via pully from her own private quarters.
Though vampires had little need to sit comfortably, she found herself tucked into a ball, her stockings drawn up underneath the three layered gown, that blasted stack of parchments on the floor besider her. One by one, she read through a transcript and sorted it on the floor around her chair. Then she would scoop up the next parchment, settle back into her nook, and read. Repeating each time she reached the end of the page.
Finally he was finished, holding the blade up and peering down it's almost flawlessly merged edge. It was still straight, the heat having not warped the old sword as he had thought it might, and for that he was thankful. He would have to have a sheath made, now, though as he was unwilling to let it rest against him in it's current, freshly sharpened state. He didn't want to cause himself injury by it accidentally slicing through his shirt as he walked.Lowering the parchment she had just finished, the last of the stack she thought would never end, Pandora glanced around the silent room. It wasn't elagantly decorated either, so why was she insistant on staying here rather then in her own private quarters. Just then, an idea came to her, and Pandora sprang from her chair, her silent slippered feet carring her across the room, around one of the bookshelves and to the table where always there was quilted pen and parchment.
She then, standing there and leaning over the table, began to scribe.
He set it aside now, glancing to the dying coals as his mind moved to things...He began to debate whether or not he would go to the Tower this eve, with his new toy, of course, and attempt to force her to understand, but that was likely a very bad idea. He wouldn't go for the kill, but it was likely that the guards would see it otherwise, and while he was willing to risk great pain and injury for the end result that he hoped for, dying wasn't an option. He looked then to the back room where he had slept last night, and at the slight bit of dark green fabric that hung through the doorway.When she finished the scribing, Pandora carefully folded the letter and, carrying it with her, crossed the Library once more to the drop. She barely landed before she was moving again, from Williams Room, down the short hall, and into the Meeting Room, where her stamp waited her. Carefully sealing the parchment, Pandora then prepaired to summon a carrier to bring it into town, then thought better of it. Might as well deliver it personally, so that she could use it as an excuse to escape the walls of the Tower.
Returning from the direction she came, Pandora stepped into Williams room and before she even had the chance to state her plans, William was already brustling about to fetch her cloak. Fastening it on, she then waited patiently while he struggled with the lock, and opened the door for her.
Slipping out, Pandora walked the length of the Tower, her hands busily drawing up her hood as she went. When she was directly infront of it, and on the path, Pandora turned towards the square, allowing the hood of her deep blue cloak to fall around her shoulders once more.
He stood and moved to the barrel of water, splashing some of it on his face. The heat inside was stifling, and he felt cooped up, so he moved to the door, opening it to allow for the exchange of even more cool air. He felt a shiver slightly as a slight breeze moved inside, and he relished it for a moment before turning around and standing once more at the anvil, running his hand almost lovingly across the sword where it lay, keeping his touch well away from the silver...While such short exposure wouldn't have any lasting damage to him, it caused slight discomfort, and he didn't want that right now, his hand coming to a stop on the handle.Her footsteps were silent, though who in their right mind would listen for them? Honestly, the path wasn't all that busy just yet, for though it was after sunset, it wasn't quite past dinner hour and thus most drunkards would still be settled in at their wives tables, listening to the children tell of tall tales. Either way, Pandora's trip from the Tower through the skirts of Tranquility, and into the square made great time, and as she approached the shops, she certainly made point to slow down her steps.
She watched the days workers begin the process of packing up for the evening, politely smiling and giving curt nods as she went, but she never stopped. Even as she passed the Smithary, her steps slowed but never came to rest. Heck, she adverted her eye's to the other side of the lane when she passed by the open door, knowing perfectly well the Lycan was in.
*finishing stocking the shelves with the bottles and jugs of Dian's brews... I sigh as I move to the manager's office calling to Thar to hold the bar down... I need to make a list of what is needed as far as traded goods... Dian makes a excellent assortment but elven wine is low an a few special ales kept on hand for special visitors*For a moment, just a split second, he thought he heard a cloak swish as if someone was moving by his shop, and then a certain scent, ever so small, met his nostrils, making him turn and peer out into the shadow covered village, looking for the source of it, but apparently she had gone by the time he'd noticed, and it made him sigh. Perhaps the vampire wanted nothing more to do with him after all.She was actually heading for the Tavern. It seemed the perfect place to post up the letter she had just scribed but moments ago, and as she slipped in the door, her eye's skirted around in search of one of the sisters. Her eye's fell upon Obsi, and Pandora quickly crossed the room, aware that the eyes of those few patrions that were in had spotted her. Not exactly appropiate, a well dressed lady entering a tavern alone. Not that Pandora had any wories, but still.He moved to take his sword in hand, not feeling comfortable at the moment, so he walked to the back room, small as it was, and sat down on the broken remains of his cot. It wasn't much better than standing, but it did offer a little more comfort, so he lay down, propping up the weapon in the corner so it was close enough to grab should something happen. He thought, for a moment, about getting out that small leatherbound book and trying to write a page or two in it, but he didn't know what to say, so he just lay there, staring at the ceiling.*seeing you my silver eyes light up I pause and move to stand before you... I curtsy and smile my words soft and husky with almost a low growl in my excitement* Greetings Master, you look quite lovely tonight *smiles*She gave a brisk nod of her head, mentally stating a thankyou without moving her lips. "I've come to post a message. I will need a hammer and nails, Obsi."
She could have easily pushed the nail in with her finger, but how would the patrions take that?
So instead, she stood there waiting until the shapeshifter fetched these stupid items for her.
*nods and quickly moves to the bar reaching under... I pull out a hammer and frown as I pull out my last 6 nails... I will have to get more... rising with gentle grace not flowing like Dian's movements but definately a gentle movement of one sure of themself and their surroundings... I grab a man's arm as I come around the bar and turn him back to the bar* The lady doesn't wish to hear your war story, Amthar.*moves to you with an easy lope and a smile on my lips* A hammer and six nails Master. *my voic quite enough no one but you and the staff the nonhumans can hear me*
Taking the hammer and a single nail from Obsi, she then crossed the Tavern once more and stood just inside the door. Very carefully, she placed the parchment against the wall, and stuck a nail into it. Then she looked around. How the heck do people do this? Why, you'd need three hands to hold the parchment against the wall, hold the nail in place, and swing the hammer. She was still trying to figure it out when one of the men within the Tavern approached her to see if she'd like some help. She instantly fought back the snide remark that threatened to jump from her lips, and gave a small nod, as if she were too shy to talk. Actually, if she had opened her mouth she'd probably snap something about how a Meal wasn't about to help her, thus it was probably best she remained silent.
Taking a step back, Pandora handed first hammer, then nail and finally parchment to the Meal, and waited, forcing herself to look at least somewhat shocked at the way he slowly described each move he made, teaching her how to use the stupid manmade tool.
The Parchment read
Attention Patrions;
Seeking hard workers for light duties. This includes painting, heavy lifting, sewing and decorative habits.
Leave your scribe with the Tower Guard.
Simply Signed,
Lady LeAmour
Seeking hard workers for light duties. This includes painting, heavy lifting, sewing and decorative habits.
Leave your scribe with the Tower Guard.
Simply Signed,
Lady LeAmour
As he finished and looked back over his shoulder at her, Pandora caught his eyesight and glamoured him into thinking she smiled. Then she gave a polite thank you, and even flirtingly brushed his shoulder, before holding her hands out for the hammer.
He laughed and returned the blasted tool to her, and without another word, Pandora faced away from him and started towards Obsi once more. Handing the 'self strength' tool back to her, she gave a brisk nod of her head once more and left her standing there, hammer in hand, as she headed for the door.
*doesn't look with shock as the man approaches nor wince when I sense how you might react to his lesson... I just simply stand there my eyes to the floor until you return the hammer to me... I raise silver orbs to you and give a quick curtsy as a mere merchant like me may do for a Lady of stature like you... a soft smile on my lips. As you leave I follow so I may read the missive after you leave* Be well Master.[/b][/u]Laying there on the cot, nothing much to do since he could no longer work under threat of angering every villager in hearing range, he just started to count the grains of the wood on the ceiling, trying to see how many different and varied patterns and designs he could see and discover. Oddly enough, it was a method he used commonly when lacking the mindpower to create an original design from scratch, as it allowed his imagination, however little he may have whenever he needed to do so, to graft them for him at an innocent glance.Pandora clearly caught her words, and as she stepped out of the Tavern and into the night, her right hand came up to gesture, as if a wave over her shoulder. She then scanned the path, and slipping her hand back underneath the deep blue cloak, began walking again. She took the same route she had used to reach the Tavern back to towards the tower. This time, however, when she passed the Smithary, it's door open, she peered inside. She did not, however, see the Lycan, but she could smell him. Probably fast asleep in that dreadful little room with the broken cot, his door wide open as if waiting to be robbed blind.
Pausing a moment at the doorway, Pandora's eye's scanned the small room of the Smithary, seeing if there was anything worthy of an unauthorized borrow. There was nothing. So, thumping her hand on the door, Pandora turned and continued her slow pace past the smithary, approaching the new carpentry, who's lights were out for the night, and eventually she would reach the edge of the Square and head for home.
He heard that swish sound again, though this time it was followed by a thumping sound, and against his own door, no less. Was someone trying to rob him...? Oh he hoped so...It would give him a chance and excuse to test the new edge to his sword, and this he grabbed, making sure to keep as silent as he possibly could, dashing out of the back room and into the main area, but upon seeing nothing or anyone there he moved out into the street, only to see her, grip tightening on the hilt"No hello?"[/b][/u]She froze. Hearing his voice seemed to have that effect on her, and very slowly she turned to face him. Oh, what a sight he was, standing there with sword in hand. Keeping her face expressionless, and forcing her tone of voice to match, she curtly greeted him with a hello. "Evening."
That was it. The only movement came from within her cloak as the fingers on her left hand toyed with the dagger strapped to her wrist. She said nothing more, and yet she didn't move. Instead choosing to stand there, looking expressionlessly at him.
He didn't really know what to do next...Here she was, standing right in front of him, acting as cold as ever like nothing had ever happened. Oh how he wanted to make that face show something, anything, just anything that resembled emotion, be it joy or sadness or anger or even pain, and he raised the sword, pointing the curved end toward her, the torchlight nearby dancing along the wicked silver teeth of the serrated blade, as well as along the rest of the length of it. He had no idea what to say, so he merely said what first came to mind"What were you doing at my shop...?"[/b][/u]Pandora remained expressionless, as if she didn't even see the aggressive move he made raising his sword. Infact, she took a step forward, the tip of the silver just an inch away fron her bossom. God, that hurt even from this distance, but still her face remained unreadable. Her voice, as if speaking from a trance, greeted his question. "I was simply passing by, Smithy."
No, she wouldn't call him Lycan, simply because other's could hear. But no way was she calling him by his name again. Staring directly ahead, she took another extreamly small step towards him, the blasted painful silver finally making a slight touch of contact against the ruffle of her gown.
Even through the material she could feel it. Her first instint was to back away. Her second, to draw her oow. Instead, very calmly, she spoke again.
"Do you plan to do something with that sword, Smithy?"
[/b][/u][/center]He stared at her....Into those cold eyes...She had never tried to do anything before, so he figured that he might as well show her that he at least trusted her, even if she did treat him so very disrespectfully....and hurtfully...He twisted the sword, bringing the cutting edge within a hair's breadth away from her neck ever so slowly, though it would never touch her skin...He just didn't know what to do, or how to go about it. They were in the open...exposed...so it wasn't like he could very well just spill it out right here just in case some other NightWorlder was nearby and within earshot"Perhaps."[/b][/u]Finally, an expression crossed her face, or just barely of one. Her eyebrows arched. Just that. Her lip didn't twitch, the distant look in her eye's didn't shift. Two fuzzys rose. Thats all. But at least it was a movement. "You best make it count, then, Smithy. Else I suggest you lower your weapon before the guards just over your shoulder lower it for you."
Her tone wasn't cocky. Wasn't frightened. Wasn't anything but monotoned. Out of touch. Nonchalant, if you will.
shifting her cloak down a little bit so it rested in the crook of her elbows, and running loosly in a U around her back, she tilted her head ever so slightly, so that the side of her neck in which the sword was located was exposed. With her hair pinned up, there was nothing there but the bare painted exposure of skin from her hairline around her ears, to the ruffled blue of her gown that snugged each forearm, her shoulders exposed.
Her arms hung at her side, bent at the elbow to support the draped cloak. Feet somewhere beneath the helm of that gown she had spent so much time slipping on, evenly spaced.
He clenched his teeth, baring them at her as she made such a bold move. Did she have a death wish? Did she want to die? Or did she simply think that he didn't have the nerve to do it....With a mere flick of his wrist he would be able to make it quick and clean, and his hand twitched ever so slightly...He wanted to...he felt that he had to....but if she was assuming that he wouldn't be able to then she was right, and he felt shamed....He did not have the heart to kill her, a mortal enemy, because his heart told him otherwise, and he withdrew it from her, letting the large blade stick into the ground at his feet...He didn't care whether or not there were guards...If there were, they would provide him with the necessary outlet for the rage he was feeling right now.She finally focused her eyes, but not at Tathar. Instead, she turned her gaze behind him to where her two escorts stood, their own swords at the ready in their hands. Silently, she held up a hand, her palm outward. "Leave him be. He mistook me for someone else, that is all."
Pandora then turned her gaze back to the Lycan, choosing to look at his chest rather then his face. Her eyebrows had lowered and her face took on that expressionless wonder once more.
"Is not that right, Smithy?"
Without waiting for his reply, she spoke louder, so the guards would have little trouble hearing her.
"A simple mistake."
And then she fell silent, letting that last sentence sink in before she slowly began to turn from him once more.
"I shall let you get back to shop, Smithy. Our apologies."
An apology. Of course, it meant nothing. They were, afterall, in the open and to everyone else, she was simply an average young lady.
"Come along, men. We shall leave this Smithy to his hearts desire."
And once more, she kept the mortals pace, slowly walking further through the square, intent to head for the Garden. Suddenly, she didn't feel like going back to the Tower. No, a quiet moment in the garden may be just what she needed.
The guards shouldered past the Smithy and followed at a respectable distance behind.
His lips curled back once more as the men shouldered past him...How very, very rude...He wasn't about to let the chance to speak with her pass by so easily just like that...No, they were going to share words, armed guards or not...Though he did much prefer that they weren't around for their conversation...And since when did she have escorts, anyway? Was she expecting someone, maybe him, to attack her? He shook the thought away, clipping the hilt of the sword into the harness that he wore under his shirts, the small protrusion justting out from behind his neck and just a little lower allowing him to keep it there relatively safely, even though it did sway a lot when he moved, and he hoped that it wouldn't cut through his shirt and into himself right now, because that would most likely end badly for all parties involved. No, he moved foreward, sword swaying at his back dangerously, using his size to his advantage and attempting to bowl right between the guards, an arm out at each side to allow for a little push which if he managed to do so would no doubt send them to the ground so as not to attract too much attention to himself"We need to talk."She would have stopped again at his words, if they had not followed the oof and grunt as her guards landed squarely on their butts. They were no match for a Lycan, and she had known this, but still she couldn't help but roll her eyes mentally as they two of them quickly brustled about to rise to their feet. Pandora once again held up her hand, stopping them from advancing. She glanced, quite pointedly, around the Lycan to where her escorts were now looking rather peeved off and ready to brawl. Then, turning empty eye's back to the Lycans form rather this his face, she spoke.
"Then that is all you needed to say, Smithy. I do think you owe my guards an apology first."
She stood there, her arms positioned stubbornly on her hips, her face still errily absent of any emotion. Clearly she was waiting for him to apologize to the guards. After all, they were just doing what they are ordered and paid to do.
An apology was what she wanted...? She...the one who had treated him so, evicted him from his home in the middle of the night...Who had granted him a gift, as she had called it, and had taken it away before she even told him about it....If an apology was due, it wasn't on his part, it was to be from her...But he did decide to humor her at the very least, though he didn't plan on actually going through with it the way she had planned...Plus, her guards seemed ready for a fight and so did he....better them than her, in his eyes, and if he could coax them into a rage then by all means, he wanted to"An apology...? For those weaklings...? Fine. I apologise for hurting their feelings. Next time I will make sure that something sharp breaks their fall. Now, where do you want to speak...? Privately."Pandora held up her left hand a third time since the Lycan stepped out his small shop door. A simple gesture, and the Guards remained where they were, clearly not pleased about it but hey. She was paying them, and they wouldn't be on duty ALL night. The Smithary would be easy to find when their duty was complete. "Well, I was heading to the garden, if you care to join me. However, if that is too public for you, I can stay a moment in your shop so long as it is adequette for a lady."
For someone whom hated her so bloody much, he certainly was trying to speak with her. If she were anyone else, Pandora would have simply dismissed him and carried on her way. She, however, was not. The Master of the City never dismissed a NightWorlder demanding to speak with her, for she never quite knew if the topic of discussion would prove to be valueable.
Oh, if they wanted to come and pay him a visit after their duties to the vampire were finished for the night then they were welcome...He would be sure to show them all the hospitality that he could muster...After all, a long enough period within the burning coals of the forge would reduce all evidence of their visit. If he was going to break the laws, he wasn't going to be stupid enough to get caught for them. As she called herself a lady he nearly laughed...A lady knew how to act when someone spoke to them the way he had the night before...But maybe she was just rusty. After all, he had no idea how old she really and truly was, but he wasn't about to ask. That would just be plain rude of him. He didn't speak, merely stepping to the side and motioning with his hand back toward his shop..He preferred there to be few interruptions and even fewer witnesses to their coming conversationPandora gave a brisk nod of her head and, following his gesture, stepped around him towards Hammerfall Forge. As she stepped to the doorway, one of the guards grunted. Pandora clearly read his thoughts, and stepped away allowing him to enter first. His quick glance around the small room took but a moment. The trip to the small room in the back took longer, but eventually he reappeared and stepped back outside. Before entering Pandora turned and spoke to the guards. "You can both wait out here. I trust you can keep your swords in their pockets where they belong for just a moment."
Then, turning from them, she stepped into the Smithary and walked halfway across the room to allow the lycan to enter behind her. Turning, she watched for his entry, her face still the mask of emotionless.
He watched patiently as the guard stepped within, no doubt investigating as to whether or not he had anything set up as a possible trap. He didn't, of course, he wasn't an assassin persay, but he knew many, many entertaining uses for the many tools within his shop, having on occasion to use them as implements of torture for a Lord...And for quite a bit of coin, too...It seemed that Smithy's were very valuable members of society, in more ways than one. Once the guard had found the entire area to be to his satisfaction he grinned wickedly to him before following her within, closing the door pointedly as soon as he was inside. Where they were standing at this moment was out of angle for anyone to observe through the windows along the other wall unless they stuck their head in and looked to the left, so he didn't bother to try and close them, instead stepping foreward, a look of pure determination on his features...He was going to get his point across...tonight...no matter what. He removed his sword from his back and tossed it to the floor behind her. He made no attempt to stop, moving in a non-aggressive manner, but backing her up to the wall, making sure that she had no avenue for escape before leaning in quite quickly. He wasn't going to waste this chance, even though he was very likely risking his very head in doing what he was about to do, but the risk was well worth it. The feeling of her cold skin against his face was a testament to the difference of their kinds, but something he was willing to look past, and in a quick movement he pressed his lips to hers, waiting for the consequences that were no doubt to come.As he advanced on her, she found herself backing up until her bottom rested against the wall behind her. When she could back no more, she waited. Sure, she could have attacked but what good would that have done. The guards simply would have beat the door down and waited for no explination. She didn't want him dead unless he was so by her own hands. With his face directly infront of her, Pandora instantly raised her hands, palms outstretched infront of her, as if she were going to push him away. The more he leaned forward, the more his chest pushed against her palms, but with her elbows locked she didn't budge.
The lock of his lips on hers, however, had been completely unexpected. She was waiting on an attack, or a sound lashing. A growl even. But this... It froze her place... For about a split second.
Then her left palm abandoned his chest and as her right palm planted against him in a push, her left hook caught him squarely in the chin. She heard the sound of his head turning, and then with right hand, gripped hold of the back of his neck roughly, pulling him back to her where their lips met once more, hard, rough. A mere peck, but painfully so. And then, once again she pushed him back and decked him a second time.
"How dare you, Lycan."
Her voice was low, to ensure the guards outside wouldnt' hear and come breaking in, her expression grim. The corner of her lips had turned down, and her jaw was set. Her eyes, somewhere between furious and floored.
"I do hope that was pleasant."
The tone in her voice clearly didn't match her words, and seemed to hint of anything but hope.
For that split second that she allowed it he began to feel a slight, tiny, inkling of hope...Maybe now she would finally understand what his words to her had meant, rather than the perverse way she had mistaken them. That is, until she pushed him back, the first blow causing his head to snap to the side...She was fast, he would give her that, but if she wanted to hurt him she had better hit him a lot harder than that...He started to say something to that effect but she kissed him on her own after returning his head to a foreward position. It held almost no passion whatsoever, but a kiss was a kiss...He would take a win when he could get it. The second blow was expected a little less than the first, so his head turned to the side with greater force than before, but he recovered quickly, standing there with a hgumored look in his eyes. He disreguarded her first words...How dare he, indeed...But her next sentence....It made him think, and he reached up a hand to rub his jaw for a moment, grinning "Aye, I do believe it was pleasant, don't you agree?"[/u][/b]She scowed at his words, and both pale hands darted out, catching him squarely in the chest just as he finished that sentence. A split second later, he hit the opposite wall, his back just missing the doorframe. A small stab of satisfaction flickered through her briefly as the poor wood seemed to tremble with his impact. Pandora's left hand then came up to rub the disgusting feel of Lycan off her lips, her eye's aglow glaring at him. He wanted a reaction, and he got one.
"Most men wine and dine first, Lycan. And by wine and dine, I mean the beverage and actual food, not whining because I spoke the truth and then tearing some poor sod to pieces."
She shook her head, her eye's still glaring at him. Her mind was wheeling and if a Vampires mind was going that fast, there was a mighty big picture show going on that only she could see. The entire course of their relationship flashed before her. From the day they met, to the day he aquired the Smithary. The punishment fight. The first stay in the Cells. The playful encounter in the Library. The way he shot her down. And now this. Enough time for him to recover from his little trip across the room.
"I swear, Lycan, you will give me whiplash with your moodswings!"
[/b][/center]The noise inside the Smithary caught the attention of Pandora's two escorts positioned outside the door, and it swung open, each of them trying to step through the frame at the same time.
Pandora's eye's flickered red and she glared at them, a simple gesture of her right hand dismissing them back outside. They took one glance around, spotted the Lycan clear across the room and with gleeful chuckles, stepped back outside, closing the door behind them. [/color]
He waited for her response, hoping that she would take it as the joke it had been, as well as hoping that if she didn't that he hadn't offended her too terribly much by saying that....Maybe the smile had been a bit too much. Apparently so, because she shoved him....hard....and he found himself flying through the air and into the wall beside the door, several of his vertebrae popping in protest to the sudden blow, and to be honest, it took the breath out of him for a moment. He liked women who were fiesty, and she had just crowned herself the champion of that little niche, glancing over at the guards as they made their little entrance and matching their giggling with a sneer, her mention of wining and dining making him scoff as he stood up straight, grabbing his shirt and snapping it foreward to clear any dust, soot, or debris from it before advancing again. If she wanted to play rough, then he was going to be nothing if not accomodating. During their last little debate he hadn't aimed for her face, but this time he had no qualms about it. After all, it wasn't like he had claws to scar her with right now, and he threw a thundering punch straight for her jaw, sending her own form hurtling back and into the wall behind her, a humored grin still on his lips. They were evenly matched like this, so if this continued it was likely to go on for quite a while, and the walls could only take so much"My moodswings...? You are the one who seems to be unable to make up your mind on what mood you want to be in at any....given...time."[/b][/u]OKay, so she hadn't expected that at all. She should have known he'd get all excited at the aggressive move. The Lycan was more like a dog then any other. Kick em, and they still come back for more. Her back slammed up against the wall behind her, just nearly missing one of the blades on display there. Luckily, she doesn't need to breath, and thus nothing was knocked out of her but the idea that he wouldn't hit a woman. That one went up in smoke, mingling with the dust his unexpected punch stirred up.
Straightening herself and stepping a safe distance away from the sharp objects behind her, Pandora took a moment to adjust the damned gown she elected to wear tonight. From now on, it was strictly mens trousers, no matter who thought it weird.
Planting her feet, Pandora slowly swept her gaze from the floor, across the room, and up his poster until they rested on the tip of his nose. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of looking into his eyes again. Although they held no enchantments, it was said that the eyes were the window to the soul, and she didn't want to risk him finding out she damn near didn't have one.
The back of her left hand came up to brush at her lower lip, glancing down to ensure no blood had been spilled. Her jaw was a little sore, but luckily that would heal just fine.
"You punch like the Queen, Lycan."
A small smirk came to rest on her lips, and she flashed forward, her right hand reaching forward until she snagged the light shirt in her grip. Then she jerked, bringing him closer towards her. She didn't bite. She didn't throw a punch. She simply stood there, his shirt clutched in her hand. Leaning her face forward, as if she were approaching his lips once more, she took one of those annoying mortals breath out, and diverted, her head slipping past his face so that her lips would brush against his ear while she whispered.
"That was not a compliment."
[/b][/u][/center]He watched intently, this little meeting going far better than he had anticipated. By his estimates, he should have had his head removed twenty minutes before, but apparently they were wrong, as he was still very much alive, as well as in quite high spirits as compared to just earlier, eyes moving over her form as she adjusted her gown. It looked rather nice on her. A big change from the usual men's clothing that she normally chose to wear. He grinned again, almost laughing as she jeered him on the strength of his punch...That was much more like it, and he stood firm as she moved closer, keeping his body loose for when she jerked him foreward. Her next words having the same effect as the last ones, and he darted his face to the side for a moment, stealing a slight peck on her cheek with a mischevious look in his eyes, spinning to the side and around her, arms wrapping around her middle and giving a slight squeeze, his own voice a whisper as well"Oh, but I expect no compliments from you, of all beings, Pandora."[/b][/u]She allowed herself to be spun and when he had his arms around her, she too slipped her own right arm behind her, ultimately resting on his waist. "I gave you a compliment, Lycan, last eve. You turned it down."
Then putting all her strength into it, Pandora did what any other woman would do, given the situation. She lifted her right leg, bending it at the knee, and let it down with a stomp, directly on his own, hoping that the moment would at least cause him to falter his grip on her.
The instant his hands released her, Pandora spun and rose her knee again, this time to make contact directly where it could reach. And hard.
Then she took a step back to ensure she would nto be in the line of what was destined to come next, and her voice echoed even as he reacted to it.
"I do not take kindly to rejection."
[/b][/u][/center]He was relishing the feel of her for the moment, and he started to feel as if she was feeling the same, her arm reaching behind her and to him, giving him a false sense of security, and wham, she slammed her foot down on his own, a momentary reaction based on instinct making him move his hands to his sides and clench them into fists. Her next move had been completely unexpected...unorthodox...completely uncalled for, but she did it anyway, nailing him where it counted, and he groaned, falling to one knee and catching and supporting his torso with hands outstretched, looking up at her for a moment with a single brow raised"I...don't recall...a single compliment..."[/b][/u]"Funny how now you have trouble remembering."As he was down, the transformation took over Pandora. She rigged her stance, her shoulders squaring, arms straight as boards at her sides, and her fists clenched. Her gaze looked not at him, but rather over his head, getting that distint expression in them once more.
"I distintly recall telling you that I felt the need to compete. To win your affection. And as I recall, and my memory unlike yours is not selective, your response was that I had no need to attempt to win you, and that you were not a prize to be won."
As she spoke, her voice lowered from emotionally intense to that glazed over monotoned she used all too often. However, her gaze did lower to look upon the Lycan there infront of her, and something inside her shook. He may very well see her as a toy to play with when he felt the mood arise, to belittle when she was honest with him, and to tease her beyond that a servant ought to, but he was Tathar. None of that mattered in this moment.
Reaching out, she offered him her hand, a peace offering as she stood there to see if he would let her help him up. When she spoke next, her voice sounded nothing like he had heard it before. Instead, it was soft spoken, and reflected just a little sadness that she never showed before.
"How did you expect me to react, Tathar. Seriously, now. We conduct ourselves to the standards our ancents withheld. We bicker, bitch and fight as if we are ready to finally do the deed our fathers and our fathers before them would have done in an instant. And yet, we always fall short of that final blow. It is exausting. I do wish you would simply make up your mind and stick to it."
She honestly did look not only exausted, but defeated. [/color]
He looked up at her still, even as that strange expression covered her features and she recanted the words that she had spoken to him the previous night. At the time, he hadn't seen them as a compliment, but now he saw them for what they were. It must have been almost painful for her to reveal that to him, and he had mistaken her words as bad as she had mistaken his. As she offered her hand to him he pushed aside his honor and pride, taking it within his own and standing, albeit shakily at first, a cramping feeling in his lower gut erupting as he did so, but for just a moment before it subsided. He let his hand linger there for a moment before withdrawing it, listening intently to her as she spoke...It was true...every word...They fought, constantly at odds even if it wasn't a physical altercation, and each and every time they withdrew at the last moment...But he wasn't the only one who was guilty of that...She had a hand in it just as much as he, but right now he wouldn't bring it up...She seemed all too human and suddenly fragile, and he wanted to reach out to her, to take her into his arms and comfort her, but he remembered the way she had reacted before when he'd tried as much, so he thought better of it, deciding to wait for now"Pandora, I apologise for mistaking your words. But, you also mistook my own. When I said that you had no need to try and win me, I meant it. After all, why try and win what is already yours? You have but to open your eyes enough to see it...And I am sure that we shall continue to fight eachother...It is our natures to do so, but the fact that we withdraw from the end that our ancestors have always sought for should be testament enough to the fact that we are different than they. As such, I have stuck to it in my own way. Have I not been in your personal chambers twice now? Once to wake you, and the other to lay you down to rest and heal. I fed you of myself...willingly. Is that not proof enough for you that I am different?"[/b][/u]Leaving the confines of her small cage of a room at the inn. She paused briefly against the door to the inn. Suckin' in a breath. Something was wrong. Seriously wrong. Her eyes darted to and then back. She had felt that feeling before, arching her brows she moved. With every step she took, it seemed to pound against her temples. It was Pandora, and either she was in severe trouble or someone else was Moving to the Smithery she tried the door gently finding it locked. Staying away from the windows, she frowned. Then ducking down and creeping acrossed she broke the window to the smithery with ease and little noise and jumped right on in. Standing there, her orbs wide.
"What the hell do you two think you're doing?!"
She looked from one to the other, her hand moved to sit on the hilt of her Katana. The words coming in a harsh wishper.
If she ever doubted the whole soul thing, she wasn't now. The feeling within her as if that very heart that had not beat a day in almost four centuries tightened. Such a pointless organ now, seemed so important. So significant. Even as he spoke the words, she felt them. She didn't hear them the way she heard the rest of the pointless declarations towards her. No, this she heard with something other then her mind.
And each word rang true. Damn, did it ring true. Taking a tentive step towards him, Pandora reached up to rest her ice pale palm along his cheek. Her eye's sought out his own, not expecting him to return the gaze, nay hoping he would not return the gaze. She feared she would glamour him.
She hadn't the need to before, but suddenly she was in uncharted waters without a compass and the easiest thing would be to glamour her way out of it.
Before he even had the chance to react, a scent caught Pandora's attention and she froze. Moments later, Portiers voice echoed in the room and she tensed. Bloody woman always had the knack to make a grand enterance.. when none would have been best. Very slowly, she removed her hand from Tathar's cheek and clenched her fist, her voice low.
"Portier...I do wish you would not have done that..."
And then reflexes kicked in and she went to lunge for her.
His hand rose to cup her own as it layed on his cheek, feeling and relishing the difference in their levels of heat, or in her case the lack thereof, and he had very nearly started to return that gaze, to match it with his own. For once, she looked as if she had emotion...And his heart very nearly skipped a beat, but before his eyes could meet hers they were drawn to the side with a snapping motion of his head, narrowing at the sight of that damnable shifter. Not only was her timing severely lacking, but she had broken a window....His window! Now what was to keep the regular thieves from doing the very same and taking away everything here that was his livelyhood? He almost growled at it...As soon as Pandora and he had finally managed to get on the same page and let eachother know exactly how they felt about eachother, even if not in words, she'd had to bust in and ruin the moment...Had he the chance he would have grabbed his sword to give the new silvered edge a run, but the fact that Pandora leaped at her caught his attention before he could do so, and if he couldn't do anything, then neither could she, and while she was in the air his form moved with unimaginable speed, flashing foreward and grabbing her about the waist, keeping her from going foreward any farther before lowering her until her feet could reach the floor"Now now, if she is dead then how is she to replace my window?"[/b][/u]She sighed ultimately, and shifted her weight backwards and away from pandora. Removing her hand from the hilt of her weapon she ground her teeth together. Great, here she thought someone was in trouble, and they were preparing to discuss birds and the bees. ".. You should have let her do it...It's what she wants anyway. There's coin in my purse. Take it all. " Her words were bitter, short and cut cold. She glanced from one to the other, and shook her head.
" Pandora, you're thinkin' irrationally.. I know this is ..FUN for you, but people can feel that...some can smell it.. Just exactly WHO do you want to come to your side? "
She gestured to Tathar.
"Little boy wonder here? Seems he's the cause.."
[/center]Portiers words struck her and struck her hard. The woman had a point, but that didn't mean Pandora had to like it. Hell, she wasn't even going to agree with it! She glared a look that would have rightly struck her dead were they actually able to kill, and a quiet hiss escaped her lips. Choosing to ignore her, Pandora broke out of Tathar's grip, and stalked to the door. She didn't, however open it. Instead she mentally communicated with the two guards positioned outside the door, ordering them back to the Tower. She would remain here tonight, and they could pick her up the moment the sun set tomorrow eve.
As she listened to them depart, gossiping between the two of them about the Master of the City bedding down at a shop, Pandora too chose to ignore that, the tips of her fingers digging into the skin on her palms, breaking just enough skin to allow the faintest dribbles of blood to escape and run around the edges of her nails.
She then turned to Tathar and Portier. Quickly, her expression glazed over, and she became that expressionless zombie once more. Her tone, emotionless.
"I will be staying in the cot. If she so much as thinks of entering that room, kill her. Hell, kill her anyways, just do it quietly and after she has rightly earned the pay for that window. Until her class starts, she will need the gold in her purse to pay for her room and board at the Inn."
Then, not wasting another minute, Pandora riggedly turned and crossed the length of the Smithary, disappearing into the back room where both darkness, and a broken cot awaited her.
(Pandora departs for the night, thus end of her scripting the RP)
