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 Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:31 am
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 1:34 pm
They had arrived by cab, all squished into the back seat of the speeder. Needless to say, it was quite the experience, all crammed in. Damian had made sure Raquel was somewhere towards the middle so she wouldn't be mushed against a door. Lorey was next to her, so the men were the ones being pressed against glass and metal.
"No, upper east side," he kept having to tell the driver, who spoke some sort of desert dialect that he could barely understand. Twice they passed the house, and it certainly didn't help Richard when the women both craned over him to catch a glimpse of their new home.
After a bit of a screaming match and much thrown change, Damian and his band of homeless friends poured out of the speeder, and out onto the front lawn of a very beautiful home.
There were two floors, with a modest garden out front. He would have the back landscaped to have a pond and beautiful gardens, but all in time.
"Well then," he said, practically running up to the front door. "Let's just get inside and try to settle in..."
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- Pocket Full of Ashes - Crew
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:19 pm
Richard dusted himself off, wearing one of the shirts Damian had bought for him, despite he protesting, but his old one was still missing a few buttons. When he saw the house he let out a long, impressed whistle. He knew Damian was loaded...but my lord. "Impressive mate..." He said with a nod, grabbing Lorey and his things again, following him up the drive.
Raquel stood far behind Lorey and the others, looking up in sheer awe at the house in front of her. Even hanging around the theater or other ritzy places, she had never seen anything as beautiful as this. She was used to alleys and gutters and grime and filth. Nothing like...like this. She couldn't breath for a moment as it literally took her breath away. She stumbled back a bit, losing her balance. She made sure her feet stayed square in the middle of the walk way, not wanting to impede on the grass of such a 'mansion'. She felt less than worthy to even be in the same neighborhood as this gorgeous piece of property, let alone living in it. Suddenly she wasn't so sure she had made the right choice. Her stomach turned into knots as she furrowed her brow unsure.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:27 pm
He held the door open for richard and Lorey, but stayed behind once he realized Raquel wasn't coming.
"Raquel?" he called out, not knowing if something was wrong or if she was just so impressed. It was understandable, to be sure, why she would feel intimidated, but...
"Raquel," he called out again, this time with a smile. "Come, your room is waiting for you. Everything is."
Meanwhile, Lorey was living in a dream. "It's beautiful," she cooed to the place she found herself in. Everything was so gentle, so full of light. Her feet took her all about the house (or the parts she could manage without getting lost). Cabinets, rugs, shelving, vases with flowers... Eventually, she settled on the living area, plunking down on the couch to breathe it all in.
"I'm dreaming," she muttered. "This is all a dream and any moment I'll find myself back in the hotel like nothing has happened..."
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- Pocket Full of Ashes - Crew
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:32 pm
Raquel bit her lip, unsure still. But she took nervous steps forward, finally able to join Damian on the steps. She gazed into the doorway, looking at the beautiful home, but didn't budge. She didn't feel as if she should be anywhere near something so nice. She looked up at Damian, troubled and a bit of fear behind her glassy eyes.
Richard had followed Lorey around, impressed with the place himself. He had lived in a fairly nice apartment with Rose before her passing. But it was nothing compared to this. He sat down next to Lorey, lovingly rubbing the back of her neck with one hand. "This isn't a dream love..." He reassured, leaning back.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:37 pm
Damian placed his arm about her waist.
"What's wrong?" he whispered. Nothing could make him push her right through the door and into the grand home. It was something she had to do herself, but it was discouraging.
"You look so frightened. There's nothing wrong in there."
Lorey finally eased herself back to rest with him, holding his hand. It was a few moments before she could find the words to speak again.
"Do you think there's a library or something in here?" In her mind, there could be a dance studio or something else completely luxurious just around the corner. "And do you think we'll share a room or have separate ones?"
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- Pocket Full of Ashes - Crew
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:50 pm
Raquel unconsciously leaned into him momentarily, gathering up the courage to step inside. After a moment, she finally made her way just inside the doorway enough so that he could close the door behind them. But she simply stood, silent and a bit frightened, as well as embarassed slightly at her reaction to all of this. "I-it's lovely..." She managed to say so quietly, that it was nearly a whisper. She held her bags tightly in front of her, feet together and head down, like a frightened, unsure little girl. She looked back, searching for Damian's reassuring touch again.
Richard shrugged to the first question, then cleared his throat to the second. He would not have minded one bit sharing a room with Lorey but he knew Damian would probably have it set up differently. At the least he hoped he could have a room near hers. "We'll wait and see ok?" He said with a gentle squeeze around her shoulder.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:58 pm
She was so frightened that he almost felt guilty bringing her in. And yet, it almost infuriated him that she felt so worthless that a house could make her feel small. How could he possibly let her know how much she was worth as a person? Priceless, he had told her. But she didn't believe him yet.
"You deserve this place." Damian leaned in a bit to kiss her lightly upon the cheek. "And much more."
Actually, she deserved a palace, a planet, the universe. Well, maybe that was going too far... but Damian wouldn't have brought her there if he didn't think she would belong.
He himself hadn't seen the place in person yet. Everything had been through virtual tour, but now that he did...
"Good grief, did someone's country mother decorate the place?" He examined a pot of fake flowers by the breeze way with his foot. Tacky, in his mind. "And everything is so... white."
Lorey sighed deeply, sinking into her place a bit.
"Would you mind if I did have my own room?" Secretly she would have her own even if he did, but she wanted to see. "I've never had my own room before..."
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- Pocket Full of Ashes - Crew
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:05 pm
Raquel closed her eyes for a brief moment as he kissed her cheek. She felt a bit better now, though still a bit uncomfortable. "Thank you.." She whispered, looking down at her feet. Once again, she could see her reflection in the polished floors. It didn't look like her. It looked like what Damian had said, Someone who deserved to be here. But how come she didn't feel that way? It was so conflicting and confusing to her.
Ricahrd nodded. Whatever Lorey wanted, he would try to acquire it for her, even if that meant going through Damian. "Whatever you wish love..." He added as he kissed her forehead.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:12 pm
"Come on, let me show you this place..."
And he lead her slowly and surely out to the main living area. He could already see that Richard and Lorey were settling in nicely. In the back of his mind, he hoped they wouldn't be sharing a room, but it was really up to Lorey. He would not have Richard calling the shots on that matter.
"Alright." Damian stood in the middle of the large room, first taking in the light. He needed that so badly within himself, yet he could only find it lingering outside.
"To the right, we have the kitchen. Straight ahead are the bedrooms. There are more than enough, so please, take your pick."
Damian turned slightly to point to his left.
"There is a small pool area, library, recreational room, and sun area over there somewhere. I'm much too tired to even go exploring myself, so... just go and have fun?"
In all honesty, he hoped they would just so he could sleep. He'd have to take care of Raquel first, though. She was exhausted, too, from her crying, and he couldn't bear having her feeling pressed to stay awake for anything.
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- Pocket Full of Ashes - Crew
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:30 pm
Richard nodded as he stood and stretched. "Care to explore Lorey?" He asked, bowing like a gentleman and extending his hand.
Raquel still stayed quiet, but was a little eager to see where she'd be sleeping. She was a bit tired but despite all that, she wanted to thank Damian privately. She felt a little awkward in large crowds, hoping Damian didn't find that as a sign of weakness or ill in his mindset. She just wanted to please him.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:39 pm
Lorey took his hand, and pointed to the left, but before he could say anything, she was practically dragging him along. The word "library" made her heart flutter inside her.
They walked a little ways, finding the books almost right away. It was a stately room, filled with dark shelving and classical, older tomes. Leather chairs sat here and there, and there was even a fire place. But the most dazzling feature of the room was the stained-glass dome that stretched above them, sending a rainbow of colors dancing to the floor below. Lorey stood in the center of that pool of light and color, looking upwards. Her white hair caught every bit that floated down, and unbeknownst to her, made her look like she was part of that beauty.
"I... I loved reading when we could have books," she whispered. That was why she had been so excited. Because this meant she could read, and learn, and become smarter and better for herself and for Richard. Mostly for herself, but how she wanted to be something more than what she was.
Damian had watched them go. He knew Richard was a good man and wouldn't hurt her... but he couldn't help but be jealous in a way.
Raquel didn't go unnoticed, but he was just so tired that he barely turned towards her.
"Are you fatigued?" Damian asked, trying his best at a smile.
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- Pocket Full of Ashes - Crew
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:02 pm
She looked to him for the first time, realizing he had dark circles under his eyes. She lifted her hand to his cheek, studying his tired face. "Probably not as much as you..." She noted, taking his hand. "You're going straight to bed." She knew he wanted to look after everyone else, but he needed someone to look after him as well. Even if he didn't want it in general, or even want it coming form her necessarily. "I heard you say the bedrooms were this way?" She asked, pulling him lightly in their direction. She wasn't excited as Lorey when it came to wanting to explore the house. She was very tired herself, but she also wasn't eager to see exactly how nice it all was. She gently kept her grip on Damian's hand, reaching a door at the end of the hall. She opened the door to reveal a breathtaking bedroom. It looked fit for a king...or a prince...So it should be just good barely good enough for Damian. She placed her things down on the floor, pulling him into the bedroom. She took off his coat and vest, folding them neatly and placing them on a chair near the bed. "Here, you've been on you're feet all day..." She said, gently pushing in so he was sitting on the edge of the large bed. She got on the floor and began pulling his shoes off one at a time, setting them gently on the floor. She was about to get up when she looked up at him with big, strangely content eyes. She rested a hand on his knee, and smiled tiredly. She felt strangely right for a moment. On the floor at his feet. Something she'd never do for any man: show submission. But being there with him... She felt like she belonged begging at his feet, there for his every beck and call. These thoughts crossed her mind quickly as she sat for just a moment more, studying his lovely features.
Richard just stared as Lorey marveled at the beauty around her when she didn't even see herself and how she made all else seem dull and pale in that glorious light. He just stayed a step back, afraid he'd interrupt the beautiful image in front of him.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:09 pm
Damian was in such a daze that he barely even knew what was going on until they were in the room together. She was undressing him like a servant would undress a master, and no matter how many little mutterings he gave, she still didn't stop. It wasn't until she was outright kneeling at his feet that Damian began to shake his head like this was all terribly, terribly wrong.
"Raquel," he said, holding out his hands for her to take. He wanted her to sit next to him upon the bed, not on the floor. "Please, you've been wonderful, but you're treating me like... like royalty or some such nonsense. I'll be fine, I swear."
She was the princess in this story. The Cinderella brought up from her servitude. He was simply the tool for the masterpiece to be made by.
Lorey walked over to a shelf, bringing out a classic.
"I've always wanted to read this," she said, opening it so carefully like it was a precious artifact. "So I could talk to people about it. I've never known what they spoke of in the Ballroom, or in public places when it came to learning. I always felt so stupid, but... I want to fix that."
Another book was carefully plucked from the shelf, brought to rest against her heart. "I want to be better than what I am..."
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- Pocket Full of Ashes - Crew
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:23 pm
Raquel took his hands and carefully brought herself onto the bed with him. she furrowed her brow, reaching for the top buttons or so of his shirt. "I'm sorry...It juts makes me feel...like I've got a purpose...something worthwhile to do for you...after everything you've done for me i mean..." She bit her lip like she usually did when she was thinking hard or nervous as she worked her way down carefully.
Richard came up to her, bringing her close to him in a dramatic sweeping motion. "How could you get any more perfect?" he asked, kissing her gently.
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