|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 11:45 am
KytanaTheThief As she circled the room again, a familiar figure caught the corner of her eye. She would recognize that "face" anywhere, even if he had "upgraded" it, and her mouth split into a grin, her elongated canines showing. Striding over to her friend, she gave a small, silly bow, intended to make him laugh. Her voice was smooth and light, an alto tinged with a southern accent. "Saphen, my friend, what a pleasure to see you here." She stood straight again, and her posture took a more relaxed tone. "Aaaand that's enough politeness for one night. How have you been?" She blinked, an ear flicking as she took a longer look at his companion, taking in his...curious..ensemble. "I know you...you were in HoH, yeah?" Another ear flick as she blinked, glancing back at Saphen. "..with Saphen here, if I recall correctly?"Her gaze looked stricken for a moment, and she quickly made another small, less mocking bow to Anson. "I'm sorry, where are my manners? Name's Robyn, Robyn Isedan." Saphen turned with a small smile as he heard the familiar voice of a certain animal lady. "The honor is mine as always, I do hope my new face did not alarm you at all...obviously not. You do have a gift of finding me...Though I suppose not many people here wear a mask do they?"The bard's laughter was full and strong as he took a step back, to allow Anson into the conversation. Knowing full well that his former captain was well versed in fighting and...not so much in social graces he knew exactly what he needed to do to keep the young warrior relaxed. "Why yes sweetheart this is Anson. A much greater warrior than I and if he passes alternate in this tournament I will need to write an dirge for my sake." Saphen laughed even louder this time, tapping the shoulder of the one with the fabled autographed sword. "So I suppose you are here to fight as well Robyn?" His voice was soft, warmer now as he talked about the deadly tournament...soon to come. As he listened to her response he also listened to the music group that had been hired to work here. They were good...sure...for most musicians. They had good timing, almost all of them were in tune (minus one cello player who was off on his lowest string by a very small margin) and of course no one noticed any of their mistakes. But Saphen did...and each and everyone reminded him just how far he had come as a musician himself. The need to perfect music...in the chaos of combat...now that was a true performance. Anyone could play a masterpiece when sitting in a chair but to do it with a blade in your face...with a thirst for blood. "What a splendid sight that would be..." the bard whispered...not even realizing he was speaking out loud.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 11:59 am
"Nothing Merlyn hasn't seen before, but there's a privacy window thing."
He shrugged, not terribly concerned. No, after this was done completely, the first thing on his mind was more along the lines of massaging than nookie, maybe a glass of wine and a movie or something. And then, nookie.
"Either way, whenever I leave the island, I have my Ravens nearby. Better safe than sorry... and red velvet cake? I think I might get a bit of that, myself."
He finished off the slice of cake and then daintily wiped the side of his lips with a fancy napkin he'd taken off the table before looking back out at the ball again. Yeah, Kichi was around. For some reason, the vampire and healer woman were dancing, some dude he vaguely recognized was heading right for the meat like a real man.
"But go on ahead. I've gotta adjust... stuff I'm wearing underneath this, and that sorta requires me to not be around a shitton of other people."
He got to his feet and grinned at her, put the top hat back on over his red-black curls, and walked off to find the nearest bathroom to de-crackify his boxers. Not even being a fey could stop undergarment malfunctions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 12:08 pm
"What exactly are you up to KB?" James asked himself as he eyed the vampire's departure out of the corner of his vision. The slayer was merely observing the crowd, and gauging the level of the competition as he waited for Sey to return. Black eyes swept over everyone like a radar, noting auras, distinguishing people, potential challenges. He wasn't sure if KB had entered the tournament, but if he did, he looked forward to a fight.
The vampire and the slayer had a sort of, grudging respect for each other. James, for the fact that KB seemed to be an true vampire, nearly unkillable despite the defeats that were handed to him, a mark of a truly powerful nosferastu, and KB, for the slayer's persistence and skill at at arms.
Whatever. There were gonna be words to be had if he waylaid James's date anylonger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 12:08 pm
Iru giggled a little. He could have just said that he was going to the bathroom. It was nice to be a girl. That type of discomfort was minimized in a dress unless one decided to wear a thong or overly lacy underwear. "See you." She said before standing to her feet. She did a quick dress check to make sure no cake got onto it then went back to the food tables.
One of the NPC waiters would take the cake that she sampled from the table. In the corner of her eye, she saw that many people came in while she and Ross were occupied with each other. Perhaps she would start up a conversation, but first she wanted to get one of those shrimp glasses. They even had various dips in each glass. Iru decided to go for a glass with a red dip in it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 12:23 pm
The half-wolf would have loved to favor Robyn with his teasing grin, but she happened to look away before he could. He had no doubt of her fighting prowess regardless of what garments she wore, but that did not make it any less amusing to see her dressed that way. She would always be welcome to try and wipe the grin off his face, because a certain wargkiller had yet to time paradoxically kill a certain warg. So there~!
"No, it's nothing," Rylen said evasively to Isabella with a languid shrug, trying to play it off. The squeeze she gave his hand let him know that answer alone would not suffice, but he was reluctant to come out with the truth. They had only been together less than five minutes after a week of being apart, and already he was putting himself in the doghouse, pun marginally intended. He felt telling her about Robyn would only complicate things, but then outright lying would end up biting him in the tail later; ah, the tangled webs we weave. So he told the partial truth and said, "Just saw something funny."
All right, time to quickly redirect the flow of conversation. Say something sweet to get her mind off it. He dipped his head forward just over her shoulder so the side of his face pressed against hers. Damn, she even smelled nice--she knew well enough to avoid using too strong a perfume around him. He interlaced the fingers of his hands with hers and spoke in a low, placating tone.
"I'm glad you're here," If he was being dishonest for the sole sake of saving his skin, any functioning lie detector would have a difficult time proving it. He might not be the type to wear his feelings out on his cuff, but he was also not the type to lie about them. If he enjoyed anything more than the prospect of testing his skills against other fighters throughout Gaia and beyond, it was the time he spent simply being close to her. And tonight he had miraculously been given all that he could ask for, which is why the normally petulant half-wolf had instead a tame, docile look in his half-lidded crimson eyes. He pulled his head back away from hanging over her shoulder to smile warmly at her as they continued to dance. He only hoped that he had successfully defused the situation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 12:30 pm
So far, the ball was going reasonably well. Guests containing both fighters and visitors who had come to spectate this grand tournament were swarming the room. They were either talking amongst one another with a drink in their hand, or dancing to the jazz-like music playing at the stage, the dance floor filled with people stomping their shoes and twirling their dresses. You would never see a scene like this at other fighting tournaments. That was because Midus did not want the GTB to be seen as a place where blood and violence were encouraged. Instead, he wanted this to be a place where fighters could indulge in a sport that did not call for killing one another or fighting simply out of aggression. He wanted the GTB to become just a meeting place for people who enjoyed mortal combat to come and test their mettle.
Honestly, he never expected to get sixty four fighters so soon. Usually, many of the high caliber fighters were out during their own thing in the world. Or they were just too bothered to try to come and sign up for a tournament that gave them so much to gain and little to lose. Thankfully, word spread, and soon, the people flocked. Now look at this place. It was becoming a grand tourist attraction. Everything was falling into place, just as the man had dreamed.
"He's here! He's here!"
Suddenly, the voices in the room increased. Faces were turning toward the entrance of the ballroom, camera men readying their cameras for the incoming person. First, there were men in suits, businessmen who were mainly Midus's investors. And following them, the head man himself.
Nothing could describe the beauty and majesty that befell Midus Sonner's attire. He resembled the image of masculine perfection, from the bulging muscles to the glamorous suit of purple, white and gold armor. The masses could not tell whether they were looking at a man or a king, but they gave their applause, laughter and smiles decorating their faces as he walked in with an air of sovereignty, flashes of white recording his image into photo permanency. He gave each and every person that he could a wave and a greeting as he walked in, moving toward the stairs of the northern balcony. He ascended it, the cape he wore matching his strides, until he finally reached the top, looking over everyone like the leader he was.
His arms spread outward, hands open, as he gave a posture that he wanted everyone to quiet, the music dying down. For he had words to speak, words that would only enhance the presentation that both the ball and himself have granted this evening.
"Welcome, everyone." His voice carried through the room easily. "Welcome to the opening ceremony of the fourth Gaian Tenkaichi Budokai. For those who do not know me, I am your host, Midus Sonners. I am happy to have you all here, and especially happy for those who have chosen to compete this year in this most honored competition."
His hands grabbed the railing of the balcony, leaning forward as he continued his speech.
"I ask that you all enjoy the pleasantries that I give you tonight. Relax, have fun. Take the time to let yourselves settle in. But do not get too filled up. For tomorrow, your dessert shall be the start of the first round of our prestigious tournament!"
He paused, letting everyone applaud. When they were done, he spoke once more.
"During this evening, we will reveal to you all the brackets of the first round. Until then, eat, dance, and laugh. As to the fighters themselves, you are welcome to come up here to the special tables, set out specifically for you. Talk, converse. Though you will be opponents tomorrow, tonight, you are comrades, comrades who have come for a mutual purpose. The purpose of showing the whole world the beauty of mortal combat."
With a raise of his right hand, the people gave one more round of applause, Midus turning to walk to his grand city at the center table. The saxophone of the jazz band started up once more, the evening continuing on as normal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Midus Sonners Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:03 pm
Isabella grinned, did he really think he could get by with just trying to dismiss it? Teasing each other was fun, it had been fun since they very first met. She enjoyed playing this game, it was kind of like going on the hunt, solving a mystery, it satisfied thrills from both halves of her person. She didn't need to speak to let him know she wasn't buying it, she playfully squeezed his hand again. A non-verbal 'try again'. And then he went on to try to avoid the question again by dismissing it. She was about ready to stop and play more aggressively, but the next comment that came from him caught her off guard. It made her feel good inside, really warm, her heart and head light. And she smiled softly, she was ready to lean up and kiss him, but the sudden stir in the hall sort of ruined the moment.
Isabella did stop moving as the music died and a crowd formed. Cameras flashed, people applauded, she couldn't help but to wonder what was going on. She turned to stand at Rylen's side, clinging to his arm while looking up to see a handsome man, perhaps a bit flamboyant, but that came with people who saw themselves as important. She listened to his speech, and by the time he introduced himself as the host of this event, she had already figured that he had some kind of role like that. It was an impressive ball, and she was excited to see how their training together might help push Rylen further in the competition.
And after the speech and the music resumed, Isabella turned to look back up to Rylen. She was looking to see how he reacted to the Mr. Sonners's address. He had to be more excited about all of this than her. She tugged on his arm a bit to get his attention, tilting her head and flashing a bright smile,
"A bit over the top, don't you think?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:24 pm
"Oh no I hope I didn't miss the bracket announcement!!! The girl said running inside the room. Why did I have to be so late in this??? She asked herself, she had always left for the Opening Ball very considerably early since she had always hoped to compete in the Tournament. But she had been told that she was on the waiting list. This new had always frustrated her when she had though she would be a contestant in this very opportunistic chance to prove herself in the world.
When she came in more calm and collected about her surroundings she noticed that everyone was dressed so formally. OH!!! Thank you! I picked the right outfit for the Opening Ball!!! She walked more calmly and thought how her dress looked, a black strapless-slit dress. "Hm...I wonder who is here..." Muttering to herself, she had always thought that muttering to herself was very, normal for her. But still even muttering to herself made her feel weird here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:44 pm
It didn't take long after Anson slipped in unnoticed before someone addressed him out of the blue with a tap on the shoulder that caused the young boy to jump slightly as if he were expecting something far worse to happen immediately afterward. In a crowd like this full of devils and men possessed by dark powers... including a vampire on the dance floor... a Paladin's righteous aura was sure to stick out like a sore thumb.
Shockingly enough though, it wasn't until he turned to look over his shoulder to find himself face to face with the sculpted face of a statuesque young man did the boy truly understand the meaning of the word 'unexpected'.Saphen "Anson, I thought that was you," the bard chuckled as he pat him on the back.
"S- Sir Saphen."
After taking a step back to distance himself the boy had a better view of his former companion and managed to make a much less shocking assessment of the situation. The gaunt figure covered from finger to toe and everything in between showing no skin at all, a head shorter than almost everyone else in the room, and speaking in such a gregarious tone from behind a cold and emotionless mask - it had to have been Saphen.
"I- ah, oh jeez you surprised me," said the boy in apology for his outburst.Saphen "Are you wondering about the mask? Well this is a formal occasion and I wanted to look more...welcoming...did it work?"
"I didn't expect you to wear something else though. You never changed it in the past, I guess I kind of started thinking of it as your face..." he admitted with a nervous rub on the back of his neck. From what little he knew about the musician's personality, the mask he had always worn was his face and thinking about it that way; well, it was just kind of creepy to think of what changing it meant on some deep, psychological level.
It was best not to think about it.Saphen "I am honored to see you again please...tell me what brings you here to the GTB. I haven't seen you in this tournament before...do you plan to compete?"
"I didn't expect to see you here, though. You've competed in this tournament before? I didn't know... though," he chuckled nervously, "it makes me feel a little more at ease knowing I won't be completely out of my league if you've entered more than o-"
He trailed off before his sentence finished, suddenly realizing that what he was saying could have been seen as insulting to his former companion. If Saphen had entered the Gaian Tenkaichi Budokai more than once it should have meant that many of the competitors were on his level... but at the same time Anson was afraid that saying it aloud might make it sound as if he were saying Saphen was weak.
There was an awkward silence... Thankfully someone else came along just then to break it.KytanaTheThief She blinked, an ear flicking as she took a longer look at his companion, taking in his...curious..ensemble. "I know you...you were in HoH, yeah?" Another ear flick as she blinked, glancing back at Saphen. "..with Saphen here, if I recall correctly?"Her gaze looked stricken for a moment, and she quickly made another small, less mocking bow to Anson. "I'm sorry, where are my manners? Name's Robyn, Robyn Isedan."
"Ah," the young paladin bowed respectfully after the woman introduced herself, as if suddenly realizing how awkward and impolite he was being. "I'm honored to make your acquaintance Ms. Isedan. Yes ma'am. And yes ma'am. I fought alongside Sir Saphen last winter and he was a most admirable comrade."
"My apologies," he added an instant later, "my mistake. I am Paladin Anson Brent, at your service ma'am."Saphen "Why yes sweetheart this is Anson. A much greater warrior than I and if he passes alternate in this tournament I will need to write an dirge for my sake."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 1:49 pm
Shortly before Midus's announcement, Deitric had slipped into the ballroom, listening to the speech while he mingled and moved through the crowd. Dressed in a gunmetal gray, pinstriped suit with a long coat that billowed around his feet as he walked and black gloves over his hands, the tribesman could have been mistaken for an investor or spectator, if not for his unmistakable face.
Shaking hands as he went along, he eventually took a seat that had been reserved by those around him - some men gray-haired, some youthful, but all wearing the small VIP tags that denoted they were spectators of at least minor import. A conversation went back and forth between the various figures seated at the table, while small, manila folders were passed along to the dark-skinned warrior, with young aids pointing things out on the documents for him to study.
Meanwhile, the Psi Nine news team - sans Johnnie, who acted as Deitric's second at the table of businessmen - moved through the crowd, scoping out various competitors, while the anchorman spoke excitedly into his mic, the camera's glimmering lens shifting from Midus, to the anchorman and back again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 2:09 pm
As if he had a sixth sense for intimate contact, Rylen himself was about to plant a quick kiss on Isabella's lips when his right ear twitched from the sound of the approaching commotion that surrounded the man known as Midus Sonners. Both of his wolfish ears pricked straight up as he turned his head toward the procession with a brow furrowed in concentration. When he finally got a glimpse of Mr. Sonners, he knew the extravagantly-dressed man had to be the famed tournament host.
Impressive, he supposed. The guy certainly had some kind of taste in fashion. Whether it was any good or not, Rylen was far from the being the one to judge. However, his appearance filled the room with a jittery buzz. The fur on Rylen's ears and tail rose from the feeling of electricity in the air, particularly in eager anticipation over the announcement of the brackets. Rylen wondered if he would get to meet his opponent at the ball. He honestly felt apathetic about it. Meeting his opponent or not would do nothing to change how he approached his match. Unless... Unless that opponent happened to be Robyn.
His crimson eyes glanced over in her direction for a very brief second, and he noticed her speaking with at least two other attendants to the evening's festivities. The prospect of facing her filled him with a bit of uncertainty that he did not like to stomach. Not that he felt he needed to hold back or anything of that sort--Rylen would not disrespect her by giving her anything less than his all. But he would hate for one of them to have to suffer defeat at the hands of the other in the first round. It would just be too bittersweet, and Rylen had more of a taste for bringing the hurt to some anonymous fool instead.
Externally, Rylen listened to Midus's speech with a hard scowl on his face, which Isabella would recognize from around the time they first met. It was hard to decipher anything concrete behind the look besides that Rylen looked ready to rumble at the drop of a hat. It was his game face, so to speak, and he wore it readily when Midus spoke of the tournament's commencement on the morrow. It actually took him a moment to register that she given him a tug and spoken to him. Snapping out of his trance, he flashed a private smirk at her.
"Yeah. He doesn't look like the type to spare any expense." He said in jest. Or to know the meaning of the word expense for that matter. Rylen took a moment to survey the wide room to gauge the general reaction to Midus's speech, and to Isabella he would seem to have a distant, preoccupied look in his eyes as he started to earnestly size his competition up. Which one would he be facing? Isabella would know how impatient he could be, and Midus mentioning the brackets would only succeed in giving Rylen something to obsess about until the brackets were finally revealed. Sure, he did not really care who it was, but knowing was just another step that brought him closer to the actual fight--and that was something he could not wait for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 2:31 pm
As the dance floor began to fill with people over the course of time, a calm figure began to make his way into the ball. It was a young man, standing tall at 6 foot 3 inches with broad shoulders and a lean yet muscular build like that of a water polo player. He walked in with soft, soundless foot steps as he put a hand through his ebony black hair to get it out of his face, thus revealing his cobalt blue eyes and making clear the cigarette that lay burning at the corner of his lip. He walked further into the ball and placed himself comfortably against the side of the wall, his feet crossed against one another as he would take his gauntlet covered hand and grab the cigarette to clear some of the ash in a nearby ashtray.
He did so quickly as he put the thing back in his mouth and whipped off any ash on his jet-black tuxedo jacket or his white collared undershirt with it's blue lace Versace tie. All the while, his eyes were glued to the folk around him, as he observed silently the on-goings of this place in a blank silence. He noticed his boss, Ross Vernal, and was able to make out some familiar but still anonymous faces, but otherwise he knew no one else here nor what they were capable of. They had to have skill to get in this place to begin with, but the extent of their abilities and combat experience was yet to be seen. He knew wasn't much to talk about experience since he had only fought once before with a gun at that, but for ability, the recent discovery of magical traits in him should prove handy as he masters it.
So for the time he decided to stand there and enjoy the scenery as he wouldn't approach anyone particular in the time being, although he was in the heart of the event location wise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 2:33 pm
Saphen smiled as the boy fumbled through his words and sayings that were at best...nervous.
"This isn't my face Anson as you surmised...All warriors wear masks on the eve of battle. They show calmness on their faces but their hearts scream with fear..." The bard leaned closer before whispering "Even you don't have your face on today."
As the young paladin spoke of their last meeting, the battles they fought together during HoH Saphen corrected "I am hardly admirable my friend. If I was stronger at the time...we might have moved on." It seemed if there was a chance for the musician to show any expression at all with his stone visage this was it. The mask tilted down slightly, it's unbending gaze pointed at the floor as he thought for a moment.
But it was after this moment that Saphen quickly praised his comrade. After all, even tragedies made most excellent stories...and wasn't that the point of combat? To bring home a most daring story for all to behold, the collision of destiny and fate.
Saphen gave the lady and the paladin a few moments to speak pleasantries as he considered what he would say next. "Anson," he said gently as he turned to the young boy once more. "I need you to remember this, it is very important." Saphen raised a gloved hand in front of Anson and opened it. A white magnolia, in all of it's beauty, rested with little contrast in his hand.
"There are those here that will seek to distract you, poison your mind with fear and hatred or worse..." Saphen waved his other hand as a vague gesture to all the other competitors. "We might be opponents in this tournament but you are not alone. Those who shed blood together are forever brothers my friend. Never forget that...even in the end."
Saphen placed the flower gently into his hand and smiled once more...though it was a wasted expression. "Keep your head when all about you." Saphen chuckled before finishing the line of Kipling's poem "Are losing theirs...and blaming it on you." Saphen hoped his laughter would lighten the mood. He certainly knew Anson would need that considering how easily he wears his emotion on his sleeve.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 2:51 pm
Saphen "The honor is mine as always, I do hope my new face did not alarm you at all...obviously not. You do have a gift of finding me...Though I suppose not many people here wear a mask do they?" Robyn grinned warmly at the bard, winking slightly and laughing. "That they do not, my friend, that they do not." themightyjello "Ah," the young paladin bowed respectfully after the woman introduced herself, as if suddenly realizing how awkward and impolite he was being. "I'm honored to make your acquaintance Ms. Isedan. Yes ma'am. And yes ma'am. I fought alongside Sir Saphen last winter and he was a most admirable comrade."
"My apologies," he added an instant later, "my mistake. I am Paladin Anson Brent, at your service ma'am." Her left ear twitched at being called "ma'am", but she figured the poor kid was just nervous. Or maybe just really polite. Either way, she still felt that 24 did not qualify for "ma'am". Even if she was roughly 10 years older than the boy. Saphen "Why yes sweetheart this is Anson. A much greater warrior than I and if he passes alternate in this tournament I will need to write an dirge for my sake." His next comment had her blinking and looking at him with a raised eyebrow, although her smile never slipped from her face. " 'Sweetheart', am I?" Her tail twitched as she appeared to mull it over before winking. "I like it." That bit dealt with, she returned her attention to the now-named Anson. He seemed a little young, she thought, but then again, with every other type of character these tournaments brought out, it wasn't exactly a big deal. She idly wondered what his "power" was, or if he even had one. The fox figured he would, considering a kid like him would probably get his butt kicked if he was strictly weapon or hand-to-hand. Then again, he could have been training since he was small, or some other deal like that. Saphen "So I suppose you are here to fight as well Robyn?" His voice was soft, warmer now as he talked about the deadly tournament...soon to come. She nodded, her grin dropping slightly, although it could still be considered a grin. "That I am. Since I had a hard time wrangling up a team, figured I might as well try for a one-on-one deal. Looking forward to it, though." She glanced back at the main area, bright green eyes sweeping the room. So many people, so many fighters. "I doubt I'll get very far, but hey, who knows? And I'm more in it for the fun, anyways. Along with the...uh..." The fox-girl flicked her ears forward twice as she glanced at Anson. She'd told Saphen about the curse, but she wasn't sure she wanted the kid to know just yet. She'd only just met him, after all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 3:09 pm
Isabella could understand why Rylen seemed a bit off, she doubted that anyone else shared the same passion for a fight as him. She felt the same way about other things. But with the new status of her relationship, she did feel a bit uneasy about it. She understood that was the whole point of the two of them being here, for him to compete, and for him to do well in competing. But at the same time, she wanted to spend all the time she could with him. Right now, that probably meant every waking moment. It was safe to say that having him as a guest of her estate and having him present for her beck and call did spoil her a bit. Just missing him for a week seemed unbearable, but these were feelings that any new couple felt when necessity called for some kind of separation.
She felt like she only had half of his attention. He didn't seem to want to engage in conversation. She saw it in his eyes, he was drawn into the environment. She thought she saw hunger in his eyes, perhaps like a child waiting in anticipation to receive a gift. She looked around with him before looking back up to his face, it was as if he were searching for something or someone. Was he looking for whatever had caught his attention while they were dancing? She hated feeling so insecure about their relationship, and she still hadn't quite figured out how to deal with it. She never had a reason to feel insecure about anything before. Then again, she never really cared about much of anything besides personal reputation before this.
"It's a bit stuffy in here, let's find someplace outside to catch up."
Again she insisted on that instead of making it a suggestion. And she practically dragged him by the arm to leave the hall. Making this kind of move had two purposes. It would give them the opportunity to talk, but more importantly, it was going to eliminate whatever was distracting Rylen from paying attention to her. A bit childish, but how you could blame someone who was protective and a jealous lover? Although Rylen had already made it clear that he wasn't going anywhere, Isabella had a difficult time believing a wild one like him could stay put for long unless she took some initiative.
Quickly Isabella was able to navigate the two of them down the ramps and through the crowd to eventually get them outside. The band was still audible, but it was decent, a much better volume for talking than for dancing. And the scenery was stunning. The air was not nearly as thick, and a cool breeze quickly cooled things down. But the best part of it all for Isabella, the two of them were alone. She wasted little time to get in front of him and wrapped her arms tightly around his body, pushing himself into him in a hug. After the initial squeeze her arms let up a bit as she rested her cheek again Rylen's chest. She closed her eyes and smiled. It felt so good, and she had missed his scent.
"I'm so happy that you invited me to be here with you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
