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 Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:21 am
Now that she was (sort of) unpacked and (a little) rested after her impromptu house party the day before, Natalie had decided to explore the grounds a bit. She didn't need to return Stephen's truck until that evening, and she didn't feel the need to get that done any sooner than was strictly necessary.
What she seemed to find - and was very happy to find, don't be mistaken! - was... a maze. A hedge maze! Not one of those silly maize mazes she and Stephen and Matt had gotten lost in during that road trip last year.
And, well, she had time to kill... so why not?
She took a few steps in, and had to make her first choice of direction. Within minutes... she was helplessly lost.
... Why had she done this, again?
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Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:24 am
Thorn's face wore none of it's gentlemenly repose or familiar charm. It was empty, devoid of the emotions he would arrange over his face when in front of other people. Because right now, he was alone. And solitude was best enjoyed in peace.
It didn't take long for him to find the maze, and for another idea to enter his mind. THIS, would prove to be the most delightful place to bring Hadrian. Afterall, the man might live here, but his sense of direction had never appeared to be great.
It was so fun, flustering that little one.
Entering the maze with just part of his mind on the time, he smiled, plotting another set of entrapments for Marc's toy.
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Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:31 am
Well, this was getting hopeless. Natalie sighed and twirled around, looking in all directions. Unfortunately, that only made her more lost, and she stomped her foot on the ground, crossing her arms in indignation. Great. Now what should she do?
Sighing again, she flopped down a conveniently located bench, legs akimbo. At the very least, she thought to herself, she should have worn something other than her uniform, no matter how comfy it may be. She couldn't help walking by the hedges, instead of in the middle of the paths, and now her socks were a bit fuzzy on the outer edges, where she'd brushed up against the shrubbery.
"Why do I like mazes, again?" Natalie asked herself aloud. It was a bad habit, a vicious cycle. She'd see a maze, and invariably go, "Oh, look! What fun, a maze!" Ten minutes later (or less), she'd be lost. Five hours later, some maze worker (did they have those?) would find her lying on the ground and would drag her out.
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Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:41 am
The voice was close enough that by the time Thorn turned the corner, he was still wearing an expression of baffled surprise. "Hello there." he said, friendly and gentle. Rather like a god father in an expensive suit and golden hair. Smiling, he nodded his head as he entered the clearing too.
Well well well. What did he have here? With a speculative look at her uniform and her position, he smiled. "Are you lost too?" he asked, innocently.
He could more or less figure the way out now. But there was no need to let the girl know that he knew where to go. This could be fun, and... practice too.
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Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:48 am
Natalie jumped up, nearly tripping over the bench in the process. Awkwardly righting herself, laughing nervously, she turned to look at the newcomer.
"Er. Ah. Hello. Yep, I'm lost, too... badly." She put one hand behind her neck, smiling sheepishly. "I'm no good with mazes..."
Well, it was somebody new. Somebody who looked around Michael's age, and dressed about the same. Well... maybe he was a bit flashier. But (and maybe this was just her experience with older men talking) he didn't look dangerous. Besides - would the mages (or whatever Remiyah had called them) have let somebody dangerous onto the grounds?
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Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:57 am
The girl was cute. And while part of him, in another situation would have cast her off for being much too young, this was different. "We can help each other out." he walked closer, an engaging smile as he nodded his head. Offering a hand, he introduced himself. "My name is Thorn. I'm visiting a colleague who lives here."
Temporarily, partially. And a mage who was proving to be more fun than he had expected. But he didn't think this was something to share with a girl. Especially one who looked cute in the little skirt.
"This place is larger than I thought." he admitted, looking, just for a second, rueful.
Thorn was good at manipulating expressions.
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Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:03 am
If so moved, Natalie would have been good at that, as well. Actress, remember? But, sadly, she was far too much of a goody two-shoes... when it came to things outside who she chose to fall for, at least.
Natalie shook his hand, smile becoming less awkward. "Natalie. I just moved in."
She tilted her head to one side for a moment, then let go of Thorn's hand and looked around.
"Yeah... I can't even remember which direction I came from... I kind of want to see what's in the middle, but I don't want to get even more lost. I have to return my friend's car later today, and I have a rehearsal tonight..."
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Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:01 pm
"Moved in? Are you one of the new guardians?" see? He knew his stuff! Er. Sometimes. Eyes lighting up at the next words, he nodded. "Are you a musician?" with a pondering look, his eyes took her in. Admiring, respectful. Actually, she was quite cute.
Somewhat like Hadrian, except... feminene.
"You must be an actress." he said, finally deciding that this was it. "Are you in a musical? Theater production?"
Nodding his head, he motioned vageuly towards the inner sanctum of the maze. "I am curious myself. So, Natalie. Why don't we do this together, you and I?" he grinned. "Surely we'll best this maze."
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Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:08 pm
"Yeah, one of the new guardians. Well, that's what the letter said, anyway. I haven't met anybody but a few of my neighbors, though, so I guess I can't be totally sure..."
She nodded, laughing a little. "And yes, I'm an actress. Not planning to make a career out of it... though I'm not sure what else I plan on doing. And yep - lead role in a local musical. Jane Eyre. Opening night is pretty soon..."
Natalie looked towards the center as well, though no path led straight over. She wondered if they could just hop the hedges, or something. Well, no, that wouldn't be fun...
She held out her arm. "I think that's a splendid idea!"
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Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:24 pm
"Jane Eyre?" he smiled, nodding his head. "Congratulations on the lead role, Natalie." taking her arm in the old fashioned manner tradition seemed to dictate, he nodded.
"Now, lets see. Which way do you think will lead us closer to our goal?" with a conspirital grin, he leaned forewords. "I'm afraid my direction sense is... nothing to boast about."
He wondered how long it would take. He wondered what sort of girl this one would turn out to be.
"What are you doing, walking around the maze in a school skirt?" he sounded amused. "I don't think it's safe Natalie, even here."
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Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:30 pm
"Oh, thanks! Still not quite sure how I got it, but..." She shrugged, and pursed her lips. She had almost made up her mind as to where to go(with a lot of humming and hard thinking), and was beginning to point to one of the exits from the little area, when she caught Thorn's next statement.
She blushed bright and quick, looking at him. "And what's that supposed to mean?!" Natalie asked, flustered. "I wear it because it's comfortable, and since it's my school uniform - and I'm in college, thank you, it's just that the professors are all perverts - I have a lot of 'em."
Innocent question, she told herself. It was an innocent question, nothing more! And yes, seeing a young woman in a school uniform was probably a little odd. And that was all there was to it.
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Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:34 pm
College? Alright. Older than he had first thought, which made her legal game. Grinning, he pointed out a direction. "That way?" he suggested.
If he had planned this right, it would lead them on a more or less straight path to the center. More or less-- it was better to get lost after the destination. And besides.
Maybe the center would prove more opportunities to... experiment. Thorn decided that he was having fun. And he wasn't going to try to lose her too soon.
"Natalie." he purred. "A plaid skirt will give any man ideas, pervert or no." He arched a brow slowly. "Tempting, Natalie. Tempting."
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Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:44 pm
"Um, sure. Looks... good..." She found herself leaning away a little from Thorn... and at those last words, she squeaked and jumped away entirely, making sure her skirt was held close to her legs.
Great, she was stuck in a maze with a man who was thinking naughty thoughts involving her knickers!
Of course, if that man had been Michael... no, no, not thinking about that! She bit her lip, edging towards the direction they had chosen. "Er..."
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Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 9:55 am
With a laugh, Thorn changed the subject. "So how long have you been here, Natalie?" he asked. "I have met one of the souls. A charming little girl, really. Like a daughter." changing the mood, as it were, he led her down the pathway.
Now if they turned left, it should just lie around the next bend.
"It must be exciting, having a role in something like this." he smiled. He was kind, gentle.
None of that pervy knicker stuff from a few seconds ago.
"Have you met the mages, yet?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 9:58 am
It took a few moments of cautious hesitation for her to let go of her clothing and edge back towards him. "Only a day... and the only people I've met here are a few of my neighbours... and you."
By the time they got to the bend, she was right back next to him, calming down a little. "The only excitement I've gotten lately was having an avalanche of boxes fall on my head. Oh, and an impromptu house warming party, in which I had to whip up ramen-based food."
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