|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:30 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:18 pm
A lone manor was sitting on a large plot of land, just outside the forest. Of course on the other side of the forest was the city. Nightshade Manor and civilization were only a few hours apart. But the manor rarely received visitors unless they were previously invited by the home's inhabitants. Thus it was genuinely a quiet, undisturbed place. Beautiful too, with fountains, rose bushes, a pool, and a hedge maze. But it wasn't only gorgeous on the outside, the inside was impressive too.
Also inside, we have Eri Nightshade who inherited the place from her family.
Then there are her companions; Methos the chimera, and Jinx the black cat. Along with a pet kilin which she lovingly calls 'Deedle'.
And lastly there is the mysterious Baron von Geist also sometimes called 'The Count' do to his likeness to a certain other 'count'...*cough* Dracula, at least clothing and manor-wise.
But the Baron keeps to himself, and is rarely ever seen. He is an alchemist, and spends most of his time making dolls using the souls Eri collects, and brings them to life. No one knows his relation to Eri. Only that they share a home, and that the dolls he makes act as maids, butlers, chefs, gardeners etc.
Anyway, back to the idea of 'guests'. Eri was expecting someone, and paced back and forth near the door. "Hopefully they didn't run into any trouble in the woods," she muttered.
"Don't worry, I'm sure they're fine," Jinx replied, as he stretched out on the back of the couch so he could read over Methos's shoulder. The chimera nodded in agreement.
Eri sighed. "Yes, I suppose you're right."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 12:11 pm
Not owning a car, Ran was forced to rent a vehicle to reach the manor. When she'd told the directions to the cabbie, the man had laughed at her; now she saw exactly why.
"You sure this is the right place?" The cabbie asked, looking back before pulling into the drive way.
"I-I think so......" Ran glanced out the window, spotting Eri and the other pets outside on the lawn. "Yes, it is. Thank you very much for the ride, sir."
She tried to reach into her pocket, but with Bailey having fallen asleep on the ride, was laying across her lap and making pocket access difficult.
Opening her door on the other side of the cab, Artemis stepped out with a perternatural grace no human could match. Her sandaled feet touched the ground as she strode towards the entrance, though it almost looked like she floated. Not waiting for her owner and the dog, Artemis started for the large front doors ahead of the others.
Yawning and stretching when he was shaken awake, Bailey poked his head out the window and his tail began to wag rapidly. The cat lived here, and he could smell Jinx long before seeing him. "Cat!" He cried- jumping straight out the window and running across the lawn to the front doors.
"GAH!" Ran couldn't help but be kicked when the dog-boy lept from the car, though was now able to pay for the ride. Opening her door, she stepped out; the cabbie leaving as soon as she shut the door.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 12:48 pm
"Oooh there she is!" Eri exclaimed suddenly. "Hi Raaan!" she called waving at her friend.
Jinx didn't have to think twice when he heard a familiar voice yell 'cat'. He whirled around, and lept up a tree. But he was smiling, and a look of mischief spread across his face. He would dangle just out of reach of Bailey, occasionally swatting and batting at the air.
Methos in the meantime was transfixed by the beauty before him. He was standing at the door as Artemis approached. "H-hello Artemis," he said with a blush.
"I'm glad you arrived ok! I know it's a pain coming out to a place in the sticks like this. It was great you could get a ride. All I could really offer would be a horse and buggy and it's a real bumpy and uncomfortable expereince," she chuckled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 1:22 pm
Bailey's tail wagged a mile a minute, standing at the base of the tree grinning. However, it seemed to sink in as he tried to scramble up to reach Jinx, that hands were far better than paws to try and get to someone high up. "Hey!"
A tint of rosey red tinged Artemis's face as well, smiling up at Methos. "Good morning." She said softly, stepping closer to him until she was nearly shoulder to shoulder with him.
"no no! It's all right. I wouldn't have minded a horse ride either; it's exciting. Though, hearing a whip would probably scare Artemis, and horses would make Bailey far too excited..." Ran smiled sheepishly, and moved to hug Eri. "It's good to see you again." She said in a friendly tone, releasing the woman quickly enough. "I just can't imagine you'd live in a place this big!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:06 pm
Methos smiled, "Indeed it is. Not quite as lovely as you though," he added with a little charm.
Jinx chuckled, and reached down to ruffles Bailey's hair. "Heehee. Awww okay," the cat replied, sliding down from his perch on the tree branch. But of course, he landed on Bailey. "Whoops!" Luckily the cat didn't weigh much. x3;
"Yup, the place is pretty big. I just love it here; the atmosphere and everything. My parents left Nightshade Manor to me in their will." You could see a tinge of sadness in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared with her goal to be upbeat and give her friends a good time. "Anyhow," she continued, "It's really easy to get lost here if you're new. So try to stick close. If we're lucky maybe ol' Mr. Keeps-to-Himself will come out of hiding, and leave his studies to at least come say 'hi'." She was apparently reverring to the Baron, but she even mentioned him to Ran before? Probably not. But she wouldnt' have brought him up unless he was having a 'good day'. And what might a 'good day?' be you ask? Wellllllll it's a secret. Oo; For now anyway....
A ways away, past the iron gate that led to the family cemetery, a small white and purple creature darted through the bushes into the hedgemaze. Yes, apparently Deedle was running loose. Eri couldn't help but wonder whether or not if he would get along with the guests. But she hadn't bothered putting him in the tower or anything.
Oh well. He'll be fine. It's not like he's gonna eat anybody. xD She thought to herself with a grin.
((Deedle and The Count are just kind of added for story possibilities. xD They could wander, get lost, meet ppl, find strange things, explore....whatever. xD))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:33 pm
Having been halfway up the tree, the dog yelped as he fell down to the ground. Winded when the cat added his weight to the dog's chest. Bailey coughed loudly, suddenly no longer as bouncy as he had been.
The woman looked away to hide a blush, though moved to embrace Methos around his middle when she was over the slight embaressment of such sweet words. Resting her head against his shoulder, the hind smiled fondly as she looked up to him.
"Who?" Ran murmured before spotting her dog fall out of the tree. "BAILEY!" She shouted, racing over towards him. "Jinx, you have to be careful! What would have happened if you landed on his neck?!" Helping the pooch-in-man's-clothing sit up, Ran rubbed his back in hopes of comforting him.
Within a few moments the coughing stopped, and Bailey looked to be his old self once more. Though he did look slightly pained, and he did pant heavily... Perhaps he wasn't as all right as he let on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:50 pm
"Oh no! Jinx!" Eri gasped as she rushed over after Ran. She immediately pulled the cat off of Bailey.
Jinx immediately started to apologize. His eyes even looked teary. But Eri had him in the arm and was hauling him toward the house. "Methos! F-find a first aid kit or something!" Maybe she was over-reacting, but she didn't want to take any chances. Her gray wings fluttered slighty in the wind as she half-flied, half-walked towards the front door.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt him," Jinx whispered, looking downright depressed.
"I know. It's okay. You didn't mean to, but we have to make sure Bailey is ok. If the first aid kit isn't enough we might have to bother Raimy-kun."
"Don't you mean the Baron?" Jinx questioned, wiping a tear from his eye.
"I know, but he always scolds me for being too formal with him. Bah but that's besides the point. Maybe he has a magical remedy or something..."
A startled Methos, immediately turned and went inside at Eri's command. But he left the door open for the others to follow if they wished.
Methos glided almost like a ghost through the main entrance and up the entrance hall stairs and disappeared into one of the many halls. Moments later he returned with a white box at the front door.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:13 pm
With Ran petting him and giving him attention, the pooch calmed down and managed to breathe freely in time. Nothing was the matter; he'd simply been winded.
With a doggy smile the pup looked to Ran and gave her a rather large hug around the neck before looking to Jinx. "I'm ok." He said cheerfully.
The woman sighed deeply, stroking Bailey's hair from his eyes and looking to Eri with a warm smile of relief. "He's ok... First aid shouldn't be necissary, but if you could bring him a drink, I'd be very grateful."
Having tried to follow Methos, Artemis stood in the doorway watching the very tall chimera depart faster than she was able to follow. "It's all right Methos." She murmured when he returned. "Bailey's all right, everyone's calming down."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:26 pm
Jinx gasped in relief, as a smile began to spread across his face as he went to sit next to Bailey. "Thank goodness."
"Phew," Eri sighed, flying back to the door where Artemis and Methos were. She took the First Aid kit from Methos. "Don't worry. I'll put this back Methos. Why don't you show Artemis around. She might like the flowers at the center of the maze" she said with a wink, before heading back outside where the others were. "You're all invited inside of couse. You don't have to sit on the lawn." ^^
Methos blushed at the wink, but nodded. "Would you like a tour? The inside or the outside of the house. Whichever you like," he mumbled shyly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:42 pm
The pooch pounced on Jinx, giving the cat the noogie of his life. Something he'd picked up from Ran and her siblings.
"No more tree climbing, all right Bailey?" Ran said firmly, and chuckled at Jinx's predicament. "What goes around, comes around I suppose..." Standing up and dusting her jeans off, Ran made her way after Eri. "Thank you, I think I'd like to have a sit after that scare." She smiled, showing it was all in good fun.
Looking to Methos, the woman smiled as she watched him blush. "The garden sounds lovely." She said pleasently.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 1:40 pm
Jinx suprisngly purred when he was given the noogie, and smiled. Strangely enough he gave Bailey a hug and took him by the hand to lead him inside. "You'll like the place. It's huuuge. And there's all kinds of crazy stuff. Exploring here is awesome. I don't even think I've been everywhere in this house," he chuckled.
Methos gave a polite bow and offered his arm to Artemis. He would lead her to the maze through to the center and show her the beautiful flowers that were in bloom. The journey there would be quite pleasant, and perhaps romantic too.
Eri gave a relieved sigh at Ran's smile. "Alright, let's head inside then," she replied, ushering those going inside to the door.
The Entrance Hall was lit by a large chandalier. There were stairways on both sides leading up to a second level. But there were also three doors on the level the group had come in on. One to the left, one to the right, and one that was right below the stairs, straight in front of them.
"To the right is a small living room and kitchen. Past that there's a long hall that leads to restrooms, a library, and another staircase. The left is a nursery, hall, and an area that's kind of like a museum. Past there is the rooms for the maids. If you notice an large holes in the walls..well...eheh... they're actually alchemy rooms. Some of the areas in the house aren't used, mostly upstairs except for a few bedrooms, the music room, and the balcony and greenhouse....hmm and what else...well you saw the hedge maze outside past the family cemetery. Umm....well feel free to wander if you wish. I'll tag along and explain things if you want. But first! Let's have you sit down for a rest. I can bring some tea from the kitchen if we sit there in the living room." She gestured to the right.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 2:37 pm
The dog pulled at the cat's hand as he would at a leash; not trying to get away, but he leaned out to look at different things as Jinx pulled him along. Sniffing and smelling, looking about- the poor dog's head was in a whirl trying to figure out what everything was.
Upon spotting a potted plant, the dog tugged Jinx towards it quickly. He was fairly strong for his short stature, and immediately lifted a leg on the short tree decorating the space-- without removing his shorts.
"BAILEY!" Ran shouted at once, hurrying towards the dog and grabbing hold of him by the ear. Luckily enough, he wasn't mid-pee by the time she'd reached him, and promptly stopped what he was doing to look up at her with soulfull eyes of a puppy scorn.
"I'm so sorry!" Looking to Erina appologetically, Ran gave Bailey's ear a tug once more. "He's being toilet trained... but he still thinks like a dog." Her face was bright red from embaressment, and meekly nodded her head. "If... if it's not too much trouble. Thank you for the offer."
Giving a graceful bow of her own in her Athenian robes, Artemis took Methos's arm to allow him to lead her. "Did you tend the flowers as well?" She asked curiously. Methos had a soft and compassionate side to him, making her assume he might enjoy tending to things much smaller than he was.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 3:07 pm
Jinx eyes widened in shock, then amusement as he hid a grin.
Eri immediately covered her mouth to keep from giggling out-right. "I-it's okay," she said with a smile. She had wondered about Bailey a bit. He seemed more animal than human unlike the other 'pets' of Count D's shop. She wondered if that was normal, but then realized that seemed like a silly question. What she should be asking if selling people-looking pets was normal. But then she reminded hersef of all she'd experienced in life, and decided it was in fact, quite possibly, very normal. After all, alchemy, magic, and all sorts of other things existed. "This way, please," she said, showing the embarassed Ran and Bailey to the living room. "Jinx, be a good boy and entertain. I'll be right back with tea," Eri said, moving quickly to the kitchen. She would return shortly.
Jinx just blinked. Entertain? What was he supposed to do? "Ummm.....," he looked around the room dully. "Well...so this room... maybe isn't as fun as some of the others eheh. All that's really in here is that glass chess set," he added, pointing to a small table.
Meanwhile Methos was outside explaining how he took care of the gardens. "Yes. I do like to spend time out here with the flowers when I'm not reading books. I live a mostly quiet life," he added shyly, blushing a little.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 3:12 pm
Pulled about by his ear, Bailey's whines echoed in the large house until he was brought to sit at a couch before the glass table. Pouting when Ran did not let him go even after they sat, Bailey dropped his head in a fairly sullen fashion.
"I'm afraid I don't know how to play chess." Ran admited with a sheepish smile. "Do you play it for fun Jinx? Maybe you could teach me a bit?"
Finally releasing the pup's ear, Ran folded her hands politely in her lap and kept a close eye on her dog. With Bailey causing so much grief for her, she was beginning to regret bringing him along.
Leaning against Methos's arm, Artemis chuckled at his embaressed expression. "That's very sweet." She praised, and began admiring the foliage around them as they entered the hedge maze.
Unable to help herself, she paused several times to get a whiff of a gardinia that permiated a section of a hedge, or the faint fragrance of several small roses. "It's gorgeous out here..." Artemis said quietly, though had to remind herself these plants were not for eating. Deer that she was, Methos had grown these special beauties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
