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* Catreenia sits on the box with the coach driver, giving him directions to an abandoned farm on the outskirts of Arabel. * Catreenia huddles into her cloak, looking somewhat miserable but determined. * Bastian sits inside the carriage, absently sharpening his knife. * Catreenia flinches a little bit at the steady sound from beneath her, but shakes her head and points down a rutted, overgrown side track. "Just there. You can wait by that tree." * Bastian sheathes his knife and runs one hand through his dark curls. His face is calm, except for his eyes, which sparkle with some emotion, perhaps the desire to beat something to death. * Catreenia climbs down from the box, faltering a little as her wounded ankle hits the ground. * Bastian gets out of the coach, taking Cat's arm as if he's unaware of doing so. <Catreenia> ::sighs a little in relief, leaning on his arm and limping forward a few steps, much stiffer for having sat in the cold for the trip.:: <Bastian> ::looks around, the wind whipping his cape around wildly:: Which way, my lady? <Catreenia> ::surveys the ground, and points towards a pile of rocks:: There. Chimneys always stay longer... that must be the house. <Catreenia> My grandmother told me once that they moved away from the house not long after she lost her mother... <Bastian> ::nodding:: All right. ::he leads the way, trying to pick the more level ground:: * Catreenia limps along next to him rather stiffly, looking around with an expression half apprehensive, half curious. * Bastian sighs, then picks Cat up, carrying her over some uneven ground before setting her down again. <Catreenia> ::biting her lip, straightening her skirts as he sets her down:: Thank you. <Bastian> ::nodding sharply:: You're welcome, my lady. ::looks over the house:: Perhaps I should scout for the well, my lady, rather than making you tromp all over the area? <Catreenia> ::shakes her head, looking somewhat abstracted as she turns her gaze over towards the left and nods:: That way... <Bastian> ::looks in the direction indicated:: Come on, then? ::takes her arm again, watching the ground in front of them carefully:: * Catreenia nods slowly, her head cocked as if she's straining to hear something over the light wind. <Catreenia> ::gripping Bastian's sleeve:: Do you... hear someone? ...or perhaps an animal... something? <Bastian> ::stops, cocking his head, his sharp eyes scanning the area like a predator:: No, my lady, nothing... <Catreenia> ::bites her lip, her hand trembling:: You're certain? <Bastian> ::nodding:: Yes, my lady. Nothing here that I can perceive. ::he looks at her:: * Catreenia takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, setting her chin. "Then... that way..." She nods ahead, a little more off to the left. * Bastian nods, his eyes glittering. His whole being seems tensed for battle as he leads her over the ground. * Catreenia stumbles slightly, and stops as the foot she throws out to catch herself thunks on something in the long grass that echoes hollowly. * Bastian catches Cat's arm, pulling her back. "Careful, lady." * Catreenia takes a step back, shaking as she recognizes the round of silvered and half-rotted wood for what it is. * Bastian kneels down, inspecting the lid of the well. His fingers skate over the wood delicately. <Catreenia> ::swallows:: There's... it's stopped. I don't hear-- ::turns her head sharply to one side, taking a step further back from the well as her eyes focus on something in the grass on the other side of it.:: * Bastian stands, brushing his hands on his trousers. <Catreenia> ::grips Bastian's hand almost painfully, her voice a hoarse whisper:: Please don't let go of me... * Bastian nods, putting one hand on her shoulder. "I am here, my lady." <Catreenia> ::drops to her knees, inching a little closer to the well again, tilting her head to one side and peering at something on the other side, her voice soft:: Why are you crying? What are you doing here? * Bastian shudders, pulling his knife left handed and holding it near his hip, his fingers running over the hilt. <Catreenia> ::putting a trembling hand to her mouth:: No-- but-- h-how can you say that? She killed *herself*-- didn't she? * Bastian looks around, his eyes flat and narrow. <Catreenia> No! Oh, gods, no-- how *could* you have-- but-- *WHY*? Why did you say she killed herself if-- ::gasps and pulls back, ducking around behind Bastian:: <Bastian> ::a bit wryly:: My lady, I cannot protect you from the vengeful dead. I beg you, take care in your words. <Catreenia> I'm sorry, I'm sorry... no, great-grandfather, please, I'm sure you didn't really-- I don't *feel* her death!! * Bastian turns in a helpless circle, trying to see whatever it is, his knife held poised. * Catreenia backs around Bastian quickly, stumbling, crying out as her foot breaks through the rotted wood of the well cover. "NOOO!" <Bastian> ::whips around, grabbing Cat's wrist as she plunges into the hole:: Cat! ::dropping his knife to the ground, he slips in the wet grass, sliding towards the opening:: * Catreenia dangles, her free hand flailing as her wrist is held tight in Bastian's grip, tears running down her cheeks. "No, please, great-grandfather, don't cry-- I'm not her, I'm not dead... *hear* me, I'm *not* *dead*!" * Bastian grunts, trying to find purchase in the grass. "Bastard, you can't have her." * Catreenia falls still as she looks down the dark hole of the well, her voice young and uncertain. "...Great-grandmother...?" She looks up, finally seeming to focus on Bastian. "She's here... she's really here... oh, gods above, it was an *accident*, and all this time..." Cat sobs. "She's been waiting for me to come make it right..." <Bastian> ::bracing him leg against a largish rock:: Cat! Give me your hand. ::he reaches for her arm, trying to pull her back:: * Catreenia takes a breath, swinging her other arm up to Bastian, grabbing for his hand, speaking to someone apparently over his shoulder in the calming tones of a mother to an hysterical child. "Shh, shh... no, gran'papa, she's right here, please, quiet, and you can hear her... shhhh..." * Bastian grunts with effort, catching Cat's hands and trying to pull her out of the well. The rock he's braced against tips precariously. <Catreenia> ::her tone wondering, not struggling at all against Bastian's grip as she cocks an ear down the well:: So soft... I can barely hear her, shh... * Bastian scrambles backwards, pulling Cat out of the hole, the rest of the cover falling in behind her. <Catreenia> ::lies on her belly at the edge of the hole, face intent:: She says... she was wrong, she didn't mean to run, she was afraid... ::cocking her head to listen, and nodding before looking up again:: It was an accident. Really it was... Gran'papa, she's at peace, only you disturb her rest... Please... please, gran'papa, be at peace... * Bastian looks at Cat, then, with an excessive amount of anger, he picks up a piece of the well-cap, flinging it hard over the field. <Catreenia> ::lies back on the grass, panting, looking up at the sky:: Be at peace, both of you... * Catreenia closes her eyes as her breath slows. * Bastian flops on the ground next to Cat, resting his arms on his knees, looking off towards the west, his hair catching in the wind. <Catreenia> ::her voice barely louder than the wind:: Bastian? <Bastian> ::not looking at her:: Yes, my lady? <Catreenia> Thank you... but I don't believe I'll be requiring your professional services further. ::she finally opens her eyes, rolling over on her side to look at him:: I was wrong... my destiny is to live. * Bastian looks over at her. He frowns slightly, his eyes studying her face intently. * Catreenia blinks and looks back at him, not moving. <Bastian> ::his voice soft:: Yes, my lady. Did... did they do that to you? ::he moves one hand towards her face:: <Catreenia> ::drawing back from his hand slightly, her eyes doubtful:: Do what? They were really here, I swear... I'm not crazy. <Bastian> ::slightly awed:: I believe you. ::his eyes won't leave hers:: <Catreenia> ::frowning a little, a worried crease between her eyebrows:: Lord Bastian? You're not-- I-- I still won't give you away... I know you have no reason to trust me, but... I'm grateful, really I am... and... ::trailing off, looking back at him uncertainly:: * Bastian leans forward, his left hand slipping into Cat's pocket and pulling out a small hand mirror. "My lady, look at yourself." <Catreenia> Lord Bastian, this is hardly the time-- ::breaking off as she looks at her reflection in the mirror, touching a finger gingerly to her blue eyes, and blinking:: * Catreenia touches her fingers to the mirror, tapping the glass uncertainly. * Bastian stands up, looking away from her again. "Well, my lady... " <Catreenia> ::softly:: Her eyes were blue... <Catreenia> ::shaking her head a little and looking up at Bastian, sitting up slowly, careful of her bruises:: Might I beg the use of your carriage, m'lord, to get home? <Catreenia> Or... ::swallowing:: ...must you kill me? <Bastian> ::glancing at her from the corner of his eye:: I will escort you home, of course, my lady. ::reaches out a hand to help her up:: * Catreenia lets out a breath, and takes his hand, climbing slowly to her feet with a faint hiss for her injuries. * Bastian bends down briefly to recover his knife, wiping the dirt off onto his pants, then sheathing it. <Catreenia> ::her eyes follow his hand as he resheathes the knife:: What... what now? <Bastian> ::offers her his arm:: My lady? <Catreenia> ::settles her hand on his elbow somewhat tentatively, her voice strained:: Why can't you call me Cat? <Bastian> ::shrugging:: Habit, I suppose. And I have called you by name upon occasion. <Catreenia> ::nods:: Twice. ::picks her way carefully over the uneven ground, glancing at him sidelong from under her lashes:: <Bastian> Very well, Cat. ::he lifts her over a ditch, leading her back to the carriage:: <Catreenia> ::smiles a little, tentatively, and falls silent again until they're nearly to the carriage:: If... we have no more agreement... what happens now? <Bastian> ::helping her into the carriage:: We will go back to Geremi's and get your things. And then my driver will take you home. ::shrugging:: <Catreenia> ::taking her lower lip between her teeth and worrying it:: And you? <Bastian> My lady... Cat. I intend to go back to Geremi's and end up owing him a fortune in wine. <Catreenia> ::ducking her head a little to look at him:: I'm sorry I brought you such grief and trouble. <Bastian> ::looking out the window:: It is no matter. I daresay I've been of some use to you, and I hope you shall remember me kindly, should I cross your mind at all. ::he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a silver coin and flipping it idly:: * Catreenia turns her head away, hunching miserably at the opposite window and attempting to remain quiet as tears spill from her eyes and soak into her cloak. <Bastian> ::the carriage pulls up to Geremi's manor:: My lady... Cat? If you would come, I'll assist you in packing. ::he tucks the coin into his pocket again:: * Catreenia ducks her head, wiping her face on a fold of her cloak and sliding off the seat to the ground with a silent nod. * Bastian takes her into the manor. Bowing her into her room, he pauses. "My lady, I... I find I need a moment. I'll... I'll be down the hallway in the weapons room, should you need me. Or I'll be back in a while." <Catreenia> ::nods silently again, turning to the bed and listlessly piling the few things she brought from the inn onto it. She stares at the pile for while, and turns to walk out of the room and down the hall, searching for the weapons room.:: * Bastian has stripped down to his breeches and boots and is engaged in a fairly violent fight with a piece of spiny wood, hanging from a thick cord from the ceiling. He dodges out and in, striking the target with his forearms, turning to land a booted foot across one spine. * Catreenia stands quietly in the doorway and watches him, pressing her cheek to the wood of the doorframe. * Bastian does not seem to see her, swearing sulphuriously, attacking again. As his voice raises in a crescendo, he executes a leaping spinning kick and with a sharp crack, the target goes flying violently in two directions. * Catreenia ducks reflexively, covering her head with her arms. <Bastian> ::at the sound of her indrawn breath, he whirls, his knife springing into his hand reflexively. He flips it into a throwing grip before regaining his composure:: My lady, I did not hear you come in. ::he resheathes his knife, panting:: <Bastian> ::sighing, he picks up a small handtowel, wiping his face:: <Catreenia> ::stares at him dumbly for several long moments before finding her voice...as in the field, it's barely a whisper:: I want to stay. ::clinging to the doorframe, watching him:: Please let me stay with you. <Bastian> ::dropping into a sitting position, one leg extended, the other bent up:: My lady... surely you don't mean that. <Catreenia> ::repeating as she takes a halting step into the room, her eyes never leaving him:: I want to stay with you. <Bastian> ::very quietly:: I have no wish to be another conquest, my lady. <Catreenia> ::flinching as if he'd struck her, taking another step forward and slowly shaking her head:: You... *you're* not. <Bastian> ::groans:: In what past life did I so wrong you that you must haunt me like this, my lady? ::standing up:: You do not want this. You can't. <Catreenia> ::shaking her head roughly as if to clear it, tears flying from the corners of her eyes:: How many times now have you given me back my life? Is it so incomprehensible that I could fall in love with you? <Catreenia> ::dragging an arm over her eyes:: You keep telling me what a fine lady, a noble lady, a brave lady I am... my lord, have *you* looked in a mirror lately?? <Bastian> ::moving over to her:: Hold out your hand, lady. <Catreenia> ::stares at him and slowly stretches out her hand, palm up, fingers trembling:: * Bastian unsheathes his knife, flipping it over, extending the hilt. "Take it. You do not know... my lady." * Catreenia holds his eyes, her hand frozen midair between them. Slowly, she reaches out her hand and grasps the hilt firmly. * Catreenia gasps and rips her hand backward, still holding the knife. As if the knife were moving independently of her hand, if flips over and she holds it loosely in a knife-fighter's grip, held up for a stab. Her eyes are wide and unseeing-- or seeing too much. <Catreenia> ::stretching out her free hand, grasping the wrist of her knife-hand as if to hold it back, her voice a ragged whisper:: So many ghosts... * Catreenia stares more through Bastian than at him, shaking, every so often bringing her shoulders up in a flinch. * Bastian watches her carefully, his face expressionless. <Catreenia> ::her tremors die down, and her eyes slowly focus on him. Her expression is neutral, her eyes cold and alert-- a mirror of the face she saw over the same bloody knife, over a week ago.:: * Bastian nods, extending his hand for his blade. * Catreenia brings the blade around into a guard position, held out against him. When she speaks, her voice is even, deeper than usual, detached and calm. "My lord... do you believe that *you* deserve death?" * Bastian swallows, then touches his chest with one hand. "Here, my lady. Angle the blade up." * Catreenia looks at him impersonally, consideringly, cocking her head. Without looking at it, she flips the knife over into a throwing position and hurls it suddenly, with force, to land quivering in the paneling of the opposite wall. She lowers her hand, trembling. "I've seen many people deserving of death, but you, my lord, are not one of them." <Catreenia> ::her knees crumple, and she falls forward against him, sobbing furiously:: <Bastian> ::closing his eyes briefly, he catches her:: Cat? <Catreenia> ::wrapping her arms around him and crying against his chest:: Bastian... oh gods, Bastian... <Bastian> ::running one hand over her hair:: Shhhh... shhhh. <Catreenia> ::clinging to him and trembling:: Never... never do that to me again... gods, so many ghosts.... <Bastian> ::softly:: My lady, you cannot mean to stay, even after that? <Catreenia> ::wrapping her arms around him tightly, knotting her fingers together behind his back:: I'm not leaving you alone with... *that*... <Bastian> ::clutching her to him:: You crazy... brave... foolish woman... ::his voice is harsh, almost cruel, but he holds her to him as if he meant to never release her:: <Catreenia> ::half-turning in his arms to give his knife a venomous glance:: That... isn't you... it's what you do, but it's not you. ::grasping the wrist of his injured hand, turning the palm up and kissing it:: This is you... <Bastian> My lady ::he shakes his head:: I hope you know what you're doing. ::he touches her face, his eyes glittering possessively:: If you give me this, I will keep it. I can be no more and no less than what I am. <Catreenia> ::shakes her head:: Roni... Roni doesn't need me. *You* need me... and gods help me, I need you... ::burying her face into his shoulder:: <Bastian> ::kissing her forehead:: Gods help you indeed, Catreenia Suchart, *my* lady. * Catreenia looks up, going up on her toes to kiss him like a drowning woman reaching for water. * Bastian draws in a breath, then, plunging his hands into her wealth of chestnut hair, returns her kiss desperately. * Catreenia breaks off the kiss to gasp for breath, a smile playing over her lips as she curls her fingers into his hair. "Does this mean I can stay?" * Bastian picks her up, cradling her in his arms and striding back towards the sleeping rooms. "No, my lady... it means you cannot leave." He looks down into her upturned face and smiles at her, gently, almost tenderly. <Catreenia> ::smiles wider, touching his lips wonderingly with her fingers:: Ah! I knew you'd have a wonderful smile.... <Bastian> ::absently kicking one of the doors open:: My lady, one last time, I will ask you. Are you sure this is what you wish? <Catreenia> ::nods:: This is surely never what I expected... but yes, this is what I wish. <Catreenia> ::sighing a little, leaning her head against his chest:: And surely better than I deserve. <Bastian> ::he kicks the door shut behind them, hard enough to splinter the door frame:: <Catreenia> ::winces a little, and smiles:: You're going to owe your friend for much more than wine. <Bastian> ::tracing her hand down over his chest to the hollow near his side:: I already do. <Catreenia> ::nods, her eyes shadowed as her fingers explore the spot:: They nearly killed you... he saved your life, and you avenged his wife... <Bastian> ::closing his eyes:: Yes. I would rather have saved her, but I did not know. ::opens his eyes to look at her:: You know, you are in harm's way, now, my lady. I have many enemies... ::kisses the inside of her wrist, just below the palm of her hand:: <Catreenia> They... they butchered her, and you hunted them down... ::fingers trembling as she explores the scar:: <Catreenia> ::shaking her head, her voice firm:: You'll protect me. ::tilting her head back, and smiling:: And weren't you the one to say, I have a powerful mage as an employer, and Master Bluestar as my teacher? <Bastian> Indeed, my lady... I will. My oath on it. <Catreenia> Oh gods... ::her eyes widen, and she giggles:: I may have to protect *you* from *them*! ::kissing his lips:: <Bastian> ::pushing her hair out of her face:: Bluestar, at least, will not disapprove... <Catreenia> No? ::sounding amused:: I have never known Master Bluestar to approve of *anything*... ::blinking thoughtfully:: Well... except once.... <Bastian> ::snorts:: He has a wife of his own, my lady. <Catreenia> ::catching her breath, staring at him:: ...wife? <Bastian> ::raising his eyebrow:: Yes, my lady? <Catreenia> Oh... ::subsiding a little:: Never mind, I'd thought... ::shakes her head:: Never mind... ::tracing her finger thoughtfully over a scar:: Your body is a history, my lord.... <Bastian> ::leaning up on his elbow, tracing a finger down her neck:: What did you think, my lady? <Catreenia> ::shivering a little at his gentle touch:: Well, for a moment, it sounded like you meant... ::shakes her head again:: Never mind, I misunderstood. I'm a silly girl.... <Bastian> ::leaning down, he kisses the curve of her jaw:: My lady, I meant exactly that... ::meeting her eyes:: Unless you do not wish it. <Catreenia> ::eyes widening:: You don't waste time, do you, my lord? <Bastian> ::giving her his customary half-smile:: My lady, you were warned. If you gave me your heart, it was mine. ::he kisses the hollow of her neck:: <Catreenia> ::nods:: I think... it's been yours for almost a week already. ::smiling:: Perhaps even since you toasted my eyes... But my hand, now... that's in my father's domain. ::kissing him soundly:: However, I believe you'll find you have an ally in that camp. <Bastian> ::toys with the laces on her bodice:: I dare say your father won't have objections to Lord Bastian Hooke. He would have wanted you to marry well. <Catreenia> ::teasing smile:: Well, he always warned me about noblemen, you know... ::pulling the tie of her bodice free:: <Bastian> ::laughing, he kisses her chin:: My Lady Catreenia... <Catreenia> ::rolling onto her back, giggling:: Lady Catreenia Hooke... and *my* Lord Bastian... |
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