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<Catreenia> I have no idea what to say to Roni, and I'm just hoping I can remain conscious and in one piece long enough to apologize to Mira. <Bastian> ::touching his knife thoughtfully:: That is most simple, my dear. I will stand with you, while you speak with her. <Catreenia> ::biting her lip:: But... I've already hurt her enough... and... I *do* deserve whatever she might do to me.... <Bastian> ::tightly:: My lady, you may have hurt her, but that is beside the point. I can go with you, and make sure she does not harm you. Or I will have to seek her out later and deliver retribution. Which would you prefer? <Catreenia> ::blinking against moisture in her eyes, her voice low:: You really... *won't* see anyone harm me, will you? <Bastian> ::nodding:: My lady, she can *say* anything to you she likes. You may well deserve that much. But I'll not stand by and let someone lift a hand against you. * Catreenia wraps her arms around him loosely, resting her forehead against his chest. "How did I ever...? Bastian... I don't deserve you." * Bastian kisses her hair, closing his arms around her. "No, my lady, I'm sure you don't..." From his tone, it is clear that she means one thing, and he another. * Catreenia hugs him tight, tears trickling down her cheeks, a noise half-sob, half-laugh rising from her throat. "What a pair we are!" <Bastian> ::resting his cheek against her hair:: Indeed, my lady... <Bastian> ::teasingly:: My lady, you must desist with this... if you go to your parents with red eyes, they will surely think I am coercing you. * Catreenia strokes one hand almost mechanically up and down his back, until her slight trembling ceases and she sighs, loosening her hold. <Bastian> ::giving her his half-smile, he takes her hand, kissing her fingers:: * Catreenia looks up at him with a slight smile. "I'm going to tell them exactly the truth... I did something awful to someone I loved, and when I admitted what I'd done I was fair bent on destroying myself... but a nobleman talked me into accompanying him, and wound up saving me from myself.... <Catreenia> ...and now, I can't do without him. * Bastian bends his head, kissing a tear from her cheek. "My lady..." <Catreenia> ::curls a hand behind his neck, and kisses his lips lightly:: It's only the truth. * Bastian gives a short laugh. "A vastly revised history, my lady... but we shan't quibble. Oh, that reminds me, my lady, I have a gift for you." <Catreenia> ::smiling a little wider:: Not *so* revised... tho' I'm sure I don't know what god was watching over me, to tempt you into that devil's bargain with me and make you tell me all your secrets... a gift? ::looking curious:: * Bastian shakes his hand slightly, a small box dropping into it. "Here, my lady." <Catreenia> ::giggles, tugging his sleeve lightly:: You make me wonder what *else* you're hiding up there... ::taking the box from his palm curiously, easing it open after a puzzled glance at him:: <Bastian> ::the small box opens to reveal a plain ring, the glossy sheen of the metal speaking of platinum, rather than silver. A small gem, sparkling a deep blue, shimmers in a simple setting.:: * Catreenia gasps, looking up at him again before reaching one finger tentatively into the box to trace her finger along the curve of the band, eyes wide and wondering. "It's... beautiful." <Bastian> ::gives her a rare smile, ducking his head slightly:: You needn't worry, my lady. Knowing your talents, I obtained that by more normal means. ::eying her from under his eyelashes:: I believe your father will be quite surprised, to see it on your finger. <Catreenia> ::blushing:: My... father? <Catreenia> ::smiling a little, still blushing:: What is it about you, Lord Bastian Hooke, that makes me stupid? <Bastian> ::raising an eyebrow:: I beg your pardon, my lady? <Catreenia> ::covering her mouth with one hand, still smiling fondly, and shaking her head a little:: No, never mind, it's just... I only have to be near you, and my brain goes all slow. ::dropping her hand, and grinning up at him:: No *wonder* I never stood a chance.... <Bastian> ::seriously:: I asked him to provide me the ring which would rival the very heavens above for beauty, but would be no match for the stars in my lady's eyes. ::touching her cheek lightly:: I... hope it pleases. <Catreenia> Oh! It... then Papa... OH, Bastian... ::takes her lower lip between her teeth as she removes the ring from the box and hands it to him, smiling shyly as she hold out her hand.:: * Bastian slides the ring onto her finger. "I did not mention your name, my lady. I did feel a scouting mission was, if not urgently required, might at least be prudent. <Catreenia> ::giggling a little, looking at her hand as if she can't quite believe it's attached to her arm:: Scouting mission? <Bastian> ::kissing the back of her hand:: Yes, my lady... a chance, if you would, to see your father, merchant to customer, before being introduced formally. <Bastian> ::giving her his half smile:: And on the morrow, I shall be all astonishment to learn he is your father. <Catreenia> ::smiles into his eyes, pulling him down to kiss him soundly on the lips, gasping for breath a little when she's done:: And... your report? <Bastian> ::depreciatingly:: He believes me to be a noble idiot, much like the other noble idiots who frequent his shop. A true artist, with metals, he is. I saw many pieces that were quite fine. Fairly good security measures, although if I were he, I'd speak firmly with his second apprentice for mixing the metals. Could be an accident, but then, might not. <Catreenia> ::smiling fondly, murmuring:: I'll have to mention it... and milord... you *are* a noble idiot. ::laughing softly:: <Bastian> ::faintly hurt:: I am *not*. <Catreenia> ::still smiling:: Well... you're noble-- by birth *and* by attainment-- and you've given me a ring, which means you'll not be rid of me now... which to some would definitely make you an idiot. * Bastian shakes his head, kissing her forehead. Suddenly a door is thrown open with force behind them. Bastian whirls, his hand dropping to his blade. * Catreenia gasps and takes a step back to give him room to maneuver, her hand going to her bodice and drawing out her blade in a throwing grip. <Geremi> ::a gentleman, perhaps two decades older than Bastian, enters the room, his salt and pepper hair long and tied neatly back at his neck. He wears a short beard.:: Bastian, you god-rotting bastard! * Catreenia looks warily from one man to the other, freezing in place as her eyes go slightly unfocussed. * Bastian breaks into a grin, his eyes lighting up. "Geremi!" * Catreenia shakes her head and blinks at the name, studying the man again more carefully from her vantage behind Bastian. <Geremi> ::moving into the room and embracing his friend:: Piss on the slut, you whoreson... you didn't tell me you were coming. <Bastian> ::laughs:: Geremi, you are as charming as always. Allow me to introduce my lady, Catreenia Suchart. My lady, this is my good friend, and your host, Geremi Andello. <Geremi> ::bowing elegantly:: My lady, it would be my very great pleasure to rip all your clothes off and throw you in a pigstye. What do you with this slime? * Catreenia blinks again, cheeks tinging with red a little at the older man's creative use of language. She flips the knife over in her hand, tucking it away again and offering him a curtsey. "My Lord Andello... my apologies for not recognizing you." <Catreenia> And as for what I do with Lord Bastian... ::glancing at Bastian and smiling:: Well, it seems I'm going to be marrying him. <Geremi> ::raising his eyebrows:: Well, you have my sympathies, the wretched cur. ::looks her over carefully:: You don't appear to be suffering from a head wound. Perhaps it's a sickness. <Catreenia> ::smiling a little wider, amused:: Love is often described as such, milord. * Bastian gently detaches Cat from Geremi's grip. "How have you been, you old fool?" <Geremi> ::grinning at his friend:: Surely you don't need a woman with breasts like that... maybe you could share? ::he looks hopeful:: * Bastian shakes his head. "I'm sorry, Geremi... you know how it goes..." <Catreenia> ::shakes her head, rolling her eyes a little as she giggles:: And make twice the work for me, milord? Don't you think he keeps me busy enough? ::poking Bastian in the side:: <Geremi> ::licking his lips:: Pigslime. ::turning away from Cat:: I see you have been driving my horses to distraction again. <Bastian> ::snorts:: Those beasts don't get exercise for the rest of the year, Ger. ::putting an arm around Geremi's shoulders:: Come on, you... ::takes a deep breath:: Let's put you to bed. How many bottles tonight? <Geremi> ::pounding Bastian hard in the ribs with one fist:: Bastard. You aren't so young yet that I can't kick your ass. It was only four. * Catreenia covers her mouth with her hand and smiles. * Bastian spins away, dropping into a fighting crouch, his eyes glittering. "Care to try me, old fool?" <Catreenia> ::eyes widening:: Bastian-- please, don't-- <Geremi> ::whipping his coat off:: You never learn, do you, Bastian? ::flickers a hand out in a blow that would have rocked Bastian's head back, had it connected:: * Bastian ducks under the blow, coming up and jabbing quickly at Geremi, who blocks almost negligently. * Catreenia backs away, looking from one to the other, shaking her head worriedly. "Bastian, you *know* he's better than you..." <Bastian> ::shaking his head, the two men exchanging strikes and blocks almost too fast to follow:: No faith, my lady... <Catreenia> ::snorts, and mutters:: No faith indeed... whose head do you think I got it from...? <Geremi> ::catching Bastian in the ribs with a stunning kick:: To the victor go the spoils, Bastian? She's a pretty little slut. <Catreenia> ::watching the fight with a mixture of horror and fascination, eyes tracking back and forth between blows:: If you're to make me "spoils" milord, you bring me into the fight... and I *won't* fight fair. * Bastian rolls under Geremi's blow, coming up and catching Geremi in the back with a return kick. <Bastian> ::glancing at Cat:: Do not, my lady. It will be well. * Catreenia blows out a sigh, crossing her arms over her chest. "*Men.*" <Geremi> ::grinning like a boy, he brings a fist up sharply, catching the younger man in the neck:: Soft on this one, are you, Bastian? * Bastian catches Geremi's arm, flipping him neatly, then brings an elbow sharply down across his friend's sternum. "Like you were with Tarish?" * Catreenia chews on her lip. <Geremi> ::rocking backwards, he catches Bastian with two swift kicks to the head, sending him spinning away, then leaps to his feet:: <Bastian> ::shaking his head, his mouth bleeding:: Do not trifle with me over her, Geremi. * Catreenia takes an involuntary half-step towards Bastian, but stops herself again. <Bastian> ::the two charge each other, jabbing blows at each other with hurricane speed, nearly blinding in their intensity:: <Catreenia> ::whispering to herself, watching wide-eyed:: Gods above and below... and they *don't* keep a bonesetter in the house... * Bastian executes an impressive leap, twisting in midair to come down behind Geremi, striking twice to the lower spine. <Geremi> ::whirling, he catches Bastian's arm, holding it out of the way as he strikes several times, hitting the throat and upper shoulder:: * Bastian drops to the floor, gagging, his left arm hanging limp. Leaning on his right, he spins, knocking Geremi's legs from under him <Catreenia> Oh gods... ::biting her knuckle, looking from one to the other as she leans forward indecisively, tears starting in her eyes:: <Bastian> ::the two roll to their feet, exchanging another series of blows. Geremi aims a jab at Bastian's eye. Bastian catches his arm, rolling backwards and using the momentum to send Geremi crashing into the wall across the room:: * Bastian stops, panting for breath. <Geremi> ::getting to his feet:: You're getting better, you treacherous rat. * Catreenia nearly sags in relief, as ceasefire seems to be reached. * Bastian rests his arm on his upper thigh, sweat dripping from his hair. "I had a very good teacher, you old drunk." <Geremi> ::shaking his head:: I'm getting too old for this shit. Go comfort your lady, she looks like she's going to puke. <Catreenia> ::muttering:: You're one to talk, m'lord... * Bastian rotates his left arm gingerly. "I wish you'd stop hitting that nerve, Geremi... " * Catreenia takes a deep breath and lets it out again. "Are you gentlemen-- and I use the term loosely-- quite finished trying to kill each other now?" <Geremi> ::grinning:: Hey, it usually works. I am going to bed, you bastard. Try not to make too much noise. Us old drunks need our rest. ::with that, he staggers off to his bedchamber:: * Bastian turns to Cat. "I do apologize, my lady. I did not know he was expected at home so soon." <Catreenia> You two always do this, when he returns? *That* you might have warned me of... * Catreenia raises a hand to his face, not quite touching as she examines a swelling bruise and hisses between her teeth. "Let me draw you a hot bath... I seem to recall a wise man once telling me they were good for bruises..." <Bastian> ::bowing, wincing at the pain in his shoulder:: Yes, my lady... <Catreenia> ::shakes her head:: Just when I think I understand men... ::assists him downstairs to the bathing rooms:: <Bastian> ::looks over towards the sleeping rooms:: Poor bastard. Only now do I begin to comprehend what he lost. Tarish was a fine woman. She'd kick both our asses square if she could see him now. <Catreenia> ::tartly:: And rightly so... I may well have to do it *for* her. <Bastian> ::groans dramatically:: Yes, my lady. |
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