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<Catreenia> Still sore, love? ::dropping a light kiss on an unbruised spot on his cheek:: <Bastian> ::groans, rolling over and pulling a pillow over his head:: Just kill me, my lady and put me out of my misery. <Catreenia> Hmmmm... no, I'm afraid I want to keep you around a little longer. Would you like me to find you some breakfast? <Bastian> ::peeking out from under the pillow:: That might be nice, my lady. <Catreenia> ::smiling a little:: Whatever did you do before this? ::her smile broadening:: Or did you always manage to entice a woman to your rooms, after a fight? <Bastian> ::hissing, he rolls over again, the blankets slipping from his shoulders to reveal several purpling bruises near his neck:: Sometimes, my lady. Mostly, I would just lay here, though, until thirst forced me up. It is a nice, soft bed. <Catreenia> ::smiling fondly:: You rest. I'll be back soon with breakfast. <Bastian> ::closing his eyes:: I shall be right here, counting the moments. * Catreenia gives him a last glance, smoothing his hair away from his face before sliding out of bed and throwing on a robe, slipping out the door to close it quietly behind her. * Catreenia descends the stairs barefoot to the kitchens, exploring. <Geremi> ::leaning heavily against the doorframe in the kitchen:: Bloody awful morning, is it not, my lady? ::he peers at her with red-rimmed eyes:: <Catreenia> ::dropping him a light curtsey:: For someone who did his level best to beat himself silly, I imagine so, milord. <Geremi> ::lifts a wine goblet to his mouth, taking a deep swallow:: Hush, you insensitive slut... ::shakes a finger at her:: <Catreenia> ::raising her eyebrow:: Hair of the dog, milord? <Geremi> ::looking at his glass with something like surprise:: More like the whole beshitted rear end. <Catreenia> ::her brow wrinkling in concern:: Did you sleep, milord? <Geremi> Some. Or blacked out, hard to tell. Miserable bastard hits hard. <Catreenia> ::smiling a little dryly:: My lord Bastian, or the vintner? <Geremi> ::giving a harsh bark of laughter:: Is the scurvy pup awake yet? <Catreenia> Mmm... mostly. I'm just fetching breakfast. <Geremi> ::sadly:: That must be pleasant. ::eyes her robe:: Are you naked under there? <Catreenia> ::blushing faintly:: None of your business, milord. ::relenting:: If you'd like, I could bring you something as well. <Geremi> ::grinning at her:: Half a loaf is better than none. <Catreenia> ::shaking her head as she slips past him:: Go back to bed, milord. I'll be along presently. <Geremi> ::snagging his bottle:: I ache to obey your command, my lady. ::groaning theatrically:: I mean that, from the very bottom of my bruises. <Catreenia> You did it to yourself, milord, you get little sympathy from me. ::filling a large kettle and putting it to boil, pulling down two trays and arranging plates on them:: <Geremi> ::snorting:: Heartless wench... ::he staggers off towards his bedroom:: <Catreenia> ::sighs, shaking her head again as she stares after him, recalled to her task by the whistle of the kettle. She pours out two pots of tea, setting them aside, and roots in the icebox for milk, eggs, and scallions, slicing off a bit of smoked ham and whipping up omelettes:: <Catreenia> ::hums softly to herself as she fixes breakfast, arranging slices of fruit on the plates and finding covers to keep everything warm:: <Catreenia> ::puts a tile on a corner of the stove, sliding two plates on top of it to keep them warm as she composes the first tray, hefting it and climbing the stairs to Lord Geremi's room:: <Geremi> ::the lord's room is a cluttered wreck, clothing and empty bottles scattered about:: * Catreenia tsks and threads her way through piles of clothing, wincing a little as her foot tips an empty wine bottle into a group of its mates, sending them all over with a crash of glass. <Geremi> ::looking over:: Welcome to my cesspool. <Catreenia> ::shaking her head as she clears a small space to set the tray down:: Cesspool indeed... have you frightened off all the maids, milord? <Geremi> ::pouring himself another glass of wine:: Can't keep one on the payroll, miserable bitches. <Catreenia> ::presses her lips together, pouring a cup of tea and switching the cup for his wine glass:: Do you speak to them the way you speak to me? <Geremi> ::peering suspiciously into the cup:: What's this? <Catreenia> ::firmly:: Tea. <Catreenia> ::one corner of her mouth twitches upward as she adds helpfully:: You drink it. <Geremi> ::making a face:: Leaf-flavored water. Never touch the stuff. Fish rut in it. <Catreenia> ::calmly:: You drink rotted grapes that people have stepped on. Why should a little fish juice bother you? <Geremi> ::taking a hesitant sip:: I'm sure it's very bad for me. ::leaning back, he admires her figure openly:: Enjoying Bastian's company, are you? Rutting like animals? <Catreenia> ::smiling a little:: Yes, milord. But I won't tell you which question I'm answering. <Geremi> ::tugging on the hem of her robe:: You're sure I can't take a peek at you? ::tilting his chin in the direction of Bastian's room:: He won't mind. Much. ::he shrugs:: <Catreenia> ::tugging her robe back into place:: No, milord. There *are* limits to the duties of guest to host. <Geremi> ::waving her off:: Go on, then. If you're not going to let me fondle your feminine beauties... <Catreenia> ::snorts a little, and curtseys again:: Until later, then, milord. ::snagging his wine bottle from the nightstand as she retreats:: Enjoy your breakfast. <Geremi> ::taking a fork and poking around on his plate:: Good morning. * Catreenia closes his door softly, padding back down the stairs to the kitchen and filling the other two plates, arranging them on the remaining tray with a pot of tea and two cups and returning upstairs. * Bastian is awake, doing his morning stretches somewhat gingerly. * Catreenia pushes the door open with her foot and pauses a bit, leaning against the doorframe to watch him. "It's awfully hard to serve you breakfast in bed, milord, if you don't *stay* in bed." <Bastian> ::eying the tray:: I appreciate the sentiment, my lady, but I felt I'd better get up, before I turned into a rock. <Catreenia> ::smiling a little:: I think you have a few years, yet, before you ossify. ::entering and pushing the door shut with her hip, setting the tray down on the table before the fireplace:: * Bastian bends over, touching his hands flat to the floor between his ankles. * Catreenia sits with a sigh, watching him with her chin in her hand and a slightly silly smile on her lips. * Bastian finishes his exercises, his joints creaking painfully. "Geremi's not the only one getting too old for this nonsense. What's for breakfast?" * Catreenia swallows hard and clears her throat, her voice a little husky as she finally drops her eyes. "Omelettes, milord. He was down already, this morning, but I shooed him back to his room and brought him a tray as well. *And* took his wine bottle." She smiles faintly. "I'm sure I'm a right bitch." <Bastian> ::sits down slowly:: I'm sure he's another, hidden in that pit where he choses to sleep. ::looking into the fire, frowning:: <Catreenia> ::dryly:: I'm fairly certain the *rest* of them were empty, or he'd not have dragged himself out of bed to find a new one. * Catreenia removes the covers from the plates and pours out two cups of tea. <Bastian> ::sighs:: You may be correct, my lady. ::takes a cup from her:: Thank you. <Catreenia> ::shakes her head:: He seems determined to finish what his wife's kidnappers started... ::sipping her tea:: he drives people away... except those too stubborn to leave. ::smiling a little at Bastian:: <Bastian> ::raising an eyebrow:: Well, he's always had a way with words... he only insults you so colorfully if he likes you. His wife was the only one who could get much civility out of him. <Catreenia> ::sighs:: If only there were some way to reach... him... ::putting down her cup, and staring unseeingly at her plate:: <Bastian> ::patting her hand:: You are very kind, to be concerned. Most people do not see... ::he smiles tightly:: <Catreenia> ::distractedly, still staring at the vine edging on her plate:: Mm... <Bastian> ::raising his eyebrow:: My lady, I have not your gift, so I must ask. What are your thoughts? <Catreenia> Mm? ::looking up, blinking:: Oh... I... ::frowns:: I'm not certain... most likely a good deal of foolishness... <Catreenia> It's only... ::speaking slowly:: I worry that he's not going to break out of this by himself.... * Catreenia cuts into her omelette with her fork, taking a bite somewhat automatically. <Bastian> ::shaking his head:: He's still in mourning, my lady. Although he seems a bit more serious about it than before. <Catreenia> ::Frowns:: He doesn't seem to be mourning... he seems to be destroying himself. ::tilts her head, looking at him:: How long ago did she die? <Bastian> ::looking into his teacup:: Three years ago, this past fall. ::his eyes seem far away:: Just after the wine harvest had been gathered, a few days before the first frost of the year. <Catreenia> ::blinks:: Only three years-- oh. That explains why it was so... strong. <Bastian> ::refocuses on her:: What was? <Catreenia> The... ::gestures somewhat uselessly with one hand:: the memory. Your revenge. <Bastian> ::takes a bite of his omelette:: Among other things... ::he chews reflexively:: * Catreenia raises a curious eyebrow. <Bastian> ::swallowing:: Tarish was our teacher. Both of us, Geremi and I. She taught us the hand-to-hand style you saw earlier. <Catreenia> Oh. ::sipping her tea:: She was Guild, also? <Bastian> ::shaking his head:: Occasionally. Her father was a monk from Kara-Tur. She taught a few of the... more promising guildmates. <Catreenia> Oh. ::looking down at her plate again:: Are all the women you know so... formidable? <Bastian> Some are, some aren't. Much like most people. ::he cuts up his egg with his fork, pushing the pieces around on his plate:: * Catreenia smiles a little, cutting and eating another bite. "What *did* make you tell me all your secrets?" <Bastian> ::laughs shortly, taking another bite of egg:: I haven't. Only many of them. As for why, I... my lady, I do not know. * Catreenia takes another bite, shaking her head and smiling. <Bastian> ::raises an eyebrow at her:: Care to comment, my lady? * Catreenia toys with her fork, biting the tines as she smiles at him from under lowered eyelashes. "I think I'm merely amused and astounded to find something you don't know, milord." <Bastian> ::taking a bite of egg:: My lady, I believe, in the beginning, I was only adding spice to my game. <Catreenia> ::raising an eyebrow:: You enjoy a challenge, I've noticed. <Bastian> ::nodding:: Yes, my lady. I honestly cannot say if I told you what I did to try and frighten you away, or to see the depths of your discretion, or to test your surety towards suicide. And how soon other desires were formed, I could not say. I was... in the middle of it before I even realized it had begun. <Catreenia> Mm... ::looking down again:: I was... surprised with *myself*, but... it's been the week for that, I think. ::shaking her head:: Two weeks ago, one week ago... I never would have seen myself here. <Bastian> ::finishes off his egg:: Are you sorry, my lady? <Catreenia> ::biting her lip:: Sorry... ::thinks:: For the things that brought me here, yes, very much so. ::looking up at him again:: To be with you? ::laughs a little:: Amazed, certainly. Sorry? Never. <Bastian> ::patting her hand:: Well, I am gladdened. ::looks at her thoughtfully:: <Catreenia> ::smiles at him:: My turn... what are *you* thinking, milord? <Bastian> ::frowning:: I am... Geremi's behavior is worrisome. I should not have been able to make even a draw against him. <Catreenia> ::nods, looking somewhat shamefaced:: I feared he would beat you to a pulp, myself... <Catreenia> ::cocks her head:: What was he like, before? Was he always so... um... outspoken? <Bastian> ::snorts:: He was always... colorful in his language choices. <Catreenia> ::smiling a little:: So he's not simply annoyed by my presence? <Bastian> I don't think so... * Catreenia nods, looking faintly relieved. <Catreenia> So... have you thoughts, on how to-- I don't know, snap him out of this? * Bastian shakes his head, looking thoughtful. "I don't know, my lady. Tarish was a fine woman. I do not know that I would be so sane, should something happen to you. I can only imagine how Geremi must feel." His eyes cloud slightly and he closes them in sudden pain of memory. <Catreenia> ::frowns in concern, moving her hand to cover his:: My lord? <Bastian> ::slamming his other fist into the table suddenly:: I should have been here. <Catreenia> ::drawing her brows together worriedly:: So that you could feel like Lord Geremi, if you'd failed, as well? Bastian, you said it yourself-- she trained both of *you*. If *she* couldn't win against her attackers... <Bastian> ::biting his words off:: Another hand, another blade, might have made the difference. But I thought I was so smart, thought we should put some distance between us... <Catreenia> ::cocking her head, puzzled:: Distance...? <Bastian> ::putting his head in his hands:: You should know, my lady. Were you not doing the same? Putting temptation beyond your reach, so as not to hurt your friend? <Catreenia> ::her eyes widening:: Oh... you mean you-- and her? ::nods slowly in comprehension:: Bastian, I'm so sorry-- I never realized... gods, no *wonder* you hated them so much... you were... hating *yourself*.... <Bastian> ::muffled from behind his hands:: We kept saying we'd stop, we knew Geremi would find us out, eventually. And she loved him. But we wouldn't stop... and I left them. I left them here. I left her here. Alone. <Catreenia> Oh... Bastian, please don't... ::rising from her chair and rounding the table to wrap her arms around him:: ...you couldn't have known, how could you have known? <Bastian> ::continuing in the same toneless voice:: Geremi went on business, some gem-smuggling, I think. Had we followed our habits of the entire previous year, we'd have been together when they came for her. <Catreenia> ::biting her lip, burying her face in his hair as she hugs him tightly, her voice muffled:: So accept some of the blame... you might have helped her... but you still mightn't have saved her. But please, love, don't torture yourself... had you failed and died with her, where then would I be? Where would Geremi be, with friend *and* wife dead? <Bastian> ::pulling her to him roughly, burying his face in her hair:: You have no exclusive claim on self-recriminations, my lady. <Catreenia> Shhh... no, you're right, I don't. ::stroking his hair:: But if you would take the advice you gave me back again... it's past, and can't be changed now. You can only look to the future, and what you'll do *now.* <Bastian> ::roughly:: After... she would cry in my arms and beg me that we must stop, we must... and yet, the very day after, she would come to me. I couldn't resist her. * Catreenia closes her eyes and bows her head, her voice a whisper. "A much better woman than I..." <Bastian> ::his eyes far gone in memory:: The first time... we were sparring outdoors. It was raining, her hair was in her face. I pushed an attack and she fell in the mud. She pulled me with her and if I could close with her, I usually won. She was faster, smarter, but I was stronger, in the end. I was above her, her hands pinned under mine... she was so fierce, so angry. I kissed her. I meant it as a plaything. As my reward for winning. I... was not expecting her to respond to me. <Catreenia> ::shakes her head, her smile bitter:: Nor was Roni, I'm sure, when he started that tickle-fight... <Bastian> After... we went in the house and she went to bathe. We were both filthy. I turned to leave her and she broke down, sobbing. You reminded me of her... ::swallowing:: <Catreenia> ::opening her eyes, looking into his face, drawing away slightly:: Bastian... I'm not her. I can't be her. <Bastian> ::touching her cheek:: No, you are not. I already knew, even before we came here, that I did not wish you to die. I was holding you to your promise, wanting you with me. I hoped... my Catreenia... I hoped for you to be happy, to enjoy our time together. I clung to the hope that you would at least be able to have a good time, to decide against my "services". <Bastian> ::brushing his fingers over her mouth:: I needed you to come to me... you would, I think, have submitted if I demanded it, as part of our bargain. But I did not wish your body, not empty, a shell as it would have been. I had to make you see me... <Catreenia> ::turning her head away, her breath ragged with tears:: "A good time..." That was the best I'd hoped for... a handsome rogue, a last bit of fun... "Be merry, for tomorrow we die..." You were safe. You weren't supposed to... care for someone like me... ::covering her face, tears leaking between her fingers:: <Bastian> ::touching her chin, bringing her eyes back to look at him:: How could I not? So like me... so much like me... I had to save you, if I could. <Catreenia> ::swallowing her tears, biting her lip as she looks into his eyes:: So that I might save you? <Bastian> ::leaning forward, he lightly touches his mouth to hers:: So we could save each other. <Catreenia> Gods... ::taking his head in both hands and kissing him:: <Bastian> ::breaking the kiss, he looks at her, his black eyes drinking in her face:: Tell me you love me. <Catreenia> ::smiling shakily:: Bastian... I love you more than I love myself. I love you with my life. ::stroking his cheek:: <Bastian> ::pulling her to him in a crushing embrace:: My lady... my Catreenia... <Catreenia> ::wrapping her arms around his neck, her head on his shoulder:: I loved you... beyond any hope of return. That you care for me, my lord Bastian, is grace beyond what I could have imagined. ::whispering:: You gave me my life back.... <Bastian> ::kissing her hair:: You are my life. You walked into my heart as if the doors were open. <Catreenia> ::looks up at him, resting her hand lightly on his chest:: It seems they were... and you, thief, took mine, and refuse to give it back. ::smiling:: Nor would I even want to ask.... <Bastian> ::taking her hand:: You could be an excellent thief, my lady. ::holding up her hand to the light:: Look at these fingers... ::he bends over her hand, kissing each finger:: <Catreenia> ::giggles a little:: These ink-stained fingers... ::turning her hand over, caressing his jaw:: <Bastian> ::giving her his little half-smile:: I warn you, my lady, keep that up and I shall throw you to the floor and have my way with you, stiff shoulder or no. <Catreenia> ::smiling broadly:: You say that as though it should dissuade me.... * Bastian growls softly at her, then scoops her up, kissing her mouth passionately. <Catreenia> ::gasping a little as she breaks off the kiss, putting her fingers over his lips:: My lord... gods, I can't believe I'm stopping you... what of Geremi? <Bastian> ::goggles at her briefly, then sets her back on her feet:: I do not know, my lady. ::his eyes are smoldering as he watches her:: <Catreenia> ::swallows hard, muttering:: Ah, don't look at me like that... ::taking several deep breaths:: Is there... do you think he *can* be helped? <Catreenia> It's only... I feel almost... guilty, being so happy, when he's in such pain... <Bastian> Perhaps... ::he looks away, picking up his teacup, not to drink, but simply to have something in hand:: Perhaps we should have him come away from here. It is a reminder. <Catreenia> :toying somewhat compulsively with the tie of her robe:: I... brought a tray to his room, before this. ::shaking her head:: She would be horrified to see him in such a state, I'm sure... <Bastian> ::with a twitch of his eyebrow:: I'll bet he was interested in seeing *you* in such a state. ::snickers:: <Catreenia> ::blushing deeply, looking at the floor and muttering:: It was not *him* that put me in "such a state" milord... ::looking up again with a bit of a grin:: He *did* ask to see under my robe.... <Bastian> ::twitching his eyebrow even higher:: And...? <Catreenia> ::glaring:: And I told him, *milord*, that there are limits to the duties of guest to host! ::sticking her tongue out at him:: <Bastian> ::speaking to nothing:: She tells me no, and yet she keeps teasing me? I am sorely abused. ::turning back to Cat:: That is good... as much as I would deserve it, I do not think I could stand it... ::looks at her longingly:: <Catreenia> ::shakes her head, holding out her hand:: There's only one pair of arms I'm interested in filling now, milord. |
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