Aurore Devareaux

flat

tainted

debauche

soiree

fiddle

rosin

amber

coward

Aurore watched after Lieutenant, the fount of liquid crystal ebbing its' flow to slight trickle then halt. For many moments after door's closure, the deep olive sights stayed adhered without waver or flutter. It was a cold and hollow feeling that had taken possession of her soul; an unwanted visitation that had given wide berth for many years. But, as unwanted guests tended to do, it had come to call again and no distance of land or sea would dissuade its' longing for company. Her mind slowly recounted its' last visitation, trekking backwards to the lands called Navarre. The cold Specter's greed in collecting three near and dear; its' lustful rendering and thievery. Now it had stolen again, and what it had left in wake before seemed equal or more so to the now. With numb movements of mechanical facet, Aurore turned focus from the door, returning center to where he lay as a shell. The Flame which gave such joy had journeyed beyond into the Good Night, leaving her and Spark to fend off the hazards of Fate's conjuring. Small hand moved protectively to torso's lower boundary, and in that wink of time, the Secret Name was given to Flame's Legacy; much as mother had done before her....

He turned just enough to see Dubois and Burke lingering the crossover from hall to Common; mild irritation crossed expression. Smallish gesture was made to the alley and both vanished the direction from which they had come. Quick movement produced keys and Sabastian dangled them as offer, "My apologies, chere Colombe...If you wish, these shall allow you entrance above and I shall return as soon as this is resolved. It should not keep me overlong...And I am quite intreagued by these places and contemplations that you speak of..."

Secretive smile tinctured lupine features, and with reversal of pickpocket's skill, Sabastian slid coin into Proprietor’s nervous palm and bade him away with slightest motion. The shadowed window's of soul retrained to the mirth richly bloomed upon Ransom's sun blessed face and smile evolved to pursing of lips. A step closer was taken and whisper proffered to delicate curvature of right ear... "What is wished, what may be desired was never disclosed...No proposition laid, discussed nor given accord to..." He resisted what imaginings were conjured with such close proximity and continued on in silkened tones, "But...If negotiations on said subjects need be brought forth and elaborated upon, you might find me willing to delve into their gray areas which lay between black and white." Slowly, he withdrew to gain full height and regarded her with minute cocking of head. "The choice is yours to decipher and voice..." Rear entrance of Royal Grace yawned open and into the dim of corridor encompassment, Two of the Beggar's Ball made stealth navigation in search of Dauphin with urgent intent.....

The retreat of her hand caught him off guard; her taunt regarding barmaid brought narrow of eye; sudden shift to buisness airs rattled his senses further. Without thought, Sabastian rose from seating in such hastened manner that chair lost benefit of four foot foundation and clattered helpless to its' side and flooring below. Standing afore her as barricade to direction, his comment was one word alone. "Non..."

Her words and sincerity within the words were weighed as carefully as any taking place during midnight dealings. He deftly covered the sting when mention was made of Molly, aloof manner taking the field. Again he nodded, eyes drifting to where her fingers overlayed his own. Abruptly, the thirst for something far stronger that what lay contained in near pitcher called with siren's beckon...

He simply nodded at first, giving accord to her vocalizations, then leaned back in chair's support. The wooden cup was emptied, its' hollowed render set on table's worn surface. " Oui...Je comprendz, Mademoiselle."

I met Sebastian's dark gaze. "I refused." For reasons he was still not quite able to fathom, a heavy sigh of relief wound the inner chambers of soul at her words. The dark eyes flitted away momentarily, an action to cover any incidental observation on Ransom's part to what secrets he was trying to conceal. Again the piture was procured to top off her drinking vessel; further action to add layer to ruse. Mango lay on table's surface in wounded state, forgotten in its' presence as Sabastian's mind played on statement proffered. Something falling to the floor in near distant Kitchen brought his focus to the forefront of circumstance; and he shifted slightly in seating. "And you care not for such invitations?" His tone rendered wording almost as flat statement rather than query; an effort in shadowplay and covering of what nibbled and nagged unbeknownst to his conscious thinkings.

Simple meal arrived as ordered, tiffed serving girl vanishing into the midst of late morning's throng. Being mindful of manners, Sabastian waited patiently for Ransom to make selections from fruit offering before obtaining a mango from bowl center. He admired it's perfection of color and shape briefly then sampled pungent sweetness. Wooden cup was refilled while slow savor relished, all the while scanning the room's content intermittently. Veiled scrutiny had caressed Ransom's feature, the slight changes of expression that reflected the thoughts occupying her mind...and still he kept his peace. Her announcement of marriage from the night just passed tugged at the edges of mind's eye, coupled with cross wordings relayed in hallway above. Sabastian was quite aware of who Matron was, though he doubted quite heavily that she could say the same in regards to himself. Subconscious drew slow conclusions, laying enigmatic puzzle pieces into placement....fitting one, discarding another, rearranging and discarding, again. The more things made sense, the less they did and his brow furrowed minutely to the quandary...

But as vigil progressed onward simultaneously with day‘s own, roi grew more and more still. Soon Reiley was hastily summoned back to the bedroom. He could do little but wring his hands, pacing back and forth as patient’s breathing grew more shallow and then laboured. With shake of head, doctor pronounced he no longer knew what to do. Word was quickly sent to Andrew March and Matthew Hazzards, that they were to make to the Sterling household with all due speed. Christophe leaned on portal frame expression unmoving, though the slate tincture of predatory eyes kept close watch over chamber happenings. The Summons had redirected bearing and destination achieved here at Dubois' relay. Frenchman continued to carry no love for the man on yon ticking, but the one that tended needs was an Achilles heel that could not be denied. It was for her that he stifled his true thoughts, resisted the deep desire to let all take its' course and ensure rival's dismissal; it was a begrudging task and duty of loyalty that he minded now. Under breath, titles kindred to "fool" intermittently crept the stagnant chamber's existence; silent as a dying man's last breath. The depth's of olive liquid pools pleaded for understanding and obey was what his soul commanded. Aurore spoke in softened tone's to Mari's unconscious hearing; words of encouragement, words of devotion...words of pain tinged render. All to no avail did such endeavor seem to induce. But with tear laden eyes, she leaned close to near ear and whispered truths thus far hidden. In desperate measure, of desperate revelations....words of last strategic play sallied for in heart wrenched plea.... "You cannot leave me....You must return to this existence...." Weighty liquid diamond fell on pallid brow. "We are no longer two....There is a third to consider......"

Quick survey was made of Common and current occupants before table of familiar standing was reoccupied. Chair was drawn to allow her seating before his own was procured with undisturbed view of the surround. Still Sabastian held his peace, dark eyes giving visual caress to her face as he waited patiently. Prying was not his want, and if she decided to venture not on ealier comment, he would abide. Serving girl approached with slight hesitation, displeasure fleeting expression when Dauphin's compaion was guaged. Requests were issued, followed by hasty retreat... Narrowed glance cast to Chosen as kitchen was gained.

Sabastian watched after Matron and percession, keeping his peace though just under cool visage there lay a boiling point. Temptation had presented itself to counter and defend, but deep in the stirrings of mental machinery, he knew that Lover would not care overmuch for gallant actions likened to Chavalier Blanc...In truth, instinct said that such might cause an inkling of resentment; Ransom was no helpless damsel in distress. So he kept his place and stilled his tongue which lay restless to the possibilities of retort. "Come, let us go down to breakfast. I will explain." Ransom's words broke his center and inward wrestling regarding Aristo departure,full attention returned to her. Again mental cogs and gears began synchronized motion and Sabastian came close to voicing that no explanation was needed...Not through the guise of apathy, but rather due to respect of secrets. Secrets were strange, but intimate bedfellows that he knew quite well. With silent nod of accord, arm was proffered in act of proper poise...

He was reluctant to the idea of eating in the Common at this hour of the day, but relented to her wishes. Her kiss inspired him further to have food sent to the room, but the words that followed stopped wandering thoughts cold. He searched her eyes for a beat of time, nodding silently before caressing near cheek with soft stroke. Locks were awoken from slumber and unconscious check was made that pistols lay back in woolen dens before portal was drawn back. Quick glance was made of corridor length, then he allowed her to cross thresh hold boundary. As she moved into the semi-dim, Sabastian found himself distracted by the subtle play of light upon mane of reddish tones and hovered in doorway. Ransom turned to cast questioning look and he hurriedly secured the door to follow in her wake.At mid point of hall, he reached for her, stepping around to pause forward movement. Again the look of query fleeted Ransom's eyes as he cupped her chin gently, leaning in to steal another kiss... In the measure of ten paces from where they stood in causway center, a doorway opened with fuss and flurry; entourage spilling out afore Mistress.

His only response was that of mischievous smile before he leaned in to steal a kiss. Sitting up against headboard support, he quickly surveyed the damage done with night's passing. With a hint of mystery in his voice, Sabastian stated, "There is no fear of that, some places are best not tresspassed upon...." Then he chuckled lightly, reaching for her. "What is it that you wish to break fast with? Is it food that is on your mind?...." Nimble fingers traced the curve of Ransom's near ear as voice dropped to whispered challenge. "Or...perhaps something more fulfilling?"

The far off sounding of cockerel announcement stirred him from comfortable repose. Warmth of her sleeping form gave meld to his own, head resting in the small valley between shoulder and chest muscle; her breathing a pattern of eased intake and dispel. Shifting carefully, one visual pool cracked reluctantly to focus on drapery hang, centering upon small chasm of divide betwixt panels. Faint rose defined the break and he gave small thought to gauging current time, then dismissed such as unimportance. Second soul's window followed lead of first then directed to Ransom. Her features were softened with the overlay of sleep, no strain or form of hardness playing her expression and Sabastian found it hard to draw his attention away. Another careful shifting allowed gentle kiss bestow amongst russet crown and he breathed deeply the comfort of her scent. Right arm encircled her waist in unknowing act of protective intent from the demons of outside world, and slowly windows of soul returned to closure and sigh of contentment mingled the silence.

He made no query to Ransom's sudden change of emotions, though concern plagued the smooth of his brow. Drawing her closer, he tightened embrace, resting chin lightly atop her head and gave gentle stroke to the length of her back. Her tears fell to anoint his chest then race to ticking surface. It was in that frame of time that many things became quite clear to him and the phantoms that taunted retreated the field. In hushed tones, he spoke to her words of assurance; but held back what his soul begged to proffer.

"Non, Petit...a pearl I am far from being. But, if you say it is so...Then perhaps there is truth." Quick sights surveyed the land afore him, keen apraisal given with finite study. Sabastian had tested the waters and found them more than pleasing and now want would not be denied. The giving comfort of thick ticking was claimed, calm was losing battle to fevored need and what was left to act as shrouding in calico or linen guise, was quickly rendered usless.

He sat her gently on mahogany perch, noting smile as small fingers traced the length of torso to cotton border. Releasing hold from waist encirclement, swarth hued hands found her's of sun kissed manner, acting as patient instructor to the belt and bindings securing remaining barrier. Now loosened, calico hung precariously at hips and he leaned her back to burnished surface support. Sabastian worked slowly his method, grace of light kiss falling where soft flesh bordered man-made weave. There was no rush to progression upward, though body's want howled for faster pace. Each ridge of rib was attended, each subtle dip and incline of delicate form caressed and as he neared the steady heave of her chest, insistent call from chamber door gave pause. The knock broke stillness, causing a sneer and narrow of eye to lay upon lupine expression. It silenced as soon as arrived, and assumption was made that wooden thud was likened to dinner bell....A bell ignored with full prejudice. Tray had been left behind in the outside world, where it would remain for some time to come. Raising slightly, the reality of candle proximity came to forefront and without further adieu, Sabastian gathered her to him once again. Nuzzling deep the warmth of her neck, he carried precious cargo through the hazards of shadowed room. A journey cross country to the loom of Four Posted Citadel...