Une réunion tardive

[Adrienne Estelle]

The sense of danger drove Adrienne further in the darkened confines of the shadowy alley. She could smell rodent and longed to shift so she might catch one for a snack… but the girl knew well the risk of these rats. Their disease wasn’t good for man or wolf, so she kept herself in check.

Lifting her skirts above her ankles, the graceful beauty stepped across a rather large puddle of… some type of sludge she dared not consider for long. The sewer drain ran parallel to the buildings on her left and right, so she tried to keep to the middle of the path as she walked. Gradually, the fem made her way to the end of the entrance of the alley and threw a hesitant glance one way before the other. She looked back once over her shoulder before deftly deciding to continue.

The stench of the ghetto almost made her gag, but she was determined by this point. The way became much narrower as she began to trudge behind the cottage that had been on her left when she entered. In fact, if she had dared let go of her skirts she realized she wouldn’t have been able to outstretch her arms. Not even to her elbows…

At once the confines of this place began to wear on her. Adeptly turning on her heel, the dame decided quickly to go back… but there was something in her way that hadn’t been there before…

“’Ello Beau’y”, the dark man said, words dripping off of his tongue like the fecal matter slowly running through the drains. His skin was a dark bronze, evidence of sunlight – and lots of it – while the dirt caked over every portion of his body added a grayish, dulled shadow that made him quite a frightening sight for the young noblewoman.

“Er… Bonjour, good Sir…” She choked, suddenly regretting her desire for exploration…

“I’mah wonderin’ if a lass such as yerself mighten be willin’ to ‘company me.” He said with a wicked smile. Don’t change… don’t change… don’t change… She told herself, trying hard to keep her fangs in place and her body as hairless as a human’s should be. She could take this man down in one violent lashing… but she knew well the rules of the village… And what’s more… she might have detected a trace of Garou on this man as well, though it was difficult to discern from his other bodily odors.

[Edmond François]

He’d been following her scent trail for quite some time but it was only when her savory, perfume-enriched aroma began to mingle with that of rotting garbage and grotesque sewage that Edmond began to worry. As Adrienne’s fiancé, he had vowed to be her protector as well… and his heart skipped a beat when he realized that his ivory-skinned angel had somehow come to find herself in the dank grotto that was Ville de Kadence’s shady alleyway.

Growling softly beneath his breath, the fair-haired Lieutenant ducked into the darkness after his beloved. Her footprints seemed to reveal her choice in her location, but when he heard the guttural tones of one of the few street urchins Kadence had to offer, every hair on Edmon’s neck stood on end.

Rounding a corner as swiftly as the shadow of a wolf, he let his growl deepen, rumbling without restraint at the man who now stood in front of his darling – his back to Edmond. “I, sir, would reconsider my choice of a partner for whatever gruesome task you have planned…” He announced, desperate to separate this dirty urchin from the sanctity of his future-wife’s presence. She was nobility! To face such a disgrace was… appalling!

Golden eyes flicked to the startled face of his love’s, and he longed even more deeply to take her hand and lead her away from this place. The trouble was that the alley had to be so narrow! He had no room to slide by the man… which this dirty man-rat was going to have to exit of his own wishes…

Another growl escaped Edmond’s throat, unrestricted in its intensity. He wanted to make sure this man – or rather, Garou (there was a lingering trace of wolf on the port-bellied rodent’s person to distinguish himself as such) – knew that Edmond meant business.

[Adrienne Estelle]

The man started to take a step toward her… and then heard her darling Edmond’s voice behind him. Adrienne looked up, past the dirty beggar in front of her to see her fiancé so diligently attentive. Her heart leapt in her chest and she realized with relief that whatever horrid task this urchin had had in mind for her was gone now. There was no way that he could take on two Garou at once – if it came to a fight.

”Edmond!” She cried, desperate to squeeze by the dirty man and reunite with her lover. A small portion of the maiden was disappointed that he’d arrived – for you see, this would doubtlessly reward her with all kind misogynistic lectures about how women shouldn’t be traipsing through the city’s underbelly without a proper guardian… Today, however, she didn’t mind as much.

Sniffing in the air and realizing he now faced two Garou, the man visibly wilted. ”I t’ought only the show ‘er the ci’y, Monsieur. Nothing more ‘an dat, I’s swear!” His voice so broken and brittle… now that she knew she was safe, Adrienne found herself feeling sorry for the poor man. Her eyes lifted to Edmond’s before the man stepped aside.

”Here, take this.” She said, pulling out her purse and handing the impoverished, would-be bandit a couple of coins. She knew he probably didn’t deserve them… but he was a Garou, like herself. Like Edmond. Like everyone she cared most about. Surely he had never asked to be born such a wretch. She couldn’t be sure he truly deserved this sort of life…

Quickly pocketing the coins, the man gave a heartwarming smile and nodded his head. Taking her queue, Adrienne slipped past the man and practically threw herself into the embrace of her heroic Edmond. Smiling widely, she took his hand and began to lead him away from this place – trying to illustrate how well she had learned her lesson. No more dark alleys for her!

[Edmond François]

Edmond watched with growing distaste as his darling Adrienne withdrew her purse and pushed a few coins into the would-be bandit’s hands. He didn’t say anything, but his disapproval was evident. Though he commended her kind heart, the Lieutenant knew well the consequences of flaunting wealth.

It didn’t take her long, however, to finish the dirty deed and fling herself into his unexpecting embrace. Oh, how he loved this girl. For her gentle soul and her child-like innocence. The beggar now forgotten, Edmond had time enough only to glance into her dazzling green orbs before she began toting him to the street. Trying to hide a faint smile and failing miserably, the brute finally took her by the wrist and forced her to stop.

He pulled her closer to him, now in the safety of the common street, and for a moment admired her in the brilliant sunlight. How he did so adore this woman… for all of her curiosities and all of her frustrating features. She was beautiful – to him and the world… And he was lucky to have her.

But no misdeed could go unmentioned.

”My darling, if you should ever scare me like that again… I’ll have you locked away.” He threatened with an edge of jest. He knew she wouldn’t take him seriously, but he wanted her to understand how much he worried about her. The back alleys were no place for a woman like her… They were no place for a man like Edmond himself!

”You worry me too often… It makes me wonder if I should hire you a nanny – to keep an eye on you and your childish adventures.” He was only half joking this time. The thought had indeed occurred to him before to assign one of his footsoldiers to shadow her. To keep her safe. He knew he was being overly protective but with the world in the state it was… with so many dangers lurking about… she couldn’t possibly blame him.

[Adrienne Estelle]

Adrienne felt Edmond stop behind her and reach out to take her wrist. Firmly imprisoned, she was pulled closer to her Lieutenant and lover, forced to face him eye to eye. She tried to hide her sheepish smile, knowing well what his words were going to be. Opening rosebud lips to protest, to justify her curiosity, to explain to him the lesson she had learned the maiden never got her chance.

His soft eyes were hardened somewhat against her and she recognized a familiar shadow in their depths – fear. Is he truly afraid of losing me? She asked herself, listening to his lighthearted threat. She felt an overwhelming grief for this man that she adored. She had caused this sudden mood – this look of pain – by her own irresponsibility.

As he finished speaking, Adrienne let her eyes fall to the ground. She moved closer to him, wrapping slender arms around her fiancé’s torso and holding him as tightly as she could. She was sorry and she wanted him to know that before she spoke. Words could mean so very little but this… This act was true and bespoke her affections. Her apology. Edmond meant so much to her; to make him worry was a punishment to Adrienne herself and she vowed not to do it again.

Not until her next curiosity got the better of her, anyway.

Allowing a gentle smile to split her glorious face, the noblewoman took one step back. She lifted a finger to Edmond’s lips, motioning to him for silence. ”My darling, I know I’ve upset you and I’m so sorry for that. I won’t go back there again – I promise.” She whispered, finally vocalizing her silent thoughts.

”I am very glad you found me, Love.” She added with a playful smile. ”But this only goes to show how very much I have to learn – particularly in the ways of combat… You see? You should teach me how to wield a sword. I want to battle foes like my heroic Edmond. He’s the greatest fighter in all the land, after all.” It was a true request, but riddled with her games. She wanted to learn how to fight, but the playfulness never left Adrienne.

Unable to patiently wait for an answer, the maiden threw herself at Edmond now. She knew that he would catch her and trusted his quick reflexes. Her arms catching around his neck, the green-eyed faye praised her knight in shining armor for his bravery…

[Edmond François]

ooc; Pardon my language but GODDAMNITIJUSTFREAKIN'LOSTMYPOST! I am so PISSED OFF! I wrote the entire damn thing and clicked the wrong FUCKING button! ARRRRRRRGH!

[Edmond François]

His thoughts became an unrequited sea, roiling in the murkiest of depths and confounded by storms of every type. He gazed lovingly into his adored woman’s eyes, trying to notice and distinguish their true meaning. Her arms around him were like a warm blanket on a cold night: comforting and perfect. He wanted to reach out and stroke her hair, to caress her beautiful face, to kiss her as passionately as any man could… but something held him back – as it always did. Edmond had never been a man to openly display his affections. At times it was his blessing but on occasions such as these, the lieutenant hated himself for his inability.

The thoughts didn’t have long to fester, however, because Adrienne suddenly jumped toward him. Her agile and perfect body landed her squarely against his chest; arms extending and recoiling about his neck. The man was momentarily surprised, but never faltered. His own arms wrapped protectively around his darling’s middle and back, holding her securely against him. The whisper of a smile crossed his features then, amused that she could retain such passion for play even after her frightening ordeal in the alley. Perhaps Edmond was too protective, too patronizing of his beloved… but she never fought him for his dominance. And in return, the man vowed solemnly to guard her with everything his existence stood for. Everything he could be or offer was hers if she simply asked.

He didn’t just love this woman, he adored her with something more than simple love. He lived for her. Solely for her. Forever for her. And as her words truly sank into the confines of his mind now, Edmond found himself knitting brows together. A woman being taught the ways of a soldier? How absurd! She could never… she was a woman! … and then the lieutenant remembered his own captain. Evelyn and all of her glory. She barely struck the man as being female… as being anything save his superior officer. But… she was, in fact, a woman. And perhaps… if Evelyn had learnt to handle a sword, Adrienne could as well?

”My dearest, I don’t like the thought of placing you in harm’s way.” He tried to word his sentence carefully, fearful of upsetting the sometimes childish woman. ”I would never doubt your ability… but you must understand the dangers of the knowledge of warfare. If anything was to happen here in Kadence and they recognized you as a threat…” He paused here, unable to speak his horrifying thoughts. It was true, however. As long as she were considered an innocent, a member of the harmless “women and children” category, she was safe. Only barbarians killed the innocent. But… if she were deemed capable of defending herself she would die a soldier’s death.

… and that thought terrified him.

[Adrienne Estelle]

Harm’s way? Adrienne scoffed at the idea. In the world they presently called home, there was no such defined thing. Harm was a relative term that described life in general. She couldn’t possibly be placed in ‘harm’s way’ any more than what was already established by her birth. Harm was something every Garou had been predisposed to. Harm was the essence of their livelihood. The very foundation of their culture. Harm was what made her heart beat faster (when she wasn’t thinking of Edmond, of course). Harm was as gracious a master as any she’d ever known.

… and harm did not scare her.

Snorting in a very unladylike fashion, the faye rolled her eyes upward toward Edmond’s golden orbs. She smiled sweetly, trying to bribe him with her sorrowful expression. The ol’ ‘puppy dog’ look had won her many a splendid victory and she’d never met a man that couldn’t be moved with such a pitiful ensemble. She may some days subject herself to his ego… but this was certainly not one of those instances. She knew how to get what she wanted from the man she’d known for almost all of her life. She was a siren, singing her song into his heart and binding him with strong ropes of illustrious emotion. Appealing to his nature as a man.

”Darling… you do realize that without training I would find myself at the mercy of any barbarian with a waving stick. Wouldn’t it be far better to educate me now and let me have some chance of defending myself in the case that no one else is near enough to rescue me…?” She had never thought to use her lover, but as she spun her web of pointed half-truths and inconsequential argument she realized that was exactly what she was doing.

”I love you, my heart… but I cannot possibly expect you to defend me and the village.” She felt heartless but couldn’t stop herself now. ”Darling, I can help. If you train me to be half as good as some of the other guardsmen, I would benefit this town immeasurably.” She was pleading now, begging for the opportunity though she knew already how to achieve what she wanted. If Edmond refused to show her the ways of a warrior, then she would seek assistance from Evelyn. Evelyn, she knew, would teach her. Evelyn was more than willing to train any woman how to use a sword simply because it was her nature to reject authority. To reject tradition. To reject these fanciful illusions that women were less.

Raising a brow as she observed her lover’s expression, she waited for his answer. Discontent with the mere seconds of silence, however, and uncertain whether she had made her point, she parted rosebud lips to speak again. ”Edmond, our peace in this place may be limited. We should be training everyone who is capable how to wield a weapon…” Now she was silent. Observant. The faintest twitch of a muscle would alert to her to his thoughts. She knew him well enough to read him like a book.

[Edmond François]

Her words seemed unfair to him; pointed and direct yet somehow… true. He didn’t want to imagine her in any position where she might need to defend herself but as they had both witnessed in the alley, there were still barbarians in this world. He took his time answering her, letting his eyes roam within the deepening shadows of hers… Such a brilliant emerald with inspiring sparkle. They were more magnificent than diamonds. Than the sun. They were more terrible when she was angry than even the cold, hard steel of his sword. And he loved them – as became evident by the smile that crawled across his face. He ran a hand through her hair, letting the feathery touch soothe his raging senses and growing fear. With a sigh, he resigned himself to her will. She did know how to control him… all too well, it would seem. He was aware of that, but powerless to stop it.

”You’re right, my dear.” He admitted, finally. His pale, yellow orbs searched hers for any resonance of thrill. He didn’t want her to be excited by the prospect of training… he wanted to believe that she felt it was simply her duty. Duty meant caution. If she thought it was her responsibility, she wouldn’t be careless (or so he hoped). Whereas, if she were excited and over-eager for this type of education, he knew she’d be hurt. Her impatience and sometimes… childish… ways had gotten her into all kinds of trouble before. Sword fighting would be different. He had to believe that it would be.

He hoped she would prove his thought process correct…

”But you must promise me to be careful!” Here, he squeezed her tighter. The thought of losing such an entity as her was heartbreaking. It made his mind crawl to even consider… well… he would think of those things now. I don’t want her to think I doubt her but… I do. He tried to disguise the emotions he knew must have been flickering across his face but there was no way to stop it. He wanted to break down and weep for her. The idea that she could ever leave this world left him with a hole in his heart as large as the earth itself. He couldn’t let her die. Ever. He wouldn’t. Hugging her even tighter now, Edmond lowered his head to her shoulder – coveting a moment of weakness… just this one time.