Oh, What Strange Changes We See!

[BadInfluence]

A lot had happened on their trip to Arvandor... But could it REALLY be called a trip though? They were pretty much absconded, trapped inside a cottage in the middle of no where, and left without any word as to why they had... Though to be fair? It wasn't exactly a bad thing. To be honest it was sort of a catalyst, it made them face things they had both felt but not acted on, things hidden nice and deep under layers of... Well.. shyness, really.



It had been sort of crazy but in the best sort of way, she'd definately learned a good deal of first hand knowledge that she'd read about in that book, and over that three day weekend? She'd never been so pleasantly sore or felt so at peace... Like a good hard run where you just go till you fall, every part of you aches, but you're flooded with that unique one of a king euphoria... Jacob was everything she never thought she'd find in a person, all that kindness and intelligence, wrapped up in a body that... Well... There was a reason she was sore and it had nothing to do with the act itself and more so the sheer frequency of it...



They went at it like a couple of rabits in a bumper year, and all at her request, but at the end?...



Well nothing is free, is it?



They'd gotten back to find everything changed. The rumor mills were going utterly nuts about them, Dr. Anikin and his student running away from the most exclusive resturaunt in town, only to dissapear into an unmarked carriage and vanished without a trace for a long weekend? It was complete chaos.



A wealthy widower, the LITERAL catch of the town, speeding off with some no-name blond? Only to add napalm to the flame the fact she was a studen. Exclusively HIS student, no less.



When they got back they had a few days before the speach, the funeral had of course put it off, and then mysteriously? There had been a fire in that main hall where it was to take place, the whole area went up like a torch, though no one could find out why...Or how it had happened. The fact two bodies were found under the rubble and debris came with it's own issues.



Innocent Victims? Or the fire starters themselves who had just gotten caught up in thier own mechanisms? There was an inquiry of course, things still being looked into, which of course had pushed back the date as well... Long enough for certain other things to.... Kick into gear perhaps..



Like a miscarriage.



She'd knew it would happen.



She had told him that, during thier time away, that she would take care of herself... She was. There were herbs in certain doses, tinctures that would help prevent pregnancy, but in thier case?... She got to them a little too late, and while she was unaware she had been in the family way, she was very well aware of what a miscarriage was like. How many times at the hospital had she held a womans hand as she went through it? How many had she helped assist with?



Despite the fact she did believe life was precious, she was one hundred percent behind the reality that no matter how precious it was, some people didn't care about it. It was better to stop it before it started than to go the full journey only to watch that poor new life suffer. Look at herself? How many children left at the orphanage? How many had she seen come in, that she had helped care for, taught to read and write? Too many for her to want to count and that alone?



There was no way she was going to start off this relationship with Jacob carrying his child. She knew he would rush into marriage, to a proposal, all because it was considered just... The thing to do. He said he loved her, God knew she loved him too, with all her heart... Enough to put this event in the back of her mind, kept it quiet and still, to herself... He'd never know... When, and if, they got there? Well then they would but not before then...



How little did she know though...



She thought it was the tincture she took but it wasn't... Riveronon had been posoning her the moment she got back, slipping it into her food as it was sent up from the kitchen as she holed up in her room studdying... Fact is? The gods had no desire for her to lose that child, and if it had been anything less than a drow poison? Chances are she would have carried the pregnancy full term... She had no idea what had happened, that she was being posioned, all she knew?



Was that she felt ill.



Incredibly so.



Never once had she ever felt sick, she'd never been laid low a day in her life outside of that one time as a child, and now? Now she couldn't even keep water down, she virtually lived on willow bark slivers she chewed on, keeping everyone away from her... Besides the miscarriage she was afraid Jacob might notice it, and the LAST thing she wanted to do, was to worry him...



Scar his heart even more than it already was.



Instead she threw herself fully into her studies, catching up and making notes in her side journals, each one (and there were several now) pertaining to her own questions and observations... Her skill in herbology was so far? Unmatched... Along with her passion and her drive for the medical field, it was pushing her to the top of every other studen who had come for the Seminar, which... Well... It wasn't all that good, aqctually...



Keeping hidden was for her own safety too. She had suddenly become the most persona non-grata in the entire city, and given it was a sea port, it was a VERY big city... The last time she had stepped out of doors? She'd been publically cut down, women crossed the road rather than be on the same side-walk with her, and she had felt more visual daggers in her skin than ever before. Honestly? She was glad she was sick. At least it gave her a reason to be alone and avoid the worst of the gossip...



It couldn't last forever, right?



Yeah...



Tell that to the random and sly worded hate-mail that was coming in daily.



That's just what happens when you appear to be snatching up litterally the most gorgeous, good hearted, and stupidly wealthy widow in the entire continent.



It was only a few days shy of the Seminar now, she had her books prepared, her journals and all the new information stored within... Seeds and clippings from the flora that just grew in a wild abundance around the cottage they had been in...



Was he well?



Did he miss her?



She hadn't seen him, she knew he was busy, he had so much to prepare for... He was incredibly nervous about the engagement too she knew, and more than that she understood the need for space, after all... Lord knew she was head over heels in love with him but... He was a skilled hand at this, had more than a few relationships and lovers, and the last thing she wanted to do was come across as... Well... Clingy....



It was no small surrpise then when one of the Doctors from here, one that was looking to take her on as his own student, the same one that had taught Jacob... The new widow with the little girl... He of all people had come to visit her, unafraid of her sickness despite her many claims of being in self-quaranteen, wearing her typical boy's clothes and looking incredibly pale...



Vomit...



She'd been throwing up for days now, and the last day or two, it had been blood streaked and she couldn't stop it... She had changed her diet, she was self-medicating, but nothing was working... It could be cancer but she had no way of knowing... All she knew? Was she felt like this virus was like being poisoned but so much worse, every ticking hour it clicked down to a deeper level of hell for her, and still... Still nothing she did worked...



How little did she know that if it weren't for her unique blood-line, ancestry, and typical breed of elf? She would have been dead days ago...



Golhyrr del'Ilharess was no child like play...

[Deleted]

..calling it a whirlwind romance would be an understatement.. on paper it all appeared to have happened at an incredible speed.. they met.. sparks flew.. the awkwardness slowly faded away and with a little help from a few family members and a crew of merry men the two love birds were given a semi forced vacation..where they would have no choice but to explore the possibilities.



Ahh but as with all things.. good and bad, naturally at some point it would have to come to an end with reality stepping in with her icy cold hands.. the pair of them were brought back to the Port, to face the music.. be it a soft string quartet.. or some loud thrash metal.. naturally it would be the latter with enough drama to fill a daytime soap.


Rumours were flying, questions were abound .. just what had happened that night?.. no one truly knew the whole of it, least apart from the original pair. For when it came down to it.. witnesses were few and far between.. and those that did see a lot more were paid handsomly to..forget . and others were casually persuaded to omit details.. There was a dance.. and a scuffle.. The good Dr was there with a young blonde woman in a stunning dress.. they were there one moment and then gone the next..

Whispers continued to circulate.. only growing thicker and more detailed when it was noted that Dr Anikin did not return to the Inn where he was staying whilst on the short stay in the Port.. the other Doctors were around.. as were a few of the students.. but the blonde one.. no.. no one saw her leave.. Kit stepped in and tried her best to dampen the rumour mill by suggesting that Rose was simply in her room, buried in her bookwork before the up and coming seminar.. it wouldn't really be that far fetched.. the girl did tend to lean heavilly toward academics and less on partying afterall.. but.. whilst it seemed to quieten it all down a little.. it didn't stop it.. not at all.. could it possibly be that it was being fueled elsewhere? by a certain Dr and his bratty minions?.. that no food had been sent up to that room.. All in hopes of sullying her up until then quite pristine reputation.



Points to dear Kit for trying, the poor dear.. she tried so hard to get them to back down.. but those two girls just would not quit.. even trying on a few occasions on that particular weekend to get her into a compromising situation.. maybe to pull her back into the 'fold' of disrepute so to speak. but Kit remained strong..remembering all the talks she had had earlier with Rose..about reputation.. about her future and how far she could go if she applied herself.. and whilst a dalliance wouldn't hurt.. she knew that if she even dipped her toes back into that world..it wouldn't be so easy to pull herself back..


The fire in the lecture hall was incredibly suspicious.. and the remains of those two.. whoever they were that were caught inside.. well that just caused even more questions to surface.. but it in the very least did one good thing.. it took the heat off their arrival back into the city.. with eyes all upon the hall and what was left of it.. it meant they could pretty much enter through the walled gated unnoticed.. not completely.. but almost.. The good young Doctor was seen exiting the carriage first as it came to a slot stop at the front of the old family Inn, and being the good gentleman that he was he offered his hand to whomever shared the ride.. this person however.. this lithe figured young woman would remain partially anonymous .. her face shielded by a richly black lace lined umbrella..

all the reporter could see was the daintiest fingers concealed within soft cotton elbow length gloves.. a slender waistline encased in a sweet summer dress.. a pair of comfortably cute flats..and just for a fleeting millisecond.. a pair of ruby stained lips in what could only be described as a blissful smile.. before she.. whoever she was ..was whisked away back inside the Inn.. and the doors were closed.. the details all taken down by the reporter were scant.. there really wasn't much else to take notes on.. i just so happened this one person was in the right place at the right time.. So Dr Anikin was back in the Port.. where had he been? and who was he with? was it the student?.. His chosen and only student?.. Surely not..


He made sure she was comfortable, though not in the same room she was in before they left.. it just didn't seem right..there was another.. a single so she would have a lot more privacy..the pair parted ways then.. he giving her time to resettle back in to this.. reality as it were.. and he himself.. well he had a lot of preparations to make.. Still in his suit, though looking perhaps a little wrinkled he made his way back down to the kitchen.. specifically the bar.. a stuff drink would settle the barbed nerves that were causing him havoc he figured.. the Inn was silent .. if it weren't for the noises of them entering an shifting around there would be nothing else what so ever.. everyone else must have been out..even the owners.. he helped himself to a drink.. a small wide glass with a little whisky.. his back to the room up until that point
until there was something..

slicing through the silence .. like a hot knife through butter.. clapping of hands.. slow, very slow and purposeful.. he glanced back over his shoulder. catching a glimpse of Dr Rincavornon.. he took in a slow quiet breath ..- Is there something you require? -he asked..before he downed the remained of the smooth whisky.. rolling his neck a little before he placed the glass down upon the wooden bar top.. turning then to face the Doctor fully..Rincavornon was leaning casually against the door frame on the other side of the room.. his arms only having pulled from their crossed position to clap ceremoniously.. before they would return to their earlier position... he was wearing a smirk.. it seemed almost permanent really.. there upon his roguishly handsome looks.. -.

. I almost want to pat you on the back Jacob, perhaps a high five is more in order.. -he laughed and clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth-.. So tell me.. was it worth it?.. was she worth it?.. -his arms uncrossed.. sliding down to settle his hands down in the pockets of his loose fitting slacks.. he looked amused-.. a good old fashioned weekend away .. Now for just your every day average Joe.. that would have just been.. you know.. run-o-the-mill.. a fucking good affair.. but.. -he dragged his tongue across his teeth-.. this is a little different now isn't it.. Now you can tell me to can it.. what business do I have to talk on morals and blah blah blah.. but.. sure.. I fuck anything that walks.. its widely known.. -he laughed.. he was quite proud of it after all-.. But you.. You just went and fucked your student.. Your one and only student.. That prized gem..I certainly hope your reputation can handle it..-his lips curled into quite a grin-.. I'm impressed.. Welcome to my world dear Jacob.. Youl have to tell me all about it.. Who knows.. maybe now you wont be quite so.. rigid around here..-Dr Rincavornon called out as he stepped back through the swing door he had entered.. it slowly closed.


Jacobs fingers curled around the glass he had been holding mere moments prior.. whilst his face remained stoic.. and he appeared to be in complete control.. inside he was boiling.. about to burst.. and in that moment he reacted.. that glass his the brass hinges of the door as it closed.. shattering.. Dr Rincavornon could be heard laughing down the hall.. he turned.. dipping his head back as he took a long deep breath.. gathering up his coat he stepped out.. his mind was a mess.. he had to prepare for this seminar.. but..his thoughts were elsewhere.. they were on her.. and the weekend they had just spent together.. on the words that were shared.. the actions taken..all of it combining to become a memory he would never...ever forget..


Stopping by what was left of the lecture hall he was originally supposed to be giving his talk in..he was dumbfounded really.. standing there in what was left of the wooden frame and supports of the building.. looking at the expanse of land.. the charred remains of seats and tables.. the soot coating the bottoms of his pants.. his boots.. little bits of ash floating by here and there.. he heard the approach of another.. turning his head he noticed Henry making his way up what was left of the eastern side of the building..



H: I thought I'd find you here, when did you get back?


J: Mmm, just a little while ago actually, haven't been around long at all, only got news of this and had to come down and see for myself. -exhales.. reaching around to rub against the back of his neck-.. this complicates matters a little


H: Well yes and no Jacob, at first it did when we found out and admittedly there was a bit of panic, but the board has managed to find a secondary venue, so dont let it worry you. Its all under control. The flyers have been corrected, the powers at be have been informed and everyone knows to head there instead. Its handled -he reached up to pat Jacobs shoulder-. Its you I'm a little worried about. Forgive me for being a little forward with you Jacob, weve known each other for quite some time now and I feel we have gotten to a point where we can consider ourselves very little short of Family, Its not like you to just take off without a word.. -Henry was choosing his words wisely to not cause offence-.. I of course would never begrudge you of a holiday, of a weekend away whenever you needed it, you work hard afterall.. harder than most Doctors I know..but you will understand..i hope when I tell you I am concerned where this is all going..where it is headed.. I dont mean to be forward.. I dont mean to cause offence.. and if I have.. or if I have overstept I do expect you to tell me as much.. Rose is a lovely young woman.. an extremely promising student.. I am not one to delve into rumours.. you know this.. ive had to deal with it myself in the past.. If this is going where i think it is.. you're going to have to make a choice.. one way or the other.. for her.. and you reputation..-Henry tilted his head-.. I dont want to stand here and lecture you, I'm not your Father.. I'm just worried thats all.


J: -he crouched down.. rubbing a bit of the ash between his fingers.. turning over what was left of a charred book as he heard Henry talk.. he didn't interrupt.. he knew where he was going with it all.. moving to stand then.. silence fell between them both.. before he turned to look to Henry there.. nodding his head a little-.. I appreciate your concern, it means a lot to me to have someone in my corner that cares enough for my welfare that they would come to me and air such.. Its tricky.. and more complicated than I think I really have time to go into.. -his brows furrowed-.. I care not for rumours and tacky newspaper tabloids and the like.. they can print whatever they like about me.. it bothers me none.. I am settled in who I am.. they wont scramble me.. however .. its her I worry about.. and with the ability for her to rocket through her studies.. with how incredibly intelligent she is.. I wouldn't want to see her pull away or back into herself because of unwanted attention.. I have this horrible cloud that follows me where-ever i go.. and whomever i happen to be with.. cops a fair amount of it.. if not more..-he dragged his fingers back through his hair-.. and people wonder why i have remained on my own for so long.. its just easier.. on everyone else.. -he laughed all be it weakly-


H: -he nodded, chuckling quietly-. I understand Jacob, I do.. I dont have a lot of suggestions for you in this particular situation but know that if you need anything, to just yell out.. I will do my best to help you in any way I possibly can. You're a smart young man, I know you'l do the right thing -he tipped his hat and moved to step away-


Jacob stood there for a time to come.. in silence.. looking out over the ashy piles and rubble.. though the actual image before him had faded long ago.. he was simpy one with his thoughts.. and an array of them there was right there on display.. a smile tugged upon the corners of his lips every so often.. just small.. causing them to curl.. his lids to half close..before he more or less smacked himself back into the reality as it were and he was on his way to the new venue.. to set up.. he had people to see.. to catch up with.. he had books to locate.. though he wasnt short on offered 'helpers' he really didn't want to have gossip mongers circling like birds of prey.. he was being very calculated when he chose.. taking Kit.. for the time being since it would appear Rose was unable to come out.. he had heard she was a little under the weather.. perhaps it was the time jumping.. like what had kept her resting when they had first arrived in Arvandor.. perhaps she was genuinely unwell.. having caught some kind of bug.. or..perhaps she was having second thoughts about it all.. perhaps he wasn't what she wanted.. perhaps he didn't perform on a way she desired.. Oh the thoughts that plagued ones head when the seeds of insecurity were planted.. Still he pushed on.. lecterns in position.. his own book.. the one he had written .. placed upon every desk.. all 500 ..the venue was larger than its predecessor ..and there would be room in an upper landing for those that wouldn't mind standing.. this was making him all the more nervous.. he felt like an ant.. small.. insignificant as he looked out over the array of empty seats.. all facing in his direction.. he turned as the girls slid the banners into place.. his face.. his titles all there on the screen.. making him shift on his footing.. he sunk down to sit upon the carpeted stair.. dipping his head down as his fingers intertwined at the base of his neck.. -


Kit: Dr Anikin, if I may? -she had been watching him, since she had arrived, noticing he was fidgeting a little more than usual.. that he had dropped a few books when he wasn't really known to be clumsy.. -.. You seem a little out of sorts.. -she approached.. the other two quiet helpers left the room.. there was nothing more to be done for the moment.. she waited .. asking with a hand gesture if it was ok to sit.. and when answered she settled just across from him.. her knees to her chest.. -.. Its a little out of character for you.. like sure.. you dont have toe unbridled confidence of say Dr Rincavornon.. but.. right now.. you're akin to a virgin on her wedding night.. -she laughed a little.. hoping he would too-. I'm sorry.. I dont know whats going on.. but.. whatever all this is.. and these rumours and stories.. well..its just nonsense.. wether its true or not is not the point.. its no one elses business.. Dr Rincavornon caused a bit of a fuss when you were gone.. at one point I stood up.. and i told him.. to Always be careful of what you hear about a woman.. that rumours either come from a man that cant have her.. or a woman who cant compete with her.. -she shot him a wink there.. before she handed him his glasses.. hoping it would help a little with his clumsyness.. before she went to step out-

...


Dr Barathon had heard of the pairs return.. and whilst he hadn't had the chance to catch up with Jacob he had heard that Rose was a little under the weather.. and that she wasn't leaving her room.. concern laced the features of this distinguished man as he entered the Inn proper.. he completely ignored any false/fake advance that came from Dr Rincavornon.. knowing better.. having pegged that one a mile off before he'd even opened his foul mouth.. offering a tip of his hat respectively to Faelon though when they passed on the stairwell.. getting directions from a softly spoken Kit.. before he would approach the door to the room she was currently residing in.. he rapped his knuckles gently across the old wood.. waiting a moment.. and then a little longer before he would turn the handle himself.. finding it unlocked.. though he would only open the door just a crack.. just enough for his voice to travel-..

Ms Rose.. it is Dr Barathon.. I am merely requesting that you are decent for me to enter.. -he was a gentleman afterall.. sure he was a doctor and he had seen every inch of a womans body inside and out.. but that wasn't the point.. he held a lot of respect for this young woman.. and the last thing he wanted to do was to make her feel uncomfortable.. especially if she wasn't well.. he waited a little longer before he heard her vomiting.. his brows furrowed and he made his way inside.. the room itself was dark.. curtains drawn.. but there was a smell of sickness.. and of earth.. he screwed up his nose just a little.. closing the door behind him quietly.. -.. Oh dear.. that doesn't sound good at all..

-he placed his bag down there.. removing his coat.. as he approached the bed where she was resting semi propped up.. -.. You're a little more than under the weather.. I can tell that much just by looking at you.. even in this dim lighting.. -he reached for the oil lantern there.. turning the dial just a little more.. letting the soft orange glow take over the room.. though gradually so as to not hurt her vision.. he reached across to place the back of his hand across her forehead.. she was clammy to the touch.. and quite pale.. more so than was usual.. he shook his head..-.. just what have you gotten yourself into my dear? mmm?.. -he felt along just beneath her jawline.. the sides of her neck.. -.. Youve only been back a few days.. were you unwell when you were away?.. -he questioned as he moved to stand.. making his way back over to the dresser where his bag was resting.. he noticed the small pestle and mortar there.. she'd been playing with tinctures.. herbs and the like.. he manager to ply a little residue between his fingers so he could smell and make out just what she was whipping up..whilst there was definite and easily grasped origins there.. the earthy smell in the room he wouldn't pinpoint..

he returned to her bedside.. -.. any other symptoms?.. apart from the vomiting.. which.. im guessing you haven't been eating either so theres not much else that could be coming up.. -he slid the thermometer between her lips.. just beneath her tongue and if she could hold it there long enough he would check if there was fever or temperature present.. -.. May I examine you Rose?.. -he would question..keeping a few thoughts to himself up until this stage.. if she allowed it he would peel back the blankets.. -.. are you feeling tightness in the abdominal region?.. like cramping?.. -he would press down gently not enough to cause her any great discomfort.. -.. have you noticed any bleeding?.. -he would pull the sheets back up.. letting them come to rest there beneath her arms.. he paused a moment.. letting silence fall between them-.. Does he know?.. -he would ask quietly.. his head tilted to the side..-.. I only ask because i saw what was left of the herbs.. the tincture on the desk there.. putting two and two together.. whilst it would explain maybe a sliver of these symptoms.. it wont explain them all.. have you taken anything else..

[BadInfluence]

"No..." She shook her head weakly, the best she could do, given the circumstances... She could barely make it to the chamber pot, the room smelled of sickness, though she did her best to try and cover it up... It smelled of lavender and earth, watercress and asylum, roses and rosemarry too... But nothing could cover up the scent that lingered... The scent of impending death... "I fear you might catch a contageon..." She was decent... That much she fored herself to do, to take baths hourly and steam herself, trying to purge or break this... This thing...

Was it punishment for forcing her body to not concieve? Possibly... She was an elf but knew nothing of the ways of her own people, for all she knew? This was some sadistic pay back...

That was all she got out before she was sick into the ewer once more, and more and more it came up bloodied, no amount of olive oil or milk was preventing or aleviating it... "Dr. Baratheon... Please... you put yourself at risk..." Nothing she was doing was curing it, and that made her scared, mortally so... Still he came in and despite it all? She managed a small smile and a shake of her head. "I chose a good mentor for my future then... You're incredibly stubborn, aren't you?..." She said before he came in and got a look at her... And a look? Was almost too much for even the stonger stomachs...

She was pale. Her skin held the luster and transulence of parafin, even her splash of freckles were muted, bleached out... Her soft golden hair was more like straw and her bourbon brown eyes were surrounded in dark circles... "I wish I knew... I was fine when I arrived but... The first night here I started to feel unwell... It's just been progressing since... I've tried everything I know of, and to to blunt, that's a fair bit..." Her throat was swollen around the lymphnode area, like the organs were swelling, cutting her circulation down... "The entire time away it was beautiful... I felt better than I have in my life... I truly don't know what's going on..." There were mortar and pedestals spread around the room, different batches made in different ones, wishing to keep things from being cross contaminated...

The one by the door? Did indeed hold the tincture he suspected to have had there. She made it as soon as she got in, not wanting to risk anything, despite the personal cost... She had made hundreds for other women who wanted to stay out of the family way, and some who found themselves in unfortunate situations, and each time? It had been with success and minimal discomfort... What she was going through? Was akin to torture... "Profusive sweats... Dizziness, vertigo... Body spasms... Seizures... I've never read of such a... Very... Random list..."

She took the thermomiter in her mouth and rested, closing her eyes against the light. it was almost too much even though it was set to a very considerate low... She shook her head at his questions, his hand on her skin was almost hot compared to how cold she was, and yet she felt as though she were burning alive... Did he know?... "Downside of such a smart tutor as well..." She said softly. "He knows I... Planned on ensuring there were no... complications. His reputation... You know he would propose if I did and let's face it... It's not what he needs." Yes, he said he loved her, but she? Loved him enough to let him grow out of it if it was just an infatuation. "I started my menses the day I got back after the first tincture... I got ill shortly after and... Haven't improved..."

When he asked if she had taken anything else? She presented him with a list of all the things she had been self medicating with, and while the first few were every day items, things a mother might give a sick child? As they days progressed the remedies she concucted became stronger, more intense, and nothing? Nothing was working... Some of those on that list were her own creation, the very same tincture to help treat the most complicated cases of the magical variety... "I think... Do you think... It could be poison?..." She said with a true shiver of fear in her voice. "I'm barely drinking broth but everything keeps... coming back up. It's bloodied now, not even any bile, like... Like it's eating me away from the inside out..."

Looking to him she pulled the thermomiter out with shaking fingers... Her temprature? Too low... Close to hypothermic... Too much blood was coming up and her body wasn't making enough to replace it. "Dr. Anikins seminar is coming up in a couple of days, he needs to focus on it, it's the opportunity of his lifetime... I won't burden him with it... Nor should you." She said, fixing her eyes on him then, refusing to blink in this moment. If Jacob knew she was sick? How badly would this throw him off of his game? He needed to focus on the semiunar and ONLY the seminar, if he worried about her, he'd ruin his chances. "I have... Suspicions... But I can't... Prove... It's not hard to guess I've made... A lot of enemies being with Jacob... And not backing down from a centain bully..."

The last was said with a soft smile as she reached out to take a cup of brother, delivered not an hour before he got here, taking a sip... Another... Warm... Beefy... Rich and so soothing on her throat... But five minutes later she was over the side of the bed and voming more blood into the bowl... "I'm avoiding food... Just regular broth... I can taste anything added then... Just... Need a few days..." She said before a slight pause... A shake of her head... "I'll bounce back... I'm an elf... We're supposedly quite hardy..."

Hardy wouldn't really stop the Arbb'st Ssrin mixed with Golhyrr del'Ilharess and Jal wun Jivvin though...

She did have a book on drow herbs and poisons, and once the idea trickled into her addled brain, it stuck just a little... Dr Rincavornon had no love lost on her, she had cut him down more than once, and publically humilated him too... She wouldn't put it past him to try and kill her... Hell after what Jacob had told her he had done to him? She wouldn't put it past him... She had, after all, done a hell of a lot worse to him than Jacob had...

She had to get to work... If she was being poisoned? Then she was going to need a hell of a lot more than what she had on hand...

[Deleted]

..the room most certainly smelt of sickness.. of impending death.. his concern levels were quite high, though he was extremely well trained.. his features would remain stoic so as to not worry her more than she already was.. she didn't need any extra help to make her feel any worse than she was right now.. he shook his head when she aired her own concerns about him catching something from her.. he placed his bag down.. slipping out of his overcoat and hat..


'My dear do not worry yourself over such matters, how about we just worry about whats going on here and figure out a solution mm?'

his voice was smooth and held that authoritative tone..she knew him well enough to know if anyone could figure something out it would be him.. Jacob spoke so highly of him afterall..Everyone did..he unbuttoned his shirt cuffs, rolling them up until they came to rest up around his elbows.. he laughed when she called him stubborn.. nodding his head as he came to rest there against the side of the bed-..mm.. perhaps.. or maybe determined would be a better word for it.. -he offered her a smile then..trying to keep her at ease.. and in high spirits even if only a little.. afterall attitude and positivity did do wonders..

he felt her forehead with the back of his hand.. she was clammy to the touch.. pale.. far too pale.. even her freckles had become bleached out.. her hair was scratchy like straw and the circles within those beautiful eyes had darkened.. he exhaled softly.. feeling along beneath her neck.. her jawline.. he asked her what she was feeling, when it started.. taking mental notes as he went along.. crossing out obviously wrong conclusions.. keeping others to the side.. a virus of some kind.. a travel sickness.. something she might have picked up depending on where the two of them had disappeared off to..pregnancy popped into his mind.. he recalled his dear wife and how ill she became in those first few weeks.. but this was like.. ultra super charged..poison perhaps..

he nodded.. listening.. how she had tried a lot of things but nothing seemed to making a whole lot of difference...the symptoms that were coming in.. and staying...moving across the room o his bag.. he plucked out his notepad.. jotting down a few things in shorthand.. giving the thermometer a little bit of a shake before he waited for her to accept it.. -.. You are right.. it's all quite random.. many different side effects.. that on their own would easily point to one maybe two things.. but grouped together.. -he rubbed his chin lightly.. asking her then.. if Jacob knew that she was pregnant..it was a stab in the dark.. she was more or less hiding away in this room ..and he knew that young Jacob was in the city preparing for the seminar.. he tilted his head when he heard her response.. how much Jacob did know.. and how much he didn't..

he began to examine her a little more.. peeling back the covers.. feeling along her lower stomach.. her skin felt cool to the touch.. but he figured when she didn't start shaking that she was not cold.. at least her body wasn't telling her that.. something else was most definitely at play..-.. If I may.. -he nodded..checking the thermometer.. before placing it back into its little holder-.. you might be underestimating dear Jacob.. I doubt the young man cares a whit for his reputation .. he works hard.. has for as long as I have known him.. and thats quite a long time.. he's known for his intelligence.. his pure skill ..especially as a surgeon.. for in as much as I believe there would be 'talk' around the town.. his reputation would rise above the drama.. It did with Cora.. -he pulled the quilts back up for her.. moving to stand there as he moved across the room.. sliding the book and everything else back into the bag-..as for his proposal.. dont be so sure.. He's grown a lot since he was here last.. his past is a rocky tale.. one I am sure you two have spoken about.. -he leant somewhat back against the dresser.. his arms crossing about his chest-..but the intriguing thing..with Jacob is he hasn't let it harden him.. a lesser man would have probably turned to husk.. the heart wants what it wants Rose.. -he paused a moment...tapping his fingers against his upper arms before he took another breath.. sliding those glasses up a little higher-..

You haven't been back very long though..You said you started your menses the day you got back and then fell ill.. am I to understand you are still experiencing those?..or was it considerably shorter than what would be usual?.. -he was curious if it were perhaps implantation bleeding.. which was completely common.. he took the list from her of the items she had tried.. the combinations.. potions.. tinctures.. the pastes.. all of it.. he nodded his head.. rubbing his cheek a little.. he could see the pattern there.. how it all started out soft.. gentle like what you would give to a young child if mildly unwell.. to things that were incredibly strong.. -.. To be honest with you my dear, im surprised you're even able to talk coherently.. with all these combinations.. they could sure half the city of the flu.. whatever has set its claws into you has got them in good and proper.. -be placed the list down upon the side table.. looking to her as she questioned wether or not it could be poison-.. Indeed yes it could be.. it was where one of my thought trains was going.. -he nodded when she spoke about the broth and how she couldn't keep anything down.. -.. Intriguing.. so the broth is all you have had since falling unwell then?.. and its from here inside the Inn?..

-he rapped his fingers upon the soft sheeting on the bed there.. he was curious.. he'd not stayed here himself but he knew the owners.. and it was one of Jacobs favourite places to stay.. there's no way it could be coming directly from the kitchen.. -.. Well we cant be sure of its origins.. not just yet.. if thats indeed what it is.. I think a few tests are in order.. most certainly.. and we need to get you out of this Inn.. at least in the short term.. You are right that Jacob has his seminar coming up.. quite quickly.. but keeping him in the dark on these matters wont work.. if you know him as well as I do.. and im quite certain you do.. he'l find out quicker than you realise.. -he watched her as she took a cup of the broth there.. it seemed innocent enough.. it smelt like beef.. seemed warmed.. before she just threw it all up..along with a substantial amount of blood.. he frowned.. -..

Right.. no.. you're not staying here.. were going to take you up to the Hospital.. Elves are hardy yes.. they can take a lot more than a mere human.. but they arent without their weaknesses.. -he moved to step out into the hall.. she would be able to hear a few shared words.. with someone.. before Kit would wander in.. cautiously and with concern laced features.. -.. Kit is going to pack you a few things.. I have organised for the cart to be brought around.. I wont take no for an answer.. I'm sorry.. call me stubborn.. call me whatever you like.. this is the way it is going to be.. -he closed up the bag then.. making sure to take a sample of that soup in a small tightly closed dish.. sending that bag.. along with a small overnighter with Kit down to the carriage.. he fished around for a suitable jacket.. one that would keep her covered.. and as concealed as was possible.. he knew those reporters were dotted here and there.. and he also knew she was in a fragile state ..there was little in there.. so he plucked up his own large overcoat.. she would more or less be enveloped by it.. he slid it around her shoulders .. before he would lift her up from the bed.. letting her legs dangle over one of his arms.. her back cradling at the other.. her head to his shoulder.. she was so cool.. so clammy.. he was worried.. his hat came to rest atop her head.. no one would have any idea who she was..

clearly just someone who required medical assistance...he nodded to a few people as he closed the door behind him.. making his way down the stairs with her in his arms.. only to catch sight of Dr Rincavornon at the foot of the stairs.. seated there reading the paper with a cup of coffee.. or something along those lines.. the Doctor glanced up from the pages there.. his brow risen high.. even going so far as to stand from his seat-.. Dr Barathon.. I didn't realise you had been called, is everything alright?.. Someone needing assistance?.. -the concern was clearly fraudulent .. anyone that knew him could hear it in the tone he was using.. though to lesser folk he was considerably worried.. -

Ahh Dr Rincavornon -he nodded his head there as he took that final step down from the staircase.. -.. Well Im not one to usually announce my arrival, it would appear one of the patrons has fallen ill, Im just going to take them off to the hospital.. I do trust you are heavilly preparing yourself for the dinner after the seminar.. The council will be in attendance.. and I do believe they are going to be looking into the records of the three doctors running the estate classes, making sure they are.. well .. up to scratch.. I wouldn't want to see good doctors losing their certifications.. but.. surely thats not going to happen.. -he gave Dr Rincavornon the eye.. letting the gaze linger a little longer before he moved to step out.. the double swing doors closing behind him.. quietly chucking to himself.. -.. Ahh.. the lads going to be in a bit of trouble this coming weekend ..-Faelon had come to him soon after arriving with the news she had shared.. and it had echoed all the way to the council.. she'd set quite a few dominoes in motion.. even if she didn't realise it ..

he lifted her up into the carriage there.. letting her curl up on one of the cushioned seats.. he spoke to the driver...just as a 'reporter' approached...hounding him.. asking about who was in the carriage.. could it be the woman Dr Anikin had arrived back with?.. Could it be his student?.. They kept on and on with ideas on who it could be.. before Barathon pushed one of them back and out of the way of the door-.. Vultures.. the lot of you.. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.. An utter disgrace.. Just wait until I contact your managers.. your bosses.. I sware to all that is holy you wont be working in this port city again.. Keep away from me.. Keep away from the Hospital.. -he slipped into the carriage.. pulling the door closed before it would be off and moving-.. Just relax.. we will get to the bottom of all of this I assure you.. -he sunk back into his seat.. his mind was going a mile a minute.. trying to come up with a cause.. reason.. he'd dealt with a lot of poisons.. but his knowledge wasn't as vast as others.. for this he was going to have to call in some assistance..he also knew he had to tell Jacob.. he had to let the boy know.. but it would all be about timing.. he was in a really tough place.. she was right when she spoke about him not needing to be disturbed with such a big thing on his plate.. but.. without knowing just what was wrong with her.. he knew full well Jacob would never.. Ever forgive himself if the worst were to happen and he wasn't there at the time.. 

[BadInfluence]

"I would make a horrible doctor myself if I didn't... Apologies but I'll keep good habits in place..." It was taking a lot out of her to get through this, to sound stronger than she was, and if it weren't for the fact she was stubborn as a mule? She would have rolled over and given up already. He went with it though thankfully, even if he disregarded what he had said, he kept his mood up. Not grattingly chipper, but humorous, and that? She appreciated. It was hard to keep up one's spirit in thre dark surrounded by blood and two day old sweaty sheets...

"Determined?... I suppose I can give you that..." She teased back just slightly. At least she could try to keep up appearances. If she didn't? She was afraid at just how bad it might be. He truly was an incredible doctor, and she hoped she had the future to study under him still, a future she still wanted... She wanted to heal, to become a doctor, surely she could still?... This... This wasn't THAT bad... Was it?

She was afraid it was...

Ruling out all other possible things, she as left with two possible outcomes, it was cancer or it was poison. Now, cancer typically came out with a slower sort of ramping up, but there were cases of rapid onset and death within days... The other?... Poison made sense, and it had crossed her mind once or twice, but she refused to believe it. Why poison her? But in the dark hours as the pain got worse? Well she was able to formulate a list of at least three people at the very top of it... That monster and his henchmen could easily do it but... Did they have the brain power between them? Honestly? She doubted it...

But an angry woman at Jacob appearing to be taken off the market? Possibly...

A careful bribe, a note left, a packet of some foreign substance from over seas... Not hard to imagine here in a sea port town...

"You can understand my confusion... Like trying to shoot krill in a bucket with a sling shot..." Impossible to target and narrow down, and more likely than not, to miss the target altogether... At the question in regards to her pregnancy or lack there of? She was honest, though she'd prefer to pretend nothing had happened, if only because... Well... She wasn't ready to share it all yet, it was like a secret garden, and the door? She wanted to keep the door to it closed but now? Well it was out, but only to him, and she hoped it would stay that way. Add to this the issue of pregnancy? She had her plans, and she had made her promises, things she wouldn't break. Still, she knew Dr. Barathon was right, and he meant well...

"I know... Believe me I do... I am still learning him and vice verse, but he has his own moral convictions, and you must be as aware of these as I am." Things such as never sleeping with his student... It was why she was going to be moving in with Dr. Barathon, to learn under him and help care for his little girl, therefor keeping his moral compass intact... Another? The fact he cared for a child that he knew wasn't his, yet he still played the roll of Father, did all the duties thereof... If he went that far for a child that wasn't his own? How far would he travel for one that was? "This isn't just for him... It's for me too... How could I juggle becoming a doctor and the demanding schedule if I was? I'd either neglect my studies or my body, and that's a sacrifice I won't engage. We both knew what we were getting into, and I made a promise, and I've kept it." She had... Hadn't she? For three days of bliss she had danced with him in a setof figures that had been known between a man and woman since the dawn of time... He'd shown her so many... Incredible... God no that wasn't even a good enough word... He just... Let's just say that those three days? Were the best of her life and she wouldn't bat a lash at repeating them...

"If his reputation survived, and I know it would, the same wouldn't go for mine. Men are always seen as the victims, but a woman like me? Falling into bed with someone not her husband? I'd never recover my own reputation and we both, no, we all know that." She'd be called a whore to her face, and that, ha... That would be one of the polite words! "The heart wants all things it does, but we're Doctors... We can give it some leash but never the reigns... If we did, we'd burn out like a candle lit at both ends..." She sounded cold... But the truth? The truth was that she was madly in love with Jacob and... If she were dying? Wouldn't it be a kinder thing for him to think she didn't? A sweet infatuation, an incredible weekend affair, and then? Parting as friends?...

Lord being an Orphan had made her a somewhat morbid little creature in a way... Always expecting everyone to find a way out, to leave her in the shadows, in the shade. Deep down she just didn't want to put Jacob through anything even remotely like what had happened with Cora... Even if that thing was the vielst creature in existance...

Then he brought something up that made her grow even paler than she already was, and given she was whiter than a candle stick, that?... Was pretty damn pale indeed... "I hadn't... thought..." Shit... Shit fuck damn! She hadn't... It had been the start, the typical blood and cramping, it lasted for about a day... But she hadn't since... She had been focused on all the other random and increasingly painful symptoms that she hadn't paid attention to the rest... "Shorter... Much shorter... I didn't think about it when everything else started..." She shook her head and tried to sit up at that point. "No... No no no..." A baby? While she was this ill? If she was pregnant, if she didn't miscarry like she was supposed to, then this poor thing... It would be suffering already before it really even started... How could she expect any sort of a healthy pregnancy under this stress? Especially if it was poison? And she had made a promise! She TOLD him not to worry about it, that she would take care of herself, and now?...

"Fucking Hell." She swore, sagging back hard against the pillows, voicing her fear... The concern... "It's the monskbane... Painful but it keeps my heart going... My mind clear...-ish..." It was getting harder, that much was sure, and it seemed to just get worse as the hours ticked by. She didn't think she would last a week under this sort of onslaught... She'd either be dead, of fervently wishing she was, and given what she was feeling already?... Yeah... She didn't hold too much of a candle. Especially given all her own cures were failing miserably... "Yes... Just the broth... They used to send it up with mushrooms in it but those things tasted aweful so I asked them to stop..."

He was right about Jacob though and still she shook her head. "If I can keep hidden until after the seminar, it won't matter... I just need to keep it all under wraps until then..." That was the goal after all, though she had no idea he had already noticed her absence, formulated his own thoughts on it... "I don't want to ruin this for him... It's the chance of a life time... Hearing him talk just once was enough to give me the courage to step forward and pursue my own dream... Imagine how many other people... Just waiting for him? To hear his words kindle the light inside themselves... I can't rob them, or him, of that."

She took up the broth and it always tasted good, salty and warm, and yes... She had caught hints of something else in it but it was definately plant based, so she thought it was simply herbs in the broth for flavor, or perhaps for health... Either way? She hadn't questioned it till now... Of course a few moments later it was all coming back up with blood, and all over again she felt her throat close up, like invisible hands choking her... She had to force the air in and out, like someone having an asthma attack, the whistling sound was horrific... Worse today than yesterday... She panicked when he moved to pick her up, it made her feel like she could breathe even less, the whistling getting higher pitched before she vomited blood over the jacket he wrapped around her.

"Go..." She wheezed... She was dying... She knew that now, hell, if anything? Seeing Dr. Barathons concern written on his face, the way he was taking her to the hospital? At least if she died there then Jacob wouldn't associate any bad memories with this place right?... She was easily swallowed up inside his jacket and hat, looking out through tired eyes in the gap between the clothing, the only sound? Laborous breathing... Heading downstairs though, now that was a revelation, wasn't it? The smells and bright lights, all the sounds, oh it made her head spin like a top... Despite that though she still heard Rincavornon speaking, and her lips curled down. her eyes narrowed... Seriously? He would never notice anything like this unless it directly involved him... Self serving fuck face that he was...

"I hope they strip his license... Bloody fraud... Only thing straight about him is his cock-" She said before stopping suddenly, realizing she had just been impossibly rude and downright tacky in front of her future mentor, and if she had the strenght? She would have face palmed... "Please ignore that..." then out the door to a different kind of monster, the reporters who were shadowing her and Jacob like wolves over a wounded lamb. Honestly, they were bad BEFORE anything had even happened, and now? It was like a swarm of very aggrivated hornets... She was thankful for him telling them off before setting her in the carriage, and the corner she curled up into gratefully, so thankful to be in something that wasn't soaked from night sweats and hot flashes...

She watched him from her seat, hands pressed down hard into the seating, forcing herself to breath in... Out... In... Out... It was almost like anaphalactic shock for her and oh... How she wished it would just stop already... She could see too, the wheels turning in his head, and around a forced breath... "If you tell him... Don't say a word about my pregnancy... What he doesn't know... Can't hurt him..." After all, she might just lose it through this, God knew she was sick enough... And if he knew? Only for her to lose it? How hellish would that make him feel? There was no reason to cause him undue pain... "Tell him... I think... It's drow... To... Look... At the-" She got out, the pauses longer, the words shorter... Before she just... Blacked out...

Her throat was closing up rapidly, and they needed to get to the hospital fast, that?... Or he had to be very handy with a knife and a pen tube...

[Deleted]

..He admired her greatly.. for many things.. she was keenly intelligent, smart witted she was going to go far.. of this he had no doubts.. they spoke on young Jacobs reputation and how it would most probably survive just about anything.. and that even if it didn't.. how Jacob wouldn't have really given a damn.. he nodded though when she spoke about her own.. and how it would be in tatters.. he reached to rub his chin a little-.. It is true.. that women of the world will always get more of a raw deal then that of their male counterparts.. It can make things difficult.. or in the very least it feels that way, however.. What you need to worry about more.. and feed more is your character young Rose.. not your reputation.. -his arms fell to cross there about his chest-.. afterall your character is who you are.. whereas your reputation is only what people think of you.. -he nodded his head.. a smile curling about the corners of his lips.. it was fleeting but easily caught-.. My dear wife used to tell me 'The lower you fall , the higher you'll fly'..

-he paused a moment.. before turning back to his bag of medical tricks.. they spoke a little on the possibility that she could be pregnant.. she spoke on having had her menses though.. and falling ill shortly after that.. he queried though on just how long it had lasted.. before the shoe fell so to speak.. and it struck her quite hard.. it probably was implantation bleeding then.. he nodded-. Its highly likely that your home remedies didn't quite take I'm afraid.. but.. dont let it worry you right now.. we have other matters that needed to be tended to.. namely whats causing this sudden and quite aggressive sickness.. -he held a concern for the developing child.. but if the Mother died then the child wouldn't survive anyway.. to cross that bridge when they came to it...he watched her take in the heated broth.. the soup and how it pretty much immediately came back up.. this peaked his interest..and he decided in that instant that they couldn't remain here any longer.. the hospital was in order and quite quickly..

he gathered up Kit.. asking her to organise a small bag of things.. before he wrapped her up in his oversized coat.. that which was soon coated in a lovely sheen of vomit..his face however didn't change .. his features remained stoic ..professional..he slid the hat onto her head.. he made his way out.. down the stairs only to get caught up with Rincavornon .. some light chatter ensued.. only to have him offer up a thinly veiled threat about the council being around.. and how certain doctors might not be making their certifications on this run.. he had heard all about the goings on back at the Manor.. the underhanded dealings.. and the atrocities conducted with students.. he had manager to get her outside when he chuckled lightly at her comment.. how she thought the doctor was nothing more than a fraud-.. The council will deal with him Rose.. dont even give it a second thought.. he's really not worth it.. it's a shame.. he started out with a lot of promise..



The 'press' outside were obtrusive and down right pushy.. getting right up in the face of the Doctor when he was just trying to get a patient down to the hospital in a hurry.. it seemed to be the day for threats and he made quite a few to those two young reporters.. namely that their jobs were on the line if they stepped one foot closer to him.. they backed off pretty quickly and the carriage was on its way as quickly as was humanly possible..


He had settled her down in the corner of the carriage.. atop the soft cushions..the coat was keeping her rugged up though he feared she didn't really require it.. her body felt cold to touch yes but she was hot as hell on the inside.. he sat back.. his hands falling to his lap there.. only to reach and glide back through his hair.. he was wrestling with the idea of telling Jacob.. he knew he had too.. what choice did he have?.. if he didn't and something happened ..well it wouldn't be only him that wouldn't forgive himself.. it had the potential to ruin the seminar yes.. it most certainly did.. but Rose's passing had the potential to ruin Jacobs life.. he glanced over to her when she spoke suddenly about not telling him about the pregnancy.. he rubbed his lips together.. -.. If thats what you wish.. then yes I assure you I wont mention the pregnancy to anyone.. one step at a time.. -he didn't like to keep secrets.. it wasn't who he was.. but he understood her reasoning.. and whilst her current state was important information.. he knew Jacob wouldn't necessarily Need to know that.. right now.. his head inclined however when she mentioned to tell him she thought it was drow.. -.. What is Drow Rose?..

-he questioned before watching her fade quickly.. before she slumped lifeless back against the carriage seating.. his eyes widened considerably.. -. Rose?!.. -he banged against the side of the carriage.. the little door opening from the outside-.. Hurry.. we need to get to the hospital immediately.. She will die if you dont speed up.. -there was a chorus of Yes Sir's heard before the carriage jerked suddenly and sped up..he shifted across to her.. securing her to the seat with a long belt that rested around it.. he examined her swiftly.. pulse.. breathing.. temperature.. signs of life.. anything.. she was fading dramatically.. whatever it was she had been given was deadly.. utterly so .. her throat was restricting.. he could hear it earlier when she was trying to speak.. when she was becoming more and more breathless.. his hopes earlier were that they would arrive at the Hospital with enough time to spare.. but life is never usually quite so simple.. he rifled around in his bag.. trying to keep his balance as the carriage took the corners sharply was becoming incredibly difficult..

he pulled out a small knife.. a thin piece of tubing.. there was no time for making sure things were sterilised.. infection was the least of his worries.. he looked down to her.. he was going to make a mess of her throat with all this bouncing around.. turning to look over his shoulder.. looking out over the street ahead.. they were coming up to a flat.. he'd have to be quick.. he knew the hospital wasn't terribly far away now but he also knew if he waited much longer they would pass the point of no return.. he positioned himself as best he could.. bracing with his knees.. once the carriage wheels hit the smooth pavement he slid the blade into the skin.. the blood pooled around it as he slid his finger just inside to open it.. the tubing fed through just a little.. he blew into it.. twice.. pausing.. -.. Comeon Rose.. far to much life ahead of you to let whatever this is beat you.. -he breathed into it again a few moments later..watching for her chest.. another breath.. and then another..he was waiting for any sign of her breathing on her own.. he knew it wouldn't be perfect.. but anything was better than nothing right now.. the carriage suddenly came to a stop.. the doors opened ..a trolley was wheeled out-.. Quickly.. I fear she's been poisoned..possibly drow origin.. and its been over quite a number of days.. though until we are certain she needs to be in isolation.. Kit up and put her in the glass wing..Get her breathing.. then we need to work on the rest..



The nurses all nodded.. shock and concern laced their youthful features as they wheeled her swiftly down the long corridors.. some of the better more qualified doctors flooded out of their chambers to follow.. talking amongst themselves in terms only ones in their profession would understand.. the soup sample was taken by another to test. he followed swiftly after..taking the bag from Kit.. sending her off to get Jacob.. telling her to get him to the hospital immediately.. Dr Barathon headed off to the isolation area.. where the doctors would be kitted out in suits and masks.. there would be all manner of machines.. CPR would be performed should she fall in and out.. they were doing all they could to keep her alive.. and to try and get her conscious..


Kit raced across town.. finding it incredibly hard to locate young Jacob.. he wasn't at the Inn, nor the library.. she finally swung by the new venue for the seminar and thats where he was.. talking with the doctors senior council.. there was plenty of chatter.. shaking of hands.. discussions on future meetings.. on higher certifications.. she felt terrible for interrupting but was under strict instruction to get him to the hospital.. he turned a few shades of white when he heard Rose had just been admitted to the Hospital.. he apologised for having to leave abrubtly.. that there were urgent family matters to attend to.. before he more or less ran out of the hall.. catching a carriage.. making sure the driver was well paid to speed up.. to take the shortest route possible.. his features were strained.. filled with worry.. she was ok when he left her.. just a bout of travel sickness.. what could he have missed?.. he'd never ever forgive himself if anything happened to her.. he dragged his fingers back through his hair.. scratching at the back of his neck.. exiting the carriage at a speed that was inhuman.. running into the hospital.. nearly bowling over a few people in the process.. he had no idea where she was.. and his chatter with the woman at the front desk.. well it was just a garble of words that didn't make a lot of sense.. another Doctor called out to him..


'Jacob!.. she's in isolation.. '


if he had a spec of colour left in him it drained in that instant and he dropped back onto the heels of his boots.. his heart took a sudden start.. and he himself felt quite unwell.. taking off down the corridor then.. weaving in and out of passing roller beds.. gaggles of nurses and patients.. those in wheel chairs and cleaning crews before he got to the furtherest wing.. he paused at the double doors there.. an it was as if his arms didn't have the ability any more to move.. -.. What if she?.. he swallowed pushing through the doors.. there in the centre of the expanse was the glass room.. he watched as the doctors darting around.. and there upon the bed.. his beautiful Rose.. she was white as a ghost.. he could see there was a need for a Tracheotomy at some point.. he reached up to rub his hand across his forehead.. he tapped on the glass.. he was more than prepared to scrub in.. calling to a nurse to get him some gear..

but not before Barathon shook his head-.. Not today Jacob.. You're better off on the other side of the glass.. I assure you.. she is in the best hands..
-his eyes widened and he slammed his hands against the glass wall.. it would have barely made a sound on the inside though. he was fuming.. he started pacing.. -.. You cant keep me out here.. I .. I have to help her..

[BadInfluence]

The admiration was mutual, though she had known him only a short time, she thought he was a very special sort of person. She would have thought as much of him even without Jacob's glowing respect for the man. Perhaps it was because of this that she was able to be so candid with him, though it was more likely that the lack of proper blood flow and the illness itseld were to blame... "You're wife was a wonderful woman... Though my character will always remain in tact and yes, I do cultivate it quite viggorously, let's admit a fact... If I have a sullied reputation, do you think my schooling will be the same if I went in without such a cloud? How about my future employ? Characer is a beautiful thing, a treasure beyond measure, but it's reputation that closes or opens doors Dr. Barathon..." [/b] One can paint the whole world up in rosy hues with silver linings, but at the end of the day, it's all crayons and water colors... Tossed down the drain when reality comes reeling in. She knew what he meant, but she was still an Orphan, and as such? She was all too aware of just how the world looks at a person. Being an orphan was already going to be stacked against her, but add to it the rumor of her and Jacob being together? She'd never have her worth left intact. So many would think she was an empty vessel, just shined up by words of her lover... Any other doctor she associated with a penis would immidiately be disvalued because they'd think all prais and talent simply lip service in exchange for a different style of lipservice...



"I don't know how... They didn't... I've never been wrong...Not... Once. I've used that remedy... Hundreds of times... At the pleasure house... And for others... And it's always been... Successful." Surely an elf didn't have completely opposite piping as a human did... So far as shd had seen, all the stuff was the same, so why? Why in her case did the fail proof suddently... Fail? Even if he said not to worry about it, she was going to anyways, and deep down... It was a reliefe... At least that was tangible, she could understand it's cause and effect, unlike this mystery illness that had been plaging her for a couple of days now... She loved kids, she really did, they were awesome fun even when they were being right terrors... She'd cared for tons of them at the Orphanage. But now? Having one of her own? That being if the poor thing survived this hell... Or if she did...



Was she ready to be a mother?



Hell no.



Fact? She had goals... Aspirations... Things she desperately wanted to do now. She had a dream, her dream, within her reach... To become a doctor... To take care of those who were in such desperate need of it. She wanted to be the one to beat the reaper, to save lives, to be the stop gap between death and tomorrow... How could she go through the accelerated classes with a baby growing? She'd be sick, she'd be tired, and... Deep down? The reality of what had happened to Mary as a child... Seeing such alittle girl grosely misshapen by pregnancy, only to die during labor, so much blood and pain... The screams... She couldn't do it... She STILL couldn't do it, despite it being years later, despite her love of the medical field... That area of her life was still a stark terror of hellish proportions...



Wrapped up in his jacket she thought it needed a splash of color and promptly provided it in the form of vomit... When he had moved her, however gingerly, it had been too much on her weakened system. At least there wasn't a lot of it... The way down the stairs and the conversation between those two, she couldn't help the commentation she provided, and though she had asked him to disregard it... It HAD been the truth... Though hearing that he had started out with promise was confusing... "Surely you jest..." She doubted he had ever shown any promise in the medical field outside of a charming face for bedside manner.



Reportered deftly handled and in the carriage, she talked to stay focused, to stay awake... It was getting harder to breathe, her throat felt like she was slowly being slung into a nose, and she had to fight the urge to rake her nails across her throat to try and remove the constrictive but invisisble offense. "Surely you don't think.... He needs to know... It might not even last through this... Why... Hurt him? He'd.... Feel... Responsible..." It was getting worse faster... It had been had before but this? Was almost too much for her to manage... Her fear, the lurking concerns, the thought of what it might be... She got one word out in regards to it... Drow... His question was heard but... Unanswered...



The knife slid into the soft skin easily, the tube fed down, past the engorged and pulsing throat muscles that had cut off her breathing. There was a sharp gasp as soon as her body was aware there was air coming in, a sharp arching of her back, the desperate digging of her hands into his arms. She was panicking now, even in her weakened state, she was flailing... Needing to breath, still feeling choked despite the tube, panic and fear overriding logic... She felt as if she were losing control over her lungs, like no matter how hard she tried, she wasn't getting air in... Thank God for his foresight with the belt or she'd be on the ground with the thrashing...



Wheeled in and set up, they would find she dipped in and out far too randomly, what ever poison in her system? Was a vicious one indeed, and no matter how much her own body rallied, it was beat down over and over again... Her heart would have stopped twice by the time Jacob arrived, they would be performing CPR on her on the other side of that glass, forcing air in and out of her lungs... Someone wasn't a fan of how long she was lingering... They decided to... Step it up a notch...



And damn...



What a notch.



Jacob being on the other side of the glass was a good thing really, if he were in there with her, well... Messages couldn't be passed along now could they?





"Well hey there big boy... It's been a couple of years, hasn't it... Still playing the good little doctor?" A beautifully lilting voice whispered next to his ear, the rich smell of insence and sex cloying around him now, the delicate tap-tap-tap of nails along the shell of his ear... "Did you miss me?" Oh... He knew her alright... A long time ago to be sure, he was a younger man then, and she? A very bored little drow... Vanima, niece to the Matron everyone just.... Loved to Hate... "Before you get your pretty little collar up, don't worry, I'm here as a friend..." She crooned, her hand dipping down to openly cup his cock in the front, ruby red lips curlingin a smile.  "A very good friend..." [/font] A short, sweet little giggle, oh she was a fucking bitch... But she loved to play with boys... It was how she got Jacob in the first place, but lucky for him, he wised up early... Others? Not so much. But maybe that was why she still talked to him? He was the only little big to wander out of her web...  "My dear little cousin has been a very bad little boy... Look at that poor little rag doll in there... He didn't pull any punches, did he?" [/font] She tasked her tongue lightly. "Auntie Navare is going to kill him this time for sure... Hmm... Should I warn him?" She asked, tilting her head and tapping her chin... After all, he HAD been the one to introduce them, and Jacob... Oh for a dirty little surface elf he had some... Incredible talents... And SUCH a pretty face... "I could... Give him a chance to run... Try to save his hide... But... Well then I'd be in trouble... Hmm... Not worth it."



She loved to fuck with peoples heads...



"Auntie dearest wants your good old daddy in the underdark... She's dying for a good hard fuck and no one but him will do... In return there's something important..." She tapped her chin as if she had forgotten... "Oh yes... That's right... For the cure... She noticed someone has been stealing from the stocks... Arbb'st Ssrin... Golhyrr del'Ilharess and Jal wun Jivvin... Well I don't need to tell you, do I? Your poor little bird in there is about as good as gone... Unless..." She said with a shrug and a smile. "Well, unless your good old daddy does the deed and lays a nice heavy dicking where he should... Can't be TOO hard for the old whore... Unless being married made him soft... Just like it did you." The lat bit was a jab... A stab and a vicious smile... Oh she knew ALL about Cora... Who the fuck did you think had to watch the annoying bitch? Not auntie, oh no, she was too busy... Nope, it was her, stuck with fucking baby sitting duty cause Gia's boy went and fell in love like a stupid slave...



"Well! I've passed on my message, back to baby sitting... Though honestly, your weakness for blonds... They're so fucking insipid Jacob... Ah well... When you find your big boy pants again and your balls drop come find me... We'll have a grand old time... Why... I might even take you to Cora..." The last bit was a sweet trilling laugh before she dropped a smoke bomb and vanished like some drow ninja or something... In truth it was a powder portal, a damn sight more convenient when playing around on the surface, especially considering she was weeks away from any other portal or entrance back home....

[Deleted]

...it was stressful to say the least ..incredibly so.. the doctors and nurses were rushing around like bees.. they had seen ill patients before, numerous times.. theyd dealt with death, with some of the worst cases of abuse and yes even poisons.. but this was something different.. this was something new and as much as they demanded perfection.. as much as they demanded no failure ..you could tell.. you could read it on their faces.. the concern.. the worry that they were in over their heads.. CPR was being performed.. chest compressions.. breaths.. temperatures were being taken.. observations.. her general skin colouring.. was she clammy.. was she sick .. bruising and blood.. so many notes.. even Dr Barathon was scratching his head..



Jacob had been called to the Hospital.. having put everything else on hold the moment he heard she had been admitted.. Kit didn't go into any great details.. she wasn't privy to most of it.. and she didn't want to worry him.. at least not in the beginning.. he took off running.. taking the fastest carriage he could find before he just about bowled people over in the corridors..

thankfully one male nurse pointed him in the right direction and he was off like a rocket.. his entrance into the isolation bay was slow.. it struck him pretty hard as he knew she had to have been really.. really not well to have been put in here.. seeing her behind the thick glass was killing him.. watching them work.. seeing the implements.. the tubing.. the blood.. the colour in her usually soft rosy cheeks.. how it had all but drained.. he demanded entrance.. he was urgent in his words when he began to loosen his tie.. he was going to help.. he was going to scrub in and get to the bottom of this before Barathon.. his mentor stopped him.. telling him it was not his place.. not now.. and whilst he knew it was for the best it still hurt..

he wasn't with her when she fell ill.. how could he have gotten it all so very wrong.. he raked his fingers back through his hair.. slamming his fist against the glass.. though with its thickness very little of it would have been heard on the inside..his shoulders slumped.. he fell back a little on the heels of his boots.. hands sliding down into his pockets.. he didn't catch her entrance.. not even her scent on the air nothing.. it wasn't until her voice sliced into him like a blade that he bristled noticeably.. his eyes half closed.. it had been a very long time since he had heard that particular voice.. his back remained to her for the time being..until she tapped her nails along the shell of his ear an he pulled back.. turning on a heel to face her.. he rolled his neck when his eyes finally fell upon her-.. Hello Vanima.. -he huffed a little when she asked if he had missed her.. glancing back then over his shoulder as the nurses were jumping right back into CPR again..

it would appear Rose was struggling.. in and out more than she should have been.. -.. What is it.. -he managed to get out.. before the pitch in his voice when she grasped a good old handful of his cock-.. You were wanting.. and Why are you here? -he cleared his throat.. watching as that smile crept its way across her porcelain like features.. exhaling a secondary breath when she finally released.. he listened when she spoke on her cousin misbehaving.. this meaning little to him.. that is before she mentioned Rose.. and how there was a connection there-.. What?.. what is it you're trying to say?.. You know whats happened here?..

-his brows furrowed.. curiosity mixed with an urgent sense of concern settled on his features.. he stepped in closer..-.. Should you warn who?.. What are you talking about?.. -he glanced back toward Rose and the volley of nurses.. watching how they had managed to stabilise her.. for maybe a few more minutes before everything started going haywire and the girl had some kind of seizure.. he reached across to grab onto Vanimas shoulders when she continued to talk in riddles-.. If you know something you have to tell me.. Please.. -he was just about pleading with her at this stage.. before she pretty much laid it all out on the table.. so to speak.. that her Aunt.. and he figured she was meaning Gia.. wanted his Father.. for a good old fashioned fucking session.. he blinked.. releasing the hold he had on her shoulders-.. What?..-he questioned.. confused.. before she started talking about poisons.. ones he had heard of.. ones he knew quite well though not of their antidotes.. only knowing so much as to their strength.. and just how deadly they were on their own.. let alone all together.. he reached up to remove his glasses.. pinching the bridge of his nose.. -.. Arbb'st Ssrin?... Golhyrr del'Ilharess? and Jal wun Jivvin?..-he spoke quietly to himself.. almost with a breathless resignation..

his brows furrowed-.. Are you serious?.. You have an antidote to this.. and its locked behind my Father.. fucking your Aunt?..-he felt exasperated ..and he blinked when she took that jab at him.. the one about Cora.. his lips thinned out.. Oh the things he could have said in that moment.. however he also knew.. the one behind that glass.. her life hung in the balance.. he simply drew a breath in through his teeth.. -..Ive got three Fathers Vanima...youre going to have to be more specific.. -but before he had managed to even get the last few words out she disappeared in a puff of powder..

he groaned.. and his knees just about gave way.. he turned.. looking into the glass there.. it would appear that they had stabilised her once more.. she was breathing at least.. though still not conscious.. he felt sick.. physically and mentally.. such weight on his shoulders.. he pulled a marker out of his pocket.. one of the ones he had been using in the lecture hall and he began to write on the glass.. as best he could backwards so they could read it on the other side.. Arbb'st Ssrin... Golhyrr del'Ilharess and Jal wun Jivvin .. thats the poisons.. Research.. Now.. with many.. many excalamtion points..

he dashed out quickly.. taking one of the side doors.. down a short hallway till he found an office in the back.. deserted.. he drew the doors closed.. a whispered word.. a second and a third would have as much of the room short warded as he could.. he didn't have time to do it all securely.. and there was massive risk.. a reflective glass mirror above a basin would do the trick..tapping it with his fingers.. an outpouring of magical energy.. whispered words.. mouthed with no audible sound.. before the surface would begin to before wavy.. more and more transparent.. it would give him access to the mirror above the mantle in Aces big Mansion styled home.. -.. Nautilous?.. Diovan?.. Sydel?.. Garafin?.. Anyone?.. I need help.. its urgent. -he called out.. he had gripped the basin so tightly his knuckles were white and the porcelain was straining.. he called out a few times.. his voice growing a little more urgent each time.. maybe they weren't home?.. were they out?.. off on a journey somewhere?.. he slumped against the basin.. he'd have to leave a message then..



Nautilous.. Please if you get this message I need your help.. immediately.. It would appear Rose has been poisoned .. by Arbb'st Ssrin... Golhyrr del'Ilharess and Jal wun Jivvin and so i have been told its the handy work of Ricarnavon .. Vanima paid me a visit this afternoon at the hospital.. telling me that her Aunt.. which I am guessing is Gia?.. has found someone is looting the poisons supplies.. and well she's incredibly upset about it.. -he waved his hand a little dismissivly-.. in any rate.. Im being told the only way to cure this.. -his shoulders sunk and he huffed-.. is utterly ridiculous.. Apparently Gia is requesting my Father to ..well.. show her a good time.. -he frowned-.. I dont know.. Im desperate.. Rose is on deaths door.. and I dont know what more I can do.. Im proficient in poisons but not the antidotes of all three.. and im worried.. Im really very worried.. I dont know if its you.. or Diovan.. or even Ace that she wants.. Just please.. if you can find a way to get this antidote.. Ill do anything.. anything.. -he pleased.. his voice audibly crackling as the message shut off-

[BadInfluence]

Poor boy aught not blame himself too much though, he was simply giving her space, like any sane male who wants to keep his nuts outside of his body and firmly attached. After all, it was a perfectly normal, rational thought he had, and why worry about it? It wasn't like he had been given any warnings to the contrary, no indications that it might have been just what he thought, a bit of the jitters... A lot had happened over that three day weekend, for the both of them no less, so a little breathing room... A chance to get thier stretch out... Totally normal...

It looked only a few pints short of a horror movie on the other side of that glass. Some intense drama, nurses and doctors laboring away, nerves tighter than the hairs of a violins bow string. Honestly, it should be a training day, this sort of event? Didn't happen all the time. Here in this big port city, they were the best of the best, and a challenge like this? Rarely, if ever, came up. With that in mind? They were certainly earning thier stripes today. Would she live? Would she die? Could they keep enough oxygen going to keep her brain alive?

She? She was suffering there, locked up in a body that didn't respond to her anymore, just wracked in pain and fear... So much fear. Even she hadn't expected this, she'd only ever been sick once in her life as a child, and right now... Right now she was dying, she knew it with the cold clammy certainty of the reapers cadaver hand resting on her throat, for that was where it all stemmed... Her throat. She couldn't breathe, couldn't swallow, couldn't scream. Oh what she wouldn't do for a good hard scream right now...

And here Barathon wanted to tell Jacob about the baby... Given all this going on? there was no chance... It had been fighting to plant for hours, to try andt ake root, but the spams and blood loss... It uprooted that little seed before it got any real chance to stick. For the better though, despite the fervent wishes of two very polar opposite Gods, this just wasn't going to occur... And imagine how angry those Gods would now be... And just who's eyes they would turn on?


Funny that no care was given to the vessel, well, at least on one half... Kharn wasn't the kind to care about anyone not in his direct blood line, but Silvanus, well... Different creature there... He was Rose's grandfather, and while the blood line was weaker, it was still strong enough... It was why she wasn't dead yet, why despite all the poison rolling through her body, she hadn't succumed yet... Life must beget life, and he had chosen to terminate her pregnancy and the bloodline to keep her alive, because unlike Khorn? If she survived there could be another child later, but if she died? Hardly so.

No one knew about this besides the Gods themselves...

--In the plane of Oblivion--

K: Why did you drag me here Silvanus?

S: Because you need to take a part in this.

K: I need take part in nothing that doesn't involve blood and war.

S: And there will be plenty of that soon enough. Your grandson won't hold out against you forever.

K: I am well aware of that, which makes this meeting pointless, we both know the outcome.

S: Not true... You can only see part of the scope. If she dies? He won't want to live, he will kill himself or so enough self harm to make the body he wears useless, therefor making him useless to you...

K: He is just one body, one child, already she is making me another vessel...

S: With a diluted bloodline...

N: Must you always sell me short? I was your favorite once upon a time...

K: Before you stole my bride and made bedfellows with Sslanesh.

S: Can we get back on topic here?

K: What do you expect me to do, Oak Father? I care not for life, I am the God of War and Death, caring for her or this situation. It is not in accord to my nature.

S: War is though, and if she lives, and they find out who caused this to happen to her?

K:... Fine... I will offer aid... ONCE.

S: Good. Then we are all in accord... Nautilous, you will have your powers returned to you, on loan... No longer a God you will be, but a Demi-God instead...

N: Stingly little fuckers aren't you?

S: Be glad Khorn even agreed to return half of what he took.

--Back in the World---

So funny the mechanisms of Gods, is it not? The way they pick and chose who to favor and who to deny, even of thier own bloodlines, they are all seen as... Disposable...

The plants around the hospital began to wilt and die in rapid order, like the sudden and violent onset of a winter, the salting of the earth... Even those things inside, well tended and in good health began to rot from the inside out, swarms of gnats and other annoying insects began to swarm from the dead husks... Silvanus was taking the surrounding life to fuel Rose's survival...


The pitch change made that sultry little giggle ring out all over again, tightening her grip just a touch before letting him go, after all this was all just for fun! At least... That part. "Believe it or not? I did enjoy your time Jacob, you were a very attentive lover, even for a filthy little sun lover..." She said with one of those famous drow shrugs that mean everything and nothing all at once. "Consider it an act of good will between lovers." Which was partially true... Another part? She was lining her nest on both sides. She was doing a favor for Gia like an act of good will for one while she delivered the message, and two, she made sure Jacob and his family wouldn't come after her in the backlash of what was coming. She HARDLY doubted that Jacob's mother wouldn't slaughter anyone who even so much as caused her son to stub his toe, let alone take his newest little love item.



"Come now Jacob, all those brains behind a pretty face, and you can't put two and two together? It's why your kind will never surprass we Drow." A derrisive and admittedly rude sound as she rolled her eyes and snapped her tongue at him. At least he said please, and he did grovel so very prettily, and with that she told him. Well... At least most of it? The bit about his father though... Oh now THAT was where she could have a touch of fun... Two of them, ok, all THREE Of them were pretty... Uh... Well rounded? She'd had Ace a time or two herself at some of the mixers down below, talk about a wild ride that one, he was certainly a favorite... Gia wouldn't say no to him... Hell, nothing with a pulse would say no to that man... The other? Diovan, the little heart ranger, the moonlight theif making love bloom like night flowers... Handsome, romantic, loyal to a fault... But soft too, too much an elf through and through, Gia might cut her teeth on him but... She'd toss him aside in an hour... The last one though? "Gia has been after Nautilous for YEARS but she's too proud to pay for him like the rest of us. This is her chance to get him right where she wants him without having to part with a single copper. She's rich enough to buy him outright but lets face it... Why pay for something when coersion is so much funner?"



She didn't give him much more than that... Outside of the wonderfully fun tidbit about Cora... Oh what he would do, she wondered, if he knew he was having an affair? Went and busted that poor girls cherry all while still legally married in the eyes of the law... Oh what Gossip! What Rumors! She might just have to... Slip up one night... Just a touch... Let the little freak go a-hunting one night, you know, slip the gate... She could help... Drug the guard... Easily pin it in her good for nothing cousin... Oh... OH! Once those bubbles started to pop she was just salivating for a good time! The things she would plot back down in the comforting darkness...



---In Arvandor--



Nautilous and Sydel were out hunting, and given her... Unique system? She needed to feed and regularly, and the Arvandor populace couldn't sate her appetite, not with the tight diet that Lady Goldenheart enforced on them... Instead they were on the Surface, deep in the slums and deepest pits of depravity, hunting to their hearts content to nourish dark little dessert they so adored to share... Something that was even more necissary now that a certain dead man had been brought back to life and had half of his powers restored to him... Like a peacock that had once molted was now getting his feathers back, and dear GOD, how wonderfully gaudy they were... The two of them together were playing like it was halloween every day, putting on a new play, a new act as they devoured life like the plague...



The one who was at home with Sybelle and the newest baby? Was Diovan himself. Sybelle was out with some of the other Paramours, gathering flowers and the like to decorate the temple, a full moon was coming up and there was going to be one of the festivals in that time... The same one that Jacob had promised to come to, and to bring this new girl, this Rose he was always talking about... As such? Sybelle was putting a little more than her normal touch on things, even though she was newly pregnant and a bit tired, she seemed to have energy out the back end for this...



Did he mind? Not at all, he had no issue being at home with his son, especially considering the little devil was madly currious about... Grown up things... And in his mind? That meant kissing... And feelings... He was getting to that age where he realized boys and girls were different and he wanted to know why and just what made them different. Living in a house full of people who were all about sex? Yeah... Throw a rock and you had a great teacher, just everyone took it a bit differently, and he? Was the gentlest of them all so he? Was the go to.





"Jacob?" He could hear the faint sounds of a voice inside the mansion and he headed in, scratching the back of his head at the tone, never having heard it before... There was a pulsing crystal by the mantle and he realized he had just missed the call. Rubbing the stone he heard the playback and... Well shit. Ace was just walking back in the yard at the moment, and not a moment too soon either. "Ace, can you do me a favor and watch the kids? Aysil is in her room with her dresses trying to pick one out for the festival and our favorite hellion is in the hot springs trying to fart bubbles bigger than the springs. Jacob's in a rough spot and I'm about to head out and help him." With Luck Ace wouls say yes and he was out the door in a flash, saddling up his horse and heading out to the tree house that was Sybelles on the pond. Between him, Nautilous, Sydel and Sybelle? They had an ass ton of tinctures there and with luck? They had what they needed...



Fuck all if he was going to shag that Ice Queen. He'd been on the wrong end of Gia once, a drow raid had run into his band and Gia herself had been in it oddly enough, and yeah... No. Not something he'd go plugging into any time soon! Leave that mess to the other two... But back onto the issue at hand... He knew a lot about drow poisons, besides orcs and trolls, they ran into drow a LOT. He'd lost a few of his own men to some of thier own poisons, and seen more than a few suffer through some of those hellish torments... You could heal most of them with Magic but the ones particularly listed off? Only one could be healed like that, and the other two? Ugh... Hell the Kiss of the Matron was bad enough on it's own...



What he had? Were specialized salts from the tears of Hanali herself, mixed with the waters from their scryping pools of the three Goddess, and asëa aranion with alfirin... It would keep her from dying but it couldn't neutralize the drow poisons... Not all of them. The goal right now was just to keep her alive and see what they could do from there... Packing it all up, he did spot one last thing, a small jar... Akin to that of baby food or perhaps jelly... Inside was a red liquid, so rich it was akin to tar, thick and yet not clotted... It was a damned precious comodity, the blood of Nautilous before the changes, before his death...



Did he have a right to use it?



What if there was an emergency? What if Sybelle had complications during pregnancy? What about Sydel if she chose to have a child? If Jacob got sick? There were so many uses for this stuff, it was virtually a cure all, but... They had so little left... And it wasn't exactly something they could come by again at the drop of a hat...



He packed up a small vial of it, harly more than half a teaspooon, but even that? Felt like he was stealing from his own family... Still... Jacob was his son, and he knew personally that Hanali herself had chosen this girl for him, and if he didn't do all he could... Would he be worthy of the mantle he wore as the leader of the Moonlight Tryst?



It took him about an hour to get to the surface, if only because he wasn't like the others, he was virtually magically retarded to his detriment... So he had to catch a ride, so to speak, in order to arrive at the hospital. It took a lot of asking, a lot of strange looks, and why not? He came up in his typical travel garb, which made him look like some rogue knight from a fairy tale, or... Better yet? Like robin hood... He really DID hate the surface, he truly did, and if not for Jacob needing him? He'd never set foot in this damned realm... Still, he did, and he got to Jacobs side... He waved him away from the glass walled room and to a quieter hall. "Is there somewhere we can talk, in private?" He'd ask before they would go to an empty janitors closet. He'd slide the pack off of his shoulder then and hand it to him. "Your mother and Nautilous are hunting right now, and you know whey they go, we can't track them. They'll be back in two days so until then... I brought you some of the best stuff I could find on short notice but it'll keep her from dying..."



There was some fidgiting on his part, turning the vial in his fingers within his pocket, shaking his head a bit... [b] "And... One other thing but... Look, only use this if she's going to die and there's no other way, ok?... We only have a little bit left and you know how useful it is..." [/b][/font] He'd hand over the vial then. "And if your mother finds out? I'm sleeping at YOUR house... Bigger than the dog house." He'd definately be on the shit list after all...

[Deleted]

..she was toying with him, even in his tension filled state he knew that.. still when a woman grabs you by the balls it will pretty much always have some kind of effect.. he huffed when she finally released.. reaching then he straightened his jacket.. her little giggle filling the immediate area.. just enough to wear on his nerves.. -.. You yourself resided in Arvandor for a time.. You might not care for the Sun lovers.. but you didn't mind associating with a few of them.. -he exhaled.. his hand rose as he rubbed it against his forehead.. every so often he would glance back over his shoulder.. just to check on things..

though as with every other time there was no real progress.. poor Rose continued on that horrible loop.. the compliment to him being a very attentive lover.. well.. what could he even say to that.. it just made him feel awkward.. she spoke to him n a few riddles.. and normally he would have been as sharp as a tack.. he would have picked up on it straight away.. but what with everything going on.. he was pretty much useless.. her rude tone though..that coupled with her rolling her eyes.. snapping her tongue.. he himself exhaled and shook his head-.. Alright.. ok.. I get it.. My mind is.. elsewhere.. -.. raking his fingers back through his hair.. she'd spoken about her 'terms'.. how they would be able to get their hands on the antidotes required to save her life.. the cost though was pretty steep.. and quite ridiculous.. his Father had to sleep with her Aunt.. he made sure to mention he had three Fathers.. and he did.. sure only one of them was Biological but they all had a place.. they all raised him in some way.. they were all there.. she corrected him.. telling him as he expected.. that it was Nautilous that Gia was after.. that it had been a long term desire.. he'd not quite understand it personally.. but then again he wasn't a female.. and well.. he was sure he'd heard of there being some kind of.. long term almost rivalry between this Gia.. and his Mother.. so maybe it had something to do with that....

before he could even get another word in she was gone.. disappearing in a cloud of fine dust.. she kept on mentioning Cora though.. his brain didn't register it.. not fully.. it just flew over his head.. as far as he was concerned that woman was dead.. long since passed and not even someone that deserved breath let alone a secondary thought.. he remained still a time.. as if his feet were just unable to move.. he wrote the names of the poisons upon the glass and ducked out.. down a long hall.. he tried in vain to contact his family.. his Father..Anyone.. but it would seem on this particular occasion that everyone was out.. he left a message stone there in its place.. with urgency in his voice he was certain someone .. anyone who caught it would come to his aid and quickly.. he returned to the isolation wing.. standing there near the glass.. watching.. feeling utterly hopeless.. utterly useless.. he was doing nothing.. what could he possibly do other than to chide himself quietly for not being there..he tapped on the glass-. Please.. Please tell me there is some improvement?!.. -he called out to Dr Barathon..

the good Dr turned.. tilting his head as he glanced down over the notes that had been written only a short time prior.. moving toward the window before Jacob.. he shook his head-.. I'm sorry Jacob, nothing yet.. she's still with us.. she's holding on tightly.. strong as an oxe.. We have quite a few scholars looking into the poisons you have mentioned here.. trying to figure out the best path to take from here.. and until we do we wont leave her.. I assure you.. she'l be on watch round the clock..



-he nodded his head.. his hands rose to rub against the back of it.. -.. Thankyou.. for..for everything.. -he exhaled watching as the group inside turned ba ck toward Rose.. jumping right back into everything.. browsing books.. taking notes.. observing every little change .. anything they might see as helpful.. he caught a glimpse of someone entering the wing.. enough to make him blink.. before realisation struck.. -.. Diovan?..-he questioned.. of all the people he expected to see come it wasn't his Father.. at least not this one.. he quickly followed down into the corridor.. letting the door swing closed behind them-.. I take it you got my message?..


-you could see the apprehension.. the concern and fear there in his otherwise quite placid features..the two of them slipped into the closet.. a dim light flooding the small room with an orange glow-. Thank you.. -he reached across and placed his hand upon your shoulder.. giving a light squeeze-.. For coming all this way.. I know you're not one for the surface lands.. I appreciate it.. more than you might know.. -and he was honest.. utterly so.. he knew damn well Diovan was an Arvandorian 100%.. that his Father preferred the other planes.. so seeing him here.. and a little out of place was a pretty big deal.. he listened when you spoke about Sydel and Nautilous being out hunting ..and that was the reason he couldn't get a hold of anyone..-.. Ah.. makes sense yes.. off the radar so to speak..

-his brow rose when you handed over the small pouch of items.. the best of the best so to speak.. the purest of ingredients.. that could cure a grand majority of the ills in the world.. but he knew deep down they couldn't take the poison away.. they would however prolong her life.. for a time.. which might be all they need.. -.. Thankyou.. this will help a lot.. -he watched as you toyed with the vial.. before passing it over.. explaining the significance of it.. and how his Mother would be putting you in the dog house if she ever found out.. the corners of his lips curled just a little there-.. If this is what I think it is.. -he tapped the side of his nose-.. I dont know where I got it.. just that it was required.. -he slid the vial into his shirt pocket.. the pouch hooked onto his slacks loop.. before he would pull you into a hug.. - I dont want her to go.. -he spoke quietly.. -.. I'll admit.. I'm quite frightened by all of this.. -he sunk back onto the heels of his boots.. he looked exhausted.. but also completley wired.. -.. I feel lost.. I cant help.. I cant do anything.. I should have been there..

-he glanced up to you there-.. We need to find Nautilous for this fucking stupid deal.. I cant think of anything else.. -he felt defeated..-.. Is there any way at all to contact them?.. maybe I could find them.. -though he figured that wouldn't be quite so simple.. whilst Sydel was a creature of habit she knew how to hide her tracks.. she knew how to fall off the radar.. -.. I better get this stuff to Dr Barathon.. Thankyou Diovan.. Thankyou.. -he lingered there a moment longer.. forcing out a breath as he pushed back out of the room and back into the isolation wing.. calling Barathon over with a wave of a hand.. before he slid the few items.. minus the vial into the tray and they shifted through into the room.. watching a Barathon looked through the pouh curiously.. intrigued as to where it all come from.. genuinely impressed.. but it was not the time to be asking questions.. he called the nurses over and they got to work immediately-

[BadInfluence]

She was in over her head, it was scarry being here, on the other side of the table... She wanted to be a doctor, she wanted to heal people, but it was so different... Realizing that she wanted to heal without ever really being sick herself before, and how very, very different it was to be on the recieving end. It changed her perspective, her outlook on the medical field as a whole, able to see both sides of the coin for once... The doctors and nurses here? They were fighting valliantly on her behalf, doing all they could to keep her on this side of the shadowlands, and she knew their struggles... The physical and mental demand it takes on a body... She wanted it to be over already, so badly, not just for her but for them too... But she couldn't figure it out, how badly it had gotten so quickly, and why nothing she had done worked... Not to blast her own horn but she was incredibly gifted with plants, one of the best in her own opinion, and yet nothing she had done worked... She couldn't figure out how... There was no explanation to this, no way to make heads or tails, outside of... Well... Poison...



There was a moment when she was stabilized, where she had control over her own body, if only for a moment... Someone was administering an anti-toxin in her veins and for a moment, if only a moment, it worked... She could turn her head the glass wall, and in her shock and horror, Jacob was there... He looked white as a ghost there on the glass, scribbling things away there, and it broke her heart... She was trying to keep him from seeing her sick... From worrying about her. She was scared it would remind him way too much of Cora, and the LAST thing she wanted to do, was put him through that... But a moment later and she was able to read what he had written...



She was right then... Those were drow poisons, someone hated her enough to bring out the biggest guns possible, which... Well let's face it, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure who had done it, or the why... Well, at least in part? After all, Cora had been a personal vendetta, but as far as she knew, Cora had never offended Rin... Where as she? Ha... She had made public mince meat out of him more than once... Was this another attack on Jacob or had she brought this onto herself? Still, even if she had, why had he gone SO hard? This was more than just a poisoning, this was flat out over kill, which made her wonder... Why was she still alive?



Just ONE Of those was enough to cause death within a few hours, and painfully too, yet here she was... Still kicking, so to speak... She shouldn't be though... Just who were here parents? She had been found in a river among rose briars, hence her name, without so much as anything on her... Just a small, water logged picture frame that she always assumed must have held her mothers picture, or at least some hint of her past... But she never could make out the photo, who or what it must have once been, and right now? Knowing might have proven a little helpful... Of course she didn't get much deeper into that before the anti-venom was wiped out by the poisons in her system and she started that same round all over again, wracked by pain and panic, the ever looming certainty of her own mortality...



------







"Call a duck a duck Jacob, I hate it here, always have and always will... But blood is thicker than any dislike." Jacob had only come to know him in his life later on, where as Nautilous and Ace had been there for years. Thier relationship was much stronger than his own with Jacob, but it wasn't from lack of trying on either side, rather it was just... Jacob was a grown man by the time the truth had been revealed, the times hen eeded a father, the moments where he could have helped shape his son? Had already come and gone. It hurt, sure, but it was part of life, you get used to pain... "Exactly. A tiger doesn't exactly leave a calling card at their last meal... Makes it extrordinarily difficult but it's better for them this way. " They might be under some protection in Arvandor, Hanali's personal little weights to keep the scales in balance, but on the surface? It was anyones game and given that Nautilous was just as weak as the rest of them? It definately paid to be more cautious.



"I wish I knew more about this stuff to help you. Your mother is off on cloud nine with preparations so I wasn't going to bring this shadow to her. I can say I've dealt with this stuff first hand though and... I'm honestly surrpirsed she'd still alive... You picked a fighter." Men three times her size had gone down in half an hour with just one poison... "Which reminds me..." When Jacob had last come to the temple, he had asked for the records pertaining to Rose, which given her entire fuzzy history? Made it a lot harder than anyone had figured. She was literally impossible to track, not because records had been muted, but because there were so few records... What they could find? Had come from Hanali herself, which yeah, imagine the rippled shock... "Those records you looked for? We have none. Like... There's nothing on her Jacob, no matter how deep we read into it, there's no real reference to her... Hanali herself, when she came down to procliam her as the choice for you? Only gave us an inkling... A hint..." Might be strange to talk about this now but... It might help put Jacob at ease... "She's your counterweight. The balance to your internal scales. She's no more pure elf than you are, if you know what I mean..." That though, was all he could say about it, cause Hanali herself had been terribly mum about the whole damned thing.



"Might seem strange to mention it now, and I was going to tell you when you came home to visit, but... I thought it might put your mind a little at ease..." He was surprised she wasn't dead, but it did go to prove what Hanali had said, which meant there was a bigger game at play. With who, and why, now that was a question for later... He returned the hug, giving a bit extra into it, knowing that Jacob could use a little added support. "I know... When your mother goes into labor, every time my heart just stops, I keep thinking she's not going to make it through this one... But she always comes out the other end, and this Rose of yours, she's tough..." He wasn't good at this sort of stuff, not really... He was better at actions, keeping to the shadows, helping move things along the right path... This whole situation just... Not his strong suit. "Just... Let yourself be lost Jacob... You gotta be lost to find yourself, and it's only when we're lost that we grow, we get stronger..." Jacob had been so sure of his own footing with Cora, and look at how that had gone, how much it had broken him... And now life was trying to break him again... "Maybe.. All this is life trying to tell you it's ok to hand the reigns over... You don't have to be in control all the time, you're not responsible for all the things in life, and it's ok to let go... Let the wind take you, go out in the dark of the moon Jacob, cause if you don't? You wont see the stars son..."



It was the best that he could do, honestly he wished he could do more, be eloquent like Nautilous or blunt like Sydel, but he couldn't even come to a middle ground between them. He spoke like some sort of sphinx and he knew it wasn't helpful, but it was the best he had, the best he could do. "I'll find them... I'm already here... Ace is watching your brother and sister and Sybelle is at the Temple being spoiled and coddled while she works..." A shrug of his shoulders as he adjusted his belt, sliding the blades slightly into sight, necissary should anyone try anything... He definately had no love for these surface dwellers... "I don't know if I can find your mother, she tends to wander from his side during some of thier longer hunts, but... Well Nautilous can't break all his bad habits..." Meaning he was probably at a whore house, stirring the pot, causing massive orgies to feed off of the energies... It wouldn't be TOO hard to search him out like that. Rather hard to miss the rumors about some gloriously handsome man fucking his way through a towns entire populace, sparing only the children... Even good old grandma was privy to a nice long dickin'....



---







Back in that room Dr. Barathon and the others were breaking down the components, blending them then increading the potentcy... Heating it then rapidly cooling them in oder to maximise the effectiveness, concentrating it all down into the most potent form, ensuring none of it went to waste... This took two hours total, two hours of tension as they repeatedly lost her, her heart stalling out three times total in that time... They didn't know if they could get it ready before she slipped fully from their fingers... Her heart had stopped again, and this time, this time it was harder to get her back... They prepared a syringe of the finalized product and with a long thick needle, plunged it directly into her heart while the other portion was injected into her jugular... They didn't have time for a drip... No gentle easing of the stuff into her system, no time to even test it, not that they had enough to do that in the first place...



At first there was nothing... They kept up with the chest compressions but it seemed like this time? They weren't going to get her back...



They had to call it...



Time of Death: 3:23 pm...



The machines had to be shut down, nurses excorted out, the doctors inside swearing and mourning... They hadn't lost someone in a very long time, especially someone who was a student, a bright up and coming star... The one who remained behind was Barathon, standing by the table, her hand in his... He had, after all, just lost his wife... This might be too close to home?... Or maybe he was waiting... Hoping...



3:33 PM-



A sudden gasp, movement on the table...



Barathon released a call to arms, a sharp yell that got the group back together, and the whole energy in the room changed... Like a sudden fresh breath, a charge of electricity... A lightning bolt... She was breathing... Without assistance, she was breathing on her own, the swelling in her throat? Rapidly subsiding... The wound in her throat began to close up slowly bit still, incredibly rapid to the eyes of those wanting, setting up IVs... Blood transfers... Several bags connected via tubes that were running into her body to keep her veins open, to replace what was lost, to provide her with the blood she needed to live.



---



She opened her eyes again, looking up at the team around her, their faces still blurry... Blinking several times she couldn't get their faces to clear... She felt like she'd been run over by several obese hippos with kleets on... She hurt all over, literally even her eyelashes hurt, which was insane considering it all. "Anyone get the name... Of the jerk who ran me over?" She asked weakly with a watery smile but... It was there... She was always the fighter, putting on a brave face, pushing herself beyond her limits... She blinked again, her brows drawing together, it seemed as if it were getting worse... Each time, in fact, that she blinked?... It was like she was stripping off a layer of her own eyes, making her vision grow worse, like applying a thin layer of black laquer... "Dr. Barathon..." She asked quietly... Watching the group start to leave once her vitals were stable... Weak, but stable, which was entirely expected... Seeing the backs of white lab coats turning grey... Darker... Darker still... "Dr. Barathon... I... I can't see..." She said shakily... She had almost died, loosing her vision, fucking hell... Small in comparison... Within a few seconds that black solidified and the room vanished into nothing more than very dim outlines... Faint shapes... too muted and blurred to focus on any one thing... "I can't see... Anything..."

[Deleted]

..he was hidden away in that janitors closet with his Father for a short time.. though it felt like hours.. everything slowed.. his body was under an immense amount of stress..of pressure.. he'd been down a very similar road with Cora.. and that just about killed him..and just like everyone elses body dealing with a certain kind of trauma for the second time.. his body knew recognised it.. and knew what was coming.. so he was white.. he was pale as a ghost.. he'd have moments where he would seem to space out.. become one with his thoughts.. though in those short moments he'd have a war raging in his head.. voices communicating.. discussing .. deeper and sweeter.. one sharp and with anger.. one soft and with safety..


Him and Diovan talked about how neither of them would probably be able to locate Nautilous or Sydel.. that the two lovers were practically off the radar.. it made things like this difficult.. where time was of the essence..the items were handed over.. vials of some of the most potent ingredients he knew existed.. and then one more.. Nauts own blood.. that in of itself was the crown jewel but to use it came with its own unknown consequences.. the pair shared a hug.. it was a little longer than usual.. he was a wreck and he figured his Father knew it.. he sat back on the heels of his boots when you mentioned the records.. nodding his head-.. I do recall.. she herself having told me she had no past.. or at least she couldn't really recall it.. that she was found by a couple.. so I figured there had to be something there...she's got magical energy running through her afterall.. but really?.. there was nothing?.. -his brows furrowed ..confused and a little deflated-.. I thought Arvandor had records on every soul.. everyone..

-you spoke on Hanali having given them a hint.. that Rose was his counterweight.. the balance to his internal scales.. that she was no more pure elf than he was.. pausing when you asked if he knew what you meant..exhaling softly-. I mean.. maybe.. I dont know.. The light to the dark perhaps.. though my brain is not firing well tonight.. -he held the side of his head-.. there's a lot going on in there.. and i think the stress of everything is just making it worse.. but.. thankyou for looking into all of this for me.. I am sure when all of this is sorted and she is back on her feet.. goddess willing.. -he sighed-.. I will be permitted to think on it further.. perhaps when my brain allows me to put the puzzle pieces together..Thankyou Diovan.. -his arms rose as he crossed them about his chest.. airing his own fears in that moment on losing Rose..

hearing you speak on Belle and labour.. and how in some respects they are linked.. he nodded.. looking out through the little window.. seeing the doctors still dashing about like chickens to try and keep Rose alive-.. She's tough yes. she's one of the strongest people I know.. -he rubbed his upper arms a little-.. I want to settle on hopes here.. on some kind of divine intervention.. Something.. Anything.. -he rubbed his lips together-.. but I'm also honest with myself.. Ive studied these poisons and their origins.. Ive been in the underdark more times than I can count.. one of them is enough to bring down a group of people.. two enough to bring down an army.. but three?...I mean she could survive this yes.. we might just figure it all out.. but at what cost?.. what has the poison already done to her?.. . I.. -hesitation-.. We just need those antidotes.. and quickly.. Vanimas deal.. her Aunts desires to be with Nautilous in return for antidotes is utterly ridiculous .. I cant fathom why anyone would want to harm Rose.. I dont understand it.. Its almost..

-his hands fell to his sides.. he exhaled-.. like its a personal attack upon me.. anyone I look toward.. anyone I put just enough interest into.. gets hurt.. and whilst it may not be from Matron Gia directly its someone in her flock.. and she's simply reaping the benefits of the exchange.. but.. to be honest right now id probably make a deal with the devil himself or herself as it were.. to make sure she survives.. If you cant find Nautilous.. get word to Vanima that Ill take his place..

-he exhaled.. shaking his head as he stepped out of the janitors closet.. back down the hall and into the isolation area..just in time to see Dr Barathon being forced to call it.. watching as he nurses heads dropped.. and they began to slowly file out.. his throat suddenly felt tight.. his now glassy gaze locked with the good Doctor.. the two of them communicating without a single word spoken.. his palm pressed to the glass there.. a few tears streaked his cheeks.. and his body gave up.. his mind had held on for as long as it could.. and he collapsed.. dragging his fingers down the words he had written on before he hit the floor.. Barathons eyes widened considerably and he called out loudly for aid.. a couple of the nurses that were on their way back to the ward caught the sound and came running.. gasps sounded out as they quickly ran to Jacob.. a third young male nurse attended.. helping to get Jacob up onto a stretcher.. he was fine.. he was breathing.. pulse was steady and strong.. his body and mind refused to tolerate another partners death.. especially in his already heightened state of stress..

the male nurse made sure to let Barathon know Jacob was ok.. just needing to rest.. it would be then that Rose would come to.. that sudden breath that sliced through the silence in the isolation chamber almost frightened the good Doctor as he was not prepared for it.. a sudden and loud call to arms was sounded and the nurses returned at speed.. whatever they had dosed her with clearly worked.. even if it was only in the short term.. they needed time.. even in small increments they needed it now more than ever..

the hustle and bustle in that small glass suite amped up again.. checking observations.. writing on charts.. the nurses and even the good Doctor seemed shocked.. though incredibly relieved.. Barathon heard her voice ring out.. crackled as it was.. his brow rose and he managed a light chuckle-.. Welcome back young Rose.. -he moved over to the side of the bed there so she could see him.. and for that moment she would have caught a glimpse of him.. before her vision started to fail.. -.. I think you took a few years off my life just then my dear.. how about we dont do that again mm?....-he turned to the nurses being relieved- Please go and check on Dr Anikin..see if you can get him up and then return

-he glanced down at the notes written on the chart.. listening to the nurses talk amongst themselves.. sharing observations.. before a couple of them would step out.. -.. Make sure you ladies dont go too far.. theres always a chance we will require you back here swiftly.. -he was not going to sugar coat it.. in as quickly as she woke up.. she could just as easily go back down.. soon it was just him and her.. -.. Yes Rose?.. -he questioned as she called out to him.. he glanced up.. though his brow rose when she told him she couldn't see..-.. You cant see?.. you're visions gone?.. -curiously he pulled out his small flashlight.. drawing her lids open gently.. shining it across.. there was little to no movement other than her over correction-.. You could see when you came to yes?.. I watched you look up to me.. and its just faded.. just now?.. -he slipped the light back into his pocket..-. its alright. its ok.. try and relax. it could simply be a side effect of the medical intervention.. the items we were given were incredibly strong and rare..it was a roll of a dice really to figure on the combination and amount required.. we will get to the bottom of your vision.. I assure you.. How are you feeling though?.. Is there any pain?.. are you cold.. or hot?.. tell me everything.. -he has a hand to her forehead.. and then another to her wrist.. checking on that pulse.. glancing up every so often to the nurses tending to Jacob-

[BadInfluence]

"It is strange, but I don't think there is anything to find Jacob, sometimes... Sometimes the Gods chose to not record things, what ever their reasons are, it's usually with a purpose in mind... Don't dig Jacob... It's better to just love her as she is, isn't it? I never knew a single person made happy by those records." Sometimes loves ended up not coming to fruition because of those records, too many times there had been a romeo and juliete outcome from them, or worse... Sometimes things fell apart because a spouce was discovered to bet he product of an undesireable cross breeding or worse... Inbreeding... So in his mind? Why stir the pot? He loved her as she was, right? So then her past was just that, the past, and it didn't play a part in the present.



When Jacob talked about Rose though, the fears there, the poisons... They both knew that she had been given a cocktail that if thrown in a city's well? Could wipe out a population faster than the plague. All of that pumped into a small elvish frame and it was no wonder she was in the hell she found herself in. Who ever had done it was waging one hell of a personal vendetta, and he was sure Jacob was already able to put the pieces together, even if it was all totoally subconcious. When he said he'd fuck Gia instead he actually recoiled before reaching out and giving Jacob a good hard shake. "Dammit boy get your head on right! You don't sleep with the Queen of Spiders, she's a black widow, she'd cut her teeth on you and spit you out. You think Rose is going to be ok with that? What about your mother?" Ok... So maybe a bit low on the end there, but this? This was NO joking matter! As far as he was concerned that was a sin that was beyond his ability to explain or understand. "If you even THINK about this Jacob, I am going to knock you out right here and now and lock you up in Arvandor until you get your head on straight!" He said with a look that would have seriously had Jacob drawing to attention. Normally Diovan was so familiar and kind with him, he'd never seen him actually draw to his full height or use the voice he often used with his rangers... Needless to say? That position was earned and not given to him just by chance. If the need came? He could put the fear of the Gods into a man. "Stop trying to make yourself the marter, you're not a lamb to the slaughter, a virgin to sacrifice on the altar. Be fucking greedy for once, put your foot down and say this is my woman, fuck with her and I'll cut your head off..." Ok... He was surprised he had even said that! But it was true. Jacob had a warm, soft heart, but he had a worse habit of offering himself up in the place of others. "Your not expendable, your my son, and dammit your a lot stronger than this. Look at Ace, look at Nautilous, do you think either of them would have put themselves up on the chopping block like you are? Hell no. Nautilous would make a pant suit out of thie skin and Ace would cut them down to size. Be like them."



He'd left after that, hell bent on finding Nautilous and setting shit straight before anyone else got any stupid ideas... He loved Jacob, he did, with all his heart... But right now? Right now it ws time for him to stop it with those martyr like ideals and realize he was a damn sight stronger than he was. He could understand so much of it was because of the fear of his other side, but dammit, sometimes? You just gotta embrace the wolf...



----





She had died for a full ten minutes... Strange that when she went, she couldn't remember any of it, no bright light at the end of a tunnel... Not even a dark void of nothing. It was as if it had never happened, no absence or apperance, which was... Strange... A bit like missing time. She just knew something was... Off... And when she came to? She couldn't help the wry comment, she was the type to make light of a situation like this, not for herself but for others. She was alive, right? She'd come back from death... Lot to be happy about, yeah? "Must I?... It was so much fun..." [/i] She said with no light dose of heavy sarcasm, her lips curled up in a dry, cracked smile but it was a smile all the less. "I promise I'd like to not repeat that either... Dying hurts... A lot." That? Actually got something like a chuckle from her, though she could tell things were wrong, she tied to explain it off...



"What... What do you mean check on him?... Get him up?... Was there an accident? Where is he? Is he ok?" She felt weak as a wet rag doll but she found the strength to make herself sit up in the bed, the room spinning even if she couldn't see it well, trying to slide out of the bed. "Where is he? Please, Dr. Barathon, I need to take care of him..." He was so alone... So lost... She had seen it in his eyes so many times, the pain and sorrow of loss, the way he had cut himself off from his family... From everyone... Of course, it was then she began to realize her vision was changing, going darker... Mentioning it to Dor. Barathon in private... "It's like... Being locked in the dark of night in a room... I can... I can sense things in the room... Vague outlines but... I can't really see..." Her pupils wouldn't change as he checked them, at least not at first, but there was a sort of delay... A few minutes later her pupils dilated and contracted rapidly, the room flashing into brilliant whites that caused her accute pain, turning her head away from everything for a moment. "I could yes... The more I blinked... The worse it got..."



Gritting her teeth she bore it, realizing that if she closed her eyes, the pain ebbed some. "I've been given a cocktail of poisons potent enough to wipe out a Drow city... Forgive me if relaxing isn't something I think I can do..." Could he blame her? Could anyone? She opened her eyes again, cautiously, and the same thing happened... A dark room, vague shapes, fuzzy outlines... Then a violent flash of bright light, like an ice pick through her brain, the same searing pain that throbbed along every nerve. Was there pain? [i] "Everywhere... It feels like I'm covered in bruises... My throats raw like I drank acid... Every time I open my eyes... It's black but then a sudden brilliant flash of white that burns my brain..." [/i][/font] She shook her head, sitting back on the bedding just a touch, trying to focus on something... Symptoms... Issues... But it was hard to narrow it down when she felt like everything was broken all at once... "The baby...? Did it make it?"
(you'll have to roll over a 6 for yes XD )



-------------





Did he know? Seriously? What did they think he was?! Of course he knew! He knew the moment it had all started. The more important question was: Did he care?



That was always a touch and go thing for him, it dpeended on the person, the reasons... If it were just Rose herself without Jacob? Pfft, bye felicia... But the fact? Rose and Jacob were meant to be together, he loved her, and from what he could see? She loved him back, genuinely no less, and hey... Good blood-line in her, for all Sydel hated anyone with wood elf in them, even she had to admit that it was good breeding stock. Plus the girl was smart, held the same passions as thier beloved son, so yeah... This time? He did care. Cared enough to realize what was going on, but sadly even when he had? Khorn still had his powers, Sylvanus had not yet brokered the deal, and he was... Well... Up the creek without a paddle.



However while Sydel enjoyed her bloodied soak in her beloved cauldron, he had been ushered into Oblivion to sit as the third party between two very currious Gods... One chaotic neutral and the other true nutural... Over giving him back his powers, or at least a part of them, to assist... In what? Was might be coming? Why give him back half of his powers just to fight the Navare household? Ah but was it REALLY that? Or was it to keep Jacob from coming completely off the tracks? That? That one he believed in more than not. Jacob was a prime vessel and Khorn wanted to slip inside his skin, to make him a tool, and if things went too badly? It would come to be... But there was a risk in that... A risk in death of the vessel, or in the very rare but possible outcome, the god dying at the same time as the vessel... Khorn probably realized that and was hedging his grounds like any good general.



Of course, let's not sell poor Diovan up the creek, believe it or not? He was the one who was waiting for him on the return, somehow he knew just where he would be deposited, and with a change of clothes no less... He had a feeling a certain bird was chittering away in his ear but what ever the reason? It was appreciated, the roll of his neck, the sigh... Oh he had been so long without any powers and this... Oh... This felt better than sex... Drawing on the lose silk shirt and skin tight leather pants, all in black of course, making his blond hair seem like liquid gold above eyes bluer than the sky... "Mmmm... Been a while... This feels so good... Go home, Diovan, the kids need you... I'll handle the rest... And give our wives a slap on the ass for me... I might not be home for a day or two..." Or five... Really, it all depended on what he wanted to do, and if he was in the mood to share.



With that he rifted over to the hospital, appearing so smoothly it was as if he had been there the whole time, so very common place... And uncommonly handsome too. Within moments he had dozens of eyes on him and oh how he lavished in it, virtually purring as he walked through the throngs of nurses and doctors, the smell of blood and poison so thick on the air he might as well be walking on it. "Overkill much?" Really, some poisoners, no class... No finesse... Walking around like he knew eveyr inch of the place, he went by the room that held Jacob, seeing the nurses trying to rouse him. It took a simple wave of his hand and it was as if they were all suddenly willing slaves to his every whim, ushering them out the door and closing it behind him. Once that was done he sat himself on the bed besides Jacob and pulled out a simple vial of smelling salts. Quite useful to keep a torture victim awake when you want them to be... "Come on now Son, those sheep can wait to be tended, world needs you here." He'd say, waiting for Jacob to come around, and when he did? He held out a small sachel of herbs in his hand...



The antidote...



"I know all about what Gia wants, and if you EVER offer yourself to her again, I'll castrate you. Personally." Yeah, it was obvious that no one in his household was going to even remotely tolerate it. It was bad enough they had to deal with Gia from time to time, and the old family rivalry, by God that was old as dirt... "She knows I won't go and she's doing all she can to try and coerce me to. What she doesn't realize?" He said with a grin and a wink. "Is that I've had this shit for YEARS... Ever since that one time she denied my advances at a part of hers... No one who can deny me is sane... Better to cover your ass in those cases." Cocksure? Totally. True? 100% He'd been down there more than a few times, and each time? He filched more and more, after all, Sydel loved to use poisons. They were like a perfume to her, each occasion requiered a different touch, a new scent... Sybelle was no different, she too dealy with the deadly herbs, and because of that? It was important to have the antidotes... "Trap of the Matron though... That's not a joke, it takes time, patience... Matrons are the only ones allowed to use it... Gia's got her hands all over this, but not directly, she'd never waste such a precious poison on an elf girl..." He said with a shake of his head. "Who the hell did you piss off my boy? Because someones got a serious hate boner for you to go after her like that." He had a pretty sure idea of who it was, but he wanted to hear Jacob say it, to admit it outloud... To realize a past mistake and move past it. With any hopes, he'd realize that as much as Riv was a mistake, so was Cora... If they could get him to do that? Oh happy day...



"Times wasting... Come on, let's get this girl of yours better, and by the way... Next time you filtch my blood, just ask, don't steal it... Makes me feel funny as your fathe when you do that." Oh yes, he was keenly aware of the vial in his pocket, just as he was aware of the fact it was stolen. Of course, he was unaware that it was infact Diovan who had stolen it, but hey give him some credit... He was only at half mast... He'd let Jacob lead the way into the room, but rather than wait outside of it, he simply walked in as he was... Good luck getting him to leave... "So... Tell me... Just what are you going to do to the weed that tried to kill your precious Rose?" Rose herself was back in the bed, dozing in and out under a heavy dose of morphine, her eyes wrapped so keep the pain from reoccuring.

[Deleted]

..his brows furrowed when you sai that sometimes there was nothing to find.. that sometimes there were no records.. -.. it wasn't for me Diovan.. it was for her.. -he exhaled softly-.. Sure it would be lovely to find out her history.. where she's from originally.. but its not the be all end all.. it's literally for her.. She has nothing but a million questions.. I can see them all in her eyes.. things that dont make sense.. like the ink upon her body.. the magical energy seemingly coming from no where.. just needing to be controlled.. theres been so many little flags pop up.. that just end up confusing her.. and then.. there's me.. with one of the largest families this side of the rift.. i think she'd possibly feel a little less devoured if she had a little pocket of her own.. -

he nodded..rubbing his lips together when you said you never knew of single person who was made happy by those records.. he paused a moment.. that kind of stung.. -.. mmm.. I kinda would have hoped it made you happy when you found out about me.. through those records.. -her gaze.. that strong blue and green had lifted.. to lock into yours for a moment.. before averting.. turning back to the small window.. yeah that hurt.. they spoke a little more on the poisons and the reality of the whole situation.. how in as much as he wanted there to be that.. divine intervention.. that he had to be real about it.. those poisons were no silly little virus.. they were strong.. enough to wipe out an entire population.. he even put his own head on the block there.. saying if it came down to it he would offer himself up to the Matron..

before he felt your hands upon him.. shaking him quite harshly.. -.. Oh For Fucks Sake.. -he growled-.. Listen to yourself.. Put yourself in my fucking position Diovan.. Switch things around a little.. If it were Belle in there.. You would Do Absolutely Fucking ANYTHING to get her out of it.. if that included having to debase yourself you'd do it without question.. Dont you Dare try to tell me otherwise.. -those beautifully coloured orbs of his darkened considerably.. his hands reached.. fingers curling around your wrists to relinquish the hold you had upon him.. and at first there was strength there.. he wasn't a weak little boy afterall.. but it wasn't anything on a grand scale.. -.

. Dont try to lecture me on being a martyr .. I dont think you quite understand.. I AM being fucking greedy.. by making sure she survives at ANY cost.. My conscience then will be clean.. Im no fool.. Im not going to wage a one man fucking war on the underdark.. As for Nautilous.. really?.. What hasn't he given up for my Mother?! How many times has he disposed of himself.. or his power for the betterment of her?..Oh Ive heard the tales.. Ive read the books.. I'm No Fucking Fool..So how about you just Dont -the grip upon your wrists would tighten.. the strength beneath it tripled.. enough to pull your hands away from his person.. and for a fleeting moment .. if one were paying attention.. the skull runes would appear behind the serene majesty of his duo coloured eyes.. someone was fuelling his temper.. or..something had been awoken by the chiding.. either way he left the room swiftly.. making his way back into the isolation chamber.. back into the wing where the glass room was..

it would of course be then that his body would decide it was done for the day.. his mind collapsed like spun sugar..and he dropped like a sack of potatoes.. the nurses ran to him.. helping him up onto the stretcher.. he would be well tended to.. he just needed a timeout.. Barathon was scrambling to understand what had just occurred in the chamber though.. she had died.. legally and for 10 minutes she was gone.. having her return like that shocked him.. a man of many.. many years in the service.. the two of them cracked a few light hearted jokes ..he couldn't help but chuckle at her humour.. even in such a dark and somewhat twisted situation..the majority of the nurses had slipped out though they were told to remain close.. just in case.. and to check on Jacob.. she heard this and went to sit up.. before he reached to place a hand upon her shoulder-.. mm.. no.. don't Rose.. just rest for now.. you shouldn't move around a lot.. as for young Jacob...he is fine..-pausing a moment as he took a breath-.. he happened to walk back into the wing as you went downhill ..he unfortunately witnessed when we had to call your death.. and he collapsed.. he passed out.. Now.. before you worry he is ok.. i think his body just shut down .. defence mechanism.. -most probably brought about since Cora-..

He is fine.. pulse is strong.. breathing.. he's just unconscious.. he will come around.. and soon.. we will get him in here I promise.. -.. it would be then that her vision would disappear.. steadily going downhill until there was nothing but darkness.. with strikes of light enough to cause pain.. he was concerned with this new development.. but wouldn't make any calls on what it could be until he was certain of what she had been given.. he explained the potions and ingredients he had received to give her and how they had worked to bring her to the position she was currently in-.. it is of my hope that the blindness is simply a side effect that will go away..as we sort this all out.. what we might do in the mean time however is get you to keep those eyes closed.. -he motioned for the nurse to approach with the little soft pads.. they came to rest upon her eyes.. and then they were bandaged up.. just secure but far from tight-.. just to alleviate the discomfort.. you have to tell me though if anything else changes... and I mean anything.. no matter how small or insignificant.. ok?..-he turned back to his notes.. his clipboard as she asked about the baby..hesitating a moment..-.. we have sent a bit of blood work into the lab.. the results I am getting seem to be conflicted.. (rolled a 6) whilst it appears you are indeed pregnant.. your hcG isn't stable.. so we wont say a definite yes.. or no just yet.. -he patted her shoulder lightly.. turning then back to his writing jotting down a few more notes as the nurses continued to watch her obs..



Jacob remained out of it.. there wasn't even a glimpse of a dream.. breathing and pulse were steady though.. he took a bit of a knock to the head but nothing major.. the nurses in the room pretty much parted like the red sea when Nautilous wandered in though.. a couple were a little weak at the knees.. there was blushing red cheeks.. giggles and dropped notepads before they nodded and wandered out without so much as a question as to who the hell he was.. he remained still.. the smelling salts took a moment.. maybe two before he took in a sudden gasp.. his lids snapped open and he groaned.. his brows furrowed.. he went to move before he thought better of it.. he hurt..-.. what the hell..

-he whined a little.. his hand rose to rub against his forehead.. he felt as if he'd been run over by a carriage.. or perhaps even two.. looking then up.. blinking a few times as he realised who it was..-.. Ah.. visits by both of the brothers in one day.. -looking then to the pouch he was handed.. his brow arching when you said it was the antidote.. he paused.. sitting up and sliding his legs around so he could stand..-.. Are .. are you serious?.. this is the antidote to the 3x poison?.. -he blinked.. rubbing at his eyes a little trying to get them to focus properly.. he listed as you began to talk about Gia.. and how he had offered himself up to the block.. so to speak-.. Ive been letured once already.. not really wanting to hear it again.. but.. Thankyou Nautilous none the less.. I appreciate this more than you realise..

-he listened when you explained where you had gotten the pouches from.. how over the years youd taken a bit of this.. and a bit of that when the opportunity presented itself..he understood.. he knew quite a bit about the Navere family.. but his information wasn't quite as intimate as what his Mother and Nautilous had come to learn over the years.. they spoke on the Trap of the Matron.. and how it takes a great deal of patience to inact.. how Gias hands were all over it..he shook his head a little-..

Vanima told me it wasn't her.. that it was someone close to her and that Gia was a step beyond furious.. tat she was legitimately rope able.. but that whomever had done it.. they didn't know theyd been found out yet.. I figured it was Ricarnarvon.. i know he has close relations with the Naveres .. afterall thats where I got caught with him and.. well.. -hesitation-.. you know the rest.. -you reminded him that time was of the essence so to speak.. that he needed to get out there with the ingredients immediately.. but that if he needed the blood next time he should ask first.. he chuckled lightly.. pattying your shoulder-.. mm.. best speak with your Brother.. I havent set foot out of this hospital.. -he took a moment to gain his balance .. before slipping back out into the isolation wing.. he heard the question as he was about to enter the chamber-.. with a fine precision.. calculated moves.. though I fear The Naveres might get to him first.. and if thats the case.. so be it.. -he didn't have a lot of time to waste his thoughts on Ricarnarvon right at this moment.. not with Rose on deaths door.. he noticed her head all bandaged up.. her eyes covered..


B: Ah..welcome back Jacob.. as you can see she is still with us.. but im not sure for how long.. here's been a few complications.. namely her sight seems to have gone.. hopefully as a short term issue.. i decided we would work on getting her stable before we worry about extra


J: mm.. I have managed to get the antidotes here.. if you could administer them.. -he would hand them over.. moving to her side there.. he'd slide his hand into hers.. fingers curling inward.. -.. I'm here Rose.. we are going to get you better.. -he would call out to her.. hoping she was still there as she seemed to slip in and out of consciousness-

[BadInfluence]

"Thats not true. She has us too now." Who Jacob loved? They loved... They had even tried with Cora but... To be fair? He'd never seen someone so damned twisted and warped before, but Jacob had been head over ass for her, even married her... So they did what they could... Rose? Was an incredible improvement, from what little they had seen, she seemed a nice young lady... And he knew first hand she had been untouched, after all they had to check in on the cabin from time to time, to make sure things were... Going in the right direction?...



Remarking on the books though, the way Jacob reacted, oh... He had stuck his foot in it, hadn't he? But as he had said before, he lacked either the bluntness or eloquence of the others, so he was more prone to fumbling about. Hence his preference to remain silent... But this whole situation? Was spurning him on... And he did have something to say in regards to those books. "I was heart broken when I found out Jacob. I had a son I never knew about, a child with the woman I love more than anyone could ever love another person, a child born of the first night I spent with her..." He said gently. "A child I dreamed to have one day, one that I never got to raise, never got to protect... I found out that day that I failed not just as a father, but as a partner to Sybelle, because I wasn't there for either of you... I have to sit back and watch, every single day, as other men act as a father figure for you because they were there..." Who in the world would be happy about finding that out? It was amazing that he had a son... But Jacob was already a fulll fledged man by the time he discovered that he was his son, and was already well established as his own person, needing no guidance from him as a father. "When have you ever needed me as a father? What can I offer you that you don't get in spades from my brother or Ace?..." It hurt in it's own way too... Just to know how much he had missed... Knowing Jacob was his son? Was a pain he carried alone, in silence, but it never... Ever left him.



Though when he offered himself up on that block? Yeah, he snapped, even going so far as to give him a shake. This wasn't ok by any means, and for all he didn't get the chance to feel or act like a father to Jacob, he would always protect him like one... And that meant he snapped... Jacob himself snapped back though, the strenth in his hands around his wrists, the skull runes... Shit... He knew Rose had to survive... Every passing year Khorn got stronger inside him, the more anger and hurt he felt, the more he cultivated his soul for the God of Blood and War... [b] “The difference is that I can’t die, nor can he, but you?! YOU CAN. I’m not going to lose you twice Jacob, once killed your mother and if I lost you after finding you? It’s not worth being around any world if you’re not in it!” [/b] [/font]He snapped back. He had his own strength too, like Nautilous and like Sydel, he had the blood of a god in his veins. He was able to push back, a reminder to a certain God that Jacob had plently of guardians who would ensure he never got to gain complete control.



“You love Rose this much then Jacob? Huh? Love her enough to die for her? To go through hell and back? To lose everything and scrape away at the dirt for years to get it back?” Yep, he knew he was pushing here, but he had to be sure... “You said you loved Cora and when she was done with you? We lost you! You died on the inside, you lost all your light, and now? Now you got it back, we got our son back, so forgive me if I’n not going to let you go and kill yourself again over someone unless I know you’re sure, in your heart, she’s the one. Like Sydel and Nautilous, like me and Bells, cause if not? I’ll keep shaking you up and hounding your shadow until you give up.” Perhaps that was what he had that none of the others did... For him? He put Jacob first... He knew Bells was taken care of by his brother, which gave him the chance to be there, fully and completely for Jacob... Even if he couldn’t offer him much guidance, even if he couldn’t leave a footmark in his life as someone who had done something important, he could at least be the blockaid... The trenches and barbed wire to stop him from making another terrible mistake.



They would part ways after that, he himself to go find his brother, and unlike any of the others? He knew how to find him, even if he didn’t want to be found, but the why of it... That was a secret he would take to his grave...



----------------



She had left the world and come back in something akin to grand fashion, though she herself was unaware of any space or time of being anything, there was nothing to recall for her. Instead it was just this vague sence of knowing something like missing time, no more, no less... She was able to crack a couple of light jokes with Barathon, both for him and for her, because lets be honest... She needed to know she was going to be alright, and if she could crack a joke or two, well... The world would keep spinning for her after all. Hearing Jacob had colapsed though, her first instinct was to get up and go to him, to help him... “I know but... Dr. Barathon he’s alone out there... He can’t be alone anymore...” It might sound crazy to others hearing it, but to her, it made sense. She knew how precious and fragile that new little light in his soul was, the beautiful glow that had come back to his smile, to his eyes... She’d do anything to protect that light inside him... The fire in his soul that was just starting to come back...



They spoke then about her situation, the situation with her eyes, how she felt overall... It hurt, she hurt all over, and honestly? Even breathing hurt, and she wanted that tube out of her throat already, it felt so wrong... Her body was trying to reject it already... She ended up reaching up and pulling it out, pressing he fingers over the hole, feeling it heal under her fingers... “What was I given?... I didn’t come out of this... On my own?” She thought her death had just... Reset the system for her. Finding she had been given something confused her... What could they give her that she hadn’t already tried herself? She submitted to the pads and wrapping, honestly anything was better than that searing pain of fire across her brain. She laid back then and nodded her head... “I will... I know how important it is...” Would she ever get over this? Would she be able to see again? Or would her dreams be as dead now as she had been just minutes before? She had to ask, once the room ws empty, her cheeks slightly flushed... It might seem odd but she wondered... “I understand... Thank you, Dr. Barathon...” She said befor he turned away, and in that little moment of quiet, she rested her hands... Seemingly casually over her belly, letting out a low sigh, conflicting emotions dancing over her face... “You really want to stick around in there, don’t you?... Your a fighter... Well... fine... but if you want to stick arround, you better make up your mind. God knows your worlds going to be all sorts of shaken up, I can’t promise you a good life, can’t promise you much of anything really but... If you want me, then I’ll want you too, and we’ll go into this crazy world together.”



----------



He loved the attention honestly, fed off of it like a tick on the back end of a fat sow, just gluttoned on all the desire. Why not? He was a fucking glorious man to look at, utterly delicious from head to toe, and he enjoyed the reactions he got. He was, down to his toes, a peacock. All glorious color and flamboyant display. The smelling salts might not have been the nicest way but they were the fastest for sure, and at his words, he chuckled a bit. “Welcome back to the world of the concious...” He made his short statement then and he knew he was coming in on the end of a rather badly done fatherly display... Hence he kept his light and short with a laugh. “I won’t. Just had to get my piece in. I know Diovan is about as graceful as a bull in a china shop but he speaks from the heart every time.”



He held up the package of herbs that were the remedies, things he had held onto for a long time, especially considering he needed them as an antidote for Sydel or Sybelle if they ever managed to make a mistake while brewing or somehow fell victim to something themselves. “I know. You love her, so anyone you love, I’m gonna love... Plus, you know, she’s a huge step up from everyone else... She’s so short though... What’s up with that?” He teased there, and he couldn’t say shit in regards to that, he was six foot six and Sydel barely topped five two in heels. He nudged his side a bit with a sly wink. “Apple doesn’t fall far, huh? Shorter girls are just the best... So petit and pretty when they’re riding you like a stallion, just watching their tits bounce and the way thier heads fall back, that hair down their back to touch your thighs...” Oh that grin grew and he got up off of the bed. Why had he done it? Name one guy who wouldn’t get his heart pumping strong with something like that popping into their head? It was one of the best ways to jump start a system.



Speaking of jump-starting a system... “Oh it is him alright, but that boys too fucking dumb to act on his own, we both know that. He’s a mechanical puppet, sure he’s got no strings, but someones still winding that key yeah?” It was like tossing dynamite into a pond, everything you want dead is going to die, but nothing targeted... Taking Jacob out would cause the ripple effect, and in order to do that, Gia was using any little slave at her disposal. She had no reason not to after all. Why do anything pointed when just fucking them all over in a round about way was still going to be the direction she wanted to go. "Oh she is... Trap of the Matron is damned hard to come by, and the Matrons guard thier stash zealously, and with good reason too. If someone gets killed by Trap of the Matron? It's always going to be pointed at someone, and while the trick of it is to remain blameless, that doesn't mean people don't know... They just can't prove it." And knowing a Slave of all people were doing it, a slave of her own bloodline no less? Oh Gia would be fit to spew fire and brimstone without a fault. "You know it's him my boy... You've known for a long time too... Might be time to snip that thing in the bud..." He'd have killed Ric himself years ago but hadn't... Why? Because he was master of the long game and he knew things had to come about in a certain fashion...



"Oh I promise... I'll make sure you get your time with him... But just don't take too long, he's like a bad smell, linger long enough and it's going to sink into things permanently..." He'd make sure without fault that neitehr Gia nor anyone else got a shot at Ric before Jacob did... Hearing that it was Diovan that had taken it though? Now that made his brows rise in tandem... "Really? Dio?... That's insane..." His brother hadn't stolen anything since the days of his opium addiction, and that wasn't even by his own choice, he had been under someone elses control... A certain dark haired witch... "He must have felt it was incredibly important to you to break his vow... I wonder how bad the consequences are going to be..." Diovan had made a promise to Hanali after all... To never stray again... And Hanali, while she was quick to forgive flaws and mistakes, that didn't mean she wouldn't put him to task for it...



He remained behind while Jacob when into the room with the doctor and Rose, letting htem figure thier own things out, while he? Well now, he had a trip to make, didn't he?



It wasn't hard to find an entrace, the Drow dwelt on the surface more often than not, to trade and other such things before retreating back into the dark once the sun came up. He knew most of the entrances too, having had more than a few years to find each one and mark it to memory, to test each tunnel... They were like rats, clever rats, and many of those entraces were laced with traps... He avoided each one as he went depper, deeper still, an hours treck by foot before he came out an the end... An entrace closer to the Matron's own castle than the start of the village...



Now, it was normal for any person entering not drow to be captured and tortured, usually killed as well but for him? He'd been eagerly awaited, down to the fact that he had a sort of welcoming party waiting for him, though he waved them off. "Show me to Vanima." And while it wasn't what they were supposed to do, inticinghis displeasure was dangerous, more than a few of them knew that personally... He was shown to the personal residence of Vanima, who was currently on guard of a very interesting person, both of which made his lips twitch... "Really?..." He'd asked, seeing her there standing outside the door of a rather plain looking cell, bars across the front of pure iron...



---


N: You? Guard duty?... When did this little thing come about?...



V: Well well, look at what a pretty mouse the cat dragged in, it's been too long lover...



N: A few years at least... You were always a generous patron Vanima, and kinky to boot, tell me... Did that wound ever heal properly?



V: Oh yes, thankfully, or Gia would have had my head on a pike... What brings you down to our lovely little corner of the dark?



N: Curriocity for one...



V: Oh? About what?



N: Well for one... Why the fuck that creature is still alive...



V: What creature?



N: Don't play stupid sweetheart, your vicious intelligence gets me harder than your looks can, and let's not lose that attraction shall we?



V: Well that's no fun... Ric wants her alive, he loves her after all, and Matron Gia is willing to allow it... A sort of way to keep that slave on a leash...



N: A Leash he's slipped up... She's aware I've heard?



V: Oh yes... He's lucky she won't go to the surface without a special exception... The fact you're here means she's going to hold of for a bit still...



N: Let me see her.



V: Gia? She's waiting for you...



N: No... Not Gia. Open the grate Vanima, I want to see this slut of a daugher in law I am saddled with...



---



She did what he asked but reluctantly, she could after all claim he spelled her into obedience, she wouldn't have been the first to fall under his sway like that... She took the ring of keys off her belt and walked towards the grate, sliding it in and turning the key, letting him in... If he wanted her so badly? He could have her. In honesty she hated guarding the whiney little bitch, having to play baby sitter for feedings, all of it... If he killed her? No skin off her back...



Once he was in? He closed the door behind them, seeing Cora suddenly huddling in the back corner, obviously afraid of him... And with good reason. The last time he had seen her? He had told her he would make her wish she was dead, and it would seem the devil was coming to collect, and she? Had plenty of reason to be afraid...



His first movement was a vicious blow to her throat, fingers held tightly together in file, his nails elongating... Anyone who had been in a fight with him before knew his nails were ten times more lethal than anything the drow could concoct and sharper than a scalple... He severed her throat clean in half, watching the blood blossoming out in a lovely spray of crimson joy... He opened a vial and collected it from the source, figuring Sydel might enjoy the little trinket, if only to curse it to the nine hells and back... Still, he knew what Cora was the moment he smelled her, and this? Wouldn't kill her... Just leave her weak... He waited for the sound to seal up again, hearing her start to scream for help, and he was waiting for that...



Reaching into her mouth he caught her tongue and pulled it out, tearing off one of the long iron spikes off of the grate and slammed it through her tongue, deep into the stone where it stayed, nailed in... [b] "You should have stayed dead... I warned you..." [/b][/font] He said with a cold smile and grabbed a fistful of her hair, pulling her head back which dug that nail through her tongue even more, peeling open an eye... "I might need these..." He said before reaching in with those same nails, cutting out her eyes, careful of the organs themselves but hardly concerned about the flesh around them... Oh she would be screaming bloody murder, but here in the underdark? Such screams were more like music... Sign of a good torturer at thier work...



He plucked one, then two out, leaving a pool of venom in each socket... Ensuring no fresh eyes would grow in their empty space... With the eyes he had plucked out? He swallowed each one whole, keeping them safe, purging them of any taint... It might take a day or two, he wasn't at his full power, but oh the things he could do even with just that...



Still it wasn't enough... "Vanima... Give me the Belbol d'Elghinn... Now." Many drowess had this on thier person, especially those of the higher rank, usually used on someone who offered great insult or... You know... Why they just didn't like... Once she handed it over? He would put it in his pocket and grab Cora by the hair and drag her out, hearing the flesh of her tongue begin to rip and tear, severing it at the root... Leaving it there on the wall, hanging and twitching like a lizards tail... "I'll be seeing your Aunt now... Do lead the way..."



The would be offered no resistance, though when he got to the room, as per usual she wasn't there... She loved to make people wait, even someone like him who she wanted badly enough to go to any depths she had to, she had him alone in the room... Just causally waiting... Not that he minded in this instance, he had a toy to ammuse him for a while, and though he knew Sydel would be incredibly upset she didn't get a chance to slice and dice her like a fat little piggy... He knew she'd understand...



While he waited? He began to flay Cora in small sections, about an inch wide by six inches long, rubbing the flesh under it to aggrivate the nerves and make it hurt worse... Taking those skinned pieces and laying them out in front of her, starting to spell out the word traitor in her skin, and oh... He took his sweet ass time about it too... Once Gia arrived though? He'd keep doing what he was doing, black silk and leather stuck to him like it were painted on with blood, his golden hair slicked back with it... "This isn't going to go the way you want, you know... But I'm sure your aware of that... So just strip down and find a spot to relax in... I'll be with you once I'm done playing with my food."



-----



"I can hear you, you know..." She said as Barathon had mentioned he wasn't sure for how long. It was a gentle chiding to Barathon, she was hell bent on sticking around, even if she had died once... Surely she wouldn't die twice? Not in such short order! When he slid his hand into hers she curled her fingers in, giving his hand a gentle squeeze, moving her head to rest on his arm... "Apparently it was more than just a cold..." Lightly spoken as she just took strength from his presence... "Mmm... You smell good..." He did... He smelled like he always did, which was an addictive smell to her, plants and trees and citrus things... Just being near him calmed her, gave her a sense of peace, of being... Home... "Sorry I didn't tell you... I really just thought it was a virus... Didn't want you worried with the seminar so close..." She paused a moment then, turning her head to where she thought Barathon might be, for while her sight was on the fritz, her ears were excelent. "Could you... Give us a little privacy, please?" She'd ask, and silently wait until he had given it, after all Jacob WAS a doctor... If anything happened she would be in good hands...



When they were alone, just he and she, the rest of the doctors and nurses outside... Tending to their other duties, but one always coming in to check... To make sure all was well... It was in that silent privacy, or as much as someone could get in a glass wing, that she began to talk. "Don't blame yourself for one bit of this... I do a very good job of making enemies all on my own with how I talk to some people." She said as she turned her head to look up at him, eyes covered but she looked so much better, subtle changes here and there... Her hair was back to it's beautiful glossy blonde sheen, her skin was no longer pale as a candle but had regained it's soft caramel colored glow, her frelckles as pretty as copper bits of glitter across her nose and cheeks... Her lips which had once been pale and cracked were flushed and rosy, sweetly plump and inviting, oh so... So inviting... "Now that I've said that... There's a lot to talk about, isn't there?..." They hadn't talked since their weekend away, since his confession, since...



She couldn't tell him about that...



"Amin will ten'oio mela lle...” She had been practicing her elvish while sick, wanting to brush up on the language she should have spoken since birth, switching between that and her medical studies... And perhaps a certian book he had left in her care as well... “That’s never going to change... But that won’t make anything easier in our situation either...” Just because they loved each other didn’t mean the rest of the world would respect that and step back to give them room. “Do we want to try and... Keep this hidden?... I wask asking Dr. Barathon...” She hendged gently, her hand running up and down his arm soothingly, both for him and for her... “She said your reputation can handle anything... But mine... Mine won’t... Women are never painted with as forgiving a brush as men are...” They both knew that was true too... But coming out with this between them? Would anyone see it for what it was? A slow blossoming of feelings that, once the bud opened, it sprang into full bloom within days?... They had seen each other, knew of each other for some years, but once they were thrown together? It was impossible to deny it... Like fire and wood, a seed to earth, water to the sky... They belonged together...



“If you want to... Then I will too... Even if I get hit harder with the rumors and alligations, I’ll just work through it, I already have a lot stacked against me anyways... I fugure... Why not make it a grand tale? My adventure against massive adversity, overcoming it all like a hero, coming out the end like some amazing knight in shining armor...” If she could do it... Maybe Kit would too? Women like Kit would see that it didn’t matter where you came from or who you loved, that you could overcome everything, you just had to want it badly enough... “I already signed the papers with Barathon... I did as soon as we came back... I don’t want to prick your concious, nad while the distance between us will hurt, at least you can proceed with Kit with your character intact...”



It was the best she could think of... If they were going to do this together, then they might as well go out in grand fashion, right? Just strip down all the curtains and let go... But if he didn’t think that a good idea? Well... Things were definately going to be tricky... Very tricky indeed... Just the idea of it had her hand subconciously dropping down, wondering if that stubborn little creature was going to stick around or decide it was easier to give up... Dr. Barathon had said she was, and while her readings were unstable, she had to wonder... Would they be after this antidote was given?... And if they were... Would Barathon keep his word with her? Would he not tell Jacob?



If she was, she wanted to be the one to tell him, and in her own time...



For right now though?... She had drifted through into sleep once more before she could hear him answer, her body demanding much of her to restart and repair the damages, but so far? She looked 100% better... Looking at her you couldn’t tell she had just died, rather more like she had an accident with her eyes, and was there to recieve treatment... She would remain out of it until that antidote was given and then things got...



Ugly...



She began to purge it through her system, the poison coming out in her pores like some sort of vinegar riddled sweat, a sickly green color and thick as mucus... She would need to be wiped down repeatedly, the cloths disposed of via an incinerator, the poison she had been dosed with was so potent? Two nurses fell sick because it ate through the regular gloves so quickly... They had to tripple layer and cap with rubber gloves to keep from anyone else falling ill... The remainder of the cure was delivered to those who had fallen sick, sneding them home and keeping only the hardiest to keep up with the cleaning...



She pruged for three hours before it was finally out of her system, and at the end of it, she felt exhausted... She had her blood count back up, the tubes were gone, all she had was a saline drip packed full of nutients to give back what she had lost while being so sick... Of course, by this time it was full dark outside, the hospital on the night shift... Only soft dim lights... She was alone in this particular branch, only a solitary orb burning away a bed away from her, and she? She had stripped off the bandage...



She could see people around the room... Each bed was taken, some with children, some with the elderly... Their clothes oddly dated, some were modern, others looked like they were fifty or more years old... They didn’t see her... Didn’t notice her... It was like a one way mirror, she could see them but they didn’t seem to see her, but that?... Well for all this was weird, she was also incredibly happy to be able to see, and as such? She had taken up her books, delivered by Kit who had come by to see her, who was unaware she had actually died...



Hopefully he was reassured that she was awake, off of any pain medication, and resting... Well... Resting as much as she was the type to rest, the bed littered with books, her journals and pencils... And the picture he had drawn of her, put in a frame and sitting on the bedside, and every now and then? She would look at it, remembering the ride in the carriage, knowing just how pivotal it had seemed... Like they were both coming to terms with it but neither of them had told the other... Keeping it quiet and safe, a personal treasure to each of them... Every time she saw it, she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face, going back to her books with it still on her lips...



Things had gotten terse though when the food had been delivered... She wouldn’t touch it... She was afraid of being poisoned again, and even though they all assured her that it was safe, she still refused... That was when they would go to Jacob, to try and get him to coerce her into eating....

[Deleted]

Yes, you're right Diovan...she does have us.. she has all of us and that is incredibly wonderful and I know she will fit in perfectly..thats not the issue however.. like i said ..looking into those records was for her.. she had her own amount of natural curiosity..she wanted to know where she had come from.. wether or not she had any living relatives.. I guess.. -he paused-.. if i were in a similar boat.. I would probably want to do the same.. Im lucky.. I have more family than most do.. -there was a small misunderstanding ..what he had heard and what Diovan meant.. well they were two different things..and yet still quite the same.. it all just came down to context.. and he listened when you explained it..

It's not been easy on either of us.. both having had certain bits .. certain parts of our own pasts more or less hidden from us.. so whilst you missed out on helping to raise me..I missed out on seeing you in that role when i was a young child.. The thing is.. It wasn't Nautilous..or Ace that raised me..not really.. Ace was there when i was born yes..and Nautilous was there when I was transitioning from child to adult.. but in the middle there.. it was Garafin.. Ive been fortunate enough to have some of the best people around me.. and the worst.. Who in their rights mind would choose Ace as a Father?..he's unhinged at the best of times.. he's strong.. he's a fighter.. he will tear anyone down who even thinks about harming a member of this family.. but he's not really a Dad so to speak.. Nautilous is fiercely loyal..incredibly strong.. someone you can trust to have your back..he was there for me..guiding me when I had no one else.. he's my Mothers protector.. in as much as they fight like cats and dogs.. they are together.. and will be forever.. Ive seen both sides of practically everyone.. Ive seen people break down and ive seen them be rebuilt.. everyone has a purpose.. and I need All of you.. I need my Mother and her protector.. They are the dark flame.. they are strong.. they are fierce and unbreakable.. they'd protect me till the very ends of the earth.. but they also come slightly unbalanced.. mildly disturbed.. their choices in deities in lifestyle mean that for as much as I love them.. and I do.. with every fibre of my being.. there will always be a place where i just dont fit.. and I'm certain that if I allowed them to fully influence my life.. thats the path I would be put upon..Where as you.. and Belle.. you're the light flame.. you still have that strength.. that stubbornness.. but then there is other ideals.. You two hold morals and honesty to a high standard.. Love in its truest form.. Its sweet and giving.. it's practically the stuff fairy tales are made of.. with a few hiccups along the way.. Nautilous needs Sybelle.. to stop him from being taken deep down into the darkened pits of hell.. to cool that dark flame.. to level him..He loves her.. and She will forever cherish and idolise him

-he tilted his head looking up to you-.. have you seen the way Sydel looks at you?.. She adores you..She needs you.. more than I think you might realise.. You're her light ..I need all of you.. I need the dark..I need the light.. I need every little influence I can get.. I see so much going on around me.. I see so many people.. wether it be Humans or Elves.. making so so many mistakes.. because they lack the kinds of guidance I have .. The help.. I am only in this position.. in my life.. because of my family.. Sure I have done a lot of work.. but if it weren'tfor all of you.. only the goddess knows where I might have ended up.. You want to know what you offer me that everyone else doesn't..whats different.. I can easily start with life.. if it weren't for you I wouldn't even be here.. Ive heard the story.. of how you two met.. -he waved his hand a little-.. and without going into the issues that occurred shortly there-after.. You are a Huge part of me.. I mean.. we even look alike.. there's no denying I am your son.. You cultivated the Moonlight tryst.. that would come to bring myself and Rose together.. that without your guidance.. without your hand in it all.. I know full well my awkwardness and mild stubbornness would have never seen it get so far .. I would have found a way to fuck it all up..

-his brows furrowed a little and he chuckled.. all be it lightly.. he was being honest.. utterly so.. he knew without Diovan and his crews assistance that night.. the two of them would have parted ways that night and possibly never stepped a foot in another direction again.. if there was one definite thing he picked up from his dear old Dad it was the slight shy / awkward / mildly graceless traits when it came to those the heart wanted - Yes.. Ace and Nautilous can get me whatever i want.. and they have been around for large chunks of my life.. but who is here right now?.. When I made the call.. who answered?.. Who scrambled to get items they figured would work.. some of the purest things from the vast collections of my Mother.. who thought to steal away a vial of something incredibly rare.. Who is there for me.. at the drop of a hat.. It's you.. -he lingered a moment longer..turning back to the window there.. watching the doctors.. the nurses bustling about.. all trying so hard to keep Rose alive.. long enough till they were able to get the antidotes.. it would be then that they would have their sudden and rather violent disagreement..

the runes of the khaos god flashing there through the brightly coloured sections of his eyes..it was a strength match.. God V God.. fuellingthe puppets in the small closet as each of them pushed back.. he huffed out breath through gritted down teeth-.. I did love Cora.. I was just too blind.. and too stupid to recognise what was going on.. I am loyal to a fault..In hindsight maybe I did see it.. I dont know.. I really dont know anymore.. Maybe I was just kidding myself.. hoping it would all just figure itself out.. Hoping that the love i had for her was enough.. to get through it..That I must have been fucking up somewhere along the line to cause the issues.. the problems.. and then when she died.. Yes.. it killed me inside.. -his brows furrowed-.. You dont think I am worried about all this?.. It fucking terrifies me.. Am I just setting myself up to fall?.. to fail?.. All I know.. is that I feel something.. something I havent felt.. before.. Its strong.. its all encompassing.. its raw and it hurts.. Its not text book.. its not something that can be so easily defined.. I dont think id even have the words to try and attempt it.. I Love her Diovan.. and its killing me a little more inside every moment I see her like this..

-his face fell.. exhaling softly.. reaching then to pat his shoulder before he slipped back out into the isolation wing..the ingredients would be handed over.. it would be a bit of a guessing game as to quantities required but he knew Barathon would figure it all out.. however when she was pronounced dead he just dropped.. like a tonne of bricks.. he was rushed off out of sight whilst the drama and commotion continued within the isolation chamber.. she came too after being down for a minimum 10 minutes.. unbeknown to what had just occurred.. Rose and Dr Barathon had a bit of a talk.. he managed to let slip that Jacob had taken a fall and she was considerably worried-..


B: He will be just fine Rose, I assure you, I have recieved several reports back from the nurses about his condition, he just got a bit of a shock and his body responded in well.. a particular way.. he is breathing.. he is strong.. he will be fine.. as soon as he is up and about he is going to be brought back in here.. -he made sure her eyes were bandaged over and she was to rest back upon the bedding.. the two of them discussed the pregnancy .. how her levels seemed to be unstable.. so he didn't want to tell her yes.. or no.. but he promised her earlier he wouldn't say a word..



Jacob was easily roused by the smelling salts.. his body coming with a sudden start as he sat semi upright and groaned..his body hurt.. his head ached.. he reached up.. rubbing his cheek lightly-.. He means well.. I understand that now..it was just a bit of a disagreement.. -he took the pouch of herbs.. the antidotes with a look of .. well completely surprise upon his face.. he was not expecting that at all.. not this quickly.. the remark about her height though.. that made him chuckle-.. what is it.. -he paused a moment-.. and though she be but little, she is fierce..-he moved to stand there from the bed...taking a moment to regain his balance ..feeling that nudge to his side.. and then hearing the comment about tits bouncing.. thighs parting.. well his cheeks coloured a little there and he reached back subconsciously to rub the back of his neck. a chuckle sounding-.. Naturally.. of course.. -ahh there was the bashfulness he would get from Diovan.

.the topic changed to that of Ricarnarvon.. and how you knew Gia had a hand in all of it.. he himself ..well he wasn't so sure.. but he knew better then to question...afterall.. you knew a lot more about Gia than he did..he listened when you spoke on the poisons and how the Matrons guarded their stashes zealously..that in the end it would all come down to proof.. -.. yes.. you're right.. I do need to do something about him.. I cant allow this to continue.. it's becoming dangerous.. I will figure something out.. soon enough.. i just need to calculate my response.. -he rubbed his lips together.. he preferred organised attacks.. over spur of the moment.. sometimes it worked in his favour.. sometimes it didn't..he ratted out Diovan though.. ahh the honesty in him.. he couldn't be deceptive like that.. though hearing you talk about consequences for Dio.. he tilted his head-.. I had no idea.. really.. -he took a quiet breath-.. I was harder on him than i should have been.. I will have to fix that..

-it was time to slip out and head back toward the chamber.. to hand over the antidotes.. and to be at his beautiful girls side.. he slid his hand into hers.. watching as she curled in closer to him.. his free hand.. his soft fingers would gently brush against her cheek.. back through her hair.. he leant down to brush his lips to her forehead.. -.. I'm sorry for not being there.. I should have stayed.. you were unwell.. -the good Doctor and his nurses were excused for a moment.. leaving the two on their own.. he just wanted to hold her.. almost desperately.. -.. I cant afford to lose you -he whispered softly.. his fingers curling around hers a little bit tighter.. -.. Our situation is a tough one Rose.. were in this place that.. not many would find themselves in.. which means we have to decide how to navigate the journey.. with little guidance..

-he listened as she spoke on reputations and how she'd been told his would remain pretty much perfectly intact but hers would be tarred greatly with a not so clean brush.. he allowed her to speak.. refusing to interrupt until he knew she was finished.. he just stroked her fingers.. her cheeks.. watching the colour softly returning.. those utterly adorable freckles.. her hair.. all of it.. he was certain he had a few grey hairs after seeing her pass like that.. the stress upon his person was not small.. -.. Rose.. I want you.. -his free hand reached around to cup her cheek.. tilting her head just a little.. lifting her chin.. so as he could press his lips to hers.. it was light.. innocent.. soft and fleeting.. just a little kiss.. and yet.. it spoke volumes.. it was no grand display of affection.. it didn't have fireworks.. and they certainly werent practically fucking each other with their mouths.. but.. it told her everything he wanted it too.. -.

. I want.. whatever is going to work for both of us.. if thats us keeping it to ourselves for a while then thats what we will do.. stolen kisses and moments in private.. if its coming out.. publicly then we will go down that route.. either way as long as you are at my side..I will be the happiest man that ever lived.. I am glad you feel comfortable enough to work along side Dr Barathon.. he is an exceptionally good doctor.. and I know he will take great care of you.. I will miss you immensely.. -he pressed his lips to the back of her hand-.. but ill write.. and ill visit when i can.. once all this is sorted of course.. we need to get you out of this room and back amongst it all..

he could tell she was getting sleepy.. the grip she had upon his hand was growing less and less.. -.. Rest for me now ..you need it.. for the antidotes to work.. -he motioned for Barathon to return to the room.. the nurses soon followed in.. he settled back into a seat there.. there was no point him stepping out now.. if she did have anything contagious he would have definitely caught it.. he was sent out though when the poison began to purge from her body.. watching as the nurses had to triple glove their hands.. masks and full gear as the toxic sludge threatened to kill anything it came into contact with.. the antidotes worked.. and several nurses had to partake in the same just to get through it.. he himself fell asleep in one of the chairs on the outside of the glass..

hours would pass.. he would be woken though to be told of her progress.. something he was incredibly thankful for.. he was told she was shifted to a different ward.. where she was recuperating.. he slipped away on occasion.. mostly when she was resting.. to look into seminar.. making sure things were still on track.. for as much as he would have liked to post pone it.. it wasn't an option since it had already had a change of date.. he heard that she was struggling with the food though.. so he had a few ideas.. slipping back into the Inn there.. it took a little magical intervention.. and help from a beautiful blind lady.. but he had a few things to smuggle into the hospital.. arriving at her bedside there.. she was resting.. he pulled up a table there.. placing atop it one of those old circular floral tins.. the ones that Vivian used to leave her baked treats within.. there was also a small thermos of stew from Garafin and some freshly baked herb bread from Sybelle.. each had a small tag.. a label.. along with a note.. written from Jacob himself before he would slip back out..


J: My dearest Rose, There were a few people that wanted to help, and up until now they were unsure on how they could do so.. but here came the perfect opportunity.. home made goods from members of my close family and friends.. their own person ways of saying how glad they were to hear you were doing better.. Please eat when you can.. with love J






..She knew he was there.. she'd been watching, waiting.. realistically who else had her patience?.. No one.. Vanima was doing an ok job keeping watch on the mild annoyance in the cage.. but she knew it would all come to an end soon enough.. as for Ricarnarvon.. well.. that dark child would have to be dealt with and very.. very soon.. it was going to be today.. but it would seem that fate was going to deal her a different hand entirely.. she had been alerted to the fact he was waiting in the hall .. he was used to opulence.. he had the gold to buy anything and anyone.. her chambers.. her house was perfection.. the room he had been lead into was beautiful.. marble and velvet.. gothic architecture.. cabinets and cabinets of what he could only figure to be poisons.. to be potions and cure alls..

as per usual there was some kind of celebration going on out in the grounds.. it wasn't unheard of.. just like Arvandor held its love ins.. so did Menzoberranzan.. only it was more so about lust, sex, greed and torture..less about love and babies.. the music was wild.. the scents of opium were strong.. drow wines and spirits .. foods.. women and dancing.. screams of torture blood curdling and incredibly loud.. his torture of Cora would easily go unnoticed.. as he expected it to be.. Cora groaned.. sputtered...dribbled and drooled blood.. the cries when her eyes were cut out were like an opera to those within ear shot.. Oh this traveller knew how to torture.. he was skilled in the finer arts..

he would be alerted to her arrival by the sound of her long lacquered nails tapping along the stair railing.. she had made him wait.. but then again.. Everyone waited for her.. its just what you did for the Matron of the Navere household.. why she was never late.. she arrived precisely when she meant too.. her outfit was exactingly stunning.. very addams like.. long moving with her body like liquid would in motion.. just like him with his painted on slacks.. her dress was the same.. lace caressed her slender arms like spider webs.. his calling out to her though.. that things weren't going to go as she wanted.. to just strip down and find a spot to relax.. made her laugh.. the corners of beautifully painted lips curled into a wry smile.. Really though.. her and Sydel were incredibly similar in shape.. the skin colour was really the only major difference.. why they could have been sisters.. just.. ruling different houses.. -.. mm.. no.. thats not how things are going to work.. and You know it.. -her voice rang out.. soft and smooth.. she sunk down upon a velvet lined high backed chair.. one leg crossing over the other..-..

I'm not one of your puppets Nautilous.. violence is my foreplay.. pain is my porn.. you could try your tricks.. the trade you've learnt since you were but a young boy.. and i wouldn't bat an eyelid.. -her hands came down to rest there upon her lap.. she sat upright.. poised like an upper class woman-.. You can continue to play with your food if you like.. her purpose for me has passed.. Ive grown tired of her tears and begging.. sure.. in the beginning it was.. entertaining.. but after a while it becomes a chore.. I probably should have gotten rid of her a long time ago.. but keeping Vanima otherwise occupied seemed like a smart move.. -she tapped the heel of her boot against the chair leg lightly.. motioning with her hand to continue..her gaze.. that striking ruby red regarded him.. admire him.. every sweet fucking inch of that well built frame.. -.. taking the eyes.. was a nice touch.. I do hope youve had time to warm up.. otherwise you're going to hurt in the morning..

-she rubbed her hands together.. allowing him a little longer to toy with the girl.. to slice into her skin.. to cut her open and brand her further..before Cora would be sent flying off to the left wall.. clasped by manacles.. her waist encased in metal bars.. a fire would ignite beneath her feet.. growing.. and growing as Cora began to try and lift away from the flickering flames as they nipped at her toes.. Gia turned her attention back to him then-.. Are you ready?.. -she would question.. tilting her head to the side.. those unusually scarlet coloured locks would tumble over her shoulder..-.. Begin.. -her voice would ring out.. the door to the left of him would open.. a male Drow Wizard would step through.. energy crackling from his fingers.. from his palms.. he bowed to his Mistress.. -.. Destroy him.. -who was she talking too?.. was it an order for Nautilous.. or the Wizard?.. an attack the wizard would make.. rumbling the boards of the main room.. enough to hopefully send him off his feet.. his attacks would be of magical origin.. no actual blades though it would look like it.. another knight of some sort would enter soon there after.. ready to go on the defensive.. he would be attacked from several sides by different entities.. could he hold his own?.. she rested her elbow on the arm of her chair.. her cheek to her palm.. watching intently.. -


Gias Dress

Visitor #1

Visitor #2

Visitor #3

[BadInfluence]

“I understand in part, I haven’t been in that situation, but I can empathize... I just see things from a different angle, my position in regards to those records is one that can help love flourish, but also causes heart ache. Sometimes I wish those records didn’t exist because I’ve seen, first hand, the pain they can cause. I’ll see if I can dig any farther, I’ll do what I can, but I don’t think anyone will be forthcoming any time soon...” Of course thay trip up was going to happen, it was impossible to avoid between them, they were both cursed with the same sort of foot in mouth. “We’re not the healthiest family unit Jacob... We balance each other out and we’re all different, and we can show you a lot of different things, but that doesn’t mean we’re all that great. I suppose the one thing that we all do the best is care about you...” He knew what Jacob was saying, though he’d never heard anyone say anything like that outright, let alone with as much love as he did, and deep down? That made him happy, it pulled at a lot of his heart strings, and he would have to tell the others about it later... It would pour a lot of love in the cracks his withdrawl had left in the wake of Cora and the fiasco thereof.



“For all I’m magically retarded, and let’s face it, that’s the nicest way to put it... I will always do all I can for you Jacob. I got a lot to make up for, a lot to catch up on, and Jacob... I really do try... I just wish I knew how to explain it, to show it in a way that made sense, rather than messing it all up when everI try.” Though when triggers were hit, it was a show down between two very different gods, and for good reason... There were more forces trying to keep Jacob from falling into the pit than most people had looking over him, and it was in those moments that Dio’s own strength came to the fore, summoned by paternal instinct to protect and shelter his child. “You lusted Cora, if you had loved her, you’d have seen what was going on no matter how much you tried to ignore it. Love might be blind but it’s far from retarded!” He said back, not giving an inch but not pushing back either, just maintaning the balance. “Did Hanali once give you a glimmer of anything with Cora? No. That fact alone should have told you, your a Paramor Jacob, we both know it’s hard tacts fact that your kind? Get a sign when it’s the one she picked for you.” Like him and Bells, they had had SO many signs, they just hadn’t seen them because they were too busy looking at each other... Nautilous and Sydel too, from the start they were always thrown back together, so many telling signals... But not once had anyone seen a glimmer of that with Cora. Was it any wonder then that everyone in the family had closed doors against her? Not a soul, not even Bells, had liked her... And she liked EVERYONE.



“It’s a bittersweet thing, falling in love for the first time, it twists your heart around in ways it’s never gone before.” Hell when he met Bells for the first time? He’d been a child but he had known then and there he had found his wife. His true love. His one and only. But as they got older? He felt that same pain, watching her date other men and women, knowing that each day she drifted away from him and not knowing how to tell her he loved her... “Don’t be afraid to fall, to fail, only be afraid of not giving it everything you got. Living with the pain of a broken heart is ten times easier than living with the knowledge that you could have done more.” That pain he lived with every single day... Knowing he should have done more for Bells... Shouldn’t have run out that night... If he had stayed... How many lives would be so much better for it?... But at the same time... If he had... How many more would be in pain? Sydel was like a plague, a natural force of death, she was as important to the world as his brother... And as Jacob had said, they belonged to each other, they were the dark side of the moon... The fight was over, both of them a bit bruised up in different ways before he left to go and find Nautilous and to see what else he might be able to dig up about Rose... There had to be a trail somewhere... And deep down? He needed to run for a while... His soul was a bit bruised from all of this and... And he knew he had just been banished from Arvandor for a while... He had broken his oath, he had stolen something, and he had to pay the price...



At least it was only a temporairy banishment... One easily covered in the guize of looking for a trail about Rose, they couldn’t find anything about her in Arvandor, so maybe starting here was a better idea... Though if one thing was sure... Hanali knew how to punish someone... Trapping him here on the mortal plain... On the surface... It was a keen torture...



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She would always worry about him in some context... When she found him, or rather, when they found each other? He had been considerably broken, his heart and his soul were in shattered shambles, and at first glace? It looked like it might never come together again. Over the course of thier friendship though she saw him change and grow, saw that light start to kindle again, the way he was putting himself back together... It was what she fell in love with, seeing who he had been and who he was becoming, the bravery he showed in daring to live again... It had stolen her heart... And after what he had shown her? She was happy for him to keep it... “Please?...” She didn’t like that he had seen her, or that he had taken a tumble on her behalf, after all she had done everything she could to hide it. Of course, now there was something else that might need to be hidden, but without a concrete yes... It was something that could be put off for a while yet... She submitted to the bandages and the order to rest...



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“Missunderstanding most likely... Dio’s about as graceful as a bag of hammers when it comes to the heart.” He handed over the bag of antidotes, though to be fair, they both knoew that if someone picked back up with the Trap of the Matron? It would start all over again. After all, an antidote wasn’t like a natural immunity, she could be poisoned all over again... “Like a bloody honey badger... Have you ever seen one? They’re the size of a house cat, maybe a touch bigger, but they eat cobras for breakfast... Fierce litlte monsters...” Of course now if Sydel knew he often thought of her as a honey badger or a wolverine, chances were she’d pounce and rip him to shreds, hence he never said it around her... Hell never even thought it. It was just safter that way! He couldn’t resist the sexual commentary though, how could he? Name a better way to get someones heart pumping that doesn’t involve some sort of substance? “There’s that blush... Missed it my boy. Means you’re truly back with us now.”



The topic came around to the Matrons, specifical Gia, and how he knew it was all over it... But how to prove it? Well he would have all THAT sorted soon enough. Ricarnarvon though... HE was a whole different snake in the grass, like a damned water mokasin, hiding in the tall grass just waiting to strike again... “I wish you fruitful endeavors... It pays to plan sometimes, but others, well others demand rapid responses... I’ve done both and it all depends on the situation... But a word of Advice?... I’m sure he’s figured out your aware of who’s behind this, and chances are? He’s planning something too... Don’t give him too much time to prepair...” After all, the longer you give a fire to burn, the bigger it gets... Sometimes a situation calls for a hard and fast judgement... But he wouldn’t tell Jacob how to wage his first war... The fact Jacob was even ready to fight back was a good sign. They’d come to the rest later. He teased him about the blood a bit, after all it DID feel weird, but finding out that it was Dio? Yeah... That had shocked him... “Give him space for now... He’s a lot softer than you think... Chances are Hanali already leveled her cost and he’s being the good boy and marching to orders... We can find him later, after all the dust settles.” After that though? He headed out. He had a certain drowess to poke with a stick and a VERY annoying tick that needed squashed...



----







She curled into him the moment he was at her side, drawing so much peace and strength from his presence, the gentle sigh as he ran his fingers through her hair... Along her skin... It was a sweeter medecine than anything she could taste... “I would have kicked you out and you know it...” She said witha soft laugh. He knew it was true too, she would have booted him out and made him focus on his seminar, she felt it was too important for him to only go half at it. She was strong and stubborn, and she had no fear of standing up to him, or anyone else for what she felt was right. His focusing on the sermon? THAT was what was right... “I didn’t go anywhere on purpose I promise... Dying hurts, I can tell you that much, so I’d not advise it if you can avoid it.” It was a gentle joke, a soft tease, something to make him smile... And to show him she had come to terms with what she felt and had gone through... That she wasn’t scared... She felt him squeeze her hand and she returned it, lifting her other hand to wrap her arm around his, just curled into his side as they talked in soft whispers... At his words she smiled and kissed the side of his arm. “If it were? Would we do the same though? This is our journey, only we can walk it, and without guidance... Well that just makes it better...” Good days or bad ones, they could at least say they had done it themselves, they had been the ones to make of it what they had... No one else. They would only have themselves to blame, and that was better in the end, wasn’t it? To know, make or break, they’d done it together... In her mind it was a lot better than following someones elses advise and possibly ruining their relationship because of it. “It won’t be smooth, I’m sure we’ll have our stormy days, the rocky paths but it will be ours... Just you and me.”



The talk about the reputation was important to her though. She had a feeling he’d be livid at some of the things that would most likely come out as the days passed and certain things came to light, and the last thing she wanted him to do was to focus on anything that didn’t make him happy, didn’t enrich his life. Of course, as she talked, the world around her finally stopped it’s rampant rotting progress... The entire block around the hospital had been hit with what could only be called a blight, it was all dead, with no apparent cause or reason... It was fueling her healing, in tandem with the tears and scrying waters, the antidotes themselves... Death was not an easy mark to erase, she needed time, energy... Her body was taking up everything that it had been given, healing itself and working on the repairs so desperately needed, but some things? Some things would take a lot longer... She’d get sick now, her usually impenetrable immune system had been compromised, and she’d fall to seasonal colds or allergies just like anyone else now... The trick with her eyes though... Who could say when or how that would resolve? For right now, it was enough that she was alive, alive and on the mend... Both herself... And a possible plus one... She still wasn’t sure about that, only that if it came down to it, they would cross that bridge when it was under their feet and not before.



“I want you too Jacob...” She said with a smile... She kiss was a surprise, she couldn’t see him moving in to do it, but when his lips touched hers... She didn’t care what anyone did, said or thought, she would always see fireworks... Stole her breath... Made her head spin like a top and her cheeks don the colors of roses and pink apricots... She couldn’t help the dreamy sigh when it ended, leaning harder into him, her body going soft... Relaxing... She knew what he meant, and this right now, this was going to be hard... “Maybe... Just for a little while... We let things lie low... It will be our secret...” It would give things a chance to die down, to let the dust settle, clear the smoke from the room... It wouldn’t be too long before something else would come up, in a city as big as this? It was guaranteed. “When it’s all properly been forgotten, we’ll come out about it, we’ll make our intentions clear... This way it’s on our terms and no one elses... No matter what comes at us then, there will be no doubt that we’re together, you and I...” This way they controlled the situation versus trying to stay afloat in someone elses... She spoke on going to Dr. Barathon as a teacher and she smiled, a gentle shrug of her shoulder there, wishing she could see him... See his beautiful eyes... “Dr. Barathon and I have a mutual need for each other... He needs a good student and a mother figure for his daughter, and I need a good teacher and a place to recourperate, to learn without the outward influences of bad news...” After all, they both knew that his mansion where they students when to live while learning was completely acid now, a pit full of vipers and that wasn’t good for anyone. Personally she worried about Kit but she also knew deep down she was strong enough to handle it, she had a lot of faith in her, and in the end? She was sure the two of them would be graduating together. “Besides, it also means I’ll be learning a lot faster... So we can be together that much sooner.” When he mentioned needing to get her out of this room and back amongst it all, oh she flushed quite hotly there, nibbling her bottom lip for a moment... Feeling up his arm to reach for his neck, to gently guide him down closer so she could whisper in his ear, her lips softly caressing the shell of it with each word... “What I need is to get better so I can properly congratulate you when your seminar comes off with flying colors and a massive success story...” She kissed his cheekbone there for just a moment before her voice dropped a little lower still, soft and sultry, her cheeks blazing with color. “Someone left me with some very interesting garments when we got back from Arvandor that i’m just dying to show you... There’s this one that’s all spider fine lace and nothing else... I think a napkin covers more...” She let him go then, resting back against the blankets and pillows that were piled up around her, her cheeks the most beautiful shade of red, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she worried it, shocked at just how bold she had been but... Well it was the truth all the same.



She began to drop off again, the morphine and antidoe starting to take thier tole, the pain vanishing in a puff of sweet warm clouds... “Mmm... Promise...” She said sleepily before she drifted off again and stayed down for hours... Healing took a lot of work, work that she gladly performed, taking everything that had been given to her in the last few hours to the best possible performance she could produce... When she came to? He had left on one of his ventures and she didn’t mind, she’d heard him come and go a few times, but he always came back... It was what let her rest so comfortably, knowing he was there, always looking in on her... Resisting the food was a survival instinct though, she knew she had started to feel ill the moment she ate her first meal at the inn, and she was sure that’s how she was poisoned... And given she didn’t sense it? She didn’t trust her own skills to pick any of it up in her food. Several hours later in the dark she had removed the bandages, and while the room had filled with people, she could at least see... It didn’t hurt so long as it was kept dim... It was when she was coming back around from another bout of sleep that she saw the tin... The note... She paused and set the book down she had just started to pick up, reaching for the tin and pulling the lid off, remembering that one incredible cupcake she had in a tin very similar to this one... She read the note as she looked over the little gifts therein... Her heart was moved as she saw all the delicious food, food from people she trusted, despite not having seen them yet...



She had all of it, down to the last crumb, utterly devoured in less than fifteen minutes... To the shock of the nurses, after all seing someone who had been so unwell and so slight of frame eat that much in such short order, well it was something of a shock. Jacob knew better though, she was like a small mammal, constantly active she had to fuel all that motion... This she did in the form of eating as much as three people might in a single setting... Yet never a pound did she gain... Though Garafin and Vivian might turn their heads together to try and change that...



Once she finished eating she settled back down with the book in her lap, it was one of the newest books, the one Jacob had gotten for her... It had so much information in it she had never seen before, never heard of, and she soon lost herself to the pages therein...



----







She was right on that. He had never lived in anything less, not that anyone got to see, anyways. He always had the finest things money could buy, and if money couldn’t, then the owners death certanly sufficed. That also went for those he loved, not a single person his heart cared for had anything less than the best of the best, so her domain? Was simply what he expected to see, no more and no less, which was as it should be. Besides, aside from a look around to ensure he knew where everything was, he went right back to what he would only deem a squeek toy. She really had no tolerance for pain, such a weakling, and to imagine... She had caused so much pain for Jacob... Of course that was why he was taking his time doing it too, ensuring she suffered slowly, keeping her on the edge of life... Denying her any reliefe from the pain. Was it enough? It would NEVER be enough to undo what had been done to Jacob but... It was a start...



The rapping of her nails alerted him to her presense, and while he had been waiting, it wasn’t like he cared particularly much. He had his own vendetta to level at the moment, so she could have waited weeks and he wouldn’t have noticed, he couldn’t have cared less at that point. He mentioned casually for her to strip down and assume the position, so to speak, and her reply? Had his lips curling in a knowing grin. “Why don’t you try to surprise me for once? You’re so wash, rince, repeat...” If she would have done as he said? Now THAT would have been a surprise. All the while though? He was fishing her mind for everything he could, normally he wouldn’t have bothered, it didn’t suit his particular style but right now? There was a reason behind it...



“You have no idea what I can do Gia... You could watch me all day, all night, stalk my shadow like a perverse little imp... And you’d never know. Still, if it soothes your nerves and your ego to think so, well by all means do continue.” He said with a sensual smile, turning those blue eyes on her as she sat so prim and proper, like this was all so common place... What a lie. He knew she was thrilled to have him in her lap, so to speak, and there was no way she could keep all those things hidden under her facade for long... “Speaking of this hunk of meat... Why don’t you go ahead and fill me in on the reasons behind this, hmm? Call it foreplay... I am currious to know...” Of course that wasn’t quite true... He was recording it, all of it, sending it directly back to the manse with Ace for future use... Someone needed to know all of it for a certain ghost to be laid to rest and he wasn’t above doing everything at his disposal to achieve that end.



“Mmm, I do enjoy her, such a twisted little soul... Sydel and I had a grand time the last party you threw, such a kinky little thing...” Oh yes, Vanima was no stranger to him, or Ace for that matter... Hell the two of them had fucked her in tandem one night before dragging the girls in and yeah, it was just one of the many orgies that occured when ever these parties came up, they always let go of every inhibition and just went all out... Was it any wonder they didn’t even try to wonder about paternity? After all, it takes a village to raise a child, doesn’t it? “A wise Matron would marry her off to a plyable slave to keep her pregnant and busy...” Though he had no intention of letting that happen... Every Queen falls at some point or another, and Gia could either step down gracefully, or be thrown into the pits forcefully... A fate she knew and was avoiding at all costs too, he was willing to bet. As for the comment on the eyes? He rolled his neck and coughed, producing one of them in the palm of his hand, turning it from one side to the other. “It’s not her color but... If things don’t turn around it could be useful... I’d still prefer another color but... Well such is life.” He said before tipping his head back and opening his mouth, dropping the eyeball back between his lips and swallowing it whole.



When she asked if he had warmed up he simply smiled and stood, letting the body be taken as he peeled off his bloody shirt, revealing the rippling muscles beneath it. He was covered in blood, his amber colored skin glowing from within, and under all that red? It was a glorious view... “Have at it then... But don’t bitch when I break your toys. I don’t play well with others.” A simple statement as he toed his boots off, leaving him in nothing but those skin tight leather pants, feet strong and planted firmly... Slicking a hand back through his hair to push it off of his face and out of his vision... And all the while? He was storing up on that very heady drow version of lust dust, letting it collected on his skin, forming a cocoon around him in the form of the scales of a butterfly’s wing...



He saw the druid come out first and come forward, bowing like the slave he was to his mistress, and all he did? Was smirk... While she was distracted he could delve deeper into her mind, to find the reasons for her continued malace and attack on his family, what drove her to go at them so doggedly... Taking any measure she could in order to cause them pain...



The first attack was easily dodged by him,(Roll(1d10)+6: 9,+6 Total:15) rather than letting him be lifted off his feet, he saw the attack and jumped at the last moment. Using the momentum to drive him, he easily closed the distance betwen himself and the druid, coming face to face with him in a matter of seconds. (Roll(1d10)+6: 3,+6 Total:9) In that move though he couldn’t entirely dodge one of the bolt attacks, though it did far less damage than the druid might have liked, for rather than fry him it raked down his leg from knee to ankle... He was burned but even then, not seriously, it was more of an annoyance than anything else. The leather held up though as only the finest leather can, but the mage... The druid wouldn’t be so lucky... (Roll(1d10)+6: 10,+6 Total:16) Once that space was closed? He elongated his nails into those trade mark talons of his and reached out in a fast jab, straight through the druids throat and severing his spine, and with a quick twist? Tore through the last of the tendons that remained, seperating head from body, and the corpse? Went on to dance that deadly jig, twitching away on the floor like the macabre mambo, and the head? The head he sent flying over to her even as he was aware of the other two behind him...



“Well, aren’t you toothsom?” He said casually at the knight who had DEFINATELY seen better days. The mage had better chances against him, at least he had range in his favor, but his first move? Had been porly picked and thus his death so very early on.(Roll(1d10)+8: 8,+8 Total:16) “Come now Gia... Did you thow such weaklings at me so I could fuck you raw all the faster? You should have told me.” He stated simply before stripping down the last bit, casually tossing his pants away, standing there in all his naked glory... And even soft? He was a damned imposing sight... “Might want to take my earlier advice... Otherwise that dress is going to be torn to shreds to tie you up with.” All the while he had done this, while he talked, the knight came barreling towards him... Axe hefted like some berzerker with a high pitched scream that only the dead can create, the knight swung down at his shoulder... And he? Caught the blade, bare handed, and held it there.(Roll(1d10)+8: 10,+8 Total:18) “I do hope you have protection. I obviously didn’t bring any.” Yes... The casual talk was real, and he meant it. He wasn’t concerned about the toys she sent at him, he’d faced Korn himself, and while he had lost that fight? He had still held his own for weeks before finally breaking... When you can do that? Everything else is like childs play.



He twisted the blade deftly in his hand and in such a way that the kenetic energy of the motion turned down the haft of the blade and tore the creatures arms off... Those same arms that he moved in and picked up before they dropped in a blur of movements, taking them in his hands and shoving them like spikes into the knights chest, putting enough force behind them to send the body flying into the wall... Impaling the creature atop of Cora where it went bezerk and began to gnash and chomp at her face while she screamed in added pain, the two of them slowly being burned alive from the toes up.



The last? Was the creature with the seringes on it’s hands... He was sure it wasn’t any vitamin k serum in those things... What was it though? A poison? A venom? Or just something harmless like a sleeping draft? Oh he would have fun with those... Of course, in order to get them, he had to get in close... Closer than with the others, after all those things were connected via tubes to a pack on it’s back, and if those got damaged? Well how would he know what was what?... He walked over to it casually, despite it’s chaotic movements, the fact that it was going nuts at seeing it’s colleagues so easily killed for one... And two? Wanting the praise from the Matron if he managed to do as what was ordered... (Roll(1d10) 8: 5,+8 Total:13) It was in the last moment that he took the calculated risk, dove in sharp to rip the pack off of the things back, keeping the lines intact with the glove... Tearing off the hand that was inside the glove and shoving his hand through the things chest and ripping it’s heart out, stepping back but... Not without a cost. The thing had swung a blade at him and managed to get a single line down his cheek, the blood as black as ink dribbling down into his stubble like slow honey, scenting the air with a chemical even Gia couldn’t resist... There was a reason he had been stocking up on that lust dust spilling everywhere... He knew he’d take a hit at least once or twice, he wasn’t at full power after all, only half... And once his blood was spilled? Mixing in with the dust? There wasn’t anything in existance that could resist it... Even Slaanesh had, more than once, gone weak in the knees around him in such a situation and oh... What fun he had then... Sydel did have excelent taste in dark gods...



“Now then... Bend over the side of that lovely chair...” His voice dripped with the strongest, sweetest coersion, and anyone within ear shot? Would find themselves slaves to his every whim and desire... (Roll(1d100)+75: 96,+75 Total:171 {must roll higher to resist, the lower the counte roll, the more succeptable she is} ) “I’m going to give you exactly what you’ve been wanting for years... You’ll never feel the same after... You’ll want it... Want me... Like a drug... I’ll make you ache and burn, you’ll feel as if acid runs through your veins the longer your without me...” He wasn’t teasing either... Sydel had seen first hand how he used this very same trick on others, how some women had commited suicide over it because he forgot about them and the need became too great to deal with, a need that no one else could sate but him... A trick he very rarely used except for the most special of cases... “And while I do this, you’re going to tell me every dirty secret you harbor against my family, and every weakness you have... You’ll spill your guts to me while I make your pussy so wet you’ll soak the floor under our feet... Then, when I’m good and done with you, I’ll load you with more cum than you could possibly imagine... Plant it so deep in you that you’ll feel it gush out of you for weeks... And if you’re not careful...”

[Deleted]

..he had returned to her bedside.. his warm soft fingers curled around her hand.. giving it a gentle squeeze every so often.. he honestly didn't know what he would do without her.. even though the time they had spend together wasn't really that long.. he just knew.. he just had a feeling ..this was it.. he wasn't exaggerating when he told Diovan earlier that he hadn't felt this way before.. Cora was different.. incredibly so.. the feelings behind it.. it just didn't compare.. the two of them spoke about where they could go from here.. which path they should take.. the one where they remained in secret.. or the one where they went public.. he knew that they would figure it all out regardless of which direction they chose.. -.

. its all very new.. to the both of us.. and I think I like it all the more because of that.. weve no one really to follow.. we have our own mistakes to make.. our own triumphs.. just you and I.. -he lifted her hand.. turning it a little to brush his lips to the back of it..he told her he just wanted her.. no matter what happened.. before tilting her head.. guiding her up a little into the softest.. sweetest of kisses.. it lingered..it was soft and delicate.. hearing her breath catch it caused his lips to curl..his own cheeks colouring a little as he felt the heat from her own.. - I think that sounds perfect.. -he whispered there against her lips..-..

stolen kisses and quiet moments.. just the two of us.. out of sight.. -he brushed the tip of his nose against hers.. a small subtle sign of affection before he drew back a little.. just..touching her then.. fingers combing through her hair softly.. caressing down the gentle curve of her cheek.. the side of her neck.. its possible he didn't even realise he was doing it.. the scare of almost losing her was a bit much..-.Thats a very smart way to look at it.. something else will come up soon enough, it always does in a place like this.. and then when the time is right.. we will come out together.. -another gentle squeeze to her hand.. -.. Youre in incredibly good hands with Barathon.. and I know his little girl adores you.. so I do believe he is looking forward to having you around.

.-he mentioned needing for her to get better soon, so she could get up and out of this room.. catching the soft colouring there rising upon her cheeks.. he chuckled a little.. curious indeed as to just where her mind was wandering off too.. though it wouldn't be long before she would let him know just that -.. I certainly hope this seminar goes off as well as you are thinking it will.. those nerves still havent left me.. -he laughed a little awkwardly.. before she pulled him closer.. his lids half closed at the feeling of her lips pressing to his cheek ..a soft contented sigh sounded.. she had a way of grounding him.. of making the world just melt away.. no worries.. no stress.. just her.. and thats all he needed in those moments.. her comment about someone having left her some new racey undergarments had him feel the need to suddenly clear his throat.. oh that went straight through him.. affecting him a lot more than Nauts earlier teasing phrases.. Oh the images that flooded to the forefront f his mind.. right then.. right there.. pictures of her back in that cottage.. the way she moved.. the way she sounded.. the way she tasted.. all of it was having the desired effect.. those dark jeans of his were growing a little tighter.. he smiled.. leaning in a little to take her lower lip hostage.. just a light little nip-.. Tease.. -he'd murmur..

pulling back to stand when she began to drop slowly.. he could see she needed to rest.. leaving her to it.. letting her succumb ..he ordered regular updates of her condition.. he didn't feel comfortable leaving her.. but he also knew he had a seminar to plan for.. and to organise.. especially with the council in the city..he dropped in every few hours to check on her.. most times she was asleep.. or on the verge of it.. he made sure to talk to her.. just softly.. enough so that she knew he was around..he had a feeling she would have issues with the food.. and that would probably stick with her for some time to come.. trusting anyone would be a very slow process.. he organised some food.. some items from his home.. family members stepping up to the plate along with very close friends.. sure she might not have met them.. but she knew who they were.. he delivered the tin and thermos to her bedside.. little notes explaining it all..


The nurses did watch on a little awed at the fact she had eaten ALL of it...clearly surprised after her earlier objections.. but they werent going to say a word.. it was progress afterall..

There was a gentle rapping at the door there as he poke his head around the corner.. checking in to see if she was awake.. a small bouquet of flowers in his left hand.. a few more books held under his right arm..his glasses settled semi low there upon his nose-.. And she's up!.. -he smiled as he looked across to her there an almost sparkle in his eye.. .. closing the distance as he placed the books down upon one of the side tables there.. a few more text books.. including the one he had written himself.. that would be part of the seminar.. he brushed his lips to her forehead.. placing the flowers down upon her lap as he looked about for a vase-.. You're looking a lot better.. how are you feeling?.. -he would question.. filling the vessel with water as he placed it on the opposite side table.. the flowers coming down to rest there.. as he perched himself upon the edge of her bed..

he had managed to grab her chart turning the pages over as he looked down over the observations made.. -.. The nurses have been keeping me up to date.. somewhat anyway.. -he placed the chart down.. she ought to be thankful Barathon had the foresight to not put her pregnancy on the paperwork.. his hands rested atop her own.. -..A few more days maybe.. and I think you'l be out of here.. -he caressed the sides of her fingers lightly-.. I'm pleased to see you ate I had a feeling you wouldn't be quite up to the hospital food.. -he didn't want to make mention of her trust issues of it..he knew full well what the real reasons would be.. but there was no reason to draw attention to it.

.he packed up the tins there.. the thermos.. placing it all aside to take with him- I havent had a chance to talk with Dr Barathon yet.. he's been quite focused on entertaining the council members and getting organised for tomorrows event.. -he rubbed his lips together lightly-.. I cant be sure.. and I dont want to get your hopes up.. I will see if he will release you for a few hours so you can attend.. if you want to of course.. it wont be incredibly entertaining.. -he chuckled lightly-.. but.. if it comes down to a no.. that you are unable to come down to the seminar.. I figure we could organise to have it shown to you.. kind of like a live stage show..I'm sure we could set something up here.. or.. in one of the rooms.. I am pretty sure Barathon wanted a few of the nurses on duty to see it also.. as a study tool.. It's up to you.. of course..-he reached across.. sliding a wayward lock back behind one of her ears.. -.

I have organised to have your clothing and items brought across from the House to the Doctors.. so that when you are released you can settle in and be comfortable.. well at least a little more.. by being around a few things you will recognise. I do believe though.. I heard a few whispers that a certain pixie has gotten busy with some extra credit.. and purchased you a city wardrobe.. I cant be sure.. but I think I heard her say something about.. liking her money right where she could see it.. hanging in her closet.. or.. yours as the case may be.. -he smiled.. nodding his head a little-.. I think it might be a sweetner to get you to visit Shimmershine.. soon.. -his fingers continued to lightly caress down along hers-..

I do believe the night for the boys.. as its called is coming up also.. if you recall.. Family thing where My Fathers..Uncles and friends of the male variety all get together to.. well.. do their thing.. relax.. you know.. boy stuff.. I think the women in the family would love it is youd attend.. spend a weekend with them?.. -he was sure it had come up before.. but he wanted to be sure.. what with the weekend they had just spent together and everything.. that she was still interested-.. Back in Arvandor.. It would be my Mother.. or.. well.. Mothers, Vivian and Anouk.. and well.. whoever else would like to tag along.. You my dear are more than welcome to attend.. I know Belle really wants to meet you.. -he lifted her hand.. brushing his lips to the back of it.. -





she had made her entrance.. her heavilly laquered nails raking against the polished railing alerting him to the fact.. he had made a comment about her stripping down and waiting for him.. to which she replied with a light laugh.. making sure to remind him that no.. she wasn't about to do what he desired... sinking down into the high backed chair.. one leg crossing cleanly over the other..the corners of her lips curled..oh she was entertained by his somewhat cheeky remark-.. Oh dear...rinse and repeat?.. mm. no.. -she clucked her tongue against the roof of her mouth-.. Honey when you are ready for fireworks instead of sparklers.. Only then will I do..what it is you desire..

-her head inclined a little.. regarding him.. watching him.. allowing that striking ruby red gaze to wander over his figure.. his well looked after frame.. the gods knew what women wanted.. they put it all so neatly in one extremely well built package..her elbow came down to rest upon the chair arm.. her cheek to her palm.. -.. Oh I will continue.. see the beauty of it is.. I can and do what I like.. when I like and with whom I like.. she didn't know about the mind reading.. how he was drawing forth small snippets of her memories.. what with the celebration going on outside.. the air thick with lust dust.. her.. well.. surprise (though she'd never admit it) of his arrival.. she didn't quite catch on to his meddlings.. he'd see mere glimpses of things.. of a previous life.. on the surface.. of her being locked up in a Caernarfon dungeon for crossing the queen at the time.. of being more or less rescued by another Drow..

though not Valkryn.. this one was younger.. the way she watched him was different.. she held a grand admiration for this Khaylin ..the two of them spent a lot of time together..though he it seemed was a member of the Queens personal guard.. and that was a Huge no/no.. they'd part ways.. and she'd leave Caernarfon.. and then just as she was leaving the castle gates.. or.. actually being escorted out there was a glimpse..of the brightest.. most vivid blue eyes ever.. before the connection dropped.. he asked her to fill him in on why she was bothering with Cora.. and why she had for this long.. she took in a quiet breath-.. mmm.. curiosity is an intriguing thing.. Cora was well.. simply an added piece of collateral.. I didn't even really know she existed at first.. I mean.. why would I?.. she's nothing special.. Pathetic meat sack that blubbers a lot.. and she's one hell of a bleeder.. -she smacked her lips together-..

When Ric became infatuated with her.. well it just seemed easy.. to use her to bend the lad.. though.. -she sat back a little.. a thoughtful look crossed those youthful features-.. If I was to be completley honest -which really was never true-.. I dont think he really cared all that much for her.. it was more that taking her.. proved a point.. -against a certain young Doctor-.. I dont know.. she's just been here ever since.. she had a kid.. it was a half cast child.. it's being looked after last I heard.. she died.. well.. for a short time.. woke up here.. and the rest is history.. -of course there was a great lot more to all of that.. but.. she wasn't about to spill everything was she.. vendettas against the Deathhaze family.. Want to hurt the Mother.. go through the children..

they spoke of Vanima then.. and he mentioned enjoying her twisted little soul.. he would have caught onto an almost inaudible huff when Sydel was mentioned however.. well if that wasn't a mood killer wrapped up in a little white package.. -.. I dont doubt it.. -she quipped..-.. Everyone seems to have a grand time at the parties I throw.. as for marrying Vanima off.. getting her pregnant.. well.. we tried that.. once.. -could this be the whole debarcle with Jacob perhaps?-.. and the girl just grew a conscious.. fucked it all up.. she can be incredibly smart.. sultry.. dark and evil.. and then just stupid.. the moral compass just ruins everything.. ah well..I'm sure there will be a place for her soon enough..

she shrugged her shoulders a little.. she mentioned admiring how he took Coras eyes.. how it was a nice touch.. watching as he more or less coughed one of them up..before swallowing it hole.. she nipped upon the end of a finger there.. lightly worrying it with her teeth.. he was fucking with her.. she was picking up on it slowly.. the memories would flicker through once more.. a walk with a small band of people.. elves.. humans.. they covered most of the ground at night to accommodate the fact she could not walk in sunlight.. it was incredibly nice for surface dwellers to do that.. considering she was clearly in the minority.. a glimpse of a couple of hands.. one pale.. one darker.. fingers intertwining though the paler of the two had a wedding band..



she blinked when he peeled his shirt off his upper body.. the blood had soaked through to the skin and the dim lighting from the candles in the room was showing off a beautifully healthy glow.. a flick of the wrist had a hand fan extend.. she cleared her throat.. fanning herself a little.. -.. Oh their not my toys.. they belong to Vanima.. I dont think you're quite ready for mine-she watched intently as the fray began.. the druid entering.. bowing as he did.. she nodded her head.. he managed to dive in a little deeper then..

as she was so easily distracted.. the troop of merry men continued to wander through the woods.. the vision was as if it were through her eyes.. he would be able to see snippets of the crew walking ahead.. squinting a little he might recognise Vivian and her family.. Very young then.. she still had her sight.. there was Lionesse and Malachi.. and then another couple.. though he could only see the back of their heads.. he was tall.. thin build.. she was a simple beautiful blond elf.. the couple seemed to get along with Vivian and her husband like a house on fire.. very friendly.. clearly having known one another for a long time..


The fight would continue.. the druid dropping quickly.. a bit of a disapointment really.. little damage seemed to be done toward him and a lot more toward them.. it was still a fray.. and entertaining yes.. but.. not as much as she thought it would be..she lifted her boot when the druids head came rolling at speed toward her.. planting her heel down into his skull to stop it from moving.... the second brute arrived.. and he was all teeth.. she laughed when he asked about her need for a good fucking being the reason for throwing such weaklings toward him-.. I guess I figured a man of your age wouldn't be able to handle a bit of rough and tumble.. you are getting on a bit now Nautilous.. I was simply being.. cautious.. -the corners of her lips curled.. the memory flickers switched back on..

this time a lot more personal.. lips were locked in a lust fuelled kiss.. he would be able to hear the rapidness of her heart.. feel the heat of her skin.. the clenching.. the tightness.. the fact that it all was So raw.. all that she would have felt in those moments.. stolen away with this.. anonymous blue eyed beau.. his features almost coming to light before he would interrupt with his quick comment on his lack of protection.. she blinked.. -.. Oh you are getting on.. your memory is.. atrocious.. why would I need protection?...-after the last war.. when the Navere house almost fell.. she almost died from a stomach wound.. and since they had pulled the good old bait and switch.. having a commoner pretend to be her.. and she merely a soldier.. the idiot men she had didn't catch on that their Queen was dying until it was almost too late.. he told her she better take off the dress before he tore it off her and used ot to tie her up..-.. Oh look at you teasing me.. -she smirked.. tilting her head to the side-.. Do go on..

-she ushered him with a hand gesture.. watching as he slipped out of those slacks.. leaving him bare.. naked.. completely on display.. and really not even at half mast.. Oh he was impressive.. he might well have noticed her shifting a little upon that seat.. those stocking clad thighs of hers being drawn inward..she cleared her throat.. what was left of the toothful knight being thrown toward Cora.. the flames and teeth .. the cries and blood curdling screams made her lids half close.. made them flicker just a little.. -.. Nice.. very.. very nice.. -she took a breath.. the final thing entered.. hands filled with needles of varying toxins.. ranging from sleeping, to sex, honesty to desire.. and then of course addiction.. in a perfect combination woul just ruin someone.. she sat up.. her hands coming to fall there upon her lap.. observing as he walked toward the needle handed gent.. and it was on..

this time a little more brutal than the previous two.. and this one got a few strikes upon him.. enough to draw a bit of blood.. oh but this.. was not quite what she expected.. it shattered the ward she had around her.. opening her up to pretty much any and all attack or meddling he had in mind.. the lust dust.. and his blood hit her hard.. her shoulders dropped.. her lips parted and a hitched breath sounded..her poor heart was picking up.. she moved to stand.. reaching around to the side to draw the zipper down upon the liquid silk dress she wore.. it grew looser and looser the lower she got.. until it just slid off of her..she was all but naked beneath it.. though she wore her weapons.. a blade held firmly around a stocking clad thigh.. a throwing knife wedged just perfectly between those beautifully rounded breasts.. and more needles upon the undersides of her wrists.. her body was slender yet held more natural curves than that of Sydel for example.. she was more akin to Sybelle.. though a little thinner.. the key difference though.. she was scarred..

many a battle wound.. she didn't heal like the others did.. but she wasn't ashamed of them.. she just looked to him there.. watching as he moved to approach her slowly.. telling her to bend over the side of the chair she was just seated upon.. well she didn't have to be asked twice.. which was.. unusual.. she was not one to bottom.. she bent over the arm of the chair.. the heels on her boots lightly scratching against the marble floor.. -.. I never should have rejected you.. Youre right I have been waiting.. wanting for a very.. long time.. -she spoke with that same smooth sultry tone...a little bit of a needful whine. glancing across to him.. continuing to watch him.. she wanted to tell him to go get fucked.. she wasn't going to tell him anything.. not a single thing.. she had far to much hatred for his family.. for his Wife.. but she couldn't.. she didn't have the power to tell him anything that would go against the grain so to speak.. he had her under the thumb and she was utterly enamoured.. the memories would pick up.. it would be Vivian speaking to her.. introducing her to.. her Brother Auric.. and his wife Cora.. .Auric.. the pale faced gentleman with the most striking blue eyes was a seer.. and in the next image he'd hear this.. lover.. of hers whisper 'Ill never leave you Gia'..a flood of pictures would present themselves.. the two of them ..it was clearly an affair.. she was with Valkryn.. he was with Cora.. the same Cora that was slowly dying being eaten alive.. but she fell for him hard.. incredibly hard.. she looked happy.. if it were possible.. truly.. honestly happy.. away from Menzobberanzan.. just in a small village.. cottage.. tolerating Valkryn on a daily basis.. but.. falling in love with Auric.. -

[BadInfluence]

She might, later on on her life, when she was wiser... Older... Understand why Jacob had felt as he did for Cora. To her right now though? It was still a mystery. She couldn’t see the appeal, in her mind Cora just wasn’t right for him, and it didn’t matter if she didn’t know her or not. She had these ideals firmly planted in her mind and they weren’t budging, they might never, but in the end? She let them slide from her fingers into the dark sands of her mind, she had so much better things to think of, and so much more that had happened to her to take her mind from it. They stayed together in soft silence, talking about future movements, where they could go from here... Deciding just what sort of adventure they wanted to make with each other...

“I do too... It’s like...” She said, searching for the words, her smile growing as she shook her head softly. “It’s really like nothing else... It’s our garden, what we plant we’ll watch grow...” That was the truth of it... What they put into this, together, is what they would reap in the end. It was her dearest, fondest hope that their garden flourished, and that he was happy with what they made together. It was impossible not to blush when he kissed her hand, anymore than it was for her blush to spread at the soft, sweet kiss... Like drops of honey, tender and sweet, it made her feel as golden as sunshine...

They spoke then about what they might do, and she figured it was probably best to lay low for a little while, let it all blow over... It would soon enough, there wasn’t enough proof of anything to hold over too long, maybe a few weeks at most... Then someone else would slip up and do something utterly scandalous and they’d be in the clear. Of course, until then? They could surely bide their time? They had only just had sex for the first time, it couldn’t be that bad of an addiction, could it? Not like cigarettes for instance... They would have it out of their system in no time... But of course, the innocent always think it’s easier than it is, but ifit were true or not... Would be tested as the days came. “Mmm... It will be a lot of fun I think... What a creative adventure... Finding places we can search out to discover, like that hidden bridge in town that we never did get around to searching out, or little caves down by the sea... Thick patches of trees around the edges of town... Maybe even an empty barn or two?... I think rolling in the hay might be fun...” She’d certainly heard plenty of stories, she knew a little bit about finding secret spaces, though for her? It was less sexand more just to be alone, but now, oh what a far more enjoyable way to put her talents to work.

Dr. Barathons little girl though... Oh Lord did that ever bring up other thoughts in her head, things she wasn’t sure were even in stone, things that she was... Tentativly exploring in her own mind... “I think so too... He did train you, after all.” She said with a warm smile, oh, how she wished she could see him right now. “I’m looking forward to it... His little girl is a sweet thing, she needs me, they both do... And I need both of them in turn... A great teacher, and a break from the work load when I can’t see you...” And... Maybe practice? Not that she needed it though, she’d taken care of So many orphans when she herself had lived there, she was a well practiced hand... Maybe it was more so she just needed a chance to be around someone young and innocent to give her a chance to uncork the stress she would surely be under due to her school work and any other... Possibilities... “Honestly Dr. Barathon and I have very similar humors, I think we will be very good together as Teacher and Student, but I also know he won’t take it easy on me. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

His seminar was only a few days away, and despite what he thought of himself? She was sure he would do amazing. He had a way of speaking that was like bleeding colors into a black and white world, as soon as he started to get into it, the world went from monochrome to vibrant... He could light a fire in the coldest of ashes when he spoke from his heart, and she was sure he would do just that, and oh... How many more lights inside people would he spark? “I’m glad you have nerves... Otherwise you’d be unbearably cocky with how smart you are...” A gentle tease, but it was also true, he was brilliant and if not for that humble streak? She’d likely dislike him on sight... It was one thing to be incredibly good at what you did, but another to be good and show it off, like a certain other doctor... Though at least Jacob had the actual talent to back it up... “No matter what Jacob, you have a fire in you, and that fire will spark others... You were born to do this, to brighten the world up, so even if you’re nerves come jumping up? You’ll still spark someone elses soul and that? We’ll, that’s worth all the butterflies, isn’t it?” If not for the bandages, she would have winked at him, let him know just how much confidence she had for him... But until then? She had to put it all into words, everything he couldn’t read in her eyes, she hoped he could hear in her voice. Pulling him in close she held him gently, though her purpose was indeed double edged, because the best way to calm a set of jumpy nerves? Well, he had certainly shown her in that little cottage, and to some... Spectacular results... That kiss though? Oh now that was fair turn around but she’d still call it a dirty move, if only because of how hotly it made her blush, her own mind returning with the sharp snap of a rubberband to those.... Bliss fulled days... “It’s only a tease till we find one of those little secret spots...” The return was instant, and like him, she wasn’t exactly unnaffected... Maybe... It was a little like cigarettes... No... Not quite... He was more addictive than that but smoother too, warmed her up from the inside out, made her want to be an alcoholic with how drunk he could get with her with just a few words...

Sleep was calling rather insistently and she was going to need it anyways, succumbing to it with little objection, and her sleep? Was calm... Restorative... But far from innocent... It was riddled with bits of foreplay, sharing kisses and food, drinking from the same wine glass... Letting it all go to thier heads... His own head moving slowly down her body, making her feel like she wanted to just pop out of her skin, so tight... So on edge before he got to the spot he desired that made her moan and whimper...

Was it any wonder she was starving when she woke up? She devoured every last crumb of the food, remembering the tastes of many of them from the cottage, how... Well.. It made her feel like she was home, even if she had never really had one, it was the sensation she had... Like something that spoke directly to her soul... It was all incredibly delicious, she only wished she had more, she felt like she could eat for days straight before she felt full again... Such a funny sensation that, but her body needed the fuel, and there wasn’t nearly enough fat on her to assist in that transition.

Watching as he came in, after all so long as it was at least semi-dark, she could see without that blinding pain... The people?... She people she had her own concerns about but so long as she looked at them directly? They vanished... It was more a periferal thing now than anything else, which to be honest, she was grateful for. It let her focus on her books, all of which were here or there on the bed around her, making for a very cozy if someone strange looking area. Her lips spread in a bright, happy smile to see him coming in, and the fact he had brought flowers? “Oh! Oh Jacob... You got me flowers...” Surely he knew by now she was a complete junky for flowers, she loved them, and she held the bouquet gently in her fingers... Stroking over the beautiful varriety there, things like assylum and peonies, red poppies and bright blue bonnets... “I love flowers... Thank you...” She carefully avoided the spray of baby’s breath in there, she knew he had picked it for it’s sweet smell and meaning of love, but it had another one too... One she still hadn’t really come to grips with... A gentle sigh as he kissed her forehead as she smiled. “I feel a lot better... I’m sure it was all the love packed into the food... I only wish there was more. I’m starving but they say if your injury doesn’t kill you, the hospital food will.” It was an old joke, and admittedly? Pretty true. She knew they had to keep the menu a certain way to avoid allergies and sensetive palats, gentle stomachs that couldn’t take too much but still, would a little salt kill them? Really? Or even some curry powder?... Ok... Maybe the curry was going overboard but whatever...

When he didn’t say anything about the baby, she nearly sagged into the bedding with no small amount of relief, he had kept his promise... At the last drawing it had been confirmed, she was in the family way, and she knew he wanted to tell Jacob but... Right now? It just was too soon, way too soon, and with so much already going on? It was just begging for it to all come out so horribly... She wanted to do it in her own time, her own way, make it special... For both of them... Besides, from what she’d read so far? He wouldn’t be able to tell she was pregnant for months! Elves were lucky, they barely showed even when full term, and given a longer gestation? It meant they had plenty of time before she had to so much as speak a whisper of her condition to anyone. She so badly wanted to tug him in closer but she knew... If they were going to do this the way they wanted to? They had to maintain a certain... Casual behavior... Nothing too intimate... They were... Friends... Nothing more... “Can we narrow it down to, like two? At most?” She was ready to get out, she liked having a table and desk, she liked having privacy... All these people coming around her was starting to make her feel more like a specemine than a person... Of course, dying for ten minutes and then coming back makes people watch you a taaaaaaaad bit closer than most...

“They mean well but the food here... It’s not that it’s... Bad... Ok, no, that’s exactly what it is. It’s bad. I know they have to keep it bland for patients but I’ve seen putty that looks more appetizing than their gravy...” It was only half a joke though, she was sure the oatmeal here could easily be used to patch dry-wall... “Any chance you could smuggle me more food? I’m sure I can get out of here double time if you feed me...” Which was true, she needed food to heal, but she wouldn’t touch anything that didn’t come directly from him. She turned her hand up so she could trace her fingers with his, the gentle touching of thier hands hidden between their bodies, made perhaps all the more intimate because of the secrecy... “I do recal him mentioning something about them being in town... Do you think you could show them our data from the brainstorming we did back at the manse? About the herbs? Maybe we can use that as a ground breaker? For financing to start this going?” It was a great idea if they could do it, but it would take some serious backing, not just financially but by those who were leaders in the medical field. “I’d love to go, I really would... I’m sure they’ll let me, I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks!” Shaking her head she gripped the sheets in her hand to keep from taking his own in hers. “Honestly, I’ll do what ever they ask, I really want to go and see you speak... Seeing it on a projector just... It won’t be right...” She said, leaning lightly into the touch along her ear as he tucked a strand away for her, nodding her head softly at his words...

But at the mention of a certin Pixie... “Oh no.... She threw away all my old clothes didn’t she?” Which, of course Anouk had, afte rall in her mind? Boy clothes and old hand me down rags were totally not suited to the girl Jacob had picked for himself. That meant things like that little lace number she had mentioned to him would likely be repeated there, so no more soft old t-shirts, no more boxers and tank tops... “She is such a sweet girl, I do like her a lot, but she thinks I’m prettier than I am. The things she picks out, they make everyone look at me... I’m not quite used to that yet... Don’t know if I ever will.” She said with a shy smile as she subconciously rubbed her cheek a bit, looking away with a blush, knowing that... Well not matter what? The outfits that Anouk picked for her always had Jacob looking at her like she was a star in the sky, glittering alone up there, the most beautiful thing he had ever seen... “I do want to go visit... Who knows? We might sneak away there for one of our little adventures some weekend?...” She wondered if it were just Pixies that could vanish in a shower of cherry scented smoke or if it was something she could buy... Because Anouk always did smell really very good to her. It would be fun to buy something like that for herself. She’d have to earn back her savings before she went shopping of course, Jacob had tried to sneak her money back but she’d put her foot down, stating she could earn it back on her own through working... And she would... But then again she had no idea that Anouk was using Jacobs money to go shopping for her... All she knew? Was Anouk had some mystery benefactor, and while she suspected it was Jacob? She’d look the other way until it was completely proof positive.

“If you keep doing that, you’re going to need to close the blinds because I don’t know how how much longer I can keep from kissing you.” She said as he stroked her hand while he spoke... She was trying to cover her reluctance to say yes or no... It wasn’t that she didn’t like his family, she had seen his lilac haired mother in the little bubble that one time, and she seemed a beautiful and incredibly sweet woman... But right now? With everything going on? It was like there was double, tripple pressure now, because not only had she slept with their son? She was carrying his child. Things like that were just not going to be easy to sit with... “Can... I take Kit with me?” She hedged... Kit was a human but at least she knew Kit, they were becoming very good friends, and if things went completely to shit? Then at least she’d have Kit to lean on and commiserate with... “And... Are you sure your family is ok with...” She said, waving her finger back and forth between her and him... “It’s one thing if I was still a virgin and I could honestly say I’ve been a good girl but... It’s ah... Not exactly that way now... I don’t know how your mothers and friends would look at me knowing we’re... Intimate...” It was honest and all very valid questions. Any girl would think about that when going to meet her beau’s parents for the first time, especially when she would be meeting them alone while her partner went off on a stag night... Though something did make her brow turn a bit. “A weekend? You’d be gone a whole weekend or just a night?” One day was hard... A full weekend? Yeah.. No... No way in hell she’d hold on THAT long! A few hours might be doable, hard, but doable... Forty eight? HA! Yeah, no... She leaned forward and sorted her books, papers and pencils into a neat stack and set them on the table beside her bed, taking up his book then in her hands... The one he would be using as he spoke at the seminar... “May I?” She’d ask before opening it, currious to see what he wanted to talk about, what he would use as his stomping ground... After all, she respected his privacy immensly, and that went for all his books as well.

----------------------------




“Big bark but no bite there Gia... How many more years are you going to wait to admit that you’re afriad of how much you want me?” He shot back with the most cocksure grin she could ever imagine seeing on another person. He knew a part of it was fear, she didn’t want to admit a desire, a longing... She didn’t want to confess that she wanted him, a whore from the surface lands, the wrong breed and color for a haute taut Matron. “But like I said, if that helps you sleep at night...” Oh yes, he was incredibly sure of himself, and his ego? Was even bigger than hers.



While they talked though, he spied, and he knew within these very halls? His beloved was slinking around like a white fox, stealing and killing as she wanted, all while he kept the watch dog occupied and entertained... Gia had no idea of this though, nor should she, because if she did? Well then he really was getting sloppy... “If that’s the case, then I wonder why you haven’t already replaced a lover? If no one’s watching or expecting, then you had no reason to use such coersion to get me down here, and we both know it... You could afford my price, it’s your pride that stops you, and my dear... Pride is just the shadow of fear cast by judgement.” Oh he was being a royal asshole but it was all true, like it or not, she was afraid of something... Judgement, her past, or the fear she’d like it too damned much... Now, while her mind was wide open, left as naked as a newborn babe due to the dust and surprise of his arrival? He was prying everything from it that he could without leaving so much as a spec of evidence to what he was doing. Some of wht he saw? He remembered... But others? Others, well, what juicy tidbits...



Those blue eyes... He remembered them but... Where? Why?... There was something there... Something fleeting, like a passing by, a chance encounter... Khaylin he had seen only once and he had no real care for him one way or the other, he was just a knight, and therefor totally unnamusing. The line petered out again and he left it there, waiting for it to flare up again, to spark and he would dive in again... Using the time to ask about Cora, there was something there, something very... Interesting... After all, if it were just hatred or boredom, then it was simple... Just kill them... But this? This was personal, it took time, emotion to plot something as devious as all that... “Curriocity is a sword without a hilt, but it can be so damned ammusing at times, don’t you agree?” He had an inkling... Something that had been poking at him from the very ment he met Cora, but at the time? At the time he was off the deep end as it stood, far too busy with his own needs, his own reasons... He had been new in the area, setting up his reputation, and had given little thought or time to anyone outside of his hell bent goals... But now? Now it was all rushing forward, triggered and assisted by those memories of her own, and that? That was currious indeed! “So are pigs darling, and a lot cheaper to keep than something as annoying as a creature that can form words.” A thought... Getting her to spill a little more, to explain a few added things, giving him more pieces of the puzzle... “Infatuation is fleeting, I’m sure your aware of that, aren’t you... Look at you and Valkyrin... That shine rubbed off fast.” Oh he knew them both after all, had for a VERY long time, and no... He wasn’t above pointing out the obvious. “So you used her to bait your son in order to get at mine so you could hurt his mother?... A lot of work for little pay...” Even with her ommiting things it didn’t take a rocket surgeon to figure THAT one out. “You gotta let that go some time, you’ve held this grudge since before even I met you, makes you look petty when you beat at the horse THIS long.” There was no doubt of the animocity between those two, hell there was no way what so ever to deny that the two of them were like oil and water, there was NO flex there. It was a mutual hatred on both sides and it more often than not spilled over into other things like ink on a table cloth. “You mean their son. Yeah, damned cuckoo that one...” He didn’t say he was the one taking care of him though, after all at least with them, the kid had a chance... But without? He’d not like the idea of that one... Even if he was sure Jacob knew it wasn’t his son, he still acted like a father, albeit distant... He looked at Cora there on the wall, being roasted like a weenie on a spit, not even really hearing her screams. He honestly didn’t think there was enough air in the world for her to scream enough to make up for what she had done to Jacob. “Give that the other one is a slave, would you care if, say... I killed him? I’m sure you’d like to wipe your hands of your half breed slave that slithered out between your thighs.” After all, males were slaves, all of them. Even those of great households were always expendable, the only ones worth keeping were the women, they became the Pristess and the Matrons...



The pot shot about Sydel and Vanima was so worth it. She might have hidden it well? But he knew that reaction and it made him grin on the inside... Yep... That grudge went DEEP. “Blame the drugs... No one can do deathshead wine quite as good as the drow... It’s always a good time, I’ll give you that much.” Hard to deny the facts, proof was in the pudding as it were, and even Jacob got caught up in one or two. He mentioned Vanima, marrying her off and keeping her barefoot and pregnant so to speak, though they both knew that wouldn’t happen. Vanima was too damned smart and vicious to even try, and the whole concious thing? That was less because she cared and more-so because she knew what it was, and there was no way she’d fall so easily into a trap, especially when she was virtually the next in line. Gia had daughters true... “Speaking of fucking it all up, is your daughter still fucking that brother of hers? Now that’s a set you need to split up. It’s rare imbreeding provides good offspring and your bloodline lacks the perks for that outcome...” He grinned as he said it, because if Diovan had been a woman, Gods knew they’d have a slew of inbred kids from how often they fucked.



The eye comment though, he couldn’t resist the show, and why not? She was dark and twisted, not quite as far gone as his beloved wife, but close enough to enjoy the display. All the while he picked and plucked at her mind, dragging more out of her while she was otherwise preoccupied, and there... Ooooh there he picked up even more pieces, the scandal of an affair... Oh well now! He had never officially married anyone but Sydel, but that didn’t mean he had never been on the other side, more than a few times he had fucked married woman till she screamed his name. He? Remained true, unless of course it was one of thier orgies in which case hell, it was a free for all. A free for all that allowed them both to scratch that wandering itch they both had, and an opportunity to see each other in action, to enjoy the view...



He continued to stroll around her mind, half of his attention in the fight, and that was why that hit was made in the first place... If he had his full attention on it? Then the poor bastard never would have gotten a shot off. He couldn’t resist the quip and her comeback was a as sharp as her nails, but rather than make him feel bad, he simply laughed. “If I’m so old why do you want to bounce on my cock like a kid with a pogo stick?” He knew how she was, and he hoped she knew by now his skin was too damned thick for anything she tossed at him to actually stick. He’d have to care first.



The next set of memories sealed it though... He knew then a good deal of what had happened, and why, and just how damned it all was from the start... But there were still questions... Curriocities... He mentioned that he hadn’t brought anything and her little tick just made him laugh. “Sydel’s womb is deader than your druid but she’d born me two children. My seeds strong enough that it doesn’t matter WHERE I plant it, it grows.” Both Sydel and Sybelle were living proof of that. Gia’s womb would grow and swell if she didn’t make sure to poison the shit out of it, hence the threat, because it certainly wasn’t idle. The bit about the dress though had him shaking his head with a grin. “Don’t believe me then, it’s not like you can’t replace it true enough...” But he never made idle threats about clothes, being the peacock he was, he wouldn’t make such a promise without full intention to follow through. Stripping out of his slacks was a calculated risk though, expecting her to become fully rivited upon his body, it gave him a chance to dig that much deeper.



He watched her just to make sure that he had made the proper choice and, as he was right, as per usual... Catching the way she shifted and her thighs drew in... “See what I mean?... All bark, no bite, but in the end? You always did want me, and now, well now you got me don’t you?” He said with a grin before going to face the guy with the needles, and yes, this one was tricker. He wanted to save the weaponry, it was delightfully unique, and he was sure packed full of all sorts of drow treats... That, of course, meant that he absolutely had to have it... Being at only half power, and even that was only just newly given, he hadn’t had a chance to acclimate... Give him a day or two to stretch out and he’d have been delightfully perfect in the situation but... Well, she wanted blood, didn’t she? Well now she got it... The blood drawn wasn’t exactly to her benefit though, but oh, it certainly was to his...



Weapon in hand, he called to his beloved wife, his one and only... The light and love of his life... That secret communication just between he and she... “Come, my beloved little snow princess... Daddy has a treat for his baby girl...” He whispered into her mind before turning towards Gia there, the way she stripped down, the naked frame... The scars like tattoo’s from life... “Mmm... But you are lovely aren’t you?” He said, and he was being honest, she had a body to lust after... Scars and all. He would have her bent over that chair but the positioning wasn’t... Wasn’t QUITE right... He waited for Sydel to come out as he moved behid her, and despite it all, his hands on her skin? Were soft... Gentle... Giuding her to lay suspended over it, thighs against one side, her arms hanging over the other... Tits on the cussion between. He was stripping down her weapons then, melting them in his hands, refusing to let them continue to exist... He might not care about himself, but Sydel? That was his most precious comodity... “So... all of this was over Auric... And you used Cora slowly to torture those around you, because she had him, the man you would have married and abandoned everything for... If he were free to ask you...” All the pieces slid into where he needed them to be, the rest of it, it all ticked in. He knew of Vivians past, she had told him herself, and as all the other cogs clicked into gear? He could see the web she sat in the middle of, how it had been spun, and why...



“Here... Pull your hair to the side...” He’d say, lifting one of the vials there, this one was Desire... He knew because it was one of the ones he’d been hit with, could feel it coursing in his veins, and as soon as he could? He’d take it out on Sydel as quickly as he could... Injecting it into her neck, he followed it with sex and honesty, loading her system so she had no choice but to embrace it... “You know why I charge so much Gia?... I can be... What ever you wanted me to be... You only had to say the word... So for this?... You will drop the feude against my family, my son and my other children, and their children for the rest of our generations...” He said before stepping back, sliding his hands through his hair, watching as it shifted it’s color... His eyes darkening just a touch, his body getting leaner, less muscular... Even the length and girth of his cock changed, shifted and altered until before her stood an exact replica of her beloved Auric, all the way down to his voice... “You don’t deserve the real me Gia... You couldn’t handle it... This weaker form... This simplistic creature is what you desire... What you need... And it’s what I am going to use to break you...” Sure, Gia lusted for Nautilous, but her soul and her mind? Wanted this weaker creature...



When Sydel would come in? She? She would see the real him there, but to Gia’s eyes, there was only Auric. “My beautiful one... Come... You’ve long suffered under her constant aggrivation... Tell me what you want me to do... What does my wife wish me to do with her enemy? Kill her? Tear her apart?... Or shall we torture her? I can fuck her, here and now with the form she most desires, this Auric she so loved... Then as she climaxes I can release the image so she will have betrayed the very memory of her beloved... Anything you desire... It’s yours...”

[Deleted]

..she was on the mend.. and that lifted such a large weight from his heart, he honestly didn't even realise how much of it he was actively carrying.. its probably why the whole thing frightened him the most.. this was new to him.. in so many ways.. sure he had dated before.. he'd been married.. he'd had more than his fair share of relationships but.. this felt nothing like any of the others.. and it threw him.. it felt raw and there was so much uncertainty.. and yet.. he knew there was no other place he would rather be ..

he loved her.. and he hoped she felt the same way.. he'd managed to pick up some flowers for her on his way back to the hospital.. keeping them under wraps though so no one else really saw it so much..seeing her smile though.. oh he'd have done it a million times over just to see that reaction over and over again.. -.. But of course.. -he returned her smile there as he moved in to approach her..handing her the posie as he placed the books down atop her side table.. -.. You are more than welcome.. -he leant in to press his lips to her forehead.. asking how she was doing.. was she feeling any better before he reached for her chart to have a look.. -.. Wonderful.. you are certainly looking a lot better.. there's so much more colour in those cheeks.. -he glanced up from the chart there when she mentioned wanting more food.. his brows rose a little and he laughed.. -.. Well now.. Im sure I could arrange something for you..

-he placed the chart down.. clearly a little amused by that but also really pleased.. it meant she was certainly on the mend.. and her body needed sustenance.. he knew full well Garafin and Vivian would be almost scrambling to help out if he asked.. the whole family and close friends were just like that.. if one member required any assistance.. there were no questions.. there was never Any hesitation.. it was all hands on deck.. -.. Ill send word home when i leave here , see what they can organise for you.. -his hand came down to rest atop her own.. fingers intertwining.. giving it a light squeeze.. there was no mention of baby on the chart.. Barathon had kept his word to her.. -.. Your obs look good.. you're on the mend.. and i do believe quicker than most expected you to be..-he mentioned he figured she would be out within a few days.. possibly three.. though he wasn't certain if she'd be able to attend the seminar.. instead offering up an alternative.. that she could watch it from her bed.. but she didn't seem all that enthused by that idea.. he chuckled and nodded.. shooting her a wink-.. Ill do my best to smuggle you out of here so you can attend.. I promise..

-he plucked the bouquet from her then as he moved to stand.. seeking out a vase and filling it with water.. she asked about letting the council know about the data they had been working on.. specifically the herbs.. -.. Certainly something I believe they would want to hear yes.. and I am one step ahead of you.. -he slid the blooms down into the water there.. rearranging them a little before placing them on her table-.. I have already incorporated the data.. the brainstorming session.. all of it into the seminar itself.. the council will be there.. as will the wider medical community.. it will gain a larger traction that way.. more heads.. and you my dear will be mentioned at the forefront.. it was your key afterall that unlocked the problem we were stuck on..

-he mentioned someone raiding her wardrobe.. and maybe getting rid of a few bits and pieces.. that all new clothing had been purchased for her.. a certain pink haired sweet smelling pixie had made a few visits.. -.. mm.. i think she might have.. -he tilted his head.. reaching across to slide a wayward lock of hair back behind her ear-.. she was worried about you.. and it was her way of keeping busy.. wanting to do something for you..She is a lovely girl.. and i owe her my life.. literally.. -the backs of his fingers brushed down along her cheek there.. tapping beneath her chin-.. You however need to stop doubting your beauty.. You are stunning.. inside and out..

-he leant in to brush the tip of his nose against her own.. before he pulled back.. the ward they were in was not private and even though it appeared most were either out for the day.. or asleep he wasn't.. entirely certain.. he moved to stand.. drawing the privacy curtain around the bed.. leaving just the two of them before he settled back upon the side of the bed with her.. lowering his voice a little.. to a whisper-.. Everyone looks at you Rose.. because they are in awe of you.. you're beautiful and you're kind.. I only hope one day you can see yourself.. as I see you.. through my eyes.. -he looked down to her there..a smile settling there upon his lips.. he just found her to be so perfect.- We should go visit Shimmershine.. soon.. its away from here.. I never even knew it existed so I am almost completely certain most dont know it does either.. it would just be you and I.. and the bubble of sunshine of course.. complete privacy to do as we please.. -his smile broadened further when she said she didn't know how long she could keep from kissing him.. -.. then allow me..

-he whispered before he leant in toward her.. capturing her lips there.. a soft sweet dance.. that kiss.. delicate and full.. deeper than say the kiss in the isolation chamber.. his tongue begged entrance to the heated depths of her mouth and when it was granted it dipped down inside.. he couldn't help the murmur that escaped.. she was like a drug to him and every taste just made it all the worse.. it grew.. and grew.. his heart began to stammer there in his chest.. stuttering an shifting.. he could feel his body heat rising.. and those dark slacks of his tightening considerably.. before he broke the kiss.. exhaling a shaken breath.. remaining close though.. his forehead pressed to hers.. -.. Wow.. -he whined a little.. trying to keep quiet.. I'm sorry.. I shouldn't.. not.. not with you still in here.. and still not completely well..

-he felt ike a bit of a heel if he were honest with himself.. his mind was taking him to places where it shouldn't be.. not yet.. he swallowed harshly-.. Ive missed you.. -he whispered.. his cheeks were a little redder than they were before.. he chuckled awkwardly-.. Oh the things Id do.. but no.. soon.. not now.. -he cleared his throat.. lifting his chin to press his lips to her forehead.. forcing himself to pull away.. he had to.. otherwise the two of them would get caught.. privacy curtain or not it would not stop the nurses or doctors for that matter coming in.. he poured himself some of that ice water and drank it down a little quickly.. mentioning that the boys night was coming up.. back in Arvandor.. and if she was still interested that he knew the girls in the family would love to spend a weekend with her.. -

.. Kit?.. -he paused-.. sure.. Kit's more than welcome to come.. I dont imagine that would be any problem..any friend of yours.. -he perched upon the end of the bed there.. a look of mild confusion would cross his features when she asked if the family would be ok with her.. before she explained it a little further.. the virgin part etc.. he chuckled and nodded-.. They are going to love you.. Sybelle is incredibly eager to meet you.. Vivian speaks highly of you already to the family.. Sydel.. well.. she might be a bit tougher to crack but as long as you are honest with her there is no reason for her not to like you.. as for us being intimate.. well.. -he reached around to rub against the back of his neck..-.. My Father Diovan held a big part in getting us to that cabin.. and the rest of the family filled said cabin with clothing and.. other things.. I'm pretty sure they know..what would have gone on in there..

-his cheeks coloured and he chuckled all be it awkwardly-.. please.. dont worry.. it's not a test..and the last thing i want to do is make you uncomfortable.. if you arent ready you dont have to go of course.. it is a weekend yes.. I will be gone from the Friday night.. until sometime on the Sunday.. probably the afternoon-ish.. but there will be plenty for you to do.. and you wont have to stay at the Inn for the whole time.. Arvandor.. and the city proper is quite vast.. plenty of time to explore.. you'l have free reign to most of it.. -he watched as she reached for the books he had brought.. the one on top she had plucked up first was the one he himself had written.. it was a published book on the sciences of medicine.. his picture was on the back of it-.. Of course.. I brought it in case you were caught up in here and were unable to attend the seminar proper.. Ill be taking a lot of the text from the book to go over on the day.. thats why everyones getting a copy.. along with whatever notes they bring along themselves.. we will be discussing a lot about just how much herbs and poisons can aid in everything rom simple innocuous ailments.. to those that are a lot more harmful and deadly.. I do believe your case.. just now will be brought up.. -his hands came down to rest on hers-.. how poisons on their own can cause all manner of trouble and ills.. but when coupled up.. how deadly and fierce they can become.. and just how quickly those antidotes need to be administered.. -he lifted her hands there.. pressing his lips to the back of each one.. -.. You know Im going to be watching you like a hawk now.. even when im away ill find a way to keep an eye on you.. I cant possibly bare the thought of losing you..

[BadInfluence]

On the mend? That was one way to put it. The next year would be a bit hard on her for more than just the poisoning, her immune system would need time to bounce back, so hopefully he was up to task in regards to maybe babying her a bit here and there... Aside from that though? She definately was, and the food was definately helping, well... That and being away from a certan poisoner. The flowers were something else though, she really did love them, and she burried her face in thier soft petals for some time while thanking him. Honestly, she would take flowers at any and all occasions, they were so much better than anything else... Well... No, great food came first but only in that occasion did flowers come second! “Mmm? Do you think so?” She said with a smile before asking about the food. Yeah, hospital food could certainly use a good deal more help along by the way of taste but mostly? Ok... More so it was ENTIRELY because she was afraid of being poisoned again. She was afraid of anything coming from the mance, the hospital, or anyone she didn’t know or who Jacob didn’t explicitly trust... “It’s terrible I know but honestly? That was some of the best food I’ve ever had. I felt so much better after eating that I’m sure if I could get some more I’d be out of here in no time.” Which was honest... Food made with love or at the very least made with good intentions was always going to be the best. “It doesn’t have to be if it’s going to be too much work?...” She said with a slight blush as she realized yeah... That might be a lot of work considering the portals and time to not only be prepared, but taken back and forth... She realized at the end just what she was asking for and with a nervous laugh shook her head. “Yeah, forget about it, I just realized how much work that would be.”

She linked her fingers with his, that blush just wouldn’t leave her cheeks, or the smile she had that was just for him. She was glad he approved on her progress, giving a shrug of her shoulder there, a wrinkling of her nose as she smiled. “I’m young, I snap back like a rubber band, and I’ve only ever been sick once before in my life. I’m just thankful it was only a couple of days... Trap of the Matron... If he had finished that one, there wouldn’t be anything left of me to save...” Oh yeah, she knew JUST how close it had been, and if he had finished?... She’d have been dead before anyone could even sneeze. She would be cautious for the nest week or so, unsure of when he had started it, but she knew it took six doses... If she wasn’t careful she might just end up right on back in that same situation but worse... Worse because there was no coming back after that point...

The alternative was a no go for her though. She had to be there, in person, or it just wouldn’t work for her. “It shouldn’t be too hard. I’m pretty small, if you get a suitcase I can curl up inside it?” She said with a giggle and a wink, leaning back on the pillows for a moment, that smile spreading just for him. “I’ll hold you to it. I want to see you up there, my own personal star... My Polaris.” Said with a gentle squeeze to his hand before he pulled it from hers, taking the flowers from her other hand to put them in a vase, to keep them alive for a longer time. She watched them soaking up the water before mentioning their break through, wondering if he might bring it up to the council, to try and give it some helf...

It wouldn’t be free to make those tubs, the large glass houses, or the expensive herbs that would be needed to be bought to use in the cocktails. “Oh are you now?” She teased when he said he was a step ahead of her. “So you were able to grab up the test vial I had made before we headed out here?” Ok... Maybe a little bit more of a tease, just to remind him that she was his equal, and usually? Right in his stride. When he mentioned that he was going to give her the credit for it, that it was going to be the spearhead to his seminar? “Woah!” She held her hands up, shaking her head back and forth, wabing her hands back and forth. “I don’t want any credit for this Jacob. I’m just learning my field, I don’t want to come into my schooling with everyone looking at me like some God’s Gift Child. I’d have so many people hating me off the bat and thinking I’m some goody-goody know it all.” God, how hellish would that make the classes, and that on top of the baby? Oh fucking hell, that was like walking into a rosebush while on fire, rolling around in the thorns to try and put it out. She wouldn’t be able to win for loosing in that situation!! “I only had a small part in it, just a little, itty bitty one... I’d rather you get my share, after all I wouldn’t have even seen the problem if you hadn’t encouraged me to follow my passions.” She was doing all she could to avoid that one, unlike others she seriously wanted no part in the fame, hell as it was? Jacob was his own celebrity, he’d get enough attention on his own, but if eyes were on her too? “If I get too much attention I won’t be able to sneak away with you so easily...” Hopefully that would be the clencher for him, that he would realize the truth of that if nothing else, and he would leave her name out of it...

Mentioning dear Anouk and her attack on her wardrobe... She knew she meant well, it made her happy because truly, she was such a sweet girl... A sweet girl who was half in love with Jacob to start with, which really, how big was this girls heart to be so helpful to a woman who literally took the man you loved? Couldn’t be easy! “I do adore her but I feel so bad... No one’s said who these clothes come from, financially that is, and honestly? Who has a reason to furnish an orphan with this sort of wardrob? Some of those things that Anouk picked out for me are so scandalous... Well, I mean they’re underthings but really! Though I have to admit... They are beautiful... Really, really beautiful...” She said at the end with a bit of a dreamy sigh... She wasn’t a huge fan of shopping, especially for herself, but in the end? She’d be a liar if she didn’t say flat out that the clothes were absolutely stunning and while she was still getting used to seeing herself in the mirror? She had to admit... She looked gorgeous... That sort of girl that breaks hearts when she smiles, not because she’s mean, but because you just want to be the reason she’s smiling... Because she’s so beautiful she catches your eye without even trying and all you want to do is be around her... And the fact she was that pretty? Made her uncomfortable... She liked hiding in her old clothes, she didn’t look that beautiful in them, she could pretend to just be some random ragamuffin on the street... “I’m not used to it... I’ve never been pretty really, but in those clothes Jacob, I don’t recognize myself... I’m still learning that lady in the mirror you know? It’s going to take me some time.”

Oh it sucked SO bad to be on display like this... Not that anyone was in there, watching them at the moment at least, but it was just... Open... There was no privacy, not really, and it made it sooo hard right now... It was quiet and dim, he smelled so good, and she was definately on the mend enough to miss everything they’d shared that weekend... “... The weekend after your successful seminar?... You can tell everyone your going home to visit family and tell them how it went... We’ll sneak out... I’m known to dissapear to study so no one will notice me being gone...” She whispered, her heart starting to pick up, her fingers twitching inside his hand... Wanting to touch... Needing... “ Oh Jacob...” She breathed on a sigh...

That kiss...

She gave up to it, parting her lips the moment he slid his tongue along it, taking it within her kiss... Sliding her tongue along his own, dancing and swirling, echoing how thier bodies moved together... Her fingers slid up his arms to stroke along his neck, up into his hair where they curled in, tilting her head to deepen that kiss... Her heart stuttering as her breath caught, her chest arching up to press into him, that thin little hospital gown... “Don’t... Good God don’t apologize...” She breathed before dragging him down for another kiss, turning against him, draping her leg over his lap as she twined around him... Innocent, she was still learning without a doubt, but she had a natural instict that drove her... A need to feel it all... To bring him as much pleasure as she felt... “I’ve missed you madly... I missed you three seconds before you even left my side... I’ve missed you every second since...” She breathed against his lips, hearing his awkward laugh, the blush on his lips... “All we need is five minutes...” She cooed up towards him, though when he pulled away? She let him go... Grudginly... Though god knew that fire had kindled bright and hot all over again...

She asked if Kit could come... Anouk was a good buffer but no one would really understand how hard it could be to adjust as well as Kit would... “Plus... There was an elf she went on a date with who had come to town to see your seminar... She’s kind of sweet on him so I thought if she came with us... Well maybe I’m playing a little Cupid... No... No not Cupid...” She said softly, reaching out to touch the tattoo behind his ear, the golden heart there... “I’m trying to help this Goddess of yours to find another set of hearts to learn how to sing...” Hanali had, after all, given her Jacob... And appeared to them both no less as they were together... It was hard not to believe in something she’d seen first hand... Though she did have her own hesitations, her reasons for nerves, explaining about her... Reluctance... A virgin might be more welcomed than not but hearing it was his father who had locked them up together, and his own family that spiked the food... She stopped and snorted suddenly, covering her lips with her hand as she tried to smother a laugh, shaking her head. “So... It’s not the far of them knowing we’re having sex that I need to worry about... It’s them wondering why we’re not having it more often?” She wouldn’t mention the joke about the growing waist line... He had already done his job more than admirably there and she was no where NEAR ready to mention it to him let alone his family... No... Last thing she wanted or need was them watching her for signs of a growing life.

“It’s weird I know... But I’m not so much worried about them liking me or not... It’s more if I’m worthy of you... You’re amazing and you deserve someone who can keep pushing you towards your dreams, and I don’t know if they’ll be able to see that’s all I want for you, for you to be happy...” She knew she’d be measured up to Cora every bloody second too, but she wouldn’t bring that up, it was a tender thing for him and the last thing she wanted to do was ruin the moment... He was so excited after all... She took up the book he had among the others, seeing the photo on the back, running her fingers over the spine... Asking if she could read it as she was always careful to respect his secrets nad his privacy... “Oh I have to go now... You know that’s my grand passion... Next to you, of course...” He mentioned her being a sort of topic in regards to just how bad a plant can be for you, and how important immidiate treatment is, which made her think... “Then I should be there. I can explain, first hand, how quickly the symtoms develope and change, not to mention how knowing what you’re poisoned with is vital to finding the antidote... How it can all evolve and change...” She said with a smile and a wink. “So just use that as the excuse to smuggle me out.” When he lifted her hands to his lips, the way he spoke, oh... How incredible it was, to be loved so wholy, so selflessly... She looked past him for a moment to the security curtain, then to the clock, counting down the minutes... They came at regular intervals, and the last one had been a few minutes before he got in... Counting down the time since he had come in, their talk, how much time she had left... “Ten minutes...” She said softly, reaching up to place his hands on the ties of her gown, to give them a tug so the gown fell open, sliding off her shoulders... “Ten minutes before the nurse comes by again...” She said with a catch in her voice, her cheeks turning pink immidately, that blush impossible to miss... Her heart rate having trippled in that moment as she reached out to him, sliding her fingers between the buttons of his shirt, pulling him down to her. “Why doesn’t my Paramour show me what he can do in that time?... I remember reading somewhere how good sex was for a recovering patient... You wouldn’t neglect your patient, would you?” She asked in a husky whisper, a soft little moan as she pulled him the last bit towards her to kiss him, sweet and hot while her hands went to his pants... They had ten minutes... No time to waste!

[Deleted]

..it had been touch and go for a while there.. a whole lot of stress.. a whole lot of anger and sadness and confusion.. no one really knew what to do.. no one knew who to ask, who to point fingers at.. but thankfully both of his Fathers came through.. Diovan with enough of the purest ingredients known to Arvandor to prolong her life.. and then Nautilous with the antidotes required to purge all the poison from her body proper.. he knew.. he would be in their debt for as long as he was able to draw breath..

watching her there.. seated up on her hospital bed..the bunch of brightly coloured flowers within her fingers.. and that smile.. oh it was incredible.. he adored it.. it just lit up her entire face.. all her features beamed when she was truly happy.. but where anyone could easily notice it the most.. in her eyes.. Thats how you could tell if it was really.. really affecting her.. he chuckled and nodded when she spoke on being so young that she could snap back like a rubber band.. before the subject turned back to the poison used.. and how if the culprit had managed to finalise that last dose that there would have been nothing left to save.. his eyes squinted a little.. and he took a bit of a quiet breath..-.. mm.. I'd rather not go down that train of thought.. -his hand fell down to rest atop hers.. fingers curling inward to give a bit of a squeeze..

before he took the blooms and found a vase for them to live in .. they discussed alternate options for the seminar before coming to the conclusion that no that wasn't going to fly.. she wanted to be there and nothing was going to stop her.. his cheeks coloured when she spoke on wanting to see him standing up there at the lectern.. calling him her own personal star.. -.. I'm already a nervous wreck.. I dont know how Im going to go.. -he looked visibly pained for a moment.. his brows furrowing .. the thought of standing there in front of such a large audience was daunting at best-.. and to make matters worse.. since the original hall burnt down and they shifted it to another.. well.. -he paused.. exhaling a little resigned to it-.. its double the size.. there are more seats.. and last I heard.. they were almost completely full.. since word got out that the venue had changed several other cities sent their doctors and medical staff over.. I fear.. this is bigger than I am going to be able to handle..

-he placed the vase down upon her bedside table.. along with the next few books he had collected.. telling her that he was going to be mentioning the data collected.. the discussions the three of them had had back at the Mansion.. the solutions and break through they had come across.. though her reaction had him a little perplexed..-.. I grabbed everything yes.. notes.. tests and studies.. samples.. I am nothing if not organised to a fault dear Rose.. -it was true.. out of everyone he knew he never forgot anything .. he was a planner.. she told him she was just learning.. that she didn't want to head back into her studies with everyone looking at her.. that it would some how piss people off.. his brow arched there.. a curious look crossed him-.. I could never take full credit for something that I dont deserve.. Faelon and I spent a lot of time on the earlier work.. getting the base studies down.. the wider ranges.. the ingredients and.. numerous tests.. it wasn't until a fresh set of eyes looked upon it.. that we were able to make that break through.. That.. that right there was all you and you should be rewarded for that..

-his hands came down to rest there upon his lap-.. Now I am not going to force anything upon you.. I wont lie for you.. I wont take credit where credits not due.. but I wont make you have to take it.. I can simply not mention the work at all during the seminar.. You just have to say the word and its gone.. -he reached across to her.. his fingers brushing her cheek just softly..-.. You will always be able to sneak away.. there will always be a way.. -he tapped the tip of her nose with a finger.. they spoke a little on Anouk and the sudden new wardrobe she had selected.. now he had no idea really that Anouk had so many feelings for him per say.. the moment was small and he saw her as a friend.. a very close friend and someone he would do anything for.. but as per usual .. he was a guy and most of this stuff just flew right over their heads..

he tilted his head when she spoke on where the items had come from.. who was financing the new items..-.. Does it really matter where they come from.. and who is financing it?.. is it really that important to you?..-he wasn't using any untoward tone with her he was genuinely curious.. -.. As for the items being really beautiful.. mm.. no I disagree.. it's not the items angel.. its you.. that make them beautiful.. as for you not being used to it.. well.. Im sorry but.. you're going to have to get used to it.. People are going to look at you.. regardless of what you wear.. You're kind hearted and sweet, you're honest and helpful.. to everyone... you're incredibly smart and witty.. You're funny and so very sharp.. and then with all those incredibly fine features just flowing from you.. you're also beautiful.. Incredibly Fucking Beautiful..

-he nodded when she spoke about them running off a week after the seminar.. how she herself would also have an easy alibi.. -.. sounds perfect.. -he whispered.. the curtains drawn carefully.. cautiously around them so as to not draw any attention.. before he just gave in to the urges that were coming to a head.. and he kissed her.. this one was stronger.. deeper.. his tongue all but begging for access to her mouth.. she fell into it.. making it all the more hotter..

is poor heart stuttered.. his body temperature rose dramatically and then.. he pulled back.. just enough to be able to speak out a breathy apology.. her own response was little more than a heated whine.. begging him to not.. before she pulled him into her.. another kiss taking place.. stealing them both for a few moments as they just went with it.. they allowed it to consume them whole.. the way she curled around him though.. her leg stretching over his lap.. hooking him.. he couldn't help the murmur that surfaced.. his body all but flooding with goosebumps.. his throat ran quite a bit dryer than before and those slacks of his.. tighter.. considerably tighter.. she whispered to him.. that they only needed but five minutes.. that she missed him.. as much as he had missed her.. if she only knew how much she had been on his mind.. she plagued his dreams.. his daytime thoughts.. and just how often he had to handle that situation.. was perhaps a little more embarrassing than he was prepared to admit..

he had to pull away.. he knew it.. though his sharper shorter breathing and coloured cheeks betrayed him easily.. he brought up them heading back to Arvandor.. and how she could bring Kit if she wanted.. someone there that she knew.. since he wouldn't be around.. at least not for a few days.. he nodded when she spoke about Kit dating an elf.. and how she was going to play cupid.. before she corrected herself and went on to speak about Hanali.. as she brushed her soft warm finger tips along the golden rose tattoo.. his lids felt heavy.. half closing as he exhaled so softly.. oh this was maddening.. he swallowed.. did she realise what she was doing? with those innocent touches?.. he wondered sometimes.. for someone who was lacking in a lot of general knowledge about sex.. she sure knew how to fire him up.. maybe he was just a sucker for her.. a slave to her .

.his body knew what it wanted.. his heart and mind were coming up close second and third.. they weren't about to argue against it.. hell the weekend they spent in that cabin was the most freedom they had had in a very long time.. no stress.. no over thinking just good old fashioned pleasure.. the fog rolled in.. he heard some of her words.. though at times it sounded as though they were in a tunnel.. they spoke a little about the book and some of the things that would be said at the seminar.. there was some talk about what her Mothers and the women in the family would think of her.. and of their .. well.. sex life.. before clear as day he heard her say ten minutes.. he blinked.. feeling her guiding his hands over to the loose ties upon her gown.. the way the bows just fell away.. revealing just how naked she was beneath.. his lips parted.. he took a breath.. his gaze.. those strong green and blues lifted.. looking to her..-.. are.. -hesitation.. his voice crackling just a little.. remaining low..just in case-.. are you sure?..-he enquired.. he didn't want to hurt her.. he didn't want to set her back.. sure he had dealt with patients that had been affected by poisons before.. he himself was one of them.. but not three of the strongest poisons known to man.. all at once.. recovery could be choppy at best..

perhaps he was over thinking it.. however before his mind even processed the question to himself he felt her lips upon his own once more.. thats all the answer he needed.. he fell into the kiss.. his tongue once more begging entrance to those silky heated depths whilst his hands.. soft and warm made their way down her sides.. down along those curves.. the feeling of her smooth skin was pure heaven.. he just had to touch her.. needed to.. desired to.. cupping those beautifully rounded breasts..his thumbs brushing over those tiny hardened nipples.. coaxing them.. tormenting her a little.. and then a little more.. -.. I could never.. ever neglect my patient.. -he whispered between kisses.. his teeth capturing her lower lip.. giving it a light tug.. before diving back into that kiss once more.. tasting of her.. devouring her..

she'd stolen his breath on so many occasions it was his turn to return the favour.. he felt her hands upon his shirt.. sliding down as she unbuttoned his slacks..making short work of the zipper.. they were tight.. extremely so.. she'd had quite an affect on him.. she had to have been able to feel that brushing against her palm.. even though the fabric.. -.. 9 minutes.. -he almost growled at her.. his lips tearing away from hers as he trailed them down along her jawline.. to attack the curve of her neck.. they had to keep quiet.. they had to keep it to whispers.. sure there was no one in the ward at that very moment but realistically they could change at Any moment.. maybe not nurses for at least 9 minutes.. but the other patients yes.. he reached down to unbutton his own shirt.. swiftly making short work of it.. letting it fall open.. there was no time to strip down.. plus it would mean having to put it all back on.. he just needed to feel her against him.. he needed her bodies heat.. her softness.. he needed her.. all of her..

kissing down along that gentle junction.. between neck and shoulder.. his free hand began to slide down between them .. through that supple soft valley.. across the delicate feminine rise of her stomach.. her waist.. her hips.. he lifted his head then.. to look to her.. his gaze seeking out her own.. watching.. waiting for her to look back up to him.. as he brushed his finger tips down along that sweet little slit of hers.. a feather light touch.. he wanted to play.. he wanted to spend hours just.. tormenting her.. teasing her.. but he knew now wasn't the time.. those fingers of his dipped between those sweet lips.. he closed his mouth then as he felt just how hot.. just how wet she was.. his brows furrowed and he whined as quietly as he could-.. Fuck.. -whispered.. looking to her there.. he circled her entrance.. once.. twice.. before dipping a finger inside her.. it would be then that he would take her mouth hostage.. he didn't want her crying out.. he didn't want her moaning.. she could yes but into his mouth only.. that solitary finger dipped deeper.. and deeper.. hooking a little.. Fuck she was so slick.. So tight.. he withdrew it slowly.. adding a second.. just.. smooth.. slow motions.. dipping quickly every so often in amongst the slower thrusts.. would she take a third?.. she was already incredibly tight.. though maybe she'd prefer something else ..something a bit harder.. quite a bit thicker..something that was just aching for a turn..-

[BadInfluence]

She really hadn’t been paying much attention to how bad it had been, she’d been living in it at the time, and all she could say? Was it was hell. Pure. Hell. It had hurt, hell in a lot of ways, she still hurt. Especially with them taking her off the Morphine now, oh it, was coming back in some pretty shitty ways... She’d been hit with so many spasms and siezures, and then of course the pressure of chest compressions, the way her ribs felt cracked and bruised... But she’s never let a moment of it show, not a whit, she was too worried for him... He’d been scared abouther dying, she was scared of never seeing him, but she was here... Because of him. In her mind? What else mattered? They were together, weren’t they? Hell with a plus one to boot, so in her mind? Yeah... She was doing damn well...



The smile shone in her green brown eyes like someone holding up a kaleidascope of color behind them, oh she did adore flowers, and flowers from him? Well that just made them about a hundred times better. Anything that came from him she treasured, kept it close like a precious momento, and she’d never take any of it for granted. She was sad to see them go into that vase but they’d last so much longer there, so she’d let them go, focusing on him... Always him. She mentioned what had happened, seeing the way his demeanor shifted, the quiet breath... She curled her fingers around him just a little bit tighter. “I know... But if it ever happened... I’d come back, I promise... No matter what.” How she’d do that? Well fuck if she knew! But if there was a way, she’d find it, she’d give her soul up if that was what it took to stay by his side. She’d never leave him to be alone again.



“It burned down?” She asked, genuinely suprised to hear the news, after all no one had told her. No one could, she’d locked herself in while she’d been sick, thinking it was just a common cold that spiraled quickly out of her control. He spoke on how he was a wreck already, that the hall was easily double the size, so many people would be there... Other doctors and medical staff... She just smiled at his nerves, taking his hand and kissing along his knuckles softly, running her thumbs along the sides to soothe him. “Well, instead of thinking of it like that, why not shift to something you are comfortable, which is talking to a patient... Imagine everyone there is sick, someone who could be treated with one of the plants you talk about, and you’re going to explain the symptoms and then the treatment. Jsut focus on a few there, keep eye contact with them, rotate through the crowd... If you narrow it to a few faces, it won’t seem nearly so scary, and remember? I’ll be right there with you, so if it gets to be too much, just think of me.” She knew he could do it, but she totally understood the nerves too, hell she herself had her own set going along at a twangy pace in regards to her own secret...



She asked about if he had managed to grab a vial of the latest invention of theirs, a hopeful solution to a problem they encountered too often with other magical beings in need of treated, especially those like the Drow and Dwarves... She brought it up in hopes to side-track him about mentioning her in the study, her part in the breakthrough, and she honestly didn’t want any praise. She could only see it making her life hell as time ticked on, something she really wasn’t wanting or needing, God knew she had enough on her plate right now to right with... But as he explained it all, she was debating it, just... For a moment... Letting the option perhaps settle... Just a moment... Before he mentioned that he wouldn’t lie for her... If he was watching carefully, he might catch the way she almost flinched, a flash of something in her eyes before it was quickly gone... “IF... And I say IF... I were to accept my part in it... Do you think it would help, or hurt, my progress? Did you ever find yourself in that position before? Anything like that? Do you think it would be easy for you, in my shoes?” She wondered if he had ever once come across something like that? Would he want all the attention too? But then again...



“I just relalized... You had all that attention just entering the field because of... Your family... I’m sorry...” Yeah... Super rich daddy, mega good looking, and brilliant? Hell he had been put under the light of a sun compared to the little candle she’d be holding in comparison. “Being rich, single and rediculously handsome definately doesn’t make it easy, does it?...” She said, leaning back against the pillows, all this thinking... She needed to get her head on straight, she had a lot to juggle around, she couldn’t drop something... “Ok... I’ll do it... But if I do? I expect to be up there, with you, by your side. Your partner.” She said as she turned to look at him, catching his eyes, making sure he understood just what she was saying. If he was going to insist she take credit, then she would make sure he did too, because she wasn’t going to be having all the focus on her. Sure, it was His sermon, but maybe knowing she’d be speaking with him at some point through it? Might help ease his nerves... Even if it did make hers jangle and jump a bit. “Does that sound fair to you?” They at least could explain their being together at random times, not as teacher and student, but work colleagues on the same experiment. That would probably go a LONG way to putting some flames out... Then when he went back, the warts boiles and plague bringer going back with him, then heck... The whole thing would pretty much go flatter than a soufle taken out way too early.



In regards to the wardrobe though... Yeah... She had an idea... There were only a few small people, and by that, she meant litterally two people... Two... Who might do that for her... One was Faelon and he had his own family to provide for, to work twoards keeping in clothings and food themselves, so sparing fiances for her? Seemed unlikely... Which left Jacob... “It does, yes... I am pretty sure I already know who it is, but what I want to know is why. I want to hear this person say why they decided to spend thousands of coins on the wardrobe of an orphan?” She liked being invisisble, it helped her survive very well, and unbeknownst to him? It was a defense mechanism... No one wants to molest the mousy looking thing in the corner, everyone wants the pretty girl, so she hit her light under a bushel... Seeing herself without that covering? Made her feel naked in a lot of ways... But on the other hand... She’d be a liar if she didn’t admit... Well, if she didn’t admit that she liked the fact when she dressed up, Jacob looked like he was blind to anyone and anything but her... And... Maybe a little... To see how jealous he could get when someone else noticed her. Oh, it was terrible true, but she just remembered that night at the resturaunt... Her heart picking up, a soft flush across her cheeks, oh... Oh how valliant he was... Perfect... Her protecter... “I don’t have a choice now but to wear them... But are you sure you can handle other people noticing me?” She teased, just a little, reaching upto run her fingers along the nape of his neck. “Though I fully intend on paying you back for all the clothes Jacob... But I’ll let you choose the currency...” A dangerous gamble but what could she say? He had left a VERY educational book in her hands, and oh, she’d read that thing back to front and up and down... And STILL read it, over and over again, soaking every little thing up that she could... And a good chunk of that book had to do about foreplay, teasing, flirting and other ways to delight a partner before the act of sex...



It was almost too easy to plan their first rondesvous, it was easily explained, perfectly aligned... A chance to just run... Get away for some privacy... Something that they had so precious little of that if not for that trip away, they’d probably still only be at kissing, and innocently at that. She laughed softly when he tapped the tip of her nose before closing the screen, and like him, her heart trebbled its beat... He had nothing to be embarassed about, she had wanted him so badly it hurt, been a physical ache... She almost took him in the carriage before they even got to the Inn! What made it really hard too, was while being sick, she had the need but couldn’t do anything about it... Her dreams were constantly filled with him and she woke up with such a terrible throbbing ache she couldn’t see to...



The kiss was all that was needed to toss a match onto the fire, letting it spark and flare so sweetly, parting her lips under him to give him everything he wanted... Everything they needed... She lusted for him like a shopaholic for a diamond sale, but you know, a thousand times worse... When that kiss ended? His apology? Oh hell no! She told him flat out there was nothing to apolgize for, she missed him too, and she was far from afraid to show it... Privacy might be on the slim side but you know? Some things are just worth getting busted for...



Sadly though, that kiss did have to end, and they both struggled valliantly to try and bank their personal fires... Turning the topic to the visit, the fact he’d be gone a whole weekend, and she’d be with his family... Yeah there was a LOT of nerves there for her but she’d manage... Suck it up... Besides she did have a very good reason to go... One being Kit who had gone on a date with a rather handsome elf who had turned her head quite around and vice verse... Saying she would like to play cupid before she corrected herself... Gently touching the tattoo behidn his ear, his fealty to his Goddess, the Goldenheart who she was still learning about... Though she was unaware of just how hard she hit him? It wasn’t one sided by any means... There were times when she only had to look at him and her brain hit the gutter harder than a badly thrown bowling ball... All she could do sometimes were try to distract her mind, but that often lead to her finding various places to go and have a good hard and fast romp with him... Which you know, only made it all that much worse, especially when she knew... She knew all it would take was a touch... A gentle word... And they’d be fucking in linnen closets and storage rooms like teenagers...



She tried so damned hard to keep things going on the less physical side of things but it just... It wasn’t happening... She was failing... So was he... Why not go down together then? She made that slight joke about his parents more so watching to make sure they were having enough sex versus you know, not having it at all, and that? Just lead to her counting down the time... They had ten minutes... Seven in heaven and three for clean up pretty much... “Does a bear shit in the woods?” She asked in regards to if she was sure. “If you don’t fuck me right here, right now, I think I’m just going to go crazy...” Yes, she said fuck, such a dirty little word... But sexy too... Like dark chocolate, wonderfully taboo, and it rolled off her tongue so nicely... She kissed him then and pulled him down, the last bit a clincher, telling him it was good for her... And it was! Got the heart pumping, all those lovely endorphines and happy little mood boosters, there wasnt a downside to it... “Thank god for Good Doctors...” She said in reply to him stating he could never neglect his patient as he kissed her back...



Oh that bottom lip! He had to know what that did to her, as if she needed any more encouragement, she was already on fire for him! She went for his slacks, feeling just how tight they were, as if he so much as flexed his cock he’d tear through that zipper of his... It was impossible to avoid the moan that fell from her lips, tumbling between his to savor and taste, her fingers curling in around his girth. At first? Yeah she swore there was NO way that thing could fit, he was about as endowed as an elephant, maybe more... But after that first time, so slow and sweet infront of the fireplace, when she could give herself fully over to him?... Shit, it’s been downhill from there, like a bounder down Mt. Everest... She was addicted, the stretching and pulling, how deep he bottomed out in her... They were perfectly matched and oh... Oh did he ever so perfectly know how to use that cock of his on her...



It wasn’t by chance she was pregnant after all, they’d made love more times than she had fingers and toes to count on, and that included his too! That sort of addiction, that fire, it’s not easily banked by any means... And she had a feeling thiers would only get stronger... She guided his hands to her ties and when it fell down, she was obviously arroused, her soft shell pink nipples rouched up and waiting... Her heart thudding behind her chest, rising and falling in tandem with her breaths, her fingers... God she couldn’t get everywhere... She needed more hands... She made fast work of his slacks, albeit not the smoothest motions, she got him out and in her hands as he kissed along her neck... Biting her lip to the point of blood to keep from making a sound... Good practice, right?



Arching up into him she began to stroke him over, almost twitching as he touched her, pushing her head back into the pillows as she stiffed a whimper of pleasure... Just his fingers on her innocent skin made her feel like she was going to pop, but when he went lower, his fingers over her slit... “ohMiGod-!!” She gasped and went still uder him, in such sweet shock and awe, her pale lips perfectly sweet and wet for him... Oh yes, she needed him, wanted him to the point of pain. She raked her nails down his chest and down his abs before gripping him a bit firmer in her fingers, her movements hot and hurried... Plesure pushing her hard, wanting him close before they came together, wanting them to cum in tandem... And she? Oh she knew it would be laughably fast before she shot off like a star... Her other hand? Slid down his arm to rest her fingers over his, feeling him banging her drove her nuts, and thank GOD for that kiss. She moaned breathily against him as she rocked up against his hand, nails digging hotly into the back of his hand before she pulled it away, guiding his cock towards her... “Please... Fuck... Fuck me now...” She panted against his lips, her words were muted, whispered between them but... Oh... Sweet fuck yes...



She’d wriggle beneath him as he mounted her, panting and shivering, her heart a pathetic mess... She wouldn’t even give him a chance to fully slide down into her, she’d be meeting him half way, taking him full to the hilt in one smooth lift of her hips... She couldn’t stop her nails from raking up his back, stopping with one hand on his shoulder where her nails dug in, the other tangled in his hair...



She’d lose herself in him, uncaring and unaware of anything around them, her eyes closed... Unaware that one of the nurses? Had forgotten her chart and had come back while they were talking, quietly eavesdropping, and oh... Oh what a story to tell the papers! They were offering quite a large pot of money for any information about the woman in the carriage and now? Ohhhh my my my! She was about to sneak out when she realized that as she had been leaving? They had started to have sex behind the screen! She could hear the bed creaking, the heavy breathing, and before she knew it? The smell of it on the air...

[Deleted]

..he honestly had no idea that she didn't know about the original venue burning down, though when he took a moment to think on it.. it made sense.. she'd been so sick when they returned.. and then she ended up in here.. there was no time for her to say.. pick up a paper.. and nearly everyone stayed away in case she had something contagious..-..Oh yes.. of course you didn't know.. I found out when we got back into the city.. they arent sure what caused it.. but it looks like it was deliberate.. -his brows furrowed-.. though that they thought they could gain from it.. I'm really not sure.. it was just a beautiful large building at the University.. Which reminds me I have to go and speak with the Dean and the committee down there.. to fund something new being rebuilt.. The University served me extremely well when I was here to study.. and Id hate to see them disadvantaged in any way .

.-he spoke about his nerves and how they were starting to get to him.. how they were beginning to make it difficult.. he knew he had to get a handle on it and soon...her solution though was sound.. and it made him think.. reaching up to rub his chin a thoughtful expression crossing his features.. -.. you know thats actually a really good idea.. I could see myself doing that.. not looking at the large open area as a mass of people.. but more.. patients dotted here and there.. -he nodded..shooting her a playful wink-.. beautiful and brainy.. what a package.. -he was thankful for her.. she saw things in a different light to him.. and then was able to attack them from a completely different angle.. they spoke a little further on what he was going to discuss at the seminar.. and he mentioned the break though she had made back at the Mansion.. this however seemed to make her uncomfortable.. she did not want to be put in the spotlight.. he questioned her reasoning and told her he wouldn't outright lie ..he caught the flinch and it made him sit up a little.. curious -. is everything ok?.. -he'd question..

his head tilting a little there.. she asked if her accepting the spotlight would help or hinder her progress-. I cant see how it would hinder it.. not really.. it might put more on your plate yes.. as people will be curious and will want to ask questions.. but realistically.. you will make it what you will.. you can either run with it.. or accept the praise graciously and then just put your head in the books.. See.. -he perched himself on the edge of her bed there.. his hands coming down to clasp together-.. something like this.. being such a big breakthough in such a tough science will get attention.. from the higher ups.. and the more of those that know you.. the better in the long run.. There will be an event after the seminar.. for the Council and doctors.. a dinner ..some light entertainment.. maybe some dancing if people are inclined..its for senior staff only.. the students and nurses usually throw their own bash back at the University.. i believe you.. -he cleared his throat-.. heard about it..-the nude runs.. that they did when they were young doctors.. his cheeks coloured a little and he waved his hand-

.. in any rate.. I would be wanting you to attend the senior function with Dr Barathon.. as I feel you would gain an incredible amount from the introductions you would be privy to.. now.. this might not go down real well with some of the other nurses.. afterall.. it would be you and not them attending.. -he reached for her hands-.. I was asked to go.. with Barathon.. and well.. yeah it made things difficult afterwards.. especially with Ricarnarvon.. but the information I gained.. the studies I was shown and the people I was introduced to.. furthered my career in ways I dont think I could have found on my own.. well not without a great deal of work .. -he offered her a smile-.. But in the end.. really.. The decisions lay with you.. I will not bring it up at the seminar if it is going to make you uncomfortable in any way.. I can merely bring it up afterwards.. I will mention your invite to Barathon only if you are ok with that.. I am not your owner my dear.. I cant tell you what to do.. I can only offer you suggestions and opportunities.. it is up to you as to wether or not you accept.. -he offered her a smile.. he honestly wanted the best for her.. from all avenues.. but he also recognised that she was not used to the spotlight being upon her..

she was not used to people looking at her.. talking about her.. and unfortunately it was not going to get any better from here.. -.. If I do mention it though.. yes you will be at my side along with Faelon.. it was a group effort afterall.. -discussions were held on a little vacation get away... they could take off to shimmershine.. no one would recognise them there.. they could be free to be themselves.. though would it be ok?.. to parade themselves infront of Anouk like that?.. they spoke on clothing and how the pink haired pixie had reworked her wardrobe.. getting her all the finest pretty things she could muster.. who was funding it though came up and he asked her if it really mattered who it was.. she said it did.. that she desired to know who and why.. he exhaled a little.. his hand rose as he reached around to rub against the back of his neck.. it put him in an awkward position..

-.. It's me.. though I'm certain you had already figured that out.. it's been me all along.. -he offered her a smile all be it small.. blinking a few times-.. Its hard to explain the reasoning.. but.. -he rubbed his lips together.. his hand fell back to his lap-.. I do it because I can.. because I am in the position to do so.. I feel almost disgusted at the amount of money I have ..and it just continues to build.. what I have spent.. -he looked up to her there-.. has already been replaced.. -his brows furrowed-.. I saw what you came to the Mansion with.. very little.. I listened when you told me of your upbringing.. and how you had so little.. and I wanted to help.. I wanted you to want for nothing.. I know you dont Need anything.. I know youd never ask.. you're not that kind of person.. unless you were really in a bind.. I wanted to give you Everything.. Beautiful things for a beautiful soul.. I wanted to see you smile.. I wanted everyone else to see.. what I saw.. that first afternoon in the meeting hall.. those eyes that just sparkled.. that smile that just made my heart stutter.. I was not the most pleasant ..and I frightened a lot of people away that day.. all except one.. and she was stubborn and had the sharpest wit.. i had Ever witnessed..

-he recalled her giving Ricarnarvon a dressing down on day 1.. chuckling softly as he took her hands in his.. caressing her fingers-.. I dont want you to feel uncomfortable.. or that you owe me anything.. because you dont.. not a single thing.. If anything I owe you.. so much.. for bringing me back.. I was in such a dark place.. and you were the light I needed to find my way out of it.. I would give it all up.. all of it.. every single red cent.. to be allowed to stand at your side Rose.. -he lifted her hand.. to brush his lips against the back of it..-.. as for other people noticing you.. Oh yes.. I can handle that.. the touching thing.. maybe not so much.. -he chewed back on a smile there.. the curtain had been drawn across..the ward was silent.. just the sounds of their own voices.. most of the nurses seemed to have taken off.. the patients outside or with their doctors..

the two shared a kiss.. a hot little moment.. she mentioned how long they had.. how many minutes between the nurses shifts.. and it was just enough to light those lusty fires deep within.. the kisses deepened and clothing began to be unbuttoned.. her robe fell open and he just about fell off the side of the bed.. fuck she was beautiful.. he had to touch her.. he had to caress and hold every sweet supple inch of her.. he could feel her fumbling around with the zipper and button of his slacks.. he thanked the goddess he didn't bother with a belt or anything more complicated today..though when she reached in and took his cock in her warm hands he was glad they were lip locked.. he couldn't help the moan or the growl that followed it quickly thereafter.. he was rock hard.. his body was hot.. he felt heavy and the need was incredibly strong ..

he felt her arching into him.. curling in tighter.. closer.. he held her.. he grasped and grabbed at her.. cupping those beautifully rounded breasts.. thumbs lightly brushing across tight little buds.. his own shirt opened.. he had to feel her against him.. he needed that closeness.. his hands trailed lower.. down over the delicate rise of her stomach.. down between those sweet creamy thighs.. he could feel that heat.. and just how slick she was.. he parted those lips.. hearing her gasp he couldn't help it.. he bucked against her hands.. against her hold.. -.. Fuck.. -he hissed.. his teeth gritting down.. she was assaulting him in only the sweetest way possible.. her nails upon his skin.. leaving angry red lines here and there.. digging down into his shoulders.. he was doing all he could to stop himself from moaning so much louder.. his breath was heavy and sharp.. hisses... gasps and many.. Many curse words were shared amongst them both.. he dipped a finger into her.. whining at how tight she was.. how hot.. how wet.. slick.. smooth and silky.. a second finger soon followed and he tormented her with it..

before she all but sliced into his hand with her nails.. pulling his hand away.. begging him to fuck her.. his lips were so close to her own.. drinking in her laboured breaths.. he didn't need to be asked twice.. he manipulated that sweet body of hers.. drawing her toward the middle of the bed.. it creaked a little with the extra weight.. but realistically she weighed nothing.. and he himself not a great deal more.. so together they would be lucky to equal a human adult male at best..she wriggled beneath him..settling into a perfect position..he was swift.. quick in his movements.. he needed her.. his desire was off the fucking charts by this stage.. sex with her was becoming an addiction.. he reached down to draw her knees up and around-.. wrap them around me.. -he'd whisper.. as he leant down over her.. she'd feel his weight.. though not all of it.. he didn't want to hurt her and he recognised she was still in a somewhat fragile state.. he held himself up somewhat with his knees and an elbow..

face to face they were.. his free hand had slid down to hook just around her thigh as his cocks head slid down between those slick wet lips of hers.. pressing against her entrance before he just dove right on in.. he didn't even get half way before she lifted her ass up off the bedding.. forcing him the rest on her own terms.. and he had to force his head down into the pillow to the right of her head.. -.. Fuck..he growled.. whining.. his teeth gritting down.. she was incredibly tight.. and hot.. and my god did that feel good.. his breath caught.. his heart started beating erratically.. the two of them moved together .. his head remained close.. up near her own.. lips locked.. a kiss that was deep and also not.. they needed to cry out.. they needed to moan .. but they didn't have the ability too.. they had to keep as quiet as they could and that was a fucking chore at best.. he could feel her tits bouncing as he thrust up into her.. the way those hardened little buds dragged against his bared chest.. and whilst they were doing all they could to remain quiet.. there was no way to disguise the sounds of their bodies meeting.. or that scent..

his breath was getting shorter as he looked to her there.. his brows furrowed.. he looked visibly pained.. his hand had shifted from her hip up to cup and grab at one of her breasts.. to hold it.. to toy with it.. to twist and tug upon it.. he was not going to last long.. he knew that for a fact ..she'd been on his thoughts for the better part of the day..the earlier kisses hadn't helped.. the tormenting.. the playing.. all of it came to this.. the pair of them entwined.. joined.. and just fucking enjoying one another thoroughly.. secret little rendezvous.. he tore his lips away.. whining softly as he continued to thrust up into her.. plying her hips down harder into the bedding.. she had to see the effect she had on him.. it was written there all over his face.. that and his body.. the way his muscles were contracting.. grabbing and holding as he held himself back..

he dipped down.. moving her head to the side as his lips breathed hot into her right ear-.. cum for me angel.. -he growled.. his body began to tremble against hers.. he sunk his teeth into her earlobe.. then her shoulder.. before he would lay a perfect almost violent claim on her lips.. he couldn't hold it.. she would have felt him stiffen considerably.. before he just exploded.. coating her.. hot and sticky.. and it was no small amount.. his body jerked and he gasped against her lips.. he couldn't hold back the groan.. though it was mostly muffled.. he left quite a handprint upon one of those tits of hers.. he had gripped it like a vice when he climaxed.. -.. Oh my god.. -he whined.. his breath little more than gasps there against hers.. -.. Fuck i love you..

-he exhaled.. he knew he had to get up.. he knew time was of the essence.. in the corner of his eye he was sure he spotted a shadow.. but.. in that moment it didn't quite register.. he swallowed harshly.. quite a few times.. peppering her cheeks with soft wet little kisses.. he would slowly withdraw.. hissing a little as it was not something he desired to do.. she felt too fucking good.. and he could have just kept on going..easily..-.. Im sorry my sweet.. -a kiss to her shoulder there as he slowly rolled around and moved to stand.. stumbling on his feet a little.. managing to knock a tray off the bench.. it hit the floor with a loud crash.. his eyes widened and he groaned a little.. he could hear nurses calling out.. he cleared his throat-.. My Fault.. -calling out to them as they scrambled to pick up the steel trays and medical objects.. it would thankfully keep them occupied a little bit longer as he adjusted his slacks.. quickly doing up his buttons.. though his tie had fallen under the bed.. he quickly pulled her sheet up.. his cheeks were beet red by this stage.. there was a bit of an awkward chuckle and he was breathing like he had run a marathon -.. you are incredible..-he'd whisper to her.. sharing a quick little kiss.. before the nurses threw back that curtain-

[BadInfluence]

She didn’t pay attention to much of anything, one side of course was due to the quarantine, and the other? Was because she had been so focused on her books, catching up on what she had missed while they were gone, determined to stay ahead of the curb as much as she could. So the burning down of the building hadn’t come anywhere near her. She was silent as she listened to what he said, the information of what had occured, his wishes to help with the rebuilding... “If you wish to do that, why not dedicate it to Dr. Barathons wife? She was a big part of your life, and he had served the univercity for years, taken a part in molding many lives there... Given her recent passing I think it would be incredibly kind to do, and a wonderful way to remember a very kind, very loving woman.” He didn’t have to do it of course, but she had a feeling in her heart that now he had heard her speak of it? He’d want to do nothing else... She was sure he would have thought of it on his own at one point, but they were partners, weren’t they? That meant she was there to help him think of things before they came on thier own, to keep him on track, so to speak.



He spoke of his nerves and she thought his main concern? Was the size... He was nervous with so many people, so she thought of a way to break it down into segments, make it easier to process than trying to swallow it all on the whole. If he looked at it from a medical perspective, patients in the group, then he could use that to his advantage... Take his passion and compassion, roll it into one, use that to cut through the fear... She couldn’t help the bright, sunny smile that spread on his face when he took the idea and ran with it, the wink he gave her. “Mmmhmm, aren’t you just doomed, huh?” She teased and leaned back into him just a little. Yeah, she was trying to get better at the compliments, to take them and run with them rather than try to defute them or run from it.



When thye talked about the latest break through, when he mentioned he wouldn’t lie, yeah... She flinched... It made her hurt, both her concious and her heart were pricked, and she wished... She really wanted to tell him in a way, especially now that there was no question in regards to what it was, that it had all stabilized but... There was so much going on, not just between them, but in their worlds too... Telling him right now was just... It wasn’t the right time by any means, and it should be her choice when and how to tell him, shouldn’t it? When he asked if everything was ok?... She paused, chewing on her bottom lip a touch, her fingers curling in a bit tighter about his hand. “Yes and no... I’m keeping a secret from you... It’s a present... I’m just waiting for the right time to give it to you. Dr. Barathon knows, I talked to him about it but I asked him to keep it a secret for a while...” She said with a smile, a shrug of her shoulders, a look of apology in her eyes. She was telling him... Sort of? Was this ok? It had to be... Because she wasn’t ready in any way to tell him about thier latest ah... Development. “Don’t ask about it, because it will ruin the surpirse! I just felt bad because it feels like I’m lying to you in a way, but if it’s a present, it’s ok isn’t it? To keep it secret until it’s time to give it to you?” There... That helped... She didn’t feel NEARLY as guilty, and looking at the baby in the form of a present, made it seem less... Overwhelming?



Mentioning her dislike for the spotlight, her fear and concerns, the thought that if she were put out in the forefront it would bounce back on her hard. She asked him for his opinion on this, his thoughts, after all he had been there more than once... HIs talents, looks, and wealthy family went and put him on one hell of a spot after all... How had he handled it? She listened with rapt attention, taking it all again, just as she had when he had been teaching her... Soaking up every bit of what he said, breaking it down, putting it to practical application... He, as always, made a great point... Soaking it up, letting it roll through her brain like honey in the sun, nodding her head a bit... “It comes with it’s own risks, having a lot of attention put on me, but it comes with perks too... Your right in regards to it opening doors I might not have access to otherwise, and right now that’s important to have, especially with how quickly I want to move through my studies...” It was hard to face up to it, but he was right, it all made a LOT of sense... It went against her grain, she preferred to linger in the shadows, to play the part of wallflower... When he mentioned those nude runs, she did recall he and Dr. Faelon mentioning those, her lips curlingin a grin. “Might be better if I go to the other gathering then, huh? Imagine what would happen if I went on a streaking run hmm?” She couldn’t imagine him handling that with any grace. He’d likely drop was he was doing and chace her about with a lab coat. Not that she’d ever streak though, she was rarely ever naked, and he was the only person who knew why...



“Nothing worth doing is easy, or so I heard, though I have to say... Falling in love with you? Was the easiest thing I’ve ever done... Keeping it secret was hard work though.” She said with a smile, reaching out to rest her hand over his, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I already have enemies among the nurses as we both know, a few more won’t change the world, and I’ve shown I’m pretty good at serving up the same dish to others that they wish to give to me... I’m not too worried about that part at least... Other students might be tricky but...” Well, she’d come to that when they came to it, wouldn’t she? After all, she would already have a lot on her plate with the baby, so maybe doing this might keep peoples eyes on her brain rather than who she might entwine with romantically... Hell, having associates in the higher areas, that might just be the ticket she needed... “If Dr. Barathon doesn’t mind, yes, I’ll go... In our field, we have to face the uncomfortable head on, otherwise we won’t grow as Doctors.” Plus if they both kept busy, he might not notice what was going on with her for a while, giving her more time to come to terms with it herself... Find a way to break it to him that would be incredibly romantic and stir his heart...



“Though I want to make something clear...” She said, reaching up to cup his cheek in her hand, stroking her thumb along his cheekbone. “There is no one in this world who can tell me what to do unless I want it... And the only person in existance I would? Is you...” She said, pulling him in for a sweet, loving hug... Innocent and warm, full of love, of support... She wasn’t a slave by any means, she wouldn’t bend and break like a twig, she had too much sap in her blood to make her so brittle... But she would bend for him, she’d sway under his will if he wanted it, and he was the only man in existance she would do that for... They talked about her accepting her part in the break through, honestly if he was doing this on purpose, he deserved extreme kudos for working her around where he wanted her to be... To accepting things, her place in his world, and all the spotlights that came with it. She would never be fully comfortable with it, no, but in the end? There were worse things... So much worse...



“I know... But at some point? I’ll be there anyways when we come out together... Maybe in doing this? I’ll shut a lot of noses in their doors... If I show I’m just as gifted as any competitor for your heart, that I have my own talent, I burn under my own star... Then they can’t really say I’m not worthy of you... There will always be mothers who say it, who want you for their own child, and I can’t blame them for it... But at least I won’t be so deep in the shadows everyone has to peer at me to try and see my own light.” Oh yeah... He had her where he wanted her to be... And all he had to do? Was break it down and explain the logic for it all... Show her it made more sense to accept it than insisit otherwise...



They spoke about sneaking off to Shimmershine with Anouk for one of thier little get aways, and while Jacob was oblivious to how Anouk felt for him? She herself was very, very well aware of it, and she might have her own ideas... A date just between those two, a chance for Anouk to have her fairy tale moment, evne if it was only for a few hours... Every girl deserves her cinderella moment... She knew Anouk loved Jacob, but maybe that love might be softened with a date, a chance to get Anouks deepest wishes out? That might just help her move past it, see another fairy or an elf in a different light... After all, being in love can sometimes be like a fever, and it won’t break until something happens... She was just hoping it would work... She would push them together for a few hours, with a very clear statement that what ever happens, stays on that date. She herself wouldn’t want to know about it, one because she wasn’t sure just how badly her jealousy might prick her for one, and two? Well honestly, if anything DID happen, it was Anouks story... Not hers.



She did call him out on the wardrobe though... She had a sneaking suspicion, after all the list of people who might be that kind to her was quite small, and the only other person had a family to provide for... And didn’t have the massive excess of funds that Jacob did. So you see, at the end of the day, it was pretty much as obvious as a nose on someones face... And she wanted to hear it from him... She wanted to know why. She doubted it was to get in her pants, because yeah they both knew? That wasn’t going to happen! Well... It had but... Not because of clothes. “I knew it was you... But thank you for telling me... Faelon is a brilliant man and he is nice to people who he thinks worth it, but I doubt be’d drop a considerable amount of money on someone’s wardrobe, especially someone not his lovely wife.” She said with her own smile, reaching out to take his hands in hers for a moment, shaking her head. “I do need something though. I need you... Clothes are like paint in a picture, it’s just fine in charcoal but some people prefer color, and you? You just wanted to splash it across my life... I understand it, I do, you only did it because of the size of your heart... But next time?” She asked, her smile shifting, turning just a little bit wicked. “YOU have to come with me, understand? You have to pick it out, not Anouk, I want to see just what sort of brush you wanted to paint my life with...” She said innocnetly at first before tightening her fingers around his hands just a bit, stroking along his fingers suggestivly... “There’s a place called Athena’s Unmeantionables... Anouk tells me it’s the best place in the entire continent for a woman to shop for underthings in... That’s the place you’ll be taking me to.” Oh she knew it was a bit on the naughty side, putting him on the spot in a way, but she had multiple reasons for it... It was more than just a single purpose type thing, it had so many reasons for them going together, and one? One of those was to prepare for a weekend away... To see how mad he might get to see her in something he picked out... Just how much hotter would he get for it? Would he go a little wild? What would he pick out for her? Something sweetly seductive? Or something dark and tempting, wild and uninhibited?... Just where did his tastes lie?



“Speaking of my sharp wit...” She said as she continued to stroke along hsi fingers, thier earlier kiss while innocent and sweet, was far from pure... He’d never be able to touch her, kiss her, without sparking some sort of light inside her... “Watch what you say, that last bit there, almost sounds like a proposal.” She didn’t think he was ready to go there, hell, they were so shiny new... Like a newly minted gold coin... They loved each other, deeply and with a sincere sort of madness, he drove her wild... They were perfect for each other, absolutely suited in a way no one but the gods could have lined up with centuries of forethought, but even so? Marriage was a tender spot for him, something that should have been a happy union of the rest of his life, that so sacred insitution... It had been poisoned and ruined for him, and never once would she blame him for how he felt about it, and if he never proposed? She’d accept that... Cora was a sort of bitter taste that never really leaves... It lingers on the tongue like the toxin she was, like metal poisoning, you can never really... Purge it completely... Smiling at the kiss to the back of her hand she gave him a sloe eyed wink. “Mmm, I don’t like other people touching me either but I have to admit, watching you punch that guy out at the resturaunt... It made me feel incredibly protected and deeply wanted, but it also made me so hot for you? I almost begged you to take me in the carriage...” Not the healthiest mentality but hey, just about every woman on the planet had that kick, elvish or otherwise!



Ten minutes... That was so not long enough, but at the same time, JUST long enough! The curtain was drawn and they came together like thunder and lightning, drawing into each other hard and fast, a deliciously violent collision... He was so incredibly gentle with her, their lips locked as they touched and stroked, still paying attention to some level of foreplay... Though to be honest? If she weren’t still so newly deflowered? They would’t even need that... He had her wrapped around his pinky desire wise, she wanted it all, every moment of the day... She had to throw herself fully into her studies or she would get nothing done for want of riding his cock... Those fingers were lush, she couldn’t help the moan though she tried, by God she had tried! She rocked up against his hand, her movements hot and hungry, moaning and sighing against his lips... Her hand coming down to rest over his after she made incredibly short work of his pants... One hand around his incredibly thick cock, the other moving with his own, and he could feel it there... WIth each stroke and withdrawl how tight she was, soaking wet and ready for him, coating his fingers with her honey... Sweet and scented of candied violets... She could only take so much though, her body was already tight, that special sensation already tightening for him...



She moved easily for him, lining up under him so he was between her soft as mink thighs, her caramel hued skin a delicious contrast against his own paler coloring... “Fuck me baby, fuck me...” She panted in whispers after taking his hand away from her, she was desperatly needy, and damned if she would waste a minute more than utterly needed! She scored along his skin with her nails, she couldn’t resist it, if she couldn’t make a sound all that energy had to come out somewhere... Thank God they were so light or the bed would have broken under the weight of two bodies, but the metal frame, the older mattress... Oh it made sounds alright... It creaked and shifted as they moved, a higher pitched note to thier bodies joining, the high sweet gasp... Kisses hard and brutal to keep each other quiet, shallow and deep all at once, tongues dancing and dueling between those moans... Curses that just couldn’t, or wouldn’t, be muted... Her tits against his chest... That was the first sign to her something was... Different... Her nipples were so much more sensetive than they’d ever been before, her breasts were surprisingly tender in a way, like when she was having her menses but not... Quite as intense...



That all added to their fire though, rather than put her off or make her want to withdraw, it pushed her harder! She tore deep red welts up his back while she pulled on his hair, thier lips locked so hot and heavy as she arched up into him, thier bodies in a fury of movements together... That hot, sticky sweet slapping sound, the repeated creaking of the bed... She just got tighter and tighter around him as he fucked her, the faster he moved, the more her tits bounced there... The keener the sensations... It was too much... All too much in the best way possible...



She couldn’t take it!



Despite the fact she was a recovering patient, despite the fact she was so much smaller than him, she was strong... It took a sharp move, he’d not expect it, and it would certainly cause the bed to make quite a racket... But she knew what she wanted... What she needed... She rolled them so he was on the mattress now, she sitting stride him, her hands on her own tits... Her hair a glorious wild mess of golden curls bouncing down her back, her head falling onto her shoulders as she rode him hard, nails digging into her skin before she took his hands... Placed them over her tits and showed him how she wanted to be touched... Gripped hard... To the point of pain, of bruising, a fine sheen of pearly sweat dotted her skin as she gave herself up to it all... Up and over to it... Hearing the softest of whispers...



Why...



Why the whispers?...



Even so she couldn’t hold back... She muted every cry but he would feel it in the way her body jerked, the tightening of her abs, the rippling muscles of her body over him... The bright flashes of colors along the flowers that trailed her side in that magical tattooo... “Yes... Yes... Fuck... Don’t-... Don’t stop Jacob... I’m... I’m-...” She breathed, slamming herself down onto him, soaking his thights with her love potion as she whined in the softest... Hottest... Sweetest... Kinkiest litlte whispers... Oh how she made Fuck sound so god damned hot... She was a little hellion atop of him, dropping herself onto his cock over and over again, gyrating and rolling her hips in a frenzy of abandon... She would tighten his fingers over her breasts if he started to go lax, if he went too soft, and her free hands?... Dropped down to her pussy, spreading her lips for him to see her cunt swallowing him whole over and over again, the other rolling her clit in hot tight little circles...



He came first, she knew he was trying not to, and it certainly wasn’t his fault! She didn’t show him any mercy though, she thudded down on him over and over again as he came until a few moments later she followed him, dropping onto his chest and biting into his neck hard to keep her scream of pleasure silent.... Nails digging into his thighs as she dropped down hard and fast over his still throbbing cock, urging him into a violent and rapid second orgasm with her, her movements shallow and her pussy tighter than he could imagine...



Oh... Oh yes...



That? Now THAT was how a quicky should be... Hard... Almost violent, boiling hot and to the point of madness, and oh... Oh so fucking satisfying...



“And I love you Jacob... So much... So fucking much...” She panted atop him, the tears falling freely, it was... Impossible to stop them... She’d thought she lost him for a while, when she was on that table and dying, she had been terrified she would never be with him again... Never smell his skin, see his smile or his beautiful eyes, hear his laugh or know his touch... This mad pleasure between them... The perfection of what they had together, out of bed and in it, this... This perfect soulmate of hers... She never believed in them before, not really, but now? Now there was no denial left in a particle of her being... She just hoped... She hoped it would last... That it wouldn’t sputter and die out... That being with her, the fact she was pregnant... That it wouldn’t all be too much and break him... That he’d prefer to be alone than face what might come...



She rolled with him, panting hard with her hand between her thighs, the other in her hair... Holding it off of her face... She was sweaty and so fucking satisfied, gathering up his cum from between her thighs on her fingers, sucking them clean with little kitten like sounds of pleasure... Oh she would sleep SO good after this! He got dressed, but she? Fuck it. She was in a hospital bed, she’d just stay covered up, and right now? The LAST thing she wanted to do was to remove the scent of him on her skin, or put anything in the way of what her fingers were doing... Of course... All that shifted gears when he knocked the tray over and she sat up, only to suddenly errupt in a fit of the giggles and shake her head, tying the strings quickly, albeit backwards... Throwing her hair into a rapid braid and wiping down her face before looking around... Catching a vial of eucaliptus oil... It was there to rub on her chest to help her breath if she had any issues... She quickly lifted it and opened the lid, letting it drop so it appeared to have been on that tray, and the overwhelming smell? Easily helped hide the scent of sex... “Go!” She said with a loving smile and a fast little kiss returned, pushing him out the other side of the curtain so no one would see his cheeks or how out of breath he was, after all he? Didn’t have the excuse she did! Though that nurse? Miss eavesdropper?...



She was already gone when things got super active, making her way out the other door, leaving the two to... Finish in peace...



The nurses gathered around her, looking at her flushed cheeks, the sweat... She stated that she had a night terror and that Dr. Anikin had hit they tray when she pushed him back before waking up... That he was leaving to get her a sleep sedative to help with the nightmares... She really was fine... No... No need to check her pulse... Yes, water would be good, thank you... Small exchanges... So outside of that one nurse? They had gotten away clean as a whistle...



But oh... That nurse...



She had slipped out the side earlier and went straight to the lab, going to get the charts and all the other medical information there, to get her full name and the like for the tabloids... After all, they were all wondering who she was! But while she was looking for those papers she came across a lab test... A certain test that read someone was in the family way... But no name on the page... That had been carefully ommited by Dr. Barathon, who was well aware of nurses being complete rumor mongers, even the best of them had a weakness for talking amongst each other...



Could it be the girl? The nurse had to wonder, but if that were so, surely it was dead? There was another paper showing unstable measures, then one showing none at all... They were all dated but not with a time stamp, so it seemed to the nurse that the person had miscarried, and given the sex she had heard... Maybe not for long... But WAS it her? She had to do more digging, but given the other females in the wing had no such charts, no tests... There was no way to deny it, she was the only one in the right age in their wing, the only one who had any tests in the last 24 hours...



She could go to the tabloids sure... Or...



This same nurse would casually come to walk beside Jacob as he left, knowing full well why he was a touch out of breath, why he was flushed... “I’m sorry Dr. Anikin but do you know anything about this...” She said, handing him the papers that she had, along with Rose’s chart... “It seems she lost the baby when she started to have the convulsions.” It would seem she was being so... Nice... Terribly nice, in fact... A concerned nurse for a patient who had just suffered a misscarraige... “Do you know if she is... Romantically inclined with anyone? I’m sure the father would want to know... That is, of course, if you think it’s important? She’s such a bright young woman, terribly kind, I’m sure her beaux would want to know...” Oh she knew what she was doing, and while she so desperately wanted the money from the tabloids? She wanted her job too, and she knew she was on strike two, one more and she was out... No other decent place would ever hire her... So rather than go for the money, she was satisfying another craving, which was curriocity and drama... “It looks like she was only just pregnant too... But the good news is at least if they want to have another baby, she can get pregnant quite quickly... A few days or so I would say, given her vitals and her race, terribly fast healing...” She said, looking at him straight in the eye, innocent at first glance....

[Deleted]

..she had told him to run.. to get out of there.. when he had stumbled and knocked the tray over it had made an almighty racket.. the tins and containers tumbled.. metal hitting the tiled floor.. tools and pens and books.. all of it.. he dashed out the side curtain there just as the nurses peeled back the privacy one.. the fabric billowing out as it was tied with the bindings.. a couple of those that attended noticed the gown was tied on the wrong way around.. a brow rose ..a questioned look.. before one of them mentioned quietly to the other that maybe the trainee shouldn't be assisting with gown changes ..the nurses picked up the trays.. the vases.. all of it.. straightening everything back up.. the bottle of oil.. such a strong smell hit them and made a few reel back a touch..the head nurse huffed a little and glanced toward you with an apologetic look-

.. Please excuse some of the girls Ma'am, they are a little green and still learning.. I have high hopes.. -she was the matron of the ward.. and whilst she always wanted to see the best in people she worried at times some people just weren't made for medicine.. a couple of the nurses curtsied and moved off to the other beds.. straightening sheets.. taking up trays.. the other beds were slowly filling up as the patients were coming in.. the matron made a few more notes on the chart..a brow rising at the fact it would appear there were pages missing.. she crouched down to see if they'd fallen.. not locating anything.. except one particular object.. she moved to stand.. closing the board then as she slid the pencil back behind her ear..

she straightened up your bed linen..filling up another glass of water before she moved to turn away.. one of the other nurses had called out for help.. though she remained still.. her back to you for the moment.. she was waiting for you.. to take the tie she had found beneath the bed.. she was holding it behind her back.. when you did she would nod..-.. Have a good evening Ma'am, if you require anything dont hesitate to ring the bell.. -she shot you a knowing wink before she was on her way with an exasperated sigh.. off to help some very troublesome nurses.. maybe the hospital could use some help..



He managed to get out of the ward just before the nurses had all pooled into it.. he was running his fingers back through his hair.. taming it as best he could.. straightening his shirt.. he looked.. well a little dishevelled..he was a touch out of breath.. and his cheeks were red.. he heard the footfalls of a nurse coming up behind him.. his brow rose a little.. please not now.. For the love of the goddess.. he spoke to himself.. rubbing his lips together.. he turned-.. Yes Nurse Silver?.. -he would brush his hand across his brow there.. steeling himself.. -.. What is it you have here then?.. -he would question as she handed him what looked like someones chart.. he patted his pockets.. looking for his glasses.. realisation striking him that they were left upon her bedside.. along with his tie.. he cleared his throat.. the nurse however held out those glasses..-.. I think you must have left these..

-he paused.. taking them from her as he slid them back into place-.. Thank you.. I must have gotten distracted somewhere along the line.. it's been quite a day.. he looked to her when she spoke about someone losing a baby.. there was a miscarriage.. he didn't look to the chart just yet.. convulsions.. the questions about her romantic interest caught his attention-. Well , Im not sure what her romantic inclinations have to do with this nor is it any of our business.. -he glanced toward the chart there.. looking over the observations..-.. It would appear that yes.. the patient had lost a child.. or in the very least was in some trouble due to other influences.. not highly unusual when the body is under a great amount of stress.. -he glanced across to the nurse.. -.. I would imagine the Doctor and the patient would have their own agreement as to who was told about personal issues such as this one.. and that would be..

-he scanned the document.. turning the page back over to the front there-. Dr Barathon.. one of our best.. I dont think you need to worry.. Im sure she is in very.. very capable hands.. I do believe however you best get this chart back to -he would look back up to the name.. and it would strike him then.. it was Rose.. she was pregnant?.. she lost...his shoulders sunk..she'd tried to tell him something.. could it be?.. was that the secret?.. the colour drained from his features.. before he realised he needed to stop this.. he cleared his throat..-.. Uhh.. -he scanned over the page once more as if he was looking for the name-. Ah yes.. Rose...please.. get this back to her side.. I'm certain.. -his mind began to wander as he reached around to rub against the back of his neck..-.. Dr Barathon will require it.. -the Nurse seemed to linger.. before turning.. seemingly pleased with herself.. oh he felt ill.. he pinched the bridge of his nose there.. slumping back against the wall.. it was as if the walls were crashing down around him.. falling into his own word before he heard someone calling out to him.. it was Barathon.. and he snapped back to it..


B: Ah there you are Jacob, we have a seminar to put final preparations into.. You are ready to come back to the venue?..


J: Ah -hesitation-.. yes.. yes of course.. -his mind was elsewhere.. and on more than one occasion the gentleman had to snap him back.. clicking their fingers.. calling out to him.. anything to get him out of his daze-.. Barathon can I ask you a question?


B: Of course Lad, whats on your mind? -he'd question as they were bundled up into a carriage and on their way back to the main hall-


J: he was thankful they were in a carriage on their own, the other council members and Faelon.. a few more senior doctors were in ones following-.. How is Rose doing?.. she seemed in high spirits.. -he rubbed his cheek a little.. curious-


B: She's doing extremely well really, the first few doses we got from your family and then the antidotes did the trick.. the purging was touch and go but she pulled out of it quickly. She's very strong willed.. I think it will take a lot to bring her down. Dont let it worry you, she's just fine. A day of rest or so. I know shes eager to come to the seminar.. We will make sure she is there


J: -he listened when Barathon spoke on how she was doing so well, if this was all so true then what about what he had just been shown.. what he had just been told-.. mm.. good.. im glad to hear it.. -he offered a smile though it wasn't entirely genuine..the two of them continued onward.. toward the reception centre.. the final preparations had to be put in place.. boxes of books had arrived.. trainee nurses from the hospital were making sure they were placed upon desks along with so many pens and pencils.. booklets with the run down of events and invitations to the evenings affair for the more senior representatives.. he would head back to spend the night with Dr Barathon and his daughter.. he needed to be away from the Inn.. from the hospital.. from all of it.. his mind was mucking with him.. it was toying with him and he was getting a bit stressed out by it.. he'd left that ward with his head in the clouds and that one nurse had managed to drag him right back down to earth with a painful thud.. until he had the chance to talk to her though he knew he couldn't just go off on these tangents.. he couldn't let the train of thought go wild.. it took a while but he would drift off to sleep in the early hours of the morning



The next day .. the day.. the Big day had arrived.. the city was incredibly busy.. packed with so very many people.. more than normal.. different dialects.. languages.. races.. all of it.. carriages.. medical students and their seniors.. doctors.. female and male mingled in coffee shops and park areas..

she would hear a rapping upon the wall there near her room.. before Faelons wife would peek around the corner.. a bunch of flowers resting in the crook of her arm.. she offered a smile.. she looked incredibly smart.. intelligent.. business like.. -.. Good Morning my dear, I do hope you are feeling a bit better today.. -she would move to the side of the bed there.. passing over the bouquet with a wink.. hoping she would realise who they were from..-.. I do believe you have a very important seminar to attend, and well.. in as much as I am all for women being able to set fashion trends and doing what ever they desire.. I dont think you fronting up to such a large crowd in a backless hospital gown is going to go down so well.. -the corners of her lips twitched as she chuckled lightly.. she turned then.. making her way out of the room only to return with a rolling rack.. it wasn't filled with outfits but there were a few there.. -...since I am the one to break you out of here today I figured I better bring you something suitable to wear.. -the items were from her own wardrobe.. very smart.. form fitting without being sexual.. pencil skirts, coat jackets, dresses that just oozed power.. dark coloured pumps and boots.. a few pairs of flats and some subtle accessories-.. You can make your own choice.. whatever suits your tastes.. -placing a bag down upon the table there.. it held a few cosmetics.. some lotions.. light cologne.. a comb, brush and a few more styling tools-.. I will leave you too it.. I have a few errands to run here in the hospital for my Husband.. but ill come back in say.. an hour.. to pick you up.. if thats suitable?.. that should give you time to bathe and get yourself all organised.. -she placed her gloved hand upon yours.. giving it a light squeeze-.. Today is going to be very interesting.. I can feel it in my bones.. -she turned to move then.. walking back out of the room with that air of power in her step.. she was taken seriously in all walks of life.. she made such a difference to a lot of people.. were it any wonder she and Faelon hooked up..



He had woken.. he felt a little heavy on his feet.. if it weren't for that beautiful little girl pushing him out of bed he could well have just remained there All day.. but no she ticked him.. she ruffled his hair.. she pushed and jumped on the bed and even threw a few soft toys at him.. all in a grand effort to get her Uncle Jacob out of bed and to the breakfast table.. he couldn't possibly resist that.. managing to tickle her right back when he got the chance.. he took a nice cup of tea.. some toast.. just something light.. the nerves were beginning to get to him and even Barathon could see it.. trying to calm him down with a few shared words.. he had her in his head though.. with her advice on taking it all one by one.. case by case..

he took a quick shower.. there was a touch of cologne.. a comb through his hair.. a suit.. crisp and clean.. it was very sharp really.. it was a rich dark grey.. form fitting slacks.. a dark cotton shirt, vest..a striped coloured tie and an overcoat.. he just looked like he meant business.. he straightened the tie in the mirror there as he looked down into it.. running his fingers back through his hair once more.. his glasses were in his pocket.. he was going to leg it.. just walk as he felt he needed a bit of air.. but no Barathon insisted..to an affair such as this one you had to arrive by carriage.. bundled up with the good Doctor the two of them set off.. his darling daughter well cared for at home on this one occasion..


B: Somethings up Jacob, you've been awfully quiet since you left the hospital yesterday.. She's going to be fine.. I promise you


J: -hesitation.. looking out the window there-.. mm.. no I know and I believe you.. if anyone else was telling me the same id probably question but.. coming from you I know better.. I just.. -he exhaled-.. I dont know.. -rubbing his lips together-.. she mentioned.. you two had a ..secret.. that she was going to tell me.. sometime soon..?


B: he sunk back in the chair a little-.. Ahhhh..well yes and no.. there is something that we had been talking about, -tilting his head- you know I cant say anything though right?.. -he looked apologetic but he was certain Jacob would understand the confidentiality privilege-


J: -he sighed.. a little exasperated-.. yes.. of course I understand.. I would think less of you if you had of told me..


B: -he paused-.. Look.. she's eager to tell you.. maybe just.. give it a little time.. I think.. but dont quote me on it.. that the only reason she hasn't said anything is because she wants you to focus on this seminar.. get it out of the way first.. I mean.. everyone and his dog can see you're a nervous wreck.. -he chuckled lightly-.. relax.. really.. If it were really bad.. I would be telling her to tell you.. and I have no doubt she would have done so before now


J: -he nodded.. his hands rubbing his knees a little-.. thankyou .. I mean it.. thankyou for looking after her..


B: Always and Anytime Jacob.. I mean it.. She's in incredibly good hands.. -he held his hands up-.. as old as they may be..


the carriage slowly pulled up to the venue there.. people were starting to file in.. so many different faces.. different colours.. it was a veritable melting pot.. and yet all extremely well behaved..Barathon got out first.. he stayed a little bit longer.. before he slid his glasses on.. gathered up his folder and he stepped out.. taking a breath.. he made his way inside.. he hoped she was doing ok. and that Faelons wife had managed to get to her in time.. to get her those outfits.. he hoped she was feeling well enough to get here..

making his way down the long corridors.. many Senior doctors he knew and a few he didn't all gave him knowing nods.. several spoke on how much they were looking forward to the seminar.. and how much the literature had changed their practices.. he came across Faelon and the two of them settled into a side room to discuss a few more things.. inside the venue it was filling fast.. there'd be a good thousand people in there.. all settling into seats.. books being placed down.. pens and pencils ..chatter amongst themselves and so many introductions.. the front few rows were for the more senior staff.. with a table to the far left that he had not seen when he was organising things the night before


J: Faelon? -he'd question as he peered through the double sided mirror.. at the back of the venue- whats with the extra table? I thought we were already at capacity?


F: Faelon was piling up a few more books onto the table.. checking notes that had been written earlier and making sure they were in the right order.. he looked up then.. moving to the glass as he peered through.. curious-.. Im not sure.. it wasn' there last night.. Ill check.. he poked his head out.. an attendant approached.. Faelon pointed it out..


Attendant: Oh yes -the young lad nodded-.. Thats for Professor Elizabeth Grace, she accepted her invitation last night and her people scrambled to get her a table. I apologise for the lack of communication there to you both. -he nodded his head and quickly stepped out-


J: -his mouth dropped open a little and he looked across to Faelon-.. he's not serious?


F: -his brow had risen as the lad stepped out and the door closed over..-.. I had no idea, she wasn't on the original list. I mean I know she was invited even when it was at the other venue but we never heard from her again so figured she wasn't interested. -he laughed a little-. Wow.. uhh.. yeah.. -he patted Jacob on the shoulder and stepped out-



He just stood there looking at the table..up until this point it was vacant .. his poor heart was taking a few tumbles.. he rolled his neck.. Professor Elizabeth Grace.. the Elizabeth Grace.. the one he worked under for a time back in Arvandor.. his tutor.. his teacher.. his professor.. and were it possible.. his Mrs Robinson


Lecture Hall

Jacobs Suit

Elizabeth

[BadInfluence]

It was just smarter for him to go, easier on them both too, no need to explain to sets of red faces and heavyt breathers. She got dressed quickly, unaware she had reversed the ties, a slip up of her own but not as major as it might have been. At least he made it out alright though, and while she was already missing him, if they had a choice? She'd still prefer for them to remain secret a little while longer... Barathon and Jacob had both made points in thier arguments, the things they had said to her, it made more of an impact than perhaps they might realize. How much of one though... She had to think about that, just what to do with all the new thoughts whirring around in her head, the ideas...



So very, very much going on, wasn't it?



The eucaliptus was incredibly strong, the moment she'd knocked it over she about reeled back, but there was nothing better to cover the smell of sex without a doubt. She was tucked in, on her side and appearing to be drifting in and out of sleep, hoping that the idea of her passing out would be enough to get them to slip out faster than not. "The day we stop learning is the day we stop living, wouldn't you agree, Ma'am?" She stated lightly, kindly, easing some of the nurses concerns... Some people stopped learning long before their deaths, they were more like cocksure corpses than anything with a heart beat, and those people she hated the most. But right now? She was content to play the recovering patient, though if she were to admit it, that hard and fast sex session had done more for her than anyone could expect. She felt alive, the pain in her bones and limbs were gone, and she was just suffused with a soft... Warmth... Like floating on a cloud... "You're staff is incredibly kind and very well trained... You're an amazing teacher." Which was true, every nurse was incredibly kind and very profficient, even the new ones with the jumpy nerves were nice.



She watched them start to straighten a few things up, fluffing her pillos and the like, thankfully her own long blond locks hid the strands of black that had been pulled out in a rather ah... Heated moment... They began to file out, to tend to other patients and the like, and as the nurse fulls up the water... Turned her back... She gasped softly, her cheeks lighting up like twin peaches, reaching out and taking the tie lightly with one hand... Covering the nurses hand with her other, giving it a soft thankful squeeze, hiding it beneath the blankets... At the question, or rather the usual sayings, she paused a moment. "Could I have a night without being checked in on, or at least, so frequently? I'm a very light sleeper and it's making it a little difficult to get into a deep sleep. Which was true, she honestly woke up with every visit, and it made hitting a good REM hard to achieve.



Once she had gotten what she asked for, she watched them all leave, and she remained in that bed... Perhaps a half hour more... Made sure all was quiet... Then she was up and out of it, going to the flowers that had been knocked over and plucking out a few specific ones and setting them on the side, stripping the bedding down and putting it in the hamper to wash with all the others... Burried more so towards the bottom to keep it from being obvious... Putting fresh ones on, after all most hospitals keep things in the same style, so she could find the fresh ones easily... Remaking the bed then and heading out of the ward a little bit, more towards a nurses office, sneaking in to get on the phone... Calling out a certain number while making sure to plant the code so no one could redial her desired shop... Someone was starting his Seminar in just a few hours, and if anyone would understand what could be said with flowers, it was him... She sent him not just a bouquet but a wreath, butterflies dotted here and there, symbolizing the changes in his life... From old to new, how much brighter his life was now, and how she believed he would soar...



The wreath itself held globes of Amaranth, snips of ambrosia, arbutus and bellflower... Bay leaves, camellia japonica, deep red carnations along with pink and white as well... Celandine, red and yellow chrysanthemum, clove and coriander... Forget-me-nots, gardenia and gladiolus, honeysuckle... Witch hazel, ylang-ylang, sweet pea and thornless red roses... Rainflowers in the colors of red and blue, lavender and burgundy, along with a dark pink and coral... Plumeria, an oxe eye daisy, oak leaf and moonflower... A teasing sprig of lime blossoms and of course, lemon blossoms with touch of jasmine as well... And hidden among the varous blooms, one right behind a buttefly with green and blue wings, just for him to catch... A sprig of Iris, baby's breath and dittany spread out with bits of moss and green and pink roses, a few violets...



It might seem chaotic but with the instructions she had given, it would read more like a letter, starting from the top and rolling down clockwise, till he would get to that little patch just for him... She had wanted to wait a few months to tell him, she thought she could get away with it, to hold on but... It was unfair to put a wedge between such old friends, wasn't it? Asking Barathon to keep a secret from Jacob... Plus given all she had heard from the both of them, all they had told her, all the information they had given her... In the end? She said fuck it... Fuck planning, fuck trying to keep things in line, fuck trying to keep the world in balance...



Life was chaos, wasn't it?



She then hung up the phone and made her way towards her bed once more, taking up a spare gown and a towel before heading out again, wanting a bath... Badly... Not that she didn't love smelling like him, but all that cum was making her thighs stick and she knew at some point she needed to clean up, and better in private than say... Another sponge bath... Good luck explaining THAT one. No, she headed out after telling a nurse where she was going, making her way to the large rooms where they held the showers, each divided by a small wall and privacy curtain... Nothing fancy but it was clean, right? She stepped into the stall farthest at the back and started up the water, getting it nice and hot as she went to look for some soap, shampoo and the like... It was there that she ran into Nurse Silver, the same one who had walked in on her and Jacob's conversation, and stayed longer than she should have...



NS: Well seems your out of bed... I figured you were better after a good hard romp with Dr. Anakin, no way you two could make the bed sound like that if you were still sick.



She froze right where she stood, one hand reaching for a bar of soap, the other? Immidiately drew her robe tighter about her in a sort of defense mechanism... Bad things had happened to her in shower area just like this one... Good thigns too, like the time Jacob had walked in on her, the two shared that incredibly tense moment where they were both fighting so hard to deny what was already there... But bad... Horrible things too... Like the Janitor who pinned her face against the tile and touched her innapropriately, made her to do things to him, for him... She had to roll her neck and take a deep breath, honestly she HATED surprises, and given just how much was going on? Oh this was akin to some fucked up sort of prank...



R: You do realize that what your talking about totally and completely shatters the patient privacy act as well as patient and doctors confidentiality... Are you sure you want to keep on that particular topic? Because if you do, I promise you, I won't stop at just a warning...



NS: Oh? Is that so? And what makes you think anyone is going to believe you? You died for ten minutes, I could just say you were having a hallucination, a short wiring of a brain that had been without oxygen for too long...



R: The fact my intelligence easily outstrips yours ten times over is all I need to burry you.



NS: Aren't you a bit hauty there? You know I heard from a couple of other nurses here... Coming to the seminar... They said that you were a stuck up little bitch, so full of yourself, like you couldn't sin for the halo over your head.



R: Awww, cute, they're that afraid of me now that they're slandering me to nurses over here too. Listen Nurse-?



NS: Silver, Sandra Silver.



R: Right... Nurse Silver... Let me break it down for you really fast... Those nurses? Won't have a job the moment they get back to their other hospital, did you know that? They're about tobe stripped of thier license and the doctor they're fucking? Yeah, he's about to go up in smoke too, so let me ask you something... Are you SURE you want to come at me like this? Aligning yourself with a group of people who are about to go up in a puff of scandal smoke so thick you could but it with a knife?



NS: What do you mean? What scandal? They said they were training to be doctors...



R: They were, but they got caught having a threesom in the hotsprings for one, and two? Yeah, they have YET to pass a single test, between the three of them they don't have the braincells of a single cell amoebia. So I'll ask you again... Do you REALLY want to make an enemy of me? Because I can promise you one thing, Silver, and that's the fact that if you come at me? I'll come back at you, twice as hard, and those skeletons in your closet? I'll hit you so hard they'll all come out dancing and every dirty secret you have is going to be laid barer than a baby's backside.



Yeah... She wasn't pulling any punches what so ever. She'd tried to play it nice back at the manse and where had it gotten her? Fucking no-where. They'd still come at her, and if it wasn't her, it was Jacob! She was in a world of fuck this shit, literally, and she had had enough of it. Gone was her trying to keep a medium ground, she responded to any threats now will full out war, a promise of swift and brutal retaliation... Worse still? She'd follow through with it. Nurse Silver must have seen that on her face, the sheer threat of it all, and perhaps... Because she was giving into something she'd always kept locked up, there was a different sort of aura about her, a side of a particular god who believed in protecting what was his at any cost... What ever it was, Silver quickly decided that it wasn't worth what hell was going to come out...



NS: You really are a bitch, aren't you?



R: Oh honey, I'm the worst bitch of all, I'm the follow through sort... I don't make empty threats.



NS: Yeah right, whatever, you're seriously no fun...



R: Yep. Not a drop of it. Now go fuck off and leave me alone before I shove this soap up your ass and have you farting bubbles for the next week.



That... That actually shocked the nurse, enough for her eyes to widen and taken a few steps back on reflex before she actually turned and ran out, slip-proof shoes squeaking on the tile as she hauled ass... And once Silver was out? She started to laugh, like genuinely laugh even as she shook, sliding down the wall to sit on the floor for a minute. Holy SHIT that had scared her! She couldn't believe she had done that... It was one thing to stand up for Kit and Jacob, they were her friend and her lover in that order, but standing up for herself? She'd never cared to try before... Now? Oh God now she felt like she was going to-... She leaned to the side and suddently threw up all over the tile, heaving until her back hurt, her ribs ached all over again... Thankfully most of the food was already processed and it was mostly water that came up...



Sitting back on her heels, peeling off the gown before pushing to her feet, she tottered towards the shower... Feeling light headed, a bit dizzy, standing under the hot water... The steam... Before she could even blink she was there, throwing up again, wave after wave of it until she was crying... Had she been poisoned again?! They were watching everythign so carefully! She hadn't tasted anything in the plain water... The wave subsided... She washed her hair... Her body... She was swallowing down the tap water, rinsing her mouth out, her head spinning a bit... Trying to figure out how she had been poisoned when she slid her hand between her thighs... And it was then she remembered, amid the delicious sorenes there that yeah, she wasn't exactly alone anymore...



The baby was a parasite, her body was trying to reject it like it would any other foreign object, and the nausia? Was her body's reaction to it... "Ah shit..." She breathed, and when the next wave came on she was prepared for it, didn't fight it, understood it... Morning sickness? So early?... It had to be because of something they gave her... The tears, maybe? It was actually the scrying waters and the tears combined, it gave that little creature a good solid anchor in her body, and because of that? It gave her all the symptoms one would get if she were a month along versus just a few days... She wouldn't know that though, all she knew was that she was having morning sickness in the middle of the fucking night, and it sucked. A lot...



If this was already here...



She recalled then how tender and sensetive her breasts had been, pausing to slide her hand up to her breasts, a gentle caress already had her sighing... Shit... How in the hell was she going to manage this? She finished washing up then, as thurough as anyone could be, removing any smell of sex or vomit... Leaving just the gnetle scent of dove soap on her skin, clean and slightly sweet, very fresh... She left her hair slightly wet, pulling it into twists before braiding it, meaning it would be freshly curled in the morning when she took it out... Donning the clean robe she would walk back to her bed, chewing on her thumb, her mind rattling about in her head...



She had to take a sleep aid in the end, but once it was down, she was out like a light... A deep, fully restorative sleep, the kind that only medication can bring about. When she woke up it was to see Dr. Faelons wife there, the wonderfully smart red headed woman who looked like she could bend the world to her will and make it like it, and who she had instantly liked. "I am, yes, thank you... I hope to be released today to be honest. All my charts are reading normal and I'd rather free up the bed for someone who really needs it." She said before spotting the flowers and her face just lit up like a sunrise, her hands out to eagerly take it, to press those soft blossoms to her face... Inhaling their beautiful rich scent... "Mmm..." She said softly, her lids closed, just relishing another gift of flowers from her beloved, her heart soft and sweet in her chest... He would have gotten her own arrangement from her this morning with his coffee, along with a box of lemon and lavender cross buns from the bakery in town she liked so much... "But imagine what a trend it would be, women would be bare rumped all over town, the constables wouldn't know what to do." She said with a smile and a laugh as she just gently touched the flowers ther ein her hands. "Though I doubt I'd be able to make the impact I want to make speaking with Jacob and Dr. Faelon in it though." Had Dr. Barathon gotten her wire? Jacob her letter with the wreath? After all, she had sent him a wonderful little note this morning via that magical bubble he had taught her how to use, though hers? Were a bit more lopsided and for some reason green hued, tending to look more like a seed than a bubble but hey, it still worked!



My Dearest Jacob,



I've decided to take life by the horns and stand in that spotlight you keep suggesting to me... I'll be right up there with you, so don't worry about the crowds there, don't think about the people... If you get nervous, just think of me, cause I'll be right behind you.



I Love You



Always Yours,

Rose



She watched as Mrs. Faelon left only to come back with a rack of clothes, and while it might not be a lot to her, there was still more than enough to choose from... "Mrs. Faelon... Thank you..." It was a lot easier to do it this way, that was for sure, but now? Now she had to pick out an outfit... Not exactly easy since she had never even wanted the spotlight, let alone knew how to dress for it, but today? Well she had decided to carpe diem, had she not? She flicked through them back and forth, going from one to the other, realizing that as a set? Nothing really... Worked for her but... As she ran her fingers over a couple different items, she realized she could make it what she wanted, what she was looking for... They were all in black, grey and tan, suitable for work but she'd vanish in the background wearing it...



But...



Jacob had told her that her magic, her power was inside her, just waiting to come out... To be used... She could do it, couldn't she? Make it look the way she wanted it to?... So she took a pair of pants that were long and fitted to the knee before flaring out slights, a two button blaser with big gold black buttons, and a pair of pumps... And with a touch of thought... Ok, a LOT of thought, a lot of focus... She porued all her attention into turning what she had in the bed, into what she wanted it to be, a blood red silk blaizer set with gold flower patterend buttons... She waited a few minutes... Then ten... But finally she felt something start to bud, to click, and once it started? It ran wild! Flowed out of her like honey soaked silk... When she opened her eyes? The suit of her dreams was there, complte with subtle floral decals on the side piping of the blazer, the pants and all that vivid shade of blood red she wanted... She moaned softly in appreciation.. Now THAT?! That was a power suit... She stripped out of the gown she was wearing and went for the undergarments she had summoned up, her lips curling in a wicked little grin as she held them up, wondering... Just how much of Anouk had rubbed off on her, and how much of her own sexuality had come out because of Jacob?



Either way she donned the incredibly scanty red and black lace set that qualitied as underwear only because of it's shape, the bralet was a special kind of hell though, the sheer black lace hid nothing... And provided no cover... Putting on the suit jacket you could just barely see hints of that lace, like a madeningly sexy game of peek-a-boo with the edges of the gentle flower like ends, and her nipples? Hard... Perpetually hard under the suit jacket, but rather than be offputting, it somehow managed to lend some serious power to her apparel... A woman in her prime, just enough sexual aspects to remind the room she was maddeningly and beautifully femenine, but the hard masculine lines of the suit made her look like a force to be reconed with...



She put lotion on her belly, the area around her breasts, up her neck and face... Her hands and of course her feet... Donning a pair of incredibly high pumps that gave her a height she didn't actually posess... The jewelry she wore? Was a simple red silk choker around her neck, the long red silk ends trailing down her back and long golden chains dangling form her earlobes to grace her shoulders... Her hair once out of the braid and the twists undone was a riot of gorgeous curls, held back by twin combs at her temples, leaving the mass to fall around her shoulders and back but kept her face clear...



Make up was minimal though, a touch of clear lipgloss and some mascara was all she used, her clothes and her own natural beauty would speak for itself... Jacob was a higly saught after man, she had to go out there and show the world not only was she good enough for him, but she was better than any competition trying to come along the way... The perfume she chose was a startlingly exotic one, such deep notes that it was shocking, but with her own natural scent... Her pherimones?... Oh God... She was lethal... The brand was laughingly called poison, it had notes of organge blossom and coriander, rose and jasmine, cinnamon and amber... Sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla, heliotrope and musk... All together it was heavy and sweet, it not only got someones attention, it hypnotised it, commanded it...



All together? She was a femme fetal! She was stunning, a petit bomb of beauty, with curves in all the right places and a smile that slayed... When Mrs. Faelon came back? She wouldn't be able to keep her jaw from dropping to the floor... Gone was the girl, and out had come the woman, a woman who was a force of nature... To be awed and respected... A hint, perhaps, at the woman she was growing into becoming... The doctor she would blossom into... Powerful but not brutal, a scalple versus a hack saw, refined but obviously powerful... Did Mrs. Faelon realize just what she had unleashed on that seminar room?...



Did Jacob realize what he was getting?



In her hair she wore that sprig of babys breath, hidden and beautifully placed behind the combs, a splash of white amid all the color, just that perfect touch of contrast... Of purity... She had no idea that her wreath and message, along with the buns, had been delayed due to all the orders already placed... All the chaos of a fresh arrival of tons of people... When it arrived? It would be surprisngly around the same time she did, her brows raising before she stopped the messenger, stepping in... Oh that poor boy... He literally choked on his own air when she talked to him, coughing and spluttering as she gently patted his back, a warm smile on her face... She told him she would deliver it since she was the one who ordered it, that he could get back to the other ones he had to do, taking hte box of sweet breads and the wreath in alternate hands...



She'd see him there, standing to the side, looking at the pair of tables there... Oh he looked a mess, she could see it there, the way he virtually vibrated pressure... She just smiled and slipped up behind him, her perfume caressing his senses like a lover before she herself touched him... Holding out the box of sweet breads first, shaking it lightly over his shoulder, a bright smile on her lips. "I bet you didn't eat, did you? You know you'll need energy to talk or your mind is going to be sluggish..." Stepping around him then she would set the box for him down on the table, handing him the wreath with blushing cheeks before she'd walk away, her heels clicking sharply on the floor... She'd walk over to make him a cup of tea, going for the earl grey out of all the choices today, making it sweet with a touch honey and a bit of fresh squeezed orange... And just a touch of lavender for his nerves... A little mix of her own but she knew how to help in this at least...



She'd bring it back to him before pressing it to his hand for him to take, making sure he'd take a drink before she would pick up a book, under the guize of needing to confer about their shared speach... Dissapearing into a small curtained alcove where she would take a spray of violets and babys breath from her purse and pin it to his lapel for him... "I wanted more time to tell you... To give us a chance to grow more as a couple, to come out officially, all those sorts of things but... After what you said yesterday, and knowing how close you and Dr. Barathon are, it just didn't feel right... "



Taking a step back in case he needed air, but read to give him a supportive arm if he needed it, and yeah... So she knew she could have picked a better time sure, but something in her gut told her that he already sort of knew, or at least guessed at it... And given what the nurse had told her last night? Yeah... She seriously doubted she had been the only one hit that night, especially given she had such a wonderful method of operation to go on considering her other bullies... "I tried to take care of it like I had promised, and I thought that the tonic had worked, but you know... They want to stick around..." A gentle shrug of her shoulder... Fucking HELL she was nervous... Scared too, terrified if she was honest, absofuckinglutely terrified... How bad could this go? How bad WOULD it go? "I thought I had lost it during the poisoning but Dr. Barathon confirmed it for me yesterday... I figured if they want to stay around, to be that strong and survive all that by body went through, the least I can do is give it the chance..." Boy or girl? Hell if she knew, she didn't even have an idea, as it was she barely was wrapping her head around it right now... But as it stood? She had come to one decision... "It's early, I'm only just pregnant so there might be a chance that at some point it self terminates but... I wanted you to know what my secret was... I couldn't keep it from you anymore, it just didn't feel right... I only wish I had more time to tell you..." He'd raised a complete cuckoo in the nest... But this? Oh yeah, this baby, totally and one hundred percent his... Even if someone had tried to deny it there was no way in hell to even attempt it. He had been her first, and they had been together every step since, outside of when she was sick and no one had seen her soooo...



"What ever you want to do, I'll support it, and we can go along together or we can separate as friends if this is too much..." God that hurt her heart just to say it... But she'd seen too many of the working girls, too many of the villagers, all who had fallen in the EXACT same position as she was... And the guys? Well some stayed... Some found the child to be the exact cataslist to propse, to admit thier love, to take it that next step... Others? Others ran and never looked back and some? Some got angry... She didn't think Jacob would be upset but would he run? Would he want space? Or would he be happy?



"We will talk about it later though... Right now you need to drink your tea, eat your sweet bread, and do what you do best... Go out there and light a fire in the room, watch how many souls you kindle, and let your passions drive you..." The secret was out in the open, there was no more hiding, no more secrets... He was going to be a father if she made it past the first trimester, and that was something they would talk about afterwards, about what role he wanted to play... It was after she pushed Jacob to eat, making sure he was doing what she had asked that she went to Faelon and Barathon, noting both of their jaws were dropped a bit but she waved it off... She was talking with them about the breakthrough they had made at the manse, her part in it, and how she wanted to speak with Jacob about poisons and antidotes, using herself as a prime example... A first hand record... They would go over the notes and the like before the lights would turn on and the room would begin to fill....


Suit

underwear

choker

earings


Hairstyle

[Deleted]

..he forced out a breath then.. an exhale that was more or less blown out through clenched teeth, she had heard that his old tutor had been invited.. it was quite a while ago, she was after all attending the original seminar before he himself had been put in as the stand in.. but then he had heard nothing about it.. until today.. Faelon patted his shoulder before stepping out.. leaving him in that small room to the side on his own for the moment.. he was going to have to steel himself.. there was a gentle tapping at the door.. he turned looking to the attendant then.. hearing it would be five minutes before they would be starting.. he nodded.. thanking the young man before turning back to his cards..

going over his opening.. a few of the statements in there.. the topic cards.. before there was another rapping.. and he got a little exasperated.. -.. What?!.. -he almost snapped before he noticed it was her and his shoulders sunk a little.. -.. Oh love I'm sorry.. I was in a different place.. -he rubbed his forehead a little.. mentally he was in a different place.. far far away from here.. he looked to the little box there and he gave her a genuine smile.. reaching back around as he made sure the door closed behind her.. leaving just the two of them for now.. he pulled her in for a hug.. embracing her as he breathed her in-..

Im so glad to see you..-he spoke softly.. -.. You're looking so well.. and.. that outfit.. might I say.. just Wow.. -he was genuinely impressed.. she'd stand out thats for sure.. but that was the great thing about her.. she wasn't like anyone else.. she was perfect.. -.. You're right I had barely touched any food.. dont think I really ate my tea last night either.. wasn't really up to it..

-he placed his cards own as he pulled the top off the little box there.. tearing off a small piece of the bread there as he popped it between his lips.. - I most certainly need to be looked after more than I think I even realise.. -he watched her as she reached for a wreath of flowers..his brow rose considerably.. grasping a small square napkin as he wiped his fingers before accepting the floral arrangement-.. Whats this then?.. -he asked curiously.. moving to sit upon the corner of the table he looked over the beautifully placed flowers.. the choices that were made and the way they were placed.. -..

This is beautiful.. -he glanced up to her with a smile.. watching as she was making him a cup of tea before he would look back to the wreath-.. You know, before I met you I had never been given flowers before..I adore it.. I love it.. Thankyou.. -he placed the wreath down upon the table beside him.. taking the cup graciously from her.. breathing in those sweet scents as he took a small sip of it..-.. Ahh now.. yes.. -he sighed .. reaching up to remove his glasses.. -.. this.. right here is how you make a cup of tea.. You need to give Dr Barathon some lessons.. please.. -he shot her a wink there before he took another drink..

he watched her curiously as she placed the little spray upon his lapel.. pinning it in.. he reached down with his free hand to turn it a little.. to make sure it was properly secured.. he took another drink then.. listening to her as she told him she wanted to have more time to tell him.. that they might perhaps have benefited from growing more as a couple.. to come out officially and the like.. he paused.. moving to place the cup down upon its saucer there..

he had a feeling he knew what she was going to say.. what with Nurse Silver having been the one to tell him yesterday afternoon.. he watched as she took a step back from him and he reached for her hands to stop her from going to far.. -.. I'm not sure I.. -he would go to say in the small break there before stopping himself.. she spoke further on trying to take care of it like she had promised.. and that she thought the tonic had worked.. he only really heard half of what she had said-.. I know..I'd wanted to come and speak with you..

-before she said something about them wanting to stick around and he was a little taken aback.. a little.. stunned.. only for her to nail it when she said she thought she had lost it what with all the poison.. -.. Wait.. -he paused.. blinking a couple of times..- You're pregnant?.. -he questioned.. she confirmed it.. it was still early days.. and he knew all about miscarriage and the rates of it so he didn't need the talk.. but.. she was pregnant?.. she was having a baby?.. his baby?.. She was actually pregnant?..-.. But.. thats not what.. -he blinked.. -.

. Oh my God.. -his eyes widened considerably and his smile soon matched it-.. Youre pregnant!.. -before he pulled her into him so swiftly.. not enough to hurt her.. not with any great injury inducing force.. but he held her So tightly.. -.. Oh My god that is Incredible.. Thats so wonderful.. -his smile couldn't possibly get any bigger than it already was.. it was all genuine.. every single bit of it.. he was ecstatic for her news..he pulled back a little from the hug to kiss her cheeks.. to look to her there.. holding her close to him.. -.. By the goddess.. You're going to be a Mum.. and I'm going to be a Dad.. and..

-he was a little excitable ..leaning in to claim those sweet soft lips of hers.. the kiss was a mixture of smiles.. of laughter.. of just love.. she had to have felt it from him.. it practically washed over the pair of them-.. Thankyou.. Thankyou for coming to tell me.. I .. Oh god.. Im just.. this is wonderful.. -he heard the knocking at the door there.. the attendant calling him out that it was time for him to move to the lectern.. to lead the seminar.. he held her hand a little longer.. giving it a squeeze before releasing..-.. Thank you.. -he'd whisper.. his hand fell to brush across the flat of her stomach there.. the front of her suit before he would gather up his cards and he would step out of the small meeting room.

.if she looked down through the mirrored glass she would see the lecture theatre filled.. so many faces.. so very many people.. there'd have to be close to a thousand easily.. the lights came on.. most took their seats.. idle chatter continued for a moment longer before he woul step out from the side there.. there would be a round of applause.. before the room would quieten down..the graphic that would show behind him would be of the universities logo.. the slogan.. the title of the seminar and then that it was fronted by Dr Jacob Anikin along with the veritable alphabet of qualifications he had trailing his name.. he was gracious and offered a smile.. his step seemed lighter than it was .. but no one else would know the reasoning behind it .. other than her.

He would offer his introduction and the entire room hung on his every word.. youd be able to hear a pin drop easily.. he mentioned the speakers that would be coming up in the days session.. including Dr Faelon, Dr Taylor, and Dr Winterfield.. That here would be many different areas covered and several guest speakers. There would be time for Q&A at certain intervals.. and the appropriate breaks when necessary. There was a space for her.. near Faelons flock of student nurses.. all with their pens scribbling down a million notes.. their eyes keenley locked upon the speaker.. they were soaking up all of the information like the sponges they were.. Kit patted the seat beside her.. making sure you had room to settle in there before the girl handed you the book, charts and pencils..

[BadInfluence]

His nerves had to be worse than she thought they could possibly be if he was snapping like that... She'd only ever seen it once, and he was under a lot of stress in that moment, and it certainly hadn't been at her. She didn't hold it against him though, how could she? His stress and nerves had been bad before, but today? They were probably off the charts. She paused a moment, waiting for him to realize it was her before she just smiled softly, shaking her head. "It's alright, I knew you would be a bit of a mess today, so I thought I'd sneak over and try to give you a little pick me up." Well... A pick me up and hopefully good news? She was a tangle of knots so tight a sailor would give up. She felt sick from the inside out, and what made it ten times worse was that she wasn't entirely sure if it was just the nerves, or a flare of morning sickness.



Letting him close the door she embraced him back, giving him a warm, loving hug... God he looked fucking I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E , all in caps, with a ton of heavy pressure and exclamation points... That suit screamed power and prestige, confidence and a sort of command that made you want to notice the person wearing it, which was rare... Usually the suit makes a man, but Jacob, he was making the suit and together? What a damned lethal combination. His comment on her suit had her legging go of a breath she wasn't sure she was holding... "Mrs. Faelon brought some suits by, and they're beautiful but so many are dark colors, blacks and tans and greys... I thought if I'm going to step out into that limelight, well I better do it in grand style and fashion, and you only get to make a first impression once." She said with a blush and a wink. It was true, this was her first time stepping out of the shadows, into the public world of doctors... She wanted to be seen as worthy of partnering him, someone who could shine just as bright, someone equally attractive... Was it going to be easy? Oh hell no, and if anyone had told her that, she'd tell them to lay off the pills... Or get some better ones...



"What ever was given to me did the trick, I feel fit as a fiddle, really." She did too, aside from some aches and pains, she barely felt as if she had been poisoned at all. Like a rubber band, she really did bounce back, and a good bit of that had to do with the care she had been given. She mentioned he had probably not eaten, he'd be in too many knots himself, hence the treat she brought... His favorite flavors in the form of a sweet bread and of course she was going to make him a cup of tea. "Mmhmm... I thought so... You get so wrapped up in your own thoughts you forget that brain of yours has a body that needs caring for." Oh she couldn't resist teasing him there, adding a bit of this and a drop of that to his tea, things to calm but energize him as well... Restore what ever he had lost... Well, to a certain extent, anyways... He asked what the wreath was, looking to him over her shoulder, flashing him a wink. "It's a love note of course. Paper can easily be tracked, but not many know the language of flowers, so I've picked it to send you notes. Clever, isn't it?"



He looked at the wreath once more and she smiled with a gentle shrug. "You know it's the same for me... You gave me my first ever flower, and flowers ever since... I loved the bouquet this morning, it brightened up my whole day..." She finished his tea up and would hand it to him before taking a step away. "I love you too Jacob, with my whole heart..." And she did... But would it be enough to keep them together after she told him? It wasn't exactly the worlds most beloved phrase to hear, and most men, most men ran for the hills... She'd seen it so many times at the whore house above, with girls from the villages and farms around the area, each one in the family way with a partner disappearing like mist in the sun... She knew Jacob was too honorable to vanish, look at the care he provided for a child he knew wasn't even his, but providing care for... And loving? Entirely different creatures...



"I'll teach him properly while I'm with him, maybe it will entice you to come visit a bit more frequently, perhaps?" She teased before she took a spray of flowers from her hair and began to pin it to his lapel, the meaning of it clear if you knew what to look for, though it was similarly quite subtle... As she did so she tried to explain things in a... Round about sort of fashion... That she wanted things to have gone a lot slower, to give them time to grow as a couple, to make it public rather than sneaking kisses behind elm trees... Once she had set the flowers there she went to move away, figuring if she took the space to step away, it wouldn't hurt as much than say if she hadn't and he had been the one to do it... "Shh..." Shushing him gently she went on to get it out, get it ALL out, as best she could... That she really had kept her promise but for some reason, what ever it was, nothing worked... Neither her tonic nor the fact she had been poisoned directly afterwards has caused that little seed to budge a hair, and for all intents and purposes, it was there to stay.



His first reaction was that he knew, and her brose rose a moment before he seemed to catch on, and that's when she felt like she was going to be sick... Good? Bad? Supportive? Denial? Cold detachment?... Which would be the unfolding emotion? "What the charts said? It was touch and go a little while, Dr. Barathon told me it could be hit or miss, but a later reading showed that my hCg had stabilized..." Nerves! SO MANY NERVES! It only got worse when he said 'Oh my God' and she steeled herself for the worst... But instead of rebuttal she saw him break out into a smile, and all of a sudden she was in his arms, held so sweetly... So tightly... She sagged in his arms a moment, her own coming around to hold him in return, her lips pressing kisses to the exposed part of his neck. "Your happy then? You're not mad? You're ok with... This?" She asked as he held her, only to hear him bubbling on with so much raw joy and ecstatic happiness that she suddenly felt a good chunk of her own fears washing away, buried under the waves of his own glee. "Very much a Dad, yes... At least for now... We wont know if it's safe until I'm out of the first trimester but... So far? It's here to stay." She said before he kissed her and she started to laugh with him, holding him that much tighter, happy tears forming in her eyes before they'd spill down the sides of her cheeks just a touch. "I was so scared you'd be mad... We were so free in Arvandor, neither of us held back, and just... I said I'd handle it but it seems fate has something else in store... We're so young, so new together, and a baby is such a big thing but..." She said as she stepped back just a bit, wiping her cheeks even though she was smiling, thank God she wore next to no make up or she might look a bit of a mess in the moment.



When the knock at the door came she was a little irked, she wanted more time, to stretch this happy moment out but instead? She stepped back, giving his hand a squeeze as he caressed the front of her belly, that flat expanse that wouldn't show for many months yet... "Go get them Daddy." She said with a laughing smile and ushered him out the door, following a few more moments behind, drying her tears and making sure she didn't have a spec of anything out of place... This was a huge moment for a thousand different reasons and she wasn't going to let anything get in their way. She took her seat and she couldn't help the smile as Kit patted the seat beside her, taking her books and pencils in her hands and sitting next to her, giving her a quick hug. "Hello Kitty Kat." She said softly before Jacob began his speech.



The space was huge and imposing, terrifying in it's own right but you would never have imagined just a few minutes before he looked as pale as death, knotted up like a ball of yarn and a complete mess... He commanded the room like a general does his army, everyone sat on the edges of their seats, swayed by his magnetism and charm... His sheer ability to come off as both keenly intelligent and yet personal all at once made a daring and addictive combination, and one by one she could see the fires he lit in others... Sparks of keen interest, insatiablethirst for knowledge, the shock and joy of discovery... All over the room he kindled the candles of others souls, lighting them from the inside out, and she? She couldn't have been prouder of him in that moment.



Taking notes like everyone else, she looked up to watch him now and then, but it was a few minutes into it... Fifteen... Twenty maybe? That she saw a beautiful woman, an elf by her ears, dark hair and dark eyes... Lovely flawless skin... Older but still in her prime... A real stunner through and through... And normally she wouldn't have paid much attention but there was something there, something in the way she was looking at Jacob, as if she could eat him with a spoon... Eat him and somehow knew just how he would taste... The intimacy of the way this woman looked at him instantly set her off balance, rubbed her the wrong way, made her bristle...



R: "Kitty kat... Do you see that woman over there? Is it just me or does she look like she could tell us just how many threads were in Dr. Anikins jacket with how hard she's staring?"



K: "Oh, so it's not just me? I noticed her earlier, shes a speaker like Dr. Anikin, came in late last night... I guess she only just accepted her invitation issued months ago."



R: "Really? That's strange... If she's sharing the stage with him there's no reason to stare so hard... "



K: "Well, sure but I mean, he's a good looking fellow Rosie... Women are going to look you know..."



Kit had her there, that was a damned fact and while she could normally handle all the attention he got, and he did get a lot even around her... This attention was a little too familiar... She didn't like it, it just didn't sit right, like a rotten egg fermenting away in it's innocent white shell... She did her best to ignore it, to brush it off, unaware of how much attention she herself was getting from just about the entire male audience in the group... A new girl, petit and naturally beautiful in a scarlet colored power suit, complete with golden curls and big doe eyes? Yeah, she was grabbing fistfulls of attention without meaning to, without caring. After all she had done this to command her area when it came to it, to show the higher ups she was a force to recognise, to stand out among the crowd...



She would take notes like a recorder, anything new or something she was unsure of got jotted down, and when the time came? She would stand up and head to that same table with Faelon and Jacob, taking up the vial they had worked on, the very first treatment of a radical way of looking at things. "Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm Dr. Rose and I was dead for a full ten minutes." WOW... That shocked the room and more than a few jaws fell open then. Good, she thought, she definitely had their attention now. "As our amazing Dr. Anikin has been explaining to you all, plants, though innocuous and innocent seeming? Can hold sway over life and death, disease and wellness, and yet? We so often overlook them as a source of healing." Faelon and Jacob normally would have been leading this but she? Had said she was going to step out into the light, she was going to take control of her own destiny, on how the world from now on? Saw her... She wanted to make something of herself, and now more than ever, she had so many important reasons to push herself harder... To break through barriers and move forward...



"If you'll lend your attention here- " She said, pulling up the replica map of the chemical lay out they had been working on together, the three of them there at the manse... Oh what happy days those had been... "Dr. Faelon and Dr. Anikin had been working on this particular formula for some time, now, could one of you look at this and tell us what the problem is?" She would ask, stepping back to let Dr. Anikin and Dr. Faelon take the answers, turning them away over and over... In a room full of people this size? No one could properly guess the problem, they could only state there was something missing, a link in the chain... She pressed the button and slid to the next slide, this one with the completed formula, and as she did so? She held up the vial of their first completed serum. "Many cases require a delicate hand, an ability to look outside of the normal picture, to think outside the box." She would guide Dr. Anikin up to the front then, along with Dr. Faelon on the other side, motioning to each of them. "These doctors were open to new ideas, to finding solutions in places otherwise overlooked, and together we've found a treatment." She stated as she slid a new screen into the projector, this one the chemical make up of the antidote, the way it would work with the nervous system... "In the face of a rapid and unforgiving advancement in the medical field, with technology and science often overshadowing, if not completely obliterating the very nature of healing itself? How can we grow if we neglect such a primary and vital element such as plants?" She stated, bringing up slide after slide of healing plants, from the tropics to the sahara... Both elvish and drow, and everything in between, each slide with the latin name of the plant and it's uses. "Our modern technology can sustain a dying body for a little while, but it can not cure, it can not treat."



She pulled up another slide with a list of ingredients, all natural items such as salt and other things, along with the measurements of each. "Can anyone tell me what is listed here on the slide?" She heard a ton of answers too, from a recipe to some sort of witches brew, all the way down to it not being anything other than a list of items... "You are all incorrect... What you see listed on the board is in fact every item that is needed to create a human body... If we were to break it down to its simple anatomical properties, it's basic components, humans are in essence? Made of nature. Pure, unpolluted, and beautifully complicated nature." Another slide, another list of ingredients that compliment those in the human body, vitamins and minerals and other complicated proteins. "For every ailment, there is an herb, a cocktail made from the plants all around us that can cure it. We need only to seek them out, and in the quest of such knowledge, I hand the floor back to Dr. Anikin to finish with the importance of nature and it's ever vital place in the medical field."



She finished and resumed her seat, leaving the floor to the others, and her heart? Was thudding so hard she felt sick, her head was spinning like a top, and she could feel her stomach swaying back and forth like a storm tossed boat on a very rocky sea...

[Deleted]

..he took control of the floor like he was born into it.. he commanded it with a lot of strength.. he knew how to get the audience to bend to his will.. wether it be by sitting up a little bit straighter with the pitch in his voice.. or the way he didn't remain behind the lecturn.. he became more familiar with his crowd.. walking in closer.. even going down the aisle every so often.. he would draw in a touch of audience participation.. mix in a little laughter and they were hanging off his every word.. he had gone over the basics.. the reasons of why they had all been invited.. how it was a veritable think tank of the smartest medical minds..how they could overcome anything if they put their minds together and worked on it..

his gaze would fall upon this newcomer.. this raven haired elf to his left every so often.. and she would smile in response.. Faelon stepped up.. taking the floor to a soft round of applause.. he would take a firm grip on the audience.. using less familiarity and more facts.. it was just how Faelon ran.. his med students furiously scribbled down notes.. almost as if they were taking minutes.. getting down everything.. drinking all of it in like a sponge.. There were a few more speakers.. and Jacob stepped in every so often in between.. a little bit more on this.. a little bit more on that.. everything from cardiology to chemists.. from surgery to a general GP.. they were all important.. they all had a place.. and he made sure that each came across in a way that none were at any kind of disadvantage.. It would be time for her to move to the forefront then.. he wasn't sure on how this was going to go.. she didn't seem to enthused by it earlier..

Faelon was more than prepared to step in.. however she went and surprised him.. stepping up from her seated position to stand between them both.. she took the attention of the room.. the Entire room then.. the coloured suit.. the confidence.. She referred to herself as Doctor Rose.. he noticed a few brows rising at that.. he didn't speak.. he wouldn't interrupt.. he gave a nod to Faelon there.. and the two of them moved a little further out of the way.. she had the floor.. he listened to her.. and watched for audience reaction.. the shock.. the curiosity.. she was very well versed.. she came across intelligent.. she had confidence in her work.. she pulled out the chemical lay out.. the map there.. it showed upon the larger screen above them.. the print bold and large enough for people to be able to read.. even all the way in the back.. he would field the questions on the left.. Faelon the right.. quite a few answers that were much like his on that very night.. almost there but not quite.. so he understood why they were getting caught she continued on..

the images changed.. the whispered questions started.. quiet.. most curious as to how she was able to come to the conclusions listed on the screen.. some were incredibly intrigued by it.. and then of course you always had a few that were just jealous.. he nodded his head when she motioned to both him and Faelon.. when she spoke about them being open to new ideas.. he'd always thought outside of the box.. it was how he had gotten as far as he had.. so many Doctors above him stuck to their values.. stuck to their teachings and whilst there was nothing wrong with that it just mean there was no where further for them to go.. he had a thirst for knowledge.. a need to keep learning.. and it meant he was able to keep a the top of his game..she finished with another small Q&A.. about body composition.. and how it wasn't quite what everyone thought.. before she would hand the floor back to him..

he would raise his hand to start a round of applause for her.. the room would quickly follow.. it wasn't soft it wasn't forced.. they were genuinly impressed with her..many heads nodding.. notes being taken.. -.. Thankyou Rose.. that was incredibly informative.. and I can tell by the looks upon a great deal of the audience here this afternoon that they found it to be just as intriguing as I myself did.. -he gave her a smile a nodding of his head.. He was So so proud of her.. she was an incredible woman.. Kit slid across a glass of water and patted your back lightly-.. Wow! That was Awesome Rose!.. -she spoke softly into your ear.. the enthusiasm wasn't able to be hidden.. the dark haired woman was looking toward you in those moments.. simply regarding you.. before she would turn back to Jacob once more..

an attendant approached the floor then.. he tilted his head as he listened to the whispers.. before he nodded and the young lad headed back off through the door.. he waited till the room quietened down once more-.. It is time for our break.. there is lunch being served out in the lobby.. which is down the long eastern corridor.. tables..everything is there.. of course you dont have to stick around you can go wander if you choose. After lunch we have two more speakers.. including one not on our original program, but a very welcomed addition to this seminar ..Professor Elizabeth Grace, with the information package on Obstetrix and Midwifery .. I understand there are quite a few students here today that are looking to further their education in those areas.. so we are incredibly greatful she was able to attend. A Q&A will occur soon there after where you will be given the chance to ask any of the speakers here today any questions you may have.. and then to finish up there will be a deep dive on biomedical research and fundamental science this afternoon for those looking for that little bit extra.. But please.. I have rambled on for far to long.. go eat.. relax.. we will meet back here in an hour and a half..

-he nodded.. stepping back from the lecturn as those within the hall began to move from their seats.. dispersing from a few exits.. most went to the lobby.. but a few decided to take up on the wander.. and seek out the small cafes dotted here and there.. he closed his folder..the room was almost empty.. just Kit, Faelon, a few extra students.. Elizabeth was lingering in the doorway.. speaking with an attendant..-.. Rose.. could you help me with these .. it will only take a moment.. -he was packing up the items she had used in her talk.. the posters.. the literature.. it wasn't required again for the afternoon session and he figured may as well get it out of the way.. plus it would give them an excuse to steal away a moment on their own..

however.. Elizabeth would call out.. her voice soft and sweet-.. Oh Ill help you Jacob.. -she held up her hand there.. curious she didn't refer to him with his title.. he glanced up then.. a little.. stunned.. before he blinked-.. Its an honor to have you come speak at the seminar Professor Grace, I didn't think you were coming.. Figured you were tied up somewhere with something important.. -he gathered up the books there.. glancing toward Rose a moment.. she waved her hand a little as she made her way down the stairs toward the stage.. she wore a stunning dark grey pencil skirt.. a blush pink shirt with a vest that pulled it all inward to reveal the way her frame curved in only the most perfect fashion.. -.. Nonsense.. you should know better than that.. It's Elizabeth..

-she nodded.. stopping then as she came up in line with you.. she paused.. dragging her tongue across her teeth.. she looked as though she were going to eat you.. -.. So.. Rose was it?.. Doctor Rose.. -she rubbed her chin a little.. -.. So Jacob called you Rose.. but you use the title Doctor Rose.. whats your surname?.. I was certain I knew of all the registered Doctors here today and I dont recall seeing your name on the list.. -she plucked up a folder there.. handing it across to Jacob with a smile that wouldn't melt butter.. he exhaled a little-.. Rose is.. -paused-.. was one of my students from the fast track program Elizabeth.. she is staying on here with Dr Barathon when I head back to the Manse.. -Elizabeth turned to look back at you once again-.. Ahh.. Student Doctor.. that makes much more sense now..

-she chuckled quietly.. his brows furrowed-.. I think I am all sorted here Elizabeth, why dont you go and relax before your time to talk.. have something to eat.. there are a few more private rooms dotted around the lobby if you dont wish to sit with the students and faculty..-he nodded gathering up the last book there as he motioned for you to follow him.. Elizabeth paused.. dragging her nail along the desk top there.. -.. We will have time to catch up this evening.. I look forward to it.. -she nodded to Jacob..before glancing toward you and then she stepped out the door closing behind her.. he glanced toward Faelon a moment who was stiffing some laughter behind a few books..before Faelon seemed to clear his throat.. and the small group headed behind the curtain there.. leaving the hall empty..the room was the same one as earlier.

. it smelt of floral blooms now thanks to her wreath.. he placed the books down.. the posters..before he turned to look to her-.. You're a natural!.. -faelon nodded in agreement-.. You watch they'l be asking you to run the seminars from now on.. -he offered her a smile there.. Faelon sent his med students out .. telling them to go eat before he turned to you-.. Ignore Elizabeth.. she's very territorial .. when it comes to certain.. conquests.. -he patted your shoulder.. glancing toward Jacob who by this stage was shaking his head and pointing at the door for Faelon to leave.. and he did.. but not before humming a few bars of 'Mrs Robinson'.-


Im serious.. -he reached for her then.. when they were gifted the chance to be alone.. his warm hands sliding over hers.. drawing her in closer-.. You were utterly amazing