Post by BadInfluence on Apr 2, 2014 13:59:34 GMT 9.5
*Dreams can be an escape, a please of pleasure and warmth, joy and prosperity, where everything you ever wanted to come true is capable of happening within that soft, floating world. Those whom you love will love you back, whisper the words your heart wishes to hear, giving you all you lack in the world, those secret wishes buried deep down in the soul. It can give you a world of perfection unlike anything found in reality, a place that you never want to leave, that waking from bring a poignant pain to the chest that is akin to a wound. There is a world inside dreams that is separate from reality, but no less real for that separation. Anything you want can happen in a dream… But there is another side to dreams, a darker place where the soul trembles to tread yet draws people in against their will. Pain, loss, sorrow, agony, fear… All things are within it’s scope, real for those moments that one is locked in that state of complete paralysis, in the black void of Nightmares. Those who have them can recall them far more vividly than dreams, the fear and loss in them sharp enough to carve a niche in the mind that dreams can never eradicate. Such is the realm of terror, and in terror, one finds everything that they ever were afraid of, with such focus that the line between nightmare and reality blur into an inconsequential mist that flows and ebbs like the tide. Such had been her nights, always that constant terror, that fear that if she turned around, if she looked over her shoulder that all would be lost. She was always seeking him, reaching for him, but he was never there. Always just outside of her reach, out of her sight, but close enough to miss, to struggle towards. It had been like that for a month, compounding her fears of the daily life she found herself leading. If she were to be honest, her dreams were like living while she slept, only stronger, fiercer, more intense. She was missing Ace, he was the only thing she had in this world, the only person who knew her. She was feeling alone, separated, the ground beneath her feet shifting and sliding like so much quicksand. Ronnie, her manager, had rather pinned her in the corner and demanded she explain what was going on in her life. She was showing sooner than she had expected, the twins weren’t easy to hide on a frame as delicate as hers. She had tried a corset, to hide the rounding belly as much as she could, hoping she would be able to do as she had planned on but it had hurt her so much that she had immediately tossed the thing away. She had gone into work as usual, needing that stability, something in her life that was regular, planned, expected… Ace was sleeping on and off, healing as best his body would allow. She had planned on meeting Nautilous after work and acquiring something to fix Ace up, she couldn’t stand seeing him in pain like he had been with those ribs; but sadly her day was not going to go as smoothly. The only thing that had saved her job was the fact that she was already in the paper as the opening act and the fact she really did bring in good money to the Nightingale. Ronnie had been pissed off though, he had even yelled at her which in all honesty, hadn’t helped her one bit mentally. He demanded to know who the father was and when she wouldn’t give up the name, Ronnie had even gone so far as to threaten to pull a man hunt and find out who it was. She had told him he was being insane of course, it was her business, not his. She had already told him that she would keep away from the Nightingale and since she would be behind the piano it was very unlikely anyone would see her rounding belly. She was told she could come back after the child was born but on a set of conditions that would probably have Ace fit to murder if he heard them. She would keep them to herself, but she would be lying to herself and the world if she didn’t admit just how much it had hurt to hear them. Why was it that these two little lives would be made to suffer for their parents, neither of which had really committed any wrong? So what if she was unmarried? In her time marriage was considered an archaic practice, something done by idiots and foolhardy romantics. She didn’t expect Ace to propose marriage because she was pregnant, that was just utter asinine. What a cheap, ugly, hollow little thing that would be, she would never believe he did it out of anything other than a warped sense of duty. It was why she was keeping mum about the father, though it was still swinging between a couple of… possible partners. As if she had been so free with her favors… Still, if it kept them guessing and away from Ace, then all the better wasn’t it? Her reputation would be ruined but it wasn’t as if she had ever really cared about it to start with. She had kept her virginity not because she was waiting for the highest bidder… Just…Waiting for the right man. She had…definitely picked the right lover, though on that hand she could scream bloody murder at the world because they had only made love once…Just once… And it had resulted in not just her pregnancy, but a world of hell she had no way of being prepared for, let alone expect. Every day she woke up wondering what sort of circle of Dante’s inferno she was going to be tossed into. Would Ace be attacked? Would she? Would that mysterious figure in the mask come to haunt her again? It was bad enough he was in he nightmares every single night but she swore she saw it tailing her in the day as well, always just right behind her but when ever she turned to look, there was no sign of them. It was playing hell with her again, she had only had one good nights sleep in the last couple of months and it was beginning to tell on her. Physically she looked fine… until someone looked into her eyes. There was too much there for anyone to tolerate or handle with any measure of grace, so much pain and sadness and just this bottomless pit of loss that if she dropped her guard even for a moment, it would break hearts. She was so tired though, keeping that wall up, going to work, well, up to today when she was told she wasn’t allowed anymore… Now she just had to figure out what else to do… She knew how to find Nautilous, he had left his address on the bottom of his note he had left her and by the time she headed home, she had every intention of having something to help Ace in her hand. Still… What in the world did that Wizard of Oz have that could help Her? She felt like she was an old sweater that had a run in it, and someone just kept pulling at that string slowly unraveling her. Soon she would be nothing more than a pile of her former self, shapeless and without substance, just a ball of parts and pieces that used to be Trinity.*
*She had made it to her destination just fine, no interruptions, no odd looks, no accidents. It was about mid-day, the sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds overhead and there was a soft, warm breeze tugging at the ends of her dress. It was a pretty little creation today, it had a full skirt that helped to hide some of the fact that she was coming along. She herself loved it, they were moving now, little butterfly motions inside her that made her feel like she was floating or something along those lines. When she did her daily check up on them, she could hear their little heart beats, so quick and strong that for a few minutes every day, she could pretend the world was perfect. She felt the start of one of their little fluttery batches and she couldn’t help catching her breath, resting her hands over her growing mound, only to feel that first kick or punch, she couldn’t tell which but it startled her enough to make her stop mid stride. She was so shocked, she hadn't thought she would feel something like that for some time… True she couldn't pick it up with her hands yet, but she had felt it within herself, and she had to wonder just how much longer it would be before she could feel those strong little movements with her own hands. She wanted to tell Ace, but she held back… Nothing had changed that she knew of… nothing had altered or shifted… He had said he wanted her to stay… He could say such sweet things when he wanted to, but she hadn’t broached the top of the children since he asked about them… When she had told him she lost one. She wasn't sure if…no… she wouldn't even go there. She shook her head and began walking again, the hair falling loose to tickle at her shoulders from the intricate coils and loops of her up-do today. A simple brass knocker was on the door, which she tapped lightly thrice before stepping back and waiting. She heard the door open then, a footman asking what her business was with the Master today. Master? Really? Good Google this man had a high opinion of himself. Heaven forbid this guy wipe his own arse, might get his pretty paws dirty. She gave the man her name and who she had come to see, and was lead into a very formal looking study that was done in dark colors so similar to how Ace’s tastes ran that it was shocking. She almost felt…well…at home in here. Then the man came in, this Nautilous she had heard about and she was nearly floored. Sweet Motherboard Of Terabyte Heaven… She was grateful she was near a chair because her legs wouldn't have held her up for a second longer than they had. She was…amazed… It wasn't his looks so much…Ace was better looking to her eyes, but she was a bit jaded perhaps in that area… No, it was this man’s presence, his power of authority, the very air seemed to vibrate around him, and for the love of Wiki what was WITH those Pheromones?! That had hit her the hardest of all, she who was built to be so finely attuned to such chemical signatures was completely bowled over. That was not humanly possibly, hell, even in advanced biochemist labs what he was giving off was entirely and completely impossible. She was hit with a wave of lust that had absolutely nothing to do with the man's appearance or something like that, in all honesty Ace was the only man who could make her lust after him with a simple look. This was entirely chemical, and she did her damned best to control it. A good start was breathing through slightly parted lips rather than her nose though at the same time it didn't help that she could taste it on her tongue almost as well as she could smell it. She shook her head, trying to clear it of that fog that was settling in there like a mist over the moors of home… Wait… Home?… How odd… She would spare that a bit more thought at a later time though, now was not the best place or moment to investigate it further. He took a seat across from her after he bolted the door behind him. Strange and stranger, was he afraid of being interrupted? If so, by whom? It didn't matter. She reached into her purse and held out the letters there in her hand, knowing he would recognize them as the same ones he had left her with. A delicately arched brow would rise over those jade green eyes as she stared into those ink black ones across the way from her. She wouldn't back down to anyone, not anymore, she had lost too much and she would not loose anything else. Too many sacrifices had been made, by her, and for her, and if it continued on there would be nothing left to give.*
“I think, Mr. Nautilous, That You and I need to have a bit of a discussion… About all of this, About Ace, and about My Children…”
*She saw that slight incline of his head before she heard that rich Arabian accent in a timber that was far too seductive to someone as musically inclined as she was. Sweet gigastick, was EVERYTHING about this man made to seduce? If so, she felt very, VERY sorry for anyone he might marry, the competition would be hell.*
“I take it then that you are…dissatisfied with the arrangements? If so, I do apologize, it was never my intent to offend, I had thought things were arranged quite tidily. I shall of course talk it over with my lawyer and try to correct which ever areas you are dissatisfied with… Which area are those, might I ask?”
*She couldn't help but look over at him a bit incredulously… Did he REALLY think it had anything to do with the property, or was he intentionally being vague? Either way, it was downright tacky and she didn't appreciate it one bit.*
“I did not come here to play word games and watch you be, what I hope, is intentionally vague. This has little and less to do with the property, Mr. Nautilous, and far more to do with whatever bargain you struck with Ace and what you plan on doing with my child. I dislike dishonesty, Sir, and I prefer to get straight to the point on things rather than beat about the bush. Now, with that said, I would hope we can get down to the brass tacks of my visit here?”
*Honestly, He was struck a bit by the sheer pluck she had, he had never seen this in the little spy shows he had on her and Ace, she seemed all soft and feminine around him but apparently she had more than a bit of steel in her spine.*
“I See… Well I must admit, I had thought that Ace had explained things to you, but apparently he must have left a hole or two for you to seek me out to fill the gaps. What is it you would like to know? Specifically, that is…"
*She was grateful those words were out of his mouth, she really didn't have time to dawdle about sparing him with words like a verbal duel. She nodded her head once before continuing.*
“I thank you. He did fill me in on the most basic of it, the why’s and how’s for the most part. What I want to know is, is there anything I can do to unmake the pact? This was all done without any thought to what I might choose or feel, and no offence, but that’s a load of bull. I realize that this was done to save my life, but it is MY life to do with as I will. These are MY children regardless of your claim on one of them. You are a stranger to me, yet you want my child. Why the interest? Surely one human child can’t hold any interest to someone like you. So please, enlighten me on my options and your reason for interest.”
*She saw him sitting there, silent, watching her in a way that was beginning to make her feel more than a bit on the…unsettled side. Perhaps it was the fact his eyes were so black she couldn't see a pupil? She couldn't put her finger on it but it definitely made her feel more than a bit naked at the moment, causing her to subconsciously cover her belly with her hands.*
“As much as I would like to tell you the reason for my interest, it is none of your business Miss Trinity. The Why’s and What For’s of my reasoning are beyond your comprehension, you can make of that what you will. As to the pact, if it were to be undone, that would be between Ace and I, unfortunately you have no part in it. It may have been made with you in mind, but you have no part in it aside from that. If you wish for me to undo my work, I would advise you to talk about it with Ace. Know this though, if he does decide to cancel our agreement, it will mean the death of your children. Which is worse, do you think? Handing one of them over to a wealthy stranger who can and will provide for them, to killing them outright out of spite? That is what this has come down to, has it not? Pride and spite are ugly emotions, don’t you agree? Or is there another reason why you are trying to wiggle your way out of a deal you have no part in?"
*Wow… This man knew how to burn someone to the bone, didn't he? He might scream seduction in looks, sound, and chemicals, but there was nothing nice or tender about this man whatsoever. If anything, she thought he was something of a cold hearted bastard and more than a bit manipulative. Had Ace known this before hand? Or had he simply grasped at the first solution to the problem at hand? His prose for her to ask Ace was a damn near laughable thing. Ace would either refuse to talk about it by turning topics to something else or down right ignore her question entirely. Overall this was leaving her in a situation that was no different than when she had come in already being in. She had no answers, only more questions and a very dark threat looming over her head. She wouldn’t risk her children for anything, but at the same time she could only think that all of this had started because of that night, and it was all just a spiral that continued to spin out of her control. Ace was there in his room patched up like a mummy and going stir crazy for it. She sighed softly and shook her head, leaning back a bit to look at him. He had won, managed to put her on the defensive, put her in her spot as it were.*
“I have a feeling that no one ever gets anything they want from you unless you wanted it to happen. Since I have been thoroughly put in my place, I am going to ask for something not for myself, but for Ace. Someone…put a pretty good beating on him and he’s still hurt pretty bad… If possible, if you could help him I would greatly appreciate it.”
*That seemed to work though at least, she saw him get up and go to stand behind his desk, pulling open a drawer and withdrawing a rather large vial of something that looked like… Red tar?? Odd… He handed it to her with a soft smile on his lips that made her brow rise all over again. What an odd man…She took it from him and put it in her little purse to take back with her. Surely it would perform some function, though only Ace would know she was sure. She stood then and inclined her head softly in thanks to him, at least in thanks for this. Anything that could help him, she would be grateful for. Aside from that there was nothing left to be said between the two of them. The property was hers, the gold was hers, and her child…was his. Until she could figure something out, there was nothing she could do to change that. At least until she figured out something on her own. With that, she left to return to her house and give this stuff in her purse to Ace… hopefully it worked, whatever it was.*
*She had made it to her destination just fine, no interruptions, no odd looks, no accidents. It was about mid-day, the sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds overhead and there was a soft, warm breeze tugging at the ends of her dress. It was a pretty little creation today, it had a full skirt that helped to hide some of the fact that she was coming along. She herself loved it, they were moving now, little butterfly motions inside her that made her feel like she was floating or something along those lines. When she did her daily check up on them, she could hear their little heart beats, so quick and strong that for a few minutes every day, she could pretend the world was perfect. She felt the start of one of their little fluttery batches and she couldn’t help catching her breath, resting her hands over her growing mound, only to feel that first kick or punch, she couldn’t tell which but it startled her enough to make her stop mid stride. She was so shocked, she hadn't thought she would feel something like that for some time… True she couldn't pick it up with her hands yet, but she had felt it within herself, and she had to wonder just how much longer it would be before she could feel those strong little movements with her own hands. She wanted to tell Ace, but she held back… Nothing had changed that she knew of… nothing had altered or shifted… He had said he wanted her to stay… He could say such sweet things when he wanted to, but she hadn’t broached the top of the children since he asked about them… When she had told him she lost one. She wasn't sure if…no… she wouldn't even go there. She shook her head and began walking again, the hair falling loose to tickle at her shoulders from the intricate coils and loops of her up-do today. A simple brass knocker was on the door, which she tapped lightly thrice before stepping back and waiting. She heard the door open then, a footman asking what her business was with the Master today. Master? Really? Good Google this man had a high opinion of himself. Heaven forbid this guy wipe his own arse, might get his pretty paws dirty. She gave the man her name and who she had come to see, and was lead into a very formal looking study that was done in dark colors so similar to how Ace’s tastes ran that it was shocking. She almost felt…well…at home in here. Then the man came in, this Nautilous she had heard about and she was nearly floored. Sweet Motherboard Of Terabyte Heaven… She was grateful she was near a chair because her legs wouldn't have held her up for a second longer than they had. She was…amazed… It wasn't his looks so much…Ace was better looking to her eyes, but she was a bit jaded perhaps in that area… No, it was this man’s presence, his power of authority, the very air seemed to vibrate around him, and for the love of Wiki what was WITH those Pheromones?! That had hit her the hardest of all, she who was built to be so finely attuned to such chemical signatures was completely bowled over. That was not humanly possibly, hell, even in advanced biochemist labs what he was giving off was entirely and completely impossible. She was hit with a wave of lust that had absolutely nothing to do with the man's appearance or something like that, in all honesty Ace was the only man who could make her lust after him with a simple look. This was entirely chemical, and she did her damned best to control it. A good start was breathing through slightly parted lips rather than her nose though at the same time it didn't help that she could taste it on her tongue almost as well as she could smell it. She shook her head, trying to clear it of that fog that was settling in there like a mist over the moors of home… Wait… Home?… How odd… She would spare that a bit more thought at a later time though, now was not the best place or moment to investigate it further. He took a seat across from her after he bolted the door behind him. Strange and stranger, was he afraid of being interrupted? If so, by whom? It didn't matter. She reached into her purse and held out the letters there in her hand, knowing he would recognize them as the same ones he had left her with. A delicately arched brow would rise over those jade green eyes as she stared into those ink black ones across the way from her. She wouldn't back down to anyone, not anymore, she had lost too much and she would not loose anything else. Too many sacrifices had been made, by her, and for her, and if it continued on there would be nothing left to give.*
“I think, Mr. Nautilous, That You and I need to have a bit of a discussion… About all of this, About Ace, and about My Children…”
*She saw that slight incline of his head before she heard that rich Arabian accent in a timber that was far too seductive to someone as musically inclined as she was. Sweet gigastick, was EVERYTHING about this man made to seduce? If so, she felt very, VERY sorry for anyone he might marry, the competition would be hell.*
“I take it then that you are…dissatisfied with the arrangements? If so, I do apologize, it was never my intent to offend, I had thought things were arranged quite tidily. I shall of course talk it over with my lawyer and try to correct which ever areas you are dissatisfied with… Which area are those, might I ask?”
*She couldn't help but look over at him a bit incredulously… Did he REALLY think it had anything to do with the property, or was he intentionally being vague? Either way, it was downright tacky and she didn't appreciate it one bit.*
“I did not come here to play word games and watch you be, what I hope, is intentionally vague. This has little and less to do with the property, Mr. Nautilous, and far more to do with whatever bargain you struck with Ace and what you plan on doing with my child. I dislike dishonesty, Sir, and I prefer to get straight to the point on things rather than beat about the bush. Now, with that said, I would hope we can get down to the brass tacks of my visit here?”
*Honestly, He was struck a bit by the sheer pluck she had, he had never seen this in the little spy shows he had on her and Ace, she seemed all soft and feminine around him but apparently she had more than a bit of steel in her spine.*
“I See… Well I must admit, I had thought that Ace had explained things to you, but apparently he must have left a hole or two for you to seek me out to fill the gaps. What is it you would like to know? Specifically, that is…"
*She was grateful those words were out of his mouth, she really didn't have time to dawdle about sparing him with words like a verbal duel. She nodded her head once before continuing.*
“I thank you. He did fill me in on the most basic of it, the why’s and how’s for the most part. What I want to know is, is there anything I can do to unmake the pact? This was all done without any thought to what I might choose or feel, and no offence, but that’s a load of bull. I realize that this was done to save my life, but it is MY life to do with as I will. These are MY children regardless of your claim on one of them. You are a stranger to me, yet you want my child. Why the interest? Surely one human child can’t hold any interest to someone like you. So please, enlighten me on my options and your reason for interest.”
*She saw him sitting there, silent, watching her in a way that was beginning to make her feel more than a bit on the…unsettled side. Perhaps it was the fact his eyes were so black she couldn't see a pupil? She couldn't put her finger on it but it definitely made her feel more than a bit naked at the moment, causing her to subconsciously cover her belly with her hands.*
“As much as I would like to tell you the reason for my interest, it is none of your business Miss Trinity. The Why’s and What For’s of my reasoning are beyond your comprehension, you can make of that what you will. As to the pact, if it were to be undone, that would be between Ace and I, unfortunately you have no part in it. It may have been made with you in mind, but you have no part in it aside from that. If you wish for me to undo my work, I would advise you to talk about it with Ace. Know this though, if he does decide to cancel our agreement, it will mean the death of your children. Which is worse, do you think? Handing one of them over to a wealthy stranger who can and will provide for them, to killing them outright out of spite? That is what this has come down to, has it not? Pride and spite are ugly emotions, don’t you agree? Or is there another reason why you are trying to wiggle your way out of a deal you have no part in?"
*Wow… This man knew how to burn someone to the bone, didn't he? He might scream seduction in looks, sound, and chemicals, but there was nothing nice or tender about this man whatsoever. If anything, she thought he was something of a cold hearted bastard and more than a bit manipulative. Had Ace known this before hand? Or had he simply grasped at the first solution to the problem at hand? His prose for her to ask Ace was a damn near laughable thing. Ace would either refuse to talk about it by turning topics to something else or down right ignore her question entirely. Overall this was leaving her in a situation that was no different than when she had come in already being in. She had no answers, only more questions and a very dark threat looming over her head. She wouldn’t risk her children for anything, but at the same time she could only think that all of this had started because of that night, and it was all just a spiral that continued to spin out of her control. Ace was there in his room patched up like a mummy and going stir crazy for it. She sighed softly and shook her head, leaning back a bit to look at him. He had won, managed to put her on the defensive, put her in her spot as it were.*
“I have a feeling that no one ever gets anything they want from you unless you wanted it to happen. Since I have been thoroughly put in my place, I am going to ask for something not for myself, but for Ace. Someone…put a pretty good beating on him and he’s still hurt pretty bad… If possible, if you could help him I would greatly appreciate it.”
*That seemed to work though at least, she saw him get up and go to stand behind his desk, pulling open a drawer and withdrawing a rather large vial of something that looked like… Red tar?? Odd… He handed it to her with a soft smile on his lips that made her brow rise all over again. What an odd man…She took it from him and put it in her little purse to take back with her. Surely it would perform some function, though only Ace would know she was sure. She stood then and inclined her head softly in thanks to him, at least in thanks for this. Anything that could help him, she would be grateful for. Aside from that there was nothing left to be said between the two of them. The property was hers, the gold was hers, and her child…was his. Until she could figure something out, there was nothing she could do to change that. At least until she figured out something on her own. With that, she left to return to her house and give this stuff in her purse to Ace… hopefully it worked, whatever it was.*