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Post by Bakery on Sept 18, 2014 8:03:43 GMT -8
Since he hadn't pulled away from her touch, she continued to comfort him, her fingers just barely running through his soft hair. Thank the gods for her midnight black skin- otherwise her own blush would have been seen. Maybe it could be- through her white freckles- but she was sure he wasn't paying attention to her facial expressions right now.
"Don't spew such lies-" Elidi began but stopped once he muttered that he had killed a woman. "Killed her? James.." her brows knitted together in confusion. James? Kill someone? It didn't make any sense to her- in all the twenty nine years she had known him- he wouldn't do something so out of the blue unless provoked.
His words made her confusion vanish- spreading into curiosity as he went on. Her eyebrows shot up at what he had said- it hadn't been anything she had expected Jem to say, at all.
A...A family? A child of his own.
Never had a lover and no women to have shown interest-
'You're the only woman in my life I need, Elidi.' she blinked, wide eyed at his words- then, realizing he was teasing her, she quickly gave a playful glare in return- ignoring the irregular beat her heart had gone through when he had said that. He was joking- and that was all it was. A joke.
The sting she shouldn't have felt still rung against the beating flesh of her heart. It was soon tucked away with the other things she ignored. A joke. That's all it was. Don't think anything of it.
She did wonder what kind of work kept him constantly moving around and suddenly leaving. Actually..Did she even know what he did? In these twenty nine years...She couldn't remember a time when he had told her...Huh. Strange. Must be a really private matter for him.
Oh gods.
Did he really pay a woman to sleep with him?
This poor innocent fool.
"Jem- you...You paid her? To sleep with you? I-" Elidi couldn't find the words. She was too shocked- how in the night sky had he figured that would be alright?! Paying a woman- she wasn't even a prostitute!
Flabbergasted, Elidi slapped her palm against her forehead, unable to believe what Jem had done. Slowly she dragged her palm down her face and shook her head.
He was right.
This couldn't be fixed.
Not a chance in the sun.
She kept her eyes on him as he spoke- saying nothing as he finished his story.
He really was unlucky. Seriously unlucky.
Shock and disbelief was written all over Elidi's face. Her eyes were wide with shock, her eyebrows risen high on her face. She blinked twice, attempting to take in all the information and speak- to say something.
She glanced down at her lap to recollect her thoughts. This had blindsided her- she hadn't believed Jem would..Well, he was an innocent fool.
A really unlucky innocent fool.
"Well," she began, flickering her eyes up to his. She still couldn't shake the shock and disbelief. "I'm not going to sugar coat this, Jem. You made a huge mistake and you were right- you can't fix this.." at all. "J-James, I-"
What could she even possibly say to him?
"You dug a grave right into the depths of Death itself, friend." she said with a short chuckle. "But I suppose it wasn't on purpose- you can't blame yourself for your inexperience with those kinds of things..And the hopeless do drastic things," she should know. She almost killed herself because of it...When she had first met Jem.. "I think you and I both know I know that very well...Just, give it time. Both of them. Your son and the other child- things can't be expected to heal immediatly...How did he let you see him?" she asked carefully, raising an eyebrow. "Why isn't he here with you now? You are his father...I suppose in this case the children shouldn't be separated-" she stopped.
"Oh no...Jem..." she gave a frown and her hand drifted back to his head sympathetically, her red eyes softening.
This poor, poor fool. There was nothing in the night sky or the break of day that could help this situation..
She'd have to make sure to drop off a few gifts of money for his factory, though. She'd wanted to ask what it was his factory produced- perhaps with her new job coming up in the works she could help convince a few buyers to go to him...It was the only thing she could think of to help him.
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Post by clouds just clouds on Sept 18, 2014 12:43:16 GMT -8
All of what she said were things he already knew. His stomach weighed heavily and he vaguely was aware that he wasn't a shirt still. "I feel as if I should atone for what I've done, but I can't... I can't Anderson lose another parent." His gut twisted and tears filled his eyes. "Excuse me..." Turning, he pulled himself closer to Elidi and rested his head on her shoulder. Indecency be damned, he wanted comfort, and Elidi was the only one who would offer such a thing to a terrible man as he. Carefully, he folded and moved his long legs so he could rest comfortably against Elidi, keeping his head on her shoulder if she allowed it. Sorrow fell down on his shoulders and he shook his head.
"August is terribly angry with me, which is perfectly understandable." Other words died in his throat and the vast expanse of his heart twitched and cringed. Time. He had time. That's all he could ask for. In reality, he didn't deserve to ever see his son, much less hold him, but that's all Jem wanted to do.
Even if it meant Jem never got to hold his son, he would watch him. When Jem had offered August money, the male nearly choked him to death. Still, it wouldn't be long before Jem would go crawling back, just to see how his child was fairing. It took Jem a few moments to realize he was crying. The tears were in no way sobs, just tears for the lives that he had ended and sorrow for the child that now had to raise his own child.
Had to? He wouldn't have anything to do with you. Not even allow you to take them in, or even to offer him money.
Jem let out a choked laugh, "Gods above, what do I do? There's nothing I can do." Pulling away, Jem wiped away his tears. "I think I'm going to sell the factory, to someone kindhearted, and perhaps they can make something of it, before my bad luck ruins it." He looked sadly over at Elidi. "Even though I am a terrible, terrible man... do you still want to be my friend?"
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Post by Bakery on Sept 18, 2014 14:57:01 GMT -8
Elidi hadn't expected him to lean against her, but to save herself the embarrassment of falling back and ending up with him on top of her, he kept strong and leaned against the headboard or a post- if one was there. Of not she would balance herself so bother he and herself were comfortable. She stroked his hair soothingly, her heart lurching when she felt her shirt dampen with his tears.
Elidi said nothing, but her arms wrapped around him cautiously, unsure if the hug was welcome. If it was, she would let the hand closest to his head continue to stroke his hair soothingly. She let her arms slide across his shoulders as he pulled away, offering a small, gentle smile in return.
"If that is what you wish to do, then do so." She shrugged but glanced to the side, "If you find yourself looking. For other work, I have a business of sorts that is starting up, if you'd like to join." She said softly, staring down at her hands as she cleaned her nails. The offer was serious- but he was still shirtless.
A laugh bubbled up from her chest, her lips spreading into a smile at his question. "No, I just snuck in here and comforted you to tell you I can't stand being ignored and if I ever see your face in Letha again it will be mine to shove into the mud- of course I will and still want to, Jem. Nothing you do- or think you do- will make you terrible and change that.." She spoke softly, not used to comforting others- but a smile still stayed on her lips. It was a sight few got to see. "Besides, I don't have many other friends who will so willingly go shirtless in front of me. It's quite a sight and I wouldn't no sneaking back in here another time." she teased, joking. Of course only a little- but Jem didn't named to know that.
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Post by clouds just clouds on Sept 18, 2014 15:13:59 GMT -8
"What sort of business is this?" Jem perked a brow, curiosity spilling through him. He couldn't imagine a nanny business, and certainly not a dog-watching business. In fact, everything about her whispered danger, and he couldn't find it in himself to listen. In stead, he wanted to trace her freckles and press his lips to her throat. Probably because he hadn't had much blood lately. In fact, he looked as if he were pushing his thirties in human years, instead of being around his twenties like he usually preferred.
His body was more nimble that way.
Relief poured through him at her teasing, and it increased his mood, helping him smile again. She had gifted him with something that no one else ever could: a chance to find happiness. Except, when she pointed out his lack of dress. Blushing deeply, he muttered, "Well, I hadn't expected company. You're lucky that I hadn't continued undressing myself. I was going to take a bath."
A smirk quirked his lips and he watched her with a sharp, teasing gaze. "You could always just take a bath with me, that would certainly be an interesting development."
Shaking his head, Jem frowned. "I'm sorry. I am being extremely indecent with you. Not very gentlemanly..." A sigh left him and he walked over to his shirt, pulling it back on and slowly buttoning it back up. "How long will you be staying? There is a guest room, and I could get blankets for you. I could also show you around Era."
It would be fun, really, doing something other than thinking about what he had done.
"I should go hunting soon before I look like an old man." A chuckle left Jem and he smirked lightly.
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Post by Bakery on Sept 18, 2014 16:33:29 GMT -8
"Shame. I'll either have to arrive later or reveal myself only after a little longer next time, then." Elidi simpered and grinned up at Jem. "I could, indeed. I'd supervise, of course. To make sure you're really washing well behind your ears." She grinned and stretched, shrugging.
"I haven't been very ladylike either- but I couldn't care less about that sort of thing." She laughed and leaned back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. "That depends on something out of my control- ohhh, tempting." Elidi grinned and crossed one leg over the other at the knee.
"Hmmmmm. I have been tempted and I am giving in, friend. If it is not too much trouble to you, then I shall stay a little while longer." Elidi smiled, eyeing Jem curiously- and devilishly. "Oh? Perhaps this Is why you never invite me over- your guests are your feast." She teased and sat up, lounging now.
Should she tell him? What would he think of a guild of thieves? One with her running it? Would he even be interested?
He had been her friend for a long time...if this was what ended their friendship then so be it..she would be sad, of course, but with time things would get better...hopefully.
"It's a guild of sorts." Elidi said slowly, choosing her words carefully and speaking slowly. "One that will utilize the best of my peoples abilities." By now, Psuedo assumes, Jem will have known more about the Nocvi to understand what that meant. If not, Elidi shifted her gaze up to his slowly, a calculating look in her red eyes. "A thieves guild called The Dragon's Spine- run by yours truly." Never once did her gaze shift- she was measuring his reaction, attempting to judge what sort of outcome he would produce.
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Post by clouds just clouds on Sept 18, 2014 17:53:57 GMT -8
Jem rolled his eyes and smirked lightly as he finished buttoning his shirt, and then he tucked his shirt into his pants before pulling on the vest over it, buttoning that up, too. Though, he kept his tie off, not having the patience to wear it again. When he was done, he moved over to Elidi, watching her with a blush on his cheeks. "Ah, there are some places that are hard for me to reach. You could scrub them for me."
Chuckling, he shook his head and held out a hand for her. "We could sit at the seating area over there instead of on my bed, if you like. And I wasn't trying to steal more blood from you, as much as you like my mouthing your neck," he chuckled, "I am probably going to go out after a small nap, though."
Jem glanced over at the chairs. If she stood, he walked over to them and began to light a fire. "I am in need to bathe, though, Elidi. I hope you don't mind if I do. Just no snooping."
When she started speaking hesitantly and slowly, he stopped and turned to look at her. Confusion spread on his face, and then it slowly lit up with understanding. Gods, he nearly laughed. And if he nearly laughed, that means that it was written all over his face. So, he let the laughter out anyways, "I'm sorry, I seem like such an ass!" He shook his head, covering his mouth to stop his laughter.
Gods, that was terrible. Oh, if she knew! "It's just that, you're so seriously, and it's as if you're telling me you torture the innocent daily, and eat their intestines for lunch." Letting out a breath, he walked over to her and tried to grab her hands, squeezing them. "In my poverty days, I was a pick pocket." Which was true. He's not one anymore, though he does occasionally swipe someone's purse. "But I can not join you. I will be worried, though, because being a leader means so many people will want to take you down."
Jem searched her eyes and couldn't help but reach up to brush a piece of her hair out of her face. "I have a feeling Dragon's Spine is going to be full of nocvi too, and I don't think they will trust me as you have."
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Post by Bakery on Sept 19, 2014 2:38:42 GMT -8
"Oh, do tell me where these hard to reach places are. I'd be happy to help- if you would trust my hands on your skin, washing your flesh thoroughly." Elidi snickered and cast a dangerously playful look toward Jem, "I might even feel generous enough to help you out in other ways, as well."
She did take his hand, if he even still offered it, to walk over to the sitting area with him. "Speaking of favors," she began with a smile. Steal her blood? Hardly. "Well, not really. You could just save yourself the trouble with hunting and I could help you. Just as long as you don't tie me up and stick an apple in my mouth, or let me die, I'd be perfectly fine with helping you in that area. You know, for as much as you love mouthing my neck." She teased, reflecting the phrase back at him.
However, judging by how tired he looked and the day- er, night- he had, she was serious. He could use her blood for this time of his need to save himself the trouble. Maybe it would even get him to relax a bit. Or a lot.
"I am serious, however." She added after a minute. "Just instruct me on how to help and I shall follow those directions with flying colors."
If she could, she would meet his gaze to show him that this was not part of her teasing. She was dead serious.
"Though I doubt you will accept my help with your bath," Elidi smirked, moving back onto the teasing now, "My hands are prepared to work your flesh." She couldn't help but laugh- she loved teasing him, making him blush was a favored past time of hers. She wasn't sure if he enjoyed it- but there were times, such as earlier, where he would play back. Sometimes even enough so to make her blush.
"You're no fun." She sighed at last, "Am I allowed to at least venture down stairs? I will not snoop- just look at things more closely." She assured. Elidi had gotten a quick glance around before but now se was curious what sort of momentous he had in his house.
His laughter had provoked more than curiosity out of her- it summoned up a questionable glance as well. Laugh? At her choice of work? Jem must have be in dire need of some rest.
Ah. So he had done such work before.
Him taking her hands was a surprise but Elidi did her best not to show it. "Well, if that's on the lunch menu, I suppose I'll have no choice but devour their intestines- but honestly for lunch I typically have a salad and yogurt, if you must know." She shrugged playfully, a glint in her eye. There was no measurement to tell her how relieved she was to eat he hadn't been against such lines of work, but she was relieved nonetheless.
"Ah. I see then. So be it- but the offer stands. It isn't just Nocvi I have collected, so you wouldn't be terribly out of place. And they will have to trust whomever I trust." Not to mention it's because they're the last of the Nocvi... "Many failed attempts will be put out against my life, yes, but I am prepared. I'm hard to kill anyhow."
That much had been proven. She couldn't even off herself without interference. Which had brought her here in the first place.
His fingers brushing her face and tucking back some I her wild hair did make her blush- a faint dusting of pink against white freckles, making her dark skin tint with purple. She wasn't sure if he could tell- but she had hoped he couldn't.
"Your worry is appreciated nonetheless." She added after a minute, her eyes sliding away from his to glance at the fire- if had started up by now.
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Post by clouds just clouds on Sept 19, 2014 12:51:38 GMT -8
Jem had listened to her, watching her. Glad that she hadn't thought his laughter was too weird and had asked more questions. It wasn't that he didn't trust her, because he did, it was just that this was a secret he had kept for some time, and no one else knew who was underneath the phantom mask except Jem himself. Slightly, his lips parted as his eyes narrowed. Was he mistaking it? Curious, he held his hand to her cheek and then a grin lifted his lips. "So you can blush. I had always assumed that..." Then he frowned. "You don't blush about seeing me naked, nor about 'helping' me with vulgar activities, but you will blush to me doing a simple act as adjusting your hair?"
Suddenly, Jem pulled away, holding his chin as he thought. "Your hair isn't sensitive like that one race, are they?" Deciding he had gotten too off track, he smiled lightly at her and took a seat at one of the chairs. "You can snoop if you please, but I didn't allow myself to personalize anything, except for this room. It's quite plain and unused, really. My days are quite busy, usually, and I can't stand sitting around doing nothing."
Letting himself relax, he let his head fall back and he closed his eyes. "If I were to feast on you, as you say, then you would have to think of things, and purposely allow hopelessness to consume you, and I don't want you to get yourself sad again... but..." He turned to look at her. "If you don't mind, that would be very helpful indeed. And perhaps you can hold me at night, too, platonically of course, and platonically make love so I can prove to myself I wasn't as bad as I was. I think there is a reason I don't search out women for relationships, Elidi. Excuse my for being so vulgar, but I truly don't think I was made for making love."
His cheeks were blushed, and an arm was over his eyes so he didn't have to look at Elidi. "The whole act was nightmarish, truly. And awkward."
A groan left Jem, "If only I could erase my own memories! But perhaps I deserve this embarrassment, along with this guilt..." A sigh left Jem and he finally uncovered his eyes to look at her. "Elidi, my good friend, what if we sold this old home of mine and found a new one? We could share a home in Era, a place for you to come to if you ever find yourself here."
Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his legs and watched Elidi with a soft smile. "How is the guild going? Do you have a lot of followers? I can come back to Letha with you and invest some money into your guild. What else should I invest money in, Elidi? Another factory? Or perhaps starting businesses. But with my luck, they'll all crash within a week."
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Post by Bakery on Sept 19, 2014 17:10:20 GMT -8
"No, it's not sensitive." She sighed and rolled her eyes, shifting as she say down. Elidi crossed her legs at the knee one more, her left leg bending over her right.
I'm just not used to being touched so gently...
Ignoring the rest of the bit about her blushing, Elidi smirked. "Of course, but only as a favour and because you're such a good friend." At his comment o not being made for such activities she snickered, "Oh don't be so hard on yourself. You just need a good teacher- it gets better with practice, as all things do." She shrugged, inable to hide her smirk. "Of course, this is another thing I could help you with, James. But your neighbors might frown upon all the noise made in the wee hours of the morning and dead of night." She giggled and winked at him, "A few hours and you'll be a pro."
"Seriously?" She asked, raising an eyebrow, "what makes you want to leave this wonderful home behind? Not that I would mind, of course. A house that I could stay in when I'm out doing work for the guild would be nice- if you're sure you don't mind it."
"Money isn't a problem for the guild. For the past twenty nine years I have collected enough to get it on it's feet and then some. I've put more than a few coins in my pocket from what the rich won't miss. I'm a little but richer and they're none the wiser." She grinned, proud of herself. "I made it a safe haven for the rest of my people, a place for them all to gather. That is why I was here- to help those stuck in one place to move to Letha- and the last of them are on their way...you may come to see if you wanted. For money investments, well I'd start with insurance. A lot o. People are going to be loosing a lot more after today- and they'll have enough fear to want to ensure thier precious items. The rich have more money than brains so you could charge more." She grinned- but it wasn't a bad idea. "With my dark touch your luck won't have a chance to sink you further.." He flicked her gaze up to his, seeing if he would consider her suggestion. "What the guild takes will be sold- and the profits will go to my people and any other people in need. No longer will we be suppressed- we will rise to equality whether they are ready ro accept or not. All of us will." She said quietly, and rested her red eyes back on the fire- the flames reflecting in her iris.
"Hmm, easy enough. Consider it done." Elidi nodded and sat forward, "what would be most comfortable for you, my friend? Where shall I sit?" He asked and looked around for directions.
She let her thoughts become hopeless- thoughts of being unable to start the guild on her own, doubts of her strength and abilities. They became dark as her mind began to run with the ideas, polluting her mind with it's infesting grasp of complete hopelessness. "Where do you want me to sit?" She asked quietly, tears beginning to start in her eyes.
Her parents death was her fault.
Her fault. All of it. If she hadn't been born they would have still been alive..
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Post by clouds just clouds on Sept 19, 2014 18:50:08 GMT -8
Since she ignored his blushing comments, he decidedly tucked it away to tease her later. As she spoke, he remained quiet as she teased him, a deep blush filling his cheeks. The entire time he was shaking his head, not even looking at her because he was too embarrassed to. It took him a few moments to calm down and to be able to glance over and look over at her.
Jem nodded approvingly to her statement, a smirk twitching his own lips. That was how he managed to get where he was, financially. He had enough money to take claim as a noble again, but decided to live a quaint and quiet life. Plus, it was always better to stay away from ketsuki politics.
Then, his eyes softened. "That's great, Elidi." In fact, it was perfect. It was like what he preferred to do--almost like Robin Hood.
"You don't need to move..." Jem murmured, his pupils thinning in thirst. Quietly, he walked over to her chair and gently moved her hair out of the way before he pressed his lips to the soft flesh there. He could feel, hear, the pulse beneath. For a few moments, he savored it. Then, his fangs dipped into her dark skin and immediately he felt the dryness in his throat ease a bit.
Gods, if he wanted, he really could suck her dry...
Not that he would. He was just really thirsty. At least her blood would last him for now, and after he has had enough sleep, he will go out and hunt more.
After taking enough to not leave her dizzy, he pulled away and wiped his tongue across her skin to stop it from bleeding even more. Reaching up, Jem took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood away from his lips, and lightly dabbed her skin from the blood that escaped. "I will go get you some water..."
Jem's eyes flickered up into hers and a small smile lifted his lips. "Thank you, Elidi. I would be more than happy to buy a home with you. I want to move because I want something not in a neighborhood. I don't want people watching my every move. You see, I have incredibly nosy neighbors."
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