-
DesmondMorris: *::his coat was pulled around him tightly to kee out the
cold. After locking up the shop he'd spent an hour or so at the coffee house,
–
DesmondMorris: then after remembering Miss Laurent's invitation to meet her
at the crimson petal he decided to pay her a visit::
Alayna Laurent: She sat meditating in her room at the Petal one of the few
things that brought her peace. Time passed slowly some nights and this was
one of them. Ms. Tilly had not been around in a few days and she worried
about her, staying in
Alayna Laurent: tonight in case she happen to turn up.
DesmondMorris: *::he walked down the back passage behind the coffee house,
feeling a bit nervous, wondering what a man like him was doing going to a
brothel. –
DesmondMorris: he reached the front door and made an audible gulp as he
looked up to see the sign above the door. Then gathered his courage and
walked inside::
Alayna Laurent: He'd be greeted by one of the girls and told how to reach
Layna's room once he entered. There was always a girl working the door to
greet people as soon as they entered.
DesmondMorris: ::he inquried about whether Alayna was here at the time, and
was then was given directions on how to reach her room. With a polite smile
and nod he –
DesmondMorris: walked off to find her private chambers::
Alayna Laurent: She opened her eyes and rolled her head around waking from
her meditative state feeling much more relaxed then when she started.
Bringing herself up off the floor she smoothed the wrinkles in her dress.
DesmondMorris: ::reaching the door to the room whom he was instructed to
find, he sighed as he felt a bit nervous, then raised his fist to knock and
hesitated for a moment before rapping lightly with his knuckles::
DesmondMorris: (whom – which)
Alayna Laurent: She looked at door surprised , not really expecting company
tonight and crossed the room , opening the door she peaked out and smiled at
the sight of Desmond opening the door wider. ” What a pleasant surprise Mr .
Morris.”
DesmondMorris: ::he took off his derby and held it at his waist with both
hand:: As it is to see you Miss Laurent. A good evening to you. ::he smiled,
standing at his side of the threshold::
Alayna Laurent: ” Oh. Please..” She stepped aside and waved a hand for him
to enter.” Do come in. Uh I'm afraid the only place to sit is on the bed.”
DesmondMorris: ::he bowed his head slightly:: Thank you ::he then proceeded
to enter the room, once standing in the middle he took a look around::
Alayna Laurent: She closed the door softly and crossed the room to stand in
front of him. She looked around herself as she spoke. ” Well, this is it.
Home sweet home.” She smiled and shifted her weight from one side to the
other feeling a bit shy
Alayna Laurent: herself.
DesmondMorris: ::he smiled as his eyes gazed over the furnishings:: I must
say, it's quite a cozy little place. ::he then looked down into her eyes, the
smile still remaining on his face::
DesmondMorris: Are you surprised that I would accept your invitation in such
a short time?
Alayna Laurent: ” Perhaps….” The smile was still on her face as she went
to have a seat on her bed patting the comforter beside her for him to join
her. ” What brings you here this evening Mr. Morris?” A sly grin.
DesmondMorris: ::he walked over and took a seat next to her but with enough
room between them as to not appear that they were being intimate. He set his
hat down on the floor away from where any feet would be stomping::
DesmondMorris: Well…I…I rather enjoyed our conversation the other
evening, and since it was cut short a bit prematurely I thought that I would
come by and see if you cared to continue it ::he smiled, perhaps a bit
nervously::
Alayna Laurent: ” We ended on a kiss….do you wish to continue from there?”
She scooted closer but only a little, really she was only teasing him finding
it rather fun to make him blush sometimes.
DesmondMorris: Well I…hmm…oh my ::he looked down and began to blush, his
hands resting on either knee. His fingers fidgeting a bit as a smile came
over his face::
Alayna Laurent: ” So is that a yes ….or a no? ” She chuckled and reached
out to grab his fidgiting hands. ” Do I make you nervous sometimes Mr.
Morris?”
DesmondMorris: ::he glanced up at her, and gave an honest nod:: I'm afraid
I'm not quite used to having much attention paid to me by women, especially
someone as fair as yourself ::he smiled a bit::
Alayna Laurent: She had no idea despite compliments how fair she really was
so she wasn't sure if he was sincere or just trying to get himself a freebie
but when she looked at him he just seemed too seincere for her to doubt he
might actually
Alayna Laurent: really like her. ” Thank you Mr. Morris…Desmond. You
flatter so.”
Alayna Laurent: sincere*
DesmondMorris: ::he smiled looking down again. He was wearing his usual
black pants, black suit jacket and vest, as well as a white long sleeved
dress shirt underneath, and black dress shoes:: You are quite welcome Miss
Laurent….Alayna
Alayna Laurent: ” Did you bring anything to read tonight?” She changed the
subject feeling nervous and hating it. “I'm afraid I don't own any books
myself.”
DesmondMorris: ::his mood lifted as his nervousness vanished:: Ahh yes,
Indeed I did ::he pulled off his jacket and set it down on the side opposite
Layna, –
DesmondMorris: then reached into the pocket and took out the book of poems,
this time by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow::
Alayna Laurent: ” Splendid!.” She grinned from ear to ear and made herself
comfortable on her bed crawling up onto it to plop right back down on her
stomach and rest her chin in her hands.
DesmondMorris: ::he looked down at her and smiled, then opened the book and
went to a page he had marked previously. He then cleared his throat and sat
up a bit:: The Fire of Drift-Wood by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
DesmondMorris: We sat within the farm-house old, Whose windows, looking
o'er the bay,Gave to the sea-breeze, damp and cold, An easy entrance, night
and day.
DesmondMorris: Not far away we saw the port, The strange, old-fashioned,
silent town,The lighthouse, the dismantled fort, The wooden houses, quaint
and brown.
DesmondMorris: We sat and talked until the night, Descending, filled the
little room;Our faces faded from the sight, Our voices only broke the gloom.
DesmondMorris: We spake of many a vanished scene, Of what we once had
thought and said,Of what had been, and might have been, And who was changed,
and who was dead;
DesmondMorris: And all that fills the hearts of friends, When first they
feel, with secret pain,Their lives thenceforth have separate ends, And never
can be one again;
DesmondMorris: The first slight swerving of the heart, That words are
powerless to express,And leave it still unsaid in part, Or say it in too
great excess.
DesmondMorris: The very tones in which we spake Had something strange, I
could but mark;The leaves of memory seemed to make A mournful rustling in
the dark.
DesmondMorris: Oft died the words upon our lips, As suddenly, from out the
fireBuilt of the wreck of stranded ships, The flames would leap and then
expire.
DesmondMorris: And, as their splendor flashed and failed, We thought of
wrecks upon the main,Of ships dismasted, that were hailed And sent no answer
back again.
DesmondMorris: The windows, rattling in their frames, The ocean, roaring
up the beach,The gusty blast, the bickering flames, All mingled vaguely in
our speech.
DesmondMorris: Until they made themselves a part Of fancies floating
through the brain,The long-lost ventures of the heart, That send no answers
back again.
DesmondMorris: O flames that glowed! O hearts that yearned! They were
indeed too much akin,The drift-wood fire without that burned, The thoughts
that burned and glowed within.
DesmondMorris: ::he spoke with much bravado, and emotion as he made the
images come to life. He had usually read poetry allowed while alone, to get
the full feel of the words being used. When the poem was finished he closed
the book::
Alayna Laurent: She sat staring off dreamily as the words washed over her,
fully immersing herself. The book shutting snapped her back and she looked up
at him before rolling over onto her back with a sigh and a grin. ” I very
much enjoyed that one
Alayna Laurent: You seem to know my taste so well.”
DesmondMorris: :::he smiled:: Perhaps luck has played a part in it ::he
sighed and then looked down at her as shey lay upon the bed, taking a moment
to enjoy the features of her face before realizing he was staring, and then
looked off::
Alayna Laurent: ” It's okay….I don't mind if you look.” She was gazing at
him now a serious look on her face. She propped herself up on one hand.
DesmondMorris: ::his gaze slowly returned to rest on her eyes, a look of
happiness with just a hint of melancholy could be seen in them as he began to
memorize the intricate features, as well as the imperfections that made her
unique::
Alayna Laurent: She gave him a lopsided grin doing much of the same with his
features as she peered back at him. The silence was deafening and so she
broke it. (s)” The way you look at me…..” She couldn't find the words to
continue.
DesmondMorris: ::he blushed a bit and his hand went up to almost cover his
mouth:: I'm quite sorry, I must have got carried away
Alayna Laurent: ” No it's not a bad thing……I'm just not used to it.”
DesmondMorris: I'm quite surprised to hear it ::he said softly:: There are
many things of great value to be seen there, if time is taken to seek them
out…::he cut himself short:: Pardon me, I must be rambling again
Alayna Laurent: ” No, no, no, By all means …continue.” She laughed to show
she was joking and sat herself back up crossing her legs indian style on the
bedspread wiggling her toes. ” I get stares and compliments, just never quite
like that.”
DesmondMorris: Well perhaps it is because I seek your company for a
different reason. Cheap insincere flattery would never do you justice Alayna.
::he sighed::
Alayna Laurent: ” You seem upset…..you musn't feel sorry me Desmond. I'm
not as unhappy as it may seem at times. ” She looked down at hands staring at
her rings that Si Amun had given her lost in a thought a moment before she
looked back up and
Alayna Laurent: smiled warmly at him. ” It moves me that you seem to worry
about me so in such a short time though.”
DesmondMorris: ::he nodded:: I do feel you are destined for something
grander than all of this ::his arms gestured to the room and building in
general:: I must admit that from our first meeting –
DesmondMorris: I began to feel a strange desire to see that you were happy,
especially after learning of what that damnable Bishop has done. Keeping you
under his thumb. ::he sneered a bit::
Alayna Laurent: ” My troubles with the Bishop are entirely my own fault, I
will handle him myself. I am already intangled with him I would hate the same
happen to you however.”
DesmondMorris: I hope for your sake that you can handle it, but
unfortunately I don't believe it will be so simple. There is definatley
something quite wrong about that man, I just can't seem to put my finger on
it.
DesmondMorris: I feel that dear Mr. St Croix realizes it as well
Alayna Laurent: ” It probably won't be simple but I'm up to the challenge
now in a way I wasn't before. I know what you mean about him though, he
unsettles me as well. Arrolin realizes it but maybe not to the degree I do.
You see I saw the Father
Alayna Laurent: do something very….un natural. He can speak without moving
his lips.”
DesmondMorris: ::he raised an eyebrow at the mention of speaking without
opening his mouth, he then leaned in closer:: (sw) Are you certaing of this?
:::his face was a mx of seriousness and curiosity, this was not your every
day accusation::
Alayna Laurent: ” Just as sure as your sitting here…..I was leaving the
Athenaeum and turned to look at him and he was speaking to me, in my head,
and his lips did not move save once to smile that wicked smile of his. Please
speak of this to no
Alayna Laurent: one though. Or else we'll burnt at the stake for heresy.”
DesmondMorris: ::he put his hand on her's as he began to realize the
implications of this new revelation, as well as the dangers they would bring
to poor Alayna:: (sw) Very well, your secret is safe with me, I shant tell a
soul
Alayna Laurent: ” I only tell you so that you will know to be wary of him.
Arrolin I don't think believed me when I tried to tell him. He was too upset
at the time. It was the night I was drunk I'm afraid. Thank you for your
discretion though.” She
Alayna Laurent: grabbed hold of hand on hers and squeezed it.
Alayna Laurent: his hand*
DesmondMorris: ::he nodded, going silent for a moment. This settled it, he
would have to spend some time and see what exactly this Bishop was up to. If
indeed her claim was accurate, it could mean grave consequences for them
all::
Alayna Laurent: “Best to stay away from him.” Nods and let's out a soft
sigh. ” Lord knows I wish I had, but no use dwelling on that now. Heavens
just thinking about him sometimes gives me the chills.” She shivered.
DesmondMorris: ::he put his other hand over her's:: Alayna, I wish there was
more I could do about this, that man must be stopped, even if I am not the
one to do it ::he sighed, then lifted her hand to his lips for a kiss:: –
DesmondMorris: Someone such as you should not be made to suffer by such a
revolting man as him
Alayna Laurent: ” I am no innocent in all of this Desmond, I had played my
own part in my troubles with Octavius. Which is why I insist on handling it
myself. At least you allow me that.” She grinned. ” Arrolin can be
overprotective at times….as
Alayna Laurent: I am of him I suppose. As I am f you now, risking so much to
tell you what I saw him do. I hope you use the information wisely.”
DesmondMorris: ::he nodded. He would do just that, speak with Arrolin
immediately about the matter and decide upon a plan of action to remove the
yoke that the man had put over Alayna's neck::
DesmondMorris: I will do my best to keep you safe and to be discrete in
matters of which the Bishop is concerned.
Alayna Laurent: If she knew what he was thinking she would be freaking out
but since she can't only smiles. ” Why is it I seem to inspire men to want to
protect me? Do I look that helpless?”
DesmondMorris: ::he smiled a bit:: It's not that I see you as helpless, or
fragile, but that you are a friend, and your safety is of great importance to
me Alayna.
Alayna Laurent: ” I'm touched that you feel that way Desmond I truly am. You
seem like such a sensitive soul it's a shame we didn't meet under better
circumstances…with my job and all.”
DesmondMorris: Better circumstances or not, we had the good fortune to meet
, and that is what is important ::he smiled::
Alayna Laurent: ” I just don't want to hurt you. Not that I flatter myself
in saying that would ever care that strongly for me….it's just…” She
trailed off
DesmondMorris: ::he put a hand to her cheek and smiled giving her a nod to
let he know he understood her intentions::
DesmondMorris: (*her know)
Alayna Laurent: ” I mean if I was free to feel the same way back it would be
one thing but things as they are now. It just would never work. I'm rambling
on .” She waved a hand dismissing herself
DesmondMorris: ::He smiled and then lay back flat on the bed, his hands
resting underneath his head, looking up at the ceiling as his legs dangled
off the edge::
Alayna Laurent: She laid down beside then looking up at the ceiling herself
her head resting against his temple. ” See anything you like up there?” She
chuckled softly
DesmondMorris: ::he laughed softly:: I'm sure if I stared hard enough I
could make something out of it. Not quite like lying on a park bench and
watching the clouds wander by ::he sighed and smiled:: I could spend all day
there –
DesmondMorris: when the sun is shining brightly
Alayna Laurent: ” And do you think you could lay here all day as well?” She
turned her body now to look at him propping herself on one hand and staring
down into his face.
DesmondMorris: ::he was a romantic in the classic sense of the word, the way
he described the things he enjoyed in life was honest and if it seemed as a
tactic of charming others then those who percieve it as thus have been
tricked
DesmondMorris: by the illusion that he is a man who pays much attention to
the thoughts others have of him. He spends most of his time in his own little
world::
DesmondMorris: I think I very well could, the clouds passing by are a sight
to behold, but only once in a lifetime could they take the shape of something
that would match the brillance and delicacy of your face
DesmondMorris: ::he was still looking at the ceiling, talking as if in a
daydream, without realizing she was right there::
Alayna Laurent: ” You render me speechless.” Plops back onto her back
staring off herself. She herself found it impossible not to flirt with men,
it seemed in her blood she reached down and grabbed his hand massing it in
hers and playing with his
Alayna Laurent: fingers absentmindedly.
Alayna Laurent: massaging*
DesmondMorris: ::he spoke softly as if rambling off a line of a poem he had
created in his head at that moment:: (sw) And if they were to take the form
most fair, that fleeting moment of beauty in the air, would surely break my
heart,
DesmondMorris: of which no magic could repair
Alayna Laurent: She craved physical contact and it seemed easiest to get
from a man. She curled up next to him snuggling her head on his chest a hand
resting on his stomach. It wasn't so much sexual in nature as it was a
genuine affection for him-
Alayna Laurent: so surprising even to her after knowing him such a short
time.
DesmondMorris: ::his head turned to look at her and a smile came over his
face, he leaned and kissed her on the forehead gently, then laid back again
and looked up at the ceiling, her touch was enjoyable and it calmed him:::
Alayna Laurent: She smiled at the kiss and lay silently a moment listening
to beat of his heart in his chest. Her hand idly played with the buttons on
his shirt but she did not unfasten them.(s)” Was that a poem you were
reciting earlier?”
DesmondMorris: ::he chuckled a bit:: Oh that, I must have been day-dreaming
about clouds again ::he sighed:: It's a blessing and a curse to find things
that make you happy while you are alone
DesmondMorris: you have them all to yourself, but then there is no one
around to share your joy with
Alayna Laurent: ” I don't see how it could be a curse.Maybe you should write
a book of poetry.” Half draped over him she scooted up to look better into
his face using her arm to hold her up over him. Brown hair came cascading
down and she used her
Alayna Laurent: to pull it back.
Alayna Laurent: used her other hand*
DesmondMorris: ::he chuckled:: Oh Heaven's, I could imagine it now, being
laughed out of the publisher's office ::he smirked and sighed a bit::
Alayna Laurent: ” Nonsense! What you said was as moving as any poem you've
read to me thus far. Do not doubt yourself.”
DesmondMorris: ::he looked into her eyes:: I shall never grow tired of your
kind words Alayna. Thank you. ::he smiled and stroked her cheek gently::
Alayna Laurent: She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes grinning. ” As
I never tire of yours.” She opened her eyes to stare into his now.
DesmondMorris: ::his head tilted up for a moment, leaning in close, he
hesitated for a moment, his lips just fractions of an inch away from her's,
then leaned in to place a gentle kiss::
Alayna Laurent: She leaned down melting into the kiss losing herself in the
gentle contact, tongue parting his lips she deepened the kiss bringing a hand
up to cup his face.
DesmondMorris: ::although he shouldn't have been surprised at how forward
she was, given her occupation, he almost pulled back but decided against it
and matched the emotion of her kiss::
Alayna Laurent: Her kiss grew in fervor as she pressed herself closer to him
letting a moan slip into his mouth. She knew she should stop but it was hard
to bring herself to it just yet. Too wrapped in the moment to think of such
things for long.
DesmondMorris: ::he was lost in the kiss as well, the feeling of her moan
was exciting, and he continued to kiss her, not caring about anything else::
Alayna Laurent: She grew breathless and pulled back to get some air her eyes
still closed as she swallowed then blinking them open to gaze upon him. (w)
” I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me.”
DesmondMorris: ::he smiled:: ( s ) It's alright Alayna, no need to apologize
::he ran his hand through her hair for a moment and then laid back, eyes
still on her face::
Alayna Laurent: She leaned in to kiss his lips again before retreating back
to safety of his arms resting her head on his shoulder. Her face was flushed
and she struggled to control the pounding of her heart. The kiss had worked
her up some and now
Alayna Laurent: she was trying to recover from it. ” Sometimes I can be too
forward.”
DesmondMorris: ::he shook his head with a smile:: It was enjoyable no?
Alayna Laurent: ” Yes, maybe too enjoyable.” She chuckled softly. “I was
tempted not to stop.”
DesmondMorris: ::he laughed softly:: Nothing to feel ashamed of, an innocent
kiss amongst adults, between caring friends ::he smiled::
Alayna Laurent: ” Yes I simply worry that someday it may become more than
innocent. ”
DesmondMorris: ::he nodded and sighed and then touched her cheek, a look of
understanding in his eyes::
Alayna Laurent: “I can't tell you how tempted I am to throw out all reason
and take you into my arms, make love to you….but it wouldn't be love only a
subtitute I suppose
Alayna Laurent: . It can easy to confuse the two.”
Alayna Laurent: can be*
DesmondMorris: ::he nodded again, then looked up at the ceiling:: Some day
you'll discover the difference, I just know it ::his voice was soft but full
of confidence::
Alayna Laurent: “Mmm , maybe. Someday…..still I like the feeling.” She
smiled though he couldn't see it. ' Even it isn't real it's nice while it
lasts.”
Alayna Laurent: ” between it and Even
DesmondMorris: Perhaps it took is like a fleeting cloud at times, there for
a moment, then gone the next ::he sighed::
DesmondMorris: *too not took
Alayna Laurent: I *feel* loved while with a man. It can be addicting, that
feeling. It always seems to leave me longing for more. It must sound odd to
you.”
DesmondMorris: I must admit that I cannot relate , but it doesn't seem too
odd. I on the other hand have found it easier to stay alone than to seek that
love you describe ::he frowned a bit::
Alayna Laurent: She missed the frown but held him to her tighter to comfort
him. ” Is it really easier to be alone?”
DesmondMorris: I'm not quite sure if it is any easier, I mean you don't have
any real memories of being loved, so I suppose that's less of a burden, but
then again it makes you long for those
DesmondMorris: memories, sometimes
Alayna Laurent: ” I long for it yes, and yet I turn it away as well. I
confuse even myself. It can just be hard to believe that someone might love
me in that way.”
DesmondMorris: Truly? I don't find it that hard to imagine ::he smiled a
bit:: Don't let the circumstances that have dictated where you find yourself
today keep you from seeking that love
Alayna Laurent: “It may be insecurities or just my own defenses after the
hell my mother put me through. I'm working to change that though. It will
take time but already I feel a change in me sometimes. It's just hard to
maintain that confidence
Alayna Laurent: .”
DesmondMorris: I'm pleased to hear it. Mr St Croix and I will be more than
happy to provide the support you need to help find your true path in life,
however long it may take, regardless of the perils involved ::he smiled::
Alayna Laurent: ” Yes Arrolin has helped to open my heart some…and in the
short time I've known yo,u you have as well. It can leave me reeling at
times.” She chuckled. ” But I wouldn't have it any other way I suppose.”(once again an unfinished scene lol sorry people but we stopped to go to sleep here and played the rest in the MR, really not much left to this scene though just them getting to know eachother. Please give some XP Desmonds way for a fun time and thanks!)
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