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Post by Poe on Jul 9, 2009 19:29:30 GMT -5
The two man dragged Toni Wilkes down toward the lake, not bothering to watch out for rocks or sticks, not caring if he hit his head. They grunted from his weight, towing him by his feet. As they arrived at the boat dock, they bent to quickly tie his feet together with his own shoelaces, tying the knots tight and thick. With a heave, the two gypsies lifted him into the boat, setting him down into the bottom of the small paddle boat that the girls from the school often used. Sighing, they quickly untied the ropes that kept it near the dock, using their feet to push it out into the water before they clapped their hands of the dust and grime that they had picked up from him. Together, the two stood in the pale moonlight, watching as he floated further and further down the lake, just flowing with the current. "He won't remember much in the morning. And they'll probably call The Yard for this- they'll think we did it, even if he can't off proof. Now we just have to hope Lillian'll know what to do, if she'll tell the headmistress about this or just let the whole thing slide..." He shuddered, rubbing his shoulders, dirt from his hands mixing into the discolored white shirt. "Bryce is going to kill us for letting it go that far," he whispered, looking out across the water before back toward the woods where they had begun to drag him away. "But there wasn't much we could do right away." His friend nodded, running a hand through his short, dark hair, before they both turned around to go see if they needed help with the girl and getting her back to Bryce. They'd be far more gentler with her than they were with him.
The men looked back and fourth at each other, not sure what it meant that she was sobbing, that she couldn't speak, and that it looked like she was having trouble breathing. But they asked no questions, and the tallest of them stepped forward, bending down to lift her up carefully in his arms, carrying her like a new born child. He hissed in disgust when her dress fell away. "Here, take her for a moment," he said, pulling off his dress shirt after he handed the girl over to one of the others, who held her gingerly. He wrapped the white shirt around her torso like one would wrap a towel around oneself, tying it off with the sleeves, wincing again when his hands found warm blood on her back from the tree. "Christ, if we don't get blamed for this then..." He shook his head, carefully taking her back, glancing down at her, realizing that they were man-handling her more than that sleaze ball had. "Sorry," he said sheepishly, wondering how awake she really was.
The moved away with her as silently as they had appeared, walking through the trees as they had all their life and moving by memory. The moon looked down at them, as if understanding that the horror was over and starting to soften once more. As they broke through the clearing they stumbled back in surprise by the slick sound of a sword being drawn and the growl of Bryce's voice. "I swear to god, you bastard, if you're back I'm gonna kill you-" he blinked when his friends walked out, holding Lillian in their arms, and Bryce balked, going pale at the sight of her. "L-Lil?" He half whispered, looking wildly at the man that was carrying her. "Boston, is she okay? What... Where did that freak go, I swear to god I'll kill him." His voice shook and he strained against the ropes that bound him once again, his dirt-stained face streaked with tears. "Relax, Bryce," Boston whispered, walking forward and backing his friend up toward the cave before he handed the woman over. "I don't... I don't think he did anything to her. But I'm gonna need to talk to her when she's more comfortable... That way we can get Mother's help," he said, referring to Sophie, watching as Bryce sunk to the ground with Lillian in his arms. He gently brushed her hair back, to afraid to touch her, not sure what she exactly wanted. "Lil?" He whispered. "Lillian? God, I'm so sorry... I wish... I wish I coulda broken every bone in his goddamn body. I hate..." And he fell silent, his shoulders shaking with silent remorse with all the wishing that he could be broken from the Realms and lead a normal life.
With her.
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Post by whisp. on Jul 9, 2009 20:25:46 GMT -5
Lillian didn’t care where they dragged that…that…thing off to. She didn’t look or care, just that he was gone and that she was in control again. The palms of her hands looked up at her and she studied the lines and dirt on them before she squeezed them shut as if she was gripping something. And that something was just herself. None of this felt real, as though she should wake up and find herself asleep in the sun, whose rays always cast a spell on those who lingered too long and comfortably beneath it. It wasn’t long before she felt herself rise up as a tall figure pulled her up into his arms. There was a cold breeze as her dress fell and she shivered more, the skin just above her corset very pale in the moonlight. She could feel that she was being moved again and she didn’t argue or protest.
Warmth was wrapped around her and she leaned towards the mans chest. There was an overwhelming smell of earth and nature and air and it calmed her down slightly. This was familiar to her and comfortable. It reminded her of how Bryce smelled against her and she breathed out slower, the crying lowering to a less shrill and sobbing manner. Now she was simply quiet, listening for the normal routine of the night to carry on, the moon a fluorescent light above.
Time seemed to slow as they carried her back, or maybe it went faster; she couldn’t tell. Her mind was doing circles round and round and she shifted uncomfortably in Boston’s arms as she remembered the feeling of Toni on her, against her. It was making her sick and her stomach knotted, twisting in different ways. Somewhere along the journey she moved in his arms and threw up everything in her stomach, the sickness coming out. It was just all too much to comprehend. “I’m sorry.” She meekly said, curling closer and shuddering from the empty feeling, yet some content-ness in her stomach.
The slice of Bryce’s blade cut the nights symphony and Lillian found herself being traded to another mans arms once more. This time it was a calming one though and her stiff body relaxed a bit as she cleared her throat, looking to the men. “Thank you…so much.” Her voice was young, still raw from the screaming at had taken place. She nodded at some point at the request to talk later, but for now her attention was solely on Bryce.
Fingers moved up his chest, almost checking to make sure he was completely real and would not vanish if she blinked. Lillian’s eyes darted to his eyes and lips as he talked and she tilted her head slightly towards his hand. Finally and suddenly her arms wrapped around him firmly, and she turned to bury her face into the nape of his neck and kissed softly for a moment as tears came rolling down her cheeks again. She allowed herself to be swallowed into the warmth and safety she felt in his arms and she clung to him and that security she yearned for.
Words, soft as a whisper slipped through her bruised lips to reach him… “I love you.”
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Post by Poe on Jul 9, 2009 20:49:03 GMT -5
Boston stopped moving as she moved in his arms, as if trying to escape, and he loosened his grip when he found that she was not trying to run, that she wasn't screaming in terror. The boys averted their gaze as she retched into the grass beneath their feet, and at her apology, Boston shook his head, trying not to smile. "No harm done, m'lady," he said softly, letting her readjust in his arms again before they started to move on. They had been more afraid when she had just laid their, looking soulless and dead after he'd violated her. They swallowed, realizing that Bryce probably would beat them later when he learned how far they let him go. They didn't enjoy watching it. But if they had given away their position before the time was perfect for the strike... things probably wouldn't have gone as easily as they were supposed to. They whispered to themselves as they moved along, one of them deciding to go back to camp while Boston and the three others stayed, waiting for information that they would need to take back to Mother Sophie. Boston's stomach itself got sick as he pushed himself to his knees in the clearing, the three others behind him doing that also, their eyes locked either on the ground or the sky, giving Bryce and Lillian their moment alone. Boston looked up, however, when she whispered her thank you, and laughed softly, giving her a genuine smile of white, white teeth. "It was the least we could do, ma'am," he said. "Thank you for staying strong for us." Bryce glanced sharply up at Boston at that, and he knew that he'd be in for it once they had Lillian safely tucked into bed at the school.
Bryce stayed still as she touched his chest, shocked that she wanted him to be near her. To him, it seemed, after an experiance like that he would have wanted to be as far away from the male population as possible. He stroked her hair, his body relaxing as she threw her arms around him, and he held her close, kissing the top of her head. "Lillian..." He whispered, sighing. "I'm so sorry." He hated that he hadn't been able to help. That he couldn't have cut Toni Wilkes' head off for what he did to her. That he couldn't have seen his face and saved her from harm. He glanced, angril at the opening to the cave, then at the moon, which had been gradually chaning position, letting him know that in an hour or so he'd be free to move about as he pleased. With a deep sigh, he leaned back against the stone wall. Humming a lullabye to her, trying to get her to calm herself down. His heart skipped a beat as she said those three words and he smiled slightly.
"I love you too, Lil," he said quietly.
He looked up at Boston. "What did you do with him?" Boston sighed, glancing nervously at Lillian. "He's floating in the lake. He's alive. We didn't need a huge offense against us. But, Mother Sophie figured that if we had to have an offense we might as well say we saved the girl." He bit his lip, and watched as Bryce gently rubbed her shoulders, avoiding her back where the bruises were. At Bryce's motion to Boston's shirt, Boston glanced toward the sky, as if offering up a prayer that Bryce wouldn't kill him. "He tore it," he whispered, Bryce's body went rigid and he bowed his head, burrying his face in Lillian's hair.
ooc: Suckss.
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Post by whisp. on Jul 9, 2009 21:35:19 GMT -5
Lillian was so grateful to these men. She hadn’t seen them, hadn’t heard them, she didn’t even know that they were there. But they saved her, held her, took care of her. The sour taste in her mouth hardly compared to Toni's taste and she felt no embarrassment for dumping her entire meal on the ground in front of them. There was a numbness that still haunted its way through her body and she just didn’t care. Like she could have stopped it from happening anyways.
Her head gave the slightest of nods at Boston as he excused her from her mess and her eyes closed as she adjusted comfortably in his arms. She was safe. Everything would be okay for now. Breathe.
That was the word that she repeated to herself over and over again. Slowly and very steadily she was able to regain some of her composure, the air not sticking to the side of her throat and choking her. It was only mere moments later that she was curled up in Bryce’s arms and was able to breathe more easily and carefully now. Her lips managed a tiny smile for Boston when he called her ma’am and she nodded once more at him.
She adjusted her face against Bryce, wincing slightly at how sore her jaw was from being tense and held. Ten fingers laced together behind his back, keeping her firmly against him. Her body felt completely safe and comfortable near Bryce, he was familiar. It would be the strange faces of male figures that would scare her and worry her.
When he leaned against the rock she pulled her hands around to his chest, stroking it for a moment as he kissed her head and rubbed her shoulders. “It’s okay.” She said gently in return. She knew he couldn’t have prevented this, that there was nothing he could have done. Realms was a gift and a curse and right now it was truly a curse.
The humming calmed her down more, her eyes closing slowly, trusting the man she was being held against. Lillian wasn’t worried if Bryce said he loved her back or not…she knew it. She knew it in her being that he did, and that was enough for her. When Boston and Bryce talked back and forth she listened, nodding a bit slightly as if in understanding. She knew she would have to bring this up with the headmistress and it would be nice to understand the details of what was going on. Yet there was an unsettling feeling her stomach. The bastard was alive.
Lillian buried herself against Bryce more at a breeze, the cuts stinging more and more to the exposed air. She would wait here with Bryce until he could leave and then she planned on going back to camp with him where she would spend the night. She was not going back to her own room alone. The thought scared her. It left her feeling vulnerable and her body tensed at it, her breathing picking up. Yes, tough, smart ass Lillian Macarthur was terrified.
“I’m staying with you.” She murmured gently, her voice firm on the fact. “I can’t go back there Bryce, not yet. Please.” Lillian begged, holding onto him more as he buried his face into her hair. “please, let me stay with you.”
ooc: does not. xD
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Post by Poe on Jul 9, 2009 22:10:01 GMT -5
"Lillian, ma'am, I'm really sorry, but we're going to need to talk about what happened just a little bit," Boston said uncomfortably as she adjusted her hands to trace Bryce's chest. He watched the two of them, his head tilted to the side. A gyp and a princess. It hardly seemed a fitting match. He forced a hand through his hair, the words catching in this throat. "I'm sorry," he said again, wincing. "But, I need to know... if he. Uhm." The words stopped and he sighed in exasperation, not knowing how to word this. "Ah, uhm, did he violate you in the sense of. Uhm." Another uncomfortable silence fell. "Lillian did he rape you...... completely?" He added, letting the completely awkward words fall from her lips. His dark eyes examined Bryce as he stiffened, waiting to hear what she said. From where the five had stood in the trees they could not tell what exactly was going on, which is why the chose to act when they did. When the sounds became that much more disgusting. Boston's head dropped, his hair gleaming in the moonlight as he waited patiently for her answer. One boy had already run back to camp to get a serum for the cuts on her back, and he arrived now, carrying bandages colored with goopy green pus with clean white ones thrown over his arm. He waited in silence until Bryce called him forward, allowing him to walk up to them. "Can you hold off on an answer for a minute, Boston?" Bryce asked. "I wanna fix this..." He looked down at Lillian, uncomfortable suddenly. "Can I help you with your back?" He asked softly.
And then she started to panic again. Only slightly though, about going back to the school that night. He winced, remember other girl's that had happened to spend the night in his caravan... For other reasons- like being drunk and out of it... He hesitated. "We'll see," he said softly. If she happened to get caught... all hell would break loose. He stroked her hair, wondering if it were even possible for him to sneak into her room...? His mind worked, trying to figure out the best way to help her out. "Come on, baby," he whispered, nervous, hating that she was this scared, that she was begging. "Please, don't be scared." He looked up at Boston, who watched Bryce silently, offering him no help. Probably not the nicest thing. The boy with the bandages stood by, rocking on his heels, wondering when he would really be needed.
"Uhm," he interjected, raising the green bandages. "If we wait too long... these'll dry out," he muttered, sounding awkward. Boston shook his head, and Bryce looked at all of them, starting to feel the bonds of Fantasia's hold on him slipping away. Bryce sighed, shaking his head, and glancing into the cave. Boston shrugged. "Go ahead," he murmered. "I'll have more questions when you're both done." Bryce nodded, carefully lifting her chin with his finger, looking at the bruises that were starting to form on her face, his lips gently laying on hers.
ooc: Okay, this one really sucks. Dane Cook is distracting me. XD
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Post by whisp. on Jul 9, 2009 22:40:04 GMT -5
As she was addressed, Lillian tilted her head slightly to catch Boston’s expression. She knew the questions would come, she was expecting them. No one was really there but her and only she could condemn Mr. Wilkes. The ball in the back of her throat threatened again and she let out a slightly unsteady breath, waiting for the tall man to get out his uncomfortable words and questions. There was a pause at the end as Lillian replayed it slowly in her head. “no.” she said quietly after a moment, her hand remembering where it had been pressed against tightened suddenly around Bryce’s arm. “He…touched me inappropriately. Made me touch him wrongly.” She swallowed but found her mouth dry and had to swallow again to stop it from being so.
By now she could tell there was a new person to the group and she looked up and over at him, eyeing the green goopy substance that she assumed would cover her back. She glanced up to Bryce and nodded at his question, her hands moving to the shirt and she bit her lip unsure how he wanted this to be done and where.
At that moment though, she didn’t mind getting caught down at the Gypsy camp. She just wanted to be as far away from Florence’s as possible, it was safe. With everything that had happened, she figured that even the Headmistress may understand her reasoning for wanting to stay in the camp where it was out of harm's way and friendly to her.
Bryce’s unsure words caused her stomach to knot up more and she let out a ragged breath, waiting, worried. She simply nodded though, knowing that she wasn’t going to go back no matter what. Yes, she would be difficult. But she couldn’t help the feelings that stirred inside her, and she could barely imagine the nightmares that were to come and all she wanted was a firm figure next to her to hold her and keep the sense of security with her throughout the night. She was too afraid to wake up alone and feel crazy from the night before.
There was an impatience in the circle of men and Lillian very slowly cleared her throat as she started to untie the white shirt and loosened it gently, not allowing it to completely fall off of her back. She used her hands to secure it to her there and used one hand to move her hair off of her stinging back.
Her eyes met Bryce’s as he took her face gently in his hand and her eyes immediately closed when his lips touched hers and she returned the kiss, yearning to feel the taste of him on her lips more than anyone else’s. She shivered at the cold breeze and slowly broke the kiss and rested her head on his shoulder once more. “can you fix me?” she said, referring to her back, which was scraped with the skin risen in some areas where the cuts were deeper. “did you want to go to the cave?” She would fully take the shirt off in there where it was darker. She trusted most of these men, but she wanted…needed Bryce more.
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Post by Poe on Jul 9, 2009 22:56:26 GMT -5
Boston let out a sigh, glad to hear that they had stopped it before it went too far. He gnawed on his lip as he listened to her, rubbing his arm slightly, his eyes staying on her and Bryce while she spoke. "I'm glad to hear it was nothing more than that, though," he said at least, feeling slightly bad that he let the words out. But being touched that way was better than being raped, even if it still hurt you. But her innocence had not been stolen from her and that was what Boston had been worried about. "It will just feel like a big, scary dream tomorrow, Lillian," Boston said, trying to make his voice sound convincing. "Mother Sophie'll give you something to help you sleep." He fell silent then, his gaze averted as she reached back to loosen the shirt he had silently tied around her to hide her bare skin from being exposed. All the men, including Bryce looked away, toward the ground, the sky, the trees.
"Come on," Bryce said, reaching to tie the shirt back up, his fingers gentle. "Let's go in here..." She was still in his lap, and since he insisted upon protecting her he insisted upon carrying her. Gently picking her up he moved her into the cave, and from where he stood in the shadows, he watched Boston quickly move over to the other men. The boy with the bandages handed them to Bryce and then exited the cave, his head down, eyes half closed. Bryce mumbled his thanks and then, with shaking hands reached to loosen her shirt again. "How do you want me to do this?" He asked, forcing his voice to remain calm when he saw the cuts that had been carved into her back. His hands curled into fists and he reached over for her hand, resting it in his before he gently kissed each finger.
His voice seemed lost for a moment, but finally words choked out. "I am sorry, Lillian," he said. "Sorry that I couldn't help you like they did. And he did, genuinely feel horrible. The knot in his chest, which had loosened upon seeing her alive and well, was still there. Guilt still weighed down hard on him, and his body was still shaking with anger and sadness. He stepped around in front of her, getting dripped on the head a few times by the rain. Kissing her forehead softly, he knelt down in front of her, goey bandages in a bowl, clean ones around his neck. He reached up, untying his red scarf and looped it around her waist, creating for her a sash. "Just a piece of me to be with you always," he said, kissing her forehead again as he stood up, and walked back around behind her.
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Post by whisp. on Jul 9, 2009 23:21:52 GMT -5
There was silence in the pause and Lillian looked around to each member of the group around her, desperately trying to memorize the faces in the half light moon. It was late and her eyes suddenly felt tired and heavy yet she knew that sleep would not come for a long, long time. It would take much tossing and turning and worrying herself into exhaustion that would finally cause her to fall into a dreamless sleep that would surely cause her to rise early in a fit of stress.
She ducked her head slightly, studying the ground as Boston responded to her and she breathed out slowly, hard. Her muscles were once more tense and she had to concentrate on breathing to relax herself once more. Nodding slightly at Boston’s slight words of comfort she breathed out. “Thank you.” They were the only words that seemed appropriate right now and all she could think to say to the man.
Lillian barely noticed how they all averted their eyes. She was just so lost right now; barely feeling the motions her body floated her through. Arms clung to him as Bryce picked her up and carried her into the murky cave, the blood beneath her skin humming at the energy of being so close to Fantasia, awaking her senses and causing her pale skin to glow slightly in the darkness. Wet drops of water touched her face and cheek and she waited patiently as Bryce prepared himself. Her hands moved over his at the shaking and moved to slowly untie the shirt, letting it drop slowly to the ground exposing pale and red skin. There was a faint blush on her face and neck and she looked down for a moment as she rubbed her arm. Her hand was caught in his and she tilted her head as he kissed each finger, the warmth of affection filling her being completely.
“Bryce…” she started gently. “Fantasia needed you. I…they saved me. I couldn’t be upset at you…for…being trapped.” The words hurt, but she couldn’t feel horrid feelings for something he couldn’t prevent. He wanted to be there, wanted to help her and that’s what counted to her. She looked up to him as he walked around and a puff of air came from her mouth as she breathed out. Eyes blinked slowly as he tied the scarf around her and her hands moved to stroke the fabric. “Thank you.” She said, eyes brimming from the affection she was being given.
Instead of allowing him to walk around her she turned slowly, her hands reaching to lean against the side of the cave. Shakily she moved the hair once more from her back to the side to rest easily on her shoulder. Sore muscles anticipated the sting of the green substance against her and she closed her eyes, tuning out all thoughts to just simple blankness. Her pale skin still glowing and humming from the magic around her.
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Post by Poe on Jul 9, 2009 23:40:22 GMT -5
He had never seen her like this before. Vulnerable. Scared. Exhausted. Used. Half-dressed, but glowing with the magic, her body hummed from being this close to the realms, and his breath caught in his throat. As she braced herself against the wall he stared at the ugly red lines on her back, going down to his knees, the water from the cave soaking his breeches through. He stared at the water for a long moment before he pulled off his shirt, soaking that too, pressing it gently to her back, cleansing the wounds of the tree bark. Still shaking, Bryce drew in a breath, gently blowing on her back before he took the green strips, carefully wrapping her torso in them. Though he hated himself for it, he couldn't help it when his fingers strayed across the soft skin of her arms as he tied off one bandage, and then another. Outside, the night was completely silent, and he muled over the words she had told him- that Fantasia needed him. Well. He was starting to think, screw fantasia. Running a hand down his face, Bryce picked up Boston's shirt, slowly putting her arms through the sleeves, and turning her around to button it up as far as it would go. He looked up at her as he did so, struggling with the buttons at first. When she said thank you for the scarf, he shrugged, smiling slightly. "It was the least I could do..."
Sitting back on his heels, Bryce mumbled something under his breath, and held his arms open for her waiting for her to bury her face in his shoulder before he said. "I'm not going to leave you alone tonight... I'll let you stay with me. We'll-" as in the other gypsies- "figure out a story that'll lean in our favor." He kissed her cheek, still stroking her hair. "Come on," he whispered. "Boston is gonna want to play detective again, I'll bet..."
But Bryce did not move. He stayed as he was, holding her, wishing he could never let go. "We need to talk about what Toni Wilkes is, Lil," he muttered. "He's got more magic in him than you've got in your little finger- he was born from magic." He winced, his memory flashing back to the day he let him slip through door, let him catch him by surprise, and woke up on the ground, staring at the stars a the next night, still dazed. "I don't know if you can magic your way out of this mess, Lillian... The only good news is he doesn't know who you are or what you can do. Unless you...?" He looked at her, eyes questioning her. Knowing, that if it was him, he would have exposed who he was to get the creeper off of him.
Outside of the cave, Boston coughed, waiting for the two of them to come back out. It was getting late, and he was set on her staying at the camp, even if it meant Bryce wouldn't let her stay with him. He pushed a hand through his hair, glancing toward the moon. "Bryce, buddy, your shift is up. Come on, let's get out of here in case that freak wakes back up. Ow! Hey, what was that for?" One of his friends had hit him in the back of the head- a subtle reminder that Toni Wilkes' victim was still within earshot. "Sorry," he muttered, tucking his hands into his pockets. Bryce grinned slightly, then looked at Lillian. "You ready to go?"
Bryce would do anything for her. Go anywhere. See anything. Just to make her happy. Just to keep her safe.
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Post by whisp. on Jul 10, 2009 0:17:53 GMT -5
A wall was slowly forming in Lillian’s mind, thrusting itself forward to block others out. She could feel it building brick by brick, preparing for classes with other students, lunches, tea parties, the headmistress, all of it. The feeling of pure helplessness tasted raw and sour in her mouth and seemed like acid churning in her stomach. She was strong and powerful…to be so defenseless and alone was like an insult to the very pride she had built up over the years. And it was destroyed in a matter of a few minutes and would now have to start from scratch all over again.
Her eyes traveled into the depths of the cave, ideas threading themselves together. It was only a few steps away and she could pull Bryce into the Realms, exposing him to the magic he’d never seen before. He could live it, breathe it, they could make love beneath the daylight stars and never grow tired of each other. She wanted him so badly in that moment. She had this sudden fear of losing her innocence to a man that she didn’t want and right now she wanted Bryce to be the man she shared herself with.
She jumped at how cold the water felt against her skin as goose bumps rose on her arms and shoulders. It didn’t take long to adjust to him placing the strips on her back, the slight stinging dwindling off after a few moments. She let him do this in silence, distracting herself by running her fingers slowly over the cave wall, taking in its cool texture and structure with its dampness. She allowed herself to wonder how caves were even formed and how they remained so. This one’s special though… she thought before she moved to help Bryce slip the shirt on her.
Piercing blue eyes found his own baby blues and she held his gaze as he buttoned up her shirt and took care of her. There was softness in her expression, of thanks and of affection. “I’ll keep it with me always.” Lillian found it easier to string words together with him, now that they were alone and she was safe. She felt slightly stronger, wounded, but stronger; her knees now allowing her to stand firmly on the ground.
Lillian did not waste time at his invitation and her arms wrapped themselves around his waist and she pulled herself closer, face nuzzling its way into a familiar spot in his chest, right above his heart where she could listen to the constant thump, thump, thump, thump of his heartbeat beneath her.
His words reached Lillian and her body relaxed against him more, and she breathed out as if she had been holding it in. “Thank you Bryce.” She said, holding him more tightly. She couldn’t have…gone back there, alone. With the shadows and the silence. She needed him next to her in her sleep, subconsciously comforting her throughout the night.
Lillian had nodded at his words, but much like him she didn’t move a single bone or ligament in her body to stray away from the safety of him around her. Toni Wilkes. The name alone sent a shiver through her, almost distracting her from what Bryce was really saying. “Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?” She figured it was, somewhere she had pieced it together. “what’s he doing here in our world?” Her mind traced back to the incident, scenes rolling her in mind and her head moved back and forth. “I didn’t expose myself to him that way. I figured…if you were so terrified of him, it was worth keeping my secrets from him.” Her face nuzzled more into him as thoughts came back and she forced them away as fast as she could, her breathing hitching for a moment.
From inside the cave she could hear Boston talking and slowly she moved back from Bryce to look towards the entrance of the cave. Extending her hand she took his in hers, almost chuckling at the size difference. “I’m ready.” And she moved to start leading them out, her first few steps wary until she picked up stronger paces. She didn’t know what was ahead of her, but she had Bryce by her side and right now that was all she needed.
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Post by Poe on Jul 10, 2009 15:29:11 GMT -5
The moments they were sharing together in the cave... It was like one Bryce may not ever experience again. While she said she loved him tonight, he had no clue how long that magic would last. It was the moon, after all, that did this too them. That bathed them in a mystical light and allowed them to create a humming magic between their bodies. So he stared into her ice blue eyes, memorizing this moment, his hands slowly rubbing up and down her arms, as if trying to warm her. When this moment was over, then reality would have to set in. And then she spoke, saying she'd keep it with her always, and then thanking him, her head suddenly buried within his chest. The moment was broken. His blue eyes still sparkled, the moment they had just had memorized and stored away into a fine detail. He rubbed her hair, moving his shoulders up and down. "I'm glad you like it, and no problem. It was the least I could do. I wouldn't have slept well, knowing you were back in that school."
That school. That school held her future, and Bryce couldn't let her leave that behind. His mind chugged along, working to piece ideas together, knowing that if she really loved them, then she'd keep attending classes there, making a life for herself, and she'd find a husband to keep her safe and warm at night. Though it pierced his heart, he knew he could never support her like she would want to be supported. Not even the gypsies were completely happy with their lives. They always wanted more, the women lusted after the beautiful dresses and they hated the girls who attended Florence for having what they did. He'd make sure she took care of herself, that she had a good life, a loving husband, and he'd always. Always be waiting in the wings. He rubbed her back before she stood up, having heard Boston's voice. Bryce looked from her to the mouth of the cave, and shrugged. "As long as you're sure," he said softly, getting up off of his knees. Her hand resided in his right while the wooden bowl in the left. She seemed steady now, and he squeezed her hand with his massive one as they entered the clearing, out of the moonlight.
"You feeling better, ma'am?" Boston asked, surprised that she was up on her feet already. Men. They always seemed to think women were so weak, but both Boston and Bryce knew that if they were in her position they would have curled up in a ball and not moved again for a week. Bryce smiled slightly, letting go of her hand to put his arm around her shoulder. "Wrapped her up like a present," he said softly. "You might want to change them tomorrow though," he added, looking at her, "before you go back home." Home. How he absolutely wished that his home could be hers. But no, he knew better, and he pushed the thoughts out of his mind, remembering that if he loved her and she loved him then they'd both want what was best for her- for Lillian Macarthur. Bryce's blue eyes found the moon, tracing the bulbous shape before glancing down at Lillian. "If you get tired, just let me know."
The walk back to the camp seemed longer tonight, the boys had slowed their pace for the girl, knowing that she would probably still be hurting. But Mother Sophie, who seemed to be feeling her best that night, stood next to the last tree before the camp, holding up a bright lantern, peering into the darkness, her eyes fervent. "Hurry," she hissed. "Before the dark one rises."
As if on cue, all the men glanced over their shoulder toward the lake, where for some reason they knew the boat floating in the middle of the water was empty.
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Post by whisp. on Jul 10, 2009 16:37:54 GMT -5
Hearts beating each to each, and their arms holding each other close, Lillian didn’t know how any of this couldn’t be real. The moon may have made them playful, but strife and worry were where the true emotions shone. Alone in the cave with Bryce, the pure silence of the night, the moon not touching a single square inch of their bodies and Lillian could still feel the pulse of him with her. Her gaze never strayed from him, her breath catching for a moment as she watching him, studied him, taking him in as this new person and new chapter in her life. He’d always be in her story, buried deep within the pages, close to her heart. Her body warmed with his touch, relaxed and peaceful there with him. The rest of the world didn’t matter right now, it was just her and Bryce and the cave and the magic.
She didn’t care about the school that was not horribly far away, all that mattered was the man right in front of her. If she decided to be with him and if he said he’d take her, she’d leave that life behind her to be with him. Lillian didn’t like how society looked down upon her as woman anyway, and the Gypsy lifestyle of easy going days with fresh air and a tight knit group sounded more welcoming than the cold nights in the city with gossiping moths around her. Lillian did not want to be her mother in any way, shape, or form. If she was happy, that’s what counted to her. She didn’t need the fancy dresses or the expensive jewelry, what she wanted was freedom, choice, and love.
Lillian waited as he gathered his things and got ready to leave, elbow resting lightly on the cave wall. Fingers laced slowly with his and she returned the squeeze, almost feeling like a child compared to him. “I’m ready.” She said softly, but she didn’t look as if she wanted to go. Because she knew that as soon as they left the cave that she would have to face questions and she would become ‘that girl’ that almost got raped, that got hurt. She wouldn’t just be Lillian Macarthur or the leader of the Unloved. No, she’d be known for the incident and nothing more.
Step after step she guided her feet to walk over to the man and she nodded at his question. “Bryce fixed me up just fine.” She said gently as Bryce described it like a present and she nodded, knowing she’d probably ask him to help her with it in the morning. That was another thing that she was not ready to even consider, the morning and having to go back and reface the memories and the cuts and bruises.
Her body leaned against his slightly as they began to walk in the forest towards the camp, and she strained to keep herself strong. The only thing that was keeping her moving was her pride that was determined to show that she was stronger than this, that she’d be okay; even though she felt like crumbling inside. She wouldn’t let anyone else see that, not even Bryce though she was sure he could guess it.
The speed in which they were going eventually did tire her out and she weakly asked Bryce if he’d carry her about half way there. Her mind was still going; it was just her body that couldn’t keep up. Fighting Toni Wilkes had taken a lot more out of her than what she had suspected. It was only when she neared camp did she feel a lot more safer, comfortable, some gear shifting in her mind.
Her body though, did tense at Mother Sophie’s words and she turned to bury her face into Bryce’s chest, trying her hardest to block out the thoughts that…that creature was walking around again, sneaking, slithering, coming for her. “Hurry.” She whispered, echoing Mother’s words. She wanted to be inside somewhere, tucked away safely in Bryce’s arms, away from the night, away from the moon, and away from Toni Wilkes.
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Post by Poe on Jul 13, 2009 11:13:18 GMT -5
He looked down at her, as if surprised that she was speaking to him, asking him to lift her off her tired feet. His own blue eyes showed his weariness, and he bent down to gently pick her up, holding her as a mother holds her child against his chest, his pace slowing slightly so that the motion would not make her sick. He gazed ahead, staring tiredly into the moondark forest, listening to the sounds of everyone else's breathing as he tried to keep his own level. The forest was still silent, as if the animals knew of the dangers that had occured and still could, scampering away to hide in their trees and holes, covering their eyes even though, for them, the night had only just begun. Before them, Mother Sophie waved her arms frantically, and the boy's pace picked up, including Bryce's, especially so when he heard the soft 'Hurry' from the bundle in his arms. He glanced behind him, watching as the shadows moved witht he wind, slinking along in the trees. As they entered the camp, a sort of calming came over each of them, and a breath of relief escaped Bryce's mouth. He glanced over at Mother, waiting orders, but when she hobbled away, he blinked, confused. A soft laugh escaped Boston's lips and he turned to leave, going to his own caravan to rest, glancing once or twice at the shadows.
As the group of boy's dispersed, a small girl became known to Bryce, and he glanced down at her, watching her as she played with her long black braids. It was as if she had just appeared out of Mother's skirts. "Our mother asks that you take her to your caravan, and allow her some rest. She says I'll bring her something for the pain and something to help the bruises fade, and that I'll bring you something to sleep," she said meekly, looking down at her bare toes, studying the brown henna markings that wove their way through the spaces in her toes, up her ankles, and into the skirts of her tattered dress. She peeked up at Bryce through her bangs, and then looked back down again before swirling away, disappearing farther into camp in a swirl of colorful skirts. Sighing, Bryce walked toward the back of camp, still carrying the school girl, and getting very interested looks. If most of the other gypsies hadn't heard the story they probably assumed Bryce had kidnapped the girl- and not that they would have minded, thinking she would get some bodily torture (that they thought she deserved). Most Gypsies didn't like the rich, sometimes snotty schoolgirls. He used to wonder why, and then, of course, he met some pretty face or whatnot, and all of his opinions on them all being good went down the drain. He didn't look at his fellow travelers though, and continued to walk straight to his own caravan.
He glanced down at her as he climbed up the polished wooden steps to the box he called home, pushing open the vibrant red painted door and slunk inside. If he had magic he'd simply breath upon a candle stick to make it light. He'd blink, and the covers on the bed would go back for her to rest. He'd say the word and everything that had happened to her tonight wouldn't be true. Instead he had to do it all by hand. Walking her over to the neatly made bed and setting her down, pulling the covers down and fluffing the pillow, allowing her to make herself comfortable. Then walking blindly to the small table that he had rigged to fold away into the wall, fumbling for matches and struggling the light the sucker. There was an odd silence about him, as if he was afraid to speak... As if he was on the verge of breaking and if he were to open his mouth he would tear in two. He pulled open the chest that sat at the edge of his bed, pulling out a soft blue dress that once belonged to his mother. He took a deep breath, glancing at it and then looking up at Lillian. "This should fit you," he said weakly. "If not, it'll at least serve for something more comfortable than a corset to sleep in." He pushed a hand through his hair, shutting the trunk with a dull thunk and latching it. He laid the dress out on the end of the bed, retreating. "I'll give you some room, if you like," he added.
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Post by whisp. on Jul 13, 2009 17:28:28 GMT -5
Lillian’s head was spinning once more and as she looked up and caught the expression in his eyes, she was worried that she was becoming a bother to him. There was a fear that she was just this little girl to him that he felt he had to take care of, but didn’t necessarily want to. But yet there was, huddled up in his arms, feeling the most safe she had in many a days. She didn’t want to be put down, to be let go of, to be vulnerable again. By now she could hear the clatter and noises of the camp ahead and she could tell the whole group felt safer there, at home, but Lillian was still far from ease. She knew the animosity that the gypsies had for the students that attended the academy and even though she may have become a familiar name perhaps, she knew that they wouldn’t accept her.
The young girls’ words threaded themselves in the leaders head, and she breathed out against Bryce’s chest. She didn’t want to sleep and wake up and face another nightmare, but at the same time she wanted to escape all these feelings and never wake up. Either way she lost. Her eyes dared not to peek past him, afraid that she would see Toni’s figure amongst the trees, waiting. She was afraid she’d see his eyes or feel the touch of wind and think it was him. If anything she curled up closer and tighter to Bryce’s figure, using him as a shield against the night.
Words would not find their way to her lips as he carried her through the camp and nor did she look up to see where they were or who was looking at them. She assumed this was a strange scene and she did not think she could handle their glares and looks at the moment. For now she was safe and she was okay with that. She busied herself by counting his paces and her eyes finally looked when he moved differently to get into his home. This was one place Lillian had not been, in his caravan. Blue eyes moved around slowly, taking in the different items that were scattered about. It wasn’t long until she felt him set her on her bed and she watched him move, and she lit the candle for him, providing light for him. Lillian slowly eased herself out of her shoes and pulled her knees to her chest, still too wired to lay herself down on the bed to rest. The whole place smelled like Bryce and she sucked in a deep breath.
He was acting strange to her, different. Like he was suddenly a fragile plate of china, teetering over the edge of a cliff. “Bryce?” she said his name softly, the quiet of the room almost taking her by surprise, making her voice louder. She eyed the dress and tilted herself towards it, running a hand down the fabric of it. Then, reaching out, she grabbed onto his hand to pull him closer when he wished to leave. It was a selfish move, but she didn’t want him out of her sight. She was afraid he’d get hurt and she was afraid to be alone. Moving his callused hand towards her, she kissed the center of his palm. “Please don’t go.” Eyes traveled up his body to his eyes, concentrating on him. She placed his hand on her face, moving it to stroke her cheek and she kissed it again.
The fears of straining him were coming back and tears touched her eyes. “I’m sorry, Bryce.” She said, swallowing hard. Expressing some magic she exchanged her dress and corset to the one he laid out for her. It fit, just like he said it would, and she felt different in it. “Will you lay here? With me? Please?” she swallowed again, wincing slightly. “I’m sorry, I’m being selfish. I’m sorry.” Lillian moved back towards the other side of the bed, leaving space for him if he so chose it. She finally moved to lie down on the bed, staying on her side, curling up slightly. Her body was tense again, afraid, and she forced her eyes open to stay in the reality of where she was. Shakily she held out a hand for him, requesting that he share the bed with her.
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Post by Poe on Jul 13, 2009 19:39:41 GMT -5
Bryce looked at her, his eyes softening, trying to reassure her that he wasn't angry, that she wasn't a burden, he was still just... scared. Attempting to shake the feeling he watched her lay down, shifting uncomfortably. It wasn't right, what they were doing. She should have the whole bed to herself and he should be on the floor. No better, he should be outside, bunking with Boston. If any Englishman were to walk in right now, see that she had obviously changed in front of him, that she was in his bed, bruised and battered he would be killed. There would be no trial. She would be marked, ruined forever. Drawing a deep breath he looked at her outstretched hand, not responding to her apologetic words. Before reaching out, he held up a finger, glancing at her as he removed his breeches to replace them with very lose fitting slacks, his shirt, he left neatly folded on the top of the trunk. There was a slight clattering as he undid his belt, leaving the sword propped up against the chair closest to his bed. Swallowing thickly, he looked back at her, as if making sure that the way her hand was reaching out toward him was real, that he wasn't completely imagining all of this. A cold basin of water sat unused as he neglected to wash the sweat off of his face-though he knew he probably should have. Turning back to the bed, Bryce faced the largest challenge the night had presented him with. Hesitantly, he took her hand, moving to lay down next to her, glancing once more at the window and door, as if expecting someone to waltz in and beat him over the head with a blunt object until he died. Only when he was sure that no one was walking in did he lay down next to her, carefully curling his body around hers, hip to hip. Gently, he wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her neck softly. "Don't be sorry. I just don't want to invade your space..." His thumb gently stroked her stomach and a smirk pressed against his lips. "Gypsy wear suits you," he said softly, grinning.
He buried his head in her hair, breathing in her scent deeply. As long as nothing came from the tonight then he would have no problem with it. He would not take advantage of her, he would not let her let him do anything that they would both regret in the morning. Reaching down he pulled the thick, colorful quilt up around their shoulders, letting it carefully cloak their frames. "I should have asked... Would you like a drink of water to help you sleep?" He asked, looking up when a knock came on the caravan door, the little girl poking her head in, as if making sure that nothing was going on before she let herself in. Bryce slowly sat up in bed, keeping one hand on Lillian's hip. He watched as the girl gracefully made her way over to her side of the bed, her arms full with Mother Sophie's concoctions. She glanced at Bryce, her eyes quickly jerking away, thinking she probably had interrupted something... big. "Mother says," she started breathlessly, looking at Lillian, "that you'll have to re-wrap your back tomorrow, but that she can make all of the bruises disappear." The little girl smiled shyly, her eyes sparkling. "She says its magic." She pulled out a vial of purple liquid, shaking it slightly before setting it down on the table next to her. She set down the poultice and cloth strips for back too before she took out another bottle, this one clear. "And this'll relax your muscles, it smells like lilac," she said softly, setting it down next to the purple bottle. Bryce watched her, a small smile stretching onto his lips as she continued. "And, uh, this one is for the pain. But she gave you this too, for the both of you, if you need it." She held up a bottle of yellow juice. "It'll help you sleep, she says." "How... exactly do you apply this...?" Bryce asked, looking at the bottles, blinking in confusing. She shifted the weight of her feet. "Mother says it would be best if you bathed in it. B-B-Boston is bringing in a basin of hot water." Her voice stuttered out his name as she struggled with the next order. "Mother Sophie says that you should clear out while she is, Bryce." She failed the sharp look that Mother had achieved and Bryce smirked, though the back of his neck was a bright red.
Before she left, the delivery girl left several soft towels and a dress that seemed to be spun of silk. Then, with her arms empty and her duty fulfilled she skittered out of the small wooden box, her face bright, bright red, still thinking she'd caught them at something. Bryce looked down at Lillian, away from the bottles. "Think you'll be okay without me for a bit?" He was reluctant to leave, but he really did fear Mother Sophie's wrath. That old lady could swing if she wanted to. And she never, ever seemed to miss.
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