House of Masks 008a

You follow her. She stops when she hears you clattering along behind her. "What are you doing, are you crazy?" [3/12/2013 10:30:31 PM] Aethon: Aethon grins. [3/12/2013 10:30:33 PM] Aethon: "Maybe."

[3/12/2013 10:30:36 PM] *** Josie added Marilla *** [3/12/2013 10:31:20 PM] Josie: Aethon stumbles and holds onto the wall. [10:31:00 PM] Aethon: Aethon grimaces as the pain finally starts to hit him. [3/12/2013 10:31:27 PM] Josie: Marilla catches up, too. [3/12/2013 10:31:45 PM] Josie: Serafina: ... just sit down, will you? I'm perfectly capable of getting Bellamy myself! [3/12/2013 10:31:53 PM] Aethon: Aethon shakes his head. [3/12/2013 10:32:08 PM] Aethon: "That's not it." Aethon reaches into his tunic pocket, and pulls out the string of pearls. [3/12/2013 10:32:15 PM] Marilla: ((Can I try stabalizing him?)) [3/12/2013 10:32:26 PM] Josie: He's stable, just hurting pretty badly. [3/12/2013 10:32:40 PM] Aethon: "Come here, Sera." [3/12/2013 10:32:52 PM] Marilla: ... Maybe I should've used the wand on you afterall. [3/12/2013 10:33:03 PM] Josie: Serafina frowns, but obeys, frowning a bit. "What can't wait until your wounds are healed?" [3/12/2013 10:33:13 PM] Aethon: "Marilla?" Aethon turns. "What are you doing here?" [3/12/2013 10:33:18 PM] Aethon: Aethon turns back to Serafina. [3/12/2013 10:33:19 PM] *** Josie added Art, except when she's not *** [3/12/2013 10:33:29 PM] Aethon: "Turn around." [3/12/2013 10:33:32 PM] Josie: ((For Russet.)) [3/12/2013 10:33:52 PM] Josie: She does. "Honestly! What *is* it?" [3/12/2013 10:34:03 PM] Aethon: "Close your eyes." [3/12/2013 10:34:13 PM] Marilla: "I want to be sure we can find Bel, it's very important to me that Trystan recieves care." [3/12/2013 10:34:19 PM] Marilla: "Oh my." [3/12/2013 10:34:22 PM] Josie: She does. [3/12/2013 10:34:26 PM] Marilla: Marilla turns around. [3/12/2013 10:34:33 PM] Marilla: /peeks. [3/12/2013 10:34:40 PM] Marilla: Marilla peeks. [3/12/2013 10:34:40 PM] Josie: Serafina: Of course we'll find her, she was either in her room or the common room, I'm pretty sure. [3/12/2013 10:34:47 PM] Aethon: Aethon drapes the pearls around Serafina's neck. [3/12/2013 10:35:00 PM] Aethon: "Now you can go find Bellamy, or whatever her name is." [3/12/2013 10:35:46 PM] Trystan: Russet is momentarily entranced by the shinies. Then he starts thrashing again, because he has to be let down so he can scent Bellamy! [3/12/2013 10:35:47 PM] Josie: Serafina peers down. "... you ... you stopped to give me a... oh, men are *crazy.*" [3/12/2013 10:36:00 PM] Josie: She pauses for another split second and then starts running down the hallway again. [3/12/2013 10:36:18 PM] Aethon: Aethon leans against the wall and looks cool as Serafina leaves. [3/12/2013 10:36:24 PM] Josie: She disappears into one of the rooms up ahead. [3/12/2013 10:36:25 PM] Marilla: Marilla opens her mouth to speak to Aethen when Russet goes bonkers in her hands. [3/12/2013 10:36:29 PM] Aethon: Aethon then crumples to the floor. [3/12/2013 10:36:45 PM] Aethon: Aethon rests his head against the wall. [3/12/2013 10:36:50 PM] Aethon: "I think she liked it." [3/12/2013 10:37:23 PM] Josie: A few minutes later and Serafina comes running back toward you, followed by Bellamy, who is moving along quickly but somehow, not running. [3/12/2013 10:37:55 PM] Josie: She pauses just long enough to heal Aethon all the way up, and then moves on toward the main room, muttering a blessing to Taelyss. [3/12/2013 10:38:00 PM] Trystan: Russet seems to calm down once she shows up, but squeaks urgently. [3/12/2013 10:38:00 PM] Marilla: Marilla grips Russet tighter, "Down, boy, your salvation comes." [3/12/2013 10:38:03 PM] Aethon: Aethon tries his best to bow from where he's sitting, but his legs are a bloody mess and they give away immediately. [3/12/2013 10:38:28 PM] Aethon: "You have my gratitude, Lady Bellamy." [3/12/2013 10:38:41 PM] Josie: Serafina kneels beside Aethon and offers him a hand, as Bellamy glides away with a regal nod. [3/12/2013 10:38:43 PM] Marilla: Marilla simply grins at Aethon, before turning to follow Bellamy. [3/12/2013 10:39:09 PM] Josie: Serafina: You're crazy, you know that? [3/12/2013 10:39:12 PM] Aethon: Aethon pretends to take Serafina's hand up, but pulls Serafina into his arms and plants a kiss. [3/12/2013 10:39:28 PM] Aethon: "Crazy about you, maybe." [3/12/2013 10:39:40 PM] *** Josie removed Marilla from this conversation. *** [3/12/2013 10:39:41 PM] *** Josie removed Art, except when she's not from this conversation. *** [3/12/2013 10:39:46 PM] Josie: ((I'm such a tease.)) [3/12/2013 10:40:00 PM] Aethon: ((playing the gallant knight is fun in it's own right)) [3/12/2013 10:40:01 PM] Josie: She kisses him back, with enthusiasm! [3/12/2013 10:41:34 PM] Josie: Serafina: Are you all right now? Did she cure you? What happened? [3/12/2013 10:42:17 PM] Aethon: "Just some trouble with some dark spawn. Nothing to worry about." [3/12/2013 10:42:18 PM] Josie: A snow leopard bounds by on a frantic run to the entryway. [3/12/2013 10:42:24 PM] Josie: Serafina: ... what kind? [3/12/2013 10:43:04 PM] Aethon: Aethon looks at the leopard as it rushes past. "Trouble of a ... sentient furniture kind." [3/12/2013 10:44:04 PM] Josie: Serafina: ... sentient furniture? That doesn't sound pleasant, does it? I don't think beds should talk. Or even chairs. They might say all sorts of things. [3/12/2013 10:44:23 PM] Aethon: Aethon kisses Serafina as she continues to babble. [3/12/2013 10:45:04 PM] Josie: Serafina: Now stop that, you'd think you didn't want me to talk! [3/12/2013 10:45:16 PM] Aethon: Aethon manages to muster up a sheepish grin. [3/12/2013 10:45:34 PM] Aethon: "Let's just... sit here together, for a little bit." [3/12/2013 10:45:46 PM] Josie: Serafina: In the *hallway*? [3/12/2013 10:46:01 PM] Aethon: Aethon tries on an innocent look. [3/12/2013 10:46:07 PM] Aethon: "Well, where else?" [3/12/2013 10:47:01 PM] Josie: Serafina: Well, practically every room has a couch or something, doesn't it? Mine does, I'm positive the others do. [3/12/2013 10:47:31 PM] Aethon: Aethon attempts to stand up, and manages it. He performs a flourishing bow. "Lead the way, my lady." [3/12/2013 10:47:56 PM] Josie: She offers him *her* arm for once. [3/12/2013 10:48:29 PM] Aethon: Aethon leans forward, and with a pivot picks up and carries Serafina in his arms. [3/12/2013 10:49:15 PM] Josie: She laughs. "And to think you were practically fainting not five minutes ago." [3/12/2013 10:49:55 PM] Aethon: "Doth the lady protest?" [3/12/2013 10:50:33 PM] Josie: Serafina: Of course not. Here, go in that door, there's a sitting room in there. [3/12/2013 10:50:35 PM] Josie: She points. [3/12/2013 10:50:54 PM] Aethon: Aethon carries Serafina into the room. [3/12/2013 10:52:41 PM] Josie: It's a smallish room, with a couch and two chairs in front of a fireplace, and a window seat with some cushions on it. [3/12/2013 10:53:20 PM] Aethon: Aethon places Serafina carefully onto the couch, before plopping down unceremoniously next to her. [3/12/2013 10:53:55 PM] Aethon: With an adoring look in his eyes, Aethon strokes Serafina's face. [3/12/2013 10:54:18 PM] Josie: She smiles at him. [3/12/2013 10:54:30 PM] Aethon: The warmth of the fireplace begins to set in, and the lines of Aethon's tired face begin to clear as he falls asleep. [3/12/2013 10:55:05 PM] Aethon: ((Here's hoping this rest is peaceful, at least.)) [3/12/2013 10:55:19 PM] Aethon: Aethon leans forward and rests his head in Serafina's lap. [3/12/2013 10:55:39 PM] Josie: She strokes his hair and stays there, quietly. [3/12/2013 10:56:12 PM] Aethon: Aethon opens an eye lazily, and looks up at Serafina. [3/12/2013 10:56:20 PM] Aethon: "You're so beautiful." [3/12/2013 10:56:43 PM] Aethon: Aethon tries to stifle a yawn unsuccessfully. [3/12/2013 10:56:55 PM] Aethon: "... sing me... a song..." [3/12/2013 10:57:04 PM] Aethon: Aethon 's eyes close again. [3/12/2013 10:57:58 PM] Josie: She smiles. "Okay." [3/12/2013 10:58:56 PM] Josie: Serafina starts to sing a lullaby in elvish. She has a pretty voice--not spectacular, but soft and quiet and on-key. [3/12/2013 11:01:09 PM] Aethon: Before long, Aethon is in deep slumber. The toils of riding around town and running errands, of adventuring in the depths of the halls, and the nights of fitful rest all come down upon him in this moment. [3/12/2013 11:01:22 PM] Aethon: ((He dreams... but what about?)) [3/12/2013 11:02:19 PM] Josie: You'll find out in the next session! [3/12/2013 11:02:36 PM] Aethon: ((Awwww.)) [3/12/2013 11:14:16 PM] Aethon: Aethon wakes up suddenly. [3/12/2013 11:14:36 PM] Aethon: "Hello, lovely." [3/12/2013 11:14:40 PM] Josie: Serafina: ... did you dream again? [3/12/2013 11:14:56 PM] Aethon: ((Did he?)) [3/12/2013 11:15:50 PM] Josie: ((Just red eyes in the dark.)) [3/12/2013 11:16:13 PM] Aethon: Aethon lies. "No. Not right now." [3/12/2013 11:16:27 PM] Josie: Sera smiles and kisses him on the nose. "Good." [3/12/2013 11:16:38 PM] Aethon: Aethon can't help but smile. [3/12/2013 11:16:54 PM] Josie: Sera: Maybe I should stay with you. [3/12/2013 11:17:10 PM] Aethon: Aethon reaches up and strokes Serafina's face. [3/12/2013 11:17:33 PM] Aethon: "You should." [3/12/2013 11:17:55 PM] Aethon: Aethon gets up, then begins to kiss Sera. [3/12/2013 11:18:27 PM] Aethon: His arm is wrapped around her, comforting, warm, and full of strength. [3/12/2013 11:18:48 PM] Josie: She definitely kisses him back, passionately. [3/12/2013 11:19:30 PM] Aethon: ((This scene's starting to get pretty hot and bothered)) [3/12/2013 11:19:41 PM] Aethon: ((Fade to black?)) [3/12/2013 11:20:14 PM] Josie: Actually. [3/12/2013 11:20:28 PM] Josie: She stops before any clothes start being removed. [3/12/2013 11:21:13 PM] Aethon: ((WHAT A TEASE.)) [3/12/2013 11:21:48 PM] Josie: Serafina: ... I can't. [3/12/2013 11:22:00 PM] Aethon: Aethon stops. [3/12/2013 11:22:35 PM] Aethon: Hesitation. Doubt. Curiosity. These things weigh upon the young paladin's mind, but he resists. [3/12/2013 11:22:41 PM] Josie: She's pretty pinkfaced and dishevelled by this point. [3/12/2013 11:22:45 PM] Aethon: "I... understand." [3/12/2013 11:23:10 PM] Josie: Serafina: ... no you don't, and it's *horrible*, I'm such a tease, I should be... shot out of a *cannon* or something.... [3/12/2013 11:23:25 PM] Aethon: Aethon leans in to kiss her one last time. [3/12/2013 11:23:31 PM] Aethon: "It's alright. You've got your reasons." [3/12/2013 11:25:28 PM] Josie: Serafina starts to cry a little bit. "It's not your fault, it's my fault, I shouldn't have... gotten involved, but you're *so* kind to me, and hardly anybody ever notices me at all because I'm any..." [3/12/2013 11:26:08 PM] Aethon: Aethon strokes Serafina's cheek reassuringly, before holding her in his arms. [3/12/2013 11:26:22 PM] Aethon: He doesn't say a word. He doesn't need to. [3/12/2013 11:28:36 PM] Josie: Serafina: Ulisse's right, he's *always* right and I *hate* them for it, it's not fair. [3/12/2013 11:29:04 PM] Aethon: "Ulisse?" [3/12/2013 11:29:46 PM] Josie: Serafina: My cousin, he's in the same fix as me, only not really obviously, because he doesn't hurt *anyone*, and I don't... I don't *know*, what if I do? [3/12/2013 11:30:17 PM] Aethon: Aethon furrows his brow. [3/12/2013 11:30:51 PM] Aethon: Aethon holds Sera's hands in his. [3/12/2013 11:31:02 PM] Aethon: "What's wrong?" [3/12/2013 11:31:17 PM] Josie: She stares at him and tears up again, and buries her face in his chest and cries. [3/12/2013 11:31:51 PM] Aethon: Aethon holds Serafina as she sobs. He gently strokes her hair to calm her down. [3/12/2013 11:33:26 PM] Josie: Serafina: I'm sorry, I'm *so* sorry... [3/12/2013 11:33:57 PM] Josie: You hear scratching at the door. [3/12/2013 11:34:18 PM] Aethon: Aethon looks at the door. [3/12/2013 11:35:27 PM] Aethon: Aethon ignores it [3/12/2013 11:36:01 PM] Aethon: "It's alright, Sera, it's alright." [3/12/2013 11:37:33 PM] Josie: Arf! Arf arf arf! [3/12/2013 11:37:40 PM] Josie: There's apparently a dog at the door now. [3/12/2013 11:37:58 PM] Josie: Serafina sniffles. "... what is that?" [3/12/2013 11:38:15 PM] Aethon: "Sounds like.. a dog." [3/12/2013 11:38:32 PM] Aethon: Aethon doesn't get up. [3/12/2013 11:38:57 PM] Aethon: Aethon looks into Serafina's face. [3/12/2013 11:39:12 PM] Josie: Serafina looks back at him, tearfully. [3/12/2013 11:39:36 PM] Aethon: Aethon begins to pick out the damp hair that's managed to stick all over her tear-stricken face. [3/12/2013 11:40:53 PM] Josie: She lets him, and continues starin'. [3/12/2013 11:41:50 PM] Aethon: "Even if you hurt me, I am yours." [3/12/2013 11:42:02 PM] Aethon: Aethon looks into Serafina's eyes. [3/12/2013 11:42:07 PM] Aethon: "Are you mine?" [3/12/2013 11:42:54 PM] Josie: Serafina: ... yes. It's mad of me, but... yes. [3/12/2013 11:43:57 PM] Aethon: Aethon smiles grimly, as if the weight of the decision the lovers had made had come down suddenly upon him. [3/12/2013 11:46:31 PM] Josie: Serafina: ... what are you... what are you going to do? [3/12/2013 11:47:13 PM] Aethon: "Well, for starters, I'm going to beat the sense out of this Ulisse for making you cry." [3/12/2013 11:48:19 PM] Josie: Serafina: ... but he has nothing to do with it, except for being in the same fix. Only not, because he *did* try, but his mother isn't. [3/12/2013 11:49:02 PM] Aethon: "What do you mean? What fix?" [3/12/2013 11:49:39 PM] Josie: Serafina: ... he has the same... problem. Sort of. We're not... who we are. [3/12/2013 11:50:16 PM] Aethon: "Tell me... love. Who... are you?" [3/12/2013 11:51:40 PM] Josie: She wipes her eyes again with the back of her hand. [3/12/2013 11:52:37 PM] Josie: She slumps a little bit and looks away, and then draws her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. [3/12/2013 11:53:27 PM] Aethon: Aethon leans in again, and kisses her. On her arms, and on her knees... [3/12/2013 11:53:43 PM] Aethon: Up her arms to her shoulders. [3/12/2013 11:53:59 PM] Aethon: Then the nape of her neck. [3/12/2013 11:55:03 PM] Josie: ((Pause a moment.)) [3/12/2013 11:55:13 PM] Aethon: "I swear upon my eternal soul to protect you," he whispers, in between kisses. [3/12/2013 11:57:19 PM] Josie: Serafina: ... don't say that, you shouldn't say that... you don't *know.* [3/12/2013 11:58:06 PM] Aethon: Aethon manages to smile. [3/12/2013 11:58:15 PM] Aethon: "I don't care." [3/12/2013 11:58:31 PM] Josie: Serafina: But maybe you sh... oh, who's that? [3/12/2013 11:58:43 PM] Aethon: Aethon stifles a groan. [3/12/2013 11:59:39 PM] Aethon: [Tuesday, March 12, 2013 11:58 PM] Marilla:

<<< "AETHON REVEAL YOURSELF TO ME AT ONCE!!" [3/12/2013 11:59:51 PM] Aethon: [Tuesday, March 12, 2013 11:58 PM] Marilla:

<<< Marilla would be pound on the door with intent to assault. [12:00:15 AM] Josie: Serafina: ... you should answer that. Shouldn't you? [12:00:35 AM] Aethon: "Whether I should and whether I will are two wholly different things." [12:01:33 AM] Josie: Serafina: What if it's important? [12:01:54 AM] Aethon: "Nothing can be more important to me than this. Than you, here, in my arms." [12:02:19 AM] Aethon: ((try that CHA 16 on for size)) [12:02:47 AM] Josie: Serafina: ... did... she just say... [12:03:02 AM] Aethon: [12:02 AM] Marilla:

<<< "I need you to get out here and unsex me!!" [12:03:26 AM] Aethon: "I don't want to find out." [12:04:24 AM] Aethon: [12:03 AM] Marilla:

<<< Marilla attempts to break down the door. [12:08:34 AM] Josie: WHAM. There's a heavy slam up against the door. [12:08:41 AM] Josie: Serafina hops up and opens it. [12:13:40 AM] Josie: Serafina looks *terribly* confused. "... I... I'm sorry, did I hallucinate that? Did I eat the wrong mushrooms in my omelette this morning?" [12:14:32 AM] Aethon: Aethon shakes his head. "I've got no idea what's going on." [12:14:46 AM] Aethon: [12:14 AM] Josie:

<<< The door's hinges break, and it falls in. [12:28:38 AM] Aethon: Aethon continues to hold Serafina from behind. [12:28:45 AM] Aethon: "Let's find another room to talk in." [12:29:07 AM] Aethon: Aethon lets her go, but holds her hand. "Lead on." [12:29:37 AM] Josie: She looks around and then opens another door in the hallway, closing it shut behind them. [12:30:57 AM] Josie: ((And... back to the OTHER room. Sorry. >.<)) [12:31:44 AM] Aethon: Aethon is dragged along by the hand. [12:32:46 AM] Josie: This one's a bedroom; there is a couch, though--a big cushy one. [12:33:22 AM] Aethon: Aethon looks at the bed, then at the couch. [12:33:39 AM] Aethon: Aethon has no idea what's going on any more. [12:34:20 AM] Josie: Serafina: ... this is a weird place, isn't it? [12:35:01 AM] Aethon: "It's certainly up there on my list." [12:35:31 AM] Aethon: Aethon leads Serafina to the couch. [12:35:49 AM] Josie: She sits, spreading her skirts out. [12:36:15 AM] Aethon: Aethon sits, then lies down on the couch while pulling Serafina to spoon. [12:37:51 AM] Josie: She laughs a bit, but plays along. [12:38:06 AM] Aethon: "You're smiling again." [12:38:42 AM] Josie: Serafina: ... well, yes. It's so absurd, all of it. [12:40:44 AM] Aethon: "That's how life is. One absurdity after another." [12:40:57 AM] Aethon: "We have to try our best to carve normality out of it whenever we can." [12:40:58 AM] Josie: She turns around and kisses him with the side of her mouth, at least. [12:41:19 AM] Josie: Serafina: Is this normal? I've never been. [12:41:47 AM] Aethon: "If this is normal, then I want to be normal for eternity." [12:42:46 AM] Josie: Serafina: ... I doubt it is, really. [12:43:28 AM] Aethon: "Why not? Who are you?" [12:45:05 AM] Josie: Serafina: ... I'm not even a person. [12:45:35 AM] Aethon: Aethon caresses her arms. [12:45:44 AM] Aethon: "You feel like one." [12:47:33 AM] Josie: Serafina: ... I'm a demon, Aethon. ... I'm sorry. [12:51:57 AM] Aethon: While surprising, this revelation is not a surprise to Aethon. He had been entertaining suspicions.... [12:52:15 AM] Aethon: "Don't be." [12:52:31 AM] Aethon: Aethon holds her closer, and kisses her as best he can. [12:52:45 AM] Aethon: "I don't care." [12:53:01 AM] Josie: Serafina: But you *should*. I'm half *succubus.* [12:53:54 AM] Aethon: "I don't. You choose your own fate, not your blood." [12:54:55 AM] Josie: Serafina: ... but what if I... hurt you? Don't you care? I care. [12:55:49 AM] Aethon: "We can work through it. I believe in you. I believe in us." [12:58:05 AM] Josie: Serafina: If I take your *soul* you can't work through that, you... you sillyhead! [12:58:27 AM] Aethon: Aethon opens up his tunic. [12:58:36 AM] Aethon: "Take it! It's already yours!" [12:59:28 AM] Josie: Serafina looks horrified. "I don't *want* anybody's soul! That's horrible!" [12:59:37 AM] Aethon: Aethon kisses her. [1:00:28 AM] Josie: Serafina mmfs, but cooperates. [1:01:51 AM] Aethon: "So, in my dreams... is that you?" [1:02:16 AM] Josie: Serafina: ... what dreams? [1:02:57 AM] Aethon: "In my dreams, at night, someone watches over me." [1:03:36 AM] Josie: Serafina: ... oh... sometimes. A little bit. I know it's not right but I don't trust this house. [1:03:49 AM] Aethon: ((A little bit...)) [1:04:01 AM] Aethon: Aethon kisses her again. [1:05:59 AM] Josie: Serafina: ... I thought  maybe it would help with the nightmares. I don't get them because I don't have to sleep ever. I know they've been awful for the others. [1:06:37 AM] Aethon: ((Love is ironic.)) [1:07:03 AM] Aethon: Aethon smiles. [1:07:32 AM] Aethon: "It's warm here, and the pieces of my life are starting to come together and make sense." [1:07:46 AM] Aethon: "Let's just... lie here together..." [1:07:51 AM] Aethon: ((zzz)) [1:07:55 AM] Josie: ((Agreed.)) [1:08:03 AM] Josie: Serafina: ... all right. That's safe, anyway. [1:08:17 AM] Aethon: ((I assume everything Aethon learned here today was in confidence)) [1:09:21 AM] Josie: ((ICly. OOCly don't worry about it too much, 'cause it'll go up in the logs. We shall trust people not to metagame. :) )) [1:10:37 AM] Aethon: ((Hah. I feel accomplished, like I solved a major key of the story)) [1:10:47 AM] Josie: Nah, just a little one. [1:10:55 AM] Josie: And only part of it. But it's something. [1:11:04 AM] Aethon: still... [1:11:31 AM] Aethon: getting a half succubus/half Elven noble girl to swoon over him [1:11:38 AM] Aethon: quite an accomplishment, bloody good show Aethon [1:12:03 AM] Josie: Close, anyway! [1:12:13 AM] Josie: He's awfully gallant. [1:12:36 AM] Aethon: It's how true men ought to be. [1:13:10 AM] Josie: I'd be happy if they brought me coffee. [1:13:26 AM] Josie: Okay, sleep. Ni! [1:14:37 AM] Aethon: Night