From: strider432@aol.com (Strider432)
Date: 02 Jul 1998 21:58:13 EDT
Cool brown eyes flicker over the door to the Red Dragon Inn.... his thoughts of marriage driving him out of his head. Crossing the room with hardly a glance around, he makes his way directly to the bar despite the occasional polite greetings from the night's occupants.
"Orange juice," He answered quickly at the Tender's inquiry.... which again brought his thoughts back around Tay "...and uh... put me a little suprise in there, eh?" Giving him a knowing wink that he decidedly didn't feel.
She was so good, and she knew it so little. Only recently with all the attention she was getting did she -finally- figure out that she knew what she was doing with a sword. He could have told her long ago.
The drink went down just like orange juice, except for a different aftertaste. So he signalled for another.
Then his thoughts circled around himself. The dueling ninny. Low profile.... no respect from others.... festering at the bottom rung of the dueling cycle. He purposely remained out of the politics of the sport, but he didn't mean to be so detached from everything; it just happened. Tay deserved so much more, his eyes narrowed dangerously as he thought of all that she could have and all that she put up with.
He was so upset, he hardly noticed the aftertaste at all this time... so he signalled again.
Next, he thought about prior conversations... him trying to point all of this out to Tay and her resonses. Her always trying to make it look like -she- was the unworthy one. He supposed it was one of her endearing traits... but he still detested it. She would be so happy, flinging her thoughts about in the politics of the sport with someone else there backing her up respectfully. Dueling amazingly and getting everything she deserved.
These thoughts were definately more sour than this drink, so he ordered yet another.
It isn't like he only tried once or twice and then gave up... he had tried countless times to point out the obvious to her, just as he had with her dueling. But even with that she had still persisted, until the warlord tourney where it stared her point blank how good she was. There was no denying her skill after that, though she did try to be modest, the flush of her cheeks giving her awa...
"Why hello sexy " He glanced up at his interrupted thoughts, and to his shock, he saw Tay next to him, signalling to the bartender for three of whatever he was having. "Glad to see someone else has taste around her. I'm Erica, and this is my friend Leslie."
He had to take a drink of the orange juice to hide his shock... it wasn't Tay, but her hair and facial structure was similar enough that even sober he might have made the mistake. He lowers the drink a little unsteadily, offering his trademark playful grin.
"Erica and Leslie, eh... well I am glad to find that I'm not the only one with looks around here." He knew how to toss a compliment, at least. "Though... to be sure... your looks dwarf my own in comparison."
"Yous rightio Erca," her less than sober friend piped up, "'ees got tastes out ta wazoo."
Erica resumed talking again, some dribble about how her and her friend had similar tastes and thus like to share rather than fight for the same guy, but his mind was turning slowly along other lines. He could -show- Tay how undeserving he was... she would finally see.... just like the tourney, with no way of denial. He would have to be cold, though... and calculating... otherwise she would play it off as the drunkedness and do her best to
forgive him. The detestable endearing trait again.
He downed the last of the orange juice, giving the ladies another grin and saying something along the lines that peaceful cooperation was by far the better idea, his thoughts still...ever-so-slowly... calculating what would have to happen. Other people wouldn't understand it, but he could come up with an excuse for them later. Being a dueling night, the plan almost put itself together... which was good, his mental sobriety was definately at an
all time low.
Rising playfully and putting an arm around each of the two ladies, he slightly leaned against Erica... or was that one Leslie? She helped him out the door, not entirely the fault of his drunkedness... the other one was leaning on him far from lightly to help her to the door as well.
All that I am.
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From: taylara@aol.com (Taylara)
Date: 02 Jul 1998 22:05:12 EDT
Tugging on her boots, she looked to the clock. They were to meet at the Arena then head over to Inn for a bit of relaxation. She had plans for a good night of dueling; her mood was right and she was growing accustomed to her new sword. Things had been going well for her of late, she had her Warlord ranking back, she had been accepted as a student of the Overlord, and her wedding to Michael was mere weeks away.
A leisurely walk to the Arena led her past shops and eateries bustling with people seeking to find a release from the weekday drudgery. With a friendly nod of her head her lips curl to a smile, almost chuckling at the varied expressions on the nameless faces. They should try dueling, it may relieve them of some of their frustrations at life.
Her pace quickened as the Arena came into sight. With annoyance, she noticed the legs of her pants pulling free from her boots with the effort, and stopped to catch her breath just outside the doors. She leaned down to fix the problem; a few stray strands of auburn gracing her face as she grumbled under her breath. Absently twirling the wayward strands behind her ear, she slipped through the door.
The loud din of the Arena below was par for a Saturday night. Swords clashed as RDI's voices strained to be heard above the laughter and playful remarks of the duelists gathered. What more could one ask for; good friends, fresh lemon water, and a worthy challenge of one's skills. With a smile and a wave to her fellow duelers she made her way to a table near the rings.
But where was Michael? Her dark green eyes scanned the patrons That man would be late for his own funeral ifn someone didn't wake him. A duel should occupy her time until he gets here; now to find an opponent.
As summer arrived, the Arena was found to be at full capacity almost every night; even if you had no trouble finding a duel, your time in the que would be terribly long. The RDIs do their best to keep things moving, and you can't fault them for their efforts.
Glancing to the water clock, her impatience turned to worry. It was not like Michael to be this late and not send word. Concerned for him, and not being able to find a duel, Tay made up her mind. She gathered her things together and headed for the door, determined to find out what had detained him.
With growing trepidation, she hailed a carriage; her thoughts only to know that he was safe. Fearing the worst, the normally short distance to his house turned into a tedious journey. The driver's indifference to her demands to hurry added to the stress of a situation she had no control over. At his mercy, she had no other alternative but to sit quietly and avoid any further animosity.
Hurriedly, she stepped from the carriage, shoving a few gold at the driver. The house was dark. Tay's worry subsided somewhat, thinking that he had probably just fallen asleep, oblivious to the time. Quietly stepping inside, she edged towards the couch, wanting to scare the daylights out of him for causing her unnecessary worry. He wasn't there.
A faint, unfamiliar laugh echoed from the back bedroom. Curiosity now replacing concern, she carefully shifted the weight of her booted feet against the floorboards and ever so slowly neared the open door. Her heart sunkas she stood there speechless at the scene that was laid before her.
Drunk and half naked, his eyes met hers. Her only thought was to run, but her feet would not heed her command. A lady cuddled next to him; a blanket wrapped around her body, and her deep auburn hair, much the same as Tay's, draped across his chest. A pair of laughing eyes peered over the locks as the woman snickered up at her. Standing at the side of the bed was a second woman, a scantly clad buxom blonde with a bottle in hand, ready to serve
him.
"Aren't you supposed to be dueling, Tay? Wouldn't want to lose that Warlord ranking of yours,"he mocked, sarcasm was dripping from the words. "You need me there to make you feel better, or perhaps to carry your sword, eh?" His cold chuckle brought his companions to laughter. "Is the wedding still on, Tay? I'd like to invite the ladies here. You might be able to find a Warlord to stand in my place; he'd have a lot more fancies about him."
She backed away slowly, every nerve in her body emitting a deep rooted pain. "Why Michael?" she pleaded, desperately seeking an answer. That stupid unreadable stare and his cold, harsh words were more demeaning to her then his indiscretion with other women. She thought to stand and confront him, but in his drunken state there would be no resolve. Seeking solitude, she fled from the house to escape the reality before her.
Date: 02 Jul 1998 22:05:12 EDT
Tugging on her boots, she looked to the clock. They were to meet at the Arena then head over to Inn for a bit of relaxation. She had plans for a good night of dueling; her mood was right and she was growing accustomed to her new sword. Things had been going well for her of late, she had her Warlord ranking back, she had been accepted as a student of the Overlord, and her wedding to Michael was mere weeks away.
A leisurely walk to the Arena led her past shops and eateries bustling with people seeking to find a release from the weekday drudgery. With a friendly nod of her head her lips curl to a smile, almost chuckling at the varied expressions on the nameless faces. They should try dueling, it may relieve them of some of their frustrations at life.
Her pace quickened as the Arena came into sight. With annoyance, she noticed the legs of her pants pulling free from her boots with the effort, and stopped to catch her breath just outside the doors. She leaned down to fix the problem; a few stray strands of auburn gracing her face as she grumbled under her breath. Absently twirling the wayward strands behind her ear, she slipped through the door.
The loud din of the Arena below was par for a Saturday night. Swords clashed as RDI's voices strained to be heard above the laughter and playful remarks of the duelists gathered. What more could one ask for; good friends, fresh lemon water, and a worthy challenge of one's skills. With a smile and a wave to her fellow duelers she made her way to a table near the rings.
But where was Michael? Her dark green eyes scanned the patrons That man would be late for his own funeral ifn someone didn't wake him. A duel should occupy her time until he gets here; now to find an opponent.
As summer arrived, the Arena was found to be at full capacity almost every night; even if you had no trouble finding a duel, your time in the que would be terribly long. The RDIs do their best to keep things moving, and you can't fault them for their efforts.
Glancing to the water clock, her impatience turned to worry. It was not like Michael to be this late and not send word. Concerned for him, and not being able to find a duel, Tay made up her mind. She gathered her things together and headed for the door, determined to find out what had detained him.
With growing trepidation, she hailed a carriage; her thoughts only to know that he was safe. Fearing the worst, the normally short distance to his house turned into a tedious journey. The driver's indifference to her demands to hurry added to the stress of a situation she had no control over. At his mercy, she had no other alternative but to sit quietly and avoid any further animosity.
Hurriedly, she stepped from the carriage, shoving a few gold at the driver. The house was dark. Tay's worry subsided somewhat, thinking that he had probably just fallen asleep, oblivious to the time. Quietly stepping inside, she edged towards the couch, wanting to scare the daylights out of him for causing her unnecessary worry. He wasn't there.
A faint, unfamiliar laugh echoed from the back bedroom. Curiosity now replacing concern, she carefully shifted the weight of her booted feet against the floorboards and ever so slowly neared the open door. Her heart sunkas she stood there speechless at the scene that was laid before her.
Drunk and half naked, his eyes met hers. Her only thought was to run, but her feet would not heed her command. A lady cuddled next to him; a blanket wrapped around her body, and her deep auburn hair, much the same as Tay's, draped across his chest. A pair of laughing eyes peered over the locks as the woman snickered up at her. Standing at the side of the bed was a second woman, a scantly clad buxom blonde with a bottle in hand, ready to serve
him.
"Aren't you supposed to be dueling, Tay? Wouldn't want to lose that Warlord ranking of yours,"he mocked, sarcasm was dripping from the words. "You need me there to make you feel better, or perhaps to carry your sword, eh?" His cold chuckle brought his companions to laughter. "Is the wedding still on, Tay? I'd like to invite the ladies here. You might be able to find a Warlord to stand in my place; he'd have a lot more fancies about him."
She backed away slowly, every nerve in her body emitting a deep rooted pain. "Why Michael?" she pleaded, desperately seeking an answer. That stupid unreadable stare and his cold, harsh words were more demeaning to her then his indiscretion with other women. She thought to stand and confront him, but in his drunken state there would be no resolve. Seeking solitude, she fled from the house to escape the reality before her.
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From: strider432@aol.com (Strider432)
Date: 02 Jul 1998 22:08:02 EDT
He wasn't used to spending time with the ladies like this, but he was catching on. All this just to make Tay understand that she could do better than him before she no longer had that chance because of the wedding... in his drunken state, it almost seemed like too much. The ladies were playful, the experience wasn't all bad, but not how he would have prefered to spend his evening.
Finally, he sensed the presence he had staged the whole evening for. Steeling himself, no turning back now, he tried to think through the haze of drunkedness. Knowing Tay's thoughts on his drinking, he whispered something in the blonde's ear.... he had given up on names long ago.
"You know what this party needs?" he whispered quietly, "It needs a bit of that wine over there splashed over all of us... to keep things lively." Then he blew in her ear harshly, causing her to laugh before she got up to fetch the wine. The door opened just as she was fixing to get back in bed.
The one who looked like Tay pulled the blanket around her as the air rushed into the room from the door opening. It almost killed him to see the look of panic in the real Tay's eyes. He had known that it wouldn't be easy pushing her away for her own good... but hadn't known how hard it would be. Thankfully, she didn't notice his instinctive moment of shock as she glanced over the two ladies... who in turn watched her with their heartless amused
expressions. He had to be heartless too, else she would play it off on the drinks that he was sure she had noticed.
"Aren't you supposed to be dueling, Tay? Wouldn't want to lose that Warlord ranking of yours." He let his words drip with sarcasm, thinking it would be easier if he rushed through and got it over with. "You need me there to make you feel better, or perhaps to carry your sword, eh?" A chuckle as heartless as the amusement from the sluts... their own laughter now echoing in his ears... "Is the wedding still on, Tay? I'd like to invite the ladies
here." Even as he said this, masking the pain the words gave him with sheer cruelty... he let some of his frustrations out on her. Maybe if he could suprise her it would be cleaner for her; she could just leave in shock... "You might be able to find a Warlord to stand in my place; he'd have a lot more -fancies- about him."
She backed away slowly, her very body posture telling him he was wrong about suprising her. "Why Michael?" she pleaded, and he almost surrendered. She did not deserve such pain, only happiness. Keeping up the emotionless mask to hide his inner weakness, he focused his thoughts on other things she deserved. None of them was a gutless ninny who could only cling to the bottom rung of the dueling ladder. Watching him hold the pose for a seeming
eternity, she finally turned and fled from the room.
He flopped back onto the bed, a cold sweat running all over him.
"I hope you never talk to me like that, sugar," The brown-haired one said, "I'da have to leave you in an instant." She snapped her fingers as if to prove her point, and he felt his resove snap at the same time.
"I'm not up for this anymore, ladies, you'll have to hook up elsewhere." They seemed peturbed, but left eventually. He was cold all over, he had actually gone through with it.
He knew Tay didn't take it well, but he was sure in his mind that she deserved so much more than he could offer her. She would be hurt for a while perhaps, but she had friends to comfort her. If Tay found out why he had done this, she would forgive him, and try to fix things. It would not be nearly as clean. He couldn't even tell her friends, who would surely come seeking his side because of how unlike him all of this was.
Shoot, they might even shun him for these actions... he didn't have a good excuse except for the real one... but that was a problem for later. After covering his face with his hands for a long time, the drinks finally caught up with him, and he passed out on the bed... just as the sun just started to peek over the horizon out the window.
Date: 02 Jul 1998 22:08:02 EDT
He wasn't used to spending time with the ladies like this, but he was catching on. All this just to make Tay understand that she could do better than him before she no longer had that chance because of the wedding... in his drunken state, it almost seemed like too much. The ladies were playful, the experience wasn't all bad, but not how he would have prefered to spend his evening.
Finally, he sensed the presence he had staged the whole evening for. Steeling himself, no turning back now, he tried to think through the haze of drunkedness. Knowing Tay's thoughts on his drinking, he whispered something in the blonde's ear.... he had given up on names long ago.
"You know what this party needs?" he whispered quietly, "It needs a bit of that wine over there splashed over all of us... to keep things lively." Then he blew in her ear harshly, causing her to laugh before she got up to fetch the wine. The door opened just as she was fixing to get back in bed.
The one who looked like Tay pulled the blanket around her as the air rushed into the room from the door opening. It almost killed him to see the look of panic in the real Tay's eyes. He had known that it wouldn't be easy pushing her away for her own good... but hadn't known how hard it would be. Thankfully, she didn't notice his instinctive moment of shock as she glanced over the two ladies... who in turn watched her with their heartless amused
expressions. He had to be heartless too, else she would play it off on the drinks that he was sure she had noticed.
"Aren't you supposed to be dueling, Tay? Wouldn't want to lose that Warlord ranking of yours." He let his words drip with sarcasm, thinking it would be easier if he rushed through and got it over with. "You need me there to make you feel better, or perhaps to carry your sword, eh?" A chuckle as heartless as the amusement from the sluts... their own laughter now echoing in his ears... "Is the wedding still on, Tay? I'd like to invite the ladies
here." Even as he said this, masking the pain the words gave him with sheer cruelty... he let some of his frustrations out on her. Maybe if he could suprise her it would be cleaner for her; she could just leave in shock... "You might be able to find a Warlord to stand in my place; he'd have a lot more -fancies- about him."
She backed away slowly, her very body posture telling him he was wrong about suprising her. "Why Michael?" she pleaded, and he almost surrendered. She did not deserve such pain, only happiness. Keeping up the emotionless mask to hide his inner weakness, he focused his thoughts on other things she deserved. None of them was a gutless ninny who could only cling to the bottom rung of the dueling ladder. Watching him hold the pose for a seeming
eternity, she finally turned and fled from the room.
He flopped back onto the bed, a cold sweat running all over him.
"I hope you never talk to me like that, sugar," The brown-haired one said, "I'da have to leave you in an instant." She snapped her fingers as if to prove her point, and he felt his resove snap at the same time.
"I'm not up for this anymore, ladies, you'll have to hook up elsewhere." They seemed peturbed, but left eventually. He was cold all over, he had actually gone through with it.
He knew Tay didn't take it well, but he was sure in his mind that she deserved so much more than he could offer her. She would be hurt for a while perhaps, but she had friends to comfort her. If Tay found out why he had done this, she would forgive him, and try to fix things. It would not be nearly as clean. He couldn't even tell her friends, who would surely come seeking his side because of how unlike him all of this was.
Shoot, they might even shun him for these actions... he didn't have a good excuse except for the real one... but that was a problem for later. After covering his face with his hands for a long time, the drinks finally caught up with him, and he passed out on the bed... just as the sun just started to peek over the horizon out the window.
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From: taylara@aol.com (Taylara)
Date: 05 Jul 1998 23:38:40 EDT
Gathering my things, I longed for nothing more than a few hours of sleep. I saw no sense in dueling anymore, the hunger I once felt when holding my sword lays in waste at the emptiness of my soul.
Quietly slipping out the Arena door I wandered the streets of Rhydin. Glancing into the faces of those that passed by me, their laughter bellowing with a masked contentment at their inconsequential lives. My life now falls in shambles around me, the happiness I've relished in for more than two years; gone.
You have cast me into the dismal existence of emptiness, the passing images a recollect of someone I once was; the weight of your cold harsh words hurling me into this barren waste, wherefore should I try to escape when I know upon my waking I shall find myself thrown back down here again without reason to not surrender to my fate; I don't understand your reason for placing me here, I did nothing but place you on a pedestal in my heart, and what
made you think I would think anything less of you, for you can not make my decisions for me, and I can't let myself believe that what I felt for you should bring me to this place of decay and hollowed emotions, I don't know what you hoped to achieve by your actions, for I did nothing but love you, with all that I am.
Date: 05 Jul 1998 23:38:40 EDT
Gathering my things, I longed for nothing more than a few hours of sleep. I saw no sense in dueling anymore, the hunger I once felt when holding my sword lays in waste at the emptiness of my soul.
Quietly slipping out the Arena door I wandered the streets of Rhydin. Glancing into the faces of those that passed by me, their laughter bellowing with a masked contentment at their inconsequential lives. My life now falls in shambles around me, the happiness I've relished in for more than two years; gone.
You have cast me into the dismal existence of emptiness, the passing images a recollect of someone I once was; the weight of your cold harsh words hurling me into this barren waste, wherefore should I try to escape when I know upon my waking I shall find myself thrown back down here again without reason to not surrender to my fate; I don't understand your reason for placing me here, I did nothing but place you on a pedestal in my heart, and what
made you think I would think anything less of you, for you can not make my decisions for me, and I can't let myself believe that what I felt for you should bring me to this place of decay and hollowed emotions, I don't know what you hoped to achieve by your actions, for I did nothing but love you, with all that I am.