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Post by Kovu on Feb 9, 2009 22:53:00 GMT -5
Kovu had no doubt that Esmerelda could bluff her way out of any trouble with the villians. The change in Clayton still worried him, he wasn't sure that he wanted to trust anything the hunter said. Trusting people like that always seemed to hurt him in the long run.
The lion was surprised by Esmerelda's comment about wanting him to be human again. He watched her carefully, could see the truth in her eyes. He wanted to tell her that he had often wished the same, that his life had been so lonely since the seperation, but forced himself to look away. It would do no good to dwell on what could never be. They would just bring back the problems and he couldn't bear to put the family through that again.
He simply nodded, eyes dropped to the carpet, as Esmerelda returned to the couch. He could hear Tremaine's harsh voice and bit down his anger. Suddenly he spotted a shadow move out of the corner of his eye and tensed. He squinted to try and see what it was. As his eyes picked out the details, he smiled as he recognized the outline of Quasimodo. Catching the hunchback's eye, he winked, signalling that he was on the alert as well.
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Post by esmeralda on Feb 9, 2009 23:09:36 GMT -5
Esmeralda was sitting on the couch, looking innocent, and played so convincing that Lady Tremaine left the room to fetch Clayton. When she returned she sat down without a word and started serving the meal she had brought in with the tea.
Esmeralda cold see in Kovu's eyes that he often wished the same as her, but when he looked away, a sting of pain pierced her heart, and she apogized quietly, before returning to the couch, believing that Kovu didn't love her anymore.
What did I expect, that he would take me back? He told me Kiara had his romantic feelings while I was like a sister to him.
And still, he had come to save her when she was in trouble. He had not rejected her when she embraced him. He had purred. And she knew that he didn't want all their problems to start over again. She knew he was right. She supported his choice. And in a moment when Lady Tremaine wasn't paying attention, she turned her head and looked at Kovu with a smile, to show him that she understood. That she loved him, and respected his choice.
She sat on the couch, pretending to drink tea from her empty cup. She noticed Quasi too was in the room. She didn't dare to smile to him, out of fear that someone could notice his hiding place. So she played her role as the sick little hostage to perfection. She waited for Clayton to come back, wondering if the villains would drink the spiked tea.
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Post by Clayton on Feb 10, 2009 23:27:14 GMT -5
Clayton waited till the tub was filled with water before he turned off the tap. Satisfied with his work, he returned to the sitting room. He found Tremaine sitting there with Esmerelda lying on the couch. She still looked ill but was sipping from her tea cup. He looked over at Tremaine, trying to gauge what she was thinking.
"Are you feeling any better?" he asked Esmerelda gently.
He took his own tea cup and sat down in a vacant chair. He could tell that there was some dilema in the gypsy's eyes. Perhaps her fever was getting to her strong will? Or was his previous crimes against her still in her mind?
Wanting to change the mood of the room, Clayton shifted in his chair. "The bath is drawn, so if you will help her Tremaine?" he added, looking purposefully at the woman.
[[Low Clayton muse, sorry.]]
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Post by esmeralda on Feb 11, 2009 23:36:35 GMT -5
Esmeralda smiled when Clayton returned, to avoid waking suspicions. She was leaning back on the coach, hoping to look sick enough to trick the villains. Being a good actress she allowed her smile only to be a faint shadow of what it used to be, and she closed her eyes when she spoke, as if she was in great pain. Her voice was only a whisper.
Lady Tremaine looked over at Clayton. Her face expression devoid of any feeling, she spoke calmly as always. She offered Clayton some sandwiches to the tea.
"She is getting worse, and her fever is rising. I suggest we let her rest a bit and give her some tea and a meal, and then she can have a bath."
Esmeralda had also been offered a sandwich, but since she was supposed to play sick, she had claimed she had no apetite. She looked over at Clayton, smiling faintly while trying to be braver than she was.
"I'll be there soon, Clayton. I just need to rest a little first..." she whispered and looked warmly up at him. She hoped that the villains would drink their tea without noticing she had spiked it.
Lady Tremaine sipped calmly to her tea, while keeping an eye on Lucifer, who was sleeping under the table at the moment.
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Post by Clayton on Feb 15, 2009 19:57:10 GMT -5
Clayton listened to Tremaine's words on Esmerelda's condition. He nodded in agreement and leaned back in his chair. When the gypsy expressed her need to rest, Clayton nodded in understanding.
He lifted up his tea cup and sniffed the waffing steam that rose from the surface. He could detect a honey scent and something else. The hunter's eyes narrowed for a moment concentrating on the foreign smell, seperating it from the others and trying to detect its origins. His eyes flicked over to Esmerelda, who was lying on the couch weakly. He was very worried about her health and the waiting was not helping her.
"Tremaine," he said softly. "Could you please take Esmerelda into the washroom now?" His eyes fell on the decitful old woman, warning her to behave, as he drowned his tea cup in one gulp. He felt the warm liquid flowing down his throat and warming him inside.
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Post by esmeralda on Feb 16, 2009 10:35:42 GMT -5
****ESMERALDA*****
Esmeralda watched the villains as they drank the spiked tea. She hoped the herbs would work, even though she didn't know what kind of herbs Lady Tremaine had used to spike her tea.
Please God, don't let it be the poison. Even if they are villains, I do not wish to kill anyone....
She had to continue pretending to be ill, so they wouldn't be suspicious about what she had done. Somehow she felt they would not be pleased. She hoped Kovu and Quasi were prepared to leave quickly in case of trouble. A shiver went through her body, and she realized herself that her fever was very high right now. She looked at Clayton, surprised when she noticed his concern. After all she had done to him, she didn't expect that from him. She tried to smile reassuring, as to tell him he didn't have to worry so much about her.
****LADY TREMAINE****
Lady Tremaine finished her cup of tea. It tasted a bit different today, but she didn't think over it at the moment. She didn't think the weak little gypsy girl in the couch could be capable on pulling such a trick on her - the girl was almost dead anyway.
Good riddance!
Her ice cold gaze shifted to Clayton. The hunter seemed concerned about that little street rabble. How anyone could fall in love with that girl, was more than Lady Tremaine would ever understand. But Lady Tremaine had a heart of stone, and had never loved anyone at all. She was not one to let her emotions get in the way.
She suddenly met Clayton's gaze, and her own gaze grew colder when he without words warned her to behave.
What is he thinking? I always behave. I crush my victims mentally - but I always behave!
She placed her cup calmly on the table before standing up.
"I would love to," she replied worthily. "But as you can see, the girl is too ill to walk there by herself - and I am not strong enough to carry her."
Lucifer had woken up under the table, and was now watching them. He heard Lady Tremaine's words, and snickered evilly, waiting for Clayton's reply.
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Post by Clayton on Feb 17, 2009 21:56:14 GMT -5
Clayton leaned forward and set his tea cup back on the table. As he drew away, the hunter noticed a tingling feeling in his fingers. He flinched, his eyes blurring a little and an unrelenting pressure on his forehead.
Perhaps he needed a lie down after he took Esmerelda into the washroom?
His gaze fell on Lucifer as he got to his feet slowly. That cat was a pain, an animal he longed to kick out of irritation. Shaking the feelings off as exhaustion, Clayton moved over to the couch and lifted Esmerelda delicately into his arms. She was lighter than he had thought.
"Please lead the way, Madam Tremaine," he said. His tongue beginning to feel a little fuzzy and it felt weird to talk. Making his way around the table and into the enterance way, Clayton looked back at Tremaine.
She had aged beautifully, keeping all the right proportions and her pale skin. She was regal, almost to the point of arrogance, but she also was very intellectual. Clayton could easily see himself spending long nights having conversations with her, talking about things only two upper class socialities could understand. Even the cat was looking more appealing.
He closed his eyes, trying to focus again on his purpose of taking care of the girl. The pressure on his mind was continuing to throb, almost consuming him now.
What is happening to me? he groaned to himself, stumbling against the archway, the gypsy girl still in his arms.
[[Let's see how seceptable Tremaine is?]]
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Post by ladytremaine on Feb 17, 2009 22:27:27 GMT -5
((How to make an icicle fall in love: Chapter 1. ;D Oh boy, this will be fun!!! XDDD ))
Lady Tremaine felt a tingling feeling in her body after drinking the tea. It made her raise an eyebrow, wondering if there was something wrong with the tealeaves. She threw a suspicious glance in Esmeralda's direction, but she had laid down on the couch, closing her eyes and pretended to be too ill to react.
Lady Tremaine watched as Clayton gently lifted Esmeralda in his arms. The girl laid perfectly still, limp, as a rag doll. She was barely breathing. Lady Tremaine felt a slight hint of something dark in her soul as she noticed how gentle Clayton was with taking care of the young woman. Her green eyes widened in surprise, and she shook her head in confusion.
What is wrong with me? I can't be..... jealous... of that child? I do NOT want to be in Clayton's arms in her place.... I do NOT!!!
Lady Tremaine gave a worthy nod when Clayton turned to her, asking her to show her the way to the bathroom. She had admired his big strong body, and his muscles. He was a man who was used to taking care of himself, and she liked that.
"Of course, please follow me," she replied, more softly than she had planned.
She walked in front of him, wondering quietly if she couldn't stop seeing his face on her mind. For a man of his age, he was most handsome. Tall, stature, and with muscles. She felt something she had never experienced before: her cheekbones were blushing, and her green eyes were glittering as she made her way to the bathroom.
It felt so safe, having a big, strong man in the house. A man who could do what she couldn't, and even had the intelligence for conversations in the evenings.
With a sigh, she opened the door to the bathroom, stepping aside to let him in.
"Well, here we are," she said quietly.
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Post by Kovu on Feb 18, 2009 17:27:01 GMT -5
**** Clayton ****
Suddenly a voice broke through the pain in the hunter's mind, one that he had never heard before yet always knew existed. It was gently and creamy like the salve need to mend his wounds.
"Of course, please follow me."
Clayton shook his head, ridding it of the cloud that had hovered there. Tremaine was walking towards the washroom, her very movement causing his heart to race. The hunter looked down into his arms and saw the gypsy lying there. She was still a beautiful creature, but her true attributes began to show, the ones that the hunter had denied to himself for so long. She was young, much too young and quiet scraggly in appearance. What had he ever seen in her? [[Sorry Esme]]
Forcing himself to move, Clayton went to the washroom and squeezed himself through the door. There was a small bench near the bathtub and he gently layed the gypsy on it. He was now beginning to feel quite ackward and moved to the side of the room, rubbing his hand through his hair nervously.
"Perhaps I should leave you ladies alone," he muttered uncomfortably. "Let me know if you need anything."
He brushed past Tremaine to get to the door and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. He couldn't understand why he was so taken with her all of a sudden! Things that he had once taken for petty and repulsive were now, well, . . . wonderful?
Perhaps you need a stiff drink, old man? his concious advised.
Clayton half ran to the door of the washroom and continued on to the kitchen, thinking that Esmerelda may not be the only one with a fever.
**** Kovu ****
Kovu had listened to the conversation as closely as he could, keeping his movements to a minimum to avoid being discovered. Because he had been hiding behind the couch, he could not see what had gone on. For that he would have to depend on Quasi's report, but he was sure that it was what Esmerelda had planned.
As the two older humans took Esmerelda to the washroom, Kovu crept cautiously out from behind the couch, his muscles stiff from so long in one spot. He was relieved that the cat Lucifer had gone with his master.
Circling the couch, he examined the tea meal that Tremaine had provided. He sniffed one of the sandwitches curiously before lapping one up. He hadn't eaten all day. The tea cups that Clayton and Tremaine had used were there, empty now. Kovu hesitantly licked the rim of Tremaine's cup and pulled his tongue back sharply. There was something strange in that cup, that much was certain. Was that the reason that the two humans were acting so strangely?
Glancing up at the wardrobe, he spotted Quasi's shadowed face. "The coast is clear," he whispered as loudly as he dared. "I think you can come down now."
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Post by Quasimodo on Feb 18, 2009 17:55:48 GMT -5
Was i really that easy to see? came the reply from the shadows. Realizing Kovu was right, he moved to jump down.
Glad i din`t miss the party though, he smiled slightly once he hit the ground. But what was that all about, he raised an eyebrow, reffering to the villains suddenly strange behaviour. And what`s the plan, he added, hoping they`d came up with something. Thinking of how easy Kovu had spotted him he would probabøy need a better hiding place, but where..?
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Post by ladytremaine on Feb 18, 2009 18:13:07 GMT -5
((Awwww. I love your post. And don't worry, Esme is not sorry for seeing Clayton with someone else ;D The adorable post with Kovu lapping a sandwich was awesome. I could totally see that happen! *melts for her favorite kitty*))
*****Lady Tremaine****
Lady Tremaine heard Clayton following after her to the wash room, and she smiled an ice cold little smile and stepped aside, allowing the man to enter the room, placing the girl on the bench. Lady Tremaine secretly watched the man as he moved, silently wondering why her heart was pounding. She gave herself a reminder to go to see her Harley Street Physician as soon as possible. Such heartbeats could not be healthy.
Her cold, green eyes looked up at Clayton. Well, they were meant to be cold, but her gaze had been warmer while she watched him move. She didn't know this herself, of course. Such unholiness! ;D
He doesn't look bad for a man his age... Wonderful hair....
She arched an eyebrow in confusion.
Where on earth did THAT thought come from?
When he said he would leave her alone with the gypsy girl, she nodded and smiled, wondering why on earth she suddenly had started showing another side of herself.
"Thank you, Clayton," she said, again surprised by the soft tone in her voice. "I can take it from here. Please help yourself to a drink in the living room if you want one. I believe there are some cigars near the bar as well, if you want to smoke."
She watched him leave, blushing slightly when he brushed past her, racing back to the kitchen. Then she looked down at her hands. They were trembling.
*****Esmeralda*****
Esmeralda pretended to be unconscious while Clayton carried her to the washing room, and placed her on a bench. But she secretly kept an eye on him, and had to stiffle a giggle when she suddenly noticed the glances he sent in Lady Tremaine's direction.
You can have him, old lady. He will be happier with you than with me. You two have much more in common...
She had to keep herself from laughing when she noticed Lady Tremaine blushed like a schoolgirl while looking at Clayton. She had to tell Kovu that when they left. For some strange reason, she didn't think it would take long for her to get her freedom back now.
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Post by Kovu on Feb 18, 2009 19:14:14 GMT -5
Kovu chuckled to himself as Quasi joined him. "Nah, you had a good hiding place up there. I just knew it was you though. I got a keen nose and sharp eyes. Plus I knew you would never let Esme come to harm."
The lion studied the outline of the room, searching for something that would help them rescue the gypsy. He listened to the hunchback's questions and shook his head.
"I haven't got a clue. I think it was something about this tea, though. Esme said that Tremaine had put something in it that was meant for her and that whatever it was must have been given to Tremaine and Clayton. I don't think it was poison because they are both still alive. By the way they were acting, they almost . . . liked eachother! But that's impossible. They were hissing like angry tom cats earlier from what Esme told me. I just can't figure it out."
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Post by esmeralda on Feb 18, 2009 19:38:01 GMT -5
In the bathroom, Lady Tremaine had helped Esmeralda off with the wet dress, and now, almost motherly, helped the sick girl into the bathtub. Esmeralda almost felt bad for spiking her tea, and had to remind herself that this gentle behavior was not normal for Lady Tremaine. She wondered if Cinderella had ever seen this side of her step mother.
Lady Tremaine washed the raven curls of Esmeralda, but Esmeralda made sure to wake up enough to wash the rest of her body herself. When she was done, Lady Tremaine helped drying her off, and helped her on with the new dress.
The dress was a green one, matching the emerald in Esmeralda's eyes, and it was made for an upper class young lady. Lady Tremaine brushed Esmeralda's hair gently and placed a green ribbon in her hair.
Esmeralda smiled and looked at Lady Tremaine.
"Thank you. I feel better now. So if you want to go back, I can take care of myself."
Lady Tremaine smiled, and helped Esmeralda down the stairs and back into the living room, before she went to find Clayton. Emeralda in her new dress, turned to Kovu and Quasimodo, waiting for their reaction.
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Post by Kovu on Feb 20, 2009 0:23:30 GMT -5
Kovu keen ears picked up the sound of light footsteps on the stairs and he jumped behind the couch again. If only he knew what was going on with Esmerelda! They didn't have time to explain the plan before the villians had returned. He just hoped he hadn't lead them all into a terrible situation.
Suddenly his nose caught the smell of fresh clothes and fragrant shampoo. Looking through the space between the bottom of the couch and the floor, he saw Esmerelda's tiny feet in the enterance way. Peering around the corner of the couch, he saw that that gypsy was alone, newly bathed and dressed in a fresh dress.
Kovu felt his jaw drop at the sight of her in the emerald green cloth. It was simple but suited her perfectly. His mind went blank and he had to stop himself from stumbling to the ground.
"Are you alright?" he asked softly, reminding himself of her stab wounds. "What is going on with Tremaine and Clayton? I've never seen them act like this before. What did you do?"
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Post by esmeralda on Feb 20, 2009 19:48:52 GMT -5
Esmeralda entered the living room. She smiled softly when she noticed one of the sandwiches being gone from the tray while both the villains had been out of the room. Her gaze fell on the couch, where she knew Kovu was hiding. Soon she saw his noble head peering around the corner, and she smiled warmly to him.
When she noticed the way he looked at her, she blushed deeply, and her heart skipped a beat. She looked at his long, dark mane, his green eyes, and she knew that she loved him still. His voice was soft, and she smiled warmly and looked over at him.
"I am alright because you are here to save me," she replied softly and looked into his eyes, knowing that the love burning in her heart, should not be spoken of.
When Kovu asked what she had done to Clayton and Tremaine, she giggled like a little school girl that had been caught redhanded in the cookie jar.
"Lady Tremaine gave me tea for my cold, but she had something in it. I could smell it was not regular tea. I think it was some herbs you use to make people fall in love with you. So I pretended to get worse, and they thought I was dying, and went to find me a bath and a clean dress. When they were gone - I poured all my tea into their teacups. When they returned, they drank it.
Result: The two people who couldn't stand the sight of each other upon my arrival to the house, and who were at each others throats, are now like a couple of turtle doves."
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