xix. dictated, action

[heloise]

Lana
How about an early morning ride?

Micheletto
You will help me with my crates. [ Because packing is tough. ]

Stephanie
Tell me if you mean to visit, even if not to see me. He would not find unexpected guests so pleasant.

What does it mean when the castle gave some no glimpse of old age?

[ Lucrezia is on her knees in the church in town, hands counting through her white rosary and reciting her prayers under her breath. She keeps her hood over her head.

It might seem foolish to believe that saying something over and over again gives it greater weight, or that time and voice can buy penance, but she feels she must at least-- try. She isn't praying for her own soul, she wonders if she would ever. But she loses count of how many times she has said the Ave Maria, and stands to go. ]

Comments

[ofhope]

[ Oh, if she knew exactly why Spike had been so irritable in that instance, she'd know it had very little to do with her. But that's not the point, really. It had been clear Lucrezia's manner had unnerved Spike somewhat, because it had amused Joshua. It was the only reason he hadn't tried sending her away. ]

Then I guess I should tell you a secret.

[ The pressure of his thumb increases just the slightest bit, though nothing suggesting danger, as he pushes her the couple feet to the other side of the small dressing room. There, he leans down to whisper in her ear. ]

He likes blondes. Quiet but commanding. Classy.

[heloise]

[ She gasps in surprise when her back meets the wall. He is as predictable as the flip of a coin, only he has more than just two sides. Still she lets out a small chuckle at his comment, reaching to comb her fingers through his hair. ]

Ah, good thing I was far from quiet.

[ofhope]

[ Even still he tenses subconsciously when her fingers pass his ears. Even when nothing is visible to the naked eye, his paranoia is difficult to stifle. It takes practice, but she offers a lot.

Moving his hand from her throat to her chin, Joshua taps beneath her bottom lip. ]

So you're only able to be quiet when sleeping, then? I guess you are troublesome.

[heloise]

[ He should be grateful for how noisy and touchy she can be then, for offering lots of practice indeed. Still her hand drops too to his jaw, enough so she can try to tug him closer. He revels in building tension it seems but she would rather resolve it. ]

There are other ways to silence me.

[ofhope]

[ With her pulling he needs to give no effort in pressing a kiss to her lips. His arm falls to drape around her waist again, hand pressing against the small of her back though he barely pulls her from the wall.

He doesn't quite trust how sturdy it is, but it would be a shame if he tore the fabric of her dress. ]

I don't think you would stay silent.

[heloise]

[ Not completely silent, no, but that does stop her from bantering at least for the moment. Her hand finds its way to the back of his neck to deepen the kiss.

Lucrezia could care less what happens to the dress or the dressing room's wall, or the shopgirl waiting outside. Her other hand drops to his waist to pull him closer still. Moments are not so easy to come by, when he is lucid and here. She pulls back just enough to remember to breathe. ]

[ofhope]

[ When she breaks for air, it reminds Joshua that her stamina and general sturdiness are at risk if he isn't careful. It is mildly frustrating to have to be ever conscious of his own grip, his own attention. What comes naturally to any other human, he needs to never let himself forget, and it can be tiring. Only occasionally worth it.

This may or may not be one of those events. It's already turned out to be a pleasant day, for him at least, and in the future there's even the promise of a soda shop or Indian food. Granted, his mind is very much in the present given unusual circumstance.

Bumping his nose against hers affectionately, Joshua runs his hand up from the small of her back to the neckline of her dress, tickling the golden hairs at the nape of her neck. He doesn't actually care about her keeping silent. ]

Your friends think I'll hurt you. Are you delicate?

[heloise]

[ Ah, he is learning fast too.

She wraps one arm around his back to keep her knees from giving, burying her face in the crook of his neck to stifle a whimper. Stop, never stop. She turns only enough to mutter against his skin. ]

As spun gold. [ That is, very and not at all. ]

[ofhope]

[ Joshua stays firm in his footing to make up for her weakened knees, and the other arm around her waist tightens to keep her close as he nips at the corner of her mouth. She's still trying to tease now, which he enjoys. If someone can't talk themselves in or out of a situation, they get boring quickly. Using force can be fun, but there is a time and a place, isn't there?

Fingertips lightly grazing her lower back, the thin fabric makes it easy to allow him to find the waistband of the panties beneath. ]

Then you shouldn't weigh yourself down with unnecessary accessories. The less there is underneath, the better it will look.

[heloise]

[ Perhaps she should have said as a spider's web instead, with all the connotation that carries. Luring, snaring, trapping, though perhaps that applies more to her words. She bites back a smile and traces his jawline with the tip of a finger, buying herself time until she can stand on her own. ]

As you wish. [ She pushes him back then, at least an arm's distance, enough space for her to hike her skirt on her own. Slow and nonchalant is how she does it, with hardly a care when she steps out of her panties.

Add another twirl. ] And now?

[ofhope]

[ Unable to step back much more without outright tripping, Joshua simply sits down on the small bench to watch. She works it like a strip-tease, and he can't help but react to it, a hungry look to his eye. His voice remains at a nonchalant level, at least. ]

Now it's perfectly smooth. You really do look like a movie star.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia stops her twirling and preening to look at herself in the mirror, growing quiet. It is a little less tall than the one before but still startlingly clear compared to the ones she is used to. She looks different to how she has imagined herself all this time. ]

A movie star. [ He's free with the compliments today and she can hazard a reason. ]

What if, I choose to walk out in this dress and leave the old one behind?

[ofhope]

[ He grows quiet, just watching her for a time. Her eyes, her lashes, her lips, how her chest moves when she breathes, her hands, her fingers... His response, if it is any, is more subdued. ]

There's no need to leave anything behind. Why not wrap it up to take with you, for when you feel it's appropriate to wear it again?

[ Reaching out, Joshua snags her wrist to tug her close, pulling her down onto his lap. ]

With different masks and different names, you always want to have back-up. Do you remember what I said about making your own?

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia is careful not to lean entirely on him, shifting to keep her balance on his lap and resting her free arm over his shoulder. He feels so near this way, close enough that she can almost count his eyelashes and maybe even decide on the color of his eyes. She hasn't found the right shade yet. ]

Must I still wear one?

[ Perhaps that is her life's dilemma; forever wanting to leave things behind to move forward, but never having the heart to walk away. And in the end the mask becomes the person. ]

[ofhope]

[ Joshua shakes his head while at the same time shrugging, his knuckles gently pushing under her chin to tip her head back. His thumb tickles along her jawline, and again he's watching her, all over and inward and through, and still there's something else. ]

Others are the ones asking you to. It doesn't matter to me, since you can't hide from me.

[heloise]

[ He must be checking for where her mask ends, and she smiles a little at the thought. She tips her face so his thumb would slip, a smooth escape so she can steal another kiss, ardent and cut short with a giggle. No more of this gloom, she has had enough to last. ]

Do you really? [ Ever the tease, she moves to step away from him and reach the door. ]

[ofhope]

[ Joshua's leaning forward, catching himself with a disappointed expression as she pulls away. He keeps hold of her hand, though his grip is loose, eventually letting it fall away when she actually reaches the door. Wench. He needs a minute. ]

You still have surprises, even for me.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia hovers by the door and waits for him, biting back a grin. She runs away because she knows he would follow, but she won't let him today, in case she only ends up in tears and ruins the moment for both of them. ]

Should I fear the day when I run out of them, like Scheherazade and her stories?

[ofhope]

[ As easily as he normally goes with the flow, Joshua doesn't mind as much as some men might. He loves simple pleasures; all of them, not just the most obvious that mindless people always rush towards. Besides, as upset as she's been, he knows he shouldn't expect more. Women are like that, aren't they?

Standing, he finally moves to follow, though he'll take the panties to let them hang off his fingertips while reaching down to pick up her old dress. ]

When she ran out of stories, she got true love and three sons. What's to fear?

[heloise]

[ Welp. She laughs and tries to swipe the panties from him. ]

Ah, but that is because her king grew wiser and kinder in time. Would you?

[ofhope]

[ Nope, he's bunching them up in his hand and stuffing them into his duster's pocket. Someone shouldn't have followed his advice, perhaps... ]

Do I need to?

[heloise]

[ HEY. She makes a pout, so close to stomping her foot. At least now it's out of view... ]

If I am to have any chance of surviving my one-thousand and second night.

[ofhope]

[ He chuckles, unsure if he should be insulted her just plain amused. Well, he has actually grown quite a bit since his first arrival, though he might be the first to argue that. To suggest he's lost his edge...

Although he has now been reduced to a panty thief. ]

Almost three years away. I think we'll have time. Maybe we should worry more about when I run out of surprises.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia gives him a sly look, unlocking the door with a click. Oh, look, the poor shopgirl is still there! ]

You have no reason to worry. I have no taste for beheading and such things.

[ofhope]

Blood is impossible to get out of silk...

[ Seriously, the poor shop girl, who he just smiles and waves to in passing, handing her the old dress for her to bag up nicely. It's quite a lot of fabric, really. ]