James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
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Post by James North on Jul 27, 2012 0:55:24 GMT -5
"That's hardly fair," he began to argue, his voice laced with the first hints of desperation. Hardly a few months ago, he would have resorted to physical means...but he knew that with Miss Howard, physical force meant absolutely nothing. "You won't allow me to at least bargain for what's rightfully mine?"
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Post by Sydney on Jul 27, 2012 4:19:11 GMT -5
"Bargain?" she repeated. It was just like him to think he could.
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James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
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Post by James North on Jul 27, 2012 17:21:56 GMT -5
James returned her gaze as civilly as he could, despite the mounting urge within himself to lunge at her, to do anything and everything short of squeezing the very life out of her. He made no outward show of these thoughts, excepting his grasp on his glass which tightened until his knuckles were white.
"Yes. Bargain," he repeated, putting unnecessary emphasis on the word.
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Post by Sydney on Jul 27, 2012 21:29:00 GMT -5
"What could you possibly have with which to bargain?" she baited. "Bargaining implies we have a mutual need that can be fulfilled by something we both offer. I need nothing from you."
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James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
|
Post by James North on Jul 28, 2012 15:51:54 GMT -5
((Ouch, I think North needs some ice for that burn!))
"Nothing? I'm sure we could come to an agreement about something," he stated quietly, not quite trusting his voice now. His remark said everything short of 'please.' The utterance of that one simple word would mean giving himself entirely over to Miss Howard, would mean complete surrender. And his pride simply wouldn't allow that.
And yet part of him secretly wondered what that would be like.
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Post by Sydney on Jul 30, 2012 4:19:39 GMT -5
((Haha! Yeah, I think these two know the old "sticks and stone" rhyme isn't all true.))
She hadn't yet told him what would happen if he declined but, judging from his reaction to just her stating terms, it seemed she wasn't going to have it. The impression she had left on him was apparently more than sufficient.
Sydney angled her head and looked at him steadily. She briefly recalled the fashion in which he entered the room just a short while before. She could only imagine how good he must have felt coming in and tossing his coat on the sofa; how in-control he thought he was. That was an undeniably stark contrast from his position now. A position low enough, he was on the verge of begging. She could hear it in his voice, both the desperation and the tiny sliver of pride that was holding him back.
It was understandable. She was, after all, demanding that he commit social suicide. Withdrawing your name and disappearing from a prestigious venue such as the opera house meant questions, speculations and, most importantly, rumours. And as any person who spent time, let alone grew up, in society knew, words were the ultimate undoers.
As she continued to gaze at him evenly, she wondered how close his pride was from finally tipping over. The only way to know was to give it a push.
"I've been told," she began, sitting tall again in her seat, "that for certain animals-- dogs in particular-- their bellies are their most vulnerable part."
Dogs. She hoped his memory wasn't so bad that he wouldn't remember their conversation just a short while before at the foyer of the opera house.
"And therefore, the act of rolling over on their backs near their masters is a sign of complete trust. Or was it complete surrender," she said, briefly feigning confusion before recovering with a small grin. "I can't seem to recall..."
She was promising nothing but the implication was clear enough: if he wanted even the slightest chance as surviving socially, he'd best roll over. Literally.
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James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
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Post by James North on Aug 1, 2012 16:14:28 GMT -5
"Are those your final terms?" he spoke, feeling increasingly diminutive in her presence. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
((I'M SO SORRY FOR MY SHIT REPLY. I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO AWESOMENESS.))
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Post by Sydney on Aug 18, 2012 4:46:08 GMT -5
((NONSENSE. NONE OF THAT IS TRUE!))
She didn't speak. Her only response was a steady gaze.
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James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
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Post by James North on Aug 20, 2012 2:57:59 GMT -5
((LIES.))
"Are they?" he merely pressed as he reevaluated his life choices.
The cracks were beginning to show, starting with the subtle break in his voice; anyone hard of hearing might have missed it, but James knew that Miss Howard was anything but deaf. He felt himself devolving under her gaze. And he was a child again. Not the child of privilege he'd been, mind, but a small petulant child who couldn't get his way, no matter how many fits he threw.
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Post by Sydney on Aug 20, 2012 3:30:36 GMT -5
((Hahah Oh god that bit that's crossed out. trufax. Not that mine's any better adjusted...))
"That rests in your hands..." she replied, "So to speak."
She watched with unconcealed delight as his facade crumbled. It was almost cathartic.
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James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
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Post by James North on Aug 21, 2012 16:52:24 GMT -5
He rose partly, as if to stand, but seemed to think better about it and sat back down, pulling anxiously at his shirt collar. He finally spoke--
"Do with me as you will, then."
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Post by Sydney on Jun 3, 2013 4:50:51 GMT -5
With her usual grace, she got up from her chair and stepped closer. And with a movement that, for the briefest second, looked as if she were going to lean in, she moved the coffee table. The only thing left in that space was a Persian rug, perfect for what she would demand next.
"On your back." Each syllable was crisply articulated.
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James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
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Post by James North on Jun 8, 2013 1:57:25 GMT -5
((Damn, haven't RPed as this character in forever.))
And after loosening his tie, James complied with little hesitation, surprising even himself. He uncoiled his tall frame on the floor to the best of his abilities, finding he was unable to work out the tension in his shoulders and lower back even if he tried, and stared up expectantly at her. Almost sneering, but not quite.
"Give it your best shot."
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Post by Sydney on Sept 27, 2013 4:59:23 GMT -5
((Ditto))
Sydney gazed down at him at length. As ever, she was in no rush.
First she circled him slowly like a vulture over a carcass. But she was no dully coloured bird. She was clad in gold and black, at once radiant and deadly.
She paused next to his head and lowered onto one knee. A pale hand reached out for his loosened tie. There was a moment were her fingers brushed against the skin on his neck and for a moment it was delicate. But just as that touch registered, her gentle touch turned. Her hand gripped and twisted his silk tie, raising him a foot and a half above the ground and effectively choking him.
"I wonder," she hissed into his ear, "to what lengths you're willing to go in order to retain your access to what I know you consider your own private harem at the Opera Garnier."
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James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
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Post by James North on Jan 3, 2014 1:12:02 GMT -5
As a darkly-colored blood vessel throbbed violently in his brow and he fought against the temptation to reach up and seize Miss Howard by the throat, North managed to wheeze, "Is there anything...you would not do...for the things you love?"
The edge of his mouth curled into a broken smirk.
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