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Post by Jean-François de Morangias on Jun 14, 2008 18:33:30 GMT -5
The walk from the house down through the heavy-gated tunnel and into the cavernous lounge took only a few short minutes, and Morangias left Johanna against a wall while he went around to light lamps and even sconces in the wall.
The circular room was lavishly furnished at the center, a sort of sitting room complete with a fine Persian rug (stained here and there with streaks and droplets of dark brown from his more vigorous evenings with Grantaire). A side board stood nearby with a full compliment of beverage, to one far side a vanity and a very large wardrobe, to the other a comfortable four-poster bed.
And at the rear of the cavern, the heavy iron-barred grate of the beast's cage.
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Post by Johanna de Chagny on Jun 14, 2008 18:39:20 GMT -5
*Johanna gasped and cringed, but didn't look away.*
"What is it?"
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Post by Jean-François de Morangias on Jun 14, 2008 18:46:16 GMT -5
Well, there was nothing to see just yet, anyway.
"Come, I'll call him." He took her hand and led her to the grate, standing at it himself and leaving her a couple feet behind. From around his neck he lifted a whistle on a thick chord of sinew and blew--the sound was beyond human hearing.
"It may take some time."
He returned to her side and smirked, slipping just behind her and resting his hand on her shoulder so that she faced the cage with nothing between herself and the bars.
"Are you very excited?"
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Post by Johanna de Chagny on Jun 15, 2008 8:55:37 GMT -5
*She nodded*
"I've never seen any exotic animals before."
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Post by Jean-François de Morangias on Jun 15, 2008 12:08:38 GMT -5
After a few moments, heavy padding footfalls could be heard coming from the dark, followed by the thick chuffing breath of some huge animal, and then it was visible in the dim, this beast with a mane of iron quils, the heavy skull-face with shining metal teeth.
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Post by Johanna de Chagny on Jun 15, 2008 12:10:33 GMT -5
*Johanna's eyes grew wide, and she trembled. Still, she was entranced by the site*
"My goodness..."
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Post by Jean-François de Morangias on Jun 15, 2008 12:19:51 GMT -5
"The bars will hold him, and he won't harm you anyway."
The older man chuckled and stepped around her, approaching the cage and thrusting his hand through the bars, giving the skull-head a heavy pat that made the beast clack its morbid face against the bars of the cage, seeking attention.
"He's quite tamed."
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Post by Johanna de Chagny on Jun 15, 2008 12:24:42 GMT -5
*Johanna took a step forward*
"Does he have a name?"
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Post by Jean-François de Morangias on Jun 15, 2008 12:34:06 GMT -5
"Not actually. I sometimes call him Deleon." As a sort of joke.
"Come here, let him learn your scent."
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Post by Johanna de Chagny on Jun 15, 2008 12:36:44 GMT -5
*She took another step forward, letting it smell her hand*
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Post by Jean-François de Morangias on Jun 15, 2008 12:40:23 GMT -5
It snuffed at her, and then lost interest after a few moments and turned back to the dark.
"You'll know him better, one day, perhaps."
The Comte slipped his arm around her waist and drew her away from the cage, turning her to face him.
"I've been thinking that perhaps you should like some new clothing. As Head of House, you are not expected to wear the usual uniform."
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Post by Johanna de Chagny on Jun 15, 2008 12:42:05 GMT -5
*She gave the beast another glance, then looked at the lion.*
"What sort of thing?"
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Post by Jean-François de Morangias on Jun 15, 2008 12:46:40 GMT -5
"Anything you like. Silk or tafeta gowns, robes, even trousers if that's your fancy."
He led her over to the little sitting area and pulled her onto the sette with him.
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Post by Johanna de Chagny on Jun 15, 2008 13:06:22 GMT -5
"Anything?"
*She smiled*
"I have to think about that. You're so good to me..."
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Post by Jean-François de Morangias on Jun 15, 2008 13:09:56 GMT -5
He stroked the backs of his fingers along her cheek and grinned.
"Am I? Perhaps you deserve a bit of spoiling. Have have been very accomodating to my needs and desires, after all." which seemed odd, as he usually enjoyed making his playthings scream and cry and plead.
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