James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
|
Post by James North on Jul 10, 2010 0:56:00 GMT -5
It wasn't too long before the cab with its two passengers finally drew to a stop beside a sumptuous estate, bordered on all four sides by a high, elaborate wrought-iron fence and flowering shrubbery of some sort or another.
For James, however, the journey home had seemed nothing short of ages, as hardly any words had passed between him and Miss Howard and the bitter tension hanging in the air only hardened with the glares they freely bestowed upon each other.
"Here we are."
He reached into his coat and produced a purse nearly bursting at the seams, which he, more or less, flung at the driver.
"For your troubles," he explained, as he alighted from the cab.
|
|
|
Post by Sydney on Jul 10, 2010 1:55:03 GMT -5
The driver caught the purse, curiously looked into it and quickly put away the jangling pouch in his coat pocket. Then, after a string of incoherent utterances of gratitude, he drove away.
Sydney stood and looked about her. The place was absolutely massive and the darkness gave the illusion of the green, manicured grass going on forever. The house was just as grand. It sat in the middle of the darkness like some sort of beacon.
It was just as she had imagined: tasteful, impressive yet utterly excessive.
Promptly, the front door opened and a man, whom she assumed was his valet, and a maid stepped out. Syd found no reason to wait around. She turned and walked right up to them, handed the maid her coat and walked inside.
|
|
James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
|
Post by James North on Jul 11, 2010 0:48:42 GMT -5
"You are quite straight to the point, aren't you?"
He divested himself of his coat as he trailed in behind Sydney, tossing it unceremoniously into the waiting arms of his maid.
"We're going upstairs. Don't interrupt us."
|
|
|
Post by Sydney on Jul 11, 2010 1:01:24 GMT -5
They gave a short bow and returned to their previous duties. They knew nothing more was needed of them.
Syd looked about the grand foyer and the rooms that it lead to on the ground floor.
"I find that I have to be," she said, still observing his home. "Especially around..."
She turned and slightly tilted her head to one side as she debated on which noun to use.
"...Around men," she said with a peculiar emphasis on the last word. It was something between contempt and amusement.
|
|
James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
|
Post by James North on Jul 11, 2010 1:13:10 GMT -5
"Of course," he dryly remarked, already ascending the grand staircase to the second floor. "Coming?"
|
|
|
Post by Sydney on Jul 11, 2010 1:18:24 GMT -5
"Lead the way."
|
|
James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
|
Post by James North on Jul 11, 2010 19:31:02 GMT -5
James turned onto the second floor and strode briskly down a lengthy corridor into the last room on the right.
"Right this way," he directed, edging open the door.
|
|
|
Post by Sydney on Jul 12, 2010 16:56:27 GMT -5
Sydney paused before entering and gave him an unwavering glance: whatever was going to happen was going to happen only because she allowed it.
She turned her eyes away and walked on, lightly brushing past him as she did so. She re-focused her attention on him as she stood still and silently in the middle of the room, still magnificent in her dress and jewels.
|
|
James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
|
Post by James North on Jul 12, 2010 18:34:51 GMT -5
North shut the door behind him and clicked the lock into place.
"You know, if you despise men as much as you say you do, you mustn't appear so...alluring. It's quite dangerous."
|
|
|
Post by Sydney on Jul 12, 2010 21:48:10 GMT -5
She still didn't move.
"I never said I despised them," she said coolly. "And I can defend myself."
|
|
James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
|
Post by James North on Jul 13, 2010 16:31:07 GMT -5
"In that case, I hope I can safely conclude that you don't despise me."
He sidestepped away from the door and began circling her, his gaze unwavering, his movements stealthy.
"Although I must confess it's far more entertaining when raw emotions, particularly those concerning anger or resentment, come into play."
|
|
|
Post by Sydney on Jul 13, 2010 19:02:28 GMT -5
She turned only her head to watch him move.
"And why is that?" she asked, wondering what his response would be.
|
|
James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
|
Post by James North on Jul 14, 2010 17:36:05 GMT -5
He chuckled darkly.
"My dear," he began, "as a child, you didn't desire dreary, colorless toys, did you? I find the same principles apply quite nicely here. None of us especially yearn for a dreary, colorless bedmate. Or a limit to the number of our bedmates, at that."
He paused and laughed again to himself.
"Or I don't, anyhow."
|
|
|
Post by Sydney on Jul 14, 2010 17:42:16 GMT -5
Objectification and misogyny. It didn't exactly surprise her.
"So, I suppose you have expectations of me," she said a bit more coyly that she realized.
|
|
James North
- Ingenious Pilot -
a kiss with a fist is better than none
Posts: 208
|
Post by James North on Jul 14, 2010 17:45:47 GMT -5
"Indeed, I do."
He stared at her.
"I don't believe I shall need to wonder whether you'll fully satisfy those expectations."
|
|