RPG The Ripper Program

[missrelena]

[I]Ariana, I'm sorry. He does not mean to be hurtful, he's just . . .[/I] Geni searched for the appropriate word. Dante was dragging her across the green, but it didn't stop her speaking with the other telepath.

[I]Scared?[/I] Ariana suggested into her mind.

[I]Well, that too. But it's more than that. Dante's worried about Lord Rufus, and we both appreciate how hard it must have been for you to leave his side and come here. It means a lot -- to me at least. He's also worried about having all of us in one place. He doesn't want to give Jack any easy oppertunities. I'm sorry. He just doesn't know how to express his feelings well, so he comes off cold. Please don't be angry or hurt. If it pleases you, could you ask if we could all meet at Lady Elcair's home this afternoon to compare notes. That is, if you are still willing to continue your aquaintence with the two of us.[/I] Geni desperately wanted her friend to usnderstand, but she would not blame the lady if she were terribly offended by Dante's rough manner.

Ariana gave a mental sigh. [I]Dante can't help but be Dante.[/I] She replied. [I] We all know him to be prickly at times. No, I am not too hurt. Taken aback, possibly, but not hurt. I will speak with Elcair about gathering at her home later today. I will let you know what she says.[/I]

[I]Thank you for your forgiveness and understanding.[/I] Geni was relieved. She valued Ariana's friendship. Letting the connection with Ariana go, Geni returned her attention to Dante and Faustus. "What do you mean, 'Last time'?" She asked him.

"I'll explain later. I promise." Was all he would say.

[Otori_Girl]

"Ariana, are you alright? I'm sure he didn't mean it." Eclair replied as she joined Ariana at her side. They watched the young couple hurry away toward the east wing.

"I understand, hes had a hard morning. Although Eclair I was wondering if perhaps all of us could meet at your place this afternoon? All lot has happened and I do believe we need to discuss a few issues." Ariana said this with a pleasant smile. The one she normally wore.

"Yes of course. You are all welcome in my home at any time. Thats where Nathan and I both were anyway." This remark brought a mischevious spark to Ariana's eyes.

"Really? You were both there?" She asked her smile turnning to a smirk. Eclair had a sudden look of embarrasment.

"Its not what you think. You see I had this terriblle nightmare--" Eclairs eyes became wide as she said this.

"What is it Eclair?" Ariana could feel the panic coming from Eclair.

"The nightmare."


OOC: Sorry its short, I'm really tired. Oh Yeah Merry Christmas Everyone!

[natchan]

"I need to find Nathan." Eclair replied hastily as she scanned the area in hopes to see him. Her heart beat increased in speed as the thought in her mind formed more clearly.

"Eclair what is it? Whats wrong?" Ariana asked putting a hand on eclairs shoulder. Her eyes met Eclairs and she could clearly see fear in them.

"This morning I had a frightful nightmare, and Dantes home was in the nightmare, what if Jack has the ability to know what we're thinking at all times? And these terrible events continue to happen because he know how to get to us." Eclair replied her voice trembling slightly. She turned her head and spotted Nathan exiting the scene of the gatekeepers murder. He caught sight of her and approached her quickly as he could clearly see the panic in her face.

"Milady what is the matter? You look terribly spooked." He asked quietly as not to draw attention.

"This afternoon we are all to meet at my home to discuss our knowing of Jack. I fear he has much more to do with this than we thought." She explained.

"I will alert my officers that I am neede to escort you home, and that if they have any word that is where they shall find me." Nathan noticed Ariana standing only feet away from Eclair. "I apologize for not seeing you milady. How is your husband?"

"He is as well as he can be at the moment. Thank You for inquiring so." She replied kindly.

"Ariana, you are welcome to join us." Eclair invited.

"Of course I will join you." She smiled.

[missrelena]

Dante paced out the path to the room with the trap door. What few walls that remained standing in this portion of the house were blackened and dripping wet from the extinguishing efforts. Soot and pools of standing water covered the floor, and Geni's white boots were soon a dingy grey. The large chair still stood on the raised level of the room, as if it were entirely unperturbed by the chaos of the early morning. Dante stamped down on the trigger board and the trap slid aside without any hesitation. Thin clouds of trapped smoke puffed out the hole and into the morning light.

As before, Dante descended four or five stairs first, then turned and offered his hand to help Geni navigate the steep steps. This time, however, as she made her way down, a wooden step about waist hight from the bottom floor gave out, cracking and splintering aproximately in half under her weight. Fabric ripped with dramatic volume as her skirts caught on the ragged edges of what remained of the faulty stair. Geni crashed to the floor with a startled yelp, then she instantly slammed her mental shields up so Dante would not sense how much pain she was in. She would prove to the voice, whether it was Jack or not, that she was NOT more distress than damsel. It was just a short tumble, after all.

"Geni! Are you well? What happened?" Dante's voice was full of concern.

The young lady gave a timerous laugh. "I'm fine. The weight of all the trimmings I have on must have been too much for the poor stair to handle. I think I have been conspired against to look even more clumsy than I already am in front of you." She managed a weak smile of emabrassment as Dante helped her to her feet. Her left leg actually hurt quite a bit, but she opted not to mention it. "I think my dress has seen it's last day, though." The fine silk fabric had several rends in it, and a long strip of it still hung from the edge of the staircase. Between tearing strips off of her petticoats to help bandage Rufus and this tumble, her dress was indeed destroyed.

Dante looked skeptical over Geni's explaination. He saw through her blantant attempt to change the subjuct. The step had born his weight first, and there was no way, not even with her heavy gown, that Geni weighed more than he did. The stair hadn't even creaked under him, or he would have helped Geni to step over it.
He lifted her up off the floor, reaffirming his assasment that she wasn't at all heavy and set he back on her feet.

Gingerly they made their way past the shiny objects and into the room with all of Dante's swords. Despite the wreak of smoke, everything appeared to be in order. The lord led Geni to the stone alter that the candleabra once stood on. Fingering a hidden catch, the top of the stone box rotated on a corner axis around to show a hollow beneath it. Inside lay three swords, gently wrapped in while silk and muslin and looking like the priceless and beloved treasures they obviously were. Taking great care, Dante lifted them and turned to show them to Geni. His face held a reverance that she had never seen before.

"These mean more to me than my own life." He told her.

Geni looked from the sheathed blades to Dante's eyes. Those eyes seemed to beg her to understand. The young lord my not have been very expressive with words, but she knew that the one true way to comprehend Dante was through his eyes. You could see his soul through them if you only knew what to look for. His eyes told her what his words could not.

"Then I must know them." She whispered. "Any beloved of yours is dear to me." Geni knew her words sounded sappy, but they seemed to be what the young lord was hoping for.

"This is Tsuruko, Shiisui and Masamune." He introduced, naming them as he handed them to her. The enamel on the sheaths was intricately worked with filagree patterns. Each had it's own distinct look and style. They appeared well loved and well cared for.

"They're lovely, Dante. Thank you for letting me see them." She gave him a soft smile and stepped forward to return them. When she put her full weight on he left leg, it crumpled beneath her and she collapsed to the floor with a small cry of pain, hugging the blades to her chest so she would not damage them.

"Geni?" Dante's voice was laced with worry.

"I'm fine. I must have stumbled in my heels." She attempted to rise to her feet, and quickly returned to the floor with a quiet moan of pain.

"You are [I]not[/I] fine." Dante rumbled at her in a dark tone. He glanced over to the spot where she had been standing while he had retrieved his blades from their rest and noticed a small stain of blood. "You are [I]not fine [/I] at all." He was becoming enraged. She had been hurt and hadn't told him.

"I - I just pulled a muscle in my limb when I fell. That's all. Not even worth mentioning." She covered.

"You are[I] still [/I] a rotten liar." He growled. "A pulled muscle does not bleed." Ignoring all social protocols, he yanked her obscuring skirts away from the leg that was now obviously in pain. Geni gave a whimper of indignanty but was silenced by Dante's glare. Halfway up her left thigh a shard of wood about an inch wide and a handspan long had embedded itself into her leg about an inch or so deep. Since the wood was still in place, blood merely oosed around it. Once pulled, the blood flow would definately increase.

[I]Dante, I - I'm sorry.[/I] Geni took down her mental wall to touch his mind. Unfortunately for her cause in gaining his forgiveness, along with her apology came the awareness of how much pain she was in. He looked at her face, anger clearly apparent in every aspect, and raised and eyebrow.

"Do you have any [I]clean[/I] cloth that I can use as a bandage?" He asked sharply.

She nodded, her face full of contrition. She pulled her white hankerchief from inside her corset and handed it to him. It was the cleanest item she had at the moment. Not touching her hand he took it from her and went back to work on the small injury.
He carefully withdrew the woodden shard, then used the hankerchief as a pad to soak up the now free-flowing crimpson stream. Still not looking at her, he tore yet another strip from her petticoats and used it to tie the make-shift bandage in place.

[I]Dante, I really am sorry.[/I] Geni tried again.

[I]If you're sorry, why didn't you tell me about this?[/I] Even his mental voice sounded angry.

[I]Because I didn't want to burden you. That's what the voice in the nightmare told me. He said I was weighing you down with all my fagilities -- more distress than damsel.[/I] She felt so horrible about attempting to decieve him and making him angry - he'd never been angry at her before - that she couldn't look him in his expressive eyes. She busied herself by rearranging her skirts into a proper order. He lifted her into his arms for the second time that day, swords and all, and she kept her gaze on the ornate tsubas of each blade.

[I]You are never a burden.[/I] His thoughts murmured into hers. She would have accused him of simply being kind, but she knew the impossibility of lying mind to mind. He deftly carried her up the steep staircase, adroitly skipping the missing tread.

"I asked Ariana to ask Eclair if we could all meet at her manor later today to talk over all the recent events with Jack and the fire and everything. Elcair agreed to the idea. I know you are still upset by -- everything, but would you come with me?" Geni asked.

"Where you go, I follow, even if I don't currently trust the company you keep." He told her.

"Again? Oh, Dante. What has happened to ruin what everyone has worked so hard to build with you?" Geni looked into his face, forgetting her reluctance, suprised. Everything had been going so well as far as group trust issues were concerned she had thought.

"It was the message you gave me." His tone made it very clear that he was dropping the subject. He carried her out of the wreck that was once his east wing and over to what remained of his groomed flowerbeds. He set her softly onto the sun-warmed grass. Turning away from her, he plucked a rose from a nearby bush and handed it to her. "For my rough manner earlier." He said by way of apology.

Freeing a hand from her grip on the three swords, she took the blossom and held it to her nose, drinking in it's sweet perfume. "A peach rose. Did you know that in flower-speak a peach rose can mean hope -- or unspoken lo. . ." Geni cut herself off and blushed. "Thank you." She whispered.

"I need to speak with Faustus and a few others, and then we can be away from here. We wouldn't want to keep the ladies waiting." Though his voice held scorn, his face asked her if she would be all right if he left her sitting amongst the flowers for a short time.

"Do what you need to." She replied. "I will not be going anywhere."

"Not without me, you won't be." He muttered as he stood and went to find his butler.

__________________________________
OOC: Dante PMed me about the swords, and I thought this would be a great place for Geni to see them. I promise I'm not taking over like the evil person I REALLY am.

[Lord Dante]

Dante turned from the flowerbed and walked off towards the west wing, the acrid smell of his recently burning manor still assailing his nostrils. three hooded figures come into veiw as he draws nearer to the west wing.

"may the light of the Magi forever guide us" Dante called aloud, stopping short of the three figures.

"in their hand, and of their blade" the three hooded figures replied as one, turning to face him.

"no-one has bee harmed, save Milton. we can be thankful for that." the figure on the right said as he removed his hood, revealing himself as faustus. the other two lowered their hoods, revealing themselves as two of dante's other servants, Kain and Magnus.

"ok, we all know that this was no accident, and while I have several theories, things need to be done. and so I'm going to need your help." dante said to the three, as he stepped closer to them.

"what is it you need done?" Kain asked.

"I need one of you to get in tuch with the Dying light, I have a theory that this has someting to do with [I]the cave[/I]. Kain, i need you to find out if anything strange is happening on their end. Magnus, I need you to depart for my castle, tell them to prepare for my arrival, with guest. Faustus will remain with me, and oversee the reconstruction work for the time being.. any objections?" The three men stood silent.

"this whole affair is beginning to cause me an amount of concern, we must all be ever-vigilant. now I must go. try not to get yourselves killed" dante turned, and walked away fromhis freinds, back towards geni.

Sitting where he had left her, holding his three swords as if they were the most precious things in the world, geni hummed to herself.

"what time did you thell the others that we would meet them?" he asked her.

"what? oh. this afternoon." she replied, looking up at him as he extended his hand down to help her up"

"I will aquuire us a taxicab then, if you'd like i'll fill you in on the story behind those blades you carry if you'd like."

Geni nodded silently in agreement as they wandered off towards the road.

[natchan]

The officer and two ladies arrived at Eclairs home safely and were met at the door by Darian and Edward. Darian bowed as they approached and greeted them as Edward took the carriage to tend the horses.

"Milady, it is good to see you return without harm. the news of the Lords home is dreadful." He led them into the house and closed the door behind them.

"Thank You Darian, I only wish there was more that I could do for the young Lord." Eclair replied in a concerned manner. The four of them entered the palor and Darian served them drinks.

"Will the Young Lord Dante and Lady Geniveve be joining us this afternoon milady?" Darian asked politly.

"Yes, they shall, do be expecting them." Eclair answered kindly. Nathan stood near the fire place whilst the two ladies sat down and began to talk.

"Do you suppose Jack sent someone to Dantes home or do you think perhaps he actually did it himself?" Ariana asked Eclair.

"I don't know what to think but I do know that he is becoming more dangerous by the minute." She replied then took a sip of her tea. Her eyes wandered over to where Nathan stood, he was looking over the sword that hung over the fire place.

"Do you like it?" She asked, he jerked his eyes away to look at Eclair, she was smiling.

"It looks to be a magnificent blade. Do you know how to wield it?" He asked his eyes going back to weapon.

"That silly thing..." Eclair reached out her hand as the sword left its mount upon the wall and gracefully moved to Eclair's hand. Nathans eyes were wide and a smaile spread across Ariana's face. "... of course I don't know how to use it." Her voice faltered for only a fraction of a moment as she continued. "It was Vincent's. He was amazing with a blade, watching him was as if watching an angel fly. His grace was un-matched, his speed that of the lightning bolt, and his precision like a artists." She smiled as she held the rapier gingerly.

"Touching things with your mind and moving them by will alone. That is your talent." Ariana stated softly.

"Yes, not as useful as others but nice to have." Eclair stated.

"Nothing you do is un-useful Eclair." Nathan replied stepping near the chair where Eclair sat. Eclair smiled and held out the sword.

"Would you like to see it? Its craftsmanship is beautiful." She released the weapon and it landed softly in Nathans hands. He slid the weapon from its scabbard, he could have sworn the room brightened as he revealed the blade for all to see. The sleek glistening blade bore marks of filigry more detailed than Nathan had ever seen on such a tiny blade. the swept hilt was a shinning silver with pearl inlays and the grip was a white leather covered in silver cording. Nathan inspected the filigry more closely and found an inscription hidden among the woven pattern. 'To my heart and soul, my beloved Vincent'

"As I thought, absolutely magnificent." He replied sheathing the blade with the utmost delicacy, and carefully placing the weapon back on its perch.

OOC: There I did it I posted, now I must retire. For I am very SLEEPY! :animesigh

[Otori_Guy]

OOC: Sorry this is gonna be short folks!

IC:
Rufus sat quietly in the room by himself, he thought that if the wounds hadn't killed him, boredom might. He had his top hat, which Ariana had brought to hm when she came the night before, sitting on the edge of the bed, and he was entertaining himself by throwing cards at it. He'd thrown half the deck already and he only made 4 into the hat.

The doctor came in once to check his bandages.

"So how soon do you think I'll be outta here?" Rufus asked with a pleading look. The doctor raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"Well you're recovering well, but I'm afraid that you won't be out for at least a week. And then you'll be in bed at home for another three weeks, then you will only be allowed to sit for another three weeks." Rufus gave the doctor an exasperated smile and threw another card, and missed the hat.

"Thanks for the good news."

[Otori_Girl]

Not only was it completely obvious to the searching eye, but Ariana could feel a certain tenderness coming from Nathan when he spoke to Eclair. This was not the only time she felt it, but everytime infact. She smiled to herself as she sipped her tea.

[I]'You know Nathan you really should say somthing to her.'[/I] Ariana thought in Nathans direction. Him also being a telepath it was imensly easy for him to pick it up. His eyes turned to Ariana for only a moment before the swiftly returned to gazing at Eclair as she drank her tea.

[I]'What if she rejects me entirely? You heard how she described Vincent, I can't compete with that. Besides I'm not fit for her station.'[/I] Nathan replied back in the unheard language.

[I]'Don't try and use the station excuse on me, you know very well that no one would think less of her. And your not competeing with anything, she misses her husband this is true, there is no better time than when she needs comforting. I don't want to hear anymore excuses from the likes of you.' [/I] She thoguht in a final matter. Nathan met eyes with Eclair and smiled, and at that moment he felt a sort of happiness that he hadn't felt before. He would make her happy, and see her truely smile again.

"Nathan? Are you listening?" Eclairs voice broke him into reality and blinked then replied.

"I'm sorry I was thinking about somthing. What was it you were saying?" His voice was kind.

"I was wondering how you knew that the letter was written in blood instead of ink?" Eclair asked stting her cup on the table sitting infron of her.

"The texture of the writing, ink has a different concistantcy than blood."


OOC: If they're not gonna get themselves together than I am! :catgirl: Like the mischevious little person I am! Not God Moding, just giving a nudge in the right direction.

[missrelena]

"Milord, before you begin your explaination," Geni said as the carriage began it's way down Dante's drive, "I can't help but point out that neither of us are attired appropriatly for visiting." She was right. In fact, with some of the bigger tears in Geni's dress, she was nearly indecent. Whenever she moved, a scandalous amount
of leg flashed into view for an instant or two. Since her mother absolutley objected to bloomers as a garment only floosies wore, Geni showed even more skin than most would.

Respectfully, Dante kept his gaze on Geni's face, despite the fact that not an hour before he had seen her left leg nearly up to the hip. "Would you like me to take you home for a change of clothes?" He offered.

"No, my mother would have apoplexy if I showed myself in this state. It just might kill her. Then, I would have to spend the rest of the day explaining and re-explaining what had happened. She wouldn't let me out of her sight." Geni gave an exasperated sigh. She seemed to be bouncing back from all the shocks she had recieved in the past twenty-four hours. It was a slow recovery, psychologically, but anything was better than how she was after Milton had been discovered. "Instead, my mother has ordered yet another dress that needs to be retrieved from the milleners. If we could just stop there - it's on the way to Elcair's home - then I could change as soon as we arrvied. I am sure that Eclair would loan me the use of a room and a lady's maid. Would that be too much trouble?"

"Not at all. I'll give my driver the direction and we'll be there shortly." Dante was also relieved at not needing to face Geni's daunting and hyperchondriatic mother. This seemed the much simpler course.

It was not long before they arrived at the dressmakers. Dante exited the carriage easily, but Geni, with her cut leg, had a difficult time of it. Before she even reached the carriage door, Dante was gently pushing her back into her seat.

"You are in no condition to be gadding into shops right now." He insisted.

"But . . ." she tried to protest.

"But nothing. Just give me one of your cards with a short message on the back telling the shopkeeper that you want me to take your dress." Dante was not excited at the prospect of entering what was usually a stricly female store by himself, but there was no way he would let Geni walk right now.

"I didn't mean to cause a fuss." She apologized.

"Then don't. I have pen and ink in the side compartment on your left. I will have to unstop the bottle for you since it's closed quite tightly. Just write the note on your card and then let me do the footwork."

"Yes, Milord." Geni saluted him like a soldier then did as she was told.

Upon entering the shop, Dante honestly believed himself to have been transported to a foreign and mystrious world filled with ribbons, lace and such sundries that defied any man's attempt at definition. The matron of the establishment tried with some success to hide a smile as she saw her uncomfortable new customer. Wordlessly Dante handed her Geni's card. He refrained from any extranious movement to avoid being the proverbial bull in the equally proverbial china shop.

The matron read the brief instructions on the back of the card and clucked her tongue. "I will return in just a moment, milord. If you would like to sit down whlie you wait, I should not take long." Dante nodded, but otherwise did not budge. The woman stepped behind a curtain and the young lord was pretty sure he could hear soft whispers and twitters of hushed giggles coming from the direction she had gone.

The woman did not dawdle, and she emerged with a light and delicate powder blue muslin day dress over her arm. She also carried something made from a black fabric as well. "Lord Dante, here is the dress for Lady Genieve. I hope it suits. Please thank her for her business for me if you would be so kind."

"Thank yo-- how did you know my name?" He asked, suspicious. Geni hadn't put it on the card, he was sure.

"A young lord on a errand for the sweet Lady Genieve? Even I hear the talk of the ton. You would have to be Lord Dante." She smiled warmly at Dante as she handed him the garment. He held it as if her were afraid he would rip it with the wrong expression on his face. The shopowner chuckled, then shook out the black garment. It was a gentleman's coat. "A young man ordered this earlier in the year, but then fell sick and lost a great deal of weight so it no longer fit properly. I have had it in the back for some months with no use for it. Please take it with my complements. A gentleman of your standing and charms should not go about in his shirtsleeves, even if his home has just suffered a major fire."

Dante wanted to refuse her act of kindness, but could not find a polite reason to. Afterall, the only garments he currently owned were what he was wearing and maybe an article or two that the staff might have set aside for cleaning. Blushing awkwardly at his remarked-upon social miss-step, he took the proffered coat and put it on. It fit perfectly.

"I thought you looked the right size. If it needs any adjusting, don't hesitate to return here. Besides, if you like this coat, you might return here for the replacements of what you lost this day. I do not have many customers of the masculine persuasion, and outfitting you would be a great honor." She wore a sly grin.

"I see your game. Lure me in with kindness, then catch my business hook, line, and sinker. Shrewed of you." Dante liked it when people were honest about their deviousness.

"Yes, milord." She bobbed a curtsey and Dante left the shop feeling a touch less uncomfortable than he did when he entered. He handed Geni her dress, hoping he hadn't dirtied it with his less than emmaculate hands. If he had, she did not remark on it. He instructed the drive to continue on to Eclair's manorhouse and then swang himself inside the carriage.

Geni thanked him profusely for all the trouble he had gone to. He waved it away, but said, "Some day you must tell me how you stand it."

"Stand what, Dante? I don't understand." She was puzzled by the strange statement.

"Stand being around all that." He answered.

"I still do not understand."

"[I]That[/I]. All that rediculousness I could see filling the entire front of that establishment." Dante looked serious, but Geni could not tell if he was teasing her.

"Is that question in earnest?" She asked.

"Maybe you would have to be a man to understand." Was all he would say to that. "Now, I believe I promised to tell you about my swords. . ."

____________________
OCC: I know this is just filler, but I liked it. (Is hyperchondriatic a word? It is now!)

[Lord Dante]

As the carriage ploughed slowly onwards, dante took up one of the three blades, slowly unwrapping the white muslin veiling the object.

"this is Tsuruko. the first of the three that I came across." he said, holding the sheathed blade up before her eyes.

"I came across this in a land Very far from here, past china. It was in a cave, surrounded with a small village in the mountains. The locals told me that the cave was protected by some kind of spirit. I won't go into details here, but When I went inside, I came out two days later, tsuruko in my hand."

"I tell you though, there Is something special about Tsuruko, I'll show you." he said as he drew the evil looking, black partially-serrated blade, a single, bloodred ruby, shaped like a drop of blood about the size of a fingernail was placed half an inch above the tsuba. he held the blaid out straight.

"look. See how it quivers?" he said, motioning for geni to examine the blade, which was indeed quivering slightly.

"it seems that the blade has a thirst for blood, as when it is used in batle, the quivering increases in intensity untill you can hear it humming. Although it is rediculous, boardering on preposterous to suggest that an Inanimate object can thirst for something, through my travels I have come to understand that things in this world may not be what they seem." dante said, eyes focused on the blade.

"It certainly is beautiful Dante." Geni remarked.

"it looks like we are reaching lady Eclair's now."geni said, glancing out of the window to see that the carriage was pulling into the drive.

Jumping down, dante strapped the three swords behind him, onto his belt, and offered his hand to geni.

"i promise I will tell you of the others at a later date. Just remember to be on your guard. with all of them"

[natchan]

Eclair heard the chime of the door bell and only a few moments later Geni and Dante entered the room followed closely by Edward and Darian. She stood to welcome them and when she saw the great tear in Geni's dress she rushed over to inspect it.

"My dear girl, what has happened to your gown? I know it wasn't Lord Dante, to fine a gentleman. Were you attacked, was it Jack, are you alright?" Eclair said everything so quickly she hardly had room to breath in between.

"We weren't attacked, a step shattered beneath me and I fell through." Geni replied, her skin going a little pink, she was obviously embarassed.

"Under your feather weight, that rediculous." Ariana stated from behind Eclair.

"Thats what I told her, after all the step had to bare my weight before hers." Dante remarked.

"Well I do have a gown to change into if you don't mind?" Geni stated shhyly.

"Of course, and you'll probably want a bath while you're at it." Eclair replied quickly then called for her chamber maid. "This Clohe, she will prepare your bath and help you with any need that you may have." She turned to Dante not giving him a chance to speak seeming as he already looked to object to whatever she was about to say. "And you Lord Dante, Edward will take care of you with a bath and a fresh pair of clothes from Vincent's wardrobe." The three servants all gave Eclair a look of astonishment, and they all thought the same thing but only Darian said anything.

"My Lady, Lord Vincent's room has not been touched since --"

"Its nothining to fret about Darian, beside Lord Dante looks to be about the same size. Now off with you all, we don't want to see you till your sparkling clean." Eclair shooed them away and returned to her seat.

Dante would have normally been finished get ready before Geni, but due to all the soot and dirt caked on to everything it took him about the same amount of time. Edward helped him dress the only way he knew to dress anyone in the fine attire of his Lord. Dante was fairly impressed on how well the taylored clothes fit him, it almosted seemed as if they wer made for him. The pants and shirt were a midnight color, and the vest and tie were a deep ash.

Eclair stood as she did earlier to greet the young couple, but when she saw Dante dressed so finely in Vincen't clothes she stopped dead in her tracks. A slight almost sad smille came to her face, and she could feel tears forming.

"You look...nice." She replied quietly, then turned to walk over to the window hoping no one would see the tears falling. Dante felt akward enough already, but this didn't make it any better. Him and Geni made they're way over to one of the love seats and sat down.

"I knew they would fit." Eclair stated not turning to face her guests yet. Ariana gave Nathan an almost threatening look and gestured at Eclair. He took a deep breath and walked toward the window where Eclair stood. She did not seem him approaching, but he could see the tears fall down her cheeks in the reflection of the glass. He placed a hand on her shoulder, she was trembling slightly. With his free hand he wiped her tears away and gently turned her head so that their eyes met. He gave her a warm genuine smile.

"Tears don't suit you Eclair." He stated softly.

[0ber0n the Neko]

OOC: I'm sorry for the complete stoppage of posting, I have another RP running, and it has, in a week, grown to half the size of this post. As you may imagine, I have to keep up, and it moves a lot more quickly than this post..........

In any case, I'm not sure if I will be able to remain in this post for very long. This one has barely moved since X-mas break, and I am dissatisfied with what I have done with my character (no fault of anyone but me). I will try to keep posting, but unless we pick up quite a bit... I may just need to drop out.

Just letting everyone know! I'm very sorry.

IC:

Nathan looked nervously into Eclair's distorted face. The looks he gave him was kind, but distraught. "What's wrong, Miss Eclair?"

She turned slightly away from him. "I don't know... I want to miss Vincent. I really do. I just... don't. That frightens me. I'm not even sure if I ever loved him."

Nathan cleared his throat, straightening himself to the stature of the Commander that he was. "'Why shed a tear for the dead?', as we in the watch say." He did not care to complete the phrase ("...For we shall join them soon!")

Eclair smiled warmly, sniffling back a final tear. "You know, Nathan, you're right."

Nathan's posture weakened for a moment. "I am?" he said. He straightened himself up once more. "I mean, of course I am!" He grasped her gloved hand, unthinkingly. "As long as I'm here, I will protect you from even the most potent of enemies... your own fear! We must go forward, and never look back!"

Eclair's smile grew wide once more, then dissapeared as she looked down to her hand. She blushed. "Nathan... I..."

Nathan noticed as well, dropping her hand. "I... apologize, madam!"

She smiled again. "Please, Nathan. I hate how you address me so stuffily! Call me Eclair!"

Nathan looked up at Eclair, at the face he had fallen in love with since he'd seen it. "...Eclair."

Eclair grabbed Nathan's large, clumsy hands in hers. "That's much better."

Nathan only looked on as...

OOC: as WHAT??? ^_- Plug point, everyone.

[Otori_Girl]

"Those are good words that you give Nathan, but not everyone believes in leaving the past completely behind as you seem to. If you were to die, would you want to be left behind and not even condsidered a good memory." Ariana asked. Nathan's sense of confidence seemed to slope suddenly as the question was asked.

"Well, I suppose not." Nathan answered feeling slightly unsure of himself.

"Then you can't expect Eclair to just give up the memory of somthing that was so precious to her. He was your friend to wasn't he?" There was an akward feeling eminating from Nathan when Ariana asked the last question. [I]'He was your frined wasn't he?'[/I] A chill ran Nathans spine. [I]'Was he really, or did I remain close so that I could be with her?'[/I] He glanced down at Eclair, her bright eyes seemed to ask a million questions that she didn't truely know. She didn't know anything of the damaged feelings between him and Vincent because of her, she didn't know anything of it.

"No I wouldn't want to be forgotten, and pushed behind." He stated quielty, almost painfully. The guilt ached in his chest more than ever. Did he want Eclair for himself so badly that he would encourage her to push those memories of her love aside? [I]'What have I become, in hopes that I could make her mine?'[/I] He thought tohimself as he gazed into those clear blue eyes that new only the close friend of her beloved husband, not the man that only wished that he had been in Vincent's position all along.

"Memories are somthing that we keep deep within our heart, we hold onto them and cherish them, somtimes even use them to make us stronger. That is why I cannot forget my Vincent, but that does not mean that I cannot be loved or in return love another. He wouldn't want me to live the rest of my life a lonely widow, grieving at his stone every summer, thats not what he would have wanted. Do you understand what I am trying to tell you Nathan?" Eclair spoke with such clarity and emotion that Nathan could hear what she was actually saying. His hand shook slightly as held it tightly. Then her small forced voice could be heard in his mind. [I]"You don't have to be afraid Nathan."[/I]

[missrelena]

"Well, that was a touch awkward." Eclair said as she turned away from the window and pasted a smile on her face for the benefit of the gathered group. She dabbed her eyes with a delicate linen and lace hankerchief. "I do apologize. Now, let's all sit down and talk these troubles out. 'Jack' has been quite busy, and I, for one, would like to know what he has to say for himself."

Geni shuddred at the memory of the last note from Jack they had read and where it had been found. Dante saw the shiver, and squeesed her hand in support. She smiled her thanks to him, but he did not release her hand.

Nathan pulled the envelope from his pocket. "I really should have entered this into evidence with the Yard, but since I knew the letter was for us, in particular, I reserved it for the six -- I mean five of us to read. Forgive me the lapse, Lady Ariana." Nathan wasn't doing well in the soft-words-to-ladies department this afternoon.

"No forgiveness needed." Ariana said. "My lord is alive and recovering. Even if he is not here in person, he is with me in spirit. I shall tell him all that is discussed and discovered here."

"The letter -- " Dante prompted.

"Yes, the letter." Nathan returned his attention the the envelope. "At least the monogram on the outside is in red ink and not any other writing medium." The officer cracked the wax seal and slid the parchment from it's case. Nathan read it's contents out loud:

[COLOR=Red]Greetings Ladies and Gentlemen-

It is truely a pleasure to be addressing you again. I do hope that you enjoyed my last letter, pretty affective don't you think? I must say that I am glad that you were all able to make it to my beautiful performance although it is a shame that you had to make aquaintences with my target, I am terribly sorry if I uspet you too terribly much. Now, the time has come where you will need to keep your skills sharp and your thoughts focused, or else you'll fall behind. I warn you that this is about to become a much more complicated. Have a wonderful evening, loves.

Your dear friend- Jack-

P.S. I have a clue for you . . . old mother hubbard, She went to her cupboard to get her poor dog a bone. -I wish you luck!-[/COLOR]

"And that's where it ends." Nathan concluded.

"Someone delights in tormenting us." Ariana said in an exasperated voice. "What kind of clue is the opening lines of a Nursery Rhyme?"

"Dante!" Geni exclaimed. "There is another mind here with us, listening in to everything we say!" Her eyes were wide as she threw down every shield she had. Thoughts swamped her consciousness, but they were all from people she had touch before. All the chatter was quite painful, so brick by mental brick, she built her basic shileds back up till the noise returned to it's usual murmur in the back of her head. "It's gone now." she sighed.

"What do you mean?" Eclair asked her.

"Once I have touched a person's mind, I never forget the 'feel' of it. That's how I can be sure I am speaking mind to mind with the right person instead of broadcasting for all the world to hear." Geni explained. "I just 'felt' a mind listening to us that I have never touched before. It was laughing smugly to itself."

"Was it 'Jack'?" Nathan demanded.

"I don't know. It wasn't the person who attacked Rufus. I am sure of that. The actual attacker didn't have any thoughts at all -- just a stream of numbers. I have never met Jack, as far as I know, so I wouldn't be able to identify his mind." Geni was feeling as if she had failed her friends once again.

"Yes, I remember the strange mind of Rufus's assailant. That was why I had no idea he held any ill intent toward us." Ariana agreed. "I was so suprised by what I 'heard' from him that I didn't realize what he was doing till he slashed my lord."

"That means that Jack is using a hired man to do his dirty work." Nathan sumised. "We can determine that as a fact if, in fact, what Geni felt was 'Jack' . . . if it was another mind at all. I don't mean to doubt your abilities, milady, but neither Lady Ariana or myself sensed an intruder."

Geni hung her head. "I'm sorry. Maybe I want to be of help so badly that I am simply crying wolf."

Dante gave an angry glare to the officer. "If Geni says she felt someone listening to us, then there was someone there."

"Arguing over whether or not we have an easedropper is not very productive." Ariana soothed. "At least we are warned to the fact that someone could be listening in to conversations we once believed to be private. We might need to do more discussing in the future directly mind to mind with the telepaths filling in the others who have talents in other fields - or no mental talent at all - as we go. But since Geni seems to have frightened off whomever it was, let's continue."

"Yes," Eclair chimed in, hoping Dante wouldn't jump up in a fury and drag Geni off with him. The young lord seemed more volitile since his home had a torch taken to it. Additionally, he had been accidentally placed in an awkward position when Eclair had cried over the clothes she had bullied Dante into wearing. She did not want to uspet him further. So, she attempted to divert everyone's attention away from Nathan's challenge of Geni's abilities. "What do you think of that supposed clue? Is it a red herring to drive us mad, or is it real?"

[natchan]

Everyone sat quietly for a moment, pondering on what Eclair had said, and on the clue at hand! [I]Was it really a clue? Or simply a diversion to drive them mad?[/I] None of them really knew anymore. The last two days had been quite the adventure for all of them, and now none of them really wanted to have to think about anything!

'I think its most likely a ploy to destact us.' Is what Nathan wanted to say, but kindness wasn't exactly on his side today, so he chose to stay silent.

"I never really was good at riddles." Eclair stated more to herself than anyone. She did her best not to let her eyes linger upon Dante, mostly by glancing out the window as she thought or at the fireplace on occasion. It of course wan't Dante himself tht she would have been starring at, but the clothes in which he wore. It was more painful to look at them then she had imagined, memories of the two of them sitting here in this very room flooded her mind, distracting her from the task at hand. She remembered their last game of chess that they had played infront of the fireplace, Vincent had never been able to beat her before that day. It was only a week later Vincent came down with his illnes and everything darkened after that. Tears returned to her eyes, as she remembered his last words.

"Eclair.... Milady!" Ariana's voice broke Eclair into reality and she realized that she again was crying.

"Oh I do apologize, I'm a sentimental mess this afternoon. Please do go on." She replied wiping the tears away once again. Nathan watched her from where he stood, he knew she was thinking about Vincent, and it angered him to think that he would try and take any memory away that she had left of him. He could feel the sadness coming from her, and every now and then a stray thought.

OOC: I didn't know what to write but figured anything was better than nothing. So Tah dah! Filler!

[Otori_Girl]

"Nathan may I see the letter please?" Ariana asked reaching out with her hand toward the officer. Nathan shrugged and handed it off to Ariana, she took it and held it as if it would shatter into a million pieces. She read the clue again, [COLOR=Red][I]old mother hubbard, She went to her cupboard to get her poor dog a bone.[/I] [/COLOR] Then without even a second to ponder replied.

"She!"

"I beg your pardon?" Geni asked slightly confused.

"The only word capitalized in the clue is 'She'." Ariana pointed out holding the letter for all to see.

"The next target will be a she then?" Dante replied, almost to himself? [I]'Jack would never target one of us, would he?;[/I] Dante thought stealing a glance at Geni while her head was turned. Arian smiled, Dante didn't notice.

"We can't--" Nathan started but Dante shot him a quick glance that doubled as a threat.

"Thats amazing Ariana, your a sharp one you are." Eclair replied kindly.

"I'm sure any of us could have done it, if you held it and looked closely at it." Ariana said this ignoring the fact that Nathan had held it and hadn't caught anything. She hop ethat no one else would point that out.

"So whats our next course of action?" Eclair asked everyone.

"Well I have to report back to the scene of the murder, and fire. If you'll excuse me." Nathan gave a slight bow and left the room before anyone could say anything.

"Goodbye." Eclair replied knowing that nathan didn't hear her. He was upseet and she could see it.

"Right well, we know what hes doing? How about the rest of us?" Arian jumped in quickly.

[Lord Dante]

Dante stood, turning to face the assembled.

"me and Geni shall take our leave now. as you have no doubt guessed, my half-incinerated manor isn't going to see to it's own repairs." HE turned once more, to face Eclair.

"I tank you for the loan of the clothes. I will have one of my runners deliver them back to you after they have been cleaned." Dante turned, and offered his hand to geni.

"there is no need." eclair replied. "they aren't doing anyone any good just sitting in a cupboard.

Dante and Geni exited eclair's home. and set off at a walk down the drive. after a while, they came to a fork in the road, Dante's manor was to the left. geni walked towards the left fork, stopping to realise that Dante was ambling down the right fork.

"dante! where are you going?" she called after him. he turned.

"there is a spot which I must show you. It is beautiful at this time of year." he said.

they continued on down the right path for awhile, dante however, paused again.

"geni. listen."

"what is it, dante?"

"listen. I.. uh.. that is to say... ah..."

"what?"

"nevermind..."

they continued down the road in silence


(OOC: filler.)

[missrelena]

As Geni and Dante continued to walk, her leg began to twinge with pain. She was doing her best not to let her limp show, but it was becoming harder and harder to hide with each step. She debated not telling him about it, his mind seemed completely preoccupied, but his reaction to her deceit earlier decided it for her.

"Dante, is where we are going far?" She asked.

"It's a bit further, yes." He stopped and raised an eyebrow at her. "Why do you ask? Don't you trust me?"

"It's not that! It's just, well, my injury is begning to bother me and . . ."

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. I thought you would enjoy the fresh air and quiet after all that has happened. That you were hurt completely slipped my mind." Dante looked abashed. "I sent the carriage on ahead to meet us. Since there was no way of knowing how long the meeting would take, I did not give them a time to come looking for us."

"Do not worry, My lord." She smiled, trying to smooth over his flustered feathers. "There is a tree just off the lane, here, and a patch of grass underneath. If I could sit down for a while, I'm sure I'll feel better soon and will be able to continue on our way." He nodded his agreement and they were soon sitting in the shade of a large oak tree. Dante even spread the coat he had aquired from the dressmakers on the ground for Geni to sit on so her dress would not get dirty. Her leg throbbed, but she was going to keep quiet about that fact. She had admitted the hurt, and that was as far as she intended to go.

"Look, you can still see the upper levels of Eclair's house from here." Geni pointed out. "I didn't last very long, did I?"

"Uh-huh." Dante agreed distractedly. He was worlds away, staring off into space.

"Milord? Are you well?" She asked.

"Uh-huh" Again was his relpy.

"Dante, what in heaven's name is on your mind?" She laughed as he looked at her, startled.

"Well, you know -- my house. And -- Lord Rufus, of course." He muttered. Geni saw instantly past the cover story. Something was making him decidedly distracted, and it wasn't his house. Her face reflected her disbelief. She wasn't going to pry into his thoughts uninvited, but it was tempting.

Dante took a deep breath. "Geni -- Geni . . ." He stammered to a halt.

For always being so self-assured, Geni found it nearly comical to see him so distraught, but she would never let that amusement show. He was trying to say something, and it obviously wan't coming out right.

"Yes, Milord?" She incouraged.

"Uh - what sort of things do you care for?" He wasn't looking at her. Something in the weave of his shirt fabric suddenly seemed to fasinate him.

"Well, I love to ride my mare. I enjoy long, quiet walks when my limbs are not bothering me. I like to read and play my pianoforte and watch the fire dance on cold winter nights." Geni could see him grow more and more crestfallen with each of her answers. "And I . . ." she blushed at her audacity, ". . . I care for [I]you[/I] more than the world."

Daringly, she leaned over, eyes closed, to kiss him on the cheek. At that exact moment, he turned to looked at her in surprise. Their lips met and Geni's eyes flew open in surprise. Both of them froze for a moment before Dante pulled himself back. Geni touched her mouth, eyes still wide.

"Milady, I -- well, I . . . it seems that I . . ." Dante floundered at a complete loss for words.

"Dante," Geni whispered just loud enough for him to hear, "would you please kiss me again?" His eyebrows met his hairline as the meaning of her request sunk in. Hesitantly he leaned forward, expecting her to refuse him at any second. She didn't. This kiss was sweet and filled with hope and nervousness, just like any girl's dreamed-of first kiss, even if it was - technically - a second kiss. Dante carefully placed his hand under her chin to bring her even closer and a tear of happiness slowly slid down Geni's cheek.

From the upstairs hall window of a large manor, two ladies stood watching. Eclair had been showing Ariana to her library so the lady might choose a book or two for Rufus to read while he healed. Ariana had noticed the couple sitting under the tree by the lane and had pointed it out to the lady of the house. Just as Eclair had glanced out the window to affirm that it was, indeed, Geni and Dante, they witnessed the first kiss. Unable to look away, they saw the second kiss as well.

After Geni and Dante had pulled away and the young lady had rested her head on the lord's shoulder, Eclair turned to her guest. "I didn't see anything, did you?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Ariana replied with a sly smile. "I'm looking for books."

"That's what I'm doing, too." Eclair agreed and they continued on their way.

________________________________
OOC: I know, I'm a sap!

[natchan]

OOC: Yay! Saps of the world unite!

Eclair had felt two feelings when watching the young couple out on the grass. One was hope, it was nice to know that in all this chaos love could still be shown and found. The second was an intense loneliness, she could remember her Vincent's first kiss as if it were only this morning, and her ached for him now more than ever. She set the feeling aside when Ariana spoke up.

"Eclair, are you alright? For a moment you looked as thought the world was about to end." Her voice was kind as it always was, it gave Eclair a sense of comfort and she smiled.

"Oh I am quite fine, Its just been an emotional day for me thats all." Eclair stated handing Ariana another book. "Now this is my favorite, he should like it."

"Thank you for your hospitality Rufus will be thrilled hes already read everything we have. Speaking of Rufus I-" Eclair lifted a finger cutting Ariana off.

"Really should get back to him. Absolutely understood, I am amazed that you were able to leave his side at all. Now let me show you to the door, I'll have Edward drive you in one of my carriages." Ariana did not object to any of Eclair's offerings, and the two off them walked dow to Eclairs drive. Edward was already there waiting with a carriage.

"How did he know? You didn't even tell him." Ariana asked curiously.

"Its is job to know. Now you tell dear Rufus hello for me. Safe trip, I'll see you again soon." She replied waving as the carriage pulled away.



[COLOR=Red][I]"Useless."[/I] [/COLOR] Eclair flinched slightly at the voices appearance.

"I am not, I'll show you."


[COLOR=Red]
[I]"Ah, is that a challenge from you Eclair? I am excited to see what you have instore for me." [/I] [/COLOR]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Eclair had decided to take this opportunity to go visit Nathan while he was working. She would have a small lunch made and take it to him. She figured that they all had been pretty hard on him earlier and that to make it up to him she would go see him, he would like that. When Edward returned from taking Lady Ariana back to her husband, she had him take her to Lord Dante's home, figuring thats where he was.

They arrived at the scene of the fire once again, and asked the nearest officer where Nathan could be located. They younger man pointed off at the gate house and said that he was there conducting a more detailed investigation. Eclair asked edward to wait for her at the carriage while she headed off in the direction on the gate house carrying a small bundle.

She tapped on the front door and entered the officer ridden house. The closest officer recognized her immediately and told her that Nathan was in the kitchen, and that he would go get him for her.

"Oh if you could, don't tell him its me." She asked smiling. Eclair knew what was in the kitchen and did not wish to view the sight of the poor servant again. Nathan came out into the front room where she waited, he looked tired, and surprised to see her there.

"Mi- Eclair." He slipped on his speech. "What are you doing here?" He asked slightly confused. He thought surely she would be with the others.

"I figured you probably haven't taken the time to eat, so I had Darian prepare us a small lunch. Do you have time?" She asked shyly. Nathan looked back at the other officers in the room and they all turned their heads as if they hadn't been watching. He then turned his gaze back to Eclair, she stood silently smiling waiting for his response.

"Of course I have time, for you I have all the time in the world." He replied kindly. "Shall we go outside and eat on the grounds, prefebly out of site of Dantes home. I don't think I'm in good standings with him right now." He led her outside to a slightly more secluded spot than the front room was.

They sat on the soft grass, and Eclair began to unpack their lunch.

"You know this is backwards, I should be coming to see you with a picnic lunch." He replied jokingly.

"Don't be silly you're investigations are very important. While I'm not really doing anything." Eclair stated kindly.

"Thats rediculous, you're doing somthing very kind for me. Thats more than enough, besides you needn't worry your pretty head about anything I am doing. You should just focus on keeping yourself out of danger, if anything were to happen to--" His voice faltered.

"Don't worry Nathan nothing is going to happen to me... or you. I won't let anything happen." Eclair replied blushing slightly. There was a long pause between them, and Nathan never let his gaze leave Eclair.

"I should apologize." Nathan stated breaking the silence.

"For what Nathan?" Eclair asked looking up to meet his gaze.

"Earlier today, what I said... about leaving your past behind. I should've never said that to you, Vincent was your husband, and my friend and I would never want you to forget him. I guess its just... that I... I'm sorry."

"Nathan..." Eclair placed her hand gently upon Nathan's. "All you ever have to---" The searing pain returned and everything in Ecliar's mind went black, her body demanded to loose conciousness, but she would not give in. [I]'No I refuse, not this time.'[/I] Nathan wrapped his arms around Eclair, holding her close he could feel her body tremble from the imense pain she now felt.

"Eclair." He wispered her name, and she opened her eyes slowly as the pain faded. "Why does this happen everytime?"

[Lord Dante]

Dante's head jerked up, suddenly aware that he was being watched.

"you ready to continue?" he asked geni.

"yes, let us continue" she replied as dante stood, offering her his hand. They continued walking along the road for a time, Untill dante cut to the right, towards a clump of trees.

"where is this?" Geni asked, as dante continued walking towards the trees.

"we are nearly there now. Just beyond these trees." dante called back.

Once through the thin layer of trees, dante stopped to let Geni gaze upon the scene before her. A lush, green feild stretched onward for a short distance, with a single tree planted in the center. The pink blossoms of the tree were gently falling in the wind.

"where are we?" geni asked, her eyes tracking the movements of the blossoms.

"just outside of london" he replied.

"this is A tree that I came across in my travels, from the same place that Tsuruko comes from."

"It is a magnificent sight" she said, as they both stared at the tree, swaying in the breeze.


(OOC: not one of my best, but just go with it)

[missrelena]

Geni reached up to brush the small pink flowers with her fingertips. The were increadibly soft. "Is it a cherry tree?" She asked.

"Yes, of a different variety than the ones found here in England. They call it a Sakura Tree where it comes from." Dante watched as Geni plucked a tiny limb with a few blossoms attached to it and wove it into her arranged curls. "I'm not sure if it's because I took it from it's native soil or because it knows it won't have to share the bees in August, but it always blooms in late summer instead of early spring, like it is supposed to. I think it's trying to prove that it is as contrary as I am."

"I do not believe you are contrary." Geni argued as she carefully picked her way around the tree, staring up at the flowers. "Extrodinarily determined at times, but never argumentative just for the sake of arguing. I think your stubborness is an endearing trait - the way that contrariness never could be."

"You can make anything positive, can't you." It was a statement, not a question.

Geni's gaze met Dante's and she grew serious. "No. I can't think of any way to make the savage attack on Lord Rufus positive. There is no way of making your house being destroyed positive. Nothing can make a brutal murder positive. And there is nothing positive about how frightened and useless I feel." Geni shuddered visibly and wrapped her arms about herself as if the bright summer day had suddenly gone cold.

"Don't." Dante said in a strong tone. Geni looked at him, puzzled. "Don't close yourself up. Don't shut everything happy out. Allow yourself to be afraid, you would have to be an idiot not to be, but don't let that fear control you and everyone who wants to be close to you."

"But I fail everyone so often." She dropped her gaze to the petal strewn ground. "I never pull my share."

"Then share the weight. Don't try to bear your burdens alone." Dante's voice was soft, but his conviction was as strong as tempered steel. "I'll always be by your side, so don't be afraid to lean on me."

"But. . ." she tried to interject, but the young lord wouldn't let her.

"But nothing. I -- Geni, I love you." Dante said in a rush, as if the words might hurt as they came out. "Please, trust that, even if you can't trust anything else. I'll be here if you need anything, anything at all."

"Why would you . . .?" Geni had trouble forming her feelings into words.

"I followed Jeni into the past to be with her; I'll follow Geni anywhere, now, to stay with her." Again he tipped her chin up with the tips of his fingers and kissed her, trying to convey all the intensity that he felt. Melting at his touch, Geni pulled down her mental barriers and let him feel how incandecently happy his words had made her. If joy could be overwhelming, hers nearly was to him. He managed to remain on his feet, but he had to place his free hand on the trunk of the tree to steady himself.

"Now, I believe I'm going to take you to visit Lord Rufus." Dante said to her a few moments later. "I know that you would really like to see him, and if he's anything like any other active man I have met that has been confined to a bed, he will be glad of the company." Geni agreed to the idea with warmth, and as they returned to the lane, Dante signaled to Faustus that they were ready for the carriage. The truth was, Dante didn't trust himself to be alone with Geni for much longer. His honor was too much to place her in a questionable position, but it was becoming difficult to - well - so he had proposed the visit with the invalid lord.

He handed her into the carriage and decorously sat across from her rather than next to her as he would have liked. He smiled incouragement to her when she pouted a touch at the seating arrangement, but did not say anything out loud about it.

"But Dante," Geni said with a sudden thought, "I'm not alloud into Whites without special permission that could take weeks to obtain since I'm not actually related to Lord Rufus."

"Never fear, locks, blocked doorways and rediculous rules have never been a trouble for me." Dante grinned at her, and helpless to the infectiousness of it, Geni grinned at him in return.

[Otori_Guy]

OOC: Yay visitors for MEEEEEEE!

Rufus had spent the last 47 minutes, which felt like forever, starring at the window across from the bed hoping that it might open by sheer will... no sucess. A knock came at the door and Rufus jumped slightly in his bed, flinching from the pain as he did so.

"Yes? Who--" But before he could finish his sentence the door opened and his dear wife Ariana stepped inside. A rather large arm full of books and a cake balancing on top, she was quite cute as she tried to balance them.

"Afternoon Love!" He replied excitedly. "What do you have there, a decades worth of novels?" He asked jokingly as she placed them on the bedside table.

"There from Miss Eclair. I told here that you had read everything we have at home already and she insisted upon lending you some of her library." She sat on the bad next to him and placed a hand on his cheek smiling brightly. She was like the sun after a months supply of rain. "How are you dear?"

"Well, the Doctor says that I don't have a chance leaving here out of his sight for at least a week. Then I get to spend 3 or 4 more weeks at home in bed, and then I can at least sit in a chair after that for a few weeks." He placed his hand over Ariana's, her skin was soft to the touch.

"Will you ever fully recover." She asked a tinge of sadness in her voice. Rufus heaved a small sigh and gave her a smile.

"Hes afraid not, its practical walking sticks for me, and there will be scars left over from all three wounds. I'm sorry you'll never have the face I once had back." He replied glancing away for a moment.

OOC: Take it away honey!

[Otori_Girl]

"I didn't marry you for your face, besides I think its a unique touch." Ariana replied softly. Then leaned forward placing a gentle kiss on Rufus' cheek. "I brought you a cake. I thought you'd like omthing sweet for being such a well behaved patient.

"Cake! Hey wait a minute, you're gonna get me fat. I'm not going to be able to work anything off." He replied quickly giving a grin.

"Oh well if you don't want it then I can certainly give it to the doctor." Ariana replied picking the cake up and turning in the direction of the door.

"Oh no thats quite alright I was just joking with you dear." He replied hastily. Ariana smiled and placed the cake back on the table, and began to cut him a piece.

"So how was Dante, were him and Geni alright? Do they know who did it, or if it was an accident?" Rufus asked remembering the whole reason Ariana had left in the first place.

"They are both well, and we believe that it was by Jacks hand that the fire started. Or at least someone working for Jack that is. We later gathered at Miss Eclairs home, where we were able to review a new letter from jack that we recieved from..." She paused a moment. "... your attacker at the theatre. It had a clue in it, and the only thing we can get out of it is that perhaps the next target is a woman." She stated placing a small plate with a slice of cake on his lap.

"How was Miss Eclair today?Are her and Nathan doing any better?" His mischevious grin touching his lips. Ariana bit her lip slightly before speaking.

"We had quite an akward moment with those two today." She then reviewed the story of events up until Nathan left. Rufus made a pouty face before replying.

"Hm, somthing tells me that man is married to his work and doesn't know how to handle woman correctly. Can't he see that yes she still misses Vincent, but there is no better time than now for Nathan to be around.She needs him and wants him to be there for her." Rufus replied obvioulsy frustrated at the situtation of the two.

"Its true, Eclair is quite lonely right now. She may give a warm appearence and smile to our faces, but today I felt a sadness come from her that I have never felt before. Shes truely a kind person and I hate to see her so unhappy." Ariana stated quietly. Then another tap came at the door and Geni could be heard on the other side.

[missrelena]

"Uh - hello? May we come in?" Geni softly called as she opened the door a crack.

"Please do." Rufus answered cheerfully. "The more the merrier."

The door opened wide to allow Geni, Dante and the doctor entrance. In her left hand was a boquet of fresh flowers, but her right hand seemed to have been captured by Dante's own hand -- and the young lord didn't look anywhere near ready to release it. "I thought you could use a little color to brighten up your room." Geni smiled warmly.

"I appreciate your thoughtfulness." Lord Rufus relpied. "But, if you don't mind me asking, how did you manage to get in here? I thought the masters of this club were rather strict about women on the premisis."

"Dante smuggled me in." Geni glanced at the young lord in question with a conspiritorial grin. Marveling at the sneakiness of those around him, Rufus just nodded. Geni crossed the room after letting Dante's hand go with a squeeze, and began a search for a container that she could use as a flower vase. She found what looked to be a medical-type measuring jar, and at the doctor's nod of permission, poured water from the washbasin into it and quickly arranged the blossoms. She set the boquet on Rufus's bedside table, gave the patient another smile, then walked back to Dante's side.

"My dear Geni!" Ariana exclaimed. "You're limping. Whatever happened to you?"

"Oh, I fell while I was helping Dante sift through some of the ashes and got a splinter in my leg. I'll be fine, so don't worry." Geni attempted to downplay her injury.

"Why don't you let [B]me[/B] be the judge of that." Dr. Lancaster spoke up.

"But, honestly, I'm fine." Geni protested.

"You should let the doctor see to the injury." Ariana incouraged. "That way it won't get worse later."

"But . . ." To Geni's dismay, even Dante wasn't backing up her protests. He just pulled her into the next room by the hand he had reclaimed. He hauled her over to a chair and pushed her into it unceremoniously. Ariana had followed them into the room and chuckled at the imperious way Dante had taken charge.

[I]You planned this![/I] She growled at the young lord.

[I]No, just hoped the doctor would offer his assistance. I had no idea Ariana would point it out to everyone. . . but I'm grateful. [/I]Was his cool reply.

"Now, Milady, if you would just pull your skirts aside, I will take a look at your -- limb." It was quite obvious that the doctor was definately more aquainted with handling men than women as patients, but he was trying to be delicate.

Blushing a cherry red, Geni hefted her skirts out of the way to bear her leg half-way up her left thigh. The make-shift bandage that Dante had applied was still there, but it was looking decidedly worse for wear. Blood had begun to soak through, and she had accidentally soaked it in her bath at Eclair's home.

Deftly the doctor picked the knots apart. Geni hissed in pain and tried not to flinch away as he carefully peeled away the hankerchief to expose the wound. "That must have been quite a splinter, Milady." He muttered.

"Geni, why didn't you tell us at Elcair's that you were hurt?" Ariana asked, a touch piqued that she hadn't confided in them.

"She tried to keep it from me," Dante growled, "so don't feel left out." He was respectfully averting his eyes away from the procedure, but since Geni had a hold of his hand still, he couldn't return to Rufus's room like he knew society dictated he should. At least Ariana was there.

"Well, there is a touch of infection. I will have to clean it out with some iodine, and a stitch or two would probably not be out of order." Dr. Lancaster looked up at Geni's face. "I will not lie to you, it will hurt quite a bit. Are you as nastily inclined toward Ether and Chlorophorm as your father? One whif of either stops his breath cold. Gave me quite a scare on one occasion, he did."

"I don't know." Geni answered. "I don't believe I have ever been exposed to either."

"Let's not chance it." Dante jumped in with a voice that brooked no arguement. Realizing how he sounded, he looked down into Geni's face a spoke gently, "I know it will hurt, but I would rather not take any chances with your health." She looked at him for a moment, then nodded her agreement.

The doctor watched the whole exchange, then looked quizzically at Ariana. She smirked back at the doctor with a gee-aren't-they-cute expression. The doctor wanted to comment that the lady looked exactly the same way with her husband, but refrained. He reached for his bottle of yellow iodine along with silk thread and a tiny needle, then again knelt next to Geni's injury. He worked as quickly as humanly possible, but knew that she was in pain. Tears leaked out her tightly closed eyes, and the hand that gripped Dante's was completely white knuckled. She did not cry out, however, and he admired her for her restraint.

"Is everything all right in there?" Rufus called from his room.

"We're fine, love." Ariana reassured him. "Dr. Lancaster is just finishing a few stitches to Geni's cut."

"I sympathize." Came the good-natured reply.

Cutting the last thread free, Dr. Landcaster took a fresh cotton bandage from a cupboard and tied it in place. "I'm sorry about your hankerchief, but I'm afraid it's ruined. Leave this on for a few days, keeping it as dry as possible. I will come by your house in a week or so to remove the stitches if you would tell me where you live." He offered.

"I think you might already know where she lives." Dante informed him as he traded hands that held Geni's and attempted to flex some blood into the one she had been holding. "Her father is Lord David."

Dr. Lancaster looked a touch startled. "Well, then you must be Lady Genieve. It is a pleasure to formally meet you."

Geni attempted to smile at him as she wiped the tears from her face and arrange her skirts back to thier proper order. "Thank you. The pleasure is mine. You know my father?"

"Served with him in the army." The doctor said proudly. "You should stay off that -- injury -- as much as possible for the next few days."

"I will make sure of that." Dante said with no humor in his voice.

A knock at the front office door startled everyone. Lady Eclair peeked in asking, "Is anyone there?"

"Come in!" Ariana said brightly.

Eclair opened the door, a small cake in her hands. "I came to visit, since Nathan is still tied up."

"Huzzah!" Said the male voice from the other room. "More visitors for me!"

"I am so sorry!" Geni said plantively. "We came here to see Lord Rufus, and everyone has been in here with me, instead."

"Not a worry." Ariana patted her head. "This is killing two birds with one stone. Now, let's all go have a nice long chat with my lonely lord." She ushered Eclair into her husband's room with a whispered "I'll explain later."

Geni began to rise, but Dante pushed her back into her seat. She looked up at him, puzzled, but his stern face stopped her from asking what he was doing. He bent, and lifting her as if she weighed no more than air, swept her up and carried her into the next room.

[natchan]

Eclair spotted the cake on Rufus' lap then glanced down at the one in her hands.

"Oh I guess you don't really need this one do you." Eclair stated setting the cake down next to the other.

"I absolutely do, you can't get enough sweets. Besides Ariana brought me chocolate, and it looks as though yours is vanilla and those two will go fabulously together." Rufus replied giving Eclair a gracious smile. Dante placed Geni gently in a chair near the bed, he wasn't about to let her do any walking when the doctor told her to stay off of her leg.

"Wait a minute, come to think of it. How did you get in here Miss Eclair." dante asked raising an eye brow.

"Yes how, Dante had to sneak me in." Geni added.

"Well it was quite simple actually. I strolled up to the door, told them that I came here to see Rufus and that one of them was going to show me where he was. After all I am the Dutchess Camberlayn." Eclair replied with a smirk.

"Brilliant that one is." Rufus replied. "So tell me everyone, hows the whether today. I keep starring at the window hoping it will open because it looks to be sucha fine day." Dante found the hint in what Rufus was saying and to the liberty of opening the window. "Ah thats nice, thank you Dante."

"I would say that the whether is indeed fine today..." Eclair paused a moment. "... perfect enough for a picnic if I do say so myslef. To bad it had to start out the way it did." Eclair stated noticing the look coming from Dante.


OOC: Sorry its filler, I'm home ill and all my writing skills are locked away with my health.