Tiger

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

The back of Aranhil's hand caught Sylvia's cheek before he could prevent it. He watched a small trickle of blood as it pooled up, and ran down her gentle cheek. His ring must have cut her. The bright red liquid dripped into her lap. He watched the single spot spread and soak in. Once it had done, so, though, he snapped out of his silence.

"YOU DID WHAT?" He roared, absolutely furious. "You never do anything of the sort without my permission, and my consent! How dare you act on your own without discussing with me something of this importance!" He was on his feet, almost shaking with anger. He couldn't believe she'd go so far against their customs, against her duty. This was his wife, she reflected him. If she acted without talking to him, what would the country think was alright? She had to be put into her place, and controlled, before his whole country fell apart around him. If his people didn't love her, they'd revolt. If they saw he had no way to control her, they would know they, too, could not be controlled. He had to reign her in before she ruined him.

"You will go immediately to fix your mistakes!" He demanded of her. He lowered his voice, realizing he had no desire for the whole castle to hear their fight. Better she finish up what she had to do and repair her mistakes in silence. It would be easier if less people knew. "I will not tolerate my wife taking such actions into her own hands. I am your husband. If you wish to change decisions such as this, you come to me and discuss it first, you do not change it of your own account. Go. Now. Fix what you have done. Do not return to me until it has been repaired."

Having lost his appetite, Aranhil could only sigh. He turned away from the table as he shook his head. "I am going out for a flight." he muttered, not having the time for his emotions right now. "There are things I must check on. I will be back in the evening. I expect everything to be back to normal by the time I return."

With that, he turned on his heel and exited. His boots clicked angrily against the stone floor as he made his way outside. Approaching the barracks, he pointed to a young dragon, a man he knew had the reputation of being a fast, competent flyer. "You, with me. I have places I must go, and things I must check. You will come with me." With that, he shifted instantly and took to the sky, expecting the man to follow without question.

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

Aranhil made a face. His wife looked different today, but he wasn't sure why. He didn't like it. He preferred his wife the way he was use to. This looked wrong. "Hello, wife." He answered in kind. "Thank you for coming to get me. Yes, let's go eat." He led the way into the castle, silent as some. He was busy trying to place what was different about her. He Couldn't Decide, Though. They entered the dining room, still without Aranhil having said anything. He sat down and nodded to a servant to bring them their food. He was hungry. "Sit, wife. Eat with me. What have you done today? And what do you plan to do?"

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

Aranhil was up with the sun the next day. He was also out with it. in the field, he fought any opponents willing to face him. Men, women, children, adults, he didn't care. He liked practicing and training. Everyone had something that he could learn from. "Heh." He grinned at his last opponent and rubbed his jaw. "Nice punch. My teeth still hurt." He glanced up at his wife's window, wondering when she would wake, and come our to see him. He didn't want her to learn to fight, he didn't like the idea of good wife being hurt. She was too little and delicate. This was a wife better suited to staying inside and taking care of children. "How long now until breakfast is served? That usually wakes my wife."

A Roll of The Die

One of the young servers brought over Net's drink. "Thank you." She took a small sip, her gaze focused on her companion. A recruiter? That sounded interesting. He didn't look much like he was in a position to recruit anyone right now, but she supposed that if he was under cover, he wouldn't want to look that way. She swished her drink through her mouth, testing to see if they'd added enough caramel for her. This time, they seemed to have done a good job. She always asked for two pumps, but sometimes she was pretty sure they only put in one. "I don't think I need a boyfriend," She admitted, laughing softly, "I just want to be treated like a princess."

That was what most girls wanted, right? To be treated like queens, and to be taken care of. She didn't think the request was unreasonable. Although, his counter was shocking. She'd just taken a sip of her drink when he suggested it. Coughing, she looked up at him, unable to believe what he'd said.

"Have...the car?" Clarinet's eyes went wide, shocked by his suggestion. Yes, she'd been given a car by her parents, but it wasn't normal to her to just be offered vehicles. Especially ones as nice as that. She'd been willing to agree to the party even without the offer. Was she even allowed to accept? She wasn't sure she could feel right agreeing to something like that. If she took his car, he wouldn't have one, and then he'd have to walk everywhere. She didn't want to think about having to walk all over the place. Shoes were so uncomfortable for walking.

She shuttered slightly at the thought of the blisters he'd get if he did that. They'd be terrible, she was sure of it. Although, she supposed that she could drive him places, if she had to. It would only be fair, after all. She mused silently over the options for a moment or two, letting him talk. Thankfully, his final question snapped her out of it.

Clarinet pulled a face. "ew, no." She replied as she shook her head. "I'd never go by Clare. It reminds me too much of the Breakfast Club, and while that was a good movie, she was kinda bitchy. I don't wanna be bitchy!" She smiled at the boy. "I go by Net, usually." She stood up, forgetting all about the fact she'd requested something to eat, as well. "Come on, I'd be happy to go to that party with you. I'm sure it's not a problem. Is it an office party? Like, a luncheon? My dad use to take me to his." Holding her drink, she cast a distracted wave at the girls behind the counter, then moved towards the door.

"As long as it's not some lame party. Like, I wanna be doing something fun. Not drug or alcohol fun, though! That's just bad, although, if your boss is there, I doubt you're doing anything." She chattered happily as she exited the little cafe. She took another sip of her beverage, then turned towards the right. "Are we going to play monopoly? I love monopoly! I always like the little dog piece. It's so cute! Cats are better than dogs, they're nice and quiet, but the little piece is still as adorable as can be." She giggled, moving down the sidewalk and digging out her keys. "You like monopoly too, don't you? You look like the kinda guy that would enjoy it."

Stopping at her car, Net glanced both ways down the street, then stepped out onto the road so she could unlock the car for him. "Anyway, you'll have to tell me where to go-" She stopped. "This isn't my car! Oh, shoot! I forgot!" She sighed and returned her keys to her purse. "I'm sorry. I walked today, I completely forgot. I always park here. Do you mind driving? My car's at home." She sipped her drink again, then smiled. "I'm glad they remembered all the caramel this time."

A Roll of The Die

Clarinet smiled at him. "I play a few strings." She answered modestly. "Nothing professional, though." She glanced towards the counter, curious about how fast the line was moving. She liked to judge when she was going to be getting her pastry by. "I wish I was that good, though. It would be rather easy money. Play a few concerts, and there you go! Enough to sit pretty for a while." She smiled, thinking that one through. It would be a nice way to keep up the life style she was use to, at least.

"Anyway," She waved the previous thought aside with a gentle swish of her hand. "What do you do, Rush?" She inquired politely. "You don't look dressed for work, so ether you can make your own schedule, or you're still in school. If you're in school, which one do you attend? Know of any good parties tonight? I'm bored out of my skull most evenings, and I could use a little something fun to do. Homework is such a drag, and I don't have a boyfriend to take me to dinner or anything." She glanced again at the counter, noting how many people had moved along since her last peek.

Her gaze slid along the counter, and out the door. "It is a really nice car." She admitted hesitantly. "Do you own a dealership or something? Is that how you trade them so fast? You're trying to sell me a car!" She giggled, admiring his vehicle despite her accusations. "I would love to drive something like that. It's so hot. I might be able to convince daddy to buy me one of those."

Net shifted in her seat, finally returning to looking at her companion. "Is Rush your real name, or a nick name?"

A Roll of The Die

Hey guys, I'm so sorry to be late with this. My big event is tonight, and tomorrow is clean up. So I think I'll be able to post again tomorrow evening. I'm so sorry to keep you waiting, I thought I'd have a little more time than I've got.

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

Aranhil accepted her explanation without question. Personally, he thought she was just too shy to tell him she was on her period. He was sure that if he was bleeding for a few days straight, he'd be moody too. Walking over, he kissed her on the top of the head. "I forgive you, wife." He replied in kind. "Sylvia." He smiled at her and touched her cheek gently. Tipping her face up towards him, he bent down and kissed her gently. "I am sorry to have upset you earlier. Forgive me." He drew back, though his hand remained on her cheek. "You are very beautiful, you know."

Stepping away from Sylvia, he glanced about her room. "I should let you sleep now. When you finish your meal, dear, leave it out in the hallway for the maid. Like I said, she'll be coming around in a half hour." He turned away, then, walking over to the door. He paused, though, as he reached it. Back still her, and his hand on the handle, he called back, "Don't forget though, sweetheart. Your new maid will be here in two days." With that, he opened the door and stepped out. He had to get back to his room so he could rest for tomorrow.

Gift in the Ashes [Tiger/LalaKitty]

Aranhil barely had to look at his wife to know she was all upset. Elves were too emotional. When he finally gave her children, he'd have to make sure that they did not take after their mother. Perhaps it would be wise to separate them for a few years while they grew up. At least until the children were old enough to rationalize, and to realize their mother's flaws for themselves. He decided not to mention that to her yet, though. She'd just cry, and he didn't want to see her doing that. Again.

"Here." He set down the plate he'd brought her on the table. "Eat." He glanced over at his wife and nodded to the chair. "You can't skip dinner, it's not healthy. I'll feed the soup." He walked over to Hoppy's little cage, and set the items he'd brought in the rabbit's food dish. "Alright, Soup, come eat." He told the bunny carelessly. "So I can lock you away for the night. Don't want you getting stepped on in the middle of the night. Well? Hurry up."

Looking back up at his wife, Aranhil frowned a bit. "I am not a bully, Sylvia. You know better than to throw names around. I am to be the king. Just because I am firm, and in charge, does not mean I bully you. You need to learn a little respect." He stood up and gestured back to the plate of food he brought her. "I did not think you would like tonight's dinner, so I had the cooks make you something else. There is a maid coming by in half an hour to take your plate. If it's not out in the hallway, she'll knock so you know she's there. Alright?"

Not wanting her to think he was worried, but not yet wanting to leave, he glanced around for something else to talk about. Coming up blank, he just stood there, in the center of her room, frowning at things. He didn't like being at a loss for words. Sometimes, he really missed his brother. River would know what to tell him to say.

A Roll of The Die

well I tossed something up. Sorry for the delay, work got complicated unexpectedly, and I've been putting in some extra hours.

A Roll of The Die

Net blinked at this random guy. She wasn't quite sure why he was laughing at her, but if this was a pickup line, it wasn't working very well. She didn't think you were suppose to get girls to agree to go out with you by confusing them too much to say no. She blinked at him, listening as his angry tone turned to one of amusement. Sit with him? After he'd laughed at her? "Um...yeah, sure. I'll sit with you." No, wait. Wait. Apparently it was working. Why hadn't she said no?

Net followed the young man over to his table, trying to process what had just happened. "Uh, thanks for asking me to sit, I guess. The tables are kinda full." She admitted as she glanced around the little shop. "So, my name's Clarinet. Like the woodwind, yes. No, I don't blow." She added with a sigh. She'd learned to add that qualifier around guys. She brushed a bit of hair behind her ear, curious about her new table partner. He looked young, and his car spoke of wealth. But he ether wasn't from around here, or he hadn't attended high school with her. Most of the rich kids went to her high school. Unless they'd been private schooled. Judging by his dress, however, she assumed he had gone through public. Private school kids only wore designer brand t-shirts, and his was an obvious knock off. Not to mention the 'trying too hard' leather jacket. Seriously, who wore those any more?

"I didn't scratch your car!" Net shot upright in her chair, indignant by the accusation she'd only just registered. "I checked it before I came inside. It's got some niiiice curves. Curves I didn't scratch." She added quickly. "And yes, if I had, I would have left a note. Jerk."