The Mansion

[KamaKamaSutra]

Snapping my fingers, I produce a silver bell. On the sides scenes of our time together, starting with meeting by the fireside, and up to this point. All engraved in detail, the sides always seeming impossibly full as you turn it.

"Here, try this, lets see if it works as well in outside of my head as well as it does inside."

 

[darkwarrioress57]

I'm not the only one who can produce surprises. It makes me smile as I take the silver bell from you and slowly turn it.

"What do I do with it?" I whisper and answer my own question, "ring it, I suppose."

There's something inside me that doesn't want to ring it just yet. I merely want to continue turning it, studying it. However, nothing ventured is nothing gained. So I ring it, waiting in anticipation of what it may do.....

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

The bells rings but no sound comes from the clapper striking the sides. A moment passes and a soft jingling can be heard as a small portal opens up on your lap depositing a little bewildered Shifu onto it. The red panda sniffs the air and scratches at his neck revealing a new collar with a matching bell on it. Shifu gives what would be the panda equivalent of a shrug and lays down on your lap, belly up with his paws fighting at the air.

"The bell will continue to adapt, every new day gets added to it, as you turn it time moves with it"

I reach over, scratching the little beast's head in your lap.

"I think the collar suits you Shifu"

 

[darkwarrioress57]

I am surprised and amused. I reach out to scratch the panda's belly.

"Where have you been Shifu? But more importantly, I hope you are enjoying yourself. This is most precious, Kama."

Leaning across Shifu I hold out the bell toward you.

"As his guardian, don't you think it wise if you also guard the bell?"

I smile at the furball in my lap.

"You look exactly like the small stuffed red panda I have on my desk in the RW. I found it and couldn't help but buy it, since it reminded me of you."

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

I smile and shake my head

"Shifu is a little bit of me. I can summon him as I desire. Think of the bell as a momento. It's unique to you, no on else has one or can use that one."

Another smile, a bit bigger this time.

"Really now? That is awesome, little guy is lucky to have your desk for a home."

"Just so you know, when I see my maps now I get a extra good vibe. Our talks of exploring and understanding the world add so much to then"

 

[darkwarrioress57]

I smiled and squeezed his arm.

"I'm glad you think so. I'm as excited about our projects as you are. You always make me think. Our latest adventure is going to be so much fun."

I looked down at the bell in my lap.

"Thank you for this gift. I'll treasure it."

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Smiles a lop sided smile, a gently light behind my green eyes, as I stand taking your hand in mine and puling you up softly.

"What say you we head back to the Mansion, I have a feeling that Shifu might have ransacked a few of the maids quarters. Somehow the back of my head feels like it's been slapped."

 

[darkwarrioress57]

"Oh dear. I hope Shifu hasn't been getting into mischief."

Getting to my feet with your help, I squeeze your hand gently.

"Let me get us back to the mansion much more quickly."

I paused long enough to snap my fingers.

"Grandfather, a little help please. We need to get back to the mansion and check on a little red panda."

The words had just left my lips when everything grew fuzzy for a moment and then we were standing in the Great Room. A loud squeal could be heard and at the same time, a flash of red fur dashed by with something black and tiny in its mouth before it skittered around a corner with a little tinkle of a bell and was gone. I blinked then looked at you.

"Was that Shifu with a pair of woman's panties hanging from his mouth?"

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Staring at the streak of red fur as he runs around I can't help but smile as you ask me the question we both know the answer too.

"I swear I didn't teach him that, I tried to teach him just to hold his hand out till they put it in his hand like good girls!"

I give you a mischievous smile, that says I'm only half joking. My hands clap and Shifu appears at our feet, looking up at us his ears sticking out of the leg holes of the panties.

"Shifu, give them back to the lovely miss you borrowed them from."

 

[darkwarrioress57]

I laughed. I couldn't help it. The look Shifu made with his ears sticking out of leg holes.. a woman's brief panty fabric on his head. The look in his eyes when Kama told him to give them back. Before I could say something, Shifu vanished again, assumedly to give back the panties. I shook my head.

"Come on. Join me in the kitchen while I start dinner. I'll keep it simple. Pasta, green salad and breadsticks. Sound good to you?"

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

My familiars and my own face must have shared some common traits when food was mentioned. The thought of pasta curled around my fork send my heart into a twirling joyfull tailspin. Smiling I stepped toward the kitchen. My eyes and ears pealed for retaliation from my michevous splinter personality.

"Shall I help prep or fetch the wine? One another note, if your imagination attacks you....is it assault?"

 

[darkwarrioress57]

As we stepped into the kitchen, I threw on the upper lights in the ceiling.

"You can find the wine in the cellar. Through the door. There."

I pointed to a door not far from the stove. At the moment it was closed.

"I'll get the salad started."

I turned toward the frig and started to pull salad items out and left you to make your way into the cellar.

"The light for downstairs is just inside the door. At the top of the stairs."

I started to wash the vegetables in the sink and shook them before placing them on the island. A small puff of air and as I looked down, Shifu appeared again. I paused in my task.

"While you're down there, please bring up a few mushrooms for Shifu."

In the meantime, I peeled a banana and handed the little panty thief half of it. Taking out a large salad bowl I began tearing up the romaine lettuce and tossed it in the bowl before moving on to the others.

"Is there any kind of vegetables you don't care for in a salad?"

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Heading down the stairs, my hand following the wall, flicking on the light. Pausing halfway down.

"I'm good with what you want to put on it. Mushrooms got it!"

Stepping into the wine cellar, admiring the racks of wine. I trace my hand over the bottles, whipping away the light coating of dust on their corks. Selecting a red, pulling it from it's cradle. Looking around the room, finding a selection of mushrooms. Breaking them off the stem of the fungus I turn to head upstairs.

"I grabbed a red, I hope that's good with you."

 

[darkwarrioress57]

"That's fine. It'll go well with the pasta."

I shoved the salad into the frig to keep it cool and crisp before starting on the pasta.

"You can give Shifu one of those mushrooms and I'll take the rest. I need them for the sauce. The glasses are in the hutch and the corkscrew is in one of the drawers of the hutch."

Shifu in the meantime, had made himself at home on the island. He was looking about expectantly, the little devil.

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Breaking of a piece of the cap, I toss it to the red panda. Smiling as he tumbles around catching it before playing with for a moment.

"So mushrooms in the basement, wine as well. What other interesting flora and fauna reside in this home of yours?"

 

[darkwarrioress57]

Glancing over my shoulder, I laugh.

"If I told you, what fun would there be in that and you forgot the worm holes."

My eyes went to the red panda and watching him a moment longer made me laugh again. I shook my head.

"He's so much fun to watch."

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Putting the wine down on the counter I scoot past you, giving you a light bump with my hip.

"How could I forget the wormholes, I wonder if there is any danger to my sandals if Shifu decides he is going to hide them from me?"

Looking around, I touch a few drawers reluctantly, before asking.

"Wine corker and anything I can grab you to help?"

 

[darkwarrioress57]

I grin at the bump and bump you back.

"The sandals are probably a goner but Shifu and I are going to have words if he goes rooting around in my lingerie, especially my stockings and garters. Those things are expensive and no, the sauce is simmering and the water is going for the pasta."

Even as I speak I pour a little honey in the sauce. I point to the hutch standing to one side.

"The drawer there. Wine corker."

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

Pulling the drawer open, finding the tool he turned with it in his hand and returned to the wine bottle. His hands worked as he talked.

"Oh? Stockings and garters, lingerie even?! Why Cait, I dare say you have some risqué things tucked away here.”

The wine corked with a satisfying POP before he raised the bottle to his nose. Inhaling gently he drew the wine's scent into his nose. Closing his eyes he smacked his lips and sighed happily.

“Still not a snob, smells like wine to me. Are you one to care about the wine glass pairing with the wine?”

 

[darkwarrioress57]

My eyebrow elevated as I stopped what I was doing and looked at him in surprise.

"What? Does my owning stockings, garters and a vast supply of lingerie surprise you, Kama? And if so, why is that? And why risqué? I find them very feminine and normal actually."

Watching you open the wine and enjoy the bouquet brought another smile to my lips.

"Only sometimes, I admit. There's a reason for wineglasses for wine, doll but when I was younger and couldn't afford much, I drank my wine out of a regular simple glass and if truth be told, I've been know to drink it out of a mason jar, just as I do my iced tea."

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

"The wardrobe isn't risque, but if you admit to that, then what are you tucking away at the back of the closet?! I also wouldn't say surprise per say, more...intrigue. But I digress."

I smile, looking around for the place for the wine glasses, briefly considering taking a drink from the bottle.

"There are some compelling arguments for wine and glass pairings, aromas and such. But, I've often enjoyed the $20 dollar wine over the $200 dollar offering. But, maybe the shine has dulled my taste buds"

Giving you a playful wink and a crooked smile, I turn with the bottle in hand.

"Where are the glass, shall I pour you a glass or do you prefer to wait? I will warn you, I may drink more of the bottle than is my fair share."

 

[darkwarrioress57]

*coughs and sputters*

"Um....er….uh.... we won't talk about what's hidi---er-- in the back of my closet, thankyouverymuch. In the cupboard to your left. Take out the mason jars. I'm feeling a bit redneck-ish at the moment. In fact, I'm a bit of a redneck if you ask me."

*grins widely and turns with two plates of pasta with a red sauce coating the top*

"Let's sits here at the island, shall we? Bring over the wine and DO NOT drink out of that bottle or I'm pulling out the tequila."

Setting the plates on the island I turn to fetch silverware and napkins. Breadsticks are removed from the oven and set into a basket. The salad is set on the table along with various dressings. Filling a bowl with veggies, I set it on the floor for Shifu.

"Okay, buddy. Off the island with you. I made you a bowl of veggies. Enjoy."

Picking him off the table, I take a moment to cuddle the furball before setting him on the floor to do as he will. I turned back to the island and sit down, waiting for you to join me.

 

[KamaKamaSutra]

*reaching into the cupboard, pulling the two jars out and sitting them on the table, I top each off with a generous fill of wine. Looking at the small amount left in the bottle, I smirk then down the last of it before scooting the mason jars beside our plates.*

“Shame that, guess we can move on to more adventurous spirits after the meal.”

*picking up my fork, I start to dig into my plate, the first bite making me lean back and close my eyes savoring the dish.*

“Delicious, you should be proud, this is very balanced and flavorful.”

*A second and third fork full travels from the plate, soon my plate is half-cleared in far too quick of time*

“I never broke the military habit of eating quick, well that’s the excuse anyway. I’ve always eaten fast, always had a feeling of not knowing how much or when I might get something else to eat.”

 

[darkwarrioress57]

Picking up my wine, I can feel my eyebrow arching as I look at you over the rim of the jar.

"Are you trying to get me drunk, Kama?"

I can feel myself chuckle as I se the jar back on the island. Picking up my fork, I swirl more spaghetti onto it.

"I grew up with three brothers and a sister. If you didn't get your food or eat it fast, you were just crap out of luck. I've tried over the years to slow myself down from eating too fast. I've learned you eat less that way. It works most of the time. Unless I skip a meal.... or two... then that third meal is just gone. My self discipline is horrible at times.

I also have spent a lot of time around military men and well aware of their eating habits. Firemen are terrible. So, you didn't need to explain yourself to me. It a ground I am quite comfortable on."

I reached for my wine again.

"And thank you. When I have the time, I enjoy cooking and baking. These days, the time to do anything I enjoy is hard to come by. Aside from baking and cooking, I have various projects stashed all around the house. All of them in various states of completion. "

 

[Light Ice]

A collection of flowers, lilac, and wild whites and yellows - left by the stair.