The Mansion

[DarkWarrioress]

A slow awakening. Eyes laced with the remnant of slumber. Muscles lethargic with relaxation and the soul filled with peacefulness. Effects of release. Thoughts are muddled except save one. The one that will be with her all day, even through the weekend, laced with concern. A stretch. A small prayer winged heavenward. Finally, pushing out of bed and stumbling toward the kitchen to locate the coffeepot.

 

[Light Ice]

He's there. Waiting. The coffee is in hand. A mug is filled for her, left beside him. His eyes cut the shape of her moving amidst the hazy morning light. His own mug is filled with water. A joke, of sorts. The sharpness of his stare betrays an otherwise typical appearance. Three days of stubble. Ruffled hair. The collared shirt doesn't quite dress him up. The jeans don't quite dress him down.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She stops. Unexpected turn of events. Her mind registers his presence. A brow lifts slightly. She not for much talk before her coffee. Eyes roam over him, down to the counter before she moves forward, stopping right in front of him as she reaches for the mug she spied beside him. A small arm pulls back with fingers around the prize before the mug is lifted to her lips. Her eyes glance over the rim, taking in state of dress and form, mug in hand. Standing on tiptoe, free hand placed upon firm chest, she kissed his chin. A slight grin forms across soft lips. A light pat on the chest as pads of feet find the floor and hand withdraws. She turns, coffee mug in tow. Destination? Her study.

There are words. There are always words. But not now. He appears. He's gone. Like the wind. It's what they do. How they are. Devilishly handsome, she'll admit it with grin still on lips. That's a by product. Always has been. A slight shake of her head, a brief close of eyes. Soft steps continue to the study, door left open as she sits down to contemplate words that need to be be strung together.

 

[Light Ice]

Were it only so simple.

For a long moment he remained as he stood, mug in hand. The water forgotten. A thousand thoughts could fly through in an instant. They'd light like birds on a wire and then go again. There was naught else for him but to remain, as he was, while the moment stretched on and the light crawled its way across the counters and floors. She'd surrounded herself with so much. He felt the intruder. The interloper.

It suited him in a way.

He abandoned the mug on the counter and followed. The study door, while open, needed to be pressed further. For a moment he lingered at the threshold, looking in to a place he had seldom strayed before. This was, in every way, hers.

He closed the door.


The desk is not much a barrier between them, hardly a thought. But behind that desk were miles and miles of space. It was palpable. Certain. There'd come a time when she'd more to do here. A new story. A new shell to inhabit and breath life into. He bent now, strong hands pressed to the desk's surface. His kiss found her brow. And then he retreated.

"I've something for you."

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She hadn't expected that. His voice. But here he was. The study seemed to shrink in size. His kiss was roughly gentle on her brow. It made her smile. At his words, her eyes were both cautious and hopeful. No telling with him. One thing was certain. She knew him well enough to know he was there for a reason. Her house, for all its expanse, didn't fit him. She could feel it. Sense it. Her eyes went to the window and gazed beyond it. Wide open space. Unfettered. That was him. She glanced up into his face and then sat back. The view was made easier. Her fingers tightened around the mug as she lifted it from the desk top, cradling it.

"Oh? And what would that be?"

Part of her watched him internally like a rabbit watching a wolf near by. It was instinctual.

 

[Light Ice]

He rounded the desk and claimed that place beside her he would never have. The feelings that came with that were smothered deftly. He'd had practice. It was never easy. Only possible.

The folded up topographical map was battered but stretched out under his hand across the desk. It covered anything there. Pens. A keyboard. He paid no mind to any of it. Close enough as he leaned over it to drink up the smell of her skin. The warmth of her. A tension building in him that he'd come to hate. He smothered it as his calloused finger began identifying drawn symbols and notes on the map.

"Pastures here and here. Bunkhouse. Another barn. I'll need you to buy these."

Another battered sheet of paper was tossed down. It was folded and worn. She'd find masculine, blocky hand writing meticulously detailing a material list. Lumber. Steel. Tools and various.

"We are up to two-hundred horses."

 

[DarkWarrioress]

His map covered her desk. Calloused fingertip pointed out things. Her eyes and mind followed. She heard him. She did. It just took a moment longer to register.

"Two hundred horses?"

That took a moment to swallow and digest. A glance over and up. Incredulous look given.

"Ice, what the hell are we going to do with so many horses?"

Another pause.

"Nevermind."

Fingers took up the folded paper. Coffee mug discarded on a corner of his map as eyes wandered over a list.

"Order what you need. I have accounts in the places you need. I had your name authorized to place orders when you moved out and I saw the barn. This is your baby, Ice. I simply foot the bill and reap some of the rewards."

The list was refolded and held out.

"Need this back?"

 

[Light Ice]

He took it from her fingers. A list. A scrap of paper. He took it and considered her, the conversation, the map. The questions. He considered the light of the room, the desk, and the door he had closed. A host of things ran through the diverse and strange corridors of his mind. There was never a moment he felt that how he approached the world was like that of others.

Leaving the map, and with it the woman at the desk, he moved round and towards the door. It was closed in his wake. He'd work to do.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

The scrap of paper was plucked from her fingers. Other things came to mind in that briefest of moments. Things that seemed like a life time ago. Then he was gone. Nothing less than she expected. She silently watched the retreating back of a man she truly and deeply adored. The view was a nice one.

Her heart belonged to another but she wasn't dead. She admired. Even from afar. Her Heart, Her Sun and Sky, understood that. Just as she understood his connection to one he adored.

She stared at the closed door long after his presence receded. A sigh, the map folded and tucked into a drawer of her desk. Green eyes fell upon the keyboard before drawing it closer and she began to type.

Gone from his mind, she was sure, the moment she had spoken and plucked the list from her fingers. His mind focused on things to do, things to be accomplished. Her own mind turned to writing and breathing life into a new shell.

The soft clacking of keys echoed in the room's interior.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

The morning calls and my first thought is on My Heart. He is alive and though the test was stressful, I have seen a thread of hope in him that I haven't seen since we met. I speak quietly with the Universe daily.

Morning ritual. It just happens. Unless there's a ripple in the Cosmos somewhere that makes itself known to me. My voice, still soft with slumber, hushed, wings its way to Him. Then a Bump and an Excuse Me to the walls as I navigate my way to the kitchen for a much needed first cup of coffee. A quick prick, a check of blood sugars, to which I am quite satisfied with and then back to my desk to leisurely check other things... I smile. Three responses to write this morning. Lovely.

My mind is turning devilishly in FR33k's direction. What will I produce for him? More smoke and mirrors? Or shall I cut to the chase? I'll have to think about that one and let him bask, for the moment, in feeling all caught up.

And for Mod... already my mind is whispering about Sara. As for little Linet? This is a small cake walk, at least until the story gets to the desert lord where the tension and ambitions can flourish.

And as for Ice... what shall I call the new girl? Something that is simple. Strong. Something that befits a young woman who is trying to make a horse ranch thrive. I dislike reusing names, but there are two that rise up that seem to fit and are two I am already using, Sara and Sierra. I must give this a bit more thought. I have a strong urge to depart from my usual. Whatever her name will be, I am thinking dark brown hair, brown eyes. Oh. More comes to me. I need to get hold of Ice and whisper in his ear.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

A wolf comes wandering.

In one small hand she holds an oddly wrapped gift. In the other a small, pale lilac, envelope. After a moment's debate, she places the gift and it's attachment on a small table that had immediately sprang into being while she had been contemplating on just where to put this particular gift. She gave a small smile and thanked those who watch for answering her whispered concerns.

Then, when the gift and envelope had been settled to her satisfaction, she pressed the door bell and faded from view.

Lady~
I wish that you could use these on a man who hurts.
I was shopping for my own use, you see, but saw this
and thought of his pain and your need, your want, to soothe.
I thought they might come in handy.

As always you both remain in my thoughts and prayers

And I remain~

Wolfling.​

 

[DarkWarrioress]

My day has been long. My night is finally winding down. The key turns in the lock on the front door. A soft sigh as I open the door and step inside. Home. keys are tossed into the crystal bowl with a purse beside it. My eyes catch a box, oddly shaped or perhaps it is just wrapped so. The lilac envelope, the graceful writing. A fingernail slid under the flap as the note is pulled into sight. As she thought, the Wolfling has come calling again. One of these days... she vows to catch the Wolfling. The note is gently set aside as she draws off the wrapping and smiles, her eyes alight with delight and something more. The Lady Wolf has been generous, thoughtful. And she is grateful for the Wolfling's kindness. These gifts will be put to good use. Touch means a lot to Daddy. These will help. On the morrow she will send a note of heartfelt thanks.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

I am a bumper car. I am a ping pong ball bouncing off of walls. I do not stop. Navigation is instinctual. Kitchen. Coffee. Blindly reaching in a cupboard for the biggest mug (okay, the second biggest) I own. A stop at a kitchen drawer for a spoon. Another at the frig for the creamer of choice (hazelnut, sugar free). Coffee and creamer poured at the same time into the mug. Can't wait. Need sip. NOW.


Okay...okay... now I hear the whispers. Dammit. Ugh. The cell phone goes off. Who is it? Sleep ridden eyes manage to see I missed one text message. Answer it. Another. Answer it. Good. Phone is set aside and coffee mug is returned to hand.

Should I open YM? Or will it prove to be my distraction? My finger hovers. Then retracted. Nope. Nope. I want to write this morning. I'm gonna. No distractions. My co-writers are piling up again. I swear it's a conspiracy........ or maybe my laziness.

I want Daddy snuggles.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

I am basically a happy girl. Got to spend some time last night with Papa Bear. Hopefully, he got to sleep not long after I did. I do love having his voice in my ear before my eyes close.

I prefer to grocery early mornings when the the store is not crowded. So, that is completed. The house has a variety of food choices again so the brother and the charge are now happy. That leaves me with some peace and quiet until I need to fetch the girl from school and take her home to her own family.

The computer is calling me. Time to get back to the post for M13.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

 

[DarkWarrioress]

 

[DarkWarrioress]

 

[DarkWarrioress]

The study door is closed. No lights. Just me in the empty room with the silence and the darkness. Sometimes I need that. I simply sit, head back against the chair, thinking quietly.

His mind is elsewhere. I can understand that. Considering what he has been battling for so long now, who can blame him? I certainly can't.

Our evening has been cut short. Disappointed? Yes. Angry? No. He told me why and that means a lot to me. I internally search and nothing. That makes me smile in the darkness. I must be getting better.

I have been fighting demons since May. I have realized it simply (or not so simply sometimes) comes down to choice. Believe or not to. Maybe it makes me a fool but I choose to believe in this case. Little whispers poke at me from the shadows but I refuse to listen to them. Sometimes, choices come from beyond reason and if they prove to be the wrong choices, I'll survive. I always do. One foot in front of the other. Until I learn to walk again. But it hasn't come down to that and I pray it never does. Who knows the future? Most things are not written in stone. And why? Because there are choices to be made by mortals with hearts and emotions. Feelings, emotions, they are not tangible. They take faith to make them grow.

I should write. I started to. If anything I should finish Sara. I owe my partner that much and she is on my mind.

I want this new tale. It means so much to me and I know my partner will make it worth my wait. At first, I had an agenda and I wanted a happily ever after fairytale ending. I don't think that's happening. Not for what I want to accomplish. He is the right choice. We will make this happen even if it takes us forever to write it because I will never forgive him if he abandons this one. This one holds a piece of my soul in it.

I haven't been able to focus all day. I need to. If nothing else tonight, finish Sara. At least I can sleep tonight knowing I did one thing.

A soft click and the room is flooded in a soft glow. I draw the keyboard to me and the sound of keys being tapped begins.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

"God Gave Me You"

I've been a walking heartache
I've made a mess of me
The person that I've been lately
Ain't who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
And watch as the storm blows through
And I need you

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you
Gave me you

There's more here than what we're seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You'll always be love's great martyr
And I'll be the flattered fool
And I need you
Yeah!

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you

On my own I'm only
Half of what I could be
I can't do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you, gave me you.
He gave me you.​

 

[DarkWarrioress]

"Time Is Love"

I know I gotta put in the hours,
Make the money while the sunlight shines
But anything I gotta get done,
It can get done some other time

Time is love, gotta run,
Love to hang longer,
But I got someone who waits,
Waits for me and right now
She's where I need to be,
Time is love, gotta run

I only get so many minutes,
Don't wanna spend 'em all on the clock
In the time that we spent talkin',
How many kisses have I lost?

Time Is love, gotta run,
Love to hang longer,
But I got someone who waits,
Waits for me and right now
She's where I need to be,
Time is love, gotta run.

Gotta fly
Fly
Before one more moment
Gets by...

Time Is love, gotta run,
Love to hang longer,
But I got someone who waits,
Waits for me and right now
She's where I need to be

Time is love, gotta run,
Love to hang longer,
But I got someone who waits,
Waits for me and right now
She's where I need to be,
Time is love, gotta run.

Time is Love, gotta run...​

 

[DarkWarrioress]

 

[DarkWarrioress]

 

[DarkWarrioress]

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Daddy is always saying something like this to me. Now I found a visual reminder.