The Dunland Chronicles

[indyweasel]

Justin Stevenson

OOC: Fiance to Jenisis. Has been busy taking over his fathers banking empire, and is set to be married to the Lady Jenisis this summer. He is a tall man, about 6'3 225 pounds. Short dark hair and complexion. He knows what a catch he has found in the Lady Jenisis and will do anything to keep her.

Sorry about that.

IC:

" Damn those bankers from France!! ", I mutter as I get out of my carriage. "Couldnt they figure out that my offer was a good one? They have made me late for the ball with my Lady Jenisis, and I know that she will be fending them off."

I walk into the ball and the first thing that I hear is Lord McCoy and his rather large boorish mouth. He will be the easiest way to find Jenisis.

"Good evening sir", I announce " Pardon me rudeness for being late but work kept me late. Where is your wonderful daughter?"

 

[Weevil]

OOC: Boorish mouth??? Ouch.

IC: "Oh my dear Mr. Stevenson, how are you?" I say, slightly drunker than I began the evening. I never really cared for the large man before me but Jenisis seemed to like him and he was a good chap. "The apple of my eye? You know, I'm not sure where she's dallied. The last time I saw her was with the, oh what's his name? Dunland, Ethaniel Dunland. Have you made his aquaintance? He's a right chap, A bit on the odd side though. He's right queer as a Cricket goal."

"I'm sure you have lots to discuss so perhaps you should find her. Besides I have to find Sir Eldridge, He's the Dukes personal Exchequer don't you know. I'm going to see if I can talk him into my latest scheme. Have I told you about it?" I ask him, very interested.

 

[indyweasel]

Justin

OOC: EBW What else am I supposed to think of my soon to be father in law?


IC:

"Ethanial?", I ask, "No. The name does not ring a bell with me. " Damn. Another man trying to move in on my woman. "Thank you for your leave sir, and I shall go looking for her!"

I wonder around the house, looking for my sweet Jenisis. Wondering who this new fellow is, and what interest he has in Jenisis.

[Edited by indyweasel on 05-01-2001 at 08:11 AM]

 

[goddess_euphoria]

Katerina

“Perhaps,” Ethaniel simply stated, “it matters not.” He paused briefly, as if trying to think a way out of the mess he’d gotten himself into.

“Unpleasantries aside," he continued, trying to avoid my accusations, "... I... I must add you do look absolutely splendid this evening. Caught the attention of any delicious young gentlemen yet?" Before I had time to reply to Ethaniel’s inquiry, the maid who’d been watching us approached.

"A drink for the fair Lady, Sir?" She questioned, then gasped as I turned to look at her. She turned her eyes away quickly as I smiled. Such innocence in her, but I could tell that she too had been concerned with how my brother and her mistress had been carrying on.

She continued to avoid my gaze, I reached into her mind and willed her to look at me. Her eyes slowly turned back to meet mine, and there I held her entranced.

“That’s better child,” I say, running my finger down over her neck, feeling her quickened pulse, and then down along the line of her dress as I reached down to take the glass of wine she offered. “No need to be shy,” I purred. She blushed, wanting to look away, but being unable to.

So innocent, so sweet, but I could sense Ethaniel’s approval, urging me to take this girl. I turned away from her, my power over her fading as I turned my attention back to Ethaniel. I would not take her if it would please him.

“Don’t do anything foolish,” I hiss at him. “I hate feeling like I have to keep my eye on you as if you were an infant.” With that, I turned away and with a swish of silk, disappeared into the crowd.

 

[Tyriel]

Ethaniel

“I hate feeling like I have to keep my eye on you as if you were an infant.”

Infant?!? Ethaniel's eyes became a crimson red, an inferno of rage welling within him. How dare she?? He was skilled in many arts, possessing the strength of ten men, charming beyond any mere mortal's imagination, and has fed upon countless souls - noble and great. He has amassed a wealth of experience gained through two centuries of existence. Not even death did he fear. Yet Katerina belittled him.

One day. Katerina. One day.

Teresa stood trembling, her mind still clouded, having been released from Katerina's hold. Ethaniel turned his attention to her, a bitter expression upon his face. He towered over the young maiden, his outstretched hand wrapped around her delicate throat. Sliding his hand upwards, he laid his hand on the underside of her chin, turning her head to one side, exposing her neck to the cold evening air.

You shall live. For now.

For the moment, he resisted the lure of the flesh. There was a greater prize to be had. Free from his grip, Teresa aroused from her stupor, unsure of what had eventuated.

 

[Merelan]

Teresa:
A cloud fell over me. I felt like I was swimming in fog, struggling in my mind to escape. Her touch aroused in me feelings, hot and yet, bitter. At a word I felt free, yet entangled. Hearing, yet not, her parting words. I rejoiced, silently, in my mind at his reaction. My body on fire, yet unable to move. Then he too touched me, my mind going numb. I felt his words.
Forever? Was he God then? Blasphemy. I ached for it though. Gasping as he too left me. It took all my training to get to the door and out to the garden. Once there I fell to the ground sobbing, knowing somehow I had been saved, yet lost. Wanting nothing more then to forget, yet wanting their touch again. Had they killed me they could not have corrupted me so well. In their touching and using me on each other, I had been taken in.
I lay, still and silent. Wanting to die, wanting to live.
No longer sure who my Mistress was anymore.
Sweet Jenisis. Her alone could save me, and I her. There was no way I could talk of what had happened, or hadn't happened. I knew that. I also knew that if they did not take me tonight, I would follow them eventually. But I had to save Jenisis. She was too good and pure for them. They were evil, and her inoccence. I sat on a bench long while pondering these thoughts. Hearing in the distant the party, and in my mind that woman's call.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

Her mind drifted as she wondered through the crowd. She didn't even notice Justin until she walked right into him. She looked up at him, her eyes still cloudy with thoughts of Ethaniel. In place of Justin's dark eyes she saw a pair of vivid green orbs boring into her soul.

"A penny for you thoughts, love." His deep voice broke the spell, and she smiled at him, and leaned up to kiss him softly on the lips in greeting. A chill swept through her as she felt anger. It wasn't from Justin. Jenisis pushed the feeling aside.

"Nothing of importance."

He touched her face gently. "I've missed you. Will you honor me with a dance."

She bowed low to him, teasing him with her voice, "Of course, my lord."

Justin swept her into his arms, moving her gracefully along the floor, but her thoughts dwelled on a dark stranger with dark secrets she wanted to discover.

 

[indyweasel]

Justin

As we moved across the dance floor, I noticed that Jenisis did not seem to be herself tonight. Maybe she was offended that I had been late to her fathers party?

As the dance ended I took her over into a secluded corner of the room and told her, " You have my deepest apologies my love, those damn French bankers were being a royal pain in my arse!" You just kind of look at me and say "That's ok. Don't worry about it"

I look a you in a little shock, normally you are much more upset with me for being tardy, but who am I do want to get into more trouble?

"Pretty soon we will be hosting parties like this for ourselves. Wont that be grand my lady?" Again, you don't seem interested in the conversation. What is it that is in your mind.

I look forward to the day that I can have you as my own, taking care of you as you deserve to be taken care of.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

She tried to think of herself as Justin's host, but her thoughts drifted once more to Ethaniel. What power did he have over her?

"I'm sorry, I'm just a little tired. Would you excuse me for a moment. I'm just going to freshen up a bit."

Justin nodded, smiling down at her. Jenisis made her way to the retiring room, but passed it by, heading instead for the gardens, and the peace they always brought her. She stood looking up at the night sky, the moon shining brightly, the stars twinkling down at her. She breathed the smell of the night into her lungs. What was wrong with her tonight?

A chill raced down her spine, and Jenisis knew she was no longer alone. She knew she should be afraid, but she was not. She waited calmly for him to come forward.

 

[Weevil]

Lord McCoy

"So the Duchess turns to him and says 'Hunting for rabbits again Vicar?" I say to the assembled Nobles. My ribald story receiving many a schooled Guffaw. That one always got a chuckle. I wipe a tear from my eye. Just then I happen to see a fetching young thing who I don't believe I've made the acquaintance of.

"Excuse me Gentlemen." I say as I step toward this dark haired beauty. "Good evening Miss, I am the master of the house, Lord Thislewick McCoy."

"Katerina Dunland, charmed." She says a little coldly.

"Indeed I am. Dunland, Eh? I see the resemblance. So tell me, what brings you to my humble affair? Looking for a beau perhaps? I have a Son,William , who must be your age. He's home from Cambridge and is making quite a name for himself in the ever growing field of Phrenology." I smile. Hmmmm, If I could attach a family member to the Dunlands it could be quite a windfall.

 

[Merelan]

Teresa:

I forced myself to relax and quickly, after looking around, finished off the wine in the glass I was holding. I knew I shouldn't drink, but I needed it to calm my nerves. Wandering back to the party, I collected empty glasses, and avoided a few hands on the way to the kitchens. It gave me time to think and clear my head. But she wandered into my vision, talking to the Master.
My mouth dry and my hands trembling I slipped through the closest doors, only to find I had distrubed two of the guests. oh.
"Pardon me." I spun and slipped back out, beet red. What had those men been doing? Bent over each other, with their pants down. Had there been an accident? If there had been I would need help. Finding the head butler and telling him. He laughed and pinched my cheek. Calling me a silly girl who should still be on her Mother's teat. Blushing harder, and flustered I went to find Jenisis. Vowing not to leave her till I felt she was safe.

 

[Tyriel]

Ethaniel

Ethaniel gazed in silence from behind the shadows. Jenisis stood alone in the dark, her golden hair straying in a sudden wind, her eyes like sparkling gems in the starlight. A strange, unfamiliar feeling had befallen Ethaniel- forcing his breath to become shallow - he frowned once more, unsure of his own emotions.

"I have not seen a clearer night sky on an All Hallow's Eve." said Ethaniel in a soft gentle tone.

Jenisis turned to him.

"And I have not tasted sweeter wine, heard merrier music, or been in the company of more noble men than I have tonight for many seasons." he continued.

"Yet, I believe all I shall remember tomorrow at dawn is the beauty that I had came across in you this eve."

Ethaniel laughed lightly in disbelief, after the words left his lips, realizing that Katerina's words had rang true once more. He had fallen all over himself over a mortal girl.







[Edited by Tyriel on 05-01-2001 at 10:51 PM]

 

[goddess_euphoria]

Katerina

I felt Ethaniel’s anger as I turned my back. Let him be angry. I wouldn’t have to be such a bitch if he could just act his age! I paused for a brief moment to calm myself. No need to have my entire evening ruined on account of his foolishness. Before I could entirely compose myself, one of the drunken lords stumbles over to me.

“Good evening Miss,” he slurred, “I am the master of the house, Lord Thislewick McCoy.”

“Katerina Dunland,” I say, offering the gentleman my hand, “charmed.”

"Indeed I am,” he replied, kissing my hand. “Dunland, Eh? I see the resemblance. So tell me, what brings you to my humble affair? Looking for a beau perhaps?” He smiled broadly, reeking of alcohol. “I have a Son, William, who must be your age. He's home from Cambridge and is making quite a name for himself in the ever growing field of Phrenology.”

I smile and nod as he babbles about his son, normally I wouldn’t mind taking the life of a man like this, but I make it a rule not to kill the master of the house I’ve been invited into unless absolutely necessary. I sigh as I listen to McCoy’s banter, wondering where my brother had gotten himself off to.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

Jenisis cheeks flushed a little at his compliment, "Thank you, my lord. Your words are very kind." Ethaniel came closer, moving with easy grace.

His fingers grazed her cheek, lifting her face to his. Their eyes locked and Jenisis found she could not look away. His eyes dropped to her lips, and Jenisis knew what was going to happen.

She watched as Ethaniel's head moved closer to her. Her eyes locked to his, never once straying. The moment his lips touched hers, the world faded and Jenisis felt her heart slam into her chest. His kiss was soft and gentle, moving slowly upon hers. Her body felt like it was on fire, and yet only their lips touched. She was in heaven, for there was no where else in the world she would rather be.

 

[Merelan]

Teresa:

"Pardon me Mistress, but your Father is looking for you." I was lying, and would have to pay for that lie later. But I had to stop them.
"And I believe your sister is looking for you." Gesturing to where she stood watching them. But with one look from him, I turned and walked away. It was her fate, and it seemed she had chosen it. My own soul or hers. Was I to be the martyr, or save myself. I slipped away from the party, quietly, needing time to think.

[Edited by Merelan on 05-02-2001 at 06:11 PM]

 

[Tyriel]

Ethaniel

"And I believe your sister is looking for you."

The moment was shattered. Ethaniel paused and reluctantly pulled his lips away from Jenisis', his eyes shut with discontent. With his arms still wrapped around Jenisis, he shifted his gaze towards Teresa, sending a thousand piercing thorns through her soul. The young maid turned away immediately, shuffling out of sight. Ethaniel then glanced over his shoulder. An excitable Lord McCoy was babbling away at the ear of Katerina, who stood with her arms crossed, obviously unamused.

I guess I had better go rescue my dear sister from her predicament. Or more importantly, rescue Lord McCoy from a bloody death.

Ethaniel sighed. He swung his attention back to the enchanting young maiden before him, and planted a tender kiss on her forehead. Before she could speak a word, Ethaniel stepped back, and brought his finger to her lips, maintaining the silence of the moment. He smiled affectionately and apologized to her with his eyes.

My heart is lost forever this day,
Beside your heart my heart will stay,
The sad will ever happy be,
The loveless never from love be free.

With that thought, he headed towards his sister, leaving Jenisis to ponder her thoughts once more.




[Edited by Tyriel on 05-03-2001 at 05:20 AM]

 

[LittleRedDevil]

He turned and walked away, leaving her with her thoughts jumbled together. She should return to the party, Justin was probably worried about her, but Jenisis turned away from the large house and wandered to her favorite spot. A stone bench under a weeping willow tree. It was the place where Justin had proposed, where he had kissed her for the first time. It was a place of fantasy and dreams. It was her little piece of heaven on earth.

Her lips still tingled from Ethaniel's kiss. Her heart gave a little jump as she remembered the heated look in his eyes, and the gentle kiss he had pressed against her forehead. Who was this compelling man who seemed to have swept her off her feet? If Teresa hadn't come along when she did, Jenisis knew it would have gone far. He wouldn't have stopped it, and she couldn't have. It had felt so right, being held in Ethaniel's arms. Nothing like Justin's gentle embrass.

JUSTIN! Jenisis rose to her feet and headed toward the house. She moved into the light, coming in through the open doors of the balcony. She saw him talking with some of his friends and she moved quickly towards him.

"There you are, love." She moved to his side, placing her hand on his arm, standing quietly as the men talked. She lost track of the conversation, to absorbed in her own thoughts of a kiss in the moonlight.

 

[indyweasel]

Justin

Soon I gave up on waiting for Jenisis. I went over to some of the friends that I had made here over the last year as I had courted her. We stood there and talked for what seemed to be just a moment before she appeared by my side.

"There you are, love." you said as you moved to my side. She seemed just as preoccupied as you were before. Never mind. "Well gentleman", I say, "Since my lovely Jenisis has returned I bid you farewell and good night."

I take your arm and guide you towards the garden. "Is everything all right my dear? You seem pale as a ghost." You just kind of look at me and say "Its been a long day and I am tired." "Then let us go over to that area where I asked you to marry me and we can sit under the starlight and clear our minds"

 

[Weevil]

"Now you may not believe that an old timer like myself could do this but in my first visit to the colonies I singlehandedly fought off 12 savages who had attacked my camp. I was much younger then, still finding my fortune and I was travelling to a french furrier named Jacques" I babble on to Katerina, my guests were making their way out the door and I still wasn't through in my merriment for the evening "So anyway, we had camped out along the St. Lawrence river when we saw them. They were 8 feet high if they were a inch. All of them! So I grabbed my trusty musket, Jacques had fainted of course, and began firing wildly as their arrows flew around. I was all out of powder when the biggest charged at me with an axe. I used my musket as a club and..."

I stop suddenly, the story's particulars drifting back into the past. It is growing late and my head feels a little light.

"Have I told you about my wife? Lovely thing, she's dead however." I say with a forced sadness "Well, not dead so much as in Wolverhampton and the difference between the two is semantics isn't it?" I say with a giant guffaw.

As I annoy her with this and other clever jokes I notice her brother approach us

"Ahhhh Ethaniel, Where have you been? And how have you kept this ravishing beauty away from my previous parties? Your sister is a delightful conversationalist." I say, oblivious to the fact that she hasn't spoken a word since our introduction

 

[goddess_euphoria]

Katerina

I feign interest as McCoy babbles on. I'm about to scream when I sense Ethaniel behind me.

"Ahhhh Ethaniel, Where have you been?" The lord McCoy inquires of my brother. "And how have you kept this ravishing beauty away from my previous parties? Your sister is a delightful conversationalist." I restrain myself from laughing out loud at his comment.

"You're too kind my lord," I say. "If you will excuse us?" I don't wait for an answer, I turn on my heal, snatching Ethaniels arm and dragging him away with me.

 

[Tyriel]

Ethaniel

Ethaniel hardly had time to turn his head and excuse himself. Katerina walked away from Lord McCoy at a furious pace, with Ethaniel at her arm struggling to keep up, like a child being dragged away from a candy store. The expression on Katerina's face was quite comical, obviously exasperated by Lord McCoy's stories - Ethaniel had to work hard to contain himself and stop himself from bursting out in laughter.

They turned the corner into a long corridor, and without consideration, Katerina bursted into the first room they encountered. The room was splendidly furnished, decorated by numerous red roses, and lit softly by countless glowing candles. In the middle of the room laid an elaborate four posted bed, covered in the finest satin the realm had to offer. Lord McCoy had prepared well for his guests for the eve's post-party festitivites.

Releasing Ethaniel's arm, Katerina wordlessly stepped towards the balcony. She threw the pane glass doors open and took in the cool winter air. A gust of wind blew through the room, lifting up the silk curtains, rippling like water in the flickering light of the candles. Ethaniel stood by the bed, and ran one hand over the carvings on the polished timber post.

"Glad to be alone finally again? You owe me one sis." smirked Ethaniel.

 

[goddess_euphoria]

Katerina

I pulled Ethaniel into the first room I came to, barely noticing my surroundings. I throw open the balcony doors and try to calm myself.

"Glad to be alone finally again?" Ethaniel's voice comes from behind me. "You owe me one sis."

"Fine," I say, my back still to him. "I'll repay you by giving you a chance to expalin your intentions toward our young hostess." I turn my head slightly towards him, "and don't lie to me, I know you were with her recently, I can smell her on your clothes."

 

[Tyriel]

Ethaniel

"...and don't lie to me, I know you were with her recently, I can smell her on your clothes."

Jenisis. Ethaniel flung himself back onto the satin sheets, craddling the back of his head with his hands, reminiscing the kiss he shared with Jenisis. A smile appeared on his face as he replayed the moment in his mind over and over. He was in dreamland, a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the party below, away from his sister's interrogative glare. He was on a high, a feeling untouched by any wine nor any drug he has ever experienced.

With his eyes fixed on the mirror which lay overhead, he pulled himself away from his fantasy and responded to Katerina's question.

"Look, unless you are jealous Katerina, my intentions towards young Jenisis is none of your concern. And it need not become one either. Let me deal with this in my own way, and in my own time. I don't need you to mother me."

 

[goddess_euphoria]

Katerina

Ethaniel falls back onto the bed, thinking his own thoughts, I don’t bother to read them, knowing he’ll tell me his mind eventually.

"Look,” he finally says, “unless you are jealous Katerina, my intentions towards young Jenisis is none of your concern. And it need not become one either. Let me deal with this in my own way, and in my own time. I don't need you to mother me." I stood at the balcony a moment, my hands on either side of the door way. When I finally spoke, it was in a whisper.

“How could I not be jealous,” I pause, barely able to say the next words, “for what is to become of me when you run off with her?” I try to contain myself, hating to show even the least bit of emotion, but I was saddened at the thought of being without Ethaniel. Who else could I talk to that would understand the things I thought about?

 

[Tyriel]

Ethaniel

“....for what is to become of me when you run off with her?”

Come again? Ethaniel arched an eyebrow in disbelief, unsure of whether he had just heard what his sister had just said. The relationship between Ethaniel and Katerina always been turbulent - ever since the day Katerina's mother turned young Ethaniel, and took him as her own child. Ethaniel was wild and cunning, but often irrational, and this often concerned Katerina. Yet buried under it all, the step siblings had a bond that few could understand - including brother and sister.

Ethaniel pulled himself up from the bed and approached Katerina. She remained motionless, staring out into the darkness of the night. He swept his hand down her slender arm and laced his fingers through hers. He proceeded to bring their arms up around her body, craddling her in a gentle embrace.

"You are my sister Katerina. I shall not abandon you. Not for the all the riches upon this land, not in the face of the blazing sun, and most certainly not for any mortal." whispered Ethaniel, his head tilted, his cheek laid upon his sister's.

[Edited by Tyriel on 05-06-2001 at 08:07 AM]