A past most Haunting(Closed)

[Ursula Darling]

[glow=red,2,300]Content of a graphic and sexual nature. Children need not read. You have been warned.[/glow]

The sun bathed skye in a warm glow, melting the snow that had settled on the ground. strange for the season yes or it could be the courtesans in training who had left the Lily behind for a little yule shopping. Each girl dressed to the finest, each intake of breath as they passed left the girls in constant grins that brought even more awestruck looks from the gentleman and a fit of giggles would follow after the girls as they headed down the street yet life seemed to continue on down the street.

A stage had been erected in the middle of the square, a blood red curtain drawn over the opening. The benchers filled with patrons awaiting the surprise behind the curtain an the girls paused in the square to watch curiously. Ursula head dipped and rose again, her heart did ache for the stage still but that was one part of her life that was done and over. The minutes ticked on before the curtain was pulled back and a gentleman stood within the middle, bowing amidst the round of applause. Jet black hair fell against his eyes as he rose up and seemed to pause staring out into the crowd. Ursula checks flushed as she grabbed onto Shannon arm.

"We should go.."she whispered in a singsong voice to the beautiful blonde headed woman next to her.

"Ladies and Gentleman!"The mans voice rose as his grin spread across his lips.

"Aw come on Ursula, we know you love the theater, lets stay..." Shannon chimed happily and Ursula fell silent beside her as the man continued after a brief pause.

"Today's tale, is of a beautiful young woman. Who was an actress, in a troupe, JUST like this one." His hands moved gracefully as he relayed his tale, pausing to lift a finger to emphases the word just. "She was...very talented...as she was beautiful and she would charm the audience with just one radiant smile from her lips. What makes this woman worth the telling? She...was also...a sinner. Using her feminine charms to reel in the wealthiest man or men in town and one by one as each fell to her charms, she was setting her sights on the bigger prize, their wealth and once acquired, each man...mysteriously...died. This...is but one part of her life's tale.." The man bowed and disappeared behind the screen, Shannon giggled and made to grasp for Ursula. "What a tale, so dark and yet so.."Her words failed as she grasped air and turning about, her hand came to her mouth as she looked for her missing companion.

Things seemed to return to normal in the Lily household. Back to lessons and back to normal life. Whatever had happened in the square was lost on deaf ears for Ursula would not talk about it, simply saying the tale that the man spoke of didn't interest her, at least when it came to her coming downstairs. She choose to take lessons and then retreat to her room to read over some of the material that Shaden had given her. Curled within the large chair by the window, her skirts spread around her in spirit of the yule season, bright red for the outer skirt and pink and white for the inner corset and garments. Her hair loosely curled and flowed over one alabaster shoulder. A gentle knock had her head raising to look at the solid door, as if she could see who was behind it.

"Enter" She called softly.

Gerda head poked into the slit in the door as she pushed it open. "You have a gentleman caller Ursula, shall I allow him in?"

Curiosity laced her features as the book was closed and stuffed into the chair beside her as she uncurled her feet from behind her and smoothed a hand down the front of her skirts. Who would be calling on her? She had no patron to speak ok. "Yes, you may allow him to come in."

The door sneaked open and through the entrance came the dark headed actor from the day before appeared, his clothing as fine as they were on stage, if she had not seen him upon the stage she would of thought him a true gentleman. Ursula smile continued to pull at her lips as she nodded to the man before chocolate eyes moved to Gerda. "Thank you Gerda, you may go..please shut the door behind you." She waited till the door had closed before the smile slid from her lips.

The gentleman turned to watch Gerda with a nod of his head until the door closed and he turned back to find the woman frowning at him. His arms spread as he took a step forward and stopped. "What no hug?"The grin from his own lips slid down to a frown. "You walked out on me Ursula..with MY money."

Ursula hand came to her stomach as she took a step to the side, away from the chair and giving herself enough running room as her heart began to drum in her chest. "You disappeared Jonathan, what was I supposed to do..and it was not your money.." A singsong voiced replied as she slid towards the dresser only to be followed by her childhood companion and she abruptly stopped and held her breath as he moved in close to her. Taking her hand, he jerked her away from the dresser and turned her this way and that with another grin sliding on his lips.

"Look at you Ursula, playing the parts you did on stage, costumes and all. You look like a real regal lady."He seemed to compliment until a snort left his lips and he yanked her against him, his arm coming around her waist as he began to dance her about the room. For as tight as his arms were around her, Ursula arms were loose at her side. "You left the game darlin, that wasn't nice of you.." He continued as she stayed silent.

"You disappeared Jonathan.."Finally breaking the silence as she pushed against him shoving him away from her.

He gracefully let her go, letting out a laugh as he rubbed at his chest where her hand had shoved him. "Had to get rid of that damn troupe, by the time the deed was done and I returned, you were gone.....with my money. Ran out of it quickly did you? Weren't hard to track..dock hands bragging 'bout how a beautiful young thing just opened her legs willingly to them for passage."

Ursula flinched as if he had struck her but kept her hands at her sides as she took a step to the side, looking for her opening once more.

"So..you're a courtesan now. Will work to our advantage, you reel in a wealthy lord of these lands, get back in the game with me. Get the money and we'll be off again and the people will have one less lord to worry about..come on Ursula, you think these people care about you? You haven't even got one man googly eyed at you. No one loves you, no one ever has...no one ever could..."

Finding the break between his body and the door, she lurked forward, pulling back the hem of her skirt to aid her sprint to the door only to be caught up around the waist, pressed back against him and struggling till he brought her to her knees along with him panting heavily from trying to fight out of his grasp.

"Your a whore Ursula..a money grubbing whore.."He whispered hotly against her ear and moaned.

"Cinnabar and Vanilla, the perfect scent for you..exotic yet sweet. The perfect scent for betrayal.."His tongue snaked out to run the length of her neck.

"And if I kiss your lips will you taste of it.."He growled against her ear as his hand grasped at her chin, turning her head towards him and devouring her own lips with his.

Groaning against his lips, she jerked breaking her lips from his with a hoarse cry.

"Stop it..Jonathan."

The man laughed and tightened his grasp around her waist. "So you ran out of money, sold your body to gain passage away from me...but you'll never be free of me Ursula, your mine.."His hand released her chin to grasp her skirts and jerk, ripping the fabric. "Pretty little clothes won't change what you are Ursula, your still a whore..but that's ok, your still mine."

Again she jerked against him, fighting to get away, unable to break from him as his hand pulled the fabric of her dress upward, his fingers running against the alabaster skin of her thigh. "Their looking for you Ursula..men wanting justice for what you did to all those lords..come back to me, I'll protect you from them..your whoring ways won't save you otherwise..look at you.."Breathed hotly against her ear again as he found her passage and let his fingers sink into the warm tunnel. "So wet...so warm...a man lays his hands on you and your wet.."

Ursula let out a strangled cry as his fingers sank into her depths, her back arching away from his chest. "Jonathan! Stop!"

"Not until you come back to me..not until you admit it...say it Ursula.." His fingers withdrew only to push back in, stroking inside her tunnel as his thumb rolled against her clit making her cry out and arch away from him once more. Her head falling back to his shoulder wiggling no weakly as she began to pant from the sensations he was sending through her body. "How long has it been Ursula? To long hmm? Say it..say it baby." He continued to thrust his fingers inside of her as his other hand let go over her waist to pull the rest of her dress upward and stroke against the alabaster flesh of her thigh. "Say it..". he shoved hard as his teeth found her shoulder and bit down making her cry out as her body shuddered against his.

"I'm yours!" She cried out in a in defeat whisper.

With a chuckle he withdrew his fingers from her depth and shoved her down as he lifted from the floor licking the taste of her from his fingers. "Good girl..I'll be back for you soon when I've found someone suitable for you to charm..and Ursula...don't breath a word about me to anyone.."

Curling onto the floor, her head pressed into the floor, unwilling to meet his gaze but she gave a meek nod of her head in answer before the sound of the door clicking behind her signaled his leaving. Rolling to her side, she let out a sigh as her arms curled around her sides..Lord please help me...she prayed in silence.

[Ursula Darling]

[glow=red,2,300]Content of a graphic and sexual nature. Children need not read. You have been warned.[/glow]

Toss a pebble into a pond...or lake..any body of water will do. See the ripples. That's life; At first the circles are small and slowly become bigger until they fade away, Life starts small, all of us born babies, pure, untouched by deceit and evil. Then we begin to grow, we begin to understand...we begin to see.. For some, they are lucky, never knowing what it is to be something your not. To do things normal people would consider evil..or wrong. Perhaps its having parents that make it like that..love is defined first by a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. It is secondly defined as a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child or friend. Thirdly it is defined as sexual passion or desire. Each definition can be broken up, turned to fit each person perfectly. This is to say, a man who loves his wife, would have a warm and tender personal and sexual attachment to her. Or visa versa. In my case...its simply sexual passion...desire. Then does that not eliminate love? I think it does..

The pen in her hand jumped,rolling from nimble fingers plotting the journal page with black ink leaving the last line to read 'Eliminate love' as a hand settled against her shoulder. Her body tensed. She had thought the house had gone to bed, but she knew who it was without looking up into the mirror, who held her shoulder. Chocolate eyes burned into the words...eliminate love eliminate love eliminate love... Just to prove herself right, or perhaps hoping beyond reason that it was, she looked up, catching the reflection of Jonathan behind her. Setting her hands against the desktop, she didn't dare shift in the chair as he grinned at her, reminding her of a story about a Cheshire cat who's grin held on its face, even as the rest of the body disappeared, leaving the large smiling teeth behind.

"You didn't...forget about me did you Ursula? I know its been weeks since we..."Jonathan stopped, running his tongue against his lips and sucking a breath through his teeth. As his eyes traveled down to the valley of her breasts.

She had been getting ready for bed. stepping out of the layers of fabric that was her gown, leaving her undergarments on and slipping the robe on before going to the desk to write the latest entry in the journal. It was supposed to help...someone said...or at least recount your life when your dead. They had said that too. It had been weeks since she had seen him, hoping somehow God had answered her prayer to save her. Apparently, he hadn't...or he choose to ignore it. Jonathan's hand moved down her shoulder, curling around her waist and yanked. She rose without a fight to be pressed against his chest.

"Did you?" He asked again.

Ursula head turned, as if just by pulling her face away from his, she could dislodge herself from him.

"No...of course not. You own me...How could I forget that.." She seemed to spit it, like venom in his face.

He chuckled in response. Obviously pleased by her reply. Tightening his hold around her waist. His head dipped, nipping, biting against the supple skin of her breasts poking out from the corset. Ursula let out a grunt, like disgust as she leaned back, effectively arching her breasts into his lips, against his teeth but more pushing away from him then wanting the affection. His other hand rose, capturing her backside hard, pulling her against him, sucking her body against his until there was not even air to pass between them.

"Jonathan...what do you want? Why are you here?" Arms lifted as she spoke, shoving against his shoulders, cheeks flushed with the effect of pushing him away, away from the expertise of his lips.

Reluctantly he let her go but advanced as she backed up, pushing her closer to the corner, nearly panting like a dog in heat as his palms hit the wall with a dull bang on either side of her body. Ursula head turned again from the hot breath against her face.

"I found you a...target....but...we'll discuss that later"He breathed against her cheek as his hands slid down upon the wall as he inched closer to her body with his own. "Tell me what you want Ursula..." He whispered hotly against the shell of her ear.

"I want to be more like me...less like you." As she spoke, she shoved hard, sending her elbow into his gut. That made him loosen his hold on her, he stumbled, clutching against his stomach for the moment the pain gripped him but he had always been quicker then her and as she pushed off the corner of the wall, he caught her, hands against her throat, thrusting her back against the wall. His hands squeezed at the alabaster throat, cutting off her air. Her eyes were wide with terror as she clawed at his shirt in a futile effort to win her air back.

"Who the hell do you think your fooling Ursula?! You're JUST like me.. I made you. ME!" Spit flew from his lips as he hissed in her face, his grip unrelenting.

Her fingers clawed at his arms, leaving blunt red marks against his flesh. That's what clipping your nails pristine would get you. Yet still he pressed her against the wall, giving her no room to move, no room to breath. Her mouth hung open dully, pleading for release. Silently screaming...for life.

"Are you going to be a good girl? Hmmm?" Sweat had formed on his brow, she focused on it as the world spun, fizzled, darkened and she numbly nodded her head. Instantly the fingers loosened around her neck and she sucked in a breath only to couch repeatedly as the ache caused her lungs to burn like fire.

"Good...show me what a good little courtesan you can be.." He gripped at her arm, yanking her from the wall and tossing her towards the bed only to advance before she could crawl away from him. Not that she would fight now...

The candle on the desk had nearly burned itself out. Casting odd, evil shadows across the room. The covers were tossed about. A single sheet covering the middle of the man who slumbered peacefully. Garments strown across the floor. The robe was picked up from the floor and pulled around her body as she stumbled towards the desk, a hand reached out to grasp the edge. Catching her reflection in the mirror, her other hand lifted to touch at the ring of bruises forming around her neck were his hands had strangled her. With a heavy sigh, her head dipped, casting dark brown hues of hair to fall over her shoulder, covering one side of the bruises. Chocolate eyes found the diary, shadows covered most of the small scrolling writing that was hers but she only saw two words..

Eliminate love..

Well that was great advice wasn't it?

Play the part, smile, sing, giggle and throw yourself into the role of a lady..a desire of the night..

Inhaling a breath, she blew against the flame casting the room into complete darkness. It was a familiar color. Black..numb...just like her behind the role of a lady...a lily.

[Ursula Darling]

Ursula: All the world was a stage. Wasn't that her motto. Wasn't that the beat of life that she drummed to. In the confines of her room, alone, she was just a woman...just a woman, with no drilling quirks that set her above the rest and yet compared to the other lilies, her voice made her unique. Stepping from the confines of her bathwater, the robe was pulled around her body as she moved towards her vanity, flicking her fingers back and forth through her hair, shaking the water from it, loosening it from sticking together as she slid down into the chair before the mirror. A canaster of cream was uncapped, a waff of Cinnabar and Vanilla perfumed the air before her. She didn't need to look within the mirror as fingers scooped some of the cream from within and began to rub it around her chest and neck. The bruises, still fresh on her neck slowly began to dull under the concealing cream while also perfuming her flesh at the same time. Lazily her foot kicked as the cream was spread over her shoulders and down to the valley of her breasts. She was supposed to meet Jonathan in the market by noon time. Chocolate eyes swam towards the window. Hmm, all most time but she still needed to dress. Rubbing the remaining cream into her hands, she shifted on the chair to move towards the closet and draw the doors open as she called out. "Gerda!! Gerda!!" Gently, no need to rush the old woman, all she needed was a message to be given to the mistress. Now what did she want to wear for as soon as she dressed and left, the mask would be placed on. The perfect lady.

Shaden: As some people would liken her apperance to perfect timeing.. most likey Ursula would not.. Shaden's head peeked in the lovely room , having been on her way upstairs to her own suite of rooms when the call for Gerda came... " Gerda has gone to the Market... She will be back shortly is there something you need?" her voice was singsong and light, glacial eyes scanning the perfectly kept room with a sense of sastifaction... " Ohhh yes I almost forgot.. I gave your name to a potential Patron last night.. Master Sorschal.. I should educate you on him befor you meet.. he has very specific needs " she moved to the side of the bed where she could see Ursula... from a view rather than her back " What a lovely Fragrance" she tested the air finding the scent alluring.. " I see you have bee to see Gissieppi the Italian Perfumer... I would know his work anywhwere " again a nod of approval.. her eyes roaming the songbird lily for a moment lighting on the bruises... a frown marring her face... " Who marked you ?" the tone blunt yet calm.. but brooking no tolerance of a lie or dismissal..

Ursula: As she removed herself from the closet, a silvery blue gown flowing from its hanger was laid across the bed before she made a small perfectly elegant curtesy before the mistress of the lily. "Oh, no Madame Aramoire, I simply wished to have her give you a message. I am..meeting an old friend in the market this afternoon but should be back before nightfall." Her lips curled into a smile as she gave a nod of confirmation to the perfumer. "Indeed, a few simple questions and viola, my own personal fragrance." She took a step back and moved towards the changing screen to get her rather..personal undergarments on and paused. "Master Sorschal? Of course I would endeavor to do all I can for you...and for him." Her hand moved to clasp the edge of the screen as her other moved up to close the robe over the pale marks of the bruises around her neck. "A disgruntled shopper the other day, apparently the pearl necklace I purchased two minutes before she even arrived was the one SHE wanted and she was none to happy about it." Oh how easily and sweetly the words flew from her lips before she disappeared behind the screen to get her effects on.

Shaden: Shaden watched with knowing eyes.. as the Courtesan dipped behind the screen, a copper brow rising.. as she stood " On second thought.. I do not think Master Sorschal is for you.." she stood.. and smoothed her skirts over her burgeioing belly... as she moved to the door.. how many seconds would it take for Ursula to come round the screen , in upset at the contract apparently being pulled 3 2 1 hand turned the knob of the door and pulled it open a swish of skirts and she was halfway into the hallway.

Ursula: Her head poked from behind the silken screen, a thick brow rose in question. "Why so my lady?" She slid from behind the screen, corset and underwear firmly in place as well as stockings fastened just so on her thigh. She moved towards the bed to retrieve her dress. Buttons undone and the dress was crumpled to be pulled over her head and down till her arms were thrust through the sleeves before she was moving to the door to catch up with the mistress.

Shaden: She turned slowly framed within the doorway perfectly, the girls of the Lily knew their Mistress was kind and gentle almost to a fault, but when each were chosen they were so chosen to represent her.. and the House.. She was the ruler in this tiny kingdom... a serious face met that of the concerned Ursula " Because I have explained to each of you I will not tolerate lies.. and untruths.. there must be trust between us.. Employer and Employee.. if there is none... then I cannot recommend your to someone of such Rank.. Your Loyalty is to the Lily First... you seem to have forgotten that.. do not think that pregnancy has dulled my wits.. or my sight.. if you continue to lie to me.. show me the disrespect of such to my face.. then you will find yourself without clientele.. or a place to call home " the words were firm but nothing more than a normal conversational tone.. so far the only other Lily who had received this lecture was Chloe.. the trouble making tart..

Ursula: Arms weaved behind her to move up the row of buttons to close them. Oddly still working at getting dressed while being lectured but she knew the dress well enough to be able to do things without needing to see it. "You speak very true my lady, but is none of us to have some personal things to ourselves, as you, yourself have. You will forgive me for saying so..It was not a situation I could not handle and it was taken care of. I see no reason to run to you every time someone is mean to me. You are not my mother, my employer yes but not my mother. It was not a patron, else yes I would of brought it to your attention. I rather doubt you would like someone of that sort as a patron of the Lily or to its lilies. However, I understand your reasoning and appreciate your concern nonetheless." She took a step back and then another before turning around into the room, no she was not turning her back on Shaden but she had to finish getting ready. Sliding a box forward on the vanity, she pushed open the lid and withdrew a silver chained and pearl drop neclace. She hadn't been lying about purchasing the necklace itself.

Shaden: "you are correct that I am not your mother Ursula.. but I have considerable time and money invested in you... if you are injured while in my employee and under this roof I will know if it.. am I clear..." her tone deepened slightly "you of course may have your personal relationships as long as they do not interfere with your work.. and being bruised like a doxy whore is an interference.. when I ask you a question I expect the truth.. " she watched as the girl moved back to continue dressing, her temper flaring slightly... " See that you adjust your temperament by the time you return from your outing " the door was closed.. without further argument.. she had said her peace on the subject now to find Nic...

[Ursula Darling]

The door flew open and slammed behind her but Ursula did not flinch, instead turning cooly in her chair to look at Jonathan as he fumed, stomping his way over to her.

"Oh..Hello Jonathan. You've been scarce.."

Jonathan's dark features twisted even more as he pointed a finger at her, all most accusingly but then again, she suspected that this was going to come. One hand stayed within her lap while the other took a lazy lean against the back of the couch. A delicate brow rose as she waited for the words to begin.

"Don't give me that chyt Ursula! You slept with him! You slept with a few of them!"

He spit into her face as he advanced further. His arm rose and swung downward, he was going to beat the chyt of her. Of that she had no doubts. It was then Ursula stood, one fluid moment and the dagger in her hand, pressed against his throat, the mans hand, stopped in mid air, as if frozen in time. A cool smile pulled at her lips as she pressed, advancing him till she pressed him up against the bedroom wall without ever touching him but with the tip of the blade.

"Lets get one thing straight, Jonathan..YOU arranged the meeting with Lord Marke. What I do...with him...is none of your concern. Your only concern is getting the money right?"

The man hissed in answer but he was quicker then her, smarter in respects in knowing how to wield a weapon. His hand clamped tight on hers as he rolled from being punctured by the blade. Grabbing the blade from her hand, he whirled her around and pressed the blade against her throat as he pulled her back against him.

"I OWN YOU! YOU DON'T TELL ME WHAT CONCERNS ME AND YOU DON'T SLEEP WITH OTHER MEN!" He screamed at her in return.

Ursula tensed, refusing to cry out, refusing to flinch against the blade or his words as chocolate eyes stared blankly at the wall. Her arms encircled his hand at her throat, yet she didn't fight to pull him off her. She knew well that wasn't going to work.

"You speed up this plan of yours with Marke, get MY money from him...and this...Magician your seeing. End it." He hissed against her ear as he circled them about the room as if weaving a dance across a dance floor.

"No.."she breathed in reply, refusing both things.

"What did you say? I told you to end it..with both of them. You get Marke to give up his money and this Magician. What you love him? Are you in love with these men Ursula? Think they love you?" He let out a cruel laugh against her ear as he jerked her back tightly to him and pressed the blade further against her neck, near the point of breaking the skin open.

"I don't love anyone Jonathan..but you get your money and leave. What happens to me after...is mine. Else I will make you regret it.." She replied, threatening him. It seemed her will had grown with fighting him off.

Jonathan let out a growl at her works, yanking her again, back against him. "You little slut..I own you, I'll always own you and no one, will ever know you like I do, no one will care about you..or love you. You're dead Ursula, dead to the world, but with me, I make you alive...I...own...you. Don't threaten me. I'll off you like I did those men. I keep you around for fun, for kicks...I don't need you..The question is, are you going to be difficult and make me get rid of you? Or are you going to be my good girl?"

Ursula continued to stare at the wall, blank and unseeing. Had anyone ever seen her like this? Of course not. She wore masks perfectly, being anything the seer wanted her to be. But this look now, this was Ursula underneath. Growing up in an orphanage, with no family, no one to care and love her. She had become numb to everything around her, besides the stage. She had never experienced love in any form except Jonathan's depravity.

"I'll behave.."She spoke although all ready her mind was working on how it had come to this. She had always seen wrong in what Jonathan was doing but...he had been her only friend growing up, her only companion. She had nothing and no one else. Perhaps now that she was gaining a new life, a good life, her heart had changed? She hated Jonathan with a passion and though she agreed to behave, she was imagining ripping his heart out of his chest. Jonathan hummed in a laugh of triumph before his head dipped, his mouth parted to take in the fabric clothed part of her shoulder and bit down till Ursula cried out, sinking and he moved the dagger from her throat and stepped back as she sank to her knees and clutched at her shoulder.

"That's for Lord Marke hmm...see if he likes where another man has touched you.." A sadistic laugh passed his lips as he twirled the dagger and shoved it into his belt. "I'll keep this, so there is no more problems."

Slowly he sank back to the door, pausing as he opened it. "Oh and Ursula...stop adding my name to the guest books..remove my name from your client list..I told you not to tell anyone about me...don't make me hurt the other girls because you disobeyed me.."

With that, the door shut behind him, leaving Ursula to her solitude...her bedroom, her prison, once more.

[Ursula Darling]

Jonathan's Man: Jonathan, it seemed was not pleased with Ursula. She did not act fast enough, sources had said they had seen the Magician Alendral Sorschal had gone to the Lily several times since he told her to end things with the man. Little did the man know the consequences of such a visit and they were not in fact to visit HIS woman. The facts were...that Jonathan Fox was indeed just a backwood Thug, nothing like the spy he had decided to hunt. If Ursula was not going to give the magician the hint to take a hike, then he simply was going to have to do it himself...and hire someone to do it for him. Finding the biggest, and yet stupidest man on Skye he could find, one who needed money, he had the magician followed then gave the lug the information needed in which to 'bump' into the magician and give him a little talking to...with his fists and once the little talking to was through, give him one final message. Stay AWAY from Ursula. To the point right? In Jonathan minds, there was nothing else that could be done, he would deal with Ursula later, once his plan had been completed. Her loyalty was waning, if not dead and that dead weight, just needed to be slung off. First the Magician. That was the brutes job and he was currently out, trailing the Magician while Jonathan waited for news it was done.

Alendral: Alen did not have the time nor the patience to endure being tailed--his life had taken a turn for the urgent and complex. The order of the Black Talon needed to be propped, urgently, and yet still he had his concerns over the Captain, maddeningly few in clues, to contend with. The assessments, preparations, seeing things to his conclusion--it was a lot to concern himself with, and just when he found a room to catch his breath, he caught notice of the same brutish figure following him down the winter streets, trying and spectacularly failing to look discrete. It sent a tremor through his spine--his first reaction was a spy, one of Kryptmann's associates or worse, but none of them, none of them would hire an Amatuer like--well who, than? he mulled over each possability in turn--perhaps he was a little too amorous with one of his audience and a husband saw fit to sort him out, but he could think of no particular incident. Could it be...? No, no, it was unlikely that whoever kidnapped Ealora would risk trying to neutralize Alendral. that left... Oh hell. He had two options--try to lose him, or confirm what he was afraid of. So, rather abruptly, he'd take a turn down an alleyway, waiting for him to follow, putting on his best showman's smile. It was a delicate act--revealing what he really was, or even showing sign of it, could risk his cover, which he always had to pay mind. So it was he'd meet the brutish thug with a wry grin and say. "Looking for an Encore, lad? I'm sorry, there's no more shows to be had tonight and I've no coin for you to be taking home tonight. but tell you what, I'll give you what I have and we avoid whatever unpleasantness. " The grin would die, slowly, on his lips when the Brutish man undoubtly give made his purpose clear... but he still had his cover to consider. That meant not dealing with him so easily. That meant, quite unfortunately, that this next part was going to hurt.

Jonathan's Man:The cigar between his lips was tossed down the street as he trailed the Magician, a low grumble left his lips as the man turned down an alleyway but oh well, if he left him beaten there, it was better then were he could be caught. His steps abruptly halted when the magician turned to address him, dumb and brutish that was the two words that described the man as he stared dumbly at the man. "I Ain't in'erested in yer damn money. I's got a message for you.." Fast fists balled at his sides and bowling forward like the bull he looked like, he took a swung at the magician.

Alendral: Spies were trained in a modicum of combat skills. Particularly in unarmed or short-weapon combat, and there, but they played by special rules. For example--Alendral knew several ways to kill a man using only his hands, and cut have taken him apart at the seams in a few quick gestures. but it would have raised alarms. Whoever sent the man would have panicked, would have fled, would have revealed nothing. That meant fighting in a style that wasn't his best--but losing a fight wouldn't do him much either. so to his credit, he rolled with the fist, which was the only thing that kept him from near blacking out from the sheer strength of the man, sending him twisting and sprawling into the ground with a pained cry, slightly exaggerating the force of the blow for theatric effect. "W...Wha...wha...?" he stammered, his voice laced with fear and confusion, his face already starting to puff from where the strike met him. He'd let the man have exactly one more strike-- a kick to the ribs, which brought him to the round on one side again--and he'd wait for exactly the message.. and as soon as he got it--that's when the large man would find himself flat on his back--his legs suddenly scissoring out, kicking viciously at the back of his knee and driving him down before, with an eloquent spin, he'd push his body in right, than suddenly reverse momentum, slamming a booted heel right into the poor bastard's face, adrenaline surging through aching muscles and dulling the pain whilst he sprang to his feet again, already moving to follow up and strike the poor bastard again.

Jonathan's Man: Fist connected with the mans face and the brute felt a sense of pride swell through him. Beating someone up for the money he needed. It worked. A grin curled his lips as the man stammered and sputtered. "Yeah, Stay away from Ursula!" He growled in the magicians direction before landing a kick to the mans ribs. Honestly, why the dark haired man had hired him for such a pathetic...His thoughts abruptly stopped as the kick came to his knees, forcing him down with a harsh high pitched cry from such a large man. It wasn't until he was laying on his back did he even had time to think of how he ended up there. This little string bean had knocked him down...how..his head still swimming. But as the man poised to strike at him again, hands were thrown up in defense. "No no no...wait wait wait!" uhhh...that's where it stopped, he wasn't going to beg but nor did he want to die!

Alendral: No so luck. in fact, the Magician--blood up, viciously grabbed one of his hand in twisted violently, snapping one of the man's fingers before lancing out and snatching him by the throat, his eyes suddenly fill with a certain cold-blood viciousness. "Ooh, alright than, thank you very much for the message. Now do me a favor, for my dear friend Jonathan. Tell him... that I don't take kindly to threats and I know a thousand ways to make him hurt! Tell him I know where he is and where he sleeps. Tell him all that, and if you can't remember all that you two-bit over-grown cow. You just tell him what I did to you... " he threw out another vicious stirke at the man's head, fast as lightning, blind siding the poor bastard and sending him sprawling, before producing a hidden coin purse and hurling a handful of coin purses. "There's your payment for it. I catch you anywhere near me or Ursula ever again and They'll never find you again. " and at that stormed out. he looked dangerous and vicious for precisely two blocks, and only he was sure he was clear did he hold a hand to his rapidly swelling eye and grimace, almost childishly. "Jessssus Christ." a few moments later, there would be a knock on the door, and the appearance of the Magician--disheveled and decidedly unhappy looking, waiting on Gerda to retrieve what it was she could for his face, looking a might bit more miffed than usual.

Jonathan's Man: Another high pitched scream left the mans lips as his finger was snapped to the breaking point. A big blubbering baby really, he cuddled and clutched at his finger, rocking back and forth on the ground, nodding numbly at the magician growled in his face before the final blow came leaving him sprawled out and at least for the moment, in no pain though he would surely be feeling it in the morning.

Gerda:A few minutes later found him at the Lily and a only a few seconds later let in by Gerda who fussed and whimpered over his rapidly swelling face as she went to fetch rag and ice for him and returning a few minutes later. "Honestly Mr. Sorschal, I wonder about you sometimes, I seem to be praying for you more then I pray for myself!" The old woman coo'd as she placed the rag wrapped ice over his eye. "Is there anything else I can do for you? Perhaps I can get tomorrow steak out of the icebox, sure the mistress wouldn't mind so your eye doesn't get to black.."The latter more mused to herself then him.

Alendral: "Well at least somebody is. " the poor man grimaced as he leaned back and rested the ice atop the bruise on his head, flinching as the mere act of it caused a sliver of pain over the kick, which honestly stung a fair amount more--not having the ability to roll with it quite as easily. "Yes, please, could you let Ursula know I'm here and need to speak with her? It's fairly important." he was already on his way to her room as he spoke, though he had at least the curtosey to glance back to her before just barging in. "Not seeing a client or something is she?" by this point even Gerda fully realized that whoever Alen was, some simple customer he wasn't, but given the kind of people that frequented the place, she probably didn't think much of the strangeness of the request. Whether or not she was though, it barely stopped him from heading that way. There was always the chance Ursula had gotten it worse than he had... and if that had happened... No, he didn't want to contemplate that.

Gerda: Gerda own face flinched as she placed the ice on his face. "I'm sure the lady of the house prays for you as well Sorschal.."She sighed and waved her hand upstairs indicating Ursula was up in her room, she followed the magician as far as the stairs. "She's in her room, no clients today. Spent the whole day in her room.."The woman continued to grumble and groan as she moved down the hall, her words even harder to understand and then...just gone, past the point of hearing.

Ursula:Ursula head jerked up as the door swung open to admit Alen, the towel on the back of the tub as her rest fell to the floor. Her face began to rise then fell at the state of him. "Alen what happened?!"

Alendral:Alen stepped in with a decidedly curious expression considering he was nursing a black eye. Not pained, or afraid, not even remotely concerned, just faintly annoyed. It wasn't exactly his best moment ever. "Evening Ursula." he said in a tone like Don't even ask me about my day. stepping forward again and nudging the door closed with his foot, he'd find a nearby seat and sit in it, dipping into his coat pockets and taking out a bottle of brandy he kept around, more for theatrical effect then genuine need of of it. "Oh... oh this? Oh, it's a funny story actually. I was just finishing up a lovely show, and was quietly thinking of trying my charms on a very lovely lady wearing a terribly provactive little French number, I think, when I realized that and than... I got trailed by what can only be described as an Ogre. "And he hit me. Right here. " he lifted up his bag a little, describing all this with a sense of complete disbelief. "..And... funny thing. you know what he said? " He'd wait for a moment. "He told me.. that if I so much as came anywhere near you again he'd do very... very horrible things to my person. Imagine that. " he waved his hand. "Oh, trust me, he's a lot worse off than I am, but nonetheless I figured you and I had something to discuss..." which was a half-truth, he wanted to check on her, but part of him was generally frustrated. She had, after all, been subtly putting off explaining this, and up till now he indulged her. [i/]Now... it was his problem. [/i] [/font][/color]

Ursula: A delicate brow inched upward as he closed the door behind him. She knew very well what his tone suggested but that did not mean the look on her face couldn't speak what his words alone told her not to do. If Alen knew anything about her, it was that anything concerning him, she would push where most people would pull back. Shifting around in the tub, her hands lay against the side as she watched him take a seat. While there was a comical note to his words, she knew where it was leading. Still the grin could not be suppressed when he described someone..as an orge. She visibly winced as he moved the towel to show his eye, her face twisting in a form of sympathetic pain though the curiosity did cross her face at him pausing after saying the man had a message. "Hmmm"The low hum of a moan passed her lips as she reached for a towel and slowly stood, letting the water cascade down her body back into the tub as the towel was unrolled and wrapped around her body. "Yes, it does seem we have something to talk then..." She didn't need to know who sent the man with the message. "First of all, I am glad your all right, secondly, how in the world did he get a hit in? I quite expect if you left him in a worse manner, he should not of gotten within an inch of you, then again I also suspect you wouldn't of gotten the message had you done that.."The towel was tucked in as she stepped from the tub and moved in towards him. Any other person and the whole actress would of come out of her, prenning princess who would of spouted tears and sputtered about not knowing what he was talking about. She had been careful to keep her side turned from him as the towel was wrapped around her and it was difficult as she sat, a grimance passed her face but quickly fell away to nothing as she tilted his face towards her. "Here, let me see.."Her hand touched his with the ice wrapped towel and pulled it away from his face. "Jonathan..sent you the message, of that I have no doubts. He came to see me the other day, though I had no idea he would go after you...I'm sorry.."It was the most geniune and sincere apology she had ever given in her life.

Alendral: Alen was many things, but he was human. sufficed to say, he opened an eye as she emerged from an eye and smirked, subtly. "Oh don't get up on my account..." playfully bantering while she saw about to getting herself a bit dried off so they could have a conversation in a more comfortable setting. "Oh there never was a chance for that. Second, to answer your question, not only did I need the message--very observant by the way--but there was also my cover to consider. Your little friend probably thinks he's made a bit of an error, and now he's wondering what he's dealing with. If I had simply saw to the man as I could, I'd be putting both of us in very mortal danger, flinching and hissing as she moved the ice from his eye, which was faintly swollen but, given the size of the man, considerbly better than it could have been. ".. Forget it, Ursula. the apology isn't necessary. I was warned about him before the arrangement, I knew the risk associating." he shook his head a little, probably frustrating her effort to tend of it. "That said... Ursula... I don't think I have to tell you that we have a problem now. a considerable one... so you're going to tell me about this Jonathan fellow, and you're not going to politely dismiss him when I ask this time. "

Ursula: A jerk of her head and a smile was all he got in the bantering tease but he had least saw a side of her not many got to see. Alen knew well she wore masks and she wore then well, besides with him. She had a bit more self, a bit more life to her then she thought but perhaps it was because they meshed so well together that she was just hollow were if others even forced the masks off her, they would get nothing. Her lips pulled into a frown at the sight of his eye before she was as gently as she could, putting the ice back against his eye. "Perhaps he is, but if I know anything of Jonathan..we're perhaps in more danger then you realize..I've no doubts he'll do everything he can now to eliminate me." She setted back against the chair with a heavy sigh, not caring that still damp she was likely leaving a print on the black and golden patterned chair. "Come now Alen, don't tell me I put you on a petasal for nothing.."Now she was bantering with him but she could only lean like she was for a second before she was pushing up again painfully. "I won't play games with you on Jonathan Alen, if I were...I would be in tears now, playing as if I didn't know what you were talking about. I had hoped to deal with this on my own, I realize now though, that even this plan of his...wouldn't be the last and he doesn't plan to let me go. At least living wise. What do you wish to know that you don't know all ready?"

Alendral: "What? It really was part of the cover I could have been without a scratch if it wasn't more worthwhile in the end. Bruise'll heal." he playfully defended himself before nodding. "I know Ursula. I appreciate it. Truly... so to start, why don't you tell me why you're favoring that side. He's already visited again, hasn't he?" he asked in a grim, careful tone. As always, he found himself suitably impressed. The woman was analytical even when backed into a corner and, strangely facing her imminent possible mortality--though as far as he was concerned, she had nothing to worry about. "After that, you tell me what's got this boy of yours so jealous and nervous that he'd send some two-bit thug after a client... and be fully willing to kill her afterwards--even if he hasn't yet." It meant that he needed her for something--if he was insanely jealous, he would have attacked her, morbid as that was. no, instead he took a swing at a client, probably with the intent that Alen would either run screaming or crying to Ursula... which meant one thing, far as he was concerned. He wanted to keep her in line, more than anything.

Ursula: A hum of a laugh passed her lips at the returned banter. Him with a black eye, her with blackened ribs and still they bantered. It was enough to have that smile linger on her lips a while longer before she pushed up from the chair to move towards the scene on the corner for changing. "Yes, to answer your question but you should see him..."A smile went in his direction, she was teasing but quite serious as well. He had only gotten a few hits in before she retaliated, in turn it infuriated him more but she had been determined not to be under Jonathan Fox's thumb any longer. "I told you I owed you my life, Alen..I meant it.. I never fought back before you..Never had a reason too.."She plucked her robe from the chair at the vanity before moving behind the screen. The towel was tossed over the top of the scene, her silloute playing with the light in the room as she bent and swayed to pull on undergarments and finally pull on a slip of a nightdress before the robe was pulled on and she emerged from the backside of the screen again, standing next to it as she watched him. "He is jealous of you..perhaps because he feels you..put a spirit into me that he, our whole lives has reframed. That is probably what he is thinking..He is probably thinking, that I am in love with you and therefor the reason I am fighting back, it is also scaring him because I was the source of his plush lifestyle. I only ever learned the con because of him..with Jonathan there was only ever one way, his way or.."Her finger moved across her neck in gesture, death. "Not to mention he probably thinks you'll foil his latest plan, and he is not entirely wrong.."

Alendral: Right and probably soon very dead. he mused, idly enjoying the bit of a show that was the silhouette of the woman dressing, his own imagination filling in the holes quite pleasantly which elicited a wry grin from the playful little Magician, though the idea that he had inspired something in the woman, well... it felt almost foreign to him. And he was forced to make light of it. "Oh my, sent your heart all aflutter and everything? Well, I'm more charming than I thought. " He leaned back, resting his leg on a knee briefly, quietly ignoring the dull throb. "All a reasonable assessment, not very different from where I stood. What you're not telling me, however, is a crucial part of the puzzle. If he were merely concerned I was an influence... he'd have just had me killed and been done with it. He's willing to kill you if you cross him, even if he needs you. but here's what's curious--he's not defiant enough to have me slain... but I think he's starting to become afraid of you. " he'd wait, expecting a playful reaction from her. "...He needs you for something Ursula. Before he plans to... perhaps, kill you. So now I have to ask.." he folded his hands and watched her. "...What's this game you two are playing at, and what's so worth keeping you both loyal and frightened of him?' there was a certain grim finality in his statement, that brooked no argument. It was going to end, and in all liklihood--so was Jonathan. He didn't say it just yet--he knew that.. in her position, it might make her uneasy. God knows, all those years ago, how hard it was for him.

Ursula: "I'm not in love with you Alen.."she mused at him with a grin. "We've had this discussion before..."She moved towards him and slowly lowered down into the seat next to him. "Here.."She took his free hand and pushed it inside her robe, no not to her breast but against her chest over her heart. Perfect little actress she was, was creating the perfect little moment. "Feel that? My heart..it may not know how to love, but you gave it reason to fill its hollow void. Gave it purpose. Gave my life purpose..probably a better purpose then it ever had before..this offer you gave me, fits me better then you realize."Her hand pressed against his own so he felt the drum of the heart beneath her breast bone before she let go and lifted out of the chair. It was hard to sit still when discussing Jonathan. "Become afraid of me? Little ol' me...?"A grin pulled at her lips then faded as her bottom lip was pulled between her lips and gently chewed. Surely Alen could understand her hesitance in telling him what was going on? Surely he would understand she had no one her whole life besides Jonathan, how could she give him up? Even after the rapes...even after the beatings and threats..He was not just a part of her life, he was part of her..It also meant letting Alen completely into her, of throwing all masks to the floor. Though he had never given her reason not to trust him, there was still that one part that held back, that was untrusting of everyone, even him and that one piece, that one mask left, once fallen away...would he still want to know her? Still think so highly of her? Would he tell the Lady Aramoire about this plan, it concerned a client of hers.. Palms were rubbed together then fingers tapped together as she weighed the options, the questions, within her head before she let out a heavy sigh of defeat."One of my clients, Lord Marke, he is the richest we've ever gone after...he is the con..at least to Jonathan. Capture his attention, get him to trust me, get him to give me control of his accounts and then clean him out of it...All of it...would go to Jonathan, leaving Lord Marke peniless.."Chocolate eyes turned up from the floor to him. "We've done this..a million times before, but Marke is the richest, and the most difficult..he isn't like the others.."There was a tone of admiration for Marke in her voice. She didn't love him but she respected him, not to mention they were both the same, unable to love..both looking for passion for life in each others arms, just not love. "I've never...harmed any of the men I charmed, conned, but they all ended up dead afterwards..the last con job we did, I got the money, went to meet Jonathan and...fled instead..took the money so Jonathan is desperate, I imagine the money I made for him in the past is quite depleted. We both..grew up in an orphanage with nothing. Jonathan has always desired money, makes men powerful and he craved both.."

Alendral: Of course he'd respond quite plafully, raising his eyebrows as she took his hand and furhter still when she directed it over her heart, smiling playfuly but saying nothing as she made the point clear none the less nostalgic. The truth was.. there was a strange.. something remembered as she explained her purpose, a tie to a past. It wasn't--couldn't have been intended, but he felt a warm sense of a time past. Once she had moved on, he'd slip his hand back to his lap and listened, steadfastly neutral. It was not to deny her, nor a sign of any loss of respect, but to show any emotion--pity, disapproval, sympathy--any of it would effect her, would risk forcing her to retreat in what was clearly a subject she didn't wish to broach. He'd nod, once, twice, lining it up with what he'd observed so far, wondering idly how much Shaden of this already knew--it was Shaden after all who warned him about at the first place. but there was more to it then that. She was making a choice and she knew it. He'd open his mouth, a time, closing it as he aligned his thoughts further. He could explain to her what would happen first. Lord--Alen never believed in God, but he had trouble dismissing this all as coincidence. He knew, didn't guess, didn't observe, didn't--drag out of her, he knew what admitting something like this did to her. He paused a moment and, rather without thinking, put a hand on hers. "... I see. I understand... more than you know. ' he took a deep breath, a moment. It was again carefully neutral, save for one small current he was sure she'd pick up. Not sympathy, not pity. Empathy. mirroring the weight of the what she had revealed. If he had known she was so worried that such a crime would lessen her in his eyes--was both flattering and deeply troubling. "...I see. So you've rebelled, slightly, and begin moreso. So he'll think he's lost you--so this will be your last job, even if I didn't intervene." he waited a moment and closed his eyes, grimacing. "...Unfortunately... Ursula, I have to be honest. This can only end one way. Jonathan must be removed. To give him a chance to escape is to put you in future danger... and.. forgive me for saying so, but I put much stake in you... too much to leave something to chance when you take the place I have in mind. Ursula.. I can deal with him. But I need you to look me in the eye and tell me you want me to do this. I need to know... "

Ursula: His hand covering her own received a jerk, only slightly before stilling underneath his own as her fingers curled with his own. Her head bent, not being able to meet his eye not because she feared what he thought, but the weight of what she had said, what she had done in giving it up, meant more then perhaps anyone would know, anyone but him. His understanding came with some relief but also put a heavier pressure on her heart. Lids slid over chocolate hued eyes as she pulled in a deep breath, willing the feeling away, willing the numbness to creep back into her body before her lids slid open again. "I had all ready had plans to...well..remove him from the picture persay. At least get him to a point of thinking I was going to hand over Marke's money to him, then...just take care of it.." Her fear that she was less in his eyes steamed from that he seemed to put a lot of stake into her. Perhaps she was fearful of disappointing him? Wouldn't any student. Still the heart numbed and steeled as chocolate eyes rose to meet his own. "I want this..but you're not doing it alone Alen..I want to be apart of it. I trust you, and I agree with you that he must be removed from the picture, I understand it means he can not escape, so that leaves one option. I understand..and I want to be apart of it.."

Alendral:"So be it. " he cleared his throat again. He'd let her be a part of it--though the act would be carried out by him. That much was plain. Ursula may be ready to face this, but to commit the kind of deeds he had, well, he was less sure of that. Even less to kill.. well, to kill the last tie to her life, the thing that helped her to survive a time few could fathom surviving. He took a deep breath again. "It'll be done, then. With you. Here's how it will happen. First. you and Marke will end it. Whatever it is.. you do feel... that part in the con must end. He can not continue, unwitting. Second, we convince Jonathan that the plan was carried out successfully. He'll claim his prize... and I'll... claim him then." he folded his hands over him. fixing her with a critical, gazing stare. He sensed the turmoil raging in her, in his protege, in the one who might one day.. he banished the thought for now tightening his grip a moment. "Ursula... you've survived in trials at an age when we are ill-equipped to handle any such things. So you did what you had to survive. Left to your own, to struggle from nothing. You never had opportunity for... anything else. You've been judged for it.. forced to... adapt, to it as you must. And it's never been easy, never been painless. Every moment of your life... and you've survived it. You're stronger then you have any idea, Ursula. No matter what anyone says to you, the mere act of survival marks your strength to me." he set the ice pack in his free hand down, touching the injury with a mild grimace--not.. exactly the most attractive thing in the world, judging from the vanity even at the distance, but oh well, and forced himself to steel his breath. "I've no family to call my own. Died to disease, forgotten in the streets. So when a man offered me a life.. a future, anything... I... did what I had to as well--even as I knew the monster he had become. I was set to become something terrible myself if not for... others. So.. " he tilted his head a moment , giving it genuine thought. "That may make you stronger than me in the long run. I tell you this, partly so you understand what I see, partly so you believe me when I say I relate. But you.. are capable of so much more than you believe yourself to be... if only you wish to reach for it. " He allowed himself a warm smile and patted her hand briefly. "...I only look forward to seeing what you will be capable of then."

Ursula: She relaxed somewhat at his words. Half heartifly believing he would refuse. Yet he had not and she relaxed..Her head lifted and lowered in a slow understanding nod of how things would happen. "Very well.."she offered before falling silent again. It was, somewhat comforting to know things with Jonathan were to end. It was, freeing, to think he would no longer be apart of her life and she would be able to move on to a new place and time, a new start with fresh opportunities, ones that she herself designed. Chocolate eyes rose at her name and she watched his face as he spoke, her face never flinching, never giving way to the emotion within her at such things. It was in effect, a deal sealer. What she doubted, he put to rest. No one but Jonathan had ever been able to read her like Alen did, perhaps not even Jonathan read her the way Alen did. She'd never pushed to know more of his life but as he spoke, very briefly of it, her fingers in his one hand, tightened. Twinsouls huh? They may not of lived the exact same life, but they had in essence, both had to fight and do things that others would frown upon, that others judged upon. A small hum of a laugh passed her lips"Stronger then you? My mentor and teacher? Somehow I doubt that..I don't doubt what I can do, you do, what you believe you can, I've always thought that but I..."She paused and let her eyes raise to his again"I fear you put more stock in me then you should, not that my loyalty to you would ever fail, but that I...would fail you in whatever you set before my feet. I wouldn't want that. To ever fail you, so...you have to understand, I will do everything in my power, never to let that happen." She rose on the seat to place a kiss near the injured eye before lowering into the seat though not retreating from him, her hand lifted, tilting under his chin as her lips met his, this time it was no stage kiss, no kiss to lure him in as she would a potential client. It was the meeting of two lips in a tender and sweet, lingering for the span of a few seconds before she let her bottom meet the chair completely and her body sank away from him. "Your not some terrible monster, Alen..You are a force to be reckoned with..A fighting force, for your friends and for your country, you do what you need to..you could never be anything less, then you would not be you.."

Alendral:More alike then she realized, he came to believe, as she talked. He sensed no malice or subterfuge behind the words, a rare trait beneath them, bestowing a gentle, linger affection, returned for what it was, smiling softly at the praise and worries, the fears and the worry from the woman that would become his student. "I take your words as.. comfort, Ursula. So take mine in equal. I will tell you now you won't fail me, such is my confidence. You said it yourself. A void in your heart, now filling. grinned. "Right, then. enough stuff of romance tales of old and pouring of our heart. I'm feeling rather in a lighter mood tonight. Fancy a bit of a walk? I've something to show you."

[Ursula Darling]

Ursula:The plot was set..everything in place. Ursula had convinced Marke to make it seem like he was giving up his money. All documents signed and notarized, to be burned later of course but for looks, it had to look real, Jonathan was not a fool. She had even convinced Marke that he had to live at a simple cottage for a day or two for appearance but she had not told him that Jonathan would meet his demise, no she had simply played the 'trust me, as I trust you' card and yet even that card was vague in appearances. Two days, that's all she asked of him and yet she still pressed one more favor, leave the cottage on the second day, wait for dusk, slip out in the cover of darkness and she would see him on the third day and bring the papers and not touch one coin of his money. Dusk had long passed when she met Jonathan with the papers. The look of glee on the mans face could not be compared. He looked like a kid within a pastry shop. "Excellent! Excellent!" He kept hissing in that dark voice of his and oh what a perfect mask she kept in place, a sly satisfied smile upon her face as he gathered his things to ride out to the cottage. "Now to get the hands dirty...and just so I know this isn't some disgusting little trick you would play on me...slut, your coming with me. I want him to SEE you as he meets his end.." He spoke as he grabbed at her arm and yanked her out of the farmhouse door, his great place of hiding. "I'll hide the body tonight...entertain those stupid sister of his tomorrow while Ox moves the body into his home...then we'll burn it to the ground, make it look like an accident.." He spoke as they moved swiftly through the streets, looking for all intent purposes like lovers going for a stroll. "Tell me Ursula, will you cry? Course you will...losing a bed mate, little slut, don't worry, after this, I'll fill it!" He let out a laugh and Ursula just grinned and hummed a note of amusement though it was far then amusement that raged within her body. "There.."She spoke pointing down the road as they left the city to the cottage which windows were aglow in the darkness.

Alendral:The cottage held only the flickers of life, the semblance of it. but it was not Marke who occupied it presently. it was a pair of men, both waiting in the front room, poised and utterly silent. The first was the illusionist--clad in black, form fitting clothes, his eyes locked to the doorway, immobile, a parody of a man in repose, crossbow slung over his lap, and his associate Vance, watching crouched from a nearby window. by contrast, his associate Vance--this wasn't their business, this wasn't their matter, they had other, more important things to worry about. Was she worth it? the truth was Alen had no sufficient evidence to please him. Only his instincts. Now it was too late for arguments. to their credit, neither treated this as the simple job it was supposed to be--when a man's life was at stake, they could surprise even seasoned veterans, but the man was too convinced of his own cleverness. The faint, flickering light of the cottage would be dismissed as the errant lord Jonathan intended to murder. all that was left was Ursula's signal, and the last appearance of young Jonathan.

Marke: Well if she though he would stay away on... " Trust me " she was wrong.. to an extent he did.. well.. ok he didn't, and the papers while they looked all proper and what have you but in truth were very good fakes.. there would be no way in hell he lost a dime on this deal... his solicitor had already been forwarned should anything happen, and held a copy of the false documents just in case as proof.. Now why might you ask would he go along with such a ruse..? Boredom... a bit of excitement, something he could not buy and sell at a whim, not to mention the whole intrigue had been quite the aphrodisiac for Ursula, who in her own dark and rather... limber ways had showed her appreciation over and over again tenfold.. seemed intrigue stroked.. ahemmmm stoked.. the fires of the Beautiful song bird.. these were his thoughts as the stallion he rode came ambling down the road just behind the cottage he had called home for the past few days... how people lived in such small accompaniments was beyond him.. no servants no... cooks... no maids... it was impossible.. He had to fetch his own whiskey! so it was clip clop clip clop of the horse on the bare dirt road... from the back of the cottage... Stay away my foot.. he slid from the horses back cradling a bottle of whiskey in one hand, his other adjusting his crotch... he had and itch that only the beautiful Ursula could scratch.. and he intended to have it scratched thoroughly.

Ursula:She walked in silence, letting Jonathan prattle on about the money, about the success and what a good little slut she was for doing this so fast. Of course she was not giving him any cause to doubt what was to transpire tonight, she smiled, she laughed, seeming to agree with whatever he was talking about but truthfully it was going in one ear and out the other. Cleverly, she had set up a signal for Alen even before Marke had come to occupy the cottage, a thin line of string ran the ground, attached in between a stump and a bush that when her foot hit just so, jerked and inside the cottage, the line for a tea pot which sat inside the fires as if heating a nights delight of drink would suddenly swing outward. Quiet but effective. From there it would only be but a minute or two before the latch was jiggling upon the door though as a last note, Jonathan's arm struck out and pulled Ursula to the front of the door before him. "Sluts first.."He hissed in her ear. Chocolate eyes rolled as she let out a sigh"Your honestly...a jackass.."She hissed back in reply only to be shoved against the door which swung inward with the latch lifted and she tumbled into the doorway.

Alendral: The reason Vance backed him up was made apparent at the faint sound of an approaching horse, from the back. They exchanged a look, an unspoken sentiment similar to I told you so! passing from Vance to Alen, followed by Vance rising liquid from his place and slipping through the doorways to the back entrance. Whereas Alen possessed a natural talent, Vance was practiced in years of roadside ambushes and break ins--he was quite successful. the man surreptiously placed himself just outside the doorway, tense, soundless, not even breathing. whatever it was that opened the door would be greeted by an unerringly swift and vicious attack from the man--Vance moved like a blur and would deliver a swift strike to the attacker's plexus, and provided it landed, would follow up by pinning whoever it was against the wall, a slender knife drawn from his belt should the encounter need to get bloody. as for Alen, he watched, tense, waiting as he saw the door handle turn... carefully laying a hand over the crossbow and tensing. but it wasn't Jonathan coming out first--of course not. Ursula would be the first, and Alen, in a dazzling display of his talent, used Ursula's own body to block his sudden shifting of movement, clearing to the side of the doorway before Jonathan would step in and spot him. Amazingly, he did this without making a sound.

Marke: The door handle would turn ever so slighlty then cease.. as a muffled curse was heard behind the door... the whole door rattled as if trying to be opened.. then a sound of keys dropping.. another curse as the sound of brass in lock scraped.. how could Vance have known the "intruder" would still be bent over after dropping the keys once more... well that was just happenstance.. that his first blow swung high, and wizzed over Marke's head.. with dizzying speed.. this was enough to cause the slightly inebriated Lord Marke.. to stand.. swinging out wildly with the bottle of whiskey toward his attackers head " What the bloody Hell?" his voice boomed.. loudly thru the cottage " URSULA " he shouted , perhaps mistaken for a lovers amourous shout of greeting, in extreme anticipation from the ones entering.. but it was more of a growl then a silence as the knife pressed against his throat and he stared down at the man who dared such an action " You will release me , before you make anymore Mistakes... " he ordered..

Ursula:Her footing lost, she nearly slammed into the floor before she found it and found the table and chair by the hearth, fingers grasped tight as she righted herself and let out a low hiss. "Where the f**k is he Ursula?!" Jonathan as he pulled the dagger from his belt. Fate would have it that Marke voice boomed from the back and Jonathan grinned. Ursula head swung to the voice "Marke?" Even she seemed surprised, though she really shouldn't of been. As Jonathan advanced through the room, Ursula threw herself towards him. Where the bloody hell was Alen?!" Jonathan, wait no!" Her hand held out caught his shoulders. "You know Ursula.."Thin lips pulled back in a snarl over the mans lips as his arm snaked around her waist, drawing her close as his hand drew back and sliced through the fabric of her gown into her side. "didn't figure on keeping you past tonight anyway..."He hissed. Ursula mouth opened in shock and pain as her fingers tightened upon his shoulders. Her mouth opened as disbelief filled her eyes. All ready Jonathan was releasing her, pulling the blade from her side with a grin. "How sweet...the two of you can rot together.." he even laughed, a deep unyielding, uncaring laugh as he stepped away from her to let her body slump to the floor as she clutched at her side.

Alendral: The shadow reacted, ducking neatly under the surprised counter--man could react fast, had to give him that, and pinning him. but when he realized what he was pinning? The voice took a decidedly different tone. "Oh.. .sodding hell. " the incredulous tone mingled with the rough accent of the man's voice. "You're not even supposed to be here! " and as it would seem, his appearance was enough to throw the delicate plan into hell. Alen had a shot lined just in time for Jonathan's movement to ruin it, stepping forward and crossing behind Ursula, ruining it. Damn! what happened next happened fast. Get away from him, damn it, Ursula! he urged, mentally. The tip of the bow shifted several times, desperate to take a fraction of the shot... but not before he realized what he was happening. For a fraction his eyes widened, and not an instant after Jonathan said the word and the woman fell did the bolt lance out, catching him hard in the shoulder. Now Alen was boiling with rage. So why had he missed? The answer to that came in the form of a series of quick strides. In a swift movement he had tugged at his sleeve to reveal a slender throwing blade--that was launched in Jonathan's direction a hair afterwards. if that wasn't enough, the man's stiletto was out in another. By then he had closed the distance, wrenched was what was left of Jonathan up and struck hard into the man's chest, mechanical ,cold eyed. Given no resistance, he'd do it several other times, all without mercy, without any clever quips or words. Jonathan would just die, as far as Alen was concerned, quick as possible so he could better address Ursula. All the while his mind raced. Damn it. the man's voice had trigged every bad thing that could have happened, and now this!? Meanwhile, Vance would release Marke on the osund of struggle from the room over, forgetting about him near instantly and rushing to the front room--let Marke strike him from behind for all he cared. His master's voice followed shortly after. "Vance! Vance! Get in here, now!"

Marke: He heard her voice.. screaming no... and then and anguished sound of pain, without thought of himself he push Vance away in a herculean effort and barreled into the front room where all hell had broken loose.. nothing stopped him, he could care less of the bloodbath that was going on with Alen and Jonathan.. and fell to Ursula's side... " God no... no... " he whispered as he gathered her into his arms.. holding her as gently as a child, this lover of his... " Ursula... shhhhhh" he rocked her gently glaring up at the two fools that were left... " Go get help a physician " already his fingers worked over her bodice pulling it apart to reveal the thin shift below, that two was ripped so the wound could be surmised... and pieces of the shift placed against the flowing blood to staunch it " What kind of idiocy was happening here.. this is your doing " he glared at Alen...! of course having no direct knowledge of who he was , just going off emotion and finding the nearest scapegoat to pin it on!

Ursula:"Gah!" The pained expression left Jonathan's lips as the bolt hit his shoulder, whirling him around on the spot and finding the throwing dagger peircing the other shoulder. His mouth hung open in anguished shock but no sounds left his lips as the man advanced upon him. No animal or human could mimic the sounds from Jonathan's lips as the blade wrenched within his chest several times ripping flesh, destroying any chance of survival. His arms clung against his attacker, death washed over the pains face, painting it a cold shade of white as his grip lacked and with no support, he fell to the ground as much as a child dropping a doll upon the ground. Movements seemed to blurr in Ursula's eyes, to fast to ascertain what was happening but time slowed as the blade plunged into Jonathan's chest and ceased to move more then a crawl as it was drawn out and repeated over and over again. It was not until she felt the warmth of Marke's arms that time seemed to speed back into place. "Marke.." She let out a groan and clung against his arm before urging her body upward "It's ok..it's ok...release me..."but he was all ready pulling the ripped material of her dress apart, there he would find a bag, broken and oozing what appeared to be real blood that now coated her gown, underneath that, padding but the blade had been longer then she anticipated and a small gash oozed her own blood, her real blood down her side and over her stomach. Not a mortal wound no doubt but one that would require a few stitches. Jonathan gurgled from the floor, the dagger dropping from his hand as he reached for Ursula. Pushing against Marke, she dislodged herself from him, pressing one hand against her side as she inched and slid across the floor. It seemed as if she were reaching for Jonathan but at the last moment, she took up the dagger, loosened her hand from her wound as she reached for his shirt and plunged the dagger into his chest, yanked it out and plunged it into his groin. "How's that for you...baby.."She hissed, cold and as unforgiving as he had been, her words had never been anything but a purr, a constant seduction for anyone who had known her, now they were ice. Blood coated the mans throat so that when the dagger plunged into his chest again, by Ursula hand, blood spit from his mouth, a droplet landing upon her cheek which flinched with the smile of satisfaction that pulled at her lips as he finally slumped and stared with unseeing eyes. Another groan left her lips as she slid back from the body as blood began to pool the ground, her hand moving to press against her wound once more.

Alendral: The man only stared, cold, at Marke's accusing tone. one more disgusted face, angry words to be met with his work. Truth be told, with what the man was cradling, he had a hard time arguing. God, no. not over something so trivial ... "Vance... the supplies. " to which Vance only nodded--but both of them stopped short when Ursula miraculously rose from the dead, as it were, and revealed the depth of her act. Alen's eyes widened, honest to god shock crossing his expression, while his associate only looked stricken for a moment, before narrowing them and muttering something that rhymed with 'Cupid stitch' intent on following orders. he stalked off then, while Alen watched the woman's final revenge, drawing quietly to her side, the mentor standing by the student as she dealt with a painful part of her life. He remained in silence, watching him grow cold together before, after a long moment, turned to look to the woman, his expression veiled, layered in meaning--disapproval? Concern? relief. He smiled, and, his voice strangely light he said. "You... witch! you didn't tell me that was part of your plan. I honestly thought... " he leaned over and, mindful of the injury, embraced the woman, laughing with strained relief, the terror of losing his pupil so foolishly wiped away, however briefly, before pulling away, his eyes trailing back to the man that in some ways was the center of this, growing more inscrutable. Things have just become a great deal more complicated. as it happened, Alen was capable of handling minor injuries--leftover legacy from Lady ST. Laurence's teachings, and he'd motion to the chair with his head before stepping away to gather up some supplies to tend to the wound, carefully hiding the racing mind within, to what he was going to do now that Marke had seen him.

Marke: "what the bloody hell " seemed to be the question of the night, when his hand tossed out the bladder of stage blood, and found the true wound he breathed a bit easier seeing it was only a flesh wound, though his heart still pounded away like a hammer, still filled with adrenline and the dread of loosing her... loosing her... the thought was like a slap in the face as she crawled away exacting her revenge on the already hellbound Jonathan . Impassively he watched, pulling his coat from his shoulders and tossing it toward Ursula and the man that she seemed so... intimate with, laughing over the dead man, with what appeared some kindred spirit.. it galled him pushed every button he had " Cover yourself, if I were you I'd have your hirelings get rid of the body, " his tone was cold and remote... " You said trust you... guess that didn't work both ways " he glared at Alen and Vance whom he considered her hired hands " If you were in trouble... I could have hire someone to do the job right, and not risk your pretty neck... " he growled stalking by them... and out the back door whence he came.. a few moments later the sound of his horse would fade out... Marke was pissed...

Ursula:She watched, every second life ebbed away from Jonathan's eyes until he was no longer looking at this life. Slowly chocolate eyes turned to Alen then to Marke, to Vance and finally back to Alen. There was no more pain in her face which had long been hidden beneath, her revenge complete..how could she explain the feeling within her? Not regret, no she would never feel regret for what happened tonight, relief yes and a sense of..there really was no words. Her chin dipped, seemingly submissive to the look in Alen's face, he looked like he wanted to kill her and hug her at the same time. As he slid down to hug her, she let out a laugh as her arm moved about his shoulder, hugging him in return before he pulled away. "Wasn't until this morning I realized..he had not told me of any plans for us..I didn't have time to tell you..only prepare..but don't you mean bytch?" Was she teasing at a time like this? Damn straight and for a moment her eyes slid to Vance, of yes she could rhyme very well. The coat was tossed at her and her head jerked around to Marke as she pulled it around her shoulders. "Marke wait...you don't understand.."She started and then stopped as she stalked past them and out of sight"Marke!" She called only to be meet with the sound of a horse taking off into the night. She let out a groan as she pulled herself up and moved to the chair Alen had ushered her to. Chocolate eyes moved from the door over to her mentor. Yes she knew exactly what he was thinking for they had discussed it skant days before. "I told him not to come here.." she uttered in Marke's defense. Yes, partly she was begging Alen not to 'get rid' of Marke in the way they took care of the problem formally known as Jonathan. She hissed as she shifted within the chair, unable to see the wound past her damnable breasts. "Ug, I didn't judge the knife's longevity to well..."she was talking to keep her mind on her thundering heart...what had she just done to Marke? Her fingers tightened upon the jacket, her head turned as she pressed her face against it as she let out a heavy sigh.

Alendral: "Vance. track him. at the first sign he goes to any guard or anyone about this...." "I know, boss." he tossed the bag of supplies. "No. You don't. bring him to the Order hall immediately. We carry the authority of the Duchess itself, if necessary. "Boss, he's already seen us, do you really want--?" "Do what I order, Vance." "...Rrgh. as you wish, my lord." and Vance was off mere moments later. he had a horse not too far away. Meanwhile Alen would take to the supplies and move to sit on the arm beside the arm of the chair. "You're breathing, I'd say you judged it well enough. Come on, let me take a look." even small wounds would be dangerous if not tended to properly. Last thing he'd need would be the woman dying of infection a few weeks after the fact. Marke's viewing of the scene would.. complicate matters, immensely. Truth be told, Alen wasn't sure how he was going to handle it. he'd have to play it all by ear, but he passed his apprentice a reassuring look regardless. and Vance? well Vance knew his way around tracking a person. He'd find Marke shortly enough.

Ursula: Chocolate hues slid between Alen and Vance, she was ready to jump up when Vance said he got it but Alen urged and Ursula relaxed, certain at this point that Alen wasn't going to kill him. "He won't go to anyone you know, he is to proud.."She uttered as she shifted again within the chair, shrugged the coat to the back of the chair as she turned her side towards him, padding and bladder of stage blood cupping the wound like a tunnel, well not a lot would be left to his imagination at this point as the cloth needed to be ripped open to reach the wound. "I scared you?"A grin tugged at her lips then died as quickly as it had come. "I'm sorry, I would of told you had there been time..What will be done about the body?" She wouldn't even spare the thing a look, Jonathan was dead..gone and she wasn't going to linger on it any longer.

Alendral: "Dumped away. Brigands in the area, you know? it won't be missed, or even searched for. Burial's too good for the bastard. Let the wolves pick his bones." he replied, devoid of emotion. Despite the added treat of getting a look at Ursula 'in the flesh', he was decidedly clinical about his evaluation, sighing lightly again as he withdrew a canteen of fresh water and a clean cloth. "This is going to be a bit unpleasant, by the way, so apologies in advance. " as he went cleaning up the area around the wound, hoping that at least the cold contact would make the second part a little less unbearable--with luck, she wouldn't even have a scar. "Frightened me? You scared me half to death Ursula. I haven't thought I blew it that bad since I was a noviate." he smiled sincerely. "At this point perhaps Ursula, I should realize that you are just full of surprises. You were a step ahead of me this time. With you down, all worries of treachery were over".

Ursula:"Sounds good enough for me.." She wasn't going to argue over burying Jonathan. No he did not deserve it and she didn't believe in heaven or hell, so it rather worked out. She flinched with the cold contact before relaxing, jerking only once or twice as he cleaned about the wound. "Hmm.."she mused in a hum as a grin curled her lips. "You didn't blow it at all."An honest laugh left her lips before she winced as it pulled at her side. Her hand lifted touching at her forehead, keeping her focus elsewhere for the time being, touching somewhere else to forget the other. "Sooner or later Alen, I will cease to surprise you and I suspect it will be a good long while before I am a step ahead of you again. Well..in honesty, you got to see a little of my past tonight, not just Jonathan but acting..quite a good reaction when I was 'stabbed'." Her lips curled into a grin as she swung a gaze in his direction before turning her head again to gaze out the window, better not to watch and besides, her thoughts were all ready slipping back to Marke. The idiot! She told him not to come and yet she was completely at fault here. "What will you do about Marke?" She honestly wanted to know. She knew Alen wouldn't kill him, not unless it was absolutely the only way but she knew Marke better then Alen and better then Vance would ever dig up information on him.

Alendral: "Ensure that the man knows the danger revealing what he saw tonight will mean to the country... to you. If that doesn't work, than his private life will become public, and the man will find his fortunes reversed. His status in Skye will disappear, and any prospects the man may have will dry up. It's distressingly easy to pressure Nobility into keeping their mouth shut. " he sighed lightly again. "But I suspect merely warning him of the danger present to you will be enough, judging by his reaction to you. I am sorry, for what its worth." Though only to a point, naturally. It was Ursula's wish to be part of this, Ursula who put her faith on Marke not showing up, but he knew what she would feel. with a sigh he'd stand up again, disappearing to reappear with a candle, a bit of an impish grin on his face. A sudden way of enhancing the mood? Hardly. he'd set it down next to her and withdraw a thin needle and thread. the much less pleasant part. his hands brushed along the edges of wounded flesh, and their would be a series of brief, sharp sensations. "Easy now... easy..."

Ursula:"I suspect he won't want to see me for a few days..so when you talk to him, no games. He hates games, he hates masks, can read them fairly easy at times." Her eyes moved from left to right over the window, watching really Alen's reflection within it. "He may be a noble Clansman, but he's...bored with it and everything that comes with it, not to say he wants to loose it, don't threaten him harshly Alen, make it seem..how do I put this, well put it truthfully, all on the table of what would happen if he said anything about what happened tonight. He'll respect your honesty, though I'm sure it won't show that way." Her lips jerked in a small smile. "Don't be..sorry..not your fault, not really mine but something was bound to happen, the inevitable right?" She watched as he moved to collect the candle. A delicate brow arched in wonder at the look on his face. "If I could draw, I would capture that look on your face, others might not believe I saw it!" She teased before he settled in beside her again. A sharp hiss sounded as she sucked in a breath, jerking as the needle punched through. "Mmm, that'll wake you up in the morning!" She spoke as she let the breath out in a slow release, willing herself to be still and bear it.