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Post by Erika Widowmaker on Apr 17, 2015 18:00:43 GMT
Erika Widowmaker went to the hologram room, having her EGO download her memories of the Irathiant fishing village by the Gulf of Mexico where her children were born, then played it. She smelled the salt air and felt the sea breeze, feeling also the heat of an afternoon sun on a clear summer day. Erika took off her combat boots and rolled up the pant legs of her fatigues, wiggling her clay red toes in the warm sand before walking into the surf and the cool water of the waves. Erika had just sat down, watching sea gulls as they circled above the fishing boats on the water's horizon when she heard a knock on the door, whereupon she yelled, "Come in!" Lady came in, looking around, then asking, "Want company?" Erika could tell from her own experience raising children that it was really Lady who craved company, so she smiled and said, "Sure little one. Come sit by me." Lady did so, and it wasn't long before she leaned her head on Erika's broad shoulder as they watched the sun set over the green waters. Lady's pink eyes grew wide at the sight, as she exclaimed, "Awesome! Thanks for sharing." Sandy appeared in living color on the other side of Lady, and Lady shifted her head to Sandy's shoulder. Sandy too smelled the salt air and felt the sea breeze, but for her it was the first time in a very long time. Sandy's blue eyes grew big at the sudden flood of sensations and a huge grin crossed her pretty face as she reveled in the feel of being a real live girl.  |
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Post by Belle Starr on Apr 17, 2015 18:46:07 GMT
"Don't leave! Please don't leave Volo," Said Belle to Volodja. Volodja turned on his heel, and seeing the pleading look in her big blue eyes, stopped as she continued, "Please sit next to me, just for company, and maybe a little conversation," As she patted the bed next to her. Volodja sat on the edge of the bed next to her, but at a respectful distance, and asked, "What would you like to talk about Tinkerbelle?" "He is quite handsome, and you know you are attracted to him," Said Alfred, her EGO's psyche and mad scientist father, to Belle through their telepathic link, "It's clear he lusts after you too, so just take him and be done with it. Fastest way to get over a past love affair is to start another right away, I say!" "Shut up Daddy," Thought Belle to her EGO, "Vo wasn't a love affair, he was my one true love, my Prince Charming, once in a lifetime soul mate, and can never be replaced, and that's that!" So Belle spoke to Volodja about Vo and her, telling him tales of their relationship, comparing it to Shakespere's Romeo and Juliet, which then led into a general discussion of romantic literature dating back to Tristan and Isolde. Volodja listening, prompting her if she became hesitant to continue, and as she talked her mood brightened and a smile returned to her pretty face as time flew by for both of them. After awhile, Belle realized how late it had gotten, her blue diamond eyes growing larger and her rose petal lips forming a perfect "O" as she then said, "Oh my God, it's so late! I didn't mean to take so much of your time!" She leaped out of bed, grabbing his arm in hers and escorting his to the front door of her quarters, saying with a grateful smile, "I don't want people getting the wrong idea, but you don't know how much this meant to me, just to talk and stuff!" Belle kissed Volodja on the cheek, opening the door for him to leave, and as he did so, she said, "Thanks Volo! You're the best friend a gal like me could ever have!" But as Belle closed the door, she quickly dismissed the fleeting thought that he could be something more. _by_Frank_Dicksee.png) |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 17, 2015 18:59:58 GMT
Volodja was really glad that he stayed with Belle to keep her company. She had a chance to clean her soul and ease pain in her poor aching heart and Volodja gained lot of things from that night. Really interesting conversation which exited his mind, company of wonderful girl and a kiss on his cheek, although something in his mind said that he would preferred one to his lips, but he hushed that thought away. He has done something good and should never expect anything for that. At last more than he already had. That should be enough for a humble knight-errand. So he smiled and marched into canteen, where he had double brandy to chase away any remaining memories about Wolfram's booze.
And then he thought about Europe...maybe he could sneak into holo room in some peaceful moment and have a trip...Italy would be nice...or French Riviera. And maybe Wolfram, although he escaped his past, feels homesick and would accept his proposal to join. Especially, when Wolfram remembered times before Pale Wars, when he was idealist young man, his eye were suddenly brighter. Maybe it will help him to come out from his shell? It was worth of trying. As long as Wolfram won't bring his booze along, they should be fine. At least Volodja intended to drink only wine.
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Post by Lady Christianna on Apr 17, 2015 19:14:53 GMT
As Lady, Erika, and Sandy enjoyed the simulated sunset in the hologram room, Lady suddenly sat up straight, a pout on her thin white lips as she asked, "You think I can be a good mom? Atticus worries he won't be a good dad, but I know he will. Me... not so sure of." Both Erika and Sandy were taken by surprise, not only by the question but by the sheer amount of words used by the usually terse Lady. Sandy wasn't sure how to answer, never having been a mother herself, but Erika was quick to answer. Erika smiled, unusual in itself for her, then put her long arm around Lady's slight shoulders and replied without hesitation, "You will be a wonderful mother little one!" Lady looked at Erika, a worried look in her wide pink eyes, saying, "Don't know if you noticed, I'm a little selfish." Erika smile grew wider as she answered, "You forget Lady, you are not in this alone. You have us, your family, to help you through it all. One of the humans said it takes village to raise a child, although it could well have been said by an Irathient. We, your friends and team mates, are your village, little one." Lady smiled her Mona Lisa smile again, then laid her small head once again on Erika's broad shoulder as all three women watched the beauty of the simulated sunset.  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Apr 18, 2015 4:11:10 GMT
Sitting at my desk in the War room after we got back with my helm resting on the corner but as always my signature blue mask on, I am going through the usual security reports, when Kaj walks in and talks to me.
"Captain I am late for a date but figured I should come talk to you personally about the day's issues. Also as you can see, your packages arrived and are there on your desk for you."
Without looking I respond in a distracted tone. "Thank you. Now what is it Leiutenant?"
"Private Yolinsky is not talking. He said he will not talk to anybody in security because we are all gun junkies, that would happily shoot him if we disagree with him. He also refuses to talk to the "Harbinger". The way he sees it you will do one of two things. Promote him or kill him."
That gets my attention and I look up slightly amused. "So what is he afraid of? The promotion or the death?"
Kaj says, "Honestly sir, I think the idea of a promotion in security scares him the most, but either way he will not talk to you or me about why he was not at his post. Given his responses however, I have come to the conclussion that he does not belong in security though. Perhaps he should not even be near a weapon."
Still amussed I say, "Leuitenant the funny thing is that when he came here to be security it was at his request. It's possible that he saw it as a good way to get a new life away from his old life. I do suspect as much since most Indogen prefer science over security. However he scored well with firearms training and passed all psych tests, so I went ahead and hired him as security. Anyway he won't talk to either of us. So who will he talk to?"
Kaj says, "I asked him that and he gave me four names of people that he is willing to talk to. Miss Widowmaker, Miss Starr, Doctor Orion, or Mr. Uljanov."
I chuckle, "Well that is an interesting list of people that he is willing to talk to. I suppose you want me to decide, but I will not make it that easy for you. As I am sure everyone noticed, lots of things changed today. Taffer is gone. Miss Starr is back but not sure she is ready for another command responsibility. Miss Widowmaker doesn't want more responsibility than she has with her current position. We still have to figure out what to do with our VBI guests as well. Then there is the fact that Taffer's abrupt departure leaves us with out a Commander. So all the other officers feel that I should be in command. The only one I haven't heard from is my successor as Chief of Security."
Kaj looks at me stunned and confused, "Sir?! You do not mean me?!"
"Who else would I mean? You are second in command of Security and handle it when I am away which has been atleast 90% of the time since you came here, so you basically run it anyway. So what do you say? Do you think people, not just Security, will willingly follow the "Harbinger's" orders? And will you accept the promotion to Chief Security Officer?"
Kaj fumbles for his words for a few seconds, looking like a little kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Quite the interesting reaction to see on a big and well-controlled individual, and especially a Bioman, to say the least. Then he finally finds his words. "Yes sir. You will make a great Commander and I am sure most here will be perfectly fine with you in command. As for taking the promotion to your old position, I would be honored to be the new Security Chief, and will continue to give you my support. But who should we have talk to Private Yolinsky and what do we do about his job, if it is decided he was only direlect of duty, but allowed to stay here and work with us?"
I glance back down at my paperwork and say, "It is quite simple from where I sit. You are the new Security Chief so you get to decide who will talk to him. That said, I would honestly just talk to Volodja about it, if i were you. He is the counsellor here and he was instrumental in getting Yolinsky to surrender in the first place, so he may have some insight to that. However it will keep until morning. Have security remove all weapons from Yolinsky's quarters, if they haven't yet. Then as a show of good fate allow him the freedom to enjoy the base ammenities and his own quarters, on the condition that he is willing to be accompanied by the armed guard of your choice whenever he leaves his quarters. As for his position here, if he is only found derelict of his duty out of incompetence as a security officer. That is also simple from my chair, and in this instance from your position. Here is the paper to fill out requesting that Yolinsky be dismissed as security (pending outcome of his interview of today's events) and be considered for a job he is better capable of doing. Fill it out now. Then put it on Erika Widowmaker's desk. As Director of Administrative "stuff" finding a better job for him or letting him go completely is her job. Then enjoy your date with whoever the lucky individual is."
Kaj smiles and says, "Yes sir. I will do just that and thank you for the promotion, Captain."
I respond with a nod then say, "Kaj you are now a command officer, official as of...well 5 minutes before you came through the door. So go ahead and call me Atticus."
KAj smiles and says, "It will be my pleasure Atticus. Goodnight."
Kaj Oenfer, the huge purple Bioman, fills out the paperwork and agrees to talk to Volo in the morning about Private Yolinsky. Then he contacts a security guard and releases Yolinsky into his custody as I suggested. Then Kaj goes to his quarters and quickly freshens up, before he finally joins Officer Lena Marr in the mess for their date.
After he is gone, I look at Ms. Mac Guyver who is still in the War Room. "Dak Chloe, I hate paperwork. I think I can handle everything but this blasted paperwork is annoying. I know you already have a job, but I will just through this out there. The position as my paperwork shuffler is available if you want it. I am serious, even though I know you prefer your current possition. Anyway you are dismissed for the night, so go enjoy yourself."
After she leaves I continue doing my "inherited" and endless paperwork, but hoping Lady is having fun with Erika in the Holo-training room since that is where the sensors say that she is. While I am focused on my paperwork, my pesky little sister EGO secretly sends Belle a music video to tell her what I couldn't despite my lecures on the waterfront earlier.
I quickly lose track of time, as I try to get acquainted with my new position here and get caught up on some paperwork, as Dinara plays several songs over the War Room speakers. None of the night shift seem to care, other than the fact that they are not used to music playing in the War Room.
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Post by Erika Widowmaker on Apr 18, 2015 6:04:11 GMT
As the virtual sun set, Erika sighed, saying to Lady and Sandy, "Time for my shift. Chloe is probably wondering if I'm ever going to come back."
Sandy sighed too saying, "Time for me to get back to work too. I want to do a diagnostic and check my results against Dr.Orion's and Haele's data."
With that, Sandy disappeared back into Lady's EGO implant, and Erika and Lady walked slowly to the War Room, only stopping at the informatory to check on Erika's children, but finding no change there. As Erika relieved Chloe of duty, going through the day's reports and keeping her mind busy with routine, Lady slipped behind a sitting Atticus, putting her thin white arms around his neck from behind, as she gave him a loving squeeze and confident that his EGO would warn him that it was her behind him.
"Time to go to bed," Exclaimed Lady with an enigmatic smile, "Big day tomorrow."
With that said, Lady took Atticus big hand in her small one, and led him back to the quarters they shared, which was right next to the one Vo and Belle used to share. As they were about to enter their quarters, they heard a blood curdling scream from the room next door. Pushing Lay into their quarters and telling her to stay put, then locking her in, Atticus used his security code to enter Belle's quarters. The living room was dark and empty, but when he entered Belle's bedroom, he found the room in a blue light, emanating from a blue transparent nimbus surrounding Belle in her oversized night shirt as she writhed in pain although apparently asleep, floating four feet above the red satin sheets of her four post bed.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Apr 18, 2015 7:06:02 GMT
Entering the room I see a floating belle in a glowing blue transparent nimbus cloud. I say outloud. "Interesting. Belle can you hear me?"
Silence. As I approach her slowly, I can sense and feel the electrical sparks emenating from the cloud. So I mentally talk to Kakusi, my Grid symbiote. "Kakusi can you feel that? Any ideas?"
Kakusi responds in his deep slow tone, "Yes Fleshling. I feel the power coming from both her and the cloud. Lots of power! Enough to fry another, but thanks to you being half Grid you should survive touching it, though it may hurt some. Be careful though, I sense an awakening Volge! I say kill it before it awakens!!!"
I respond with, "We are NOT killing her!"
He counters with, "She brought you into the team to do just that! You are going soft, Fleshling! I blame that youngling of yours!"
I snap back, "Shut it Kakusi Skragi!"
He snaps back, "You know damn well, the name IS: Sazri Kakusi! But fine let her live. As you get closer I get the feeling that nimbus is restraining her anyway. Pity, that's BOOORING! Perhaps the human fleshling's sub-conscious trying to fight the Wonderful killer Volge?"
I quit arguing with Kakusi as I reach out to touch the nimbus. I feel my hand burning as I push it through the cloud. I can see and smell some of my flesh burning as I finally push my hand into the inner-chamber of the cloud and gently touch Belle's cheek. Her eyes snap open and she looks at me. I can see the look of despair in her eyes as she says, "Atticus! I can't fight it much longer! Not sure I want to!"
Just then her eyes go red and she starts to transform. I pull my hand out of the cloud and draw my pistol, just in case. I watch the transformation carefully. When it is done the nimbus has expanded to stay around the Volge laying inside. The creature is wide awake and thrashing at the nimbus trying desperately to get out, but unable to.
I think for a second then decide I need help. Obviously Kakusi is right and the nimbus is Belle's subconscious fighting to keep control of the body and tame the beast. However I know from personal experience, it is much easier to surrender to the beast than it is to fight it. Given Belle's last words before the Volge awoke, I can't help but think that consciously she feels that she should surrender, even though her sub-conscious has other ideas. So the obvous one to help would be a counsellor. So the Fool it is, besides given where I put his new quarters, he just has to open his door to see Belle's door. Let us hope he is in quarters or thinks to blur to get here fast, if he isn't.
I quickly open an EGO to EGO conversation with Volodja that only takes a few seconds since it is basically a mental communication. "Volodja this is Atticus. I need you in Belle's chambers right away! Her Volge is awake! Belle's sub-conscious is fighting it and managed to encase it in a blue cloud using her body's natural electricities! quite a brilliant move actually! It is so strong that even with being half Grid it burned my skin pretty bad. So I would suggest nobody without Grid DNA touch it! However Belle's words right before the turn, make me think that consciously she is considering giving up even though her sub-conscious refuses! I can use my powers of electrical manipulation to keep the confinement active, but I must concentrate strictly on that once I start. So get here ASAP and be her dakking cricket again, so I can do so! Let's just hope Belle Starr is still listening despite Belle-Volge trying to get free to kill me!!!"
After I end the communication, I try talking to her Volge, while slowly absorbing some of the energies from the room's walls, so I can better focus on the confinement cloud when Volodja gets his dakking ass in here!
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 18, 2015 7:18:56 GMT
"Giant. You finally offering me an experience I could die for," replied Volodja "I have never seen Belle's Volge actually, because I have always been busy doing other tasks, so no way I am going to miss this hysterical, pardon, historical moment." And he blurred away from his place at canteen table, leaving half filled glass of brandy behind.
Getting behind Belle's door didn't took more than few moments. Volodja observed the situation and decided to act...He either succeeds or fails. In latter case it will be a result anyway. A negative one, but it will serve as a warning to others to not try that in home. So he stepped in and said:
"Giant. You will move yourself behind that door now and let me try to handle this one. You must think larger at moment - you are about to become father and head of much bigger family than you imagine - our team - so that makes you essential. In case I fail, I already delivered us a guy who will take over my job. And since I am natural born survivor, I have some chances of surviving our present situation too. No arguing, Giant. I am known for having subordination issues, so Ill pretend that I can not not hear your commands. It's Belle's fight and I am here to support her any way I can. Alfred the Lunatic thought in terms of control, not cooperation. Mad scientists or power hungry leaders always do that. That's where he went wrong creating a super soldier. But if anyone should be in control there, it must be Belle."
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Post by Atticus Batman on Apr 18, 2015 7:35:02 GMT
"That ignoring goes both ways. You ignore my commands. However it will definitely be your funeral if you touch the nimbus. Now I am going to stand near her head and use my energies to keep the confinement cloud active as long as I can, in hopes that Belle's subconscious wins with you motivating her, or doing nothing!"
I then holster my psitol, and step near her head and touch the cloud. My fingers once again burning very painfully, as I start chanelling my powers to help strengthen the cloud, to buy Belle more time to fight her Volge and gain her control.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 18, 2015 7:42:27 GMT
"Just make sure that you send me a nice bouquet, Giant," snapped Volodja. "And I want something classical played by a real orchestra. And a nice tombstone. But what ever you do, don't interfere now. Only afterwards." He was ready to begin. He thought about different Volge experiences, he heard about and decided to do....absolutely nothing. Reactions to Belle's Volge were divided in two main categories.
Stronger ones, facing her, tried to attack her or fight back. They were obviously predators. But fight results were unpredictable and Volodja was anything but the predator.
Weaklings like Volodja, tried to escape or distract and escape Volge's rage after distraction, like prey would do. But Volodja was too tired and dizzy for running and being scared. Besides - underneath that Volge was Belle, the girl,...they loved and cared about. Harming Volge, means harming her. And Volodja knew that Belle won't attack innocents and if she could she would stop Volge. But if he fails....then it won't matter anyway. At least for him.
That's why he grabbed Belle's unfinished Bourbon bottle and said calmly: "I see one lonely Volge here with me. Soon there will be only Volge left. As a last request, I ask only a chance to finish this Bourbon. After that I am fully at your disposal. Feel free to act as you like. I won't do anything to stop you." After saying that he raised the bottle and had a big gulp. If it's the last drink he ever will have, then he should be happy not to be drinking Wolfram's moonshine. Who was he kidding - actually that petrohol, Wolfram distilled, was not bad at all. Only too strong.
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Post by Lady Christianna on Apr 18, 2015 13:07:05 GMT
Lady Christianna had Sandy, her EGO's psyche, monitor the EGO chatter so intercepted Atticus's message to Volodja, then relayed to Erika Widowmaker in the War Room. "Volodja this is Atticus. I need you in Belle's chambers right away! Her Volge is awake! Belle's sub-conscious is fighting it and managed to encase it in a blue cloud using her body's natural electricities! quite a brilliant move actually! It is so strong that even with being half Grid it burned my skin pretty bad. So I would suggest nobody without Grid DNA touch it! However Belle's words right before the turn, make me think that consciously she is considering giving up even though her sub-conscious refuses! I can use my powers of electrical manipulation to keep the confinement active, but I must concentrate strictly on that once I start. So get here ASAP and be her dakking cricket again, so I can do so! Let's just hope Belle Starr is still listening despite Belle-Volge trying to get free to kill me!!!" "Dak it all!" Thought Erika, "Can't we have one night of rest?" But calmly ordered the night crew in the war room, "Okay, put the base on lockdown. Security, block the corridor leading to the officers quarters at both ends to keep everyone out. All personnel need to stay at their posts if on duty and in their quarters if off duty, locking themselves in where ever they are. Dr. Orion, please have medical personnel on call and ready to act if necessary." Erika knew that none of theses precautions would stop Belle if her Volge self went on a rampage, but it might prevent some casualties. She then looked at the blueprints of the team base, looking for any reinforced room that might contain a Volge finding only three: Atticus armory next to his room, the main armory, and a storage room near the cargo bay on the main floor, where Dark matter must have stored some type of hazardous material but which was empty and clean now. Erika had also thanked Lady for the information and asked her to stay put, which of course, Lady had no intention of doing. "This is a really, really bad idea," Said Sandy to Lady as Lady decoyed trough the wall and into the antechamber of Belle's quarters, adding then, "What the fuck are you doing?" "Looking for something," Lady said she made a beeline to the small vanity table in the corner of the room, looking for the small blue crystal compact Belle had shown her shortly after Vo had given it to her and which Lady had found in the room when she was being nosey earlier this week. It was still in the top drawer where she had seen it earlier, so she quickly retrieved it as she heard Volodja talking to Belle in the bedroom. "I see one lonely Volge here with me. Soon there will be only Volge left. As a last request, I ask only a chance to finish this Bourbon. After that I am fully at your disposal. Feel free to act as you like. I won't do anything to stop you." Lady rushed into the room with the compact in hand, taking in the scene with a single scan of the room with her wide pink eyes, then focusing on the struggling small war master in the blue nimbus cloud that was Belle. Lady ran up to the creature, staring into its red eyes, holding up the blue crystal compact up above her head with both delicate chalk white hands like a sacrificial offering to an angry god. "Think of what Vo would want," Said Lady in a small voice, tears falling from her pink eyes and travelling down her alabaster cheeks, matched only by those now falling from the Were-Volge's red eyes. The Were-Volge reached one huge clawed hand through the blue nimbus cloud, gently grabbing the small compact from Lady's outstretched hands, then holding it closely to its chest as it closed its red eyes and began the slow transformation back to Belle's human form. Blue scales retracted showing Belle's pale skin as blue spikes retracted and changed into her blond hair. Soon their was only Belle's normal attractive form, albeit naked, hovering four feet above the bed still encompassed by the blue nimbus cloud. Soon after that, the cloud itself dissipated and she slowly fell back into her bed, fast sleep like the sleeping beauty she was, but still clutching to her bosom the blue crystal compact gifted to her by Vo Kshaa, her dead Prince Charming.  |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 18, 2015 13:21:45 GMT
"Thank you Lady," said Volodja. "You saved the situation. Smart girl. And...(he looked time) its about midnight and I have already been in two sticky situations today and I had heavy drinking session with Wolfram. And if someone will drop an A bomb on us, then I will be at canteen and won't give a damn about that. I have still my brandy there and since I was not much of the help here, I better finish it off and then I will have some sleep, because I have busy day, if everything will go as I planned. But I am glad that everything went smoothly here and I finally met Belle's inner Volge. But I suggest rest of you to go to sleep as soon as possible. Tomorrow will be an important day, so it's time to wrap our presents for our birthday girl and do it when our heads are clear."
And Volodja sighed from relief, and moved towards the door. He merely avoided getting killed by his own curiosity. Now he needed that drink and then some rest. Tomorrow he will convince Wolfram to join him on his Euro trip. He got an idea already, where they will go.
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Post by Lady Christianna on Apr 18, 2015 13:36:03 GMT
Almost midnight! Lady Christianna pouted realizing that the next day was when she turned seventeen, saying, "Tired. Going to bed!" Which she then promptly did.
When Atticus final came into the bed they shared, she fairly leaped on him, as it was now past midnight, saying with a not so enigmatic smile as she pulled off his shirt, "Want my first present NOW!"
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Post by Atticus Batman on Apr 18, 2015 13:59:56 GMT
As Lady leaves, I say, "hey you are forgetting somebody!"
I quickly make sure Belle is alright, and hearing the security chatter in my helm`s comm, I notify Erika that all is fine for the night thanks to Lady`s quick thinking. Then I quickly go to my quarters, to be with the woman I love, still surprised at everthing that has changed in my life since I came to see Belle here just 2 and a half months ago.
As soon as I enter Lady says "Want my first present, NOW!" As she quickly pulled off my top.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Apr 18, 2015 14:03:25 GMT
Volodja sat in empty canteen finishing his off his brandy. Plans for today were made, but he felt way too tired to bother even to think about returning to his room. Besides - he won't be late to breakfast in the morning. He is there and ready to be served right away. So he put his arm to the table, lowered his head onto it and fell asleep. And he decided to watch some really colourful, lively and surreal dreams. Reality was crazy enough, so his dreams are logical continuation of his daily life and work, that's why he asked Sophie to play a suggestive track to stimulate his subconsciousness, before passing out.
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