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Post by Chase Lonehart on Aug 25, 2015 6:14:39 GMT
Iri lost trace of the time because she had been in the throes of pleasure. When she had awoken later, she found Chase still asleep beside her, and hen preceded with a sneak attack on Chase, carefully rolling out of bed, disrobing and removing her gloves, pulling the sheet that covered him and pulling his underwear down enough without waking him. She carefully slide next to him, slowly sliding up against his left side. The skin-on-skin contact felt excellent, especially after a month or so of not having it. She could feel a stirring deep within her, knowing that what was coming was gong to be good. With her left hand, she began to play with his limp organ, knowing that it would eventually become stiff in her hand. She began to kiss his neck, enjoying the feeling it brought her. When she opened her eyes, she could see him staring at her. Iri opened her mouth to say good morning, but Chase’s mouth took occupation of the area in front of her. No words had been spoken in that moment of time as they made love. No apologizes, no troubles, and nothing else but the two of them.
But now, Iri couldn’t even tell what time it was. They laid there in the bed, the sheet separating them as they laid close. The act helped her, as it took her mind off of the problem with the Omec drug and of the sadness she felt for Chase’s condition for a while, and it also helped bridge the gap that had occurred between them.
“What- What time is it?” Iri asked.
“Ten forty-three,” Chase replied with his eyes closed.
“Only three hours?” she asked as an exhausted smile cos her face. “I thought it was longer than that.”
Out of all the things she could be worried about, one reared its head at that moment. She needed to hear him say it.
“Have you been having an affair with Belle Starr?” she asked.
Chase looked at her with confusion crossing his face.
“What?” he asked. “Of course not! Why would you think of something like that?”
“Primarily because of the lack of sex we’ve had in the past month until now. I suspected that you were having an affair, and Belle Starr seemed like the likely candidate due to her physical attributes, and you’re admittance of having ungentleman like thoughts prior to your memory loss.”
She saw the look on his face, which was a combination of confusion and hurt.
“I wasn’t having sex with you because I knew that if we started, it’d be difficult for you to focus on anything else,” he explained. “Since you were so determined to try to fix me, I chose to hold off so that you could focus. Not to mention, I didn’t want to be a constant reminder of failure.”
Iri was silent. This was the most that Chase had opened up to her in the past month. She never took into account that he was considering her wants and needs by not giving into the urges that, indeed, would have distracted her. She would admit, she misjudged the situation and went with the foolish thought that he was cheating on her.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized to her. “I keep thinking of you as a typical human male, often driven by his own desires. I forgetting that you’re my human male, and you desire me.”
“I LOVE you, Iri,” Chase told her. “Love, first and foremost.”
“And where does desire rank on your list?”
“Third, right behind caring about you, which is second.”
She couldn’t resist chuckling for a moment.
“Two out of three ain’t bad,” she told him. “Speaking of Belle, how did she take being told about your permanent memory loss?”
“I didn’t tell her,” he told Iri.
She shot a glance at Chase, not believing he didn’t tell her. Chase must have noticed the look on her face at that moment.
“I felt you should be the first to know,” Chase explained. “You deserved to know first.”
Iri took a moment to think about his response. He was right about telling her first. She couldn’t imagine what it’d feel like to be the last to know the truth. There was always the likelihood he could have not told her at all, to give her false hope.
“You’re right. I’m sorry I reacted like that. Are you going to tell her?”
“Yeah,” Chase replied. “Her and the rest of them. As soon as I can feel my legs.”
“Was I really that rough?”
“Yeah. Next time, I swear I won’t make you wait a month. I promise.”
“Don’t promise. You never know.”
She touched his pinky finger with her, as her fingers and hands were the less sensitive to skin-on-skin contact. It was the only intimate contact she could offer without another surge of desire being stirred.
“I love you, too,” she told him. “I’m sorry for trying to make you something you can never be again.”
He turned his head to look at her moment.
“Don’t be sorry,” he told her. “I’m limitless now.”
His statement confused her for a moment, until he ran the back of his fingers from her forehead slowly towards the side of her head, stirring her desires once more.
“I thought you needed a moment,” her statement escaping her throat along with a moan.
He pushed himself over to her, leaning on his elbow.
“This is all about you,” he said as he leaned in and kissed her slowly and tenderly.
Her senses were all on edge as he continued to kiss her, eventually the kissing slowly going down her neck, the canyon between her breast and over the plains of her stomach. She was ecstasy, and it was him allowing her the honor. She could feel him slowly kissing the inside of her legs, switching between the left and right with each kiss, starting from her knees and working closer to the center. The pleasure was cascading within her, almost to the point that it threatened to make her black out.
But before she succumbed to it once more, there was one thought that crossed her mind: He is definitely my human.
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Post by Lena Marr on Aug 25, 2015 7:42:35 GMT
Lady Christianna stood up signifying the end of negotiations, then moved and stood by the door, the teenager folding her thin arms as she leaned against the wall next to it, asking with an enigmatic smile again on her pretty war painted face, "Questions?"
"None at the moment!" Replied Lena still sitting nude in the bed not even making an attempt at ccovering up for the guests. "We'll get rid of the car for you!"
Micor Newlo and Marcel Lestrange dickered over the amount, but seemed to come to agreement both as to a montly retainer and a price on the current job. Then Lady, Micor, and the entourage of Inquisitors left in the two red Durangos, leacving Taffer's Silver Challenger parked outside the Diabolical Duo's shack.
As Lena removed a Wolfhound pistol from under the covers where she had secreted it, putting the safety back on and placing it on the nightstand, she exclaimed, "That girl is rat-ass crazy! Wonder what happened to her? Never mind, it doesn't matter as long as we can make some scrip off it. Hey Lover, what do you want to do with Taffer's car? What do you want to do with the information about Lady? I bet the do-gooders at Fortress Kshaa will pay a pretty penny for both!"
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Aug 25, 2015 7:56:06 GMT
"I believe that you have valid point, my love. They did not left the car by accident. If they want to get rid of it then we do not need it either so why not resell it back to original owner. Besides - do gooders are probably worried about their Lady so we should help them and they will pay us for the trouble. You truly are smart and sexy, my love. Come to Daddy." And Marcel reached for Lena, pulled her on top of him, adjusted his manhood and let her slid down the pole so she could ride him some more before another day in the office begins.
_____________________
Volodja Uljanov wandered aimlessly on the streets of Philadelphia. Sorry - he was still in Red Deer, but did it matter actually. Man can be lost everywhere. Man can be lonely everywhere. Man can be desperate everywhere. In that condition all places will look the same to you.
There were people laughing but Volodja was crying inside. There were people holding hands. Volodja was empty handed. There were children playing. Volodja's inner child was grounded forever. He was a stranger. Nobody seemed to want and need him any more once his job was done. He lost his purpose and now he could take the rest of the day off although he had nothing to do than walk on endless web of the streets until he meets the lurking spider. Actually he could save himself from the trouble of walking around. Cities are like big spider webs and the spiders at the same time and before you see, they suck you dry and spit out what's left from you.
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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Aug 25, 2015 10:36:00 GMT
"Porca Madonna!" yelled Tommasino. Italians use it when they are very angry or feel hard pain. Since Tommasino wasn't feeling any aches, it had to be the first one. "Is there anything, ANYTHING, I can do?"
"Unfortunately not, herr Tommasino. All we can do is sit and wait until he returns. But if he is not then...I just don't know. I guess that I am going to miss that idealist. As long as I know there isn't any regular transportation systems left and even if I could steal a plane, I am not able to pilot it. I have enough trouble with cars. And I have my duties to fulfil."
"Understandable. I can't fly there either. I could find a plane but I can't leave the vicinity. I am a working guy too."
"Then poor Volodja is screwed," concluded Wolfram. "It was nice to meet you, herr Tommasino. I better start driving back. It takes some time..."
"I will drive you back. I insist. You brought me a really special gift today so it's my duty. My usually no good staff can follow us in my car and drive me back after that. Andiamo, Wolfram!" And Tommasino dragged reluctant psychiatrist to Volodja's car and pushed him into it. Inside Wolfram felt even relieved because he didn't had to drive back himself. Tommasino was a driving virtuoso and covered mileage between the Fork and fortress relatively quickly. He stopped the car at the gates and got out. Rest was up to Wolfram.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Aug 25, 2015 10:47:14 GMT
As the team copter landed on our Rooftop helipad, I just stood there at attention with Corporal Lebeau and a small medical team near the entrance in case they are needed. Belle and Vo were the first off the copter and Belle ran over to me and hugged me and I just continued to stand there like an imposing wall, trying to show that I am still at the top of my game as the unrelenting and unwavering force that I am known for being, as she started to talk to me.
"I'm so sorry this happened while we all were gone and you had to cope with this without your friends!" Exclaimed Belle, reluctant to end the hug, "Just know we all will do everything to get them back as soon as possible! I have no doubt Lady loves you, and I'm a betting that it's another of the Mistress of Judgment's shenanigans! Erika especially is too level headed to just up and go without telling y'all were she was going! I bet they are all brainwashed or something! If not brainwashing, it's some horrible mistake, but we'll get it all sorted out! Together! Promise!"
When Belle then hugged me tightly again, I relented and hugged her back slightly, but still tried to look impassive and at least somewhat unaffected by my emotional trauma, while also wishing at that moment that I was still as invulnerable to emotion as I once was; for it still hurt so much not knowing exactly why my wife left, where she currently was or why she was jamming my communications with her. Right after Belle Starr had finished hugging me and I reluctantly let go, hoping nobody saw just how reluctant I was, Sandy Bell walked nervously up to me.
"Um... Commander Batman, sir... I don't know you very well, but as Lady's EGO psyche I was in a position for a good while to really get to know her mind," Said Sandy with conviction, "I don't know what's going on in there at this second, but something must be very, very wrong there if she left you voluntarily! There was always an overwhelming thought topmost in Lady's mind when I was there, and that was how much she loves you, and I can't think of anything in heaven or hell that would shake that thought in her! You were the first thing she thought of in the morning when she woke up, and the last thing she thought of when she fell asleep. Lady had a lot of doubts in her mind about herself, mostly about self worth, but two things she never doubted: You and your love together. I would have given my fucking eyeteeth to share the kind of love you two have. Um... well... just thought you should know... anything I can do to help... just let me know..."
I looked at Sandy as I said, "She NEVER doubted ME or our love?! Well at least one of us always had fate in both me and us. I was absolutely certain I would somehow dak it up, and despite Wolfram's insights and fatherly advice, I am still not completely sure it's not my fault. Besides I am not sure what good that is now anyway. She is jamming all of our communications and efforts to locate her, even my private ones. However it is still reassuring to hear, so thank you Sandy. That is appreciated. As for your offer to help, I do appreciate it as well. However, first we need to find her.
I do hope that offer means that you have decided to stay, now that you have been on two missions with us, since you got your body back, and are offering to help me, well all of us, on a more personal one. I know if Lady were still talking to us, she would love it, if you did stay. If you prefer to continue calling me Commander or Commander Batman while you are on duty then that is your choice. However I think that you do know enough private and personal stuff about me, as Lady's former EGO, that you can call me Atticus if you want."
After Sandy and I finished our quick conversation, Sandy turned around and headed inside to her quarters in Fortress K'shaa, nodding at Corporal Lebeau in acknowledgement as she walked by him. I then turned all my attention back to Belle and responded with, "I am as well Belle, but I was not completely alone. Chris and Lebeau handled command while I was in the infirmary. Zork and Jose are helping me out with some personal matters. The holo-therapist, Di, taught Wolfram and me how to change diapers, after Cosmin gave me an extremely unwanted shower. Then Wolfram kept me company until I was ready to go back to work and we had a very long talk and....I think for the first time, I may actually know what it is like to have a father.... Anyways, thanks to him I am back in command. Since Erika is gone and I don't see my friend Volodja with you, I suppose that means the triumvirate is over at least for now? So that would completely make me Commander once again. That is good. I have gotten to like it and this time I am ready for it. So first things first..."
I then stepped back and addressed everyone still on the roof, "Welcome back team. Nice to see a vehicle I am very familiar with. However I am sorry to see that Volodja did not return. So I do hope he is alive. If he is, then I have no worries there. He is a very resourceful survivor and I am sure he will come back to his home some day. His quarters will be kept ready for when he does. If you need it, then take some time to get settled back in. Ralph is preparing a welcome back feast for all of you as we speak.
Vo it is good to see that you are alive and appear to be well for the most part. I do hope you are fine with our Fortress being named in your honor.
Kaj it is also good to see you back and in a much better mood than when you left. I believe Wolfram wanted you to let him know when you got back, however sensors did show him leave awhile ago and I am not sure if he is back yet. Besides I am sure he wouldn't mind if you have a bite to eat first. Then if he fully releases you from his inpatient care, you can return to your old quarters or if you prefer, we can assign you new quarters. Not to mention you will have to think about what duty assignment you would prefer. Now if you'll excuse me, I must get back to the War Room. I have some missing crewmen and family to locate, and a Fortress to watch over."
As I said that last part I couldn't help showing some emotion, and perhaps for the first time since Lady went into her life-threatening labor, I actually smiled slightly; knowing that the family before me would indeed do anything they could to help not only my older sister, my wife, our children, and Brody, but even me. As I realized that I truly am part of a BIG family and am more than happy to Command and, in a way, be the father of the Fortress, I actually no longer cared about pretending to look impassive and unemotional in front of my family and instead pulled Belle into a huge hug, the hug of a brother needing his younger sister's love and comfort at a very bad point in his life. As I clung to Belle, I thought of Volo and wished my best friend were here as well. As I did so, a poem that I had heard or read somewhere once came to mind, and for the first time I truly got it's meaning. Then, without realizing it, I both honored Volo and declared my strength in myself, by saying it out loud:
Invictus
by William Earnest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud,
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
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Post by Kaj Oenfer on Aug 25, 2015 11:57:27 GMT
After Commander Batman dismissed the team on the roof, then gave his heartfelt poetry recital, Kaj nodded and grabbed his gear. As he walked past Atticus, who still refused to release his much needed familial hug with Belle, Kaj patted him on the back in the 'brotherly' way that he had seen soldiers do with comrades during the Pale Wars. Kaj then left the roof, and did indeed go to the mess for a quick bite to eat, as all he had eaten in quite a while was the jerky that he had right before leaving Red Dear.
After he was done eating a quick meal, he asked Ralph the Cook, who was also an amazing florist, if he had a nice flower that he could have for somebody very special to him. Not only was Ralph willing to help but he outdid himself, by making Kaj a whole stunning floral arrangement, as he was certain of who it was for. Afterall Ralph had seen how Kaj looked at Kara whenever Ralph personally delivered their meals to them in Kara's quarters in the Psych Ward.
Then Kaj headed to the Psyche ward. Of course he would check in with Di, and if Wolfram was there talk to him as well, first. However the flowers were for somebody else. They were for Erika's daughter Kara, who Kaj had very strong feelings for and missed the whole time he was away. He hoped that he could one day find out if the feelings were mutual. However for now he would just be there for her as a friend, if that is what she preferred. Still the purple Giant of a man hoped the floral arrangement, that Ralph surprised him with, would brighten her day as much as seeing her would brighten his.
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Post by Belle Starr on Aug 25, 2015 13:09:38 GMT
Once Atticus Batman had mentioned Wolfram's name, an idea began to gnaw it's way from the front of Belle Starr's brain to the front. Once Atticus recited his poem and felt comfortable enough to release his tight embrace on her, she excused herself, telling him she would be ready whenever he needed her for Lady, Erika, and Brody's rescue, and that she would check with her VBI sources to see if knew anything about recent Inquisition activity in the area. Belle then went over to Corporal LeBeau, asking him to please make sure security contact her when Dr. Wolfram Von Eschen was back from his road trip.
Belle told Vo Kshaa, her true love, that she was hungry, so they went down to Fortress Kshaa's canteen to have some breakfast. She smiled when Ralph the Cook brought her hot black coffee in her favorite unicorn mug, and smiled even wider when she saw Kaj get a flower bouquet from Ralph for Kara. Vo and she gossiped, as she brought him up to par as to the all the comings and goings in Fortress Kshaa since his absence, and when he humbly suggested that maybe they should change the name of the base since he was not dead, she laughed melodically saying she would not stand for any such thing, as she rather liked the name. Despite the recent machinations of the Inquisition and their friends' disappearance because of them, which she was sure they could get sorted out fairly soon, she was begining to feel all was beginning to get right with the world now that Vo was back except for one thing: Volodja's refusal to come back to his home and family.
Just then base security informed her that the car Wolfram had left in had just entered the far range of the base proximity sensors followed by another on it's way back to base. Belle gulped down the last of her coffee, kissing Vo and promising to meet them in their quarters soon. As she rushed down to the garage, she made a hailer call to Trevor Tyler of the VBI Board of Directors and who after a weak protest, agreed to both of the favors she was asking. First, Trevor agreed to investigate as to if there were any Inquisition operations in tthe Bay Area, although he was not happy about maybe getting on their radar for even looking into them. Second, he agreed to furnish her with another VBI aircraft and pilot if and when she needed it, but chastized her severely for losing the last one.
Belle staightened the collar of her pink Casti business suit and bit her lower lip as she saw Tommassino's men drive up in Volodja's car with Wolfram, then left in the accompanying car. Belle hestitantly approached him, not sure that Wolfram would want to see her since he had probably already figured out the only thing that might have kept Volodja from returning with the team other than death. She confessed the whole story to him as it related to Volodja and the love square of Volodja, Vo, Sandy, and herself, from their arrival in Red Deer to their departure and the events with the sniper on the tarmac of the airfield there.
"You're Volo's best friend Wolfram, and y'all are the only one who can help him! I tried to convince him to come back on the chopper! So did Sandy, but neither of us had any luck! He was inconsolable in his grief over my heart's choice, and I don't know who else to turn to! I'm just so afraid that he is so depressed that he is suicidal! I'd go back, but I'm positive I'm the last person he wants to see! I didn't mean to, but I'm sure he thinks I led him on, but I really didn't know who my true love was until that moment on the Red Deer airfield, and now I'm afraid my indecision may cost Volo his life! I know I'm probably not your favorite person at this moment, and you probably blame me for the pickle Volo is in as much as I do, but I'm begging y'all - I'll even get on my knees if y'all want - please go to Red Deer and bring Volo home to his family! I can have a VBI plane here for you in the half hour if you agree, and I can have a VBI Associate meet you at the airport in Red Deer to take care of all your needs there, all expenses paid! Please tell me that you'll go!"
With that said, tears began to stream from Belle's big blue diamond eyes down the young girls pretty frecked face as she added, "I really don't know who else to turn to..."
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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Aug 25, 2015 14:59:41 GMT
Wolfram looked Belle and said: "Let me tell you a little story, mein Kind.
Once upon a time there was a young man. He fell in love with a young girl and asked what is her deepest wish. She answered: "Pair of cage birds." Young man promised to grant it, because he was in love. He worked hard after school, saved even his lunch money and bought those birds, she wished so hard, for her birthday. Of course he had to save a lot and that meant one thing. He had to spend less money for his own needs, but the girl got those birds. That's what counted to him. Few days later the young man received the message, saying that girl actually never loved him but someone else.
That young man had a heartbreak. He was that kind of man who acts only when he is sure about his feelings. After the heartbreak he didn't look for casual sex or stormed into another relationship right away, because it didn't felt fair towards girls. But every time he tried to win someone's heart after he regained courage, he was rejected. He was always the second best choice for his love interests. Eventually became hard for him to fall in love because he was hurt and remembered the pain. Maybe it was his own fault, because he was a verfluchte romantic and always wanted to meet somebody special, because he was intelligent and good looking and usually kind and caring type of the man. Quite funny story, isn't it," said Wolfram looking into Belle's questioning eyes.
"At least Volodja laughed, when he told me about that romantic sucker, who was willing to do anything to make his love interest happy. He was dead drunk when he told me that story and then I realized that he talked about himself and that laughter was a mask he wore to hide his pain. Now he got burned once again. Or twice again, as long as I understood. He saw his dreams crushing in matter of seconds and I do believe that he did everything to make you happy, Belle. Especially when you told that Sandy Bell left him right before the mission. That meant that Volodja had to fight himself first to approach you, because he felt guilty in front of Sandy. And when he finally dared to make a move towards you, everything was over before it even begun. Nobody is to blame, but his lost everything he believed into, that poor Mensch. At least that's how he must feel right now. And I guess he blames himself for that too.
Volodja is stuck now. He can't move on. He can't move back. He is afraid that he might take advantage of another poor girl. It's against his principles. He doesn't want to get hurt any more, but he also is afraid to cause pain to others. These are only my assumptions, of course. But if they are true then getting him back is a really hard task, because right now he feels alone and unwanted. Your sudden departure didn't made things any easier, because he stayed behind. And I believe that it might be a little hard to face you and Vo together, when he is back because he will be alone. He won't try to find replacement which is strange for a guy. Especially the guy, like Volodja, with is specialities and skills.
Only thing which might help, by my opinion, is to make him believe that he is loved as a man, not a friend. That he is loved because who he is. You cast out devils by Beelzebub, chief of devils. Unfortunately he must be really sure that feelings are true and girl is indeed one of the kind and true to him. He must feel that he gains something from that relationship, because he is used to give, not to receive. He must feel that their love is unique. That they share same dreams and she is interested about the world like he is and is willing to learn something with him. That she wants to do something with her life. Sort of compensatory mechanism for an idealistic intellectual, as I would call it. A loving relationship. That's the medicine, although he might to be reluctant to take it because of his aforementioned principles. But it's hard to replace you, Belle. Really hard. How to find someone special like you are, but on her own way? One who can compete with you?
I will try to bring him back but I won't guarantee success. He must be really hurt. It's a damn complicated situation because of aforementioned things and Volodja needs delicate approach and tender care. He could sink himself into work as he usually does, but that won't help in a longer perspective as life has shown us. And if he gives up the hope to experience true love then he might be as good as dead. Hope keeps him alive.
I would not be worried about his suicidal instincts though. He definitely won't put a hand on himself as long as he has hope that things will get better one day. But I am also sure that at moment he doesn't care much about preserving his life either, so he does nothing to avoid conflicts which may be a threat to his life. He actually believes that he stole his life from the hands of the Death and is willing to return the stolen goods at any time. Another story, which he won't like to talk about, because he had very unpleasant experience from the moment he was shot and had to climb out or was dragged out from the mass grave afterwards. That's why he wants to live as meaningfully as possible and become somebody and leave his mark into the history so people would remember an ordinary man Volodja Uljanov when he vanishes.
I accept the challenge, although it might not be worth of trouble, mein Kind. Volodja is not from our world. Maybe he never will be. And I can't offer him anything than words, although I want to help him. I guess that I will have to use the words then. Maybe the silver tongued devil buys them."
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Post by Belle Starr on Aug 25, 2015 20:22:51 GMT
Belle Starr wiped the tears away from her freckled cheeks with a lace handkerchief, then stared at Wolfram Von Eschen intently with blue diamond eyes as she pondered his words, before answering, "I can't change the past or even the present, and I won't apologize for my heart's desire but... there is a girl who loves Volo unconditionally, and as a man not just a friend, and who wants a loving relationship with him! She announced it twice publically, once even on a public broadcast in Red Deer, in situations other gals might have found way too humbling! When I was throwing myself on Vo to protect him from the bushwhacker at the airport, she was throwing herself on Volo to protect him! That's Sandy Bell!"
Belle tilted her blond tousled head as her blue eyes narrowed in concentration, then frowned and slowly shook her head, saying sadly, "No, that will never work! Too much history there! First, Volo thought she was dumping him when she thought she was just stepping out of the way because he wanted me after he said my name to her post a night of lovemaking with her. Second, just after she tried to save him and kissed him on the Red Deer airfield, he got up and walked away, telling her in front of the team that she was a simple soldier, too simple for a complex man like him, and mentioned something about consolation prize. I don't think he meant to humiliate her, him hurting the way he was, but I think she got her own feelings hurt because of it none-the-less! I know she loves him truly, but she is hurt as much as he is, so... I don't know! You might try to convince her to go with you to talk him down, but you would have to convince her, and with their history of miscommunication, if might make a bad situation worse!"
Belle took out the hailer from the inside pocket of her pink Castithan business suit, then said to Wolfram before she called the VBI plane to pick him up, "I saw Sandy head to her quarters, so if you do want to convince her to go with you to Red Deer, that's where y'all find her! I'm going to call your VBI transport, and it will be a half hour before it gets here! It can wait longer for you, but I can't hold it here forever! That - and I have an awful premonition that something awful is going to happen to Volo if you don't get there to do an intervention ASAP!"
With that she called for the VBI VTOL plane on her hailer, wished Wolfram good luck, then went to her quarters where Vo Kshaa awaited her.
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Post by Luuzuk Kshaa on Aug 25, 2015 20:58:36 GMT
When Lu arrived at the place she had last seen Volo's EGO signal, she sighed in disappointment as she saw the action was long over. The ambulance was carrying away someone who was heavily injured and Esthete's drones were scanning the area and questioning the flower salesman. She scanned the blood stains for DNA samples and then listened to what the interrogee was telling. Once he mentioned the roof tiles falling from above, she frowned and examined the traces it had left on the ground. They definitely didn't fall by themselves, someone threw them from above and given the attacker's injuries that someone did it either with a peculiar skill or with a peculiar force. She climbed the roof to see the spots where the tiles were broken out, but that didn't give any more information rather than confirming that it was indeed thrown on purpose. This information, combined with analysis of injuries Esthete made and the salesman's words was enough for him to conclude that Volo was not the culprit of the man's bodily harm. But that only meant there's someone else who caused it and they were rather dangerous given how much harm they could inflict with a simple roof tile.
As Lu volunteered to ask Volo about what happened there, she was granted with last known Volo's location. She immediately headed there, thinking on how much time she wasted talking with the byte-muncher when she could spend just following Volo. Her fears had proven true as she found that Volo had already left the cafe she was pointed to and all the info she could get about his whereabouts was only a rough direction where he went. Not having any other clues, she had to comb out the city, using a sweep scan of her Decoy to cover a wider area.
Finally she found him walking along the street and she followed him for a while trying to guess where he heads to. She frowned as she saw no particular pattern in his route. He definitely was not heading somewhere in particular, but he was not walking in circles like if he was spending time while waiting for someone either. She wasn't the best body language reader, but at the same time she was empathic by nature, so after some time it finally dawned on her that he was walking absolutely aimlessly. The pose and the pace implied the man was completely burned out. Back then at the airfield she didn't pay much attention to interpersonal matters which happened among the team members, being more concentrated on the danger which came from the sniper and possibly more enemies to come. But now she knew for sure something bad happened between at that moment. So bad that Volo was either booted out of the team or opted to quit by himself. But what worried her the most was that Lu didn't know how to approach a man who was in that state. After sifting through several variants of catching his attention and finding all of them silly on a second thought, she just quickened her pace. Once she caught up to him, she slowed down keeping her position at his side so that they would walk in step with each other, and said:
"Hello Volo. Just found you to say that the Nature is rendering a nice gun salute tonight. I know the best place for watching it from and I believe you're the best company in here to admire it. Care to join?"
While saying that, she mentally thanked Klimi for supplying her with the latest weather forecast.
"Actually, it's you who's querying me for it all the time. It's your old habit you don't even notice", her EGO replied.
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Post by Vo Kshaa on Aug 25, 2015 21:57:33 GMT
Vo greeted Atticus with a smile on his face, feeling happy to see yet another familiar face even if that particular face was masked. He scratched his head at the question of the name of the fortress, answering only that he would have to ponder on it. Then he followed Belle to the canteen and voiced his humble opinion that it might be better to change the name now, but when Belle said she liked the name, he concluded to himself that's not a big deal and agreed to leave it as it is. Even if the word meant something bad like the Plaguebringer, that meaning was long forgotten, so now they could give that word a new meaning as well.
After some talking and gossiping during which Vo could not get enough of admiring Belle's pretty freckled face, they had a kiss and Belle promised to meet him at their quarters before she ran away. Vo decided to use this brief time to attend to some personal matter. He went to the medical wing to meet Dr. Orion. Once he found him, he opened a small box he had kept in the secret pocket and showed him the frozen eye.
"Well Doc, I need to know if it's possible to return my eye to its proper place and how long it would take. I'm afraid that with another team crisis I wouldn't have much time to spend in the infirmary. I'll share the diagnostics data from my EGO and you may do a quick scan of the socket if you need. Please send me the results of the analysis as soon as you have them and once you figure the time span I'll have to spend here before and after the surgery. I'll be here once I'm sure my absence for that period won't harm the team's effectiveness. Until then, please keep the eye safe in your storage. I think you know better if it should be stored in this box or you have a better compartment for it."
Once the examination was done, he hurried back to the quarters he and Belle shared. He looked around and what surprised him the most was the large cage which contained a squibbit. Once he closed in to the cage, the poor animal tried to hide as deep into its cave as it could, blinking with its eyes in terror.
"Oh well", Vo muttered, "Guess it might take some time before we get along with each other."
When Belle came in, he was sitting at the cage and talking some nonsense to the pet in a tender voice. The squibbit was still hiding in its cave, only its snout slightly poking out of it, looking at the Irathient man with utter distrust. Seeing Belle entering the room, he immediately jumped up and gave her a hug and a passionate kiss.
"I think I need to take a shower", he said with a usual lopsided grin on his face, and added whispering to her ear, "And I really could use some expert help with that."
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Aug 26, 2015 2:49:48 GMT
"One place is good as another and since I have nowhere particular to go at moment I might take the look. You have obviously something more important t do, so you can provide me with coordinates and I will find it myself. Then I have at least somewhere to go for awhile. Maybe I find another place to go after that one. And then another. I believe that you are mistaken, considering me to be the est company in this huge city. I am not exactly the best and most entertaining company in foreseeable future, I am sure of that, so I won't waste your time too much. I am used to be alone, so you don't have to worry about me. It's not about you, Miss Lu, but me. I am not exactly in the best emotional and I don't want to ruin your mood as well. I might not be worth of your efforts," said Volodja politely with his calm voice.  |
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Post by Belle Starr on Aug 26, 2015 3:13:51 GMT
Belle Starr smiled at Vo with affection after he made his suggestion of a shower, and they immediately began stripping the clothes off of each other; she giggling and him laughing as they threw each others clothes in every direction. When they both were naked, they kissed passionately before he picked her up in his strong red clay arms and carried her into the shower. They embraced as they let the hot water wash the tensions and worries of the last few days away, quickly falling into their old ritual of making love in the shower then washing each other.
Belle lost herself in his embrace as she and he became one, both in body and soul, It was if he had never left, and none of the bad things that had happened after his leaving had ever happened. Belle briefly wondered if she was back in the dream machine, but smiled when she realized that the reality of their love making was so much better than the dream. When they had finished, Vo picked her up again and carried her to the bed they shared in the quarters that they shared, admiring her beautiful pale nude body still glistening with water drops from the shower. He crawled into bed next to her, feeling her soft warmth against his hard bronzed body, feeling himself becoming aroused again.
However, suddenly Belle began to uncontrolably shake and Vo began to wonder if she had been struck ill, until he saw the tears streaming out her big blue eyes onto her freckled cheeks and upon the pillow under her blond touseled head. Vo wondered what he had done or what he had said to upset her so, until she spoke in gasps, as if she had difficulty breathing while she wept.
"I'm... sorry... Vo," Belle began wheezing as an unbidden cascade of thoughts assaulted her mind, then took several deep breaths as she struggled to get her anxiety attack under control, "I don't deserve to be this happy!... I failed you... I failed Volo... and I failed Lady! I... always fail... those I care about...most..."
Belle wheezed harder and faster as she turned red in the face, struggling for air as panic took over her shivering pale body. She felt her heart was beating so hard that it would soon burst from her chest, as her blue diamond eyes grew even bigger with an emotion Vo had never seen before in her: Raw unbrideled fear!
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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Aug 26, 2015 3:30:09 GMT
Wolfram von Eschen visited Sandy Bell before his departure. He actually came to ask only one thing so he did it: "Excuse me, Fräulein Bell. I have a business trip to Red Deer to meet Volodja. Bluntly saying - I will try to lure him back to the side of living. Do you have anything to tell to him? I can pass your words. I expect that you prefer to stay here instead of troublesome travelling and your personal griefs and it's understandable. So is there anything I can tell to Volodja? I have only words to change his mind about signing out from this world. Desperate times call for desperate measures and your words might be my last argument because I have to admit that he is better with words than me and unfortunately he is better even in my professional field, so I go there not as a psychiatrist but as a friend."
Wolfram looked her seriously. He understood if Sandy Bell decides to stay behind. Everyone needs rest. They are human. Humans get tired and desperate. Humans will burn out. Humans give up the struggle. There is nothing to be ashamed because of that. He continued:
"I need supplies for a desperate fight to save a man no matter how flawed he might be. I could ask you to come with me, but I am not sure if you want to. As long as I understand, you had a history together and it wasn't exactly the most beautiful kind. And it might be too tiresome to you anyway in your present condition. After all - you will have to travel far, experience inconveniences of the flight again and compete with famous and beautiful Belle Starr. Volodja might be even not worth the trouble of doing that. But personally I will try, because he is my friend and he did everything to bring me back to life. I owe him my future, no matter how short it might be. He brought me to the daylight and now he is falling into shadows himself and I will try to stop him, no matter what. I can't let him vanish just like that. It would be a waste of a human life. You might be the cure he needs, but I can't force you to come."
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Post by Sandy Bell on Aug 26, 2015 4:04:20 GMT
Sandy was sitting at the small table polishing her SMG obsessively and drinking hot green tea when Wolfram knocked on the door of her quarters. She ushered him in, a look of concern in her blue eyes and a question on her lips that she was afraid to voice. She had feared the worse, believing that perhaps Wolfram was here to tell her of Volodja's demise, so was actually relieved when he told her that he was going to Red Deer to retrieve Volodja and asked her if she had any message for him.
Sandy Bell say back down, pouring him a cup of the hot liquid from a flowered teapot as she gathered her thoughts while she took a sip of hers, then said, "Tell him... that despite everything he said... I still love him... I really, really love him"
Wolfram nodded then turned to go, when Sandy suddenly exclaimed as she grabbed up her Pulser SMG, "Aw, what the hell! I'll tell him myself!"
Sandy followed Wolfram to the base's airfield, reporting to Atticus EGO to EGO as she went, "Commander Atticus, I am SO sorry I have to break my promise to you so soon after making it, but Wolfram is going to Red Deer to hopefully retrieve Volodja - and I'm going with him. I know I'm probably setting myself for a fucking heartbreak again, but damn it I have to try! I know you think him a fool, but I love the damn fool - I mean Volodja - and if I don't at least try to give our love another chance - a love that was so good until he got jekking deluded with thoughts of a dream girl - then I'll always wonder what if! Again sir, I'm SO sorry to break my promise, but a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do! I'll get back as soon as I can, but I hope you find Lady before I do, because you two are so wonderful together, and you guys truly prove that the sum is greater than the parts, if you know what I mean! Um... bye and good luck!"
As Sandy followed Wolfram as they boarded the VBI VTOL plane, she hoped Volo was alive and well, but she also hoped he wouldn't break her simple soldier's heart again.
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