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blacksunscorpio · 4 years ago

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Scorp you're a genius! So relatable and I love how you don't judge others or anyone who comes to you for help. Keep it up! I just had to ask since I see that you make pop culture references to make analogies with astrology. You've mentioned GoT a few times and im a huge fan! Can you do a quick post on Game of Thrones characters and their potential zodiac signs? I'd love to hear your input! Thank you so much!!

Game of Thrones Characters & Their Zodiac Signs

Aries

Khal Drogo- Impulsive. Warlike. Bloodthirsty. Alpha. Conqueror. Hardcore athlete [did you see him on that horse?] Extremely sexual. Forceful. When he first meets Daenerys, he forces himself on her. Afterward, however, he is the first to go to war if he feels the people around him have been disrespected.

Aerys Targaryen- Impulsive, sadistic. Boastful. imperial. He would be the Emperor [reversed] in Tarot, lol. Not as good with being a tactician as he ought to have been. Cruel. Rage problems. The need to be the first and the best. Fire and blood, anyone?

Taurus

Maergery Tyrell - Classy, wealthy, sexy, laid-back, frank but with an air of elegance. Highgardeners have a love for the finer things in life. A love of fine wines and foods. Beautiful clothing and aesthetics. RICH RICH. Get on their bad side and they will take their time finding a way to subvert your authority.

Robert Baratheon- Love of luxury, bullheaded, strong, takes no shit. Fixed in his opinions of others, highkey jealous. In his youth, he enjoyed the gifts of Venus: Charm, wealth coming from the noble house of Baratheon, widely considered handsome by almost all in the 7 kingdoms.

Gemini

Tyrion Lannister- Silver-tongued. HIGHKEY intelligent. Social. Charming. Great sense of humor. A freak [in the sheets]. Chatty. Always finds his way out of a sticky situation. Finds a way to use his intel to bolster diplomacy between his family and the families who hate them.

Little Finger- Cunning, quick-witted, works behind the scenes, manipulative, a snake, jack of all trades. Top dog in the social circles of the 7 Kingdoms. There wasn’t a person who didn’t know of him and his... reputation. He singlehandedly, through his Machiavellian tactics, caused the events of Game of Thrones to unfold.

Cancer

Cersei Lannister- Protective, moody, caring [to her kids], motherly, cantankerous, jealous. A savage. People don’t give Cancer’s the credit they deserve in terms of what they’re capable of. Cersei is a prime example of the type of person who can show unrivaled levels of devotion to the one’s they love. “No one matters but us.” She can be cruel because she lets her emotions rule her actions. When her safety is threatened, she makes sure no one else feels safe either. She loves with a ferocity only rivaled by...

Catelyn Stark- Another mother who would die [quite literally] for her children. Fierce, Protective. Doting. JEALOUS. Let’s not forget how she treated Jon all because she believed Ned’s lie about him being a bastard. Followed her son into battle. Damn near lost her hands fighting off Bran’s would-be assassin.

Leo

Jaime Lannister- Proud. Handsome. Princely. Funny. We seem him go from underdeveloped Leo [arrogant, selfish, bully, prideful, snob, loyal to no one but himself] to developed [Kind, helpful, warm, honest]. Fought bears for his friends. Skilled and proud fighter even without the use of both his hands. Unfortunately, his loyalty caused him to stay loyal to his twin towards the end, but such is the nature of a Leo. They’re hard-pressed to abandon those they truly care for.

Brienne of Tarth- LOYAL. Proud. Devoted. A bit of a flare for drama especially brandishing her sword. Brienne is the definition of Leonine traits. Hard to miss. Devoted to those who show her kindness, i.e Renly, Catelyn, Jaime, Sansa, etc. Always at the front lines in war screaming “STAND YOUR GROUND”. Unrivaled levels of bravery and courage. Not to be fucked with. A true Queen.

Virgo

Samwell Tarley- Intelligent. Scholarly. Methodical. Always with his nose in a book. Unproblematic king. Caught the things everyone else missed, especially when he was an apprentice in Old Towne. Figured out how to cure Jorah Mormont’s affliction on his OWN without any formal training. Genius.

Lord Varys- Remember, Virgo is also ruled by Mercury who is the most cunning of the planetary rulers. Varys always had a spy to collect intel on everyone. A tactician. Never lost his temper. Always had the scoop but didn’t partake in gossip for gossip's sake. Not afraid to be critical or tell those “in charge” his opinion. We can see this specifically when he critiques Aerys, Daenerys, and Robert.

Libra

Davos Seaworth- a skilled diplomat. Davos is always seen seeking balance and fairness in the situations he finds himself in. The minute you see this man in a scene you know he’s going to give a moving speech and get someone out fo a sticky situation. He convinced the Iron Bank to support Stannis. Convinced Daenerys to entertain Jon Snow when they traveled to Dragonstone. Always breaking up a fight. He is in full support of law and order, especially when he called for Melisandre’s head after discovering her part in Shireen’s death [RIP.]

Rhaegar Targaryen- Had a love of music. Harmony. Balance. He brought two families together [Stark and Targaryen]. He was also blessed by Venus in my opinion because he was said to be extremely handsome. A fabulous singer. A fighter yes, but a lover first. Very good with diplomacy but not the best with defending himself against his cousin sign, Taurus [Robert Baratheon].

Scorpio

Daenerys Targaryen- Many see her as an Aries but I have to respectfully disagree. Daenerys is a Scorpio in my opinion. Remember, Scorpio is honorary fire. She was literally “reborn from the ashes”. A Phoenix, Scorpio’s final form. She went from a silent and meek girl to a skilled and commanding Empress. Unlike Arians, she did not jump headfirst into battle. It took many arrows in her dragons, many slights to her ego, copious council from her advisors, dozens of her loved ones lost for her to go nuclear. Like her father, she hungered for power, a very Scorpionic trait. However she, unlike her father, listened to reason [Jorah, Tyrion, and Barristan Selmy]. She had a long fuse until she didn’t, and then that’s when she rained fire and blood on everyone in King’s Landing. She was skilled at retribution and was unapologetic with it *cough* the Tarleys *cough*.. Unlike Arians who pop off at the drop of a hat, she gave her enemies fair warning if/when they crossed her.

Arya Stark- You already know what it is with this one. Arya is pretty much death [Pluto], personified. Stealthy. A tactician. VENGEFUL. I think we all fist-pumped when she served Filch Walder Frey his sons in that pie. Never forgets a slight. Keeps a list of people who’ve wronged her [All Scorpios can probably relate]. You never see her coming. She is “no-one”. She is the assassin that slips through the back. She may seem calm at first but trust that she has been planning your downfall for a while. LOYAL. The definition of a Scorpio.

Melisandre- Dark. Mysterious. Unafraid of the occult. So much of her life is unknown and I’m sure that’s how she preferred it. Even her Lord of light was mysterious. Strong supernatural abilities and highkey psychic. Knew immediately how many “eyes” Arya would “close.” Had ties to the underworld which is demonstrated with her ability to resurrect the dead. Came through at the clutch in the last battle wielding fire [Mars] with her witchcraft. It’s no secret that Scorpios are some of the most skilled in sorcery.

Sagittarius

Missandei- Exotic. From Naath which is an island just above the mysterious continent of Sothoryos. A world traveler. Lucky enough to escape slavery [until the end]. Jupiter's influence is here in my opinion because she is so kind and friendly. Also a polyglot and gifted with the ability to speak 19 languages. Her fire is seen at the end of the series when she tells her best friend “Dracarys”-- meaning “fire” in High Valyrian. She isn’t afraid to call wrath down on others.

Olenna Tyrell- Loud, unapologetically blunt, zero-filter, feisty. Olenna to me is the definition of Sagittarius. Always speaks her mind. Clap back queen. Will call you out. Was also quite promiscuous in her younger years. Very charismatic and extremely likable despite her penchant for saying whatever was on her mind.

Capricorn

Tywin Lannister- I can’t see the patriarch of the most notorious family in Westeros being anything other than a Capricorn. Methodical. Structured. Business-minded. Karmic [A "Lannister always repays his debts"] Cold. Cruel. Unfeeling. Like Saturn, he is the father figure. Basically ran the 7 Kingdoms for Aerys, [which was probably why the latter was so salty towards him.] Always has a plan. The man you want in charge if we’re strictly talking about law and order. Vindictive [had the mountain kill Elia because Rhaegar rejected Cersei.] He’s the ultimate son-of-a-bitch.

Jon Snow- Brooding hero that he is, Bae Jon Snow is without a doubt a Capricorn in my eyes. Duty-bound. Serious. A leader in his own right. Could also be cold and unfeeling in terms of distributing karmic justice. Lest we forget the “fetch-me-a-block” situation with Janos Slynt. In addition, the moment he was resurrected he took vengeance against the black brothers who betrayed him. Saturn, Like Pluto, is all about karmic justice. The beating he put on Ramsey after The Battle of the Bastards was one thousand percent a karmic beating. A proper lover as well, according to Ygritte, Jon also knew how to handle himself in the bedroom, a trait very akin to Capricorns.

Aquarius

Bran Stark- I thought about making Bran a Pisces, but then I changed my mind. Remember Uranus rules sudden insights and hardcore psychic receptivity. It also rules sudden and unexpected catastrophes or surprises/ sudden breaks. Bran suffered a literal “tower” moment at the beginning of the series which resulted in his psychic powers developing. Once he became the three-eyed raven, he became very detached from the world.

Grey Worm- Aquarius is also androgynous. Grey Worm is a eunuch. He is always down to fight for a cause though, specifically his queen’s. Cares about others, specifically Missandei, and was seen towards the latter season speaking up for the Unsullied against the slavers. Fierce combatant but also very detached. His job is his job.

Pisces

Jaqen H’ghar- Much like Neptune, Pisces’ ruler Jaqen has a mysterious and illusive personality. He wears “many faces”. Skilled at illusion and very very intuitive. Has a soft side though which is clearly seen with how he treats Arya. Hardly ever flies off the handle. Calm. Cool. Collected.

Hodor- Sweet and gentle giant, Hodor is a Pisces to me. Affected by psychic trauma, it’s revealed why “Hodor” is the only thing he can say. Calm. A bit of a baby. Caring. Easily adaptable [think of all the terrain he carried Bran through]

Eddard Stark- I don't care what anyone says, Ned stark to me represents the most developed form of a Pisces. Like the Hanged-Man in Tarot that represents sacrifice and which Neptune Rules, he willingly sacrificed his reputation as honorable for his sister, Lyanna. He later sacrifices himself for his children when he died at Joffrey’s [little bitch] command. He is wise. Though appears cold, he is actually a well of feeling and caring. Unfortunately, he also suffered from the naivety of Neptunian influence which is why he wasn’t very skilled at the Game of Thrones, which calls for more tactical ruthlessness. Pisceans however also have the rage of Poseidon flowing through their veins [which people like to forget]. This was displayed when he pinned Petyr Baelish to the Wall in King’s Landing for daring to dishonor Cat by inviting her into a Brothel. RIP, King Stark.

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kanabepark · 4 years ago

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Essay about Wood block printing

It was my first time to do lino cut prints last year at NQ creative course. Since then, I got really interested in carving.

It’s reminded me that I did a couple of wood carving and wood block print at my primary school which I had great time.

I like doing lino cut prints however, my interest goes to wood block print more than that at the moment. For me, it’s quite difficult to choose the right type of wood boards and materials just now because I have just started but I hope the experience will give me an answer for this later on.

I like the smell of woods and their natural warm texture compare with manmade lino.

Woods are much harder to carve and takes longer time but I am quite patient person so, I even really enjoy these difficulties as well.

Wood block print was invented in China around 700AD.

Since then, this carving wood block method had been the most common in East Asia printing method for printing books, texts and pictures. In fact, now I understand why I am quite familiar with wood block print. As I said earlier, I did a wood block print when I was a child and still used Japanese traditional wood curving tools and baren for the art classes ( It`s a disk like hard tool with a flat bottom and a knotted handle used in Japanese wood block printing. It is used to burnish the back of a sheet of paper lifting ink from the block.)

Woodblock prints are a typical type of relief print. It is called woodcut or xylograph because it uses wood as the original plate.

Ukiyo-e prints are well known all over the world. Ukiyo-e prints are not made by one artist. They are basically and traditionally made by three specialists.

A drawing or painting artist who provided the design image, a wood carve technician and a printer.

I think this fact is really interesting because usually one artist does all these works to create artworks in European countries.

Japanese traditional woodblock printing materials are very unique as well.

For example, we have been using a prunus serrulata (cherry species) wood board as the best quality printing block. Recently, we use plywoods because they are much cheaper.

Traditionally, we use a waterbase paint/shuhi-enogu (mud-pigment)and adding a glue as paints. There are also monochrome printing using only black sumie ink.

Washi paper (traditional Japanese paper) has been used for printing. One especially has a strong quality for rubbing method, this paper is called Ko-zo paper (mulberry paper).Also, before we print on this, it’s very important to damp the paper to get a beautiful result then, put special paint on the board by using a special brush not a roller.

Usually we don't use more than one color on a board. To make one multicolor print, the printer has to print between 5 to 30 times using different boards for the colors.

ARTIST RESEARCH

Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997)

He was a woodblock printing artist from 20th century in Japan.

Mt.Fuji (1980)

Mt. Fuji has long been respected as a mountain of gods in Japan. Therefore, showing it in artwork must be very respetful and formal for Japanese people.

Normally, Mt.Fuji is shown in blue to express it, but because this one was used red, I think he draw Mt. Fuji as seen in the evening. As the expression aka-fuji in Japanese is used, it depicts Mt. Fuji in a particularly beautiful appearance. Belive or not, you can see this red color Mt.Fuji in real life! Also, this red is not vivid color and uses a very warm natural color.

What is interesting is the color of the sky. It is slightly pink compared to the white snow on the top of the mountain. From that, I think this pale color was intentionally used to make Mt. Fuji, which I admire, stand out. The shape of the clouds looks like a dragon is flying. Even in Japan, it feels like a combination of the myth of a dragon. It's a very proud and elegant movement and in the middle of the cloud, there is a gray blackish line in it. This means this cloud has got a soul in it as well.

Looking at the lower part, a black plum tree that has not yet bloomed is drawn. From this, it can be estimated that the season is between the end of winter to the beginning of spring. Do the white branches represent the snow that has fallen? It looks like it's still in cold weather. Also, the black color is smudged on the bottom parts which means the real world is a dark and terrible place to live but the mountain parts are pure and sacred. It could be meaning of mythology in Japan as well.

The most interesting parts of this work is texture.

He used wooden natural organic woodgrain patterns for the body of mountain. I have never seen a print like this before. It is almost saying this artwork belong to nature world. I think this method will be very useful for my next project.

Clare Leighton (1898-1989)

She was an English-American artist best known for her wood engravings.

Watcher Of The Sky (1955)

This work is a mixture of realistic and idealised.

Some people are included and I think they are all professional scientists who try to investigate new facts of the sky.

The mysterious shape in the middle and right hand side shows the science of the sky was so mysterious at that time and these scientists are trying very hard to find out the fact or truth. Also, the swirl shape shows confusion inside their head or the hope for a different world.

The color is black and white so it shows the night time and the white color around people look like showing the furure hope to the people.

The bottom right zig zag lines may explain their excitement feelings and cause waves of their heart to pump or could be the sign of universal movements or vibrations.

I found that this is quite scary because not so detailed about people and they are all looking the same direction. Especially, all faces are the same shape and clothes are the same, kinds of very creepy. Maybe wanted show the scientist does not have feeling and they are only interested in the fact. It looks like all people are men. It shows the time of this era, men had more power and access to the education than women. It is very sad and not fair but it was the truth.

They are quite a lot of abstract shapes in this. It is all belong to the scientic world.

Textures are all over the place so there are no plain bit at all on this work makes me a bit breathless and give me emotional pressure.

I think so clever to show the serious and mysterious emotions at the same time on this.

Even thought this is a woodblock print, shows details a lot. Some lines are really straight and the microscope looks real. She is very good at describing the shapes and works are so neat.

Also, I can see the lots of depth in the work almost like an illusion especially on the spiral.

Jed Henry

He is a woodblock print illustrator.

Pocketing a Wager

The most interesting power which he has got is he can change almost all world famous animations or TV programs scenes to Ukiyoe style illustrations. I have never seen before such cool illustrations before. I can not explain well but something old and new are combined together makes really beautiful attractive artworks.

This artwork is about Pokemon and Sumo wrestling.

I can recognize some of characters from Pokemon. All animals look very different from the show but he turn in to them to real Japanese yokai (monster) looking very well. Also he uses Kanji (Japanese character) it makes this piece like it belong to Japanese traditional culture.

I can see the audience in the background but they are not colored just line drawings. It makes the battle scene more powerful and outstanding.

He uses the Japanese traditional paint colors as well. He must study hard to get to know original Ukiyoe very much otherwise it would not work well.

There are no modern items at all in this work. All clothes are kimono, hats and other accessories are also old style.

There is only one bit I can see the modern is the Pikachu`s thunder lines. It is almost like abstract art there which never seen in original Ukiyoe arts. Because of using white lines it is very pale and not overpowering the rest of work.

He did a signature using the alphabet and also used Japanese stamp and the red color really stands out. (we only use red color for this kinds of stamp) It looks very old style but a lot of Japanese people still using this kinds of stamps. ( I have one as well)

So, it makes me want to use my Japanese stamp as signature in the future it would be very unique.

There is not religion a message on this but definitely showing the Japanese traditional culture.

References

www.takezasa.co.jp. (n.d.). 木版印刷による版画制作工程 -摺師の仕事・役割- | 木版印刷・伝統木版画工房竹笹堂. [online] Available at: https://www.takezasa.co.jp/mokuhan/mokuhan01_3.html [Accessed 8 Mar. 2021].

Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Woodcut. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodcut. [Accessed 8 Mar. 2021]

武蔵野美術大学造形ファイル. (n.d.). 武蔵野美術大学造形ファイル｜武蔵野美術大学による、美術とデザインの「素材・道具・技法」に関する情報提供サイト. [online] Available at: http://zokeifile.musabi.ac.jp/. [Accessed 9 Mar. 2021]

ukiyoeheroes.com. (n.d.). Ukiyo-e Heroes | Our Story. [online] Available at: https://ukiyoeheroes.com/about-us.php. [Accessed 10 Mar.2021]

‌www.clareleighton.com. (n.d.). Clare Leighton. [online] Available at: https://www.clareleighton.com/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2021]. ‌

やないづ町立斎藤清美術館. (n.d.). ギャラリー. [online] Available at: https://www.town.yanaizu.fukushima.jp/bijutsu/gallery/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2021].

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allyvampirelass29 · 5 years ago

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Taste the Blade

A NOS4A2 Fanfiction By: Allyssa J. Watkins

"Time to introduce a gun of sorts to our little KNIFE fight!!!!!!!"

Charlie's voice rasped, lethal with his fury, his entire body seething, simmering, boiling over with his hatred, the kind of dark emotion that could kill by pure force of will.

"Reject ME, will you!? You dare REJECT ME, you scheming, ruined WRETCH!?"

Charlie screamed out the open barn door, wishing he could see that haughty little harlot shudder. I'm going to make you squirm, Victoria, just not in the way either of us would like....... His breathing was heavy, his lip snarled as he took that accursed bike in his hands, his long nails biting into the rubber handlebars, the same way they'd bitten into her cheek. That's right, I know you can feel it, Girl, let your eye bleed, and know it's ME, me REFUSING you, taking your own knife, and raising its blade against YOU!!!!

He roughly hauled it out onto the open floor, hurting it like it was a living thing that Vic loved, and he thrust the heel of his palm in vicious assault, smashing the headlight.

As if in counter, as if she could physically sense the abuse, impossibly hear his furious slurs, Charlie's knee shattered on contact, Vic's wielded fire poker connecting with it, as it smashed into the right front fender of The Wraith. He howled as it gave out beneath him, forced to kneel, his mouth open and screaming.

"YOU HATEFUL BITCH!!!!!!"

Charlie tried to stand, and then gritted his teeth, jerking his head to the side in anguish, as his eardrum popped open, shooting blood, while simultaneously, Vic lopped off one of The Wraith's side mirrors.

"DAMN IT, RUN HER DOWN, DRIVE, DO NOT LET HER GET AWAY!!!!!"

He yelled even louder, barely able to make out his own screams, the hearing in his left ear nearly gone. He struggled to stand, reaching for that infernal bike to steady himself, when he cringed with the scraping, first across the shiny top of The Wraith, and then across his own scalp, and he cursed through his teeth, snarling, finally able to get a firm grip on the damned thing, right as he felt the sharp tip of the poker slam into the back of his head. Vic pounded the top of The Wraith with one final blow, knocking him out, and Charlie dropped, hitting the side of his head with almost as much force, as it met with the concrete of the barn floor.

"CHARLIE!?!? CHARLIE, OH MY GOD!!!!! CHARLIE, PLEASE WAKE UP, OH GOD!!!!!!"

His vision was still dark around the edges, slowly opening his black eyes, drawn from the oblivion by a voice. Her voice. Ally's tearful screams echoed dreamily through his mind, muffled, the sound fuzzy like an old am radio. The breath he drew was sharp, more puncture to his lungs than aid, his temple throbbing, everything a haze of onslaught pain, pretty pinned up curls, and morose green eyes. His name on her lips, and he watched her mouth it, watched it take shape, thankful she had come now, and not however many minutes previous........ He groaned, trying to lift his head, feeling for his injured ear, blood staining his fingertips. She could never know.......

She wouldn't have understood. She would have hated him, blamed him for the kiss, when the fault was entirely Victoria's. She tempts me. Oh how she tempts me, tempts my anger, my hatred. I didn't have a choice, oh that infuriating female! She had to be dealt with....... one method at a time.

Charlie cried out as Ally delicately laid him in the lap of her full skirts, accidently moving his shattered knee, and she sobbed, cradling his head in her palms, her fingers trembling, smoothing her thumb over his good cheek, before reaching for something behind her.

Charlie gasped, his breath escaping with his relief, and there was a loud hiss as the ball of snow pressed into his singed cheek, the badly burnt flesh meeting with the frozen cold.

She held it there, stroking his forehead to soothe him, his lip trembled, and he watched, mystified as she fretted and fussed over him. Well, well, well, look who loves her monstrous husband after all........ That's what she'd called him, that's what they'd all called him. Jo, Vic, not to mention his shrew of a first wife, and yet when Ally had said it, it'd had a much different effect than any of the others. It...... excited him. Because he knew...... that even though his true nature had been revealed, and she knew what he was, what he had done, he could feel it. Her still wanting him. Willing to survive the monster if it gifted her the man.

"Charlie........ Charlie, I'm so sorry, W-What happened!?"

"What do you think happened, My Dear? Vic! Damn it! Vic McQueen happened!"

Charlie growled, nostrils flaring, but something inside him softened as he felt her delicate hand stroking his mussed coif, the other settling against his chest. She went to work unbuttoning the collar of his fine dress shirt, and he watched how nimbly her fingers moved before they froze on one of his pearl buttons, uncovering the diagonal bruise, a pained murmur escaping her lips. He'd never had this before....... This fuss and female concern, this womanly need to care for him, ease his suffering. His own mother could not have been more apathetic to his boyhood scraped knees, when he'd come to her crying, and she'd always cursed his softness, demanding he get tougher. I did just that, now, didn't I, Mummy? Charles scoffed calling that callous, self-obsessed strumpet the ridiculous moniker she could never deserve. But as this beautiful girl held his face, sobbing, lamenting his afflictions, he didn't feel tough at all. He felt weak to her touch, very much the same frightened little boy who'd lived for centuries, starved of the affection that he was so afraid to want.

"Vic....... VIC did THIS to YOU!? I don't understand! The truce! You granted her clemency, spared her from the flame at my behest!"

"Yes, I allowed you to move me to mercy, when I knew the truce was laughable at best. I tried so hard to tell you, to warn you of her scheming treachery. Vic McQueen is NOT your friend. However, you're very persuasive....... especially in that dress."

He watched the colour flit across her pale face, and he admired her royal blue taffeta sleeves, and blue silk bodice, her corset making her figure all the more slender and elegant, a long flowing crimson cloak tied around her snow white neck. Her Coronation Gown. He'd matched the colours to his own attire, crafted every stitch, making sure it was the perfect complement, and still had to practically force her into it come Coronation Day. The day Christmasland was motherless no more. Look at you now, Mrs. Manx......... Wearing it freely, of your own volition, looking every bit like the queen I always knew you'd be........

"How could she break the truce in this most heinous fashion, attack you in stealth, unprovoked, mar My Charlie's beautiful face!?"

Ally sobbed again, desolate, and his long fingernails grazed an escaped curl, as he reached up to brush her tears from her face. Such sadness, such...... tender care, and yet there were the slightest hissing undertones of anger that were utterly delectable. He wanted to stoke them, start a fire. Time to show Vic McQueen just how unshakable our love REALLY is, Ally. You're going to punish her, because you love me........

"Am I then, still........ Your Charlie?"

More silent tears streamed down her heartbroken face, and she held his good cheek in her palm, leaving the slightest whisper of a kiss on his burnt one, taking pains not to hurt him.

"Of course........ Oh Charles, how can you doubt me?"

"How can I not? When you refuse to see Vic McQueen for the wickedness, the vulgarity, the menace that she is? That curse of a girl threatens our home, our perfect world, and still you would seek to save HER from me!? And yet, am I not the one that lays bleeding?"

Ally cried harder, covering her mouth and hanging her lovely head, ashamed. "It is true, Charles, I found your hatred, your ire for this teenage girl unnatural, and was most disturbed by it, by how you forced my hand to bring forth her near demise....... But now the veil has been lifted, and I see through her, appalled by these horrors she has inflicted upon you! Dear Sir, you were just in your fervor, your tirade against her. I am a fool, for this, your brutalized state, is my own folly."

Charles felt her hug him to her chest, and he relaxed his cheek against her corseted breast, his heart trembling, feeling the peek of delicate skin, the warm, womanly softness beneath her bodice. He hugged her body back, nestling into the curve, the pain incredulously dulled.

"Heavens no, Sweet, Sweet, Wife......" His nostrils flared as he breathed in the teasing scent of her skin, closing his eyes. "All is good and lovely in your eyes, so quick to believe the best in all of us, even when you've seen the worst. I can see now how nefarious and under-handed my zeal must have seemed to you."

"Please....... Please forgive me, Charles?"

"T'was not your hand that wrote this evil....... but perhaps, it might just be the deliverer from it......."

He pressed his lips into the swell of her sensitive skin and whether it was from his words or his amourous attentions, she shivered. He gazed up at her, his eyes piercing.

"Of course, Charles, you need only ask! I want only to soothe you, act as balm, say the word, and it is yours, any comfort that my hands may bring."

Charlie smiled, but his dark eyes were all mischief. Just your hands, My Sweet? How could you deny me all the other comforts and fleshly pleasures your body so obviously possesses? Ohhhhhh I would give up Christmas itself, and all of its ornamented wonders, if I could lay forever pillowed upon the curve of such a blossoming breast....... Alas, My Bride, it is not comfort I seek from these artful hands, but rather your most crushing destruction and revenge. He brushed his cheek against her body, as she cradled him in her arms, her legs tucked under her, so very ladylike, so desperate to do penance for her imagined crimes, aching so to please him, begging now, for what she had fought so hard against.

"I must confess......... My Lady, there is something, a gesture, that would prove your love, and inspire my generous forgiveness."

Ally beamed at him, her tears quieted, leaning down over him, wanting his lips, and he took hers graciously.

"Anything. Charles........ Anything." She whispered, and, as much as he lamented pulling away from this most pleasing position, he struggled to sit upright, the malignant request tasting delectable on his tongue.

"I would feel much assuaged........ if you might write me a little something......."

Ally shrank back with a gasp, terrified, shaking her head as he procured one long, slender, iron tipped black pen, emblazoned with a black rose and thorns, from the silk lining of his chauffer's coat.

"You would CARRY that instrument of evil on your person!? Charles, NO....... Please.....

"Take it." He said forcefully, his eyes flashing with obsidian fire.

"No, I can't- I beg you, My Darling, Anything else!"

"Do you love me, Allyssa?" He said softer, reaching to touch her perfectly pinned curls, fingering them with fondness, his eyes focusing on her unflinchingly.

"Yes- With all my heart." She whispered tremulous, and he held it out closer to her, watching her eye it with all the fear and reverence it deserved.

"Good girl. If you love me, you'll take the pen, raise your knife against your husband's attacker, and let the words BURN."

Ally bit her lip, and he moved closer, grazing the pen up and down her cheek, before using it's handle to turn her head to the side, feeling her recoil as it touched her skin, and he leaned in so that his lips just barely grazed her cheek as he spoke.

"Why do you hesitate to avenge me?"

"Oh Charles....... I assure you, my hesitation is not for her sake. I curse Victoria for what she's done to you, how she's hurt you......"

"It pains me not to be as pretty for you......." He whispered softly, easing up on the pressure of the pen, brushing his nose against the side of her head, smelling her hair deeply.

"You're still pretty........ So pretty, Charles." She whispered, closing her eyes with a breathy murmur, so affected, and Charles could feel it happening, her surrendering her defenses.

"How do you feel....... When you see me like this, the man you love, attacked, abused, used so spitefully? He breathed each word, feeling his own enthrallment rise. It was one thing to force her hand, as she'd so eloquently put it, but for her to raise it willingly for him, want to author Victoria's pain, ohhhhh that was an arousal he could scarce wait for. Let's play with fire, Mrs. Manx.

Ally paused, and he could taste something in her hesitation, something she didn't want to admit, even to herself.

"I feel........ Furious. I feel........something I've never felt before, Charles. Rage?"

"Good, ohhhh yes. Let the anger rise with the fire of your words, and take up the pen!!! Pour your revenge into the rhyme until it consumes you."

Ally cried, angry tears this time, frustrated, torn between her paralyzing fear of her duplicitous gift, and this strange new desperation to repay Vic's cruelty in full, the heat burning though her, warping her mind. Hate bourne of Love. The most dangerous kind.

"Curse you, Vic McQueen." She shuddered with the words, how vile they sounded, come from her own mouth, which before today, had only reaped kindness.

"Say it again. Louder." He instructed, slowly helping her to her feet, the cartilage reforming in his knee, rapidly healing. It's about damn time, Bing.

"Curse you, Vic McQueen!!!!" Ally hissed, her eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched, the sound biting, Charles' poor face stoking that tamped down fire.

"Scream it." Charlie demanded, his face manic, eyes intense, pupils dilated, everything returned to full volume, a new ear drum growing, as Bing Partridge reaffixed the side mirror.

"I want to hear you scream......."

Ally felt her hands shake, her rage once kindled, becoming a wildfire, escaping through the door that Charlie had somehow opened, feeding on the rush of oxygen, and in that moment all she could think about was making Vic McQueen scream.

"CURSE YOU, VIC MCQUEEN!!!!!! You DARE to lay a hand on MY husband, I will SHATTER you!!!!!" Ally didn't recognize her own voice, feeling outside of her body, and Charlie Manx reveled in it, his nerves trembling with the shrill danger of the sound.

"Take the pen, and DO it........ AVENGE Me. He rasped, and he fell even more in love with her, as she furiously snatched it out of his hand. Being led by something else now, not Charlie, not her own sound mind, but something he'd created in her, something he'd hidden within, unbeknownst to her, her love for him, twisting into something dark.

She surprised herself, having sworn she would NEVER do it again, never raise those HELLISH words against anyone else, but she HATED that horrid girl for hurting him, and she knew Charlie was right........ Vic McQueen had to be punished.

"Tell me....... Tell me what to do......." She shuddered again, more angry than scared, but this time it was not just fear of her knife, or Charlie's malevolent influence, it was fear purely of herself.

Charlie, his eyes screaming murder, strode over to the blazing red motorcycle that Vic McQueen loved more than anything in this world, the motorcycle that meant her freedom. He picked it up, as if it weighed nothing, and roughly set it down before Ally, his voice as cold as ice.

"Oh Mrs. Manx........ I think you know exactly what to do. Get...... Creative."

She shivered as he circled behind her, her pen poised in her quivering fingers, the sharp tip of her knife pointed at the motorcycle that had caused all this trouble, this needless suffering.

Charlie placed his hands on either of her sides, taking her into his arms, turning his nose into her cheek, his voice proud and coaxing.

"Write. Write with your fire....... and my ice."

She shook even more as he let her go, the fury of words bursting from her lips, as if she couldn't control them, scribbling frantically, possessed by her revenge, the air itself igniting as she wrote, but Charlie's thrill came in knowing that she was very much in control, his pretty puppet cut loose of her strings, and it was even more crazed physical passion than he'd ever dreamed, hanging onto her every smouldering word, having never loved her more than this moment, when she embraced and became what she had denied herself to be for so long. Powerful.

"VICTORIA MCQUEEN HEAR MY SCREAM YOU, VENOM! POISON TO MY CHARLIE VENGEANCE IS MY DESTINY YOU HATE THAT I LOVE HURT WHAT I ACHE FOR NOW IT'S MY TURN TO TAKE BLADE TO THIS THAT YOU ADORE RED CHARIOT THAT BROUGHT YOU HERE DELIVERED YOU TO THIS ACT MY GREATEST FEAR OH THIS MENACE ON TWO WHEELS FREEZE NOW BLOOD RED METAL TASTE THE BLADE TASTE THE ICE CRACK AND BREAK LIKEWISE UNTIL BY FIRE YOU SUFFER TWICE

Charlie's laugh was rollicking and wicked, watching hungrily as Vic's bike froze over, crystallizing, cracking and breaking apart, as if introduced to a supernatural cold, the handlebars and axles brittle, snapping off, the tires melting, the red paint peeling like blood, as the fire met the ice, and the two finished Big Red off in their drastic extremes.

Ally collapsed with the intensity of the creative force ripping through her, the barn filled with her scorching words, and Charles rushed to catch her, the pen falling from her ink stained fingers.

He plucked both it and her up, carrying her inanimate form, cradled in his arms to the open door, and he felt a slight sting as his face began to heal itself, his former handsomeness returned in the fiercest fashion. Burning words became white smoke, and he looked back over his shoulder at his wife's good work with a devilish smirk.

"Bang. Bang."

#nos4a2 #charlie manx x oc #vic mcqueen #charlie manx #the wraith #christmasland #paradise for the lost #paranormal romance

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mymelodyheart · 4 years ago

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Forget Me Not Chapter 22 ~Trifle Before Dinner~

The phone in the restaurant rang as Claire was about to brief the service staff. She nodded to the head waiter to answer it and looked at the time. Lunch service was about to commence, and she needed to explain the new eight-course degustation menu for that evening before she headed for Lallybroch later.

Jenny had invited her to come for dinner, and it would be the first time in weeks she would see Jamie. At that moment, her mind was too fuzzy to care if this was meant to be some sort of intervention on Jenny's part. Either way, it was high time that she showed her face in Lallybroch and she was looking forward to some home-cooking. She missed Jamie a lot, especially at night when sleep eluded her. Even if she hadn't self-imposed keeping her distance from him, mounting work and constant exhaustion would have deterred her from visiting anyway.

"It's for you," the waiter informed her.

She prayed it was anyone other than Murtagh as she took the call. "Yes?"

"Claire!" It was Geillis calling from the reception. "Miss Geneva Dunsany is here about the assistant position." Geillis' formal use of Geneva's name must mean she was nearby. "She says that yer da sent her to see ye. Shall I send her to yer office or are ye still in the restaurant?"

Geillis' voice held a hint of sympathy, as it's known within inner circles Claire had been under a lot of stress. Of all people to apply for the assistant position, it had to be her former high school bully, Geneva. Claire resisted to let out a frustrated moan, conscious of the staffs' eyes on her. She wanted one perfect day. Just one, where there were no problems, no issues, no one from her past showing up, no lit embers to extinguish, and everyone was content and happy. "Can you please accompany her to my office? I'm still doing a briefing, and it shouldn't take long. And please send one of the bar waiters to ask her what she would like to drink."

"I'm on it," Geillis said before the line went dead.

Claire quickly went through the menu details as well as wine, aperitif and digestif recommendations with the service staff, part of her not entirely focusing on the task at hand. Does Geneva realise that the position she's applying for would require them to work closely together? Even if resentment threatened to overflow toward her tormentor from what seemed like a lifetime away, she knew she needed to handle the situation with a level head and be as professional as possible.

After the briefing, she made her way to the reception before heading to her office to interview Geneva. As usual, her friend, Louise, was covering the front area while Geillis was in the back office. After a quick greeting to Louise, she headed for the back room and found Geillis perched on her chair, barely visible behind piles of paper works, boxes and folders. Her bright red hair was the only beacon to help Claire find her in the chaos that made up Geillis' desk.

Claire dropped into the opposite chair. "Geneva doesn't realise she would be working with me, does she?"

Geillis' head popped up, and a look of disgust marred her face. "I don't think so. She came in all high and mighty announcing she has an appointment with Brian about a job and that Jamie wanted her to take it. She talked like she bagged the position already."

Claire's eyes widened. "Really? Well, we will see about that." Leaning back on the chair, she crossed her arms across her chest. "I'm responsible for hiring service and kitchen staff, and that applies to my future assistant. And I don't believe for one second that Jamie would say to Geneva to take the job."

"Aye, I ken. I wanted to wipe that smug look on her face. She was probably envisioning herself as the future Mrs Fraser the way she strutted in here all haughty. But dinna fash. I didn't say anything, other than that ye will soon see her."

"Good, good." She bit her lip, thinking of what else to say. "I best get going then. We don't want to keep the princess waiting."

"Oh, and Claire ..." Geillis stood up with her and walked around the desk. "Willie asked me out to dinner this coming weekend. A kind of a date. I've meant to ask ... ye have nothing to do with it, have ye?"

Pleasantly surprised, she smiled. "Oh, that's nice, and no, I didn't have anything to do with it." Hesitating a bit, Claire continued. "Although I must admit, I did speak to him a couple of months back. You know, after you told me about your one night stand with him."

Geillis' breath hitched as she slapped her forehead and groaned. "No, ye didn't. Oh, God, Claire! What on earth did ye tell him?"

She sighed. "I know you told me not to interfere, but all I said to Willie was that I didn't want to see you hurt." Taking her friend's hand, she smiled. "And that's the truth, Geillis. I know it's not in Willie's character to hurt anyone, but I wanted to give him something to think about because I knew you liked him a lot."

"Good Lord! He must think I'm a kiss-and-tell type of lass. The last thing I need in my life is a pity-date!"

"It's not a pity-date!" she countered earnestly. "Trust me. Willie is asking you out because he likes you and not because of something I said. Ok? He has a mind of his own."

Still looking dubious, Geillis conceded with a long, drawn-out breath. "Weel, I'll find out this weekend, I guess. And just to let you know ...I will be able to tell if it's a pity date or not. And if it's a pity date, I'm flying out of Scotland in the next available plane," Geillis warned, a hint of a smile lighting her face before regarding her with a thoughtful expression. "And Claire?"

"Hmmm?"

"Just remember, no one is going to judge ye if ye turn down Geneva's application. She was horrible to ye in the past, and she is still an awful person now. Ye ken, ye don't always have to do the right thing ... but whichever way ye choose to handle her application, decide for yer peace of mind, aye? Mind ye, ye've been through some serious shit, and ye don't need some petty person causing trouble in yer workplace."

Claire gave her friend a quick hug. "Thank you. You're such a great friend. I'm so happy you're here - I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I know." Her cheeks dimpled as she reached out and plucked a manila folder from the teetering stack. "Here's Geneva's resume and references. She said she brought it just for formality and refused to hand it to me. But I have my methods of persuasion, ye ken?"

Claire rolled her eyes as she took the folder, quickly flipping through it. "Right, I best go. I have heaps of things to do before I go to Lallybroch."

"Oooh, is our wee fox cub out of the doghouse?" Geillis asked, winking at Claire as she went back to her messy desk.

"Ha, ha! Very funny. He was never in the doghouse in the first place. He was right, though - we needed some time apart to heal. But all this healing is quite exhausting if I'm honest," she mused as she turned to go. "Anyway, I'll see you later."

Mentally debating if she should bring an overnight bag to Lallybroch, Claire quickly made her way to her office. Dinners at the manor house always meant there will be wine and whisky to accompany the meals. Brian was a stickler to no driving whenever alcohol was involved, and so she decided, there and then, she would stay at Lallybroch for the night. It was the most practical thing to do. And of course, spending time with Jamie would be a bonus.

As Claire opened the door to her office, Geneva turned around from her chair and automatically, her excitement at the thought of seeing Jamie dissipated. Geneva's aura practically vibrated with hateful energy making her shudder. Clad in a simple black pantsuit, Geneva emanated elegance and arrogance. With a simple nod of acknowledgement, Geneva remained seated, looking as cool as a cucumber as she waited for Claire to take her seat. They stared at one another for a while in silence, both preparing for the conversation.

"So, have you taken a peek at my resumes? It was meant for Brian to take a look at," Geneva finally asked, her voice clipped and sharp.

"I did look at them briefly. And Brian doesn't need to." Claire opened the folder and took her time pouring over the papers, refusing to be rattled. "I see you don't have any experience working in a hotel. Although it's not a necessity for the position, working in the hospitality industry is quite demanding. And it could mean long hours and sometimes, working during weekends."

A nasty smile twisted her lips. "I'm aware of that. So when does Brian want me to start? I have an appointment at the hair dresser's, and I don't want to be late because of some idle chit-chat."

Enough was enough! Claire slammed the manila folder on her table. "I don't have time for idle chit-chat either, and obviously, this interview is going nowhere. You are rude and disrespectful, and there is no way in hell, I will have someone working with me, under stressful conditions with such vile attitude as yours. Now, please, get out of my sight," she said in a steady low voice, trying to contain a temper threatening to erupt.

Claire steeled herself for Geneva's comeback. Instead, the girl opposite her stared with a look of surprise. "B-but Jamie and Brian ...they said ..."

"It's not up to them. I'm the one hiring. Now get your pompous arse out of my office. Now!"

Straightening her shoulders, Geneva stood up. "Very well," she said. "This is not the last time you'll be hearing from me. You don't own this hotel, and it's not up to you."

The door Claire thought was shut, suddenly swung open. "Aye, it's up to her, lass." Brian casually walked in and leaned down to kiss Claire on the forehead. Turning to face Geneva, he sauntered back to the door and motioned for her to leave. "I wish ye better luck with yer next interview, Geneva. Please leave now, I wish to speak to my daughter."

Without a word and her face turning a dark shade of red, Geneva hurriedly left the room. Claire suddenly felt sorry for her and couldn't fathom why the girl hated her so much. She almost wanted to run after Geneva and ask what she had against her.

"Ye alright, leannan? " Brian's soft voice broke into her trance.

Claire simply nodded, relieved that Brian heard the whole conversation. She didn't think she had the energy to explain what happened. "I'm alright, da, thanks," Claire replied with a weak smile. Not wanting to dwell on what just happened, she quickly changed the subject. "I'll be joining you for dinner tonight. Do you want me to bring anything on the way?"

"No, just bring yersel' and yer appetite." Grabbing Geneva's resumes on her table, Brian quickly looked at it before chucking it in the bin. "That's the end of that. And by the way, ye're having a day off tomorrow, and Ellen and I will not be joining ye tonight. We're having dinner with some friends visiting from England."

"Oh! But I can't have a day off tomorrow. There's ..."

Brian gave her a mock stern look. "No buts Claire. We have it covered. Ye enjoy dinner tonight and if need be, stay in Lallybroch for the night."

Claire closed her eyes briefly, and she knew only too well that it was useless to argue with Brian. "If you say so, da." Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him on the cheek and smiled. "Jamie certainly got his stubbornness from you."

Laughing, Brian hugged her. "Aye, lass, it takes one to know one."

..........

"Jenny, can I help ye with anything?" Jamie hobbled into the kitchen with the help of a crutch. "I'm not useless in the kitchen, ye ken."

Jenny turned around, frowning at him for not using the wheelchair. "Just sit and talk to me, will ye. The poached salmon is done and is keeping warm in the oven nicely. I just need to grill some asparagus and sautee the potatoes before serving." She gestured to his ten days worth of facial hair which had turned into a heavy stubble. "Aren't ye going to shave that before Claire comes?"

He ran a hand over his chin and shrugged. "I don't know ...ye think Claire will like it?"

"Ye look like that big ginger guy, Tormund from Game of Thrones. Ye ken, one of the Wildlings."

He grinned. "I do? He's not that bad. I kind of like his character."

She kept staring. "You've been bunked up here, most of the time alone like some crazy hermit and ye have that wild beard look going on there. But I must say, ye look good, and it's really great to see ye smile for once, Jamie."

"I guess I'm making progress, but I'm only just starting to notice now. I can't wait to start running soon."

Jenny gave a suffering sigh. "Jamie! Focus on walking first. Baby steps - wee baby steps at a time. And don't overdo it or ye'll injure yersel' bad, and then ye're back to where ye started." She studied his face, her perceptive blue eyes assessing his condition in a true sisterly fashion. "How are yer back and thighs?"

His right thigh throbbed, so he shifted his weight to take some of the pressure of. "There are good days and bad days, but I'm feeling much better today. So, what can I do?" he asked, trying to redirect Jenny's attention elsewhere.

If Jamie was honest with himself, his injury had dragged some hard truths to the surface about his relationship with Claire. After some serious and eye-opening conversation with his sister the night before, he knew he was ready to face them all. This time, he hoped to face them together with Claire. No more hiding, no more secrets and hopefully, they can leave the past behind for good and look forward to the future. That's if she'll have him back!

Looking at her culinary handiwork, Jenny placed her hands on her hips. "We're all set, Jamie. There's nothing left to do except wait for Claire and Ian. The wine is chilling in the bucket, and the table is ready. I'll start cooking the asparagus and potatoes once drinks are served."

The sound of crunching gravel and engine alerted them to an arrival. On cue, Jenny looked out the window. "It's Claire," she announced.

Jamie didn't need telling. Turning around supported by his crutch, he made his way to the hallway, trying his best to hide his limp. His hip bones creaked as he moved, reminding him he had been stood in one position for too long. As Jamie walked into the front room, he glanced at the organised chaos, the earthy colours and textures of antiques and the worn, faded Persian rug revealed in perfect glory. A proper lived-in home. This was what he wanted for him and Claire - their own lived-in home.

Shivers of memory coursed through him, bringing him back to his childhood years. It was spent in this exact place, perched on the stairs, pondering his life. This was where his dreams and plans were laid out, where hurts and heartbreaks were healed. He could see himself and Claire making the Highlands their home and wondered if it would be enough for her. But he wondered too if she was too young to envision such things far into the future. For a few precious moments, the tattered hole in his soul took a breath and sighed. He slowly moved forward, ready to greet whatever came ahead.

..........

Claire inserted her keys into the lock and pushed the heavy door while juggling a couple of bottles of white wine, flowers for Jenny and her overnight bag. Her heart lightened, and her stomach growled as she smelled the fresh, herby scent of cooking. Using her back to force the door to open wider, she felt a hand grabbed her overnight bag, and she looked up, startled.

"Jamie!" she breathed. Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ!

Her words seemed to drift away as she stared at Jamie in total fascination, her brain short-circuiting at the sight of him. His normally trimmed and brushed back coppery coloured hair, curled wildly over his forehead, and a striking beard which she had never seen on him before, hugged his jaw. The whole look was bordering on wild as she took in the plain black t-shirt that stretched over his muscular, broad shoulders and the visible bronzed skin on his arms. Sky blue eyes piercing with intensity froze her in place and gave her a funny lurch in the tummy. It felt like she was meeting him for the first time.

"Sassenach?" Looking confused, Jamie consciously ran a hand through his several days worth of scruff. "Is it that bad? I can go and shave if ye wish," he said softly.

She shook off her thoughts and reconnected with the land of the living. "No. Sorry. You look ...you look different. It suits you. Really." Her fingers itched to touch his tousled hair, the strands glowing almost gold underneath the ceiling light. "And ...and you're on your feet. That's great!"

Grinning, he swayed slightly. "Aye, that I am." Claire remained frozen on the spot, and after what seemed like an eternity, staring and soaking each other's presence, he shifted closer until just a foot of space lay between them. Leaning down, hesitatingly at first, he kissed her briefly on the lips. As he pulled back, his eyes searched her face for any signs of objections, and when he found none, his bottom lip lifted in a half-smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling.

Oh, God! Her heart thundered. It was merely a featherlike brushing of lips, but his beard tickled and scraped the sensitive skin around her chin. His mouth, soft, firm and full, was almost humble in its hesitation to prolong the kiss. Blushing profusely, she lifted up the two bottles of wine she was holding. "I brought two bottles of Sauvignon Blanc. I thought these would go well with salmon," she stammered, feeling like a bumbling teenager.

"Ye ken how to pair wine with food. Aye, it's certainly a classic," Jamie chuckled, stepping away to let her in. "Come on, Sassenach, it's cold, and dinner is almost ready. We don't want to keep Jenny waiting."

A giggle escaped her lips as she walked into the warmth of the hallway. "No, we certainly do not. But I think it's Ian who's late this time. I haven't seen his car outside."

"He should be here at any moment soon," he said, in a gravelly voice as he planted her bag on the floor.

Placing the flowers and wines on the console table, Claire was very aware of his stinging blue gaze raking over her. She needed a moment to compose herself before her mind clicked into overdrive, as he was standing too close. The primal scent of man and shower gel rose to her nostrils, teasing a small moan from her chest. "You go ahead. I'll just take off my coat. I shan't be long."

He nodded with a smile, making her heart do somersaults. "I'll get ye a drink then," he said as he started to move away.

Claire noticed his movements were graceful despite his injury, as her eyes automatically landed on his rear, framed magnificently in his jeans. Get a grip Beauchamp! You're salivating like a mare in heat! Annoyed with herself for thinking indecent thoughts, she quickly took off her coat and made her way to the kitchen with the wines and flowers.

As she walked in she was greeted by a flushed-face Jenny removing her apron in a flurry. "Oh God, Claire! Sorry, it's just going to be ye and Jamie," she prattled, looking over her shoulder at her brother who seemed to be annoyed. "Listen, I forgot tonight is Ian's pal's birthday and we were invited. I'm supposed to pick him up at work in 30 minutes. Everything is done already, and all it needs is dishing up. Ok?" Not waiting for her to respond, Jenny gave Claire a quick peck on the cheek and dashed out of the kitchen. "Love ye both, and we'll not be coming home tonight. We'll be staying at Ian's apartment. Don't wait up." Jenny shouted as she ran up the stairs.

Claire stared at Jamie in astonishment, wondering what the hell just happened. "This is a setup, isn't it?"

"I'm so sorry, Sassenach. I had no idea we'd be alone. I promise ye, I had nothing to do with it," he explained, shuffling on his feet. "Ye were probably looking forward to a family dinner..."

Claire's face softened as she walked over to Jamie. "I was looking forward to homemade food, and by the looks of it, we have that." Standing in front of him, she placed a hand on his cheek. "And I was also looking forward to catching up with you." The insides of her hand tingled as she touched his face, and she quickly let them fall to her side.

"Weel, I'm glad ye came, Sassenach. I wasn't so sure ye would with all the work in the hotel," he said softly, taking her hand and kissing her palm. The sexual chemistry took hold and twisted sharply between them, the look of longing in his eyes demanding her to surrender.

Her eyes half-closed, she took a deep breath, needing to calm the crazy rioting emotions flooding through her in waves. She knew she had missed Jamie, but she didn't realise that seeing him today after a long time apart, would turn her into a shuddering mess. Before she could process more of her thoughts, she took a step back. "I'll serve the food, and you open the wine?"

"Of course." Even with the space between them, his leashed sexual energy lashed out at her in droves, trying to pull her back in. "We might as well. I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse," he said good-humouredly, lightening the mood.

"So am I." Grateful for the change of subject, Claire laughed as she headed towards the hob to serve the delights Jenny had prepared for them. Looking now at the portions, it was quite obvious she made dinner, only for two. What an interfering little witch! she thought. Smiling, she began plating their dishes as she mentally thanked Jenny for her intervention, feeling happy for the first time in weeks.

#melodyheart #forgetmenot #Claire Beauchamp/Jamie Fraser #outlanderfanfic

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