Training the Vine

[Igraine]

(( This is a portion of a much larger, ongoing story project, between myself and Ani-Thari. It's partly fanfic for World of Warcraft, but really? Hopefully, it's just a good, entertaining story. Comments and criticisms are more than welcome. ))

“’Musha,” whispered the elf huskily, her lips brushing gently against the edge of his ear as she set the liquor down next to him, “if you’ll forget the drink and meet me upstairs, I can promise you won’t be disappointed.” The ends of her fire-red hair brushed gently against his collar as she stood, fel-green eyes glittering mischievously in the filtered noon-day light that somehow managed to steal inside this dive of a bar on Murder Row. With one last look over her shoulder and a wink, the barkeep tucked the tray under her arm as she walked toward the curtained entrance to the rooms above the bar proper, ensuring the spymaster had a full, unobstructed view of what, exactly, just might be on the menu if he took her up on the offer.

Normusha Duskscale, spymaster, assassin, ne’er do well lover of all female flesh, watched her go. Oh, how he watched her go, with an eyebrow raised and his head tilted just so. Forget a drink? Gods... What was he drinking anyways? Bah, probably nothing good. Standing up from his table, he casually walked up the stairs following the woman's trail. Peeling back a curtain he smiled widely, the light in his eyes not hiding his anticipation at all. Oh sure, he was a serious businessman. But when it came to women, what was the harm in being a bit more, well, laid back?

The barkeep turned around, setting the tray down as she approached him, untying the knot that barely held the upper part of her shirt together in the first place. Ivory arms snaked around his neck as she pressed the full length of her body against him. Slowly she raised her face to his, lips parted just a bit, as she whispered, "Sun save you, 'Musha, your full, undivided attention is just as easy to get as he said it would be."

Pulling back just a little, she reached into her cleavage and retrieved a small, folded, sealed piece of parchment from between her amply revealed breasts, handing it to him with a small, knowing grin. The seal itself was still intact, and bore a rather obscure rune, while the paper itself was still warm from... well... the last place it had been carried before delivery.

Normusha sighed, a small half-grin on his face. “Playful disappointment.” That was how he would describe his current attitude. Normusha took the missive with a nod of the head as he looked over the seal. "Now, now... This wouldn't be a trap would it?" The sin'dorei lifted his shades, eyeing the woman with a semi-serious, yet suspicious gleam in his eyes. Leaning against a nearby wall he prepared to break open the seal and read the job offer. After all, what else could it be?

"Well, if it's a trap, I've had it awfully near some rather vital, extremely tender places," she said with a small grin, tying the knot of her shirt back together again before picking up the tray and tucking it under her arm. She pulled back the curtain and made to brush past the spymaster. Almost immediately though, she turned around and wrapped her free hand around his neck, pulling him to her for a long, lingering kiss before letting him go. "Sorry for the trick, 'Musha," she said gently with a small smile, "maybe you'll let me make it up to you some time, hmm? Can't have one of our best customers leaving... unsatisfied?" She turned again and walked slowly down the stairs to the bar, leaving the spymaster with his missive.

The rune itself, pressed into the wax, was obscure - but not so obscure as to be unrecognizable - at least, not to one of the Horde's spymasters. Still, it was best for the barkeep's continued existence in this mortal coil that she had not tried to open it - doing so without properly detoxifying the attendant vapors that would be released was, assuredly, most unwise. Be a damn shame to see anything bad happen to such a healthy pair of… lungs.

A pinch of dust from a side pouch, mixed with his spit as he rubbed it into the seal itself before finally snapping it open, the spymaster unfolded the parchment before raising one eyebrow, a slow grin spreading over his face. Just a single name, and a number. A very large number…

Oh, the grin was not as wide as it might have been for a taste of the delicious little elf woman, but it was still very genuine. After all, when it came to numbers this large? Contentment was only a matter of degrees…

[Igraine]

~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~

As cliche as it might have seemed, there really was a crisp bite to the air on that cool, early autumn day. Dressed simply in dark-colored woolen breaches and a silk shirt, a thick, pale blue cloak trimmed in gold, embroidered with a white gryphon the only mark of his true status, the middle-aged bear of a man maneuvered the black warhorse toward the first vineyards. He nodded amiably to the workers who looked up and waved as he passed by, too bowed down by the boxes of harvested grapes hoisted on their shoulders to give a proper greeting to the estate's lord.

From the cover of the tree's canopy, Normusha ran over his mental laundry list of facts about the target. Lord Edmond Baldric, a nobleman, and a member of the Stormwind House of Nobles. A lucky bastard by accident of birth, it seemed. A staunch, unwaivering supporter of the Crown, and one of the few Stormwind noblemen who spoke out openly against Lady Prestor’s policies, he managed to survive her "regency" through a combination of wit, diplomacy, tactical brilliance, and an unswerving popularity and loyalty amongst his own people. Mmhmm... Lucky and smart. Now that Varian was back on the throne, he spent most of his time on their ancestral estates in Elwynn, just south of Northshire. Yes yes, married, boringly monogamous according to all sources, it seemed, to the Lady Magdalena… At least it got a bit more interesting: one daughter and oh, what a spot of interest…

Behind the nobleman, riding on a dappled charger no less powerful than the one ahead of her, a lovely young woman smiled at Lord Baldric's back. Fiery auburn hair pulled back from her face, large, intelligent gray eyes the very match of his seemed to take in everything around her at a glance. And despite the obvious refinement of her features, it would be impossible for any but the blind to fail to note the family resemblance. The pair wound their way through the vineyard's rambling trails as they talked of the business of the winery: the timing these white grapes would be harvested, whether the sugar levels would be low enough, when they might estimate the perfect maturation had been met for the imminent harvesting of the red…

Ah yes… Lady Katarina Anastasia Baldric… Affectionately known among even the least of their workers as "Miss Anna," Lord and Lady Baldric's only child, and the heir to whole of her father’s estate. Though still young, a mere 22-years old, she was considered whip smart and - according to her old nurse and the family's major domo - her father's match in most every way, when he was that age as well...

Normusha sighed, a bit exasperated at all the bucolic sundries. How absolutely dull could humans be, anyway? The binoculars he was holding strayed, as always, from the main target to the man's daughter. Sure, he was many decades her senior, but when did that ever stop half-breeds from being born? Ahhh... The tales of quel'dorei sailors came to mind. Tales of women who could move like the waves…

Or… mmhmm… Horseback riding... Just the movement of a woman on a horse, her rhythm rising and falling perfectly in time with the gait of the beast. Oh, men were a brutish breed, no matter the race. But women? Even if humans were fairly high on the contemptible scale, that did not mean their women could not measure up...

Normusha shook his head and forced himself to lower the binoculars. Dear gods, was it any wonder he was a perpetual sucker for a beautiful woman? From his perch on the tree limb, he calmly walked closer to the trunk and leaned against it, his fingers tapping on binoculars.

’Maybe another peek... ? No! Just… have to wait. No more not focusing on the main target, even if his daughter is, simply, the most succulent thing in this entire vine- Dear gods I’ve got to get my head straight, for the show later… Must. Ignore. All. Women… ‘

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

’Light damn it all, what the hell is out there… ?’

"Father," Anna said evenly, keen eyes focusing on a point on the horizon only she seemed to be able to see, a small line of worry creasing her forehead, "do you think Mother has everything in hand? You know that Matthew will have the pavilions readied, and Jonathan will take care of the vats, the barrels... The guests should be arriving soon - perhaps we ought to head back, get changed, and at least have the estate's lord ready to greet his visitors himself?"

There was nothing of this feeling she could shake, all her nerves raw and on edge. Something was here, close, and it did not mean them well… Every last thing seemed, simply, amiss…

Lord Baldric turned around in his saddle, and looked at his daughter, laughter in his eyes and, only a moment later, his lips. "Anna, I swear... I could have asked for no better in a son," he said, turning the black charger around expertly as he drew up next to his daughter. He leaned over to kiss her lightly on the forehead, gently teasing away that small line.

Anna smiled up into his face tenderly, giving her father a show of light-heartedness she did not feel in the least, before pulling the reins of her warhorse quickly. With one last look over the vineyards, eyes narrowed suspiciously, she let loose with a shrill whistle and dug her heels into the mount's side. Black and gray steeds pounded heedless along the paths back to the manor house and the stables.

Their approach, however did not go unnoticed – most especially by the laughing blue eyes of a graceful, statuesque woman surrounded by a host of the estate’s attendants.

"Excuse me, please, would you?” she said gently, but with unmistakable authority, “Oh, and yes, those linens will be fine in the guest rooms. Gennifer, please tell Sarah that the roasted boar will be accompanied by the duck and… ah, no, never mind, she knows what is needed." Lady Magdalena’s eyes never left the approaching riders as she moved from the small crowd that parted for her, collecting her ample skirts in one hand as she walked sedately toward the stables.

Even from the back of his runaway charger, Lord Baldric spied his wife’s approach, and managed to give his daughter the oh-so-familiar"Light help us now" look. Oh, he knew full well they had been gone far longer than they should have been, and even their mounts showed the imposing woman the respect that was her due.

"So," said Magdalena, easily grabbing the reins of both horses immediately as they came to a screeching halt in front of her, "are you two miscreants going to get ready, or do I have to get rough here?"

"Maggy, we were just- "

"If you 'Maggy' me again at this point, Edmond, things are going to get ugly. Move it." Anna clasped her hand quickly over her mouth with a huge grin, knowing better than to argue with her mother, as she slid off the back of the charger and all but ran to the manor house, and her rooms.

[Ani-Thari]

((Part 1 ^-^))


Strings of brightly colored lanterns hung gaily from every available post and pavilion on the estate, from the great stone manor house with its inviting formal gardens in the front, down the gently sloping grounds to the stables, living quarters and the vineyards proper. Torches lined and lit both sides of the well-worn road that led to the manor, as well as the various meandering pathways through the party grounds. The light, inviting notes of violins, recorders and lutes hung delicately in the air, a proper backdrop for the brilliantly arrayed lords and ladies who had already arrived.

The sounds of laughter and the occasionally overloud and animated conversation punctuated the music, like the joyous beat of an erratic drum. And though the sun was only beginning to set, already the talk seemed a bit, well, animated among the earliest of the arrivals. Then again, the very lifeblood of this estate was its vineyard and winery. Not a few bottles of the Baldric family’s finest vintages had already been opened and enjoyed by the noblemen and -women who milled about, enjoying the sumptuous outdoor buffet that had been prepared and eyeing with no small amount of amusement and anticipation the giant vats that were still being filled by the estate's workers.

Lord and Lady Baldric, both garbed in the pale blue, gold and white of the House coat of arms, were standing at the head of the drive, greeting each of their guests as they arrived. And every time some eager, bright-eye young nobleman inquired for the whereabouts of the Lady Katarina, the gentle couple simply gave gracious smiles, and a nod indicating she could be found near the vats.

But afterward, when the erstwhile gentlemen were just far enough from their sight? Raised eyebrows and a small, knowing roll of the both pairs of eyes, accompanied by matching head shakes and slightly exasperated sighs.

Far from her parents’ consternation though, Anna laughed quietly with Jonathan, the vine master, on the far side of one of the giant vats as she watched the assembling nobility. Dear sweet Light help her, she loved and hated these times in equal measure. Everything about her home, the estates, and the business of the winery: every last bit of it was bread and meat to her soul.

But all that came with being considered an eligible, wealthy heiress? Nothing but one giant headache, that she would rid herself of gladly, if she could.

"Thanks, Jon," she said, clapping him on the shoulder lightly even as she looked resignedly over the vat toward the party goers. The man’s gaze followed hers, as he let out a chuckle. “Most welcome, Miss Anna,” he said before turning back to the gaggle of workers still loading box after box of pale grapes into the vats, “I’ll come find you, when we’re ready.”

Anna nodded absently, remembering this time to let a pleasant smile come to her lips before she stepped out from behind the vats, into the lamps’ light. 'Time to go make nice,' she thought to herself with no enthusiasm at all, slender, agile hands at her waist quickly dropping to her sides, as if they absently missed something normally there.

Keen gray eyes fell over the crowd as she approached the gathering. Dressed in a simple pale blue sheath of a dress, masses of auburn locks piled up on her head, the Lady Katarina smiled sweetly as she moved smoothly from person-to-person, greeting one with a respectful nod of her head or a small curtsey, another with a handshake, and yet another with a smile and words of welcome, as befit the station of each as she made her solitary way through the guests, performing her duties – by all appearances - quite graciously.

This night, though? It had only just begun, yet Anna simply could not shake the feeling that something was, still, horribly amiss. Beneath the bright smile and the gracious manners, the small talk and the gentle laughter, the lady was... watching. And watchful.

’Hmm...' Normusha swirled the wine in his glass gently, absently taking sips as he spoke here and there with the other lords and ladies. No, not too much as to bring unwanted attention, nor too little to be suspicious. A rather gallant figure he cut, he knew, even in this human guise, with blonde hair neatly pulled back from a strong face, accented with piercing green eyes. He was dressed elegantly in a gold-trimmed navy jacket, a brilliant white shirt and straight, black pants tucked neatly into riding boots. The only show of wealth on the man was a rather tastefully-engraved gold ring on his right index finger. Lord Orben Statham: Normusha had assumed the nobleman’s identity after making short work of knocking him out and hiding his body, of course. Even better, the man had seemed right about his favorite age to mimic: for humans, somewhere right around the beginning of the third decade or so.

And since the lord in question had no marriage band, Normusha felt it was best to act as an unwed man should, speaking more with the ladies and acting in a generally gentlemanly manner. Given just a bit more time he would ease his way into the homestead, but until then? He had to remain in character, did he not? Ah, and what a character to be.

Except, of course, as he eyed the latest of the “acquaintances” he had made – a lady who, while quite breathtaking to behold, lost much of her appeal at the very moment she opened her mouth to talk [incessantly] or, gods-forbid, giggle like a gibbering banshee.

For hours now, Anna had spent her time beneath the gently bobbing lanterns and the pavilions, moving as easily from group to person to couple as a spring bird lights from branch to branch. Wine-induced jesting, the gossip of the King’s court and wild rumors of war and conflict from as far off as Kalimdor: Anna bore it all with a gracious nod, a pleasant smile, just the right word of agreement or astonishment at the appropriate moment. Light help her, she was all but spent tonight. The worry and suspicion that had plagued her throughout the day had proved relentless and exhausting, though none would ever know such a thing, simply to look on her face.

[Ani-Thari]

((Part 2 ^-^ ))


Still, Anna felt her heart lighten just a little, as she approached the amiably chatting duo. No, they were not a married couple by any means, but Lord Statham had always been, at the very least, a gentleman's gentleman - as was evidenced by what Anna could only assume was a stoically maintained conversation with the ever-flighty and oh-so-easy-to-amuse Lady Phyllis Burns. Though Lady Burns was certainly fair of face, with hair like pale spun gold, and eyes the color of cornflowers, that laughter: so easily elicited by any least thing a gentleman might say, it could peel the paint off a barn.

"M'lord," she said with a respectful nod of her head to Lord Statham, quickly taking Phyllis' hand in her own as she turned to her, "and good to see you again, Lady Burns. I trust you are both well, and having a good time?" She peered into Lord Statham's wine glass with a small smile, "and that all the hospitality our poor House can afford is to your liking?" She cringed, but only very slightly, almost unnoticeably, as Phyllis broke out in peals of laughter.

Thank the gods he might get to his target and, better yet, get away from this annoying woman. Normusha smiled comfortably, but allowed his eyes to plead a bit with "Miss Anna" for a rescue. Thankfully the young lady appeared to dislike Lady Burns' laughter as much as he did - he could only hope dear Lord Statham had done nothing to incur Lady Katarina's wrath at any point, where she might choose to leave him with his current company, despite his subtly signaled distress.

Now to see whether his ruse was solid… "The wines are as aromatic and smooth as always, Lady Katarina," he said with a polite nod, "But I would be more than willing to part with my glass if I could, perhaps, have a dance with you?" Yes. Never ask for anything but the minimal when trying to escape. People were often more inclined to give up one of something, rather than an unknown number. Those two simple words, "have a" asked only for one - just one for a reprieve, and an escape from incessant laughter.

Anna hesitated for just a moment, the smile on her face as pleasant as ever, though she cast a sidelong glance toward Phyllis who, it seemed, might be about to pout a bit. Ah, but poor Lord Statham? He had never been anything but kind to her - and she knew that look in his eyes. "Phyllis," Anna said gently, even as she offered her hand to the beleaguered nobleman, "I do believe Lord Rhinehart has already arriv-"

"OH! Has he? Well... if you would be so kind-" With her free hand, Anna pointed nonchalantly in the direction of a tall, ruggedly handsome, ebony-haired nobleman who seemed to be single-handedly entertaining a small gaggle of excitedly jabbering ladies.

"I do hope I won't be depriving you of any companionship, if I take this dance, Phyllis?" Anna asked smoothly - though it seemed Lady Burns may not have heard a word Anna said - she was gone that fast. Anna turned back to Lord Statham with a nod of her head and a knowing grin. "It would seem, m'lord," she said good-naturedly, "you don't have to do now without your wine at all.” She leaned over to him conspiratorially, to whisper in his ear, “Though that can stay between the two of us."

Casting a glance at Lord Rhinehart, Normusha found himself sighing inwardly, the far more lecherous part of him wishing a bit wistfully that he had chosen that man to impersonate. Outwardly, after the glance toward the retreating Lady Burns, he gave Anna a discrete eye roll and a shake of his head. "Many thanks, m'lady. Should you ever find yourself in need of a, shall we say, dancing partner of your own? Please, do not hesitate to look in my direction." Locking eyes with her for but a moment, he peered into her mind as quickly as he had glanced at Rhinehart, before nodding at her with a wink and walking in the opposite direction of the growing gaggle of preening young women around the bemused nobleman.

‘Hmmm... So this Statham was a "gentleman's gentleman," and "nothing but kind to her"?’ Well, perhaps for himself, Rhinehart would have been preferable, but for the mission Statham was definitely the better man for the job. Taking another sip of wine, he tried to remember how many glasses he had so far and the appropriate level of drunkenness, given this man's height, weight, age, tolerance.

Anna's gray eyes narrowed as she watched Lord Statham walk away, something in the look he had given her… The smile on her face disappeared as easily as the man who slipped in amongst the ever-moving crowd.

Quite suddenly, Anna realized the gnawing unease in her gut had a face.

[Ani-Thari]

"Miss Anna?" A presence at Anna’s shoulder snapped her from her reverie, as she turned to find Jonathan there. "Whenever your father is ready to give the signal, all is prepared for the grapes to run."

"Oh, yes... of course. I'll let him know." Quick as a flash, several decisions were reached at once behind those inscrutable gray eyes. She found her father and mother walking among a group of their oldest and closest friends, gently laying her hand on his shoulder to subtly pull his attention from the old war buddy he was currently swapping tales with. Lord Baldric smiled widely when she whispered Jonathan's message to him, his arm pulling his wife a bit tighter to him with a grin as he waved over a few servants, and readied the musicians.

For her part, Anna searched over the heads of the crowd, until she found just that blonde head she was searching for. A wide, sweet smile on her face, Anna approached Lord Statham, only biting her lip a little as she asked him a bit shyly, "M'lord, I would understand if your offer just a moment ago was only kindness, but I find myself in need of a partner this very minute, and... can I impose on you, for just a while longer?"

’She must be thinking up something devious. Or perhaps she is truly shy and innocent?’ No matter what, it would force him into a corner. Normusha made a mental note to remind Lord Statham of these important encounters later, unless he decided he needed the man’s guise past this night. Spotting a nearby crate, he placed his wine glass just so and turned back to her with a small bow. "I would be honored offer aid in any way I can, m'lady." Yes, he just had to play the part of being eternally grateful for getting away from the painful laughter of Lady Burns.

Anna rewarded his acquiescence with a beautiful smile as she offered him her hand. "It is time," she said, allowing just a small bit of the excitement that absolutely should be there, to come through in her voice, "for the grapes to run.” Casting her eyes to the ground, and then looking back up to him from beneath long lashes – either shyly or coyly, depending on however one might wish to interpret her soft, pleading gaze. “I have to admit, m’lord, I have not made plans for anyone at all to be my partner.”

“But… oh no!" she exclaimed, a bit wide-eyed now, her face now a mask of perfectly innocent concern, "excuse me, I had not considered - are you with someone else here for that?" In the distance, the sound of many voices raised in sudden, raucous laughter began, as the tempo of the violins began to rise, faster and faster, calling all the partygoers to the climax of the evening....

’Dear gods! No wonder those damnable people still asked for Ashwing in Silvermoon. That damn southern, human-tainted, mockery of an elf would be perfectly at ease around all of this so called 'excitement.’ Normusha made sure to smother his mounting rage at being consider 'second best' to someone who was no longer an assassin. How many of his seedier clients told him they asked Ashwing first but were ignored? It was almost as if they wanted him to feel jealous and-

Right he had a job to do. The racing of her heartbeat gave him little choice in the grape run area. A man could not ruin a woman's fun after all. And a… grape run? ’Dear gods did they actually press grapes with... their feet?!‘

"No, I have not been fortunate enough to be asked by anyone to be their partner," he replied with an easy laugh, not a single false note to hint at his inner panic and mounting rage. After all, she was not the target, and was certainly not the reason for his situation. "I suppose it was simply assumed I already had a partner." Again he locked calm eyes with hers. He knew what he was searching for in that pretty little head: What, exactly, was he supposed to do when the grapes ran... ?

Anna's lovely smile only widened further as she took his hand in her own, walking quickly toward the vats as she kicked off her embroidered slippers, heedless of where they landed. The closer they came to the vats, the louder the music and the laughter grew, the violinists' notes almost seeming to madly chase each other now.

All had gathered around the vats, every available man paired up with every available woman. Lord Baldric stood at the hest of one of the largest, one arm tightly around his wife's waist. He simply could not hide the astonishment on his face, as his eyes lit up with approval - and no small amount of amusement - when he saw Anna approach with Lord Statham. Catching his daughter’s eye then, and just the smallest of scowls meant just for him - there one moment, gone the next - Lord Baldric stifled the smug grin on his face. Sort of…

No matter, a brilliant smile only widened now as he nodded to the musicians. At his command, the violinists’ bows suddenly teased out a long, suspenseful note that hung over the party, like a blanket, for several long seconds. Small bursts of laughter and excited whispers punctuated the summons to dance. Finally, with a shout and a loud cheer, Lord Baldric picked Lady Magdalena up by the waist and, with little further ado, heaved her into the vat where she landed lightly on her own bare feet.

The moment she landed, the violinists released the note they held, and quickly began to build another series of staccato calls. All around the vats, the men did the same for their own barefoot ladies, noble and commoner alike, helping them into the vats as the First Harvest dance began.

The women began a twirling, plodding dance through the grapes, laughter ing and giggling while the men did the same, clapping their hands to the ever increasing tempo of the violins.

"Go ahead, m'lord," whispered Anna urgently into his ear. Her head was cocked to one side expectantly - not quite sure, it seemed, what to make of his hesitancy?

Normusha did what he always did in these situations when he was cornered - lie and mimic as much as possible. He did exactly as the others did, but made sure to reply to her with a gaze that begged forgiveness for his hesitation. "One too many glasses of wine, must have made me slow." Yes, mimic and observe. The target seemed happy with the pairing. Well then, perhaps it would be best to take over for Lord Statham for a few months or -gods forbid- years? Not like it would be his first relationship started with a false face.

Anna landed on cat's feet, a small laugh for the nobleman who, it seemed, along with everyone else at the party had had just a little too much wine. Hiking her skirts up in one hand, she began to laugh and twirl and dance along with the other women, even catching her mother's startled-but-pleased glance as she did all she could have been expected to do in this moment, as a good, obedient daughter, and the next Lady Baldric. And just like every other woman in the vats, she turned excited, eager eyes to her partner, who himself seemed so busy smiling and laughing and clapping - just like every other man.

Amiss...

And the violins played on, and the harvest grapes' juice ran. Anna danced for her father, and for her mother, but far more importantly, she danced for the man with the green eyes. Because she could not say how, but she was sure that - if she could claim to know nothing else for sure - his eyes truly were green.

Anna shook her head quickly - how could she possibly know such a thing? No matter, she and her "sisters of the vine" whirled on and on, for as long as the wild, infectiously joyful music compelled them. Despite the growing, dreadful certainty in her heart that something about her partner was so very wrong, Anna could not help but be carried away in the moment. She caught her mother’s eye as the older woman turned back around from the head of their circular “procession” of sorts, and wrapped her arm in her daughter’s own, sending them both spinning wildly through the grapes and their juice. To Anna’s eyes, she seemed very much as she must have some thirty years ago – a wild, untamable spirit woman, only just barely contained in this mortal world by the music that bound them here in the dance.

Anna could not help but laugh at her flight of fancy – but then, quite suddenly, most any reason at all seemed a good enough reason for revelries, the lightness in her heart – at least for these few minutes – such a sweet and blessed relief.

So when the music finally stopped, she grabbed the edge of the vat in front of the green-eyed nobleman with one hand, the other still holding up the rather juice-sodden edges of her skirts. She was breathless, more from the laughing or from the twirling, stomping dancing she could not say. Almost all of her auburn tresses, once piled up so carefully on her head, now hung about her face in wild tendrils. "Please," she finally managed to plead breathlessly, her face flushed and smiling still, "m'lord, would you help me out?"

He laughed, reaching a hand to pull her out, "But of course m'lady." Grabbing her hand, Normusha hauled her from the vat with ease. "You did very well m’lady. I believe we could get a few glasses of juice from your skirts," he said with a soft chuckle, eyeing the ends of her dress. Now, he just had to look into her eyes. Then he gave his eyes a subtle, magical kind of glow - in this case he dimmed the illusion over his eyes so the natural elven glow could shine out. Normusha made sure to make his smile bright, but soft. There, that was enough time for this particular face. Now, just look as though you have become aware of inner thoughts, clear throat, look away, and...

Anna chuckled a bit as she eyed the edges of her aforementioned skirts rather dubiously, the emotions and thoughts she saw flash across his face not lost on her in the least.

"Exhausting but fun, right milady?" Normusha coughed then spared her a friendly -guilt tinged- glance. "I could not have asked for a better partner."

She returned his smile sweetly and nodded. "You are too kind, Lord Statham. But yes, I think I am a little tired," she said with a seemingly exhausted sigh, running her hand along the side of her face, "I'm afraid you are not the only one who may have had one glass more than they really ought."

Anna had not had even a single glass of wine this evening, but how would he ever know? She held his hand gingerly, as if she would rely on him for her balance as she walked through the now-muddy grounds to the sluicing buckets. Anna let the clean water wash the sticky juices from her now bare feet before she turned to scan the torch- and lantern-lit grounds, letting out a small laugh. "I seem to have lost my shoes," she admitted finally, letting out an abashed, girlish giggle as she ran her hands over her bare arms, to warm them up in the cool night air.

[Igraine]

(( Part 1 for August 16))

The spymaster suppressed an eye roll at the obviously lucid woman. Right... Perhaps his advances were starting a bit early. She seemed to be in a bit of a hurry to be using excuses, in his opinion. Well, time for him to take a turn searching the grounds. No matter the illusion, his night vision should be able to spot her shoes - the only problem being, of course, seeing them where a human should not. Gods help the race that had problems seeing their own hand in the dark. He squinted in seeming frustration. "Where would you say they were last?" he asked and, noticing she appeared cold, he did the only gentlemanly thing he could, and gave her his coat. Well, not really his coat, but that was a minor detail.

At his question Anna’s laughter sounded just a little nervous, and she pulled the jacket a bit tighter around her now. She made a show of scanning the ground as they walked together. "Well, this is a bit embarrassing," she said finally, seemingly a bit reluctant to make the admission, "but I think I kicked them off as I was running to the vats, from where we were last?"

"Oh!" She exclaimed, as she recalled the moments before they headed off to dance. "You left your wine on those boxes - surely they are somewhere between here and there..."

The musicians were still playing, lightly lilting notes filling the cool night air. Despite the music, the evening itself was obviously winding down. Most of the guests were beginning to make a decision about heading towards their homes at their own conveyance, or stay the night in one of the many guest rooms and bunks the manor afforded. With half of her attention in pursuit of the elusive shoes that, -in truth- she really could have cared less for, Anna asked as casually as she could manage, "Will you be staying the night, m'lord? The hospitality of our home is open to you, if you are nearly as tired as I?"

Fake yawn, continue searching for glass with shoes nearby. "Yes, I think I will need to stay; falling off my steed is not an enjoyable prospect." Alright now would be an excellent time to locate the missing items… "Aha! There is my glass and... I am sure your shoes are nearby milady." It was not too dark near the glass right? Damn, his eyesight always made these jobs iffy.

Anna bit her lip, even as she nodded and, with a small gasp, made a great show of finally finding those slippers she had carelessly tossed aside. While she used his arm for balance as she put on first one, and then the other, Anna considered her options. She had not really expected he would leave, whether he said he would or not. Still, perhaps this way was for the better, that she would have reason to keep him close, her newfound interest piqued - to say the least - for a man who had, until this very night, been only a friend of the family.

And so setting her newly shod foot down, Anna seemed to catch herself for the first time in the realization she was still holding the nobleman's arm. Quickly she folded her hands one over the other in front of her as she smiled up at him sweetly, a bit abashed by all appearances if the blush on her cheeks said anything. "Forgive me," she said, "I think too much wine has made me a bit too... familiar?" She searched his eyes for a pardon, and a smile. "I am going to retire, m'lord, I do believe, before I do anything to make myself seem sillier in your eyes than I already have. Would you like me to show you to the guest quarters, Lord Statham?"

Lies. It had been such a long and exhausting night Normusha could hardly control his emotions as he felt his eyes about to narrow with suspicion. Catching the physical reaction in time he managed to quickly overwrite it with a wide friendly smile. "I would not worry, milady, everyone seems to have had one too many here and there. Oh, thank you for offering to take me to the guest quarters. I know you must be exhausted."

Anna smiled in return, and shook her head. "No, m'lord, that is no problem - it would be my pleasure, considering how I've put you out tonight." Casually Anna linked her arm in his as they walked, saying very little but smiling brightly, particularly as they walked by Lord and Lady Baldric, who were bidding some of their guests a good night as they swung up into saddles, or the seats of their carriages. Lord Baldric's eyes widened a bit more when he saw his daughter walking arm-in-arm with Lord Statham, but Anna simply gave him one of those looks that begged 'Father, stop staring.' She could not help rolling her eyes a bit at him, while her mother nudged him none-too-gently in the ribs with her elbow as they passed.

In the main hall, the flagstones shone dully in the scant light of the torches and oil lamps. Anna led the nobleman to the right, toward a long hallway, similarly lit with oil lamps ensconced along the walls, and dotted with doors to the guest rooms. Anna pulled up short, before walking with him down the hallway. "Feel free to take any room might be available," she whispered, despite the fact that there was no one in sight, "and... I thank you for tonight."

She turned to walk away but hesitated, stopping in her tracks before turning back around to meet his green-eyed gaze. Anna paused for a moment, laying one gentle hand on his cheek before leaning in quickly without a word. And there, one brush of her lips against his other cheek, gone again just as quickly as she turned on her heel and left him there without a glance back, crossing the great hall toward the family's quarters with no small amount of haste by all appearances.

He remained in feigned shock, watching her leave for a moment before shaking his head clear. Turning as if he were still dazed from the event that just transpired, Normusha scanned the doors. The first two were taken - he knew that already. In those two rooms were some nobles that had drunk quite a bit of wine in a very short amount of time. Taking the third room, he shut the door without bothering to lock it. After all, for some reason he felt quite sure she would be coming back - and now he would have to stay up all night for when she chose to come to him.

Hmm... When he was sure everyone was asleep, he would go make some thistle tea. Oh of course, if anyone asked, he was just drinking normal chamomile tea. With one imposed thought placed in the mind of whoever might catch him, Normusha was sure his cover would remain just that.

While the rogue mused safely about what he would do for the night, Anna all but flew to her rooms, her gait changing once out of sight of the false nobleman. From a brisk, semi-embarrassed half-run, her pace became a far more sedate, purposeful stride. The adrenaline that was pumping through her at that moment though was far from feigned, and she felt anything but sleepy as she closed her chamber door behind her.

After sliding the door’s iron bolt, she stripped her gown, leaving it on the floor where it fell. Donning a simple shirt, leather pants and butter-soft leather boots, Anna decided to forego her weapons belt for now, settling instead for a simple dagger she sheathed in a hip strap. She opened her window, grabbing a part of the trellis that would bear her weight to the rooftop, but caught herself before she made it the whole way.

Leaping lightly back into her room, she swiftly ran gloved fingers down three stones from the side of her bed, two to the left, and pushed the spring latch. A small *click* and a false panel opened in the wall, to reveal a hidden cache of vials, bottles, flasks. A calculating look crossed her face, as she her fingers over Traian’s small legacy for her: the poisons and potions, the flasks that could either save a life, or end it instantly... Finally she simply pocketed several small, dark vials before heading back out the window again, the resignation on her face undiminished.

[Igraine]

((Part 2 of 2 August 16))

Anna had no idea how long this evening might take, or if she was - Light forbid - simply being far too paranoid for her own good. If she were, she would certainly have to smooth, well, something over with Lord Statham in the morning. The look on Lord Statham’s face when she kissed his cheek had been, without a doubt, absolutely priceless…

… If, of course, it were real.

With an exasperated sigh, Anna climbed to the slate rooftops, her insubstantial weight and feather-light gait rendering her as silent and unnoticeable as the black shadows of the estate's trees as she made her way to the guest wing.

Anna moved quietly over the slate roofing, estimating which room was his. She carefully opened the window on the hallway's far end as she stayed in the shadows, easily avoiding the pools of light from the oil lamps before finding a small alcove across from the door she knew he was behind. She simply had to know, to see for herself: would he stay? Or would he reveal himself?

Or would she wind up feeling like such a fool, standing vigilant watch over the door of some poor nobleman who she had likely confused the hell out of earlier? Anna bit her lip as she recalled the look he had given her earlier that evening, the soft green eyes and the gentle smile. Light help her, if she was wrong, she was really going to kick herself in the morning...

Normusha lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Some inner sense told him she would be coming back - it was just unspecific when it came to telling him how, or when. Would there be a knock on his door, hours before dawn? Would she come slinking in, or walk in boldly? So many ways to make an entrance, and so many variables... Hopefully it would be soon. He would hate to have to stay up all night for no reason whatsoever.

Actually he would like to sneak into the kitchen as early as possible. Still, best to wait until he enough time had passed where he could say, 'couldn't sleep' and still have it make sense.

A few hours had passed when he finally thought to himself,’All right, enough time’s passed already. Just get the tea and come back.’

Before heading to the door though, Normusha checked his reflection. No, no, no. He could not look this alert at night - that would not do at all. Alright, darken the area around the eyes, dishevel the hair just a bit. Now just to put one hand on the door handle... Oops! Almost forgot human's lacked night vision. Ah, there was a candle holder. First striking the first match, and then lighting the candle, Normusha shielded the light with one hand with the other opened the door.

Anna reflexively slunk back when the door opened, despite the stiffness from staying in one position so long, avoiding the pool of light from the candle as she watched him go toward... well... she knew not where. She found herself torn then, whether to stay... or go... or stay... ? But…

His appearance was disheveled, from what she could see in the wan candle light. Some small part of her sneered at her suspicions, as she watched their old family friend make his way rather haplessly about. Was this really the look of a devious man, who plotted a way into their home? Oh for Light’s sake, he did not appear to be in the least bit oriented, much less as if he were cunning enough to be on a mission to do some dastardly deed or other, to bring ruin on her father, or their estate…

’Now to make a show out of this, just in case.’ His steps were quiet of course, but not rogue quiet - just average human 'don't want to disturb anyone' quiet. At the first area where he had to make a decision, he purposefully went the wrong way. Then, as if just figuring things out for himself, and collecting his bearings, he went in the right direction. Always better safe than sorry, when trying to get from point A to point B in a disguise.

She simply watched as he nearly headed for one of the closets. Oh hell... He didn't even know which way he was going in the house?

'Anna, you're an idiot... '

As quickly as she came, she left through the window and returned to her rooms, throwing herself in a chair as she tossed the dagger to the floor. 'How in the hell... ? I swear, I must be losing my mind... I really, honestly am... '

Was it so hard – was it really so hard, to just take someone at face value anymore? Had she really become so jaded, so cynical and suspicious, that she could not take a gentleman’s interest for, quite simply, what it was? What in the hell was wrong with her?

Anna lay her head in her hands, eyes sweeping the moonlit room before they fell on-

Oh no. Lord Statham's jacket.

Anna laughed bitterly, a small, self-deprecating chuckle. Light knew she had to talk to him, to apologize. Surely he was still awake, at the very least, after his little trek to the kitchens?

She sighed quietly, running her hand over her suddenly aching head. And truth be told? This was not something she really felt like doing in the light of day, trying to stammer through an explanation for making such a fool of herself the night before. Taking the jacket and slinging it over her shoulder, she made her way back toward the guestrooms - this time, like normal people do - to eat a little crow.

Anna knocked gently on the door to Lord Statham's room, not so much to avoid startling him, but to keep the noise from disturbing the other guests. She had not brought a light of her own - she knew these halls and rooms so well, she could have walked them blindfolded. But when no one answered, Anna decided to let herself in - she really had no desire to be seen by any and all other “night owl” passers-by outside his room, after all. Anna laid his jacket over the bed, and sat in the small chair, waiting quietly for him to return.

Normusha quickly gulped down his tea. Good old thistle tea. He knew some rogues were trying 'energy drinks” and such, but why fix something that was perfect the way it was? Thank the gods the kitchen was empty. Now after two cups of thistle tea, a cup of chamomile should cover up the scent and have no effect on him lasting through the night and tomorrow. Walking back calmly to the guest rooms he took a sip of chamomile tea, swished, and then swallowed the tea down with a satisfied and grateful smile. After all, just because everyone seemed to be asleep, never actually meant everyone was asleep.

When the spy reached his room he looked down at the handle to check if anyone had entered. Evidently, his timing was terrible. Well, one could not keep a lady waiting. Doing his best to make it seem as if it was only a minor difficulty opening the door with a candle holder and a half-full cup of tea, he set the holder down as quickly as possible. Of course he made sure not to seem as if he noticed her, until he stood straight and just lifted the cup to his lips.

Pulling the cup down quickly he bowed his head. "Milady." He paused as if trying to collect himself. "This is a, ah, surprise. I just stepped out to get a cup tea... Was there something you needed from here?"

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