Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 05:18 PM
The moment he was off watch, Giles tromped downstairs, stripping off the outer layer he wore strictly to keep the sun off as he went--gloves, jacket, lacy ladies' bonnet. Stubbly and sweaty, yet for the most part happy, he swung by the bunks to collect the fruit of his labor and scour the ship for Bonet.
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 05:24 PM
Bonet was in the bunks and looked up the moment Giles entered. "You still haven't shaved?" She asked lazily, practicing a knot with a bit of string. "It's not that hard, Giles."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 05:27 PM
"Does it matter?" Giles asked, cheerfully. "I like it. Makes me... you... look rugged."
He wasted no time looking carefully around the room, to make sure they were alone. Then, pitching the exceedingly ugly hat on his sea chest, he edged closer. "I'm takin' good care of you, Davide. See?" He thrust out a hand, which remained unscathed by sun. "Still pure as the driven snow, an' all that."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 05:32 PM
She scooted up on the hammock, and patted the now empty space for him to sit. "That looks lovely. Even if you have to wear that atrocious hat. I think you take better care of me than I do myself." She told him sweetly, grasping the hand gently and kissing his knuckles.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 05:40 PM
Giles set himself down gingerly. The first time he'd tried to sit just so in this body, he'd overbalanced and fallen backwards and knocked the wind out of himself. He certainly hadn't told Bonet that...
At the feel of her mouth, he sighed wistfully. Much as he wanted to plunge into his purpose, he forced himself to be patient. "How are you, then? Hangin' in there?"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 05:44 PM
"I'm well. I think I've eaten all of my candles, but Gioia said that was normal for her. At least now I can wear pants." She smiled at him, edging closer. "I'd like to be back to normal, though. I don't like feeling so small."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 05:49 PM
"Gioia's pretty formidable, if small," Giles pointed out, spreading his hands flat on his knees. "I'm sure we'll get things sorted soon. I can't imagine Judith'll put in at Oireachteigh with our bodies mixed up... not when makin' port's akin to lettin' the little runt off scot-free."
This made him pause, and he fished out his iron bolt and offered it out apologetically. "Sorry, but? I'm about t'bare me soul to you, mate. Gotta check."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 05:53 PM
Davide took the bolt with a questioning glance, and handed it back before offering the man her knife. "That's a very sudden transition." She remarked, settling back to get comfortable, looking at him curiously.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 06:19 PM
"It's also a me... meta... what you call it, when you say one thing but mean somethin' else? seein' as I don't have a soul, proper," Giles grinned. He touched the knife, surprised as always that the metal didn't hurt.
He took a deep breath. "So I've been workin' on this thing. An' I'm gonna show you, maybe, but I'm holdin' your skin tone hostage... so fer every minute of uncontrolled laughin', I'll stand an hour out on deck in the hot sun, completely starkers. These terms acceptable?"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 06:22 PM
Davide started to laugh, and turned it into a coughing fit, smiling widely at the man. "You're absolutely ruthless, Giles. Yes. Acceptable. What have you been working on, then?" She asked, interested.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 06:32 PM
Giving him a suspicious-if-amused look at the sudden coughing fit, Giles pulled out a slightly crinkled letter with Davide's name printed on the front. The paper appeared to be a cannibalized leaf from someone’s ledger, folded and done up as properly as possible… even sealed with Giles’ current thumbprint set in wax. "So you can read it," Giles said, embarrassedly.
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 06:34 PM
"Oh.." The woman said, impressed, flipping the letter over in her hands, admiring the seal, before cracking it open. "This is gorgeous. Who.. you did this yourself?" She asked, before looking down to start to read.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 06:38 PM
Giles went red. "Don't have anyone else to write to, though, so... It's not ...s'not very good."
The letters were all facing the right direction, though lacked a uniform size, and tended to tilt down the page at a slant. Still, the effort that had gone into the thing was obvious enough... this was copy number three.
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 06:43 PM
"I could." Davide said, mouthing the words as she went, screwing up her face at some of the more awful spellings. Then she looked up expectantly at the man. "Two whole secrets?" She asked with a grin.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 06:45 PM
Giles was less concerned with Bonet’s question and more concerned with the faces she’d made while trying to read the letter. "Yeah, two. How was it?" he asked, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. "Could—could you read it all? It makes sense, like? I think the letters are right, but …"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 06:55 PM
"No, no, it was readable." The woman assured him, rubbing his arm affectionately. "I did worse, my first try. It was good."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 07:00 PM
The man's relief was palpable, and he broke into a smile. "Guess I’ll have t’keep wearin’ that damn hat, then," he lamented, leaning against Davide comfortably. It felt weird, wanting to be close to Gioia's body.... "So proposition number two. I’ll tell you my secrets, but you gotta tell me somethin’ about yourself—in exchange, like."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 07:02 PM
Bonet's face twisted. "All right. But you ask what you want to know, and I'll answer honstly." She laid her head on his shoulder. "These must be big important secrets. I didn't know you had many left."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 07:10 PM
Giles snorted. "You think I'm that shallow? You hardly know anything about me, Mister Lieutenant Commander, sir. And... these two particular secrets are actually sort of new," he added a bit worriedly. "So if you don't want t'answer my questions, you don't have to."
He scratched at his stubbly chin. "Okay, here's one. You don't seem th' sort to, ah, fancy men in any capacity... bein' all rich and professional and the like. When did you--I mean, first .... work that out?"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 07:15 PM
"I fancy women as well." Davide added, grinning at the younger man and running a hand over his chest. "I don't know. I just always did. And you'd be surprised at how many rich and powerful people fancy men." She added, running her hand around his hip bone.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 07:26 PM
"So do I," Giles pointed out, making a face. "Not so much lately, though. Last woman I saw was--well. A handful, and possibly more trouble than she was worth. 'course, I was a wreck... could hardly eat solid food, let alone carry on a relationship..."
He went momentarily silent as Davide touched him, and swallowed, trying to concentrate on the topic rather than the hand against his hip. "So when'd you first fool around, then? Any sexy stories 'bout your wild an' experimental university years?"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 08:26 PM
"When I was nineteen or so. I.. I wasn't a very good looking youth." She said quietly, withdrawing her hands and setting them politely in her lap. "It doesn't take long to arouse you, does it?" She asked, smiling. "What's the first secret, Giles?"
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 08:32 PM
"It's not me," Giles complained. "It's your stupid body, wound up so tight. To be perfectly honest, I'm usually the one doin' the teasin', not the other way around."
He blinked at Bonet, trying to imagine the man in his younger years. He wanted to ask for more details, but the man's quiet tone warned him off.
Giles took a deep breath. "First secret is, that the liquor bottle I stuck at the bottom of your things this mornin's the last one I own."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 09:01 PM
"That's good." Davide said with a nod. "I'm not sure what that has to do with my fancying men, but it's good." Then she grinned. "I'm not wound tight, just single minded. I won't touch you if it hurts your concentration. Second question?"
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 09:07 PM
"It's not related. I just wanted an excuse to make you talk about yourself," Giles said, sticking out his tongue at the woman. "You don't have to not touch me," he muttered. "I'd rather be distracted than waste a chance to be close t'you without you gettin' all nervous, Davide."
He tugged down his hair and tugged at a gingery curl, thoughtfully. "Do you get on well with your brothers?"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 09:11 PM
"I don't enjoy talking about myself. I'm very boring." Davide assured him. "My brothers? I suppose so. We liked each other well enough, when we were young. Charles runs the estate with my father, and Julian lives in the city. Possibly in debauchery. No one is sure." She leaned in to kiss his jaw. "Second secret?"
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 09:18 PM
"You're not borin', you’re… you're really interestin'. An' different from anyone I’ve ever known," Giles countered, sounding honestly surprised as he sucked on his lower lip. "So you never fight with them about silly things? do they know you, er… play both fields?"
He leaned into the kiss. "I dunno... This secret is the best secret. I think I deseve a little elaboration, personally."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 09:23 PM
"Julian might. I think he's more interested in mistresses." She sighed, running a hand over his beard and kissing the corner of his mouth. "Charles is a regular family man. Nothing interesting there. Now I can I have the secret?" She pleaded, doing her best pout.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 09:30 PM
"I was hopin' more for some kind of worldly wisdom on how t'deal with Alex," Giles said, with a little sigh. He bumped his nose against hers. "But--fine. I had a bit of help from Gioia, an' from Seth--the pasty fellow whose always reading. He pieced together a ward, usin' one of her rings, and... an' they've sorted the luck thing, Davide."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 7 2008, 11:41 PM
The woman stared at him, uncomprehending for a minute, before grinning widely, and hugging the man estatically. "Wonderful, Giles!" She squealed, kissing his forehead. "That means.. you're ingenious, man."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 7 2008, 11:55 PM
Giles laughed outright at that, thoroughly amused by the noises Davide was making. He slid his arm around the woman, pressing a hand to her lower back. "You’re so cute. I’d hardly call it ingenious, Davide. Seth’s incredible. You should have seen how quick he pieced it together, the way he stood there studyin’ things no one else could see… an’ all that as a favor. Said he’ll give me a look-over and see if he can do something about the rest of me fallin’ apart, too."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 12:02 AM
Davide's brows went up at that. "Just make sure of what he expects, when he offers you all those things. Although he seems harmless enough. Scholars usaully are." She pouted again. "I'm not trying to be cute, I'm happy for you." She leaned in and kissed him throughly.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 12:11 AM
"Does it matter what he wants? There’s no price too step … I’m happy for me too," Giles admitted, returning the kiss and lingering there, pressing his forehead to hers. "Not as happy as I’ll be when we’re outta these skins an’ our proper selves. I think Gioia’s letting my plate get tarnished."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 12:15 AM
"I'll be happier. I've a list of things to do. And I'd polish your plate." She offered, earnestly, rubbing her chin. "You're far too.. bristely." She sniffed. Davide kept touching her forehead to his, climbing into his lap again. "When we get to the Erins, there might be alternatives. Keep that in mind as well, if he offers something you think is too steep."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 12:33 AM
Giles went faltered at that offer and looked away. "That’s… I’ll mind his price. Don’t worry about me."
He hesitated, then sighed, kissing the girl’s ear and sucking on the lobe for a moment. "Again, we find ourselves in the bunks… what happened to you promise of discretion?"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 12:37 AM
Davide gasped and quivered, then giggled. "If I could think reasonably..." She breathed. "I might be able to use discretion." She managed, looking down at him. "You're naughty to do that, we're trying to have a conversation. I'm not going to stop worrying, about you, Giles." She said, seriously. "What about your brother again? You're having some sort of trouble?"
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 12:43 AM
The man’s discomfort lingered. "Same old trouble. I think he’s a rather self-entitled, ungrateful little brat. He thinks I’m a drunken fool pawing at the trousers of every man aboard this ship."
He leaned in again after a quick glance to the door, bypassing her ear to nip at the curve of her neck. "He wants t’go to school, which sounds to me like a big fat waste of hard-won money considerin' he's already got a decent trade, but I’ve told him I’ll help him pay, just to get him off my back. Just don’t know how I’m meant t’manage it, what with owin’ Judith what I owe."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 12:47 AM
Davide play swatted him, sitting back and watching his expression. "I'm trying to concentrate for you. You.. usaully your sort doesn't go to school, am I correct? Is he a good student? What course of study does he want? If he can get into a university, they.. they sometimes take promising students and make them work off the debts, I think. I think I peed one once, or something. I don't know much about schools, Giles. If he can go, then he should, though."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 12:53 AM
"My sort?" Giles asked, raising a brow. He drummed his fingers on her thigh. "What exactly is my sort?"
"Alex quit school when mum died. He was takin’ care of Clara, an’ the money I sent home wasn’t enough. He’s smart as hell, if they’d take him I’m sure he’d take to it like a fish to water. I just figured talkin' to someone had some schoolin' and made up a career without it'd be a good source for 'im." He pursed his lips, sighing.
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 12:58 AM
Davide's hand went to her thigh, stilling his fingers, looking alarmed. "I still had schooling, and a rich family to boot. Your brother has neither. If he's smart, perhaps he should apply himself. He's not going to make anything of himself at a trade if he hasn't the talent for it."
Then she looked away, squirming a little as she tried to weasel out of his lap. "You know. Your sort. Like.. ah.. monetarily challenged?"
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 01:03 AM
"Dirt poor, you mean? Or low-class?" Giles asked, clamping down on her wrists in an effort to keep her in place. He leaned in to set his bristley cheek on her shoulder. "No. We don't usually go t'school. No since wasting hours in the classroom when you're able-bodied an' could be workin'."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 01:07 AM
"I didn't say low class." Davide hedged, looking briefly panicked that the man held her wrists, and she jerked against them. "And yes, you work. If he's smart enough to ply a trade like.. well, religion or law, or something then he should do that."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 01:12 AM
"I doubt the church wants him, given the family trade," Giles snorted. Then, with a little frown, he let up the pressure on the woman's wrists, fully expecting her to squirm away. "Alright. That's good advice, Bonet. I'll tell him that."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 01:15 AM
"All right." The woman said, looking at him darkly and rubbing her wrists. "Don't make me feel.. small like that again, Giles." She said, warningly. "I don't appreciate it."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 01:18 AM
Giles was quiet, watching her. "I'm sorry. I forget my size, now."
Then he looked down, his good cheer having drained away. "You make me feel small, when you assume things about me on account've my family."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 01:20 AM
"It's not assuming if I know the situation, Giles." Davide snapped, rolling off his lap and setting down on the floor, straightening her clothes and hair. "You aren't your family. You're given a chance to rise above your circumstances, and that's something you should allow your brother to do as well."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 01:26 AM
"I'm allowin'," Giles said back, voice gone hard. "I told him I'd help, an' I will. I just don't want him t'set his heart on it, make it happen, finally get there an' realize he can't be successful 'cause he's not got the respectable background society requires. Stories like that don't happen in real life. I don't want him to get hurt."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 01:29 AM
"Then he'll make his own way, Giles." Davide answered, flushing. "He certainly could use a brother that wasn't out to deny him something just because there was a chance he might not succeed."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 01:39 AM
"I'm not denying him anything!" Giles said, raising his voice. "I just want t'make sure he knows what he's getting into, Bonet! He's just a kid, he thinks it'll all be easy, an' it never is."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 01:43 AM
"Your voice carries when you're me, remember?" Davide replied, rubbing a hand across her mouth. "So? Make sure he knows it won't be easy, but don't scare him off of trying. Just because you never had the chance, and have had a rough time of it doesn't mean he will." He sighed. "You're hardly more than a kid yourself, Hartley."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 01:53 AM
"That’s exactly why I asked you to talk to him," Giles said, through a set jaw. "Not to turn him off it, just to give him an account of it." Was he mad, just because Alex was being handed chances he never had? No. That was stupid. He wouldn’t want to go to university anyway.
Giles looked away, but dropped his voice, mindful of being overheard. "You keep saying that, when I never had time to be a child."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 01:57 AM
"You had time. You were forced to do awful things, but that didn't make you an adult, Giles. No one wants to grow up, it just happens. Let Alex grow up a little." She said softly, coming closer again. "I'll talk to him, all right? You're a good man, wanting what's best for your brother." She smiled.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 02:01 AM
Giles would not be so easily swayed--he didn't return the smile.... just dropped from his tense, defensive posture to a more relaxed slouch. "I suppose. 'course, we have to survive the civil war before any of that even matters."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 02:06 AM
"Easy enough." Davide replied, sliding into the hammock again, leaving space between herself and the man. "If you stay on with Judith, you'll probably avoid the lion's share of the fighting." She said quietly. "Be good for Alex. No chance of getting stuck on land."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 02:10 AM
Giles nodded. "I know. He'll stay with her no matter what, I think. What are you gonna do?"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 02:14 AM
"I get off at Oireachteigh." Davide said quietly. "And start figuring out the supplies to build an army.. Giles, a war's no place for you." He managed, looking straight ahead. "It would be best if you stayed with Judith as well."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 02:19 AM
Giles looked down, words caught in his throat for a moment. "I swore fealty to Niabheara," he pointed out, at last. "I knew what that meant from the start."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 8 2008, 02:22 AM
"And you can serve her just as well on the ship?" Bonet asked, hopefully, reaching out for his hand. "One can hope?"
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 8 2008, 02:25 AM
Giles turned his hand palm up, and gave the woman's fingers a squeeze in silent apology. "Hope if you like, Davide. I'm more worried about an old man like you. I'm damn hard to kill."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 9 2008, 05:46 PM
"You'll still have your luck, after what Seth did?" Davide asked, lightly. She bit her lip slightly, a little hurt by being called old. "I'm... do you really think I'm old?" She said, hesitantly, looking Giles over. He'd always thought the crows feet about his eyes just made them.. crinkly. "I hardly have any gray hair."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 9 2008, 05:50 PM
"The ward's in the ring. If I ain't wearin' it, it can't block what needs blocking." Giles looked uncomfortable. "I don’t … really …. think of you as old, no." he tried. "Older, yeah, but you’re a babe compared to the Tuatha on board. You're sharp as hell, an' still quick in a fight." He scratched at his fuzzy chin. "For someone your age, with a rich enough family t'back 'em, I figure most people’d be married, have families, homes…"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 9 2008, 06:01 PM
"I don't." Davide said flatly. "And you're wondering why." She picked at her shirt, irritated. "My eldest brother has the estate, and a wife, and a passel of children, which my mother and father are astoundingly proud of. My other brother has mistresses, but does well enough for himself. I prefer.. I prefer to be alone." She said, deciding.
"I suppose I'll go home someday and take some.. widow, or spinster for a wife and be a bother to my eldest brother.. But I have to tell you, the countryside is boring." She squeezed his hand. "The other problem is.. half of the people I fancy, I'd have to leave behind."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 9 2008, 06:28 PM
"Of course I wonder why, why wouldn't I?" Giles countered, frowning at the irritation in her tone. He let his eyes fall to their hands, and shrugged. "See, one of the perks of comin' from where I come from? Is that no one expects anything of you at all. Honestly, houses in the country sound terribly ... well, Alex would say romantic. I say pretty fuckin' unattainable."
Then a smile tweaked the corner of his lip. "Wouldn’t they be surprised t’see you now—in such a fetchin’ figure!"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 9 2008, 06:37 PM
Davide frowned and put a hand to his mouth. "Unattainable, perhaps. Romantic, no. But unattainable only currently. You're still young, you might up buying my parent's place for all we know. Or be awarded lands for being a faithful servent of the Countess."
She tried to smile along with him, but the attempt fell short. "I think they'd just be surprised to see me at all, Giles. There's truly not that much more to know, I swear."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 9 2008, 06:42 PM
The man looked down at that. "Sorry," he muttered, not entirely sure what he was apologizing for. He pulled his hand back, embarassed at having pressed.
"I don't want land, or a big stupid house. I like up an' goin' wherever I feel like goin'. Things are always new." You could pretend people stared because you just weren't from around there, instead of blaming the tell-tale traces of faerie in your genetics, or the plate slapped across half your features.
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 9 2008, 09:13 PM
"I.. I like going to new places once I figure out the old ones." Davide admitted, shyly, rubbing her chin as if there was stubble there. "I'm bad at talking about myself, Giles. I should be glad I've someone to be honest too. To tell things."
She rubbed a hand over his belly affectionately. "You're much better at it. Soul bearing and all."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 9 2008, 10:47 PM
The man perked up at the shy words, and poked at the hand on his stomach, amused. "I’m maybe too fond of words…I talk an’ I feel like I’m talkin’ ‘bout myself all the time, an’ that can’t be any fun for you." He drummed his fingers on the woman's hand. "Is that what makes me seem young? The older I get, the more I realize most people just lie through their teeth at any given opportunity."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 11:43 AM
Davide tensed a little at that. "I try.. not to lie. The hard part is presenting the honest truth, and not just cutting it into pieces of what people what to hear." She said quietly, laying her head on his shoulder. "It's not that you seem young, you are young. And just talkative. I like it, except when you decide to be moody."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 04:44 PM
Giles leaned into the touch. If he noticed the way she tensed he didn't bat an eye. "Matter of opinion, that is. My last lady-friend complained that I was too damn earnest," he muttered, making a face and stretching his legs out before him. "If it makes any difference, I only talk like this to people I respect. Does it bother you, me being young?"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 04:51 PM
"If it bothered me, I'd tell you." Davide replied, scowling down at herself. "What bothers me is being in this body. I much prefer looking at Gioia than looking like her. I want mine back." She said, almost whining. "What do we have to do to be put right again?" She asked, exasperated. "I can't stand being small enough to crawl into my own lap and having breasts and this voice." She gripped her shirt in frustration. "We're going into the hold the minute I get my body back." She added, bluntly.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 04:59 PM
Giles almost laughed at that final point, but swallowed the sound, not wanting to see Bonet more emasculated than he already was. "I don’t know. Whenever th' Puck gets bored, I suppose. I don’ know much about Tuatha magic, but his is different still."
He reached out to smooth her hair and press a hand against the curve of her cheek. "Th’ Puck wants t’see Titania ousted, so we will be set to rights—being like this sorta ruins Niabheara’s shot at succession, after all. It’ll be okay."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 05:06 PM
Bonet snorted. "Why? Her body is still the right gender, if the wrong personality." She said. "There's nothing that says one can't inherit because the body they used to occupy is.. well, filled with someone else." She bit her lip.
"You're very persausive, when you wish to be." The woman said, nuzzling against his hand, leaning in towards him, her hand on his chest.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 05:11 PM
"I can’t imagine people’d settle for bein’ ruled by a tallfolk trussed up in a Tuatha guise," Giles said, critically. "You’d just be handin' the the royal courts ammo against her."
He leaned in to kiss her—then paused and sighed, sweeping his thumb across her mouth. "It’s weird, kissing Gioia. Weirder still that I want to at all, but only when you’re somewhere in there…"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 05:13 PM
"I'm sorry." Davide said earnestly. "Although I'm going to admit I enjoy kissing myself." She said, grinning. "I wonder who kisses better, me or you?" She asked, sitting up again and looking him over critically.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 05:20 PM
Giles sat up a bit straighter, dusting off his shirt and squaring his shoulders against the scrutiny. "Sort of a moot point, ain’t it, seein’ as it’s fairly un-testable. I’m a better kisser when I’m small, I’m sure. I feel huge an’ clumsy in your body... don’t know what t’do with your massive hands half the time." He looked down at said hands, brow crinkling.
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 05:25 PM
She smiled. "Well, you've been doing a good job with them so far." She teased, leaning in to twist a curl around her finger and frown. "You should let me cut my hair. It's getting.. unruly." Davide sniffed. "And we'll test the kissing. Why do you think you're better if you're smaller? Do you feel you just have to sit there and let me minister to you?"
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 05:35 PM
"Unruly is good," Giles reminded him. "You really want t'tromp around the Erins with a Navy shave an' cut? They'll smell you comin' miles away."
At the second question, he shot the man a crooked grin. "Minister nothin', Mister--I just know what I like. Besides, I've had more practice that way. Sittin' in laps, standin' on tip-toe... You're a big guy, Davide." He gave his current body a considerate look. "Bet you could lift me clear off the ground, hmm?"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 05:40 PM
Davide gave his body a considering look. "Throw you over my shoulder, toss you onto a bed." She said, finishing the thought, before grinning at him. "Oh, you've more practice that way, I see." She snorted, playing with the curl again. "My hair hasn't been unruly since I was twenty. No one will even know what a Navy cut is. Just a trim?" She tried.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 05:48 PM
"Oh, we get a bed?" Giles face lit up at that. "I was thinkin’ more … pinned against the wall-of-the-hold … but beds are good. I like beds." Then, cheerily, the young man held up a finger and pointed to the second knuckle. "Much more than this an’ I may be upset."
He tugged his fingers through the curls and said, thoughtfully, "Tupac’s was long, an’ he was oh so terribly proud of it. Least you ain’t so vain," he laughed.
((i drive to work, back in a few!))
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 05:56 PM
"Yes, but, Giles. Hair grows back." She said pulling at his hair a bit, flashing him a look of concern. "Tupac? He must have had other redeeming qualities, I'm sure." Then she smiled. "A bed. Although, the wall in the hold is just as nice, but without the damp or the splinters."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 06:24 PM
Giles considered this a moment, and his gaze flashed briefly downward in thought. "Of course he did. He was just so funny about his hair—and his tattoo. I used t’tease him about it…"
He took a deep breath, and smiled a smile that did not meet his eyes. He reached up unconciously to finger the area of his neck that, in his own body, was scarred with pocks of powder burn. "How about me? I’m thinkin’ I’ll grow mine long t’hide some of the scarrin’. Sexy, or silly?"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 06:27 PM
Davide favored him with an overly cheerful grin, rubbing his neck. "Good idea. If we can teach you to keep it tied back, although the scars do make you interesting." She added, her hand darting to his side to tickle him.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 06:30 PM
"People only use interestin’ when they can’t think of a nicer word," Giles pointed out, letting out a very un-Bonet like squeak of laugher and curling up against the tickles, trying rather unsuccessfully to fend the woman off with his hands. "Hey hey heyheyhahahaha!!"
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 06:39 PM
But, armed with superior knowledge of the man's body the woman persisted, going for behind his knees, his sides, and under his arms. "Yes, you're interesting. You'll look devastingly handsome and piratical and will have young ladies hurling themselves at you because they'll think you're some sort of dashing hero."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 06:44 PM
Giles howled with laughter until tears sprang into his eyes. "U-unfahaha, f-faiiiir," he managed to whine between gasps for breath—"You know all the r-r-right-ahaha! I’ll show you piratical--" he threatened as he staggered to his feat and came in for a counter attack, going for the woman’s ribs without mercy.
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 06:55 PM
Davide for his part, managed to curl into a tiny ball, squealing and kicking out. "You can't be piratical! Your hair's too short and scruffy!" She yelled back. "And you're far too nice!"
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 07:48 PM
"I am NOT nice," Giles grinned, going for the woman’s feet. "I’m a grumpy self-obsessed alcoholic, I can’t be NICE, Davide!" He mercilessly tickled behind her knees with one hand and tugged at her boots with the other, bent on getting at her toes.
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 08:01 PM
Bonet started to pitch and roll on the hammock, laughing and trying to get her boots away, kicking out. "What.. What.. grumpy, yes. More narcisstic than self obsessed, I would say, because you're so worried about what people think of your face. No self confidence. And not a drunk, just prone to dramatics." She wheezed.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 08:08 PM
"Your MUM’S prone t’dramatics!" Giles all but shouted in victory as one boot hit the floor. Bonet’s flailing caught him squarely in the shoulder and he yelped before digging in with his fingers and redoubling his tickles. "Least I ain’t a bloody two-faced Navy ponce," he teased, pausing to catch his breath. The pejoratives sounded more affectionate than anything else.
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 08:13 PM
"Says the man who couldn't wait to wear my uniform!" The woman shouted back, before being lost to the giggles. "First thing you wanted to do in my body!" In an effort to retaliate, she leaned forward and kissed him hard.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 08:21 PM
This tactic proved to be exceptionally effective, as Giles let her foot slip free and trailed his hand up her leg, fingers stilling as the kiss deepened. When his options had narrowed to break away or suffocate, he pulled back and licked his lips. "What can I say? With that red jacket of yours you're terribly monochromatic.... s'very handsome."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 08:32 PM
"Is it?" She asked, smiling and pushing his hand away, slipping off the hammock to slip her boot back on. "I'm hungry. Aren't you?"
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 08:36 PM
"You're always hungry these days," Giles complained, folding his hands behind his back politely. "I suppose I could eat. So long as the menu doesn't include candles."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 08:44 PM
Bonet gave him a swift look over her shoulder. "It's Gioia's fault. If she hadn't told me, I'd still be dipping them in your bait bucket. Let's to the galley." She said, standing. "If I stay much longer, you're going to need alone time again."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 08:47 PM
"Augh, don’t go sayin’ that when you’ve just kissed me, man!" Giles made a face, and was momentarily tempted to tell the man just how much quality alone-time he'd already snuck in, as revenge for any bait-breath kisses they might have shared. Then, shaking his head with a vaguely amused look on his face, he moved to the door and held it open. "Ladies first."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 08:52 PM
Bonet crossed his arms, and leaned against the wall, raising his brow. "Well, if you insist, go right ahead." She said sweetly.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 08:56 PM
Giles favored the woman with an incredulous stare and threw up his hands. "They're just boobs, Davide! They'll be gone in no time, you oughta enjoy the perks while you've got em!"
He nodded sagely, and laughed, before heading out the door first. "Heehee... Perks. Perky perky perks."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 09:05 PM
Bonet followed, keeping his arms over her chest to keep the perks from being too perky. "Shut up, Giles. We'll see how you like it when you're a woman. You've no idea..." She said, a little too loudly. "Pucccckk, Giles wants his own set of breasts.."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 09:08 PM
Giles cupped his hands over his mouth and echoed the call, "Puuuuuuuuck, but only if they're attached to this body," he countered, grining from ear to ear. "We could recut that silly jacket into a very fetchin' red skirt, I'm sure."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 09:11 PM
"You're nasty." The woman said, laughing despite herself. "And we're not touching my uniform jacket. That's off limits." She warned.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 09:12 PM
"You started it," Giles stuck his tongue out, and tucked his hands away again, lest he grow too friendly in public. "Jacket, off-limits, check. What about the metal bits hangin' off it? My plate could use a little bit of sprucin' up... I'm startin' t'feel it's terribly plain."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 09:26 PM
"No." Bonet said, a little too quickly. "Don't touch those either." He shot a look at the tall man. Key's advice came back to him. "Have you been trying it on yourself, then?" He asked, more neutrally.
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 09:31 PM
"Eh?" Giles asked, and chuckled. "Nah. Too many straps and buckles, I could hardly manage on my lonesome," he grinned. "I'd surely end up with a fancy codpiece for a hat, or some such nonsense."
Posted by: Gioia Carpentiere Jul 10 2008, 09:37 PM
"As if I'd ever owned a fancy codpiece." The woman snorted. "Ask Neely for his, he's the exact type to have one." She told him, putting her hands behind her back instead of wrapping an arm around him. "And I'd bet he'd let you wear it, too."
Posted by: Davide Bonet Jul 10 2008, 09:46 PM
Giles tipped his chin upward, grinning. "Don’t tempt me, Davide - I just might do so," he teased. "Plus, he's got lovely hair, which he ain’t threatenin’ t’chop it all off with every other breath…"
