NationStates Jolt Archive

Mistake.

A hook. Sounds good enogh for me", said the duque, who seemed to had just woken up from a standing up nap.

"You will look like Bluebeard, a famous hell bovinian pirate who fought against the spaniards. Except that without the horns", he winked.

Yarrum gave a friendly chuckle, while wondering what the Duque meant by comparing him to another Hell Bovinian. He decided it was just a good-natured joke. Yarrum had felt like the Duque was testing him eariler, but now he didn't seem like such a bad guy.

Jeff chuckled, "You know, I could ask my father about finding a replacement hand for you. He's very connected to the medical and cybernetics world in Celeborne. I'm sure they could find you something that would work."

"Thank you, but I don't want anything too much like a real hand. You see, I... lost it due to my own impulsiveness. It's a kind of reminder, you see. A hook seems simple enough. But, if I ever change my mind, I will gladly accept the offer."

Admiral Tri, like any proper navy man, arches an eyebrow at the Duque's pirate reference, but doesn't say anything. He just grins at the new, one handed man. "Sir, I don't believe we've yet had the pleasure. Richard Tri, Are-Eye-Enn."

Yarrum smiled back. "Yarrum II, former president of what is now the Glorious States of Yarrum."

"Thank you, but I don't want anything too much like a real hand. You see, I... lost it due to my own impulsiveness. It's a kind of reminder, you see. A hook seems simple enough. But, if I ever change my mind, I will gladly accept the offer.""

Jeff nodded, "I understand exactly how you feel," he said softly, absent-midedly rubbing his right shoulder.

Katherine reached up and took his hand away from the shoulder, "It's OK." she smiled at Jeff.

No No!! One post!! Damn you forums!

Yarrum smiled back. "Yarrum II, former president of what is now the Glorious States of Yarrum."

Richard took the news easily and with a grin. He wasn't quite sure what to say to the 'former' part. "Er, I'm sorry to hear that, uh, sir." Well, Doc Niven didn't seem to mind being the former First Speaker of Celeborne; maybe Yarrum was the same way.

(Don't worry, Lark, Jeff's first on the Committee of Public Safety's list...er, I mean, terror? What terror? ;))

OOC: Let's all just use our imaginations and pretend I posted those, instead of Yaarrum, 'kay?

IC:Jeff nodded, "I understand exactly how you feel," he said softly, absent-midedly rubbing his right shoulder.

Katherine reached up and took his hand away from the shoulder, "It's OK." she smiled at Jeff.

Yarrum was about to ask Jeff about his shoulder, but decided it was none of his business. He rewarded himself for that tactful omission with another mouthful of pina colada.

Richard took the news easily and with a grin. He wasn't quite sure what to say to the 'former' part. "Er, I'm sorry to hear that, uh, sir." Well, Doc Niven didn't seem to mind being the former First Speaker of Celeborne; maybe Yarrum was the same way.

Yarrum's smile dropped. "Hear what?" he asked innocently.

OOC: Let's all just use our imaginations and pretend I posted those, instead of Yaarrum, 'kay?

Easier done than said! ;)



Yarrum's smile dropped. "Hear what?" he asked innocently.

"Er..." Richard glanced about. "Just the 'former' status. I'm sorry: I didn't mean to rehash any unpleasent memories."

Jeff sipped his drink and smiled at Richard, "Richard, what did Admiral Tanaka have to say after everything that happened?"

Jeff sipped his drink and smiled at Richard, "Richard, what did Admiral Tanaka have to say after everything that happened?"

Richard looked blankly at Jeff for a few seconds, before realization dawned on his face. "Oh, that naval bloke I was talking to! Yeah, I meant to ask you - Tanaka sounded familiar, but I couldn't quite place it. He was very polite and full of praise for you and Chris."

*grumble grumble.... forums..*

Jeff cocked an eyebrow after Richard spoke.

"He did? For Chris and I? That's odd," he said glancing at Katherine, "He was the final officer who signed onto the court marshal."

Jeff cocked an eyebrow after Richard spoke.

"He did? For Chris and I? That's odd," he said glancing at Katherine, "He was the final officer who signed onto the court marshal."

Tri's expression was blank for a second, then he blinked rapidly. "Was he?" The Grand Admiral's brow furrowed and he glanced furiously over his shoulder. "That would explain it! Oh, I'm sorry, Jeff: if I had just known, I could have given him a good telling-off for you!"

(I agree: damn forums!)

DOUBLE damn forums!

Tri's expression was blank for a second, then he blinked rapidly. "Was he?" The Grand Admiral's brow furrowed and he glanced furiously over his shoulder. "That would explain it! Oh, I'm sorry, Jeff: if I had just known, I could have given him a good telling-off for you!"

(I agree: damn forums!)

(I think it's time we take these forums out to the woodshed... let me get my crowbar...)

"Explain what?" Katherine asked.

"Don't worry about it Richard," Jeff said with a grin, "I appreciate it, but now I'm curious why he'd have anything positive to say about us. Besides, he could just have some grudge against us, who knows. But anyway," Jeff added looking around, "What's the latest on James and Christin?"

OOC: An Ianislean revolution? I'd *love* to see that happening! :D
I can already picture it, Ianislean royalists running around in fear. A gulliotine chopping heads!
yay!
:wink:

IC:

The duque was happy. He had realised that Yarrum was begining to trust him and that, in that way, Hell Bovines could win another ally.

He heard the conversation held by Jeff and Richard...
Jeff cocked an eyebrow after Richard spoke.

"He did? For Chris and I? That's odd," he said glancing at Katherine, "He was the final officer who signed onto the court marshal."

Tri's expression was blank for a second, then he blinked rapidly. "Was he?" The Grand Admiral's brow furrowed and he glanced furiously over his shoulder. "That would explain it! Oh, I'm sorry, Jeff: if I had just known, I could have given him a good telling-off for you!"

(I agree: damn forums!)

"Did he?. I'm not sure, I saw him breaking a glass of brandy in fury.
And it was pity! It was such a fine brandy to be wasted like that!", the duque added, realising later that his comment could cause problems among the larkinians and regretting of having made it.

*I so shouldn't have made that comment*, the duque though to himself later...

"Did he?. I'm not sure, I saw him breaking a glass of brandy in fury.
And it was pity! It was such a fine brandy to be wasted like that!", the duque added, realising later that his comment could cause problems among the larkinians and regretting of having made it.

*I so shouldn't have made that comment*, the duque though to himself later...

Jeff chuckled, "Yeah, what a damn waste of alcohol," he nodded. "I can imagine why he was in such sour spirits, though."

"Did he?. I'm not sure, I saw him breaking a glass of brandy in fury.
And it was pity! It was such a fine brandy to be wasted like that!", the duque added, realising later that his comment could cause problems among the larkinians and regretting of having made it.

*I so shouldn't have made that comment*, the duque though to himself later...

Jeff chuckled, "Yeah, what a damn waste of alcohol," he nodded. "I can imagine why he was in such sour spirits, though."

"You do? I think I can to, but we rather not ruin the night by discussing this things. Anyway, It was a terrible waste of alcohol indeed" After saying this, the duque remembered something. He called a waiter and ordered him a Scotch 'on the rocks'.

Once he had the scoth in hand, the duque said "Now, noble sirs. If you excuse me, I need to go to the balcony to take some fresh air.
All this fur makes you feel hot, you know. And not in a sexual way."
Having said that, he made a polite reverence and went out to the balcony.

OOC: Sorry, but I need to get some sleep.....
Good night! I really hate this timelines thing! :x

"Er..." Richard glanced about. "Just the 'former' status. I'm sorry: I didn't mean to rehash any unpleasent memories."

"No apology necessary, I don't have any bad memories for you to... rehash. It was a few years ago, after all."

Yarrum wondered if he should add to the conversation. No, better to just let it take its own course.

!

After the Duque's exit, he couldn't think of anything to say anyway. He certainly seemed like a nice enough person. Interesting too, and not just because he was both a person and an animal.

(Stupid friggin' forums, I had a pretty difficult time trying to post this the first time!)

Jeff nodded to the Duque as he and the Duchess walked outside. He turned as Katherine sauntered over, "Are James and Christin all right," he asked quietly.

"I think they'll be all right," she said softly. "She... they just need time alone to talk."

Jeff looked at her, "Well, I'll go check on them and see if I can he..."

Katherine put her finger on Jeff's lips, "Jeff, you can't help everyone. I love you because you want to save the world. But, some things have to get worked out on their own..."

(I think it's time we take these forums out to the woodshed... let me get my crowbar...)

"Explain what?" Katherine asked.

"Don't worry about it Richard," Jeff said with a grin, "I appreciate it, but now I'm curious why he'd have anything positive to say about us. Besides, he could just have some grudge against us, who knows. But anyway," Jeff added looking around, "What's the latest on James and Christin?"

(*thumps baseball bat against palm* It's fixin' time!)

"Nothing much, Katherine, just a few seemingly unusual things he said. Maybe he was trying to probe out my opinion on you, Jeff.:

Richard shrugged. "I think your lovely wife would know better than I."

OOC: An Ianislean revolution? I'd *love* to see that happening!
I can already picture it, Ianislean royalists running around in fear. A gulliotine chopping heads!
yay!

(I'll be sure to let you know when it happens ;)...yeah, I think it'll be fun! Burn the manor house! and all that.
The Revolution is on perminant hold until after the war I'm in right now, which isn't looking like it'll be resolved for some time yet...and it's been running since mid August already ;))

"No apology necessary, I don't have any bad memories for you to... rehash. It was a few years ago, after all."

"Oh, I'm ... uh," You're what? Glad? Glad he got voted out of office? "er, it's good to know you don't hold any grudges about it," Richard stumbled. There was a reason he didn't work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(*thumps baseball bat against palm* It's fixin' time!)

"Nothing much, Katherine, just a few seemingly unusual things he said. Maybe he was trying to probe out my opinion on you, Jeff."

(Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, Hulk Smash!!! )

"Really?" Jeff asked as he handed Richard another drink, "What did he have to say? I'm curious. For someone to go to so much trouble to have me shot, what positives could he possibly have?"

He turned as Katherine sauntered over, "Are James and Christin all right," he asked quietly.

"I think they'll be all right," she said softly. "She... they just need time alone to talk."

Jeff looked at her, "Well, I'll go check on them and see if I can he..."

Yarrum tried his best to hear what they were saying. He caught a few words, and wasn't happy with what he heard. He sadly took a gulp from his drink. Then, while he was still trying his best to hear everything, he thought he heard a woman's voice, off in the ballroom, say something in a Yarrumian accent. He knew no other government or former government officials had been invited. And they only had one celebrity...
He took another gulp.

"Oh, I'm ... uh," You're what? Glad? Glad he got voted out of office? "er, it's good to know you don't hold any grudges about it," Richard stumbled. There was a reason he didn't work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He gave the Grand Admiral a reassuring smile.

(Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, Hulk Smash!!! )

"Really?" Jeff asked as he handed Richard another drink, "What did he have to say? I'm curious. For someone to go to so much trouble to have me shot, what positives could he possibly have?"

(they actually seem to be calming somewhat...HULK SMASH TOMORROW DURING PEAK HOURS!)

The Iansislean was already feeling a little tipsy after just a few drinks - apparently, Larkinian brewers didn't water down their product quite as much as the average Shieldian one - but he accepted the drink and took a large sip.

"Eh, not much. He said it was an honor to have a navy man get the award, an' that it should've come to a naval man a long time ago and that he wondered how well R.I.N. people followed orders and then he left."

Richard finished the drink Jeff had just handed him. Was that a run-on sentence?.. no, I don't think so. Better have another drink to calm my nerves. He flagged down a waiter.

"I'm starting to not like this Tanaka person. First, he nearly kills my new friend here, and then he lies about it." Yarrum looked around. "Did I say that out loud? Oh well, it's not a secret."

The Iansislean was already feeling a little tipsy after just a few drinks - apparently, Larkinian brewers didn't water down their product quite as much as the average Shieldian one - but he accepted the drink and took a large sip.

"Eh, not much. He said it was an honor to have a navy man get the award, an' that it should've come to a naval man a long time ago and that he wondered how well R.I.N. people followed orders and then he left."

Richard finished the drink Jeff had just handed him. Was that a run-on sentence?.. no, I don't think so. Better have another drink to calm my nerves. He flagged down a waiter.

The ever-present waiter walked up with another scotch for Richard.

"That's what he was asking?" Jeff pondered. "That.. interesting. I guess I'm not worthy enough," he winked.

"I'm starting to not like this Tanaka person. First, he nearly kills my new friend here, and then he lies about it." Yarrum looked around. "Did I say that out loud? Oh well, it's not a secret."

Katherine and Jeff smiled at Yarrum, "Well, I appreciate that," Jeff said. "And the feelings are mutual"

Yarrum smiled back before gazing into his drink. He had intended to nurse it for awhile so Jeff wouldn't coax him into a hangover, but it was already more than half gone. "You Larkinians make some strong stuff," he observed.

A quick backtrack...

... Larkinian brewers didn't water down their product quite as much as the average Shieldian one...

(Watering down drinks?? What is this blasphemy you speak of??)

Yarrum smiled back before gazing into his drink. He had intended to nurse it for awhile so Jeff wouldn't coax him into a hangover, but it was already more than half gone. "You Larkinians make some strong stuff," he observed.

"Yeah we do," Jeff nodded, "It's one of our great prides, believe it or not. Drink and cheer are two things we seem to hold in high esteem..."

(Insert quotes from "The Hobbit" here... ;))

"Hmm... if you don't mind, I think I'll go find out whatever happened to the Duque of Hell's Bovines. I have an idea for some interesting espionage missions." Yarrum, walking a bit slower than usual, wandered off.

Before the last post:

"Yes, cheer is good. Rhymes with 'beer'."

"Hmm... if you don't mind, I think I'll go find out whatever happened to the Duque of Hell's Bovines. I have an idea for some interesting espionage missions." Yarrum, walking a bit slower than usual, wandered off.

"All right," Jeff said, "I'll see you in a little bit. Enjoy the view, it's stunning."

Jeff started to slowly wander towards the hallway when Katherine shaking her head caught his eye.

"Jeffrey Matthew Williams," she whispered to him. "Don't you dare."

"I wasn't... going to do anyt..."

"I know you better than that," she winked. "Remember all I have to do is look in your eyes to know what you've got planned..."

(Watering down drinks?? What is this blasphemy you speak of??)

(Well, only the good stuff is served at the parties, of course...just a word of advice: avoid urban Iansislean pubs ;) ... oh, and for quite another reason, avoid rural ones too!)

ic: "Must be nice havin' woman's intuition an' all," commented Richard, his voice sounding normal excepting a slight slur. He sipped at the scotch as Yarrum wandered off. "Wish I did, an' all."

"Must be nice havin' woman's intuition an' all," commented Richard, his voice sounding normal excepting a slight slur. He sipped at the scotch as Yarrum wandered off. "Wish I did, an' all."

(Oh dear, do I want to know why to avoid the rural pubs?)

"Not quite intuition," Katherine smiled at Richard. "I just know this one too well," she gave Jeff a playful push. "Are you all right Richard?"

Jeff nodded, "You want some water? You don't want to get too drunk too quickly on us."

(um...we can leave it at the fact that 'blind drunk' isn't obsolete in Iansisle :P)

For a couple seconds, Richard considered his scotch. It took a concentrated effort to clear his head and think about Jeff's offer. "Yeah...yeah, I think I'd better...wouldn't want to embarass the King 'n all." He set the scotch down on the nearest flat surface and wandered off. A couple seconds later, he was back. "Don't suppose you could direct me to the tap?"

Jeff flagged over the waiter and put Richard's drink on the tray, "The Admiral would like a little water with his scotch, followed by another pitcher of water."

"Very good sir," the waiter said walking to the bar then coming back with the same glass of scotch, another glass of water and a pitcher of water.

"Er, yeah, thanks," muttered Richard, watching the going-ons.

Across the ballroom, James tried as quietly as possible to slip back onto the floor. He was alone, and quickly walked over to Jeff, Kate, et al with a tired grin. "Hey."

James had never been very good at asking for help.

Jeff gave Richard a couple of pills, "Take these, they'll help take the sting off, and drink a lot of water. Before we take you back to the hotel, we'll stop off and get something for you to eat."

Katherine smiled at James, "Hey." she said as Jeff handed the pills to Richard. "Where's Christin? Is she getting some sleep finally?"

Richard nodded, slight sober areas in the back of his head wondering just how he let this happen. Damn Larkinian ale! He took the proffered pills without question.

"Such as it is," James was saying to Kate with a concerned look. "The last time I tried to leave, she woke with a start. This time, I think she's out for good, but..."

He glanced about to see if Yarrum was anywhere in the neighborhood. "but I think it would be best to get her out of here."

Katherine nods, "Then let's get her up," she said walking with James to the bedroom. She stopped long enough to start to take the keys from the limo driver, "I'll be taking these two home," she said. When the limo driver started to protest she shook her head, "You enjoy the evening, I'll be back soon."

"At least take a regular car ma'am," a Palace Guard who'd overheard replied handing Katherine a set of keys and telling her where the sedan was.

"You get Christin, I'll be right back," she told James.

She walked over to Jeff and kissed his cheek. "I'm taking James and Christin home," she told him. "I'll be back soon."

"No way, I'll come with you...."

She cut him off again, "No, this is a party in your honor, you have to stay for a while longer. I'll be back soon, I promise."

She kissed Jeff then winked at him before heading to meet James and Christin in the hallway.

"Right," replied James softly, checking once again to make sure Yarrum was nowhere in sight. He then vanished back into the room. By the time Katherine had finished her talk with Jeff, James reappeared with Christin leaning against his right side.

"Thanks a lot, Kate," he whispered. Christin still seemed to be half asleep. "This really means a lot to me."

"It's no problem," Katherine says with a smile as she helps James sneak Christin down to the parking garage and into a white Lexus sedan.

"Here, let's let her lay in the back to get some rest on the drive back," she said helping James slip Christin into the car before gliding into the driver's seat and starting the ignition.

(where upon the car explodes due to a bomb that was meant for President Katana... or maybe not :P)

-----

Admirals Tanaka and Barilla were smoking a couple of cigars and talking in a corner of the parking garage before they left the party.

"Yeah, then I told Tri that othe... Look over there," he said nodding toward the Lexus. "That's Williams' wife and King Janes and his fiancee."

"Really?" Barilla asked as he watched them put Christin in the car and slowly pull out of the garage. He picked up a phone and quickly dialed a number..."

(where upon the car explodes due to a bomb that was meant for President Katana... or maybe not :P)

(Hey, feel free to...if you want High Queen Jessica II ;))

Quite unaware of the military uniforms, James gently laid Christin in the back and took shotgun.

They rode in silence for a couple seconds. At last, James smiled weakly and tried to recline his seat (without much success, though he did manage to lower the window).

"Did I notice a new medal on Jeff's uniform?"

(LOL eep! :shock: )

Katherine pulled out of the parking garage, down the drive and quickly jumped onto the highway.

"Hmmm? Oh, yeah. The first Sir Jeffrey Williams Larkinian Medal of Honor" Katherine said with a smile, "The look on Jeff's face was priceless when Katana pulled that out."

She looked down the road a moment, "I hope Christin feels better soon."

By the time he gave up on the reclining, James had raised his window again, opened the glove box, and locked and unlocked his door three times. He still wasn't comfortable with how fast modern motor-cars went, but resigned himself, being sure not to comment on the fact he thought they were hurtling towards inevitable death. Well, at least he felt much safer than when he rode with Jeff.

"Heh, I can imagine. There's something about that Jeff; most people would be delighted to have so many honors heaped on them, but he just ... shies away." James shrugged. "I'm not sure if he's being humble, or just afraid of the limelight."

He glanced back at Christin, then awkwardly reached back and ran his hand slowly through her hair. "So do I. I think once she's away from that party for a while..." he trailed off as Christin mumbled something and took gentle hold of his hand.

Katherine chuckled when she heard James' statement.

"Yes, I don't know if he shies away from awards as much as it is humility. God knows he wonders how in the hell he's gotten this far with some of the stunts he's pulled.

"But I think he honestly believes there are other people out there who he hopes would be willing to do the same thing, so why reward him for doing the right thing. It's either him being naive, or just optimistic that there are still many good people in the world. It's almost like this comes naturally to him."

She glimpsed back at Christin in the rear view mirror as she mumbled and took James' hand. "Yes, maybe some time away would do her good. I'll take you back to our place tonight, there are some security guards of dad's there, and you'll be safe."

"I suppose you would know the best out of all of us about that, Kate," he smiled. "I get the feeling that Jeff doesn't tell me some things; about his past, mainly. It's refreshing to know I always have someone as close as him to talk to, though."

"Is it terribly dangerous in Golden Agate?" he asked, looking about. "I mean, y'know, so that Niven Corp bodyguards would be needed?"

Christin didn't let go of his hand as she fell deep asleep again, and he showed no desire to take it back despite the slightly uncomfortable way he was twisting to let her hold it.

"I suppose you would know the best out of all of us about that, Kate," he smiled. "I get the feeling that Jeff doesn't tell me some things; about his past, mainly. It's refreshing to know I always have someone as close as him to talk to, though."

"Yeah," Katherine said quietly. "What do you want to know? And are you sure you want to know it? The thing about guilt, it strikes those who are least deserving of it at times.

"The only thing keeping Grant up at night after kidnapping us was probably puzzlement why he hadn't been given an honor.

"We look at Jeff and see a hero, but he looks at himself sometimes, and sees a murderer. Every time he's done something heroic, he sees it as a crime, that a piece of who his is dies when he's responsible for someone's death. And now with the cybernetics... sometimes it's hard for him..."

"Is it terribly dangerous in Golden Agate?" he asked, looking about. "I mean, y'know, so that Niven Corp bodyguards would be needed?"

Christin didn't let go of his hand as she fell deep asleep again, and he showed no desire to take it back despite the slightly uncomfortable way he was twisting to let her hold it.

"Not at all, but it does make us all feel safer knowing they are there."

(Damn, I need a drink after that background post ;) )

James considered for a moment. "No, I don't think I do want to know, at least not yet. If and when Jeff is ready to share that information with me, then I'll be ready."

His lip curled slightly at the mention of General Grant, but a force of will mangled it back down into a normal expression.

"I guess that the 'accidental' hero is something foreign to Iansisle. With the possible exception of the Lord Johnson, every domestic hero we've had has set out to be such. I suppose it's the fault of our culture, really, which is why someone as alien as Jeff - the kind of man who didn't want to be a hero, but just wanted to do what was right in his heart - found such a place in ours.

"I know that this sort of thing weighs heavily on Jeff..." he trailed off. "But I'm ready to give him Ian's Cross FC and his own duchy as a reward for what he's already beating himself up for." James gazed at Golden Agate as it rolled by. "Do you think maybe the best thing to do would be keep him isloated from everyone else for a couple days? I know of a half dozen charming little backwaters in the Commonwealth..."

(Damn, I need a drink after that background post ;) )

I know! It's got me feelin' all depressed ... maybe Jeff just needs a good hug.

James considered for a moment. "No, I don't think I do want to know, at least not yet. If and when Jeff is ready to share that information with me, then I'll be ready."

His lip curled slightly at the mention of General Grant, but a force of will mangled it back down into a normal expression.

"I guess that the 'accidental' hero is something foreign to Iansisle. With the possible exception of the Lord Johnson, every domestic hero we've had has set out to be such. I suppose it's the fault of our culture, really, which is why someone as alien as Jeff - the kind of man who didn't want to be a hero, but just wanted to do what was right in his heart - found such a place in ours.

"I know that this sort of thing weighs heavily on Jeff..." he trailed off. "But I'm ready to give him Ian's Cross FC and his own duchy as a reward for what he's already beating himself up for." James gazed at Golden Agate as it rolled by. "Do you think maybe the best thing to do would be keep him isloated from everyone else for a couple days? I know of a half dozen charming little backwaters in the Commonwealth..."

(yeah, I had to reach back deep in his history for that post. Luckily I've got his backstory outlined, mostly. Although it could use that editor's touch sometime.. *wink wink*)

"I'm sorry James," Katherine said quietly. "I shouldn't have bothered you with that. You've got so much on your mind already. Jeff's got his own demons to deal with, and only he can do it. Although tonight, I think he's starting to get comfortable with who he is, a hero, however reluctant of a hero he is. I think he'd feel more honored with Ian's Cross than any other medal he's received. Jeff may have found a place in your heart, but Iansisle, and especially you, have found a place in his."

Katherine nodded gently at the mention of letting Jeff get away. "Why? What will happen when we get back to Iansisle?"

(heh, I hate it when you look back on old work and are like: 'man, what the hell was I smoking!?')

"No, it's all right, Kate," James said quietly. "It's all right," he repeated quietly, running a finger acroos Christin's cheek absentmindidly.

"He's helped me so many times," James continued in almost a whisper, a single small tear running down the side of his face, "and I just don't know how best to pay him back. I-I just want to help him, but sometimes I have no idea what to say; what to do."

He sniffed loudly and turned his head towards the window. "I want to be able to help him with his demons like he's helped me with mine, but I can't do that." He composed himself somewhat.

"Richard's been keeping track of the Star-Tribune throughout the trial. Jeff's been first page, top half news every single day since he was arrested. IanCorp's been playing him off in a very noble light, and the Larkinian military in a very poor, greedy one. When he steps back off the flyer in Ianapalis, I don't know if he'll have a moment to himself until he slams the door shut."

(No kidding, although after a few rewrites, it's looking promising)

(ooooooh! A1 above the fold news! Damn, he's made it! ;) )

"I know you do James. It's hard when it's someone you love and... you can't do anything," Katherine said trying to keep from sniffing herself. "It's almost like he's afraid whatever crosses he's trying to bear will someday corrupt us. Like in Daezeman..." she caught herself.

"So he's become quite the celebrity in Iansisle," she continued, "Well, after all he's already been the hero of a movie from IanCorp," she smiled softly. "He should be used to it. Maybe we should hire him a PR rep to take care of the media."

James caught himself from sniffing again. The mention of the word 'Daezeman' - especially by Kate, the only other still-living person who lost a brother in the holocaust (of course, she lost much more than that, he reminded himself. An entire people, way of life, every member of her family) - stung him like a bee. It had been a word kicked about like a football in Iansislean politics, especially since James had asked Christin to marry him.

He wanted to ask her what she had been about to say, but...what if it had been Iansisle that was razed instead of Daezeman? What if he, not Katherine, was the sole remainder of an entire civilization? He could certainly see not wanting to talk about it. Instead, he let the conversation flow on past the almost-comment.

"I just thought he might enjoy some time alone...camping up in the Gap, or on the Troobodian beaches." James shook his head. "Well, as long as that rep..." James struggled with the unfamiliar abbreviation "... doesn't come from IanCorp himself."

James caught himself from sniffing again. The mention of the word 'Daezeman' - especially by Kate, the only other still-living person who lost a brother in the holocaust (of course, she lost much more than that, he reminded himself. An entire people, way of life, every member of her family) - stung him like a bee. It had been a word kicked about like a football in Iansislean politics, especially since James had asked Christin to marry him.

He wanted to ask her what she had been about to say, but...what if it had been Iansisle that was razed instead of Daezeman? What if he, not Katherine, was the sole remainder of an entire civilization? He could certainly see not wanting to talk about it. Instead, he let the conversation flow on past the almost-comment.

Katherine caught James' almost question. "What? Oh no, Jeff didn't tell you what happened there did he? Before the twins were born..."

"I just thought he might enjoy some time alone...camping up in the Gap, or on the Troobodian beaches." James shook his head. "Well, as long as that rep..." James struggled with the unfamiliar abbreviation "... doesn't come from IanCorp himself."

"Maybe on the beach," she said, "We still have that boat dad gave us for our wedding. If there's someplace we can put that boat, then maybe he can spend a week on the beach."

Katherine caught James' almost question. "What? Oh no, Jeff didn't tell you what happened there did he? Before the twins were born..."

James sat very quietly. He had always wondered where Jeff and Kate had vanished to while the twins were being born; apparently they went to Daezeman. Probably to that estate her brother had given him.

"No, I don't believe he did..." James asked quietly. One part of him didn't want Katherine to force herself to tell him anything; the other part desired to know just what had happened.

"Maybe on the beach," she said, "We still have that boat dad gave us for our wedding. If there's someplace we can put that boat, then maybe he can spend a week on the beach."

"I've never been to the south Troobodian beaches, myself," James said quietly, "but I hear they're spectacuar. A lot like the beaches of southern California, if much, much less crowded. And I'm sure we could find something to do with the boat, if I have to build Jeff his own jetty."

The Emperor entered the room once more...

"Sorry about that... my wife has chosen to wait in the car. Oh, and I bought some food for the party."

The Emperor snapped his fingers, and 5 men bought in 5 Trays full of Roasted Bantha meat. (It's real good tasting stuff.)

"Do you have any Bubbly (Champaign [I'm terrible at spelling.]) avaliable?"

OOC christ this thread ran on a bit, dunno where to jump in now...... :oops:

OOC christ this thread ran on a bit, dunno where to jump in now...... :oops:

You're telling me... I just had to read through 3 pages to catch up... :?

---

The Emperor snapped his fingers, and 5 men bought in 5 Trays full of Roasted Bantha meat. (It's real good tasting stuff.)

"Do you have any Bubbly (Champaign [I'm terrible at spelling.]) avaliable?"

(Roast Bantha? Heh, you could fool me on the good-tasting part: those things looked nasty ;)

And I think you actually spelled 'champaign' correctly...at least, that's how they spell the city in Illinois)

James sat very quietly. He had always wondered where Jeff and Kate had vanished to while the twins were being born; apparently they went to Daezeman. Probably to that estate her brother had given him.

"No, I don't believe he did..." James asked quietly. One part of him didn't want Katherine to force herself to tell him anything; the other part desired to know just what had happened.

"Oh, I'm sorry James. You must have been wondering where the hell we went," she said, "I know Jeff wanted to tell you. He was just, ashamed of what he did there.

"We went to the castle Jeff was given, they were still training people there. One of the instructors was an... ex-lover of mine, who apparently still wanted to be with me. As you can guess, once I was pregnant, he wasn't too thrilled. One day he stormed into our rooms in the castle, and tried to convince me I should be with him and Jeff didn't deserve me. After I told him to get out, he tried to... to..." she said pausing, "He tried to rape me, and at the same time kill the twins.

"Jeff came in at an... opportune time. Before anything happened. The next thing that happened, Jeff chased him to the edge of the castle, where they apparently fought to the death. As you can guess, Jeff won. He told me later he was in such a rage, he felt hatred he'd never felt before, he wanted to kill that... person."

"I've never been to the south Troobodian beaches, myself," James said quietly, "but I hear they're spectacuar. A lot like the beaches of southern California, if much, much less crowded. And I'm sure we could find something to do with the boat, if I have to build Jeff his own jetty."

"Well, if you and Christin have never been there, I'm sure there's room on the boat for you both. Maybe a small holiday for all of us,, after what you and Christin have had to go through, you could use one too."

OOC christ this thread ran on a bit, dunno where to jump in now...... :oops:

OOC: Yeah it did, Iansisle and I tend to get into our characters a bit, plus I can flush out Jeff's background more... ;) At last check, the waiter was asking if you needed anything, and Katana was going to talk to the King and Queen about their country.


OOC2: TIN, you can walk back in and talk with Jeff and Chris, they are still there, Chris is thanking god he's a bachelor after hearing the Emperor and his wife.

Ya see, I've still got all the loose threads out there in my hands ;)

OOC: Yeah it did, Iansisle and I tend to get into our characters a bit,...

(yeah, sorry about that, everyone...we'll rattle off twenty posts a piece if no one gives us a good smack ;))

---

As Katherine told the story, James could feel a rage building up inside himself. He had already had that rage once tonight, felt the cold directionless anger inside of him, and made himself continue to breath normally, though the hand Christin wasn't holding clenched and unclenched several times.

"I...I can see how Jeff would feel," he managed to say after he was sure his voice wouldn't shake too badly. He shook his head. "I hope I'm never put in that sort of situation... I hate to feel...angry, out of control."

----

James chuckled softly. "A real family vacation, eh? I would reccomend we go to an amusment park in Iansisle, but..." He left the roller coaster safety issues unstated.

The Emperor entered the room once more...

"Sorry about that... my wife has chosen to wait in the car. Oh, and I bought some food for the party."

The Emperor snapped his fingers, and 5 men bought in 5 Trays full of Roasted Bantha meat. (It's real good tasting stuff.)

"Do you have any Bubbly (Champaign [I'm terrible at spelling.]) avaliable?"

"Right over here," one of the caterers said, "We've never had Roasted Bantha meat before, sounds interesting!" The men set the trays on the table, out of sight of the Duque.

Another man walked over with a glass of champaign, "Of course sir," he said handing it over, "It's South Pilon, '84. Their best vintage."

"I...I can see how Jeff would feel," he managed to say after he was sure his voice wouldn't shake too badly. He shook his head. "I hope I'm never put in that sort of situation... I hate to feel...angry, out of control."

"Yes, we all hate to feel out of control. But to lose control and kill someone, it's hard to accept. Even for someone who swore to value life."

James chuckled softly. "A real family vacation, eh? I would reccomend we go to an amusment park in Iansisle, but..." He left the roller coaster safety issues unstated.

"Maybe a trip to the amusement parks would be in our future" she smiled as the car pulled toward the small apartment complex in the Corporate Zone. "A family vacation... that's the one thing I think Jeff loves the most. We are a family, as close to a biological one as any can be. That picture you gave him for Christmas, that night he put it in the middle of the mantle, moved over all of his medals and awards. They didn't matter to him as much as that picture does."

The car stopped in front of a tall building and Katherine opened the doors for her and James.

(I'm off to bed (bummer too, right when everyone's getting on :)) Good night, all!)

"Yes, we all hate to feel out of control. But to lose control and kill someone, it's hard to accept. Even for someone who swore to value life."

James shook his head. "He always has taken that clause too literally. Taking wicked life to protect and value the innocent: that's what it gets at." He sighed.

"Maybe a trip to the amusement parks would be in our future" she smiled as the car pulled toward the small apartment complex in the Corporate Zone. "A family vacation... that's the one thing I think Jeff loves the most. We are a family, as close to a biological one as any can be. That picture you gave him for Christmas, that night he put it in the middle of the mantle, moved over all of his medals and awards. They didn't matter to him as much as that picture does."

The car stopped in front of a tall building and Katherine opened the doors for her and James.

"Aw..." James wasn't sure quite how to react. "Well, I mean..." He stuttered and stopped, embarassed. "It's the least a baby brother can do," he finished at last.

He helped Christin from the car. She almost balanced by herself, but then sought out James' embrace and drew herself close to him; leaned against him. "Thanks for the ride, Kate," James whispered.

(ok, NOW I'm off to be...honest ;))

The Emperor took a mobile viewing screen (T.V for you) from his pocket and viewed the current INS Broadcast. (Check the forum if you wanna read it-I'm not advertising, honest! :D )

"Excuse me, but I need to make a phone call to the Prime minister."

He walked out of the room, taking a phone from his pocket as he left.

James shook his head. "He always has taken that clause too literally. Taking wicked life to protect and value the innocent: that's what it gets at." He sighed.

"Well you have to remember, as soon as he made that oath he killed Duke... whoever the hell that was," Katherine said. "I think he's trying to live up to impossible expectations."

"Aw..." James wasn't sure quite how to react. "Well, I mean..." He stuttered and stopped, embarassed. "It's the least a baby brother can do," he finished at last.

He helped Christin from the car. She almost balanced by herself, but then sought out James' embrace and drew herself close to him; leaned against him. "Thanks for the ride, Kate," James whispered.

(ok, NOW I'm off to be...honest ;))

(You'll be back, they always come back... :P)

"Maybe it's the least, but I doubt it," she smiled helping the two of them into the elevator and up to the small apartment.

She opened the door and let them in after greeting the bodyguards. "The children are in this room," she said pointing to a small room where three little ones were seen sleeping. "And you and Christin can sleep in the main bedroom. Don't worry, nothing's happened in there," she winked.

She led James and Christin to the main bedroom in the apartment and handed James the keys. "You've got my cell phone. Call us if you need anything. I'm going to check on the children then go back and see how Jeff is doing. G'Night you two."

Katherine went into the spare bedroom and checked on the children. Kissing each of them and telling them she and daddy would be back soon.

-----

The Emperor took a mobile viewing screen (T.V for you) from his pocket and viewed the current INS Broadcast. (Check the forum if you wanna read it-I'm not advertising, honest! )

"Excuse me, but I need to make a phone call to the Prime minister."

He walked out of the room, taking a phone from his pocket as he left.

Chris was just walking up to the Emperor as he spoke. "Is everything all right sir?" he asked.

(And I'm off to bed too. Catch y'all later today)

Sleep well Lark.

OOC: Damn, now I'll never find out what Christin's problem with me is!

IC: Yarrum walked back into the ballroom, gently holding a hamster. "I found this hamster!" he said to no one in particular. "I wouldn't want anyone to step on her, so- hey!" She leaped from his arms and ran drunkenly off, bumping into a few walls as she went. "I hope that's not Fussyball, I know I'd be devestated if my wife got stepped on." He remembered the president. He tried to rehearse an introduction.

Lovely party you have here. That Jeff's a swell guy.
Oh, thank you, you're too kind.
I'm Yarrum.
I'm the President.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Did you invite any other Yarrumians?
No.
Swell.

OOC: I'm off for the weekend, I'm afraid. My 56k connection at home has packed up, and I can't log on at home. So I can only access my NS account at college, and todays my last day of the week. If I can visit my friends place before the weekend, i'll log on and post, but until then see you monday.

OOC: Damn, now I'll never find out what Christin's problem with me is!

IC: Yarrum walked back into the ballroom, gently holding a hamster. "I found this hamster!" he said to no one in particular. "I wouldn't want anyone to step on her, so- hey!" She leaped from his arms and ran drunkenly off, bumping into a few walls as she went. "I hope that's not Fussyball, I know I'd be devestated if my wife got stepped on." He remembered the president. He tried to rehearse an introduction.


Outside in the balcony, the duque looked to his shoulder. As he looked, terror filled his mind. The duchess Fussyball, his beloved wife, was missing.

He looked for her desesperately in the balcony, but she wasn't there.
The guests inside the room suddenly saw a worried duque Mooo IV, something very rare due to his joyfullness, entering the party room.

"Help me please! I can't find Duchess Fussyball anywhere. I fear she might got lost. Please help me to find her! Please watch your steps!", the duque said, totally worried about his wife's fate.
"Holy cow! Why must the worst things happen to me?", he said, rather dramatically.

(OOC: I'm in a dilemma. Should I kill little Fussyball or not? It would be an interesting twist in the storyline...)

OOC: Damn, now I'll never find out what Christin's problem with me is!

IC: Yarrum walked back into the ballroom, gently holding a hamster. "I found this hamster!" he said to no one in particular. "I wouldn't want anyone to step on her, so- hey!" She leaped from his arms and ran drunkenly off, bumping into a few walls as she went. "I hope that's not Fussyball, I know I'd be devestated if my wife got stepped on." He remembered the president. He tried to rehearse an introduction.


Outside in the balcony, the duque looked to his shoulder. As he looked, terror filled his mind. The duchess Fussyball, his beloved wife, was missing.

He looked for her desesperately in the balcony, but she wasn't there.
The guests inside the room suddenly saw a worried duque Mooo IV, something very rare due to his joyfullness, entering the party room.

"Help me please! I can't find Duchess Fussyball anywhere. I fear she might got lost. Please help me to find her! Please watch your steps!", the duque said, totally worried about his wife's fate.
"Holy cow! Why must the worst things happen to me?", he said, rather dramatically.

(OOC: I'm in a dilemma. Should I kill little Fussyball or not? It would be an interesting twist in the storyline...)

(Hmmmm, interesting... I wonder if Takeo had any cats :P)

Jeff heard the Duque's statement, "No one move," he said. "There's a wife missing from the party."

Other than your own? a voice from the back of his mind piped up, Wonder what's taking her so long...

"She's blondish, about five inches long, and answers to the name 'Duchess Fussyball' ..." Jeff fought to ignore the voice until he realized how he sounded and shut up to look around.

In shorter than the time it took for Jeff to blink, the cybernetics in his eyes activated. He used the zooming targeting scope to look in the small crevices of the room where the Duchess might be hiding, and the infrared part of the eyes was looking for little heat sources.

(Let me know if you want him to find her or where to find her)

Ok, get your pitchforks out! It's time to storm the server!

OOC: Damn, now I'll never find out what Christin's problem with me is!

ooc: (I actually haven't fully fleshed it out or anything, but the working thesis is that your character reminds her (in physical terms only) of her step-father while she was growing up)

"Holy cow! Why must the worst things happen to me?", he said, rather dramatically.

(OOC: I'm in a dilemma. Should I kill little Fussyball or not? It would be an interesting twist in the storyline...)

(Heh..I love the 'Holy Cow!' bit. As for the Duchess, it's up to you, but if you need a clumsy oaf, Richard's still at the party ;))

Sleep well Lark.

(What, no good night for me? It's because I didn't like the Bantha, isn't it! :P ;))

"Well you have to remember, as soon as he made that oath he killed Duke... whoever the hell that was," Katherine said. "I think he's trying to live up to impossible expectations."

"You're right about that," James muttered, shaking his head. "'Duke' was the former Duke of Chateau, an insufferable lout who challenged Jeff to the duel. He's beat himself up for that for far too long....one second was more than long enough."

(You'll be back, they always come back... )

(*sidles up while shaking* You know what I need, man!)

"And you and Christin can sleep in the main bedroom. Don't worry, nothing's happened in there," she winked.

She led James and Christin to the main bedroom in the apartment and handed James the keys. "You've got my cell phone. Call us if you need anything. I'm going to check on the children then go back and see how Jeff is doing. G'Night you two."

Katherine went into the spare bedroom and checked on the children. Kissing each of them and telling them she and daddy would be back soon.

"Believe me, Kate, that was the farthest thing from my mind," said James with a wink, leading Christin in to the bed. Being an Iansislean male, James was probably telling the truth, too!

"Thanks again for all your help," he whispered to Kate as she said good night. "Say 'hi' to Jeff for me." And the door slowly closed.

(am I going to have to start using the term 'Jealoff' soon?)

"Well you have to remember, as soon as he made that oath he killed Duke... whoever the hell that was," Katherine said. "I think he's trying to live up to impossible expectations."

"You're right about that," James muttered, shaking his head. "'Duke' was the former Duke of Chateau, an insufferable lout who challenged Jeff to the duel. He's beat himself up for that for far too long....one second was more than long enough."

"You're right, the problem is convincing Jeff of that. Well here we are," Katherine said as the car stopped in front of the apartment complex.

(You'll be back, they always come back... )

(*sidles up while shaking* You know what I need, man!)

(*Starts best possible 'Jay and Silent Bob Impersonations*.. "So what youse want man? I got it all.")

"Believe me, Kate, that was the farthest thing from my mind," said James with a wink, leading Christin in to the bed. Being an Iansislean male, James was probably telling the truth, too!

"Thanks again for all your help," he whispered to Kate as she said good night. "Say 'hi' to Jeff for me." And the door slowly closed.

(am I going to have to start using the term 'Jealoff' soon?)

"I know you weren't thinking that, but just to reassure you that the sheets were clean," she winked. "You two have a nice night's rest. The coffee maker goes off at 9 a.m." she smiled. "I'll tell him for you."

(LOL, nope ;))

OOC: Ok, I've decided not to kill her.... for the moment.
I'm too benevolent to make the duque suffer so much! :P

IC:

The worried duque continued searching in the room. He looked under the tables, under the chairs, behind the women's shoes.....
Suddenly, he sees a small blodie hairball running around, near the door that leads to the kitchen.
"There she is! Somebody grab her before she gets hurt", he exclaimed

"There she goes!" Jeff said chasing after the hamster.

She ran back from the kitchen door and into the crowd when Takeo quickly knelt down and caught her. Holding her gently in both hands he handed her back to the Duque.

The duque received, with tears in his eyes, his little wife.
"Thank you, noble Takeo. You can't imagine how grateful I am.
Ask for anything you want, and the Grand Duchy will give it to you as a gift.!
Again, thank you!"

Then, he talked to his wife..."And you, darling, where were you? Why you escaped?
I love you so much"
Having said that and, to the disgust of some nobles present at the party, the duque kissed deeply his furry wife in the mouth.
Then, after this 'excentric behaviour' (as the foreign media qualified it later), he placed her wife on his shoulder again.
"Never ever you escape again!", he said.
The duchess, in return, purred deeply, expressing how happy she was to be back with her husband.....

(Now, that's a lovely couple, isn't it? :P )

OOC: That wasn't supposed to be Fussyball, I just felt I needed to post something, and she reminded me that 'hamster' is a funny word, so... anyway, yes, a very lovely couple.

IC: As the Duque returned searching for Fussyball, Yarrum shouted "I'm sorry, she just jumped out of my hand!" Time to spring into action. "I got bait!" he yelled, removing a packet of airline peanuts from one of his many pockets and opening it with his teeth. He realized the wife had been recovered as he brushed peanuts off of himself. "Glad to see everything's back in order," he said importantly. "Sorry about that, she was just walking around the hallways, and when I touched her, I thought she feel asleep."

Now where was that president?

OOC: Don't worry. I realised that she wasn't supposed to be Fussyball. I just wanted her to be to give the storyline an interesting twist.

IC: The duque heard Yarrum words and replied...

"Don't worry. I value the effort you made to try to find her.
The important thing is that she's ok now.
Can I have a peanut?", he said with the joyful smile back on his face.

Jeff let out a small sigh of relief after Katana picked up the hamster and gave her back to the Duque.

If that's the most stressful thing to happen tonight, I think this'll be a good evening.

Richard almost spilled his water, the absolute insanity of half a ton of bipedal steer chasing after a half a pound of hampster in absolute terror not really registering with him. He watched the going-ons with some degree of interest, but no real help.

"Good show!" he called, biting back a hiccup as the Duchess was at last persuaded to go back to her husband.

(heh...whether the headlines say 'eccentric behavior' or 'explicit beastiality' depends if you read the Larkinian or Iansislean prints ;))

Richard almost spilled his water, the absolute insanity of half a ton of bipedal steer chasing after a half a pound of hampster in absolute terror not really registering with him. He watched the going-ons with some degree of interest, but no real help.

"Good show!" he called, biting back a hiccup as the Duchess was at last persuaded to go back to her husband.

(heh...whether the headlines say 'eccentric behavior' or 'explicit beastiality' depends if you read the Larkinian or Iansislean prints ;))

(You're papers are going to go that easy on it huh? :P)

"How are you feeling, Admiral?" Jeff asked as he walked back over to Richard. "Those pills taking effect yet?"

"Much better, my dear Sir Jeffrey, much better indeed!" exclaimed a happy Richard Tri, the pills apparently having warmed his sour disposition considerably. "Quite the shin-dig we're running here; I hardly think the excitment will ever come to an end!"

(Well, we like the Duque :). Oh, and check your TGs in ... ah ... a minute. I just need to finish writing it quickly.)

"Well, as long as it doesn't get too exciting," Jeff winks. "So how is Duchess Jessica behaving herself since she returned? I haven't spoken to James about it."

(*checks TG's* I-man, I agree with you)

(heh...whether the headlines say 'eccentric behavior' or 'explicit beastiality' depends if you read the Larkinian or Iansislean prints ;))

Those ianisleans and their evil sensationalist press! :P
Don't worry, the duque loves you too!

OOC: Don't worry. I realised that she wasn't supposed to be Fussyball. I just wanted her to be to give the storyline an interesting twist.

IC: The duque heard Yarrum words and replied...

"Don't worry. I value the effort you made to try to find her.
The important thing is that she's ok now.
Can I have a peanut?", he said with the joyful smile back on his face.

OOC: And interesting it was. Glad to be a part of it.

IC:"Oh, sure. Wait a sec," Yarrum realized all the peanuts were on the floor. "That appears to have been my last pack. I have some pretzels if you'd like those."

He whipped his head around. He could have sworn he'd seen a woman with shoulder-length brown hair. Must've been all the excitement, just something he imagined.

OOC: Thanks! :D
I also enjoyed your presence on this thread. You are a very good RP-er.

IC:

"Pretzels? Oh, I love them. I would like some, if it's not a problem to you.
After all, the salads here are not very tasty, what would you expect from a meat-eating nation anyway?", he said, with a rather hungry look on his face.

OOC: Thanks! :D
I also enjoyed your presence on this thread. You are a very good RP-er.

IC:

"Pretzels? Oh, I love them. I would like some, if it's not a problem to you.
After all, the salads here are not very tasty, what would you expect from a meat-eating nation anyway?", he said, with a rather hungry look on his face.

(Damn, and we've been doing our best to hide all of the beef from the Duque ;) ... *waits for Iansisle's 'Where's the beef' joke...*)

OOC: Thanks! :D
I also enjoyed your presence on this thread. You are a very good RP-er.

IC:

"Pretzels? Oh, I love them. I would like some, if it's not a problem to you.
After all, the salads here are not very tasty, what would you expect from a meat-eating nation anyway?", he said, with a rather hungry look on his face.

OOC: Right back at ya!

IC: "Not at all, I don't care much for them myself. You just never know when salty snacks will come in handy." He pulled two packets from his suit. "I have plain and ooo! Chocolate-covered!"

(Let me agree with those sentiments!)

Katana wanders over to Yarrum and the Duque as they talk, "Now that we've had our runaway bride for the night, things should settle down. At least she didn't bump into the black labs we have in the palace grounds. They'd never live down being smacked around by a hamster," he smiled.

(Damn, and we've been doing our best to hide all of the beef from the Duque ;) ... *waits for Iansisle's 'Where's the beef' joke...*)

(OOC:Perhaps it was the dead bantha on the table what made the duque suspect?
Don't worry, he won't repeat the incident at Iansisle. He is more diplomatic than that!)

IC:
"Chocolate covered? Seems like the Holy Cow is compensating all what she made me suffer!", says the duque, grabbing the pretzels and eating them like a kid eating a candy.
"Thank you very much! I'm sure our countries will make close allies in the future. After all, is nice to meet such generous people like you."
(That's it, seems like an alliance with Hell Bovines will only cost you a pack of pretzels [jk] :) )


The bovine monarch suddenly sees Katana walking torwards them.
Katana wonders over to Yarrum and the Duque as they talk, "Now that we've had our runaway bride for the night, things should settle down. At least she didn't bump into the black labs we have in the palace grounds. They'd never live down being smacked around by a hamster," he smiled.
"Thank you for your sentiments, noble Katana. I think I will not bring my beautiful wife to international events anymore. The fear of losing her is too big for me."
"I hope they don't experiment with hamsters in those labs you mentioned.", he said with a questioning look.
"Anyway, would you like a pretzel?, courtesy of our yarruminan friend here, of course.", he offered.


[God! The pretzel discussion made me so hungry that I had to go to the kitchen to look for cookies! :D ]

To H.B. : "That'd be great! Allies are always nice to have."

He chuckled at the President's joke about the labs and the hamster. "That's a good one! Uh, what was I doing?" He wondered aloud. "Looking for someone... I was one, you're one," he nodded to the President. "Oh yeah, the President! Oh, that's you!" He chuckled again. "Anyway, this is a great party you have here, and speaking of Yarrumians, did you invite any others? Because I think I saw someone I recognized a few times. It's no big deal, I just-"
He was interrupted by the sound of footsteps from behind.
He leaned forward to rub his eye and turned around to see who it was.
He could tell that it was a largish woman in a black dress.
He looked higher, and could see that, despite her weight, she had a nice figure, and that she was carrying a pina colada in each hand.
He looked higher, and saw that she had shoulder-length brown hair.
He looked forward, and found himself face-to-face with a woman with big, brown eyes.

"M-M-Miss Sara!" he gasped.
"Mr. President," she said. "I have something for you," and handed him one of the drinks.

(Oh, the Foreign Affairs Ministry knows all about the Duque's beef with beef...that's why we only serve lamb :P)

"Duchess Jessica?" asked Richard with a blank look on his face. He looked at Jeff for just long enough to be awkward, but not quite long enough to need a prompt. "Oh, James' sister! Heh, I was with you every moment there!"

He took a long sip of water, nearly choking on the water in his exuberance. "She's been fine, fine: real quiet like. Just visiting the Queen-Mother and avoiding James in Dûn Ádien, or else out with that nobleman she's dating now."

Richard laughed quickly. "Sorry about the confusion," he continued, somewhat undiplomatically, "It's just that Jessica isn't the Archduchess of Sentry Island anymore; she had that title taken after all the funny business and the exile. Now that she's back, she's James' proper heir until a baby is borne, and therfore the Princess of Ianapalis." Iansisleans usually didn't like to correct other's slight mistakes within their overly large and much too complicated nobility system, but the pills didn't even make Sir Richard think about that.

"Interesting sidenote," he continued, rambling on. "The title 'Archduke and Archduchess of Sentry Island' is the only 'oldover from the ol' Sentrian Empire...the Archduke was like our Prince of Ianapalis, the heir to the Emperor's throne. It was e'spected, when Ian IV of Shadoran united the Shield, that 'e'd take the title Emperor of the Sentrian Empire. But 'e wanted a Shieldian realm, not a Sentrian one, so 'e took High King of the Empire of the Shield instead. Later, when Sentry Island was conquered, 'e allowed the ol' Emperor's heir to retain the title of Archduke..." Richard continued to ramble on.

(shall I send a TG to him, Lark? Just wondering, 'cause Cele and Ag aren't about right now, I don't think)

He chuckled at the President's joke about the labs and the hamster. "That's a good one! Uh, what was I doing?" He wondered aloud. "Looking for someone... I was one, you're one," he nodded to the President. "Oh yeah, the President! Oh, that's you!" He chuckled again. "Anyway, this is a great party you have here, and speaking of Yarrumians, did you invite any others? Because I think I saw someone I recognized a few times. It's no big deal, I just-"

Takeo was about to respond when he saw the look on Yarrum's face change. His eyes veered slightly to the woman behind Yarrum.

-- snips explanation --

"So ... er... she's a princess now??" Jeff asked surprised and trying to take in the intricacies of Iansislian nobility. Since he was going to be made a nobleman, he figured he should try and figure out how things worked, he cursed himself for forgetting his flowchart at home. :P

"She must be upset that she's no longer Duchess of Sentry Island though," Jeff grinned, thinking about how steamed she must have been when that title went... elsewhere. "Although that sounds like a promotion for her. So who is this nobleman she's seeing now?"

(go for it I-man!)

"So ... er... she's a princess now??" Jeff asked surprised and trying to take in the intricacies of Iansislian nobility. Since he was going to be made a nobleman, he figured he should try and figure out how things worked, he cursed himself for forgetting his flowchart at home. :P

"She must be upset that she's no longer Duchess of Sentry Island though," Jeff grinned, thinking about how steamed she must have been when that title went... elsewhere. "Although that sounds like a promotion for her. So who is this nobleman she's seeing now?"

(go for it I-man!)

"The Princess of Ianapalis," nodded Richard. "Er, sorta like in Britain ...whaddatheycallit... er, right, the Prince of Wales. It is kinda a 'promotion,' I suppose, since it confirms 'er as the heir to the Callahanian throne. I suppose 'lizabeth's kinda distraught, since she was next in line while Jessica was exiled. 'Aven't 'eard from 'er for a couple months."

He paused to consider Jeff's last question. "Oh, was 'is name...younger guy, from jus' outside Ianapalis. Er, the Earl of Pensbridge, that's it. Don't know much 'bout 'im, 'cept that 'e's in parliament."

(it's not hard...if you have a flowchart :P (er, which I actually do ... heh ;)

And done!)

"The Princess of Ianapalis," nodded Richard. "Er, sorta like in Britain ...whaddatheycallit... er, right, the Prince of Wales. It is kinda a 'promotion,' I suppose, since it confirms 'er as the heir to the Callahanian throne. I suppose 'lizabeth's kinda distraught, since she was next in line while Jessica was exiled. 'Aven't 'eard from 'er for a couple months."

He paused to consider Jeff's last question. "Oh, was 'is name...younger guy, from jus' outside Ianapalis. Er, the Earl of Pensbridge, that's it. Don't know much 'bout 'im, 'cept that 'e's in parliament."

(it's not hard...if you have a flowchart :P (er, which I actually do ... heh ;)

And done!)

(Well, look at it this way... it would have smoked my computer if I'd tried to create an Excel file for Iansisle Nobility ;) )

"Yeah, I can imagine she'd be upset," Jeff nodded. "So no one's heard from Duchess Elizabeth lately? I'd figure that John would have called James once or twice to keep in touch..."

Jeff tried to place the name with a face, "Pensbridge... Hmmm... What party is he with? What is his claim to fame?"

(Well, look at it this way... it would have smoked my computer if I'd tried to create an Excel file for Iansisle Nobility ;) )

(heh, don't worry: I don't really expect anyone to keep track of it. Good lord...I just was looking at all the maps, flowcharts, character trackers, and everything I've writen down....and it takes up a whole drawer in my desk! Cripes, I really need to cut down on my NS crack :))

"Yeah, I can imagine she'd be upset," Jeff nodded. "So no one's heard from Duchess Elizabeth lately? I'd figure that John would have called James once or twice to keep in touch..."

Jeff tried to place the name with a face, "Pensbridge... Hmmm... What party is he with? What is his claim to fame?"

Richard shrugged. "'e might 'ave. All I know is that James was telling me 'ow 'e never 'ears from 'lizabeth anymore." He laughed and coughed at the same time, then took another quick sip of water.

"The Lord Pensbridge..." Richard considered for a moment himself. "Y'know, I don't know who 'e is either, I mean really know who 'e is. I 'eard Jessica talkin' to the Queen-Mother 'bout 'im once, but no real details. An' 'e's not a navy man, I don't think."

"Really? Not a Navy man? Hmmmm, well no one's perfect," Jeff smiled at Richard. "I'm going out for some air, I'll be back in a moment."

As Jeff walked onto the balcony, Richard caught a glimpse of a blonde in a low cut silver dress who was also heading outside.

Jeff stood on the balcony, breathing in the crisp mountain air, wondering where his friend Robert Fortier had gone off to (My ode to Imitora in this thread ;)), when he... sensed? felt? Knew! someone was behind him.

"Hello Jeffrey," a voice, a very familiar voice from Jeff's past said.

Jeff half-turned his head to the side. It sounded like... no it couldn't be.

"Dariana?"

Jeff felt the cold outline of a gun barrel being pressed against his back.

"Miss me?" he asked sardonically.

"Mmmmmm, not at this range dear," she purred. "As soon as I heard about the court-marshal, I had to come see for myself. You never did change, did you?"

"I guess not. But what are you doing here? Last I remember, you went AWOL, joined that merc group, 'living a free life'."

"I got a reprieve. It's amazing what kind of pardon you can get when you join the right side of a coup. I wanted to let you know I'm around. So you don't forget turning your back on me when the rest of us left."

Jeff felt the barrel vanish. He spun around and caught a glimpse of her walking back into the ballroom.

"Just what I thought!" agreed Richard. He watched Jeff walk outside quickly, then turned his full attention to a nearby snack display. He never noticed the blonde, or anything that transpired outside.

Jeff strode back into the ballroom and scanned the ballroom, but by the time he'd gotten back inside, she was no where to be seen. He walked back to the bar, "gimme a scotch," he told the bartender. The man set the glass down and Jeff corrected him. "No, the whole bottle."

(Great minds think alike, huh Lark? Little favor: Yarrum's feeling a bit stunned right now, so if someone could ask for an introduction, to kind of break the ice, that'd be great.)

The King and queen had been sitting at a table, sipping drinks for quite some time now... Habbak was no-where to be seen.........
-wonder where he's gotten to? mumbled the king.
Meanwhile outside the colonel was feeling hungry, had wandered into the kitchen, after he had had a snack.... he overheard the Prime minister talking outside......
-Look it is really simple... when we get back to the Golden Crown, we kill the King and take totall power in the country.......
-right my lord... run the plan past me again.....
-*sigh*MORON!, we just shoot him while he sleeps!
[i] the colonel gasped, turned and ran towards the ball room

bumb

(Great minds think alike, huh Lark? Little favor: Yarrum's feeling a bit stunned right now, so if someone could ask for an introduction, to kind of break the ice, that'd be great.)

(No kidding, I've been waiting to bring her into the story for a few weeks now, and use that "Miss me?" "Not at this range dear" dialogue. ;) Although bringing her into a Christmas Party didn't seem right...)

Katana cleared his throat a little, "Mr. Yarrum, should I leave you both alone for a moment?"

Forum is quickly becoming a four-letter word again...

Jeff sipped the scotch and glanced around the room, trying to put a face to the voice he'd dealt with on the balcony. He'd noticed the King and Queen of Midlonia sitting at a table, and was going to talk to them when they were finished talking. He didn't want to interrupt their talk.

Katherine pulled the sedan back into the parking garage and hopped out to walk back into the Palace. The guard that gave her the keys was standing at the front door. She handed back the keys to him with her thanks and slipped back into the hallway approaching the ballroom.

Katana cleared his throat a little, "Mr. Yarrum, should I leave you both alone for a moment?"

"Wha? Oh, no! Don't!" He extended his hand at Katana and nearly spilled his drink. He took a swallow to prevent that from happening. "Uh... This is Miss M-...Miss Mo-... it's hard to pronounce, let's just leave it at Sara." She managed to raise her hand in a small wave, but kept her head down. "Sara, this is the President. Hey! Why don't you two get more aquainted whilst I go check and see how ol' Jeff is doing?" He tried to move off, but Sara, horrified, held onto his left arm like it was a teddy bear, begging him with her eyes not to go. He tore himself away almost regretfully and walked off as fast as he could manage, stumbling over his feet a few times, towards Jeff.

After he left, she managed to blurt, "Nice palace," before lapsing back into silence.

"Jeff, Jeff!" He panted. "I gots a question! Y-your'e married, right? You know how women's brains work? I need help."

Katana smiled at Sara, "Yes, it is an all right place," he said to her. "Can I get you another drink ma'am?"

Jeff considered Yarrum's question a moment, "Yes I'm married, but I dunno if that helps you understand a woman. What's up?"

Katana smiled at Sara, "Yes, it is an all right place," he said to her. "Can I get you another drink ma'am?"
Sara began to panic. "Uh... I already have one, sir," she held up the remaining pina colada. She nervously looked back at Yarrum. She wanted to leave, but... the President...

Jeff considered Yarrum's question a moment, "Yes I'm married, but I dunno if that helps you understand a woman. What's up?"
"Uh, you see that girl there? By the President? She's kinda chunky? Yeah, uh... I don't like her. Not at all, but..." he took a drink to calm himself. "She looks at me with those eyes of hers, and I feel so sorry for her, and... she's real shy, and quiet, and..." He took another drink.

He began to pour his heart out to Jeff. Yarrum told him about how lonely and unpopular he was when he was very small, because he was the president's illegitimate son. He told him about how there was this one girl, who was heavy, and shared Sara's hair and eye color. May have even been Sara herself. He bullied her. He thought he did it because she was the only person less popular than he was. Pecking order. One day, he pushed her in a mud puddle, and someone said something about a pig, and all the kids laughed, and the girl cried. He had never seen her cry before, she just endured whatever he did. His next memory was climbing the school fence, and running. He thought he ran until he fainted from lack of air.

Yarrum took deep breaths and deep gulps from his drink. "And she just reminds me of that girl. It's like, all she has to do is look at me with those big eyes, and I get all... she's so sad and alone, Jeff. She told me her brother died when she was at the Miss Nationstates pagent. She told me he was the only person who ever loved her. And even then, he didn't love her much. I... I... feel so sorry for her, but..."

He cried.

(What do you think? Too sappy? Just right?)

Sara began to panic. "Uh... I already have one, sir," she held up the remaining pina colada. She nervously looked back at Yarrum. She wanted to leave, but... the President...

Katana nods, "Are you enjoying yourself so far tonight?"

"Uh, you see that girl there? By the President? She's kinda chunky? Yeah, uh... I don't like her. Not at all, but..." he took a drink to calm himself. "She looks at me with those eyes of hers, and I feel so sorry for her, and... she's real shy, and quiet, and..." He took another drink.

(Calling Dr. Williams, Dr. Williams to the psychology ward please... :P)

"Well, let's start there, why don't you like her? What is it about her that seems to set you off?"

He began to pour his heart out to Jeff. Yarrum told him about how lonely and unpopular he was when he was very small, because he was the president's illegitimate son. He told him about how there was this one girl, who was heavy, and shared Sara's hair and eye color. May have even been Sara herself. He bullied her. He thought he did it because she was the only person less popular than he was. Pecking order. One day, he pushed her in a mud puddle, and someone said something about a pig, and all the kids laughed, and the girl cried. He had never seen her cry before, she just endured whatever he did. His next memory was climbing the school fence, and running. He thought he ran until he fainted from lack of air.

"I see, I know how being at the bottom of the pecking order goes when your younger," Jeff said.

Yarrum took deep breaths and deep gulps from his drink. "And she just reminds me of that girl. It's like, all she has to do is look at me with those big eyes, and I get all...

"You get all... what?"

"...she's so sad and alone, Jeff. She told me her brother died when she was at the Miss Nationstates pagent. She told me he was the only person who ever loved her. And even then, he didn't love her much. I... I... feel so sorry for her, but..."

He cried.

Jeff nods as he continued to listen. "You feel sorry for her, but is it because of her, or because of your actions back when you were younger? What about this situation do you want to change?"

(What do you think? Too sappy? Just right?)
(LOL, if you were looking to tug at heartstrings, it worked. ;) )

Katana nods, "Are you enjoying yourself so far tonight?"Sara had the "caught in the headlights" expression. Her jaw dropped for a moment, then she closed her mouth, nodded, and tried to turn away, but all she could manage was tilting her head down and pressing it against her shoulder.

"Well, let's start there, why don't you like her? What is it about her that seems to set you off?"

(This is where he goes into his flashback.)

Jeff nods as he continued to listen. "You feel sorry for her, but is it because of her, or because of your actions back when you were younger? What about this situation do you want to change?

Yarrum finished his drink. "I'm sorry, I came here, I ruined your big day, I know you don't wanna be here, you belong home with your wife and kids... you have kids, don'cha? You'd be a great father. I..." he calmed himself. He tried his best to consider Jeff's questions. "Look at her," he jerked his arm at Sara. "She's been kicked around all her life. I might have done some of that kicking. She has nothing. She just wants someone. She wants me to be that someone. I... don't want to be her someone." He tried to look at Jeff as best as he could, but the tears and alcohol made it difficult. "You wanna know how she makes me feel? I feel trapped. Trapped. Don't wanna hurt her, don't wanna be attached, trapped."

Sara had the "caught in the headlights" expression. Her jaw dropped for a moment, then she closed her mouth, nodded, and tried to turn away, but all she could manage was tilting her head down and pressing it against her shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Takeo asked smiling at her. "C'mon, you can tell me."


Yarrum finished his drink. "I'm sorry, I came here, I ruined your big day, I know you don't wanna be here, you belong home with your wife and kids... you have kids, don'cha? You'd be a great father. I..." he calmed himself. He tried his best to consider Jeff's questions. "Look at her," he jerked his arm at Sara. "She's been kicked around all her life. I might have done some of that kicking. She has nothing. She just wants someone. She wants me to be that someone. I... don't want to be her someone." He tried to look at Jeff as best as he could, but the tears and alcohol made it difficult. "You wanna know how she makes me feel? I feel trapped. Trapped. Don't wanna hurt her, don't wanna be attached, trapped."

"Don't worry about it," Jeff said, "It'll be good practice to working with my kids when they get older.

"She wants someone to love her, that's understandable, that's what everyone wants. Have you told her you don't want to be that special someone for her? Do you want to be friends with her? Maybe help her develop a little confidence to go out and find someone for herself? Or you could set her up on a date with someone you think she might be good for."

Jeff tried to subtly gesture Richard over as he and Yarrum were talking. "Let me consult my oracle," he winked to Yarrum, 'Maybe we can come up with something."

A subtle gesture wasn't quite enough for Sir Richard, but when a nearby waiter informed the older naval man that he was wanted by the great Jeff Williams, he hastened over. Somewhere, Tri had managed to switch his water with a scotch again, and he took a sip of that as he approched. "'ello, Jeff; Yarrum. What can I 'elp ya with?"

... the great Jeff Williams ...

(LOL, he'll never beat that will it.)

"Richard, glad you're still with us," Jeff said. "Mr. Yarrum seems to be having a problem of the feminine sort." he added before describing a thumbnail sketch of the situation.

"Women!" exclaimed Richard, perhaps a bit too loud, "Ya can't live with 'em, and, er, ya can't live with 'em!" He took another good sized swig of scotch, never considering that Jeff and Yarrum would probably prefer a slightly more sage comment from him.

"That's good to know, Richard" Katherine says with a wink as she saunters back up to Jeff. She kissed Jeff's cheek, "Miss me?"

"Of course I did," Jeff smiled back at her.

"What are you boys talking about?"

Jeff explained the situation to her.

"Oh dear, that's so sad." she said as she thought about the quandry.

"Well, Lady Katherine," continued Richard, his voice perhaps still a bit too high for certain members of the discussion's taste, "I do of course make several exceptions on the 'can't live with 'em' part!" He laughed, and even that came out slightly too loud.

"Well, Lady Katherine," continued Richard, his voice perhaps still a bit too high for certain members of the discussion's taste, "I do of course make several exceptions on the 'can't live with 'em' part!" He laughed, and even that came out slightly too loud.

Katherine hugs Richard, "I'm sure you do," she said with a smile. "Here, let me take you over to the buffet with me and we'll get something to eat, I'm starving."

"I thought Jeff needed..." he started, before shrugging. "Who am I to turn down a dinner date with a lovely young lady?!"

He turned awkwardly in the direction she indicated and walked off, leaving his scotch with a nearby waiter. "I was just at the snack bar, y'know," he commented as they approached the buffet. "I'm simply terrible - they won't be able to let out my collar enough soon!" Richard guffawed.

"Well I'm sure Jeff does need help, he's funny that way," she winked back to him. "What looked good at the buffet?"

Jeff turned back to Yarrum just in time to miss a blonde in a silver dress shimmer through the crowd and look toward Katherine and Richard.

"Well I'm sure Jeff does need help, he's funny that way," she winked back to him. "What looked good at the buffet?"

"The, ah...the..." Richard paused for a moment. What had looked good? "The food," he concluded at last, never noticing any eyes on him or Kate.

(Damn, he's tanked huh? :P well I guess now would be the time for Katherine to ask him a question that she's been wondering about a while...)

"This looks good!" Katherine says as she put some shrimp on a plate, "So.. Richard... umm.. I've been wondering, please be quiet about this, umm... what are the chances of James and Christin getting married in a small, private ceremony?"

(heh, in the best possible way. Ask any questions ya want ;))

"Well, Kate," theorized Richard as he blinked at the buffet table. "The way I've got it figured, this is an all-or-nothing proposal. Either we'll all wake up some day, an' they'll be in Harbor City tying the night, or else it'll be a proper state ceremony, with as much pumped up circumstance..." He paused to wonder if that was the correct phrase, decided it was, and continued. "...as the C'mnwealth can afford."

"Well, that's good," Katherine said absent-mindedly, "It'd be nice if they could get away to do it, without the stress of the royal family and nobles there."

She looked down at her food. "Richard. When you love someone, and they... and you don't want them to do what they do.... so often... and all you're concerned about is their safety.. and you really love them.."

How can I think about that now of all times...

"Well, Kate, as a matter of fact, I 'ad that very problem!" Richard paused for a moment to select something from the table. It was crunchy...hopefully, it was supposed to be crunchy.

"My son, Robert, was fascinated with aero-flight. 'E was twenty when Irvin Graye made 'is first flight, an' then you could never keep the child away from it. 'E dropped out of RSU - studying to be a doctor, 'matter-o-fact - and ran away to work in the Graye and Bankfield factory up in Lakeriverwood. Damn near got killed flying those contraptions seven times." He paused, indicating that further prompts would be needed to get the story to relate to Kate's actual question.

Katherine nodded, "But you didn't stop him did you? and you didn't just let him go? I mean, you still thought he owed more to his family than he appeared to be showing..."

"Well, after 'e was nearly killed the seventh time - 'eard about it in one of 'is letters - I decided enough was enough. I went up to Lakeriverwood myself an' demanded he come 'ome, take up 'is studies again. We argued for 'ours. At last, 'e told me flat out there was no way 'e was leavin' Graye an' Bankfield, and I'd be an 'orrid father if I tried to make 'im."

Richard shrugged. "So I went to Mr. Graye 'imself, explained myself. I think bein' Third Sea Lord - that was before my promotion - an' all convinced 'im, an' 'e fired Robert." Richard took another swollow of his scotch, letting Kate prompt him before bringing the story to any sort of point.

"'E never understood that I only 'ad 'is best interest at 'eart. Ran off to join the Flying Corps, 'e did, an' I've not 'eard from 'im since. I think 'e's a Flight Leader stationed in Port Laughlin, but I dunno."

"Yeah," she said quietly. "Jeff'd hate that. I'm sorry Richard," she added kissing his cheek. "That sounds horrid, he didn't get it that you were just looking out for him. But I guess with kids you need to let them be themselves someday."

Maybe, if Richard and his son were able to talk things out.. now there you go, thinking you can help everyone. Next thing you know you'll be just like Jeff... and that'll start up a whole new set of problems.

Richard smiled. "I 'ate to say I've gotten used to it over the past six years, but I'm no longer waiting by the tele for 'is calls. Maybe someday, after the war's o'er an' all." He shrugged, ignoring the apparent distress his story caused Katherine.

"Yeah," Katherine said. "Well," she said looking up a little, "If you ever have the time and are interested, I'd love to take you up on that babysitting offer. With three kids now, it's quite the handful. Besides, it'll give you some time away from the office, and I think you could use some time away."

Richard chuckled, setting his drink down on the table. "Babysitting for you, Lady Katherine, would give me the greatest pleasure. So long as they don't want to undertake any aerial stunts."

He winked. "An' with ol' Pat more or less running things in Ianapalis, I've been looking for as many chances to get away from the office as I can...let's see, 'ow old are the twins now?"

"I don't think they'd want to do to many of those, at least not yet," she smiled.

"They're almost two-and-a-half now," she added. (*pulls out calcultor and flowchart... yeah that sounds good.. *) "Think you could handle a couple of two year olds and a baby?"

"Two and a half already?" asked Richard. "My, 'ow the time does fly! It seems to me that they were just little babies!" He shook his head. "But that's the way things always are, isn't it?"

He smiled. "Well, I think that a pair o' terrible-twoers would certainly raise my rates, 'specially if they 'ave your 'usband's blood in 'em...no less than a teneral an 'our!"

(amazing how time flies.. *looks innocently at ceiling, I really need to keep track of this a little more* ;) )

"Yes, between them being two, and Jeff as their father," she winks, "That's enough to put the fear into anyone. I think we could raise them a little more. God knows what kind of trouble they'd get into!"

(Heh, don't worry...I have no idea how old James is now...he was twenty three in that one thread, the birthday one, but...I guess about three years have passed since then? Twenty six? That would fit in well with his dating Christin on-and-off for a while, then seriously, and now getting married.

Er, right, the thread!)

"Doubtlessly rushing off everywhere and getting into all sort of hijinks," he winked. "I always forget - do you two have a nanny of any sort?"

(Thread? What thread? Where?? Be careful you don't trip on it! :P)

"A nanny? What's that?" she winked. "Between dad, when he visits, and I, and Jeff when he's not getting arrested, or shot at or trying to save the world, so far we're doing OK. Although if you could recommend someone..."

"I know a few names," Richard said, "though most of 'em 'ave probably moved away by now. Still, could turn you down the right direction."

He hiccuped. "I'm glad to 'ear that Sir Jeffrey will be forced to settle down at last. I jus' hope the media gives 'im a chance."

(Is anything going to happen to the random drunk Iansisleans wandering Golden Agate's streets? Or is that for Part IV? ;))

(Oh, don't worry, they will. :twisted: I'm working on that post for the weekend.. )

"That would be great!" she smiled and hugged him.

"Forced to settle down?" Katherine said. "I dunno, it's like the story of the lions at the zoo. The ones who lived in the wild, you can see that free spirit in their eyes. But after a while of... settling down, that spirit just dies. I don't want to see that happen to him."

She sipped her drink, "But I don't want to see him like he was when he was in the hospital after dad rescued him, either."

The duque was tired. it had been a day of many emotions to him. He practically loses its wife at the same site where his country's international career begun.
He sat on a bench (too small for a hell bovine) lying there at a side of the room and rested...

Mistake.

"What's wrong?" Takeo asked smiling at her. "C'mon, you can tell me."

Sara kept her head down.
"Uh... I gotta go," she muttered before scurrying off.

"She wants someone to love her, that's understandable, that's what everyone wants. Have you told her you don't want to be that special someone for her? Do you want to be friends with her? Maybe help her develop a little confidence to go out and find someone for herself? Or you could set her up on a date with someone you think she might be good for."

Yarrum paused for a bit. "I never really thought about it like that..."

"Women!" exclaimed Richard, perhaps a bit too loud, "Ya can't live with 'em, and, er, ya can't live with 'em!" He took another good sized swig of scotch, never considering that Jeff and Yarrum would probably prefer a slightly more sage comment from him.

"Exactly!" Yarrum loudly agreed.

After Richard and Katherine left, he turned to Jeff.
"I gotta tell ya," he paused. "I was... we were... boyfriend and girlfriend, when I was still president. For a while." He breathed. "I guess she just... I dunno. You ever have something from your past come back and bite you in the... y'know, where you get bit?"

Yarrum looked about to cry again. "I mean, look what I did to her. I'm scum." He waved wildly at the President. "She's really super-shy, and I left her alone with someone she doesn't know. I bet she's really just... I shouldn't've done that, I just needed to get away. Look at her, she's scared to death over there! I... where'd she go?"

"I gotta tell ya," he paused. "I was... we were... boyfriend and girlfriend, when I was still president. For a while." He breathed. "I guess she just... I dunno. You ever have something from your past come back and bite you in the... y'know, where you get bit?"

Yarrum looked about to cry again. "I mean, look what I did to her. I'm scum." He waved wildly at the President. "She's really super-shy, and I left her alone with someone she doesn't know. I bet she's really just... I shouldn't've done that, I just needed to get away. Look at her, she's scared to death over there! I... where'd she go?"

"Yeah, I've had that happen before," Jeff said. "So you two did date for a while when you were in office? That would explain part of the relationship in her eyes, you had gone out with her when you were at your most prominant, the most visible you had ever been. And then you picked her to share it with. That had to boost her self-esteem right there.

"From what you've said, she is very shy, and doing that probably brought a very strong link, in her eyes, to the two of you.

"You thought she was interesting enough to date for a while, what changed your mind? And what did you see in her in the first place?"

Jeff looked over at Katana and saw he was standing alone.

"Hmmmm, where did she go?" he asked, looking around the room, not sure who he was really looking for.

"Yeah, I've had that happen before," Jeff said. "So you two did date for a while when you were in office? That would explain part of the relationship in her eyes, you had gone out with her when you were at your most prominant, the most visible you had ever been. And then you picked her to share it with. That had to boost her self-esteem right there.

"From what you've said, she is very shy, and doing that probably brought a very strong link, in her eyes, to the two of you.

"... I never thought of it like that," he said. "You have good eyes, Jeff, you look at things, and you see it different. It was mostly a secret, though. Nobody went, 'Hey, the prez has a lady-friend!', but I guess that may have been something. Not everyone can say they dated a national leader, even an unpopular one."

"You thought she was interesting enough to date for a while, what changed your mind? And what did you see in her in the first place?"

"Oh, nothing changed my mind! She's really sweet, it's just..." Yarrum sighed. "I realized how much she liked me, and that's why I began to feel trapped. I knew it wasn't just something that I could enjoy for a bit, she never wanted me to leave."

"But then, after the war, everybody hated me anyway, so the break-up just didn't seem like such a big deal anymore. I guess she's changed her mind."

Jeff looked over at Katana and saw he was standing alone.

"Hmmmm, where did she go?" he asked, looking around the room, not sure who he was really looking for.

"That's what I wanna know! I- AH!" he nearly feel off the barstool.
"I see your drink's empty," Sara murmured.
"Wha... so it is..." Yarrum was clearly very nervous.
"I don't want mine," she held the other pina colada towards him.

"Yeah, I've had that happen before," Jeff said. "So you two did date for a while when you were in office? That would explain part of the relationship in her eyes, you had gone out with her when you were at your most prominant, the most visible you had ever been. And then you picked her to share it with. That had to boost her self-esteem right there.

"From what you've said, she is very shy, and doing that probably brought a very strong link, in her eyes, to the two of you.

"... I never thought of it like that," he said. "You have good eyes, Jeff, you look at things, and you see it different. It was mostly a secret, though. Nobody went, 'Hey, the prez has a lady-friend!', but I guess that may have been something. Not everyone can say they dated a national leader, even an unpopular one."

"You thought she was interesting enough to date for a while, what changed your mind? And what did you see in her in the first place?"

"Oh, nothing changed my mind! She's really sweet, it's just..." Yarrum sighed. "I realized how much she liked me, and that's why I began to feel trapped. I knew it wasn't just something that I could enjoy for a bit, she never wanted me to leave."

"But then, after the war, everybody hated me anyway, so the break-up just didn't seem like such a big deal anymore. I guess she's changed her mind."

Jeff looked over at Katana and saw he was standing alone.

"Hmmmm, where did she go?" he asked, looking around the room, not sure who he was really looking for.

"That's what I wanna know! I- AH!" he nearly feel off the barstool.
"I see your drink's empty," Sara murmured.
"Wha... so it is..." Yarrum was clearly very nervous.
"I don't want mine," she held the other pina colada towards him.

"... I never thought of it like that," he said. "You have good eyes, Jeff, you look at things, and you see it different. It was mostly a secret, though. Nobody went, 'Hey, the prez has a lady-friend!', but I guess that may have been something. Not everyone can say they dated a national leader, even an unpopular one."

"That might be, but still you knew it and she knew it, and that might just have been enough. Love seems to have that effect on people," Jeff said.

"Oh, nothing changed my mind! She's really sweet, it's just..." Yarrum sighed. "I realized how much she liked me, and that's why I began to feel trapped. I knew it wasn't just something that I could enjoy for a bit, she never wanted me to leave."

"But then, after the war, everybody hated me anyway, so the break-up just didn't seem like such a big deal anymore. I guess she's changed her mind."

"Well, were you just looking for a short-term, someone-to-enjoy, kind of relationship? And if you were, did you spell it out to her? And do you still want that kind of relationship now? You keep saying how sweet and nice she is..."

"That's what I wanna know! I- AH!" he nearly feel off the barstool.
"I see your drink's empty," Sara murmured.
"Wha... so it is..." Yarrum was clearly very nervous.
"I don't want mine," she held the other pina colada towards him.

"You must be Sara," Jeff smiled and offered his hand to her, "It's nice to meet you. Don't worry about the drink, let me take care of it." He turned to the bartended, "Another pina colada for Mr. Yarrum and an... Irish Cream on the rocks for the lady."

"That might be, but still you knew it and she knew it, and that might just have been enough. Love seems to have that effect on people," Jeff said.

"Well, were you just looking for a short-term, someone-to-enjoy, kind of relationship? And if you were, did you spell it out to her? And do you still want that kind of relationship now? You keep saying how sweet and nice she is..."

"I don't know, it's just... like, the way it was was like this," Yarrum leaned forward and began to gesture with his hands. "You know when you've got a hobby? and you think you'd like to make that hobby your job? And then, you hate your job, because it's not fun once you gotta do it? It's like that. I mean, I don't got nothing against long-term stuff, but... I can't just up and spend my whole gosh darn life with someone!" He stopped for breath. "But I really just feel trapped when I think about us. It's not a knowing, I can't explain it, it's a feeling. Trapped. I-I wanna thank you for listening, but I dunno... it's not like this is a... military thing, where we know what we're trying to do, and we figger a way to do it... I jus dunno what to do."

"You must be Sara," Jeff smiled and offered his hand to her, "It's nice to meet you. Don't worry about the drink, let me take care of it." He turned to the bartended, "Another pina colada for Mr. Yarrum and an... Irish Cream on the rocks for the lady."

She looked down and offered one of her little waves, but didn't take Jeff's hand.

The drinks came. Yarrum had already made some leeway into the drink Sara gave him. He looked up, surprised, and told the waiter to "Just set it down there."

"I don't drink," Sara said to her feet, though she meant it for Jeff.

"I'll take it," Yarrum told the waiter, in regards to the Irish Cream.

"I don't know, it's just... like, the way it was was like this," Yarrum leaned forward and began to gesture with his hands. "You know when you've got a hobby? and you think you'd like to make that hobby your job? And then, you hate your job, because it's not fun once you gotta do it? It's like that. I mean, I don't got nothing against long-term stuff, but... I can't just up and spend my whole gosh darn life with someone!" He stopped for breath. "But I really just feel trapped when I think about us. It's not a knowing, I can't explain it, it's a feeling. Trapped. I-I wanna thank you for listening, but I dunno... it's not like this is a... military thing, where we know what we're trying to do, and we figger a way to do it... I jus dunno what to do."

"Well, it's a little more than a hobby," Jeff chuckled and winked. "But seriously, I think I know where you're coming from. Now do you think you can't spend the rest of your life with someone, or do you know you can't?

"There's a difference between the two, if you look at each day of the rest of your life as a short-term thing, then the long-term doesn't look so long term, and you can enjoy it. Don't look at a long-term relationship like you have to do it, but more like you're there because you enjoy spending time with each other. Now it sounds like she's a little too clingy, and might need someone to talk with about it, but it's not anything that can't be overcome, and if she loves you, then it can be overcome.

"It's not a military thing, but you're still trying to find your way through it. All relationships are like that to some extent."

She looked down and offered one of her little waves, but didn't take Jeff's hand.

The drinks came. Yarrum had already made some leeway into the drink Sara gave him. He looked up, surprised, and told the waiter to "Just set it down there."

"I don't drink," Sara said to her feet, though she meant it for Jeff.

"I'll take it," Yarrum told the waiter, in regards to the Irish Cream.

"Ahhh, well can I get you something else? Coffee? A coke?" Jeff asked.

"Well, it's a little more than a hobby," Jeff chuckled and winked. "But seriously, I think I know where you're coming from. Now do you think you can't spend the rest of your life with someone, or do you know you can't?

"There's a difference between the two, if you look at each day of the rest of your life as a short-term thing, then the long-term doesn't look so long term, and you can enjoy it. Don't look at a long-term relationship like you have to do it, but more like you're there because you enjoy spending time with each other. Now it sounds like she's a little too clingy, and might need someone to talk with about it, but it's not anything that can't be overcome, and if she loves you, then it can be overcome.

"It's not a military thing, but you're still trying to find your way through it. All relationships are like that to some extent."

"I guess, Jeff. You're real smart and all, but," Yarrum moaned, "I'm too drunk for this sh... this stuff."

"Ahhh, well can I get you something else? Coffee? A coke?" Jeff asked.

Sara shook her head.

Yarrum set down his nearly-finished drink. "Listen, Miss. It didn't work out for us before, and it's not gonna work this time, either. So, why don't you just run along and-"

"Whatever do you mean, Mr. President?"

Yarrum stared, dumbfounded.

"I just wanted to spend some time with you. That's all," she said innocently.

Yarrum said nothing, but finished his drink.

"I guess, Jeff. You're real smart and all, but," Yarrum moaned, "I'm too drunk for this sh... this stuff."

"Well, many a bad decision has been made when someone's wearing beer goggles," Jeff replied. "Just don't do anything too rash under the influence."

Sara shook her head.

Yarrum set down his nearly-finished drink. "Listen, Miss. It didn't work out for us before, and it's not gonna work this time, either. So, why don't you just run along and-"

"Whatever do you mean, Mr. President?"

Yarrum stared, dumbfounded.

"I just wanted to spend some time with you. That's all," she said innocently.

Yarrum said nothing, but finished his drink.

So much for 'don't do anything too rash under the influence...'

"Ummmm... should I give you two some time alone?" Jeff asked.

So much for 'don't do anything too rash under the influence...'

"Ummmm... should I give you two some time alone?" Jeff asked.

"Nes!" Yarrum and Sara both offered simultaneous, but different, answers to Jeff's question.

They made eye contact.

"Yo!"

Yarrum's brain was doing backflips. Ask Sara to leave? Or Jeff? Accuse Sara of lying? Have another drink? Attack? Retreat? Stall for time by pretending to faint?

One, at least, seemed reasonable enough.

"What! This is the worst pina colada... oh, wait, this is Irish Cream. Nevermind..."

Wait, why did he feel all warm all of a sudden? He looked and saw that Sara was holding him.

"Well..." Jeff started. He spied Katherine talking to Richard near the buffet, neither appeared really happy. Maybe I should let them talk...

"I'll be outside getting some fresh air," he said, "Back in a few. You'll know where I am if you need me," he told Yarrum.

They do look kinda cute together, though...

"Well..." Jeff started. He spied Katherine talking to Richard near the buffet, neither appeared really happy. Maybe I should let them talk...

"I'll be outside getting some fresh air," he said, "Back in a few. You'll know where I am if you need me," he told Yarrum.

They do look kinda cute together, though...
(Awww! XD)

Yarrum reached out as if to grab Jeff and pull him back, but he was gone.

Sara began to cuddle herself into him.

"She-devil! She knows I'm in love."

His own thought hit him like a bolt of lightning. Was he really? Did she know? Maybe Jeff knew what he was doing. He had some good advice, even though he didn't seem to realize how complex Yarrum's feelings were. Yeah, maybe he just needed to have a talk with Sara.

Somewhat sadly, she settled her head against his shoulder, a bit akwardly, because they were the same height.

"Uh..." Yarrum's thoughts swam around in his head. "Maybe you could sit here, and I..."

Both of them moving a bit clumsily, they ended up with Sara on the barstool, Yarrum on her lap, her arms around his body, and her head on his shoulder. He was reminded of how soft she was.

"I missed you," she whispered. "Come back to the States, Yar."

Katherine sees Jeff walk out to the balcony, "Excuse me a moment," she says to Richard.

As she walked over to the doorway she felt someone slip and fall against her.

"Oh I'm sorry!" the woman said. "Are you all right?"

"Yes I'm fine," Katherine told her, turning to see a blonde in a silver dress, "Are you OK?"

"I am, thank you. I guess I've had a little too much to drink tonight," she said sheepishly as Katherine helped her stand up. "Thank you again."

Katherine smiled at her then turned to look for Jeff, "Well, if you'll excuse me...." she turned back but the woman was gone.

"Hmmmm... that's strange."

She walked out to the balcony and over to where Jeff was standing near the railing.

"And how is the hero of the day?" she asked hugging him.

"Just fine," Jeff said after a kiss. "How are you doing? You didn't look too happy before."

"I'm all right. Just, when we get home, we need to talk tonight."

"OK," Jeff said holding her and watching the stars.

Richard watched Kate walk off, but not quite long enough to see the collision. Instead, he tried to take a long drag on his scotch, only to find out that it was ice water again. what the..?

He was walking over to the bar to correct the situation when he noticed Yarrum and Sara. It's hard being the only single at a couples party, he sighed.

Richard took a bar seat far away from the couple as his thoughts drifted back to his late wife...the smell of her hair, her skin under his fingers...

"What can I get for you, sir?" The bartender's question came as a shock to Sir Richard, as far as he was in thought.

"Something strong," he whispered, "Something to help me forget."

(*has the most wicked urge to start quoting lines from 'Grace is Gone'* :P)

(*Oh dear... Hmmm... *)

"Something strong huh?" the bartender asked himself, then reached under the bar for an unmarked bottle. "This should take care of that."

He poured the clear liquid into a highball glass, "The secret to this, is to down it before it has a chance to kick in. If you can bypass your tongue completely, that usually helps," he says as he hands the glass with a slight fruity smell to go with the steam that rose when he added a cube of ice to it.

Richard considered the glass briefly, then smiled. "Thanks..." he tried to read the man's nametag, couldn't quite make it out, and settled on "...mac."

"Well, here's to you, mac, and to memories. May they haunt me no longer." He tossed down the entire concotion, some part of his brain wondering if he should be worried about the bit that spilled on his hand.

As Richard put the glass down, the bartender, impressed that Richard was still standing, filled it up one more time, "And one more to make sure they stay away!" he grinned.

"Yeesh," grimiced Tri after the shot went down. "Where'd you find this ..stuff, under your auto-mobile?"

However, he didn't stop the man from filling up the glass again. Instead, he fiddled around with his Ian's Cross, feeling the fine gold finish. After the drink was ready, he set in unobtrusively down next to him and picked up the poison.

"Thanks, mac. This one's for Ellen." He waved the glass slightly in the bartender's direction, then downed it. At first, it seemed to have no effect at all - and then Richard noticed the lights dimming.

"'nother, pl.." he started, before passing out on the counter.

The bartender waved over a couple of guards, "See that the Admiral is taken well care of," he told them as they carried him to the same bedroom that James and Christin were in earlier.

Richard muttered slightly while he was being carried - something about love and the children - as well as proved a much heavier package than one would be led to believe by looking at him. How tight his girdle was tied was anyone's guess.

(well, I think I'm just about out of characters on this one...over to Imitora's thread?)

(Yeah, I noticed that the Iansislian group was dropping like flies ;) )

After Admiral Tri was taken to a room in the Palace to rest, the bartending and wait staff started handing out mugs of coffee to the guests as the evening wore on.

Jeff and Katherine were still talking on the balcony when the waiter walked over and offered each of them a mug of coffee before going on. The two of them walked back into the ballroom to check on who was still standing this late in the evening... er... morning.

Jeff looked around the ballroom for Dr. Niven and Major Fowler. They'd been gone a long, long time. He guessed that they were having a very good time.

He turned and saw a flash of a silver dress again before he could locate it, it was gone. He shook his head, maybe he'd just imagined that. He'd had a lot on his mind with the trial and everything with Katherine. He could also guess what she wanted to talk about when they got home, and he wasn't looking forward to having that discussion.

Meanwhile, Katana bumped into the Midlonian Colonel, "I say sir, is everything all right?" he asked noticing the man's rush.

OOC:I'm unable to keep up, so i'm going to duck out of this RP-besides, i'm about to start an RP war against aliens...

IC: "Are you sure?"

"Okay i'll be right there."

The Emperor put his phone away.

"I'm sorry but I have to go. We just lost 3 Assualt Frigates near Tydus prime. we fear an invasion of the planet may be imminent."

The Emperor put on his trenchcoat and hurried out to his limo, saying goodbye to everyone on the way...

"Sorry I have to leave, but this was a great party. Let's do this again sometime."

OOC: Sorry I havent been around, but I was struck down with the death-funk. But I am back now.

OOC: No worries guys, I'm getting ready to wrap this one up anyway. Just wanted to see if Midlonia wanted to try the assassination attempt here or in another of his threads.

OOC: Wait, I'm not done yet! At least, I don't think I am...

IC: Sara saw what the bartender's secret drink had done to Tri. Yarrum was too busy with his pina colada to notice, so she waved at the bartender.

"I'll have what he had, please."

She gently rocked Yarrum, spilling his drink a bit. "I missed you."

"Uh... me too."

(no sweat ;) )

The bartended nodded, "You sure ma'am?" he asked. Seeing the look on Sara's face he picked up the bottle from under the bar and poured her a drink.

"Here you are, ma'am."

(no sweat ;) )

The bartended nodded, "You sure ma'am?" he asked. Seeing the look on Sara's face he picked up the bottle from under the bar and poured her a drink.

She nodded.

"Here you are, ma'am."

She smiled a 'thank you' and handed it to Yarrum.

"Try this."

He obeyed. "Hmm... not bad," he observed before flopping over on top of Sara.

'Maybe that was too much overkill,' she thought. She was weaker than her size might suggest, but she still managed to support him on her shoulder, with great difficulty.

(Oh, double sneaky sneaky! ;) I like it!)

The bartender caught a glimpse of Yarrum falling out of the corner of his eye. He called over one of the guards, "Can we reserve a limo to take Mr. Yarrum and his lady friend to their hotel tonight?"

The guard nodded and picked up a radio to call the limo.

The bartended helped the guard to steady Yarrum before noticing the glass was empty and she was still standing...

Could she have... nah, she looks so sweet and innocent... :P

Sara was glad she didn't have to flag anyone down, but then she realized she might have to speak up after all.

"Uh... we don't have hotel rooms. We were just planning to stop by, and, things... you know."

'Not that any Yarrumians could afford a room here,' she thought indifferently.

"That's no problem ma'am," one of the guards said as he helped carry Yarrum to the entrance. "Rooms have been set aside for all the guests at the Pyramid Hotel."

He helped Sara gently set Yarrum on a couch in the entryway as they waited for the limo to arrive. "It'll be settled on the Captain's account afterwards."

He helped Sara gently set Yarrum on a couch in the entryway as they waited for the limo to arrive. "It'll be settled on the Captain's account afterwards."

(*Jeff's wallet screams*)

(LOL, yeah I was thinking that. There goes the first two years worth of Ambassador's checks.. ;))

"It'll be settled on the Captain's account afterwards."
OOC: Wasn't it Niven who threw the party? He should pay.

Speaking of Niven - is Celeborne going to RP now that he says he's back? I want to know how much success he had with Fowler...

"That's no problem ma'am," one of the guards said as he helped carry Yarrum to the entrance. "Rooms have been set aside for all the guests at the Pyramid Hotel."

He helped Sara gently set Yarrum on a couch in the entryway as they waited for the limo to arrive. "It'll be settled on the Captain's account afterwards."

Sara was hoping to sleep in her own bed that night, but a Larkinian hotel seemed close enough.

She looked at Yarrum. She was a bit worried. She hoped she hadn't... no, one night of binge drinking never hurt anyone.

She hoped the limo would come soon. She needed some time alone. The next morning would be... something to remember.

"It'll be settled on the Captain's account afterwards."
OOC: Wasn't it Niven who threw the party? He should pay.

Speaking of Niven - is Celeborne going to RP now that he says he's back? I want to know how much success he had with Fowler...

Well Yeah it was, but I don't want to pipe up for his characters. As for his success with Fowler, you could say he was away for a long time for a reason... ;)

-----

Sara was hoping to sleep in her own bed that night, but a Larkinian hotel seemed close enough.

She looked at Yarrum. She was a bit worried. She hoped she hadn't... no, one night of binge drinking never hurt anyone.

She hoped the limo would come soon. She needed some time alone. The next morning would be... something to remember.

(Yeah, but he'll have one hell of a headache in the morning unless he gets some water in him through the night ;) )

The limo arrived at the front of the palace and the guards helped Sara move Yarrum into the limo and one guard helped Sara in the other side.

"Take them to the Pyramid Hotel, one of the executive suites should be set up for them," the guard said to the driver, who nodded and slowly pulled down the drive to the gates.

Grunting and struggling, Sara managed to get Yarrum arranged on the bed. She hoped he was comfortable enough. Seeing him, layed out helpless before her, awoke something inside of her. She decided she couldn't wait until the morning.

From inside her dress she pulled out a syringe that she had filled before leaving for the party. She threw the protective cap away and gently poked Yarrum with it. When he remained inert, she slowly injected him. She rationalized it to herself that, if indeed he had drank too much, this would sober up his brain so that he'd vomit, and he wouldn't have to go to the hospital, or anything.

She loosened his shirt and tie, and using a cloth from the bathroom and the ice bucket as a water bowl, she began to dab his forehead with cool water.

"Uhhh..." he said.

"Shhh..." she whispered. "Relax."

She dipped the cloth again, and began to dab his chest.

It wasn't a romantic evening at home in front of the fire, but Sara quietly enjoyed her time with Yarrum. He was too sick to do anything, but knowing he was awake was enough. After a while, she noticed he had begun to doze off. It was quite late, after all. Her instinct was to get out of her evening dress and curl up next to him, but that wouldn't be right. She wanted him awake for something like that. She set his head on a pillow and looked around.

Just her luck, the room had only one bed.

She gently pushed Yarrum to one side, and she took the opposite one. Lying on top of the blankets, her dress on, and her back to Yarrum. The most uncomfortable night's sleep she thought she'd ever gotten.

(Oh dear, what have we abandoned dear Yarrum to?? She's not as sweet and innocent as the bartender thought... Although remind me to have Katana hire her for the Special Intelligence Detachment... ;) )

Jeff and Katherine hobbled over to the bartender. "What happened to Mr. Yarrum?"

"He passed out, the guards made sure he had a limo to his executive suite at the Pyramid."

"All right, we can swing by tomorrow and see if he's feeling all right," Jeff said to Katherine.

*Hulk smash double post!!!*

(Oh dear, what have we abandoned dear Yarrum to?? She's not as sweet and innocent as the bartender thought... Although remind me to have Katana hire her for the Special Intelligence Detachment... ;) )

Jeff and Katherine hobbled over to the bartender. "What happened to Mr. Yarrum?"

"He passed out, the guards made sure he had a limo to his executive suite at the Pyramid."

"All right, we can swing by tomorrow and see if he's feeling all right," Jeff said to Katherine.

(Actually, I had this idea where he would make his way back to the party, and maybe stop the lady in the silver dress from shooting Jeff, or something, but I think this RP has had a good run and it's time for it to go to that great big forum in the sky. Unless you have something in mind, Lark?
P.S. Yeah, you always gotta watch out for the quiet, chubby ones. They're nothing but trouble. :wink: )

(Actually, I had this idea where he would make his way back to the party, and maybe stop the lady in the silver dress from shooting Jeff, or something, but I think this RP has had a good run and it's time for it to go to that great big forum in the sky. Unless you have something in mind, Lark?

(I was kinda thinking that too, which is why the waiters started handing out coffee (one of the more subtle hints that a party is winding down ;) Unless she wants to kidnap Yarrum and we can turn this into a new thread...)

P.S. Yeah, you always gotta watch out for the quiet, chubby ones. They're nothing but trouble. :wink: )

(Jesus... flashbacks to my ex-wife...)

Niven finally arrives at the party with a smirk and a slightly mussed tie. "Well, so this is what I am paying for. I hope someone will bring me a drink."

Katherine walked over to Niven with a martini in her hand. "Well, it looks like someone here had a little too much fun," she said handing him the martini, moving his jacket to hide some of the lipstick on his shirt and straightening his tie.

With a wink "Is there really such a thing as to much fun ?"

With a wink "Is there really such a thing as to much fun ?"

"Well it depends on how many grandchildren you'd want," Katherine said with a giggle.

Jeff hobbled over to them, "Well, I'm glad to see you're back. I trust you had a good time."

"Yes son, I believe that I did." Winking at Katherine " What did I miss ?"

"Oh, not much.." Jeff started quickly.

Katherine turned to look at him, "Jeff Williams! You're not wearing your shiny new medal!"

"Umm... I... er... misplaced it? Oh look, here it is," he said sheepishly as he pulled it out from the jacket pocket he slipped it in.

"Dad, you're looking at the first recepient of the Sir Jeffrey Williams Larkinian Medal of Honor," Katherine said, re-pinning the medal on Jeff.

"Well, now that is something. Not only did you get an award named after you while you are still alive, you also got the award. I am impressed." He says raising his glass to Jeff.

Jeff raised his own glass, "Yeah, who'd've thought that would happen?" he said.

"I would," Katherine said.

"Well, it took a little work to get it through Parliament," Takeo said walking over to them, "But they saw it my way, more or less, on such short notice."

"So, should I get ready to call Major Fowler 'mom'," Jeff asked with a grin.

(OOC: I am assuming that a romance with Fowler has started if that is alright with you.)

"Mom may be a bit, or alot, premature. We have just been..ahem..getting to know one another."

"Thank you Mr. President for all of the good work that you have done. I am sorry that I was such an ass before. I just get a little worked up when it comes to the saftey and well being of my boy."

(OOC: Heck yeah, that's why she was asking where Niven was at the beginning of the thread ;) )

Jeff chuckled, "I'll bet you two have been getting to know each other" he started.

"Not too much talking going on I'll bet," Katherine added with a wink.

"I understand your concern and why you are protective," Takeo said. "Especially with some of the antics that Jeff has gotten himself into in recent years..."

(OOC: Oh yeah, that reminds me, the antics aren't over yet. There was a woman from Jeff's past at the party, while he was on the balcony she came out, 'exchanged' a few words with Jeff, including placing a gun barrel to his back, and vanished... just setting up the next nemesis ;) )

Niven blushes a bit " Well, sometimes people just connect. The two of you should know all about that." He adds with a wink.

(Woman on the balcony....interesting...)

OOC: Ya know what would be really cool? Jeff gettin to Imitora for some undergrond street racing (No, I havent learned my lesson. Hell, I've been on a first name basis with the ER staff at Baylor Med Center since I was five, you think a measly two months is gonna stop me?)

Katherine blushes and Jeff clears his throat. "Well, I guess he has a point," Jeff says kissing Katherine again.

As Jeff looked up from Katherine, he saw the glimpse of a silver dress again across the room. This is ridiculous, he thought She's already taken off, she wouldn't be here still.

Katherine saw the alarmed look in Jeff's eyes and pulled him closer, I refuse to take a back-seat to the rest of the world anymore. Damnit the children and I deserve better flashed through her mind.

Takeo looked away a moment as the two kissed, "Maybe I should act more like you doctor, when it comes to being protective of my brother Javin, and in laying down the law with him."

OOC: Ya know what would be really cool? Jeff gettin to Imitora for some undergrond street racing (No, I havent learned my lesson. Hell, I've been on a first name basis with the ER staff at Baylor Med Center since I was five, you think a measly two months is gonna stop me?)

OOC: LOL, I figured you wouldn't learn your lesson ;) Remember his kid's already there doing that

Niven also sees the look cross Jeff's face. " What is it son ?" Then looking at the prez. " I am sure that you do a fine job with your brother, some people " He says looking at Jeff "Are just hard to keep out of danger."

OOC: Yeha, thats right...I kinda started up a new thread for it, see if this one will last more than 24 hours...

Jeff shook his head a little, "N... nothing." he said, tightening his grip around Katherine, who looked just a touch less than amused.

She's just getting back into my head, he thought. One of the hazards of having a special forces specialist as an ex he'd guessed.

Takeo also turned to look around, "If you say so Ambassador," he said before turning back to Niven, "I hope so doctor, he seems to get himself into trouble despite my best intentions. God knows what he's been doing in Iansisle."

(Or 'who' as the case turned out :P)

Raised eyebrow "As you say, Jeff."

(Or 'who' as the case turned out :P)

(damn this growing sense of sexual repression! ;))

Raised eyebrow "As you say, Jeff."

Katherine rolled her eyes at Dr. Niven then remembered why she wanted to talk to Jeff about the...

Go ahead, think it.

Separation

The thought was still distasteful to her, she loved Jeff with all her heart, and she knew that he loved her, but... she wanted a husband, and the children needed a father, not just the stories of some hero long gone.

She wrapped her arms around Jeff tighter as the different emotions tore at her heart.

"You know how he is dad..."

"Yes, I know how he is. And that is why I love him. He could not be anyone other than who he is. My wife used to tell me that heros are strange creatures and much like the sun. A glory to bask in but difficult to get close to. Our Jeff seems to be the kind of sun that you can get close to. He is more like the moon. But that is just the ramblings of an old man who is feeling romantic for some reason....Shall we have another round ?" He says holding up his glass.

Katherine smiled at that and nodded.

"Dad, you always know the right things to say," she said softly and smiled at him before kissing Jeff's cheek.

The waiter walked around and refilled the glasses of those left standing.

"I wonder how you can not feel romantic right now," she added.

Smiling at Katherine " We do our best to please the beautiful women who grace our life. And you are the crown jewel of feminity at this gathering. A toast to my darling daughter, and her overly lucky husband."

"Absolutely," Jeff smiled raising his glass, "To my wife Katherine, the most understanding, beautiful, caring woman I've ever known. You make my life what it is, worth living. I love you."

Katherine looked at Jeff, tears welling in her eyes, "I love you too," she whispered.

"Dear, are you alright ? Is there something the matter ?" He says very concerned and trying to figure out just how far away his medical bag is...

"N... Not..." Katherine starts before she throws her arms around Jeff, the wine glass shattering on the floor, and starts sobbing into his shoulder.

"Hey, It's all right. It's all OK," Jeff said holding onto her. "Whatever it is, we'll be all right as long as we're with each other.."

Katherine sobbed louder, her knees almost giving out at that statement.

The doctor looks at his shoes for a moment " Perhaps, we should let these two have some time alone. It would appear the strain of the events has overwhelmed her. If you need me call me on the cell. " With that he looks meaningfully at the president at steps towards the buffett.

Takeo nodded and walked over to the buffet with Dr. Niven.

"First Christin, and now Katherine. This party's not going too well for the female attendees," Takeo said.

A slip of a silver dress shimmered behind Katana and picked up a glass of wine from the table, "Yes, poor dear," the woman said empathetically.

-----

Jeff and Katherine held each other in the ballroom, "Hey, what is it? I've never seen you break down like this," he whispered.

"It's... it's just been so hard on us Jeff," Katherine whispered back. "On me and the children. All of it. I was... for a brief flash I wanted us to..." she couldn't go on.

"Dad's right, this is what I am. But I don't want to go on without you," Jeff said to her. "Kattie, you know I love you with every fiber of who I am. And I never want that to change. I can..."

"No you shouldn't," she replied, "I don't want you to be like a lion in the zoo. Watching as the life drains out of your eyes as you're caged. What you are is one of the things I love about you. I don't want to cage you, and I don't want to lose you either. Everytime something happens, a little part of me dies."

Jeff stroked her hair, "We can work something out," he said softly, "cause we're stuck with each other."

"I want us to be stuck with, and for, each other," she said.

Niven turns to the sound of a new voice " Dr. Devon Niven, and you are...."

She smiled at Niven and Katana, "Dari, Dari Samovar," she said as she offered her hand to them.

With a raised eyebrow " A pleasure to meet you dear. What brings you out tonight."

"Oh, my boss told me to come. He was here earlier. Colonel Michaels and the rest of Mil-Com," she said.

"That's right. They were here earlier, I was going to force Tanaka, Barilla and the rest to apologize to Jeff, but they all steamed away shortly after I gave Jeff his medal," Katana said.

"And the old-goat took my card-key, so I have to wait for him tomorrow morning at the office to get in."

"What do you do there," Katana asked.

"I'm support staff, some filing, typing, answer the phone," she said with a bubbly giggle.

Nivens eyes go a cold grey at the mention of certain military leaders and there office, but he quickly shrugs it off "So you are an office manager ? That would make you one of the most important people in the world. " He says with his trademark charming smile " I don't think I could make it through the day without mine. I think I may work for her." With a laugh "can I get you something, a drink, appetizer, a small island?"

She clears her throat nervously as Niven's eyes go dark.

"Ummm... did I upset him?" she whispered to Katana.

She smiled in relief after Niven's next comments. "Well, we try to keep our bosses on track. The really good ones make their bosses feel like they can do anything."

She shook her head at Niven's offer, "I was actually getting ready to leave when that poor girl started crying at your toast. So she's your daughter? It must be nice having a son-in-law like him," she finished her statement breathily, looking at Jeff briefly with big innocent eyes.

"Actually he is my son, and she is my daughter-in-law. We are all so close that I don't feel the in-law part is needed. And it is quite wonderful, however taxing, to have him as my son."

"Oh," she said blushing and putting her hands behind her back, biting her lower lip and swaying her hips ditz-ily (OOC: OK, that's not a word, I admit.. ;) )

"I'll bet it is," she said stealing a glimpse at Jeff again. "It must be nice to have a close family like that. Otherwise it could be weird, in a back-woods kind of way."

Niven cannot help but look at the swaying hips must be good, new romance , must be good

Then with the award winning smile once again " Oh dear, it is wonderful, but there is none of the ..uhm...distasteful actions,asoctiated with those back-woods arraingments. " Looking into her eyes " Do you know Jeff ?"

(awwww... like she'd know, I figured she was still.... recovering. ;) )

She looked back at Jeff again, "No...," she shook her head a little, "But I wish I did, maybe a few years ago, before he got married. She's one lucky girl."

"She is a lucky woman, and he is a lucky man." And then with the devil-may-care-smile " Let me introduce you to him, and I will not take no for an answer." He takes her hand and yells to Jeff " Son, I have Someone who wants to meet you."

(Oh man, you're gonna get pissed... :P)

"No... I can't, he's with his wif..."

Jeff turned and looked at Dr. Niven. But... Dad... Katherine and I have to..

"Come on sweetheart," Jeff said with his arm around Katherine's shoulder, and she had her arm wrapped tightly around his waist as the two walked over.

this will just take a moment and then you can make a graceful exit.

Smiling broadly as he telegraphs his thoughts " Jeff, Katherine I would like you to meet Dari Samovar. She is a bit shy, but I thought I could earn some points with her by introducing you." He say with his sly-old-fox smile.

Jeff looked at Dari, the grey eyes, the luscious dark chocolate hair, the same silver dress.

He had no clue who she was.

"H...Hi," she said tentatively, blushing offering her hand to Jeff and Katheine.

"Hello," Katherine said just at tentatively.

"It's nice to meet you," Jeff smiled at her, "My, dad, another girlfriend?"

Katherine winked at Niven, "One woman not enough for you now-a-days?" she teased, coming slowly back to her old self.

"Mr.. Captain Wil..." Dari started, "You're such a lucky girl!" she said turning to Katherine.

Jeff turned to the group, "Will you excuse me a moment?"

His eyes glazed over like Niven's when he took a call.

(Niven can probably pick up Jeff's end of it... Unless he can hack into Jeff's call ;)

Hello?

"Mmmmmm... hello again Jeffrey," the throaty voice on the other end of the line purred. "I saw your 'father' setting up that poor girl, just because she had the fashion sense to wear my kind of dress."

Yes.. Very funny. You set up this poor girl, why?

"To get away from the party without attracting attention to myself, figured I'd keep you all occupied, and you and your... woman, helped me with that."

What do you want!?

"To let you know I'm still here. Next time you ask 'Miss Me', you'll know the answer."

*click*

(Not pissed a bit. I was really not trying to set you up........much)

Niven blushes " Katherine, you make me out to be such a cad." Turning to the young lady " MY dear, you must not believe a thing that this horrible girl tells you about me. I am in no way a womanizer.....much." He then laughs and squeezes Katherines arm lovingly.

(it is up to you if Niven picks up the call or not. He prob. could, but will be more likely to give Jeff his privacy.)

"Bad news son ?" Seeing the look on Jeff's face.

(Yeah, I'm sure he could pick it up after picking up Jeff's first response.)

"Oh, dear," she said to Dari, "I have stories to tell you."

"Oh really?" she asked. "I may have to stay and hear them."

Jeff's eyes darted from side to side.

"Huh?" Jeff asked Niven as he snapped to. "I.. No, everything's fine," he said, subconsciously tightening his grip around Katherine.

This evening's as much for Katherine as me, she's already been through a lot... he thought.

I see....

Looking at Dari "See , dear, this is not nearly as bad as you thought it was going to be. They are just people like you and I. Now if you will excuse me for a moment I have to embarasse my daughter." He then turned to the people milling about and grabed a microphone that he had waiting (duex ex machina).

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention for a moment. Tonight we have gathered to praise and support Capt. Jeffrey Williams. And he is very diserving. But I think that we should all take a moment and raise our glasses and our voices in support of the one person who makes his heroics possible, One Katherine Williams. She who has stood by her husband through some of the darkest times that a person could be ask to survive, and not only mearly stood by her husband like a meek adornment, but stepped up to the plate and vocally and physically supported her husband, and our hero. So I say to you good people who have gathered here, three cheers for my heroine, for her beauty, grace, bravery and strength." He raises his glass to Katherine.

I see....

I'll tell ya tonight after the party

"Dad... no, you don't have to. Really, actually.. please??"

Jeff smiled and kissed Katherine's cheek, "I'll be more than happy to drink to that," he said raising his glass. "I couldn't have kept going without you," he added before bending down to kiss her.

Looking at Katherine " Sorry, dear, but I could not resist." He kisses her on the cheek. "Now I think the two of you should make your escape."

He turns to Dari " So, what time do you have to be home by ???" With an arched eyebrow.

Takeo nods in agreement, "I have a car waiting for you two to return you to your apartment."

"Good idea," Jeff nods, "We should be able to get home and relax, no problem. Get some sleep..."

"We can't!" Katherine said. "James and Christin, well they were in no shape to stay so I took them to our place and they should be asleep in the master bedroom."

"No problem," Jeff said, "we can sleep in the spare room on the floor near the cribs. Besides, you said you had to talk with me..."

Katherine cut him off with a kiss.

"That is not important now."

"Come on guys," Takeo said leading them to the doors. "While there's a chance to get out."

Jeff looked at Niven.

Call me tonight

Dari shrugged, "well, my roommate was going to pick me up tonight when I called her. I guess I have some time."

"First Christin


?????

(She broke down at the party, some sneakiness that Iansisle worked into her character... ;) Katherine had to drive her and James back to Jeff's apartment for the evening.)

OOC: What page?

OOC: What page?

Starts on 6 and goes on and off from there for a bit, apparently Yarrum's character reminded her of someone from her past.

OOC: What page?

Starts on 6 and goes on and off from there for a bit, apparently Yarrum's character reminded her of someone from her past.

Sorry if I took too many liberties, Imitora, but well...Yarrum was being so sneaky back then, someone had to have a problem with him ;) If it's not ok, we can just rework the plot to something else.

For my 2 cents, I like the way it developed for Christin and her relationship with James.

I was kinda thinking that too, which is why the waiters started handing out coffee (one of the more subtle hints that a party is winding down ;) Unless she wants to kidnap Yarrum and we can turn this into a new thread...)

(Kidnapping really isn't her style... although his disappearance, due to her, does sound like a good idea. We could make a new thread. And were you serious about her joining Larkinian Intelligence?)

Sorry if I took too many liberties, Imitora, but well...Yarrum was being so sneaky back then, someone had to have a problem with him.

(Yeah, but then he started drinking, and things went downhill from there.) :wink:

No worries, just tgram me with the general plan.

Niven spends the rest of the evening introducing the young lady around and being generally charming and entertaining. When the young lady's ride arrives He will escourt her to the car and then call for his own driver. On the way back to the hotel he contacts Fowler to exchange sweet nothings and to tuck her in. When he arrives back at his suite he mixes himself a drink, and calls Jeff.....

"So what is happening that I don't know about here ?"

Niven escorts Dari to her roommate's car, a young blonde woman steps out in jeans and a t-shirt as Dari introduces her to Niven, one "Jessica Smith". Jessica smiles and thanks Dr. Niven for taking care of her roommate before the pair drive back towards town.

Jeff answers his phone after making Katherine some tea and tucking her into the futon in the spare room, he sits on the sofa in the small living room and picks up his glass of scotch.

"Dad, it's strange. Tonight when I was out on the balcony an ex from my past walked out. For no reason than to let me know she was back in Golden Agate. I wouldn't be nervous, but we were involved when I was in sub command school. She was some hot-shot special forces specialist, demolitions I think... anyway, just as the war was ending, she went AWOL, joined a merc group.

"Apparently she's back. Military gave her amnesty of some kind I guess..."