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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Nov 30, 2011 18:28:51 GMT -5
As per tradition, the nobles who have had their fill of the city during the summer's Season retreated into their vacation houses in their respective countryside properties for the cooling months. Francis had been frankly relieved to escape the endless parade of insipid nobles and their bland soirees, eager to return to his tasks.
It was also a respite from the memories his house held of a guest that Francis could not cease thinking about. It had been only a few days' stay, but Francis had grown irreversibly attached to him, even after the stranger had come back into his memories and natural hostility.
This was partly the reason Francis had accepted the invitation to one of the nobles' grand gatherings. The solitude in his own vacation home did nothing to quell his thoughts - which were traitorously longing.
But Francis was beginning to see that his decision might have been a mistake. He was currently flanked by the tittering hostess and a simpering noble's daughter, gossiping quite viciously about the attendees of the recent Season. Though Francis could easily catch up with their disparaging conversation, he felt as if his brain was leaking out of his ears with every moment he spent with them.
As much as he tried to excuse himself, it was no use. There was no one seeking him out at the moment, and the women seemed determined to remain by his side. Francis sighed. He was trapped.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Nov 30, 2011 19:24:55 GMT -5
Of course, no one was to know or expect what would happen that night -- especially Francis. And especially Arthur.
He knew about how the Nobles would retreat into their villas, their holiday homes, and it made Arthur resent them all the more for being able to afford two homes out of their corrupt money. Arthur had never even had any home growing up, so he found it incredibly fair that they should get to have two.
It did certainly make things a bit interesting and in most cases easier. They were out of the city, which meant at the very least that it was harder to get the military in or for him to get caught in that respect. And this was one Noble he'd been wanting to catch for a while. Oh yes.
Little did he know, that his own sources had betrayed him. He wouldn't find this out until it was nearly too late.
Climbing up the side of the balcony to access and unguarded entryway, Arthur could take a garner that there wouldn't be many people -- if anyone -- outside on this cool night at this time. Well, that's what he hoped.
It didn't exactly go to plan when he swings and leaps over the top of the balcony -- and goes crashing straight into one of the Nobles, with a loud 'OOF'. They both proceed to tumble and roll against the balcony until they stop, Arthur on top of him, and almost awkwardly straddling him to a degree.
He grunts, panting a little -- and then his eyes widen, realising who exactly he's landed on top of.
"... Oh, Bloody Hell," is all he can manage, staring down at Francis.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 1, 2011 14:35:39 GMT -5
Perhaps Francis shouldn't have sent that silent prayer for anything, anything to deliver him from the women's prattle, because the next thing he knew, the breath was knocked out of him and he was sprawled on the floor, back and chest aching as he wheezed. Most importantly, the object of his loneliest nightmares and happiest daydreams was sitting on top of him.
Francis barely heard the women scream and flee back into the party, his shock giving way to confusion and, yes, if Francis had to admit it, delight. He didn't even think of getting up when he reached up, tentatively touching the pirate's shoulder.
"It's you again." He was probably grinning like a fool, but he didn't care. "You came back."
Francis had completely forgotten that he was, in fact, not in his own home (the regular or the vacation one) or that if Arthur was indeed seeking him out, he wouldn't be in another noble's house. Francis was too overwhelmed by Arthur's presence again.
His grin turned cheeky. "Couldn't stay away for too long?"
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 1, 2011 15:00:13 GMT -5
Arthur himself had rather different thoughts on mind. His eyes were just wide, filled with shock and frustration for having slipped up so idiotically. He had noted the woman's scream in the background and ran inside, so no doubt someone would be running out in a minute. They probably thought Francis had attempted to assault her.
When he was shocked out of his own thoughts by that stupid grin of the male's beneath him turning rather malicious, and he scowls back.
"Bloody hell, why are you so full of yourself? Get over yourself, I have much bigger fish to fry than you!" He snaps, rolling off the other and standing up, dusting himself down. "And thanks to you being in the bloody way, this will make things a lot more difficult."
Though more difficult than Arthur actually imagines right now.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 1, 2011 15:12:40 GMT -5
Francis just frowned. It was still unnerving to be faced with a termagant pirate rather than the sweet, innocent man Francis had gotten used to. That, and Francis was feeling the loss of Arthur's warm weight on him. Grudgingly, Francis rose to his feet.
"Then what are you doing here, if you haven't come to see me?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "Because I will not believe that you suddenly decided to drop in here of all places without knowing I would be present."
Francis stepped closer, keeping his eyes on Arthur's. "And if you're talking about eliminating our very dear, beloved host, you've indeed come late to the party."
Francis flashed him a glimpse of an empty vial before it disappeared into the inside pocket of his waistcoat. "Well?"
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 1, 2011 15:25:43 GMT -5
Arthur could only raise an eyebrow, folding his arms. He doesn't look impressed. ".... You are an egotistical dick. Of course I didn't know you'd be here. Why would I bother to see you at a ball which is a waste of my time and dangerous for me at the same time?"
As Francis produces the vial, his scowl turns practically into an evil glare. His arms fold.
"... Y-You think a poisoned vial will guarantee a death? What if the amount's not enough? Bleeding hell, why can't you just kill him physically? The dick just needs offing right now---"
And that's where the military burst onto the balcony, surrounding the two on all sides.
... Shit.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 1, 2011 15:56:37 GMT -5
Francis was almost offended that Arthur implied his poison wouldn't work. What did the pirate take him for, an amateur? Francis had studied poisons extensively for half his life - he knew them all and their properties by heart.
Before he could defend himself and berate Arthur for his lack of confidence in him, he found himself and Arthur cornered by the military. Francis pushed down his panic and sucked in a breath, trying to find a way out.
Normally, he would have feigned a fainting spell, ignored the mixed exasperation and mocking amusement from the soldiers, and let himself be carted off to the nearest physician while the pirate handled himself. But this pirate was Arthur. As dangerous as he may be, Francis still felt protective over him.
So he did the only thing that came to mind. He let out a blood-curdling scream and turned his back on the soldiers, pushing Arthur off the balcony.
"Oh my God! He was going to kill me!" he shouted. "Save me!"
With that, he spun on his heel and dashed out of the balcony, still screaming. He did not stop until he was out in the entrance hall, ducking under the staircase. When he was sure that the coast was clear, he slipped out of the door, running towards the spot he knew Arthur would have landed.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 1, 2011 16:05:17 GMT -5
Arthur couldn't believe this. He didn't look scared, more, for half a second, a gosh darned bit shocked at this. Someone must've given him away. Someone must've known.
His expression becomes guarded, and he actually does for some reason start to step in front of Francis, since it would be rather obvious that the military wouldn't be after him, but that just gave Francis the opportune moment to cry out and shove him off the balcony. Which was definitely a surprise.
"...Wha---AAAH---"
Landing rather clumsily, he rolls backwards and almost instinctively back into the shadows. It isn't till Francis appears, almost running straight past him does he grab him, rolling his eyes for a moment.
"... If you're planning on following me," he mutters, "this way."
He grips ahold of his arm, and starts sprinting off -- right into the wilderness.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 1, 2011 16:21:33 GMT -5
Despite the direness of their situation, and the extremely stupid risk Francis was taking, it all paled next the the fact that Arthur had allowed Francis to follow him. And Arthur's hand on his arm only made Francis' smile widen.
Francis didn't even realize where Arthur was taking him until a tree branch hit his cheek. Taking a step back, Francis glanced behind him, at what little view he had of the manor through the trees. If he went any further, the trees would swallow up the view and Francis would have trouble finding his way home.
But...Arthur.
Steeling himself, Francis hurried after the pirate, ducking low branches and side stepping the massive tree roots protruding from the ground.
"I hope you know where you're going," said Francis, wincing as he stepped on a twig. "Is your ship nearby? Is your crew waiting? What is your backup strategy?"
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 1, 2011 16:45:09 GMT -5
Arthur couldn't help but roll his eyes at the other. "If you're going to complain, why did you follow me? They won't be here till morning. If I haven't returned by then, then they know where to meet me." He pushes through a few more branches, before coming into a bit of an opening. Even with the annoyance, Arthur smiles.
"Ah, haven't been here in a while.... Thank god it's dry..." He kicks a few leaves aside, and sighs through the darkness.
"... Why did you even follow me? You probably might get into trouble, or at least have suspicions raised."
He shuffles through a bit, picking out some twigs, some stones, and places then on a stump in the middle of the clearing. He gathers some of the dry leaves up, starting to create a fire.
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