The Mansion

My Beloved Wolf Companion

The Study

A glass of wine, brought back from another place, sits far enough away from her electronics. She, herself, sits in her big chair staring at the monitor, at the storylines she owes posts to, yet nothing will come, but she'll make it. It gives her mind something else to focus on. She wants music but she doesn't know what kind...yet.

He finds just enough shadows to step out of to keep the question of how he got in a question. He steps softly, but causally across the room and leans against the chair that has the lady of the house in it.

"I hope I'm not interupting. I haven't slept in a while and that's usually when I introduce myself to people. I'm Erlind."

Erlind said:

He finds just enough shadows to step out of to keep the question of how he got in a question. He steps softly, but causally across the room and leans against the chair that has the lady of the house in it.

"I hope I'm not interupting. I haven't slept in a while and that's usually when I introduce myself to people. I'm Erlind."

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*She looked up startled, then grinned. Only one other she knew could walk that softly and startle her so.*

"Most people come through the front door, but then, I get the feeling you're not most people." She offered her hand from where he stood, leaning on her chair.

"I'm Cait. Some call me DW but I prefer Cait. A pleasure, Erland. Would you care to join me in a glass of wine? I'm sure you noticed the chair on the other side of the desk? Feel free to use it."

Shaking her hand before finding his way to the suggested chair he can't help, but give her a broad smile.

"I try not to be most people, but it can be hard sometimes. And thank you for the wine." He pours a glass for himself and then settles into the chair having no problem making himself comfortable.

"... I feel like I should have come with more to say than hello, but I never know what's supposed to come after it."

Erlind said:

Shaking her hand before finding his way to the suggested chair he can't help, but give her a broad smile.

"I try not to be most people, but it can be hard sometimes. And thank you for the wine." He pours a glass for himself and then settles into the chair having no problem making himself comfortable.

"... I feel like I should have come with more to say than hello, but I never know what's supposed to come after it."

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She swiveled her chair around to face him, her computer forgotten for the time being as she reached for her own glass of wine.

"Hello is a good start as any. I haven't seen you around the realm since I got here. I gather the RW keeps you busy."

He nods slowly. "It has been. I've been around for a while now, but I always have to end up disappearing for one reason or another. And for reasons I never understand I never find it easy returning."

He takes a sip of the wine and takes in the flavor for a moment. "My most recent distractions should be a little bit more consistent about randomly whisking me away though. I have a lull for a while right now, but it will change. The military."

Erlind said:

He nods slowly. "It has been. I've been around for a while now, but I always have to end up disappearing for one reason or another. And for reasons I never understand I never find it easy returning."

He takes a sip of the wine and takes in the flavor for a moment. "My most recent distractions should be a little bit more consistent about randomly whisking me away though. I have a lull for a while right now, but it will change. The military."

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"Boredom with the place? Lack of interest maybe? Or is feeling like... you just do not fit anymore?" She leaned back in her chair to enjoy this random moment of conversation with another.

"Ah. The military. Then let me take this opportunity to thank you for for your service to your country. We are indebted to you and appreciate you giving of time and self."

"Lit is not a place I think I could become easily bored in as long as I can find someone willing to help me follow whatever sideways path I decide needs following. But, you're probably right about not feeling like I fit."

"I haven't really done anything yet, so you don't need to thank me. Even when I have though, I'm doing it for my family and me. I'm as patriotic as the next guy I guess, but there is certainly a degree of selfish motives. I don't deserve any special thanks."

Erlind said:

"Lit is not a place I think I could become easily bored in as long as I can find someone willing to help me follow whatever sideways path I decide needs following. But, you're probably right about not feeling like I fit."

"I haven't really done anything yet, so you don't need to thank me. Even when I have though, I'm doing it for my family and me. I'm as patriotic as the next guy I guess, but there is certainly a degree of selfish motives. I don't deserve any special thanks."

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"You're quite wrong, Erlind. Even if you have selfish reasoning, we all stand to benefit from it and just because you haven't done anything doesn't mean you aren't going to. So kindly take the thank you in the spirit it was meant," she smiled kindly.

"Have you any idea what sort of path you're looking for?"

"Fair enough. I can't argue with you there and I have a feeling I wouldn't want to try. Thank you."

"As for what I'm looking to write, I've had a tragic romance in a science fiction setting rolling around in my head. I've had one person tell me they look forward to reading it, but its not the kind of story you see here a lot, so I may have trouble finding someone to write it with me. I'm patient though, and I don't mind leaving it in the back of my mind until later. Other than that, what I enjoy tends to run across the board. I'm a switch, though I tend to end up as a dominant force more often than not. I don't need to have power games to enjoy a thread either. I try to enjoy a little of everything."

Erlind said:

"Fair enough. I can't argue with you there and I have a feeling I wouldn't want to try. Thank you."

"As for what I'm looking to write, I've had a tragic romance in a science fiction setting rolling around in my head. I've had one person tell me they look forward to reading it, but its not the kind of story you see here a lot, so I may have trouble finding someone to write it with me. I'm patient though, and I don't mind leaving it in the back of my mind until later. Other than that, what I enjoy tends to run across the board. I'm a switch, though I tend to end up as a dominant force more often than not. I don't need to have power games to enjoy a thread either. I try to enjoy a little of everything."

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"A tragic science fiction, hm? Well, just because one does not see that sort of thing around here a lot, doesn't mean someone wouldn't be interested in giving it a go. It can't hurt to put it up and see who you can get to nibble. And everything else you're looking for, as you say, goes across the board here. I think once you start writing people will start showing more interest."

"You're right of course. When you have a couple of good threads going people read them and if they like them they want to write with you. There are always an abundance of people to write with once you are already busy with a couple of threads. Thank you for chatting with someone who popped out of the blue tonight, Ciat. I appreciate it.

Erlind said:

"You're right of course. When you have a couple of good threads going people read them and if they like them they want to write with you. There are always an abundance of people to write with once you are already busy with a couple of threads. Thank you for chatting with someone who popped out of the blue tonight, Ciat. I appreciate it.

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Se laughed delightedly, "Thank you for keeping me company, Erlind. You've helped keep my worry over a certain Marine to a bare minimum. Besides, like the Marines, I adapt easily enough."

"I'm glad." Hands on the arm rests he lifts himself back out of the chair. "I think its time for me to disappear for the night, though. I look forward to seeing more of you, Cait."

Instead an exit similar to his entrance he just walks through the door and finds his way out of the mansion.

Erlind said:

"I'm glad." Hands on the arm rests he lifts himself back out of the chair. "I think its time for me to disappear for the night, though. I look forward to seeing more of you, Cait."

Instead an exit similar to his entrance he just walks through the door and finds his way out of the mansion.

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"Same here, Erlind. Good-Night to you. Rest well."

She shook her head, grinning as he left the mansion in different fashion than how he came in. Thomas came in a few minutes later the claim Erlind's glass.

"Company, Lady?" he asked with a slightly arched brow.

"Indeed, Thomas, indeed." She sipped from her own wineglass.

The Study

She sighed as she sat down her empty wine glass, rotating her head and heard something pop in her neck. It was still early so she didn't feel like retiring though she was tired. She may have gone to bed at a decent hour last night, but she hadn't slept for a couple of hours after that and then gotten up early on her side of the world. She owed two more posts and quite possibly a couple of more by the time she surfaced.

Tomorrow was a new day. Maybe she'd get lucky, maybe she wouldn't. She knew how this went. Leaving her chair, she let herself out of the house, her long skirt drifting across the dew stained glass. Her shawl was wrapped around her shoulders. One small thing to do and then home, to curl up for a bit before retreating to bed.

She rolled over in bed, stretched her arms over head and yawned as she came awake, then smiled. Her eyes opened and found herself staring at the ceiling, her eyes content and happy. She really should get up and hit the shower though.

Finding the will to throw back the covers, she padded to the bathroom to turn on the taps in the shower, filling the room with a warm steam. Unbuttoning the shirt she likes sleeping in, she shrugged it off her shoulders, letting it fall into a puddle at her bare feet before she stepped into the heated stream of water, closing the shower door with a soft click. She raised her face to the water, letting it cascade over her as her hands casually ran over her body once before she reached for the soap and started to soap her body. A few moments later, she stepped back under the spray letting it take the soap from her body.

By the sea and stars! She didn't want to get out. The heat from the water made her muscles feel relaxed. But she couldn't stay in there forever. With regret, she turned off the taps, slipping from the shower to grab a huge fluffy towel and start drying herself. She bound her body in the towel and humming a little tune, went to find clothes.

A few minutes later found her in the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee. It was hard to describe her feeling of well being as she stood there, bare feet on cool floors, feeling clean and clear headed. She supposed, she should have headed for the study but instead, she decided to curl up on one of the couches and pull her laptop out to idly look over her threads and start work on the ones she needed to while she enjoyed the quietness and her coffee.

She emerged from the bedroom, leaving the Lion to sleep. She really should leave a protein drink on the bedside table for him. Opening the door softly, turning a bit to glance back at him sleeping so peacefully. With a smile, she stepped out, closing the door behind her.

The Study- Memorial Day Tribute.

Golden Sunrises and Dusky Sunsets, I still see them. I still believe in them.

Below, resting in the crater are dozens of plaques with small replicas of our country’s flag, given credence to the undisputable fact that there are many who have given their all for a cause, a basic belief we all have. This. This is nobility at its finest. The names mean little to me. I can’t put a face to any of them. I don’t have to. It is enough for me to know that here lies someone’s brother, someone’s husband, a father…son.

Freedom is not free. This country of ours, for all the good, the bad, was built on the sweat, tears, blood of the courageous, the noble, the dedicated. Sacrificed souls we can not even begin to understand. We can not hear their calling unless we have heard it ourselves. Unless we have walked in their path.

Upon each grave I have left a single plumeria flower a small symbol that none are forgotten, that their sacrifice was for naught. Yes, I have stood in this place before. They call it the Punch Bowl.

I have stood at the harbor, right over a sunken ship that still leaks oil to this day. A watery grave for oh so many. Silent is the harbor as Taps is played and echoes off the water. Flowers of tribute float gently on the water. There are so few men left from those days to remind us so we must do it for them.

The men in my family have been part of the Korean War, the Viet Nam conflict and Desert Storm. Luckily for me, they all survived. They also instilled in me a deep abiding love for my country. I have seen and lived in third world countries. I am proud to call America my home. We’re not perfect but what we have is far better than what many other countries have. We have the right of choice, the freedom of speech.

I have stood at attention, while we buried a young serviceman in my hometown's Veteran's Cemetery. A Marine. Semper Fi. Always Faithful.

We have buried too many active duty service members. One is too many as far as I'm concerned.

Taps echoed through the silent foothills, resounding back at us and perhaps my imagination played with me but I thought I could see the souls of those gone before come and bring this new one to their ranks.

The cemetery is filled with silent granite headstones of many service members, of different ages, from different wars. There are those who survived the fates of war but time has taken, the natural progression of life. Some are not so lucky. It is the younger ones my heart bleeds for. They died too young, never to become wife, husband, parent.

Taps. Played by a single bugle sends chills through me. It hauntingly reaches deep into my soul and grabs it in a fist, squeezing. Sorrow roils up, threatening to choke me. Instead, I feel tears slip from my eyes, sliding down my cheeks as I look away momentarily from the coffin that is ever so gently being put into sweet Mother Earth. He isn’t my brother, my father, my son, my husband or my lover but I feel his loss all the same.

War is a necessary evil and someone always dies.

No, Freedom isn’t free nor is the fundamental principles we live by. People will always pay the greatest price, sacrifice their best, to insure those aren’t lost. The very least the rest of us can do is not let them be forgotten. Ever. They will not have died in vain. Forgotten. Nor are those who belong to us but are still unaccounted for.

So thank you.

To those who have gone before.

To those who serve now.

You have not been forgotten.

You will not be forgotten.

You are appreciated.

You are honored.

Your sacrifices, your time, were not given in vain.

~SEMPER FIDELIS~

Some infernal mental clock wakes her, whether she wishes it or not. Tossing back the covers because she knows it's useless to fight it, though she does toss a longing look back at the warm, comfortable, softness as she pads from the bedroom to the kitchen in just the shirt she usually wears to sleep in, reaching for a cup with one hand, the coffee pot with the other. It's a miracle she can even see through the sleep haze to get the coffee into the mug. Perhaps it's instinct, who knows. The important thing is that she managed it. Leaning against the counter, she takes stock of what needs doing today.

A bit of hot coffee of top off her mug and the short trip to her study. She stopped in the doorway of her office, eyes sweeping over her desk. Thank goodness for Sir Thomas. Everything looked as it should be, which certainly, it hadn't been. Slipping into her chair, she cautiously set her mug on the desktop and grabbed hold of the desk, giving it a cautious shake. It didn't collapse. Wonders of all wonders. She smirked, swiveling in her chair, her back to the room, as she pressed a few keys and waited.

Wandering through the halls of the mansion, it wasn't long before he found her sitting peacefully in her study. Before he spoke, he rapped his knuckle against the door.

"Good morning, Caitlin!" he said with a smile.

Apollion said:

Wandering through the halls of the mansion, it wasn't long before he found her sitting peacefully in her study. Before he spoke, he rapped his knuckle against the door.

"Good morning, Caitlin!" he said with a smile.

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She turned her chair around, getting to her feet with a warm smile.

"Adrian. I wondered how long it would take you before deciding to pay me a visit."

She slipped her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe and lightly kissed him.

DarkWarrioress said:

She turned her chair around, getting to her feet with a warm smile.

"Adrian. I wondered how long it would take you before deciding to pay me a visit."

She slipped her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe and lightly kissed him.

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Returning her smile, he gently wrapped his arms around her slim waist, returning the light kiss.

"Well, I figured... what the heck." He chuckled.

Apollion said:

Returning her smile, he gently wrapped his arms around her slim waist, returning the light kiss.

"Well, I figured... what the heck." He chuckled.

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"Well, come on in. I was just working on our thread. Can I have Thomas get you something to drink?"