A simple bet

[intriguess]

Madiera wasn't sure why she was friends with Claire most days. Claire was one of those high society, rich bitch types, who had everything she wanted, and the body of a dancer. They met at an art gallery. Madiera was showing her work, Claire was buying. An odd friendship had bloomed and while Madeira didn't really care about the benefits Claire insisted on having her at all the best parties and such.

It was at one of these events that it happened. Madeira always felt off at these functions. She had made her own dress, a concoction of beautiful jade colored silk that showed off her curves, while covering enough of her skin. She refused to let Claire buy things for her, even though Claire insisted on loaning her "appropriate" jewelry.

"Ah darling, isn't it such a dull evening?" her voice was pitched to just reach Madeira's ears.

Madeira smiled and agreed, "This has to be the most boring party we have attended."

Claire broke out in a huge smile, "I have an idea, how about a little wager?"

Madeira raised an eyebrow. She knew something was up, Claire never did anything without a plan. "Such as?"

"Let's make it interesting, men are always interesting, I bet I can seduce any man you select in this room before you can seduce my choice."

Madeira should have seen this coming, Claire was always fishing for compliments. It seemed she was not happy being able to have any man she wanted. She wanted to win a bet along the way. "Stakes?" Madeira asked. She knew it was too late to say no, Claire would pester her until she gave in.

"Well if I win I get one of your fabulous art pieces. If you win," she paused and chuckled, "then I'll write you a check for $10,000."

"My pieces aren't worth that much," Madeira said.

"Well I have to give you odds," Claire smiled deprecatingly.

"Of course," Madeira scanned the room. She was searching for someone Claire would have trouble seducing. "Any limitations?"

"Well, I'm not so crass as to break up a marriage, otherwise any man is fair game."

Madeira thought it amusing, Claire had no squabbles having affairs before, but it was probably for Madeira's benefit. She would never flirt with a married man. Then she saw him, David Greenwood, he detested debutants and better yet, he had rejected Claire in the past. "Agreed, I choose him," she pointed to David with a wicked smile.

Claire looked where she was pointing and what color there was in her face left, "You can't be serious."

"I'm deadly serious, unless you aren't up to the challenge?" Madeira asked.

Claire frowned for a split second and then smiled. "You know I love a challenge." She scanned the room and pointed out a distinguished man. "Your challenge is him."

Madeira looked at him, she did not recognize him and wondered who he was. "Who is he?"

"I don't know," Claire said with a twisted grin.

"And if he turns out to be married?" Madeira asked.

"You win by default," Claire whispered.




OOC

so I will be taking on the character of Madeira
the parts of

Claire
David Greenwood
Mystery man

are open
"

 

[solomon797]

David

David was a sucessfull business tycoon worth pleanty of money ,and quite the flirt ,but his true love was ,and always would be a childhood sweetheart that he was absolutely devoted to.Through David flirted with all the females that was it.Some thought he had to be impotent being 35 and tall, dark, and handsome,not to mentioned rumored to be well endowed ,but never seen with a female.His close friends knew the truth though ,his True love was married to anthor man,something David never got over.

 

[OnHarry]

Mystery Man

Alexander Cornwall

He is a wine importer who frankly hates these high class gatherings, but many of his best customers frequent them and insist he come as well. He has never been married but engaged three times, never quite going through with it. He wears the best cologne generally favouring Chanel Pour Hommes, his suits are tailor made, and he drives a 1958 Austin Healey.

There is a reason he has never married, he is 5'10" sandy hair with a hint of grey at the temples, and has a slim athletic build. None of the regulars at the parties that Claire favours have been engaged to him, and he has never slept with any of them.

Claire told a white lie she knows him and his story, and figured he would be a real challenge for Madeira, besides she figured with her name she would be a natural for a wine merchant.

 

[intriguess]

Madiera

(switching to first person)

I knew there was something fishy going on Claire had too easily selected the man, and with a wink and a smile she was gone. I wondered what piece of art she had her eye on this time, probably one of those I kept in my private collection. I took a deep breath and politely wandered over to my target. I certainly was not without my charms, but I was not about to be someone else for Claire's amusement.

I discovered his name and that he was here against his will, the rest was a mess of gossip. I discounted it as more to do with the jealousy of the rich and decided against having someone else introduce me.

I snagged a drink and sipped it before approaching, deciding a direct approach was best. "Can I tear you away, I want to Madame Roselle is supposed to have the most manificently lit gardens." I smiled politely at the person he was talking to who smiled back and made his excuses. I leaned in to whisper to him, "If I go alone I'll be prey to all the rich old perverts in the room, and I'd rather not break any bones tonight. It's considered impolite." I smiled recalling the last time I had enough of the company and ventured off, the idiot who followed her ended up with a broken hand among other painful areas. I wondered if people still called me 'The Bonebreaker' behind my back. I had used the incident to create several pieces of art that sold surprisingly well. In fact Madame Roselle had a piece in the garden.

 

[OnHarry]

Alexander

"You can tear me away, so long as you promise to behave yourself and don't break any of my bones."

I wondered why this rather nice looking lady was interested in me, but the party like all others of this group was dull and boring, and they all wanted to talk business. I allowed myself to be led away to the door and the garden was very well lit indeed and quite nice, obviously someone with more taste than the owner had designed it.

Just as we were admiring the view another customer came up and said, " You are back, did you get it?"

I nodded and said "yes I did you can pick it up at my place in the morning I will be in all day."

He seemed very excited and, I said to the lovely and apparently dangerous lady next to me, by way of explanation, " I bought a wine cellar in England from a lady who was willing her house to the National Trust and wanted to dispose of her family wine collection first."

"What did you get him," she asked with little interest.

"Two cases of Chateau Petrus 1946, what I refer to as a unicorn wine, mythical and never seen."

"Must have been expensive she said."

"Yes $5000."

"A lot of money for two cases of wine."

"That was the bottle price," then I stopped as I preferred not to discuss business with strangers, and this one seemed to be quite interested in me, though for what reason I could not yet tell. She stared at me for a few minutes saying nothing just looking as if she were trying to make up her mind about someything.

"Are you too cold," I asked politely, "shall we go back inside?"

 

[solomon797]

David was

David was wandering ,Flirting as he usally did with the lovely ladies.A drink in his hand he appeared the typical playboy.Upholding his facade.He was more interested actually in the dog outside chasing the cat than the women around him.The food seemed good engough though,and the liquor was fine,though he was not much of a drinker.Just a big pretence he thought to himself,put on a show for the spectators.Betty is where i wish i was.Damn why did i not ask her to marry me when i had the chance,now she is gone forever.Oh well i have made it thru other nights like this i will manage thru this one as well i guess.

 

[intriguess]

Madeira

I smiled politely wondering if I had given away my underpriveleged status by being stunned at the money paid for wine. I almost said that a true gentleman would offer me his jacket but bit my tongue, "I prefer braving the weather than them. That is as long as I'm not keeping you from someone?" I had noticed the lack of wedding ring, not that it meant much among the elitist. Most of them did not wear a ring and their wife's ring was more a sign of prosperity and marking her as property rather than a serious sign of commitment.

So far, so good, I thought, at least he wasn't boring or talking about his possessions. I wondered what had possessed Claire to select him. I knew Claire had ulterior motives, she always did.

 

[Hotclam]

Claire

Claire tried to sit as upright as possible, to appear as though she did not notice David's overtly polite posturing and feigning of interest.

"Like shooting fish in the proverbial barrel." Claire thought to herself, all the while inwardly gloating over her ability to get Madiera to dance as though on a marionette's harness.

Claire had no visible weakness, but inside swirled the turmoil of love lost, love without recourse. She had bed many men of wealth, stature and prominance, but she craved raw animal desire. She craved the hunt. What happened in the bedroom was of no real thrill, it was the chase of her prey that caused the blood to course through her veins.

Not caring about the wager, $10,000.00 was little more than window dressings for one of her many bedrooms in her palacial home, Claire still felt as though she ought to have Madiera believe she was going to make a formidable opponent.

Claire had a deeply seated envy of Madiera, mostly in that she wished she could again see the world through the eyes of a woman that didn't need to maintain a social order of the one Claire did. It was horrible work. The preening, the small talk, the proper ettiquite. Claire really wished at times she could release herself of all this and fall into the public masses. But Claire had her roles, Claire had her philanthropic destiny to fulfill to her community. She was a pillar of the social community, how could she succumb to the petty desires of her heart?

Madiera was a tiny jewel in a wasteland of high society. Claire's major facination with Madiera is that she cannot be purchased, unlike men, cars, mansions and furs. It is that very facination that drew Claire to Madiera like moth to flame. Claire would one day posess Madiera, and that posession would undoubtably set Claire free. It was in Madiera's Artwork that Claire saw her rawest sexuality alive and teeming with passion.

"Sommolier, another Burgundy, Bouchard, Père et Fils, this time perhaps one of the finer vintages of 59 or 61." Claire spoke as though she cared about the wine's depth of flavor, but she inwardly would rather have had a Martini, it was quicker in it's desired effect. She must be seen as a patron of the finest vineyards, not a Gin toppling lush.

Taking the newly poured wine, she quaffed it, swirled it a bit, held it to the light and imbibed. The sommolier placed the bottle on the bar, and she wandered from the six hundred dollar bottle and left a half full glass sitting on the bar.

"I simply must hear their goings on." She thought to herself, watching Madiera twirl a bit of hair around her index finger whilst tilting her head like a coed. "Shameful." Thought Claire, "this is simply delightful."

 

[OnHarry]

Re: Madeira

That is as long as I'm not keeping you from someone?" I had noticed the lack of wedding ring, not that it meant much among the elitist

So far, so good, I thought, at least he wasn't boring or talking about his possessions. I wondered what had possessed Claire to select him. I knew Claire had ulterior motives, she always did.

There was a clumsy silence, as Madeira said nothing aloud at first and Alex was unsure. Then when she asked if she was keeping him from someone Alex smiled and said, "No, there is no one who claims my time save my customers, I am alone as it were." Then seeing Madiera, give an almost imperceptible shiver Alex said "I think the gardens are lovely and I would like to see more of them, but you are cold."

"It is nothing," she lied.

Smiling Alex said to her, " here," and he removed his jacket and put it over her shoulders like a cape and pulled it snugly in front almost but not quite brushing her breasts.

The first thing she noticed was the cologne, that wafted up from the collar, and then how incredibly warm the lining of the jacket felt from his body. Smiling at her Alex said," come show me some more of this garden and tell me about yourself."

 

[solomon797]

Thoghts of Betty

Davids mind wandered back to his childhood as it often did in these boring events.thoughts about Betty were always there to greet him while he was having to deal with mundane affairs,...these places are real bores,money does not interests me in the least,i have more than i need and women ...well


Betty ,and David had lived close by as adults.Growing up and going to school together as children.Betty with her young slim figure,Blonde hair and blue eyes.So very pretty in his minds eye ...so pure.They had played together as children even slept in the same bed when staying over night though nothing happened being young as they were,still i would steal a kiss from Betty when i could,i fell the loss as i remember her sweet lips.I thought Betty and i would marry when we got older,but alas it was not to be.


David remember how he had left to go to collage.I thought i was going to learn so i could be a provider for Betty,and me when i returned.That is when he showed up .The thought of him made David angry to the point of murder.No i wont think of him,i wont allow him to ruin a great time in my life.


David looks around seeing Julie is smiling at him and winking,quickly blows her a kiss across the room.Women he thinks to himself well Betty was his only love ...i will wait for you Betty.

 

[intriguess]

Madeira

I smiled, talk about myself, I so very rarely talked about myself. Sure I talked about my work, my process, and such but not who I really was. It was simply easier to get the ego starved socialites to talk about themselves. Claire loved talking about how much better she was, in fact I did not envy her life, I saw how meaningless her trysts were. I almost did not forgive her for seducing my fiancee, but then again if he'd been taken in by Claire then he wasn't really the one for me.

"I'm an outsider, an artist, one happy to get what crumbs may fall so I can live my own life. Money is useful, but only as long as its accumulation does not interfere with ones happiness." I was surprised by his offer of his jacket, the warmth surrounding her. I stepped into the gardens away from the manor house and began pointing out elaborate designs and sculptures.

 

[Hotclam]

Claire

From a valted patio above, Claire watched as Madiera walked amongst the gilded gardens and sculptures of the manor house. This party was becoming more interesting as the night progressed.

Madiera seemed to be eating this up, allowing a jacket from the stranger. Was that an embrace? No, just the handsome man placing the jacket about her bare shoulders.

She felt like a High Priestess from her perch, looking down over the fountains and groomed gardens of this lavish home. As Madiera guided her male companion through the garden, Claire thought of the man Madiera had loved, and how she took that love from her. Claire felt no remorse, no pity. In fact, she was proud that she could get that man to stray, protecting her precious jewel from the evils of the world, keeping herself between them and Madiera. She would have her, like a trophy. someday.

 

[OnHarry]

As they walked and Madeira pointed out various aspects of the garden from her perspective as an artist, Alex felt like he was seeing it for the first time. It was obvious to him that she indeed was an artist as she seemed to have a natural eye for shape and structure that Alex found very appealing.

During the tour she grew seemingly more comfortable with him and explained some of her own work, which Alex understood quite well as he had plenty of taste and knowledge but little actual talent as an artist. He would nod knowingly asking informed questions and occasionally pointing out something he found interesting, and asking Madeira'a take on it from her own point of view.

Mostly though he listened to what she said, really listened sometimes with his hands casully in his pockets, his head down as she spoke, or occasionly pointing to something Madeira had spoken of and ask a technical question regarding the placement of that plant grouping, or this vista.

He was actually enjoying this party now, even though he said little, as he liked hearing Madeira talk about something other than money, and as it happened something he knew about and understood.

What an intriguing lady.

 

[solomon797]

Well David Thought

Well David thought i might as well try to enjoy myself or,at least pretend too.Julie was headed Davids way...She probablly wants to go to the bash i am having in the next couple of weeks ..Damn if i didn"t have to i would never have,or attend these friggin events.Still I have been advised that it was good for business "The Oil Business" that is.I should not complain it has made me LOTS of money,money that was going to be used for Betty,and me.Now other than my basic needs i no longer find money of any use.

Oh Hi Julie ,your looking extreamly,provocative this evening.Being 22 blonde ,and measureing 36DD 28 34 standing 5 ft 4 weighing 115 lbs with blue eyes like stars of the evening night Julie was indeed looking very nice,any normal man would of jumped at the chance to bed this beauty,however it was wasted on David.Well David thought to himself,it is clear that she has gone to a great extent to be attractive i should at least let her feel that way.David did not hate women ,he just had no use for them.

 

[intriguess]

Madeira

It seemed sad somehow, that I started this out over a wager. Still $10,000 while nothing to Claire would give me freedom as an artist. Freedom to work on what I wanted rather than bringing someone else's vision to life. Freedom to have children if I wished, I had not thought much about the future since my fiance had strayed.

I realized how lonely I had been only as in this moment I did not feel it and after chattering on and on about my passions I finally turned to him and asked, "I must be boring you by now, you are some sort of wine connesieur I guess?" with a deliberateness that looked shy I licked my lips slowly. I was still trying to get a feel for what kind of man he was, as an artist I was part chameleon able to discover other people's desires and fulfil them in art. All my previous lovers had said I was almost too good for them, and I always tended to feel as if I were giving up myself for their desires. I did not want to fall prey to that trap again, but for one seduction it shouldn't really matter.

 

[Hotclam]

OOC

It seems we now need a Julie, anyone wanna post for a char request?

 

[solomon797]

Not Really Necessary

OOC

It seems we now need a Julie, anyone wanna post for a char request?

OOC:
That not entirely necessary,Claire and M. had a bet,Claire was off observeing the party so i simply had David occupy his time while waiting with other guests at the party.However if you feel a Julie is required???

 

[solomon797]

The Chat

The Chat with Julie lasted all of 15 minutes just long engough that David did not offend her,after all he did admire women,just did not desire them.Betty his lost love as usual had his heart.Making polite apologies he excused himself to mingel with the other guests.

 

[OnHarry]

Re: Madeira

I realized how lonely I had been only as in this moment I did not feel it and after chattering on and on about my passions I finally turned to him and asked, "I must be boring you by now, you are some sort of wine connesieur I guess?" with a deliberateness that looked shy I licked my lips slowly

Alexander had his head down slightly when she said this, raising his eyes without raising his head, he answered, "I assure you, you are not boring me, if you were I would have made my apologies by now and left you to your own devices. I should add that while I sell wine and I appreciate and know wine, probably much better than the average person, I do not consider myself a connoiseur. That is for those who make it a lifetime study I do have other interests."

He noticed her licking her lips and thought, "what a shapely mouth she has, so full in the lips and yet finely detailed, she really is attractive." Then to himself he thought, "maybe you had better make your apologies and leave her to her own devices, lonliness is preferable to pain."

"What did you say," she asked, as he suddenly realised he had voiced the last thought aloud.

 

[intriguess]

Madeira

Loneliness is pain, I thought to myself and whispered very softly, "Sometimes a break from loneliness can be worth the pain. Just because something is an illusion doesn't mean it can't be beautiful." I impulsively took his hand and held it in my own, "Or as a friend of mine says, 'Pain is what makes life worth living, if there was no pain there would be no joy.' I consider that a true but pessimistic outlook on life."

I was still holding his hand and found myself wanting to tell him about the stupid wager. Then I thought about all the ways that money would come in handy, heck a vacation away from it all would be nice, then again traveling alone would only remind me of my single status. "Other interests are good," I murmured with a smile, "So many people become so focused on their work that they lose focus."

 

[Hotclam]

Claire

Claire took a glance around the room, feigning interest in a toast point with Sevruga Caviar. She held it just a millimeter above her serbiette while her delicate small finger pointed at a nearby chandelier.

Tilting her head ever gently, she allowed a small lock of her hair to fall across her cheek. It was at that particular instant that David's glance caught hers, he looked into her eyes, unafraid that she would notice.

A man that can make eye contact with me unabashedly, she mused. Perhaps I should depart from this room, to see if he notices I'm gone.

She asked one of the young men serving Champagne where she might find a powder room.

The water closet was just out a set of french doors and down a quiet hallway,
lit only by the accent lamps over numerous paintings in that hall. The floor was a deep green marble, and had a deep muave runner of the softest cashmere in it's middle. She chose to walk on the marble rather than the cashmere, liking the way her four inch stilhettos clicked on the luxurious flooring. She entered the powder room, checked her lipstick, straightened an errant curl, then proceded to the next room, where the loo was located.

She carefully undid two tiny clasps on the back of her evening gown, careful not to let it fall to the floor, and laid it across the chase lounger found in the water closet near the toilet. She looked at herself in the mirror.

She was wearing a Felina Gardenia Push up corset in white with matching Balconette Garter, her graceful figure accented above by round bosom. She reached into her Corset and carefully set her nipples straight against the fabric, giving some much needed comfort in the adjustment.

She unclipped her hose from the garter and gently pulled her panties down off over her hip bones and down to mid theigh.

She sat on the loo straight backed, perfect posture as always and began to urinate. Reminding herself not to look at the bowl, she reached for a bit of tissue to dab away any droplets, and pulled the gold chain with ivory handle to remove it from her presence. She gently ran her fingers through the tiny black hairs between her legs, relishing the feel of them, checking for any wetness that was left behind. She gave her clitoris the tiniest of touches, languishing just long enough to extract a bit of pleasure from it. She carefully spread her vulva, touched with her index finger just inside, then reached up with her damp index finger to touch the pressure spot behind her ear. The scent was just noticeable, and is a throwback from her college years where her roomate swore that's how she would get any man she wants into bed: simple pheromones.

Washing her hands, Claire then put on her gown again, checking herself in the mirror before she left the powder room.
Now to take over the party, she thought, and closed the door behind her.

 

[solomon797]

David Notices

:rose
David had noticed Clarie from across the room,She had to be one of the most desirable women at this boring party at least most men thought so,if it was not for Betty he himself would be a little interested in her himself,Still she seemed to be shallow from the times he had spoken with her.She appeared to be more concerned about obtaining things of wealth,than seeing a beautiful sunset.I hate plastic people,they only care about the latest styles and best values,I am more concerned about the inner beauty,like Betty has than outer trappings,I have money enough and it has eased my pain of loosing Betty none at all.You can not hold or LOVE money after all.



David Noticed Clarie leaving,Well thank God she at least does not seek me like some frilly rabbit seeking a carrot,Thank you Clarie he thought to himself,Perhaps i have misjudged you after all,I should be polite and thank her for inviting me to the party ,I do try to be a gentleman after all.Maybe when she returns i will have the chance.David then proceeded to mingle saying hi to each guest.

 

[OnHarry]

Re: Madeira

"Other interests are good," I murmured with a smile, "So many people become so focused on their work that they lose focus."

"Yes I know what you mean, all these money brokers who work sixteen hour days and wonder why their spouses end up having affairs. As he held Madiera's hand Alex looked at it and turning it over he absent mindedly started to trace circles on the underside of her wrist, so lightly it was as if his finger was a rumour to her skin.

"You have a light touch."

Shaking his head and smiling just a little he pulled his finger away and said, "sorry, I was sort of day dreaming and was doodling on your wrist."

To himself Alex thought 'her eyes seem to stare right into my soul, she is a bit unerving. I should leave her to her own devices and go home, but she has my coat on and it would be rude to reclaim it now out here where it is cool.'

Then he asked her, "tell me what you paint, and why what is it that motivates you to create?"

 

[intriguess]

Madeira

"I suppose I prefer to being doing something with a tangible result mainly. Starting something seeing it emerge after hours of work each day, seeing it touch someone else. If I had to define it I'd say I paint life and living, joy and sadness. I paint whatever I feel intensely, but I also sculpt, weave, and work with fabric. You should come by my studio sometime." I enjoyed the feel of his hand and was glad I was not a blusher as I moved further into garden towards one of the grand fountains and away from the sounds of the party.

 

[solomon797]

Thinking of Claire

As David wandered among the guests he could not help but think of Claire.Damn if only she was not so plastic.He did remember having talked with her before,he had felt drawn to her at first till he had discovered that she was only interested in the shallow things,at which point he had lost total interest.Such a waste,he thought to himself ,for she is a very fine woman,quite attractive as well.

__Wasn't that the case with most women he met,so nice on the outside ,but lacking true substance.Hell i can have a call girl anytime i want one,why waste time pretending to care,acting the part of some fool?No that is not what i want,if i am ever going to quit thinking of Betty all the time i will need a woman of substance.Bad enough i have to act, at these social events for business sake,damn sure do not want to be doing it all the time.