Once Upon a Moonlit Garden

[Exosus]

OOC:

This is a closed thread for Faith and myself.

Simon Green
Eyes: Green
Hair: Blonde, short
Build: Tall, thin, lithe.
Profession: Singer-Songwriter
Age: 26
IC:

11:27pm

Simon wandered around the party, nodding at people he vaguely knew, a Brandy Alexander in his hand, lost in thought, remembering a time.

He had to get out, this place was stifling, with it's upperclass snobbery and polite conversations. He took a gulp of the drink and looked around. There.

The garden beckoned him, calling with a strange fervour, sparking his memories further. He opened the door and slipped out, winding through the plants towards the fountain, the Moonlight dimly illuminating the scene

"Ah, the shadows romance."

 

[faith]

Brianna Carlton

Eyes: midnight blue
Hair: Dark almost black
Build: Tall, thin, lithe.
Profession:Artist
Age: 32



IC:
11:27pm


Looking at Richard, I wonder what ever possed me to come to this tonight. Sipping my wine, the conversation flows easily because it has no substance. These People have become insulated from the real world and they don't even realize it.

Drifting away I spot a balcony... Yes that is what I need...air to breath...


Stepping through the door, I realize that there is a stairway leading into a garden... a manicured garden... nice but I like wild things in my garden. Little slices of Mother Nature as she was meant to be...wild and free like....Him

 

[Exosus]

Simon sat at the bench, wishing he had a guitar, as the melodies ran through his mind and he began to sing, softly at first, then slowly growing louder

"Memories
Of a half forgotten day
A time before my love and I
Went our seperate ways

Memories
So sweet and so cruel
Tempting me, pulling me
Yet making me a fool

I wish that I
Could escape
This reality
And go back
To the time of
My memories."

He frowned softly then shrugged

"Its a start... but of what?"

 

[faith]

Brianna

Stars fill the night sky each one sharp and clear. A gentle breeze ruffles my hair. The fragrance of the night calls me further into the garden Reaching down I take off my sandals. As the night welcomes and embraces me, for the first time in hours I don't feel trapped.

Then it comes to me; at first, it's just a whisper of sound carried on the wind. A voice out of the past... out of a dreamtime. With each word, the song becomes stronger...

Without thought, I follow the sound. Coming around the corner, I come to a dead stop. There he is. Simon. God, how I have missed him. Just a minute, and I'll slip away...he'll never know. He looks so good. It’s been over six years and it feels like an entire lifetime. His features have matured; there is little of the boy left in the man before me. His body is a lithe as ever but I know how deceptive that is. He is strong. His once long hair is now short; while my once, short hair is now long. I can’t tell if his eyes are the same…

As the last notes die away, I see his shoulders and lips move but I can’t hear his whispered word.

Without making a sound, I start to back away. I don't know what alerted him but suddenly my eyes are capture by his....

"Simon....."

 

[Exosus]

Something took hold of Simon and he turned his head up... perhaps it was the slight trace of perfume

"Simon..."

It couldn't be... could it?

Yet it was... those eyes, he'd never forget those soft, gorgeous eyes, no matter what.

"Brianna.." He stood, his eyes fixed on hers, and starting to fill with tears of happiness.

He wanted to go to her, to hold her close again, yet he hesitated, uncertain.

What is she doing here? Why does my past torment me... it cannot really be her, can it?

His mind was awhirl with thoughts, and memories, and he stepped closer to her, his hand reaching out, caressing her cheek gently.

"It is you! Bri, gods.... what are you doing here?"

 

[faith]

Bri...

As my gaze is captured by Simon’s, for a moment I am thrown back in time…

Hannah was coming for the weekend…watching the sunset; I couldn’t wait for her to arrive. I had told her to come on in when she and her brother arrived. I wouldn’t be here to greet them because of work but I had managed to get off early. They wouldn’t be here for at least three hours so I had time for a bath…

Lighting scented candles, I set a glass of Elderberry wine on the table next to the tub. Slipping into the water, the silk of the bubbles, caressed my body as the warmth of the water welcomed me. The old claw footed tub was my favorite part of the old place. Sipping the wine, I lean back and let the water sooth my mind and soul…

“My lady” the voice was so beautiful…

Opening my eyes, my gaze was captured by the most mesmerizing green eyes I had ever seen. Lightly he reached out and cupped my cheek… his touch was so gentle. .

It took a moment for me to realize I was naked before this young man … He stood then and opened a towel for me… I should have done many things but what I did was follow my heart. I stood and stepped out of the tub into his embrace… He covered me in the towel, kissed my forehead, then he walked out of the room…taking a piece of my heart with him….

Reaching up, I touch him as he touches me...

"Simon... God ..."

I can't find the words... he still owns my heart...

 

[Exosus]

Simon smiled at Brianna, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around her, holding her close, his memory drifting back to the first time he had ever held her.

Hannah had dropped him off outside her friend's place in the mountains. She needed to go back to town and pick some things up, leaving him here to let Brianna know she'd be here in a while.

Shrugging, he carried his bags inside and looked around. No-one was down here... maybe he should look around.

He searched the bottom floor, and finding no-one headed upstairs.

He hit jackpot, figuratively speaking, in the first room he checked

There she was... gods above, she was gorgeous.

He paused in the doorway for a moment, looking at the woman, her face captivating him, until he finally gathered up his nerve and softly stepped over to her.

"Should I kiss her?" He silently wondered then decided against it.

He gently reached out, and cupped this goddess's cheek half whispering "My lady."

She opened her eyes, and he was lost. His heart was hers, forever now.

Silently he stood and opened a towel for her, and she stepped into his arms.

Before he did anything stupid, he kissed her forehead and then turned walking out, to give her privacy... although having already seen her naked, this was mere formality.



He sighed almost imperceptively, feeling the ring she was wearing digging into his back.

Sadly, he gently kissed her forehead and then let go.

"You're engaged, I see. Is he nice?"

 

[faith]

Brianna

Here I stand in Simon’s arm, Gods above how I have missed his embrace. Laying my head against the wall of his chest, I close my eyes …I can feel it in my soul… I can hear the steady rhythm of his heart

…lifting my head from his chest, I meet his eyes. His long hair is fanned out. Reaching out I lift some strands and bring them to my face. I love the silky feel against my skin. Inhaling, I breathe in the scents of the room, it is purely us. He and I are joined now in an elemental way. I can feel him between my legs. The muscles of my pussy still quivers in remembered pleasure. Oh God, he is hardening again. With just a few deep jabs, he has me teetering on the edge. In the blink of an eye, I find myself on my back. His hair is cocooning us. His fingers are intertwined with mine as he hold them next to my head He brings my knees over his shoulder as he plunges even deeper. Pleasure so sharp it borders on pain engulfs me. I let my eyes drift shut… At this, his passion filled voice reaches me…”NO… look at me… let me see your pleasure…let me see your….

Sadly, Simon gently kisses my forehead and then lets me go. In a voice filled with pain….

"You're engaged, I see. Is he nice?"

How in Gods name could I explain Richard to Simon? Richard is many things to many people but nice was not a word I would use to describe him. How would I ever explain to gentle Simon my relationship with Richard…Clearing my throat… I told the necessary lie…

“Yes…he’s very nice”

 

[Exosus]

He half-smiled and then looked into Brianna's eyes

"Good to hear. I'm glad you're happy."

He paused, unsure of what to say and then mentally shrugged

"So, tell me, what have you been up to... since..." He broke off, almost unable to say the words. It had been years... but it still hurt remembering...

Gods, he still didn't go on many dates

 

[faith]

Brianna

*smiling a sad gentle smile*

"The art still calls to my soul... If you've seen my work you know it changed after.... well after 'us'...but the need is still there to create. It's a part of me... "

Unsaid were the words...

"the only part of me still alive enough to feel... alive enough to cry for the loss....the only part of me alive enough to long for what can never be"


Looking towards the house...

"That is how I met Richard... He has a gallery that has showcased my work in the past. In fact he is doing a showing now. In a way, you might say he owns me or at least the only parts that really matter"

There were so many pieces that Richard houndeded me about... the pieces that he claimed were my greatest works... and he was probably right... because on those hidden canvases was all the love and pain, I felt towards Simon... exposed in all its glory...and the only work I refused to show

Your music is as wonderful as I remember...I've watched your rising star... I knew you would make it, if there was nothing to hold you back... Actually, I have seen you in concert... and I can't begin to tell you what it meant to me...seeing you succeed. I can't help wondering what brings you here? I thought you had left the small town behind you for the big city lights..."

 

[Exosus]

"No-one could ever own you Bri... you were always too free spirited for that."

His eyes betrayed his sadness, and his twinge of jealousy but he cleared his throat and attempted to steady his voice

"As for what brings me back, I frequently visit the small town scene... it is where there are the most emotions, the most memories."

Memories of us, he didn't add. His feelings were twisted and skewed, there was still that same old flame, the fire that had carried him through his career, yet it was mixed with betrayal, it was obvious she was in love with this Richard.

"And if you were at a concert, why didn't you come back stage... I would have been glad to see you."

 

[faith]

Brianna

...freedom doesn't pay the bills and freedom doesn't put a roof over my head or pay for our dau...but i keep my silence as his words touch me ....he's voice so full of emotion....

"And if you were at a concert, why didn't you come back stage... I would have been glad to see you."


How could I possible explain it all to Simon... he was little more than a child when we first met... they had been right... i was holding him back from what he could be.. keeping him from full-filling his potential but at the same time i could never forget him...there was a living reminder of him...of us.

"I never wanted to intrude on your life. I thought that the past belonged in the past... *grin* ....Although I must admit... no one i tell ever believes that i KNOW the great singer/song writer Simon Green..."

the teasing light leaves my eyes...

"Simon...i know you will never understand but what i did...i did out of love... you needed room to grow... to become the man you were meant to be... the man you have become... "

Meeting his eyes i see the shadows of his pain... and for the first time doubt the wisdom of my actions... without thinking i reach out and cup his jaw... the feel of flesh touching flesh is like a match being lit...so explosive and hot ....jerking back at the feeling i realize i have made a grave mistake...for in that moment as our eyes and flesh were touching.... the passion burned bright in my eyes... a passion that had never really gone away....and i know that he saw it ...he knew me to well to have missed it...

"Simon... please...forget what you just saw..we can't let it matter"

but i knew as i said the words that it was a lie... for in truth...nothing else did matter.....

 

[Exosus]

Simon stepped back, and turned away, then suddenly turned back

"How do you do it? How do you just stand there, and deny what you feel... tell me... how?" His eyes filled with tears as he looked at her, then softly began to sing... a song written years ago when he had seen her with another guy...

"I forgot, for one short moment
Why I was in love with you
But when I see you with that guy
I remember and it hurts so deep inside

I’m sorry I slipped
I’m sorry I gave up hope
I lost my chance I know
I wish it wasn’t so

I can’t stop lovin’ you
No matter what I do
Please I’m beggin’ you
Give me a chance

Don’t throw me away
Without a second thought
Don’t treat me like
I have no worth

I’ve cried for the love I’m denied
I’ve wept like a newborn babe
I’m so sick of being alone
That I can’t seem to think straight

I miss you, so bad
Without you I’m so sad
I can’t breathe, I can’t move
Without you I don’t know what to do

I can’t stop lovin’ you
No matter what I do
Please I’m beggin’ you
Give me a chance

I can’t stop lovin’ you
No matter what I do
Please I’m beggin’ you
Give me a chance

Babe please give me a chance"

His voice faded away and his head was bowed.

"Answer me this... just this..." he whispered "Do you love him?"

 

[faith]

Brianna

Tears cloud my vision.... emotions long buried come to the fore front...

"Damn you Simon......"

my voice trails off to just a whisper...

"damn you"

Whirling away I can't face him as I tell the lies... lies that had been told so many times... a thousand different times to a thousand different people...

"Richard is older....He and I met shortly after we...you and me... went our seperate ways. He... uh.... he show cased my work. It was lov..."

.*I couldn't speak the lie...and I couldn't tell the truth*

....We.....we needed each other..

*that at least was the truth...I was scared, alone and broke...I needed security at any cost....he was in need of raw talent... talent to prop up his failing gallery*

I feel the air shift... Simon is just a hairs breath away from me...Oh God...what had I done...to Simon... to me... It had all seemed so clear... Dear Lord forgive me....i choose my words with care...will Simon see the deception?

"What I have with Richard is based on love"

only that love had nothing to do with Richard

 

[Exosus]

Turning her around, Simon looked deep into Brianna's eyes, his own wet and shining in the moonlight as he reached out and brushed a tear from her cheek

"You didn't answer me..." he half whispered, and then almost wailed, needing to know "Do you Love him?"

She opened her mouth, as if to speak, and then a voice called out from just inside the balcony

"Brianna, dear... are you out here?"

Simon looked at her once, more, his eyes begging, then turned and vanished into the black of the garden

"Brianna! Oh... there you are dear... I've been looking all over for you. Are you crying? There there... come, I've got some people I want you to meet."

With that, Richard offered her his arm

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Simon watched from the shadows, a deep pain pressing down on his heart

"Does she love him? I don't think so... but why would she lie... damn her!"

He dried his eyes, then slipped back into the party, finding his host and whispering in her ear.

 

[faith]

brianna

"Brianna! Oh... there you are dear... I've been looking all over for you. Are you crying? There there... come, I've got some people I want you to meet."

I felt his hand on my arm, as I watched Simon slip away into the shadows of the night… I couldn’t hide the tears, but i knew Richard would never push for an answer. He found emotions… messy. Wiping the tracks of the tears away, I let Richard’s hand on the small of my back guide me where he would.

For what felt like eternity I laughed in all the right places. As I walked around the room, I watched the subtle wheeling and dealing going on. As the wine flowed freely, fortunes were made and lost. The people in this room were the powers-to-be. Moreover, I knew my role…. charm them. Make the men want to own a piece of me… Make the women feel like my art could accent their creativity. Then very gently turn them over to Richard…. I had been doing it for years now… but for the very first time… I felt cheapened by it all….

Then the sound of our Hostess voice reached out to snag everyones attention…

 

[Exosus]

"Attention everyone," called the hostess "I have the great pleasure of announcing that one of our guests, who had previously declined to play for us has changed his mind and will now be performing a couple of songs. Please all give a warm welcome to Simon Green."

Simon stepped into the room, carrying a guitar and immediately recieved applause from the assembled guests

"Thank you." He attempted to smile as he sat

"Firstly, a song called Something.

There's something about the way you walk
And there's something in your voice when you talk
Something that captures me
But baby I don't ever want to be free

I can't name the time that I
Fell in love with you babe
But I know that my love stays strong
And that it never will fade

You drive me while with the way you look
It only took one smile, and I was hooked
It's almost right out of a fairy tale book
Except for the endin', which someone else took

There's something about the way you walk
And there's something in your voice when you talk
Something that captures me
But baby I don't ever want to be free

Your eyes are so pretty and so blue
And I can't help fallin' in love with you
When watchin ya do what ya do
I'm lost in your eyes, yes it's true

There's something about the way you walk
And there's something in your voice when you talk
Something that captures me
But baby I don't ever want to be free

Babe, I can’t go on without you"


He nodded his head as they applauded, then began to strum once more

"This one's called 'Give me a chance'." He murmured

"I forgot, for one short moment
Why I was in love with you
But when I see you with that guy
I remember and it hurts so deep inside

I’m sorry I slipped
I’m sorry I gave up hope
I lost my chance I know
I wish it wasn’t so

I can’t stop lovin’ you
No matter what I do
Please I’m beggin’ you
Give me a chance

Don’t throw me away
Without a second thought
Don’t treat me like
I have no worth

I’ve cried for the love I’m denied
I’ve wept like a newborn babe
I’m so sick of being alone
That I can’t seem to think straight

I miss you, so bad
Without you I’m so sad
I can’t breathe, I can’t move
Without you I don’t know what to do

I can’t stop lovin’ you
No matter what I do
Please I’m beggin’ you
Give me a chance

I can’t stop lovin’ you
No matter what I do
Please I’m beggin’ you
Give me a chance

Babe please give me a chance"

 

[faith]

I stood at the back of the room, listening to the words... to the voice. The music flowed over me, cradling me. His voice was so incredibly deep... the sound entered my heart and became a part of my soul...As the last note died away, the room for one moment stood in stuned silence then it erupted into wild applause.... I knew all his music by heart... and neither of these songs had ever been sung for the public before.... Everyone in the room knew this too. By this time tomorrow, every fan world wide would be clamouring to hear this music.

Over the heads of the crowd, our eyes meet. Richard voice is battering me but his word mean less than nothing. Everything in the room disappears. There is only you... and in that moment i know i must walk away.... then it happens..... the world comes crashing down..in the form of Richards voice...

".... talked to his agent. It seems your little pieces of art have captured his imagination so we will be giving him a private showing. "

Looking at Richard..

"What are you talking about?"

He looks toward Simon and nods...

"Him... his agent approached me about a private showing. Bri, it seems you have caught his fancy.."

I start to shake my head even before he finishes...
"No... I can't...." the words die in my throat at the look in his eyes and the hand on my arm as his hand tightens into a grip that will leave bruising.... his prints on my body... again. The smile never leaves his face as his voice rips me...


"I wasn't asking love.... he will have his showing and you will play nice with him.... with the support of a man like Simon Green... the galery would become a world wide name over night in circles where there is big money to be made. His agent is talking about the possiblity of you doing some art work for one of his covers...

....Richards voice lowers to nothing but a whisper as he leans forward his lips just a breath away from my ear.... his grip causing me to wince in pain...

".....bitch, I own you body and soul... never fucking forget that. Now cunt, fucking smile like the whore you are....."

I smile....

 

[Exosus]

Several days later, at Simon's small house in the town

Simon stood on the balcony, looking out into the forest, when his agent clapped him heartily on the back

"Simon, your guests have arrived. Come on, don't just stand here, this girl's art is gorgeous. Her manager is a bit of a dick, but still..."

"What?" Simon blinked, then remembered

"Oh... shit... I remember. I'll come right down."

Five minutes later, Simon stood in the lounge, his eyes fixed on those of this Richard, as the fool spoke on and on about his music.

Simon knew he was lying, that he'd listened to most of the stuff just so he knew who he was dealing with. THis prick wasn't worth dealing with, and his eyes kept sliding towards Brianna

"So... shall I show you some of her work?"

"Wha?" Simon returned to reality and then nodded

"Please do."

 

[faith]

Coming down the hall, I see the door to my studio standing open. Smiling, I know I will have to be stern with her but how do you stay angry with a fairy princess? Reaching the door jam, I peek around the corner. I can’t stop the words as all the joy instantly drains out of me…

“Richard, I know it’s none of my business but what the hell do you think you are doing?”

He doesn’t even both to turn at my words…

“There is a client we are going to meet in about an hour. We need to take something to wow him.”

His hands are busy going through the my canvases as he speaks…

“Richard, not those… you know those are not for sale at any price.”

At my words, he lets the canvasses go and charges across the room, his eyes are on fire… grabbing my arm and his other hand lifts to strike…. He pulls back then checks himself…

“Fine… we won’t use them but you will be there… got me?”

“GOT ME?”

His hand is hurting me…

“Yes… Yes Richard”

At my words, he releases me…

“Go get ready… and I want you in something sexy.”

As I turn to leave, I miss the gleam in his eyes… and the whispered words

“Stupid Cow… your little green eyed bitch of a daughter is going to make me millions”

His smile is pure evil as he looks towards the canvass he had separated from the others…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pulling up infront of the small house, I pail slightly… this was the house where I first met Si… I don’t let myself finish that thought…in a subdued voice…

“Richard… who is the client?”

His voice radiates victory…. “Simon Green”

Standing in the room, I watch as Richard fawns over Simon….


"So... shall I show you some of her work?"

"Wha?" Simon’s eyes slide away from mine as he nods towards Richard

"Please do."

Watching Richard, I can see for the first time, the stack of canvasses… as he turns with one in his hand… I almost faint…. it is the portrait of Rhiannon… my beautiful daughter with Simon’s laughing green eyes…