The corperate underworld, A beauty to be tamed (open)

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He noticed that she looked over at him, the action clearly a message sent to him, he just had to laugh. This bought him quite a lot of stares, the leading member finally found his voice,

"Maybe Mr Brown she is too much for you too handle, I'm sure that some other member..."

Allen held up his hand and the old man tottered to a stop, raising his eyebrows,

"Sir, to be frank, he asked for it. I can control the frightened doe with the claws and teeth of a tiger. Now if you excuse me, I have to claim what you gave me."

He rose to his feet, his eyes boring into the cold, sharklike eyes of the board members, one after the other, challenging them, but of course old sharks do not become old by taking on the young sharks and they all just turned their gaze from him. As he exited the room a handler came over to him, instructing him to follow. He did that and soon found himself ushered into a room, he could smell jasmine and the bedding and in fact the room spoke volumes about the money used in the organization. He listened to the humming from the bathroom and lowered himself into one of the chairs, mostly out of direct site when entering the room, but giving him a great view of his surroundings. Silently he waited, knowing that his dangerous little doe would appear when the time was right.

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZEpNbf4nvMo/TNOjDOqa99I/AAAAAAAAAQU/uAg-hepLkbc/s1600/9451078_14eea97db1_o.jpg

She watched the flames of the candles around her dancing their reflections on the water drawing her attention. She had heard the door open and close once choosing not to acknowledge the handler's coming and going she closed her eyes against her own awareness to it. She put pulled her hair up off her neck and leaned on it like a pillow. against the side of the massive bathtub.

Thankful for the candlelight and time alone she tried to force calm into herself as she ran her hands over the various markings on her skin from the evenings encounters thus far. An occassional tear would leave its salty trail down her cheek into the water as she took long deep breaths eventually her humming ceased and a haunting and quiet song took its place the words slow and sad but her voice stronger than when she spoke in the presense of her captors on most occasions. She sang a song of exile from her homeland which she consistantly lied about when questioned and never let on how much she actually did remember.

"Land of bear and
Land of eagle
Land that gave us birth and blessing
Land that pulled us ever homewards
We will go home across the mountains

We will go home, we will go home
We will go home, across the mountains
We will go home, we will go home
We will go home, singing our song"

She forced herself to sit up slowly reaching for one of the thick white towels and made a half hearted effort at drying herself off before pulling the white gauzey material of the gown that was obviously met to imitate one of a greek goddess or some other diety from a fantasy she wanted no part in.

"Hear our singing,
Hear our longing
We will go home across the mountains

We will go home, we will go home
We will go home, across the mountains
We will go home, we will go home
We will go home, we will go - home......"

She stood looking in the mirror for a long time steeling herself and forcing courage and strength and fight into her self to combat the fear she tasted in the back of her throat. She was thankful for the precious time alone before returning to the room where she would wait for what was sure to be a battle, the likes of which she intended to be ready for.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He listened to her sing, she had a beautiful voice, he remained motionless though, he wondered what her reaction would be, not being able to see him immediately, yet he was sure that she knew he was there.

He took in the sight as she entered, she looked refreshed, the clothing was one of a seductress and he was sure it was not something that she had picked, but of course she would not be allowed to have clothing of her own. He waited for her to notice him, to see what happens next.

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy stepped into the room and a sudden awareness causing her body to stiffen, seemed to smell him. He was behind her, in the room. She didnt turn around and face him instead stepping nearer to the table closet to her and reached for one of the candles seperating the small brass piece that fit inside her hand from the candle which she used her still damp fingers to snuff.
She tightened her fingers around the little brass candleholder her hand forming a fist and then wound one of the long ribbons of white gauzey fabric around her it making a sort of brace for her hand if she did throw a punch. But she did not turn around. She didnt want the fear in her eyes to betray her, not yet at least.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He made no move as she snuffed out the candle, her actions betrayed that she was busy doing something with the holder and he looked at the other holders, they were brass and when used right they could hurt a lot.

Motionless he waited, like a viper that waited for its prey to make the first move, the wrong move...the move that would allow him to strike.

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy turned slowly on her still damp, bare feet not lifting them from the hardwood floor speaking quietly as she turned. "I would ask how long you have been here but I feel I can place the time you may have entered...I would not have thought you would find the matter of collecting your prize so pressing as that"
She faced him and stepped to the other side of the room walking backwards on sure feet of someone who had counted in their mind many times the number of steps it took to cross the room from one point to another . Many times and at many angles. She had spent alot of time in this room and knew it well, had adjusted chairs and items carefully and with eyes closed .
After a moment she had backed herself to the chair that would seat

She lifted her chin slightly a regal gesture and smiled. "will your presense not be missed by the other sharks? Or have they already begun ingesting minnows as well?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He watched her move and smiled a cold smile,

"Collecting my prize? Oh you are already collected, now you can either sit down and let us talk like two human beings, or we can fight, in which I will have to beat you down and that is something I do not wish to do. It would just ruin how perfect you are and I don't want to do that, you are beautiful as you are."

He leaned back into the chair,

"Really up to you, what option would you rather take? A or B?"

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy straightened the flimsy cloth covering part of her legs and nodded crossing her ankles. "I would never incite violence in the place of civillized discussion" she said quietly. "Regardless of what your ..." she smiled though it was a clearly sarcastic smile "carnivorous companions would have you believe"

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He nodded,

"Good, first things first, do you have any clothing of your own? Clothing that is a bit more..."

He motioned to what she was wearing,

"Well...more."

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

She laughed, it was less a laugh more of a choked and concealed sob but she managed to make it sound something like a chuckle. "clothes....of my own?" Her lip threatened to tremble. "Do you think that my position gives me that right?....No, I haven't anything more...more" her eyes dropped to her lap, her face taking on a darker shade of pink.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He grunted as she confirmed what he had thought,

"Then we will get you something to wear, I do not like what you are wearing now."

He drummed his fingers on the arm rest,

"Tell me more about yourself, how were you brought here and so on."

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy pulled at the garmets that felt even more awkward and foriegn now than before attempting to cover herself as much as possible and frowned looking across the room at Allen as if studying his face, looking for something..some hint of deciet or honesty. "What do you want to know?...And when my story is all I have that is mine, why should I give it to you as well?" She didnt speak with the venom she spoke to the handlers and men who took time with her. She genuinely was puzzled and saddened at the prospect of being asked .

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

"I would like to know everything, if you go along, then you would soon have more than just a life story that is your own. That I can promise you and even though you have no reason to trust my word, I can always direct your attention to earlier and to the damage I could have done to you, but didn't. Maybe you should think a bit on that."

He lapsed into silence, leaving her to do her study and let her mind wander

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy kept her head down for a long moment her fingers fussing with the the flimsy fabric she wore. Finally she rose to her feet and walked over to massive bed and pulled one of the dark purple decorative throws from it and pulled it around herself like a robe before returning to her chair.

Content with the coverage she managed she inhaled slowly and deliberately. "I cant remember everything....as to how I came to be here...I dont know where here is" she whispered looking at a blank space on the wall behind Allen. "I am celtic..." She didnt specify from but the word hung longingly on her tongue for a long moment before she thuoght better of the disclosure.
"There are some of us left...tribal gypsies of a sort..though I didn't really know thats what people would call us until I was no longer there..." She played nervously with a loose thread on the gold embroidary of the throw she had reached for. "I was disobedient to the elders wishes for my future and commited crimes against my people.." She paused and sighed shaking her head. "Why do you want to know these things?...I would assume you kill me rather than risk the women there" she said finally.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

"Because it is always good to get to know a stranger if you are going to spend time with them. Not everything is black and white in this world that I live everything is gray. You may just be the only piece of white in it."

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number, on the answer from the other side he gave the address and after placing the phone back inside his jacket, he got to his feet. He looked over at her, mindful that she still had the candle holder in her hand, he motioned for her to come with him,

"Come let us go find you clothes and then a place where you will be safe from the sharks and their minions."

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy stared at Allen with a guarded and obviously confused expression. She chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes bloodshot with the effort of containing her tears. She opened her mouth to respond but the choked emotional sound that started to come out caused her to snap it shut once more. Unwinding the fabric from her hand she allowed the candle holder to roll off of her fingertips onto the floor.

She gave him a small nod and stood up cautiously, without taking her eyes from his face as she moved to follow clutching the dark purple throw around herself taking on the appearance of someone who was shielding themselves from fierce cold.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

As she passed him he laid his hand gently between her shoulder blades and closed the door behind him. He whispered in her ear,

"Please don't run or cause a scene, I may not be a shark after all."

He removed his hand and walked with her, taking the elevator down to the lobby, they stepped out. They got some stares from some patrons and grins from others. The limousine stood ready, the door open, he gently guided her into the soft, leather back seat and took place next to her. The driver got in and looked back for a destination, Allen gave him the name of a clothing store, it was a discreet place who served only the rich and famous. While not really being famous, Allen had the money, his businesses was of the most successful and that is what got him into the club at the end of the day. Without a word he pulled a silk handkerchief from his jacket and held it for her, letting her know that it was alright to be human and shed tears.

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy trembled as she followed Allen staying close and clinging to the throw she had wrapped herself in. The harsh lights of the lobby disoriented her and when they stepped outside she had been momentarily stunned by the feel of outside air. She took a couple deep breaths and her trembling grew harder to conceal. When Allen extended the piece of cloth she looked at it but didnt take it or look at him. She stared at the piece of fabric as though it would bite her every part of her shaking as her vision blurred with hot tears. She pulled her feet into the seat and hugged her knees to her chest the purple fabric falling away from her shoulders as she rested her forehead on her knees. Thats when the sobbing started first, a small whimper then uncontrollable crying that quaked through her and barely ceased for her to take her breaths in short gasps.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He shifted the handkerchief to his other hand and rested his arm around her shoulders, hugging her gently to him as he slowly rubbed his hand over her shoulder, he leaned closer to her ear, whispering so that the driver could not hear him.

"You are save now Ivy, work with me and no harm will befall you,"

he stayed like that for a while as she cried and then sat back up, offering what consolation he could without making it too apparent.

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy allowed herself to lean into the embrace for a brief moment. She took a long deep breath and nodded slightly. She uncurled herself from the tiny ball she had become in the backseat and took slow dilberate breaths with her eyes tightly closed trying to force the sea of tears to ebb.

She managed to control the violent shaking that had taken over her form and reduce them to occasional tremors that simply would cease no matter her attempts. She straightened herself and brushed the back of her hand across her face and lowering her feet from underneath her and straightening the wrinkled fabric from being twisted aroudn her legs.

Once she had found some manner of composure aside from the occasional rebellious tear that slid down her flushed cheeks, She began to examine her now even more foriegn surroundings. Her eyes scanning the clothes Allen wore and the way he held himself not ready to truly look into his face.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He pressed the handkerchief into her hand and watched her study the interior and himself, but noticed that she evaded his face. How interesting this woman was, so merciless in her attack, yet so vulnerable...vulnerability that could lure him in and end up with him nursing a broken bone or two.

He said nothing, just sat like that, one arm around her shoulders, the other hand resting in his lap as he looked out of the window. Soon they pulled up to a classy glass front and the driver hurried to open the door for him, he slipped his arm from her and got out, extending his hand to help her out of the car.

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy looked at Allen's hand and took a deep breath before placing hers in his. Her other hand held loosely to the hankerchief and clutched the purple throw holding it closed. Her eyes scanned the area, more frightening than the woods and forests had ever been to her in her life before. As she stepped out of the car she placed only the slightest pressure onto allen's hand moving herself of her own power as her eyes darted faster hinting of panic. Everything in her was screaming to run, she just couldnt think where to, it panicked her more and her muscles tensed with the inner struggle.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He quickly moved her into the building, as he was expecting the manager met them as they came through the doors.

"Good day Mr Brown, how can I help you today?"

Her gaze glided over Ivy, appraising her, a well manicured eyebrow slightly twitched at the site of Ivy's spread clutched around her, but not any other outward sign that she found it strange.

"Ah Miss Montenegro, I am looking for something that would more suit the lady's tastes. I would normally leave her in your more than capable hands, but she bites."

A slight smile curved the manager's lips upwards and she inclined her head,

"What would you prefer my dear? I am sure that somewhere in this store I will have something that will tailor your tastes."

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy frowned and her eyes scanned the room uneasily. "I....I dont know" she said distractedly pulling the throw more tightly around herself and shaking her head. She was overwhelmed by the aisles of clothes and stepped away from Allen and the woman as she touched with her fingertips the various fabrics within her sight. She gravitated towards long skirts and felt the fabrics shaking her head and looking at what she was clothed in now. The brighter colors kept her attention but she seemed lost as she struggled with the overwhelming choices and styles and colors that were before her.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He followed her, but stayed at a distance, allowing her to pick what she wanted without interference from him. The manager followed along with him,

"She seems different than the others."

He nodded not taking his eyes from her,

"She is, kept secluded only handlers came in contact with her. She is a wild one."

The manager chuckled softly,

"And you aim to tame her?"

Allen frowned,

"More make her human again, but yeah something like that."