tirgesfu

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax watched her smile. The blooms of all those flowers floating in the moonlight faded against her sudden relaxed smile. And as if that wasn’t enough she leaned against and close her eyes. There was a softness in her face and the way her hair touched his neck, that made him hold his breath a few seconds. He pulled his arm around her and watched her fall asleep.

Then he cursed himself, the moon, and the smell of all those mocking flowers. What was he doing? How could he let this happen? He never thought she would just fall asleep in his arms. He never thought he would tumble into that smile so completely. Cold water tits! He let his eyes roll to the moon. How could his lady moon let this happen?

Men and women can not be friends. Jax knew this. Every guy would take that closeness and find his way under that skirt. Or, ok, pants, in this case pants. He was trying to be nice and look what happens. She falls asleep and he has to sit there touching her, smelling her, thinking about her. She sleeps. He suffers.

Didn’t he tell himself to stay away from the sea witches? Yet as soon as he sat beside her in that Inn something smacked his silly head with ideas of being friendly, nice, kind. What was he thinking! He wanted her to see the flowers. He really did. He was looking forward to seeing her face. He really was. Jax just had no idea her smile would stir him and twist everything all around. He didn’t know the feel of her beside him, all soft and relaxed, would stiffen him up so painfully hard he was sure he would never sleep. He knew he would remember the simple feel of her even back in his hammock on the ship. He would be there with a book in his hands and he would think of her.

Damn! How did he let this happen?

Well he could just jump up and run. He could leave her here. She was a big independent bad ass sea witch after all. Practical tactical. She would shrug him off and find her way home just fine. No doubt about that.

But Jax realized he didn’t want to leave her. No, he wanted to hold her and suffer, dumb ass that he was turning into. Yes, this was his lesson. He would pretend he slept. Pretend there was nothing to this night beside this confusing, pant wearing commander whom he should not even be with. Simple, dimple, nothing doing, just a night sitting by the Night Blooms. Sure, sure, how did he let this happen?

And when the sun finally did chase the night away Jax didn’t stir at all. He listened to the birds and watched the night blooms close their scented petals. He didn't lean over and kiss the top of her hair. He didn’t stare at her rough fingers or the stretch of her legs. Well, he did, but not as much as he wanted. No, no, Jax fought his urges for one of the first times of his life. And damn it, he didn't like it at all!

As she stirred he found himself hoping she would smile again. Please smile again. But then maybe she shouldn’t. Either way when her eyes fluttered open he tilted his head and smiled to her.

“I have to piss.” He lifted his arm, sure she would find him disgusting all over again. That might make it easier. But, damn, Jax knew it wouldn’t. Instead of just pushing her off he gently unwrapped his arm.

As he stood and walked into the sugar cane, he called back to her, as if now that he wasn’t beside her, now that he couldn’t see her, now he could be the fool she expected, “You were great!" He shouted back as he leaned into this stream. "Not that you remember.But then again, neither do I.”

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

And a welcome from me the non-welcoming, welcoming committee. Jump on in. The water is fine. The best way to play is to play. (yes, yes, see? I'm the deep one)

And The New Yorker!? Ha...nice to see you about and look forward to the talents you bring. (Oh the same for the others too, just I remember Serge, so I know what to except. Some pretty good writing.)

Missing Dot already, but I'll hang on.

Now, my cookies are gone, so what's for breakfast?

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

A year? Thad froze. It was only the pressure on his chest and the feel of soft curls under his chin that let him close his mouth and think. His arms went around the small fragile doll who leaned against him. She was strong, he knew, and yet Siya allowed him to feel her delicate breakable self as she confided. Thad had a hard time taking in what she said. A year?

But even that did not seem as gut twisting as what she said of Veti. The idea that Veti pined for him, that she missed him that much was a surprise to him. For a whole year she didn’t move on? He didn’t really doubt what sweet things she had whispered under those covers but...a year? Even that didn’t hit him as much as the idea she, Veti, almost followed him. What? Followed him? Not Veti. Thad could not accept that. Not Veti. A Year?

With Siya’s head on him and his arms around her Thad looked to Atticus. He saw the truth in his eyes, the twists of his lips, the tone of his words. A year? They searched for a year to find a way to bring him back. All the powers of The Bain and Hoyle Investigation and Recovery Company took a fucking year. Not a great as advertised, Max snorted. deep inside. But Thad answered him quickly knowing that he, they, were back. It took them almost a year but he just made amazing love and felt more alive than ever. A year. And Veti had cracks. Maybe he really did have something to offer her. Maybe there was something Thad could do. For her. For Siya. He would make sure Veti would take care of those cracks. He would glue the three of them back together.

It was then Thad loosened his hold of Siya and looked down her to. Putting his finger under her chin he lifted her perfect face and those cupid lips. “I’m sorry I left you with all that. She is there, Veti, you didn’t let her go.” Thad kissed Siya’s forehead. “Thank you.” He tried to let her see the encouragement in his eyes. He was alive. He was here. It was only a year. “And what is a year to a princess of darkness who stands beside her dragon afterall?”

He let his arms fall from around her sure that Atticus could hold her better than he. Besides she gave him enough. A year. Thad took a breath and looked back to Siya. He let a small grin find its way to his face, “You let that hound and pink chick hang with you?” Thad shook his head trying to lighten the mood. But he was glad. “Now I know you care.” He tried a smart ass smile that Max found so easily but if fit harder on Thad’s face. Yet he wanted Siya to release any guilt. That would be a start. He wanted to see that smile.

“And you, monster muscles,” He smiled to Atticus, “have you ever not brought the times of tumultuous things? For once couldn’t we just get a fucking cat out of a tree or something?” He chuckled and raised one hand, twisted to stop any defence from the guy and shoot a quick glance back to Veti. He turned and smiled. “Save it all. I am starving.”

Thad took one step past the two, “Damn I haven’t eaten in almost a year!”

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

Well, just up there...right above..I said I would post tonight. Well, it isn't coming like I would like so I am going to rest it and try again tomorrow. Ok, ok, ok so sometimes my aim just ain't any good.

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

Me too!

I mean great posts worthy of praise. And it makes me want to write. Greatest complement in my book. I am aiming to get a post in later tonight.

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

He watched the small white fingers tie the knot around his neck with a flow he always admired. She moved like the night wind. When she was done he looked down and smiled up. Expertly done of course and exactly the right one, as it sat under his chin and on the light blue shirt. Siya had many talents. With a sharp lift of his chin he looked to Atticus and then back to Siya, “Princess, have you found your dragon?” He smiled right after and knew he should not wait for any response. The Max in him liked to tease but the Thad wanted to listen more. She said things he wasn’t sure he understood.

“What do you mean not there?” He twisted just a bit to look back over his shoulder at Veti as she was, smoking a cigar? Ha. He watched the smoke blow from her lips and he let himself thrill in the idea he knew them, or wanted them, or anything about them, those lips. He watched and when Veti put the cigar down he spun back to Siya and Atticus. “You’re here.”

In that moment he realized he had no idea of the time frame or the date or even the reason they were back in the same building he died in. How long? He looked to Siya and his eyes asked the question before he even got it out. “Hard? You mean you guys haven’t just been playing truth or dare or pillow games while I was dead?”

He grinned to Atticus. He looked for a change in him and although he couldn’t put his finger on it, not that he would want to, he did for the first time think that maybe time had past. How long?

“I don’t know what you mean. What happened that was hard? And why would Veti not come back?” Thad wanted to know how long but that question just didn't seem to come. It didn’t really matter. He thought the whole gang would go on pretty easy without him. He wasn’t a major player even in Siya and Veti’s affections really. Or so he thought. They were the closest he was to anyone but still, he was gone a bit, how hard would that really be? Oh he wanted them to miss him, that was a for sure. But they had each other. They had the rest of this freaky gang. They went to clubs and did stuff. How hard?

Thad paused. Siya said she wasn’t there. Veti wasn’t right by her best friends side. Had something happened? No, he couldn’t believe anything would separate them for long.

He decided to look to the boss man, the big guns, the one in charge of this. “Alright so it’s in your court, big guy.” He had been dead. He wasn’t so intimidated by the powerful anymore. “What the fuck is going on?”

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Lillian Thorne said
Oh and I get to shop for text books today, envy me, you know you all want to!

I envy Lillian. I always have.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Ah, Jax took hold of the offered beverage at his empty seat even before he sat down. All that time looking in the cupboards and here it was right at his chair. He smiled. To no one and began to take a sip while cake was served. The Captain and First Mate were doing what they should, plot and plan and plan and plot. He glanced from one to the other appreciating how well they each filled their roles. They tempt fate and the try to think their way out.

He could not help but hide in the tilt of his cup as the fair voice of the first mate sounded so tactical, practical tactical. He watched her eyes and knew she would think it through one hundred times before they even saw the foundering ship. As he watched, trying hard not to let any, even the lad, see that he could find those sparks of passion hidden in the deliberate plans the Lieutenant would make. She is a hard thinking machine. That fixed his hand and gave him a gift.

But then the Tonia was looking at him and asking about bumbo. No she didn’t really ask, she just gave him that once over question in her eyes. Or he thought she did. What was a bumbo again? Damn french. When in doubt take another drink, so Jax did.

Bed time, for the pound cake cutter and Jax gave the lad a big grin as he so politely said his good nights. He winked as Luc held up the shark’s tooth. Oh he would forget at some point of course. Boys don’t remember forever. Thanks heavens they don’t he chuckled as Tante Tonia led the lad to bed. Tuck him in Tonia.

Jax finished his drink too fast of course but this whole night was stretching out way too long and he wasn’t even half drunk, not even close. He put his hand inside his coat to feel the book that still was tucked beneath. He had a date all right, a way to end this strange night. His Lady Moon above him as he rocked in the arms of his new love the Dusk Skate and held a rare find, a book, close enough to read. He would be ready to sail. And although this crew, these planners and plotters don't know it yet, he would guide this ship right to the next treasure, of that he was sure. How did he know? Just look at her face, that first lieutenant, she would either plan them to success or die trying. And the Captain? Well, hells, he did manage to somehow sail with some damn pretty legs and still manage to keep his balls.

Still, Jax thought maybe he should go back to his first approach and stay clear of temptation. Sea witches both. He played with his now empty glass and tried to listen. But he didn’t offer much. Less talk more action. Less cake more brew.

He just turned to the Captain and smiled as he nodded. He already said he was in.

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

And ah...sorry...but I posted, thought, and then edited just a little. Got my order of things off I guess. Should have thought and then posted.

But then...edits are easy.

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

Thad was sure he was happier than he had ever been. Oh yea, his face hurt from the grin that seemed unable to end. Clean and dirty all at the same time from a shower scrub in ways he had never washed before. But he would again. Oh yes he would. And Veti would be howling right there with him. He felt sure. As he held her again under the stream of water he talked in low murmurs of the woods they would run through, of the hills they would roam, of all cities they would sleek around, and all the hunts they would take. Promises, plans, futures, pledges, Thad just couldn’t give her enough.

But as the clean cycle ended he pulled back and tenderly leaned his forehead to hers. “I am your alpha babe, but let’s hold off on the wolf pack idea just for a little. I am only now in my skin. I was dead and I was moved by someone else. I just need time to feel …” He kissed her. “Just to feel you as me.”

He sprang from the shower unwolf like and went to the massive closet in this favorite room of his had. The room was nice, very nice, but that wasn’t why it was his favorite. No, he turned around and watched Veti as she moved from the shower to find clothes. It wasn’t hard at all to know why this room would be always in his memory.

But it was time to eat, and drink, and to do that he better find clothes. Thad opened the closet door and stood there looking. He felt different. Might as well dress different too. So to his surprise he picked a very fine dark gray suit. Yea, he pulled it out and hung it right in front of him wondering. Why not? It was amazingly soft light wool and he almost choked when he saw the fine crafted lighter gray buttons in the silhouette of a wolf’s head. Yup, this was it. He found a very light blue shirt for underneath. He dressed quick just so he wouldn’t change his mind. And as an after thought grabbed two ties, one gray and blue strips and one a solid darker blue, he slung over his shoulder. Maybe a tie would be too much.

Then all dressed and ready to go he moved to Veti and wrapped his arms around her, dressed entirely or not, ready to go or not, and he spoke in her ear. “It’s time to find some food. Drink. Time to figure the next assignment and save the world again. But this time, we are sticking together.”

He opened the door for her. He knew his she wolf would need to speak to this pack of hers and he wanted to make sure he gave her room. So Thad headed to the food. But before he got all the way across the room he saw Siya again. He grinned and went to her and boss man.

“So, ah, help me out.” He looked to the small graceful friend, “Which tie?” He pointed to the two on his shoulder. She knew more than anyone how little Thad or Max knew about outfits, about fashion, about putting himself together. Besides he wanted to let her know even if he was different he stilled cared about her. Maybe more so. “And damn if I can remember how that knot goes.”