Thread: Noblesse Obligé [Ghostwolf and Thaedael]

The clock chimed, and Clara glanced at it briefly. The time was approaching where the reception would end, which would be signalled by the band within the ballroom playing the Vorlancian anthem accompanied by Palace staff passing on the message that the reception was coming to an end, and the festivities of the day would be over. The nobles would disperse to return to their homes or to the chambers they were staying at within the Palace. The Veterans and the newly raised Officers would be free to continue socialising with each other within one of the larger drawing rooms, or retire to where they would be staying. Clara did not want that time to come, just yet anyway. She was enjoying Victorias company too much at the moment to have to retire and say goodbye to the woman for the evening. Although Clara intended to spend as much time with the woman over the next few days as she could. Clara gave a small laugh of amusement, smiling at Victoria as she mentioned the cost of her indulgence. Oh, perhaps. She did not see the need to explain to the woman just how wealthy her family were just yet. She was too pleased to see Victoria opening up and starting to relax, leaning back in her hair, to interrupt and correct her. A fine name! Clara commented, inclining her glass towards Victoria in appreciation before taking a sip of the fruity bubbling liquid. She watched Victoria drinking from the tumbler of Amasec, causing Clara to glance down at her own glass. They would both be empty soon, and that meant having to leave the safety and solitude of the drawing room to seek out more. If Victoria desired, that is. What Clara desired was right in front of her eyes. Well, that is a desire that is understandable, and one that should be more than achievable. It is certainly something I shall be able to help you with. Clara smiled sweetly at the woman. I shall contact the relevant people and set things in motion for you first thing tomorrow. I will make sure they know that the inclusion of a kitchen is of paramount importance. I will even accompany you o the viewings if you so wish? Oh, really? Well Im sure we can sort something out so you can achieve that goal Although Clara didnt quite understand it, surely it would be preferable to have someone to do your cooking for you, Yes, occasionally cooking for ones self could be fun and interesting, but all the time? The eating was something more much understandable. Clara watched the woman with a smile and an expression of interest and amusement as she continued with her list, speaking excitedly about how she was going to indulge herself, what she desired. When Victoria mentioned finding a man and marrying him, Claras expression did not change, having become a master of hiding her thoughts and expressions, stopping them from showing upon her face. A necessity amongst the nobility of Vorlancia. Yes, she had mentioned a man, but that could soon change. Especially if Clara had her way, and it wasnt often that she did not. She wondered absently if Victoria had ever been with another woman, had ever thought about it, A million, oh my! she exclaimed, exaggerating her mock surprise before laughing softly. Finding a man to father your children shouldnt prove too difficult for someone like yourself, another implied compliment slipped in, and there are certainly plenty of men here tonight to choose from. His hand on her shoulder drew Elizabeths attention back to Ilya, and she let him turn her so that they were facing each other, the railing against her back. He stood before her, sheltering her from the storm, from some of the watching eyes. Taking her hands into his own, her gaze followed the movement as he placed her small dainty hands upon his hips. His clothing was wet, and she could feel a hint of the hardness of his body that lay hidden beneath his uniform, the running dye already beginning to paint her palms. A finger moved under her chin, tilting her head up. Her gazed moved to meet his eyes with her own, deep pools of blue watching him. The way he looked at her, she knew what was coming, she welcomed it. Even so, she stiffened slightly, her eyes widening as his lips touched against hers. Her heart seemed to stop for a moment, her breath catching in her lungs. She pulled back ever so slightly, but not enough as to break contact with his lips. A little unsure, a little surprised. Was this what he wanted? Was this right? She didnt know. His lips were against hers, and that was what she wanted. She relaxed, melting against him, her eyes becoming half-lidded as she kissed him back, slowly moving her soft lips against his. Their bodies were touching, the way she was stood causing Beths back to arch as her head was tilted up to kiss Ilya, gently pressing her breasts against his chest. She closed her eyes, a fluttering in her stomach causing her hands to tighten where they rested on his hips, and she kissed him more fervently. After a few moments she stopped, her breathing deepened, and her lips cured into a smile as they still barely brushed against his. A small sweet giggle escaped her, it was cute, almost as if she was embarrassed. They had just kissed on a balcony in the rain, like one of the clichd romance novels she had quickly grown out of in her teens. There was certainly some truth in them however, her heart thumping in her chest, her cheeks flushed and her lips parted as she breathed. She opened her eyes, finding his own and looking at him. She laid on his lips a series of quick little pecks, gauging his reaction. One of her hands moved from his hip, travelling up his uniform, the dye of which had run onto her dress. She ran her hand upwards, feeling the hardness of his muscles that lay beneath in contrast to her soft curves, stilling against his chest and balling in the wet fabric. Ilya she breathed, unsure of what she wanted to say, what she wanted to express. Instead she settled for seizing his lips once more in a passionate kiss. He did not know what he had unleashed. She vaguely remembered that they were being watched, but she didnt care. To the Warp with what they thought. She was lost in Ilya, the feel of his lips against hers. She was dead to anything else. Elizabeth! Come inside at once girl! But the booming voice of the Governors Seneschal could wake the dead.