Lunari
34
Unattached
Sailor for deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Shane O'Sullivan on Nov 23, 2020 19:39:07 GMT -5
Shane didn’t know whether to be worried or amused by this whole thing. On one hand, it was nice to see Wesley all smiles and laughs again...but he had also briefly spoken with Helene. There was something very wrong and something Wes didn’t know about. And Shane knew she didn’t just give in that easily. She was giving his friend this one day before possibly breaking his heart all over again.
Although he joked and took the jab to the shoulder for his comment, he didn’t say much else. He casually leaned back against the railing and watched the mild chaos unfold before the two were climbing down into the small boat. Sully shifted a little to watch as Wesley rowed them towards the cliffs and he sighed lightly at Elliot’s words.
“I don’t know,” he admitted quietly out loud. “She’s...frightened of something, something that could hurt him.” His bright eyes drifted to the captain, not wanting to say anymore but he might as well at this point. “I’m afraid she’s just going to break him further. So, we should be prepared for that all over again…” Because that’s what love did. It made you feel good for a very brief time before it ultimately destroyed you.
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Aquila
57
Widowed
Sailor
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Elliot Walsh on Nov 28, 2020 20:37:14 GMT -5
The mirth that had been in Elliots eyes before watching Kit and Siren soon faded and he crossed his arms over his chest as he watched, then getting further and further away in the distance. He glanced at Shane, hearing what he had to say. Seemed Siren had opened up, or at least as much as she could to Sully while he’d been dealing with Kit.
He rested a hand on Shane’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t count Kit out lad. Are ye fergittin’ who he is?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. “She might be afraid, but she needs to know she’s got people ta help her. She don’t have to go at it alone, and she needs ta know whatever trouble she’s in, she’s got a deGrey in her corner.” Elliot said, voicing his thinking. “The craziest deGrey at that…” He chuckled. He glanced at the other man, his hand tightening on his shoulder. “Love makes ye do crazy things Sully, but once ye git a taste of it, it’s not something ye can let go of that easily. Even if it destroys ye. And if ye find yer soul mate? Aye….That’ a whole other beautiful monster…” He patted his shoulder before he started to towards the stairs. “C’mon, I’ll play ye at cards while we wait fer our love birds ta git back.” He chuckled.
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Tendy
27
Widowed
Noble
Tier 3 Character
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Post by Helene Hewitt on Nov 28, 2020 20:39:38 GMT -5
Helene watched Welsey with amusement as he slid down the railing and went over to where their row boat was getting ready. An adventure he said? What sort of adventure? Her dark eyes went to where he nodded towards and she took in the waterfall with greedy curiosity, and let that excitement show in her eyes. She hadn't been allowed to travel around Tresteria, let alone leave the city, so seeing it’s hidden treasures was certainly something she was going to greatly enjoy. Especially with Wesley.
“Of course I can swim!” She scoffed, but she was grinning as she followed him down over the side of the boat using the rope ladder. It was certainly a bit to get used to as it moved with her, but she managed it just fine. She sat on one of the benches while Wesley began to row them away from the ship, and she couldn’t help but tilt her head back to look at the giant thing. It looked so much different out here then at port. Larger, the ship was definitely larger, and she waved up at a few of the sailors, before her dark eyes looked to where they were headed.
The waves could definitely be felt more in the smaller boat but she didn’t mind it in the slightest. She found herself leaning over the side slightly, to run her fingers through the water, letting her fingers skim the top of the blue water. It was certainly cold, but not unbearable. She found herself smiling contently. How many times had she dreamed of this moment? Of being out on open water in the ocean without a care in the world? She felt her chest warm with happiness. Of a pleasure only the little things could give her. She leaned back into the boat settling in for their ride to shore, and her eyes landed on the individual that was responsible for all this. “What sort of adventure are you taking me to?” She asked curiously. Wondering what had been so important for him to request an hour of shore leave. She found herself scooting a bit closer, watching him as he rowed, taking in the way his arms moved with the ores.
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Lunari
34
Unattached
Sailor for deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 2 Character
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Post by Shane O'Sullivan on Dec 4, 2020 22:15:10 GMT -5
Shane hadn't meant to be so blunt, but it was the truth. Elliot knew of his history and what had happened...the way he blamed himself for his sister's death. No, her murder and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. For a while, he had been convinced by others that it had been purely an unfortunate accident. And yet, the more he thought about it for all of these years, the more he kept seeing her face every time he tried to sleep and recalling every single detail of that night, Shane couldn't believe it hadn't been intentional. He could never look at his father the same way and it was why he fled and found this crew. Elliot had become more of a father to him and it was something he'd always be grateful for.
The hand to his shoulder snapped him out of his thoughts, and bright eyes drifted to the rowboat that was already becoming tinier in the distance. He remained quiet, but he allowed a small smirk to curl his mouth. Ah yes, Wesley was perhaps the craziest deGrey, and the man would have their back in a heartbeat. Perhaps Shane should have his right now. Still, his words to Helene, although they went against his friend's intentions, was all said because he worried for him. His eyes narrowed playfully as the old sailor began to go on about love and soul mates and he had to refrain from saying anything negative. "Aye, right…exactly why I'm avoidin' it." Okay, somewhat negative.
He laughed with him and followed him down the steps.
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Dec 4, 2020 22:25:30 GMT -5
He almost couldn't contain his excitement. They often sailed around the island this way, but this was the first time he had ever requested they stop. They were just outside the city, behind the castle, and there was that small waterfall he and his brothers used to frequent. It had been awhile and he hoped it was still there.
Although he wanted to row as quickly as he possibly could, he paced himself. The ship wasn't terribly far from shore, but it still would wind him, so he gripped tightly to the oars and allowed the waves to help. Fortunately, the wind was in their favor and the ocean was cutting down the rowing time by nearly half.
He watched as she regarded the ship, waving at a few of the crew that overlooked their departure. "My father bought that ship," he told her. "Made Elliot captain and they both decided to call her The Anne after both their wives." Wesley was chuckling then, shaking his head at himself. "Though, I may or may not have rechristened her when I took over the company. I'm fairly certain I was drunk, and Shane claims that I wanted to change her to The Nagging Anne." He leaned forward to whisper, as if his mother would be able to hear him from all the way out there. "Do you know how much she would kill me if she found that out?" In all honesty, he was surprised none of his brothers had told on him yet. Maybe they really did love him after all, because their mother would definitely kill him for it.
Softly, his laughter died off and he continued to propel them towards the cliffs. Wesley’s gaze was on her as she found contentment in this little trip, her fingers skimming across the water, and she'd come to find he was already watching her when she finally decided to look over. "Well-" he began, glancing over his shoulder real quick to judge how much farther they had to go. "It's a place I discovered when I was a lad. A cave of wonders." He tried to make it sound more mysterious than it really was, which prompted another light chuckle from deep within his chest.
The water was becoming a little calmer as they rounded about a section of cliffs and they were swiftly nearing the falls. There was a part in the cascade of water that wasn't as heavy, so he aimed the rowboat through that as best as he could. "You might get a little wet," he warned before they crashed through. Wesley actually gasped, not expecting the water to be that chilly still but it certainly woke him up! And they hadn't gotten terribly wet, but they were about to. Quickly setting the oars inside the boat, he was rising up to his knees so he could reach out for the small cave wall and slow them down. There was a large iron spike that had been hammered into the stone so he roped them off to ensure their vessel didn't go anywhere without them.
It was a small cave, loud behind the waterfall, but the morning sun was just in time to shine through the watery veil and paint the inside walls with rainbows of color. Wesley wasn't looking, though, because he was quickly taking off his boots and unbuttoning his vest. "I just have to make sure it's still there." No, he wasn't going to elaborate, even while his smile grew and the child-like excitement glinted in those blue eyes. "So you-" A pause, he was drawing his shirt over his head and tossing it at her. "Stay right here." The water was going to be cold but not enough to induce hypothermia unless they planned on staying in it for the entire hour (which they weren't) so he decided to keep his shirt dry...considering he was probably going to have to give her his spare when they got back to the ship.
He practically leapt out of the small boat and straight into the water with a bit of a splash. It was only a few moments, barely even a minute before his head broke through the surface and he was gasping, "Oh shite, that was colder than I thought!" Treading water, he flicked his head once to try and get that mop of hair out of his eyes. "It's not that bad though, I promise," he half lied, reaching up to jokingly pull down on the side of the rowboat as though threatening to tip her out. "C'mon."
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Tendy
27
Widowed
Noble
Tier 3 Character
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Post by Helene Hewitt on Dec 4, 2020 23:26:16 GMT -5
Helene listened to the history lesson about the ship, finding great amusement in the fact that both men had named it after the wives with a shared name and that Wesley had thought it funny to rename it after his apparently nagging mother. She knew she already liked the woman. She had four highly respectable sons who all had giant hearts and a kindness she had never experienced from any men before save for maybe Elliot. She had the urge to meet the woman who had given birth to the deGrey men. Wondering what she was like. Though, from the stories she heard at Yule she was a stern one, who knew just how to keep her boys in line. She almost opened her mouth to say not as much as the bee’s in the house, or the robber story, but decided not to bring such things up while they were in open water. That would not go well in her favor with Wesley driving the boat, and she still had dear Lucian to protect. She couldn’t give away her ammunition quite yet.
“A cave of wonders?” She asked, clearly curious. Her eyes went to the waterfall again, wondering what sort of secrets it might hold. What had little Wesley found as a boy? She was going to find out. She was bound and determined too now, especially as they neared the waterfall. The waters bringing them right to it with Wesley’s guidance. She could tell they were going to get wet either way, there was no avoiding it. Just depended on how much they were going to get wet. She mentally prepared herself, or tried too for the small shower. She’d seen Wesley gasp at the coldness, and she soon followed suit. Letting a small shriek out at the coldness, she shivered, before she let a small laugh out. This was all a part of the adventure, she was too giddy and excited to be bothered by cold water.
Helene watched as Wesley tied their vessel off on the metal spike and then watched as he began to take his boots and vest off. She tilted her head slightly in question. “Look for what?” She asked, but he didn’t answer her and she narrowed her eyes at him before he was removing his boots and vest before he was standing and telling her to wait there. Well...She couldn’t very well go anywhere, she was in a boat. She watched as he removed his shirt then, and for a moment the shirt nailed her in the face because she was too busy staring for a moment. She’d felt those same muscles she was currently seeing the night of Yule, though she hadn’t been able to see them until now, and she felt her breath hitching. Especially once she saw what was around his neck before he dove in. The fact he was still wearing it and they hadn’t even known they were going to see the other that day shook her. He’d worn it, even after she told him to let him go. What did that mean? The scene from the ship where he’d marched up onto the helm and kissed her for everyone to see was what it meant. He wasn’t going to quit. And neither was she. Even if she wore hers as well. Helene had realized the night of the ball there would be no one else but Wesley. She might have to marry someone she didn’t want, and they could have a peaceful life, but they would never hold her heart. Because it would belong to the Lord Sailor. Always. He wasn’t gone that long at all. Just long enough for her to fold his shirt and set it on the bench, and put his boots and vest in neat pile. He reappeared then and her curiosity was growing. The excitement was back, she could already tell she was going to like this. This was going to be fun.
She couldn’t help but laugh as he commented on the coldness of the water. “And you want me to get in then?” She asked, as if she didn’t think it would be a very good idea. Clearly she should stay in the boat if it was that cold. She wasn’t going to though. There was adventure to be had, and she would have it. “Alright, alright, hold your horses.” She giggled as he came over, threatening to tip the boat. She playfully glared at him before she was removing her own boots and vest. Tossing them into her own pile. She wasn’t about to remove her shirt in front of Wesley, she did however shimmy out of her pants. Because out of the things she wanted dry, dry pants were always better.
She stood up, her tunic covering the important bits as it hit her mid thigh. If Wesley was paying attention, because there was a half naked woman now in front of him, he’d certainly see the silvery white scars on her left leg that looked eerily similar to the one she’d had on her forearm. She stepped onto the bench then and jumped in feet first. The water consumed her. She found she could hear the faint roar of the waterfall in the water, and the icy grips of its fingers as it chilled her body. It was definitely cold, but she found it rather peaceful under the water. For a moment she just stayed down there. Content to just possibly fade away and become one with the deep blue. To forget her problems and responsibilities. She knew it wasn’t something that could happen though, and she knew Wesley was still waiting for her to come up. She moved then, kicking her feet to take her to the surface. She could see where he was treading water although it was blurry. Quiet as she could be, she came up right behind him. Reaching up to grab the side of the boat to help keep herself afloat.
“Alright Sailor, where are we goin?” She murmured, her lips near his ear before she pressed a kiss on the side of his neck and then on his shoulder before she was drifting away. Grinning at him.
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Dec 14, 2020 23:34:20 GMT -5
It was a rare occurrence if he ever took that necklace off. Even though she had left him broken and confused for all of these weeks, he couldn't bring himself to remove it. Maybe he thought it would serve as a better reminder of what he shouldn't be hoping for, what he shouldn’t ever let happen again instead of what he originally thought it stood for. But now, however, he was certain that his "something" was her, and he was damn sure going to fight to keep her.
He treaded water as his grinning face looked up at her, knowing she wouldn't back down even if the water was frigid. He knew it because she was like him in that way and she relished a good challenge, big or small. And, of course, he was quite obviously staring as she slipped out of those trousers, and he waggled his brows for insinuating affect. However, his amused expression faltered a bit at the sight of those scars, only for a moment before she was jumping in.
For a few seconds, he could feel his anger rise, recalling what Elliot had said. Remembering Davide. Remembering how much he immediately distrusted the man. Remembering Clarence and his sickly smiles. Then, suddenly, he forgot it all when he heard the subtle splash of water, like it had been disturbed by something else, the light pull down on the rowboat. Wesley heard her voice right behind him before he felt the kisses against his skin. His own breath hitched and he didn't know what came over him. Obsession, or his own form of possession maybe.
"First off-" As Helene tried to drift away, he was shoving from the boat to snag an arm around her waist, drawing them both to the rocky wall. His other hand was reaching up, taking hold of that iron stake so there was no need to tread water as she was gently crushed between him and the stone.
Well, wasn't this a somewhat familiar position.
There was no need for words because his mouth was slanting down on her own, suddenly having this need to kiss her, to realize she was actually there. It was short and passionate because they were limited on time, but when he drew back, his forehead was resting against hers; heavy lidded eyes gazing down at her with a sudden seriousness. "I'm...glad that you're here..." That was all he could bring himself to say before he slowly drifted away from her.
The excitement was quick to come back, though, as he led her by the hand towards the far end of the small cave. "There's a very short tunnel to swim through. So just hold your breath and hold tight to my hand." Whenever she was ready, he drew in a deep breath and ducked under the water. His grip was tight around her hand while he swam down towards the opening. It was wide enough that they'd be able to travel through together, and as promised, it wasn't very long.
He crashed through the surface again, slowly trudging through the water to feel the cool, damp air against his skin. He shivered for a second before the chill was ignored and he was softly gasping air back into his lungs. The rocky floor had turned into an incline, leading them into a narrow, tunneled pathway, where sunlight broke in through open areas above as the ground beneath them turned into sand. The path wasn’t long, and eventually they set foot into another cave, a little larger than the last. The morning sun spilled in through a large hole in the ceiling, closest to the wall that faced the sea, basking the moss covered rocks in warmth.
Upon further inspection, she might come to find a few old lanterns scattered about the place, left and forgotten for so many years. There was even a wobbly chair at the far corner and what appeared to be remnants of a firepit. All around them, however, painted and etched onto the walls were drawings. It was clear they had been drawn by children, looking as though they were documenting exciting encounters with large sharks, dragons, and possibly even a kraken.
A smile broke out onto his face as he finally let go of her hand, wandering closer to one. It depicted four figures, each armed with a sword or other weapon, attempting to defend the city from a fire breathing dragon. Well, he assumed that was a dragon...it was a little hard to tell by this point. His fingers brushed over the fading paint as his voice softly broke the silence, echoing gently inside the cave, “I discovered this place as a boy...and my brothers used to come here all the time.” And he couldn’t recall the last time they had, honestly.
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Tendy
27
Widowed
Noble
Tier 3 Character
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Post by Helene Hewitt on Dec 20, 2020 14:41:13 GMT -5
A small fit of laughter came from Helene as Wesley wrapped his arm around her and moved her to the wall. “First off what?” She giggled lightly, before she was being pulled against the wall in a very similar situation that they’d been in weeks before. There was no threat of being caught now, just that they were low on time and would possibly turn into prunes. Before she could say a word though, Wesley was kissing her, and her hands went up to cup his face instinctively. This was her favorite kiss of theirs so far she decided. All her favorite things wrapped into one moment. It was sweeter, and it meant a hundred times more. Even if she’d have to break his heart again later, for the moment...it was just the two of them, and the seawater around them, and this little adventure he’d decided to take her on.
When he pulled back and rested his head against hers, she felt her breathing catch from the way he was looking at her and what he said. He certainly wasn’t going to make this easier on her. Not in the slightest. “I’m glad to be here…” She whispered back before he was drifting away. She followed after him. She nodded when she was ready to follow him under, holding her breath she went under, holding to his hand as tightly as he was holding onto hers and followed him into the tunnel. The anticipation was building, as well as the excitement. She couldn’t help but grin as they swam through the tunnel, not caring that it was several degrees colder. She was already loving this. Already loving this little hour long adventure with him.
As they broke the surface on the other side, she was gasping for air when they came up, unable to keep her teeth from chattering from the cold as she followed him up the small path. Her head was on a swivel as she looked up and around the new cave they were in. Her eyes were wide in awe, at the natural beauty of it all. This hidden little gem was in Tresteria all along? Hidden away from the adult eyes so four little boys could come and have their safe haven, she was quickly realizing as she noted the childlike signs. Wesley let go of her hand as they exited the pool and she wrapped her arms around herself. Shaking slightly from the cold.
She slowly walked over to one of the walls, down from where he was standing. Running a finger gently across the stone as she walked, taking in the wall paintings. Her chest was very tight all of a sudden, and she felt the sudden urge to cry. This was a special place. A very special place from the old lanterns, chair, and cave paintings. This had once been a magical place for the deGrey boys. A place Wesley had found to share with his brothers, and now...He was sharing it with her.
Her heart constricted, and she came to a stop. Seeing what looked like a pirate ship, and fishes painted now under the “water.” It brought a smile to her face and she ran her fingers over it, before she was looking up and over her shoulder at the ceiling. Seeing the light coming in, illuminating the cave. She had tears in her eyes that she was going to blame on the salt water if he asked. Damn him...Damn him to hell… She wanted to yell at him again. Demand he show her the way out so she could walk home. He was not making this easy. He was making this so difficult, and she…
She found herself jealous all of a sudden. Jealous of this secret place that he had shared with his brothers. It was a place he clearly cherished. Wanting to share with her, and she was angry that she didn’t have something like this to share with him. She wasn’t angry at Wesley, but more so her father from robbing her and her sister of opportunities like this. Robbing them of their whole childhood.She didn’t have memories with Mari to share with him like he had with his brothers. There was no robber story, or story about the bee’s and whisky. There was not Patchy, there was just….
Yelling. Shouting. Things breaking. Her mother crying. Helene holding Mari at night, telling her not to cry. Singing softly to her sister, telling her mother would be alright. Everything would be okay. The morning would come and they’d have survived another day. She’d had terror and fear. A monster of a father. She bit her lip, forcing those thoughts away. Or trying too, as Davide was still haunting her. She’d angered him. There had been murder in his eyes on Yule. If Darragh and Angus, or even Mari hadn't tried to stop him, he would have killed her for what she’d done. What she’d done for Wesley. Her misfit deGrey. The man she was intent on protecting at all costs. The man whose heart she’d have to shatter that night.
She found herself slowly wandering towards him. Her arms wrapped around herself, and her hands shoved up under her armpits to keep her warm as she approached him. “It’s beautiful…” Her voice was soft as she stood next to him. Admiring the wall art. “I have to admit, I’m a bit jealous…” she chuckled lightly, but the laughter never met her eye. “Mari and I didn’t have a secret cave to adventure in.” She smiled. Helene turned her head to glance at him. “Our mother used to tell us stories though. Of far off lands, and of little girls who would go on adventures. Who were brave and bright, and could face anything the world threw at them.” She found herself whispering. The sadness entered her eyes for a moment before it was gone with a sigh. “How did you find this place?” She asked suddenly, very curious to know how a small boy would find this cave. Although knowing Wesley...she had an inkling she shouldn’t be surprised by anything he ended up saying.
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Dec 21, 2020 21:17:55 GMT -5
Pulling his attention from the wall when she walked past him to inspect one of the other drawings, his head canted slightly. He couldn't help but let bright blues trail up the length of those bare legs, all the way up to the wet hair atop her head as he noted how wonderfully that tunic clung to every curve of her body. Lord have mercy. Oh, maybe this was proving to be a mistake, but Wesley was quick to remind himself that time was limited, and he had genuinely wanted to show her this little hideaway he had cherished for so many years.
Get a hold of yourself, man.
It helped to realize that she was cold and it made him remember that they probably shouldn't linger for too long. Spring had only very recently come to Tresteria, so the water was still fairly chilly. What he really noticed, however, was how the light seemed to go out in her eyes. There were thoughts running around in that head of hers, her spoken words solidifying it, and all he wanted to do was ask what was wrong. He just feared that if he did, she would shrink away from him. She couldn't do that. Not yet, not ever.
Wesley ran his hands up and down her arms to try and warm her up before drawing her against his chest. He was cold, certainly, but he was pretty used to this by now. "I can share this one," he said about the cave, when she mentioned that she and Marinette didn't have something like this. He was trying to lighten the mood, to get rid of that tension in the air that seemed to come out of nowhere. "And when you go on those very adventures she told you about...you can document them here." The grin returned. In a way, he was joking...and yet, he also wasn't. It was obvious that the childish drawings were all made up stories, ones acted out in their imagination, but it didn't matter. There was still plenty of free space for more on the rocky walls, and maybe at the back of his mind, Wesley thought Olivia and any possible other deGrey children would carry on the tradition. It was silly to think of that now.
"I'm an explorer...it's what I do," he said, so matter of fact with an ever growing smile. Drawing one of her hands up between them, he idly kissed her knuckles as his attention flickered to a section of the cave, where another entrance would have been overlooked. He shrugged his shoulders. "I just happened upon it one day as a boy. I was...maybe eight?" Wesley couldn't quite recall, but he did remember how excited he was to show his brothers about it. It was their secret clubhouse, so to speak. No one else knew about it but them, and for many years it had remained so. "We never brought anyone else here. It was only just the four of us...except when Olivia was born, I carried her in here with hopes she would grow to enjoy it as much as I did." But, all of them had stopped coming here years prior to that, and this was the first time in several years he had bothered to return.
Of course, he realized he gave away the fact that there was, indeed, another entrance to this place. A much more drier path than the one they took because he obviously didn't swim through that tunnel with a baby! His grin was shy for a moment before he accepted that she might hit him, or murder him, whatever the case. "There's another way to get in, of course, from the beach. I, uh...just wanted to see you all wet." Look, he wasn't going to lie, alright? His intentions should have been so very obvious from the start.
Whether she hit him, berated him, both or neither, he was spotting something in the middle of the cave and dragged her over to it. At first, it was nothing but a pile of rocks, but the big grin on his face made it clear that it was something more. Wesley let her go to drop down to his knees, carefully removing the stones in order to reveal, to his delight, a wooden chest. He recalled there being a lock on it before but it was no longer there, so he opened it where the contents made him immediately laugh.
There was an old, beat up compass that Triston had given him forever ago. There was also some very old, rolled up parchment and a quill, alongside a bottle of dried up ink that William had probably put in there. He unfurled the paper to see what looked to be a treasure map, and one that had been completely made up, he was sure. Reaching in, though, he pulled out a small carved figurine of a knight which had been Lucian's contribution and smiled widely over it. There were so many random things inside that chest and he was amazed that it was all still there.
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Tendy
27
Widowed
Noble
Tier 3 Character
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Post by Helene Hewitt on Dec 23, 2020 23:17:35 GMT -5
Wesley was rubbing her arms, trying to get some heat in her and she smiled softly before she was pulled against his chest. Even if he was cold, he seemed to cause her body to feel like it was on fire from his touch. She made herself forget, or at the very least try to forget, that he was shirtless. That she had no pants on save for her undergarments and tunic that was clinging to her body. Thank god we’re not in that ballroom… She thought. If someone had seen them in their current states they would definitely be in trouble.
He was going to make her cry. If she wasn’t careful, he’d have her bawling her eyes out before the end of the day. Her face softened considerably and she rested her hands against his chest as she looked up at him. “I might hold you to it. Don’t be alarmed if you come back here to find a mural on a wall.” She said with a soft smile. Only being half serious. If given the opportunity she just might though.
She watched as he took one of her hands, pressing kisses into her knuckles, and she peered up at him as he told her how he found the cave. Her eyebrows arched in surprise. She shouldn’t have been. She should have known this was a very Wesley like thing to do. Her eyes narrowed at him. Not believing for a second he would bring a baby through that tunnel and frigid waters. Which meant there was another way in, and that was how he found it. A child out in the ocean like the way they came in at? Very hard to believe…
He admitted to the other entrance then, his remark about wanting to see her all wet, had her eyes shooting open in surprise. She didn’t hit him, she didn’t berate him, in fact she laughed at him. “You just wanted to take the fun way in.” She told him. She’d signed up for an adventure, and a hidden cave behind a waterfall had adventure written all over it. They’d already been intimate within that ballroom, and Helene wasn’t concerned in the slightest about him seeing her dripping wet from the ocean. The only thing she was really concerned about and a bit insecure over was covered by her tunic, that he thankfully couldn’t see.
She was being dragged over to a pile of rocks then, and she looked curiously at the pile. Seeing Wesley reaching down for something, and she could herself crouching down next to him while he uncovered the chest. He was immediately laughing, and it brought a smile to her face as she watched him pull it forward and open it up to reveal the contents.
Her eyes looked curiously at the contents before her eyes drifted up to watch his face instead. Loving instantly the nostalgia and excitement. Loving the fact he’d wanted to share this with her again. She was going to remember this day. Every moment of it, here with him. Even if it hurt later, she was glad to be there. She bent her head, kissing his shoulder as she wrapped her arms around her legs and looked back into the chest. “What did you put in there?” She asked. Afraid to reach in herself. It felt... wrong. Not right, or like an intrusion into a life that hadn’t been hers. These were precious memories between Wesley and his brothers, and she didn’t want to risk anything happening to them. Tainting them. She was afraid of tainting them, like she was afraid of tainting Wesley.
Her nails dug into her skin, and her chest seized. Feeling the need to get up and walk away again. To leave. It was too painful. It was going to be too painful if she waited until tonight. She’d promised him the whole day though. To think about it. She couldn’t think about it, because it wasn’t going to happen. It couldn’t happen. She rested her chin on her knees, glancing up at him. “Is it like a time capsule or your very own buried treasure?” She asked curiously, a small smile spreading across her lips while she contemplated finding the exit to the beach, or finding the words to tell him she was grateful he’d brought her there but she thought it best she go. She didn’t want to hurt him though. She saw the way he looked at her. The way he’d kissed her before they’d come in here, showed her he was happy she was there. She let a small sigh out. Knowing then that she wouldn’t leave him in this place. She wouldn’t break his heart in this sacred place. It was going to have to wait. It would have to wait.
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Dec 24, 2020 1:02:48 GMT -5
If Wesley knew what this place was doing to her, well...he wouldn't have stopped. It wasn't that he was trying to be cruel or wished to see her so hurt, but he was trying to break down her walls again, dig deeper this time. He had wanted to share this place with her because it meant something to him, because she meant enough to him and that he cared enough for her to share the secret cave that had once been a sanctuary for him. Whether she had been serious or not, it would have delighted him to see other stories depicted upon these walls. He would have loved to see Olivia, even the princes, utilizing this place like he and his brothers once had. It was "magic", it was a place for memories...and it had gotten so quiet and forgotten. “Then draw a mural,” he said. Maybe it was even a challenge. “I always thought future deGreys would add to it, but...y’know-” He ended that with a slight shrug of his shoulder. William had been the only one who bothered to marry and was blessed with a child. It appeared as though the other three were going to simply die of old age and not ensure the deGrey name was passed on.
Hand gently nudged some of the items aside, grinning softly with the kiss to his shoulder but he refrained from happily returning such a favor. Time was limited, he reminded himself. The small chest was filled with so many random things, items he actually didn't even remember or recall how they had gotten in there. His brothers must have thrown them in at some point. 'What did you put in there?' "I think I've added quite a few things in here..." he replied quietly.
Lips pursed in thought, scrounging around a little more before he pulled out a gold coin that had long ago lost its shine. "First 'treasure' I ever found. Was right near the caves here, actually. On the beach." Tossing that back in, he sought for anything else he could remember. He drew out a piece of blue sea glass, holding it up to inspect. "Found that in the sand near the docks with my father...a little after he and Elliot got the ship." Wesley reached for one of her hands to place it within her palm, closing her fingers over it. "You keep that one." She could protest all she wanted but he wasn't going to take it back. Plus, he was already pulling something else out of that treasure chest that immediately had him laughing.
Holding it up, it appeared to be a handle to something. To a vase, to be precise, and to one of the vases he had broken when the "robber" came into the house as a lad...a story that Wesley still did not realize that she was aware of. "Wow...I did not know I actually put this in here..." A hand ran down his face in soft embarrassment.
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Tendy
27
Widowed
Noble
Tier 3 Character
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Post by Helene Hewitt on Dec 24, 2020 22:06:28 GMT -5
Helene’s head tilted to the side slightly as she watched him dig around, holding up his different treasures that he put in there as he showed her each one. She found that the smile broadened on her face until he was giving her the sea glass. “Oooooh no! That’s yours!” She tried to protest as he took her hand and put it in her palm. She glared at him as she brought the stone close, holding it up to the light and admiring the rich blue of it. She’d never seen anything like it before. It was beautiful really. Like a piece of the ocean in physical form. Her fingers curled around it, reaching up to her breast pocket she unbuttoned it and then slipped it in, buttoning it back up so she wouldn’t lose it when they had to leave. She wanted to argue, but he was distracted by something and his laughter drew her attention towards him.
She leaned in to see what he was laughing at. Tilting her head to the side, her brows furrowed in confusion. “Is that...A vase handle?” she asked. She looked up at him, seeing him run his hand over his face, and then it hit her. Her eyes went wide, and she quickly covered her mouth to keep herself from laughing. No...It couldn’t be. The robber story she’d been told came flooding back, and she was biting her bottom lip. Trying to keep her face schooled so she didn’t give herself away. She had to keep her secret! She had to keep Lucian safe! Though, out of the stories she’d been told she had to protect Patches. That one would get Lucian killed, and that one was her greatest amo to use against Wesley.
“What’s….it from…” She asked, starting to giggle because she couldn’t help it. She began to laugh, leaning her head against his shoulder as she reached out for it. Taking it from him to look at it. If he had this, what else did he have? The broom still from the bees? The whisky bottle? She definitely had to find out if he had Patchy still. That was her big burning question. She slowly realized then she wouldn’t get it answered unless she asked now, because later….well...there wouldn’t be a later tonight. She turned her head slightly, pressing her lips into his skin. The action just came naturally to her, showing him her affection this easily. As much as she wanted to know, it was probably going to be the question she took to her grave. She’d wait. “I should ask, what did you do?” She giggled handing him the handle back.
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Dec 24, 2020 22:25:17 GMT -5
No, he didn't save anything else from those stories his brothers had been oh so happy to share. There was some sort of bottle in there, though, with a rolled up piece of parchment in it, but it wasn't the whiskey bottle. He idly wondered what it was before she was inquiring about the vase.
Wesley got off his knees and sat down, giving the handle up when she reached for it. His head was leaning towards her out of habit now while she sat so close, her lips gently kissing his shoulder as she studied the piece of porcelain. He turned his face to press a kiss to the top of her head and murmur into her wet hair. "A vase from the house growing up," he answered her, letting his eyes drift to the handle in her hand. He pressed his lips together, trying to refrain from repeating that story because it was absurd, it was completely ridiculous...but he had been a child, thank you very much! It wasn't a bad fib story for a wee lad, truthfully. Anne deGrey just wasn't a stupid woman.
"What did I do?" Wesley pretended to be offended by that, but the mirth was glinting in his eyes again when he turned to look at her. "And what makes you think that I had anything to do with this, hmm?" The piece was back in his grasp and he glanced down at it again. "I'm... innocent," he flat out lied and didn't even try to act like he wasn't fibbing again. "It was a robber, in the middle of the night." The amused smile on his face softened a little bit. "This was mother's favorite, too." Which was why he kept a part of it in here. Anne had the vase repaired but it went until this very day without it's handle. It was "never found"
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Tendy
27
Widowed
Noble
Tier 3 Character
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Post by Helene Hewitt on Dec 24, 2020 22:49:34 GMT -5
Helene was biting her lip, stifling another laugh as she glanced up at him. “Just a feeling.” She informed him, her nose scrunched slightly, and even she couldn’t hide the laughter as he lied and said he was innocent. Sure he was. “Sure you are.” She laughed again, looking up at him. The grin never fading from her face.”I bet you're 'innocent’ when it comes to a lot of things.” She said clearly amused and not believing him.
“She must have been devastated. Did the robber break it while trying to steal it?” She was about to out herself she knew. It was going to get harder for her to keep her mouth shut. She was enjoying this time in here with him, however, despite the sadness and knowing she would have to break him later. One day. Be with me one day. She was keeping her word. A mischievous glint entered her eyes, and she slowly rose to her feet casually walking behind him before she leaned down her lips near his ear. “Did the robber ever find the treasure?” She asked. Her voice dropped several octaves and her lips curled into a smile against the shell of his ear, before she caught sight of the message in the bottle and snatched it quickly out of the chest, and turned away quickly. Wanting to know what was on the rolled parchment on the inside.
Her slender fingers were able to reach in to grab it before she carefully pulled it up out of the neck. “Treasure map? A secret message to an admirer? Wesley was here?” She rattled off what she thought it was before she placed the bottle under and arm and began to unravel it.
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Lunari
30
Secretly engaged.
Head of deGrey Trading Co.
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Wesley deGrey on Dec 27, 2020 14:13:13 GMT -5
Of course, Helene was right to not believe him. Not that he was actually trying to lie and prove otherwise, but still. 'I bet you're "innocent" when it comes to a lot of things.' Wesley turned his head to regard her then, that smile on his lips fading just a little as it turned a bit devilish. He gently nuzzled her face with his own, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "Not entirely, no." Ahem. Fortunately, she was asking a question and he was looking at the vase handle again. "Aye, he did," he replied, wanting to just laugh at himself. "He broke a couple." In all honesty, Wesley was surprised she wasn't asking to hear the whole story straight out.
Then he realized why.
Her words at his ear distracted him immediately, long enough to not realize exactly what she had said. "No, he was looking for coins, but- wait...what?" He didn't mention anything about treasure! How did she- oooooh, those bastards. That was what they were all whispering and laughing about at dinner.
Helene was snatching the bottle from the chest and unrolling the paper before he was getting up to his feet. He slipped up behind her to peer over her shoulder, in all honesty having no idea what it was. But he recognized William's handwriting immediately; it had always been legible even as a young kid. Wes was trying to recall just how young they were when this was written.
Here lies the famed treasure of the Nefarious deGrey Four, who have scavenged the earth for magic and wealth. Only those with deGrey blood can touch these treasures and add to the time capsule, or else they shall be cursed!
At the bottom, all four boys had signed their name. Wesley looked sidelong at her, slowly taking the bottle and paper away from her with the tips of his fingers as though the items were on fire. "So, uh...I guess you're cursed now. Tough break."
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