Time off (meret)

[Meret Blackmoon]

There was a harsh knock on the door as Meret finished the last bite of the delicious red berries. “M’Lady, It’s Ozzie, I need to speak with you. “ She went to the door, opened it a crack and took a peeked. Through the crack she saw her Security Chief, Ozzie, holding one of the kitchen servants by the scruff of his neck. Meret opened her door and let the odd couple in. Ozzie pressed the servant down so he was on his knees. “Go on tell her… “Tell me what?” “ A stranger gave me some credits for my uniform and my tray of bread, I went right to Ozzie and told him…” Meret looked at the servant then at Ozzie. “And, and what is being done about it?” Ozzie puffed up his chest and explained. “I have two men posted outside the kitchen waiting to see if he makes a move. I want him to show his hand.” Meret looked at Ozzie. “What about Emma?”

Lord Cordel was finished scrubbing pots and was ready for his next task. Emma pointed to the back door where two Security Guards were waiting to slapped stun cuffs on the intruder.

“Emma can take care of herself. I am having him put in the pit. He could be one of those pirates or Black Sun.” Meret nodded “Very well, restrain him, question him and report back to me.”

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien rolled his eyes typical, He walked over to the door "They wan't me I expect " He sighed "I suppose I better let them in" He placed his hand on the boys shoulder "The tape please" He said softly the boy complied "now leave through the front door" He walked to the door and pulled it open "You might both have been dead now and every one in the kitchen it's a good job I mean you know harm, now if you are going to arrest me just do it" He said placing his hands out. He wondered what had given him away was it him or somebody else.

 

[Meret Blackmoon]

Emma spied the little wafer as Lord Cordel was led off to the "pit". "Hey lad, what are you doing?" The little proudly announced as he acted like a big shot "Holo this, holo that, see him, make sure all see him!" Emma had a tray of cookies in her pantry. She grabbed a plate and piled a few on it. I'll traded you for the Holo recorder. He looked around and agreed. "He's all gone now, ok, I am so hungry." Emma poured him a glass of blue milk and placed it next to the plate of cookies.

A large body guard took Lord Cordel's arms a placed the stun cuffs on them. Another one placed a blaster's muzzle between his shoulder blades. Then he pushed it into his back as he shouted "Move it, move it" Cordel was marched to an underground bunker nicknamed the Pit. It was left by the Empire and Blackmoon converted it to a secure chamber which had many uses. Then the guards chained Cordel to a durasteel support beam.

Ozzie walked into the chamber and stared at Cordel. "Who are you?"

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Despite his inner desire to put these men back in there place, Lucien kept his temper and allowed them to cuff him. He was not accustomed to being cuffed or forced anywhere. It was rather unpleasant having a blaster pressed into his back. The walk underground didn't take long upon reaching the bottom few steps Lucien dropped the act he adjusted his posture standing up straight and spoke this time in his normal voice "Well this place is Nice ... in a brutal sort of way" Then he shut up and said nothing as they chained him to a dura-steel post.

He watched with slight amusement as the head of Meret's security bounded in. He lifted his right wrist as far it would go, admittedly that was not very far. Lucien looked Ozzie in the eye, He smiled polity "I would show you who I am ... but it appears I am a little incapacitated, if you would be so kind as to look at my right hand you will see who I am". If Ozzie looked at Lucien's right hand he would find a signet ring, it was unique and it denoted Lucien as a person of power.

 

[Meret Blackmoon]

Ozzie took one look at Lord Cordel's ring and then growled "You are a spy and a theif ! That ring belongs to Lord Cordel. Lady Blackmoon will have your head for taking his ring." Ozzie grabbed his hand to remove the signet ring. Lucien's finger was swollen from washing all the pots. He stepped back and told one of the guards to fetch Lady Blackmoon.

Emma and the young boy laughed as they watched the images he had taken of Lord Cordel. Meret entered the kitchen wearing her night gown and robe. She stood in the doorway observing those two giggle and carry on over the holo images. "What's so funny?" Meret was drawn to the young boy. "Emma? who is he? a relative of yours?" "No M'Lady he's a friend of Lord Cordel..." The golden haired child agreed with Emma. He looked as if he could have been her own son. "Do you have a name? or a home? You can stay here until we straighten things out." Emma restarted the holo images and Meret watched Lucien and his grand charade. Emma tried to explain that Lord Cordel was trying to win her back. His plan may have backfired but the young one had stolen her heart.

A body guard found Meret in the kitchen "M'lady Ozzie requests your presence in the Pit. Meret followed the body guard down to the pit. Her eye saw an incredible sight. Lucien was chained to the durasteel post. He was dirty and smelly. It was Meret's turn to have some fun. "What is that smell?" She stood close to Lucien and sniffed his kitchen uniform. "Smells like cabbage or beans or garbage..." Ozzie points to Lord Cordel's signet ring. "You stole my Lord's ring?" She walked away. Meret did not wait for an answer. She paced back to him. She raised her hand to strike his face but stopped. She was face to face with him. Meret put her hands on Lucien's face, pulled his face close, then pressed her lips against his lips. They kissed. "Ozzie release Lord Cordel and bring him to the guest bedroom. "

Ozzie knelt before Lord Cordel. "Please forgive me my Lord?" He removed the stun cuffs.

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien shook his head "I am a her Lord you half wit" He growled the last part was under his breath however, He winced as the ring was torn from his hand. He kept his head low and sank to the floor. He only lifted his head when Meret arrived, he didn't think he ha been happier to see anyone in all his life. He smiled and replied to merets question Lulling his head toward Ozzie. She approached and commented on the stench of the uniform he was wearing "Do you like it?, It was quite expensive and the merchant informed me that it was the most desirable sent in endor" . He sighed as she accused him of theft, He braced himself for the slap but it never came instead came a kiss and quite a passionate one at that, He closed his eyes Meret was quite something, when she pulled away he smiled "Thank you darling ".

Lucien sat still as his cuffs were removed once they were completely gone, He pushed against the beam and brought himself to his feet. Then he began rubbing his wrists the man who had just seconds before been threatening Lucien with execution was now knelt before him asking forgiveness. Lucien did not hold this event against the man "You were quite ... unkind and you hurt my hand" Lucien said gesturing to his now ring less right hand and speaking in an almost childlike way "However you were only doing your job, I forgive you however I need a favor I have distributed payment between my two accomplices unfairly and the servant who betrayed me needs his uniform back" Lucien helped the man to his feet and followed after his escorts.

Lucien arrived at his room to find his Valet and some of his clothes had arrived from his ship. "My Lord good to see you are safe, I have prepared you a bath ... You need it if I may say sir" He said maintaining a perfectly straight face, Lucien rolled his eyes and laughed a little "Indeed I do" Lucien unbuttoned his shirt before casting the remaining items of clothing onto the floor and moving into the bathroom. He allowed himself to soak for a good half an hour, as he climbed out of the bath he called out "Mr. Orthi Do me a favor contact a company and hire a carriage to arrive here as soon as possible then pick a lake and book a boat" As Lucien dried himself off his valet made the calls and a carriage would be arriving in an hour and a half. Lucien dressed into a three piece suit minus jacket and tie before collapsing onto the bed. The traitor and the boy arrived soon after. The servant was now wearing the clothes Lucien had given him, he fell to his knees. The boy didn't "Please sit down" He said to the boy, the servant moved to stand too. "No you stay right where you were" Lucien barked glaring at the man "You still have the money I trust" He said to the kitchen servant, the man stayed low but dropped the pouch "Mr. Orthi please give the boy the pouch" He said "You can go now little man, however I am sure Lady Blackmoon will want to see you" He spoke kindly and the boy stood up and rushed to visit Meret. Then Lucien turned to the servant "you will return my clothes and put your own back on then you will apologize to Mrs. Bean, Lady Blackmoon and Ozzie for wasting their time" Once the man had changed Lucien threw five credits onto the floor "Have your uniform dry cleaned it's repulsive" then he shooed the man out.

@[member="Meret Blackmoon"]

 

[Meret Blackmoon]

Meret went back to the kitchen to join Emma and the young one. She sat next to him and stared. “What’s your name son?” He giggled “You’re close Ma’am, it’s Sunny.” He pointed up “Like the sun, cuz of me hair.” Meret smiled. “And your family?” Sunny looked down “ I, don’t know exactly, my home was all gone, I was sent to me old Auntie until it was safe and she was gone too, a pilot took me on as a steward and I ended up here!” Sunny put his hand up to Meret’s face and touched her cheek. “You’re a beauty.”

Meret waltzed herself to Lucien’s room. She stood in the doorway and saw the peacock in his full regalia. “You smell better and look handsome, new haircut?” She moved close to Lucien, lifted her hand and started poking him in his chest. “What were you thinking? Do you know that was a very dangerous stunt! You could have been hurt.” She began to leave but had one more thing to say. “ You had to be cuffed and chained before I got a kiss from you and I had to kiss you! What is wrong with that picture?”

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien smiled as Meret moved close to him and began pocking his chest "Not as much as it hurt when I upset you, those uniforms were uncomfortable though" He said with a weak smile. Meret turned to leave and he sat up going to get off the bed then meret turned around and challenged his lack of passion, He reached and took hold of her hands "I don't like being in chains" He giggled then pulled Meret close to him "I'm sorry I hurt you, do you forgive me?" He asked as sweetly as he could muster. He stood up and nuzzled her shoulder and rubbed the back of her neck. He didn't want to lose her again.

 

[Meret Blackmoon]

“ Why Lord Cordel your heart is not a stone, and you do not have icy slug flowing through your veins? Aye, I can forgive you but I shall never, never forget!” Meret closed her eyes and felt his face touching her nearly bare shoulder and then his hands on her neck. She arched her back slightly and wonder why a common soldier, with no formal schooling could have reverence for life and passion for every moment and why it was so hard for Lucien. She actually answered her own question. Lucien had been removed from life and was not in touch with real situations. His life was artificial and not connected. She brushed her lips across his cheek but did not kiss him. This would be her taking the lead again. Her mouth was now close to his ear. Her warm breath teased his ear and neck. Meret whispered “If you want me you will have to take me…if you find me in a soldier’s bed it will be your own doing and one more thing I am keeping the boy, he needs a home and he will always be a reflection of the one who was killed.”

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien Looked up and Cupped Meret's face "I wouldn't expect anything different, I love you My darling" He whispered back. He lifted his head and kissed her cheek "I will not be doing any taking until I have put a ring on your finger, Now I have a surprise but You will need to get dressed ... or we can wait until tomorrow and Just Curl up on the Couch in front of a Holo-Vid" He said stroking her cheek. Perhaps he would prefer a quite night in. He hugged her then sat back down on the bed trailing his hands down from her shoulder to her hands and held them again. "It's your choice" He said softly.

 

[Meret Blackmoon]

“It has been a long day for both of us, tomorrow would be better.” Meret squeezed his hands and left Lucien. She went down to the kitchen and saw Sunny dressed for bed. “Emma does Sunny have a place to sleep?” Emma nodded “There is that little room off of your library.” Meret gave Sunny a hug. “If you want anything you can get me or Emma.” Sunny smiled “Thank you ma’am.” Before she left she told Emma. “Bring that bottle of Reserved Brandy with a crystal glass to Lord Cordel’s room." She thought that Lucien needed a drink after all he had been through.

Meret returned to her bedroom, removed her robe and prepared to do a meditation. She sat on the floor and crossed her legs and placed her opened hands in her lap pointed towards the night sky.

Emma hurried up the stairs to Lord Cordel’s room. She knocked on the door and announced her presence. “Lord Cordel, Meret sent you some brandy for a nightcap. I’ll place the tray outside the door.”

Meret’s meditation was difficult. She could not focus. She tried for twenty minutes to establish a deep state of consciousness. Twenty minutes was enough time. Alcohol takes about seven minutes to have an effect on the human body. It is a depressant and dulls the senses. If Lucien has had two glasses of brandy he may not be able to read her thoughts. She played some hypnotic music to add just another distraction, another filter for her privacy. She was now ready to release some of her thoughts: He kissed me on my cheek! You kiss your sister on her cheek! Maybe he has a mistress? Maybe this is just a political marriage? Maybe he is not interested in me? Damn it! I threw myself at him. Lucien you are such a hypocrite. You kill on a whim but you take a moral high ground when it comes to sex! I can handle a political marriage mentally but we need a prenuptial agreement because I need more. Meret was done with her rant and started to cry. She held one of her pillows tight and cried herself to sleep.

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien stood up and moved over to the bag where his valet had left his Pajamas. He was half way through changing when Emma arrived, He threw on his trousers and then ran to the door grabbing the credits the traitor had returned as he did, He opened the door "Thank you, Could you do me a favour and give this money to sunny" Emma nodded and took the money. Then Lucien picked up the tray and carried it over to his dressing table. One double brandy later and a tired Lucien fell against the pillow in his room his head sinking into the pillow.

Lucien had gone to bed happy, he had regained Merets love. Though he couldn't completely read her thoughts his brain could it just didn't understand them in order to relay the messages. What he had read manifested into a nightmare in which he had once again lost Meret and all around him lay the dead he had amassed over the years and on the floor in front of him sat a shattered glass flower. He reached out to pick it up. His dream ended before he got there and he awoke in a hot sweat. He flung himself off the bed and rushed over checking the box on the dressing table his rose was still safe the ring still threaded onto it.

 

[Meret Blackmoon]

Meret slept well and awoke at the first signs of dawn. As the morning star faded and the sun appeared on the horizon she prepared herself. Meret put on a riding outfit. She went down to the kitchen where Sunny was eating a bowl of mush. “Have you ever had pancakes?” He shook his head no. “Emma? Maybe we could have some pancakes with honey and berries and fresh whipped cream?” Emma knew Meret so well that she had already started the batter. “Sunny, I am going to have my staff try and locate your family. Until then you can stay here if you want.” He was more interested in watching Emma pour the batter and smell the butter sizzle on the grill and then he chimed in “Yes…I’d like that” She smiled “After breakfast we can walk down to the stables and you can pick out a horse, a pony, I will show you how to care for your horse and teach you how to ride.”

Meret felt Lucien toss and turn as he was waking up. This was going to be an interesting day. She had come to the conclusion that she could not change Lucien. She now had no expectations but he was on her turf that meant she was setting the agenda. Meret vowed never to allow Lucien to hurt her. If he wanted an ice maiden he shall have an ice maiden.

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien woke up shortly after Meret, He climbed out of bed and collected his robe from the bathroom. He was pleased that the night was over, it had been most unpleasant. He made his way down to the kitchen, following the sweet smell of pancakes, He stepped into the room seeing that Sunny and Meret were already up "Good Morning" He yawned as he came over to the pair. He brought his arms out to hug Meret then moved to kiss her, not on the lips however he was saving that for tonight. Then he turned to Sunny, Placing his hand on the boys shoulder "Did Mrs. Bean, Give you the other bag of money?" He spoke softly intent on not scaring the boy. Sunny nodded Vigorously and Lucien looked around to find the kitchen had recovered from his attempt at domestic service.

Lucien was intent on trying really hard to be the man Meret wanted him to be. He would take time though. Lucien sat down next to sunny, noting that Meret was dressed for a ride. He turned to the boy "When you go out riding just remember, Don't fall off"

 

[Meret Blackmoon]

Emma serve the three pancakes with assorted toppings. Blue milk for Sunny, tea for Lord Cordel and coffee for Meret... "We are going down to the stables and Sunny is going to pick out a pony. Shadow is the proud father of a black colt, Sabino is the proud mother of a mixed colored filly. and there is one more , a sandy colored colt who deserves a good owner." Emma added that she had fresh vegetables that you can bring to the stables. They hurried through the meal because Sunny was very excited about owning his own horse. He promised Meret and Emma and Lucien that he would take very good care of his horse.

As they approached the stables the three young horses were out in the pasture running and chasing each other. Sunny climbed up on the railing of the fence and called out to them. Meret suggested he whistle, but he did not know how. Meret stuck her thumb and index finger into her mouth and blew hard. The ponies heard Meret and pranced towards them. She had an idea. "Sunny let the pony pick you? Hold out the carrots and see which one comes to you..." Sunny dangled the carrots over the fence.

The buckskin pony noticed Sunny holding the carrots. The colt had a sandy colored coat but had a black mane and tail. He slowly approached Sunny and sniffed the air picking up the scent. He opened his mouth and snatched a carrot. Sunny smiled and gave the colt another carrot. " What do you think? Do you have a name for him?" Sunny shook his head yes "Lucien but that's not a horse name that's his proper name, his horse name is Thunder!"

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien took his tea in hand and thanked Emma before sipping it as he listened to Meret tell Sunny about the horse. The boys excitement brought a smile to Lucien's face. He listened as Sunny promised to take care of his pony. Lucien put his tea down "I'm sure you will" Lucien said. Then he quickly finished his breakfast and rushed upstairs to dress. He emerged a small time dressed. Sunny very quickly left to go to the stables and Lucien and Meret Hurried after him.

Lucien watched as sunny ran onto the fence and called to the horses. He watched as Sunny tried to whistle for them, He fondly remembered when his own boy had been like that. Sunny selected his own horse ... or rather the horse selected him. Lucien smiled at the boys choice of name "I think thunder is a good name, sounds like something you would here on the holo net when the races end" Lucien walked to the fence and called shadow over. stoking his nose as he fed him a carrot "Perhaps we could go for a ride dear" Lucien said turning his head to look at Meret.

 

[Meret Blackmoon]

" That would be just lovely, dear, let me get Sunny squared away with the stable hand and I'll be ready to go." Meret took Sunny's hand and they walked into the stable. She introduced Sunny to Clint who would show the boy the basic care and a grooming of a horse. Thunder watched them go into the stable and tried to follow. Meret saddled Sabino and then grabbed Shadow's saddle. She saddled Shadow. "Sunny I am going for a ride with Lucien, Clint will show you a few things..." she pointed to Thunder who was patiently waiting at the gate. The other two ponies were running in the pasture. Meret lead Sabino and Shadow out to the path where Lucien was waiting

 

[Lucien Cordel]

"Thank you" Lucien said talking the reigns of the horse. Sunny looked quite happy with Clint, Rather shocked by horse shoes though it seemed.Lucien offered to Help Meret onto her horse. Then he climbed onto shadow, before gesturing him on at a slow pace "Sunny adores you almost as much as I do, you did well" He said with a smile. He rode up alongside His Fiance "Where shall we ride to?" He asked Meret was an expert on endor and Lucien was sure that there were plenty of secret beauties, he had also heard that they had the greatest spa in the outer regions.

 

[Meret Blackmoon]

"Remember, the last time we were here and I asked if you wanted to see the water falls and you were hungry? we went back to the lodge and then you had to leave? and then I did not see or hear from you for days? To the water falls." Meret took the reigns and jerked it quickly. Sabino and Shadow both knew where to go. The horses like going to the water falls because there was plenty of tasty grass, cool flowing water and an out cropping which created a gentle cascading shower that they could walk under. The rider may get drench but the horse was happy.
They rode on a gentle incline for twenty minutes until a granite outcropping was seen on the horizon. To their west there was a three tiered formation. At the formation base was a rose quartz arch that they could ride through. Shadow and Sabino picked up their pace to get to the falls. Meret held the reigns taught to slow down her horse. "We are here!"

 

[Lucien Cordel]

"The water falls sound good to me" He said riding after Meret. He found no cause to spur shadow on he was going fast enough on his own. He just watched and enjoyed the surroundings as their journey progressed he watched the animals hurry around as the trees flew by. as the ground evened out temporally he saw a granite outcrop ahead then they were heading down hill again to a rose coloured arch. They passed through then Meret announced that they had arrived Lucien quickly dismounted then moved to help Meret, he doubted she needed help but he was making an effort to be the husband she wanted. Once Meret had dismounted Lucien began looking around "It is certainly pretty" He said turning to his fiance. He watched the water cascade into the lake at the waterfalls base. Shadow seemed all to happy eating the grass on the bank of the lake.