Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you!

[dorian-excolo.livejournal.com]

Saturday, October 31st
Evening
The Home of Alessandra Ferdis


The last few days have been, at best, a blur of activity and I can't say that it's left me in the best of spirits.  Party planning is always a chore, even a gathering as small as this, and I suppose it's the price to be paid - blood, sweat, and countless hours spent hunched over fabric - for an evening of excitement.  Alessandra has been more than accommodating, as I've measured, decorated, and almost completely reordered most of her house.  It will take some time, tomorrow once the festivities are well over, to put things back to sorts, but I've already hired hands to assist in that.

That is one benefit of living in Excolo, there is never a shortage of strong backs willing to do a bit of labor for good pay, and in a matter of days the entire place has been transformed into something resembling a fitting locale.  The walls have been covered with lush fabrics, the garden littered with a multitude of hanging lights, and the main room leading to the back cleared for the guests.  After that, it's only been a matter of setting up the refreshments, finding a suitable place for the music, and dimming the lights.

I could kill myself over the details of course, it's in my nature, and so as soon as things are well in hand, I retire to the upstairs guest suite to dress.  It's a simple design, more a personal amusement than anything else, and I doubt anyone will get the joke.  Those always are the best sorts of fun, though, the personal chuckles that are mine alone.  I finish strapping my sword to my side, mask still sitting on a nearby table, and cross to the balcony doors to peek outside.  The sun has faded into the horizon and guests have started to arrive.  That leaves me with a bit of time - I have no intention on making anything less than a memorable entrance - and so I lean against the door frame, careful to keep out of sight of those out front, and light a cigarette.

There's movement from the adjacent dressing room.  Glass.  I'd nearly forgotten, in the insanity of preparations, that she was dressing here as well.  It certainly wouldn't do to have Iago see her before the game has begun, after all.  I smile at that and call out, "You can't hide in there all evening, pet.  Might as well come out and let me have a look."

[Open]

[It's midnight!  Wrapping up!]

Comments

[lei-miao-shan.livejournal.com]

The door opens and the clock chimes as Dorian is wriggling his way free of his pants, and I am laughing. I cannot help it. It is all so very silly, and yet we are all having such a good time. This is how sex should be most times, I think. Simple and carefree and joyous, between those who genuinely care for one another.

Dorian's pants are down to mid-thigh (with no one's help, I am quite impressed), when he uses his bound hands to toss his mask away and grins at whoever it is who just entered, "Fabulous! Just in time-Help me with the boots, huh?"

"Shuǎlài!" I scold him, laughing and gently swatting his shoulder, "You give up so easily! When -"

And then a voice, tight with shock and near to horror. "Glass Beddau."

....something is wrong? Glass is with Iago, there. They have only just finished their first round. I glance over my shoulder...Miss O'Hara, there with a dark-haired girl I do not know. It was Miss O'Hara who spoke. But why should she sound so horrified? Should she not be happy that Glass is enjoying herself with her husband?

...ah, perhaps she is of the school that sex around others is wrong. I have never understood that myself, so long as all those in the room are happy with the situation, but...well, it is not my place to say anything. I want to continue our game with Dorian...I want that very much...but I do not wish to make the situation worse, either. So I pause, my hand still on Dorian's shoulder, and I wait to see what will happen.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

I am laughing.... I am laughing so hard there are tears trailing down my face, making the lace mask all wet. This is all just so ridiculous, but I honestly can't remember the last time I've been this amused.

I clap delightedly as Dorian manages to get his pants halfway down, when the door opens. I could care less about who it is, and Dorian finally rips the deaths face off of his own handsome one. I giggle and reach up to undo mine when a familiar voice starts calling us out by name. Dorian first, then... oh! Verite! Much too young for my taste... then... "Glass Beddau."

The shocked tone and the whitening face conforms my suspicions. Kate. Of all the rooms to walk into....

I decide that leaving my mask on is prudent at this point, and duck a bit more behind Dorian. Can't stop giggling though, and I press myself against his back, kissing the back of his neck and waiting to see where this goes...

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Dorian bucks underneath me and it feels good. I reach out for the woman in front of me but she's pressing herself to Dorian who bucks again. someone takes my pants off and this makes it better as there is less between me and him. his pants are coming off and it is hard not to reach out and help.

A chime rings out many times. Oh. Is it midnight already? I hear a door open but pay no attention, Dorian call out for help with his boots and I'm reaching for those when I hear a shocked voice calling out, Verite? I know that voice...

Raise my head and see Kate in trousers. Looking shocked and maybe angry. There is a dark haired girl with her. Tess? Kate's attention is focused on the corner and her voice has a tone that reminds me of ice. I'm guiltily glad that isn't directed at me. I know my face is burning red and I bend farther down as if it takes all my concentration to deal with those boots.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

I can hear Dorian and other folk giggling. Giggling, and my mouth shapes the words you are cut off as I smile and sink into the pillows 'neath Iago, eyes slipping closed. Something about boots and cheating, and a small laugh slips out of me on one breath and another, and above me Iago's looking at the room and laughing madly. Can feel his hair tickling the side of my face, and I stretch up enough to press a kiss to his throat. There. Done. Don't think there's anything could have me move right now--well, may be that offer of a glass of water could do it--

"Glass Beddau."

--or that. Brief spike of irritation at being named but then the tone of the voice comes through and it's swept aside and I open my eyes to see two more women standing by the door, and a half--mhm, three-quarters--naked Dorian grinning like mad, two women hiding behind him and the third bending to his feet, and then the sense of who the unmasked woman is comes to mind.

"Kate?" and she's gone corpse-pale and I set aside all thought of irritation, and I twist to see her better, hold out one hand. "Are you aright?"

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Fabulous!" the man in the middle says, tossin' off his mask as the clock chimes. "Just in time-" Oh, it is Dorian, from the clothes shop, and I sigh with relief that none 'a the three with him are Mrs. Beddau. He catches notice 'v us and both Kate 'n I go t'draw away, but he calls out "Help me with the boots, huh?"

I start t'laugh then, 'cause he's grinnin' and cocky and I would be too standin' there but I catch sight 'a Kate's face 'n turn it into a cough, 'cause she's redder 'n what's left 'a his clothes. "Verite?" she says in somethin' like shock, and they ain't really stoppin' and I go t'tug her away but then she looks over at the couple and says "Glass Beddau."

Oh. And Kate's gone pale and Mrs. Beddau looks out from under the man I hope's her husband and goes "Kate? Are you aright?" Part 'a me wants t'be mad but we did walk in and so I just reach down 'n give Kate's hand a squeeze. "Maybe we'd best go," I whisper t'her. I still ain't taken my mask off 'n maybe I shouldn't just yet.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Tess whispers maybe we should go, but I think perhaps my ears are ringing, because it sounds like her voice comes from far off.

The redhaired woman giggles behind Dorian. I imagine she is either Wanda or Mab. Whoever she is, the situation does her no credit. Verite looks embarrassed, as she should - doing this sort of thing where anyone could just walk in.

Glass twists round to look at me and holds out her hand. "Are you aright?"

I almost laugh at that question, but the shock is passing, and now I feel - upset and irritated and disappointed.

"I am quite well," I say. "I'm surprised to see you here, Glass. I thought you had more self-respect." What on earth has happened to my friend who is too shy to let anyone see her kiss a man, let alone - this? And then words are tumbling out, faster than they would normally, and I have the faintest sort of wondering if it's anything to do with what I've drunk. "You said - Glass you said you didn't want to be -" But I manage to catch that, somehow, in case it is Wanda in the room - "you didn't want to dance after every whim. It made you ashamed and - afraid. And you," I say, rounding on what must be Iago, "you... you've accepted, encouraged your wife to do all sorts of things, but if they made her really happy, rather than just giving some short pleasure, do you think she'd have been redfaced and shaking at my table, talking about what you - " and I glance round to include Dorian in this, "have done together."

I take a deep breath.

"I remember one of the towns I passed through, years back, a man strangled his wife to death, and he insisted she'd wanted him to do it, that it was a game, and it had gone wrong. I thought he was a liar, but now I think she let him put that rope around her throat." I realise I'm trembling, and I turn and head out of the room.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"I am quite well," Kate answers, her voice too light and clipped. "I'm surprised to see you here, Glass. I thought you had more self-respect. "You said - Glass you said you didn't want to be - you didn't want to dance after every whim. It made you ashamed and - afraid. And you," she says, glarin' at the man on Mrs. Beddau, "you... you've accepted, encouraged your wife to do all sorts of things, but if they made her really happy, rather than just giving some short pleasure, do you think she'd have been redfaced and shaking at my table, talking about what you - have done together."

She looks over at Dorian and my eyebrows go up, 'cause she knew 'bout this? And Mrs. Beddau's husband knew? I think that changes things some, but Kate dunt and if Mrs. Beddau was upset tellin' her 'bout it maybe things 'r worse rather 'n better. I think I remember that night they must 'a bin talkin' 'bout it, too, and feel bad fer layin' so much at onece on Kate.

"I remember one of the towns I passed through, years back, a man strangled his wife to death, and he insisted she'd wanted him to do it, that it was a game, and it had gone wrong. I thought he was a liar, but now I think she let him put that rope around her throat."

Oh. She's shiverin' with anger or distress and she walks off, 'n I just cast a quick glance at them all, feelin' kind 'a bad fer Mrs. Beddau fer once, and I pull off my mask and rush after Kate. I ain't sure I should say nothin', but I let my hand brush hers, in case she wants somethin' t'hold. I think 'a my own tryst with Syl, and if Kate reacted like that I'd best tell her. Just not now. Sometime.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Tess follows me out. I'm tempted to rush downstairs, but there so many people there that I'd have to push through the crowd, and I want to be quiet for a minute. So I sit down on the stairs, and Tess's hand touches mine. I give her a faint smile, but it's gone quickly.

"Oh, Tess," I say. "I'm worried about her." I'm worried she's doing what she said she was scared of doing, turning into Wanda, doing whatever feels fun at the time without thought of the consequences. I remember the horror in Glass's voice at the thought of becoming like that. "She always used to mind herself so carefully," I add. I take off my cap and let my hair tumble down.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

Kate sits down on the stairs, and she rallies herself 'nough t'give me a smile, but she looks tired and just down, and so I sit down 'n take her hand, keepin' it 'tween us in case she dunt want people seein'. "Oh, Tess," she says, "I'm worried about her. She always used to mind herself so carefully."

I nod. "I guess I can't say much, since I only just met her and dunt know her husband any. I - I dunt know her like you. She dint strike me like the sort t'let her man walk over her, though."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"Women who get walked over often don't," I say simply. I squeeze her fingertips, but I feel cold inside. "I don't think - it's not your usual walking over," I say. "I don't trust him. Her husband. Glass talked to me about - whatever it is that's happening with her and Dorian and Iago, and -" I bite my lip. "I shouldn't have said anything about it in front of the others. She'll have hated that. Not that it seems like it's much of a secret any more..." I shake my head. "She told me about what had happened, and she seemed - she seemed afraid of losing her grip on herself." I remember when I found Glass, fallen to pieces after Anushka had finished with her, and I feel a sour taste rise in my throat. I swallow it back down. "I worry she's distracted herself from bad memories by doing things that will make her feel worse," I say softly, and I feel a tear roll down my cheek. I rub it away with my free hand. "And until now it was a really nice party," I say, with a little laugh that sounds more like a sob.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Women who get walked over often don't," she says, squeezin' my fingers, and my heart nearly breaks hearin' her put it so plain. "I don't trust him. Her husband. Glass talked to me about - whatever it is that's happening with her and Dorian and Iago, and - I shouldn't have said anything about it in front of the others. She'll have hated that. Not that it seems like it's much of a secret any more..."

I feel sort 'a bad 'bout that, 'cause I kind 'a knew from Johnny, and I got t'tell him t'keep it quiet 'cause there's no point in makin' things worse. "I worry she's distracted herself from bad memories by doing things that will make her feel worse," and I can see that, I can, and I feel worse fer Mrs. Beddau, regretin' my hard words t'her in the past.

Kate's startin' t'cry, and she rubs her tears away. "And until now it was a really nice party," she says with a small little laugh. I put my arms 'round her then, givin' her a tight hug 'n then pullin' back a little, but leavin' my arms 'round her. "Oh love dunt let it make you cry," I say, and I dint mean t'say that bit, I truly dint, so I hurry past it. "Let's go back t'you apartment and get some tea and some sleep, and we can figure it out come mornin'."

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Tess puts her arms around me, and it's like an anchor. I lean into her, and she says "Oh love dunt let it make you cry." That is a comfort too, in a way that makes my heart skip a beat. "Let's go back t'you apartment and get some tea and some sleep, and we can figure it out come mornin'."

I manage to get my hand out so I can wipe at my eyes again, and I nod.

"Yes, I think that sounds - it sounds like a good idea." I kiss her quickly, not with the passion of earlier but because of the comfort in her sweet strong face. I stand up. "You know, I think I left my bow behind," I say, and laugh a little. "Never mind." I hold out my hand. "Let's go home."

[lei-miao-shan.livejournal.com]

...Miss O'Hara speaks very harshly to Glass indeed, and then turns and flees the room before Glass can speak to her at all. I do not understand why she feels that Glass making love with her husband, whether there are other folk watching or not, means that Glass has no self-respect...and surely she knows that Iago would never force Glass to do anything that she did not want to. I think that Miss O'Hara's attitudes towards sex must be very conservative indeed. And that is her right...but she has no right to judge Glass and Iago so poorly.

My ardour has cooled in the wake of this tension, and I am sorry, for we were all having such fun, and I was enjoying the game so very much. But I squeeze Dorian's shoulder and look over at Glass and Iago. "Glass? Are you alright?" Being spoken to so harshly by a friend is always painful.

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

Urged along by my sweet love and her wanton ways, I quickly and violently shudder along with her, panting and burning as I reach my end. We collapse, pressed against each other, and I kiss her softly before raising on elbows to watch her. There's a tender moment between, her soft bloodied fingers on my face before I hear a shocked voice say, "Glass Beddau."

Looking behind me, I see two women standing in the doorway. My love must recognize one of them as she reaches out and asks, "Kate? Are you aright?" Ah, her best friend. Well then, and I chuckle at the absurdity of the moment. This won't end well.

Kate doesn't disappoint either as she begins to verbally berate my sweet girl, "I'm surprised to see you here, Glass. I thought you had more self-respect. You said - Glass you said you didn't want to be - you didn't want to dance after every whim. It made you ashamed and - afraid." Did it now, or was that how Kate saw it? How dare she insult and try to shame my love. Who the fuck does she think she is? Self-righteous bitch.

"And you," Ah, now it's my turn and I grin evilly at her. "you... you've accepted, encouraged your wife to do all sorts of things, but if they made her really happy, rather than just giving some short pleasure, do you think she'd have been redfaced and shaking at my table, talking about what you - have done together." Actually, yes I do but explaining that to Kate would be an exercise in futility, I think. Better to swallow my anger for the moment and bide my time. There'll be time to tangle with Kate later.

Dorian and Glass won't be happy later and I snarl at Kate, thinking on all the emotional fall-out I'll have to tend to after this altercation. For now though, I let her go, holding my tongue until she storms out. Gathering Glass close to me, I softly whisper to her, "I love you, sweet girl. Please don't take her words to heart." I caress her cheek, pressing kisses to her face as I continue, "She doesn't know us, love and isn't in a fair place to judge either. Set it aside, love, for sweeter distractions. We'll sort this out later, together, I promise. Anything for you, Milady Glass."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"I'm surprised to see you here, Glass. I thought you had more self-respect," and I snort at that, still smiling. Many damn things I'm lacking in and my clothes among them at the moment, but self-respect is hardly among them.

"You said - Glass you said you didn't want to be -" and Kate don't say that no no no-- and she's still going on. "- you didn't want to dance after every whim. It made you ashamed and - afraid." Baring my teeth as she spills it all out so light "--do you think she'd have been redfaced and shaking at my table--" and try to reach for the calm I'm so used to having to hand and I can't find it "--talking about what you--" and turning to Dorian there in front of everyone-- "have done together." and Kate how could you I told you that in confidence I trusted you and there's a thin barking sob wrenching out from between clenched teeth as she leaves, just one.

"Glass? Are you alright?"

I recognize Miao's voice but and that does not help, it does not, name and pain and the matter of my mood split open for any to see and quit fucking prying you bitch I have had enough spilt out already! Snarl at her and snatch up one of the smaller pillows and whip it at the three--four of them in anger, although with Iago pulling me close my aim is terrible and I'm not minded to pursue the matter, only listening to his voice as he presses against me, turning towards the touch of his hand. "She doesn't know us, love and isn't in a fair place to judge either."

"She knows me," I mutter against the hollow of his shoulder. "She knows she does ah cariad dweud hyhi hwynt--" My voice is rising and I'm trying to get up and his arms tighten 'round me and I fall back into the cushions, curling into him as best I can. Sweat from his skin stinging my eyes and that's all it is, let that be all it is. Hold me, hide me, please, and his hand on my hair as he murmurs.

"Set it aside, love, for sweeter distractions. We'll sort this out later, together, I promise. Anything for you, Milady Glass," and a single thin gasp of laughter comes out at the name.

"Stormcrow," I murmur, squeezing my eyes shut. Oh, Iago, my mood's shattering and I'm praying my mind's not after the same, I don't know what's happening anymore, I've no mind for it, I don't. Put one arm 'round his back and keep the other pressed between us, up against the warmth of his body, fingers on his chest to the side of his heart. Don't let go, please don't.

[dorian-excolo.livejournal.com]

I'm laughing too hard to think; this whole thing, bodies sprawled all around and Kate of all people standing in the doorway, is too insane. Wanda and Miao certainly aren't helping matters, hiding behind me, kissing my back and giggling. With the warrior woman - girl from the hair salon, I think - pulling off my boots... Yes, hard to think.

Until Kate continues, of course. Her words are sharp, far too sharp for my ears, languid and happy as I am, with her eyes cutting my way towards the end. And I think I'm going to kill her. Hands tied, pants around my bloody ankles, I don't care. I'm going to slap that arrogant sneer right off her face and- Miao squeezes my shoulder and, while it does nothing to relieve the sudden tension in my back, I won't move. Not yet, at least.

She calls over to Glass, trying for comfort, and I press a kiss against her cheek - wonderful, sweet woman that she is - just before Glass all but snarls in our (my) direction and heaves a pillow. It misses the mark by quite a margin, hitting the wall behind us with hardly a sound at all.

Well, that just cuts it.

Iago's got Glass in his arms, guess he must have found her after all, and I could hope he'll calm her, settle her frazzled nerves, but I don't. I find I'm not in the mood. There's something altogether jarring, being so ridiculously happy and then so very angry, almost all at once.

I grab one of the smaller pillows at my back, having to twist a bit as my arms are still tied, and throw it straight at Glass's head. It hits, shouldn't hurt too much I don't think, and I give her a grin, anger no doubt coming through, before grabbing the nearest woman and kissing her, hard on the lips.

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

I'm all but cringing down at Dorian's feet while Kate doesn't yell exactly, she's doing worse by keeping that horrible level tone as she rips into Glass and then leaves. But it's broken the mood completely. I'm not even trying to pretend I'm pulling these boots off. I'm just holding on as if they are my only anchor.

As soon as the door closes, a pillow sails over my head causing me to duck. And Dorian has struggled partway up and around to grab another pillow to throw back. The move almost pitches me off him and so I slide down to the floor and turn round in time to get grabbed by him and dragged up into a rough kiss. I wrap my arms round his waist and try to kiss back.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

Somehow this deteriorated from funny to awful in a matter of seconds. Kate is tearing into Glass, stifling my giggles with just a glance and a sharp tone. "I'm surprised to see you here, Glass. I thought you had more self-respect" I peer from around Dorian's back to watch the sharp smile from Glass's face slip into something wretched.
"You said - Glass you said you didn't want to be - - you didn't want to dance after every whim." Somewhere, in the haze that is my brain, that means something... didn't Glass say the same thing to me about dancing....

oh. I see. Kate goes on, rounding on Iago next, then Dorian before storming out and leaving us in a shocked silence. Dorian is ready to murder, I can feel it in the tense set of his back, Glass is beyond consoling, even though Miao tries, and for her effort gets a pillow lobbed at us, but it's badly aimed as Glass curls into Iago. Oh, Glass I am sorry. I think that maybe I should leave now, lest I prove more of a bad influence, but suddenly Dorain throws a pillow back at Glass, hitting her in the head with a mean grin, before grabbing poor Verite and kissing her hard and rough.

I look over to Miao, suddenly getting the feeling that this could go very badly. There's still a tenseness to Dorian, and I know when a man wants to be rough, when he's too angry to care if he hurts you or not... I am not sure Verite does.

With a determined set to my jaw, I sit up and bury my hand in Dorian's hair, pulling his head slowly back until his neck is exposed, and I bite down hard as I can without breaking skin. I release the flesh from my teeth and whisper low and coarse in his ear; "Come now... we both know you want it rough right now..." I reach over to his bound hands and tug at an end, and the bindings unravel. "... and you know I can take anything you dish out..." I purr, raking my nails down his side hard enough to draw blood.

That should get his attention.

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

My sweet girl's sobs and worse yet, in public. And while I appreciate Miao's gentle concern, Glass does not and shows her displeasure by launching a pillow. I watch its arcing progress through the opium haze as it bounces off the back wall. A sexy girl in leather ducks and I grin, thinking she must be that young man's lost warrior maid. I give her a quick look-over and I understand now why he was so hostile earlier. She's quite the wicked girl, that one.

Glass is whispering to me, "She knows me. She knows she does ah cariad dweud hyhi hwynt--" as she nestles anxiously against me. "No, love. If she truly knew you, then she'd have known better than to share your secrets." Were I a different man, I could say more and perhaps twist Glass' heart away from Kate... I'll not though. Kate's sabotaged herself quite neatly and as it is, I'll have my hands full convincing Dorian to not do something rash. I doubt I'll succeed though.

Her arm's wrapped around me, holding me close as she murmurs, "Stormcrow," and her soft, gleaming eyes are wet with pain as they're squeezed shut. ...oh my sweet love, and I'd say more but a small pillow unexpectedly hits her.

Not wanting to laugh at my sweet wife's misfortune, I attempt to contain myself but soon enough, I've buried my face into her hair, hoping to stifle my mad chuckles. Dorian's already kissing the warrior maid and I briefly wonder how he tossed a pillow with his hands restrained. Ah, yes. He is rather limber, and I chuckle again.

Wanda isn't as forgiving though as she begins a not-so-tender assault on Dorian. Turning once more to my love, I softly suggest, "Let's not leave, sweet girl. While I'd not let you go alone, I'd prefer to stay and watch the show," I say referring to Dorian. "Imagine the delicious teasing we'll be able to torment him with later over this. It could be fun," and I grin, wide and sharp as I press my form flush to hers.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"No, love. If she truly knew you, then she'd have known better than to share your secrets," and I'm shaking my head, still curled against him. Matters not that she was cruel with it, does matter but it's not changing anything, she had the right of my fears and spilt them out in front of strangers. Pulling back from his shoulder to try and find words when there's a dust-soft impact against my head and I turn to see Dorian's smirk, pale features sharp and cold through the opium haze, and I thought he'd taken off the mask? so confused and he turns away to the painted brat and then Wanda turns to him and oh stop it, stop it, all of you stop it--

My nails are edging into Iago's skin when I hear him start to speak. "Let's not leave, sweet girl. While I'd not let you go alone, I'd prefer to stay and watch the show. Imagine the delicious teasing we'll be able to torment him with later over this. It could be fun."

"Don't care," I mutter, and I've no mind for what to do anymore, want to cry or scream or tear something apart, just make it stop, want Iago here and holding me, and too tired to move in all of it. Don't want to watch Dorian, though, that ugly grin wringing purrs and gasps out of them all, but Iago pressed hard against me's a comfort and I shift a little, rocking up against him. "Staying's fine," I say quietly, eyes still half-shut, my hand on his back stroking slow circles up his spine. Staying's fine, I don't care if he watches but I'll not do it.

[lei-miao-shan.livejournal.com]

Glass whirls at me, her teeth bared and flashing, and hurls a pillow at my head. Her aim is bad, and the pillow strikes the wall, and ah, poor Glass. This must have distressed her very deeply for her to act in such a manner. And indeed, she immediately turns to Iago and presses her face into his chest. She barely looks up when he throws a pillow at her in an effort to turn all of this into a game. The expression on her face when she sees him with the helmeted girl, however, is sharp and pain-filled and it breaks my heart.

Wanda is following Dorian's lead, flowing back into the easy, sexual rhythm of a few moments ago. But Iago is still comforting Glass, and I am worried for her, for them both, and I draw slightly back from the group on the couch. Just the thought of enjoying sex while Glass is in such distress...it upsets me deeply. And yet I do not think that she would appreciate me approaching her, and so I do nothing.

[dorian-excolo.livejournal.com]

Verite has squirmed into my lap, arms around my waist and flesh pressed against flesh as we kiss. Sweat and bright blue paint are both slick on my chest, shivers going across already heated skin as the metallic chill of her piercings joins the mix. This is what I need - not what I want, but when does that matter - simplicity with the tangle of long limbs and sex-bruised lips.

I pull her closer, tighter, legs to either side of my waist and my bound hands behind her back, pressing against her waist hard enough to leave streaks of red, not scratches, not yet, but there. I can feel the skin threaten to yield, just as I move my attention to her neck, kisses and nips and a long line licked under her jaw.

Not what I want at all. I pull my hands up and over and move the girl from my lap, whether to leave or slide on top I don't know, when there's a hand in my hair and I find myself pulled back, teeth set sharp at my neck almost hard enough to draw blood. A gasp, caught in the back of my throat, before Wanda lets up enough to whisper in my ear. "Come now... we both know you want it rough right now..."

Growl at that, just as she unties my hands and whispers again. ""... and you know I can take anything you dish out..." She rakes at my side, drawing blood this time, and all else is forgotten - Kate and Glass and Verite and fucking Glass. I grab Wanda by the waist, whatever reservations I may have had with Verite gone and forgotten.

We kiss, some animalistic sort of thing, as I pull her onto my lap. There is something in the way, fuck it, and it's gone as soon as it's noticed, panties ripped off and tossed to the side. My hands on her chest, mouth and teeth on her throat, I'm not really paying attention anymore, don't want to, no matter that I can barely stop myself from shaking, that it's all I can do not to leave anything permanent behind. I don't want to hurt her, God no, but there's no denying the need to...

Fuck. Something.

I slip my fingers inside her, skilled and as rough as I dare be, with my head nuzzled against her neck and sweat beading at my hairline. "Fuck me."

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

Thats it, I have his attention. I replace Verite, *sorry about that, I'll make it up to you!* and I straddle his lap as he assaults me with his mouth. It's hard and harsh and the anger is driving him, he trembles with it against me. I can only writhe on top of him and gasp at fingers pinching, teeth nipping... not as hard as I expected...

My head is thrown back in a moan as he thrusts two fingers inside of me, pumping roughly. The room falls away, and it comes down to me and him and his fingers moving within me and my hands buried in his hair, his cock pressing against my stomach, his lips at my neck.

"Fuck me."

I grasp the wrist working steadily at me and move his hand. I am bereft only for a moment, for it is only a slight move on my part to---
I growl as he slips inside of me. He moans in response, and I reach up and grasp his neck on either side and kiss him, deep and hard, pressing him back down to the pillows with my body. Once he's prone, I sit back up and look down on him, eyes glazed with raw need. I grip his shoulders for leverage and then begin to ride him...
hard. The type of hard where I will be sore in the morning, but that good type that sets one to grinning.

It doesn't take very long, not at this pace, not with the urgency driving both of us or the shared desperate need for both of us to get this from one another... I fuck him like he told me to, and I finally reach the edge and go over it, crying out sharply and quivering around his cock, spasm after spasm wracking my body, and Dorian follows my fall, gripping my hips and jerking up violently into me as he reaches the end of the ride as well....

I collapse against him and feel all my bones go to liquid again. After my breathing resumes, I chuckle and push my hair from my face, realizing I am still wearing my mask. Amused, I place kisses along his neck and trace my nails gently over his chest.

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

He pulls me in closer his hands behind my back digging in. My legs spread apart to either side of his waist, I writhe in place wanting him, needing him.

When he lifts me up, off of him, I whimper. Then I am dumped onto the cushions beside him and someone, the redhead takes my place.

I lay there for a long moment, my need denied and something too buried for anger or disappointment, or even the pain of rejection rises in me. I roll over onto my front and bury my face in the pillow, as tears leak from my eyes.

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

"Don't care," and there's this sad, lost look on her face and as much as I'd like to attribute it all to Kate's harsh outburst, I've a notion that I've missed something important tonight. "Staying's fine," she whispers as she presses close and I'm not quite sure that's true but I won't contradict her right now.

I'm quiet, pressing kisses to her face and hair as I carry her, tattered dress and all, to a dark corner. Nestling her close to my chest, I lean back and watch as Dorian enjoys the company of Wanda and the warrior maid, slow strokes of my hands as they move over her sweet bare skin. As I'm not expecting much of a heated response from my weary love, I'm pleasantly surprised as she asserts herself and pushes me back to the cushions yet again.

She's murmuring my name while she squirms above me, her voice a quiet moan as I slide my hands over her breasts, her midriff and her hips. She whimpers softly as she presses herself against me and her fingers tangle in my hair as she's pulling and tugging me closer. Her sharp nails hook into my flesh, searing a trail of blazing pleasure as I bite my lip, transfixed by her hot gaze. I'm guided into her heat, grinning madly while she straddles me. I buck up, driving steadily into her burning heat and it's almost too much and I grip her tightly, trying to maintain control but failing wholly.

Blood roars in my ears and for one long moment, I'm undone, engulfed in Glass' flame as she shudders above me. The whirlwind slowly dies, allowing me a ragged breath and a slow return to my senses. Holding her glistening body to mine, I caress her silky hair and smooth back as I drowsily whisper, "Let's rest a moment, love. Just a quick nap, mind you." Pulling my coat over the two of us, I grin as she nuzzles close to me, surrounding me with her sweet scent as I quickly fall asleep.