Look Who's Coming for Dinner

Tiffanyanne wrote:She felt mocked when he said the country would probably fall apart without her. Perhaps she deserved it for thinking her efforts were worth so much. In the end everything she had done so far could be no more than a fools errand. It was something she would have to live with, even if others found her pompous or silly. Even if it was Jay. She kept her silence.

The words of love that Jay offered though, hit her like a punch to the stomach. He would take her scraps and call them a banquet. Didn't he know he deserved more? More that she couldn't promise. His laughing hug and kiss to her forehead was too much. She grabbed his arms and pushed away.

No Jay, don't give me your love. Please. I can't.... her words drifted off as she held back a wracking sob, biting her lip deeply enough to taste salt that could have been blood or tears. I might never be done Jay. This is the path I've chosen. I can't promise you any sort of life. She backed away picking up her bag, inching for the window and trellis that would take her away from the house she loved, the town she loved, the people she loved. She couldn't bare an argument with him about whether he should love her, didn't want to examine the twisted knot in her stomach or the flutters just underneath. I have to go now.

She slipped through the window, willing herself not to look back, barely able to see her way down through the blur of tears. Before her head disappeared down, her eyes lifted to meet his. She wished deep inside that he would know how much doing this hurt her. She had to leave now, or else she might never be able to leave again.

Papajay wrote:Jay watched, as in one fluid motion Tiff moved for the door and picked up her traveling bag. Was this really how they were going to say good bye?

"Tiff, wait," Jay cleared his throat. "That wasn't fair of me to do, especially tonight after news of... Aimar, and everything else going on. I don't regret what I said, I only regret that I waited until now. Your life is yours, and it's one of many things I respect about you."

Jay pulled something from his side, it was the flask that he and Tiff had found in their 'adventure' into the bowels of his house, the 'arms of his family emblazoned on the front, freshly polished during his recovery time, he handed it to Tiff. "I want you to have this, it's got a few ounces of my best and oldest scotch in it. I intended on sharing it with you tonight, but take it with you. Drink it when you're limited to the drivel in other taverns, and remember the best liquor's here." Jay stayed at the window and whispered, "You'd best hurry, lest you miss your escort and everyone down stairs realizes what's going on. Don't worry, I'll take care of 'em"

Tiffanyanne wrote:No matter what she said he refused to let her leave with cut ties. Each snip he retied. She was the unfair one, not him. Not now or ever. She was the one that turned her back an lived a life of politics because it was safer than one of love and family. Her letter to Aasha was a lie. Tiff was still running.

Her fingers trembled as she took the flask and carefully tucked into a pocket of her dark grey cloak. Thank you Jay, she whispered and continued down to the back of the house.

She could hear Ellie through the window, puttering about in the kitchen. Tiff kept her head down so she couldn't be seen. A soft neigh came from Lila. This night the mare must have felt the need for silence and known that it was good bye for now.

In the darkness of night, Tiff pulled the pack across her shoulders and headed off to find herself another horse. This time she did not turn around.

Papajay wrote:Jay watched her disappear into the blackness, only after ten or so minutes did he turn from the window, sit down with his back to it and bury his face in his hands. He couldn't stay like this long, he couldn't allow the cacophony of thoughts and emotions overcome him. He still made a promise that Tiff would escape without the others finding out, at least now. After a time, he wasn't sure how long, he helped himself up with the aid of the window sill. He used some of the fresh water from a pitcher and basin to wash his face, straightened his clothes and walked out the door.

When he entered the dining room to find most of Tiff's guests eating food, most of them silent. "Tiff has calmed down a bit, she just wants to be left alone. I'm going to head home, I need some sleep.. 'night" Jay said, making a real effort to keep his voice calm and steady. He walked out the door, into the cool clear night, hobbling his way back home.

Jasmyne wrote:Jas had heard the words before the door had closed.....Im leaving........but she didnt say anything to anyone

Then not long after she heard the trot of a nearby horse.....and knew her sister had gone.

She turned to Heero and told him it was time to go home and thanked Ellie for the wonderful meal, hugged Aasha and Red and said her goodbyes and see them in the morn

Out the door, she walked hand in hand with Heero until they reached her house....I'll see you in the morn sweety, thank you for walking me home

TheRedChef wrote:Fine food excused a multitude of sins, even Jas' affront had given way to the pea soup. He was still at it, like the noblest of trencherman, when Aasha wavered over to him after having seen to Jas and Heero. Amazingly, her manner was still tentative, even after everything that happened between them. Either she had had much more then he thought, or Tiff was watering down her stock.

"Sit, sit," he pushed out the chair next to him with his foot. "The meal was just fine. Why that roasted joint was just..." he wasn't sure how to explain lasciviousness. "Besides, I think the company is much better now.

TheRedChef wrote:Red sh0ok his head as he sopped the last bits off his plate. "There's still sweets to be had." The trifle called to him.

"What about Tiff? Oh...From earlier...That was merely ancient history. Nothing you need to concern yourself with." One, two, three scoops, should do it.

"You must try this." He pushed a plate towards her and refilled her whisky.

TheRedChef wrote:"Cooking? Cleaning?" He marveled at her rapid digressions.

"Look," He put down his spoon, and took her hand.

"Aasha, I know Aimar wasn't the best of people, and there are times when you might act quicker then you'd like, but..."

He sipped from his own whisky.

"...the past is the past and no one else needs to know. I certainly don't hold it against you."

TheRedChef wrote:She clutched at him, moved ever so close, her breath, tinged by whisky, was, soft apon him. "Red...I didn't kill him." Didn't kill him? He bored into her. The food, the drink, even her proximity were all forgotten.

He thought back to when Aasha found him. Her eyes were vacant, and the rest of her crusted with blood. Her motions were stilted and only betrayed vitality when she bolted as they came to the cottage. He found Aimar, devoid of life, left only with a stoved head and a bloated flyblown husk. He felt sorry for her. The Balboa men were illdisposed to their women.

There was the other incident. The one she only alluded to in a tremulant voice. He didn't think she was capable of all that had been said of it, but he knew it kept it's hold on her.

"Say no more, I believe you." He hoped it sounded confident.

TheRedChef wrote:"Someone killed him, Aasha," he looked away from her eyes. "What should I think?"

TheRedChef wrote:"The past can drive us to certain...ends. I can tell you still relive it. The fear as you were pulled to an uncertain, the stink of his hot breath, the clumsy groping, the itching straw, his crushing wait on you, the worn wood in your hand, and then, the blood.

"I doubt you even remember that last day with Aimar. How much could he possible care about you? I've never even seen you in public with him. Men like him take what they want when they want. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to take it that day. Everything from that one night would come flooding back, and so much for Aimar.

"You couldn't even talk when you found me, and then you ran.

"Aimar doesn't matter one whit to me and I decided some time ago to...some things just pale to..." He trailed off

"It was no accident. If you didn't kill him, then who did?"

TheRedChef wrote:"Jah damnit," he hissed as he grabbed her arms and hoisted her to her toes. "You just don't get it! I care greatly for you and you just, you just have no idea. None at all!"

"Listen to me. One more word of this poor pity me crap and I will cut you off like a diseased limb and leave you to whatever ill fate finds you."

He dropped her on a nearby chair and stormed for the door.

TheRedChef wrote:He whirled around when she grabbed him.

"It doesn't matter to me who you killed. Not some man in a barn, not Aimar." He spits the last name out.

"If you are that adament, that certain of yourself, then I won't deny it.

"Since you didn't, do you have any idea what that means?

TheRedChef wrote:Red pauses to consider. Would she run? To take her chances on the road? He did not like entertaining that future.

"I think," he leads her back to the table, "that if some one was out to harm you, they wouldn't have stopped at Aimar. I doubt there is much for you to worry about. More likely it was some poor cuckold or perhaps a disillusioned creditor. Even if it was some enemy of Tiffany's, there are much more direct avenues for revenge then through you.

"But most importantly, tell no one. Tiffany and Jasmyne were family and had a right to know, and I'll have a talk with Heero and Papajay later. I'm sure they will understand the benefits of discretion. There are very real dangers if this were to become common knowledge, and I want you to be aware of that."

TheRedChef wrote:They stood the dying light. The tension that racked him the last few weeks eased as he lost himself in her eyes and tight embrace. The challanges that had loomed over them were finally over. Tiffany was oddly accepting. He had expected some violence or a bigger outburst at the very least. Aimar's last troubling vestiges still lingered and distant, eager, part of his mind mulled over it. He pushed aside his doubts and savored the night.

"I've never had a more perfect evening, Aasha," he murmored softly in her ear, "I wish I could spend forever here with you"