“I agree with Jax. The Admiral is putting on a show. He wants to know if the new Mistress of Pike has any steel in her spine. More dangerous would be for him to believe otherwise. A free Pike is as valuable now as it was under Millions–in some ways,…
"Be careful around SeaTac," I say in response to SueB's laugh. "He is a dangerous man. Not less dangerous after what I did to him."
I get up from the table, taking own bowl. "Not less dangerous on his own turf, I say over my shoulder as I place m…
"Millions picked the wrong person to scrog!" I say, slamming my spoon down. He may or may not have actually raped her, but he coerced her. That much was plain. "And he did answer for it," I add coldly.
Then, for SueB's benefit, even if not for Ja…
“Thank you, Jax, SueB,” I say. I want to ask where Cujo has gone, but I do not want to seem needy in front of my crew leads. Instead, I say, "I will not make a practice of sending people away. But it has been very long since I have slept so well. I …
I wake gradually and gently, drifting for awhile in the space between wakefulness and sleep. This is the first morning since I have been here that I have not snapped awake at the first hint of light in the sky–on those nights that I slept at all. I …
Hi. I'm John. I was invited here from some Hangout games and TavernKeeper PbP for the AW Fury game.
I'm 46, married with two kids, both adopted from South Korea. I live in Southern New Hampshire with the aforementioned wife and kids, a Great Dane p…
"Mmm... You may be right. He must want something. Strong desire is a family trait," I say, running my hands down her back as she kisses my neck. "Maybe it is time the Witch of Pike paid him a visit..." I lean back, pulling her down on top of me. "Bu…
At the mention of Hope, I scowl briefly. Then my eyes light, and I reach out and put my hand on Cujo’s arm, forgetting my usual restraint with respect to touching people in conversation. “I have been planning to bargain for Hope’s release,” I say ex…
I make an expression like I just bit into something rotten. "Harbormaster. He knew my mother. I do not know how. I am not sure I want to know. Harbormaster must also assume the Admiral is my father. My mother was well-known as the Admiral's wife. Sh…
“He knows what I am, what I can do. I have used my abilities for him for years.” As soon as the words leave my mouth I realize what I have just admitted. I blush and look away from her, ashamed. Despite my shame, I have to turn my face back to her s…
I do not have to speak my concern. I am sure my eyes convey it.
"It is not so simple. No one knows what I just told you, or what I will tell you." Is that true? It seems as if Harbormaster knows some of this... "Very few even know he is my father-…
I shift position until I am lying with my head on her chest, looking up at her while listening to her heart. It is my turn. I offer something I have not shared with anyone.
"I was four years old the last time I saw my mom," I start without preambl…
It is strange. In all the time I have been drawn to Cujo, I have never fantasized about her, never pictured us having sex. I have studied her eyes, her lips, her graceful neck... My eyes have devoured her every curve, but I never pictured her undres…
I could not wait to be rid of Millions' stuff. The aura of the man seemed to be everywhere, disgusting and oppressive. The one thing I kept was quite unlike the man. There was, in a private place, a place on honor even, a thing from the Dry Times. I…
"Do not speculate on what she is worth." I say coldly.
I exhale and look at Jax, trying to convey that I am talking with him, not treating him as a subject to be dismissed. "Jax, I hear you, and I appreciate your advice." I continue more calmly. …
"That seems a bit of a leap. From talking to scrogging because we walked inside? Are the gangs so desperate for distraction, then, that they care who enters my home? It has not been so long since I hosted them. Should the Arrows presume I am scroggi…
I nod, my voice suddenly lost. I motion to Cujo to walk with me back to my building. I can feel my face flush and hope the cool air can remedy that before we reach Jax. I intend to introduce Cujo, instruct Jax that short of invasion or bloody tidal …
"The hold is mine. The small pile...is ours. The rules are ours. But...if I were to make a suggestion for a change...it might be that you do not have to leave the pile...for...well, for when you feel like being in the small pile, but do not feel lik…
I look at her for what seems a long time, saying nothing. "I missed you. We never touched, or even talked...but I missed you." I look down for a second, then back up at her, a small smile starting, more in my eyes than my mouth. "The rules of the sm…
"Turned away that easily, Cujo?" I say, eyes flashing. "Is the trip back so easy, then, that you leave in a huff the first time I misunderstand you? You looked like you wanted to hurt me... Tell me I am wrong."
I continue, quieter now, more subdue…
I freeze momentarily, my lips still brushing her knuckles. I raise my my head just enough for her to read my lips, but I do not raise my eyes. “You wanted to hurt me,” I finish her sentence for her.
Cujo's gentle touch on my neck sends a thrill through me. I have heard people talk about their knees feeling weak at moments like this. I do not feel this. There is no weakness. I am aware of every motion of the air across my skin, of how the air mo…
Spider is a vermin. It does not protect me. It does not love me. Nor I it. We are ideal companions. It does what I tell it to do...and offers many more unsolicited insights than a vermin should. No, it would not attack Cujo unless it felt threatened…
"Bon told you to...?" I trail off. It was not really a question. It surprised me. I spoke without thinking.
"I loved being in the pile, and I was grateful that Dog pulled me in, grateful that all of you--well, some of you--accepted me. But you kno…
“Of course,” I say. It comes out as a little gasp, my voice stolen by her eyes. Somehow I think she may still be able to tell, even though she cannot have heard it. I smile. This is the first time I have ever seen Cujo express even a hint of insecur…
I have to hustle to catch up to her. I stop directly in her path, aware that she must have thirty pounds and six inches on me. “I have never heard your voice before. Why? It is lovely.”
“He did more than die. He saw everything he had taken from him first. He gave it away, unable to stop himself. August cost him everything.”
At her question, I nod. “It is a place to belong. A chance for a life that is my own, not as someone’s int…