Disclaimer: IOOMOC
J.L.: I actually checked back on my story "Exhale before you do that" and holy crap I couldn't even remember the reviews that had been left there. I haven't updated that story in such a long time, so I feel like I've let several loyal follows down, but that's what happens when real life drags you along for one helluva ride. I will finish that story one day; it's digging in under my skin that I've gotten so out of touch with it. However, in the meantime I want to finish this one, mainly because I am really enjoying typing it up. Anyways, because I really want to show that I'm back up and running, here's a chapter for you guys to gobble up.
Chris
As soon as the ship docked at Bananuba harbor, most of the crew ran off to the various parts of the well sized harbor town. Even Wesker walked off, lighting a pipe up as he traveled in the direction of the more expensive looking houses. Richard and Rebecca made way towards the local chapel, Barry not following too far behind. Sully, Enrico and Forest made their way towards the seedier part of the town. Rebecca had barely hid her look of disgust as the three headed presumably towards the brothels.
"You're not joining?" I heard Jill ask as she walked up beside me.
"I'm not interested in whores, church and…whatever the hell Captain Wesker is going after." I replied.
"One of his port lovers." Jill replied. I looked at her.
"Port lovers?" I asked.
"Yes, he has a few…individuals…of which he 'romances' every time he stops in. His wife Alexia knows of these truancies, but she's a bit of a trophy wife to begin with so she allows him to keep mistresses and um…" Jill tried to explain.
"What is with the word play?" I inquired.
"Well, at this particular port, there is a man that Wesker…ahem….romances." She said, a blush flaring up on her cheeks despite the cool and calm expression she kept her face in ever since that night Wesker told her of her brother's face.
"A man? So Wesker is…?" I tried, but embarrassment crept up and stole the rest of the sentence.
"It's not entirely strange for a man of the sea to take another man as his lover. At least with Wesker's mistresses, he makes sure they are exclusive to him and does not have to fear venereal diseases." Jill explained. We dropped eye contact, turning our gaze directly forward as if to announce that the subject was to be dropped on mutual terms. After a few minutes I decided that the awkward silence had to be broken.
"What about you? You know more about this town than I do, is there anything of interest here?" I asked. Jill leaned on her hands that were perched along the rail of the ship.
"For me? No. This was my love's hometown, and I have avoided stepping foot in it ever since he died." She replied. I glanced over at her, a small twinge of jealousy nagging at me.
"Are you going to marry the Duke?" I asked.
"I have no desire to. Lord Spencer is well into his years, and wheelchair bound. I would consider it a grave robbery to do so." She replied, a small twist of the corner of her lips indicating that she found something in that statement funny. I smirked at her.
"Oh? Then what about any other man?" I tested. She smiled very briefly at me, almost so quickly I had barely registered the occurrence happening in my mind.
"I will admit, from what I learned of my first love, I am quite attracted to the idea of having another man. However, this man would have to be something special beyond a doubt to me before I could consider giving up my lifetime of adventuring for marriage." She replied.
"What if this man allowed you to continue your worldly ways?" I prodded. She stifled a small chuckle.
"You find me a man like that, and I'll take him to my bed that night." She teased.
"Is that humor I detect?" I teased back. She smiled a little bit more, then released a long breath.
"I can't stay broody… I'm too use to tragedy. That and I was well aware of my brother's fate long before it was finalized, so I had always braced myself for that. A person doesn't just disappear for four years at sea and returns safely. I mourned him long ago, back when his kidnapping was fresh. To repeat that would be almost redundant." She admitted. I kept my eyes on her as she continued to stare out towards the town.
"Are you sure?" I asked. She glanced at me, and then returned her gaze to the town.
"Yes. With Leon…dead…I am the sole heir to my father's legacy. I have a lot of responsibility regarding his estate. My mother will probably press for me to marry too, as soon as I deliver the news. Again, and as horrible as it is to say this, I do hope Lord Spencer has passed on before we get back." She answered. I smiled at her.
"I don't suppose you'd prefer a strapping young lad?" I jested. She giggled a little and then sighed out.
"Again with the dangerous waters, Mr. Redfield." She stated, cocking an eyebrow at me. I leaned against the rail towards her.
"Maybe I like treading into your waters." I flirted. She blushed, turned her face away and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
"You are quite the scallywag. I would withhold such behavior in the future." She said, though her tone indicated that she was welcoming the challenge. I grinned at her, grabbing her hand and laying a kiss upon the palm of her hand. Her face flushed completely red.
"You can't say you aren't enjoying my intentions." I dared. She rolled her eyes, smiling slightly.
"No, but for the sake of maintaining our dignities, we should not continue." She said. I locked eyes with her and realized that though she was smiling, she was being serious.
"Take me as your lover, Jillian. I will make you happy." I promised. She pulled her hand from my own slowly and broke the gaze.
"For your boldness, I give you credit. However, I am not prepared for this kind of relationship yet. I still have a lot of affairs to put into order before I can accept your offer." She politely declined. I stood up straight, feeling a bit crushed and a bit foolish at the same time.
"I understand." I replied. She glanced around quickly, the leaned forward to whisper into my ear.
"When I do get those affairs in order, I will accept your offer." She whispered, and planted a kiss on my cheek just before she walked off to the stairs leading below deck. I smiled a little, knowing full well that the kiss was going into my memory permanently.
Jill
The next night was in full swing, the crew back on board with several party goers dancing along to the music that Barry, Sully and Rebecca played out. Sully's guitar, Barry's violin and Rebecca's tambourine poured out some kind of music that could be compared to an Irish jig. Forest and Enrico took to dancing with several women, constantly trading dance partners as Richard watched, drunken on ale and slurring his own made up lyrics to the music. Wesker had not yet returned and would not until the final day at the harbor. Chris kept himself busy chasing Wesker's monkey Tyrant around because the monkey had stolen Chris's watch.
This left me with some alone time, off to the side of the ship and sitting with my back to the rail. I watched the monkey loop around and around the ship with Chris chasing the poor thing around, shouting all sorts of profanities. My heart throbbed at the man, and I fought it, trying to keep my more reserved side present. While I was a woman of passion, I did not intend to dive head first into trouble, and more importantly couldn't bear another heartbreak. No matter how much courage I had or how stubborn I was, I would end up as the Duke's trophy wife. Given the condition of the Duke's health, I wouldn't have to worry about the possibility of conception, but the man would not allow me my freedom.
So I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I knew what was going to be my eventual fate, but the way there? A sad little sigh escaped my lips as my eyes watched Chris trip and face plant on the deck. The idiot was a good friend, someone I could confide in and probably the last chance I had at losing my maidenhead. The latter of those thoughts threatened a blush, but I bit my lip to keep my calm. The decision to have one night of pure lust loomed around my mind as the monkey threw feces at Chris's head. I shook my head in laughter.
J.L.: Well? Waddaya think?I think I'm dabbling a bit too much in the introspective, but ah, you J/Cer's got you got some fluff. I think I will do a lemon for this one, though a few chapters of twists, surprises and laughs should be coming up first. Too much drama, not enough monkeys flinging poo.
