Warning: Nothing bad here
Dedication: For Betty, for letting me go home early.
Author's Note: I'm running out of time periods! If anyone has any suggestions, send them to me!
Longest Journey
Renaissance
The stench of garbage and unwashed bodies assaulted his nose. He wanted to gag, but could not. Whoever he was now seemed to be well accustomed to it. He looked around, to find himself in an alleyway. A cobblestone alleyway. It was nighttime, and he could see only by the dim light of a street lamp. He was leaning against a brick wall, hands shoved in his pockets. The style of his dress told him nothing of the time period he had found himself in now. Fine linen, wool and velvet fit into any age for about a six hundred year period.
"Rachel!" //So I am here to meet a woman...rather bizarre place. Unless I'm having another affair.//
"Keep your voice down, Sebastian!" A woman slipped out of the shadows, all curves and lace and creamy skin. //Good lord...could she lower the neck of her gown anymore?// Her breasts threatened to spring free of her stiff corset.
"There is no one here to hear me." Sebastian looked Rachel over, a smile coming to his lips. //Why do I feel I am a lecher?//
"Still..." She frowned, cupid's bow lips turning downward. "If Beauregard..."
"He will not know you are here. Though I thought we had spoken about this." He narrowed his eyes at her, frowning.
"Leave me be." She lowered her eyes, obviously not wanting to answer.
"Rachel, we spoke of this..." He wasn't going to leave it be. "I do not wish to speak again."
"Then don't." She looked directly into his eyes, challenging him. Severus decided he quite liked her.
"Fine. But I expect you to move into my manor within the next week."
"No." She shook her head, blond curls swinging about her heart-shaped face.
"There is no question! In my manor you will be set for life. And Beauregard will not be able to touch you there."
"I'm not worried about Beaurgard." Rachel sighed, eyes softening. "That's not the life for me, Sebastian. I love you, but I can't let you cage me."
"I said nothing of a cage! Why are women so dramatic?" Sebastian/Severus threw up his hands in helplessness. "You will move in."
"I will not!" Rachel placed her hands on her hips. "I am *happy*, Sebastian. I know that you cannot understand it, but I am not asking you to. I am asking you to accept my decision."
"I am not going to share you." Sebastian frowned, eyes narrowing. "I will not have my mistress selling herself to any common pauper..."
"I am not your mistress!" Rachel's eyes flashed, and she took a step back. "I am your lover. There is a difference."
"The difference being you do not make your home in mine. And that is going to change."
"You are the most stubborn creature to walk the face of this earth." Rachel shook her head, almost sadly. There was a rather wistful look in her eyes, and she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Sebastian. "I love you for it though. But I cannot let you dictate my life. I wasn't raised as you were, my world is not your world. You have to accept this."
"No. I am the man. I set the rules. If you do not move in by will, you will be force."
"You'll have to find me first..." She slipped quickly and gracefully from Sebastian's arms before he had a chance to tighten them. She danced backwards that small smile still on her face. "I'm sorry...I love you, but I don't love your ideas for me. There are too many reasons why I cannot live with you."
"Then tell me!" His anger was rising. Severus could feel it, even as a visitor in Sebastian's body.
"I can't..." She shook her head. //I wonder...//
"You will!" He took a step towards her, and Severus feared the situation may get violent. Sebastian seemed to be a man with no control of his temper.
"I'm leaving you, Sebastian." Her words were final, if tinged with regret. She stood, a few steps away, looking up from lowered lids. Everything about her stance made it clear she was not making this decision easily.
"Rachel, do not do this!" He stepped forward, anger rising. //Let her go...you are too stubborn and prideful to change your mind...//
"You've left me no choice. A nightingale kept in a cage will lose her voice, whither and fade away."
"Stop this nonsense. You are no nightingale, just a pretty guttersnipe who found rich men to bed her."
"And a nightingale is just a bird with a pretty voice." Rachel sighed. "Goodbye Sebastian."
"No!" Sebastian lunged forward, but Rachel was gone in a flash. It was almost as though she had disappeared. Severus half wondered if perhaps she had...
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