Midsummer
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters are the property of R.A. Salvatore/Wizards of the Coast ©. I don't own them; I'm just examining all their possibilities.
Chapter 7: Fading Midnight
Catti-brie stood dumfounded at first, her tongue frozen with the surprise at being caught; though she slowly realized that fear was not the first feeling that came to mind. She let the momentary shock fade and looked directly into his red eyes, steeling herself and not flinching. Jarlaxle stood still and returned her gaze, his slender hands coming to his hips while giving her a look of irritated anticipation.
"I see you have your memory back," she said, her voice as calm and sweet as possible.
"Yes, all my wonderful memories are back thanks to your cleric friend," he replied. "I even recall our pleasant first meeting tonight. So tell me, Catti-brie, are you lying in wait for your perfect opportunity to, as you so charmingly put it: 'Punch me so hard teeth come out my arse?'"
Jarlaxle said these last few words in his usual eloquent delivery while adding in some twangs of a dwarven accent. Catti-brie let out an involuntary giggle, and then clamped her hand over her mouth. Jarlaxle's long mouth turned up in a smug smirk, though his hands stayed on his hips and he tapped his foot slightly. The purple flames then faded and gradually disappeared. Catti-brie allowed herself a small sigh, feeling relieved at the fading of this rather unnerving illusion. Jarlaxle barely blinked, his eyes still locked on Catti-brie waiting for an answer.
"I was rather surprised to see you here," Catti-brie replied, trying to straighten her visage though her childish smirk seemed almost carved on her face. "You have to admit our last parting was not on the best of terms."
"Well, I cannot blame you for that, I guess," he said with a small nod in deference. "Though I am pleased to say Master Drizzt and I left that…tower on a rather friendly note. It's funny actually; I'm not hearing you ask me whether the Shard is still in my possession."
"Ivan Bouldershoulder told us the whole story after the war ended," she replied. "You and that companion of yours made quite an impression."
"I am not even going to comment on what kind of an impression that may be, especially to lovely Danica, yet I am happy to say that little escapade is ancient history. You are brave for mentioning that here because my companion still becomes rather irate when that subject is mentioned."
"Fortunate for me that your companion is in Cormyr," Catti-brie replied, immediately cringing at the words.
Jarlaxle raised his fine eyebrows again, an expression that Catti-brie thought added to his aristocratic visage.
"Now where in the world would you get that idea?" he said.
Catti-brie knew she could give no response to this, only strengthening her gaze. Jarlaxle gave a long, understanding nod, his mouth turning up in a creeping grin.
"Has the little Cat been snooping around?" he asked, raising his hand and swinging his index finger slowly in a scolding motion. "She peaks too much into the fireplace; her precious little nose may get burned off."
"Fine, I was admiring the beauty of the forest when I saw a hint of you in the brush."
"Just staring at the moon or hoping to get a glimpse into the mating habits of elves?"
"Mating habits? What in the Hells…"
"Save it. Don't take this too harshly, but you are a pathetic liar. I believe you need to work on your skills a little. You have been watching me the whole time haven't you?"
"Fine, maybe I have. Though I cannot say I am shocked by anything. You and Nialian make a positively lovely couple. "
Jarlaxle grimaced slightly and Catti-brie knew she had just hit a raw nerve.
"That matter, quite frankly, is none of your business," he replied calmly, "though I am not upset. We were in a rather public area."
Catti-brie gave another involuntary chuckle at all the many meanings this one statement had. Jarlaxle gave a small nod in humility, knowing he had dug the proverbial hole deeper.
"By the way, where is Master Drizzt," Jarlaxle said, rapidly trying to change the subject, "I would so like to speak with him."
Catti-brie's own slight flinch told Jarlaxle everything, and she was aware of that. Jarlaxle nodded.
"As my companion is rather fond of saying, 'you should learn to hide your emotions better.'"
Catti-brie shot him a deadly glare and leaned in his face. She only stood a few inches taller than him, yet she straightened her posture and took half a step closer, getting a perfectly clear look at his features while suddenly remembering what Innovindil said earlier about the aging process of elves. The two locked glares, Jarlaxle's gaze perfectly calm, though Catti-brie's eyes shot flames as they concentrated on the fine, chiseled lines around Jarlaxle's mouth and eyes; he was not young, yet the lines seemed more the result of a hard life than anything else. How many centuries have passed over this face, she thought, not knowing whether she wanted to either caress those hardened features or simply drive her fist through them. This braggart would have to be punished somehow, she decided.
Jarlaxle knew he could easily best Catti-brie in battle and stave off any attack, so he merely stood firm and looked into those beautiful, blue eyes while savoring that rich, auburn hair. If only he could put his fingers through it once more.
"Your anger only accentuates your beauty, I must say," Jarlaxle added with a smile, expecting a thrown fist in response.
Catti-brie instead gave him a sneering grin, giving her feature a light hint of cruelty that sent a wonderful shiver down the drow's spine.
"You know, you should hide your emotions better," Catti-brie replied, waving her index finger right in his face.
His sensitive nose caught a subtle, yet unmistakable scent from her finger; the sweet, yet slightly pungent odor of a female's private essence. Catti-brie had obviously been busy, most likely with herself, or possibly with another. It was an odor that made Jarlaxle feel his urgency return slightly.
"Regardless," he said, trying to calm himself down, "I know you were watching us in the brush, and I do not find that very polite. However, I am willing to pretend I never noticed you."
"How very kind. I guess I feel almost honored."
Catti-brie stood back for a second and peered back into Jarlaxle's beautiful red eyes. Jarlaxle also returned the gaze and they both stood in another stifling silence.
Catti-brie didn't know what came over her next; it was merely a series of reactions and pure, raw desire. She reached out and grabbed Jarlaxle's shoulders, pulling him in violently and planting a passionate kiss on those thin, soft lips. Jarlaxle was startled at first, but gave in. He knew she was desperate by the heat that radiated from her body and the sheer urgency. He gently placed a hand on the back of her head, finally tangling his fingers in those fabulous auburn locks and savoring her lips.
Jarlaxle didn't allow himself to think at all, carried away by this moment with a woman he had admired from afar and had now thrown herself in his arms. It was almost too perfect.
Jarlaxle pushed her away roughly. Catti-brie shot him an angry glare while he stood back and gave her a serious look.
"So what are you about?" he asked with a hint of accusation. "Are you looking for an excuse to get Drizzt to kill me at last?"
The look of hurt rage on her face said everything. It was genuine; Jarlaxle knew that much was painfully obvious.
"Do you want to know where Drizzt is, Jarlaxle?" she said calmly, though her voice cracked. "He is in the woods having his third round with a beautiful, moon elf maiden he first laid last Midsummer."
Jarlaxle raised his eyebrows. Was she lying to him? Or maybe Drizzt had finally found a use for his masculine parts besides expelling waste water. It was still too convenient.
"So Catti-brie is now alone," he said evenly, though his mind celebrated all the possibilities. "Are you desperate for some attention or just some flesh?"
Catti-brie glared at him once more and stepped in further to thee point where he could feel her hot breath against his face.
"Just make damn sure you are ready to have someone like me in…such an intimate position," he said, giving her a smirk, almost hoping this gesture would scare her away.
She her hand shot up and violently clasped his jaw, pulling him forward and kissing him again. Jarlaxle clasped her shoulders hard and pulled her in, deepening the kiss roughly. Catti-brie returned with just as much gusto, fully signaling that she was indeed desperate for whatever he had to offer. Catti-brie threw her hands around his bald head and allowed them to trail down his shoulders before reaching his shirt and literally ripping it open, popping abalone buttons and forcing his shoulders back to have the garment off. His body was that of a hardened warrior; his small, elven physique accented by layers of taut, beautiful muscle. Jarlaxle's physique, for some reason, seemed even more hardened than Drizzt's. It wasn't just his muscles either; it was also the way his beautiful obsidian flesh tightly stretched over his form, giving this drow more of a rugged appearance that made him all the more beautiful.
Jarlaxle threw his head back and savored the dull burn of her fingernails raking down his chest, fueling his passion further. He gently moved his own hands down her shoulders in a calmer, gentler manner that accented her desperation perfectly and gradually started to undo her round, wooden buttons. In a second, she leapt on him, though he managed to control her movement and guide himself gently to the ground. Catti-brie was like a wild animal, unstringing his trousers clumsily and pulling them down before removing his boots. Jarlaxle gave out a small laugh as he kicked off his high brown boots and allowed Catti-brie plenty of room to peel his trousers off.
He expected her to remove her own trousers next or even clutch his phallus in her wild abandon. Instead she continued kissing him passionately, her fingers gently caressing his neck, trailing over his jaw, and lightly rubbing the tip of his pointed ear.
Catti-brie knew the tips of elven ears were especially sensitive. Drizzt would become slightly more excited when the tips of his ears were caressed, yet she was not prepared for Jarlaxle's more intense reaction. Jarlaxle threw his head back and gave harsh moan; his grip on her shoulders became tighter and he hastily undid the rest of the buttons on her shirt, finally exposing her muscled physique and ample breasts. He was used to human women having very petite forms, yet he had never had a warrior before; Catti-brie was perfect, a dream indeed come true.
Catti-brie didn't bother taking her shirt off and Jarlaxle was rather pleased at gazing at her bare torso through the panels of a fine tunic. His own small hands came to her trouser strings, which he undid with more gusto as she continued rubbing the tips of his ears. While the wrong pressure could make him flinch, the right could drive him mad. He was glad Catti-brie had some experience with a drow beforehand, yet he knew he could offer her so much more.
His hands then rubbed down her leg and grabbed around her calf, grabbing a firm hold on her worn black boot and pulling it off, guiding her leg out slightly and then moving his hand towards the other one. When that boot was pulled off, his hand caressed her backside, and gently eased his hand between her legs, producing a happy moan as both his hands reached her trousers and gently pulled them down. Catti-brie continued kissing him, though she awkwardly shimmied out of her pants, only increasing the pressure against Jarlaxle's sensitive, exposed flesh, making him even more desperate. At last her trousers were off and she gently straddled his hips.
Catti-brie looked down at the nude dark elf under her. Yes, this wasn't Drizzt. Yes, it was a man capable of great evil; a man she had despised until now. It was all these little facts that ran through her mind as she was close to consummating this act of unchecked passion; making this moment even more perfect. There was no logic in this. Drizzt would be furious and Bruenor and Wulfgar may cast her from their sights…yet Catti-brie didn't care.
She shut out all those thoughts and lowered herself, taking him inside with a moan. At last, she had crossed that forbidden threshold and there was no place to go but down. She positioned her legs and began a gentle thrust. Jarlaxle threw his head on the ground and looked up at her with a gleeful laugh, his hands caressing her soft breasts gently trailing down, positioning on her hips and squeezing gently. This simple motion made the rush even greater. She let out another moan and increased her pace, keeping her movements gentle, yet fast. Jarlaxle's grin remained intact yet he closed his eyes and savored the entire moment. She wasn't the most experienced lover, yet she was still Catti-brie; Jarlaxle was just happy to be there.
Catti-brie managed to lean down and kiss him, her fingers once again finding their positions on the sensitive points of his ears. He let out a loud moan and increased his grip on her hips. Catti-brie followed through with a series of thrusts that started rapidly yet became even more violent. Jarlaxle completely lost himself, his short fingernails raking down her lower back as he let out a series of harsh moans.
The blood rush between the both of them was intense. Their bodies connected in a furious, almost existential passion that rendered both of them senseless to nothing else but the growing heat through their bodies and the bliss that seemed to emanate from the entire universe. Jarlaxle would look up and savor the sight of that wild, auburn hair swinging with her violent, animalistic thrusts while Catti-brie enjoyed the purely helpless look on his handsome, ebony face.
Catti-brie savored the building, rising heat becoming stronger. She then threw her head back, whipping her wild hair, and letting out a rising groan that became a scream as her muscles throbbed, though she felt the energy to continue. She braced herself momentarily, and then continued her pace, noticing how Jarlaxle's eyes were closed as if in a trance and he sighed hard. His sighs became harder, turning to groans and then to screams.
Soon the final rush erupted from his body as he gave out a loud, screeching groan. He then rested his head on the ground, gasping for air. Catti-brie slowly withdrew herself and collapsed on her side in the grass, her own breaths desperate, yet a wide smile was on her face. She allowed herself a few moments to clear her head as the realization of what she had just done began to sneak in. It was in no way a rush of guilt, but instead the nagging feeling that she had just done something wrong.
Catti-brie's reverie was broken by the sound of many mad, breathy giggles coming from her partner. She turned her head around to see Jarlaxle still lying prone on the grass, a huge, goofy grin on his face as he continued giggling; a sight Catti-brie found both funny and slightly unnerving.
"Oh…dear…Lolth that was amazing," he gasped.
Catti-brie smiled, and then rubbed his bald head. He raised his head up and kissed her hand before crashing back down.
"You weren't bad," he said with a sigh as he gradually caught his breath.
"I wasn't bad?" she asked teasingly. "You are way too sweet."
"Well, for a human, you were pretty decent."
Catti-brie slowly drew back her hand.
"'For a human?'" she asked, her voice taking more of a strain as a slow anger began building in her chest. "And what in the Hells is that supposed to mean?"
"I mean," he started, then paused to get his breath back again, "you obviously lack the centuries of experience for someone of my kind, plus I'm guessing you have not known that many lovers. Considering your vast inexperience, I would say that wasn't too bad. Maybe you're a rough natural, or maybe Master Drizzt is a little more skilled, not that I even care to think on that, but maybe he has taught you a few things, though I highly doubt that. Regardless, you could have been so much worse."
It was obvious Jarlaxle was babbling mindlessly, Catti-brie could tell the tone and the breathy delivery, yet for some reason everything that came out of his mouth rubbed her wrong. This combined with the gradually building guilt over what she had just done made her feel even angrier, though for some reason her rage was muted by almost dazed look in Jarlaxle's red eyes and the fact he was barely moving from his current position sprawled out on the grass.
Catti-brie slowly came to her feet while reaching over and grabbing her trousers from the ground. She then put one leg through, and then the other until the garment was fully on. She lazily restrung her pants with her mind in a complete fog. Her shirt was still open and she felt the warm breeze against her exposed breasts, a feeling that calmed her slightly. Catti-brie then looked back down at Jarlaxle, knowing she should be completely disgusted with this man, yet for some reason her eyes scanned the length of his muscular, naked form and still found his body a work of beauty. He was still sprawled out in the grass barely moving, meaning she had worked more magic on him than he had claimed, which she should have known was typical; of course he wouldn't admit to being one-upped by a human.
A devilish smile formed over Catti-brie's face as she looked back to the woods…her blue eyes meeting a familiar pair of lavender orbs just a few feet away.
She flinched in surprise, and then took a step back and fully regarded Drizzt Do'Urden's ebony face frozen expression that could have been one of shock or confusion, or perhaps a bit of both melded together. Catti-brie then noticed his mane of thick, white hair was slightly matted. Her eyes gradually scanned down to the rest of his body; his tunic was in one hand and his boots in another. His bare torso was dripping with residual perspiration that cemented in a few specks of grass and loose soil. More obvious were the long, red scratches that covered the length of his chest and shoulders.
The two locked gazes for a second and Catti-brie saw a wild-haired Innovindil coming beside him, her clothing dirty and her own face locked into one of sad shock upon seeing Catti-brie. Catti-brie also saw both sets of eyes move toward Jarlaxle, who remained completely oblivious to their presence. Innovindil gasped and made a clumsy move to reach for one of Drizzt's scimitars, before Drizzt gently grabbed her hand, dropping his boots in the process, and put it aside, his expression still not changing.
None of them said anything, only locked glares as all the visuals made everything clear. Catti-brie then sneered at him and walked back over to Jarlaxle, leaning down and kissing him passionately. Jarlaxle registered the kiss and reached a hand up to gently grab the auburn hair hanging down over him. He saw Catti-brie look over and allowed his red eyes to follow hers…only to first see a pair of bare, ebony feet nested in the thick grass. He gave a small yelp and sat up; looking up at Drizzt Do'Urden's stunned expression. Catti-brie gave his bald head one last rub before standing and squaring off against Drizzt's gaze for one second. With another sneer she grabbed the panels of her tunic and opened them for a second to give both a full view of her feminine assets, before turning and walking away.
None of them made any move to stop her, instead Drizzt and Jarlaxle locked stares while Innovindil looked at all of them helplessly. She wanted to run after Catti-brie, but knew it would only make the situation worse. Her blue eyes then went to Drizzt, then at the drow trespasser lying naked in the grass. The next step could only result in bloodshed.
"Well met, Master Drizzt," Jarlaxle finally said with a nervous grin as he looked at Innovindil, figuring she must be the blonde-haired moon elf to which Catti-brie referred.
Drizzt stayed still for a second.
"Well met, Master Jarlaxle," Drizzt said, though his expression seemed almost carved on his face.
Innovindil's serious gaze immediately broke with a mass of giggles. She clamped her small hand over her mouth as the full realization smacked into her. The two continued staring at each other in silence. Jarlaxle then groaned and flopped back down on the ground.
"It's all right, Master Drizzt," he said with an exaggerated sigh, throwing his arms out against the ground, "I understand that I just violated your lady's honor. Well go ahead and get it over with, I can't stand long goodbyes."
"I beg your pardon?" Drizzt replied, his white eyebrows rising slightly.
"You want to kill me now, I understand," Jarlaxle said. "Just go right on ahead, I've lived a good life and quite frankly I really couldn't think of a better way to go."
Innovindil doubled over in laughter, every attempt she made to stifle her giggles was failing miserably.
"Oh, I forgot," Jarlaxle added with a raised index finger, "your moral code prevents you from killing an unarmed man, but I can remedy this."
An ebony hand gently felt the grass and eventually found a thick, knotted stick that he lazily pointed in Drizzt's direction. Innovindil gasped for air and tried to stay standing, but her guffaws threatened to topple her over.
"I'm a deadly creature, you know that," Jarlaxle continued in the same breathy tone. "I have just betrayed you and I need to die, lest I get up off the grass and impale you with this... spear. You should probably kill me now for the sake of your own skin."
Jarlaxle lazily thrust the stick, yet remained sprawled out on the ground. Drizzt looked at him for a second, and then his mouth turned up into a small smile. It sounded like a snort at first, and then a series of chuckles erupted from his throat, quickly turning into hearty laughs. His mind was completely blank, though he only managing to register the image of a nude Jarlaxle lying prone in the grass while aiming a blunt stick at him. Jarlaxle smirked then started laughing along.
Drizzt walked over to him and put a hand down. Jarlaxle clasped his forearm and allowed himself to be lifted to his feet, tossing the stick aside. Drizzt placed an arm around his shoulder and sighed.
"I see the potion worked," he said, stifling another laugh as he decided he wouldn't even think on the meaning of this whole scenario now lest his head explode.
"It did," Jarlaxle replied with his own snicker.
"Good," Drizzt replied with a long sigh. "I would like you to meet a good friend of mine. Jarlaxle, this is Innovindil. Innovindil, this is my old friend Jarlaxle."
Jarlaxle reached out a hand to Innovindil, who took it with a laugh; her eyes scanning this amicable drow wearing nothing but a grin. Jarlaxle gave a grand bow, kissing her delicate fingers.
"It is indeed a pleasure," Innovindil replied, her laughter abating slightly, yet still firmly in place.
"Now Jarlaxle is going to get his clothing back on," Drizzt said, looking over to the other drow. "And then he is going to tell me why he is here and how he got here. Then I am going to take him into the village and we are going to eat some fine food, have a few drinks, and celebrate this wonderful holiday."
"That sounds most delightful," Jarlaxle replied, his grin still intact. "And perhaps we can have a few conversations that involve getting at least some of my belongings back from the clutches of some certain small creatures."
"One task at a time, abbil," Drizzt said in a pointed tone.
"Understood," Jarlaxle replied with a humble nod. "Though are you sure the elven revelers will be so receptive of another dark elf in their festivities, especially one who was captured while skulking around earlier?"
"Well, I will just explain that you are a friend of mine and I am sure they should have little problem."
"Any friend to Drizzt Do'Urden is a friend of Moonwood," Innovindil added, still stifling giggles, "regardless of his race. Besides I am sure a few people might be somewhat curious to see what a drow friend to Drizzt Do'Urden would be like."
"It seems I have built up somewhat of a reputation," Drizzt said. "You, of course would know that, considering you would not want to use the name of someone infamous as an alias in goodly lands."
Jarlaxle laughed, though he felt small beads of sweat form down his back.
"How did you know about that?" Jarlaxle asked.
Drizzt laughed and patted him on the back.
"I have my sources," he replied, motioning his head towards the pile of clothing on the ground.