I do not own any of these characters.
Twenty-three. What a beautiful number to say, it simply rolls off the tongue in a delectable style. I adored this time in my life.
We were a group of three. Raven, Xerxes, and myself. We had a purpose. To rescue Oz Belarius from the Abyss. And both Raven and Xerxes were excellent company to keep when one needed amusement. Raven was a funny fellow. He had taken his name from the chain in which he possessed, but his real name was Gilbert Nightray and he was adopted son of Duke Nightray, as well as being former friend of Oz. This was a perfect pairing as we each had a respected means in which to retrieve Oz.
Raven was fun to annoy. He had a terrible habit of smoking, and liked to complain a lot. I was also quite aware that he had a slight reaction to Cats. This was all to our advantage. What a shy fellow he was. Break would torture him by sneaking up on him quite frequently. And together we would plot terrible Pranks to place upon him. My favourite thus far had to be involving the Kitten But I shall not discuss that.
We did not do this because we disliked him. But on the contrary. Well I cannot speak for Xerks-nii. He was kind to me, well mannered like a gentleman should be, and I quite liked that tobacco smell that he carried with him. It reminded me of grandfather slightly. He was articulate in conversation, and sometimes I liked to shower him with flattery so that I could watch him blush. It made me feel awfully feminine.
"Good Evening Raven" I spoke lifting my tea cup to my lips and taking a slight sip. It is important to test ones tea before one drinks it. It must be at the right temperature or else it is useless. Camomile. Delicious.
"Ah…Lady Sharon. How are you?" he fumbled back.
"Very good, Thank you. Would you like to join me for a spot of tea?" I smiled gently.
"I would thank you for the offer but I'm here to talk to Break" He said simply glancing about.
I lowered my cup.
"Ah but unfortunately he's away on an errand for me at the moment. Do sit down and wait. I would be delighted to have your company" I asked, raising my hand to the chair in front.
"Ah No. It is fine I do not mind standing outside and waiting." He replied rashly. Stumbling over words.
How cute.
"Please Sit Down Raven. The cakes will not bite you." I giggled.
He smiled back, and blushed a deep burgundy.
"Oh I suppose not." He took off his hat and pulled the chair out to sit down.
I poured him a Cup, and handed it over to him. Our fingers touched slightly, he dropped the cup and it fell upon the table. This made him blush even harder if this was possible.
"I am so sorry! Let me….um…..ill clean it up" He pulled his coat off, revealing his long sleeved shirt underneath, he was quite muscular. The appropriate size of a man. Then he began to mop up the tea with his coat.
I stood.
"Oh no. Your poor coat. You didn't have to do that." I reached for the cup and sat it upright.
"No I do. I didn't mean to ruin your table" he replied. Not looking at me. His ears I can only describe as purple.
"It is fine Raven. Sit down once more and I will pour you another cup. Set your Coat by the window if you wish. I am sure it will dry in due time." I laughed. What a funny little Man.
He lowered his head and sat down.
"Sorry" he whispered.
"Sorry?" I stopped mid-sip. "Its absolutely fine. It was my fault more than yours sir. I did not hand you the cup properly."
I smiled gently and lay my hand over his. His eyes went wide.
"Have some Cake." I said sensually half whispering.
"Ah yes! …Cake!" He said, hurriedly pulling his hand away and reaching for the knife. He would not look at me at all.
How fun it was to tease him so. It made me feel so absolutely female. I had such a reaction on several men, and it pleased me so. Not Xerks-nii however. No matter which way I attempted such a thing with him, I would never garner any such a reaction. He would simply smile at me knowingly, and laugh deeply. What an infuriating man he was.
"Hmm. This is delicious" Raven said with a full mouth. I was not happy to see a great majority of the Cake had gone.
"Isn't it so." I replied unhappily, taking a sip of the camomile. I looked down into it. It was slightly cooler now.
"Whose been a naughty boy" I glanced up at the familiar voice.
Surely enough their he was in all his glory. Much too close to Ravens ear for comfort. It was not a surprise he fell off his chair.
"BREAK! IM GOING TO MURDER YOU!" Raven cried, his hand at his pistol.
I remained seated. I was not pleased that my tea was cold. Tea should never be so.
Xerxes paraded around, dancing in circles.
"Someone will get fat if he eats so much cake" Emily spoke loudly.
"I did not" Raven shouted in retort.
And then Xerxes moved directly into his face. Again much too close for comfort.
"And you have been sitting in my chair. Naughty Boy" he tutted waving a finger in Ravens face. He lifted the pistol to his face.
Xerxes merely laughed and danced away.
"Naughty Boy! Naughty Boy! Naughty Boy!" Emily sang.
"Break. My tea is cold." Breaking the murdering scene in front of me. I looked up at him disapprovingly.
He stopped his parading at once, and came over to me in great strides. He then proceeded to down the remains of the cup.
"So it is." He spoke simply. Glancing into the bottom of teacup with one eye. And then placing the cup upon his head.
"I am not happy" I responded frowning.
"Milady is not happy" He rhymed. Raven merely retrieved his hat, and put his coat on. I believe he did not wish to speak to Break anymore.
I put my hand over his, and looked up at him with all the feminine powers I possessed. Raising my napkin to my mouth I spoke softly.
"Please may you fetch me another Pot" I sang, my voice light. And looking up at him through long lashes.
He looked down at me and smiled. Then proceeded to lean down gently, raise my chin up with one long forefinger, and then tap me on the nose like one would a child.
I smacked him on the back on the head with my napkin.
This time they would not find his body.
…..Unless Raven told.