AN Hello, everyone! I wish to thank all of those who've reviewed (blushes furiously) I'm flattered, guys, really. :D
Also, I'd like to thank my friend who is my unofficial 'beta' (I can't wait for her to read this; I'll be waiting for my text, darling!)
I hope you enjoy the chapter guys, and review! Pleeeeeaaasse!
Love, Autumn ;)
Chapter 2: Voices and Memories
Date: 25/4/1993
Time: 6.33pm
Location: Royal Artic Institute, London, England
Marisa stepped into the entrance hall of the Royal Artic Institute, Keiji on her shoulder. The moment the servant had taken her coat, Lord Boreal was at her side.
"Marisa" he smiled, and she suppressed a shudder. "There is someone I would like you to meet"
"Really?" hiding a grimace, Marisa made her voice lighter, sweeter. "Who?"
"Well" Boreal smiled, his hand on the small of her back. "He's Edward Coulter, the politician. He's an advisor to the King, and very interested in meeting you"
"Really?" Marisa smiled as she feigned excitement, Keiji making a face as he stroked the snake. "Well, then by all means, introduce us"
He nodded, a glint in his eyes that made her wonder.
Keiji hopped onto her shoulder, chittering quietly. "What's he up to?" the monkey whispered in her ear. "I have no idea" she replied honestly. "But whatever it is, he's either having a senior moment and forgetting what happened last night, or he's having a male moment and ignoring what happened last night"
Keiji snickered, jumping off to walk beside her.
We'll find out soon, no doubt, she thought to herself.
"Ah, Edward"
"I may just vomit" Keiji sneered, staring at the man's dæmon in repulsion.
"Don't you dare" she hissed, glaring at him briefly, before plastering a charming smile on her face and walking towards to politician.
"Edward, this is Marisa Paige, daughter of Nickolas and Olivia Paige. Marisa, this is Edward Coulter, the man who I was telling you about earlier"
Marisa came forwards, and, with a sharp look from his human, Keiji also came forwards, touching the fox-dæmon's paw in greeting.
"A p-pleasure to meet you, M-miss Paige" the man stuttered, entranced by her.
She shook his sweaty hand, swallowing back a grimace. "Please, Mr Coulter, the pleasure is all mine" she smiled.
Keiji and Marisa both smiled twin smiles. They were in this together, just as they always had been.
The monkey petted the fox, baring his teeth in a malicious grin that seemed more charming to everyone but his human…and the man across the room, watching the pair in amusement.
"She's got him hooked around her little finger" his dæmon muttered, watching the monkey. "No wonder half the men last night were singing praises about her"
Lord Asriel snorted, scratching the snow leopard behind the ears. "I wonder if there's a man in this room she doesn't see as someone to charm and seduce"
"Let's find out" Stelmaria suggested, and together, they walked across the room to the men and woman.
Lord Boreal's face immediately soured as they walked up. "Lord Belacqua" he spat.
"Lord Boreal" Lord Asriel mocked, a smirk on his face. "Coulter. Marisa, I'm surprised to see you here. I thought you said you weren't coming?" He could clearly make out the relief in her face that she tried to hide from him, and his grin became wider.
"I wasn't" Marisa replied. "But then I happened to…acquire an invitation. I promise to pay attention" she added, a small smile on her face.
Keiji slunk over to Stelmaria, and she purred as he crouched down low, and she began to circle him as Kristjana (Edward's dæmon) and Aasia (Boreal's dæmon) watched on in jealousy.
"I'm sure you will" Lord Asriel raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, well" Boreal said testily. "Was there something you wanted, apart from to annoy others?"
"Yes, actually" the younger lord replied. "But what I wish to speak of is between myself and the lady. Marisa, if I may?" he asked, offering his arm.
Marisa threw a glance back at the other men, before nodding slowly and slipping her arm through his.
They walked through the crowd in a comfortable silence, ignoring the stares, and slowly made their way to the balcony, where she leaned up against the rail, looking out to the lit streets.
He watched her carefully as he did the same, Stelmaria laying, Sphinx-like at his feet, eyes never leaving the monkey.
Marisa exhaled, looking at him with dark eyes, and a small smile curving at her lips.
"You're staring" she murmured, and he cursed himself when he realised she was right.
He shrugged carefully. "I'd be a fool not to"
Her small smile got bigger, and she did a small twirl, her dress flowing like water around her. "Like it?"
He took the chance to have a proper look at her, the corners of his mouth turning up in appreciation.
She was wearing a cream-coloured silk dress that swirled around her ankles as she moved, gold adorning her throat, ears and hands. As usual, her hair was up in a bun, exposing her swan-like throat and accentuating her shoulders and chest.
"You look nice" he murmured, surprising both of them. "But you looked better with your hair down. You looked free"
"God, will you drop it" she muttered, black eyes flashing in suppressed anger as she glared at him, and he noticed a faint metallic scent arise. "That night never happened, so stop bringing it up"
As soon as her impromptu speech was finished, her face softened into something lighter, sweeter, the metallic scent fading into her normal scent of lightly sprayed perfume that tantalized his senses.
Good grief, I've only known her for two days and I'm already going crazy.
Keiji's fur visibly smoothed down again, no longer looking like it had been charged, and he left Stelmaria's side, coming back to Marisa, docile once more.
"I wonder if any other man knows of your volatile mood swings" he responded.
"My mood swings aren't volatile" she murmured. "If they were, you'd have at least had a glass thrown at you by now"
He snorted, Stelmaria coming forwards to nudge at Keiji. "I quite doubt that"
She moved closer, forcing him to face her. "Don't" she said quietly, keeping his gaze.
He stared at her, unmoved but also curious.
A throat clearing had them both moving away hurriedly, looking at the doorway to a mischievous-looking Juliana Verone. "Am I interrupting something?" she asked, half a smile on her tanned face.
"Not at all, Julie" Marisa smiled, leaving the lord's side to go to her friend, as Keiji followed with one last glance at Stelmaria.
Juliana took her friend's arm as they walked. "So" she said with an impish grin. "Did I interrupt anything?"
"No" Marisa replied firmly.
"Ooh, you're certain about that, aren't you? A little too certain"
Marisa stared at the woman in teasing worry. "Have you been reading those crime novels again, Julie? I think they're messing with your head"
Juliana scoffed, her wolf-dæmon (named Socorro), rolling his eyes. "Please, Marisa, we've known each other for how long?"
Marisa mentally counted in her head for a moment. "Almost two years"
"And I think I would know you at least a tiny bit, wouldn't I?" the Spanish woman smiled.
"Indeed" Marisa replied. "Doesn't mean I'm going to tell you what happens every second of the day"
"Good grief, no! But, I'm not as stupid as Carlo Boreal likes to believe, and I will find out what's going on"
Marisa laughed. "Good luck with that" she smiled.
"They're going in" Keiji muttered, jumping onto her shoulder. "Let's go"
"M-miss Paige, may I e-escort you in?" a stuttering voice said from behind them, and Marisa turned, a charming smile in place. "Of course" she replied, taking his arm.
She sat down near the front, next to Juliana and Jeremiah, with Mr Coulter on her other side, and Lord Boreal next to him.
"So" Juliana murmured in her ear. "This is the part where lover boy speaks about what he found in the North?"
Marisa noticed Mr Coulter and Lord Boreal listening intently, and a wicked smile turned up the corners of her mouth. "Yes" she replied, winking at her friend. "Wake me up when it's done"
Juliana laughed quietly, while Lord Boreal and Mr Coulter looked satisfied, and Lord Verone confused.
"Marisa" scolded the Spanish woman playfully. "You know better than that"
"I do" replied Marisa. "I'll behave now, Julie, I promise"
Juliana rolled her eyes, clasping her husband's hand with her own.
Later…
Everyone chatted excitedly about the speech, all conversing, arguing.
No one noticed the tall figure slipping through the doors to the entrance hall, except one.
Marisa looked around discreetly, before gracefully rising from her seat.
"No one's looking" Keiji whispered. "Let's go"
They made their way to the entrance hall, unsurprised to find it empty.
Marisa made her way to the cloakroom, slipping on her coat, buttoning it up with slow, seemingly uncaring movements.
She slipped out the front door, her dæmon on her shoulder, and found him leaning up against the wall, his dæmon sitting at his feet.
"Trouble in paradise?" her melodious voice reached his ears, but he didn't look at her.
Stelmaria slowly got up, stretching as Keiji made his way down, and began circling him.
Marisa moved to him, dark eyes curious of the object he held in his hands.
She gasped in wonder.
"Is that what I think it is?" she whispered, her face, for once, showing what she was feeling.
Shock.
Eagerness.
And, surprisingly, fear.
Keiji moved away, hissing, and Stelmaria cocked her head to the side in curiosity.
"Depends what you think it is" he replied, staring at the alethiometer in his hands as if it held the answers to all his problems.
"You are either very brave, or incredibly foolish to bring that here" she said softly. "Especially with Carlo in the building"
"So you do know what it is" he said, ignoring her last comment. "How do you know of these?"
Marisa looked at him, judging him. "That is my business" she finally replied.
He gave her a sardonic grin, putting it back in his pocket. "Indeed it is" he murmured. "Why are you out here?"
She wrinkled her nose. "Because I felt like it" she answered, turning.
Unexpectedly, a large hand caught hers, and pulled her back gently. "You're scared of the alethiometer" he whispered, forehead touching hers. "Why?"
Stelmaria brought the monkey closer, growling quietly.
Marisa shook her head. "It doesn't matter" she muttered, pulling away gently.
Keiji pulled away from the snow leopard slowly, pouting.
"Are you going to walk home?" the man frowned.
"No" Marisa shook her head again. "Julie and Jeremiah are giving me a ride"
He nodded slowly, holding out his arm. "Walk with me?" he offered, and she smiled, taking his arm. "You certainly are one of a kind" she murmured, so quiet he almost didn't catch it.
"Thank you" he smirked. "I'd hate to bore you"
Keiji moved closer to Stelmaria, walking next to her.
"Marisa, there you are!" Juliana called, and they both turned. Juliana paused, looking crestfallen. "Oh" she pouted. "Are you going with Lord Asriel?"
"No" Marisa replied. "Don't worry Julie, you'll still be able to torture me before I leave your company tonight"
Juliana tsked. "You make me sound like a madwoman"
"And you're not?" the other woman teased.
Juliana rolled her eyes. "We leave in five, Marisa, so say goodbye to lover boy and get your butt over to the carriage"
They watched her leave, and Lord Asriel snorted. "Is she always like that?" he asked.
"Only when she thinks I'll be embarrassed" Marisa replied.
"I see. And are you?"
She turned to him, mischief and laughter dancing in her dark eyes. "Not one bit" she said, a small smile on her face. She touched his pocket discreetly, where the alethiometer was, and stood up on tiptoe. "Keep that safe, won't you?" she whispered in his ear. "I'd hate to see it behind glass. Goodnight"
Then, on complete impulse, she kissed his cheek softly, before spinning around and walking outside, her dæmon a golden blur as he jumped onto her shoulder.
Lord Asriel touched his cheek, eyes wondering, but with a small, genuine smile on his face.
--
Date: 1/5/1993
Time: 6.30pm
Location: London, England
There were the same people here, the same people that always came.
The Vanes, the Verones, Lord Boreal, Edward Coulter, and, of course, Lord Asriel, being just a few.
He sat next to her, not even looking at her, although she could still feel him next to her, a presence that commanded respect.
Lord Boreal tapped his glass, and everyone paused in their conversation to look at him. "First of all" he smiled charmingly. "I would like to thank our amazing hostess, Rachelle, for the lovely dinner, and her wonderful husband, Zacharias, for putting up with us"
Many people tittered, and the resolute Zacharias Brown smiled slightly. "Second of all" Lord Boreal continued. "We have a special occasion today"
Marisa felt the blood drain from her face.
"What his he doing?" Keiji hissed angrily. "No one's supposed to know"
"I would like to wish our lovely Marisa Paige a very happy 22nd birthday" he smiled, and everyone looked at her, surprised.
Marisa put on her mask of charm once more, and smiled. "Thank you Carlo" she replied quietly. "I'm flattered"
"Happy birthday, Marisa" Juliana called, not covering her panic and anger as well as her friend had. "You really should curb your modesty, you know"
Marisa shot a smile at her, a long-awaited blush now covering her usually pale cheeks. "I should, shouldn't I?"
After that, the dinner went down to how it was before, although Marisa had to work hard to keep her mask up, feeling two pairs of eyes burning into her from her right.
Later, she stood in the garden, alone while Keiji paced angrily.
"That bastard" she hissed angrily. "I didn't want it known for a reason"
"Why not?"
She looked up, surprised to see Lord Asriel closing the back door, walking over.
Stelmaria followed him, prowling forward.
She sighed. "Believe it or not, Asriel, I don't want people throwing a fancy gala over my birthday. And, if people know when my birthday is, they know…"
She paused, eyes widening, as she glanced around, showing nervousness for the first time since he'd met her.
He frowned, a small smirk on his face as he figured it out. "You're not really 22, are you, Marisa?"
"No" she replied, flashing him a guilty smile. "20. But some people would not be pleased if they found out they were inviting a child to their fancy balls"
"I bet they wouldn't" he chuckled. "And now Boreal's stuffed that up, hasn't he?"
"Yes" Marisa snarled angrily, clenching her fists as Keiji growled in the direction of the door.
Stelmaria placed a paw on his back lightly, soothing his fury.
"Calm down, Marisa" Lord Asriel murmured, holding onto her elbow gently. "I won't help in the long run if you gave Boreal a black eye"
Marisa chuckled darkly, glaring at the large house. "It would make me feel better" she muttered.
He raised an eyebrow, letting go of her and sitting back on the bench, crossing his arms. "Go on, then" he said, nodding at the house. "I dare you"
She narrowed her eyes at him, contemplating, but then shook her head. "I don't want to go to jail" she replied, and he smirked. "It's not as bad as you'd think" he said, and she looked at him, surprised. "You've been to jail?" she raised an eyebrow in disbelief, and he nodded, grinning now.
"1986" he answered. "I was eighteen, an idiot and was a year out of school. I'd gone to Moscow to see my brother, got into an argument with a rather distinguished politician within the first hour of being there, broke his nose and ended up in a cell for the night" he shrugged. "They fed me well enough, and I don't suppose you would have any problem getting out of there earlier"
She laughed. "No, I don't suppose I would. You seriously broke a man's nose and ended up in jail? In Russia?"
Keiji grinned impishly, and Stelmaria purred, butting his hand with her head.
He nodded. "My sister-in-law gave me a right dressing-down when I finally managed to get to their home" he chuckled. "But I've never punched anyone in anger again, so I guess it worked"
She smiled, in a better mood now. "You're right" she said in amusement. "You were an idiot"
He snorted, rolling his eyes. "Thanks for that" he muttered. "As if darling Amelia hasn't already told me that enough times"
"Marisa, Lord Asriel?" Juliana came out from the house. "I hate to break up your little chat session, but people are starting to wonder where you are. You should probably head in"
"All right, Julie" Marisa replied. "We'll come inside in a moment"
She nodded, going back inside.
Marisa and Lord Asriel stood up, and she smoothed her skirt out, sighing quietly. "If anyone ever finds out my age, and Carlo's found dead the next day, I'll be in Moscow" she smiled, and he grinned, placing a hand on the small of her back as they started to walk up the garden path. "I'll make sure to visit" he replied. "Marisa?"
"Mmm?" she paused, turning towards him.
He grabbed her chin gently with his hand, giving her a searing kiss as Stelmaria licked Keiji's face. It was short but passionate, and when he pulled back, they were both slightly flustered. "Happy birthday" he said shortly, turning and going inside while she stood there, bewildered.
After a few seconds, she finally composed herself once more and made her way inside.
"M-miss Paige, there y-you are" Mr Coulter stuttered, and Marisa smiled.
"I'm very sorry" she said, looking at everyone else with an innocent look. "I was just outside getting some fresh air. I hope you don't mind, Rachelle, Zacharias?"
"Not at all, Marisa" Rachelle gushed. "That's fine. Shall we have drinks in the living room?"
The few guests that had stayed (Lord Boreal, Mr Coulter, Lord Asriel, Marisa, the Vanes and Verones) all seated themselves in the living room, drinking the golden Tokay.
Marisa frowned when she realised that the fruity taste of alcohol had washed out any taste of Asriel.
"So, Marisa" Rachelle smiled. "Why didn't you say it was your birthday? We would have thrown a party for you"
"Oh" Marisa waved a hand carelessly. "I didn't want anything special planned for little old me" she smiled.
Lord Asriel snorted, and she threw him a sharp look before continuing. "You've all done so much for me already"
Stelmaria placed her head in her paws to hide her laughter, the feline's green eyes glowing with mirth while her human looked at Marisa in vast amusement.
Keiji stuck his tongue out at the snow leopard childishly from his perch on Marisa's shoulder, black eyes glittering mischievously.
Marisa herself simply ignored the man.
"Child" Stelmaria purred in delight.
The monkey merely smiled impishly, but calmed when his human put an elegant, bejewelled hand on his golden fur, eyes warning the man across from her not to continue.
He winked at her, a smirk on his handsome face, and leaned back, enjoying the show she put on for others.
--
Time: 12.03pm
Date: 7/4/1980
Location: London, England
A dirty-faced little girl ran down the streets as the rain poured down, trying to stick to the rare dry spots in the dirty roads.
Her dæmon, a black rat, crawled in between her legs that were littered with scratches and bruises, checking for danger.
The girl was Mari Patterson, and her dæmon, well…the rat had never been named, and wouldn't be for a few years.
Mari ran down the streets until they became cleaner, with streetlights and pretty gardens and large, expensive houses, all looking dreary due to the grey skies.
Mari finally found what she was looking for; a lone figure walking with an umbrella down the street, no doubt heading to her warm, comfortable home with servants and a warm fire and hot food.
Mari walked closer and closer, seeing the handbag.
"Come on" growled her dæmon, turning into a scruffy-looking dog. "Hurry up, Mari"
Finally, the girl was close enough to snatch the bag, but before she could, the woman spun around, and Mari gasped.
She was beautiful, with long, dark brown hair and large, dark green eyes, skin almost translucent thanks to the weather, her dæmon a snowy-white ermine around her shoulders.
"Hello, child" the woman's voice was strangely melodious. "What's your name?"
Mari looked up at her, black eyes wide. "M-mari" she replied shakily. "Mari Patterson"
The woman smiled. "Mari, Mari, full of passion and beauty" she said softly. "No child that's tried to pick my pocket – or rather, purse – has been as lovely as you, child. Because I'm feeling generous today, here"
The woman reached inside her bag, pulling out a purse, and taking out some coins, dropping them in Mari's hand. With a small smile, she turned around and continued walking.
"W-wait!" Mari called out. "What's your name, lady?"
"Angel!" the woman replied. "Angel Paige"
Time: 7.05am
Date: 2/5/1993
Location: 5 Ryear Crescent, London, England
Marisa's eyes flashed opened, and she sat up hurriedly, looking around.
Keiji made a small noise, cuddling up to her as she hugged him, black eyes looking around the spacious room, searching for any sign that the dream was still there to haunt her. Sighing, she checked the clock on her nightstand, and groaned. "This isn't how a rich, pampered woman is supposed to live" she muttered. "She should be waking up at noon, and going straight to a spa to be pampered"
Keiji gave her a semi-impish grin, hopping off of the bed, and to the bathroom. "It's a good thing that you're not a pampered, rich woman then, isn't it, Marisa?" he replied.
Rolling her eyes, the woman grabbed a pale pink silk robe off of the back of her door, going into the bathroom to find a steaming bath already poured for her, with a white, fluffy towel there waiting.
Marisa smiled, placing the robe on a small seat. "Thank goodness for Azia" she murmured, undressing and smoothly stepping into the bath.
She washed and dried, slipping on the robe and making her way back into her bedroom, where a woman (in about her 40's) stood, her gorgeous wolf-dæmon with red-gold, shiny fur that sparkled in the sunlight, bowing slightly to the monkey.
"Good morning, Miss Paige" the woman smiled slightly.
"Good morning, Azia" Marisa replied lightly, sitting on the edge of her bed as the woman looked through her closet. "How are you this morning?"
"I am well, thank you. I think this dress would look lovely on you, Miss Paige. Any special occasions tonight?"
"No, tonight I am just going to spend a quiet night at home"
Privately, Azia Wolfe thought that in itself was a phenomenon, but she kept her thoughts to herself, pulling out a long, pale pink gown that accentuated the newfound colour in her cheeks.
Marisa nodded to the woman briskly, who left the room.
--
Time: 9.39am
Location: Public Library, London, England
"Wow! Did you see the lady?"
"What's a lovely flower like her doing in a place like this?"
"I didn't know people rich enough to buy a lifestyle had enough brain cells to be able to read"
"Where does she expect to be, in that gorgeous dress?"
Marisa smiled slightly as Keiji heard the comments, turning a page as she absently stroked his fur gently.
Then, "What's he doing here?"
"I thought lords had their own private libraries?"
"Do you think he's here for the lady?"
"Do you think they're together?"
Marisa frowned slightly, crossing one leg over the other as she tried to figure out who it was, although she had a very good idea.
Finally, Keiji couldn't bear it any longer, and looked towards the voices, to find a furry face with green eyes almost an inch away from his face. He shrieked, falling off the arm of the chair, and Marisa held a hand to her heart as Lord Asriel laughed.
"I'm glad you find it entertaining to scare me to death, Lord Asriel" she said frostily. "Why are you here?"
He shrugged, still grinning. "Looking for a book. You?"
"Trying to read in peace"
"Not succeeding, by the looks of it"
"Obviously"
He sat down in the seat next to her, propping his feet up on the table as Stelmaria lay at his feet.
Marisa tried to ignore him, but it was no use. The man is insufferable, she thought in annoyance. Finally she sighed, closing the book and placing it on her lap as she faced him. "What do you want, Asriel?"
He smirked. "Finally. I thought it would take longer than that to get you to crack"
"It's a little hard to concentrate when someone's boring holes through your head" she snapped.
He chuckled. "Maybe. I thought you enjoyed people staring at you?"
Marisa rolled her eyes. "Fine" she muttered, standing up.
Asriel grabbed her hand, tugging back down. "All right, all right" he murmured. "No need to cause a scene, darling"
"I wouldn't have to if you'd just tell me what the hell you want" she hissed.
He blinked.
"What?"
"You swore, Marisa"
"So?"
He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. "Never mind, we're getting off track here. I'll be in Oxford for a while, visiting my family home and Jordan College. I just came to extend an invitation to you. If you want to come while I'm there, you'll be welcome. Goodness knows I'll probably be bored out of my mind"
With that he stood up, and walked out.
"Wow, he was here for the lady"
"Do you think they're lovers?"
"She looks surprised"
"My, my, he looks handsome…"
There were those voices again, but this time, they weren't so well-received.
Sighing, Marisa stood up, placing the book back where it came from, and walked out, as graceful as a flower, as mysterious as the night.
--
Okay, you guys see that button down there? The one that's calling to you, saying 'Review...' 'Review...' You get the drift, doncha?