Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer
I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Noble, Fadewind, Bibika94, Alphabloodwolf, Alexsandra, Lsb123 and BellaNessieCullen
I took a deep breath and stepped into my room to find Dove lying on her stomach on her bed.
"Dove, I have something to tell you." I said, standing with my back to the door.
"Yeah?" She asked, turning from her magazine and looking up at me.
Suddenly I wished that Mal was with me, but I had decided it was better to do this alone.
"I have been lying to you. Mal and I are a couple in the romantic sense." I stated, his name sounding cut off as I stopped myself from saying Malachite.
"Finally!" Dove said, jumping to her feet and she actually gave a squeal of delight as she hugged me. "I've been waiting for you to just tell me. Why didn't you?"
"Because I was afraid." I admitted.
"Why?" Dove asked with a frown, her hands still on my arms.
"Because you are so candid about your dalliances." I stated.
"Doesn't mean you have to be about yours." Dove said, leading me to her bed and encouraging me to sit down.
"But I would like at least some tales to tell and I was waiting until I did before I told you." I said shyly.
"Ok. I think I'm gonna need you to elaborate on that." She stated, dropping her magazine to the floor.
"Since Christmas Mal and I have tried to be intimate but we have been interrupted, or I have not felt comfortable to lose my virginity under such conditions." I stated.
"Right. So how far have you got?" She asked and I realised that Dove had never felt such apprehensions.
"I…I have seen him naked." I said, feeling my cheeks burn.
"Really?" Dove asked with a grin. "So, is he big?"
"Is that all you think about?" I asked aghast.
"Come on Liza, you got to give me at least that." She coaxed.
"From the quick glance I took I did wonder how he would…" I trailed off, shaking my head in a fit of giggles, unable to continue.
"How he could satisfy you?" Dove ventured.
I shook my head.
"How it all works?"
"Closer." I gasped. "How he would fit within me."
"Oh. So…wow…kinda wish I bagged him myself." Dove joked. "And if you're this embarrassed over that, how would you have given me a play by play of your dirty little weekends?"
"I have no idea." I giggled feeling my cheeks burn. "Oh dear, I fear I am boiling up here."
"Ok. Drink this and tell me more." Dove said, pushing a drink into my hand.
I drank it back without thinking and almost gagged.
"Good god whiskey." I gasped and spluttered. "Ych a fi!"
"It'll steel your nerves." Dove said, tapping my back as I coughed and tried to get my breath back.
"After it's burned my oesophagus away." I observed, finally recovering my voice, and now I had a warm glow within me. "Where were we?"
"You were telling me how far you've got with Mal." Dove prompted.
"Yes. He has skilled fingers and lips." I mused. "He knows all the spots to caress and tease to build up the heat within. The feel of his bare flesh against mine is magnificent. To feel him pressed so close to me."
"I thought you hadn't had sex." Dove observed.
"Oh no we haven't had full intercourse." I clarified. "But we did make out topless this afternoon. Bare skin rubbing together, a tangle of denim clad legs. Lying in bliss after a while listening to his heart as he runs his fingers in my hair. His other hand moving softly up and down my arm the tingles that could be ticklish at the wrong moment, causing a pull of gentle pleasure within me instead."
"Wow." Dove observed. "Has he given you an orgasm?"
"I can't answer that." I gasped, feeling my cheeks burn.
"Sure you can." Dove said, refilling my glass and encouraging me to drink again.
I sipped the whiskey this time and Dove waited until my glass was empty and I could feel the golden glow running through me once more.
"So?" She prompted.
"Almost, but I stopped him." I admitted.
"Why?" She asked, it was unthinkable to her.
"Because Alec was too close and he would hear and that would be disgusting." I said, making a face, aware somewhere that I was giving too much information away, but I didn't seem able to stop myself.
"Why?"
"Because he has a crush on me, silly boy." I giggled. "I can't let him hear my sounds of pleasure. God forbid he should hear that. What would he do with it?"
"Err Liza, you wanna keep to English? I can get by in Spanish and that's about it." Dove stated.
"Oh, I was speaking Spanish?" I asked.
"Now you're speaking Spanish, just then you were speaking, well I don't really know." She stated.
"I know too many languages to narrow it down." I giggled, concentrating on English.
"Ok. So when did you bite the bullet and actually admit your feelings to each other?" She asked.
"Well our feelings admitted themselves. We were up in the attics messing about and I meant to land a kiss on his forehead and he lifted his head to speak and our lips met and I could hold back no longer. And we were kissing, melting into each other. Oh how wonderful a kisser he is. Just his kissing alone is sublime, never mind anything else." I said wistfully. "If his kisses are so good what will I feel when we finally…" I giggled, my cheeks burning again. "When we are lying together naked and…and entwined."
"Yeah, sounds like you'll have a ball." Dove said, pouring me another measure of whiskey.
I drunk it back quickly and got to my feet.
"Where are you going?" Dove asked.
"I've done enough talking. It's time for action." I stated.
"What?" She asked, rising to her feet too and observing me carefully.
"I'm going to have my way with Malachite and I am going to bloody well enjoy it." I announced.
"Malachite?" Dove asked with a laugh.
"Yes." I said, and somewhere in my alcohol-fogged brain I remembered that Malachite was just plain old Mal Rogers in college. "Because his name is Mal and he has beautiful green eyes and there's a green stone called Malachite." I invented quickly. "It is a pet name."
"You guys at the pet name stage? Cute." Dove said and hugged me.
"Yes. Now enough chatter I must away to my Malachite." I announced, pulling away from her, and then frowned. "Although I will go wee first, my bladder is bursting and it is ever such a long way to the bathroom from Mal's room. I may as well clean my teeth while I'm there." I said, picking up my toiletry bag.
"Yeah. You don't want to be kissing him with whiskey breath." Dove agreed.
"I will see you in the morning." I said with a salute and made my way to the bathroom to relieve myself and freshen up before I made my way to Mal's room.
I knocked on Mal's door but there was no answer and I knew he was not within. I used the key he had entrusted to me and let myself into the room. I locked the door behind me and placed my set of keys and my toiletry bag upon the desk. I stood in the middle of his room, wondering how best to present myself, I was feeling hot, and I flapped my t-shirt to try and cool myself.
I paused, and raised my eyebrow; there was another way to be cool. I removed my t-shirt completely. I looked strange standing in my bra and jeans, I removed my jeans too and felt a little disconcerted that I had not matched my underwear this morning and now it looked odd. I removed my underwear too, and placed my clothes folded on the chair.
I stood in the middle of the room feeling ridiculous in my nakedness. It would not be the best way to present myself and I would be visible to anyone passing the door when Mal opened it. I got under his covers and as I waited I drifted to sleep.
"Liza?" Mal said gently, I opened one eye and managed to focus on him.
"My Malachite." I said pulling him close to me and I kissed his lips. "I am ready for you my love."
"You're drunk." Mal observed.
"I am uninhibited." I countered, "Come, just lie with me here." I said, holding him in place, his head cushioned on my breasts. "This is so comfy." I sighed, stroking his soft hair.
It didn't escape my notice that Mal was trying to discreetly cover me up.
"It's only you here." I murmured, kissing at his hair.
"Yes, but you're really drunk and it's not right." He stated.
"Always so noble." I murmured, hugging him and I must have drifted to sleep again.
"Liza? I'm going now for my lesson. I've reset my alarm for ten to give you chance to get ready for your lecture this afternoon. I'll see you this evening in our usual spot." Mal whispered and I felt his kiss on my cheek and I was lost to sleep once more.
When I next opened my eyes to the sound of an alarm it took a while for me to remember where I was and why I was naked, although a sheet had been tucked around me in a very secure manner. It was clear Mal wished to ensure that I didn't become uncovered in the night. I smiled when I thought of his consideration.
Then I felt a pain in my abdomen and I was suddenly conscious of the fact that I was due to start my period. I had a moment of horror wondering if it had already started. I jumped out of the bed pulling the sheets from around me. Thankfully they were clean, but soon I would bleed. I had to pull on my clothes from yesterday and rush to my room to get clean clothes. I had to be ready for when it started, I knew it would be soon.
An hour later I was lying on my bed feeling awful. I was washed and dressed, but I couldn't find the strength to dry my hair. I knew that if I ate I would feel better but that required getting up off the bed. A hangover combined with first day fatigue was not a happy combination, and to top it all I had a lecture in three hours. It was time for painkillers and a trip to the coffee shop. I would merely plait my hair for today, Mal liked when I wore two braids anyway.
I managed to do my hair in two almost perfect braids before I took the painkillers. I packed my bag for my afternoon lecture and made my way outside. I was glad I remembered my sunglasses; the sun was bad this morning and hurt my eyes.
"Liza. Are you ill?" Alec asked, he had been sitting in the common room and had followed me out.
"I need food." I grouched. "Where is the food?"
"Where you usually purchase it." Alec stated. "Would you like me to buy the food while you sit and suffer in this hell of your own creating?"
"I am very crappy today and very hungry. I may just decide to find out whether I like the taste of vampire flesh." I growled.
"Now Liza, I thought you did not want me anymore." Alec said, grinning under his hood.
"I mean it, I am most irritable today." I warned.
"Then I will stop my teasing." He promised. "What food would you like?"
"A nice big juicy steak." I decided.
"Then I will buy you one." He said firmly and it was clear he would accept no argument.
"You don't have to do that." I said regardless, feeling that he would ask for something in return.
"Call it an apology for my bad timing and payment for advice." He stated.
"Advice on what?" I asked, my head too clouded for complicated thought this morning.
"On what one does to procure a date with a girl who does not run with the normal crowds." He said in a guarded way.
"You want to take Lamia out on a date?" I asked with hope.
"Yes." He replied, and there was a smile in his voice, albeit one tinged with worry.
"Really?" I asked, feeling a teasing mood take me for a moment.
"Is that a difficult concept to grasp?" Alec asked a little grouchy.
"No. I was merely a having a moment of mischief, but truly I am proud of you my friend and I will be happy to advise you." I said feeling somewhat cheered that his attention was being drawn elsewhere.
"What do I do when you eat?" Alec asked when we reached the steak house.
"I would occupy the table regardless, they can not kick you out for not eating." I assured him.
"If I order something light, a salad say, would you eat part of it?" He queried.
"I am famished right now, I would eat two steaks." I joked.
"Then I can order one for myself." Alec said with a nod of his head.
"No. I am not that hungry. Order a salad and I'll eat some of it." I stated. "We will eat here."
Alec looked up at the sign then down to me.
"Will they have a dress code?"
"It's a steak house Alec. They are not snooty about their clientele." I observed.
"Very well."
We stepped inside the gloom of the building and were led to a table. We sat down and Alec removed his hood and gloves with obvious relief while I scanned the menu. I decided on the steak and French fries. Alec would provide the salad, he should have the chicken strips with it, and I could nibble on a few of them as an impromptu starter.
"Are you ready to order?" The waiter asked.
"Steak and fries for me. Chicken strip salad for him." I said. "Two Cokes. Please."
"And how would you like your steak?"
"Blue." I said. "So blue it still moos."
Alec chuckled.
"I like my meat very rare." I explained.
"Ok. I'll go sort that for you." The waiter said with a smile giving every indication he thought I was cute and possibly a little simple. "Any sides?"
"Onion rings." I decided. "That's it."
"Yes." Alec agreed.
"Ok. I'll be right back with your drinks." The waiter said and walked off.
"So blue it still moos." Alec mused. "That is funny."
"Yes. But it's as close to fresh blood as I can buy in a restaurant." I observed.
"You need to hunt?" Alec asked with worry.
"No. I am merely hung over, coupled with…biological reasons; I need that boost of iron. I should have had the liver." I considered as I saw it on the menu.
"No. That tastes…" Alec made a face.
"You know what liver tastes like?" I asked, feeling somewhat intrigued.
"The man who was my father thought it was a delicacy. He used to have sparrow livers fried by the hundreds. The hearts too. He would scoff them as humans eat potato chips these days. It was disgusting. Even then I felt disgusted. They did not taste nice at all. I preferred vegetables, I was rather strange for my time." He said with a wry smile.
"Becoming a vampire must have been nauseating." I observed, and we fell silent while our drinks were placed on the table.
"Jane required it of me, I followed." Alec said, stating a simple fact of his life. "Whatever she wanted, I obeyed. I…" He trailed off into silence.
"Is she the eldest?" I asked.
Alec shook his head and paused as our drinks were placed on the table.
"I am three hours older." Alec stated, placing his hands either side of the glass, tracing a droplet of condensation as it travelled down the side of the glass.
"Three hours? Oh dear lord to have a baby then three more hours?" I gasped in horror before taking a sip of my coke.
"Twins born in those days?" Alec declared. "Our mother was lucky to survive. It ruined her womb, never could she have more. What a shame we were painted as witches. She was shamed there after. She was the only one of our people I took. She was cast a demon by then, confined to the flames. Jane thought to let her suffer our fate, but Mother had always been good to us. She had no power to save us. The man who was my father liked his status too much to deny the will of the others."
"Wait! You killed your own mother?" I gasped as I realised he was hinting at matricide.
"She was dead regardless. I made her death quick. Had I been older I could have stopped and after three days of hell she would have risen and I would still have her." Alec said mournfully, dropping his head and he was trying to hold back his dry sobs.
"Oh god." I said, placing my hand on his in sympathy.
"It's god's fault." Alec growled, his hand clenching into a fist. "It was his followers who decided we were evil. His followers who consigned us to the flames to be rescued by demons."
"Alec! This is not the place to discuss such things." I hissed, as his voice began to rise in passion and I was worried people would overhear him. "We will do so later. When Mal is with us too. We will listen to you. We will help you."
"How? You can not bring my mother back." He said sadly.
"Very well." I said, conceding to the fact that he wished to unburden himself at this juncture. "Tell me of her death." And I held his very cold hand in both of mine hoping the warmth would give him comfort.
"Jane went to our town and killed the elders, but none belonging to the church. They decreed our mother a witch. It was her who corrupted us. They said that she created the storm to stop the fires and enable demons to carry us away. They had done so much to her that she welcomed death, that's why Jane wouldn't give it to her. That's why I did." He shook his head. "I would have given her this life if I could. I was certain that Mother was the one from whom we inherited our gifts. I stated as much to Aro, but he wouldn't change her. He told me that if I could manage it then she could join us, but I was still a newborn, I couldn't stop feeding. I killed my mother and that's how Aro got me to turn off my emotions. He required Jane to feed her vengeance and the fire within, he required me to turn off my emotions. My powers work better when I'm detached. He had me do the one thing he knew would make me shake my mortal coil. Whereas Jane had constantly clashed with Mother, possibly because they were so alike, I was the blueprint of a mummy's boy and Aro found the most affective way to cut the apron strings."
"Have you ever spoke to Jane of this?" I asked.
"She would not understand." Alec said sadly. "She was encouraged to anger, I was encouraged to feel nothing. It is a hard divide to cross."
"But you've crossed that divide Alec, do you not see?" I said, catching his eyes and looking into them to ensure my points were better felt. "You have emotions. How else would you become obsessed with me? How else could you take enough of a fancy to Lamia to want to take her out on a date?"
"And that is why I admire you Liza, you help bring things into perspective." He said with a smile, before he took my hand and kissed the back of it before placing it on the table. "I am rather fond of Jill." He continued, his face alight with excitement. "It is quite extraordinary. I never would have looked at my feelings if it were not for you."
"Who's Jill?" I asked.
"That is Lamia's 'false name'." He said with a chuckle as he made the air quotes. "She thinks it is too plain to be vampire."
"Any name can be vampire." I stated wondering what Jill would make of Jane.
Alec shrugged.
"I guess it matters not." I conceded. "What are her likes?"
"Darkness and death." He said promptly, and he was mostly quoting me from the day before.
"Would you be opposed if I spoke with her?" I asked.
"No. I want you to do that." Alec stated. "Would it be too much if I asked you to befriend her?"
"I will offer the hand of friendship, but I can not promise." I stated.
"I understand." Alec replied.
"I will do my best." I promised, and then my steak was placed before me.
I began eating my steak and it was perfectly rare. I enjoyed the steak very much and the salad and chicken from Alec's plate. It was a very good lunch and I was feeling much more myself by the time I'd finished.
"Next time I see Lamia I will talk to her." I promised Alec when we were walking outside once more.
"Thank you." Alec replied as my phone rang.
I answered and it was Tony. He wished to know luncheon etiquette when an uninvited guest put in an appearance. I assured him that sandwiches should be fine before stating that I had lessons to attend.
Alec and I attended our lecture; afterwards he was quick in leaving me. I assumed it was to find Lamia, but it mattered not, it meant I could meet with Mal alone. An afternoon with Mal alone seemed divine. Especially when I considered it would be two in a row.
The thought of reuniting with Mal had carried me through the last half of a tedious lecture it seemed better now Alec was absent. However my heart rate began to rise as I neared the spot where we usually met on a Tuesday, for some reason I was feeling suddenly nervous. What if he was angry with me because of my behaviour last night? I had acted in a manner most improper.
I slowed when I saw him sitting on the bench and walked toward him with my head bowed until I was stood in front of him.
"You look like a kid who's done something wrong and know they're about to get a mega row." Mal said, placing his fingers beneath my chin and coaxing me to lift my head. "Why?"
"You are not angry with me?" I asked with a frown.
"About what?" He asked, returning my frown.
"Last night." I said uncertainly.
"Why would I be angry about finding you naked in my bed?" He asked, sliding his arms about my waist. "Feel free to do it any time you want." He stated pulling me closer and kissing my neck. "Although I do have a few suggestions for next time."
"What?" I asked, a little unsteadily.
"Well next time I find you naked in my bed and waiting for me, I'd prefer it if you were sober and awake." He said, trailing kisses on my neck. "That magical surprise was somewhat marred by you being drunk and snoring your head off."
"I wasn't snoring!" I exclaimed, pulling away from him in horror.
"Well you did snore later." He said, pulling me back to him. "But at that point you were half conscious and I had to do what was right. So instead of showing you some sweet loving." He added, running his fingers about my waist. "I had to wrap you in the sheet and make sure you slept on your side all night in case you were sick." He said, and on the latter he turned me and pulled me back into his chest, wrapping his arms around me as he did in bed. "Of course this isn't so bad." Mal whispered in my ear. "But next time I'd prefer those two minor adjustments that I suggested so that I can do a lot more with you than just cwtch you to sleep."
"Suggestions noted and I will seek to employ them in the future." I stated kissing his cheek.
"Thanks bach." He said and kissed me back, a simple peck. "So how did you get so drunk so quickly?" He asked, spinning me once more so that I was now facing him as he still sat holding both my hands. "You couldn't have been gone more than half an hour. I know because I went to have a shower and get ready for bed as soon as you left because I was so nervous about how things would go with you and Dove but it would be a while before I heard anything."
"It was the whiskey Dove was plying me with as a truth serum." I stated as I stepped back, pulling Mal to his feet so that we could start walking toward our building.
"Why did she need a truth serum?" Mal asked with a frown.
"To get as many details out of me as possible for I was blushing madly and stuttering to a stop over certain things. It demolished my inhibitions most assuredly for I was ready to receive you, and would have done so greatly had I not fallen asleep."
"Even if you hadn't already been half asleep I wouldn't have gone that far with you last night." Mal stated. "I mean it about the drunk thing. Ok, I'll admit that if you've had a glass or two of wine just to take the edge off your nerves then that will be a different matter, but last night you were not you."
"I understand what you are saying." I said, lifting his hand to kiss it. "And I am thankful to you that you acted a gentleman. I will not push your will anymore, next time I lie naked in your bed I will be awake and willing and we will make love."
"We will." Mal said firmly and I smiled as we walked through the town.
As we passed the coffee shop I espied Lamia sitting alone and reading. I wondered for a moment where Alec was, but conceded that he was steeling his nerve. I could smooth the way for him as I had promised.
"I must do something a moment." I stated to Mal as I stopped. "You go on to your room and I will be with you shortly."
"What do you need to do?" Mal asked.
"I have to extend the hand of friendship to Lamia in order to understand her better so that I can offer advice to Alec on how best to woo her." I explained.
"Isn't that cheating?" Mal asked.
"I like to think of it as altering the odds in our favour." I said firmly.
"But she's human. Should we really be offering her up to Alec like some sort of sacrifice just to give ourselves a little privacy?" Mal asked.
"Alec truly likes her and she was the one who approached him." I stated.
"Then why do you need to get involved?" Mal asked with a frown.
"To ensure Alec does not screw this up." I said firmly.
Mal considered for a moment, and then sighed.
"Ok, but don't talk her into anything she wouldn't do naturally." Mal warned.
"I won't." I promised.
"Ok. Well I'll be in my room when you want me." He said and leaned down to kiss me.
I kissed him and delighted in being able to do so in public.
"I will see you later my Malachite." I whispered in his ear.
"Likewise my Liza." He replied, and brushed my cheek lightly with his fingers before he stood and strode away from me.
I watched him for a moment before I crossed the pedestrian street to the coffee shop. I bought a latte and cookie and carried them to Lamia's table.
"May I join you?" I asked.
"This table is occupied." She replied blankly without lifting her head from her book.
"There is but you and there are three other chairs." I stated.
"They are occupied by the departed." She replied.
"Oh, I see now, please forgive me gathered company. Would you be opposed to my pulling up an extra chair and joining you in your coffee party?" I said in the most serious tones I could muster.
"Yes." Lamia stated, still not looking up from her book.
"What's that?" I asked. "You three welcome me? Then it is settled, it is three votes to one." I added, placing my purchases upon the table and taking a chair from the nearest table and placing it opposite Lamia before sitting down.
She looked up at me now and her light brown eyes were curious.
"Are you crazy?" She asked.
"No more than you." I replied with a smile. "I know well the wish to push others away, but I am rather persistent. I should introduce myself. I am Liza Summers, Alec's cousin."
"You are?" She asked, and I realised I had not registered in her consciousness when she had approached Alec; perhaps it was love.
"Yes." I said, taking a sip of my coffee. "And I am very nosy and wish to subject you to twenty questions as is my right as his present female relative."
"You want to question me?" She asked nervously.
"I have to ensure that Alec is worthy of you." I replied.
"Don't you mean that I am worthy of Alec?" She asked with a frown.
"No." I said and bit into my cookie.
"Right." Lamia said with a frown.
"Other than death and darkness do you have any other interests?" I inquired. "You asked him to meet you behind the art building, is that your major?"
"Unfortunately no. I have to put in extra hours to follow the course. My parents think I'd be better suited to studying law." She replied, making a face.
"It's a shame when you are forced to abort your dreams." I said sympathetically.
"I can do art on the side and hope to make enough with one piece of work so I can retire from law and become a true artist." Lamia said with a firm nod of her head.
"That's the wise expectations to have, but I think you would much prefer to live a bohemian lifestyle where art is paramount and normal life is something that happens to other people." I suggested.
"I'm not too sure of the bohemian." Lamia observed. "I'd buy a castle in Europe, preferably a medieval one."
"In northern Europe, they are better for what you would like." I advised. "The dank and gloom and the aura of the dark ages."
"Yes, but with modern facilities obviously." Lamia said with a smile. "I may like darkness, but I also like my home comforts."
"I relish in home comforts." I stated. "If you like castles with modern comforts then you would love my home. It is a stately home from Britain built in the seventeenth century. Our family moved it over here to preserve it sometime last century when a council sought to demolish it for the sake of building a road. I am glad my ancestors chose to save it for it made an interesting place to grow up."
"Sounds great." Lamia said and she meant it.
"It is." I said, resisting the urge to add that if she played her cards right with Alec she'd get to see it one day. "The truth is Alec is somewhat shy and would like to ask you out on a date, but he has never done so before and is at a loss of how to do so."
"He wishes to take me out on a date?" She asked, sounding amused.
"Yes." I confirmed.
"And where would this date be?" She inquired, trying to feign a casual interest when she was fully interested in the notion.
"He would allow you to choose everything. He is a gentleman like that." I stated.
"I'll ask him out on Friday." She said. "There is a seminar I must attend, company might make it more bearable."
"Thank you." I said. "And I will not let him know in advance. He will feel most aggrieved if he knew I was interfering in his love life."
"I won't tell him you spoke to me." Lamia said.
"Thank you." I said with a nod of my head. "Now I should be leaving. Please excuse me everyone." I added, incorporating all of the chairs in my farewell.
Lamia watched me carefully as I left and I wondered briefly what she thought of me. It mattered not, provided she thought well of Alec. I was musing on this as I walked back to the dorm building, deciding to take a shortcut through the park.
"I thought you'd come this way." Mal said as I reached the bridge.
"Hello my love." I said with a smile.
"Come for a walk with me?" He asked, taking my hand.
"Of course." I said, wondering why he was acting so much on ceremony.
"So how did it go with Lamia?" He asked as we started walking.
"She's going to ask Alec to attend a seminar with her on Friday." I replied, enjoying this afternoon stroll.
"Sounds nice." Mal observed.
"Yes. I hope they have a good time." I stated and meant it.
"Yeah." Mal replied. "And if we're luckily she'll ask him for a second date next weekend."
"Then he won't be able to join us out at the cabin and he wouldn't have any way to get there." I said happily.
"Exactly."
"This is sounding better with every passing moment." I trilled, skipping slightly in delight.
"Yep." Mal said, spinning me into his side and placing his arm about my shoulders. "Anyway, let's put planning the future aside for now because I want to make up for a mistake in my past."
"What mistake?" I asked.
Mal put his finger to his lips to indicate silence before he pulled me down to sit on a bench and he kneeled before me.
"I will not apologise for forgetting St Dwynwen day, my reasons still stand, but I do understand why you'd be upset. And to start living up to my promise of love tokens, I bought something for you." He said as he pulled a jewellers box from his pocket and gave it to me.
I took it with shaking hands, I was rather nervous in opening it worried that it was a ring. Was I ready to be engaged? Thankfully it was a necklace. A plain silver chain, which held a nice sized heart shaped pendant set with a green agate. I moved it and the light played across the surface.
"Oh my!" I gasped as I realised. "It's malachite."
"Yep. I had to go to the Earth Store to get it; they looked at me as if I was crazy when I asked for it at the jewellers. Anyway, I wanted to get you something special and I thought that, well, that this way you've always got a little malachite with you wherever you go." He burbled his face growing red as he spoke.
"I love it." I said, feeling tears in my eyes as I hugged him. "It is more than perfect. I couldn't ask for anything better. It's simply wonderful. I must wear it now." I said, pulling away and removing the necklace from its box. "Would you be so kind?" I asked, handing the necklace to him.
"Of course." Mal said as he moved my braids out of the way and placed the necklace in front of me before fastening it behind my neck.
He let it fall and kissed the side of my neck before I turned to him and he sat up on the bench.
"It's pretty." He said, adjusting it somewhat so that it sat just in the right place to draw attention to my cleavage if I were wearing a lower neckline. "It brings out the green in your eyes."
I smiled and placed my hands to his cheeks before kissing him for a while.
"It is the most perfect gift." I whispered as I drew away.
"I'm glad you like it." He said. "I was worried it was too big, you prefer dainty jewellery."
"Mal, I love it. As you said, I can carry a piece of malachite with me wherever I go. Why should I not wear a visual representation of my soul?" I asked softly.
Mal was looking at me in awe and I smiled at him, stroking back his hair behind his ear.
"Is that… Is that what you really think?" He asked tentively.
"Yes." I whispered, still stroking his cheek.
"Oh, fy Liza fach i, mi fyddai i'n eich caru chi am fyth." He said with a conviction that was concrete.
"And I will love you forever my Malachite." I replied in English to his declaration of eternal love in Welsh.
We were hugging, no; we were cwtching each other there on the bench for all to see, but in that moment there were but Mal and I in the world.
"You two are just too cute." Dove said and we looked up at her.
"Hey Dove." Mal said with a smile. "Can I ask you a favour?"
"Ok." Dove said, giving him a careful look.
"Try not to get my Liza that drunk in future." He stated.
"What?" Dove asked with a frown.
I encouraged Dove to sit beside me and when she did I looped my arm through hers.
"Last night I went to Mal's room. Stripped off and slid between the sheets ready to greet him when he returned. And then promptly passed out." I explained.
"Oh." Dove said downbeat.
"What was that whiskey you were giving me?" I asked with a smile to show there were no hard feelings.
"Well it wasn't really whiskey per say." Dove said in a dodgy manner.
"What was it?" I asked.
"Dr Bradshaw's patented cure-all." She declared. "My great-great-great Grand pappy made quite a few dollars with his prohibition moonshine. We've kept the recipe ever since."
"It's strong stuff." I stated. "Certainly it will keep the cold at bay."
"Yep. And cure baldness and depression and any ailment you'd care to name." Dove said with a grin. "Legend has it he was good at the old patter."
"All the same, you want to lower the dosage next time?" Mal asked.
"I will." Dove promised. "So you two want to be alone now?"
I looked to Mal for a moment, then back to Dove.
"We were about to return to Mal's room in order to study a little before we decide what to do." I replied.
"Oh. Well I'll walk back with you and go back to our room. Maybe I'll phone Jez, but I don't want to seem so demanding." She said with a frown.
"Was Dermot's transgression really so bad?" I asked.
"Yes." Dove said firmly. "I'll just scout the common room instead, unless you're hiding a friend somewhere Mal? What about Alec?"
"He has his eye on someone at the moment." I stated. "They're going on a date Friday. Possibly."
"Anyone I know?"
"Lamia."
"Don't know her." Dove said, shaking her head. "Well I guess I'll have to go fishing. It's hard to find a guy who wants to go steady in college. They all seem to be into the frat thing. It's depressing."
"There's guys who'd like a girlfriend." Mal stated. "But you won't find them in the night clubs and maybe not even the Union bar."
"So where do I go to meet them?" She said in a close to sarcastic manner.
"Have you ever considered being content with your own company and when you're not looking love will just happen?" Mal asked.
"How will that work?" Dove said with a frown.
"It worked for me." Mal said, hugging me and kissing my head and I giggled.
"You two got lucky." Dove said. "For everyone else it's a battlefield. Although I think I'll work on loving me this evening. Treat myself to a nice takeaway and a movie."
"That sounds nice." I said, as we all rose to our feet.
"I do need to be happy with myself, but I get bored." She said.
"How about getting yourself a hobby?" Mal suggested.
"Haven't got the patience." Dove said blandly.
"There's a screenwriting course on Tuesday nights in the college, why not join that?" I asked. "It is a good way to enter the film industry behind the scenes, plus you will be mixing with people you normally wouldn't in college." I suggested.
"Yeah but it's the type of people I meet in Hollywood everyday."
"Not necessarily." I countered. "Any would-be screenwriter you are likely to meet on set would already be boiled dry and cynical about the whole Hollywood experience. Any you would meet in the club would be fresh and enthusiastic. Would that not make a change?"
"I suppose." Dove conceded. "So anyone can just turn up for this club?"
"They have spaces left." I assured her. "Quite a few from what I hear. They convene at eight in room sixteen of the drama building. The professor is usually present half an hour prior if you wish to speak with her first."
"What's her name?"
"Tilda DuWalt."
"Ooh, Tilda DuWalt is tutoring? She wrote some of the best films of last twenty years. It should be a real education to get tips from her. But she knows Mom and she knows me." Dove said sadly.
"Then you need to beg her discretion before hand. I'm sure she would not wish to be seen as showing favouritism." I stated.
"You're right." Dove stated. "It would be just as bad for her as it would be for me."
"It would." Mal agreed.
"I think I will go check it out. I'll grab something to eat first and maybe freshen up a little. I have some work I can present to her if she needs the proof. I wonder if there's any cute guys attending." Dove said in gasps.
"You'll know by the end of tonight." I observed.
"Yeah." Dove mused. "Well I'll see you later Liza."
"Of course." I said and hugged her.
"And I'll see you tomorrow Malachite." Dove said with a cheeky grin.
"Yeah, what?" He said in shock.
"I guess only Liza gets to call you that." Dove said with a chuckle. "Ok. I won't in future Mal."
"Thanks." Mal said with a frown and I knew I was in for some questions.
We said our goodbyes to Dove and went on to Mal's room. I was waiting for him to question me and so stood awaiting his inquisition. Instead he scooped me into his arms, sat on his desk chair and propping his legs up on the bed he sat me across his lap so that I was sat sideways to him and I could turn to him, wrapping my arms about his shoulders and stroking his hair.
"So." He said, his right hand on my thigh, his left hand in the small of my back, his fingers massaging lightly in a way that felt good in the moment. "Dove knows my full name?"
"Yes." I replied. "Although she thinks it's a pet name."
"Why?"
"Because her truth serum works very well indeed and I spoke your name in full my Malachite when I wished to see you last night. When she questioned it I said it was because your name is Mal and your eyes are like malachite." I stated and I moved my pendant to and fro so that the light danced across the layered surface.
"Good thinking." Mal said, kissing my cheek.
"Thank you." I said, turning to him and placing my lips to his and we kissed for a while.
I pulled away slightly and smiled as I looked into his eyes.
"This is a good arrangement." I mused. "I like how close we are in height this way. Neither of us has to stretch or contort, merely love." I added before I brushed my lips against his.
"You're right." He said, placing his hand to my cheek and running his tongue along my lips, it was delightful and I met it with much enthusiasm as his hand worked its way beneath my t-shirt until he had his hand flat to my bare skin. Although he did no exploring today and for this I was thankful.
I found myself stroking his neck and hair, trailing to his shoulders now and then. I traced the shape of his chest through his t-shirt, all the while keeping my lips to his. This was a truly magical way to spend the evening and I wished for a while that it wasn't a certain time of the month for I was feeling relaxed and completely distracted from the rest of the world that I would have willingly indulged in more than kisses this day. We would have to try this next week when we could go further. That would truly be a delight.
We did eventually study that night, although we were playful in-between, able to stroke each other's hand or kissing if the mood took us. It was lighthearted fun that we had missed in the previous weeks due to our workload and missed out on beforehand because we were unwilling to admit our feelings. This was how I'd always imagined myself being when I was younger and imagined what it would be like to know my one.
With our feelings bared it was easy to be in Mal's presence. We could sit together in blissful silence, or be engaged in a passionate clinch. Whatever we were doing we were happy in each other's company. If it were not for the effort we put in to ensuring we had a place to return to in college I would be more than happy suggesting to Mal that we leave and settle somewhere to indulge in nothing but each other for a very long time.
That of course was an impossible fancy and for now I would have to content myself with college and stolen moments away. It was a foundation of our future, a truthful one. We could have diplomas and qualifications made up and all the false records we needed, but Mal had told me he came to college so that his career wouldn't be based on a lie. If he became a practicing psychiatrist it would be down to his own hard work and determination. I wouldn't take that away from him through my own flight of whimsy. We would build our life the proper way and there would be time for cutting ourselves off from the rest of the world when we were older.
I had happy musings over the week when I wasn't actually with Mal I was thinking about all the things we could do through a long life together. The future looked so bright.
Because we could not go to the cabin at the weekend I decided to treat Mal to a meal and a movie. To ensure intimacy I made this a take away and home movie of his choice. I set up a blanket on the floor of his room along with his pillows and the ones from my own bed and created a nice space on which we could sit together while we ate and watched the movie.
I took the liberty of ordering Chinese and I bought a nice bottle of white wine for us to share. I had everything served out and set up ready for when Mal opened his door. He looked somewhat disgruntled at first, but then he smiled when he saw me.
"Now this is the type of surprise I like." He observed, dropping his bag onto his desk chair and he slipped his shoes off before dropping down onto the blanket beside me and kissed my lips.
"I'm glad you like it." I said, stroking the back of his neck before kissing him in return. "The only thing you need to do is choose what film you would like to watch."
"Thanks." Mal said with a smile. "So why all this?"
"I just thought that after your hard morning of toil you would like a treat." I said, breaking off a piece of naan bread and placing it in his mouth.
"Thank you." He replied and kissed my cheek before he went to the laptop and he chose a film to watch.
We settled down together and ate the food before us, now and again feeding each other. We chuckled often at the film, it was an old comedy that I had never seen but Mal assured me was a classic that it was part of the one hundred films to see before you die. I found it to be a good film, although I would hardly say it was a must-see, but I obliged Mal by promising to recommend it to somebody else.
Our meal had been leisurely and lasted for the duration of the film, now we cleared away the containers and after a brief visit to the bathroom so I could brush my teeth and such, I returned to Mal's room to find that he had tidied about the room some more. The containers were nowhere to be seen and Mal had put his bag away in the closet along with his shoes.
He had plumped up the pillows too and he had turned on his media player so that soft, unobtrusive music filled the room. Mal had not returned from his trip to the bathroom however. I lay down against the pillows in an alluring position while I waited for him to return.
"Hi Dove, you really need to speak to Liza?" I heard Mal say, directly outside the door and I sat up quickly and dove for his closet, taking hold of the first lot of notes I could see and spread them before me on the blanket.
"Yeah, it's an emergency." Dove said and without waiting she pushed the door open.
I looked up from Mal's notes as if I had been interrupted from them.
"Is there a problem Dove?" I asked.
"Yeah. I need your advice about something." She stated.
"What?" I asked.
"I got a date with one of the guys from the screenwriting class but he's kinda shy. Do you think I'll scare him off if I want sex on the first date?" She asked.
"I really have no expertise in this area Dove." I said incredulously for I had told her many times of my inexperience.
"Oh god. I don't even know what to talk to him about." She groaned.
"Screenplays?" Mal suggested as he dropped into his desk chair and propped his legs up on the bed again, although his legs were now flat and not the enticing cradle they were during our kisses.
"Please don't tease me Mal, I'm really panicking here." Dove exclaimed.
"Dove you will be fine." I assured her.
"No." She said, shaking her head.
"Yes you will."
"Are you guys doing anything this evening? I mean anything that you can't do an hour or two later?" She asked.
I stood and walked over to Mal and sat in his lap, putting my arm about his neck.
"What do you think my Malachite?" I asked, stroking his cheek. "Do you fancy a night on the town?"
"As long as I end the evening with you I don't care what we do bach." He replied and kissed my lips once.
I looked into his eyes to establish that this was something he truly wanted and then I turned to Dove.
"We will accompany you." I stated.
"But you'll owe us one." Mal added.
"One what?" Dove asked with a frown.
"A favour that we can cash in any time we see fit." I said with a grin.
"Ok." Dove said. "As long as you both realise that I was only joking about the whole ménage thing."
"We know." I said with a smile. "Not that I'd be willing to share Mal with you regardless."
"Yeah, the favour would be more along the lines of distracting Alec of an evening so we can sneak off alone if things don't quite work out with Lamia." Mal stated.
"Oh, well I can do that as long as it doesn't include anything physical. He really gives me the creeps and I don't know why." She observed.
"It will not require anything you feel uncomfortable with." I assured her as I got down from Mal's lap and placed my hands to her shoulders. "Now let us go get ready. What time will we be leaving?"
"I'm supposed to meet Lorne at seven down near the Union. We're not going there, we're going for dinner, but it's a good central place to meet up." She stated.
"Did he make reservations?"
"No. We're not going anywhere fancy. Although I should let him know the plans have changed. I'd hate it if he turned up unannounced with some of his friends." Dove conceded. "I'll go phone him." She added as she left the room.
"We'll meet you in the common room at half past six." I said as I kissed Mal goodbye. "Are you sure you don't mind? We can still pull out."
"Nah. It'll do us good to get some fresh air, and it's the first time we get to go out as a couple. Is there anything in particular you want me to wear?" He replied.
"You always dress impeccably my love." I said, kissing him once more. "Just know that I will dress in a manner that will perfectly display your necklace."
"I can't wait." He said with a grin.
I chuckled and kissed him again before I left his room. It didn't take as long as I would have thought to change, but I realised I was eager to parade Mal as my boyfriend. Finally we were able to be a couple in public, on a night out, which added something more to the thrill of being a couple in public in the day. This would be a magnificent night with my Malachite.
I was eager, but Dove was fretting, I had to assure her several times that she looked good and usher her out of the room in time to meet Mal at half past six. I had opted for a dark green dress; it was such a dark green that it looked almost black. It came to my knee and showed enough cleavage to entice but not over expose. It provided a perfect frame for my pedant. Dove on the other hand had opted for a simple pair of dark leggings, a band t-shirt and female cut leather jacket along with a beret perched just right on her now pink pixie cut.
Mal stood as we entered the room and he took my hand with a smile.
"You're right it does look beautiful." He said as he put his other hand to the pendant. "But not as beautiful as you." He added, his hand going beneath my chin and he kissed me.
I giggled, pulling away from him.
"Flatterer." I said. "Are you hoping it will get you somewhere?"
"It's not flattery when it's true." Mal replied with a smile, and then he turned to Dove. "And you look nice too. You got kind of an arty thing going on tonight."
"That's what I was going for." Dove replied.
"Shall we?" I asked, taking Mal's hand and linking arms with Dove.
We made our way down to the Union, and Dove took a deep calming breath as we approached the barrier outside where somebody was sat. The dark clothes were somewhat androgynous and it was only when Dove hailed him and he came over to us that I realised he was in fact a boy.
"I wasn't sure you were coming." He said to the floor. "I'm Lorne." He added, and reached out for my hand and shook it and then shook Mal's hand.
"I am Liza." I replied.
"Mal." Mal stated.
Lorne glanced at us and then looked away.
"So I was only expecting you Dove. Are you two into indie movies? There's an old picture house just off the main street." He said in quick sentences as if he hoped we wouldn't hear.
"We're always open to new experiences." I said, catching his eye and holding it. "Please find calm, we do not bite."
He frowned and looked away.
"So where's this theatre?" Dove asked, stepping closer to Lorne and it was clear she wanted him to take her hand but Lorne was too introverted to notice. Honestly he was worse than Tony had been when we had first started high school.
"It's…it's just down here." He said, and then he took hold of Dove's hand in a nervous way and led us down the main high street before turning onto one of the side streets.
At the very end of the side street was an old, rundown looking building with a line of people dressed in the indie style waiting to enter.
"I suddenly feel over dressed." Mal said.
"Me too." I replied. "But I am Liza Black and I have never let anybody intimidate me when it comes to fashion. We merely have to adjust our attitude. We must act as if we are wearing these clothes in an ironic way."
"Liza Black?" Dove whispered.
"Don't ask." I said firmly.
"Well anyway, you look ok in what you're wearing. I guess it's good you opted for the boots instead of your sandals tonight. If I'd known this is what was planned I would have told you the dress code." She said apologetically.
"It's fine." I assured her, and Lorne too because he was suddenly fretting. "Shall we take our place or there may not be seats left."
Lorne nodded his head, his dark hair falling into his eyes. His shyness was almost pathetic but I found myself wanting to mother hen him. I suppose there was something of Tony about him, but I could not conduct him as I had Tony, I had no telepathic link with him and to conduct him aloud would further his embarrassment. Perhaps I would speak with him if an opportunity arose.
"You can't instil confidence in everyone." Mal whispered in my ear once we were in line and he stood behind me with his arms about me as if he were attempting to keep me warm within his jacket.
I tapped his cheek to assure him that I had heard.
Lorne was watching Mal for a long moment, and then he tentatively put his arms about Dove. She leant back against him with a smile and tapped his hand lightly to indicate that he was doing right. Lorne smiled and dared to touch her hair, he seemed intrigued but almost unbelieving that he was holding a girl in his arms. It was clear he had little if no contact with girls in his life. I hoped that wouldn't prove to be a problem in the future should Dove decide to finish with him.
Finally the doors were opened and I stepped out of Mal's arms to take his hand as we moved to the door. Dove did the same with Lorne and they moved before us in the line. Lorne bought four tickets without asking us if we would like him to, I had no idea if he wanted us to pay later or whether he was treating us, it was hard to be certain.
The film transpired to be some form of coming of age drama set in a drab town in a drab county stuck in the past and threatened by the modern age. The plot was cliché but the quirky central characters made it worthwhile. I was glad I had come along; I would never have watched this of my own volition.
"That film was amazing." I stated when we were walking back toward the high street.
"I'm glad you showed us this place." Mal stated.
"You see how indie films can be of the same value as a Hollywood blockbuster?" Lorne asked Dove.
"I never disagreed with you." Dove replied.
"And don't you agree that Abbie Dawson is a great actress and has much more talent than Kat Perez…or…or even Fatima Marlow!" Lorne continued on a tangent, hopefully picking out the worst actress of the blockbusters and whom he considered the cream of Hollywood talent for his own sake.
Mal and I held our breaths waiting for Dove's reaction.
"Kat Perez definitely, but not Fatima Marlow." She stated.
"Oh come on. All those Hollywood queens are vacuous air heads who only became famous for having the right contacts and knowing who to…" Lorne babbled on, not picking up on the fact that he was on uneven ground.
"I think I'll jump in right there." Mal said quickly, cutting him off. "And point out that Fatima Marlow was a renowned indie actress before she made it big. It was actually in an indie film that made it into the main stream. Perhaps you got a gripe against her, thinking she sold out by opting to take on a better paying job, but you can't deny she has talent. And you can't paint her as some kind of whore. That's disrespectful to the ladies present don't you think? Does that mean all the top actors got where they are by sleeping their way to the top?"
Lorne shook his head.
"Right. I understand you're passionate about the subject, but you might want to tone it down next time. Learn to read the mood of your audience better. That's the mark of a real actor." Mal stated.
"I'm not an actor." Lorne protested.
"So you didn't happen to be the brother of the lead character?" I asked. "You may not have had much screen time and you were a lot younger then, but it was clear that it was you. How did you come to be in the movie?"
"My Mom was the director." He said lowly. "The kid they got to play the brother got measles and I was about the right age so I was hired in."
"So not so much whoring yourself, as a little nepotism." Dove said.
"Touché." Lorne said. "I should have thought about being a hypocrite, but I wasn't thinking. I'll try not to go on any more rants."
"Thanks." Dove said with a smile.
After that little hiccup the evening went well. Dove had even convinced Lorne to join her in our room. Whether they would get anywhere I would not know until I saw Dove the next day, but I cared not for only Mal was in my mind as we went to his room.
We kissed a while before settling into sleep and as I did so I realised how happy I felt that if all things went well the next time I went to sleep on a Saturday I would no longer be a virgin. I would know my Mal and he would know me and never would we part.
What a fool was I to hope for such a thing, I had tempted fate and it once again laughed in my face.
All seemed to go to plan. Wednesday afternoon I drove Alec out to the national park where he could hunt, something he was happy for because Lamia had been hinting that they should take there relationship to a physical level and he wanted to ensure that he was well fed to avoid any accidents.
He was to spend the weekend with Lamia, she was going to stay in his room and they would do couple things together. I was glad to hear for it meant he was unlikely to disturb Mal and I.
Mal and I travelled up to the cabin alone Thursday night, making all our usual stops along the way. It was early morning when we arrived at the cabin, but sure that we were completely alone we decided to sleep so that we were refreshed for lovemaking. Again, thinking that we had the weekend completely to ourselves we went hunting, we even brought down a bear together and that amplified the sweet rushing within, if only we had brought protection with us on the hunt it would have been a magical time in a patch of sunlight with Mal above me, the sun shining gold highlights in his hair, his eyes a flaming green of passion.
"We must return to the cabin immediately." I gasped, my fingers digging into his arms. "Or I will take you right here."
Mal shot to his feet and kept me in his arms as he began to run toward the cabin. I was looking into his face the entire time, awaiting the moment we would fall upon the bed. I could feel my breathing increase with anticipation.
Then Mal suddenly stopped and used the strongest swear word I had ever heard him use. I felt angered that he used such language until I turned and saw my Audi parked next to Mal's jeep and I found myself repeating the word, the first time I had ever used it in my life.
"Then I take it we were not meant to come here." Alec said from beside us.
"Of course you were not meant to come here." I snapped as I dropped from Mal's arms. "And who are 'we' exactly?"
"Dove, Lorne, Lamia and I." Alec said with an angry frown. "Dove…"
"It matters not. There are humans here when we are hunting. Are we indecent?" I asked urgently.
"A short swim in the brook will wash away the traces and it would explain your state of undress. I will smuggle towels to you to further strengthen your alibi." Alec stated.
I was about to rage at him, but Mal held me back.
"Thank you." He said and he took my hand and whisked me toward the stream.
"I can not believe this." I growled as I washed in the cool water. "This is…" I let out a scream of frustration.
"Yeah." Mal agreed as he washed himself. "And this time we can't blame Alec."
"Would Dove really do such a thing?" I asked.
Mal shrugged.
"Oh lord why are we punished so?" I sobbed and sat down in the water.
"I think we need to stop planning and grab what moment we can." Mal observed as he sat down in the water too and hugged me to him.
"It was Dove." Alec said as he stopped on the bank of the stream with towels in his hand. "She told me that you said we were to come up. I did not believe her and tried to phone you to confirm, but then she had me question her character, did I honestly believe she would create such a story. There was little I could do, especially when Lorne backed what she said."
"I will have words with Dove." I promised Alec as I climbed out of the stream. "Once we return to college, it would not do to create an atmosphere for the rest of our time here." I added as I pulled the towel around me. "Mal my darling it is time to act our little socks off, but when we return to Riverside…" I shook my head. "I am going to tell Dove exactly what I feel."
"And so will I." Mal said, placing his arms around me and kissing my head. "How dare she invite people here without consulting me? This is my personal sanctuary not a holiday camp she can rent out to whoever she wants! She'd better have a good explanation for this. That's all I got to say."
"Agreed." I growled as I took his hand and then I looked up at Alec. "You'd better lead us to the others."
Thank you for reading
Last chapter next week then I'll have a little break before I start on the sequel to this story, although I haven't thought of a name for it yet. I would be grateful for reviews, let's see who will take the 200 spot :D
Gemma x