Stench

[Giselle Danielle]

Maverick watched as the woman fell to the ground, bouncing a bit as she smacked into the dirt. He wrinkled his nose in disgust as he turned to look toward Jive. He had never really dealt with any of the bodies after they had died and simply left them in their places to rot. Which, now that he thought about it, was much worse.

"Ah, well, I'm sure Giselle will be at least a bit pleased." He sighed, patting Jive on the back as he turned toward the door. "I think the poor pup fancies him a bit more than is good for her."

He perked up at the mention of shots and he grinned, walking to the door to stop by it.

"Well then, I know a nice tavern down the road and." He said, holding up his coin purse, "I'll treat this time. Don't even think about arguing with me."

He wanted to forget about Giselle and Dutch. He opened the link for a moment, just to make sure she wasn't dead and twisted his face angrily for a moment and quickly closed it. He had to say it was the only time he had felt Giselle be that pleasured and happy. Well, he was treating her well it seemed.

[Dutch]

((Dutch: *buff nails on his shirt* Yes, well, i am good.))


Jive suffered a pang of guilt as Maverick shared his suspicions of Giselle’s infatuation, and wondered again if he should tell him of his Tandem’s intentions.

Jive laughed as the wolf insisted on treating. “My friend, you have much to learn about me if you think I’d turn down free alcohol,” he chuckled, and followed the wolf from the room.

He caught the look that passed over his face, and recognized it as being quite similar to his own reaction back on the ship, after connecting with his occupied Tandem. He gave Maverick a sympathetic look.

Closing the door behind them, Jive cast a sideways glance at the wolf. What harm would it really do to tell him? Even if he in turn told Giselle, it would really only soften the blow to his Tandem, most likely. He scowled at himself. He was too used to keeping secrets; it was so unusual for him to be open and honest that he hid irrelevant details out of pure habit.

“I think Dutch is rather attached, as well,” he said nonchalantly, sliding a hand casually in his pocket as he walked. “He seems convinced he’ll be able to persuade Giselle to accompany him, the fool,” he said fondly, as though their reactions would have no impact on either of them. He covertly watched for Maverick’s response.

[Giselle Danielle]

((Giselle: Oh, shut up. So am I, you fool.))

Maverick nodded in satisfaction at the fox's words.

"Good, that's what I wanted to hear." He grinned and began to walk toward the stairs.

He caught the sympathetic look from Jive and knew all too well that the fox knew exactly what Maverick had just felt. He silently wondered if Giselle ever peeked in on his nights with a woman like he peeked in on her nights with a man. It was never to be a pervert, simply making sure she was alive and well. There were too many people out there that killed right after one bedded them.

His steps slowed and the smile from his face seemed to disappear. He wanted Giselle to be happy, and now that he knew that Dutch had similar feelings he felt that perhaps she had found that life she had always secretly wanted. She never wanted children, oh gods no, but she had wanted a man. A man who could comfort her better than Maverick. A pang of jealousy ran through him and he sighed, a hand running through his white hair as he shook his head.

"She'll go with him, if there's room enough onboard for a horse. If there's an empty cabin she'd easily turn it into a stall. She loves that horse more than anything. If we did go with you, it would only be for one trip. And she'd be a fool if she accepted, it would only make it harder for her...harder to accept that she can't have that happy little life she's always wanted with a pirate. She lives a life on land while he lives one on water. She'll never leave that horse...or keep that horse uncomfortable." He sighed, his hand gripping locks of his hair. "He had colic once, almost died. She didn't sleep for days and kept walking him around and making him drink water. She wouldn't even let me help."

Maverick had his own horse, a relative to hers. His, however, was not fully of Motrean blood yet only part. The mare was a rather interesting steed, always knowing what she wanted to do. Giselle had trained his horse. He had no interest in training while at the tribe. An animal riding an animal? Giselle wanted to bring back the Motrean horse breed and had bred her horse to his. Now the mare was being taken care of by an old native. The woman used to help the Motreans with their horses and Giselle felt comfortable leaving the mare in her care. The Torkaleans were too stupid to look there anyway, they didn't even know of her.

He pushed the thoughts out of his mind, knowing that he had gone side tracked.

"If Dutch really temps her, she'll have me ride her horse to your next docking point if it's possible and there's no room on the ship." He sighed and shrugged. "She's a smart woman, she'll think of something."

[Dutch]

((Dutch:*Grin* Prove it. *Tackles*))

((Me:*rolls eyes* men.))


Humans were a wonder, sometimes.

Jive shared Dutch’s love for the sea, for the excitement and unbridled freedom that open sails and a clear horizon offered, but he didn’t share his need for it. When on land, the fox in him felt at home. For Dutch, even if he restrained himself to his Tandem’s body, he felt trapped, alien and alone. He lived off of the sea like Jive lived off air. No matter how fond he grew of the woman, he would never be happy on land.

And she would never be happy at sea. Theirs was a relationship doomed from the moment they set eyes on one another.

The fox sighed, no longer trying to feign an unaffected manner. This was impossible.

“They’ll never be happy together. The best they can hope for is a hit-and-miss affair,” he said quietly. “Perhaps we should simply tie them both to a tree and have done with it,” he joked, exasperation coloring his voice. Much as he complained about the pirate, Jive did still consider him a brother, and it upset him to see the idiot unhappy. He wished there was a neat solution to this, for his sake.

[Giselle Danielle]

((Giselle: ACK! -is tackled-
Me: Can't live with them, can't live without them, haha.))

Maverick didn't mind where he was, as long as Giselle was happy. He devoted a lot to her, and she devoted a lot to him. They were siblings in every aspect of the word other than blood and animals. She was a human while he was a wolf, but it didn't matter. They loved each other all the same. He knew that if she didn't have the horse she'd be alright on the sea, for a while at least. She didn't settle down, however, he knew that as well as anyone. She never liked to stay in one place for too long or do anything for too long.

He walked down the stairs, pushing people out of the way as he made his way to the door and opened it for both him and the fox. He knew what the fox was going to say next, he knew it too. It just didn't feel right to hear it. He needed alcohol, and not just ale. He needed stronger stuff.

"Yes, or one gives up one of the things they cherish for the other." Maverick sighed and began to walk to the other tavern, his long strides quite determined. "Giselle would give the horse to someone to take care of...but she wont be able to stay away from him for more than a couple months...and I don't think she's ready to do that. She needs confirmation from Dutch to know that she should do that...and she won't admit it herself. Not yet."

He pushed open the other tavern door and held it open for the fox.

"It can work...but...only for bits at a time."

[Dutch]

Jive shook his head as they entered the tavern.

“Dutch would never ask her to leave the horse. It would be the same as asking him to leave his ship,” he said, and sighed heavily. “They could compromise, but I’m afraid they’ll be unhappy while away from their respective needs, and end up resenting each other for it. Perhaps…it’s best if they only see each other now and again. Dutch isn’t the sort to bind himself to anything, usually. I’m unsure how it would work out.”

He rubbed a hand over his face brusquely. “Of all the people in Arcynica, these two had to fall for each other,” he mumbled cynically.

[Giselle Danielle]

Maverick listened to Jive and shook his head as well, a bit determined to figure out a solution.

"I'm quite determined to make this work...I've never seen her so happy in my life. I propose we see how their moods are after they are separated for some time...and if they're not so...happy, then perhaps we can find out a solution. Giselle knows somewhere to keep the Stallion safe, and soon he'll have to be away from her for long periods of time to be bred to other mares of descent from our tribe. She might be willing to stay on the sea with him...and she's not the kind of person to ask the same payment in return. I don't know...it's all a might and might not work thing."

He had to laugh, however, at the fox's last remark and he shrugged.

"It might work...you never know."

[Dutch]

The fox listened to the wolf’s resolute plan with an amusedly raised eyebrow.

“Well, if Giselle is anywhere as stubborn as you, I have no doubt is will work just fine,” he said teasingly, grinning at him. It actually did make him feel better that Maverick was so determined; perhaps they could both be happy, after all. Only time could tell. No sense condemning them to misery before they had even tried, right?

Clapping a friendly hand on Maverick’s shoulder, Jive started guiding him toward bar. “Come, there’s liquor to be consumed and coin to be spent, my friend. Let’s not borrow trouble.”

***

Breathing heavily and grinning like a madman, Dutch paused in his revelry to look at Giselle, and leaned on his arms. He knew he couldn’t bear to wonder if she would be with him tomorrow any longer, and dove in before he could think about it.

“Come with me tomorrow when we leave,” he said, and before she could respond rushed to justify himself. “It probably won’t be a long journey on such short notice, and obviously I’m in need of a body guard, and I would of course pay you for your services, it wouldn’t be charity or leeching. And I’ll leave the method of your payment up to you,” he grinned seductively. His heart pounded harder than he thought possible as he waited for her answer.

((Dutch: O.O Why did you make me stop!?!?!))

[Giselle Danielle]

((Giselle: -grumble grumble-))

Maverick laughed and shook his head.

"You have no idea how stubborn she can be. If she wants something, she'll find a way to get it. She's worse than I am." The problem really wasn't at how stubborn she was, it was to how much she wanted it. How much she thought that it would be worth it.

"Ah, yes, Liquor." He grinned.

He found two stools standing beside each other, empty, and took one.

"I'll have whatever is your strongest drink and whatever this fantastic man shall like."


She was close to gasping when he had stopped. A frown managed to find itself on her face as she brought her head forward to look at him. Was he asking what she thought he was asking? Was he really asking for her to stay with him on a trip? She would love to, but what about her horse...what about Maverick? But as she looked at Dutch, she found it almost impossible to say no.

"I would love to...but, do you have enough room on the ship for a horse? And, I'll have to check with Maverick but he's easy to tempt into things. I'm just...I can't leave my horse behind." She bit her lip. "But I really would love to go with you."

[Dutch]

Jive sat next to Maverick, grinning. “Well, that is impressive. I hold new respect for the girl,” he teased good-naturedly.

Affecting a girlish air, the fox fanned his cheeks and smiled abashedly. “Oh, fantastic indeed. Am I blushing?” he joked, and looked up at the barkeep.

“May as well make that two,” he said, and grinned at the wolf. “By the way, I hope you don’t mind rooming with a finicky fox. I promise I don’t snore,” he said.

***

Dutch’s insides waffled between leaping in joy and sinking in despair as he listened to Giselle’s response, and gave her a boyish smile as she assured him she “would love to go with him”.

Suddenly buoyant, he leaned over and gave her a brief, burning kiss.

“My darling, I could fit the whole damn town on this ship if it meant you’d come with me,” he told her. Really, he would have no trouble turning a portion of the hold into a stable. It was only one horse, after all, and it wouldn’t be the first time he’d transported live cargo. Whoever had to muck the stables wouldn’t be terribly happy about it, but they’d survive…besides, the captain would of course help.

With a hungry growl, he returned his lips to her skin with renewed fervor, and devoured her flesh with passionate attention.

[Giselle Danielle]

Maverick laughed as he watched the fox. Really, he was good at that, perhaps a bit too good. The thought simply made him laugh a bit more and he finally took a deep breath. He looked up to see two glasses held by the barkeep and he took them and handed one to Jive.

"As long as you don't act like a girl again, I think I'll survive." He said, grinning. "You almost killed me with laughter. In any case, rooming with you shall be no problem. I do not snore either. Cheers."

He held up his beverage and took a rather large gulp. He threw his head back and growled as the taste seemed to seer his mouth and throat, yet for some reason left him aching for more. He had no idea what it was but decided he liked it.


She was almost taken away at the kiss, yet it was too short for her to immediately return to what they were doing before. He had pulled back, much to her displeasure, and spoke once more. What he said, though, was well worth the wait. She felt touched and important, and those were two things she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Sweetest thing I've heard." She managed to say before his lips were back to her.

Immediately she was taken away and returned to what they had been doing before words had paused them.

[Dutch]

Jive chuckled at Maverick as he kept laughing at the fox’s impression. He hadn’t realized he was so entertaining. Most people found him a bit of a stick in the mud.

“Agreed,” he told the wolf with a grin, and tilted back his own drink with him, hissing as it scorched a path down his throat. Some kind of fire whiskey, he decided. Not bad.

Sipping his drink, Jive leaned back in his chair and suppressed a yawn. It was getting a bit late… he considered checking in on his Tandem to see if her was quite done yet, but decided it wasn’t worth it. He’d just find a room tonight.

“You wouldn’t happen to know of an almost decent inn around here, would you? I’ve no intention of returning to the ship tonight…” he grimaced, “and unfortunately I rarely stay in town when we come here. I’d usually rather sleep outside somewhere that be subjected to this rotting cesspool, but seeing as how I’ve already spent most of my day here…” he said, and covered his mouth as another yawn crept up on him. Seemed all the alcohol and excitement was wearing on him.

[Giselle Danielle]

Maverick was growing tired as well, yet didn't show it as much as the fox had. Though, yawns were contagious and as soon as Jive finished his, Maverick began his own. He covered his mouth and shrugged.

"There's an inn down the road." He took a gulp from his drink, quite determined to get drunk and forget about Giselle and Dutch. "Not bad. No bed bugs. I hate this town too, but Giselle would much rather sleep inside than outside and she wins most arguments. Anyway, would you like to share a room?"

He wanted to sleep soon, but he wanted to be drunk while he slept. Make it easier. Also, if his connection to Giselle somehow opened while he was sleeping than he would be able to imagine it as a dream rather than realize it was reality.

[Dutch]

The red head offered an apologetic smile as his yawning infected Maverick. When they were younger, he and Dutch used to fake yawns to purposely set each other off. They’d gotten quite crafty about it, too. He doubted Maverick was in to mood for a yawn-war, however. He seemed to be a little too busy getting himself utterly wasted.

Jive had wanted a drink earlier, after the…incident in the last tavern, but not to intoxicate himself. He rarely drank to get drunk; he disliked not being aware of his surroundings. He took comfort instead from the familiar company and the weight of the mug in his hands.

The wolf, on the other hand, seemed quite determined to drink himself into oblivion, and the fox was relatively positive he knew the reason - and he didn’t blame him a bit. In his situation, the fox would probably already be passed out in some seedy hotel room, with a flask within reach just incase he woke up on the near side of sobriety.

He smiled sympathetically. Poor thing. “Of course, my friend. Always willing to save a little coin.” he said, taking another swig of his burning drink. “No rush, though. I think I feel another mug coming on,” he assured him, not wanting his suffering companion to feel rushed in any way.

[Giselle Danielle]

Maverick was not an unpleasant drunk, he was a very quiet one. When he spoke, however, it was quite clear that he had had too many drinks. He didn't like making a fool of himself, so he usually avoided talking while intoxicated. He wondered if Dutch would get Giselle drunk one day, or do something to hurt her. The mere thought caused him to take another sip. He grimaced as the strong liquor coursed down his throat and through his intestines, scorching a path.

Giselle was his sister and it was his job to protect her. It hurt him to see her be with someone who she knew she would only get hurt with. It was her decision and Maverick knew he would not be able to convince her otherwise.

"Nah, we can leave as soon as ye like." He said, smiling at the fox. "In a couple minutes I have a feeling I'll be as giddy as a woman on her wedding day." He chuckled and shrugged. "I don't hold my alcohol very well."

At least he was being honest.