Author:
Cricket
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Date Posted: 07:30:44 06/17/01 Sun
Cricket walked throughout the night, and far into the morning. As she walked, she went over the last week..and all the things that had coalesced to change her life.
There was Nessa..and the foolish act that could have gotten the woman and her child killed..the fight that rocked their very foundation afterward..and the relief that had come as things seemed to settle. Nessa had given her this family, still, welcomed her with open arms, and Cricket so worried that she would make some mistep, or bad decision, that would crack it all in half.
There was Burgoo, and all he had done for her lately..he never ceased to suprise her..and she was ever grateful that he had allowed not only Ciro to be a part of the house..but now Sho too. He had even agreed to step back, and allow the impending visit of Charles. Sometimes, she could just kiss the big Smithy for his large heart.
Charles..she had already developed a wary appreciation of the mans sneakiness, and it was perhaps as hard for her, as it was Burgoo, to not slit the mans throat as soon as he might show his face. But no..they would wait, and be nice, and perhaps things would work out after all.
Aldrea..and her impending visit. She was nervous about meeting such a stately lady, and one that seemed very spoiled to the luxuries of life, if her missives were any indication. Cricket had to wonder just why a broken carriage would impede a visit, only 25 miles away..surely a carriage or entourage from the chateau could have been sent. But Cricket stayed out of such matters as that. Still..she had to wonder, if there was Any correlation between Aldrea..and Charles..and what might happen when blood relatives, met the adopted family that ruled the chateau now.
There were other concerns as of late..not less than the others, was Ciros return. And Lanthes.
Gods..how badly had she missed him..and how it hurt to see him now, in such a deplenished and battered state. Both his mind and his body had suffered greatly..and she felt entirely helpless to change it. She wished she knew what had happened to him..but Ciro, was not able to remember.
He had come to her at the roost..near death..he was only a shell of the man she remembered. Later, he had come to the chateau though, ..and that had made her determined, to keep him there, where it was safe..where he could heal..and where she was.
Lanthe was here too..and Cricket worried constantly that it was too difficult for her..to remain where Ciro was, while his heart was given. She felt a little sick at the thought..She loved Ciro so..but Lanthe was her friend, and she all too well knew the heartbreak that she suffered. All Cricket could do, was to bring them together as much as possible,let Ciro heal, and hope, that the pain did not outweigh the better.
Ciro had agreed to stay..more because she could not bear the thought of his leaving the safety of the chateau, and begged him to stay, than perhaps because he wished to. She promised him anything, everything, and at last, he had agreed.
The east wing of the chateau would be his..no servants or slaves allowed within..noone would bother his healing. Not even Cricket, who made sure his food was there each day, and any needs he had taken care of. The servants were already whispering about the dark, brooding Master in black robes that roamed the halls of the east wing like a ghost.
Cricket now had the responsibility of Becca as well. She had brought her into the chateau as house slave, and the girl had become a favored pet. Who could not cherish the girls devotion, sexuality, and the lengths to which she would go to please.
The thing that perhaps weighed the most heavy upon Crickets mind..was Sho. Sho Shinjo..Gods..to just say the name brought a moan of ghosts from the past. A past she stuffed down with a strong mental hand. She had put Shinjo behind her, and she would not go back. Sho..was his own..like eyes, like name, aside..he was not Shinjo.
Her addiction to him had swept her up so suddenly, so strongly, that she had at first, been helpless against it.
Perhaps it had been the last time..as he fed from her at the roost..with the crying Becca in the other room, and Nessa at her defense..Shard as well..and the results of that dark early morning, that made her realize, that she could not indulge her addiction as she might like.
It was not only dangerous to her, but to the house, and that, was not an option.
She had spoken to Burgoo later..for despite the fear, and the danger, she felt guilt, and remorse, at having ended a life, that was perhaps, all that Sho had had. She felt that Sho was alone..keenly aware of it, from her own experience..and she owed the Kindred, Sho..owed him at least half of what she had taken away.
She asked Burgoo to speak with him..to give the Kindred a chance, that he might escape his own hated darkness, by their acceptance of him. Burgoo suprised her again..by agreeing.
Cricket had to wonder, if Ciro had watched last night, from his windows in the east wing..as Sho appeared in the gardens, before Cricket and Burgoo, and had showed himself..and stood in stoic face off with the Master of the house. Had Ciro seen, or heard, as Burgoo allowed him to stay? Ready to burn him to ash, should he let the beast be unleashed, but at last, Nessa, and yes, even Burgoo, had seen the loss in Sho, seen the pain..and had welcomed him with if not wary, but open arms.
Burgoo had left them for a time, and Cricket, had then done something she was now regretting. She had given Becca to Sho to feed from..somehow sensing his reluctance of what he was..of what he had to have..and letting him know, that she understood, that it was fine. Fine as long as the beast was kept leashed. She had to wonder now..if that were even possible. Could the Beast be kept leashed? She really..didnt know..and had she risked Beccas life? She had thought she had it all under control..but had she? had she really? ..and my Gods..what was Ciro going to say.
The child in Nessa cried out with the earth in protest at the abhorration..at the wrongness of the act..and woe was Cricket to realize..that perhaps her call to serve those of Caine..was twisted black with the threads of wrong doing..and in that, she might sever that which she had always longed to hold. Family..love..she had all that now.
Would it be risked by the call to serve the one of Caine?
As was her way..Cricket wanted it all...and she was damned determined..that she would have it. ..that they would All, have it..have those things deserved, those things yearned for, for so many painful years.
Cricket of the Rogues
"So prospers still the diplomatic art,
and Satan bows, with hand, upon his heart"
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