maderr: (Fai - Genius)
[personal profile] maderr
This is...slightly spoilery for Book Four? Not really, though, since it happens like the first time Ailill appears in the story, and does not give the story away.

Mostly its Ailill getting pounced, but it does introduce a new char and mentions another, as well as some of Ailill's inner turmoil.

Also being typed straight from my notes to LJ, so pardon any errors.



Ailill stifled a sigh as they walked along the cobblestone streets.

He didn't want to be back, not really.

Truly he loved his homeland, he did. Verde was in his blood, in his heart.

Still...now he would no longer be Ailill. He would be the Marquis Ailill le Blanc, White Panther of the Third Province of the West.

He slid a glance at Ivan, who walked silently beside him, eyes riveted to the surroundings -- even in the poorer districts, the houses were drastically different than what he was used to in Pozhar, and the delicate-looking houses of Kundou, the heavy stonework of Piedre.

Everything in Verde was meant to be, for lack of a better word, pretty. Not necessarily in a delicate or simpering way, but it wasn't the strong, bright work of Pozhar, that was for certain. From silver to woodwork to the simplest homespun cloth, Verde prefer things look good.

Queen spare him, he did not want to give up his comfortable clothes. Just thinking of what his valet would shortly be forcing him into gave him a headache. Already he could hear Ivan laughing...or worse turning away, maybe thinking that something so snooty looking wasn't worth his time.

Hiding his worries, burying them as he always did, Ailill reached out and took Ivan's hand, smiling at the way the man still seemed surprised when he did such things. "What do you think, Vanya?"

"I think we're out of place," Ivan said, but with a smile. "You're the Beast, but I certainly look and feel like rather I am."

Aill frowned. "You're not out of place." He stopped them in the middle of the street and stole a hard kiss, and though he would have done so in broad daylight he was grateful it was dark and the street deserted, lit only by a few scattered torchlights. "Together is right where we're supposed to be, right?"

"Of course," Ivan replied, his fond smile doing wonders to his otherwise severe features -- more than a few people in their travels had thought Ivan evil looking. Ailill didn't see it. Ivan always looked stern, but evil?

Ridiculous. Ailill stole another kiss, a quick grope, and then resumed their walk, not letting go of the hand he still held.

Come morning he'd have to resign himself and admit to relevant persons that he was back in Verdel. Tonight, however, he could be just Ailill, a giant white cat and in possession of the most wonderful man in the world.

Hopefully, that last wouldn't change when Ivan saw him as a Marquis. Ailill forced his thoughts to stop turning morose and started looking for a good spot to--

The scent caught him too late, and he turned around just in time to catch the force that slammed into him, snarling as he shifted instinctively from man to cat, his yowl of outrage shattering the still night.

Distantly he heard Ivan's startled exclamation, demands to stop, to know what was going on.

He snarled again and scrambled free of the creature that had knocked him down -- that had pounced him.

In all the provinces, there was only one person that had the nerve to pounce the White Panther. Growling, Ailill pounced, meeting the other cat head on, falling into a taggle of claws and teeth and yowling. At last, after several minutes of tussling, he had the other cat pinned. Giving one last growl of warning, Ailill backed off and stalked over to Ivan, twining around his Vanya, nuzzling, growling softly when Ivan knelt and pet him, stroked his ears, dragged his fingers roughly but so pleasntly through his fur. He licked Vanya's face and quickly backed away, finally turning back to his assailant.

The black panther sat licking his paws as though it were the most normal thing in the world to pounce the White Panther in the middlef of the night.

Ailill shifted back and glared. "Noire."

Yawning wide, the other cat gave an indelicate snort and shifted. The man that stood in place of the cat was tall and lanky, and Ailill knew that in good light his eyes would be pale blue, skin tanned dark by the sun. It was impossible to tell the color of his clothes in the weak light of the torches, but his grin was obvious. "I heard a rumour that a particular kitty kitty had returned to Verde. I've been prowling all night, figured you wouldn't jump right into things. Your dearly devoted await you in the Golden Voice."

"Who are you?" Ivan demanded, his voice and manner all business.

"Vanya, this is an old friend -- Noire Chevalier, something of a...scout for her Grace the Duchess Frederique Levesque, Protectorate and Gaurdian Prospective of the West...also known as my immediate superior. The Duchess, not Noire here."

Noire sniffed. "You could have said you were my friend."

Ailill smirked. "That would be lying."

"You wound me."

"Not enough. Why are you out here, Noire?"

Noire shrugged and moved closer, and Ailill was astonishd to see how tired and strained he looked. "I've been busy, and things haven't gotten better while you were gone."

"I never thought they would," Ailill said with a sigh.

"So who's your severe looking man? Bring home a lover? A foreigner?" Noire looked Ivan slowly up and down. "Fighting being nobility every step of the way, aren't you? But he definitely has the look and smell of a keeper."

"Thank you," Ailill said dryly, gripping Ivan's arm to keep him still. "We're staying at the Sinking Ship. Come with us -- you can meet Ivan's team and fill me in before I'm forced back into that nobility I hate so much. How's Freddie?"

"She never changes," Noire said tiredly, sadly. "She never changes." His eyes flicked to Ivan, back to Ailill, and back again. "Let's go talk."

Date: 2006-09-02 01:02 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wobblygoblin.livejournal.com
O_O

Raz, Sahayl, Koray... they were mere shades of my new love. Oh, Noire, where have you been all my life?

Date: 2006-09-02 01:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

*dies laughing*

There's not even much there, what appeals so much?

Date: 2006-09-02 01:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wobblygoblin.livejournal.com
He seems to be all the things my mother warned me about. With, perhaps, a hidden sadness? Oh, Heathcliff!... I mean, Noire.

I am not sure my latest e-mail got to you, because my server tends to log me out if I type for too long! Let me know, because I am well used to its ineptitude and save all my e-mails. MNERGH.

Date: 2006-09-02 01:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

Heathcliff? Ahahahaha.

It did! Got distracted by this and babbling at my sisteri n her LJ. Off to reply now! (and I may have to compile all this info somehwere, cause we're cooking)

Date: 2006-09-02 01:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wobblygoblin.livejournal.com
We are indeed bangin' on all cylinders, baby.

(And I mean, like, black panther? C'mon, wet dream walkin'.)

Date: 2006-09-02 01:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magnet-dragon.livejournal.com
Dear Meg,

Noire owns my brain like whoa. He better be pretty damn important, else you might have an unhappy Cookie on your hands. ^_~

Date: 2006-09-02 01:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

*blink*

I am dumbfounded by this sudden and devoted love for Noire.

He's important, never fear. I don't give names that translate to "black knight" casually.

Date: 2006-09-02 01:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magnet-dragon.livejournal.com
Black Knight?

I have found a new love.

...Actually, speaking of which, I will try and make this sound as least demanding as possible... WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY VAPIRES? :C

Date: 2006-09-02 01:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

Sort of. The French would sneer. But 'noire' duh means black. 'Chevalier' means knight

What appeals exactly? There's very little to this snippet. I truly am surprised. It's always funny how I post about one char and everyone latches on to another.

They ran away with the spoon. I'll get back to them someday, I swear. I'll never leavea story unfinished, it's just right now other things are eating my brain and by this point I'd have to start that damned story over...

Date: 2006-09-02 01:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wobblygoblin.livejournal.com
It's probably because he seems so badass. And we're weak women. He's all, "Check me out, I'm the only one who'd tackle Ailill, I'm sleek and black and snarky, I'll just sit here and be obnoxious and yawn IN YO FACE. Man, I am pimp. All the ladies dig my tall and lanky suntanned frame. Just... just don't tell anybody I have a pair of black framed glasses and read a lot of poetry. I've got a rep to maintain."

At least, that's the vibe I'm getting.

Date: 2006-09-02 02:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magnet-dragon.livejournal.com
YOU WIN SUGARY TREATS OF GOODNESS.

Date: 2006-09-02 02:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wobblygoblin.livejournal.com
Suh-WEET. XD

Date: 2006-09-02 02:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

Huh, never thought to give him glasses.... I don't know whether to be pleased he's so well liked, so quickly, or sad I'm so predictable.

Date: 2006-09-02 02:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magnet-dragon.livejournal.com
BE PLEASED. ♥

Mm, glasses.

Date: 2006-09-02 02:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wobblygoblin.livejournal.com
If you do, he will be emo to the nth. He will also start ripping holes in his pants and letting his hair grow over one eye.

Date: 2006-09-02 02:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magnet-dragon.livejournal.com
Hmm. Lemme see what little alarm bells set of love.

+ Panter. Score eighty gazillion.
+ Has enough balls to tangle with Allil. :B I bet that would be sexy really hard to do
+ Noire sniffed. "You could have said you were my friend." = cute.
+ Tired and strained hits my soft spot hard. I have a thing for worn creatures. :B
+ Obviously knowing Allil well enough to stalk him. xD


As long as you promise. *shakes finger at*

Date: 2006-09-02 02:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magnet-dragon.livejournal.com
omg the awful typos in that. Alill. Panther.

Date: 2006-09-02 02:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

*laughs*

Date: 2006-09-02 02:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wobblygoblin.livejournal.com
I dunno, "panter" sort of works. In a very lecherous way.

Date: 2006-09-02 02:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

...That's a good list.


Scout's honor!!!

Date: 2006-09-02 02:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stardance.livejournal.com
A KEEPER? I smell foreshadowing~~
(deleted comment)

Date: 2006-09-02 02:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stardance.livejournal.com
Shhhhhhhh >.< Don't ruin my false hopes. Make Maderr do it in her writing like always.

Date: 2006-09-02 03:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

Aha, that was actually me posting. I'd forgotten I was logged into Sammie's account to work on something for her ^^;;;

Date: 2006-09-02 03:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stardance.livejournal.com
OMG NOW I WILL NEVER KNOW WHO I AM TALKING TO o.o

Date: 2006-09-02 02:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magnet-dragon.livejournal.com
NO! DAMMIT! YOU AREN'T ALLOWED TO SAY THINGS LIKE THAT.

Date: 2006-09-02 03:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stardance.livejournal.com
I'm wrong :D So it's okay.

Date: 2006-09-02 03:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] magnet-dragon.livejournal.com
Oh good. D: That would have made me SAD.

Date: 2006-09-02 03:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mechante-fille.livejournal.com
Cute! Poor Ailill, I kind of wish he would tell Ivan about his worries. They're valid, but if he told him, maybe they'd both feel better. *sigh* If everyone were open and honest all the time, there would probably be no stories...

Noire looks like an interesting addition. ^_^ I'm not suffering from the love at first sight aflicting so many others, but I look forward to seeing more of him, regardless. Can't wait for Book 4! And book 3.^^

Date: 2006-09-02 03:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

Heh. You'd think Ailill would, but he is ultimately a silly, silly boy.

He's fun, I'm dying to write more and soon.

Date: 2006-09-02 06:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tygati.livejournal.com
^_____________________________^ *pouncelick* ^.^

Date: 2006-09-02 01:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

We are content, then? ^_^

Date: 2006-09-02 07:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tygati.livejournal.com
Mmmmm, yup. ^.^ I think I'll behave myself now. For a while, anyway ^.~

Date: 2006-09-02 06:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kiyoshi-chan.livejournal.com
*glomptacklehuuuuuuuuuuuuugs* *proceeds to stalk you*

Date: 2006-09-02 01:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

Ah! Creepy Stalker!

Date: 2006-09-02 04:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kiyoshi-chan.livejournal.com
*sniffles* I'm creepy? ;_______; I thought I was just weird and incorrigible. ;_________________________________; I'm creepy? *sniffles some more*

Date: 2006-09-02 04:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

*loooooooves her Ki-chan, who is NOT creepy*

Date: 2006-09-02 05:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kiyoshi-chan.livejournal.com
*sniffles a little bit more* *loooooooooooooooooves Meg back*

Date: 2006-09-02 08:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] avalon13.livejournal.com
To [livejournal.com profile] tygati and [livejournal.com profile] stardance:

Please con Meg more often.


Cheers,
Avalon13.

Date: 2006-09-02 01:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maderr.livejournal.com

Dear Avalon13,

Please to be not encouraging them.

Sincerely,
Megan

Date: 2006-09-02 03:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] avalon13.livejournal.com
Dear Meg,

Where ever would the fun in that be?

On another note, Noire is teh smexy. He owns all. Will send you postcard with cookie attached. Hope it doesn't get mouldy.

Cheers,
Avalon13

Date: 2006-09-02 06:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] skylark97.livejournal.com
Poor Ivan, he has no idea what he's in for, does he? XD I still think Ailill's fears are unfounded, but I can see why he'd worry. After all, the whole noble thing puts entirely new demands on his life and how he lives it. And the extent of Ivan's experience with that sort of thing is limited to say the least. (Heh, I can see why he'd run from it too. Poor man. He just really doesn't seem much for the formal. ^_^;;)

And if Noire's a friend, then I guess I can see what the appeal of Ivan was. XD Poor little white tiger seems to attract tall, dark, handsome and vaguely villian looking type guys. ^_^

*tackle heart glomps and paws at you* ;______;

Date: 2006-09-03 12:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] obsessed-futago.livejournal.com
YAAAAAHHH! I just adore Ivan/Ailill and Ivan's lovely band of warriors. Keeping a look out for more of _this_. (o^-')b thumbs up!

Date: 2006-09-03 08:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] suspendisbelief.livejournal.com
I guess, in a way, turn about it fair play
because in their previous lives wasn't Ivan like a King?
It's fun to see Ailill being silly cuz he's usually not.

The worn-outness of Noire makes him especially huggley. Like he might be something of a joker but he's still serious about his work. Wonder what you have in store for him...

Date: 2006-09-04 09:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nepenth.livejournal.com
loves. noire is seriously wonderful luv. poor ivan, so totally in over your head. heeeeeee~

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