Participants:
Scene Title | Merry Happy Christmas |
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Synopsis | Odessa surprises Ethan for Christmas in more ways than one. |
Date | December 25, 2008 |
Dorchester Towers: Ethan's Apartment
Dorchester Towers is home to many upper class, or more wealthier inhabitants. This apartment seems to be no exception. First impressions of this place, give a homey, and well furnished feel. Lamps are put in the right place, decorations here and there. The living room consists of a large green sofa facing the wall of windows, which has a large flatscreen TV in front of it. Speakers are installed all around for the Surround Sound feel. Next to the TV is a cabinet full of DVDs. Most of these movies include a gun of some sort in each of them. A small coffee table sits in front of the couch, a few magazines spread out on it.
The kitchen is well stocked, with a microwave, coffee maker, and of course a toaster. There is an overhead pan rack hanging over the stove which has many pots, pans, and other utensils hanging from it for easy access. Three doors lead away from the kitchen and living room. Two are large, comfortable bedrooms, complete with posters on the walls, and one is a room that is furnished with a stand up punching bag, dumb bells, a treadmill, and other types of work out equipment.
For the -extremely- well trained eye, or for someone who knows what they're looking for it would be apparent that there are little things off about this apartment. Reinstalled panels, etc, that would suggest whoever lives here has done some renovation work. (Note:Ethan has 'toys' hidden throughout his apartment, in case of 'emergencies'.) Overall though, this spacious living area has been well taken care of, and kept very tidy.
He's had better Christmas days. He has had far better Christmas days. But now Ethan Holden finds himself in an empty apartment, sprawled out on the couch. He wears a pair of pants and a shirt unbuttoned. A knife is in one hand, as fingers deftly twirling it around his hand. His shoes are off, the television is on but muted.
Few lights are on, making the flat rather gloomy on this Christmas day. Rain drizzles against the windows gently, but the man on the couch seems to be ignoring everything but the knife in his hand. His family is gone, his purpose has been taken away, Eileen is gone… There is not much left. It's a sad Christmas day, to say the least.
The door opens hesitantly and a blonde in a green santa hat peeks her head in. Odessa's wide eyes settle on Ethan as she opens the door the rest of the way and she steps inside the apartment. She's wearing a long, black trench coat, cinched with a red belt tied in a big bow that matches the red, patent leather heels. "Happy Christmas," she whispers softly, afraid her voice will shatter the stillness of the moment. She moves to stand in front of the couch after locking up behind her. "This is my first… real Christmas." She smiles, but it's a sad look. "I always heard it was supposed to be an amazing time of year. Lights and colours and presents and… love." And here's why it's sad, "But I've heard it loses its luster for adults."
The knife pauses as Odessa enters, and then when she whispers, it continues it rotation around his fingers. Then it is tucked away safely. Slowly pushing himself up into a seating position, the man looks over to the entering woman. "Happy Christmas, Odessa." He answers softly, tilting his head to the woman. A light frown is granted to her.
"I'm sorry I didn't do anything for it, Odessa. I should have got a tree or made a dinner or something." He says, sympathy touching his features. Though a small smile turns on his lips at her hat. "Where did you get that?" Then he goes to survey her clothing for a moment. "Hm."
"There was this shop…" She undoes the top button of her trench and it becomes quickly apparent that she isn't wearing her choker. Or, rather, it's hidden behind a bright red length of ribbon, the bow sitting at the hollow of her throat. "I got you a present." Colour touches her cheeks faintly as she steps a little closer, reaching out to take one of his hands and bring it to the belt at her waist.
A smirk and a hint of mock surprise as she moves forward. He remains seated, though allows her to take his hand. It takes a hold of the belt, his eyes wandering up to hers. "You're my boss now, I reckon." He says gravelly, giving a little mirth on that smirk. His hand slowly undoes the belt.
"Your boss. Well, I hope I took enough pointers from you." She smirks back, reaching out again to brush a hand over his hair while he tugs at the belt. "I'm sure I'll be looking to you for guidance. Then, Odessa shrugs off the coat to reveal a green dress to match her hat, trimmed with white fur at the plunging neckline and the hem of the miniskirt. Suitably festive. She twirls around once. "Do you like it? The woman at the shop said… Well, she said you'd like it."
His brows arch as the trench coat reveals the more provocative clothing it hid. He scoots back once on the couch, watching her for a long moment, contemplative. "She was right." He says simply, letting his hands fall to his lap. "Happy Christmas." Comes the quiet words. For now he just stares up at her.
Odessa's face flushes further as she bites her lip and the smile forming there. "I'm glad you like it." She tilts her head to once side and stifles a giggle. "I didn't actually buy this, by the way. I read that all stores have some sort of acceptable loss of inventory. I told the girl I thought it was just far too risque for a sweet, wholesome girl like me." One finger pokes Ethan in the nose, "I came back twenty minutes later. Not that any camera will ever show it. No one will ever know what happened." Her grin is genuine now, "Happy Christmas, Ethan."
"You little thief." Ethan says, grinning up at her. His hand goes out to catch hers once again, his thumb slowly running up her arm. "You used to be scared of me." He pauses a beat. "Wary." He corrects. "A lot 'as 'appened in a short amount of time, mm?" He asks, trying to match her gaze.
"I used to be scared of men. I used to think they only did bad things." Odessa crawls up onto the couch, a knee on either side of Ethan's lap. "You still do bad things. All of the men I know do very, very bad things to people." She brings her free hand up to the side of his face to cup his cheek. "But so do I. And I've come to learn that no one can touch me unless I let them." She smiles gently, "I'm… experiencing life. I'm glad you're helping me to do that."
Ethan scoots back, one hand coming up to each leg, his head tilting upwards as she takes his cheek. "What if I didn't do bad things?" The Wolf asks, leaning back into the couch fully as she comes forward. "What if this was all gone?" His hands run down each of her legs.
"Are you asking if I would still be unsure as to whether or not I could love you?" Odessa's brows raise, disappearing beneath her bangs. She's flustered as his hands slide over her legs, and it shows - though she thinks she's doing an admirable job of hiding it. "I don't know how to be a good girl. Being a healer doesn't lead to being good. So what if you stop doing bad things and I don't?"
"That wasn't precisely the question." Ethan murmurs. "I'm not a moral man by any means, Odessa. I've killed an uncountable amount of people. Some bad men, some not so bad." A little shrug is given. "I do what is necessary. I always do what needs to be done. Sometimes I think it's for the greater good. Sometimes, self preservation." His hands pause on her legs. "I'm not sure if I love you, Odessa. But I know you're special. You're worth protecting." One hand leaves her leg and goes to her chin. "If you want me around."
"I do," Odessa murmurs. She sinks down slowly so she can settle on his lap fully. "Kazimir said something to you that caught my interest…" She tips her head to one side and asks, "What's in the box?"
His thumb strokes her chin gently, tracing down her neck to the ribbon. He then takes his hand down and sets it back on her leg. Slowly moving up his lips go to press gently and just for a moment against hers before he withdraws. "Something he won't give me the details about. I don't know whot exactly they're for." A detail that frustrates him to no end. "He gave me a certain amount.." He leans closer, his lips going to Odessa's ears and soft whispers are spoken.
Her eyes half-lid as she kisses him back. When his lips find her ear, the Nightingale's eyes grow wide. "My God. Ethan, I think I know what it's for." She leans back and strokes his face again, eyes frightened. "Who're they for?"
"Six chosen. By myself." The Wolf responds softly. His hand giving a soft squeeze to her leg. "You're of course included in that." Then he tilts his head. "You don't look pleased, that you know what it's for." He comments icily. Staring at her as he leans back from their kiss.
"Kazimir's the worst of all of us. What do you really think you'd need those things for, Ethan? Nothing good." Odessa shifts so she can sit on the couch next to him, obviously troubled. She takes in two slow and deep breaths before she turns her head to look at her companion. "I'm engineering the end of the world. How should we spend the final days?"
Ethan is reluctant to let the nightingale leave her perch. Though the Wolf does allow her to move to the spot on the couch next to him. "What exactly is he planning, Odessa?" Ethan until recent events has decided not to turn his investigative nose to Kazimir's plans. Deciding to remain blissfully unaware of his next moves. He assumed all attacks would be geared towards the Evolved. Why would he need protection. He had talked about urban warfare, that Ethan can do. This does not sound like urban warfare. His eyes swivle over to Odessa, his hand going to find hers. He does not yet respond.
"If I screw up, everyone in the world is going to be dead. Us and them." Odessa presses her lips together. "Am I still worth protecting?"
His hand goes to link with hers. He lowers his head a little bit as he gives a deep sigh. "What are you talking about Odessa?" The Wolf queries, peering at her deeply. Though his gaze is distracted by her clothing or lack thereof for a long moment. It's a shame this conversation has to come up now.
Odessa smiles after a moment. "Don't worry about it. I'll tell you another time. I don't want to completely ruin my first Christmas." The Nightingale pauses and then smiles sweetly - a look that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Our first Christmas."
Ethan narrows his brow for a moment. "Tomorrow. Or tonight. It is important.. but the world can wait a few hours." He says quietly. Smirking a little bit, "Our first Christmas." He repeats. Leaning in, one hand goes up to cup the opposite side of her cheek. Bringing her in he goes to kiss her deeper this time. More passionately.
Odessa's eyes shut tightly. She reaches up to hold his face as she kisses him back desperately. Against his cheek, he can feel the warmth and wet of tears.
One arm slides around her back, to cradle her and bring her back to her previous position. He pulls away only for a moment. "You're definitely worth protecting." He goes back in, and then after another moment. "We should go find some place open and get dinner. Some place nice." And then back in.
Odessa wipes at her eyes with a thumb and smiles shakily. "Or we could order something in…" She leans back in for another kiss. "I'd have to find something else to wear."
"Right. And there's only one way I'm lettin' you out of that." Ethan says as charmingly as he can. Though a touch of sympathy comes over his face, he tilts his head going to take Odessa's hand. "You alright love?"
The smile strengthens a little with a nod. "Stay with me and I'll be fine." Odessa climbs up and off the couch to pull her coat back on, cinching it up again. "Let people stare when the host takes my coat."
Following up at her, Ethan eyes the woman with a mischievous grin. "Food can wait a couple minutes. Or a couple hours." Going to grab her hand, he gives a firm tug on her wrist to bring her right back to him. He brings his face in again to get back to some unfinished business.
December 25th: Sticking it to 'The Man' and Other Topics |
December 25th: Experiments with Faith |