View allAll Photos Tagged Magnifying
The 'HIT' camera takes 14x14mm pictures on 17.5mm film .
(The magnifying lens including frame has an external diameter of 65 mm. )
For "Macro Mondays" - theme : "B&W”
looks like a strawberry peekin from the side ov the drop!
It was sunday, meaning the laundry day!! =)
so the clothes-line is pretty visible in the water-droplet...
A drop of water from the rain did a good job magnifying some particles that this crocus picked up as it grew from the ground.
19/52
I know, this is a little weird.
I bought an underwater housing for my DSLR!
And it works!!!!
After opening our pool, I was dying to take underwater pictures. I started becoming so desperate that I attempted to use a big ziplock bag to store my camera in. DON'T do that. I finally broke down and bought a Camera housing for my D200 and D700 ( I will never risk going underwater with the D700). After testing it out, I shoved my d200 with my Sigma 10-20mm in it and whalah! Now I am just waiting for our pool to turn crystal clear. It has been really foggy since the major flooding last week.
This little hummer comes from the new overlay and texture collection from my contact Sue. I also used French Canvas Florabella texture. Have a wonderful day everyone. Off to work shortly and will visit when I get home. Thank you for your comments, invites and visits. hugs.
Actually a closeup shot of ice on my car window during a recent freezing rain storm, but I thought the patterns looked rather like cells of some sort.
Street artist uses a magnifying glass to help him to draw a portrait from a small photo. The weather is rather fresh, so the painter wears a black hat and a black coat woth a collar turned up. Actually he looks like a detective.
Le 21 Août 2014. Nous sommes un jeudi.
Nous avons quitté notre camp de base de Sète.
Vagabondage pour une journée chaude de plus dans ce haut Languedoc.
Notre liste actions.
Repasser à la coopérative de Saint Chinian pour grossir notre cave de ce vin simple et franc...
Longer l'Orb et trouver un lieu intime pour s'y balader les pieds nus
sur ses cailloux ronds et glissants...
Voir le barrage d'Avene et sa retenue...
Cette série s'initie lors d'un déjeuner bucolique à Lunas, au bord de cette jolie rivière dite Gravezon, où nous rencontrerons un magnétiseur en vadrouille avec un ami ...
Une ode dédiée aux eaux fraîches et forêts douces.
...
August 21, 2014. We are a Thursday.
We left our base camp Sète.
Prowl for a hot day again in this high Languedoc.
Our stock list.
Board the cooperative to Saint Chinian to magnify our cellar wine of this simple and straightforward ...
Longer Orb and find an intimate place for a wander barefoot
its round and slippery stones ...
View Avene dam and its retention ...
This series was initiated in a bucolic lunch Lunas, on the edge of this pretty Gravezon said river, where we meet a hypnotist mop with a friend ...
An ode dedicated to fresh water and fresh forests.
A Deep Hug and Hearfelt thank you to my Friend Emma for playing along
www.flickr.com/photos/193415394@N05
Masquerade Ball
“Raffles” Pitch
“Cheerio” A J Raffles at your service. Don’t know if any of you have ever heard of me, but I’ve been accused of being a man of many talents, but by no means was that always said as a compliment.
Also, I do love playing cricket.
Batting in a cricket match produces for me the same flow of adrenaline as that of my secret game: Jewel Thievery.
A J Raffles is a fictional character whom I admire for the introduction above. For I am, like him, a professional Jewel Thief.
And tonight was no exception as far as any adrenaline flow Raffles would have felt, for I was experiencing what I can imagine was the same exhilaration.
This evening I was attending a surprisingly posh masquerade ball being held at a large venue in Wales.
It was a very elegant affair, with the many ladies present putting on their most pretty attire and wearing out that evening, their most expensive vault kept baubles.
The venue seated about 500 guests with a raised dance floor at one end, next to a fully stocked bar and a large outside balcony overlooking some rose gardens lined by old woods.
I had decided to attire myself as said Raffles for a tongue-in-cheek tribute to what I hoped to gain this evening.
Mostly to gain some jewels by parting some of the ladies from the lovely ones they were wearing. Which, here tonight, presented a plethora of opportunities.
I would try and make it as pleasant as it possibly could be for my chosen female victims as my fingers worked over their exquisitely clad figures while removing their valuable jewels.
I find that a few kind words, some attention, and possibly dancing produced a little sugar that helps with the bitter pill I am giving them to swallow
This evening I was wearing all black attire of tails, vest, shirt, and tie. Since it was a masquerading affair, I wore a black phantom of the opera half mask. Since this was business as well as pleasure I was wearing no gentlemanly gloves, needing my nimbly flexible fingers to be free.
After I entered I made several slow rounds to learn the layout, doing some light mingling along the way.
The odd thing about this masquerading ball was that there were no fancy costumes. Everyone was dressed in their best evening out attire, with masks just added.
I made a catch right away as I impressed an older matronly lady enough that she called over her 30 something daughter to meet me.
It was now my turn to be impressed.
The daughter, Celcia, was dressed in a very elegant long-sleeved dress of silver satin. Her jewels were all set with diamonds. Her silver half mask is set in rhinestones.
We went off alone to look over the gardens from the balcony.
We guess what each other is “masked” as. I told her she must be “Lucy”
“Lucy?” she questioned
I laughed lifting her silky hair up and then running my fingers down the side of her long swaying diamond earrings, as I said. “lucy in the sky with diamonds. “
“Good guess, but I'm just Cecelia, not anyone else. And you sir, are you an undertaker?”
I chuckled. “ Not quite as dark as that, I'm shooting for a Raffles image tonight.”
“Well Mr. Raffles, not sure who you are, but it is my pleasure to meet you.”
We chatted for a bit more, then Celcia was called back inside by her mother who stood by the balcony entrance.
I took her hand, rings flashing. “ the pleasure is all mine dear ‘only Ceclia’l said grinning.
She rewarded me for my praise with a clingy hug.
I watched her leave with clenched fists, her gown swishing along down her figure quite provocatively. I opened one of my fists and admired the diamond bracelet that lay there. Her now naked wrist was covered up by the silver satin cuffed sleeve of the lovely Cecilia's dress, hiding her loss.
£23,000
I slipped it inside a hidden pocket of my vest, and patting it, went back inside.
The band had started playing and the dance floor was fast filling up.
I spied a group of ladies wearing feathery masks who were huddled at one end of the floor, blocking an aisleway, watching the assembling dancing couples. I approached and overheard that they were waiting for their partners to come back from the bar.
Since they were blocking my path, I went up and asked if I could cut through. They obligingly parted and as I went in between them one of the ladies tripped against another as I ‘accidentally’ stepped on her satin gowns’ long train as she moved to make way. I caught her and apologized as I held her, my fingers freely feeling along down her figure. I helped her back on her high heels, steadying her. Helping myself at the same time to the leaf-shaped diamond studded clip that was pinned to the side of her chocolate brown gown.
The diamond-studded clip soon joined the pocketed diamond bracelet.
£18,000
My third score that evening almost literally fell into my lap.
I had ordered a brandy at the bar figuring to take a brief respite. There were two ladies next to me chatting away. The one immediately next to me kept bumping against me as she laughed at almost everything the other lady was saying.
I didn't mine, for her thicke wine-colored silk blouse was a pleasure to feel rubbing up against me. Also, a pleasure to see where the magnificently large rings she was wearing on her fingers as well as the diamonds wrapped around her wrist.
Then it happened. The laughing lady’s friend knocked their drinks over. Some of which happily splashed on my arm.
As apologies were given and received, with much giggling, I came to the rescue with my silk handkerchief.
Lending it to them I allowed them to wipe themselves up. As we chatted, the lady next to me finished with it and handed it back. I took up her fingers as she did, and holding them down lifted and kissed the back of her hand. I also was running my damp handkerchief over her still wet fingers as I did, easily slipping of her largest flashy cocktail ring in the process.
£ 9500
Then the dancing began in earnest.
I was now sitting at a table on the outside balcony, watching the crowded dance floor and the amazing show of the ladies flowing attire, and their flickering jewels, that were being showcased there.
Also in my view was a table where a handsome bearded male was enviably sitting alone with not one, but two attractively attired and ornamented lades.
One lady was wearing a black satin blouse with a long thicke red velvet skirt. She was wearing rubies and diamonds around her throat and wrists that were just a treat to look at, and covet.
The other was fashionably wearing a slick satin high necked gown of deep red that spilled down along her figure in a most scintillating manner. Her jewellery was a winning collection of diamonds worn seemingly everywhere from her figure. Of those, I would award a purple ribbon to the dangling necklace that lay around and fell from her throat that dripped columns of diamonds down the front of her sheer red gown, as the best in the show.
I saw the man rise, and pull out the chair of the lady wearing the rubies. He then led her off to the upper dance floor, unknowingly leaving the lady in red vulnerably alone.
I saw the remaining lady stand up and with what I imagined to be a whimsical manner, walked to the edge of the balcony.
I started to rise.
But a gold mask-wearing bloke from another table approached her before I had half risen and began talking to her. I learned then that her name was Emma.
What was odd is that the man had been sitting at a table with a lady wearing a sky blue satin dress, black satin jacket, and pearls. She looked very sad watching her gold mask-wearing tablemate talking to Emma.
I had dejectedly sat back down, watching with curious interest.
The gold masked bloke took Emma by the hand and led her to the dance floor.
I saw the lady in sky blue satin, and the pricey pearl slowly rises and follow.
As then, did I.
The lady in blue was standing in the side of the dancefloor, her posture told me she was both sad and dejected.
I went up and stood next to her. Without looking at me the lady in sky blue sleek satin said...
“Why are men such idiots?” then she looked at me, and blushed apologetically “I am so sorry.”
I held up my hand. “Apology accepted, a dance though would help ease the pain.”
She eagerly went with me and taking her warm, soft figure in my arms we joined in.
She did not appear to want any conversation from me. I let her hold tightly against me. We danced in silence, both lost in our own respective thoughts.
I had decided that a dance would not be enough to ‘ease my pain’ and as she distractedly looked around for the gold masked bloke dancing with Emma, I allowed my hand the move up to her shoulder, then over to the single strand of glistening pearls that lay around her throat.
Easily locating, then slipping open, the hinged silver clasp, I gently pulled the slippery smooth necklace away from around her neck and quickly pocketed it.
£ 8700
I had no sooner done so than I felt her shake, and saw that we were now close to the gold masked male dancing with Emma. One would need a crowbar to separate him from her. I could tell Emma was not enjoying herself.
I was watching, with melancholy interest, Emma’s diamonds dripping down from the necklace that lay low along the high neckline of her luxurious red satin gown, just dangling below her breasts.
A desiring fire was starting to stir from deep within, my fingers felt like curling. So close and yet so far...
I turned my partner around so we were facing away. I started to say something when I felt an unexpected, firm tap on my shoulder.
Well, one could imagine where my mind went as I turned my head.
Relieved, I saw that it was not one of the rental security men.
It was the gold masked table partner of the lady in blue satin I was dancing with.
I saw his more recent partner, Emma, the one in red whose dazzling necklace was a stirring lure, standing there in the middle of the dance floor, alone and confused.
“Switch partners.” He told me, it was not a question.
I looked at mine and she nodded ok.
I left her to be grasped up in his arms and went to Emma, the lady in red, who willingly came into mine.
“What then, was that all about? I asked smiling.
Emma answered with a giggle. “ He was telling her he wanted to see other women. But she is not supposed to he dancing with other men, especially handsome ones like you!”
With a shy nod of my head I thanked her, telling her that I thought she looked extraordinarily beautiful this evening.
Sweetly smiling she turned her head down with blushing cheeks, thanking me.
My hand meanwhile, which had been resting motionless along her shoulder, moved to her throat, my fingers blindly seeking and locating the clasp of her necklace.
My partner felt none of that.
It was as she nodded after my words of praise that I flicked apart the jewelled chains’ clasp that my fingers had fiddled open.
As she looked back up I began to delicately slip the diamond chain up over her shoulder, watching as the diamonds hanging from its’ centre were gliding up effortlessly from along the front of her red satin gown, then up and around the gowns’ slick high neckline, before disappearing from my view.
She smiled most fetchingly into my eyes, oblivious to the fact her heavily jeweled diamond necklace had been disappearing over her shoulder.
£ 58000
The music was ending and I happened to look over by the double oak doors of the main entrance on the opposite side of the mammoth hall.
Who did I spy but the lady in the sleek sky blue satin dress and smooth black jacket being led out by the gold mask-wearing bloke who had cut in on us? I saw an opportunity to plant a seed.
I pointed it out to Emma. “Wonder where they are off too in such a hurry?”
“They do appear to be on a mission,” said Emma watching.
“I hope they weren't up to something?” I said suspiciously.
“Like what ?” Emma asked watching the couple scurrying out the door.
“Oh, nothing. I guess I read too many mystery novels. I answered stealing a look at the now bare neckline of Emma’s gown.
The music ended and I walked Emma back to the balcony. Her table was deserted so I took her over and seated her before taking my leave.
I began to make another round of the tables inside. On the lookout for fresh prey amongst the beautifully attired female guests.
I soon snagged a young damsel who had been deserted by her friends and looked bored. Not boring were the collection of rubies she was wearing with her elaborate maroon taffeta puffy ball gown that would have shamed a princess.
I asked and got permission to dance with her. She asked me who I was this evening. When I mentioned Raffle’s name she, unfortunately, caught on to who he was.
“Oh a thief, will make sure to lock my rubies up this evening to keep them safe! She giggled touching her handsome ruby and diamond necklace
I thought to myself... “Well, they are now.” while saying. “ I was thinking of him being a cricket player, not a thief.”
We both laughed over that, but I knew this one was a dead end. I could not wait until the dance was through so I could resume the hunt. I really had thought none of the younger ones would have ever read about AJ Raffles and that it would be my inside joke.
We parted after the dance, she headed off happily back to her friends.
I was watching her, deciding what to do next, when a soft gloved hand unexpectedly rested on my shoulder.
Turning, my eyes took in a young lady in downy soft, flowy peach chiffon over a shiny pink silk number, along with a row of sparkling matched diamonds around her throat. And earrings to match, as well as a thin band of diamonds holding back her freshly washed chestnut coloured hair. She wore a striking blue mask with ostrich feathers.
She shyly asked if I was available for the next dance. And I happily told her I was. She put her head down blushing. And I was able to savor her delectably pretty matched diamond stone necklace.
I whisked her off to the upper dance floor as the music began.
When the inevitable questions came up as to who I was this evening I answered...”The cricket player Raffles, at your service.”
She laughed with a Twitter. “Quite pleasant to meet you cricket player Raffles.” then she moved her hand higher up my back and came in a little closer.
I followed suit, feeling her hot figure slip in against my own. My fingers at her waist kept moving up until I reached the back of her neck. Carefully undoing her necklace I gave it a slight tug, figuring her soft smooth gown would allow the rest of my trick to work. It did, slipping off easily from around her throat, slithering like a glimmering snake up over her shoulder, out of my sight, and into my waiting hand behind her back.
My pretty dance partner felt nothing, as I then pocketed her expensive necklace.
£42,000
I then calmly began to finish the dance.
It was then, as I was looking down at the area below the raised platform of the dance floor, that I spotted something shiny, then a flashing brilliant fire erupted, all coming from one of the tables below the dancing areas raised platform.
I maneuvered us in closer for a better peek.
I made out a lone female sitting at a side table.
It was the vivid deep green of her shiny party dress that then first caught my eye.
It was the amazingly brilliant sparklers she was sporting from various points of interest along her delightful figure, especially the fiery necklace she was playing with, that finished the capture.
Only real jewels, or a remarkably good set of imitations, would produce that kind of bright gleaming shimmer!
I was betting they were real.
She was vulnerable, sitting there quite remarkably alone at her side table, drinking slowly from a small goblet of wine. Sitting there wearing in all appearances to be a collection of diamond sparklers that would easily be worth a cool £50 to £75 thousand of what the London ruffians would call “ice”.
They would also be rudely calling her “that loaded bird”. But to me, she was a rather fetchingly adorned Lass who needed some company, and perhaps just a wee bit of trimming.
The dance ended and I calmly led my partner back to her table before taking my leave. Though trying not to appear in a hurry. I still politely declined her offer to join in a drink at her table.
Then with eager anticipation, circled about hoping that the girl I had spotted was still there, and still alone.
When I got there I saw to my dismay that the bird had flown the coup. The table was deserted
I waited a few long minutes, eyeing around for other opportunities in the area, then my eyes lit up as I saw her coming back, alone.
I observed her for a satisfying few long minutes from a shadowy corner. She was younger than anyone I had yet met, but it was impossible to determine how young.
And she obviously was bored.
Intriguingly I could still not truly tell about the authenticity of her amazing collection of diamonds from my vantage.
The set was decidedly quite lovely, consisting of a dangling chain set with I guess were diamond chips and ending with a swaying diamond heart-shaped pendant, matching long earrings, a wide bracelet, and numerous shimmering rings.
The earrings were brilliant, falling from her ears in sheets of (synthetic/real ?) diamonds, larger stones were set at the earrings clasp, and they shone like the real thing.
They all contributed to making up the shimmer that surrounded her figure like some wickedly glittering halo.
She was wearing a black bandits mask, which I felt added to the mystic.
This young chick was certainly jeweled up, calling out to be looked into further.
I approached her from behind, placing a hand delicately upon a plushly soft shoulder, and daringly gave a greeting as I felt her startled figure flinch.
I cheerfully said, “Hello Samantha.”
She turned and said apologizing,
“I’m not Samantha, wrong girl.”
I answered back, disappointed “ No, you certainly are not my friend Samantha.”
I then carefully looked her over, up and down… before saying.
“Far prettier, if I dare say.”
I had ascertained by now that she was quite a bit younger than 20. And that most of her jewelry was quite good imitation’s. Her heart shaped pendent contained real diamonds, but not valuable enough for my attention. The only fly in the ointment was her earrings. They appeared to be worth quite a bit actually.
I decided to hold off judgment and went on playing her on. Much like a fly fisherman will play a trout, not sure if he still wants to actually land it.
I went on…
“Well stranger, How do you do, Hold anyone up lately?”
I had taken her off guard and she did not answer back right away.
She gulped., obviously making a decision.
She sweetly raised a hand. “How do you do sir, my name is Nancy, and no, despite the mask, I'm not a thief.”
Taking her hand I kissed it with much pageantry. “Pleasure is all mine, glad my watch and wallet are safe”. I chuckled merrily, looking down at her thoughtfully.
Then, still holding her hand, I boldly asked…” May I sit for a bit, rather tuckered out at the moment?”
She nodded her head without hesitation. Her flash earrings swayed with a beckoning motion.
I slipped in the seat in front of her, my back to the dance floor. She was looking at me with a curious smile.
I smiled back, asking…
“So Nancy, what then, does your character do for a living if she is not a thief?”
“ I am an amateur detective.”
I nodded before asking….
“ Well, that is quite interesting indeed, what kind of cases do you like working on?”
She did not know how to answer that and squirmed as I watchers her face turn red, really making the freckles show up on her cheeks.
I saved her discomfort by saying…
“ I bet you are really clever at catching thieves. And that is why you are here this evening? Or are you taking the night off?”
Taking the cue, She nodded saying in a low voice.
“No thieves here tonight.”
I laughed in what I hoped would be a winning manner while answering. “ I guess not, probably no reason for one to be here. So miss Nancy, you've not asked whom I am playing this evening.”
”Let me see, an Undertaker ?” ”Nancy,” said teasingly.
I chuckled..”Not even close. A.J. Raffles, cricketer, at your command my lady.”
She had no idea who A.J.Raffles was, I could see that. And I decided to enlighten her a bit by telling a story.
He chuckled. “Never heard of him? Well, Raffles loved to play cricket, as well as several other hobbies. And there is a story behind that, as a lad, that helped him choose his course as an adult. Care to hear it?”
She eagerly nodded yes, while taking a sip of wine.
I began my tale…
“When A.J. Raffles was a lad of ten he attended a wedding where his parents were both best man and maid of honor. A.J sat at a table with an older Great Auntie who paid him no heed.
He soon fell in with a group of bored older boys who had been throwing dice in a makeshift crown and anchor board. The game had been broken up by one of the servers and they had all been chased away
AJ was huddled in with that group as they watched the dressed-up wedding guests up on the dance floor. They began talking amongst themselves, commenting over the scene before them.
Look at dem jools the birds are wearing. Bet they'd be worth a lot. One of the lads said. Another quipped back that too bad those dames weren't their age. Yeah, like that would mean anything. What would you do, lift their jools? Came the teasing retort. Hell yeah, I would say a cocky lad. And someone else said I like to see you do it. AJ was taking all this in, squirming a bit because he had always had a secret desire to somehow make a collection of the pretty jewellery he'd seen ladies wearing. Tonight was no different.
“Nancy” smirked “Sounds like my brother.”
“There you go then, you know how he felt also “ I answered smiling curiously before continuing...
Well as fate would have it, two young teenage girls came walking past, purposefully close. They threw the group of boys a rather coy look while passing.
One was dressed in a slick satin high necked gown of deep red with a long rhinestone necklace and earrings. Her companion was wearing a sky blue sleek satin party dress, smooth black jacket, and strands of imitation pearls.
No sooner had they passed than the inner circle of boys began to dare and double dare. Money was put up in bets that enticed two of the lads to take up the challenge. That being to come away with the girl’s necklaces.
The two lads left, and as the others looked on, went up to the two young lassies and began to converse. The giggling girls finally allowed themselves to be led to the dance floor
As they began to dance, more bets were made amongst the remaining lads, with young AJ joining in. Spending his only farthing on blue satin losing her pearls, and doubling that it would be done without her noticing.
Both of the dancing boys made several amateur attempts upon their female partner’s jewels.
Blue satin, misinterpreting why her partner had his hand high up on her backside, giggled and fled away. Red satin ran off after her friend, but not before the wily lad who had been holding her had given even her a hug, nicking her shimmering necklace off from around the high collar of her slick gown as she struggled free.
He came back triumphantly to collect his winnings. Though some argued that seeing her necklace had not been touching skin it was not a real contest. He got his winnings in the end and the group wandered off, the prized necklace being passed around with envy.
AJ stayed behind contemplating. he watched as the lads stopped by a table where a young girl sat alone. She was wearing a long bridesmaid's gown of silk dyed in several shades of teal and green. A single string of real pearls hung down from her bare neck. Expensively swinging down elegantly. He knew what the group of lads was discussing in their private huddle. AJ moved off not wishing to see anymore.
“Those poor girls, I am glad your character walked away from that instead of embarking on a life of crime, “ said “Nancy” to me.
“Yes indeed. “ I answered, looking at my pretty partner. Her shiny emerald green blouse was mesmerizingly beautiful, but not quite as mesmerizing as the hanging rhinestone diamond chain and pendent she still wore due to my hesitation overtaking it.
My fingers curled seeking opportunity, cursing that I may have missed it.
“Nancy, out of curiosity, if I’m not prying, you mentioned your brother would like my Raffles’s story?”
Oh! I could see I hit a pleasant nerve, as she smiled excitedly at me, her hand playing with her pendant as she spoke, a bit hoarsely I noticed.
“Yes he would, your Raffle story is similar to a game he likes playing.”
“Please tell me more, it sounds like you have fun playing it,” I said, with curious intentions.
She giggled. “Well, we play it in the woods. I wear a play dress and play jewelry. My brother plays a thief who tries to rob me of my jewels. Then if he does, he hides and I play the detective trying to find him. I know it sounds rather odd.”
That really opened my eyes, and thoughts started to race through my head.
“I took her hand. “No, not at all odd, sounds rather exciting.”
So they like to play games of jewels stolen. Right up my alley. I thought to myself while eyeballing her necklace.
“No,” I said to myself. Not the necklace. If anything the earrings.”
But I could not see how It could be done. So I chased the teasingly tempting thought out of my head.
A silence ensued for a minute, and as I watched,” Nancy” was looking over my shoulder up at the raised platform of the dance floor behind me, watching something.
I turned around, following her eyes.
A man with a green cummerbund was dancing with an attractive redhead.
She was wearing an elegant eye-catching blue taffeta gown with a scooped neckline, ruffled half sleeves, and knee-length skirt. She was wearing what was probably her best jewels, a sapphire and diamond jewelry set that sparkled deliciously under the ceiling lights of the great banquet hall. The necklace was especially pretty. A heavy gold v shape set with large pear-shaped sapphires interspersed with smaller round diamonds. She wore a deep blue mask that covered her eyes and nose.
I turned back, and Nancy” dropped her eyes back onto mine.
I asked thoughtfully…
“I see you are looking at that lady, pretty in blue, with the sparkly sapphire jewels”
She guiltily nodded yes,
“If you wait a bit, you will meet them. That’s my mum and father.
I complimented her…
“You both are very pretty, if I may be so bold?”
Taking up her hand and I kissed it…
“But now, I must be toddling off, taken up too much of your time I’m afraid .”
We both stood up to say goodbye.
Shen then. Quite cheerfully, held out her hands for a friendly hug.
I did so willingly and my fingers securely patted up along her back. it felt very nice and I became aware of a rather pleasant prickling sensation causing a rise in my feelings.
“Well “Nancy” I hope you liked my Raffles story.
“Nancy” nodded yes, then asked me
“Do you think Raffles regretted not playing the games those boys were up to?”
Holding her hand, I patted down along her sleeve reassuringly… as I said
“I think Raffles is the type never to regret anything, what do you think?”
“Nancy” nodded her head happily satisfied. Her dazzling earrings flickered quite beautifully.
I smiled at myself broadly.
“Here “Nancy” allow me to get you seated.”
She sat. And as I gripped my fingers supportively along her arms as I slid the chair forward.
I then again lifted and kissed her hand.
“Righto” I nodded and was off.
I headed back around to the bar, when whom did I spy? “Nancy’s” mother, standing alone by the bar. I saw some drunken sod bump hard against her from behind, almost causing her to lose balance.
A handsome red-headed man was turning away from the bar holding a brandy and she fell against him.
It was her husband. The man she has been dancing with.
Laughing, the pair moved off.
Grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, I followed them out to the outside balcony. There I took a seat at my table and kept watch.
I watched as from another table, where a 40ish lady wearing a wedding ring was sitting alone, rise and began walking towards me.
She was resplendent in a long black sleeveless plush velvet gown, wearing long black satin gloves. Her pearl jewelry shone like do many small bright moons. Earrings, triple strand necklace, and a very wide bracelet set with not only valuably real pearls, but expensively with purple amethyst stones also.
The bracelet fits snugly around her shiny gloved wrist. And anyone in my profession knows a snug bracelet is a far simpler item to remove than a loose-fitting one.
The purple satin half-face mask she wore added much to her winningly pretty look.
She gave me the eye as she walked past and I rose to follow.
We ended up dancing. Her name, real name(and that of her character from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's) was Holly.
Holly, like “Nancy”, had never heard of the Raffles character either.
I left her after we had danced, holding her heart.
The hand which she placed had placed over her heart, no longer sporting her expensively wide pearl and amethyst bracelet.
£ 23000
She then suddenly had to go to the loo and darted off. I looked back at her table and saw a man in a tiger-striped mask was pulling out a chair to sit there.
I also figured it was time to scurry off. I had gotten me one more score.
I went down the steps leading off the raised dance floor, running right into “Nancy’s” mum swishing her way around at the bottom of the platform
“Seize the day-old chap”
My thoughts of leaving were put on hold as I looked her pretty, and expensively attired, figure over.
I held her up, saying I needed to apologize.
She looked into my face, her eyes twinkling like her daughters. Her sapphire and diamond jewellery also twinkling. But unlike her daughter’s, these she was wearing were very real.
“Apologize for what?” she asked in all innocence. I could also tell she was a bit tipsy from drink. Which considerably lowered her guard with me.
“ I saw that twit rudely bumping against you at the bar earlier, without apologizing. So I am for him.” I said with a neat little bow.
“Aren't you just a dear." she gushed, blushing. Just like her daughter, she had freckles also.
“Would you husband mind if I offered a dance as a consolation?” I asked with daring.
“Oh, I think a quick one would be ok,” she said smiling, accepting my offer.
I placed my arm around her glossy taffeta sleek waist and led her to the lower dance area.
It was a slow dance, and I took her into my arms with a delightfully delicious feeling of anticipation. Her sleekly taffeta-covered figure was a pleasure to warmly hold in my arms, and her twinkling jewels a pleasure to watch.
I, with real curiosity, asked who she was playing at this evening. She replied,” miss Moneypenny” then asked who I was.
Not wishing to jinx my good fortune, I lied. “ I am an undertaker, here to collect souls”
She laughed looking sassily into my eyes.
“Liar”
“Ok then, I'm really a bad cricket player.”
“Really, bad as in naughty?” she asked pleasantly vexed.
This one is fun, I thought to myself. I wondered mischievously if she was the catalyst if her children’s play game ideas had been inherited from her?
But I asked no questions along those lines. Instead, I decided to test the water with a story.
I then went into a similar story that I had told “Nancy” except to her mother I changed to arena from a wedding reception to a cricket match, and the group of lads was trying to steal kisses, not jewels, from their chosen victims.
My partner listened with a deep reflective interest.
So intent was she in my tale, that I was able to easily undo her necklaces ‘clasp and watch the shimmering beauty being slipped away by me from up her front, then around her throat, finally to be pulled out of sight behind her back. All skillfully done without the cheerfully happy lady feeling absolutely anything amiss.
Just like her daughter I thought. Innocent and as trusting as a lamb before being fleeced for the first time by a mock shepherd.
And reflectively, both had been dressed as soft as downy chicks when they had both caught the eye of the same wiley gilded feather plucking fox.
These were the thoughts in the back of my mind as I stowed my dance partner's glittering sapphire and diamond necklace away...
£6300
I finished my story just a few seconds after the music ended. We broke apart only once I had finished.
She hugged me and gave me a peck on the cheek for being so nice
“Here is a stolen kiss,” she whispered
She then, (of course after nicking her necklace) mentioned that her husband was also a cricket player. With his bloody police station’s team!
I was stunned. Half wishing she had told me her husband was a “copper” before I had nicked her jewels.
Figuring I had now finally worn out my luck, and welcome, I made up an excuse of my own and watched as her shiny evening dress swished and swayed all along with her lovely figure while she made her way back towards the unseen table where I knew her pretty daughter was sitting.
“Bloody fool, I had taken the necklace off a copper’s wife...“
I murmured this, chastising myself, shaking my head at my folly as I stared off in disbelief.
Understandably I think, I then decided I should probably best be on my way home.
I had already planned my exit earlier, not knowing when I would be needing it.
Deciding to avoid at all costs leaving by the main doors by which I had come in, I had earlier discovered a small set of stone stairs that led off the balcony.
The stairs were narrow and hidden from the view of the balcony. A simple rope with an “Off Limits” sign guarded the entrance. They led down to the small patch of woods that lined the rose gardens.
On the far end of the woods was a small cemetery, next to which I had discreetly parked my 61 Lotus elite sports car.
I made my way to the balcony and looked around. There weren't that many guests left out there. A group of men smoking cigars and drinking brandy stood at one end. I could make out the rather stout form of “Nancy’s” father in with them. His back was to me.
In a corner sat Emma with her tablemates. The male was telling a very animated story.
A few other tables were occupied, about 1/3 of them. None near the hidden stairway.
I made my way there. Reaching it, I again surveyed the area. I could see the 3 people sitting at Emma’s we're laughing. Emma had a hand to her chest. Suddenly a look of alarm crossed her face as she felt around, obviously not finding her diamonds. Her friends were asking what was wrong. I saw her look back at the empty table where the gold masked bloke had sat, the one who had cut in on me as after her deserting Emma on the dance floor.
As I disappeared unseen from view I remember thinking I was glad that I had sowed that seed of thought to Emma while we had watched the couple leaving the ballroom.
€€€€€€€€€€€
I got to the bottom of the stairs and made my way to the wooded path the ran the length of the gardens.
Thinking I was alone, made me feel safe to quickly begin to stroll away along the path, throwing the caution I had had all evening to the wind.
Suddenly I froze in step.
I had caught the unmistakable sight of a lady's sparkly jewels as she was walking through the gardens to the left of my path.
I was not out here alone?
And I could not believe lady would not be out here alone either.
I snuck up, cloaked by the shadows of the trees, to get a better look
Shocked I saw it was “Nancy”, out of her, apparently alone.
I watched “Nancy” as she moved about. My mind traveled into the realms of speculation.
What if my young friend had indeed been wearing jewels worth £75,000?
And I find her like this, vulnerably alone.
Would I be tempted to break character, and ….
I shook my head. I would probably not. Especially now that I knew her father was a policeman of some sort.
But someone who did not know her father was a “copper”, and perhaps thought the diamonds she was were real… well they may not feel the same about letting her be.
Suddenly a rabbit jumped from the judge, startling both of us. I see her have a gasp, hand shooting up to her chest.
As her jewels flickered in a mad frenzy, a thought popped in my head, making me grin with expectations.
“Time to give “Nancy” a taste of my games. I thought wickedly. “
I snuck up behind her, and placing my hands over her eyes, pulled her soft figure back up against my own.
“ Hello, Samantha, fancy meeting you here.”
“Raffles!” She blurted with relief…
I pulled my hands away, allowing them the liberty to feel through her hair, examining also her earrings, feeling along the hinged clasps to get a feel for what I was about to do...
I then stepped back, as she, with a deep sigh of relief, quickly turned around.
“Not playing a game alone, are ye Lass?” I asked, looking down into her pretty green eyes.
“No.” She said shaking her head, hair flying…
I smiled, placing my hands inside my pockets, as I watched her with interest.
She giggled while trying to lecture me…” you gave me quite the start sir. “
He placed a finger under my chin, lifting it so I was looking up into his eyes.
“Stand still,” I commanded and moved around behind her.
“Good thing I didn’t do what first popped into my devious mind...
I felt his knuckle go into my back…
”Stick ‘ em up miss .”
“Good thing you didn’t I would have peed myself... I giggled.
“Raffles” chuckled:
“Stay in character miss .” Was what I heard from behind me
I raised them up, imagining like I was actually being held up. My heart began to race again with a feeling of delicious danger as I spoke.
“What do you want from me?”
Raffles, still holding his knuckle into my back …reached out his other hand with an open palm as he spoke.
”Put your hands down, I’ve taken a fancy to that bracelet of yours. So please hand it over. “
I shivered, saying smartly. “I don’t believe a real thief would say please …”
My friend “Raffles” responded.
“Would my real victim ask that? Try a different tack.”
Trembling again, with delicious delight. I played along.
“No sir, not my bracelet, anything but that …”
“That’s better, a bit of heartfelt pleading can never heart.
After a second the hand withdrew.
Raffles laughed amiably…
“Ok miss, keep your bracelet then. “
He chuckled from behind, removing his knuckle….
“It was only a thought I had when I saw you out here walking alone, remembering the story of the games you play with your brother, did I do ok?”.
“Smashing .” I giggled gleefully “Spot on.”
She put my hands down to my sides as I placed a hand on her smooth satin-covered shoulder and ran it down her satin blouse’s sleeve as I came back around to face her.
“All kidding aside, you really shouldn’t be out here alone “Nancy” someone less inviting as me may have been about. And I don’t mean your brother let’s see you back safe Lass.”
I nodded.
He lifted my hand and pulled my back to him. Coddling along against his warm figure, Raffles led me back along the path to the stairway.
“I’ll be leaving you here “Nancy” I was on my way home.
I looked up into his face. “it was fun meeting you, sorry you have to go. “
“So am I Lass.”
As I looked down in her upturned face I realized by the look in her eyes, that I had her lulled into such a state of complacency that I found myself unable to control any longer my thieving impulse.
Police parent or not, those earrings “Nancy” was wearing deserved to be plucked.
My fingers began to curl as I pulled her to me, with wicked intent…
We for the second time, hugged goodbye, a deeply fulfilling embrace it was by all standards, as well as presenting a perfect opportunity to set myself in position.
We broke apart and I tickled my fingers up her smooth satin-clad sides, then lifted her hair high up over her head.
I let her hair back down, letting its silken strands spill over my fingers fingers
She giggled as it tickled. My fingers reached her dangling, desirable earrings.
I spoke, my eyes locked in hers, my fingers ready…
“A Very pretty one you are, and don’t ever let anyone say differently.”
I felt her squirm with excitement, her chin up, looking deep within my eyes.
I took the opportunity given me to curl my fingers around her old-fashioned hinged clasped earrings. I gently applied pressure to the backside of the hinges and in unison slipped off both danglers from her earlobes. As her shivering figure greatly aided my endeavor.
I let my hands drop to my vest pocket as I watched her shoulder-length red hair fall back into place, covering my dirty deed.
£2200
I had been holding my breath. For this type of maneuver was as tricky as stealing the diamond collar from around the neck of a sleeping Persian cat without waking her. “Nancy”, relishing in my praise, never felt a prick as I had taken them from her ears.
Releasing my breath I took a step back complimenting that her hair was much prettier when down.
As she looked up at me with those doe wide adult-looking mascara brushed eyes, I felt a flicker of unease over filching her earrings.
She suddenly propelled herself again in my arms and gave me a very smothering, very long hug.
We broke apart.
“Go now, you before I change my mind about playing games.”
I let her go with a chuckle, holding my ground as I watched her pretty green satin party dress swishing merrily along with her figure.
She started up the stairs, then stopping raised up her hands.
I froze, then saw she was merely blowing me a kiss.
Pulling my hands from my vest pocket as I deposited her earrings, I pretended to catch her kiss and added it to my collection.
“My second this evening,” I said mysteriously…
Then turning away, I went off down along the path.
Quickly reaching my car, I opened a secret compartment inside the boot, emptied my pockets of the purloined jewels, and stashed them safely away.
Then hopping in on the right, I fired the engine to life and drove away in the opposite direction.
Addendum
Several weeks after securely hiding the over £188,000 in jewels I had gotten away with, I was flabbergasted to read in their local paper that the robbery was believed to have been committed by a gang of thieves. With none of the descriptions given really matched mine...
Probably not so shocking was the statement giving the total value of the stolen jewellery, as reported to the insurance agencies from the 0ver 30 females claiming to be victims, coming in to a bit over...
£325,000!
To Read the story from ‘Nancy Drew’s “ Perspective
Click Below
Masquerade Ball
2 parts
Part 1
“Nancy Drew’s” view
That early summer evening I was attending a posh masquerade ball with my parents. My twin brother was supposed to come but ended up spending the night keeping company to a neighbor girl he fancied, who was babysitting some young nieces of hers.
At the time I was a young lass of 15. I thought I knew everything at that stage in my life and was far too cheeky to be told differently.
For the affair, we all happily dressed up in our best. Or at least mum and I were happy, father maybe not so much.
Father had dressed in his tux with a green cummerbund. He wore a green eye mask.
He was also carrying a flask of brandy and a case of cigars.
Father, though now a police super, had started as a university student clerking for MI6. So he claimed his costume was the spy James Bond
, Which explains his toy pistol that was actually a lighter to use for his cigars, but not brandy or cigars themselves.
Since father was Bond, mum declared she was dressed as the secretary Miss Moneypenny.
That evening she wore her elegant eye-catching blue taffeta gown with a scooped neckline, ruffled half sleeves, and a fluttering skirt that lay knee-length in front, shin-length in back.
With it, she wore her best jewels. A matching sapphire and diamond jewelry set that sparkled deliciously under the ceiling lights of the great banquet hall. The matched set consisted of a long side hair clip, earrings, necklace, bracelet, cocktail ring, and a kite-shaped broach pinned to her waist. The necklace was especially pretty. A wide v shape, set with large pear-shaped sapphires interspersed with smaller round diamonds set in loose gold chains. She wore a deep blue mask that covered her eyes and nose. Mum joked that she was a secretary undercover.
I thought she looked more like a movie star on the BAFTA red carpet.
As for myself, I was wearing my shiny green party dress. It has a sheer satin blouse with long sleeves. And a shiny pleated swishy skirt that fell to the top of my black leather pumps with the fake emerald clasps. The mesh waistline was decorated with emerald and diamond rhinestones.
I was wearing my “good” jewels. My long gold and diamond heart-shaped pendant, wide rhinestone bracelet, and 4 of my favorite rhinestone rings with green gems.
I also was wearing the long old fashioned clasped rhinestone diamond earrings that mum had given to me on my birthday. She had bought them while at university from a second hand for a couple of pounds. Later she discovered that the 2 largest stones were real diamonds, the earrings being worth 10 times what she had paid. This was my first time wearing them out.
I felt quite pretty dressed up like I was. And ready for what I hoped would be an evening of adventure. Especially after my father said his ladies(Mum and I) were both “dressed to kill” that evening.
I also wore a black bandit-type mask I had gotten from my brother’s room. It came from a costume play box we both kept our role-playing game items in.
Not sure who I was masquerading as, but when Father suggested Nancy Drew, I went with it.
Overall, as a party, the masquerade ball was simply dazzling.
A dressy, mostly adult affair. By the way, everyone was dressed, I was reminded of the way actors and actresses attending an awards show looked. With the only real costumes being the fancy masks the guests were wearing.
We found a small side table and snatched it. No one else joined us.
Mum and dad ended up leaving me alone a lot as they mingled and then danced on the raised floor at one end of the hall.
Which was not fair for they also expected me to stay close.
It was packed that evening, so much so that there was not enough room on the raised floor, that reached up to my chin when standing. So some of the dancing couples were forced down to the lower floor directly below.
I had been to several school dances myself, and admit to desiring to be asked to dance this evening. But there were few there my age, no one I knew, and I was far too shy to make any approaches to make new acquaintances that night.
Feeling a bit nervous, I found myself playing a lot with my bracelet. Watching, mesmerized by the sparkling jewels set in it. I also pulled out my small compact and amused myself by watching my earrings sparkle while I made them sway.
At one point, a couple of hours in, I was sitting there alone at our side table, drinking slowly from a small goblet of wine my father had gotten me, with a bit of light-hearted scolding from mum for doing so.
Well, the wine has purseits effect, and a call to nature I felt overrides what my father said about staying put.
I picked up my small green velvet purse and headed off in search of relief.
I found the loo across the room, next to the long bar where drinks were being served.
It was crowded inside and I got jostled a bit as I stopped right in the way of a pair of young ladies. “ Rude twits,” I said under my breath, for they never even apologized barreling along as they were.
I finished and headed back out. I stopped by the bar to have a look around.
Those twit girls who had been rude to me were standing there, backs to me, blocking my pat as they were giggling over something
Looking for another way around, I saw off to my left an opening that led outside. I went over and found myself at the entrance to a large upper-floor balcony with about 12 tables strewn about. Only half the tables were full.
I went out and started to explore.
It was a warm evening with a beautiful full moon that made everything appear romantic and fairytale-like.
Looking over the side I saw hedges below, like the kind that would border a flower garden. I couldn’t see over them, but I detected the smell of roses coming from that direction.
As I circled around, several ladies were watching me, and I got nervous about being out here alone.
So I cut back to the entrance. I then noticed something I had missed. Just on the inside of the balconeys’ entranceway, was a small set of stairs leading down. A thin rope was across with a poster reading: Gardens are off Limits.
“A thin rope is not much of a deterrent.” I thought reading the sign.
Just then a man in a security guard's uniform passed.
He warned me sternly.
“No one allowed below, young miss.”
I nodded, red-faced, and headed to the entrance.
I went straight back to my table. My parents were not back, so I grumpily sat back down.
How it galled me to be treated as a child by that rental cop(as father calls them) when I was feeling so grownup this evening.
I was still fuming as a gentle hand unexpectedly took hold of my shoulder, startling me.
A voice said, “Hello Samantha.”
I turned and found myself looking up into the smiling eyes of a handsome young male. He was all in black. His opera phantom half mask, tux, vest, shirt, and bow tie. Not a bit of color, except for his twinkling blue eyes.
“I’m not Samantha, wrong girl,” I said apologetically, rather wishing I was Samantha with a handsome friend like this.
He said, “ No, you certainly are not my friend Samantha.”
He then looked me up and down…
“Far prettier, if I dare say.”
How do you do, held anyone up lately?” He added with a firm, soothingly deep voice that reminded me of Father’s.
I was too taken off guard to answer back right away. Obviously, he has mistaken me for someone closer to his own age. Mum had said I looked years older that evening, with my eyes made up and with my red hair swept back, held in place by a green velvet clip.
I gulped. The proper thing to do was make him aware of his mistake. But I was a bit off over feeling the odd man out and quickly decided to go with the moment.
I decided to stay in my character of Nancy Drew.
I raised my hand. “How do you do sir, my name is Nancy, and no, despite the mask, I'm not a thief.”
Taking my hand he kissed it with chivalrous gallantry. “Pleasure is all mine, glad my watch and wallet are safe”.” he chuckled merrily, looking at me with thoughtful eyes.
Then, still holding my hand, asked…” May I sit for a bit, rather tuckered out at the moment?”
I nodded my head feeling that this could well be the adventure I was hoping for.
It felt both secure and divine being treated as an adult. I then realized he was asking me a question.
“So Nancy, what then, does your character do for a living if she is not a thief?”
Without thought I answered, staying in character…“ I am an amateur detective.”
He answered in his soothingly deep voice “ Well that is quite interesting indeed, what kind of cases do you like working on?”
I didn't know how to answer that and squirmed as my face turned red, which I know really makes my freckles show up on my cheeks.
“ I bet you are really clever at catching thieves. And that is why you are here this evening? Or are you taking the night off?”
Taking the cue, I nodded my head. Hard enough that I felt the green clip loosen “No thieves here tonight.”
He laughed in a winning manner. “ I guess not, probably no reason for one to be here. So miss Nancy, you've not asked whom I am playing this evening.”
I had not, so I guessed..” let me see, an Undertaker ?” I said teasingly.
He chuckled..”Not even close. A.J. Raffles, cricketer, at your command my lady.”
I had no idea who A.J.Raffles was, and I could see that my face had been a dead giveaway to that.
He chuckled. “Never heard of him? Well, Raffles loved to play cricket, as well as several other hobbies. And there is a story behind that, as a lad, that helped him choose his course as an adult. Care to hear it?”
Nodding yes, I took a sip of wine as he began his tale.
“When A.J. Raffles was a lad of ten he attended a wedding where his parents were both best man and maid of honor. A.J sat at a table with an older Great Auntie who paid him no heed.
He soon fell in with a group of bored older boys who had been throwing dice in a makeshift crown and anchor board. The game had been broken up by one of the servers and they had all been chased away
AJ was huddled in with that group as they watched the dressed-up wedding guests up on the dance floor. They began talking amongst themselves, commenting over the scene before them.
“Look at dem jools the birds are wearing. Bet they'd be worth a lot.” One of the lads was saying. Another quipped back that too bad those dames weren't their age. “Yeah, like that would mean anything. What would you do, lift their jools?” Came the teasing retort. “Hell yeah I would.” said a cocky lad. And someone else said “I like to see you do it. “ AJ was taking all this in, squirming a bit because he had always had a secret desire to make a collection of the pretty jewellery he'd seen ladies wearing. Tonight was no different.
I smirked, “sounds like my brother.”
“There you go then, you know how he felt also “ my new friend answered smiling pleasantly before continuing...
Well as fate would have it, two young teenage girls came walking Purposefully past. They threw that group of boys a rather coy look while passing as close by as they could.
One was dressed in a slick satin high necked gown of deep red with a rhinestone necklace and earrings. Her companion was wearing a sky blue sleek satin party dress, smooth black jacket, and strands of imitation pearls.
No sooner had they passed than the inner circle of boys began to dare and double dare. Money was put up in bets that enticed two of the lads to take up the challenge. That being to come away free with the girl’s necklaces.
The two lads left, and as the others looked on, went up to the two young lassies and began to converse. The giggling girls finally allowed themselves to be led to the dance floor
As they began to dance, more bets were made amongst the remaining lads, with young AJ joining in. Spending his only farthing on blue satin losing her pearls, and doubling that it would be done without her noticing.
Both of the dancing boys made several amateur attempts upon their female partner’s jewels. Blue satin, misinterpreting why her partner had his hand high up on her backside, giggled and fled away. Red satin ran off after her friend, but not before the wily lad who had been holding her had given even her a hug, nicking her shimmering necklace off from around the high collar of her slick gown as she struggled free.
He came back triumphantly to collect his winnings. Though some argued that seeing her necklace had not been touching skin it was not a real contest. He got his winnings in the end and the group wandered off, the prized necklace being passed around with envy.
AJ stayed behind contemplating. He watched as the lads stopped by a table where a young girl sat alone. She was wearing a long bridesmaids' gown of silk dyed in several shades of teal and green. A single string of real pearls hung down from her bare neck. Expensively swinging down elegantly. He knew what the group of lads were discussing in their private huddle. AJ moved off not wishing to see anymore.
“Those poor girls, I am glad your character walked away from that instead of embarking on a life of crime, “ I said to my new friend.
He looked at me thoughtfully, I saw a gleam grow in his eyes that I found exciting.
“Nancy, out of curiosity, if I’m not prying, you mentioned your brother would like my Raffles’s story?”
It was a delicious question, one I had been hoping "Raffles" would ask. I picked up my pendant as I answered, my mouth dry with anticipation to see his reaction.
“Yes he would, your Raffle story is similar to a game my brother came up with.
“Please tell me more, it sounds rather interesting, and I bet you have fun playing it.” He said, with excited curiosity.
I giggled. “Well, we play it in the woods. I wear a play dress and play jewelry. My brother actes as the thief who tries to catch me and rob me of my jewels. Then, if he does, he hides and I play the detective trying to find him. I know it sounds rather odd.”
He gently took my hand. “No, not at all odd, as I said, sounds rather exciting.”
“Yes, very exciting “Raffles” added a faraway look in his eyes.
A silence ensued and I happened to look up at the raised platform of the dance floor and saw mum and father dancing there.
He turned around, followed my eyes.
“I see you're looking at that lady, pretty in blue, with the sparkly sapphire jewels”
I guiltily nodded yes, turning to look at him. “If you wait a bit, you will meet them. That’s my mum and father.
Turning back to face me, his eyes went down to mine.
“You and your mother are both are very pretty, if I may be so bold?”
He took up my hand and kissed it as he asked this.
“But now, I must be toddling off, taken up too much of your time I’m afraid .”
We both stood up to say goodbye.
Without thinking, I happily held out my hands for a friendly hug to thank my “Raffles” for being so very nice and entertaining.
He did so willingly and I felt his reassuring fingers securely patting up along my back. it felt very nice and I became aware of a rather pleasant prickling-like sensation in some very good feeling areas.
He looked at me up and down smiling.
“Well “Nancy” I hope you liked my Raffles story.
I looked up at him with an intriguing, almost hopeful expression. Thinking of his story, thinking my twin brother would have loved to have been there. I then asked, holding my breath:
“Do you think Raffles regretted not playing the games those boys were up to?”
My heart was beating miles a minute, and I started to place my hand upon it to still it.
Before I could, he took that hand up in his.
Holding it, he told me, while patting down along my wrist and arm reassuringly…
“I think Raffles is the type never to regret anything, what do you think?”
I nodded my head happily satisfied. Feeling my earrings move along my face as my hair fell out of place just a little bit more.
I remembered having watched those earrings in mum’s mirror. I had quite liked the way they glittered. I was hoping he had noticed also.
As I looked into those friendly blue eyes, I believe he had noticed, for I could see their shimmering reflection in them.
He smiled at me broadly.
“Here “Nancy” allow me to get you seated.”
Such a gentleman I thought as he pulled out my chair and gripped his fingers supportively along my arms as I slid forward.
He then again lifted and kissed my hand.
“Righto,” he nodded and was off.
I was feeling a warm tingling sensation over the whole adventure. I placed my hands down between my legs and happily mulled back over the whole experience as I rocked back and forth in my seat.
Was this what it was like to be treated with special attention from a handsome stranger?
I had felt so lifted away as he had hugged me. And his fingers felt like heaven as he had run them ever so gently through my hair. I locked my legs together as I shivered over reliving that feeling.
So, now I was again left alone to my own devices. But with really nothing to do.
After a happily spent 45 minutes of daydreaming and imagining different scenarios over how my meeting the charming Raffles playing stranger could have gone, I realized that I had a sudden urge to do something, anything than just sitting here.
I daringly decided to explore the off-limit gardens.
I pushed back my chair with determination and rose.
Grabbing my purse, I moved off in the direction of the balcony. I skirted the outer wall, going past the main door, and reached the outdoor balconies entrance. I had not been spotted, successfully avoiding the dance floor and bar area.
I looked around. No rental cops were now in the area.
I turned the corner with a beating heart, snuck underneath the rope at the stairs entrance, and scurried down.
Reaching the ground I looked around. Catching my breath as my beating heart slowed down. I saw the hedges, and the woods off to the side, a path running along in between.
I took the path, knowing it would be out of sight of the upper balcony.
My excitement over going on an adventure increased as I walked, taking in the cool air, marveling over the moonlit beauty. I came to a side entrance and found myself in a rose garden. The roses were beautiful and fragrant. Off in the distance, I heard a fountain bubbling.
I pulled the now loose clip from my hair, shaking my head as I felt my hair fall to my shoulders.
Feeling more comfortable, I looked around, deciding on what to do next.
Some of the roses surrounded a white marble statue of Cupid. I walked the 10 paces from the wood path up to it, bending down to smell the roses.
Suddenly a rabbit jumped from the judge, startling me. I gave out a loud gasp, my hand holding onto my breast to quell the renewed pounding of my heart.
I then giggled at my silliness.
But a chilly feeling washed over me as I realized I was out here all alone.
I became very aware of how I looked
“Dressed to Kill” as Father had said.
“And I knew why I was warned not to go off exploring on my own.” I thought to myself, visions of what could happen filled my head, fueled by what I had seen on the Telly and the games I played with my twin.
I began to turn. Intent on losing no time to get back to the stone staircase.
It was then something small hit the fountain with a shocking clang.
I totally jumped out of my skin.
Suddenly a pair of cold hands slipped over my eyes and I was pulled back against what was unmistakably a man’s figure.
I gasped, my heart leaping up. Within a split second, I had thoughts that it was my twin brother playing a game. But I knew he was not here, and this was not one of our games.
My hand went to my chest, grasping my pendent as my whole figure wilted and my head began to swirl.
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End of Part One
Part 2 coming Soon
Hope you had a great time in this days i was out from flickr.
I had wonderful time of holidays with my best friend in catalunya(spain).Why when we are in holidays time past so fast?
Wish you all magnific and happy friday my friends :))**
It’s a most specific dream
It’s a most magnific dream
as we sit under the stars they gleam
and the cuban bar is closed
but it was closed long ago
and you missed all of the show
and I could've known all along
you'd only end up as one of these kind of sad songs
Lyrics by Calla
TGIF... Enjoy some serenity this weekend...
21 inches high, commercially manufactured in China.
Simply photographed in window light...
The magnified view reveals the amazing patterns...
Place: Darling Harbour, Sydney
This is an old picture, I totally forgot about the pics i took in sydney, this is the zoom out effect i think, dont remember but the cool thing here is that even the reflection on the water came out..
enjoy
I picked up one of these today. Alongside a whole lot of masks, hopefully I can get more humans in front of the camera lens in the near future.
This weeks scrabble sunday contribution!
Strobist... 580exii lastolite ezybox speedlite camera left 1/4 -0.7 24mm. 580exii lastolite softbox camera right 1/16 24mm.