View allAll Photos Tagged arguments
Seems to be the bone of contention here. It always happens when two old friends meet after a long time. Good old contrasting cute days were those when they used to feign not carrying their wallets.
This pair of Northern Mockingbirds was sitting on top of my compost bin, hopping around and fussing about something. I don't know if it was a heated argument or an animated discussion, but whatever it was lasted several minutes before they decided to fly their separate ways.
It was a quiet Sunday morning on River Street, Savannah, Georgia, until this couple began arguing on the streets. I'm guessing the older couple above were glad to be "above it all".
The water has crocodiles
“I’ve no argument with crocodiles”
Crocodiles don’t need arguments
They are even sorry for what they did
Read the rest in -
a1000reasons.blogspot.com/2013/02/ive-no-arguments-with-c...
its function is to make the worse appear the better :-) George Santayana.
little theatre rose garden, raleigh, north carolina.
Explorific!
Obscene incidents within the financial administration
Coming from San Marco, it's on the right-hand side of the Rialto bridge. Looking more closely, you'll be able to make out two fairly obscene reliefs that have in fact, a great deal to do with the history of the Rialto bridge: one shows a man with a disproportionately huge penis in the shape of a nail, the other shows a female figure with her intimate parts placed over a flame-spewing votive bowl. The two figures illustrated one and the same story surrounding the construction of the Rialto bridge. After the wooden bridge had rotted or burned down several times, in 1507 the city administration decided to erect a stone bridge across the Canal. Decades of arguments about financing and design ensued, spurring the residents of San Polo, consisting of prostitutes, market traders, vendors and craftsmen, to make sardonic remarks. The man would call out: "Sto ponte i lo finira quando ch'ecl casso fara l'ongia" (if this bridge will ever be finished my penis will turn into a nail), and the woman jeered an analogy: " Quando che i finisse el ponte, me chiapara fogo la mona" (if the bridge should ever be completed my vagina will catch fire). Both jibes were completely typical of the Venetian people of the time, forever incorporating obscenities into their jeering chants. Indeed, construction on the Rialto bridge started in 1588, and it was completed in 1591. Now the joke was on the local people, and the city administration used the two reliefs to show that the doubters were now due some "nails" or "flames".
«Camerlenghi dei comun» -финансовое управление Республики Венеция. Со стороны Сан-Марко он находится справа от моста Риальто. Глядя более внимательно, можно увидеть два довольно непристойных рельефа, которые на самом деле имеют большое значение для истории моста Риальто: один показывает человека с непропорционально огромным пенисом в форме гвоздя, а другой показывает женскую фигуру с ее интимными частями над пламенем. Две фигуры иллюстрировали один и тот же рассказ о строительстве моста Риальто. После того, как деревянный мост несколько раз разрушался, в 1507 году администрация города решила возвести каменный мост через канал. В течение долгого времени спорили о финансировании и дизайне моста, что и побудило жителей Сан-Поло, состоящих из проституток, торговцев, продавцов и ремесленников, делать саркастические замечания. Мужчина мог сказать: " если этот мост когда-нибудь будет закончен , мой пенис превратится в гвоздь", а женщина по аналогии: "если мост все-таки построится, то мое влагалище загорится". Обе колкости были вполне типичными для венецианцев того времени, которые включали в свои издевательские песнопения непристойности. Но строительство моста началось в 1588 году, и было завершено в 1591 году. Теперь шутка была посвящена местным жителям, и городская администрация использовала две рельефа, чтобы показать, что с сомневающимися приключились «гвозди» или «пламя».
the sky makes its case against the stone.
it is an old argument, spoken not in words, but in vapor and pressure.
the mountains offer their rebuttal in silence, in sharp, unmoving edges.
every fissure in the rock is a transcript of past verdicts.
the forest below listens, knowing it is merely a witness to a power it will never understand.
Title:
Society’s Shrew
******************************************************************************
The study below was uncovered through research for the following Doctorial dissertation:
Light to the shadows of their mind:
Criminal tactics and strategies
Criminology Department Dept.
Chatwick University
Case Study 14 :
Name: Seth circa 192…
Subject: A rather unprincipled & deviously unscrupulous scoundrel
From Seth’s Journal:
Headed as:
Societies Shrew
October 11, 192
It is truly amazing what people will talk about on a train. And I could not say the number of times I had collected a tidy sum by just keeping my ears open to such talk. The following remarkable account centered on a couple named Caboyt is my case in point.
I was traveling between cities, after finishing a weeks’ worth of “business”, successfully making a handsome “little” profit on the jewels I collected from several unsuspecting wealthy women.
I had spotted a young couple sitting alone at small table in the dining car. Taking a seat in the nearby bar I had taken the opportunity to observe them. They were newlyweds. I could tell by the way they had acted, and by the shiny new gold rings they sported. She was a very attractive long haired brunette, wearing a long flowing skirt and a high-necked satiny blouse with long sleeves. He was wearing a fitted suit, and by his expression, was ignorant of anything else but his bride’s existence. I too noticed her existence. Especially the existence of the solid gold necklace set with tiny rubies and diamonds she wearing, loosely hanging down from around her throat. When she talked, her hands made little motions, and it was a pleasure to watch her rings sparkle from fingers as she did so. When they left the dining car I stayed at the bar, quickly forgetting about the pair. I enjoyed a few drinks while anticipating the new opportunities that should be plentiful at my next stop.
Late that evening the newlyweds were abruptly placed back into my thoughts. As I made my way back to my car I saw them in their seats, sleeping soundly. Her head was on his shoulders, an arm curled around him. The head of her husband was back on the seat snoring. I noticed her necklace hanging provokingly down, flickering in the passing lights that lit up the car in ten second intervals. The back two rows of seats were vacant, so I slipped into the seat directly behind them. I slowly moved my fingers up behind her seat, dipping down I felt through her ultra-soft hair until my fingers felt the cold hardness of her necklace. I could feel the slippery sleekness of her blouse, and I will admit I did perk up in doing so. Ever so slowly I pulled it out, exposing its gold chain. Then I slipped it around, silently thanking her for the slickness of the high necked pretty blouse that made my attempt so easy. Finally I expose the clasp, and leaving it hanging sat back for a minute to let them settle. I watched it there, as the flicking lights lit it up, my hunger increasing in a prickling sensation I knew and loved so well, the thrill of the hunt. When I could contain myself no longer I reached up again and undid the clasp, then I began the delicate operation of slipping it from her throat. It took almost fifteen exhilarating minutes as I worked it free, exposing it’s; length over the seat ever longer. Then it came loose, and with a swish curled up into my palm. As the last of it slipped away my victim stirred a little, sighing in her sleep, she cuddled in even more. I waited a few more minutes, all was calm around me.
I eyed the sleeping couple. Following her arm that lay around her husband’s shoulder I could see her hand. A glittery ruby ring sparkled merrily in the passing lights. The ring was definitely not as valuable as the necklace in hand, but the allure of acquiring it overwhelmed me. Now slipping a ring from a ladies finger is of course, no great trick. If she happens to be sleeping soundly, like this one, its rather as easy as taking it from a baby.
******************
(Which for the record I have never done, preferring my victims to be of a mature age. A mantra from which I have only strayed from once, for every rule commands an exception!
The exception for this rule was a matching set of sparklers; dangling cascading earrings, wide “lace” style necklace, bracelet and a brace of rings, all of it small and dainty, all of it quality diamond ,and best of all, invitingly obtainable.
Because the young miss laden down with those petite diamonds was all of fourteen years of age. And, as for the glossy taffeta gown that clung charmingly to her girlish figure? It cried out to even the most novice of us pickpockets to use its sleekness to execute a nimble “slip up and flick” maneuver to relieve this little squirming princess of some piece of her jewelry.
It had definitely been worth the Crown I had expended to the well-dressed young lad with a solid gold pocket watch hanging from his vest, to spend at the penny arcade, located in the bazaar across the street…. It successfully lured him temporarily away from the richly attired kid sister wearing the diamonds in question. He had been keeping an eye over her, a job for which I could tell he had been grudgingly delegated with, and which he happily abandoned; leaving the diamond laden impish young sister vulnerably exposed to the harsher realities of life.
I used the procured opening to cross the young sister’s path and with a perfectly timed ploy caught her in mid stride, the fingers of my right hand grabbing her by the gown’s sleek midriff causing her to totter over my arm. The fingers of my left moved in at the same moment.
The gown had indeed tingled quite pleasantly underneath my left hands fingers as they glided up along her taffeta slick back to lift up and break open the clasp of the silver chain, from which hung the dangling diamonds dripping down along her gown’s full neckline; As I gently plucked and straighten her gown with my right hand, my Left hand delicately began to pull away the necklace. I asked the young miss her where she was off to in such a hurry. She told me, in quick nervous breaths, that she was looking for her brother. As I listened intently, my left hand tugged, then slipped free her necklace, spiriting it away from her heaving chest with a muted swish. I watched it disappear, flickering its protest, as I held its pretty mistress’s attention. I pocketed it as she followed my pointing finger to the bazaar across the street where I explained her brother had gone.
I watched as she happily scurried away from me, blissfully naive that her necklace no longer was merrily bouncing along her chest as she moved. It was just then a rather full bosomed lady passed me by, nose in the air, a ruby brooch precariously perched in the cleavage of her low cut rustling gown. I followed, my mind calculating the risk.
***************************
As the train gently rocked back and forth I kept my eyes focused on the sleeping woman’s ring, first I licked my lips, then my fingers. Reaching up I gently slipped my fingers along hers, moistening them. Then I felt for her ring, and slightly lifter her finger, carefully worked the jewel off by rocking it back and forth between my fingertips. Once I had it over her knuckle, I stopped to catch my breath and look around, all was still quiet. I easily pulled it off the rest of the way, than lay back and closed my eyes. Soon both of them were snoring regularly. I than arose, stowing away the necklace securely, and walked silently amongst the other sleeping passengers. Unnoticed by anyone, I regained my car, took my seat, and laying back I closed my eyes, and happy with myself, fell into a deep sleep.
October 12, 192
The next morning I awoke to a bright sunrise, refreshed and satisfied with the previous evening’s effort. I now settled back comfortably and watched the scenery. There appeared to be no noticeable commotion at my end of the train over my nighttime activities. But it is the reason I stayed glued to my seat for the rest of my journey, and the reason I would make a rather informal acquaintance with Sophia and Arthur Caboyt.
The seat in front of me was occupied by a priest traveling with his rather ancient mother. Nothing that they were discussing had captured my interest the day before. The priest was spending the morning reading his bible, his mother snoozing, so it appeared neither would be saying anything to peak my interest this morning. So I closed my eyes, placed a thought in my head, and started dozing…….
***********
She was a beauty, a ravishing brunette clad in a long purple satiny number. Her jewels were all sapphires, sparkling as she walked somewhat unsteadily up the path leading her away from the sanctity of the castle keep. I was following with curiosity, having seen her slip out the back way, looking for the entire world like a child sneaking out on her parents. She reached the top of the hill where it opened into a small glen. Off to the side lay a dark lake of calm water. As she stood by a cement bench on the bank of the lake the moon peeked out through the clouds, placing her in a pool of light. A pair of white swans swam over in curiosity. She bent down and lifted out her gloved hand to them, her rings and bracelet glistening radiantly.
She was not yet aware of being followed……
******************************
I must have fallen asleep, for next thing I knew I was rudely awakened as the train was ratcheting to a stop, whistle blowing. When the train finely halted, The priest and his mother departed. I still was going on for a distance so I kept my seat. I bid them a silent adieu; nothing about them had held my interest in any shape or form.
But the newcomers who took their seat turned out to be a whole other story.
A rather stern faced husband had escorted his chattering wife and basically maneuvered her into the seat. She was clad in a long silky, rather form fitting dress. She was wearing a nice display of glistening white pearls, and her fingers were home to several sparkly rings. By the way the pair carried themselves; I had no doubts the fair maidens jewels were the real McCoy. As I watched the diamond clasp of her pearl necklace from behind I again closed my eyes, once more reminiscing about the train ride on my first leg of the journey.
But this couple did not appear to be of the snatch and slip into the shadows type of prey to me. I opened my eyes, wide awake, my interest peaking as the wife’s shrill voice penetrated into me. No, I smelled real opportunity being handed to me by fate. Let me explain. In my line of business I had become a quick study of a person’s character. His was obviously that of an important ( in his mind) president( probably a bank) used to controlling all aspects of his life, including his wife. She was a quarrelsome chatterbox who was as opinionated as they come. My guess is that that he only had married her for her money, why else would he have put up with her? His name was Arthur, Hers was Sophia, and the last name was Caboyt, which perked my interest even more. Caboyt being a well-known name of a wealthy family from the large city where I had grew up as a child. The couple was attending a Charity Ball at some rather ritzy sounding establishment in a City four stops before mine. The more I heard, the more I smelled money to be made. So it was without a thought that I rose a minute after they did, and got off on the same stop, forgoing the rest of my travel plans. I quickly stashed my luggage in a locker and got out onto the street in time to see them getting into a hotel taxi.
I went in, collected my bags and hired a taxi to take me to an inexpensive hotel that he recommended. I checked in, prepaying for three nights to cover my tracks, threw my luggage on the bed. I looked in my stage case, and selected a reddish wig and matching moustache, trying them on for effect. Adding a pair of black, horn rimmed eye glasses completed the disguise
I grabbed another taxi had him drive me to the hotel they were staying at. Paying him off ,I crossed the street and positioned myself in a park. It was now early evening, the sun just dipping below the tall buildings.
I studied the situation from the park while sitting on a bench. It was older, with balconies extending outside each of the rooms. The balconies were cement rimmed, with low rails. If I could get a room above or below theirs, It would be a short, easy rope climb to their balcony. I went inside and inquired about available rooms for the next evening, the evening of the ball. As the clerk leafed through his book I studied the registry and soon located Sarah and Henry Caboyt’s listing. It was better than I had hoped. They couple were in room 311. 313, 413 and 213 were taken for the weekend but 315, right next door was available. Containing my excitement I took it, prepaying for two nights, giving the clerk a false ID . I explained that my luggage had been delayed, and that when it came I would just take it up myself.
I returned to the other hotel, and dressed and went out for dinner, forming my plans as I ate. Returning I packed a small valise, put on evening attire, and snuck out via a back stairway that led to a now shadowed alley.
Walking out I went up the street bus stop and hailed a taxi. He gave me a suspicious look as I gave him the name of a fancy hotel that was a couple of blocks away from where the Cabot’s, and I, were staying: but I put on my bigwig demeanor and ignored him. He let me off and as I made sure he drove off, went up the block and entered my new hotel, heading straight for the elevator, not even gaining a second glance from the well trained operator. I went into my room, whistling at the fancy digs, before setting up the groundwork for my little operation.
That evening I sleep soundly, almost falling deeply again into a dream.
***********************************************
I found myself in her room once again. There were two of them. Identical twin sisters who occupied adjoining rooms in the old keep of the ancient stronghold that had been turned into a posh resort for the ultra-rich.
They had both been attending the extravagant ball being held in the old main chamber of the castle. But one had been ill and left early, planning to take a strong sleeping draught to fight her ailment.
Making sure the remaining sister was still going strong at the ball, I melted away into the shadows, breaking into her room before the twelve strokes of midnight had sounded in the large grandfather clock at the end of the hall. It took no effort on my part; she had conveniently left her velvet jewel pouch on the nightstand. I quickly scooped out its contents in a couple of shimmering handfuls. It was going to be a good night I told myself happily.
I went to the door that joined the room where her twin was sleeping. I cautiously opened it, and then slipped inside.
She looked so beautifully innocent as she slept, her brown satin pajamas shimmering in the light of the full moon streaming through an open stone cased window. After a bit of searching I found her jewel case tucked under the pillow she was laying on. I had discovered it while sliding my hand underneath, and I now began to work the calfskin leather case free. As I did I saw something glimmer faintly in the moonlight? Looking closer I realized she had no removed the pendent she had been wearing around her neck. It was on a gold chain, a ruby surrounded by small diamonds. I freed her jewel case and quickly emptied its contents, only one brightly glistening handful, which joined her sister’s collection in my satchel. I then pulled back her hair and felt for the clasp of her necklace. Locating it I slid it into my view and unclasped it. Picking up one end I lifted it from her throat, and gently pulled the other end from beneath her. It went perfectly; she never stirred as I took it from her. One a whim I peeled back ever so gently the long sleeves of her pajamas, . One her left wrist she still wore a ruby and diamond bracelet. Lifting her wrist up enough so my fingers could reach I undid the clasp and pulled it free, hanging like a wide sparkling snake.
I listened at her door, all was quite. I stole away, sneaking down the old servants back stairway. It was as I was edging around the building to make a bolt for the woods and my escape, that I saw her. The twin, who had stayed at the ball while her sister slept, was now lurking outside. She had no idea she was being watched. I eyed her sapphire jewelry sparkling along her pretty satin gown. I could tell she was up to something, as she hesitated, then assuming no one was around, headed off onto the path leading to a small lake. I followed without a second’s hesitation……..
************************************************
October 13, 192
The next morning I arose late, refreshed and ready for whatever exploits the day would hold for me.
After checking out my surroundings, including the balcony, I took a long hot shower and stretched out, waiting like a lion in the brush. Late afternoon I made my way down to the lobby with a book and nestled in a shadowy corner to wait. My plan was to watch them leave, follow them to gauge how long it would take them to return, head back, enter their room via the balcony and pilfer the room of its valuables and exit stage right, before they returned. I was banking on a fat jewel case. The rooms had no safes.
I sat, I observing my fellow guests coming and going about their personal business. Soon I noticed more and more of them in evening dress, heading out for a night on the town, which was a treat in and of its self. I did perk up when a lady clad in a long black velvet dress, matching gloves and pearls, walked down the stairs. As a pearl hanger, she would have been a tempting target. Pearls were always easy to pawn, and hers were a rather nice set. She seemed to be the easily distractible type, and easily distractible types who wore expensive jewels had always been my specialty. But I already had my mind set on Sophia Caboyt’s jewels that evening, So I let her slip away, watching her long gown swish about her pleasant figure.. Bird in the hand I thought, wistfully hoping that would prove to be the case.
An hour later I was rewarded as Sophia and Arthur came down. The couple was dressed to the nines for the evening, he was in a tux, she was in a long flowing glossy gown and gloves. She was dripping in diamonds, a full set. My heart sank, I wanted those diamonds, Quickly as I watched them I revised my plan. She was wearing a small fortune. I was sure that whatever was left in their room was probably not worth nearly as much, even the pearls.
I than sat and pretended to read my book for about another two hours while my mind went over several new plans of action. Accepting one of them as feasible, I rose and headed back up to my room. Lost my disguise, packed my valise for a hasty exit, put on my mask and gloves, turned out the lights, carefully opened my balcony door, and from a vantage point where I could see their room, I waited for their return. Breaking into a room with sleeping occupants was something I would rather not do, but oh, well, I would have to creep a little more carefully. Hopefully they would return home tipsy and sleep deeply.
Three and one half hours later the lights went on in their room. The balcony door was opened and Sophia came sweeping out, her jewelry blazing in the street lamps light from below. I watched with growing anticipation as she leaned out and looked onto the view below, her necklace and long earrings swaying out over the void, careful I thought, don’t let the pretty things fall. Her husband voice came out of the room inside, calling to her in an angry tone. “Sophia, I don’t believe it, they gave me the wrong top coat.” She sighed, gathering air, Are you sure she snapped, yes he said, my gloves are not in the pocket. She turned and went to the door, Go back tomorrow she decreed. I am going back now, he rebelled, and giving them a piece of my mind, I tipped that idiot 5 shillings. I heard the door slam. As it did, she had continued telling him not to go.
He had left and my mind started buzzing. What is he up to? He had no real reason not to wait, unless he was really that much of a hot head. If that was the case, He would easily be gone for an hour, which would give me at least 45 minutes to work with. They didn’t appear to have been drinking, If I stuck with my original plan, when he returned, things would be a lot more sticky, especially if he was in a foul mood and couldn’t sleep.
My window of opportunity, small already, began to shrink even more. I could have just let it go, but no I scolded myself, I would forever be berating myself for letting the chance to make a major coup slip through my fingers. I decided to risk it. Sometimes you just have to roll the dice and see how things lay and hope, luck will travel with it. I quickly reformulated my plan.
I went back and pulled a small derringer and some rope from my valise. She had been wearing a satin sash encircling her waist, held with a brooch. Once she handed me the brooch, I would use the sash to gag her; and my rope to tie her securely to a chair freeing me to search her and her room for valuables. I smiled in wicked anticipation; I have always liked a good old fashioned hold-up. I looked at my watch, still a good 32 minutes to obtain her jewels.
Climbing between the two ledges I slipped onto their balcony, ducking below the side and waited. Nothing stirred. I slinked over to the window and peered inside. No movement. Waiting another eternal minute I decided to enter, Carefully opening the glass door so it let out only the slightest of clicks I entered. I saw a door on the opposite side of the room, slightly ajar I could hear the sound of water running. Sophia was drawing a bath. I couldn’t believe my luck. I wedged myself in a corner and waited. I could see her shadow in the crack of light emitting from the door, and then I heard her slide into the tub. Immediately I was on the move.
I had seen a glistening pile on top of a small table by the bathroom door. I went there first. On the table were spread out in a sparkling array the diamonds she had been wearing earlier. I carefully lifted each magnificent piece and secreted them into my small satchel, one eye on the outer door, and one ear on the occupant of the bath tub. As I made a complete sweep of the table I saw her silvery, shiny jeweled purse off to one side, lying on her satin gloves. I went through it and found a the wad of notes and a heavy gold compact and matching cigarette holder. Putting the items back inside, along with her gloves, I pocketed the shiny purse. Then I noticed her jewel case when I had come in laying on the vanity. I went over and opened it, my eyes rewarded by a satisfying collection of glittery jewels, gold and pearls. I and quickly emptied it of its valuable contents, a set of emerald with diamonds( necklace, earrings, ring and bracelets), several gold chains, two pairs of gold earrings, one set with small diamonds, a thick solid gold bracelet, and a rather nice 3 strand pearl choker, as well as the pearls she had been wearing on the train. I hadn’t seen this much ice lately outside a jewelry store. Closing the case, I slipped it into a drawer out of sight..
I did not see her gown with its sash and brooch. I snuck a peak into the bathroom; I saw a long flowing satin bathrobe, but no red gown visible. I hesitated, for I could see her outline in the tub, she was laying back with her eyes closed, a hand hung down, from which glittered a pair of rings. No, I thought, letting them go. I went to her closet; there was a gold gown, but not the gown she had been wearing. I looked at my watch, 9 minutes left; I was running out of time. I went back to the bed and circled it, keeping a close eye on the two doors. Looking over on the opposite side by the wall I saw something glossy on the floor.. There it was, the little darling had slid off and was hiding on the floor. Lifting it up, I let the smooth material run through my hands, feeling it through the thin gloves I was wearing. I felt nothing hard, laying it across the chair I looked under the bed, saw something silky and pulled at it. It came out like a shiny snake, with a large diamond studded head. There was the prize. I took the sash and the brooch and stuffed them in my pocket. 3 minutes left by my watch.. I went back to the closet and felt along a couple of her things hanging there, hoping to find a clip , or possibly another brooch, one a silky jacket I felt something hard, it turned out to be a gold pin of a humming bird with jeweled wings. I pulled it free. My time was up, and I had plenty,
Turning out the lights I Heading to the door of the balcony fortunately I heard them just as I opened the glass door. I peeked to the balcony next door, on the opposite side of mine. A couple was in the middle of an argument. A quite pretty lady was giving a tuxedo shirted male a piece of her mind. She was a long haired brunette clad in a long silk sheath, gold and black descending stripes. She was lecturing a harried thin gentleman in a white tux shirt, chewing him out in rapid Italian. I was caught between a rock and a hard place. I stepped out in the shadows, closing the door behind me. I did not want to chance having the dejewelled princess or her husband walk into the bedroom and find me there. The minutes ticked by. I was mesmerized by the hand the Italian woman was shaking under his nose. The ladies’ Jeweled rings and bracelets flashing extravagantly in and out of the light. I will admit that after 6 excoriatingly long minutes I started to sweat a little. The show was quite fascinating, but I was expecting company at any time. And three would definitely be a crowd. She was not running out of steam, I felt sorry for the little guy.
Finally the Italian banshee ended her tirade. She ran into the room sobbing, he meekly followed. Just Than I about jumped out of my skin when I head Sophia calling out her husband’s name. Arthur she screeched, are you there yet, I have soap in my eyes. Do I dare, I thought to myself, those magnificent rings flashing back into my mind.
I moved swiftly back into the room, stealthily going to the bathroom door, looked around the door and stole a peak. She was holding her eyes closed, searching in vain for a towel, which had fallen just below her searching hand. The hand where the expensively jeweled rings she had worn into her bath resided. I moved swiftly, rapping on the door. About time she said as I handed her a towel. I took her hand, and kissed her soapy wet fingers. She smirked; don’t try to make up with me Arthur. I let go of her now ring less fingers. Turning I walked out swiftly, closing the door behind me before she had a chance to clear her eyes. Swiftly going back out the balcony door, I flew over the rail into my own balcony, and into the door. I waited for a minute without moving. The coast seemed clear.
I felt safe to turn the lights on. I hid her sash, brooch, jewels, and the silvery jeweled purse in the false bottom of my small valise. I put back on the red wig moustache and glasses and evening clothes. Then snatching up my case, I went to the door after a final inspection of the room. 65 minutes now had ticked by since the husband had left the apartment, leaving his wife and her jewels behind unprotected. It was time to make a hasty exit. As my white gloved hand touched the knob I heard voices in the hall. Damn I thought, she had taking the argument out of the room. Thankfully I heard the door slam. This was becoming a circus I thought, opening door a crack. The hall way was clear. I moved quickly down the corridor turning into another , down with lay my exit down a rear stairwell. I froze in my tracks. Now what I thought!
At the far end of the corridor, just passed my exit, was a wall where a full length painting of the battle of waterloo hung. The lady in velvet and pearls that I had been scrutinizing earlier in the evening sashaying through the lobby, was standing with her back to me mesmerized by the painting, her hands clasped behind her while she swayed to and fro studying it.. She was so enthralled by it that I probably could have walked right up to her and slipped the pearls from her throat and wrist without her even noticing me. Why not, I asked myself rhetorically. Setting the valise by the exit, I began removing my gloves as I walked up to her on the balls of my feet, silent as a cat. Pretty is it not I asked in her ear, she started, backing into me. I caught her as she twittered nervously. Sorry I said, steadying her. She blushed as she turned to me, giving me full view of the pearls around her throat. I kissed her hand, asking for her apologies as I turned and left her standing there. I heard the swish of her dress. I had been right about her being vulnerably captivated by the painting. The proof was in the pudding, or in this case the triple string pearl bracelet I had slipped away from her gloved wrist as she had bumped against me
I started down the stairs leading down to the lobby silently thanking whatever distraction it was that was holding Arthur up from returning home. Then, I saw him. I was coming down to the bottom of stairs I saw Arthur cutting through the lobby. I walked past him nodding as he passed raising my valise in salutation. He nodded back passing me without another look. He had a smile on his face, so he had received satisfaction from something. I too had a smirk on mine, garnering some satisfaction that he was totally unaware that a small fortune in his wife’s jewels was walking out the door right under his nose.
I left, holding my valise and headed down the street. I hailed a taxi, had him drop me off at the bus station, then went into my hotel and packed, before falling again into sound , pleasantly dream filled , sleep.
October 14, 192
I arose early the next day, leaving by the same back door to the alleyway.
Flagging a taxi I had him drive me to the shopping area by the train station.
I meandered around a bit and then, sure I was not being watched, made my way to the train station.
I than caught the next train heading to my original destination. After a long, leisurely meal, and a couple well-earned drinks at the bar I headed back to my seat. This time there were no brides with shiny necklaces, or Caboyt’s with their pompous arrogance and fancy jewels to entertain me. So I found one of my own making. As the train rumbled into the night I snuggled down and replayed the whole adventure, savoring every aspect until I fell into dream filled sleep.
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She must have imbibed more than I thought, for she walked to the bench, and taken a careful look around, began to undress. Watching the swans, she started by removing her jewelry, placing them in a pile that glistened in the moon’s light. She then stepped behind some bushes, and I observed her laying her gloves, gown and some silky nickers over a tree limb. I began to move back and cut along the woods to where she had undressed. A soft, subtle splash of water let me know she had entered the pool. Reaching her things hanging on the tree limb I looked out, she was in up to her chest, back to me, still watching the swans that had moved off a small distance when she had entered. I carefully pulled her clothes off the limb, then hid them behind a tree, , feeling the hardness of her broach, I unfastened from her gown. Then on all fours, keeping below the bench, I carefully crawled forward, inching ever closer to the glistening pile of rich jewels that beckoned me…..
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Angry over an argument with my mum, i walked away, towards the rice fields. Strolling along on a bright sunny day, still in deep thought .... i never evn noticed the dark clouds till a few rain drops hit my cheek !! Just after i clicked this picture, the heavens opened up drenching me to the bone !!! Gods way of cooling me down i guess :-))
Vincent's fever continued to burn throughout the afternoon and everyone was on edge because of it. After Vincent had woken for those few seconds earlier, Bernadette had brewed an extra strong bhang tea to help him sleep harder. Thankfully he continued to be able to hold down liquids and medicine so Bernadette deemed that it was a good sign. She didn't want to give Damien and Aiden false hope but it was looking like Vincent might just pull through after all.
It was evening, only a few hours later, when the fever finally broke! With a fresh change of bandages and bedding Vincent was finally resting better than he had in the near day and half since his capture.
Around his bed stood Bernadette, Damien, and Aiden; all breathing a sigh of relief as they gazed down at him. Damien could see that Bernadette and Aiden were beyond exhausted; Aiden even more so due to his efforts of rescuing Vincent but at least he'd taken a nap earlier. Bernadette had not. Damien's attention turned to Bernadette and gave her a meaningful look and asked, "Will you rest now?"
"Yes," she agreed with a huff. "But after we get something to eat. I'm famished!"
The mention of food sent all of their stomachs grumbling loudly. None of them had eaten today and it had been even longer for Bernadette and Aiden. Since Aiden didn't know where the food vendors were and Bernadette was clearly exhausted, Damien agreed to the errand of picking up some dinner. Aiden and Bernadette made sure to thank him enthusiastically as he made his way out the door with a small chuckle and promise of being quick.
Once Damien was gone, Bernadette informed Aiden that she was going outside for some fresh air and to write a note to her mother to update her on Vincent's condition. Aiden was glad to let her take some time for herself and sent her off with an encouraging smile. He turned and found himself wandering back towards Vincent's bedroom where he sat down beside his bed on the chair.
The mention of writing made Aiden think of his own correspondence with his father. Aiden had already eagerly sent off a letter to update him on everything that had happened up to their arrival in the capitol, with the promise of another letter to follow this week. It was to include their scheduled stops now that Aiden knew where his captain was sending them. But now, all of that was going to change. With Vincent's injuries as bad as they were, surely they wouldn't be back in the air anytime soon. So much had changed and happened in the last week since he'd sent that letter that he wouldn't even know where to start!
That line of thought suddenly yanked Aiden away from thoughts of the not yet written letter to the realization of what he had done. Now that he was relaxing and coming down from the adrenaline of trying to keep Vincent alive, the realizations of everything that had happened suddenly started to sink in; things that he couldn't tell his father.
"Oh God," Aiden breathed in shock as he sat there and stared at his hands with wide eyes. He'd killed a man just last night! Not only that, but he'd aided in the death of another and proceeded to dump their bodies in a cell to rot and took their keys as if he were some hooligan or pirate! And he'd done it all without a second thought! His ONLY hesitation had been during his disagreement with Vincent. But his argument had really been about Vincent's declining health and not over the principle of going after Thorn. In fact, Aiden had gone along with it as soon as Vincent assured him that was what he wanted.
That was another thing that boggled his mind a bit. There always seemed to be more to Vincent than met the eye. Vincent had actually asked him to do such an awful thing and told him exactly how to do it just after killing a man himself! And to top it all, Aiden followed orders without question!
'...and I'd do it again,' he thought to himself as he sat there. 'All of it. And if Vincent couldn't kill Thorn, I'd have done it myself; once I found out why the Hell he did this in the first place anyway!'
Aiden was shocked by his own thoughts! Yet as he sat there thinking about it, he had to concur with his earlier sentiment: Yes, he'd do it again. He waited for the horror and guilt to come but as seconds turned into minutes he found that there was none. Aiden never would have considered himself to be a murderer so what the Hell did THAT mean?! It wasn't as if he wanted to go out and murder someone else!
But as he turned his gaze upon his captain sleeping there on the bed so worn out and exhausted, Aiden felt all those uncertainties about himself start to seep out of him. No, he realized, it had been because of Vincent; for Vincent. He was alive and would see another day. No matter how scary and uncertain the whole situation had been he knew that if it meant saving this man's life he'd do it again and again. He was worth it. And despite the secrets and a dangerous side lurking beneath his surface, Aiden found he was still not swayed by Vincent in the least.
And hadn't he already proven it before? This wasn't the first time he'd been here for Vincent: there was last week when he'd come across him at the tavern. The memory of walking him home brought a tiny smile to Aiden's face as well as a small blush as he remembered how adorable Vincent had been, pointing out the dimples at the corner of Aiden's mouth and making him smile and doing little things that had made him feel good about himself. And he'd been there for Vincent all night until morning where he had been there for him during his breakdown. No, Aiden hadn't known for sure the cause of it until today, but he wanted to hear the story from Vincent. And he knew he'd be there for him when he was ready.
In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he wanted to keep being here. Not just for him but with him; to find the pleasures in life and fight side by side each and every day with him. Aiden couldn't pinpoint when exactly it had happened or even how, but in such a short time Vincent Dubois had become someone so important to him and he couldn't just let him go.
'I couldn't let him go. I need him,' he thought to himself as he gazed longingly at Vincent with a soft smile. 'I love him.'
Then everything in his mind halted. Love?
At nineteen years old, Aiden had never been in love before. He'd spent most of his life learning and experimenting with his craft and dreaming of far away places. It wasn't that he didn't have a social life or wasn't open to finding it. The young ladies of his hometown had eyed Aiden and dreamed that he'd look their way. He'd simply never found anyone appealing enough to steal him away from his dream of adventure. And yet the adventure had been brought to him by Vincent in more ways than he could have imagined in just a few short months...and he knew he craved more.
Aiden felt warmth spread through him starting from his chest and spreading outwards as he thought about how Vincent made him feel. Vincent had a way about him that made Aiden feel more whole and fulfilled each day without the longing for anything else.
...but at the same time he had to admit that wasn't completely true.
Aiden had acknowledged some time ago that Vincent had attractive qualities about him. He had been open to the idea of being with a man but he'd never found one attractive. Not until he met Vincent, anyway. He didn't know what it was about the man but there was just something about him that captured Aiden's attention. Even now as he contemplated how he felt about Vincent, Aiden could still feel the electric warmth of Vincent's touch as upon his dimpled cheek. Hell, that very night he'd fantasized about his drunk captain beckoning him enticingly into bed! Then the very next morning, Aiden had gotten to see more of Vincent's tattoo which dipped further below his waist line out of sight as he'd walked around shirtless. He distinctly remembered wondering just how far down that tattoo went. But after last night? Well now he knew EXACTLY how far down Vincent's tattoo went.
Aiden blushed deeply and brought his hand up to run through his hair awkwardly as he turned away from Vincent in embarrassment. He chuckled nervously to himself. Up until now he'd viewed Vincent's nudity as if he were a doctor treating a patient. But now that he had a moment to really think about it? Bloody Hell! The man was literally right in front of him, hardly even out of his death bed, and here Aiden was, sitting here fantasizing about Vincent's physique! Had he no shame?! But he couldn't help the damn smirk that perked his lips. He just couldn't help it! God, he was grateful nobody else was in the room!
But Aiden did have to admit that he was attracted to Vincent. Even at the top of the tower when Vincent stood bloodied over his kill, his power and strength and confidence poured off of him in such a way that Aiden had found it oddly attractive and stirred something deep inside him.
Pushing the brushes of his internal arousal aside, Aiden finally turned back in his seat to face Vincent again. The smirk had since faded and was replaced with a soft smile as he gazed upon him.
And as he did, it felt like all the world around him seemed to fade and suddenly all that existed, all that mattered was Vincent. Aiden didn't know a lot of things but he did know one thing: He was in love with Vincent. There were apparently more secrets and perhaps a much darker side to this man that Aiden had yet to know but he was not intimidated by it. He was looking forward to discovering it and knowing more about him. He looked forward to making each day an adventure as he intended to woo the man he loved.
...
Once Vincent had passed out from the combination of excruciating pain and exhaustion, he stayed out. There was nothing, not even the white hot burn of alcohol to his open wounds, that could wake him. The fever that gripped him had also brought on the night terrors which only added to the tension in his poor body.
When some relief eventually came, Vincent was able to physically relax more as the dreams quieted. There were points where he struggled to tell if he was dreaming or not. He could hear distant voices; familiar ones. His vision could never seem to form a complete picture. That was until at some point where he was so sure it was real. It had to be...
Vincent could smell the fresh morning dew and the lake in the air mixing with the scent of hot engine oils that he found he loved so much. Every city had its own scent. But this was one was home. The smell of the capitol's docks as it sat above the vast lake always made him feel calm. And he could see her right there: his beloved Emily and their little Lily in her arms, so tiny and new to this world. And then it was time for him to go.
Wait. No...it couldn't be! He wanted to cry out because he knew what was going to happen next. He couldn't watch it again! Please no. No!
"Em-Emily...don't go..."
Vincent tried to reach for her. It had to be real! She was right there! He could even feel the warmth of her fingers! So soft and warm. If he could just reach her...
"Oh Vincent, no. It's me, Bernadette..."
Bernadette? He blinked and stared up at her with dazed and confused eyes. For a moment his cousin came into his view but then things went a bit blurry again. So he was awake? Where was he? Bernadette was insisting he sleep. But he didn't want to sleep and relive that awful dream again. It always ended the same way. Always. He didn't want to see it again! He didn't want to do this anymore!
"Do I..have...to..?"
"Oh sweetheart..."
And Vincent was out cold again, taken under for who knew how long?
...
The next thing Vincent was aware of was that he felt uncomfortable. Something felt very off and he wasn't sure what it was. With a groan, he tried to shift but found that his muscles felt weighed down as if he'd tripled in weight overnight. Even more uncomfortably, as he shifted, a dull ache began to grow in his side.
"Mmnnf..." he groaned in pain as he settled once again. That had felt unpleasant. Eyes still closed, Vincent reached up slowly for his abdomen and found it wrapped in an odd fabric that felt a lot like bandages. As he began to feel around more, a gentle but firm touch halted his progress.
"Hey now, don't mess with that."
Vincent gave a very slight huff and slowly cracked open his eyes. At first the world was blurry and kind of bright. Where was he? How long had he been asleep? He could feel his hand being moved for him to lay at his side as a gentle voice spoke beside him.
"Good morning, sleepy-head."
Vincent blinked again and a moment later he was focusing on Aiden and his beautiful, relieved smile. Aiden was here. Then was he home? Or perhaps at the hospital? He blinked again and glanced around slightly and quickly realized he was home. That's right. He was starting to remember now.
Still feeling groggy, Vincent groaned softly and yawned before suddenly gasping and wincing as pain pierced through the dull ache in his side. Beside him, Aiden quirked his mouth and glanced around before starting to shift so he could stand.
"Let me wake up Bernadette. It's almost time for your next dose of medicine anyways."
"Not yet. Stay."
Aiden sat back down, his eyes meeting Vincent's as his heart beat a touch harder in his chest. Vincent was awake! He was alive and talking to him! He was going to be okay! He felt so happy he could cry! Aiden smiled softly again as he took in the sight of Vincent.
Vincent gazed back up at Aiden almost as if he couldn't believe he was actually still here. After everything he'd put Aiden through, a part of him wouldn't have been surprised to find out that Aiden had abandoned them and taken the first airship straight home!
"You're still here."
Aiden blinked and then broke out into a bigger smile and replied, "Of course I'm still here. You couldn't get rid of me that easily."
"You thought that was easy?"
"Ah ha ha! Vincent, you're funny."
Aiden's chuckle softened and he actually shifted off the seat and moved to sit carefully on the edge of the mattress. He reached out and gently brushed his fingers along Vincent's brow and inspected the bandage. But really, it was just an excuse to sit closer and touch him.
Vincent remained still and allowed Aiden to inspect the bandage, closing his eyes as he struggled to push himself to wake up more. Why Aiden had to sit on the bed to do it was beyond him but he wasn't complaining much right now. He had to admit, silently to himself of course, that Aiden's touch was rather soothing and welcome. Subconsciously, he was even leaning into Aiden's touch.
"How long have I been asleep?" Vincent murmured as he finally opened his eyes to look at his friend. Aiden wet his lips and resisted the urge to brush his fingertips through Vincent's loosely pulled back hair. Instead he brought his hand down to Vincent's abdomen to inspect those bandages as well as he thought about it. Really, it all felt like a blur and he had to really think for a moment.
"Since the night before last," he finally answered. "So Wednesday night. It's Friday morning."
Vincent laid still as Aiden carefully inspected his bandages and let himself process that. Friday morning? Well damn. Naturally, he'd never made it to that meeting with Mr. Mason. His mind was already piecing things together quickly as it always did despite feeling groggy from all the medicine he'd been given. There were a few missing pieces to all this still but he'd get to that.
"I'm sorry," Vincent apologized out of nowhere. Aiden was already sitting up and giving him a mildly shocked look.
"What do YOU have to be sorry for?"
Vincent looked off to the side slightly and no longer met Aiden's eyes as guilt flooded him. Because of him, Aiden had put himself in danger. Even worse: he could have been killed! Vincent had put him through some terrible things just by association that no man of nineteen years should go through! Aiden didn't deserve all the drama and stresses of being associated with him. He felt responsible and loathed himself just on principle.
"For...for you getting dragged into all this. For causing you to worry. For...for everything, I suppose. It's my fault."
"Don't be ridiculous! It's NOT your fault!"
Vincent blinked and his attention snapped back to Aiden in surprise who was looking at him in earnest now.
"I came of my own accord! As soon as I-!" Aiden wet his lips and lowered his voice. "As soon as I found out where you were, I came as soon as I could. No one forced me. No one asked me. I came for you because I wanted to. Like...like you said to me that night: you knew without a doubt you were going to make it up those stairs, right? Well, I knew without a doubt I was going to get you back."
"You did?"
"Absolutely."
Vincent, as exhausted and groggy as he'd felt seconds ago, was suddenly feeling quite awake as he stared back at the man who'd saved his life. Well, that answered a few of his questions, but also brought on an onslaught of new ones.
So Aiden had found out where he was? Now that he mentioned it, it HAD been only Aiden who had come. In all the excitement, Vincent hadn't thought about that. At the time, he'd simply been grateful for a friend to fight alongside him. It was just that he hadn't expected it to be the grinning, passionate, and goofy Aiden. He hadn't expected Aiden to have it in him to kill a man in cold blood; especially for someone as unimportant as him.
Vincent had thought Aiden a good friend before; a loyal one even. Now he knew that he trusted him quite literally with his life. There were just some things people went through together that changed how they felt about each other. After all he'd learned and discovered about Aiden, he found he appreciated the man more and more. It certainly seemed Aiden felt strongly about their friendship as well!
Finally, after several seconds of silence, Vincent finally broke into a small, tired smile as he relaxed a little bit. He wanted to say the right thing here. He really wasn't sure what to say and didn't know where to start so he said just let himself say the first thing that came to mind.
"Thank you. I...have no words to truly convey how I feel. But thank you, Aiden, truly, for everything"
"You're welcome. I'll always have your back."
"And I'll have yours."
Perhaps no more words needed to be spoken; not now anyway. The men smiled at each other until a second later pain throbbed in Vincent's side and he grimaced with a groan. A moment later, he grunted, "You said Bernadette is here? As in my cousin?"
"Yes," Aiden explained. "She's been here with me since right after we got back. She came in the doctor's stead and has been religiously giving you medicine and tea. Lots of tea." A small smirk appeared on his face. Something told him that tea would turn out to be a family passion of theirs.
"That would explain why my bladder is screaming at me," he said dryly. "Is anyone else here?"
"Damien was here, but he's due back soon. And there's a bedpan under you so you don't have to get up. I'll give you some privacy and go wake Bernadette while you relieve yourself. You're due for your medicine anyways."
He had a bedpan under him? He supposed that meant he was probably naked under the blanket. It would make sense with all the bandages needing to be changed and not being able to get up. Being in an emergency situation, he understood, but it was still a bit embarrassing, he felt.
"Thank you."
Vincent watched as Aiden stood carefully from the bed. Aiden seemed to go a little slower, almost lingering an extra moment longer than necessary. Was he waiting for something? Vincent wondered. Was he going to speak? He simply waited patiently. After a long moment, Aiden instead gave Vincent a small smile and turned to give him his privacy to do his business. He needed to wake Bernadette. Vincent was awake!
"I'll be back soon!"
Once Aiden was gone, Vincent relieved himself with a sigh. Now that he had a moment alone he began to think over what had transpired between them the last few days. Why did Aiden do all this though? Why? While he was exceedingly grateful for Aiden, it still puzzled him how the man had managed to wedge himself into his life the way he had. And Vincent had just let it happen! Something about Aiden brought down his defenses. It made him feel nervous as much as it secretly relieved and excited him to know that he could reveal a deeper side of himself to someone new.
One thing for sure was that their friendship had reached a whole new level of trust and understanding. He trusted him nearly as much as he trusted Damien! And that was saying something! He really appreciated the man that Aiden was; from the loyal comrade at arms to his newest close friend to the joking, grinning naïve adventurer that he was.
And it wasn't just that. There was more to Aiden than he'd realized. The more he got to know, the more he liked and appreciated him. As annoying and childlike as he could be, it was also part of his charm. He could make you want to roll your eyes and yet you couldn't help but smile and genuinely feel happy too. His excitement over the littlest things could be adorable, just like his smile.
Vincent leaned his head back against the pillow with a soft groan and closed his eyes. Yeah, Aiden was adorable. Handsome to be sure and he had a masculine beauty about him that Vincent couldn't deny was pleasing to the eye. But more so, it was his soul, he felt, that was most beautiful.
However, the possibility that Aiden could have any romantic feelings for him didn't even really cross Vincent's mind. Aiden had never shown any indication that he was feeling anything other than friendship or any inclination that he felt that way about men at all. So why should he consider that?
"Vincent!"
Vincent's eyes opened and he glanced over at her and offered a tiny smile as she strode in with a relieved smile and tears in her eyes. He was very happy to see her, too, despite his exhausted demeanor. A moment later she was swooping down to gently hug him to which Vincent managed to gently pat her arm and give a gentle squeeze.
"It's okay, Bernie. I'm going to be fine."
"Not if Mama gets a hold of you first..."
From the doorway, Aiden stood there and leaned against the jamb with a small smile, arms crossed over his chest. He could hear them talking quietly but he wasn't paying too much attention to their words. He mostly was enjoying the simple sight of watching Vincent awake and interacting with his cousin.
Behind him the front door opened, which caught his attention. Glancing over his shoulder, he watched Damien enter, who had returned with fresh bread and fruits for breakfast for them all. He flashed Damien a grin as the door closed and he made it fully inside.
When Damien saw Aiden's grin, his eyes widened and set down the bag of groceries with a silent question in his eyes. Aiden smiled a little more and jerked his head for Damien to come over.
Aiden had expected Damien to rush to Vincent's side. Instead, he slowly approached as if he were scared it was too good to be true. As soon as he drew up beside his crewmate, his eyes rested on Vincent and cleared his throat to announce his presence.
As soon as Vincent realized it was Damien, he smiled a little bit in greeting. Aiden could feel the shift in Damien's demeanor as he relaxed and sighed in relief. He glanced at Aiden with a small grin, himself, and gave him a small nod before heading inside to greet Vincent and see how he was doing for himself.
Aiden's grin faded to a soft smile as he watched Vincent try to sit up a little more to greet Damien a little more enthusiastically. It resulted in Bernadette's fussing at him trying to sit up on his own too fast and helping prop him up a little more with the extra pillow.
It was a heart-warming moment and it made him feel good to see that Vincent really did have people who loved and cared about him. Damien was chuckling and Bernadette was smirking a little while she rolled her eyes good naturedly. And from what he heard about the Dubois family, they seemed pretty close.
As Aiden rejoined the trio at the bed, Vincent gazed up at the three of them and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude to the three of them. They had saved his life. He smiled at them then suddenly broke out into a yawn and mumbled, "Sorry. I guess I'm more tired than I thought."
Bernadette chuckled and replied, "You're still recovering from illness, Cousin. Rest. Listen to your body. I'll be right back with the next dose. Did you use the bedpan?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Let me get your medicine and I'll get that taken care of."
"Thank you."
To be honest Vincent was feeling a little pathetic laying here. He knew he needed to rest. The sooner he did, the sooner he could be back on his feet and back to normal. He hated having to depend on others. But soon he'd be able to get up and tie up those loose ends. Until then, he'd do well to listen to Bernadette and get some rest.
Bernadette soon returned with Vincent's next dose of medicine and tea. Vincent took it and thanked her and asked how bad his injuries were. Bernadette sent Aiden out to empty the bed pan for her then she sat down and began to explain to Vincent just how much his body had undergone. It was bad but not any worse than he'd suspected. He'd endured two broken ribs, possibly another, a concussion, and had several lacerations including the severe one at his abdomen all on top of being ill from the infection. He'd need to rest a lot and to do breathing exercises regularly. But mainly he was not to do any physical labor for a while; up to two months which meant until after the ball coming up. God, he was not looking forward to all the bed rest!
"What do you mean a week?!"
Aiden blinked as Vincent's exclamation carried in from the other room. As he walked in with the freshly cleaned bedpan, he looked around at them curiously as Bernadette was responding to her cousin.
"If I had it my way, you'd be laying in bed even longer. This is me compromising. Don't you huff at me, Vincent Dubois! I know you! You never liked keeping your feet on the ground, but you need to let your body heal! I mean it!"
Oh, how Vincent scowled at her! Vincent knew she was right but he didn't like it! If it were just broken ribs he'd be up and around quick! But damn it all, he had to get sick from his injuries, too. He really hated this situation he was in! Finally Vincent slumped completely back against his pillow in resignation and gave a sigh.
"A week. You have my word."
"Thank you. Oh! And thank you, Aiden."
"You're welcome," Aiden said as he handed the bedpan to her. He went automatically to the opposite side of the bed than her. He was so used to helping her the last couple of days that he hadn't had to think twice about it. As he drew up along Vincent's side, he grinned a bit and said, "Hold on tight. Going to roll you over this way. Ready, Bernadette?"
"Ready!"
"Ready, Vincent?"
Vincent clenched his teeth and gave a small nod and braced for pain. He thought silently, 'This is so humiliating.' He was determined to get up out of bed and go to the loo on his own as soon as possible! There was only so much of this he was going to be able to take. He just knew it.
A moment later he was being leaned over by the much larger Aiden who reached for the sheet underneath him. At the movement, Vincent was grateful to discover the opium had taken effect and he wasn't caring so much about the pain anymore. Then he was being rolled over towards Aiden who released the sheet. He gently slid his arms around Vincent and was sort of holding his body to his now. Behind Vincent, the sheet fell away and Bernadette quickly went to work sliding the bed pan under him. However, he wasn't thinking much about what she was doing.
Instead, Vincent's senses were brought into all that was Aiden as his chest and abdomen came into his view and the warmth of his arms enveloped him in a firm but gentle hold. Vincent's body relaxed as he exhaled and somehow felt like he was melting into Aiden's arms. Even at the awkward angle they were at, it did feel nice. And as Vincent inhaled, he was expecting to be hit with that natural scent of Aiden's that he'd liked so much. Was it as good as he remembered?
"All done! Roll back this way," Bernadette was saying a second later and held up the sheet for Aiden. Aiden released Vincent carefully against the sheet and helped roll him back over. Though, as Vincent was rolled back onto the bedpan, he stared right up at Aiden and narrowed his eyes with a slight scowl. It was a look that clearly indicated that he wasn't very pleased with him. Aiden immediately caught the look and blinked before staring back at him in confusion.
"What?!" he finally exclaimed with wide, innocent eyes. He couldn't help how his voice rose just a touch higher in pitch. Already, he felt guilty and he didn't even know what for! Even Bernadette and Damien were staring with intrigue.
Frowning deeper, Vincent huffed at him. He could feel himself getting more disoriented thanks to the medicine, but damn it all if he was going to let this go!
"Are those the same clothes you wore the other night?"
"Um." Aiden blinked, clearly taken aback by this unexpected question. He looked down at himself then guiltily looked back at him. Vincent hadn't even raised his voice. He didn't have to. This was his captain's tone of voice and he'd know if Aiden was lying without having to ask anyone else. Finally he admitted hesitantly, "Yes?"
"So you have been here this whole time?"
"Yes, Sir."
"And you haven't bathed or changed your clothes at all since then?"
"I-... what?"
"Have you done ANYTHING to take care of yourself since we got back?"
"Does eating dinner last night count?"
There was a long pause.
"You're going to go back to Leon's Claw this instant!"
"I am?"
"Yes, you are! And you are going to take a bath and REST! You need to take care of yourself, damn it! Do I need to get out of this bed and march your ass back there myself?"
Stunned, Aiden stared back at him and noticed Damien's smug smirk turning in his direction through the corner of his eye. Not wanting to look at Damien right now, he instead turned his nose towards his shoulder and sniffed only to make a slight face at himself. Bloody Hell! Vincent was right! He smelled awful! Aiden glanced back at Vincent who was still staring up at him expectantly awaiting his answer.
"Fine. I'll go, but you better keep YOUR ass right there!"
Aiden half expected Vincent to yell at him. He'd never spoken to a superior like that! It didn't matter what they'd been through together! Vincent, however, just stared back at him for a long moment and held his gaze as if committing him to a silent promise. Aiden realized as they gazed in each other's eyes that....well, Vincent was just worried about him.
"Fine. And I'm assuming YOU have been here this whole time too?"
Vincent had turned his attention to Bernadette, who folded her arms over her chest and scolded, "I'm your nurse! I don't think you are in any position to be scolding me considering YOU are the one in the bed!" Vincent's eyes softened as he gazed up at his cousin who he loved as a little sister. He responded, "And you know your help means the world to me, but I couldn't live with myself if you dropped from exhaustion."
'Damn that man!' Bernadette cursed silently as she felt herself deflating already. Vincent always knew what to say to calm her down. She sighed softly and gently took a seat on the bed beside him.
"It's easier if I stay."
"I agree, and you can stay. But, for now, go home and take a hot bath, please. You deserve it. Get a good meal in you and then go see your mother. Damien will stay here and make sure I stay in bed, right Damien?"
"Right!" Damien chimed in not even a breath later. "Why don't the two of you go do as he says? I'll keep an eye on things here. Go on."
Bernadette looked back at Vincent with a furrowed brow before she finally sighed and nodded. "Very well. Aiden, would you be so kind as to see me out?"
"Of course."
"Thank you," she said before returning her attention to Vincent. "I'll see you in a few hours. Get some rest, okay? We'll do your dressing changes when I get back."
Vincent gave a small nod which was followed by a yawn. He could feel the drowsiness pulling him back under. Yet he kept himself awake long enough to watch Bernadette head for the door with Aiden following behind her. At the last moment, Aiden paused and placed his hand on the door jamb and glanced back over his shoulder. Their eyes met and Aiden's lips curved into a small smile. Vincent began to return the smile. However, he was hit hard with the exhaustion of being awake and all his exertions while doing so. The last thing he saw was Aiden before sleep pulled him back under.
...
Next Part:
www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/52358844375/in/datepo...
To start from the beginning or to read another chapter, here's the album link:
www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/albums/72157717075565127
***Please note this is a BOY LOVE (BL/yaoi/gay) series. It is a slow burn and rated PG13!***
***
Special thank you to Vin Aydin Raven-Mysterious for collaborating with me on this series and co-starring as The Captain!
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It'll happen to me at work. I'll see someone pass by, just start wondering what their life is like. That lady in the costume department...why did she bring her dog to work?
People in the car next to me, while I'm driving. Why is that guy wearing a mask inside his car?
Folks on the street, having an argument. Maybe getting into a fight. At the supermarket, why all that alcohol on a sunday afternoon?
the curiosity is nonstop, whether I like it or not. Incessant, really. And so far, only photography helps soothe that curiosity. Every once in awhile, I'm able to reach out, get those questions answered by asking to take someone's picture.
It's that curiosity that drives every single click of the shutter.
Dinosaur National Monument is a United States National Monument located on the southeast flank of the Uinta Mountains on the border between Colorado and Utah at the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers. Although most of the monument area is in Moffat County, Colorado, the Dinosaur Quarry is located in Utah just to the north of the town of Jensen, Utah.
The nearest communities are Jensen, Utah, and Dinosaur, Colorado. The park contains over 800 paleontological sites and has fossils of dinosaurs including Allosaurus, Deinonychus, Abydosaurus (a nearly complete skull, lower jaws and first four neck vertebrae of the specimen DINO 16488 found here at the base of the Mussentuchit Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation is the holotype for the description) and various long-neck, long-tail sauropods. It was declared a National Monument on October 4, 1915. In April 2019, the International Dark-Sky Association designated Dinosaur National Monument an International Dark Sky Park.
The rock layer enclosing the fossils is a sandstone and conglomerate bed of alluvial or river bed origin known as the Morrison Formation from the Jurassic Period some 150 million years old. The dinosaurs and other ancient animals were carried by the river system which eventually entombed their remains in Utah. The pile of sediments were later buried and lithified into solid rock. The layers of rock were later uplifted and tilted to their present angle by the mountain building forces that formed the Uintas during the Laramide orogeny. The relentless forces of erosion exposed the layers at the surface to be found by paleontologists.
The dinosaur fossil beds (bone beds) were discovered in 1909 by Earl Douglass, a paleontologist working and collecting for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. He and his crews excavated thousands of fossils and shipped them back to the museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for study and display. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the dinosaur beds as Dinosaur National Monument in 1915. The monument boundaries were expanded in 1938 from the original 80-acre (320,000 m2) tract surrounding the dinosaur quarry in Utah, to its present extent of over 200,000 acres (800 km²) in Utah and Colorado, encompassing the spectacular river canyons of the Green and Yampa.
The plans made by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on a ten-dam, billion dollar Colorado River Storage Project began to arouse opposition in the early 1950s when it was announced that one of the proposed dams would be at Echo Park, in the middle of Dinosaur National Monument. The controversy assumed major proportions, dominating conservation politics for years. David Brower, executive director of the Sierra Club, and Howard Zahniser of The Wilderness Society led an unprecedented nationwide campaign to preserve the free-flowing rivers and scenic canyons of the Green and Yampa Rivers. They argued that if a national monument was not safe from development, how could any wildland be kept intact? On the other side of the argument were powerful members of Congress from western states, who were committed to the project in order to secure water rights, obtain cheap hydroelectric power and develop reservoirs as tourist destinations. After much debate, Congress settled on a compromise that eliminated Echo Park Dam and authorized the rest of the project. The Colorado River Storage Project Act became law on April 11, 1956. It stated, "that no dam or reservoir constructed under the authorization of the Act shall be within any National Park or Monument." Historians view the Echo Park Dam controversy as signaling the start of an era that includes major conservationist political successes such as the Wilderness Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
A classic case and argument to shoot what's out there. Sooner or later, it'll mean something. An ex Conrail SD60I leads a mixed freight east along the CSX Trenton Sub. Almost all of the SD60 variants are off the CSX roster. What was common place, now is not to be repeated.
HARDWICK HALL, WHICH IS LOCATED IN CHESTERFIELD, DERBYSHIRE, IS THE FORMER HOME OF ELIZABETH SHREWSBURY, ALSO KNOWN AS BESS OF HARDWICK. IT WAS BUILT BETWEEN 1590 AND 1597 AND DESIGNED BY ARCHITECT ROBERT SMYTHSON.
BESS OF HARDWICK CAME FROM A HUMBLE ORIGIN BUT SHE LATER BECAME ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE NEXT TO QUEEN ELIZABETH I. SHE WAS MARRIED FOUR TIMES, GAINING MORE POWER AFTER EACH MARRIAGE. AFTER SHE MARRIED SIR WILLIAM CAVENDISH, SHE CONVINCED HIM TO MOVE BACK TO HER HOME COUNTY. AS A NATIVE OF DERBYSHIRE, BESS WAS VERY FOND OF THE SCENERY AND THE QUIET ENVIRONMENT. THEY PURCHASED THE PROPERTY FOR THEIR WELL-KNOWN HOME, CHATSWORTH HOUSE, IN 1549 AND BEGAN BUILDING IN 1552.
BESS MARRIED 2 MORE MEN OVER THE COURSE OF 10 YEARS, HER LAST BEING THE EARL OF SHREWSBURY, WHO WAS ONE OF THE RICHEST AND MOST POWERFUL ENGLISH NOBLES. THE SHREWSBURY’S WERE GUARDIANS OF MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS FOR MANY YEARS, WHILE SHE WAS HELD CAPTIVE AT CHATSWORTH HOUSE. BESS IS ALSO THE DIRECT ANCESTRESS OF THE DUKES OF DEVONSHIRE.
THE STORY TOLD IS THAT BESS HAD A TERRIBLE ARGUMENT WITH HER HUSBAND, THE EARL OF SHREWSBURY, AND LEFT THEIR HOME AT CHATSWORTH IN 1584. SHE THEN ORGANIZED PLANS TO REBUILD THE OLD HALL AT HARDWICK TO CREATE A NEW HOME FOR HERSELF. HOWEVER, HER PLANS CHANGED IN 1590 WHEN THE EARL DIED, WHICH LEFT HER WITH HIS INHERITANCE. DUE TO HER NEW POSITIVE FINANCIAL SITUATION, BESS DECIDED TO BUILD A NEW CONSTRUCTION AT HARDWICK, ELIMINATING THE RENOVATION PLANS FOR THE OLD HALL ALL TOGETHER AND CREATING THE NEW HALL. SHE MOVED INTO HER NEW HOUSE IN OCTOBER 1597. THE OLD HALL WAS LEFT IN DISREPAIR AND TODAY IN A RUINED STATE.
HER NEW HARDWICK HALL WAS A TRUE STATEMENT FOR HER POWER AND WEALTH. IT CONTAINED NUMEROUS WINDOWS THAT WERE EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE FOR THE TIME PERIOD. GLASS WAS A LUXURY, AND THE HOUSE WAS DESCRIBED AS BEING MORE GLASS THAN WALLS. THE CHIMNEYS WERE ALSO BUILT INTO THE INTERNAL WALLS, INSTEAD OF BEING CONSTRUCTED ON THE OUTSIDE. THIS WAS DONE TO ALLOW MORE ROOM FOR THE LARGE WINDOWS WITHOUT WEAKENING THE EXTERIOR STRUCTURE. AN ADDED TOUCH BY BESS WAS THE CARVED ‘ES’ INITIALS THAT ARE PRESENT IN 6 OF THE ROOFTOP SCULPTURES AT THE HEAD OF EACH TOWER.
THE TRUE TREASURE OF HARDWICK HALL IS THE REMARKABLE CONTENTS INSIDE THAT WERE COLLECTED BY THE COUNTESS. AN EXCEPTIONALLY UNIQUE COLLECTION OF PAINTINGS AND FURNITURE FROM THE 16TH CENTURY ARE STILL PRESENT INSIDE. THE HALL IS FULLY FURNISHED, EXACTLY AS BESS WOULD HAVE KEPT IT. THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE HOUSE CONTAINS THE LARGEST LONG GALLERY THAT HAS EVER BEEN PRESENT IN AN ENGLISH HOUSE. THE MOST NOTABLE FEATURES ARE THE TAPESTRIES AND NEEDLEWORK ON DISPLAY. MUCH OF THE NEEDLEWORK ART HAS THE ‘ES’ INITIALS AND IT IS THEREFORE ASSUMED THAT BESS HERSELF CREATED MUCH OF IT.
"Поистине всегда там, где недостает разумных доводов, их заменяет крик." Л. да Винчи
"Truly always, where there are not enough reasonable arguments, they are replaced by scream" L. da Vinci
more from series here *+ 7 photo*
neonihil.livejournal.com/74706.html
taken together with AlisaWonderland
you can check her pictures in her pool
1314-1316 - Master of Angera - chariot of the sun and chariot of the moon - Hall of Justice - Rocca Borromea Angera
la Sala di Giustizia è uno tra i più antichi ed importanti esempi di pittura di argomento civile del Medioevo occidentale, risalente alla fine del duecento.
the hall of Justice is one of the oldest and most important examples of western medieval painting of civil argument, dating from the late late thirteenth century
Fall is definitely upon us. For many, it's the best time of the year - I can't disagree. With such a palette of colors, it would be difficult to find a counter argument...
This was the sunset on Saturday when super moon was coming. As most of the people went to see and shoot the super moon, I was wandering in Terra Nova watching the sunset.
I forgot to bring my ND filter and so my Nikon was struggling to capture the high contrast in the scene.
I am always lazy and careless in making sure of high technical quality in the pictures. I don’t think much details in highlight and shadow are recorded and this is of course a flawed image.
Many photographers including amateur and professional care a lot about technical quality in pictures.
I always give myself the excuse and argument to escape from this. When you put a lot of effort in getting the best technical quality, you may be putting less effort in aesthetic quality at the same time.
With the advance of technology, the technical quality in the pictures will be surpassed in 10 or 20 years the most. But the great aesthetic beauty in Atget’s Paris pictures or works by Henri Cartier-Bresson will last 100 years or 1,000 years even when the modern cameras and lenses can produce better quality than the ones used by Atget or Bresson.
So I remain lazy in learning the high dynamic range in Photoshop and all the sophisticated techniques in digital world. I am still shooting JPEG and using cheap glasses. I am not interested to analyze the test results of all the gears and optics. I wonder if Van Gogh will bother to choose the brushes and paint before he draws the sunflowers and self portraits.
Happy Monday and great week ahead!