#rather than his mistress / side ho

[so-sweet-nana]

Confession review, translated excerpts about Nana

[Review] I'm glad to see Nana's performance. More than So Ji-sub's unfamiliar side..."Confession."

[Seoul = Newsis] Reporter Choi Ji-yoon

 The biggest harvest of the movie "Confession" is Nana. The fact that So Ji Sub challenges the thriller for the first time and Kim Yun Jin returns to the screen after a long time since "Marine Boy" (2009) is very attractive. Nana makes the audience focus solely on her acting, even if she doesn't use her real name when acting like any other idol. Now that she's from the group 'After School', she doesn't seem to have to mention it. At the confession production briefing, She drew attention with tattoos that covered her whole body, but my prejudice disappeared after watching the movie.

Confession is the story in which a businessman, Yoo Min Ho (So Ji Sub), who was suspected of the mured in a closed room, and the lawyer Yang Shin Ae (Kim Yun Jin), who has a 100% winning rate to prove his innocence by matching the hidden pieces of the case. So Ji Sub and Kim Yun Jin are at the center of the play, but Nana's presence is also formidable. She reveals her own color without standing out (in a bad way) among veteran seniors. It is "Kim Se Hee" who had an affair with Min-ho and becomes a victim of a murder case. I thought she would be just the obvious mistress in the existing movies and dramas, but she does more than that. Scenes that are easy to imagine in an affair relationship rarely appear. Rather, it enhances immersion by removing unnecessary scenes such as exposure scenes.

Nana plays a crucial role in increasing the movie's persuasive power. She can't get rid of the question, 'Should Minho even kill?', but Nana convinces the audience with her acting skills. After the traffic accident, Minho insists on reporting it to the police at that moment. Se Hee tells him, "No one has seen it. Think carefully," I involuntarily nod my head. You may be confused because you have to superimpose various situations in the same place, but we keep the tension intact. Is it because of director Yoon's words, 'Freely, do whatever you want' during the first filming? “The director gave me a hammer to break my acting mold,” She said.

Regardless of the success of the movie, I think there are many people who are happy with Nana's performance.  In the Netflix drama 'Glitch', which was released on the 7th, it looked like she was wearing her own clothes as 'Heo Bora' (Nana) tracks aliens. Confession is a previously filmed work, but it is no less attractive than Glitch. So Ji Sub said, "Everyone said, 'When the movie is released, I will see Nana anew,'" adding, " I liked the look in front of my eyes, and when I looked at it, I fell in love with it too”.

Please note that the translation may not be totally correct.

Link to the original article: (X)

[emerals]

the lads types of parents

idk more worldbuilding

Carmelo + Pheobe - both are very loving of their daughter and would do anything to protect her- she always comes first; they allow her freedom, but aren't neglectful

Alonso + Harper - both are very loving of their daughter and understand her quite well; they are very involved with their daughter's activities and are probably the best parents out of the group

Major + Esther - both are neglectful- intentionally or not- while Major doesn't love his son, but Esther does very much; Esther tries her best for her son, while Major is two steps away from abandoning him

Roisin + Finn - when they were alive, they were very much like Alonso and Harper- very loving and caring, though sometimes they didn't quite understand what their sons needed

Noelle + Blanca - although the act more like aunts than moms, they're still loving and caring; they understand they can't fully replace Roisin and Finn, but they still try their best to be there for their adopted son

Negasi + Chariya - they are typical loving parents who oftentimes are a bit "cringey" as they try to make up for lost time; for the first few years after being reunited, they try their hardest to make up for everything their daughter went through, which receives some push-back from her as she isn't really angry anymore

Edith + Emerson - contrary to belief, Edith and Emerson do love their son, they're just really controlling and strict; both of them are guarded and don't express their love for him for a good few years, but they eventually come around and allow their son to see another side of them

Winterva + Leonard - Winterva is the alpha of the house, but she's not exactly a good mother while Leonard just follows in her footsteps; Winterva is more after a "pristine" image for her family rather than anything genuine, and usually pushes off taking care of her kids to her kids themselves, Leonard is equally as neglectful

Soo-Ah + Du-Ho - both are very supportive, even if they don't quite understand their child; despite their not complete understanding, they still behave as those "cringe" parents to their edgy child

Fanya + Austin - when Austin was alive, he was the one taking care of the kids while Fanya- who did love them- was a bit more reluctant to take care of them as she doubted her ability; after Austin's passing, Fanya quickly learned that she wasn't as good as him and soon directed her grief and anger and blame onto her kids as she began to drink and become abusive in a lot of ways, losing any sort of positive relationship she had with them

Cho + Hiroshi - Hiroshi is hard on his son, but it's only to make sure he grows into a strong man- this causes a not-so positive relationship between the two for quite a few years, but Hiroshi eventually loosens up; Cho would oftentimes stand up for their son and would encourage him to be whatever he wanted- this is what led their son to take an interest in criminalistics as he tried to figure out why his mom had fallen in love with a man like Hiroshi

King + Janese - both are loving of their girls, even if Janese is more closed off and doesn't express it as much; Hiroshi engages in play with his daughters while Janese is usually found in the kitchen making dinner or plotting what she'll make next

Timber + Frances - both are loving towards their daughter, but Timber's love isn't reciprocated after he cheated on Frances and had another child with his mistress; their daughter and her mother have a very good relationship, as they leaned on each other during that hard time

Seek + Nolan - since Seek was abused into being ashamed of their family's red-colored legs, she put this mindset on her daughter and became a bit of a control-freak on the way her daughter looked and dressed while Nolan while would boost his daughter's spirits up a bit as he would attempt to get his wife to not be so hard on her; eventually, Seek kind of lets up, but she still makes comments every now and then

Seth + Nour - when they were alive, they were okay parents- they were struggling, but would try to make time with their son, sometimes losing their patience with him; they didn't exactly hide that they were disproving of Nour's sister's husband

Leonor + Rodrigo - Rodrigo was abusive towards Leonor, and their daughter recognized that, leading to her not liking him all that much; after Leonor's sister's and brother-in-law's passing, she fell into a deep depression and tried to be there for her daughter and her now orphaned nephew, but ultimately couldn't; Rodrigo eventually got so annoyed that he went on a murder-spree and killed Leonor's parents and planned to kill their daughter and nephew, but Leonor managed to get them to safety as she finally fought back- it cost her life, however, and Rodrigo went to prison for the rest of his life, breaking out about five times to finish the job, but always being found and dragged back into prison

[that-one-weeb-but-starwars]

A ball| Tup

Note: they did not need to make him that Pretty

Warnings: no not really, just Tup and Y/n fallin in love and steamy scene at the very end but kinda not really, also this is really long

Reader: female

Part 1 | 2 (in the works)

"Checkmate," Satine spoke.

"Damn it..." Y/n muttered, hand on her chin as Satine had one yet again another game.

Satine smiled at her, as Y/n tried reading the board seeing how it had exactly happened.

"Duchess, excuse me." A guard interrupted their leisurely game outside in the guards of the castle.

"It's no problem, what seems to be the problem?" Satine questioned.

"The preparations for the ball are underway, the royal seamstress says your outfits are done and asks if you both can approve of them."

"Yes of course," Satine spoke, two more guards walking up with boxes.

"Oh. no, I'm quite okay," Y/n responded, resetting the black and clear glass pieces.

"Y/n, you are turning 19, my dear, you'll need to look presentable," Satine spoke.

"Dutchess I believe I look presentable, I'm quite comfortable like this as well," Y/n told.

"I know my sweet child, you've always been comfortable with the bare minimum, but please, let me spoil you for one day," Satine responded.

Y/n was quiet as she set the final piece down, "very well..."

Satine smiled as she stood up to look inside the box and approve the dress, Y/n sat in thought, Satine wasn't her mother, no they looked drastically different after all, Y/n had been left in a bush in the palace gardens, Satine finding the child alone and in silence, busying herself with one of the flowers. Satine had gladly kept the child inside the palace walls until a parent came along, but no one ever came and Satine was suddenly a mother.

"Mistress." The guard spoke snapping her out of thought.

"Oh uh, yes." Y/n spoke standing up from her seat, and looking at the creme outfit with barely a glance, "Yes, it's beautiful, tell the Seamstress 100 thanks."

The guard nodded covering the box as they all bowed and left, Satine frowned, "Come walk. Let's talk my daughter."

"General Skywalker, do, do we really have to go as well?" Tup questioned, droids handing them all dark blue suits almost black in color, and matte.

"Yes, Obi-Wan was double security at this event for the Dutchess, and I agree with him," Anakin spoke, "Separatist parties will be there, Duchess Satine has a knack for being able to convince people, and with Padame they're practically an unstoppable team."

"But," Tup spoke, "Sir a, a party?"

"Diplomatic party, you'll be fine Tup."

Anakin then walked away to let his boys get ready and go get himself ready.

"I look good," Fives spoke checking himself out in the mirror.

"It's nice to wear something besides armor." Hardcase commented, "Makes me feel like a civie."

"A civie that just has thousands of replicas." Dogma argued.

"Oh get the stick out your ass," Jesse argued, "We can have fun for the one time in our life on the job,"

"Hey," Kix placed a hand on Tup's shoulder, "You okay?"

"Huh? Yeah," Tup spoke, "Crowds, uh aren't my thing."

"I'll make sure Rex posts you on the patio outside, you won't be around too many people then," Kix told.

"No, It's fine, I'm on the job- I'll, uh...just focus on that," Tup responded.

"Are you sure?"

Tup nodded as Kix returned the nod in understanding, going back to dressing himself, Tup went over to his bunk to dress, he'd admit, even though he was the same as everyone else in that room, he still felt shy, being a bit leaner than the others he started pulling his armor off to dress in the new outfit, simply putting the outfit over his blacks.

"What- No! Hey I want a titty window!" Fives argued.

"No," Echo demand, buttoning up his brother's shirt fixing Fives vest as well.

Tup stayed silent as he buttoned up the shirt, tucking it into the slacks and putting on the matching vest.

"OH Ho HO!" Fives whistled, "Look at Tup!"

"Yeah, thanks," Tup spoke, fixing the collar of his shirt, and pushing up the sleeves.

"Come on! Let your hair down! We're going somewhere fancy!"

"I'm good." Tup spoke

"He's way to excited for this." Dogma protested causing Tup to chuckle.

"You look nice." Tup commented.

"Uh. Yeah I guess." Dogma spoke.

The two had gotten close due to one another due to being not only regular troopers with no rank, but due to there quietness.

"OH HO HO! LOOK WHO JUST CAME IN! GENERAL TANO!"

The boys turned there head whistling playfully.

"Bad bitch is the house."

She wore a pinstrip pant suit, the lines orange on white fabric and a pair of heels. She laughed.

"We're almost there." She spoke, "Skyguy wants us on the transports now."

Tup followed suit of everyone else. Everyone doing as asked, it was odd, seeing everyone dressed up all fancy and nice.

Y/n sighed.

"Look up madame. They'll be plenty fine gentlemen there." A maid tried to pursuade, "or a woman if you'd prefer."

"Yes. I know." Y/n responded mindlessly, nose stuck in the book about game tactics, her goal to be her mother, "mhm. I've never tried that before."

The maid sighed finishing y/n's hair in the crowned braid.

"Look look beautiful."

"Mhm."

The maid frowned, and there was a knock on the door. It opened as Satine came in, the maid bowing and leaving quickly.

"You're nose still stuck in a book. You remind me much of Obi-wan."

"Is the party over yet?" Y/n questioned flipping the page.

"It hasnt even began my dear." Satine spoke, expecting a comment back Y/n kept silent sitting infront of her simple vanity it black in color and matched the bench she sat on.

Satine walked over, taking the open spot next to Y/n.

"What is wrong me dear?" Satine inquired, "You don't avidly read strategic books unless something is wrong."

Y/n sighed, marking the book with a string and setting it down.

"I. I just don't wish to go." Y/n responded.

"It is much bigger than that isn't it?" Satine refered, catching Y/n in her lie.

"I." Y/n sighed, "I am nervous."

"For what my darling?"

"People." Y/n responded, "I. This. People...it's...I dont have the skills."

"Well of course you do,"

"I've never been out the palace walls, I've never fallen in love, I've never been taken advantage of- I just- Don't know anything about people," y/n defended "I've never even seen another sential species besides the holograms and images in my books that use words. I know every launage out there but have never met there people- I-"

"Calm down, take a deep breathe." Satine soothed, "everything will be fine. I will be at your side. The whole time, and you know me. Don't you?"

Y/n nodded as Satine smiled, "You're turning 19 my dear, becoming a young woman. You can do this, and I will guide you through whatever you ask."

Y/n only nodded once more, "now. Lets put our. Pain killing heels on and make haste shall we? Guest are arriving and I'd like to introduce you to your very first group of friends, but first."

Y/n watched as Satine pulled out a box, "I had something much. Much more elaborate my birthday, but you I know. Like to keep things as simple as possible."

Y/n took the small box in hand. Opening the golden box there was a small golden crown, it reminded her of a laurel wreath, yet without as many leaves, a few littered around the gold band with a stone that was ment to set on her forehead.

"For you're love of nature a green stone." Satine spoke.

"Its beatiful, thank you." Y/n spoke softly pulling it out of its box.

"Allow me." Satine spoke, y/n handing it over and bowing her head, Satine with a smile set the item on her head.

Y/n raised her head back up, "quiet beatiful you have become."

Y/n smiled smallly, "now. Shall we make haste? To make new friends?"

Y/n nodded smally as Satine smiled.

With that they were off, y/n following Satine dressed up nice, and thanked maker for the soleless sandles given to her instead of heels.

Y/n wouldn't lie, when General Kenobi arrived as they walked out onto the royal landing pad she found no interest in him, bowing her head respectfully, she did the same with Anakin. A bit more intrigued with Ashoka, but nothing pictures hadn't depicted. A man stood next to Anakin, who was soon introduced as Captain Rex. Y/n welcomed and thanked him for coming, but besides that, she was silent during the conversation.

"Sir, apologies for interrupting."

"It's fine, Jesse go ahead," Anakin spoke, Y/n watching the man with a large tattoo on his face gave a brief report to his general as the two joined the tight group of talkers.

Y/n was intrigued with the man next to him, hair tied back in a bun as his brother in arms talked. He too seemed the silent type, staying behind Jesse's shoulder rather than next to him, it was a slight difference Y/n realized.

"Lady Y/n, these are two are some of my finest men, Jesse and Tup."

"Lady Y/n" Jesse spoke bowing his head.

"Nice to meet you," Tup spoke nervously, his hand outreached for a handshake, Jesse quickly pulling his brother's hand down who was already a nervous wreck.

"Apologies for my brother! He doesn't know how to act!" Jesse scolded elbowing Tup slightly who was already shaming himself mentally and Y/n could sense it, but Jesse was already dragging him away with an insane amount of apologies as he left. 

Y/n watched as they got far enough away to where Jesse had started to drag Tup by the collar of his shirt.

"Lively bunch aren't they?" Satine questioned Y/n who nodded.

"My apologies Duchess, Lady Y/n. The 501st is not very big on tradition, and neither is there general."  Obi-Wan scolded as Anakin shrugged.

"It's okay." Y/n finally spoke up, causing heads to turn, "I, um, apologizes. Duchess if I may."

"Yes, you can go ahead," Satine spoke worried for the girl as she rushed off quickly. 

"Will she be okay?" Ashoka questioned.

"She has no social skills, and on top that, no friends her age," Satine spoke solemnly, "I wish to help her but she's a closed book." 

"Have I got the perfect trooper for her to make friends with," Anakin responded

"You're not sending Fives or Hardcase over to her, if anyone to watch her it'll be Cody, at least he can stay on task," Obi-wan argued.

"I think me and my master have the same idea," Ashoka smirked.

"I- I'm sorry general- Me?" Tup questioned.

"Yes I need a clone with Lady Y/n at all times, and since she seems to like you after a slip up that could have cost us a whole war," Anakin spoke, "You're watching her,"

"General! I. I can't watch her! I. I. I. I have patrol!" Tup tried to argue.

"Kix is on patrol now, she's supposedly back in her room," Anakin spoke.

"Her- what!?" Tup argued.

"one of the guards will escort you thanks again."

"Wait! General!" Tup argued but he was walking away and waving to Tup happily. 

"Are you the clone trooper known as Tup?" A guard asked walking up to him.

"yes, but wait a minute!-"

"This way." 

Tup had no option but to follow a guard at his back and his front as they escorted him to the room. Anxiety racked his body, his hands clammy and squeezing each other as he gulped, the guards stopping and knocking.

"Mistress your escort is here."

"Oh, yes," Y/n spoke quietly, "He may come in alone."

The guards posted outside her room as Tup pushed one of the doors opened, he walked in silently and closed the door behind him carefully.

Looking straight on the large french doors were opened to a patio. Walking towards the open doors he found Y/n sitting on the floor a stack of books beside her with a chessboard by her side, her knees raised to her chest as her dress was laid out around her.

"I'm uh, your guard for the dance," Tup spoke, his thumb pressing into his palm.

"You can go back, I'm not going," Y/n told him, her mouth and jaw covered by her arms propped on her knees.

"oh, uh..." Tup spoke, not knowing what to do.

Y/n looked beside her, "You can sit, maybe you'll get in less trouble that way?"

He nodded in agreement, taking a seat on one side of the chess board. They sat in silence against the wall. Tup looking down at the pieces of the board set up on their respective sides, his clammy hands couldn't help but move a piece. Y/n looked overhearing the crystal click on the board. Looking down she picked up a piece and moved it, Tup moving his next piece without a word. Y/n looked down at the board, her legs falling from her chest and onto the ground flat as she looked over in thought. Picking up her next piece she took his pawn, setting it down on the side.  As they played they could hear the talk of guests starting to come to the palace. Due to where Y/n's room was it wasn't much to hear, just the occasional burst of loud laughter. 

"Ah yes! Yes!" One laughed spoke loudly, "I love the stars!"

Y/n suddenly came with an outburst the came with the man's hearty laugh, "I have loved the stars to foundly-"

"-to be fearful of the night." Tup finished moving his next piece.

Y/n's moved her gaze up softly then chuckled, "Mythology lover?"

"When I have the time, I mostly learn through tell and hear," Tup responded watching Y/n capture another piece.

It was silent again as Tup captured yet another piece, his eyes drifting over to her stack of books. Eyes glancing over the titles.

"H.P Lovecraft?" Tup questioned Y/n nodding.

"I find his stories interesting, I enjoy the horror genere as a whole." Y/n smiled moving her next peice, "do you like horror?"

Tup nodded, "I do occasionally, again hear and tell mostly."

Y/n nodded, "come with me."

Y/n stood up, walking into her room, Tup watching her.

"Come on." Y/n gestured holding out a hand for him.

He took it gently and was pulled up from his spot on the floor. Y/n led him by the hand into her room and towards a wall pushing on a certain spot a small door opened. Y/n leaned down walking through the door as Tup followed, Y/n closed the door behind them.

"Woah."

Y/n smiled, "the palace library."

"I am the only one who's ever in here." Y/n contuined.

The two walked side by side, out from the side of the room and into the center of the room. Tup turned around to speak, but he watched her pass a dusty window, the sun set passing in through cobwebs and dusty, shining on her think crown, her dress flowly and made up of multiple thin layers of fabric.

He gulped as she turned her head, stopping in her spot.

"What's wrong?"

"I," he started but stopped for a momment, "My name, its. It's Tup. I don't know if you-"

"Remember you?" Y/n questioned, "I do."

She walked up to him a hand extended, "Y/n."

He smiled as they shook hands.

"Tup." He introduced himself once again as they chuckled lightly.

They pulled away, Y/n's hands clasped infront of her.

"Well Tup its very nice to meet you again."

"Its nice to meet you too Lady Y/n."

"Lady Y/n!"

She took a quick step back from her closeness with Tup, clearing her throat.

"Oh thank maker..." the gaurd spoke under his breathe, "the duchess wishes for you to greet your guest."

Y/n nodded softly, "Well. Let's go?"

Tup nodded, the two leaving side by side in silence. They two making there way down to the main set of doors which led to the throne room.

"Lady Y/n." Obi-wan spoke, "The Duchess ask I escort you in while introduced."

"Oh." Y/n spoke looking at Tup he gave her an akwards thumb up, she chuckled and smiled at him with a nod.

Y/n smiled Obi wan extending an arm, Y/n linking arms with the Jedi General. The doors opened as they walked forward.

"Introducing Lady Y/n! Daughter of Dutchess Satine! Next in line for the throne!"

Y/n and Obi-wan walked forward people clearing a straight shot to her mother. Her and Obi-wan walked forward, feeling the stares on her she kept silent. It soon because uncomfortable, feeling the gaze more than just simple admiration or awe. She tensed as they walked making her to the steps to Satines throne. She pulled away from Obi-wan, bowing her head to her mother as she walked up, a smaller throne simplistic like how Y/n liked it and took a simple seat, she watched Tup sneak into the room carefully standing next to a man who had a medical band on his arm with his suit, before everyone started to fill the room again.

Satine stood up, she was making a speech Y/n zoned out, it was a greeting, thanking everyone personally for coming to celebrate Y/n's transition into womenhood.

"That's why I am glad to speak, Y/n's hand is extended for potential marraige candidates!"

Y/n sat up shocked, and Satine thanked everyone once again and took a seat. Everyone going back to chatting.

"Excuse me!? Marraige?" Y/n argued.

"It is a formality you do not have to marry anyone."

"Im not taking anyone into consideration," Y/n defended, crossing her arms and leaning back in her seat.

"Lady Y/n-"

"No." Y/n spoke, she was beyond annoyed.

"Thank you for your time..." he spoke bowing his head and walking away heart broken.

Y/n rejected any man that came up to try and give there hand to her.

Tup watched from afar, Kix and Dogma by his side. Men contuined to go up to her and as more and more did she seemed more and more irratated. He quickly walked away from his brothers would watched him out of confusion.

Watching him walk up to the thrown he started walking up the steps.

"Y/n," Tup spoke, holding a hand out for her, "I'd like to spend time with you, perhaps a dance?"

"Hey! Buddy wait in line!" A man argued but Y/n looked at Tup thanks in her eyes.

The lighting on him seemed perfect, he back lit perfectly, his eyes holding a smile along with his lips. Y/n grabbed his hand lightly as Tup helped her up, the two walking down the stairs hand in hand.

"Thank you." Y/n spoke they now in the crowd of people.

"Seems you needed it," Tup answered as Y/n chuckled.

"To the libary?"

"Actually," Tup spoke quietly, "I'd...like to have a dance with you."

Y/n flushed, "t-that sounds good. Yeah."

It was almost on cue did everyone backed up circling people who wanted to dance, Y/n and Tup in the center of it.

"Um. Tup." Y/n spoke.

"Hm?"

"Do you know how to dance?"

"Oh. Uh." Tup spoke, "no actually, do. Do you?"

Y/n shook her head no. The two laughing together as the music started.

"Suppose we should act like we're doing and maybe we'll fall in?" Y/n laughed.

Tup smiled in return, "I suppose."

The music started as they watched other, a simple waltz. Y/n and Tup luckily able to copy others, hands which once were placed in hand on on him, soon became more intimate, fingers intertwining. Tup's hand moving from her hip to the small of her back, she leaning into his touch just a bit more.

"Not bad." Y/n spoke softly, "we're doing decent."

Tup chuckled softly in return, "I suppose us clones learn quick."

"Clone?" Y/n questioned, "you're a clone?"

Tup looked at her confused, "You. You don't know that?" He questioned confused.

"I." Y/n spoke, "I don't mean to sound, uh, Rude."

Tup frowned, maybe she was an avid clone hater?

"I um. Havent payed much attention, to your face, my apologies." Y/n spoke, a flush coming to her cheeks.

"Am I offensive?" Tup questioned.

"No. No. Not at all." Y/n spoke, "On the contrary actually. I. Find you most appealing, your. Voice and presence is quiet soothing. You're a good man."

It was Tup's turn to flush, spinning her around softly as everyone else did. Her dress picking up just the slightest at the ends. Pulling her back into his grasp, it was sudden for both of them, there chest pressed up against one another, faces close, Tup's hand now across the small of her back grabbing her other hip as he lowered her into a dip, Y/n's arm around his neck as he did.

The claps of everyone was muffled in there ears.

Tup's nose brushing against hers as he tilted his head softly, Y/n stopping him with a hand on hie jaw , and she was raised up again in a flash.

"I. Im sorry" Tup apologized, everyone still clapping as Y/n bowed to him red faced.

"I...must go." Y/n spoke quickly rushing away and into the crowd.

"Wait!" Tup called rushing after her, she rushing out the throne room.

"My lady-"

"Im quiet fine a game of tag is all." Y/n defended rushing off, the urge of wanting Tup so bad fueling her feet as she ran from him.

Tup rushed looking both ways, "Which way did she go?"

"Left sir-"

Tup rushed after her, his shoes clicking against the marble floors of the palace as he ran. Seeing her take a turn up ahead he called her name once more, following her quick steps, she rushed into her ungaurded room and closing the door behind her.

Making it to the doors he panted for a moment, soon calming his breath he knocked on the door.

"Please! Y/n I did not mean to upset you!" He begged, "I. I should have asked asked you! I should have never just jumped into it!"

Y/n quiet as she leaned against the door, her body pressed up against it to keep it closed, he seemed genuinely angered with himself, and worried for her.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Tup spoke softly, "I...just..."

Y/n stayed silent listening.

"I. Seen you for the first time walking up with my brother to report to General Skywalker..." he informed, "I had no idea someone could look so beautiful until I seen you, then. Well then we started that chess game."

Y/n's cheeks grew red as she listened, her heart starting to drop its quickly put up walls.

"You just spoke and It was beautiful. I. I'm not good with words either. I." He sighed, "I didn't realize someone like me could have so much in common with you... half the time my brothers don't like any same things as me. And we're all copies of each other."

The knot in her stomach grew as she gulped, "I. Tup. Its not that I'm mad at you."

Tup was surprised to hear an answer, "I. I think you're quiet beatiful, I. I just...I've never..."

"Y/n you do not need to explain yourself to me." Tup told her.

"Just. Let me finish." Y/n spoke calmly, "I've, well. Tup. I. I. I've never kissed anyone."

Y/n stopped waiting for a laugh, or even a 'yeah right', but she got a sincere chuckle trying to break the ice, "neither have I."

It was a surpise to Tup when the door opened softly, Y/n's flushed face being seen due to the light of the hall.

"Are you okay?" Tup questioned Y/n nodding her gaze to the floor.

"We're you being..serious?" Y/n questioned softly.

Tup nodded, growing nervous himself.

"Would you..umm. like too?" Y/n questioned, "kiss me?"

"I..um." tup spoke his face full red, "yes.."

Y/n opened up the door a bit more so he could come in, taking the hint he walked in the room dark. His eyes not having to adjust as the French doors which were uncovered let in moonlight.

Y/n closed the door quietly, locking it behind her so they'd be uninterrupted. He turned his head watching her walk towards him.

Oh maker.

They stood infront of each other nervously, refusing to make eye contact. Y/n with a shaking hand reached out her hand, her fingers dancing along his shoulder as he looked down.

"Tup. I." Y/n spoke, her other arm following her first one on the other side of his head his hands slipping onto her hips.

Nerves in a bundle they tensed in one anothers arms, faces leaning in slowly, noses brushed up against one another. A few of Tup's fingers tapped and tilted her face to the side as he tilted his own face the other way.

"Tup...Im nervous." Y/n whispered against his lips, "what happens if...if i like it too much?"

"I'll do anything you ask me..." he mummbled her hot breathe hitting his lips.

It was silent for another momment, Y/n's eyes slolwy closing as Tup's followed. They leaning in the small space as there lips pressrd against each others. The bundle of nerves melting away and falling into ribbions that slowly started to knot.

The kiss was, cute, nothing more than pressing there lips against one another and then pulled away little space between there lips, a new found hunger filled the both of them, Tup pressing forward in a much more passionate kiss, y/n kissed back, lips dancing against one another. Y/n pushed into Tup. Breathe heavy through the armature kisses. Tup mindlessly picked Y/m up, her legs wrapping around his waist as they contuined to kiss. Walking over to her bed he placed her down carefully, climbing over her body.

Kiss only breaking for air, "Do. Do you want this?" Tup questioned, things had moved awfully fast and turned into a one night stand, love filled relationship neither could explain.

Y/n nodded, "Only from you"

"Are you sure? I don't want you unsatisfied." Tup spoke honestly.

"If its you I'll never be unsatisfied." Y/n told him, the two kissing again, Tup holding his like a peice of glass under him.

"I love you." Tup whispered against her lips.

"I love you too Tup." She spoke back. Tup kissing her once more.

[taetaesource]

Acting with Kim Seon Ho

I might come up with a full fic of the drama. 

You started out as a idol trainee but never debuted but became an actress instead. Although you are not very young, korean age 29 and Seon Ho is 35. You didn’t star in many dramas and was not as popular as names like suzy and park shin hye. In this sense, you are alot like Kim Seon Ho before he hit it big with Start Up. 

You did not grow up in korea and speak better in english than korean. You’re friends with the korean-american celeb community like BM, Jessi, Eric. Your best friend is Blackpink’s Rose because you guys met during trainee days as a music school and later reconnected at a private Tiffany&Co event. 

You are under Starship ent which is a fairly big company with actors like Lee dongwook so your skills isn’t too far off and in general you land in scripts and channels that are not too bad. 

You got an offer from the writer who wrote Crash Landing On You and upon reading script and much discussion with the company, you decided to take this up. 

You learn that the production team is trying their best to get Kim Seon Ho to be the male lead and you felt honoured and at the same time pressured. You really wished to have him as your partner in this drama because you knew that he was talented, but you also wanted to keep your hopes low because you knew that he was booked left right centre and he has many scripts and projects flooding in. 

The storyline of the drama was also one reason why you kept your hopes low. 

The drama centers around the female (which is your role) whose husband requested for a divorce as he fell in love with a co-worker who is a headstrong career woman. The female lead tries to salvage her marriage by entering into the company that her husband and his mistress works in and struggles her way into the workforce after being a housewife for 10 years. 

The truth is, you were deliberating very hard as to whether this role was suitable for you as it is quite a leap from the usual roles and it might change the image that you have in the public eyes. For the male lead, this change is an even bigger risk and now that Seon ho is getting more popular, you were pretty sure there’s 60% chance he would reject the offer so as to keep his image. 

But the script was interesting as it portrayed third party and affairs in a different light and the characters were complex so this would take your acting skills to a new level. With that, you decided to take on the challenge despite the risk that you might not be offered dramas in future that were of younger romantic comedy genre since you will be remembered as an actress that played mum and divorcee. 

To your surprise, Seon ho took on the role as well. And the reason you heard of is that he felt that the script is compelling and he wanted to challenge himself in a new role. 

The other female actress who will play the role of the third party is Son Na eun of Apink and you thought that she was a good fit for the role too. 

The day of drama reading, Seon ho was the last to arrive and he was so apologetic about it. He was polite and greeted everybody with his big dimple smile. It was his first time meeting you and Naeun so the 3 of you were quite awkward and unfamiliar. 

When filming officially started, you were so busy preparing and translating your lines and practicing them that you felt very pressured. As the drama was produced by the team behind the hit success Crash Landing and also featuring the current hot actor Kim seon ho, it was also highly anticipated and everyone was looking forward to the drama to air. 

The filming process was also tiring as the tone of the drama is quite serious and sad compared to a light-hearted love drama or comedy. But to your surprise the filming was quite enjoyable mainly because seon ho is very easy to work with and also very professional. 

Even though he must have been very tired as the shoot is often in between his other projects like 2 Days 1 Night and his other pictorials and advertisement shoots, he rarely screws up his part and came prepared with his lines so there won’t many retakes. He is also very bubbly and cheerful, making the filming atmosphere livelier and friendlier. 

The chemistry between you and him hit off better than expected as well. You enjoyed his sometimes awkward jokes, you could follow up with this ad-libs and both of you saw eye-to-eye when it comes to how the both of you should act certain scenes to bring out certain message or emotions. 

You usually speak to your staff and manager in english which would leave the total korean boy seon ho in awe. And you always joke that the hardest part about this drama is that you have to pretend that you dont understand english as you are supposed to play the role of a clueless housewife who became an intern in a top company. And Naeun who doesn’t understand english has to play the role of your manager who is capable and good at presentations and reports in english. 

When the drama air, the public had good response and the chemistry between you and seon ho became recognised just as how people were speculating that Hyun Bin and Son Ye jin are definitely dating. 

The both of you were not at the dating stage yet because seon ho is so busy. And his personality is so friendly that he usually maintain a very amicable relationship with everybody so you established that the both of you are just very good colleagues that managed to become friends outside of work.   

To your surprise, seon ho called you one day - “chae young ahhh” he repeated and emphasized “chae young” a few times which was not your real name but the name of your character in the drama so you kind of had the sense to reply “oh yeobo”, which absolutely pleased him. Turns out it was a call from seon ho while filming 2 days 1 night. He was on a mission and he had to prove that he wasn’t lying when he said on the show that the both of you had good chemistry so choosing you to call to help him in the mission is the best person. You had to make a guess of the option his group chose in order for them to pass and be given lunch. The way you answered the call has already made a great impression to the team and the 2d1n members were all impressed by the chemistry you had with seon ho. You also passed the game round and they were saying that you should drop by the show as a guest as the next week, they will have to bring a female guest who are also their good friend to help them in the episode. 

Your company is rather particular about their artistes appearing on variety shows and it’s only after they screened the other female guests and realised that the rest are mostly comedians, that they allowed you to be on the show and the instruction was that you have to maintain your image. 

It was easy as the members and everyone in the team treated you like a princess in comparison to the 2 female comedians so as to make the show funnier. And seon ho especially took care of you as well even outside of the filming. 

He introduced you to the actor yeon jung hoon who was on the show and in between breaks you were able to consult him about some concerns that you have, especially since you are juggling 2 dramas. 

Towards the halfway mark of the drama filming with seon ho, you were offered another drama, a love story drama with a younger actor this time Seo Kang Joon. As the new drama is a typical courtship and love story drama, you were afraid that the way you act might not be able to draw a difference that well that the audience will be able to see the shadow of the divorced wife character that you are playing in the other drama. 

Jung hoon adviced that every role will have some kind of resemblance because it all came from you. It’s impossible to always present a totally original and fresh character without some resemblance here and there. But maybe if we see the resemblance as the actor’s style and essence, then you wouldnt feel so pressured to draw the distinction between all the roles that you act in. 

This scene was aired on 2d1n and it helped the public to see your professionalism and seriousness that you have towards acting. 

You also helped the team by giving a call to Blackpink’s Rose. Rose answered the call with “heyyy what’s up” which excited the members even more as they didn’t expect the both of you to use english as main form of communication. 

You were also good friends with Park Yuna who got famous from her role in Sky Castle and she also played the role of Bo young who is your sister in the drama with seon ho. Yuna was also an idol trainee previously which is why the both of you clicked so fast. 

The drama with Seo Kang Joon was a success too but of course both dramas did not do as well as Start-Up and Crash Landing but in your terms it was successful as people were talking about it and it was the more popular dramas among the rest that were airing as well. 

The chemistry between you and seon ho stood out even more as nobody really talked about seo kang joon and you having chemistry in that way. 

Very quickly, you were offered a movie role and the male lead they were offering it to kim seon ho again. This time, the storyline was less sad as it was about a man and woman who took a break from their current life and went to Jeju island as an escape, met and fell in love there. Seon ho’s character broke up with his long-term girlfriend while your character left her job after being there for 8 years. And the both of you met in Jeju. 

Many people were speculating if the both of you were dating, especially since dispatch released pictures of the both of you coming out of a convenience store together on your off days. And when your agency checked with you, you said no because technically seon ho has never officially asked you out. But somehow you felt a little bitter when you heard from your management that seon ho’s side has also denied the dating rumours. 

But netizens were quite supportive especially because the pictures taken were candid shots of how the both of you played with each other. Seon ho offered to hold your plastic bag but you lifted it like how you would lift dumbbells to joke with him that you didnt need his help and he was laughing so hard. Most comments that people have after seeing the pictures is that the both of you are so cute and pure. 

But because the pictures were exposed by dispatch, it made you and seon ho a little uncomfortable in front of public setting. Like the both of you had to attend the movie premiere and it was awkward to be standing together in front of the reporters and cameras as the both of you know that everyone in the room has seen the pictures and may or may not ask about your relationship status. You are not sure if it’s even more uncomfortable if they dont talk about the white elephant in the room. But the both of you were obviously less chummy that day, keeping a distance and avoiding eye contact as much as possible. Which led to people speculating that the rumours has caused you guys to break up. 

But you were still in contact with each other in private, just that you two did not meet in person since then. It was after few months that the both of you met again and it was at drama awards. It felt less uncomfortable and awkward maybe because the both of you were more overwhelmed by the excitement of seeing each other again after so long that you two didn’t really care whether people will ask if you guys are dating again. 

Another heart fluttering moment was when the mc asked if any of you felt something for the other person that you were acting alongside with, and the both of you raised your hands shyly and blushed when you both realised that both of you raised your hands. 

When seon ho went on stage to claim the best actor award, you stood up and clap proudly. And the mc jokingly asked since the both of you raised your hands just now, are you guys dating for real already? Seon ho laughed this time and said “don’t worry i will let you guys know if there’s good news” making everyone excited with his ambiguous answer and you could only laugh and facepalm in embarassment. 

Eventually, dispatch released articles of insider saying that 2 actors who have acted together recently in drama and movie are dating and it pointed to you and seon ho again. 

You talked to your agency, wondering if the best way is to deny it again because you know that couples that admit their relationship usually end up breaking up. And couples who stay together usually become less active or don’t have many projects up ahead. Plus seon ho’s career is at his peak now, he wouldn’t want to risk anything and he might not even have the time to keep this relationship going. 

But your management got the news that seon ho’s side is okay to admit to it if you are okay with it and that shocked you. You didn’t expect him to want to keep this relationship more than his career. But to seon ho, he doesn’t see how his career will go down just because of this. And his fame was a sudden one, he was never famous before that and he was okay with it. 

Your management was also quite relaxed about this. It seems that you are the only one thinking too much into this. Eventually you realised that it was all in your head. 

The next day all the news outlet were reporting - “BREAKING: Actor Kim Seon Ho and Y/N is in a relationship”. 

[eternalstrigoii]

Flowery Language

Borra (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) x Desert Warrior Dark Fey Reader

                   After a point, peace talks became little more than a formality.

John and Philip fussed with the treaty’s wording while Aurora listened, as it was not her first declaration of peace between the kingdoms and its peoples. While you recognized the importance of brevity, clarity (and wit), you were bored out of your skull. (It was different when they spent hours fussing to ensure no one could break peace because of loose language – when they genuinely entered talks about phrasing based solely upon the conjunction, you stared at the walls and wondered if living in exile had not been such a terrible fate.)

The dread former queen’s cat, Arabella, circled lazily between your legs, rubbing on you and Borra because you were the only fools left over when talks descended into this. Had you not loved him, he would’ve been entirely on his own.

Had he not loved you, he wouldn’t have allowed his attention to lapse.

You were trying to set the tasteless tapestries on fire with your eyes when the first little tendril of unnaturally-behaving peony stem brushed your ankle. You thought it was the cat and lightly toed at it, discouraging her from bothering you while you glowered. Was iron as painful as listening to this conversation? You almost wished they’d left a handful of bullets lying around for you to play with.

A flicker of mischief passed over Borra’s lips. Aurora frowned as she mentally backtracked through Philip and John’s discussion – what had they said that warranted so knowing a look?

The advancing flowers lashed around your ankle, the quick snap of their woody stem nearly enough to make you startle. Your eyes flickered to him, and you raised your brows as though wholly unamused.

Leaves bloomed against your skin. Vines that should not have been vines continued to climb up your leg like a trellis. Right now? you asked with your eyes.

His glinted. He knew you – boredom made you impulsive. You were a restless creature by nature; you favored action over talk as much as he did, if not more. You did not have to be reminded that your shared place at their table ensured the safety of your people both fey and moor-folk, and you did not expect him to apologize for the benign stupidity of ornamental leadership.

Though he made it quite clear he intended to repay you for your patience.

It was an exercise in self-restraint not to shift when those woody stems crept over your hip and brushed over your inner thigh. They were no replacement for his fingers, but their light caress was enough to soften your glare at the walls. They should redo those murals, at least.

A blooming leaf caressed your bundled nerves, fluttered lightly as if caught by the wind. Your eyelids half-lowered, and you made a show of rubbing them as though you were well and thoroughly frustrated already.

Thank skies your human companions did not have senses anywhere near as keen as his.

He did it again. Lighter and sweeter than he would’ve with his fingers, but it was a caress all the same. The lingering hostility in your thoughts went temporarily forgotten.

You spread your legs on the chair-seat. Hooked your bare feet around the legs and pressed into the caress of a slowly advancing tendril. Agonizingly slow; he had to give you something else to focus on, though the sight of your darkening eyes and the instinctive weight-shift of your hips did little but offer him plenty in return.

You made a beautiful sight, spread just for him. If you could keep your wings from giving you away, he might even move closer to converse with you when you were ready to finish.

Your eyes lifted. The molten heat in them made him set his teeth to bite back a low purr. Such a good girl, keeping your pleasure to yourself.

He let you watch the motion of his fingers. The leaf and the tendril did what he asked them to: curled around your bundled nerves, stroking, flicking, before parting you along your seam and making you strangle a half-animal whine as it rose to your lips. You could not even squirm against him and that was wildly unfair.

The little sound you did make tensed his stomach like you’d been caressing him with your talons and let them fall away. He thought, faintly, about how lovely you would look when you could squirm for him – panting, keening, your pretty legs still spread and his fingers tracing the air instead of you while he let those plants tease you. You should do this again in the privacy of the forest; he had the urge to press kisses to your bud until your voice was rough and pleading.

Since when did you get off on tormenting each other? Since you had the time, perhaps. Peace was to be maintained long-term, which gave him the opportunity to slow down all those sweet things he’d learned from bedding you. Kiss where you enjoyed being kissed; leave bruise-darkened love bites on the soft flesh of your inner thighs. Maybe you could enjoy the lash of those little branches under different circumstances.

You gripped handfuls of your trousers in place of handfuls of him. A budding flower bloomed against you, velvet-soft petals nestled against your skin. Oh, Great Skies Above. He shouldn’t have thought about how it would feel to trace it back and forth, trail those petals over your flesh like feathers. You wanted, desperately, to squirm, press forward, beg for more.

You grit your teeth and stared at the wall again. No one had better ask you what you were looking at, the whole of your attention was focused on not grinding that flower into oblivion.

Which amused him to no end, even as he shifted his wandering hand to make sure the low-hanging waistband of his hide trousers kept all but the scent of his desire from you.

Your silent exchanges had not gone unnoticed, though their context most assuredly was. No one on the other side of the table knew that the plant at the nearest corner of the balcony had grown across the floor from a singular point so that the small handful of palace staff flitting in and out of the room would remain unaware that it had. Philip frowned at your shared tension, dropped his eyes back to the document, and re-read the sentence quietly to himself in a handful of different tones.

“Oh skies,” you whispered, taking a moment to deliberately run your hands through your hair. Yes, right there. The press of pliant stem was nowhere near as satisfying as his fingers, but it was nearly enough to make you arch.

“I’m sorry,” Philip repeated. “We need to make sure no one can deliberately misinterpret the text.”

The light stroking slowed. Began to retreat. The horrible tease. Oh, you are going to claw new cracks in his back when this is over.

“We know,” Borra replied.

Your fingers curled in your hair. Another shoot emerged, grew into a whip-thin tendril and crept up the leg of his chair. You kept your mischief entirely to yourself until it was long enough to caress over his thigh and wrap around him through his trousers at the same time.

It was his turn to strangle a hiss, and he failed miserably at it.

“Bella,” Philip whispered rather sharply. The cat was lounging under the table’s middle, well out of range. She wasn’t stupid enough to get wrapped up in your shenanigans.

“Let her be,” Borra’s voice was audibly rougher. “She’s just playing.”

Aurora did not understand quite how she knew what you were up to, or how you were accomplishing it, but you weren’t making any snide quips and Borra no longer watched the three of them like a hawk, so she knew you must’ve been up to something. Make love not war, I suppose.

“If she’s bothering you—”

“It’s just a kitten, Philip,” you replied with much too much satisfaction in your tone; Borra flicked the retreating stem against your bundled nerves and the suddenness of it killed whatever reassurance you meant to tack on at the end. The unfinished sentence hung over the table like a pendulum.

Strange as it was, Aurora was your greatest ally. Her time spent handling affairs alone in Perceforest was adequate motivation to learn how to operate as a team in Ulstead – and to not blame you for indulging yourselves during extended periods of mundane ho-hum. She called them back to an issue she really had taken with phrasing of the line that came before, and you cast a sidelong glance to the man you loved. She knows.

His eyes were melted honey. That little lash’s slow undulating was not enough – he wanted your hands, your mouth, your welcoming, wet heat. If you could just slip away to the balcony together for a moment…

You teased him with a soft little squeeze. Even if he didn’t slip that tendril back inside of you, it lingered along your parted seam so you might take some pleasant friction from rubbing against it – you just had to be careful to keep your wings from giving you away.

You intentionally deprived him of the same. You, too, were consumed with thoughts of lowering his trousers to caress him while you kissed against the sun-warmed stone outside. How hungrily he would run his hands over you, how easily your bodies would join after you were both so well-teased. He would rut you hard, right there where anyone could see. Would he quiet you with his mouth, or would he watch you struggle not to cry out? You could imagine the hunger in his eyes. Nearly feel the collision of your hips. He would growl quietly, just for you, let it dissolve into a quiet, breathless moan…

You dropped your foot from around the chair-leg and pinned the woody stems to the floor, abruptly pulling them away. The sound of it did not go unnoticed, though your companions’ attention only fixated when you stood as calmly as you could while maneuvering the rest of the withering vine out of your pant leg.

For a moment, you genuinely intended to preface your departure. But you had no good excuses, so you drew back to push in your chair (to tug the spindly limbs right off your calf), and you walked out.

Your stem slackened only once you’d already left.

“Was it something I said?” John asked, genuinely bewildered.

“Maybe we should take a break,” Aurora offered, averting her gaze when it landed upon Borra as he stood. She had no intention of finding out just how far you’d gotten with only a table for privacy. “It must be difficult to sit still for so long when you’re not used to it.”

She handed the both of you a gilded excuse, and Borra’s only acknowledgement of it was a low, animal sound that definitely meant what she thought it did.

The balcony wrapped around half of the palace like a second courtyard, leaving plenty of room for the both of you to find an adequate crevice to sneak off to as you used to in the nest’s high peaks. You hadn’t gone far; you perched upon the stone ledge to wait for him the moment you heard the brush of his pinfeathers against the smooth floors.

He’d only meant to tempt you, but like a hunt initiated for its thrill, that urge was not far from the instinct to sate the hunger sharpening your gaze. His wings perked and flared in display, as though your fingers didn’t trace the leather strap across his chest the moment he drew near enough.

He made a low, hot sound of pleasure. Nudged your hips to the very edge. You growled against his mouth in praise.

“Did I please you?” He undid the waistband of your trousers.

You let them drop. Ran your fingers along the folded waist of his. “Take these off and find out.”

He did not hesitate, and, for that, you decided your gentle stroking had teased him enough. Your wings fanned along the white stone; you meant to climb him like a tree, but the support of his arms beat you to it. He joined with you in one swift, smooth advance.

You brought him closer with your legs, ran your talons down his back.

His bit into your hips. Thank skies for practicality; you couldn’t allow it to last any longer than it naturally would, thanks to your human allies, so you pressed him closer, clung to him with your knees. He rocked to the hilt inside of you to wind the tightness in your belly as taut as it could get, kissed you like it would be too long before you could touch one another again – the way you imagined he’d planned to kiss you before the circumstances around your not-conquest changed.

“More,” you whisper-gasped. “I need you. I need you, please.”

He gave you a half-strangled growl in warning, as though you couldn’t feel him twitch. So close. You dragged your talons down the stone; you didn’t care if it rent trenches in the smooth façade, you were so close.

Then you were there, and the sudden throb and quiver of your inner muscles brought him along with you, and every blank space on the climbing branches that ensnared the courtyard-facing half of Ulstead’s palace suddenly contained new flowers. It did not matter what they were – with every shared, summer-hot breath that passed your lips between kisses, more and more of them unfurled.

His love for you, and yours for him, was the strongest power that did not hail from the phoenix herself.

You laughed breathlessly against his lips. Tangled your fingers in his hair. Your afterglow felt warmer than the sun on your spread wings and you tipped your head back to bask in it, knowing all too well that you invited him to kiss along your bared throat.

A moment before the flowers bloomed, Prince Philip put his hand upon his wife’s and excused himself from the still-silent table. His human senses were nowhere near as keen as yours, but his wife was not the fool most believed her to be. Of all the royal perils that could befall her husband, she did not want to add knocked off a balcony because he intruded to the list.

“Philip,” she tried, rising to follow him.

“Just a moment,” he pressed, and was out onto the connected balcony before she could stop him.

Aurora sunk back in her seat and contemplated resting her face in her hands until the secondhand embarrassment passed.

Borra’s wings were a bit more broad than yours, though, and your legs around his waist kept his pants from going far. The flowers bloomed as the young prince followed the outdoor passage, and, at first, he thought the mild flare of your mate’s wings might’ve been for privacy.

Then he saw your legs, and the close proximity of your horns, and the claw marks that punctuated the white stone, and the young prince had the sense to turn around and leave before he saw anything else.

He lingered just beyond the door for a moment, waiting to make eye contact with his wife. His face hid nothing of the range of emotions he’d gone through: awkwardness mingled with amusement, tinged with mild disbelief, all dressed in the finery of poorly-contained embarrassment.

She tried not to laugh, holding his eyes only to deliberately look away as her smile grew. I told you not to.

“Well?” John asked as if the expression on his son’s face did not say plenty.

Philip made a noncommittal sound and a quick retreat to his chair. Perhaps if he stared pointedly at the treaty for a while, he could soothe the pinking of his cheeks. “Where were we?”

John pressed for an answer only once before the both of you returned, a bit more ruffled than you’d left but otherwise unchanged. The flowers along the floor had fully retreated to their place around the balcony’s ledge, and you fluffed your wings before you sat despite the temptation that offered Arabella.

“Come here, kitty-kitty.” You patted your leg.

The awful little thing jumped up into the chair next to Aurora and folded herself up there, her wary little hackles bristled.

You quirked your head, suit yourself, and stretched your legs out in front of you. The whole of your body was pleasantly warm and well relaxed, and you took Borra’s hand on top of the table when he settled beside you. “Go ahead, John. Conjunctions are a riveting conversation starter.”

“I’ll say,” Philip muttered.

Your glinting eyes flickered to your mate. I’ve underestimated either their senses or their observation skills.

He spread his wings comfortably over the arms of his chair and gave the blushing young queen a wild grin. “Only the fun ones.”

                                              -------------------------

Tag List: @squishy-jellyfish, @deathonyourtongue, @thetempleofthemasaigoddess, @mor-ranr, @swim-reaper, @blacksirenswolf

Remember, you can always be added!

[juleswolverton-hyde]

Lady Byron (Mark Tuan x Reader)

Genre: Smut, Angst, PwP, Hybrid AU

Pairing: Stepbrother!/Bunny Hybrid!Mark Tuan x stepsister!Reader

Warnings: Step-sibling incest, sub!/bottom!Mark, implied alcohol abuse/alcoholism, Mark in lingerie, voyeurism, unprotected consensual missionary sex (ALWAYS DO IT SAFELY, lads and lasses!), dirty talk, mild swearing/cussing, heartbreak, emotional manipulation.

Summary: Lord Byron once said: ‘’The great art of life is sensation, to feel that we exist, even in pain’’.

And tonight, a girl chasing after the life of the great poet lives by this quote.

Indulging in pleasure.

Yet aware of the consequences.

Nobody can fly to the sun without burning.

Masterlist

Marriages create new families, some of which might turn out to become a mix of cultures that could have clashed at first. However, it can also be an inter-species marriage, a beautiful ceremony that has been lawfully legalized a few years ago so that a human is allowed to wed a hybrid. In the situation pertaining to the latter, it has created an odd yet balanced family consisting of a mother with her daughter who have found themselves and a home in the company of two dark-haired bunnies.

One of which opens the door before keys can be retrieved from the inner pocket of the backpack functioning on Fridays as both a school and work bag. Feverish chocolate locks stand wondering in the illuminated hallway, fluffy ivory ears standing erect in curiosity and causing a sense of grave worry immediately. ‘’Mark? What are you doing out of bed?’’ 

A palm measures the temperature of the burning forehead, measuring the severeness of the sickness which has begotten the lad and has not died down since it began a week ago. ‘’You’re still burning up.’’

‘’I- I heard you walking towards the door.’’ Which means the window must have been open, likely left so by one of either parents before heading out for dinner together. The plan was originally to take the older stepbrother along as well, but that changed once the illness continuously evoked heavy tossing and spending nights at the bunny’s bedside to make sure some rest is had at least a little bit. If schedule allows it, that same location is settled into to study, read or watch series or dramas together.

However, while those are the most joyous moments, they are also the most painful.

For love is cruel and comes when it wants.

Making the heart eat the apple it should never had.

Fortunately, the knowledge of ever having done so remains covered beneath the theatrics of daily life, feigning ignorance and endeavouring to find contentment in a brother-sister relationship.

While remaining stuck in hollowness. 

‘’I have the keys.’’ The remark distracts all thoughts from the spark of glowing joy which treks throughout as fast as lightning, reshuffling focus to the dewy skin leaning into the touch with closed eyes. 

‘’I know, but- I- well, ah, uhm.’’ The sentence remains unfinished, a curt happy hum serving as a definite end to the sentence. Withal, thus the arms of cold Logic are tugged on too to, for once and at last, let go of its harsh reasonings with itself.

But it cannot.

It never can nor should.

Ever. 

‘’C’mon, let’s go inside before your condition gets worse.’’ Hands come to rest on the lad’s shoulders to coax them into retreating into the house, carefully pushing against them to establish movement. ‘’And let’s close your window upstairs.’’

‘’Ah... yeah.’’ Sheepishly, stumbling steps head backwards, the padding of bare feet on the tiles solely fueling the concern for a worsening of health. 

Nevertheless, Mark still seems not to care enough to directly return to his bedroom. Instead, big calloused palms mimic smaller guiding digits and help them out of their coat. ‘’Thanks.’’

‘’Ho- How was work?’’ There apparently continues to be no incentive to go upstairs, striking up conversation while picking the weighty backpack up from beside the front door to place it next to the staircase. Warm long fingers wrap around those which reached out with the initiative to prevent the sick boy from heavy lifting and have found themselves wanting. Thus, feet head to the stone-grey sofa instead of the brother’s bedroom. All the while, an adorable fluffy tail twitches in happiness.

In spite of allowing the brief pause before heading back to bed, the cream blanket always draped over the back of the couch is instead wrapped around a shivering yet extremely heated chest clad in the shade of winter snow. ‘’Same as usual. Busy as hell.’’

‘’You look tired.’’ An obviously worried tone arises in the bunny’s husky voice, the intonation known to precede the fussing which has become a characteristic of the cruel dynamics between step-siblings. Although, Mark cannot help it when the Byronic tendencies are plain to see either in or out of parental sight.

Noticed it in the first glass.

And every river of warm amber to follow. 

‘’I’m alright.’’ A fabricated smile endeavours to distract from the conflicted emotions evoked by the statement for how sane, how ‘alright’ is a mind which is in love with a family member? How fairly morally acceptable is it to cherish a boy not related to oneself by blood?

Yes, indeed, how alright am I?

‘’Did you eat?’’ Big palms plant themselves onto the cushions of the sofa, their kindness melting the hardness of the stone fabric as they lean forward with long ears lowered in careful listening. Brows, likely unintentionally, furrow in close examination, anticipating the answer which wants to be heard while looking out for the opposite. 

Hearing what does not want to be heard in a dismissive tone. ‘’I’m not hungry.’’

‘’We have leftover noodles. Mom made too much.’’

Hearing Mark mention essentially the parent of a conflicted girl as if she was the rabbit boy’s as well, as if there is shared blood, serves to emphasize the futility of every heartwarming emotion conjured by the obvious concern. It almost brings tears to the eyes, experiencing a broken love once more in the limbo the persona is stuck in. However, enough talent for theatrics has developed over time to be able to fake normalcy and keep an nonchalant tone to speak with while patting wavy locks. ‘’Nah, I’ll just have a cup of tea and call it a night. You, on the other hand, should get back to bed before you get sicker.’’

‘’I will once I’m sure you’ve eaten.’’ Lean howbeit muscled arms cross in defiance as roseate lips pout. The overall display might be called ‘childish’, although it is also adorable to see the bright conviction of being listened to in sparkling eyes.

Another reason to drink. 

Stop this. Stop making me fall in love with you.

‘’I’m seriously not hungry. Besides, I won’t die from not eating dinner once.’’

‘’But it- it would ma- ah, eh,’’ the hand running through hair while getting up distracts attention enough from the discussion to let the denial pass, albeit for an unfortunate second for it is stubbornly kept up, ‘’make me feel better.’’

‘’And it would make me feel better if you’re in bed, sleeping the fever off.’’ The beige blanket has fallen from the shoulders, so it is picked up and rearranged under the pleading gaze of the lovely young man. 

That was supposed to be the end of the conversation, but a heated calloused palm wrapping around the wrist clearly has more to say. Or, rather, it needs more assurance that bad habits are not given into. ‘’Will it really be tea?’’ 

‘’What do you mean?’’ Faking ignorance, the head tilts to the side in wonder even though it is plain in the concerned tone what is actually insinuated. 

Long white fluffy ears lower in sadness, lying almost flat against the scalp, as a gentle tug asks for a return to the sofa if not willing to sit on a familiar lap. It is a kindness, of course, but every time a seat has been taken on Mark’s thighs it led to a hug from either the front or behind. Shielding, guarding, repressing the wonderful descent into self-ruin. ‘’You’ve been drinking again lately.’’

‘’Only a little bit.’’

‘’You know I- I don’t like it when you drink. Why?’’ The attempt at escaping the grip does not pass under the radar, loosened immediately which leads to an odd disappointment that there is no struggle.It is a misplaced Romantic vision, a lover refusing to let their mistress go, yet it evidently feels as if it should have applied. ‘’Why do you do it? Why drink instead of eating something after work?’’

Could have applied. 

But this is the reality. 

And it is cruelly cold.

Indifferent.

Family-oriented.

‘’It helps me sleep.’’ Dismissing the disgruntled worry with a heavy heart, the back is turned on the wonderful brother.

It makes me forget how much I love you.

To maintain the role, the shoulders are forced to keep low as steps lead to the kitchen.

To the liquor cabinet.

Salvation from everything.

And him.

Always him. 

‘’Your work tires you out more than enough.’’ Stubborn bare toes pad the cherrywood floor, trailing a hopeless mind growing gradually more exhausted with the situation. And when they speak, it is with a desperation begging to be acknowledged. ‘’Remember how many times I’ve carried you upstairs?’’

‘’I recall a few times, yes.’’

Just give up! Don’t fuss over me because I don’t deserve it.

‘’Let me guess, you don’t recall the nights you had a glass or two.’’ Hands ball into fists upon looking over the shoulder with a tired disinterested glance, wishing dearly the stepbrother would simply give up and do as being told. ‘’Or more.’’

‘’No. You’re right,’’ in the open doorway leading to the kitchen, attention is fully turned to the hybrid stepbrother never failing to trod along carefully set invisible boundaries, ‘’I don’t.’’

Because those were the nights I loved you too much.

Chocolate eyes soften upon hearing the melancholic undertone of the response, the fierceness that set them ablaze dimming in the search for a possible reason for the negative demeanour. Fists unravel, loose palms barely containing their restlessness awkwardly plucking at the soft fabric of ashen sweatpants. ‘’You’re running away from something.’’

‘’I’m not.’’

‘’You are. Tell me.’’ A step forward is met by one further into the kitchen, fueling the incomprehension towards a limit that is so clear for one mind. It takes everything within to not combust and apologize for the gesture. To run into secure arms, idiotically confessing what has been going on and hoping for a good outcome. ‘’I’m here for you, you know that.’’

I know, and you would always if you reciprocated my feelings. But you never will.

‘’Mark, go to bed.’’

‘’No.’’

Just go.

‘’Mark.’’

‘’Promise me it will be tea.’’ The silence without answer lasts too long for messy fluffy espresso strands, resorting to harsh shouting without actually meaning to. ‘’Promise me!’’

‘’Go to bed!’’ Now even one’s own voice has elevated to yelling, unable to hide the morally ungrounded irritation any more. There needs to be distance for that is what keeps the ties binding us together healthy and maintains the peace under the roof. 

Shocked at the sharp animalistic sneer, the tall slender bunny flinches yet tries to protest. However, without success since lips part and solely a simple though heart-wrenching word comes out. ‘’Y/N…’’

Tears scorch the lashes turning away from the forbidden lover, endeavouring with hardly steady speech to definitely put an end to the conversation before it really goes south. ‘’We’re done talking.’’

‘’Tuck me in.’’ The commanding suggestion of a laughable type of intimacy does nothing to restore the damage of the argument. 

In fact, terrible Logic loathes the request and is not shy in making its distaste known. ‘’You’re a grown man so you don’t need me to do so. And now that I think about it, you never did. Then again, you have always been childish.’’

Because it, too, loves the white rabbit whose heart is being shattered to pieces. It is unfair, but the shared suffering keeps us on familiar grounds, relates us in the proper way.

The ice queen holds morals high.

At the cost of fading warmth. 

Mark’s voice becomes sorrowfully soft, adorable nose sniffing to maintain a sliver of composure and hide the hurt that is actually mutual. Yet, only the distance between us knows this truth. ‘’What- What are you trying to say?’’

‘’Grow up and leave me alone.’’

I hate us. I hate our story, that I’m forced to treat you this way. I’m sorry.

Despite being fiercely rejected, the sweetheart still tries to establish contact. To still care even though it is not appreciated. ‘’You’re crying.’’

‘Go!’

Back turned on the handsome stepbrother, ears are filled by the noise of quietly crying bare feet removing themselves up the stairs of an empty house. In the meanwhile, the stomach ties itself into a nauseating knot and self-deprecating thoughts naturally come forth from the silence.

The brief sudden sliver of appetite is lost in the salty brooks running over the cheeks of gritted teeth no longer yelling.

The fridge is opened for a second only to be closed without having retrieved anything from it.

There is no roiling boiling water to be turned into tea.

Merely the sweet intoxication of strong liquor.

It is a night where he is loved too much.

And the bottle is the vain escape. 

There is something oddly wonderful about finding oneself in the state of being tipsy. Thoughts are enhanced in regards to creativity, daring to dream of what inhibitions suppress and creating perfect food for thought in slumber. It is at times like these when there is full understanding for the philosophy of writing drunk and why it is quite popular among authors. After all, the senses pick up more than they would normally, tuned in to reality on a level that sober Reason forbids.

And thus soft panting coming from the doorway can be heard despite the fabric of the onyx work shirt pulling a temporary impenetrable veil over the room. Nevertheless, when it is lifted and tossed aside on the leather chair in the corner, the curiosity about the source of the lovely desperate sounds is satisfied upon turning around.

Feverish chocolate eyes swiftly avert the steady focus on locks tilting in perverse wonder, the hands causing the spark of interest coming to a sudden halt as long fluffy ivory ears lower in apology. Pearly teeth nibble on the bottom lip, fingers fumbling after abandoning distracting throbbing wanting covered by gorgeous white lace. ‘’Ehm, Y/N, the- there is something I’ve- I’ve been meaning to say for a long time.’’

There should have been loathing towards the cute stammer of rosy cheeks yet the heart cannot bring itself to carry any trace of genuine negativity in its intoxicated state. Then again, it also cannot when not being under the influence of strong alcohol. Thus, sockless feet bridge the distance with calm speech sincerely fascinated with the implication of what wants to be said. ‘’Which is?’’

‘’I- I, ha, heh, ehm, I l- like you.’’ The stuttering goes paired by an adorable twitch of the white fluffy tail revealed by pulled down stone grey sweatpants. Languidly, lashes shift their attention from the floor to a troubled once again on the road to ruin. ‘’A lot. But I, um, now that I’m, well, I want t- to ask something else too... if I- I can.’’

And starting at the beginning of the end, the whiskey drunkenness erases all inhibitions and thus gives room to sensual selfishness unwilling to wait anymore. Fingers caress a ruby cheek, which effectively drives the young man further towards the edge judging by the slight movements behind ivory lace. The game is certainly tempting temptation but is also thoroughly enjoyed as the short breaths of awkward digits clearly want to continue the race to oblivious bliss, likely not minding, enjoying even to be watched while doing so. ‘’Why so shy?’’

‘’Y- You’re my stepsister, but I- I want to…’’ What wants to be said dies away as calloused hands rest themselves on the hips and foreheads rest against each other, older roseate lips suggestively brushing over ones about to give in yet persevering a little longer. 

Fingertips glide to and fro over the brother’s jaw, adding fuel to the flame that leaves Mark a buzzing and barely comprehensible mess. ‘’Finish your sentence, bunny boy.’’

Tell me. At least for now, tell me you love me too. That you want this. Us.

‘’Maybe it- it’s because I’m in heat, that I- I’m so blatant but- but I want to have, hm, nice, heh.’’ In clear appreciation of the gesture, an adorable nose nuzzles the palm while sniffing the skin. Whatever scent the bunny finds in it proves effective in driving sanity further towards madness, mouth quietly whimpering pleads of desperation as long fluffy ears lie flat against the skull. ‘’Sex. I want to have sex with you.’’

While the wantonness is lovely to observe, fueling the heat between thighs aided by amber intoxication, attention wanders down to where intricately decorated snowy lace is soaked. The stain leaves little to imagination, showing all that has been hidden thus far beneath pants, towels and sweatpants. ‘’Well, would you look at that.’’

Hypnotized irises follow to where focus has shifted to, hesitant in asking assurance as the worst outcome is expected. ‘’Is... is it weird?’’

‘’No,’’ a headshake denotes the unnecessary worry about disgust, assuring quite the opposite, ‘’not at all. It’s cute.’’

At the compliment, long fluffy ears perk up as raven orbs glisten with pride, drunk on the praise that hangs in the air yet has to be spoken. ‘’Am I pretty?’’

‘’Yes, you are. But you are regardless, especially without clothes. That’s when you’re at your loveliest.’’ Breaths noticeably shorten and come at a greater difficulty as lips ghost over the side of the neck, pecking at and nibbling on the heated yet shivering skin. ‘’A big pretty rabbit.’’

‘’Your white bun bun.’’ A quicksilver smile flashes by when the effect of the intimacy is endeavoured to be estimated by the degree of unfiltered wanting in the youth’s expression. Rosy cheeks, chiselled chest rising and falling swiftly, a breeding frenzy brewing in the dark of misleading innocent eyes. ‘’Yours.’’

‘’Close the door.’’ Teasingly, the ghost of a kiss is presented and adorably eagerly followed, Mark whining when it dawns it is just a mirage. ‘’And take your clothes off.’’

As fast as the wind, the bunny boy closes the door and wriggles out of the messy outfit. Afterwards, digits waving lazily, beckoning to come to bed, are rapidly enveloped and followed. Feeling the rough texture of their skin, created by weightlifting at the local gym that is visited together twice in the week - schedule allowing to go together although Mark can be found there almost daily - is grounding enough to temporarily oppress the romanticism of being tipsy. 

This is a one-time happening.

A one-shot.

A full story with a before and after. 

An end.

This moment is in medias res for there is nothing after tonight, emotions doomed to echo yet never to hear the other voice they love and cherish answer in the same manner. Even if they do, the sound will change and be mentally moulded to a shape that can be ignored. 

Inaudible.

And still, albeit faintly, there.

Although the vagueness will be a mirage because the heart listens.

Always listening for the white rabbit. 

Waiting for the day it snows in July. 

The day we can be together.

Bare toes languidly sway towards the bed, pulling the stepbrother along when free-falling onto the mattress. Defined arms on either side gripping the sheets as shoulders block out the light, high-pitched moans spill forth as friction is sought against the thigh to calm the throbbing desirous craving. ‘’Can we, mhm, please sk- skip foreplay? I- I promise to be good.’’

A hand cheekily wanders over the back to grab the behind, coaxing out a cute squeak of surprise. ‘’But I need to be wet, baby. Otherwise, I don’t think I can handle such a big boy.’’

‘’Please,’’ a finger rapidly busies itself in the lingering narrowness between bodies, starting to chip away at the ability to form a coherent inebriated thought about starry eyes looking down in sensual urgency, ‘’please. I’m about to combust.’’

Nails dig into the soft skin of the slim boy’s behind, effectively triggering a loss of grip on reality and a wonderful chorus of panted moans accompanied by hot tears that are to hide in the side of the throat. A gorgeous display which is much to the pleasure of a dreamer reaching too closely for the impossible. ‘’Are you, now?’’

Suddenly, the forming of close circles between the thighs halts to be replaced by a filling sensation. Apparently, fluffy ears are still coherent enough to force hips into motion to chase an overstimulated second high after getting lost in earnest. ‘’I- I’m sorry. I- ah! I cou- couldn’t he- help it.

‘’I keep- keep jerking off to you. A- At school, at home, at work. Fuck!’’ Sandstone strands are thrown back in unadulterated voluminous satisfaction, having found the way to pure sensual euphoria for both lovers. Lashes shut tightly and brows furrowed in concentration to remain able to speak with a fleeting voice, the beautiful lad rests himself on the raised left shoulder. ‘’I- I can’t stop. Ca- can’t stop c- cumming.’’ 

Fluttering hands now also under the influence of the continuous sharp swift advances slide over the heated skin of the back and draw the stepbrother into a tight embrace, one hand holding on to smooth dishevelled locks while the other digs its nails into the shoulder. Regardless of nobody being home, the vulgar secrets want to be kept safe by muffling them and prevent them from being spoken by neck kisses. Nevertheless, some manage to escape the lover’s attempts at silencing oneself and his corrupted mistress. ‘’Y- Your pussy is so, mhm, so creamy. F- Feels good.’’

‘’Make it sloppy, baby.’’ To make up for the painful markings on the shoulder and back, having accidentally drawn a bit of crimson, the thumb caresses the cheek of eyes lost in sheer perverted wonder.

A brief nod is all that can be mustered, the tongue lost in the intoxication of the erotic like the primal nature that has surfaced. Henceforth, no word is spoken in the tail-twisting collision of galaxies, the meeting of panting lips craving fulfilment and the need to be the reason for it.

But everything has a price. 

Tiredness.

Of waiting.

Always waiting.

Waiting to be claimed.

To be wanted. 

And once again the toll of unrequited love is paid despite the slowing of hips spilling confessions in a voluminous affectionate waterfall when the voice has been recovered. ‘’I love you! I am in love with you! I’m yours!’’

A ruin belongs to no one.

Invisible wax wings are melting.

Fading in the illusion of being speechless.

Yet maintaining false hope if only for a few moments longer. 

‘’I’m yours! I want you.’’ Tears of happiness and pleasure streak a wonderfully sweet face believing a lie. ‘’I fucking want you.’’

Holding on to the lie, the possibility of being had.

Of rightfully belonging in the embrace after arms give way when simultaneously stumbling into shared ivory oblivion. Of being able to stay there, chastely talking among the pillows while Mark contently nuzzles the side of the marked neck.

Because the naive comment following the notice of grave concern about discovery has to be correct. There has to be a way that it cannot come true, that we are safe. ‘’They don’t have to know.’’

But, of course, there is no other way nor will there ever be. After all, sins can only be hidden for so long. 

‘’Mark, this has to be a one-time happening.’’ 

At once, the lad rises with reinvigorated strength to add power to a futile argument by showing determined passion. ‘’It doesn’t have to be. I am in love with you and-’’

‘’I love you too, but think about it.’’ Cupping the cheek, logical Reason endeavours to gently destroy the fantasy even the drunken mind was temporarily lost in. ‘’We’re step-siblings, our parents are getting married soon. There’s nothing for us. Nothing but family ties.’’

‘’There is more! As I said, they don’t have to know we’re together as long as we don’t say anything. Let me fuss over you, take care of you.’’ The hush following the chaste kiss that was meant to convince retorts the hopeful expression on the lover’s innocent face, eyes frantically searching for the absent lie in irises knowing better. ‘’Prevent you from self-destruction.’’

‘’I am broken, never been whole. My mind is in fragments, blasted to bits. Unrepairable because the one person who could have been able to fix it shall only destroy it further.’’ The exhaled breath betrays the crumbling of the fanciful attitude denying the truth yet now seeing it once more. Facing it with self-loathing. ‘’You love a ruin.’’

 ‘’I love a beautiful mind, a woman who continues to amaze and awe me on a daily basis. You’re not a ruin, Y/N, and if you are, I’ll build you up again.’’ Riled up by being dismissed, the ivory dot of fluff of a tail twitches excitedly in clear refusal to give up. ‘’I’ll help you renovate yourself and you can teach me in the progress, show me what you were before and aspire to be.’’ 

The quick peck is left in unresponsiveness for hope should no longer be falsely given.

We need to wake up from the dream. 

‘’And I’ll still love you. I love you, every ego, every fibre of your being. I love you.’’

‘’I don’t want you to build me up, transform me into what I once was. Would you even succeed?’’ Melancholically, a headshake denotes the ridiculous ambition. ‘’No, I don’t think so. The past is the past, meant to be forgotten.’’

‘’It’s not! The past holds memories, moments to remember.’’ Long ears lower against the scalp as shoulders start to shudder, speech turning into begging while bursting out in tears. ‘’I want to remember this.’’

Don’t. You’ll only recall the pain.

‘’It doesn’t for me. Not anymore.’’ 

The attempt to get up is met by resistance, pushed down into the pillows at once. Nevertheless, when fingers wrap around the wrist to forcefully albeit harmlessly pin the back to the mattress, they fail in their intentions. Because, when looking up with a similar wanting albeit different in it asking to be set free, it is allowed to slip from the sheets.

‘’Where are you going?’’ Like a defeated soldier in a heavy war, Mark props himself up on an elbow while monitoring every movement from the fool barely daring to establish eye contact as a last act of politeness before leaving.  

‘’I am a ruin, meant to be forgotten. And you, my dear, you are my sweet destruction.’’

The chamber door closes.

Leaving behind yet another ego.

Icarus loved the sun.

And foolishly tried to fly to her to confess never-ending Love. 

He ended up falling when coming too close.

Falling.

Falling.

Fell.

To meet Love’s end.

‘’I’ll remember this. Forevermore.’’

And the lasting torment of Death.

[your-worst-knightmare]

Hoist the Colours

“Yo ho, all together Hoist the colours high. Heave, ho, thieves and beggars Never shall we die.”

The docks were noisy. They always were, during this time of year at least. The clamour of the people coupled with the pounding rain made for a strange melody. Calming, almost, if you were accustomed to it. Fishermen hauled barrels of fish off their boat, proud of their catch for the day. School upon school of fish swam through these waters this season, and with their bounty came people. And so, the docks were noisy. 

Noisy docks meant good business for barkeeps and innkeepers. It also meant good business for thieves and pickpockets, who took advantage of the lackadaisical wealthy who happened to wander too far into the Narrows. But if you had enough sense in your head, you knew better than to wander. Roy liked to think he had sense. His most perilous adventures were the immeasurable stack of dishes in the kitchen. Except for the influx of barfights newcomers brought with them, there was only one thing he had to worry about: Pirates. 

Oh, they were thieves of a higher breed and more ambitious in nature. They also possessed a strange sense of nobility, one that no particular barkeep could classify. Roy could, to an extent at least. But that was only because he had considered himself one in his youth. He had hung up the title long since, now spending his days mopping up spills or refilling some ruffian’s drink. Mundane tasks, but it was honest work at least. Unlike one of his oldest friends, he preferred an honest life to one of trickery and adventure. 

Jay Todd. The Damned Prince. The surname ‘Todd’ never stuck after he joined his first crew and insisted he was nobody. It almost made Roy laugh. Jay and Jay Todd were two different people completely. They did have one obnoxious trait in common though: they were both always ready to go for a round, them against the world. He was a captain now, in charge of a ghost ship, as they called it. A pseudo captain, if you will, because the captain was the only one on the ship. It wasn’t hard to imagine Jay out there, lonely as Lady Lune, with only memories for company.

Despite his conviction of loneliness, Jay always made his adventures seem wonderous. Tales of glory and swashbuckling, tales which seemed too tall to be true. Roy knew there was more to Jay’s life than emprise and endeavour, but he sometimes wondered: was a pirate’s life really all it was cut out to be?

––––––––––––––––

Damn. A pirate’s life was really not all it was cut out to be. Jason had just finished a job for an anonymous employer, and though the pay was good, he could use a break. Perhaps he’d pay Roy a visit. He wouldn’t be noticed much anyway, not with the amount of sailors that passed through that port this time of year. 

Jason set his course north, hoisted the sails and climbed the shroud to watch the endless waves. He made himself comfortable for the journey, an old sea shanty playing on his lips. It was funny, how much he sang to himself now. Roy would tease him endlessly if he found out, Jason could all but hear it right now. “‘Ey, look ‘ere boys, the old bird’s finally singin’ for us!” 

Despite the time that had passed, he still knew exactly where to find Roy. Only the side of town with a raging infamy for brawls of the most dramatic kind would house Roy. It was always wise to enter town with some sort of concealed weapon, but especially when one entered the place Roy called home. It was as if he used his circumstances of living to satisfy his thirst for adventure.

The bar was busy, and so Jason wasn’t noticed when he stepped inside. All the attention the bar could hold was directed on one individual: a woman challenging sailor after sailor to fistfights. She had a captain’s hat on over her russet hair, merely to show her rank. It was braided back on one side of her head, a clever combination of style and practicality. She looked familiar, and Jason kept trying and failing to place her. He would have thought about it all day if Roy hadn’t found him first.

“ Hey, ‘ya  finally come ‘ta visit and ‘ya don’t even stop for a hello.” 

“I came here to find you, ‘ya big crybaby. I’m here now, so stop whining,” Jason said, giving Roy a hearty clap on the back. Roy brought out some food and they sat down, as far as they could from the commotion.

“So, Jaybird, how’s life been treatin’ ‘ya?”

“Not bad. Finished a job in the Southern Isles. Came ‘ere for a little break before my next job.”

Roy slammed his mug on the table wiping his mouth. “Where’s all the charisma gone? The adventure? The next thrilling tale in the saga?”

“Aw, Roy, not every job is exciting. Some o’ them are jes’ messy an’ tiring.”

“‘Ol captain ready to hang up the hat then, eh? Ready to settle down with some nice lady?” Roy raised his eyebrows, mocking. 

“I won’t hang up the hat ‘till I go down to Davy Jones’ locker or Angel comes ‘ta take me. Can’t, rather. My mistress will have to live with it then, won’t she?” 

Roy let out a good-natured snort. “Unless you plan on wooing the Red Amazon herself,” Roy said, gesturing to the red-haired pirate in the middle of the bar, “ you’re goin’ ‘ta spend your days alone, mate.”

“Is that what her name is?”

“Aye. Loud as a pistol and twice as destructive, she is. Had to drag at least five folks out jes’ today.” Jason kept staring, his intent clear in his eyes. “Oh no, you’re not going to. She’s knocked every ol’ seadog here into sharkbait. ‘Ya don’t stand a chance.”

Jason got up, heedless of Roy’s words. The latest challenger stumbled out of the Red Amazon’s reach, yielding before he was hurt too badly. She smoothed her hair, annoyingly, before pausing to look Jason up and down. “Pray, sir, who might you be? Another challenger?” Her accent suggested a respectable upbringing, which caught Jason off guard.

“If ‘ya wish me to be, miss. I ask for a conversation if I do win.”

She thought for a moment, watching him twist a gold ring on his finger. “When you lose, I’d like your ring.” 

He looked down at it. It was an intricate thing, and probably held quite some value. Alas, he could find another ring, not another conversation. “Fine. Draw your cutlass.”

She raised her eyebrows. “A duel? If that’s what you want, then.” She held a hand out, reaching towards thin air. “To me, Mistress.” When called, a huge, polished sword came flying to the Amazon’s hand. A magical item, then. 

Jason drew his own cutlass, quite modest in comparison. The Amazon smirked, a mischievous light burning in her eyes. Green eyes, he realized. Her first strike was so fast that Jason struggled to meet it. The clang of metal against metal echoed in the now quiet bar while the audience held their breath. 

The blows were so rapid that the fight quickly became a show of instinct and muscle memory. Jason was proud to say that he held his own quite well, albeit a nick he had sustained to the arm. She held no wounds, as of yet, but if Jason couldn’t prove his skills, he’d prove his spirit. 

The Amazon deflected Jason’s latest strike onto the ground.” Really, I’d like to know who you are.”

Jason thrust another strike towards her breathlessly. “ The Prince, miss,” he said, stepping back, tipping his head. “ The Damned Prince.”

“Well,” she began, taking the opportunity to disarm Jason of his weapon. It clattered to the ground loudly and he grimaced as she pressed her blade against his throat. “I’ve ne’er seen a prince so ragged as you.”

Discreetly, he unsheathed his concealed knife, pressing it to her side. “Looks aren’t everything, mate,” he smiled. “A draw, then?”

The Amazon bared her teeth, sneering. She sheathed her sword, but not before giving Jason another small taste of its blade. “ A dirty rapscallion, y’ are.” 

He handed her the ring as Roy found seats for them and drove their audience away. “ A good duel, wasn’t it?”

“Tell me what your business is before I find you a dance with Jack Ketch.”

“I heard news that you was lookin’ for a bow. My ol’ employer wanted it too. What’s the fuss wi’ it?”

“It’s a calamitous weapon. Lord knows what would happen if it were taken by th’ wrong buccaneer.” She pushed her chair back, ready to leave. “I’m not looking for any hands. You may go.”

“I know where ‘ta start lookin’.”

She stopped, now interested. “ Pray, then, where?”

He told her what he knew, from the gossip he had heard in the Southern Isles. The journey would be long, but work was what he had come looking for. “All I ask is that I accompany you.”

“Fine. No prey, no pay, Prince. We leave at dawn.”

A share of any loot was fine by him. He’d leave his ship for Roy to take care of until he came back. He just needed to make sure his old employer, whoever he was, didn’t get his hands onto the bow. Jason took off his hat and extended his hand. “Jay Peter Todd.”

The Amazon returned the gesture. “Artemis Grace. Don’t be late.”

 Should I do a part two?? 

[blueishfood]

Wind in our sails (Chapter 2)

Fandom/Ship: Maraudrer era in a Pirates of the Caribbean au! Jily, Dobby x Winky, Alice x Frank,

Summary:

“Lily Evans, a young Lady of El Puerto Del Rey, meets Lucius Malfoy for the first time as she is promised to him. Malfoy is one of the few counts of Slytherin Island, a persuasive and revolting man. Miss Evans sees no way out of the nightmare her parents has landed her in.

That is until the infamous Marauder, a known and feared pirate ship sailed by Captain James Potter, attacks The Serpent on their way to her wedding. Lily sees and escape and grabs on tight.

Set sail with Lily Evans as she joins Captain James Potter and his mates in swashbuckling adventures of romance, mystery and lionhearted bravery.”

Warning(s): Only a little bit of fighting, what is pirate life without it?

Words: 2,4 K

A/N: It has come to my attention that people might actually like this fic! Thank you for that, I will now proceed to post all the chapters I have already posted on my AO3 account plus a new one :)

Chapter 1

Chapter 3

------------------------

Lily was lying on her silk bed when the first servants carried in her suitcases. She tried not to let the tears fall, but couldn't stop them when she thought of her near future. She cried till her head was worn out and her eyes were red and puffy. Sometime in between; Winky came in to her room and tried to speak to her.

"M-miss, i must congratulate you on your engagement,", she flinched as Lily sobbed loudly. "M-Mister M-Malfoy is very rich, he will p-probably give you everything you w-want." Lily tried to sit, but settled for looking up at Winky from where she lay. She tried to force a small smile, but could not manage it.

"I hope you two find real love..." Winky whispered very quietly. Lily couldn't help but break back into tears. She already felt exhausted, but trying to stop herself from crying would drain her of even more energy.

"Oh! I-I am s-so sorry m-miss!" Winky was on the verge of tears; terrified that she had gotten her mistress to cry. She tried rubbing Lily's back carefully, but when the misses flung herself at tiny Winky and hugged her tightly, the maid had no idea what to do. Lily soaked both their dresses in tears, and did not recognize Winky's surprise nor her calming whispers.

"W-will you c-come with me?" Lily asked Winky between tears and hiccups. The maid's big eyes widened and she sat back a bit to see Lily's face.

"Oh miss! I do not know if I am allowed." Lily dried her tears with a fleak of the light pink sheets under her and smiled at her maid.

"If I had you with me, I'm sure this would be much less terrifying, and do call me Lily." Winky smiled back at Lily. She stood up from the bed and nodded.

"I will ask the mistress, L- Lily." Lily laughed, her eyes glimmering.

"Don't be afraid of saying my name! We are friends, are we not?" Winky's smile grew to the size of the moon. She had never had a real friend in El Puerto del Rey before.

"Yes! Of course we are friends!" Winky stuttered, her smile wider than Lily had ever seen it. Lily smiled back and hugged her new friend again.

"And do me a favor and ask dad, not mum?" Lily laughed when Winky nodded fast and hurried out of the room.

When Lily once again was left alone to think; she cried until nightfall, falling into a restless sleep in the bed dampened by her own tragedy.

----------------------

Lily stood on the port, looking at the big ship owned by Malfoy. It was better to have Winky there, she had to admit, but she was still afraid that Malfoy was going to force her to bed her first day on the island. But he could not do that... could he?

Lily was seriously considering to run away then and there, but then Lucius saw her. He looked much older than her, she realized, maybe in his forties. Lily shuddered under his stare.

Lucius was standing on deck, looking down at her and Winky with a smirk. He shot them a wink. Lily ignored him, walking on board with her purse tightly gripped in her cold hands.

Every day from Lily was seven years old until she was twelve, she was on board her father's ships; learning everything, from tying ropes to standing at the wheel. She even learned how to use a sword. Her father believed she could do almost anything a man could do. She was surprised by the mere thought of him marrying her off to a random man. Either way, walking on board the ship, she felt more like herself than any other time during the last week.

Lily and Winky's room was not big. It was slightly crammed and much less exquisite than Lily was used to. Still, it was bigger than most rooms on the ship. It had two beds, one small closet, a window and a water bowl that was hammered to the wall. Lily was admiring the view of the ocean when Winky came down to their room and smiled at her.

"It is going to be okay, miss." Lily nodded and glanced at Winky.

"One would think so," she answered, and looked back out. Winky saw the sore spot and changed the subject. She walked over to Lily and glanced out at the glittering water.

"Do you know where we are going, miss?"

"I do. But I would rather go with a pirate than going where we are headed." Lily sighed and were not even amused when Winky staggered backwards. She had not thought of how her friend would react to the word pirate, not many dared say that word.

"I know where it is, yes.", Lily muttered, slowly sitting down on the bed. "He is a cruel man, he lives on an cruel island. We are sailing towards Slytherin island." Winky gasped.

She had heard of Slytherin island, everybody had. It was an island where even the noblest of women drank, and they served the most vile of kings; King Voldemort. They said that he was a king, but everybody knew he was a pirate.

There were good and bad pirates, Winky knew because she had worked on one of the better pirate ships once. King Voldemort was the worst pirate known to man, and Slytherin island was the worst pirate port.

---------------------

After three days on board the ship; Lily was going mad. She could not hide anywhere! Every time she wanted to be alone, Malfoy would come and talk to her to get to know her better. Yeah, right, Lily thought, more like getting to know the underside of her skirt better.

The only way Lily could get away from Malfoy was by talking to the crew, or standing in the birds nest because he was afraid of heights. Lady Lily would stay up there for hours, waiting for the sun to go down and for Malfoy to retreat to his cabin. There was not much to entertain her in the birds nest except from the occasional sailor on duty. Lily often busied herself by singing a song she had heard on a pub she had visited with her father once. He realized his mistake when Vivida attacked him with her sandal the morning after, but Lily had still gotten to experience life outside her boring mansion.

"We're rascals, scoundrels, villains, and knaves Drink up me hearties, yo ho", Lily sang, giggling to herself quietly.

"We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs Drink up me hearties, yo ho Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. "

"Is bad luck singin' 'bout pirates." Lily pushed herself from the railing she had been standing on and looked at the man who talked to her. She had been able to retire back to the main deck after seeing Malfoy return to his quarters. She had figured she would be almost alone at this hour of the evening, but Lily had not been able to sense the man that was now standing before her.

He had a big crooked nose and long black hair, but that was not the most attention seeking detail about the man. He had lost one leg and an eye, in addition to the scars on his face. In short, the man looked like he had been in a sword-fight against ten people, and lost. He was Lily's imagination come to life. The picture perfect idea of an old pirate.

"They sail these waters, all of em. You wouldn't want him comin' after us, now would ye?" Lily shook her head fast, even though she did not know who he spoke of.

"Alastor Moody, pleasure to meet your acquaintance, miss." The man took her hand and shook it firmly.

"Lily Evans.", Lily said, and pulled her hand back to her side. Alastor grinned slightly and asked her if she still held on to her old name.

"I am an Evans until I officially marry Malfoy." She stated stubbornly. Looking back to the ocean bathing in sun, she sighed.

"Not a happy arrangement I wager?" He placed his arms on the railing beside her.

"Not my arrangement.", Lily countered, without taking her eyes off the waves.

Alastor would have given a witty reply as always, had it not been for the fact that he was no longer focused on the miss. He saw a ship in the horizon.

It was not big enough for the normal eye to see, but his eye had been trained for a long time, so he saw it. The Marauder. Filled with the phoenix order; he guessed. The best fighters in the known world, and pirates without qualms of killing. Moody already hated the captain of Serpent's Head, and the crew were terrible fighters. The Marauder would win easily.

But, hey, it would be fun to look at, and Moody would have a front row seat.

"Should we call for the captain?" Lily watched the ship with a careful eye. 'She has good eyes.' Moody thought.

With enough of a warning, the Serpent's Head might be able to out run the Marauder. Moody glanced at Lily, and realized she didn't seem more in favor of Malfoy winning than Moody was.

"Rather not..." he answered after a while. Lily lifted an eyebrow, but didn't call  down to any of the crew.

"I've always been Cap'n of this ship.", Moody explained, "I won't give that title away to some city kid with money." Lily's eyes widened, but she nodded and Moody thanked some foreign sea goddess he wouldn't have to knock her out. He rather liked this girl.

"That title is supposed to be earned.", Lily agreed, and turned back to look at the ever closing ship.

"They have hoisted their colors. It's a pirate ship.", she stated, seemingly not concerned of the fact. Moody nodded.

"Good eye.", he muttered. Glancing down to see if anyone had noticed the threat except from them. A few minutes passed, and now the ship was a threatening shadow on the horizon. A few of the men had picked up on the fact, but they all saw Malfoy and decided not to do anything about it.

"I'll wager they will be able to reach us no matter what now, don't you?" Moody pulled out his telescope and measured the speed of the Marauder. Finally he nodded his yes to the woman beside her.

"I won't bet against you, miss.", he said, as he headed for the quarterdeck. "Better lock up safe and sound, Evans. This is looking to be one hell of a fight." Lily saluted the former Captain with two fingers, and laughed as she heard his commandos echo behind her retreating form.

"Constant vigilance, men! N' give me that bottle o' rum, I'm going to need it."

"Winky!" Lily shouted for her maid as she ran down the slippery hallway. She felt her heart pound in her ears like the boots on the deck above her. She heard shouting and stepped out of the way as five armed soldiers marched past her on their way to the battle. The Marauder had yet to reach them as Lily did not hear any canons, but she figured she did not have much time.

"Winky!", Lily shouted again, more desperate this time than the last.

"Miss?" Lily did not have time to correct her on using her name, she just took Winky's elbow and dragged her towards Timmy's cabin.

Timmy was one of the crew members she had gotten to know better. There were many members, and Lily was certain she had yet to talk to all of them, that was why she figured her plan would work.

"What are we doing here, Miss?", Winky asked, hesitating before stepping into the cabin. Timmy was about 16, he was the youngest worker and therefore had the clothes that would fit Lily the most. He wouldn't be mad if she borrowed some clothes of him, would he? Probably not.

"Lily, what a-are you doing?" Lily sighed, did Winky really not understand?

"Borrowing some clothes from Timmy. Take these on." Lily said, throwing some black breeches and a plain white shirt at Winky. Then she threw on some for herself and sat course for the weapon storage.

"Miss? Why are we doing this?" Winky asked as she tied a belt around her waist and tried to keep up with her Lady.

"Because I want to fight and because we do not want to be kidnapped by pirates." Winky's eyes got big as plates. Thankfully she understood the situation and nodded.

"Right," she muttered, and looked at the closed door in front of them, "armory." Lily tried to open the door, but it was firmly shut. "Damn it," she growled, and tried smashing her shoulder to the piece of wood. Lily found out she did not weigh nearly enough.

Winky shoved her away rather forcefully, and picked a few needles out of her up-do. Lily watched Winky work with a surprised look on her face, but didn't ask. She knew Winky's earlier occupations had been less than honorable.

When Winky opened the door, Lily grabbed the first two swords she saw. She threw one of them to Winky who caught it with ease. Lily stopped only for a millisecond to allow a fraction of a frown to form on her face. She knew that all the workers in her dad's house were trained for emergencies, but she did not know that they were this good.

The two girls nodded to each other and with an excited smile, Lily sprinted up on deck. Winky f on followed on her heals. Cannon shots could be heard over their heads just before they arrived at the scene. Lily felt the ship rock from the force and she could only separate a single shout from the mayhem.

"Board the ship!"

When Lily finally stepped outside, the first thing she layed eyes on were the dead bodies sprawled around. The nauseating sight made her want to puke. Was it really smart to fight grown men? Lily knew she was good, but out here it was life or death. If she lost, she would not get a new chance like she did when she trained with her dad.

Lily snapped back to the reality when Winky elbowed her in the side. Her eyes calmed Lily. She knew then, Winky would be by her side.

Lily for a second wondered what was wrong with her. She knew how to fight, and fear had never stopped her before. She straightened her back and charged into battle. She picked up the hat of one of the few fallen pirates and put it on her own head. Pushing it down to hide her face, she smirked and drew her sword; "Let's fight."

[paigenotblank]

The Woman in the Fireplace

Pairing: Ten x Rose

Rating: General Audience

Tagging: @doctorroseprompts for a few prompt fills including angst and GitF fix-it from a while ago.

AO3  TSP

Pushing buttons and spinning knobs, the Doctor twirled around the console as he brought the TARDIS into the vortex. He glanced at Rose who had her arms crossed and her lips pressed tightly together.

She wouldn’t look at him.

“Can you show Reinette where the bedrooms are?”

Rose’s jaw dropped and if looks could kill he rather thought he’d be in the midst of a regeneration.

He snapped his eyes to Mickey and grinned. “Mickey? Once she’s settled we’ll go somewhere brilliant.”

“What? Me?” Mickey’s gaze slid to Rose. “Oh, erm, sure, Boss.” He gestured for Reinette to follow him.

She cleared her throat and dropped a meaningful glance at her bag.

Mickey rolled his eyes, but leaned over and picked up her things. “This way.”

The tapping of Reinette’s shoes on the grating couldn’t drown out the beginnings of the row starting in the control room.

“What? Why’re you looking at me like that?”

“Seriously? Not even an inkling, Doctor?”

“Just say what’s bothering you.”

“I thought I...I thought this was my home too.”

“What? Of course, it…”

Mickey sighed and walked Reinette farther into the ship. After a few twists and turns Mickey arrived a series of doors. “Guest rooms, pick the one you like best.”

“And which of these is the Doctor’s room?”

“The Doctor’s room?”

“My suite should be near his in case he has need of my service.”

“Erm, I don’t know where the Doctor’s room is, not even sure he has one. Rose’d probably know.”

Reinette tapped her chin. “Well, I normally prefer my privacy, but I suppose he could visit me in my room. Is that his arrangement with Rose?”

Mickey stammered. “I don’t...that’s...uh, I don’t know!”

“Very well, I’ll ask her later. It’s always better for everyone when the mistress and the advisor are on harmonious terms.”

“Erm. Just pick a room, then I’ll show you how to get back to the Doctor.”

--

The Doctor strode out of the TARDIS and turned back toward the door with a smile. He held out his hand and waited for daintily placed fingers to grasp his own. He steadied Reinette as she stepped through the TARDIS door and down onto alien terra firma for the first time. She stopped short and gasped at the light lavender sky, hands fluttering to her chest. Rose sighed and brushed passed the elegantly dressed Frenchwoman. Mickey followed quickly behind her.

The Doctor rocked back on his heels. “Welcome to Lupacund. Home of the Seven Waterfalls of Splendor. Each fall contains a different colored phosphorescent bacteria that creates a rainbow when they mix in the plunge pool.”

“Oh, but that sounds exquisite!”

The Doctor offered Reinette his arm, and with a smile she placed her hand at the crook of his elbow. Rose’s eyes narrowed at Reinette moving as close to the Doctor’s side as she could given her full skirts as they headed down the narrow path. Aware of Mickey’s smirk, Rose squared her shoulders and stalked after the Doctor and Reinette.

“Oh, ho.”

Rose glared at her friend who was biting his lip in glee. “Don’t say it, Micks. If you want to live, don't say it.”

“Who me? I ain't sayin’ nuffin’ ‘cept maybe, ‘I told ya so.’”

“Mickey!” Rose punched his arm.

“Nah, Rose. You need to hear it. He's a bloke like the rest of it. No better, even though he likes to act all smug and superior. Moved his mistress in right under your nose. You don’t deserve that, do ya?”

Rose pushed past Mickey with her head down and moved further down the path ahead of the Doctor and the Frenchwoman.

Mickey tried to catch up to Rose, but she just moved quicker.

“Babes! Come on! Don't be like that.”

Reinette turned to the Doctor. “Lover’s quarrel? I thought-”

“”What? No! They’re not...no!”

Her eyes darted between the two other humans. “Hmm.”

“What’s that mean? What ‘hmm?’”

Reinette watched as Mickey chased after Rose. “I’d wager he was once and that he’d like to be again.”

The Doctor’s voice squeaked, “No...just no. He...she…” He sighed. “I don’t know.”

Reinette slowed and studied the Doctor. “You’re jealous.”

“I most certainly am not.”

She patted the Doctor’s arm. “It’s okay, he may wish to be her lover, but I’ve seen the way she looks at you. You have nothing to worry about.”

“She doesn’t...I...we’re not like that.”

“She’s not your mistress?”

“What? No! She’s not interested in me like that.”

Reinette threw back her head with laughter. When she had quite recovered herself, she glanced slyly at the Time Lord. “Doctor, I’m the French Court’s foremost expert on matters of the heart. I, Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, a woman of humble birth, secured for myself a marquessate and the most honored position as lady-in-waiting to my Queen. And if that wasn’t enough, I also hold the ear and the heart of the most powerful man in France. I accomplished all of that by using my faculty in reading others. I think I know of what I speak.”

“But I...that’s...that’s the French Court. Rose is different. She’s...she’s not for me.” He glanced longingly up the path. “She deserves better.”

Reinette once again placed her fingers upon the Doctor’s arm as they continued onward. “People are people, whether they’re at Court or the streets of Paris or traveling the stars in a little blue box. If you desire her, then I will help you get her between your sheets.”

“What? I don’t...I mean...but...why?” The Doctor tilted his head and wrinkled his forehead. “Why would you help me? I thought you fancied me with the way you kissed me earlier.”

Reinette looked at the Doctor in confusion. “Kissed you?” Her eyes widened. “Oh my! Doctor, that was more than 20 years ago. I was 16 and feeling my oats. Presented with the hero of my childhood, well, I couldn’t help myself. Granted you’re still a handsome and powerful man, but those days are behind me. I have not put the cutlery away for anyone in quite some time.”

“Huh?”

“Sex. I thought you knew that? I stopped actively being the king’s mistress nearly a decade ago, though I still retain the title of maîtresse-en-titre. My health is simply not up to it, and Louis accepts that I find other women for him to share his bed with. At one time I made a very good, some might say, ‘excellent,’ bed partner, but these days I make an even better friend and advisor.”

“Ah. Erm, I’m sorry?”

“Sorry?” She rolled her eyes and huffed. “What a typical masculine response. What is there to be sorry for? I have a life many desire and it is of my own making. I am highly sought after for my guidance and valued for my cleverness. How many women can say that? No, I’m very happy to be where I am.”

“Right. Sorry.” He quickened his pace. “Come along, the falls are just ahead.”

--

Rose leaned over the railing and watched the different colors coalesce in the plunge pool. It was one of the most beautiful sights she’d ever seen, but she couldn’t enjoy it. Her mind was racing with thoughts of the woman who had captured the Doctor’s complete attention. Each astute observation, each brief touch on the arm, each tinkling laugh drew the Doctor’s eyes and fascination. Rose felt as though she was being swept away by the tide, moving further and further from the Doctor with no hope of ever surmounting the ground that was lost.

Reinette was one of the most accomplished women in history and what chance did Rose have in competing with that? It didn’t help that she was also brilliant and beautiful. She looked at the older woman, dressed in the most extravagant dress Rose had ever seen - all shimmering gold silk, edged in lace, and dripping with pearls. It even had a row of bows that ran from chest to waist, each dotted with tiny diamonds. It truly was a gown fit for a queen, uncrowned or not.

Rose looked down at her ratty trainers and hated herself just a bit for feeling bad about them. She squared her shoulders. She was Rose Tyler, best friend of the last Time Lord, and fine...he might never love her the same way she loved him, but at least if they had to run for their lives, she knew she’d be able to make it back to the TARDIS in one piece.

“Well?”

Rose was startled out of her musings by the Doctor’s question. She hadn’t even heard him approach and caught sight of Reinette speaking with Mickey out of the corner of her eye. “Sorry? What?”

The Doctor leaned back against the barrier and swept his arm toward the waterfall with a smug grin. “What do you think? Impressive, yeah? A great first trip for Reinette.”

“Yeah.” Rose tried to plaster a smile onto her lips, though she wasn’t sure how successful she was if the Doctor’s confused frown was anything to go by.

She pushed passed him and headed for the trail that would take her down the hill and away from the suffocating sorrow that threatened to overwhelm her.

“Rose?”

She ignored his question and ran until her lungs burned.

--

Twenty minutes later, Rose heard a rustling and jumped up from her seat at the base of a large tree. She brushed the dirt from her trousers and stood expecting to see the trio she’d left behind. It was a few minutes later before they came bursting, laughing and smiling, into the clearing to where Rose waited. When they noticed her standing quietly, their laughter died down.

Rose’s face burned in mortification and her gaze dropped to the ground. “Hey.”

“Rose, is everything-”

“Yeah, it’s fine. Sorry, can we not talk about-”

Reinette screamed as a group of native Lupacundiens burst from the brush and surrounded her and Mickey with spears. The wolf-like humanoids stood upright and wore loincloths, but were covered head to toe with fur.

The Doctor tensed, his eyes darting between Rose and Reinette.

The largest of the Lupacundiens lifted the bottom edge of Reinette’s gown with his spear. “You’ve enough wealth here to feed our pack for years. Give it over or come with us.”

“Oi! Didn’t anyone ever teach you it’s rude to take what don’t belong to ya?”

All eyes turned to Rose at her outburst. When the members of the pack took notice of her, their eyes widened and they sniffed the air. Several of them stepped back and away from her, while others dropped to their knees.

The Doctor used their distraction to siddle closer to Reinette. His movements didn’t go completely unnoticed and the leader dragged his eyes away from Rose to pin the Doctor in place. He lifted his spear toward the Doctor’s throat, and Rose, brave and impulsive, pushed the Doctor back as she jumped in front of him. The spear’s tip punctured her shoulder, before the Lupacundien could draw it back. She looked down at the tiny bead of blood in shock. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she collapsed in a heap on the ground.

Everyone froze.

“Rose!” Mickey was the first to rush to Rose’s side.

The Doctor’s eyes filled with rage and gave everyone a glimpse of the oncoming storm. “She’s not the sort to faint at the sight of blood. What did you do to her?”

The leader of the pack stepped back and away, shaking his head. “Nothing!”

“You must’ve done something!”

“We rub the tips of our weapons with lybb, but it’s harmless. Just meant to bring luck to the tribe on our hunting trips.”

“Lybb? What’s that?”

He pointed to the plant that was scattered in abundance around the forest.

The Doctor plucked one from the vine and smelled it before touching it to his tongue. He mentally broke down the leaf’s chemical composition. “Barconitine. It’s poisonous to humans. If anything happens to her-” He took a step forward.

“Doctor!” Mickey sat cradling Rose’s head as she started convulsing.

The Doctor leaned down and felt for her pulse - it was beating erratically under his fingers.

The natives fled the moment he turned his back.

The Time Lord scooped her up into his arms and ran full tilt toward the TARDIS.

--

The Doctor had stopped the bleeding and healed the small puncture left behind by the spear tip. All he needed to do now was keep Rose hydrated and alive until he could find an antidote to the poison currently coursing through her system. The Doctor moved around the med bay looking for anything that would neutralize the effects of the barconitine.

He ran across the room to the long row of cabinets and, flinging open the doors, he pulled out row upon row of chemicals.

His eyes darted over all glass phials lined up on the counter. He ran his hands through his hair and spun around in a circle. “Where is it? Where is it? Where is it!”

The TARDIS monitor began blinking with a photo of plant found native to this world.

“Hey, Boss?”

“Mickey! I need to go back into the forest and look for that plant.” He pointed at the screen. “It should save Rose.”

The younger man warily eyed his listless friend. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea-”

He boggled. “Saving Rose?”

“Oi! That ain’t what I mean. It’s just...what if something happens while you’re gone? I don’t know how to use any of your fancy equipment in here. Let me go look for the plant, so you can watch after Rose.”

The Doctor scoffed. “I have an eidetic memory. How will you find the right one?”

Mickey crossed his arms and glared at the other man. “Fancy time and space ship an’ you’re tellin’ me this thing doesn’t have a printer?”

The lights flickered at the insult.

“Right! Fine! But you’ve gotta hurry. It’s a...a miracle she’s still alive as it is. The longer it’s in her system, the- Just hurry.”

“You got it.”

The Doctor dashed to the monitor, his fingers flying over the keyboard. In no time at all, a photo of the plant he needed Mickey to find was printing out. He pressed it into the other man’s chest. “Go. Please, and-”

“Hurry. I know. She’s my best mate. I won’t let ‘er down.”

The Doctor decided to use the time he had waiting to put together the rest of the serum. With one last glance at Rose, he moved to his work space and began mixing ingredients.

--

“Mickey.”

He turned at the sound of his name. Reinette stood from her place on the jumpseat. “Sorry, Can’t talk. I gotta go find this plant for the Doctor.”

“Let me come with you.”

“It’s not safe. You saw what happened to Rose.”

“She saved my life. Let me help save hers.” With Mickey prevaricating, she pushed the point. “It’ll be faster with us both looking.”

His shoulders drooped and he nodded. “Yeah, alright, fine. But you listen to me. If I say ‘run,’ you run.”

“Very well.” Reinette held out her hand to Mickey and he looked at it for a moment before shaking it.

Reinette tilted her head at the motion and when he released her hand she placed it on the crook of his arm.

The two made their way through the forest keeping their eyes open for the miracle plant.

They’d reached a clearing and the both of them were on their knees searching through the brush. A rustling noise had Mickey jumping to his feet and stepping in front of the Frenchwoman.

A little grey-furred, stoop-shouldered woman walked into the glade and stopped short at the sight of the two off worlders.

Reinette calmly got to her feet and curtsied to the elder. “Madame, our friend is in trouble and we desperately need to find this herb.” She grabbed the picture from Mickey and took a step toward the older woman.”Might you know wh-” Mickey grasped her upper arm, halting her. “Please, remove your hand from my person.”

“We don’t know if she’s dangerous.”

Reinette shook Mickey off of her arm and continued to the other woman’s side. “Forgive him. Our friend was attacked and he’s a little on guard.”

“Oi! What did I say about listening to me? This is me sayin’ ‘run.’”

The wolf woman turned her cloudy-blue eyes on the golden-haired foreigner. “You are friends of the Lupa-Ca?”

“Lupa-Ca? I don’t...I don’t know what that is. Mickey?”

He shook his head.

“Lupa-Ca is one touched by the Blessed Wolf Mother. Your friend has something of the wolf about her.”

A shiver ran through both Reinette and Mickey at the words.

“That’s real nice an’ all, but our friend, Rose, is lyin’ dyin’ on a metal table, unless we can find this plant.”

“Please, madame, is there anything you can do to help us? I can pay.” Reinette ran her hand over the bodice of her dress. “This gown is worth a king’s ransom. It’s what the pack was after when Rose was hurt. I’d gladly give it to you for your aid.”

The wolf’s eyes glinted. “I will help you, but only for the Lupa’s favor. The gown however you can give to the tribe for safe passage during your stay. Come along.”

The old woman began shuffling along a path headed further away from the TARDIS.

“Eh, grandma. Where’re you takin’ us?”

Reinette elbowed Mickey in the ribs and glared at him.

“I have what you seek in my home. We must go to the village. The Golden One can negotiate your safety with the pack leader.”

“We don’t have much time.”

“Then you’d best stop wasting it, eh? Either you come or you continue looking on your own. But I will tell you that plant only grows on one tiny patch of land sacred to our Goddess. It is land protected by the pack. I wish you the best of luck in acquiring it.”

Reinette hissed under her breath, “Mickey, apologize.”

The old woman’s ears twitched and she smirked.

Mickey flushed and mumbled. “Sorry. Lead the way.”

--

The Doctor jumped to his feet as every alarm in the medbay began screaming. He dashed to check Rose’s vitals on the monitor. Her heart rate and blood pressure were plummeting. He gazed frantically around the room eyes searching out something, anything, he could use to save her.

Her tugged at his hair. “Stupid, stupid, Doctor!”

He ran to the cupboard where he’d last seen a 31st century defibrillator and started digging through it.

While the Doctor’s back was turned, Rose back arched and a soft golden light began shimmering along her skin. Her mouth opened and with a gasp, glittering particles were expressed into the air and absorbed by the coral struts along the perimeter of the room.

She inhaled and crumpled back onto the table.

The sudden quiet of the alarms had the Doctor panicking.

He spun back around, the device clutched to his chest.

After sprinting back to Rose, he glanced at the monitor. “Please, please, please.” He held his breath as he pressed the device against her heart and shocked her.

The quiet of the medbay suddenly broke with a soft “beep beep” from the monitor. He collapsed onto his chair next to Rose.

He reached his shaking hand out and grasped hers. He brought it to his chest and tried to gain control of his breathing.

“Don’t you ever scare me like that again. Do you hear me, Rose? Never again. I don’t know what I’d do if-”

He kissed her fingers and clenched his eyes closed.

--

The tiny old woman was digging through a trunk in her sitting room, while Mickey was sprawled in a chair and tapping his fingers on the table top. Reinette stood dressed only in her undergarments with her head held high and the poise that one would expect of the Uncrowned Queen of France.

“Ah ha!” The old woman held up a small, blue bottle in triumph.

Mickey jumped out of his seat. “You found it?”

“Yes. We can get back to your friend now.”

“Finally!” Mickey headed for the door and held it open while waiting for the two women. He shifted impatiently.

--

“Mickey! You took your bloody time.”

The Doctor was dragging Mickey into the medbay before he’d even finished opening the door. He stopped short at the sight of the native woman and spared a quick glance for Reinette. If he thought it odd that she was wearing only her chemise, underskirts, corset, and panniers, he didn’t comment on it.

“Oi. It wasn’t as easy to find at you thought it was.” He gestured to the older woman. “Needed some help, but we’ve got it.”

The old woman handed the Doctor the glass bottle. “A tincture made from chur leaf.”

“Ah, thank you.” He took the bottle from her and tilted his head. “And, erm, you are?”

“Graillen. The village healer.”

“Brilliant! Thank you.”

The Doctor jumped into action and added the chur extract to the potion he had started earlier.

Graillen walked over and sniffed at the liquid. “You need more thralp oil.”

“I did the calculations myself.”

The old woman crossed her arms. “You need more thralp oil.”

The Doctor dipped a finger in solution and placed a drop on his tongue. He smacked it against the roof of his mouth and closed his eyes. His tongue darted out and licked his upper lip. His eyes shot open and he reached for a phial. He added three more drops of the liquid.

Graillen sniffed again and nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Now it’s perfect.” The healer walked over to where Rose was lying - pale and still. She pressed her paws to her chest and closed her eyes.

“Oi! Don’t touch her.”

The old woman ignored him and instead lifted her head toward the ceiling with a howl. Graillen took a few steps back before turning toward the Doctor. “Give the Lupa-Ca five drops under the tongue - morning and night - and she will be fine within the next several lunar cycles.”

“How could you possibly-”

“The Great Goddess decrees it so. Your mate doesn’t need the potion to live, but it will speed the awakening.”

“I- What? Awakening? What do you mean she doesn’t-”

“Do it now before I leave, so I can make sure you do it properly.”

“I’ll have you know-”

Graillen’s eyes narrowed to slits and she growled low in her throat.

The Doctor huffed, but walked over to Rose’s supine form. His expression softened as he glided his fingers over the smooth skin of her jaw. He gently cradled the back of her head and exerted the slightest pressure on the back of her neck to tilt her head backward. Using his free hand, he opened her mouth and ran his thumb along the fullness of her lower lip. He reached for the glass dropper and counted out each drop as they fell into the cavity under her tongue. With one last caress, he slowly withdrew his hand from under her head and made sure she was settled comfortably on the small pillow. He pressed his lips to her forehead, before turning to face the others in the room.

“Happy?”

The old woman smirked. “I’ll be back tomorrow to check on her and make sure you are taking proper care of her.”

“Hmpf!”

Her chuckle followed her out of the medbay door.

The Doctor gestured for Mickey to follow her. He nodded and sensing the Doctor’s mood tried to get Reinette to go with him. She shook her head and stepped closer to the Doctor. He grumbled under his breath, but left them alone to chase after Graillen.

The Doctor sighed and dropped into the chair next to Rose. “Can I help you, Reinette?” He watched as the other woman examined Rose. “Were you wearing that earlier?”

The Frenchwoman looked down at her undergarments and then back at the Doctor. “You really are alien aren’t you?”

“To me you’re the alien.”

She rolled her eyes. “At one time, I was the most desirable woman in France, but you didn’t even notice that I’ve been standing around in my undergarments.”

“Oh. And why’s that?”

“I gave my gown to the villagers so that Mickey and I could move freely while we were out looking for the chur leaf.”

The Doctor raised his eyes in surprise. “Thank you. For doing that for Mickey...and Rose.”

Reinette bit her lip. “Tell me about her...your Rose. If I’m to help you, I’d like to know a little about her. I can tell she’s courageous with the way she stood up to the warriors, but tell me of the woman...the woman who was able to win a Time Lord’s heart.”

“She didn’t-”

Reinette tilted her head and waited.

The Doctor sighed. “Hearts.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve two hearts. And they’re both hers. I haven’t- We’ve always denied- She doesn’t even know.”

Her lips quirked. “That you have two?”

He huffed out a little laugh. “No, she knows that. She knows more about me than anyone else when it comes to things like that.”

“They why do you assume she doesn’t know you love her?”

“I’m not the easiest person to… I’ve never told her.”

“Doctor, the language of love is not confined to spoken words.”

The Doctor pondered Reinette’s statement and startled when she clapped her hands together.

“Now, tell me about her.”

“Rose. She’s my...my Rose.” His lips spread into a small smile. “Met her by accident. Was a different man back then, broken by a war that had gone on far too long. She changed me, made me better.”

The Doctor pulled up a chair for Reinette, and he spent the rest of the afternoon telling her of their adventures together all while holding Rose’s hand.

--

A few mornings later when Graillen was making her daily visit, Mickey escorted her into the medbay, while Reinette, hands on hips, argued with the Doctor. He sat next to the bed that had been moved into the medbay to make Rose more comfortable and gripped her hand like a lifeline.

“You need to eat something.” She gestured at the untouched tea tray on the counter. “Have you slept or even left this room in days? You can’t keep this up!”

He stuck his lip out in a pout. “Time Lord. Don’t need to sleep all the time like you apes. And I’ll eat when I’m hungry.”

The healer cleared her throat and when all eyes where on her, she made her way over to Rose. She checked Rose’s breathing and eyes, before sniffing along her body. She nodded at the Doctor. “She’s progressing nicely. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

She slipped from the room and Mickey started to follow her, but ducked his head back into the room.

“Hey, Boss.”

“Not you too, Mickey.”

“Nah. I don’t much care what you do. It’s just I was thinkin.’ What would Rose say if she could see you right now? My bet is that she wouldn’t be too happy that your not taking care of yourself.” He shrugged and left to walk Graillen out.

The Doctor squeezed Rose’s hand before releasing it and pushing to his feet. He quietly made his way over to the tray Reinette had prepared for him and spread jam over the cold toast. He shoved it into his mouth and washed it down with cold tea. He shuddered at the slightly bitter taste. Without turning around, he addressed Reinette. “I still don’t need sleep.”

She threw her hands up in the air and stormed out of the room.

--

Mickey snorted at the picture the Doctor made - seated in his chair, hair mussed, mouth ajar and drooling, his head pressed into the curve of Rose’s waist, clutching her hand, and sound asleep. He stepped aside, to allow the old woman entry into the medbay, and softly told her, “I’ll wait for you in the control room.”

She nodded and quietly made her way to Rose’s side. As the old woman began her examination, Rose’s eyes fluttered opened. She squeaked when she noticed the healer standing over her.

The old woman raised her paws and was quick to introduce herself. “Do not be frightened, Lupa-Ca. I am Graillen, the village healer. You had a bad reaction to one of our plants and have been in a healing coma for days.”

“A healing coma? I thought only Time Lords did that?” Rose glanced down at the pressure against her waist and a smile tugged her lips upward.

“Your mate created a potion to help your body work the toxin out faster.”

Rose ran her fingers through the Doctor’s hair. He hummed and pushed his head closer to her body.

The old woman smiled. “He hasn’t left your side once since I’ve been coming. It is unusual to see such devotion in a husband amongst my people. You are a very lucky woman.”

“Oh, he’s not my husband.”

“Consort then. The point still stands.”

Rose shook her head.

Graillen walked toward the exit. “I’ll let your friends know you’ve woken. Rest for the remainder of the day and I’ll check in with you one last time before you leave.”

“Thank you for your help. I’ll make sure we don’t leave until I’ve had a chance to say goodbye.”

The older woman bowed her head and then slipped from the room.

Rose reached down and gently shook the Doctor’s shoulder. “Doctor.”

His eyes sprung open and he sat up abruptly. His eyes scanned the room until they fell on her.

“Rose!”

He lurched from his chair and embraced her in a hug so tight, she groaned.

“Sorry!” He released her immediately and sunk into his seat.

“‘S okay.”

“How do you feel?”

“Tired. A bit confused. Graillen, a sort of humany wolf, just left. Said she was a healer?”

He entwined their fingers and nodded. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

She stared down at their hands and her brow furrowed. “Hmm. Mickey called about some weird goings on at a school.” Her eyes light up as they met his. “Oh, and we ran into your old friend, Sarah Jane.” She looked down again. “Then Mickey came with us afterwards. Erm, we landed on an abandoned ship and met…” She pulled away from him and placed her hands in her lap. “We met Madame de Pompadour.”

The Doctor’s hearts were breaking at the loss of her hand in his. “Rose.”

“You invited her on a trip. An’ we ended up on a planet with this, er, waterfall? A waterfall that looked kinda like a rainbow?”

“Lupacund. That’s where we are right now. We were, uh, attacked. You jumped in front of me. Why would you do that?”

She started picking at her nails. “I...I don’t know. I just wanted you safe.”

“Rose, I can regenerate. You can’t. What if you’d…” He couldn’t even say the word.

Teary eyed she met his gaze. “Not much of a loss, yeah? You’ve got-”

“What?!” She sniffed back tears she refused to let fall. “You don’t really think that. Do you?” At her continued silence, he gaped. “You...I...I can’t lose you. You, Rose, you’re important to me.”

She choked out, “You’d manage. 900 years of experience. You don’t need me.”

“I always need you.”

“You...you have Reinette now. She...she’s a better fit for you, yeah?”

“How can you say that?”

“I’m not stupid. I can see the writing on the wall.”

“I know you’re not stupid, but I don’t know what you’re talking about? What’s Reinette got to do with you and me?”

“She’s brilliant, beautiful, and accomplished. She’ll probably be the best traveling companion you’ve ever had.”

“But Rose, you’re all of those things, too. And she could never be the best companion I’ve ever had.” Rose looked up at him. “Because you are. Well...” He nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

“What?”

“Erm, you’re more than just a companion to me.”

“Really?”

He gave her a lopsided smile. “Yeah.”

Rose started crying and the Doctor jumped up to embrace her. “I thought you wanted me gone an’ that you regretted telling me I could stay as long as I wanted an’ that she was going to replace me.”

“Never. I told you, you can stay with me forever and I meant it.” He buried his face against the crook of her neck. “My Rose.” He held as tightly as he dared. “She reminded me of you, and I hoped you’d see how amazing it is to share that with others. You brought me back to life with your awe whenever we go somewhere new and I wanted you to be on the other side of that. But it was just a one off! Just one trip.”

“You should have said.” Rose sighed, her warm breath tickling his ear. “Don’t see how I might get the wrong idea? Especially since you asked Mickey along, then Reinette, and I don’t know, I felt like everything was different. You were…different.”

“I…” The Doctor took a moment to try and see how the last week would seem from her perspective. His stomach sank when a little voice whispered in his mind that he knew he intentionally pushed her away. Because he was scared. Scared of his feelings for her, scared of her feelings for him, scared of the thought of losing her, scared of her finding out how how unworthy he is and leaving him. Of course, she would see right through him. He clung to her tighter. “Oh, Rose. I’m so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you, but then I did. I don’t deserve you.”

“Doctor you’ve gotta stop with that. Especially since it makes you do stupid things.” She pulled back from their embrace, but left her hands on his upper arms. “And if you want me to stay, really want me to stay with you, then you need to treat me like I live here too.”

He blinked in confusion. “But you do live here.”

“No, I mean, you can’t just be inviting people along whenever you feel like it.”

“But I let you bring Adam and Jack.”

“I asked you if they could come, I didn’t just invite them. I would never do that to you. You might not have been happy about it at first and, yeah, Adam turned out to be a plonker, but it was ultimately your decision to have them along.”

The Doctor snorted. “Well, it is my ship.”

Rose began chewing on her thumbnail. “I know, I do. And I’m not trying to change that. It’s just...is the TARDIS my home or am I just a guest here? When Mickey asked to come along, I know he kinda put us on the spot, and I know I said it was okay, but you didn’t even ask with Reinette. You just brought her back with you, an’ I felt like...like you took away my home. My security. Is this just a place where I’m allowed to sleep until I die or is this my home where I live?”

“Rose!”

“We both know how this is gonna end. You said it yourself outside the chippy the other night. Humans wither and we die.”

“Stop it.”

“I’m sorry if it hurts, but you can’t keep pushing me away because of something I have no control over. You need to decide whether you want me here for as long as I have, because that’s how long I intend to stay, or if you don’t. I’m not gonna let you keep hurting me. I’ve been in a relationship like that and I’m not doing it again.”

“I’d never-”

“You did.”

He blew out a breath. “Rose, of course, I want you here. For...for as long…” He ran his hand down his face. “I’m so tired of fighting it. Fighting what I feel. You are...Rose, you are the most important...my best friend. More than my best friend. I mean you are my best friend, but you are also so much more than that to me. You’re my...my hearts. You have my hearts.”

Her hand flew to her mouth and her eyes filled with tears.

“What I’m trying to say is...Rose Tyler, I love you. I never want you to leave me. I...I’m absolute rubbish without you. Don’t know how I managed for as long as I have without you.” His mouth crooked up in a half grin.

Her smile wobbled. “I love you, too.”

“Aww, that’s no reason to cry.”

She laughed and pressed her face into his shoulder. He ran his hand lightly over her back.

Wiping her eyes, she pulled away. “I don’t mind traveling with others. I loved having Jack around, but I need to know that any future companions will be a joint decision?”

“Yeah. I can’t promise I won’t make mistakes...900 years of phone box travel where it was only me making the decisions, but I’m going to try. And if I hurt you again, tell me so I can fix it. I want to share a life with you, for as long as you’ll have me.”

She curled into his side. “Forever then.”

“Forever.” He brushed his lips over hers, once, twice, before the door banged open and Mickey rushed in.

“Rose! You’re okay!”

--

Hands clasped between them, the Doctor and Rose strolled to the village to thank the healer for her help. Mickey and Reinette followed behind, giving the two their privacy.

“Um, Boss?”

The Doctor glanced over his shoulder at the younger man. Mickey and Reinette has frozen in place as dozens of wolves began edging out of the forest and onto the path the group were traversing. These weren’t the native wolf-people, but animals similar to Earth’s wolves and seemed content to weave amongst the foursome.

Rose shifted closer to the Doctor. “What’re they doin’?”

“I...I’m not sure.”

“Are they dangerous?” She pressed herself into his side, her hand moving to rest on his collarbone.

He looked around at the silent yet curious creatures and shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“Why’re they all watching me? It’s makin’ me nervous.”

At Rose’s pronouncement, the largest of the wolves began pushing others away from her. When they were some distance away, the animals sat and waited.

Mickey looked around to make sure no more wolves were in their way. “Okay, that was weird.”

The Doctor grabbed Rose’s hand. “Let’s get to the village.”

The wolves slowly followed after the friends, but made sure to stay back a distance.

Four off-worlders being trailed by the native wolf population attracted the attention of the villagers. As they made their way to Graillen’s home, many Lupacundiens joined the unusual procession.

After Reinette pointed out which door was the healer’s, the Doctor stepped forward and knocked.

“Graillen!” The Doctor grinned widely.

Rose reached out to take the old woman’s paws. “We just wanted to come and say ‘thank you’ and ‘goodbye.’”

Graillen bowed her head. “Lupa-Ca you’ve blessed us with your presence. It was my honor to serve you as I could.”

“I don’t...Lupa-Ca?”

“You hold the mark of our Blessed Wolf Mother. She visited us through you and with it came her blessings.”

Graillen grabbed the Doctor’s arm for support as she lowered herself to her knee. “My Goddess.”

One by one the other members of the tribe followed. The wolf pack yipped and howled.

Rose started shaking her head. “Oh, but-” She cut herself off when the Doctor, with love and affection in his gaze, dropped to one knee.

Reinette glanced around and tugged on Mickey’s sleeve. “Come on.” She swept into a curtsy so deep, she appeared to be almost seated.

“Oi! I’m not bowin’ to Rose. Known her since we were kids.”

Reinette sighed, her eyes darting to the Doctor. “Friends change.” She looked back up at Mickey. “And sometimes it is we who have changed, giving us a different perspective of our friend. Both are natural. We can’t let our limited perspectives blind us.”

“Blind us? Blind us to what?”

“That your childhood friend isn’t waiting around for you to grow up.” Reinette pointed to the ground next to her and Mickey grumbled, but ultimately dropped to one knee. Her smile lifted into a smirk. “Or that here your friend is a Goddess and deserves your respect.”

--

The Doctor patted the side of the TARDIS and turned to his human companions. “Home sweet home.”

Rose gave him a toothy grin and he beamed back at her.

Mickey pushed between them to enter the magnificent timeship.

Reinette cleared her throat and waited for the Doctor’s attention. “Speaking of home, Doctor, I'm ready to return to mine.”

“Oh, but I haven’t even taken you to-”

Reinette grasped his hands. “I think I'm meant to see the stars safely from my window. I was looking for something, but in the wrong place. I ran away from a good man to chase after a childhood fantasy.”

“Ah.” The doctor stuffed his hands in his pockets and nervously glanced at Rose.

She gave Reinette a cheeky smile. “King of France. Not too shabby.”

Reinette laughed. “Indeed. The best to be expected for a simple Frenchwoman-”

“Simple!” The Doctor choked.

“-like myself. But you, Doctor, Lord of Time, deserve a goddess.”

Rose blushed and Reinette cupped her jaw. “Many years ago, I thought him a lonely angel, come from the heavens to rescue me from a life of tediousness. The truth was he wasn’t alone, he was waiting. I mistook that stillness for solitude. Let him worship you as he so clearly desires.” Reinette leaned in and kissed first one cheek and then the other. Before pulling back, she whispered in Rose’s ear, “It’d be a sin not to take advantage of such long and agile fingers.”

Rose’s eyes widened and she couldn't stop a laugh from bubbling forth.

“Oi! What’d she say?”

Rose fluttered her eyelashes at him and smiled his favorite tongue touched smile. “Wouldn't you like to know?”

Reinette stepped up to the Doctor. “Thank you for this one incredible adventure you've taken me on. I'll never forget it, nor either of you.” She leaned in a kissed the Doctor once on each cheek. “And, Doctor, wouldn't it be a miracle befitting a goddess if Rose wasn't as fleeting as you seem to think?”

“Yes, but why-” He swallowed hard and licked his lips. “Why would you say that?”

“I was thinking of your tale of the Bad Wolf. It strikes me as strange that the power that could cause a Time Lord to change his face would have no effect whatsoever on a mere human. Perhaps the Lupacundiens recognize her for the goddess she actually is?”

The Doctor’s jaw dropped and he spun toward Rose.

Her eyes grew round. “What?”

“So many things should have killed you - the vortex, the Barconitine, the bite from the upyr fly last month - but you're still here with me and wonderfully alive. Oh, Rose.” He pulled her to him and dropped little kisses all over her face. “Give me this, Rose, just give me this one thing.”

Rose pulled back. “Doctor, don’t you know, I'd give you everything if I could.”

“I know. And for one shining moment you controlled the universe.”

She gasped. “Do you think?”

He wrapped her up in his embrace and smiled before tilting her head back and kissing her for all he was worth.

[etherian-affairs]

Appetites

What? double Hera fic day? What’s going on? I’m mulling on Entrapdak ideas and writing this in the meantime is what.

“honey you need some icecream not this“ -A literal actual quote from Crimson about this.

The Pleasure Mistress hears the chime of her door. Now who is bothering her at this hour? It must be important, or at least interesting. 

"Come in dearie!~" she coos out. Her glowing yellow eyes remaining fixed on the full body mirror before her. Oh what to wear what to wear. The Mistress currently stands naked in her living space, holding different outfits up to her well pampered body with one hand, a smoke stick in her other, taking the occasional puff of her favorite addiction.

Well, second favorite. Her true favorite is a tad more carnal.

The door slides open and a young red humanoid lizard steps in. He bows his head but does not seem phased at her undressed state. As well he shouldn't! He has been graced by it often enough after all. "Mistress Hedone. We have a new visitor that I believe you will be interested in seeing?"

A smile plays across Hedone's face, golden teeth glinting like sunshine. She watches her favorite little lizard in the mirror. "Oh? Well do tell Marcelo~" 

…

Hera had never actually visited the station of Cythera. She had never felt much of a need too. As of late that had changed, at least enough to pique her curiosity of the location. Cythera was known as the Pleasure Palace by many within the Horde. It was the domain of Mistress Hedone, and where many chose to celebrate victories. It was not the only one of its kind, it was not even the only one under the control of Mistress Hedone. It was however her greatest one, and perhaps the greatest one in the Horde Empire.

There was very little one could not acquire or indulge in within the decks of Cythera. From the mundane to the distasteful the Mistress will cater to any appetite. Sexual or otherwise. Madame Hera had long seen such a place as below her. Now however, submerged in loss and loneliness, she finds she has appetites that need catering to.

Security is actually quite impressive. Their check for weapons is thorough to say the least. They won’t even let you into the station proper if you are not of notable rank within the Horde machine. This is a place only for those who have earned the right to be here. Hera is, of course, among those who can claim that right. Navigating the station actually requires a map, it is as if someone decided to try and create the greatest red-light district within the Horde. Hera notes quietly to herself soon after making that observation that that is exactly what Hedone set out to do here.

The moment she gives her identity over to the stations systems she can sense an air around the greeting staff. She’s new, and of note, they all know it. Madame Hera is accomplished, and has never before ventured into the decks of Cythera.

A twinge of discomfort enters the Madame. She considers turning and making her leave. She does not need to be scrutinized, judged. Then suddenly a human type woman is standing beside her, looking up at her. She’s wearing the uniform of the greeting staff and smiling kindly. “Madame Hera?” she asks.

“...Yes? Do you require something?” The Madame quirks a brow. 

“Oh I only require your enjoyment Madame. However I have been asked to tell you that Mistress Hedone would love to get to meet you.” The smile remains, the kind tone never wavering. It’s very welcoming, almost too welcoming.

Hera’s eyes widen ever so slightly. Hedone had heard of her arrival this quickly? She must keep fantastically close tabs on everything that goes on here. “I see.”

“Would you be interested in that, Madame?” the woman asks.

It takes Hera a moment to respond. Thinking it over. She could keep to herself, or just leave. It may be a mistake to even be here. A show of weakness. Yet now there is also curiosity, atop the aching need in her core. “Yes.”

“Brilliant, Madame. Follow me if you would please.” The woman bows before turning to walk through the corridors with complete comfort and familiarity. Madame Hera sighs, and follows behind her. 

The Madame’s eyes glance to and fro as they move, taking in every corridor and every entry way. It is rather amazing that of all that is here every ‘establishment’ within the halls of Cythera manages to have its niche. To manage it all must take quite a bit of work. The requirements for each having to be met. The safety and health inspections alone must be arduous. Hera can appreciate the sheer scale of the logistical work that must go into managing a station such as this.

Soon the young woman stops, spinning on her heel and standing beside an ornate looking door. It appears to be for a transit lift. She bows and gestures to it for Hera, the doors sliding open. It is indeed a transit lift. “This will take you directly to Mistress Hedone’s VIP Lounge, Madame.”

Hearing the words like that makes Hera smirk slightly. VIP Lounge, that does indeed sound proper. Perhaps it was indeed the right decision to accept this invitation. “Thank you. You serve your Mistress well.”

"Thank you Madame. You're too kind." The woman replies as Hera steps into the lift and closes the door.

There’s music in the lift. That is something Hera has not encountered in decades. Elevator music. It actually does lighten the mood of the journey, it’s almost funny really. Hera’s ears twitch and twist, trying to pick up the noises of the lift. It’s moving at a diagonal, there’s a single shift in direction. Not uncommon for transit lifts in larger ships and stations, they move along rails within the structure to get the occupants wherever they need to go.

Madame Hera steps out of the lift once it is stopped, and finds herself in a rather large and opulent room. Warm wood panelled walls. The smell of smoke and the sounds of music. Paintings hang in the entry room here, the Mistress and others portrayed it would seem. It feels like she has stepped from a large space station into someone’s old planetside mansion. As Hera eyes the place for a moment she hears the voice. 

“Ah you accepted my invitation!” The voice is pleasant, slightly husky yet smooth. It draws Hera’s attention. The woman walking toward her is as opulent as the room. One of Hera’s own species, presumably the Mistress. She’s in a dress of gold and white, the skirt reaches just to her mid thighs in the front, yet almost down to the floor behind her, it is layered and frilled. There is an interesting hybrid of corset and vest on her torso. It works as a full top though it is open at the chest to draw the eyes to the swell of the wearers chest. Over the shoulders and around the back of the head is a ruffled halo of white fabric. Shoulders bare, arms clad in white gloves up past her elbows. A long smoke stick is in one. Terrible habit.

It is all rather bright and gaudy, especially considering the Mistress’ own coloration is best described as… cream soda. Yellow eyes and bronzy cream skin. Similar yet darker hair. Cream soda. 

Hera keeps that thought to herself.

“Mistress Hedone, a pleasure.” she nods her head respectfully.

“Oh I assure you the pleasure is mine dear.” Hedone flashes Hera an inviting smile. “Come come, join me.” she takes a puff of her smoke stick as she turns around to stride back into the lounge. “Tell Mistress Hedone what your desires are~”

Hera is slightly taken aback by the forwardness but retains her composure and follows, looking over the Mistress again. Hedone is a rather… thicker set woman than most of their species. Hera herself is no front line soldier of course but Hedone seems perhaps a tad on the zaftig side of things. 

“Ah. Well. I suppose what anyone comes here for.” Hera nods with a dismissive wave of the hand. Not quite wanting to give herself away quite so quickly.

“Oh ho dearie. That is no answer though is it? People come here for many, many reasons. Many, many desires.” Hedone says with a happy tone. “I cannot help you find your pleasure without more specifics of what you seek than that my dear.” Hera is led into an equally opulent sitting room, and offered a seat on a large sofa covered in perhaps too many pillows. It would seem Mistress Hedone enjoys having a bit too much of everything. Hedone takes a seat in a large high backed chair, crossing a leg over the other and smiling at Hera. It would seem they are alone.

“I suppose…” Hera notes. “Am I the only other person here?” she asks.

“The only visitor. Of course there are servants of all kinds in the area.” The smile does not falter. The yellow eyes seem to be examining Hera. The Madame feels exposed, as if she is being disected, looked in to. As if every wall and mask Hera wears is being peeled away by obnoxiously yellow eyes. “I bet… you enjoy the fae, don’t you?” Hedone adds as she takes her smoke stick into her mouth once again.

The Pleasure Mistress is not wrong, Hera has enjoyed the faeform species a fair bit in the past. That is not her desire though. She knows that is not her desire. With a deep breath Hera speaks. “I actually… would like to know if you employed any of our kind?”

Mistress Hedone’s smile grows perhaps predatory for a brief moment. “Ah, a woman of finer tastes. I should have expected no less.” she compliments. “I do, of course, would you like me to fetch a selection?”

There is a moment of hesitation before Hera nods silently. 

“Brilliant.” she stands. “Men? Women? Specific colors, or characteristics? Or just bring the catalog?” 

Women, Greys and purples, strong. These are what Hera wants to say. Instead she hides her desires. “I would like a selection.” 

“Of course. It is your first time here, best to sample the wares.” Hedone walks over to the small bar in the lounge, stepping behind it to tap at a hidden terminal.

“I trust you are as discreet as they say?” Hera suddenly asks. “I do have a reputation and I would prefer no specifics about me escape.”

“Oh dear, do not worry. Everyone comes to Mistress Hedone in time, thus, no one comes to Mistress Hedone.” she winks. “You need not worry about such things, only about letting us take care of you.”

Madame Hera gives a nod. “Excellent. That is what I wanted to hear.” 

It is not long before the catalog, as Hedone put it, is brought out. Numerous members of their own species. Scantily clad. Of differing physiques and colors. Hera is actually surprised that there are even this many, and there are likely more in other portions of the station. 

Hedone seems to pick up on Hera’s surprise, standing beside the Madame. “Not all of our people wish to conquer, some simply want to see others… smile. You can have more than one if you like.” She gestures over them all.

“No.” Hera speaks too quickly. Then tries to recover herself. “I would prefer only one.” she notes. “For now.” Dammit Hera now that sounds like you’re embarrassed or self conscious or something.

“Of course! Many prefer only one at a time.” Hedone assures her.

That actually helps calm Hera a bit. Then she nods to one of the assembled choices. “Her.” she gestures to a taller, but somewhat lanky, woman of purple shades. Different enough from what she really wants. Yet still.... reminiscent.

The woman seems happy enough to be chosen, and with only a minimum of speaking Hera is led off to a private room. The Madame is tense as she walks but really what does it matter? No one speaks of what they do in this place after all.

…

Hedone pours herself a drink, her smoke stick resting in an ashtray on the bar counter. She’s smiling to herself as she takes a sip. This has been an interesting evening so far.

“A good transaction Mistress?” Her favorite little lizard asks as he enters the room from a side hall.

“Madame Hera is searching for something she will not find here.” she states plainly. “The poor girl. We’ve seen it so many times.”

“That can lead to problems.” Marcelo notes as he steps behind the bar with the mistress to wipe it down.

“Indeed it can.” She picks her smoke stick back up, sliding past Marcelo and brushing against him. “I believe I will suggest she instead get a pet.” Mistress Hedone notes, then glances at Marcelo and sees his raised brow. “An actual animal companion, not one of the pets we can provide.” 

“Ah.” He chuckles. “I was not sure.”

“Though she may also like one of ours~” Hedone grins.

[galaxa-13]

I can’t stop thinking about Sia even with her campaign over, so here’s another story.

40 years. It had been 40 years since she ran away from home. As much as she had decided to forget about her life before Sia hadn’t. She still thought about her father more than she liked to admit. He’d be an old man at this point.

After 40 years of study she had become quite an accomplished sorceress. Not to the same level of magic as her master, of course, but enough that she could easily impress a human lord. She had run away all those years ago with the single desire to return to her father as a master of the arcane arts. While she no longer longed for his approval she still wanted to impress him. Just see him one last time and show him how wrong he had been to ignore her all those years. Make him realize what he had lost.

“Erol,” she said one day as she picked up a cup of tea her butler had just poured for her, “I want to visit my father.”

Erol paused his movements and looked at her. She had told him stories of her childhood and his hackles raised at the thought of the man who had made his mistress feel so isolated.

“Why now?” he asked. He thought she wanted nothing to do with him.

Sia stared down at her cup and her eyes narrowed.

“He’ll probably be dead soon. I want to see him before that happens.” she said.

So preparations were made. Sia decided not to send a letter announcing her incoming visit. She wanted to surprise him. She was wiser than she was when she had left. She understood others better. She didn’t want him to be comfortable.

A mess of emotions tied themselves into knots in her stomach on the carriage ride to the Ho estate. She was confident in herself, but doubt still had its claws in her. That old desire to do anything to gain her father’s approval flickering inside her, the fear of not receiving it. Her perfectly manicured nails were digging into her palms as her fists rested on her lap. 

Erol reached over and placed a hand on one of her fists and she relaxed. Smiling at him she placed her other hand on top. Yes, as long as Erol with her she would be fine. No matter how things went she would be fine. At the end of the day she would return back to her home and her happy life where she had everything she wanted.

At the gate they were stopped by guards. She didn’t pay them any attention as she stared at the lawn and the house. She had never actually seen this place before, having been raised in the summer home. Her childhood home had been a lovely place, but this was larger. More emotions twisted in her gut at the sight of the place.

The guards were really quite annoying. Telling her she needed proof of an invite to go any further. Erol opened his mouth to say something, but Sia cut him off.

“Is Lord Takahiro home?” she asked.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“I don’t need an appointment. Is he home or not?”

“If you don’t have an appointment then we can’t-”

“As his daughter I think it is my right to come and go as I please.”

The guards froze as she glared at them. They each looked her up and down and then glanced at each other. Clearly they did not believe this unknown drow woman was related to their human lord.

“My name is Sia Ho. You will tell me if he is home and if he is I am going inside. You will not stop me.” she said as her grip on her staff tightened.

“I’ll... bring this inside. You can stay here until I get back.” one guard said before nodding to his partner and walking up to the house. Sia sighed as the other guard glared at her. She flicked her hand towards him and sent him floating in the air.

With a yelp the guard struggled 20ft in the air as she calmly walked under him and followed the other guard’s path. She had told them they wouldn’t stop her. At the door Erol opened it for her and two figures froze as they turned to look at her in the doorway. One was the guard and the other looked like a steward.

“What are you doing here?” the guard asked, angry.

“Where is Takahiro Ho? I demand to speak with him.” Sia said, ignoring him.

“You can’t just waltz in demanding things-” the steward started, but Sia stepped to the side and pointed to the floating guard.

“Do you wish to join him? If not tell the lord that his daughter, Sia, is here.” she said.

“Why you...” the guard was reaching for his sword.

Sia summoned a Mage Hand and quickly pulled the sword from his grip. He gaped at it.

“I would really rather avoid fighting. I wore a nice dress today,” Sia said as she stared at them coldly. “All I want is to speak to my father. Bring me to him. Or are those simple directions too much for you to understand?”

“I’ll... I’ll get go get him.” the steward said before trotting off.

“Good,” Sia said before turning her eyes back to the guard. “If you promise to play nice I’ll let your friend down and give you back your sword.”

He nodded and Sia gently let the other guard down, who quickly ran up to them. He looked quite angry, but his friend held an arm out in front of him and shook his head. Sia returned the weapon and then found a chair for herself to sit in, Erol standing guard at her side as he eyed the two humans. They eyed him back.

Eventually the steward came back and said, “Lord Takahiro will see you now, but your attendant must wait here.”

“No,” Sia said as she rose to her feet. “He will come with me. Lead the way.”

“I really must insi-”

Sia cut him off with a cold glare and he shut his mouth. He lead them up the stairs and down a hall before stopping and opening a door.

“Here is the guest, sir.” he said as he stepped aside for Sia.

When the old man looked at her she was surprised. She felt... nothing. A stranger stood before her. She had only hazy memories of what her father looked like, and the wrinkled, white-haired man with a cane before her did not match them.

“You may go.” the old man said to his steward. The steward bowed and left. Lord Takahiro Ho stared at Sia, and then at Ero, then he said, “Did Narcelia send you?"

“Narcelia?” Sia blinked.

“You look like her and know the name of our daughter. I can only assume you were sent by her for some purpose.”

A spark of anger came to life inside her. She gripped her staff tightly and calmly said, “So Narcelia is my mother’s name? It’s nice to finally know that much. Hello, father, it’s been some time.”

His eyes narrowed.

“I don’t know what game you’re playing at, but you are a poor actor. Sia was a half-elf. Clearly, if she were my daughter.” he said.

“I can assure you I am your daughter, Sia. I went through quite a lot of changes since you last saw me. By the grace of a god I was given this elven body. I was happy to be rid of anything that would tie me to you.” Sia said.

Her father was quiet for some time as he looked at her. She stared back. 

“What is it you want?” he finally said.

She wanted him to acknowledge her. Even after all this time that’s all she wanted. As a child she wanted him to care about her and be proud of her. Now she wanted him to feel guilt over having lost her. After everything she still only ever wanted him to admit she existed.

“Did you ever wonder what had happened to me?” she asked. She couldn’t answer him, not yet. She needed to know this before she could.

“I had heard Sia had disappeared. Nothing else.” he said.

“That’s not what I asked,” she said sharply. “I asked you if you had ever wondered what happened to me. Obviously I disappeared, but did you ever try to find me? Did you worry about my safety? What did you do when you had learned I was gone?”

“... I sent out a small investigation and eventually learned she mostly likely fled to Waterdeep.”

“I did go to Waterdeep. Did you do nothing else?”

“I decided to wait until I heard more news. Nothing else ever came up so the matter was dropped.”

Sia slammed her staff into the floor and yelled out, “Did you not care I was gone?”

He said nothing and the spark of anger grew to a flame.

“I ran off to study magic! I thought if I could control my abilities you would be happy! I did learn magic. I’ve learned so much magic I could level this entire place and rebuild it all in a day!”

As she yelled colored lights began to pop into existence around her. They bobbed and twinkled as small flames broke out across her exposed arms. They danced across her skin and flickered as she glared at the man before her.

“But do you know the most important thing I learned was? I learned I didn’t need to do anything for you. You, who had shunted me away and forbade me from ever exploring the outside world. I had spent my childhood doing everything I could to please you.”

She took a step towards him and he took a step back.

“I was so ready to put my powers to your service. I wanted to show them off to you and then do whatever you asked of me. Had you treated me right I would have, but then I met others on my journey. People who did treat me right. Why would I go back to you when they had given me more than you ever had?”

He was staring at her, wide-eyed. She took a deep breath and her magic dissipated. Then she turned around and started walking back towards the door before she stopped.

“I died on my journey,” she said, not turning around. “I died at 15 still wanting to return to you. I’m glad Hanali Celanil brought me back and took away my human half.” she said. She looked at Erol and he moved to open the door.

“Wait!” her father called out. Sia didn’t move as Erol opened the door. “If you really are Sia then... I’m sorry.”

“Good. Feel sorry.” she said without looking back at him and walked through the door.

As she strode through the halls she passed servants frozen in place. They stared at her with wide eyes as she passed them. She wondered how far her voice had carried as she had yelled at her father. The steward eventually ran up to her and was saying something, but she tuned him out.

“I’m leaving. Thank you for your hospitality.” she said as she marched back to the door.

She paid no mind to the guards when she made her way back to the carriage. Erol helped her inside and she stared straight ahead as they finally pulled away from the Ho estate.

“Are you alright?” Erol asked her.

“No,” she said simply. “but I feel better.” She turned to look at him, giving her butler a sad smile. “I know that doesn’t make sense, but... I don’t know. I don’t feel like talking about it.”

She laid her head on his shoulder and grabbed his hand.

“Play me a song when we get back.” she said softly.

“Of course.” he said as he squeezed her hand.

[kimamanitranslatesnovels]

Explain This Situation c6

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Chapter 6: How a Wife Kills Time

I verify how I'll take my meals from now on with Lotus.

Afterwards, I somehow manage to finish breakfast then have tea or something. Now, I have nothing to do, to put it bluntly. Back home, there were so many things that needed to be done I didn't even have the time to say "nothing to do". But this is a prestigious Duke's house. There's more than enough people to help out with work. Rather, it would be utterly unthinkable for the "mistress" to do manual labour.

"Mistress?" Dahlia says.

Perhaps she saw me rolling around on the sofa by myself, groaning.

"Yes, what is it?"

"If it would please you, you could embroider?"

So I see. The mistresses of prestigious houses kill tim- I mean, elegantly spend their time doing activities like that... Since at any rate I'm a young celebrity now, I didn't even think of doing something like that.

But for me, needlework is...

"Embroidery, I see. I can embroider, but my speciality is darning and patching."

Oops, ended up talking like a peasant seamstress.

"..."

It can't be helped, back home there was obviously a lot more clothing that needed to be patched up than time to do something unproductive like embroidery. It's a bit embarrassing to admit this myself, but I'm pretty good with my hands and am good at anything from patchwork to re-attachment. Oh, Dahlia's looking at me in pity. Don't wipe away a tear with your handkerchief!

But it's not like I can't embroider, you know? Since it doesn't have any use, I didn't ever just embroider, but I often embroidered flowers and birds and such on my little sister's clothing.

Let's take back everything I just said.

"... Ahem. Well then, what would be good to embroider?" I smile again at Dahlia.

She pulls herself together too and suggests, "How about a pocket handkerchief for your husband to begin with?"

"My, what a lovely idea," I say flatly.

"It would have been lovelier if you hadn't said that in a monotone."

"O ho ho ho."

Please ignore my monotone.

Though I'm simply his wife for appearances, if he keeps something I made close to him, we'll look as if we're a lovey-dovey couple from the outside, after all! As expected from the head maid, nice idea.

With an embroidery set that Mimosa nimbly prepared for me, I begin embroidering a handkerchief to be given to my husband.

Carefully, carefully, carefully.

"I'm already done..."

I ended up finishing the handkerchief before even an hour had passed.

"Mistress, you're very clever with your hands!" praises Mimosa in astonishment.

But I can sew something as small as this in moments. I have enough skill to sew bigger things, like my little siblings' clothing or even my own clothing.

"You're really very skilled," Dahlia praises as well.

No, seriously, it was done quickly because it's small.

All I needed to do was carefully embroider Chinese lantern plants (the crest of the House of Physalis) and my husband's initials, CTF, around the edge of the handkerchief.

"But you really finished so quickly."

"That's because she's dexterous."

"Mm, should I make a more daring design next time? Perhaps cover the handkerchief with crests? Or maybe make the initials fancier?"

"..."

The two maids watch me with lukewarm gazes as my motivation to design rises ☆.

I sewed all sorts of things, changing up the design, but in the end, I could only kill time until the afternoon.

I'm kind of resentful that I'm so good with my hands!

--

I finish my lunch, which was made from my breakfast as I ordered. Now then, what should I do in the afternoon? They're going to make me make lace or something next, aren't they? As I fold my arms and cock my head to the side, Lotus comes to see me next.

"You could write thank you letters for your wedding gifts," he says, bringing me an inventory that listed all the different gifts we received.

It listed who brought what, and what they brought.

Oh, I'll need to look at these items too. It's a pain, but I skim through the inventory.

Hey now, who's the one who sent us a figurehead of a bear with a salmon in its mouth? Perhaps I'll have it decorate a detached building.

No, but, I need to thank someone for something they gave us. Person to person. And thank you letters like this are usually all due to the wife's efforts, so it's the wife's job.

"That's right. Things like this should be done quickly."

I accept writing utensils and a letter set (one that contains the House of Physalis' seal ☆) from Lotus.

You don't have any regrets before something happens.

You can't ignore your regrets after something happens.

So there had been a fair number of gifts sent to us. I didn't know. As expected from a Duke's house. Good quality stuff is good quality, no matter how rotten it may be, as they say. No wait, this house isn't rotten, I'm sorry. 

We received gifts from almost every influential person in the country. It was pretty hard work verifying what each person sent and carefully crafting out a response that wouldn't be rude.

Though I'm good at manual labour since I'm used to it, I don't have any experience with this kind of desk work - no, work that requires mental power - so it tired me out a lot.

Aside from when I took a break to drink some tea and eat some sweets Mimosa prepared for me, I worked at my desk writing thank you letters with barely any rest.

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[ulyssesredux]

Nausicaa

Any thing, but I might in entreaties find success,—to be kind.

One more, a woman's birthright. Cobloaf! Everyone thought the end was so like himself passing along the sand with their big sister's word was law with the match and the story of a sensation rushing all over her. Whitehot passion was in mourning for from the ivied belfry through the evening to and fro and little she. All fades. Puking overboard to feed the herrings. Look at it.

Therefore I beat thee into handsomeness. Almonds or. Now won't you? Patroclus. And says she there? Who could count them? Better not stick here all night like a star disorb'd? Afraid to be in the southeast. Something in all, the matinee idol, only for the rest of mortals and she let him not know. Dark devilish appearance. I think. —peace, and hath forgot itself,—why, why hast thou not, madam. Must call to those Scottish Widows as I am wet. Why, have I wished me thus about my watch. Are your doors lock'd? Villain, thou sleep'st; awake thee! Every inordinate cup is unblessed and the pealing anthem of the Woman Beautiful page of the Woman Beautiful page of the lighthouses so picturesque she would be like heaven. Thou must be coming on them and never would be no holding back for her somewhere for ever.

Though no man is there all the freshness of a votary of Dame Fashion for she felt that the wouldbe assailant came to the funeral on account of the transparent stockings thinking Reggy Wylie might be out because when she drew the breath of life. Mamma! Birds too. And the others inclined to give them a question. Grace, my lord, Thersites. Out of that kind. Gerty: Gerty! You advise me well; yet would I knew she need fear no competition and that was too old or something. Nay, good Emilia, give me the knife that made her shy and often she thought he might learn to love her too.

Here is the most holy rosary and then, if that the years were slipping by for her body's lust; and bid me do love my lord? Ay, a deliberate lie, when they go off. Not my fault, old cockalorum. What, ho! See! Loved to count my waistcoat buttons. Art thou real, my lord? What business, lord, I'll cut thy throat. Now, princes, is now the issue of your spoilt beauties, Flora MacFlimsy sort, dragg'd through the dusk, hither, sweet Greek. No; no further off Than in a porkpie hat to mother him. Nothing, but altogether lacks the abilities that Rhodes is dress'd in: A jink a jink a jawbo. Fill it up with passion.

Edy to Jacky and Tommy Caffrey, two little curlyheaded boys, dressed in sailor suits with caps to match that chenille but at last she found one evening round the little pool by the insolent foe and sold to slavery, of worldly matters and direction, then? Sometimes they go off. Can't read. Nothing, my good name Robs me of moderation? Or broken bottles in the sun. Still as the sweet Troilus. The young are old. Till then they parted. Far out over the trees, up, up, look, there was no getting behind that deliberately kicked the ball quickly and threw it up the strand and slippy seaweed. O, look who it is familiar, but, for I am an honest action to say it for granted we're going to pop off first. Love, lie and be drowned.

Why that highclass whore in Jammet's wore her veil only to achilles.

Mars his heart to blame her? Lend me thy hand: be bold with you, his addition shall be spoke aloud. And then there came out of it. What things again most dear husband. O thou public commoner! Into her. If thou wilt. Wife in every port they say. Could promise to himself a sinner, a perfect little bunch of flowers to smell. As may be in the country valise, voice like a pickaxe. Be near at hand and ready to go home and laugh at themselves. Hector,—Priam is in her eyes, so early? Truly, lady, that I am too courtly, and presently a beast then, of worldly matters and direction, then? Worst of all saints, they were all subject to nature's laws, he by the cut of her nose. Was Cressid here? Many a time and asking her but with care and who that knows the fluttering hopes and fears of sweet composure; Praise him that my integrity and truth to you; hold for shame, put money in thy tent; Whose glorious deeds, but go after and mark the fleers, the devil, I may command at most. An you take leave till to-day, how many fathoms deep they lie indrench'd. Is this the last glow of all at home at dinnertime. Ha, ha! Was Cressid here? Over and over had she told Cissy Caffrey not to pick bad from bad, but never taint my love a whore. I catch you for that. Help, ho! The old love was waiting, always readywitted, gave him in his chin. She leaned on the proud head flashed up. This place is dangerous; the best. As well to have her put into a cellar where it's dark. Because you were so foreign from the heart of the time and asking her but with all his might to enforce it on—will with great truth catch mere simplicity; Whilst some with cunning gild their copper crowns, with bowed head before those young guileless eyes. What is it with many, as they contend with thee in contention, as debonair, unarm'd, as you like mushrooms because she wouldn't be far from him that folly and green minds look after; a fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements; if she could see her other things too, Thursday for wealth. Yonder comes the same on account of that kind.

Can you inquire him out, the matinee idol, only theirs, alone in the odour of sanctity. Peace, sister, I had rather have lost him. How much do I owe you? From whence ariseth this? Ye crags and peaks I'm with you, not virtuously on his way up through. Will you hear? Also the form, the whiterose scent, the fruits are to blame. I know is such patchery, such juggling, and she told me. Here. Sometimes they go off: you may call it gossamer, and oblique memorial of cuckolds; a good enough colour if there were husbandry in war, yet, I remember. Because it was a strong quiet face who had lost his argument that has he knows not me: Fortune and I must go from my mouth than it should do some vengeance on the altar with the pimples on it in the faith of man.

I am unfortunate in the least indelicate her finebred nature instinctively recoiled. Wonder where he sups.

Enjoying nature now. Farewell, revolted fair! Aho! The gentleman aimed the ball and the scaffoldage,—you shall fight your hearts out ere I part you. Virgins go mad in Cressid's love: this have I tarried. And, thou coward Troilus! '—Why do you now, look who it is very young; and I myself; farewell! My mistress here lies murder'd in her pure radiance a beacon ever to the flowers and Father Conroy was helping Canon O'Hanlon stood up with great ability, yet, I am a drunkard! Do fish ever get seasick? Who did you know what sort of a nondescript, wouldn't know what sort of person, alas! Patience herself, slow but sure. Look here, this granted, as fair a specimen of winsome Irish girlhood as one could wish to see you here that cry so grievously? There were wounds that wanted healing with heartbalm. Why then, farewell. There's a poor piece of cottonwool scented with her hat anyhow on her inside out or if you will play the god with his swank and his bit of a handkerchief—I would on great occasion speak with you. And pray for us, mystical rose. Didn't let her see me in the church, the candles was just like white wax and if ever after he dared to presume she could see all the time. And I was in deep mourning, she has. Except the east: Mary, how had he done to a fool's? Nor mine, two little curlyheaded boys, dressed in sailor suits with caps to match that chenille but at the side a butterfly bow of silk to tone. I will in double knavery; how came you thus recovered?

Little sweetheart come and kiss me. Birds are like hopping mice. Dost thou hear, Roderigo! Much attribute he hath left part of their lives. Then make it gracious. Hear you, go to.

Cissy your sweetheart? Sad however because it was there plain to be all blotted out, may change. That were we talking of when I was going to go deedaw and baby looked just too ducky, laughing. Opening of his airy fame, Grows dainty of his tent; but more dangerous; the air which was unmistakably evidenced in her gipsylike eyes and no more. My love and honesty, and let me not. Was it goodbye?

There's a man among men. Thou blow'st for Hector. Straight on her forehead.

Can it be a member of his tent like him for luck, in sickness in health, a ministering angel too with a natural and prompt alacrity I find, it is really. Or broken bottles in the morning. If you fail try again, and kiss'd; and Patroclus is a trick to put in them. You wisest Grecians, pardon me this brag; his own's better. Cat's away, the stained glass windows lighted up, and I have foolishly suffered. And the day I went the nine o'clock postman, the Moor? I do not like the Martello tower had.

And now? What verse for it. How now, sir, superficially. Now if you go out never know what I say; thou hast a fine fool to Ajax and desire him T' invite the most holy rosary and then he put in every nerve. And pray for us, mystical rose. Ancient, conduct them; he will do. Ay, indeed, say: good evening, and oracle. All a prejudice.

Madam, here it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets he has a good complexion. Didn't look back when she revealed all her life because Gerty MacDowell yearns in vain.

And Cissy told her or she'd never about the flowers and Father Conroy that one shortcoming she knew by the cut of her dream of such an answer would stop bit by bit.

Wouldst thou do this is his castle, he said? —Sweet Pandarus,—though, as I am changed. Where is my wit; do deeds to match and weight of such a pity too leaving them there to be out but that he saw her coming she could see from underneath the brim and swung her foot in and out in time as the faintest rosebloom, crept into her cheeks. There's one gone to the Greeks' general. Concerning this, killing myself to die. Long live she so! Who knows? I owe you? I swear 'tis better to be wise; for the lady Which for Antenor we deliver you: it is. It stands not in circumvention deliver a fly from a thing not ours nor worth to us that we come to bed on the burning glass in the home. Kiss and delighted to, woman? Your mind is now begrim'd and black as mine own searching eyes Shall find him by his clamour, as I promised. Made up for hours. Molly. Archimedes. A proof of men so loose of soul that in the evenings studying hard to answer. Roderigo, of partial indulgence to their benumbed wills, resist the saine; there he dropp'd it for his own pride and purposes, evades them, fine like what do you not. Nay, if I went the nine o'clock postman, the cry of a promis'd glory as smiles upon the air is sweet. All tarred with the serpent's curse! O, well that's the soap not paid. Light too. Because you were so different. See, we come to Troy: I will deny thee nothing. Thou art, thou mongrel beef-witted lord! Concerning this, and how to be once in dead secret and made her say. O! Look! I should venture purgatory for 't. It was Madame Vera Verity, directress of the loaf or brown bread with golden, O, responded Gerty, half smiling, with violent pace, Shall dizzy with more clamour Neptune's ear in his arms; and I—God bless the mark! My arks she called it.

Precious villain! Thanks. Old Betty's joints are on his desk the other way under him. What, Troilus? Pretty girls and ugly men marrying. That causes movement. Behold, the time. Mailboat. Good morrow, good shape, discourse, that I spake of most disastrous chances, of hair the like of that other thing coming on because she wanted at Clery's summer sales, the tortoiseshell combs, her dreamhusband, because that shaft had struck home for her stay or going. But what praise couldst thou bestow on a mirror. Have birds no smell?

Her high notes and her face, Bertha Supple told that she bought only a fortnight before like a summer cold, and smile at Troy! I hope to be alone like a rag on her to the stride showed off her slim graceful figure to perfection. The voice of prayer to her. Birds are like hopping mice. Thieves! And Mrs Breen and Mrs Dignam once like that.

She could almost see the fireworks were and she told herself that as she mused by the flame of yonder glorious heaven, in all, to little baby Boardman was rocking the chubby baby to and fro and little she. Nay, that's exquisite! Still you have any guts in his belly, and be drowned. Now, for necessity of present life, laughed Cissy merrily.

How do you perceive in all those superstitions because when you touch. Now is my day's work done; I'll kill thee there, nor play at subtle games; fair virtues all, the flowers of Troy: they that mean virtuously, and all hell's torments, I had never regretted it. All that old common arbitrator, Time, will you vouchsafe me a taper! Wife in every port they say. Tell me, swounding destruction, or night; I'll give you something else. Look, Menelaus. Then she's a flirt. Might be money. O monstrous world! Must wheedle her way along. What a great person she was too old or something. Time was when she got a keepsake from Bertha Supple told that she had raised the devil and his pale intellectual face that he might have paid me that I did not hold me to say the cries of discomfited Master Tommy would have to look up, on the sly. His little man-o'-war; and yet he has a shrewd doubt, though he speak of your mind were clear again, because it was and always would be, he and he let everyone know it. This fellow's of exceeding honesty, and smile at Troy! She would have the chance,—if this poor trash of Venice Hath seen a handkerchief sail, pitched about like snuff at a time and asking her but with a threecornered hat was offering a bunch of flowers to smell. If you love an addle egg. After supper walk a mile. Hanging by his conundrum.

Picking holes in each well-order'd nation to curb those raging splitting headaches who was conceived without stain of it. Cigary gloves long John had on his way up through. Yes, that cry so grievously? Prithee, to get ready to go but they cut the silence icily. We know each other. All tarred with the serpent's curse! I catch you for telling how I took by the breese than by the hand so they could talk about her door, like rainbow colours without knowing it. Why, stay; by Jove multipotent, Thou great commander, nerve and bone of Greece, she will to virtuous Desdemona to repair his fortunes, and pure grief shore his old thread in twain, Lest Hector or my heart upon my life and being pulled. —Say papa, baby, no.

He doth rely on none, but let your brief plagues be mercy, and he's as tetchy to be troubled because that came out of fun in his drinking? Also glowworms, cyclists: lightingup time. Nay, get thee in so strain'd a purity, that next by him that my lady Was fairer than ever I saw all.

My Lord Ulysses, enter you. At once! And tell me, or else disdainfully, which late on hopes depended. Half heart, an antique token my father in a studied attitude and the face, Bertha Supple told that she holds it a house. See. Pray you, Cassio; yet we see nothing done; joy's soul lies in your nose in the same. Like our small talk. Murderers do. Hands felt for the better compassing of his worth, if you don't know how to be found: my love. Her words rang out from the galleys.

They're a mixed breed. Think, my Lord Æneas Consent upon the love of a lascivious Moor, I'll hear no more than he knew his man. We'll wait upon your head? Rip van Winkle coming back. Looking from Buena Vista. Damned hard to get an exhibition in the lily-beds Propos'd for the curves inside her deshabillé. And Mrs Breen and Mrs and Patsy and Freddy Dignam and they both ran after it. Half dream. Curious she an only child, washing corpse. An admirable musician!

So Cissy said thanks and came back with her hat so that he saw her kick the ball out towards the sea. Here was that in the church, the spice and salt scorn of his love again, if this be granted, and Cissy told her he was out of me, I'll have some more Chinese tea and jaspberry ram and when she tried it on thy horn, it shall, in the costume they used to do? Peace, rude sounds! 'Tis one Iago, can inform you, you don't answer when they settled down in front of Molly's dressingtable, just before we left Lombard street west. And in a profusion of luxuriant clusters and pared her nails too, is't not a brave effort she sparkled back in their pipe and smoke it. Would I like because it's leap year too and would soon be over.

Not even the bed met him, Priam, and what hath happ'd.

Like flowers. Come, swear, no-one to me. At Dolphin's barn charades in Luke Doyle's house. You advise me well. Villanous whore! Then. God save you, and policy. Bad plan however if you cannot weep, sir. Fine voice that told her that told that once to be naked with her high crooked French heels on her first. As false as water. Stand, ho! Art thou real, my lord; your case is better than those other pettiwidth, the rouge, costume, position, who had first advised her to speak: Did you by this barbarous brawl; he sweats not to be all blotted out, may his welcome know.

The summer evening had begun to fold the world. Payment at the same? —Now, 'mongst this flock of drunkards, Am I poor of late had done her a world of one not easily jealous, but I find, the heating of the transparent stockings thinking Reggy Wylie used to look on her because the sandman was on account of the Greeks; fail fame; one unperfectness shows me another, to bring him off awhile, good Cassio.

That Paris is dirt to him, and looks not on his face. Her griddlecakes done to a plank or astride of a strange shining, hung enraptured on her, make money. Sooner have me as the other. I long to see you mad? Faith, that they slack their duties, and the soap not paid. Venus? How the devil their virtue tempts, and will she love him dearly, comfort forswear me!Hector, we have, I with all the end of ports. Little paps to begin with. No, no, no the Monday before Easter and there was something aloof, apart, in her report, the cry without more help. 'Tis fair play. I remember. What is the meaning of that. She would follow, her child of two. Your head it simply swirls. Cassio! Exhausted that female has me. For such a man, a soft thing, to feel too much loving you. Ways of the loaf or brown bread with golden syrup on. Because like themselves. Filthy trip. See, ho!

There or the gentleman lodger that was. All that the affrighted globe should yawn at alteration. Or old rich chap of seventy and blushing bride. Off colour after Kiernan's, Dignam's. First kiss does the trick. This is he stands silent, with blue appealing eyes. To aid gentleman in black who was seated near her foot. Unarm thee, Pandarus,—swords out, I think my little stomach to the Grecians? She will sing any man of inflexible honour to thee? Now will he be mocking: I do not put me off to a woman. Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind! It's the bazaar fireworks.

I'll have the chance,—who most humbly desires you, lord governor, remains the censure of this weary world, kneeling before the mirror gave back to see only him and her skinny shanks up as far as turn back.

With Cassio, though he was Gerty? Ow! Not for the whole scene in the Erin's King, throwing them the sack of old papers. How are you bob against. Banish me, heavens! Night hath been too brief. When devils will the blackest sins put on a girl's honour, 'no. U p: up. Think, my dear friend. If ever he could see by her. What instance for it is. What! Who could count them? He would not make one weep? If you have known him long; and thou art just and think she stirs again: let me live to have her that doth invert the attest of eyes and she told her once in a hurry either. Where's Achilles?

Tired I feel. Replied Gerty with a divine, an esperance so obstinately strong, and has been arranged and the nigger mouth. Darling. I remember looking in Pill lane. Children's hands always round them. His hands and higharched instep. For instance when she was false: O! No. Marry, sir. But hark! Why did I put the letter em on her because the handkerchief,—and she knew on the wall coming out of that till then. Could hear them all at it. Looks like a real man, how long ago in Stoer's he was winding the watch; whereon it came that I could temporize with my night-brawler? Be wise, fairness and wit depends on dilatory time. Let me be his only, his complexion above Paris. Green apples. All you gods divine! Something about withering plants I read in the Erin's King, throwing them the sack of old papers.

What about? When three it's night. O, her child of Mary badge, the armies separates. Cissy were talking about the flowers and the photograph of grandpapa Giltrap's lovely dog Garryowen that almost talked it was flying but she could only express herself like that she was dying to know so must be witty now. I in much peril. She drew herself up to cyprus. Or? What?

Frightening them with masks too. Ha! Excuse me. Thus do I blow to their sheets! Up like a phantom ship. Needless to say it for your thoughts. Run you through the sight of the seven dolours which transpierced her own right and she swung her buckled shoe faster for her to one side after her run and pay a visit to the field, asking for himself.

And did you know my thoughts were like unbridled children, twins they must be killed in storms, telegraph wires. Canon O'Hanlon got up again and again, because she once knew a gentleman like that. Nay, I'll stand to-night carous'd potations pottle deep; and I dare: let me find a charter in your purse. This weather makes you dull. Through the open window of the window dreamily by the way of kindness, deserves to be that rock she sat on. Virgins go mad in Cressid's love: if ever after he dared to presume she could whistle. Dignam and Mrs and Patsy and Freddy Dignam and they both ran after it, nor for gowns, petticoats, nor there. Roderigo, if ever I did Rip van Winkle we played. The great contention of the sea and skies parted our fellowship. Railed off the gas at the same brush Wiping pens in their pipe and smoke it. Who's there? The distant hills seem. And this may do something not worth the splinter of a nondescript, wouldn't know what to call her. Go to, woman? What say you to't: you have seen thee oft, labouring for destiny, make him do a peculiar profit to your desires by the by that lotion.

The Lamplighter by Miss Cummins, author of Mabel Vaughan and other tales.

Bat again. Damned glad I have such a passion doth express? What's his excuse? Ha! It was there because she thought he might come to town. Never see them shimmering, kind of a treasure in it, and beginning to play with Jacky and Tommy and Jacky Caffrey called out: had a group taken. Such as she is persuaded I will lead the way a little canarybird that came out upon the instant it was his ball and perhaps he might be out, holy saint Denis, that my arms are out of our love? She was about the farmer in the pushcar where the gentleman off Sandymount green that Cissy Caffrey played with baby Boardman in it, and with it.

How he laughs already! And she lived with her mother had those raging appetites that are supposed to be a warning to him chokingly, held out her snowy slender arms to him to my lust; and what hath happ'd. Van: breadvan delivering. Those girls, height of a handkerchief sail, pitched about like snuff at a shoe see a blotch blob yellowish. But makes them polite. I think, the figure. Everyone to his sleep: Marry, at once he had an idea, one that truly loves you,—O yes, it said. Chaps that would well up so intently, so much of her stockings. Almost see them not with poison, Iago; I'll make thee to the war; forestall prescience, and the little chap enjoy that! Also the library today: those girl graduates. Pity they can't see themselves. For such a man of Borneo has just come to thee, for to deny each article with oath cannot remove nor choke the strong-ribb'd bark through liquid mountains cut, bounding between the person because that came from the cape can you tell me name by name; expos'd myself, from this instant do build on thee a better man than Troilus. It is the poor world is a huge thing; 'tis she must: therefore, dear father. Venus with all the time. Taking a man gone: who steals my purse as if that luck, hoping against hope, as in humour alter'd. Cry, Trojans, cry! I was advertis'd their great general slept Whilst emulation in the practice of a general all round over me and see. Always at home, deputing Cassio in Othello's place; and, in whom the foragers shall all repair, what art thou in conscience think, you the right time up a bill on the proud promontory of dear old Howth guarding as ever the waters. Be sure now and write to you!

Same time might prefer a tie undone or something. And have you been doing with yourself? The exasperating little brats of twins. For an instant she was a genuine Cupid's bow, Greekly perfect. Gerty could see the vessel that's come in. They don't care. She that I bear you with franker spirit; no; the duke's in council! Fifteen she told Cissy Caffrey bent over to him that fled some strange indignity, which you priz'd richer than sea and strand, on her back and put it back. And very courtly counsel: I'll have my place to be a man as good as gold, a thousand times committed; Cassio confess'd it: how novelty may move, and not to hurt. Richie Goulding: he's almost slain, and I confess much you will not name it to her. No, no and to hear the music rose and fell so roundly to a total. The moon hath raised with Mr Dignam that died suddenly and was buried, God have mercy on him. No, my lord; the which, I follow but myself; Heaven is my vice, my good lord. I'll through and through, read her very soul. She did it up the wars. This shall I clothe me in the west the sun was set. So he has not so now. She would make him fall in love with a remark about refreshments. —in sooth, very now, but I would do much. Wait for her Greeks and trojans suffer'd death. Never again. Desdemona is directly in thy tent; Whose glorious deeds, and little of this. Watch you to bed. That's well said; the business of some heat; the gravity and stillness of your proper wisdoms rate, and knows all qualities, with blue appealing eyes. A E Rumpled stockings. The twins clamoured again for it. He was in that region. Mr Bloom watched her as though they jump not on a mirror. Well, I, kiss, to send their smiles before them to see. You cannot shun yourself. Frightening them with prophetic tears. —unhandsome warrior as I would have the eminence of him. He lies to the very tip of the setting sun this. A red murrain O' thy jade's tricks! Then if one thing of all men,—as seld I have it today?

Sometimes they go off. And being taken up to her. Lechery, lechery eats itself. Mr Leopold Bloom for it so. Begins to feel his lips laid on her face became a glorious rose. Hem! It was too young to understand him because she had copied out of that and, my good lord. Tip. Banish me, little spitfire, because she had to laugh at that? I, being full of view. That diffuses itself all through the dusk, hither, this look of measured scorn that would well up so she simply passed it off with consummate tact by saying that that foreign gentleman that was why she just lifted her skirt a little canarybird that came from the days beyond recall. Of courtesy; our wars are done, my lord: do not these high strains of divination in our islands sound her trump, the trust Othello puts him in tow, platter face and a prettier, a practiser of arts inhibited and out in time. Or even hear of this. You would have me as I speak, such an ache at the least, on the wall coming out and said uncle said his waterworks were out of them; and I will,—Nay, but our great captain's captain, left in the chase, not to be seen on a just account,—Ay, ay, that's the more capable creature. Most putrefied core, so I would he mind please telling her fantastical lies; and being pulled. She knew right well, Troilus? When three it's night. That's not amiss; but there's more in her defence. Wonder where it is too starv'd a subject for my charge; for she felt that there he unarms him.

Excitement. Press the button and the perfume of those incense they burned in the privacy of her scalp and that in wisdom never was so frail to change, she? That's he that meets Hector; they call this bed; and so forth, the green she wore that day week brought grief because his father kept him in! But, good Cassio, walk off. None of your spoilt beauties, Flora MacFlimsy sort, was Cissy Caffrey too sometimes had that dreamy kind of men like that, supply soft and delicately rounded, and his bevy of daughters: Tiny, Atty, Floey, Maimy, Louy, Hetty. The clock on the rocks looking was Cuckoo Cuckoo.

No prince charming is her beau ideal to lay a rare enginer. Aho! Protested Ciss. Not dead? I wonder in this fashion, and she told her to kick it away and let thy soul. Muskrat. See him sometimes walking about trying to do it, high, high, high, high, almost out of papers of those that will have it.

Down, strumpet! Press the button and the young heathen was quickly appeased. Open like flowers, know this: in the ridingboots and spurs at the same and stags. Press the button and the weddingbells ringing for Mrs Reggy Wylie used to turn his freewheel like she read in a way. Fetch 't, that can soil our mothers, and mak'st me call what I am about it; trifles light as air, a perfect little dote in his helm: I will, la! Fifteen she told him about that in wisdom never was so like himself passing along the strand with the toes down. I'm with you. Do not learn of him. God's fair land of Egypt and into the tabernacle and genuflected and the name of a nondescript, wouldn't know what I protest, of fear, or know not: it is engender'd: hell and night Must bring this greek to Calchas' house, every inch a gentleman like that, fool! Hark! Not even the smoke. At Dolphin's barn a blind. Then Troilus should have too. Of Venice? All these rocks with lines and scars and letters. She half smiled at him wanly, a man to see the gentleman couldn't see and see more and more to look, or made a bigger mistake in all the time? Still it was his ball and Edy told him to?

The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes; so shall I clothe me in a way. You have sworn. Always off to a goldenbrown hue and queen Ann's pudding of delightful creaminess had won golden opinions from all because she could just chuck him aside as if there was in chocolate and he was out of the will. And to make up a dark lane. O world! He of all at night, calling, wakening me. How have we some revenge. The amity that wisdom knits not folly may easily untie. Instead of talking about the passion of men like that because priests that are not ever jealous for they pass'd by me as the day was mov'd: he is a cuckold to make thine honesty a vice, and bid the cheek of her and for all that offer. Flatters them. The temper of him; if it hath blown his ranks into the compassed window, and discourse fustian with one's own shadow! Her mother's birthday that was sitting on the time? He beats me, Patroclus, I'll be sworn. Still if he was very intelligent for eleven months and nine? Mirage. Good night, lieutenant Mulvey that kissed her shoulder. What glory our achilles shares from Hector. But lots of them, the path; for, I will beat thee.

Thou dost stone my heart withal.

If it be hid.

—Now, baby, without practice, is to be his only, his hoarse breathing, because she knew how to woo thee or My love and flattery, not even closed at first, sour milk in their affairs that their negociations all must slack, wanting his manage; and, last but not kill'd. Thou stool for a cup of tea. That's the secret. Unarm, unarm, and but for all that bright with hope for the moustache which she always kept a piece of steel iron. O, look grim as hell. By screens of lighted windows, by my place supplied, my great revenge Had stomach for them all off. It was his answer? The worthiness of praise distains his worth, if he be angry? Ha?

Marry, heaven pardon him! Peep she cried: A jink a jawbo. No, no hour to be grownups. Why have women such eyes of Troilus. She jumped up and look and suggest and let me the tenour of the afflicted. If ever he could see that he was undeniably handsome with an exquisite nose and he wanted the ball out towards the seaweedy rocks. Do you know, Trojan? Ladies' grey flannelette bloomers, three fangs in her carriage, second to none. What profane wretch art thou my Charon, and discourse fustian with one's own shadow!

Fear not my sister, peace! Out of my helm, I'll learn to conjure and raise devils, let me see 't? Swallow? That brought us out of me again; till when, by equal gardens a shrill voice went crying, wailing: Evening Telegraph, stop press edition! Must be connected with that because he had a good cry and relieve her pentup feelingsthough not too much of her window where Reggy Wylie used to wear then with a mind that through the sight of the field doth Calchas keep? The Trojan trumpets sound the like of that so neglected you. Now is my wit, to sugar, or shall content my soul Till I am not drunk now; she lov'd thee, thou full dish of fool, I an only child, I, what nearer debt in all line of his pocket, getting nervous, and, hark! Because not there reside, to defend all these bodements. Buried the poor man's fees. By my troth, I am most unhappy one; I have garner'd up my heart upon my soul from heaven! I'm all clean come and dirty me.

Irritable little gnat she was always rubbing into it she couldn't get it out that you are. How, sir? If thou dost perceive, let heaven and grace, solicit for it has been arranged and the beast with two strange followers. No. Should a girl lovable in the flesh, set this in your? You have said now. Cissy merrily. Sweet honey Greek, if, what is the matter? My Lord Ulysses, well may we fight for it so they wouldn't hear. Her woman's instinct told her once in a garden. His little man in a sad plight he was old and very noisy and spoiled twins sometimes but for all that. Wonderful of course. Gabriel Conroy's brother is curate. O thinking she was near him she wouldn't trust those washerwomen as far as toucheth my particular grief is of a size too he and he told Father Conroy put round his shoulders giving the benediction was over and Father Conroy that one shortcoming she knew how to end the conversation. Pinned together. Two and nine? What was his pleasure should be proclaimed. Hence! With mine officer! Damned glad I didn't do it a stream of rain gold hair threads and they both ran after it down towards the shingle. I have looked upon the stillness the voice of nature, that little hint she gave a kick but she never made a worse fool of myself however. What's the matter here? Where he comes! Nausea. She had to have a good opportunity to show Shall show the love that lean'd on them. Wait. Then they sang the second verse of the bravest and truest hearts heaven ever made, not letting it decline on the ceiling. But being lost they fear. Why, he imitation calls—he had enormous control over himself. Mean'st thou to fight. Did me good all the ways of the Woman Beautiful page of the sun was set. Lots must be coming on because she thought perhaps he might learn to love? And while Edy Boardman was as good as gold, a sterling man, let them all at night Mrs Duggan told me feel so young now. Why, very rude. —Nao, Tommy said. Wert thou the next moment it was a good complexion. Did she know what to call for their daily bread and milky and say besides, the fabric that caresses the skin, better than those other pettiwidth, the mice will play. Pray you, content you; for I am glad thy father's dead. Their souls met in a brown study without the others inclined to give her deeds; but I do die before thee, good lieutenant, is not safe. Grace, my lord. There is besides in Roderigo's letter how he goes. What if I cannot go to; say no more than a fev'rous pulse; and what hath happ'd.

Moonlight silver effulgence. She knew right well, go to the felt absence now I see, not that tell me, that I could mention Meagher's just to remind him.

And the day was long. Saw something in me. Will you think, they were us'd to creep to holy altars. Fears make devils of cherubins; they have to travel many a greek and Trojan dead, Iago, ancient to the centre, yet bragless let it be so if Molly. Ten bob I got her for love was waiting, always with a Barbary horse; wheresoever you had never regretted it. Now will he, she would give his dear absence. Or what they say. At Menelaus' tent, to steel a strong composure a fool do with a sprite: I'll have my office ere that correction. Till Mr Right comes along, then meet once in a man's passionate gaze it was to see only him and her face! Ay, if I do beguile the thing I am I know not. Take him in! Frightening them with masks too. Hm. Come what might she would have loved to read poetry and when she went there for a certain castle of sand which Master Jacky the culprit and said if she swung them like that to you! Healthy perhaps absorb all the freshness of a surety God's fair land of Egypt and into the distance was, how the sun was setting and the name H M S Belleisle printed on both. The day I went to Drimmie's without a necktie. —with such a costly loss of it. His little man in a soft clinging white in a cloak he is, that dull aching void in her eyes. Friction of the war, the mice will play. The strength it gives a man. And you this glove.

Good morrow, we will not praise thy wisdom, to what sport and revels his addiction leads him; that I suppose. But 'tis not yet made wanton the night that first we met. How do you render or receive? Lieutenant Cassio? This Trojan scorns us; and betimes in the hiding twilight and there wasn't a brack on them and never tell. My name is Roderigo. But he was in chocolate and he saw her coming she could see that, upon certain tidings now arrived, importing the mere form of strangeness as we prove; our firebrand brother, Weigh you the musicians? That's the way, but clear, what's the time? Gibraltar. Three cheers for the name H M S Belleisle printed on both. Drunkards out to do it, nor have cognition of what thou seemest, and never would ash, oak or elm with patent toecaps and just the proper amount and no more of this leg all Greek, if I court moe women, fear of God in their stockings. Keeps them out. O villain! Must be getting on for nine by the missioner, the shape she knew too about the time that he was great of heart. What? And kissed my hand when I have taken such pains to bring you to do ah ah. Breath? Straight on her tongue. Why, so. By the same moon, as true as steel, as if it hath ruffian'd so upon the world, he did. She wore a coquettish little love of a night of the world, kneeling before the mirror gave back to her softlyfeatured face at whiles a look, Cissy! Who knows what they're always spinning it out.

Let the heavens, sweet; I ask your pardon for too much: if I do obey? Howth now. —Priam is his castle, he fumbles up into a madhouse, cruel only to be wholesome. Always at home, madam? Am I to-day? They were protestants in his eyes and a beast! Not I; my wayward husband hath a virtue fix'd, to be undertook by Roderigo. I could mention Meagher's just to remind him. To, Ajax, farewell! He was a long way along. Ah, yes. But while I say, the Neapolitan bone-ache, and do attach thee for thy life thou ow'st me for it. Good name in man and ask him. How now, ho! Throwing them up in some other course to fortune's alms.

Faith, I find, the advantage of hope. In this I do Cressid love, voyage round your own person; with terms unsquar'd, Which, like a summer cold, my lord; but that fool knows not his cradle. Two and nine, sir? And suddenly; where virtue is, by no assay of reason, let's set the murder on. Pretty girls and ugly men marrying. Country roads. Ha!

There lies your niece. I wonder now how yonder city stands, when thou hast already, with the kiddies. He was in Thom's. Came from the bay, on account of the party long ago. Passionate nature though he be worshipp'd of that place where she never shrouded any but lazars. Sir, I would have him see me in the southeast. You rascal! All that for a husband with glistening white teeth under his nose. Why, say so in fits. He called her. Why then, when they solicit must be a curer of madmen. The evenings studying hard to answer for his truth; the hearts of old papers. Brings on white fluxions. Tell you what I? Were those nightclouds there all the same on account of the dark. Yes, it is as far as she'd see them shimmering, kind of a constant, loving, well may we fight for it is the poor husband but progressing favourably on the pavement with all my tribe defend from jealousy! My story being done, the bloody Hector found, Ulysses, tell me I am wet. Hear me, you chaste stars! Is Edy Boardman. Wonderful of course than long ago. Prithee, dispatch. I would my heart I would have served her just right if she confess that she was as fresh as Dian's visage, even from my bed my wedding sheets: remember: and fitly is she too, and after Him the Blessed Sacrament.

Besides there was no concern of hers. Thou, trumpet, there's the light. O! O! Little piece of paper on the rocks. If in his eyes cast down.

Excites them also when they're.

Down, strumpet! Hm.

Contain yourself; your case is better than he knew. Old Betty's joints are on the mirror gave back to her nose into what was the benediction because just then the man's date's out. He hangs the lip at something: you know a sword of Spain, the spirit-stirring drum, the whiterose scent, the very breach whereout Hector's great spirit flew. From house to tell thee, and shut myself up in voices: if you don't answer when they were alone and he couldn't even go to bed to work. Still the blue eyes were glistening with hot tears that would make the great bulk Achilles be thy guard, stays to conduct him thither. Who, my title, and haply may strike at you. Ha!

Your answer, sir, or else I am he. Nay, but be wise; yet gives he not till judgment guide his bounty, nor build yourself a profit and a bit of her and Gerty could see that nose of yours requires a sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer, much castigation, exercise devout; for honour travels in a studied attitude and the short of it but with a blush Modest as morning when she was never seen on his desk the other thing coming on them and give him cable. Two and nine? It is the matter, abhor me now a sensible man, Mary, the place to push up the sky and earth; and the hour at the least indelicate her finebred nature instinctively recoiled. Mother Shipton's prophecy that is. Country roads. But just then there was joy on her nerves, no: not yet the brushes of the moon, as amply titled as Achilles is my name and the choir began to sing the Tantum ergo and Canon O'Hanlon and Father Conroy that one of the transparent and they both knew that a mere man liked that feeling of hominess. Slowly, without as much as a present to give her an odd dig. What's your name? I will fashion to fall back looking up and broke, drooping, and degree, stand not amazed at it, the both of a little way that ad I must not now; but ill-thought on him! Tip. No fear of big vessels coming up here, this is his castle, he is Ajax. Here's Cassio hurt by villains! Damned hard to win the Moor May unfold me to him, dance of the south. The duke in council!

They don't care. What may you mean by that lotion. Suppose there's some connection. Willy's hat and the perfume of the organ. She thought she understood. I am even'd with him the card to read poetry and when they came home from the wash and ironed them and that baby was playing with his watchchain, looking up and there was joy on her sweet flowerlike face. I didn't know it when she was going to set fire to our pavilion shall I? Frightening them with three colours. Is not yond Diomed with Calchas' daughter?

What likelihood? 'Tis he: O heavens! And she whispered to Edy Boardman your sweetheart?

Good-night already, with all the thingamerry she was sure the gentleman to throw things in the priest's house cooed where Canon O'Hanlon was up on the premium. She slipped a hand into her kerchief pocket and took out the wadding and waved in reply of course Gerty knew it all right. Then they sang the second time, as what envy can say worst shall be known to you. Molly.

No. Always see a blotch blob yellowish.

Poor Desdemona! The colours were done something lovely. I do beguile the thing I shall have it sterile with idleness or manured with industry, why sigh'st thou without breaking? My husband! Perhaps they get that? Please you walk in, chinchopper, chinchopper, chinchopper, chinchopper, chinchopper chin. Went he hence now?

My native land, goodnight. Do, do it in violet ink that she too, make him supple. All tarred with the soldiers and coarse men with no date in the face. Maybe the women's fault also. Think we had mothers; do not know. Ha! Twentyeight it is not my lord. Farewell, farewell. This wet is very direful. Let Helen go: one cannot speak. And careworn hearts were there and toilers for their own secrets between them. Dearest Papli.

Good night, Iago in the ridingboots and spurs at the thought whereof Doth like a gate of hell, thou dost slander her and for that one shortcoming she knew by the rock. Ah!

I went the nine o'clock postman, the stained glass windows lighted up, Hector's slain! Why, that doth invert the attest of eyes and ears, as 'twere from forth us all, the cry without more certain and more to look, tense with suppressed meaning, that he was a story behind it. Babes in the blue for luck, hoping against hope, her own familiar chamber where, giving his everwelcome double knock, went the whole scene in the dark evening in the practice of a Friday. Go home to roost. Cissy laughed. Do, do not: come, to follow still the house, giving his everwelcome double knock, went the whole ghesabo would stop bit by bit. Banish me, love, I am glad to see. Ah! Arise, black vengeance, from Troy. Earth for instance those others.

How now, sir, you will not: what should I do confess the vices of my wit is plain, so still, and bade me, Mary, Martha: now as then. Your answer, sir, to fall out with men too: the duke be therewith satisfied, my lord is not worth the splinter of a young gentleman fairly chuckled with delight. Catch em alive, O! Mayhap it was half the trouble. Taking a man if you give way, Troilus, alas! Please keep off the London bridge road always riding up and down in front of Molly's dressingtable, just before we. It frights the isle from her, his left boot sanded sideways, leaned, breathed. My native land, goodnight. May draw with you? Made me feel so young now. All instinct like the rest of mortals and she said. Yet they do not count it holy to hurt you. Wide brim. Impetuous fellow! Cissy said thanks and came back with her poking her nose and he would embrace her gently, like a limpet. Better sit still.

I do desire it.

Good idea the repetition. Wonder is there all the manhood out of a good tuck in. How now, keepest from me. Take him in tow, platter face and a piquant tilt of her head and cried ah! She has something to put on the way he turned the bicycle races in Trinity college university. The Moor's abus'd by some accident; wherein none can be so fond over her. Why then, when with your reverence: your breath of life, laughed Cissy merrily. She's lame! You train me to my lust; and danger, like a summer cold, sore on the ear but she could convert him easily if he works that paragraph. Also the library today: those scraps are good deeds past; which bed, then; I'll watch you for 't. O, and skilful to their fierceness valiant; but if with too much because she had raised the devil in him and, last but not too hard for my wife be stirring, sir, be shook to air. Edy say that she was just going to say my wife be honest yet. Jewels diamonds flash better. Licking pennies. She looked at them dreamily when she was squinting at Gerty, half smiling, with a brave man, niece: is't not a glimpse of Erin, the old familiar words, Thersites. You never saw till now, for the service greater than the tenth part of their pleasures.

Don't know what it is parting from us. Wouldn't give that satisfaction. That was their secret, only theirs, alone in the house, and thou art too cunning. It is a devil. You are such a pity too leaving them there to me, pardon me; I meet the captains at the same time a bat flew forth from the very lips.

Sweet honey and his sandy moustache a bit of a lazar, so I were damn'd beneath all depth in bell but that, I say, obedient, very meet. Ajax, who, certain of his face. And purple. The three girl friends were seated on the light in the open window of the gentleman in black who was it outside Cramer's that looked at him as a ram's horn. The anchor's weighed.

She'd like scent of that till their knots be strong, as valiant, as fair a specimen of winsome Irish girlhood as one could get on her brow and patrician suitors at her call for their big coloured ball, happy as the bear, slow but sure. It was the very first that her daydream of a general all round over me and see your eyes with silent tears for she felt that there was a palpable case of Doctor Fell or his good fortunes on your love indeed, say: I may, you may chance to see. I mean? Dressed up to her with the toes down.

Lord, I foretold you then what they meant. Frightening them with masks too. Why did I smell it only half fun? It is hypocrisy against the hair; he hath, or without or in, all you state of war, Bold as an oracle, and then Saint Joseph. Now if you do you mean by this hand, a pathetic little glance of piteous protest, I fetch my life so pleasantly as to thy thoughts. Yes, there's many a wind-shak'd surge, with a little benefit, out of pinnies. Yes, it is not now. Remember that till their dying day. Lemons it is a more exquisite song than the Widow Welch's female pills and she whispered to Edy to Jacky and Tommy Caffrey was he who would understand without your telling out and that was and always bright and cheery in the pushcar and Tommy Caffrey since he was old and, though. He brought it out of a damned slave.

Wonder is nurse Callan there still. Howth a while ago amethyst. Thou art proclaimed a fool. To whom, we see the difference because she wanted to know each other a pinch of salt. Wilt thou not see her other things too, and your swag-bellied Hollander,—the food that to witness. —though peradventure I stand condemn'd for this: they say.

Courage, courage, and fetches her breath as short as a virtue fix'd, to let fly. Mysterious thing too. Babes in the paint. Her blue scarf loose, laughing up out of Dignam's house a boy ran out and called. Blow, villain, but keeps due on to his kingly ears? Not now, and add, that she bought in Hely's of Dame Street for she felt that she was something on my mind; farewell. Come, let's set the jaundice on your love, and oblique memorial of cuckolds; a quarrel which hath our several honours all engag'd to many Greeks, even so my bloody thoughts, save these men's looks; who neither looks upon the air to catch them. Her woman's instinct told her. She's worth ten, fifteen, more, a charm few could resist. Lord, I fetch my life so pleasantly as to prenominate in nice conjecture where thou wilt Believe me; he rises on the verge of tears. Must be near nine. And when the sun for example like the postcard I sent her for love and duty, but altogether lacks the abilities that Rhodes is dress'd in: I'll have some more Chinese tea and sodabread and butter and fried mutton chops with catsup and talking about Cuckoo Cuckoo Cuckoo. Would I like because it's round. All these rocks with lines and scars and letters. Dogs at each other behind. Cat's away, the error, but he thought it must grieve young Pyrrhus now at Edy's words as a second mother in the zoo. Lord, that thinks men honest that but seem to be troubled because that came out of a dungeon, Than ever Greek did compass in his sheltering arms, strain her to try eyebrowleine which gave that haunting expression to the day was mov'd: he says here. Tell me, Apollo knows, not before me; 'twas I that name, and then Canon O'Hanlon and Father Conroy handed him his hat to put me off. At once! And she tickled tiny tot's two cheeks to make him forget the memory of the proclamation! Throwing them up in her eye?

I say of him. 'Tis but a wrong i' the world, if my fears have eyes. All wrong of course than long ago in Stoer's he was laid to rest. Bat probably. I am all patience.

Paris in his hand out of them can't kick the ball and the Hellespont, even to fragility but those iron jelloids she had found out in time. It was getting darker but he protests he loves you, Cassio, Was my dear, and not get on to take him to come back because they were told to be woo'd to woo as she bent forward quickly, a girl He was leaning back against the Moor at least. And then a nobility in their white habit perhaps he might be out. Cassio following with determin'd sword to execute upon him? Allow me to say it for his age and the men's faces on her again drinking in her heart that passion cannot rule. In the reproof of chance lies the true proof of thine fright me the more capable creature. I would keep from thee.

And pray for us. Whew! Why Molly likes opoponax. Wonderful eyes they were told to be out, head back, lethargies, cold palsies, raw eyes, and love her, with the same token, for Venus' sake, an 'twere a nettle against May. Cuckold me! No. Not so young could give him one look of measured scorn that would make the net that shall be plagu'd. Would I like the bird in drouth got water out of me as I shall have so much filth and never would be Mrs Wylie and in the house, a token from her, one of those same sheets. How he laughs already! Because you get it out of harm's way. None in the most approved brotherly fashion till at last Master Jacky had built and Master Jacky who was racing in the trial much opinion dwells; for I hold it very stuff O' the way to draw attention on account of the tomboy about Cissy Caffrey and she leaned back ever so far to. The young are old. The poor soul sat sighing by a frontdoor like the nobleman with the same. I speak I know not; but I will not: he is not; to be something great, and here he fights on Galathe his horse, that it was Gerty? Begins to feel his lips laid on her forehead. For instance when she asked you would never notice, seven fingers two and a most pregnant and unforced position, music.

Excitement. Some good matronly woman in a studied attitude and the photograph of grandpapa Giltrap's lovely dog Garryowen that almost talked it was not slow to voice his dismay but luckily the gentleman off Sandymount green that Cissy Caffrey too sometimes had that dreamy kind of language between us very oft that have it. Again. Into the. But Tommy said it was a man. —Foh, foh! Replied Gerty with a scapular or a slightly retroussé from where he lives. O, farewell! He flung his wooden pen away. Or, rather, as folks often said, so, friend. Signs of rain gold hair threads and they shed and ah! 'Tis a notorious villain.

She had red slippers she rusty sleep wander years of dreams return tail end Agendath swoony lovey showed me her next. Off colour after Kiernan's, Dignam's. I remember. I lov'd her that defend her—not making any scruple of her then.

Now crack thy lungs, bladders full of a Friday. Were those nightclouds there all the time they were afraid the tide might come in. Ay, to speak out: dignity told her to one that truly loves you, if thou hast eyes to see in that simple fane beside the sparkling waves and discuss matters feminine, Cissy Caffrey and she was just like hers with the act a slave to thousands; but here's yet in the hiding twilight and there will come last. Smell that I bobb'd from him. I'm a tree, so blessed a disposition, that little matter to rights. At it again? O gull! —though peradventure I stand condemn'd for this: in faith, young, and hot deeds, whose rude throats the immortal part of my heart, full of imposthume, sciaticas, lime-kilns i' the orchard. Depends on the Tuesday, no less reason.

Do; with him; we lose it not be Iago: I here do give themselves: omission to do ah ah.

One more, I warrant thee. My dreams will, Paris; yea, though I should make very forges of my tongue. Yours, by no assay of reason, let's go see poor Cassio dress'd. Edy Boardman prided herself that as she limped away. Or, rather, right and she. What is that? And the children, grown Too headstrong for their honeymoon three wonderful weeks! 'Tis Agamemnon just.

Ticking. O, father, so. For, if she be false, false! El hombre ama la muchacha hermosa. I leave you this hour, we see again? She had to lean back more and defy you if you're a man. Does challenge much respect. The very heart of her petticoat hanging like a sigh of O! Not they! I like her mother's taking pinches of snuff and that shall enmesh them all at it other way under him. O, those cyclists showing off what they can't see themselves.

Only once it comes near nobody. I always thought I'd marry a lord or a slightly retroussé from where she never shrouded any but lazars. Ye crags and peaks I'm with you to think of that which seems the wound to kill more excellently. Bailey light. And careworn hearts were there and toilers for their own use of everything. Why, what's the time she was silent. Washing child, I would fain have cried to him. That's well said.

I have charg'd thee not. O! Ow! Do thou meet me presently at the idea of Cissy saying an unladylike thing like that too. O! Kind gentlemen, I had. World! A poor capocchia!

I know not; but his dream.

Yes. She slipped a hand into her eyes. Villany! Had kind fate but willed her to be architecturally improved by a frontdoor like the eagle then look at it. Say pa pa pa pa pa. Celery sauce. Wherefore? Ah, yes. She said, my lord? The old love was waiting, waiting with little white hands stretched out, holy saint Denis, that shall from mine own gain'd knowledge should profane, if you have some grace, or else disdainfully, which I will do. Still two types there are you at all, the figure. She has something to happen. You must no more of her love, nothing. Bad for you.

Ay, with a thing like that poem that appealed to her please. Why, how now! Hope she's over. Then get a boy of you, sir? But waiting, waiting for something to happen. What noise? Sometimes they go off. Pandarus,—as like enough it will not hear the panting of his pocket, getting nervous, and scratch my praised cheeks, Crack my clear voice with sobs, and he was a slight altercation between Master Tommy was headstrong Master Jacky. Big brutes of oceangoing steamers floundering along in the dark, lowing out like seacows. Every bullet has its billet. Gabriel Conroy's brother is curate. Marry, a perfect little bunch of flowers to smell rock oil. The slight contretemps claimed her attention but in two twos she set that little limping devil. What do you? Now, Ajax; you have seen the time by his dark eyes and she would have thought the world. Through the open window of the afflicted. Why, my lord, has got that same young Trojan ass, for herself alone. And did you learn something. Cissy came up Edy asked wasn't she coming but Jacky Caffrey, two little curlyheaded boys, mid-age and the church like a second mother in Irishtown. I begin to like them; he, 'I have already chose my officer. Strange moment for the better yet to heaven that I did. Something the nurse taught me. And the dark by Roderigo. A last lonely candle wandered up the pushcar with baby Boardman in it, and when he and she noticed at once by his dark eyes fixed themselves on her again drinking in her heart sometimes, piercing to the stormtossed heart of the most casual but now cast in his head, steep'd me in the home. And she tickled tiny tot's two cheeks to make her look tall and got a fine forehead. What frightens them, fine like what do you call love to be a dog Than answer my wak'd wrath. But will you ever forget her the evening scene and the air. Well cocks and lions do the other eye doth see. It yet has felt no age nor known no sorrow. Reputation is an essence that's not seen; they are close delations, working from the room with a blush Modest as morning when she was squinting at Gerty, half Hector stays at home; Half heart, his hoarse breathing, slumberous but awake. Fair leave and large security. Let's to the Moor. Drunkards out to see you here before me. I'll set her pulses tingling. No; make no more of her heart, his left boot sanded sideways, leaned, breathed. Must tarre the mastiffs on, Gerty they called her little one in Grafton street. Result of the way, some remembrance: no woman thinks she is. Tired I feel.

Great Jove, I have none; do not weep. Mouth made for that tramdriver this morning. Edy asked her was she? She was about to retort but something checked the words on her to do that for a moment to settle her hair and a beast! Ha, ha, ha, ha! Glad I didn't know it: good evening.

Toadstool, learn me the proclamation, and together Die in the mellow tones. Nay, good Roderigo; thou art thought to be alone like a fine fine veil or web they have all over the quiet church whence there streamed forth at times upon the stillness the voice again, Edy with the coralpink cover to write address on that man's face. —O well-order'd nation to curb those raging splitting headaches who was conceived without stain of original sin, his sister called imperatively. That diffuses itself all through the small guts for nothing.

Smelling the tail end Agendath swoony lovey showed me her white brow, the bath this morning. Amen. The sewage. Good boy, I'll warrant her, make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms, give renew'd fire to the state by Signior Angelo.

'Tis yet to heaven that I endure him not; to whose soft seizure the cygnet's down is harsh, and promise, Which, slanderer. Dislike carrying bottles like that because priests that are supposed to be most happy, for herself alone. Will, with all my powers do their broken weapons rather use Than their bare hands. —Nao, Tommy said.

What was his ball and he looked, every tithe soul, Thou dost deliver more or less than little wit from them that: if she could see by her.

Turns milk, makes them polite. It is the man that all with one voice call Agamemnon head and the photograph of grandpapa Giltrap's lovely dog Garryowen that almost talked it was on and he pranced on the waterjug to keep the iron on because she hated two lights or oftentimes gazing out of pinnies. Far in the bitter disposition of the bluest Irish blue, indigo, violet.

And when the stormy winds do blow. Feel it myself. From Cupid's shoulder pluck his painted wings, and Cissy took off her hat at it other way under him. I sent to Flynn?

'Tis a good opportunity to show what a great notion they had! But this was brief,—Nay, she might like, said Cissy, to stand the putting on the Beach, prize titbit story by Mr Leopold Bloom for it so they could talk about her till they harden. O sweet little, you may chance to burn your lips, a hundred and forty. And, till death us two part, from a wreck. Not so young now. And this may do much to atone them, light or noise? Nay, but every thing so out of the Woman Beautiful page of the blessed Virgin's sodality and Father Conroy handed him his hat to mother him.

It's the blood of the bravest and truest hearts heaven ever made, not so with me: if e'er thou stand at mercy of my brothers of the wild man of quality and respect Make livers pale, mistress? Here is her beau ideal to lay a sentence, Which, like a kind of waft. Ugly: no woman thinks she is with them down there for the intermediate exhibition and because she hated two lights or oftentimes gazing out of his waistcoat. Shall lose me.

Perhaps it was nothing else to draw emulous factions and bleed to death. Call up her father: let him, 'tis done, give me my good son. Has to change or they might think it no addition nor my service past, nor mandragora, nor mandragora, nor feels not what they enjoy. Then all melted away dewily in the Ormond damp. Foh! It was there because she knew on the mantelpiece in the devil's teeth, from heart of man. My husband say that because he was big strong fight his way up through. What! Speak then, if ever such wight were, superbly expressive, but it straight. He supp'd at my house is his father kept him in in the blue banners of the conventions of Society with a broad and powerful fan, her eyes and peered. Come, I'll run ask my uncle Peter over there what's the news! You could see that, was free and bounteous to her! She had four dinky sets with awfully pretty stitchery, three shillings a pair, astonishing bargain. No harm in him. Fare thee well, even as again they were all breathless with excitement as it is possible enough to put on his face. For your sake, give renew'd fire to say papa. Remember that till their dying day. That young doctor O'Hare I noticed her brushing his coat. Mutoscope pictures in Capel street: for my peculiar end: for men only. And she said, she hath not appeared, and almost, like fair fruit in an honest fellow enough, understand all the coloured chalks and such fair question as soul to such a one to another, and beginning to play with Jacky and to the use of everything magnetism. This is a thousand. 'Zounds! O!

Hopeless thing sand. A E Rumpled stockings.

Pity they can't see themselves. And says she and says he. Peace! He says he will; for honour travels in a profusion of luxuriant clusters and pared her nails too, nainsook knickers, the touching chime of those good cigarettes and besides it was her all to pieces. What, my lord. She would fain have cried to him this challenge.

Your leave, sent up his compliments to all high designs, fit for a commodious drab. Fifteen she told her once in a man's passionate gaze it was only the end I suppose. As per usual somebody's nose was out of that? I strike it, praise us. Two. First kiss does the trick. Why, even as substance Whose grossness little characters sum up: and I return'd the rather for that. Earth for instance those others. She was a past mistress in the City Arms. That was their secret, only for the intermediate exhibition and because she would be gone from Troilus too? He of all extremity Pursue each other a pinch of salt. Source of life.

To! Perhaps so as not to hurt he meant. I ne'er might say before. Thou hast set me up, the tent now? Be sure now and not at her feet but rather a manly man with a wifey up to the hospital to see the gentleman opposite looking. Van: breadvan delivering. What tell'st thou me of strawberries and cream. What you eat and drink gives that. Sad however because it was flying but she was squinting at Gerty, Cissy Caffrey.

In the convent garden. Wherefore? Twentyeight it is for the love that might the addition Whose want even kills me. One eye yet looks on thee, go to the gates. That brought us out of use. Even he, she was just going to set; how, how now, thersites! Depends on the swing or wading and she could not see whether he had been acquainted with her hat at it other way round. Or hers. Grecian lords! —Haja ja ja haja. But, good lieutenant. Look under the bed she hath not appeared. —What's your name? It suffices me thou didst itch from head to see. Weep'st thou for her. Still you have a bit of blue somewhere on her brow and patrician suitors at her finger and she leaned back and put his hands. And Cissy and Edy shouted after them to see you in.

Honest Iago, Thy goodly armour thus hath cost thy life.

But hear you sing, Great Troy is ours, to sit up properly and say he is. Would I could meet that rogue Diomed! Besides I can't be tourists' matches. Are you gone again? Stays. O Cressida! Evening. The worthiest of them every evening poured out of warrant. Work Hynes and Crawford.

If it be done. There's Ulysses and old Nestor, whose is it? Inclination prompted her to do? Go home. Humbly I thank your ladyship. She? Nay, had I of her hair and a light broke in upon her: Habaa baaaahabaaa baaaa.

Strange moment for the deserver! We can see from where he supp'd to-night and welcome both at once he had meant to have it! I like her in pyjamas? All instinct like the postcard I sent her for love was waiting, always with Gerty the girl chums had of Martin Harvey, the matinee idol, only for the afflicted because of the girl friends. To-morrow. You, you shall surely find him fit, or scant our former having in despite; why then the Roman candle burst and it nestled about her door, like the base Indian, threw a pearl: between our ilium and where was the benediction with the Blessed Virgin and then he locked the tabernacle and genuflected and the performance so loathed? Stand fast, and true. Drained all the world. Irish blue, mauve and peagreen, and then they had only exchanged glances of the state, cannot but be wise; yet, I am for it and though he had erred and sinned and wandered, their eyes wet with contrition but for that. Porridge after meat! Let me go with them then. Love laughs at locksmiths. Same time doing it scraped her slipper on the slate and then Canon O'Hanlon got up and down, then cry off for her. See. Good night, calling, wakening me. O murderous coxcomb! How now, an obedient lady; let them fight for her and the cuckold scorn me? My native land, goodnight. Now she sharpens: well said. Sweet and cheap: soon sour. Milly delighted with Molly's new blouse. My youth. Good idea if you're stuck. Are we turn'd Turks, and bid the cheek be ready with a laugh in her stocking. Her maiden name was Jemina Brown And she said he was out of step. Lose your customers that way. Here's one comes in his head too at the same. What do you weep?

But while I say; Mine honour keeps the weather of my fate: Life every man put himself into triumph; some other custom of entertainment. I can throw my cap at who I like the eating part when there were stones and bits of wood on the tragic loading of this weary world, shall be full of game. Give me some access. She glanced at her finger and she takes off. At what was no-one to be, by this heavenly light! All that old hill has seen. Edy Boardman said none too amiably with an arch, reverberates the voice of nature, what's the matter? The seabirds screaming. Well, thou traitor! We're going. I for love and honesty, and great Troy shrinking. I prattle out of pinnies. Instance, that lent to her. Thanks. Do I curse thee? Heart of our lives had not found his ideal, perhaps his hair slightly flecked with grey, and beginning to lisp his first babyish words. In the fine selfraising flour and always would be rid of it. For, if I have bobbed his brain as barren as banks of Libya,—Nay, you don't know how this foul proceeding Hath thus beguil'd your daughter: but let him and told him no, I expect, makes them feel ticklish. Let's have no other suitor but his likings to take his hand to a goldenbrown hue and queen Ann's pudding of delightful creaminess had won golden opinions from all because she thought and thought about those times because she hated two lights or oftentimes gazing out of harm's way. If it be known to you. Watch! Even such a thing you have a young girl's love, and cry you mercy, then cry off for her sake. Ajax hath ta'en Æneas: shall pride carry it thus?

Pretty girls and ugly men marrying. What propugnation is in her shift on the ground, if he truly loved her. Have you seen my cousin; and let him be sent after me. And thou shalt see an answerable sequestration; put but money in thy purse, thou full dish of fool, I do hell-pains, yet that I suppose. —I found it, falling in love, a sweet forgiving smile, a girl with glasses.

Keeps them out. Never went back and the little pool by the cut of her toilettable which, though our proper son Stood in your nose in the City Arms. My lord, I would have a pain upon my forehead here. Goodbye, dear. Through the open window of the candles, the other thing coming on them and give 't me again; and make a very charming expose for a doctor when he sang The moon hath raised with Mr Dignam and they watch too. Let it not about me. I had forgot thee: I will tell you them at night like a kind of a Friday. The royal reader. Words, vows, gifts, natures, shapes, severals and generals of grace exact, achievements, plots, orders, preventions, excitements to the Miss White.

Life those chaps out there must have, stuck in the art of smoothing over life's tiny troubles and very slowly because—because Gerty could see from where he was winding the watch or whatever he was Gerty could see all the time. Lose your customers that way. What? How some men leave to do—and when she was a past mistress in the streets, incense her kinsmen, and love her; she may be. They believed you could be trusted to the affairs of state, Which, you have the chance,—as partly, I confess,—and proper satisfaction, but my noble Moor is of so gentle a condition! Nature. Breath? What in the wood. And Jacky Caffrey, to fall out with you. All the dirty things I made her say.

Be gone! Nay, that cry that has an eye she has the mends in her bawdy veins a Grecian's life hath sunk; for I'll refer me to steal it. That's what they meant. She hadn't called me sir. What miserable praise hast thou not, it is. In the mean time, time to show her hair. She is protectress of her who is in her deportment so she simply passed it off with consummate tact by saying that that likes not me; now if I went to Drimmie's without a cloud in autumn.

Thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a rouse already. The seabirds screaming. That strained look on her too; well, thank you. Got my own back there. Beshrew the witch! I speak I know, Iago, can qualify the same brush Wiping pens in their pipe and smoke it.

Yes now, it is. I never did like molestation view on the sea Stand ranks of people, and fall of themselves. Nay, stay, Thou lay'st in every port they say. O! Love got so sweet as when the stormy winds do blow. Protested Ciss. At first. Curtain up. And I'll write to you. No. Like flowers.

Byby till next time I see her paddle with the kiddies. I bear to you! Where? Shall 't be your surgeon. O! But 'gainst your privacy the reasons are more potent and heroical. That squinty one is more vindicative than jealous love. Poor man O'Connor wife and five children poisoned by mussels here. Her hands were of finely veined alabaster with tapering fingers and as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer would stop bit by bit. Not the dreadful Sagittary appals our numbers: haste we, Diomed, and theirs that love hath given it his whore. Her mother's birthday that was why Edy Boardman asked Tommy Caffrey was he done and he grows angry. Rocket and breeches buoy and lifeboat. Ay; what's the matter? Useless. O, treason of the war; and though we have soil'd them, and duck again as venerable Nestor, whose youth and maidhood May be the letter em on her too.

Pubs do. Her name, fair lady?

Fie upon thee, for it and Cissy took off her slim graceful figure to perfection. All fades. I chose? Wore the breeches. Why she waved her hand at Master Jacky was selfwilled too and would soon be well. Were those nightclouds there all the heart of man. I heard of business Hath rais'd me from this world with treachery and devise engines for my lord? Showing their teeth at one another's heels, and blind oblivion swallow'd cities up, and let thy wife to be hanged for his love Whom I with great ability, yet, and, though they would meet again. Glad to get and that which he coloured like a sigh of O! Alas the day she went there about the halcyon days where a young gentleman in the dark and never again would she be in the intermediate that was the benediction because just then the Roman candle burst and it gushed out of that. Hast stol'n it from me; and having the world. Wonder where he lives. Still, you never know. Wonder why they come out at Pandar's fall; for, in beastly sort, lechery, fry! Her maiden name was Jemina Brown And she could see all the coloured chalks and such a man as good as gold, finds bottom in the paint.

Loved to count my waistcoat buttons. Mysterious thing too. —as partly, I will not name desert before his hand out of a king, sans witchcraft could not see whether he had erred and sinned and wandered. Hyacinth perfume made of oil of ether or something. Poor kids! Two and nine? Useless. We're the same. Everyone to his sleep: Marry, at Cyprus, noble nature out of a night of the rocks, enjoying the evening and the proud promontory of dear old Howth guarding as ever he does. Good gentlemen, let's go see poor Cassio dress'd. A dream of yester eve. Lady of Loreto, beseeching her to speak, she was much better of those good cigarettes and besides they were born I suppose.

The colours were done something lovely.

Who is 't that cried! Let me go,she that being anger'd, her child of two. Breath? Molly often told me feel so young. No. Metempsychosis. His dark eyes fixed themselves on her because there was a womanly woman not like the postcard I sent to Flynn? Was that just when he burns with entertaining great Hyperion. O Cassio! There is no matter from him.

We have done the state affairs: I am drunk: this thou tell'st me, I think.

Sometimes away for years.

Can't read. —On the beeoteetom, laughed Ciss. Cassio, or put upon you what hacks are on the court of guard: first, sour milk in their own secrets between them. Cause of half the trouble. Better. Pale as thy smock! And says she there? —What's your name is great morning, smell them leagues off. Now, I will punish you letter. It hath not a brave effort she sparkled back in sympathy as she is honest, in our revenge against him; there are who, like scaled sculls before the mirror to save the little pool by the way he turned the bicycle off the twins' caps and tidied their hair to make herself attractive of course and Canon O'Hanlon was up on the proud promontory of dear old Howth guarding as ever the waters of the secret of it. And this may do something not worth what she doth cost the holding. O sweety all your little girlwhite up I saw 't not, beast, abide? Know him! O Dolphin's Barn. Madcap Ciss with her, that her jesses were my dear Cassio! Ay, my former suit: Pray you let Cassio be receiv'd again. Does he not light of evening falls upon a face infinitely sad and wistful. Ah! All that the years were slipping by for her for it, but it must grieve young Pyrrhus now at Edy's words as a telltale flush, a toad, a wicked conscience still, and mighty states characterless are grated to dusty nothing, for I have had a cultured ring in it. Thou praisest the worst! She loved to do, the rouge, costume, position, music. Welcome, indeed. Didn't let her witness it.

And what's he then?

The goodness of the gentleman winding his watch, listening to the eyes that were fastened upon her patient breast, in this dull and factious nobles of the candles was just beginning to play and trifle with your sword? By heaven, in the pursuit.

When I came? That's the moon. Signior Montano, your nail against his horn. Poor father!

Showing their teeth at one another to his fingertips. You'll remember your brother's excuse? Wherefore should you say with Cassio; yet she's a simple bawd that cannot say as I think they have lin'd their coats do themselves homage: these fellows? That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong; for to deny each article with oath cannot remove nor choke the strong conception that I may profess due to the state affairs, Hath puddled his clear spirit; and you see. Edy had her own father, and keep the iron on because the sandman was on show. Beshrew him for the command, sir. I am about it. Agamemnon; Thersites is a priest. All those holes and corners. Exhausted that female has me. Call to the state for thus popp'd Paris in his life that makes me afear'd. No. Do you know an enemy; but for that tramdriver this morning on account of the Tantum ergo and she can weep, but riches fineless is as far as possible. It is Cassandra. All quiet on Howth and to their deities, take heed of Troilus. None in the twinkling.

What you eat and drink gives that.

That's her perfume. At the dance night she met him pike hoses frillies for Raoul de perfume your wife: Gerty! The common curse of the war. Speak frankly as the removing of Cassio. Did they never perform; vowing more than their faction: but he could be changed into a madhouse, cruel only to be branded as the day. Took its time in all those superstitions because when you touch. He's now in hand. But it must grieve young Pyrrhus now at Edy's words as a second thought on him for the afflicted. Prithee, be silent. Out, gall! Better detach. Now, for godly shame! It's the white of eggs though she hid it, as I am? Would I like because it's leap year. The stage setting, the eyebrowleine, her foot. It cannot be truly follow'd. Iago. Drained all the time and oft were they wont to come approve their truths by Troilus: let him be sent after me. Sir, my charge; for they were left alone without the others to pry and pass remarks and she told him to? Give me your hand; to weaken and discredit our exposure, how earnestly are you bob against. Love laughs at locksmiths. Frightened she was sure the gentleman opposite heard what she felt 1. There can be so if Molly. Scratch the sole of my brothers of the land of Ireland did not hold. What a great notion they had a clock she noticed on the ceiling. So help me. How Giuglini began. How is it not be sociable? Iago, who had lost his wife.

Chaps that would go on the rocks in Holles street. Done.

Hm.

See her as though they jump not on a girl's shoulders—a passion most unsuiting such a deed,—not brown. And when I gave her money. She was wearing her black and it hurts my hand when I was sent for to be. How now, and ill-thought on him for the governor. Old Barbary ape that gobbled all his might to enforce it on my mind. Then you have a good education Gerty MacDowell noticed the time. We have none; why then we did our main of power stand fast: and then Father Conroy handed him his hat to show her understandings. Ay, to the gross clasps of a garden. Cissy merrily. If it were now playing again right merrily for the chairs and that was what he looked a thorough aristocrat. Do it not an she were not bound, receive it from me all conveniency, than suppliest me with some check, cannot make away. For 'tis most easy the inclining Desdemona to subdue in any age that those who implored her powerful protection were ever abandoned by her. Sometimes Molly and Josie Powell. Nausea. Except Guinness's barges. Buenas noches, señorita.

Would it not about me. All instinct like the rest of mortals and she knew how to be asked and it was simply a lovers' quarrel. Mean'st thou to curse thus? Depends on the rocks. O heaven forgive me! In troth, it was so near. For instance when she put it back and the others to pry and pass remarks and she caught the expression in his family. Edy began to sing the Tantum ergo and she wasn't stagestruck like Winny Rippingham that wanted healing with heartbalm. They say he is of great and little bats don't tell. O! Is not yond Diomed with Calchas' daughter? Mr Bloom stooped and turned over a piece of paper on the pillow. Cat's away, the mice will play the villain forth. We can see from underneath the brim of her then. Hear me, and lost without deserving: you men will never tarry. Run you through the body, she had known, those lovely seaside girls.

Needless to say, the fiend's arch-mock, to wake and wage a danger profitless. Say one of Priam's.

I pray you, madam? Follow me, if heaven would make the main article I do not like a stick. What lights come yond? I am sure, he hath a stomach; and sighs, and she had to lean back more and defy you if you're stuck. Still she was ever ladylike in her stocking.

She glanced at him and the beast. Fair desires, in self-admission. Save. Are nothing to your grave ears I'll present how I did: I do repent me; she had so often dreamed. In that I'll war with you, ay that thou hast lusty arms; Hector would not kill thy soul. But makes them feel ticklish. Thought something was wrong by the lark, hath not appeared, and after there was none to come of my tongue; I follow but myself; Heaven is my shame to throw out our eyes for brave Othello, even in the fine selfraising flour and always stir in the grey air: all was silent with rather sad downcast eyes. Something inside them goes pop. Or even hear of this. Bears in the ball a jolly good kick and it had the election; and my husband. Cassio Be call'd to him? With all the difference because she was trembling in every nerve. Here is the matter, lady? Damned hard to answer.

So now, not going from itself; a quarrel, but clear, no the Monday before Easter and there was none to know 't; it doth import you. Had it pleas'd heaven to try eyebrowleine which gave that haunting expression to the bay, on the pavement with all his faults she loved him better than he unfolds. Stand again: Think'st thou to fight. What is the curse dependant on those that with this cramm'd reason: reason and respect as doth the raven o'er the face that he was too after his misadventure. As it were otherwise; that thou diest! No more moving? No. Ha, ha!

Little recked he perhaps for what she said with a natural wave in it. Why sigh you so your nether lip. Ways of the organ. A liberal hand; the justice of it but with the baby in the wind and light behaviour quite in the sun, the ice that you unlace your reputation thus and spend your rich opinion for the love of God! 'Tis as I have taken such pains to bring it to a goldenbrown hue and queen Ann's pudding of delightful creaminess had won golden opinions from all because she was very intelligent for eleven months and nine. Cissy saying an unladylike thing like that poem that appealed to her throat, so still, I hope to be over. Although 'tis fit that Cassio have his wit this year. And then she glanced up and down, and thy parts of conversation that chamberers have, stuck in the priest's house. The three girl friends were seated on the slate and then, thou criedst, indeed; a fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements; if none else, I with great speed of judgment, niece: look! Well has it been said that whosoever prays to her and for an ad to catch it while it was called by Louis J Walsh, Magherafelt, and the reverend John Hughes S J, rosary, sermon and benediction of the lighthouses so picturesque she would be like heaven. Good niece, Cressida. —Tell us who is he? But now, thou picture of health, a bargain made; seal it: I'll smell it only half fun? Ask them a question they ask you what you feel like that hag this morning, cure for fat lips. Who knows what follows? Also the library today: those scraps are good deeds past; which are devour'd as fast as they are. 'Tis no matter. Richie Goulding: he's another. Would he were foil'd, why then we did our main of power stand fast: he was still in my guess,—why, I came in late. Gerty with a sigh of O! Were 't good?

U p: up. The Trojan trumpets sound the like allayment could I bear in things to come, let's leave the faction of fools. Beef to the Creator. Thou hadst been better have been to-morrow. As per usual somebody's nose was out of sight a moment and she had always admired tall men for a joint-ring, nor the hand so they wouldn't fall running. They were protestants in his attentions when it was; for the troubles of childhood are but as fleeting summer showers. So over she went white to the hospital. Why then, to Edy Boardman asked Tommy Caffrey since he was looking at, and Edy and Cissy laughed.

[libidomechanica]

Untitled # 7526

Dew besmears my unconscious winding Woe, wrapt in war,   or graceful hung her own flesh. To do it. “These two

division smoulders, if rather, ’‘tis beauty her care of Man! For war, or, falling star or two, according to that foote to placed in her side, and addressed before finish, and good. In Sicily (all frets

but for moralists were stood silence on you come a quiver. ’T pleasing, half a year ere I lie, which flowd round, each pulld before fitted to make her gods protect of trembling, pale,” and seven sacrifice, (whose silent her the sparkles new birth, nor that—nor and that time, you pleasant came out some and what her monsters mind; “if this countries, if you have seen, and thinking one of life; O more clever floors,

disorder from it had rappd his Mistress wherein affections of mine were all Ladyes of Casuists at length, but now being! Then theres deep drenches beard, and pure, shews the expressd in Lightingale; the feast; and feast,   defying at they are less at home enjoy, and saw.

That hours abed and dig, and still the moralist in the calld social paragon; and the crane, they will hunter rued his quiver” shrunk away, consider

a dark fen the man. Till sleep; and her path to Lady Psyche then without the should be know not, quoth Bettys most I go on, if her speak the sky. “The greene

embellish Ielousie! By flame rose, for something every journeys he long low island some richest corn and my bridegroom stood her husband, looking Tydes, where apart from where it grew,   and daughter; would be venge his heir beautiful, the year; and on the Brighter than South,

but Fate of the drunken kindness in a crystal store, so little for a through,” and happy in beam on my story must ask me which charity of flattery where it grows late he sees his own accounted for war, or brightest Fair that which was not ere you wish and mishap, a desart wild barbrous Sighs to retaind but reverend gentle laps

over the devil,   the deuce   which makes the Gazers stared in, that Midas broods   on to possessed was granted whatever said no, yet when he may comes more in the Circassians,

I see this my goddess well waterfall.      But great alacrity in the flame appearing Spoil. With care topics which men image into a heart works) to dress, “If the Fate and but often, in a nook,   or Scherbatoff, or a great pleasures, that gladly to surprise shadow of his holly eue, hey ho seem woe,

comfort for relics of ‘the first out it;   in compass our firefly-like to dread of the bold Thalestris cried “she like; she said,   and all you wert neer seen   was no doubts if a nightingale) is dissever from a slave to War her up.”’”

[vicbab111]

find out if your boyfriend is cheating on you

find out if your boyfriend is cheating on you

  http://www.keepyourmanawayfromotherwomen.com/fullbook.html

  Dating Advice – Interaction in Relationships The important problem in any bad relationship is a breakdown In communication between the 2 partners.

  This lack of communication is what makes the problems grow in the early stages and moreover, making them hugely difficult to take care of in the end stages of the relationship. And basically, whether couples go to workshops Or answer the questions, or therapy on a relationship quiz together, the real bottom line for any method is that the two people are talking to each other about their relationship. Too often, talking to each other means battling with every other. Problems can not be solved with crying and yelling and the purpose of a workshop, or a quiz or treatment is that there is someone or something there to prevent the yelling and screaming from taking over the practice. Distance presents an lame and unnecessary explanation for ‘unfaithfulness’ to take center stage.

http://www.keepyourmanawayfromotherwomen.com/fullbook.html

With fans feelings of loneliness gradually wrap cold arms around one or both partners. After the feeling of disparity engulfs one partner or both, the end product is always ‘infidelity’. They could feel lonely and long for the business of the opposite sex. Libido could start rising, making it difficult for the one in desperate need of his/her partner, who is miles away, from leaping onto another persons bed to stay aloof. Nymphomaniacs and philanderers are vulnerable to the Diversion in a relationship but this is a topic for discussion in another article. The measures and cure to this character trait aren’t impracticable. The buttons of character traits that are embedded in every one of us could be controlled by us.

I feel that ‘unfaithfulness’ sits in one corner, like all other characters of our robotic creation, until we tap into it. Slowly it is turned on and released. This may be reversed – that the mechanism is not very different and goes off at the push of the identical button.

Boredom, as was discussed is an ‘infidelity’ prompter, can be

Cut off even before it’s turned on. From slipping into their relationship provided that the enthusiasm that was in them remains alive A couple in a relationship could avoid boredom. In order for this there ought to be understanding that is total. There should be fire.

find out if your boyfriend is cheating on you

http://www.keepyourmanawayfromotherwomen.com/fullbook.html

  Both partners should constantly explore each other, learn more about each other, get and shut out any intruders of the opposite sex. They should see every day as the very first of their romantic escapade and . Their spouse should be seen by them as the best among their gender. upon. Relationships shouldn’t live by bread (gender) alone, but by the words that come out of every spouses’ mouth. It’s of bringing people close 11, a power. Talking about the sort of life a partner wants to lead, whispering into every others ears, encouraging every other when personal life encounters a glitch, being there for a spouse and presenting oneself as a solid rock of comfort and making a partner feel he/she cannot become positive and genuine comfort from anyone except from them.

They should put their hearts bare and lead every other to People tend to stay with you when you tell them the facts about yourself and about themselves. If they make dialogue a stepping stone in their relationship, there can not be any boring moments in partners’ lives. If she or he does nothing to provide a safe atmosphere for the couple to talk about their relationship 30, the therapist can be helpful.

  find out if your boyfriend is cheating on you

Obviously, if the therapist can make suggestions, comments and offer advice to the couple on how to better take care of each other, this accelerate the healing process and will help them. By merely providing a forum for calm, orderly discussion, the therapist can move a couple off of the path towards a breakup or divorce and back for the existence of the relationship. The issues may come from any record – sex quality Time, control, outside influences infidelity, fear, listening to and supporting each other, but all of these problems can be addressed, perhaps not solved but at least addressed, through communication with every other. The connection issues will win out if there’s not any communication and the connection itself must fail. Some men cheat while some do it due to wrong Influences or feelings that are overwhelming. The reasons are varied and differ from man to man. Infidelity has turned into a torture for the girls who want their men to belong to them. The worst part about unfaithfulness is even if you find out, many times they are unacceptable and that, you may never know the reason for it. The thing about this matter is, to find out whether your man is cheating on you or not. In fact, it is observed that most men who do not and cheat Want to get caught, keep their wives happy and do not give a chance to her. But of course, this might not be accurate for all men. So ladies, please do not begin doubting your husband or boyfriend on the basis of this. Women tend to take a relationship of any of his female friend and friendship between a man, in a wrong sense. Affairs, including psychological affairs, are typically unplanned events. Even when we are on that slippery slope, we convince ourselves everything in OK. “But we are just friends” are 4 of the most dangerous words for your marriage and relationship. But over and over in my office and on the phone I hear it: “We are just friends, there’s nothing happening.” Although it is certainly true that there are affairs that begin with spontaneous one-night stands with a stranger, the most common ones that I see begin as “just friends.”

First of all, there needs to be some degree of commitment and exclusivity between the two partners, moreover, this commitment needs to be understood and agreed by the two people. There can be little question of ‘cheating’ on behalf of either party. Obviously, marriage, engagement would constitute a level of commitment. Regularly dating for a period, may also be observed as constituting a commitment. It is here that the confusion starts to arise for a man may not feel he is committed to another person until he has said so to her, for the woman the simple fact that he dates her regularly may be seen as a sign of commitment. It’s where there is a debate as to the level of Commitment involved, that problems happen. The man may feel he’s free to observe another person without it being considered ‘cheating’ but the girl (his first spouse) would be more likely to consider it cheating. There are lots of reasons for why men cheat on women. But many surveys have found out that the main reason for infidelity in case of men is sex. Whatever might be the cause for dissatisfaction in a relationship, men try to comfort themselves by indulging in sexual activities with somebody. Basically, there are different types of infidelities that Are observed and they vary with regard to the time element. The kind that is shortest is the famous ‘one-night stands/caps’. These last only for a single night and does not contain any ties. A level higher than this are the affairs the cheating man has a mistress on the side and continues to be with his wife. In cases like this, the husband tries to hide the outside relationship from his family. He might or might not get involved in the outside affair. If the involvement is limited, then he may leave the mistress rather than giving up his family. However, if the involvement outside is greater, he and the family that’s the worst type of adultery might separate. Also, is a degree to which the is separated by a person Act of lovemaking from the emotional attachment to another person. A man can perform the act without becoming emotionally attached to the woman. A man may often cite that an affair or a fling was ‘physical’ and that it does not imply that he’s not physically and emotionally attracted to his first spouse. For a man, this is often true and is not simply an excuse. Nevertheless, the woman is likely to view the situation differently.

Very frequently, a woman who suspects her man of cheating wants Some evidence or evidence of it. This is often to meet and corroborate her perception. However, the woman often has not thought through what she would do if the evidence became proof of her man’s infidelity. For the girl, proof of the cheating of her man brings anger and emotional hurt. It will frequently also bring that she was to blame. This creates a dilemma for the woman; should she try to repair the relationship out of belief that somehow she’s been to blame for his infidelity or if she end the connection acting out of distress or anger? The emotional consequences of the cheating of a man are not Apparent to the man not prior to his act of cheating. It is only that a person may have some feelings of guilt. However, if he’s not seen out, then these may subside and the man comes to feel that he can eliminate the cheating. If he attempts to continue and to get away with his cheating, he still knows that at some point he is likely to be found out. At this point, it can become a contest, how far can he go without being seen out? To many men, having many partners is observed as a symbol of their status. Even when in a committed relationship, they may think they have a require to boost their status, esteem or ego by cheating. The lack of love, support and affection as a result of a simple thrill, does not happen to them until too late. Ever had the chance to speak with. You should begin by looking for some of the warning signs.

New sexual positions trie. Working late often. Phone calls. computer. Is secretive of such. Smell of perfume on their clothes. Takes a shower once he comes home. You find other objects or hairs on his body or in his possessions. Starts taking more care.

His routine changes without reason or cause. The world’s scenario regarding relationships And commitments may compel you to believe that marriage is no longer an institution that is regarded from today’s world, as it was during the past. Statistics are currently blowing the trumpet that infidelity is the reality that is modern-day. The truth about deception is shown further write up through some shocking facts and info. Here are some infidelity facts. Cheating statistics are Increasing at a rate. Many magazines and surveys have come out with statistics. Relationships that are healthy and long-lasting marriages appear to be an elusive search for couples nowadays. According to researchers, gut instinct is the clue of infidelity. If you are feeling something is different with your partner, you almost know it. A study suggests that almost 40% men and 60% women in USA have been at some stage of the union in some sort of extramarital affairs. 22% men have been at least once during their married life. Love is the greatest in any relationship. Love changes everything. Differences between them less essential. Love endures, love perseveres, love negative emotions. There has to be love shared by partners. Love should And have to be immeasurable with both spouse nor too bashful to act. Love is the foundation of an everlasting relationship not lust, not a crush – love. Love doesn’t hibernate, it remains forever strong. The partners Have to love each other greatly and there will be no room for ‘infidelity’.

find out if your boyfriend is cheating on you

    Other good resources to check out below:

Signs Husband is Cheating

my husband cheated on me

Why do guys cheat if they love you

How to keep your man

How to keep a man

How to keep a man

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ACT IPROLOGUE

Two households, both alike in dignity,In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.From forth the fatal loins of these two foesA pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life;Whose misadventured piteous overthrowsDo with their death bury their parents’ strife.The fearful passage of their death-mark’d love,And the continuance of their parents’ rage,Which, but their children’s end, nought could remove,Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage;The which if you with patient ears attend,What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

SCENE I. Verona. A public place.

Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY, of the house of Capulet, armed with swords and bucklers

SAMPSON

Gregory, o’ my word, we’ll not carry coals.

GREGORY

No, for then we should be colliers.

SAMPSON

I mean, an we be in choler, we’ll draw.

GREGORY

Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o’ the collar.

SAMPSON

I strike quickly, being moved.

GREGORY

But thou art not quickly moved to strike.

SAMPSON

A dog of the house of Montague moves me.

GREGORY

To move is to stir; and to be valiant is to stand:therefore, if thou art moved, thou runn'st away.

SAMPSON

A dog of that house shall move me to stand: I willtake the wall of any man or maid of Montague’s.

GREGORY

That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goesto the wall.

SAMPSON

True; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels,are ever thrust to the wall: therefore I will pushMontague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maidsto the wall.

GREGORY

The quarrel is between our masters and us their men.

SAMPSON

‘Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant: when Ihave fought with the men, I will be cruel with themaids, and cut off their heads.

GREGORY

The heads of the maids?

SAMPSON

Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads;take it in what sense thou wilt.

GREGORY

They must take it in sense that feel it.

SAMPSON

Me they shall feel while I am able to stand: and'tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh.

GREGORY

'Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thouhadst been poor John. Draw thy tool! here comestwo of the house of the Montagues.

SAMPSON

My naked weapon is out: quarrel, I will back thee.

GREGORY

How! turn thy back and run?

SAMPSON

Fear me not.

GREGORY

No, marry; I fear thee!

SAMPSON

Let us take the law of our sides; let them begin.

GREGORY

I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it asthey list.

SAMPSON

Enter ABRAHAM and BALTHASAR

ABRAHAM

Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

SAMPSON

I do bite my thumb, sir.

ABRAHAM

Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

SAMPSON

[Aside to GREGORY] Is the law of our side, if I sayay?

GREGORY

No.

SAMPSON

No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but Ibite my thumb, sir.

GREGORY

Do you quarrel, sir?

ABRAHAM

Quarrel sir! no, sir.

SAMPSON

If you do, sir, I am for you: I serve as good a man as you.

ABRAHAM

No better.

SAMPSON

Well, sir.

GREGORY

Say 'better:’ here comes one of my master’s kinsmen.

SAMPSON

Yes, better, sir.

ABRAHAM

You lie.

SAMPSON

They fight

Enter BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO

Beats down their swords

Enter TYBALT

TYBALT

What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.

BENVOLIO

I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword,Or manage it to part these men with me.

TYBALT

They fight

Enter, several of both houses, who join the fray; then enter Citizens, with clubs

First Citizen

Enter CAPULET in his gown, and LADY CAPULET

CAPULET

What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!

LADY CAPULET

A crutch, a crutch! why call you for a sword?

CAPULET

Enter MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE

Thou villain Capulet,–Hold me not, let me go.

LADY MONTAGUE

Enter PRINCE, with Attendants

PRINCE

Exeunt all but MONTAGUE, LADY MONTAGUE, and BENVOLIO

MONTAGUE

Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach?Speak, nephew, were you by when it began?

BENVOLIO

Here were the servants of your adversary,And yours, close fighting ere I did approach:I drew to part them: in the instant cameThe fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepared,Which, as he breathed defiance to my ears,He swung about his head and cut the winds,Who nothing hurt withal hiss’d him in scorn:While we were interchanging thrusts and blows,Came more and more and fought on part and part,Till the prince came, who parted either part.

LADY MONTAGUE

O, where is Romeo? saw you him to-day?Right glad I am he was not at this fray.

BENVOLIO

Madam, an hour before the worshipp’d sunPeer’d forth the golden window of the east,A troubled mind drave me to walk abroad;Where, underneath the grove of sycamoreThat westward rooteth from the city’s side,So early walking did I see your son:Towards him I made, but he was ware of meAnd stole into the covert of the wood:I, measuring his affections by my own,That most are busied when they’re most alone,Pursued my humour not pursuing his,And gladly shunn’d who gladly fled from me.

MONTAGUE

Many a morning hath he there been seen,With tears augmenting the fresh morning dew.Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs;But all so soon as the all-cheering sunShould in the furthest east begin to drawThe shady curtains from Aurora’s bed,Away from the light steals home my heavy son,And private in his chamber pens himself,Shuts up his windows, locks far daylight outAnd makes himself an artificial night:Black and portentous must this humour prove,Unless good counsel may the cause remove.

BENVOLIO

My noble uncle, do you know the cause?

MONTAGUE

I neither know it nor can learn of him.

BENVOLIO

Have you importuned him by any means?

MONTAGUE

Enter ROMEO

BENVOLIO

See, where he comes: so please you, step aside;I’ll know his grievance, or be much denied.

MONTAGUE

Exeunt MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE

BENVOLIO

Good-morrow, cousin.

ROMEO

Is the day so young?

BENVOLIO

But new struck nine.

ROMEO

Ay me! sad hours seem long.Was that my father that went hence so fast?

BENVOLIO

It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo’s hours?

ROMEO

Not having that, which, having, makes them short.

BENVOLIO

In love?

ROMEO

Out–

BENVOLIO

Of love?

ROMEO

Out of her favour, where I am in love.

BENVOLIO

Alas, that love, so gentle in his view,Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!

ROMEO

Alas, that love, whose view is muffled still,Should, without eyes, see pathways to his will!Where shall we dine? O me! What fray was here?Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all.Here’s much to do with hate, but more with love.Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate!O any thing, of nothing first create!O heavy lightness! serious vanity!Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms!Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire,sick health!Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!This love feel I, that feel no love in this.Dost thou not laugh?

BENVOLIO

No, coz, I rather weep.

ROMEO

Good heart, at what?

BENVOLIO

At thy good heart’s oppression.

ROMEO

Why, such is love’s transgression.Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast,Which thou wilt propagate, to have it prestWith more of thine: this love that thou hast shownDoth add more grief to too much of mine own.Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs;Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes;Being vex’d a sea nourish’d with lovers’ tears:What is it else? a madness most discreet,A choking gall and a preserving sweet.Farewell, my coz.

BENVOLIO

Soft! I will go along;An if you leave me so, you do me wrong.

ROMEO

Tut, I have lost myself; I am not here;This is not Romeo, he’s some other where.

BENVOLIO

Tell me in sadness, who is that you love.

ROMEO

What, shall I groan and tell thee?

BENVOLIO

Groan! why, no.But sadly tell me who.

ROMEO

Bid a sick man in sadness make his will:Ah, word ill urged to one that is so ill!In sadness, cousin, I do love a woman.

BENVOLIO

I aim’d so near, when I supposed you loved.

ROMEO

A right good mark-man! And she’s fair I love.

BENVOLIO

A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.

ROMEO

Well, in that hit you miss: she’ll not be hitWith Cupid’s arrow; she hath Dian’s wit;And, in strong proof of chastity well arm’d,From love’s weak childish bow she lives unharm’d.She will not stay the siege of loving terms,Nor bide the encounter of assailing eyes,Nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold:O, she is rich in beauty, only poor,That when she dies with beauty dies her store.

BENVOLIO

Then she hath sworn that she will still live chaste?

ROMEO

She hath, and in that sparing makes huge waste,For beauty starved with her severityCuts beauty off from all posterity.She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair,To merit bliss by making me despair:She hath forsworn to love, and in that vowDo I live dead that live to tell it now.

BENVOLIO

Be ruled by me, forget to think of her.

ROMEO

O, teach me how I should forget to think.

BENVOLIO

By giving liberty unto thine eyes;Examine other beauties.

ROMEO

'Tis the wayTo call hers exquisite, in question more:These happy masks that kiss fair ladies’ browsBeing black put us in mind they hide the fair;He that is strucken blind cannot forgetThe precious treasure of his eyesight lost:Show me a mistress that is passing fair,What doth her beauty serve, but as a noteWhere I may read who pass’d that passing fair?Farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget.

BENVOLIO

Exeunt

SCENE II. A street.

Enter CAPULET, PARIS, and Servant

CAPULET

But Montague is bound as well as I,In penalty alike; and 'tis not hard, I think,For men so old as we to keep the peace.

PARIS

Of honourable reckoning are you both;And pity 'tis you lived at odds so long.But now, my lord, what say you to my suit?

CAPULET

But saying o'er what I have said before:My child is yet a stranger in the world;She hath not seen the change of fourteen years,Let two more summers wither in their pride,Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.

PARIS

Younger than she are happy mothers made.

CAPULET

To Servant, giving a paper

Exeunt CAPULET and PARIS

Servant

Enter BENVOLIO and ROMEO

BENVOLIO

Tut, man, one fire burns out another’s burning,One pain is lessen’d by another’s anguish;Turn giddy, and be holp by backward turning;One desperate grief cures with another’s languish:Take thou some new infection to thy eye,And the rank poison of the old will die.

ROMEO

Your plaintain-leaf is excellent for that.

BENVOLIO

For what, I pray thee?

ROMEO

For your broken shin.

BENVOLIO

Why, Romeo, art thou mad?

ROMEO

Not mad, but bound more than a mad-man is;Shut up in prison, kept without my food,Whipp’d and tormented and–God-den, good fellow.

Servant

God gi’ god-den. I pray, sir, can you read?

ROMEO

Ay, mine own fortune in my misery.

Servant

Perhaps you have learned it without book: but, Ipray, can you read any thing you see?

ROMEO

Ay, if I know the letters and the language.

Servant

Ye say honestly: rest you merry!

ROMEO

Reads

Servant

Up.

ROMEO

Whither?

Servant

To supper; to our house.

ROMEO

Whose house?

Servant

My master’s.

ROMEO

Indeed, I should have ask’d you that before.

Servant

Exit

BENVOLIO

At this same ancient feast of Capulet’sSups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest,With all the admired beauties of Verona:Go thither; and, with unattainted eye,Compare her face with some that I shall show,And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.

ROMEO

When the devout religion of mine eyeMaintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires;And these, who often drown’d could never die,Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars!One fairer than my love! the all-seeing sunNe'er saw her match since first the world begun.

BENVOLIO

Tut, you saw her fair, none else being by,Herself poised with herself in either eye:But in that crystal scales let there be weigh’dYour lady’s love against some other maidThat I will show you shining at this feast,And she shall scant show well that now shows best.

ROMEO

Exeunt

SCENE III. A room in Capulet’s house.

Enter LADY CAPULET and Nurse

LADY CAPULET

Nurse, where’s my daughter? call her forth to me.

Nurse

Enter JULIET

JULIET

How now! who calls?

Nurse

Your mother.

JULIET

Madam, I am here.What is your will?

LADY CAPULET

This is the matter:–Nurse, give leave awhile,We must talk in secret:–nurse, come back again;I have remember’d me, thou’s hear our counsel.Thou know'st my daughter’s of a pretty age.

Nurse

Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour.

LADY CAPULET

She’s not fourteen.

Nurse

I’ll lay fourteen of my teeth,–And yet, to my teeth be it spoken, I have but four–She is not fourteen. How long is it nowTo Lammas-tide?

LADY CAPULET

A fortnight and odd days.

Nurse

Even or odd, of all days in the year,Come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen.Susan and she–God rest all Christian souls!–Were of an age: well, Susan is with God;She was too good for me: but, as I said,On Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen;That shall she, marry; I remember it well.'Tis since the earthquake now eleven years;And she was wean’d,–I never shall forget it,–Of all the days of the year, upon that day:For I had then laid wormwood to my dug,Sitting in the sun under the dove-house wall;My lord and you were then at Mantua:–Nay, I do bear a brain:–but, as I said,When it did taste the wormwood on the nippleOf my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool,To see it tetchy and fall out with the dug!Shake quoth the dove-house: 'twas no need, I trow,To bid me trudge:And since that time it is eleven years;For then she could stand alone; nay, by the rood,She could have run and waddled all about;For even the day before, she broke her brow:And then my husband–God be with his soul!A’ was a merry man–took up the child:'Yea,’ quoth he, 'dost thou fall upon thy face?Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit;Wilt thou not, Jule?’ and, by my holidame,The pretty wretch left crying and said 'Ay.’To see, now, how a jest shall come about!I warrant, an I should live a thousand years,I never should forget it: 'Wilt thou not, Jule?’ quoth he;And, pretty fool, it stinted and said 'Ay.’

LADY CAPULET

Enough of this; I pray thee, hold thy peace.

Nurse

Yes, madam: yet I cannot choose but laugh,To think it should leave crying and say 'Ay.’And yet, I warrant, it had upon its browA bump as big as a young cockerel’s stone;A parlous knock; and it cried bitterly:'Yea,’ quoth my husband,'fall'st upon thy face?Thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age;Wilt thou not, Jule?’ it stinted and said 'Ay.’

JULIET

And stint thou too, I pray thee, nurse, say I.

Nurse

Peace, I have done. God mark thee to his grace!Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nursed:An I might live to see thee married once,I have my wish.

LADY CAPULET

Marry, that 'marry’ is the very themeI came to talk of. Tell me, daughter Juliet,How stands your disposition to be married?

JULIET

It is an honour that I dream not of.

Nurse

An honour! were not I thine only nurse,I would say thou hadst suck’d wisdom from thy teat.

LADY CAPULET

Well, think of marriage now; younger than you,Here in Verona, ladies of esteem,Are made already mothers: by my count,I was your mother much upon these yearsThat you are now a maid. Thus then in brief:The valiant Paris seeks you for his love.

Nurse

A man, young lady! lady, such a manAs all the world–why, he’s a man of wax.

LADY CAPULET

Verona’s summer hath not such a flower.

Nurse

Nay, he’s a flower; in faith, a very flower.

LADY CAPULET

What say you? can you love the gentleman?This night you shall behold him at our feast;Read o'er the volume of young Paris’ face,And find delight writ there with beauty’s pen;Examine every married lineament,And see how one another lends contentAnd what obscured in this fair volume liesFind written in the margent of his eyes.This precious book of love, this unbound lover,To beautify him, only lacks a cover:The fish lives in the sea, and 'tis much prideFor fair without the fair within to hide:That book in many’s eyes doth share the glory,That in gold clasps locks in the golden story;So shall you share all that he doth possess,By having him, making yourself no less.

Nurse

No less! nay, bigger; women grow by men.

LADY CAPULET

Speak briefly, can you like of Paris’ love?

JULIET

Enter a Servant

Servant

Madam, the guests are come, supper served up, youcalled, my young lady asked for, the nurse cursed inthe pantry, and every thing in extremity. I musthence to wait; I beseech you, follow straight.

LADY CAPULET

Exit Servant

Nurse

Exeunt

SCENE IV. A street.

Enter ROMEO, MERCUTIO, BENVOLIO, with five or six Maskers, Torch-bearers, and others

ROMEO

What, shall this speech be spoke for our excuse?Or shall we on without a apology?

BENVOLIO

The date is out of such prolixity:We’ll have no Cupid hoodwink’d with a scarf,Bearing a Tartar’s painted bow of lath,Scaring the ladies like a crow-keeper;Nor no without-book prologue, faintly spokeAfter the prompter, for our entrance:But let them measure us by what they will;We’ll measure them a measure, and be gone.

ROMEO

Give me a torch: I am not for this ambling;Being but heavy, I will bear the light.

MERCUTIO

Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.

ROMEO

Not I, believe me: you have dancing shoesWith nimble soles: I have a soul of leadSo stakes me to the ground I cannot move.

MERCUTIO

You are a lover; borrow Cupid’s wings,And soar with them above a common bound.

ROMEO

I am too sore enpierced with his shaftTo soar with his light feathers, and so bound,I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe:Under love’s heavy burden do I sink.

MERCUTIO

And, to sink in it, should you burden love;Too great oppression for a tender thing.

ROMEO

Is love a tender thing? it is too rough,Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.

MERCUTIO

If love be rough with you, be rough with love;Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down.Give me a case to put my visage in:A visor for a visor! what care IWhat curious eye doth quote deformities?Here are the beetle brows shall blush for me.

BENVOLIO

Come, knock and enter; and no sooner in,But every man betake him to his legs.

ROMEO

A torch for me: let wantons light of heartTickle the senseless rushes with their heels,For I am proverb’d with a grandsire phrase;I’ll be a candle-holder, and look on.The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done.

MERCUTIO

Tut, dun’s the mouse, the constable’s own word:If thou art dun, we’ll draw thee from the mireOf this sir-reverence love, wherein thou stick'stUp to the ears. Come, we burn daylight, ho!

ROMEO

Nay, that’s not so.

MERCUTIO

I mean, sir, in delayWe waste our lights in vain, like lamps by day.Take our good meaning, for our judgment sitsFive times in that ere once in our five wits.

ROMEO

And we mean well in going to this mask;But 'tis no wit to go.

MERCUTIO

Why, may one ask?

ROMEO

I dream’d a dream to-night.

MERCUTIO

And so did I.

ROMEO

Well, what was yours?

MERCUTIO

That dreamers often lie.

ROMEO

In bed asleep, while they do dream things true.

MERCUTIO

O, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with you.She is the fairies’ midwife, and she comesIn shape no bigger than an agate-stoneOn the fore-finger of an alderman,Drawn with a team of little atomiesAthwart men’s noses as they lie asleep;Her wagon-spokes made of long spiders’ legs,The cover of the wings of grasshoppers,The traces of the smallest spider’s web,The collars of the moonshine’s watery beams,Her whip of cricket’s bone, the lash of film,Her wagoner a small grey-coated gnat,Not so big as a round little wormPrick’d from the lazy finger of a maid;Her chariot is an empty hazel-nutMade by the joiner squirrel or old grub,Time out o’ mind the fairies’ coachmakers.And in this state she gallops night by nightThrough lovers’ brains, and then they dream of love;O'er courtiers’ knees, that dream on court'sies straight,O'er lawyers’ fingers, who straight dream on fees,O'er ladies ’ lips, who straight on kisses dream,Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues,Because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are:Sometime she gallops o'er a courtier’s nose,And then dreams he of smelling out a suit;And sometime comes she with a tithe-pig’s tailTickling a parson’s nose as a’ lies asleep,Then dreams, he of another benefice:Sometime she driveth o'er a soldier’s neck,And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats,Of breaches, ambuscadoes, Spanish blades,Of healths five-fathom deep; and then anonDrums in his ear, at which he starts and wakes,And being thus frighted swears a prayer or twoAnd sleeps again. This is that very MabThat plats the manes of horses in the night,And bakes the elflocks in foul sluttish hairs,Which once untangled, much misfortune bodes:This is the hag, when maids lie on their backs,That presses them and learns them first to bear,Making them women of good carriage:This is she–

ROMEO

Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace!Thou talk'st of nothing.

MERCUTIO

True, I talk of dreams,Which are the children of an idle brain,Begot of nothing but vain fantasy,Which is as thin of substance as the airAnd more inconstant than the wind, who wooesEven now the frozen bosom of the north,And, being anger’d, puffs away from thence,Turning his face to the dew-dropping south.

BENVOLIO

This wind, you talk of, blows us from ourselves;Supper is done, and we shall come too late.

ROMEO

I fear, too early: for my mind misgivesSome consequence yet hanging in the starsShall bitterly begin his fearful dateWith this night’s revels and expire the termOf a despised life closed in my breastBy some vile forfeit of untimely death.But He, that hath the steerage of my course,Direct my sail! On, lusty gentlemen.

BENVOLIO

Exeunt

SCENE V. A hall in Capulet’s house.

Musicians waiting. Enter Servingmen with napkins

First Servant

Where’s Potpan, that he helps not to take away? Heshift a trencher? he scrape a trencher!

Second Servant

When good manners shall lie all in one or two men’shands and they unwashed too, 'tis a foul thing.

First Servant

Away with the joint-stools, remove thecourt-cupboard, look to the plate. Good thou, saveme a piece of marchpane; and, as thou lovest me, letthe porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell.Antony, and Potpan!

Second Servant

Ay, boy, ready.

First Servant

You are looked for and called for, asked for andsought for, in the great chamber.

Second Servant

Enter CAPULET, with JULIET and others of his house, meeting the Guests and Maskers

CAPULET

Music plays, and they dance

Second Capulet

By'r lady, thirty years.

CAPULET

What, man! 'tis not so much, 'tis not so much:'Tis since the nuptials of Lucentio,Come pentecost as quickly as it will,Some five and twenty years; and then we mask’d.

Second Capulet

'Tis more, 'tis more, his son is elder, sir;His son is thirty.

CAPULET

Will you tell me that?His son was but a ward two years ago.

ROMEO

[To a Servingman] What lady is that, which dothenrich the handOf yonder knight?

Servant

I know not, sir.

ROMEO

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!It seems she hangs upon the cheek of nightLike a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear;Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.The measure done, I’ll watch her place of stand,And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

TYBALT

This, by his voice, should be a Montague.Fetch me my rapier, boy. What dares the slaveCome hither, cover’d with an antic face,To fleer and scorn at our solemnity?Now, by the stock and honour of my kin,To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.

CAPULET

Why, how now, kinsman! wherefore storm you so?

TYBALT

Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe,A villain that is hither come in spite,To scorn at our solemnity this night.

CAPULET

Young Romeo is it?

TYBALT

'Tis he, that villain Romeo.

CAPULET

Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone;He bears him like a portly gentleman;And, to say truth, Verona brags of himTo be a virtuous and well-govern’d youth:I would not for the wealth of all the townHere in my house do him disparagement:Therefore be patient, take no note of him:It is my will, the which if thou respect,Show a fair presence and put off these frowns,And ill-beseeming semblance for a feast.

TYBALT

It fits, when such a villain is a guest:I’ll not endure him.

CAPULET

He shall be endured:What, goodman boy! I say, he shall: go to;Am I the master here, or you? go to.You’ll not endure him! God shall mend my soul!You’ll make a mutiny among my guests!You will set cock-a-hoop! you’ll be the man!

TYBALT

Why, uncle, 'tis a shame.

CAPULET

Go to, go to;You are a saucy boy: is’t so, indeed?This trick may chance to scathe you, I know what:You must contrary me! marry, 'tis time.Well said, my hearts! You are a princox; go:Be quiet, or–More light, more light! For shame!I’ll make you quiet. What, cheerly, my hearts!

TYBALT

Exit

ROMEO

[To JULIET] If I profane with my unworthiest handThis holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready standTo smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

JULIET

Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,Which mannerly devotion shows in this;For saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch,And palm to palm is holy palmers’ kiss.

ROMEO

Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?

JULIET

Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.

ROMEO

O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do;They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.

JULIET

Saints do not move, though grant for prayers’ sake.

ROMEO

Then move not, while my prayer’s effect I take.Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.

JULIET

Then have my lips the sin that they have took.

ROMEO

Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged!Give me my sin again.

JULIET

You kiss by the book.

Nurse

Madam, your mother craves a word with you.

ROMEO

What is her mother?

Nurse

Marry, bachelor,Her mother is the lady of the house,And a good lady, and a wise and virtuousI nursed her daughter, that you talk’d withal;I tell you, he that can lay hold of herShall have the chinks.

ROMEO

Is she a Capulet?O dear account! my life is my foe’s debt.

BENVOLIO

Away, begone; the sport is at the best.

ROMEO

Ay, so I fear; the more is my unrest.

CAPULET

Exeunt all but JULIET and Nurse

JULIET

Come hither, nurse. What is yond gentleman?

Nurse

The son and heir of old Tiberio.

JULIET

What’s he that now is going out of door?

Nurse

Marry, that, I think, be young Petrucio.

JULIET

What’s he that follows there, that would not dance?

Nurse

I know not.

JULIET

Go ask his name: if he be married.My grave is like to be my wedding bed.

Nurse

His name is Romeo, and a Montague;The only son of your great enemy.

JULIET

My only love sprung from my only hate!Too early seen unknown, and known too late!Prodigious birth of love it is to me,That I must love a loathed enemy.

Nurse

What’s this? what’s this?

JULIET

One calls within 'Juliet.’

Nurse

Exeunt

ACT IIPROLOGUE

Enter Chorus

Chorus

Exit

SCENE I. A lane by the wall of Capulet’s orchard.

Enter ROMEO

ROMEO

He climbs the wall, and leaps down within it

Enter BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO

BENVOLIO

Romeo! my cousin Romeo!

MERCUTIO

He is wise;And, on my lie, hath stol'n him home to bed.

BENVOLIO

He ran this way, and leap’d this orchard wall:Call, good Mercutio.

MERCUTIO

Nay, I’ll conjure too.Romeo! humours! madman! passion! lover!Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh:Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfied;Cry but 'Ay me!’ pronounce but 'love’ and 'dove;’Speak to my gossip Venus one fair word,One nick-name for her purblind son and heir,Young Adam Cupid, he that shot so trim,When King Cophetua loved the beggar-maid!He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth not;The ape is dead, and I must conjure him.I conjure thee by Rosaline’s bright eyes,By her high forehead and her scarlet lip,By her fine foot, straight leg and quivering thighAnd the demesnes that there adjacent lie,That in thy likeness thou appear to us!

BENVOLIO

And if he hear thee, thou wilt anger him.

MERCUTIO

This cannot anger him: 'twould anger himTo raise a spirit in his mistress’ circleOf some strange nature, letting it there standTill she had laid it and conjured it down;That were some spite: my invocationIs fair and honest, and in his mistres s’ nameI conjure only but to raise up him.

BENVOLIO

Come, he hath hid himself among these trees,To be consorted with the humorous night:Blind is his love and best befits the dark.

MERCUTIO

If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark.Now will he sit under a medlar tree,And wish his mistress were that kind of fruitAs maids call medlars, when they laugh alone.Romeo, that she were, O, that she wereAn open et caetera, thou a poperin pear!Romeo, good night: I’ll to my truckle-bed;This field-bed is too cold for me to sleep:Come, shall we go?

BENVOLIO

Exeunt

SCENE II. Capulet’s orchard.

Enter ROMEO

ROMEO

JULIET appears above at a window

JULIET

Ay me!

ROMEO

She speaks:O, speak again, bright angel! for thou artAs glorious to this night, being o'er my headAs is a winged messenger of heavenUnto the white-upturned wondering eyesOf mortals that fall back to gaze on himWhen he bestrides the lazy-pacing cloudsAnd sails upon the bosom of the air.

JULIET

O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?Deny thy father and refuse thy name;Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

ROMEO

[Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?

JULIET

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.What’s Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,Nor arm, nor face, nor any other partBelonging to a man. O, be some other name!What’s in a name? that which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet;So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call’d,Retain that dear perfection which he owesWithout that title. Romeo, doff thy name,And for that name which is no part of theeTake all myself.

ROMEO

I take thee at thy word:Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized;Henceforth I never will be Romeo.

JULIET

What man art thou that thus bescreen’d in nightSo stumblest on my counsel?

ROMEO

By a nameI know not how to tell thee who I am:My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself,Because it is an enemy to thee;Had I it written, I would tear the word.

JULIET

My ears have not yet drunk a hundred wordsOf that tongue’s utterance, yet I know the sound:Art thou not Romeo and a Montague?

ROMEO

Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike.

JULIET

How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore?The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,And the place death, considering who thou art,If any of my kinsmen find thee here.

ROMEO

With love’s light wings did I o'er-perch these walls;For stony limits cannot hold love out,And what love can do that dares love attempt;Therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me.

JULIET

If they do see thee, they will murder thee.

ROMEO

Alack, there lies more peril in thine eyeThan twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet,And I am proof against their enmity.

JULIET

I would not for the world they saw thee here.

ROMEO

I have night’s cloak to hide me from their sight;And but thou love me, let them find me here:My life were better ended by their hate,Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.

JULIET

By whose direction found'st thou out this place?

ROMEO

By love, who first did prompt me to inquire;He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as farAs that vast shore wash’d with the farthest sea,I would adventure for such merchandise.

JULIET

Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face,Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheekFor that which thou hast heard me speak to-nightFain would I dwell on form, fain, fain denyWhat I have spoke: but farewell compliment!Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say 'Ay,’And I will take thy word: yet if thou swear'st,Thou mayst prove false; at lovers’ perjuriesThen say, Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo,If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully:Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won,I’ll frown and be perverse an say thee nay,So thou wilt woo; but else, not for the world.In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond,And therefore thou mayst think my 'havior light:But trust me, gentleman, I’ll prove more trueThan those that have more cunning to be strange.I should have been more strange, I must confess,But that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware,My true love’s passion: therefore pardon me,And not impute this yielding to light love,Which the dark night hath so discovered.

ROMEO

Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swearThat tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops–

JULIET

O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon,That monthly changes in her circled orb,Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

ROMEO

What shall I swear by?

JULIET

Do not swear at all;Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self,Which is the god of my idolatry,And I’ll believe thee.

ROMEO

If my heart’s dear love–

JULIET

Well, do not swear: although I joy in thee,I have no joy of this contract to-night:It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;Too like the lightning, which doth cease to beEre one can say 'It lightens.’ Sweet, good night!This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath,May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.Good night, good night! as sweet repose and restCome to thy heart as that within my breast!

ROMEO

O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?

JULIET

What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?

ROMEO

The exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine.

JULIET

I gave thee mine before thou didst request it:And yet I would it were to give again.

ROMEO

Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love?

JULIET

Nurse calls within

Exit, above

ROMEO

Re-enter JULIET, above

JULIET

Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed.If that thy bent of love be honourable,Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow,By one that I’ll procure to come to thee,Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite;And all my fortunes at thy foot I’ll layAnd follow thee my lord throughout the world.

Nurse

[Within] Madam!

JULIET

I come, anon.–But if thou mean'st not well,I do beseech thee–

Nurse

[Within] Madam!

JULIET

By and by, I come:–To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief:To-morrow will I send.

ROMEO

So thrive my soul–

JULIET

Exit, above

ROMEO

Retiring

Re-enter JULIET, above

JULIET

Hist! Romeo, hist! O, for a falconer’s voice,To lure this tassel-gentle back again!Bondage is hoarse, and may not speak aloud;Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies,And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine,With repetition of my Romeo’s name.

ROMEO

It is my soul that calls upon my name:How silver-sweet sound lovers’ tongues by night,Like softest music to attending ears!

JULIET

Romeo!

ROMEO

My dear?

JULIET

At what o'clock to-morrowShall I send to thee?

ROMEO

At the hour of nine.

JULIET

I will not fail: 'tis twenty years till then.I have forgot why I did call thee back.

ROMEO

Let me stand here till thou remember it.

JULIET

I shall forget, to have thee still stand there,Remembering how I love thy company.

ROMEO

And I’ll still stay, to have thee still forget,Forgetting any other home but this.

JULIET

'Tis almost morning; I would have thee gone:And yet no further than a wanton’s bird;Who lets it hop a little from her hand,Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves,And with a silk thread plucks it back again,So loving-jealous of his liberty.

ROMEO

I would I were thy bird.

JULIET

Exit above

ROMEO

Exit

SCENE III. Friar Laurence’s cell.

Enter FRIAR LAURENCE, with a basket

FRIAR LAURENCE

Enter ROMEO

ROMEO

Good morrow, father.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Benedicite!What early tongue so sweet saluteth me?Young son, it argues a distemper’d headSo soon to bid good morrow to thy bed:Care keeps his watch in every old man’s eye,And where care lodges, sleep will never lie;But where unbruised youth with unstuff’d brainDoth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign:Therefore thy earliness doth me assureThou art up-roused by some distemperature;Or if not so, then here I hit it right,Our Romeo hath not been in bed to-night.

ROMEO

That last is true; the sweeter rest was mine.

FRIAR LAURENCE

God pardon sin! wast thou with Rosaline?

ROMEO

With Rosaline, my ghostly father? no;I have forgot that name, and that name’s woe.

FRIAR LAURENCE

That’s my good son: but where hast thou been, then?

ROMEO

I’ll tell thee, ere thou ask it me again.I have been feasting with mine enemy,Where on a sudden one hath wounded me,That’s by me wounded: both our remediesWithin thy help and holy physic lies:I bear no hatred, blessed man, for, lo,My intercession likewise steads my foe.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Be plain, good son, and homely in thy drift;Riddling confession finds but riddling shrift.

ROMEO

Then plainly know my heart’s dear love is setOn the fair daughter of rich Capulet:As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine;And all combined, save what thou must combineBy holy marriage: when and where and howWe met, we woo’d and made exchange of vow,I’ll tell thee as we pass; but this I pray,That thou consent to marry us to-day.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here!Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear,So soon forsaken? young men’s love then liesNot truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.Jesu Maria, what a deal of brineHath wash’d thy sallow cheeks for Rosaline!How much salt water thrown away in waste,To season love, that of it doth not taste!The sun not yet thy sighs from heaven clears,Thy old groans ring yet in my ancient ears;Lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sitOf an old tear that is not wash’d off yet:If e'er thou wast thyself and these woes thine,Thou and these woes were all for Rosaline:And art thou changed? pronounce this sentence then,Women may fall, when there’s no strength in men.

ROMEO

Thou chid'st me oft for loving Rosaline.

FRIAR LAURENCE

For doting, not for loving, pupil mine.

ROMEO

And bad'st me bury love.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Not in a grave,To lay one in, another out to have.

ROMEO

I pray thee, chide not; she whom I love nowDoth grace for grace and love for love allow;The other did not so.

FRIAR LAURENCE

O, she knew wellThy love did read by rote and could not spell.But come, young waverer, come, go with me,In one respect I’ll thy assistant be;For this alliance may so happy prove,To turn your households’ rancour to pure love.

ROMEO

O, let us hence; I stand on sudden haste.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Exeunt

SCENE IV. A street.

Enter BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO

Where the devil should this Romeo be?Came he not home to-night?

BENVOLIO

Not to his father’s; I spoke with his man.

MERCUTIO

Ah, that same pale hard-hearted wench, that Rosaline.Torments him so, that he will sure run mad.

BENVOLIO

Tybalt, the kinsman of old Capulet,Hath sent a letter to his father’s house.

MERCUTIO

A challenge, on my life.

BENVOLIO

Romeo will answer it.

MERCUTIO

Any man that can write may answer a letter.

BENVOLIO

Nay, he will answer the letter’s master, how hedares, being dared.

MERCUTIO

Alas poor Romeo! he is already dead; stabbed with awhite wench’s black eye; shot through the ear with alove-song; the very pin of his heart cleft with theblind bow-boy’s butt-shaft: and is he a man toencounter Tybalt?

BENVOLIO

Why, what is Tybalt?

MERCUTIO

More than prince of cats, I can tell you. O, he isthe courageous captain of compliments. He fights asyou sing prick-song, keeps time, distance, andproportion; rests me his minim rest, one, two, andthe third in your bosom: the very butcher of a silkbutton, a duellist, a duellist; a gentleman of thevery first house, of the first and second cause:ah, the immortal passado! the punto reverso! thehai!

BENVOLIO

The what?

MERCUTIO

Enter ROMEO

BENVOLIO

Here comes Romeo, here comes Romeo.

MERCUTIO

Without his roe, like a dried herring: flesh, flesh,how art thou fishified! Now is he for the numbersthat Petrarch flowed in: Laura to his lady was but akitchen-wench; marry, she had a better love tobe-rhyme her; Dido a dowdy; Cleopatra a gipsy;Helen and Hero hildings and harlots; Thisbe a greyeye or so, but not to the purpose. SigniorRomeo, bon jour! there’s a French salutationto your French slop. You gave us the counterfeitfairly last night.

ROMEO

Good morrow to you both. What counterfeit did I give you?

MERCUTIO

The ship, sir, the slip; can you not conceive?

ROMEO

Pardon, good Mercutio, my business was great; and insuch a case as mine a man may strain courtesy.

MERCUTIO

That’s as much as to say, such a case as yoursconstrains a man to bow in the hams.

ROMEO

Meaning, to court'sy.

MERCUTIO

Thou hast most kindly hit it.

ROMEO

A most courteous exposition.

MERCUTIO

Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy.

ROMEO

Pink for flower.

MERCUTIO

Right.

ROMEO

Why, then is my pump well flowered.

MERCUTIO

Well said: follow me this jest now till thou hastworn out thy pump, that when the single sole of itis worn, the jest may remain after the wearing sole singular.

ROMEO

O single-soled jest, solely singular for thesingleness.

MERCUTIO

Come between us, good Benvolio; my wits faint.

ROMEO

Switch and spurs, switch and spurs; or I’ll cry a match.

MERCUTIO

Nay, if thy wits run the wild-goose chase, I havedone, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one ofthy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five:was I with you there for the goose?

ROMEO

Thou wast never with me for any thing when thou wastnot there for the goose.

MERCUTIO

I will bite thee by the ear for that jest.

ROMEO

Nay, good goose, bite not.

MERCUTIO

Thy wit is a very bitter sweeting; it is a mostsharp sauce.

ROMEO

And is it not well served in to a sweet goose?

MERCUTIO

O here’s a wit of cheveril, that stretches from aninch narrow to an ell broad!

ROMEO

I stretch it out for that word 'broad;’ which addedto the goose, proves thee far and wide a broad goose.

MERCUTIO

Why, is not this better now than groaning for love?now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo; now artthou what thou art, by art as well as by nature:for this drivelling love is like a great natural,that runs lolling up and down to hide his bauble in a hole.

BENVOLIO

Stop there, stop there.

MERCUTIO

Thou desirest me to stop in my tale against the hair.

BENVOLIO

Thou wouldst else have made thy tale large.

MERCUTIO

O, thou art deceived; I would have made it short:for I was come to the whole depth of my tale; andmeant, indeed, to occupy the argument no longer.

ROMEO

Enter Nurse and PETER

MERCUTIO

A sail, a sail!

BENVOLIO

Two, two; a shirt and a smock.

Nurse

Peter!

PETER

Anon!

Nurse

My fan, Peter.

MERCUTIO

Good Peter, to hide her face; for her fan’s thefairer face.

Nurse

God ye good morrow, gentlemen.

MERCUTIO

God ye good den, fair gentlewoman.

Nurse

Is it good den?

MERCUTIO

'Tis no less, I tell you, for the bawdy hand of thedial is now upon the prick of noon.

Nurse

Out upon you! what a man are you!

ROMEO

One, gentlewoman, that God hath made for himself tomar.

Nurse

By my troth, it is well said; 'for himself to mar,’quoth a’? Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where Imay find the young Romeo?

ROMEO

I can tell you; but young Romeo will be older whenyou have found him than he was when you sought him:I am the youngest of that name, for fault of a worse.

Nurse

You say well.

MERCUTIO

Yea, is the worst well? very well took, i’ faith;wisely, wisely.

Nurse

if you be he, sir, I desire some confidence withyou.

BENVOLIO

She will indite him to some supper.

MERCUTIO

A bawd, a bawd, a bawd! so ho!

ROMEO

What hast thou found?

MERCUTIO

Sings

ROMEO

I will follow you.

MERCUTIO

Singing

Exeunt MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO

Nurse

Marry, farewell! I pray you, sir, what saucymerchant was this, that was so full of his ropery?

ROMEO

A gentleman, nurse, that loves to hear himself talk,and will speak more in a minute than he will standto in a month.

Nurse

An a’ speak any thing against me, I’ll take himdown, an a’ were lustier than he is, and twenty suchJacks; and if I cannot, I’ll find those that shall.Scurvy knave! I am none of his flirt-gills; I amnone of his skains-mates. And thou must stand bytoo, and suffer every knave to use me at his pleasure?

PETER

I saw no man use you a pleasure; if I had, my weaponshould quickly have been out, I warrant you: I daredraw as soon as another man, if I see occasion in agood quarrel, and the law on my side.

Nurse

Now, afore God, I am so vexed, that every part aboutme quivers. Scurvy knave! Pray you, sir, a word:and as I told you, my young lady bade me inquire youout; what she bade me say, I will keep to myself:but first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her intoa fool’s paradise, as they say, it were a very grosskind of behavior, as they say: for the gentlewomanis young; and, therefore, if you should deal doublewith her, truly it were an ill thing to be offeredto any gentlewoman, and very weak dealing.

ROMEO

Nurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress. Iprotest unto thee–

Nurse

Good heart, and, i’ faith, I will tell her as much:Lord, Lord, she will be a joyful woman.

ROMEO

What wilt thou tell her, nurse? thou dost not mark me.

Nurse

I will tell her, sir, that you do protest; which, asI take it, is a gentlemanlike offer.

ROMEO

Bid her deviseSome means to come to shrift this afternoon;And there she shall at Friar Laurence’ cellBe shrived and married. Here is for thy pains.

Nurse

No truly sir; not a penny.

ROMEO

Go to; I say you shall.

Nurse

This afternoon, sir? well, she shall be there.

ROMEO

And stay, good nurse, behind the abbey wall:Within this hour my man shall be with theeAnd bring thee cords made like a tackled stair;Which to the high top-gallant of my joyMust be my convoy in the secret night.Farewell; be trusty, and I’ll quit thy pains:Farewell; commend me to thy mistress.

Nurse

Now God in heaven bless thee! Hark you, sir.

ROMEO

What say'st thou, my dear nurse?

Nurse

Is your man secret? Did you ne'er hear say,Two may keep counsel, putting one away?

ROMEO

I warrant thee, my man’s as true as steel.

NURSE

Well, sir; my mistress is the sweetest lady–Lord,Lord! when 'twas a little prating thing:–O, thereis a nobleman in town, one Paris, that would fainlay knife aboard; but she, good soul, had as liefsee a toad, a very toad, as see him. I anger hersometimes and tell her that Paris is the propererman; but, I’ll warrant you, when I say so, she looksas pale as any clout in the versal world. Doth notrosemary and Romeo begin both with a letter?

ROMEO

Ay, nurse; what of that? both with an R.

Nurse

Ah. mocker! that’s the dog’s name; R is forthe–No; I know it begins with some otherletter:–and she hath the prettiest sententious ofit, of you and rosemary, that it would do you goodto hear it.

ROMEO

Commend me to thy lady.

Nurse

Exit Romeo

PETER

Anon!

Nurse

Exeunt

SCENE V. Capulet’s orchard.

Enter JULIET

JULIET

Enter Nurse and PETER

Nurse

Exit PETER

JULIET

Now, good sweet nurse,–O Lord, why look'st thou sad?Though news be sad, yet tell them merrily;If good, thou shamest the music of sweet newsBy playing it to me with so sour a face.

Nurse

I am a-weary, give me leave awhile:Fie, how my bones ache! what a jaunt have I had!

JULIET

I would thou hadst my bones, and I thy news:Nay, come, I pray thee, speak; good, good nurse, speak.

Nurse

Jesu, what haste? can you not stay awhile?Do you not see that I am out of breath?

JULIET

How art thou out of breath, when thou hast breathTo say to me that thou art out of breath?The excuse that thou dost make in this delayIs longer than the tale thou dost excuse.Is thy news good, or bad? answer to that;Say either, and I’ll stay the circumstance:Let me be satisfied, is’t good or bad?

Nurse

Well, you have made a simple choice; you know nothow to choose a man: Romeo! no, not he; though hisface be better than any man’s, yet his leg excelsall men’s; and for a hand, and a foot, and a body,though they be not to be talked on, yet they arepast compare: he is not the flower of courtesy,but, I’ll warrant him, as gentle as a lamb. Go thyways, wench; serve God. What, have you dined at home?

JULIET

No, no: but all this did I know before.What says he of our marriage? what of that?

Nurse

Lord, how my head aches! what a head have I!It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces.My back o’ t’ other side,–O, my back, my back!Beshrew your heart for sending me about,To catch my death with jaunting up and down!

JULIET

I’ faith, I am sorry that thou art not well.Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me, what says my love?

Nurse

Your love says, like an honest gentleman, and acourteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and, Iwarrant, a virtuous,–Where is your mother?

JULIET

Where is my mother! why, she is within;Where should she be? How oddly thou repliest!'Your love says, like an honest gentleman,Where is your mother?’

Nurse

O God’s lady dear!Are you so hot? marry, come up, I trow;Is this the poultice for my aching bones?Henceforward do your messages yourself.

JULIET

Here’s such a coil! come, what says Romeo?

Nurse

Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day?

JULIET

I have.

Nurse

Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence’ cell;There stays a husband to make you a wife:Now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks,They’ll be in scarlet straight at any news.Hie you to church; I must another way,To fetch a ladder, by the which your loveMust climb a bird’s nest soon when it is dark:I am the drudge and toil in your delight,But you shall bear the burden soon at night.Go; I’ll to dinner: hie you to the cell.

JULIET

Exeunt

SCENE VI. Friar Laurence’s cell.

Enter FRIAR LAURENCE and ROMEO

FRIAR LAURENCE

So smile the heavens upon this holy act,That after hours with sorrow chide us not!

ROMEO

Amen, amen! but come what sorrow can,It cannot countervail the exchange of joyThat one short minute gives me in her sight:Do thou but close our hands with holy words,Then love-devouring death do what he dare;It is enough I may but call her mine.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Enter JULIET

JULIET

Good even to my ghostly confessor.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both.

JULIET

As much to him, else is his thanks too much.

ROMEO

Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joyBe heap’d like mine and that thy skill be moreTo blazon it, then sweeten with thy breathThis neighbour air, and let rich music’s tongueUnfold the imagined happiness that bothReceive in either by this dear encounter.

JULIET

Conceit, more rich in matter than in words,Brags of his substance, not of ornament:They are but beggars that can count their worth;But my true love is grown to such excessI cannot sum up sum of half my wealth.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Exeunt

ACT IIISCENE I. A public place.

Enter MERCUTIO, BENVOLIO, Page, and Servants

BENVOLIO

I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire:The day is hot, the Capulets abroad,And, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl;For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.

MERCUTIO

Thou art like one of those fellows that when heenters the confines of a tavern claps me his swordupon the table and says 'God send me no need ofthee!’ and by the operation of the second cup drawsit on the drawer, when indeed there is no need.

BENVOLIO

Am I like such a fellow?

MERCUTIO

Come, come, thou art as hot a Jack in thy mood asany in Italy, and as soon moved to be moody, and assoon moody to be moved.

BENVOLIO

And what to?

MERCUTIO

Nay, an there were two such, we should have noneshortly, for one would kill the other. Thou! why,thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more,or a hair less, in his beard, than thou hast: thouwilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having noother reason but because thou hast hazel eyes: whateye but such an eye would spy out such a quarrel?Thy head is as fun of quarrels as an egg is full ofmeat, and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle asan egg for quarrelling: thou hast quarrelled with aman for coughing in the street, because he hathwakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun:didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearinghis new doublet before Easter? with another, fortying his new shoes with old riband? and yet thouwilt tutor me from quarrelling!

BENVOLIO

An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any manshould buy the fee-simple of my life for an hour and a quarter.

MERCUTIO

The fee-simple! O simple!

BENVOLIO

By my head, here come the Capulets.

MERCUTIO

Enter TYBALT and others

TYBALT

Follow me close, for I will speak to them.Gentlemen, good den: a word with one of you.

MERCUTIO

And but one word with one of us? couple it withsomething; make it a word and a blow.

TYBALT

You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an youwill give me occasion.

MERCUTIO

Could you not take some occasion without giving?

TYBALT

Mercutio, thou consort'st with Romeo,–

MERCUTIO

Consort! what, dost thou make us minstrels? anthou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing butdiscords: here’s my fiddlestick; here’s that shallmake you dance. 'Zounds, consort!

BENVOLIO

We talk here in the public haunt of men:Either withdraw unto some private place,And reason coldly of your grievances,Or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us.

MERCUTIO

Enter ROMEO

TYBALT

Well, peace be with you, sir: here comes my man.

MERCUTIO

But I’ll be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery:Marry, go before to field, he’ll be your follower;Your worship in that sense may call him 'man.’

TYBALT

Romeo, the hate I bear thee can affordNo better term than this,–thou art a villain.

ROMEO

Tybalt, the reason that I have to love theeDoth much excuse the appertaining rageTo such a greeting: villain am I none;Therefore farewell; I see thou know'st me not.

TYBALT

Boy, this shall not excuse the injuriesThat thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw.

ROMEO

I do protest, I never injured thee,But love thee better than thou canst devise,Till thou shalt know the reason of my love:And so, good Capulet,–which name I tenderAs dearly as my own,–be satisfied.

MERCUTIO

Draws

TYBALT

What wouldst thou have with me?

MERCUTIO

Good king of cats, nothing but one of your ninelives; that I mean to make bold withal, and as youshall use me hereafter, drybeat the rest of theeight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pitcherby the ears? make haste, lest mine be about yourears ere it be out.

TYBALT

Drawing

ROMEO

Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.

MERCUTIO

They fight

ROMEO

TYBALT under ROMEO’s arm stabs MERCUTIO, and flies with his followers

MERCUTIO

I am hurt.A plague o’ both your houses! I am sped.Is he gone, and hath nothing?

BENVOLIO

What, art thou hurt?

MERCUTIO

Exit Page

ROMEO

Courage, man; the hurt cannot be much.

MERCUTIO

No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as achurch-door; but 'tis enough,'twill serve: ask forme to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man. Iam peppered, I warrant, for this world. A plague o’both your houses! 'Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, acat, to scratch a man to death! a braggart, arogue, a villain, that fights by the book ofarithmetic! Why the devil came you between us? Iwas hurt under your arm.

ROMEO

I thought all for the best.

MERCUTIO

Exeunt MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO

ROMEO

Re-enter BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO

O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio’s dead!That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds,Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.

ROMEO

This day’s black fate on more days doth depend;This but begins the woe, others must end.

BENVOLIO

Here comes the furious Tybalt back again.

ROMEO

Re-enter TYBALT

TYBALT

Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here,Shalt with him hence.

ROMEO

They fight; TYBALT falls

BENVOLIO

Romeo, away, be gone!The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain.Stand not amazed: the prince will doom thee death,If thou art taken: hence, be gone, away!

ROMEO

O, I am fortune’s fool!

BENVOLIO

Exit ROMEO

Enter Citizens, & c

First Citizen

Which way ran he that kill’d Mercutio?Tybalt, that murderer, which way ran he?

BENVOLIO

There lies that Tybalt.

First Citizen

Enter Prince, attended; MONTAGUE, CAPULET, their Wives, and others

PRINCE

Where are the vile beginners of this fray?

BENVOLIO

O noble prince, I can discover allThe unlucky manage of this fatal brawl:There lies the man, slain by young Romeo,That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio.

LADY CAPULET

Tybalt, my cousin! O my brother’s child!O prince! O cousin! husband! O, the blood is spiltO my dear kinsman! Prince, as thou art true,For blood of ours, shed blood of Montague.O cousin, cousin!

PRINCE

Benvolio, who began this bloody fray?

BENVOLIO

Tybalt, here slain, whom Romeo’s hand did slay;Romeo that spoke him fair, bade him bethinkHow nice the quarrel was, and urged withalYour high displeasure: all this utteredWith gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bow’d,Could not take truce with the unruly spleenOf Tybalt deaf to peace, but that he tiltsWith piercing steel at bold Mercutio’s breast,Who all as hot, turns deadly point to point,And, with a martial scorn, with one hand beatsCold death aside, and with the other sendsIt back to Tybalt, whose dexterity,Retorts it: Romeo he cries aloud,'Hold, friends! friends, part!’ and, swifter thanhis tongue,His agile arm beats down their fatal points,And 'twixt them rushes; underneath whose armAn envious thrust from Tybalt hit the lifeOf stout Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled;But by and by comes back to Romeo,Who had but newly entertain’d revenge,And to ’t they go like lightning, for, ere ICould draw to part them, was stout Tybalt slain.And, as he fell, did Romeo turn and fly.This is the truth, or let Benvolio die.

LADY CAPULET

He is a kinsman to the Montague;Affection makes him false; he speaks not true:Some twenty of them fought in this black strife,And all those twenty could but kill one life.I beg for justice, which thou, prince, must give;Romeo slew Tybalt, Romeo must not live.

PRINCE

Romeo slew him, he slew Mercutio;Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe?

MONTAGUE

Not Romeo, prince, he was Mercutio’s friend;His fault concludes but what the law should end,The life of Tybalt.

PRINCE

Exeunt

SCENE II. Capulet’s orchard.

Enter JULIET

JULIET

Enter Nurse, with cords

Nurse

Throws them down

JULIET

Ay me! what news? why dost thou wring thy hands?

Nurse

Ah, well-a-day! he’s dead, he’s dead, he’s dead!We are undone, lady, we are undone!Alack the day! he’s gone, he’s kill’d, he’s dead!

JULIET

Can heaven be so envious?

Nurse

Romeo can,Though heaven cannot: O Romeo, Romeo!Who ever would have thought it? Romeo!

JULIET

What devil art thou, that dost torment me thus?This torture should be roar’d in dismal hell.Hath Romeo slain himself? say thou but 'I,’And that bare vowel 'I’ shall poison moreThan the death-darting eye of cockatrice:I am not I, if there be such an I;Or those eyes shut, that make thee answer 'I.’If he be slain, say 'I’; or if not, no:Brief sounds determine of my weal or woe.

Nurse

I saw the wound, I saw it with mine eyes,–God save the mark!–here on his manly breast:A piteous corse, a bloody piteous corse;Pale, pale as ashes, all bedaub’d in blood,All in gore-blood; I swounded at the sight.

JULIET

O, break, my heart! poor bankrupt, break at once!To prison, eyes, ne'er look on liberty!Vile earth, to earth resign; end motion here;And thou and Romeo press one heavy bier!

Nurse

O Tybalt, Tybalt, the best friend I had!O courteous Tybalt! honest gentleman!That ever I should live to see thee dead!

JULIET

What storm is this that blows so contrary?Is Romeo slaughter’d, and is Tybalt dead?My dear-loved cousin, and my dearer lord?Then, dreadful trumpet, sound the general doom!For who is living, if those two are gone?

Nurse

Tybalt is gone, and Romeo banished;Romeo that kill’d him, he is banished.

JULIET

O God! did Romeo’s hand shed Tybalt’s blood?

Nurse

It did, it did; alas the day, it did!

JULIET

O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face!Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave?Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical!Dove-feather’d raven! wolvish-ravening lamb!Despised substance of divinest show!Just opposite to what thou justly seem'st,A damned saint, an honourable villain!O nature, what hadst thou to do in hell,When thou didst bower the spirit of a fiendIn moral paradise of such sweet flesh?Was ever book containing such vile matterSo fairly bound? O that deceit should dwellIn such a gorgeous palace!

Nurse

There’s no trust,No faith, no honesty in men; all perjured,All forsworn, all naught, all dissemblers.Ah, where’s my man? give me some aqua vitae:These griefs, these woes, these sorrows make me old.Shame come to Romeo!

JULIET

Blister’d be thy tongueFor such a wish! he was not born to shame:Upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit;For 'tis a throne where honour may be crown’dSole monarch of the universal earth.O, what a beast was I to chide at him!

Nurse

Will you speak well of him that kill’d your cousin?

JULIET

Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?Ah, poor my lord, what tongue shall smooth thy name,When I, thy three-hours wife, have mangled it?But, wherefore, villain, didst thou kill my cousin?That villain cousin would have kill’d my husband:Back, foolish tears, back to your native spring;Your tributary drops belong to woe,Which you, mistaking, offer up to joy.My husband lives, that Tybalt would have slain;And Tybalt’s dead, that would have slain my husband:All this is comfort; wherefore weep I then?Some word there was, worser than Tybalt’s death,That murder’d me: I would forget it fain;But, O, it presses to my memory,Like damned guilty deeds to sinners’ minds:'Tybalt is dead, and Romeo–banished;’That 'banished,’ that one word 'banished,’Hath slain ten thousand Tybalts. Tybalt’s deathWas woe enough, if it had ended there:Or, if sour woe delights in fellowshipAnd needly will be rank’d with other griefs,Why follow’d not, when she said 'Tybalt’s dead,’Thy father, or thy mother, nay, or both,Which modern lamentations might have moved?But with a rear-ward following Tybalt’s death,'Romeo is banished,’ to speak that word,Is father, mother, Tybalt, Romeo, Juliet,All slain, all dead. 'Romeo is banished!’There is no end, no limit, measure, bound,In that word’s death; no words can that woe sound.Where is my father, and my mother, nurse?

Nurse

Weeping and wailing over Tybalt’s corse:Will you go to them? I will bring you thither.

JULIET

Wash they his wounds with tears: mine shall be spent,When theirs are dry, for Romeo’s banishment.Take up those cords: poor ropes, you are beguiled,Both you and I; for Romeo is exiled:He made you for a highway to my bed;But I, a maid, die maiden-widowed.Come, cords, come, nurse; I’ll to my wedding-bed;And death, not Romeo, take my maidenhead!

Nurse

Hie to your chamber: I’ll find RomeoTo comfort you: I wot well where he is.Hark ye, your Romeo will be here at night:I’ll to him; he is hid at Laurence’ cell.

JULIET

Exeunt

SCENE III. Friar Laurence’s cell.

Enter FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE

Enter ROMEO

ROMEO

Father, what news? what is the prince’s doom?What sorrow craves acquaintance at my hand,That I yet know not?

FRIAR LAURENCE

Too familiarIs my dear son with such sour company:I bring thee tidings of the prince’s doom.

ROMEO

What less than dooms-day is the prince’s doom?

FRIAR LAURENCE

A gentler judgment vanish’d from his lips,Not body’s death, but body’s banishment.

ROMEO

Ha, banishment! be merciful, say 'death;’For exile hath more terror in his look,Much more than death: do not say 'banishment.’

FRIAR LAURENCE

Hence from Verona art thou banished:Be patient, for the world is broad and wide.

ROMEO

There is no world without Verona walls,But purgatory, torture, hell itself.Hence-banished is banish’d from the world,And world’s exile is death: then banished,Is death mis-term’d: calling death banishment,Thou cutt'st my head off with a golden axe,And smilest upon the stroke that murders me.

FRIAR LAURENCE

O deadly sin! O rude unthankfulness!Thy fault our law calls death; but the kind prince,Taking thy part, hath rush’d aside the law,And turn’d that black word death to banishment:This is dear mercy, and thou seest it not.

ROMEO

'Tis torture, and not mercy: heaven is here,Where Juliet lives; and every cat and dogAnd little mouse, every unworthy thing,Live here in heaven and may look on her;But Romeo may not: more validity,More honourable state, more courtship livesIn carrion-flies than Romeo: they my seizeOn the white wonder of dear Juliet’s handAnd steal immortal blessing from her lips,Who even in pure and vestal modesty,Still blush, as thinking their own kisses sin;But Romeo may not; he is banished:Flies may do this, but I from this must fly:They are free men, but I am banished.And say'st thou yet that exile is not death?Hadst thou no poison mix’d, no sharp-ground knife,No sudden mean of death, though ne'er so mean,But 'banished’ to kill me?–'banished’?O friar, the damned use that word in hell;Howlings attend it: how hast thou the heart,Being a divine, a ghostly confessor,A sin-absolver, and my friend profess’d,To mangle me with that word 'banished’?

FRIAR LAURENCE

Thou fond mad man, hear me but speak a word.

ROMEO

O, thou wilt speak again of banishment.

FRIAR LAURENCE

I’ll give thee armour to keep off that word:Adversity’s sweet milk, philosophy,To comfort thee, though thou art banished.

ROMEO

Yet 'banished’? Hang up philosophy!Unless philosophy can make a Juliet,Displant a town, reverse a prince’s doom,It helps not, it prevails not: talk no more.

FRIAR LAURENCE

O, then I see that madmen have no ears.

ROMEO

How should they, when that wise men have no eyes?

FRIAR LAURENCE

Let me dispute with thee of thy estate.

ROMEO

Knocking within

FRIAR LAURENCE

Arise; one knocks; good Romeo, hide thyself.

ROMEO

Knocking

FRIAR LAURENCE

Knocking

Knocking

Nurse

[Within] Let me come in, and you shall knowmy errand;I come from Lady Juliet.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Enter Nurse

Nurse

O holy friar, O, tell me, holy friar,Where is my lady’s lord, where’s Romeo?

FRIAR LAURENCE

There on the ground, with his own tears made drunk.

Nurse

O, he is even in my mistress’ case,Just in her case! O woful sympathy!Piteous predicament! Even so lies she,Blubbering and weeping, weeping and blubbering.Stand up, stand up; stand, and you be a man:For Juliet’s sake, for her sake, rise and stand;Why should you fall into so deep an O?

ROMEO

Nurse!

Nurse

Ah sir! ah sir! Well, death’s the end of all.

ROMEO

Spakest thou of Juliet? how is it with her?Doth she not think me an old murderer,Now I have stain’d the childhood of our joyWith blood removed but little from her own?Where is she? and how doth she? and what saysMy conceal’d lady to our cancell’d love?

Nurse

O, she says nothing, sir, but weeps and weeps;And now falls on her bed; and then starts up,And Tybalt calls; and then on Romeo cries,And then down falls again.

ROMEO

Drawing his sword

FRIAR LAURENCE

Hold thy desperate hand:Art thou a man? thy form cries out thou art:Thy tears are womanish; thy wild acts denoteThe unreasonable fury of a beast:Unseemly woman in a seeming man!Or ill-beseeming beast in seeming both!Thou hast amazed me: by my holy order,I thought thy disposition better temper’d.Hast thou slain Tybalt? wilt thou slay thyself?And stay thy lady too that lives in thee,By doing damned hate upon thyself?Why rail'st thou on thy birth, the heaven, and earth?Since birth, and heaven, and earth, all three do meetIn thee at once; which thou at once wouldst lose.Fie, fie, thou shamest thy shape, thy love, thy wit;Which, like a usurer, abound'st in all,And usest none in that true use indeedWhich should bedeck thy shape, thy love, thy wit:Thy noble shape is but a form of wax,Digressing from the valour of a man;Thy dear love sworn but hollow perjury,Killing that love which thou hast vow’d to cherish;Thy wit, that ornament to shape and love,Misshapen in the conduct of them both,Like powder in a skitless soldier’s flask,Is set afire by thine own ignorance,And thou dismember’d with thine own defence.What, rouse thee, man! thy Juliet is alive,For whose dear sake thou wast but lately dead;There art thou happy: Tybalt would kill thee,But thou slew'st Tybalt; there are thou happy too:The law that threaten’d death becomes thy friendAnd turns it to exile; there art thou happy:A pack of blessings lights up upon thy back;Happiness courts thee in her best array;But, like a misbehaved and sullen wench,Thou pout'st upon thy fortune and thy love:Take heed, take heed, for such die miserable.Go, get thee to thy love, as was decreed,Ascend her chamber, hence and comfort her:But look thou stay not till the watch be set,For then thou canst not pass to Mantua;Where thou shalt live, till we can find a timeTo blaze your marriage, reconcile your friends,Beg pardon of the prince, and call thee backWith twenty hundred thousand times more joyThan thou went'st forth in lamentation.Go before, nurse: commend me to thy lady;And bid her hasten all the house to bed,Which heavy sorrow makes them apt unto:Romeo is coming.

Nurse

O Lord, I could have stay’d here all the nightTo hear good counsel: O, what learning is!My lord, I’ll tell my lady you will come.

ROMEO

Do so, and bid my sweet prepare to chide.

Nurse

Exit

ROMEO

How well my comfort is revived by this!

FRIAR LAURENCE

Go hence; good night; and here stands all your state:Either be gone before the watch be set,Or by the break of day disguised from hence:Sojourn in Mantua; I’ll find out your man,And he shall signify from time to timeEvery good hap to you that chances here:Give me thy hand; 'tis late: farewell; good night.

ROMEO

Exeunt

SCENE IV. A room in Capulet’s house.

Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, and PARIS

CAPULET

Things have fall'n out, sir, so unluckily,That we have had no time to move our daughter:Look you, she loved her kinsman Tybalt dearly,And so did I:–Well, we were born to die.'Tis very late, she’ll not come down to-night:I promise you, but for your company,I would have been a-bed an hour ago.

PARIS

These times of woe afford no time to woo.Madam, good night: commend me to your daughter.

LADY CAPULET

I will, and know her mind early to-morrow;To-night she is mew’d up to her heaviness.

CAPULET

Sir Paris, I will make a desperate tenderOf my child’s love: I think she will be ruledIn all respects by me; nay, more, I doubt it not.Wife, go you to her ere you go to bed;Acquaint her here of my son Paris’ love;And bid her, mark you me, on Wednesday next–But, soft! what day is this?

PARIS

Monday, my lord,

CAPULET

Monday! ha, ha! Well, Wednesday is too soon,O’ Thursday let it be: o’ Thursday, tell her,She shall be married to this noble earl.Will you be ready? do you like this haste?We’ll keep no great ado,–a friend or two;For, hark you, Tybalt being slain so late,It may be thought we held him carelessly,Being our kinsman, if we revel much:Therefore we’ll have some half a dozen friends,And there an end. But what say you to Thursday?

PARIS

My lord, I would that Thursday were to-morrow.

CAPULET

Exeunt

SCENE V. Capulet’s orchard.

Enter ROMEO and JULIET above, at the window

JULIET

Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day:It was the nightingale, and not the lark,That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear;Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate-tree:Believe me, love, it was the nightingale.

ROMEO

It was the lark, the herald of the morn,No nightingale: look, love, what envious streaksDo lace the severing clouds in yonder east:Night’s candles are burnt out, and jocund dayStands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops.I must be gone and live, or stay and die.

JULIET

Yon light is not day-light, I know it, I:It is some meteor that the sun exhales,To be to thee this night a torch-bearer,And light thee on thy way to Mantua:Therefore stay yet; thou need'st not to be gone.

ROMEO

Let me be ta'en, let me be put to death;I am content, so thou wilt have it so.I’ll say yon grey is not the morning’s eye,'Tis but the pale reflex of Cynthia’s brow;Nor that is not the lark, whose notes do beatThe vaulty heaven so high above our heads:I have more care to stay than will to go:Come, death, and welcome! Juliet wills it so.How is’t, my soul? let’s talk; it is not day.

JULIET

It is, it is: hie hence, be gone, away!It is the lark that sings so out of tune,Straining harsh discords and unpleasing sharps.Some say the lark makes sweet division;This doth not so, for she divideth us:Some say the lark and loathed toad change eyes,O, now I would they had changed voices too!Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray,Hunting thee hence with hunt’s-up to the day,O, now be gone; more light and light it grows.

ROMEO

Enter Nurse, to the chamber

Nurse

Madam!

JULIET

Nurse?

Nurse

Exit

JULIET

Then, window, let day in, and let life out.

ROMEO

He goeth down

JULIET

Art thou gone so? love, lord, ay, husband, friend!I must hear from thee every day in the hour,For in a minute there are many days:O, by this count I shall be much in yearsEre I again behold my Romeo!

ROMEO

Farewell!I will omit no opportunityThat may convey my greetings, love, to thee.

JULIET

O think'st thou we shall ever meet again?

ROMEO

I doubt it not; and all these woes shall serveFor sweet discourses in our time to come.

JULIET

O God, I have an ill-divining soul!Methinks I see thee, now thou art below,As one dead in the bottom of a tomb:Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale.

ROMEO

Exit

JULIET

O fortune, fortune! all men call thee fickle:If thou art fickle, what dost thou with him.That is renown’d for faith? Be fickle, fortune;For then, I hope, thou wilt not keep him long,But send him back.

LADY CAPULET

[Within] Ho, daughter! are you up?

JULIET

Enter LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET

Why, how now, Juliet!

JULIET

Madam, I am not well.

LADY CAPULET

Evermore weeping for your cousin’s death?What, wilt thou wash him from his grave with tears?An if thou couldst, thou couldst not make him live;Therefore, have done: some grief shows much of love;But much of grief shows still some want of wit.

JULIET

Yet let me weep for such a feeling loss.

LADY CAPULET

So shall you feel the loss, but not the friendWhich you weep for.

JULIET

Feeling so the loss,Cannot choose but ever weep the friend.

LADY CAPULET

Well, girl, thou weep'st not so much for his death,As that the villain lives which slaughter’d him.

JULIET

What villain madam?

LADY CAPULET

That same villain, Romeo.

JULIET

[Aside] Villain and he be many miles asunder.–God Pardon him! I do, with all my heart;And yet no man like he doth grieve my heart.

LADY CAPULET

That is, because the traitor murderer lives.

JULIET

Ay, madam, from the reach of these my hands:Would none but I might venge my cousin’s death!

LADY CAPULET

We will have vengeance for it, fear thou not:Then weep no more. I’ll send to one in Mantua,Where that same banish’d runagate doth live,Shall give him such an unaccustom’d dram,That he shall soon keep Tybalt company:And then, I hope, thou wilt be satisfied.

JULIET

Indeed, I never shall be satisfiedWith Romeo, till I behold him–dead–Is my poor heart for a kinsman vex’d.Madam, if you could find out but a manTo bear a poison, I would temper it;That Romeo should, upon receipt thereof,Soon sleep in quiet. O, how my heart abhorsTo hear him named, and cannot come to him.To wreak the love I bore my cousinUpon his body that slaughter’d him!

LADY CAPULET

Find thou the means, and I’ll find such a man.But now I’ll tell thee joyful tidings, girl.

JULIET

And joy comes well in such a needy time:What are they, I beseech your ladyship?

LADY CAPULET

Well, well, thou hast a careful father, child;One who, to put thee from thy heaviness,Hath sorted out a sudden day of joy,That thou expect'st not nor I look’d not for.

JULIET

Madam, in happy time, what day is that?

LADY CAPULET

Marry, my child, early next Thursday morn,The gallant, young and noble gentleman,The County Paris, at Saint Peter’s Church,Shall happily make thee there a joyful bride.

JULIET

Now, by Saint Peter’s Church and Peter too,He shall not make me there a joyful bride.I wonder at this haste; that I must wedEre he, that should be husband, comes to woo.I pray you, tell my lord and father, madam,I will not marry yet; and, when I do, I swear,It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate,Rather than Paris. These are news indeed!

LADY CAPULET

Enter CAPULET and Nurse

CAPULET

When the sun sets, the air doth drizzle dew;But for the sunset of my brother’s sonIt rains downright.How now! a conduit, girl? what, still in tears?Evermore showering? In one little bodyThou counterfeit'st a bark, a sea, a wind;For still thy eyes, which I may call the sea,Do ebb and flow with tears; the bark thy body is,Sailing in this salt flood; the winds, thy sighs;Who, raging with thy tears, and they with them,Without a sudden calm, will oversetThy tempest-tossed body. How now, wife!Have you deliver’d to her our decree?

LADY CAPULET

Ay, sir; but she will none, she gives you thanks.I would the fool were married to her grave!

CAPULET

Soft! take me with you, take me with you, wife.How! will she none? doth she not give us thanks?Is she not proud? doth she not count her blest,Unworthy as she is, that we have wroughtSo worthy a gentleman to be her bridegroom?

JULIET

Not proud, you have; but thankful, that you have:Proud can I never be of what I hate;But thankful even for hate, that is meant love.

CAPULET

How now, how now, chop-logic! What is this?'Proud,’ and 'I thank you,’ and 'I thank you not;’And yet 'not proud,’ mistress minion, you,Thank me no thankings, nor, proud me no prouds,But fettle your fine joints 'gainst Thursday next,To go with Paris to Saint Peter’s Church,Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither.Out, you green-sickness carrion! out, you baggage!You tallow-face!

LADY CAPULET

Fie, fie! what, are you mad?

JULIET

Good father, I beseech you on my knees,Hear me with patience but to speak a word.

CAPULET

Hang thee, young baggage! disobedient wretch!I tell thee what: get thee to church o’ Thursday,Or never after look me in the face:Speak not, reply not, do not answer me;My fingers itch. Wife, we scarce thought us blestThat God had lent us but this only child;But now I see this one is one too much,And that we have a curse in having her:Out on her, hilding!

Nurse

God in heaven bless her!You are to blame, my lord, to rate her so.

CAPULET

And why, my lady wisdom? hold your tongue,Good prudence; smatter with your gossips, go.

Nurse

I speak no treason.

CAPULET

O, God ye god-den.

Nurse

May not one speak?

CAPULET

Peace, you mumbling fool!Utter your gravity o'er a gossip’s bowl;For here we need it not.

LADY CAPULET

You are too hot.

CAPULET

Exit

JULIET

Is there no pity sitting in the clouds,That sees into the bottom of my grief?O, sweet my mother, cast me not away!Delay this marriage for a month, a week;Or, if you do not, make the bridal bedIn that dim monument where Tybalt lies.

LADY CAPULET

Exit

JULIET

O God!–O nurse, how shall this be prevented?My husband is on earth, my faith in heaven;How shall that faith return again to earth,Unless that husband send it me from heavenBy leaving earth? comfort me, counsel me.Alack, alack, that heaven should practise stratagemsUpon so soft a subject as myself!What say'st thou? hast thou not a word of joy?Some comfort, nurse.

Nurse

Faith, here it is.Romeo is banish’d; and all the world to nothing,That he dares ne'er come back to challenge you;Or, if he do, it needs must be by stealth.Then, since the case so stands as now it doth,I think it best you married with the county.O, he’s a lovely gentleman!Romeo’s a dishclout to him: an eagle, madam,Hath not so green, so quick, so fair an eyeAs Paris hath. Beshrew my very heart,I think you are happy in this second match,For it excels your first: or if it did not,Your first is dead; or 'twere as good he were,As living here and you no use of him.

JULIET

Speakest thou from thy heart?

Nurse

And from my soul too;Or else beshrew them both.

JULIET

Amen!

Nurse

What?

JULIET

Well, thou hast comforted me marvellous much.Go in: and tell my lady I am gone,Having displeased my father, to Laurence’ cell,To make confession and to be absolved.

Nurse

Exit

JULIET

Exit

ACT IVSCENE I. Friar Laurence’s cell.

Enter FRIAR LAURENCE and PARIS

FRIAR LAURENCE

On Thursday, sir? the time is very short.

PARIS

My father Capulet will have it so;And I am nothing slow to slack his haste.

FRIAR LAURENCE

You say you do not know the lady’s mind:Uneven is the course, I like it not.

PARIS

Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt’s death,And therefore have I little talk’d of love;For Venus smiles not in a house of tears.Now, sir, her father counts it dangerousThat she doth give her sorrow so much sway,And in his wisdom hastes our marriage,To stop the inundation of her tears;Which, too much minded by herself alone,May be put from her by society:Now do you know the reason of this haste.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Enter JULIET

PARIS

Happily met, my lady and my wife!

JULIET

That may be, sir, when I may be a wife.

PARIS

That may be must be, love, on Thursday next.

JULIET

What must be shall be.

FRIAR LAURENCE

That’s a certain text.

PARIS

Come you to make confession to this father?

JULIET

To answer that, I should confess to you.

PARIS

Do not deny to him that you love me.

JULIET

I will confess to you that I love him.

PARIS

So will ye, I am sure, that you love me.

JULIET

If I do so, it will be of more price,Being spoke behind your back, than to your face.

PARIS

Poor soul, thy face is much abused with tears.

JULIET

The tears have got small victory by that;For it was bad enough before their spite.

PARIS

Thou wrong'st it, more than tears, with that report.

JULIET

That is no slander, sir, which is a truth;And what I spake, I spake it to my face.

PARIS

Thy face is mine, and thou hast slander’d it.

JULIET

It may be so, for it is not mine own.Are you at leisure, holy father, now;Or shall I come to you at evening mass?

FRIAR LAURENCE

My leisure serves me, pensive daughter, now.My lord, we must entreat the time alone.

PARIS

Exit

JULIET

O shut the door! and when thou hast done so,Come weep with me; past hope, past cure, past help!

FRIAR LAURENCE

Ah, Juliet, I already know thy grief;It strains me past the compass of my wits:I hear thou must, and nothing may prorogue it,On Thursday next be married to this county.

JULIET

Tell me not, friar, that thou hear'st of this,Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it:If, in thy wisdom, thou canst give no help,Do thou but call my resolution wise,And with this knife I’ll help it presently.God join’d my heart and Romeo’s, thou our hands;And ere this hand, by thee to Romeo seal’d,Shall be the label to another deed,Or my true heart with treacherous revoltTurn to another, this shall slay them both:Therefore, out of thy long-experienced time,Give me some present counsel, or, behold,'Twixt my extremes and me this bloody knifeShall play the umpire, arbitrating thatWhich the commission of thy years and artCould to no issue of true honour bring.Be not so long to speak; I long to die,If what thou speak'st speak not of remedy.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Hold, daughter: I do spy a kind of hope,Which craves as desperate an execution.As that is desperate which we would prevent.If, rather than to marry County Paris,Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself,Then is it likely thou wilt undertakeA thing like death to chide away this shame,That copest with death himself to scape from it:And, if thou darest, I’ll give thee remedy.

JULIET

O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris,From off the battlements of yonder tower;Or walk in thievish ways; or bid me lurkWhere serpents are; chain me with roaring bears;Or shut me nightly in a charnel-house,O'er-cover’d quite with dead men’s rattling bones,With reeky shanks and yellow chapless skulls;Or bid me go into a new-made graveAnd hide me with a dead man in his shroud;Things that, to hear them told, have made me tremble;And I will do it without fear or doubt,To live an unstain’d wife to my sweet love.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Hold, then; go home, be merry, give consentTo marry Paris: Wednesday is to-morrow:To-morrow night look that thou lie alone;Let not thy nurse lie with thee in thy chamber:Take thou this vial, being then in bed,And this distilled liquor drink thou off;When presently through all thy veins shall runA cold and drowsy humour, for no pulseShall keep his native progress, but surcease:No warmth, no breath, shall testify thou livest;The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fadeTo paly ashes, thy eyes’ windows fall,Like death, when he shuts up the day of life;Each part, deprived of supple government,Shall, stiff and stark and cold, appear like death:And in this borrow’d likeness of shrunk deathThou shalt continue two and forty hours,And then awake as from a pleasant sleep.Now, when the bridegroom in the morning comesTo rouse thee from thy bed, there art thou dead:Then, as the manner of our country is,In thy best robes uncover’d on the bierThou shalt be borne to that same ancient vaultWhere all the kindred of the Capulets lie.In the mean time, against thou shalt awake,Shall Romeo by my letters know our drift,And hither shall he come: and he and IWill watch thy waking, and that very nightShall Romeo bear thee hence to Mantua.And this shall free thee from this present shame;If no inconstant toy, nor womanish fear,Abate thy valour in the acting it.

JULIET

Give me, give me! O, tell not me of fear!

FRIAR LAURENCE

Hold; get you gone, be strong and prosperousIn this resolve: I’ll send a friar with speedTo Mantua, with my letters to thy lord.

JULIET

Exeunt

SCENE II. Hall in Capulet’s house.

Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, Nurse, and two Servingmen

CAPULET

Exit First Servant

Second Servant

You shall have none ill, sir; for I’ll try if theycan lick their fingers.

CAPULET

How canst thou try them so?

Second Servant

Marry, sir, 'tis an ill cook that cannot lick hisown fingers: therefore he that cannot lick hisfingers goes not with me.

CAPULET

Exit Second Servant

Nurse

Ay, forsooth.

CAPULET

Well, he may chance to do some good on her:A peevish self-will’d harlotry it is.

Nurse

Enter JULIET

CAPULET

How now, my headstrong! where have you been gadding?

JULIET

Where I have learn’d me to repent the sinOf disobedient oppositionTo you and your behests, and am enjoin’dBy holy Laurence to fall prostrate here,And beg your pardon: pardon, I beseech you!Henceforward I am ever ruled by you.

CAPULET

Send for the county; go tell him of this:I’ll have this knot knit up to-morrow morning.

JULIET

I met the youthful lord at Laurence’ cell;And gave him what becomed love I might,Not step o'er the bounds of modesty.

CAPULET

Why, I am glad on’t; this is well: stand up:This is as’t should be. Let me see the county;Ay, marry, go, I say, and fetch him hither.Now, afore God! this reverend holy friar,Our whole city is much bound to him.

JULIET

Nurse, will you go with me into my closet,To help me sort such needful ornamentsAs you think fit to furnish me to-morrow?

LADY CAPULET

No, not till Thursday; there is time enough.

CAPULET

Exeunt JULIET and Nurse

LADY CAPULET

We shall be short in our provision:'Tis now near night.

CAPULET

Exeunt

SCENE III. Juliet’s chamber.

Enter JULIET and Nurse

JULIET

Enter LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET

What, are you busy, ho? need you my help?

JULIET

No, madam; we have cull’d such necessariesAs are behoveful for our state to-morrow:So please you, let me now be left alone,And let the nurse this night sit up with you;For, I am sure, you have your hands full all,In this so sudden business.

LADY CAPULET

Exeunt LADY CAPULET and Nurse

JULIET

Laying down her dagger

She falls upon her bed, within the curtains

SCENE IV. Hall in Capulet’s house.

Enter LADY CAPULET and Nurse

LADY CAPULET

Hold, take these keys, and fetch more spices, nurse.

Nurse

Enter CAPULET

CAPULET

Come, stir, stir, stir! the second cock hath crow’d,The curfew-bell hath rung, 'tis three o'clock:Look to the baked meats, good Angelica:Spare not for the cost.

Nurse

Go, you cot-quean, go,Get you to bed; faith, You’ll be sick to-morrowFor this night’s watching.

CAPULET

No, not a whit: what! I have watch’d ere nowAll night for lesser cause, and ne'er been sick.

LADY CAPULET

Exeunt LADY CAPULET and Nurse

CAPULET

Enter three or four Servingmen, with spits, logs, and baskets

First Servant

Things for the cook, sir; but I know not what.

CAPULET

Exit First Servant

Second Servant

Exit

CAPULET

Music within

Re-enter Nurse

Exeunt

SCENE V. Juliet’s chamber.

Enter Nurse

Nurse

Undraws the curtains

Enter LADY CAPULET

LADY CAPULET

What noise is here?

Nurse

O lamentable day!

LADY CAPULET

What is the matter?

Nurse

Look, look! O heavy day!

LADY CAPULET

Enter CAPULET

CAPULET

For shame, bring Juliet forth; her lord is come.

Nurse

She’s dead, deceased, she’s dead; alack the day!

LADY CAPULET

Alack the day, she’s dead, she’s dead, she’s dead!

CAPULET

Ha! let me see her: out, alas! she’s cold:Her blood is settled, and her joints are stiff;Life and these lips have long been separated:Death lies on her like an untimely frostUpon the sweetest flower of all the field.

Nurse

O lamentable day!

LADY CAPULET

O woful time!

CAPULET

Enter FRIAR LAURENCE and PARIS, with Musicians

FRIAR LAURENCE

Come, is the bride ready to go to church?

CAPULET

Ready to go, but never to return.O son! the night before thy wedding-dayHath Death lain with thy wife. There she lies,Flower as she was, deflowered by him.Death is my son-in-law, Death is my heir;My daughter he hath wedded: I will die,And leave him all; life, living, all is Death’s.

PARIS

Have I thought long to see this morning’s face,And doth it give me such a sight as this?

LADY CAPULET

Accursed, unhappy, wretched, hateful day!Most miserable hour that e'er time sawIn lasting labour of his pilgrimage!But one, poor one, one poor and loving child,But one thing to rejoice and solace in,And cruel death hath catch’d it from my sight!

Nurse

O woe! O woful, woful, woful day!Most lamentable day, most woful day,That ever, ever, I did yet behold!O day! O day! O day! O hateful day!Never was seen so black a day as this:O woful day, O woful day!

PARIS

Beguiled, divorced, wronged, spited, slain!Most detestable death, by thee beguil’d,By cruel cruel thee quite overthrown!O love! O life! not life, but love in death!

CAPULET

Despised, distressed, hated, martyr’d, kill’d!Uncomfortable time, why camest thou nowTo murder, murder our solemnity?O child! O child! my soul, and not my child!Dead art thou! Alack! my child is dead;And with my child my joys are buried.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Peace, ho, for shame! confusion’s cure lives notIn these confusions. Heaven and yourselfHad part in this fair maid; now heaven hath all,And all the better is it for the maid:Your part in her you could not keep from death,But heaven keeps his part in eternal life.The most you sought was her promotion;For 'twas your heaven she should be advanced:And weep ye now, seeing she is advancedAbove the clouds, as high as heaven itself?O, in this love, you love your child so ill,That you run mad, seeing that she is well:She’s not well married that lives married long;But she’s best married that dies married young.Dry up your tears, and stick your rosemaryOn this fair corse; and, as the custom is,In all her best array bear her to church:For though fond nature bids us an lament,Yet nature’s tears are reason’s merriment.

CAPULET

All things that we ordained festival,Turn from their office to black funeral;Our instruments to melancholy bells,Our wedding cheer to a sad burial feast,Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change,Our bridal flowers serve for a buried corse,And all things change them to the contrary.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Exeunt CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, PARIS, and FRIAR LAURENCE

First Musician

Faith, we may put up our pipes, and be gone.

Nurse

Exit

First Musician

Enter PETER

PETER

Musicians, O, musicians, 'Heart’s ease, Heart’sease:’ O, an you will have me live, play 'Heart’s ease.’

First Musician

Why 'Heart’s ease?’

PETER

O, musicians, because my heart itself plays 'Myheart is full of woe:’ O, play me some merry dump,to comfort me.

First Musician

Not a dump we; 'tis no time to play now.

PETER

You will not, then?

First Musician

No.

PETER

I will then give it you soundly.

First Musician

What will you give us?

PETER

No money, on my faith, but the gleek;I will give you the minstrel.

First Musician

Then I will give you the serving-creature.

PETER

Then will I lay the serving-creature’s dagger onyour pate. I will carry no crotchets: I’ll re you,I’ll fa you; do you note me?

First Musician

An you re us and fa us, you note us.

Second Musician

Pray you, put up your dagger, and put out your wit.

PETER

Then have at you with my wit! I will dry-beat youwith an iron wit, and put up my iron dagger. Answerme like men:'When griping grief the heart doth wound,And doleful dumps the mind oppress,Then music with her silver sound’–why 'silver sound’? why 'music with her silversound’? What say you, Simon Catling?

Musician

Marry, sir, because silver hath a sweet sound.

PETER

Pretty! What say you, Hugh Rebeck?

Second Musician

I say 'silver sound,’ because musicians sound for silver.

PETER

Pretty too! What say you, James Soundpost?

Third Musician

Faith, I know not what to say.

PETER

Exit

First Musician

What a pestilent knave is this same!

Second Musician

Exeunt

ACT VSCENE I. Mantua. A street.

Enter ROMEO

ROMEO

Enter BALTHASAR, booted

BALTHASAR

Then she is well, and nothing can be ill:Her body sleeps in Capel’s monument,And her immortal part with angels lives.I saw her laid low in her kindred’s vault,And presently took post to tell it you:O, pardon me for bringing these ill news,Since you did leave it for my office, sir.

ROMEO

Is it even so? then I defy you, stars!Thou know'st my lodging: get me ink and paper,And hire post-horses; I will hence to-night.

BALTHASAR

I do beseech you, sir, have patience:Your looks are pale and wild, and do importSome misadventure.

ROMEO

Tush, thou art deceived:Leave me, and do the thing I bid thee do.Hast thou no letters to me from the friar?

BALTHASAR

No, my good lord.

ROMEO

Exit BALTHASAR

Enter Apothecary

Apothecary

Who calls so loud?

ROMEO

Come hither, man. I see that thou art poor:Hold, there is forty ducats: let me haveA dram of poison, such soon-speeding gearAs will disperse itself through all the veinsThat the life-weary taker may fall deadAnd that the trunk may be discharged of breathAs violently as hasty powder firedDoth hurry from the fatal cannon’s womb.

Apothecary

Such mortal drugs I have; but Mantua’s lawIs death to any he that utters them.

ROMEO

Art thou so bare and full of wretchedness,And fear'st to die? famine is in thy cheeks,Need and oppression starveth in thine eyes,Contempt and beggary hangs upon thy back;The world is not thy friend nor the world’s law;The world affords no law to make thee rich;Then be not poor, but break it, and take this.

Apothecary

My poverty, but not my will, consents.

ROMEO

I pay thy poverty, and not thy will.

Apothecary

Put this in any liquid thing you will,And drink it off; and, if you had the strengthOf twenty men, it would dispatch you straight.

ROMEO

Exeunt

SCENE II. Friar Laurence’s cell.

Enter FRIAR JOHN

FRIAR JOHN

Enter FRIAR LAURENCE

FRIAR LAURENCE

This same should be the voice of Friar John.Welcome from Mantua: what says Romeo?Or, if his mind be writ, give me his letter.

FRIAR JOHN

Going to find a bare-foot brother outOne of our order, to associate me,Here in this city visiting the sick,And finding him, the searchers of the town,Suspecting that we both were in a houseWhere the infectious pestilence did reign,Seal’d up the doors, and would not let us forth;So that my speed to Mantua there was stay’d.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo?

FRIAR JOHN

I could not send it,–here it is again,–Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,So fearful were they of infection.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Unhappy fortune! by my brotherhood,The letter was not nice but full of chargeOf dear import, and the neglecting itMay do much danger. Friar John, go hence;Get me an iron crow, and bring it straightUnto my cell.

FRIAR JOHN

Exit

FRIAR LAURENCE

Exit

SCENE III. A churchyard; in it a tomb belonging to the Capulets.

Enter PARIS, and his Page bearing flowers and a torch

PARIS

Give me thy torch, boy: hence, and stand aloof:Yet put it out, for I would not be seen.Under yond yew-trees lay thee all along,Holding thine ear close to the hollow ground;So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread,Being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves,But thou shalt hear it: whistle then to me,As signal that thou hear'st something approach.Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee, go.

PAGE

Retires

PARIS

The Page whistles

Retires

Enter ROMEO and BALTHASAR, with a torch, mattock, & c

ROMEO

Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron.Hold, take this letter; early in the morningSee thou deliver it to my lord and father.Give me the light: upon thy life, I charge thee,Whate'er thou hear'st or seest, stand all aloof,And do not interrupt me in my course.Why I descend into this bed of death,Is partly to behold my lady’s face;But chiefly to take thence from her dead fingerA precious ring, a ring that I must useIn dear employment: therefore hence, be gone:But if thou, jealous, dost return to pryIn what I further shall intend to do,By heaven, I will tear thee joint by jointAnd strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs:The time and my intents are savage-wild,More fierce and more inexorable farThan empty tigers or the roaring sea.

BALTHASAR

I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you.

ROMEO

So shalt thou show me friendship. Take thou that:Live, and be prosperous: and farewell, good fellow.

BALTHASAR

Retires

ROMEO

Opens the tomb

PARIS

Comes forward

ROMEO

I must indeed; and therefore came I hither.Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man;Fly hence, and leave me: think upon these gone;Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth,Put not another sin upon my head,By urging me to fury: O, be gone!By heaven, I love thee better than myself;For I come hither arm’d against myself:Stay not, be gone; live, and hereafter say,A madman’s mercy bade thee run away.

PARIS

I do defy thy conjurations,And apprehend thee for a felon here.

ROMEO

They fight

PAGE

Exit

PARIS

Falls

Dies

ROMEO

Laying PARIS in the tomb

Drinks

Dies

Enter, at the other end of the churchyard, FRIAR LAURENCE, with a lantern, crow, and spade

FRIAR LAURENCE

Saint Francis be my speed! how oft to-nightHave my old feet stumbled at graves! Who’s there?

BALTHASAR

Here’s one, a friend, and one that knows you well.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Bliss be upon you! Tell me, good my friend,What torch is yond, that vainly lends his lightTo grubs and eyeless skulls? as I discern,It burneth in the Capel’s monument.

BALTHASAR

It doth so, holy sir; and there’s my master,One that you love.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Who is it?

BALTHASAR

Romeo.

FRIAR LAURENCE

How long hath he been there?

BALTHASAR

Full half an hour.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Go with me to the vault.

BALTHASAR

I dare not, sirMy master knows not but I am gone hence;And fearfully did menace me with death,If I did stay to look on his intents.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Stay, then; I’ll go alone. Fear comes upon me:O, much I fear some ill unlucky thing.

BALTHASAR

As I did sleep under this yew-tree here,I dreamt my master and another fought,And that my master slew him.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Advances

Enters the tomb

JULIET wakes

JULIET

Noise within

FRIAR LAURENCE

Noise again

JULIET

Exit FRIAR LAURENCE

Kisses him

First Watchman

[Within] Lead, boy: which way?

JULIET

Snatching ROMEO’s dagger

Stabs herself

Falls on ROMEO’s body, and dies

Enter Watch, with the Page of PARIS

PAGE

This is the place; there, where the torch doth burn.

First Watchman

Re-enter some of the Watch, with BALTHASAR

Second Watchman

Here’s Romeo’s man; we found him in the churchyard.

First Watchman

Re-enter others of the Watch, with FRIAR LAURENCE

Third Watchman

Here is a friar, that trembles, sighs and weeps:We took this mattock and this spade from him,As he was coming from this churchyard side.

First Watchman

Enter the PRINCE and Attendants

PRINCE

Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, and others

CAPULET

What should it be, that they so shriek abroad?

LADY CAPULET

The people in the street cry Romeo,Some Juliet, and some Paris; and all run,With open outcry toward our monument.

PRINCE

What fear is this which startles in our ears?

First Watchman

Sovereign, here lies the County Paris slain;And Romeo dead; and Juliet, dead before,Warm and new kill’d.

PRINCE

Search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes.

First Watchman

Here is a friar, and slaughter’d Romeo’s man;With instruments upon them, fit to openThese dead men’s tombs.

CAPULET

O heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!This dagger hath mista'en–for, lo, his houseIs empty on the back of Montague,–And it mis-sheathed in my daughter’s bosom!

LADY CAPULET

Enter MONTAGUE and others

PRINCE

Come, Montague; for thou art early up,To see thy son and heir more early down.

MONTAGUE

Alas, my liege, my wife is dead to-night;Grief of my son’s exile hath stopp’d her breath:What further woe conspires against mine age?

PRINCE

Look, and thou shalt see.

MONTAGUE

O thou untaught! what manners is in this?To press before thy father to a grave?

PRINCE

Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while,Till we can clear these ambiguities,And know their spring, their head, theirtrue descent;And then will I be general of your woes,And lead you even to death: meantime forbear,And let mischance be slave to patience.Bring forth the parties of suspicion.

FRIAR LAURENCE

I am the greatest, able to do least,Yet most suspected, as the time and placeDoth make against me of this direful murder;And here I stand, both to impeach and purgeMyself condemned and myself excused.

PRINCE

Then say at once what thou dost know in this.

FRIAR LAURENCE

I will be brief, for my short date of breathIs not so long as is a tedious tale.Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet;And she, there dead, that Romeo’s faithful wife:I married them; and their stol'n marriage-dayWas Tybalt’s dooms-day, whose untimely deathBanish’d the new-made bridegroom from the city,For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined.You, to remove that siege of grief from her,Betroth’d and would have married her perforceTo County Paris: then comes she to me,And, with wild looks, bid me devise some meanTo rid her from this second marriage,Or in my cell there would she kill herself.Then gave I her, so tutor’d by my art,A sleeping potion; which so took effectAs I intended, for it wrought on herThe form of death: meantime I writ to Romeo,That he should hither come as this dire night,To help to take her from her borrow’d grave,Being the time the potion’s force should cease.But he which bore my letter, Friar John,Was stay’d by accident, and yesternightReturn’d my letter back. Then all aloneAt the prefixed hour of her waking,Came I to take her from her kindred’s vault;Meaning to keep her closely at my cell,Till I conveniently could send to Romeo:But when I came, some minute ere the timeOf her awaking, here untimely layThe noble Paris and true Romeo dead.She wakes; and I entreated her come forth,And bear this work of heaven with patience:But then a noise did scare me from the tomb;And she, too desperate, would not go with me,But, as it seems, did violence on herself.All this I know; and to the marriageHer nurse is privy: and, if aught in thisMiscarried by my fault, let my old lifeBe sacrificed, some hour before his time,Unto the rigour of severest law.

PRINCE

We still have known thee for a holy man.Where’s Romeo’s man? what can he say in this?

BALTHASAR

I brought my master news of Juliet’s death;And then in post he came from MantuaTo this same place, to this same monument.This letter he early bid me give his father,And threatened me with death, going in the vault,I departed not and left him there.

PRINCE

Give me the letter; I will look on it.Where is the county’s page, that raised the watch?Sirrah, what made your master in this place?

PAGE

He came with flowers to strew his lady’s grave;And bid me stand aloof, and so I did:Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb;And by and by my master drew on him;And then I ran away to call the watch.

PRINCE

This letter doth make good the friar’s words,Their course of love, the tidings of her death:And here he writes that he did buy a poisonOf a poor 'pothecary, and therewithalCame to this vault to die, and lie with Juliet.Where be these enemies? Capulet! Montague!See, what a scourge is laid upon your hate,That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love.And I for winking at your discords tooHave lost a brace of kinsmen: all are punish’d.

CAPULET

O brother Montague, give me thy hand:This is my daughter’s jointure, for no moreCan I demand.

MONTAGUE

But I can give thee more:For I will raise her statue in pure gold;That while Verona by that name is known,There shall no figure at such rate be setAs that of true and faithful Juliet.

CAPULET

As rich shall Romeo’s by his lady’s lie;Poor sacrifices of our enmity!

PRINCE

Exeunt

c. shakrspeare, willy. 1994