Demeanor

[Deputy Valince Arcadal]

The minutes passed and her sobs lessoned. She finally looked up at him with puffy eyes and shook her head in defeat.

"Shh...don't say anything. You needed to get it all out."

"Heh." she chuckled, wiping away tears with the back of her hand.

"Don't worry about it." He watched her wring her hands nervously. He took them in his own and kissed the back of her hand gently. Looking up into her blue eyes his heart melted for her. If she only knew...

Jenny needed something to keep her hands busy. She picked up the small, white bowl of fruit abandoned on the table and ate a piece. She closed her eyes and leaned against the back of the couch. Sighing she looked at Scott sitting next to her, leaning on his elbow. "So tell me about this gathering."

Grinning he pinched a piece of fruit from the bowl and slid it in his mouth. "Invitations were already sent out this morning. A few people will be over later to set up...we are having it here, of course. All you have to do is pick out a dress."

Jenny sat there and didn't say anything for a while. "Why are you doing all this for me?"

Brushing a stray piece of hair from her face he smiled. "Because you deserve it, everyone needs someone to watch over them."

Shaking her head she sighed out loud. "I don't even have anything to wear to get a dress, Scott."

"Thats why I took the liberty of having your dress cleaned, the one you left here from last time." He turned a little pink but laughed all the same.

Suddenly gaining a little hope from somewhere, she grinned widely and gave him a quick hug. "I guess I had better change then. Seems there is a lot for us to do today."

Twenty six minutes later she was walking in step with Scott down a dirt road towards the small village. Occasionally they passed a small white house, the windows wide open to welcome the day, and a few estatic children chasing each other through the lawns. As usual the birds sang joyfully around them and the ball of lead in her stomach melted away, leaving only the happiness she had been longing for.

"And thats Repol's house, see the burgundy house snuggled in the trees over there? He is the owner of Wizarding Whatevers. One could get lost in there just playing with some of the weird gadgets he picks up or trades for. A boat load of muggle junk in there too if you're interested."

"This place is just like Heryoles. Now I know why you wanted to get away so badly."

Her hands swung freely on her sides. When Scott slid against her to let a preoccupied toddler pass she only flinched briefly but curled her arms into a tight cross over her chest. If Scott noticed he didn't mention it to her. What is wrong? You're just acting stupid again. He's going to think you have some contagious disease or something with the way you've been acting. She sighed deeply. But I can't help it.

Normally he would have picked her up and carried her around all day just so she would get used to him touching her, but then he also knew that right now it would just push her away. "And here is Open Page Books for all Occassions. Be careful with starting a conversation with Temer though unless you've got an hour or two to spare. Sweetest guy here but he'll keep you chatting well past when the sun goes down." He led her around the corner until they faced a tall, pale green building. Enchanted dresses in the finest silks and saffins walked about the main glass and waved anxiously at the couple. Awe struck, she stood there like a little girl mesmerized.

[Deputy Valince Arcadal]

He loved the way her eyes lit up, to see the little sparks dance in them. He slid his hand into hers as he led her into the glass panned front doors.

"Well, good morning to you, loves!" A cheery older woman beamed at them from under a pair of thin, gold, framed glasses. "What can I help you with this morning?"

Laughing and easing his captive closer, he introduced Jenny to Mistress Salen. "What a fine catch, Scott. She certainly is a beauty. You must be to select a dress for this evening, am I right? Why, six or seven girls must have been in here this morning already."

Jenny gave a sideways glance at Scott who hurriedly patted her on the shoulder before excusing himself to run a few errands. "Only the best, Salen," he said, and with a wink he was out the door leaving a mordified Jenny and over joyed Salen in his wake.

"Well, love, do you have anything in mind?" Salen questioned over her shoulder as she started pulling off dresses here and there. She threw a black one into the mix, gave it a look of disgust and put it back on the rack. "Black ia a splendid color, but you should have more color tonight. After all, you are the main attraction.

She could feel her head start to spin at the notion of having several dozen people stare at her. Sighing, she followed Mistress Salen about and secretely hoped there were only a handful of 'viewers.'

She stood in his bathroom and stared into the mirror. The dress Mistress Salen had choosen indeed was stunning and she shuddered to think of the cost of it. I'd better not spill anything on it. Scott will probably be wanting to return it in the morning. If only I could... There came a knock at the door followed by a soothing voice. "Are you ready?"

Taking one last fleeting glance in the mirror before she ventured out for his approval, she turned the handle and met his cool gaze. She waited for him to throw another dress at her. As he stood before her his eyes scanned over the dress, lips parted as if he were going to speak. After a very uncomfortable silence his face did light up and pushed away whatever doubts she had. "You look wonderful."

"The dress is lovely isn't it." She bent her knees so that the fabric russled against each other in layers of music.

Scott lifted her chin with the tip of a tender finger until blue met blue. "I wasn't talking about the dress."

The heat rushed into her cheeks, embarrassed that it only made his smile brighter. Searching desparately for a distraction Jenny asked if he could fasten the top of the dress. Obliging, she turned her back towards him.

His fingers laced the top of the bodice, skimming across pale skin. He stopped abrubtly when he came along the deep, purple circle at the bottom of her shoulder. He traced a finger along it, one that Jenny suddenly felt went from comforting to ice. She sifted on her feet and his fingers finished, leaving two long traces of silver ribbon down her back.

[Deputy Valince Arcadal]

"Is it awful? I didn't even have the courage to look at it yet."

He placed his hands on her shoulders and she stepped to face him. "No." What is it about her...that I can't keep my eyes off? I've just met her. Heh, maybe she is really some enchantress. Merlin knows I'd still follow her... "I have something for you." He hurried to the desk and pulled out an emerald green box. Another two steps and he was next to her again. "Go ahead, open it."

"Scott..." There was saddness dripping from her voice but she couldn't tell why. Maybe this was wrong. She opened it anyway, the box he placed into her hands, and immediately wished she hadn't. Stones glimmered at her with the brilliance of the ice on the lakes back home.

Scott slid the necklace out first, a chain of clear stones that ended in a pier on her chest. He fastened it behind her neck and handed her the dangling earrings. "The stones are Salagio Crystals from the mountains of one of our moons. They'll throw off a million pieces of light whenever the light kisses them."

Standing agape, she was afraid to touch them in case they shood shatter. Running tense fingers over the gems she let out the breath she realized she had been holding. "I don't know what to say."

He took her hand and led her to a mirror on the opposite wall. A silver gown the color of the moon's reflection on the water ran from her shoulders to dip down at her waist. Layers of silver silk cascaded from her hips to the shoes set with crystals on her feet. The necklace shimmered, creating little beads of light on her skin. "Then don't." She smiled of honeysuckle in the spring. Scott ran a hand through the pile of spiral curls set on her head that poured down her neck.

I don't understand...any of this. How could all this be for me? Someone else must have supposed to have been here instead. Unknowingly, she sighed deeply and ran her hands along the material.

She looked so unhappy...And he couldn't understand it. She stood in a mouth watering dress drapped in crystals, guests waited outside to meet her...what the hell was wrong? He placed a concerned hand on her shoulder and she looked at him in the glass with a half smile. "Something the matter?"

Stepping to face him she grinned shyly. "Of course not."

He watched her glance at the door at his back and held her hand in his. "Then its off to face the firing squad."

[Deputy Valince Arcadal]

The words 'firing squad' still rolled in her mind as they passed through the doors. She imagined wizards in blood red robes pointing wands accusingly at them. What she found however was worse. It seemed the entire town had brought it upon themselves to see the new visitor. Dresses in rich reds and soft yellows hung on suits of blue or black. Her eyes found a lady decked in purple clutching a glass of white wine and laughing outlandishly with a man, near the room that held his mother's paintings.

"Good evening, everyone. I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to come tonight. Feel free to have a drink or take a stroll in the gardens outside, it is a gorgeous night. If there is anything you need, please ask one of the waiters coming around." The audience reacted with a toast and low murmurs.

She could feel the stares, and tried not to blush, or run out the open door for that manner. And for the life of her she couldn't imagine why she was such a big deal to them. "Don't pay them any attention." Scott handed her a glass of champagne. "For a better future." Glasses clinked together and sips were taken with pleasure and uncertainty.

"How can I do that when they're all looking at me?"

"Look at me."

Her eyes found his and she swore her heart skipped a tender beat.

"Thats better, Duchess." He flashed a smile that had her soft eyes turn hard and cold.

"Don't call me.."

"Hello, Scott!" A woman a year or two older than Jenny sashed up beside them. "I've been meaning to get a hold of you all week but it seems you've been busy." She held out a slim hand for Scott, who kissed it smoothly.

A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. The woman with the sugar and cream voice wore a gold dress that brushed against her ankles. If she looked closer she swore she would have seen scales...

"I've been seeing to a few things. What can I help you with?"

A flirtatous smile crossed those red painted lips. "Can't I just drop by to have a chat with a close friend of mine?"

She watched the play from the sidelines and realized with a sickening feeling just how close that relationship had been. If that was the kind of woman he wanted than was she just wasting her time? Of course she was...

"Scott, I'm just going to go and..."

He placed an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to his side. "Thats alright. Claire was just about to leave. We'll have to have that chat some other time." He flashed a smile and led Jenny to a set of blue and crimson pinstripe chairs along the wall. "I have to go tell Alan something, why don't you come meet him? He's heard all about you."

"Then I had better go to make sure you were telling the truth." She laughed, for the first time all night, when he lifted an eyebrow.

[Deputy Valince Arcadal]

She liked Alan even before she was introduced. Big brown eyes laughed just as hard as he did. Maybe it was the attitude, even decked out he still had an ease about him. His shoulders weren't as stiff as the others around him.

"Alan." Scott clamped a hand on his shoulder and directed his attention away from the small gathering that had attracted in the corner.

"Hey. Finally decide to let me get a glimpse of this treasure you've had locked up?"

She laughed before she knew it. Somehow all that tension had melted away. He had a gift in those eyes... "No one keeps me locked up in a box. Pleased to meet you, I'm Jenny. As you've probably guessed."

"Of course. And you're everything Scott has said you were. Actually, you had better watch out Doll or I might try to steal you for myself." He winked with a wicked grin right before Scott knocked him to the side.

Jenny couldn't stop laughing at them, like brothers trying to impress the new girl next door.

"Scott, there is something I need to talk to you about though..." He gave an apolegetic look to Jenny before motioning Scott towards the side.

Taking the hint she found herself walking outside among the roses, the tulips, and some red flower she had never seen before. It was as wide as her palm with petals as soft as Lambs Ear. She picked one and brushed its petals against her cheek.

"Miyupo. It blooms in bundles here."

She twirled to see her visitor, her skirts wrapping over her legs before settling again. She watched him as he stepped forward and turned around her, skimming a finger on her back, right above where the silvery material covered her skin. "I don't believe we've met."

"No, I don't believe we have. Valince. Leader of the true Oracles."

Her eyes narrowed as the intruder stopped in front of her, a breath from herself. "I don't have the fainest idea as to what it is you are talking about."

He smirked before glancing back towards the party. "He didn't tell you I take it. Its why you have become such an attraction tonight." At her confused stare he continued on. "No one may come here unless invited to do so. One may only leave if they have no other choice. It gets complicated, but the brief is that no one has set foot here in years. And lets just say he didn't have an invitation. So we are all quite...intrigued at your visit. So how did you two met anyway? Did you save him from a terrifying experience? He left here for a reason, I'm curious to see what it was."

She flashed a warning in her eyes as he tempted to take a step closer. "That isn't my business."

"No...maybe not. But I'm sure he'd tell you if you asked him." He trailed a finger down her neck that had a shiver race down her spine.

"That isn't my business."

"Stubborn, aren't we..."

"Whats it matter to you anyway?"

"Oh...I have plans for young Romeo in there. To tell you the truth, he's been stopping my plans lately. I need to do something about that. Thought maybe someone could get close to him for me."

He reminded her of a snake, as it sneaks up to its kill. "Then I guess you're talking to the wrong girl, honey."

"Something the matter, Jenny?"

[Deputy Valince Arcadal]

Valince cringed as he heard Scott close in behind him.

"Looks like you've found a stray. I don't believe he has an invitation."

Valince turned with a fake smile to the host. "Scott...how glad of you to join us. We were just having a little chat."

"I'm sure thats all it was, Valince. But to put it in delicate terms...you aren't wanted here. So I suggest you leave before a few of us help you along your way.

"Watch your back, Scott. Its unguarded." He stepped past him towards the path to the door, looking back to see Scott drape an arm over the girl. So thats why he left... With a wicked grin for someone being removed from the scene, he left gladly.

"Remind me to add a few more warding spells in the morning." Scott joked.

She gave a half smile as she turned to walk back towards a small marble bench along the flowers. With a practiced move she sat, straightening out the fabric and crossing her ankles under her. She didn't even look up when he laid a hand on her shoulder and sat next to her.

"Whats wrong? What did he say to you?"

"Who are the Oracles?" She asked, now looking into those deep auburn eyes.

Scott took a deep breath and leaned back on his hands. "Valince has always got to bring pride into it. Heh."

"Then what is he talking about? Am I really not supposed to be here?"

Instinctively his hand went to hers and he nudged her closer. "What? Of course you are supposed to be here. Here, with me. And whatever Valince has told you, don't pay any heed to it." When she only turned to gaze at the stars ahead of them he rubbed his thumb over her knuckles and asked her," What do you want to know?"

"What are the Oracles?"

"When this world was created, thousands of years ago, the first guardians of it named themselves the Oracles. They swore to protect this place from intruders. And they did. But one night they were caught off guard and warlocks from your world attacked. They took everything, destroyed the city...but they rebuilt. And as they did they cast a shield that wouldn't let anyone not from this place to find it. And to make sure that someone here didn't go off to tell outsiders, they cast a charm so that no one would be able to leave this place without a cause.

"But because of the new shields there was really no need for the Oracles, and they turned into what we have now. Its only a name, and a promise to protect this realm if needed, but there isn't a need. More like boy heros now...Anyway, Valince and I used to head the same group of Oracles. But he kept leaning towards leaving this place, stirring up trouble so he could 'save the day'. I didn't want to argue anymore, so Alan and half of the others left. The Old Oracles he calls himself." Scott shook his head and looked into her eyes again.

She met his gaze, had been watching him through most of his story, but now she couldn't, she had to look away. So thats it, huh?

[Deputy Valince Arcadal]

She stood in his bathroom and pulled off the ribbons that clasped the back of her dress. Shrugging out of it she quickly hung it on a nearby hanger. Jenny slipped into a thin cotton dress for the night. As she pulled her hair down so it lay across her shoulders she thought about the evening. It had ended quietly enough. Long, but quiet. And the endless stares didn't bother her as much towards the end. Maybe she had just accepted them...like everything else in her life, she just accepted, never questioned.

She tried to think about the way the lights tangled with the moonlight, or the the way the guests mingled with each other, stealing glimpses every now and then. So why couldn't she get her mind off Scott? The way his cedar smell of the furniture clung to his skin or that stupid habit he had of brushing her hair behind her ear.

The cold water splashed hard against her face and contrasted against the soft film of the soap. Another splash of water and she patted the water away. Setting the cloth aside she gathered the dress and headed out.

Absentmindly she hung the dress in his bureau, she couldn't find any other reasonable place to put it. She did however let out a little scream when she turned and landed hard against his chest. "Would you not do that?"

"You're the one in my closet, Duchess."

"Where else did you want me to put it? On the floor?"

He caught the edge in her voice, and her wrist, before she turned past him. "Hey, whats wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. Leave me alone." She tried to push past him but he held on firm. "Let me go."

Her face was inches from his, so close that he could smell the soft soap on her skin.. He lost his eyes in hers, an endless sea of blue waters. Slowly he brushed his lips against hers, teasingly. Surprised when she didn't back away from him.

She was caught off guard...not mentally, but emotionally. Wait...I... She couldn't think, not about anything but the warmth. It surrounded her and mixed temptingly with the smell of cedar. Laying a hand on his chest to steady herself, she felt him slowly delve deeper into the kiss until her head was swimming.

Thinking he would explode if he didn't take more, Scott pulled away. He hadn't meant it to go that far... Brushing his lips against her cheek he straightend himself, but couldn't go as far as look at her.

Wha..? Was he pushing her away? Now? She shook her head to clear the dizziness. What was wrong? What did she do to have him pull away from her?

"Maybe you should head to bed."

Fury quickly took over the confusion that swept through her. "Fine." Shoving past him she breezed out of the room. "Maybe I'll just take up Valince's offer then."

His eyes shot towards her back. Cursing under his breath he followed her. "Stay away from Valince."

"Heh. You don't own me. And he at leasts doesn't push me aside." She couldn't sit down on the sofa, she needed to pace, there was too much energy building up inside of her.

"You have no idea what Valince wants with you."

"Oh, and you do? Oh wait, you know everything right? Cause you're on the good side of.."

Scott grabbed her shoulders before she could finish and gave her a little shake. "Listen to me, stay away from Valince." The words hissed out of his lips and the icy stare from his eyes held her from arguing further. Feeling the first few trembles beneath his fingers had Scott dropping his grip. He didn't realize how hard he'd been clutching her, there'd be marks there in the morning for certain... Going against his instinct he pulled her closer, and just held her.

She tried to escape, struggle away from his suffocating hold over her.

"I'm sorry..." He whispered into her ear, relieved when she calmed.

Jenny felt the tears welling in her eyes but pushed back the choking feeling in her throat. For once in her life she was glad that someone was holding her close. And thats where they stood, in the middle of the room, the flowers still blooming all around them from the party, the moonlight spilling in through the windows. "Just don't break my heart..."

[Deputy Valince Arcadal]

Jenny turned restlessly until the covers wrapped around her body. She couldn't sleep. Lying on the sofa she could still remember where the man with the brillant white flower in his breast pocket stood, talking with the young girl in the saffon dress. Or the way the servers glided between groups of people lost in their mindless chatter. But no matter what glimpses of the crowd she pulled into view, she always focused back to Scott. Subconciously she rubbed her shoulder where his fingers had pressed dangerously into her skin.

What are you still doing here anyway? I wonder if anyone's worried about me...Kaeli maybe... The clock in the bedroom chimed twice, two quick notes. With a heavy sigh she turned her back so she faced the back of the sofa. I should leave. I know this is a mistake....so why do I want to stay so much?

[Deputy Valince Arcadal]

Shaking her head, Jenny kicked off the covers and slid her feet into a pair of worn leather sandals. She would just walk out, if she did decide to go then she didn't have much that she would be leaving behind. She just didn't have much worth staying for.

Tip toeing across the floor she made it without causing too much noise except for the grinding of the glass doors against the base. The night air was still warm and it mixed sweetly with the roses from the garden. Not knowing where she was going or how she would leave didn't seem to bother her.

Jenny quickly found a path that wound along the outsides of the forest. Thinking it was a good enough path as any, she left the house and the roses with the quiet steps of her shoes on the dirt path.