Poor little girl (Cat!)

[Anonymous]

Sara blinked as she heard him, before giving a nod. Anything she wanted, anything that would make her comfortable. When the woman came out with the glass, Sara took it with a smile, but only took a simple sip from it. She was never much of a drinker, so a few sips would do. She did like the taste though, so she held the glass within her hands as she began to move through the dresses and different outfits, allowing Devon to buy whatever he wished from the woman.

Sara looked around, before finding a small table to set the glass down on. She then moved dresses and began to push through them. She always found she favored blue, and everyone seemed to like the color on her. Or, well, her old dress was blue, and when she had first bought it her mother had thought it was quite beautiful and matched her eyes. Her fingers brushed the fine silks and velvets and she gave an envious sigh. She wanted to be like those ladies with the fans and expensive dresses. The ones with fair hands and curved bodies. She turned her eyes down to her own hands which were covered with calluses from her hard work on the farm, and her love for the bow and arrow. Real ladies didn’t shot arrows from their bows. She bit her lower lip, before shaking her head and looking at the dresses.

“A nice dress?� She asked, before giving a wide smile and continued to look. She then began to cough, resting a hand along one of the racks. It was probably this cold weather that was giving her a cough. Her mind burst with colors before she finally grabbed the glass of champagne and took a long sip from it, fixing her throat. She was probably coming down with something. She shook her head, her loose curls brushing the sides of her face as she looked at the dresses, finally pulling one out.

“What do you think of this, Devon?� She asked, spinning around to hold the dress up to her. It was a grayish blue color, a bit brighter than her dark eyes. The sleeves were small triangles that just covered her shoulders, before they connected to the top which went straight across the top of her chest. The top moved down to a sleek waist which was trimmed in. At the hips the dress flared out before falling down to the ground in gentle waves. It was simple and sleek, and it seemed to fit her. It wasn’t fancy. It allowed freedom of movement, and if anything, she wanted freedom of movement.

Sara smiled as she looked to Devon, tilting her head to the side despite the horrible throbbing in her head. She was able to hide it. She wasn’t one of the girls that complained about everything. So what if her head pounded? She didn’t seem to mind as she looked to Devon with stormy grey eyes that were exceptionally bright.

[Anonymous]

Devon tunred toward her as she asked him if he liked this, and he could only smile and reply "Whatever you want to wear is fine by my, that looks like a most marvolous dress..." Devon liked the color of blue, the only thing he didn't like about it was that it reminded him of cold. Other than that it reminded him of water and calmness, and he liked that. He gave a deep sigh as Barbra came back. He didn't know why she did, she was no use for him anymore. She smiled polietly but when he didn't smile back her smile faltered as she turned to Sara.  "Oh darling, that dress is one of our finest, it matches great with your eye!" she simply exclaimed in a too happy cheerful tone. She had to do this about everyday and it was nothing knew, all girls were the same, looking for something sleek but feniminim, something soft but sharp in image. Barbra turned away from the girl and to Devon. "That one is about twenty grand, but if your looking for something more fancier than you should definietly follow me to the back..." At first Devon was surprised by this comment, but then he suddenly understood that it only meant that they kept the real dresses in the back. "It's up to Sara. " he exclaimed motioning over to  her. She could get whatever she wanted, how much she wanted. It didn't matter, because there was no budget.

Devon took another sip of his champaine. Once it was finished he set the crystal clean glass on the table next to Sara's and walked over toward her. She was holding up the dress and he took it and rubbed it between his pale hands. It really was quite a beautiful dress. He could only imagine what it might look like upon her. "Would you want to try it on?" he asked with a wide devilish smile . "Just to make sure it fits?" he persisted. She would probably just want to try it on just to make sure it fit. What would happen if she bought it and realized that it was two sizes to big? Barbra snapped her fingers, bringing him out of his thoughts. "Would you like to be purchasing this one?" she said with a slight lace of irritence in her eyes. She motioned to the dress. Devon was becoming angry. "I would like her to try it on if she wants to Barbra, please keep your temper down with me!" he snapped, malice laced in his eyes. He hated when people thought they were better than him.

Benny stared as Devon became angry. He looked over at Sara. She seemed okay, but he could not help but get the feeling something was wrong. She hadn't taken one sip of her champaine and then suddenly she started gulping. Something was up, but he didn't know what. Benny shifted uncomfortably as he had been in the somewhat squatting position for at least a couple of minutes. He stood up for a couple of minutes, letting the blood rush back to his legs as circulation took place one more. His legs prickled as they felt a little woosly. Though he knew that if he stood for more than a couple of minutes Devon would surely spot him. He let the blood rush back into his legs and then very resistantly got back into position, giving a large sigh. Maybe he should go back.

Devon looked over at the window, sure he had seen something, but wasn't quite sure. He stared at it. For a moment he thought that maybe it was only his imagination. Not quite trusting himself however he walked over toward the window and peered out. Benny held his breath as he looked down. Devon looked out, but seeing nothing turned back to Barbra with the still angry stare. She looked away and turned back to Sara. "What will it be doll?" she asked now more irritated than ever.

[Anonymous]

Sara nearly dropped the dress as she heard the price. For a dress? Her lips parted before she heard Devon. What would she do with such an expensive dress? Wear it once? Twice maybe? Her lips parted before she shrugged her shoulders and gave a laugh, her throat itching painfully. She hoped she wasn’t coming down with something, not just having moved into his house. She hated being sick. It made her feel weak. Well, she was feeling weak at the moment anyways. It was this champagne. She wasn’t used to drinking, so it was messing with her head. That had to be it. When Devon came over and felt the dress she cleared her throat and nodded.

“Alright. I suppose so. I mean, it is so expensive Devon.� She commented to him, before hearing the woman. When they both become angry with each other she shut and eye and tilted her head to the side. She wished they would both stop yelling!

“I’ll try it on, if that’s alright.� She replied back to the woman, her voice crisp and cold as she spoke, her blue-grey eyes bright, her cheeks flushed a red. She could always blame it on the cold. Whenever she was directed back to a dressing room, she would shut the door behind her and lean against the wall, clutching the dress to her chest as one hand felt her cheeks. They were burning. She had been feeling unusually tired yesterday, this was probably just part of that. She should have known she was coming down with something when she had been so tired.

“Snap out of it. You’re sick, not dying.� She whispered to herself, before slipping the jacket from her arms and the dress from before. With a bit of difficulty she was able to pull the dress on and after a bit of spinning around and twisting, she was able to get the back down. She turned to face the mirror, brushing her hair behind her shoulders as she turned to the side. It fit her near perfect. The bottom of the dress brushed the ground, but that could be easily fixed. Her hands ran along the front of her, coughing into her arm, before looking in the mirror once more. No wonder the dress was so expensive, it made anyone look like a princess.

Sara leaned her head out of the room, looking for Devon. Once she spotted him, she took a step out of the room, standing there as she spun around, showing the dress off.

“Is it worth the price?� She asked him, her head tilting to the side. Well she certainly didn’t look like a farm girl in the dress, that was for sure.

[Anonymous]

Devon smiled as she had told him that it was an exspensive dress. "No, hardly not!" he exclaimed with a chuckle. Some of the dressed the women picked up were more than fifty. But it didn't matter to him. Money was no longer an issue. He had powerful ties and a powerful company. "Money is no longer an issue for me..." he told her with a smile, speaking his thoughts aloud. He told Barbra who was just standing there to get him more champaine. It looked as if she was about to retort when she suddenly stopped herself and forced a smile. She went over to the table and took his empty glass, glancing at him as she went. Devon walked over toward the dressing room as Sara went in and changed. When she came out his smile widened. "Wow, you look beautiful!" he exclaimed with another laugh. He was feeling quite happy and bubbily. Maybe it was the champaine. He felt the material again through is fingers, being careful to lift of the material and not pinch her skin."Yes, it definietly is worth the price!" he exclaimed. He dropped the silky material back down as Barbra came back. She somewhat handed, thrusted, the glass at him and turned her back upon him, turning to Sara. "You look amazing in that dress!" she said in a force cheeriness. Hey, it was her job! What else was she supposed to do?

Benny looked in. At first he didn't notice the burning cheeks of Sara. He only saw her beautiful body laced in between the cloth of a beautiful dress. She definietly did not look like a maid, or an ordinary girl. He stared in awe for a moment when suddenly a magnificent pain came down upon him as a woman wacked the back of his head with her purse. "You-You pervert!" she called out, raising her purse again, giving him another blow. He stood up. "No, no, it's not what you think!" he tried telling her, his voice coming out in a little bit of a shrill tone. He knew if this woman kept hitting him than it would cause a scene, making Devon look out the window. He definietly didn't want that. "Look, I'm leaving! I'm leaving!" he called out, turning his back from the woman and sprinting away from the store. He would stay away for about twenty minutes and then come back again, once the woman was gone. The woman, angry and upset, went into the botique.

Devon heard the bell clang. He turned and noticed a very ugly woman walking into the botique, a purse cluthed tightly in her grasp. She looked angry and disgruntled and he wondered what had made her that way. She looked over at him and gave him a glare. He wanted to tell her off, but decided not to. He would not recive the reputation of an angry drunk. He turned back to Sara. She was beautiful. "I definietly like it if you do.." he said raising his glass to her and taking another sip of the smoothness of champaine.

Benny turned back, heading for the store. When he reached there he reasumed his postion, staring in. Now he noticed that Sara's cheeks were really red. Something, something was definietly wrong. Was she sick? Did Devon do it? He must have put something in her champaine... His imagination ran wild as he thought of all the possibilites in which Devon had done something to Sara. He turned away, thinking, and then looked back in. What was he to do? It wasn't like he could just run in and get Sara out of there. Oh god.. what was he to do? She looked sick!

[Anonymous]

Sara turned to look at the woman as she commented on her dress, giving a thankful smile, before looking at Devon and nodding. She did have to admit that she loved the dress. It wasn’t uncomfortable or anything like that. Her stormy eyes were caught by some commotion outside, and she narrowed her eyes ass he watched, shifting her feet slightly causing the dress to ripple about her body. Was that…Benny? No, it couldn’t be, he was with the horses. She swallowed before turning to Devon as he rose his glass. The smile remained on her lips as she took a step forward and took the glass from him, taking a sip from it. Well, you could put a nice dress on the country girl, but she’d still be a forward, brash country girl.

“Yes, I like it.� She replied to him, handing him the glass back with a mock bow. She moved to go back into the dressing room, and while she did, she stumbled and caught herself along the wall.

“Darn things a bit too long.� She muttered, staring down at the bottom of the dress, but to anyone else, it would look like she had simply fallen against the wall. She sighed and pushed herself to a standing position, before walking back into the dressing room. There she had some trouble with the back of the dress, but eventually she was able to undo it and slip into the dress that she had found in the dresser at Devon’s house. She slipped the jacket onto her arms and held onto the dress as she stepped out of the dressing room, turning to look at him.

“Is this it?� She asked him, clearing her burning throat as she watched him, lifting a hand up to press the back of her hand to her hot cheeks. She hoped Devon had some tea at his house. Hot tea. That would help with whatever she was coming down with.

[Anonymous]

When Sara had stumbled his instincts were to immedeitly reach out and catch her, but he was a second to late. Fortunatly she had caught the wall herself and balanced herself. She said that the dress was to big, but when he looked down it just barely skimmed her toes. "Are you alright?" he questioned in two forms. The first form was asking if she was alright from the fall. The second form was was she feeling okay? He also noticed that her cheeks were a bit flustered too, so he stated his question again. "Are you feeling okay?" he asked with a hint of concern in his eyes. Oh, he hoped she wasn't sick. Even if she was however, she had picked out a dress, which means she had picked out a clothing size. Now he could purchase whatever he wanted, just making sure that it was in that size. He tilted his head at her, and smiled. Barbra stared at Sara with almost a hint of concern in her eyes. Almost. "Is that all?' she questioned, glancing around the room and then at Devon. Devon turned angry green eyes upon her. "Woman, do you know who I am? I can have your ass kicked out of this town before you can even bat an eye! You are getting on my last nerve!" he scolded her. She crossed her arms as if a mere child and turned her back on him, stomping out of the room.

In minutes later a younger woman with blonde hair and soft baby blue eys came rushing out from the back, looking flustered. "Sorry about the mis-conveince, Mr. Devon., we will make sure that the woman gets punished and reprimanded fully. My name is Lisa and I will be helping you today!" this time it wasn't a force happiness, but a smooth voice that almosts seemed as if she were happy doing this job. Devon gave a small smile, satisfied. "Thank you! That woman was getting most irritating!" Devon turned back to Sara, realizing that he had just forgot her in a few minutes. "How are you feeling?" he asked her, as if a long moments time had passed. It was the champaine! He swears!

Benny peered into the window. He had seen Sara fall and when she did his head lurched forward as his arms reached out. When his arms reached out they banged upon the glass and he quickly dropped down, making sure that nobody would see him if they had heard the noise. In a couple of minutes he realized that they hadn't noticed and looked back up. Sara didn't look to good.

Devon turned to the flushed Sara. "If your not feeling well we can go, or we can stay and you can pick out more things if you like. I do already have a bunch of clothes at home from old maids and such, but I still wanted to treat you to a nice day." he tried to hide the dissapointment in his voice, but he was obviously sad that their time togetther was cut short. Oh well...fate works that way.


OOC: Sorry if this post is short and makes no sense but it is four in the morning and i'm running out of things to type. Maybe you should have Sara faint and we can call it a day. I'll make Benny run in.

[Anonymous]

((Your post was fine! But, I had Sara faint anyways. It'll help move things along))

Sara nodded her head and laughed when he asked if she was alright. She was fine, it was this darned dress. When Devon began to yell at the woman, Sara clenched her jaw, but managed to stay quiet. She wasn’t the most polite person in the world, but she thought Devon could do without the yelling. When the young woman came out, Sara held the dress to her chest, before turning to look at Devon, nodding her head.

“I’m fine.� She replied back, almost stubbornly. “Nothing but a stumble, I swear it.� She said with a wide grin, before handing the dress to him. She yawned, covering her mouth with her hand, before she shook her head, trying to clear her head of whatever she was getting. She noticed the tone of his voice, and she turned to look at him. She certainly didn’t want to cut their day together short because of a stumble and a fever. She didn’t want to ruin Devon’s day because of her silliness.

Sara began to mess with her curls as she looked to Devon. It began to get rather hot, and the room tilted in a direction it shouldn’t have tilted. She’d never actually fainted before. Been knocked out? Yes, but it was much more abrupt than this was. Being knocked out was quick. One minute you were there, and the next, out cold. But this, this fainting thing was slow. The spinning room made her stomach ache, and she stumbled back a step. She really didn’t want to faint. It was such a…girly thing to do. Why was she fainting anyways? Probably all of the activity in the last few days. Her lips parted and she tried to get some oxygen into her body, before she took a step back, and then fell to hit the ground.

[Anonymous]

Devon stared at her strangely. She kept admitting that she was fine but her body language told him otherwise. He took a step forward. "..Sara?" As soon as the words parted from his lips she stumbled back and fell to the ground. He rushed forward, dropping his champaine glass as it shattered on the floor. He let her lie still, just in case she was not able to be touched. He felt for a pulse and breathed a sigh of relief when he could feel the beat of it upon his fingers, but she still needed help. The woman, Lisa, was standing awestruck by the event. She was frozen in pannic and didn't know what to do. Devon turned toward her quickly. "Please go get a bucket of cold water and something different to drink!" he told her in a stern voice. He was worried for Sara's sake. What it said in the contract was that if one of the women binded to it dies than there would be two chances of each. Either he would die with her, or he would just have to find another girl to sign it. Either way he had always protected the woman he had seduced, fear of loosing himself. The woman came back with the bucket and the glass and Devon took the rag out of it, placing it on Sara's forhead. He should have known she had had a fever with those burning cheeks of hers. this should help cool her down. He somewhat propped her up upon his lap and tipped the water down her throat, but carefully enough so that she wouldn't choke.

Benny outside watch as his nightmare came true. Sara fell down to the ground with a large thump. He sprung up, ready to run in but then stopped hismelf. What would Devon say? "Oh who the hell cares what Devon's says!" he said in an angry murmer. He ran through the door, it opening with a jing.

Devon turned as the bell clanged and was surprised to see Benny standing in the doorway. He looked unsure for a second, but then ran forward and knelt down beside Sara the way Devon was. "Sara, wake up!" he told her. He shook her slightly, but he wans't sure if anything happened. Seeing Sara  slightly stabled Devon turned to Benny. "What the hell do you think your doing here?"

Benny couldn't answer.

[Anonymous]

Sara had only been really sick once in her life. With that horrible fever. The event haunted her dreams, not because she had gotten sick, but because her mother had, and had died from the sickness. A part of Sara thought it was unfair that the fever had taken her mother, but it hadn’t taken her. Ever since then, she’d never really gotten sick, and whenever she did, she hated it, loathed it. Not because being sick was simply downright awful, but because it reminded her of how she should have died. In the blackness that surrounded her mind, she heard her mother, felt the sickness of the fever. She needed to stay awake, for once she fell asleep, she wouldn’t wake up ever again.

Her stormy eyes snapped open and she sat up quickly, before immediately regretting her decision and falling back down, groaning. That hadn’t helped her head at all. After a few moments of regaining herself, she peeled her eyes back open, and a moment of confusion took her. Where was she? It was then that she saw Devon, and Benny. Her fingers felt something cool along her forehead, and she grabbed the rag that was resting on her forehead.

“Ow…what happened?� She asked, fighting to keep her eyelids open. Why was she so tired? It wasn’t the fever again, it couldn’t be! Her eyelids flickered a moment, before finally shutting. She hadn’t fainted again, but her body was tired, as was her mind. She ha simply fallen into alight state of sleep. Her hand dropped the rag. She’d surely hate herself for fainting later. Only weak people fainted, and she hated to think of herself as weak. But, there wasn’t a lot she could do about it now. She only wished she had remained conscious enough to defend Benny. She knew that Devon couldn’t possibly be pleased that he had left the horses and carriage and had somehow ended up here. She’d talk to Devon later and tell him to let up on Benny. She thought he was such a sweet boy, and he had been there when she had opened her eyes.

[Anonymous]

Benny stared into the angry eyes of Devon as Devon picked up the rag that had fallen from Sara's fingers and placing it back upon her forehead, making sure to dip it in the bucket once to make it cool again. Benny looked fearful at him. "Devon... I can explain..." Oh yes, the commical line that was always used. I can explain, but in every sad movie or book the watcher or reader realizes that the other subject does not listen. They do not want to listen. "I don't want to hear it!" Devon told Benny in an angry murmer. "You have left the horses to themselves? Now we will have to walk home, and what's worse! I don't think she can even stand!" he said, motioning to Sara who looked in a light sleep. Devon did his best to keep his voice down, so as not to awake her. Benny chewed on his already knarled fingernails as his eyes kept twitching back and forth between Devon, Sara, and Lisa, the woman who stood on the side lines watching the whole scene play out in front of her baby blue eyes. Benny ran five fingers through his hair and breathed out a nervous sigh. "I payed somebody to watch the horses for me... I don't know Devon... I just had a really bad feeling something was going to happen... it's always been that way for my life..." he explained, running another nervous hand through his hair. Devon stopped looking angry.

Benny had just told him a secret.

"Really?" he questioned, sounding sincere and trustful. Benny had just let slip that Benny wasn't an ordinary person. Benny was something special. Benny could be used by Devon without even knowing it. Devon put a hand on the poor chaps shoulder, his eyes caring. "I'm sorry boy, I guess I should have asked you to come along with us...You seem to be most useful!" he told him, a small, tiered smile fluttering to his lips and then fluttering away as if a butterfly on wind. Benny looked over toward Devon, not even trying to hide the shock that were etched in his face. "You-You mean your not mad?" Benny questioned, raising an eyebrow. Devon shook his head. "Of course not, how could I be?" He turned toward Sara once more, (A bit of powerplaying) He leaned down and scooped her up bridal style. "We should get her home where the healer and the herbs can take care of her." Devon didn't bother picking up the dress. "Benny can you please get the door, and that dress for me?" he asked somewhat trying to motion over toward the dress with his eyes. Benny nodded and picked it up, folding it delicatly into his rough hands. That was the only thing that Benny didn't like about himself. His hands were rough and calloused from maintaining the horses all day long and holding onto the reins to tightly.

Benny pushed opened the door, and Devon, Sara sitll in his arms, walked out onto the busy sidewalk. The two began walking and many on lookers examined them with curiouse faces. After a while Devon wanted to tell them to just mind their own business and look the other way, but he knew that if he said anything nobody would listen. There were to many people, and more to come that would probably not hear his message. "I sure hope you chose a diligent man to watch the horses, other wise were walking!" he exclaimed. When they got to where they had parked the cabby they were relieved to see the man on top of the buggy, trying to read the book that Benny had been. He looked totally engrossed in the thing, but the thing was upside down. Benny had to stiffle a laugh. When the man saw them comming he quickly jumped down, handing the book to Benny. "Thanks for the money!" he commented over his shoulder as he ran down the street, hoping to go to a store and get a good hearty meal and some fire whisky. "Thanks for your time!" Benny called back. Many more people gave them stares. "I'm going to be driving this time, you get into the carriage and keep her stable until we get home, understood?" Devon told Benny.. Benny nodded.

Devon handed Sara, with much dificulty, over to Benny who took her into the carriage. He placed her onto the seat, and instead of sitting on one of the seats himself he sat down on the floor, next to her. He could hear her steady breathing. Devon closed the door after them and climbed atop the thing. He had done it many times before and this was like no other. He pulled on the reins and the horses immedietly responded, jerking forward into the cobblestone street and toward the looming mansion that was just a little speck on the hill. Some cabbies rushed past them, and others in front of him. He breathed out a sigh, the air filling his ears with a small wisp. He hoped Sara was okay. Meanwhile, in the cabbie Benny, (even more powerplaying, can be taken out) was, for some reason, stroking Sara's hair, twisting it between his pale fingers and then letting it drop. He wished that they had brought the rag with them because she still seemed to have the fever, though he wasn't sure if she did or not. He crossed his arms onto the little space left on the seat and then rested his head into it. "What's so different about you?" he questioned in a whisper, almost thinking that Devon could hear him. Devon however was no where near hearing anything going on in the cabbie.

[Anonymous]

Sara remained out for most of the conversation between Benny and Devon, and even while they walked through the town. She was just so tired, and hot, and her head was pounding. She wanted to faint again, just so then she wouldn’t have to deal with being sick. Then, all she had to deal with was old memories. When she was placed in the cabbie, she shifted a bit, groaning softly in her sleep. As the cabbie took off she fell back into the sleep, before soon she felt the soothing touch of someone playing with her hair, and then it was gone.

“Benny?� She asked softly, fighting to open her eyes. After a bit of fluttering, the stormy blue eyes were visible, staring at the roof of the cabbie. She turned slightly to see him sitting beside the seat she was laying on. Immediately she curled further into the jacket that Devon had given her earlier, shivering from the chills.

“Who’s driving the cabbie?� She asked after a moment, lifting a hand to brush her waves of hair from her face, the hair now slightly messed up from before, where the hair had fallen perfectly around her face. It was then that she remembered what had happened, and she groaned in between a cough, covering her face with her calloused hands.

“I fainted. Fainted. I don’t faint.� She was obviously upset about the fact that she had fainted, but then again, Sara was a tough girl. She felt like she always had to prove herself, and fainting did nothing to help her. After a moment of wallowing in anger, she pushed herself to sit up, the blood that rushed to her head caused her mind to spin, before she was able to steady herself and turn to look at Benny.

“Oh! Did Devon get upset? You shouldn’t have followed. Why did you anyways?� She asked, demanding answers from him with simply her voice and the way she spoke. Even after being drained of her energy, coming down with a sickness, and fainting, she still acted how Sara would act in any situation.

[Anonymous]

Benny was startled when she had spoken his name. He hadn't realized that she was awake. He sat up straight a little bit more, so he could get a closer look at her. "Devon's driving the cabbie..." He anwered her question, resisting the urge to touch her silky hair again. then she went on about how she had fainted and how upset she was. Benny, giving slightly into the urge, put a hand on her shoulder. "It's alright, I've fainted before. I know how you feel." It was about the first time Benny started working here. He had been up all nigth with the horses and then all the morning he didn't have anythng to eat becasue one of the horses was sick. So he stayed with the horse until it got better. That was two full days when he hadn't slept or eaten and was in the hot sun. He went to go load a bale of hay for one of the horses to eat when he suddenly just...fainted. "It was a really bad experience. I woke up, and I didn't even know where I was. Fact is one of the maid girls had found me and told Devon, who came down and carried me to a bed to sleep...." His voice was dreamy, as if recalling the events that took place. He could even remember Devon getting him something to drink to sooth his burning throat. One starved should not eat so fast for it upsets the system. If you think about it, eating nothing for a while and then eating a large lump sum must be a shock to the system.

Benny stood up, shifting his position a bit and then sat back down, this time on the seat. Answering her second question he looked down and twiddled with his thumbs. "At first he was very upset, but then... I don't know.. he just...took pity upon me or something..." HIs voice faded away, leading into her second question. Should he tell her the truth? No. He couldn't, not yet. "Well, I just had this really bad feeling.. I don't know what it was... something about you... I don't know.." It was half truthful at least. He didn't really even know himself why he had followed them. Only that he liked her and that he had a bad feeling. But he kept the liking part to himself. At this thought he could only smile a large smile. He leaned back more on the seat, putting his hands behind his head and leaning back, but not in a cocky way. "How are you feeling? Any better? My heart lurched when I just saw you collapse like that..." He wove his fingers through his wavy hair and let out a sigh. Fainting sucked. It was a scary thing and he hoped that it never happened to him, or Sara again. Though the problem was that Benny knew Devon's secret, and the fact that he took young girls lives away made him think. Suddenly Benny leaned forward, shocked at the thought that had occured to him. Looking over at Sara though he quickly covered his shocked face, trying to hide it.

What it Devon was going to do the same thing to Sara? Well, of course he was going to do the same thing, but Benny didn't want that to happen. Oh god! What if he was going to kill Sara the way he had killed so many other girls? Through sucking their soul? Now Benny wasn't quite sure that this was in fact what Devon did. But that night he had sneaked up on Devon with that contract he was sure of it. Most definietly sure. He couldn't let the same thing happen to Sara. Yet what was he to do? He couldn't just barge in and steal Sara away. She would ask to many questiones and Devon would find them in a heart beat, probably killing them both. Benny shook his head as he leaned more back into the seat again, trying to formulate a plan. Benny gaev a large sigh as nothing caem to him. Deciding to break the uneasy silence around them he said "So...do you like horses? We have many beautiful ones, even some was white as snow. IF you do me and you should go riding some time..." He could just picutre the two of them on horses in the golden afternoon son. She would be laughing and he would be laughing along with her. The image he was conjuring looked like something out of a fairytale.

He shook himself. He had to think of a plan before Sara could be his, and even then maybe she didn't even like him. He realized that he liked her a lot, but he coudln't force her to come along with him, even if he tried. He wasn't that sort of guy. Plus, the plan had to be super good in order for it to work. It would take at least a couple of months to conjure up a plan that actually looked full proof. He didn't want Sara to become on of the spirits that forever huants the mansion or the barn. He didn't want her to die. Hell, he didn't want anybody to die, but he hadn't felt the same with the other women as he did with Sara. Most of the women Devon picked up were girly and sleezy, and would probably do anything to get into bed with the man. A few had even hit on Beny the last few years but he had turned them down, to afraid of Devon's wrath. But Sara was diferent, and he wasn't just about to let her slip away. The only problem was, neigher would Devon.

[Anonymous]

Sara nodded slowly as she heard who was driving, and she tried to push herself into a sitting position, turning her stormy eyes over to Benny as he admitted that he had fainted before. It made her feel a bit better, knowing that he had fainted and he didn’t seem weak to her at all. She brushed her fingers through her hair as she listened to his story about when he had fainted. She gave a soft smile as she heard him, almost to thank him for telling her that. He then went on to answer her second question and she blinked, before coughing into her arm.

“You…knew something bad was going to happen?� She asked him, her blue-grey eyes looking to him curiously. How did he know this? The day had started off perfectly. Even when they had left the cabbie, and Benny, everything had been just fine. At his question about how she was feeling, she shrugged her shoulders, watching his fingers weave into his hair, hearing the sigh he gave. “I’m fine. Just this cold, I suppose.� She waved it off with one of her hands. She felt touched by the fact that his heart had lurched when she fell, that he actually cared enough about her. Well, if only she knew how much he cared. When he sat forward she looked at him, her eyebrows furrowing together, before the next moment he seemed to be just fine. She brushed her tongue along her lower lip as she leaned against the back of the seat, watching him.

She sat there as the silence passed between them, looking out the window at the scenery that went by them. Her lips parted as she tried to keep from coughing, or giving Benny any reason to worry. Then, he broke the silence with his question, and she turned her attention over to him. “Oh! I love horses. I’d love to go riding with you. It’s been some time since I’ve gone. I…I grew up on a farm, so we had plenty of horses. I’m sure I was riding horses before I could walk.� She said with a brief smile, playing with one of her curls of hair. At least conversation was making her forget about her fever or itching throat. “Yes, I would love to go riding with you, whenever both of us get a chance to.� She said with a nod, some of her brown hair falling forward to frame her face.

Sara turned to look out the window of the cabbie once more, before looking to the small opening where Devon would be sitting. She looked there a moment, before once more out the window. She felt so…lucky that Devon had happened upon her in that tavern and had taken the time to talk to the poor farm girl with her old dress and bow and arrows. Since then, things had been so different. She lived in an enormous mansion with a rich, charming man that was willing to give her anything. And Benny. She’d never met a boy that had cared enough about her like he did, and they’d just met. She gave a faint smile as she looked out the window. The only downfall was her sickness, and the tiredness she had felt yesterday. Was her immune system failing? Was she simply overwhelmed with everything that had happened? That must have been it. Never once did it cross her mind that it was because of Devon that she was suffering the exhaustion.

[Anonymous]

Benny was exstatic. She wanted to go riding with him. He smild a large smile. his grin was large, stretched across his face. "We have a lot of magnificent horses at the barn. There are black ones, white ones, grey ones, brown ones, mixes... all kinds... Devon only likes the best." Benny told her, smiling more at the thought of all his beloved animals. He loved anime, but horses were his favorite. The cabbie finally stopped and with a jolt Benny realized that they were finally back at the mansion. Benny looked over toward Sara and smiled, giving her a wink before he stepped out into the cold. Devon looked down upon him and smiled. "These horses, are great.. where did we get them again?" he asked, looking breathless. Benny,even though hated Devon, smiled and said  "Somewhere in the norther Region from a man named Mr. Delabouchi. "Benny took the reins climbing atop the thing. Devon smiled, going over and actually petting one of the horses. "Well I have never had a smoother ride than that.. I want you to feed them and bathe them tonight." Devon told him and Benny nodded his head obedietnly. His heart fell just a bit. The horses he had just giving a shower yesterday, and now he would have to do it again. He let out a sigh as he shrugged his shoulders at the thought. There was nothing he could do.

Devon climbed back down and opened the door for Sara. "How are you feeling?" he asked her, noticing that she was awake now. How long had she been awake for? He wondered if Benny and Sara had been talking. It was time like these that he wished he had the power to read minds. It would make life a lot more easier. He turned toward Benny and looked up. "Benny... I was thinking that maybe after you finish taking care of the horses you can join me amd Ms. Sara for dinner tonight, that is, if it's alright with Ms. Sara.." Devon called over his shoulder, smilling brightly, his eyes warm. Sara looked better than she had and he was glad that she was okay. Benny merely nodded. (little bit of powerplaying) Not waiting for Sara to use to much energuy, Devon dove into the carriage, scooping her up into his arms and carrying her out bridal style. He looked down upon her. "Tonight is going to be fancy... and I'm thinking tomorrow... maybe we should have a ball?" he told her with a playful smile. The thought had just come to him and he liked it. Usually Devon went with the flow. Who said that he had to be uptight all the time? He could just imagin it now. People all dressed up and looking fancy. Music playing from the band, large masses of people crowded on the dance floor, food on a long mile table, and Sara would be his.

Benny looked down from where he sat. He tried not to listen on the conversation but when Devon had mentioned a Ball his head shot around. Usually when Devon had thrown a ball, it was only for a special occasion, and usually Benny had to do more work than he had to. Like scrub all of the horses sqeaky clean, and even sometimes the maids would ask for help, them in way over their heads. Being the nice person that he is he wouldn't say no to someone who needed help, even though in the back of his mind he would never want to do some of the jobs that they did, although sometimes cleaning up horse poo was worse when the horse was sick. He shuddered at the thought. Devon, noticing how cold it was, starting walking toward the door. He stopped, turned toward Benny and said "Can you get that for me?" he motioned to Sara, lifting up his arms a bit. "My hands are kinda tied up..." he told Benny with a laugh and Benny forced a laugh up his throat. He hated seeing Sara in the arms of her killer. He hated it. Benny stood up and got down, making his way up the grand steps and then opened the door. Devon raced up the steps and went inside. He went over to the couch and placed Sara down upon them, exasperated.

It was nice and warm inside, and Benny longed to go in, but didn't dare step in. He had work to do. Without saying goodbye to Sara he closed the door behind him and walked down the steps. He reached the horses and grabbed the reinds, pulling them down to the side road that led to the barn. He sighed.

[Anonymous]

Sara nodded with a smile as she heard Benny. She loved horses as well, but had only owned a few of them back on the farm. Soon, they had to be sold, so she’d love to see the types of horses Devon had. She returned the wink to him as the cabbie stopped, allowing Devon and Benny to talk as she shifted along the seat, pulling the jacket around her as she turned to look at the both of them. When the door was open she looked to Devon and shrugged her shoulders. “I’m fine. I don’t know what it was, but I’m fine now.� She replied back to Devon, before she heard what he asked Benny. She smiled and nodding in agreement with him. She’d love to have Benny eat dinner with them. She laughed as she felt Devon pick her up, lifting a calloused hand to cover her mouth as she heard him.

“A ball?� She asked, excitement flickering in the depths of her blue-grey eyes. She smiled. She’d never been to a ball before, she couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be surrounded by all of those beautiful, rich people. “I would love that, but tomorrow? It’s a bit soon, a bit short notice don’t you think?� She asked him, before falling silent as he asked Benny to get the door. She shook her head with the roll of her eyes, smile on her lips as she heard what he said.

“I do have legs Devon.� She told him with a raised brow, as if to say he could have easily set her down and opened the door himself. When Benny walked up and opened the door, she turned her head and lifted a hand to wave to the back of his head, before her hand slowly fell back down. She felt herself set down on a couch and she brushed her wavy curls from her face as she looked to Devon.

“I could go and help with the horses. I mean, I haven’t done anything since you’ve taken me in. Aren’t I supposed to at least be acting like a maid? I know how to handle horses too. I feel like I should be doing something here, rather than sitting around.� She told him, lifting her head up, watching him with those stormy eyes. She appeared to be better, but she still felt a bit hot, despite the chills that continued to run through her body. She dearly hoped she would be fit for the ball tomorrow. He would be considered amazing if he got everything ready by tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Devon felt ecastic. He was really enjoying the thought of a ball, and having Sara dance with him on the dance floor. Of course he could get everything ready by tomorrow. This was Devon they were talking about.  Everybody in town knew Devon, and they would go right out of their way just to come. He smiled at the thought. "Oh do not worry Sara... everybody will come, and it's not just going to be any ball. It's going to be a masquarade..." His voice was shrouded in mystery as he spoke. He loved masquarades, but he hadn't had one in about a year. The last one had been a blast. You wouldn't imagine how many people had come, and how many had shown up in extravagant outfits. He had enjoyed himself very well. That was the year he had had the girl named... ah.. what was her name again? Rose... no... no.. that was the year before. Oh yes! Natasha! That was the year he had Natasha. Ahh.. she was a very beautiful girl, with long black hair and pericing emerald eyes. It was a pity to see her go. He chuckled at the thought and then turned away from Sara, snapping his fingers three times. Immedietly his hole line of keepers came. And I mean, his whole line. There were the maids, the cooks, the butlers, the house keepers, the tailers, the designers, the shop keepers, the runners and of course, his personal adviser, Derek. There were the animal attenders, as well, Benny including one of them. He gave a sigh. He knew what was coming.

"My diligent team... I ordered you here to say two things. One would be to tahnk you for a most pleasant time, as you have made my life easier and have always served me diligently. Second, I would like to announce that they're will be a mascarade ball tomorrow, and that we must start perparing right away. The designer and the cooks gasped. Partys and balls were mostly hard on them. They had to do the most. The cooks had to perpare endless meals in fine glass dishes, while the designer had to set up the ball room. "Do you think we can do it?" Devon asked, already knowing the answer. Derek smiled and said "Of course!" Devon smiled and bowed to his people. "Thank you, and remember, dress in mask!" he told them. With another snap of his fingers they hurried off, doing the jobs that they almost always did when it was time for a Ball. Derek and a few others would be on the job of sending out the flyers and invintations. Devon turned to Sara. "My dear, if you are feeling so much better, than I think I will take you up on that offer. I want you to go help Benny with the horses...he's going to have a lot to do and he's probably going to need your help. Since he is the only other person you know in here other than me, I'm handing you over to him, is that alright?" he asked questionly. As he stood there waiting, a maid came rushing up to him.


"The designer would like to know what shade of red would you like?" she asked, panting. Devon smiled. " A deep, rich color, like the color of blood..." The maid somewhat went pale but nodded, hurrying off once more. He turned back toward Sara. "I will order you a mask, but you have to tell me which kind..." He always ordered the best mask, and he made sure that his was always the best, as well as his maiden's mask.He smiled at the thought of how beautiful they would be. Black with crimson jewles that sparkles, feathers that were a beautiful dashing white. Something out of a movie. Oh he could hardly wait. Devon felt like a child who knew that christmas was coming. He turned toward Sara again. "Well, I must be off.. I have many things to plan and supervise..." and without waiting for anything he turned and walked through a door and up the steps, his thoughts reeling. Benny was outside, tightning saddles and such and getting ready for the big day. He only had to do a little work before it was time with dinner with Sara and Devon, but his mind was on other things, such as the party. He couldn't let Sara go with Devon, or at least not by herself. He just had another feeling that something horrible was going to happen. He was going to have to scrounge up money again, and buy a mask. A white mask.

OOC: Just watched the phantom of the opera, and *is like obbsessed with it!!* *smiles*

[Anonymous]

((Ahhh! I absolutly love Phantom of the Opera! Love, love, love!))

Sara simply sat there as he spoke to the line of people. She was amazed at how fast things went around this place, but she couldn’t deny the fact that she was bubbling with excitement as well. She looked down the line of people, before she came across Benny. She gave a sort of smile to him, not really paying attention to what Devon was saying. All she had to do was show up, right? When Devon finished and turned to tell her it would be alright for her to help Benny, she gave a smile and a nod. It was the least she could do after everything the both of them had done for her. At Devon’s question about a mask, she blinked at him, before giving a sort of laugh.

“I have no idea what would be appropriate Devon. I’ve never been to a ball, let alone a masquerade. Whatever you think will fit best, I suppose.� She said, before Devon ran off to take care of a few things. She turned to one of the maids and asked where the stables were, and after a bit of directions, she walked out to see the stables. She gave a smile, smelling the hay from where she stood, and she ran to the door, pulling it open to see Benny tightening saddles. She smiled and slipped the jacket off of her arms, not wanting it to be dirtied as she walked in, not that concerned about the dress she wore.

“You didn’t seem to thrilled about the whole masquerade business. I’m excited.� She spoke out as she moved to one of the horses, grabbing a brush and began to run it along the horse, after blowing into its nostrils, just so the beast was familiar with her. “I’ve personally never been to one in my life. I’ve heard they are something though.� She continued to talk, looking over the horses back to him, her stormy grey eyes flashing as she smiled.

“My, my, you are beautiful.� She whispered to the horse, brushing her hand along the horse’s neck as she looked at it. The horse’s nose came up and nudged her, and she took a step back while laughing. It’d been ages since she’d actually touched a horse, and she continued to run her hands along the silky hair of the horse, brushing her fingers through its mane.

“You’ll be going, won’t you? To the ball? I hope to see you there. Although, with a mask on, it will be hard to tell which one you are. Could you imagine if I ran up to someone, thinking it was you? I’d make a fool of myself, and I’ve hardly been here two days!� She said after laughing. She appeared to be much better from her earlier episode, and she hoped she stayed this way, at least until tomorrow night.

[Anonymous]

OOC: Devon is just kinda... dissapear for a while...hehe

BIC:

Benny looked up, slightly surprised to see Sara standing in the doorway. She slid off her jacket and came in, right up to the horse. What was she doing here? He looked around and then back at her with a confusing look, and then he knew. Devon. He shrugged his shoulders, tightning up the last of the saddle. He looked at her oddly at her question. "Well, workmen and workwomen are not aloud to attend unless requested by Devon, or they are only aloud to attend if Devon needs them to do things, like take dirty trays away and such...but I'm thinking of a plan... " He smiled at her with a devolish grin. He was either going to ask Devon if he could attend to keep an eye on Sara or he would sneak in, simple as that. Since everybody would be in mask, no body would know it was him. He was glad that she seemed excited however. "Well, don't worry, I've never been to one either... I'm not even sure I can dance.. but I've seen it done many times before... " he told her, moving over toward the horse she was petting and also picking up a brush. The horse was a pure white, and it's coat was sleek and shiny from Benny cleaning it yesterday. "This one's named Meggie..." He had given all the horses a name. That was Devon's gift, as Devon had told him. Devon would buy the horses, but Benny could name them anything he wanted. He liked the name Meggie. Soon he wanted to name one Sara. Sometimes he would name the horses after the girls that had passed.

There was a comforting silence, where both of them just brushed the horse. Then benny broke it. "What are you going as? I'll tell you what I'm going as, but you can't tell anybody, because I'll get caught... I'm not supposed to go." Benny wasn't exactly sure what he was going to be, but he knew that he wanted half a white mask. It would be beautiful, yet mysterious. He would also wear a black suit, one that he would borrow from the laundry. Devon would never know. He smiled at the thought, knowing that he had done it many times before, wooing the old women who worked as the laundry maids. A slight smirked split on his face, as if reliving the memories. Life wasn't all bad at the Devon mansion. He looked over at Sara. That would all change. He had to save her some day, but right now, all he wanted to do was bask in her beauty. Noticing that he was staring a long time he quickly turned away, blushing, but hiding behind the large horse so Sara couldn't see. He sighed, seeing that Sara looked much better. "You look much better..." he commented her, and she did. She had more color and life to her. He dropped the brush back down and smiled. "Would you like to go for a ride on Meggie?" he asked, moving over toward the saddles and with a quick motion lacing it upon the horse.

The horse snortted and took a step back, but didn't go anywhere. She was slightly old, and fat, but in good enough shape to do better than a younger, and slimmer horse. He held out his hand. "You can ride and I'll walk along side of you... we can talk some more..." he told her. He liked the idea.

OOC: That movie was so good *sings: In sleep he sang to me... in deams he came....*

[Anonymous]

Sara paused as she heard him. She didn’t know how to dance! A moment of panic hit her as she looked to him as he moved over to the horse she was currently petting and grooming.

“I…I can’t dance either!� She said before laughing, brushing her fingers through her brown hair. She lifted her hands from the horse to pull the blue ribbon from her hair, and instead of only pulling half of her hair up, she lifted the thick mass of hair and tied all of it up at the back of her head. A few of the more rebellious strands sprang free and brushed her cheeks, but for the most part, the hair remained back.

“Meggie. Well, she certainly is beautiful.� She said, her hands once more stroking along the white horse. She didn’t mind the silence that passed between the two of them. It was somehow comforting, nothing awkward about it. She blinked her eyes up from the white horse as Benny broke the silence. She shrugged her shoulders at his question, not really having an answer for him.

“I…I don’t really know. I told Devon to take care of it, because I didn’t know what was appropriate to wear to a masquerade. I trust he’ll have something flashy and beautiful.� She replied to Benny, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear as she looked to him. “What are you going as? Oh! Wait, don’t tell me. I want to be surprised. I trust you’ll be able to find me. No doubt I’ll be with Devon.� She spoke calmly, before hearing his comment about her health. She shrugged her shoulders and gave a nod.

“I hope I stay this way. I’m hardly ever sick ever since…well, I’m never sick. It’s so strange that I suddenly come down with something. I hope I remain well until tomorrow night. I would hate to be sniffling and coughing all night.� She said with a smile, before hearing him ask if she wanted to ride the white horse, Meggie.

“I’d love to!� She said, taking a step back as he placed the saddle on the horse. She laughed as the horse shifted a bit, resting a comforting hand on Meggie’s nose. “You know, I can actually ride a horse. But, perhaps later we can both ride?� She asked, content with simply trotting along with him walking beside her. They had dinner in a bit, so it would do neither of them any good to tire out a pair of horses, and then spend time brushing them down. When he held out his hand, she reached her own boldly forward to take his, and tugged him out, being a bit more gentle with the horse. When they left the stables, she swung herself with ease up onto the horse, sitting side saddle so she didn’t ruin or tear the dress.

[Anonymous]

As they walked along the beaten path, well, not really walked. Benny walked, but Sara rid, there was a silence that over tooken them. Benny listened, realizing that this silence was not natural, and seemed out of place. There were no birds singing, no animals creeping about... nothing. He couldn't hear anything, and it made him uneasy. As to breath the silence he spoke, his voice peircing the silence as if he had cut it with a knife. "Later we can both ride, much letter... Maybe after the ball if Devon lets you, but I think he'll want to come along to.." Benny winced at the thought but then quickly stopped hismelf. He didn't know if Sara had a thing for Devon and he wondered if she would tell him all that was happening now. He should be more careful. "I can't dance either, but I don't worry about it to much.. I had watched so many people do it before, and it didn't look that hard..." He realized that he would not get much sleep tonight as he would want to practice, not wanting to look a fool or out in the open, dancing wrong. "I'm sure Devon will pick something dazzaling and perfect for your beauty, he does have good taste..." Even if Benny didn't like Devon for who he was, he realized that Devon really did have good taste, what with dresses and champaine, masquarade balls and such. It was a wonder the man was actually who he was, seemingly to have it all in the beginning.

Devon, Benny knew, was a strange creature. Benny just knew. He didn't know how he knew... he just did. Devon was something demonic, and even through all the hate that clouded over Benny's mind, there was still that string of sadness, feeling bad for him. How must if feel like to wake up everyday and realized that you have everything, which basically means nothing? Waking up with an empty feeling, only to have it filled in a bad way. Benny shivered dangerously from the thought. He could never imagine it. "It's kinda cold... " He said, trying to hide the shiver with a lie of weather. It was hard though, seeing as the sun was still perched high in the sky. Though he realized that it would go down soon anyway. When it would be just above the horizon they would have to turn back and get ready. He thought about if for a moment and then with a sly grin he asked her what was on his mind. "What do you really think about Devon?" he asked her, grabbing the reins as the horse started to go down the other fork on the path. They had to go the short distance, not the long one.


He wondered what she thought about Devon. Did she like him just as much as he liked her? There were so many questions buzzing around in his head that he received a headache, full force. He dropped the reins, them hitting the side of Meggie, and rubbed his aching temples. "Uhhh... I can't think straight." His hands flew back to his sides, as his voice spoke out...He realized that he had dropped the reins, and so he quickly grabbed them, wanting to have at least a little control if something should happen. His headache increased as they rode on. He knew that if he didn't get something for it, then it would turn into a pounder. He rubbed his temples again, this time with one hand, and looked up at Sara. "You look like a princess, sitting atop there..." He told her his thoughts. His green grey eyes shifted nervously, realizing what he just said. To get rid of his anxiety, and the akward moment he stopped the horse. "We can stop and rest here for a minute, theres a beautiful stream over there and we can rest. Meggie will probably want something to drink." He told her, dropping the reins. He went to the other side of the horse and held out his hand for Sara, wanting to help her get down.


EDITED, ADDED MORE!


OOC: Sorry, is short, and probably crappy, but I wanted to post back, and I have to go to school in like, one minute. hehe