Saturday, December 27, 2003
Characters: Elena Healy, Vincenzo Ianniello, Cephalus
Game: Sailor Myth
A key clicked in the lock, and the door opened into Elena's empty apartment. Lights were flipped on, refridgerator rummaged through, and television turned to a football match. A striking figure lay on Elena's couch, dark hair hanging over his eyes while he absently scratched at two days' worth of stubble on his chin. Handsome, a touch arrogant, and hungry for lack of lunch, Cenzo wolfed down a hastily assembled roast beef sandwich and wondered how late his 'cousin' would be working that night.
He needed a shower. Rock climbing at that new place on the other side of the city had not only given him an appetite but made him rather unsuitable for dinner anywhere but his own flat. Leaving the television on, Cenzo dragged himself from the couch into Elena's bedroom and into her bathroom. There was no sense going home for a shower when he could take one here. Even his drycleaning was at her place, delivered the day before when he'd been out and unable to take it himself. With such conveniences at hand, Cenzo indulged himself in hot water and vanilla-scented soap before Elena would arrive home from work.
In the living room, Cephalus grumbled as he heard the shower start. Lazy rat, he thought to himself. He didn't care for Elena's friend at all. He came over uninvited, he took her nicer books and pieces of artwork, and he dragged her about town to petty social engagements that Elena herself had often admitted weren't more than an excuse to drink and show off oneself or one's date.
The black Angora rabbit scowled as much as he possibly could in his current fluffy form and hopped down from the pampasan chair. This afternoon, duty would have to win out over personal opinion. True, he'd been in denial for weeks, attempting to convince himself that the odd buzzing between his ears could be attributed to Elena and her calling as Eos. Cephalus refused to admit to himself that he would now be forced to awaken another Graikos, one who didn't deserve the prestige that went along with such a designation.
At least Elena won't be home to witness this, he thought to himself. Snuffling, he crept to the bedroom and nosed the bathroom door open. Billows of steam shrouded his entry, and Cephalus took the covert opportunity to curl up next to the clothes hamper. He could wait.
Half an hour later, Cenzo stepped out of the shower and wrapped himself in one of Elena's fluffy white bath sheets. Hot water supply exhausted, the steam hung heavy in the air. Behind the hamper, an audible grumbling could be heard as a small black rabbit hopped towards the door.
"How'd you get in here?" Cenzo tucked the towel around his waist and knelt down. "Elena'd be upset if you got sick hanging around in a wet bathroom." Clearly concerned, he extended a hand out to the rabbit and attempted to pick it up.
"Touch me and I'll tell her that you took those pottery pieces she just picked up a few weeks ago." Cephalus whirled about as fast as his legs could afford and sat back, front paws raised slightly. Ears were flattened against his head, and dark eyes glared at Cenzo with contempt. "You're awful to her, you spoiled whelp. Someone of your breeding and status should know how to treat a young woman, especially one like her."
Cenzo backed up, clutching the towel and swearing in Italian. Having dripped water all over the bathroom floor, the young man lost his footing and sat down hard on the closed toilet. Snatching up a hairbrush, he used it to threaten the now-laughing rabbit. "Bunnies, er, rabbits don't talk," he stammered. "Black fluffy rabbits don't talk."
"First of all, it's Cephalus, not 'black fluffy rabbit.' Second, you look ridiculous with your legs splayed out, trying to wallop me with a hairbrush while you're sitting on a commode." Cephalus gave a derisive snort to punctuate his opinion. "Get in here and sit on the bed, Vincenzo."
Too stunned to argue, Cenzo let the hairbrush fall and walked out of the bathroom in a strange sort of stupor. Maybe that roast beef had been in the meat drawer for too long; his stomach was beginning to feel rather funny. Sitting gingerly on the edge of the bed, he stared at what he thought Elena had kept as a mere pet. A few moments of silence passed as man and rabbit glared at each other. Cenzo opened his mouth to break the stillness, but the sound of keys in the door preempted him.
"Ceph? Oh my god, you're not gonna believe what I saw at the factory to..." The brunette trailed off as she entered her bedroom to find one shower-fresh young man sitting on her bed and her guardian glaring at him. "Um, hey there, Cenzo. Did Ceph try to nap in here rather than on his chair?"
Eyes wide and complexion rapidly waning, Cenzo turned to face Elena. He made several attempts to speak, but it took a handful of tries before sound came out of his mouth. He cleared his throat and pointed to the now guilty-looking rabbit on the floor. "It, it, it, talks. It knows my name."
Instead of being as surprised as Cenzo, Elena simply dropped her briefcase and coat on the floor and kicked off her heels. "You're over here enough, he would know you. What I'd like to know is why he's decided to talk to you." Casually, she went to her closet and pulled out a little black dress, the action masking a great deal of anxiety and fear.
Cephalus followed, pausing in the doorway. Ears twitched, and he felt his poor bunny tummy fill with dread. This wasn't the news he wanted to break to Elena, not with the things he knew about her 'friend.' Still, duty called. He hadn't chosen to come back as a fuzzy bundle of ever-loving cuteness, so he couldn't choose to not awaken a Graikos. But why him?
"Shaft, don't make him look like an ass. Just say something." She leaned over and scooped up her guardian with both hands, cuddling him under her chin. Fingernails scratched under the rabbit's chin as she sat down next to Cenzo. "And why are you naked in my bedroom? Hiding a hot guy under the bed?"
"More like eating your food and using up all of your hot water," Cephalus muttered.
"See!" Cenzo jabbed a finger at the rabbit. "It talks!" He started to get up, but a glare from the bundle of black fur in Elena's arms prompted him to take a seat. "And it doesn't like me," he mumbled.
Cephalus ignored the last comment. "That's right, sit down and listen carefully. You, despite all of my wishes to the contrary, are Narcissus Kamen, Graikos Senshi of Vanity. Elena is one of your teammates, the lovely and talented Sailor Eos."
"Ceph!"
He nuzzled her. "Well, that's just my personal opinion, bella." The tenderness in his voice disappeared as he looked back to Cenzo. The young man's expression could be likened to that of a child being forced to eat peas and undercooked liver, and the discomfort made Cephalus feel just slightly superior. "So, that's why I can talk. Any questions?"
The young man swallowed hard, gaze shifting from the rabbit to Elena and back. He finally settled on staring at Elena, who tried to smile back. "You do this? This Graikos thing?" He waved with one hand, the other holding his towel about his waist to maintain his last shreds of dignity.
She shrugged. Explaining Eos wasn't something she'd ever planned for. "Yes. For a little while, now. And trust me, it's just easier to listen and go along. Protesting just makes him cranky." She stroked Ceph's ears, trying to smile at Cenzo for reassurance. "Who is he again, Ceph?"
"Narcissus Kamen. Senshi of Vanity," he repeated. "Appropriate, don't you think?"
Elena considered the figure sitting on her bed. "I dunno," she answered slowly. "How does he change to that?"
Cephalus nodded at Elena's chest of drawers. "Get the little compact underneath your thong collection-"
"CEPH!" Elena shrieked, face reddening.
"-and give it to him." The rabbit slipped out of her arms and hopped to the floor. Inky eyes regarded Cenzo with a certain degree of distrust. "And then try not to squeal in rapture," he sighed.
Elena did as she was told, the tiny gold ladies mirror handed over with a certain degree of hesitance. "You okay?" she finally asked, sitting next to Cenzo. "It's a lot to handle, trust me."
He examined the compact, elbows on knees as his head hung down. Wet hair clung to his face and water dripped off of his nose to the carpet. Cenzo flipped open the compact to see his own reflection. Handsome, striking, and morosely confused. "Now what?" he mumbled, looking at Cephalus.
The bunny shrugged. "Now say, 'Narcissus Divinitas Power, Make Up.'"
Cenzo went back to examining the mirror, manicured nails tapping the surface. A moment of silence passed, and he glanced up at Elena. "It doesn't hurt, does it?"
"Nah. It's actually quite a rush," she laughed, tension relieved just a little. "Go on. It can't be any more ridiculous than mine."
Elena's description piqued his interest. "Rush? As in, taking the curve behind the dealership at 150 kilometers an hour?" Cenzo gave her a lopsided grin and leaned back.
"200." She wrinkled her noses as brown eyes flashed with mischief.
That was enough to convince Cenzo that perhaps listening to the rabbit could prove interesting. "Narcissus... what was it?" He stood up and adjusted the towel once more.
"Divinitas Power, Make Up. Make me repeat it again and I'll bite your ankles," he grumbled.
"With nasty sharp pointy..." Elena trailed off as both man and rabbit stared. "Sorry," she apologized. "Go on."
Cenzo flipped the mirror open with a suave flick of the wrist, then pointed at his reflection. "Narcissus Divinitas Power, Make UP!" Instantly, the mirror shattered and light poured forth, blinding the trio. When the brightness in Elena's room returned to normal, Cenzo found himself staring at his reflection in the full-length mirror that hung on the back of the bathroom door. A wide grin stretched from ear to ear as he ran his hands over the tight shirt and flexed his fingers. The soft squeak of leather prompted a chuckle, and he whirled around to face Elena. His cousin, as Cephalus had aptly predicted, was staring with her mouth hanging open.
"Told you so," the rabbit snorted. "Vanity personified. What a waste of henshin."
Cenzo wore a smug expression as he continued to examine his new appearance. Perfect skin, perfect clothing, and even perfect hair... he gave his reflection a wicked leer before stretching both arms out wide. "Tell me this isn't the best you've ever seen me look. I mean, this is better than that tailored suit or even those black leather pants I had made last spring."
"It's definitely something." Elena swallowed and stood up, ready to disappear in her closet. She had a date tonight, damn it. Staring at Vincenzo in his Narcissus outfit was not what she'd planned to do.
"Can I see yours?"
Before Elena could say anything, Cephalus jumped in to protest. "No, absolutely not. I refuse to let her subject herself to you in such a vulnerable state. Why, the very idea..." His body shook as he spoke, nose wriggling back and forth furiously.
"Then what the hell's gonna happen when we patrol?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Elena pressed her lips together. The word 'patrol' worked magic on both Cephalus and Narcissus, who stared at her thoughtfully. Damn it, she thought. Just what she needed... an across the way excuse to be forced out of her apartment. With Cenzo around, she wouldn't have any more great encounters like she'd had with the Noord, that's for sure.
Narcissus folded his arms across his chest, brow knit in concentration. "What are we patrolling for, exactly?" He had only just begun to realize that there might be some shred of responsibility involved with the ability to transform into the most dashingly handsome creature on the planet.
"Romanus. Kemets. Noord. Other factions of Senshi who would like nothing better than to prove their superiority over the Graikos." Elena repeated Ceph's explanation in a bored tone. "Now, could you get out of that thing and let me get in my bathroom? I have to meet someone in an hour and I don't want to smell like factory."
He crossed the room, putting an arm around her shoulder. "Come on, you can show me what you look like? If I look this good, you must look beautiful." Narcissus gave her a wink and squeezed her gently. "Besides, it'll make your bunny happy."
She frowned at the bundle of fur on the floor. "All right, but this could be terribly embarassing." Hand stretched towards the ceiling, she mumbled her henshin phrase and was bathed in the now-familiar lavender aura. Emerging from the light in her fuku, Eos gave Narcissus a saucy wink and licked her lips. "Damn, you do look pretty hot. Maybe patrolling won't be so bad after this," she mused.
Narcissus' eyes widened. He was used to Elena's occasional flirtations, but the look on her face gave him the idea that she'd be more interested in getting him out of his leather pants than seeing him in them. Perhaps this Graikos thing did have its good points. Milking the situation for all it was worth, he turned around in a slow circle. "Good outfit?"
"Great outfit. Me?" She twirled about once before blowing him a kiss. An airy giggle escaped before Cephalus had the presence of mind to put a stop to the incessant Graikos flirtations.
"That's it. Back to clothes, the both of you," he ordered, fuzzy paws on Eos' legs to try to separate her from Narcissus. "You said you had a date, bella."
Magic words. Elena resumed her post-work appearance, slightly frazzled. "That's right, I do. And he's such a nice man, Nunzio. A real gentleman, Ceph. You'll have to let me know what you think of him, if I ever bring him over." Rushing past Cenzo. she slammed the bathroom door shut.
He stood, slightly shocked by the news and more shocked by her behavior as Eos. Such a change in attitude could prove helpful, in the right kind of situation. Towel still held about his waist, he ambled to the closet where his drycleaning hung. An opportunity while out patrolling could provide the catalyst he needed. He wasn't going to force Elena into anything, but even she'd admitted that she liked how he looked as Narcissus. A slow smile crept across his face as he got dress, the wheels turning in his head.
"Ahem." The rabbit poked him with a paw. "A word with you, man to man." He took the shrug from Cenzo as a go-ahead. "You even try to take advantage of her as Eos, and I will make your life miserable." Cephalus tried to sound as menacing as possible. "You're the last thing I'd want to accompany her on patrol, but if the gods decreed it, then I certainly can't argue."
Cenzo slipped on shirt and pulled a pair of khaki pants from a hanger. "I can behave, Cephalus. I'm her cousin, basically. I'd never dream of doing anything-"
"Yeah, right. I know what you bring home across the hallway," he whispered conspiratorally. "Don't think for a moment that I don't know what you are. Touch her, and I'll make your life a living hell."
Cenzo stared in shock at the small beast at his feet. Part of him felt like kicking it, and part of him wanted to beg it not to say anymore. He decided for a simple wave of his hand. "A gentleman, always. Perish the thought of anything to the contrary."
The rabbit glared up, then snuffled smugly. "We'll see about that."
Game: Sailor Myth
A key clicked in the lock, and the door opened into Elena's empty apartment. Lights were flipped on, refridgerator rummaged through, and television turned to a football match. A striking figure lay on Elena's couch, dark hair hanging over his eyes while he absently scratched at two days' worth of stubble on his chin. Handsome, a touch arrogant, and hungry for lack of lunch, Cenzo wolfed down a hastily assembled roast beef sandwich and wondered how late his 'cousin' would be working that night.
He needed a shower. Rock climbing at that new place on the other side of the city had not only given him an appetite but made him rather unsuitable for dinner anywhere but his own flat. Leaving the television on, Cenzo dragged himself from the couch into Elena's bedroom and into her bathroom. There was no sense going home for a shower when he could take one here. Even his drycleaning was at her place, delivered the day before when he'd been out and unable to take it himself. With such conveniences at hand, Cenzo indulged himself in hot water and vanilla-scented soap before Elena would arrive home from work.
In the living room, Cephalus grumbled as he heard the shower start. Lazy rat, he thought to himself. He didn't care for Elena's friend at all. He came over uninvited, he took her nicer books and pieces of artwork, and he dragged her about town to petty social engagements that Elena herself had often admitted weren't more than an excuse to drink and show off oneself or one's date.
The black Angora rabbit scowled as much as he possibly could in his current fluffy form and hopped down from the pampasan chair. This afternoon, duty would have to win out over personal opinion. True, he'd been in denial for weeks, attempting to convince himself that the odd buzzing between his ears could be attributed to Elena and her calling as Eos. Cephalus refused to admit to himself that he would now be forced to awaken another Graikos, one who didn't deserve the prestige that went along with such a designation.
At least Elena won't be home to witness this, he thought to himself. Snuffling, he crept to the bedroom and nosed the bathroom door open. Billows of steam shrouded his entry, and Cephalus took the covert opportunity to curl up next to the clothes hamper. He could wait.
Half an hour later, Cenzo stepped out of the shower and wrapped himself in one of Elena's fluffy white bath sheets. Hot water supply exhausted, the steam hung heavy in the air. Behind the hamper, an audible grumbling could be heard as a small black rabbit hopped towards the door.
"How'd you get in here?" Cenzo tucked the towel around his waist and knelt down. "Elena'd be upset if you got sick hanging around in a wet bathroom." Clearly concerned, he extended a hand out to the rabbit and attempted to pick it up.
"Touch me and I'll tell her that you took those pottery pieces she just picked up a few weeks ago." Cephalus whirled about as fast as his legs could afford and sat back, front paws raised slightly. Ears were flattened against his head, and dark eyes glared at Cenzo with contempt. "You're awful to her, you spoiled whelp. Someone of your breeding and status should know how to treat a young woman, especially one like her."
Cenzo backed up, clutching the towel and swearing in Italian. Having dripped water all over the bathroom floor, the young man lost his footing and sat down hard on the closed toilet. Snatching up a hairbrush, he used it to threaten the now-laughing rabbit. "Bunnies, er, rabbits don't talk," he stammered. "Black fluffy rabbits don't talk."
"First of all, it's Cephalus, not 'black fluffy rabbit.' Second, you look ridiculous with your legs splayed out, trying to wallop me with a hairbrush while you're sitting on a commode." Cephalus gave a derisive snort to punctuate his opinion. "Get in here and sit on the bed, Vincenzo."
Too stunned to argue, Cenzo let the hairbrush fall and walked out of the bathroom in a strange sort of stupor. Maybe that roast beef had been in the meat drawer for too long; his stomach was beginning to feel rather funny. Sitting gingerly on the edge of the bed, he stared at what he thought Elena had kept as a mere pet. A few moments of silence passed as man and rabbit glared at each other. Cenzo opened his mouth to break the stillness, but the sound of keys in the door preempted him.
"Ceph? Oh my god, you're not gonna believe what I saw at the factory to..." The brunette trailed off as she entered her bedroom to find one shower-fresh young man sitting on her bed and her guardian glaring at him. "Um, hey there, Cenzo. Did Ceph try to nap in here rather than on his chair?"
Eyes wide and complexion rapidly waning, Cenzo turned to face Elena. He made several attempts to speak, but it took a handful of tries before sound came out of his mouth. He cleared his throat and pointed to the now guilty-looking rabbit on the floor. "It, it, it, talks. It knows my name."
Instead of being as surprised as Cenzo, Elena simply dropped her briefcase and coat on the floor and kicked off her heels. "You're over here enough, he would know you. What I'd like to know is why he's decided to talk to you." Casually, she went to her closet and pulled out a little black dress, the action masking a great deal of anxiety and fear.
Cephalus followed, pausing in the doorway. Ears twitched, and he felt his poor bunny tummy fill with dread. This wasn't the news he wanted to break to Elena, not with the things he knew about her 'friend.' Still, duty called. He hadn't chosen to come back as a fuzzy bundle of ever-loving cuteness, so he couldn't choose to not awaken a Graikos. But why him?
"Shaft, don't make him look like an ass. Just say something." She leaned over and scooped up her guardian with both hands, cuddling him under her chin. Fingernails scratched under the rabbit's chin as she sat down next to Cenzo. "And why are you naked in my bedroom? Hiding a hot guy under the bed?"
"More like eating your food and using up all of your hot water," Cephalus muttered.
"See!" Cenzo jabbed a finger at the rabbit. "It talks!" He started to get up, but a glare from the bundle of black fur in Elena's arms prompted him to take a seat. "And it doesn't like me," he mumbled.
Cephalus ignored the last comment. "That's right, sit down and listen carefully. You, despite all of my wishes to the contrary, are Narcissus Kamen, Graikos Senshi of Vanity. Elena is one of your teammates, the lovely and talented Sailor Eos."
"Ceph!"
He nuzzled her. "Well, that's just my personal opinion, bella." The tenderness in his voice disappeared as he looked back to Cenzo. The young man's expression could be likened to that of a child being forced to eat peas and undercooked liver, and the discomfort made Cephalus feel just slightly superior. "So, that's why I can talk. Any questions?"
The young man swallowed hard, gaze shifting from the rabbit to Elena and back. He finally settled on staring at Elena, who tried to smile back. "You do this? This Graikos thing?" He waved with one hand, the other holding his towel about his waist to maintain his last shreds of dignity.
She shrugged. Explaining Eos wasn't something she'd ever planned for. "Yes. For a little while, now. And trust me, it's just easier to listen and go along. Protesting just makes him cranky." She stroked Ceph's ears, trying to smile at Cenzo for reassurance. "Who is he again, Ceph?"
"Narcissus Kamen. Senshi of Vanity," he repeated. "Appropriate, don't you think?"
Elena considered the figure sitting on her bed. "I dunno," she answered slowly. "How does he change to that?"
Cephalus nodded at Elena's chest of drawers. "Get the little compact underneath your thong collection-"
"CEPH!" Elena shrieked, face reddening.
"-and give it to him." The rabbit slipped out of her arms and hopped to the floor. Inky eyes regarded Cenzo with a certain degree of distrust. "And then try not to squeal in rapture," he sighed.
Elena did as she was told, the tiny gold ladies mirror handed over with a certain degree of hesitance. "You okay?" she finally asked, sitting next to Cenzo. "It's a lot to handle, trust me."
He examined the compact, elbows on knees as his head hung down. Wet hair clung to his face and water dripped off of his nose to the carpet. Cenzo flipped open the compact to see his own reflection. Handsome, striking, and morosely confused. "Now what?" he mumbled, looking at Cephalus.
The bunny shrugged. "Now say, 'Narcissus Divinitas Power, Make Up.'"
Cenzo went back to examining the mirror, manicured nails tapping the surface. A moment of silence passed, and he glanced up at Elena. "It doesn't hurt, does it?"
"Nah. It's actually quite a rush," she laughed, tension relieved just a little. "Go on. It can't be any more ridiculous than mine."
Elena's description piqued his interest. "Rush? As in, taking the curve behind the dealership at 150 kilometers an hour?" Cenzo gave her a lopsided grin and leaned back.
"200." She wrinkled her noses as brown eyes flashed with mischief.
That was enough to convince Cenzo that perhaps listening to the rabbit could prove interesting. "Narcissus... what was it?" He stood up and adjusted the towel once more.
"Divinitas Power, Make Up. Make me repeat it again and I'll bite your ankles," he grumbled.
"With nasty sharp pointy..." Elena trailed off as both man and rabbit stared. "Sorry," she apologized. "Go on."
Cenzo flipped the mirror open with a suave flick of the wrist, then pointed at his reflection. "Narcissus Divinitas Power, Make UP!" Instantly, the mirror shattered and light poured forth, blinding the trio. When the brightness in Elena's room returned to normal, Cenzo found himself staring at his reflection in the full-length mirror that hung on the back of the bathroom door. A wide grin stretched from ear to ear as he ran his hands over the tight shirt and flexed his fingers. The soft squeak of leather prompted a chuckle, and he whirled around to face Elena. His cousin, as Cephalus had aptly predicted, was staring with her mouth hanging open.
"Told you so," the rabbit snorted. "Vanity personified. What a waste of henshin."
Cenzo wore a smug expression as he continued to examine his new appearance. Perfect skin, perfect clothing, and even perfect hair... he gave his reflection a wicked leer before stretching both arms out wide. "Tell me this isn't the best you've ever seen me look. I mean, this is better than that tailored suit or even those black leather pants I had made last spring."
"It's definitely something." Elena swallowed and stood up, ready to disappear in her closet. She had a date tonight, damn it. Staring at Vincenzo in his Narcissus outfit was not what she'd planned to do.
"Can I see yours?"
Before Elena could say anything, Cephalus jumped in to protest. "No, absolutely not. I refuse to let her subject herself to you in such a vulnerable state. Why, the very idea..." His body shook as he spoke, nose wriggling back and forth furiously.
"Then what the hell's gonna happen when we patrol?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Elena pressed her lips together. The word 'patrol' worked magic on both Cephalus and Narcissus, who stared at her thoughtfully. Damn it, she thought. Just what she needed... an across the way excuse to be forced out of her apartment. With Cenzo around, she wouldn't have any more great encounters like she'd had with the Noord, that's for sure.
Narcissus folded his arms across his chest, brow knit in concentration. "What are we patrolling for, exactly?" He had only just begun to realize that there might be some shred of responsibility involved with the ability to transform into the most dashingly handsome creature on the planet.
"Romanus. Kemets. Noord. Other factions of Senshi who would like nothing better than to prove their superiority over the Graikos." Elena repeated Ceph's explanation in a bored tone. "Now, could you get out of that thing and let me get in my bathroom? I have to meet someone in an hour and I don't want to smell like factory."
He crossed the room, putting an arm around her shoulder. "Come on, you can show me what you look like? If I look this good, you must look beautiful." Narcissus gave her a wink and squeezed her gently. "Besides, it'll make your bunny happy."
She frowned at the bundle of fur on the floor. "All right, but this could be terribly embarassing." Hand stretched towards the ceiling, she mumbled her henshin phrase and was bathed in the now-familiar lavender aura. Emerging from the light in her fuku, Eos gave Narcissus a saucy wink and licked her lips. "Damn, you do look pretty hot. Maybe patrolling won't be so bad after this," she mused.
Narcissus' eyes widened. He was used to Elena's occasional flirtations, but the look on her face gave him the idea that she'd be more interested in getting him out of his leather pants than seeing him in them. Perhaps this Graikos thing did have its good points. Milking the situation for all it was worth, he turned around in a slow circle. "Good outfit?"
"Great outfit. Me?" She twirled about once before blowing him a kiss. An airy giggle escaped before Cephalus had the presence of mind to put a stop to the incessant Graikos flirtations.
"That's it. Back to clothes, the both of you," he ordered, fuzzy paws on Eos' legs to try to separate her from Narcissus. "You said you had a date, bella."
Magic words. Elena resumed her post-work appearance, slightly frazzled. "That's right, I do. And he's such a nice man, Nunzio. A real gentleman, Ceph. You'll have to let me know what you think of him, if I ever bring him over." Rushing past Cenzo. she slammed the bathroom door shut.
He stood, slightly shocked by the news and more shocked by her behavior as Eos. Such a change in attitude could prove helpful, in the right kind of situation. Towel still held about his waist, he ambled to the closet where his drycleaning hung. An opportunity while out patrolling could provide the catalyst he needed. He wasn't going to force Elena into anything, but even she'd admitted that she liked how he looked as Narcissus. A slow smile crept across his face as he got dress, the wheels turning in his head.
"Ahem." The rabbit poked him with a paw. "A word with you, man to man." He took the shrug from Cenzo as a go-ahead. "You even try to take advantage of her as Eos, and I will make your life miserable." Cephalus tried to sound as menacing as possible. "You're the last thing I'd want to accompany her on patrol, but if the gods decreed it, then I certainly can't argue."
Cenzo slipped on shirt and pulled a pair of khaki pants from a hanger. "I can behave, Cephalus. I'm her cousin, basically. I'd never dream of doing anything-"
"Yeah, right. I know what you bring home across the hallway," he whispered conspiratorally. "Don't think for a moment that I don't know what you are. Touch her, and I'll make your life a living hell."
Cenzo stared in shock at the small beast at his feet. Part of him felt like kicking it, and part of him wanted to beg it not to say anymore. He decided for a simple wave of his hand. "A gentleman, always. Perish the thought of anything to the contrary."
The rabbit glared up, then snuffled smugly. "We'll see about that."
Friday, December 26, 2003
Character: Elena Healy
Game: Sailor Myth
Black. Or red. Or purple. Or white.
Elena wrapped the short terry bathrobe about her damp form and contemplated the selection of clothing in front of her. A long sleeveless black dress hung on the door, simple black pumps beneath to complete the outfit. Choosing the actual dress to wear that evening hadn't been a difficult decision; for most of her life, Elena had clothed herself in simple fashions and simple colors. Since her social life had picked up, it hardly seemed necessary to change routine unless the situation demanded.
Meaning that if Nunzio Moreno wanted her to wear magenta vinyl, Elena would seriously entertain the idea for at least five seconds before making a serious and well-informed decision.
The choice of undergarments wasn't supposed to be this difficult. Normally, she would have just chosen the black and been done with it. The fact that this was their second date and part of her expected something to happen that could potentially involve a peek at her Victoria's Secret collection made the decision of what to wear beneath the little black dress difficult. Black would keep the colors straight, but it was black... and predictable. The dark red pairing oozed sex and sultriness, and Elena wasn't sure if such an image would come across as too... presumptuous. Purple would be fun, but again, the color difference might give the observer the thought that she wanted to impress rather than simply wear undergarments.
She tossed the white aside on principle. No need to appear prudish at a time like this.
Black. Red. Purple. She readjusted the towel and scowled. No red, at least not yet. Elena moved that pile aside and glanced from black to purple. Simplistic and elegant, or fun and playful. Elegant, or playful. With a sniff, she picked up the black set and tossed in back in the drawer. Playful.
Besides, they matched her tanzanite earrings. That would be excuse enough.
Game: Sailor Myth
Black. Or red. Or purple. Or white.
Elena wrapped the short terry bathrobe about her damp form and contemplated the selection of clothing in front of her. A long sleeveless black dress hung on the door, simple black pumps beneath to complete the outfit. Choosing the actual dress to wear that evening hadn't been a difficult decision; for most of her life, Elena had clothed herself in simple fashions and simple colors. Since her social life had picked up, it hardly seemed necessary to change routine unless the situation demanded.
Meaning that if Nunzio Moreno wanted her to wear magenta vinyl, Elena would seriously entertain the idea for at least five seconds before making a serious and well-informed decision.
The choice of undergarments wasn't supposed to be this difficult. Normally, she would have just chosen the black and been done with it. The fact that this was their second date and part of her expected something to happen that could potentially involve a peek at her Victoria's Secret collection made the decision of what to wear beneath the little black dress difficult. Black would keep the colors straight, but it was black... and predictable. The dark red pairing oozed sex and sultriness, and Elena wasn't sure if such an image would come across as too... presumptuous. Purple would be fun, but again, the color difference might give the observer the thought that she wanted to impress rather than simply wear undergarments.
She tossed the white aside on principle. No need to appear prudish at a time like this.
Black. Red. Purple. She readjusted the towel and scowled. No red, at least not yet. Elena moved that pile aside and glanced from black to purple. Simplistic and elegant, or fun and playful. Elegant, or playful. With a sniff, she picked up the black set and tossed in back in the drawer. Playful.
Besides, they matched her tanzanite earrings. That would be excuse enough.
