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Part Thirty: Sebastian
May. 16th, 2020 11:28 pmThe Dancing Deer had a faded but well painted sign out front, and one could hear (and smell) its patrons without stepping through the well-worn door.
“Um,” Klaus said, with an apologetic hunch of his shoulders. “It’s not exactly the sort of place ladies tend to- Lady Sigrid!”
She had already pulled open the door, heedless of his words. “It won’t take more than a moment to see if Sebastian is here, surely.”
It was much like a Lotte birthday feast inside, dimly lit, stinking of alcohol and filled with rough and tumble types, though even Lotte surely would have turned up her nose at some of these. Sigrid was aware of their eyes on her, but once she caught sight of the dice tables, she didn’t much care.
Stretched out with his well-muscled leg over a spare chair was Sebastian, indisputably holding court over his table with a flick of his wrist as he rolled the dice.
The crowd around him roared and the man across from him cursed, slamming down his pint.
“And that, gentleman, is how it’s done.”
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“Um,” Klaus said, with an apologetic hunch of his shoulders. “It’s not exactly the sort of place ladies tend to- Lady Sigrid!”
She had already pulled open the door, heedless of his words. “It won’t take more than a moment to see if Sebastian is here, surely.”
It was much like a Lotte birthday feast inside, dimly lit, stinking of alcohol and filled with rough and tumble types, though even Lotte surely would have turned up her nose at some of these. Sigrid was aware of their eyes on her, but once she caught sight of the dice tables, she didn’t much care.
Stretched out with his well-muscled leg over a spare chair was Sebastian, indisputably holding court over his table with a flick of his wrist as he rolled the dice.
The crowd around him roared and the man across from him cursed, slamming down his pint.
“And that, gentleman, is how it’s done.”
( Read more... )
Part Twenty-Nine: Disguises
May. 16th, 2020 11:25 pmThe closet was technically still Sigrid’s, but since Klaus loved it so, she’d given him free rein over it as long as he took care of what was inside.
They began with a blonde wig for Sigrid and a tight cap for Klaus to tuck most of his red hair under.
“The point,” Sigrid reminded Klaus as they looked through clothing, “is not to stand out.”
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They began with a blonde wig for Sigrid and a tight cap for Klaus to tuck most of his red hair under.
“The point,” Sigrid reminded Klaus as they looked through clothing, “is not to stand out.”
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Part Twenty-Eight: A Quarrel And A Plan
May. 16th, 2020 11:16 pmThe next day, Sigrid made arrangements for dinner with Katja, Sif, and Wolfgang. And, after a long consideration, sent Karl to make appointments for her with Sasha and Sebastian.
Unfortunately, Sebastian had other plans.
“Sebastian is taking one of his little holidays in the city,” Karl informed Sigrid. “He is expected to return early next week, no doubt with his coin depleted from dice and drinking.”
“Yes, I know Sebastian’s habits,” Sigrid said dryly. “Unfortunately they are not convenient for me today. I will see Sasha, and then I will make ready for the city.”
Karl’s eyebrows raised the slightest fraction, which was still more surprise than she’d seen out of him in many years. “The city?”
“Yes. Preferably in disguise.”
If his eyebrows remained at the same level, it was likely only because he had anticipated this much when she stated her intent to follow Sebastian. “Who will go with you?”
“Well, Klaus knows the city well,” Sigrid said thoughtfully. “Unfortunately that also means he’s a bit well known, and known as mine. We would not be inconspicuous together.”
The same was true of Sebastian, but then, once she had Sebastian she would no longer be particularly concerned with being inconspicuous.
A knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts. “Lady Sigrid?”
She recognized Sasha’s voice. “Come in.”
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Unfortunately, Sebastian had other plans.
“Sebastian is taking one of his little holidays in the city,” Karl informed Sigrid. “He is expected to return early next week, no doubt with his coin depleted from dice and drinking.”
“Yes, I know Sebastian’s habits,” Sigrid said dryly. “Unfortunately they are not convenient for me today. I will see Sasha, and then I will make ready for the city.”
Karl’s eyebrows raised the slightest fraction, which was still more surprise than she’d seen out of him in many years. “The city?”
“Yes. Preferably in disguise.”
If his eyebrows remained at the same level, it was likely only because he had anticipated this much when she stated her intent to follow Sebastian. “Who will go with you?”
“Well, Klaus knows the city well,” Sigrid said thoughtfully. “Unfortunately that also means he’s a bit well known, and known as mine. We would not be inconspicuous together.”
The same was true of Sebastian, but then, once she had Sebastian she would no longer be particularly concerned with being inconspicuous.
A knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts. “Lady Sigrid?”
She recognized Sasha’s voice. “Come in.”
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Part Twenty-Five: An Old Friend Arrives
May. 16th, 2020 11:55 am“Come in,” Sigrid said absently, beginning to sketch out a provisional schedule.
The door creaked open. “Well, don’t you look busy. Too busy to see an old friend?”
Sigrid all but leaped to her feet. “Katja!”
Katja cut a splendid figure in leather armor and a fur cloak, one hand on her hip as Sigrid rushed to embrace her. She’d cut her hair since Sigrid had last seen her, and now had close-cropped brown curls.
“I can’t believe you’re back! How was the south? How is Sif?” Sigrid paused. “I’m asking too many questions.”
Katja laughed heartily. “Well, I’ve been voyaging for nearly a year. Took a liking to it, obviously. How many hearts have you broken since I left?”
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The door creaked open. “Well, don’t you look busy. Too busy to see an old friend?”
Sigrid all but leaped to her feet. “Katja!”
Katja cut a splendid figure in leather armor and a fur cloak, one hand on her hip as Sigrid rushed to embrace her. She’d cut her hair since Sigrid had last seen her, and now had close-cropped brown curls.
“I can’t believe you’re back! How was the south? How is Sif?” Sigrid paused. “I’m asking too many questions.”
Katja laughed heartily. “Well, I’ve been voyaging for nearly a year. Took a liking to it, obviously. How many hearts have you broken since I left?”
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Part Twenty-Four: Sasha Reveals A Secret
May. 15th, 2020 10:39 pmSasha entered, looking so innocently hopeful it hurt Sigrid’s heart.
“Have you changed your mind about seeing me?”
Sigrid swallowed. “I am considering it,” she lied. “But I am preoccupied at the moment with the news that my sister is investigating the death of your former master.”
Sasha turned pale.
“Things are about to become exceedingly complicated, I fear. And so I am going to have to ask you more about how you came to be in that place.”
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On re-reading I noticed some of this scene was redundant as it covered some of the same points as the earlier scene after Jalo's sentencing, so I've tweaked it a little to make it less so. I will probably tweak it again later on.
“Have you changed your mind about seeing me?”
Sigrid swallowed. “I am considering it,” she lied. “But I am preoccupied at the moment with the news that my sister is investigating the death of your former master.”
Sasha turned pale.
“Things are about to become exceedingly complicated, I fear. And so I am going to have to ask you more about how you came to be in that place.”
( Read more... )
On re-reading I noticed some of this scene was redundant as it covered some of the same points as the earlier scene after Jalo's sentencing, so I've tweaked it a little to make it less so. I will probably tweak it again later on.
Part Eighteen: Returning Home
May. 15th, 2020 08:29 pmThis takes place a day or so later than the previous part.
Klaus slept on Sigrid’s shoulder most of the carriage ride home while Sigrid and Sasha sat in companionable silence, watching the scenery go by.
“You know,” Sigrid said, after a while, “I will be favoring others for the next week or so.”
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Klaus slept on Sigrid’s shoulder most of the carriage ride home while Sigrid and Sasha sat in companionable silence, watching the scenery go by.
“You know,” Sigrid said, after a while, “I will be favoring others for the next week or so.”
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Klaus was silent even after they had left Hofn’s hall and all the way to their guest room.
When they were safely alone with the door shut behind them, Sigrid put her hand on Klaus’s shoulder. “Klaus, I can answer your questions now.”
Instead of answering her, Klaus walked over to the bed and sat down hard, burying his face in his hands.
Sigrid felt Sasha’s hand slip into hers before Sasha said, quietly, “I’m sorry for lying.”
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When they were safely alone with the door shut behind them, Sigrid put her hand on Klaus’s shoulder. “Klaus, I can answer your questions now.”
Instead of answering her, Klaus walked over to the bed and sat down hard, burying his face in his hands.
Sigrid felt Sasha’s hand slip into hers before Sasha said, quietly, “I’m sorry for lying.”
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Part Fifteen: Jalo's Confession
May. 15th, 2020 05:01 pmThe next morning, Sigrid woke from vaguely unsettling dreams to find Sasha already dressed while Klaus slept on beside her, face screwed up in a skeptical pout.
“I see you’re prepared,” she remarked, pushing aside Klaus’s arm so she could sit up properly.
Sasha nodded resolutely.
Sigrid sighed. “Come here and give me a kiss.”
She saw a bit of tension ebb from his features as he smiled at her before leaning in and brushing his lips against hers gently.
“I’m not scared,” Sasha whispered. “But my stomach’s all twisted up.”
Sigrid stroked his hair, trying to find the right words. I understand seemed likely to provoke him into pointing out that she really only had the faintest idea of what he was going through. My poor sweetling likewise might make him bristle for treating him like a child with a stubbed toe, although it was her first thought.
So instead, she pulled him closer and said softly, “No matter what he says or does, I will be there with you.”
Sasha bit his lip and nodded before turning away, blinking his eyes a bit too frequently. “Thank you.”
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“I see you’re prepared,” she remarked, pushing aside Klaus’s arm so she could sit up properly.
Sasha nodded resolutely.
Sigrid sighed. “Come here and give me a kiss.”
She saw a bit of tension ebb from his features as he smiled at her before leaning in and brushing his lips against hers gently.
“I’m not scared,” Sasha whispered. “But my stomach’s all twisted up.”
Sigrid stroked his hair, trying to find the right words. I understand seemed likely to provoke him into pointing out that she really only had the faintest idea of what he was going through. My poor sweetling likewise might make him bristle for treating him like a child with a stubbed toe, although it was her first thought.
So instead, she pulled him closer and said softly, “No matter what he says or does, I will be there with you.”
Sasha bit his lip and nodded before turning away, blinking his eyes a bit too frequently. “Thank you.”
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Part Fourteen: A Brief Rest
May. 15th, 2020 04:58 pm“Yes, you are,” Sigrid said, amused. “Now close the door and settle down.”
Klaus grinned and did so, throwing himself down onto the bed face first. “Do I have enough time to take a nap before we have to go anywhere again?”
“Just enough, I think.” She put the finishing touches on Sasha’s braid. “I wouldn’t mind a rest myself either.”
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Klaus grinned and did so, throwing himself down onto the bed face first. “Do I have enough time to take a nap before we have to go anywhere again?”
“Just enough, I think.” She put the finishing touches on Sasha’s braid. “I wouldn’t mind a rest myself either.”
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“Very well then. Who was he?”
“Master used to call his kind kitchen slaves. They were trusted enough to do specialized tasks directly under the masters’ supervision. Like many of them, Jalo was…” Sasha hesitated. “Loyal.”
She frowned. Although this explained certain things about the man’s attitude, it hadn’t really been what she was after. “And who is he to you?”
Sasha bit his lip. “No one, really. I ranked below him so he didn’t really-“
“Is that why he kept staring at you?” Sigrid said bluntly.
“I don’t know…” He shifted against her. “Maybe?”
He was avoiding her questions, but not outright lying as far as she could tell. That was something.
Time to cut to the point.
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“Master used to call his kind kitchen slaves. They were trusted enough to do specialized tasks directly under the masters’ supervision. Like many of them, Jalo was…” Sasha hesitated. “Loyal.”
She frowned. Although this explained certain things about the man’s attitude, it hadn’t really been what she was after. “And who is he to you?”
Sasha bit his lip. “No one, really. I ranked below him so he didn’t really-“
“Is that why he kept staring at you?” Sigrid said bluntly.
“I don’t know…” He shifted against her. “Maybe?”
He was avoiding her questions, but not outright lying as far as she could tell. That was something.
Time to cut to the point.
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Role Reversal AU Part 9
Mar. 25th, 2020 11:33 pmSasha was quiet and submissive afterwards, obediently washing his hands with the soap and water she provided him with and curling up onto his bedroll with his bad ankle outstretched, burying his face in the cloth.
The silence was uncomfortable enough that Sigrid began to wish Baldur would hurry up and return simply to distract them both
She had certainly seen (or rather, heard) filthier things before. It shouldn’t have mattered at all, should have barely registered as profane.
And yet, it had reminded her that despite his pretty face, slender figure and well-kept hair, Sasha was a man like any other, who might take hold of himself at night and think of… what? Another gentle well-bred girl who would lie quietly underneath him without much fuss? A flirtatious man who would tease him until he was flushed all over?
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The silence was uncomfortable enough that Sigrid began to wish Baldur would hurry up and return simply to distract them both
She had certainly seen (or rather, heard) filthier things before. It shouldn’t have mattered at all, should have barely registered as profane.
And yet, it had reminded her that despite his pretty face, slender figure and well-kept hair, Sasha was a man like any other, who might take hold of himself at night and think of… what? Another gentle well-bred girl who would lie quietly underneath him without much fuss? A flirtatious man who would tease him until he was flushed all over?
( Read more... )
Role Reversal AU Part 7
Mar. 25th, 2020 11:26 pm“You hit me.” His green eyes were accusatory.
“I’m sorry. My reaction was faster than my intention.”
Sasha was silent for a long moment. Then, just when she was wondering if she’d have to apologize again: “Why you and not Charlotte?”
Sigrid laughed, bitterly. “Charlotte didn’t tell you? Because she surrendered. And really, one spare was enough for them. I doubt very much your father wanted me to survive, but he underestimated how many of the men he threw me to liked the idea of making me carry their child.”
“That’s horrible!” Sasha exclaimed.
“It’s the truth.”
“No, I mean…” Sasha hesitated, then slid closer to her. “If Baldur saved you from that, maybe he isn’t as entirely evil as I thought.”
Sigrid snorted. “He was among my tormentors.”
“What?!”
“Don’t scream like that, it’s irritating.” Sigrid sighed, getting to her feet to find a flask of water. Or better yet, something stronger. “He had to be, to keep me alive and gain enough trust to be able to free me without too much trouble. Though in the end he helped me kill the three I loathed the most.”
“You’ve… killed?”
“Yes.” Sigrid turned back to Sasha, flask in hand. “Thirsty?”
“I… yes…” Sasha mumbled.
She sat back down beside him, took a swing of what proved to be only water, then passed it to Sasha, who stared at the flask, then up at her, then back to the flask as though she’d done something to it.
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“I’m sorry. My reaction was faster than my intention.”
Sasha was silent for a long moment. Then, just when she was wondering if she’d have to apologize again: “Why you and not Charlotte?”
Sigrid laughed, bitterly. “Charlotte didn’t tell you? Because she surrendered. And really, one spare was enough for them. I doubt very much your father wanted me to survive, but he underestimated how many of the men he threw me to liked the idea of making me carry their child.”
“That’s horrible!” Sasha exclaimed.
“It’s the truth.”
“No, I mean…” Sasha hesitated, then slid closer to her. “If Baldur saved you from that, maybe he isn’t as entirely evil as I thought.”
Sigrid snorted. “He was among my tormentors.”
“What?!”
“Don’t scream like that, it’s irritating.” Sigrid sighed, getting to her feet to find a flask of water. Or better yet, something stronger. “He had to be, to keep me alive and gain enough trust to be able to free me without too much trouble. Though in the end he helped me kill the three I loathed the most.”
“You’ve… killed?”
“Yes.” Sigrid turned back to Sasha, flask in hand. “Thirsty?”
“I… yes…” Sasha mumbled.
She sat back down beside him, took a swing of what proved to be only water, then passed it to Sasha, who stared at the flask, then up at her, then back to the flask as though she’d done something to it.
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Role Reversal AU Part 6
Mar. 25th, 2020 11:21 pm“Did you try to stand on it?” Sigrid shook her head.
Sasha scowled at her, dropping his foot (though still not transferring weight onto it). “You lied to me when you said you could do something to fix my ankle.”
“All it needs is rest. Shouldn’t you be more angry about the fact that I took you prisoner?”
He let out a sigh. “Well, I wanted an adventure…”
That struck a distant, sad chord in Sigrid. She had had such thoughts once, when she was much younger and did not understand how fragile her comfortable existence was.
Sasha lifted his chin, a gesture of meaningless defiance. “I suppose you’re thinking how lucky you are that I’m so stupid.”
“No,” Sigrid said, taken aback.
“Liar.” He sounded more resigned than angry as he hobbled closer to the fire. “Where’s that man gone? Out to deliver my ransom note?”
“Not just yet.” Sigrid descended the stairs and went to help him in case he needed help sitting down. “He’s getting backup so I won’t always have to be your babysitter.”
Sasha froze. “What do you mean? Are you planning on leaving me with-“
“You won’t be alone with Baldur again,” Sigrid cut in. “None of my other associates have his character, or should I say, lack of it.” Might as well pretend I have a wider network than I do.
“I don’t know why I should believe you when you let him be alone with me in the first place!” Sasha burst out. “How can you work with him? You’re Charlotte’s sister, you’re my cousin, you’re better than this!”
“He pulled me out of hell,” Sigrid said softly. “For a price, but he honored his word. He is detestable, but he is on my side and he has resources. I cannot afford to throw him away just yet.”
“What makes you so sure he’s on your side?”
An unwelcome memory surfaced: large hands boxing her in, a foul grinning mouth whispering I want to see every twist and turn of your path, my Princess.
“Because,” she swallowed, “he’s obsessed with me.”
She turned to tend to the fire, not wanting to see Sasha’s reaction.
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Sasha scowled at her, dropping his foot (though still not transferring weight onto it). “You lied to me when you said you could do something to fix my ankle.”
“All it needs is rest. Shouldn’t you be more angry about the fact that I took you prisoner?”
He let out a sigh. “Well, I wanted an adventure…”
That struck a distant, sad chord in Sigrid. She had had such thoughts once, when she was much younger and did not understand how fragile her comfortable existence was.
Sasha lifted his chin, a gesture of meaningless defiance. “I suppose you’re thinking how lucky you are that I’m so stupid.”
“No,” Sigrid said, taken aback.
“Liar.” He sounded more resigned than angry as he hobbled closer to the fire. “Where’s that man gone? Out to deliver my ransom note?”
“Not just yet.” Sigrid descended the stairs and went to help him in case he needed help sitting down. “He’s getting backup so I won’t always have to be your babysitter.”
Sasha froze. “What do you mean? Are you planning on leaving me with-“
“You won’t be alone with Baldur again,” Sigrid cut in. “None of my other associates have his character, or should I say, lack of it.” Might as well pretend I have a wider network than I do.
“I don’t know why I should believe you when you let him be alone with me in the first place!” Sasha burst out. “How can you work with him? You’re Charlotte’s sister, you’re my cousin, you’re better than this!”
“He pulled me out of hell,” Sigrid said softly. “For a price, but he honored his word. He is detestable, but he is on my side and he has resources. I cannot afford to throw him away just yet.”
“What makes you so sure he’s on your side?”
An unwelcome memory surfaced: large hands boxing her in, a foul grinning mouth whispering I want to see every twist and turn of your path, my Princess.
“Because,” she swallowed, “he’s obsessed with me.”
She turned to tend to the fire, not wanting to see Sasha’s reaction.
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Role Reversal AU Story Part 5
Mar. 25th, 2020 11:18 pm“You don’t need to tie me up, I can’t walk,” Sasha insisted.
Sigrid shrugged. “I don’t trust you not to cause other trouble. Put your hands behind your back.”
“No.” His bottom lip pushed out stubbornly.
“Do it, or I’ll make you do it.” Sigrid stood over him, wrapping the end of the ropes around one of her wrists in preparation for a struggle.
Sasha glared up at her. “Then make me.”
Baldur laughed.
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Sigrid shrugged. “I don’t trust you not to cause other trouble. Put your hands behind your back.”
“No.” His bottom lip pushed out stubbornly.
“Do it, or I’ll make you do it.” Sigrid stood over him, wrapping the end of the ropes around one of her wrists in preparation for a struggle.
Sasha glared up at her. “Then make me.”
Baldur laughed.
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