Post by Alex Vipond on Apr 11, 2015 11:17:58 GMT -8
Peacemaker Polly: The morning dawned in misty glory, the pinks and orange just waiting to burst though the soft fog that muted the colors. It almost made Polly feel like the child she'd once been. She smiled and walked to the reach of the waves, bared feet dug toes deep into the wet sand. Polly breathed deeply, arms lifted in the air, a deep breath of se air. The woman walked the wet sand as the waves came and went playing toe-tag. It was bliss for her, pure, unadulterated bliss.
Alex Vipond: It was this time of day that usually saw Alex finding his bed, but he simply was not ready to turn in yet. Lady Luck had favored him during the night and he'd managed some rather sizeable winnings. Rather than retire, he headed for the beach to watch the changing of the tide, and listen to the birds as they sang their songs. In the near distance he saw the woman, and allowed their paths to intersect.
Peacemaker Polly: Polly lifted a hand to shade her eyes and saw the man coming from the opposite direction. Hatless, she moved along, hair long, blond curls hanging over her shoulders. Blue eyes regarded the stranger as she drew closer. A few more steps, the she stopped and smiled. "Hello. Enjoying the morning beach, I see." She offered a friendly greeting as she stood ankle deep now, hem lifted enough to not completely soak the fabric. Polly was simply dressed, fashioning herself in a wardrobe favored by the Spanish born women of the town. A white blouse and a plain fashioned skirt, lacking the multitude of petticoats, bustles and hoops that were now left hanging in the back of her closet for formal occasions. For now, it was wonderful to be less formal, more relaxed, taking life on hour at a time. This new life had afforded her unexpected freedoms.
Alex Vipond: "And I see I am not the only one." Alex's eyes drifted over her, head to foot, and he had to smile when he saw that she was, in point of fact, barefoot. "And enjoying it quite well, by all account." The lack of layers was also noted as his gaze slid back to her face, the smile growing once more. "And you seem quite well this fine day. I do hope your streak continues." Alex's was, obviously continuing, or at least he had the notion it was.
Peacemaker Polly: "I am quite well, who could not be on such a morn, in such a place?" The question, rhetorical, spoken with a wide sweep of one arm, gesturing the whole enchilada of the area, not just the beach itself, or her cottage some yards away looking as cozy and inviting as it truly was. Such a contrast to the tenement life of the city she'd left far behind. "I am Paulina.. or Polly, for short." She introduced herself with a broad smile. "I have not seen you around before. Are you new to town? Or perhaps a seaman, just returned from a voyage?" She asked, half-teasing, half-serious.
Alex Vipond: Stepping closer, he took up her hand, bowed over it and pressed his lips to her knuckles, before straightening. "Alexander, though it's often shortened to Alex, and yes, I am new to town. As for my seagoing abilities, I'm afraid I would be little help in such an environment."
Peacemaker Polly: She chuckled, eyes sparkled as her hand was kissed in such European fashion. It was a far cry from men who just tipped their hats and shot a pint of tobacco spit to the ground before giving the once over followed by a simple two-syllable greeting of "Ma'am". "Happy to make your acquaintance, Alex, not-from-the-sea. I am fairly new to town, as well. Just long enough to pique the interest of the long-timers, and get settled in my new abode." She gave a nod towards the cottage fronted to the view of the Pacific, chairs and a small table set upon the wood-planked porch covered with a roof extending outwards, also accessible from the upstairs room, which was Polly's.
Alex Vipond: Alex held her hand in his, fingers open, allowing her to withdraw her hand at her leisure. "The honor is all mine, Polly." He glanced to the house she indicated and gave a nod. "I'm afraid I am at the boarding house until such a time as I can find suitable accommodations. Of course, I’m not certain how long my stay will be so I may well be better off there, than seeking something more permanent." Yes, he was in flux at the moment, but he was hopeful.
Peacemaker Polly: Polly did as she was used to, her hand remained in his until he would release it. She smiled at his response; hers a bit delayed as she wondered silently about him, judging him by his manners, appearance, even the way he spoke. Judging men was a critical skill to Paulina. Had been since she was rudely awakened to the follies of innocence. She was no longer young and innocent. And she worked hard to keep folly's to the barest minimum. "What brought you to Pavel's Point? It seems such a dull little place. Not at all like San Francisco. Most travelers want to build a new life in a place with great potential." She eyed him, the analysis o his character now turned up a notch. He was here for a time- long or short, was not a sailor, appeared healthy, does not appear too wealthy, nor impoverished. As had become her nature over the decades, she evaluated him by how he might fit into her life and needs.
Alex Vipond: "I'm afraid I rather enjoy the quieter life; granted we're close enough to San Francisco that her charms can be sampled without difficulty but not so close as to feel the constraint of a crowded city." One shoulder rose and fell and yes, since she'd not removed her hand, it was still laying within his. "And what was it that drew you here?" He glanced out over the water and smiled, "I daresay the view is most breathtaking." He looked back at her, "Very much so, in point of fact."
Peacemaker Polly: She gave a low laugh, more than a chuckle, less than a out-right bark. "Oh, I was just in need of a new start. The East was no longer my cup of tea." She answered in simple honesty. Their hands still entwined she began walking toward her cottage, the extension of arms drawn to its limit, he was then pulled along with her movement. "Come have coffee, or tea, if you prefer. I, myself, love the bitter brew of black coffee with just a hint of sweetness." As they neared, the smallish form of her assistant, "Fitzy" appeared and disappeared. The man would note her guest and add a second delicate cup to the tray of breakfast he would have ready and waiting for her. "Ahhh, I see Fitzy has everything in order! The man is a God-send!" She beamed a smile at him over her shoulder as she led him onto the porch.
Alex Vipond: "I would love a cup of coffee." Pulled along, his feet fell into step with hers and as they approached the porch Alex noted the movement. Stepping up onto the porch, he was reminded of a nursery rhyme, a poem more aptly, of a spider and a fly. His lips twitched upward in amusement, Polly's hand finally released as he moved to pull her chair out for her. "Good help is that exactly."
Peacemaker Polly: Blue eyes twinkled as he found a task to cause him to extricate his hand. She caught the wary flash in his eyes and grinned at him. "He is also a close friend and confidant. We go a long way back. Do we not, Fitzy? " She smiled at the dapper little man, dressed to perfection even in this laid-back and becoming mellow environment. "Yes, we do, Ma'am. Good morning, Sir." given Alex's way. Polly settled into her seat and laid a cloth napkin delicately across her lap as she waited for Alex to seat himself, and Fitzy to pour their coffee. A platter with warm cinnamon buns, and empty bowls awaiting the fruit from the porringer sat in the middle of the tray. Alex, this is Fitzy, Fitzy, this is my newest friend, Alexander." She introduced them as the coffee was poured. "Nice to meet you, Sir." was Fitzy's formal response.
Alex Vipond: "Good morning to you, Fitzy." Alex gave the man a nod of his head, and then he eased Polly's chair in once she sat and then he moved to take the seat opposite her, his own napkin was unfolded with a brisk snap and dragged across his thigh. "It is indeed a pleasure." The man was quite formal, and Alex could appreciate that. Idly, Alex wondered if he was English. He had a cousin who was English and he was quite formal in polite company.
Peacemaker Polly: Once her coffee was sweetened to perfection and she'd taken a slow, deliberate sip, enjoying that first taste, she swallowed and settled the rose painted porcelain cup between her palms and smiled at him. "Tell me about yourself, Alexander." she purred. Fitzy had become scarce.
Alex Vipond: "I'm afraid I'm somewhat at leisure." Fitzy's scarcity was noted, and then Alex looked back at Polly. "I enjoy cards, I love music, and I dabble in enterprise." With his cup fixed he lifted it, to his lips, watching her over the rim for a moment as he tipped the cup up. When he lowered it, he smiled to her and asked. "And what of you. What makes Polly tick?"
Peacemaker Polly: "Ahhh, you are quite good at deflection, Alex. " She took her time sipping, holding his eyes with hers over the cup's rim, the amusement in hers clearly revealed. Finally, she decided on her response. "What makes Polly tick, hmmmmm. My but that's a deep question, now, isn't it? And you offered so little in way of answering mine!" She laughed softly, but not unkindly. "Let's make a game of this getting to know one another, yes?" Fair brows lifted as she searched his face for reaction. "Quid pro quo. Question for question, answer for answer." She lifted a bun and broke off a bite sized piece and devoured it as her words sank in. A delicate licking of fingertips before they were wiped on the napkin. "I will answer yours first as a show of good faith... What makes me tick..."I live here because I have never lived on a beach before, and no longer found life in the big city ....safe. " She broke another bit of bun and held it ready to devour, " Now tell me your age." The bite taken, eyes latched onto his.
Alex Vipond: "I am thirty three." He nodded, his cup llifted once more and he regarded her over the rim. "Married?" Yes, that was his question. Not that it mattered overmuch, but it was rather critical information, after all. A man had to know when a jealous husband was likely to come after him with a shotgun.
Peacemaker Polly: "Widowed," Her response was immediate. "I am the Widow Maguire." She could not help the smile that tugged up her lips. "I am not regretful of the fact." Yet, it was not a fact, only wishful thinking. Not that it mattered. They had never been married. So was it really a lie? She did not care. "My turn.... where were you born?" Now a bowl of fruit was ladled, topped with a generous dollop of cream Fitzy had no doubt just whipped up. As she listened, she ate it from the spoon in a nearly provocative manner.
Alex Vipond: "My condolences." Yes, he could give such, even as he was making note of the fact that there wasn't a husband there to take his head off. His eyes lingered on her lips a moment as she spoke and then slipped back to her eyes. "New York." He watched her with the spoon, that smile growing once more as he leaned back in the chair, one leg draping over the other. All pretense of coffee was put aside as he continued to regard her. "Any suitors about, jealous or otherwise?" Did that count as two questions?
Peacemaker Polly: She covered her full mouth as he'd made her laugh, then wiped at her lips as she shook her head to the negative. "There are no significant romances in my life." The idea was ludicrous at best. She'd loved a few, but things never lasted. How could they? Her silent thought rhetorical and accepted after all this time. Romance was not in her cards. She knew too much about how men thought. "I was born in New York, too." she offered, gratis, as she considered next query for him. She tapped the empty spoon in the air as she thought, then asked, "What is your one, single greatest regret in life?" The spoon then laid to rest beside the bowl, the coffee pot taken up and their cups refilled as she waited for his answer.
Alex Vipond: Instantly his expression shifted, and he looked down, the cup of coffee taken up, the contents regarded as he spoke. "The death of my sister." He set the cup down, hand resting on the table, as his eyes finally lifted and there was something of a lost quality in the green depths. Alex shook his head, his hair falling down into his eyes and his hand lifted and dragged through it, carrying it out of his vision, before he put on a smile. "What were you like as a child?"
Peacemaker Polly: "I was the in my parents' eyes! Life was good. We were neither rich nor poor, and I was a very much loved only child. " For a brief moment she rested her hand on one of his and offered soft condolences. "I am sorry about your loss. I know the pain dulls, but it is never fully gone." Her eyes into his, she read the pain and hint of guilt, she was well acquainted with both and would recognize it anywhere. But being the woman she was, that topic was off limits to her questions. "Are you now, and have you ever been married?"
Alex Vipond: "I am not, and have not." His lips twitched upward again. "I find the institution to be... confining." Maybe someday, but for now, it wasn't something he was interested in pursuing. "Children?" He paused, "For the record, I have none." Yes, a freebie, there.
Peacemaker Polly: She stirred the half spoonful of sugar into her coffee then sipped. Then mustered a strained smile. "One child, died in the womb." Her eyes held a similar pained expression as had his. "My, we've cut to the quick in record time!" She sipped from her cup, then finished the remains of the cinnamon bun gathering herself back to composure, letting the old wound close again. "How do you see your future in.... a year?"
Alex Vipond: Yes, sometimes it was best to get past the painful portions swiftly. When she asked about his future, he smiled as one shoulder rose and fell. "Barring jealous husbands, I see myself, much as I am now. Fast horses, hot cards..." Hotter women but he left that off, though the expression... said enough.
Peacemaker Polly: She set her cup down. "A man blown from place to place by the winds of fortune?"
Alex Vipond: "Pretty much." he chuckled. "I know it seems a rather simplistic life, but it suits me well."
Peacemaker Polly: She watched him closely, he was far more like her, she began to think, that different. It was the reason for her game, something she used often in her assessment phase. They were unknown to one another, no previous introductions by others to sully the discovery process. Simply two unknowns. Equals. Alexander, from New York, unencumbered by matrimony or allegiance to a profession ruled by another. A very free man. She smiled at him. "From whence came your initial good providence to support this lifestyle of freedom?"
Alex Vipond: Alex regarded her as she watched him. When she finally asked her question, he chuckled. "Call it a genetic predisposition." Yes, family money. At least initially. "Coupled with some sound investments. And what of you? The last Mister, leave you a bit of something to help you get by?"
Peacemaker Polly: "I was well paid by a large group of wealthy men to leave New York. You must remember what a nasty bed of iniquity the city is." That was her response. It was all she could, and would say on the subject. "I was a madam." She gave him a sweet smile."I earned every cent have."
Alex Vipond: Alex cracked up. "Oh please tell me there was at least a wee bit of leverage perpetrated from your end of that deal...." Just desserts in his mind if there had been.
Peacemaker Polly: She sighed, half in embarrassment, half in regret for admitting it. "Had you heard the brouhaha a year or so back in the rag tabloids of New York... 'Peacemaker Poll' ?" she asked, voice full of disdain.
Alex Vipond: "I'm afraid I missed it. I've been traveling for the past several years, but tell me, what did the gossipmongers sling?" He knew full well they could and would sling what they wanted, truthful or not. Anything to gain attention and anything to earn a dime.
Peacemaker Polly: It was what they called me. Peacemaker Polly. I was forced to kill a man in self-defense." She gave a small shrug. "The trial was bad for business. After I gave each girl who worked for me a stipend to see them through, I came west." That was the truth of it in simplest form.
Alex Vipond: "Ah, Sam Colt's Peacemaker." Alex nodded. "Sadly, had it occurred out here, odds were there would have been no trial, but a pat on the back." Alex could see it, in all honesty. "I'm sorry it ruined your business, but don't let it make you hesitate should the need arise again."
Peacemaker Polly: Polly tipped back her head and laughed in delight. "Oh, Alexander! I have no hesitation at all about squashing bugs!" She folded her napkin and placed it beside her plate, then brushed crumbs real or imagined from her lap. "Have you been to the 'Gentlemen's Club' yet? I have heard it is a quaint little place with it's own brand of delights here on the Point."
Alex Vipond: "I have not." he chuckled. "I shall have to pay it a visit. Would you care for a report on the delights or are you retired and enjoying said retirement?" Honest question. And it wasn't like a club was going to allow a woman in who wasn't working, and it was a sure bet they'd not want their stock in trade bandied about for the competition.
Peacemaker Polly: Blue eyes resumed their natural twinkle. "Oh, I would love a full report! Not that I plan on joining their staff... or even building a competitive practice. " She paused and felt the corners of her lips tugged by a wicked grin fed by the darker side of her sense of humor. "You can be my undercover man."
Alex Vipond: Alex regarded her, a twinkle in his own eyes as he leaned toward her. "I would very much enjoy being your undercover man...." The grin only grew as he leaned back, one hand rising once more to drag through his hair. "You've seen the needs of many met. What of your own? Who takes care of you, Polly?"
Peacemaker Polly: "Sexually, you mean?" She rarely chose to be obtuse, direct and to the point was a tried and true manner that had served her well. She remained calmly poised, hands demurely folded in her lap, lips formed in a Mona Lisa smile.
Alex Vipond: "Yes." Forthright he could appreciate. Too many women played games, acted coy, and wasted time. Not that Alex didn't have time, he had plenty of it. He simply didn't like wasting it. "Sexually. A woman who has sold sex for a living should at least have an appreciation for the commodity she sells."
Peacemaker Polly: "Most men are pigs, Alex." she chuckled. "Not many wish to know how to please a woman. Although there were a group who sent their sons to me for their initiations..." again that wicked smile suggesting darker secrets maybe " and I taught them well. " She eyed him blond head cocked to one side considering him. " I began as a whore commonly enough. Seduced, used, pimped out by my seducer... ultimately sold into another woman's house..." she paused to choose her words carefully. "I learned what it took to be apart from the others. Eventually, I became my own madam. I evolved into a specialist." A butterfly floated out of the sun into the shade of the porch. Polly lifted a hand palm upward and in time the delicate insect alighted there to taste the salt on her skin, then lifted and was gone again. "Do you think you have what it takes to please Me, Alexander?"
Alex Vipond: "You chose not to be a victim. That takes strength." When she posed her question, he smiled. "Oh, I have no doubt." He had a lot of experience in that area, and he didn't have the puritanical ideals of sex only being for reproduction that a lot of bassawkward people had. "The question is, do you want to test the sturdiness of this table, or shall we step inside?"
Peacemaker Polly: "I think you misunderstand me, Alexander. Although I do love your enthusiasm. And quite probably I will take you to my bed when I think the time is right. Which is not right now, however. I am a dominatrix, an extremely high priced one. Nothing arouses me more than a man on his knees who begs to be under my control." She let her words hang in the air. Alex had not given her any inkling that this was his bent. She was a fairly good judge of men.
Alex Vipond: Alex chuckled, then shook his head. "Oh, well, then we do indeed have a problem." He smiled, his cup picked up and as he watched her over the rim, he gave a regretful shake of his head, before tipping the cup up. The cup was set down and he leaned back, his hands laced and on his lap. "I have to admit to being disappointed."
Peacemaker Polly: "That I am not a simple woman who would simply rut with a handsome stranger who spoke nicely to me?" she smiled and shook her head sadly. "No, that is how I got to be the woman I've become. My kink has devolved to be power. In truth, and I tell you this only because I actually like you, for some strange reason even I myself do not quite understand... but I do... I just find no joy in sex. And while I prefer to be the hand holding the cane, my pleasure and arousal is from the power I can wield.." She offered him a sad smile. "This is what men have made of me."
Alex Vipond: "That your experience has put you in the position of being unable to accept pleasure." Alex regarded her, and then smiled. "You've been with the wrong men. Or perhaps men are not your forte. Perhaps women would be more suited to your tastes. It is said, that only a woman knows how to touch a woman. I find that hard to believe, but I'm not above contemplating the possibility." Alex chuckled. "Of course the mental image there, is ... not bad at all."
Peacemaker Polly: She had to laugh at that. "I have always believed, well, obviously not always, I suppose I should say- I have come to believe that love knows no gender. I have taken more joy in the tender arms of some of my sister whores who loved me with a pure heart, than men who claimed to love my hair, my eyes, my lovely breasts..." mimicking the voices of men as she spoke, " such deceit was bought and well paid for, but still disingenuous. " She looked out into the sea and grew quiet for a moment, regaining the direction of her thoughts that had been blown off course by his comments. She turned her gaze back to him, a bit of curiosity and speculation tempering her guard. "I will make a deal with you.... you bring me information about the Gentleman's Club, and I will let you try and pleasure me." Her grin could not have been wider or holding ore challenge out to him.
Alex Vipond: "There's a difference between loving something, and being in love. Therein lies the problem. Many don't know the difference. Personally, I love women, as a whole. I find them absolutely fascinating, dangerous, and appealing." He chuckled at her proposition. "I shall make you a deal. I will bring you what information I glean from the club, and I will not attempt to seduce you. When you want me, as a woman wants a man, you will tell me."
Peacemaker Polly: She pouted and leaned elbows on the table, setting her chin into her cupped palms, turning blue eyes to his in what to most men would be an undeniable posture used to gain the woman what she wanted. "Oh, you! Now my feelings are hurt being turned down so! Am I too long in the tooth now to be wanted?" Then she straightened and sat back in the chair, eyes full of teasing. "And here you were, ready to take me right here on this table in public view!" A thought dawned on her, she tipped her head listening to an inner voice, then squinted at him and said, " Have you ever been a gigolo?"
Alex Vipond: At her question, he laughed and then he shook his head. "No, and that's not at all what I said." His smile only grew as he regarded her. "When you want me, you need but ask." Alex chuckled, his head going back, and then he looked at her and smiled. "And I would still do so. If you so ask." Rising, he moved over to her, stepping around behind her, her hair brushed away from her neck and he leaned down and spoke in her ear, his breath washing over her skin. "I would put you on this table and feast, and when I'd had my fill, when I had you mindless and writhing, then I would take you, here, on this table, in public view. Should you but ask." He dropped a kiss to her throat, inhaled her scent, and then straightened.
Peacemaker Polly: "I still think you are as skilled as I am!" A hand lifted to straighten her hair, a bit self-consciously. He'd floored her, and that took some doing, as she generally tried to think three steps ahead. "Kiss my neck again." She angled her head providing flesh for his lips.
Alex Vipond: "Blame it on my upbringing." he chuckled, her hair draped back around her neck, long fingers best suited to pleasure and creating music caressing her skin as he did so, before he moved to look out over the water, taking up a lean against the porch post. "These boys that you introduced to the sensual arts, what age were they?" When she demanded he kiss her neck again, he looked over his shoulder at her, one brow rising. "Have you a question for me?"
Peacemaker Polly: "Question? Are we back to the game? Alright.... my question would have to be... where did you learn to kiss a neck like that? ...and my answer is, The young men were of legal New York age, sons of New York's upper financial bracket and power families. Some of them were quite sweet, actually!" a fond grin of remembrance crossed her face as she watched a tern swoop and dive, then surface with a meal grasped in its beak.
Alex Vipond: "I was thirteen when introduced into the arts, by a courtesan in Paris, and when I say courtesan, I mean it in the old way. She was not a professional woman. She was a lady of the court." He looked back at her. “A lady in waiting to Her Majesty, the Queen." Alex chuckled at the memory. "She was... quite skilled."
Peacemaker Polly: Polly moved to the opposite side of the porch rail and hoisted her butt up onto it to sit there as if she were a kid on her front porch, which is what she felt like. Listening to a grand tale. "Oooh! This is a marvelous tale! Please, go on! " She was charmed by his manner. Her bare feet swung as she perched there, hands gripping on either side comfortable enough to be herself with this stranger who all but appeared out of the sea.
Alex Vipond: "She taught me the ways of pleasing a woman, and I took to those lessons with great enthusiasm." he smiled, his hand reaching out to brush her hair back over her shoulder, his eyes dropping to her throat and lingering there for a moment, before lifting to her eyes. "She taught me that a woman's body, in its entirety, is sensitive to the touch, and that a simple gesture, can be erotic if delivered properly." he pushed from his lean and moved around behind her, to settle one ass cheek on the porch rail on her other side. He studied her eyes, as his hand lifted and slid into her hair, fingers gently kneading as he cupped the back of her head.
Peacemaker Polly: Polly let herself go with the moment, let the story weave itself around her, the beating of the gentle surf behind them, the warmth of the morning, intelligent eyes looking back to hers, it was a moment offered by Poseidon, or some other sea god, and she'd be a fool to ignore such a pearl. "What wonders were you taught?" her voice soft. She enjoyed the sight of him. His features belied the strength she already recognized within. Damn, if she didn't already like him! The little voice in her head said, 'Go ahead! Have fun! You deserve to enjoy yourself!' and then another voice said, 'Fun always ends and you get left alone to tough it out. And you never listen to me!' And she didn't, of course, because that was her fatal flaw. Always was, always would be, life everlasting, Amen.
Alex Vipond: "Do you wish me to tell you, or do you wish me to show you?" His voice was low as he spoke, and he rose from the rail and stepped in closer, head dipping, lips a hair's breadth from her own. "When you are ready, you will ask." his head tipped the other way, nose brushing hers in the process, but still his lips didn't meet her own, though his breath caressed and mingled with her own. Finally he lifted his head, leaning back without moving away as he regarded her. "When you are ready."
Peacemaker Polly: She smiled. "Will you come to dinner, then, say tomorrow? You can show me the second chapter of this tale after dinner. I have some tasks I should see to now." she looked with apologetic eyes.
Alex Vipond: Alex smiled at her and nodded. "Tomorrow it is." He took her hand, and bowed over it, a kiss placed not to her knuckles this time, but to the inside of her wrist as he turned her hand over. Straightening, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze and then he stepped off the porch. "I shall see you tomorrow, at dinner, Polly." He turned and back stepped a few paces, and then turned once more, heading back the way he'd come, his pace quickening as he glanced upward at the sky, one hand lifting to shield his eyes, before he hurried on.
Peacemaker Polly: She watched him go, a wave after, a smile appreciating having found another who might be a kindred spirit, after all.