Return to Rosferia

[Ladorak]

Lieutenant Boneparte Lantzer could scarcely believe his rotten luck. He was back here....here.....HERE! The place he could no longer stand! The nation that had "vomited 30,000 Rosferians" upon Personza's shores the year before he'd been born. The nation that had come to dominate and control Personza's fate one unlucky decade after another. This place disgusted him.....and he had always born a grudge against his father for forcing him to go to military academy here.

True...he'd received a good paycheck and many benefits...but the meerkat had always secretly suspected that he could have provided for his enormous family just as easily had he been allowed to work and live on Personza. But now...his reputation in a nose dive over what had happened the past few weeks....Lieutenant Lantzer had had to return to these shores in order to attempt to clear his name and get his job back. To prove he had not deserted his ranks and become an Emigrant.

His ship had pulled in to Toluse, the southern most port city of Rosferia that bordered the magnificent Cobalt Sea. This place had not much changed since he'd last been here....royalist sentiment was rife all over the place, and there was much tension here in this town between the Assembly's forces and the populace. A portion of Rosferia's sizable Navy was based here at Toluse. 24 line-of-battle ships, the most powerful in the Rosferia Navy, rode at anchor or were berthed at one of the numerous docks that jutted out from the city like long fingers reaching out in to the crystal blue waters. Boneparte knew that Rosferia had 86 line-of-battle ships at it's command, and 24 of them, about a quarter of that fleet, called this port city their home.

The meerkat's stomach was grumbling as he slung his traveling bag over his shoulder. The needs of the body had to be met first and foremost, and the young Lieutenant decided to look for any waterfront cafes or bistros that he could grab a quick breakfast at before boarding the stagecoach up to Cosnair. The journey and road would be long....quite long....and it would be some time before he could arrive in the Rosferian capital and begin the work of clearing his name.

Trudging along the waterfront streets and away from the docks, his nostrils were truly offended by the scents of city life in Rosferia. He truly despised this place....wholesomely and fully despised it. Everything about it made him want to gag. There was nothing pleasant about it at all...nothing.

Spying a nice outdoor restaurant that looked like it would be perfect for what he had in mind, the meerkat began to wander his way through the tables and potted trees, trying to pick out one of the tables on the terrace that would afford him a good view of the water. If he didn't have to look at this city then he could at least get a view of the Cobalt Sea.

Taking a seat right up next to the iron railing, he looked down at the expanse of blue ocean below him. Toluse had several military advantages to it that a learned beast like him could immediately ascertain. One was the raised topography. A central hill dominated the town and would allow for good control of the harbor by any land force stationed here. Looking up when the server came over to him, Boneparte placed an order for a coffee and some scrambled eggs. Best eat heartily before his journey...provided he could even get a ticket for today. It might already be booked.

As the server left, his eyes wandered over to the table in front of him, also along the wrought iron railing. He felt his throat close up though and his adrenaline suddenly surge as he rested his eyes upon probably the single most gorgeous and exotic female meerkat he had ever seen. It was impossible to find words for how exquisite she looked......and he immediately froze in his chair, turned to stone on the spot. Whoever she was...she was clearly a noble, an aristocrat of some sort. Soft, gray fur that seemed to indicate she had never truly lost her adolescent coat, full, slanted eyes with tender, long lashes that seemed to wave a bit in the wind.

And then of course, her high cheekbones that filled her face out and gave it a distinguished, dignified look. The rest of her was blocked a bit by the table, but Boneparte could tell that she filled her dress rather nicely. It was as if time stopped for him. Who was she? What was she doing here? Was she single? Her table was devoid of any other life at the moment, and she was alone. Who....who was she?!

Feeling drawn by her natural beauty, the meerkat nearly pushed his chair back and stood up, but stopped himself. It wasn't because he didn't want to meet her....he most definitely did....but he was also naturally cautious of females. Females, as far as he knew, could twist and toy with a male's emotions, wringing it about their fingers or tails until the male was a virtual slave, and the experiences with his high pawed and domineering mother just made him distrust them all the more.

His mother would smack him around for the simplest of offenses, and consequently Boneparte's mother had come to replace love with respect in her household, and it had left the young male nervous and timid about members of the opposite sex.

Suddenly aware that she might think him rude for staring, he rapidly averted his eyes and pretended to look out to sea as his coffee was brought to him. Thanking the server, he began taking controlled, almost robotic sips. Just act natural Boneparte....just act natural.....he slowly glanced up at the unknown female again to see how she was reacting.

[jaydjasmyn]

~Valeata

The female meerkat was a rather short femme, standing at a height of four foot-eight inches but her twin sister was even shorter, which was fine by Val since she was the much more bold and assertive one. She liked to flirt, she liked to tease males until they could stand it no longer and right now that gift would come in handy for her since she needed to find a male to marry but not just any male, a rich male. Val knew that her timid sister would have a hard time accomplishing this mission and so Val took it upon herself to make a solemn vow. She would find a mate so that her entire family would be rescued!

Her silver eyes scanned the area for potential candidates as her black pearl polished nails softly drummed on the table. It was a perfect day for a lunch served outside. There was a slight wind and upon it was carried many scents. Val could even smell the aroma of certain male's cologne as they walked by. Indeed it gave her chills to think that one of them could be her future mate.

Oh yes she liked male hunting but she also looked for the most handsome males more and tried her paw at them. She was determined to 'not' be stuck with an old fart that was just about to kick the bucket. Val had needs, strong needs and desires that needed to be satisfied. And so if she had to do this then she would do it on her terms. If she found no available males here then she would move on to another area.

Val took a deep breath and then sipped her coffee. Her grace was unmatched by another. Everything about her was like a delicate piece of china. She moved like a swan upon a glassy lake. Every turn and sway was pure magic and likely turned many heads. But so far she hasn't been that lucky. All that she's gotten for her efforts was a few dinners and a few nasty propositions. Val would not have a potty mouth for a husband.

Today Val wore a fine laced lilac summer dress, simple but elegant and of course it accentuated every part of her hourglass shape, including the top half, the part that the male gender seems to like to look at the most. One could see how good she looked as she stood quickly, thinking that she had just seen her sister, being courted around by a male meerkat... Impossible! Slowly she sat back down as her arms gracefully arched so that she could tie up her long wavy dark gray hair up and into a soft bun, sprays of hair still dancing over her stunning features as the wind blew gently. It was then that she noted a rather handsome looking male... sitting right in front of her. How had she not noticed him before?

[Ladorak]

Boneparte froze under her gaze. Oh drat....she'd seen him! He quickly shifted his eyes downward....back to his coffee...but not for long. The female drew him....as if she had some sort of strange magnetism about her. Raising his eyes up briefly, he gave her a weak smile and then pretended once again to look out to sea.

His head was swimming as he tried desperately to determine how many guns each line-of-battle ship had that was in port. OK...there was a monstrous 120 gun vessel, one of those Ocean class warships. Commerce of Marsai was her name. Hmmm...not a very fearsome sounding vessel...but she would pound most any ship out there save for a few in Ferlusan into oblivion. She was not a ship to be messed with. And then...there were some 80 gun vessels. Thundering was the name of one....but oh his mind was wandering...he was finding it so hard to focus on the warships.

Invariably, he decided to steal another glance over at that gorgeous female's table. Deciding that it was stupid to live in wondering about her, he decided to take a chance....it...couldn't...hurt.....right?

Pushing his chair back and standing up, he picked his cup of coffee up and strode across the way to her table. "Ahem...I'm terribly sorry Miss but....is this seat taken by any chance?" he asked, indicating the seat across from her when he tapped it with a long claw. His gray eyes searched her for answers....hoping beyond hope that she would say no...but also sort of wanting her to say yes to so that he could just excuse himself back to his own table and eat his eggs when they arrived. No sense getting his hopes up....but his curiosity was aroused now, and he wanted to find out just why a female meerkat as beautiful as herself was sitting alone....and other things like what her name was and what was she doing in Toluse.

He stood there rather stiff, not daring to move a muscle until she spoke.

[jaydjasmyn]

~Valeata
Val had heard that creatures have experienced moments in time that seemed to last for eternity but she never believed that until now. At this very moment, when her silver eyes connected with his, she was trapped in that experience, that moment in time. Everything else disappeared that was happening or even existed around her. Her world consisted of only him. But for Val and her present situation only one kind of beast would be what she was looking for, a rich one, regardless of what her heart told her. She had to fight what her desire was and force herself to do what was best for her family. Still though there was no harm in sampling what was out there and if she didn't get to know him she would never find out if he was well off or not. He did have nice clothing on and he was eating in a nice establishment... perhaps he was rich. Damn money any how!

By the time that Val made the decision to encourage him some more with his eyes he had already looked down at his coffee. Oh well. The femme just assumed that his lack of attention was just fate giving her an answer to her inward questions about him. But wait! He looked back up at her and now was walking over to her!

Val needed a second or two to think but she didn't have that much time. When he asked if the seat was taken the only thing that she could think of to say was no. Who was she kidding? As soon as she finally noticed him she felt an attraction to him. Besides it didn't have to be anything but a fling.... Right?

Her plump lips moved but her ears only heard her own voice as an echo. "No... It's not taken. Feel free to sit if you so desire to.". Her eyes spoke so many things and so many questions raged through her thoughts.

[Ladorak]

It was with great relief that she said no...but then he realized he'd only created more problems for himself. Well...what should he do now? Take a seat? But he couldn't possibly......not under this beautiful female's gaze. He almost turned around then and there.....but knew that he'd placed himself on the spot.

"....Thank you..." he said, after a moment's pause. Dropping down into the chair, he set his cup across from her own, looking up before averting his eyes and then finally bringing them back to her again. He felt unbelievably fidgety, but didn't let it show. He was dressed not in his Lieutenant's uniform, as he didn't need it at the moment. It would be a long journey up to Cosnair, and he had instead dressed in plainclothes. He was moderately well dressed, and his clothes did denote money. He wasn't astoundingly wealthy, but he could live comfortably for years now, perhaps even a decade or two before ever having to worry about expenses again.

He felt so....helpless under her gaze. She could make him squirm and he could never truly say that about a female before. Sitting directly across from her revealed even more of her attractive form to him, and he found that powerful magnetic force pulling on him again. What was it about her? She was.....a goddess was the only thing that Boneparte could think of to describe her. It was a real battle his emotions were waging right now. Logic wanted to overcome passion, and he wasn't sure which one would come out on top.

"Sorry....my ship just came in and I have a long journey back to Cosnair. Decided to grab a bit to eat before seeing about stagecoach tickets." he cleared his throat as plate of scrambled eggs and toast was placed before him, the server having noticed his shift in position. "I didn't meant to interrupt you in case you were doing something." he said, picking up his fork and digging in. "I.....well I was just...you know....watching some of the warships out in the harbor and...saw you and thought...well.....I....I'm sorry." he said quickly, stumbling over his own words. "It's Lantzer....Lieutenant Boneparte Lantzer, of the Rosferian Artillery....or at least I was." he mumbled, remembering the reason why he'd come here. "Formerly stationed up with the 4th Regiment, but I've been on leave for quite a bit." he explained.

This might be good news for her, as only aristocrats could become officers in the Rosferian military, though unfortunately for her, the Lantzers were nobles in Personza only, and that by default made them the bottom scrapings of the Rosferian nobility. "And....if I may have your ladyship's name?" he asked her now, blushing a bit under his fur as he tried it pass it off to the heat of the eggs he shortly placed in his mouth. "Mmm...hot." he said, smiling nervously as he feigned the temperature of the food. They were hot....but not hot enough to cause his face to flush like that.

He realized he had been talking a bit too much, and so had stopped to get her name. After all......it wasn't like she cared about who he was. He was far more curious about her after all, and ironically enough, little did he know that she would be interested in finding out about him as well. Taking another forkful of eggs into his mouth, he listened to her patiently as he chewed.

[jaydjasmyn]

~Val

Val was amused by his mannerism. She had many males fall all over her and yes perhaps she did let it go to her head a bit. Her sister on the other paw was not like her at all. Val had the gift of sensual presence and she wasn't afraid to use it. With this male kat she would turn up the burner, even if she wasn't sure if he was worth it or not. In other words... rich.

Inwardly the female had already decided that if she was to marry a male that she wasn't in love with she would get her spirit out now and take advantage of every good looking male that came along. Bone would be no different. "My name is Valeata Mist. It's nice to meet you Lieutenant Boneparte Lantzer. How long do you think that your wait will be for your stagecoach?" She had many reasons for asking this.

In the meantime though her food had also been served to her. She ordered the works. Val had an huge appetite, which matched her lust for the male gender, even though she was innocent, but had not an ounce of fat on her body to show for it. While she waited for his response she ate her food. And oh yes she was quite the lady but very intoxicating to watch while she ate.

[Ladorak]

"Valeata Mist you say?" he said in response to her introduction. He turned over titles of nobility in his mind, trying to come up with one that matched her description...but alas he could find none. It was no small coincidence that neither of them were native Rosferians. "Hmm...." he said, thinking now. What.....did she want to know how long it would take him to get on the stagecoach for?

Suspicions flared up in his mind.....but he quickly dismissed them. No....best not to be paranoid. He didn't know her reasons for asking after all. "I suppose it would depend. The stagecoach generally leaves at 5 if I recall, and its only 10 right now. A bit early in the morning admittedly to be traveling, but I have rather...urgent business I must see to in Cosnair. I intend to head to the station after breakfast and purchase my tickets there." he informed her. It almost pained him to say that. He wasn't sure why.....it was probably because he just found her so desirous to be around....but she was aloof and mysterious as well...her dialogue consisting of very guarded conversation so far.

"If I may ask you though...." he said, looking from her to his eggs and then out to the harbor before shifting his gaze back to this gray furred angel in front of him. "What brings you to Toluse Miss Mist? Or...do you live here? I've passed through this city many times, going from stagecoach to ship or vice versa, but I don't ever recall once having seen you." he gave her a small smile, wanting to ask her so much more.

He realized he was blushing again, and began to shovel some more of his eggs into his mouth, wanting to hurry up and finish, but also longing to stay and hear her speak as long as was necessary to learn all about her.

[jaydjasmyn]

Val was playing the cute game that she was use to playing. No harm no foul..... right? The femme didn't realize that the male had a great distrust for the female gender. But still he seemed in good enough spirits to be teased a bit more. Still though he deserved an explanation even if it wasn't the entire truth. "My family sent my sister and I ahead of them. We lost our plantation and so we are in search of a new place to dwell." Well it was partly the truth.

Val then looked up at him. Her smile was as bright as the sun and as fresh as an early morning mist. To be truthful she was also saddened by the thought of his departure. He was refreshingly different to say the least. "Please call me Valeata or Val. There's no need to use such titles here." Again she smiled warmly and then continued. "I'm assuming that you are not married then? What about family? Are you here visiting relatives?" Finally she finished her meal and then pushed the plate away. When the waitress returned Val ordered a tall glass of red wine.

[Ladorak]

Plantation? Wait....was she from one of those islands out in the Western Mandates then? Did that make her a Creole? A colonial from the motherland born on one of the islands out there? Huh...maybe that's why he had never seen her before. But for a Creole....she was just so....beautiful! And that smile....it was melting his heart and making him wish like mad that he didn't have to leave today.

"Huh?" he asked, caught off guard by her question. So many questions at once.....married?! No! He wasn't married! "Oh...no, no!" he exclaimed quickly. "I'm not married...of course not." He uttered a nervous chuckle. "As for family no....I have an older brother off in Calgary studying to become a lawyer, and aside from my 14 year old sister who actually is here on the mainland, all of my other siblings, there are 7 in all, are back on Personza with my mother. Elisa, my sister who's in Rosferia right now, is off in St. Cyr, that finishing school for females up in the mountains....but no..." he shook his head, offering another meek smile. "I'm not here to visit her."

To Val, it must have seemed that Boneparte's family was quite rich. To have one child an officer in the Military meant that Boneparte had gone to an Academy, something that was impossible for poor families. But to have THREE children in THREE different schools well...it announced a family of incredible wealth. To have one in law school and another in a finishing school for females was exceptional for a family, much less Boneparte's own education a military academy. That was something that only about 10% of all families in Rosferia could afford....but if only Val knew the circumstances behind this...for they were very deceptive. In reality, the only reason ANY of the Lantzer children were off in school was because their late father had been close friends to the Royal court of Rosferia, and one of the Ministers in the court had called in a favor or two for the Lantzers, and that was why they were allowed to attend school all for practically no charge at all, something not even the nobles of Rosferia could claim they were entitled to.

In this day and age education was not free, and only the rich could afford to send their children to school, hence why it seemed, at least on the surface, that Boneparte's family was exceedingly wealthy. "No....I'm here to....well....I have some business with the Ministry of War in Cosnair....let's just say." He said, not wanting to embarrass himself in front of her by stating the real reason for his need to go to Cosnair. If he told her that he had to clear his name because he was being accused of deserting his post and duties well...she might laugh him off and decide he wasn't worth talking to anymore.

"So yeah...it is rather urgent, and I have to get out there right away." he finished off his eggs, but didn't order a drink. It was too early for him, and he generally did not imbibe in alcohol. "Just out of curiosity...." he said, another question coming into his mind. "If you're looking for a place to live in Rosferia...have you actually settled on a place then?" he was anxious to get off to the station and purchase his tickets...but at the same time she was holding him quite spellbound with her grace and enchantingly mysterious nature. He still wasn't able to fully figure her out. He safely assumed she wasn't married either....but still...he wanted to be careful at what he was getting in to.

[jaydjasmyn]

He made his statement bold that he was not married. Val wondered why he made that point about himself so clear. Was it because he wasn't interested in meeting a female and settling down? Or was hia distrust of women that great? This caused Val to chuckle lightly because then she really longed to know why he even came over to tallk to 'her' then. It might remain a mystery.

Then he went on to fill her in about his family. Wow! Val was impressed. Maybe this male is a rich snob after all and he was worth her time.

But the subject always seemed to come back to her. It was sort of odd. Val shook her head and then sipped of her wine, that was just delivered to their table. It was never to early for her to start drinking. She did many bad things when not being watched by her parents. "Actually my sister is in Cosnair, where I just came from. Or at least I think that was its name. I get so confused with new places. You'll have to excuse me. I've been rather scatter brained lately. I have a lot on my mind." Bone had no idea the pressure she was under. She needed some major stress relief.

Her wine was more then half way gone already. "When did you say that you needed to depart?" Val wanted to mentally prepair herself to be sitting alone once more though she continued to flirt with the male that sat across from her.