“No one alive can always be an angel
When things go wrong I seem to be bad

I’m just a soul who’s intentions are good
Oh Lord, please, don’t let me be misunderstood”

Song written by Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell, and Sol Marcus

Adapted from Tweets dated 31st August 2014 by @Mlady_de_Winter, @Exquisite_Wren and @Musketeer_Athos 

Milady de Winter smirks with satisfaction at a job well done as she slinks into the shadows of the Streets of Paris

“No one touches my man!”

**********************************************************************************************************

I wake to a smoke filling bedroom and jump out of the bed to open the door to the house ablaze downstairs. I rush to the window, peering out and mentally access the situation, then cast an anxious look back to the sleeping Ninon and throw the strewn night gown across to her calling out to wake up as I rapidly dress and look anxiously around the room. Using my knife I hastily tear strips from the nearby drapes and throw them in the wash bowl pouring water over them. Throwing the rest of my uniform and weapons out the window I look back to her waking as smoke continues to fill the room. 

She wakes in a confused state, coughing uncontrollably from the effects from the dark cloud of smoke that fills and invades our room. Now Instinctively covering at her nose and mouth as she barely make out my form and reach for her night gown in haste as she throws it on and scream for my aid. 

“Athos! I’m frightened and I can’t breathe!” 

I rush to her side through the hazy swirls of smoke, dragging her to the window, both of us coughing and spluttering. I take her hand and I try to hide my concern. 

“…It’s too high to jump from here…” 

I look at her with deep disquiet. 

“…I need you to trust me like you’ve never trusted me before…” 

I give her a serious nod of my head asking for her understanding. 

She squeezes my hand, fearing the worst as she nods profusely, while swirls of engulfing smoke and fire threaten to tear us apart….nearing closer and closer smothering the lustre and fear in her eyes. 

“Please…just get us out of here” 

Squeezing out the strips of wet cloth I pass one to he while wrapping two around my knuckles. 

“…I’m going to carry you out…and I want you to just hold onto me and keep your eyes closed with this damp cloth over your mouth and nose” 

My stinging eyes burn down at her, 

“….just so you know….I’ve always loved you from the moment I met you…” 

I cough as smoke filling lungs start to burn, 

“….are you ready?”

 Overly anxious and spluttering out her cry,

“No….yes!” 

She trembles within my grasp, the chaos of overwhelming smoke constricting…crushing at her lungs, 

“…and I’ve always loved you too!” 

She brings the wet cloth to her pale and clammy features, prior to throwing her arms around my neck as she clings to my only hope…me! 

Gasping what clean air I can from the open window and vaguely aware of the street cluttering to the sound of buckets of water being passed along and ironically rain falling heavily…I scoop her up within my protective arms, holding her close to my chest as I start our dash into the fiery hell of the conflagration below. You seem to weigh nothing as the adrenalin surges through my body, pumping strength and courage as I open the door to face the wall of heat from the flames below. Crackling timbers glow alight and flames kick and dance around me as I run the well-trodden path down the stairs. Pressing the precious bundle I carry ever closer to me I skirt their torment, and parry their attacks but all the time their roasting aftermath sucks the living air out of me as I splutter my way through, kicking doors open and stumbling into room after room in this hell fire of a living nightmare. The blistering heat burns into my flesh but still I fight on seeking  that exit into the cooling airs of the Paris streets. 

Held so tightly by me…bound within the strength of my arms, her face buried against the safety of my neck, the roar of combusting flames that lick and fuse rapidly into a blazing, menacing entity that exudes the discharge of the emanate blinding life force at the egress of our escape. Her ears ringing, while fear unleashes terror at lightning speed within the course of her collapsing veins as she struggles to maintain my consciousness in her frail state. 

With the stalwart determination of a king’s Musketeer, defiant in the face of this blistering combustion, my unwavering spirit drives me to my physical limitations as I finally reach the entrance to collapse on my bended knees coughing as you are snatched from my arms by persons unknown to the safety of the rain soaked air of the Paris streets. 

Unaware of the receiving recipient’s arms, still gasping and struggling for breath as she is carried to safety, now drenched from the heavy rainfall in a fetal position, snatched from my heroic arms, my embrace. Her fragile life she owes to my bravery and skilled, unrelenting efforts. 

Aided by strangers I stagger outside. Exhausted, still coughing the fiery embers of our near deathly demise, I push them aside as I desperately seek her being. Seeing her bedraggled form so vulnerable, huddled so child-like in this pouring rain, rekindles that passion that burns so deep within me. Still pushing everyone aside I stumble over to her and in this torrential down pour, her gown now clinging magnificently to her shapely curves, I lift her once more into my loving embrace and kiss you ardently, for all my life is worth.

 Adapted from tweets dated 25th August 2014

Her breath lingers as she lies between the lonely sheets, awaiting the warmth of my caress and all that my athletic physique does possess. She rolls from her position on hearing my footsteps near her bedroom door. 

 A gentle sigh whispers the night’s secret tryst…a lovers’ bedroom retreat. 

She rests back against the pillows to greet my gaze… her heart always giving loving praise as she watches me pull my jacket from my form. Her eyes take in where her lips have adorned. She smiles slightly with purpose, watching as I unbuckle my belt, then as I slide down my breeches she leans forward to see where her inner warmth has felt. She gently reclines back against the pillows with a saintly smile and her heart…it melts. 

“Good evening,” 

 She smoothes a hand down the covers as her eyes alight for no other. 

“Are you coming to bed…?” 

 I watch your eyes as I peel off my clothing, a warm inner smile pervading my subdued expression. I nod a relaxed confirmation as I tug the sheet free and roll onto my side as I join her under the sheet. 

“…Have you had a good day?” murmurs contentedly. 

My eyes again take in the softness of her features and the inner beauty that warms my heart. I push away a stray lock of her hair as I smile with loving fulfilment into her innocent eyes. 

Uncertainty benumbs her smile, slowly moving back from where my hand stroked down that lone ringlet of hair. Her eyes shift from mine in despair, where it came from she does not know but a single tear rolls down, a shard of ice grazing her cheek. She moves back further from my faltering smile, her heart not registering for it has been a while. She rolls from my form to face the wall. Alone in her darkness is where her features fall. 

I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly into the vacuous void between us. Heavy hearted eyes extinguish the light of hope as I roll back to face my own demons alone. 

“…Goodnight…” 

 She quietly sobs into her pillow, her tears unseen though they keep me awake and with no arms to hold her she shakes. She yearns to reach back now and pull me into her loving embrace now thinking through that coldness she so unthoughtfully displayed 

I stare blindly ahead…just not knowing what to do…numb!

Adapted from tweets between @Musketeer_Athos and @Exquisite_Wren 22nd August 2014

I sit at the edge of the bed running my fingers through my hair and sigh as I look across the open arms of an ocean of a bed that separates us. She’s there, next to me yet so far away. I lower my head and sigh again. Even the loneliness of shadows refuse to conceal the ripples between us, the sadness of the tide keeping our limbs, caress and hearts from each other’s reach. Touch we both long for, though the journey seems far and wide as she smoothes her hand gently across to mine in need of my affection, warmth and embrace. My love…she implores.

 I look over with my heavy lidded eyes trying to express words and feelings that are submerged and even drowning in a cataclysm of emotional foreboding. She looks so frail, so delicate. My heart wants to burst for the want of her as I take the proffered hand and rub my thumb across those slender lines. 

“I must get up and go to the garrison.” 

Her desolate eyes meet the grievance of mine as she slowly leans forward to pull the sheet from the tucked confines of our made bed, the distance between the gentle caress of our hands…now gone with a sigh of her own.  She rolls from the coldness of these sheets with her bare form and gently slides the fabric around her lines, shielding her heartache is what I will find as she stands concealed on her side of the bed. She then moves around towards me with the gentle lift of her head. Her features pained, her delicate cheeks stained with what was before as her feet reach mine and eye my boots that rest on the floor.

 “Let me help you dress” 

 She sweeps a hand that pressed against the covering sheet. 

“Sit back on the bed while I help you with your boots. It’s the least I can do.”

  She lays a gentle had to my cheek, our hearts so far apart, yet within inches of each other’s embrace. She restricts this distance that keep us at a distant mark.

 I lower my melancholy eyes to watch every minute detail and movement securing them in my mind to treasure these moments as if they were my last on earth. My hand yearns to reach out to touch and caress you but my inner darkness forbids all significant signs of affection. Yet within me beats the heart of man desperate to take her within my protective arms and crush down the most passionate of loving embraces….yet I sit motionless….just watching…just yearning …just falling apart, hidden from her eyes.

 With weary wings, her tender fingers clasp at the rim of my leather boots, oblivious to where my eyes layer down upon her features.  My eyes peel back the monochrome of the woman that bends down to dress me in my soldier’s detail. Her attempt at scooping up the shattered pieces of her soul, our love, my love and what was the passion that we knew.

  I stand before her, a mighty figure of leather shod masculinity oozing earthly testosterone, an Adonis of a true fighting man, yet crushed by the sheet wrapped siren before me and hungering for your love.

  “I must go”

 My eyes plead for understanding. 

She trembles afresh at the sight before her, longing to feel replete, standing now at the window of my beseeching wearing her own armour, though her eyes grant grace when she nods and leans forward bestowing a gentle kiss to my cheek.

 I nod a curt thank you, forcing a polite smile to brave itself across my face, turns and strides out the room without looking back. 

Purpose driven I can only focus on the day ahead. 

Based on tweets between @Musketeer_Athos and @Exquisite_Wren  on 14th August 2014

It’s a windy day in Paris and memories are stirred of childhood play. A smile graces my face as I take a risk and send a message to her requesting she join me in an open park near the palace. I wait nervously unsure whether she will come. 

She glides toward me as if on the wings of a delicate butterfly, her smile as generous as the rays of the sun that shines down upon us. Exuding and projecting her self-assurance, when approaching me she extends  out her hand and nods a kind greeting, smiling into my eyes. 

“Athos. It is so good to see you again “

 She tilts her head slightly, 

“I really must thank you for inviting me here today.” 

She takes a moment to absorb my striking features and smiles once more. 

Relief sweeps over me and a mellow smile creeps across my face as the wind gusts around us 

“…I want to share something with you…” 

I take your hand and an ember of happiness starts to ignite. 

“…something I haven’t done for a long time.” 

She sweeps her tresses from her features as her eyes alight with curiosity and she gently entwines her fingers with mine, 

“Do tell. I’m curious now” 

She enjoys the close proximity as she lightly smooth her thumb across my grasp reassuringly. Her smile remains as she searches my eyes, radiating a confidence and willingness to engage in conversation with me. 

I feel content with your compliance and my, eyes burn down a rekindled magnetic energy as the lively gusts of winds sweep between invigorating my resolve. I lead you to my horse. 

“This is what I want to share with you.” 

I unravel string, parchment and a wooden cross…a magnificent hastily crafted kite and I smile with an enigmatic air. 

“Perfect weather!.” 

I await your response. 

The leaves on the ground gently toss and dance between us as she studies the kite within my grasp, before lifting her eyes back into mine. 

“I most certainly agree” 

She shifts her gaze and smiles at our surroundings, only to push her loose tendrils from her features once more. 

“May I?” 

She slowly proffers her hands out to me while her eyes revive in where our feelings lie. Love sparks emitting true from the beat of our hearts. 

I place the kite in her hands, 

“You fly it…and when the time is right I want you to cut it free… “ 

My cryptic words cut across my sceptical brow.

She looks into my eyes for what seems an eternity, before positioning her back to the wind, then she holds up  the kite to catch the perfect gust of wind, before she  slowly glances back over her shoulder to address me, 

“Will you stand with me? I would like to do this…together…”

 Her eyes beseech my own. 

My enigmatic smile returns and standing behind her I gently place my hands on her waist, the wind sending wafts of her rose scented hair, to stir memories of emotional warmth, encouraging me to nestle my chin on her shoulder. My gentle laughter sears softly against her ear as I watch the kite rise magnificently in the air displaying the message that I cannot say…

“Je suis desole!”

She sees the written words fluttering upon the kite and reads those heartfelt words I cannot repeat while I stand cheek against hers watching the words dancing boldly in the sky. Together we watch my words toying with the wind, begging for release before turning her head to face me she smiles with a forgiving grace. 

“May I borrow your knife please?” 

I pass her my knife and whisper against her ear. 

“Only cut it free if you forgive me…” 

She closes her eyes with a deep breath taken, feels the give of the string. The hold, this burden…she cuts free, allowing the kite to soar into the sky as she unsheathes her eyes, leaving all the sadness behind to watch it take flight and smile her final good bye to a precious gift made by our love, our ties. 

I snake my arms around her waist pressing my cheek next to hers again watching our troubles fly away into the gusty skies above and whispers against your ear. 

“Let’s go home shall we?”  

She nods as she presses back into me and smooth her hands along my arms with a smile of contentment…

 “Yes. Let’s.”

Poem and picture courtesy of @karentompkins7

Adapted from tweets between @Exquisite_Wren and @Musketeer_Athos  13/08/2014

I stride purposefully through the streets of Paris having completed a task for Captain Treville and I am caught totally unguarded as I turn a corner and come face to face with….her!

My heart misses a beat as a smile instantly appears only to be forced back from whence it came…the darkness of my grieving soul.

She inhales discreetly as she clasps her delicate hands before her, placing them upon her gown, presenting a brief but pleasant smile, only to be reminded of the ache that constricts her soul… their shared loss, a life they knew not now absent in this space that is cold

I stare into her eyes directly and gives a brief nod being a man of few words he seems even more at a loss, as a confusion of emotions fight to say words that never seem to surface. The few words that escape are wrapped in my warm liquid chocolate voice.

“You are well?”

She unceremoniously lowers her eyes as her resolve evaporates and softens her  features, thoroughly thinking through her statement, while she  holds back threatening tears that have had no time to fall,

“I must admit that I…have had better days And you?”

She raises my chin slightly, though glancing elsewhere

I feel crest fallen, assuming her negativity to be a personal slight,

“…I am…keeping busy…”

My eyes implore a meeting so burn down into her face awaiting her glance back into my direction.

She becomes aware of my sight’s silent request and slowly meets my gaze in awkward silence with eyes that say everything and says nothing

With my’ eyes search down into hers for answers or reasons, begging for a word of warmth or even hope.. then the awkwardness of the situation crashes home… but I take a chance and ventures to give a reason for hope.

“….I would deem it a personal favour…if I could call on you some time…”

.I still  search your eyes for a response and continue;

“..a time of your choosing, of course.”

My manner, stiff, formal but very wanting.

She checks any of her self-consciousness before warming to my words, conjuring both humility and strength from deep down within her  broken soul with a slight smile of acceptance.

” I’d like that…very much”

She smiles even more, crystalline eyes shields my pain, disguising what her heart and mind truly endures.

I nod a relieved thank you, with a small twitch of the mouth, the basis of a smile,

“I’ll await your instructions…”

I tips my hat and move to continue on my way…wondering now how to say those other difficult words on our next meeting…

She gracefully glances back over her shoulder briefly and smiles to herself, watching me move away.

With a deep breath taken, she glides the remainder of the way back to her residence. On reaching the front door and turning at the handle… all her angst and her heart ache returns… flooding and crushing her perfect world. She pushes through the door in the company of one and falls to her knees with the release of those long awaited tears that did not fall.

Clutching at her forehead as she cries away pain that suppressed the sensation…of her knees that crashed to the floor

@Exquisite_Wren’s tweets from August 13th

I go about my daily routine with the occasional glance towards the front door, having not met with him in days.

The unkindness of my guilt continues to sweep me away, like a stone cast into the stillness of a quiet pool of water, the concentric ripples of despair deluge out in all directions, leaving me seemingly empty.

A budding seed, not yet with the flourish of petals, passed into the dark of night.

Our night, our child, our entwined love, now gone.

The dried up remains engulf me with grief. How I handle that now I pray won’t contradict my beliefs. This veil I must lift and breathe from beneath this burden that suffocates me

Taken from Tweets between @Musketeer_Athos and @Exquisite_Wren 30/07/2014

Paces anxiously outside her room as the physician attends to my broken song bird. Guilt and self loathing spike at my conscience.

She in an acutely restless state, found lying back in the bed where her battered form lays weak. She calls out in barely a incoherent, delirious whisper, hardly able to raise her head as the  lines of her surroundings regain from the blur that veiled her sight of all light.

“Athos… Athos… Where are you?”

Unaware of your calls  I sit with head in hands lost in a miasma of darkest, tortuous anguish.  I look up as the door jars opens, my heart missing a beat, unsure if the sight of the physician heralds good or bad news. With a pounding heart and stomach churning he speaks low voiced with his verdict. My face drains ashen white and I nod. Entering the room I see your sallow pallidity strewn before me.

She  attempts to sit upright and fails miserably. Her vessels flesh has the sensation of antiquated spasms, an emptiness of configuration, the feeling that something is gone. Her mouth is dry, her soul it weeps. But why? And now she see my face, along in it’s colourless state, my features left in this sadness…forlorne

I try to smile into her pale features as I move a stray lock from her forehead. I take her limp hand, rubbing it gently with my thumb as my eyes start to pool with grief.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

She struggles as she squeezes my hand, lying here as if sinking in sand, slowly she lifts her eyes in question from the look that falls from my inner sanction.

“Athos..what are you saying? I don’t know what you mean.”

She slightly shakes her head,

“Sit with me.”

Slowly and weakly she brings our embraced love of hands above her desolate body, resting them there where vacancy lies and my forced smile only broadens her heart’s cries.

I interlace my fingers with hers giving reassurance as my glazed eyes travel down her limp and broken body. I swallows hard, simultaneously squeezing our fingers together.

“…You’ve lost our child…”

A single tear trails its lonely journey down my flesh to soak its misery in the dark forest of my shadowed bristled cheeks.

She closes her eyes, sheathing behind her shocking grief, when allowing her head to fall to the side, silence befalls her and she slides up the sheet, to shield what is left of my features my saddened gaze meet. Guilt engulfs her, leaving her fatigued, empty, never thinking this would happen to the life…of her

“I want to be alone… ”

No tears come, no tears fall, encasing this heartache where ever her soul takes it, or was it ever there at all

Locked out by you from sharing our grief, I know no where to go for mine. Nature’s strength not aiding me nor social convention supporting me I bury this despair within the ever melancholic cauldron of my dysfunctional emotional turmoil. Slowly slipping my fingers from yours, I rise with a heavy heart to leave you, as requested, with no answer but to seek my release and solace from the bottom of a glass.