[stylist] For One night-story

[Alyssa Frierson]

Hi, Tessa.
Thanks for sharing your story. You did a good job with it and held my
interest throughout as well. I agree with Donna; I also found some
small editing issues in addition to what she pointed out.
I think you mean "of" instead of "on" here:
The man had always been proud on how good of an actor he had become over the
years.
You might want to consider rewording the part below where she
indicates the wine bottle, pours herself a glass of wine, and then
hands the bottle to him. When I first read it, I thought she was
pouring herself a glass and then handing that glass to him. I had to
read it a couple times before I knew exactly what you meant.
"Pour some wine," the governor indicated the bottle as she poured herself a
glass and handed it to a stunned Roger, "I am told it is the finest in the
land."
Again, you did a good job with this story. I especially liked the last
few sections and the surprise at the end; I wasn't expecting that at
all. Good job, and thanks for sharing!

Alyssa

On 4/13/13, Donna Hill <penatwork at epix.net> wrote:
> Hi Tessa,
> Good job. You held my interest throughout. I noticed a couple of little
> things things -- editing issues, really.
>
>
> This first one may be stylistic, though it seemed like a typo or incomplete
> edit when I first read it. I thought that "he quickly returning to Emma's
> side" should hbe either he quickly returned to Emma's side" or "quickly
> returning to Emma's side." I noticed later in the piece though, that you
> use
> similar phrases.
>
> Block quote
> Roger slowly put the tray down on a nearby table, he quickly returning to
> Emma's side.
> Block quote end
>
> I think you mean "further" in this next one, not "Farther." And, for the
> sake of clarity, you might want to put a comma after "food" and dashes
> before "not to mention ..."
> Block quote
> "Take my word," Emma replied as she served herself from the various dishes
> on the table that were all placed within her reach.  Since Roger or Leila
> her female servant were usually the only ones that gave her the food this
> action farther surprised Roger.  Not to mention the wine that the governor
> was consuming which was a far cry from her honey flavored tea she always
> had
> during the evening meal.
> Block quote end
> Donna
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> tfurban22 at gmail.com
> Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2013 1:07 PM
> To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
> Subject: [stylist] For One night-story
>
> Hi all,
>
> Below is a fanfiction I wrote, however I wanted to give my dad an example
> of
> my writing.  So, I changed the names and whatnot of the characters.  This
> was based on the characters from the musical Wicked.  Nessarose (who I
> renamed EmmaRose and Boq who I renamed Roger.)
>
> I hope you will enjoy this.  I copy and paste it because I wasn't sure
> about
> sending attachments and how the list would feel about that.
>
> Just a bit about the characters background: Emma Rose is the governor of a
> land and is in a wheelchair.  Roger is someone she went to school with and
> whom she fell in love with.  EmmaRose isn't a popular governor, enforcing
> strict laws on her people.  There is more to the plot but I don't want to
> give a lot away.
>
> This is just me having fun with the characters.  If anyone has questions or
> anything feel free to contact me.  I'm a bit nervous posting something to
> the list but I figure why not I'm sure it has to be done at some time
> lol..Not have to, but I bet people get curious.  At least, I know I am
> about
> all of your writings.
>
>
>
> --..--.---..--
>
> Title: For One Night
>
> Author: Tessa Urban
>
> Written: 01/01/2011
>
> ..----..-----..-
>
>
>
> The night was beautiful.
>
>
>
> Twinkling stars lit up the evening sky and a soft wind blew through the
> land.  Gentle snowflakes fluttered to the smooth white earth below the
> trees.
>
>
>
> EmmaRose sat in her parlor, gazing at the serene scene that was before her.
> It was the eve before the New Year and the winter could not have been more
> breathtaking than it was at that moment.  The governor leaned back in her
> chair, her eyes moving towards the doorway of the room.  She had asked
> Roger
> to meet her here at half past six and it was nearing that time.  Her hands
> nervously smoothed any wrinkles out of her cerulean colored gown and she
> wheeled herself over towards the mirror in order to better survey her
> appearance.
>
> Not that it would make a difference.
>
> EmmaRose knew that it was neither the chair nor her station in life that
> Roger did not return her feelings of love and devotion.  It was not the
> fact
> she could not walk nor be a normal housewife that turned Roger's heart away
> from her.
>
> For she knew she never had it to begin with.
>
> Nevertheless, she had instructed her female servant to wash and iron her
> finest gown, lace her as tight as possible in her corset, fix her auburn
> hair and give her face an alabaster glow that would rival the virgin snow
> on
> the ground when hit by the sun.
>
> 'Why am I doing this?'
>
> Emma mused as she glanced down at her feet.  The shoes were nothing
> special,
> certainly not the jeweled ones that her father had given her but they would
> do for the night's event.  Emma straightened as best she could as she
> tucked
> a piece of her hair behind an ear.  She had decided to wear it half up and
> half down, the tresses framing her pale face and smoothing over her
> shoulders.
>
> So engrossed in looking at herself she jumped as she heard the chime of the
> hallway clock signal that it was now half past six.  Emma breathed as best
> she could as she heard Roger's footsteps from down the hall.  After
> glancing
> at herself once more, the governor turned towards the doorway and the start
> of their final night together.
>
> --..--..--.---.---.---..-
>
> The man had always been proud on how good of an actor he had become over
> the
> years.
>
> He knew his script like the pages of his favorite childhood book, and his
> days with her were always routine to the point where his responses,
> movements and reactions were all automatic.  It was as if he had gotten to
> the point that he could switch off his emotions in dealing with the
> governor
> so that the only one left was loathing.
>
> At least that was what he convinced himself that exhilarating feeling was
> every time he had to be near her.  A small part of him did care for her,
> yet
> that same part knew that it was the pregovernor Emma that he longed for.
> Though he could never admit to himself that he loved her, a genuine feeling
> of warmth he had once felt for certain.
>
> However, when he walked in to the parlor that evening he was not expecting
> the sight that greeted his eyes.  He blinked before composing himself,
> straightening out the collar of his brown servant's uniform before
> speaking.
>
>
> "You requested that I meet you here Madame?"
>
> His tone sounded colder than usual to his ears; however he could contribute
> that to the low fire that burned in the fireplace across the room.
>
> "Roger," she began as he moved towards her wheelchair, "Please, call me
> Emma."
>
> "Of course," he replied as he took hold of the chair's handles, "Shall we
> go
> to the dining room Madame?"
>
> "Roger," Emma's hands went to the wheels of her chair affectively halting
> it
> as she swiftly turned, her hair nearly moving against his face as her sharp
> voice said his name, "Call me Emma.  For this one night please call me
> Emma.
> I will explain more once we enter the dining room."
>
> "Yes, Madame," was his cold reply as the governor released her hold and the
> two of them started moving again.  The visible flinch that went through
> Emma
> at his tone not going unnoticed by the servant.
>
> 'He didn't even comment.'
>
> She thought as Roger slowly pushed her down the hall.  Emma had expected
> something, a look or something simple however it did not come to pass.
>
> 'You did not complement her.'
>
> The man contemplated as they neared the dining room.
>
> 'Is it truly that difficult in giving a nice word to her?'
>
> Roger sighed as he glanced down at his feet clearly annoyed at the part of
> him that often tried to resurface when EmmaRose was concerned.
>
> The place in his mind that would not leave him well enough alone.
> Especially when she looked so beautiful and wonderful in that gown.
> Although he had only briefly looked at her, it was clearly in his memory
> and
> it disturbed him a great deal.
>
> Roger moved her chair through the door with ease as he situated the
> governor
> at the large table.
>
> "I will go and get your tea," Roger said as he disappeared through the
> doorway before the woman had a chance to object.
>
> 'Does a slave complement a mistress?'
>
> Roger thought as the silence was only broken by his footfalls returning
> towards the room as he carried a tray with the Governor's tea.  The
> manservant was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he failed to notice all
> the other objects on the neatly organized table that he froze in movement
> as
> he gazed around the room.
>
> For it seemed to the young man that a wrench of some sort had been thrown
> in
> his daily routine.
>
> This was not part of the script at all, not something that he had been
> expecting.  For the first time in the candle light of the dining room,
> Roger
> clearly looked at Emma and his surroundings.  Various dishes of food were
> neatly situated on the table, more candles were lit than was usual and to
> his amazement instead of her normal tea a glass of wine sat firmly in the
> governor's place.
>
> Roger slowly put the tray down on a nearby table, he quickly returning to
> Emma's side.
>
> "Roger, would you please sit down?"
>
> Her voice was soft, a light yet sad smile graced her face as Roger walked
> around to the other side of the table and sat where his place setting had
> been put.
>
> "What is going on?"
>
> "Pour some wine," the governor indicated the bottle as she poured herself a
> glass and handed it to a stunned Roger, "I am told it is the finest in the
> land."
>
> "I see," the man replied as he poured a lesser amount than Emma had in her
> glass, "What is the meaning of all this?"
>
> "You will find out my reasoning tomorrow," Emma replied as she sipped her
> wine, "I have the first day of the new year all planned out.  The only
> thing
> I planned about this night was the dinner."
>
> "What is happening?  What has gotten in to you?"
>
> This matter of fact tone she was using was starting to build a feeling of
> dread in the pit of his stomach.  Instead of sounding like the woman she
> was
> when the two of them were alone, she was sounding like she was conducting a
> business meeting.  She had an air of finality about her and this greatly
> worried Roger.
>
> "Are you making new laws against the Mubite people?"
>
> "Yes," Emma replied as she smiled, "They will begin tomorrow-"
>
> "That is what this is all about?  What the bloody hell is left for you to
> take away from us?!  We don't have many rights to start thanks to you and
> your father-"
>
> "Shut up!" Emma screamed as her voice echoed around them.
>
> "Listen to me!  Please Roger, please don't leave.  You have my word that if
> you stay it will be worth your while."
>
> That last statement stopped the man from rising from the table completely.
>
> "What do you want?" He inquired his voice thick with venom as he surveyed
> her.
>
> EmmaRose sighed.  This was not going how she thought it would go.  However,
> if she mused upon it long enough the governor truly didn't know what to
> expect from the man she so passionately loved.  A man that she had so
> methodically controlled by oppressing his own people in order to have by
> her
> side.
>
> "I want you," she said quietly as she picked up her glass and downed the
> wine in a swift motion, "I want you to make me feel like I am the only girl
> in the world."
>
> A pause was heard as Roger took her words in before saying, "What?"
>
> "Roger," Emma said as she refilled her wine glass, "Do you truly think I am
> stupid?  Do you really think that I am so naive that I believe that you
> love
> me?  That you actually want to be here with me?  That all the Mubites think
> I'm wonderful just like the king and that we are so happy?  That you enjoy
> our time together?"
>
> A moment of silence was heard as Roger gasped, "What?-"
>
> Panic was slowly seizing him as he took in her words and cold stare from
> across the table.
>
> "That is why I want you to put on your best show ever.  Make me feel like
> I'm the only girl that you will ever love, make me feel like I know you,
> like you want me, make me feel like I am the one that has your heart."
>
> Dumbfounded, Roger stared at the governor as she sipped her wine, pointing
> out the various dishes of food with the other hand as she spoke quickly
> changing the subject.
>
> Had he truly under estimated her?  This sweet girl that he had taken to the
> Gold Dust ball so few years ago but yet they seemed like a lifetime to the
> young man.
>
> "Roger, Roger?  Are you listening?"
>
> "What is it Madame?-"
>
> "No," Emma sharply interrupted him, "I order you to call me EmmaRose or
> Emma
> for the rest of the evening."
>
> "You cannot order me in how I speak to you."
>
> "Do you trust me?"
>
> Her sudden change of subject was to say the least unnerving and it was
> Roger's turn to flinch at her words.
>
> "Do I trust you?  Are we being perfectly honest?"
>
> "I will take that as a no then."
>
> "I trust you a little," he said after a moment as his eyes fell on his
> dinner plate.
>
> "Good," Emma said as she fiddled with her silver wear, "I only need a
> little
> bit of trust.  You have my word that if you-"
>
> "How do I do that?" Roger asked a hint of annoyance to his voice.
>
> "Eat," Emma answered after a moment as she lifted a lid off of a bowl of
> food, "Eat and drink with me as if you want to be here.  Laugh, talk,
> relax,
> love and call me by my name.  I only ask this for one night.  It is New
> Year's eve after all and the new law will start tomorrow."
>
> "Why should I do this for you?"
>
> "Take my word," Emma replied as she served herself from the various dishes
> on the table that were all placed within her reach.  Since Roger or Leila
> her female servant were usually the only ones that gave her the food this
> action farther surprised Roger.  Not to mention the wine that the governor
> was consuming which was a far cry from her honey flavored tea she always
> had
> during the evening meal.
>
> "Alright," he slowly replied as he tasted the sweet wine, "Alright, I will
> try my best."
>
> "That is all I ask.  I promise I will never inquire of you again."
>
> Roger gave a short laugh, "I suppose that may not be true ma-Emma."
>
> The woman beamed from across the table from the use of her name as she
> placed a bite of food in her mouth.  The man watched her as she began to
> eat, he knowing that it was time for him to do as much.  Picking up a heavy
> dish filled with the main meal he spooned some out onto his plate.
>
> "This looks great," he said at his first attempt at trying to make a civil
> conversation with the woman that infuriated him so much.  He thought he had
> done well at concealing his true feelings by trying to seem cold and
> distant
> however Emma had seen right through it.
>
> Although he never voiced his hatred, she had felt it and a sense of guilt
> began to wash over him for he knew he had greatly under estimated her.  The
> nights he had sought her out if only to stave off the madness of being
> without a woman then he leaving her chamber after it had been quailed for
> some reason or another she had seen right through it.  She had known that
> his need for her had not been the love that she so desperately longed and
> craved from him.  The fact that she had known for God knew how long
> sickened
> yet angered him at the same time.
>
> For why had she kept him here with her if everything had been a farce?
>
> "Roger, did you hear what I said?"
>
> The man being questioned glanced up sharply as he met her gaze that
> suddenly
> became penetrative since this revelation.
>
> "I'm sorry Madame," he replied out of habit before clearing his throat,
> "I'm
> sorry EmmaRose, I got lost in thought."
>
> "It happens to me as well.  Quite a lot actually."
>
> "So I see," Roger muttered as he picked at his food.
>
> "So," Emma began as she smiled, "I heard that two of my advisors have
> decided to get married."
>
> That was how the majority of the dinner went, the two of them exchanging
> small talk about the people they knew or rumors they had heard.  They spoke
> of the recipe for the chicken that Leila had prepared and talked over the
> dessert that the governor had made herself.
>
> "I just asked Leila for the ingredients and she handed them to me," Emma
> said as Roger tasted the warm pie, "How is it?"
>
> The Mubite grinned after swallowing, "It is quite delicious.  I really like
> the apple chunks."
>
> Emma smiled, "I know.  I remember our picnics back at school."
>
> "Ah," Roger sighed, "Dear old school.  I will certainly never forget that
> place."
>
> "Nor will I," EmmaRose replied as a surprising comfortable silence fell
> between them.  Roger wasn't sure if it was the holiday or the wine but he
> was finding it easier to speak with Emma.  It wasn't coming out as forced
> as
> usual.  It was like some unnamed odd feeling had come over the couple as
> they ate and drank with one another.
>
> "How do you like the wine?"
>
> ---.---..---.---..-
>
> The night was still beautiful.
>
> The stars that had once twinkled in the sky were now replaced by a light
> fog
> that covered the land.  A grey mist shrouded the trees, grass and a thick
> layer of ice covered the small pond that Emma and Roger now gazed at from
> another window in the library.
>
> "I just think this story is brilliant," Emma remarked as she flipped the
> pages of the old book, "They were such a tragic romantic couple.  It is
> really sad the two families couldn't put aside their hatred in favor of
> love."
>
> "It is not so easy," Roger replied as he sipped his wine.  The servant
> loving the slight warmth and softening of his spirit as he gazed at her.
>
> "They can't forget all that has been done to them by such a family."
>
> The weight of his words remained unspoken, neither one wanting to voice how
> the story somewhat paralleled with their own sorted relationship.
>
> 'Why not choose love Roger?' a voice sounded in his mind to which the
> servant quieted with another drink.
>
> Emma sat in her chair, her eyes moving over towards the clock in the corner
> of the room.  The chime was almost at the ten o'clock hour as she turned
> her
> gaze back on Roger.
>
> "Tell me," he said his voice soft, "How can you ladies stand to wear those
> corsets?"
>
> Emma laughed as more of the alcohol was poured in to their glasses, "I
> don't
> know, we do it for you men."
>
> "You don't need to do it for me."
>
> Emma gave a light smile, "That is a very nice thing to say.  However, I am
> tired and the hour is growing late."
>
> "I suppose I should take you to your chamber then?" Roger inquired as he
> rather unsteadily got to his feet.
>
> Emma giggled, "If you insist, however do be careful."
>
> "Of course," he leaned down kissing the corner of her mouth, his lips
> lingering for a moment longer than was necessary before pulling back him
> tasting the sweet wine that she had been drinking.
>
> "I shall," he began as he started pushing the wheelchair towards the large
> oak doors, "I want you in bed safe and sound."
>
> "Damn it!" Emma shouted as her leg slammed against the doorframe.  She then
> tossed her wild hair back, laughing at Roger's attempt at an apologetic
> grin.
>
> "Why is your chamber so high up?" He inquired as he half walked, half
> stumbled to her room.
>
> "For God's sake, do you know where you're going?" Emma laughed as Roger
> enthusiastically nodded.
>
> "No worries my Rose," he said merrily as the alcohol took full affect, "We
> will arrive shortly.  Also, being with you is not so bad.  I mean it is not
> really my choice."
>
> Roger stopped as he leaned against a wall in the corridor, "But you, you
> look so beautiful."
>
> "You know," the woman started as she gazed at him, "I almost believe you."
>
> "No, truly believe me.  You are beautiful, sweet, desirable."
>
> His hand reached over the chair, fingering the neckline of the gown's
> bodice
> before continuing back towards her bedchamber.
>
> ---..---.---.---.-
>
> The night was breathtaking.
>
> Slivers of moonlight could be seen through the window of the governor's
> chamber, the heavy velvet curtains were hanging at such an angle that it
> let
> in the bit of moonlight that the fog didn't completely obscure.  Trees
> swayed in the breeze as the laughing couple finally entered the room.
>
> "I thank you ever sweetly for getting me here," she said as she bent down
> taking off her shoes, "I ever so appreciate it."
>
> "Not a problem," he whispered as he stumbled in front of her, lifting her
> chin in the palm of his hand as he began to deeply kiss her mouth.  Emma
> felt her world tilt to one side as his hands reached behind her form,
> unclasping the fine gown as it slipped from her shoulders.  It was then
> Roger's kisses drew towards that area, eliciting moans from the governor as
> his body leaned against her own, the corset quickly giving way to his
> surprising steady hands.  It was then she was only in her chemise when
> Roger
> bent and lifted her out of the chair and moved them both over to the large
> bed.  The couple's hands were intertwined as Roger's uniform joined the
> rest
> of her clothes on the floor and Emma sighed as she finally felt his skin on
> her own.
>
> "Goodness woman," he whispered breathlessly as he suckled on her neck, "I
> want you."
>
> "Then take me," she replied as her hands moved throughout his hair and her
> lips sought his own in the darkness.  Pale hands traced his back and
> shoulders as his fervent kisses moved over her skin.
>
> "I love you Roger," she breathed as he touched her, petting the inside of
> her thigh with his fingers as her body arched at his caress.
>
> "Say it," Emma pleaded as she gazed up at his half lidded eyes, "Lie to
> me."
>
>
> For she had not consumed enough to fully believe his lie however she was
> getting all of him tonight rather he realized it or not and she was fully
> going to take all she could from their last night.
>
> "My sweet," he said as he situated himself on top of her, "My Emm, my
> Rose."
>
>
> Tears one by one fell from her eyes as she gazed at the most sincere
> expression she had ever seen on his countenance, "Emma, I love you."
>
> It was then he slid down her body, exploring her curves his mind becoming
> so
> cloudy that he reveled in his accomplishment of telling her the truth.
>
> 'You should drink more often.' He thought as her hands moved down his back
> as she grasped his hips and pulled him forward on top of her once more.
>
> ---.---.---.--.--
>
> The morning was brilliant.
>
> Emma awoke with Roger's head nestled quite comfortably on her chest as she
> heard the faint chime strike seven times in the Great hall.  The governor
> sighed and stretched as the sweet memories from the night before flooded
> her
> mind with images that she felt so fortunate to have remembered so clearly
> given the amount of wine she had consumed.  She could still remember his
> touches on her skin and his mouth caressing every part of her until she was
> writhing in a drunken haze beneath his body.  She remembered the sincere
> gentle expression on his face and how he had told her he loved her so
> passionately that she had allowed herself to believe him for that one
> moment
> in time.
>
> This brought a smile to her face as she murmured to Roger's sleeping form,
> "You have done your part, now it is time to do mine."
>
> The governor slowly sat up in bed, moving so that she could pick up her
> chemise from the floor and slip it on over her head.  She wished she could
> look a bit more dignified, however desperate times had called for desperate
> measures.
>
> She was glad Roger was passed out from the alcohol as she with some
> difficulty was able to get in to her wheelchair and move over to her desk
> drawer where she was able to retrieve a piece of her official parchment.
> Emma swallowed hard as she unrolled the new law, smoothing it out on her
> lap
> before placing it next to her lover's head as he slept.
>
> Supporting herself with one hand she leant forward and kissed Roger's lips
> for the final time as she sat fully back in her chair and silently moved
> out
> of the room.
>
> The governor had no tears left to shed as she wheeled herself towards the
> top of the massive staircase that went several stories down to the polished
> marble floor below.  EmmaRose leaned on the banister for support as the
> dead
> weight of her legs thudded harshly against the heavy wood as she tried to
> sit on top of the railing.
>
> It was a strenuous effort on her part as she breathing hard sat on the
> balustrade, she trying not to slip off its glazed surface as the woman took
> a final look around.  Part of her wanted to get back in the wheelchair, go
> back to Roger's warm embrace and destroy all evidence of the law that would
> take effect as soon as he would read it.  However, she knew she couldn't
> turn back now, she knowing she couldn't live without him and by doing this
> she was not only freeing the Mubites but herself as well.
>
> "You have done your part," she repeated softly to no one in particular, "It
> is time I do mine."
>
> --.--.---.---.--..--.--
>
> The mubite hated hangovers.
>
> The man groaned as he heard the clock chime nine times before he stretched
> out a bare arm in order to wrap Emma in a final embrace before he would
> ready himself for another day.
>
> The man blinked in surprise as his arms came up empty and he yawned as he
> fully opened his eyes to a deserted silent room.
>
> "Madame governor?" he tentatively inquired as he swung his legs over the
> side of the bed and reached for his discarded garments on the floor.  He
> hurriedly put them on, peering outside the door that had been left ajar.
> Biting his lip in confusion, Roger noticed that her wheelchair was also
> missing from where he had left it the previous night.  His sleepy eyes
> moved
> over the bed once again, as if he couldn't believe that EmmaRose had left
> his side without waking him first.
>
> That was when he saw the parchment laying on the pillow.
>
> The servant leaned forward and picked up the note as he squinted in the dim
> light of the room.  What he read made his heart skip several beats and he
> became instantly awake as he sat on the edge of the bed.  He stared at the
> note incredulously, unbelieving what he was reading.  However, there it was
> in her ever neat script, signed and marked with her official seal of
> approval.
>
>
>
>
>
> I, EmmaRose Teene, Governor of Mubiteland, hereby withdraw any laws which
> place limits of the movements of Mubitelanders.  As of the First of January
> of the New Year, all Mubitelanders are free to leave and return as they
> wish.  All previous restrictions on travel, trade and employment are now
> lifted.
>
>
>
> Signed,
>
> EmmaRose Teene.
>
>
>
>
>
> Roger opened and closed his mouth several times as a happy smile lit his
> face.
>
> "Emma," he whispered in disbelief as he dropped the paper and rushed out in
> to the hallway, "Emma, how drunk were you last night?"
>
> His footsteps ran towards her study and pushed open the wooden door
> expecting to see her sitting at her desk with a grin on her face.  Upon
> finding the room empty, he turned back and glanced over the stairs where he
> noticed her wheelchair.
>
> Her vacant wheelchair.
>
> "Madame?" he questioned as he glanced from the chair to the broken banister
> to what lay on the cold floor below.
>
> The Mubite gasped in horror and shock as he fought down the bile that was
> suddenly in his throat.
>
> There was Emma, her auburn hair more noticeable do to the large pool of
> blood that surrounded her head.  Her neck that he had so passionately
> ravaged the night before was twisted at such an awkward angle he could
> hardly look at it.  The marble that he had so painstakingly polished the
> week before was colored a bright crimson against the spotless hue of the
> floor.
>
> "Lord," he whispered as he slowly made his way down the stairs, the
> deafening silence of the mansion overwhelming as he gazed at Emma.
>
>
>
> His Madame governor.  His lover.  The girl he had danced with those few
> years ago.
>
>
>
> The woman that was now clearly dead.
>
> The young man carefully knelt on the floor, wincing as he turned her neck
> from its broken position to a more natural one as he gazed at her in awe.
>
> 'For this one night please call me Emma.'
>
> 'You will find out my reasoning tomorrow.  I have the first day of the new
> year all planned out.'
>
> 'You have my word that if you stay it will be worth your while.'
>
> A sob escaped Roger's lips as he remembered the cryptic statements she had
> said the night before that were now clear as crystal to him in the light of
> day.
>
> "No," he choked as his breaths came out in short uneven gasps, "It was not,
> it was not worth.  Oh God it was not!"
>
> He shouted to the heavens, he pressing his fingers to her cold ashen
> colored
> skin that held no pulse; no life.
>
> No life.
>
> His life, his love and routine were gone.
>
> "Damn it!  Why didn't you just.?"
>
> 'This is what you've wanted.' A small voice said in his mind as he
> shuttered
> and retched onto the floor beside her head.
>
> "Not like this," he gasped as he tried to regain his breath, "You didn't,
> you never had to do this.  Why did you?  You could have just made the law;
> you did not have to."
>
> Yet she had, and Roger was now left to spread the news of her death.  The
> death that did not have to occur.  The death that he could have somehow
> prevented if he had only been honest with himself and her.
>
> And as he watched in shock and disbelief in the town square, it was the
> death many mubites celebrated with joyful songs and thankful speeches.
>
>
>
> --..--..End of, "For one night."--.---
>
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