A Not So Princely Party

[Brendon Etheridge]

There where certain things that are expected of royalty, they must attend balls and social gatherings, they must not fail, they must uphold the ideal virtues of those they govern and represent to the rest of the world. But most of all they must remain regal, and above the common people. It was true that sometimes the people wanted a "common man" to lead them, but that never lasted. They needed someone, something bigger then life to believe in, and they needed it even with out realizing it. That was why leaders got so much attention when they where caught doing something deemed inappropriate. But every person, in any leadership position needs to do more in his or her own life then sit around and do what other expect them to do. So it was no surprise to anyone really, that Brendon had his own little secret life, and no one cared so long as it stayed hidden, in the shadows of his everyday life. That secrecy more then anything else stopped him from making any sort of lasting relationship with the common people of his land. So the fact that he was taking a well know reporter out on what can only be described as a "business" date kinda astounded him.

The fact that she wasn't from Carraig might have helped, the fact that she was actually good company and didn't actually try and interrogate him may have been another reason. Ether way he he liked her, and had agreed to show this woman the wilder side of Carraig, and he was going to be sure not to disappoint. So after the games they had parted ways after agreeing to him picking her up at her hotel later that day, so that she could experience some of the most amazing night life anyone had ever seen.

So after a quick shower, and throwing on some rather interesting cloths(Tight black jeans, Leather boots, and a dark blue, long sleeved shirt with the top two buttons undone) he made his way from the home he had rented for the week and drove off to meet the reporter.

It was around eight-thirty when he finally pulled up in front of the bed and breakfast and he had to smile. The place for what ever reason reminded him of those charming little cabins you found in the woods around some of the more rustic lakes. So with a small sigh and that rather mellow smile he stepped from his car and walked threw the door and headed up the stairs to what he hopped was Miss Waterfords room.

He stood there for a second, took a deep breath and knocked, once, twice, three times before crossing his arms and smiling a tad bit wider. It wasn't often that he took anyone, let alone a rather pretty woman, with him on one of his night time escapades. Hell this was actually the first time he had ever done anything like this, he honestly hoped it didn't come back to bite him... But one could not live life by taking no chances. So as the door swung open he smiled a little wider. Tonight he wouldn't worry, there was plenty of time for that in the future. "WEll miss Waterford, i hope your up for a wild night." Because if he had his way, it would be wild... And then some.

[Cookie Waterford]

Lush, green hills dotted with white, fluffy sheep and bouncing goats while some little pennywhistle bounced out a tune was what almost anyone thought of when they thought of Carraig since that's what was presented on every damn travel program and brochure. Watching the fabulous display at the games today had been pretty epic, even though most of the events had been throwing, and Cookie had concluded that this assignment to the little green island fenced in by high mountains and cliffs was secretly harbouring something awesome. Every area had its little spots that only the locals knew, little secret ingredients that gave the area that zing that tourists just couldn't put their finger on because they weren't in the know. Sure, Cookie knew about the nightclubs and bar life in the larger cities in Carraig; those were advertised extensively in the travel guides and all through the damn airport. No, what Cookie was after was different than going to some dark nightclub, downing Guinness, and dancing to Flogging Molly (though she did have that on her to-do list for the week).

Tonight, though... Tonight! Cookie smiled to herself, the nearly boiling water of the deep tub rising up to her shoulders, making light and silky fur darker than it really was as it clung to her body. Tonight, she was spending with Prince Brendon, not as a Prince representing the country and a foreign reporter interviewing (well, maybe a little of that), but as someone who had promised to show Cookie the wilder side of the sheepy nation. After the games were over they'd parted ways, Brendon promising to pick her up later that night. It would be low-key, no bodyguards, and not meant to draw attention to himself, and Cookie was rather fine with that; she liked to follow the action or participate in the fun stuff, but just being the center of attention and drawing other reporters was just bad form. Besides, she was a bit territorial.

Human form was tiring to keep up, and Cookie knew she was more nocturnal by nature, so the best way to keep herself under control in the Prince's company? Nap during the day and bathe for an hour or two before shifting to human. No scent, fully recharged, and she'd be able to keep up with whatever the night brought her way, and she liekd to try and be prepared for anything. Blue eyes slid closed as Cookie submerged herself under the hot water, the bathroom its own little sauna, a shining black nose just peeking above the water's edge. He'd promised the most amazing night she'd ever seen... Cookie had seen some pretty awesome stuff before, but that accent... A tiny twitch rolled down her furry stomach. Between his good looks, charming personality, and that accent, Brendon could probably read the stock exchange for a few minutes and keep her attention.

Three rounds of pet shampoo and two of cherry-vanilla bodywash later (after Brendon's beastly bodyguard had so easily sniffed her out and nearly given Cookie away, like hell she was taking any chances), Cookie was finally satisfied enough to leave the hot recesses of the tub to shift to her human form and get ready. Changing was never entirely painless, but thankfully it had gotten faster and more bearable over the years, and taking time to take off her human form and relax during the afternoon and evening would be enough to let her carry on just fine for another day or two. Damp blonde hair spiked all over as it dried, gel and texturizer promising to keep her hair looking somewhat untamed; after all, it was supposed to be a wild night, right? The little red button on her recorder pushed down as Cookie set to dressing and getting ready. "Amping up for the night is light preparing to go on a hunt where I don't know what the game is or the terrain I'll be going through; it's all entirely a surprise, left to the imagination of the hunky prince who has so graciously offered to give me a good show. Carraig seems to hold up to having more to it than what you soak in from the shows on TV and the vacation packets. The Highland Games were pretty awesome, but there's something there, something else under the surface that I saw in the people there. Not just the participating athletes, but in the people watching, too. Everyone from the guy at the snack shack to his Highness shared it, even though I can't quite tell just yet what it was. It was tangible, though, and I hope to find out tonight what it is."

That wasn't just articulate prose, self-indulgent and hoping to keep a reader's short attention span; there really had been something there. Like a sense of pride that was shared, a like an ancient unity that came from reconnecting to their ancient roots through the glorified sport of throwing dead sheep and logs. It was pretty damn cool, and something Cookie hadn't really seen before, but it was hint enough to tell her that yes, Carraig did have that little secret extra spice in the flavour packet. And she planned to find it and get a taste. She grinned a little to herself, canines pointing ever so slightly as Cookie adjusted her collar so that the tags faced the front. When the knock came to her door, she nearly jumped, shutting off the recorder and giving it a look that almost told the gadget to wish her luck as she shoved it into her purse. The strings that laced up the thighs of her leather shorts tugged tightly across Cookie's skin as she got up from her seat, the string that laced up the front of her shorts tied tightly, its bow moving side to side with her movements as the door opened wide. The hall light glinted off the various piercings in her ears, off her collar, and the purple rhinestone bellyring that was exposed under her black croptop. "Well Miss Waterford, I hope you're up for a wild night."

....Ohgodthataccent. A tiny chill dripped down Cookie's neck as she smiled rather playfully. "Always," she replied, her tone and expression presenting the image of adventurous. "I totally don't do tame." The lights went off and the door was shut behind her, Cookie drawing in a silent breath before diving into the unknown. God she was such an adrenaline junkie sometimes. The ready-for-anything smile under bright blue eyes never faded as she turned back to Brendon. "So, like, tell me. Where does the night start to carve a trail of awesome?"

[Brendon Etheridge]

OHMYFUCKINGGODTHOSECLOTHS!!! His eyes widened as he saw her state of dress and a small blush came to his cheeks. Now that was a reaction he had not expected!! He had seen many a woman in out fits far more... promiscuous then what stood before him, but for what ever reason this outfit on this woman hit him much, much harder then it should have. Sure she was wearing a collar, Skin tight leather shorts that showed off her curves, and sure he could see some rather interesting piercings that made him wonder just what else she had pierced! But really was this different from any other time he had taken a wild lady out? The long and the short of it was yes, but other then the obvious he couldn't put his finger on why!!MAybe it was that inviting...Playful smile. "Always, I totally don't do tame." IT was around this time that he actually realized that he was holding his breath. Him. The prince of a powerful nation, holding his breath because he couldn't wait to hear a woman speak!! For shame!! What would his mother have thought? Or more importantly his father? "So, like, tell me. Where does the night start to carve a trail of awesome?" Now that was a question best answered by action and reaction."Id tell you i really would... But the first rule of this little club we are going to is not to talk about it!! What kinda Prince would i be if i went around breaking rules willy nilly like that?"

His own grin was more then a little playful its self, and as his eyes met hers he couldn't help but wink. Ninety percent of human communication was none verbal , and that showed just then in the way Bren held him self, his tone of voice, and the timing of that almost innocent wink. Was he just playing? Luring a girl to his bed as he had done time and again? Or was he interested? Truthfully it was just to soon to tell.

Stepping to the side he makes a sweeping gesture with his arms and bows just the tiniest bit eyes sparkling with hidden and not so hidden intent "After you~" There where two reasons he did this, one it was the gentlemanly thing to do, two he wanted to get a good look as she walked away... If those shorts did what he thought they would, well he would be in for a treat, and Brendon had one hell of a sweet tooth.

He makes his way down after her, his eyes locked on the sway of her hips and he smiles a little wider. He had been right, infact he had never been so right in his life."Quick question or should i say questions?, how well can you dance? And do you mind a... Rougher crowed?" He thought he knew the answers already but it never hurt to ask... Just in case he just so happened to be wrong.

As they neared his car, he quickened his stride and opened the passenger side door with just a tiny bit of a flourish."Your carriage!" He lets out a laugh that is more directed at him self then anything else."I..I Cant believe i just said that!! I feel...So corny!!"

[Cookie Waterford]

Ding Judging by the Prince's face, Cookie's choice of attire was definitely a winner. Cookie couldn't help but grin a little for that; she loved these leather shorts, and any chance to wear them was a good night by her. Getting a good reaction from her company was just icing. Door shut and locked and key safely with her, her little vulpine heart pounded with anticipation. Brendon hadn't mentioned where he'd be taking her, only promising a taste of the wild side; the irony was totes not lost on her, but that was a little joke she'd keep to herself. "I'd tell you I really would... But the first rule of this little club we are going to is not to talk about it!! What kinda Prince would I be if I went around breaking rules willy nilly like that?"

Cookie's playful smile became a teasing grin, cerulean eyes brightening up. That sense of humour wasn't an act, and that wink just sealed it. "Oh noo, we couldn't have someone as awesome as you breaking the rules. We'd, like, descend into utter chaos." There may or may not have been a hint of canine fang in her grin as her tone lowered, almost dripping into a feral purr as she teased and played along with the prince's comment. As far as Cookie would note, there was no crown on his head or fifty bodyguards at his ass, so right now, all bets to princeliness were off. Score.

"After you~" And yet he still had that charm. Cookie stepped away from her room's door and down the hall a few paces, moving ahead of Brendon to head toward the stairs. She wouldn't turn on her recorder, even though she was armed with it. If they actually discussed anything work-related, it might come on. But for now... It was like Batman leaving Robin behind for the night and not mentioning that he wasn't going out to do anything vaguely scrupulous. Cookie rather doubted they'd really be talking shop, though. "Quick question, or should I say questions. How well can you dance? And do you mind a... Rougher crowd?" Hmm, so mystery locale with an off-duty prince and no escort service and bringing dancing and a rougher crowd....

Hot damn, if this was a ruse that led to dinner and a movie she'd be sodding pissed. Instead, Cookie paused partway down the stairs, the leather of her shorts clinging to her hips and thighs as the laces swayed. "I have more moving parts than a Creig watch." She turned to glance behind at Brendon, her expression playful as she returned with a wink of her own. "As to how well I move... Well, I'll just have to let you be the judge of that." Cookie finished down the stairs, perfectly aware of the way her hips here moving with each step, enjoying the little bounce and the tightness of the leather against her. Tonight... would be fucking fabulous. Leaving the Inn, Cookie was a bit more impressed as Brendon moved to open the passenger's side door of the dark sedan, not by the car or his gentlemanly gesture, but that there was no driver.

It really was a night off being a prince. That was impressive. "Your carriage! I..I Cant believe i just said that!! I feel...So corny!!" Cookie couldn't help but laugh herself as Brendon laughed at his own cheesy line, shifting gears from suave to goofy in the time it took a Ferarri to upshift. But really, the fact that he really had come alone and let himself slip and could laugh about it on the spot... That was something rare. Usually people took extra care to keep their facade going and got freaked when they goofed, even though that was just human nature and you couldn't keep it up forever. Hell, Cookie wasn't even human anymore to qualify, and she still had her moments. Cookie shut the door, laughing and smiling as Brendon got into the car beside her.

"A little, but it's totally cool. You've got an awesome laugh." The sedan was prety roomy inside, and not a bad choice, and as far as carriages went was her type.. unless it came to another type of carriage that had some three hundred horsepower and could race Amestris' Nuremburg racetrack witout trying. Then Cookie was even more all for it. Getting comfy as the car started up, Cookie looked over to Brendon. "So no talking about where we're going... Any other special rules I should know before we go? Need to close my eyes on the way?" Mmm, night was setting in. The night was early and the moon was just starting its rise, and Cookie was suddenly glad she was nocturnal, the hints she'd been given suggesting that sleep probably wouldn't come until nearer to sunrise, or at least she hoped that was the case.

[Brendon Etheridge]

"I have more moving parts than a Creig watch." Now that...THAT was a thought that deserved careful consideration considering he knew Just how many parts a Creig watch had...Well Bren saw some rather interesting possibility's in his future. "As to how well I move... Well, I'll just have to let you be the judge of that." Well that was one thing he would be more then happy to judge, it would be far more entertaining then most things he had to preside over... As well as being just a TAD more enjoyable. So ya all in all Brendon the off duty prince was more then happy with his choice of companions for the night. Well companion really, but he was sure that this particular woman would and could keep him on his toes enough for any three other ladies. That being said he was a little worried that she might be a little... To energetic. HE really didn't want to be shown up by her... For some reason he thought that would ruin any chance he had for a good time, and thats something he couldn't... No Wouldn't live with.

She was laughing at him.... Or was it with him? This didn't happen often enough for him to know exactly what was going on. Most people would mumble something and look away when his own humor touched upon his royal person... In fact the only one that laughed if he made fun of him self was his sister, and there was no doubt in his mind as to who she was laughing at. But Cookie...Cookie was a conundrum wrapped in an enigma with a nice riddle as a bow."A little, but it's totally cool. You've got an awesome laugh." Well...She was laughing with him it seemed, and just like that the faint lines of a frown and the tinge of anger that had started to seep into his person melted away like an early spring snow. It was replaced with something he didn't often have a chance to feel, that is to say he felt rather bubbly and it showed in bouncing lilting way he spoke. "Only a little cheesy you say? My prep school teachers would be soooo disappointed."

As he jumped into his rented car he had to wonder why he hadn't gone with something with just a tad bit more flash. He knew he had to keep a low profile but still, a little color wouldn't have killed anyone... And everyone knew that a cheery red car was more impressive then a black one. He never really understood why but if he had to hazard a guess it was because red was the color of passion...Or something like that. "So no talking about where we're going... Any other special rules I should know before we go? Need to close my eyes on the way?" He glances over before starting the car and letting out a soft chuckle."Well now that you mention it..." He reachs into the back seat and feels around tell with a sudden grunt of triumph he brings forth a tie from earlier that day(being shirtless and wearing a kilt on tv wasa big NONO). His eyes voicing a silent challenge"I do have to blind fold you, its an ancient Creigian tradition that gos back hundreds if not thousands of years and we just cant get in if you dont show up blind!" With that he motioned for her to turn her head and deftly tied the tie around her eyes.

Then with another quick glance over her person(Mostly for his own enjoyment) he quickly reached over and buckled her seat belt before gunning the gas and peeling out of the small parking lot. The sedan may have been a sedan, but it still had some get up and go.

"You may wanna hold on..." He took a corner at what might have been a ludicrous speed."Okay you may wanna hang on tight, this road has more then a few curves in it and im sure you don't want to be bouncing around!" What he didn't tell her is that he took that road on purpose. He figured shed enjoy the ride not knowing, and it relay wasn't important was it?

[Cookie Waterford]

Okay, so... Gorgeous, sexy as hell accent, can throw trees, decent sense of humour.... Okay, Universe. What's WRONG with him? Cookie shifted in her seat lightly to get comfortable, smiling and her interest absolutely piqued; at this point unless a bomb of unfathomable horror was dropped, nothing would deter Cookie from her evening out with the prince. There was a certain charm about him. And something else, too, but she couldn't put her finger on it yet, but that jsut made her want to stay even more in order to learn. Seriously, is he a serial killer? Why is this man single?! You know, apart from the whole being a prince thing. That might cramp a dating life hardcore.

The doors were shut and they were about to head out when she'd asked about closing her eyes. Cookie didn't even know WHY she'd asked that, it just came out. But it was funny. "Well now that you mention it," came the unexpected reply. Waitaminute. Now that she mentioned it? He wasn't really going to... "I do have to blind fold you, its an ancient Creig tradition that gos back hundreds if not thousands of years and we just cant get in if you dont show up blind!" ...........He was. The light from inside the car glinted off Cookie's blue eyes, and in the growing dark around them caused her eyes to refract for a brief moment before she looked away. Ooops. But Brendon was reaching to the back seat and rifling through his clothes and pulling out what looked like a necktie, so he probably didn't see that.

There was a challenge in his voice and eyes, though. He was baiting her. Seeing if Cookie was brave enough to let herself be blindfolded by a man she'd only met a few hours ago, going to somewhere she didn't know anything about, and not having any idea (just a few hopes, though) of where the night would end. Was she brave enough. Cookie. Who had always had a penchant for facing things head-on and taking the waves as they came, and if anything, Cookie knew for damn sure she could ride a wave. "Well, I hate to get you into even more trouble for breaking traditions." The confidence in her own voice was unwavering as she turned her head to let Brendon tie the tie, the adrenaline already starting to pump through her veins. Riding blindfolded in cars with strange men to surprise locales. Her mother have thrown a shitfit. Cookie grinned. That just made the challenge better, and soemthing told her that Brendon might have liked a little competition, making her wonder just where his limits lay.

He reached across, pulling the seatbelt down across her body, makng Cookie stiffen slightly. Not from the sudden closeness. Well, maybe a little from that. But there was somethign to be said about a heightened sense of smell. She could smell his Drakkar Noir, and that was nice. But more than that, Cookie could smell him, under the cologne. She knew if she shifted she'd have been able to smell everything from his soap to his laundry detergent, but as she was Cookie was satisfied. Natural human musk was light on most people, and something people were so used to that they didn't know they smelled the pheromones of other people, even though they couldn't tell what was attracting them. Humans were still animals. Cookie was just a bit more animal than the both of them. And as such, she needed to remind herself of one very important thing, especially while in such close proximity: Must. Not. Nip.

The gravel under the tires churned and was spat out at what might have been mach one, the sedan bolting out of the inn's country parking lot and heading for the road. Not being able to see while the prince was driving was.... Well, Cookie was glad she had heightened senses, but right now she only had how the far moved and felt to go by. "You may wanna hold on..." The corner almost felt like it was a perfect right angle, Cookie letting out a surprised and surprisingly girly squeak as she shot her hand up to reach for the Oh Shit bar. The car's gears upshifted with the speed, taking another hard curve what must have been too fast, eliciting another squeak and... a tiny burst of giggles. One hand held the Oh Shit bar tightly, the other moving out to find something to grab onto. The side of her seat, something between the seats, something. Cookie felt her cheeks go hot, blushing at the fact that she was making freaking girly giggles and squees, losing awesome points, surely. Dammit he was cheating! But maybe he wouldn't see the pink flush against pale white skin. It was dark outside, after all, and she really hoped his eyes were on the road right now with the way he was driving.

"Dude," Cookie said between butterflies flipping inside of her. Felt like they were having a circus in her midsection. "Carraig have some hidden open race track or something? These curves are wild!" Her fingers found the curve of the leather and gripped the padded space between the two seats. The tag on her collar jingled with every sudden curve, her body bouncing and shifting with every hill and bump. It was exhilarating. And she really hoped Brendon's eyes were on the road, but if they weren't it was pretty plain to see that his guest was enjoying herself immensely. "So throwing telephone poles, blind dates, and racing. Why do I feel like you have, like, untapped wells of awesome things you do for fun?"

[Brendon Etheridge]

He kept his eyes on the road, watching for pot hole or anything else that could this night into something more then an adventure, and into something less then a date which would just kill his entire week(not to mention end his and cookies own lives). But he just couldn't help it, when he heard her squeak and that quickly turned into a giggle he just had to look. Ohh the sight was almost enough to make him laugh and he did, he couldn't help it and he honestly didn't care. He was out to have fun, and if he didn't let some of his wall down he just couldn't do that. So he would laugh, he would smile and he wouldn't hide how he felt. It would be a nice change from his home life, hell it would be a nice change from life in general. So what if he made a fool of him self? This was one of the few times he got to let it all hang out, and he would die before letting it pass him by. He glanced back at the road and took the next turn a little to sharply, it was on purpose... Of course it was!! Still he kept at least one eye on the road from that point forward, though he was tempted to look over with both on more then one occasion on that half hour drive. Though he couldn't help but notice that blush that came to the woman's pale cheeks, that made him grin ear to ear. He looked like a cat who had managed to get into the cream.

" Well at least your enjoying your self~" Now there wasn't much you could get out of those words that wasn't sexual at this point in time, and Bren regretted them almost as soon as they left his mouth. Maybe he shouldn't have let his walls fall just that much, he could have at least watched what he said. But what had been said could not be unsaid so he honestly couldn't worry about it!! he just hopped she didn't go where he went. No he prayed that she didn't. The lights of the city where coming closer and closer and so was his destination. He wasn't headed for any tourist trap, ohh no he had something much better in mind for this seemingly wild woman, would she have a blast? Or would she run off? Well it was just about time to find out!! But he doubted she would run off any ways, its not like it was a once in a life time experience for her or anything right? Okay he may have been deluding him self when he thought that. But hey a party like this was kinda unique so he wasn't off by much."Carraig have some hidden open race track or something? These curves are wild!" He just laughed then, words where beyond him right then his eyes focused on the road that was blurring past. "So throwing telephone poles, blind dates, and racing. Why do I feel like you have, like, untapped wells of awesome things you do for fun?" Ha!! If she had seen him at any other time of year she wouldn't be singing that tune!! She would be commenting on how prudish ans stiff he seemed. That was the long and the short of it."I only get to let loose once or twice a year, so i gotta live life, risk my neck and just relax while i can no?"

He could see the old warehouse even as he pulled into the city proper. IT was a large building that was the vary image of dilapidation. Broken windows,rusted metal showing where the paint had peeled off, a almost rank smell even managed to fill the air and even though the place had never been used to store fish well you could almost catch just a hint of it. The place screamed death trap but that didn't seem to deter the people the flocked to the sound of screaming guitars and pounding drums as if drawn by the pied piper him self. Hell even from this far out he could feel the music calling to him, it uneven cords and rhythm where already drawing him in and he couldn't help but gun the gas those last three or so hundred yards.

He aimed the car for a nearly empty gravel lot some distance from what could only be a party and hit the breaks hard as he felt the loose stones crunch beneath the cars wheels. The car started to spin almost out of control, the sound of its screeching wheels adding to the music that filled the night. A laugh escaped him as he spun and control was snatched from his hands. It was true, an Etheridge was always in control... But it was nice to let life just whisk you away every once in a while. Even if it left you almost looking like a bad man. His sister would not approve.

The car came to a screeching halt and his laugh trailed off and he looked over at his passenger and then quickly tugged the neck tie from her eyes before running his fingers threw his hair as his smile turned to what can only be described as a roguish grin. With out a word he put the car back in drive and moved off for the parking lot and quickly slid into a spot. "And we are here!" He jumped out of his seat and out of the car before the last word was out of his mouth and darted around the car reaching Cookies door before she even had her seat belt off. He drew it open with a flurish and bowed low his eyes shining all the while."Every carriage ride should end at a Ball don't you think?" Though this was the kinda Ball you just wound't find in any of the story books. He was fine with that.

[Cookie Waterford]

During the two years Cookie had spent hidden away in the side of Tiantai Mountain under the care of Grandma Fong, many nights the old lady had stroked Cookie's hair and ears, telling her to embrace the mystery in life and within herself in order to attain enlightenment. Even though she'd never be able to perform Alkahestry, Cookie could still understand its balancing principles of within and without, and find balance. Two years she'd lost to that ghost who kept her there and cared for her, safe in her own body and hidden from the outside world. Leaving had been embracing the unknown head-on as well as the truth, and even though it had broken the aged spirit's heart, it was what was best. On nights like tonight, Cookie's thoughts were far, far away from the strange mountain in Xing where spirits like Wai Po Fong still existed, and all the caring lessons she'd bestowed on her darling Xiǎo húlí jīngshén[i]. Right now, Cookie's thoughts were very much on the present as she embraced the mystery of the unknown in a far more literal sense than Grandma Fong probably ever meant for her to take.

The car swerved hard, Cookie being good and not messing with her makeshift blindfold as she leaned into the curve, holding on tightly. [i]"I only get to let loose once or twice a year, so i gotta live life, risk my neck and just relax while i can no?" eyes closed beneath the tie, cookie smiled, oddly enough understanding the Prince a bit better than he might have realized. He had a lot to keep up with. Even if he wasn't ruling Carraig, he did still have a large hand in its care, and Cookie wouldn't be surprised if doing things for his own pleasure took a backseat to everything it took to run the tiny island country. That, and with tabloids, he couldn't just let go and do wild stuff when he wanted. So yeah, that made total sense. Cookie didn't have those kinds of obligations in Xing. Now that the magazine was being distributed all through Xing, Creta, and starting to talk about translating to have Amestrian publications, Cookie's name was being seen by a wider audience. She was one of the faces to the company and had an image to keep up, and always had to do her best to represent them. That's why her real body was such a secret, and why Cookie would go to such trouble to keep it that way; sure, chimera weren't unheard of, but a lot of people did view them as secondary citizens since they werne't human. Knowing the truth could hurt the company, so it had to be put away. Cookie nodded (whether Brendon saw the gesture or not), and was almost tempted to move her hand to pat his arm until she decided to grip her seat a bit more tightly, the car shooting forward faster than before.

As the brakes were hit, Cookie could feel the gravel pelting the car's undercarriage violently, yipping in surprise as the car launched into a hard spin. Brendon was laughing, so they couldn't have been in too much danger, but dear god he drove like a stuntman from La Cerise! Stomach launched in four directions at once, the world spun, stopped, and spun in the other direction for Cookie, leaving her dizzy and a bit breathless as bright, airy laughs that bordered nervous trilled from her lips, her chest heaving up and down in exhilarated pants that left her flesh almost struggling against the confines of her crop top. Her canid heart was racing, adrenaline pumping as her hands finally let go of their safety measures, Brendon moving to pull the blindfold away from bright blue eyes before sliding the car into a space and hopping out. It never took long for her to adjust to the dark anymore, Cookie's night vision compensating rather well even in her human form, and the music pounding from the decrepit warehouse seemed to pound against her skin, raising the little hairs on her flesh and giving her the prickles. Always the sign of a good night.

"And here we are," the Prince announced, opening Cookie's door before she'd even had a chance to free herself from the confines of her seatbelt with slightly shaking hands. The music blaring over the dull roar of the crowd, Cookie stepped out of the car, deeply breathing in the soft night air that carried too many blurred scents, Brendon's the strongest as the door shut. "Every carriage ride should end at a Ball don't you think?" Cookie's grin widened, the reporter stepping much closer to Brendon than she had before, still catching her breath a little from the rush.

Her voice was set to a low, whispering purr that dripped with a soft, velveteen heaviness that brushed out against Brendon's ear. "That was wicked. You, like, know how to show a girl a pretty wild ride." Cookie pulled away almost as quickly as she'd moved in, still grinning in anticipation as her body calmed while trying to simultaneously gear up for the impending mosh. She ran her hands through her hair quickly, the tag on her collar jingling as she tugged at her clothes to make sure they were all still decent and hadn't come untied while she was being careened in the car. "My kinda ball! A partying Prince and a ball with amps that sound like they could cause earthquakes. Cinderella got cheated. Cookie laughed, turning in the direction of the warehouse party, holding back the small howl that stirred in her chest. "I totally love a good party. So... Show me how they do it Creig-style?" Cookie had a feeling her recorder wouldn't turn on all night, but if this was where the night was starting, a night off the books like this could only lead to more fun... and that was more than awesome by her.

[Brendon Etheridge]

The first thing he noticed was her smell as she passed oh so close to him. It was sweet yet musky, it was something entirely unique and for what ever reason it brought out memories of his wild hunts with his father. Of the lush green and primeval forests, and the scent of rich wet earth. His memories flashed before his eyes but before he could focus on any one a voice floated to him, a voice that was almost more then he could handle. "That was wicked. You, like, know how to show a girl a pretty wild ride." Ohh yes he could give her a wild ride, and no he wasn't thinking about his car. No. No he had to clear his mind or else he was liable to blush and that just wasn't well... Princely. He was about to say something heated when she suddenly pulled away, and with deft hands she adjusted her cloths, pulling everything back into place. A faint jingle drew his eyes to her neck and the collar that circled it so artfully drawing attention to her rather well endowed chest. Princely thoughts be damned she was STACKED! At least he thought that was the right term.

"My kinda ball! A partying Prince and a ball with amps that sound like they could cause earthquakes. Cinderella got cheated." He laughed at the same time she did, his low chuckle just rolling out from him. It felt good to laugh, and Bren was glad that his company could draw out such happy emotions. Was it odd that he was almost nerves? He who spoke to people both powerful and corrupt on an almost daily basis. Hell it wasn't even the fact that he was attracted to her, he had been attracted to more then one woman in his not so short or long life. No it wasn't any of that, so what caused this almost nervousness that threatened to become the real thing?"Ahh well Prince Charming had nothing on me." Conceited? Maybe a little, but a little ego was never a bad thing as long as it was tempered by a little bit of humility, both of which he had in spades.

"I totally love a good party. So... Show me how they do it Creig-style?" With another wicked smile he takes her hand and starts to trot towards to entrance of the warehouse. " I'll do you one better, ill teach you how to do this Creig style, and once you got that down well you will be ruined and nothing else will do~ Cause one you go Creig you just never go back.." Was that a joke? Maybe but he meant everyword of it. He had been to parties and gatherings all around the world, and he had yet to find something that even came close to the intensity of what they where about to wade into. He could feel the music as if it was a physical thing as it washed over him. The base shook his bones and as he threw open the doors the sight before him was one of complete and utter chaos.

Bodies where bouncing, lights where flashing and the music was so load that it was more noise then anything else. But the energy was intoxicating and it hardly mattered what was playing in the background. He would have shouted, tried to speak but it would have been pointless so he turned towards Cookie Took both of her hands in his and drew her into the sea of bodies. He hoped she could swim.

[Cookie Waterford]

Thundrous music roared, rattling through Cookie's chest like a force of nature, painful and somewhat dissonant on her more sensitive ears. Oh, she'd be hearing the hum of the amplifiers for a while after this party was done, but with any luck, there'd be other sounds to make up for the buzzing and ringing in her ears that would be far more enjoyable. Darkness was setting all around them, the fox in Cookie perking to a full alertness that she could never manage to explain in words because words were a human thing. The fox in her saw the world in colours and scents, ran on feeling and instinct. Prince Brendon was promising that the dull prince Cinderella ran off with had nothing on him, and Cookie was hard-pressed to fault that claim. "I'll do you one better, ill teach you how to do this Creig style, and once you got that down well you will be ruined and nothing else will do~ Cause one you go Creig you just never go back.."

Cookie couldn't help but grin as she was pulled toward the warehouse's opening, her heart roaring to match the bassline. So creig parties would spoil her and be impossible to top? Challenge accepted, the reporter thought as her hands were grabbed, Brendon holding tight to not lose her in the mosh. Scents overwhelmed her, body sweat and pheromones mixing with artificial perfumes, smoke, the abrasive smell of alcohol. The force of the music was nearly painful to her chest and shoulders, her ears already pleading but grateful she could hold up her human form for a while. The heat in the confined space of the warehouse and sea of people was dizzying, Cookie almost wondering if she shouldn't find some kind of a leash to attach to her collar just so she didn't lose Brendon, though the way he kept looking at her made her wonder that she'd have a harder time escaping than that.

Invisible, they were lost in the crowd that didn't care who Brendon was, everyone too busy dancing. The swiveling lights illuminated the smoke, the neon glow of plastic glowing jewelry adding strange, dim colours. Cookie tried to keep her eyes down, not wanting the light to refract in them and cause the blue-golden glow that was so unique to nocturnal animals. They finally stopped, claiming those few inches as theirs to cance in, Cookie keeping close enough that a stranger wouldn't be so likely to assume that she was dancing alone. The music was winning, and Cookie surrendered happily, grinning. The pulse of the music was fast, but as she looked up at Brendon and began to move her body, she took care to keep her movements.. slow. She moved at half the time of the music, her legs moving apart enough to allow her to move her hips slowly in the off-beat of the music. Her body moved like the smoke above the candle, Cookie's thick hips moving separately from her stomach and chest, her body making a constant S-shape. Arms raising slowly above her head, her hips continued to roll as the S changed from side-to-side to back and forth, causing the muscles in her stomach to roll up and down, one on top of the other with the music. Her hands writhed, twisting around each other as though rolling an invisible ball of water before reaching to grab one of the Prince's hands and place it at her waist at the base of her ribs as she moved, blue eyes glancing down to watch her body move his hand up and down with her. There was no break in her fluid movements, and lost in the crowd, she was soundless, even as she tilted her head back to let out a short, trilling howl that was stifled in the storm of bodies and sounds.

[Brendon Etheridge]

Now the prince was not what one would call a bad dancer but Cookie put him to shame, and it was all Brendon could do to not make a fool of him self right then, though he didn't even manage to do that completely. He had stood there, stock still in a sea of moving bodies for what felt like a life time(Though it had only been a few seconds) with his mouth agape and a look of stunned surprise on his face. She did in fact have more moving parts then his watch, and watching it was well something he could come to enjoy. Soon enough he snapped him self out of the dazed stooper he had been thrust into and forced his way back into reality, where he was a cool, calm, collected and sexy prince of a powerful nation. He would not be beat by a woman he had just met... No matter how tasty she might be. He moved forward, bumping shoulders with people who's faces and names would never be known to him and started to dance, his own movements faster yet complementary to his partners. Though in comparison he was a clumsy crow as compared to her graceful crane. Oddly though that didn't matter to him, this was after all not a competition, but if it was he was totally winning now.

The hot press of bodies forced him closer and closer to Cookie, his body a mere hairsbreadth away, did his heart beat slightly faster as he was "forced near"? Did his pulse quicken? If they did, it was the dancing, the exertion, he was in control of him self, he was... Loosing that control. But wasn't that what this night was all about? This week? Living his life as he wanted for a few days so he could go back to the monotony of his normal daily life, as well as the stress that that life put on his shoulders. Now was a time to melt, now was the time to act and react, now was the time to live. So live he would, because all to soon this world, and this life would end. With a nimble hand he reaches out and hooks one finger into Cookies collar and pulls her the rest of the short way to him."So we can talk~" His voice was a soft almost whispered breath in her ear. His eyes danced in rhythm with his body, while his body pressed ever so softly to hers. Their body's rubbing lightly as the moved.

"I wonder... Just how daring are you?" Yet again his voice was something almost sexual in tone, something daring and one might say dangerous, and suddenly with out thinking he lightly nipped at her ear before pulling his head away and winking ever so suggestively. How would she react to his little advance? He didn't know... But prince charming couldn't wait to find out.

[Cookie Waterford]

The blaring, forceful beat bore through the mosh, the heat from the people in the warehouse stifling. Cookie moved in the dark, losing herself to the beat, the heat, and the feel of Brendon watching her in the poor light. As much as she kept trying to look away or down at odd angles, the swiveling, strobing lights made it hard to avoid entirely. But thankfully there was so much going on, and Brendon's eyes seemed to be more fixed to her moving body than if her eyes were glowing or not. The jingle of her tags fell silent in the noise around them, the DJ saying something she completely didn't understand, but as the crowd cheered with the volume increase, her head lifted high to the ceiling as a long, high howl sang out. A fox's howl was different than a wolf's, high-pitched and eerie, and just as haunting as the winter stars in a black forest at night. The sound was mostly swallowed by the crowd, but Cookie didn't care. Her blood was singing and instincts were going wild.

The force of the crowd as more people came to the party forced Cookie closer to Brendon, the scent of his cologne wrapping around him, teasing her nose, and streaming through the crowd in a way that its ribbon of scent were almost tangible. Brendon's hand reached up, a finger hooking into the thick D ring of her studded collar and pulled her close enough that her body was practically grinding against his, the folds of his clothes moving against Cookie as the laces from her scant outfit strained on her body. As his mouth came to Cookie's ear, she was very glad that her sense of hearing was literally superhuman, or even shouting would have been hard to discern. "So we can talk," the Prince crooned, a shiver running up Cookie's back despite the heat. She continued to dance slow and against the strobing beat, reaching to take Brendon's free hand and place it at the indent of her bare waist. Brendon's smile caught her luminous blue eyes and prodded something less than tame within her. "I wonder... Just how daring are you?" Without warning the Prince moved and nipped Cookie's ear very lightly, her own grin growing.

Challenge.

Accepted

Her hips rolled from side to side still, Cookie's hand resting on top of Brendon's hand that she'd put there, gently urging it up her side as she arched out one way, and back down her waist and to her hips as the curve rolled the opposite way. She pushed his hand down to the lace on the short thigh of her leather shorts, teashing as she brushed her body up against his chest and pushed his hand away from the lace again. Her hand moved off of his, leaving him free to choose where and how to move as her own head moved up closer to Brendon's ear. "I'm Cookie, and I dare... anything," came the purring reply. Cookie's mouth moved to the top of Brendon's ear, leaning up on her toes, but she did not nip. Barely parted lips traced the flesh, hot breath tickling his skin as the very edges of her teeth hovered down. She wasn't touching him, just letting the ghost of touching the Prince's ear tease, not out of fear or respect or- ugh- shyness, but because she wanted to show him that she could play just as well as he could, and that was one of her favourite games. At the soft dangling flesh of his ear, Cookie finally let her teeth touch for the briefest moment before pulling them away again, only to lick at the edge of his ear instead before suddenly moving her head down to give the side of his neck a sudden, surprise nip. Cookie pulled her head away and pressed her body closer, the look in her eyes and grin declaring nothing but honest trouble of the best kind.

[Brendon Etheridge]

AS loud and chaotic as it was, the almost inhuman sound that came from Cookies throat has sent a shiver down Brendons spin, a shiver that he could not begin to understand, a shiver that was more then just physical. Maybe, just maybe that was what had caused him to act so rashly, but as his hand was placed on her shorts and her mouth came oh so close to his ear well his breath may have caught... Just a little.Her hand moved from his and with what almost sounded like a purr she spoke. "I'm Cookie, and I dare... anything," She leaned forward, and he could feel her lips on the sensitive flesh of his ear, her breath tickling, stimulating in a way he was not used to. Was it odd that he found his hand and arm circling her waist to pull her closer? Did he mind that his hand seemed to have a mind of its own? No. No of course he didn't, he just wished his hand would obey him for a few seconds so he could get a good feel of that ass, as it was he was just getting a passing feel and that just wasn't good enough for him!!

A sudden brush of teeth fallowed by the feel of her tongue, now that was different but in an oddly good way. But what fallowed next well what fallowed next was a pleasant surprise. The feel of her teeth on his neck almost caused him to gasp, but he managed to control that. What he couldn't control was the shiver that was sent through his body, or how his other arm came around to pull the reporter as close as one could be while still fully clothed. He would like to think that he was always in control of his actions, he was after all a prince and was not subject to the needs, the wants, and the desires that lesser people suffered. That of course was a lie, in fact it might have been because he was a prince, unable to indulge as he wished, that those feelings tended to explode at the worst of times. Like right then and there, he felt the primal urge to throw the woman on the ground and rip of their clothes. Most people he figured would think nothing like that, but what made it worse was the thought was truly appealing to him, truly and utterly tempting.

In fact her felt a fire start to kindle in him as they rubbed against one another, and he was fairly certain what they where doing did was more like heavy petting then any sort of dancing. Still he found him self enjoying that more then he would dancing, and as he looked at cookie his eyes burned with emerald fire. His face was inches from hers, and he could smell the sweet scent of her breath and something else... Something almost musky, it was vary... Appealing. Her eyes seemed to dance when the light hit them, reflecting in a way he had never seen before, was she wearing contacts? Maybe. his face moves closer and right when their lips are about to touch he whispers, so jsut she could hear what he had to say"Well then...I dare you to kiss me"

[Csilla Angelis]

{BUMP}

[Cookie Waterford]

The roar of the music was deafening, aching against canid ears, scents overwhelming. Sweat. Alcohol. Mud. Sex. It was very good that Cookie had let herself recharge earlier to hold onot her human form for a while otherwise shifting back and dropping the mask would make for sensory overload. The tags of her collar jingled as she moved, the lines of dancing and simply grinding to music blurring. This trip was definitely awesome. She didn't know how much of it would actually make its way to her article or not and was pretty sure the rest of tonight would be censored, but for the time being Cookie was enjoying it. Breath on breath, skin on skin, surrounded by hundreds of people who didn't even see them in the mass of everyone and in the arms of a near-stranger.

Cookie's arms were wrapped around Brendon as she continued to move to the music, if only slightly, a smirk teasing at the corner of her mouth. She was winning and she knew it, but that was the power of awesome. Brendon leaned in closer, and his voice would have been lost to the music if not for her hearing. Or maybe she wasn't really hearing it and just knew enough by the scent of how his body was reacting and his body language what he was saying and hinting at what he wanted. ”Well then...I dare you to kiss me.” Hmm, a kiss, eh? And She did dare anything. Cookie had dared take down giants and expose them for the sake of justice, dive into places she really shouldn't, and now she was probably breaching several rules of political boundaries. But Cookie never backed down from a challenge, especially not challenges withthat kind of accent.

His lips were already brushing against hers, but tipping her head up to simply kiss him was too easy, and to her seemed far sweeter of a gesture than Cookie intended. The tip of her tongue darted out, brushing the Prince's lower lip and pulling back, grinning and teasing. [color=steelblue]”Kiss you... where?” came the grinning response. He might not have heard her, and he might have. It didn't matter at this point; she figured he would get the hint. Cookie pulled away and paused, out of reach of immediate kisses before rushing back up, her lips pressing against just below his ear. She lingered there, letting that gesture be surprisingly tender before her mouth opened to nip him there firmly. Another kiss moved to the front of his throat, then to his chin before the reporter grinned and pulled him to her hard, nipping his lower lip before pressing her lips against his, slowly opening to a full, warm kiss. Nope, nope. The tape recorder was staying off for the night.

[Csilla Angelis]

{BUMP}

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