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The Portrait

By Lonelyrider

Somewhat naive & sweet big James is toyed with & tested by his old flame & friend lady Clove, but her endgame remains to be seen.

James stepped outside his beautiful red and black carriage and patted and watered each of his stallions, who nickered and nudged his hand, tossing a gold coin to his driver, Alfred.

"Take a trip into town on me and have lunch & a beer at the inn, I'll be visiting Clove for a few hours, good man. I'll see you around 8." James said with a gallant bow, the short cape he wore swishing in the chill wind; winter was coming.

"Aye lad, I will, & I'll see to it your beasts are fed and groomed, I know how much you care for them. Have a grand time, boy, she sounds like a fascinating young lady, certainly has the looks part down." Alfred chuckled and winked at James and with a gentle shake of the reins Thunder and Diablo neighed a goodbye to James and quickly bore Alfred & James' fancy carriage away, as he waved, calling after them in his usual friendly tone. Clove was watching from the steps of her male friend's manor where she was staying, another long dark dress on and two bundles tied with ribbons in her hand; she smoked a cigarette on a feminine holder and waved as James hurried up to her with gusto.

"Clove, how are ya, beautiful?" He asked with a blush and self-hair- rub, she chuckled.

"Still shy, nice to see you haven't changed too much. Want a smoke?" Clove offered, flipping open her ornate golden case, James hesitated over the cigarettes, tentatively he took one and she lit it; he started coughing up a storm immediately, and she laughed.

"I'm...oh...terribly sorry honey, I've....excuse me...I've never smoked." James gasped between coughs, she took the fresh cigarette from him and replaced her own, which was nearly gone, on her smoking holder.

"I'll finish it, it's no issue. I should have figured that, you're an athlete. Please come inside, Hans isn't home, he's away making a new ensemble for some faraway king, or some other such garbage. I could care less, I just like his shit." Clove giggled, James chuckled with her and joined her on Hans' ornate huge couch as James admired Hans' decor.

"Now...if I may, of course, my dear. Is Hans a suitor?" James inquired delicately, ever polite and sweet, Clove laughed loudly.

"Fuck no. He's a guy friend I sometimes...oh, uh, he's a friend with extras, I suppose. Nothing romantic, I don't like him like that, he's handsome and a good lay, but not my type. You don't have to worry about Hans, he's mostly harmless." Clove giggled, she snapped her fingers and a beautiful white fox furry maid appeared and bowed.

"Oh, hi there!" James greeted her kindly, though still riveted on Clove's conversation and clearly worked up, which Clove was very much enjoying.

"Some tea sandwiches & green tea, Nancy, thank you. Please wrap these up for James nicer than I did, they're for him when he goes back home later." Clove gave Nancy a tip and smiled James' way, seeing his kind and polite but nervous grin at her. "You're a little bit jealous, aren't you?" Clove said with a satisfied smile, leaning back and finishing her cigarette.

"Why I....I...Clove, I....oh....my apologies, is it that obvious?" James asked sheepishly, rubbing his thick short black hair, she laughed and leaned over, giving his lips a quick, tender little peck; he sighed and blushed harder, his wings fluffing up.

"Not as much as you fear, I just know you well. Don't be threatened by Hans, James. He should be threatened by you, but he's too clueless." Clove said with a smirk, James' deep satisfied chuckle and smirk escaped him before he could think, he didn't mean to gaze at her so intensely, but she held still a lot of sway over him, and she knew it. James cleared his throat politely, his cheeks still rosy,

"Ahem, what does Hans do, honey?" He asked kindly.

"He's a tailor for the rich & the noble, I had him make you two outfits, actually, it's what's in the bundles. Nancy will tie them up better than I can, you see. Sit there for awhile Jamesy, I want to paint you, if that's ok."

James perked happily; he loved watching her paint, & had always deeply encouraged her talent, trying in vain to bolster it vs her darker vices. She set up her canvas and palette and started to go to work, gazing at him intensely; James held still as he could, today he was dressed extra nicely for her in light green tights, a short cape and fancy belted tunic, and high riding boots, with a lace bow at his neck that had been a gift from his doting mother.

"You always were adorable, Jamesy." Clove said matter of factly, she painted his thrilled blushing grin as she went on, turning the canvas around after half an hour, he gasped.

"Clove, I'm not just being nice, that looks amazing!" He wondered.

"It is one of my best works. I'll have Hans hang it in my bedroom when he gets back from his little excursion. That is, unless you want it?"

"I do sweetheart, I really do, but I think you should display it, it's astounding!" James gasped with enthusiasm.

"Okay, I will. Oh good, lunch, that brain work got me hungry. Let's eat."

"Yes, let's, thank you." James agreed cheerfully, he scooted next to her and they grazed on tiny sandwiches and eastern tea on Hans' beautiful coffee table, James saw Clove withdraw her flask, which was dark with black roses painted on, and take a few swigs from her cherished brandy; she saw him scoot closer and gave him a skeptical look, but said nothing; it was more than she'd tolerate from anyone else.

"Clove, may I have some?" James pleaded sweetly, the concern in his voice and eyes palpable, she rolled her eyes but let him take it, and he drained it in a few manly gulps. "Mmm, honey that's so good, thank you."

"I know what you're doing." Clove said lowly without hesitation, eyeing him intensely; unlike James & his current girlfriend, she wasn't bashful. James laid a gentle wing and hand on her upper back, his face kind and apologetic, like his voice.

"Please forgive me sweetheart, I didn't mean to be rude. I care for you so very much, I apologize for my impulsive overstepping, you...you're right, please accept my apologies." James gushed sincerely, his grey eyes shiny and kind; she had to look away and bit her lip; yes, she was a little annoyed, but more than that, she found his sincerity and true concern for her a lot to bear, though it touched her. She wasn't used to being cared about with such ferocity as James LightningSword rained upon her. She'd never told him, but secretly, part of her still believed her was far too good for her.

"Okay. Apology accepted, though it really isn't a big deal. I'd like to stay and continue this visit, but I have a ball to go to tonight, and I RSVP'ed as one. I'll send you home with extra food, I remember how much you can eat." Clove chuckled, James gently stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, she grabbed it and gave it a quick peck.

"Are you quite certain I haven't caused offense?" He implored, looking guilty and nervous, Clove shook her head.

"You know how I am James, I'm pretty tough to upset. I really did have a good time with you, handsome. I have to go get ready, but next time...I'll come to your place, I wanna see your manor." Clove admitted, her small but lovely breasts blatant as she crossed her arms, she caught him unable to not notice though he did break his gaze politely. James cleared his throat, blushing shyly and flustered. He took out a map excitedly, drawing on it and circling his manor, a little drawing of it and the countryside on the charming map Alfred had given him. James handed it to her and she studied it with a finger to her lip and he eyed her fondly, finding her cute.

"How easy. A blonde could find her way." Clove remarked, James threw back his head and guffawed loudly, his wings flapping, and she smiled smugly.

"Oh, I've missed your sense of humor! I've missed you!" He admitted, standing up as he knew she had places to be.

"Nancy will see you out & give you your garments, I'm sure you'll find them to your tastes. Goodbye until then, Mr LightningSword." Clove teased, she wrapped her hands around the back of his neck and James opened his mouth and inadvertently panted a little, clearly spellbound by her, she leaned in and gave his groomed short bearded cheek a kiss and felt him gently pull her into a firm hug, his burly arms and wings squeezing her close to him carefully but tightly. She pulled back and he let go with all 4 limbs, arms and wings, looking almost drunken as she waved goodbye and disappeared down Hans' long fancy hallway; James didn't mean to stare like a lovesick pup, but for a moment, he did, finally turning and thanking Nancy and heading outside just as Alfred pulled James' carriage up to fetch him for the night.