In the Shadows of Candles (MusicNeverDies and Torch)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Torch on 29-01-2009, 22:39:57</h2>
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				Title: <strong>In the Shadows of Candles (MusicNeverDies and Torch)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Torch</strong> on <strong>29-01-2009, 22:39:57</strong>
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				George William Victor Coventry, the 9th Earl of Coventry, Viscount Deerhurst, Lord Coventry, and only occasionally ‘William’ to his friends, sat outside the fifth floor balcony of the London home of Arthur, The Earl of Shropshire.&nbsp; William and Arthur had been schoolmates at Eton, and again at Oxford, and they had continued their friendship free of the rigors of academia. <br><br>William held a glass of champagne in his hand and sipped at it absentmindedly.&nbsp; The slim cigar he was smoking smoldered in his other hand as he took idle puffs from it.&nbsp; He was regulated to the balcony, since the smell of the cigar would offend the ladies at the party before dinner.&nbsp; William couldn’t help but think that some of the ladies themselves had been doused in so much French perfume their scents were much more offensive than his one cigar, although he would never be so ill-bred as to say this out loud.<br><br>He was fair-haired and blue eyed, with a strong jaw and aristocratic features, and his entire countenance gave off the distinct impression of nobility and keen bloodlines.&nbsp; He leaned against the balcony railing idly, a tall figure dressed in the latest fashionable cutaway and cravat, the finest of woolen trousers encasing strong legs used to exercising his horse on a daily ride through Hyde Park, boot-encased feet crossed at the ankles before him, as he gazed through the doors at the throng of partygoers inside.<br><br>The tittering laughter, the clink of glasses, the shimmer of the lit candles all bespoke of a pleasantly benign gathering of old and new friends, come to drink and dine and while away the hours until dawn in revelry…but despite all of these things…<br><br>William was bored.<br><br>The ladies, with their incessant chirping and gossiping held no interest for him.&nbsp; In fact, he had barely stifled a yawn earlier, while forced to listen to the Duchess of Devonshire’s monotonous recitation of her summer spent on the Cote d’Azur.&nbsp; Fifteen minutes of the Duchess was all William could take, and he pulled out his cigar and made his polite excuses, heading for the balcony and salvation from more female nonsense.<br><br><em>I really should just tell poor Arthur so he’d no longer waste his time inviting me to these little soirees.</em><br><br>That couldn’t be done, however.&nbsp; William and Arthur were friends, good friends…but William trusted no one with his secret. If found out, William could easily become a social pariah, a cast-off…excluded from the only society he’d ever known…and William wasn’t sure he wanted to risk that.&nbsp; So, he continued to let Arthur invite him to parties and dinners and to Ascot and the Opera…all in hopes that William would find a suitable young lady and marry, and all much to William’s distaste.<br><br>For William preferred the erotic and sensual pleasures to be found within his own sex.&nbsp; Of course, this was nothing new, to be sure.&nbsp; Young boys and young men, isolated and away from home for the first time often make romantic attachments to their classmates, or if not attachments, find relief from their burgeoning desires in each others bodies.&nbsp; And more often than not, these young men go on to find their expected places in society, marrying and producing heirs, and spending their days happily content with their lot in life, their schoolboy romps nothing more than a distant and pleasant memory.<br><br>But not for William.&nbsp; He knew exactly what he wanted, and it was not to be found in the heavily perfumed and powdered bosom of a simpering, mewling female.&nbsp; And so here he was...bored...and alone.<br><br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadows of Candles (MusicNeverDies and Torch)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MusicNeverDies</strong> on <strong>05-02-2009, 04:04:06</strong>
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				Jonathan Langtry, the adult son and heir of Samuel Langtry, Marquess of&nbsp; Lansdowne, did not often grace London with his presence. However, at the present it seemed as though London would have enough of him for a few solid months. He had been called in on business that would require his presence in the area until the fall. Already it was not the best of trips for him, as he had been expected to arrive a day later. As such, his temporary place of residence was not yet suitable for him. The Earl of Shropshire was a friend through family more then anything else, although the men had met before. Jonathan's father had arranged a one night stay in the Earl's luxurious guest room. <br><br>From word of mouth Jonathan had learned of many of the points of interest in London, as far as high society was concerned. There was of course Arthur, along with the Wilkes. Many suitors were supposed to grace the district in which he would be spending his time. There was Coventry, the Neilison boys, and the newly discovered artisans Doyle and Pratchett. The entire street seemed to be near bursting with courtship, or the availability of courtship. That was one element of London that did not amuse Jonathan. He still participated however, in the endless wooing and courting, being polite, taking hands, brushing hair softly away from an exposed neck, passing soft glances through his light blue eyes. Johnathan had quickly set himself up in his own district as the most sought after bachelor. He figured he'd take London as well after three parties. How humorous that fact was, in retrospect.<br><br>That was how the young man found himself in a carriage ascending the drive to the luxurious estate. He brushed a light brown strand of hair out of his eyes. His hair was lose and sporadic, but still notably clean and maintained. It fell to his shoulders, often left to freely bounce about in the wind, pulled back on formal occasions. Upon arrival he extended one lengthy leg out of the vehicle, and then the other,&nbsp; &nbsp;his body held a slender leanness he proudly showed. His body was limber and smooth, nothing angular about his features, all were soft save for his light blue eyes and chin. <br><br>The driver had already removed the bags from the back of the carriage, and two servants had moved quickly to work. Jonathan had brought an extensive wardrobe for the trip, as being well dressed and fashionable was an important thing to him. It showed a certain care of ones own image that he valued in others, and certainly in himself. He could never hold his head high at a party were he to arrive in last seasons attire. <br><br>Advancing to the front porch, Jonathan allowed himself a look at the house. He had been there before, but not in years, and it seemed as if some updates had occurred. The most prominent of which was the adornment of the fifth floor balcony. A young man of incredible beauty, to Jonathan's eyes. The light from above seemed to shimmer over him and cast his presence as nearly saintly. Such thoughts would be shunned if said out loud, but many of Jonathan's thoughts were not exactly of the Academia. <br><br>After the pause to look at the figure, he pressed on. His thin waistcoat clung to his frame, the cravat remaining pressed firmly below it. His cloak was clasped tight at the top, and billowed slightly behind him from the waist down, almost as if tailored for his lanky figure specifically, which, of course, it was.<br><br>Entering, he removed the jacket and moved upwards, giving small greetings to whomever addressed him.&nbsp; He was not rushed, nor rude, simply set in his goal. Had he seen Arthur he wold have been side tracked, but luckily, the Earl seemed preoccupied with other guests at the moment. Jonathan's bags were already on the way to his room, and so he had nothing to worry about, or to do. Arriving on the fifth floor, he moved to the balcony door, reaching into his waistcoat pocket and thumbing the cigar inside. Carrying a nonchalance, he opened the door and walked onto the balcony as he pulled the cigar from his pocket, all but ignoring the mysterious new man sharing the small space with him. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadows of Candles (MusicNeverDies and Torch)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Torch</strong> on <strong>05-02-2009, 15:42:32</strong>
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				William's eyes flickered lazily to the door when it opened, but the blue gems widened slightly as they gazed on the gentleman who stepped onto the balcony.&nbsp; They had never been introduced, William was sure of it, for he had a keen memory for faces, even faces shadowed by darkness such as this one.&nbsp; But William had no need for light to notice the soft, handsome features, the slender musculature hidden beneath the expensive cut of the man's clothing, and the brown hair, falling upon the man's shoulders in gentle waves, the breeze on the balcony lifting it like ribbons in the air.<br><br>All of this went through William's mind in the few seconds it took for the stranger to step across the balcony and turn. The man put a cigar against full lips and lit it from a match, cheeks hollowing as he pulled against the cigar, causing the tip to glow a faint red. A most unwelcome lewd thought crossed William's mind at the sight of those hollowed cheeks, but he readily dismissed it with a sip from the champagne glass held in his fingertips.&nbsp; The scent from the man's cigar crossed William's nose and he recognized it.&nbsp; A Havana Imperial, imported from Cuba, and William noted that the stranger had excellent taste in cigars.&nbsp; <br><br>Straightening a bit, William slipped his cigar into his left hand and extended his right.<br><br>"I fear we haven't been introduced.&nbsp; William, Lord Coventry." And with a dip of his flaxen head, he politely nodded to the man, while at the same time taking in the blue eyes gazing back into his own.<br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadows of Candles (MusicNeverDies and Torch)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MusicNeverDies</strong> on <strong>15-03-2009, 00:20:30</strong>
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				Seconds. It had taken mere seconds for the other young man to notice Jonathan and approach him. He hoped that was a sign of interest, not impatient crudeness. Though not the most astute or prim of men, it was only because of Jonathan's humor and lack of fear when his tongue was set loose. He did not worry as much as most of the socialites he'd met in London. Perhaps it was because Lansdowne held less competition for position. He didn't need to be constantly poising himself. <br><br>Turning to look at the other man for the first time up close, Jon was not disappointed. He was a handsome man, well dressed and well groomed. Their eyes met, and Jon dared to let a flicker smile in his own. A sort of lustful twinkle that would go unnoticed- unless the other male was looking for it. He smiled, giving a perfectly executed bow, his hand crossing to his waist and then resuming his erect position. “Jonathan Langtry, future Marquess of Lansdowne.” <br><br>He smiled coyly, facing the balcony again and looking outwards, drawing on the cigar before removing it again. His voice mused, playful. “But why fear it? Neither you nor I shall burst into flames had we never encountered the other. There is no just cause for fear of something that could never had had an effect. Had we never met we'd go about lives without a change in the path fate has set. But now?” He turned back, leaning his arm on the railing nonchalantly, and staring deep into Williams eyes. He let his voice fall, slightly deeper, into a sultry tone. <br><br>It was obvious Jonathan had little care for what wild (though true) accusations of him would arise in London. Or perhaps he had a notion about this man. “Now would be the time to fear. We have met, and thus potentially altered our paths. It is true, maybe we were meant to, but maybe we were not. Perhaps we shall become good friends, or lead each other into debauchery and social exile. Or perhaps we shall never see each other again and the only reason you will even remember me in years to come will be that I greeted you with such pointless dribble.” Another smile, showing off his gleaming white teeth, perfectly set. “I did say my name was Jonathan, did I not?” 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadows of Candles (MusicNeverDies and Torch)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Torch</strong> on <strong>17-03-2009, 21:38:50</strong>
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				The instant Jonathan introduced himself, William had assessed the man's social standing. The man was the heir apparent to the Lansdowne titles, and in due time would inherit them, along with the family's grand estate home in Wiltshire. William had met the current Marquess, Lord Henry, Jonathan's father, during a particularly boring session of the House of Lords last year. Not that William was surprised, of course. Arthur only invited the cream of the aristocracy to one of his social soirees', for making one's presence known at the right parties and balls during the Season was a time honored tradition of the upper classes.<br><br>Despite this assessment, it wasn't the man's social standing that interested William. What interested him was the flicker in those azure eyes, the barest hint of interest that could only be observed by one who looked for it. To anyone else, it would go unnoticed, a curious slight narrowing of the eyes, nothing more. Although his face remained placid and even, William's heart rate sped up slightly at the flicker, and he let one perfectly groomed brow rise slightly higher than the other, as his eyes gave off their carefully guarded response.<br><br>Taking his own draw of his cigar, William nodded. "You did indeed, sir." Flicking his ash over the railing, he continued. "But not so pointless, your...dribble. I daresay not one other of Arthur's guests could imagine a life of debauchery and social exile." William sipped his champagne, and gazed pointedly across the balcony. "And yet I myself have always been possessed of a vivid imagination..."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadows of Candles (MusicNeverDies and Torch)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MusicNeverDies</strong> on <strong>22-03-2009, 03:16:51</strong>
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				A soft chuckle echoed from Jon's lips as she stepped a little closer to his new found friend. The gentle curve of William's eyebrow as it curved upwards in suspicion made Jon smile. It meant that he had seen the glance played softly. It had meant that he was looking. Barely able to contain himself, the smile upon Jon's face refused to dissipate. Each of the three casual steps were perfectly graceful, even in length and with a rhythm. The gait of one born to be prim and precise. <br><br>"Not entirely true, my friend. They imagine a life of debauchery often- simply never of themselves. The men here, in this thriving show of power and respect, they wallow in social exile." Jon spoke with a grin, a sort of youthful excitement that made his words come fast and soft, hoping for William to lean closer to hear them. "Have you heard of Lord Harold of Hertford, his charming young niece- I met her once you know, darling thing, actually able to carry conversation aside of the state of her thoroughbred dogs, or new linen set- his niece Cathrine found by police and accosted for selling her body to men of the county!" <br><br>He laughed and smiled, taking a quick drag on his cigar, barely savouring it, nearly dripping with excitement at his ability to talk to freely. "Of course you've heard of it, it is the word of the town, and poor Lord Harold, would not even attend her hearing! That is social exile at it most pure, and you've heard of it. These-" he waved his free hand back at the door to the interior again, implying all the men and women chatting amiably behind it's thin lining. "-honoured guests adore such debauchery, as now each and every one of them who sat below Harold or his wife on the social ladder has been bumped up by two places!" <br><br>Taking another drag, Jonathan calmed himself, slowing down his breathing and resting his elbow on the thin railing. Placing his forehead to his palm, he smiled at the ground below him. "You must forgive me William. I talk when I get nervous, or excited." Glancing up, his hand rose with his head, running through his light hair and letting it fall back into place without any prompt, trained to stay in order. Casting a quick look to the door and ensuring there privacy, he spoke again, mostly he had assured their privacy for Williams sake. Jonathan was close to uncaring of the socialite society. However the men it offered him was well reason to stay wrapped in its oblique demoralization of the humans trapped within it's velvet confides. "Please don't think me brash, but you seem to have both effects on me, William. "
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadows of Candles (MusicNeverDies and Torch)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Torch</strong> on <strong>23-03-2009, 20:35:21</strong>
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				Three steps closer, and the dark haired gentleman invaded William's personal space. Perhaps invaded was not the proper word, as it implies an unwelcome advance. This invasion was most assuredly welcome. The lingering scent of the man's soap wafted across the air, mingling with the scent of the cigar and the oil used to shine Jonathan's leather boots. William did lean closer, but not to hear the man's words, but to catch more of the delightful scent that filled his nostrils. He took a sip of his champagne, and leaving a droplet on his upper lip, gently licked it off as he had the attention of the blue eyes that gazed upon him.<br><br>"Point taken, good sir." His own blue gems glanced towards the doors, and the crowd within. "The misfortunes of others can always be counted upon to occupy the gossips and set tongues wagging across the whole of London." He rolled his cigar with slender fingers. "No doubt poor Catherine's unfortunate...avocation has doomed the poor girl to a lifetime of misery, all because she was astute enough to realize that her charms were worth more than a mere hand in marriage." William took another idle puff and the smoke drifted from his lips in a long stream that danced and curled with the breeze. "And why shouldn't she? Better than chaining herself to a simpering fop who wants nothing more than to spend through the girl's dowry, then leave her to grow old and mindless, with an ever increasing brood of brats clinging to her skirts." <br><br>William's lips curled up into a soft smile. "If I were a woman, and thank the good Lord I'm not...but if I were, my pleasures would come at a price men would be more than willing to pay, and pay well they would indeed." It didn't escape William's notice that the space between them had closed considerably, far closer than for mere light conversation. The question was, did he mind? William decided that he did not mind at all.<br><br>At Jonathan's glance and the man's smiling confession, William closed the gap even further, setting his empty champagne glass on the rail and letting his fingers brush the rich fabric of Jonathan's coat. "You don't seem at all nervous to me, my good man." His fingers brushed the fabric again, this time lingering a moment longer than necessary to determine the quality of the fine tailoring.<br><br>"Poole's?" William asked curiously, nodding to the jacket and mentioning the famous Savile Row bespoke tailor he himself patronized on occasion.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadows of Candles (MusicNeverDies and Torch)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MusicNeverDies</strong> on <strong>24-03-2009, 04:51:52</strong>
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				Jonathan revelled in the closeness between them both as the smell of high end cigar and champaign filled his nose. This man was, indeed, entering his personal space. Quite poignantly as well. There was an obvious air between both men on that large balcony, and Jon was quite sure that both felt it. Hoped that both felt it. No. There was no doubt. It was impossible for the conversation to be advancing as it was, Williams movements to advance as they were advancing, if he was oblivious to the subtle wishes in Jon's mind. <br><br>Quirking a brow much in the same manner that William had done a few moments prior, Jonathan evaluated that comment made about were William a woman. Women were the people in the pairing who, to put it bluntly, took their partners manhood inside. Jon found himself wondering if William was hinting to experience at this very act. For half a second he felt a twitch in his loins, nothing enough to move the fabric, but enough to tell him that his mind was to be put to tether and soon. <br><br>With an enthusiastic smile, Jon lent into the questioning hand, letting himself feel the hand moving outside the thick material of his expensive jacket.&nbsp; “Yes it is.” With a look over the hillside, Jonathan drew in another anxious drag, calming himself. Then he turned back to William, letting their eyes lock onto the others. “You've quite an eye for fashion, my friend. And, if I may say, you've got quite fashionable eyes. Simply...” Leaning to the point of danger, Jon moved in for a second only, to look deep into those glorious orbs. “Astounding.” <br><br>Another brief chuckle of self reprimand as he lent back to an acceptable distance. Still very close, but not so close as to gather stares. Looking to the glass on the ledge, two gentle fingers slipped below the cup and turned it slightly, so the side that William had been sipping from was facing Jonathan's lips. “You seem to have such an exquisite taste in all other matters of which we've spoken, dear William. I simply must see if your taste is as good as I dare think it to be.” Raising the glass to his lips, he gently touched where Williams lips were moments prior, savoring it. Only after a few second of that did he actually tilt the glass to have a small taste, before offering it back to William. “Yes. Utterly delicious. I must try it straight from the source some time-” Grinning with a knowing smile, he added a quick “- right from the bottle.” 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadows of Candles (MusicNeverDies and Torch)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Torch</strong> on <strong>26-03-2009, 05:14:01</strong>
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				Taking the glass from Jonathan's hand, William gazed at it for a moment, his eyes caressing the spot from which they had both drank. "An excellent vintage, I must say. A fine champagne is a true treasure. I know many of our fellow Englishmen have little use for the French, but one cannot deny their genius in creating such a delightful and succulent libation." While he was speaking, William spun the glass in his nimble fingers, so that he could sip from the shared side of the glass once more. His eyes caressed Jonathan's as he did so, he then tilted his head back and drained the glass, giving his companion a sensual view of his long neck.<br><br>"Of course, Arthur and his lovely Margaret can always be counted on to serve the finest food and drink in the city. Their wine cellar is second to none. I'm sure..." and at this William paused, setting the empty glass on the balcony rail, "a viewing could be arranged, if you have...an interest. In fact, I myself would be most anxious to peruse his collection and perhaps...sample a glass or two." Taking a final puff from his cigar, he stubbed it out, and tossed it over the balcony to the street below. <br><br>"Would that be to your taste, my good Jonathan? One simply must have more than just a small morsel to really appreciate a complex and intricate wine." William's eyes indicated that he expected his bold offer to be accepted by the dark-haired gentleman. "It requires one to savor it in every sense of the word. Only by indulging in the entire bottle, may a man fully appreciate its hidden charms." William's voice had dropped to an indulgent purr as his gaze frankly traveled across the plains of Jonathan's face, caressing each aristocratic curve to the man's features.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadows of Candles (MusicNeverDies and Torch)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>MusicNeverDies</strong> on <strong>30-03-2009, 01:44:17</strong>
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				Without being tactlessly obvious, Jonathan allowed himself to watch the tender and oh so delicious looking flesh of William's neck. He noticed the softness of the flesh, and felt a nearly overwhelming urge to step right against William and let his tongue slide once along that supple flesh. Something that twitched in Jonathan's nether regions for a moment told him that William was practically begging for the same. At least, Jonathan was content to let himself think so. <br><br>Smiling at the obvious underlying message in William's small description of the beverages, Jonathan was certain now that he had been invited to a short visit into the wonderful world of depravity. Not only was he offered the visit, it was being sold to him. Jonathan would hear William selling himself, and for the briefest of moments wondered if this man, this high class socialite, was used to giving himself to every apparently interested man who came his way. It stung with a twitch of jealousy, he did not like being wanted simply because the man wanting him was starved. <br><br>Stubbing out his own doubts with the cigar, he tossed both down to the wind and let his attention fall to the door. A small smattering of guests were in the room directly adjacent to the balcony, but none were the homes owner, nor any of recognition to Jonathan, they could probably move through it easily without attracting attention. It wasn't as though every person would assume that two men going to investigate a wine cellar was actually a front for them to indulge in wonderfully licentious behavior. <br><br>“I dare say you have much more than wet my appetite.” Drawing his tailored cloak closer around him, he looked to the sky. “I also dare to say that this London weather is not for me. I would greatly enjoy a visit to the wine cellar, I may find something there to warm my senses. If not, than it is really no loss of time, but something about having such a seemingly knowledgeable guide as yourself makes me get the inkling that I shall be well introduced to some fine tastes and sensations. I do hope you think I am not putting you too highly, or perhaps simply indulging in the flatterist fashion of social acknowledgement. Were I trying to simply attain status and find a lovely woman of high standing to court while here I would not intend to spend half my time in a wine cellar with another man, now would I?”&nbsp; <br><br>He glanced to the door, passing another bright smile to William before flourishing his arm in a symbol that asked William to lead the way. "Shall we?"
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