tampered | Log-Complete

Log-Complete

When; Tuesday noon.
Rating; PG-PG-13.
Characters; Isaak Fernand von Kämpfer/Panzer Magier (

rozenmagician) & Caterina Sforza/Eisendame (

milanbutterfly).
Summary; In order to show his gratitude, Isaak invites Caterina to the beach.
Log;
Caterina’s apartment looked neater and better tended than last time he visited. The furniture was properly polished and the dimmed lights replaced by a replaced by brighter lighting. The air smelled to pine and jasmine. Her staff must be very effective in their duties.

Kämpfer allowed the women take his coat and the packages he was carrying with the supplies for their picnic in the beach. Inclining his head to appreciate the welcome, the Magician ventured further inside, led by the head maid who guided Isaak to Caterina’s private quarters at the end of the spiralled corridor.

“Allow me,” Isaak requested to the woman, gently pushing her aside with his gloved hands to knock the door twice. “Duchess?” he inquired, clearing his throat, pocketing his glasses into his vest chest pocket. “May I pass? Are you still in need of my humble service?”

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"Yes Kampfer, enter," Caterina called in her soft voice. She was dressed in a white swimsuit, red and white sarong tied around her waist and white sandals adorning her feet. On the vanity was a wide brimmed hat, red flowers pinned to it as well as a pair of sunglasses.

Caterina's golden curls were only halfway pinned up, her hair was so long and thick that the maids, unused to it, were struggling with the sheer volume of golden tresses. "Kampfer, you are very prompt and I am glad you decided to come early, it seems my hair is quite the handful."

She was giving unspoken permission for him to touch her hair, to help hold and pin it in a manner that was most definately not that of her physician.

Isaak opened the door, almost missing the sly smile the maid at his side granted him with. The room was ample as his own chamber and richly decorated with flowers and delicate ornaments. It was so unlike the garish furniture featured in the other quarters of her apartment.

And she…

She’s divine, apprasied Kämpfer, approaching the barely clothed Caterina Sforza. Her skin was as pale as her swimming suit. White to contrast his black attire. Her golden hair was glowing. He recovered his lost composure and bowed out of politeness.

“Greetings, Duchess,” he said with a smile. “A gentleman must not keep a lady waiting. Allow me to aid you with that.” Cue to his words, Isaak approached without shame and promptly held her hair up slowly. Then took her pin, exploring the strands to find a right spot to clasp it. “Tell me where should go, Cardinal.”

From the reflection in the mirror, Caterina could see Isaak's expression, the way he approached her. There was only a moment, a microexpression, but she knew that he was enthralled. And it was no wonder, Caterina had been called a living goddess, that there was not anyone in the world as beautiful as her, nor would there ever be again.

"Your help is very much appreciated, Magician," Caterina replied and as he felt for a spot, she directed, "Right there," where the clip was in a good spot to uphold the rest of her hair.

"You should know I have been invited to live in the cathedral with Father Nightroad, Sister Blanchett and Lady Sahl. However, I think it wise that I do not remain with them. So I have declined for the time being. We will have another meeting together the three of them and myself."

Isaak obeyed immediately and pressed the pin on the selected spot before releasing her and moving backwards with a slight bow. It was almost a crime to not allow her hair hung freely yet she looked even more stunning with the curls partly up. Kämpfer was making mental notes of how her Order self should look in the near future.

“You look beautiful, Duchess,” he praised with a soft voice then hardened his notes to speak of business. “Perhaps you should accept, for a time, to stay among them. It would be uncommonly suspicious you denied their support when you are presumably alone.” He tilted his head. “I learnt how to shift into a female mirage, thus I can visit you by posing as one of your maids if there’s any need.”

It was a double intention that led Isaak to force her to endure that mission. Firstly, to keep Mein Herr happy in knowing Caterina was spying. Secondly, and most importantly, to erase any trace of lingering infatuation Caterina may have towards Nightroad.

"I... feel it would be in the best interest of everyone were I not to watch Lady Sahl and Father Nightroad together," Caterina admitted. "I have still not completely resolved my feelings on those matters."

Then inclined her head, "But, if you think it wise, I shall accept their offer and move into the Cathedral. I have already told them I would need extra room for my maids."

And half smiled, taking one of Kampfer's gloved hands, "You have been quite kind to me through all of this, Isaak," purposefully using his first name, "I do not know how I will ever repay your aid."

“I understand your sentiments but Mein Herr may inquire why did you decline such a good chance to get closer to them and find out what are their intentions,” argued Isaak, trying to appeal to Caterina’s sense of business. “Also, I believe it would appease any worry of your comrades. I’m deeply sorry about hinder your emotions, Duchess but is something that must be done.”

Her sudden gesture startled Isaak slightly. He was never into receiving contact, if any, Kämpfer was the one providing it when it suited him. Her fingers over his red array triggered a rather pleasant sensation.

“We have an arrangement already, Caterina,” answered Isaak, inclining his head. “It’s not my place to ask for any additional reward.”

"You misunderstand, Kampfer, I am giving you my appreciation as well, but it seems that I have made you uncomfortable," Caterina replied, releasing his hands with an apologetic look.

Rising, she turned to her dresser and picked up her hat, placing it artfully on her head and pinning it there with a bejeweled hat pin. Then lifted her white framed sunglasses and slipped them on her nose.

"Shall we?" She asked, picking up her woven raffia beach bag, of which a towel, some sunblock and other assorted things were packed inside.

He realized his ghastly mistake too late. Foolishly, Isaak had rejected her advances due to his overly polite nature. He approached her quietly, gaze cast down in an apologetic display.

“Duchess, your appreciation is more than welcome if it’s given freely. I merely clear up, you shouldn’t be obligated,” he explained, attempting to fix his grave err. “I admit I would like your appreciation very much.”

Kämpfer nodded and opened the door of the chambers for her, “Yes. The beach is located in the seven building, room number thirteen I believe. We have some road ahead us.”

She paused when he approached, looking rather like a kicked puppy. Resisting such a look would have been quite difficult in any circumstance.

She smiled at him, "I feel obligated to do nothing, Kampfer. I say what I mean because I truly believe it." Again she was back to his last name, sated from his apology, but still feeling a bit wary.

"Inside of a building? How very odd." And nodded in thanks as he held the door, waiting for him to open the front door for her.

“Yes, inside the building. A hidden paradise within the city,” Isaak pointed out amused, waiting for her to pass so he could follow and shut the door lightly. “Is it really odd? The city is quite special place.”

When they reached to the foyer, the maids returned Kämpfer his coat and packages. Dipping his head, he thanked their gesture and then continued to walk behind Caterina outside her apartment.

“How is your health, Duchess?”

"This city itself is odd, I should become accostumed to finding the extraordinary in the most ordinary places, should I not?" Her gaze lingered on Isaak for a moment, teasing and light, then pushed her sunglasses up to cover her eyes once more.

Caterina led the way outside from her apartment, a bit hesitant with her style of dress and all of the bodies around them. "My health is good, Kampfer, slowly declining again, but I am far better off than I was."

Isaak pulled his coat over her shoulders when noticed her awkward body language. He walked beside her, opening them path through the shadows of the passing people to set Caterina on ease.

“As soon you feel yourself too tired, tell me so,” Kämpfer answered, leading the way so she wouldn’t lose herself in the crowd. “The healing process will take less if your health isn’t as fragile.”

She felt Isaak's coat slip over her shoulders and half closed her eyes as the smell of him overtook her. "Thank you," Caterina replied automatically, smiling ot the gesture and feeling rather safe with him standing beside her.

"I can manage for this trip," She replied, looking up to him questioningly as she slipped her hand to his arm, "So I do not lose you in the crowd," Caterina explained.

“Of course,” Isaak answered charmingly and eased the tension on his arm. He strode firmly and in a moderate pace she was able to hold without strain. His posture was straightened and dignified during the journey towards the seventh building.

The construction was positioned at the opposite extreme of his own home. It was a curious disposition indeed, all the flats circling the carousel. It was like if there were numbers on a clock.

“The beach must be on the first floor,” he commented as he motioned Caterina to head in direction of the staircase.

Caterina noticed the tension in Isaak's arm releasing and leaned against him slightly, pretending her reason was the crowded streets, even though they parted easily before the two.

"This way?" She asked and led them up into the seventh building. Stepping into whatever room it was that contained the beach, her breath caught. The sun was warm and bright, the sky was blue and as she looked out, the sweet smelling waves washed up upon the golden sand of the beach. There were no shells on the shore, but every so often the gulls would start dancing in unison with the crabs.

Mermaids swam in the ocean and the cabanas lining the beach were utterly devoid of other persons. "How beautiful," Caterina breathed, then entered the room, pulling Isaak in by his arm.

Isaak smiled inwardly at the Duchess leaning but did not utter a word. She would probably pull away out embarrassment of being discovered. And he would dislike that immensely.

The beach was splendid, the pale sand glittered like jewels and the sky was always blue even if outside could be partly cloudy. The sun warmed the atmosphere but the sandy grains were not heated.

Kämpfer released Caterina and chose a spot to locate themselves, disposing the chairs under a black umbrella he had brought with him. Then set a small table out his seemly magical package to support the drinks and sandwiches he had prepared himself.

"How on earth did you manage to fit all of that inside those packages?" Caterina asked, removing her beach wrap and depositing herself on a chair.

The hat and sunglasses still remained even though she was under the shade of Isaak's black umbrella, "That was very good foresight on your part."

Her limbs were pale as snow and well formed, perfectly toned and soft.

“How, Eisendame?” Isaak asked playfully, sitting straight on his chair to reach for his drink. “Are you asking Panzer Magier that question? You already know the reply: Magic.” He smiled rather playfully before sipping from his glass and set the goblet down.

He preferred the comforting caress of the shadows to the bright sunlight. It was not hurtful but truly bothersome sometimes.

She wagged her finger at him, ivory bracelets rattling on her hand, "Panzier Magier," She replied on a tease, "One day I will have you give me a straight answer."

Then relaxed before sitting up abruptly, "Oh! I almost forgot." Reaching into her bag, she took out the bottle of suntan lotion and began to apply it.

“That was a straight answer, Eisendame,” protested Isaak furrowing his brows before lounging on the chair, closing his eyes thus missing Caterina’s lotion display. He relaxed under the umbrella.

Caterina chuckled to Isaak's expression, and continued to rub lotion on her limbs, moving to her thighs, she spread the lotion out and said, "Kampfer?"

And paused, "I dislike to disturb you but I need your assistance. Could you please rub this lotion on my back and shoulders? I would not wish to burn."

Isaak was reading a book when Caterina interrupted him. He removed his glasses and put both, the tome and the spectacles, near his half empty glass. His expression was mildly at loss to her request and current appearance but he was quick to recover.

Lotion. She wanted him to apply lotion on her body. It couldn’t be that difficult.

Rising immediately, Isaak approached and reached for the bottle. “It’s nothing, I would be glad to assist you. Turn around, Duchess.”

"Thank you," Caterina replied and offered the bottle as he reached for it, then turned, giving him her back and shoulders. They were pale and perfect, unmarred by any sort of blemish.

She drew aside, with equally pale hands, any stray strands of hair that blocked his path and waited for the cool touch of lotion and fingers spreading it across her back.

Pausing for a moment to admire her pale skin, Isaak proceeded without hesitation once Caterina picked up her hair. He took out his gloves for once and only time that allowed himself some weakness to be exposed and smeared his fingers on the lotion, applying the substance with the tips first on her shoulder blades then down her back.

Her body was warm and soft, it trembled lightly when his digits brushed her skin with the cold lotion.

Her skin shivered at the cold of the lotion against her flesh, but she relaxed as the light brush of his fingers swept the lotion over her shoulderblades and down her back.

Caterina's head dropped forehead in relaxation and a small sigh escaped her, unnoticable except for the finest of ears.

His hearing was pretty sharp, therefore Isaak heard the sigh that made his slight smile broad. Good Caterina could not see his face. He did not know how she would react if she did.

The sensation of nude flesh over his ungloved fingers was one he almost never allowed himself to experiment. Isaak seldom removed his gloves, even in presence of a lover. He wondered if the Duchess would one day appreciate this gesture of his.

After applying lotion at the shivering lower torso, Kämpfer withdrew, offering the Cardinal her bottle back with a servile bow. “I hope I was useful, Eisendame.”

Her eyes had fallen completely shut, she noted that this was the first time he had touched her with nude fingers and wondered at the significance of it. Her cheeks were slightly flushed when she raised her head and accepted the bottle.

"Very useful, Magician," Then cleared her throat, "Goodness, I Think my face is already starting to burn." And applied lotion there.

Isaak cleaned his hands on a towel and slid his gloves again, arranging his slightly messed clothes. “Are you?” queried the Magician with a sharp smile. “Your face was on the shadows, Duchess.”

He was aware of the source of her flushing and let her know that did not bother him in the least.

Her eyes widened fractionally at his comment and knowingly sharp smile. "Perhaps it was," she mused coyly, glancing at Isaak from over her shoulder.

Once more, she lounged on the chair, laying comfortably across it and enjoying the sounds of the ocean and the silent company of her nearby companion.

“I brought books that may hold an interest to you, Duchess,” Isaak commented, offering her a copy of The Prince by Machiavelli, the passing mention of Caterina Sforza would certainly pique the Cardinal’s interest once she read it.

After handing the tome, Isaak focused in his own reading, feeling completely relaxed sharing a peaceful solace alone with Eisendame.

"Oh? Hm...thank you, I had not thought to bring something to pass the time," She replied and began reading, fascinated by the words and the mention of her historical counterpart.

Straightening there, she glanced over at Kampfer, "I believe your selection was partly purposeful."

“Was it?” Kämpfer smiled at Caterina shamelessly. “No, as a matter of fact, I wanted you to read the book that brought the downfall of your counterpart. It’s the guide of advices Cesare Borgia followed to overthrown the late Caterina Sforza, the Lady of Forli.”

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