Ghosts of You || Marshal

[ROXANNE OLIVIA BOURDOUX]

Roxanne turned to face him once he approached. She really did know his white lies, and when he was really trying to get something from her. How they had come to be as close as they were—Roxy would never really know. A slender hand found her hip and she gave him that southern belle once over. Many had seen it on the face of Vivianne Leigh when she graced the silver screen portraying Scarlet O’Hara. It wasn’t until a slow smile crossed her face as she turned and hooked a finger at him over her shoulder. What could she say? Out of all the people that she ran across over the ages, she was very fond of Marshal even his lies were something she could deal with. Why he was coming to drag her away from work she wasn’t sure—but there were humans about.

The southern belle moved into her office at the base of the stairs and shut the door—when customers asked for the manager and saw how young she was, all Roxanne could summon up was a smile. The tourism was good for business but bad for her calm. With a flourish that only Roxanne could muster she sat on her desk and crossed her legs, watching him through those intense blue eyes of hers.

“So,” she said her voice slow as it always was. She was a steel magnolia, forged before the south even know what it was to be strong. Her eyes trailed over him again and she smirked just a bit. “What is it you’ll be wantin’ Marsh? I know you better than you just bein’ up to your usual. And I also know that you know how much I love that cologne you’re wearin’ and you did it on purpose so I’d agree easier.” But, there was that ghost of a smile on her lips and she was watching him expectantly as the clock outside chimed.

At least she wasn’t stuck doing tours. She’d have to hurt someone.

[MARSHAL CARRICK COOMINGS]

Another night and little to do. Was that not how it almost always was? That wasn't to say that Marshal didn't enjoy his life as a vampire. Once he figured things out he realized that it was a golden opportunity. He wasn't close to his now deceased family, and being an immortal of sorts did allow him to live life to the fullest, or was it now living death to the fullest? Marshal was always confused by that one. But really his life/death for the most part had been nothing but one big party since the 1920's. Course not everything was all fun and games, Marshal did honestly work as a money man for Mushrooms, and there was the big battle that had left it's mark on Marshal to some extent but that was beside the point, he was still out to get all he could and have fun while doing it.

This night instead of hitting the town a bit and finding something lovely to play with and then possibly 'munch' on he decided to spend a bit of time with his own kind. He in a way needed a break, and really he hadn't seen Roxy in a while. She really was much too serious and had much to much to do. Really she needed to be liberated once more, though this time Canada was off the bracket for potential things to do.

Really life had been booming since that stupid book came out, (really Ricky the hero?) it made a fair number quite busy, namely Roxanne. That needed to change, and thus Marshal wore her favorite cologne. Really with that and his irresistible charm how could she refuse him? Not many people got close to Roxie like he did but he didn't worry or think to hard about it. He just accepted it for what it was. There were other members of the coven he didn't get on with as much, but being close the right hand of it certainly did help things along and keep him in good spot all in all.

He slipped through the night quiet as ever, his swift and silent motions many times made him hard to find and peg, he was a natural after a sort. He liked lurking and waiting on people surprising them having seemingly come from nowhere, it typically impressed human females. Though it was a bit harder to sneak up on Roxanne particularly when wearing the cologne he was wearing.

Marshal knew he had her before she even opened her mouth to speak. He smirked to himself as his friend spoke asking him about his presence there. "How can you be so assuming that I'd want something from you?" asked Marshal with mock hurt. "I am up to nothing more than my usual." he continued letting the facade of hurt drop quickly. There was a white lie in his words that he would not be surprised if Roxanne picked up on. He was not up to his usual, if he was he wouldn't have come specifically to see Roxy nor would he exactly be wearing this particular cologne. He was a man on a mission and he wasn't going to easily take no for an answer. "So, how is life? Been keeping busy?" asked hitting the nail on the head. It was his lead in to insisting that she come spend time with him rather than burying her nose into more of that seemingly never ending work of hers.

[ROXANNE OLIVIA BOURDOUX]

Roxanne turned to face him once he approached. She really did know his white lies, and when he was really trying to get something from her. How they had come to be as close as they were—Roxy would never really know. A slender hand found her hip and she gave him that southern belle once over. Many had seen it on the face of Vivianne Leigh when she graced the silver screen portraying Scarlet O’Hara. It wasn’t until a slow smile crossed her face as she turned and hooked a finger at him over her shoulder. What could she say? Out of all the people that she ran across over the ages, she was very fond of Marshal even his lies were something she could deal with. Why he was coming to drag her away from work she wasn’t sure—but there were humans about.

The southern belle moved into her office at the base of the stairs and shut the door—when customers asked for the manager and saw how young she was, all Roxanne could summon up was a smile. The tourism was good for business but bad for her calm. With a flourish that only Roxanne could muster she sat on her desk and crossed her legs, watching him through those intense blue eyes of hers.

“So,” she said her voice slow as it always was. She was a steel magnolia, forged before the south even know what it was to be strong. Her eyes trailed over him again and she smirked just a bit. “What is it you’ll be wantin’ Marsh? I know you better than you just bein’ up to your usual. And I also know that you know how much I love that cologne you’re wearin’ and you did it on purpose so I’d agree easier.” But, there was that ghost of a smile on her lips and she was watching him expectantly as the clock outside chimed.

At least she wasn’t stuck doing tours. She’d have to hurt someone.

[MARSHAL CARRICK COOMINGS]

"You just don't let anyone have much fun do you?" asked Marshal knowing it was no use playing at innocent. It was fun for a time but when the gig was up it was up. Of course it was always up sooner with Roxy seeing as she knew him so well which did ruin half the fun but honestly he would be certain to have her make up for it in other ways.

Letting out a sigh Marshal raised his hands up in surrender, "You've got me. I'm wanting from you nothing more that what is for your own good." answered Marshal looking Roxanne in the eyes. He knew his mission wasn't going to be as simple as hey you let's go out and have fun there was always a back and forth game and arguing that usually happened that was unless heaven forbid Roxy was not busy and looking for something to do. If memory served correctly that was the trip to Canada which she still hadn't let him forget or live down really. But it was all and good fun and really after the time they had Marshal didn't mind having that one on his record.

Knowing how things had been in town with that book that was soon going to be a movie, the likelihood of Roxy not being busy was slim to none, the books were very much in the black at The Mushrooms and it kept Marshal fairly busy in the back but he wasn't going to let some stupid paperwork keep him from having a good time out. Really as vampires they were immortal as long as things got done at some point what did it matter?

"You've been holed up too long," remarked Marshal giving better explanation of what he was wanting. "I was beginning to forget what you looked like Roxy. You need to come out with me. Things have been hopping as of late and I don't want you to miss out. Besides nights out aren't half as fun as they are when you are around." There he said it and had come straight to the point. Now for the classic argument as was expected though if Roxanne ever jumped on his offer or statement though a shock it would be Marshal felt certain he could run with it. He did honestly secretly hope that one time just once Roxy would say yes straight out though at the rate things had been going for the past one hundred years it would be the day when pigs flew or hell froze over, other events that Marshal felt certain that he might one day witness considering the longevity of his life.

[ROXANNE OLIVIA BOURDOUX]

She watched him quietly as he spoke, her dark eyes never leaving his face before she let out a sigh. She remembered a night when she had agreed, one night that hadn’t ended in catastrophy. One where he’d taken her out dancing during the second world war, she’d enjoyed it so much; the dancing, the band playing and his company. If she could have done it all over again she probably would in a heartbeat, but those times were few and far between. He always wanted to drag her out into some kind of chaos and after he poked at her until she said yes.

Crossing her legs again she showed a good set of legs as she tapped her fingers on her forearms as she considered, “Marsh, you almost sound as if you are genuinely worried about me.” And that had her thinking that maybe this one he shouldn’t be fighting with him over it. On a sigh she brushed her hair from her face and uncrossed her legs to stand on the floor, her office was rather gothic in theme. She’d let Diana go hog wild with the decorating so it had a very old feel about it, but the southern vampire had put her own tastes in there too. Her brow lifted as she walked over to him, “Dancing.” She replied with a very soft tone. “Like when we went to the USO.. or something.”

That meant, she was agreeing to what he wanted. If he wanted to drag her out and into the big wide world then she was actually going to let him now. To be honest Roxanne was bored, she was over worked and she did need some fun. He was right and his plead to not argue with him this time actually had some weight to it. “If you leave me to run off with some bimbo I will never speak to you again..” She was aware they were only friends, there was that big part of her that didn’t want to be abandoned.

[MARSHAL CARRICK COOMINGS]

Honestly even if Roxie turned him down Marshal was having fun. It was odd but to Marshal almost any time around or with Roxie was fun for him. He just held a certain fondness for the woman without there being really too much romantically involved. Marshal happened to like his women and liked them in a variety of flavors. Some girls that he had found himself with unfortunately became a 'snack' while others he had a good time out with and they were allowed to see the next day of their lives not having known that they had spend the previous evening with a vampire.

When Roxanne remarked on how he seemed actually concerned he simply nodded his head to indicate that that was certain and it couldn't be any other way. He knew words weren't necessary with Roxie and he almost felt that words would ruin the moment he could tell that she was contemplative and might not actually argue which would be a miracle in some rights but being the age that Marshal found himself to be and liked to forget seeing as it made him think and feel old rather than being much like the 20 something he appeared to be, he had seen plenty of miracles and thus many of them lost some of their luster.

Of course Marshal chuckled when Roxie brought up dancing and his mind raced with the memories of that night. Those were the days, there were some things in this time that were nice and enjoyable and almost to be spoken for. Such as his Droid which was so much more than a phone it was almost hard to believe he liked having such thing as his Droid provided at his finger tips but at the same time he would gladly turn it in for some of the simple glories that were found in the 20's and 40's and 50's. Even some of the 60's and 70's were superb even if there were some odd things to them. "I remember that well. Didn't think it had left as quite an impression on you as it apparently has. Those were the days. Do you remember the old bootleggers way back?" Marshal laughed most of the bootlegging happened before he was a vampire and while he was still rather young but still even after prohibition there were a few still running around to avoid taxation and other things.

"Now the question is do you want the same dancing as back at the USO or would be okay with something a little more modern as long as it's dancing, because we might be hard pressed to find a place to play some of the old classics, though you know I'm never opposed to them." Marshal did have an appreciation for music his tastes were wide including what was popular in the past to what was popular at the time, it was just sometimes hard to remember what was already old and what wasn't. He had made the mistake of mentioning Usher's Yeah forgetting that was more of a 90's song rather than a current hit. It wasn't too terrible of a blunder considering that the artist was still current and the song was still considered good.

Having been threatened about running off with some bimbo Marshal put on a hurt and shocked face. "When was the last time I did that to you?" he asked, "Though I will remind you that when ever it was I have a particularly good reason. If I recall she smelled particularly good, and blood was getting fairly stale around here."

[ROXANNE OLIVIA BOURDOUX]

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Roxanne looked over at Marsh as she listened to him, a soft smile drawing her back to that time. She missed it—before there were a lot of things that could go wrong. He was right though, there weren’t that many places that still catered to that kind of dancing. She unfolded her legs and slid off of the desk, walking over to him with long limbed strides. What could she say other than—she really did miss him. Their relationship had always been unique; she shared a bond with him that she didn’t share with others. That meant more than she would ever let him really know. All Rox wanted to do was enjoy some time and not be abandoned.

His excuse made her snort as she approached him, tilting her head up towards him. Her hair curled and fell down her back as she put her hand on his shoulder, tilting her own hip a bit in a way that meant she was thinking something. Her free hand rested on her hip, a curious look on her face before she met his eyes and smirked. “Why not dance with me now? Right here?”

That was enough wasn’t it? Roxanne tapped her fingers on Marshal’s shoulders, as she found a tune in her head that she remembered. “Remember that song? It played night after night and we were always laughing even though the world was falling down around us.”

She put her other hand on his other shoulder, a soft smile on her face as she thought back, they were dancing along to the violence of the war. And she’d loved every minute of it.

[MARSHAL CARRICK COOMINGS]

Marshal just couldn't keep his eyes off of Roxie as she sat there on the desk then moved down to approach him. If he still had a properly beating heart it might have actually done something different. He never thought of it before but Roxie was quite attractive. He knew she could be a knock out he remembered some of those dresses she wore in the 40's they were never revealing like clothes tended to be in the present but there was something to be said. A bit of mystery and imagination left to be had. Some of those dresses gave women a very sleek and appealing line. Though Marshal embraced the current times, there was something to be missed of the past. The best part of the 40's was he had the freedom to be young rather than an old man like he had been destined to be before his change.

With Roxanne's hand on his shoulder tapping a small beat Marshal smiled his hands going to her waist. He enjoyed the closeness that was had between them. He didn't always know what it meant seeing as their relationship had always been a unique one. Marshal would give all for Roxane if came down to it, Julian may have granted him entrance into the coven but Roxanne was the first one to accept him and for him to get close too outside of his brief foray with Diana.

Marshal's feet started moving to the correct steps of the song as it started to play clearly in his head, there was no possible way he could ever for get that song. It wasn't quite "In the Mood" by Glenn Miller but it was something of it's own. Louis Jordan just happened to know how to lighten the mood back during the war. It was clear that the world was falling down around them but it mattered little to Marshal, he was focused on having fun and being with Roxane. It seemed as if the smells and feels of those nights came back to life right there in that little room. "How could I forget?" asked Marshal with a nostalgic smile on his face. "'Ain't nobody but Us Chickens'" Marshal proceeded to carry out the tune a bit across his lips as he and Roxie danced away.

When coming to see Roxie Marshal had intended to drag her out for a night on the town yet here they were alone and he was perfectly content. When really was the last time that it was just he and Roxie. He had played off his past actions but really he had been bad as of late and he felt a bit bad about it. Really he didn't know what good thing he had taken for granted, and he was glad he wasn't this time around. It was almost nice letting his mind wander back several decades and let the world around him and Roxanne fade away till it was just the two of them.

[ROXANNE OLIVIA BOURDOUX]

She smiled, oh she did remember that night. It had been just them, like it was now but it was so long ago. She’d been involved with someone else. Had been for a very long time – but he was long gone now. Something in her shifted to the sound of the music in her mind as she moved her feet to the old beat that she could still remember as if it were playing now. Dark hair bouncing and swirling around her head along with her rather practical skirt. She hopped, remembering steps she’d long thought she’d forgotten before she laughed. Oh god, how long had it been since she’d laughed.

He knew how she moved, which made their dancing all the easier. She turned, followed him with step and grinned. But there was something her mind, a slower song and she moved a bit closer, thinking about the big ballroom beat. “I remember this one too…” It had all just been fun and games, hell they were just fun and games. His friendship had really kept her together for the last few years, the way he made her laugh and forced her to get out into the world and just away from all the responsibility she insisted on placing upon herself. She was the one that always had to make sure that things ran while Julian was away—even if Rose was in charge. Roxy was making sure that the cogs in the clock were working smooth.

Letting the silence lapse, all she could think about was where they were. Dancing to music from the past in her office, she smiled a little bit, the southern belle turning a bit bashful for the moment. Chuckling softly, she looked up at him and then shrugged. “Mesi, Marsh. Mesi.” She’d never in her life thanked him for anything—in the entire time they’d been friends she had not felt she needed too. But when she looked back, over the memories of her long afterlife. The ones that weren’t painful, tended to be tied to something Marshal had done or said. It meant something there.

[MARSHAL CARRICK COOMINGS]

Marshal smiled as their feet moved with out hitch or fault, every step executed just right. It was as if the two of them were one the way they moved. Marshal practically anticipated Roxie's next step, it was astounding in some ways how he knew her every step as she made them. It was mostly due to the fact that he knew his companion so well and they had been dancing together for many years it was difficult to count.

When Roxie laughed Marshal's brown eyes brightened showing his joy of the moment. "I don't think I've heard you laugh in a long time," he mused a smile quirking at his lips. "I can honestly say I've missed it." Marshal was being sincere with his words he cared deeply for Roxie more than even he truly realized and bringing her joy was something in life he enjoyed doing and in a way was his mission in this after life of his.

Before long things slowed down Roxie bring to mind a slower song that Marshal had nearly forgotten. It was one of the last songs they danced to before the club they frequented was shut down. It was a dear and tender moment in his memories as they resurfaced. He couldn't help the instinct to draw Roxie closer as they moved to a much slower beat that mentally played for both of them. He could almost hear the soft wail of the trumpet as the glided around the floor of that little office.

"Mesi?" asked Marshal softly looking down at Roxie. "I don't think I know that one." he joked lightly. He had learned several words from Roxie over the years as she broke out into things other than English as he knew it. He couldn't speak it but he would typically know the meaning having heard the words before. Of course he mostly knew the more colorful of words and at times would jokingly chastise Roxie for being so crass even once demanding if that was how a true southern bell acted and threatened that if she didn't watch out she'd be a regular yank. If memory served correctly that resulted in a few more strongly worded insults at the time but it was all in good fun and he was easily forgiven of course that particular instance was years ago. It wasn't too often that Marshal made Roxie mad they had a rather close relationship and it was one that he would never dream to ruin or damage, it was far too important to him for that.