Heathfield ~ A Port of Call

[Carlotta]

Tea and Memories

She smiled, watching the thoughts turn behind the woman's eyes. "Yes, Lord Malcolm Douglas. He brought me out here..." A soft laugh and she tipped her head forward. "Keep sipping that tea, ma Cherie."


"His name rings familiar, but I can't seem to view a face in my mind." Slow shake of her head, for a moment frustration would engulf her. "This is quite annoying, being around people who know me, and I don't have a clue as to whom they are, or what part they played in my life. I at least kept a journal, and have been reading it to help me relearn my life." Unsure if her state was permanent or not, she was doing all she could to learn of herself. It was then she offered a smile, refusing to let her situation sully the visit. "Perhaps I should purchase some of this root from you. It's working better than all the reading I've been doing since my return."


"How much of your life have you lost? All of it?" Her brows were furrowed as she listened, continuing to sip at the tea that, apparently, had begun to clear some of Carly's fog. "Oh goodness! You need not purchase anything from me! After we finish breaking our fast, I shall take you upstairs and you may have as much as you like. Which reminds me, please help yourself to muffins." Nodding at the basket and two plates on one of the tables nearby.


"All of it." Trying to remain upbeat as she speaks of it. "Though I'm getting small flickers of things I remember. I'm just unsure if they're actual memories, or those that I've read of my past." Offered with a small shrug. "Thank you." In reference of the muffins, she'd take one from the basket and place it on the plate. Her cup to rest upon the table as she leaned forward to break a piece off the muffin in which to consume. Then, glancing up at the woman, "Surely such things cost you Jessamine, I am quite able to compensate for your troubles."


She swiped her hand across the air. "And I am able to afford such luxuries myself as to bless my friends with, oh, such little trifles as... helping restore their memory." The last four words were stern for dramatics' sake and she smirked. "If I need any help with payment, I assure you I shall let you know directly. Until then, please give it not a second thought." She reached across and gave the woman's hand a squeeze.


Both hands lifted in the air in concession and a light chuckle upon hearing the woman's matronly tone. "Thank you Jessamine for your kind hearted nature." A kind smile offered to the woman and the reassuring squeeze would be returned. "I'll keep you to your word, I am a Barrister after all." It sounded strange saying that, yet it was true in all sense of the word. All those records she found, many left open ended. Was she one who never finished her tasks, or were they left that way because she left abruptly? So many questions and no answers yet to be found.


She had often been accused of being far more matronly than her age allowed; not a week ago her sister spoke the very accusation. "Good. And you shall let me know if there is anything else I can do to assist you?" The correct answer here would be yes, mother. "I cannot even begin to imagine how frightening this all must be for you; I only pray that you shall have someone nearby when your memory decides to flood, for I have a suspicion that it shall do just that... and when you least expect it." It was an empathetic smile that came for Carly, followed by a sigh of helplessness.


"Being a friend is the greatest assistance anyone can offer for the moment." A slow intake of breath to be released in the same way. Her smile remained genuine, even if it dulled ever so slightly. "It's more frustrating than frightening I fear. Not knowing those who seemingly know me. People who have heard of my return have been coming to me to resolve problems I was working on before I ...disappeared?" She was still unsure of the circumstances behind her leaving. "I'm not even sure if I should be worried that someone is out to harm me, that's the greatest frustration of all." Who were genuinely friends, and did she have enemies. "I know I was engaged, twice, according to my journal. I escaped from the first, I guess the man was a horrible individual according to my words. The second, he left me for another woman. Draven and Maurice have been great friends, I have written about them both often." A bit of a chuckle as she looked down. "It seems I was sweet on Draven, and never told him according to my journal. I must never have because I have come to learn he is smitten with another." Again a small shrug of shoulders. There were other things in that journal as well, things that she was unsure of her involvement, or it's depth, that were below the boundaries of the law. One of the reason those leather bounds were now kept safe under lock and key.


She left her tea and stood to her feet to seat herself by the woman, an arm snaking around the back of Carly's shoulders. "I am sure you shall find many mysteries revealed to you in time as God slowly gives back your memories of the past. But how fun to know that you have had so many men in love with you..." A soft giggle and she shook her head. "I am thankful to be a friend on this end of things, for you shall know me better than some others since we have formed our friendship now rather than before. I will help in any way I can, even if it means just sitting in comforting silence."


"I wouldn't call it love, Jess ... you don't mind if I call you Jess, do you?" Looking over to the woman for permission to use the shortened version of her name. "Yes, it's good to have a friend that I can remember as being such. Not to mention someone I can talk with, that somehow our conversations might assist in my remembering, even if you were never apart of my past." The genuine warmth of her smile to return, that resilient nature was something the amnesia dulled not. "I'm only guessing that I didn't have many that I turned to, or relied on, since none have come forth in aide." Slow shake of her head. "I just wish all my memories would return, no matter how bleak they may be. I've been reading up on this condition I suffer, and it's said, that sometimes a traumatic situation will cause a mind to close itself down as a way of self preservation. There is also injury to be considered, and I did wake up laying face down on the beach." In this time of year it was an amazement that she had survived at all due to her exposure to the inclement weather and frigid waters.


Her other arm came around to complete the circle of embrace around her. She paused, not answering right away before answering decidedly. "Jessa is fine, although admittedly, it shall take some getting used to. No one has ever used a short name with me before..." The admission stung and she pursed her lips, deciding that a visit to her sister was long overdue. "I know that there will be difficulties, but you have many people who are looking out for you."



"That does aide in buffering the situation. Also knowing that I'm safe, no matter what memories may return, at least I hope. I have searched my papers to see if it was possible a case I was working on might have been the baseline for any situation to happen. I revealed nothing. From what I've been able to decipher so far, I lived a very common place life." That was a lie if there ever was one, she had ties with the underground and the darker agents of the lands. This she learned from certain papers she'd found, and missives she kept for reasons still unclear to her. All now kept protective under lock and key until she could sort things out. There was one she had yet to speak with, and from what she's learned, the woman is not easily found. A certain sea Captain, one that Maurice had named. Perhaps once they came face to face, more would be revealed in time.


"Oh really. You are far too beautiful for yours to be a common place life. I shall be interested to see what kinds of secrets your mind holds from you..." She rose and moved back to her tea, drinking the last sip before sitting down again.

[Carlotta]

Tea and Memories

Soft chuckle as she glanced over to Jessa, as she stated she'd like to be called. "Thank you Jessa, you are the light of the sun in my hour of darkness." She meant that whole heartedly. Outside the men of the Dockside, and the guards that Draven placed with her, there were no other's in the land she had seen about. None that came to assist her in any way, and here was this woman, a newly made friend, that was doing just that.


The comment warmed her and she smiled, turning and leaning down to cup the woman's face with one hand and press a kiss to the other cheek. "It is a responsibility I take quite earnestly, and joyfully."


"I'm glad you happened upon the Dockside, Jessa. I promise to make my visits here more frequent, and I offer an open invitation for you to visit my manor upon the cliff if you ever feel the need to get out and about." She smiled warmly. The cup on the table would be taken back in hand to finish off the last bit within. That flavor, it hit her senses strongly, there was something about it, something that kept nagging in her mind as being something important to remember; if only she could.


Jessamine was mindful of the woman's expression and she smiled sadly as Carly's mind continued to turn and circle the flavor. "Come..." Taking both cups up and moving to the kitchen. "I shall get you some of that licorice root."


Drawn from her thoughts by Jessa's words, she'd offer an almost apologetic smile for having let her mind wander. "Yes, thank you very much. I'd like more." Rising to follow after her. "It seems to be some sort of cure in a sense." Stated teasingly, even if there was a hint of truth there.


She chuckled. "Well, then I offer any sort of cure you like! People forget how the earth has provided us with natural medicines." She chuckled again. "Even unrefined cocoa has its properties that can assist."


"I'll turn away not anything that could possibly help me. I will place myself in the care of your knowledge, as I have no other avenue in which to turn at the moment. I had hoped refamiliariztion to be the cure, but it's only added to my growing frustrations." Leaning against the nearby wall with a shoulder as she spoke to her.


"I wish I could offer more than just this, but perhaps it is a cure that takes time to work, as so many other things in life do. I know it is horrible and frustration; patience has never been a human's strong suit. But take care... it will come. I promise you." From the loft she the jar that held all the licorice root she had and brought it down, handing it across. "Here you are."


Accepting the jar, she'd give the woman's arm a light and gentle squeeze. "Thank you Jessa, for everything." Feeling compelled to say such, and full heartily meant. "You've done more than any other so far, I assure you." Something was about to awaken, whether she wished it to or not.


She smiled and drew Carly into a hug, arms circling her shoulders assuredly. "You are most welcome, dear Carly."


The hug was returned. A sense of finding a long lost sister was felt within, and in that, another nagging memory which wanted to come forth; yet not at the present. "I'll be so happy once I can put all this behind me and move on with my life, what ever that is."


She nodded and kissed her cheek again. "Indeed, and when that times comes, I shall rejoice with you. Now, what about heading into town for a real meal?"


"That sounds like a wonderful idea. I'll gather my mount and babysitters and meet you out front?" How the men hated her titling them as such, but she had fun with it.


She laughed merrily at that. "Yes. I only need to leave His Majesty a bowl of cream and I shall be out presently."


Nodding and a smile, she'd turn to collect her coat and exit the Light House. It took not long to find her so called babysitters and remount her horse. When Jessa exited, she'd find the trio awaiting her to join them by the roadside


She came around the corner on a steed of her own, the horse urged to trot until she joined them on the road. "Shall we be off then?"


"Of course ... a race? " Glance back towards the two men in conversation, then back to Jessa. The grin she wore and the glint in chestnut pools proved she intended to be mischievous. The invite was in an undertone, which would inform Jessa the men would have no idea of their plan, until the beasts upon who's backs they sat charged off down the road.


The devilish grin spread across her features and she waggled her brows, that smile in place before she glanced down the road and nodded minutely.


Another glance back, then forward, she'd start her mount onwards at a slow trot to begin with. It was then heels dug in and those reins would slap against flanks, sending the Bay barreling forward much to the surprise of the two behind them. Her laughter rang out about them, a sound that had been quelled since her return, but shall no longer from this day forth. Life was life, not matter if the past was remembered or not. She had no intentions to stop living because of her ailment.

[Carlotta]

Spending time with those who knew her, going over her journals and she also believed, the licorice tea and the combination of the herbs that Jessa gave her were doing her good. Flickerings of memories were beginning to return. Faces of those she knew, now recognized. Places about her to become familiar as well.

One thing continued to haunt her though, why couldn't she remember exactly what happened, those four months she had been gone? It was like her memory was erased of every moment lived. Unless those nightmares she was beginning to have, was an indication of what happened?

Vivid they remained, even when awake. It starts with her sleeping in her bed, the very one she laid upon now. The weather was balmy, windows open to allow the cool summer breeze to enter. Adorned in a near sheer chemise for comfort as she laid upon those blankets. That was the only comforting part of the dream, it was from here things go down hill quickly.

The Nightmare

Creole silently slipped into the Basinstoke woman's house, slipped off his boots and crept to her bed chamber. The door began to part from the frame and stopped. Panamon paused to rub some grease on the hinged door then silently pushed it open. From within his pocket he withdrew a rag and a bottle of Sweet Vitriol, pouring a good amount onto the dry cloth. He wasted no more time, hurrying to her bedside where he saw her sleeping form and cuffed the rag over her face, holding it firmly in place for several long seconds. He knew it would awaken her, but by the time she was fully awake and able to struggle the drug would knock her out. Easy prey, easier abduction for the pirate.

The dogs would begin to growl as they were approached, too low a noise to wake her up though. Food was a good way to silence them quickly, although they would not be able to be approached. The raccoons stirred when the smell of a stranger awakened them from their sleep. They began to chatter excitedly in warning, but the warning would be too late. She had just started to slowly rise from that state of sleep, when she felt a hand clamp over her mouth and nose with a cloth held within it. Her own hands would rise as eyes opened wide, grasping his arms to try and pull his hands away, unable to cry out due to that pressure upon her lips. Body twisting from side to side in that struggle, that within a few moments began to lose it's momentum and her grip upon his arms to weaken in it's hold. A few more futile attempts before her hands would loosen fully of their hold, her struggles to cease and her body to fully relaxed as the drug fully enacted.

Creole held her down to the bed with his other hand pressing against her shoulder. She was a fiery lass and had more strength than he'd figured on. He felt the cinch of her fingers grip into the sleeves of his shirt, useless as it was. As she began to lose the struggle the pirate leaned his dark face in close before her eyes, smiling at her in a grim way. "There we go. Yes, my pretty lass. Breath. Don't fight it. Breath deeply." Came the purr of his low voice whispering out to her. "Soon you won't care. You won't remember much of this until you wake. Then the fun will begin. Sleep now." His lips were so near her face they almost brushed against the soft, silky flesh. The wicked smile reformed into a dastardly grin, watching her eyes finally submit when the lids closed over them. She was out; cold.

She was taken to a room and tied to a bed, her belongings shoved into an adjoining room. Before Creole left her he tossed her robe at the foot of the bed and glanced back. "I'll see you in the morning, lass." The door was pulled shut and locked.

One Carlotta Basinstoke had vanished in the middle of the night!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The man in her dreams was no one she recognized. This only puzzled her more as to why someone would take her in such a manner. It was then something dawned upon her, the reward! Had it not been pulled from it's posting? Did her letter to the Scotland Yard not stop the actions her father had taken? Was this a kidnapping for Ransom, knowing she was wanted back in England?

But she never made it to England. Had something gone wrong? Did her father refuse to pay and something else happen to her? Was this just a dream or something that happened to her? More frustration to rise.

Tossing and turning upon her bed, exhausted from her day of general duties, and those added as she tried to regain her life. Yet sleep came not, just the unending questions that paraded through her mind.

At least she was able to return to a semblance of a normal life. Remembering clients, trying to make amends to those who's legal matters were left unfinished when she disappeared.

She had sent a message out with men she knew that were trust worthy, hoping they would get to a certain sea captain at the same time, or shortly after the others that demanded her return. In this message, she not only informed her employer and friend that she was recovering slowly, to not make haste, but to also inform her of the new Harbor Masters in place, and the information that she had been able to derive about an individual she learned of name Doom.

So much to do, so many things to catch up on, and all the new things that presented themselves. Her life had been busy before, now it was full steam ahead.