ησятнєяη вσυη∂ {~} closed thread

[mationix]

Zach let out a roar of a laugh, with his head tilted back. He spoke, though his shoulders still shook with laughter, "M-ma'am, we won't die. This train's not going that fast. 'Sides, it's all about landin' on a grassy field and rollin' off the train."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Annaliese frowned, feeling a twinge of annoyance at his laughter, "Well, pardon me. I've never jumped off a train before."

[mationix]

He gave her another chuckle. "Well ma'am, after today, you'll be able to check that off your checklist, won'tcha?" He teased, giving her a wink. "It's not that hard, just follow me and what I do," he continued, putting his hands behind his back and leaning against them.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

She nodded and closed her eyes, "Okay, I'll trust you on this.."

[mationix]

"Excellent. That's what relationships are about, ma'am. Trustin' the other. Though perhaps it's different between a white woman and a black man," he mused, half to himself. He seemed quite talkative now that they had gotten over that debacle.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"You're the first black man I've ever talked to," Annaliese spoke in a very matter-of-fact way. She wasn't trying to offend him, just stating a fact.

[mationix]

Zach rubbed his chin, considering what she said. "Well then, ma'am, you should start talkin' to more black people -we're not as dumb or half-witted as some of you folks like to say," he said, giving her almost a sad smile.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

She opened her eyes, regarding him curiously, "I don't know if I ever really thought you were half-witted. My parents have always warned me that it would be...dangerous."

[mationix]

The smile turned even sadder. "Yes...well, that's what people do. Others do that too, not just white folk, mind you. But...they tell lies about another ethnicity, since they don't want their bloodline to be tainted," he said, his words turning sharper at the end.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Tainted how?" Annaliese frowned, setting her satchel beside her instead of in her lap.

[mationix]

He pursed his lips at her, a frown growing. "You really don't know, do you ma'am? Your people, ma'am, like to keep white folk breading with other white folk, not people such as myself; to keep the bloodline pure, ma'am."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Annaliese blushed red, "D-Do you mean as in taking someone to their bed?"

[mationix]

He frowned at her. "Sure, if you want to be blunt about it, ma'am," he finally said, giving her a one shoulder shrug. "Ain't that what your people worry about? That us black folk are goin' to have sex with you white folk?"

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Annaliese frowned, "I-I guess so. I never particularly worried about that, though."

[mationix]

He chuckled quietly, though there wasn't much to laugh about. "That's good ma'am, if you had been thinkin' like that, I doubt I would have been offerin' you a chance to stay at Tante Emma's house, doubt you'd even give me the chance to ask you."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"You don't seem like a bad guy, Zachary," Annaliese murmured, rubbing her arms and lowering her gaze.

[mationix]

"Call me Zach, ma'am. And I 'preciate your kind words," he said, giving her a tentative smile. "And you're not so bad for a white gal, ma'am."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

She glanced back at him and chuckled softly, "Um, thank you."

[mationix]

"Of course, just returnin' the compliment, ma'am," he said smoothly, placing his hands behind his head again. "I'd rather us be off on the right foot, or else you stayin' over won't work as well."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Annaliese nodded, "Oh, yes, I don't want to be on bad terms."