"Perhaps we're brave or tactically stupid. I certainly would have been relieved if some group of knights or crusaders had taken this quest off our hands a while back. But we're honing our skills as time goes at the cost of more than a little blood. We might be able to do the whole thing ourselves."
"That's the plan. If we don't get Fin a nice warm bath soon he's going to go crackers. Frankly I wouldn't mind a good long soak myself."
"As for Fin's baths I've considered some kind of fold out bath but I'd be worried if we start doing that we'd need to put it on wheels to roll along with us.. I have heard of Aquatic Elves who live beneath the waves, perhaps you have more than a drop of their blood Fin."
You arrive back in Vurnirn without incident. The centaur gathering seems much as you left it, busy with clanscentaurs meeting, speaking, and trading, though you're not sure you recognize any of them. Your arrival causes only a small bit of stir--there are a handful of other non-centaurs here, so it seems that you're not the only visitors that pass through the area.
"I wonder how long we were in there for? Might have been longer than we believe after all with the nature of the place. Still we're safely back here, best to rearm and restock our supplies."
"Should we split up a little or stick together. If we split up we shouldn't go into small groups. We should find out about Erdija first in my opinion."
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"That's the plan. If we don't get Fin a nice warm bath soon he's going to go crackers. Frankly I wouldn't mind a good long soak myself."
Fin nods, his eyes glazing over. ”Roger that, Q. Nothing like a long, relaxing hot bath, while sipping on some mead…that’ll add at least ten years of life back in me…”
"As for Fin's baths I've considered some kind of fold out bath but I'd be worried if we start doing that we'd need to put it on wheels to roll along with us.. I have heard of Aquatic Elves who live beneath the waves, perhaps you have more than a drop of their blood Fin."
Fin ponders. ”Mayhap there be some distant blood there…but my father was a desert Elf and my mother a wood Elf; but don’t know as much about my grand sires…
“Come on, let’s find that mead and those sticky buns…and then that hot bath!”
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"Should we split up a little or stick together? If we split up we should go into small groups. We should find out about Erdija first in my opinion."
"I agree with all that. Let's all meet up on this spot tomorrow morning an hour or so after dawn and we'll decide if we're ready to continue on or need more time."
"Tezuzu, can you handle bartering the gear and gems we found for cash?"
"Come on Bull, let's see what we can find out about Erdija. Saki, you wanna come with me and Honey Rabbit?"
Cloak of Resistance upgrade from +1 -> +2 = 3k gold.
Chain Shirt upgrade from +1 -> +2 = 3k gold.
Short Sword upgrade from +1 -> +2 = 6k gold.
There doesn't seem to be any kind of central hospital area, but asking around amongst the Voaldyn reveals that she was found on her way back by some of Korak Kaag's scouts and escorted back to the rest of her clan, where she is presumedly still recuperating.
It takes time to find enchanters and traders in the encampment. The more time you spend in Vurnirn the more it's clear it's not really a town in any traditional sense--it's a clan meeting ground, where members of the nomadic centaur clans meet for a time, swap stories and goods, and then continue on their travels. Whatever loose organization it has is by clan rather than by trade, and so finding the best deals requires going from one clan's encampment to another.
Tez has a 27 when taking 10 for craft, Selena a 20.
Belt of Physical Might(Dex, Con) +2 --- Upgrade cost 3000gp DC27 craft (Tez 3 days)
Headband of Inspired Wisdom +2 --- Craft cost 2000 DC13 craft (Tez/Selena 1 day)
Cloak of Resistance +2 --- Upgrade Cost 1500 DC10 craft (Tez/Selena 1 day)
Four-leaf Clover --- Craft cost 1875 DC10 Craft (Tez/Selena 1 day)
511gp of booze, food, and supplies.
1000gp to the party fund.
"I agree with all that. Let's all meet up on this spot tomorrow morning an hour or so after dawn and we'll decide if we're ready to continue on or need more time."
"Sounds good to me!" Maka pulled Bulvi into an embrace, passionately kissing her lover. "Try not to get into any trouble. But if you do just yell and I'll come save you." Maka teased him with a toothy grin.
Releasing Bulvi, Maka linked her arm with Fin and began dragging him towards the nearest good smell. "Come on Fin, lets find food and a bath. Oh! And don't let me forget to get more chocolate..."
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With the new loot in addition to what he had before, Fin purchases the following:
Ring of Resistance +1 - 1,500 gp
Upgrade to +2 Bow - 6,000 gp
Cat Burglar Boots - 2,000 gp
Durable Arrows:
Cold Iron: 35 - 38 gp
Silver: 5 - 10 gp
Blunt: 20 - 22 gp
Adamantine: 5 - 305 gp
9,875 spent
134 gp 1 sp, 9 cp left
Releasing Bulvi, Maka linked her arm with Fin and began dragging him towards the nearest good smell. "Come on Fin, lets find food and a bath. Oh! And don't let me forget to get more chocolate..."
Fin smiles as he nods. ”Aye, Maka, sounds good, a bath is long overdue,“ he says as he lets Maka drag him towards the smells of food…and most importantly a good, long, hot, and much needed bath…
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Tez has a 27 when taking 10 for craft, Selena a 20.
[i]
Belt of Physical Might(Dex, Con) +2 --- Upgrade cost 3000gp DC27 craft (Tez 3 days)Headband of Inspired Wisdom +2 --- Craft cost 2000 DC13 craft (Tez/Selena 1 day)
Cloak of Resistance +2 --- Upgrade Cost 1500 DC10 craft (Tez/Selena 1 day)
Four-leaf Clover --- Craft cost 1875 DC10 Craft (Tez/Selena 1 day)
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There doesn't seem to be any kind of central hospital area, but asking around amongst the Voaldyn reveals that she was found on her way back by some of Korak Kaag's scouts and escorted back to the rest of her clan, where she is presumedly still recuperating.
"Well, that's promising at least." says Quasit. "She was at least alive when the scouts found her. When we last saw her, I wasn't sure she had 10 minutes left in her. We'll have to stop at Korak Kaag's Kamp and see how she is."
Whatever loose organization it has is by clan rather than by trade, and so finding the best deals requires going from one clan's encampment to another.
Quasit is not in any particular hurry. As on her previous visit, she wanders from stall to stall, fingering things for sale and engaging in light banter as best she can, often falling into pantomime and cheerful sounds when the language barrier intrudes. Being a city girl, this sort of street bazaar atmosphere suits her, even if the patrons and merchants are all horse people.
Nevertheless, she does attempt to find the best deal for all her enchanting needs, when she isn't munching street meat or trying on hats.
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The bath Fin and Maka had found was, unsurprisingly, one suited for centaurs. A large hot spring that was deep enough in parts that not even Maka could stand with her head above water. A fact that had delighted Maka, who had been swimming through its depths. "Agggghhhhh!" Embers and smoke released from Maka's mouth as the fire monk emerged from the water, stretching and roaring in relaxation.
"Much better! You know, when we finally find Babayaga I've got a bunch of advice about how to improve things." Maka swam over to Fin, Her long hair floating on top of the water around her.
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Finding such a large hot spring for a bath delighted Fin after their ordeal in Artrosa; he quickly disrobed in anticipation and fully submerged himself for a few seconds before poking his head back above the water, followed by a long sigh. He could feel the heat of the water burn off the dirt and grunge of the dungeons and melt the stress of of it all in just a few moments…
He smiled as he watched Maka emerge from a long dip and could tell she was enjoying it as well…
"Much better! You know, when we finally find Babayaga I've got a bunch of advice about how to improve things." Maka swam over to Fin, Her long hair floating on top of the water around her.
Fully submerged other than his head, leaning up against the wall of the bath, Fin gave a relaxed grin as she swam towards him. ”Aye, there’s nothing better than a hot bath to relax a person, especially after Artrosa…there was a while I didn’t think I’d survive that hellhole. And as for Baba Yaga, I think you may be one of the few whom she might listen to, Mistress of Fire…”
"Hahaha well she better listen if she knows what is good for her. You can't keep repeating past mistakes and expect a better outcome. And I definitely don't want to have to do all this again. We've got boat adventures after this."
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As she meanders around the centaur clan encampments, Quasit chats with her companions.
*****
Bulvi
"So Bull, before you and Maka hooked up, were there any other special girls in your past? No Mrs. Bulls hiding out there or little Calves running around somewhere?"
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*****
Sakitu
"You know what I'd really like to find? Back in Oppara they had these fancy spas where you could get these really deep massages-- like the kind where your spine bones crack a little, but in a nice way. And they'd rub you down with these heavenly oils that made you smell like a spring rain, and wash your hair with fancy soaps that made it flow like silk. You ever had one of those? You feel relaxed for a week afterward, especially with the swanky wines they'd pour into you too."
"Ridiculously expensive of course. My buddy Sesta took me once just to flaunt how rich she was. And if you were willing to spend extra, the masseurs would give you-- extra attention, if you know what I mean." She smiles, closes her eyes and sighs. "Decadence can be a truly splendid thing."
She opens her eyes again. "Probably no chance to find anything like that here. Maybe someone to rub me down with a curry comb. Still, a girl can dream. You have anything like that back in your home country? Fancy Spas?"
<?>
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"We've got boat adventures after this."
”Aye, I look forward to this boat adventure,” Fin says as he ponders. ”Perhaps we could boat through the river country…spent a lot of time there on a raft, trading, hunting and fishing…probably have to avoid the Razmirans though…”
He lets out another long sigh as he stretches in the bath. ”Now that we’re out of Artrosa, perhaps we can resume the monk training again…your sessions keep my reflexes sharp and my muscles loose…and sore…”
"Phhh the Razmirans should avoid us!" Maka thumped her chest while exuding confidence. "And yeah I'd love to resume proper training! Perfection is a journey, not a destination. You can't slack off, though I suppose that stupid witch dungeon was its own kind of training."
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”Aye, they should…I only mention it because the Razmiri put a price on my head a long while back…although they don’t quite know what I look like,” Fin says as he takes a hit on the Centaur mead before passing his wineskin to Maka…
He closes his eyes as the hot springs soothes his aches and pains. ”Awesome, we can start training whenever you see fit…every bruise received helps me avoid much worse from our foes…and I need to keep practicing fighting in close quarters with my bow…”
Selena enjoys wandering around the encampments looking at the wares, and even enjoys a bath. She trades her spear and extra longsword for some good cloth and beads.
Then sets to work finishing the bracers she was making prior to the dungeons.
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"So Bull, before you and Maka hooked up, were there any other special girls in your past? No Mrs. Bulls hiding out there or little Calves running around somewhere?"
Bulvi raised an eyebrow "To be blunt if there were some calves running around I wouldn't have gone through the portal. I've had my share of romances in the past. When we talk really special I'd have to say Daisy, her father was a Millers girl. She had flecks of gold in her eyes, some said her family had some aasimar blood back a few generations but that could have been idle gossip."
"We used to talk for hours. You actually remind me a bit of her Quasit. I had too much wanderlust in my bones though. It just wasn't going to work out and eventually we both realised that." Bulvi shrugs. "So the two of us had broken hearts by the end. It got easier over time. I've no doubt she found someone or will before too long. When this is done I'll have to pay a visit or send another letter."
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"When we talk really special I'd have to say Daisy, her father was a Millers girl. She had flecks of gold in her eyes, some said her family had some aasimar blood back a few generations but that could have been idle gossip."
"Daisy?" answers Quasit in her 'that's too good to be true' voice. "Oh, I can just picture her. Lemme guess--blonde as a summer day and winsome as a pussy-willow?" she teases.
"We used to talk for hours. You actually remind me a bit of her Quasit."
"Ah, well, she can't be all bad then." chirps Quasit jokingly.
"I had too much wanderlust in my bones though. It just wasn't going to work out and eventually we both realised that." Bulvi shrugs. "So the two of us had broken hearts by the end. It got easier over time. I've no doubt she found someone or will before too long. When this is done I'll have to pay a visit or send another letter."
Quasit gets a little more serious now. "Boy, that all sounds familiar enough." She slips her arm onto Bulvi's, so he can squire her about for a bit. "You want my advice though? Don't look back -- don't pick at that scab. It'll either be awkward or it'll fire up those old feelings again."
"Wow, we are definitely the 'Losers in Love' crowd. You, me, Fin -- poor Saki has barely kissed a boy. Maybe Maka has it right. Just Lanaat Hai at everything that strikes your fancy and don't make such a big deal about it. I mean, no offense, but you know what I'm saying. I wonder if Tezuzu has a nest full of little crow kids somewhere? He seems like such a dad."
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Sakitu listened while Quasit explained the spa experience. "I think I've heard of things like that but I never went to any. My parents weren't into those sorts of things. I guess. I mean my dad would probably say like 'That kind of treatment is for the weak, my little whisker. It's for those who cannot handle the life that fate has given them in the day by day things.' He would be smiling the whole time like he was teaching me a lesson. And then my mom would be nodding and smiling." Suddenly Sakitu was a little embarrassed of her family. Sometimes it seemed like they were too, well, something. A thought of how Maka would describe them with sticks and parts of their bodies made her twinge.
"So, even though I've never tried one of those spa places before, if we happen to find one, I might try it."
"Daisy?" answers Quasit in her 'that's too good to be true' voice. "Oh, I can just picture her. Lemme guess--blonde as a summer day and winsome as a pussy-willow?" she teases.
"Maybe a summer day near sunset. She was strawberry blonde... and winsome as a pussy-willow? I've never ranked how winsome different types of trees are. Lets say winsome as a birch. She always felt self conscious about her ears being big so she'd always cover them up with her hair." Bulvi shakes his head.
Quasit gets a little more serious now. "Boy, that all sounds familiar enough." She slips her arm onto Bulvi's, so he can squire her about for a bit. "You want my advice though? Don't look back -- don't pick at that scab. It'll either be awkward or it'll fire up those old feelings again."
"I'm not looking back, you asked and I answered."
"Wow, we are definitely the 'Losers in Love' crowd. You, me, Fin -- poor Saki has barely kissed a boy. Maybe Maka has it right. Just Lanaat Hai at everything that strikes your fancy and don't make such a big deal about it. I mean, no offense, but you know what I'm saying. I wonder if Tezuzu has a nest full of little crow kids somewhere? He seems like such a dad."
"Maka's way is... complicated, not for her just for my point of view. There's not malevolence or manipulation about it so she's just different."
"I didn't know Saki had such limited experience, I bet beneath the fur Maka has her going crimson half the length of the day!"
"I wouldn't bet on him being a dad. I can see him having everything planned out... maybe he had at one stage, they could be all grown up. What age is he and at what rate do bird men like him mature?" Bulvi fell silent pondering the development of his feathered friend.
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I mean my dad would probably say like 'That kind of treatment is for the weak, my little whisker. It's for those who cannot handle the life that fate has given them in the day by day things.'
"Heehehehe! Little whisker?" says a delighted Quasit. "Oh, I've gotta remember that one!"
She slaps a mosquito that has just settled on her forearm, then flicks it away.
"I don't know if having too much money and too much time on your hands makes you weak. I don't think it does, but Selena probably does, given how she views us soft Southerners. Personally, I think no matter how strong you are, sometimes you just want to have a day where you let yourself go limp and be petted like an old cat. Nobody is strong ALL the time, are they?"
"So, even though I've never tried one of those spa places before, if we happen to find one, I might try it."
"It's a date, Little Whisker!" answers Quasit, giving her pal a light slap on the back.
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"I'm not looking back, you asked and I answered."
Quasit jerks her head back a little and smirks at Bulvi. "Touch-ey." she teases. "But fair enough."
"So... *were* her ears too big?"
"Maka's way is... complicated, not for her just for my point of view. There's not malevolence or manipulation about it so she's just different."
"It is kinda amazing, isn't it? I suppose her honesty about it is what saves her. But I think if I was a guy, it would really fry my egg. I'm definitely the jealous type. Not to mention emotionally unstable and immature."
She shakes her head. "I tell ya Bull -- I see what she and Fin do sometimes in our fights, and I just feel like we're traveling with some super special people. You just know they're bound for big things. It gives me goosebumps sometimes. She's worth holding on to."
"I wouldn't bet on him being a dad. I can see him having everything planned out... maybe he had at one stage, they could be all grown up. What age is he and at what rate do bird men like him mature?"[/b]
"I know, right? SO many questions! But I suppose I shouldn't ask him, given what he's already told us about his people marching over the Crown of the World and practically all dying off. I don't wanna make the Old Crow sad."
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Fin slowly opens his eyes, totally serene, the soothing steam still rising from the hot springs...having lost track of time, he smiles as he looks over to see a very relaxed Maka napping as well...
Tapping her gently on the shoulder, he says lightly, "Maka...do you think we should go looking for the others now? Maybe we could find some of those sticky buns that Q bought the last time we were here...it wasn't that long ago but our time in Artrosa makes it seem like...ages..."
Tapping her gently on the shoulder, he says lightly, "Maka...do you think we should go looking for the others now? Maybe we could find some of those sticky buns that Q bought the last time we were here...it wasn't that long ago but our time in Artrosa makes it seem like...ages..."
The warm waters and friendly company had lured Maka to an easy sleep. The gentle noise of the spring was disturbed by the rumbling growl that was Maka's snoring. "Huh!? Oh, yeah! Those were great. And we should get some of that centaur coffee to go with them."
Maka launched herself from the spring with her usual practiced grace. Holding her nose closed, a flash of fire covered Maka as she blew, drying her off in an instant. Gathering her clothes, Maka dressed and began braiding her long hair. "You know, we should probably stock up on sweets and drinks and things. Who knows where Cluckers will go this time, or how long we'll have to spend dealing with witch tricks."
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"Well, I guess we should finish up looking around town and find a place to sleep for tonight. We're leaving tomorrow morning, right?"
Quasit nods. "That's the plan. I don't get the feeling we're going to find an inn here, though maybe we can clear out a corner in one of the bigger communal tents. To be honest though, I think it might be kinda nice to sleep under the stars tonight."
She looks at the sky to gauge how close to sunset it is, and waves a fly away from her face.
"Do you think centaurs dance? Wouldn't that be something to see?" she muses out of nowhere.
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Fin yawns and hops out as well, though much less graceful than Maka. As he dries off besides her, he grins at her much more efficient way of getting dry…
”I envy you your manner of getting dry, Mistress of Fire…and yes, sticky buns and some centaur coffee sounds good right about now. And I’ll need to refill my wineskin with mead…as you’ve said, who knows where the hut will take us…”
Fin finishes drying off and then gets dressed; watching Maka braid her hair, he waits till she is done and then walks with her in search of their friends, sticky buns, and coffee…
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After some wandering, Findurel and Maka find Quasit, Sakitu and Bulvi near a big bonfire. The centaurs are making a rhythmic noise that might pass for music, and Quasit is dancing around the fire. It's pretty clear she found the beer tent at some point as well...
Spotting Maka and Findurel, she stops dancing long enough to bounce over to them.
"Maka! Thang goodnessh! I can't get these overgrown ponies to dance at all! Wouldn' ya love to see a *hic* centaur samba line? C'mon c'mon, letsh show em how iss done!"
She tries to drag Maka toward the fire and immediately starts dancing again. Her dancing is mostly a lot of skipping about, flopping her head around and beating her arms at the air. It would likely be an ungainly spectacle even if she weren't well past tipsy.
Selena collects supplies, confers with various craftsmen, and window shops. She avoids the hot springs though. Too hot. She does clean up and everything though, when the water is nice and cold. While everyone is relaxing, Selena is hardly seen, and when she is, she seems to be busy.
She does give Quasit a disapproving look and shake of her head at her drunken antics.
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Fin laughs as he sees Quasit drag Maka away and attempts what might loosely be called a dance...
The Elf finds the music somewhat soothing...and appropriate for a somewhat less spastic type of dancing...he approaches Sakitu and bows deeply. "Saki, may I have this dance, m'Lady?"
If Sakitu will dance with him, Fin will lead her in a fashion similar to an Elven court dance his mother once taught him as it seems to match the style of the centaurs' music...
After some wandering, Findurel and Maka find Quasit, Sakitu and Bulvi near a big bonfire. The centaurs are making a rhythmic noise that might pass for music, and Quasit is dancing around the fire. It's pretty clear she found the beer tent at some point as well...
Spotting Maka and Findurel, she stops dancing long enough to bounce over to them.
"Maka! Thang goodnessh! I can't get these overgrown ponies to dance at all! Wouldn' ya love to see a *hic* centaur samba line? C'mon c'mon, letsh show em how iss done!"
She tries to drag Maka toward the fire and immediately starts dancing again. Her dancing is mostly a lot of skipping about, flopping her head around and beating her arms at the air. It would likely be an ungainly spectacle even if she weren't well past tipsy.
Maka laughed as Quasit dragged her to the fire. "I don't know what a samba line is but I really want to see a centaur dance!" Maka joined Quasist in her dance, though Maka's movements looked more like fighting the air than proper dancing.
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Maka's vigorous martial dance style is a strange counterpoint to Quasit's mincing, akimbo hops and swirls, and the contrast only seems to delight Quasit all the more. Gradually, Quasit does try to replicate some of Maka's moves, but the effect is sort of like a kitten imitating the attacks of a panther -- cute in a pathetic sort of way.
Perhaps it's the roasting heat of the bonfire, perhaps it's the rumbling heartbeat of the drums or the wild atonic trilling of the pipes, or perhaps its' the cloak of night whispering its temptations and assurances to her intoxicated soul. Or perhaps it's the beer. Whatever it is, Quasit's dancing becomes less vigorous as the minutes wear by, and she begins to study Maka's form and movement with a strange thirsty stare. She finds excuses now to touch Maka, sometimes bouncing into her, sometimes rubbing against her while twirling and twisting too close.
At one point, she slithers behind the monk and, panting for breath, leans her back heavily into Maka's, then turns her head and rubs her cheek sensually against Maka's shoulder blade, inhaling deeply her odor. She then twirls around, her big brown eyes gushing up at Maka as sweat dribbles down her face.
"Maka..." she says, then without another word, grabs Maka's cheeks and kisses her flush on the lips.
As usual, Maka followed Quasit's lead. The dance was no longer a fight but a display. Maka's movements slow and deliberate as she circled around Quasit, always careful not to move away from her dance partner's touch. Their eyes briefly locked as Maka accepted and returned Quasit's kiss. The fire monk's strong arms wrapping around Quasit's waist and pulled her close.
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Fin arches an eyebrow, giving a wry smile as Quasit locks lips with Maka. Assuming he’s dancing with Sakitu, he gives her a graceful dip and then brings her up into a twirl before continuing on with the dance…
While their kiss doesn’t bother the Elf in the slightest, he thinks back for a moment to Quasit’s earlier talk with him not long after they entered the hut. She doesn’t want me to fool around with Maka because she’s concerned for Bulvi…but it’s OK if she does it herself? He glances quickly over at Bull to see how he reacts to it, thinking, Ah, my friend, we will never understand women…or at least I never will…perhaps I should stop trying…
Focusing back on the dance, he smiles at Sakitu, murmuring, ”You dance well, Saki; have you danced much before?” as they dance to the music’s conclusion…
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Their eyes briefly locked as Maka accepted and returned Quasit's kiss. The fire monk's strong arms wrapping around Quasit's waist and pulled her close.
Quasit loosens in the strong monk's arms and gives a little hum of contentment as the kiss lingers then fades and releases. She looks up at Maka with a warm muzzy smile and glassy eyes, draping her arms over Maka's shoulders.
"That was nice." she breathes. Then she nuzzles her face up under Maka's ear, drinking in her scent and running her lips along Maka's pulse. "You are so amazing." She wags her hips back and forth slowly against one of Maka's thighs. "Le'ss go for a walk." she adds, running her hand along Maka's fiery braid.
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Sakitu is a little surprised at Fin's approach. Not because of Fin but because... well, because of Fin. He's so handsome and regal and exotic. Sakitu's heart flutters. A dance with him? She is too nervous to accept but too thrilled to decline so she stops thinking and lets herself be guiding by Fin.
He pulls her to her feet and soon she's floating over the ground, her skin tingling in each place where Fin touches her.
After countless moments that go by as fast as if they were one Fin says.
"You dance well, Saki; have you danced much before?"
Sakitu giggles. "Uh. Well, at home. Yes. But never like this. I mean like never with a man, uh, elf, as handso... I mean like you." She stumbles over her words and then smiles at Fin. Her eyes sparkle as she blinks.
Maka's toothy grin spread from ear to ear as she took Quasit's hand to find a dark, quiet corner to be alone in. "You're amazing, I'm just strong."
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Sakitu giggles. "Uh. Well, at home. Yes. But never like this. I mean like never with a man, uh, elf, as handso... I mean like you." She stumbles over her words and then smiles at Fin. Her eyes sparkle as she blinks.
As the dance ends Fin bows formally and kisses Sakitu’s hand, smiling all the while. ”Ah, Hlao-roo, you are too kind; I was a bit rusty out there…but you are so light on your feet and are easy to lead, the perfect dancing partner. Erastil’s antlers! I had forgotten how much I enjoyed dancing…it’s been years since I’ve done so…not since…uh, but that doesn’t matter. ‘Twas a pleasure dancing with you; we’ll have to do it again when we get the chance, if you please…”
He walks back with her to Bulvi, Tez, and Selena. ”Bull, I was going to set up camp where we did last time…that grove of elms just a few hundred yards away. Think you could give me a hand?”
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Maka's toothy grin spread from ear to ear as she took Quasit's hand to find a dark, quiet corner to be alone in. "You're amazing, I'm just strong."
Quasit paws at Maka impatiently while being led to a private spot in the centaur camp. Once there, she unfastens and drops her weapon belt, gives Maka a long wet sloppy kiss, then yanks off her chain shirt and returns to Maka's embrace, her hands roving hungrily over Maka's back and chest.
"You've been drinking coffee." Quasit notes in between kissings. After a lot of kisses and heavy petting, Quasit is left panting and still sweating pretty hard. "Is it hot? It feels hot. Maybe it's just you..." Another slurpy kiss, then she backs up and undoes the top buttons on her newly purchased button-up man's shirt, this time dyed forest green. Like its forebears it's a little too big for her, and she's rolled up the sleeves to the elbows. She tries to pull the shirt over her head and ends up spinning and stuck for nearly a minute, lost in blousy green fabric as hopelessly as a fly in a spider web. Once she finally gets free, she is laughing helplessly and favors Maka with a happy bleary look as she staggers and suddenly drops to her knees. Her pale skinny torso, tiny breasts less prominent than numerous ugly scars from blade and claw, gleams under the light of the full moon.
"Wooooo... everything's spinning..." she says in a woozy voice. Her hand goes to her head as if to steady it or keep it from falling off. Then without much more ado, she falls foreward onto all fours and heaves about a quart of greasy beer vomit out of her belly and onto the dirt.
"Ohhhh... wow, mood killer..." she groans before her eyes roll back and she flops down onto her side, unconscious as a stone.
And there she lies, naked from the waist up, vomit on her lips and hair, steaming and slimy with sweat, burbling sounds somewhere between groans and human words. She shivers once, convulsively, and a deep belch pushes free without waking her.
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Not having lain with a woman since Adula, Maka happily returned Quasit's pawing. The fire monk's hands ran the length of Quasit's body, but seemed most interested in her hips and shoulders. Maka's touch, her kiss, nearly burned with heat. Enough to keep the increasingly naked Quasit warm, perhaps too warm.
"Is it hot? It feels hot. Maybe it's just you..."
"Oh, sorry! I didn't burn you did I!? I'm...excited. I haven't, I mean I didn't, not that I'm....I'm sorry." Bashfulness was not something Maka was used to. She continued to stumble on her words for a moment before giving up and disrobing. Already in her normal half naked state of dress, it took the monk but a moment to be completely nude. Giving her plenty of time to help Quasit escape her oversized shirts. Maka's laughter joined Quasit as the pair were finally able to free her from her button up prison.
It was a good laugh. A hearty laugh originating deep in the belly. One of acceptance, joy, and silliness. The kind of laugh that distracts you from your lover's wooziness. The kind of laugh that sends you hurdling back to reality as vomit covers your bare feet. "Kya!? Oh Quasit! Are you okay?"
Maka shook Quasit in concern, attempting to revive her but only succeeding in releasing a deep, smelly belch. Though Quasit was still unconscious, the belch at least convinced Maka that the issue was too much booze and not a witch curse. Sighing in relief, Maka planted her naked butt in the snow and rested Quasit's head on her lap.
It was a difficult thing looking at someone, to truly see them. Normally you can only see the surface. Whether they wanted to or not, nearly everyone wore a mask, kept up defenses, lied, did something to keep their true self hidden from the world. Some even maintain this while they sleep. But there and now, sick dripping from her mouth, hair wetly clinging to her face, stinky from sweat, and shirtless, Quasit could hide nothing. Literally and metaphorically she was laid bare for Maka to see. There in the lonely darkness, Maka took a moment to truly look at Quasit and smiled.
When it seemed like Quasit wasn't going to throw up again, Maka gathered up their things. With some effort, getting Quasit's shirt back on. Carefully picking Quasit up and cradling her head, Maka moved to the baths to get both of them cleaned up.
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When Quasit wakes up the next morning, she is the portrait of misery.
Her eyes are red, her face is pale and in general she looks like she's been level drained by a wight. She sits up slowly and groans as the world rocks back and forth, and as her head throbs painfully.
"Desna's t#+*." she moans, shielding her eyes from the hateful sun. Her parched mouth barely manages the job of cursing. She soaks within her dingy discomfort for a while, then glances about, sees herself on her bedroll, under her blanket, cheery campfire nearby. "When did I...?" she starts, then trails off, trying to focus on remembering.
She stands up, opens and closes her hands a few times, testing them like they were new additions to her arms, and then does her best to stay vertical and make the world stand still. Then it's off to the trees to spend a long time emptying her bladder.
When she returns to the fire, she still looks smaller and unhappier than usual, like a cat that's been dunked in water. She plops down near the others.
"I am never drinking beer again." she intones like a curse. "In fact, I think I'm going to give up drinking altogether. Maybe food too." She blearily looks around. "Was I... I think I was trying to dance with some centaurs."
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Only needing a couple of hours rest due to his ring, Fin spends the rest of the night watching over his friends as they sleep, giving Maka a big smile as she gently carries a passed out Quasit and lies her carefully down to sleep…
His long watch goes by peacefully and the Elf finds time to reflect on many things in the still of the night; he enjoys the amber glow of the horizon just prior to sunrise. Fin rouses Maka for a monk training session and, after acquiring just a few bruises this time, he gets his fishing gear and Izzy, and they head to the river for a quick swim…and then try to catch some breakfast…
After a decent catch, he cleans and guts the fish, tossing the innards and heads to Izzy who snaps ‘em up and looks for more…then he heads back to camp to fry up the fish…
As he fries up the fish, everyone is stirring other than Quasit. He smiles as his friends awaken. ”Breakfast will be ready shortly…”
"I am never drinking beer again." she intones like a curse. "In fact, I think I'm going to give up drinking altogether. Maybe food too." She blearily looks around. "Was I... I think I was trying to dance with some centaurs."
Fin gives off a wicked grin. ”That’s what they all say, Q…at least till the next time…”
She blearily looks around. "Was I... I think I was trying to dance with some centaurs."
He can’t keep from snorting this time. ”Perhaps…if you call what you were doing dancing…and if you think Maka was a centaur…
“I would say come over and have some fish…but I doubt you’re hungry for anything right now…except perhaps for a headache remedy. Maybe Tez has something in his bag for that…”
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”Perhaps…if you call what you were doing dancing…and if you think Maka was a centaur…”
Quasit opens her eyes and jaws as wide as they will go and wags her head around like a wet dog, then winces in pain. "Ahh... I feel like I got hit in the head by a blacksmith. Not to mention feeling bloated and sick. Doesn't help that my mouth tastes like barf."
Then something Findurel has said registers with her and she freezes, except for her eyes which dart about in their sockets as she searches her skull for memories. She looks around sheepishly for Maka.
"Maka? Did I do anything--um, weird, toward you?" she asks with great trepidation.
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Maka kipped up as Fin roused her for training. Last night's fun and relaxation having refreshed her, Maka bounded with energy and joy. The snow around their training area was soon melted from the heat of Maka's flames. While normally reserved with her flames to avoid harming Fin, Maka was delightfully testing out her new maneuvering abilities in combat. Able to create thrust from her hands and feat, she was able to create her own leverage. Allowing for unpredictable attacks and dodges as well as increasing the power of her already mighty blows.
Although her new techniques were powerful, they were also unrefined. Maka often overshot her maneuvering, leaving herself unexpectedly open to Fin's increasing prowess in melee combat. A few times even shooting herself into one of the nearby trees. By the time training was over, Maka had a fair number of bruises and a growling stomach. After a quick bath and swim with Izzy, Maka started the morning food preparations while Fin fished.
"I am never drinking beer again." she intones like a curse. "In fact, I think I'm going to give up drinking altogether. Maybe food too." She blearily looks around.
"You would need to walk down at least 23 more steps along the path to perfection before you could take an oath of hunger. Until then water and rice will cleanse your system." Sitting down a bowl of rice and a mug of water, Maka also took out a small pouch filled with a white powder. "I got this from one of the beer sellers. He said it would help hangovers."
"Maka? Did I do anything--um, weird, toward you?" she asks with great trepidation.
"No, not at all. We just danced and had Lanet Hai. I mean you threw up on me and passed out but that's not weird when you've been drinking. But don't worry, I cleaned you up and put you to bed."
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"You would need to walk down at least 23 more steps along the path to perfection before you could take an oath of hunger. Until then water and rice will cleanse your system." Sitting down a bowl of rice and a mug of water, Maka also took out a small pouch filled with a white powder. "I got this from one of the beer sellers. He said it would help hangovers."
"Ugh, is it possible to walk backwards on the path to perfection? 'Cause I think that's maybe what I did." Nevertheless she accepts the rice and water and pours the powder into the mug, swirling it around with her finger before sniffing gingerly. "Smells kind alike ginger." she observes before gingerly drinking...
"No, not at all. We just danced and had Lanet Hai..."
Quasit spit-takes her medicine all over the place.
"We WHAT?" she says, horrified. She then immediately looks over at Bulvi to see if his sword is out. Then she turns her hunted look back to Maka. "Are you sure?" she begs, then shakes her head. "No, I mean, of course you're sure, it's just --ho boy-- um-- wow--"
Her eyes dart around furiously as she tries to remember. To buy time she stuffs a handful of rice in her mouth and just chews.
"M-Maybe that satyr is still messing with my head. All the time in that place I was feeling, I dunno, kinda revved up. I thought maybe that's why my monthly came earlyish. But, I didn't... um..." She looks it Maka again. "Did I enjoy it?" she asks in a voice mixing defeat, irony and curiosity.