Lio is surprised at the amount of emotion she just unleashed. At her own fears, which are still lurking. She looks up, into your eyes, still holding onto you. Her words quiet, not hysterical but not entirely calm. "Anwyl, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm... not better, and I ... panic... and I don't always... that I'm not... maybe I'm not ready... for everything, for what you wish, I just... I'm scared. And... I know you love me. I know your love for me makes everything we have done... amazing... and its just in my mind, but every once in a while my mind screams at me... and no matter how wonderful my body is responding... my fears take over." She fully expects you to be mad at her, upset that after all these months she still has fears. She lets go of you with one hand to wipe at her eyes, but then doesn't know if its ok to touch you again, or if you're mad at her. sense motive.
Lio whispers into Shae's ear. "Let's just say I cannot wait for alone time with you to tell you my naughty thoughts.
stealth
Mel reaches up to where her karambit normally holds up her hair and looks truly annoyed at the reminder that they haven't been allowed weapons. A quick glace around shows the katanas... which the guards would be annoyed if she picked up. So instead she turns to one of the guards, |May I borrow your knife, please?|
|Certainly,| says the Guard, making no move to hand it to you. |But may I suggest that whatever menial task you had intended, you allow me to perform on your behalf rather than sully your delicate hands with it?|
"As a quick translation," Ameiko comments, "That means, 'No, I cannot let you borrow my knife.' But saying no in response to a question is considered impolite."
Mel's hand goes to Zaiobe's cheek, wiping away a fresh tear, her magic removing the other ones. <I don't think you are terrible sweetie. I think you are humanoid and we are fallible.>
<Monstrous humanoid,> Zaiobe says. <Or possibly native outsider, I'm not sure any more. But still fallible.>
Her hands rub in a quiet pattern, <And you can't magically change the past and how it shaped you, Z. But we love you,> Her arms tighten for a moment, <And I hope that you will trust that enough to let us help you change the parts of yourself that make you sad.> She holds Zaiobe, <And I'd rather you be happy than worry about my good time.>
<OK,> she says quietly, clinging to you closely. <I'll ... I love you. And my heart knows you love me, but my head is sometimes a bit messed up. I would ... help with that would be ... good.>
<Do you think ... should I tell Lio now, or wait until morning? I don't want to ruin her party.>
Myri's hand tentatively snakes out from under the covers and finds something Buttersnips (probably leg or hand) to make contact with.
She places her hand over Myriana's where it lies on her leg.
Lio, still standing protectively by Shae, consults with Sandru as to how long the caravan will take to pack up and get moving. Once she has an idea of how long they have, and provided Ameiko has no immediate further input, she says to the guard at her feet, |Go home, fetch your immediate family, pack what is most important to you and what you and they will need for the foreseeable future as quickly as possible. I realize you may wish to die, but you will hardly earn redemption in our eyes if you are dead. So your first punishment is that you will live. You have x time before we leave. Now please get up and do not cast yourself down at my feet again.|
He gets up, bows, and leaves.
Once the soldiers take their leave, and the disgraced guard has gone to fetch his wife, Lio turns to one of the blue people, and asks, |I do not know the customs of this town very well, so please forgive me if I speak innapropriately, but would it he possible for someone to arrange that his home and things are preserved for him while he is gone, until he returns?|
|We shall make sure that this is done, Seeker,| he replies.
Your orgasm brings her over the edge, Lio cries out, and then your pulsing walls begin milking her, as she shoots into you, filling you with hot liquid seed.
For a long moment afterwards, she lies there, reveling in simply being under you, filled with you as you slowly soften inside of her.
"Well," she finally says, "Now I think I'm ready to start the day."
Lio is surprised at the amount of emotion she just unleashed. At her own fears, which are still lurking. She looks up, into your eyes, still holding onto you. Her words quiet, not hysterical but not entirely calm. "Anwyl, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm... not better, and I ... panic... and I don't always... that I'm not... maybe I'm not ready... for everything, for what you wish, I just... I'm scared. And... I know you love me. I know your love for me makes everything we have done... amazing... and its just in my mind, but every once in a while my mind screams at me... and no matter how wonderful my body is responding... my fears take over." She fully expects you to be mad at her, upset that after all these months she still has fears. She lets go of you with one hand to wipe at her eyes, but then doesn't know if its ok to touch you again, or if you're mad at her.
You see no anger in her eyes, only worry for you, and love. She very much wants to hold you.
"We'll have many years to quiet your fears," Shalelu says softly. "We'll have more years to soothe them than they took to form."
He gets up, bows, and leaves.
Some time later, Enqbatu shows up at the Caravan with packed bags, along with a woman who looks to be about 20, a newborn boy, and a girl who is probably five, looking around her with wide, terrified eyes.
Eyeing the family, Hrunndalf says to his comrades, "Võib-olla peaksime küsima Enqbatu kas ta tegelikult tahab tuua oma pere kaasa võtta ohtu. Neil ei ole osa oma võla ja loodetavasti me saadame ta koju varsti niikuinii."
"As a quick translation," Ameiko comments, "That means, 'No, I cannot let you borrow my knife.' But saying no in response to a question is considered impolite."
"But ... how to discern?" Rhost looks concerned.
"But ... how to discern?" Rhost looks concerned.
Hrunndalf nods sympathetically. "Institutionalized obfuscation... probably something the ninja came up with, to keep the assassination market flourishing."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"But ... how to discern?" Rhost looks concerned.
Ameiko looks sympathetic. "Good luck with that. Asking for clarification is impolite, too."
"We're not in Varisia anymore," she continues. "We're not even in Avistan. In Avistan, forthrightness is considered a virtue. You're expected to ask for what you want, with the understanding that the answer might be 'no'. It's an 'Ask' culture."
"In Tian Xia, forthrightness is considered ... rude. Maybe even a moral failing. You're supposed to avoid putting a request into words unless you're already nearly certain that the answer will be yes. Otherwise, you don't ask. It's a 'Guess' culture."
She sighs. "It's not really a better or worse way to do things, it's just different. But navigating Guess Culture depends on having shared expectations, which makes it very difficult for a foreigner. The ideal would be to learn to put out delicate feelers. If you do it with enough subtlety, you won't even have to make the request directly; you'll get an offer. Although then you get to guess whether the offer was just pro forma or a genuine one you should accept. Which, as you've just found out, is its own whole complicated thing."
"If you're from Guess Culture, the kind of requests an Ask Culture person makes seem presumptuous and out of line. They make people feel angry, uncomfortable, and manipulated. The guard there is probably wondering if Melinda was trying to get him in trouble by asking for a knife when, to his mind, she should have known he couldn't give her one."
"But if you're an Ask Culture person, Guess Culture behavior looks incomprehensible, inconsistent, and rife with passive aggression."
"I was raised in both, by my parents and by my city, and they actually both have their pros and cons. Guess culture is great for situations calling for nuanced subtlety. Ask culture? A lot better if you ever want to date someone."
Eyeing the family, Hrunndalf says to his comrades, "Võib-olla peaksime küsima Enqbatu kas ta tegelikult tahab tuua oma pere kaasa võtta ohtu. Neil ei ole osa oma võla ja loodetavasti me saadame ta koju varsti niikuinii."
** spoiler omitted **
Lio asks Ameiko, in Halfling, what would be the appropriate course of action? If she stays here with the children, what will happen to them?
Lio has been next to Shae for while, whispering with the tall elf. Now she blushes, bright red, smiling, her expression sort of emberassed but happy, her eyes showing how much she loves Shae. She shakes her head to the negative, and mouths the word later grinning as she does so. And before Shae can utter a word of protest, Lio kisses her silent.
Lio has not yet seemed to notice something is amiss with Zaiobe. After hugging Mel, Lio goes to see how Jorun is doing.
Lio moves up along your body, slipping out of you slowly. She changes shape, until she is fully herself again. "and now that you've had a proper start to the morning, you can spend this day lounging about and thinking about what you'd like to do tonight. Because you're not lifting a finger to do any sort of work today, unless you count unwrapping presents as work." Her lips are a fraction of an inch from your own. And then they are on you, kissing your lips, your face, she showers you with kisses.
Lio asks Ameiko, in Halfling, what would be the appropriate course of action? If she stays here with the children, what will happen to them?
"See sõltub pigem sellest, mida juhtub talle kõige tõenäolisem," she answers. "Ta on ilmselt oma sissetulekuallikas. Mida me teeme temaga?"
Once the soldiers take their leave, and the disgraced guard has gone to fetch his wife, Lio turns to one of the blue people, and asks, |I do not know the customs of this town very well, so please forgive me if I speak innapropriately, but would it he possible for someone to arrange that his home and things are preserved for him while he is gone, until he returns?||We shall make sure that this is done, Seeker,| he replies.
|Thank you. Thank you very much.| she says softly. Wondering how she could help the soldier redeem himself. This was a very alien culture, she had no idea if she was saying the wrong things or offending someone by merely asking something.
Lio asks Ameiko, in Halfling, what would be the appropriate course of action? If she stays here with the children, what will happen to them?"See sõltub pigem sellest, mida juhtub talle kõige tõenäolisem," she answers. "Ta on ilmselt oma sissetulekuallikas. Mida me teeme temaga?"
** spoiler omitted **
Halfling: I was thinking he would join us until he has earned his redemption so that he can return to his home and family with honor. I'm not entirely sure what that entails, but I thought assissting us to get past the ninjas would be a good start. I didn't want to leave tlhis family behind if that meant making them beggars on the street, or worse, forcing them into servitude.
"But ... how to discern?" Rhost looks concerned.Ameiko looks sympathetic. "Good luck with that. Asking for clarification is impolite, too."
"We're not in Varisia anymore," she continues. "We're not even in Avistan. In Avistan, forthrightness is considered a virtue. You're expected to ask for what you want, with the understanding that the answer might be 'no'. It's an 'Ask' culture."
"In Tian Xia, forthrightness is considered ... rude. Maybe even a moral failing. You're supposed to avoid putting a request into words unless you're already nearly certain that the answer will be yes. Otherwise, you don't ask. It's a 'Guess' culture."
She sighs. "It's not really a better or worse way to do things, it's just different. But navigating Guess Culture depends on having shared expectations, which makes it very difficult for a foreigner. The ideal would be to learn to put out delicate feelers. If you do it with enough subtlety, you won't even have to make the request directly; you'll get an offer. Although then you get to guess whether the offer was just pro forma or a genuine one you should accept. Which, as you've just found out, is its own whole complicated thing."
"If you're from Guess Culture, the kind of requests an Ask Culture person makes seem presumptuous and out of line. They make people feel angry, uncomfortable, and manipulated. The guard there is probably wondering if Melinda was trying to get him in trouble by asking for a knife when, to his mind, she should have known he couldn't give her one."
"But if you're an Ask Culture person, Guess Culture behavior looks incomprehensible, inconsistent, and rife with passive aggression."
"I was raised in both, by my parents and by my city, and they actually both have their pros and cons. Guess culture is great for situations calling for nuanced subtlety. Ask culture? A lot better if you ever want to date someone."
in Halfling if you want to let the ninjas loose perhaps we should take her with us for a ways, so she doesn't hurt any innocent people when she runs for it, or attacks us the second shes free.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Halfling: I was thinking he would join us until he has earned his redemption so that he can return to his home and family with honor. I'm not entirely sure what that entails, but I thought assissting us to get past the ninjas would be a good start. I didn't want to leave tlhis family behind if that meant making them beggars on the street, or worse, forcing them into servitude.
"See on keeruline olukord," Ameiko says thoughtfully. "Ta on juba põhimõtteliselt kaotas töö. Aga kui plekk vandega alates solvang Hrunndalf on expiated kuidagi, ta ilmselt ei oleks võimalik saada veel üks, vähemalt mitte siin."
"Kangelaslikkus meie teenust võiks seda teha ... Kas te arvate, et teie ... sõbrad siin võiksid hoolitseda oma pere, kuni ta saab tagasi tulla?"
"Heroism in our service could do it ... Do you think your ... friends here might be able to look after his family until he can come back?"
Lio has been next to Shae for while, whispering with the tall elf. Now she blushes, bright red, smiling, her expression sort of emberassed but happy, her eyes showing how much she loves Shae. She shakes her head to the negative, and mouths the word later grinning as she does so. And before Shae can utter a word of protest, Lio kisses her silent.
This proves to be a very effective way of preventing a reply.
Lio has not yet seemed to notice something is amiss with Zaiobe. After hugging Mel, Lio goes to see how Jorun is doing.
Jorun and Tollin are quietly seated at one of the tables. Jorun has been drinking less than most present, but does not seem unhappy.
Halfling: I was thinking he would join us until he has earned his redemption so that he can return to his home and family with honor. I'm not entirely sure what that entails, but I thought assissting us to get past the ninjas would be a good start. I didn't want to leave tlhis family behind if that meant making them beggars on the street, or worse, forcing them into servitude."See on keeruline olukord," Ameiko says thoughtfully. "Ta on juba põhimõtteliselt kaotas töö. Aga kui plekk vandega alates solvang Hrunndalf on expiated kuidagi, ta ilmselt ei oleks võimalik saada veel üks, vähemalt mitte siin."
"Kangelaslikkus meie teenust võiks seda teha ... Kas te arvate, et teie ... sõbrad siin võiksid hoolitseda oma pere, kuni ta saab tagasi tulla?"
** spoiler omitted **
Lio nods at Ameiko's words, then says in Halfling, I hope so. I can certainly ask them. she quickly goes and asks.
Lio moves up along your body, slipping out of you slowly. She changes shape, until she is fully herself again. "and now that you've had a proper start to the morning, you can spend this day lounging about and thinking about what you'd like to do tonight. Because you're not lifting a finger to do any sort of work today, unless you count unwrapping presents as work." Her lips are a fraction of an inch from your own. And then they are on you, kissing your lips, your face, she showers you with kisses.
"Mmmm," she says, responding to your kisses and kissing you in turn. "So I am to spend all day thinking about tonight? I think that can be managed."
She will let the party, and the family, know what her new friends say.
Lio nods at Ameiko's words, then says in Halfling, I hope so. I can certainly ask them. she quickly goes and asks.
She will let the party, and the family, know what her new friends say.
Liothonae's new-found friends in the city are willing to see to Enqbatu's family's needs while he is away.
"All right," says Ameiko. "Sounds like Enqbatu's coming until he redeems his honor, Chao's coming until we can let her go somewhere further away from town, and you," she says to Miyaro, "Had better come at least until you can explain who these 'allies' you're supposed to lead us to are and what they want."
Miyaro nods.
"All right," Ameiko says to the group at large. "Shall we get the heck out of Dodge enne Prints Sitapea ärkab?"
"All right," says Ameiko. "Sounds like Enqbatu's coming until he redeems his honor, Chao's coming until we can let her go somewhere further away from town, and you," she says to Miyaro, "Had better come at least until you can explain who these 'allies' you're supposed to lead us to are and what they want."
Miyaro nods.
"All right," Ameiko says to the group at large. "Shall we get the heck out of Dodge enne Prints Sitapea ärkab?"
"A thousand times yes."
"A thousand times yes.""All right," says Ameiko. "Sounds like Enqbatu's coming until he redeems his honor, Chao's coming until we can let her go somewhere further away from town, and you," she says to Miyaro, "Had better come at least until you can explain who these 'allies' you're supposed to lead us to are and what they want."
Miyaro nods.
"All right," Ameiko says to the group at large. "Shall we get the heck out of Dodge enne Prints Sitapea ärkab?"
"And a few more on top of that."
<OK,> she says quietly, clinging to you closely. <I'll ... I love you. And my heart knows you love me, but my head is sometimes a bit messed up. I would ... help with that would be ... good.>
<Do you think ... should I tell Lio now, or wait until morning? I don't want to ruin her party.>
<I think tomorrow would be safe.> As she looks over at Lio clearly happy, <When do you want to tell Alaric?> She smiles, half-pleased half-embarrassed, <He wakes up every time I move near him, but only enough so that he can check that Milena hasn't decided that she wants out.>
Chip & Deva's
Perception dc31: -2 drunken condition included
Perception dc26: -2 drunken condition included
She places her hand over Myriana's where it lies on her leg.
"Thank you." comes Myri's small muffled voice from under the blankets.
He gets up, bows, and leaves.Some time later, Enqbatu shows up at the Caravan with packed bags, along with a woman who looks to be about 20, a newborn boy, and a girl who is probably five, looking around her with wide, terrified eyes.
Myri tries to smile kindly at the young girl and her family and kneels down, holding out a small bag of Rhost's trail mix to her. |Something to snack on?| she says in a calm, soothing, friendly tone.
diplomacy:and despite being distracted by trying to get the caravan ready and her admittedly unstable state of mind, she seems to communicate her non-hostile feelings and general good-will towards them quite well .
Lio has been next to Shae for while, whispering with the tall elf. Now she blushes, bright red, smiling, her expression sort of emberassed but happy, her eyes showing how much she loves Shae. She shakes her head to the negative, and mouths the word later grinning as she does so. And before Shae can utter a word of protest, Lio kisses her silent.
Myri, having noticed the brightening hue of Lio's skin, raises her glass again, "T' end'rance!" she barks out laughing & immediately begins to hiccup.
"All right," Ameiko says to the group at large. "Shall we get the heck out of Dodge enne Prints Sitapea ärkab?"
She will let the party, and the family, know what her new friends say.Liothonae's new-found friends in the city are willing to see to Enqbatu's family's needs while he is away.
Lio makes whatever arrangements are necessary for the family, including financially if required, and then informs the family what is going on, who will assist them, and so forth. She does not hurry any goodbyes between them, getting her own things ready and making sure Jorun and Shae have everything they need for their hasty departure. When she is ready, she takes her scouting or guard position.
"In Tian Xia, forthrightness is considered ... rude. Maybe even a moral failing. You're supposed to avoid putting a request into words unless you're already nearly certain that the answer will be yes. Otherwise, you don't ask. It's a 'Guess' culture."
Rhost looks more and more appalled as Ameiko explains the conversations subtleties of "Ask" culture.
|Stupid barbarian. No speak.| he says.
Rhost will carry the hogtied ninjer back to the Caravan.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
COUNTRY: Hongal
SPECIAL ENCOUNTERS:
WEATHER: Calm, cool
DISTANCE TRAVELED: 224 miles
TOTAL DISTANCE SINCE LEAVING SANDPOINT: 5859 miles
TOTAL TIME SINCE LEAVING SANDPOINT: 250 days
You leave Ordu-Aganhei as hundreds of fireworks launch from the Palace walls, turning night into day as they fill the sky with sparks and thunderous noise.
When you release Chao in the morning, far from the city walls, she turns and walks off into the grasslands without looking back. Eventually, you lose sight of her.
Also during your first day out from Ordu-Aganhei, Ameiko addresses everyone during the mid-day meal.
”Hi, guys. So ... I’ve been talking with Miyaro. She has some things to say I thought would best be addressed to the group as a whole. Miyaro?”
The other Tian woman nods to Ameiko. ”To ... introduce myself more formally than was possible last night, I am Miyaro. I am an emissary, if you will, of the Kami of the Forest of Spirits. The Kami are the ancient enemy of the Oni, such as those that Ameiko tells me you already know are currently ruling Minkai.”
”The Kami are forbidden from interfering directly with the material world, but there are ways that they can help. They have told me that if you are willing to meet with them, they may be able to point you towards information which could help you achieve ... your goals,” she says, adding the last a bit hesitantly as if she is not quite sure what those might be.
”In addition, I may also be able to give you some information about the current situation in Minkai, so that you do not walk in blindly when you leave the Forest of Spirits.”
Sandru adds, ”I think I should point out that, based on what Myriana and Liothonae found out from asking around, which Miyaro agrees with, the regular road through the Forest of Spirits is crawling with soldiers of the Jade Regent right now. We probably have to stay on the road through Hongal to avoid the horse tribes, but going offroad when we get to the forest might be wise, especially if we have a guide.”
During this week, Melinda seems to be growing more and more visibly pregnant by the day. Zaiobe begins organizing the baby shower for this week, since it begins to seem as if waiting much longer may mean waiting until after the birth.
Myri tries to smile kindly at the young girl and her family and kneels down, holding out a small bag of Rhost's trail mix to her. |Something to snack on?| she says in a calm, soothing, friendly tone.
The child seems soothed by Myriana's friendliness.
"Thank you." comes Myri's small muffled voice from under the blankets.
Buttersnips gives Myriana's hand a squeeze.
<I think tomorrow would be safe.> As she looks over at Lio clearly happy, <When do you want to tell Alaric?> She smiles, half-pleased half-embarrassed, <He wakes up every time I move near him, but only enough so that he can check that Milena hasn't decided that she wants out.>
<Perhaps, perhaps as soon as he wakes, ideally immediately after I speak with Liothonae? I'd rather not break my word to her twice entirely behind her back. I could get up early tomorrow ...>
<Although I may end up telling her tonight if I keep looking a mess and she asks. Considering that I am to stop hiding things.>
During this week, Melinda seems to be growing more and more visibly pregnant by the day.
During which time, Melinda tries quite hard to keep up with her responsibilities in the caravan. She does, mostly, just at a far, far slower pace and with frequent breaks. Although frustrated with her inability to move or even think normally, but with an underlying happiness.
During which time, Melinda tries quite hard to keep up with her responsibilities in the caravan. She does, mostly, just at a far, far slower pace and with frequent breaks. Although frustrated with her inability to move or even think normally, but with an underlying happiness.
Alaric hovers around his young mate, every small sound from her draws an excited look which turns to disappointment when she doesn't go into labor.
Melinda, carefully balancing a few packages, goes around to where Koya, Ameiko, Myri, and Shae are staying in the palace. At each room, after carefully looking around to make sure Reta is not in plain view, with a smile, "We are taking Reta out for breakfast to celebrate her birthday, if you'd like to come." Mentally she calculates how big of a space they will need with all of the palace servants.
Then, after a quick detour to the caravan to drop off the packages in the family wagon, she heads back to Alaric so the proud papa can shanghai the teenage goblin.