Alaric finds Reta. "Come on, Reta. Let's go to breakfast."
Alaric finds Reta. "Come on, Reta. Let's go to breakfast."
"Okeedokee," replies the goblin amiably, following her father.
<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.>
Mel smiles at the other woman, <Oh, you are allowed secrets... just not anything that will eat away at you by the keeping.> Hugs her close. <You have a plan, which is good. So what can I do to put you back into a good mood before Lio realizes I was a killjoy.>
After making sure Jorun is ok, and finding him with the quiet and mysterious Tollin, Lio goes back over to Shae, an arm slipping around Shae's waist. So, what things have you been telling Ameiko and Myri about us, that they are toasting such... interesting things in our honor, anwyl? She asks in elven. Her face revealing her happiness of seeing her friends and loved ones having fun together.
"But there's so many things that scare me. What if you loose your patience?" She whispers, in elven, unable to speak such a terrifying doubt at a louder volume. "I'm so afraid that you'll wake up one day, and won't want me anymore ...because I'm so damaged, I still cant even be normal half the time. And these stupid doubts wont go away... they keep coming back right when im out of my comfort zone.... ...I want... to be with you, always, forever. And I cant wait to marry you. And... and... experience having a family and growing together, with you... do... do you still want that, with me? I... I'm scared, Shae, terrified of all the things that can go wrong and all the ways I might misunderstand something and scared about not being strong enough for you. "
When it is unwrapped, it is a cloak of elven kind.
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.
** spoiler omitted **
Lio, amazed at the speed the pregnancy is progressing, helps Mel whenever she can, for example, picking something up off the ground or lifting things for Mel, rather than having her struggle with it.
After making sure Jorun is ok, and finding him with the quiet and mysterious Tollin, Lio goes back over to Shae, an arm slipping around Shae's waist. "So, what things have you been telling Ameiko and Myri about us, that they are toasting such... interesting things in our honor, anwyl?" She asks in elven. Her face revealing her happiness of seeing her friends and loved ones having fun together.
Shalelu actually blushes. "Ameiko has on occasion made inquiries regarding our proclivities, and while I do not believe I went into excessive detail, the matter of ... frequency was discussed."
The morning after the bachelorette party, Zaiobe finds you. She looks ... nervous.
<Do you have a moment to talk?> she asks quietly.
As the fireworks go off in the city, Lio turns around for a moment to watch them. She smiles at the light show, yet looks, a little sadly, at having to leave the friends shes made, in such a hurry.
all day... and then you get to make your fantasies into reality. Lio whispers seductively into your sensitive ear. She licks your lobe, her tongue doing sensual things along the outside edge of your ear, then she reaches over to the nightstand, and pulls out a wrapped parcel, all the while, her tongue doing interesting things. "your first present"
When it is unwrapped, it is a cloak of elven kind.
She practically purrs at the attention to her ear, then blinks at the cloak.
"Thank you, Lio," she says sincerely. Then she gets up and puts it on, wearing nothing but the cloak.
"Am I more difficult to see now?" she asks flirtatiously.
Relieved at what she sees in your eyes, she throws herself back into your arms. Her small body easily fitting against your larger one, the height difference as pronounced as her need for your strenght to offset her vulnerability. "But there's so many things that scare me. What if you lose your patience?" She whispers, in elven, unable to speak such a terrifying doubt at a louder volume. "I'm so afraid that you'll wake up one day, and won't want me anymore ...because I'm so damaged, I still cant even be normal half the time. And these stupid doubts wont go away... they keep coming back right when im out of my comfort zone.... ...I want... to be with you, always, forever. And I cant wait to marry you. And... and... experience having a family and growing together, with you... do... do you still want that, with me? I... I'm scared, Shae, terrified of all the things that can go wrong and all the ways I might misunderstand something and scared about not being strong enough for you."
"Yes, I still want that," Shalelu says. "And I never expected you to be ... perfect all the time, Lio. I'm not going to run away. Yes, I would like you to eventually get past this, both for your happiness and our happiness, but I will be here with you while you do. And you will. Because you are strong enough."
Lio is drinking some water and nursing a hangover... <Whoever invented plum wine clearly hates elves and our delicate constitution...> then she sees your nervousness, <what's the matter, Z?>
Zaiobe sits and takes a rather unnecessary breath, considering how she communicates.
<I have ... I'm ... I'm just going to try to come right out with this. I've been rather a poor friend to the people I care about lately.>
<Last night, when I was drunk, I mentioned the striptease to Melinda. Which was a betrayal of your trust. I swear I simply forgot for a moment that I wasn't to say anything.>
<But then she and I had a talk in which she pointed out ... not for the first time ... that I have a habit of lying by omission to my lovers. And that doing so is a betrayal of their trust.>
<As an explanation - not an excuse - I used to be ... punished for saying any uncomfortable truths in a relationship, and got into the habit of not doing so. But that hasn't been true for close to a year, and I am trying hard to change.>
<I'm sorry to dump all this on you in the morning, and I am sorry to ask in the first place, but ... I would very much like to have your permission to tell Alaric about it. I would try my very best to prevent him from, from having any negative reaction towards you rather than me.>
Lio blushes brightly. "its unusual?" she asks.
"Perhaps it is so for humans," Shalelu says, not looking towards Ameiko in any way. "They have so much to accomplish in such a little time. I imagine spending that much time on sex would begin to feel like it is encroaching upon their more essential activities, such as shopping."
"Hey!" says Ameiko, who then struggles to think of a rebuttal, apparently unsuccessfully.
Mel smiles at the other woman, <Oh, you are allowed secrets... just not anything that will eat away at you by the keeping.> Hugs her close. <You have a plan, which is good. So what can I do to put you back into a good mood before Lio realizes I was a killjoy.>
<... a kiss might go a long way towards it,> Zaiobe answers almost shyly.
"If... you think so... I... I do not feel particularly strong." she responds to the last part of your statement first. "Thank you, anwyl...for believing in me... I ...will try harder. " She loosens her death grip on you. Shes still vulnerable, still needs you close by, but the worst seems to be behind her. are... you going to try that on? she asks softly about the outfit you pulled from the rack.
Lio looks at you. Her face full of fear and panic and anger... anger at herself. She looks at you, and then she runs out of the room.
Can't quite wrap her head around it.
Lio's expression changes from mild headache, to deep terrible hurt. She pulls back, away from you, so that you are not touching her, practically withdrawing into herself. You get a brief flash of intense pain, leaking through, unbidden, I have lost my great granddaughter. He will keep me from ever seeing her and their child, a feeling of betrayal after giving you her trust, as she retreats. Lio looks at you. Her face full of fear and panic and anger... anger at herself. She looks at you, and then she runs out of the room.
Zaiobe flinches at your look of hurt. As you pull away from her, she can no longer speak to you, and she mouths words but no sound comes out. You think perhaps you see your name, and maybe the words won't and sorry, before you are gone.
"If... you think so... I... I do not feel particularly strong." she responds to the last part of your statement first. "Thank you, anwyl...for believing in me... I ...will try harder. " She loosens her death grip on you. Shes still vulnerable, still needs you close by, but the worst seems to be behind her. are... you going to try that on? she asks softly about the outfit you pulled from the rack.
She kisses your nose. "If you would like me to," she answers. "Honestly, I do not even know what it is."
"Who said that?" Lio looks around, as if she cant see you anymore. The grin on her face at seeing you in nothing but the cloak probably ruining her attempt at acting.
Shalelu laughs.
"Well. Shall we get dressed, then? Or more dressed, in my case?"
Lio, amazed at the speed the pregnancy is progressing, helps Mel whenever she can, for example, picking something up off the ground or lifting things for Mel, rather than having her struggle with it.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.
If Myri is in the same area as Mel, and Alaric (or Lio) are not there for some reason, she would likewise try to be helpful, though not intrusive. She would likely ask if Mel would like anything to drink or fetched for her.
Lio's nose wrinkles as you kiss it, she smiles a little. Turns the outfit first this way, then that. "Some kind of.... sexy naughty school girl uniform costume? Well, that or schools here have a very risque dress code.
"Is it supposed to be this ... small, do you think?"
Lio nods, and washes up, then gets dressed. Once you are both ready, she gives you a hug, closing her eyes as her body molds itself to yours. She stays there, in your arms, for a few long moments.
[spoiler=Chip & Deva's]
"Perhaps it is so for humans," Shalelu says, not looking towards Ameiko in any way. "They have so much to accomplish in such a little time. I imagine spending that much time on sex would begin to feel like it is encroaching upon their more essential activities, such as shopping."
"Hey!" says Ameiko, who then struggles to think of a rebuttal, apparently unsuccessfully.
Myri pipes up, "I once talk'd t' a wand'rin monk passin' thru T'rtleback Ferry. Mast'r Kam t'ld me thet" she gets into character and says very distinctly without slurring, "a man who can do without sex for a year can do anything." then returns to her current speech pattern, "didn' know what 'e mean' at the time...."
Lio appears to be pondering that thought... "shopping is essential? Can't quite wrap her head around it.
"& no shoppin' is not an ess'ntial activity," she glares at Shae, "unless it is f'r essenti'lly needed th'ngs." she adds completely seriously, now leaning against the wall next to her seat for support.
Lio nods, and washes up, then gets dressed. Once you are both ready, she gives you a hug, closing her eyes as her body molds itself to yours. She stays there, in your arms, for a few long moments.
She holds you close, her chin resting on the top of your head, in the moments before you leave to start the day.
Lio, in her panic, doesnt really know where she is. She runs north through the corridors. Just needing to get away, unable to properly process why Zaiobe would break her promise, why she could be so flippant about breaking the promise made to Lio, how she could not only be so thoughtless as to easily break her word in the first place, but then ask Lio for permission to tell Alaric. It had been a terrible idea to have Z dance for her. Lio had known that. Had known if it ever got back to Alaric that would mean terrible reprocussions, but she had believed Z. Took Z at her word that it would be alright. Had wanted to make Z happy since she had clearly had her heart set on performing. And she had ignored her instincts screaming at her. It was only safe to let down her guard with Shae. Everyone else betrayed her, used her, hurt her. She should never have let Z become a friend. What had she been thinking? And where... where was she?
She seems to consider leaving it on for a moment, but then changes back into her regular clothes, of course with the exception of underwear.
Shalelu does a full twirl, smiling.
She seems to consider leaving it on for a moment, but then changes back into her regular clothes, of course with the exception of underwear.
Lio blushes brightly. "its unusual?" she asks.
Mel doesn't seem to think so and just shakes her head with an embarrassed flush for the following conversation.
<... a kiss might go a long way towards it,> Zaiobe answers almost shyly.
Her eyes wide, <You mean the one I gave you earlier doesn't count?> she teases before leaning forward and kissing Z. Not a kiss of passion, but one full of love for her winged partner.
Lio thanks them quietly, goes to the women's wagon, asking the group to please wait for her outside for a bit, she closes the wagon behind her for privacy, and trembling with pain and anger, finds a small space to wedge into and dissapear for a while.
Melinda crawls into bed, smelling softly of orange juice, and curls into Alaric for warmth and comfort.
I’m sorry.
I will not say anything to Alaric without your permission, and I will ask Melinda not to do so either.
I will not even attempt to say anything to you in my defense, but I hope that you understand that what I did was stupid and thoughtless, but was not intended to be malicious.
There’s a lot I clearly do not understand about the situation, but I suppose it doesn’t really matter. I broke my word to you, and that does. All I can do is say that I will never do so again.
I hope you can forgive me, but if you can’t, I understand.
Zaiobe
"The way I heard it," says Ulf, "Is that a man who has been without sex for a year will do anything."
"Anythin', huh?", Myri says, a wicked grin growing on her face as she replies to Ulf, "so which wun a th' g'rls 'ere da y' wan' me t' l't know th't yer lookin' t' gran' th'r fond'st wish an dreams?"
Alaric finds Reta. "Come on, Reta. Let's go to breakfast.""Okeedokee," replies the goblin amiably, following her father.
Mel, excited, looks down at Reta, open her mouth, closes it, opens it again, and closes it finally. She hugs the small goblin, giving no explanation, then takes Alaric's hand and walks with the pair to Kuàilè de rìzi, a dim sum restaurant.
There they ask for a much larger table than is needed for just the three of them... And for a number of satellite tables for the horde of people Mel seems to expect will show up.
Mel, excited, looks down at Reta, open her mouth, closes it, opens it again, and closes it finally. She hugs the small goblin, giving no explanation, then takes Alaric's hand and walks with the pair to Kuàilè de rìzi, a dim sum restaurant.
There they ask for a much larger table than is needed for just the three of them... And for a number of satellite tables for the horde of people Mel seems to expect will show up.
Alaric is positively gleeful. "Reta, you're probably wondering why Mel and I are acting so weird. Well, remember when you said you didn't know your birthday and wanted us to pick one for you?" Pause. "Happy birthday. Your first of many in our family."
Myri walks in to the restaurant wearing her normal gear, sans weapons. Her face lights up when she sees the Graf family. "Hi guys!" she walks over briskly, nearly skipping, "...and how are you all feeling today?" she smiles fondly at each of them as she takes a seat
Sleight of hand roll:
Alaric greets Myri with a warm smile. "Glad you could make it. But fair warning... after a week of being presented with food soaked in urine, I plan to eat my weight in dumplings. So watch your fingers."
eventually, at some point, Lio notices the note. She doesn't read it right away, but when she does leave her cubbyhole and reads it, she gets very angry, the self pity and doubt forgotten. She emerges from the wagon, and asks the servants if they would be so kind as to help her locate Zaiobe.
Once she is located, and provided she is not with Mel or Alaric and that the location is at least somewhat private, Lio approaches, until she is just out of touching range. She very carefully with an extremely even tone of voice asks Zaiobe for a word in private, if Z is in a public place... again without touching her.
Hrunndalf nods at Sandru's analysis of the situation. He turns to the stranger who just introduced herself, and says, "Well met, Miyaro, and thank you for your offer. I have a few questions, if you don't mind the asking? I am a stranger to this land, and would like to know more about where I am about to journey, and whom to meet."
Assuming she doesn't mind, he continues: "Who exactly are the Kami? Spirits? Fey? Gods? What is their interest in our... matters? Why are they not forbidden from taking action in the material world? And what is your relation with them, that you would do so in their name?"