The Date
You overhear the last of Kaye's injunction to the young man... And until this is back in balance, you are banned from companionship services offered here at the Kitten. Is that perfectly clear? You don't want one of these fellows catching you climbing in through a second story window like last time. Once I will write down to youthful indiscretion. Twice and it will mean the law. Now get out of here."
The young man hustles off, his face red with embarrassment.
Kaye sets a ledger down with a exasperated exhalation, but her face lights up with the approach of Piper and Alara.
"Piper! It is so good to see you in once piece. I know. They're just goblins, but a mother has to worry.
And who is this? Rumors said that you were traveling with an elven beauty, but I see the rumors fall short of their inspiration. You must be... Alara? I am Kaye Tesarani. Welcome to the Pixie's Kitten."
The Date
Piper smiles at Kaye. He writes: "It's good to see you, too. I'm showing Alara around Sandpoint and thought we'd come here to introduce you. What were you discussing with that man?" He looks back towards the direction that the young man ran in.
The Date
Alara bites her lip and blushes as Ms. Tesarani welcomes her. "Thank you, Ms. Tesarani. It's a pleasure to, um, meet you." She says with a nervous smile.
Oh, I hope I make a good first impression... She sneaks another glance around the common room.
The Date
To Piper, Kaye says, airily, "Oh, it's nothing important. Just another young lad for whom the reach of his ardor exceeds the grasp of his purse. He will learn his lesson eventually. Most do."
She takes Alara by the arm and begins to steer her to a table. "But now, as for the two of you together, you are not leaving here until you try the latest from the Two Knight Brewery. I promised Gaven that I'd showcase it here at the Kitten and he's been working so hard at getting the brewery back in its best form. It's a mead he's calling Wade's Wildflower in honor of his brother. He says the honey it's made from comes from the wildflowers growing in the fields Wade used to till."
She waves a server over.
"I won't prime the pump any further. I want to pass on your honest opinion." she says as the server pours the mead into a pair of wine glasses.
The Date
Alara's blush intensifies. "O-okay..." She says as she takes the wine glass in her hand.
She swirls it, sniffs it, then tastes it...
...the wine's taste is a good blend of sweetness and ripeness!
"Mmm!" She sets her glass down and looks over at Piper for his reaction.
The Date
Piper smiles as Alara is dragged off by his "mother". He follows her to the table where the mead will be served. He writes: 'So, the Two Knight Brewery is repaired? It would be an honor to try the new mead. Even though I'm not much of a drinker.' He takes one of the wine glasses, clinks it with Alara's, and takes a sip.
The Date
Alara looks intently at Piper as he takes a sip of the wine.
"Well? How is it?" She leans forward, wide-eyed.
The Date
Piper set his glass down on the table. With a smile, he writes: 'Very good. Very rich, sweet, and delicious. My compliments to Gaven. Tell him that Wade would be proud.' He takes another drink from the glass. He smiles at Alara. He signs to her: 'I'm assuming you approve?'
The Date
Alara responds by taking another drink from her glass and nodding. "Yep!"
She blinks several times. Apparently, the wine's a bit strong for her. She looks around the room again, blushing before turning back to Piper.
Here I am, sitting in a brothel with my boyfriend and his mother, having a drink like it's no big deal...
The Date
Kaye sighs and nods with a broad smile. "I thought so as well, but we only get so many different options out here along the Lost Coast. With your travels, Piper, and your perspective as an outsider, Alara, I was hoping to get more cosmopolitan opinions. Gaven will be pleased to hear your reactions."
She indicates to the server to leave the bottle.
"Enjoy as much as you like, I'll take whatever's left in the bottle home to Belor. He has always had a soft spot for the civilizing influence of mead despite his rough badlands exterior," she laughs.
"Now, if there's anything else you need, just let me know. Otherwise, I will leave the two of you to enjoy your time together," she adds with a wink.
The Date
Piper nods as his "mother" leaves. He takes another drink before signing to Alara: 'Enjoying your tour of Sandpoint so far?' As the conversation continues, he pours a little more mead into his glass, leaving enough for his father to enjoy later.
The Date
Alara looks back at her boyfriend before sipping her wine again. "Very much." She crosses her legs as she sits in the chair.
She starts signing: 'I didn't expect your mom to run a place like this. When I heard it was called the Pixie's Kitten, I thought it was a pet shop.' She giggles.
The Date
Piper gives a few raspy chuckles before signing, 'Well, no offense. But that reaction is to be expected from an outsider.'
The Date
Alara blushes and looks into her wine glass before sipping from it again. 'Am I seriously the first girl you've dated?' She signs, looking back up at Piper. 'I mean, between all the attention you got at college and your mom running this place...' She smiles nervously.
The Date
Piper pauses as he's about to take a drink. He thinks about it before signing: 'Yeah. You're the first girl I've dated. At the college, I was more focused on my studies and mom really didn't let me hang out here often when I was younger. Why do you ask?' He takes another sip from his glass.
The Date
'Well... I just find it difficult to believe, is all.' Alara signs, her blush deepening a bit.
She looks back into her glass, this time with a worried look in her eye. 'And... I'm hoping I didn't spoil your first kiss.'
She looks back up at Piper, this time signing with both hands. 'See, in Minkai, a young man's (or woman's, not being picky here) first kiss is a very special occasion: one that's to be shared with a person you genuinely love. I'm PRETTY sure it's seen differently here, but... well...' She stops signing, looking back into Piper's eyes with more than a little anxiety.
The Date
Piper stares at Alara before signing: 'Well, Varisia doesn't have any customs like that. But, as a worshipper of Shelyn, I can see where you're coming from. But, Alara, know this. I wouldn't have done it if there wasn't anything there. So don't worry. You didn't ruin anything.'
The Date
Alara breathes a sigh of relief. 'Oh, thank heavens...' She signs, her anxiety gone from her face. She finishes off the rest of her glass, blinking a couple of times.
"So, what's this Old Light you were telling me about?" She asks, scratching her head.
The Date
Piper smiles at Alara after finishing his drink. He signs:'That, my dear, is the last surprise on this little outing. Ready to go?' He stands and offers his hand. As the two leave, he says goodbye to his mother and gives her the bottle with what's left.
Piper leads Alara to the northwestern part of town. Once there, he leads her down the beach. The sight is breathtaking. A large cliff, around 120 feet, stands over the gulf. Atop the cliff stands a 50 foot tower. The stones of the crown are battered and weather-worn. Various symbols mark the top.
Piper signs: 'The Old Light. Once thought to be an Thassilonian lighthouse, Old Man Bodert discovered that it was actually a weapon once constructed by the Runelord of Wrath. It's long since been inactive, now standing as the most well known of Sandpoint's landmarks.' He turns to Alara. He signs: 'So, what do you think?'
The Date
Alara can't help but marvel at the sight of the Old Light. The sun setting in the sky makes the view all the more picturesque. Wow...
She turns to Piper and grins, opening her satchel and digging around in it.
"I think I wanna climb it!" She says, pulling out a grappling hook at the end of a length of silk rope. She walks over to the edge of the Old Light and throws the grappling hook, trying to get the top of the tower.
The hook sails up to the top of the tower and catches!
Alara tugs a few times on the rope, then starts climbing up. "C'mon, Piper! The view's going to be better up here!" She giggles.
The Date
Piper only stares as Alara begins to climb the tower. After a while, he follows her up the rope, all while thinking: 'Free spirited girl. I can tell dating her will be one experience I'll never forget.'
The Date
Once Alara reaches the top of the tower, she bends over to help Piper up with a smile. Turning to the sea, she takes in the incredible view of the sunset before walking to the edge of the Old Light and sitting down, letting her feet dangle over the edge.
"I had a wonderful evening, Piper-kun." She says, turning her head towards the bard. "I hope it was good for you too." She pats the edge of the tower, inviting him to sit with her with a bashful smile on her face.
The Date
Piper graciously takes Alara's hand. When he stands, he's amazed by the sight. It's obvious that he's never been up here before. Seeing Alara patting the spot next to her, Piper sits, looking out at the sight of Sarenrae's light drops over the Varisian Gulf, slowly giving way to Desna's domain.
He signs: 'It was. I think it was one of the best days I've had.' He inches his right hand to Alara's left and, carefully, wraps his pinky with Alara's.
The Date
Alara looks over at Piper as their pinkies intertwine. She inches her hand deeper into his grip, until their hands are fully intertwined.
"I really hope we'll have a chance to do this again... you know, once we come back from Ameiko-san's trip." She whispers, her eyes filled with joy.
The setting sun casts an orange glow around her...
The Date
Piper looks at his girlfriend, his face a deep shade of red. He signs: 'I hope so, too, dear.' He leans in to her and gently puts his lips to hers in a sensual kiss.
The Date
Alara needs no encouragement as Piper kisses her. Her arms pull him into a deeper kiss, holding him tightly to her. Her heart races in her chest, and she feels as if she could float away at any moment.
A small moan escapes her as she nibbles on Piper's lower lip.
Her cheeks are burning as she reluctantly breaks the kiss, her eyes squeezed shut as she holds Piper close. For a moment, everything feels perfectly right with the world.
The Date
Piper wraps his arms around Alara's waist. His heartbeat begins to race. When Alara moans and begins nibbling, Piper nibbles back. When the two break the kiss, Piper has a smile on his face. He rests his forehead against hers (despite the significant height difference). After a few minutes, he turns back to the sunset, wrapping an arm around Alara's waist, linking his right hand with her right hand. With his left hand, he signs: 'So... what now?'
The Date
Panting, lovestruck and more than a little giddy, Alara stares out at the sunset with a dopey smile on her face.
The perfect end to the perfect day...
She catches Piper's signing and glances between him and the town behind them. "...maybe we should go back to the Rusty Dragon?" She tentatively asks, her voice at once breathy and shaky.
The Date
Piper gives Alara a teasing smile with a raised brow. He signs: 'Sure. But what for?' He tucks his head into her neck while continuing to watch the sunset, nuzzling a bit.
The Date
Alara leans on Piper as he nuzzles her neck. "Well... it's where my bed is and it's comfier..."
She trails off, her eyes widening and her blush intensifying. "Um, that didn't sound as suggestive in my head. Lemme try again..."
The Date
Piper looks up at Alara, the teasing smile remaining, his brow quirking even more.
The Date
Alara takes a breath and tries again. "Okay... I'm feeling exhausted and I don't want to fall asleep on top of Old Light--it doesn't look very comfortable up here."
The Date
Piper smiles and nods. He stands and leads Alara to the rope and begins to climb down.
The Date
Alara follows him down the rope, her heart still beating quickly. She retrieves her rope and grapple hook, stowing them away in her satchel before taking his hand again.
She leads the way back to the Rusty Dragon, feeling on top of the world.
The Date
Piper follows Alara to the Rusty Dragon, heart continuing to race. He grasps her hand tighter.
The Date
As the pair enter the Rusty Dragon, Alara is practically stumbling with excitement and fatigue. She drops a couple of gold pieces on the bar next to Ameiko, and tries making her way up the stairs to the second floor.
Of course, her feelings keep her from getting much further than a couple of steps with Piper's hand still in her own. She pulls Piper into a deep kiss, backing herself against the wall, her breathing quickening to match her pulse.
She breaks it before it goes too far, though, her head drooping and her weariness catching up to her. "Oh... oh my..."
The Date
Piper blushes as the duo enter the Rusty Dragon. When Alara initiates a deep kiss, Piper responds in kind.
But, when Alara breaks it and begins to show fatigue, Piper only smiles and signs: 'Time for bed.' He writes to Ameiko: 'Which room's Alara's?'
Once he has the answer, Piper thanks Ameiko and leads Alara to her room.
The Date
Alara is content to let Piper take the lead in getting her to her room, pausing at the door before opening it and stepping in.
She takes a few steps, then stops, turning her head towards Piper. She looks like she wants to say something, but at the same time keep her mouth shut. She gives him a small, tired smile.
The Date
Piper merely smiles and signs: 'Yes?'
The Date
Alara's breath catches in her throat. "Um..."
She turns to face Piper fully. "Do... do you want to share my room?" She asks, setting her satchel at the foot of her bed.
The Date
Piper's cheeks begin to grow hot. He signs: 'Alara... are you sure?'
The Date
Alara arches an eyebrow. "Just for sleeping, I mean." She says, her cheeks turning hot as well. It's as if the thought crossed her mind.
She glances at the bed. "Well, it's big enough for two..."
The Date
Piper thinks for a moment before signing: 'Alright.' He steps into the room. He places his gear into a corner of the room and removes his armor and his boots. He looks around the room.
The Date
The room Alara picked is rather large--enough to accommodate a bed big enough for two. A dresser sits against one wall and a covered chamber pot is in one corner, by a window.
Alara smiles at Piper again as he enters the room before she removes her own armour. Unlike Piper, however, she only stops at her plain white smallclothes.
Alara is indeed a shapely girl--looking at her now, most of her height is in her legs, which are incredibly toned. She slips under the covers, her eyes not leaving Piper's face.
The Date
Seeing Alara stripping in front of him, Piper turns to give her privacy, his face heating up even more.
When she's finished, Piper turns to look at her and his jaw drops from the sight. His gaze lingers on her form before he shakes it off. He removes the shirt of his college uniform (keeping his pants on).
While Alara is shapely and toned, Piper is lanky, though there are some faint hints of muscle definition. However, his body shows that there is some agility to him. His skin is tanned and flawless, the only marring is the scar across his throat.
His shining green eyes never leave Alara's. He runs a hand through his wavy hair before (slowly) making his way closer to her. Tentatively, he slips under the covers.
The Date
Alara looks Piper over as he slips into bed with her, her smile widening. Her smile turns into a wince when she sees the scar on his throat.
She takes Piper's hand in her own, pulling herself close to him, her head resting on his shoulder. She closes her eyes and gently presses her lips to his scar, softly running her tongue along it before looking up into his eyes. She rests a hand on his cheek.
The Date
Piper grasps Alara's hand when she places it in his. When Alara lays her head on his shoulder, he lays his head on top of hers. His breath hitches when she kisses his throat, her tongue running across his scar, before he gives a peaceful sigh. When she looks up at him and rests her hand on his cheek, he responds by gently squeezing the hand in his grip. He gives a peaceful smile and a kiss on her lips. He nuzzles the top of her head and uses his free hand to stroke her hair, every once in a while, running his thumb along the edge of her ear.
The Date
The kiss on Alara's lips is enough for her to fully relax into Piper's embrace, her head resting upon his shoulder as she drifts off into sleep...
The Date
Watching Alara sleep, he continues stroking her hair, the peaceful smile still on his face. Eventually, his eyes slowly close as he's taken to Desna's domain of dreams...
New Day
The first rays of sunlight crossing the bed make Alara's eyes flutter open. She somehow managed to move herself fully on top of Piper while she slept.
Wow... he looks so peaceful sleeping... Alara smiles and leans forward, closing her eyes and gently pressing her lips to his.
Good morning, Piper...