[Aquillar Hot Springs] Of Friends and Tranquility (Open)

[Zenai]

OOCLet's try to finished up within 2 posts unless you guys have something else better to post in here.

Zenai didn’t know what to think; it was either playful fighting that you would see amongst the youth or a few questionable fellows trying to kill each other in the guise of playfulness. He didn’t know which was funnier Bob being throws all around by Antar or Shai clinging onto Antar just to get that one copper miza. It was official; he befriended lunatics all. Not complete fools but people that are just crazy. Maybe Zenai was crazy himself. He wondered about Eridanus as well and concluded that he was insane as well to go along with all of them. Zenai sighed at all the fun they’re having but of course, the killjoy had appeared in the form of Natlana, clearly displeased with the ruckus caused by Bob, Antar and Shai. It seemed that she sensed that chaos was created and has stepped in to put a stop to it. She was about to go after Antar and Shai who had entered the private springs but Zenai intercepted her, calling her to wait and that he will give an explanation. Zenai quickly ran across the pool, splashing water all around in bid to get between her and his comrades in the private swing. He was going to get his butt kicked for this.

“So are you going to tell me that they’re just children and I should excuse them for their unruly behavior?” She crossed her arms, clearly annoyed by the shenanigans caused by the others. Zenai could feel the fires in her eyes and hands.
“Miss Natlana, please excuse my comrades. They’re just having a bit of fun. You know how some people are? We’re just very…playful?”
“You know what I did to the last group who were being too noisy?” The former mage-knight reminded Zenai of the tales of a group of troublemakers who were incinerated by Natlana just for the reason she just stated. Zenai would need to think up something quickly otherwise they would be further proof of Natlana’s fiery wrath.
“I’m sure you remember your days as a squire? The pranks and mischiefs you would cause or join in just for the sake of fun?” Zenai tried to make Natlana empathetic.
“No.” She simply answered and Zenai’s heart sank as he knew he was going to be roasted. “Fine but I’m telling you; any more troubles and messes from you people and I will kick you out of this establishment. Got it?”
“Of course, sera. Thank you for your patiences.” Giving her a salute by banging his chest with his fist.

“You some kind of knight?” She raised an eyebrow when asking Zenai. “I was a former squire in Syliras. Didn’t quite make it as a knight.” Zenai embarrassingly, looking down. “Oh, how come?” She enquired further. “Long story, sera. It was…complicated.” Zenai didn’t really want to talk about. Not now anyway. “Well, if you have the time, do come by and tell of it. It’s been awhile since we saw your kind here and I love a good story.” She winked. Zenai was relieved that he managed to get her off their backs but it looks like she wants to get on Zenai’s back. She left the communal pools to tend to other business.

He checked on the others to see if they’re up to anything else; Bob was recovering from the struggle while Eridanus was giggling about the situation like some pretty little girl. Zandelia had actually gotten out from the pool and was quite the beauty. The water slipped off her much curved body from her supple breasts to her broad hips. The wetness just enhances her sexuality. Zenai’s manhood responded but Zenai’s mind fought back with imageries that would turn a man blind, metaphorically. It shrunk back and conceded to Zenai’s mind which was recoiling from the backlash of presenting those horrible, not-very-sexy imageries to his nether regions. He observed as Zandelia went to wherever Antar and Shai was going; probably one of the private springs. Bob, having recovered from his ordeal, sprang out of the springs and followed Zandelia. Zenai decided to follow them so he could ask them to slow things down and not to be too rowdy. He then shouted out to Eridanus who is still in the pool, “I’ll go check on Antar and Shai. Just...don’t do anything that would get us kicked out.” It’s too nice of a place to get kicked out too.

He went after Zandelia and Bob, and in turn, he would find Antar and Shai. He entered one of the private springs. Zenai had no intention of staying but he wanted them to keep on the low with their intimacy. He entered the private springs and Zenai saw that they couple had calm down a bit. “Alright, having fun here? Good. Better behave yourselves or else the loving couple who owns is going to kick out butts out the door and into the cold, got it?” Zenai stared them down in an attempt to persuade them to keep quiet at least until they’re done with this place. “While you guys enjoy the springs further, I’ll get our rooms ready and dinner on the table. I’m sure you all are quite famished from all that roughhousing. I’ll call you when it’s done.” Whether or not they would give a response, Zenai just assumes they would accept the decision and hopefully, keep the damage to a minimum.

Zenai, mostly done with the springs and believed himself to be clean enough, got down to drying himself with the towels that were available for guests. He put on his gear back but not before getting some of the dust and dirt of it. Now that he felt fresh from bathing in the springs, he then went to the reception to get a few rooms for them. He assumed the girls would want one room to themselves while the guys would bunk in another or two. He went to the reception desk and there was Natlana again. “How can I help you this time?” She asked politely and Zenai replied, “Just a couple of rooms and dinner to go with it. My friends are almost done in there.” Natlana gave him a couple of keys and pointed to the direction of the rooms. “I’ll get dinner ready. In the meantime, make yourself at home.” Zenai nodded his thanks and made his way to rooms to inspect them before dinner.

[Antar]

Antar smiled a little at the aggravating intrusion as he mulled over Shai's offer in his mind. Private baths were private for a reason. Perhaps he should have locked the door? He was amused as the symenestra shifted her weight on the pools edge, still having to look up at him and he rested his hands down by her side as Zenai came in to talk about food for the next meal. Finally, a look of complacency passed across his features as he turned his gaze back to Shai... looking at her as if for the first time with new eyes. Yes, she was a symenestra... and a woman.

But she still had the balls to stand up for herself. Noth... liked that.

It even amused him a little and reminded him of the first rule about women: always let them think they had the upper hand. Calmly gazing at her he wondered if she might be the one to help him... it had been a long game of cat and mouse over this... personal matter of his past. She at least did seem competent enough... as well as being ravishing.

Sighing as if not wanting any more interruptions, and reminding himself that Anthony should kick Zenai in the shins one day, the rogue let one his hands trail down the curve of Shai's back before lifting her up by the waist.He brought the symenestra closer a moment before whispering in her ear, "Okay, I accept." Carrying her back in the water towards the heated rocks from which part of the waters fed from the series of thrush shoots to the baths and watched her expression carefully. Perhaps she had not realized the facets of her position, and how easily it could have been taken advantage of.

Her body stiffened in his arms, and there was a slight quickening in her breath, and he could feel the beating of her heart against his chest. Then her eyes turned towards his own, a mix of conflicting thoughts seeming to whirl within their violet gaze as their gazes met. She seemed puzzled, put off guard, and slowly Antar held her up with a single hand as the other moved the woman's arms about his neck. This was to let her support herself as he moved into deeper waters to let the sounds of the trickling stream shadow their voices so they might speak with the misty heat filled atmosphere. It was just the two of them, alone... where noone could hear or see them now. Not amidst the steamy mist. Where he took her a few plants were nestled in the smooth rock, this was one of the deeper pools, deep enough to swim freely. But there was another reason for it to be known as. It was a lover's grotto. The old woman who ran the bath's had a strict policy, no one entered them without permission from those who had rented them.

Taking the copper miza from his hand he would slowly place it between Shai's assets which were pressed against him, and slowly he would allow his nose to trace along the breadth of her skin. Up along the soft skin of her jawline until he could whisper softly in her ear."Now we can talk alone."

He let out a throaty chuckle, as her body shivered against his and her mouth fell open to let her fangs extended. "Stop that Antar, or at least warn me. If not this will get dangerous."

"Very well my dear shai, you would be completely safe in my hands, so long as you don't thieve from me. but you know that, at least in your mind. But just so you don't instinctively decide to fang me a little." At those words, the rogue ducked under the water, slipping from shai's grasp as his hands still held her by the hips above the water. Coming up behind her he'd smile a little as he pulled her back against him.
"You expressed your will to be a ... partner of sorts, an equal as it were..." Allowing the tip of his nose to nuzzle the soft flesh of the symenestra's cheek, he whispered. "I don't trust you enough to divulge everything yet, but in time you could know more... but I'll be honest, the job I need done will risk your life just as much, if not more so then my own. For the past twenty..." As he soke he positioned one of her arms behind his neck again so she could support herself against him to hold her head up above the water. The warmth of the springs was invigorating to him, and his heart seemed to beat in time with her own for a second or two." days or so. I've been playing a game of cat and mouse with a very interesting killer. One who's is just as deadly if not more so then I am; he should be, since we were trained by the same people."

As he whispered soft words in her ear, he could feel her breathing stop for a moment as those violet eyes were brought to bear on his own, her hair was a wet stream of silk spread upon the water's surface and he sensed a faint hint of fresh soap to her skin as her words came to his ears. "I like to surround myself with useful people. You seem very useful and. . . fascinating. So one dangerous mystery solved for you is not too much trouble. If, of course, there is compensation.”

"Of course, close your eyes a little now Shai, it is time we begin trusting one another."

Reaching towards the side where a bowl of sweet smelling cleanser lay upon the rock he took it in hand and poured it over the symenestra's hair, lathering it deep into her scalp with a tender soothing massage. It was a far cry from the brutality he had shown earlier... it seemed the rogue did possess a gentle side to things. "Indeed I'll let you keep what you kill. Of course that leaves the matter of why I need a thief to help me." As his hands worked the cleanser into shai's hair he let his hands wander to her shoulders, slowly rubbing her pale skin in concentic circles to help release the tension in the woman's muscles. "What would you guess would be my reason for that Shai?"

He'd hear her sigh a moment with contentment as her hand would trail along his back to wrap itself about his waist. He could feel the back of her claws on his skin, the smooth non sharp points tickling the muscles of his back."An illegal acquisition I must assume? But specifically you wanted me to wear a dress so I must assume a diversion as well."

"Indeed," He kept the woman close to him as he reached up again to the side rock for a bar of soap which smelled like some sort of flower before he began to wash her her stomach, letting her body float on the surface of the pool as a strong lather began to show upon her pale skin. "The man I'm after fled his last refuge where I tried to corner him... he went into the casinos, and also rented a room at the pig's foot and before the... final meeting between us I need someone to help me search both locations for something I need. Something that I must tell you about is just as important to me as ending this man's life. "

He moved his hands , bringing the lather upwards over her arms..."This man is dangerous,and knows far much more about my past then you ever should inquire. But linked to that past there is a small book in his possession. It is marked by a sigil , a sigil drawn in blood that you should never wish to know.Like one I used to bear until I gave up a long lost life. I need that book, Shai."

Having a woman of any sort, even a spider, this close to him was bound to draw a reaction of some point. There were too many similarities between their races for certain... cues not to be noticed by the brain. His present rumination was quieted as she slipped away from his grasp a moment to dunk herself beneath the waters. When she emerged, her hand traced along his arm towards his hand, where she deftly removed the soap from his lax grip. 'A thief in all ways.'

A moment passed amidst the steam as she drew herself closer, using her knees pressed against his hips as one arm snaked around his neck. The other reached behind his back as she spoke, the little spider beginning to wash his back.“That seems like a lot of trust for a ‘spider’. You want me to find this book and return it without opening it, I presume?”

He pulled her slightly closer, his eyes tracing her lips as one hand reached up to brush a thumb over them lightly. "My dear, you wouldn't be able to read it... it is cryptographed, just like the one I used to use." He leaned in closer as he reached behind her for a little bit of heated oil, dipping his hand into the warmth. It was a local concoction, one made with scented bits of seaweed that many a fisherman might pull in when the catch wasn't good. Slowly, he lifted her a little out of the water and began to bring it along the symenestra's neck line... letting the heat finish the process of easing her tenseness there.

He leaned closer, letting his breath waiver on her cheek to whisper in her ear above the trickling spring water."It has a list of names, and places, people I need to hunt down. I need that book to begin exacting my revenge. You've caught my eye to be sure. Someone like you can prove useful, but I can only say if you refuse this task then I will have your silence. It would be a shame to have to remove someone so skilled from the picture. Especially when you might be an element he can't predict."

He moved his lips downwards kissing her jawline as his eye wandered towards the door, he had seen something moving there. He wasn't amiss to giving any watcher a show or two. "Of course, now you know why my patience is fading fast, twenty some days is a long time to wait. As for my preferences against symenestra women... you intrigue me perhaps enough to be the exception to the rule. I cannot deny there is... a certain attraction in your presence. I wonder if the same is true in reverse as well."

[Shai]

Shai lost track of her braid after only a few twists as Zenai barged in. Her head snapped towards the door. She was slower to return her gaze to Antar, mostly because she was suspicious but also because the situation with him required a delicate hand where any extra time to think was welcome. So when she finally looked back at the man she saw an expression on his face she didn’t quite understand. After a beat she came to the conclusion he was considering their circumstances. It made sense really; she hadn’t ended the game at all. Shai had just changed it, beginning a game with new rules and new moves each player could make. But the game of words was one Shai could win, with proper consideration, even against this man.

When he made his first move Shai was taken completely off guard. She had imagined some sort of word play but that was not all what she got. Her body stiffened at his touch. She met his eyes seeking whatever small information she could glean. It was bad to be caught off guard and made her nervous but also the very fact that he’d done something unexpected interested her. As he led her across the pool she took the time to gather her thoughts; she needed to predict his tactics so the next one wouldn’t surprise her. Sure enough though, the spider didn’t expect him to give her the miza in such an intimate manner and it elicited a small blush. Shai shuddered against light trail her followed up to her. The word ‘alone’ echoed through her mind a handful of times before she could shut it out.

She knew the feeling and she opened her mouth just in time for the delicate fangs to extend to their fullest. It was a biological response, but not one spider women were meant to exhibit with human men. Would he know the risks he was setting in motion? She gave him a warning, only half reproaching at a tone just above a whisper. “Stop that Antar, or at least warn me. If not this will get dangerous.” At his suggestion she had to hold in a nervous laugh, she wouldn’t bite him. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t get venom in his system if she wasn’t careful enough. As he reappeared behind her she had to restrain her desire to spin around, Sunberth gave her such reactions but she believed him. Stupid as the notion was for a Symenestra in a treacherous city she did trust this him, to a degree of course. When he repeated her own words back at her, Shai could recognize a completely different connotation to them.

She was almost shocked when Antar got back to the original matter at hand. She had trouble concentrating on the whole meaning, each sentence made sense but putting them together seemed a bit of a stretch. Still she understood the gist; it was the prelude to the actual job description. The vast majority of her awareness was focused on the feel of him at her back. So, when they shared a heartbeat for a single moment her breath caught. She almost forgot to speak but finally managed a jumbled set of phrases that would have to do. "I like to surround myself with useful people. You seem very useful and. . . fascinating. So one dangerous mystery solved for you is not too much trouble. If, of course, there is compensation.” None of what she had said was untrue, but certainly ineloquent.

Following her directions Shai closed her eyes and then when she was stuck in her mind alone did she realize what she had done. He had told her to lose one of her most valuable senses and she had complied without hesitation, she needed to be more careful. Shai would be his equal; she wouldn’t let him simply lead her. Drawing her hands down his back she let him wash her hair, it was no less intimate but it allowed her to clear her mind. "An illegal acquisition I must assume? But specifically you wanted me to wear a dress so I must assume a diversion as well."

Eyes closed with nothing to go on but the sound of his voice and the touch of his hands, Shai understood just how similar they were. She ripped her mind from the very idea that humans and Symenestra were alike; it was a dangerous path to wander down, especially at this exact moment. Instead she paid attention to the information he was feeding her. The pig’s foot is easy, the casino might be trouble. But why does he need a diversion? And why was it dangerous? Could this man have left traps in his wake? Regardless she was going to take her chance to put herself back on equal footing.

Shai slipped away under the water trailing her hand down his chest as she submerged. To best honest it was to make sure she didn’t sink like a rock, a rock that didn’t know how to swim. But on the other hand she couldn’t deny she enjoyed her hand on his chest. She turned and she came back up. She slid the soap from his hands and carefully using her hooks she positioned her bent knees around his hips. Looking up at him she gave him an appraising once over and began to wash his back. “I will accept. You have interested me, Antar. Besides I suspect you would be a good ally to make in this order forsaken city.“ She caught his eyes stray behind her. Perhaps another of their party had gotten curious? Whatever it was didn’t seem to bother him, but she didn’t do voyeurism so she pulled back. “As for that last bit, you have provoked my curiosity. “ She lowered her voice so even if someone was listening in the same room they probably wouldn’t catch her next phrase. “Spiders tend to crawl all over what makes them curious, at least until we understand it in full.” She let a mischievous smile flash across her face, “Someone who wanted a visit from a curious spider ought to leave their door unlocked." When he replied with a nod and promise of later she continued. "Or not, locks will not inhibit me anyways.” She barely got the last phrase out before the door opened again. This time the intruders were Zandelia and Bob. Shai and Antar cut a figure that didn’t even bother with suggestive; the idea was shouted across the room.

Shai couldn’t say she was completely annoyed now she had a chance to think about exactly what she was offering. It was exactly what she always believed against but she knew when things quieted down and the rest of their friends left, Shai would sneak into Antar’s room no matter what logic she could muster. He had her completely charmed. Besides, he had provided her small pieces of a puzzle and she wanted more, in this case the puzzle wasn’t the job he had offered.

[Antar]

Sighing a moment as Shai left his embrace, and walked out of sight. His eyes followed her receding from as his mind seemed content to find at least one soul which might help him in his troubles. Antar gave the watchers a sly smile and a wink followed by a simple shrug before he turned back to swim across the pool to gain some exercise. He'd been making sure to swim quite often since he had came to rent a room at the springs some time ago. His intentions were to let his body improve.

For now though, true competency was a long way in the future, Antar contented himself with the ability to simply float on the waters surface and stroke forwards with his arms rotating like windmills and his feet kicking behind him. He even began rolling his head to the side when he needed to breathe, though a few times stopped to stand in the pool in order to hacked out a bit of water from his lungs as his body devolved into a coughing fit.

Soon though, after the others had left, Antar levied himself over the edge of the private bathing pool and set about drying himself off with a towel, a quick trip back to his room for a change of clothes and he'd be set to join the others in the small dining hall the owners ran with a few of their servants.

~Fin

(submitted and closed via pm requests to do so ^-^)

[Cachet]

Zenai : Zenai SKILLS Socialization:1111 Organization:11 Observation:111 Negotiation:111 LORE Planning a get together Ruining the moment for others Idue : Idue SKILLS Socialization:11 LORE Attending a bath house with friends Bob : Bob SKILLS Stealth:11 Unarmed combat:11 Subterfuge:11 Intimidation:11 Acrobatics:11 Swimming:11 Seduction:111 Hypnotism:1 LORE Shai's MINE! Hands OFF! Eridanus : Eridanus SKILLS Socialization:111 Observation:11 Auristics:11 Rhetoric:11 Persuasion:11 LORE Hot springs Terrorist Shai : Shai SKILLS Unarmed Combat:111 Wrestling:11 Subterfuge:1 larceny:1111 Seduction:1111 Swimming:111 Observation:111 Kurki:11 Stealth:11 Socialization:1111 LORE Anatomy of Zandelia(Basic) Anatomy of Eridanus(Basic) Anatomy of Zenai(Basic) Anatomy of Antar(basic) Groping another woman The consequences of entering the wrong room Zandelia : Zandelia SKILLS Stealth:11 Seduction:111 Observation:11 Socialization:111 LORE Putting on a show Antar : Antar SKILLS Intimidation:11 Reimancy:11 Shielding:1 Auristics:1 Meditation:11 Falconry:11 Gladius:1 Throwing Kukri:1 Seduction:1111 Interrogation:11 Subterfuge:1 Larceny:1 Unarmed Combat:1 Wrestling:11 Swimming:11 Throwing Weapon (bob Barton):1 Bodybuilding:1 LORE Being interrupted during meditation Dissuading a thief Anatomy of Shai (basic) Anatomy of Zandelia(basic) Seduction: Mischievous topics of conversation Conclusion:In all a wonderful social thread that is a good break from the normal hack and slash type thread. But it was still very enjoyable. Anything seem out of place? Any questions please feel free to contact me ASAP.