Skin and Scales [Blythe]

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

17th Fall 511AV

This thread has adult themes please read only if you are 18+

The sun was setting, but Serrif’s mind was not. For some reason or another it seemed at night his mind was most active. Turning through the day reviewing things that he learned maybe it was just his way of organizing everything in his mind. Review it then stash it on a shelf somewhere. Sometimes he struggled to find a place for things to go neatly. But he managed to find a place for most of it, on the scattered shelves of his mind. Restless was the best way to describe the feeling. Even laying there almost physically exhausted his body still felt like it had energy. Or maybe that was just his mind playing tricks on him making him think he had energy. Whatever the case was his body wouldn’t get any real sleep as long as his mind was chattering away like this. A sigh escaped his tired lips as he shook his head slowly as if that would help relieve him of this.

Seemed not even the methodic crashing waves on the beach would lull him to sleep tonight. Because truth be told he had other things on his mind. Many other things. Among them was Blythe. Why did he have to think about Blythe? Maybe a good walk would help clear his mind of all of this. He didn’t feel like butting on shoes before walking into town. The more sensory inputs he had the better. He found that by having more things to distract him he thought less about everything else. The warm sand on his feet was a nice distraction. As was the warm night air coming from the sea. Mura was as close to home as he had ever been even if he didn’t own any part of it. He really didn’t consider himself owning anything.

The sand changed to cobblestone as he walked into town toward the Opal Temple. There were people about, mostly Konti heading to the Forest Meridian house. He had heard wonderful things about it; however, he knew he would never see it like the Konti did. Mostly because he could only breathe while on land. He knew there was a part of Mura he would never really get to see; not like the women here did. It was one more thing that set him apart from the rest of the population. Different, that was what he was. He didn’t even see himself as all to similar to any of the women. Again his lifespan was only a drop of water to these women…so he best make the most of it. He could see the glowing light and brilliant displays as he walked past the large shell building. He wished he could be part of this place. But he couldn’t.

He walked past and continued to the bridge near the Silver Velispar. The waterway it was built over was beautiful and serene. Just watching the blue flow of water underneath the bridge was calming. It kept his mind active and off of the many things it had to ponder about. Every now and then he would see a Konti walk out of the water. They were a beautiful race, even at night with the moonlight gently caressing the wonderful scales that wrapped around their body. Some of the women shot him suggestive looks as they hurried off to the Forest Meridian house. He found this comical, to invite a land walker underwater like a siren. They knew he couldn’t follow them; but that didn’t stop them from trying to lead him on. Shame on them his mind joked as he looked out over the waterway.

Seemed all kinds of people came out and about Mura at night. These were likely the younger Konti going to dance the night away. He wished he could join them, but alas that was impossible. Well in the very least that was how he had it in his mind. So he would settle for watching the waterway roll underneath him. He stood there watching the water pass underneath him every now and then carrying a Konti with it. These women were of the land and the sea equally indeed. He just supposed he had never realized it until now. Something about watching them move seamlessly from water to land really showed him this. Another reason he was very separate from these women. Ne supposed he would never be part of this place. A sigh escaped his lips as he continued on heading toward the Starry Night gardens following the winding waterway.

[Blythe]

She had waited, knowing him to be a man with a pierced heart. She wanted to give him enough time to heal from the needles she had wiggled into the pincushion. She wanted to give him enough time to forgive. To venture around the block at least once, and come to feel as he did before she had been so careless. Blythe sighed as she glanced up at the setting sun. At the blinding streaks of color that stretched across the sky. She was nearly twice his age, and always, next to him she seemed so stupid despite it. Here he was, so sure of himself and his feelings, and she was always left confused and guessing, as though the cards in hand had faded away, and she had but wisps of color to read by.

The Konti blinked somewhat self-consciously as her features fell, as she wrung her hands in frustration, and forced herself to keep up the pace, even though her heart's strings seemed to be tugging angrily away. Into her feet, willing her away from her intended destination. Everything she wished to do. Everything she wished to proclaim. It made it so difficult to breath, so difficult to discern every thunderous beat.

Blythe stared at her feet, as fronds of green grass, swaying softly in the breeze, danced away. Thinning; running home, until there was only sand. Beige grains trickling between her toes, sliding onto the flat beds of her gladiator sandals, beneath her soles. She could feel her soft, pale skin, running over each grain. Crushing them. She thought she could discern the silent screams as her mind tried one final time, to dissuade her. But it was too late, it had already been made, and nothing could stop her from going forward. Towards the sound of the waves crashing into the shore, towards the sound of the spraying sea, the soft crackling of bubbles, as foam slipped away, running through the cracks. Trailing downwards, into the world's center. Darkening all it touched.

Sometimes, Blythe wondered if she darkened the lives of everything she touched.

Shaking her head, warding away the painful thoughts, Blythe continued on towards Serrif's tent. With it being so late, she doubt he was still working on the temple, and would more than likely be there instead. Where he had always housed himself, since the day they had met. All those moons ago, when he had helped to carry her injured companion to those who could help, and she had merely served as his guide. She smiled at the thought of him. How his eyes had shimmered in the light, how innocent he seemed then, before she had gotten to know him, in comparison to now, when she had delved, multiple times, into his chavi, digging up cobwebs and skeletons that the man hoped she would never come to see. Or to know.

Shaking her head again, Blythe chose to concentrate on his smile. The cawing of the gulls overhead as they lazily circled the sky. He'll be there, in his tent, she thought to herself, and he'll offer that wonderful smile of his when he realizes why you're there, she told herself as she eased herself along, to his portion of the beach. She knew it was only a matter of a few chimes, before she came to his tent, and it made her heart skitter all the more furiously. Drumming, willing her to march along and claim her man. Forcing her fingers to unravel, Blythe tossed her hands at her sides. She straightened herself out a little, and patted her dress, forcing away the creases within the pure white cloth.

The Konti's lavender colored eyes sparkled in the fading light. Her scales shimmered. Her hair swayed lightly in the breeze. She smiled to herself, as she looked up at the gulls. Their wings paler than she. She watched them appreciatively for a time, until she came to the tent, at which point, she took a deep breath, in through the nose, and out through the mouth, before pressing her hand against the canvas. She ruffled it slightly, "Ser?" she called, only to receive no answer. "Ser, are you in there?" Blythe asked. "Surely you can't be asleep already," she added under her breath, and then fell silent, awaiting an answer which never came. Her heart falling, the woman wondered if he simply didn't want to answer, because he didn't wish to see her right now.

"Ser?" Blythe whispered, her voice laced with the wave's tears.

Again, the Konti waited, and to her, when all seemed lost, she turned to leave, before thinking better of it. Her eyes widening a little, she turned back to the tent, and extended her hand. Her fingers furled around the flap, easing it away. She looked inside the dark expanse. No one was home. Well that's odd, you should be back from work by now, Blythe thought, with a shrug. Maybe then, it'll be best to wait for you here... that way we don't miss each other... and have to wait another day...

Gathering her resolve, the Konti released the tent flap, and gingerly, eased her sandals off her feet. She placed them to the right of the tent, before letting herself inside, and stepping to the back. Sighing, she sat herself down, and ran her hand over the canvas. It seemed rough, harsh and uninviting. Her pulse quickened as she reached for a pillow, and brought it to her chest. She clutched it to her tightly, wishing all the while that it could be him he was holding to her breast. "Where are you Ser?" Blythe whispered. "I miss you."

The Konti pulled the pillow in a little closer, as her body curled around it. Molding into a fleshy shield, which would let nothing get in the way of her and it being together. After a time, of simply sitting in the dark, her mind still as she waited, she began to wonder if Serrif was ever going to come back, and if he did, if he wouldn't simply kick her out. Surely, still, his heart would be broken, and he wouldn't want to talk.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Mura was beautiful any time of the day. But it always seemed at the cusp of night and the break of morning it was even more so. Something about the pale moonlight highlighting every surface really helped draw out the beauty of this place. The sun was setting, and as he continued to walk he found out his body didn’t have energy but his mind did. A strange predicament to be in. He continued to walk in the direction of the starry night gardens for only a few minutes before he decided that it was likely best for him to head home instead. Home…compared to the Konti his home wasn’t much. He had no actual walls, no real bed, no family to share his space with. It was just him in a canvas waterproof tent laying on a bedroll. However this was more than he had ever had in the past. And to him this was a home he could take with him if he needed to, this way he could travel and be flexible. Best part if he didn’t like where his home was today he could move it to somewhere else.

Yes, he better head home. Maybe his mind would calm along the walk. He was beginning to like walking around barefoot. The sensory input of the ground he walked on was interesting. It helped him determine how close he was to home. He knew when he started to feel warm sand he was close. His mind was still occupied though. Blythe, that insufferable woman. Why did she play him like a fool? HE wasn’t a fool; he wanted her and he knew she knew this fact. He had made it plain as daylight for her. Laid it out for her as simple as he could. And she walked away from him; more like ran away honestly. And since then they had been different. He kept throwing her a line, hoping, waiting and watching but every effort seemed to be futile to him. Useless, that word was more accurate. She had left him sitting out in the cold alone.

He was too different from these women, sure they may think him interesting but truth was none of them would ever really want to stick around. Only because he would never stick around. Love for Konti had to be rough, knowing that nearly every other race you fell in love with would die before you; leaving you and your daughters alone and only with each other to depend on. This though was part of what made the Konti family so strong. Because in the end you could always depend on each other to be there, even after everyone else was long gone. With this realization he finally knew why Blythe was so hesitant toward him. She was likely sizing up the situation, but the longer she waited the colder he became. The more the wounds she caused him bled out.

If one bled too long they died. But there was no physical blood pouring from his body. No what was bleeding from him was sleep. Causing him to become restless and somewhat agitated as well. Try as she might Lym could only give him a few nights of sleep comfortably with herbal remedies without him becoming completely addicted. The inside of his tent displayed this rather plainly, sitting in a corner were several small vials that were empty right now. The smell would be familiar to anyone who had visited the Opal Temple for assistance, for the tonic was commonly given to people to help them sleep after being healed or helped.

Without much warning he began to feel warm sand under his feet; the lulling of the ocean met his ears. He was on the beach. But how had he gotten here? He couldn’t remember walking out this far, although he did know he was walking this way. Well, seemed that time past when you were lost in thought. A disconnect between mind and body that left his body walking like an empty ship while his mind took a flight of fancy. With a shock his mind filled his body again and he looked about a little puzzled. Not because this place was unfamiliar, but because he had gotten here without much thought about it. That wasn’t completely foreign to him, he had walked while nearly half asleep to the Suvai pavilion several times before.

With almost labored steps he walked up to where he had pitched his tent. Just inside a small thicket of trees just off the beach. Yes, he remembered well where his little canvas home was. It wasn’t much in the end, but it was his. And that was all that really mattered to him anyway. He wasn’t really paying attention when he approached the tent. He missed the clues, the other set of footprints leading from the sand to the tent that weren’t his…that were obviously not his. He missed the sandals outside and to the right of the tent flap. All those hints that would prepare him for what awaited him inside; and he missed every single one of them. Which would explain why to him this was like any other night. Maybe it was because he was tired, or because his thoughts were elsewhere at that very moment.

As he approached the tent he felt the need to pull of his shirt to get his mind ready to just lie down for another likely sleepless night. But, he was unaware of what awaited him…of who awaited him in his tent. At first he would swear he was hallucinating; that his mind was showing him what he wanted to see. Because there was no way Blythe would come to him! No, she was trying her best to push him away wasn’t she? She was trying to distance herself from him…that’s what he thought anyway. His hand pulled the canvas flap aside and there Blythe was.

Disbelief was the first emotion he felt. He tilted his head sure he was hallucinating. Blythe wouldn’t seek him out; no she was a runner a hider. But now…well now it seemed like she was a seeker. And in her attempt to find him she waited for him in the only place she knew where he would eventually be. Made sense to him, because if he really wanted to find her he would do the same thing. The outstanding question was what did she want from him now? He had already let her decimate his emotions more than once. He reached out for her, and just as it looked like their hands would connect she took another step back. So this time, this time he wouldn’t reach for her. And he didn’t have to, because she had sought him out.

“Either I am more tired than I thought, or you are very confused on where home is Blythe.”He let his eyebrow perk up some in curiosity.

But the question if she was really here or not still hung in his mind. Was she? His mind had played tricks on him before. So before she could answer he approached her. Carefully closing the distance almost as if he expected anything to happen. But he could smell her wonderful scent; did hallucinations have scent? Still she didn’t speak as if waiting for him to assess the situation fully. He was only maybe a foot from her now as he put a hand on her cheek…she was NOT a hallucination. No she was really here, hugging his pillow; why was she doing that? The mixed signals were mucking about in his tired mind. What was going on here?

“Well…” He said his voice trailing onward disbelief still present in his voice as he was having trouble believing Blythe was actually here right now. Despite what his senses told him.

[Blythe]

"Ser..." Blythe whispered, her lavender colored eyes sparkling. Her tone seemed excited, distant, yet breathless. A wisp on the wind. The woman clutched the pillow more tightly, her fingertips dancing over the plush fabric. Her nails scratching it lightly as she would his back, making a soft creaking sound. Her smile widened as she took him in. The pain in his eyes. The confusion, the surprise. She could see his shadow crawling, feel the air thickening as he drew closer. Yes...

His fingers fell against her cheek, just as she pushed the pillow away. She could feel her flesh sinking into the calluses, cuts, and rough edges. The rose petals; soft and plump, rounded into a pout. Falling to expose the inner pearls. The Konti's right hand rose, as the left sank into the shadows. Supporting her delicate form as her fingertips wove into Serrif's own. She could feel the both of them against her. A mixture of darkness and light, rough edges and that worn smooth clashing; yet vying ultimately to be together... somehow. "Serrif," she whispered again, as her fingers trickled up his arm, to brush past his shoulder, curl over his neck, before falling flat on his cheek. For a moment, it rested, before molding into a crescent. Her thumb gliding across his protruding bone, over his stubble. It tickled her, as she stared lovingly into his eyes. As she waited for the perfect moment, to begin again.

"Come closer," Blythe whispered, as her nails angled into his cheek; lightly. They were turned towards her. Willing him towards her. Willing him to fall next to her; into her. "So that we may see each other all the more." There was a pause as her fingertips scratched his cheek lazily, before sinking onto his neck. Tugging lightly. A silent, siren's call, trying to draw him in for the night.

The rose petals bloomed, as stars burst within sunset skies. "We have much to discuss, my love," Blythe whispered as she urged him closer yet. So that she may feel his breath against her face. Hear his heart hammering in his chest, much as her own was doing in this very instant. As she stared into his eyes, she thought she could see a glimmer of something there: excitement maybe. Or even hope.

Smiling all the more seductively, her left hand rose. Blythe's fingers furled into her palm. Well, all save for one, the index, which she pressed tenderly against his lips. "But there is no time for you to say anything yet," she added, her voice sounding playful. Like a kitten batting at a ball of yarn. Slowly, her finger slid down his chin, her fingers unraveling over his neck. His Adam's apple. She could feel it bobbing against his skin, as her hand trailed down to the space between his pectoral muscles. Mere inches from his heart. "Not until I have finished with you," she added, stifling a seductive giggle with a subtle nibble of her bottom lip.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

This was a dream. He was becoming more and more sure of it by the second. He had visions like these before. Well, even if they were rooted somewhat in reality he knew they were still hallucinogenic. He was having adverse effects to the sleeping medicine that Lym had given him. Yes, this was the only explanation for the alluring words that were released from Blythe’s lips. Her alluring sirens song that was indeed calling him right to her; and there was nothing he could do. THIS he wanted this…he wanted her. Seemed his mind wanted to paint her just like this for him. Even if she wasn’t here, even if she was a hallucination he would indulge himself in this fantasy. Because he knew, he knew Blythe would never do this for him.

Her cool flesh fell a gentle contrast to his warm callused skin. His scars brazen and offensive compared to her soft gently scaled skin. She didn’t need to beckon him to come closer. No, but she did; and in a way he knew she would. His free hand reaching around her waist pulling her hips into his. Even underneath her dress he could feel Laviku’s mark on her, the wonderful Konti scales. Even here, with minimum hints of light he could see them glimmer in the night. Or again that could just be his mind playing horrible tricks on him.

The tent wasn’t very tall; he was hunched over a little and didn’t wish to be any longer. With a gentle kneeling motion he brought her to her knees with him. Her body pressed against his as he couldn’t help but still be amazed at her beauty. He couldn’t imagine anything as perfect as this moment; even if it was a dream. There was a heat about his body now that played a stark contrast against the cool night as well as her chilled skin. To her statement he kissed her left cheek then whispered.

“When I finish with you, you won’t have the energy to speak.” The words were indeed a challenge issued to the very playful Konti who had treaded into his lair.

She could hear his heart pounding like a heavy hammer. Oh yes, they were meant to be together in this moment. Something called up in him, as if he had been waiting for this moment with her. All this time fanaticizing about her, about a moment just like this. And now he was going to drink this dream in. Enjoy it to the fullest and awake tomorrow satisfied but longing, because he knew this was likely not real. But it was real to him now; so he was going to do what he always wanted. He was going to give Blythe what she came here for; whatever that may be.

He breathed in her scent, wonderful as it always was. Just like he remembered her. The golden hair cascading down her back and shoulders. His hand moved from her cheek to the back of her head lost in the wonderful waterfall of gold. He hugged her tight almost as if waiting for her to flip some unknown switch to tell him to begin. But he couldn’t wait, not any longer. He had waited patiently for so long already. Now that she was here, he wouldn’t wait for her to make all of the signals, she had already put herself here.

Without a warning of any kind he broke away from her ear and then placed an inviting kiss on her lips. Hoping she wouldn’t want to back away from him. But she wouldn’t, no she couldn’t. She had come here to be with him now. She had called him in with her sirens song; and now this sailors ship was going to sink deep into the passionate waters surrounding here. Lulled by her voice, enticed by her body and a promise of something that just wouldn’t be…at least not right now.

[Blythe]

Blythe's body molded silently to his touch. Reaching for him as his lips pressed into hers. Curling into his arms when he tried to get closer. She could feel his heart hammering against her hand, plastered between them now, as she eased him closer. Pressing their lips together all the more tightly before he pulled away to whisper. Her face warmed, reddened a little as his hand slipped against her skin. She squirmed a little in his arms from the sudden shock of it, as her fingertips tickled the drooping line of his shirt. There was a subtle "V" she flicked down with her nails, exposing a widening strip of skin. Her fingers pressed into it hungrily. Circling. Her nails digging into him; scratching as she was lost in another kiss.

Yes...

Blythe's body seemed to melt into his as she willed him to move up, off her arm just enough for her to tug his shirt away from him. She wanted his bare flesh against her. She wanted to see it again. Every cut. Every scar. Every muscle rippling beneath his flesh. She wanted to come to know every imperfection, every perfection. "Serrif," she moaned as her fingers curled around the fabric. Tugging lightly as they settled. Her body fell back. She could feel it against the sand, shuffling to accommodate her and her companion. "Ser," she whispered breathlessly as she pressed her lips against his again, unable to keep herself away. She could feel his lips sinking into her own, and hungrily, her tongue came forward. It brushed against his lips. Licking slowly against their length, willing them to part for her.

The Konti had no idea what had overcome her; but she could feel the heat within her rising. The seer's lily stinging her flesh as her hands slid along his form. Her eyes closing as her chest rose and fell rapidly, willing her to take in a breath that would never come. She wanted him. She wanted him now. Every last bit. But she wanted to take him slowly. To allow for just a taste. A single tantalizing taste that would toy with her mind for an eternity; until she could take just one more bite.

Blythe's tongue slid back over his lips, before the end fell towards the middle. The soft split in the oyster's shell, waiting to be pried open. They settled there, nudging softly, waiting for that one moment when he would release everything, and let her have him.

Ser....

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Every moment was pure ecstasy for him. The feeling of her cool hands on his skin, the alluring touch of her long hair trailing every now and again across his bare chest as she worked to remove his shirt. He couldn’t believe it; which was why he assumed it wasn’t real at all. But it felt real, like so many other things that weren’t. Everything she did drove him on; she was controlling a wild passion for her. Every single thing she did was driving him onward toward a cliff he could never recover from. She could feel it, he was losing himself in the passion. He wanted this for so long, so many nights he dreamed of things like this with her. He fantasized about her if only because he knew he could never have her. She was unreachable to him, high on her pedestal. Right now all he could feel was her, all he could smell was her scent; lost in a world where all that mattered and all that existed in that moment was them. THEY were all that was. He cared not for the rest of the world, only her. Tomorrow could wait just like daybreak. Because he knew when he woke in the morning this would all be gone. All of it and he would be left only with a memory of what wouldn’t be.

His large powerful hand gripped her hip, it was astounding how his entire hand could hold her entire hip within it; holding her passionately as she continued to tug on his shirt to release it from him. He allowed her to do so and there they were, his past in plain sight for her. But that didn’t matter. She gracefully laid on her back and he moved to accommodate her. He hadn’t released his hold on her so he too fell almost gracefully with her. His right hand on her hip and his left still behind her head among her wonderful hair; supporting her neck. To him she was a delicate beautiful golden flower. He would have to handle her delicately in order to fully see the extent of her beauty. He intended to savor every moment, every second he was with her right now.

Her lithe feminine form was so small compared to his own, he dwarfed her easily as he gently continued to kiss her wonderful rose lips. His weight gently shifted on top of her; it was obvious he was being cautious not to harm her. He had no idea how fragile she was or wasn’t; and he didn’t want to injure her. His knees and left forearm supported his weight as he continued to enjoy her passionate kisses. Her temperature was rising; he could feel his warmth transfer to her as his chest pressed against her. Just like her EVERY taste of her wonderful lips would torture him for eternity. He didn’t want to wake from this dream, so he didn’t. He let her tongue slip into his mouth and he toyed with it some as he pressed his lips into hers; only coming up for breath when he had to.

His right hand on her hip gently fell down her thigh; the reach he had was astonishing; contrasting the steep contrast between them as far as size was considered. He could feel her trail of scales underneath and the thanked Laviku for this wonderful creation…for Blythe; for the Konti race. Gently he pulled the bottom of Blythe’s dress up inch by inch slowly. She could doubtlessly feel the dress traveling up her legs teasing her the entire way until finally she could feel his warm callused hand on her bare thigh. His hand traveled her seductive figure, circling her toned skin slowly enticing her; and him as well. She was so smooth in comparison to his own; so feminine. Every touch drove him wild, deepening his drive for her.

[Blythe]

His lips parted to accommodate her own. Smiling to herself as her eyes glimmered with joy, Blythe allowed her tongue to slither inside his mouth. Slowly, she entered the cold and the wet, but as her tongue began to circle his hungrily, the temperature began to rise. She could feel the fire storm coming on as she squirmed in his arms, angling herself so as to force her tongue a little deeper, before choosing instead, to simply grab the sides of his with her lips, and suck on it passionately. Tugging it towards her, and then pushing it back, over and over as she lay there. Her feet brushing his legs as she lost herself in the heat of the moment. She could feel an overwhelming sensation take her, a tingling that stretched from her toes. A fire that seemed to scorch her as his hand slid up the length of her leg, forcing her dress higher and higher.

The white fabric seemed to gather about her hips. Pooling in a molten blob of innocence. Something she would surely lose, knowing the fire in his eyes. His lust, his desire. Something she didn't have to see, but could feel upon her skin, as her hands dropped, following the line of her body to him. To where his hands rested. She forced her fingers between his, her palm onto the back of his hands. Slowly, she guided them up and down the length of her leg, building up an even greater sense of heat between them. She squirmed all the more, moaning a little into his mouth, her lips fell away, releasing the muscle she had held hostage, until now.

Blythe gasped as she took in a breath, and then forced herself forward. Her lips into his. "Ser," she whispered through them. Her lips pressing lightly into his, and then more forcefully. Over and over again as their hands circled her bare skin. As she forced his fingers inwards a little, so that he could feel each of her muscles rippling. The sense of tension he had built up. "Ser," she whispered, as she pulled away. Her heart hammering as she swallowed a breath, before returning her lips to him. His cheeks, his neck, his lips. Finally, his glorious lips, so soft. Plush. Accommodating, in the sense that they molded to meet her own. She thought she could sense him pulling away for air, and instead of letting him slip through her fingers, just like that, she lightly tugged on his bottom lip with her teeth. Nibbling softly as he took a breath. As their hands came higher again.

Blythe smiled seductively as she pulled her teeth off his lip, allowing it to snap softly back into place. "I love you Ser," she whispered, as she sought his eyes. Now please tell me, you feel the same, she thought, as she forced their hands to come to a halt on her thigh. So close to the fabric that the tips of their fingers were brushing up against the cotton. Pushing it farther away. She lay there, waiting, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her heart continued to hammer. She didn't want to stop like this, but had become so breathless from all the excitement in the air, she could scarcely breath. She needed this time.

"Ser..." she whispered again, her voice so soft it was scarcely audible, even to her.

The lily was stone cold.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

He could hardly breathe at all. Not that Blythe’s lips let him very easily; a feeling he wouldn’t soon forget…a dream he wouldn’t ever forget. His senses tuned to every bit of contact with hers. Every touch sending the electricity of ecstasy through his body. Every last motion fanned the fire that he had been hiding from her. The guilt he felt for wanting her like this and yet she seemed not to want him at all. But there were hints, and now…now there was no mistaking it at all. He was still so unsure as to what this was, but he would enjoy it because no matter what he would wake in the morning and have to face tomorrow. With or without her; he preferred the first.

As she gasped for a breath and whispered to him he kissed her neck gently tasting her bare skin, feeling her scales beneath his lips. He was grateful she could let herself into his dreams and help him live out this wonderful fantasy. She never let him have a breath it seemed. Even when he pulled away to compose himself she met him with her own lips. Almost as if she was afraid he would say something to end this…and why would he? She could feel his body almost tremor under her touch. Shake at the touch of her delicate soft hands. He was such a polar opposite from her. But maybe that was why this worked so well; why she wanted him. And why he felt he needed her.

His answer to her love came first in his eyes. She would see the glimmer, it was more than lust. Oh yes the lust was there for sure there was no mistaking it; but there was more. That spark of love that he had been harboring from her. That little bit of himself he refused to let anyone have…he was going to let her have his love. All he was, all he would be. Her whisper of his name again brought him to her as he smiled and then gently into her ear whispered a sweet heart wrenching response.

His mind was stretching to put together the words needed to tell her what he felt. Even in a dream she needed to know. Hearing her say she loved him, it lit emotion in him he didn’t know he had. It freed him in a way. Brought him to a new realization of what love could be. That maybe it wasn’t impossible to love her, a woman who would far outlive him. In a place where he felt out of place he still had a chance at love. It was true, love knew no boundaries and took no quarter when it chose two. And it seemed like in this moment it had chosen Serrif and Blythe.

“I love you Blythe, but not just because what you are, who you are. But because you make me a better person when I am with you.” He let those words sink as he then breathed the final words to her. “Because I love you, and will always love you. Even if you choose not to love me past tonight.”

[Blythe]

OOCAnd so my lovelies, the thread gets a bit more... mature shall we say. Consider this your one and only warning. =)

Pale pink petals furled into a curious grin. Pulled tight by a fallen stem's manipulation; like a marionette being made to dance by its puppeteer. "I love you Ser. For today, and tomorrow, and the many moons that shall follow," Blythe whispered, as she leaned into him and planted another soft kiss on his lips. "I am yours," she added, as she kissed his lips again, and lazily, trailed her own down his neck. Brushing them lightly against his callused and broken flesh. So softly that her lips tingled with the touch. She could feel them trembling with anticipation, as she forced their hands higher. Onto the rough curve of her hip. The knobby bone jabbed into their flesh for a moment, before she pulled him up, into the dip cast as her bones sank into central ribs, and then rose to meet her shoulders.

Blythe's lips tore away from him as her body grew warm. She could feel the petals melting. Burning; pooling against his flesh. Flitting into the crevices; the emptied spaces as her shoulders came back, and her chest forward. Her head turned to the side. Fell away. Her eyes closed for a moment, as she stifled a moan. The lily was on fire too. She could feel it. The outline of it; she could trace it with her fingers if only she had a free hand. She could sense it melting into her skin; tingling, as though it were giving off a firefly's glow. Within a heartbeat, she found herself in the realm of the tapestry. Of blinding colors, a hundred times more brilliant than the sunset. There was a single string there, one woven in purples and deep pinks, which seemed to stand out against all the others. It seemed to be calling her. Tugging her; willing her to follow it.

"But I don't want to follow you," Blythe whispered to herself. "He's there... waiting. Why must you be here now to follow?" the Konti inquired as the thread began to vibrate softly. To hum tunes of her homeland. The rise and fall of the waves outside their tent. The crashing of the sea. "Please no," she whispered. "Not now. Not yet..."

The string was moving faster. Swirling; buzzing. It refused to be ignored, and soon, seemed to be winding itself around her. Weaving in and out of the folds of her dress as it sucked her into a memory. Where all the lights had dimmed. Where all was dark. The first thing she could see was a pair of eyes. A soft blue, like the sky. But even that, perhaps, was surpassed by the feeling in her hands. Tugging on cloth; cotton. She could tell, although it was a bit rough. Tattered to the touch. Grimy; for she could sense the dirt rolling off as her fingers pried. She was pushing it away. Moving it to the sides as she breathed heavily. Her body felt so unnaturally warm. So spent; as though she had just run a marathon, without bothering to take a break, or a single sip of water.

The entirety of Blythe's body tingled. It seemed to stretch from her hands, and weave up the length of her arm. Coursing through her pulsing veins, into the nether regions of her system, and her soul. She could feel her heart hammering in her chest as the folds were finally torn away. Feel her hands on skin so smooth, it seemed it could only belong to a child.

"I love you," a woman's voice rang through the night. Past the crickets chittering in the distance.

"I love you too," she whispered. But it wasn't her voice that came out. It was Serrif's.

As she looked down upon the scene, she could see the woman's pale lips curling into a grin as she reached up and pulled him near. Blythe could sense herself grinning with him as he slowly fell onto her. His body meshing with softer flesh. His hands grazing lazily over the supple rise and fall of hips and middles. Curves. Breasts. Her heart nearly stopped in that moment. With what they both knew was about to come. And in that instance, she was moved back into the present. Her body rocked beneath him. His hands; their hands, which had stopped just below her breasts. Fingers poking them lightly. Her eyes opened. Her lips parted in soundless words, "who was she?"

The air sucked all question away as his lips found hers again. As everything was pulled away from her. "Ser..." Blythe moaned.

He would never know. He couldn't, for it had only been a second.