[Verlyna's Emerald Pond]Shielding at Sunset(Shai)

[Antar]

53rd of Winter, 511 av...

Resting upon the hillside by the banks of the lake, Antar would find himself peacefully gazing off intot he distant skyline where it appeared the city had taken time to let the facsimile of a sunset come into view. He never could be too sure with this city, it seemed to change times from noon to night in some areas as the illusions ran their course; but no matter. He was determined to relax as he possibly could in public today, merely resting as he lazily lay upon the grassy embankments as his eyes feasted upon a rather beautiful sight.

Of course that sight was only gained from his current position; that of lying with his head on a certain lovely symenestran's lap as they both enjoyed the scenery. Merely laying about in peaceful solitude as it seemed they had the park to themselves.

That wasn't really surprising considering the events earlier that season, everywhere and anywhere there was a place connected to a hint of a legend or two was now avoided like the plague... so it was just the two of them. He liked it that way, if it meant appreciating the singular moments of peace such as this. Shai was still a mystery to him in so many ways; and he liked that mystique about her. He didn't pry, at least not often, but her company was one of the few things he was slowly beginning to appreciate might be there the next day, or the day after.

Not that he would take her presence for granted, no: he would savor his time in her presence with relish and engrave it upon his memories for she was swiftly becoming someone he would regret to leave behind. Though, there seemed to be a leaden weight on his chest whenever he tried to ask her why she stayed with him; a human. He knew she hated humans, at least in the way they were together. Much like how he hated symenestra... but that still left the questions between them left unspoken in the air? Perhaps as if they were afraid of the other's answer.

Was she merely around him while he had kept himself able to be of any use? Would they eventually part? If so... what then? If not... then why were they each other's exception to the rule?

For now though Noth's thoughts would lie unanswered, not in turmoil, but not completely in check either as his cheek would feel the warmth of her body through her clothing as he continued to merely rest and enjoy the evening in her presence.

[Shai]

Shai bent foreword and kissed Antar’s forehead as the last rays of Syna’s radiance winked out of existence for the night. There were very few sights that the spider was willing to compare to the majesty of Kalinor but the prismatic wash that the Sun’s last moments threw was something to behold. She would miss it, should she ever return to the cavernous city.

It was strange, her reasonings no longer held the weight they once did. The thief had joined with the Crimson Edge for safety, but now she was out of Sunberth and in significantly less danger. The Symenestra even hated this city of illusion. To deny the reason at this juncture would be inane, she stayed in Alvadas to be with the rogue whose head lay cradled upon her thighs. With deft and acutely aware claws she delicately stroked the hair away from his face, her mind far away in contemplation. Shai should have been relaxing and enjoying her time with him but it seemed as though this contradiction of her principles was becoming more and more relevant. She needed to come to her answer, and he to his. The overwhelming question came upon her in an instant, binding her chest with grotesque tendrils strengthened with racial dogma against his people. Does it matter that he is human? Her answer was automatic, of course it mattered. But, on even a cursory review of their relations her actions told an absolutely opposite tale. Adages should be minded, they’re so often true… .

Shai flashed a secret smile towards the horizon as the night’s first shadows fell upon the pair. Her emotions on this subject were clear. What exactly made Antar different from other humans though? She had no such desires towards the rest of his kind. He was a puzzle for certain, and perhaps that is how this all began, but it was no longer the guiding force behind her half of their encounters. The spider knew he was dangerous, that if this human wanted to he could break her without notice and it was likely she would not even get a chance to retaliate. She never should have gotten herself near a man who might so fully dominate her if he chose, it was stupid. Perhaps that is where to begin. Tilting her chin downward she looked at him, “You should terrify me, Antar.” If they were not alone, Shai would wager who ever spied upon them already knew his name. Besides, she liked the sound of it more than his alias. “But you do not.” For once, her remark wasn’t a challenge or a move in one of their games, she spoke candidly. She exhaled, “That is a lie. I suspect every night fears the loss of the moon, and the moon always eventually sets. Until then, I think this night will exalt in the presence of her ethereal star.” That was the crux, human or not, affection or not; she didn’t trust people not to eventually turn traitor. Shai knew better than to blame one man for the crimes of one who came before him, but trust was slow especially so among those who worked from shadows. The Symenestra wasn’t entirely sure Antar even knew how to trust the way it would be required of them if their relationship evolved further. She shrugged as if the statement had been mere whim, "I suppose every night fears the loss of its moon, it must be natural."

Steering the conversation away she added a different, more practical question. “Shall we practice tonight? If so, what do you propose we work on?” The spider had to continue to improve or she’d never keep up with the rogue.

[Antar]

Lying back on the grass by the pond was certainly relaxing, and when Shai spoke; Antar listened quite attentively.

It was interesting to note a slight tremor in the undertones of her voice. What was left unsaid was like whispers in the mist, enchantingly distracting to his thoughts and attentions as he wished to chase every fickle one down. If he allowed it too, his imagination could run wild considering each and every nuance in those those words. But Antar did not, no if he let his mind to wander he'd lose a chance to see what was truly going on. Unfortunately he knew that pursuing such things, even a little bit would force him to divest from his rather comfortable position with his head in Shai's lap... pity.


Stretching languishly he sat up before lazily turning one eye to the woman with a slightly devilish crook of his lip. He knew that little smile had an effect on her, and could very well put her off her guard. Lazily taking her hands in his, Antar bridged the gap between them at a rather quick but languid pace. For a moment, he'd get closer and closer, pushing her back against the bank of grass until their noses were barely touching as his arms would envelop her body. Wrapping around her to pull her tightly to him as he stole a kiss.

Somewhere amidst the confusion her arms would come up to encircle his neck, holding him closer as she lay pressed between him and the soft earth and the moment stretched into many more as their tongues mixed together in a rather playful dance until Shai broke it off with a sudden gasp as her hands almost involuntarily trailed down his back.

He'd keep them like that, his weight bearing her down, yet propped up at the elbows to each side of her head. He did nothing to restrain her more then what was already in place, merely taking comfort in her closeness as the fangs came out. 'Of course that would be the reason she'd broken off the kiss.' Transferring the gentle touch of his lips to the recesses of her neck he'd gently whisper in her ear, "I think my dear, that perhaps we should practice a little communication first... tell me, why ever should you be afraid of me?"

[Shai]

That smile, the rogue knew how to press her buttons. Shai was unable to hold back her own smile to greet his. The spider woman had a strange premonition in that moment; some unfathomable intuitive spark that told her that smile might one day win her heart... or break it. Has it already? it was a question she was scared to answer and so she let her thoughts fade into an undercurrent and instead let their lips change the course of her mind. Holding on Shai nearly missed her body’s own queue and had to jerk back quickly or risk poisoning Antar. She had been eating regularly since they had arrived in Alvadas and the rogue wasn’t in mortal danger, but she also wouldn’t chose to put him through the torturous inferno her venom would ignite.

Lying against the grass the burglar took her time watching her human, her fangs extended down over her lips forced an ever-present reminder that they were so vastly different. Inwardly, Shai wondered what might be the purpose for her body parts as they were? Was their race a design of a God’s whim? Were Symenestra meant to hunt humans or was the venom a horrible curse after some forgotten transgression? To humans it must make her seem exotic, dangerous. To Shai, her venom was the only means by which she could sustain herself and a constant symbol of the razor edge her people stood upon. Slowly drawing her attention back to the eyes of the man she lay beneath, Shai couldn’t help but grin. It was a sign of how much she’d become accustomed to the rogue that her mind could wander.

Drawing a claw down the curved canal his spine made in his back, she carefully considered his answer. “I should be scared of you, my dear, for so many reasons. Chief among them are that I met you in a city of thieves and killers, and I know that you are more skilled in combative arts than I am. I should fear you for the power I have allowed you to take over me, whether you know you have it or not. I should be afraid, because I know nothing about you, and due to my ignorance I cannot be certain what makes you…tick.” Clicking her tongue after the last word, she paused. “But perhaps leaving Sunberth has dulled my instincts, because while I know those things are all true. Here I am, beneath you and unafraid.” Slipping her lips in a brazen quirk she continued, “Though I am very curious about the puzzle that I have managed to trap…”

Shai couldn’t help it; she remembered what had happened when she had asked a personal question of him before. And through verbal and unspoken rules the two had made a barrier between them, denying real information. But, as before, the wall was suddenly not enough and she wanted more. The Symenestra craved to know him, in a way that perhaps no one had before. “Where are you from Antar?”

[Antar]

"So I'm a puzzle , eh?" Antar asked with a slight smile as he amusingly tossed his hair around. Even above her like this, propping himself up on his elbows his eyes were drawn to this ravishing creature. Shame, like many a lass he tumbled seemed to want to ask such questions as where he was from, what his name was , and all sorts of other pointless things. Yet ... ... yet with Shai they weren't pointless because for the first time he was tempted to answer truthfully. No wait, the second time he felt this compulsion... not since he had lost her back in Ekytol. For a time he would open his mouth as if to speak as he stared down into her and then he stopped. He was not afraid of anything, usually at least, but for now a strange glimmer of unease began to gnaw at his breast as the quiet stretched between them as he merely stared pensively into her eyes. A finger would trace her chin and for a moment he felt she wanted to speak until he pressed an index finger over her lips. He was being thoughtful here, and for a time the silence stretched until he rolled off of her and down beside her, keeping his cheek pressed against hers. "I'm afraid you have me at a loss my dear, it seems that unlike most women I've met I don't have any intention to lie to you. However, I must say I'm not yet ready to answer that question. Not until I know you won't fade away like the last one I told the truth to. And that's better then I would to any other woman alive today, I've lied to so many others you know... so... I'd simply like to say that I wouldn't wish to lie to you." For a time he would be silent, merely allowing his forehead to press against hers as they stared upwards at the sky. He stayed in silence before he finally spoke again. "Please, would you ask me any other question but that? Or perhaps I should ask one of you, am I just a puzzling power or a powerful puzzle to you?"

[Shai]

Pursing her lips briefly Shai nodded, “I suppose a truth with no answer is better than a lie with all the promises of the world.” She didn’t turn to face him but she sounded sincere. The first star had winked into existence while the sun still threw her last brazen banners against the ever deepening sky. For no discernible reason that star gave Shai a courage that wasn’t present in such situations as this, she was no worshipper of Leth or Zintilla but something about the solitude of it gave her strength. “I will accept that and perhaps someday I will ask again. Or a day will come when it does not matter.” The briefest hint of a shrug tilted her shoulders before she took a deep breath. “As for your question, it is not an ‘or’ at all but an ‘and’.” There were a great many things Shai would never tell the rogue but these questions were easy, insight into her personality was something she was so scared that it need be hidden. “I enjoy puzzles a great deal. Something to consider and focus upon when all else is too difficult to comprehend in the present.” It was a veiled way to say that when the spider was afraid she could focus her mind elsewhere and not confront her fear while it stared her in the eyes. “But it is true, you are strong Antar. In the world we live in, that is valuable… and desirable”. Failing to add the end of the explanation she continued in her mind. I have tried to exist before with a weak counterpart, the world drove him to insanity. I will not do it again. Unfortunately for the spider her train of thought continued without her approval and as a rebuke, Chell was chiming in. The Irylid hung sealed in a gemstone form at her neck on a delicate silver chain. Confirmation. Antar is strong. Negation. Antar is a danger to us though you refuse to acknowledge it. He opens many paths to strike at us. This argument had been internal for a long time and Chell sometimes commented, he at least seemed unbiased. Sometimes Chell would argue in Antar’s favor, as a tool to keep dangers from them. Other times, the familiar argued as he did today. He was hard to fight with though, the Irylid always had facts. “You are simply…” Shai sucked in a breath to avoid saying ‘my’, “simply a puzzle. In all its facets. If you wish me not to ask of your past, tell me something. Something you think I should ask. ” In a way she had deflected the question, but by forcing Antar to provide the question she learned so much more than a simple answer. The spider could divine his desires from knowing which question the rogue would ask of himself, and additionally the answer to that question. It always could show here Antar had drawn the line in the sand, for now. She was certain though, today the line had shifted once already.

[Antar]

It seemed that fate had a strange way of plucking the heartstrings, and his throat became tight and it seemed hard to breathe a moment. He wanted to get away from her, yet he wanted to stay. These questions were tearing him in seeming several different directions at once. Uknowing why he reached over to lay his hand upon the side of Shai's chin and brought her eys to hs as he laid a gentle kiss upon her forehead. For a moment he let them himself stay that way, as if it could stop the feeling of suffocation in his chest as further memories came to him, but soon enough he had to pull her closer to ask. "If its a matter of love, I think the questions we both should answer are: Would you ever die after a betrayal. Or kill another who was doing the betraying...?" For a time, he could see her eyes widen , perhaps a little in fear? He couldn't know. But he didn't want her to be afraid. Of that much, in this moment, he was sure of for now."Very well then, what is your answer?" He swallowed and took the time to moisten his lips a little to allow himself a reply. "The last woman I told about my past died after a betrayal. She died with her blood seeping through my hands upon the rooftops. I think that's answer enough for a glimpse into the puzzle you caught... And you?" His hand would slowly reach over to touch her face and slide its way down over, and then under the necklace, she always seemed to wear until it rested on her chest. Nearly directly above the lacun mark upon her breast. "Were you ever betrayed?"

[Shai]

Shai held absolutely still, the only noises she didn’t silence were those she could not lie without. She had assumed the rogue would bring up something no so easily turned back on her. Or perhaps anything, anything but the boy. Her lips mimicked the word, the name she had stopped herself from speaking years ago. There was a loss there, a wound that never heals. A mother never recovers from losing her child, never. “I am still alive.” She offered slowly, which answered both questions neatly if the man understood her properly. If it had been anyone else the answer would have ended there, but she felt this man deserved more. “Yes, one person was so bold as to betray me Antar.” On the far side from the rogue her nails dug deep furrows into the grass-covered soil. “I wanted to believe he was dead for years, because dead was easier. He is not and his betrayal is all the more real for it.” Clamping her teeth together with an audible click the spider tried to even her breathing before continuing. “There are some crimes so heinous there is no possibility of forgiveness, without exception.” Though the spider went quiet again, the tension in her body spoke volumes there was more left unsaid. In her thoughts a war raged between telling the secrets of a past buried deep beneath the surface of her murderess façade and keeping the real truth hidden. Finally, she spoke again in the form a deflection both from her past and the matters at hand. In a gentle whisper she continued, watching the second star of the night flicker into existence on the opposite end of the sky from the first. Distance. “Did… Do I want to kill him? Yes with every muscle I move and ever second I spend in his presence. I want him dead… but then he may never know what he has done. Death is too good for him. And, it would be against the teachings of the Viratassa to slay him.” That was all of her answer, for tonight. Though the conveying of it seemed to exhaust her, or maybe it was the confrontation with an old sorrow. Moreover Shai was proud of herself, tears did not come unbidden to her eyes as they once had. At one time such a question would have made a wreck of her for a week. Quietly she listened to the sound of the breeze filtering through the grass and horticulture around them. In the uneasy peace Chell slid into her mind again, Observation. Antar just implied he may love you Shai and you have no room for thoughts beyond revenge. You miss much in your anger. Addendum. Make him stop touching me, he blocks my vision. Reaching up with her unsoiled hand she took Antar's in her own and return it to her side, both placating the familiar and holding on to an anchor. When the Sky had bloomed too many stars to feasibly count she spoke again. “Does that answer your question?”

[Antar]

Antar sighed and allowed the symenestran woman to take his hands away from her heart. He could always feel the coldness of Shai's necklet seeming to shy from his touch. It seemed weird, but she didn't seem to like him pressed against it at all. Even if he knew what it was. But for the moment his words were for her , and her alone. "Yes, that answer's my question. More from what was concealed than was ever revealed... you know I've seen that mark before... I can guess the who at least, but not the why... or the how... and I never will unless you tell me." He sighed and pressed his lips together, encircling her in his arms to pull her head back against her chest as they lay out on the grass. He didn't disturb the necklace though, even if it was annoying at times. "I think you can ensure our mutal friend of Chell, that I can understand that. I can understand what you said, and I'd say this to you and him both: though it may be against your code of Viratassa, it's not against mine. You have a problem, I'll help you... and it seems you have a problem voicing your problem. So I'll say this, even if it would help your other friend Chell, I think you should respect her wishes and wait for her to tell me what it might be... " He would lapse into silence for a moment, "If she ever does that is her choice and her choice alone. Though I'll tell her a secret..." He leaned in close enough to let his breath tickle her ear, as he began to stroke her hair. A gesture to calm her down. Gentle and perhaps more cruel to be kind for all its gentleness. "You don't have to say anything, Shai. But I want you to think if it is more of a temptation to know that you would have your revenge with a single word or nod... or is it less of one to know that at least one other person in this world would not judge you or make you suffer if you ever choose to let another in again." He would whisper these things to her, even as he fought the desire to whisper more. "... and does Chell know that even killers, murderers, and thieves in this world are drawn by an indescribable force to seek another out for this type of bond of companionship. In a different way of bonding then between you both, yet just as vital for our consciences ... or lack there of? That such might support or destroy those who attempt to find such things? Or does it ponder that the scars of the past for each of us are still too much, to fast, too raw, and cutting for it to form without more time. So I guess that leads to my last question, my dear... Do you even want the time to find out and would Chell even allow you that time to discover what you truly want?"

[Shai]

With his lips so near her ear, Shai knew their place precisely. Her eyes closed as he spoke. Chell listened for her while the spider’s sense shut down and she brought herself into her meditative state. There her mind centered on the pool of djed radiation her body contained, that could be used for magic. Pulling it out in a tendril, coursing it htrough her body she centered it upon Antar’s mouth, weaving the strand into a web she placed it firmly over his lips. Against sound she tasked inwardly before opening her eyes. As Chell relayed Antar’s words to the spider, she kicked up with legs and wrapped it around the rogue’s waist. Then with a jerk she twisted and turned the situation around; pushing the rogue back and bring herself on top of him. Straddling the assassin she smiled without warmth. “Be quiet. Chell will never tell you my secrets no matter how much you ask. Furthermore my problems are my own and you will not involve yourself in them unless invited, at which point you will follow my instructions to the letter. I have alluded to it before but you failed to comprehend; I do not fight like you. I require no blade, nor magic, nor force of arm to slay a man, Antar. There are forces greater yet that require only an apt mind and a quick lips. Do not forget it again.” Her lips turn upwards into a cruel smirk. “While we are setting things straight I shall continue. Chell comprehends emotions just fine, he simply refutes them. He knows all the more because he can see what draws me to you, in ways you may never understand.” Leaning forward with her arms for stability she hovered over the rogue. Her necklace, and Chell, dangling down between them. “And finally, while I have your undivided attention. “ She closed the final distance and kissed him, when they lips parted again she had broken the shield. “Yes, I want my time and grant it to you as well.” Straightening up again the spider readjusted herself by place Chell firmly against her breast again though she did not leave her perch sitting atop the rogue. “Now that talking seems to be a terrible idea, because it can surely only become worse from here. Let us practice.”