Completed [Sunset Falls] Beneath a Watery Veil of Gold (Jervis)

[Kaie]

He seemed to be almost jittery with anticipation of his storytelling. Why, she had no clue. Did she really even want to? Kaie couldn't answer that quite yet, but the longer she watched the companion forced upon her, the more uncertain she was. Arching a brow at him as he spoke, she wondered how long his story could really be. Was such an explanation for the lack of lovers really that time consuming? Nonetheless, she hadn't much else to do. It occurred to her if she hadn't let the poor bastard babble for a few chimes, he might just implode. Kaie seriously doubted he went for such long periods of time without talking the closest ear off. And gods was this was thing a long journey...

"Because of you, I'm slowly turning into an insomniac. Maybe your story will be long and boring enough to put me to sleep."

[Jervis Hill]

"Because of you, I'm slowly turning into an insomniac. Maybe your story will be long and boring enough to put me to sleep." Kaie responded with her usual indifference and annoyance. Still he'd be given a chance to speak he'd felt it best to take it if he was going to continue letting her start the conversation. He decided to play with her a little even thought it was hard to think when he looked at her.

"Long story it is Mistress, may my boring, humble tale bring you sweet dreams while my poor cooking skills fill your empty belly. When it's finished of course, Please forgive me for not having it done already."He apologized with a bow while stirring the stew absently thinking about where to start.

Maybe she'd understand me better if she knew of my heritage up and life. He recalled the children's story Auntie Tenni had told him when he'd been scared of the thunder, he hadn't realized it was the story of his parents and was a sad tale. Still it was as good a place as any to start.

"Our story begins nearly two centuries ago. The hero a brave powerful Pitrian magician with a foolish dream. The damsel a beautiful sellsword eager to make a name for herself in the world."He said swinging the stone spoon for emphasis at the word, sending gobs of hot stew streaming into the darkness. You could tell he knew the tale well.

"The magician hired the sellsword to help him complete his dream of finding and learning all the magics of the world and they travelled the world trying to complete his foolish dream. They travelled together for many years the sellsword eventually falling in love with the magician and him with her.The sellsword became pregnant and they decided to return home to start a life together. Still the man foolish and asked to see one more thing before they returned and the woman in love agreed. Veld's Tomb is an apt name for the place the he wanted to visit, as it would become the magician's tomb as well. Though foolish and a dreamer the man was in love, telling the sellsword to wait as she was ripe with child and he didn't want to risk either of them. He promised to be careful so the sellsword waited in camp for him." Jervis chattered on merrily while monitoring the stew. It was almost done now. A few more minutes maybe he thought giving it another stir. He cleared his throat and tried to take a drink from his empty flask, forgetting he'd used it all on the stew. He decided just to continue instead ignoring his slightly parched throat.

"Two weeks passed before she was stumbled on in the woods ready to burst with child. The loggers asked her to come with them but the woman argued and fought refusing to believe her love was dead, only settling down when the loggers agreed to leave a large sign in the camp site for her love to find when he came out again. Sadly that day would not come. She gave birth with one companion a week afer returning to the northern borderpost, A priestess she had met and taken pity on her acting as a midwife she could not afford. Birth complications from stress or travel took the sellsword's life, Leaving the priestess in the care of the child." Jervis served up the stew in a bowl to Kaie and as he did she arched an eyebrow at him as if to say get to the point, I've no time for children's stories.

"Don't worry Mistress, I get to the heart of your question momentarily. The priestess knew the woman's sad story, She was an orphan and the child's father had been kicked from his family for his foolish dream, Knowing not what else to do she took the child back to the orphanage where she worked to remind her of the strong sellsword who had never given up hope." There was a bit of emotion in his voice at this point but he decided to stick to the children's tale format for cohesion, though really it was no longer a story but his life at the moment.

"As the child grew the priestess could see his mother in him the ways, he was patient and strong, but with a deep anger that often got him into fights. This caused the priestess to be very strict with him though she loved him like her own son, so she drilled religion into him hoping to cure his temper. Still the boy's reputation as a ruffian grew and fights grew more frequent. Girls of his own race never considered him a good choice for a relationship, with his temper and intimidating eyes. It wasn't until the priestess stumbled across him with a friend that they realized how bad it really was and he wasn't picking fights, though he wouldn't back down she knew." A hint of uncharacteristic anger came into his voice as he recalled the memories. He rubbed his prominent brow and his eyes seemed to take on some of that feral tint he rarely let escape.

"The child, almost a youth at this point was fighting several other youths armed with sticks and metal pipes. The boy though unarmed and severely beaten refused stubbornly to give in to the other boy's demands, his anger feral, scaring a few of the boys to much to approach. Seeing her friends anguish at the situation, the friend of the priestess who happened to be a weaponsmith leapt in to save him, thrashing them severely and chasing them away. They carried the unconscious boy back to the orphanage and tended to his wounds. Two days passed before he woke up and a lot of decisions had been made that he wasn't prepared for." As he spoke of the fight he rubbed his right collarbone, though not broken or fractured the bruising had left him unable to use it without pain for a week. Still he continued on hopefully she was understanding him a little he thought.

"The priestess told the child that he was going apprentice under the cold weaponsmith, though he was grateful to her for saving his life, he didn't want to leave the priestess who was like a mother to him. The priestess made the boy promise to train hard and not run away. Then the boy went off segregated from his people save for the weaponsmith and barbarians. The boy was me Kaie, though I'm sure you realized that a long time ago."Jervis looked to Kaie seeing if she wanted more stew, he'd gotten lost in the story himself and hadn't really been paying attention to her. He also wanted to know if he should continue at this point.

[Kaie]

She took the bowl, curling a lip at the scent of such a foreign meal. Ultimately she decided all she could do was trust the man to at least serve something edible. She didn't quite feel like suffering on another hunt so late at night. And so she listened to his tale, already figuring out the characters in the story by the way he spoke. It was an intimate story for him to tell. Kaie could see this by the dull and frank tone of his voice. The way it contrasted as the plot moved, emotion flickering across his face with each predictable turn. This was the story of his life. She would've been an idiot not to see that far. Though she knew nothing of his world or the locations he spoke of. Myrian had a deep distrust of magic generally and so such myths were just that. Myths and ones not too often touched upon in the jungle. Not when they were from worlds so far away.

She sipped at the stew casually as he went on. Occasionally she shifted position. Crossing her legs and then uncrossing them. Laying back in a slouch against the fallen tree. It was odd for her to try to tie the Isur in with his own life's story. Sure it seemed just like him to be the child of another dreamer. A fool is what her own would've called this man and his father back home. But she listened and for once suppressed her sarcasm and comments until the end where it was proper. All the while it was hard for her to understand why he called others barbarians like she did. To her he was the barbarian. The impure and lost from the proper path that lays in Myri's light. The weaponsmith was proving to be a perplexing figure for one reason or another.

"As much as I love being told your entire life's story, it didn't explain your fear of woman at all."

[Jervis Hill]

"I'm sorry Kaie my fault entirely. I tend to ramble and I'm am truly surprised you let me go on for so long. To the heart of the point, It's not so much fear, Maybe fear of hurting softer beings than myself. Mostly it's unfamiliarity." Jervis said happy to have finally to be allowed to get something off his chest, she still seemed interested in him so it was a start.

"The closest thing I had to a mother was Priestess Tenni, I never doubted she loved me as much as my own mother but she was very strict and religious. Teaching me looking at maidens other than my wife in leering ways was wrong. On top of that I was a bit of a violent thug in my youth so the maids of the border post, nor their families considered me good options for courtship in childhood." Jervis said pausing before continuing, remembering the old lady and how he had run off made him feel guilty and it showed clearly on his face. Still this was his best chance to build some headway with Kaie so he had to try his best.

"When I turned thirty I went to live with weaponsmith Coli, She lived apart from the rest of the border post for reasons that are not mine to discuss. The only encounter I had with a maid of my own kind like we had in the next twenty years was with Coli. Tenni had come to visit and I went to get her and opening the door without knocking, gazing upon my mistress half clothed. She had reacted much like you did actually but Tenni was there, she nearly torn my ear off for the incident. I did see other pretty barbarian maidens but you all seem so soft, I was never really interested in them. Your the first one really that seemed strong enough not to worry about hurting. That is probably the reason for my weakness." Jervis continued, he was more racked by guilt at his memories of his time with coli, flooding his mind causing his cheeks to burn with shame. It was the only reason he hadn't blushed again speaking to Kaie so openly. He had to change the subject to get his mind off of his betrayal.

"So that's basically it. I know it's a foolish weakness to have for someone looking to learn about being a warrior like his mother to understand her better and learn to make better weapons ... Not that I'm looking for a new mother or anything like that. If you can stomach more of my cooking I've made more. " Jervis stumbled over his words in the middle realizing midway through the sentence what he had sounded like. He hoped the misstep wouldn't cause the fierce woman to lose interest. Jervis extended his hand offering to refill her bowl with more stew, seeing if she was done yet. At the thought of getting something other than nut and apple porridge appealing to his body causing it to let out a loud rumble which could be heard over the fire.

[Kaie]

At first she was trying to keep from bursting out a laugh at the notion the Isur before her was something ever considered a thug. Then again she had seen few in her lifetime but he certainly didn't fit the description. No burly muscles or rugged, unshaven face. The kid hardly seemed to have a mean bone in his body. He offered to be her own personal slave for Myri sake! Yet that amusement began to fade. It wasn't because of the isolation of his story. It was merely the fact he seemed to pool her in with other barbarian woman. It was blasphemous to even be considered like them. They were foolish, weak, and giggling naive girls. They fainted at the sight of spiders and blood while Kaie had lived with tarantulas as a nuisance. Bloodshed had been a daily chore for her. She pulled her brows together in distaste, but managed to hold her tongue.

She held out her bowl to let him fill it but all together she was quiet. Thinking quiet. And then finally she voiced her question as soundly and brutally as usual. It wasn't mean or terse. Simply straight forward as she always was.

"You mean to say you're over thirty years old and you've never touched a woman? Not even once?"

[Jervis Hill]

Jervis watched Kaie closely as he spoke wanting to get as much knowledge as he could about her while he had the chance. He noticed the twinkle of mirth in her eyes as he mentioned his troubled past. Had he really changed so much after his time with Coli. As he thought about it more he couldn't help but see her point letting out a small laugh himself.

She'd only ever seen his friendly side and knew nothing of his talents, Plus without the scowl and coating of bruises like leopard spotting covering him, it softened his look a lot. Children still didn't like him though, often hiding behind their parents legs though it had grown less frequent in recent years.

He'd been distracted by his thoughts and when he looked back to Kaie he noticed her brow knit. The slightest verbal misstep seemed to bring her anger out, though she hadn't said anything just stared at him offering the bowl to be refilled. He wish he knew what he'd said to insult her but had no idea.

After he'd returned the bowl she finally spoke again, simply straight forward as she always was.

"You mean to say you're over thirty years old and you've never touched a woman? Not even once?" Kaie asked causing Jervis to blush again in shame being asked something so embarrassing to him, though he knew she hadn't intended that. This was merely the first thing she had ever found interested about him.

"Why did it have to be this weakness to pique her interest."He thought as his mind reeled trying to come up with some sort of response.

"Fifty actually, Kaie ... I had a few glimpses .... I am a man and a weak one when it comes to maids it seems. The most physical contact I had was with Coli hitting me for my mistakes or training me in the odd style of combat she developed ... Though I know this is not what you mean." Jervis said not wanting to bore her further with details on this subject, also not wanting to make himself flush further with shame.

[Kaie]

She honestly didn't believe him. She sipped at her soup, watching him and waiting for the laugh and the classic "just kidding" would be declared. Yet the more she waited the more red in the face he became. Her brows raised and she realized that he was dead serious.

Fifty...Fifty?! Fifty years old and all the action he had was spying on a few maids as they changed at best!

She couldn't believe it to be true. Such a thing seemed ridiculous. After all in the jungle men and women found each other on an almost daily basis. Impulsive and animalistic, but nonetheless no different than the bargoers just looking to take a woman home with them. Yet this Isur was fifty and hadn't laid an alluring hand on a woman. Kaie just stared blankly, blinking several times. Finally a grin of amusement spread across her face and she set down her soup bowl beside her.


"Oh come on, Jervis. You can't really mean to say you've never managed to reel a woman in. Show me. If I was some random maiden all alone, how would you pick me up?" She said while getting to her feet. Putting him to the test seemed like the only real way to authenticate his story. Kaie watched the bewilderment and panic in his eyes, nervous and wondering if she could be possibly serious. Of course she was and her expression said so. It was expectant and unwavering.

"Don't be shy now. Fifty years had to have given you something."

[Jervis Hill]

"Oh come on, Jervis. You can't really mean to say you've never managed to reel a woman in. Show me. If I was some random maiden all alone, how would you pick me up?" Kaie said while getting to her feet. Her expression showing disbelief, it was also showed it was a command. Kaie stood there expectant and unwavering.

"Don't be shy now. Fifty years had to have given you something."She added somewhat coyly, he thought though his interaction with girls in such a way was truly limited. Jervis wasn't sure if she was just teasing him but remembered his promise to Kaie to do as ordered without hesitation. Blushing again at about he was going to do but determined to move forward he spoke half mumbled and hesitantly, all while rubbing his left hand through his hair.

"I'm telling the truth Kaie, I won't lie to you as it would be an insult you and I respect you for allowing me to come to much for me to insult you so. I looked up some skirts and spied on a few maids in childhood before my adolescence with Coli. A few more barbarian women from the cliff side of the shop, Though I have never approached one. I guess I have too much of my father in me and loved the story of my parents so much I dreamed of finding someone in such a way as that, it's foolish and I know things like that rarely happen. I .... I guess if I were to approach you at a bar or something I would do this."Jervis began moving to stand in front of Kaie, stumbling nervously as he went. He took her hands in his trying to look up at her but his fluster leaving him only able to look at the ground, making him appear to be staring at her chest. She's asked him to do this, it had to be some sort of test and one he was determined not to fail.

He cleared his throat, coughing slightly before speaking. "Kaie ... Your Strength is ... only matched by your beauty. I hope you would kindly consider allowing me to court you." Jervis rushed his words at the end in blind nervousness but managed to finally look into Kaie's eyes, embarrassment clearly etched across his features as he looked up at her in the firelight.

[Kaie]

So he had perved on several women before though it seemed without them knowing. Definitely too much information there, but she was able to brush it off. She wanted to see if the Isur could possibly have some unspoken talent with the ladies. Though that muse was a long shot, the prospect was hilarious to her. If he was successful though she would be pleasantly surprised. Though she hoped he wouldn't ever talk to another woman like he just had to her. Hearing him admit to gazing up skirts and creeping on unsuspecting women? Yeah, that's a turn off if she'd ever heard of one.

Finally! After his speaking he moved toward her. Nervous and shy as expected. He reached out carefully with uncertain hands to take hers. She could feel them shaking. The man only seemed to stare at the ground for the longest time. Or...Was he looking down her vest?! The Myrian watched him clear his throat and finally get to the killer line he must've been saving for fifty years.

She simply stared at him with wide brown eyes. Just looking at him until he finally looked up at her with flushed cheeks again. He was like a boy, really. All nervous and trying to be cute with it. Kaie could only mull the words over in her mind for a minute before she passed her judgement.

"Gods, you're dull!" She exclaimed with a shake of her head, groaning internally at the realization that's who she was travelling with. Sure, she knew in the barbarian world courting was a thing. The jungle was quite different. If there were two they had those mutual feeling, you better believe you'd find them rustling the brush first chance. In a world where danger lurked around every bend and the enemy slithered behind every rock, love and lust was celebrated rashly. Whether it lasted or became serious was a different story.

Kaie laughed and ran her hand down her face at him, shaking her head furiously yet again. She could hardly believe the the hopeless reality of his predicament. The Myrian instead ripped her hands from him as if to say "remember that's the last time you ever touch me" and strolled to the fire. She picked up a snapped branch and tosses it in to refuel the flames. Watching the fire lash out around its new victim. She hadn't a clue how the man would react.

[Jervis Hill]

At first he was shocked. "Gods, you're dull!" Kaie exclaimed with a shake of her head, laughing mockingly. She'd asked and for doing as she'd asked she had treated him like a fool, no matter how hard it had been for him. Even though being treated so was a common occurrence for Jervis it still stung quite a bit.

His dark side raved incessantly in the background of his mind's eye wanting to be let out to do what it was there for after being mocked so. Still his time with Coli rarely caused him to lose control with words anymore.

Even her tearing her hands away scowling and stalking over to the fire insulted hadn't loosened his grip on the tight reins he held on his anger, though it certainly hadn't helped any. It's because I'm a foreigner and I touched that angered her so. Maybe their cultures where similar in that way. Still I should apologize if I insulted her.


He walked up beside Kaie slowly leaving a few feet of space between them. Jervis spoke softly but clearly to Kaie though only stared into the fire as he began "I'm sorry for touching you Kaie and I know you would never have interest in me that way. I just wanted to do as you asked to the best of my abilities out of respect for you and all you've done for me so far."

"I should have thought better than to place my unclean hands on my mistress after all." He added in jest trying to soften her mood.

"I can understand if my babbling is driving you mad at this point and won't press you to talk any further. Doing so would be an insult after all you have done in obliging my mad request and going to the extra work of keeping me safe on the journey. I know without the knowledge and aid you have provided so far I'd have been dead long ago. I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing this for me while I have you here. I know you didn't have too and am still fairly sure you don't want too but still you have my greatest thanks for everything you have done."