Placeholder Touch the Waves

[Sunette]

"Not ta everyun', lass? Must be special, then. What an honour."

A simple huff of air blew from Sunette's nose. Definitely not to everyone, but was she going to tell him he was special for having a brief exception? Of course not. He wasn't special to her. Few were. One was. As he walked toward her, taking a place by her side, her free hand touched the red, glass heart resting against her bosom, fingers slipping up the chain and back down to the pendant, fiddling with it until he started talking about the sea.

"I won' pretend ta know every'tin, lass. But, I've been 'round ta sea all me life. The Sea is more than jus' water. More than jus' creatures.

His hand dipped down into the water, and Sunette's jaw slacked slightly, moving to the best position possible to watch whatever he was about to do. He stroked the surface gently before driving his hand below. She knelt down, eyes not leaving his hand below. Her curiosity drove her to lean even more over the edge of the boat, looking straight down over the side.

"Teh ocean is Laviku's domain. He owns it, rules over it. He holds it dear and punishes 'ose who don' respect it. He tests us, blesses us, loves us and challenges us. If yeh' wan' to know what the water feels like, jus' dip your fingers in, lass. As for the fish..."

At the word "dip," Sunette dropped quickly to her knees, immediately throwing her hand toward the water. Her hand stopped at the surface, her nails piercing the bay already, but the tips of her actual fingers floating centimeters above for only a moment before slowly lowering her hand into the water. It was cold, the motion of the gulf between her fingers was breathtaking. Her pendant hung freely in the air from her neck over the edge, the sun pulling a red glow as it swung gently.

Seconds later, something scaly brushed her finger, barely missing her claw. She pulled back onto the deck, a small scream passing her lips and clutching her wet hand to her chest. Five fish came thrashing together out of the water, her eyes wide as she watched Tydus pick one out. It was calm, so different than it had been right before he touched it.

"I'm not sure what these fish are called. We call them redflesh because of how 'tey look when skinned. Wonderful fish, they are. Jus' gotta be careful not teh' call too many. Laviku doesn' appreciate those that take more from him than they need. Tasty, too."

She simply watched it, leaning in close. It smelled awful, but it looked so intriguing to her. Scales for flesh, large wide eyes on each side of its head, flat appendages all over. She glanced up at Tydus, back at the fish, and back at him.

…Can I touch it? I don't want to offend you-- or, you know, your god.

[Tydus Tempest]

The scream that escaped the woman's lips, one of surprise rather than terror, or at the least, he hoped, amused him greatly. The redflesh were a very docile species, at least, to him. He found no trouble in controlling them, though in truth, he was at a very, very distinct advantage with the sea creatures. They respected his mark from Laviku, the Gods' gift to his race, and listened to him so long as he respected the ebb and flow of the sea and kept what he took and gave as balance.

He looked over at the woman, who seemed to be utterly enthralled with him, a sensation that he loved. He craved attention, basked in it, for it validated his existence. Just as the validation in the form of victory had come weeks before, attention, adoration... it gave meaning to him. If only for a moment. He fed from it, fled towards it in his distraction. The Svefra allowed a chuckle to leave his lips as he stepped towards the woman, placing the redflesh into woman's hands. He held her hands in his own, ensuring that his fingertips touched the fish as again he whispered to it with his thoughts to remain still. He intended to place it back into the sea when possible, but first, he would do work for Laviku.

To show another sentient respect and fear for the God was a priority, for without neither, those that traversed the sea made the choice to do as they pleased upon it. This was, of course, unacceptable. "It won' bite ye. I'll make sure of that. Jus'... keep still. Try not te move too much, t'll get scared and flop on ta' deck."

The Svefra held the woman's hands, a breath filling his lungs as he allowed his fingertips, those not touching the fish and comforting it in its sorrow, to move along the back of the woman's hand, the calloused tips rough, though his touch was gentle, with no force applied to it other than that required to move his hand. His mind had cleared in his words regarding Laviku, a balanced reached between that of intoxication and sobriety, but he knew it was merely because there was company that he did not desire more.

Solitude was truly the alcoholic's greatest fear, for he knew that the monsters that haunted him, products of nightmares and destruction, would arise again if he were alone. Vesh did his utmost to console the Tempest scion, but there was no ultimate reprieve.

The Svefra bit back the thought, pushing it out and repressing it as he had so many times before as he looked into the creature's eyes. The colour he found there was extraordinary, appealing. Even enticing. It countered the taste of her lips when he kissed her, as well as the claws on her hands. Her skin and eyes were wondrous to behold.

"What are ye, lass? Never seen a person like ye, before. S'not a bad thing... just a curious one."

[Sunette]

"It won' bite ye. I'll make sure of that. Jus'... keep still. Try not te move too much, t'll get scared and flop on ta' deck."

Sunette watched as Tydus placed the "redflesh" in her palms, his hands still touching the fish for a reason she wasn't sure of. He said it wouldn't bite, but from its gaping mouth she could see that it didn't even have teeth, so that wasn't a fear she had. She really had no fear of this little fish, simply a desire to learn about it. Her thumb stroked across the fish's flesh gently in the direction of the scales, being sure to keep her claws from injuring the small aquatic creature.

What fingers Tydus had free made their way to the back of her hand, softly lingering against her skin. The texture difference between his tanned, rough fingers and her ghostly pale opisthenar was ridiculous, but to be expected. He his hands told a story of years of hard labor where hers had seen a strain no where near that. But his fingers were warm, comforting almost. She missed the feeling of skin-on-skin contact. It was something she very rarely received back in Kalinor because of her reputation as "bad luck," which was a much milder title than she deserved.

"What are ye, lass? Never seen a person like ye, before. S'not a bad thing... just a curious one."

Her heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushing to a light pink. He didn't know what she was? Was it that he had no idea, or was he wanting clarification? He said he didn't mean it as a bad thing, but she wasn't ignorant of her races reputation-- if the case was that he simply didn't know, would he immediately shun her out of fear? She didn't know him well enough to really do anything else... But she wasn't in a situation to lose even an acquaintance. Her brows creased, eyes not leaving the fish in their hands.

...I'm a person. Just like you. Just like everyone else.

She sighed deeply, eyes closing.

I know that's not what you were asking. I'm a Symenestra.

Eyes flashing up to him, she held a look of loneliness in them. Years of solitude that she brought upon herself took a toll on her, though she would trade it all for her vice. She didn't want to, though. She wanted her new start with friends, adventure, maybe a relationship and eventually a home with a new family, all of which weren't very plausible because of the nature of her kind and the reputation along with it. Symenestra tried to lie and claim that they didn't practice harvests anymore, but she was here because of a harvest party. Both sides knew the claim was a lie, and everyone knows they're still dangerous.

I'm not... I'm not a threat to you, though. I don't want to be, anyway.

[Tydus Tempest]

A Symenestra! He'd heard the term on his way to Riverfall, before the Pod had been destroyed. A memory stirred from a coupling of years ago, the images of pale-skinned, red-eyed, long-haired beings in an area that escaped his name arise in his mind. He'd forgotten in his haze of drunkenness, but he'd even told Kel about the Symenestra. It was not intimate knowledge of any sort, but he knew the name. It was stuck to a region to the west... The Tempest decided that he didn't care. What was pertinent was that one of their ilk was in his presence.

What Tydus did care about was the colouring of the pale woman's cheeks, the hesitance she had portrayed in her admission of what she was. Were the Symenestra feared? Hated? Shunned? He didn't really care, because he doubted that the woman was trying to hurt him. She'd even said it herself, but there was a sort of doubt in her tone that the Tempest scion did not take well to. Did I say something wrong? I was just curious...

Colour flooded the Svefra's face as he looked to hers, a frown threatening to break his manufactured smile before an idea materialized in his mind. Does she really want to feel sad? I'm sure she doesn't... Let's just... push it in the other direction. It's for her own good. Rather than surrendering to the building frown, the Tempest allowed his smile to return, a hand rising to press to the Symenestra's cheek as his gaze caught upon hers.

Those eyes. Again he was struck by their colour. A deep purple reminiscent of a beautiful gem. His own eyes of Laviku's blood held the gaze, ensuring eye contact without blinking as he allowed his djed to move into the stare. His eyes felt the impact of the djed, waves of pleasure racking at the Svefra's spine as he layered his words with a careful, metered tone. He sought to even out the woman's emotions, to calm her, the suggestion layered in his words as he spoke,

"Yer' not a threat, lass. Yer' lovely. Beautiful, even. Such a lovely lass shouldn' get so fussed."

The Tempest spoke with a measured confidence that was held with the pleasure of his magic, the commitment to not drink materializing for the night as he felt the vibrations of the use move through his body. Truthfully, if it were safe for him to evoke Hypnotism, he would do it all the time, but he'd felt the shakes in the past, was told about it by his teacher. It wasn't worth momentary pleasure to feel permanent, dangerous side effects. So, he did his utmost to avoid it. Alcohol excluded, of course.

The Svefra's fingers gently massaged into the Symenestra's skin as he finished speaking, his smile gracing his features for a moment longer before he pressed a light kiss to the woman's cheek. He'd then step away from her and press his weight onto the gunwale yet again, looking out at the ocean, his eyes narrowed against the glare of afternoon's reflection on the water, yet he did not look away.

[Sunette]

Sunette caught the color that materialized in his face, the corners of his mouth sinking slightly for only a moment. He picked it back up, though, and put a hand against her face. She leaned into it instinctively, a moth to the flame that was the heat of his palm. His calloused fingers felt differently on her face than they had on her hand, but comforting none the less. And then, his eyes. His blue, blue eyes. Eyes like the water in this bay, catching the sun in the exact same way.

"Yer' not a threat, lass. Yer' lovely. Beautiful, even. Such a lovely lass shouldn' get so fussed."

His words, matched with his hand like an intimate, cozy pillow against her face and his eyes looking into hers momentarily melted her heart. Her worries dissipated, a warmth returning to her features. His thumb stroked her face for a moment after he finished talking, her eyes closing as she fell into the serenity of the situation. Were all men here this suave? Or… was she falling for the game that she played?

Her eyes opened again as his hand left her face and he left her side for the boats railing again. Unfortunately, leaving her also meant he left the fish that immediately began flailing against her palms. Panic.

AH!

Without hesitation after the scream, instinct acted and her grip tightened around the little fish, claws piercing its flesh with ease. One of her black talons pierced the creatures heart, ending its life. She felt its last beat against her fingertip and it took the breath from her, knowing she caused it to stop. A wave of regret washed over her. She had ended the life of more than a handful of Symenestra men, but she firmly believed they had done something in their lives to deserve it and felt very little regret for it. This fish hadn't done anything to her except scare her. She looked up at Tydus, a look that portrayed her sincerest regret.

I… I didn't mean to.

[Tydus Tempest]

Tydus heard it before he saw it. The sound of claws puncturing the fish's scales, tearing into the red flesh for which the creature was named. Splattered blood fell upon the deck, a frown materializing upon the Svefra's expression for a moment before he lifted his hands, cupping them. They dipped into the water, salt water glimmering in his palm before he threw it at the floor, the blood running in streaks across the deck before sinking into the creases of the casinor.

the Tempest allowed a hum to escape his lips as he realized that the situation had been his fault. Those claws are really sharp... I don't even think she meant to do that... He noted her expression falter, her voice broken as she expressed her regret vocally. It was a terrible shame that the fish had died senselessly, but perhaps it didn't hate to. Tydus reached for the rucksack near his barrel of ale, opening it and pulling his eating knife from the front pocket.

Fish was the most common of meals for Tydus, pulling several fish from the sea itself per day in order to sustain himself with Laviku's allowances. Out of respect for the God, he never took more than what he needed, and at times, it left the young man with a growl in his stomach, but there was always ale to fill the void. The Svefra licked his lips, wishing that Adney, the Pod's cook of sorts, was here to prepare the meal, but he'd do well enough with a raw fish.

The Svefra approached the woman, shaking his head slightly as he said, "Yer fine, lass... T'was my fault. Released control o' the fish before tossing 'im back into the sea. Jus'... don't waste it. We need'ta use what Laviku's given us." He nodded resolutely as he gripped the carving knife in his palm.

All all lubbers this fussed about killing a fish? It's not like it's a dolphin or a whale. T'is a simple redflesh... Laviku's creature an' all, but food all the same.

[Sunette]

Sunette watched as the sailor cupped a handful of water, washing the blood of the red flesh off of the deck. A few splashes stained her outfit, but she would just make a point to buy a new ensemble later. She slowly pulled her fingers out of the fish, pieces of its insides under her nails. The feeling was… rather disgusting, honestly. Tydus grabbed a knife out of a knapsack, though she wasn't completely sure why. He seemed much less offended by the death of this little fish than she thought he would be, though, much to her relief.

"Yer fine, lass... T'was my fault. Released control o' the fish before tossing 'im back into the sea. Jus'... don't waste it. We need'ta use what Laviku's given us."

Don't waste it? Well, alright. Sunette opened her mouth, baring her fangs. They grew quickly to about half an inch more in length, and she pulled the fish to her face, biting down on its body. From her fangs, she dispensed her venom. Considering she hadn't eaten in a way that required her venom, it was quite potent at this time. It flowed through the fish, beginning to corrode its insides, turning it into something her delicate digestive system could handle. She pried her fangs from the fish, mouth still open. It would take a minute to have her fangs return to a normal length, her speech suffering slightly from the interference.

Do you have a bowl? It'll take a while, so it would be convenient to sit it in something.

She placed the fish in her lap, ignoring that she would get leaking fish innards on her pants. Maybe I'll get a dress, a cute dress. Anything to replace the mess I'm wearing right now. She began pulling the fish guts out from under her nails with her opposites hands' nails.

I'm glad you weren't upset about that. I was worried it would devastate you or something, though you knowing that it was delicious should have told me that it wouldn't be too much of an issue.

She glanced up at him, smiling sweetly.

I guess now I should thank you for the chance to have my first fish.

[Tydus Tempest]

At first, the woman, even with the fangs he had felt with their kiss and the claws that adorned her hands, seemed delicate. Though with the influx of information; the way the woman's fangs grew from her mouth and how she tore into the fish like some kind of starving barbarian, his opinion revised itself. She was vicious, dangerous. Beautiful and exotic, as well, but the first were just as prevalent. Yet, the Svefra could not help but find an allure in the Symenestra. Her eyes were unique, filled with a wonder and curiosity that the Tempest scion, resigned by fate and pain, could no longer mimic. She was a beautiful creature, very fragile in appearance, which belied the dangers within.

But, Tydus didn't mind. She seemed to be unwilling to hurt, her natural predatory instincts overwhelmed either by decency or regret; he couldn't tell. The Tempest scion allowed a laugh to escape his lips at the mention of a bowl, shaking his head as he motioned about the casinor.

"Lass, there's hardly even space for the ale. Let alone a kitchen." He reached for his mug of ale, stepping towards the barrel and pressing the tap, filling his mug once again before he stated, "Oi, lass. Ye still have yers. Why not finish it, wash it ou' and use it again? Or 'all get ye the last one, if ye wanna enjoy yer ale."

Either one was respectable, the Tempest taking a sip of his ale as he listened to her speak again. She spoke of offense as if she had tried to smite Laviku himself, or if she had spilled some kind of horrible poison into the sea. She spoke with the ignorance of a lubber, but his appreciation for her desire to learn more about the sea was there. It was admirable, if anything else.

The Svefra shook his head, a laugh throwing back his head before he drowned it out with a new mouthful of ale. The liquid poured down his throat, a hum vibrating upon his lips before he answered, "Offended that ye did wha' every single 'un of us do to survive? No, lass. I'd get a bi' miffed if ye tried ta kill say, an Otani, but I couldn' even tell ye what they look like. Legens' and bedtime stories, they are."

He offered the woman another smile before moving closer to her, setting himself down so that his back was against the gunwale, pressing his back to the bulwark before tapping the space next to her, a silent invitation for the woman to join him.

"Yer firs' fish? Well, yer one step closer to bein' a sailor now, eh? Maybe I'll take ye out sailin' sometime." The Tempest grinned at the Symenestra, Sunette, chuckling before taking another sip of ale, the glass nearly drained.

[Sunette]

"Lass, there's hardly even space for the ale. Let alone a kitchen. Oi, lass. Ye still have yers. Why not finish it, wash it ou' and use it again? Or 'all get ye the last one, if ye wanna enjoy yer ale."

Sunette glanced to her side, her mug of ale indeed still intact. She half thought she had knocked it over on accident while reaching in the water, but thankfully she had not wasted his gift of liquid fire. Noting that he was still drinking, she figured that it would be rude for her to stop at this point. She smiled wide to him, her fangs slowly sinking back to their usual size.

That last cup would actually be fantastic. I don't want to leave you drinking alone, but I also would love it if the insides of this fish stayed contained instead of on my clothing... Not that I don't have plenty on me already.

It really was a concern at that point-- ten holes, sizes varying to the sizes of her fingers, littered the flesh of the small fish. Once her venom really began to work its magic, the insides would be liquified and would begin to escape through those holes, making an absolute mess. Not only did she not want it on her clothing, but she didn't want any more to get on his ship. The blood was enough of a mess for her, and it was easily handled.

"Offended that ye did wha' every single 'un of us do to survive? No, lass. I'd get a bi' miffed if ye tried ta kill say, an Otani, but I couldn' even tell ye what they look like. Legens' and bedtime stories, they are."

That peaked her curiosity again. Legends? Stories? She wondered who told him those. Were they taught formally? Passed down from generation to generation from his fathers fathers? Maybe she could convince him to tell her some of the legends, if she traded for information of her childhood as well. He tapped the space beside him and (assuming he returned to that spot after getting the last mug,) she placed herself gently next to him, carefully handling the mess of fish and holding her own mug with two fingers. Her arm pressed against his lightly, a deliberate move on her part. She enjoyed the feeling of skin on skin, and he seemed not to mind. She placed the fish in the new mug, placing it to the side and taking a swig of ale. Oh, that burn.

"Yer firs' fish? Well, yer one step closer to bein' a sailor now, eh? Maybe I'll take ye out sailin' sometime."

She smiled wide for a moment, replacing it with a smirk as she playfully glared at him out of the corner of her eye. She pulled her shoulder back slightly, bumping it against him in a jesting shove.

Don't make offers you don't intend to keep, sailor. I will take you up on them.

[Tydus Tempest]

It was rather unsettling to see that the fish that Laviku had created was reduced to a liquefied paste of whatever sort. The Symenestra secreted some kind of poison from her lips, obviously. Was that the taste that was on her lips? Was there more? The Tempest scion did not feel that he was endangered, the woman obviously taking a liking to him, asking of him, yet part of him felt an amount of fear.

But, her temperament, again, held his fears at bay. They dissolved them, erased them. Rather than feel fear around the woman, he felt amusement, interest. He had told her small snippets, information that he had long shelved and took for granted, but he had, perhaps, forgotten how unique it truly was. The Svefra were a race that were proud, arrogant in their relationship with Laviku and yet... the Svefra with this woman was almost reserved in comparison. He had not flaunted his gnosis, or showed his superiority in any truly meaningful way. Who had he become? This... shell? Perhaps it was the liquor forcing away his reservedness, but he was feeling more... brazen.

He reveled in the sensation, then tipped back his head, several gulps of ale pouring down his throat as he found inspiration lost to nightmare and shipwreck. A fissure had formed, and though the Svefra would likely forget its placement in the morning, he felt... alive. And the brush upon his arm, her coy stare directed towards him, it only added fuel to the flame.

Amusement. Lust. Desire. All of these found stock in the same base, and Tydus was by no means going to let an opportunity that could present itself pass. The Svefra allowed a grin to materialize upon his features as he turned to the Symenestra woman placed next to him, the hand closest to her trailing fingers along the length of her arm, higher along the skin until it pressed to her shoulder. Fabric was in the way, but ignored, fingers moving to her cheek once again, the Svefra's gaze moving to capture hers before he allowed his gaze to move along the expanse of the sea-engulfed horizon.

"Offers I don' intend to keep, lass? I don' think you know me well enough to make tha' assumption. If ye'd like'ta, then I could take ye out to see righ' now. A short passage, a better view of what it is to be with Laviku. And..." The fingers along the woman's cheek lowered, traversing the flesh of her neck before settling along the material of her garment with another wink to drive the point forward,

"And... how it feels to be with a Svefra, as well, Sunette."

The liquor had completely driven back his fears, his inhibitions following them as he played this game with the woman. He, rather obviously, threw an offer on the table for her to accept or otherwise, for Tydus was, at this point, unable to play games of tricks and deceit. The alcohol compelled him to speak his mind, devoid of such trickery and come forward with his desires. They were, after all, her fault. It was his reasoning that she should take responsibility.

She played a dangerous game, kissing him earlier, brushing against him. He was all-too willing to play along. His fingers moved beneath the material of her shirt, skirting along the skin of her shoulder to show that he was serious.