Closed [Sunset Quarter] One with the weave

[Fallon]

"Oh, I do like looking," there was a return of the kiss, the incentive not missed by her. She was caught in her lean away, pulled back with a firm tug and the binding of limbs around her. Escape could not be had, or more correctly it had been refused - the look of mischief was apparent, mixed in with those flickerings of desire. Her finger gently circled round, tickling the tender flesh and then pressing against the bedding. She remembered the pull upon her hair, the firm bite in response. Fires were certainly becoming kindled, warming and heating up the room. The chill of the air was chased away, perhaps it was the hearth or perhaps it was the bodies - it did not matter as it assisting in stimulating the mood. She reached out to hold the woman's chin then, forcing the eyes to lock, "But... it is also so validating to see appreciation. Don't you agree?"

Fallon gently pulled away, hands moving to rest upon the hips. It was little more than subtle power plays really, the prod and poke at what she had offered and whether or not she would surrender to them or not. Eyes gave a drift away, and looked elsewhere. The skin was a canvas, the fine lines and veins being painted out. Nails gave a faint scratch, lingering, and then scraping away, removing themselves and leaving the sensation craving for its return. It was there that her hands simply rested behind her neck then, her gaze looking the woman up and down as she repeated the words, "You won't reciprocate, will you now? Well... that would be a shame." She exhaled, "It would be such a waste, don't you think, for me to stop and not partake?"

A wolfish grin, the warm look buzzing with the growing energy behind it all. A finger reached out, tracing down from the lips to the chin, dashing across the neck and onwards southwards. It stopped just below the navel, circling and few times and then pulling away. A low chuckle escaped, a sparkle resting there in her gaze - she knew she was in control, even if she seemingly handed all the choices to Zandelia to make. She could do what she wanted after all, but she was still curious as to what options the woman would make - would she use or abuse what had been granted to her?

Fingers grasped onto the collar of her shirt, a firm tug before she simply hauled the fabric off and exposed herself. It was discarded, forgotten instantly with only the thoughts of closeness and intimacy driving her now with a rapid acceleration forward. Lips pressed, locking an almost nasal and harsh in manner. She shifted, hands touching, caressing and grasping, the rest of her following suit quickly enough. An inhale, a taking in of the scent, a shifting of the form as she looked only to please - it was the priority after all. Needs had to be stated, and wants had to be answered for. A shift to the neck an inhale, a playful bite, as she truly begun.

The faint growl, the ever shifting of the hands to the desired target, the occasional flicker upward before she darted back downwards. She kicked off her own trousers, she knew she did not need them right this instant and they would only serve to hinder, another press as the descent begun. Tasting, the gentle nip, hands rested upon the hips once more gradually snaking their way back upwards, whilst the silver tongue started its ministrations. If words had been spoken, or something had been said, Fallon did not register it. Other things were once more controlling her, the taste, the scents, the digging of nails in as they worked their ways. Curves were met, played and explored, familiarising herself once more as everything beyond the simple sensations fell away. The thoughts of heat and muscle were enjoyed, shared between them and left them craving until there was nothing left but to simply bask.

Chest heaving, a moment to seek the much needed air, Fallon snaked her arms around the woman. Sweat clung, the pulling into an embrace as she simply looked and smiled. Closeness was craved, the faint nuzzling as skin pressed against skin and the hands gently stroked and soothed. Her skin shivered slightly, the lingering sensitivity on her form, before she traced those lips once more across her neck and up to the earlobe. There was a gentle purr into the ear, "So... feeling awake now? Enough of a show of the silver tongue?" Her eyes glanced over to the kettle then, still hot by the looks of things and probably brewed to its fullest extent. Another squeezed embrace, with a mumble barely escaping, "Well... if you're not there's always tea... if that serves as an incentive at all."

It was indeed dark outside by now, the golden hues being replaced by little more than the night sky. Somewhere beyond she could see the faint starts and a slither of the moon, but otherwise it was just an inky black. Another inhale, a deep sigh as she begun to let her body rest properly upon the soft depths of the bedding. The mind however, remained alert and attentive, ready to kick start into doing at any given moment. Lips curled back into a smile, and she cocked her head to one side wondering almost as to what was next to come, "Now, what shall we do now...? You feeling brave?"

[Zandelia]

She was a devilish intoxicant, her every word and movement designed purely to bring satisfaction to her. It was more revealing than any conversation or debate, any argument or planning. Fallon was hers and she was Fallon’s, ready to tend and support where appropriate, to go further for each other than for anyone else. Teasing of course, she liked to tease that much was becoming very apparent if it had not been obvious before. Yet the teasing was a show, a play within the power game that was itself a thin veneer for deeper things. In some ways, though it was clearly self-expression condensed, it was more an excuse to provide reasoning for the evening’s events perhaps. It was beautiful to behold though and as she kicked off her clothing she watched her, clearly enthralled. There would be no doubt that, as far as Zandelia was concerned, there was none she would rather be with.

“Then I hope you feel validated,” she stated simply, a soft smile before it continued, “you are beautiful”

She had not been actually sure it would be followed through with, to be sure it had been a trying season and, in some ways, they had spent more time apart whilst trying to throw off the hunters it made sense that when they had found time together it had progressed into exploring each other whilst being hidden away from the world surrounding them. Yet there was a difference between taking what was needed and prolonging what was wanted simply to see what the reaction would be. It was rapidly becoming apparent though that there was no further desire to postpone and all that was left, in truth, was to experience and enjoy. She tried to keep her gaze fixed upon the woman, watching the pleasure in her as she set about bringing pleasure. It became impossible as time went on though.

Intermittently she managed to catch glimpses as fingers tangled in hair, pulling at away from the face of beauty, but for the most part she was given up to the more animalistic side within. It was pointless being the intellectual when there was the desire for her to be the carnal - if she was gaining then she would give the other what she wanted to have. Breath quickened and muscles tensed, senses heightened and hips rolled. There was nothing else to consider, nothing else to feel, just what was being given. Reactivity, pure and simple. Time…time was perceptional and she knew that well. She didn’t know how long was spent but Fallon was breathing hard as the show came to a close and she was once more beside her. She hadn’t even felt her move and shift. She sighed deeply and tilted her head to smile deeply at her. She slipped her arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. Blankets were pulled up and draped over them, a flimsy covering that barely concealed them.

“Awake?” she asked as fingers traced upon Fallon’s back, kissing her brow as she lay simply in the enhanced sense of touch with satisfaction, “I couldn’t sleep even if I tried” she laughed then, it had been a most freeing evening indeed. Several new things, expanding various boundaries beyond what she thought to have been possible - there was no other reaction but laughter to such things.

“You are a treasure indeed, to think I could never have met you. A most dreary alternate life indeed. Tea? Yes…tea would be good. It was brewed after all. Not sure it will still be that hot though” she poked out a tongue then, she felt far younger than she had a right to be she knew.

“But brave….brave….I am not sure I have ever been brave. I just…do. But, I think that I am restored enough, thanks to the silver and its owners care, to try and see if this worked. So, imagination right? Well, where should I start? What with? Any advice oh teacher of mine?” she asked as she enjoyed the shared warmth of bodies.

She raised her left hand and waggled the fingers, looking at them as she clenched and un-clenched them experimentally. She wondered if it made things easier to know the construction of the body. She would have to investigate, though such grizzly thoughts were quickly pushed aside for consideration at a less enjoyable time. Either way she wanted to use the energy she had been given, that would need to be paid back with a considerable slumber she knew, to try and see if she was now a Projectionist. Before she ended up passing out. Extending their night together, the first one spent in simple things without being disturbed for some time now, was of paramount importance to her.

“Maybe I should try and get the tea? Think I can walk yet?” she asked with a slight hesitation, she was worried t would be far too long before she could do so and there was a slight sliver of concern in her voice as she moved her legs slightly to check they still worked.

[Fallon]

She seemed pleased, that was a good sign to say the least. Laughter was music, the subtle words forming out with the smiles. Fingers gave their trace upon her own back, a momentary shudder as they strayed close to the scarring. There was a gentle pull upon the digits, moving them upwards once more and away from a sensitive area for unpleasurable reasons. Still, the warmth of the bodies kept her close, and it was fully enjoyed. Lips gave another trace, watching the fingers lift and wriggle in testing. It was a good sign really, it showed the body was recovering and ready for the next stage of the process. To practice, slowly and carefully in to actually projecting.

Fallon paused to thing, the stroking stopping and instead beating out into a rhythm. She clicked her tongue, her head tilting to one side as she tried to gather what previous lesson plans she had - only for them to have been scattered due to events. Fingers traced, bumping and rising up, before once more halting in their path. Slowly, she begun to nod, "If you believe you can walk, then I am sure you can get there. Take it slow, no rush and familiarise yourself with what has been given to you."

Her arm shifted away to allow the woman release should she wish to continue her moving. Of course, she was ready to leap up and help if need be, but this was her own task to do - she had to do it herself. Her chin rested in her hand, her eyes looking the nude form up and down before she continued the rest of the gatherings of words into a lesson. Clearing her throat she spoke in lower tones, "Imagine your Djed. Your core, the energy that makes you up. Like when you use auristics, you gather it into one place... correct?"

Propping herself up onto her elbows and then continued until she was sitting, blanket loosely draping across them both. Her eyes turned to the window and around the room to the glowing embers of the fire. The candles still flickered, burning their small flames and shedding out light, whilst the rest of the room lulled in a stillness. Tapping the woman on the nose she gave a stretch, limbs gently flexing out and joints clicking. Raising her left arm she splayed open her fingers and pointed it towards the window, "So, with that in mind, imagine the Djed in that one area. Gathering together, weaving in and out along the muscles and nerves. Like a mesh. And then..." She blinked, and tilted her head to one side again, a frequent occurrence now she was in thought, "Imagine pushing it out, or pulling it if you prefer. As in the djed grabs whatever lies beneath, this mesh, weave, web, I don't know... thing and begins to separate the two." Rubbing her chin she let the arm drop and rest upon her lap, "Advice? Take it slow and steady. No rush after all. Bit like trying to get up and walk again. Learn and begin to understand the body intimately."

Shaking her head she gave a frown, "Not really sure how else to explain it. Just practice and give it a go really, find what works for you. Start with your least preferred limb, find the joint-" She leaned round at that point, her thumb and forefinger taking the woman's elbow. She squeezed into it to make a point, and then released it, "Imagination always helps for me. Maybe you'd be better with a more... clinical way of looking at it? I don't know," another shake of the head, "When you're ready... try your left hand. Feel the joint, understand where it lies and rests... I... yes. Let's just focus on tea. My head is too scattered at the moment I think."

A low chuckle escaped, lips curling back into a smile, "So, on the theory that tea matches the maker... let's see how you make it shall we? Go on, see if you can get it," there as a dart of the tongue in response, "I can see you're itching to get up and run about." She flicked her hand against the woman's thigh, a flicker of mischief resting there, "Go on then. I'll just pick you up and haul you back if you fall over. Sure you'd love that, being picked up by little me."

[Zandelia]

She raised and eyebrow ever so slightly as the hand was moved to carefully avoid the scarring, she said nothing though. She knew she considered her disfigured and that they held dark memories. She didn’t think Fallon would believe her if she said her back was beautiful despite them, it was something deeply entrenched. She simply smiled slightly then and listened. The tapping, in a strange way, helped her focus upon the words and the meaning behind it. She was beginning to tilt her head too, adopted mannerisms perhaps? She was sure she must have picked up a few herself that reflected the other woman. She slipped that idea though, it was not a part of this new potential magic she possessed. Or rather wanted to see if she possessed. There was truth to her words though, better to check she was physically capable first. That was she would know if any permanent damage had been done, relieve herself of that burden and know that there could be a second attempt if required.

Though really I hope that it isn’t. It was as uncomfortable as it was beautiful. Something to be remembered for what was good and not what was…strange… the thought rose and faded unlimber, she was beginning to feel the scrabbling of her subconscious - eager to check her body over and demanding it be done.

“Least preferred limb? That might be difficult, I have grown rather attached to all of them,” she stated, only half-joking as she watched Fallon stretch and continue her explanation with a thoughtfully distant look, “so…basically you can help me half way. The rest is up to me. You can’t make me do it any more than I could have done it before today” she spoke the thought aloud, it was both comforting and intimidating at the same time.

“Time to see what I can still do then…wish me luck. Otherwise you’ll not be getting that tea you want to clear your head and test me with. I don‘t want to get up I…need to. Make sure” she pushed herself upwards until she was sitting upright, seeking the physical as a distraction to the mental for now.

It took a few moments but she managed to shift her legs around until they hung over the side of the bed and she wriggled her toes upon the floor boards experimentally. She did have to focus though, it felt as if the words were truer than they had seemed. She was re-learning how to move them. There was a delay in time, fractional but still there and noticed to her. She knew her body inside out after all when it came to motion. She frowned slightly as she slowly rotated her ankles, a few cracks resounding as she took her time to make the circles smoother, slower and changing directions. Next came the knee joints, always problematic after the years of hard living and scraps in alleys across the continent. It was more difficult, shifting the weight of her entire lower legs but there was a sigh of relief and another potion of laughter - it seemed everything was working just fine.

That was until she braced herself and shifted herself off of the bed and fell quite spectacularly to the knees with a hiss of indrawn breath. There would be bruising, she could handle bruising. She couldn’t handle not being able to damned well walk. Her arms had shot out to slam palms into the floor to stop her face from getting hit, clearly they were more reactive after being used and the play than her legs. She growled slightly and one arm took her weight as the other shot out to stop Fallon from moving if she was doing so. She needed to do this herself, on her own strength, or else she was just a human paperweight. She had willed herself back into her body and she wasn’t about to be defeated by some complaining muscles.

“At least you get a good view” she managed to force out of her lips despite her rising concern.

She shifted one leg until the foot was flat on the floor and she was only on one knee then. It did take more effort thane expected but as she continued to demand things of them her legs seemed to become more responsive. Knuckles pressed to the floor as fists were made and she began the pushing, it had to be quick to get the other foot in place. She pushed upwards and momentum did the rest though as she came to her full height there was a trembling and a slight sway that she corrected.

“Re-learning indeed,” she spoke over her shoulder as she maintained her balance, “a good thing that I am a quick study. Now...tea” she stated almost to herself as she began the journey.

The stepping was easier as she went, not quite normal but still she was able to remain upright and not clatter clumsily into the furniture around her. Cups were easily found and, to her surprise, a portion of milk and honey. She fingered a small portion of the latter into the cups first, just sweetening really to make them feel better. The kettle was heavy for her arms but she managed to tip it enough to get two decent cups before gingerly slipping it back into stillness. Lastly came the milk, it was easy enough to stir in- one wooden spoon and it was complete. The return journey was slower, she didn’t want to spill anything and that meant more caution and deliberate steps. The act of having to co-ordinate herself to such a basic task brought it home to her. She was different now, whether she was more magical or not. She was thinking about her body, being forced to see how it moved. Such a perspective would be difficult to forget now that she knew the insight it was giving her.

How it moves, what it’s made of. How it’s put together. Even if no magic has been given it opens up an entire new world that is useful to one such as myself. Where to strike for the most damage. Or thee least. Internal organs and their positions. Pain and pleasure spots. I thought I knew them before but was just using blunt instruments. This would be more akin to a knife she thought to herself as she finally handed one cup to her partner.

“Sweet tea for a…wonderful person,” she corrected at the last moment, she remembered she disliked being called sweet, she levered herself down to sit once more, legs still outside of the bed, “I’ll leave it up to you as to whether its reflects me or you. So…not so bad. More difficult than I thought but certainly a new perspective. Feels like I’m a puppet re-learning the strings. Or how to move in armour” she sipped the warm brew and held it in one hand upon her thigh.

“So…now for the big question. Did it work?” she looked at the woman and took a deep breath.

She flexed her left hand then, it was her weakest one and though she didn’t consider it expendable she could probably afford to lose a finger and not change things overly much. She frowned at it as if it would give up its secrets immediately, a foolish notion. She glanced at Fallon again for the reassurance and then focused her Djed within, it was as quick and easy as it ever, the more she practiced these days the more she could do with it. This time, however, she let it flow down into her left ring finger, dripping and filtering until it was pooling and gradually filled it up to just beyond the knuckle. She kept it there, a throbbing light contained she thought, or rather felt. She considered the finger, how it was made up. Everyone knew the knuckles were basically hinges. The tendons pulled them like chains perhaps, though infinitely more flexible. But where was the link to the astral? That bond that needed to be broken - if but for a time.

She felt rather than thought, imagining she were the finger itself and wondering how it would feel, what it did and how it moved. Eye was closed now as she imagined herself forcing it out, as if she were breaking her own finger with her other hand, bending it and twisting it upwards. It was akin to forcing her way through stone, a hidden barrier she had not been able to sense before but now could - she thought that was a good sign. Perhaps she was thinking of it wrongly, it was seemingly harder than she thought it should be. She slipped back into being the finger and instead thought about what it would be like to have a replica of herself, exactly the same and just beneath the skin of the outer. How often had she wanted tog et out of her body and be someone else? Over the years of suffering she had wished so desperately to do so, live a normal and happy life in someone else.

That was when it clicked and imagination and clinical thought of physicality seemed to open the doorway. She wasn’t a spirit entity in her imagination, she was simply a second very real finger escaping its shell. Slipping out through her skin and the finger went limp, hanging and supported only by the tendons holding it. She smiled with wonder, she had done it. It was rising upwards still until it was a good inch above horizontal. She laughed and tested it for substance, Fallon had been able to touch things, she shifted her hand until the projected finger touched her nose and was surprised when she actually felt it touch.

“I felt it, I believe that you were successful. Not a massive show but something all the same. Think I could do more than one?” she asked as she considered pushing it further, see if it was possible.

She had been lost in her concentration though, unaware of just how long she had been trying to do just that small thing. She was aware of the sweat dampening her hair though, dusting her back with moisture. It must have been some time indeed, she had forgotten her tea and tasted it - less warm than it had been but still enjoyable. She tilted her head in consideration…she was ready to try a little more she thought but as still moved and toyed with just the one projected finger for now, playing and exploring with it to see how it worked. Feeling it out little by little.

[Fallon]

There was a snort of amusement when Zandelia crashed against the floor. Although there was the obvious flare of concern, she could not help but find herself sniggering at the way she had managed to present herself once toppled. A devilish curl grew, a rise of the chin as she watched the woman begin the gradual rise up. Wobbling, testing of those joints and muscles, a understanding what was there and existed. Awareness, though more than simply just knowing - it was experiencing and taking the extension of one's self in a new fashion all together. Rolling onto her front, Fallon watched from her position on the bed, chin cupped between her hands and her knees pressing against the bedding - a large smirk having bloomed as she watched the wobbling. It would be safe to say that Fallon was incredibly relaxed with the current scene, good company, many pleasantries and the sharing of knowledge - it was appealing to say the least.

"Doing wonderful I think you'll find on the learning front," A low hum escaped, the gentle wriggling of toes as she watched, the grin falling away into that of a subtle curl. She watched the movements from a clinical perspective, judging the way the steps were taken and the careful feeling out of things, even as she grasped and prepared something so simple - tea. But Fallon simply let her be, for now at least. The faint juddering of limbs, the uneasy steps as she shakily made her way back. She looked in focused thought, everything deliberate and testing even as she handed the cup over. Green-blue orbs stared up over the rim as she spoke however.

"Don't... good," as the woman quickly saved herself from potential error. Still from her laid down state she watched the woman sit, pondering the depths of her cup, whilst Fallon sipped. Adding milk and honey to tea was a luxury for her, travel paired up with cost made it hard to keep such things. A deep inhale, a swirling taste of the contents as she sipped and sent her watchful gaze up to the woman. Milk, soft, sweet, a definite scent and trait, "I think it reflects you. Strong, well bodied, creamy..." She flashed a grin up then and went back to her drinking, "Yes, the big question. Very important one to answer really..." Watching the hand rise was interesting, the worried glances and the look of concern that it would not work. Lowering the cup she turned her head up, hand peeling away to rub across those shoulders - reassurance was needed, "Take it slow. There's no rush. Little steps. Carefully now. I'll be watching."

In more ways than one. Inhaling deeply, her eyes averted, a deep inhale as she pulled upon her own djed. She felt it snake upwards, running up the veins into her head. It gathered around her eyes, settling into the socket and around. The lids gave a close, focus pouring in as she let the cool energy slide across the eye and claw deeply into the pupil. Lips peeled back, a slither of concentrated white before she whispered to herself, "Capos Djunn."

There was a crack open, followed by a flinch when something pressed against her nose. Colour danced before her vision, barely able to focus quickly enough before she craned her head back to get a better view. A flurry of blinks, the aura gave a bright flare in her gaze as it swirled and danced before her. Nose twitching she gave a swat of the hand before her eyes, a slight watering as she considered trying to grab a glimpse of what was going on - only to receive nothing more than an inconceivable blur of bright emerald. Lids pinched again, watering as she gradually brought it round to rest upon Zandelia. Lines, she could see lines gently pulsing across her - what they mean was momentary beyond her as she tried to focus more.

Laughter, was she pleased? The lines gave a swirl, weaving slightly around the skin and rippling. A small curl of lips, her focus continued as the tones continued and the gentle experimentation was played out. Rubbing her nose she gave a smile this time to the woman, even if her eyes had become half closed with her careful study and the low hum rumbling out from her throat, "Good... good. And I think you could if you put your mind to it."

Her eyes closed for a moment, an easing off of the djed that was presently throbbing in her skull. She reigned it back, slowly pulling it back into gentler, and more manageable amounts. Another crack open, and the brightness of the colours eased - still there, the auras throbbing, but easier. Releasing a sigh she gave the woman a look up and down, she could not focus on the digit she was projecting, too hard to settle upon properly. Sickening almost to even attempt to do so. Eyes blinked, a rise up to tap the chin before she carefully sipped from the cup once more. Her gaze however was more studying the aura, the urge to look deeper pressing against her mind, "Yes... I think you could. Very good though, found a way that works for you? Can you... describe it at all? The process, how you got to here and then..." Fingers wiped away the sweat, "Then we will begin the return? Yes... return. Come, repeat the exercise, little finger maybe? And then... if you have any questions, I can answer?"

[Zandelia]

She was not entirely sure that she knew what questions to ask, or whether there were any questions rippling throughout her mind at that moment. She was, in a sense, lost in the experience. She was concentrated upon it, not out of control - in fact it took her considerable mental effort to even maintain what little she had managed to do so far - but there was a sense of wonder throbbing beneath then mental and physical draining she could feel beginning to peck at her like a plucky cockerel. It was around the edges of her was the best way she could think of it, not the same internal tiredness of mind she experienced from Auristics, no this was as if her entire energy store was something surrounding her, gradually eroded in chips as continued to project. It was entirely different, she knew it would have been of course but to experience the extent of the difference was different from thinking about it beforehand. She frown and pouted at the finger, deep in concentration. So deep that she forgot the questions and had to run them back through her mind before licking her lips looking for an answer.

“A most astute observation of my character indeed. And here I was thinking dangerous, deep and unobtrusive,” she managed a smile as she diverted her concentration carefully, “creamy?” she asked with a raised eyebrow of enquiry.

“I don’t know really…I just…imagined. The rope didn’t really work for me, not this time. This was more like….like there was a second me right inside and I thought about it trying to slip out? I…I can’t put it into words. Like armour you take off is the best I can think of it. Maybe more will be clear in time” she trailed off at the foolishness of her words, she was no great poet and though she was familiar with analogy in terms of her workings she would never have classed herself as the most graceful of orators.

“I’ll see if I can do more…this is draining though. Even this small thing, it’s like having it washed away from me, what vigor I gained back with your help” she mumbled, licking her lips once more she was now conscious of the salty taste there.

Sweat was beginning to break out, dotting across her forehead and under her nose at first but a new prickling of dampness could be felt beginning to push through the pores on the back of her neck and across her cheeks. She focused herself, marshalling the mental forces still viable and all but glared at her little finger. The remembrance of imagination, the person within the person that was not real and yet very real. It was strange to think in such terms, the armour analogy she thought might hold some promise but that was for another time. She had a working mechanism for now, slow and fragile as it was, and she used it once more. Shifting that inner being, feeling out the physical anatomy as far as she understood it. Linking the two together and letting reality warp for a few moments in the belief - no the certainty now - that what she was trying to do could indeed happen. It began its outward wriggle, the little finger, the tip bending upwards and out of the body ever so slightly. Peeling away almost like the skin of a carcass in butchery. The second knuckle, the third. It took some time and the strain was breaking a sweat further but she managed it eventually.

“Hah! Mistress Wolf indeed. Little finger” she wriggled the astral and felt it just as surely as if it had been flesh. The true finger was limp and curled now, there was nothing supporting it, the strings of the astral cut temporarily. She flicked it with her other hand and watched it rock for a moment before settling again.

She prodded her collarbone with both astral digits, then the remaining physical ones of flesh she could control. It was a bizarre feeling, to use half of them truly and half of them through projection. She felt them all, they were solid enough. She smiled in triumph, it lit up her entire face as she breathed deeply inwards and outwards slowly. She had no doubt that it was a small thing to do, had seen the true power of the magic in Fallon’s hands, but it was a first step towards discovery and that was worth a feeling of achievement over. She could have done nothing before this evening, now there was a new journey to undertake. If she could master this new ability, and if she was worth anything she would one day, then there was much she could practically apply it for. She looked at her mentor, for the first time taking in her relaxed state and the words of Nader-Cannoch flickering in her mind.

“Capos Djunn? You have been seeing more than eyes see no? Pleased?” she asked with a cheeky tone, “I tell you this much, this small feat was damned tiring. I can feel it, like an orb around me shriking with its use. Or maybe that’s just how I feel it myself. As they say, everyone is different. Now…do I just imagine them back? Or move them back? Is it like the…the initiation?” she asked, she didn’t want to push herself too far too fast.

Small steps first. A finger or two. All of them and the thumb eventually. A hand. Then an arm. A series of puzzle pieces which, when together, will allow the whole to be seen and used. But time, time is required I think. Endurance perhaps? she thought to herself as she continued to wriggle the astral fingers in playful joy.

“How do you build up endurance? You can do things for a long time. I can barely do it for a short time. Does it happen as you grow better? Or are there specific things you can do to increase your time of use?” she asked her question, the most important question for her. She had ideas but each idea required more time, greater ability of manipulation of course but…at their core…more time in the astral.

[Fallon]

"Yes, creamy," Fallon gave only a dart of the tongue, and spoke in a more matter of fact tone then, "You are blonde headed after all. Fair skinned, smooth... I'll let you decide which." She peered into the depth of her cup then, looking at the moist glint that smothered the walls of it and then took another thoughtful sip. It was silently, even as she continued her squinting between narrowed eyes that she tried to focus - the colours continued to swirl, finally settling as she held back the mind from the encroaching torrent of information and focused upon keeping it level. The words slipped passed her momentarily, and then replaying somewhere in the back of her mind. Fallon cleared her throat, "It is early days, find a way that works, test it and then build up it. A second you? A second layer perhaps? One that peels away and sticks back on?"

Make one explain, then it allows them to think and to grasp upon it. By having something to visualise within their mind, ease came and words were allowed to fall in clearer segments. Talking it out, she found at least, often helped in solidifying a concept or understanding of how it would work - at least, that was what she had discovered based upon her own experience. A small sniff, "Draining indeed it is at first. A level of focus and willpower is needed to remember where the projected limb is, an alternative set of thinking to use it when compared to the flesh. A new dimension almost. Vigor will be lost quickly," Fallon paused and considered, "But, we can always correct that later."

A slow blink, she slowed the twisting aura down watching it swirl and form into its curious shapes. She was still having difficulty grasping what they meant, but no doubt in time she would begin the process and understand them - more practice was obviously needed. She winced, and rubbed her brow with her free hand, "I cannot see it. I... it is too hard for me to focus on, keeps slipping. I am not good enough to see the astral... I... should stop. Probably. Just a moment longer."

There was a shudder when the chill graced her flesh again, the probing of cold, invisible finger tips. Her form gave a flinch in recoil, attention snapping and her head being shook. And just as quickly as her focus was held there, did it fall away. Djed rushed away from her eyes, pulling back and settling within her pit. Moisture formed, a blink as the sting made itself known. Her palm rubbed against the eye socket for a while, her voice dropping into a mumble, "Okay, not longer then. Petching stinging. Ouch."

"Regardless," she continued with ease, "I am please. Proving to be a good student from what I've well... felt I guess. Seeing is not possible. Anyway, the next step." There was another pause, her mind repeating how she went about things when she practiced, "Begin reeling it back to you. Slowly, carefully, and thinking about how you did it before, but reverse it this time. So where before you said it was taking off armour, imagine putting it back on instead - pull it on, tighten the buckles, do up the lacing, and fit it back into shape. Don't rush it either. Slow and steady. Rushing can make things nasty after all."

Peeling away her palm she looked upon the woman and watched the smile form upon her face between the blurred visage, "Endurance? Like you do with any muscle. You train it, focus it, and practice using it, learn it anew. Like any skill really. The more you use it, the better you become with it. I suppose..." She drained the last of her cup then, and placed it neatly upon the floor, "You could extend your time out with it, gradually, not too much. A chime at most. But really, outside of motor use I'm not sure what else to suggest." Sitting herself up she took the limp fingers, gently flicking and pulling them out, before once more letting them relax, "The body is always interesting when nothing is restraining it. Relaxed and able to simply have everything fall out." Fallon gave a nuzzle into the shoulder then, "Bring it back, before you get too tired again. And take a breather."

Stretching out, Fallon released a yawn a gentle click as she rubbed away the last of her blurred vision, and once more allowed herself to sprawl backwards. It was perhaps then that the comforts begun to truly reach her - she was relaxed here, nothing to fear and or cause hurt. She gave a thumbs up to the woman, "Good job. Nice tea. I think you get the idea now. Just, well, practice. I will be here to help with training until you're semi-competent. Aren't I a nice teacher?" Her arms flopped down then, relaxing as she simply looked from her new spot, "Anything else you wish of me Sunshine to explain? Or teach?"

[Zandelia]

“Maybe I’ll have to change my hair then to throw off the theory no?” she stated rhetorically, it was an aside point and something she would do if required but she did quite like her fair locks, she was not about to give them up for something so trivial even if it did prove mildly amusing, “find something that works…well that’s a strange thing really. At this point I’m not sure what is working and what is not, Thoughts and imaginations blend so easily that it could be any of them that are working and I just think it’s a different one. Experimentation eventually perhaps” she trailed off the words as she considered the instructions and thought upon them.

Fallon was right of course, in her nudging way of teaching that she was beginning to take notice of. She was not always sure when she was being led along but on this occasion she was happy to be walked through it slowly, carefully. A depth of thinking needed to be applied, that much was clear. She was used to thinking in such ways within her intelligence work but when it came to other things there was difficulty in translation. She needed to do so though or risk permanently damaging herself, she had taken such statements seriously and into her heart solidly. She analyzed the imaginations she had made, she was attracted to the one pertaining to armor. It was something that she knew well enough that it served as a more stable way of thinking - less imagination and more remembrance. She tilted her head and rotated her hand as she continued to feel the astral move, lighter than air it seemed.

“I’m not sure if it is a layer outside or a layer within yet. It seems one and the same to my senses. Difficult to pin down and get a grasp of. Inexperience perhaps. And I thought I’d never admit such a thing” she snorted at her foolishness.

She did notice the split thinking though, it was obvious when one had it pointed out to them. It seemed akin to instinct but was not. Whilst the flesh reacted to her whims immediately and fluidly there was a small lapse of time when she concentrated upon the astral before it happened. It required effort, demanded it in fact, whereas her physical body did not require so much direct thinking. Each time she moved the four digits, two real and two astral, she was splitting her concentration and that was perhaps dangerous. She took the lesson in her stride and forgot the flesh even as they were stretched out and noted by Fallon so succinctly. She focused purely upon the astral then and did not shift her mental effort for fear of doing something wrong. She also noted the plural - we - and smiled.

“Yes, we will. Have no fear I will not forget that it is your gift wolf. But yes, time gathers and energy fades. I must return them before I pass out or something. That, I think, would be bad. Now…fingers…move” she muttered it aloud as she marshaled her mind to reinforce her intent.

She chose the armour images as suggested, working upon the smaller little finger first. She moved it slowly, curling the tip into the flesh first and working it towards the knuckle base from there. It went more quickly than she imagined and they were aligned but not truly joined yet, just overlapping. She repeated the process for the other astral finger until they were both overlapping but not yet joined and back into her physical body. She found, as she worked, that it was harder to maintain and overlap than to maintain them free and independent. That was interesting to her but she field it away mentally for future consideration and questioning. It was then that she began the imagination of donning the gauntlet-like armour. Slipping into it almost and mentally placing buckles where they wouldn’t normally exist, tightening the straps and willing them back into her physical body. It was gradual at first but picked up speed slightly as she worked. Eventually she knew she had them back as the throbbing stinging set in and she hissed slightly at the return of life.

“Pins and needles…it stops the blood from flowing? Or just that it’s returning true life?” she wondered aloud as she flexed them slowly and rubbed the two fingers affected. She turned then and saw her partner laying down and clearly drained herself, the comment about stinging came back to her and a sense of empathy came with it. She lent over and stroked her brow gently.

“No, no more questions. Now is a time for rest I think, for both of us. For once. Other things can come later and tomorrow, tomorrow I will look after you” she stated simply.

She levered herself down into the comforting embrace of both body and mattress and that was how the rest of the evening was spent before sleep overtook them both. It had been a wonderful evening, there was no sense in ruining it with anything less than simple, shared experience.

[Caela Dorin]

Grade Awarded Fallon Experience Skill XP Earned Acting 1 Auristics 1 Flirting 1 Massage 1 Projection 2 Teaching 3 Lores • Lore Earned • Initiating Zandelia in Projection • Massage Technique: Kneading • Massage: Torso • Zandelia’s Opinion on Tattoos • Zandelia: Successfully Initiated into Projection Expenses : -1GM 1SM 3CM for glass ball Zandelia Experience Skill XP Earned Flirting 1 Massage 1 Projection 3 Rhetoric 4 Socialisation 2 Lores • Lore Earned • Fallon: Willing to Teach Me Projection • Projection: Initiated by Fallon • Projection: Allows Me To See Fully Again • Hand Massage • Projection: How to Detach the Astral Body • The Art of Making Tea • Fallon: Dislikes Being Called Sweet • Using Projection For the First Time • Harder to Reattach the Astral Body than Detach It • I am a Projectionist Items Aquired/Consequences : +1 Blue and Green Glass Ball from Fallon •Bruises on knees-Heal in 5 days Additional Comments What a mixture! Projection, sensual encounters, tea making! I really enjoy the relationship between Zandelia and Fallon and how they're always learning something new about each other as their intimacy increases. I hope that Zandelia fares well in her Projection related endeavours in the future and I look forward to seeing more from you two as always. Please edit or delete your grade request and PM me if you have any questions or concerns about your grade. x