Completed Cha-ching! [Bazaar] (Garland)

[Sayana]

She frowned at his response, a bit of a pout forming on her lips. “Alright alright, I’ll put it back on.” She grabbed the top from the floor and put it on once more. She sat on the edge of the bed with her legs curled underneath her. Her gaze was away from Garland into the darkened corners of the room and her mid arms were folded across her chest. “I forget how inexperienced you are,” she said quietly. “I mean, I do and I don’t. I remember but…” She struggled to find adequate words, then finally said, “It’s been so long since my first time, and it’s become my life since then.”

She stood up and then went to sit in front of the hearth. The stonework was warm, but that was about it. She fed the fire some more pieces of wood and was quiet for a moment. With a soft sigh she got up and offered him his shirr. “Here,” she said simply and then found some space to sit on the bed again. “Best that we both stay fully clothed.”

[Garland]

He frowned a bit. He did enjoy the view, but he was just surprised. He turned his gaze back to Sayana, he sat up and took his shirt. He looked at it for a while and then turned back to her. He leaned in, cupping her cheek with his hand. He slowly closes in and gave a deep kiss. He held it there for a little while and then parted. "Sorry, was that inappropriate?" He blushed and leaned back in for another kiss, smaller this time. He was doing better than before.

He let go, and grabbed his shirt, he slowly put it over his head. He pulled it down, and looked at her, as if asking if what were they going to do now. Cuddling was an option, or maybe some kissing tips, or just talk.

[Sayana]

His kiss warmed and soothed her, and she closed her eyes briefly relishing in the taste. She was about to say that his earlier comments were inappropriate, but then the second kiss silenced her. She watched as he put the garment back on. It helped. “Alright, you win. I’ll behave myself,” she said in a more determined voice. She shifted closer to him till her thigh was up against his, then wrapped an arm around his waist. She resisted the urge to put her legs up onto his lap and simply remained seated next to him.

“So now that I’ve scared you witless, or left you scarred for life…” She let out a chuckle partly to keep things light but also out of discomfort of her own error. She shifted a little and dropped her hand from his waist. Then she leaned back with her low arms supporting her and glanced around the room before resting her gaze on Garland.

[Garland]

He lied down on the bed, giving a small laugh when she mentioned that she had scarred him for life. "Pretty much both, you scared me, you scarred me, and you are the first girl to show me... Your... You know." He gazed at her happily, he didn't want to do anything to her, just talk to each other. There was no longing in his eyes and no wandering eyes for that matter. He was happy just looking at her face.

"Hey, I wanted to ask if you could maybe teach me a few tips about kissing? It could help in the future." He smiled at her restraint, this must be hard for her he thought. "How long has it been since... Your last time?"

[Sayana]

Sayana visibly tensed at his last question. Mid-summer: the heat, the darkness, the claws cutting into her back, the pain deep inside her, the last chance to escape. She shuddered as the memories gushed forwards from where she had thought she had buried them deep. “Last year. In Ahnatep.” She lied, her words sounding numb and distant. Realistically it was probably more like the end of winter, but she didn’t care about the details and looked quite shaken.

“Kissing,” she said trying to bring about a different topic. “Mostly it’s just practice. It helps to be with someone who’s already good at kissing. You learn what you like. Everyone kisses a little differently. I like lots of lip and a bit of tongue. Sometimes when you kiss a Dhani they keep their mouths open so wide you think they are trying to swallow your mouth.” She let out a light burst of laughter but it was tainted with nervousness and discomfort from the earlier topic. “We can do more kissing.”

[Garland]

It seemed like her last time was a very sour subject. He wasn't going to touch that then. He ran his hand through his hair idly. He sat up next to her. Kissing would help in practice, but he wanted them to mean something. Sayana seemed rather distant. He grabbed her hand, giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

He looked at her softly. "Its OK. You don't have to tell me." He gave her a small hug, the first he's actually ever given.

[Sayana]

She returned the hug, her arms wrapping around him to embrace him. Her cheek pressed against his collarbone and she didn’t release him right away. “It was not of my choosing,” she said quietly. “It was the first time I felt fear, no terror, during sex.” She took a slow trembling breath. “But the worst was the feeling of helplessness.”

She nuzzled against him, seeking warmth and comfort. “I’m not weak,” she said as if it mattered to him. “It was a Zith that attacked me when I set out from Ahnatep. Trekked all across Cyphus with him as his plaything.” Her expression hardened. There was anger in her eyes, and not only at the creature but at her own inabilities when it had first seized her.

“I want to kiss you,” she said as she placed her high hand lightly upon his neck and leaned in to do just that. Her lips lingered on his as she was about to break away and then renewed her intensity to extend it longer. When she did let their lips part, she gazed up into his eyes. Her own were fierce but with a tenderness hidden away.

[Garland]

He gave a brief smile. "It wasn't your fault. Zith are wild, they are barely civilize. You were caught off guard..." He pressed his lips back into hers, and then parted slowly. "Look... Its over now, and that's all that matters, you are safe here." He paused, giving her a comforting gaze. "You are not weak, you are stronger than most others I've known."

He pressed his hand on her face. "You survived where others would have died. The wilds are dangerous, and... I'm glad you made it to Syliras." He gave a slow passionate kiss, relishing on the taste of her sweet lips. His arm wrapped around her body, bringing them closer. The warmth was nice, the chill from before was gone, replaced with warm love. He didn't know if it was love for a friend or for a lover, but he knew she needed it

[Sayana]

She was half tempted to scoff at his words and put up a confident front again, but he was both kind and sincere, and she didn’t want to ruin that. Even more importantly, at least for her, was the physical contact and the feeling of safety. Whereas some women in her position might avoid intimacy at all costs due to the incident, Sayana needed to be reminded that her love for intimacy had not been forever tarnished by the Zith.

When he kissed her, she seemed to melt into it and enjoyed it as much as he did. Partway through, she peeked her eyes open and when their lips parted she gave a soft giggle. “That time you didn’t blush Garland,” she teased and almost certain what her comment would do to his face.

“Thank you for, um, listening to me,” she said being more serious this time, even though the words didn’t come easily for her. But she meant them. “And holding me. You won’t tell anyone, will you? I relive it enough without… all that. Someday I’ll go after him. And reclaim my dagger – they were a pair. But not any time soon.”

[Garland]

He did blush when she mentioned it. Was he getting used to kissing? He gave a small smile, trying to put up a confident face, he felt sorry for her, but he won't pity her, she's stronger than that. "You're welcome, anytime. And don't worry, this'll be our secret, besides when the time comes, you can count on me to be there for you." He kept her close, enjoying the warmth she gave off.

He heard the bell. Had it been an hour already? "When was your show?" He asked, a bit worried that he might have mad her miss her show.