Closed A Second Chance (Aren)

[Sayana]

As she settled upon his lap she looked into his beaming face. She returned the smile with a bright one of her own and she allowed his finger to guide her lips to meet his. She felt like she was melting in an encompassing warmth. Her high hands instinctively moved to cradle him, one on the back of his head and the other placed gently on his neck. One mid pressed lightly upon his chest and the other held his shoulder for support. Her eyes closed as she enjoyed the taste and touch of him. This was how it should be. No fears, no rush, and simply intimate pleasure. At last their lips parted and Sayana gazed into the Akalak’s face for a long moment before speaking. “I should probably pack my things if we are to go. Come, I want to know more about you.” She got up from his lap and tried to wait patiently should he need to gather any of his own things. Then she led him by the hand to the kitchen in the back where she stashed her winter clothing and began to bundle up. “You have an impressive swing with that huge blade of yours and you can light it up in a flash,” Sayana said and made an animated gesture of her hands in regards to the sudden flames. “You’re a warrior, an Akalak warrior. Did you grow up in Syliras or did you come from Cyphrus?” She remembered once having to hide from a group of Akalak while trekking across Cyphrus with her zith ‘companion’. “And tell me of your passions. What feeds your soul?” The Eypharian continued to ask persistently. “And you can’t say that I do. That’s cheating.” She added with a stern finger followed by a laugh. By now she was ready to brave the cold and bid the tavern farewell for the night. Her home was in the Maiden District not too far from the taverns. It would be a short walk through the snowy narrow streets of Syliras followed by an indoor route of twisting hallways going left, right, straight, around another corner... Although the hallways were dank and gloomy, at least there were regular torches placed along them both for light and a convenient means to light a hearth. Of course the Eypharian would lead the way eagerly, both out of desire to be alone with him once more and due to a much lighter sense of excitement about showing off her recently decorated home. She mentally recalled that she hadn’t yet told him of the Zith. She would do that tonight. He deserved to know. And it would all feel better if she was in his arms.

[Aren]

Aren sometimes felt as if he could get lost in the deep pools of those brown eyes, but luckily Sayana seemed to have a lot more willpower than he did. The Akalak stood absent much delay, letting the dancer take him by the hand without resistance. He hadn't bothered even removing his scythe at any point since he had come into the Rearing Stallion, entranced as he had seemed to become at the sight of suddenly encountering Sayana. The performance afterwards had a similar effect on him, and the truth was that it felt as if mere moments had passed since he entered the establishment. "I was born in Riverfall, and I walked it's streets for decades before-" Aren hesitated. The story was a long one, fraught with the kind of filial drama that he hated to remember, "Before I decided that it was time for a change." His explanation was the truth, certainly, simply lacking some of the details that put that truth into context. He just didn't like thinking about what had prompted his initial egress from his home, and he liked talking about it even less. Sayana's other question was a topic he was much more keen to discuss, however, and a broad smile preceded his response, "I've walked across the surface of Mizahar for over a hundred years, and I've experienced things you'd hardly believe. I've seen some incredible places..." Aren stated, before nodding slightly in the Eypharian's direction "...and met some amazing people." His laugh had mirrored Sayana's when she had precluded the possibility that his answer could be her, but the Akalak figured this wasn't cheating. Aren extended his elbow towards the dancer, noticing that it seemed like she was ready to go, "Your carriage awaits." He said in what was probably rather mangled Eypharian, as trying to remember his mother's now hundred year old lessons on the language of her people proved to be quite a challenge. Though it was a bit chilly out, a night time stroll with a beautiful woman was something to be savored, and he wanted to make sure there was no doubt they were strolling together. Syliras may have been a relatively safe place, but bad things still happened, even here, and the cloak of darkness often had the unpleasant effect of making men bold. When you were being escorted by a man which towered over almost everyone else, however, even the most depraved individual thought twice about any stupid notions that might cross their minds.

[Sayana]

Riverfall… it seemed like a magical place. Filled with water, filled with life. She racked her brain trying to remember where it was but she was at a loss. Maybe it was in Cyphrus, maybe somewhere even further north? It had been almost a year now since she had memorized a rough sketch of a map before setting out from Ahnatep and the details of such faraway places were becoming lost. A little bit of surprise showed on her face when he implied that he had lived for over a hundred years. She didn’t know much about Akalaks but she took it in stride regardless. After all, other races also had long lifespans. In particular, the Dhani close to home might live as long as a dozen Eypharian generations. Her smile only spread wider as he gave a laugh and she was momentarily lost in the idea of traveling the world and seeing its wonders. Except her fears still tugged at her from her last experience with travel. As he extended his elbow she was about to take it but then he spoke. She hesitated at the sudden change of language and took her a moment or two to derive the meaning from his words. She gave a light unrestrained laugh. “If you were my carriage I’d be leaping up onto your back right now, except you’ve got that pesky weapon in the way,” she replied in common. With a grin she took his offered elbow. Hardly a couple of chimes later she pranced out in front of him, took his hands in her gloved mid hands and proceeded to lead the way walking backwards. She gave a soft sigh. “Faraway places, things I’ve never imagined, amazing people… You do realize you’re being such a tease,” she scolded mockingly. “Now if I were to talk about Ahnatep, I would tell you all about it and not be half as vague. Except…” She paused as she was reminded how he spoke a couple words of Arumenic and then quickly recalled a comment he made the first night. “Your mother is Eypharian. Did you ever go to Ahnatep? If you did… well then I won’t be telling you any of my stories of its glory and greatness.” Although tricky to see under the confines of her coat, she crossed her upper arms over her chest. By now they had reached one of the entrances to the fortress block filled with narrow twisting hallways. Although each apartment was roughly square in shape, it was as if the designer attempted to create some privacy by having winding corridors instead of straight lines with door after door after door. Sayana knew her way around quite well now and hardly thought about it as she led the Akalak through the maze. When they arrived at her apartment, the Eypharian stopped with her back against the door. “Now before you enter, I want you to tell me a secret you’ve never told anyone before. It could be big or little, from the past or about the future…” Only with a sufficient answer would she step aside and welcome him to her home.

[Aren]

Aren laughed at Sayana's accusations of his supposed teasing. She had asked what his passion was, though, and he had simply answered truthfully. It wasn't any one place he had visited, or any one thing he'd experienced, it was the journey he had taken to get there. Wondering what was over the next sunrise, that was the undying flame beneath his chest. Aren had always believed that one day his wanderlust would fade, and he'd go back home to be a good little Akalak like his father wanted him to. It never did, however, and so he just kept walking. Maybe it was the very thought of going back home that was responsible, although he did return every once in a while. Every time he did the urge would hit him harder than ever, though, and he'd be back on the road again before long. "I've never been to Ahnatep, at least not that I can recall, and my mother didn't talk about it much. I don't know if it was because she hated it or because she missed it so. You could never tell with her." The Akalak smiled, although it was plainly a smile designed to cover up a sort of sadness that managed to be obvious anyway. Sayana always seemed to have have a way of cheering him up, though, and Aren promptly brightened when she made it obvious that they had arrived at her home, "A secret that I've never told anyone before?" The warrior repeated, as he placed a hand on her door in order to lean forward towards the Eypharian. "I want to kiss you right now... oh wait, I don't think that's a secret." He smiled cheekily, before giving the matter some serious thought. After a few moments, his facial features adopted a much more serious bearing, "I have a brother." He said softly, realizing that this was the first time he had ever spoken those words out loud. Aren had considered Seros nothing more than a dangerous parasite for so long that he couldn't even recall if he had ever uttered those words period. "W-what did you just say?" Even the darker Other was taken aback by the suddenness of this admission. "I've never told anybody that before... I've never thought of him as that before." The Akalak mumbled absentmindedly, his eyes revealing that his mind was clearly a thousand miles away. "I..." It was truly incredible. For the first time in his life, Seros had been rendered completely and utterly speechless.

[Sayana]

Ahnatep. Sayana missed it. Perhaps that’s why she so often tried to talk about it with friends or why she’d become so excited when she’d meet someone from the Eyktol deserts. At least she’d have something to share with the Akalak. But they were already getting close to her apartment. “A secret that I've never told anyone before? I want to kiss you right now... oh wait, I don't think that's a secret.” As he leaned in she could feel his enticing hot breath. She reached her mid hand up to cup his cheek gently. “We both know that’s not a secret,” Sayana agreed with a cheeky smile of her own. She was about to plant a quick one upon his lips when his expression turned more serious, obviously thinking about the question she had posed. And when he spoke the Eypharian listened intently, and curiously. A brother… it didn’t seem like that big of a secret and yet the Akalak’s tone had been quite serious about the matter. Nevertheless, she opened the door behind her, grabbed a torch from the hallway and led him into her home. The bright array of colours was shockingly different from the cold grey stone of the hallways. Fabrics hung from the ceiling and walls in elegant sweeps and well-crafted furniture gave the apartment a comfortable feel. In moments she had a couple of candles lit and she returned the torch to the bracket. “So, what’s your brother’s name?” Sayana asked curiously while trying to maintain a serious tone. If it was a big deal for him for whatever the reason, she didn’t want to sound too whimsical or light hearted about it. She removed her winter clothing and approached one of the couches to sit down with a contented sigh. She was home, and she had a large handsome Akalak with her too. “Did he… did you have to leave him in Riverfall?” She questioned carefully. She had noticed that something had been a little off when he mentioned having to leave his home city. Maybe that had been the source. She had left her parents and her sister back in Ahnatep. But that was probably for the best. And Karu would make a better daughter than Sayana had ever been. She found herself wanting to close the gap between their bodies and consequently moved in closer. An arm wrapped around him here, a hand touched him gently there as she nestled comfortably against his frame.

[Aren]

As the pair entered Sayana's abode, Aren couldn't help but think how so much more like a home it looked than his own residence. There were decorations and actual pieces of furniture and all the trappings that made a place look like it actually belonged to someone. The Akalak smiled, realizing just how badly his own apartment could use a woman's touch. The spartan lifestyle suited him, but he had to admit that the thought of having somewhere where he could actually feel at home appealed to him. As it stood now, his suite was just the place he went to when he was tired and in need of sleep, nothing more. Aren followed Sayana's lead and sat next to her on one of the comfortable looking couches that adorned her apartment, "His name is Seros." The Akalak stated, in reply to her query, still not too sure exactly how far he would continue to reply to this line of questioning. He could tell from the Eypharian's more subdued demeanor that she had picked up on the fact that this was a somewhat sensitive subject, but he wasn't sure if that would stop her from asking until her curiosity was satisfied. Aren himself didn't think the reason he had always kept this side of him hidden was still valid, but he had been doing it for so long that he wasn't entirely certain how not to. "No. He came with me to Syliras. To Sunberth. To Endryk... He's always-" Before he could finish his sentence, however, the Akalak caught himself. He wasn't ready yet; the words simply choked in his mouth. A century of conscious repression was not so easy to undo, in the end, but the fact that he said as much as he had at least seemed to indicate that progress was being made. "I hope you meet him one day. He's the reason we saw each other again, after all." Aren said, now clearly more collected than he had been a moment ago. Sayana's close proximity certainly helped in that respect, and he unconsciously took one of her hands in his. "This place is lovely." He offered, truthfully, but also in an attempt to shake off the incredibly strong emotions that talking with someone else about Seros evoked. Guilt and regret were always difficult feelings for Aren to handle, but the very real certainty that he had done his own brother wrong out of nothing but childish fear was a particularly heavy cross to bear sometimes. He'd never actually admit it to his Other, but they both knew that he simply wasn't the type to easily forgive his own mistakes. At least here, with Sayana, that burden felt a little lighter. Maybe that's why Seros approved of her; because no matter what he may claim, he didn't like to see his brother in pain.

[Sayana]

"His name is Seros." “Seros…” Sayana murmured quietly, if only to remember the name. She quietly listened to the rest of his explanation. Clearly it was a tender subject, and yet it seemed as though Seros had joined him in Syliras. Maybe the two had had a falling out. Or maybe he was embarrassed by his sibling. And yet, he suggested the possibility of her meeting him. “If you decide to introduce me to him, then I’ll happily meet him,” Sayana replied trying to be diplomatic. When he changed the topic to her home decor she was more than fine with it. She felt she had pried enough and didn’t want to make a misstep. But home furnishings aside, it was her turn. “Why thank you. I think you’re the first to see it. I only redid it ten days ago, or so.” She moved her legs across his lap to curl up more closely to him. She paused a moment and then deciding it wasn’t quite sufficient, she sifted and moved one of his arms to wrap around her waist. Taking in a deep breath she began, “I… I want to tell you of my travels from Ahnatep to here.” She hesitated and sought comfort in resting her head upon his shoulder. “I was foolish, reckless even, when I set out alone. I was only headed for a much closer city, Claridon, but it was to my misfortune that a zith found me before I reached it.” She paused again recalling the memory of her first encounter with the Zith. “Before that I had not known fear. Not truly felt fear.” Her body shuddered and any pretense of a calm explanation disappeared. “It played with me, it petched me, it always came at me from behind – taking me like an animal.” She buried her face in his shoulder, hiding the tears that dampened his skin. “I didn’t mean to run off that morning, I thought I was past that. It had been two seasons since…” She let it trail off as she reorganized her thoughts. “I don’t want it to haunt me anymore. I want to be close and intimate without fear. It was so wonderful that night.” She felt weak and vulnerable and yet his presence and closeness made it easier to bear. She wasn’t used to showing her more tender side but she trusted that if nothing else, at least he’d understand. And maybe they’d even have sex tonight. The thought came unbidden and surprised her out of her emotional upheaval. Even though wanton in nature, the pure and almost childlike desire brought a soft smile to her face. “You said earlier that it was no secret that you wanted to kiss me,” the Eypharian said and she briefly wiped at her eyes before looking at the Akalak expectantly.

[Aren]

Aren wasn't entirely sure how to react to the sentiment that she would gladly meet his brother. Even Seros didn't know if he wanted that; it had been made apparent to him that his understanding of social behavior was painfully inadequate, and for some reason he found himself caring what Sayana might think of him. The Akalak smiled at the continual shifts in position that brought her ever closer to him, until she began telling him of her travels. At first, he thought that she had made it through them little the worse for wear, as she didn't have any particularly obvious physical indications that would indicate otherwise. Aren soon found out how incredibly wrong he was, however, when the story took a turn. Her shaking body alone would have been enough to hint at the depth of her ordeal, but the full revelation of what had happened evoked a seething, primal rage in the warrior that he hadn't experienced in decades. His whole body tensed as he struggled to prevent his barely contained fury from erupting like the Valterrian all over Sayana's nice, newly redone home. It wouldn't have done any good, anyways. She didn't need anger right now, she needed comfort and understanding. Aren bit his lip so hard he drew blood, but in so doing he managed to gain some semblance of control over his thoughts, despite the fact that the Eypharian's story had well and truly rattled him. It was often difficult to hear the past of someone you cared about, especially when it contained pain like this, but the frustration of knowing there was nothing you could do about it was sometimes the hardest part. Now the Akalak understood what had prompted her to leave that morning, why she had such an extreme reaction to such a simple gesture, and the thought that he had made her relive that, even unintentionally, made his stomach sink. Although he hated himself for the mistake, he also knew this moment wasn't about him, it was about the girl weeping on his shoulder. It was about what he could do to make those tears stop, because she deserved nothing less than genuine compassion in this moment of vulnerability. Wrapping his arms around Sayana's body, Aren brought a hand up to the back of her head, hoping that the embrace would convey a sense of safety that he suspected she might need. He didn't know what to say to make it better, or make her forget, but when she looked up at him he realized that what he needed to do was simply what he had wanted to do all along. "More than anything," He said softly, as his lips passionately pressed themselves against her's. In the midst of this, however, he found himself shifting his body on the couch to a position where the Eypharian was beneath him. He wanted more than just a kiss now, he wanted her to remember what it was like not to have to be afraid.

[Sayana]

As he wrapped his arms more firmly around her, she felt her body relax. It was over, and he knew it all, and he was okay with it. She hadn’t been truly worried about his reaction, but still explaining it all was plenty enough. The Eypharian let out a soft sigh slowly calming down from it all. She smiled genuinely at his reply and wrapped her arms around him as he drew in for the kiss. There was a momentary tang of iron as their lips met, but she hardly cared. The warmth and passion of his lips pushed away her dark fears. As he maneuvered to be over top of her, she momentarily hesitated but then relinquished the control. Although the zith encounter was still in the forefront of her thoughts, the Akalak’s gestures were far to inviting to refuse. He was someone she could open up to, to trust, and to share all those intimate delights with. And now all she wanted to think of was the touch and feel of his body and the sensations it provided. Although it would take time, each encounter with Aren seemed to heal her inside. She was able to better remember the light whimsical pleasures she had experienced back in Ahnatep, and also look upon future encounters with less uncertainty. She would leave the dark memories of the zith behind. OOCA little short, but it seemed as though things were concluding for the night.

[Katelyn Marks]

Due Rewards

“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”

― Philip Pullman

 

Sayana

Skills
➢ Cooking +1
➢ Observation +4
➢ Socialization +5
➢ Intimidation +1
➢ Interrogation +2
➢ Dancing +2
➢ Seduction +2
➢ Flirting +1
➢ Instrument: Finger Cymbals +1
➢ Instrument: Tambourine +1

Lores
➢ Aren: Reunited
➢ Aren: Born in Riverfall
➢ Aren: Traveled Mizahar
➢ Aren: Over 100 Years Old
➢ Seros: Aren's Brother
➢ Revealing a Secret
➢ Letting Go
➢ Dancing: Improvisation

Comments: Sayana made my heart melt in this thread. Such a wonderful little read. Seeing her feelings for Aren made me swoon. I'm a sucker for romance. I was also able to give you A LOT of experience. Kind of crazy how much you kept racking up. It was so nice to see them develop their relationship more and deepen their connection.

 

Aren

Skills
➢ Observation +4
➢ Socialization +5
➢ Flirting +3
➢ Seduction +1
➢ Instrument: Tambourine +1

Lores
➢ Sayana: Reunited
➢ Sayana: Born in Ahnatep
➢ Sayana: Seductive Dancer
➢ Sayana: Her Reason for Running
➢ Revealing a Secret
➢ Location: The Rearing Stallion
➢ Tambourine: Maintaining a Beat

Comments: Aren was so smooth! I liked how he handled seeing Sayana again. It was so nice to see Aren and Seros both reacting to Sayana, and getting a little insight into how he cares about Aren. Plus, Aren was such a good shoulder for Sayana to cry on. It was nice to see the primal protectiveness come through. Good job, lover boy!

If you have any concerns or questions about your rewards please feel free to send me a message. Also, please edit your original grade request and mark it as graded. Thank you and enjoy!