[Endrykas] Entwining Two Tales (Kashik and Khiara)

[Vanator]

Timestamp: 20th Day of Fall, 510 AV Time of Day: Late evening Status: Private, tag Kashik and Khiara The hour was late, though there were still some die-hard revelers over in the wedding pavilion, probably would be until almost dawn. The young brides and their groom had slipped out for a moment to one of the small candlelit grottos set up outside the main pavilion, sharing a drink, admired their new Chevas marks and reflected on the ceremony and the rowdy after-party. Vanator took a sip of wine, his smiling eyes resting on Kashik. She still wore her white lacy wedding dress, the embedded crystals sparkling in the flickering candle light. Her deep bronze skin glowed warmly in the flame's cast, her teal eyes bright as if possessing their own light. He caught her gaze, expressing his love and admiration in a simple glance. A light smile crossed his lips as his eyes darted to Khiara, then back. Kashik would know what Van was thinking, it was time. Kashik had taken the Vanthan girl under her wing to teach her the ways of Drykas life. But Vanator had suspected that his wife had done even more, schooling the young girl in the ways of marriage, and even of the wedding night. Now, it was Khiara's time. Sensitive to the new way of life, and Khiara's inexperience, Kashik and Vanator had agreed that a private tent would be easier for the girl's first time with her husband. Then, once the newly weds had their time together, they would rejoin the family in the Denusk Pavilion, and Khiara would take her place on the large pile of furs that served as Kashik and Vanator's bed. Then, Van would celebrate his official wedding with Kash. Vanator's hand slipped across the table to take Khiara's small soft hand. He met her eyes, ever shifting pools of lavender and gold. She too, had to understand what was in Vanator's gaze, as he rose to his feet, but spoke no words. His eye shifted back to Kashik, encouraging his first wife to speak any last words of encouragement.

[Kashik]

Kashik was, for once, not drunk at a party - ah! The pressures of pregnancy. She'd found herself having a wonderful time, though, overwhelmed by the joy that had come to infuse her days. There was happiness here that few were lucky enough to experience, and Kashik was careful to revel in every moment of it.

As she caught the look in her husband's eye and understood where the night was going, she chuckled and leaned up to press a warm kiss to his lips. "Congratulations, Van," she murmured, pulling him into a hug as she sighed happily against his chest.

She released him after only a moment, though, and turned her attention to Khiara. Another kiss was pressed to her lips, and then she wrapped her arms around her as well. "You've made our family complete," she whispered into Khiara's ear, and her voice thick with love and gratitude. "I will never be able to thank you enough for that." She drew back, smiling up at the Vanthan girl - no, she was Drykas now, no matter where her blood came from.

She took Khiara's hand in one of hers, and the other reached for Vanator's. Then, as if in some sort of secret ritual, she slid Khiara's hand into Vanator's and released them both. "Go," she chuckled. "Show each other how you've felt all along. I'll be waiting," she said with a smile. Which twisted, for Kashik couldn't be expected to be so serious all of the time, and she gave them an impish wink before slapping them both on the ass. "Off with you! It's your wedding night, go enjoy it," she laughed.

[Khiara]

Khiara couldn't believe it. She was married. Unable to wipe the soft smile from her face all night, the young woman sipped her drink and touched the mark on her neck, just behind her ear. It had felt warm at first, like a hand pressing against her skin, before turning icy cold. Then, it had just been. Away from the main pavilion, and from the delighted guests and rowdy drinkers, the brunette simply relieved the events. Not only of the night, but how she had ended up here. It felt like a lifetime in the space of a year...so much hurt, and confusion...sorrow. But then happiness, friendship. Learning to live again. Learning to love. Smiling again, she took another sip of her drink, resting her head against the back of her chair. She still wore the white wedding dress, soft and silky against her skin, and her hair was intricately twined with the white ribbon Kashik had woven in. Gold and violet highlights danced in the candle light, and a light flush touched her cheeks from the wine.

As a warm hand took hers, Khiara lifted her head to look at Vanator, smiling back. There was something to his gaze, something that stirred the butterflies in her stomach. She remembered this feeling, the one she suppressed so often it became almost unbearable. Swallowing, she felt the warmth rising in her cheeks, and her eyes had turned a soft shade of deep lavender. Standing as he did, the vantha born felt her heart beating in her throat. Watching as Kashik kissed him, the girl was again amazed at the ease the drykas woman took her in and accepted her for what she was. What she had become. As the golden woman turned to her, Khiara welcomed her kiss and hugged her tightly.

"May you be blessed with the strength of the Goddess, the light of the sun and the radiance of the moon. Thank you, for all of this, Kashik. Sister, mother, beloved." She said in almost a whisper, the last three words spoken in vani. Pulling away, the brunette glanced shyly at Vanator as Kashik joined their hands, unable to meet his gaze for long. All their hidden desires and restrained moments, those stolen kisses before she'd left. They'd all been so desperate and needing and urgent. Now, they had time. They had...freedom. Khiara suddenly found herself feeling nervous and almost self conscious. Kashik had talked to her about what would happen....in extensive detail. Maybe some of it was familiar, the fooling around and the kissing. Maybe some of it wasn't...and maybe some of it was slightly worrisome. Jumping as the drykas slapped her rump, Khiara turned her deeply lavender gaze on the woman, watching as she left.

Turning back to Vanator, she found herself captivated by his gaze. Rich, intense, and flecked through with gold - his eyes saw through her. They knew her pain, tragedy and loss binding her to him in a way only he could understand. She opened her mouth slightly, to say something...anything to break the electric tension building between them. How long, how petching long had she wanted this. Waited? How many times in her dreams had she envisioned this, waking in a tousled sweat and breathing as though she'd run a marathon. It had eaten at her, and now there was nothing to stop them. What could she say? Unable to speak, she breathed through parted lips, eyes locked on his own.

[Vanator]

Vanator turned to look over his shoulder, grinning at the sting left by Kashik's teasing swat. He mouthed words she would easily see, I love you! Another wink and a broad, promising grin and Vanator turned his attention back to Khiara. His hand slipped to allow his fingers to entwine with hers, pulling her close and meeting her rich violet gaze. There was a strange hesitation, as if all that was happening could not possibly be happening. The Drykas had resolved, more than once, that he could act upon the love he had for Khiara. There were others hearts to consider, and Khi and Van had agreed that they would not hurt Pygmy first, then Kashik. But Dhanya was gone, and Kashik had welcomed Khiara graciously. Van turned to look at the tent set up just for them. Now, it seemed, all that stood between the two was a short expanse of trampled grass. The husband's gaze returned to his new wife, growing sincere, yet softened with a gentle smile. His free hand lifted to her cheek, always warm to the touch, his thumb lightly brushing her soft olive skin. "Khiara, my love," it was with great pleasure that he could finally address her with the affections he felt, his voice hushed and heartfelt, "I have waited so long to be with you, when I thought I never would." Vanator's hand slid down to trace the Chevas mark on the girl's neck, one he knew matched his and Kashik's. His gaze returned to Khiara's, eyes narrowing, as if searching the depths of her deep hued eyes for something. "My wife, are you ready?" It was an honest question. This was a very large step for the girl, thousands of leagues from her home and family, having lost her first love, now in a culture that she was still learning to understand, and facing an intimacy she had yet to experience. Vanator did not want to overwhelm her, Though the patch of ground between them and the tent seemed to grow larger the longer they tarried in the moonlight. If Khiara was ready, Vanator would lead her by the hand the short distance to the tent, and through the canvas doorway.

[Khiara]

Closing her eyes, Khiara rested her head against the warmth of his hand. She'd wanted to feel his touch, ever since they'd parted in Endrykas. Strange, how she should end up here again, returned to him.  The Goddess had tested her, broke her, and Endrykas had put her back together. Briefly, the vantha wondered...was the Goddess really watching her anymore? Or had she moved into another deity's relm? The girl felt his hand move, touching the chevas mark on her neck. A living, visible mark of their love and connection. There was a pang of sorrow, a sadness she would never completely overcome. Eliac would always be in her heart, but at least now, she could remember with happiness. Opening her rich lavender eyes, Khiara could see Vanator's gaze shift toward the private pavilion just a small way from them. Her heart beat faster and butterflies swirled in her stomach.

As he spoke, the young woman felt a warm glow inside. My love. My wife. Endless months had she wanted to hear him say those words. Tears stung her eyes, but she didn't cry. Blinking back the overwhelming emotions, Khiara smiled.

"Yes." She said simply, unable to hide the small quaiver in her voice. The brunette wasn't scared, but she was unsure. Nervous, shy and slightly self concious. Kashik was more experianced...what if she did things...wrong. Allowing Vanator to lead her, Khiara entered the pavilion. It was warm inside, low burning candles giving the small tent a soft glow. Primary covered in cushions and bedding, the pavilion gave privacy and a feeling of security. Off to the side there was a small low table upon which a jug and two cups sat, water or wine the vantha wasn't sure. Looking around, the brunette felt the fluttering in her stomach and laughed softly. Her eyes swirled gold and lavender as she looked back at the drykas.

"I've imagined this so often, I think my mind was more ready than I was."

[Vanator]

Vanator glanced around the tent, pleased with the inviting and warm atmosphere the women of his pavilion had created. No doubt Kashik had something to do with it. His eyes came to rest on Khiara as she laughed softly, making her confession. I've imagined this so often, I think my mind was more ready than I was. Vanator's eyes softened, his smile widening slightly. His desire was to make the moment about her. It was a special night for him, of course. He would share something with Khiara that they had denied for so long. It made his heart swell to stand with her, in their honeymoon tent, when once he believed he would never see her again, would never be able to express the love he had for her. But for Khiara, he wanted this to be a time not only of joining with him in a love they had longed to embrace, but a moment of healing for the wounds she had suffered at fate's hand. Van's hands held his bride's small hands in a soft but firm grasp. "We are in no hurry Khi. Right now it is just about being together." He gently urged her to sit on the pile of cushions. He sat next to her, reaching over to the small table to pour the contents of the jug into the cups. It was a light, delicate red wine, not the dark vintage given to the wedding revelers. Passing a cup to Khiara, he raised it slightly to her in a salute and sipped at the liquid. A small drop escaped and trickled down his chin, and he chuckled as he wiped it away with the back of his hand. His gaze lifted to the flowing hues of her eyes. "I Remember when we first met, the thing that stuck me so were your amazing eyes, you know I had never seen a Vanthan's eyes before that day. I could not keep from staring at them. That and your big sweaty white horse!" He laughed. The husband found himself still captivated by the exotic swirls of color in the woman's irises. Khiara had been very different from Drykas women back then. She was olive-skinned and carried a softness in her feminine shape. Her hair was dark and shimmered with hints of gold and violet. He found her exotic and beautiful. And she sweated, a lot. A secret grin crossed his face at the memory. Now, some of her softness had been replaced by lean muscles after living with the Drykas, and she had become acclimated to the warmer climate, but Khiara still possessed that strange beauty he found irresistable. After a pause, Vanator's gaze lowered to her mouth, leaning in and pressing a kiss against it, letting it linger for a long moment. He inhaled her scent, tasted the hint of sweet fruit on her lips, his head shifting slightly to feel a delightful friction between their lips. He savored the kiss like a sip of a rare wine, and it sent a warm flush to his face.

[Khiara]

Allowing herself to be guided, Khiara seated herself amidst the soft cushions and took the offered cup of wine, smiling at Vanator's words. He was always so careful, so caring. No matter what she threw at him in her grief and despair, he'd never been cruel or turned her away. It kept her sane when insanity lurked at her doorstep. Even now, it grounded her nervous and unsure emotions. Sipping the pleasingly light wine, her eyes settled on a light lavender - a sign of relaxation and love.

As the golden man spoke about their first meeting, the vantha couldn't help but blush with delight - giggling as he spoke about Vsenri. It was probably the worst time to ever meet someone, drenched in sweat and riding a miserable overheated horse. How romantic.

"I remember. I thought we would die in the heat, it was so horrible." Again she laughed at the thought, looking down at her wine and swirling it softly. Looking up, she noticed the shift in the drykas and lost her train of thought, words flitting away. Her pulse quickened and the brunette held herself still as he leaned in, lips closing in on her own. Closing her eyes, Khiara felt the same thrill up her spine as she had the first time he'd kissed her. It was almost just like this, only last time it had been unfair and wrong. She had fled, upset at hurting her friend and confused about her feelings. But now, there was no confusion and no hurt. Everything this time, was right.

Heart beating in her ears, the vantha lifted a hand and rested feather light fingers against his arm, responding to the kiss with a small relieved sigh. A raging blizzard could have swirled through the tent that very moment, and she wouldn't notice. Every fibre of her being focused on Vanator's lips, savouring everything they'd held back.

[Vanator]

The kiss lingered for what seemed a bell. It was simple and uncomplicated, a pure but intense expression of the depth of their long bridled love delivered at one electric point of contact. Setting down his wine cup, Van's hand moved gently underneath her long dark hair to rest at the back of her neck. As the moments passed and they poured their passion into their mouth's embrace, Vanator felt the familiar rising desire for Khiara, but now he did not have to repress it, only contain it until the time was right for the both of them. He broke away slowly from her parted lips, his hand slipping from her neck down to press her cool palm into his. "I am glad you came with us from Riverfall, Khiara. I don't think I could have left you there. I know I couldn't have. Even Kaskik knew that. I understand it was a big step, to become one of us. I...I don't want you to lose who you are, what you are as a Vantha. Not only am I blessed by who you are, but the entire Pavilion is. They will love to hear the tales of Avanthal, to learn what it is like to live in a land of ice and snow." Then he hesitated. Vanator understood that it was still difficult for Khiara to think of her homeland, of the family and lifestyle she left behind, and the tragedy of losing Eliac. She would become Drykas, but it was important to her husband that she not forget where she came from. His people embraced what could be learned from other cultures. Besides, the children she would bear for him would be half Vanthan. His warm smiled widened again as he shifted closer to Khiara. The Drykas studied his new bride, no longer having to appreciate her beauty with furtive glances and hidden gaze. She had been with them since the beginning of summer, and he had been blessed to be able to see her face everyday. But now, he sat with eager but nervous anticipation to to finally be with her, to know all of her. Once again he leaned towards Khiara, his face close to hers. Van felt her warm breath on his lips. "Khiara..." He spoke softly, pausing. Was it too soon, was she ready? The older man did not want to rush his new bride, but he had waited a long time for her. His mouth lingered inches from hers, his eyes searching the deep, rich lavender of her gentle eyes.

[Khiara]

(( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiO_7LhPZFM ))

Lost in the warmth of his lips and the calloused hand on her neck, Khiara felt goose bumps rise to her flesh as her whole being accepted this moment. There would be no interruptions or running away. This was not goodbye, but in fact the start of something eternal. A flash across her eyes, of another man. His green and gold eyes smiled at her with love and devotion - and peace.

As Vanator moved away gently, Khiara opened her eyes to meet those of her husband. Her love, found anew. She smiled as he spoke, the memories of her home still bitter-sweet and bringing tears to her eyes. Determined to keep away thoughts of sadness, the brunette blinked them back and nodded.

"I will never forget who I am, what I am. Avanthal is still my home, as much as Drykas. The Goddess sings to me and winter runs through my veins. When she walks the world bringing forth the snows, I will have my two homes as one." Squeezing his hand in hers, the vantha spoke softly in vani.

"You are my husband
My feet shall run because of you
My feet dance because of you
My heart shall beat because of you
My eyes see because of you
My mind thinks because of you
And I shall love because of you."

As the sun kissed man moved closer Khiara met his smile with her own, blushing as rich brown eyes looked her over properly without hesitation or restraint. He moved closer still, sweet scent of wine tickling her parted lips as he breathed. The sound of her name, a question spoken in tones that sent a shiver up her spine. Looking down at the soft warmth of his mouth, then back up into those golden flecked eyes, the young woman leaned closer to the drykas. Pressing her mouth against his, Khiara entwined her fingers in his hand still holding her own, flicking the tip of her tongue lightly against his lips before pulling back to look into his eyes again. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes nervous - but trusting. She was ready.

[Vanator]

For a moment, Vanator regretted bringing up Avanthal. He had touched on wounds still mending. The tears were welling in Khiara's eyes, though she did not let them fall. There was still healing that had to occur in the young girl's scarred heart. Vanator had taken it upon himself to tend to her brokenness starting in Riverfall, now as her husband he swore to himself he would see her through. When she spoke, Khiara's accent sounded almost musical, even more beautiful was the song she softly sung to him. Van did not understand the lyrics, but the lovely lilting words and warm tone and timbre spoke to him, and he understood the loving intent behind her song. The two of them had so few opportunities to display their affection for each other, and Khiara's simple heartfelt song, her open expression of love melted the Drykas man's heart. At that moment all that he was now centered on this woman, and he felt a swelling in his chest and a flutter that prompted him...it was time. The couple exchanged another playful kiss. Vanator searched Khiara's vibrant eyes again. He could see the flush in her cheeks, sure that his own had grown red. Her gaze was tentative but willing, and he knew that she was ready to give herself to him. Taking her by her cool hands, Vanator helped her to her feet. He released her to place his palms on Khiara's smooth olive cheeks, and he pressed a kiss to her mouth, parting his lips after a breath, his tongue gently slipping between her lips to lightly touch the tip of her own tongue. As the two kissed slowly and passionately, Vans' hand reached behind her, his fingers working loose the fastenings of her wedding dress. The husband soflty tugged on the silky garment's shoulders, allowing it to fall to the carpeted ground in a pool of ivory folds.