High times, how do you tumble?

[Erzotol Silverden]

11th of Summer

A crack of sunlight sprayed in from the entrance of the tent, illuminating the white curtains that served as makeshift divisions for separate living spaces. The glow warmed the back of his eyelids, and they flickered open, the early morning sun having disturbed him from his pleasant sleep. It had all seemed so real, meeting the girl named Mae out on the grass, what they enjoyed together, bringing her back to his tent, it was all just so vivid. There was a subtle pressure against his chest, but he paid no mind to it, his sister would be up soon likely rousing him from sleep to go knit or some other useless thing. An exasperated sigh escaped him, and then he looked down to see at first a mass of brownish hair against his chest. It hadn't been a dream!?

It seemed so strange but then again, it also made him very happy to know that it hadn't all been a dream, quickly followed by anxiety if his sister caught the pair, and what her reaction would be. He would defend Mae as much as anyone would against whatever his sister threw at him, but he knew she would hold it over him for a long time, but then again, he could always retort she shouldn't be peaking through his curtains anyways. Slowly, trying not to startle her awake, he ran his hand through her thick mane of hair, enjoying how soft it felt in his hand, so similar to when he scratched her behind the ears in her kelvic form. Oddly the comparison didn't bother him much now, as if he was used to the idea, it was a pleasant thought to get to wake up to her sleeping beside him night after night if this continued as he hoped it would. He would need to get her clothes soon, something that would fit her nicely and to her leisure, because after all she might have to wear it for long periods of time and didn't want her to grow ill of cities just because of clothing. With another smile he gently brushed his fingers across her back, his other free hand rubbing the sleep out of his eye.

[Merenwen]

The wispy tickle of hair brushing across her neck and chest caused Merenwen to twitch in her sleep. Her nose wrinkled as she subconsciously swiped at a chunk of hair falling into her face. The rays from the sun were beginning to shine through her eyelids, and she knew it was morning. She became aware of the light touch on her back, and cracked an eye open. As she did, she looked up to Erzotol out of the corner of her eye and then closed them once more. She curled her toes and stretched her legs with a long-winded yawn.

Her eyes worked to adjust to the sun as she shifted lightly, curling closer against him. Erzotol appeared to already be awake, but not by much longer than she. She couldn't help but smile and think of the previous day, much delighted to be spending another one with him.

[Erzotol Silverden]

" Good morning Mae, how did your sleep go? " he asked her softly, a callused hand running down her spine to rest on the small of her back. His head still felt thick like cotton, thick with sleep still clinging to him, and his body not yet ready to wake up. It had been a blessing to get such a rest after so long, and after so many nights of light sleep a good letting go of the terrors that plagued his dreams had been good for him. Mae had been good for him.

A wide smile spread across his face, and slowly he sat up on his elbow to dispel his sleepiness if nothing else. His heart beat speed up to a more natural rhythm befitting the athletic drykas, and his eyes scanned the early morning of the tent. The majority of his family would be well on their way to doing the morning chores, something he had decidedly shirked off this day, and he wouldn't be met with resistance if he exited the tent. Still he wanted to make sure Mae was fully awake when he asked her say on what kind of clothes she would like him to pick out for her to wear since after all it would be affecting her for the whole day, at least while she was in Endrykas. " Do you have any preference on what you would like me to pick you up this morning? " he said, leaning down his head slightly in closer to hers so she could feel the heat of his face. He was tempted to kiss her right at that moment but he didn't want to steal one from her while she was half asleep.

[Merenwen]

Merenwen stretched again, arching her back and extending her legs and arms in an attempt to awaken them. Her eyes still felt weighed down by the claws of sleep, and her body tingled with her every movement. She listened as Erzotol spoke, though through her yawns, his voice sounded very much like he was speaking through a seashell. Lazily she nodded to signal her satisfactory sleep. As he craned his head down close to hers, she pressed her forehead against his lips, much like a cat would rub against the leg of an owner.

She struggled to comprehend his questions as she felt her body slipping in and out of consciousness. After attempting to think on clothing, she finally managed a little shrug. She knew nothing about clothes, admittedly. There were so many types, styles, colors. In the grasses, she had seen many people pass by. It seemed that they wore things according to their race, their status, their ambition. She was, simply put, an animal. And animals didn't wear clothes. She decided she would trust his judgments in what he chose for her, and try to do so proudly. For him.

[Erzotol Silverden]

He kissed her forehead softly; bring a hand to run through her thick hair once more before shifting out from under her. Her skin was soft, and had a hint of salt about it, something he found oddly arousing. Now was not the time for such thoughts though, he needed to find her clothes, and she extra sleep. It seemed that the two could be solved in one breath, the thought bringing a smile to his lips at the work of his mind this early in the day. " Sleep, I'll wake you when I return " he whispered softly, and let his fingers drift from the soft tangled curls in her hair as he stood up straight and adjusted his armor, and clothing. Being seen out in the city looking like he just woke up wouldn't be good for his miniscule reputation, and likely if his sister saw him she would make a jab at his apparent laziness though if she knew the truth of the look, she might be incited to more than verbal abuse on his person. For reasons he didn't care to know why, she liked to find something about him that could use some work, or she could judge and pick at it until it was raw, wait a few days and repeat. Perhaps he had been too bossy with her when they where little, or maybe he had been the same way to her. It was so hard to remember such times when she had been gone for so long. She was back now though, and that was all that mattered, that and the fact that his mother was smiling again with the return of her beloved daughter. All was well in the Silverden Pavilion, mostly.

*****

His heart beat hard in his chest, still thrumming hard with energy after his run around Endrykas. On his way to pick up some clothes for Mae, he had decided that it was the perfect time for a short little run, the kelvic probably needing more rest anyways. Now he was on his way back to the large pavilion that belonged to his family, a cotton shift clutched in his hand, taking long strides to reach the pavilion quickly. Sweat clung onto his skin, covering it like a second layer of clothing, and he knew he would have to pay a visit to the water barrel before his dried uncomfortably on his skin, as sweat tended to do after nearly a day and a half of not washing. It wasn't beyond anything he had ever experienced and truly he could mind the minor discomfort, but he also wanted to look good for Mae, and he wasn't sure how good a sweaty, dirt caked drykas looked to her eyes. The shadows within the tent where instantly a refreshing change from the constant heat of the sun outside, and even in the absence of a breeze his body was quick to cool, on the surface anyways. Walking a bit slower now, he moved to the back of the tent to where he laid his bed, and slowly pulled aside the curtain. " Mae? I'm back "

[Merenwen]

Merewen had been shifting around for a brief moment, attempting to expel the blanket of sleep from her body. She stretched to her body's extent as Erzotol entered the tent again. It seemed as if he had only been gone minutes, though she knew better by the intensity of the light flooding the tent now that he pulled back the curtain. She squinted through one eye as she smiled up at him.

"I cannot for the life of me remember the last time I slept so soundly!" Her voice was crystalline clear with genuine excitement as she spoke, continuing to stretch. She watched him from head to toe as he moved, and smiled when her eyes met his.

[Erzotol Silverden]

He paused for a moment as his breath caught in his chest. She was even more breathtaking in the light of the new day, the sun glowing golden across her bare skin, and stirring feelings within him. " I share the same sentiment " he echoed, moving across the short expanse of ground between them to crouch in front of her, the soft swatch of fabric dangling from his hand before him. Being this close to the woman didn't much help him quell his rising feelings, but he wanted to be near her. His eye kept with hers, not out of fear of looking at her naked body, they where well beyond that now, but out of a general affection for the kelvic, reflected so in his soft blue eyes. A smile, genuine and true came to his face as he reached out with his left hand; one not burdened by fabric, and stroked her cheek gently while his eyes kept hers. Her skin was so smooth, giving off a pleasant natural aroma that was he suspected her own scent. Briefly he wondered what it would be like to have the sensitive smell of a animal to pick at and decipher odors just by sniffing the air. If they got to smell from Mae only a fraction of what his poor senses picked up, then it would be well worth it indeed.

Tired of supporting his weight in such a awkward position, his legs gently collapsed underneath him, his knees landing in the dust on either side of hers. " I purchased you this sift, I hope you like it " he said holding out his right hand this time, and opening it for her to take the fabric. It was a simple thing really, a light white in color, though shifting more on the side of grey depending on the lighting. The sift besides its color also had generous hole for the head, and two slits on the sides for arms, the bottom of it draping far below obviously to be used as a single garment in absence of breeches and pants. " It was the most comfortable, easy to get out of thing I could find. If you don't like it, I can always run back to the shop and get you another one. " he said softly, his eyes never looking away from hers as his left hand fell to her shoulder, fingers slightly plying the soft skin beneath. His heart beat slowly in his ears, every slight touch against her radiating in his mind, and reacting to it, he sharply drew his breath. Leaning in towards her slowly, he kissed her, holding back a response surely coming, to overcome by his own passion. She was quite lovely wasn't she?

[Merenwen]

Merenwen's pupils altered to suit the intensity of the light as she surveyed him. His precise eye contact made her shiver ever slightly as he drew closer. His light touch sent tendrils of sparks through her skin. As he held out the shift, she smiled and nodded her head.

"You're too kind," She replied as his hand reached for her shoulder. Before she could manage much more of a reply, his lips met hers unexpectedly. Nevertheless, she leaned into him, meeting his advance with generous acceptance. Her head buzzed with the familiar exhilaration of his lips against her skin.

Though she was comfortable with him, and undoubtedly valued his presence, she couldn't escape the fact that she was still very puzzled. Where in the world had this passion come from? To house an overnight desire to be with him at all times left her utterly shocked at herself. And yet, she was thoroughly pleased, to say the least. Never had she felt so connected, so happy in the company of another, much less a man. They were interesting creatures that she had previously found to be for amusement purposes only. Though here Erzotol was, displaying his equal affection for her. Would it be short-lived?

She hoped not.

[Erzotol Silverden]

A small gasp escaped his lips as they met hers, him not expecting them to be so soft and reassuring. He kissed her again, more insistently this time, not quite in control of his own movements as a callused hand slipped up her neck to cradle the nape of it. Every breath he took filled him more with her intoxicating scent, so much so that he thought his eyes should have been showing signs of reddening and his cheeks be flushed like after a night drinking. No such symptoms occurred though, at least not those signs, but ones more apparent, and related more so to the passion of the moment. His hand just behind her neck trembled slightly with the excitement tingling in his muscles, too much for him to even contain in this moment he gave to her whole heartedly. Another crush of their lips together pushed him further along the path his body desired, his right hand resting easily on her hip, and lightly squeezing it. Slowly his hand slid across her hip, dipping slightly underneath the cloth of the cotton sift, and lower before he managed to stop himself, allowing himself one more long passionate kiss, before breaking it, and sitting backwards to rest more fully on his knees.

This was not the first time they had kissed, he could exercise some measure of control, and at least let the poor woman wake up properly without trying to fulfill his bodies own needs. It had been exciting, and it felt like the hardest thing he ever had done to pull away from her but he did because it was right. Still the stirred up passion made him breathe heavily, each breath short and rapid as he fought to bring air into his lungs. His eyes watched hers steadily, and with a glance down to the sift, a frown formed and tugged at the corner of his mouth. " Sorry for my eagerness, and my lack of respect for you. I will control my actions better next time. " he said softly, not looking into her eyes for a moment. He didn't want to seem like he had no control to her, and the fact that he had lost it confused him, it hadn't happened often to him. Always even though he wasn't much of a fighter yet, he had admired his control of his actions, not rushing brashly into a fight, not doing some death defying stunt to impress a girl, and not trying to seduce a woman in his tent in the wee hours of the morning. Of course the latter had never happened before now, but the sentiment was the same. He wondered if she could forgive him.

[Merenwen]

Mae snickered only lightly before making her way over to him with a bat of her thick lashes. She kissed his neck as she crawled into his lap. She made her way up his neck and rested her chin on his shoulder as shr hugged him.

"It's okay, Erzotol." She said softly. "I wouldn't have let you of I didn't want you to." She leaned back so her eyes could meet his before taking the initiative to kiss him on her own accord. She hoped it would make him feel better, less like he had taken a sort of advantage over her.

She imagined she liked the sensation of his skin against hers just as much as he did hers, amongst other things. It was truly remarkable, the feelings he had instilled in her as of late, but she certainly didn't regret it by any means. Again, she laid her chin on his shoulder, sighing this time, as she reached around to rub the sleep from her eyes.