Solo The Art of Seduction (Pt 1)

[Rosela]

Timestamp: 1st of Fall, 512 AV Rosela was never much for public libraries. Her family had maintained a decent one, and she’d never bothered when she was married. Growing up, any question needed only to be directed to the nearest tutor and she’d have her answer. There had been a family nearby with an entire wing of the house dedicated to a library. The rumor mill had it that half the books were fake though, and Rosela had never gotten a chance to sneak in and investigate for herself. Of all the things to fake for prestige, how silly to fake a library. Fake the number of bedrooms, the size of your jewelry collection, your wife’s wardrobe, but not the library. Riverfall’s Valkalah library wasn’t by any means a mountain of information, but it was big enough. She’d bet none of these books were fake. Wouldn’t that beat all, a library for the rich and famous to mingle and look smart, but with all fake books. After registering at the desk, she meandered the aisles, looking for a section on fashion. Or sewing, whichever she came across first. She had the day free, and so was in no particular hurry. Random titles struck her as she passed: “101 Recipes for the Busy Wife”, “A Wilderness Guide to Mushrooms”, “Nakivak and You: What to Expect”. She passed into the next aisle and a title stuck out and stopped her. “The Art of Seduction.” Her first reaction dismissed it, and willed herself to keep moving. The Art of Seduction? Anything under the sun could be called an art, if one worked at it enough. How did one work at seduction? Attracting a quota of men each day? The idea appealed, but she still didn’t pick out the book. She already attracted plenty of men. What did she need more for? The niggling thought of being more attractive, more desirable, persuaded her to slowly reach out and pull the book from the shelf. It had a dark red cover, so dark it looked almost black, with an imprint of a flower she didn’t recognize on the front. It was small, but how much could one really write on seduction? Forgetting all about the reason she came in the first place, she checked the book out and left. Clouds were gathering for an autumn storm, so she walked swiftly home. She could have made a display of reading it in public, perhaps stretched out on the beach in her swimwear, but she’d have to contend with the weather for now. She had just barely made it inside when the sky opened up and it began to pour. The miserable weather only made her miserable home look even worse. Perhaps she’d use the book to snare a rich Akalak with a nice, big villa. Candles lit, dinner ate, and storm still raging, Rosela finally sat down and opened the book.

[Rosela]

An hour later found her so deeply engrossed, she hadn’t even noticed the storm had passed. To think, she had lived her life catching men’s eyes on her looks alone. There were whole avenues to be explored, with which even someone ugly could catch and hold a man captive. The whole first section was practically worth skipping – it was all about rules anyone decent would know, but it was odd so see such things written down in objective terms. Hygiene is of the utmost importance; maintain sophistication and class at all times; dress carefully and with an assured sense of style; be as genuine as possible. She could handle everything but the genuine part. What if she didn’t like him? What if he was boring? It’s never best to dwell on unpleasant thoughts while with company, but avoid displaying them at all costs until you can force them from your mind. A lady keeps her true feelings close to the vest, and is always aware of her body language. Body language – a whole new chapter. How to avert your eyes to show interest and coyness, how to put the right amount of sauce in your walk dependent on your audience, how to hold your arms for maximum nonverbal communication. That section was a bit lacking, and Rosela pursed her lips while flipping through it. The book was obviously racist, as it only gave instructions on what to do with two arms at a time. The whole of it was starting to sound a bit too much like her childhood etiquette lessons, but with a little fortunate spice to make it actually interesting. If her younger self had known that variations of the same principles could be used to snare a man, not just a husband, she would have paid more attention. After the introductory chapters, the remainder of the book focused on the five stages of seduction: The Look, Opening Line, Conversation, Touch, and Intimacy. Stopping at the end of the Look chapter, she stretched widely and noticed that it had stopped raining. Catching herself in the mirror, she twisted around to look at herself fully. At first she just stared, studying the lines of her face. One eye closed slowly into a secretive wink. Catching her eyes from the side, she blew herself a kiss. One eyebrow cocked upward and she smiled wryly. Making note of the candles in the room, she tilted her head this way and that, holding her hair in various hands. The book had talked about finding one’s best light – the angle at which the light fell most flatteringly across one’s face. She twisted in the chair to see all the possible angles, moving her head slowly from one position to the next. She’d always known her right side was her best, but it seemed it was even better when the light was at a nearly horizontal location, slightly higher than eye level. It set off the sheen in her makeup and minimized the shadows around her nose nicely. The Look was simple enough, but she needed prey other than her own reflection.

[Rosela]

The weather assured not many would be out, but perhaps that was for the best. A crowd would be distracting and a Look only worked if the recipient actually saw it. As she meandered down the wet street, she saw plenty of movement behind curtains and closed windows, but no one had ventured outside yet. The Bazaar flickered in her mind like a candle, and she immediately turned towards it. If anywhere would be taking advantage of the storm breaking, it would be there. She was right, and by the time she got there, most of the tents had been unpacked and uncovered, with a few shoppers flitting between them. Rosela was the only one who walked without a purpose, as it seemed most of the shoppers were harried women and eager errand boys, trying to pick up a few things while the rain had stopped. Rosela realized it was disconcerting to see so many women without the filter of the masses of men. Since her main interest was in Riverfall’s gorgeous Akalak men, it was hard to remember that they actually took up most of the population. There was a flash of bare violet back a few tents down and she immediately gravitated towards it. He was adjusting something in a burlap sack as he slowly turned towards her. Now was her chance. Adjusting her walk to give her hips a little more bounce, she tilted her head and kept him in her peripheral vision, ready to catch his eye the moment he looked up. He was obviously frustrated with finding something in the bag, and huffed in anger. Giving up on finding it visually, he plunged his arm in and looked up. Rosela immediately swung her eyes to his, and they locked gazes. While doing a mental victory dance, Rosela blinked once in surprise and turned her head slightly to give him a secretive smile. Success! His eyes widened in pleasant surprise and his mouth opened slightly as he smiled back. Suddenly his eyes widened in excitement and Rosela felt panic rise at his unusual reaction. He broke eye contact and looked down into his bag, pulling out a small pouch. Completely ignoring her, he spun around and trotted back to the tent he’d come from, brandishing the small bag and talking excitedly in Tukant. Rosela soured and walked briskly by. Feeling petulant, she scowled up at the sky. If it weren’t for the stupid rain, she would have had him. It didn’t quite make sense, but blaming someone else for losing him made her feel better. Why did she care anyway? She hadn’t even gotten to the Opening Line chapter anyway. Brushing back her hair, she threw off the irritation and kept walking. The sun was starting to break and she’d have more prey soon anyway.

[Rosela]

The young Akalak manning the leatherworking shop paused in his work to give her a shy, awkward smile as she passed. The elderly human man at the jewelry stall seemed to think her attention was on his wares rather than him personally, and brandished an ornate necklace for her. Despite her failure, it was a sweet gesture, and Rosela laughed a refusal as she passed. The elderly human man at the fishing supplies stall two tents down wasn’t nearly as receptive. She had offered only a shy smile before he scowled at her from under drooping, grey eyebrows. The next stall was a wild success as her eyelash fluttering stopped the young shopkeeper mid-sale. His customer turned to see what had caused the disruption and gave her an equally appreciative look. The next few stalls were a bust, one containing what looked to be a marital argument, another with a pair of slender Konti women already occupying the tailor’s eye, and another manned by a pregnant woman with forearms the size of a man’s. The last stall in the bazaar was another elderly human man, selling cheaply made cookware. Rosela didn’t bother wasting more than a look of surprise on him, but he gave her an openly lecherous look anyway. Despite what the book had said about unpleasant thoughts, she rolled her eyes in disgust and walked swiftly away, out of the bazaar. It had been an overall successful day, she’d have to say. She mentally took back her anger at the clouds, and thanked Zulrav instead, despite the fact that the sky was once again threatening to pour. Her introduction to the Look had likely only been successful because she wasn’t competing with a horde of other shoppers for attention. As it was, she took to the empty streets again, headed home. As she started over the river bridge, she saw a fine Akalak male start on the bridge from the other side. His attention was called out to the roiling sea, with its armies of white-capped waves coming and going in their journey to the shore. While Rosela was still deciding an approach, he suddenly turned to look at her, catching her staring at him. She blushed furiously at getting caught off guard, but he held her eye. As they neared the center of the bridge, excitement built in her chest. This would be the perfect time to try advancing beyond the Look. Steps slowed as they neared each other. The Akalak opened his mouth as he neared and Rosela excitedly waited for his Opening Line. Would it be cute? Corny? A mundane observation? Just as she heard the first rumble of his voice, the sky above split with a strike of lightning and the resulting thunder crack startled them both. Their eyes met again in an exchange of humorous embarrassment, before the clouds finally opened up again and buckets of rain poured down. Rosela cried out in surprise and completely forgot about her companion as she took off across the bridge, two arms over her head in an attempt to protect her hair from the rain. OOC : This is part 1 of a 5 part series I’ll (eventually) be writing, each part focusing on the next step in seduction. She won’t be relying on the book the whole way, but it will feature in each part.

[Rosela]

Of all times for the rain to kick in, Matsuki had picked the worst time. Arms still over her head in a failing attempt to protect her hair, Rosela gave up and trotted to a stop under a shop overhang. The sign in the door proclaimed it to be closed, and invited her to come back tomorrow. Two hands braced on either side of her face, she peered in the dark window. Not a soul stirred inside and she huffed as she straightened, leaving the fog of her breath on the window. This was supposed to be her sexy day, and instead she was running from the rain, looking like a drowned rat. Her makeup so far had survived, but the rain behind her showed no signs of stopping. The reflection in the window did show promise though, as a beefy Akalak dove out of the alleyway across the street and under the shop overhang directly across from hers. Through the thunder of the rain pounding on the cobblestones, she hadn’t even heard his footsteps. If she had only gone left instead of right, they might have ended up under the same cover, but no matter. Watching him carefully in the reflection of her shop’s window, Rosela prepared herself for the grand Look. Hips tilted, shoulders back, she lifted a pair of hands to fuss slowly with her hair. As soon as he looked up, she’d strike. He took an inordinate amount of time wringing out his own long, black locks, but Rosela resolved to continue pretending not to notice him until he noticed her. The moment had to be perfect. Her impatience got the better of her when he swiped his shirt off to wring it out, and Rosela immediately spun to look at him in surprise. The motion was without her even willing it; her baser mind knew that a fine chest like that couldn’t be admired just in a reflection. Her movement caught his attention, and the pair found themselves staring across a sheet of pouring rain, equal amounts of surprise plainly written on their faces. Fine plan ruined, Rosela ran though her possible responses. Lusty, shy, coy, embarrassed… Breaking eye contact with a quick glance to the side, she lifted one hand to her lips and allowed an obvious giggle. He glanced down once at his chest and looked away with a half suppressed smile. With a huff of laughter, he swung the damp shirt back on, and Rosela discreetly appreciated the sway and stretch of his muscles. Aah, if there was ever a place for Rosela to call home, it was Riverfall. After pulling his long hair out of the collar of his shirt, he seemed to notice the store he was in front of – a men’s clothing store, also closed. Jerking a thumb at the closed sign, he smiled self-depreciatingly at Rosela. Turning to check the contents of her own store, being sure to accentuate the curve of her back as she did so, she laughed openly at having taken refuge under a haberdashery. The man crossed his arms and leaned back as he laughed with her, and Rosela glowed under his regard. Rosela met his eyes again, and inserted a little more heat into them, one arm brushing back her hair. She refused to think about how frizzy and tangled it was getting as it dried without so much as a combing. The man mirrored her gaze, and with a long look up either direction of the empty street, he stepped back out into the pouring rain and sauntered over.

[Rosela]

Rosela’s stomach doubled into knots as he quickly approached, though she did her best not to betray it on her face. What was she to say? The present circumstance seemed to require that she speak first, welcoming him to her area. His footsteps became audible splashes as he closed in, and Rosela slid to the side to make room for him. Near the edge of the cover, the minute splashes of the rain peppered her toes and she wiggled them for warmth. “Uh, hey.” The man spoke first, brushing one hand over his hair to squeeze the water from it. ”Hey.” She gave the word an ironic lilt, and lifted an eyebrow. ”What brings you out in this lovely weather?” The book probably had much better suggestions for opening lines, but it was the best she could come up with at the moment. Mercifully, he laughed and looked back out into the rain. “I was just out for a run, actually. I figured I could handle the rain if it came, but this is a bit much.” “I’ll say. I just wanted a nice walk after the storm, and this is what I get.” Looking at him sidelong, she lingered on his shoulders and arms. ”I suppose it could be worse.” “Yea, I uh, suppose so.” He looked down at her with hooded eyes and Rosela felt the unusual urge to purr. “So…you don’t see many Eypharians around here.” She sighed dramatically and crossed two of her arms behind her. ”No, I’m afraid not. I’m new in the city, but I don’t think I’ve seen another Eypharian yet.” Taking the opportunity to eye him approvingly, she smiled softly. ”I’m surprised you know my race. It’s seemed a lot of people around here don’t see my kind very often.” “And what a pity that is.” ”You flatterer.” “Guilty as charged, Miss.” ”Miss? Hm, you can just call me-” “Daddy!” Rosela looked up in alarm at the intruder on their conversation to see a young Akalak, with the same hairstyle as her new friend, charging excitedly towards them. The rain had apparently lessened somewhat during their conversation. “Riartimal! What are you doing away from lessons?” Plastering a smile on her face, she looked on awkwardly as her cover-mate reached down to scoop up what now appeared strikingly to be his son. “There’s too much rain, so there’s no more lessons today.” Perched on a muscled arm, the young boy buried a fist in his father’s damp shirt as he looked curiously at Rosela. “Why do you have so many arms?” A look of immediate admonishment came over his father, but Rosela beat him to it with a jackal smile. ”Because the weight of glory demands them.” The proverb came quickly to her tongue, and she stared meaningfully into the young eyes. They widened with awe and confusion, and Rosela softened her smile as she turned it on the father. ”And on that note, I think I should be getting home.” With no further parting than a wink, she trotted back out into the dying rain, not bothering to protect her hair.

[Gossamer]

. Character: Rosela Experience: Observation +4, Seduction +5, Planning +2 Lore: Familiarity with Riverfall’s Library, The Basics of Seduction : Hygiene, Looks, Dress, Manners, and being genuine. How to use Body Language to Seduce. The Seductive Look, Breaking Off A Flirt Properly, Knowing How To Take Advantage Of A Situation. Additional Note: I enjoyed this thread. This is a nice light-hearted read into Rosela's mindset.. .