Open 'Til We Wake [Viper]

[Elysana Demeni]

She was walking through the forest, feeling the soft moss under her bare feet. It was as bright as day and she could feel the heat of the sun on her face, but when she looked up, there was no sun, just more blue. In the distance, between the trees, she heard a waterfall. It didn’t occur to her that Ravok didn’t really have trees, or it had been years since she’d last seen a waterfall. Reaching the pool beneath the waterfall quite quickly, she sat down, dipping her feet into the cool water. Slowly, she eased herself in until the water was up to her waste, her airy dress billowing out around her. As she sank deeper, she heard a cracking sound in the bushes. She whirled quickly and turned to see a man standing at the edge of the pool. If not war, he looked at least ready for a long adventure, with a thick jerkin and weapons poking out all over. She eyed him warily, but for the moment, he just seemed to be watching her. She watched his eyes flick away from her and towards something beyond her, and a look of steely determination came over his features. Despite the warm day, Elysana felt a shiver go down her and she moved towards the man, not daring to look back.

[Viper]

Viper flickered his eyes open and found himself riding his Strider Ayean through a beautiful forest. Although the imagery of this place was breathtaking, he could not recall where he was...or even how he had gotten her. Was this just a dream? Well if it was, he would let loose a sigh of relief that for once it was so far a pleasant one. Prodding Aeyan forward so they could explore their surroundings, it wasn't long before he picked up the sound of a nearby waterfall. Looking up to the sky, he shrugged his shoulders. "Meh. Why not. Maybe I'll even go for a swim." After all, he didn't see to many waterfalls, almost ever.

They walked leisurely through the forest as they got closer and closer to the small stream and waterfall. As they did however, he began to feel a slight uneasiness. As if he was being watched by something. Oh come one. Seriously!? He thought to himself as he pulled his bow and an arrow from it's quiver. Why couldn't he ever just be somewhere nice where things didn't go bump in the night...so to speak.

Despite his uneasiness, his eyes did not catch sight of anything till he rounded a final large boulder and tree. And at least, his query had been revealed! A waterfall as breathtaking as the scenery was just getting there.



As beautiful as it was though, was truly captured his attention was a woman in the middle of the pool. Apparently she had a similar idea to Viper. He almost gave way to a small laugh. So this was who had him on edge? Reaching up, he pulled down his mask so as to reveal his face and not appear threatening. A small smile had begun to appear when a snapping twig in the distance behind the woman captured his attention away from her. Aeyan's ears instantly turned toward the sound as well, and he shifted uneasily.

Viper's legs rose up some against Aeyan to reassure him, he was fine. Viper eyed the woman again, who had obviously heard the same thing. To her credit, she didn't seem to panic. Instead appeared as though she was simply leaving casually in a slow and thoughtful manner away from whatever it was and toward him. Viper's eyes scanned around quickly, trying to see if he could spot any more would be hazards. Not seeing any, his gaze returned to that of the woman encouraging her with only a look to keep doing as she was doing. To keep walking his direction.

As the woman slowly approached him and made her way away from the disturbance, Viper readied his bow and brought it up to whatever it was' direction. A moment later another rustling in the leaves confirmed its location. A head then poked through the bushes, eyeing its would be victim. It appeared to be some kind of large cat readying itself to pounce.

Before it could though, an arrow whizzed through the air striking it in the side. A loud angry roar emanated from the beast as it fled the scene. Viper quickly drew another arrow, and lit after the creature into the brush. It wasn't long when more sounds rang out through the woods. And then, silence....

A couple minutes later, the sounds of hoof beats echoed through the forest. Reappearing once more was Viper astride his horse Aeyan. Draped across his yvas in front of him was the now dead mountain lion. Dropping the beast to the floor, Viper dismounted and turned toward the woman. With a small but respectful bow, he said simply, "Good morning." A small pause enter into the conversation, before the silence was broken with a chuckle. "And my apologies for disturbing you. I didn't realize anyone was here."

[Elysana Demeni]

As Elysana approached the man, she saw the man ready his bow and send an arrow flying off above her head. She ducked down as a ferocious yowl came from behind her. She heard another arrow wiz from the bow, but when she looked up, the man was gone. A few moments later, he had returned, riding a horse and carrying a large cat. The man dismounted from his horse and gave a small bow. “Good morning.” Despite his tough appearance, Ely thought she detected a warmth in his handsome face. “And my apologies for disturbing you. I didn’t realize anyone was here.” Ely smiled shyly and made her way out of the water. “No need to apologize. I believe I should be thanking you, as you just saved my life.” Out of the water, the man towered over her. The more she looked up at him, the taller and broader he seemed to get. Unperturbed, she extended her hand. “I’m Elysana. How may I address my rescuer?”

[Viper]

Viper gave a small but respectful bow a grinned. "A pleasure to meet ya. As for me. I'm Viper. He said warmly, as he took her offered hand, gently, but firmly shaking it. "And please. No thanks are necessary. Anyone would have done the same." He said nonchalantly, not really believing his actions to be anything special as much as something anyone should do in such a situation. His eyes drifted around the perimeter of the beautiful falls and pool of cool water once more. Just in case... "Well, at least you shouldn't be bothered anymore. Usually these animals are solitary. You shouldn't run across another one of these for many miles."

There was still a slight bit of confusion in his expression as he looked around trying to get a sense of where he was. This had to be a dream, he thought. Right? Out in the middle of nowhere, random beautiful woman in a pool of water...yup. Definitely had to be a dream. The gods were never this kind to him in the real world. He thought jokingly to himself. Bringing his focus back to the situation at hand he smiled in a friendly manner as he began to unhook the Yvas from his strider. In the off chance this wasn't a dream however, he began to wonder if he shouldn't stick with the normal ways getting acquainted with someone new...? "If you don't mind my asking though Elysana...what brings you way out here? Seems a bit out of the way for most people."

Freeing the Yvas from his horse, he set it down on the ground and removed his weapons. Doing the same with them as he did the previous item, he sat down on a boulder, holding out a hand gesturing for her to join him if she so wished.

[Elysana Demeni]

Ely smiled politely at the man, then made her way to sit next to him on the rock. Her lips pursed in concentration, she looked up at the man. “To tell you the truth, I’m not really sure. I guess was out walked, then somehow ended up here. You look like you belong here though.” A rather blunt way of putting it, but Ely’s usual skill at conversation didn’t seem to be functioning normally. Which was unfortunate, as the man seemed to be the strong, silent type. Ely just stared at him for a while. Even in her profession, she didn’t see many men like this. Certainly there would be the occasional member of the Ebonstryfe, but they still had a degree of softness associated with city living that this man clearly did not possess. Hesitantly, she reached out her hand and touched his arm, but withdrew it just as quickly. A touch of color flashed on her cheeks. What was going on? She hadn’t felt embarrassed around a man in a long time. Look up instead, she watched dark clouds gather overhead and large drops of rain begin to fall.

[Viper]

He stared back at the woman as a smile slowly spread across his face as he pondered the comment. So many ways that could be taken. "Sorry...it's been a while since I spent much time inside a city. Don't let the roughness fool ya though. I'm not quite the savage my attire may portray me as. Though I do confess, this tends to be more my element, yes." He snickered, showing he wasn't actually offended. It was then her hand reached out and touched his shoulder for just an instant before being withdrawn. The action drew a small but warm smile from his face.

He looked her over again curiously before continuing. "Actually, forgive me. But, you don't really seem to fit the area very well. Not used to seeing a lady so fine out this far into the wild. At least not without an armed escort. Not that I'm complaining mind you... Anyway, pray tell, where are you from darlin'?" Actually his own bluntness sort of took him by surprise. Did you just hit on her Vipe?! ...No...I don't think so. Maybe? Well she was easy on the eyes that was for sure. But there also seemed to be a bit more to her than just a pretty face. Had he in fact met her before?

Whatever it was that had him thinking. Those thoughts were interrupted by the clouds which had begun to form overhead. The sudden dimming of sunlight had captured his attention. A drop soon hit his face softly, causing him to smirk as he turned back toward her. "Perhaps we should continue this conversation under some cover?" He suggested as he rose, giving a gesture with his head toward the cover behind the waterfall while simultaneously offering a hand to help her back up.

[Elysana Demeni]

As rain began to fall on her head, Elysana took Viper’s hand as he led her to shelter. His grip was firm and Ely’s hand was dwarfed by his large, calloused hand. He led her behind the waterfall and gestured for her to take a seat on a moss-covered rock. She began to wring water from her soaked dress. “I’m from Ravok. I’m not sure how I got here though. Just decided to go for a walk and there I was at the pond. As for escort, I usually find I don’t need one. I also usually don’t meet big strong men like yourself while I’m bathing.” She touched his arm, for a little longer than was necessary. He was certainly a handsome man. Why not have a little fun while until the rain stopped? She inched a little closer to Viper and ran her hand up his back. “So, besides rescuing damsels from wild beasts, what do you do?”

[Viper]

A smirk graced his face as she edged closer and touched his shoulder again. What was she up to? He wondered curiously. "Ravok eh? Never been there myself. As for me. I'm a hunter. Trying to get a business started in Syliras. But that is proving difficult, thus far. We'll see though." He paused for a moment, a mischievous grin creeping onto his face. "As for the bath. My apologies again, but it would seem great minds seem to think alike. It was why I was heading this way as well."

Her hand moving along his back, caused him to straighten up ever so slightly. His eyes looked her over once more as his hand brushed her leg. Her gaze was alluring, and her touch, comforting, if a bit unexpected. The soft pattering of rain on the pond surface below created a scene that was quite surreal.

"So Ravok..." He finally continued as he refocused his attention from getting lost in her enchanting presence. "...I heard that could be a rough place. What do you do there, if ya don't mind my asking."

[Elysana Demeni]

Elysana shivered a little when Viper’s hand brushed her leg. His question sent a different shiver through her. For some reason, she didn’t want to admit the truth about herself to this man. He seemed so noble and innocent of all the muck of the city. Providing a night of pleasure for rich Ravoki did not seem to fit in the world of wilderness hunters. Cautiously, she leaned against Viper. “Ravok isn’t too bad. The Ebonstryfe keeps everything calm.” She looked up into the man’s face. What would he think? Should she lie? But what would be believable? Suddenly, a heavy quiver when through Viper’s torso, shaking Ely heavily. She blinked and opened her eyes. The client whose chest she was sleeping on was stirring, ready to wake. Hastily, she gathered her robe and quickly left the room. She gave one last look to the man in the bed. He was a rather average looking man. Not like the man in that dream.