Closed Believe in this City (Savio and Xeona)

[Ireth Telemnar]

Fall 51, 513 A.V.

At the 12th bell of the day, Ireth had ventured down into the dining room of the Hostel for a meal. She was met by the innkeeper, Vysia. Ireth had only been in the Safehaven for a week, but she hadn't decided yet if the old monk liked her or not. That morning, she had gone to the Employment Office, and she was feeling homesick.

"Vysia, might I have some food?"

The monk glanced at the girl with a weary yet strong look. "Yes child, but it's not much good. Leftovers and all." She led Ireth to a table, then went to retrieve victuals. Ireth contemplated the monk's limp as she returned. Vysia dropped a plate before the girl with a clatter, then wiped her hands upon a rather dirty dishcloth that hung from over her shoulder.

"There ya go." Without another word, the innkeeper went off on another errand, busy as she was. She kept this place running with a steel grip, though Ireth suspected a soft heart beneath that stoney exterior.

But the monk did not lie. The food was not the best. But after the long trip on travel rations, Ireth was still quite happy to be given a slightly bruised apple or carrot. Today's meal was a hard biscuit, an apple that had seen better days, and a tankard of water. The biscuit and apple were good, they filled Ireth's stomach, but the water was another matter altogether. Nykian water was horrid. It smelled odd, and tasted nothing like the pure, cool water that Ireth had drunk all of her life in Ravok. The fact that there were little bits of food floating around in the drink didn't help much either. Ireth choked down a mouthful, then left the tankard to its own devices.

After her meal, Ireth wandered back to her little room. She'd yet to go looking for her aunt, though she'd run around the city a bit with that ghost Xeona the day before. Once in her room, Ireth retrieved her flute from the bedstand, where it occupied a space next to the little note that Savio had written her. She sat down beside the bed, leaning against it comfortably, and put the flute to her lips. She hadn't been playing as much as she'd have liked to...

Notes swam from the flute, the pigeon totem dancing as Ireth swung her head side to side gently with the rhythm. First came a Ravokian dancing song, then a ocean shanty. Pretty soon, Ireth was in her own little world, just content to be playing.

x

[Savio]

For the first time in several days, the sky above Nyka seemed clear except a few clouds. Savio loved it. He loved how the temperature was neither too hot nor too cold. He loved how the air held the music of the city he had come to adore. He just loved everything in general. His light mood was noticed by many, and even his boss commented on it.

“Who’s the lucky lady?” the big man had asked. Savio could only grin stupidly and blush as he ran back out of the bureau with another load of packages. He hadn’t been this happy since… Well… Ever! Raven hadn’t even made him feel this wonderful. Ireth had brought a light into his life that he hadn’t known he needed. The girl was perfect.

In no time at all, his shift was over and he was running towards the Hostel. His steps felt lighter, faster… As though the wind itself was helping speed him along to go to his beloved. Something caught his eye that made him stop. It was a small stall selling colorful and fragrant flowers. Savio grinned as he trotted over to it and bought a large bouquet of the prettiest flowers the woman had to offer. It cost him a whole three silver mizas but he didn’t mind. He was sure Ireth would love them, since she seemed like the type to like stuff like that.

Savio crossed the Bridge of Beginning, holding the large bundle of flowers close so that nothing happened to them. When he finally entered the SafeHaven Hostel, Vysia took one look at him and rolled her eyes and pointed towards the stairs answering Savio’s question before he could even ask. Savio nodded in gratitude and took the stairs two steps at a time.

Once he was on the second level, he could hear lovely music coming from Ireth’s room. Intrigued, he moved in closer and very carefully opened the door to see Ireth sitting on her bed playing an intricately carved flute.

The acrobat grinned as he leaned against the doorframe and listened in silence, noticing how so absorbed in the music she was. Eventually she will open her eyes and see him, but he enjoyed her obliviousness for the time being.

Boxcode by Edreina

[Ireth Telemnar]

She took a breath after the shanty, a ragged breath meant to calm the tears that were welling up in her eyes. Ireth felt as though she'd spent half of her time here in Nyka crying. As if she and the sky shared a similar mood. After her little pause, her eyes still closed, Ireth blew a child's lullaby through the flute. Another of her father's pieces.

A rustle near the door caused Ireth to look up, but like any good performer she didn't stop her playing. It was Savio, those haunting gray eyes and that crooked smile that made her shiver. And in his hands was a bouquet of gorgeous flowers, all oranges and greens and blues. She played the chorus of the lullaby once more before bringing the flute to her lap. She smiled a welcome to her lover, then looked down at the instrument.

Its wood was silver from polish and wear. She caressed it dreamily. "It belonged to my father. It's the only thing of his that I have left..." Those damned tears, they leaked onto her cheeks. Ireth wiped them away and looked back to Savio.

"How are you today? And what is that you've got there?"

x

[Savio]

Savi’s smile got even wider when Ireth looked up at him, she didn’t stop her song which Savio was grateful of. It was beautiful. When she did finish, she smiled just as widely. The young man entered her room and laid the flowers on her lap and he leaned down to kiss her lips before kissing her tear stained cheeks.

He sat down next to her and wrapped her up in his arms, nuzzling into her neck to breathe in her comforting scent. “I am fortunate to have both of my parents, and I hope you will get to meet them some day. I am sure my mother would adore you.” Savio murmured against the soft skin of her throat.

He then let her sit back up but his hand remained on the small of her back, tracing small circles as he listened to her questions. “I am doing wonderfully now that I am here with you, and those are to help brighten up this room. After being in Nyka for this long, such bare surroundings are obscene to me.” Savio chuckled.

He couldn’t help but lean over and start nibbling on the tender flesh of her shoulder, he felt like an addict. He couldn’t get enough of touching her, and he hoped she didn’t mind.

Boxcode by Edreina

[Ireth Telemnar]

The flowers in her lap were strange to Ireth, they didn't grow in her city. Nevertheless, they were stunning.

When Savio held her, she felt at ease. It was silly how often she cried in front of him, how easy it was to lose her composure. But then again, having a handsome courier kissing his way down your neck would probably make you lose your composure as well.

Ireth smiled at the thought of meeting Savio's parents. Such a simple notion brought thoughts of forever to her mind. "I've my mother. And five older brothers that would probably wish to have their way with you, if they knew about you. They're a motley bunch, but they're my motley bunch."

Shivers crawled up her spine when he massaged her back, little goosebumps raising themselves on her arms. "Well, I really like them," she took a whiff of the exotic blooms. "They're perfect." Ireth laid them on the nightstand alongside that first love-note.

As Savio began nipping at her shoulder, Ireth entwined their fingers and smiled softly. Each kiss sent a jolt through her. Turning her head, she whispered into his ear. "What are you after, silly boy? And what is this, this impromptu visit? Simply come to give gifts to your lover and hope for her affections in return?" She traced a circle on the knee of his trousers.

The sun was still up outside, and Ireth could hear birds. Perhaps even pigeons, just like in her beloved Ravok. Savio sighed at her side, and Ireth thought of having to go back someday. But what about Savio? Would he come with me? Would he want to? What would my Lord say?

x

[Savio]

Savio looked up at Ireth with a mischievous smirk as he lightly sucked on her tender skin before he leaned over her so that she would have to lie down on the bed. Savio couldn’t help but press little kisses and soft love bites on whatever exposed skin she might have. “My beautiful lover deserves to be spoiled.” Savio whispered into her ear once he reached it. He nibbled on it before pulling away and standing up. He would love nothing more than to continue, his body ached for it but there were other pressing matters at hand. Such devious activities would have to wait until nightfall.

“And this visit was not just to bring you flowers. I want to help you look for your aunt. I know the layout of Nyka pretty well, so it might make things easier for you.” He held his hand out for her, so that he could help her stand up. He enjoyed seeing the flushed, and flustered look on her face. He loved it more when it was illuminated by candle light and she was making the sweetest noises-

He needed to stop that train of thought before he climbed back into her bed and make his fantasies into reality. He cleared his throat and hoped she didn’t notice how tight his trousers have gotten.

Boxcode by Edreina

[Ireth Telemnar]

A whimper escaped from her lips when Savio pressed her to the bed. He tenderly kissed his way from her collarbone to her neck and up to her ear. The words he murmured before kissing and sucking at her earlobe made her shiver and wrap her free arm around his neck, the other still clutching to his fingers.

Ireth was a little confused when he pulled away from her. She couldn't figure out what she'd done wrong. Then he explained his visit, and drew her up and out of the bed. Feeling playful herself, she leaned against his chest for a moment, simply being near him and breathing in the scents of him and the city that he cared for. Then Ireth leaned back into Savio's arms, planting a deep and teasing kiss upon the courier's warm lips. With a wink, she pulled away and grabbed her old worn boots.

She tugged the boots on over the legs of her dark green breeches. Ireth ran her hands uselessly down the front of her gray tunic too, trying to dissolve some of the wrinkles. Her efforts were worthless, of course, so she shrugged and stood. The other thing that she grabbed from the floor was her purse, holding only a handful of mizas. Ireth knew better than to carry large amounts of cash, even in her own city. She tied the purse to her waist and tucked it under her tunic.

Recognizing the fact that the handsome young man in her room was watching her, Ireth turned a little spin and held her arms out. "Ta da!" She stepped up to him again and grinned like a child about to receive a present.

x

[Savio]

His Ireth was the epitome of adorable with her actions and expressions. His heart sung when she moved to him and clung to his body in such a way that it seemed that she needed him as much as he was coming to need her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her there and accepting the passionate kiss she offered.

He felt a profound loss when she pulled away to get dressed. What kind of spell had she cast upon him? He watched her with longing eyes as she pulled her boots on, though he wished for nothing more than to take them right back off (among other things) and do unspeakable things to her. He had to take a deep breath to hold on to his wavering self-control. He hid his warring emotions behind a chuckle at her cute pose.

“Ready, my dear?” Savio asked, his arms crossing over his chest as he looked his beautiful woman over. He was a blessed man. All the bad luck he had been dealing with was only to save up his good luck to be able to have this amazing woman.

Boxcode by Edreina

[Ireth Telemnar]

Ireth hid a laugh behind her hand. "Yes my love, lets go."

She took him by the hand and let him lead her out of the Hostel. Down the stairs, and into the lobby hall. Vysia was off to the side, talking to a pair of men in dark cloaks. Ireth gave the monk a wave before finding herself outside. She blinked to adjust to the abundance of light, so different from the dim of the hall or the soft light of her room.

Ireth also had to take in all of the activity. Among the folk bustling about, small animals wove in between the legs of passerby, scavenging for food or fights. Birds flew overhead, lithe sparrows and pigeons. Ireth drew herself to a halt, feeling Savio stop in surprise. The pigeons were doing whatever it is that pigeons do: cooing and eating and cooing and looking for love, ect. But they were so beautiful to Ireth, so familiar. A tug at her hand brought her to her senses again, and the pair continued on their way.

To an extent, Ireth felt as though she were a child being led by a parent, the way Savio took her along. She didn't mind though, as long as he was there and she wasn't lost she was fine.

"Oh, I spoke to Vysia the other day about my living in the Safehaven. Only 12 gold mizas to live in the Hostel for a season! That's not bad at all, I paid four times that much for a room in my city. So I paid that. I can't have you continue to spend your wages on my housing..."

x

[Savio]

Savio was grinning like a fool as Ireth took him by the hand and lead him through the hostel. The whistles and the jests tossed his way only served to make his face turn red and make his smile wider. When the two of them exited the hostel, Savio had to shield his eyes from the blaring sunlight. Once his eyes adjusted, he could see Ireth just watching the birds with complete fascination.

Savio’s smile softened some as he moved up behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle. “You like birds?” he asked directly into her ear. As soon as he got Ireth’s answer, he gently lead her away so that they were walking amongst the native Nykans. “Do you have any idea of where your Aunt lived or worked? What did she do for a living?” Knowing what job she had would make things easier on them. They could just go to the job and either meet the woman there, or inquire about her whereabouts if she was absent.

When Ireth brought up the subject on her housing, Savio couldn’t help but chuckle. She was cute and sweet but she certainly had a stubborn streak. He liked that. She knew her worth and was independent, yet she allowed herself to lean on him when he offered. It was a pleasant exchange and it ensured that he didn’t become complete broke. Working as a Courier was hard, and paid little.

“Oh?” Savio answered. “Well, the Hostel isn’t the most fancy of places but it’s dry and provides free food. It was a blessing for me when I first got here from Syliras.”

Boxcode by Edreina