Tydus, Kel, and Adi meet, for better or for worse.
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Built into the cliffs overlooking the Suvan Sea, Riverfall resides on the edge of grasslands of Cyphrus where the Bluevein River plunges off the plain and cascades down to the inland sea below. Home of the Akalak, Riverfall is a self-supporting city populated by devoted warriors. [Riverfall Codex]
With a wiggle of her eyebrows, the Vantha accepted the newly refilled mug from Kel. She took a swig of the strong beverage and smacked her lips when her mouth was empty. Alcohol was interesting, she mused. Warming and freeing, yet inhibiting. An odd combination.
As Tydus wrapped his arm around her waist, Adi flinched. The last time she'd been touched by a man was back in Avanthal, with Drasna. He'd been fond of touching her, of proving that she would soon be his. She'd hated every second of it. But Tydus, as far as she could tell, wasn't like him. In her opinion, the best proof of this was his bond with a penguin. Though she knew little about Svefra and even less about their tavans, the animals they were bonded with seemed to say something about their personality. Kel shared his bond with a foxwormthing, Jenkins. Jenkins seemed to be irritable and fond of sleep. And as best as Adi could tell, Kel was the same way. Vesh, on the other hand, was small, fluffy, and somewhat mischievous. Tydus was not a penguin, but she felt the same principles applied.
So Adi decided to take a chance on her instincts and trust two complete and total strangers not to hurt her.
"To us!" Adi echoed, raising her mug to her lips. She gulped down the ale with a pleased grin on her face. Had she been looking in a mirror, she would've noticed something unusual. Because it was the first time her eyes had ever been completely pink, signifying her happiness. And it was most definitely time she enjoyed herself.
Slowly, deliberately, she leaned her head to the side to rest it on Tydus' shoulder. A section of her hair fell in front of her face, draping over one eye. Most of the rest fell behind her head, though some was trapped between her head and his shoulder. Blues, greens and purples shone through black strands and glimmered in Syna's warming light. Content, Adi closed her eyes and hummed a song her mother had often sang her when she was small to get her to sleep. It had never failed to work-or was it the fact that her mother would hold her and comb her dark hair while she sang? That was, Adi supposed, a mystery for another time. For now, there was good company and good ale. These seemed to be more pressing concerns.
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Kel rolled his eyes as Tydus wrapped his arm around Adi’s waist, pulling her close. His podmate’s conquests were impressive but vaguely annoying. The woman was growing…looser. He could see it in her body language. She grew more lax and cheery as the alcohol did its work.
The Svefra shook his head, his disheveled hair falling into his eyes. He pushed it away and leaned up from the gunwale.“Alright, tis’ been delightful. But I have things teh’ do…”He bowed mockingly in Adi’s direction and spun on his heels. He sauntered back to the cabin door and Jenkins leaped to his feet; he pattered after the Svefra.
Kel swept through the cabin door, leaving it ajar, sunlight streaming through the crack. He wandered over to his bed and plopped down, sea otter leaping up beside him. He sighed, looking around for something to occupy his time and his eyes settled on his kukri. Kel reached over and picked up the blade along with his wet stone and a bowl of water.
He dipped the stone into the bowl and unsheathed his kukri. The Svefra slowly ran the stone at an angle over the blade, a soft, scrapping noise making its presence known. He continued running the wet stone over his blade, slowly sharpening the weapon. He eyed it keenly before rotating it in his hand and starting on the other side.
The sound of laughter and the murmur of voices floated into the room from the deck. He grunted and looked down at the sea otter.“Ty just can’t keep his hands to himself, can he?”Jenkins chittered and rolled onto his back, wiggling on the mattress. Kel scowled at him,“I am not jealous, you skanky little guppy. I’m just as good with the ladies as he is.”The stone began running along the blade a little faster.
“Him and his blasted words…”He grumbled. Kel continued sharpening the blade, occasionally dipping the stone in the water before running it along the curved edge of the kukri. He held up the blade close to his eye, checking for any knicks or dings in the metal. The metal seemed to be in good condition. He ran a finger lightly over the edge and could feel the razor sharp edge peeling back a layer of skin.
He looked at his finger but didn’t see any blood. He nodded in approval and checked the leather on the hilt, making sure it was firmly wrapped. Everything seemed to be in place so he picked up the sheath and store the weapon in its home. The Svefra sighed and set the kukri on the small table beside his head before flopping down on his bed. The otter snuggled up close to him and wrapped a little paw around Kel’s finger.
Two pairs of eyes began to flutter as the soft lull of the water rocked them back to sleep.
Victory. This was how it felt like. He had casted out his podbrother's attempts at subverting his conquest, right? The desire to learn Vani was lost to intoxication, the Svefra's desires and wants focused primarily upon the completion of a night of distraction. There was nothing he could do about it, for his body pulled at him, his mind consumed by the want that drunkenness magnified to such an extent. And, from the subtle nuances of Adi's change in posture, leaning close to him, pressing her head to his shoulder and whispering quietly in his ear, it was obvious that it was the same for her. It had to be. A contrary opinion did not occur to the drunken Svefra. The words were not understood, for there was not enough focus in his mind to listen, but he made his assumptions.
Tydus was subsequently distracted as his podbrother conceded Tydus' victory, excusing himself and the sea otter that was his Tavan before moving into the small living quarters aboard Laviku's Wrath. Tydus decided that he was by no means ready to surrender his night to sleep. Instead, an idea began working through the slowed, sluggish cogs of his intoxicated mind, the Tempest coming to the conclusion that the Vantha in his embrace was in need of a way home. He nodded resolutely, deciding to offer himself up to the oh-so-noble quest of taking the woman to her lodgings.
It's still noble if you're... compensated for it, right? After all... mercenaries get paid'n... they seem like an honourable bunch. Jus'... this little quest will have a more... carnal reward! Right, that works. Right?
The reasoning was flawless in his own mind, compensation much due for its mutual reward. And Tydus decided to offer up the quest to the woman in his embrace. "Lass... would you... like me to take ya home? It'll be... a pleasure." His words rolled from his tongue with a slow, metered verse, slurred just slightly under his intoxication, but discernible. He pointed again towards the city, which looked to him, in his state, to be miles away, but it was worth the gallant effort to bring the woman to her room and lay upon her bed with her. After all, there was no way he'd be able to make it back to the ship. He managed an inward chuckle, which escaped his lips as the faintest of hiccups as the Tempest scion awaited the woman's answer.
Adi barely noticed Kel leaving, her attention focused on nothing in particular but still fully occupied. Tydus made a better headrest than she would have expected. Though he wasn't bony by any means, he almost certainly exercised frequently. Much more often than Adi herself. She continued to hum, smiling softly as she did so. Her humming grew more quiet until it eventually stopped. A thought struck her then. What'f I just...wrapped MY arm 'round 'im? She could see no possible problem with this. Tydus was solid and warm and right next to her. He was safe.
And she did. Carefully, she lifted her arm up and wrapped it around his waist. I like 'im...'e seems like a good guy. 'N he's more 'ttract've than Drasna. Doesn't hurt me... Her humming started again, a slightly faster tune she couldn't quite remember where she'd picked it up from. The memory would come to her in time, probably tomorrow morning. Tomorrow morning would also come a headache from drinking in excess. Excess for her, at least. She'd never experienced alcohol before today with the sailors. Alcohol had the benefit of not taking its physical toll on the consumer until the next morning, from what Adi remembered. Her words were only mildly slurred when she cared to speak next. "Y'seem...like you're good." Adi left a comment about his skills in bed unspoken, adding a slow wink.
It was unlike her, this whole thing. Being drunk, flirting with strange men. A small part of her, unfortunately easily silenced, whispered this to her. Come morning, Adi would regret losing her self-control.
Is this...being content? Happy? He's nice, I s'pose...Kind. Took me on a ship! 'Ve never been on a ship before. I wonder how it'd feel if I hopped in the water...would it be cold? Warm? Would I ev'n get we-wait, what 'm I ev'n thinking? She chuckled at her train of thought and blinked her eyes open, looking up at Tydus. "Mmm. That'd be nice, Ty..." Ty. That was shorter than Tydus, more personal. Personal was fitting, Adi decided. "I'm stayin' at the Kulka-no. Koala-still not it! Kulkiken Inn or somethin'..." she informed him. Adi peeled her arm from his bare back then and took a step away from Tydus for a moment, before offering her left hand to him. "Take me back, then?"
If I owe you a post and haven't talked to you in a while, please don't be afraid to send me a PM.
Lore(s): Tydus: Obviously Svefra Tydus: Quite the Charmer Laviku's Wrath: A Fine Vessel Vesh: The Cutest Penguin Tavans Aren't The Same As Kelvics Kel: Captain, O' Captain
Loot: Uh-oh! Looks like Adi got a hangover. Should be gone by the next afternoon, though.
Notes: "Looks like chivalry isn't dead after all!" This. I busted out laughing, thinking of Ty and this statement in one. If only Adi knew. Adi was really fun to read, and I enjoy the steady progression of her drunkenness. Even if it meant leaving your poor horse just standing around.
Tydus Tempest
The Good Stuff :
Experience:
Skill
XP
Acrobatics
+2
Socialization
+4
Observation
+3
Flirting
+1
Lore(s): Adi: Vantha Vantha: Highest Bidder Gets The Bride (Sometimes) Kel: Loathes Magic Kel: Lovable Hypocrite Ale: Better Wingman Than Kel Practicing A Foreign Tongue
Loot: Just make sure you deduct the cost of the wine you mentioned in your first post.
Notes: Always a pleasure reading your threads, Ty. He's so fun and charming and seeing the back and forth banter between him and Kel is so much fun to experience. Great read.
Kel Tempest
The Good Stuff :
Experience:
Skill
XP
Socialization
+4
Weapon: Kukri
+2
Observation
+3
Rhetoric
+1
Lore(s): Haunted By Nightmares Pretty Words Are Overrated Vantha: Highest Bidder Gets The Bride (Sometimes) Adi: Stone Cold Rebel Adi: Not An Evil Sorceress Definitely Not Jealous of Ty!
Loot: A good night's sleep.
Notes: I felt a little bad for Kel at the end. Sitting all alone while Ty goes out. But, at least it got you some skills, right? Oh! I was also very interested in Kel's nightmares in the beginning. I got to a glimpse of Kel's potential fears and I liked it. He's not perfect (in that rude, arrogant sense) after all! Seriously though, loved the thread, love the character.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and I'll be happy to discuss it with you. Keep writing!
