Knowledge is Power [Aranta]

[Aranta]

Aranta nodded-- Snaeah had mentioned before how she wished to travel to the god of Illusion's home. Aranta thought that it would be neat to travel there, but he was unsure of the reception he, as a Zith, would get. "I do not know," he said thoughtfully in response to Snaeha's question. He idly drummed his claws against the side of his glass as he thought. "I will probably hunt, and learn," he finally settled on saying. "You mentioned Alvadas before," he said, steering the conversation back to the Symenestra. "Have you been there? Why have you not gone before?"

[Snaeha Datura]

It first struck Snaeha that, if she carried out her plan and her friend carried out his, they would most likely be separated next season. She would be in Alvadas and Aranta, she assumed, would remain in Kalinor.

The second thing she realised was just how much she disliked this idea.

"I see." She said quietly to his suggestion, sipping delicately from her wine to hide her displeasure. Snaeha had no right to disapprove how her companion spent his free time, let alone where he decided to live.

Yet at the same time...

Focus on the conversation, Snaeha, her own stern thoughts ordered. She blinked and returned back to the discussion just in time to hear that final question. "I have been once before. Just for a season. I went with my brother - you remember Dorav?" She smiled at the not-too-distant memory of introducing her winged friend to the rest of her Datura Web. Veldron and Narissa Datura had quite happily accepted their daughter's company, trusting Snaeha to have enough common sense to not bring a bloodthirsty monster as a houseguest. The youngest of their Web, Druston, even now begged Snaeha to invite the Zith again, so he could ask more protruding questions about flying and eating flesh. Finally, ever-serious Dorav Datura had said not a word, but his disapproving frown spoke volumes.

"Dorav was very strict with how we spent our time. It was --" she counted the years backwards on her hand, "four years ago? So I was quite a bit younger. I think he thought I'd be kidnapped and kept as a sex slave." Her amethyst eyes, even now, rolled at the over-dramatic nature of her brother's imagination.

The wine had made her speak too quickly, and it took Snaeha the following tick to realise that her last sentence could well have been taken as a slight against the Zith culture. She winced at her own stupidity. "I didn't mean--" She licked her lips desperately, and soon enough more words were tumbling out of hr mouth "I would be more than happy to be your sex slave."

Oh, shyke.


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[Aranta]

OOCJust a thought, but we should probably start wrapping this thread up soon. Though I'm definitely up for more threads. XD Aranta nodded-- Snaeha sounded like she hadn't particularly enjoyed that visit, but the Zith could understand why, if she had gone with her elder sibling. The eldest Datura pup had seemed... cold when Aranta was there, so it was no surprise that he would keep his sister close to him at all times. Snaeha's last words, though, made Aranta blink in surprise. That was certainly a... bold thing for anyone of any race-- besides a Zith, who were no prudes when it came to announcing who they fancied mating with-- to say. It took him a moment before he could reply. "I, ah... Would appreciate having you?" The Zith winced at how uncertain his voice sounded-- but his voice reflected his actions. He'd never had a sex slave, or any personal slave while he lived in his colony. Just the regular family slaves. After hastily gulping down a bit more wine, he added, "Not that I would take you for a slave-- you are a friend. But I... I like you, and appreciate your beauty." Damn it all, Aranta, he cursed himself silently. He sounded like some young, inexperienced fledling. He wasn't! He was a mature Zith, for crying out loud. "I see why your brother was protective," he finally managed to stammer out, and then promptly took another drink of wine for something to do to shut himself up.

[Snaeha Datura]

oocYep, I agree. Shall we sum it up in the next few posts? We could get in a final thread for this season if you like, before it changes?

Snaeha had been desperately finishing her wine all the while Aranta spluttered and stuttered. She rather hoped to fall directly into the glass and drown right there and then: Here lies Snaeha: she died doing what she did best, downing as much wine as physically possible.

That warmth, which she had appreciated so much at the start of the glass, now burnt her throat as it slid into her belly. She choked as she drank, blowing bubbles in the rest of the wine that met her lips, but she ploughed bravely onwards. Only wine - lots, and lots, and lots of wine - would ease her intense humiliation and horror.

But his replies were pleasant, complimentary even! He was saying how he would like it if she were his sex slave! Snaeha felt a glimmer of drunken excitement and delight. She set her glass down, which surprisingly still had a mouthful or two of wine left, and simply listened. The smile on her lips pursed and widened as Snaeha tried very hard to look serious and seductive -- but she simply could not hide her glee. "I appreciate you, too." She said earnestly, somehow being able to regain some (not all) of her coolness and false modesty.

When he took another drink of his wine, Snaeha copied. The curve of her glass would merely emphasise the coy smile on her lips, though, and not hide it as she hoped it would. She said nothing else, but those bright eyes watched Aranta keenly, almost hungrily.

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[Aranta]

OOCSounds good to me! The Zith was disappointed to find that his means of distraction was gone-- he had now finished his wine. Looked like he'd have to deal with things head-on now. Things like the look Snaeha was casting his way. It was... intense, and Aranta was unsure of how to categorize it-- unsure if he even wanted to. If pressed, he would label it flirtatious-- that was a term that had graduated from abstract to quite concrete in the course of Aranta's interactions with the Symenestra woman. But why would Snaeha be flirting with Aranta? He was not a Symenestra-- he was a Zith. He wouldn't think that one of the spider-people would be attracted to him, not with the fact that he could inadvertently hurt them if he lost control for even a moment, as he almost had earlier when they'd entered the Hunter's Gather. Realizing he'd been silent for some time, Aranta took a deep breath and said, "Thank you," as sincerely as he could. He truly did appreciate Snaeha's appreciation, even uncertain as he was to the causation. Not to mention he was uncertain of just how deeply Snaeha's appreciation ran; did she mean that she appreciated his friendship, or did she appreciate him in a more... animalistic way?

[Snaeha Datura]

Snaeha nodded and smiled at his thanks. It pleased her that he valued her appreciation, though Snaeha had never once experienced rejection in her lifetime. Some strange instinct within her told the Symenestra that, had Aranta refused her gratefulness, Snaeha would have been most unhappy.

Ultimately, she had grown quite attached to her Zith friend, though the depth and meaning of this attachment still puzzled her. She had plenty of friends, both males and females, but nobody was quite as... intriguing as the individual in front of her. Could intrigue turn into lust? Into romantic feelings? Sexually, Snaeha was definitely attracted to him, particularly his strength and that beastlike streak.

She looked into the bottom of her wine glass, with only a mouthful of wine left, and considered what would happen if they kissed. Would they break away, instantly regretting the closeness and forever resenting each other because of it? Perhaps they'd ravage each other, tearing at clothes in a feverish heat? Or -- most terrifyingly -- would he push Snaeha away and give her a sad, disapproving look.

She did not want to ruin their friendship. That she categorically knew for a fact. But what if friendship gave way to something else, maybe even if that 'something else' was only temporary? Did Snaeha want to risk the closeness that had developed so quickly between them? Was the fact their friendship had grown so quickly a sign of true friendship, or destined lovers?

Oh, you're just being silly now.

Her next few movements were done smoothly and swiftly, like an act rehersed to perfection. First, Snaeha swirled the remaining wine in her glass, before tipping her head backwards and swallowing it, all in one go. Then - still with a look of fierce seriousness on her face - she got to her feet and rested one hand on the table. She shifted her weight forwards, bending at the waist in a subtle hint of flexibility.

Her last action, perhaps the most unexpected in her little flurry of activity, was to press her lips against Aranta's. The kiss was soft, despite the rather hurried nature of it, and Snaeha's fingertips brushed his jawline for a tick.

Snaeha's lips broke away from his as quickly as they had arrived, though her face hovered inches from the Zith's. "I have to go." The words were barely a whisper - but given their closeness, the Zith would most likely hear them without trouble. Another tick passed, and Snaeha eventually gave a tiny, almost business-like, nod and turned on her heel to leave the tavern.

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[Aranta]

It occurred to Aranta when he heard snickers from the surrounding Symenestra that he was still staring, shell-shocked, at the door where Snaeha had disappeared. The tips of his ears grew hot, and he found himself thanking whatever gods were listening that Zith could not blush-- not discernibly, anyway. Why had she done that? It seemed obvious, now, that Snaeha was interested in him-- she had certainly given him enough coy looks and carefully crafted words. But he had thought that that was just her nature; Snaeha was a beautiful woman, and she seemed the type to be used to the attention of men. But her actions of a moment ago suggested that she either truly wanted Aranta, or was only flirting once more, suggesting something that she could-- or would-- not deliver. Frowning down at his glass, Aranta stopped the passing waitress and asked for another glass, handing her two silver mizas from the pouch on his harness in payment. He continued sitting where he was; he had nowhere to be today. As the Zith thought, he dipped one clawed finger into the liquid, raising it and watching the wine bead and then drop from the tip of his claw back into the glass, where he observed the ripples dispassionately, lost in his own mind. How was he going to act now? Snaeha had not made any mention or move to indicate that she desired Aranta as a mate, and not merely an outlet. Aranta would not stand for being only an outlet, a fling-- he would have to turn her down in that was all he wanted. But on the other hand, did he want a mate? Aranta was of a favorable age, of course-- many Zith mated between their second and third decades, as the life expectancy for a Zith was not all that long. But Zith matings were... rough, passionate, beastial. Many mated Zith emerged from each of their matings with fresh scars and aching bodies. The Symenestra people were so delicate, Aranta was afraid that even if Snaeha did want to mate with him, he would not be able to control himself and would hurt the woman. Blinking at that last thought, Aranta paused. Well, guess that answers that, he thought wryly, tossing back another gulp of wine-- he was surprised to find that the glass was already half-empty; he had not even noted the burn of the alcohol as he drank. But he was worried about hurting Snaeha, and that spoke volumes. Yes, he knew that he had regarded the Symenestra highly since he'd met her, and he highly valued her friendship and appreciated her beauty, but he had not thought that he would consider her for a mate. But now... If Snaeha were to ask him, Aranta just might say yes. He would at least be inclined to give the matter serious consideration-- or more accurately, even further consideration than he was currently giving it. Sighing to himself, the Zith gulped down the last of his wine and then stood, leaving his two glasses with the one that Snaeha had abandoned, and walked out of the Hunter's Gather, heading for the entrance to Kalinor. Rains be damned, Aranta needed to think, and Zith did their best thinking while flying.

[Khida]

Thread Award

Snaeha Datura

Skill	Points
Flirting	+2
Observation	+2
Seduction	+1
Socialization	+5
Subterfuge	+1
Teaching	+5

• Aranta: appreciative, and perhaps more?
• Aranta: distractingly attractive
• Aranta: not (yet) a reader
• Djed: fuel for magic, building block of things
• The embarrassment of being asked to leave
• Great Rending: the origin of Zith
• Kalinor: city layout
• Morphing: can forget original form
• Seduction: kiss and depart
• Subterfuge: pretending nonchalance
• Teaching: examples to demonstrate points
• Teaching: learn by doing
• Zith are not welcome in The Meadows

Please deduct 4 SM from your ledger for the wine.

Aranta

Skill	Points
Diplomacy	+3
Interrogation	+2
Intimidation	+1
Observation	+5
Socialization	+5

• Alcohol: a preferred drink of non-Zith
• Diplomacy: avoiding a sensitive subject
• Diplomacy: distance to avoid inspiring discomfort
• Diplomacy: suppressing immature behavior
• Djed: fuel for magic, building block of things
• Kalinor location: the Cribellum
• Kalinor location: The Hunters' Gather
• Kalinor location: The Meadows Public House
• Reading: one letter, multiple sounds?
• Reading: sounding out Common words
• Snaeha: a tease, or a potential mate?
• Symenestra: a dwindling race
• Wine: alcohol from grapes
• Zith are not welcome in The Meadows

Notes

This was a lot of fun to read. Snaeha and Aranta are practically perfect foils, especially in that it seems like Snaeha is the one with poor impulse control. I look forward to the sequels!

I think the awards here should be pretty transparent, but if you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please let me know. Also, Snaeha, please edit your request to show this thread has been graded.