Precious Pain (Kovac)

[Shayth]

30th Day of Spring, lazy afternoon

Shayth delighted in the spring. It was cold, but not cold enough to be uncomfortable. And when the sun was shining at the peak of noon, standing in its rich golden rays burned away the chill of the air and left an inarta feeling fresh and alive. This afternoon, the endal had stolen away from bird, away from the aerie and into the city. It wasn't that she wanted to be alone, but she just wanted to get out. Kovac was somewhere in the city, he'd left just before she had on his own whim. Whether it was in her bed or in the city, the red head had no concerns that she would find him back home. Of course, sometimes she worried about where he might be, but she didn't linger on it. The course of their...relationship...had made the rider a little uneasy, unused to the jealousy and the self-esteem issues. Was she as pretty as that girl he had hunted with...damn twins. A fire still raged inside when Shayth thought of Addy. But the situation had passed, and for today at least, the endal didn't want to be bitter or snarky.

Walking through the Courtyard of the Sky, red hair flowing down her back in a fiery cascade, the endal admired some of the jewellery sitting in stall holdings. There had been an urge within, a reckless desire of late, to have Kovac assist her with some self-inflicted pain. Piercings, she wanted that much. But more. Inked designed burned into her flesh...she'd seen some beautiful work and was more than tempted.

Smiling to herself at the avora's possible response to that idea, Shayth carried herself past the crowds and out of the courtyard, into the warmth of the sunlight. Her blue eyes took in the sudden brightness before her, walking further down the track that lead down out of the mountain away from the courtyard and towards the falls below the inarta city. The rider had mixed feelings about it, remembering her near drowning at winter. But still, it was sunny and warm, who didn't want to be out in the sun. Casually, the woman glanced around, hoping to see the avora she found so enticing in amongst the people. Maybe he would want to come and discuss the finer points of her ideas with her.

[Kovac]

Standing barefoot on the wet rock, bow raised and string drawn, Kovac trained the small, barbed head of the arrow on a flash of silvery scales beneath the surface of the water. He had learned that standing on the slippery rocks by the lake could easily lead to a fully cothed bath. He could get a better footing in his bare feet. Leading the fish several inches, the fingers holding the bowstring taunt relaxed enough to release the tension, sending the fishing arrow streaking towards the lake surface, trailing a thin line. It plunged into the water with little disturbance, but immediately began to wobble, the fletching dancing above the glittering, stirring water. The archer began to pull in the line, the impaled fish offering some frantic resistance before succumbing to the arrow's damage. When the half-blooded Avora finally lifted the arrow from the water, the plump fish only twitched a few times. He had first commissioned a weaponsmith to create the fishing arrows last summer. Using them was more for sport than to collect food, though the archer did have several savory fish to deliver to the kitchens. It was a difficult trick to hit a fish below the water with an arrow, and he failed as often as he succeeded. Wind Reach's eagles and falcons were much more efficient than he was at snagging the slippery creatures. But it was one of the few challenges that Kovac had put to himself. Last summer, he came close to beating Kadin's falcon in catching the first fish in an impromptu contest. Satisfied with the catch he had collected, Kovac dried his feet and donned his ankle boots, taking up his bow and gear and the basket of fish and headed back towards the warrens. He accosted a Dek who was carrying a brace of rock squirrels some other hunter must have picked off on the far side of the crater, and he gave the fish to the man to deliver to the cooks. He threatened the poor Drudge with harm if he failed to give him credit for the catch. There were quite a few Inarta out that day, the Spring sun chasing off the chill breeze that sometimes wafted down across the volcano's floor. The bright rays dried the splashes of lake water from his muscled shoulders and chest, but made his green-eyes squint as he surreptitiously observed those around him. There was one particular denizen of Wind Reach that caught his eye. A tall, statuesque woman with a fiery mane and alluring features. Her posture and stride oozed confidence and the authority of an Endal. Her low slung Bryda and gold-embroidered, crimson-beaded short vinati bared a flat, defined midriff. And she was curvy. Kovac chuckled, he knew every one of those curves intimately. With a deliberate nonchalance, the Avora altered his course to intercept Shayth, but feigning ignorance of her presence until he was almost upon her. Finally looking up at his...girlfriend...petch, just admit it bonehead...he lifted his voice "Oh, well, what brings this noble Rider from her lofty aerie to tread the common earth with the rest of us?" He flashed the wry grin that she knew all too well.

[Shayth]

Shayth looked around a little more, and with a small sigh, headed on. There was no sign of the man. A little twinge of disappointment coloured her face as she moved, wishing she had just invited the man out before they had parted this morning. But that would be...inappropriately girlfriend like. Yes, because we are still hung up on that aren't we, a voice inside her head said wryly. The inarta shrugged it off and continued anyway. It was to glorious a day to waste being grumpy and annoyed.

It was with this attitude, she didn't see the man as he approached her, lost in a spattering of faces before her. Focused on the direction she was going and the thoughts in her head, Shayth jumped when he spoke, before turning a raised eyebrow on him. They were in public, and whilst the affair might not be a secret, it was not something to give more fuel to the fire for. Crossing her arms, the endal looked him over.

"Actually, avora, I came to find you. How is a man who resides under my roof so elusive that I can't actually find him?" Tilting her chin, the woman narrowed her blue eyes. He always managed to stir something within her, anger or lust or even mirth, with the angle of his chin or the mischievous grin he wore so often. Swallowing the urge to either slap or kiss him, Shayth beckoned.

"Here, come with me. I have a task for you." Walking on, she expected the man to follow, away from the crowded markets. Where he'd come from, she didn't really know, but she wanted to get away from all the people. The redhead wanted to talk to him without all the stupid protocol and pretending.

[Kovac]

"Well, until you give me a collar and leash, I shall come and go as I see fit. But since you have found your stray hound, what may I do for milady?" Indeed, Kovac wore his wry grin brightly, enjoying the subtle barbs he could fling at Shayth while they maintained their respective roles in public. The Avora loved to see the tall redhead assume her typical pose in response to his snarkiness, her arms crossed under her ample breast, her piercing blue eyes narrowed and roaming over him. From there, he was never sure if she was going to wrap herself around him, or slap his face. As he glanced around the at the people milling about, Kovac knew the former was unlikely, the latter more probable. In the end the Endal refrained from any additional action. She gave her orders, and in her classic authoritarian manner, turned on her heels, confident her Avora would faithfully follow. Kovac's natural response would be to defy Shayth's command out of a rebellious spirit. But he knew he would follow the gorgeous rider, and it irked him that she was so confident about it as well. So, with a whispered, "Well...yes ma'am," Kovac trailed the long-striding woman, admiring the view as he brought up her rear and wondering what this task his...benefactor had for him to perform.

[Shayth]

Walking with an air of authority, Shayth led Kovac away from curious eyes and wagging tongues. She didn't plan it, but with a determined pace, the young endal found herself leading Kovac outside the city and towards the Katshika falls. It was beautiful this time of year, sun breaking through the light mist of water thrown up by the falls itself to create an undying rainbow. The wild flowers were in bloom and the grass was rich and green, lush underfoot. Here and there, small creatures were emerging after winter hibernations, forging for food and mates.

Slowing well before the water's edge, Shayth waited for Kovac to fall in beside her, blue eyes watching the water as it travelled down into the valley. She had nightmares about that river, and refused to get any closer. Further down, the Sanikis Valley spread out with prime hunting ground. But Shayth didn't want to hunt. She wanted to discuss her thoughts with Kovac. She wanted an honest opinion. And really, Kovac was all about opinions.

"I hope I didn't interrupt anything too important calling you away." The endal said with light sarcasm, her smile wide as she turned her head to look at him.

[Kovac]

Kovac trailed the Endal like an obedient hound, playing his part. Only when they were nearing the falls did he quicken his pace to draw up beside Shayth. He slowed as she came to a halt still a distance from the water. The Avora knew something bad had happened there, that Shayth went into the water and had trouble. But she never really talked about it, and he never asked. Even now he saw the sobriety in her gaze as she watched the water move. But the Rider snapped out of whatever memory had cropped up, and turned to him with her glorious smile and sardonic tone. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything too important calling you away." His head turned and he donned a faux expression of irritation. "No, just doing my job, fetching fish for those petching Endal." Kovac held aloft the bow and fishing arrow still in his hands. "See, that is why I have these." His flat face lit up with a snarky smile. His tongue shot out of his mouth and waggled in a suggestive manner. "But of course, when my generous benefactor bellows for my presence, not even a seasoned wind eagle could keep me from running to her side. So, what is it Shayth, what can I do for you." His grin remained wide and toothy, enhance by a sly wink.

[Shayth]

The endal chuckled softly as the avora taunted her, his cheeky smile sending a thrill up her spine. It was his smile that infatuated her so much, combined with his snarky attitude and aggravating cockiness. As Kovac winked at her, Shayth made a sound of mock disgust and pushed his shoulder.

"I want your assistance with a rather personal decision." The redhead said with a cryptic raise of her eyebrow. Staring at the water once more, the endal shifted a little, thoughts coming to mind. This river...almost stole her away. A stupid trickle that even a young child could escape from, had swallowed her down and shown her death. The idea made Shayth angry. Looking back at Kovac, she reached out to tickle the soft skin of his ear.

"Two rather personal decisions, actually. One, I want these." Her fingers lightly traced the silvery jewellery decorating his ear, before lowering again.

"And I don't really know where to start, location wise and how to actually get one. And those markings, the designs into the flesh. Tattoo's. I want one." The rider sounded like a petulant child, a rebellious teenager. Turiska wasn't really a fan of bodily decoration, it was distracting. But Shayth liked the look of it, and she wanted to experience more. Being with Kovac made her giddy and urged her to try the things she'd lived without.

"And two..." Lowering her gaze, Shayth's voice became quieter. Her childish attitude shifted, and swallowing the endal tried to ignore the feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"I want you to teach me how to swim." Her tone was embarrassed, and her cheeks reddened. The endal was ashamed of her inability to conquer the clear waters, and afraid. It made her angry to be so afraid of something so pathetic.

[Kovac]

The endal's gaze lingered on the water again, and Kovac only noted the fact, unwilling to tread on the memory of whatever happened there with some course jest. He would ask her, and she would tell him why, but not now. He was curious as to what she wanted to discuss. "Personal decision? Hmmm...I would go with smooth shaven." He cracked a wide grin, proud of his clever response, and waiting for the retaliation. Would it be verbal or physical? Instead, she carried on as if she hadn't heard his crude joke. That really got his goat. As Shayth reached out to tickle his ear, the typically hard-edged, sardonic avora tilted his head and grinned, his eyes dropping, not unlike a pet dog would. Petch, her simple touch was enough to undo him in most situations and, of course, he resented it. Had some chronicler documented the progression of their relationship, the reader would soon grow weary, and probably nauseous, of the persistent denial, stubbornness and jumble of barbed jabs and boastful innuendo that defined Kovac and Shayth's interactions. As Shayth revealed her desire for piercings and tattoos, Kovac looked at her curiously. The rider had never been much into adorning herself, aside from the beaded necklace she wore. Where other inarta clad themselves in colored glass, Shayth had remained rather spartan in her adornments. Not that he believed she needed any, they just tended to snag when you ripped off vinatis and brydas anyway. Kovac held his peace for the moment, waiting to hear the second favor she would ask. She didn't know how to swim? How had he missed that? Looking back over what had been almost a year together, the half-blood could not recall a time she was in water other than the bathing pools. Kovac held Shayth's ice blue gaze, seeing the sincerity of her last request, quite sure it was connected with what had happened to her at the place they stood. Stepping back and crossing his arms, Kovac let a wry grin return to his face, hoping to urge her from her soberness. His eyes examined her from head to toe, as if assessing the best location for her body modifications. "Well, as far as the first one goes, I can surely help you there. I have become quite a student of your physical form and can think of no one better to help you choose the right places to accentuate your....beauty." It was a rare compliment, but a deeply honest one. "And since I am the one who will have to look at them, in all their glory, it is fitting I have a say in their location." In truth, Kovac did want a say in where Shayth got pierced and tattooed. Her skin was gorgeous, with a few well earned scars that seemed to accentuate rather than detract from her appeal. He would hate to see a hasty decision or poorly skilled artisan ruin that beauty. "As for your second request, I know enough not to drown. I may not be the best choice as a swimming instructor. I will help you find one though, a female, or unattractive male who favors his own gender would probably be the best instructors." he winked and took a step towards her. "So, what do we address first, the piercing or the tattoo?" The prospect actually excited Kovac, and the excitement urge his own boldness. "Perhaps I will join you, and you may help me select the locations of my decoration."

[Shayth]

Shayth listened as the avora discussed her first choice, sounded almost as though he were some sort of expert on the matter. Almost in jest, she tilted her head in acknowledgement to his subtle compliment, a small smile teasing the corners of her lips. Of course, his knowledge of her form was the reason she'd asked for his help. The redhead didn't want to look back and regret her desicion. 

As he continued to speak, the endal's slight smile dropped slightly, even though he joked. Pride burned inside her, and with a slight tightening of her jaw the woman lifted her chin. There would be no swimming - she would not have anyone else know her embarassing secret. Trying to contain the spitfire brimming inside, Shayth raised an eyebrow as Kovac moved closer. Indeed, what first? Even as she bit back the reaction to his suggestion about her swimming, the blue eyed rider was caught by his cheeky grin. Narrowing her eyes for a moment, Shayth made a sound between a chuckle and a disgrunted sigh, before resting her hands on her hips.

"Well, which would you suggest for a...virgin like me?" Her tone was laced with obvious implications, and her ruby lips turned up in a sly smile.

[Kovac]

A blatant chuckle burst from Kovac's throat at Shayth's proclamation of her virginity, at least when it came to piercings and tattoos. Her tone was playful and he took hold of the opportunity. "Its been a while since you had been able to say that, hasn't it darling." The avora's grin stretched nearly from ear to ear, his eyes twinkling in roguish jest. Looking over Shayth's body as if it were a blank canvas, Kovac hesitated a moment, his grin gone and his hand to his chin, looking all the part of a painter or sculptor envisioning his work of art before commencing his work. "Lets begin with the simpler one. Some well placed piercings. We can start in areas that will be more....visible to the public." Still scanning her familiar curves, the archer's hand reached out to caress her bare, flat stomach. His finger slid over her navel, dipping in it slightly. "Here, some jewelry here would look delicious." His eyes darted up to the red-head's blue gaze, flashing a slight, crooked smile. His hands lifted to her ears, taking her soft lobes between his fingers and massaging them lightly. "And of course here." Next his fingers traced the red line of her full lips. "We will not mess with these...they are pefect as they are." Then his eye's took on an impish glint. His forefinger pressed against her lips, sliding past them and into her mouth. Kovac then ran it across her tongue. "And here." "Those are all fine places to accentuate my benefactor's stunning beauty. If she finds she likes those, perhaps she would consider more...hidden areas to adorn as well."