[Wildlands] To Touch a Star (Illia)

[Luke Lammergeier]

49th of Winter, 511 A.V. High Noon, Karbin Road, Destination: Sunberth It was the thirteenth Bell and surprisingly warm. They where in the throws of Winter but a mild one. Compared to the freezing wastelands of Taldera and the irritating humidity of Cyphrus. Sylira was tepid paradise. A blessed land for farmers and travelers. Today was overcast, with sparse rain and little chill. Letting Luke do away with his shirt. He had gotten into the habit with Sama'el on The Sea of Grass. Summers there were brutal there and it was all you could do to keep your clothes dry. "How was your night M'lady?" He asked Illia from horseback. Luke had "persuaded" a merchant into letting him and Illia use one of his more empty wagons as a tent. He sympathized with their situation. Her being Konti and Ethaefal made her a prime target for slavers. And if they were going to avoid suspicion in Sunberth. They couldn't let any of the other traders know of her presence. Lest they rat her out when they reached the city. Luke offering to personally guard his merchandise didn't hurt either. Since their sleeping schedules were so off. Him sleeping by her side at night in the tent. And her waiting til morning to pass out. They only met in the afternoon. Which made him cherish her presence even more. She was his fallen star. His first big lucky break. The reward the gods bestowed upon him for his act of foolish bravery. So when she popped her head out of the canvas covering of the wagon. He smiled wide. Fuck she was beautiful... Her gem like scales caught the little sunlight there was. And illuminated her pale face. With shimmering silver hair, falling past her shoulders. She was the most beautiful woman Luke had ever seen. When his arousal became to great, and it often did. He would often divert his eyes. Finding some redundant task to do. And he did not dare drink, for fear of giving into temptations. His duty was to her safety. Why? He could not say. Perhaps it was some childish notion of finders keepers? Or perhaps she gave his life purpose. A way to make up for his past. "You're looking stunning today." I want to make you scream. "If you're up for a little ride, I was thinking we could go out and practice. One of the scouts told me of a pond a couple miles to the northeast. I don't know about you but I need to clean up." And to see you naked again.

[Illia]

Through the extent of Luke and Illias journey from Evantide Tower, to Sunberth, there had been nothing but bumpy roads. Over time a person should have grown accustomed to it, but it always seemed to get on her nerves. Was it possible to ever block it out completely? Illia doubted it. And just like every other morning on the road, it was the bumps that brought her consciousness neared the surface. Leaving the subconscious dream world that she had grown so fond of over the short amount of time she had spent in Mizahar. Her dreams always returning her to the celestial realm, she missed it whenever she was forced to wake. As she rejoined reality, the sound of wheels grinding against dirt, and hooves trampling the ground met her ears. Another day was just beginning for her. While Luke's had started several hour prior. Letting a sigh escape from her lips, she readied herself for whatever events were to come. And when she built up enough courage, she opened her lids, still heavy from sleep. Quickly a muted light filled her eyes, followed by a pain from the sudden brightness. Instinctively she blocked the light from her vision, an arm falling over her eyes. With it, she rubbed her eyes in an effort to be rid of the sleep the refused to leave just yet. When she was ready, she forced herself up into a cross-legged position. Scratching her head and blinking slowly. Then pushing forward onto her hands and knees, she crawled towards the tent flap, finally courageous enough to face another day. Moving the flap aside and letting the suns light fill the tent, she flinched at its overwhelming brightness. For a moment, she even considered retreating back into the tent in an effort to escape the suns harsh light. At least, until she heard Luke's gentle voice. Turning to look at him, she stared through squinted eyes, as she was still adjusting to the light of day. Opening her mouth wide, she yawned, then smiled at him, blinking a few times. "My night was wonderful, but having to sleep was such a bother..." She spoke in a quiet, tired, voice. Almost sounding a quiet coo. Then listening to his next suggestion, her eyes widened a bit. The mentioning of training and a bath sounded lovely. She was just learning how to use the weapon Luke had given her, and she was eager to start her next lesson. And the thought of taking a bath was enough to make her squeal in excitement. Maybe she should have been frightened of water after her experience at Lake Pavi, but instead she desired to be near it. It was one place she could feel closer to Leth even when the sun shown brightly. She thought it was strange, her first thought being about her and Luke. Will we be alone?" No, she wasn't worried about what dangers might be waiting... only that the two were alone. When they were alone, she didn't have to worry about hiding herself. Everything was out in the open. And waiting for an answer, she crawled the rest of the way out of the tent and plopped down next to Luke. Letting her legs hang off the end of the wagon. Before she knew it, the two were standing off the side of the road as their ride clopped down the road in slow pace. Having skipped breakfast for this little detour, she figuring Luke would have something on him when it came time to eat. This time, she would attempt to mount the horse on her own; growing irritated that she had to rely on Luke to do something that seemed so simple. She was sure her dependency would eventually irritate Luke. So determined to climb up onto the horse without his help, she took hold of the saddle and strained to pull herself up onto the animals back. She really needed to work on upper body strength! Sure she had made it up onto the horse, but she was laying on her stomach across the saddle. Arms hanging down on one side, and her legs on the other. But while she was distracted with the thought of how weak she felt, the horse was becoming agitated by the lopsided weight draped over its back. When it started fidgeting, she quickly slid off the horse and fell to the ground, landing on her bottom with a grunt. But before she had time to react, Luke came to her rescue. Picking her up off the ground and lifter her up onto the horse. Seconds after being put up on the creature, Luke joined her and they were off, quickly picking up speed. Not long after they began the short journey the horse found its rhythm, leaving Luke and Illia no choice but to follow the same rhythm. The beast tossed the two of them up and forward in time with its gallop. She could feel his back pressing into hers, and the inside of his legs pressed against her hips. It felt safe. Like she was protected by an impenetrable shield. "Have you ever been in this area?" Always enjoying a good story, she wandered if he had any about this part of Sylira.

[Luke Lammergeier]

Luke stood aside to let Illia have a go at saddle. He didn't have a problem with doing it for her. He secretly cherished the oppurtunity to touch her hips. But it was best she learn now. Because sooner or later they would have to get her a horse of her own. Luke tried not to laugh as she was mounting. Her potato sack approach was cute, but he didn't want to discourage her. He did however, get a good look at her backside. As it was being thrusted in his face. Keetah didn't seem to be enjoying the show and started to shake her off. Luke, not wanting to grab her inappropriately, tried to calm Keetah instead of pull Illia down. Unfortunately, gravity was more than willing to do the job. And she slid off the horse with a thump. "Don't worry about it Illia." He said smiling. "You'll learn eventually. But until then. How about you let me do it." He lifted her onto the saddle, got on and rubbed her shoulders for a bit of comfort. "You did well for a first timer. You got good spirit." They rode off without incident. Heading for the pool, where they would bathe together and Luke would somehow keep his hands off her. Even now it was difficult. Illia, always the one to stick close to Luke. Kept her back pressed against his as they rode. Which was fine, adorable in a way. But the movement of the horse, made them grind... in an awkward way. It didn't take long before he was stiff. He was glad for the distraction. Focusing all his attention on finding a story to tell her. "You know... usually this would be the part in a friendship were I would lie." The thought of making up a story to tell Illia didn't even cross his mind. He was about to blurt out his times with Andrew and Vincent. How they would hunt for Caravans in these woods. Before he realized and stopped himself. Maybe it was the fact that they saved each others life? Or that Illia was new to being mortal. She didn't seem like she would care about his past. She trusted him, and he trusted her. Luke didn't see the point in lying. "You trust me, don't you Illia?" He waited for her to respond before he continued. "Well, since I was seventeen. I ran with a group of Bandits. How I got in is another story. But I don't think I should hide that from you." He wrapped his arm around Illia's stomach as he spoke. Hopefully the show of affection would keep her from being too afraid. "Obviously I'm not with them anymore. But while I was I did some... more unsavory things. Your safe with me. As you always will be. I just wanted you to know that. So I can be honest with you when I talk about my past." He waited for her to respond. It was a lot to take in for anyone. He hoped she understood the term though. Otherwise this could get be awkward.