Closed Good For Business (Kavala)

[Riaris Dovukalis]

The Akalak was spent now, resting comfortably in the seat, while his hands roamed the skin and scales on her back, and his fingers even twirling into the long, blond locks as they reached them. It had been more than amazing for him, the extent of happiness that one got whenever they were able to grasp that which they wanted dearly, and even more so if they got it unexpectedly. That had been the case with Kavala. It was well known to those in his circle that the Akalak had a flair for Konti women, and when he first laid eyes on her, he knew that he had to have her. However actually being able to claim her in such a way only bells after they met was beyond belief. Riaris could only listen and nod when she spoke of spending intimate time with a stranger. He had to agree, and although he hadn't really been given such chances in the past, nor entertained the thought. The fact was true for him as well, and there was also something else. Kavala was a konti, but there was something about her that had called to him earlier that day, and drew him towards her other than the fact that she had called him. It was more emotion and instinct than thought, which also left him without words as he sat with her in the darkness of the club. But there hadn't been much time to speak as she leaned in and nuzzled him. Her breasts felt soft and warm against his bare chest and as her body intimately rubbed against his, it made him wonder if she was attempting to coax his aching muscle back to life. "Perhaps we shouldn't...linger in thought over it. The fact is that for whatever reason it happened. But more importantly we both enjoyed it." He paused then, allowing his gaze to stray from hers and his tongue to wet his lips, as he considered his next words. " Sitting with you here and now, I have no regrets. I look upon you and I am inspired. That is enough for me and I wouldn't want to ruin of fun with rational thinking." He fell silent again only to chuckle in the next moment from her shy response. He hadn't intended to move her, and would likely have attempted to keep her in his lap if she had tried to. They weren't finished yet, and even though their union had been broken from the shifting of their bodies, Riaris still wanted to keep her close and against him. While he wasn't shy, it wasn't in his nature to express himself, as least not in the way that Kavala had, but he did share her feelings. He chuckled again, but louder at her confession of what she had first visited the shipyard for, and gently grasped and rubbed his hands up and down her arms to warm them. He stared into her eyes as she looked into his, having grown fond of the way she caressed his face. "Yes, it is all coming back to me now. And..I have to say, that maybe you got more than expected? But we both did, didn't we? And..next time, I will be the one asking you for an pleasurable evening." He smiled inwardly, imagining what the other shipwright's were doing in the shipyard while he was out enjoying a Konti. But the moment grew serious suddenly, as Kavala started to speak about her past and how she became an Nakivak. Riaris could tell that it was hard for her to talk about, at least with him since they had only just met. She had mentioned it before, and while he had told her that she needn't tell him, it seemed that she had chanced her mind and decided to. So he sat there, his eyes following hers and his hands gentle and soothingly moving up and down her shoulders and arms. He smiled and lowered his head, finding her compliments enough to cause a burn in his dark cheeks. "You honor me by saying so.." She learned forward and kissed him, and he in-turn kissed her back. It was a sweet kiss and gentle, completely different from the passion and hungry display shown before. "I suppose we have stayed here long enough, and I'm guessing that you are no longer hungry for food." Riaris looked her over and nodded. They had completely destroyed her clothing, and the lovely Konti was left in only a ripped tunic and boots. "I'll see to it." He said simply as he pulled her closer and kissed her deeply. The kiss lasted a chime, showing his want for her and the fact that he wasn't ready to part yet. He lifted her into his arms while their lips were still touching and lightly placed her back onto the seat where she had been before. Releasing her lips, and body, Riaris stood back up, tucking himself back into his pants, before adjusting his belt. His shirt was wore open in the front, but the arms and back were still together. He removed his shirt, tossing it to Kavala so that she might cover her chest while he left to get their coats. "I won't be long...you should have a drink, you look ...thirsty." He joked and turned away to cross the floor. The Akalak slipped through the mass of bodies still dancing about the floor and made his way back to the counter where they had checked in their coats. He returned the ticket, and the woman took it while staring at him curiously. She remembered seeing him in at least a shirt when he arrived, and while it wasn't so strange that he returned without one, she found herself staring him down. Riaris noticed the stare and arched a brow in return. "This club is rather humid wouldn't you agree?" The woman giggled and returned his and Kavala's belongings. Back across the floor he went, moving at a quicken pace so that his companion wasn't left alone and cold for too long. Once he made it back, he smiled to her and holding up her coat for her to slip into or simply take if she chose too. "If this doesn't cover you enough I am sure that mine will."

[Kavala]

He didn't immediately leave. He didn't grow shy. He didn't beat feet for the door. Instead he wanted to linger and almost seemed like had they been alone he would have been willing to simply hold her as long as they wanted and perhaps even share thoughts even though he steered them gently away from any rationalization or justification.

Kavala would have liked that, the lingering, but not here, not now. They'd already made too much of a scene of things and after she watched him rise, straighten his clothing, and give her his shirt, she carefully buttoned it on. It was all but a dress on her and she had to smile. He was taking care of things? She shook her head watching him walk off to retrieve their things. Her cloak would be welcome now, though the shirt that smelled like Riaris was more than enough to keep her warm in the club. She just wasn't used to.... having an Akalak hang out after sex. Her talvas' had all simply came, took their pleasure, and left. It was always awkward, and even though she'd learned eventually to enjoy it, this was vastly different. While he was fetching her things she ran her thumb across her lips which were swollen and then ran her hands down her chest and down her to her stomach, as if marveling at the sensations still lingering. Kavala was confused. She should have felt guilty, dirty even, perhaps like a lightskirt... but instead she just felt very very happy. And she wanted more. Already. Because the feeling of satisfaction that infused her was one she could learn to love intimately.

When he returned she rose long enough to slip on her cloak as he held it open for her. She fastened it tight and lifted the hood, letting the bulky fur lined thing keep her body heat in as they walked towards the door. Kavala left coin on the table for the meal and extra for any mess they made.

The couple was quiet walking through the streets towards the stable. She wasn't sure what to say to him, but she looked often his way and her small hand found its way into his larger one about ten steps out of the club and was content to remain there until she needed both of them to open the gate at the stables and to retrieve the large stallion she'd been referring to as a pony and hooked him up to the cart that rested in the stableyard. Once harnessed she climbed on, scooted over so Riaris could join her on the seat, and headed off to The Sanctuary.

In due course she spoke, her words soft and somewhat lighthearted. "I'm sorry I'm quiet. I'm just... very happy. I'm still trying to... believe what happened just happened." She admitted, glancing over at him as they took the northern branch and didn't take the ferry across the river. Her eyes were an intense blue, full of emotion, though she spoke of none of it. She set out on the Kabrin but was soon turning off onto a smaller road that swept back towards the beach and lead to her facility.

Two miles down the road they passed deep into the fringe forest and followed the road out almost to the cliff. There, a massive wall rose up that seemed to enclose a facility of some sorts. She halted the cart at the gates, hopped down, and pushed the large wrought iron pairings open. Once open wide, she lead the horse cart through into a courtyard that hosted a large non-working fountain. On the far side of the Courtyard was a huge arena where a young Drykas man was working a small herd of yearlings. She brought the stallion to a halt near one side of the courtyard and began releasing him from the cart. Then she beckoned Riaris to join her as she lead the stallion into the stallion barn, slowly untacked him, and hung up the harness on a peg and let the stallion loose in a large box. "Will you pick up the cart by the shafts and back it into the shed across the way? Right next to the wagon?" She asked, and then seemed ready for him.

Once Riaris had done that, she paused in the center of the Courtyard, by the non-functioning fountain and started to ask him. "Would you like the money right away, or would you like a tour of The Sanctuary....?" She began, only to be interrupted by a pint sized whirlwind accompanied by dogs that were far larger than he was. The three year old boy launched himself across the Courtyard at his mother and was in Kavala's arms before she knew what hit him. The dogs, Imperial Watchers, ranged around Riaris, wary but not threatening. "Momma! Momma! You came home!" He said, mixing his common, his Tukant and his Pavi so that the Mommas sounded like three different words. Kavala laughed, kissed her son, and turned to Riaris.

"Riaris, this is Tasival and Shayru." She said, calming the boy with a touch and soothing back the shock of white hair on his head. His skin was a dark cerulean and his eyes were a bright bold gold. Scales crisscrossed his hands, neck and cheeks, adding a deep blue iridescent to his skin. Akontak, not Akalak. Kavala's son was a god-touched child.

"Hi Riaris." The boy offered then glanced at the dogs. He slowly called the black and white harlequin Imperials off. "Are you visiting us?" He asked, looking around to see if Riaris had any sick animals with him. "What did you bring that was sick?" He asked, gregarious and obviously speaking better than most three year olds should.

Kavala laughed. "We're healers of animals here. He knows I went to town to order a boat today, don't you Tasi? Riaris here is going to build part of it." Kavala answered, shifting the boy on her hip and then finally putting him down. At three he wasn't very big, but he was talkative and squirmy and that was a lot of weight for the Konti to keep steady on her hip. Kavala didn't talk down to her son, didn't use a tone as some mothers did with their children. Instead she talked to him like she would anyone else.

Riaris would note the boy was dressed in miniature leathers under his cloak and there was a tell-tail bulge at the small of his back that when Kavala had picked him up had revealed a wooden toy lakan. It was obvious she was trying to raise him within his culture, even though apparently there was no male on the scene.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Riaris had noticed a look in Kavala's mesmerizing eyes. A look of surprise, or one of sadness as if she expected something to go wrong. He saw this but said nothing, the Akalak wasn't the curious type with most things, and he'd imagine that if there was anything she wanted to tell him that she would do so in her own time, just as she had with him only chimes ago. He shared more glances with her, and when her hand found it's way into his, he excepted it and walked hand in hand with her through the streets. They were quiet for a time, but Riaris wasn't bothered by this. The day, at least since he had met the konti, had been different than anything he could have expected, and for the time he was content to let it play out without question. At the stables, he waited for her to ready the cart and then climbed aboard and sat down beside her so that they could head off. It had been an exciting detour before they headed to The Sanctuary, and Riaris was much more joyful than his featured showed. It wasn't something he knew a lot about, and he couldn't seem to put into words how much he enjoyed being with her, or even if he should try. "Silence isn't always a bad thing. Some times I sit alone in silence and allow my mind to cool and reconnect with my soul and body." He paused as he turned to her, leaning in so that their arms touched and he could catch the pale glow cast from Syn's light upon her hair. "And you..have nothing to be sorry for. I should thank you, for making this day more..enjoyable. More so than I could have imagined." The ride continued on and Riaris wasn't shy with showing Kavala more public affection, but not so much that she couldn't navigate the roads and find her home. Finally they reached their destination after traveling over two miles. Riaris climbed down after she did and followed while she led the horse into the stable and unhooked him. He nodded to her and did as she asked, by moving the cart across the yard and into the shed. Once he had finished, he returned to her in the center of the Sanctuary. " I suppose that the money can wait, a tour sounds enjoyable. " He stared at her, his eyes searching her form as his mind wondered. But before anything else could be said a tiny blur of white hair dashed across the yard and into Kavala's arms. However the Akalak's gaze was pulled away by the massive dogs that followed the boy protectively. Riaris instantly recognized the boy as an Akontak as his own little sister was of the same race. "Hello Tasival and Shayru, I am Riaris/Recoomas. And no, I haven't brought anything with me. But I am visiting, yes you could say that." The boy reminded him so much of his little sisters. They were close to each other, but at times it felt as if they had drifted apart. The girl was a storm as times, as changing as the seas, and other times as peaceful and calming as the falling of snow. She was a fragile thing, and yet as solid as rock. Much as he had been when he was younger. Riaris smiled as he watched Kavala with her son, he could tell that she was a loving mother, and there was a strong bond between them, as there should be with mother and son.The Akalak did notice the toy lakan that the boy had and there was a bit of pride that swelled within him. The boy wasn't a pure Akalak, but he shared their blood which meant that he was still a warrior in the making. He kneeled down after Kavala put the boy down, reached into his coat and removed his lakan. He gazed at the boy for a moment and held the weapon out for him to take if he chose too. "It's similar to your own, is it not? One day..you will have one of your own. Forged as I have done with mine, and with it you will be a protector for those that you love." His gaze lifted then and settled on Kavala. "Of everything you hold dear.." He returned his gaze to the boy and smiled again. " I have a sister, she is much older than you, but like you she is also touched by the gods." Riaris stood up again, and allowing the boy to hold the lakan a bit longer if he wanted too and looked to Kavala. "I take it you enjoy living so far away from the city?"

[Kavala]

Emotion gripped the Konti hard as she watched the enormous Akalak bend carefully and drop down to her son's level and speak to him as a man would speak to his own son. Tasival's own father had never seen his son born. He'd never spoken to him. He'd never held him in his arms and had never ever gotten the chance to know what a wonderful incredible person Tasival and Shayru were. All of the Akalak were special to Kavala, even the ones that had damaged her psyche so much. And she could help but notice with herself standing in the room along with Riaris her son was some sort of tangible next step between the perfect blending of the two bloods.

He answered her son's questions, despite the big dogs circling who lay down quietly at Kavala's softly spoken word. Tasi glanced at Kavala once the real Lakan appeared, his eyes wide, but his as his mother nodded she noted the shift and realized it was Shayru that took the Lakan carefully from the older man. He gripped it in his little hands, needing both to hold it, then immediately sat down on the ground cross-legged, and laid the weapon on his lap. Carefully he ran his scaled fingers down the flat of the blade, not the edge, and then looked up at Riaris, wonder in his eyes. "I feel you in this. Inside." The boy said with surprising clarity to his voice. He reached behind him and pulled his own wooden lakan out of its sheath at the small of his back. He compared the two, studious like his mother, and tuned out the man, the Konti and even the dogs while he made his study.

"Can I meet her? Would she talk to me? I wanted a sister but she died. Mom almost too. I want to meet Johan. Not Nanali. Nanali's boring. LIke mom." Kavala blinked, glancing sharply at Riaris. She had no idea where Tasival picked up the names from or if those were indeed his sister's names. "Shayru. Mind your manners. Do not insult a man's sister, especially one you haven't met." She said gently. Then she bent carefully, retrieved the Lakan from Shayru, and handed it back to Riaris. She laid her hand on her son's head, worried momentarily as she stroked a stray lock of hair out of his eyes. The boy shrugged the hand off, rose, and brushed off his leathers. The dogs rose and joined him as well, milling around him and soon he was lost in their big bodies. Kavala stepped back, giving them all room and glanced apologetically at Riaris again.

A girl, perhaps in her early teens with bright red gold hair appeared. She waded into the dogs with a hiss which revealed elongated canines and scooped up the boy. "I'll take him Aunt Kavala. He's past the time he needs to nap anyhow. And he skipped out on his lessons this morning to go fishing with Larik." Her tone indicated her twin was equally to blame and in trouble for the whole thing.

"Cadra this is Riaris and Ricoomas. He's building a ship for us... well a small one but a ship all the same." She said, introducing her niece to the big Akalak. "Riaris, this is Cadra, my niece. My brother lives here too along with Cadra and her twin Larik. Cadra is an incredible cook and Larik is our scout and eyes in the sky." Kavala said. "Thanks Cadra. I appriciate it. I need to do some business with Riaris." Kavala said.

"No worries Aunt Kav. Hey there's food in the kitchen as well. Almost no one was here for lunch and it looks like its going to be just as empty for dinner. So I made sandwiches people can eat as they wander in and out." Kavala thanked her as she picked up Shayru and hurried off with him to put him down for a nap.

"I honestly don't know what I'd do without them. I....." She looked thoughtful, as if she wasn't sure how much to reveal. But when she looked up at Riaris, she somehow felt safe speaking openly. "I act as healer for some of the kelvic importers here in the city. I do it on a voluntary basis. I found my brother, who is not a kelvic but very much a drykas locked up among them. He was captured by zith on the sea of grass. The Drykas have suffered so much since the djed storm. I thought I lost my entire family to the storm as well. When I found him it was like finding hope. The second batch of kelvics contained Larik and Cadra. I'm so glad I heal for them free of charge now. They brought my family back to me. Vanator didn't even know he had children. But they look so much like him and their mother. I recognized them because I delivered them. They were unmistakeable to me. And now they are all home so I have a brother and a niece and nephew here." She said, leading him back out into the light of the courtyard.

"Yes, I love living here. We've built it up quite a bit. We are still building, in fact." She said as she lead him through the large arena that acted as a central area for the facility. People moved about, but only a few and most intent on their work. The arena had loose horses in it, good quality, and there were fields within the stone walls that held horses as well. A cow somewhere in the distance called a low moaning sound and another answered. He could hear other animals as well - chickens, geese, and the cry of a hunting bird off to the east. The Sanctuary wasn't just a facility, it was a fortress and a small city all its own.

"Would you like a tour?" She said, knowing he might enjoy seeing where she lived.

map :

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Riaris watched as the boy took the lakan and began to study it. He hoped that Kavala didn't mind, but there was a subtlety that he lacked. He had little knowledge of the boy's upbringing besides what Kavala had told him, and he had no way of knowing how the adults taught him, and of what. For Riaris the showing of the lakan was the cure for a curious nature. His own father many years ago had did the same for him, and allowed him to touch a real lakan. He remembered it fondly, the very first time he held the weapon. It made him feel strong, important..it made him feel like a man. Kneeling there, in front of the boy, there was a warm feeling in his chest, and he could only smile as he imagined what great things the boy might do. What glory he could bring to his home, to his Gods, and to his mother. "It is said that the lakan is forged of our blood and of our djed. It is a part of us and as such, we always know where it is and who has it. So..I guess you could say, it is unheard of for an Akalak to loose his lakan." He paused with a soft chuckle and continued "One day, you will forge a lakan of your own djed." He silenced his voice then, deciding not to overload the young boy's mind with too much information so soon. Riaris watched the boy curiously and turned a glance up to Kavala from the boy's surprising words. He hadn't given the names of his sisters to him, but yet he knew them, and even their personalities to an extent. He remained silent for a bit and watched as Kavala spoke to her son, and uttered another low chuckle. "You will meet them both in time, and I'm sure that Johan would be pleased to meet such a studious young mind. Perhaps you will even come to like Nanali, the girl is a bit shy, but she has a good heart..like your own mother in fact. A very good heart." He glanced up towards Kavala with a wink and took the lakan from her. Standing back to his towering height, he watched the boy again for the moment, before the dogs retook their shielding positions around him. "You have a wonderful son Kavala, he is special..." He didn't say more, but his thoughts continued to roam about inside his head. He still wondered how the boy knew the names of his sister's. Had he been marked by a god? It was possible, many in the city were, but it didn't seem as if even Kavala knew of this, whatever it was. He could only imagine that he would learn more in time. Interrupted from his thoughts, the Akalak found himself now staring down at a bright redhead hissing at the dogs. Riaris nodded to the girl then stayed silent while Kavala conversed with the young girl who eventually took the boy away with her. He moved a bit closer to Kavala, a strong arm reaching out and hugging her hip as he drew her closer and against his body. There was a overwhelming since of family and strength within the walls, a sense that called to him and melted with his own beliefs on what a family bond should be. When it seemed for a moment that she had lost her words, he gently squeezed her in his arm, urging her to continue. Riaris followed her, as she led them back into the courtyard where Syn's light showered them, and turning his dark skin a shade lighter and adding a gentle glow to his companion's already radiant features. He smiled to her, planting a gentle kiss to her forehead as they walked with his arm still around her. "I would love a tour, I've always wondered what the place was like up close. I'd like to see it."

[Kavala]

Kavala hesitated, especially potentially in front of the questioning eyes of her staff, but then went ahead and took Riaris' hand to lead him on a tour. The soft sand of the arena slowed them a bit, though the Konti was used to the footing. She unlatched the gate at the far side, and began pointing out sites.

"This is our healing clinic and patient quarters. This is where I do the vast majority of my work. We have a team of healers that work diligently to keep our clients happy." Kavala said, gesturing to the large clinic that formed a sideways T before them. She skirted around it though, ignoring a pair of doors that lead downward off one edge of the arena.

"The stable next to the main gate - our horse gate - is the Stallion barn. We have a forge planned for the other side. Attached to the Stallion Barn is the Broodmare barn and opposite of that is our Boarding Barn. We take boarders and sale horses in and that's where we keep them." Kavala said. Then she gestured to the east. "We have mews and a chicken house behind the Patient and Guest quarters off the Clinic. We have chickens here and a great many raptors we saved eggs of just prior to the djed storm. Our chickens sat on them and hatched them out." Kavala smiled, chuckling.

"On the opposite side, that large building there, is a Kennels where all the dogs stay." Speaking of dogs, they were flanked by quite a few, mostly Imperial Watchers and Silkenas. Kavala mostly ignored them and they didn't get too close, but just followed curiously. She darted through a breezeway between a round pen and the Healing Clinic and passed a paddock and a half formed garden. Then they passed a huge hole in the ground that was half worked with stone and a set of stakes reading 'the pool' as they exited around it. For a while they ran out of buildings but Kavala explained.

"These are planned structures. There's a greenhouse, a meeting hall, and a catery planned. Then, on the opposite side we have a Healing College planned with an attached library, mess hall, and dorms. Right now they are just additional paddocks to graze horses in. Past the planned school, see that barn in the far corner? That's a cow barn, and those two smaller structures are goat and pig barns off to the west. Everyone gets their own runs or pastures. We have all kinds of animals here, mainly to encourage diversity, have blood donars, and creatures that we know are healthy in case we get sickness coming through. More than once an animal here has saved an outside animal simply for the fact they aren't sick and are easily studied if they do get sick." Kavala said, showing him a brief look at the Main Entrance gates and then leading him passed a series of beehives. "I keep bees too, Riaris. If you need fresh honey in late spring, you'll know where to look." She said, chuckling. Then they walked around the 'pool' on the opposite side and she pointed out two other gardens, once medicinal and one ornamental.

They followed a trail back around past the mews and through another breezeway that lead back to the double doors that lead straight down into the earth. She flung them open and revealed a tunnel that was wide enough to ride two horses abreast down. "This is the entrance to The Within. This is where we all live and stay safe. This is how we survived the Djed Storm." Kavala said, stepping into the lit corridor. Torches were burning all the way down the slow spiral, revealing intricate stonework on the walls. The scene depicted a slow descent into the depths of the ocean, complete with mosaic stone waves that dropped into schools of fish and slowly into coral reefs that dropped off into darkness that had strange glowing fish. Kavala lead Riaris down, all the way to the bottom, and it took quite a while. She gripped his hand the whole way, growing quiet as if nervous, letting him look at the stonework and find his footing in the semi-darkness between torches. The slope was gradual and someone had cut or formed tiny ridges in the ramp so that hooves could get a grip on the surface walking up and down. It was equally sturdy on boots.

They came out eventually in a huge cavern beneath the cliff Sanctuary stood on. It revealed a Sea Cave with huge doors that was divided in two parts. There were corrals and stallion boxes and enough hay and grains stored for the animals above. The cave was divided into two parts and had an elaborate waterfall dividing the two sections. Beneath and around the waterfall was another stone mosaic depicting the Goddess Makutsi. Kavala took a moment to show Riaris around, though there wasn't much to see but the awesome view of the waves beyond the Sea Gates.

the Within :

http://www.mizahar.com/forums/gallery/pic.php?mode=large&pic_id=8273

Then she lead him back up a smaller more quiet tunnel, not as intricately carved, and pushed open a doorway that revealed a malachite and lapis colored suite that was huge. It was dominated by a large four-poster bed on one wall and a large desk on another. There was a dressing table, comfortable chairs scattered around, and a walk in wardrobe. There was a vanity and a massive bookshelf that only held a single volume. It was tasteful, elegant, and spoke of quiet wealth.

"This is my suite." Kavala said, somewhat breathless. She'd skipped the other rooms, the Common Room and the kitchen. She hadn't even showed him the library or the bath. Instead she'd brought him straight here... to her private place.. so they could be alone.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Riaris walked along side Kavala as she led him on a tour through her home and place of work. He stayed close to her, the sting of their earlier union had long since passed, yet leaving behind a tingling for more. It was somewhat humorous as it was surprising. The fact that all this time such a woman had been right there in Riverfall, but they had never crossed paths. In a way, he was irritated by it and wished that it had been he who saved her those years ago from whatever fate attempted to take her life. He wouldn't have left her to raise her son alone, and would have been more than happy to have another in his family like his sisters. The Akalak followed along as she showed him around the healing clinic. Hand in hand they walked, and he would occasionally draw her in a bit closer for a somewhat subtle bit of attention as they continued on the tour. Riaris nodded as he looked around and made a mental note of where he would most likely find her, should he decide to visit her while she was working. Once they moved on from there, Riaris followed her as she led them past the gates and onto the barns. He chuckled as she did at the mention of chickens hatching raptors and continued to look around and passed the large dogs walking about. "Are they always so friendly?" he asked amused by it all. While the Akalak knew of such dogs, he wasn't used to being around so many. "Are they all take ins, or have you raised, breed them all?" He followed her as the tour went on and took in the sights as well as the information that she gave on the different structures and areas that they passed. It was fascinating to see it all, and he could see how the lovely Konti kept herself busy not to mention invisible from the city. "A Beekeeper...I see, well I would like a sample of the honey that you harvest." He said as she led him passed the beehives. It was an interesting offer and one that led his mind down two different paths, though both included Kavala. His gaze fell upon the pool as they passed it and he thought of the possibility of going for a swim. But he didn't say anything and instead looked to the breezeway that they entered and followed through. "So this is where you have been hiding from me.." he joked. He grew silent after, taking time to place his feet as they descended into the darken spiral. He looked around at the stone work and gently rubbed his thumb across her hand as her grip on him tightened. Once they came out into the cavern, Riaris looked around to where Kavala showed him, and took a moment to gaze at the stone mosaic of Makutsi. "You have a wonderful home Kavala...Very impressive." Riaris smiled and marveled at his surroundings and found it all quiet beautiful. As the toured ended, or rather stalled, the Akalak found himself in Kavala's suite. There wasn't a better room in all the Sanctuary he imagined and smiled. He turned the small down into his arms, then lifted her up as he had done a few times before and placed a hungry kiss upon her lips. "Now that the tour is over."

[Kavala]

Kavala smiled at his questions about the dogs. "We breed them here. And no they wouldn't be friendly if you were here alone or they didn't know you. We're with you so they know you are fine. We breed Watchers like these, ghost dogs, silkenas and deerstalkers. The deerstalkers and Silkenas hunt for us. The ghost dogs came about by accident. And the Imperial Watchers are protective. We sell the pups for various reasons. It generates a great deal of revenue for our facility. They don't come cheap, but their new owners get well trained and well bred dogs if they buy adults and physically sound puppies if they by them as babies." Kavala said, continuing the tour. Spending time with Riaris was easy. Talking to him was easy too. He seemed genuinely interested, and wasn't trying to rush her along or make any sort of negative comments.

In fact, the whole situation was strange to her. She wasn't used to male visitors, nor did she bring Akalak home. Though she knew he was a virtual stranger to her, she liked him all the same. There was a familiar comfort walking beside him, a feeling more like coming home than coming home usually felt like. It scared her a little, more than anything usually did. Kavala was afraid of being afraid and went to great lengths to limit her exposure to fear. But this was a whole new territory. But it felt good, very good, and even standing beside him she could feel his warmth, his hand clenched in hers, and his clean masculine scent was inundating her. They both needed a bath after the club, because she could also smell the scents from The Coils Club on her clothing along with Riaris' unique blend of male. She wondered if he could smell her on his hands, his clothes... his....

Kavala took a deep breath and kept walking.

Gods, she wanted him again. It was what drove her to cut the tour short and take him up to her suite. She smiled at his comments on the bees as well. "We'll have to see how much honey we have and if we don't kill the bees. This is our first year. I'm not actually a beekeeper. I'm just learning. But if there's honey, we'll surely share." She added, gripping his hand tighter. They came out into her suite and she turned to face him, his comments falling on deaf ears for a moment. She started to thank him, to tell him when she'd bought the place it was simply a set of workrooms on top of the cliff....

But that was lost when he picked her up and kissed her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, hung on, and kissed him back. The hunger she felt was shocking. He'd completely satisfied her at the club and yet he hadn't walked away. He hadn't seemed like it was enough either. The Konti was aggressive, no longer flirty or quietly bold like she'd started out in the club.. They were alone here, in private, and she feasted on his mouth concealing none of the hunger she still felt for him. While he supported her in his arms, Kavala clutched at his shoulders and gripped his lower lip with her teeth. She released him and lifted her head once more tasting his mouth and then breaking it off to rub her cheek against his before kissing him again.

"I don't understand this." She said, whispering to him though there was no need. "Enough is not enough. It's almost like it will never be enough." Kavala paused, as if considering, then whispered one last thing before kissing him again. " Will you spend some time here? All night maybe?" She invited, not sure if he could or if he had obligations elsewhere. Kavala held on with one arm halfway around his neck and reached up to stroke his hair back with the other. She leaned her forehead into his for a moment, feeling small within his arms and not sure if she liked the sensation or not.

She turned and glanced back at the bed, then at him, and realized for a moment that no man other than her family had ever been in this room. No man had been in the bed. Before Tasival was born, she would have wished the same thing of her body, but she would never trade him for anything even something as important as innocence. He was part of her whole life, a big part of it, and she wasn't ashamed. But she was glad in that moment, very glad, that this place was her sacred place and it was her choice who she invited in and who got to stay. Riaris was her choice. And that thought made her smile, brighter perhaps than she had in a long time.

Kavala wanted to do things properly and as she thought her thoughts, she released them out into the room between herself and him, letting him know what she thought. "I don't want to hide your beautiful body. I want to see all of it. I want to feel and taste all of it. I want to make your control break and not feel the need to come back until we're both ready for it. I want your weight on me, your body merged with mine, and I want to not remember my own name for a while. Will you stay?" She asked again before lifting her mouth for another kiss.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Riaris couldn't help but to smile back at the woman. Her laughter was adorable and her smile infectious causing him to do so whenever she would. He listened as she explained about breeding the dogs and thought of buying one for his sisters. They enjoyed pets as he knew and to have a protector with them when he wasn't around would also ease his worry. "I may have to take you up on that. Nanali, Johan, the girl's do like pets and I can think of no better protector for them while I'm away. Hmm..perhaps it's even possible to teach one to keep annoying, juvenile young Akalak away from them." He chuckled as he finished, but in truth Riaris couldn't have been more serious. The tour continued and for the second if not third time, he had completely forgotten about the reason that he was there. His eyes was on the woman walking with him and their combined hands. He had no problem sharing closeness with her as he had been doing for at least two bells now, but he could imagine how others in her family might react at seeing her together so close with an Akalak that they'd never met before. But Kavala was enjoying it and he wasn't about to turn away from her. Riaris wasn't the type to think on matters for extended periods of time without actions. He wouldn't question his fate and would simply enjoy what they had and allow it to grow. Riaris could only chuckle inwardly at the situation and what was going on inside him. Kavala made him feel vibrant and young, causing him to want to scoop her up every couple of seconds and snuggle her as a child would a new stuffed animal. The woman called to him, urging his primal beast from within to come out and take what was needed from her. With Kavala, letting go never felt so good... He looked around more as she led him on, memorizing the different rooms and areas as if he expected to visit often. "I would like that, honey isn't something that I have tasted much. It's not the sort of thing I'd do normally but with you..I could..try some." When she gripped his hand, he teasingly drew her closer so much that she would actually be walking under him. For a moment, he allowed himself to imagine sharing honey with her and the sudden burst of excitement almost caused him to have to readjust his pants. Kavala was the unknown, and so far she had shown very little restraint with him. He had to wonder..how far would she go, how far did she want him to go? It happened fast, and Riaris moved, did things without thinking and without question. He scooped Kavala into his arms as they stood in her room. The Konti wrapped her legs around him as they kissed and he had no problem squeezed her rear as he slowly moved her body up and down against his. There was a familiar warmth growing there where their hips met, and as he pressed her against him, he could feel it rising. Her hungry kisses were as tasty as they had been at the club and the fact that they were now alone made him feel somewhat compelled to kiss her back even harder and buck his hips against hers. Then she spoke, a tone much like the one she had in the club just before their encounter became hot and bothered. Riaris smiled and quieted her with a kiss. He wasn't going to worry and he didn't want her to either. He always believed that hesitation was weakness and he didn't want to hesitate with her. For her words and well as his own, she belonged to him and was willing to except the wrath of his love in whatever form or bruises it came with. That moment, as she asked him to stay he was suddenly reminded of the real reason they he came to her home. Taking an extended break was one thing, but not returning at all until the following day wasn't the best of ideas. "Such a temping offer, there is no way I can refuse. I shall stay the night with you. Although I can imagine a very interesting conversation come morning." However Riaris wasn't concerned with that at the moment. Kavala needed him and he needed her as well....again. It was decided and he kissed the woman deeply before lifting her up and tossing her back onto her bed. Riaris smiled wickedly as he looked down at her. Roughly, he pulled off his coat and removed his shirt, discarding the items on the floor beside the bed. He moved closer to the bed and wrapped his meaty hands around her ankles and pulled her to the end of the bed where he could undo and remove her boots. She had asked for him to let go before, but this time she wouldn't have too. "Let's get you out of these clothing hmm? Then...I can decide where I want to put my lips first."

[Kavala]

Kavala chuckled at his comment about teaching the pups to fend off Akalak. She wasn't sure that was such a good idea in a city filled with them, but by Riaris' expression he wasn't being serious. She skimmed his face, paying attention, wanting to know more about him, and his expressions for sure. But as they moved on, and she talked, she understood readily enough that he really didn't want to talk any more. That was fine with her, because part of her babbling just nonsense anyhow. She didn't know the first thing about seducing a man. She only knew how to ask what she wanted - and did so. Being with the Rivarians had taught Kavala that things were different with them than they were with the Drykas. The Drykas shared everything. They fought together, ate together, even slept together day and night.

The Akalaks were not so easy with their thoughts and feelings. They were warriors, stoic and guarded. They did little in terms of talking things over. Instead they acted, reacted, and surged ahead. And that's what Riaris did when he tossed her onto the bed, removed his coat and shirt, and yanked her over to get her boots free of her legs. There wasn't much left of her tights or her scarf dress to begin with, so it was only a matter of her fingers parting the material and removing it as she pulled her cloak from her neck. The tights came easily, already shredded from before, once she twisted her hips and let Riaris pull the tattered remains free. She was already sitting up, hands on his belt, pulling the massive buckle loose and unthreading leather from his pants loops. The fastenings on his pants came free easily, her hands remembering how they closed and opened from before. She shoved them off his hips, letting him step out of them and out of any footwear he had on. Then she drew him onto the bed with a gentle hand in his.

Riaris was close to twice her size, taller, but for sure in body mass. But she strangely wasn't afraid of him. His hands were big, powerful, but they held a restraint and moved with an ease that reminded her of a warrior. Callouses lined his palms where he routinely gripped a weapon. His boldness drew her. He wasn't shy in asking what he wanted for though he didn't speak much nor make casual conversation.

Kavala was no virgin. Riaris knew that fact intimately. But she'd never invited anyone into her bed before. She'd been the object of Akalak lust at times, but it had always been for the purpose of reproduction. Such instances, while frequent, were often repetitive and quick. She wanted something else here. Kavala breathed in his scent, nuzzled his collarbone, and glanced up into his eyes before she kissed him again. Her arms came around his torso, and she stroked his back, tracing his spine. She stretched out her body against his, letting him feel her scales against his skin, roughly scratching him at times as she moved the wrong way against him.

This was what she'd missed at the club. No matter how exciting it'd been, there had been barriers. Here there were none. She could feel their energies entwine and their bodies heat up once more. Kavala rolled away from him, stretched her arms above her head, and arched her back rolling her hips slightly, letting him look at her as she stretched out on the bed on her back.

Decadent. That's what this felt like. She smiled slowly, reached out to him, and drew her hand up his stomach, across it, and splayed her fingers out on his chest tracing the lines there. She offered him a smile, rolled back to her side, and tossed her hair out of her face. Kavala then lifted her hand, traced the line of his face, as if learning his features - memorizing them.

"You are very handsome... very handsome." She said softly. Then she moved again, closer to him, wrapping herself around him. She dipped her head and kissed the hollow of his throat and ran her kisses down his chest and lower across his waist, across his stomach, until she took him into her mouth. She wanted him to know pleasure. She wanted him to know that even virtual strangers could make a connection, come together in common ground, and find joy in each other and maybe even love.

.