Closed The stranger in black

[Absynia]

Ash unfolded one of his massive wings nibbling at a feather thoughtfully, the stranger certainly had a different tune now, he liked this.

Just as long as you remember which of us is truly more magnificent. Yes, I’ll let you accompany us back to our aerie, but don’t make a habit of asking, I am not a horse.

Syn grinned turning to Demetri.

First thing I need you to do is keep your body relaxed, you’re grip around my waist firm. Second, move when I move, it makes it easier on Ash. Lastly, where you will sit near your legs are some straps, use them, you are not used to flying and if the wind turns foul we’ll have to do some fancy flying with all the rock around here. You’ll be fine though, just trust him and I and things will be fine.

She carefully settled herself on to the back of her friend, running her fingers through his feathers as thanks, later she’d help him with his feathers making sure to get the places he couldn’t reach. She unfastened the straps and then before long her bondmate moved to the edge and dropped off his wings catching the air. Through a few subtle tells she gave him the signal to do a few easy maneuvers, after all it would be fun, though there weren’t any thermals to really show Demetri what it was like, maybe later she’d ask Ash for another flight. She had wanted the clawed man to ask, but she herself usually did so, maybe she’d make Demetri ask again anyways just for a grin. When they finally landed she hopped down, then when their passenger was finally off unstrapped the harness. The long crested eagle fluffed his feathers for a moment happy to have the contraption off then walked carefully ahead to settle in to his nest for a well-earned rest. Syn led the way to the door in to her home, the common room warm from the fire crackling within the firepit in the center of the circular room.

She set the harness on a special rack, her own coat going on a coat hangar on the wall. She stretched a few bones in her spine popping. In the light the room was given many shadows, the plants adding a fresh, subtle, spicy scent to the air that when paired with the smell of burning wood provided a smell that welcomed and set to ease those who smelled it. The vines while tended were the source, a plant that was used in tea to help aid headaches, but so too the smell from the living plant did the same. There was a set of chairs and a comfy couch-bench that was for relaxing and sleeping should one wish to do so. Syn turned to regard the man studying his face.

Welcome to my home… My servant will be up before me so just ask her for whatever you’d like, write down anything complicated so she can give it to one of the cooks. The door ahead of us is her room, the one to the left is mine, these areas are off limits. Look around if you want… I’d stay up longer, but I am quite tired.

She moved to a shelf pulling down a set of pillows and a thick soft cream colored fur blanket placing them on the couch.

Let me know if you’ll want to bathe tomorrow… I can show you to mine, also if you need to use any other facilities knock on Lana’s door and ask, she’ll assist you. Good night Demetri…

[Demetri Velutina]

Turning around Demetri went to retrieve his cloak that rested on the ground. Dusting the cloak off he started to fold it until it was small enough to fit in to his backpack. It had rested so snuggly against his back for so long that he nearly forgot it was there up until the moment he needed it. He tapped a foot lightly against the ground, feeling the dirt begin to give way against his footfall before resisting his step, the ground pushing back against him, and he gave the faintest shake of his head. Almost as if saying one last good by to the stability of being on the ground. He made an indiscernible sound which served it purpose of preparing himself to climb onto the saddle harness. Pursing his lips faintly as he considered the bird for a moment – and more importantly, the body language of the bird– as he placed his taloned foot between a slot that was meant to hold his feet and slung his other leg over to sit right behind Syn. Demetri sat closely to her letting his arm wrap around her waist as she had said, although he did absently grope her chest for less then a moment as he was getting himself into position. His head was stationed to her right letting his chin rest just over her right shoulder. It was hard to stay relaxed when Ash dropped off the edge of the cliff. The flood of air that suddenly hit him made his breath catch in his throat, the act forcing his eyes to close and not open until Ash was in a clean glide. Demetri’s hair was a tattered mess from the wind but it didn’t bother him after looking out to the surroundings below. This was a new experience as he was in awe of the sights, the thrill of blood pumping though his veins from the fall, and now the sweet smell. The smell caught him by surprise as he turned his head towards Absynia, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder as he smelt her hair which caused a smile to form. The smile was broken by the sudden protrusions slipping out of his mouth. The shock of the previous fall from the cliff caused his fang to sprout out. Normally his fangs were never extended to their full length, but the extremes of flying caused his canines to extend half an inch longer. *** When Ash landed Demetri quickly slid off of the harness to rest his feet onto the ground. On a list of things he didn’t like, he still hated riding horses more then eagles. ”I am glad to give you the honor of being able to carry someone as magnificent as me…” A playful laugh slipped from his throat as he spoke to the large eagle, commenting on the past comment of who was more magnificent. Following Syn into her home her he looked around the common room taking note of everything she had told him. ”A bath would be lovely tomorrow… Ah, I see. Well then good night and sweet dreams my dear. I‘ll remain up a little longer” When Syn left him alone he removed his back pack as he sat down on the soft couch, placing his backpack near his feet. Since he was going to be resting it meant he was safe in removing his armor. Unstrapping a few buckles he slid the leather armor off of his chest. Underneath he wore alight cloth that was clearly see through. Since heavy clothes didn't allow him to climb walls Its purpose was to allow his body to clearly climb walls better and was far more comfortable since he wore his armor all the time. Placing the armor near his backpack on the ground. Reaching down into his back pack he pulled out a slender black club with webbed etchings on it in his right hand. Reclining on the couch as he slowly pulled at one end of it show the twin blades of the Tamo Daggers. He had never known his mother so he could only imagine what his mother could do with them. Demetri very rarely used the weapons himself but with all the past talk of family he found himself feeling slightly homesick. Pressing the handles back together he tossed to club they formed into the air to grab it in his free hand. Laying down on the couch he rested his head onto the pillow before pulling the covers over himself, he didn't sleep but just let himself relax. The tamo daggers of his mothers resting under the pillow.

[Absynia]

Normally Syn was up before sunrise, sitting on her balcony, watching the light grow and change night to day. However given how late she had been up she had slept later than she normally did. Lana her servant had been startled when she had woken up to find a stranger in her mistresses home. Never before has anyone been invited in let alone sleeping on the couch. She figured whoever it was was a guest, not lover, since obviously they would not be out in the common room if there was more between this person and her mistress. Her mistress also didn’t usually sleep late, she wondered what had happened, but knew she’d learn details if she just did her duties and tried to listen. She opened the windows letting the wind stir through the room, it was just light enough to touch the edges of the large room. Then simply went back to her own room to wait for when Absynia would wake up, though she left her door cracked.

By the time the room was fully lit by the sun, Absynia was awake at last. Her door opening and she stepped out her hair mussed, still very sleepy. She had thrown on a robe, mostly because there was a hint of chill to the wind that was new. Otherwise she might have gone naked, growing up as she had meant that such nuances of privacy were lost, she’d not have even thought about it with the stranger she had as a guest. The robe was a pale cream silk, it warded away the chill and accented her slender athletic lithe form. She stood in the doorway blinking owlishly her gold eyes searching the room a bit befuddled, she wondered why it was so bright. She normally didn’t sleep in so she had thought she woke up like she normally did, but eventually she figured out she had slept later than she normally did.

Movement to her left startled her and when she went to move back she stumbled, her eyes widened with surprise. Her hand twitching with the reaction to first reach a weapon and then when it caught up to her she was without a weapon to use.

[Demetri Velutina]

His eyes slowly opened slightly, not giving any indication that he had woken up as his head rested on his pillow. The ease of sleeping in a strange place kept his nerves on end making turning him into a light sleeper, so light that Lana’s movements disturbed his dreams. He was unsure of the time when he had actually fallen asleep during the night. His body calling for more sleep which Demetri sadly denied it. Suddenly wide awake as his left hand was under the pillow holding onto his Tamo dagger. Once Lana was away he rose from the position he had been in for more a few hours. Time had slipped by unnoticed, so lost that he was unsure if he had slept through the day into a new night, or if it was still the same night as before. Sitting on the couch the chimes flowed seamlessly into each other, his mind devoid of any real thoughts, at least, none that he would have been able to recall is he was asked. The difference between doing nothing and being patient was clear at the moment. He truly was doing nothing. No thoughts, not movements, completely stuck in a sleep idled haze. By the time his mine connected with his body, he had been sitting until the sun rose. One could only go so long without doing anything so he stood up, placing the daggers into his back pack. Stretching his long arms up into the air he walked towards Lana’s room with a slow pace. He let his eye peek though the crack of the women’s door looking around curiously. The sound of noises coming from Absynia cause Demetri to look at the wall, placing one hand against it before setting one hand slightly higher. He repeated that action until he climbed up the wall itself, moving upwards until he clung to the ceiling. -Why, well it seemed like a fun thing to do- When Absynia walked out of her room, he was to her left, soon above her and dropped off the ceiling to her right. He had hoped he had moved fast enough to not be seen by her as he watched her stumble. Reaching his long arm out, it wrapped around Absynia’s waist to brake her fall and pull her close to him. Their chests pressing together lightly as he smiled at her. “Good Morning.”

[Absynia]

Even as she prepared to fall she suddenly found herself looking up in to a pair of dark violet eyes. It had been him that had startled her, she had forgotten that she had allowed him to stay. She was also suddenly very aware of his arms around her and him merely touching her. Her heart was beating fast from her scare and then the instinctual panic from almost falling. A blush rose to her cheeks as she figured he could probably tell, but also because he was so very very close. Both hands were on his chest as she wasn’t quite sure what to do about the situation. She couldn’t remember the last time she had touched another person other than Ashta, the same could be said for someone else other than her bondmate touching her. Her gold eyes stared in to his, panic, confusion, embarrassment and a lurking fear visible in her expressive eyes. The thin layer of her robe was all that separated his hands and all she wanted was to tear away, run and then hide. No human like person had touched her in too many years to count, she always made sure to keep people out of her space and that all changed in a mere breath span of seconds.

Eventually she found her balance and pulled away her skin shivering like a fly stung horse. The look in his eyes making her uneasy, why was he looking at her like he was? She pushed some hair from her face crossing her arms, the action a self-comforting gesture as she tried to calm herself. As much as he fascinated her because he was exotic, he scared her just as much. She looked away a shiver running up her spine, she just didn’t understand what it was about him that set her so on edge. Lana came walking in through the door bearing a tray, she had slipped out to bring in food. She hadn’t neglected her mistresses guest either the cooks prepared him fare that could be easily eaten by him. She knew what he was because she, like her mistress, liked to read things about other races, but unlike Absynia she read about the people more than she did anything else. She set it on a nearby table watching the two of them “Mistress, sir, I brought food should you be hungry. If there is anything else you need sir, let me know.”

She then retreated to her quarters grinning once out of sight, the look on her mistress’s face said something interesting had happened when she had been gone. Though it worried her that she seemed very unsettled, she hoped nothing bad had happened. As long as nothing bad happened she was glad that things were being shaken up her mistress needed some change in her life and to find a good man. Syn meanwhile, if only to get some distance, moved to the table and looked over the food. The bowl of what looked to her like soup seemed curious to her and she eyed it, then him, wondering if he had talked to Lana about it. She pointed to it her head tilted slightly in a questioning gesture, then nodded in the direction of Lana’s room seeing if he’d tell her if he spoke to her. It was a means to distract herself from what had happened, especially since she didn’t know what to do about it.

[Stardust]

Award! Absynia : Experience: Socialization - 2 Seduction - 2 Persuasion - 1 Writing - 2 Rhetoric - 3 Lores: Disturbed While Admiring the Stars Demetri Velutina: "A Bizarre Man Who Likes Playing Games" Meeting a Symenestra Feelings for Demetri Velutina? Demetri Velutina : Experience: Socialization - 2 Observation - 1 Seduction - 2 Hypnotism - 2 Riding - 1 Lores: Absynia: Mute, yet Expressive! A Wind Eagle is Not a Mere Mount Riding a Wind Eagle A Restful Night in the Aerie This was a really cute and interesting thread! If only it was finished! Absynia and Demetri had some awesome chemistry between them! I was not expecting Absynia to invite him to her home! Always remember, the longer, more detailed posts, the better experience that will be given! It was a joy to read! Nice thread! If you have any questions or comments about the grading feel free to PM me!