Hunting For Amateurs[hunt]

by **Taylani** on November 11th, 2013, 3:30 pm

The language barrier was one of their biggest problems, if one didn't count that his people had captured her and she had spent most of a season feeling like his slave. It was very easy for Taylani to just assume the worse meaning in his words, it was also safer and easier for her personally to assume such because it gave her a shield against the confusing conflicts in her emotions over him. This shield kept her from losing herself completely to him, at least in her mind.

She so desperately clung to what she perceived to be herself, that the thought of giving him any part of her that was not wrested from her forcibly was tantamount to her breaking. Yet wasn't she already broken? She certainly was not the same Taylani that he had bought on the auction block. That Taylani might have been strong, protecting herself with a hard covering, that one might have been bold and as solid as any rock. Yet Fallan had scoured that strength from her as surely as the wind scours the mountain. Over time with enough force, even the mountain becomes small and polished something that only barely resembled it.

Yet, wasn't this exactly how gemstones were worked? Didn't even the most beautiful of diamonds start off as a ugly, hard, black lump of coal. It takes quite a bit of force to break down, scour, and polish to reveal a diamond. Be that or not, Taylani was not the same person he bought, the very fact that she was considering his words carefully showed that.

His words were difficult to understand, she tried not to dwell on the fact that he again compared her to a horse. The fact that she knew that his people highly valued their horses helped, though it didn't help the reinforcement of the idea that she was some sort of pet, kept and trained. She felt she understood the idea that he wanted to bed her and that it was more then that, he didn't want other men to bed her. Even in her naivete' Taylani had known that men had a bit of jealousy factors. Though it amused her bitterly that his seemed to have kicked in before he had any claim on her.

She also was not blind to the fact that it might have gone much worse. If she had been more desirable, then he might have been out bid. If she had been someone that people wanted then she could very well find herself in a pavilion with a man who was less kind then Fallan was.

She looked down as his finger taps her chest, standing so close to him that doing so caused her brow to rest against his collarbone. She felt his warmth surrounding her, smelled the smell that she would forever associate with him. That aroma of horse and leather, combined with an earthy smell, that always even in the height of her hatred reminded her of solid strength. Not of safety, for even now she recognized the danger in him. Not danger to her physical well being, but to her emotional and mental.

When she finally spoke, she did so without looking up, not trusting her eyes not to give away the slight panic that rose in her mind at his last words. She also did so slowly, considering her words carefully, not wanting to aid to the communication barrier. Wanting him to understand, not sure if she really understood.

"But you did make me a slave. I tried to stop it..but I couldn't. You made me a slave by twisting my desires against me." She wasn't even speaking of only the use of her body, though that was the largest obstacle she had. "That is not easily forgotten. Nor is it easily remedied by words that I am no longer a slave."

Finally she looked up at him, no anger or bitterness in her features, there was no darkness behind her eyes. "No matter what path we take, there will always be a part of me that will always be your slave whether you truly intended that or not." She wasn't quite sure that he hadn't intended that. The part of her that seemed now indelibly tied to him, will always be tied to him.

"You ask much of me. You ask that I accept that part that is your slave, for to be able to open my heart to you is to forgive that." Her brows furrowed, as she tried to put into words what caused her heart to hurt. Even speaking the language she was fluent in it was difficult to express the feelings she felt. It was in that moment that Taylani softened. It was a visible softening, her body losing most of its tension and her lashes widening. For it was in that moment that she truly understood exactly how hard it must be for him to try and sort out his own words in a language he was not fluent in.

"You ask me to surrender everything to you. You took my body, and ended up making it to where..even when you gave me my freedom that I willingly surrendered my body to you." Taylani took a deep breath, stepping just a half step back, to create room between them not because she desired space from him but to be able to demonstrate her words. Her hands glided from his shoulders down to his larger hands, her fingers closing around his and she pulled his hands to her still-flat belly, pressing his hands over the place their child grew. "You invaded my body. In more ways then one and now you ask that I surrender the last thing I have left of me."

She did not shed tears, which surprised her as it has been a very long time since she hadn't gotten watery eyed when she had thought of the circumstances on how their child had been conceived. "I told you that first night that I did not have the strength to give you more then my body. Yet I have found strength to do much more then I thought. You told me that Semele would give me strength to do so...Perhaps your right. Maybe Semele will..but you have to have your heart open too. I can't surrender that..last part of me without you surrendering too."

by **Fallan Windchaser** on November 11th, 2013, 4:57 pm

That she didn’t hit him, cry or otherwise react immediately or badly seemed to be something more of a success than he’d allowed himself to believe was possible. He knew that when he’d first been lucky enough to take her as his own, he’d been overwhelmed by the possibilities and he’d certainly allowed his lusts to drive that first night even though he had managed to control the worst of them.

It was that side which he’d still managed to keep hidden and had managed to avoid admitting. He knew that the slavery side was where she had been hurt and her words simply confirmed that. How would she feel then if she ever knew that there was a side to him that wished her enslaved and beaten? He knew that there were women who felt the need for that, to be owned and to be mastered but it wasn’t exactly the sort of thing that could easily be brought up in casual conversation, at least not with her. Once the possibility had been created in her mind that he might enjoy hurting her then he considered the risk of alienating her beyond where she already was, was too high. One day perhaps if they could reach a point where the trust had been built or she herself revealed an interest then perhaps. Until then it was locked away in a private part of his soul, at least for most of the time.

He had no ground to argue with her on her claim that he had enslaved her. It was true, it was exactly what he had done and there was no way that he could now pretend that it hadn’t happened. Were he given the choice again, he probably would have done it differently, but were he back there now with no understanding of the future then we would have done the same again. There was no way to explain it and to attempt to justify it was not something that he wished to do for the moment he started then he would be making excuses. A number of times he had manipulated her, and now she threw that back in his face. Her choices on that night had been rape with violence or rape with the most flimsy of consent based on an agreement that he would not be violent and would allow her a future. From her point of view the difference was important yet not something that he could easily be forgiven.

”Tay right,” he conceded. ”Tay not have choice.” It wasn’t exactly true for she could have resisted, as others had done, but he would have enjoyed it and the result would have been the same. He would have used her and broken her to the point where she was not Tay any more and he would have justified it in his mind. But it wasn’t what he wanted of her, and fantasies aside it had never been what he had really wanted for her.

”Now Taylani have choice. Taylani ask new bargain. Taylani ask Fallan heart be open.” His hands were still held in hers and he shook his head slowly.

”Taylani wrong. Fallan heart already open. Fallan heart open when saw Tay at auction.” And now the truth was out if she had ears to hear it. Now if she believed him, and why would she? Now she had the explanation for much, or perhaps an alternate explanation for the things which he had done and choices which he had made. An explanation which offered her an understanding of why she did not stand there this day with chains locked around her.

by **Taylani** on November 11th, 2013, 5:41 pm

Taylani stood there, listening not only with her ears but also with her heart. The place in her chest that had grown icy and hard, were the barbs of pain that lanced had left calloused. Her breathing was less then steady, as his words flowed, her fingers tightening around his and when he told her she was wrong, that he had already opened his heart her nostrils flared gently at the meaning of the words.

How could it be true? How could someone put a person that they had any feelings for through what he had put her through? And how could someone who had been through what she had even be considering opening up to him. Giving the last little bit over to him required a trust that should be broken by rape. She dragged back ever thought and feeling she had ever felt at his hands, both good and bad. The shame in knowing she allowed him to touch her, the humiliation of the sounds of pleasure she emitted at his hands when it was truly rape, the horror when she realized that she did enjoy his hands.

The joy when he had agreed to send a message to her parents for her, the comfort when he held her as she cried out her sorrows in the tent on the night of her attempted escape, and the highs of the last few days and nights together that she enjoyed under the blanket of freedom.

Taylani growls just a low note in her throat and the hand that she still held the forgotten tuber in closes tight not caring if she squashed the root or not. "You stupid foolish oaf!" This was said in a thick voice, and her small fist is raised and she struck him just once on his shoulder, though not with all of her strength. "Stupid Stupid...Do you not know that you might have had me body and soul by now willingly, eagerly! Do you not realize if you had started with this.." She waved the still fisted hand between the two of them emphatically, "That I might not be so broken now?"

Yet in her rant she never dropped his hand from her other, she didn't move away, she didn't look away. She didn't turn from him coldly, she didn't cross her arms and shut him out. She simply let the last of the poisonous feelings exude from her lips with the words. She was not lying when she had told him that a part of her would always feel as if she was his slave. But perhaps that part would be over ridden.

With a flick of her wrist she tossed the tuber in her hand toward Stormdancer, letting it fall to the ground near the strider if the strider wanted a treat. Free of the vegetable she raised her hand to softly caress his jaw, free to admit even to herself that she enjoyed the feel of him beneath her fingers. "I can't promise there will be no more anger. I can't promise that I will be instantly happy and forget the sorrows. I just can't. I don't know if I even know how to begin to ..to allow you into my heart." She spoke frankly, the truth, she does not know what she feels for him. She had never taken time out of learning her trade to consider feelings for another man. Fallan was her first in so many different ways. "Be patient with me Fallan, teach me to open my heart."

by **Fallan Windchaser** on November 12th, 2013, 11:24 am

The storm of her anger was not unexpected and when it broke upon him he stood his ground and weathered it without flinching, though he bowed his head a little whilst she raged, her fury reminding him of Zulrav’s storms that they had so recently weathered.

Of course it was nonsense that she spoke, but he did not gainsay her. The notion that she would have opened her heart to a barbarian from the plains, one who had captured her and taken her away from the city? Even though it had not been him personally, he doubted that she would have seen the difference. He recalled only too well how she had been when she first arrived and without something to bind her here she would either have fled before or seeing that he had a weakness in his affection for her would most likely have attempted to twist him into taking her home.

No, it had been cruel but necessary. He still wondered what would have happened to her alone in the wilderness. Perhaps she might have survived, but she would not have done with her virginity intact, of that he was completely sure. It would have been taken from her or she would have ended up trading it away as she had done with him in return for survival with however had rescued her.

She now had scars it was true and those he regretted, at least in part. He did not wish her hurt, not in the way that she spoke of, but it was not the fault of any of his people that she had found herself in the situation that she did now. Life was hard and scars were a part of that, at least outside of those city walls where she might have lived a safe and happy life. All of these thoughts were visible in his eyes but none of them came even close to finding their way through his lips. For once he found a control over words that was not self serving and was glad of that. He understood, however dimly, that the anger and loss needed to be released from her heart and naturally, inevitably he was the target.

That her hand was still on his gave him some hope, but none that he would count upon. Still she was bound to him by chains that he had woven about her though they could be broken if she were a mind to do so. That time had come where the last barrier had been removed and the mare would make a decision to stay or go. He had loaded the dice as much as he could, and his hopes were long term. Perhaps also she might now look back on the words he had spoken before and the things he had done and put a new interpretation upon them. It was all wishful thinking at this point though and nothing could be taken for granted.

When she reached for his chin, then he almost flinched where he had not for the fist. Her words though saddened him almost as much as they filled his heart with joy. He could not have asked for more than she offered and he smiled softly with some relief.

”Fallan sorry for hurt Tay,” his smile became more wistful, ”Fallan wait. Truth now spoken. Tay see Fallan heart. Fallan try not hurt Tay.” Still there was regret there, that he could not see the fear in her eyes, but now the good of the clan must come first. There was regret but it was not just the good of the clan that held his hand, nor the child of his that she carried, no, for she had found a place in his heart and even if she were to walk away now that would not change.

by **Taylani** on November 12th, 2013, 2:00 pm

Taylani had not doubt in the voracity of her words. Naive and unworldly as she was, inexperienced in the matters of the heart or bedroom that that she still was to some degree she didn't doubt that when she said she might have been able to fall in love with him if he had started out on equal footing. She, too, remembered back before the auction, before she had met him, when she was angry but it had not solidified around him. She had been going back and forth over her capture, one day so angry that she wanted to lash out at anyone available, on others calmer and slowly working through the emotions in her mind. Then she found she was to be auctioned and he had bought her, just remembering the darkness of her thoughts when she had been purchased and the finality ..no it would not have been the princess and prince stories that were told to children still dangling from their fathers knees but she did not doubt that things very well could be different. She already had some sort of feeling that was not hatred or rage towards him, when she knows logically she shouldn't. How much deeper would those be if she didn't have the guilt over those feelings to contend with?

Yet his words made her lips curve into a small smile. Her own eyes watch his, take in his slightly sad-seeing smile, for a long moment after he spoke. If nothing else had been accomplished Taylani now at least felt comfortable with the idea that Fallan was her lover where as before she had no idea how she should refer to him. Stretching upward, though not much of a stretch for theye were of a similar height, Taylani did something that she had rarely if ever did. She initiated a kiss, one that was soft though not hesitant, her lips meeting his if he did not move to avoid her. The stupid braid fell forward on its own, tickling her neck as it did, causing her to shake her head and settle back down as she firmly shoved the thick length back over her shoulder. She really need to learn how to do one properly that didn't curve naturally to the right or left.

There was much to learn, especially if Fallan truly wanted her to love him completely, about him about his family and about her role with him and his family. There were things that Fallan didn't tell her, at least she thought so, though she didn't know why or what they were. It was more of a feeling at times, like there was something within that was on the verge of coming out but not quite making it. Perhaps it was simply this confession, maybe it was something else. Things have a way of bubbling out no matter how hard one might try to hide.

One last smile is given, another movement that was slow and almost uncertain from lack of common use. "I am sorry too Fallan. For perhaps adding fuel to these fires rather then trying to find a better solution." Stepping against him once more, her arms raising to encircle his shoulders and neck as she fit herself against him once more. Pressing her length, laying her head into the crook of his neck comfortably she is once more struck at how well they fit. At least for now, in a few months this might be a little more awkward, but it would not be the only thing that would be awkward.

Perhaps they might be able to be something a little different then a slave and her owner after all. She takes a breath, and finally raises her eyes to gaze across the grasses. "I suppose the tubers aren't going to leap from the ground to our packs." She said with only a little sign of regret. Not because she didn't want to work or finish the job, but just because it was a nice day and she enjoyed being able to enjoy being with him.

by **Fallan Windchaser** on November 12th, 2013, 5:31 pm

Her smile was encouraging for it seemed genuine, that small curve of her lips which said more to his heart than words ever could. She could be emotional, she could be wilful, very wilful and he wasn’t sure quite how that side of things would be likely to work out, but he on reflection had not seen a side which was deceitful.

She had hidden things from him, but then he could hardly condemn here for something that he was equally if not more guilty than her about. But she had not worked against him in any way. If anything the things that she had done were because he had been holding her back, things where she wished to do something but did not for some reason wish to discuss it with him. Perhaps that was natural for it was much easier to apologise than to ask permission, and that was a very natural thing with someone who had a vision of what they wanted. He knew that the move here had destroyed her vision for her life and that had been crushed more by what had happened here.

Thoughts rushed randomly through his mind, many of them repeatedly but it was her action next that stilled them. Equals in theory, she had not before made to test that fully and so she took him by surprise for he was still defencive and expected her attack or retreat. It was an attack that was unexpected and against which he had no defence. There could be no move to avoid her and he accepted the soft touch of her lips with wonder, his hand tightening on hers. Still he stood stiff, unsure of what had just happened, wishing to take her into his arms and yet not being sure that it was the right thing to do when he had imposed so much on her. In any event she outmatched him once more and acted whilst he was still frozen with indecision and surprise.

There was a moment where he resisted and then it was gone as he relaxed into her arms, his own coming around to clasp her closely, though he was careful not to squeeze. This was a new thing to him he realised and knew not what to make of it.

He chuckled softly at her words but he did not release her. ”Need dig tubers yes, before Stormdancer eat all of them.” This was a turn of events which was unexpected and now he regretted not doing it before. All of the wasted time of the hostility between them, all of the hate and despair that she had suffered. All of it he regretted even though he knew that there was little that he could do now to change it.

”Want stay Taylani always,” he whispered in her ear and kissed her neck afterwards. It was a moment in time he knew, one that might never be repeated but it was one that he would hope would stay in his mind forever. What would his family make of this? He knew that they would be pleased for the both of them and finally perhaps he would have done something to repay the trust that his father had invested in him so many times.

by **Taylani** on November 12th, 2013, 5:59 pm

Having felt him stiffen, first at her kiss and then at her embrace, Taylani felt a quick fear that she had did something wrong. This was completely new waters for her, but it had always been her habit to dive into new experiences and learning new things by just doing. Much has changed about her in the face of her captivity but that had not. Yet his arms coming around her encouraged her, though the embrace was loose and relaxed rather then tight. She realized that she was on edge, only because she was making herself hyper aware of his every movement, trying to judge and gauge her own actions against his. Already trying to find out what was her boundaries...what was his boundaries..by his reactions to her own actions and words.

She realized he might be also struggling with that same issue of boundaries. For all that they have been sharing a bedroll for almost a full season, in many ways they are starting anew. He knew how to touch her to force a sigh of pleasure from her lips, but did he know how to touch her to elicit a sigh of contentment? She knew what needed to happen to ensure that he finished without delay, but could she find out what motivated him, what drove him? There were so many things she did not know.

Yet the introspective thoughts ceased when he whispered in her ear, and then kissed her neck. How many times had he done this? Too many to count truthfully, and each time had sent a tiny curl of desire that was abruptly cut off by her ruthlessly out of guilt of it. This time when the curl bloomed it bloomed unchecked for the first time. Her hands at first tighten against the back of his shoulders, her first instinct was to freeze and to enjoy the novel sensation of pleasure without guilt.

Her second instinct was to glance around them, even knowing that it was unlikely that anyone or thing was around. Her head tilted exposing more of her neck to him, even as her hands pulled him closer, her fingertips pressing into his back. For a long while she clung to him, soaking in the strength of his arms, and the warmth of his body beneath her touch. "The tubers..." She murmurs in response, somehow finding her lips against his own throat so that the words were slightly muffled by his flesh.

by **Fallan Windchaser** on November 13th, 2013, 10:31 am

That they could be happy together was something that he had dreamt of on any number of occasions. Certainly he had spent much time when he should have been watching the family herd sitting on the back of Stormdancer, his mind lost in idle day dreams about the two of them and what they might do. That it might come true one day had been a faint hope though he had done what he could to make it happen, wrongly judged though some of those actions might have been. It was time to put some of those actions into the past where they belonged and to focus instead on the future.

Apology had been offered and doubtless would be needed again but for now he was happy, happier than he could have dreamt of this morning when they had set out, the atmosphere between them still slightly prickly. It seemed that she had no reservations about their current situation at least as far as holding him was concerned. Her arms tightened against him and he responded in kind, appreciating too just how well matched they were in terms of height and build so that her neck offered itself perfectly as she turned her head aside.

It was far too tempting an opportunity to ignore and so he leaned in closer, his arms tightening to hold her beyond hope of pulling away easily and kissed her neck again. This time he did not stop there but took a fold of skin between his teeth and bit gently.

Tubers? Yes, that was why they were here wasn’t it? He pondered the point briefly for it was a long way to come and then not to do what they had come here for. On the other hand, tubers were no longer on his mind and so it wasn’t a very hard decision to make, in fact there was almost nothing to decide.

The tubers could wait for short while. They were not going anywhere and the horses could graze. Stormdancer might manage to dig a few up if he had the sense but there seemed a good supply just here and they could move on after to see what else could be found. He didn’t need to think about tubers but it was a useful distraction just at that moment for he wanted Tay now and was not in a mood to brook refusal which was dangerous and so needed just a moment to regain control of the lust which had hit him hard just shortly before.

He chuckled, in large part with pleasure at the moment but also in anticipation. ”Tubers not run away,” he spoke softly in her ear. ”Fallan have more interesting prey.” Now he submitted to the temptation, however controlled it might be and took hold of the braid close to where it left her head with his left hand. He moved his head back even as he pulled firmly. He pushed away the image of his hand on her throat and instead kissed her on the lips, gently at first but then firmly and insistently.

by **Taylani** on November 13th, 2013, 1:58 pm

Often his lips and his teeth would leave faint bruising on the long column of her neck over the season. Not garishly large or even in the least bit painful, in fact if she didn't catch glimpses of them in the reflection of surfaces she wouldn't even know they were there. Love bites her friends in Syliras would call them in huddled groups when they were younger, giggling over one boy or the other before sliding off to do whatever chore or errand they were set out to. Of course child-Taylani hadn't known then why people would do that to each other, biting each others necks seemed a bit gratuitous then. Now, however, when she felt the barest sensation of pain mingled with the shiver of pleasure, she understood why but didn't have the courage to test reciprocation on him.

Instead she did something she had wanted to do for some time but wouldn't allow herself to. Her hands glide up his back, over his shoulders never leaving contact with him. Then they circled around his head so that her long nimble fingers could pick at the tie that he normally wore to tie his brown-black hair back. With a sigh that was at once a sigh of wonder but also of pleasure this time not torn form her throat with reluctance but eagerly offered. Her own fingers of her right hand plunged into the dark lengths, feeling the smooth strands sliding along her palm and digits.

When his hand circled her braid, then tugged back her head moved with the braid. Her eyes widen, not in fear but in surprise though perhaps the two are similar, both at his actions but at the way it had made her feel the need to squirm. She had had her hair pulled before, she didn't know anyone with hair longer then an inch that hadn't caught it some how or some way, but for some reason that she was not really aware of, this was different. She had to brush the memory of the last time he had twined his fingers in her hair and pulled her back, the last time was apparently for callous inspection of her form when he had bought her. His gentle, then insistent almost demanding lips on hers made it much easier to force the memory of the rage that had caused her to physically attack him..and the memory of the marks he bore on his cheek some time after for his presumption.

This time however was completely different, just like last time her head was almost immobile, but this time she didn't want to be mobile. Her own right hand tightened in his hair though she didn't intend for them to, nor did she attempt to pull him away. Instead she simply sought to bring him closer it seemed as she returned his kiss. His lips might have been insistent and demanding, but hers was supple and accommodating with no little amount of demand in her own way.

Together in the here and now, when Syliras and all hat she had planned seemed so very far away, it was far easier for Taylani to accept this pleasure, to accept this happiness in his touch. For, she thought with a large amount of surprise when she realized that without saying a word he let her know how happy he was in this moment. In the way he touched her, in the way his lips felt against hers, everything let her know on a level she hadn't known existed. She briefly had a moment to hope that her own confused bottle of emotions, none seeming to be negative for once, did not show through until she had a chance to sort them. Instead she shifted against him, not in an effort to move away but in an effort to be closer, she didn't even think about dangers or anyone else that might stumble across her and Fallan.

by **Magpie** on January 12th, 2014, 2:05 am

e

Taylani :

Fallan :

Notes :

If you have any questions or concerns about what was awarded, please don't hesitate to PM me.

e

PM to join Hunting For Amateurs[hunt]