[The Sanctuary Beach] Storm Waters and Wind Chill

[Kavala]

Timestamp: 30th of Fall, 511 AV
Location: Sanctuary
Purpose: The Aftermath of “The Return from Darkness.”

Fifteen days. Kavala’s whole world had once again changed in fifteen days. She hated that, how time could be manipulated in the measure of bells. Fifteen days ago she’d rode out with Cugacon to take care of a glassbeak problem and fifteen days ago she’d dragged four very wounded bodies home. Only Rak’keli knew why they weren’t corpses and how they’d managed to live. Kavala still wasn’t sure. Silk and Ghost were recovering and Cuga was back on his feet aware and yet so blatantly unaware of what had happened during the first ten days of his recovery, only remotely coming back in fits and spurts thereafter as the new drug Kavala used wore off.

She’d put it on her list to never use again unless she used it for a purpose not intended for. The Demavru that the Charoda Chigavni had given her had did all the seawoman had claimed it would with an added feature. It surprised the primary personality of the Akalak it was dosed too and allowed the secondary one to roam free. Much like Cugacon had forewarned Kavala, Eowe was not Cugacon and no where near him in ethics. Kavala knew inherently he was the way he was because of his years of imprisonment and suppression. Cuga, too afraid, had never given him a chance to loose control. He’d never given him a chance to come forward and even use the body they both shared. Eowe had a lot of rage - a lot of it. And he’d taken a great deal of it out on Kavala. Most of the damage could be written off as the glassbeak attack and her overwrought state when she came back from the fight. But the truth was Kavala was walking around in a fog completely and utterly mistified. She was reliving several things at once, trying to understand what happened, and coping with what she could cope with.

Cuga was special. And because he was, Kavala was having the worst time ever dealing with what had happened. She didn’t talk to anyone about it. Raiha would have been the one had the girl not been busy doing her own projects, working with her birds and trying to get her portion of the dog kennel off the ground. So really there was no one but Cugacon himself, and Kavala wasn’t really sure she was ready for that talk yet.

So, after dropping Tasival at Raiha’s so she could go take a swim, Kavala started walking slowly to the beach, out the front of the clinic and past the doorways before setting out on the road that lead downward to the beach. Below, some distance, she’d lay a towel out in the cool fall air and take a dip or two in the ocean. Kavala knew that Cuga would join her, either sooner or later.. though if it were Cuga or Eowe she couldn’t be sure. To her way of thinking the Demavru was taking its sweet time wearing off, though more and more it was Cuga and she suspected he was remembering rather than letting things slide.

And so she’d just cautiously wait, hoping it was going to be soon. Her Akalak – for that’s how she considered Cugacon now – needed balancing. Under the influence of that charoda drug, he’d never find it. Of that, she was certain.

[Cugacon]

He’d been aware of when she had slipped away. Whether Kavala had been similarly aware that he was awake, Cugacon didn’t know. But before the sun had lightened the window of the room they seemed to be sharing, she had quietly risen and left His eyes had remained closed, as he heard her soft footfalls as they retreated down the stairs. Time had been turned on its head, as had his whole existence, or so it seemed to him. Kavala had told him what the date was, every day for the past several days, for each time he rose back to the surface of conscious thought, he couldn’t remember what she had told him the time before. On some occasions, it had been pitch black night outside. On others, Syna’s rays lit up the entire room where he lay. Each time he came to himself, it was like starting all over again. He felt that this must be what the Ethaefal felt, when first they tumbled from the sky into the water. Grown but completely ignorant. A newborn in a man’s body. Every event of the past two weeks was gone. His last real recollection dated back to the day before they had departed for the hunt, and his trip to the council, to ask permission to accompany her. Well, not to exactly ask. It was more like telling them he was needed, by Sanctuary, and that’s where he was headed. No-one had really raised an objection. She was his Nakivak. Sanctuary and the lands her horses grazed were her purview. It made sense. Now, he couldn’t even recall leaving the meeting with the elders.

Besides the date, Kavala had of course related all that had happened – to him, to her, to the horses. Cugacon had accepted it all with little comment, but inwardly he had cursed himself for the biggest fool. It was frustrating beyond measure not to be able to remember the details, for he wanted to analyze each wrong move that he had made. Of course, Kavala had been more than a bit preoccupied with her own battle, so she had seen little of what had actually transpired with his. Cuga had to be content with her reconstruction based on what little she had seen and the pattern of his injuries, and Silk’s. It was far from satisfactory. He was furious with himself, and yet he could not point to specific faults and errors he had committed in dealing with the petching birds. It was frustrating beyond words. There were only the two sliver linings. One was minimal. The glassbeaks had been dispatched, to a one. The other blessing . . .

For that he could almost have excused himself his total mishandling of the hunt. Kavala was alive, and far less injured than himself. He could only hope that this was partially due to his own messed up part in the affair. He knew it was for the far greater part due to her own skills. But at least he had been there to keep two of the bastard birds occupied. Whatever the reason, whoever or whatever was the cause, he had already voiced a thousand internal prayers to Kihala, Lhex, Myri, Rak’keli, Tyveth, Wysar and any other god or goddess who seemed potentially responsible for the preservation of Kavala’s life. She was opinionated and head strong, but he truly admired her. Even if there was no hope for anything good to come of this false contract he held on her, he would never wish to see her hurt in any way. More than his anger with himself, more than his frustration over having lost two weeks of his life, more than the pain that still ebbed and flowed through his body, he was glad that she was whole, and alive.

For the past two nights, he had been greatly eased when Kavala had climbed into the bed next to him, to sleep pressed up against him. For two days, now, he had been mostly conscious and cognizant of what was going on. Yesterday, he had been able to finally do more than sit up in the bed, and had risen to walk about a bit, closely watched. But he seemed to be truly on the mend, at least in his body. His mind, and his spirit, were another matter altogether.

Without really being able to put a finger on the reason why, Cugacon felt greatly troubled. So much so, that he had taken the extraordinary step – a leap of faith, as it were – to tell Kavala some small part of his uneasiness, that he was suffering from some disturbing, odd dreams. She had seemed convinced that it was simply a side effect of the drugs she had given him for the pain and exhaustion and the need for deep rest during healing. He had let the matter drop, for a reason he hardly dared think about. He would come back to it, but not now. He wasn’t strong enough for that battle. When he was, though, he would not stop, he would not rest, until he knew . . .

Slowly, cautiously, Cuga rose from the bed, testing the waters of his balance and strength, deciding that they were in fairly decent working order. He rose and dressed methodically, and ever so carefully made his way to the bedroom door. Each step in the process was approached with care and wariness. He did not have any intention of setting himself back and being forced to stay in that blasted bed any longer than was necessary. But his body was very cooperative this morning, and holding to the railing, he walked down the stairs, until he reached the level of the courtyard. Running into one of the staff, he had ascertained Kavala’s location, while at the same time waving away their concern and suggestion he not over do. His body needed this. He could feel it. He needed to move again.

It took a bit longer than it might have several weeks ago, but it was really only a few minutes before he was walking towards her, making no attempt to be hidden in any way, but also not calling out to her, not wishing for her to leap up and run to offer her assistance. She was sitting on a towel, looking out to the sea. When he was within perhaps ten meters of her, he stopped and said in the same low, steady voice as always, “It’s beautiful. Just like you.”

[Kavala]

She rose carefully when the tall figure came into view striding down the beach. He was less than he was a season ago when she'd first met him, but he was so much more than he was days ago. Cugacon was regaining strength quickly now, his injuries not hampering him nearly as much as they had in the first few days. The drug was also wearing off, purging itself from his system. Kavala would have to explain about that, sooner or later, and she knew it would be yet another barrier between them. He was stubborn, prideful, and not demonstrative of his feelings. But his dark brother had been all those things opposite and had been. Kavala still wore the scars, inside and out, though she wasn't ready to talk about it with Cuga. Not yet... not now.

"Hey you. That was a long walk down here. Are you sure you are alright?" She asked, genuinely concerned, but not managing to control the blush that swept up her scales for a moment. Cuga was not Eowe and shouldn't be punished for his dark brother's actions. He was a good man, even though he could be a real horses ass. She stepped closer, not sure if a hug would be welcome or not, but feeling the need to offer one anyhow. With only a slight hesitation, the Konti slid her arms around the Akalak and drew him against her, offering him someone to lean on for a moment if he needed it. Cuga was not yet fully recovered, but he was better. And Kavala had not yet re-assumed her Nakivak duties. He might require it of her now that he was able to walk such distances but she wasn't sure.

She suspected those duties were no longer needed, but it was too early to truly tell. The thought both excited and caused her fear. She didn't mind the possibility of another child, it was just that it was another child so soon and so close to Tasival that concerned her. Besides, her contract while surface level was about reproduction, to the core Cuga's father had bought him real female companionship. And that was the part, truly, that Kavala enjoyed. More and more she was getting used to Cugacon and looking forward to her time spent with him. He was intelligent, albeit set in his ways, though those ways were loosening up slightly. "Look at us. Both so beat up. I don't know how you men survive your rites if just one glassbeak can do that much damage let alone five in total. I'm not sure I can believe we survived that." She said, gently stepping away and urging him to sit down. She fussed, arranging the blankets for him to be comfortable on, then sat down beside him.

She was playing a very elaborate game of pretend. Kavala was pretending nothing happened. She was pretending they were in love and a happy normal healthy Nakivak relationship. Kavala reached out, slide a scaled hand down his arm lovingly, and then offered him a waterskin in case he needed a drink. Truth was she'd been plying him with a lot of water lately, trying to flush out his system. Her touch was suggestive, soothing, an invite to deeper measures. She'd been more healer lately than lover, and she knew that. Not only to him but to herself. Eowe had caused that. But she didn't want Cugacon to know, not yet. And if he was well enough to walk down to the beach, he was well enough to start asking questions. She didn't want his mind quiet enough to put two and two together. And so distract him, she'd do anything.

Besides, Cuga was worth it. She understood more now why he was such an ass. He'd done nothing wrong - not Cugacon - it had been all Kavala. She'd caused his lapse in control as effectively as she'd caused his prominent personality to vanish. She just had to figure out how, do some tests, then present her findings to the Council. It might have bought her freedom. She just hoped Raiha would agree to some tests and maybe even another Akalak if she could find one. Perhaps a Cerulean or two.

Kavala leaned forward, brushed her lips across Cugacon's jaw and then gently worked her way to his earlobe. It surprised her that she wanted him inside her, his hands on her body, need flaring in his eyes. She wanted him to want this too. She dropped her voice then, suddenly, deciding to tell him what she was thinking when he first strode up. "No one's ever called me beautiful. You make me feel beautiful, Cugacon. I'm not supposed to. I'm not supposed to even like seeing you. You represent everything I hate about this place and the contract. But by the Gods I think about you all the time. I can't stand the thought of what those Glassbeaks almost cost us." Her hands were on him now, sweeping down his body, across his hips, touching him. As she spoke, her eyes never left his. She wanted him in the moment. She wanted him surprised.

She'd forsaken her leathers today, the clothing she wore almost routinely now since walking her Chavi back into her past. Today she wore a simple slip of a dress - a tank top one - that slid easily over her head when her hands left his body for a moment. Once, she'd been afraid to be without clothing around him, but not now. Now she needed that power her body gave over his and was unafraid to demonstrate it.

Azure eyes never left his even as her hands fell back on his form. Kavala was in a battle, with herself and with him. The events of the last ten-day needed to be purged. This was Cuga, not Eowe, and she'd master her fear. Her pale gaze grew even paler, almost draining of color as she studied his own eyes. Her hands slipped lower and she freed his belt and then his staff from his pants. "I've missed this. I was a fool. You are such a good man. You risked everything for me and I was too blind to see why you did it. Forgive me my foolishness? My body has missed yours." She whispered softly. Then without waiting for his answer, Kavala rose to her hands and knees and bent over him and took him into her mouth with a startling fierceness. She didn't care if anyone came along. She didn't care if they were watched. It was what it was, a Nakivak loving her Talvis, and in Riverfall there was nothing more sacred.

[Cugacon]

As she slipped gracefully into his arms, they tightened about her and for a moment the two breathed in unison. She was warm against him and her long hair brushed against his hands. He lowered his head to place one gentle kiss on the top of her head as her cheek nestled against his ribs. Despite whatever differences they had - and Cuga was not so idealistic as to think they had all just disappeared – she had been there for him. He owed her his life, and now his recovering health. Regardless of any other considerations, those were debts he meant to repay. And he sensed that she had done these things for him not just out of a sense of obligation. The lucid moments of his recovery had been few and sporadic, but he knew a time or two he had caught her looking at him with concern written all over her face. And it wasn’t just concern born of being a healer, he was fairly sure of that.

When she stepped back slightly, he let her go but still his arm draped on her shoulder – for support, yes, but not necessarily of the physical kind. He had enjoyed their embrace, her willingness to initiate that, the comfort her physical proximity brought him. So he did not release her completely, and did not object to her helping him walk to her blanket and ease him down to sit on it. Though he was stiff and still sore in many places, he was comfortable, one knee pulled up, his muscular arm wrapped around it. With her shoulder to shoulder, well, her shoulder to his elbow more like, he replied evenly, “I have you to thank for that – surviving. I’m glad you were there. I’m sorry things went so badly, though. Next time, it’ll be the glassbeaks that won’t know what hit them.” For one of the few times since he had met Kavala, he smiled at her, his head turned sideways, his chin resting on his upper arm, looking at her with some slightly new and different light in his deep green eyes. Her hand came to rest on his bicep as she handed him the water skin, but he was still looking at her and she leaned closer, her lips going to his jaw. Smoothly he set the water aside, untouched, and as her mouth came around to his ear, his hand went to her neck, hair tangling between his fingers, not pulling her closer, though her touch was setting him on fire. He was content to let her do as she wished, unsure about how healed he was, but trusting that nature would let him know if things weren’t quite yet as they should be.

Her words, murmured softly in his ear, weren’t expected but he understood. Kavala was one huge contradiction, but it was entirely predictable that she would be so. Another female, be she human or Konti or of some other race, might have been more pliable, more accepting of her situation. But Kavala was none of those. She was far too strong, far to willful and far too intelligent to take anything lying down. He knew, though, that at the same time she was so torn, wanting to help his race endure – but on her own terms, not his, and not his father’s, and not the ones contained on paper in the Oathmaster’s tower. She was torn between her sense of self-value and pride, and what she saw as an important goal – the continued existence of the Akalaks. Which would win out, he wondered, even as he reassured her his words had been sincere. “You are beautiful, Kavala, and if you haven’t been told that before I can only think it’s because there is so much more to you to notice, in addition to your looks. And feel free to hate what is between us, on paper. It’s not my favorite aspect to knowing you, either.” Her hands had dropped down to trace over his chest and then stomach and further still. His reaction led him to believe that the healing process had gone well, in that regard. That one deep laceration so near to what was essential for just the very task Kavala was to perform for him, and his family, had made him grimace when he had seen the already healed scar and Kavala had told him of the extent of that particular injury.

“I much prefer – this . . . “ he finished his thought with his lips moving towards hers, his hand now gently pulling her towards him. But she countered, leaning back, his hand dropping away and hers as well. For a moment, Cuga half expected her to tell him that he wasn’t ready for this – which he was now decidedly prepared to vigorously contradict. Or perhaps she would say that she wasn’t ready, or willing. They hadn’t done anything sexual – that he knew of – since the hunt. It was possible that they had and he just didn’t remember it – there were many more black spaces and blanks in his memory than there were moments that he could recall. But given the state he had been in, he doubted there had been anything of that sort going on.

But instead of giving him some reason about why he could not have this, could not have her, she was yanking her dress off, and it was clear that was all she had had on. She was looking at him in a way that had him harder than ever and he leaned forward to touch her, but her hand went to his chest again, gently forestalling him. He looked questioningly at her and her pale eyes stared back, not challenging but almost . . . apologetic. And then she was saying more with her words.

“Kavala, there’s no need for that . . . “ he began, but she shook her head slightly as if shaking off his own words, or perhaps she was merely shaking the long flowing hair from her face, for she was already shifting backwards and deftly unbuckling his belt. As she bent over him and he felt that moist heat of her mouth on him, his hand went to her hair again and he caressed it against the side of her head, as she moved so sweetly and expertly over and around and against him. “Kavala . . . “ He murmured again, though his voice trailed off into a soft moan and he leaned back, watching her like a hawk, feasting his eyes on her, using his fingers to sweep her hair up and out of the way so his view of what she was doing was unobstructed. For a long enough while, he let her tend to him and he knew that he could have ended this really at almost any moment but there was no rush. It was a bit chilly on the beach but he felt like he was on fire. Finally, as she looked up at him, ceasing her movements for a moment, he leaned forward, kneeling, taking her face in his hands and kissing her deeply, tasting himself on her lips. His hands were everywhere and he rose up higher on his knees, pulling her up too, holding her against his body as they pressed together. With a deft movement, he had his trousers off and the shirt quickly followed, then he sat back on his heels, facing her.

“Turn around, Kavala.” He said quietly, his voice husky. “On your hands and knees.”

[Kavala]

Kavala met his gaze looking for something deep in his eyes, something that scared her on a profound level. There was nothing there but Cugacon, nothing she could easily spot at least. His hands were gentle, insistent, not punishing or painful. There was no unfettered rage in his eyes, but still, his words scared her. Kavala paused, even in her ardor, and cupped his face in hers. "I know my body... I know myself. If we do this right now right here, there will be a child." She said, putting it that simply. There was no plea for him to wait, no words that she'd not had enough time between infants. Kavala knew, deep down, the quicker she let this happen the better it would be for her. Maybe if the monster knew she was carrying his child, he wouldn't turn on her when he was free. Maybe the simple act of conception would protect her from Eowe since he'd already proven the bracelet and the rank she deserved was something he put no consideration into. Cugacon was still weak, and there was no way he could have known what the same body that touched her so reverently had done to her so violently just days ago. He had no idea how fast and furious Eowe had raged.

Kavala had barely survived.

Even now, with Cugacon's hands on her, she was trembling. He would think it was with passion, but the truth was it was in terror. She was forcing this issue to force them back into a place that she could deal with Cugacon in a healthy manner. The seduction was for a deeper purpose, just to see if she could let him touch her. And she could. It was also to see something else, something she didn't want to see, but saw anyhow.

She was in love with a man that housed a monster inside.

It had been her fault, her ignorance, her experimenting with new drugs that had caused Cugacon's control to slip and Eowe to rage free. Eowe was damaged, severely, possibly beyond her help at all, possibly even beyond even the help of the Gods. Kavala didn't know how she could love one and be terrified of the brother, but it was happening with Cugacon and Eowe.

So she did as he asked, swallowing hard, and turned facing away from him. She felt his hands on her, tangling a fistful of her long silken hair and bringing her neck up in an arch as she crouched before him, waiting, exposed.

Her knees dug into the sand, her hands gripped it, and she suddenly felt a fear course through her core deep. Eowe had done this, striking her over and over again until her head rang with unnatural bells and she couldn't think straight. Just when she thought she'd gotten past the slavers Eowe had brought it all back and added new and even more violent memories to the first. He hadn't grabbed her hair though. He'd grabbed her whole head and mashed her face into the stone floor of her living quarters, sideways and twisted, so she was forced to look back and see what he did to her. He'd slammed her chest into the ground, holding her there by the neck like an animal, the whole time threatening to snap it. He'd kicked her knees up under her, then apart. Thus exposed he'd forced her violently. She'd been afraid to move. She'd been afraid to react to the blows that had come and the bites he'd made, digging his teeth into her shoulders and neck like an animal as he grunted over her.

Still so fresh, only days past, Kavala trembled and tears welled up in her eyes, invisible to Cugacon because she faced away from him. Her breath was ragged and she began to gasp a little for air. She wanted to scream and flee like a frightened child on her hands and knees, scrambling awkwardly away from him across the sand... but she stood fast. She needed new memories. She needed the child he'd likely give her if he did this here and now. She needed to feel safe in his arms even though she knew a monster lurked dangerously within him.

In the position she was in, Cugacon should have been able to see the deep teeth marks across her shoulders and neck, a bite radius bigger than an average human should have had. They were new, fresher than the rest of her scars but no longer an angry red or bleeding like they had been after Eowe had been done with her and threw her from him. They broke through the tiny etchings of knife would she wore all over her body.

Even scarred she was beautiful, waiting for him as he'd asked her too. Kavala was hoping for a better outcome, a happy ending, a way out of the mess she'd created. This might be it, this child, if Cugacon could give her one.

[Cugacon]

If Cuga had been able to pause and wonder where that command had emanated from, he might have questioned it. For there was no reason, really – it was just . . . what he felt like doing. How he felt like he should proceed with this – with her. The subtle urging from any secretive, hidden spot deep within him went unnoted, though. He was far too intent upon the sensations coursing through his body, and others he wanted to generate with her as well. She looked at him, but again, if her blue eyes were troubled, he did not pick up on her uneasiness – her search for . . . something . . . or someone, there in his green eyes. Seemingly, she had no opposition to his request, though her soft words, when they came, gave him reason to pause. He had no recollection of what she had asked of him, out there in the sea of grass. All that had been destroyed by his injuries, or her treatment of them, or the drugs. To him, her simple, bald statement was taken as a sign that she was accepting of this – that she would do this, for him – for them. He kissed her, once, in silent gratitude, before she turned away from him.

He felt her tremble beneath his fingers so he moved gently, unaware if any of her own injuries might cause her pain or discomfort. But she positioned herself against him and with little effort or preamble, he entered her, thinking that if there could be a time when he might get a son on her, he would choose this one. For it seemed to Cugacon that the two of them had descended into a valley and now were on the far side, climbing back to the sunlight. From here, they could choose whatever path they desired, and walk together through life. Kavala’s words that day when they had first spoken seemed to burn a vision in his mind, now, of creating a family and perhaps finding what both of them desired, individually and as partners. With his long fingers wrapped in her hair, he moved against and into her, over and over, and Kavala submitted – a warning sign he clearly missed. That in itself should have told him that she was not acting like herself, and something must be wrong. He was still off. The drug that she had tried so hard to flush from his system was still present in a strong enough concentration to blur his thoughts and make him miss so much. So much that would prove to be of such critical importance. Even the bite marks he merely took for left overs from the battle with the glassbeaks, and as he bent over her, feeling that he was near to creating this new life with her, he kissed the marks gently, wishing only that she had not been forced to suffer so – that he had done a better job in protecting her.

With a low moan and her name on his lips, he came into her and sent a prayer to the gods that she was right in her statement about her body’s readiness for this. Even as the intensity of that moment passed away like ripples into a flowing stream. He remained positioned over her still, his hands tenderly caressing her breasts. His lips pressed to her spine.

Slowly, he withdrew from her and sat back on his heels, pulling her to sit in his lap, wrapped in his strong arms, her cheek cradled against his chest.

[Kavala]

When he pulled her up into his arms, Kavala said nothing. She'd been silent through the whole experience letting him take his time and doing nothing to either encourage him or deny him his pleasure. When he'd positioned her like Eowe wanted her to be, she knew the dark brother was close and it had almost paralyzed her with fear. That fear hadn't gone away until Cuga had lifted her against him and cuddled her to his chest. Kavala wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled his broad dark skin. She said nothing for a long time, breathing just as hard as he was and trembling slightly.

Kavala wanted to warn Cugacon. She should have told him just how much his twin was in control, but if Cuga didn't know, he certainly wasn't ready to believe her. Kavala just wasn't sure Cuga understood how close Eowe was now. It probably wasn't even safe to seduce him like this, knowing the dark brother could snatch the reins of control any moment and push his light brother away. Somehow, the drug she'd given him, had freed the darkness. Kavala's guilt was almost overwhelming.

But the Konti had needed this though, this memory, to replace the others that Eowe had filled her mind with. Those memories haunted her and made her cower inside. He hadn't let her run. He hadn't let her escape. He'd instead done the one thing Akalaks were not supposed to do and Cugacon had no recollection of it. As the drugs wore off, Kavala was certain Cuga would remember, but she wanted him to know this moment as well for when the awareness all came crashing back. And if he never remembered it would be okay too, for then she'd wouldn't have the guilt on her soul for Cugacon knowing and remembering what Eowe was capable of doing to a Nakivak.

Absently she wondered, more terrified than she would admit to herself, if he would treat a Nakivak like that how he would treat his son.

Because she knew she was pregnant. All the signs were there. Cuga would think it was because of today. Kavala knew it was because of Eowe. But she'd lie to herself. She'd tell herself over and over that it was today. Her deepest fear was that she'd look at a new son and hate him for who his father was. But no matter how angry she was at Tasifal's father, she never let her emotions effect her there, so maybe the fear was ungrounded. She was sure her hatred wouldn't effect her in this relationship either because it wasn't Cugacon's fault.

Kavala stroked Cugacon's back, slowly lifting her head to look into his eyes. He was a handsome Akalak. He deserved a better brother than Eowe, even though Kavala knew Cugacon had the molding of him in hand. He denied his emotions, distanced himself from all things, and that was one of the reasons Eowe was a monster. Kavala had tried to reach him even as he brutalized her, but he'd just sneered.

She was afraid he was damaged beyond even what love could heal.

The Konti lifted her head and kissed Cugacon's face, first his right cheek, then his left, then his eyebrows and eyelids and finally brushed her lips across his own. Her attention was tender, almost apologetic, as she ran her hands through his hair.

"I hope our son cares about you and loves you as much as I do. I hope you know him unlike Tasival's who never has even seen him. I hope you don't run away from us and what we represent to you. You seem almost recovered, another ten-day of taking it easy and you should be as good as new." She said softly, reaching up to run her hands through his hair.

"I love you." She then said softly, almost shyly, knowing it was a Nakivak's deepest sin. Falling in love with a talvis was heartbreak, especially one who's dark brother would rather beat you than talk to you. But she told him anyhow, needing him to know, knowing that Eowe was probably inside him listening as well, roaring with laughter.

[Cugacon]

As a counter-balance to Kavala’s fears and anxiety, only a deep, calm satisfaction coursed through the Akalak who held her so tenderly in his arms. Gently he stroked her shoulder, her arm, her leg, his head bent to hers, listening with the same careful consideration that he gave all her words. Those final words, though, touched a match to that tranquility and it caught and flared into something much more profound. His hand came to cup her face and he pulled her mouth to his. Her confession was surprising, but, of course, pleasing. After what seemed a rocky start, perhaps the two could realize what they both desired. Cugacon kissed Kavala as he searched his heart and mind for the words that would best answer hers. His fingertips tangled in the hair that brushed against her cheek.

“Kavala,” he breathed as their lips parted. “You are always a surprise to me. In these past weeks, I would not have thought to hear you say that, if for no other reason than your own fear about this – about us, or maybe – me. But I have never met a more incredibly complex, frustrating or stronger person than you. You have nothing to fear, Kav. I’m yours. You hold my heart in your hands – I love you.” He kissed her again, lightly. “We can do this. I love you - and when our children come, we will love them and raise them together, as a family.”

His arms encircled her and gently he stretched out, bringing her down to lay beside him, once more intent upon consummating what had been a while in the making.

[Kavala]

Kavala hated herself. She wasn't lying to him, because she did care deeply, so much so it could be called love, but she knew his dream of a family, all of them living together, was a lie unless Eowe disappeared when the medicine finally purged from the Akalak's body. But she was afraid what was once unleashed couldn't be contained. She'd have to tell Cugacon, sooner or later. He could be dangerous, not only to her but to everyone else.

The news would devastate Cugacon. But until something else happened, something that left her sure that purging his system wasn't going to fix the problem, Kavala would keep quiet. She'd wait, watch, and tell him, but not for a while, not yet. For now she was going to enjoy this time with him, all of it, until Eowe ruined whatever life they built between them.

Kavala let it all go though, just that once, and let him pull her back down into the sand. For a time, at least that day, she'd enjoy just being his Nakivak and having a Talvis that loved her, wanted her, and made her feel like she had worth in the world.

[Stranger]

XP Award!

Note: You guys are fantastic. It is always a pleasure to read your threads, really. The mess you've worked Kavala and Cugacon into is just insane, and I love it. Kudos on creative writing, beautiful writing, and interesting writing. I can't wait to see what happens next. Not a lot to grade as far as skills, but writing like this speaks for itself. Kudos.

Kavala:
Socialization +3
Manipulation +2

Lore:
The Slow Road to Healing
The Promise of New Life
The Consequence of Our Own Mistakes
Loving Out Loud


Cugacon:
Socialization +3

Lore:
Blissful Ignorance
The Hope of a Child
The Slow Road to Recovery
I Love You, Too