Riders on the Storm [Kashik][Completed]

[Vanator]

Picking up a slice of cheese from her knee, Vanator laughed at Kashik's roguish comment, his eyes reflecting the playfulness in her own smile. "Who are we to disappoint the gods?" She moved with such effeicency, he noticed. Not with the grace of a dancer, so much, but with an absolute comfort in who she was. It exuded a confidence that was attractive and enticing to watch. Vanator decided that Kashik was like a fire. Warm, life-giving, constantly in motion, tongues waving. And like a fire, one was tempted to see how close you could get to it. The trick was, how close could you get and not get burnt? Popping the cheese in his mouth, Van seemed to light up at the mention of River fall and weapons. He took the bottle again, tilting it back and letting more of the liquid slide down his throat. Bottle still in hand, he pointed at her, wanting to intervene, but the woman was on a roll. He thrust the wine back towards Kashik. Another flash of lightening lit the overhang, followed by its earthshaking clap of thunder. When she finally took a breath, Vanator laughed "Yes, its a refreshing smell, like something coming to life." His eyes met hers again, this time darting down to appreciate the features of her face. "My sister lives in Riverfall. I haven't seen her in more that two years, but I hope to see her this season." Taking a hunk of meat, he tore off a piece and ground it between his teeth. The horseman scooted even closer, his knees making contact with Kashik's. He leaned back, on his other hand. "And I understand about the weapons drilling. It can get to feel pointless. Maybe you do need a new sparing partner, the Akalak are good, very good. Have you ever defended yourself from a battle ax?" A wry grin spread across his mouth. The gold-flecks sparkling boyishly in his eyes.

[Kashik]

What if this storm ends? And leaves us nothing Except a memory A distant echo She laughed as she took the wine back, still chuckling even as she upended it for a swig. "You've a sister in Riverfall? You'll have to tell me where she lives, and then she and I can be friends. I won't know anyone there. Or maybe not - I'm a bad influence, you probably don't want your sister hanging out with my kind," she said, scrunching her nose up, making the brown freckles dance a little as she laughed easily at herself. She passed the wine back to him, making sure he got his share (she did have a tendency to hog it if she wasn't paying attention) and leaned across his lap to grab a bit of the jerky, beaded braids swirling over his thighs and arm a moment before she straightened up, bringing with it the scent of honey and sandalwood. "Oooh, a battle axe?" she asked, her face lighting up with excitement. She found she liked the way his eyes sparkled, as if he were holding back some grand tease - she wanted to know what he was thinking, if it was as amusing as he seemed to think. As if that gave her free reign, her own eyes roamed over his body a moment, taking in the broad shoulders and strong arms with an appreciative quirk of her lips. Gods, but she'd been blessed to be born a Drykas. "I shall have to test your meddle then," she teased, meeting his gaze again and winking. Then her chin lifted, and some easily-read challenge sparkled through the teal depths of her eyes. "Unless you've a good enough grip in the rain..."

[Vanator]

Kashik laughed easily, and Vanator like that. She was able to brighten the darkening overhang in spite of the looming storm. He accepted the wine bottle, lifting it to his mouth, nearly losing some down his chin as the teasing girl leaned across lap. It sent an electric surge through his nerves, and he concealed a broad grin behind the bottle as she retreated with some meat. The scent of exotic wood and sweet honey lingered in his nostrils, triggering sensations that tempted further exploration of the Drykas woman across from him. Vanator did not miss Kashik's exploring eyes, her assessment of his physique much less covert that the furtive glances he had employed to appreciate Kashik's pristine feminine form. Neither did her thinly-veiled challenge escape the horseman, pleased that the woman had picked up his subtle suggestion. They had already begun to spar in a sense, exchanging jabs of subtle innuendo and suggestive flirting. They were both warriors, why not extend their play to something more physical? The food held no more attraction to him, discovering Kashik now his sole purpose. He handed her the bottle, then set the fruit and meat aside to rise to his feet. He looked down into the seductive woman's mischievous eyes, a corner of his mouth curling up. "My axe is true in sun or rain my friend, which I am more than willing to demonstrate to you!" He extended his hand towards her, offereing to help her up.

[Kashik]

I want to see you As you are now Every single day That I am living When he stood up, Kashik practically lit with excitement, and it might have seemed for a moment that her enthusiasm had summoned the next bolt of lightning that skewered the sky and reflected in her eyes. "Aye, then," she said, and laughed, and it echoed the thunder that boomed across the sky. A small, calloused hand was laid in his, the wine bottle for once forgotten and left behind, and let him pull her up. Only she kept going, kept moving, until she caught herself against his chest, up on her tiptoes, close enough for every curve to be felt. "Let us see how true your swing and thrust," she purred into his ear, the words dissolving into a chuckle of pure teasing and mischief. And then she rolled back onto her heels and laughed again, shooting him a troublesome grin before bouncing away to gather her spear from where it lay with the rest of their things. "Come on! Before the storm blows itself out," she cried, grinning again as she bounded out into the rain. Within moments, the wind and rain had plastered her dark hair to her shoulders, as well as her clothes to her body - but she couldn't be bothered to care, pure joy in every movement as she skipped and spun in the open air as if desperate to have every inch of her body touched by Zulrav's hand. Finally she spun and shot a grin to Vanator, a few soaking curls stuck to her cheeks.

[Vanator]

Kashik was the real deal, her calloused hand indicated that her armor and spear were not just for show. Though the rest of her looked delightfully soft, her hands were the hardened hands of a warrior. All the more exciting, Van thought. The softness of her body was confirmed as she boldly pressed herself against him. Instantly a flush of heat rushed from his groin up through his chest as she spoke her teasing so closely into his ear. She had made her intentions known. He would have replied with his own clever remark had he she not chased the breath from his lungs. As she jogged over to retrieve her weapon, Vanator recalled her snide comment about gripping his own weapon in the rain. Glancing back to make sure the woman was not looking, he hastily crouched down to splatter a bit of wine in the palm of each hand, the lightly wiped them on his breeches, hoping some sticky residue would remain. He then stood, removed his tunic and stepped over to Backlash to pull the battle ax from the loop in her yvas. The Strider glanced back, blowing out a blast of air between her lips. "Quiet you!" Vanator warned with a grin. Stepping out into the rain, Van laughed as he watched Kashik revel in the storm, The rain and wind whipped around her, seeming to embrace her. She was soon soaked and apparently oblivious to the fact, or most likely didn't care. He caught the joyful grin directed at him. He laughed again. Kashik's exuberance was contagious and her playful sensuality thrilled him. That exhilarating sensation, along with the cold stinging of the rain on his bared torso, and the feel of his ax in his hands, made every nerve in his body stand on end. The burning in his core waxed hotter as he scanned Kashik's rain-drenched form, her clinging garments revealing the lines and curves that were only hinted at while they had sat to dine. Now they were boldly displayed, inciting a primal curiosity that threatened to distract his martial attentions. He flashed Kashik his own grin, as white and the lightening Zulrav threw around them. He stood boldly, feet well planted, and raised the large ax in one hand towards the beautiful Drykas, the muscles in his forearm, upper arm and shoulders rippling. Raising his voice over the wind and thunder, Vanator proffered his own challenge. "Kashik Brightsmile....show me what you've got!"

[Kashik]

The perfect halo Of gold hair and lightning Sets you off against The planet's last dance Kashik waited for him to ready himself, and the thoughts that spun through her head were similar to his. He was glorious in the rain, the water beading and pouring from hardened muscles and darkening the gold-touched waves of his hair. Her own awareness expanded, sharpened, focused as it only did when she fought or loved, and at the moment she was doing both. He was Drykas, and he was perfection, and she loved him as thoroughly as she loved the grass of the plains and the thunder that rolled through her bones. It was simply how she was, could love anything that was bold and bright and strong, and cared not if it lasted a second or a lifetime. His challenge was met by a whoop of triumph, for she'd hoped more than anything that he would enjoy this as much as she. It didn't matter who won or lost, what mattered was the dance between them, and the joy in it. There were few in the world who could understand the sweetness of the moment like their people. "Then ready yourself, Vanator Denusk," she called back, laughing even as she lept and covered the space between them in a burst of speed, the spear twisting and spinning in her left hand. Her left hand, for she was one of the few who used that instead of her right, and it was an advantage she played as often as she could. She was also significantly shorted,which usually restricted her to low attacks when she fought someone so much larger than herself. The metal spearhead sparkled and caught the lightning that still threaded overhead, and as she closed the distance she lept again and spun it towards him, sweeping the blunted wooden end of it up from the ground to bash at his right knee. Even as she made that thrust, a joyful laugh echoed in the rain-soaked air between them.

[Vanator]

Kashik's warcry reached his ears across the wet grass, as did her laugh. He crouched, readying himself as she covered the distance between them with incredible speed. Her motion was fluid and elegant, and Vanator marveled at the unconventional mode of attack she employed. So much so that he barely shifted his ax to intercept the low strike. Van held it with one hand, and when the woman's weapon met the haft of the ax, it sent a rattling vibration up the weapon's handle and into his forearm,the impact coinciding with a rumbling thunderclap. The Drykas male grinned a feral grin. Kashik was not pulling her strikes, but fighting with her whole spirit. The revelation resonated with the warrior's heart, driving his passion to engage Kashik with renewed vigor. Pausing only long enough to share his grim smile, Vanator grunted. "Very impressive Brightsmile!" At closer quarters, Kashik could see the Lacun mark just above Van's solar plexus. The glimpse was only a breath in duration, for Van shook the rain from his face, then spun around, his dark Windmark etched across his back and shoulders visible as he rotated on the balls of his feet. The battle ax spin in his hand, so that the butt of the blade swung towards Kashik's shoulder in a wide arc.

[Kashik]

The Lacun mark distracted her for a single moment, eyes widening just a hair - but they were still fighting, and she snapped her attention back as he spun around. She gave a bark of approval at his move, though, both the avoidance and his new attack. She knew that moment had cost her, and that she wouldn't be able to simply block his hit, so instead she slid her left foot back half a step and ducked it, wet braids slapping against his wrist and the shaft of his axe handle. Quick as thought, she spun her spear up to come up outside of his arm, shoving it to continue its momentum past her and hopefully throw him just a little off-balance. Even as the smooth wood of her spear connected harmlessly with his arm, she balled up her right fist and punched him in his left side, just below his ribs. She didn't pull the punch, trusting in his conditioning and the (quite lovely) muscles of his torso to keep it from causing any real damage, but it would likely be unexpected enough to throw him off a little. Which was really the best way for a small, petite warrior girl to win - cunning, not strength, had always served her best.

[Vanator]

Vanator briefly considered what would happen if the back of the ax actually struck Kashik's shoulder, only fleeting though, as his battle high filled his head. The concern was unwarranted, as the woman deftly dodged the weapon. Her tactic paid off. Already off balance because he only held the heavy ax in one hand, the additional force of the spear shaft against his arm hindered his recovery from his attack. He felt her small but strong fist impact against his side, causing him to involuntary lean back as well. He stumbled forward, only regaining his balance after several steps, but shifting back on his back foot and twisting to prevent any more blind attacks from the spear-wielding warrior. He shifted the ax into both hands, lunging back towards Kashik, attempting to close the distance and deny her the benefit of the spear's length. He held the weapon in front of him, shoving it against the spear's shaft and continuing to push, attempting to use his superior weight to overpower the smaller woman. He laughed through gritted teeth as he tried to drive her backwards.

[Kashik]

When he laughed, she did as well - and continued to yelp with laughter as she caught her spear against his axe and he shoved, finally taking advantage of his size to bully her. She didn't bother trying to hold him off; she hadn't the strength to compete with him, but what she did have was speed, so she danced backwards on nimble little feet, her own grin gone feral as well as the excitement of battle sung in her veins. "You break my spear, I'm gonna kick you in the balls," she growled over their crossed weapons. And then she winked at him. She let him get some momentum going again, giving ground until they were a little faster than a walk and not quite a jog. Then she twisted her spear, catching the curved head of the axe with the metal spearhead and shoved it up and towards his left. At the same time, she braced the bottom of the spear with her right hand, hoping to trip him with it as she spun away to his right. With any luck, it would send him tumbling forward and let her skip away. With less luck, it'd just send them both to the ground in a tangle of limbs. Either way. Which was the thought that went through her head, and might be why she kept giggling as she did it.