Along the Watchtower (Caehli)

[Elem Bree]

The meal arrived and it certainly smelled and looked worth its weight in gold mizas. Elem smiled and waggled his eyebrows at Caehli once it arrived. The server asked if anything else was need. It wasn't and she moved on to other guests. Elem used his fork and knife to bring a fish and some vegetables to his plate, his fingers taking a piece of hearty warm bread as well. He didn't feel as if he should stop her from getting her own food, so he chose to silently bow his head and thank Rak'keli for the health of those who had grown and prepared the food as well as their own health for receiving it.

He began to cut at the fish when he remembered what he was going to say. "Avanthal, yes. A Diamond clan warrior I met mentioned traveling there, but I had no idea it was such a sight. I'll have to put it on my list of places to see. The more people I meet and stories I hear, the more I realize I should have left Zeltiva earlier." He chuckled a bit and chewed the fish, which was delicious, chasing it down with a sip of wine. Waiting for his food to leave his mouth, he added, "Of course, I would have completely missed out on meeting you had I done that." He put another forkful in his mouth and chewed, giving them both a chance to simply enjoy the meal.

[Caehli Galesong]

Without much hesitation, Caehli gladly helped herself. She piled on fish and vegetables to her plate before grabbing a slice of delicious warm bread. Her eyes lighting up like the silverware before them. Unlike Elem, she very comically and rather brazenly dug into the food. At least she ate like a civilized human, her table manners certainly saved her there.Caehli stopped mid way fork to mouth, in notice that Elem was still praying and being thoughtful and kind like a normal human being. Very still and quiet Caehli placed her fork on her plate, swallowing quietly. She hoped Elem didn't notice her wolf like behavior, it was infact almost identical with open salivating mouth beforehand and the eagerness to fill her stomach.Yes Elem would be so charmed with her now,yes he would be very taken with the wild woman from Cyphrus. It seemed like a great time to take a loooooong hearty sip of wine, just so she could forget her terrible blunder. Yes wine was good for foggy memory. On the bright side Caehli noticed that the wine was paired excellently with the meal. Elem started talking of Avanthal and it brought her attention back on him. Mostly in interest but partly in hope that he actually did not notice her uncouth behavior. That or he had the graciousness to pretend it didn't happen, either way Caehli praised the gods. Better too late than never, as she always said. So Caehli nodded and hummed in agreement of his talk of desire to see knew things, people, places and so on. It was her dream as well! "Oh no I felt the same, although I traveled all my life I felt as though I wasn't truly seeing anything for myself..." She trailed off. It was silly of her to think she hadn't seen much, when she hailed from the traveling tent city after all! Then Elem said something that overall surprised and flustered her.It echoed in her mind for a moment as she stupidly processed the words. "...I would have completely missed out on meeting you had I done that." He said, Elem that is...said that."M-meeting me?" She asked shyly. It brought a red hue to Caehli's cheeks . Caehli was flattered and pleased but she wasn't sure what to say back. This is what people called flirting no? Such a foreign concept to Caehli. So she found herself smiling like a complete idiot at Elem for a moment before stuttering out a complete different and opposite subject. "When will you leave? Erm no I mean...How long are you staying in Riverfall?" Which cued Caehli's second long drink of wine. To give her some sort of break from that crash landing. She just hoped Elem's graciousness would save her again.

[Elem Bree]

Perhaps it was the casual and pleasant nature of it all, but as Elem finished praying, he noticed Caehli gulping down wine. He had no idea how to drink wine himself, other than pouring it down his throat. Maybe he could relax a bit. It seemed like the wine was helping him in that department, so why not just go with it? Beautiful company, great food and wine, relaxing atmosphere. It was this nose in the books attitude that had made him miss out on many things in Zeltiva. Not here.

He indulged in a hearty glug of wine himself, after he had finished his fish. The warm buzz only became more potent, wrapping around him like a warm blanket. Caehli was blushing deeply at his mention of meeting her. He smiled back, nodding. "Of course. Even with this one meeting, I can tell there will be many more. We seem to like each other." He went for another gulp. "Well, maybe I am assuming. I definitely like you." His lips were tingling. He wanted to kiss her. His body wanted to flip the table out of the way. Lips smacking a bit, he settled for, "I'm going to go relieve myself. Excuse me."

Pushing the chair back, he stood up quickly. Whaaat a difference. A rush of euphoria pushed through him as the room seemed to slosh slightly like his glass of wine had. Briefly leveling himself at the corner of the table, he felt the desire again. No table in the way now. Yes, must pee. "I'll be right back. Not only am I not leaving Riverfall anytime soon, short of this trip, I will be right here with you as long as you like." His body decided it was time to go, so he turned on his heel before she could respond, bouncing and wavering toward the back of the house and the outhouses.

[Caehli Galesong]

If it was publicly acceptable to fling yourself over a table at someone, Caehli would do so to Elem. However that was far too forward. Damn why was he so charming, good looking and all around wonderful? It made him irresistible. Then he had to be so good with words, he so easily admitted his feelings to her. She could assure him that they weren't one sided! Then she said so.By slamming her hands on the table and causing a scene. "And I assure you, that those feelings aren't one sided" she declared very boldly. Like it was a war cry, rather a confession.However Caehli was always more honest and straight forward when intoxicated so she had no regrets, rather proud of herself for saying something in the first place. Then Elem had to go and excuse himself, well if Caehli was in his shoes she'd do the same. When he stood, she stared at him unwaveringly. More than anything she wanted to stand up and kiss him. However that wasn't easy as talking. Since it would be a first for her, she wasn't too sure how to execute such a task without bumping noses. Before he left, Elem said something that touched her so deeply. He would stand by her, he had no idea how much that meant to her.Growing up with abandonment issues did that to you though.So Caehli tried her best not to weep in public, rather she smiled brightly and warmly at him. However he left before she could say anything back."Wait...I" He was too far to hear her. "Damn.." she mumbled to herself before finishing the remnants of her wine. This night had proven to be unpredictable, she was keen to find out what happened next. Caehli didn't dwell on it though, rather she enjoyed the effects of alcohol. The lightheadedness, the overall giddiness and lack thereof self hesitation. Well when Elem would come back then she'd find time to do it. To kiss him that is. Now she just had to make a tactical plan and execute.

[Elem Bree]

The outhouses were massive. Elem chuckled to himself as he relieved the pressure in his bladder. The hole was massive! He could never sit on that. When he was all done, he stepped back out into the cool night air. A wind came through, cooling the slight mist of sweat on his brow. It felt really nice. Wiping the rest with his shirt sleeve, he walked back into the Kulk, doing his best to avoid bumping into any of the blue mammoths.

When he returned to the table, Caehli looked even better than when he had left. The server had brought the second pitcher of wine he had paid for, and Elem stood there for a moment, contemplating. "Hey you.", he said to her. He looked back over his shoulder. It appeared that there was some kind of ruckus going on in the main part of the tavern. It seemed like a perfect opportunity. " Hey. Let's take this pitcher and our glasses and go for a walk. I paid for everything already. I'll bring the pitcher back later." he smiled at Caehli, fingering the pitcher's handle and his glass in the same hand.

His other hand extended out to her. "Come on, this night is beautiful, but it pales to you. Let's go."

[Caehli Galesong]

The wine was taking its effect and Caehli was a little more than tipsy.She was slumped rather dreamily over their table. Head resting sleepily on palm, humming a melody to herself. Then Elem appeared in the sea of blue men. At sight of him, Caehli stood and flung her arms around his waist burying her face into his chest.His chest was rather sturdy and warm, Caehli found she liked it quite alot.It was probably very useful as a pillow! However Caehli pulled her thoughts away from such ideas to look up at him. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" She declared happily head tilted back up at him. Caehli did not realize how tall Elem was until now.Perhaps her kissing plan would be harder than she thought... At mention of fresh air, Caehli gasped and nodded enthusiastically. "Oh my gods yes! I'd go anywhere with you!".She said in childlike manner "Also walking is healthy after a meal" she declared rather randomly grabbing her own glass in one hand.She couldn't help it she was drunk. Then without hesitation she took Elem's in her other, their hands laced together.She studied them for a moment, small and large, fair and tan. Caehli giggled softly."You know I never noticed how big your hands are!" she declared merrily before holding out their entwined hands before them. "They must be very useful!" she commented eyes wide in wonder. She brushed her thumb over his hand thoughtfully. "Warm too!" She said as afterthought, her mind scattered due to wine and giddiness. "Beautiful... " Caehli tilted her head in very birdlike fashion as she pondered the word.She wasn't sure if she compared to the countless stars and silver moon but she was flattered that Elem said so. She just smiled and said nothing more. Rather she leaned against Elem's sturdy figure, it was of course because the floor was getting all wobbly. She needed to steady herself on something, but it also might've had something to do with Caehli's desire to be close to Elem. However she was far too tipsy to come to terms with true reasoning behind her silliness. "Now then, where shall we go Mr. Bree?" She asked mischievously. Keen to know where he would take her.

[Elem Bree]

Elem was surprised to feel her arms around him and her face nuzzling his chest. Whether the warmth was the wine or the woman ceased to matter. He casually sniffed at her hair, which had a nice fragrance. her sparkling eyes looked up at him and her delight in going anywhere with him only emboldened him further. If anyone chased him down the street looking for their pitcher, he would be happy to return it. He planned to anyway, whenever they returned. Who cared? He certainly didn't at the moment.

Her fingers wrapped in his felt very good. Very natural. Her hands were warm and soft. Her mention of his own large hands and their usefulness only propelled the pair outside, under the stars and in the arms of welcome cool breezes. She wobbled close to him and he couldn't be happier being her leaning post. He caressed her own hand with his thumb, giddy with wine and affection. It was surprising to him that she did not think she was beautiful, but then again, there weren't any mirrors in the Sea of Grass, probably.

He pondered the pitcher and glass still in his hand, knowing trying to drink from one with only one hand meant he would drink from both and be ridiculous. He giggled at the pitcher. Silly pitcher. Returning to his lovely companion, his destination was obvious to him. "Oh, well, I thought a stroll through the Grotto would be nice. There are many places that are...out of the way." He was finding his usual ease with dancing around a subject was greatly decreased with the wine. Maybe he would drink more. "It's just down the road here. Should be amazing at night." He moved them in that direction, to the best of his and her sloshy legs' abilities.

[Caehli Galesong]

Most of the time, the ground was solid and stagnant. However tonight strangely enough, it seemed to move like ripples on water or a tide. Caehli was afraid it would slip out from under her, she watched the ground intently daring it to try. She was lucky she had sweet,tall, nice, attractive, chivalrous Elem here! To escort to wherever he had planned to take them. He was like her own personal knight, how dashing! How lucky was she, to have him, especially on a night like this! Although darkness was all around them, the moon and stars lit up the sky, fragments of light against a endless deep cool void.If Caehli was sober she would blush at such atmosphere. Though she certainly preferred it over the tavern, as merry and charming as it was. She wanted exclusive time with Elem! It was all part of her silly plan to capture a kiss. Where were they going again? Elem had said so before,but she forgot... Ah yes...The Grotto! Her short term memory might have had something to do with the wine, but Caehli was positive that it was his touch that made her so...idle.Not that she minded at all really. "The Grotto sounds perfect, I like 'out of the way'..." she quoted Elem in a very whimsical like voice, while at the same time gently tightening her grip in his hand. It was perfect, Elem was playing into her genius plan quite smoothly. Perhaps kissing would be easier than she thought! Although silence never bothered her, Caehli wanted to hear the sound of his voice so she kept the conversation going. "What do you think you'd be doing if I hadn't bumped into you ?" she asked, her eyes falling back on him ever so often.

[Elem Bree]

The night couldn't be better, Elem thought to himself. It was cool, the stars hung as a drape of surreal beauty above the pair. All thoughtso f work and toil were gone, only the warmth of Caehli's hand in his own and the sweet glow of her rosy cheeks. There was also the general wave of euphoria that was passing through him like passing rain. The Grotto was just over the hill from them. Fortunately, the wine was also an excellent buffer against his natural awkwardness in these types of situations.

She thought the Grotto sounded perfect and she liked out of the way. Elem had an immovable grin on his benign countenance. They had arrived at the top of the Grotto. Pairs of Akalak and various females wandered among the lights and the amazing floral arrangements below them. There were also a rather long and curvy set of stairs which would lead them to many secluded places. Elem's lack of balance cautioned him at the top of the handrail. Looking one way and the other, he spotted a less severe descent to a small bench near a picturesque pond and fountain.

He led them in that direction, not wanting this perfect night to be dashed along with their wine and bodies down the other stairs. "This looks like a good spot." He was eager to put the pitcher down, mostly so he would have a free hand to steady himself on the bench. Looking down at her, he seemed to suck on his teeth for amoment before answering. "Well, most likely, I would have been studying the Watchtower. It is very interesting to me. Apparently," he continued, while having a seat on the bench, "..they were once some kind of travel system, not just markers of the seasons. It's a shame that we must spend so much time now through dangerous wilds to travel from one place to another. Don't you think?" He smiled at her, finally refilling his own glass and having a sip. Ah, yes, his friend Wine returned.

[Caehli Galesong]

The Grotto was something else. There was every flora Caehli could have imagined. All so beautiful and vibrant, despite the fact it was night, the lack of natural light did not steal away from the exquisite garden. Caehli gasped audibly more than once as Elem led them to a comfy bench for two. Caehli had to steady an arm around Elem's waist to make it there however. The ground was more wobbly than she thought. Although eager to sit down, falling would have been most unpleasant. She only sighed in relief in agreement of his statement enjoying the sturdiness of the bench. Yes this was a good spot, now Elem was at eye level with her. Caehli found she rather liked when Elem talked. It was all so intelligent and thoughtful, the sound of his voice was so pleasing to her ear.She found herself in awe as he weaved his tale of the Watchtower, was it him or his story that was so charming? Caehli couldn't tell and only helping herself to some wine. "It would be easier yes...but that's the fun part of traveling!" she remarked "You wouldn't get to meet all the wonderful people along the way! As for the danger...well I consider it a learning experience!" she said optimistically then set her glass aside. After another sip of wine Caehli found courage to speak. Or at least squeak. At a decibel above a whisper she said his name. "Elem...I" . She wanted to kiss him,she just had to do it. It wasn't that easy though. To make things slightly easier, Caehli had to picture him as a horse. The actions were quite similar really. Caehli just had to grab the stallion by the yvas and kick off. Rather gently instead, she grabbed onto his shirt and pulled herself to him. Before backing her head up again, was this too close? Or perhaps too far? She stared at his mouth rather curiously. How...? Would...? Perhaps this was harder than she thought.Caehli just sat there, far too close for comfort gripping his shirt in puzzlement. "Well I...want to kiss you..." Caehli trailed off. Yes Caehli did want to kiss Elem, but how?