Closed The Initiation [Leo]

[Eosi]

She could feel the rippling of his body as it enveloped hers, rapt in the climb to euphoria. He was as lost as she. They were clawing through this height together, and his ascent only cast her deeper still. Both were on opposite sides of this holy mountain, still entwined. Pleasure was pinging between the walls of her skull, back and forth like a projectile. So naturally at her collapse he was shortly behind, both piling onto the ground in total bliss.

He was gone shortly after, the emptiness in her womb causing a subtle ache. The kind that held a reminder of moments passed. The shackles around her wrists peeled clean. Underneath, the skin felt raw and clammy, blessed by the fleeting embrace of his lips. Was it guilt or love? That she could not say. The lingering silence had only slight interruption by the slow cadence of breath. His form settled next to hers. His eyes were warm, fluid. Her heart swelled with endearment at those eyes, her lips curving into a content smile. He was so sweet, hair askew and dewed with sweat.

"I love you," he whispered. There is no reason to worry. I know where the staff keep their spare clothing.” To that she chuckled again, giddy from aftermath. ”It was a beautiful dress, yet I can't say I'm sorry to see it go." Oh, how noble of him. She hadn’t felt so lighthearted in years. "I'll buy you a new one, but I wonder how long it will last." That was a kind sentiment. Still, she knew him too well. ”Fashion is expensive,” she rasped, clearing her throat. ”I know how you feel about profligate spending.” Her mind warped back to the Glass Gull and the expression he wore. It was less than pleased as she recalled.

They just lie, side by side. She snuggled into his form, still sweetfaced. It took forever to summon the will to rise. Still, inactivity began to plague her. The lack of energy influenced the choice to stay. Eosi was plainly exhausted. It was a sad admission, but she could not continue the little lesson. Not without some time and something to eat. Her very essence had been chipped away. The fireball she’d hurled had pretty much done her in. Top that with their mindblowing union, and she’d given all she had.

Stretching, she sat up. The onset of stiffness protested. ”Gah…” She sighed, cracking her long set of vertebrae. Each popped mercifully. From there she bent double, touching her toes. The movements helped tremendously. After a few minutes of that, she rose. ”Oh my,” she breathed, looking down. Her patella were black and blue from grinding against the rocky floor. There were light marks from where he’d bitten her here and there. It was a wonderful decoration. ”You’ve marked me.” She grinned.

”I think I’m hungry.” That was always the topic of the day. ”Before long, I’ll be cold. Shall we take a short intermission?” There was an impulse to touch her toes vertically, but the bending might incite another bout of lovemaking. Leo was quite virile. Instead she cupped her breasts, hiding them from sight. Her hair was drying in sharp waves, frizzing out into an embarrassing cloud.

”Hmm?”

[Leo Varniak]

She knew him very well indeed, and he could not help but give a light chuckle as she mentioned his penchant for tight money management. "Why, I wouldn't exactly call this 'profligate'," he explained, eyes narrowing and twinkling a little, "and I think I wouldn't have minded the cost of that meal if I could have eaten it off of you." That in itself was a new and wonderful idea worthy of the highest regard and consideration. He filed it away in one of his mental lists for later use and fell silent as they pressed together, exhausted, Leo cushioning her to spare her contact with the cold, hard floor as much as he could. The thoughtfulness was a stark contrast to the demon that had possessed him but a few chimes before.

He felt her stir even before she actually started to stretch and rise. She must be very stiff from the uncomfortable position she'd been in, Leo thought. Was he supposed to feel guilty for that and the obvious bruises and marks she'd be wearing for a while? On the one hand, she had asked for them; on the other hand, he'd been more than happy to oblige. It was a strange medley of emotions struggling for dominance in the empty battlefield of his contented spirit. He watched her stand, getting back on his feet himself. At first he couldn't tell whether her reaction was one of shock and disgust at the damage she'd taken, and he froze in place with a quizzical expression. He was fine by contrast - all he'd received from her was otherworldly bliss. He'd never look at her lips the same way again. "Well, you've been a model worshipper. It was only natural to mark you." The joke set him at ease again, and the thought of the harm done gave way to the equivalent thought of the joy given through the same actions.

"Of course," he nodded imperceptibly and pointed at the opening through which they'd come here. "The kitchens are nearby and no-one ever comes in at this hour of day. This is a fortress of Nysel, the master of dreams, and it doesn't get used much before dark." Naturally, the act of cupping her breasts only drew more attention to them. A few chimes later and this would haven proven a fatal mistake, for he would soon be ready again. Next time he'd let her make use of her bosom, he planned in silence. The expression of longing she'd had at the time hadn't been lost on him.

He put on his trousers, belt and boots. The shirt was lost for good. He knelt by the water and splashed some on himself to get rid of the worst of the sweat. He rose, still dripping, and smiled at the state of Eosi's locks, instinctively patting his ever uncombed hair. "The brush is a splendid invention, didn't you know?" The grin would not have been out of place on a cheshire cat. He could tease with the best of them if the need arose, as it had now. With a last amused glance, he turned and led her to the kitchen. It was an ample hall, suggesting that the place had been crafted to potentially house far more members than it probably did now. Supplies and ingredients were neatly stored in dry containers or under salt.

"That fireball was inspired," Leo commented all of a sudden, "but it ended up costing you more than it should have. Also, in time you'll learn how to exercise much finer control over the trajectory. Still, you did well for your first time." He unfolded a cloth rag and produced a roll of cheese, grabbing a nearby knife with which he took a slice. Kavala owed him a few favors anyways - like raiding her stockpile. "There's one more thing I'd like to show you before we call it a day. I think you'll like it. It truly brings out the strategy in this discipline." For now, though, he took a bite off the cheese and gave his love ample opportunity to rest and recuperate. She had been thoroughly tested, and not only by her magic.

[Eosi]

His amusement was a good sign. ”I suppose you’re right,” she replied, before her train of thought was derailed. The little jest set her cheeks to glowing. Again. With every passing day, Leo was becoming more fluid in his communication. ”Mmm,” she replied meekly, unable to really think of much else. It was a wonder, how he had her snapping back and forth like a piece of rubber. One moment she was shy. The other she was bold. It was difficult enough to meet his eyes! Getting up was a mercy at that point. Her courage had all but evaporated for the time being.

She knew he saw the marks too. His face was a myriad of emotions. She could tell he wasn’t fond of the aftermath, but wasn’t ashamed. Well… That was the gist of it, anyway. Eosi was struggling to follow his thoughts so that in the future she’d know them by heart. It was a long process. But her joke put him at ease. Yes, she was perfectly fine with the bruising. In fact, it would serve as a delicious reminder in the weeks to come. Her responding smile was brilliant.

The more she hid her body away, the more she called attention to it. She was acutely aware of his eyes on her breasts. ”Ah,” she nodded along, catching something about Nysel. This was a fortress of Nysel, master of dreams. Right. Eosi was distracted by the way he eyed her with greed. Why did she suddenly feel like a fawn, caught in a predator’s stare? It was related to the hormonal frenzy he’d stirred up, it had to be. She’d never been so incredibly aroused by someone before in her entire life. By far that’d been the best coupling she’d ever had. Combine the two and anyone would feel giddy. With that, she decided to spearhead the effort in finding herself some clothing. Reimancy. They were there for reimancy.

He started to pull himself together while she tasked herself with salvaging her otherwise ruined wardrobe. Her cloak was still in tact and so she pulled it over naked skin, warding off the draft. That was an improvement, to say the least. She turned as he rose from the water’s edge, clothed and yet soaking wet. ”The brush is a splendid invention, didn't you know?" Her eyes narrowed with mirth. ”Smart ass.” It was so incredibly difficult to be angry with him, even for a second. He was so handsome, standing there in the dim light. She wanted to kiss him. But if that were to transpire, they’d lose ground just recently gained in the whole learning process.

As they moved through the hall, he gave comment. ”I directed it from my hand in the same way I willed the Res out of my body,” she said by way of explanation. He’d teach her to be far more efficient. In more ways than one, it would seem. ”Thank you,” she replied to the compliment, as he produced a wheel of cheese. Her stomach growled in protest. Eosi hadn’t realized how ravenous she really was. She followed suit, slicing off her very own wedge and taking a heavenly bite.

It was somewhat bland, but had substance. Dairy really hit the spot in terms of energy. Eosi sighed dreamily as she ate, nodding at his offer to continue the lesson. It was coming to a close but who knew? Perhaps they’d still keep company. The day was young. ”I hope you know, I’m still naked.” She remarked dryly, though she was positive he didn’t forget. There was an offer of finding her something to wear, though he didn’t seem too enthused by the prospect.

[Leo Varniak]

Leo's mood was at the highest he could remember in a long time. For once there were no thoughts of tomorrow and what it may hold, no worries over things he may or may not be able to change, no questions of whether he was good enough for what he had set out to do. Once you removed the darkness, the duty, and the constraints, you were left with a pure soul who needed so very little to thrive. If not for Eosi, he may never have found out. Words could not describe how precious the gift, and how magnificent the giver.

There was just a little spring to his step as he walked around, wondering which Eosi he would get to see next... the bold one who would always get the last word, the shy one who could fill a room with her silence, the focused one who would settle for nothing but the best? He enjoyed them all. By now the lesson was little more than an excuse to spend time with her while keeping up the appearances of doing something productive. It didn't really matter what. He would make her into a fearsome mage, though. He would not always be able to protect her, nor would Eosi want to be a pet to be looked after as one. He'd give her the means to take care of herself.

His face was serene, his lines soft and relaxed, so that he finally looked his age. Even the overgiving incident was well in the past. He grinned at being called a smart ass. "Guilty as charged," he tipped an imaginary hat. There was something of the brat to Leo Zaital once you washed out all the seriousness. He had annoyed half the pantheon with his antics, after all. With the expression he was wearing right now, you could just imagine him throwing pebbles at windows with a sling.

Gods, but he was starving. The cheese would put a stopgap to that for the time being, but soon he would be in need for something more filling. He stopped to watch Eosi help herself as well. He enjoyed watching her eat, lingering on her lips and strong jaw. The passion showed through even in the smallest acts. The way her muscles flexed, the gentle rippling of strength was something he doubted he could ever put on canvas, though he would certainly try at some point. Her neck, the curve of her shoulders, it couldn't possibly be the product of happenstance. It had to be a design.

He smiled at the reminder that she was still naked underneath the cloak. He wondered if this was a request for clothing or an invitation of a different kind. The tone suggested the former, but he knew better than to mistake her dryness for lack of willingness. He was just about ready for a second bout, at any rate. "I know," Leo retorted, dark eyes narrowing and twinkling with amusement. "Don't worry about that - it doesn't offend me in the least." He licked his lips. "I thought your views on the subject were... more liberal. You had me fully convinced, too."

Leo pointed at the door with the cheese still in his hand. "I can go and fetch you some clothes right now. I could use a shirt, myself. Is that what you really want?" He devoured the last of the cheese and folded his arms across his bare chest. The challenge in his tone was plain as daylight. They loved this feeling of standing on the razor's edge between reason and desire. It was their sweet ache and their torturous blessing. No matter what they did and how many times they swore they'd stop doing it, they always ended up prolonging it artificially if need be. "Or would you rather learn how to use your Res to absorb the elements from the environment? It's a lot safer than anything we've done today."

[Eosi]

Leo was in an undeniably good mood. He led the way with a sprightly step, lover shortly behind. Even his sense of humor was more freely given. Eosi smiled and shook her head at yet another of his smart remarks. There was something to be said about physical release, for the both of them. Eosi hadn’t felt so buoyant since their last close encounter. Contact between them brought to fruition a side of her personality she’d never before known. There was no denying that she was utterly, hopelessly in love.

His stare lingered on her better attributes, especially as she ate. It was exciting to be so openly admired. Yet because it was Leo, she fearlessly studied him back. The boldness was slowly returning. Who knew why it came and where it went? His thoughtful expression was one she’d become accustomed to. His jaw sat crooked, as if his teeth clenched at some invisible object and his eyes seemed elsewhere despite their focus. A little sigh fell from her lips. These times were so transient, so simple. The moment would come one day where they’d sell their souls just to have them back. It all prompted savoring.

He seemed eager to poke more fun and her answering smile was as predictable as sunrise. ”Oh, they are.” Her keen eyes ran from head to heel. ”It just hardly seems fair. You’re a living furnace. The rest of us aren’t so fortunate.” It was drafty, to be sure. That and he was clothed. Leo certainly had her a disadvantage. Not that it was particular out of the ordinary. He was the Champion of a God. Eosi was a halfbreed from the smallest settlement in all of Mizahar. There was quite a divide between them. Yet it never seemed to bother her. Even in lieu of those thoughts, her sunny disposition maintained.

”Well…” Her slender hand settled on his chest, feeling the incredible warmth that radiated there. The sensation alone gave her gooseflesh. Eosi just wanted to sleep in his arms, nestled close to his throbbing heart. That was the truth of it. But she’d value time spent learning just as well. ”You could do without the shirt.” She grinned. Sentimentality came and went. It was clear Leo wanted her again, that was certain. She was learning his eyes. He darkened with need, intensified almost. ”Perhaps if we finish the lesson, we might seek a reward.” Something sweeter this time.

”Unless you wish to hold me while I learn, I think I’ll catch my death.” It was a bit cold to walk around naked. That was with or without the cloak. ”Clothes are a necessary evil for us lowly mortals.” Teasing him never got old. Of course, punishment was now lurking around the corner. Once the floodgates had been opened, there was certainly no turning back. Both parties had enjoyed themselves immensely. That was something worth mentioning… But she thought better of it. Leo would bring it up on his own time.

She combed agile fingers through her halo of crimson hair. It was more of an afro, to be honest. ”Gah,” she grumbled in lieu of its insolence. It’d lost its luster in the process of being submerged. ”Didn't your Mother ever teach you to respect a woman’s hair?” Still, she smiled.

[Leo Varniak]

Ah, so she was cold. It made perfect sense, too, for the caverns were rather chilly. Leo barely felt it, and only once she brought it to his attention, but his condition had always been rather unique. Sometimes he worried that by burning brighter, he would also burn faster. Wouldn't the power he held within consume its fragile vessel in time? There was really no way to tell. He had no predecessors in recent history whose names he could look up. He would have to live his condition, day by day, and hope for the best. To be reminded of their inherent differences did not sadden him, however. They were who they were, and theirs was not an arranged union, made for the sake of power or convenience. Eosi completed him in ways that far transcended such petty concerns. Her being grounded in mortality with both feet was an anchor he had always needed so badly.

She would certainly sense his heartbeat quicken as soon as she laid her hand on his chest. The feel of her fingertips on his skin could almost make him beg for her other hand to join the first. A shadow passed over her eyes, as if she'd just had a vision or a fantasy, but it passed. Leo wondered what it could be. He felt that the mood had shifted considerably since their time near the water spring. Her touch was tender, and asked for tenderness in return. Eosi's needs, he had come to understand, were complex and not always linear. Only because a fierce warrioress was what you saw on the surface, it didn't mean that was all she contained. The fighting spirit might actually be a consequence rather than a root cause. She had mentioned that much during their expensive meal; she hadn't always been this way. Regardless, Leo placed his own hand over hers and did not let go.

He listened to her with a small, but unwavering smile. In the end she complained about the state of her hair. Now that was a part of herself she tended to be self-conscious about. "My mother Lina taught me to respect women in their entirety," he replied softly, in a quiet tone of voice, "I just couldn't have imagined your hair would suffer. I'm sorry." Lina had taught him by example: all she had to do was point at Allistir Varniak and show young Leo everything a man must never be. It brought the memories of their rough lovemaking back to the forefront of his mind, and it made him blush slightly. "She taught me so well, I found it very hard at first... to hit you. And then it just got easy for some reason. It shocked me, to be enjoying it so much, but I definitely did. The feeling of controlling the one I love, someone so proud and untamed, making you crave it as much as I did," his voice trembled a little from the emotion, "it was overwhelming. I did not know myself anymore."

It was instinct, then, that made him wrap his arms around her and simply hold her close just like she had suggested he do. He had plenty of heat for the both of them, and even having her at arm's length felt intolerably distant. He thought he'd be able to restrain himself for a while, and if his hands were behind her back he wouldn't be tempted to let them slip underneath the cloak. This was where they were meant to be. "Necessary evils are only necessary as long as we think they are," he whispered, "you know I'm not big on compromises. I like to think I can do a better job of keeping you warm than an old sweater."

Now, the question was, could she handle the distraction of their proximity? It would be a nice surrogate for the stress of battle, to be sure. But did she even want to fight a battle now? Leo wasn't so sure anymore. No-one would be so monolithic as to desire the same thing all the time. Not even he. He would be content to just be holding Eosi in his arms a while longer. "What is it that you desire?" He asked the question in the simplest of terms, because she either concealed her wants or acted on them, but never really spoke of them much. Perhaps this occasion, being the first in which he had initiated the contact, would make her open up more.

[Eosi]

His pulse began to race and a languid smile found its way onto her lips. How could she have such an effect on him? It was intoxicating. He was so soft, so boyish in those moments. Eosi’s woodland eyes sparkled with adoration. Another hand joined hers to clasp it in place and she sighed, tension ebbing away. She valued their time more with each passing second. Without Leo she never would have known just how easy love could be.

It was the first time he’d ever mentioned his Mother’s name. A part of her wanted to remark upon it but something held her tongue. She was wary of his tone, Leo’s normal voice suddenly lower and softer. There was emotion buried there. She just couldn’t get a handle on what it all meant. That was, until he made the connection. Eosi’s smile became wan. ”You were discovering something, some part of you that you’d never known.” It would feel strange but after a time, he would comprehend. ”Love can drive us to terrible acts. I’d rather ours be in the bedroom than anywhere else.” She brightened a bit. ”Feel no guilt. I loved every last second of it.”

She actually loved it more than that, but it’d be her little secret.

He pulled her close and the sensation elicited a moan. It was paradise. Eosi had always taken her baths boiling like a stove. The hotter the water, the better. Same could be said for everything else in her life, honestly. Heat, whether from the sun or the hearth had always been a comfort. Now she had a flame to call her very own. If he tried to let go, she’d have fought. But that didn’t happen. Instead they stood there in silence as she turned over his words.

”I don’t want this to change.” Even on the coldest nights, when they’d be camping alone… Would he still hold her this way? Or would tension drive a wedge between them? ”Even as we fight our enemies, I don’t want to lose this.” No, never. ”It’s the best thing I’ve ever had.” Tears menaced the corners of her eyes, threatening to fall. She swallowed back the mounting grief. This was unusual. Perhaps she was feeling emotional because soon it’d all be coming to a close.

”Well,” she buried her face into his shoulder. That would conceal her tears. Not that it would ever make any difference to Leo Zaital. She was doomed when it came to hiding how she felt. ”I want to become better,” she breathed. The endless ambition to be the best woman she could be. ”I want you.” In every way imaginable. ”And I’m hungry.” A small giggle escaped her lips. ”But I don’t think you were asking me for a list.”

She drew back to face him, their bodies still flush. ”I’m not sure.” Her expression was thoughtful if not a bit sad. ”I desire my own destiny.” That was a good way of saying it. ”The Gods have always known what was in store for me. Great or small, I want to own it. I hope for a bit more than the latter, but it’s not really up to me.” The analogy about the bow, the arrow and the target sprang to mind. It seemed so long ago. What a reality check to think it’d been a couple of days.

”Here and now, I desire to improve my skills. I’m rather competent at lovemaking, though practice never hurts.” She grinned. ”But I think we might get back to our lesson.” Sad but true. If they got any more lost in one another, they’d never find their way home.

[Leo Varniak]

It truly was hard to believe their time together could be measured in hours... even minutes. It felt like they had skipped many steps out of sheer lack of necessity. There simply had been no need, and only when they stopped to think about it did it feel remotely odd. Occasionally they would have to measure each other to remove the few creases that would emerge due to the fast-paced timing of their story. To do this, they would have to talk. Already their bodies had preceded them, revealing many truths in ways other than mere words. A good heart-to-heart, though, they hadn't had one of those yet. They had been too busy drinking from the one oasis in the vast desert. The need was so overpowering at times, it held the quality of desperation.

Now, however, Leo felt he could touch her heart more deeply than ever before. All he had to do was open his own in turn, and let it be touched at will. He was already on his way. Confessing to the darkness of wanting to hurt her hadn't been easy. Eosi accepted it as natural, and likewise confessed to loving it. This Leo couldn't really understand yet; it was within the nature of animal instinct to inflict pain, but to receive it was another thing entirely. Perhaps Nikali would know the answer to that question. Leo nodded, and added no more; he knew the seed of that addiction had been planted in his mind. She was a drug. It made her perfect, and perfectly dangerous.

His embrace was tight, but not suffocating, with no indication of letting go anytime soon. His warmth was hers to take, hers to accept, hers to seize. Leo just held her, waiting patiently for her answer. He knew there would be one; he was not disappointed, nor did the sweetness of it come as a surprise. People grew spikes in self-defense, the length of which was often proportional to the value of the treasures they held within. Her desires mirrored his own, but he did not interrupt her until she was finished. Now that he had her soul wide open, he would scarcely breathe lest it snap closed once more.

"I won't let it change," he whispered at last. Then, with an amused undertone: "I know better than to take my work home." If anything, he suspected the challenges ahead would draw them even closer. Back to back in the day, front to front at night. "I feel the same way. Before you, the world was just matter in motion. Levers and pulleys. Now there is purpose to the forces. There's a reason. There's a road." He loved the feel of her face resting against his shoulder, her eyelashes tickling his skin.

The final part of her confession had him thinking the most. There was always a tradeoff when you let yourself be guided completely; you were, after all, giving your freedom away. It held true regardless of what you were entrusting yourself to. Leo had given it plenty of consideration through his long voyage in Kalea, when the choice was between philosophy or insanity. "I think... I think the gods only know the broad strokes," he began, thoughtful. "They knew Ivak would be freed, but they were not sure it would happen now, or by my hand. It would make sense, for beings with such breadth of vision, to miss out on some of the depth. The arrow needn't fly straight all the time. What matters is that it hit the target in the end. It can be that way with us, too." He ran his hand through her hair, finding it lovely regardless of the unexpected bath. "The river must sacrifice itself to the sea eventually, but what lands will it touch in its meanderings? That may very well be for us to choose, my love."

A world that was entirely predetermined made no sense to Leo. There was no reason for it to bother existing in the first place. Its unfolding proved nothing new, and was altogether useless. He smiled secretly. How strange it was, to be able to switch so naturally from the raw, physical act of love to such abstract matters on a whim. Eosi pulled back a little to be able to look at his face. Of course she would want to continue the lesson. The Azenth grinned back and captured her back into his embrace. There was no escaping him for a while.

"See the torch on the wall behind me?" he began instructing her from that unusual position. "You can steal its fire with your Res and make it your own. Go ahead and create a little - very little this time, just a droplet. It takes a lot less energy to capture the elements than it takes to transmute them. That's what makes battlefield awareness crucial in Reimancy - you can last much longer and move larger amounts if you borrow what's already there. Make your Res hover close enough to the fire... but rather than imagine an outburst, try and visualize an implosion. Things shrinking, reducing. It will draw the fire to your Res like iron to a lodestone. After that you can cast it just like you made it yourself." This time there would be the additional challenge of his embrace. He was tempted to chew on her earlobe to add to the difficulty, but he suspected it would make the lesson that much shorter.

[Eosi]

There was a whole world for the two of them to explore. He was much like a fortress; with every step taken, a new door came unlocked. It had been astounding to even make through his gate. Leo had built himself on religion, the service of Ivak. To think he’d make such human allowances for her… It brought something within to light. There was a part of Eosi Barlowe that was a simple woman much in the same way he was a simple man. The need to be loved was far more profound than even she’d realized. Yet it was more. It was the need to be loved by an equal.

That of course, brought on a whole other mode of thought. She chuckled. He was able to make light of most anything. It would be a blessing in the times to come. ”I believe you,” she said, eyes sweeping down to his torso. The lines there were very attractive, weathered by toil yet kept supple by youth. ”I had nothing when you came to me. I had settled to carve out something modest.” To live some meager life crafting bows, to wonder what could have been. ”I’ve never been a mercenary. It’s not in my nature to fight needlessly. Without a goal, I was as aimless as the breeze.” She gave a careless wave, her hand returning to his side in short order. ”You gave me more than a reason. You gave me hope.”

Her eyes were ripe with some indescribable feeling. They swam with affection for the humble man that held her fast. It was the kind of choking sensation where words clustered in the throat, unable to break free. It was fortunate that he continued, deeper into their talk. She nodded along, tasting the words. ”Perhaps we will choose. I’ve accepted throwing my lot in with the pantheon.” She frowned for a moment, thrust suddenly into thought. ”I would say you’re right, with a small exception. They know of possibilities. That would be my guess. Perhaps they realized as your path wound on, as you came closer, that you might be the one to loose Ivak from his cage. They move us toward our destiny, but only we may choose to jump.”

What a pair of philosophers they were. It was a mercy that he found the will to shift. Had he pressed on toward intimacy, she would not have denied him. No, Eosi was quite incapable of that. It was a weakness and yet a blessing, to be shackled in such a way. Leo’s heart was wrapped around her wrists and so long as he lived, she would only move where those bindings carried her.

Eosi gave a mute nod, complying with his instruction. With closed eyes she focused inward and drew her essence out, releasing a single shard of her soul. It hovered just above the skin of her palm, a bead of vermillion. Guiding it to the flame was the easy part. It gave an awkward lurch into motion, nearly reeling into the fire on its own. But then the implosion (something she’d never actually seen) was a task of greater challenge. She imagined it reducing. Nothing happened. Annoyed, she tried again – this time using her wits to imagine an implosion in the only theoretical was she knew how.

The torch began giving way, its contents siphoning slowly into the res. Satisfied at her trial and error, she watched the substance come alight. It was a bit tougher than he’d phrased it, but only due to her limited imagination. One day she’d fall right on her face and he’d have to laugh. Eosi tried so very hard to be competent. ”I see,” she said, willing the ball of flame back to her hand. ”Now what shall I do with this? I could always give you a haircut.” She grinned, moving it slowly toward the side of his head.

[Leo Varniak]

The idea of possibilities sat very well with Leo, who carried a mark from their very deity. At times, he thought he could see them as if superimposed to the present. It was a faint thing, little more than a mirage, and he blamed it on his own lack of experience using Xhyvas' mark. Yes, the gods knew what might be, but who really knew what would be? There was another line of thought that held all outcomes were bound to happen in this space or another, and free will was merely the engine that guided the current universe towards one rather than the other. That there could be worlds without Eosi in his life, worlds in which he may live without even suspecting her existence, filled him with a deep sense of unease and made him thankful for the life he'd had and the choices he had made.

Her every touch left his skin on fire and craving for more. He didn't bother concealing the look of desire in his eyes; it'd be a waste of time to even try. Only his wish to see to Eosi's tutoring in the best of ways - as well as a personal curiosity making him want to gauge how long he could resist her before yielding to the need - kept him from pushing forward. Soon, he knew, he would be where he belonged. For now, just watching the concentrated expression on her face as she gathered her remaining forces was a reward unto itself. She had made excellent progress for a complete beginner, even though risks had been taken that he would rather have avoided.

Leo followed her attempts with keen interest and undisguised pride. She had a natural talent for handling the fire; time would teach her wisdom and temper her tendency to overdo things. Most importantly, Eosi was a highly independent learner who figured things out on her own. She treasured her instructions, but was capable of original thought even so early down her career as a Reimancer. The second way of deploying Res was no exception. As to be expected, she had a little trouble visualizing a scene you did not usually associate with fire, but nothing a little practice couldn't fix.

He turned his head - and it cost him some effort - to watch her Res interact with the fire from the torch and be hijacked for Eosi's own purposes. Admittedly, he hadn't given any thought to what she should be doing with it afterwards. Given that it didn't come from her own essence, even the prospect of tasting it was off-putting. Her idea seemed to entail close proximity to his hair. Why his hair kept returning as a point of contention, Leo did not quite know. He and combs did not get along well, this much was for sure. He grinned back as the flame drew closer. "Love, I know they are called sideburns, but you may be taking the name just a little too literally," he retorted in a playful tone. Then, raising his hand and, likewise concentrating, created a modicum of Res... and stole back the fire, sending it drifting over his palm.

"The big pitfall is that two can play this game," he explained in a somewhat more serious voice, but still holding her close. "And that is why a direct attack on a fellow Reimancer can be very dangerous. A very good one may be able to fling your attack right back at you. You will want to be subtle with your spells in that case." He gave the fire back to the torch and dissipated his Res. He blessed her with a smile of reward. "You did very well. You've got all the theory down that you can use at your level. What you need now is a lot of practice." Leo did not think she could manage a lot more today. A good meal and some sound sleep would get her back in top shape. "As you say, practice never hurts." The reference hadn't been very subtle, but then again he wasn't feeling subtle.

"Any burning questions, Miss Barlowe?" His eyes were upon her, curious. He could hardly ask for a better pupil.