Closed [Riverfall Water Park] Slide Over Here (Fade)

[Vanator]

Timestamp 35th Day of Winter, 512 AV

There was much admitted relief among the denizens of Sanctuary when the agreement was made with Riverfall. The Akalak city has sealed their gates against the growing threat of the Cyphrus pox, but since Sanctuary had been locked down since the end of Fall, they were given permission to access the city, as long as they took measures to prevent exposure to any outsiders. Several of the staffers, and Kavala herself, made quick use of the arrangement, though Vanator was not as anxious.

After a few more days of self-imposed quarantine, and hearing the tale of his sister's rather exciting trip into the city, Vanator gave in and decided it was time to get out for a while. Not as excited about trolling the streets of Riverfall, there was one location on the way to the city that had always intrigued the man. Perhaps it was time to indulge himself.

Riverfall had its share of drinking halls, from upper class inns to brawling holes in the wall to steamy brothels. And once such place could hold the interest of Vanator, especially after the long quarantine in Sanctuary. He may even make his way inside the gates to have a good stiff drink eventually. Yet he found himself just north of the city, along the cliff. As he descended the stairway from one of the cold stone gazebos that stood among the icy streams and stone slides at the cliff's edge, A measure of anticipation coiled in Vanator's stomach. The water park.

An Akalak and a giggling woman emerging from the opening stone door at the bottom of the steps and Van nodded to the pair. The couple were bundled against the cold for the walk back to the nearby city, but their hair still showed tangles of damp locks. The Drykas allowed them to pass and he stepped through the doorway with a small bundle under his arm, entering a large stone gallery withing the cliff. Racks and pockets carved in the walls provided space for storing belongings, though only a few were in use. Vanator hung a towel on a peg, then removed his cloak and hung it up as well, then kicked off his boots and set them beneath it. Tugging off his wool shirt and leather pants, these too were hung by the cloak. All that remained was a pair of old pants, cut off just above the knees, and the windmark on his back.

Walking through the gallery to the next torchlit chamber, Vanator watched as blue and violet-skinned Alalak teenagers taunted each other before they plunged down separates slides leading from the pool and disappeared. Stepping down into the clear water, the Drykas was pleased to find it warm. He ducked under the water, brushing his hair back from his face as he resurfaced. His gaze turned again to the slides leading from the room, the water gurgling as it spilled from the pool down the stone shoots. Suddenly, Van felt like a teenager himself.

[Fade]

Fade paused outside the water park her heart filled with something similar to a joyful dread. Anticipation made her body almost tingle but the thought of too many people in the same space with her and this made her also anxious. A casual touch had sent her life too many times spiraling into a tale of woeful slavery, and the worst part was that she wouldn’t even notice. Among the now cold pools used during summer, stairways led to the indoor part of the park and to a stone gallery were space was provided for clothes and personal belongings. Very self consciously she undressed well aware of the stares she attracted thanks to her mark. The gods had graced Fade well with beauty but the allure her mark gave her was of another kind. She stowed away her bag and shoes, her hand briefly lingering on her dagger. She turned away briskly avoiding all contact fleetingly and instinctively. She was in her underclothes after all, her red gnosis mark above her left breast visible to all, and yet she wasn’t embarrassed, years as a performer in a skimpy costume twisting and turning had weeded any kind of physical embarrassment from her. This was different though and the stares she got had almost nothing left to the imagination, she swallowed suddenly fearful. The sight of the fabulous pool though calmed her and as she slipped into the pool a smile spread onto her pale face and she untied her hair slowly. She felt weightless, it was one of the best sensations she had ever felt, the water caressing her, accepting her. Fade moved away from the concentration of people near the slides determined to try out this feeling of weightlessness in another way. Glacier blue eyes sparkling she ducked under the water her hand on the bottom moving into a handstand, a grin spread onto her face, bubbles escaping from her mouth. This was too easy, her muscles didn’t even twitch! She wished she could perfom in water! She did a split without even trembling then coming up for air in time to see some Akalak teenagers plunge down one of the slides. Fade ducked her head underwater forcing her eyes open watching the streams of bubble struggling to reach the surface her eyes burning. She hoisted herslef out of the pool sending droplets of water flying. Now wet her blue underclothes only enhanced her toned and now full shapley body, it was amazing how her breasts had grown quickly now she was older,Fade wrung the water out of her hair biting her lip mildly worried. She made her way to one of the slides a little knot forming in her stomach, feeling like a lost child she glanced back towards the pool noticing a man with a tattoo on his upper back and shoulders. Feeling impolite for staring as he emerged from the water she smiled at him pushing her blonde almost white hair away from her face and jumped suddenly down the slide. Water sprayed everywhere as Fade slid and she almost chocked as she found herself giggling to herself in an almost maniacal way as she picked up speed. She plunged quite unceremoniously into the second pool twisting to avoid a muscled Akalak. She looked back up at the slide drifting slowly to the furthest slide of the current pool.

[Vanator]

It was only after he had wiped the water from his eyes that Vanator caught a glimpse of the woman. She was looking at him, offering a polite smile as she brushed platinum hair from her face. The brief vision he could gather of the girl was enough to garner his interest. Petite and lean, she was young, though the damp garments that clung to her emphasized womanly curves. Ivory skin almost glowed in the warm light of the gallery. But his moment of appreciation was cut short when the woman disappeared down one of the slides.

With a smile Vanator rushed through the water like a bull olidisopax, kicking up water and leaving a wake as he made his way to the very same slide. Hoisting himself up with muscular arms, Van did not hesitate to throw himself down the slide...head first. He sped down the flume at great speed. It was an incredible rush, the only thing he found even close to riding a Strider in comparison, he had to squeeze his eyes shut and blow out his nose as the spray pelted his face on the way down. He hit the next pool like a harpoon, shooting under the water and forcing a small group to scatter as he torpedoed through. Finally, he found his feet and emerged from the water as it cascaded from the crown of his head down over his body. Once again he brushed back his hair and shook the water from his face.

Some of his fellow sliders smiled, others, less amused, scowled. Vanator looked around, offered a wry grin, and examined the room. The gallery had a smaller pool with a couple slides leading off. Entryways and stairs lead to other areas of the underground park, he assumed. Then he finally spotted the pale woman again, floating with the current towards the next set of slides. This time he was the one to offer a smile as he half swam-half walked to the opposite side of the pool. He simply nodded to the silvery blonde and offered her a passing greeting. "Hello!"

[Fade]

Fade drifted in the crystal water sometimes sinking under the surface towards the furthest slide from were the majority of the pool goers were. The man she had seen before with the large tattoo greeted her with a small nod appearing beside her. She felt oddly at ease, he didn't seem dangerous but he was sure big, muscles rippling all over his body. Physical strength was of no preoccupation for her though for a light touch could do what the raw strength of many men could not. She could be submitted by the most fragile child just as she would the strongest man, so her Goddess had decided in her wisdom. She offered him a mirthful maybe slightly cheeky smile “Hello” she replied and without further ado she advanced to the slide looking back catching his eyes and maybe with a barley perceptive beckon .She gripped the edge of the slide and slowly moved into a handstand demonstrating her not obvious strength, she maintained the handstand for a few seconds the water running down the slide making the task even more strenuous and slippery. She moved into a split her back arching unnaturally, her arms starting to tremble she lowered herself until she was practically laying down on the start of the slide, her arms gripping the edge she glanced backwards her eyes issuing an unspoken challenge to the man. Then pushing herself and letting herself go she hurtled down the slide head first hitting the water, her arms in front of her head so to lessen impact, she sent quite a big shock wave through the somewhat smaller pool. Spluttering quite a bit she surfaced her hair a mane of unruly blonde white locks. She ducked under water trying to put her hair back in order and almost totally succeeding. She drifted away from the slide watching the top curiously.

[Vanator]

The pale blonde woman's greeting was encouraging, her features cantered with what Vanator interpreted as a playful smile, a subtle sign of interest, perhaps sincere, maybe just a tease. But the Drykas' attention was certainly gained and his eyes followed the attractive woman as she made her way to the edge of the pool. What she did next brought a broad smile to Vanator's face. Deceptively lean arms held the girl's lithe body over the top of the slide, and to the man's amazement, she did a handstand. With grace and control, her long legs split, slender back arching before lowering herself over the slide's entrance. The arches and angles her body formed were extreme and impressive, and by the time the contortionist looked back at Vanator, his jaw was agape and his eyes wide.

She was a remarkable woman, and the snarky smirk she gave him before disappearing down the slide was enough to urge the intrigued man to follow. Swimming to the slide, his own powerful arms lifted him into the half-tube, his legs swinging under him. He could see the spry woman in the smaller pool below, moving out of the way, watching. The Drykas was a horseman, not a gymnast, and he had no feats of physical control to display, but he understood speed. Leaning back, he used his arms to propel himself down the slide with a powerful push. Resting his hands over his chest, lifted his butt and his head, until all that made contact with the water-slick slide was his shoulders and heels. The effect was a build up of speed, sending a stinging spray back at his face. He exited the slide at a great velocity, actually bouncing once off the top of the water before shooting beneath the surface, almost reaching the end of the pool before coming to a stop.

Finding his footing, Vanator stood up in the water, brushing wet hair aside again and turning to find the woman. The trip down the slide was incredible, and even the little taste of speed gave him a thrill, almost like riding a Strider. Once his eyes fell again to the slim woman, Vanator smiled, a bit boyishly. "Hi, I am Vanator. That was a very impressive display up there, I have to admit I have never seen anything like it."

[Fade]

Fade watched the top of the smile mildly curious as the man took position at the top. She laughed as he shot down the slide an arc of water forming as he hit the water drenching her again. She had been prudent to move out of the way for the build up of speed had given him such a momentum that he had reached almost the other side of the pool. She shook the water out of her hair rubbing her eyes, why she didn’t even know, she was in the middle of a swimming pool in a water park trying o her some water out of her hair, it seemed ridiculous . She silently watched him regain a standing posture after his speedy endeavour and cocked her head when he smiled in a boyish manner and introduced himself. She nodded smiling at his comment about her little “display”. “Well met, Vanator. I’m Fade” a slight chuckle remained in her voice; the water park was turning out a fun choice after all. A stray thought though always turned to the pulsing red mark visible to all, a chain that could link her to anyone, she pushed the thought aside thinking about it wouldn’t change it. And her mark was a blessing, avoiding people wouldn’t stop accidents happening like in Ahnatep . “Contortionist extraordinaire! At your service…” she continued giving a playful half teasing little bow her crystalline eyes sparkling. Her eyes fell on his tattoo again and giving into the curiosity that had led her to stare earlier she commented politely “I couldn’t help staring because your tattoo is quite remarkable...”

[Vanator]

"I am pleased to meet you Fade." Vanator replied, his smile warm as he returned her playful bow with a noble nod. He was pleased indeed. The Drykas needed this. After fifty days of quarantine within the walls of the Sanctuary due to the pox, the man needed a little adventure. Speeding through the water slides in an underground water playground fit the bill. Loneliness too had settle again on his soul, he was a man who always had someone, until he was taken by the Zith. A year later, he found his freedom, but his wives were gone. Unconsciously, his hand slid over the three Lacun marks below his sternum. The conversation with the beautiful woman, an entertainer no less, was a welcome encounter, and sparked his interestagain in the simple art of flirting.

Now, able to examiner the girl closer, Vanator could see the brilliant color in her eyes, large pools set in angular, feminine features, as if carved by a god. From a distance, the pale woman could have been mistaken for a Konti, though closer it was obvious she was not, her youthful skin smooth and scaleless, and she was endowed more generously than the Konti's he knew. Vanator's gaze dropped a bit lower, seeing the mark etched into her skin just below her collarbone. The chain links design looked familiar, and he knew it had significance, but Vanator couldn't recall what it was. A quick darting of the eyes of a trained observer took in all else that was visible above the waterline. Slim shoulders from which draped thin arms, milky skin hiding the subtle corded muscles he had seen when she performed her hand stand. Fade's damp, clinging halter revealed curves that her lean torso only seemed to emphasize. His gaze lifted again to meet the smiling face of the girl. Vanator felt very comfortable in Fade's presence. She was friendly and attractive, and something about her made him want to be near her. Maybe it was just that he had not met anyone lately. Regardless, he was enjoying himself.

When Fade inquired about his tattoo, Van turned slightly, glancing over his broad shoulder to glimpse the design spread across his back."Oh, thank you. It's my Wind Mark, I am Drykas." Vanator, still a bit Cyphrus-centric, assumed everyone knew what a Drykas and a Wind Mark was. His smile broadened as he spoke, very proud of his markings. The horseman turned his attention back to Fade, growing more curious about her as well. An Akalak and an Konti waded by, and Vanator took a step closer to Fade, making conversation easier.

"What brings you to Riverfall, do you live here, or just visiting?"

[Fade]

Fade breathed in deeply a sense of peace overcoming her, her slender fingers playing with the surface of the water tapping it making little soft popping noises. She suddenly wished she had a little portable pool were she could perform in, the idea blossomed in her head as impossible as it seemed. Her thoughts got lost for some moments imagining , it would have to be a sort of bowl though not a square for sure… So, he was a Drykas but the meaning of having a Wind Mark escaped her especially because the tattoo on his back wasn’t the only one on his broad and muscular body. He was certainly older than her but handsome. Fade recalled something she had heard a trapeze artist say back in her circus days: something about judging a man by his jaw and ankles. As he stepped closer it was clear he had a strong jaw but his ankles, were not to seen though the water was clear and clean. “After many years of wandering, and a lifetime of slavery I would like to settle here for Riverfall is a safe place. I have been here before but my path then led me to sandy Ahnatep. Riverfall seems a city far from slavery where I can stay in peace for a time though…” she paused a hand trailing onto her gnosis mark “serving others is my calling” She looked distant for a moment then shook her head as if she were shaking away memories of pain “What about you?” Determined not to get lost in memories of the past, she pushed all sadness away this was no place for sternness it was a place where to relax and enjoy oneself, a place where to let go. She slipped underwater submerging most of her body then standing up again looking around at the slides and stairs leading to other parts of the park. “Forgive me, but I hear this place is huge and has many secret places.” She arched an eyebrow suggestively “Would you like to be a fellow explorer?” She edged towards another slide still speaking “And forgive my apparent ignorance for the significance of a wind mark escapes me” ” She smiled almost beckoning to him at the edge of the slide her eyes looking straight into his warm brown ones.

[Vanator]

For a moment, Fade seemed lost in thought, idly dancing her slim fingers atop the water, creating a myriad of small circular ripples that expanded from the percussion. Vanator watched her chest rise and fall with a cleansing breath and the woman's brief distraction seemed to pass as her light gaze lifted again towards him. Vanator could see Fade examined him too, her critical eyes even looking down through the water, though he was not sure what the woman was assessing through the slow moving current.

Fade shared what brought her to Riverfall. The acrobat's response was revealing, and the Drykas was surprised by her honesty. Vanator felt a pang at the word 'slavery', still haunted by his own captivity. The woman had said a lifetime of slavery. Behind the youthful face and flirting smile, Vanator knew there must have been some painful stories. It seemed the playful entertainer was a wanderer, a former slave, looking for a home. A somber air seemed to settle over them as Fade's eyes grew distant, as if revisiting the hardships that brought her to Riverfall, and Van could see they still dwelt close to the surface. The girls' hand slid again over the chain link design over her breast.

“serving others is my calling.” Vanator finally recognized the mark ...Ranuri. Vanator did not know much about Nikali, but he did know that the Goddess of Slaves marked her followers with the gift of satisfying the needs, and wants, of others. There was definitely more to this woman than just a pretty face, who garnered the attention of a goddess. The Drykas tried to push aside the revelation, and what it meant.

Fade asked him why he was in Riverfall, as if to deflect attention away from her sobering mood. Van was more than happy to direct the encounter to a place where the beautiful smile would return to the girl's face.

"I actually live and work at the Sanctuary, the animal care facility outside of town. I arrived there last season." The Drykas chose to keep his own hard tale to himself, wanting to shed the melancholy that had tinged their encounter. If they became friends, perhaps he would share sometime in the future.

Fade ducked under the water, emerging with her sweet countenance restored, as if the water dripping from her ash blond hair and ivory skin washed away her dark mood. Vanator was more than willing to take her up on her offer to explore the facility, his smile taking a wry curl. "I would be more than happy to explore with you."

They moved towards another slide, the Drykas explaining his Windmark to Fade as they readied to take another ride. "When a Drykas bonds with our horses, called Striders, he, or she, earns the right to get a Windmark. It is like a rite of passage."

As Vanator spoke, the man and woman held each other's gaze, vibrant blue and gold-flecked hazel, and an unspoken game that men and women had played since the Ukakas were formed began. Vanator's grin broadened into a smile. He desperately needed a distraction. Fade was that distraction.

"Maybe we should ride down this slide together." A disarming smile made the suggestion appear perfectly innocent, the twinkle in his eye did not.
OOCSorry, had to edit, looked like I had tried to type it with my nose.

[Fade]

Fade raised an arched eyebrow “I lived at the Sanctuary during my first stay in Riverfall! “ She exclaimed in some way surprised. He didn’t look like a healer, she would have placed him in a more military and muscular line of work for sure…she blinked leaving first impressions aside. She nodded at his careful explanation on the meaning of his tattoos, maybe she would delve deeper into Drykas culture later but now she accepted his answer not wanting to shove her maybe petite nose into his cultural heritage so abruptly. She grinned as he announced himself as a fellow explorer but as their gaze held his last remark brought her horribly down to earth. Her eyes darkened suddenly, as if a storm had appeared in the midst of e tranquil clear blue sea. Her whole body taught like a bow she stayed in silence thinking. Her hands poised a hairs breath above the water she thought about the situation. Her gift was a folly in such situations though she couldn’t shy away from all contact, she bit her lip an internal struggle raging inside her mind. She didn’t really know the man, and instincts as first impressions were certainly very wrong sometimes…what if he knew about her Ranuri and wanted to trick her? What if he really didn’t mean any harm and by turning away she could lose a potential friend or…then something clicked inside her head. Those blessed by Nikali were often in some way not quite sane, Fade shook her head and meeting his eyes again nothing left in her manners or expression of the darkness that had just passed. Fade didn’t mind, at the end of all things she didn’t mind at least she liked him , and if things were actually going to end badly better him than somebody else. If he really stayed at the Sanctuary she doubted he could steal her away, people knew her and Kavalas sister herself was a Ranuri . Fade smiled not offering any explanation for her austere reaction her face tranquil and serene. To break the moment she said slowly “Exploring can hold..well many surprises” Her hands darted under the water, she cupped them swinging her arms forcefully so to form a small tidal wave above water intending to soak him. She laughed mirthfully gesturing to the slide and added “Yes…we can try that”