Flashback [Orion Michaels] A Stranger Among Many

[Edreina]

Edreina's breath was forced from her lungs as Orion crashed down on top of her with - though she thought it impossible - less grace than she had displayed when falling earlier. He managed to catch most of his own weight so it was only the impact of falling onto her own back that shocked her. Laughing breathlessly, Edreina looked up at her companion, giving him a disapproving look. "Mister Michaels," she found that she liked the way that the land-strider title sounded with his last name, "at least give me a chance to cast off before you..." The young Svefra lass made the mistake of meeting his crystal blue eyes at such close proximity. When they were nearly nose to nose, they were enticing to say the least. Trying to distract herself, to regain her train of thought and composure, Edreina looked down ever so slightly, blushing furiously. But, that brought her gaze to his lips. Those damned lips that have been teasing her all night. Biting her lips - to keep her teeth from acting on their own accord and capturing his - Edreina became vividly aware of the way that their bodies were pressed tauntingly close, only a hair's breadth apart. She had to tense slightly to keep her hips from rising on instinct to press against his, clearly stating the lust that seemed to be flowing languorously through her veins, a slow, aching burn that quickly made its way to settle in her core. It filled the air around her so thickly that she was surprised that it didn't choke Orion, hazing her vision and slowing her breathing. Clearing her throat, she rolled out from beneath Orion and to her feet in an instant, shaking her head so that her vibrant red hair danced about. "Just stay down there while I cast off... I won't be able to break your fall this time." She managed a wink despite how her limbs trembled and her lower lip seemed to be as unable to escape her teeth as her face was to escape a constant, light blush and her mind was to escape those twisting, roiling, churning images. With practiced hands, she undid the mooring lines and hauled in the anchor, acting more on instinct that actual sentient thought. Despite her trembling legs, Edreina leapt up onto the dock once more and, with a mighty heave, forced the Goldengrotto adrift, leaping back onto the deck as soon as it began to move. Quickly, she began to manipulate the lines, setting the mainsail then adjusting the jib so that it would funnel the wind to take her away from the dock with a gentle manipulation of the tiller. Once tilted away from the docks, Edreina opened the mainsail wider and adjusted the jib once more, settling down into a kneel with her left hand on the tiller as she compensated for underwater currents and the waves. It took them several minutes, but before long they were about a mile or two away from Syliras. Moving slowly, gracefully across the deck, Edreina furled the sails and dropped anchor. With a sigh, she wiped the gentle, thin layer of perspiration that had beaded on her brow with the back of her hand before going to sit next to Orion. "And here is the view that I promised..." She swept out her arm, motioning to the expanse of Syliras that lay upon the shore, guarded by inky black water, watched over by the somber gaze of Leth as he slowly climbed into the night sky. To Edreina, it was beautiful, picturesque, the sort of thing that would inspire many-a-Svefran song. Looking over to her companion, lip once again captured by her teeth gently, eyes hooded by thick lashes, she simply hoped that he was at least slightly impressed.

[Orion Michaels]

How embarrassing. He had made quite the fool of himself now. Crashing into her instantly ruined the suave image he had so painstakingly crafted. In a matter of one evening, at the end of one misstep, this redheaded beauty was seeing all the chinks in his armor. It was frustrating, and again, he was on the defensive, and that was a position which he hated more than most. "I'm terribly sorry, Edriena," he muttered, using her first name for the first time. Was it too hard to ask for a little something to go right? He'd managed to catch himself so he didn't crush her entirely under his full weight, but she'd been laid out by him, that was for sure. "I suppose this isn't the best tiem to tell you that I've never..been..on..a...." Orion trailed off as her eyes met his. It was at that time he realized the situation his collapse had put them both in. Blue met blue, and it was almost too much to handle. The distance between them was all but nonexistent, to say the least. While it wasn't a position he was unfamiliar with, it was not one he had expected, either. Those petching deep as the ocean blue eyes, the ones he hadn't been able to stop staring at since he'd met her. Those perfect, almost irresistible lips were his if he simply moved an inch. They were so close. So unfairly close. Her hot breaths teased his face, and, if for just a moment, he considered taking advantage of the situation and putting skin to skin. Her blushing look and downward glance was enough to throw him off, eliciting a blush and glance away of his own. Rolling to the side, he let her out from underneath him, and remained silent, complying with her command to stay where he was. He'd caused enough problems, right? Even to Orion's untrained eyes, it was clear that Edriena knew what she was doing. Skilled fingers untied ropes, adjusted sails, and in what felt like a few ticks they were already adrift, moving along with the aid of Zulrav's breaths and Laviku's caresses of water. It was his first time in the sea god's realm, and it was awe inspiring. The Svefra teen was hard at work, setting the sails to catch the wind and drive them from the docks, and in a short time they were well on their way out into the open sea. It was an amazing sight. Stormhold Castle began to shrink, bright torchlight nothing but tiny fireflies against the backdrop of the evening sky. The sloshing of murky water and the salty breeze assaulted his senses, but all of it was so..perfect. He looked over at Edriena whose features were just barely visible in Leth's light. "It's beautiful," he replied. "Syliras isn't so bad either." He turned his view back to land he called home, smiled, and laid back in the floor of the Goldengrotto, closing his eyes. "It's so relaxing...can't said I expected to be out here when I woke up today. A pleasant turn of events, I'd say, hmm?" Everything just felt so..gentle. A gentle breeze. A gentle sway. Gentle eyes. The way she gently bit her lip. Everything. "It must be so free out here, right? I don't think I could blame you if you dropped me off and never came back. It's simply lovely here."

[Edreina]

She smiled down at him as he laid back on the deck, obviously enjoying himself. "Well... good thing to know you won't be blaming me for my nature. I will be dropping you off. But... I might come back sometime." She could not hide the fact that the open ocean called her name and pulled at her heart more than the fortress city ever would. If he thought that the sea waters around Syliras were beautiful, he would be struck dumb by the look of the open sea: its cool, unendingly deep blue waters, the constant breeze that carried sounds and smells for miles, the sounds of birds above and even the animals below as they would come to investigate her boat. "I really think you would find the Anchorage Flotilla to be facinating..." She mused, pulling one leg up to her chest so that she could rest her chin on it. The gentle rock of her ship was far more comfortable, in her opinion, than the unshifting land. Arms still wrapped around her knee, she tilted her head back onto the railing and looked up at the stars. Away from torchlight, multitudes more peeked through the veil of the night sky, twinkling gaily down at them. The longer she stared, the more aware of their beauty she found herself. Not all of the stars were white, some were red, green, yellow, or even pale blue. Smiling, she mentally traced out known constellations and even made up a few of her own. "When... you're ready to go back, just let me know." She spoke unsurely, keeping her eyes averted. All of a sudden, she worried that Orion was not as interested in her as he had seemed. She was, after all, just another blue eyed Svefra. Unconsciously, one hand released her leg and went up to fiddle with a strand of hair that had been resting upon her breast, curling the soft fibers around and through her fingertips. The ship shifted slightly, as if Orion were moving - Edreina could only hope he was not trying to stand up.

[Orion Michaels]

"Might...?" He inquired, a goofy grin coming across his lips. "I'll spend of rest of my days lamenting in my common human birth if you don't." She didn't belong in Syliras anymore than he truly belonged on the waters, right? After this evening was over, that would be that. She would disappear into the deep blue, and he, well, he would go back to slaving away in a hot kitchen in the back of a tavern. A passionate, energetic, amusing, flirtatious encounter, and then nothing, and well, that's what he was used to at this point. That was the path which Orion had set for himself. "Was that an invitation?" His voice took on that all too familiar teasing tone. Of course it wasn't. "Trying to get me killed, right? Can't let anyone else look at these blue eyes? Not that you aren't used to them, huh?" He sighed softly. All the Svefra had the same blue eyes, so that couldn't be it... "Besides, I'd hardly be of use. I need a hearth to cook in, I can barely keep afloat, and I don't know the first thing about sailing. I'm afraid it's the land for a fellow like me." Orion wondered if she was even paying attention to his ramblings. She was lost in the sky, in Zintila's children, which was kinda peculiar to him. A Svefra looking to the skies... He frowned at her next words. Was she tired of him already? She'd seemed so entertained until ...well.. until he fell on her. It had ruined everything. He had to salvage this. The woman was too flirty, too witty, and too attractive for it to end like that. "Oh, so now you're trying to get rid of me?" She had looked away from him, playing with her hair as though she was..worried? "Not gonna be that easy." He pushed himself to his feet, the boat rocking somewhat violently as he did so. Nearly losing himself, he managed to right himself enough to look around the vessel. "Forget what I said earlier. I can totally do this." He motioned to the sail. "You just move the thingamabomb there and.." He took a few steps over, closer to the edge. "Untie these and tie them over over there! And then sailing free!" He moved quickly past Edriena while continuing to speak. "See, I'm even starting to get my sea legs!" Naturally, he spoke too soon. A large swell hit the side of the Goldengrotto, right as Orion got to the opposite side of the boat. The boat cheated over towards the side Orion was on, leaning from the force of the sea contacting it. Blue eyes widened as dark waters got closer. His midsection collided with the railing, and suddenly he was upended, feet above his head, and over the side he went. "You've got to be petching ki-" Splash! His senses were overcome with salt as he thrashed ferociously in the cool waters to reorient himself. The water was, for the most part, calm, but Orion was not a swimmer. Maybe a floater, but not a swimmer. He kicked his legs and dragged his arms through the water, forcing himself to the surface where he emerged coughing and sputtering from the water he'd inhaled. He scanned the waters, trying to spot Edriena or her ship in the dark. It kept moving, while he found himself quite out of his element. "Miss Whitewave! Like I said! I'm a natural for the sea life! Take me to the Anchorage immediately so I can show off! " Well, almost out of his element.

[Edreina]

Edreina had been grinning widely, toying with her hair as Orion put on a show of bravado that would have had Surai taking notes. She was surprised to see him actually standing - albeit shakily - upon her deck as it listed from one side to the other. Naturally, she felt the approaching swell before he did and braced for it automatically. She also saw that he was falling the instant before it registered on his face. Sitting up, she watched him fall overboard, eyes widened with surprise as her expression was caught between worry and laughter. Standing, she narrowed her eyes and watched for him to surface, hoping that he would at all lest she be forced to try to save him. She was a strong swimmer, but Orion was quite a bit bigger than she so it would be arduous to say the least. When he finally surfaced, Orion was a bit further away than she had anticipated. With quick, deft movements she tied a length of rope to a cleft on the ship's railing and pulled off her shirt and pants. "Miss Whitewave! Like I said! I'm a natural for the sea life! Take me to the Anchorage immediately so I can show off! " Grinning and rolling her eyes despite herself, Edreina put a foot onto the side of the boat. "Just stay where you are!" She called the instant before she leapt into the water. Her muscles tensed for only an instant as her body acclimated quickly to the luke-warm waters. Keeping one hand on the rope, she paddled out to him as efficiently and quickly as possible. When she reached him, she had to fight a laugh at his attempt at wading. "Enjoying yourself?" She deadpanned, eyebrow twitching upwards as his expression made it even harder for her to fight laughter. Smiling, she offered him the rope. "Since you cannot swim... I thought you might like an alternative for returning to my boat." With that, she began back-stroking her way back to the boat, keeping pace with Orion as he hauled himself towards it, sometimes having a bit of trouble staying afloat. Once there, she waited for him to grab the railing and then, with an impish smirk, ducked down below the water's surface, swimming between Orion and the ship so that her entire side brushed gently against his waist before she emerged on his other side, smiling still. She pulled herself out of the water quickly and onto the deck, standing, she braced herself against the side and offered him a helping hand. Her grin somehow managed to remain luminous despite the wan light, and her hair , though darkened, could not hide the fire within. Once he was on deck again, she remained standing, one arm crossed across her abdomen so that the other elbow could rest upon its wrist, supporting her chin with her fist as she thoughtfully appraised Orion. Eyes narrowed playfully and lip locked between her lips once more, she decided that it was her turn to toy with him after having him do it to her the entire night. "Take off your clothes..." she paused just long enough to see his mind working before continuing, "You'll catch an awful cold if you let them dry on your skin." She motioned to her own current state of undress as a gentle, chilly breeze danced over them, as if to heighten her statement.

[Orion Michaels]

With uneven strokes, Orion managed to twist himself in the water in order to face the sound of Edriena diving into the water. He didn't have to be told twice not to move. His eyes were still stinging from the salty waters, and he was still trying to spit it all out of his mouth and cough it up from his lungs. Thankfully it was a Svefra coming to his rescue, and one who'd already seen some embarrassment from him. What else was there to lose? He could see her dark silhouette cutting through the waters, approaching him a pace he could never dream to match. It was all the more evidence that she belonged out here, and it reinforced the fact that he didn't belong at all. As she arrived and made humor at his expense, he opened his mouth to protest, but went under again as he did so. Coughing and sputtering he resurfaced, his pride drenched more than he was. Head barely above water, he grasped the rope, knowing he would need all the help he could get in order to catch up to the boat. He kicked his legs quickly, wasting a ton of energy and creating massive splashes behind him. It was a pathetic display of aquatic traversal, but what more could you expect from a man raised in a castle-city. Relief washed over his face as his hand touched the side of her ship, knowing that the somewhat shaky surface was nearly his to rest upon. That relief was washed away with another blast of water. "The gods curse me, I sw-.." Shivers danced down his spine as she submerged and brushed against his midsection. He was usually in so much control. He usually couldn't be thrown off like this. He was the one with the seductive gaze, the piercing eyes, the irresistible touch. Yet she was like a predator, waiting for a sign of weakness before she struck. Sneaking a taste of his neck at the well, and now stealing a touch when he was struggling to stay afloat. The heat that came from his face should have made the water around him boil. He looked up from the murky depths, a breathtaking sight meeting his gaze. The light of Leth illuminated Syna kissed skin, and her ocean blue eyes reflected off of his. Slender fingers went up to meet hers and be helped onto the boat. Once on board he averted his gaze, as to not stare to lecherously at the redhead. A wry smirk crawled across his lips, however, as she made a most welcome suggestion. It was thinly veiled at best, but he wasn't going to argue. "If you insist.." He reached down to grab the bottom of his shirt and lifted it over his head, the fabric particularly difficult to get off around his head. Orion nearly flipped back over the rail as he struggled backwards, sliding down to his rear instead. "You know, there's no sense in trying to be graceful about it anymore, right?" He let out a laugh as he tossed his shirt to the side and began to slide his pants off. "We're past that, for sure." So there they were. Edreina, shirt and pants removed, looking down at Orion who was sitting in his undergarments, both of them on a boat just outside the Syliran harbor. It had all been so ridiculous. But gods, had it been fun, even if he'd been drenched in process. He looked up at her, smiling as he spoke. "Well, are you going to make sure I don't catch a cold? I don't have any spare clothes with me."

[Edreina]

"You know, there's no sense in trying to be graceful about it anymore, right? We're past that, for sure." Edreina grinned down at him, sticking out her tongue playfully. "Not my fault that all cannot muster the beauty and grace of a Svefra." She posed, placing a hand on her head and hip, curving her body slightly. With a laugh, she dropped the pose, crossing her arms behind her back once more. Edreina really liked the energy between the two, even as they stood in the bare minimum. Orion did not try to entice her with promises of the future, nor talk of love. Things between them were simple, easy... fun. She had fallen and so had he, and now she had saved him from drowning. "Well, are you going to make sure I don't catch a cold? I don't have any spare clothes with me." "Well, if you want to stay really warm, we should probably go below deck. It would also save you the possibility of falling overboard again." Smirking, she offered him a hand and then steadied him when he was on his feet, leading him over to the hatch in her deck and then letting him go below deck first. Once he was clear of the hatch, she leapt in nimbly. The cabin was warm, lit only by the sparse light that came through the hatch. Off in some corner, a large hammock hung and beneath it two bookshelves were on their backs to keep the books from spilling out. In the darkness, the energy between them seemed to become tangible, electricity darting across Edreina's skin in anticipation. It seemed almost as if this is what the night had been building to... "You know..." Edreina's voice shook silently, nerves coming to the forefront. "If you're still cold, it would probably help to be..." She did not trust herself to speak further, deciding to, instead, act. Knowing where he stood simply by the sound of his feet upon the lower deck, Edreina padded over to him silently, stopping so close that she could feel his breath. Trembling, she stood on her toes and leaned close, resting one hand on his shoulder. She slid the other hand up his chest, fingers trailing over his bare chest around his neck to the back of his neck. Her fingers toyed there for a moment as she chewed on her lower lip again, hoping that the darkness would mask her insecurity. And then, their lips met. A surprised sigh escaped Edreina's lips as she leaned closer, pressing her body closer to his. The fact that she had made such a move surprised her greatly, but the feeling of shock was quickly muted by the fire that rushed through her veins at their long awaited contact. Deep down, the fear that he would pull away whispered. But, in that instant, Edreina was consumed by her ownfeelings.

[Orion Michaels]

"And I'm quite glad that we can't. I can't even imagine a world where everyone was as simply stunning as you. How could we hope to get anything accomplished?" He appreciatly watched her show off her body for him, for what felt like the hundredth time but somehow still the first. The dim light was still more than enough to accent the titillating curves of her flesh and highlight just how athletic she really was. Sailors and swimmers, the lot of them, and it was something he was more than thankful for. "Don't pretend like you don't enjoy seeing me all wet like this. Garments clinging to my drool inducing body." Orion laughed, shaking his head at his own ridiculous words. "No, below deck sounds lovely. It's a tad bit chilly up here, and warmth is something I desire...among other things." He took her hand and allowed her to steady him and lead him down below. Light was at a premium down in the area she called her home. It was simple, but Orion could appreciate that. His quarters in Syliras were meager, humble, and simply, but they were home, and that's all that really mattered. Her shadow skittered across the room, the pattering of her feet and soft voice almost causing Orion's heart to stop. The suggestion in her voice combined with uncertainty brought back all the emotion and all the wants they'd been dealing with the entire evening came rushing to the forefront. He could feel the energy radiating off of her, all of it driving towards a single moment of lust. He sighed in enjoyment as her fingers traced his skin, leaning forward involuntarily as her hand cupped the back of his neck. His neck was sensitive, and somehow she managed to keep finding it. "I know it would he-" Everything was forgotten when she pressed her lips against his. Whatever had happened up to this moment. Whatever had been said. Whatever had been done. None of it mattered. All he wanted was her, and he was going to have her. He pulled back for a moment, looking fully into her eyes, seeing the wariness in her expression. Slowly, he brought one of his hands up to gently caress her cheek gently. "Don't say anything more.." He pressed his lips against hers again. Once. Twice. Three times. His body met hers, his other arm reaching down to wrap around her waist and keep her close. Soft skin only fed his wanting for her as his kisses trailed down her neck to her collarbone as the blue eyed man began to slowly move her over towards the hammock. When he realized just where they were going, he stopped their movement, though continued leaving his mark all over her lips, shoulders and neck. There was just one problem. I have no idea how this is going to work. Logistics. A hammock? Did they do it on the floor? He wasn't against it, but the thought of being able to just curl up with a beautiful redheaded woman after they finished was just enough to make him do something stupid. I'll just sit in it, and pull her with me... He began to lead them both towards the hanging bed again, hand running up and down her back as lips and tongue intertwined over and over. All was passionate, all was lusty, at least until Orion met the hammock personally. The ship swayed at just the right time, and the cook, having never actually climbed into a hammock before, rightly made a mess of what could have been a perfect moment of passion. For the millionth time, Orion found himself upside down, as he caught the hammock all wrong, up ending himself once again. He released his grip on Edriena, as not to bring her along on his ride. The world spun backwards, and before he knew it, he was heading back to the ground, the back of his head colliding with the hard wooden floor of the ship. Orion's eyes rolled back, and that was that. Feet up in her bed, the rest of his body slouched and hanging off it. Out cold. At least he still had his underwear on, right?

[Edreina]

"Don't say anything more..." His whispered words set a chill across her skin though each kiss seemed to be a breath upon the flame rapidly spreading through her body. His hand snaked around her waist Edreina let out a soft sigh, the skin there having always been sensitive to touch. Her breath felt too loud in her ears as he trailed kisses down her neck to her slim collarbone. Gently, he began backing up, pulling her along. Somewhere in the haze that clouded her mind, a voice hoped that this land-legs was not going to try to have her on the hammock, even the most nimble Svefra only rarely tried this. That voice was quickly hushed and purring as he stopped, warm, soft lips continuing their ministrations. She trembled as each kiss seemed to rock her to her core. He really knows what he's doing... And then, his mouth was on hers again, dizzyingly passionate as their lips and tongues tormented one another and expressed deepest wantings. In the heat of the moment, the fiery Svefra did not even notice that they were once again moving to the hammock. His hands were like embers as they left hot trails across her bare, freckled skin. And then he was torn away. He had - idiotically - attempted to sit upon the hammock at the same time that another swell hit the side of the boat. He had the sense to release her but not to break his fall with anything other than his head. The instant his head thudded against the wood, his body went limp and unconscious. Wide-eyed, Edreina stood there, staring, dumbstruck. She released her bated breath when she realized that he was still breathing, just out cold. In the name of... She slapped a hand to her face, fingers splaying over it in a symbol that defied any barrier of language. Still flushed, she let out a dry, unbelieving chuckle as she walked over to a shelf and retrieved one of her diving bags. She folded it over several times so that it would make a nice, if crude, pillow for her unconscious date. Gently, she untangled Orion from the hammock and stretched him out across the floor. Kneeling, she lifted his head and placed the rough sack underneath it. Asleep, without the sultry power of those damned sapphire blue eyes, he looked like any other attractive man. Faint lines on his face marked that he was one keen on smiling, laughing. With long, gentle fingers, Edreina ran a fingertip over the lines, down and across his lips. Smiling slightly, Edreina leaned down and kissed them gently, sighing as she pulled away. What a night... Returning to the deck, the lone figure hauled in the anchor and adjusted the mainsail so that the Goldengrotto was speeding back towards the docks. Once there, she efficiently went about and tied off the ship, furling the sails tightly and dropping anchor once more. When Orion woke, he would find the woman asleep on her side upon the weather-worn deck, hands curled up under her cheek and legs bent up close to her chest, suddenly appearing to be much younger than she was as her fiery man lay out behind her, dancing occasionally as the wind caressed it. She had not gone below deck to lie with the unconscious man because sleeping alongside someone forged a bond that, in all honesty, Edreina was not interested in.

[Accolade]

Orion

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Cooking	+ 2 XP
Running	+ 2 XP
Interrogation	+ 2 XP
Rhetoric	+ 5 XP
Seduction	+ 5 XP
Observation	+ 3 XP
Leadership	+ 1 XP
Swimming	+ 2 XP

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	Preparing a Stew
•	Taking a Girl Out
•	Kova's Well - location
•	A Ruined Moment
•	Edriena - The one that got away
•	The Wink is the Best Flirting Technique EVER
•	Being Chastised for Flirting With Customers

Edriena

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Socializing	+ 5 XP
Rhetoric	+ 5 XP
Seduction	+ 5 XP
Observation	+ 4 XP
Running	+ 2 XP
Interrogation	+ 2 XP
Swimming	+ 2 XP

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	Repeating a Mantra
•	Making Your Way Into a Tavern
•	Orion - Very friendly
•	I Am As Transparent as a Tidepool
•	Kova's Well - location
•	Back to the Boat
•	A Ruined Moment
•	Racing

Notes :

Awesome thread! If ever two PCs were made for each other. Well done!

The Sylir has spoken

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