The Maiden Voyage of The Dreamcatcher

[Kavala]

The Konti stared as Riaris ended the fish’s lives quickly and effectively. He was so powerful. Her eyes swept his body and it was as if she were seeing him in a new light. Riaris wasn’t the largest nor the most muscled of his kind, but he was indeed built like the side of a castle. He was roughly Cugacon’s size too and that reminded her that it wasn’t her fault he’d been so angry that he’d beat her. It wasn’t Riaris’ fault that he was trying so hard to mediate issues between Kavala and Recoomas too. He was such a strong man, so big, but in the end all the strength in the world didn’t overcome spirit and the pride that drove ego. There was too much pride here, on all their parts, and Kavala knew it. She at least, would swallow hers, and make things as right as she could. She didn’t want Riaris or Recoomas hurt because of her, and she certainly didn’t want the two men to turn against each other.

“No. I refuse to let it be hard. If it’s hard it’s going to tear all three of us apart, but most importantly you and him. You two have come to far together to let a woman come between you. I mean that, Riaris. If being with me hurts him, then you’d best be alone or with someone who doesn’t hurt him. It can’t be you and I. It can only be us. You and I and him. Together. I didn’t understand it before, but I think I do now. I think your people – The Akalaks – aren’t thriving as well as they should because they forget that. You can’t live a separate life from him, Riaris. We can’t be together and he is alone. And he can’t be with someone and leave you alone. I see that now. I see that so clearly it makes me want to… “ She trailed off, swallowed, and looked at him with eyes that were clear of pain and simply full of conviction. “But there’s nothing I can do… and there is nothing you can do either. This won’t change until we all come around and find some middle ground. I want you to promise me, Riaris that you will try to make this work by not setting boundaries and limits and using phrases like you and I. We. There can only be a ‘we’ Riaris. All three of us.” Kavala said softly then turned to pick up the carcasses of the fish.

She took out a filet knife and carefully gutted and rinsed them in the ocean off the side of the catamaran. Then she beheaded them, filleted them out, and set then set them aside. The Healer dragged out a brazier, filled it full of coal from her bag in the lower berth, and took a few moments with flint and steel to get the coals lit. Then she stirred them up, hoping they’d all catch fire, and waited. The whole time she kept glancing at Riaris, wondering what he was thinking and wanting to say more to him. But all in all she decided that less was more and that he needed time to work things through in his head along with his brother more than she needed to say things and get them out in the open.

When the coals were burning good, Kavala propped the filets of tuna over the brazier full of coals to cook, mostly by the heat wafting off the coals and by the thick smoke rolling off the burning embers. As the fish started to cook, Kavala seasoned the meat with salt and pepper and found a lemon in her stores of fruit to cut open after pounding it whole on the deck. She squeezed either half partially on the tuna filets as they slowly smoked and set aside the rest of the citrus to use as a garnish when they ate.

The Konti gave Riaris plenty of time to process what she said, not forcing him further into the conversation. If he had something to say about it, then she was right there in the galley, but until then she’d let him think.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

"I won't let that happen. You have my word that nothing will come between us. I will meditate and come to an understanding with Recoomas. For now let's enjoy our trip and not worry. I have lived with Recoomas for many years, and I know him well. He will come around." It was different having his darker brother, an Akalak who wasn't always available to answer or account for his doings. Riaris just hoped that Kavala would trust him in this and allow him to handle it the only way that he knew how. He knew he could do it, a heart to heart, soul to soul, whatever he needed to do, he would to make sure that Kavala stayed with him.

Kavala had a theory of why his people weren't thriving as well and she wasn't off by much. Many Akalak had a struggle going on inside them, a constant struggle for dominance. The two souls were supposed to be work together, but it wasn't always this way. Even for the proven Akalak who could control their darker side remained at war with them in the shadows. Riaris hadn't felt that way in a long time, as least, until Kavala arrived.

He watched Kavala as she prepared the meal, and waited. He could see that Kavala truly wanted them both, and it wasn't as simple as she wanted Recoomas. It was an odd thought and he wondered why that even seemed possible at the time. Standing up, he moved closer to Kavala and sat beside her. The Akalak looked down at what she was doing first, before averting his eyes to the sea. "Maybe we should try it again.." He wasn't sure about this, but it was better than having Kavala at arms length. "I don't believe we are struggling against each other, just to get to you first. My brother is a very passion soul, getting used to him may take time."

Riaris hoped that she would respond, he couldn't keep apologizing for Recoomas no more than he could fix his mistakes. He moved closer and put an arm around her and kissed her shoulder. "You can take your time with this. I know it's not easy. I suppose I will owe you another trip after this. Something with a better memory attached."

[Kavala]

Despite what she’d said, Riaris’ words still echoed through her. He cared a great deal about her. But love? No, he hadn’t said that. None of them ever did. It wasn’t their way nor did she think it ever would be. Kavala poked at the cooking fish and nodded to Riaris’ words and even offered him a soft smile when he kissed her lightly on the shoulder. His arm was warm, strong, but in that moment its presence around her wasn’t welcome. Kavala was a whole lot more angry than she’d realized. But she couldn’t have said whom she was more disappointed in… them, or herself. She’d put too many expectations on him… on them both. And she should have known the bar she set for both of them was too high. The Konti wanted certain things in life, and in many regards as she poked at the fish, she wondered if those expectations were out of line. She wanted a partner that would treat her like an equal. She wanted someone who would understand her need to help others and be of service to the community. She wanted someone who saw her as strong, proud, and worthy of their love.

Kavala didn’t feel she measured up, though she honestly couldn’t figure out where she fell short. If she would have been less angry, Kavala might have stopped everything and asked Riaris right then and there. And if not him, Recoomas for sure, because she was certain that side of the man before her would at least tell her the truth. She certainly didn’t believe what Riaris had just got done telling her. That this wasn’t her fault, that nothing would come between the brothers… things came between others all the time. At that very moment, case in point, Kavala was causing a huge divide in the duo. And she didn’t want to continue to keep being that barrier.

And here Riaris was sitting there beside her giving her his word that nothing would ever come between them. The Konti took a deep break, turned the fillets on the brazier, and poked at them again. They were large pieces, more than enough to feed the two of them. She remained silent a long time, uncertain what to say and hoping the situation would resolve itself. Kavala wasn’t usually like that, but with the two men beside her, she was completely out of her league.

The Konti knew she was smart – far smarter than beautiful – and maybe that was the problem. She had money so that shouldn’t have been a turn off to anyone because it meant she wasn’t going to be dependent upon others to see to her needs and happiness. She had a profession that was prestigious, not an embarrassment, so that couldn’t have been it. Kavala let out a soft long sigh, trying not to let it be obvious she was angry and frustrated and above that hurt.

So when Riaris spoke again, she glanced over at him and simply nodded. “You know what’s best here. I’ll follow your lead.” She said, agreeable but adding a silent addendum to the acknowledgement. No more being made a fool. If he wanted to talk, that was fine, but she wouldn’t be made to feel like a she’d just been made to feel.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Kavala wasn't wrong for having hopes and dreams, however she may have been expecting too much for people she hardly knew. The konti knew nothing of Recoomas and she was still slowly cracking away at the wall that shielded Riaris soul. She was also possibly expecting him to understand things that he wasn't accustomed to and there for, had no way of knowing the right way to deal with them. By most, Akalak weren't romantics, many of them found their mates through contracts. That alone said how much they understood about women.

Riaris didn't want a contract however, he had instead decided to find his life partner the way his father did. But he also had fears, things that he tried to bury deep inside and let no one else ever see. It was true, he did love Kavala, he did, but he worried that she wouldn't be able to except him..them for who and what they were. Kavala was a beautiful and smart woman, but her honeyed words turned to ashes the moment it didn't look like she could take more. She said that she could be with them both, said that she could handle it, and yet now the woman was so upset that she couldn't even speak to him.

He didn't blame her, it wasn't her fault at all, but he did blame Recoomas. It was always Recoomas, he was the darker brother and he behaved, sadly, like many others. All brothers had conflict, but for two living in the same body it was that much tougher. He had hoped that she would understand that, but some things weren't so easily learned. He didn't blame her, it wasn't her fault, but it wasn't something that he could control either. If she truly wanted it to work then she had to deal with them both, and except them.

Riaris didn't want to argue, this was supposed to be their time away from such things, but he had to say something and with that look on her face, he could see it coming. "Kavala, I need you to be honest with me..completely. Yell if you need to, scream, say what you will, but don't hide your thoughts and feelings. Not now..when it's so important." He crossed over to her then and turned her towards him. "I need to know that you are serious about us..all three of us. Because if you aren't say so now before you are hurt any more. You mean the world to me, but you must understand that I am not my brother and it won't be as easy to get to know him as it was with me. "

[Kavala]

If there was one thing she was learning fast from Riaris and Recoomas, it was that talking really wasn’t the solution or something they necessarily needed. Had she known what he was thinking, the Konti would have not necessarily been upset, but rather deeply saddened. Sure, they had known each other for just a short time, but that had been all it took for a connection. They were compatibility physically and had incredible sexual chemistry. Kavala wanted to get to know Riaris intellectually and see if they had the some of the same interests so they could at least enjoy spending time together.

This trip had proved that they could and were. But Kavala was struggling with making a connection with a man that had neither basis nor reason to make a connection. He already had a sexual bond with Kavala. He had already made a child with her. As far as Kavala knew, that was all he needed to do until the wait or the birth was over and he could start raising his son. She just wanted something more, and didn’t think it was unreasonable. And she had hoped this trip was a way of him letting her know he wanted some of the same things as well. If not, well perhaps at least they’d see part of Kalea together and have those memories of sailing the Suvan to take home with them.

But if she couldn’t have that deep friendship and mate bond with him, then there were worse things in the world, for sure. A partnership like her parents had was something that came along only rarely, and she’d survived years without one so if one couldn’t come with this man that would hurt her, but not wreck her. Kavala was stronger than that. But she would be a good mother and would try her hardest not to embarrass him in his society or ask to much of him that he wasn’t willing to give. She had, after all, walked into this relationship willingly. She wasn’t there as a contract. Not this time, and if truth be told, that meant a great deal to her.

It was also ironic that Riaris was working through his head that Kavala had to deal with them both and that was something she’d just got done saying to him… that she knew they had to think in terms of ‘we’ not ‘you and I’ with Recoomas separate.

Kavala didn’t want to argue either, the fact evident in her focus on finishing their meal and plating it up, while not saying all the things she usual said. Kavala had no need to fill the space between them with words. In fact she spoke more with Riaris than she had in a long time in many situations. The Konti had never been one that needed to fill the world’s silences with words. She liked silence too much. But when he interrupted her from finishing the meal and twisted her around, she looked surprised.

She sighed at his words, resisting the urge to shove the plate of fish she had in her hands at him to shut him up. If his mouth was filled with tuna, he couldn’t talk any further, could he? But alas, she just held the plate and dropped her gaze to it. Hadn’t he listened to what she’d already said? Did he think he was making up the words or not believing what she was saying herself? Kavala was tired of fighting... and still hugely embarrassed from her encounter with Recoomas. Didn’t Riaris thinks he was serious with what she’d already said? She didn’t even feel hurt though at his words. Why should she let him control her feelings and dictate her happiness? Kavala had let that happen many times before with various people, and she was old enough in her life now to be past letting yet another person dominates her happiness just because she lost her heart to him.

“Yes, I am serious.” She said, not knowing what else to say. She couldn't make him believe the words that she'd already spoken to him. All she could do was offer reassurance. Everything she’d wanted to say she’d already said and why cloud the issue with even more? “I’ve already said how I feel Riaris. I don’t know how to make you believe me other thank ask that you please do so. I have no reason to lie to you or to lead you to think something that is otherwise not true.” The Konti said reasonably, as she held out a plate and offered his share of the fish to him. She hadn’t divided the two filets in half. Instead she’d taken half of one of the large fish and given him a full set of filets and half again from hers.

“I know he’s not an easy person. But he’s your brother. I wouldn’t want to change that or either of you at all. Not maybe in the way women want to often change men. We’ll work it out, or we won’t. But like I have said a dozen times today.. I’m willing to try.” Kavala said once more softly, reaching for her own plate. She was, after all, hungry and talking wasn’t solving anything. She got the impression both men could do without it anyhow.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Riaris took the plate that was offered and scooted closer to Kavala. He looked to the filets and took one into his hands and ate it. It was tasty, fresh, and after his afternoon of excitement and exploration he was hungry. "This is really good." Riaris knew that he didn't have the communication skills that Kavala, or any woman had, but he still enjoyed talking with her. What he didn't want to do was argue and that was what it felt like. He had already decided what he needed to do for her and he would do it, until then there was nothing else to say on the subject. Kavala was hurting and she served better, but besides saying he was sorry, the Akalak didn't know what else he could do.

"I'm sorry about this, the whole mess, and I thank you for staying." Perhaps the tiny woman couldn't muscle him off the boat, but she could leave herself or ask him too. Emotions were sort of new for him, as an Akalak they were taught to push that away and keep themselves calm and in control. Balancing emotions was a trail for anyone, but for an Akalak who has to balance the emotions of two souls, it's a lot harder. Riaris ate more of the fish and looked to the woman with hopefully eyes. "I do believe you, and we will work it out."

She was crossed with him, and he knew it, he could see it in her face and hear it in her voice. It was time to move on and he wasn't about to let Recoomas or any misunderstanding ruin their trip. Once he was done with his plate, he scooted closer and pulled her into his arms. If she wouldn't pull away he would first kiss her temple, then lower to her cheek, and finally crossing to find her lips. "You mean everything to me, you know that?" He searched out her gaze for a moment, and if she would meet his, he would kiss her again. Afterwards, he leaned back on his elbows and looked around them while she finished her meal.

Suddenly Riaris made a grunting sound and if it were possible for purple skin to blush he would be doing so now. "Have you..ever heard the joke about the Nuit in the bar?" Riaris was drowning, he hated having Kavala mad at him and was trying to do anything to make her smile again. The joke he was trying to tell had been told to him at the lodge by one of the new recruits into the military order. "Well, he was insulted..because they offered him a stiff drink." Pale blue eyes turned to search her features to see if she was smiling, or if she even got the joke. He felt like an idiot even telling the joke, but at the moment he would do anything to see her smile again. That's the last joke I ever tell.

Finally he relaxed and laid down on the floor of the neck with his arms behind his head. "I know I haven't been upfront with..feelings. For Akalak emotions can be a dangerous thing and we are taught to suppress them in a way. But don't take that on yourself, you are an amazing person and I hope that our relationship will continue to grow and above all that, I wish for your happiness Kavala." He took a breath and stared up into the sky, and all he could think is, why couldn't Recoomas just say hello and tell her she was pretty.

[Kavala]

Kavala dug into the food as well, keeping her eyes on the plate, though she glanced up at him when he gave her the compliment on its taste. The Konti offered him a half smile, nodded, and kept eating. She was hungry and it was fish, which meant it was something she could eat as long as she didn’t pair it with anything terrestrial. The fish was flaky and almost raw on her part. She had cooked his more thoroughly, knowing he wanted something more like he was used too. His apology startled her and she glanced up giving him her full attention as he spoke.

“Stay? What do you mean? Where would I go? We’re on a trip together on a catamaran in the middle of the Suvan. I don’t run from uneasy things. I never have. I tend to face them. And if you think a lone Konti could survive well on her own out here in the middle of the sea, you’d be mistaken. We are vulnerable to all sorts of predators away from the coasts.” She said softly, knowing he didn’t know her well enough to understand her way of thinking personally. If he thought this … this tension was hard, then perhaps he’d lived an easy life with little strife. It wasn’t easy, certainly, but it wasn’t a deal breaker or an obstacle she didn’t think they could overcome.

But that didn’t make up for her embarrassment and the fact that Recoomas was a complete stranger to her. She didn’t know what drove him, what his thoughts were, and she’d never had more than a brief conversation with him. That part, perhaps most of all, made the situation awkward and difficult. But no, it didn’t make the situation hard. Hard was locked behind bars. Hard was wondering when your death would come and hoping it would be swift. Hard was strangers touching you and treating you like property. Hard was so many more things than Recoomas saying harsh words and retreating, leaving her humiliated. That she could survive.

Kavala wanted to say that to him, but she wasn’t sure he’d understand. The Konti didn’t know if he’d think she was belittling his situation or circumstances, but the truth was in Kavala’s eyes Riaris had grown up in a loving family, in a city of warriors, where he’d trained and did his trials and had lived a life of honor that revolved around training. As far as she knew of him – and granted they were still strangers – he’d never suffered. He’d never lost his freedom or been tortured or raped or been in a situation where he had no control over his own life or how long that life would last. And for that, she had to cut him some slack. He was a good Akalak, one of the finest she’d ever met, but no one was perfect. She was a testament to that.

Kavala was still lost in thought and only halfway through her fish when he pulled her into his arms. He kissed her forehead softly and she closed her eyes, feeling his warm breath against her scaled skin. His lips tracked a path down her face to touch her own and his arms enfolded her. She almost missed his words, so softly they were spoken and so filled with sincerity. The Konti relaxed in his arms, opened her eyes and met his gaze. She didn’t want to ruin the moment with words. Instead she set her fish aside, twisted in his lap, and held him tightly to her for a moment, burying her head in the space under his chin once he’d released her from the deep kiss he’d given her. Kavala didn’t know what the future held for them, or even what the next few days had in store, but she did know that she would treasure him saying those words for a long time to come.

In exchange, not that it was required, but it was something she liked to say, whispered back to him softly. “I love you.” Life was short. He had twice her lifespan and if he did anything at all with his life would live only half of it if he was lucky. Others she knew had lived far less. The Akalak were foolishly brave and drenched in honor and it often cost them their lives. Riaris was no different. She didn’t know if she’d have him for more than this trip… or even if he’d live to see her birth his children. She hoped he would and that they’d have a long beautiful life together, but the Konti took nothing for granted.

When he released her, she picked up her fish and poked at it. A soft smile played across her lips and she would have dumped the rest of the meal into the sea if it wouldn’t have been a dishonor to Laviku and the fishs’ own sacrifice. So the Konti continued eating until her portion was gone, though long before that she felt filled up completely. The sense of well being didn’t come from the meal though, or anywhere in the vicinity of her stomach. It came from her heart.

She looked up from where she was lost in her thoughts, Riaris’ voice startling her. It took her a moment to realize he was telling her a joke. A joke?!? Kavala blinked, her shock in direct battle with her mirth, until finally she grinned. “Nice one… “ She said, standing up to take care of the plates and clean up a little. She looked out to the sea, brushing her wind tossed translucent locks of hair out of her eyes. The Konti checked the rigging, the direction they were sailing, and let her eyes drift across the lines. She looked everywhere other than at Riaris for a moment before he spoke again.

When he was finished, the Konti shifted until she was standing over him where he stretched out, hands on her hips, feet splayed to keep her balance in the slightly rocking ship. When she was sure all was well she settled down on the deck by his head, careful not to block his sun or sit in a way that crowded his relaxation. She stretched her own feet out and leaned back against one of the walls of the cabin where the shelter arched over the deck creating a nice weather shield for whomever was at the tiller and giving shade to the table that rested middeck. She reached down and tangled her fingers in his hair against his scalp, gently rubbing his head. She wanted contact with him again, needing to touch him, nothing more. “Thank you.” She said gently.

It was a long time before she spoke again. She simply sat there and stroked his head. She knew the confinement on the boat wasn’t the easiest for him, and that the days were passing with nothing to do but talk. So she tried to give him his space and the quiet she thought he needed. But she didn’t’ know exactly if that’s what he wanted. “I want your happiness too. Maybe somehow together we’ll strike a balance. Maybe we won’t. Time will tell, Riaris. But we’ll try. And there’s always the Southern Boarder Post ahead of us. This might be my last trip for the year until our son is born, but it will not be my last trip for my lifetime. I had this ship built so my family and I could travel. I intend to do so a little, insofar as I can with my duties at home. We have a lot to overcome, Riaris. There’s Recoomas being… Recoomas. I don’t know if he feels left out or if its just in his nature to be difficult. I’ll keep trying until he won’t let me anymore. There are our two different lives and jobs and family obligations. There’s the fact that we are virtual strangers to each other. I know I talk too much sometimes… it’s not a habit I tend to do with others. Just you. And I’m trying to be better about that because I know you are used to not having people around you that do that. " The Konti said.

"And you are so quiet… I never know what you’re thinking because I can’t read people. I can read animals so well, but not people… not at all. I can only guess, and I often guess badly. I didn’t know I meant so much to you, Riaris. I’m glad I do. It shocks me a little though. Your people seem so strong.. like they don’t need anyone or anything. It’s like the Akalak don’t feel loneliness. It’s like they don’t feel love. Or they refuse it because they think they are going to outlive it in whatever form it puts in an appearance as. But the truth is most of you leave us before we have a chance to grow old and die. There are painfully few old Akalaks, Riaris.” Kavala said softly, the whole time her fingers hadn’t stopped stroking his scalp the entire time.

“I just want a life that’s not dead. I want a life that’s so very alive.” She didn’t know if he’d know what she meant, but she was willing to do everything in her power to achieve that. Trips to the Southern Boarder Post were a start to that.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Riaris stared at Kavala with a bemused expression on his face. There was a strength and pride about the woman that was uncanny. It was so because it mirrored his own and a person was never so challenged then when they had to try and figure out and understand themselves. It was a series of give and take with them, sometimes they spoke easily and others their words seemed to bounce off the other. The somewhat brooding Akalak lightly tapped his finger against his knee as he looked at her, his words softer and yet serious. "You took that to be literal, but I guess you understood my meaning at the end."

He just wanted to thank her for picking him for one and second for dealing with his flaws. Riverfall belonged to the Akalak some might say, but not all in the city cared for his kind as she did, not everyone tried to understand them. Travelers were always in the city and many didn't take to his kind as they might hope. Riaris had wondered if Kavala would take to him and when she did, it filled his heart with joy. In their city, finding a mate as his father had wasn't as normal as it was elsewhere and certainly wasn't easy. Kavala was that mate for him, and he just wanted to do right with her and make her happy.

Wit Kavala laying against him, he smiled and hugged the woman tightly, offering his body, his warmth and strength to her, a silent apology on his part. Riaris was still learning this woman and he didn't want her to drift away, and as strong as she said she was, he couldn't stop himself from holding on just a little tighter. As they laid there, he recalled the first time that he had saw her, wrapped in furs, a determined look in her cool, blue eyes. She looked adorable, but the woman had been all business. He remembered the time they shared, first at the club and then later at her home. he remembered the beach, running along side her.

He remembered her smile..

"I love you too.." his words were soft and he kissed her again the moment that he spoke them, feeling a tingle spread through his body and shiver that made him seek her body closer. It wasn't about lust, or some sexual partnership, Kavala was precious to him and he needed her, more than she knew. He smiled when she poked at her plate, the meal had been good enough but the only thing on his mind was her and wanting to kiss her until the hurt went away. He wasn't perfect but he tried his best to be for her, and that may have been the problem.

Riairs could smile at the fact that he made a bad joke, he could smile at the fact that she didn't have the heart to tell him how bad it was, but they were both smiling now, and nothing could have been better. He watched her as she moved around, seeing an image that was picturesque with her against the backdrop of the seemingly endless sea. She stood above him and thanked him, and he smiled again. They grew quiet soon after, and Riaris was settled against the boat with Kavala stroking his head. He didn't move for a time, letting her enjoy the sun more, but by the end he had drawn her closer and kissed her again.

Laying still, his gaze stared into the blue sky even as Kavala's voice danced into his ears and her words settled in his mind. Everything she said was very true and it sounded challenging. But for him, that wasn't what he wanted, it wasn't how he expected things to be. Akalak faced challenge after challenge, and a man held his ground. But for all that, Riaris just wanted this to be. If he had to face challenges his entire life that was fine, but for this one thing, he just wanted it to be easy and full proof. He didn't speak, or interrupt her and took in her words seriously. Finally when she was done, he sat up, turned his body opposite hers, as he grabbed her legs and pulled them into his lap. Meaty fingers rose, gently rubbing and stroking the flesh at her small feet.

Riaris didn't know a thing about massages, and the result might end up being more tickling than a massage was supposed to be, but he would try anyway. "This trip was a wonderful idea and I think we will have it in good memory for a long time to come. Some day we will do this again, after the children are older and maybe we let them handle the sailing." He paused for a moment and smiled, thinking about tiny Akalak running around the ship just to keep it from sinking. "My brother is who he is, but I came to understand him and I know that you will too. I suppose he's jealous that I found you first, but that's no excuse. He will come to his senses, he usually does....later." he continued to move his fingers against her feet, trying to find a spot that felt better for her. " I know that we are strangers Kavala, but it doesn't feel like it, and I don't care about that. I will except you for who you are no matter what that means."

He smiled at the thought of her talking too much and he shook his head in protest. "Not at all, we Akalak spend so much time conserving with our brothers, I think we just get used to thinking more than talking aloud. But I like hearing from you Kavala, don't change that for anyone." He rubbed her feet more, but found it difficult to really worked the tiny muscles when he hand engulfed her entire foot. "I suppose it could seem that way..to others, but Akalak get very lonely. Our lives stretch beyond what most others know, and it makes relationships short. Maybe that is why my brother shys away..maybe the thought of loosing you is too much. I know that feeling myself. But I will never leave you Kavala..I promise."

[Kavala]

Kavala nodded at his words. She was bad at understanding people. Well, maybe not so bad as all that, but it was far harder with people than animals. Her Konti gift left animals open and vulnerable to her reading their moods and needs. People, though, were huge blank slates and all she could go by was what they actually said. So often she took them literally. And almost having no choice, she took Riaris as literally.

The Konti let his words and his emotions wash over her. She let them carry her through the next few moments, past the joke, and to where they settled on the deck and she rubbed his scalp. And as he drew her in for another kiss and to touch her softly she hoped their lives would always be like this, full of love and the need to have one another close. They spoke more, then he shifted, taking her partially into his lap without disturbing her obvious comfort and began to rub her feet. Kavala sighed blissfully, deciding she could never get enough of this male touching her. Despite his size, and the thickness of his hands and fingers, he had the most gentlest of touches.

Kavala was not ticklish, not in the least, and she closed her eyes, relaxing as he spoke. A smile flared across her lips at the mention of a second trip, back across the Suvan, with their children at the helm. It was a nice picture painted neatly in her mind. In her imagination, two boys were racing around the deck and a third one, a girl, was barking orders and laughing at the impossibly larger siblings. Kavala chuckled slightly at the thought. Daughters were not something Konti dreamed about in relation to the Akalak. Sons got them settled and improved their social rankings, daughters just brought them worry. No, she’d have a son or three for the man rubbing her feet, and especially if he promised to do so often.

The Konti cleared her throat and continued speaking. “I know it sounds greedy but I want him to like me, Riaris. I want him to trust me and want to be around me and even care about me. About us. I want to feel the same way about him. I can’t right now because I don’t know him. He has ever advantage over the situation though. He hears, sees, feels everything you do. So he knows about our life, but I know virtually nothing about his. I know its his right, but I don’t want him to go find someone else – someone that I have to share you with. I want us, this new family, to be all he needs.” Kavala said softly, leaning forward suddenly to kiss Riaris before settling back. She had honestly thought her talking constantly around him bothered him. That’s why she tried to keep silent more, and not worry about filling the silence up.

She smiled when he asked her not to change, and only nodded, knowing the man would understand she was agreeing. When he spoke more, she was almost shocked. This was the most she’d heard from Riaris, the most he’d said in ages. She nodded, accepting his words, and leaning forward once more to lay a hand on his shoulder. Kavala stroked his broad sweep of inked skin and closed her eyes again.

“Don’t promise things you can’t keep. Someday you might have to leave, either by circumstance or by need. I don’t want to hold you down either, Riaris. I like what we have. I love having you as my lover and I wasn’t planning on this child. I’m not sorry it’s happening for us, but it wasn’t a way to bind you to me or to get you to make promises like that. I just wish it had happened a bit slower. Limiting fertility as a healer in Riverfall feels a whole lot like a crime, not just against an individual male but against your whole race. I would never do that. But I would have planned better… if you made it easier to keep my hands off you.” Kavala said, shifting to snuggle against him. “I will make sure you won’t get lonely Riaris. And on the off chance that you outlive me because you are the better warrior than everything you meet; you’ll have a house full of children to keep you busy and at least one strong son to fight at your side. I can promise you that.” Kavala said, knowing she’d do her best to keep him happy in all the time they had together. “And you can always find another young Konti after I get all wrinkled and grandmotherly. We are quite prolific in the north near Mura. Then she can escort you out of this world in the second half of your life. ” She joked, stroking his hair one more time then running her hands down the lines of ink on his forearms. The Konti kissed a scar nearest her and then another, just softly enjoying Riaris’ body.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Riaris rubbed her feet more and smiled as she relaxed against him. he wasn't good at this sort of thing and his hands did more gentle stroking than massaging any muscles. But it wasn't about giving her a good massage, it was about sharing closeness and showing her affection that was more about caring than lust to make love to her again. It helped that she wasn't ticklish, and this allowed him to work his fingers up the flat of her foot and maneuver her toes with his fingers between them. If she liked it enough, he would put in the time to learn to better give massages for her enjoyment and to help her relax on those stressful days.

"I don't think you're greedy. The thought of being with anyone else isn't something that interest me. He and I share the same body and so it is always us, never one or the other. One thing I can tell you about my brother is that he silently enjoys people making a fuss over him. So don't, and don't worry..he will come around. How can he not like someone like you." Smiling, he tugged on her ankle as if he would going to pull her down more. "We want the same thing, he and I. It doesn't always seem that way, but I have a good feeling here."

They exchanged more affections, he excepted her kiss and kissed her back in return. He was putting forth more of himself hoping to forget the earlier problem and get back to fully enjoying the trip as they had been before. It worked, and they were now talking and laughing like nothing happened. Riaris leaned forward and kissed her cheek and continued to rub her feet with both hands. "It's too late for that now Kavala. I have made the promise and Akalak promises are binding." He was joking there, but it was also his way of telling her that once he committed himself to something he would see it through.

Kavala was a serious long termed thinker he was learning, and while he liked that, her talk about their future..the future that she wasn't in wasn't appealing. Here they were just finding each other, and starting a family, and she was looking far, far into the future. "Maybe that will happen, maybe it won't. Your people can see things that others can't, but unless that is something you've already seen, let's just say we have a long and happy future and leave it there." He held her close, sliding his hand sup her legs and another along her back. Riaris kissed her head again and hugged her tighter, they would be ok..he knew it.