[Inclement Weather] A Fire Yet Unseen (Alori)

[Kovac]

Kovac did not anticipate his song would have moved Alori so, but glimpses of glittering eyes in the moonlight, and the girl's subtle leaning forward, revealed her appreciation for the emotion of the song. When Kovac had written it, he was in love. It had been years ago. Kalle was the love of his life, the one he wanted to be with. Kovac had been content with her alone, and they planned to have a life together. Then she betrayed him, with an Endal, in his own bed. That day, Kovac denied love as a foolish, stupid deception. He hooked up with an Endal named Shayth, but what the Avora had with the rider was more lust than love. Only after seasons of effort by a few, faithful friends like Chemar, Aidara and Iosha, did his cold view of love start to thaw. Then he met Euthisa, and he wondered if, maybe, he could really love someone again.

"In love? well," Kovac laughed, more of a scoff, feeling a bit bad for disappointing Alori. "I don't know. But, when I wrote that song, I was." He shrugged, a small smile crossing his lips. "I am glad you liked it."

Kovac too set aside his instrument, resting his elbows on his knees, he leaned a bit closer to Alori. "How about you? In love? Ever have been?" Once again, the odd fact that Alori just seemed to appear among the Avora hunters, Kovac never remembering see her as a Yasi, nudged at the mongrel as he posed his question. Another swig of wine found its way down Kovac's throat as he waited for the girl's answer.

[Alori Sai]

Alori didn't know if she was being a buzz kill, talking up the man's past and about love of all things. If the teen knew anything about men, or boys, she'd know that wasn't the best subject to talk about unless she was trying to run them away. But she didn't, and Kovac seemed talkative enough. There was also the fact that he hadn't made a move on her yet that made her think that he wasn't the average guy.

"Oh really? Wow...ok." His answer did surprise her, but not in the way he might think. She had expected him to just say no, play the cool guy role that he had so far that night. But he was honest, and that begged the question of who was he in loved with. But before she could ask, the snarky Avora turned the question back on her.

"Oh me? Well...no, not really. I mean, I've liked people but...Plus you guys normally just want one thing right?" She wasn't sure how to explain it, if it had anything to do with her obsession to become Endal, or something else. Alori had never been popular in any way, and although things were changing now, she still was yet to experience her first real kiss. "Love is different for everyone you know? For me, I guess...I just haven't found it yet." It was good that she still couldn't see him clearly, or him see her because it made it easier for her to talk about it without his full stare.

"So, you wanna tell me about her? The woman you loved." the teen swooned slightly in place, Alori did love a good romance story.

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[Kovac]

The evening had evolved into an unexpected pleasure as Kovac and Alori got to know each other on their little ledge overlooking Skyinarta crater. Alori was different, or at least the dynamic between he and she seemed different. Kovac felt an ease with the huntress, almost kindred in nature. The atmosphere was not void of the usual natural tensions between male and female, though Kovac was beginning to infer that Alori was not as experienced as her suggestive dancing implied, and her sudden interest in things romantic was an unplanned turn that Kovac felt oddly unashamed to discuss with her.

Alori confessed her own romantic state, and Kovac chuckled lightly as she suggested that men only wanted one thing from women. He shifted a bit uncomfortably on the stone beneath him, realizing he was guilty of that accusation. But she seemed intrigued by the love the hunter had hinted at, and Kovac was almost certain he saw her dark, glittering eyes take on a dreamy look. Alori was young and pretty, and Kovac admitted to himself that it would be very easy to lean in right then and kiss her. But it didn't feel like the right time, she might think he was making her point exactly. So, instead, Kovac began to share, a bit reluctantly.

"Her name was Kalle. She was an artist in glass, beautiful, funny and patient with me and an amazing lover. We knew we wanted to be together, in the forever kind of way."

[Alori Sai]

"Really?" she asked with an almost child like mushiness in her voice. He spoke of the woman being a glass blower, and she started to tell him that she had been a glass blower herself. That was until he mentioned the woman being an amazing lover. It really was all about sex with men, but she couldn't say that women didn't enjoy it a great deal as well. Alori herself, couldn't say anything one way or the other, but she had heard other women do a bit of bragging.

Alori felt her cheeks burning, and a shiver rose up her spine, even as the thought crossed her mind, before she spoke the words. "Amazing huh? You wanna tell me about that?" The teen had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. She wanted him to take her question at least somewhat seriously. It was a spontaneous thing to happened and while she didn't know if he would answer, she also didn't know how she would respond if he did. What she really wanted here, was to tease him since he decided to share that bit of his story.

"And what about you, are you..amazing?"

x

[Kovac]

Kovac grinned, his white teeth flashing in the moonlight. Alori quipped about his inferences regarding sex with a curious mix of adolescent giddiness and sassy challenge. The teenager did indeed seem to be on the cusp of womanhood herself. The half-breed speculated that Alori was still inexperienced, both in the ways of love and of lovemaking. But the way she danced, and the subtle innuendos, suggested the young huntress understood how things went, and had a good feel for how to use the equipment she had.

Alori's bold question was offered with a laugh, but Kovac thought he heard a tinge of sincerity. It was a baiting question worthy of any more experienced woman of Wind Reach, though they would have employed it more as an invitation to boast his male prowess. Kovac sensed the young Avora was not employing the tactic in any form of seduction. Kovac, for his part, did not feel inclined to use the opportunity to proposition Alori either. It seemed heavy handed with the inexperienced girl.

"Well..." The mongrel found himself a bit off balance, given the nature behind the question. "I haven't heard any complaints!" It did sound a bit braggadocious, though he tried to keep pride out of his tone. Then his smile softened, took a subtle wry curl as his eyes darted down to his lute before lifting again to the youthful woman. Kovac's tone was void of judgment, simply curiosity.

"Alori, have you ever...you know, been with a guy?" It was a dicey inquiry, with the risk of offending the young hunter. But the two of them had created a rapport it seemed, and he had shared parts of his life many had not been allowed to see. Perhaps she would take that into consideration as Kovac posed his question.

[Alori Sai]

Alori could barely contain herself, and she knew that she had opened the methodical door. It wasn't a good idea to challenge a guy to bare it all because they usually would. Then next it would be her turn, and unless she wanted to be shown up, she would have to bare it all as well. The teen arched a brow, her expression slightly surprised. Kovac was proud, she knew that but his answer was..strong. "Wow, how many women have you been with? Do I even want to know?"

She wasn't sure, the answer could be a bit more or a lot more than what she wanted to hear. It was possible that he was just bragging and trying to make himself sound good in front of her. However, something told her that this wasn't a joke, and the man had way more experience with such things than she did. But in all this, she saw an opportunity to poke at him a bit, and went for it. "Well, you know..." she paused, adjusting her legs again as she looked away, then back to him.

"Girls, they don't complain to guys about..that. But they do talk to their friends about it."

Alori glanced down again, curling her tongue half way between her teeth as she fought off more laughter. "So really, there could be complains...and you just haven't heard about them. Unless you hear it from someone else." The Avora felt pretty good about her joke, that was until he turned the tables and asked her something of the same. "Oh..well." Alori couldn't tell him the truth, it was too embarrassing.

She couldn't tell him that she was still a virgin, and the closest thing she had of intimacy was being groped by a dek, and half fondled by a blind chiet. She'd never even had a kiss. The truth would seal her fate, and the snarky one would think her not worth the time, or even worse a kid. There had to be another way and as the thoughts raced through her mind, Alori leaned back on her elbows and tried to seductively cross one leg over the other. The mischievous teen flashed him a smile and cocked her head to one side. "What do you think?"

x

[Kovac]

Alori had a quick wit, her verbal parry and lunge to Kovac's boast worthy of a hearty laugh. She was young, but the huntress seemed able to cut a guy's pride off at the knees. The half-vanthan could appreciate that, finding the girl's retort very funny in spite of its sting.

The tables turned quickly when Kovac posed his poignant inquiry, it was not meant to insult the snarky teenager, but to open the conversation further, to investigate her love life as thoroughly as they had his own. the hunter could sense Alori's hesitation, though she made a valiant effort to hide it. Worthy too was her effort to appear experienced, adjusting her posture to a more alluring pose, her youthful smile making an attempt at seduction. Kovac's smile widened in the pale moonlight.

"What do I think? You are very attractive, Alori, with all the right curves. I think you have all the tools, and you know what to do with them. You just have been waiting for the right person to share that first time with, because you are not someone who needs to be validated by fulfilling the lust of another."

It sounded strange, even to him. But Alori had made an impression on the older hunter. She was fun, had a good head on her shoulders and a great sense of humor, even if a bit naive. Definitely desirable, Kovac liked her, too much to look at her as some easy lay.

[Alori Sai]

Kovac had her pinned, he knew that the Avora hadn't been with anyone, and had probably figured it out long before he asked the question. Alori had been caught and she knew it, even if she wanted to protest and make a claim, she had nothing to go on. The teen wasn't used to coming up with those kinds of stories and it would have taken her too long to make up one.

She decided not to deny it, but she wouldn't outright admit it either. Alori felt a bit silly, wondering if her attempt to appear sexy had been the thing that showed just how inexperienced she really was. "So you know anyone like that around?" she asked, trying to push the subject forward, rather than have it linger on her virginity.

"You know I was kidding before right? About the complaints? I'm sure no one said anything. You're like..the perfect guy so.." Alori smiled and looked away, the evening had taken a very different turn than she had expected. Even to the part where she scampered off with a guy in the middle of the night. There were a lot of things that could have happened next, but she didn't expect a heart to heart with the snarky male.

Alori closed her eyes, arching her back as she lifted her arms and opened her mouth to release a yawn. The teen had no idea what the time could be, or how long they had been out enjoying the others company. "Yea, I'm sure all the girls love you, I guess I can see why tho."

x

[Kovac]

Kovac laughed when Alori cheekily asked if he knew anyone that fit the bill to relieve her of her virginity. "Those are hard to find, I admit." Kovac pondered whether he himself met the requirement he set for Alori, whether he was worthy to be her first. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. The huntress was certainly a friend, the half-breed decided, finding her company enjoyable on its own. He decided Alori was a special case, and he would not rush anything, so that the new friendship had a chance to flourish.

Kovac may not have blushed at Alori's compliments, but the boyish grin and averted gaze betrayed his reaction. Again, Alori sounded more sincere than seductive, which only made her more likeable. The young woman was just..real. Kovac appreciated that.

"Well," He laughed lightly, "I can give you a list of names that would disagree with you, but thanks." Kovac replied with a broad grin. A notion struck him, something the mongrel felt compelled to do. He suddenly leaned forward, catching the girl's dark eyes for a moment before pressing his lips against hers. It was not a sloppy, invasive kiss, but not one you gave your auntie either. It was a lingering kiss, meant to express his appreciation, and interest in her, as a something to him. No, he may not be worthy to be the one to be her first, but what harm was there is a kiss, or a few. between friends?

[Alori Sai]

Alori blushed, rolling her tongue again, her giggle soft and the sound barely left her lips. She meant what she said, not so much to find someone to relieve her of her virtue, but if he knew someone worth the time, she would like to meet them. They had a fun time, and did a bit of flirting, but she assumed she wasn't his type. Not really, and the longer they talked he was probably going to think her a child she was sure.

Truth was, she didn't know how to expect him to take and respond to what she said, the teen was just having fun and chatting with another who shared her interest. Normally a conversation wouldn't have pressure, but there was something about him, the way he looked at her that gave her pause. Alori was sure that he didn't have those kinds of feelings for her, that he was just a snarky hunter who enjoyed a good flirt. She knew this, but those eyes, why did he look at her like that?

"Wow, boy aren't you bad. What did you do to upset so many girls?" her eyes brighten as she spoke, the teen loved a good story, and the ones filled with drama were the best. Just as she thought she'd get an answer, he gave her that look again, that piercing stare that made her blush even if she didn't turn away. Hazel eyes widen and her breath caught in her throat. He was warm, soft and her shoulders twitched as they kissed. She didn't push forward, instead parting her lips and allowing his to have control. It was so sudden and the only thing she could think was where do the noses go.

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