Open Beyond the Sea (Kreig)

[Arundel]

513 AV, 90th Day of Summer
Soothing Waters Bath and Massage

Arundel's eyes fluttered open, and she stretched, groaning as her muscles protested and strained after the extended rest from her long nap. "How long was I out?" she mumbled with a yawn, rubbing the sleep from her eyes with the heels of her hands. When no one answered, she frowned and groggily looked around. "Where-?" She wasn't in her pavilion. She wasn't even in Endrykas. She sat in a large, warm, pool-like bath. The water was exquisite. Steam rose from the bath and clouded the large room, making everything a little fuzzy, but she could still make it all out. There were stone columns surrounding the pool, and it was well lit along the smooth walls.

Carefully, she stood. As the water dripped from her body and cascaded back into the pool, it echoed loudly. She frowned and looked down at herself. Where are my clothes? Steam rolled and churned in the corner of her eye, drawing her attention around to a ledge to the left nearby. There they are! Her dress and other layers were folded very neatly, as if ready and waiting. There was a comb and brush as well, for her hair. Speaking of which. Arundel looked down at herself again, and smiled with delight. Her hair was long again - as long as it had been before it got burnt. Long, wet brown curls stuck to the skin of her breasts and trailed down her back, providing a bit of modesty.

She ran her fingers through the tresses, reveling in having it all back. Elated, she flopped back into the water - and again the splash was louder than it should have been. Curious. Now that she thought about it, everything else was completely silent. Where was everyone? And where exactly was she? Surely not in Riverfall, this wasn't the right architecture. Plus she wouldn't be caught dead naked in that city - not with all the Akalaks running around wanting women for their broodmares. She'd had one uncomfortable run-in with an Akalak youth in her life, which was one too many for her. But this definitely didn't look like their city of gardens and domes.

Curiously, she swam deeper into the bath. Several feet in, the bottom below her slipped away, leaving her paddling in what felt like an ocean. Arundel could see the other side through the steam, but it seemed that no matter how long or how hard she paddled, she couldn't get there. It stayed just in view, but never drew any closer nor pulled any further away. Peeved now, she stopped her fervent swimming and smacked the water. It sounded like a clap of thunder, and she flinched, quickly covering her ears against the boom. The next thing she knew, droplets of rain started to patter the bath around her, which seemed to have grown to an immense size. Careful of the ringing in her ears, she pulled her hands away and looked up at what had been the ceiling, but was now a stormy sky.

Lightning crawled through the blackened clouds which were fat and heavy with rain, and thunder rumbled threateningly. Within several short chimes a torrential downpour was pounding her head, and waves started to roll and churn in the sea all around, for surely this was the ocean. The water even tasted salty now. She spat sea water from her mouth and wiped her streaming eyes when a wave crashed down overtop of her, pulling her under for a short moment. Arundel coughed and floundered against the current, before another wave lifted her from behind and tossed her like a wet leaf back into the - oddly enough - warm waters.

[Kreig Messer]

Kreig was dreaming... and for once it didn't seem like a bad dream, though it difinitely had the makings of an odd one. The reason for that was the locale of this dream... the bath house, now Kreig didnt mind it wasn't the usual nightmare, but if it was a good dream he'd at least hoped it would involve a good fight or a pleasant dream about a certain someone. The bath hous was the furthest place from his mond however and he hope it wasn't someone telling him that he needed a bathm.. he just had one last night.

He sighed as he climb its steps, an eerie silence loomed about the recreation of the bath house as there was no one about. The brawler was quite confused as to why his dream chose this of all places, but he was further confused by his current apparel; He was rather certain he didn't own an open and sleeveless vest. Nor did he own pants the ended above the knees 'My underwear is longer than this!' He thought 'and where the petch are my boots and guantlets?!'

He loitered about in the main hall, content on doing nothing unless the dream forced him to... and the dream did just that as the sound of thunder suddenly emanated from the skies.... and rai dropped from the sudden grouping of clouds "Oh come on!!" He shouted in surprise, and then thunder rang out witha bolt of lightning narrowly missing the brawler a few times, forcing him to constantly move about till he accidently entered the woman's poll, slipping on the wet groh d nd fell face first into oceanic pool.

A few ticks passed before the brawler found hjmself grasping for air, muttering curses as he looked about and tried for the life him to figure out what was going on, suddenly turningwhen he felt something poked him in the back and saw.... A naked long haired woman.

"By Dira..... er.... I'm in the wrong pool" Kreig gathered, not quite fazed by the fact there was an attractive woman infront of him but that he was in the wrong place "wait.... I thought I was alone in this dream?" Came the question as he raised a brow, but shook his head as he asked the next question "Excuse me ma'am, are you okay?"
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[Arundel]

She felt her head hit something rather solid, as the current drug her through the water. Arundel sputtered and wiped at her face as she broke the surface again, blinking the sea water from her burning and irritated eyes. A curious hand went out to feel what she'd hit, and her palm splayed across a face. She shook the water from her ears when whoever it was spoke, and finally got a good, blurry look at the man. "I - huh?" Arundel frowned and peered more closely at him. He spoke in the Common tongue, and much of what he said she didn't understand. "Dream?" she questioned with a heavy accent. Next, she spoke in Pavi, for the words in his language eluded her. "If this is a dream, then why can't I magically understand you? Isn't that how it's supposed to work? And why are you ever here, if it's my dream?"

Her signing, as she spoke, showed clear curiosity and a little indignation. Arundel sloshed water with her erratic hand movements, and she motioned to him. Then suddenly, she grabbed his face and turned it every which way to examine him. She leaned in close, running a hand through his short hair and pinching both of his cheeks. "Not Drykas," she stated sternly in Common. "Not hair. Not skin. Pale like... like... babe. Why here?" She poked him in the chest, and she was obviously okay. Slowly, as she spoke, the pelting rain had stopped. The winds and waves calmed, until they lapped and rocked more gently. The sky still churned overhead, and lightning crawled through it like fingers of light. She looked around them curiously and pursed her lips, then back at him. They were in the middle of nowhere - or rather out of sight of land or any kind.

Luckily it seemed to take no effort to stay afloat. It just happened on its own. And why did he have clothes on? She'd been in a bath house, it was understandable why she didn't. He was just weird. Not that it mattered - if this was a dream then he was just a figment and part of it. She hadn't understood him when he mentioned not being alone. She thought it was all hers, and not a joint deal. "You know where?" Arundel motioned to the waters around them. "Where us? Where bath?"

[Kreig Messer]

The lady was as obviously confused as he is 'Petch....someone explain this dream to me?' The woman clearly didn't understand most of his words. Kreig knew one thing was certain... the lady before him was a Drykas, the Pavi signs a strong indication. It was difficult to understand, but from what he could make of it.. or at least guess; was that why couldn't she understand him... that or she's wondering were he baked the lamb. Regardless she was curious, that much was obvious.

Still, he didn't quite expect her to suddenly grab his face, his neck turning towards each direction as his head moved about "O-OY!" He whinced as she grabbed his cheeks, trying to squirm out of her grasp but she quickly stopped and just looked at him curiously after poing his chest.

"Not Drykas,"

"Not hair. Not skin. Pale like... like... babe. Why here?"

She spoken in broken Common, her accent showing with each word.

Kreig simply shrugged, a bathhouse wasn't his first choice of a dream either but what could he do? He wasn't the conductor of this dream. He had no knowledge of how the dream world worked, only knew that in many cases a dream acted upon on ones mind, shaping the scene around its participants.



"You know where?"

"Where us? Where bath?"

Kreig sighed, because quite frankly he wasn't sure how to explain it to her. His Pavi was quite rusty, petch the few things he could recall easily where a few curse words and gestures.

He motioned with his hands as began to speak "This...all this...Bathouse. It is Syliras" His hands moved about, repeating the movements just so that he'd be sure he could get the message across. His hands ran gently and slowly through the water “You, come from Endrykas?” Kreig asked, hoping that his words and gestures were clear. Petch… he could’ve easily said something that could have been misconstrued the wrong way. But what are the chances of that happening? Its not like he told her he was her destined lover or something…right?

OOCHave fuuuun

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[Arundel]

She looked around again, as he motioned to the waters. Arundel understood the gist of his awkward Pavi. The words were jumbled and mixed around, but it was better than her Common. His signing was fairly solid, though a few gestures were completely out of place. He got his point across at least. Her lips split with a wide smile, and she nodded vigorously, eyes alight with interest. "Endrykas, yes," she assured in her thick, rich accent. "This Syliras?" She pointed at the sky, where the ceiling used to be. Her eyes grew a little rounder in awe. Arundel had heard of the capital city of Sylira, protected by men and women not that different from their own Endrykas Watch.

Aside from that, she knew nothing about the place, except that it was a large city - built from solid stone - like an impregnable tortoise shell. She shivered a little, unable to imagine being locked away under stone without grass between one's toes and the sky spanning overhead as far as the eye could see. "Horrible!" she blurted vehemently. "Want go! Now!" Arundel may be in awe, but she wanted nothing to do with the place. She wanted to go home. If this was a dream, she wanted to wake up quickly. Experimentally, she pinched herself. "Ow!" she growled. Then she tried to close her eyes and force herself from sleep. Wake up, wake up, wake up, she commanded over and over in her head. When she opened her eyes, peering through thick eyelashes, all she saw was water, sky, and the man's face.

"Venhrehk," she cursed to herself, using one of the few Tukant swears she knew. For a long moment, she floated there, frowning at the... whatever he was. Finally, her stubbornly set features fell. It started to rain again, though gently. "What do we do?" she asked in her language. "There's no land. There's nothing! Nothing but water, below and above." She smacked the surface of whatever it was supposed to be - ocean or bath, she didn't even know. Thunder crashed overhead the second her hand made contact, and she flinched. It sounded like it was right in their ears.

"If this is a dream, it makes no sense!" She looked at him pointedly, obviously expecting something. Advice, feedback, anything. "You're not a very helpful figment of my imagination so far."

OOCI see what you did there!

[Kreig Messer]

"Well no, this is not Syliras as whole" He tried to word it out, his hands making various signs he wasn't quite sure of it, but unfortunately the woman didn't seem to be looking as the fact that she thought Syliras was just entirely of water. And unfortunately she was speaking too fast for him to follow and the fact that here striking the water was accompanied by the sound of thunder made him flinch in surprise 'Well, that was one mystery solve' Kreig thought

He breathed deeply as they floated in the water, it was an odd dream and the woman seemed to assume he was some figment... possibility was the reverse was true, he was real and she was a figment. But Kreig only had certain dreams over and over these pasts days and none where as... interactive...as this 'No... we're real' Though he didn't voice it to the woman, doubting she would believe him in anycase. If the area weren't particular dreamlike and ridiculous in nature, he'd pose the question of she would dream of a city she'd never seen... much like why would he be dreaming of a drykas woman in a bathouse 'Petch, those are Orion's territory NOT MINE!'

Again he took a deep breath, signing the words as best he could "This dream... Why should it make sense....your in a bath with a male" He cringed at that, it sounded like something the goddess of lust would dream up and by the gods he hope she wasn't the one pulling the strings here "If dream make sense to people who are in dream, not much of a dream sexy" Kreig failed to realize what word he added in the end, it was the most blatant and sexist compliment a man could give he was in a place and situation where it might not be such bad compliment.... one would wonder if his mind is discovering woman in not just an emotional matter....

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[Arundel]

This man, or figment - whatever he was - had a point right up until his final comment. Arundel's lips parted but she stopped, the retort frozen before it could tumble out. She stared at him hard, mulling over what he'd just said. He was right. Dreams didn't have to make sense. And if it was her dream, then she was the one imagining herself alone with a man, while as naked as a newborn. Maybe her body was trying to tell her sleeping mind something. After all, she was a grown woman with needs. So far she'd never been married. There had been an instance a few years ago where a suitor had almost taken her as a wife, but she hadn't been able to go through with it. He was pottery merchant for Zulrav's sake. Never been in a fight his entire life. It would be like marrying a skinny, pale stick. He'd had money, but she wasn't interested in a boring life of lazy comfort. Arundel wanted fire, passion, and adventure.

If this was a dream, then she could do whatever she wanted - to whoever she wanted, for that matter. An easy smile slowly spread across her lips. She looked at him speculatively, and obviously. Under the shirt plastered to his wet chest, she could see his corded muscle. He was lanky, but pleasant to look at. She hummed in the back of her throat, chewing the inside of her cheek. He looked stunned by what he'd said. Like a lost sheep. Her smile grew a little wider. Arundel slipped closer through the water, her eyes hooded. "If this is a dream, and it doesn't have to make sense, then does that mean I can d-," she started to tease in Pavi, though her words were cut short when she yelped. Her eyes grew wide as something wrapped around her ankles and yanked her below water.

Her fingers stretched out frantically for a handhold, and wrapped around the Syliran's wrist. She held fast, pulling him under with her. Her other hand snaked out to join the first, and she clutched onto him for dear life as she they were drug into the black depths below. Arundel opened her eyes and blinked rapidly, expecting to feel the burn of salt water, but felt nothing. She could see Kreig above her, and fearfully, she looked below. Confusion overwhelmed her when she saw a string of kelp wrapped around her leg. Her lungs burned for air, making her want to draw water in. When they'd been pulled under, she'd expelled the precious oxygen from her body in surprise. The Drykas kicked feebly at the plant clutching her, and dug her fingers into Kreig's poor arm so she didn't let go.

Rather suddenly, her foot broke through into open air. The rest of her quickly followed, until they were both falling through empty space. She wasn't sure how that worked, and didn't have time to think as she let go of the Syliran and flailed wildly like an erratic bird. A flash of stone caught her eye, and she quickly closed them, bracing for impact. She heard him hit first, and then it was her turn. Arundel landed heavily atop something - she wasn't sure what. Her precious breath was once more knocked from her body, and she shuddered trying to grasp for more. The fall itself didn't hurt, surprisingly, though she was disoriented. The Drykas coughed violently as air filled her heaving lungs, and cold shivers crawled down her wet body which was now exposed to the air. Finally, Arundel found her equilibrium. She shifted and turned her head, grumbling in confusion when her face brushed a stubbly jaw.

Awkwardly, she leaned up and wiped wet curls her face. They hung in her face and stuck to her lips like a curtain. When her vision was cleared, she blinked the water from her eyes and looked down into Kreig's face. They were tangled together in a soaked heap, her laying atop him. "Oh," she stated casually, though a light blush quickly warmed her from the inside out. "You are unhurt?" she asked a little breathlessly in Common. Her green eyes were clouded with a hectic snarl of thoughts, emotions, and questions.

[Kreig Messer]

'OH dear god...whats that look in her eye?' Kreig asked himself nervously as she seemed to have an odd gaze, now... Kreig was unfamilar with the lustful gaze, being practically inexperienced in the romance department and only having a single romantic interest whom he was rather did not know or realize his fondness of her 'I doubt she even thinks of me as a possible interest' indeed, Fallon just simply thought as the date he asked her as simply a dinner date, barely listening him during that time. Back to the matter at hand, while he didn't realize what the current gaze was, he knew its spelt trouble for him.

When she began to speak in Pavi, Kreig was shocked to see she was cut short by suddenly pulled down, that surprise rose to panic as he was suddenly pulled down himself. The sudden action caused him to open his mouth and try to gasp for air, surprisingly despite the copious amount of air he was letting out, he didn't quite no water entered his mouth and quite frankly he had no trouble breathing. Still, the panic of being pulled down quite suddenly. He could see the plant that was pulling the woman and the look of panic in the woman's beautiful eyes.

Suddenly their movements, positions changed and Kreig suddenly found himself as his form suddenly hit the stony bottom 'agh...' He felt surprisingly dizzy, then found himself sobering up as a soft face brushed against his.... it felt... nice. Kreig gulped as he opened his eyes and saw the nude woman atop of him with the curls of her hair over her face, like a curtain.... and he could see her eyes so clearly 'is she blushing?' Kreig was blushing himself really, and the fact that a naked woman was atop his waist in a very compromising situation made um...well...things...um..veeery awkard somewhere. Kreig gulped and was very very nervous now as he felt an odd sensation and the fact that the woman before him with her emerald green eyes and that blushing face made her... cute 'OH DEAR GODS WHAT THE PETCH IS GOING ON?!'

"Um...hi, yes I am.... all right" He signed awkwardly, not quite sure as to what to do in this type of situation "Very bumpy yes?' again he signed awkwardly in this alien situation, the young hormonal youth within him starting to show itself in the form of an awkward young man who is practically under an attractive woman's commands and all Kreig could think of at the moment is 'GODS, WAKE ME UP'

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[Arundel]

The poor man. Her wide green eyes danced with lighthearted mirth, though there was underlying embarrassment there as well. The Drykas looked around them, realizing they were back in the bath house. Torches were aflame along the smooth stone walls, setting the large room aglow with warm, golden light. It played across her tan, glistening skin. A droplet traced a path down her face and fell to his chiseled cheek. She looked back at him, smiling. "That good." Arundel would have been upset if she'd hurt him by accident. She was amused, absently, that she was trying to communicate with him in Common, while he was trying to reciprocate in her own language.

Her eyes strayed down to his pursed lips, then roamed back up to his eyes. So much emotion there. Tentatively, she made to roll off of him. Her hips shifted and she gasped silently as his arousal pushed against her bare pelvic - held at bay by his soaked trousers. She bit her full lips in an effort to mask the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. He was so nervous that she wondered if he'd ever lain with a woman, let alone seen the naked female form. Arundel lowered her eyes, but peeked at him through thick eyelashes. "What is name?" Her accent caressed the words - she couldn't help it. If he hadn't been with a woman, fine. But it had been a petching long time since she'd been with a man, and she missed the strong, calloused touch of the opposite sex.

Even if this was a dream, her body was reacting. Obviously his was, but at least the stirring inside her was a tad more discreet. Muscles deep down that had been long neglected tightened deliciously. A small, pleased breath left her parted lips. "Mine Arundel." The woman's voice was a little husky. She felt his body shift ever-so-slightly under her long fingers, without realizing she'd even been holding onto his taut arms. She forced herself not to smile at his obvious nerves. He was having a horrible time keeping a cool head.

OOCThis is all you get with this post! Have to keep you on your toes.

[Kreig Messer]

'How do these things happen?' Came the thought, the woman obviously felt his discomfort as she seemed to have an amused look about her green... beautiful... eys 'No! Snap out of it, now is not the time ' His nind told him, but Kreig had never been in a situation like this in his entire life. This was simplyout of his control and all he wanted to do was wake up now. The dream seemed hellbent in putting him in this situation and the woman didn't seem to have any objectiins about it anymore....rather glad it was turning out like this.

As she was about to make her off him, it became more apparent on what direction the dream was taking as she brushed against him between his thigs, a look of silent surprise on her face and Kreig...kreig felt a ...um.... good feeling to say the least as it happened. The pitched tent told her everything she needed to know. She then asked for his name in a tone that could only be described as... welcoming. Kreig gulped, his breathing had became heavy as the situation just seemed to ellicit such emotion 'So her name is Arundel? thats...thats a nice name' His mind wanted to slap Kreif silly alas it itself was now goo due to the situation it found itself.

'K- Kreig" He replied with a heavy voice, part of him enjoying the feel of her hands, the tensing of his muscles was nothing like when someone felt fear... he was nervous yes but in a way that everything im his being told him 'do it' while he truly wanted to 'not do it' but alas his body and mind betrayed him, this dream had ensared him in its grips and there was a beautiful woman with the most dazling eyes wanting as he did, with no control he simply did what was natural in this case.. he wretched an arm free as he raised his back, gently placed a hand behind the womans head and Kissed her deeply, an awkward first kiss that yet felt so right in this dream world they were in. He didn't know if he was being forceful or if he was doing the right thing at all as lustful emotions controlled his actions, his other hannd caressing her back before he slowly pulled away from the kiss and rested the templ of his head against hers "Is... is this right?" He spoke in the common tongue, all logical thinking out the window
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