Flashback The Saltwater Lake. [Pavi Lake] (S'Essy)

[Markus Andres]

Markus tilted his head a bit confused at her follow up question that she cut short. Does it disturb me? He mused to himself. Without finding a suitable answer. She was almost twice his age. But in mannerism much like a teenager of his own age. But he did not push the subject, she did not seem comfortable talking about it, or did not wish to pursue the question - afraid of his response?

Markus was glad to see the smile appear on S'Essy's face. The simply joy of helping another person see the wonders of the world. This was but a small piece of the world. It was an amazing part of it, to be sure. The odd structures of salt that pierced the salt water at random places. Large stones, covered with salt and the gentle wind that swept over Pavi left a pungent smell of salt in the air. No doubt they had arrived at the Pavi lake, no other place in Markus' memory was as oddly mesmerizing and surreal as this place. It was a place of simple chaotic beauty with the way the stones protruded from the water and the taller rocks that had been carved by the wind since the Valterian. The joyful exclamation from S'Essy widened his simple smile and when she wrapped her arms around him it couldn't get any wider. Her words, did cause a bit of confusion. When she looked into my eyes she knew what? - Another question that his mind posed, but as a mind-reader the Konti lady seemed to answer his question.

Her words caused his cheeks to burn fire red once again. She was on the edge of saying those words that Markus knew he could reply to with honesty. But the Konti halted herself short of saying those magic words. Markus liked S'Essy, a lot, but he was not ready to take that step with her. Her feelings for him, however laid bare and her own cheeks burned red as she regretted what she had told him. His lips curled as his arms wrapped around her too.

"I like you too, S'Essy." He placed a kiss on her cheek. "And I enjoy your hug, but..." Markus continued slowly. "It is making it rather hard for me to drop the backpack and set up camp." He said with a crooked smile on his lips. As his hands found her sides and rested against her hips. Getting a clever idea for once the camp had been set up. The mischievous smile with a hint of playfulness in it appeared on his lips. "Camp first and then we can play around." The voice was firm and determined. Always did he get drilled with the dangers of the wild, so finding a good place to set up camp was the first objective. A safe place, rather, safer place to resort to in case of trouble.

[S'Essy]

She still felt awkward and embarassed, she was talking too much and she didn't want it. But her worries have gone after hearing Markus's comforting words. She heard it, she heard what she wanted and it was enough for now to her. Her arms were releasing him slowly as he touched her hips and she stepped away. It must have been tiring to carry all those things himself. But where to camp?

She was turning her head everywhere to find a good place. While that she was wondering about the place. "Salt right? I mean on the cliffs. Do you know anything about this place? Probably a story or two when you brought other girls here too? I can be your third story." She couldn't stop herself, it was in her. She winked. She had to tease him again, she knew she will get it back.

She was looking down at the shoreline. "Maybe down there?" she pointed to their left side. She wasn't sure where would be the safest. And there was something so strange about this lake's beauty. Which also made it scary a bit. And she continued "Oh and what did you tell to Ser... Ser... Ser IHaveNoIdeaWhatHisName... where are you spending your night? In the woods, trying to stop this menace?"

[Markus Andres]

Markus did not like that S'Essy moved away from him, but he had to focus on work for now. Get everything set up and then, as he had said, they could play around and have fun. It was a dangerous world and he did not want to be the reason for a child of Rak'keli was killed. Not on his watch. He nodded to her question. Though the words she spoke then struck him deep. Was that what she thought of him? A player who jumped from woman to woman and brought them special and interesting places all the time? His smile grew a little thin. Only reason he did not snap at her was because of that innocence and wink that came after. He pondered it a little as she winked to him. The thin line broke and showed his white teeth as he smiled again. Had he let her little tease get to him? A sign he had much to work on in regards to his anger management issues.

"Third? I think you're low-balling it a bit there, m'dear." He returned her wink. "But yes, it is a salt water lake. Which makes it quite unique." He looked to where she pointed. By the beach. Markus did not like the spot, too close to the water. Plus he had heard rumours of this lake, large serpentine creatures hiding in the lake. It would be prudent to set the camp a bit away from the water.

"I was thinking closer to the forest. Away from the lake. Like... hmm..." He looked about and saw the forest edge. There were a few spots there he liked. But he would have to choose a spot, preferably with the entrance to their tents away from the water. Did not want the salty wind blow directly into the tents. Have the entrance face away was a simple decision. But would they need two tents, or would they share one? He looked to S'Essy. His juvenile mind preferred one above the other.

"I told him I went camping with a healer of Rak'keli. He didn't seem to have any objections." Markus paused as he thought. Something told him they would have Stern Mason visit them late in the evening and Markus would be presented for an impromptu training session.

Please tell it won't be so... The man is mad enough that he might do it. Markus took a deep breath and focus returned to S'Essy. "And his name is Stern Mason. But if you are to meet him, please call him Ser Mason, or else I will probably have to do press ups for days." Markus felt a bit odd as he said that. If S'Essy met his master, it would be like meeting his parent. Or what Stern Mason represented to Markus. A father figure.

"And I am just doing my duty, someone has to keep an eye on the new menace of society." He teased with the same soft chuckle as he walked to the spot he had chosen to set up camp. Relatively flat ground. The trees had a pungent smell of salt over them and they lay quite a distance from the water. The salt had probably killed all vegetation near the water. It mattered not to the squire. He enjoyed the wide open beach. He bet that the view as Syna descended would look absolutely magnificent. But that was for later. Now he had work to do. He placed his backpack against a tree. Removed the shield and propped it against another tree. Unfastened the pair of tents, it seemed wise to not assume they would sleep together. Best set up both tents unless S'Essy complained. But her complaints would probably just be teasing in nature. The ground was flat and a little soft from the proximity to water. But firm enough that a pair of tents could be set up. He began to get to work with that, placing the entrances to the tents away from the water front. Made enough room for a fireplace between the tents should they need it for a warm meal later and for warmth once Syna was gone.

Plus if they decided to go for a swim~ although Markus doubted the healer would want to show herself naked before Markus so early. Markus had both tents up in a relatively short time as he whistled a tune he had heard once when he passed by the stallion. A catchy tune that he had not been able to let go of since.

"Which tent do you want?" He asked the healer curiously once he had hammered in the last spike and looked at his handiwork. A little proud of himself.

[S'Essy]

Low-balling, she was pondering for a moment, but she had never heard of that term. "Low-balling? What's that?" She raised her eyebrows at him but let it go. He winked back so it must have meant something about misunderstanding him or such. She didn't think about too much, it didn't really matter for her. And a lake with salt water. No wonder it looked so unusual.

She wasn't really convinced that being closer to the forest was safer than being closer to the lake. At least she prefered being close to it. "Yeah, yeah whatever you say..." She was almost whispering it and shrugged. She believed that he knew the place better than her. Or at least she assumed he did.

His sudden tone changing and seriousness suprised her. He was either afraid of his patron knight or respected him that much. Not sure which and she also didn't know why would she meet with him. She tried to memorize him as Ser Mason. He must be a tough one. She didn't want to get Markus in trouble for it. But their topic quickly changed to teasing again.

She commented while she was walking down to their spot. "Menace of THE SOCIETY? Ser Markus Andres, the brave, the val..vali..valiant! He sacrafices himself and offers himself to the lustful Konti! Remind me to tell your master what a great job you have done for Syliras's citizens. " She chuckled too and while Markus was packing down and setting up the tent, she went to the lake and stepped in it with her legs.

Yes she wanted to swim now, she really did. She turned back and went back to him. She was a bit confused, she didn't expect two tents. "Oh...we have seperate ones...Erm..The left one." She pointed at it. But maybe it was the best. He wants to be alone or... yeah TOTALLY that's the reason. She thought. Then she made a suggestion. "I want to swim now, Markus. Winter is coming soon so I need to do it now. Join if you want, I'll go in." She was excited and without waiting for his answer she went in her tent and took off her clothes. They will be in water, the last thing she worried he will see her. And with that she ran to the lake and jumped in.

[Markus Andres]

"Low balling is when you give a very low... price or estimate of something. It was a... terrible joke." Markus felt his cheeks burn a little and focus returned to the tents. Easy. Manual labour to free his mind from what he had just said. Stupid joke.

Markus laughed happily when she spoke of his valiant deeds in taking her on a two-day picnic in the forest. It was a simple clear laughter full of mirth. There was no doubt he liked this woman, even if she was quite a bit older than him. But in spirit, so carefree and cute. The word lustful still struck him a bit too strong. But perhaps it was because it wasn't her first language. He had noticed the accent, of course and the words she struggled with. He should have realized it sooner. But perhaps he had been too enchanted with her looks to notice that tidbit of information. The grin on his lips remained though as he looked to S'Essy.

"Ah, you flatter me, I am just doing what any brave man would do selflessly." He gave her a small wink as he continued working on their camp. "And yes, you do that. Might give me a couple of days off, I think I know a special Konti lady I could spent that extra time with." He spoke softly as looked at a spike that seemed a little loose. He put his foot down on it and pressed it back into the ground. He turned to gaze at S'Essy as she spoke, Markus felt his heart race again. He had to quickly avert his gaze. Silently mouthing a 'yes' at her, indirect, suggestion that she would have been okay with sleeping in one tent. What was it about S'Essy that made him react this way. It had not been like this before. Was it because he actually liked her and was developing simple emotions for the woman? He brushed those thoughts aside when she spoke again.

"Swim?" He was dumbfounded for a moment before his male hormones took over he turned on the spot to look at her tent. He noticed her as she re-emerged from the tent. Naked. He did not bother to divert his gaze from her wonderful naked form as she ran down the beach to the lake. Oddly enough, Markus also felt like going for a swim. Perhaps half a tick later all his clothes had been thrown into the tent on the right. Or on top of it. Markus wasn't as organized as usual. He felt rather busy. Though he still carried his bastard sword in one hand as he ran to the waters edge and dropped the sheathed blade near the waterline. Within relatively easy reach. Before he ran into the water. It splashing all around him. He threw himself forward and began to splash, hopelessly with his arms. He had never been much of a swimmer. It was a good thing he had never stayed in Zeltiva and become a sailor, he would have drowned the moment he touched the water.

"Petch me it is cold!" Markus exclaimed with a loud 'wooo!' as he felt most of his body shiver in the cold. It was certain, he would not stick around in the water for longer than perhaps a chime or two before he would storm back to the tents, get dry and get clothes back on again. Or he would get ill... He looked to S'Essy, pondering if she could heal a little cold? He shrugged mentally. "You might have to sit close to me when we get up, so I can get warm again." He teased as goose bumps appeared over most of his body. Arms hugging himself for a moment before his right massive hand waved through the water, sending a tidal wave at S'Essy.

[S'Essy]

Any brave man would do selflessly, she was flattered as well and rolled her eyes a bit with a smile. She would have spent more time with him too. It was a nice thought to play with, but they were together now as well and she wanted to enjoy that time. She was not a seer she didn't bother about thinking the future. Not yet at least.

She didn't wait, she didn't look back, she just jumped in the lake right away. She had to admit it was cold, but despite that it was pleasent. Like she arrived in her paradise. It was still odd though. It was like the sea but had the strangest beauty. Then she looked back as she felt the Markus' waves. She swam up to the surface. S'Essy saw Markus and giggled. Yeah it was cold and she went closer to him.

"Okay, okay I will take care of you I promise!" she wrapped her arms around him. Their bodies was touching and a bit alerted her. She didn't embrace him that tight, she didn't know if he was comfortable enough for that. "Erm.. I will sit close to you. Don't be in water for too long though, I can heal you but try to don't get cold please!" Then she released him and swam a bit deeper.

[Markus Andres]

Markus was amazed by the sight. On land she looked mesmerizing because of her natural beauty and she moved with grace. In water. So vastly different. It looked like it was her right element. Swimming freely and gravity was only a suggestion that she could obey at will. Her body swayed and arched in the water, arms and legs gracefully swam through the water. He was almost sad when she emerged from the water to embrace him.

But only almost.

The embrace was light, something he was happy about, for might have made her a bit awkward if she had hugged him tightly. Despite the cool water he felt a warmth rise through him from the core as she spoke. She was the day to the night he had just experienced. Polar opposites, the contrast was so stark that it alarmed the squire a bit. He pushed the thoughts aside and instead focused upon the present - an ability he had soon perfected. He placed a hand on her hip as the sweet caring words were spoken. She was a gentle soul.

"Of course, dear. I just came for a quick dip." Then she was gone again, beneath the waves and Markus' gaze tried to follow her as she moved through the water like a fish. Part of him wished he could join her under the water, share the wonders of the underwater world. Markus brushed the jealousy aside. Or at least tried to suppress the foul emotion. He shivered in the cold water and decided that it was time to get out. Been there for a chime perhaps. But that was a chime where his body heat was drained quickly by the water and he was shivering quite visibly when he emerged from the water, a cold hand grabbed a bedroll from his backpack and quickly dried himself. He had naturally forgotten to bring a towel. But if he got a fire going they could dry the bedroll. Or share the other one. When he felt, sufficiently dry he pulled on his trousers again and brought the bedroll to the water edge. Sitting down on the beach by his blade. Watching S'Essy have fun in the water. It brought a small smile to his lips. His torso was bare and a salty wind put a shiver through him, but he ignored it, too occupied with the view to be bothered. Seeing S'Essy in the landscape.

I could get used to this.

[S'Essy]

Dear. She got a warm feeling when he said that. She turned around and jumped into the water. She didn't look back and was enjoying the little lake she was in. Till she noticed something unusual. She couldn't see it well but she saw something that was moving. S'Essy didn't move she was stunned for a moment. The creature was going after her... at least she saw that way. Like it had tentacles. She had to go away from there, she had to hurry to the coast.

She started to swam back and was trying to swim as fast as she could when she was finally at the coast and ran away from the lake as far as she could. She was breathing faster and her arms were wrapped around herself like she was protecting herself. She looked back but nothing came, nothing was moving there. She felt her heartbeats in every of her bodyparts. She was shocked... was it really there? Was it really after her? She was imagining things.

She didn't know all she knew that she didn't want to get closer to the lake again. S'Essy went to Markus still she was stunned and shocked. "Tha...that was enough bathing I think. I saw... I saw something moving towards me, I couldn't tell... I.." She was babbling and couldn't speak properly to him. She just shoke her head. "Can we just set up this fire?"

She headed back to her tent, and sat down there. She was rubbing her face. Was she insane? Did she really see it? For Rak'keli sake, she had to be sane... would be really bad if she wasn't. She put her legs close to her body and she wrapped her arms around it. This was awkward for her.

[Markus Andres]

The peaceful times would not last long. For he saw S'Essy swim about in the water, when it seemed like she saw something she didn't like and darted out of the water. Markus wrought with worry did not even use the opportunity to leer at her female features. But it did not appear that she was injured, but she did look scared. Markus turned to the water again, one hand on the hilt of his blade. Ready to draw the weapon should something else, less pretty, emerge from the water. He slowly got to his feet and turned, surprised to see S'Essy standing there behind him. He had thought she would have run to the tent to get dressed. Instead she stood buck-naked and Markus stared at her feminine features as a warmth welled up inside of him. Though the woman seemed too occupied by whatever was disturbing her thoughts to notice his obvious staring. When she spoke, his eyes came to hers again. He would have reached out to give her a comforting pat on the shoulder - but he did not trust himself to end it at a single pat. The worry was still present in his expression.

He turned around and gazed at the water. To make sure that there was nothing that could endanger the two. But once more he saw nothing. He shrugged and turned to face S'Essy again. A reassuring smile on his lips, but she was still too shaken up it seemed and was quick to change the subject. He didn't pursue the subject and let it rest, perhaps pick up on it later.

"Sure, of course. Could use a little heat myself." Markus gulped as she turned around again, his eyes lingering on her pale butt as she walked back to the tents. Left him standing there with an urge to run to her and pick her up and take her to a bedroll and do indescribable things to her. He pushed those pleasant thoughts aside. He did not want to rush into anything right now. His recent relationship had been... too quick. Too physical for him. He did not want another one like that. He slowly followed the Konti Healer to their fledgling camp. They needed firewood. Dry wood, naturally. Which meant they had to go into the forest to find dead trees. He rubbed his chin and tapped a finger against the jawline as he pondered the problem. He did not want to leave S'Essy here alone, but he could see through the tent opening that she was not doing okay. In fact, she was hugging herself tightly.

Control yourself Markus. Go comfort her and leave it at that.

Easier thought than done. Markus gently pushed aside the tent canvas and saw her clearly. Hugging herself close. The expression on her face fearful. He did not want to see the cheerful S'Essy in this position again. It wrenched his heart. He crawled into the tent and wrapped his massive arms around her form. Feeling her wet skin against his arms. Feeling himself get aroused by her naked form.

"Whatever you saw is gone now. There is nothing to be frightened of - and if there is something out there, I can protect you." His voice low but full of warmth, trying to comfort her. Get the smile back on her lips.

[S'Essy]

She was sitting in all seriousness and in silence. Was it really that terrifying? Cmon dummy! she thought to herself. When Markus entered she looked up at him. What was she doing? They were here to have fun, and she was sitting her wet and naked and was sobbing about something she was not sure what was. It didn't even chase after her appearantly. She felt awful to make that moment that awkward for both of them.

She let her legs go as he came closer and embraced her. His attempt to comfort her worked. She hugged him back and closed her eyes to calm down. There was a man for her here, she shouldn't be that selfish. They were having a good time, a little time alone that won't stop her. "I know. I know Markus." She said and openned her eyes.

She wanted to move on and continue with their camping, like setting the fire. Her hands went around from his back to his chest, breaking the hug, she pushed him away a bit. She was trying to get a smile on her face. It wasn't that honest, but she was trying and just chimes and it will be bright again. "That was terrible from me, sorry. And as I fulfilled what I said when we were coming here, I hope you dont mind that I get my clothes on to get some woods with you for the fire."

She laughed at it. Now she remembered that they were naked and that Markus could trully see her. "You can't say that I don't keep my promises can you?" she winked and grabbed her light clothing and her cloack to put them on.