Closed Mishief Mind

[Zandelia]

Spring 63rd, 514 AV - The Pig’s Foot Tavern


The past handful of days had been strange, an enjoyable if trying time. There was little that could be done about the healing, she had been given the idea of using the healers that could be found within the Scarlet Sanctum by Matthew but had so far not been able to gain access to them. They were reserved for both workers and friends and they were neither - for now. She was working upon the latter but would not stoop to the former even if need pressed her to do so. She wasn’t out of options yet though so she was trying to focus upon the positive. Fallon was alive and, if not well, then visibly improving. Matthew’s mention had garnered some interest and questioning and as such she had at least managed to gain some access. Perhaps in time it would be possible, she must have known Fallon at least but perhaps didn’t trust Zandelia enough to believe. Time would tell.

And that is the best that I can hope for she told herself as she stepped through the main entrance and closed it quietly behind her.

She had brought an aid of sorts, something to help with the moving plans that would come soon - a crutch. A simple yet solid affair, she had tested it upon her own weight for a while to the confused gaze of the stall holder and it had proven satisfactory. Such a cheap thing, merely a single golden miza, but precious beyond that cost.There was much it could be used for. She held it in her left hand as she walked towards the bar - her own wounds had recovered now for the most part though she had looked at her arms - there would be scars, many of them. She stopped at a table with a few men sat deep in their drinking though the day was only half finished.

“Any trouble?” she asked, tone professional and calm.

“None Web, I think you were right. They don’t want to fight anymore. Or at least not here. She is safe. Gave her food, drink. She was reading for a bit. Not been up for a while though” the leader of the trio stated simply - he was a good man, old and grey but hard.

“Good. We will be moving soon, your contract comes to an end. Anything you need?”

“Nothing. It has been a nice time, paid for drinks and not much trouble. A good job for an old mercenary”

“And you have done well. Thank you”

“No need, you helped us and we help you. If you need help again well…you know where to find me”

“Deep in your cups and surrounded by roasting meats?”

“And women! Don’t forget the women!”

“I think I won’t forget the sounds at night” she smiled and nodded, brushing her hair back and shaking her head as they laughed. She pressed onwards and past the bar - Merv was busy but she caught the arm of one of the pretty tavern girls and ordered food.

It was given over quickly, meats still warm and dripping from the spit and laid upon the tray alongside buttered crusty bread, cheese and an assortment of other choice items. Vegetables were hard to come by but there were some boiled ones in a dish and a few pickled items that kept.

“Fish? New catch?” she asked as she slipped the tray onto her forearm.

“Came in yesterday, lazy buggers have finally started working again. Bit too pickled for my tastes but still good. Ale’s already up there but it’ll be warm by now I think”

“It’s fine. Here, for the food and the help” she handed over 4 gold, “get yourself something nice for once. You look like you need new clothes”

She turned then, not needing to see the happiness that a small show of generosity could bring. She knew, it was something she had discovered of late, that the best things she could do for others were often so simple. It was a debt she would never be able to repay, that they had helped the pair of them. Still, she did what she could and if they wanted to see her in a better light rather than for what she was then that was their choice. She had decided that she never spent her gold and that others needed it more, as they needed better champions in their daily struggles. Clothes! That getting new clothes could be so enjoyable for the simpler people, something was wrong with that. She climbed the stairs easily, they were no longer a chore with the returned strength.

The door was opened, the tray put upon the small and battered table and the crutch placed into the corner of the room for when it would be needed. She was sure it would be commented upon but, as she soon saw, Fallon was asleep and getting the rest her body required. She pulled her cloak off and threw it over the back of the chair as she slipped her weapons out and laid them upon the table next to the tray she didn’t need their weight here. She frowned, approaching the bed and bending down to brush the forehead gently. There was no fever now and the bruising upon the head had faded to almost nothingness, Fallon appearing through it more every day as it eased. The brush of the lips to forehead as she took the open book and left it upon the side table.

“Rest, I’ll just eat. Should probably start practicing the numbers more too. Mathematics…never thought I’d need it. I swear, this city needs a school. Needs many things…” she muttered to herself as she surveyed the furniture.

She would buy new furniture for Merv, she had already requested they be made though had not paid for them yet. Had not even warned the man that they would be arriving. This had been their home for a time, however small, and she would leave it better for their passing. Small acts, snowballs Fallon had said. Perhaps they were enough to help give examples to the people that they were shared with. Small things for now, the big would come soon enough. When they were ready. Jarral had told her that those Markus had hired and who had survived had joined the gangs in the warrens of the warehouses.

They will be sought out, all of them, and punished. And as for the rest…we will see. Some may join our cause, others can burn. Some are so bad that they should have been put down seasons ago so I have heard she shrugged at that…soon.

She turned and stepped towards the table. The day would be a quiet one she thought.

[Fallon]

In those chimes before Zandelia's return there was a deep inhale, her eyes blinking up to the ceiling and then back down to the book she had balanced upon her stomach. It was slightly uncomfortable to crane the neck down to view it, and the subtle weight of the paper made her want to toss it to one side. Her brow creased, eyes rereading the same line twice as she blinked. Within the back of her mind the niggling boredom pressed, a rough rubbing that sought some form of amusement within the room she was locked within. She chewed at her lip, almost as if frustrated with her trapping and forced rest. An exhale, she wriggled her toes and looked upon her bare feet.

She had managed to pull on her trousers - adding to her decency - and kicked off the blanket that covered her. Shirt, hugging her frame, the fingers occasionally pulling at the collar in irritation. It was already starting to become warm within the spring air - but that may have also been due to the overly stuffy fire. Lips twitched, her head rolling back and the book slumping forward onto her chest. There was a slight wince as the weight redistributed itself, and then eased off. With the left hand fumbling round she picked up the cup of ale, and took a disdainful slurp of the lukewarm liquid. A sigh, her brow knitting into a line as she tried to simmer that frustration. There had to be something she could do other than reading, something that was within her capable powers.

And then it hit her. Projection.

Letting her body sprawl backwards she focused. The limbs relaxed, the arm dangling over the edge as she did. She breathed, nostrils flaring, the warm air flooding into her lungs and soothing for the moment. Her eyes were closed, slid shut to the world around her and left only to the steady rise and fall of breaths. In and out, in and out, she felt the limbs tremble as they relaxed, the anxiety of being cooped up easing off. No, she was going to have some fun no matter what.

Fallon pulled upon her djed, the quivering feeling as she felt it swirl and pull. An aspect of her very being, an energy required for such a task. She knew that now, her astral layer twitching in reciprocation to it - almost as if it knew what was coming. It was as good a time as any to try it, she was not exactly going anywhere any time soon. The strings of the astral were pulled, slipping and sliding free from their flesh bonds. A pull, a tug as she teased it out. A sharp inhale, the back arched slightly in reflex. A push, it ran like water, rippling as she felt it. Toes grew numb, the extremities cooling as she willed upon that weightless state. It slipped, shifting, rising and then nothing.

She blinked, sort of. It was an unusual feeling, the lightness of it all. Her head turned, or more over did not turn in the flesh. Hands lifted, the ethereal limb flexing before her eyes - a simple knowing of where it was before once more she turned. The astral was free, completely and it was only as she sat up and turned her gaze back to the supposedly sleeping body that she had left. Projection, completely and utterly. Pulling her feet up she let herself rise, unbound by the aching flesh that once more consumed. A gentle movement, she swung herself over the side a moment of disorientation from the ability to use the limbs before she brought herself up to stand.

Painless, she felt the toes rub against the floor, the gaze sweeping across as she took it in and her new found freedom. There was a step away, leaving of the body behind within its resting state as she took a tour round. Beyond the door the wood groaned, floorboards creaking before the presence was made known. For a moment she paused, her eyes turning as it clicked open and the movement of the woman, Zandelia, made her presence known. She watched, lips curling, a reach out of the hand to touch and then she stopped herself. The woman could neither see or hear her in this form - she knew that now.

Watching the frown she spied the concern, the touching of the forehead to check upon her injuries. Was she worried? There was need to, she knew that, she was getting better and soon she would be at her best once more - she had to be. Eyes turned around, her back to the mumbling as she spied the newest addition to the room. The crutch. There was an incline of the head, the drifting over to the implement to study - was it for her? Did she really see her so crippled? A rub upon the jaw, she extended the right hand out to touch upon it and promptly knocked it over. Landing with a clatter she darted away, silent steps as she turned her gaze between the woman and the crutch. No, she had not been seen, she could not have been.

She slunk around, gentle steps and moves as she kept out of the way. And all the while the ideas of mischief started to form. A grin, wicked in construction, grew. She slid over, fingers hovering above the woman's head, and then waving in front of her eyes - checking almost that she had not been seen. From there she brought the fingers round, the ethereal hovering at the nape of her neck before touching. She pulled the fingers down, tickling in their movements as it descended down her spine. A flinch away, a pull back as she beamed and grinned upon the woman. A pivot as she felt the moment of weightlessness appeal to her, that slight sweetening buzz of pleasure in finding some amusement. Bringing the finger back round she gave a jab upon her side, a testing poke followed once more by the freedom of movement.

She shifted, a dash up to the door, her fist clenching tightly as she approached it. A slamming knock, a firm rattling of noise travelling through it. The time of boredom was over, and the time of play had begun. A second knock, firmer, louder, designed to force the woman up into standing. It was time to see just how much she could get out of the woman.

[Zandelia]

She grabbed the book upon mathematics and paced to the table, slipping into the chair with a satisfied murmur as her body agreed vehemently that rest was the best way to spend the rest of the day until the wolf awakened. She had her food, simple though it was and she had the time. In truth she felt a touch guilty that she had yet to truly try to delve into the realm of numbers that had been gifted to her. There was much to do and now that she was mobile once more she divided her time between helping Fallon, progressing their network and trying to guide the members of the Scars. It was proving a difficult task to juggle the various balls and keep them flying through the air. The short spell of control had taught her much about why she was a poor leader in many things. With a sigh she began her work, pulling her journal towards her and uncorking the ink. She began the writing, the learning as she went.

(3x6) + 9 =
(4x3) + 10 =
(10x3) + 8 =
(11x3) + 5 =
(9x3) + 7 =
(3x5) + 12=
(12x3) + 4 =
(3x8) + 6 =
(2x3) +11 =
(1x3) + 20 =
(7x3) + 9 =
(3x3) + 12 =

She paused then, frowning in thought as she tried to see the imitated scrawls in a way that she could understand them. She had never been taught how to count, to make numbers shift and make sense. She had learnt how to complete sums with coins, favors and within the real world. She pursed her lips and began to use the key, treating the numbers like coins. She knew what they meant, knew three meant three, but it was still a long while of mental effort before she slipped in the first solution - 27 - after getting it wrong and scribbling it out a few times. She couldn’t help but smile at that, a spy who could gain forbidden secrets foiled by a few lines upon the page. She picked up a piece of still warm roast meat and placed it upon her tongue, relishing the juicy texture and grease.

Then the clatter to wood slipping to the floor. Hear head turned and took in the crutch, still rocking slowly after the impact. She sighed, placing the quill into the inkpot gently before pushing herself to her feet. It had been an impulse purchase, one she saw a use for perhaps but already it was annoying her. Still, she reasoned, a little pain for a gain was worth something. She was half-way towards picking it up when the cold shiver began, the trailing of something soft, light.It traced from her head and down to the base of her waist and her body shuddered as if it had been doused with cold water. She turned quickly, pivoting…nothing.

I could have sworn that they were…no. Nothing she told herself, she was merely paranoid. She was growing more so of late in the aftermath. She saw shadows following her thorugh the streets and her mind was tricking her, bringing them into what should have been a place of safety.

Still, there was something familiar in the sensation and the memories were not altogether positive.

The jab into her side as if a child sought her attention in the only way it knew how. She frowned and looked around, there were no weapons. No people. Not even a fly to bump into her and make her feel something that wasn’t there - though she conceded that it would have to be a damned big fly. No…it had definitely been a finger. She looked to Fallon, still asleep and wondered. Dismissed. No, she wouldn’t be so juvenile with the magic she had warned her about. Surely? A pout at the strangeness of the occurrences. There was little she could do but move onwards with her intended tasks and forget the oddity - Sunberth was filled with the strange these days.

“Wolf?” she whispered, head shifting from side to side and seeing nothing. No sound, no movement this time. No response, merely the continued rise and fall of the chest, shallow breathing. She drew in a deep breath and sighed it out.

She shook her head at her own idiocy and began to walk towards the crutch once more, she reached down and paused as the knocking started up. It was light at first but then much harder. She didn’t recognize the pattern. She knew that everyone who came to her had a distinct way of signaling the desire to enter. Jarral’s was tentative, almost soft as if he didn’t wish to disturb. Carole’s was hard and demanding, harsh almost. You could tell a lot about someone’s mood and psychology from such a simple act she had learnt. This was a playful one, almost as if trying to gain attention and distract. The initial lightness to resound and the following thudding to shock? She grinned.

Hmm...who then? she walked to the door and opened it with a quick wrench, fist curled just incase it was required.

Nothing as she peered out and looked either way down the corridor.

“Guess they weren’t interested after all,” she mumbled, “well! Back to the learning it is then” she spoke clearly, crisply.

She began the walk towards the desk once more after shutting the door.

[Fallon]

Much to her amusement, Zandelia was forced into animation. A grin, a silent laugh as she felt the elements of a playful trickster consume. No longer the wise and straight laced, she let the boredom be answered and the childish elements erupt forth. A clap, she let the mind turn as she considered as to what exactly she could do next. The shudder to the touch, the ethereal chill caressing the muscles. That pivot, the flicker of confusion as to what exactly was before her. The dismissal, pout that she so much loved, she brought herself up almost face to face, lips curling a gentle lean in to touch upon those lips.

And then she called out her name. For a chime she paused, rocking in silence to the whisper. She slunk back, a sway as she considered her position. Had she already been discovered so early? Had the woman realised that it was indeed her who was causing such mischief? Even as she tended to the door, the shaking of the head in denial to her single name questioning. She was safe, for now. Undiscovered and unavailable for scorning. Fallon blinked expectantly, a prompt was placed before the woman to be responded with only a grin.

Djed turned, the pit of energy being fed and encouraged easily. But, there was only a mumble in response, the door closed and the entire scene discarded. Fallon slumped, a sigh would have escaped if she was bound into her flesh. Scratching her chin she began a slow pace around. Feet pressed upon the wood floor, the texture making itself known to the soles of her feet. Fingers traced along the surfaces, feeling and touching, her left hand throbbing almost in reciprocation to the action. Letting the woman settle, she took the scene in. What could she use to supplement her amusement? Her tools at her disposal? She had her own being to begin with, the blades if she wished to grow more dangerous and frightening - but that was counterproductive.

The food, the cloak, the clothes, the latter two would reveal her position more. There was the fire itself too - but that was difficult to work with. A tap, she slid herself after the woman and then dashed ahead to the chair. The hand took the back of it, and it was with a firm press that she sent it back onto its rear legs. It rocked for a moment, a focus to balance it perfectly. It rocked, a groan of wood before it simply slipped backwards onto the floor with a crash. Even she flinched back, a giant leap in fright with her back pressing into the woman. A quick turn, a snap away as she pivoted and snagged up on the furniture.

Scrabbling, she felt the fingers curl around the cloak, the grasping and pulling of fabric by invisible hands. It rippled, material crumpling as she twisted and threw it round at the woman. Without skipping a beat, Fallon once more made a move. She took the book the woman was working from as she struggled with the cloak, a snap shut and a changed its location - stuffing it quickly beneath the pillow her physical head rested upon. A quick pat down and once more she was off. Ethereal scrabbled, a distinct scrapping as she fled into the corner and paused to watch. There was a lot of fun in this, a lot of time to play, but even the ever curious mind continued to turn. And then ideas came. Fluid, manipulative and most importantly incredibly devilish.

Fallon moved, slow, sliding, steps with purpose upon her target. The hands reached out, a gentle finger stroking round and underneath the chin. The gaze, the intensity of it, a shame really that Zandelia would not be able to see it. She tilted it, towards her - or at least to where she would have been standing if she was in the flesh - the other hand snaking its way down and around to the far hip. For a moment she paused, a moment of consideration as to how things would work. What did Zandelia feel? Certainly not flesh. Movement? A chill? She had shuddered earlier, was that how her touch felt when in such a form.

She brought the lips forward to brush upon the woman's, a pause, a firmer kiss and then in a flash moved way once more. A tease, she needed a better plan. No doubt she would think intimacy would be strange, that much was apparent now. There was an exhale as she focused, another pluck upon the djed - checking almost that everything was well. Nothing seemed wrong, the limbs had yet to exactly begin to grow heavy and sluggish, nor was she doing anything overly stressful or strenuous on top. A pad round, slinking, searching, the ideas once more turning round. A resistance almost to the inner cravings that were beginning to rise up. They were alone after all, safe in a secure place. For Sunberth at least. And it was with that she approached the woman once more - the more inappropriate side beginning to rise up and make itself known.

[Zandelia]

Feet stopped, frozen in their movement as the tap to the shoulder was followed with an almost indistinct passing of chilled air - as if something had brushed past her and breathed ice to bloom across her cheek. The chair moved, slipping backwards ever so slowly until it balanced. Poised upon the cusp of falling but very definitely being held in its reclined position for a time. The tilt as it clattered backwards to the floor and skidded a little. Her nostrils flared slightly as hissed breath was taken into her lungs. Eye was slightly larger than usual, reflecting the light from the half-closed shutters that seeped into the room. Finger’s curled and uncurled. She shifted a leg forwards, standing loosely now as she considered and weighed the options.

“Okay…so not imagination. Unless I’ve suddenly decided to become insane…though…no. Bad line of thought” she muttered, “this just got real…”

Words were cut short as something solid bounced into her, the give of cool but firm body before it jerked away almost violently. Her eye was definitely wide now, mouth stuck in an open position as words failed to continue to form and instead shock battled the cold that bloomed quickly and began fading away just as darkness descended to stop her arms from snapping forwards to catch whatever the mischief maker was. Muffled cursing could be heard as she wrestled with the slick and all encompassing fabric that covered her head. She staggered slightly, foot tangling in the chair legs so that she bumped into the edge of the table with an oath and the rebound sent her to a knee. She growled as she pulled the cloak off of herself and head whipped around once more to see…nothing.

No, not nothing…the book! Where is the…it is her! It has to be otherwise I’m being haunted by a damned ghost. No…don’t think of that she told herself as she righted the chair and slipped it underneath the table and out of harms way.

“So…doesn’t want me reading? No? And I had hoped to get so much done today. What does it want?” she asked the room in general, sure now that there would be laughter echoing if there were a throat to give it voice.

It was difficult not to feel the rising thrill of an unsolvable problem, the almost childish need to find a solution to the improbable. She loved puzzles and she had just been given one within which it seemed that she was passive, unable to effect change. Different from her usual mental quandaries this was far more physical and the response was simple - enjoyment. Playfulness, pure and distilled. The knocking, the chair and the cloaked theft of a book. Simple things and yet so much more. She wondered how long it had been planned, had it been hatched over days? She suspected not, it felt far more impulsive and driven by a need. She didn’t know what need but she would play along to discover it.

The brushing of something underneath her chin and the subtle, slow tilting and moving of her jaw that was difficult to let happen due to its surreal nature. It was forceful though and she relaxed, she was in no danger at all if it was Fallon. Muscles relaxed as best they could and they moved, stopped. She was looking at nothing but it was safe to presume that it was where the formless resided. It was the logical conclusion. The snaking of another pressure upon hip, a hand? What had she said? That her skills could see her? Lips curled as she tried to summon up her Djed but that thought was shattered by the definite brushing of lips - they were lips she was sure. She was not so old that she couldn’t recall the feeling. She was sure then - the clues had been suggestive but even though it had felt like ice had been smeared over her face she knew those.

“It is you Wolf,” she spoke with mirth, “a bit chillier than usual though. Interesting. Or…or you’re just sleeping there whilst someone else takes advantage? We can’t have that can we? ” an almost innocently inquisitive tone affected as fingers curled around the cloak draping her shoulders and she sat upon the back of the chair.

She left the cloak close to hand upon her right shoulder, not seemingly for use but close enough to be grabbed and thrown when the moment came. She couldn’t see whatever it was and she doubted she would be allowed the time to focus enough to garner her talents. The entity was far too playful for that but…it had been solid. Even when not expecting it, it had bumped into her and flailed away.

“But how to find you?” she asked the room, “or how to limit? You want to play then I’ll play” she stated as she pulled off the armor and gauntlets, even the boots she kicked off and left them scattered about the room with thuds as they fell. A taunt of sorts perhaps.

Obstacles, things to dance around and trip upon if not heeded properly. She kept the cloak but at least she was lighter now, faster for reaction and unrestricted. Nothing but trousers, blouse and eye patch and she had an idea on how to use the last one to her advantage too - she would see if it was possible. She closed her eye and began to try and summon the Djed, to gain the sight beyond normal that might help her. She listened as the magic surged, came upwards towards her head in rivulets. She slammed it into her senses and hearing enhanced first - there was a trickling sound like water, jolly and perhaps reflecting the mood of the specter. She couldn’t grasp the eye yet, it had been so long since she had tried last and her concentration was too split.

“Okay,” she backed towards the corner slowly so that direction was limited in this game, “the old fashioned way it is. If you’re her than do it again, if not then go away…” she suggested to the spirit, she needed it close to catch it after all and she was ready to jump.

[Fallon]

And so Zandelia begun her talking out loud, mumbling and confirmation that things were indeed going on around her. A second side step, her gaze coming round to the side as she begun her musing. It was entertaining to say the least, but even she could not help but feel uncertain as to what was too far for such a playful game. A lean, she turned her gaze up to the woman, admiring the turn of the chin as she observed. Lips twisted, a cocking of the head to the side as she watched the emotions change. Fear, surprise, the angry growl of reciprocation to her more playful banter. There was a wince as she staggered, the mumblings as she questioned the room around her. What did Fallon want? A wolfish smile broke out upon her lips, lots of things. The woman, the holding, to not be cooped up inside. To find amusement, to laugh and enjoy. To play and pull out that inner pent up energy. To not be bored.

She responded to the kiss, the ethereal touch, the curl of the lip and the tone of amusement escaping. There was a pause, eyes looking as she drifted down to the chair and took a seat. Crouching before the woman she watched, chin resting within the palms of her hands, the beginning nag of her body as the djed continued to flow. It was potentially tiring work, but it was also fun. And it was because of that she spurred herself onwards - if only for a little while longer. The pet name, the inquisitive tone, she could only smile when finally the woman had agreed to play. And it was with that promise that Fallon set herself to have some fun.

There was a kick off of the boots, a discarding of layers as she made herself comfortable. There was only the quick pick up of one of the gauntlets, her fingers wriggling inside of it with ease and the digits flexing. For a moment it was animated, behaving much like a hand would with a waggling point to Zandelia before once more it dropped to the floor with the rest of the articles. She would tidy up the obstacle course later. Gingerly, she reached her hand out to tug on the leg of the trouser, teasing and playful before she released the woman. Whatever she was planning was beyond her, but at the moment she did not really care. She was having fun. More so with the idea that her chosen play partner had made herself comfy for such an ordeal.

It was quietly that Fallon slid herself forward, snaking towards the woman with ease. She would have let a snigger loose, her chest reverberated the effect anyway, but still no sound escaped. Picking herself up she watched the closing of the eye, the backing into the corner as she focused. Rippling, flowing, the ethereal brought itself to stand, those careful creaking steps closer. Or at least until she spoke once more. A challenge or a dare?

Fallon paused, rocking back onto her heels as she considered the offer the woman had made. A step, her lips twisted into a line. She felt the needs press against her, twisting from being playful to something else once more. She wanted to touch, to embrace, to feel and taste. There was a tremble, a step forward and then another pause. Swallowing she brought herself hovering before the woman, eyes darting and looking into that emerald orb. The hands came up fingers reaching out to touch the cheeks, the tips tracing as they cupped that face. She pressed against her slightly backing into the corner.

Lips pressed, the hands sliding down onto the shoulders as she did. A brush of foreheads, the cool touch feeling the flesh of the woman before her. So many ideas, so many thoughts. She kissed her again, firmer, the pressing of something against her mind, that fleeting sense of urgency. The hands lowered, slipping as she pulled back to pause, a blink as she tried to find what to do next. So free like this, so able to do what she wanted - and it was oddly addictive. The waist, digits snagged upon the fabric of the blouse, the head moving away from the lips and her own nestling against her neck. A gentle nip, playful, suggestive, fingers tensed upon their gripping. She wanted to purr, to growl within the ear, to plant ideas - instead she was reduced down to simply nuzzling. A hand went to the hip, the other to the thigh as she continued her pushing. Shoulders rolled, she felt that need wrestle with the idea of simple play.

Her limbs begun to feel slightly heavier. But that was not of an immediate panic. Just another chime or two, that was all she needed. Just another moment to feel it. A firmer press, she tugged upon her, lips pressing once more the hand tracing in its movements. She trembled, that gentle movement as she let the hand grasp. She needed to get a hold of herself, she knew that - but it was hard not to. The hand pulled upon the button of the blouse and then paused.

[Zandelia]

She was almost in the corner now and her gaze flickered form side to side, searching for anything that would give the disembodied woman away. The shifting of something upon the floor perhaps, the creaking of wood in taking weight but it never came. Whatever it was it was clearly possessed of little weight despite its obviously solid nature. That was an oddity that she resolved she would question once the games has passed, it was knowledge that would be useful for future purposes, both clandestine and simply just to know. She was beginning to find more enjoyment in simply knowing things, assessing them, more than before. She wasn’t sure when the change had manifested but there was now something to be said for gaining knowledge for the sake of it now. Not to the level of the scholar but a more practical position - knowing meant being prepared.

And being prepared means not being caught off guard like before she told herself as she continued her attempts at detection and a grin slid across her face. Fun for the sake of fun, she was sure who it was and though she was surprised she was using projection for such matters she didn’t care.

It was nice just to have fun, their lives had been hard and dark of late.

Then the display began, the teasing showing of where the phantom was standing. It seemed a dare, a statement that it could do whatever it pleased just for the fun of it. The gauntlet rising up and turning, for all the world looking as if it were being worn and pausing in the air. The fingers writhed, wiggled in a small wave, the pointing finger waggling in admonishment and stopped. A few more moments and it fell to the floor with a thud and was no longer being used. Then quickly, almost a breath afterwards, she felt the tug at the leg of her trouser. She darted backwards and further into the corner. She had trapped herself and once more was at the mercy of the other woman.

Leader of the pack indeed she told herself with a rueful smile.

Fingers flexed, ready to grab at the slightest inkling that the other was within reach, seeking the moment and biding her time. She couldn’t go to it, it had to come to her of its own volition and given the physicality of the taunts she knew it would come. Come it did, a gasp as the chill brushed the cheeks and the cupping of hands was felt as they cradled her face. The gentle push of a body and she was all but against the wall now, nowhere to go and her mind seeking to process the occurrence. It was strange, to feel the touch that was becoming so familiar and yet it wasn’t the touch. It held promise and the needs broiled within but it wasn’t quite the same. It lacked the intimacy and warmth of the true flesh. The kisses, the brush down her arms and towards the waist and the mind of the other was read all too clearly. It was pleasing, to know she could have such a pronounced effect. The pulling away.

“Don’t want to play anym-” she began to say but was cut off by the firmer imparting of ghostly lips.

Things were escalating quickly, running towards the end purpose as the playful game took a turn for something more. Her body responded all too easily to the brushing, the teasing, but her mind was something else. She had had poor experiences with the disembodied before and they flashed through her brain and fought with the physical. She wasn’t sure that she could go through with it, the full enjoyment of the moment. Not without the actual body. She wouldn’t even know where to start and though her arms wrapped around the formless solidity, sensing the same body, the chill and the shuddering in reaction was a barrier to the mood. She kissed back, one last flicker of intimacy as the button of the louse popped away to expose part of her torso. It was too soon after learning Fallon could do such a thing, could be there and yet not there. She was still playful in mood but Zandelia didn’t want to be that playful. Not just yet. She pulled back and gripped the edge of the cloak.

“Found you wolf…”she whispered, pressing the forehead - into what she didn’t know - and then flicked forwards to throw the cloak over the head of the entity - or where she thought it to be.

It flickered, falling and showing the location all too clearly as it was suspended in mid-air. She growled in the back of her throat and stepped forwards to get a leg behind it and arms came around to cradle as she pivoted the cloaked body so that it was leaning now. A classic picture from the old tales, except now she was the hero sweeping the feet instead of the other way around. She laughed, she had her quarry for now at least. Right where she wanted her.

“And got you!” she cackled, “I believe you told me to be more forceful? Well then what should we do with a ghost as playful as you are? Hmm?”

She tried to go for the legs, to stop it retreating and reassessing - this was much too fun. She would try to get it into a carrying position if at all possible. That way she could dictate the terms of the encounter. Perhaps get it to the chair and tie it with the cloak to relish the victory. She didn’t know what skills the woman possessed in such a from though and doubted she would be successful.

Still, there were other rounds to try to win with.

[Fallon]

Enjoyment, that was what was noticed. Even if it was a slightly confused one at that. The returning attempt to kiss, the look to wrap the arms around her form. The gasp to the touch in the flicker of intimacy, the brush of the forehead against hers. And then the cloak was flipped forward over her solid ethereal. There was a flail of movement. An inky black consumed, fingers snagging and snarling upon the fabric as she tried to wriggle it off. And all the while she felt the ache beginning to consume. She felt the slip of djed, the gradual slowing of limbs as they tried to come free. Not that it worked, the disembodied state - now visible - was caught.

She felt the solid hold, the knocking over of her form as she lost control. That purr, that whispering growl that caused her to burn so brightly. She barely managed to pry the material back before she realised how she had been nestled in. Her cheeks would have burned, the fabric still lying across the form and revealing her partially for where she was. A grapple, or an attempt to do so, the mad laughter. In many senses it was ridiculous, a parody almost of how the world worked and how her abilities should have been used. But, it had provided entertainment, more so when Zandelia released an almighty cackle as she tried to lift her.

Fallon squirmed, a mocking struggle as she tried to get free. Limbs began to grow heavy, a distinct warning side that her moment of fun was indeed over and that a hasty return would be best. A step down, the prying free of the cloak as she stepped away still holding it and with a mighty whip of the fabric she once more threw it at the woman. Fallon scrabbled, steps snagging up upon the ground a steady climb back to her flesh body. For a moment she paused, taking a last look back at Zandelia before she began the process of reattaching.

Easing herself back down she focused. She felt the floating sink, the mingling of two parts coming together. The rippling of the astral and the djed as she sunk. To seek that sense of grounding. The strings rose, tying, seeking and joining, sliding and weaving back together. The lightness faded, that rush of nothing into something. The familiarity of warm flesh. Slow and steady she felt the sides knit together, a great tie into a tapestry of flesh. The chin tilted as she felt the icy sensation seep into her nerves, the connection gathering and twisting together.

The world dipped into darkness, a twitch of the physical form as the strain upon the djed settled. For a moment she slumped into a state of rest, the body settling back into itself. Limbs felt heavy, slow and hard as she felt the flesh welcome her. An old familiar friend that was always there. For a moment she was simply left herself in a state of rest, fingers twitching as she reminded herself of her skin. Whatever Zandelia was doing was momentarily beyond her - never the less she was still thumping about in the background.

Lips came round into a curl, the skin prickling, sensitive to the air. There was a deep inhale, her stomach knotting with nausea for a moment and then easing off. A part of the mouth, a deep inhale as she tried to urge the limbs to move. Numb, reluctant, but very much feeling. The bubble of amusement still existed from within, and it was with a hiss that she cracked open her eyes. It begun as a hum, growing up into a flowing giggle. It drew back into a gasp, a cackle as she continued to breathe in the amusement. The return to the flesh was more than apparent now, the weak arms barely able to move as everything begun to return to her. Fingers twitched, slow but sensitive. Everything seemed to be alive, caressing to the touch and noticeable by the littlest of movements.

Lips broke into a curling smile, eyes bright as the raucous laughter filled the room. A sharp inhale, a flash of a grin as she laid where she was still, the occasional movement of muscles as she moved them. Fingers flexed, slowly and weakly, her ankle rotated round and toes wriggled. A deep breath, her back arched slightly and her skin pimpled. She whispered, "Oh Sunshine..." She shuddered to the touch of the bedding beneath her again, a tremble as the thoughts of before once more came to mind, "Thank you for entertaining... I just... that was fun. I'm sorry I had to bring such events to a close..." She inhaled, a push up as she forced reluctant limbs to move. Her head gave a turn, the wicked grin upon her face, "You win... for now. I'm in no state to fight back now." She poke a tongue out at that point, "I surrender. I am yours to torment as you please." Eyes were bright however, that hovering neediness still there and apparent - knocking firmly upon the door. Still, the moment of boredom had lifted for now, but even she knew that soon it would once more return and seep its way in.

[Zandelia]

She had her exactly where she wanted her, held and captured. Visible and able to be predicted over invisible and impossible to see without adequate time to summon up her auristic talents. She grinned, cat-like and deep. She hadn’t even needed them, the predator had become the pray in their little game. An interesting reversal indeed and one she would learn from, a single key upon the ring that might one day allow her to get the better of her partner - at times. There would never be complete subsistence from either end but then that was they way it should be. For the moment she enjoyed the little tableaux. The struggle was bound to be lost, she assumed the ethereal was just as strong as the real and Fallon was slippery as well as powerful. She tried her best but her grip finally broke, the cloak dragged away and then thrown back at her with full force.

It slapped into her face just as she was about to laugh, filling her mouth so that no sound escaped beyond the rough oaths and the spluttering of spat out fabric. She wiped her tongue across the back of her hand and held the cloak loosely, ready for another assault. Her plan was known now but there were others she could use. She fancied she would have the time now and through the rapidity of pulse she sought for calm, or at least enough control to bring forth the Djed to its fullest potential. It flickered upwards, seeping into her iris and the world bloomed. She narrowed the focus, searching, seeking. She saw nothing, just Fallon in the bed. She thought she saw a flicker, a surge perhaps in the aura as if slightly twisted out of shape but that was all - probably just a side effect of the magic used.

“Running away now?” she chuckled, “and I thought you wanted to be closer?” she aimed for a taunt as she tried to pinpoint the other. She wondered, span around and saw nothing but wall. The usual background world of dulled color. Nothing remotely resembling what she thought could be a magic at work.

“Hmmm, where are you?” she asked.

Then the laughter started and she whipped around with cloak held high for another throw, chest heaving and the thrill of the hunt strong. She took in the source, the physical this time, and her hand fell downwards to her hip slowly. It was over, for now. A part of her was saddened by that fact, a deeply buried portion that had been smothered by the rigors of day to day life. It had been given a change to lie again, that almost childish part of her. She had enjoyed the respite, the non-thinking and living in the moment of excitement and silliness. A pout, hands upon hips, before her own smile flowed into life. She threw the cloak at the bed, bundled up to slap into the chest of the woman and laughed herself. It was infectious, that giggling. Ribs ached by the end when she pulled the chair back out from under the table, kicking for the moment pointless pieces of armor to one side, and dragged it to the bedside.

Poured a cup of ale, tried to drink but fingers shook and she was still shaking with mirth - she would have drowned. She took a deep breath, began to drink, but couldn’t hold the composure and droplets sprayed as she snorted into the cup before coughing up inhaled bitterness. She subsided into a contended inner glow after a while, wiping her eye with a finger as she sighed out and finally managed to get a drink. She placed the cup down within reach of Fallon and looked down at her, sitting up and already on the mend.

“Thank me? Thank you Wolf, as much fun as I’ve had in seasons. Fun for the sake of fun…I had forgotten” she chuckled again and shook her head, forcing herself not to shatter into laughter again, “Ooohhh, you do know how to give gifts. We should do it more often” she breathed deeply, serious look flashing across the countenance before she caught the blue-green eyes once more and a grin slipped back in.

“There will be more than enough time for more silliness,” she waved the apology away with a flick of the wrist, it was unimportant, if Fallon had her way they’d do it every day and she couldn’t fault her, “I am sorry that you are so bored. You Won’t get the jump on me next time though!” she tapped her temple and tried to nod knowingly.

“Fight back? As I recall you were losing and you know it, for once. I’d get more used to it if I were you, too long on the top. You know what they say about that. Might surprise you. As to the giving in,” her eye flashed with amusement, “I don’t think you have at all. I think you are pretending and any minute now I‘m going to lose a new game. Little actress that you are” she pursed her lips in thought at that. Where had that come from?

It’s right though damn it all, too right. She never just gives in. I Haven’t seen her quit anything. I wonder… she mused to herself with a slightly far away look, introspection of self as well as the other. She wondered how many other things she had guessed at subconsciously but had never really thought about.

“Torment? Well I don’t know about that but there is always the childish kind. I’d tickle you but I’m not sure as you are…I wonder” she tilted her head at that, it was inviting but she guessed that there were still other things upon the woman’s mind. Flesh craved for what it wasn’t able to do, latching onto things that it could do perhaps. The eyes were bright, sparkling with the light of the day through open shutters - too warm to not keep them open for now.

“No? Are you sure? Very well then, I shall have to find some other amusement then,” she shifted the chair closer, within arms reach now, “I believe that I made a promise to do something with this” she trailed fingers through Fallon’s hair, fluttering them to separate a portion out, - it had grown long indeed.

She grinned as she began to tease a small part of it into the beginnings of a braid. Oh she assumed there would be a struggle but then that was the point. A gambit, tease out what schemes were within that convoluted mind. She pushed the other woman down with a pause, fingertips trailing down before patting the stomach and setting back to work upon the weaving with a curl of the lips.

“The infamous braiding torture,” she exclaimed, “it has broken many a hardy heroine in the knowledge that they will no longer look all rough and ragged as they slay their enemies. A slow torture. Niggling. Mind games” she spoke with a half-teasing tone.

The other teasing torture was left unspoken but she knew, it was perhaps a little too playful but in some ways that made it all the more fun. Fallon wanted something completely different and she wouldn’t give it to her. Not now. That would be far too simple and much less amusing. Tables turning, positions shifting. Zandelia was in control for now and as her mind flickered back to that night as fingers wove she smiled. The alpha became the beta. She was still trying to wrap her head around that concept as she finished the task.

“There, one done and about twenty or so more to go. Where is my book by the way? I know you took it. I even managed to finish a sum before your mischief, you should be proud” the question was posed, perhaps the hidden item was the new game. Perhaps not.

"I presume this was a new trick of yours too, otherwise you'd have done it days ago," she raised her eyebrow at that, she was curious indeed and it was apparent, "or have you been doing it instead of sleeping? Because if so I used to know this man who...well...I've said too much" she slipped onto the next bunch of hair and teased it out into several strands and set to work there too.

[Fallon]

Fallon's sides hurt as she chuckled - but it was hard not to do so anyway. Even as the cloak was thrown against her and sent sprawling across her frame, did the laughter continue to fall. A great flow, even to the questioning and the distinct pout of the hands upon her hips. It was the greatest magic of them all, that ability to knock back the head and throw out the worries for those few precious chimes. The magic of fun. Eyes only blinked away the tears as Fallon pried herself free of the cloak, a shiver as the smooth fabric run across and was discarded. All the while she continued her upward push, forcing those reluctant limbs to move.

There was a moment of dizziness as she dragged herself upright and sitting properly. Back straightened, a shake of the head as she adjusted to her new found height. For a moment she blinked, taking in the room and then averted her gaze round to the sniggering woman. Placing her left hand behind her she gave a glance to the woman, her breathing steadying out as she found a level state of calm, if not for the quick beating pulse, "I can give you more of such entertaining moments if you shall desire? Once I've caught my breath."

Fingers rubbed at her ribs, a slight wince as she did. But there was still the grin - even if it was falling down to that of an amused smile. Her brow rose to the flicking of the wrist, the simple discarding of her attempts to talk, "I, my dear Sunshine, am incredibly bored. But... you played a long for a while. And I won't get the jump on you next time eh? We shall see about that." A tease, the rising of the brow in challenge, "I still need to make you scream after all."

With an inhale she continued, "I was letting you win. Only a matter of time Zandelia. Only a matter of time... don't let yourself fall into a state of security around me. For I will spring a trap around you quicker than anything!" Laughter and then she continued, "I have only given in for now. Relax yourself. I shall strike soon enough." Straightening she summoned both her arms up, her gaze lifting to the wiggling finger tips as she stretched out. There was the faintest crack, a purse of lips as she sighed, "I'm no actress. Just a deviant waiting to show some true colours." Her hand reached round at that point, a prod upon the nose.

Moving back, she gently twisted, eyes narrowing as she focused. She knew she was capable of moving now - but it still ached to do so. There was a blink to Zandelia, a frown of concentration forming as she raised her arms up, hands pointing to the ceiling as she stretched. A satisfied hum, her brow only raised in amusement as her hands slapped back down to her sides once more, "Tickle me? No. Don't do that. I'm not ticklish. Don't even think-" she shook her head, and the woman came closer.

Skin was still sensitive, that much would have been clear by the way she gave a shudder to the trailing of fingers. A chew upon the lip, a half pout as Zandelia traced the fingers through the hair. But even that quickly faded down to little more than an appreciative purr. Eyes slid shut a gentle lean forward to receive more - until she registered what the woman was actually doing. There was a pull back a snort, her head shaking as she tried to pull free. But she was halted. A shudder, the green-blue orbs focused upon the woman, the mind flickering back and forth between ideas. The mind gave a turn, a rapid series of blinks as she was pushed down, traced across and then left waiting. Arms folded, a scowl upon her face to the woman's explanation as to what exactly she was going to do.

"Should have known," she sighed. The gaze only briefly slid over to Zandelia, and then looked up to the ceiling. For a moment she simply remained where she was, still and unmoving, choosing to be complacent for a change as she lay there. There was nothing to be worried about, the woman was not about to hurt her - only simply groom and pull into some state of organisation. Besides, the touch was soothing in its own way. The feeling of fingers on her hair, the encouraging pat of reassurance. She let her eyes slide shut as she continued, the flickering of memories resting just upon the cusp, "Yes, completely torturous. Utterly. Can you not hear me cry out in pain over it?"

Besides, good things came to those who were patient. So, behaving she simply twiddled with her fingers and thumbs, and cracked only an eye open to the woman's questioning. Lips broke into a smile, a slither of white breaking out from the crack, "That would be telling. And it would ruin the fun if I simply just told you." There was a dart of the tongue, mischief flickering back there once more, "And proud I am. You can do a lot more than I with numbers." Letting her lids shut once more she gave a shuffle on the spot, shoulders rolling as she relaxed, "Yes... very new trick. I... may have just projected myself completely then."

Fallon blinked at that point, having only just realised what she had achieved. It was the work of an expert, of one who understood that school of magic to such a level. There was an exhale, a glance to her hand as she came to terms with what that meant, "I... just... I just reached the same level of understanding as my mentor. Oh petch. I mean, good petch. I..." Surprise rested there for a moment before she let the hand slink down once more. For a chime or so she was locked almost within a state of stun, a low sigh as she released the thought and let it settle, "I... first time on that one Sunshine. No, I haven't been doing it whilst sleeping. That's both dangerous and foolis- Wait... a man?" There was a flicker of concern then, even as the woman teased the hair out once more to braid it.

Lips pursed into a line, a deep inhale as she let an idea come to the surface, "So, you want your book back? How about this..." She let her gaze sweep over to Zandelia at that point, eyes meeting as she did. There was a smile, and a dip into a purr, "If you find it, I will do any one thing that you wish. Apart from anything involving magic. T'is hard work that stuff. So, almost anything... Of course, if you give up before you find it I gain the vice versa. What says you?"