Aspel Cassul: When in doubt, Aspel! (weaponry) wrote in emillion, @ 2014-02-04 22:17:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !log, arielle chiaro, aspel cassul |
So you'll take me home. We'll simmer sweetly, & I will cater to your ebb and flow....
Who: Aspel & Ari
What: What’s wrong?
Where: Ari’s apartment
When: Tuesday Evening~!
Rating: PG-13?
Status: Complete!
Over the course of the past week, Aspel had taken a liking to showing up on Ari’s doorstep quite prepared to ravish the other woman until neither of them could take a moment more with nothing more than their shared words of desire muttered between them, or some general talk on this topic or that. Nothing important, nothing significant, just a mutual finding of distraction, and pleasure in each other, as they always had. Even if the new methods for which both of those things were obtained were a bit more physical than before. Tonight had been considered much the same, that was until part of the way in Aspel could no longer fight the nagging thought that something was clearly wrong with the bard tonight. The exchange was quick, spoken between heated, and needy breaths. “Are you well?” “I’m certainly about to be.” “That is not what I meant…” “I really wish you’d just get back to distracting me.” “... As you wish.” And of course, the smith had obliged. However, with all said and done, Aspel found herself wondering once more what might have possibly been so terribly wrong as to command such significant derivement from the other woman’s own thoughts. With arm wrapped around the bard, holding her close as fingers casually attempted to leisurely stroke through debauched hair, a tender kiss would be placed against the other woman’s forehead, and Aspel’s voice would arise, gentle and soft. “May I inquire once more?” Ari’s chest rose and fell; she exhaled on an audible sigh. “I am well.” If only it didn’t sound quite so much like she was trying to convince herself of the fact. Aspel’s recent unplanned appearances at her door were not unwelcome. All things considered, she might well have spent tonight moping otherwise -- she couldn’t muster the energy to complete the work Vivi had commissioned, she didn’t want to write, or review her script, or… anything really. She felt listless and out of sorts. The other woman at her door was the best possible thing that could have happened to her evening. Sadly, listless and out of sorts couldn’t be permanently supplanted by more pleasant thoughts and sensations, it appeared. With another sigh, she scooted in closer so that she could rest her head on Aspel’s shoulder, closing her eyes. “Just… thinking,” she murmured. She didn’t think that lonely was quite the right word, though it came closer than others might have done. “It’s been an... interesting few days.” Which, she considered, she hadn’t mentioned previously -- was it her imagination, or were they actually talking less these days? Not that Aspel’s attention appeared to have wandered, but… She mentally shook off the thought. “Mm.” The noise would be a confirmation, though the smith wasn’t entirely convinced regardless, and to some degree, that would show through with the faint pulling of a frown across her face. Letting silence fall between them again, the smith considered inquiring once more, another attempt at pushing, but did have a certain worry that perhaps if she pushed too far, she’d quickly find herself kicked from bed. While her and the bard had become quite involved, it didn’t mean that Aspel wouldn’t someday find a boundary she was never meant to cross. Though, the new words brought with them a brief sense of hope. “May I ask how so?” It was a terribly proper way of going about this but… It might be the best she had as to not step on toes, or push into unwelcome territory. “Unpleasantly so,” Ari responded with a small grimace, though it was unlikely the expression would be seen with the way her tousled hair fell half over her face. She wondered what, if anything she could say -- she left me behind seemed plaintive and rather pathetic, especially since she almost certainly wouldn’t have gone even if asked. It was the vagueness of the goodbye that hurt the most. She was going to brush it off, to say never mind, perhaps even seek about for some other manner of mutual distraction -- but what came out of her mouth when she opened it instead was: “I’ve told you before that Bella’s father all but raised me?” It seemed she was going to talk about it, even if she didn’t know exactly how she’d go about it. The first commentary caused the slightest frown to emerge. The idea of Ari being distraught over… Whatever this may be - Aspel was assuming at least with how the other woman was acting - was one that the smith found less than appealing. Perhaps there was nothing she could do, but whatever could be offered, would. “You have, yes.” While Aspel wasn’t sure she’d be much in the way of help, she’d try. Hopefully, her rather miniscule skills in assisting emotional distress would prove more beneficial than not. “He was killed last year.” Not he died -- it was clear enough, even if she didn’t intend to go into detail. “Bella has been… understandably invested in finding out what happened.” The why, and the all-important who. “Knowing her, I think that’s why she left.” And that, Ari thought with another sigh, was telling the story from the middle. Considering stories were her livelihood, it was a rather significant failure. Something else to lay at the door of her malaise, she supposed. She propped herself up on her elbow, brushing the hair from her face, and tried again: “That is to say, I received a very vague note saying she would be gone… indefinitely. No further detail.” A pause, then, “I didn’t know she was going, not until after she’d gone. I imagine she had other things on her mind.” And hadn’t she, too, found other things to occupy her attention at times to the point of distraction from Bella and her doings? But they’d had each other’s backs even so, in their own way. Or at least, she had thought so. “I would have liked to have said goodbye, at least, though it has never been much of a priority with the corsairs I’ve known, I suppose.” They were nomadic, in their way, coming and going on a whim. With most, she wouldn’t have minded. “I hope she will be well,” she added quietly, “though perhaps that is silly of me as she has never failed at taking care of herself.” With an accusation as was presented, Aspel wasn’t sure what else she could do or say. One one hand, she wished to inquire what had led to such obvious beliefs, but at the same time, if this was what was causing Ari such distress, then it may be best not to question such a firmly embedded belief… “Of course.” Was offered passively, not questioning, or confronting, but easy, an attempt at soothing for whatever Aspel could manage of such emotion. Though… Those few bits didn’t particularly help with the story as a whole, now did they? Though, honestly, the smith could at least take a few guesses at what the problem was now at least instead of being utterly clueless as before. “Ah.” Bella had disappeared. Of course. This all made much more sense now. If Mag simply got up, and left with little to no goodbye, well… Aspel would likely understand that it was what the other woman wished to do but… It would still be upsetting. Hell, even when the smith had expected Mag to up and leave almost two years ago now, it had still been hard to let go. A slow nod was earned, and Aspel shifted, raising up slightly to press a soft kiss against Ari’s forehead. “I am certain she will be well.” There was not a single hint of doubt to be found anywhere in Aspel’s tone. Bella never had been the type to get caught up in things she was unlikely to be able to handle… Or well, at least that had been the smith’s experience with her. A hesitation was taken, considering Ari’s situation and circumstance as Aspel laid back. After a moment, she finally chimed in again. “I worried for Mag when she left some years ago. I believe it natural to hold concern when someone dear leaves.” Shifting, fingers stroked over whatever available skin they could find on the other woman. It might not help, but who knew, maybe it would. “Regardless of how capable they are, the mind is often burdened with the nagging question of ‘what if?’ because we care, and due to our own selfish desires to want them in our lives again.” “Yes, that’s probably all,” Ari said. “You’re right, of course -- she will return eventually, hopefully with answers. Hopefully with answers she can live with.” That was a concern, too. The Thieves’ Guild maintained a loose code of honor amongst themselves, true enough, but betrayals weren’t uncommon. bella’s answers could lead her almost anywhere. It wasn’t her problem, Ari reminded herself. At the very least, Bella considered the problem solely her own, so it was time to stop wondering about it. “Bad timing,” she said with a shrug. “That’s all. Aud’s been off in the wilderness somewhere getting her fingers broken by her mad mentor, everyone else has been busy,” you have been unusually reticent, “and I suppose the quiet got to me.” She offered a smile, perhaps not as bright as her usual, but by far more pleasant than her pensive expression, and certainly honest. “The distraction is welcome.” Somehow, the compliance with the suggestion made offered no comfort. It was queer how she’d become… Invested… In the other woman’s mood. “I pray she will.” The words were soft, quiet in their own regards as their agreement regarding hope for answers that Bella could live with. “Mm.” Was the offered confirmation to the timing of it all, though the next words caused a sincere look of shock, and - to some degree - concern to immediately plaster itself across Aspel’s face. “Breaking her fingers?” The words were repeated almost in disbelief. While it was a punishment she herself may have faced while training as a squire, it hardly seemed fitting for someone twenty years later to be enduring, and not of fighter’s guild. A low, displeased hum was given before the smith sighed. “Understandably so.” With that, a slight nod was offered, seeming to let the shock fall away, and the common emotional mask Aspel had taken up as of late fell back into place. “Do let me know how I may assist, no?” “Ninjas,” Ari said, as if that explained everything. To her, it did. “I have never met a single one who wasn’t at least partially mad. And she seems all right, if tired.” And, Ari sensed, rather upset with her but… there was nothing she could do about that, either. Aud would forgive her eventually. They always forgave each other in the end. Aud was that sort of friend. “I’ve never been overly fond of quiet,” she said. She knew Aspel differed from her in this regard, but she suspected the other woman was quite aware of Ari’s own thoughts on the subject. “I suppose I am saying that you may feel free to appear at my door anytime. That is assistance enough.” A thought flickered to life, a consideration to ask for clarification, but it was shortly offered, even before Aspel could figure out what question to pose. “Ah.” Was what seemed best, for what little it could grant. Though, the rest presented Aspel wasn’t entirely surprised by but… Had never been so clearly put before either. “Mm.” A pause. “Tomorrow then?” A question of sorts regarding what the other woman may be involved in the following night. Perhaps Ari would be busy, perhaps not, but if it was distraction she desired, it may be possible for both of them to slip away from all of their troubles together a bit more. Ari could have made some jest, perhaps, but for her the word ‘anytime’ had no secondary meaning; it was careless and easy to say, “As long as I’m home from rehearsal, I don’t see why not. I should be around by eight.” Though after a moment of thought, she amended, “Perhaps nine. I’ve a task I’ve been putting off, and I really ought to finish it before too long.” Vivi was patient -- she knew Ari never let a job go unfinished -- but the lack of completion really had more to do with her mood than any inherent difficulty. Time to stop moping and get to work, she told herself sternly. “Dinner?” The question was easy, careless even to some degree, but it seemed a natural progression to what their conversation had been, and if Ari had been disgruntled, upset, or whatever other mess of emotions could be in the other woman’s head, she may not be eating well. Aspel would have to see a delivery sent this way before long. Hopefully, that grocer she’d had send over a box of basics before would oblige her once more. “I could order something,” Ari said, “but somehow I’m suspecting that won’t meet with your approval.” It was the closest thing to a joke she’d uttered all evening; the amusement felt good. Not that Aspel was quite like Drake, for example (who would stuff her refrigerator full of green things if given half the chance), but she had a notion ordering up from the tavern below would, at best, be gently dissuaded. “Whatever you’d like,” she said. “You know how notoriously picky I am.” An eyebrow quirked, a slight smile tugging at one corner of her mouth. “I suspect that would depend upon what you order, and from where.” Though, the continuation was met with a low hum of supposed agreement, regardless of what she really thought, and without further emphasis placed upon her horrible attempt at a rather vague double entendre. “Terribly so. Whatever shall I do with you?” It was a light tease, something that seemed safe, but sometimes it was hard to tell. That prompted a short laugh. That felt better, too -- somehow, her mood, while not entirely alleviated, had improved. “Are you already out of ideas?” she asked, with an overly innocent expression highlighted further by a rather ridiculous batting of her lashes. “That’s so sad, Aspel. Tragic, really. I suspect in that case there is little to be done with me, alas and woe is you.” “Woe is I indeed.” A slightly defeated deflation was allowed into her words. “I would press my knuckles against my forehead, and make towards fainting, but between my arm being pinned underneath you, and us already having taken up in bed, it seems pitifully inappropriate, no?” Over the course of her speech, a small smirk had begun to form. “Though, I suspect if pressed, I may be able to come up with a thing or two yet. I fear the claim for old dogs and new tricks may be amiss yet.” Ari groaned, rolling her eyes, and said, “I ought to start making mental bets with myself over when you will next make such absurd comment. A pity Ifrit isn’t the gambling sort. Also, your arm makes quite an adequate pillow, thank you, so I’ll just keep it for a little while longer if you don’t mind too terribly. So please,” she added, the amusement finally breaking through to color her expression as normal, “if you faint, do try not to fall on top of me, hmm? I’m quite fond of my comfort.” “Unfortunate you are unable to make gil from yourself, I wager it would bring quite the fortune if you could.” And with Ari speaking in rather full, and elegant - yet wordy - sentences once more, Aspel had a feeling the other woman was faring well in comparison to before. “Ah, speaking of comfort.” The smith’s free hand rose, a single finger pointing into the air. “Would you care to help me attempt a new trick?” Her smile remained a bit sly, and Aspel leaned in for a brief, soft kiss. Ari’s eyebrows rose slightly at the suggestion before a full grin spread across her face. “Novelty adds spice to life, I’m told, and we could always use a little of that. Consider me at your disposal.” After all, a bit more distraction wouldn’t go amiss. |