Ari ♫ ♪ ♬ (gracenotes) wrote in emillion, @ 2013-07-05 08:25:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !complete, !log, arielle chiaro, aspel cassul |
Tough my skin and tell me what you're thinking, take my hand and show me where we're going...
Who: Ari & Aspel
What: Hell Week: night 2
Where: Mostly Ari's flat
When: Late Tuesday night (7.2.13)
Rating: PG
Status: Complete
It was quite stuffy inside the Sphere, especially with stage lighting - even partial - to contend with for long stretches of time. By the time Ari had doffed her corset, changed her shoes, and grabbed her lute case - she still wasn't going out without an instrument, but damn, that mandolin could not be ready soon enough - it was closer to half-past eleven. She tried to hurry her steps, emerging into the blessedly cool night air along with a crowd of other equally hot, cross, and exhausted actors. She spotted Aspel right away and broke away from the group to go in her direction. "Well, aren't you special?" asked the young soprano playing Barbaretta; Ari laughed and tossed over her shoulder, "Get your own escort." Her smile was perhaps a bit uncertain as she approached Aspel - they hadn't seen each other since their argument, and even though Ari had mostly made peace with it, it still felt a little awkward - but at least it was there, and perhaps the uncertainty could be hidden under exhaustion. "I'm sorry for the wait," she said; then, telling herself firmly to stop being ridiculous, rose on her toes, brushed her lips against the other woman's cheek, forced her posture to relax. "Shall we?" Aspel did have a terrible habit of being late, even when she committed to times in the past. However, recently, she found herself being on time, or heaven forbid, early with a fair amount of consistency when it came to certain matters. Those matters seemed to predominantly consist of guild business.... And Ari. Which the latter thought was only briefly turned over in her head, about how they were both making exceptions for each other, before being violently shoved away and locked up tight in a trunk somewhere in the back of her head. Certainly, she'd regret doing so later but for now... It seemed best. If that 'best' was for herself, her own greedy and cowardly desires, or if for Ari, she had yet to figure out, and honestly? It probably wouldn't even be approached again until it was far too late. Regardless, she was there when Ari exited the theater and her rather blasé previous expression - one left due to thoughts circulating in her head - disappeared into a light, yet sincere, smile. "Good evening." A bow of her head was given - no real knowledge of the commentary just moments before - and her arm was offered up to the younger woman. "It is no concern." A moment would be given waiting for Ari's response and forward movement before a nod of agreement was given. "Of course." The evening was cool, as many often were sitting so close to the sea, and pleasant as far as Aspel was concerned. A brief glance was given to the bard, wondering about her own state of warmth for a brief second before the smith cleared her throat. "I pray your rehearsal is progressing well?" "I thought I might roast in there," Ari admitted as they began to walk arm in arm. Her hair was bundled messily on top of her head, and the breeze felt extremely nice against the back of her neck. She was sore everywhere, especially her ribs, but the walk was certainly less unpleasant with company than if she had been trudging back to her flat alone. "Things are going well," she answered, "or, I suppose I should say, as well as necessary at this stage in the creative process. We will be ready to open on time, and really, what more can I ask for? I hadn't thought it possible." There were hiccups yet to be worked through, but then, there always were, up until dress rehearsal. "And if we can all just make it through opening weekend without causing each other permanent bodily harm, I'll have four glorious days off before I have to come back and do it again." She let out a blissful sigh. "I can hardly wait. Next Monday, I intend to sleep until noon." The best part of Hell Week was its end. "And you?" she asked as they continued on their way, pace leisurely. Drake had seemed stressed last night, and she was fairly certain she had not gotten the true reason out of him. It could be Council - or something else. Fortunately, the Tipsy Sheep was only four blocks from the Sphere - hardly an arduous trek. The entire walk took less than ten minutes, even with feet dragging. Though the thought of the stairs did make her want to groan a bit just now; these were the rare moments when she considered finding something at street level. "That would be quite the terrible fate." Aspel couldn't help but muse in response to Ari's pretend ending. Only the briefest pause was taken before the smith quickly leaned over, placing a soft press of lips against the bard's temple, if they were going to pretend like nothing had happened, and quite frankly, Aspel would much rather they did. She didn't need all of the stress of her current position in life weighing in heavily enough to make her feel like she was about to be crushed any more than she needed to have her leg broken again. "Mm." The noise was a confirmation, but the tone sympathetic in its own regard. Aspel had never much gotten into theater, the technicalities of acting or stage work, but from what she had known, it all seemed quite complex and the fact that all of it came together for such grand performances in the end almost seemed a miracle in of itself. "I am certain it shall end quite well. The end thought about bodily harm earned a low, muted chuckle. "I do know a good smith if you need tools for this new trade." A joke, of course, but it was one she couldn't quite help but make. "Ah." A pause as she couldn't help but think over the things that had battered her mind as of late. "Troubled." A pause. "Worried." Was added thoughtfully after a span of only a few seconds. "Yet, things will continue, as they do." It was the best way she had of saying that she would do her best, and simply hoped that would be enough. "Venienti occurrite morbo." The words were let out on a sigh, and a strained smile rose after them. It was a sincere comment, but not one that was easy to swallow. When they finally reached the stairs up to Ari's apartment, a soft smile was given and a glance at the other woman regarding the pause before the stairs. "Problem?" The question was simple, and an eyebrow raised, stopping in her tracks as to not progress any potentially negative forward movement of climbing the stairs. "Should I decide to stab my colleagues, you will be the first person I go to, I assure," Ari said lightly. "Fortunately, I do think I can manage to curb the urge until I can finally have a few days without them. Thursday will help," she added. "It is practically unheard of to get the night before opening off, but the festival will at least offer some respite." She wasn't sure whether she'd be willing to see another human face; perhaps she'd simply climb to the roof of her building and watch the fireworks from there, when the time came? She generally made a point to be out and about on the day, but with everything that had happened, and her own rehearsal schedule... "I cannot blame you." Their conversation about the young mage - if indeed it had been him - and the possible repercussions of the recent situation still weighed on her. She tried not to think about it, but it cropped up in her mind now and again. "Even I am worried, and I rarely worry." But what could she really do about it? There was very little. The saying took her a moment to decipher, but she thought she got the gist of it - there was some benefit to all the Church music she had had to learn, after all. "I am certain you are doing what you can with what you know." Which, admittedly, might not be much, when it came to the latter. They approached the stairs, then, and she sighed, bracing herself for the climb. When Aspel asked, she responded, "The costumer's a sadist - par for the course, really," as though it would explain her hesitance. Well, no way but up; with another sigh, she began climbing the stairs. At least her bed was only a few stories up. "An appropriate decision." A simple smile was offered and an urge for another affection repressed in the moment, as it'd be easier to obtain once they weren't walking down roughly lit streets in the middle of the night. It was hard to explain but the joking response felt like it deserved some sort of reward, even if Aspel couldn't place her finger on why she felt such a sudden desire. "Mm." That earned a nod as Ari continued on regarding the festival. "I fear that even with the day off, I will still be working." With the words came a bit of a tired smile. "A council member's work is never done." And that seemed to be the only truth she knew as of late. "Mm." A low and long suffering sigh would escape, her posture tensing up a bit at the topic of conversation. No words would come but another huff would be given after a moment. "I do not have the faintest where to even begin. It seems like your acquisition and my own were not of the same caliber or... size." Aspel couldn't help the frown that pulled at her lips. "Not a lick of sense, the whole lot of it." The words were slightly muttered as her brow furrowed. "I pray we do not encounter another battle with the beast." With the words a slight shake of her head was given. What else could they really do? While the explanation in of itself offered no direct information, plenty of guesses could be gleaned from its meaning. A low "Mm" once again came forth, that frown faintly popping up again. "Being carried would not much assist, no?" "Perhaps I will send you senseless messages via the network on Thursday, then," she said after a moment. "Or start another game. What sorts of council duties are you expected to perform on festival day? My guild is closed for the duration, except those who are lined up to do the entertaining." With Fedoro and the benefit, she had escaped that this year. "I hope the same," Ari said simply. If the water dragon was as persistent as Ifrit about being let out... she didn't think he would leave something so relatively benign as craters in his wake, when he came. "I've done some reading these last weeks, but what I've found has been somewhat... inconclusive. And that," she said with determination, "is probably all that we need to say about that here and now." The street wasn't the place, even if the street seemed deserted. "But if... well, I told you." It had already been said, and she would go, if such a thing happened again. Maybe next time she would do better at keeping everyone whole. She had to suppress a giggle at Aspel's question. "I'll never say no," she said, her tone teasing, "especially when I am this tired, but I can walk on my own, so it is entirely up to you." One floor up, two more to go. "Not expected per se." The words came out with a slight tightness in them. "As a measure to keep appearances. I suspect it a positive reinforcer to the city that the council remain easily viewable, and thus, I will attend the full day." The smile given to the other woman held no small about of exhaustion in it. Even with being out for almost a week, Aspel was feeling no small amount of strain from the constant social and political pressures of upholding the guild in good standing when really, all she would like to do would be to make weapons and stroll about namelessly in the evening. "Mm." Aspel easily agreed. Though, Ari's additional offering earned a low, interested "Hrm?" With a raised eyebrow as a glance was offered to the other woman. "Mm." Confirmation, and agreement all in the same noise. She was terribly prone to keeping her lips tightly shut when not in private or provoked via liquid courage on most matters in her life. "Ah." Would come the response, something amused trickling into the single syllable, stopping in her tracks, and thusly, causing Ari to pause as well, Aspel would then lean in, lifting up the other woman in a bridal carry with a smile. "I would like to lend my recovered body to more use than it has gotten with the massive stores of paperwork they seem to have saved just for me." From there, a brief kiss would be stolen as the smith carefully moved to carry Ari up the rest of the way, only finally putting her down when they were in front of the bard's apartment door. "I believe this is your stop." There was no lack of entertainment in the smith's tone regarding the matter either. "So then your 'work' will entail... smiling at people and wandering around the festival?" Ari asked curiously. "It seems less frustrating than paperwork, at any rate. Unless you do not enjoy attending? I usually do," she admitted. "Then again, where there's merriment and chaos - and food - I will generally be there. I do not think you enjoy crowds as much as I do." The day of Aspel's official Council appointment had certainly shown that with clarity. Ari had to laugh delightedly as she was swept up. "I believe I could invent a use or two aside from this one, but I cannot complain about it." She tilted her head up to receive the brief kiss, a small smile on her face "You did mention wishing a better use for your hands, the last time we discussed paperwork - here's one I thoroughly approve of." When they arrived at the door, and Aspel set her down, Ari said, "Yes, I believe you're right. But..." She wanted so badly for things to just be normal. She did not want to think about... everything she had had to contemplate for the last several days. The easiest and simplest route there was to loop her arms around Aspel's neck and tug her forward for a real kiss, not urgent, but slow and lingering, before pulling back with a slight smile. "Better," she said, and she certainly felt it. It was nice to be reminded of one of the reasons why she had come to the decision she had. She released her hold to rummage in her pockets, and came out with a key. She needed to get better about not losing them before she had her new lock installed, anyway. The door opened, and she flicked on the light, dropping her things on the table next to the door and already wandering over to drop bonelessly onto the couch. She needed food but... too much effort, she decided. She'd eat tomorrow. "Smiling, wandering, winning prizes for small children, engaging in conversation with those who approach, answering questions about guild information or events as needed," Her voice dropped low, barely a murmur really. "Pretending to be a good little guildie who salutes and obeys the law to a T." A huff of air was let out. "All appropriate and ridiculous notions." The volume this time had risen, back to normal conversational tones, until dropping to a whisper to murmur about the ridiculousness of it all, before rising again. It was much like a secret was being shared with each lowering of sound. "Yet, I fear there will be no pineapples involved." A smooth smile rose. "So, a terribly boring day over all." This time, the good humor had returned to her voice, mocking her own zaniness of a few nights before. The laugh earned a smile. "Is that so?" A crooked grin crossed her face. After the break of the first kiss, Aspel couldn't help the entertained look settling over her features. "I shall endeavor to remember so." It wasn't a long walk, but the stairs did make it a bit more challenging, feeling out her footing along the way made it a bit slower really, but not problematic by any means. Ari being settled down once again, a hand moved, smoothing over her shirt, a light tug to arrange a pant leg given. Then came the words and the smith's gaze raised again to look upon the bard, a curious lifting of a single brow. The tug forward was easily followed, and the kiss leaned into, a low hum of approval in her throat, the kiss slightly pushed, but not terribly so as hands came to rest at Ari's hips without much thought. It seemed the most natural place for them to go in a moment like this. "Mm." The faint pleased smile pulled at her lips at the encouraging word from the other woman. "I suspect so." There was a definite amusement there, and she'd easily follow Ari in after the other had entered, closing the door and flicking the lock closed behind them. The collapse into the couch earned a curious glance, and Drake's words returned. "Have you eaten?" "You are tempting me to offer to keep you company," Ari said. "I was planning on sleeping, but really - your day sounds too fascinating to pass up. Well, I might make you win something for me, as well as the small children, but otherwise, the offer stands, if you want someone to tag along on your guild business." She shrugged, added, "Though I must admit that the lack of pineapples in your plan is quite unfortunate." She enjoyed being carried - she usually did. Drake had caught on to it long ago, and she had no doubt Aspel would too, sooner or later. There had to be some benefits to being small, after all, and her aching feet were grateful, too. "It would be unfortunate if you were to forget," she said. Those other uses of her hands... they'd get to them, by and by. At this point, even without making the promise, she knew it. She was stubborn, but not stupid. When they arrived at her doorstep, she was glad that Aspel was willing to indulge her in the kiss, to put her hands on her hips and lean in and generally just act like everything was exactly as it had been. When Aspel pushed the kiss deeper, she felt the slow, lazy pull of desire, but it was nearly buried under exhaustion. Really, she had initiated the kiss for comfort. If it got her head spinning - just a little - that was just an added benefit. The embrace of her couch, once they finally entered the flat, was a marked relief, but Aspel's question made her groan. "That depends," she answered. "In general? Yes, I must have, at some point. This evening? No." A low chuckle was earned by Ari's commentary. "It was not my intent, but if you so desired, I would certainly be willing to entertain you with small cheap carnival toys, and lunch, or dinner, as your reward." There was an idle shrug given, clearly not bothered by the situation in the least. Of course, that caused thoughts to flicker about how she'd then be buying two people meals. Though, at least they were two people who knew each other and she... mostly enjoyed them both. "My apologies then, perhaps we can see if a toy version can be won from a booth for you then, no?" Another easy tease was added in. "Mm." Her lips pressed together firmly, trying to repress her amusement in the moment. "Like giving you back rubs?" The entertained smile broke across her face again seconds after getting the words out. If she were honest, it had been hard to keep a poker face as long as she had anyway. With the movement into the apartment, the smith considered kicking her shoes off as her feet were feeling terribly warm but the answer caused a frown, and the idea of getting a bit more comfortable was tucked away. "Would you like me to fetch you something?" It was the only natural response she could muster. With the amount of time and energy Ari was putting into all of this, going without food seemed less than ideal if the other woman really wanted to stay fully functional for long. "I doubt I will have crawled out of bed before lunchtime," Ari said. "Dinner seems more likely. Once I am awake and coherent, I'll reach out to see where you are." She had intended to skip the festivities, and would certainly be at least somewhat sore and tired all day, but the company held its own appeal, and she did enjoy a celebration. "Shall it be our mission to locate a toy pineapple? I would have thought you might offer a fruit salad; surely that would be easier to find. But certainly, I accept the challenge of finding it, if you accept the challenge of winning it." She laughed at the words and the expression that accompanied them. "That's right; I quite look forward to it." The last had been quite enjoyable even if she had not been able to get to sleep right away. Such would not be a problem tonight, she had a notion, as she was barely awake to begin with. Even had Aspel suddenly shed all her inhibitions this evening - unlikely - Ari was much more in a mood to curl up against her and spend a few hours unconscious. "Can't I just lie down?" she asked plaintively. "I wouldn't mind that back rub, either." And she could slip off into sleep. Her stomach chose that moment to growl, and she sighed. "There's a couple of muffins left in the kitchen." She had bought half a dozen on Sunday, to serve as breakfast. They were getting stale, but still, better than nothing. "Maybe an apple," she added after some consideration. She often had them around, too, because they were both hydrating and slow to spoil. "Mm, as you wish." The words were pleasantly indifferent almost, there was no concern for Aspel on when or if Ari would be about, the offer for company was nice, and she'd certainly enjoy it, but there had been no expectation for it. "I see no reason why not." The smith couldn't help but be amused by the notion. The idea of finding a toy pineapple seemed a bit preposterous, but it was, if anything, a challenge and one that would probably remain entertaining enough for some while. Then, either she could find one, or just eventually have something made if it became too bothersome a challenge. "As you will receive." A slight bowing of her head was given, though it wasn't until Ari had finished up her desired wishes for the food in the pantry, instead of Aspel running some random errand in the middle of the night. "Mm." Kicking off her shoes without much thought by the door, a long standing practice unless she was particularly exhausted or wounded. From there Aspel retrieved the desired muffin, and apple, taking note of how little food was kept in the other woman's kitchen with a frown. After a moment of digging around, a knife was found, and a plate. Cutting up each piece of food appropriately, discarding the core and seeds of the apple it was then brought back into the living room and offered to the other woman. "First food, then the back rub." Her tone was gentle, but firm. "If I am still awake enough to notice it is happening," Ari murmured, but Aspel had already removed her shoes and gone in search of food, so she doubted she heard. Alone for a few moments, Ari pulled her feet up onto the couch, dug her thumbs into the arches, tried to get some of the tension out. There wasn't any helping her ribs, but she'd have to get up eventually. By the time Aspel had returned with the plate, she was curled into a corner of the couch, her eyelids drooping. She managed to shake off the sleepiness, though, to cram a piece of muffin - stale, as she had feared, ah well - followed by a slice of apple into her mouth. Not the most satisfying of dinners, but it might at least help with the growling of her stomach. One more day, she reminded herself. One more, and then a respite during which she could eat all she liked. "If you are willing to hold the plate under my nose, I will rarely say no to food," she said, once she had swallowed. She gestured to the cushion next to her, in case Aspel wanted to sit down. Not that it would take her long to decimate the meager meal, but she doubted the other woman wanted to just stand over her and wait, either. The first sentence she heard from Ari would be the one regarding holding a plate, and a low huffed amusement was earned in response. Thoughts regarding Ari and food were tucked away; she'd really need to have a delivery made tomorrow. The list of what would need to be picked up and who could deliver it already being pieced together, perhaps she'd get Stone to do it, though, there had to be a grocer with someone willing. With all the other personal errands she had Stone running, she'd feel quite terrible to have the girl do something of this nature too. When Ari gestured, Aspel's brain processed the offer to sit. Hilariously, she hadn't even thought of sitting down with everything else floating through her head just seconds before. A low 'Mm' was given in response to the offer and the smith shifted, moving around to sit next to the other woman. Noting how quickly the food went down, Aspel then ventured to speak. "Did you wish to engage in your back rub here? Or perhaps on the bed?" Either way worked just fine for her, but if Ari was as tired as she had claimed likely to be, that would mean the smith might just end up carrying the other woman before too long. Not that that was any particular challenge either. As anticipated, the food disappeared quickly. It didn't have to be particularly good at this point, just filling, so before Ari quite knew it, the plate was empty of all but crumbs. "That will tide me over," she said. There was one more muffin for the morning, and there would be food around backstage - there was usually something, especially considering it was dress rehearsal day. She sighed, but the sigh turned into a yawn midway, and she raised her hand to cover her mouth. "As you can see, I was quite literal in my descriptions of just how tired I'd be tonight. But..." she trailed off, smiled slightly, "I am still glad you came." It was good to see Aspel in person, to ascertain that all could remain as it had been. And if it was anything like the last time, she was quite looking forward to the back rub, too. "The bed, I think," she said after a moment of sincere consideration. If she fell asleep on the couch, Aspel would carry her to bed, she was sure. But it would be better to start off as comfortable as possible, and she didn't really wish to sleep in clothing she had worn for the last fifteen or more hours. "Give me ten minutes?" she asked. At Aspel's agreement, she rose with a groan and retreated to the bathroom. The few minutes she delayed being horizontal seemed worth the opportunity to rinse her face with cold water, brush her teeth, and discard the clothing to be replaced with a robe. Once she had finished, she opened the door and walked a straight line to the bed, upon which she collapsed face-down, trusting Aspel would follow by and by. "And now," she mumbled into the pillow, "I will not move from this very spot for the next eight hours." "Curious." The word was used more as a filler than anything else as Ari spoke about how the food would tide her over and her exhaustion. Though, at the commentary regarding Aspel coming over was met with a faint, but sincere smile. Thoughts of telling Ari it was no problem, or that she was glad the other woman wanted to see her at all zipped through the smith's mind, but, in the end, all she could figure to be best was quite simple. "It is my pleasure." "Mm." Fingertips had moved to run against her own pant leg in a horizontal line and the smith shifted, moving as if to stand when Ari asked for time. A quirk of a brow was given as the smith sat on the edge of her seat a moment before nodding. "Certainly." With the request for time, Aspel shifted, sitting back a bit and crossing one leg over the other. It was easy to wait when one was at least comfortable. Eyes would leisurely roam about, taking in whatever details available from the belongings lingering around Ari's apartment at this time. Before she knew it, the other woman was back, and in a rather... revealing little robe. Thankfully, Ari didn't make any sort of show of walking straight to her bed. Only after the other woman had flopped down did Aspel bother to clear her throat and stand, making her way over to the bed, and then - taking a moment to consider - moved up onto the large piece of furniture. "Where is the most tension?" The question was simple and she hoped Ari still coherent enough to answer before hands shifted, fingers moving to begin rubbing in slow, wide, circular motions. The first stage to feel out the precise level of tension before a slow, and steady, applying of a firmer pressure to work through the next level of muscle tautness - as the first level eased up - began to be applied while she laid off to the side. The beginning of this quite casual before progressing as Ari felt might be best. If things of this nature kept up, she'd need to buy some oils to accompany these massages before long. Ari smiled a bit when she felt the mattress shift under Aspel's weight. "Everywhere," she admitted when the question was posed, and then, a few moments later, "my shoulder especially." That damned lute case was going to be the death of her. "My ribs are quite sore," she murmured, "so please be gentle." Not that the other woman wasn't, generally. She let out a little groan as fingers dug into her sore shoulder. Faram, that mandolin couldn't be done soon enough. But even with the almost-pleasant pain of her muscles being worked to relaxation, she was already starting to drift. In an attempt to fight off sleepiness, she tried speaking again, though her murmur of, "Feel free to pull the robe down if you like," might easily be ignored. Then again, she was on her stomach, and quite obviously in no mood to start anything, so perhaps Aspel would acquiesce. She had rather enjoyed the soft kisses her neck and shoulders had received last time. "Everywhere?" There was a note of concern in the smith's voice at the response. Her brow furrowed, a slight frown tugging at the corners of her mouth. Was Ari really hurting quite that badly? That would be... Upsetting... Why would she get upset over something so silly a long day of work though? With a slight huff of air the thought was dismissed from her mind. "I will be gentle." Aspel easily confirmed, it was how she generally preferred to treat Ari more often than not. Which, thinking over it, was a little concerning on its own, though also quite curious. The thought was turned over in her head for a moment; the other woman had quite seemed to enjoy the gentle affections but also had responded... quite positively to scrapes of teeth and forceful movements in the past as well.......... Why in Faram's name am I thinking of this now? Aspel's mouth opened, as if to say something in rebuttal, to fend against such notion but... why would she? It wasn't as if she hadn't explored at least part of Ari's shoulders and back before, and.... things of this nature were always far more effective when the appropriate pressure, and touch, was applied skin to skin without the possible misreading factor of cloth in between. "Mm." Was all that was offered before fingers would carefully dip into the top of the robe, slowly pulling it back, and down, as to reveal more of the other woman's skin. Wetting her lips, the smith paused, shifting, her body would be repositioned, carefully to straddle Ari's hips. From this position she could obtain much better leverage, and aim for working on the tense areas of muscle that were sure to require help. Leaning, hair was brushed off to one side of Ari's neck, a soft kiss left against the newly revealed skin. "I hope you do not mind." Another gentle kiss was pressed a bit off to the side of the first as hands continued to carefully work at slowly loosening the tightness in the bard's shoulder before pressing in more to work out the next knot that may be just under the original tension. She was certainly smiling into her pillow when Aspel took her direction to heart and pulled down the neck of the robe. Fingers on skin felt so much nicer - and worked on sore muscles so much better - than when they were deterred by cloth. The pressure as Aspel moved to straddle her hips was welcome, too, and she tried not to move so as not to distract from the pleasant and relaxing feeling of hands working through the knots in her back. It only added to her thoughts about just how much she liked the other woman's hands, in several ways. Not that this was a new notion, but... The contentment only grew as she felt Aspel's lips ghost over her neck and shoulder. "I don't mind," she said on a soft, relaxed sigh. With Aspel avoiding the sensitive spot behind her ear and far from exploring the small of her back, which might actually awaken her, she felt the fuzziness of exhaustion settling in once more. "I've never once..." The sentence would not be finished; as Aspel's hands continued to work gently over her back and shoulders, consciousness lost the battle and fled, and Ari slipped into sleep. The confirmation from the other woman was enough, and Aspel continued to allow fingers and hands to work against Ari's shoulder, slowly expanding along that area and working out to assure that all parts would be hit eventually. "Mm?" Was the question that rose in her throat, but the soft and steady sound or breathing from the bard would seem to indicate that perhaps, Ari had already drifted off into dream land. A soft laugh was muted behind closed lips, and half cut off in her throat. It certain did seem that the other woman was rather exhausted, now didn't it? Whatever the sentence was, or was supposed to be, wouldn't be a matter of worry, or even much concern. However, even with Ari asleep, Aspel would continue to work, press, smooth and massage at the bard's shoulders and upper back for another ten minutes before slowly coming to an end. Hopefully, the continued massage, even if the bard couldn't fully enjoy it, would help enough with blood circulation and muscle relaxation that whatever soreness was left would be somewhat subsided by morn. Pulling up the robe to cover Ari's back and neck appropriately again, Aspel would remove herself from atop the other woman, slowly beginning to prep to sleep herself as she sat on the edge of the bed. It would only take a few moments of prep for bed, and the rest was likely be closer to a nap than actual sleep, but it would be something before she was up at some ridiculous hour again, and heading off for handling more council member concerns. Once done, Aspel would lay down, scooting over to lay close to the other woman, only a second of thought given before shifting to pull Ari into her arms. A kiss was placed against the bard's forehead before Aspel tucked her head down to press her own forehead against Ari's. "Sweet dreams," The other words to continue the sentence suddenly died in her throat at the thought of what would come next. "Mm." A sigh was given, another kiss pressed to the bards forehead. "Sweet dreams." And with that, Aspel would close her eyes, falling quickly into her own - only mildly - troubled dreams. |