Aspel Cassul: When in doubt, Aspel! (weaponry) wrote in emillion, @ 2013-07-10 21:26:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !log, !thread, arielle chiaro, aspel cassul |
Your secret's safe, & no one has to know I'm your getaway, & a little bit more than you can take...
Who: Aspel & Ari
What: Celebrating the end of Hell Week.
Where: Aspel's apartment.
When: Wednesday Evening.
Rating: lulz, PG-13.
Status: Complete!
The net post from Ari had seemed like as good a way as any to spend her Wednesday evening. The bard seemed rather thrilled to finally have some time off, and while Aspel certainly didn't mind meeting up with the other woman, she really hadn't been expecting it either. With all of last week eaten away by obscene working hours and the one night she'd been over Ari basically passing out minutes after getting back, the smith wouldn't blame anyone for wanting to curl up in a corner and stay there for a few days without having to deal with anything, or any other people. Though, Ari was not her, and she was not Ari, and perhaps, at least on some level, that would assist in explaining such things. Certainly, the smith could go out and be social, having elegant conversations and listening to long winded blowhards talk up their extensive networks and accomplishments... It was terribly tiring after a time. There would always come a point where she would start making a game out of it, or chance losing her mind. Sometimes, finding a favorite word, and counting the number of times it was used, or watching for particular mannerisms or body language. Yet, that was neither here nor there. Ari did this sort of thing as a profession, and while Aspel couldn't imagine doing it herself, as it seemed rather overly tiring, she was thankful that someone out there could, would and did like doing such a job. It was a wonderful distraction from some of the more humdrum aspects of her life when an excellent show was preformed. Regardless, Ari had offered to bring over dinner tonight. After the masses of paperwork, arranging proper training periods and.... other things... Aspel was more than happy to let someone else worry about dinner instead of having to think about venturing out to the Duckling or making other such arrangements. Not that it would have been a particular burden but... it was still nice to simply not need to think. In the interim Aspel has leaned back, deep into the couch, her shoeless feet propped up on the coffee table as she read. This book was a review item to determine if it would be appropriate for some of the story times that the children of the orphanage seemed to favor. While picture books could be nice, it always proved a favorite if she could find some sort of multi-chaptered epic that painted pictures in broad strokes with words and allowed the children to access their possibly underused imaginations. These kids could grow up to be whatever they wanted, and all the smith wished to do was to help cultivate that. Some would succeed, others would fail. Some would remember her in a loving manner, others may grow to dislike her over the years for whatever reasons they decided to fathom, but, for now to them she could bring stories of wonder, and read. This book, so far, had seemed appropriate, having just the right mix of messages of doing good, and how the 'clear cut choices' weren't always so easy, without enforcing many of the other stereotypes that remained in modern culture. Her handheld would beep, and without looking up from the page, Aspel's hand reached out, trying to feel for the device without looking up from the page she read, and missing it horribly the first time or two. Finally, after pawing about, her hand glommed down on it, and shut the alarm off. Just in time too, as the clock over the fireplace's mantle struck the hour. Muttering, she rose, stretching a bit and putting the book facedown - pages splayed open - as her bookmark seemed to have escaped for the moment, Aspel shuffled a bit stiffly towards the door, slipping her feet into slippers before heading down to the front room of The Armory. Certainly, Ari would be here any second, if perhaps, Aspel hadn't missed the buzzing of the doorbell already. With that thought, she absently shuffled towards the door, eyes glancing over the mostly reconstructed suit of Mithril armor briefly, and her sword... Still not even touched. If something came up she would be better served by taking something else into combat until she could properly repair it, but what would be best? Another sword? A Sledge- With a shake of her head, the heel of her hand was brought up to tap against her forehead, the other hand working to undo the first of the three locks. "None of that Cassul, there is no need when you have a perfectly serviceable sword or two about." Though, old eerie metal scraping in the back of her head, the grumble wouldn't let well enough rest. However could she ever expect it to? Sighing - all the locks undone - Aspel shuffled back to pick up and examine her sword, dents in the metal, chips taken out of the blade and... The briefest glance of yearning would be cast towards the back room. It would be so simple.... Yet no. Clearing her throat, eyes were turned down once again. She'd need to fix this sword soon. Usually, the first few days after hell week’s end were spent catching up on sleep, shopping, and eating like a normal hume. She had managed the eating - in no small part thanks to the large box of groceries that Aspel had inexplicably had delivered last week - but everything else seemed to have gone awry. Still, after spending a day locked in with Audrey and another sorting out her business, today Ari had finally felt ready to emerge from her isolation. Her offer to Aspel a few days back - made in the middle of the night as she sat watch over Aud’s sleeping form - hadn't really come in terms of a thank you so much as a distraction, but it had been meant at least that way, in a sense; the food alone was worth thanks, not to mention the massages and everything else. It really seemed as if a small gesture of her own was the least she could do. And, perhaps, her own state was troubled enough that she had some need for the easy comfort she found around the smith. And that, of course, was all it was. It wasn't just that she had started becoming accustomed to seeing Aspel with relative regularity. She had chosen to take the scheitholt along, and stopped to pick up roast lamb and vegetables; if she was going to express gratitude, she saw no reason not to be thoughtful about it, and if Aspel was going to struggle through a meal in her presence, it ought at least to be something that the other woman enjoyed. She was at least a quarter hour late, though she maintained that it had been the restaurant's fault, as their purported twenty minute wait for takeout had definitively not been twenty minutes, but she assumed that it was better to be late than early. They had all evening, after all, and by now she did not doubt that the night would end with her in Aspel's bed - most likely fully dressed, Faram damn it all, but... Well, no one could say she hadn't been incredibly patient, and it was clear there were a number of issues she was unaware of contributing to the delay which so frustrated her, but she did have some ideas on that account. Aspel seemed a bit more comfortable with her now, so perhaps there was nothing wrong with a gentle... nudge in the desired direction. In the name of distraction for both parties, of course. With that thought in mind and a smile on her face, she shifted the takeout bag in her arms and rang the bell. After spending some time looking over the weapon, it seemed that instead of attempting to sharpen, buff and beat out the problems with the sword, she was most likely better off metaling it down, and reforging the whole blade. The notion earned a heavy sigh. That would take time, time Aspel wasn't entirely sure she had. With how long it would take to melt the metal down back into the appropriate rectangle for smithing it all over again alone, and she'd need to get out the required mold and... Another sigh, eyes lingering over near a wall with a large cabinet. Putting down the blade, steps were taken towards the cabinet, considering her options for how to remake it stronger when came the bell. Pausing mid-step, a glance was given to the door, considering who it might be, even if only one person should be ringing at this point and time. With that thought, Aspel moved towards the door, opening it easily to behold Ari on the other side. Much like a dance of interaction the smith was becoming quite accustomed to, the door was pulled open, a smooth step taken to the side and back, the other hand gesturing for the bard to move in. "Good evening." She couldn't help the soft smile that rose as she waited for Ari to move in before shutting, and relocking the door behind the other woman. "How is your night thus far?" Aspel had been getting clued in for a bit that when left to her own devices, the bard seemed to keep rather odd hours. Admittedly, it had taken her... Terribly long to come to such understanding, but for now it was there. A hand would be offered out to assist with carrying items if Ari would so allow, and then, regardless of if she was carrying things the smith would lean in for a brief kiss, a pleasant smile on her face before leading the bard upstairs with ever door opened and closed behind them both as needed. Once being upstairs, Aspel set into an easy rhythm. "Living room or kitchen?" A glance was cast over her shoulder briefly before beginning to move into the kitchen regardless of the answer. Considering the quantity of coffee Ari drank, clearly some would need to be made, and there was no reason to hold that process up at the very least. Not even a thought was spared for the book that had been left sprawled open upon the coffee table in the living room. Ari gave the takeout bag to Aspel to carry, tilted her face up easily for the kiss, then responded, "Productive." Granted, her afternoon had also been mildly terrifying, but at least she was on her way to being able to stay afloat. That had to count for something, her discomfort aside. And this evening was bound to be a balm on her somewhat flustered state. She was not getting near water again for at least another week. "And yours?" she asked, unwilling to dwell further on thoughts of swimming. She followed Aspel up the stairs, setting the instrument case down once they were inside. "Living room, I think," she said, even as Aspel disappeared into the kitchen. She would be back with the food soon enough, Ari assumed. "Let me know if you need me to get anything - utensils? I'm not terribly hungry yet, but I probably should eat." Her afternoon had not been particularly kind to her appetite, but she was certain it would reemerge sooner rather than later. By the time Aspel returned, she had kicked off her shoes and tucked her legs under her on the couch. She was flipping through the book she had found on the table with a smile on her face. "I know this one," she said. "I read it when I was... oh, I imagine ten or so? Before I left Ordalia, certainly." She laughed. "I didn't realize you were interested in children's literature. What do you think of it? I must admit, I am tempted to reread it myself. I recall rather liking it at the time." "Is that so?" The curious lit to her voice was easy on the trip up. "Boring, mostly." Was her response before an add on of "And long." Then again, what days weren't as of late? Between attacks from giant sea serpents, undead and masses of creatures flooding the docks - all for no apparent reason - it was enough to give anyone a headache. While action, and driving motivators were all well and good, there was so much red tape to assure it was done in a proper abiding by the law was followed. It brought back many a memory of why she had so aptly gone around the law in her earlier years of life. "Mm." Was the only confirmation to which room they would congregate in. When Ari offered assistance, a moment of consideration was given to the offer. If she put everything out on a tray it would be easy to carry back in. "I believe I can manage. However, if you would care to assure the coffee does not over steep, it would make gathering the required items together a bit easier." Once again, it seemed one less worry would be enough. Was this to be a new constant of her life? It seemed... Appropriate in its own regards, but a bit frustrating to think of how much constant stress she may need to adjust to for her found everyday life. With things rearranged appropriately, boxes put out on the tray with, plates, condiments, utensils and proper serving items, it was all brought back into the living room. The boxes would remain unopened - as Ari seemed unsure if she were ready to eat yet - with things settled down onto the coffee table. With a glance given over to the other woman as she carried on about the story. The brief flickering thought of how she hoped her page hadn't been lost, her feathers being faintly ruffled for the briefest of moments before the settled. "I," The interest in children's literature was a bit more complex. "am." Shifting, Aspel gestured towards the book. "I pre-read any story I wish to bring for reading to children." A slightly nervous, and awkward smile arose as she shifted, arranging things from the tray to the coffee table appropriately. "Someone must assure what is being read is proper for their developing minds." "I've been catching up on all manner of things these last few days," Ari said. "Free time is a luxury I've lacked recently." She should already have been wallowing in it now; even with the show eating up her weekends, she had been looking forward to reacquainting herself with the life she had mostly put on hold while rehearsals ran. Hopefully, that started tonight. "I suppose I will do what I can to liven up your evening, then, if your day has been dull." The scheitholt alone was likely to be enough to ensure the betterment of Aspel's evening; Ari still didn't consider herself fully proficient, but she had found some simple Kerwonese folk songs which she could now pick out with confidence, and she had a notion that Aspel would greatly appreciate them, simple things as they were. The pause was noted, but she did not probe further at the moment, instead setting the book back down on the table, marked with the dinner receipt from her pocket at the page which had originally been left open. She wondered if there were any bookmarks around. She understood the difficulty rather well, as she was forever losing the things, and half of the books at her house were marked with ribbons and various scraps of paper. "I'm going to assume the coffee is nearly done." She retreated for the kitchen while Aspel set down the items from the tray, to return with the coffee pot and two mugs, in case the other woman wished to join her. She was usually the only one to partake this late in the day, but she brought the second mug anyway, just in case. "So," she said, once she was settled back on the couch, "whose children are you reading to?" Another Aspel mystery, it seemed. "That would only make sense." Ari had seemed to have so little time the week before with everything that was going on. There had been some mention of fourteen hour days that had caused Aspel to make faces, even if only briefly before realizing she had probably had many days that compared in hours while solely focused on The Armory before this point. Somehow though, it seemed terribly different than the current standing of things. Though, perhaps that was just the difference in what company they had to mutually keep while doing such things. Aspel had nothing more than the metal around her, her hammer, and the forge to deal with for most of the day, whereas Ari had a various assortment of characters to face. Once again however, to each their own. "I do believe it better already." The comment was sincere in its own regard, but she couldn't help but add a slight joking spin on it regardless, and after another brief kiss would be leaned in for. This one just as short and innocent as the one before. When Ari made commentary regarding the coffee, a brief nod was given as confirmation of Ari's decision but little else was said. Putting out the appropriate coasters for drinks, and putting a spoon into the sugar bowl. Though, the return of the other woman with the pot and two mugs, a look of understanding would cross Aspel's face. "Ah, I had meant to make tea for myself." A hand was held out towards the second cup, as if to take it for when she moved back into the kitchen. The question regarding whose children struck a queerly raw chord within Aspel, a sad smile would be offered to Ari. "I fear it is not whose, as they do not much belong to anyone anymore." Whenever those thoughts struck, she often found it hurt her heart. Eyes dipped down into the empty cup, fingers slipped underneath the handle then tapped against the side. A few seconds would pass before she cleared her throat. "I suspect you could label them as wards of the city or church if you must." Not meeting Ari's gaze, the smiths eyes finally rose, and a few steps were taken in direction of the kitchen. "Did you require anything else from the kitchen?" Ari was glad of the other woman's stated improvement in mood. Aspel had appeared a bit preoccupied at her arrival, but the smiles and easy affections seemed to indicate she was not against letting herself be distracted from her thoughts. A fortunate thing, as Ari herself was rather interested in distraction at the moment. She had to spare a thought for the fact that their desires in several things so often seemed aligned lately - with one glaring exception. Well, perhaps... Her thought process was redirected to coffee, and she handed over the other mug with a good-natured shrug. "I didn't know - I should have realized to put the kettle on." Which, actually, meant she was spending a great deal of time here, which came with its own host of problems... Right, distraction from that, too. It came in the form of Aspel's soft, rather sad reply to her last question. it took Ari a moment to realize the meaning behind the words, and she couldn't help a small, bemused smile from creeping up. Reading to orphaned children, despite what was clearly a mad schedule? It was so very... Aspel. She had to wonder, again, how the other woman could claim not to be a good person and keep a straight face. Her own repeated accusation that Aspel was too nice came to mind again; she hadn't even known how right she was at the time she had first made it. "I'm certain they enjoy your company." It was a curious mental image, almost... sweet. Ari wasn't the type to swoon over acts of philanthropy, but she had to admit the image held some appeal. "I will have to recommend some stories to you," she said after a moment of thoughtful silence. "I know quite a few." Really, she preferred to tell stories rather than reading them, but she had been an avid devourer of stories all her life, and knew of dozens of interesting and obscure books. Some of them, she thought, might even pass Aspel's standards for appropriate reading. "I don't need anything else," she said, returning to the lighter topic of coffee, shaking her head as she doctored it with sugar and took a sip. Once the other woman was gone, Ari gave another considering look to the boxes of takeout, then chose to pull her instrument case into her lap instead. By the time Aspel would return with tea, she was tuning it, plucking out snatches of scales here and there. "I did promise to keep you apprised of my progress," she said with a smile. "I've had some time backstage to tinker - not much, but enough that I'm not entirely ashamed to show you what I've managed to learn." And maybe a little playing before dinner would soothe her, too. "You will have to tell me whether any of the songs I dug up have words; I didn't find any, but that doesn't always mean much." Folk songs were malleable like that, and existed in dozens of incarnations. Just because the scores she had found had no words didn't mean none existed. "It is no concern." A hand idly waved off Ari's commentary. It wasn't as if the other woman could know all of Aspel's nightly habits. No one but Aspel could really, and it wasn't like they had been living together, just that they... Spent a fair amount of time in each others space. Something uneasy rose at that thought. They had been spending a terribly great amount of time together as of late. How many times had Ari stopped by while she was recovering? How many times had they spent the night together in the past month? How many....... Fingers curled in, her wrist rolling. "Yes, certainly." The words were a touch absent with her footing heading in direction of the kitchen. How had she not realized the number of times that Ari had been over, or that they'd spent the night together? Because she was hurt? Because Ari was nearly passing out from sheer exhaustion? Maybe, maybe they should spend a little time apart. Thoughts raced a bit while assembling her tea. No, it wasn't anything. It was just friends, they were friends, helping each other out. That's what friends did. That was what she told Vivi, Lea, and so many others in her life. Friends were there for each other. Thankfully, that calmed her thoughts enough that when she returned any strangeness that might have come up, if any, seemed to have vanished as she stirred honey into the green tea. Though the sound of notes, and sight of the instrument brought a rather pleased smile to her face. "Have you?" This time her tone was rather gentle, and perhaps, even the tiniest bit eager. Ari continued to talk - as Ari did - and Aspel wordlessly listened, offering a nod of agreement as she sat. "If I do, I shall inform you of such." One leg easily crossed over the other the tea steaming easily with the cup held by the handle. "Do you require anything before starting?" A curious brow raised, a bit unsure of Ari's normal practices precisely. Certainly, she had played before but Aspel had really only seen practiced instruments, aside from the one performance that had been gained with this instrument. At that time, really, the bard had still been learning. Who knew if anything had changed since then. "Nothing too impressive, I assure you," Ari said. She wasn't looking for unrealistic expectations tonight. Just a few folk songs, she thought, stroking her hand for a moment over the strings of the instrument upon her lap. Something pleasant and relaxing. "And I don't need anything except an indulgent - and forgiving - audience." She had picked slower songs, primarily, as she continued to learn her way around the strings. She was able to provide simple harmonies now, though, and the melody in its minor key was strangely beautiful in its simplicity. She lost herself in the tune for awhile, letting her shoulders relax. The thoughts which had been bumping against each other in her head - Audrey's tears, the pool, Wil's persistent questions, her own uncertainty about the terrain she was exploring now - flowed away to be replaced with notes and rhythms. She bit her lip in concentration, successfully navigated the tricky passage at what was surely the bridge. She assumed there were words, in some scroll somewhere. It seemed a song meant for them, She finished with a rolled chord and a smile. "That is the most impressive, I'm afraid," she said. "Terrible performance order, I know - the best should be saved for last - but it is my favorite of the lot, and as I said, I expect my audience to be forgiving." She smiled a self-deprecating smile, shrugged her shoulders. "Another?" "You have never had to ask for that." The thought seemed almost silly to the smith. Why would Ari even ask for such. Certainly, anything the other woman could do was far better than what Aspel could ever even hope to dream about doing. Even if it was still being polished, and refined according to the bards standards. Aspel couldn't help but be enchanted. Maybe it was the memories of this song, or perhaps just songs that sounded like it, from times in her childhood. Perhaps, it was just the fact that Ari had gone to the time and length to figure out how to play the instrument, and learn this specific song. Or maybe it was... Ari did look quite beautiful when lost in playing like this. In the depth of the song, her tea was all but forgotten, as the steam that rose from the glass disappaited and disappeared altogether before long. The spoon that had been used for gently stirring the contents, left to rest against the side of the cup, allowing the metal to heat up from her distraction. Thankfully, that heat wouldn't rise too high. When the other woman finished, and then babbled on regarding the complexity of the song, the poor song order, and the plea for forgiveness, Aspel shifted, the mug of tea being absently placed on the table, completely without coaster beneath it. Her other hand fell to the cousin between them, palm face down in the fabric and then, turning, the smith would lean over the instrument. A firm kiss being placed against Ari's lips, a brief break, and then another one following in its place with the slightest change in the tilt of her head. Breaking away again, her forehead would press against Ari's. The weight of Aspel's body leaned over her own arm, and her words not much more than a whisper. "It was beautiful." The kiss - and the reaction overall - were welcome, though unexpected. Ari allowed herself to sink into the second meeting of lips, leaning forward over the body of the instrument and encouraging the kiss to deepen. One hand came up to rest on Aspel's cheek, remaining there when the other woman pulled away and their foreheads touched. "I'm lucky you've such a weakness for such simple gifts," Ari murmured, a small smile playing across her lips. It seemed such a small thing - just a song, without words even - to have such a profound effect. But she, too, knew what it was like to be touched by music this deeply. She had rarely seen the reaction outside of bards, though. "Didn't I say some time ago that the song is only as beautiful as the one for whom it was intended?" The audience made a performance, after all. "Perhaps I should repeat it, every time you are so touched." She tilted her face forward as they were so close, placed another lingering kiss across Aspel's lips. "May I..." She shifted, removing her hand from Aspel's cheek so the she could set the instrument gently on the floor before wrapping her arms around Aspel's neck, dropping her head to rest on the other woman's shoulder, nose pressed against her neck. "I'll play another in a moment," she murmured. But first, just a little respite. She had had a very long few days. "They are not simple to me." There was perhaps, just a touch of vulnerability there, accompanied by just a little embarrassment. Aspel had never been one to receive much in the way of gifts that had required deeper thought, or continued effort on the other person's part. While she had given Ari the instrument with hopes of hearing the other woman play it, not much thought of just how much effort the bard may put in - with hours of practice or private shows springing up - had occurred. At the other woman's compliment, something a bit shy crept into Aspel's smile. "Then I suspect all gifts that I give shall pale in comparison, no?" Her hand rose, fingers moving to push a few rebel strands of hair our of Ari's face if it could be helped. Though, somehow, she suspected that those efforts may be terribly in vain. The kiss, when it came, was returned, though at the words a low "Hm?" with a curious raising of brows was all she managed before Ari was moving wrapping and pressing herself against the smith. Aspel couldn't help as her lips formed into a bit of a line, brow furrowing with worry. With a shift, her arms would move, wrapping around Ari and pulling the other woman closer so that the bard could comfortably rest in her lap. Pausing a moment, Aspel considered her options. Her words. A kiss was placed against the top of the other woman's head, lips resting there for a moment before the smith pulled back slightly, bowing her head, and spoke softly. "Are you.... well?" "Simple does not mean lacking in worth," Ari corrected, but let it rest. If Aspel wished to see these small performances as something grander, she would not fight the other woman on the matter. Art was, after all, in the eye of the beholder. "I was not fishing for the compliment, but I'll take it." She couldn't help a smile at the rather gallant statement. She followed the urge to press closer when it came, allowing Aspel to reposition her so that she was in the other woman's lap. With a small sigh, she placed a kiss at the juncture of neck and shoulder, permitted herself a few moments of relaxation before Aspel spoke and she felt the urge to answer. "I am not unwell." Hadn't they covered this ground before? Ari surely believed that they had. Before she quite knew what she was doing, she blurted out, "I tried learning to swim today." Of the many troubles which had plagued her lately, that seemed the most surmountable. "After the last time I was submerged..." and terrified, "it was not the most comforting experience of my life." And Wil had not been particularly gentle with her. Which, she supposed, she should have expected. She had asked him because she'd known he wouldn't coddle her, after all. She just hadn't expected him to be quite so harsh. "Ah." Would be the only response as there was no need to fight such point, not when a fight was hardly the intention. Though, perhaps, for one of the first times in a long time, they both interpreted what each other said differently, but seemed, at least on some level, to come to an understanding of sorts in the end. Perhaps they were getting better at catching each others meanings than even they had fully realized. "It was not given with such intent." The retort was easy, effortless really. Ari adjusted as she seemed to feel needed and then fell quite for a brief bit. The smith hadn't a clue if there was anything she could really do at all, but she was willing to try, even if it would not amount to much in the end. Faint words haunted the back of her head, but were shooed off before they would be allowed to percolate and cause any more confusion than she had already endured that eve. Even with the new words, the attempt at a beginning of an explanation, it did not seem to ease Aspel's concern much, if any at all. "Did you?" Came the soft words, offering up a gentle and sincere curiosity, one that the smith hoped would encourage Ari to continue at the very least. "Mm." The noise sounded a bit thoughtful, and would allow silence to stretch out between them for a bit before Aspel started in again. "There is much in the world that we can fear." Once again, her tone and intention was to be gently encouraging, but she could only hope it would come off that way. "Did you do so by yourself?" It didn't seem like a task that one would take on solo but... The world could be full of foolish acts and people. Another tender kiss would be placed atop Ari's head, regardless of her answer. Ari was about to protest, to explain that she had - mostly - spoken in jest, out of a need to say something light and even perhaps a bit frivolous. That she often teased those who complimented her this way. That it did not really mean she thought the compliment had been in any way forced. But it seemed too much trouble to explain these things, and the kind words had certainly served their purpose in lifting her fluctuating mood. "I did," Ari confirmed. Said out loud like this, it seemed a little silly. It had been a small pool, hardly deep, she had been able to see e bottom, and Wil was harsh but would never have let her drown. And still... "I did not actually think I was afraid," Ari mused. "At least not until quite recently." She thought of the docks and the sea serpent again, shivered slightly. Wil's prodding at her current emotional confusion hadn't helped with the reminiscence, either. "A friend took me. He was... efficient, in his way." She pulled away, then, offered a sincere smile. "And that is quite enough dwelling on that." Her usual method - ignore the problem until she forgot about it. It worked most of the time. "I promised you another song, didn't I?" She attempted to scoot back into her previous seat, reaching once again for the scheitholt. "Perhaps I ought best to occupy myself with my music rather than climbing into your lap just now. I am all right," she said, and meant it. It was really only the unexpected kiss and Aspel's heartfelt expression of appreciation that had awakened the brief and sudden desire to be held. "Mm." A low noise, and the slightest of nods would accompany it. "Did you feel safe?" Sometimes, it didn't matter if someone else was there or not, if they could not give you what you needed to feel protected, then it would not matter how wonderful a person they were, or how good they were at what they did. When Ari explained it was a friend, the smith couldn't help but give a cant of her head, a seemingly curious look still present regarding the whole situation. Even with a friend the bard still seemed... A bit shaken. "It must have been a considerable weight." The comment was even, sympathetic to Ari's plight but devoid of Aspel's own emotions on this regard. It was not her place to comment, especially whens she did not know what about. "You are not required to." The smile the rose was tender, and a hand would linger across Ari's arm as the other moved. "My lap is a welcome invite to you, whenever you may need it." It was the best she could offer in a time like this, even if it was not much. Though, a little piece of Aspel wished the bard would stay, would simply cuddle up to her and wait there. Maybe if they stayed like that, together, long enough, all these other troubles would just wash by them. Though, that was a rather silly thought. However, Ari was moving, removing herself from Aspel, and while the smith did want to push, she wasn't certain this was the right time, or place for such a thing. With that, a simple squeeze would be give to the bard’s arm before Aspel let go, letting the other woman move as she felt she most needed. How to answer that question? "Eventually," she said, after considering. That seemed the most genuine answer she could summon. She had forgotten her relative safety for some time, or foolish panic had overtaken her, but she had ended up accomplishing something, in the end. And Wil had dunked her - for her own good, ha, more like for his own amusement - but he wouldn't have let her come to harm, either. "It was strange," she said. "I am not often afraid." When she fought, she had learned to push the fear back, and when a fight ended, fear seemed unnecessary. She was capable and even strong, in her way - she worried on occasion, but feared rarely. "That is why I said not just now - I may take you up on that invitation sometime very soon," she said, flirtation and amusement both evident in her expression and tone. It was certainly in her plans to repeat sooner rather than later, but she preferred to skip emotional vulnerability while she did it. The two would not mix well. "Don't say I didn't warn you," she teased. But for now, music. Music was a comfort in its own right. She set the instrument across her lap again, thought a moment, then said, "Something more cheerful this time." It was still a slower melody - though she had earmarked a few dance tunes, she was not quite proficient enough to brave the tempi - but more serene and certainly less mournful than the last. In fact, it was simple enough that she was able to speak softly over it. "Is any of this familiar, or are my sources so esoteric that I've somehow found music you've never heard before?" It wouldn't serve nearly as well as a gift in that case - after all, her goal was to provide a small taste of home, if she could do so. Aspel's clear delight whenever she brought out or even mentioned the scheitholt told her quite clearly that such was very much desired. The 'eventually' did earn its own spike of concern, a level of worry making Aspel simply want to tighten her grip around the other woman and not let go for a good long time. However, the urge was culled and when the rest came to light a faint nod was accompanied with a "Mm." Though, she couldn't much seem to help the look across her face, and while the desire was there to touch, to attempt to comfort further, it was something that would remain repressed. Even with the new words of the other woman starting to show a different emotion, the concern didn't quite fade from the smiths face. Her brows would only remained furrowed a moment longer, the expression falling away, if it was due to her own dropping of the topic, or simply a long practiced facade of going along with the flow of others was still strange middle ground, that not even Aspel was certain of one way or another. "As you wish." Came the simple response, and Aspel shifted back, attempting to find a comfortable position to listen once again. Of course, it wasn't long before Ari started up, and the smiths eyes wandered off, seeming to get a bit lost for the time. There was a distance there that remained until Ari spoke. "They are familiar, in a sense." The composition was, the way they felt like other things she'd heard, other times she'd been in, even if the songs themselves have never been heard precisely, not in this exact incarnation, it was enough. The brought forth memories - both good and bad - of times long lost, of things she'd missed and hated all at once. In fact, she'd be lying to say that they might even remind her of things she hated in herself. Yet... Was that not at least partly the point? As much as she loved Kerwon, her entire history upon the continent had always been bitter-sweet at best. It often made her wonder if perhaps, her own life, and end, would end up much the same. Could it be anything but? She felt a bit bad for having worried Aspel - that she had done so was written clearly upon the other woman's face. But if she were to insist yet again that she was fine, that the moment of vulnerability had passed, that really, nothing was wrong... well, she had a notion such attempts would be counterproductive. She stayed quiet instead, choosing to use her physical reactions and expression to show her own relative serenity. Even with everything happening lately, she never stayed down for long. She was sorry for the distance, though, the intimacy of the moment slipping away into this removed silence. But she played, letting the music fill the space between them, and when she spoke, Aspel spoke back, and that was response enough to keep her from worrying overly much. Although worry was more common than fear, she enjoyed neither. "All folk music attributed to a particular region comes from the same roots. You can discern origin by chord progression and various melodic elements," she mused. "There is a certain richness to the sound, and a fullness to the chords that tells me this is from Kerwon better than any book or scroll. It is rarely delicate, the way some Ordalian music is, but always beautiful, if a bit... heartrending at times." Was there a metaphor in there somewhere? Probably, she thought, but didn't make it. She ceased her musings for awhile, concentrating on the notes and rhythms as the song drew to an end before continuing. "And as usual, I prattle on about irrelevant things. What are you thinking?" she asked, curious. Listening to Ari describe how she could, and did, go about ascertaining what music was from where was an interesting matter altogether. "Curious." Came the brief mutter regarding all of it. Though, when the bard mentioned how 'heartrending' Kerwonian music was, it simply earned a sad smile. There were really no words Aspel could give to such an apt statement of terms surrounding it. No rebuffs, no defense, no disagreement came to mind at all, especially knowing her own past, and the many other broken people she knew that came from the lands she called home as well. So instead, Aspel would remain silent, carefully listening, her tea still sitting on the table and long forgotten at this point between the songs and what attention she paid to Ari. It was strange, and powerful, how music, art really, could transform a thought, a feeling, a room, into someplace else. To remind one of their grandure, but also of their failures. Both, in rapid succession were quite hard to swallow, but somehow Aspel would, and did manage to remain much less emotional this time, even if she was greatly enjoying the song. A moment was taken, scrolling through and cataloging each thought she could remember at this point, considering them one by one before finally dissenting to go with, hilariously, what had been her first thought. "I was thinking, that I wonder why you consider your talk irrelevant." "Because," Ari said with a laugh, "most people find music theory - and etymology - quite dull. I have been told more times than you could possibly count, 'just play it, don't dissect it.'." She wasn't entirely without sympathy for the requesters, either. Sometimes, one wished to simply enjoy music without taking it apart. But she did find the theory behind it all terribly fascinating. "I imagine I'm afraid it sounds to you much like a recounting of steel-folding techniques likely would to me. I can enjoy what you make without getting into the fine details of how or why. I do think if I began talking to you about twelve-tone composition techniques, even you would beg for mercy. Even I find it dull." And terribly grating on the ears. Why did some composers feel the need to create a thing as ugly as possible? "But that," she finished, "is neither here nor there. Another song, until I exhaust my limited repertoire, or shall we attempt dinner while it still has some chance of being warm? Unless, of course, you've other thoughts?" "Well," The beginning was easy and with a roll of her wrist she'd then continue. "never let it be said that I am not a terribly curious sort." A sort of tentative smile rose. At this point, it should be obvious, at least in theory, that Aspel did quite like learning new things. If it was art, science, magic, history, or other, her interests had gotten her far in life, even if some of those directions had been regretted in the end. Regardless, the open minded factor allowed her to aptly deal with many of her common day council duties without personal judgment, but a wariness of what may befall those who did choose to walk down certain paths in the end. "We could attempt sometime and see how I fare I suspect." The faintest smile emerged. "I cannot say I beg often or easily." The idea of twelve different sounds at once sounded like it could be interesting, or perhaps very horrible depending upon which tones were selected and why. Though... Why anyone would pick ill fitting tones seemed utterly baffling to the smith. Though, at Ari's plethora of suggestions, an idle shrug was given. "I am open to either, or other suggestions if you have them. It is not as if we do not have time tonight." Especially, if Ari was to spend the night. Perhaps she should just start putting aside a tunic every time Ari mentioned thought of visiting in the eve. "Perhaps I should save us both the trouble and teach you to play sometime instead?" Ari suggested. "I'd rather spend an hour or two positioning your hands on strings," or other places, "than explaining how atonal music is.... a reflection of the vastness of the universe and the pain of the soul." Utter rubbish, if she were honest. "You've a good ear; considering your vocation, you must be coordinated; with some practice, you might be rather good at it." Never much of a bard, with her voice, but there was something to be said for playing for the joy of it. "My choice? Let's see. We could eat," she counted off with a finger against her hand, "I could play," another finger, "or I could climb back into your lap and let dinner get cold." She grinned. "All three hold merit." And best of all, she was hardly thinking of her troubles at all anymore. "I do suppose we could get to all of them, by and by. You've no preference at all?" A low chuckle slipped out at Ari's commentary about teaching Aspel to play. "I fear I would be quite atrocious at it." She'd never much taken up music, though it was a terrible weakness for her in what would catch the smiths attention and hold it for some time. Yet, were she honest, most aspects of art did that in one way or another. "I do believe I will leave the music to you, unless you truly do wish to be tortured as such." The commentary held enough good cheer behind it to at least be somewhat teasing all on its own. There was no telling just how good Aspel really would be at it without trying. Though... It was somewhat nice to have something that someone else could bring for her enjoyment and distraction, that she could learn about from them slowly, bit by bit as the information was presented, and naturally brought forward. Aspel's eyebrows raised as Ari began to go through her choices. A nod would be given to the first, a faint smile of amusement pulled at her lips for the second, and with the third another low chuckle was earned. "I suspect all three do. However, I am quite fine with any of the three." Though a little piece inside her tugged at perhaps venturing towards the first two options. They were safer after all. "The food can be reheated, I am certain we would have plenty of time for the other two." A simple shrug was presented. "There is option of attempting to mix and match as well, I suppose." It seemed an unlikely idea that certain ones would be feasible to mix at all, such as the food and Ari playing a song. That one could prove rather difficult at best though... The other two seemed... As if that might not be the most terrible ideas she'd ever had. "I doubt that, somehow," Ari said with amusement. "And it would not be torture for me, but I wouldn't wish to force my lessons upon you. To be honest, I am probably not the best teacher, to begin with - they have threatened me with an apprentice more than once, but I always get out of it." The thought of the patience required to deal with a child only learning his or her solfege was mind-boggling. She wanted no part of it. "I suppose that means I must simply continue to sing and play for you, yes?" She doubted very much that Aspel would mind. "Mixing and matching, is it?" Ari asked, very entertained by the notion. "If I'm to play and eat simultaneously, you will have to feed me, you know. Otherwise, I could clamber into your lap with my instrument - or the food. Or, if you're feeling really adventurous, I could clamber into your lap with both." The thought of playing perched in the other woman's lap while attempting to eat what was fed to her was so ludicrous that she couldn't help a laugh. "Quite the exciting evening we would have then, don't you think?" She gave it a moment of consideration. Although she was certainly less shaky now, the food did not yet hold appeal, though she assumed her stomach would protest sooner rather than later. Having considered, she propped the instrument upright against the corner made by the cushion and the arm of the couch, then pulled herself back into Aspel's lap, sitting sideways, one arm draped across the other woman's shoulders. "I likely could play from here if you really wanted," she said, "although I think I prefer letting dinner get cold for now." She closed the small distance between them for a slow, lingering meeting of lips before pulling back slightly. "I did promise you a song and a kiss." And while there had been two songs, the light and casual kisses Aspel had initiated hadn't been quite what she had in mind. A low chuckle would simply be all that Aspel would give in response, clearly quite amused with Ari's rebuttal. "Would you desire to teach an old, foolish fighter to dance about with a lute quite that much?" Well, she could already do the dancing, but somehow mixing dancing and playing an instrument seemed far beyond what the smith ever felt she might be able to appropriately manage. Not without years of practice, and really, she had only recently really been fully coming into her own as a Sentinel, Aspel would much rather finish that path and master it a ways further - probably another four years at this rate - before even possibly considering any other class that might be possible. "That would suit my preferences quite well, if you desire to humor me with such as well." Of course, they needed to mutually agree for it to really be any sort of significant fun after all. "That option did seem a bit much." Aspel couldn't help the entertainment in her tone at the thought of Ari playing and eating at the same time. Of course, that would probably prove the most problematic of the three in the end really. The idea of attempting all three at once however, did earn its own laugh and a shaking of the smiths head. "I am unsure if my adventurous streak is quite daring enough to combine food, music and a bard in my lap. I fear that may even be a bit more difficult than the the eating and playing for feasibility." Amusement would remain present regardless. "Though, I am not against humoring, or feeding you, if some wild notion struck you that you felt quite that adventurous." The idea, in theory, might have been simple, but when factoring in limbs, and instruments, and movements required to accommodate all of it... It quickly become much more difficult than one might think. "Do you wish it?" The question was simple, and sincere. A throaty, amused noise slipped out when Ari made commentary regarding dinner getting cold. Which, was quite fine by Aspel. She'd really been trying not to eat before meeting up with those who she was to dine with - an old habit that would now need to be abandoned if she were to make progress - yet, her appitite tonight had not allowed for waiting completely. "As you wish." Came the murmur before Aspel leaned in, meeting the bard part way for the kiss, letting it linger, and pressing back a bit, but nothing that would indicate any sort of rush would be required. "I suspect you did." Amusement colored the near whisper before the smith leaned in, smirking, for another press of lips. "If anyone here is going to give dancing lessons, it wouldn't be me," Ari pointed out with a laugh. "It seems to me you're halfway there already but," she continued, "I'll be generous, especially since I enjoy humoring you. It is hard not to enjoy it when you're always such an appreciative audience." It was flattering to have her music be taken with such sincere and emotional reaction. And the side benefits... were considerable, as well. She had lovers sometimes who were fond of music, but rarely to such an extent as Aspel. Of those whom she knew and liked well enough to offer, Drake generally tended to prefer the practical applications of her singing, even if he did attend the opera whenever she was performing. But Ari did love to play and sing for the sake of the music itself, and it could not be denied that such an activity was more enjoyable when the music could be shared. Their friendship was well-suited in that way. In, perhaps, several ways. It was equal parts comforting and worrisome. "I feel like that would end with grease on my instrument and a number of incorrect fingerings," she said. She hadn't really been suggesting it, but the image had been too amusing not to share. "I do recall telling you I'm rather weak to adventure, but not of that sort; I think I shall leave such acrobatics to those with less sense than you and I surely possess." There were other sorts of adventure which seemed far more appealing in this instance. "Perhaps later," she said of her desire to continue playing; it would be a bit cumbersome, but the third melody she had brought was quite simple, entirely manageable even from this vantage. But first... Aspel answered her kiss, soft and unassuming, but enough to get Ari's blood humming, just a little. "I keep the promises I make," few of them as there are, "but as with the songs," she murmured, so close she could feel Aspel's breath against her face, "no need to content yourself with only one, if you do not wish it." As she met the second kiss and teased it deeper, her arm around Aspel's shoulder tightened ever so slightly and her other hand came up to cup the other woman's cheek, thumb, stroking over her cheekbone. They had had their fair share of light kisses, easy affections, and even Aspel's slow and hesitant exploration of her back, but it had been several weeks since she had last had an opportunity like this, to sink into a kiss until her heartbeat sped and her blood warmed. Not since the afternoon in the kitchen, which had ended so poorly... Slow and easy, then, in an attempt to allow the heat to rise gradually; the two previous instances where the sudden insistence of her advances had spooked the other woman were quite clear in her mind. She worried Aspel's lower lip between her teeth a moment, flicked her tongue over it. It wasn't an attempt at seduction - exactly. She did not intend to push in that way, much as she would have liked to do so. But as she pressed herself closer, it was at the very least a testing of the waters. Ari's commentary held its own level of amusement, and a low chuckle would slip out. "I am hardly the best in my family." Even with that simple statement of truth, Aspel's smile didn't wan. "It is the least I can do." There was a certain smug amusement to the response granted. Though with the bards next words, Aspel couldn't help but find some - mostly likely unintended - double meanings with them. "Well, improper fingerings would suit no ones benefit." The smith leaned in, stealing another fleeting kiss. Something about the evening called for the action, and something inside of her wanted it. Maybe if there were enough brief flits of contact, maybe if she could just hold back a bit, only letting small desires linger in her mind and along the bards skin this would all work out, it would all be okay.... "Mm. As you wish." The tone was placating in a sense, but also held a sincere willingness to abide by the other woman's desires for not attempting such adventures for this eve. "Mm." The smirk that rose had a muted sort of pleasure behind it. A sort of contentedness of the situation resting in her eyes, even if no words were spoken, and even if the full feeling crossing her lips was not found there. "Mmm." Was the response to Ari's commentary about Aspel following through with what would please her. Something buzzed inside her head. A hard yearning pulling in her chest, silently being forced into place, even if it longed to be freed. Though, perhaps, maybe... It wouldn't hurt if it was just a little something. Just a little... Eyes fluttered closed at the deepening kiss, lips falling agape with Ari's lead. The feeling of the other woman hinting for closeness with the tightening of an arm caused the smith to lean closer, pressing back before breaking, a soft kiss given to the palm of Ari's hand before half lidded eyes opened once again. An inhale would be taken, trying to catch Ari's eyes for a moment, briefly, before Aspel leaned in again, this kiss stronger, more force behind it while still not being nearly as heated as some of the others in the past. With a shift of an arm, it slipped up, snaking around Ari's side and back. Hilariously, she hadn't even meant it that way, though Aspel's clear amusement caused her to reevaluate what she had said. As the light kiss broke, she giggled. "Yes, all right, probably best to avoid that..." So many double entendres to make, but she held them back in favor of shifting position and taking at least a little of what she wanted. She made a pleased sound as Aspel's lips parted under hers, as the kiss deepened further. Still slow, but maybe not quite so easy now. Her heartbeat was definitely faster when they broke for breath and Aspel placed a kiss on her palm. She almost spoke, but... no. It wasn't quite the time to go saying anything, let alone making requests. She met Aspel's gaze on a shaky inhale of her own. The other woman had the most incredibly beautiful eyes, pale blue and warmed with hints of green. Right now, they were warm with promise. No fear, or none she could see, and that was all the encouragement she needed to lean forward into the next kiss, and press their bodies close when Aspel's arm came around her back. As the other woman seemed to have plans of her own, now, she easily surrendered the lead in this dance of theirs, meeting the kiss eagerly but taking care not to push. The hand which had been resting on Aspel's cheek, though, meandered down slowly, fingers stroking over the column of her neck, her thumb finding and tracing the other woman's collarbone. She wanted to touch so badly, almost as badly as she wished to be touched. She recalled with sudden clarity the day that Aspel had met her with shirt unbuttoned to the waist, the feel of skin under her fingers. The desire to trace that line of skin from throat to abdomen was nearly overwhelming, but she stayed her hand for the moment, resting against the soft fabric of Aspel's tunic, just above the point where she was likely to derail the entire encounter. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, for Ari, Aspel's plans would not go particularly far. She had become somewhat acquainted with the bards body above the waist in the last few weeks, and had a fair idea of where was safe to touch, and where might elicit something more. While those reactions were quite delightful in their own ways, it wasn't what drove the smiths desires in that particularly moment either. Giving a soft squeeze to the bards hip, the arm around her would then slip back, fingers trailing up the other woman's back - over the cloth of the dress - to rub carefully at a shoulder blade, testing to see if there was any lingering soreness. The kiss was held through all of this, pressing a bit further as her tongue would slip out to brush against Ari's lips, but no burning speed seeming required. A simple shift of her head, leaning forward a bit to press on with the kiss, before breaking, teeth catching the bards lower lip briefly before letting it go. Eyes lingered down to Ari's neck, seeming to consider for a moment before turning back up to the other woman - fingers continuing to work at any stiffness in her back - with a faint smile. "Enjoying your night?" With the words, another simple and brief kiss would be taken, not tying to push for much more, but certainly not seeming opposed as her face hovered close to Ari's still, even after the touch of lips broke. The touches were welcome, if not exactly what she had in mind. It was pleasing in its own right to get Aspel's hands on her at all, certainly, but she wasn't looking for a back rub tonight. Ari 's tongue slipped out of her mouth to meet and stroke over Aspel's as the kiss continued. She made a sound that was more sigh than anything else at the contact, which turned into something like a whimper as her lip was caught, teased, released. Her own smile when she met Aspel's eyes again was probably tinged with a bit of frustration. "Quite," she said. Another kiss, still slow and gentle. All this tender exploration was certainly nice in its own right, but really. She wanted the heat, even if only a little of it, too. She hadn't forgotten the way it had felt, even weeks later. A risk, then, if not much of one: "Although," she added hesitantly, nearly a whisper, trailing light kisses across Aspel's cheek, leaving the last on the top of her ear, "I do wish," another, very light, as her hand crept down and around to the other woman's ribcage, stopping on her side just alongside her breast, "you would not be so careful with me." It was not, quite, the statement she wanted to make - that indeed she would have made in any other situation - which would have sounded a great deal more like a demand. She was being careful, too. The difference seemed to be only in the motivation. With Ari's tongue playing back, Aspel couldn't help the slightly choked off moan that rose. The noise dying in her throat was all that would be for the moment. Though, the other noise the bard made, the one that didn't exactly have a name did light a bit of fire in her chest, even if it was muted in the moment, held a definite appeal. It was noises like that, that tended to be the most intoxicating, to be deeply pleasing and encouraging in their own right. Yet, before she could think much, before hands or lips could consider exploring all that much more, Ari was taking her own set of actions and the smith felt no reason to deny her. The single word earned a mildly curious noise, Aspel's head tilting to one side to assist with Ari's chosen path. "No?" A slight shiver occurred at the feeling of where the other woman's hand had ventured towards. When was the last time someone bothered to put their hands on her in such a way? Especially, in a time when she had chosen to let them? A heavy sigh of air escaped between lips before they closed again, a hard swallow being taken. "Boundaries?" Ari had claimed not to have many before, but everyone had them, it was hard to figure out what to do and where to go without some sort of guideline. Regardless though, even if the bard was willing to go quite far, Aspel would still need to attempt to be careful, her control could bend and break in a flash and the last thing either of them needed was a panicked repeat of anything that had happened before. Though... The thought of completely removing herself from under the bards weight and heat held no great appeal either. As she took the initiative back again, she felt the slight shift which almost seemed to be tension right after the shiver came as her hand continued to rest on Aspel's side, For a moment, she wondered if she had made an error, but then the swallow, almost audible, and Aspel was not yet halting her or asking her to remove herself. As long as she wasn't being forcibly removed from her perch and there was no fear... A serious question, which she wanted to brush off, but she sensed an answer would be required for Aspel's peace of mind, so she placed another kiss just below the other woman's ear, formulated one. "Don't hurt me," she finally said simply; a bit of a nip or the raking of nails down the back was fine, but that wasn't what she meant, and she thought Aspel would understand. She also didn't think that would be her way. "And mind whatever might show when I'm in costume." The neckline was quite low, and she didn't need to cover any marks with make-up, even if it would hardly be the first time. "Otherwise, only yours." And hopefully, Aspel would share what those were, because it seemed the last time things had gotten heated, she had lost sight of them herself, and the end of the encounter hadn't been pleasing for either of them. Perhaps with only this bit of gentle pressure, and words, this one would go better. |