Ari ♫ ♪ ♬ (gracenotes) wrote in emillion, @ 2013-07-22 22:26:00 |
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Entry tags: | !log, !thread, arielle chiaro, aspel cassul |
Been waiting, patiently, you could be the escape I need, can we start this? I’m waiting...
Who: Ari & Aspel
What: A walk
Where: Theatre and Bazaar districts
When: Monday, early evening
Rating: PG
Status: Complete!
Ari's relationship with money was uncomplicated. When she had it, she spent it on a whim, and when she didn't have it, she found ways - legal and not - to get more. At the moment, she had more money than she really knew what to do with, as Fedoro had paid quite well, all things considered. Still, she had to frown, as she walked out of the Blue Wren with a large cup of coffee. She had paid at least one and a half times the usual cost for a cup of coffee, and when she had asked about the sudden spike in prices, she was told that some Ordalian imports were not getting into Emillion with the sort of regularity that was customary. There had been grumblings on the network these last few days, and while she was adding sugar to her cup, someone at a nearby table had mentioned a lost ship. Mostly, any shortages were invisible to her eyes, but friends of the family were still sailing the seas, and they concerned her more than the expensive coffee ever could. So she was thoughtful and a little worried as she began the walk from the Wren back towards home. Perhaps she would write to her father. If these troubles were widespread, he would know. And if not... Sometimes, she had to wonder if the city weren't suddenly under siege. Her rather grim thoughts were interrupted when she spotted a familiar figure walking slowly but purposefully down the street. Immediately, her slight frown was replaced with a smile. She hadn't seen Aspel since the battle the week prior, and the other woman had not been in good shape when she had been loaded into a hovercar for transport back to the city. Seeing her on her feet prompted a sudden and intense feeling of relief. "Aspel!" she called out, changing her direction to intercept the other woman's course. There was still some tenderness remaining within her body. The potions from Lea, along with the insistent healing from Mag and her own meager Cure spells didn't prove as effective as a professional medic but they had done her well enough since last Thursday. She'd checked in several times with healers to assure that the bones had remained properly set and rested as much as she humely could. However, there was only so much of that that any one person could ever feasibly stand and being slated with a clean bill of health to return to Bahamut Hall for light duty today was close enough to anything resembling normal life again. With the two times the smith had been down and out recently, it was enough to heavily weigh upon her. It was enough to remind her of that surge of living on the edge of life of death, of the sacrifice of body - and in some ways mind - that being a Fell Knight had been for her. Fell Knights - in Aspel's opinion - always lived on the edge between life and death, hoping to defeat their enemies fast enough to stay alive, by sacrificing their very own health to do so... It was risky, it was rash and to some even downright idiotic but... it was a tactic that worked so well for those of Fell Knight kin. Faram, all of this fighting lately reminded her what being alive in those times used to be like. Though now, she had different concerns, different priorities and different ideals that she needed to assure that were upheld. Aspel could not be the brash and deadly woman of her youth anymore; now she had to make lavish plans and manipulate the finest sets of nobility and politics that she could in order to better serve her guild. Her life was no longer about the thrill of battle and the agony of possible defeat but now about paperwork and assuring the safety of those around her.... Sometimes that hurt, especially in times as of late. With the gory battles that made the smith wonder if perhaps her original tactics, that of a quick and ruthless kill, might have been better serving... even if deep down she knew they weren't. They would not benefit her in this day, or at this time. That was the past and no matter how much she wanted it, it needed to remain the past for the good of all she knew or all who could possibly be involved. Then, speaking of those who could be involved, a familiar-sounding voice called out her name and stopping in the rather slow tracks she had been making, the smith stiffly turned, looking for where the voice could have come from. Taking a moment to gander around, her eyes would finally fall upon the smaller woman and the determined and pensive expression fell away to something a bit more like a tender smile. "Ari." Even if she had tried, Aspel wouldn't have been able to stop her eyes from lightning up a bit. "Are you well?" The question was sincerely curious to how the other had been, and soft. Pausing for a moment, she'd wait for the bard to catch up, pausing only a second before offering her arm out to the other. "If you are headed my way." A slight tilt of her head was given, indicating the direction of home as the smile remained. It would be rather nice to have Ari's company tonight. Once she was next to the other woman, Ari gave her a quick, friendly kiss on the cheek before responding. "As well as ever, as you can see. I am more concerned for your well-being." She had come out of the most recent fight unscathed, after all. Aspel looked much better than she had the last time Ari had seen her, but she couldn't help worrying a little even so. "I was planning on coming by to visit you at work over the next few days, as I told you on the network this morning," she added, "but this is too serendipitous to pass up, really." She had offered to make the visit at least partly because it would give her an opportunity to ascertain Aspel's condition for herself. Missing the other woman's company was not her primary motivation. Really, it wasn't. She was just worried. Now she could assuage those concerns, giving her better reasons to look forward to the visit to Bahamut Hall later in the week. Really, everyone won. She shifted her coffee to her other hand and took the offered arm gingerly, making sure not to lean at all if she could help it. Aspel's stride and stance weren't those of someone free of pain. "The wonderful thing about my life just now is I can head any way I like," she replied cheerfully. "Your way seems by far preferable to heading back to my flat alone, so I'll gladly accompany you." She would write to her father later, she decided. Aside from that, her evening really was wide open. "Besides, it is a pleasant day for a walk." It was slightly cooler this week, with a nice breeze coming in from the direction of the sea. She appreciated it especially because she knew she would soon be in the stifling mugginess of an Ordalian summer. As Ari rose slightly, Aspel couldn't help but bend forward a bit, simply to make the action a bit easier for the other woman. "Ah, I am doing well." Now the thought couldn't be helped, but at the very least it remained a thought. "Better now." The smith would let the tone of her voice, and the mildly flirty smile be all the indication as to why better was the current state of her being. "Had you?" The question was curious and mildly mischievous all of its own accord; it wouldn't hurt to play it all up a bit more, now would it? Not like a few mentions of private meetings being dropped in public would hurt anyone, or anything. They were, after all, playing a game with the public at large, and really, this wasn't one that Aspel had particularly intended to lose. Aspel's arm shifted, pulling Ari a bit closer if the other woman would allow her to do so. If they were going to make a show of things, there was no point in not doing it right. Besides, it wasn't as if the smith actually minded being in close quarters with the other woman in the least either. Besides, the gentle touch wasn't exactly what she'd been looking for when offering her arm to Ari. Free hand clear, a gesture was idly made in the direction she'd intended to walk. "I had thought perhaps this path may be best, and it would seem it has served my desires well thus far, yet, if you know of another." There was that glint in her eyes again, the one that indicated she was up to something, open to suggestions at the very least, and possibly far more at the most. With a shift, Aspel leaned in slightly to whisper in the bard's ear. "And how much of a show shall we give today?" As Ari had assumed, it was almost too easy to play this part. She barely had to change her behavior, and it wasn't as though it was difficult to say provocative things to Aspel. She even meant them. "Don't worry," she said, with a rather promising smile of her own, "I wouldn't wish to deprive you of something you're looking forward to. I'll still be by - just check the lock on your door before then, hmm?" Her gaze was certainly full of barely-suppressed merriment as she met Aspel's eyes, quirked her eyebrows ever so slightly up. She did not resist when she was pulled closer, though she certainly had a pang of worry for a moment. Still, it really did seem that Aspel was healing well enough - so she made a show of thinking about it before pointing down a different street with the hand holding the coffee. "Not this way?" she asked. The other way was shorter, but she was making an offer to extend the walk. Good for the performance - and, if she were honest, for her, too. "Though really, I know any number of ways," she mused. "This one seems most... prudent. For the moment." Innuendo wasn't difficult to summon, either. At the soft words against her ear, she giggled, bit her lip, pressed a tiny bit closer. What a typical pair of lovebirds they made for anyone watching. The thought was terribly amusing. "Hmm," she responded softly, "well. I do believe that depends on you." She was certainly not against the idea of another public display such as the one they had engaged in on her birthday, and being in the middle of a street would hardly deter her. "Most certainly." Came the confirmation of Ari's desires, and Aspel couldn't help as the smile widened upon her lips. Flirting was such a terribly thrilling game and if anything came of it or not, it was fun all of its own accord though... the smith would be lying if she claimed there wasn't the faintest hint of disappointment that could be established if nothing did come of it all. A curious look was offered down the street that Ari then proceeded to gesture down. "I suspect if you wish us to venture down a new," an intentional pause settled in, the look across Aspel's face playing up as if she'd had some sort of other thoughts about what they might do, "excursion that I must certainly not deny what the lady wishes." The specific emphasis on the singular word brought with it an amusement of sorts as well. Not that Aspel was likely to deny most of Ari's wishes anyway, they seemed to often be amongst similar mindsets for games and entertainment, though the main difference the bard had been - what Aspel could recognize as painfully patient - with her. Most other people, after all this time, most likely would have moved on some months ago at best. The other woman's words caused something to stir deep within the smith, her smile widening a bit more once again with the whispered words nearly against her skin. "Is that so?" A curious murmur rose, and shifting Aspel leaned in, pressing a soft kiss below Ari's ear, allowing teeth to scrape against the spot ever so briefly before slowly beginning to pull back. Shifting her free hand gestured down the path Ari had pointed out moments before, eyes bright with a certain impishness to them. "Then this path, this eve?" "Since you seem inclined to cater to my wishes today, yes," Ari said. "That way. We'll have to explore... other ways... another day." The tiny gasp when Aspel's teeth scraped at the sensitive spot below her ear would likely be swallowed by the ambient noise of the crowd, though Aspel, being so close, would surely hear it. She gave the other woman a flirtatious and very promising look as she pulled back - which said, clearer than words, that if she wanted to attempt to cater to a different sort of wish altogether, Ari's flat wasn't far at all. Not that she thought such an offer, especially when it remained unspoken, would be accepted. But it was an offer she intended to continue making. She found herself exhibiting uncharacteristic patience, but at the same time, she had plans to set in motion, too. The visit to Bahamut Hall later this week would be quite interesting, if she had anything to say about it. "Shall we?" She began to walk, keeping her pace slow; she did not want a brisk walk, and she did not think Aspel's healing injuries needed that manner of exercise, either. "Have they chained you to your desk and your paperwork yet again, or have you been permitted to leave your office?" she asked after a few moments, recalling the last time Aspel had been this hurt. The other things she wanted to ask - was she eating, sleeping, was someone making sure she didn't push herself too hard - seemed extraneous really. Someone - Mag, maybe - had been doing these things. Surely. It didn't have to be her, as long as they still got done. "I often do." The slightest hint of wickedness would be hard to mask in that smile and tone. "I suspect we shall," came the whispered words before pulling back entirely, the look gleamed of Ari's earning a smirk and a quirked eyebrow all of its own. The thought or inviting comment for more was tempting if she were honest with herself, but it wasn't the time or place for it really and Mag was still about, and holding most of Aspel's worry. Even if she claimed to be holding up okay enough. "Certainly." Aspel's grip shifted, allowing Ari to lead the way down the appropriate path, and she found the slow pace easy to match. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she was terribly thankful for it even if she couldn't place why. Though, the feel of walking with Ari like this was terribly pleasant. That surely had to be it. There couldn't be any other reason to be thankful for such a leisurely stroll than the pleasant physical sensation of having an attractive woman to walk down the street with. Never mind the fact that Ari did tend to be endlessly entertaining, or that her brand of wit often kept up on par with Aspel's with a certain ease, or that the other woman was easy to share a laugh with or anything really. Those were all simply peripheral matters. "I wanted to thank you again." The smith's voice dipped down a bit, something a bit more vulnerably sincere this time. "For keeping Mag well." It was the only follow up she could offer. Really, Mag remaining well was the most important thing that could have happened on the field that day. Aspel.... Wasn't really sure what she'd ever do if Mag died. The only things worse would be losing Rictor or Seloria really. "You are still welcome, and I maintain that I didn't do much at all," Ari told her. The level of concern Aspel had for Mag was... interesting. Then again, she had a few people in her life whose safety was similarly precious to her. And it wasn't her place to assume one way or another, after all. "Next time, hopefully I can keep you both well," she added, her tone a bit softer. She still regretted the fact that they had been separated in the woods. If she had been there... well, Aspel seemed fine enough now, but it was clear she still had some pain. She could hardly imagine the wear of such constant injuries. There were many reasons she attempted to stay in the back when a fight arose. They had rarely walked together in daylight, she realized. The two of them garnered a few curious looks. Perhaps people knew their faces - or perhaps it was simply the sight of two very pretty women arm in arm, who knew? Ari was hardly bothered by eyes upon her, after all. If it fed the rumors, so much the better, and if it didn't, it hardly mattered, since she was gaining enjoyment from it either way. She lifted her coffee to her lips and took a sip. It made her think, again, of the troubles that seemed to be plaguing the city. Why were prices rising? Were trade interruptions really so bad? But... these were worrisome thoughts, best saved for another time. For now, she just wanted to enjoy her coffee, and her walk. "Would you like to share?" she offered, gesturing with the cup. "I will warn you, it is quite sweet." "I hope there is no next time." Even though something in her gut told her that all of this was far from over no matter what anyone wanted or did. Was all of this just the calm before the storm? Was there some greater evil on the horizon that they didn't even know existed yet? Were any of them safe? Faram. It all hurt. What would she do if faced with the option of choosing one loved one over another? Could she handle that? What would she do? Could she handle the pain she knew they would feel if she had to choose her own death of that of others? It was a heavy thought, and the people she'd leave behind would be hurt but they could move on. The only one who might break would be Mag and Aspel trusted the other woman strong enough to be able to face life still... In the end, the people Aspel cared about most might not even flinch when she was gone. The stares and looks were barely noticed and hardly bothered with by the smith. There was no point in wasting time on the periphery when she had something far more interesting to pay attention to as the bard on her arm was certain to provider her with ample entertainment, no doubt. "Hm?" Came the initial response when Ari asked the question of sharing. Eyebrows rose curiously without much thought. "Ah." A faint smile rose, her free hand being held up, palm flat out to gesture against the offer. "No, thank you." The free hand fell away and Aspel wet her lips. Taking a moment she cleared her throat, voice rising just a bit, almost assuring it would be heard by some of those around them. "I can think of a few others things I would care to share this eve if you would humor me so." The tease was clear, one eyebrow quirking with a half smirk crossing her lips. If they were going to play this game, why not play it properly? There was really nothing at all to say about that. Ari would be more than happy not to have to fight again, but even optimist that she was, she doubted Aspel would simply stay out of trouble. And she had promised, hadn't she, to come when called? She wasn't much of an altruist, but the people she cared for were special. And Aspel was a friend, after all. She didn't like it when her friends were hurt. Sometimes she wondered at her own taste in friends - why didn't she start hanging around mages instead? She snuck a look at Aspel, felt her smile grow slightly. Oh yes, there was certainly a reason. "Your loss," She said, polishing off the coffee herself and licking her lips for the last drops. "Now you can't taste like caramel, alas." It was a bit sad to realize they were already halfway there. How had time passed so quickly? "I do believe," she answered the query, choosing to tease back, "that I can humor you tonight. I've no plans until at least tomorrow. Perhaps we should have chosen to hurry? Depending on what you have planned...." she trailed off, her expression thoughtful, "well, that may not be quite enough time." "Ah, I am certain we can find something else for me to appropriately taste of." The comment was made without shame or even a remote flinching. In fact, if they garnered a few more stares after that, it wouldn't be much of a surprise at all really. Though, bothering with random onlookers seemed utterly pointless, and if people did overhear their conversation all the better really. That was the point of this all. They had agreed to gather as much public attention as possible - within the realms of making sense - as to hope that it would cause the gossips to lose interest in them in the end. If something was in the open, what was there to gossip about after all? "It may not be enough time for that," Aspel pointedly responded with a smirk. Something dancing in her eyes, a certain level of mischief clear across her face for anyone who'd bothered to spend more than a few minutes in her real presence, though to anyone who only knew her in passing, well... she might simply look pleased. "but I do believe we may have ample time for one of the other ventures." Her volume didn't bother dropping, there was no need to bother with such a trivial detail the whole way through. The distance had been lost on her at this point with how much entertainment the conversation thus far had brought. It wasn't until they had gotten this far in that the smith even really looked up to properly ascertain where they were along their chosen trek. Huh, how odd. She'd sworn this walk normally took longer than this. Though perhaps maybe, it was just that time really did move that much faster when in such good company. "Well now, that sounds promising indeed," Ari said with a giggle. She couldn't help it. It was all just so ridiculous. "Hold that thought." She stepped away for a moment to dispose of the cup, then returned to twine her arm through Aspel's once more and resume the walk. They had already reached the Bazaar district somehow. Where had the time gone? They would be at The Armory in minutes. "Ah, well," she said with a dramatic sigh, "I suppose I'll trust that your other ventures may prove nearly as... enjoyable as what I had in mind. Do you intend to surprise me, or shall you tell me what you have planned? You're still recovering, after all. I would hate to aggravate your injuries." She smirked. She doubted Aspel had anything remotely salacious in mind really, but it was worthwhile to check just how much of this was play. Aspel's mouth opened, as if to speak of some other thought that had floated through her mind but Ari's commentary regarding her holding thoughts caused the smith's lips to close once again, almost as if instantly obeying the command. When the bard stepped back though, her arm was offered up easily again to continue. "And what would you like to taste from my lips?" Certainly, that sort of offer would necessitate at least a few stares. "I am sure they will. I promise not to bore, and assure I will be fine regardless of the plans at present." Though the plans were basically next to none. These public conversations really were just trying to get some fools panties in a rile, hopefully give them enough to talk about that they'd wear themselves out from the wagging of their own tongues. "Really," The smith started, her volume rising only a bit with amusement. "the only vanilla in under my roof is saved for baking." Which wasn't entirely true, Aspel did have a rather nice vanilla scented wash that she kept tucked away for whenever she was in the mood for such a thing. A glance was taken down the street, not far from The Armory now really, and Aspel's voice dipped low. "There is one thing I would rather like, if you so care to humor me?" "Hmm," Ari said, her look pensive. "Let's see. How about..." she cast around for an idea, saw the familiar baker's cart, felt laughter threaten, and finished her sentence: "honey. Yes, I think honey." A dare, really. But she couldn't help being amused by the notion. "Shall you humor me now, or later?" The next statement caused a raised brow and an incredulous laugh. "So many promises. Really, now you've got me very curious. Not necessarily about your kitchen, either, though I'm quite fond of your baking." She grinned up at Aspel, her tone wheedling as she asked, "A hint, perhaps? You can whisper it if you feel as though it is... not prudent to speak too publicly." Barely a block left, now, and the walk would come to an end. She hoped to get a bit more amusement out of it yet, though. "I think I've made it quite clear," she replied, her voice as low as the other woman's, "that I will gladly humor you in... quite a number of ways. You won't know until you ask, of course." "When would you like me to humor you?" Because that would make a bit of difference all on its own of course. If Ari wanted now, surely Aspel could figure it out, find an anchor if she needed something to hold on to. If the desire was for now, then she would manage, and if the desire was for later, then the smith's life would just be easier as a whole. "I suspect when they all come due you will just be swept off your feet and laid up for a week or so straight, no?" It was an easy tease, though some part of the smith, far in the back of her head knew full well that it wasn't entirely a false statement really. She did rather like sex, and it wasn't unreasonable to imagine that over five years of pent up sexual energy - not that she hadn't done what she could about it - was likely to have very explosive, and long lasting results while she worked it all out of her system. Besides, Aspel did rather like sex. "Ah, but of which would you like?" There actually were several she could think of possibly enjoying taking part in. The whispered words left a rather nice feeling set rolling around in the back of her head and warming her chest. "Ah, well." A glance was taken to their location and Aspel would fall silent until they were less then a hundred feet before The Armory. Where the shop entrance was located was a bit off the street and not very good for visibility at all. However, here, basically still in the streets of the Bazaar, just slightly off to one side was perfect. Stopping, fingertips reached cross body to stroke tenderly along the line of Ari's jaw before Aspel's pointer finger hooked under the bard's chin. Leaning in the smith stopped just inches before their lips would meet with a whisper. "Do humor me with a kiss?" Certainly, there was just about no way for them not to be pegged as two lovers sharing a secret, of some kind. "I'm quite impatient, as you have cause to know," she replied with an arch look. "However, I suppose I can give you a bye for today. But soon." That part wasn't much of an exaggeration at all. She had some hope that all sorts of things might happen soon. Uncharacteristic patience or not, she was about at the end of her rope. It would snap sooner rather than later. Well, there were a few things yet she could try. But that was for another day. "I've been looking forward to that for some time, really. You can choose for me among the options and I will trust that your judgement of what I might enjoy will not be lacking." It wasn't too terrible an offer to make, really. If nothing came of it - immediately, at any rate - she would lose nothing. If Aspel chose to indulge her after all, Ari did in fact have little doubt that the other woman would find something... mutually enjoyable. If she didn't think so, after all, what would she still be doing here? And that question was... unexpectedly complicated, actually. Best to focus on the now. And the now was the front door of the smithy coming into view, and Aspel pulling her close and murmuring nearly against her lips, and it was Ari herself who closed the distance between them without taking the time to give a verbal answer. Cognizant of their audience, the kiss she initiated was not soft or gentle, but rather forceful. Nothing quite like standing wrapped around each other in a public street to make sure everyone knew there were no secrets here. Not to mention that she got to enjoy it in the process. "Are you?" Aspel couldn't help the simple tease regarding Ari's level of patience. The warning of a sort caused a low and amused chuckle. "Soon indeed." Just what Ari might try or when, the smith had no idea regarding, but at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder just what soon really meant for the other woman. They had spent so long in this dance already that a few months hardly seemed anything in comparison to the slow lead in they'd taken of the last few years. "I feel as though I may have a good grasp on what you could enjoy at this point," was the only assurance that really seemed needed in this instance. Anyone who overheard wasn't really considered much of an issue, and it wasn't as if they were going to jump each other in the street after all. At least.... not in such an obvious area of the street. The kiss earned a low moan, and hands shifted, moving to grasp at Ari's hips before one slipped around to her lower back. Pulling the other woman closer, a series of kisses would be trailed from over and along the other woman's jaw. The only pause would be when the smith shifted to whisper in the other woman's ear. "How much of a show should we give?" With that a soft nip and tug would be given to the bard's earlobe. As she had already indicated a willingness to follow along, there really wasn't anything left to say. But to do, now, that was another story altogether. She couldn't help but enjoy the brief but rather fiery meeting of lips, nor the trail of kisses along her jaw and the whisper against her ear. "You keep asking that," she answered, low and amused; that moan hadn't been an act, at the very least. And it had been quite some time. "As I said, I do believe that depends on you." No matter how much Aspel enjoyed games, of the two of them, Ari really thought the other woman would be the first to back down from the sort of display that might get them both arrested - or at the very least warned by the peacekeepers. Experimentally, she pressed herself closer, knowing that an embrace this tight in such a place couldn't help but be noted. After a moment, she drew back just a bit to meet Aspel's eyes and licked her lips. "Apples," she murmured, her voice tinged with curiosity. That was new. "Not quite caramel. But I can't say I don't... enjoy that flavor on your lips, either." "To see if the answer has changed." It was a simple tease really, something to amuse herself with more than not, plus that driving desire to assure Ari's comfort never seemed to leave as well. "Does it?" There was a faint smile pulling at the corners of her mouth now, eyes dipped low to focus solely on the bard in front of her. "Then I assure soon." Unfortunately, soon in Aspel's books could still be several months down the line at this rate. However, with that, the hand at Ari's hip shifted, fingers slipping slightly under the band of the bard's skirt to run the backs of her fingers against the other woman's skin. "Ah, yes." Turning her hand slightly under the band, Aspel leaned in again whispering this time, something terribly amused in her tone with lips brushing against Ari's earlobe. "How would you like to come up for coffee and a bit of pie?" With that, her hand stroked back over the line she had traced just seconds before. "I am certain it will stir the rumors quite appropriately, no?" Another whisper, a wicked smirk crossing the smith's lips as eyes danced with just how this was certain to look. Oh, how people would talk. "Pie, is it?" Her voice was soft and a bit breathy; no one except Aspel would discern the words, but her mind was already racing. Well, all right, she could certainly have some pie. Who in their right minds said no to pie? And then she could... linger. And maybe spend some time in the bathroom before she left, making her hair look properly debauched. "Quite the proposition." She leaned in, caught Aspel's lower lip between hers, tugged a moment before releasing. "I accept." The rest would come very soon. And oh, she thought as they headed inside, how people would talk indeed. |