Aspel Cassul: When in doubt, Aspel! (weaponry) wrote in emillion, @ 2013-07-28 22:16:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !log, !thread, arielle chiaro, aspel cassul |
And that's where the beginning of the end begun, Everybody knew that we had too much fun...
Who: Aspel & Ari
What: Last Night of Fedoro/Carrying Ari home.
Where: Backstage, a walk, a bar, Ari's apartment.
When: Sunday evening.
Rating: PG-13.
Status: COMPLETE!
She had told Ari about a month ago that she would attend the final night of Fedoro, and when Aspel Cassul made a promise, she did everything in all of Ivalice to hold true to her word. Even with all of the fighting and damage taken just a few days before the smith had managed - with considerable help - to remain whole. Which, realistically, was a small miracle in and of itself with all of the damage she had incurred. Between Ari's songs and Merri's spells, she'd barely walked away with much more than a few cracked bones which were easy enough to heal with a plethora of spells and a couple nights’ rest. Even Mag had been in decent enough shape by the end to not be laid up for the better part of a week. For that, Aspel was truly thankful. However, using her hammer and murdering the scientist had not left her mind unscathed. After assuring the others’ well being, taking stock of the situation and following along with appropriate council member duties Aspel had retreated back to her apartment and the weight of the entire situation had struck her hard. It brought with it guilt, shame and a deep, heart rending pain and yearning for everything she could never have. She’d taken to crying in the shower. Yet, that was two nights ago, and not tonight. Tonight, Aspel had dressed in a marvelous blue dress that matched the color of the heels she’d been saving specifically for this evening and accented the outfit appropriately with minor silver accessories here and there to assure the theme to be steady. The dress perhaps ran a bit on the short side, allowing a clear showing of skin, but somehow Aspel couldn’t find herself terribly bothered by the stares of others that lingered upon her legs. Really, it was intended for Ari and something smug set into her features and head regarding the whole matter as she watched the other woman move across the stage, and remembered precisely where she’d ended up placing the second mark upon the other woman’s body. Hopefully, the costumer had had a royal fit. The thought only helped to provoke the smugly pleased smile across her face while watching the show. Of course, when it finished, a standing ovation was given, and as soon as was reasonable, Aspel had excused herself to head backstage. Moving through the questionably dressed - or in some instances undressed - actors and actresses, several compliments were easily administered. Just like Fighters enjoyed hearing words of praise for a proper strike or watching as a defeated enemy fell, actors had to have their egos stroked too, and as these were the people that Ari was working with, a bit more boosting could never hurt if the smith were to make a common occurrence out of finding her way backstage after shows or rehearsals. Thankfully, it wouldn’t take long to find Ari’s dressing room and with a brief knock followed by a “I am here,” Aspel slipped into the room to find Ari hadn’t fully disrobed to redress properly yet. Moving forward a kiss was stolen, a low simmering desire pooled somewhere in the back of it before it was broken, fingers trailing feather light down the side of the bard’s cheek. The other woman of course inquired regarding the smith’s ability to assist and Aspel felt herself - perhaps a bit too eagerly, she noted internally - willing to comply. “Something so pleasant ought not to be denied, no?” The words slipped from her mouth in a low and oddly desire backed tone before she could help them, some alarm ringing in the back of her mind about how her control was slipping, about how she was heading down a dangerous path. Aspel had used dark magic twice in less than a month by calling upon Vehemence, and then the use of her hammer and... It was just a bit of fun. Just fun. Hands had moved up, working through the buttons easily and a kiss was placed at the juncture of neck and shoulder as the first few came undone. After those, Aspel leaned back slightly, allowing her lips to linger against Ari’s back for a second above the line where the costume hid her back from the audience's eyes. A few more buttons and another kiss, this one however placed at the back of Ari’s neck. Regardless of whatever affection and attentions were lavished upon the other woman, the fact of the matter was Aspel did suspect Ari would wish to escape her confines sooner as opposed to later. While the idea of lingering in the dressing room, perhaps even engaging in activities that may just provoke Faram’s name did feel terribly appealing tonight, it would not be. They had agreed upon drinking and Aspel seeing Ari home that night after all, and the smith wasn’t about to go against her word in this matter either. With Ari changed out of her costume, the heels shown off, and whatever other required exchanges completed, Aspel would be lying to say it wasn’t a bit thrilling to attempt to sneak with Ari past all possible fans and onlookers to venture off for a drink. Somehow, the attention of the other woman, knowing that the bard was beginning to become desired by so many - or perhaps Ari had always been, and Aspel just hadn’t realized it before - felt a strange blessing, causing her to feel a bit more thrilled with the evening. In the end, out of the theater they went, and in standard fashion, an arm had been offered to the other woman, accompanied with a smile and a glint in the smith’s eyes, desire burning in the back of her mind in contrast to the cool night air. “Where would you like your first evening of drunken debauchery in months to begin? I do believe it would be best for you to choose considering such circumstances.” Closing night had gone off remarkably well, despite the other problems that had plagued closing weekend. Timur had been almost sober, Feria had played human shield between her and Orrin (the ways in which life imitated art...), the costumers hadn't ambushed her in the wings, and she had received a rather lovely and unusual bouquet from, she was beginning to suspect, the same person who had been sending her flowers since the Gala. She had to admit the mystery of it had left her rather intrigued. And then, too, there was Aspel's visit backstage, and once the much-discussed shoes had been appropriately admired, there was the quite enjoyable experience of being gotten out of her dress and corset, and kissed and admired in the process, and although the thought of simply turning around and taking things just a bit further did occur - and, honestly, appeal - there was also the desire to escape as quickly as possible before someone tracked her down and mentioned the cast party, which, especially after yesterday's altercation with half the staff, she was even more determined to skip out on. Besides, she had begged off weeks ago, citing plans. So she wiped her face clean of the thick layer of cosmetics meant for the stage, quickly reapplying something more reasonable for going out in public, then slipped into a dress of her own, a simple sheath in shimmering gold that left the majority of her back bare. "One must dress to match the company one keeps, after all," she commented with a small, amused smile. It was really too bad that all the healing the other night had quite faded away the mark previously resting on her upper back, but then, that had also made this particular dress possible, in the end. She wouldn't have been so gauche as to wear it and put the mark on display, after all. Such things were much more thrilling when they remained secrets between the involved parties. Ah, well, the night was young. Perhaps she might receive another before it was through. She put on her shoes, grabbed a bag. She had already asked for the flowers and her other belongings to be delivered home. Now all that was left was to walk through the backstage chaos and out the stage door, ignoring the cat calls - though her smile did widen, ever so slightly - and heading out into the night, where she could take Aspel's arm and take and release a deep breath. Faram, it felt good to be free. "I know just the place." There were any number of bars and taverns in the district, of course, but she preferred to avoid the large, noisy revels this evening. One of the smaller establishments, then - with good music and a well-stocked wine cellar. There were quite a few such in the side streets. "I have been dreaming of a glass of wine. Or five," she admitted as she chose their direction and they began to walk. "Having that champagne backstage was an exercise in self-control.” The moments before they left the dressing room felt excruciating. There was a little give in her mind from the Dark magic, the hammer, the murder for the greater good and... this would be just a little more give. To take Ari and make love to her in the middle of this rather overblown and somewhat pompous room. It was hard not to let the thought slip in, even if it was unwelcome. It was unwelcome. Aspel had to remind herself of that, repeatedly, almost causing the simple phrase to become a mantra of her own mind at this point. It was just a little fun, it was just a little appealing like the dark magic, like wiping the stain of that putrid woman who dared put the people she cared about in danger from the face of Ivalice altogether. It was all for the better really, wasn't a little fun all Ari had been asking for? Faram. Where was her mind? The smith would lean in for a brief kiss after Ari made comment about the dress, a wicked smirk playing across her lips as she only pulled back enough to speak. "I suspect one must." Another short kiss, this one lingering only a bit longer before she disengaged. A bit of fun. There was a grumbling in the back of her head and for the first time in years, Aspel found herself to barely mind it. Another few moments would be waited before Ari was finished with getting ready and offering her arm out, Aspel would escort the other woman out, ignoring whatever commentary or noises were made. While her eyes had wandered terribly while making her way back to the bard's room, they wouldn't seem to leave the long expanses of skin that were now available to her. The fact that the old mark was gone was disappointing, but thankfully, not something that couldn't be rectified. "As you wish, you must simply lead the way." Aspel couldn't help but let Ari pick, after all, she hadn't been the one who had had to be sober for several of the past few months. Only a brief pause would be given, stopping their rapid escape as Aspel turned them into an alley. "Spare me a moment?" Came the brief words as she would attempt to twirl the other woman around and stepped forward, trying to push Ari's back against the wall for a moment as she leaned in for another kiss. Generally, she might have been inclined to linger in the dressing room a bit longer, especially considering Aspel's obvious inclination to be playful. It wouldn't be the first time, and she would hardly be the only one to close her dressing room door for an entirely different form of entertainment. But considering the way the last few days had gone... no. She needed out. But she did have to admit that having Aspel's undivided attention as they left the dressing room and headed for the door was flattering, especially considering the backstage chaos which was still in full swing, and the large number of attractive men and women who were considerably less covered than Ari in her dress. "We're going to hear tomorrow all about how you were devouring me with your eyes, you know," she murmured, her voice low and amused. "But by all means, do continue." Despite the amusement she garnered from the situation, though, she was a great deal happier once they were outside in the dark, and she walked just a bit closer to Aspel as they set on their way. "The way to the bar, or in general?" she asked, her tone still slightly teasing, though she was not entirely joking. "Because, you know..." Before she could finish the sentence, though Aspel was pulling her into an alley, and it did seem that they were like-minded tonight, too, and Ari wouldn't need to take that kind of lead, after all. The stone wall was cool and rough against her bare back, and she couldn't help the smile that arose on her lips as her hands came up, looped around Aspel's shoulders, stroked through her short hair. "I'll spare you several," she answered, her voice soft and amused. "I hope you'll take a bit longer than one." She tilted her chin up to meet the kiss eagerly; though they had given quite the performance at Aspel's doorstep the other day, and her visit to Bahamut Hall later in the week had been extremely enjoyable, both had also been at least partially displays for public consumption. This was just the two of them, and she would be lying if she said that didn't appeal on a different level. "Are we?" Something wicked picked at Aspel's lips, pulling a smirk a bit tighter, and eyes not leaving the woman beside her. "Then they must know precisely why." The smith's arm flexed slightly, an attempt at shifting the bard a bit closer as they walked. "Besides," Her voice dropped dangerously low, a secret being shared between two smitten lovers it may almost seem. "it does make the game all that much better." And really, this was a game. All of it was a bit of fun, something to be shared between two people behind closed doors, and in some instances - better instances perhaps - in a dark alleyway. These words specifically were oddly entertaining, something to add a bit of flavor to their current entanglement, their game. Aspel's mind still ticked away, lavishing itself in a sort of bent caught between indulging all of her cravings and just barely holding on to what she should be doing by her fingertips. Somehow though, some way, for the first time in years, even though she knew she should be careful, she should be watching out and not letting herself sink, to delve into such potentially disastrous actions and desires... She couldn't help the slow and rather pleasing descent. The kiss was firm, tongue pushing out quickly to press against the other woman's lips while hands moved grasping for purchase against skin if it could be found. One found its way to trail fingers against the skin of Ari's thigh, the other snaking swiftly around to the open back of the dress as she stepped in, pressing her body against the smaller woman's. Fingers smoothed against and over skin, making their way underneath what material did cover Ari's lower back, fingernails giving a light and teasing scratch against it. Bless this dress, really. She was going to fill her wardrobe with backless dresses. Not only did Aspel seem quite fond of them, but the access they offered was a point in favor, too. Her shoulders were pressed back against the wall, but with her back arched ever so slightly, it seemed there was quite enough room for Aspel to stroke down her spine. A game... wasn't it? Most of her life was lived as though she were playing one. This, too: the press of Aspel's tongue against her lips, her own low, pleased purr to urge the other woman on, her fingers tightening in Aspel's hair. All play, in its way, with the warm rise of pleasure and anticipation in her blood. But she couldn't deny that she had missed it, and had been looking forward, perhaps a bit more than was usual for her, to this evening. Especially considering the fact that she doubted it would go much further than this tonight. A few kisses and caresses in an alley... Well, she thought, as Aspel's hand trailed over her thigh, that was good too, in its way. Nothing wrong with a bit of entertainment now, followed by a lot of wine. She returned the kiss, sucking Aspel's tongue into her mouth, letting it tangle with her own. Caught between the other woman's body and the wall as she was, it was not difficult to wedge that same thigh between Aspel's legs, push up for just a bit of friction. Just because it was all in fun didn't mean she couldn't remind Aspel, just a bit, of what she was continuing to turn down. The feel of fingers tightening in her hair pulled a low moan from the smith's throat. However, the wickedly pleased smirk rising on her lips couldn't be helped. It'd been so long since she'd allowed herself to simply let go without concern, without fear or doubt of her ability for control. Really though, what did control matter tonight? What was one more drop in the bucket when something so simple felt so good? The kiss was met, letting Ari lead while fingers pressed into the other woman's lower back. The reactions that had been elicited from such touch previously were certainly appealing, and so what if things went a little further tonight? So what if her hands roamed a little lower, or perhaps even a little higher than normal? What if- A choked off whimper broke the kiss at the feeling of Ari's thigh between her legs. With a throaty moan, the fingers that had just seconds before been trailing against the thigh grasped at the bard's hip, the grip a bit harsh with fingers biting into the flesh below them. Ducking her head, teeth nipped at the point just below the bard's ear with something more desire filled and lusty filling the air compared to their norm before her head shifted, lifting slightly and tilting to the side to press the most feather light kiss against Ari's earlobe. "And if I did indulge you?" With the breathily whispered words playing Aspel's lips against the bard's ear, her hips pressed forward just a bit causing the smith's body to push against the other woman's. How the words slipped out without thought, without filter and only the faintest hint of worry lingered anywhere in her mind should have been concerning, would have been if they had tried this not so long ago but.... Ari had put up with such a terribly great deal already, and after witnessing the display of what had happened with the scientist not long before, Aspel had to wonder if perhaps the bard might just be able to take on the smith's dark side after all. As Aspel gripped her hip and moaned, Ari had to bite her lip to keep from exhibiting a very self-satisfied smile. These sorts of things were always a gamble of sorts with Aspel; she stood a chance, however small, of being soundly rejected when she made any such overture. But Aspel had said that anything aside from hands inside her pants was acceptable - for purposes of the game - and though there was no audience, Ari stood by the fact that her leg was not her hand, and besides, Aspel wasn't wearing pants at all. Fortunately, it seemed the move had been the correct one to make, and as Aspel's teeth closed briefly over the skin just below her ear, it was her turn to sigh and let her head fall back to rest against the wall, the invitation for the other woman to continue quite clear in her posture. But her next breath caught, and released shaky and unsure at Aspel's whispered words. She had intended to tease, to entice, but she hadn't really expected... "Then I suppose..." As Aspel's body shifted towards hers, Ari's hands stroked down the other woman's back, then around, coming to rest on her hips and pulling them forward to bring them into closer contact and press her own back more tightly against the wall. "The wine can wait until tomorrow, and we can celebrate... another way." And that was an invitation that, if Aspel chose to accept it... Well, she might have been drunk at the time, but she had never forgotten Aspel's assertion that certain activities must be engaged in only whilst sober, and Faram knew she was sober. One more night of sobriety seemed... a small enough price to pay. She turned her head to catch Aspel's lips in another lingering kiss as her thumbs stroked down over Aspel's hipbones, where her hands still rested. "I am quite flexible on how we conduct our celebration," she said as she pulled back, her voice soft and breathy and full of barely restrained desire. "I leave the choice in your... very capable hands." Aspel would have been fine to continue as they had been, to kiss and stroke and tease without much thought other than this was quite well what she wanted in this moment, or at least, she thought she had been. That was until Ari's hands grasped at the smith's hips, pulling them forward and earning a shaky, half choked off whine. "Faram." Came a harsh whisper as lips played against Ari's skin. The stroke of fingers caused the smith to moan into the kiss. When was the last time someone had really touched her like this? Years... at the very least and with everything that was being pressed, each sense and desire stirred as of late, Aspel had to wonder why she'd given this up in the first place. At least, that was the thought the rose but also banished with a painful swiftness from her mind as Ari's thumb stroked dangerously close to where the brand was still burnt into her flesh. Could Ari ever accept that? "You make decisions quite.... hard." A hand moved, shifting to rest gently over Ari's own that had been poised on the hip with her brand. "I fear some day you will make it so terribly difficult that I shall have no other option than to detain you from your schedule for some time." While the words were meant to tease, they came off much more of a promise then she'd fully meant to intend.... Even if they were quite true. "I like the sound of that," she murmured against Aspel's lips. She might not be the religious sort, but such an expression sent a thrill through her all the same. If her goal was to push Aspel to a breaking point sooner rather than later, it surely seemed she was doing something right... She let her mind float a few minutes then, enjoying the kisses and the moans elicited by the motion of her hands. Really, had Aspel's dress not been fairly fitted, she might have found a way to insinuate her hands under it; as it was, she simply pressed closer, adding to the pressure of her hands and that of her leg. If Aspel's skirt rode up just a bit, well, that couldn't be helped, could it? She was still decent, in a manner of speaking, though if this went on much longer... At Aspel's words and her touch, Ari's hands stilled. "For a day or two, at least, I would hope," Ari replied, a bit breathless and quite amused. Wasn't that beginning to be a pattern for her interactions with the other woman? Breathless, amused, and a little off balance. She couldn't say she hated it, frustrated as she got sometimes. "I could likely spare you a week," she nearly purred, leaning in for another lingering kiss, then allowing her lips to meander up the other woman's jaw line and to her ear, where she followed up with a scrape of teeth and a whispered, "Think you could fill it?" A hard, and audible swallow was taken. "Do you?" Aspel's mind dashed off in an entirely new direction in that instance, wondering perhaps what else the bard might like that she could fulfill regardless of the very obvious desires that were offered. There were many small things, insignificant seeming things really, that could be found out or appeased quite easily if only one knew about them. Regardless of the felling and flow of lips, hands and leg, somehow the smith managed to reign herself in just enough to be able to allow her brain to make sense of all that was going on still. "At least." Aspel would agree, with low breathy ease. Faram, perhaps they could... The question - a challenge of some degree - was quite fascinating all of its own regard and sent Aspel's brain spinning all over again with just what she'd like to do. Then came a meeting of lips which was pushed back on, the smith's tongue pressing in to stroke over Ari's before it broke, teeth scraping against the bard's lip. "Quite aptly." And if she couldn't fill it all with sex, that would only be because they were both too tired to continue in that moment and would need to rest before going at it again. "I'll... pencil it into my calendar," Ari said, her tone a bit teasing. She wouldn't be adverse to a specific date, though she doubted she would get one. If it actually happened, it would not be the first time in her life where she would spend multiple days in bed, and she had no doubt Aspel could make such hermiting rather enjoyable. If it wasn't... well, she would be unbearably disappointed, but with the way Aspel kissed and touched her, she somehow doubted it would be a problem. She let herself really think about that - her imagination was more than happy to oblige - as she leaned in to trail a few open-mouthed kisses down the other woman's neck. "I'm becoming quite fond of this alley," she admitted, giving particular attention to the juncture of neck and shoulder, "but I do think..." and was she insane for even saying this, she wondered? But while she wasn't against semi-public displays, if this went much further, she'd hardly be able to enjoy her drinking tonight. Besides, the other option - telling Aspel, you remember, I said nothing about hands in my pants, or skirt, as the case may be - seemed ill-timed, as she had already been told somewhat indirectly that tonight wasn't that night. She knew when to stop pushing. "...Perhaps we ought to revisit this after our drinks." "Certainly, the council can live without me." And once again, Aspel found her tone coming off a bit more serious than she had really intended for it to. Not that she didn't think they couldn't, because certainly the council wouldn't fall apart if she ventured off for a single week.... Right? Somehow, the smith had to convince herself that they would be, otherwise Aspel was beginning to think she might never be able to venture away without a constant checking of her communicator for updates or concern regarding the well-being of Emillion. Was this going to be her life from this point forward? It was... In a sense hard to believe. Yet at the same time.... She was prone to addiction and obsession. An unfortunate truth that the smith herself knew she admitted to with some regularity. The feeling of Ari's mouth against her neck caused the smith's head to lean off to one side for the allowance of easier access, eyes shifting closed, and her breathing a bit heavy. The first words earned a smile, something amused and oddly approving though the second set caused a low "Mm?" to rise, eyes opened, narrowing slightly to readjust to the light in the alley. A curious look was easily present. The last sentence wasn't... really what had been expected but... if that was what Ari desired... Swallowing, Aspel leaned in, pressing against Ari - and the other woman's leg - a bit more with a hard and heated kiss. A low moan slipped out as she pulled back, breaking the contact reluctantly before untangling herself from the other woman. One hand slipped down to smooth over her dress and the other was offered out to take the bard's once more. "Then I believe you still must lead, no?" Ari enjoyed the embrace, and the heated kiss, and the low moan, filled with both pleasure and apparent frustration as Aspel pulled back from pressing her into the wall. She took her time straightening her own dress, pulling the skirt down where it had ridden up, running her tongue over her doubtless swollen lips as she watched Aspel putting herself together. "Don't worry," she said, running her hands over her hair, trying to tuck it back into place without a mirror to guide her, "I am unlikely to forget exactly where we were." More promise than threat; somehow, she had a notion that as long as she didn't push too hard, Aspel wouldn't be at all opposed to continuing where they had left off in the privacy of Ari's flat. She stepped in, looped her arm through Aspel's once more, pressing close to the other's side. Her nerves were still tingling slightly, and the low, persistent buzz of frustration wasn't going away anytime soon, but she tried to remind herself to enjoy the anticipation. She did not think it would be too terribly much longer. If it was, she was likely to scream. "Just this way," she said, leading Aspel out of the alley and back to the lit avenue. She didn't doubt both of them looked a little debauched. Well, she couldn't find it in herself to mind, and in any case, the lighting in the bar she had chosen was rather low. Fortunately, said bar was barely five minutes away; when they entered, there was a brief but perceptible lull in conversation before it resumed, and Ari swallowed a laugh. A bit debauched indeed. There was a tiny booth available in the corner, and she pulled Aspel in that direction, sliding onto the curved bench around the small, round table. "Preferences?" she asked, as she waited for Aspel to sit and someone to come and take their order. "They've several from the Chateau Médoc wineries, so I intend to spoil myself." "I am certain you shall not." And the words regarding Aspel's memory of this moment simply died in her throat. There was no need to press this, no need to push the concept or point or place or.... desire. Even if she wanted it. Faram, did she want it this night. Though at the same time, there was just the faintest hint in the back of her mind, one piece not giving over to desire, to sin, to the Dark just yet. That would allow her the strength to refrain, to assure she didn't change their projected coordinates altogether this eve and forget the drinking until another night. When Ari took her arm and pressed up against Aspel's side, a deep seated desire to let out a slight grumble, perhaps even something bordering on a faint growl, was restrained. There was no need for something like that, not here and not now. "Of course." Even with her body and mind still humming, a thrill nearly threatening to cause her fingers to curl, and goosebumps to form against her skin, Aspel would simply let Ari lead. She could, even if may feel like one of the greatest challenges in her life in this moment, remain a perfectly pleasant person, a gentlewomen of sorts, when at such a heightened level of stimulation... Even when primal urges tugged at her insides and ran wild like creatures through a jungle. The sudden silence earned a flashed smile around the room before Aspel's free hand came up, fingers combing through her hair briefly, and off they were again, this time to a booth. Allowing Ari to slip in first, the smith then scooted in, leaning over to press a brief kiss to the bard's cheek, a hand reaching for something on the table a bit far away to briefly press their bodies together. "None." Keeping the distance between them close, a devilish smile was given to the other woman as the item she retrieved the drinks menu to be examined. The whole while it would be held in a manner so that Ari could peer over the items available as well while Aspel attempted to make heads or tails if there was anything of interest to her on it. "You?" While Aspel retrieved the menu, Ari turned her face, nuzzled at the other woman's jaw a moment. Her hand drifted down, settled on Aspel's knee under the table. Not her thigh, not too high, but she hadn't had any opportunity to explore this stretch of skin before, and she intended to take advantage of the opportunity. But that was for later - for now, her hand stroked once, settled. Aspel fetched the drinks menu, and Ari gave it only a cursory glance before announcing, "They don't carry the Carménère - almost no place ever does - but I'll have a bottle of the Chateau Médoc Cabernet Sauvignon, and it will be glorious." She smiled at Aspel, resisting the urge to lean in - they were very close - and simply kiss her again. Later, she promised herself. "I am glad to share, if you like, but in that case, we will need two." A celebration warranted at least one bottle apiece, after all. She traced a slow circle just above Aspel's knee with one finger, but her eyes never left those of her companion. "I am an extraordinarily affectionate drunk, as I hope you recall," she warned. "I am liable to throw myself at you quite shamelessly. I do hope you can forgive me - in advance." She did not put it past herself to wind up in Aspel's lap - in public - before the end of the night, if she had enough to drink. The nuzzle earned a low pleased chuckle, the smile quite content across her lips. There was the faintest tensing of her leg when Ari's hand came to rest against her knee but the muscles just as quickly relaxed, leaving nothing but the feel of the bard's lingering hand against her skin. "No?" Came the simple query to the other woman's carrying on with Aspel's eyes dancing but a moment before beginning to focus once more, her gaze firmly locked upon the menu. "I fear I am not familiar, but considering it seems to be your only order of interest in this moment, I take you would suggest it?" The corners of her lips quirked ever-so-slightly but still, eyes did not wander from reading through each finely scratched line of their listings. Not only was she reading the titles but any descriptors given as well. Certainly, the smith had had her fair share of wines but considering her standard preferences, and Vivi's regular stocking of them, she found little reason to venture away commonly. With the feeling of Ari's finger slowly trailing over her skin, there was the tiniest hitching of breath before Aspel wetted her lips and her gaze finally ventured away from the menu to catch Ari's. Somewhere deep down, the smith had to wonder if this had been the other woman's plan all along. "I do." Came the brief, and admittedly slightly breathy, confirmation. "I suspect I shall simply need to remind myself of Faram's teachings then." The teasing was so obvious not even a blind, dumb, deaf fool could miss it in her tone. Then her volume would drop as Aspel leaned in a bit more, allowing her body to brush against the bard's without moving away. "Though I am certain other books of teaching may be more applicable this eve." Shifting, the smith pushed against Ari a bit more, the drinks menu laid upon the table to allow her to easily direct the wait staff to her choice upon their arrival. "It is a winery I am inordinately fond of," Ari replied easily. She shifted her weight, rested head head on Aspel's shoulder under the guise of better seeing the menu she didn't intend to read. "I will recommend it always, though it is generally overpriced here, and some of the best varieties are hard to come by. Still, I can think of nothing better with which to usher out Fedoro and usher in my freedom." She was not particularly thrifty at the best of times, but even she didn't purchase Médoc for everyday occasions. "Kiernan and I have had a number of discussions recently about how everything seems better in Ordalia. That certainly includes the wine." When Aspel gave her teasingly pious response, Ari almost laughed. "Has Faram much to say about drunken actresses attempting to climb into the laps of the faithful?" She teased back. "I missed those passages somehow. Though I suspect," she added, "the other books you reference might prove more... educational in this instance. Which did you have in mind?" Just then, a waiter came to take their drink orders, and, having scribbled them on a notepad, adjourned and left them once again to their own devices. "So," Ari said, "you never did tell me. How did you enjoy the show whose end we are so extravagantly feting this evening?" "Then I am certain it will be a fine selection for your needs." Shifting, the arm closest to Ari would move to snake around the bard's back, and the smith's fingers would come to rest on the other woman's outer thigh. Though she doubted Ari had any plans on slipping away, perhaps a bit more encouragement of contact would be welcome. Faram knew that the bard hadn't shied away from any of it yet, and kept claiming that she undoubtedly wouldn't. Even if this was certain to skyrocket the rumors and chatter about Emillion, Aspel couldn't find it within herself to care. The bard's skin, speech and body held far too much of her attention to bother much with such simplistic and foolish things this eve. "Ah, but of course. There is an entire chapter on it." More glaringly obvious joking as the smith carried on, her smile tempered with a bit of a smirk and eyes alive with mischief of sort. "You must have fallen asleep during the sermon." Teasing was her speciality really, and Aspel wasn't about to go down without giving this her all. "The others, you say?" A light laugh, something a bit under her breath almost. "I fear they might not be quite so appropriate in this setting." Eyes darted off towards the bar for a moment, taking note of just how many people were around, and how many were within hearing distance of them in this moment. "It was quite good." Was the instant response to the question, and a flicker at the corners of her lips of them perking up ever so slightly before falling back into the standard smile that seemed to be common upon her face. "I would say you were quite successful in moving the audience with ease. I would even wager you could have nearly any member of the audience eating out of your hand after such performance." "You tempt me to return to church with talk like that," Ari said with a giggle. "Really, I did fall asleep more often than not as a child. I would wake for the parts that were sung," she added thoughtfully. That had always been her favorite part. "Although," she added, "nothing is stopping you from whispering the other titles to me, but... I suppose I can be patient." Not just with the books, either. "I've whole wells of patience I've never previously suspected I possessed." The compliment had her smile growing, however. "I don't know about any audience member, but you are enough, just now." Her smile turning a bit sly, she added, "If you would ever like to eat out of my hand, I assure you, I would be more than amenable." She thought back to those honey buns again, and the powerful reaction her sticky fingers had garnered. Another idea to file away for 'someday.' Since Aspel's hand was on her leg already, it was hardly any trouble to scoot just a bit closer, press their sides together. Two lovers in confidence - what a picture they surely made! It seemed the waiter thought the same, for their order was taken with a smile playing across his lips, and it was clear he was loath to leave the table once everything was written down. "Well, we've made one person's night," Ari said, amused. "Do I?" There was something about the commentary that seemed endlessly amusing. Ari at church? While on one hand Aspel wouldn't mind having Ari at church, at the same time, perhaps it was better that the other woman didn't show. The smith would hate to be so distracted by the temptation of wandering eyes, and thoughts when she was supposed to paying attention to the preacher. Though, the idea of holding up in one of the confessional booths for a bit with Ari wasn't..... unappealing either. Perhaps...... Aspel would need to suggest it at some time. "I suspect nothing is." A shift in where she sat caused the dress to unintentionally ride up a bit as the smith leaned in to whisper in the other woman's ear, the smile on her lips picking up a bit as she listed a few titles, and repressed the urge to nip at the bard's earlobe even if she had allowed her lips to brush against the other woman's ear just seconds before. "Is that so?" Aspel couldn't help the smug look that crossed her face in that instance. "And what would you ever feed me if I did?" The largest part was a joke really, but there was some level of sincere curiosity that would probably end up being the end of her at some point. Regardless, the smith couldn't help but think that perhaps if that was going to be the measure that killed her, perhaps dying while being fed by Ari wouldn't be the worst fate she could possibly meet. "Have we?" The smith couldn't help but muse as her eyes trailed after the reluctantly leaving waiter briefly before returning to Ari, her grip tightening a bit to alleviate the looseness as the bard had moved over. Leaning in a bit, Aspel shifted to whisper in the other woman's ear once more, assuring that lips would brush against the other woman's ear once again. "Who else do you think we can manage?" Perhaps she should have expected Aspel to take her implied dare, but even so, Ari had to bite her lip to keep from gasping - or laughing - at the titles that were listed. Really, she had assumed something< of that nature, but even so... "It seems your taste runs to more than Ordalian wine, chivalry, and poetry," she finally managed. She couldn't pretend the puff of breath and the brush of lips against her ear had left her entirely unaffected. "Oh," she replied lightly, "it would depend on what I had on hand at the moment. I can be flexible. Although," she added, drawling the word out before continuing, "I suppose if pressed, I will admit I've considered buying you honey buns again." The admission was accompanied by a sly smile, a quirk of a brow. A dare of her own. "What do you think? I feel as though I might have some chance of you eating from my hands then." The waiter was, she reflected, likely thinking - and imagining - all sorts of things. She shivered as lips brushed against her ear - slightly, but pressed so close, there was no way Aspel wouldn't notice - then murmured, "I am certain at least half the occupants of this bar. But..." she trailed her fingers over the other woman's knee, just a bit up her thigh where her dress had ridden up to expose more skin, "If you keep on that way, I will be content not to care about the crowds of strangers we may or may not delight this evening." The game was fun, certainly. But she wouldn't mind putting it aside for an evening, either, and just enjoying each other's company, free of pretense. It really had been some time. She didn't truly know how else to express a thought like that, though. Fortunately - or not - this was when the waiter returned with their bottle and glasses. "I have voiced a wide variety of interests." Really, it was the only reply that Aspel had, and in this instance? It did seem entirely appropriate. Though the slow delivery of returned commentary wouldn't go unnoticed. How curious. Perhaps Ari wouldn't be the only one playing games of a sort tonight. If Aspel was going to be left with this buzz of desire - an old feeling she always had the worst time not indulging - she was going to assure that Ari was well aware of it too. It took a moment - a memory flashing back of Ari licking the honey from her fingers in Aspel's kitchen - before a hard swallow was taken, and a single word emerged. "Ah." Fingers tightened on Ari's leg just a bit. "I suspect you would need to attempt such to discern what the results may be." If that wasn't a 'go ahead and try' Aspel wasn't sure anything ever would be. Eating from Ari's hands would be the least of their issues at that point. This shiver wouldn't go unnoticed in the least, just like the slight hitch in her own breath at the feeling of the other woman's fingers beginning to roam up her leg would be impossible to miss as well. While it was a bit unexpected it certainly wasn't..... unwelcome. The smith couldn't help the smirk pulling at her lips, something completely self satisfied in it with Ari's commentary. "I believe I misspoke." Fingers slipped down, stroking over the bard's outer thigh as she leaned in to whisper again. "I was attempting to indicate that perhaps I hoped we may be able to find distraction in each other." It was a rather..... bold statement considering their relation to date but somehow, Aspel just couldn't seem to help herself or find it within her to really care how deeply she was clearly starting to slip. Though, with the waiter returning, Aspel would pull away a bit, just enough to offer the man a smile and brief words of thanks before reaching for the alcohol left upon the table. "I look forward to discovering still others," Ari replied, amused. "If you've any of those books on hand, I think I would rather like to borrow them. Do they have illustrations?" she asked with her best innocent look. "Just in case," she clarified, "I come across something... unfamiliar." Which at this point she rather doubted, but there was no end to hume creativity, after all. "An experiment?" Well, she had attempted quite a number of those over the course of the last several months with Aspel. Most of them, she thought with a smile, had worked out quite well for her. "You shall have to look forward to my trying it, then," she responded. "I certainly intend to - look forward to it, that is. And attempt it." She might as well issue warning that she had taken the invitation at face value, after all. "In which case, I do believe our desires are aligned," Ari responded. "Curious, how that seems to continue happening." She might have said more, but with the waiter's return, she was temporarily distracted by the pouring and tasting of the wine - quite excellent - and after the her glass was filled and the waiter departed, she clinked their glasses together, said, "To successful endeavors, then... and distraction. They are not always mutually exclusive." "I believe I may." There had to be at least one of them still kicking around. While - when Aspel had been having sex - she was more than creative and imaginative enough on her own, it never hurt to see what else other people had considered. Then there were even the rare instances where something she hadn't considered could be added to her own little bag of tricks. Though, the smith did have to wonder just how good that bag was anymore with how long it all had been. At least Ari hadn't seemed bothered by what she had attempted at this point, perhaps Aspel wasn't quite as rusty as she thought. "Curious." The word, while perhaps not a proper confirmation of Ari's question, would say anything that needed to be said regarding the inquiry. "I suspect I shall then." Her smile perked up a bit. "Look forward to it as well, of course." Though when Ari decided to try such a feat would be another matter entirely and Aspel had to wonder that just because she was provoking such behaviors tonight if down the line her desires for this would hold true. There was a simple remedy for that though, and Aspel reminded herself that really, she'd yet to truly mind anything the bard had done to date. It was all her own internal struggles and nothing the other woman had ever really done wrong. "Are they?" She couldn't help but be amused and curious at the same time when it came to that. While they both did seem to float along quite well and didn't grate too often anymore, it was still hard to understand just how much on the same page they often were. Though, perhaps that question was go to unanswered with the waiter back and Aspel smiled up at the man, making sure to give him the proper respect he deserved for putting up with their utter nonsense as well. "Thank you." Was given to the man briefly with the glass retrieved. Ari took to setting off the toast and Aspel only smirked at first. "But I pray mutually beneficial." With that, a sip of the wine was taken. "It certainly seems that way to me." It was a long way from where they had started. It seemed not so long ago that they had been misunderstanding each other endlessly. Ari wasn't entirely sure they had dispensed with that altogether - the comment about distraction being just one example - but at the very least they were not quite so frightfully out of sync as they had once been. If they were still playing at somewhat different tempos, at least they were now on the same page of the same piece. Or so she liked to hope. "I feel as though we can make them so," she said, then took a long drink. Removing the glass from her lips, she gave a contented sigh. "Oh, I have missed this," she admitted. "Wine - rather fine wine - without guilt, and in such very lovely company." She smiled, drank again. "You would not believe the disaster this weekend has been - notwithstanding our adventures on Friday night, work has been abysmal. Really, I am glad we put on any show at all this evening, with everyone so stressed and cranky and generally out of sorts. It is a relief," she added, "to know no one shall yell at me in the foreseeable future, except perhaps my mother, whom I have long ago learned to tune out." "Ah, then I suspect I shall need to trust your assertion of such." The smile on her face remained the entire time. Perhaps someday, they would be coming to the same conclusions, at the same time, but for now, Aspel would take this level of close enough. In fact, this may possibly be better than the same conclusions, and trains of thought. It would assist in keeping a bit of mystery about, a certain level of game playing or surprise would be required to keep her attention if this was going to last........ Wait. The thought was instantly thrust aside. "I believe that is a reasonable conclusion." Aspel would pause, waiting a moment for Ari to continue on, her own wine glass going untouched as the other woman so readily began to nearly gulp down the contents of her own glass. While there was no doubt in her mind that the smith could certainly keep pace with Ari, and probably come out only half as drunk, there was no reason to get quite so blitzed. After all, Aspel had promised she would carry the other woman home this eve. "That does sound as though it would be quite the weight to be removed from one's shoulders." With that, Aspel would finally take the second sip of her drink. "I certainly hope so," Ari said agreeably. She reminded herself to slow down; her first glass was nearly gone, she hadn't eaten properly since lunch, and she did not want the night to end quickly - or embarrassingly. She might intend to be rather smashingly drunk by the end of the night, but some moderation seemed in order. Carried home, certainly. But preferably without spewing the meager contents of her stomach first. "I could certainly rant to you for hours about backstage drama," she added, setting her glass down, determined to wait before she drank more of the wine. "However, I feel as though that would simply be dwelling on unpleasant things, and I'd much rather think of pleasant things this evening." Her fingers continued tracing lazy patterns upon Aspel's thigh, perhaps a bit higher than they had started, though not alarmingly so. "Your turn," she said. "For a toast. If I'm going to be embarrassingly drunk, I should at least have a good pretense." "Ah, then let us find another topic, no?" Though, Aspel couldn't help a hitch in breath over the course of her comment as Ari's fingers continued against the skin of her leg. A thought dashed through her mind about how she could easily put a stop to this at any time, yet...... The smith found herself - once again - without the willpower or bother to care in the moment. Allowing her own hand to wander down a bit before fingers pressed in, nails softly scratching back up over the other woman's outer thigh. "A toast to freedom, and ventures both above and below." Above or below what however, well... Ari might just need to use her imagination on that one. If she chose not to, then they'd have a bit of a game to play before long now wouldn't they? Raising her glass, it was offered with a sly smirk, and a quirked brow, waiting for Ari to meet it before Aspel would venture her third sip of the evening. This of course, would leave her glass still mostly full. "May one's desires rise to meet them, no?" The glass hadn't been put down, but it was shifted out to the side slightly as Aspel tugged Ari a bit closer, leaning in to steal a kiss. "Above and below, hmm?" Ari said before she drank. There went the first glass of wine. "Well then, you've certainly given my imagination something to work with," she commented. "And these thoughts are a perfect distraction from unpleasant topics, so I suppose you have achieved your goal quite admirably." Her mind would make of that all sorts of things Aspel probably hadn't meant, but that seemed the intent here, didn't it? Especially with the other woman's hand where it was and their proximity. "I wonder," she asked, an amused, flirtatious smile playing across her features, "how many of our ideas would overlap?" To the second part of the toast, she replied, "I feel as though our chances are good. I have quite a variety - to complement my imagination." Desires were not something she often found herself lacking. If anything, that week they had discussed earlier, in the alleyway, seemed a perfectly reasonable and adequate quantity of time... She had just set her glass aside, empty, when Aspel leaned in to steal a kiss. Ari wasn't entirely unsurprised by it, but she placed her free hand on Aspel's cheek and answered the kiss, drawing it out a little before she pulled back, ran her tongue over her lips. The other woman tasted of the wine they had been drinking, and... She had been intending to wait until they returned to her flat before resuming what they had started in the alley but... As tempting and pleasing as the wine and easy conversation were, if she could have both of these along with Aspel's attention, she could hardly complain. The thought came, before she dismissed it rather forcefully, that she might as well make the best of the opportunity now, considering her imminent departure, and Aspel's seeming preoccupation with her houseguest. What she voiced instead, low and amused, was, "I am not remotely drunk, but I am giving serious consideration to climbing into your lap now rather than later." "Mm, quite." Came the instant response to Ari's query regarding the smith's vague, and odd statement. There had been thoughts regarding above and below what she might like, but those would be left in the far reaches of her mind for the moment considering that while Aspel was warming to the idea of letting Ari into her secrets, the smith hadn't quite made it all the way there yet. "Have I? How wonderful." The smirk remained, something deeply amused regarding the whole situation even if words could not describe precisely what perpetuated that feeling entirely. "That seems a very curious question indeed." Though, Aspel had come to figure more would probably overlap than not at this point. They were seeming more and more on the same page as of late with these sorts of things after all. Though, the bard's commentary regarding her desires would only earn a low, amused chuckle. "I am certain you do." A low, contented sigh was earned when Ari pulled away from the kiss, though the feeling of the bard's tongue against her lips earned a hitch of breath. While admittedly, Aspel wouldn't have minded if it had carried on, they would need to be a bit more careful - and perhaps herself a bit more restrained - if they were to get through this night without any particular mishaps. As much as the smith wanted to continue all of this, they would need to slow eventually. Though... "Are you?" A low chuckle slipped out again, something devilish flickering in her eyes. "I could hardly say it would be a bother." |