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Post by Ziya on Feb 22, 2019 17:48:18 GMT -5
Rand's eyes widened as he listened to Éirín's words, knowing exactly who she was referring to. Somehow they others were alive, and there was hope yet. The revelation stunned him enough that he didn't move as she rose and faced Ailill. He simply stared at those before him blankly as he tried to process the implications.
Meanwhile Lucia continued to stare down the crazed man, unwilling to stand down even at the request of the owner of the heart when an intruder was interfering on the Dive. Only once he vanished did she relax, letting her armor vanish just as the platform shattered.
She was familiar with that by now, though Rand certainly wasn't. He broke out of his stupor just in time to start falling, remaining composed only because the others maintained theirs. Lucia used the fall to get close to him, suspecting what the final trial might entail.
She had no intention of interfering with the Dive at all, simply nodding at Éirín's request before being forced to grab Rand. Her grip was harder than the metal of her arm, something that he just noticed as she whispered to him "We can't do this for her. It's her trial to go through, just like the columns at Rhuidean." He gave her an odd look, but understood and remained still, even through the attack and blinding light.
When he awoke Rand's first sight was Éirín holding her spear, what he now knew to be a keyblade. With a soft smile he raised his hand to summon his own in solidarity, only to fins another still grasping his. Confused, he followed it to Lucia's body, at which point he blushed and pulled free, attempting to cover himself as best he could with the blankets as she stirred, Zavilat'a'Aman coming to his now empty hand.
Lucia blinked a few times attempting to focus, abruptly realizing that she was still in the bed with both of them. A Flash Step later and she was sitting on the floor at the foot of the bed, though her towel failed to move with her. Unconcerned, she looked at the pair and nodded, reaching out with her right hand and summoning Requiem's Resolve with a grin. "New Wielders of the Keyblade, congratulations on completing your Dives to the Heart, unorthodox though they were. As the Master who aided you through the process I would be honored to teach you the ways of the weapons you now hold, but only if you choose to."
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Post by Conrí on Feb 22, 2019 19:55:59 GMT -5
Éirín looked at Rand and smiled, until she followed his gaze to find Lucia in the bed. She quickly moved away from Rand, the Spear of Avalon vanishing for a second before it reappeared in her hand again. A blush was on her face, and she stared at Rand again and his Keyblade. "Rand, I'm so sorry I dragged you into all of this," she whispered softly while Lucia stirred.
The wolf girl's blush deepened when the woman flashed away without her towel. She had to force her eyes up to Lucia's eyes. That proved too difficult, so she moved her gaze away again to the wall across from Rand. Then, she noticed her fiance was naked, and she squeaked. Her heart, even though it felt more stable now, raced. Her tongue wanted to move to reply to Lucia's offer, but she simply found herself avoiding looking at the woman and nodding in acceptance. "I would gladly train under you with Rand and possibly with my brother as well."
The priestess yawned and stretched a little, realising with some annoyance, that she was drenched in sweat again. "For now, I really need some rest, please, Master. Rand and I probably have a couple of things to discuss as well." She bowed, despite herself and her new, official status. She wondered what all would awaken within her now. She pushed her thoughts away and tried to focus on what Rand's wives had said to her. Another blush covered her cheeks. They are...attractive. She found herself fidgeting with her fingers.
Conrí took the drink Mink offered him. He wasn't sure how many he'd had at that point, but, he could agree with their point of view. "Yeah, I just want this over with, too." How many times had he said that? He shook his head a little and reached for a glass of water to let things clear. "This must be so hard for you, huh?"
The wolf boy could only imagine what it was like to have Mink's abilities to travel in time, and he shuddered. "I meant the whole time travel thing, by the way, imp," as he said this, he smirked and winked at them playfully. He wondered how long they had been drinking, and thought that maybe he should go try to find Jason. He wanted to snuggle and talk, even if it was going to be incoherent at first. "Jay's not going to get too mad at me for being trashed, right?"
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Post by Ziya on Feb 22, 2019 21:50:05 GMT -5
Lucia couldn't help but laugh. The combination of Éirín and Rand's embarrassment, the relief of having pulled that off, and the stress of the following day all rolled together into a full laugh that lasted nearly a full minute. "Sorry," she finally got out once she recovered, "I forget about people being uncomfortable without clothes sometimes. Never had to bother on my world."
A flash of light later she stood in a closed robe of varying pink and purple plaid as she dismissed her keyblade, with Rand mimicking her soon after. "Please just call me Lucia though. Seems to be difficult for Conrí, but I really don't like the Master/Apprentice dynamic too much. As far as I'm concerned we're friends and I'm helping you out. Anyhow, I'll let you get some rest. Night!" A subtle shake of her head might have been noticeable as she closed the door behind her.
With that, she headed into the living room where she found Jason and started filling him in. She didn't tell him what caused the reaction however, or that she had even had it. None of the others needed to know that her Darkside was awake again, much less what it was saying. "You don't want to be anyone's Master because you aren't worthy. Just let me out and I'll show them a few things." She never wanted to, nor did she intend to.
Back in the room Rand sighed as he put aside his worry for his apparent Master and friend, turning to the woman beside him. "Dear, Lucia told me that this would have happened regardless of meeting you. To be honest, I'm just glad that I have you to share this journey with." His smile grew, with warmth in his blue eyes. "So the others found you there? They weren't too rough I hope. They are many things, but subtle is not one of them."
"Nah, he won't care." Mink was pleasantly buzzed by the time Uncle Conrí switched to water. The question caught them off guard, and for once they didn't have a sassy comeback or quip. After a moment of silence, they decided that honesty was the best option, and with a slow start began speaking. "They told you about Null and all that. Well, I have memories from two different timelines. I've got all the happy memories from the future of this one, but I've also got ones from a timeline that doesn't exist anymore, where both I and this body come from. In that one, Null's Heartless was released seven years later than in this timeline, and everyone but two of my cousins died. Mom, Dad, Uncle Riley and all of his kids, everyone."
They paused for a moment to look at their empty glass, then filled it with water and took a sip. "I was seven at the time, and the three of us got away on the Alyson, which is why I'm so attached to it. We ran for eight years, learning how to fight the entire time and getting nowhere for it. Eventually we figured out how to come back in time and helped make this timeline happen, and the bad one was erased. But I wasn't erased with it."
A touch of bitterness entered their voice. "I replaced the Mink from this timeline instead, merging with them and gaining all their memories. The body's still mine though, as evidenced by the scars I shouldn't have as a Celderatian. Aspect heals without scars, but I never learned it since everyone that could teach me was dead. Nobody else has memories of the timeline I do either, so no help there. That's why I spend so much time here in my past, since they know here. Here I don't have to pretend to have only lived one life."
They downed the rest of the water in one go before filling it again and attempting to smile. "The past two years for me have been better at least. I've been trying to keep things stable and avoid the worst outcomes, and have been learning from both Uncle Jason and Aunt Jen about forgiving myself for the past and looking forward without having a panic attack. I wish I could be honest with them about what's gonna happen in about a year though. That's the part that's getting to me."
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Post by Conrí on Feb 22, 2019 22:40:13 GMT -5
Éirín smiled sweetly at Lucia as she left, but, as soon as the door was closed, she grimaced. Something about the woman's aura seemed...off. She shook her head, Rand's sigh bringing her back into the moment. She found herself nodding at his question. She saw her love's eyes filling with a warm light, and she snuggled her head into his chest, pulling his arm around her shoulders.
The wolf girl giggled a little. "No, they were not subtle. But, they...um...I...dodged the regal one's weaves, because I could see them. I caught the annoying one's knives. Then, I had to dance the spears with the tall one. After...that, the tall one said that I suited their group." She finished talking with something of a sigh that indicated infatuation, and felt a blush come to her cheeks. She desperately tried not to let her thoughts wander down that path too much, but the Two of Cups reversed flashed in her head, followed by an image of the Queen of Pentacles, The Queen of Wands, and the Queen of Swords with each of the women's faces floating above the cards. She blinked, realising just how much the cards fit what she knew of them.
Still the implications made the priestess more than blush. She couldn't stand the fact that she was sweating so much, so she forced her clothes to disappear, but, she stopped snuggling against Rand and slid under the covers until her face was covered. "I'm really going to salt that deck," she nearly squeaked out. Her entire body felt like it was on fire, and she found herself trying to muddle through thoughts and feelings that had previously been fleeting. The cord still linked her to Rand, and, she felt it tingling, as though it was about to betray her feelings to him.
Conrí slammed back water faster than he had the alcohol. The room spun and tilted. His head felt like it was stuffed with wool. Still, he remained attentive enough that he heard Mink out. When they had finished, he found himself just shaking his head. "F...ach...Shite." He barely caught himself with his language.
The wolf boy stared into his water for a bit. "Sometimes, pup, you just have to take the memories you have, thank them for what they've shown you, and then rise above it. I had to do that once, and, now, come tammarah I'll hafta do it again. It's not something I look forward to, but, I know who I am now, and where I stand, and, changeling, if you've figured that out, then nuttin can stop ye." He nodded as though his drunken apologetics made something better.
The would be king cocked his head and wanted to ask about next year, but, it came out as more blather. "Knowing what could happen doesn't really change a damn thing, does it? But, wee one, tell me, if ye can, what it is about next year that's gettin' ye down."
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Post by Ziya on Feb 23, 2019 14:30:51 GMT -5
Rand had noticed both the shake and Éirín's grimace, but chose to save the question for another day. Instead he focused on her words, smiling at the descriptions. "Elayne is the 'regal one,' Elmindreda -though she prefers Min- is the 'annoying one,' and Aviendha would be the 'tall one.'" He chuckled at the thought of them hearing that.
Soon after he noticed Éirín's physical reactions. Initially he thought it had something to do with what had happened earlier, but he quickly realized that it likely had more to do with who she had met. A wry grin replaced his smile as he slid under the covers after her, taking a chance on how she felt. "If it helps, I felt the same with them, at least once I was able to properly spend time with each of them. They also called me a 'woolheaded sheepherder who thinks with the hair on your chest' when I tried to tell them that I couldn't choose between them. Then they bonded me, and each other, right after."
Mink's smile was genuine as they nearly laughed themselves right off the chair as Conrí tried to explain things. While the advice rang true, the presentation was slurred enough to nearly be unintelligible. Still the words hit a chord within Mink, and they nodded along to them while taking them to heart. It was something that still bothered them, being only half Celderatian. Who were they, and what was the most important for them?
They had to shelve that thought when Conrí bluntly asked them about what they were referring to. They glanced down the hall to where their Mom and Uncle Jason were talking, out of earshot and likely in the middle rather than the end. Sighing, they leaned toward Conrí and spoke quieter. "One, this will happen. It's not a might, it's a certainty. Two, you can't tell anyone about this." They paused for a moment, then continued softly. "In about a year, we'll have to go back to Celderat to use it's core to resurrect someone. That someone is Aunt Jen, who's gonna get herself killed trying to get into Valhalla. Mom's gonna have to face her Darkside shortly after the death, then we're gonna have to fight her Nobody to get Aunt Jen back."
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Post by Conrí on Feb 23, 2019 16:09:45 GMT -5
Éirín nodded slowly at the names Rand gave, putting them to the faces. She put her hands over her face when the man she loved followed her under the blanket. Something akin to shame bubbled up in her gut. As he spoke to her, she calmed down a little. At least it was enough to get her to move her hands away from her face to look into Rand's eyes. Her body trembled, and her eyes flashed with desire.
The wolf girl licked her lips and kissed Rand as passionately as she could for a solid minute. She whimpered and moaned softly as she kissed him. "It's not that I don't love you or find you attractive, obviously." She found herself thinking about kissing them the way she'd just kissed Rand, though, and the blush returned to her face. She could fight it, but, she couldn't really deny what she was feeling anymore. "But...I...well, um...uh...the cards indicated that...I want to be with them the way I've been with you, and...um...my thoughts wandered...during that kiss."
Quickly, the priestess looked down and away from Rand's eyes, which only brought attention to the fact that he was stitchless in the bed with her. Her blush deepened, and she forced herself to sigh. "I like both, I guess. I suppose I've always known, but...I...understand if that's not how you are, my fiance." She touched his cheek gently and smiled bashfully. "They demanded to marry you properly as well, dear. And...if I can see the weaves Elayne and Aviendha used, does that...mean anything? Could I be...bonded to you, too, beyond the red cord on our wrists?" She found her arms wrapping around Rand and trying to pull him close to her. She just wanted to snuggle and feel the rightness of happiness wash over her.
Conrí shook his head a little. He plugged his ears when Mink laughed. "Oi, wee one...alcohol, or whatever that drink is and sensitive ears don't mix well with noise." He growled playfully and smirked at the young adult. They had turned contemplative, which nearly made him offer them a shot of whiskey.
The wolf boy stopped right when Mink actually decided to tell him what was going on with them. He looked absolutely shocked, and, for a single second felt sober, but, the fuzziness returned quickly. "Ye've me word as the future king of Tir Tairngire that I won't tell a soul. It sounds like we have even more reason to celebrate now, er...after tomarrah." He lightly embraced Mink around the shoulders. "It's okay, Mink. I'm sure it's gonna work out. Somehow. Never lose hope, okay?"
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Post by Ziya on Feb 24, 2019 0:36:05 GMT -5
Rand's grin only widened as Éirín explained her feelings, though he was sure to keep from chuckling. He knew she was worried, though he failed to keep all the amusement out of his voice as he returned her embrace. "Éirín, my fiancee, I understand entirely, and they will as well. They are bonded to each other as well as me, after all. All of us are attracted to people regardless of gender, you see."
He kissed her gently on the forehead before holding her tighter. "As for seeing the weaves, that means that you can touch saidar already. And I would be happy to be bonded to you, though I can only bond the two of us for now. They will have to modify it once we find them, something I'm certain they won't mind doing."
Seizing the Power, he wove all five together, though Spirit made up the majority of the weave, and gently settled it over the two of them. Immediately an awareness bloomed in the back of his mind, a part of her within him that told him everything he knew and hoped about how she felt. Unable to stop himself, he lifted her chin and stared into her golden eyes for a moment before moving to kiss her again.
Mink gave Conrí a hint of a smile as they returned the hug a bit tighter, though they still kept their chest from pressing against him. They may be dealing with the past and future better now, but their body was another thing entirely. As they sat back in the chair again they felt the need to clarify though. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Uncle Conrí. I know it'll work out though. I mean, she's alive in my present after all. But just because it works out doesn't mean getting through it will be easy. When I asked about her Darkside Mom just told me to run if I ever saw her eyes turn red and stay that way, and nobody is willing to talk about the period between Aunt Jen dying and them bringing her back."
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Post by Conrí on Feb 24, 2019 10:09:00 GMT -5
Éirín heard some of Rand's amusement in his voice, but, she instantly relaxed once he explained things. She pulled harder on his body to bring him into a hug. She felt herself shiver with some anticipation as she waited to hear what else Rand had to say. Suddenly, she didn't mind the idea of another round, and, she chuckled a little. "If I am catching up to your desires, I'm pretty sure we really won't be leaving any bed we find ourselves in." She winked at him.
The wolf girl breathed in sharply when Rand kissed her forehead gently. She smiled when he held her tighter, and she found her hands subconsciously rubbing his back. She listened to everything her love had to say, and nodded. She wondered that if she could touched saidar in her heart if she could do so now. Of course, she wondered if it was safe to do so, and, she decided to wait until later.
The priestess was glad she waited, because her skin felt cold suddenly when Rand seemed to be staring at her. She knew from some part of her that he had to be using his power. The same chill passed through her and seemed to sink into her, until it got replaced with warmth. Rand suddenly was within her. She peeked into the feelings flowing between them, and found that there was so much passion, desire, devotion, and love there that it nearly overwhelmed her. She gasped and flustered when his fingers raised her chin, and forced her to look into his eyes as he leaned in to kiss her. She met his lips with hers, though the feeling of kissing him plus the feeling of what it was doing to him through the bond nearly made her yip from the sensation of it. Suddenly, she felt all of her desires welling up within her and passing over to him, even though she wondered if her tiredness from the events of the day were leaking through as well. One solid thought seemed to travel along the bond through emotions. Rand, I love you, and I want you, and I won't ever leave you. And the same goes for them. Wherever they are, we will find them and make this right.
Éirín's eyes flashed with an intense satisfaction and desire again as she finally broke off the kiss.
Mink'a hug surprised Conrí, and, he didn't mind that they kept their chest from pressing against his. He nodded before drinking more water, trying desperately to sober up enough to think straight and spend time with Jason later. "Red eyes. Got it. If it comes to it, you run to behind me, and I'll give it a piece of me mind fer bein' cruel to my Master." When Mink mentioned the trouble of no one telling her how the period between the event and the outcome happened regarding Jen, he sighed and closed his eyes.
The wolf boy muddled through his thoughts. They were slippery and incoherent at best, but, they had gotten a little clearer since he started drinking water. Suddenly, his bodily needs were quite apparent, and, while he had held up a finger as though he were about to say something promising, he ended up blushing and excusing himself as he took careful steps to the restroom.
When the would be king returned, his head felt just clear enough to make sense of things a bit better. He chuckled a little. "Sorry about that, Mink. Seems I lost me head there for a bit. Whatever is in those drinks is not something I'm used to, and, I probably actually started to feel it around the fourth one." His blush returned a bit deeper than before. "And, Jay doesn't think I know how to drink, just because I've been away from the stuff for a bit." He laughed and winked while he stuck out his tongue.
Conrí suddenly turned serious and sighed. "As for the problem of needing information as to how and what to do, my sister has a way with cards. An eerie talent that made me swear off girls. N-Not that...that matters." He cleared his throat. "Normally, I'd advise against it, but, if she asks you if you care for a reading, then, say yes and ask a question about...that time." He smirked and ruffled Mink's hair a bit. "Usually, I'd tell you to run from her readings like the plague, but, there are always exceptions. I think, as nice as this is, we'd best be retiring to our beds." The wolf boy finished his glass of water, shook his head and started to walk to his room, wondering what Jason would actually say about his being still tipsy.
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Post by Ziya on Feb 25, 2019 12:48:19 GMT -5
Rand felt the wonder as Éirín was opened to the bond, mirroring his own. That wonder was quickly replaced by his own desire throughout the kiss, growing stronger by the second even as he felt hers build as well. Soon the combined feeling threatened to overwhelm him, and only the fatigue they both felt kept him from doing exactly what they both wanted.
Her thought made it through the bond, surprising him with its clarity, even as she broke the kiss. His first instinct was to resume it, but his mouth betrayed him with a jaw splitting yawn. The timing was so comedic that he found himself laughing in spite of the desire and fatigue. When he managed to stop he gently touched his forehead to hers and shut his eyes, whispering gently. "It appears that we both need sleep, dear. Sleep well and wake, shade of my heart. I love you."
Mink took a moment to reflect on things and recenter while Conrí relieved himself. By the time he returned they were back to their usual self, though that was less "apathetic teen" and more "sassy young adult" recently. They laughed along with their uncle, knowing full well that Uncle Jason was the weakest drinker of the group.
When Conrí turned serious Mink listened attentively, though they did file away the revelation about him and girls for later. Despite being an adult now, they couldn't help but protest his hair ruffling out of principle. The grin on their face ruined the effect somewhat, leaving it clear that they didn't actually mind. "I'll keep that in mind. Night, Uncle Conrí."
As he walked away Mink did the same, only they returned to the newly repaired ship, before disappearing into a secret area containing their room, as much as they could recreate it, from the original timeline.
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Post by Conrí on Feb 25, 2019 14:09:59 GMT -5
Kissing has such a different feeling to it now. Éirín consciously kept this thought out of the bond, and attempted not to be swept up in the mess of passion that was flowing freely between them. She mentally groaned when she was suddenly hit with a wave of fatigue from Rand's side of the bond. It stood to reason that he could feel her tiredness as well, then.
But, the wolf girl actually smirked towards the end of the kiss when she realised that the man in her arms was holding back nearly as much. When the kiss ended, the light in his eyes and the lingering desire in the bond told her that they were both feeling tempted to continue. She leaned away from him suggestively, only to have a comedic yawn interrupt them. Their laughter forced reality back into place.
The priestess shuddered when Rand's forehead touched hers. He's right. she thought with some bitterness and opened her mouth to protest, only to close it when he closed his eyes and spoke. The feeling through the bond really did overwhelm her this time. To the point that tears threatened to fall from her eyes. "Not as much as I love you, my sweet Rand. I suspect you'll be in my dreams tonight." She winked playfully, then a realisation hit her that filled her with fear, but, her eyes had already started to close in sleep, and she couldn't fight her body's needs any longer.
Conrí nodded at Mink. He noticed they had followed him, but diverted their path away from his. He saw Jason and Lucia in the living room and boldly walked up to his love and kissed the so passionately that it was clear he'd overdone it with whatever it was that Mink gave them. His hands found Jason's ass and squeezed.
The wolf boy turned to Lucia and winked with a coy smile on his lips. "I'm going to go sleep this off. Night." He stumbled his way to the bedroom.
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Post by Ziya on Feb 25, 2019 20:51:50 GMT -5
Rand was tempted to argue the point, given that they both felt the intensity of their feelings. He quickly decided it was useless to do so however, particularly given their current state. Instead, he simply held her tighter.
He was already weaving a ward for his own dreams out of pure habit when he felt a stab of fear through the new bond. It was simple enough to include her in it as well, and as he did so he murmured softly. "I'll be the only one in your dreams tonight, my dear Éirín. He'll not bother you tonight."
With that, he gave in to his body at last, drifting off into his mind.
Just as Lucia finished explaining the events to Jason, Conrí walked right up to his fiance and locked lips with him, flustering the crimson eyed man. The audacity of her apprentice and the blushing face of her best friend was enough to nearly send her to the floor laughing, especially when the wolf king grabbed his ass as well.
It was only after Conrí wandered off that the two recovered, at which point they looked at each other and smiled. "Looks like Mink got into the Loki with him. Good luck!" Grinning, she headed off to start moving everything back into the Alyson, leaving Jason to shake his head and follow his fiance.
He caught up to his love in front of their room, smiling as he grabbed his ass in retaliation. "So, just how many drinks did you have, dear?"
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Post by Conrí on Feb 25, 2019 21:56:02 GMT -5
Éirín let herself slip off to sleep after Rand had protected their dreams. She still felt the stab of fear in the bond, but, did her best to hide it as she started to float in the inkt black void. It's not about Ailill at all. She shrugged her thought off and kept it away from the bond, wondering if she would pay dearly for her decision not to tell Rand what was bothering her, before slipping into her dream.
The wolf girl saw Rand there, waiting for her. She contemplated running towards him, arms open wide like a love sick pup. She giggled and decided to, completing the image with a setting sun and her hair loose and free in the wind. Right as she got close, however, she summoned the Spear of Avalon and slashed at the man. She followed through with a spinning flurry of blows while also trying to reach out to something she felt in her mind whenever she thought about recreating the weaves Elayne had tried to trap her with, but, whatever was there felt terribly slippery.
Determined, the priestess slipped into a defensive stance and tried once more. This time, she got past the slick, fickle nature of the thing and ended up falling headfirst into a literal raging river, which is what was beyond the inkling in her mind. She coughed and pulled herself out of the river while spitting out some water. "Let me try again, please, because I don't want to be caught unaware tomorrow." Her legs nearly gave out on her, proving that she had had her fill for the day, but her eyes were fiery and determined.
Conrí barely realised he had flustered Jason. It still felt like he was kissing him, if he were being honest with himself. He leaned against the door frame to steady himself. He frowned at the neatly folded piles of underwear and groaned. He started to consider his options for sleeping.
Suddenly, a yip echoed down the hall and the wolf boy's mind was on anything but sleep for a few moments, once he realised Jason had grabbed his ass. With a coy smirk, he all but pressed his lips up against Jason's, wondering if the crimson eyed man noticed how tempting his lips were.
The would be king groaned and scratched his head the second that he heard his lover's question, though and held up six fingers with a sheepish grin. "Only started to barely feel it after the fourth. Did you know you're absolutely ravishing? But, there seems to be...a new clothing problem on the bed."
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Post by Ziya on Feb 26, 2019 18:15:57 GMT -5
It was an odd experience, Rand decided, to be in someone's dream despite having warded his own. Still, if it had to happen he could only think of a few people that he wouldn't mind it with, and one was currently before him. She very nearly caught him by surprise with the flurry of attacks, but a single Shield of Air protected him.
Then he felt the goosebumps, and his eyes widened. Thankfully the anticipated attack didn't occur, but he was actually more concerned by what did. Clearly she was attempting to channel saidar, and was failing miserably. When she was finished speaking he threw a proper Shield at her, the weaves of Spirit preventing her from trying again and giving him time to speak.
His tone was gentle but insistent, and he tried very hard to make his concern carry through it as well. "Dear, you need a teacher. Not only can you kill yourself or make it impossible to channel at all by trying on your own, but there's something called channeling sickness that claims three out of every four people who channel without a teacher. It can't be stopped once it starts, and is a horrible, painful way to die. I can't even help you, as I use saidin. 'A bird ca-'"
He cut off suddenly as a calm, feminine voice finished the quote for him. "'A bird cannot teach a fish to fly, nor a fish teach a bird to swim.' Thankfully," a small, slim woman wearing a pale blue dress and a darker blue cloak emerged from the nearby thicket, "you have a bird to teach yours." Her serene expression lasted until she looked from Éirín to Rand, where a soft, almost motherly smile graced her ageless features. "It is good to see you again, Rand. Or is it still Rand Sedai? I am pleased that you learned something from me during our time together, at least."
Rand turned to face her, a smile already on his face despite the intrusion, and bowed deeply before responding. "Simply Rand, Moiraine Sedai. Even with my memories from the Second Age, you've long since earned the right to call me what you will. Once I learned Elayne, Aviendha, and Min had survived I knew I would see you again, and I am glad to see I was correct. Éirín, this is Moiraine Damodred, Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah, and the only reason I lived past that first Winternight or anything after. You couldn't do any better for a teacher, or a friend."
Moiraine nodded graciously at Rand before turning to face the wolf girl once more with a slight curtsy. "A pleasure to meet you Éirín. If you would like my instruction, then for tonight might we sit by the trees? In the waking world I am in a peculiar town with brick paths everywhere, and I am somewhat lacking in knowledge of the geography to Travel to you, else I would. I cannot tell you that you will be able to channel as the others do by the end of tonight, but if the Pattern wills it you will be past the point of danger, at least." Gracefully she returned the way she came a ways, stopping under the shade of an oak and gracefully sitting.
Jason happily returned the kiss, the taste on his love's lips intoxicating in a completely different way from what had passed between them earlier. When the wolf king admitted exactly how much he had consumed Jason's eyes widened in shock though. "You had six shots of Loki?! That's roughly the equivalent of a dozen shots of decent whisky, and I apologize for everything I've ever said about you and alcohol. Clearly you can hold it far better than I thought."
It was only then that the last section of Conrí's comment dawned on him, and he looked in onto the bed with a grin. "Seems like Jen still ended up messing with us a bit." Moving to the bed, he started taking the folded piles and moving them to the desk for later inspection. One caught his eye however somehow appearing to be both a pair of boxers and made entirely of lace at the same time. His grin grew as he held them up to his love. "Hey, these look like your size. I bet they'd look amazing on you too."
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Post by Conrí on Feb 26, 2019 19:32:33 GMT -5
Éirín barely caught her breath when she felt something slam into her. She couldn't reach out to either magic or the slippery mass again. The fires of determination turned to anger slightly when she realised what Rand had done. She growled at him and prepared to charge at him again, but, she lowered her spear the second she felt the concern within him and then just lowered her head as she listened to what her fiance had to say.
The wolf girl let the spear vanish right as he was starting to finish. She turned when she heard a woman's voice. She measured the newcomer from head to toe extremely cautiously. Something about the woman made her think of the Head Priestess on Tir Tairngire, and that made her mouth turn down into a scowl. Sedai, is that some form of a title? Her gaze flicked from the woman to Rand and back. "Lower the Shield, Rand. Now. I promise, I won't be reckless." If he looked carefully, there was a tiny glint of light in her eyes that hinted she might do the opposite of what she said.
The priestess started to walk toward Moraine. She was intrigued by the woman's offer and nodded slowly. She had to keep herself from checking the bond every two seconds. Just because there is fondness there doesn't mean anything.
When she was closer to Moiraine, Éirín smiled. She tried to make it warm, but, she couldn't stop herself from saying, "So, Moiraine, well met. I am Éirín Niall. Goddess of Avalon and Chosen of Éiriú. Don't expect me to be some weakling. Or, for that matter, a bloody heroine." Her smile turned to a smirk.
Conrí laughed a little, then started holding his head lightly. Jason's kiss had further spurred him on toward thoughts other than sleep, but it was his love's compliment that made him laugh. "By Lugus, no wonder I got plastered, then." He chuckled softly and followed the crimson eyed man to their bed.
The wolf boy smiled when Jason held up the lace boxers. He laughed at the teasing, but, he did manage to grab the boxers out of his fiance's hands and started slowly removing his shirt while he started to dance suggestively. He took a step forward and ended up on the bed.
The would be king continued his dance and slid out of his trousers and pants. With a wink, he slipped on the lace boxers and started laughing softly. "Well, if they are that amazing, maybe we'll keep them. Wouldn't they also fit you?" He smirked at his love.
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Post by Ziya on Feb 26, 2019 23:25:04 GMT -5
Rand waited until Éirín nodded before dropping the Shield, moving closer to the pair of women. He remained just within earshot and no closer until Moiraine motioned him closer with a laugh. "You aren't a young shepherd eavesdropping on a childhood friend anymore, Rand. Come, sit with us."
Grinning sheepishly, he did exactly that.
Moiraine nodded with satisfaction, then turned her attention back to Éirín. "Well met, Éirín Niall. I can see there are considerable differences between this world and ours. I can also see," she glanced at Rand out of the corner of her eyes as her smile grew slightly, "why you fell for him. Rest assured that there is nothing of that sort between us, nor was there ever. I am a mentor and guide who became a good friend, nothing more."
Rand started, only now noticing the touch of caution and jealousy within the bond. He found himself nodding in agreement, hoping it would be enough for his fiancee.
Turning her attention back to Éirín, Moiraine's smile then faded as she continued with a slightly sharper tone. "As for your warnings, girl, I expect nothing of you at the moment, but know this: you will be weak in the Power at the beginning, and if you attempt to push too much you will either die or burn out your ability to channel at all. As for what you do with my teachings, I care not. I suspect that you will help more than harm however, lest I miss my mark on Rand's judge of character."
Jason's blush deepened as his love gave him a striptease, though he was enjoying it immensely. When his pants came off Jason made a mental note to thank Lucia for making the Loki, and dimly remembered the "side effects" on the original recipe:
WARNING: MAY CAUSE LOSS OF CLOTHES AND DANCING THROUGH THE WOODS
He thought they were a joke at first, but apparently they were only slightly off.
Somehow the item that could only be called lingerie made Conrí look even more attractive than with nothing on, a feat Jason thought was impossible. "We're definitely keeping them, and I bet they would fit me."
Grinning, he stood and kissed the wolf king before starting a dance of his own. His training and lithe body made it easy to move gracefully throughout the room as he removed his shirt, and he nearly turned the striptease into a lap dance as his pants followed. Only when his own boxers were removed did he stop, and the instant he did he summoned a pair identical to those Conrí wore onto himself, striking a pose that comically imitated male underwear models. "So, do they look as good on me?"
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Post by Conrí on Feb 27, 2019 11:23:58 GMT -5
Éirín relaxed slightly, though she chuckled when Rand lurked at the edge of his hearing. Soon, though, he was next to them. When Moiraine commented on what her connection was to Rand, she felt the pricks of caution go out of the bond. A blush came over her cheeks, and she looked away from Rand, a sheepish smile tugging on the corners of her mouth.
When Moiraine continued to address her, the wolf girl smirked and nearly growled at the woman. Why had she been called a girl? It reminded her of her time in training as a priestess, and, that made her bristle with some rage. She shuddered at the thought of having to face all of that when she woke. She closed her eyes, trying to remind herself that she would wake in Rand's arms. I can. I can face tomorrow. I am only as weak as I think I am. After thinking that, she opened her eyes and studied the woman next to her with an almost cold glare.
Moiraine was suddenly surrounded by a purple aura mixed with bits of light blue, which seemed to fit her. She also had foggy images over her, and the priestess smirked. The goddess chuckled. "So, you're to test me with a stone? That makes sense, I suppose. Even as my time as a novice priestess, I was faced with something so trivial in the end." She reached for the slippery mass again, figuring that the woman could and would stop her if she was being reckless. The rush filled her, but, she closed her eyes. "I understand. I'm being careful, before ya both think of shielding me again."
The goddess viewed herself as in the river again, but, this time didn't end up in a physical one. She forced the river to calm. She viewed herself in a boat on a calm tributary of that large river. She scaled that tributary down a little, because she felt like that tributary was most of what she could handle. She opened her eyes, satisfied with herself. "There, that was simple enough. It is a different kind of visualisation, but, something I do indeed understand. The priestesses taught us to be in control of such things, though it was never quite used in this manner."
Éirín thought of what she could do when holding this strange power. Air came quickly enough to her mind, and, she used the few thin lines she could manage to lay out her tarot cards. "Care for a reading, Moiraine? Or, would you rather we get on with the stone? Or, do you also go through the test for elemental affinity?" She smirked. It was merely a guess on her part, since her previous training and this one overlapped in interesting ways.
Fear jolted through the bond without her willing it, and the wolf girl felt her grip on that boat wavering. She refused to let go of the visual of the boat. She wanted to ride out the fear, because she could feel herself losing her place with the power. No...no...NO! I'm not going to...I refuse to watch him do that to himself. With the unsteadiness of her thoughts, she felt the power leave her. She knew it wasn't permanent, but, she also realised quickly that she had whispered out those thoughts when she struggled with that fear. She wiped at her wet cheeks and exhaled shakily. "It seems I forgot the main rule. Control your emotions. My apologies, Moiraine. As for how I will use the power, more for good than harm, but, a goddess's view of such things are...different from most. I won't, however, sit by and be caught unaware like a foolish pup." She looked at Rand for a moment before looking away.
Conrí smirked and chuckled when he realised how much Jason was enjoying his little show. As soon as the lace was around him, the crimson eyed man apparently liked what he saw enough to instantly say that the garment was being kept. "I suppose we should thank Jen in the morning, then." He laughed and winked.
The wolf boy gasped slightly when Jason approached him and kissed him. He laid back on the bed and enjoyed the show he was getting in return. By the gods, do I love this man. That thought was clear through the dying fog of his brain. He was tempted to touch Jay and just pull him onto the bed, but, he stopped himself.
The would be king shuddered when he saw the boxers on Jason. He nodded and laughed at his love's posing. "Yes, my dear heart. They do make you look more attractive than stitchless somehow." He moved toward his love and pulled him to the bed his eyes full of desire and suggestion. "I love you, my fiance. I love you so much. Do you want to celebrate the fact that we mostly planned our wedding?" He winked and moved so that Jay was beneath him and brushed his lips against the crimson eyed man's. "Why do I see our honeymoon just being a solid week or two of not leaving the bed?"
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Post by Ziya on Feb 27, 2019 18:44:59 GMT -5
Moiraine simply allowed the girl to try, knowing that she had already learned how to embrace the Source somehow. The things she said made little sense, though she assumed that there was a difference in how what drove the Wheel of this world operated. The cards amused her, reminding her of a simpler time in her life before her hunt for the man a few feet from her had begun.
Rand looked worried at the demonstration, but one look at his former mentor's expression told him that she had things under control. Clearly she was waiting for something to happen before beginning the teaching, though he couldn't say what.
When Éirín lost the Source and apologized Moiraine finally spoke again, her voice far gentler than before. "Éirín, you cannot force saidar. The currents will sweep you away and you will be lost. Neither can you safely channel while consumed by emotions. Would you like to discuss your fears? I can leave if you would prefer to speak privately, though I will say that I am more than willing to help."
Rand gently placed a hand on Éirín's shoulder, worry once more etched on his features. "You're worried about Conrí, aren't you?"
Jason just smiled at the effect he had on his love, knowing it was exactly the same as what he stirred in his own heart. He allowed himself to be pulled to the bed, but the instant they were on it his plans to roll Conrí beneath him were dashed as the wolf king did the same to him first. With a delighted laugh Jason kissed his love, only pausing to answer the obvious question. "Because it likely will be, maður mín. As for tonight," his smile turned suggestive as he winked back, "I'm yours."
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Post by Conrí on Feb 27, 2019 19:41:23 GMT -5
Éirín sighed and lowered her head further when she heard Moiraine speak. She controlled her thoughts so that they stayed in this field, rather than be transported to where she was thinking about. She figured Rand at least would be getting to know her as a fledgling priestess soon enough. She found herself shaking her head slowly when Moiraine asked if they needed a moment of privacy. "No, stay. Please." The words came out in a ghost of a whisper.
When Rand placed his hand on her shoulder, the wolf girl felt his worry and refused to look at him, instead placing her forehead on her knees. It probably should be about Conrí, but, it's not. She bit her lip and nearly instinctively pushed Rand away, but barely managed to compose herself, though, she was certain the man had felt it all through the bond. "It's not about that madra coarach." Her voice started out level, if a bit cold. "It's about you and where we're going tomorrow you bleedin' flamin' eejit of a buachaill caorach!"
The priestess's bellow brought her to her senses as she heard her voice echo down the field past the trees. She realised that she had stood up and turned to face Rand. Fear surged through her badly enough that she thought she would sick up right then and there. "If you expect me to be alright with knowing that you killed yourself in a past life, fine, but, if you expect me to sit by idly watching that memory unfold in front of me, possibly with Ailill hunting us down, then, burn me, but you are sorely mistaken, Bloody Rand bleeding al'Thor flaming Dragon Reborn."
Tears started to slip down her cheeks, but she forced the feelings back into a corner of her mind to clear it for space with the training she was undergoing now. She looked at Moiraine and nodded once. "I do not care how long I am in this dream tonight, but, I refuse to leave it until I know how to at least throw something at that menace that might protect Rand, and, I have a feeling you would refuse to teach me how to use the liquid bars of light that nearly destroyed me in my last dream. So, I don't care how many hours we're to be at this, Moiraine, but, I will not leave until you've taught me something I can use."
Conrí moaned lightly when Jason kissed him. He shuddered when he heard the answer to his question, and, the follow up confirmation that their desires were the same made him whimper. He nodded and then kissed his lover with every ounce of passion and desire that he could muster, which included reaching his aura out, hoping it would mingle with Jason's.
When the kiss finally ended, the wolf boy took a moment to study the crimson eyes that captivated him so much. "No matter what happens tomorrow, I love you. I won't ever leave you, mo chuisle mo chroí." After he whispered this in Jason's ear, he nibbled on the earlobe a little.
The would be king blatantly just slipped the boxers off of them and smirked sweetly before saying a little louder than the whisper. "I know whose you are, my sweet Jay, but, it seems like you might need a reminder." Note to self, whatever that drink was, it makes me as forward as a farmhand...
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Post by Ziya on Feb 28, 2019 14:20:54 GMT -5
Moiraine looked over to Rand as Éirín's tirade continued, curious as to how he would react. He noticed that, but his main focus was on his fiancee. He allowed the insults and shouting to wash over him, listening passively and attentively. When she was finished he took a moment to collect his thoughts, then spoke in a patient, gentle tone. "I'm sorry, Éirín. I wasn't thinking of that at all, and for that I am truly sorry. I highly doubt that either of my deaths will be what it shows us, and I wouldn't expect that of you anyhow, nor would I want it."
It was then that Moiraine spoke once again, her tone almost motherly, in a comforting way. "I know not what you are referring to, but I do know that he is stronger than any memory. You are as well, else you wouldn't be having as much trouble with this as you are." With the barest hint of a wry grin she shared a look with Rand. "She reminds me of Nynaeve."
Rand couldn't help but laugh at that, though he immediately regretted it and attempted to explain. "Nynaeve was the Wisdomin my village, and one of my closest friends after we left. She had... issues is the best term I suppose, with channeling thanks to her personality."
"You must surrender to Saidar to use it. Give yourself to it, and once within its flow use that current to guide it how you wish. You cannot do that while denying what you feel, not can you force your will upon it. Imagine yourself as a flower, and the Source as the sun. Open yourself to it, and it will fill you."
Time paused for Jason as his love kissed him, every inch of him tingling with the feeling of the wolf king's passion. Instinctively he reached out with his own aura as well, gentler now that he knew how, and the recently new sensation of it overlapping with Conrí's was overwhelming in the best way possible.
When the kiss ended Jason wanted more, though he had just enough sense to understand his love's words, words that made him smile and nod in agreement. A moan replaced his own words at the feeling of teeth on his ear, and he offered no resistance at all as the boxers were removed. Finally words came to him. "I'm always happy for a reminder, my dear rí."
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Post by Conrí on Feb 28, 2019 16:54:53 GMT -5
Éirín hugged Rand without even thinking about Moiraine next to them. She felt herself relax completely once Rand explained himself. She pulled him closer to her and kissed him gently on his cheek. She nodded when Moiraine spoke. "Right, I know he's stronger than a memory, but, I forgot myself for a moment." She laughed when Rand explained about his friend. "She strikes me as a person who can't see reason."
The wolf girl let go of Rand with some regret. The feelings through the bond surged through her again, and she sent them over to the man she loved. She bowed ever so slightly to Moiraine. "I understand it now." She sat next to Moiraine again, folded her legs in a lotus position, and closed her eyes. Gently, this time, she poked at the slippery mass.
The priestess gasped slightly as the mass seemed to let her in, and, she visualised herself in a field of various blooming flowers because of the sun. She felt the ground beneath her shift, and she could smell the flowers. The warmth of the Source was welcoming, but, there was something about it that seemed deceptive, too. She let it fill her to the point where she thought it wouldn't hurt her and held it there.
The goddess could feel the current of it, but, once she was in the flows of them, she could try to nudge them in the ways she wanted them to go. Instead of wandering off on her own again with this newness, she opened her eyes and looked at Moiraine. "What do I do now? Some weaves are coming to mind, based off of what I saw, but, if you have something specific, I will follow."
Conrí shuddered as their auras mixed. He felt like his body was being drenched in fire and ice, but, it didn't hurt. Far from it. He noticed how his love was at a loss of words, so, he started to kiss and caress the man's back, though, his hands admittedly wandered lower a couple of times. He placed his lips on Jason's neck and breathed in his scent.
The wolf boy smiled and whispered in Jay's ear once he had managed to respond. "Oh, my Sahar, I suspect you are." His gaze locked with Jason's eyes. He kissed the crimson eyed man's lips and pushed his tongue into the opening between them. He enjoyed exploring the man's mouth, and, he finally broke the kiss after a couple of minutes.
The would be king cupped Jason's cheek. He kissed down his lover's body again and mumbled, "Well. I'm ready, and, I imagine you are, too, so..."
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