Pleasure Kingdoms: Second Attempt

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

Zarl smiled, and concentrated. His skin deepened, changing away from human flesh tomes and deepening into the dark green that was it's natural shade. He sighed, and smiled at her, glancing over to the dragon preistess as she uttered a few words. He sighed, and gave a smiled to Lavastine.

"Looks like the game goes on, my willing little sex toy." He smirked, and dropped his hand from her breast. His other hand moved around, grabbing ahold of her ass as giving it a short squeeze before he stepped back from her, turning to the woman on the ground.

"Hello, lady? You okay? Since you can turn into a dragon I'm not too worried, but you won't throw a fireball at me out of shock, right? I find pain to be an awful thing, especially in the morning. Are you okay?"

 

[Armphid]

Taren

The half-elf stared at the ferret as it glanced over to him. His leaf green eyes were narrow, a cold hardness to them. Feeling the small creature would hear, he whispered in a firm voice, "She is her own, not yours or anyone else's." "She decides who she is close to." It was hard to tell, but for an instant Taren thought that the tiny mammel was glaring back at him. Then Hotaru laughed, scratching the light furred beast under its chin. Taren looked away, his back to Hotaru so she wouldn't see the anger on his face.

There was no trace of it in his voice as he spoke. "They'll be here soon, no doubt of that." His hands were clenched into fists, the arrogance and dismissal in the "guardian's" words to him making him want to hurl the little vermin as far as he could. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He needed to calm down. "I think I'm going to do a few forms while we wait..."

Taren moved away from both Logan and Hotaru, taking himself through the mental exercises Gynan had so painstakingly taught him. He stood tall, feet shoulder width apart, the wind tossing his dark tresses gently. Raising his hands up, he brought them together over his head, before bringing them down inf ront of his face. His thumbs, index, and middle fingers pointed skyward, the other digits intwined. Eyes closed, he held the meditative posture for a moment, centering himself.

Then his eyes snapped open, hands flying to the hilts of Overture and Finale and pulling the gleaming shotels free. The passing villagers stopped and pointed as Taren began the form, looking almost like a street performer dancing with fancy props. Save that there was death in his dance, as graceful and beautiful as it was. Taren paid them no mind, focusing on the form to clear his mind after Julian's warning. The curved blades slashed, stabbed, spun, and twirled through the air, occasionally flashing in the reflected light of the morning sun. Forked Lightning Strikes followed Leaves In The Whilrwind, Stone Holds Firm blocking an imaginary attack, countered with Serpent Strikes The Heel.

The familiar movements, the weight of his trusted weapons, resorted calm to the young wanderer. As Gynan said so many times, in weapons there is truth, for they do not lie or deny thier purpose. The truth of the blades and the form soothed him, though not even they could shake the feeling that he was caught up in something great and possibly terrible, or the image on his mind's eye of a slender and beautiful girl, with dark hair and fathomless violet eyes.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan

He had seen the ferret jump from Hotaru to Taren, he knew it had spoken, but missed the words. He then watched as it jumped easily back to Hotaru's shoulder.

He noticed the slight change in Taren's attitude, but didn't think it would be the right time or place to ask about it. He heard Hotaru laugh and turned just as she was scratching the ferret under the chin.

Then Taren mentioned doing a few forms while they waited for the others to return. He watched momentarily, then found himself looking to Hotaru and Julian, something about the ferret bothered him. Maybe it was the fact that they had never seen it before and it seemed all too freindly to Hotaru.

"You know Julian, you seem to know alot about Hotaru and she nothing about you. Maybe you are a guardian to her, but if you are an you know there is another, maybe you know of this other but do not want to tell her what it is."

He didn't like being so forward as he had only just met her as well, but there was just something telling him to question the ferret's motives. He felt the ferret may not be as big of a shapeshifter, but he was probably a little more advanced than Logan himself as it could speak and he needed the amulet and could only speak with one person at a time.

He found himself staring at Hotaru and before she felt his eyes upon her he cleared his throat slightly and looked to Taren.

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine ~

Sparkle of lust grew deeply in my ruby orbs as he changed to his natural color, slipping my hand down between his legs sneaking in a feel for myself,

"Now thats more like it...Tempting me more and more aren't ya."

Sounds of the dragon princess broke the mood, making the game last a bit longer. Pulling my hand out slowly and he gained his last feel of my ass.

"Aye, looks as if the Dragon princess is slowly waking.... getting a slight feeling she wasn't in dragon form.."

He went to sit next to her, I returned kneeling above her head with the water, she was still burning up to the touch. Taking the cloth again to her face and neck. Placeing both hands on the side of her head, trying to help her clear it some, make whatever pain she had to calm down. I didn't have great healing power, but was better than nothing.

"Even I have to admitt this one is a pretty one.. Could almost have fun with her.."

Slyly grinning up at Zarl for his reaction, I've never been with another female, but he didn't need to know that.

 

[vbabe2001]

- Hotaru was very concerned as Taren left to go off and be by himself -

"Stay here Julian"

- Julian did'n't like the idea one bit, but he jumped on Logan's shoulder just in time to hear him speak to him. -

Julian: "If you want to know who the other guardian is Logan, maybe you should look into her eyes... if you wonder why I'm so protective of Hotaru is because I have watched her since she was younger, I am not of this world... Logan. Or of the guardian world as I have so told you. But where I am from is not important right now, all will be revieled in time."

- Meanwhile, Hotaru approached Taren cautiously, her violent eyes shewred with kindess for him -

".. Taren.. is everything ok?"

- She took in a deep breath and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder -

"... you took off unexpectanely.. is something bothering you?"

- Julian's eyes narrowed, he could change his form now... or he could wait.. only Hotaru had seen his true form as of that moment and as he jumped onto the ground to look at Logan he was getting more and more agitated by the moment -

Julian: "Hotaru may not know me, but I know her well enough that she is a very trusting and very naive little girl... "

 

[Armphid]

Taren

Taren stood at the finish of the kata, feet wide once again, his arms crossed over his chest so that the very tips of his curved blades almost touched. His balence was restored...as closely as it could be...his heart was unsettled. And being honest with himself, it was likely to remain so.

He heard light footfalls behind him a moment before Hotaru's gentle voice brought a slight smile to his face. Feeling the slight pressure of her hand on his shoulder, he relaxed out of the stance, bringing his shotels down. "Hotaru...I'm sorry if I worred you." He looked back at her, his eyes cautiously happy. He turned to face her, twirling Finale back into its harness before laying one of his hands the one Hotaru had on his shoulder. "I think I'm all right." He paused, not wanting to tell her what had effected him so. But...he couldn't lie to her...those caring eyes would shatter his heart if he even tried.

"Maybe I shouldn't say this...I know you're fond of him...but there's something about Julian that I don't trust." He wanted to look away, feeling somehow ashamed of himself as he spoke. "He basically told me to stay away from you...and that idea, well, I didn't like it much. I know why he did...he wants to protect you too, and I am a disreputable type." His voice became a bit self-deprecating as he smiled wryly. "A half breed orphan, probably a bastard, who admits to being a vagabond nomad...it doesn't sound like anyone I'd trust either. So I can't blame him. When I get upset, I do forms...there's something about weapons, about fighting, that's confortable to me." He didn't know if it was wise to bear so much of himself...but he just couldn't stop. "It's really all I know, all I've been taught, and it's the only thing that can bring me peace. That I've been able to find so far, anyway."

Taren sighed. "If I screwed up, I'm sorry. I...I'm just not sure how I should act or what I should do, I've rearely been around anyone but my master since I was 10. So I probably got the wrong message or read too much into it...just from inexperience." He gave her hand a slight squeeze. "I know it's a pain...but if you can bear with me for a while, I'll get this social thing down."

 

[vbabe2001]

"Julian.. said that?"

- Hotaru looked towards Julian, and Julian sensed it... he turned to look at Hotaru but Hotaru's eyes were back on Taren before he could meet her eyes. -

"Taren, don't stay away from me... "

- She took in a deep breath and grabbed both of his hands in hers, the smoothness of his hands agianst hers calmed her somehow as she looked into her eyes -

" I want you to always be with me. I have a good feeling about you, Taren-san... "

- She turned her head again -

"I like Logan as well.. he has a kind heart, but I feel a special attachment to you"

- Hotaru spoke low as she looked at him again, and found herself looking at her feet -

"Ignore Julian... I only met him myself moments ago, I don't know if I can trust him.... "

 

[Armphid]

Taren

Taren flushed as her hands went around his, unable to speak as the slender girl entreated him to ignore the warning.
"I will ignore him, but I don't think he's bad, just suspicious." He whispered conspiritorally, "I was going to ignore him anyway."

Then he smiled, a slight kind smile, that was a touch shy. "I...uh, I know what you mean Hotaru. There's something about you that just...draws me in." He looked down for a moment, then noticed she was doing the same thing. "Thank you Hotaru...I haven't really had someone reach out to me before. It means a lot to me, especially since it's you."

He took a steadying grip, then broke a hand free of her grip to place a finger under his chin and lift her face up. "Hold your head up high, Hotaru. Just because I like to see your face if for no other reason..." he blushed as he said the words, hoping he didn't sound like a bad play. "My master always said I shouldn't be ashamed or afriad of my emotions...I don't think you should be either. Sorry if I overstepped my bounds, but I think your eyes should look to the heavens, not the ground."

He felt like he should go on, but he couldn't think of anything. Instead he just took her hand in his again, giving a gentle squeeze. This felt good, it felt right. But it was so sudden...and so strange. What was he feeling and why? Was it part of her destiny or his? His training told him he shold be suspicious, that it could be a trap. All his instincts however, told him to trust her, to believe in her, to protect her. A small voice also piped up that they'd probably catch holy hell if the others came here and saw them like this...but for the life of him, Taren didn't care about that one whit. He agreed with his instincts...this was right. He'd just have to be careful not screw up.

 

[vbabe2001]

- Hotaru blushed and nodded, her eyes meeting his once again -

"Your words are truly inspirational to me Taren... "

- She smiled warmly and gently pulled him back over to where Logan and Julian were, however, she hadn't let go of his hand -

Julian: "Hotaru, are you and Taren.. a couple or something?"

- Hotaru turned bright red.. -

"No.. not at all we just.. "

- She coughed and put her hands back in her pockets -

"We were just talking, that's all.. "

- She looked at Logan, then back at Taren, until Julian brought his wet nose to her neck .. -

"Ah! Julian that tickles!!"

- She giggled slightly before Julian took his place on her shoulder again -

Julian: "So you are ticklish... "

"Well.. a little.... "

- With a sigh Hotaru looked towards the others -

"I wonder what we are going to be doing.. "

Julian: "Whatever it is, we better tell everyone to get a move on.. we won't be here forever you know.."

- Hotaru stood close to Taren, and despite what anyone else would say, she slipped her hands in his again... -

"Ready to go meet the others?"

 

[Khadgar]

Dreant Firebane

among all the noise and attack and fluster, Dreant rolled off the roof after it was jarred. sailing down the side and langing with a satisfying thump.

well, not so satisfying for Dreant. instantly awake now, shot up and fell back down on his furry ass. "ohhhh not fun...."

Dreant looked through the window, and perched himself, staring at the crowd of people, hovering over wounded, blood here and there. something very interesting had just gone on in here....

Dreant's eyes narrowed, and a low menacing snarl escaped from him. maybe....just maybe it was the damn squirrels again....

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan

He was a little confused at Julian’s statement about if he wanted to know who the other guardian was. “What do you mean you are not of this world, or the guardian world? You may not think it important, but she seems to trust you so I do think it is as important as her feelings for Taren that you seem so against.”

Julian then jumped from his shoulder to the ground near him, he looked to the ferret, he knew, or felt Hotaru was perfectly safe with Taren. The boy was falling for her, he could tell. He noticed the ferret’s agitation as he watched Hotaru speak with Taren, he even felt a little of that as she took Taren’s hands in hers.

Logan didn’t know why he was feeling what he himself could only classify as jealousy; he hadn’t even known Hotaru or Taren that long. He tried to push the feelings away as it would only cause problems. In fact it seemed to ferret was acting in the same manner just a lot more open about it.

He looked down to the ferret, “I have noticed that and I do know there are a lot of people out there that will take advantage of that. I don’t think you have anything to worry about in Taren or I. Me because I was raised different and have values against it. I know if you have known her and are the guardian of her you claim to be you still need to keep in mind if she is totally sheltered, she’ll never learn to live life. Watching and protecting is good, but sheltering over protecting is not.”

He looked back to Hotaru and Taren and noticed they were headed back their way. Julian returned to Hotaru’s shoulder, he still didn’t trust the ferret. Then he looked over at it’s comment of her and Taren being together.

“Well they should be here soon as time Taren mention is drawing near, and the Trolls and Goblins seem to be drawing closer to the town. I think with this group we can stop them from getting here.”

 

[Armphid]

Taren

He was glad that Hotaru fielded Julian's question, as it had reduced him to a bright blush and a few sputtering attempts at speech that went mostly unnoticed as the slender girl spoke. Taren felt more than a little anger coming off the lithe ferret as it glanced at him from Hotaru's shoulder. He felt certain that he hadn't heard the last of this from the guardian beast.

Still...the idea of being a couple with Hotaru was appealing. To say the least. Though, what did he really know about her? Gynan would say that leaping into this was dangerous for them both...and while Taren hated the fact, he knew that his master was usually right. He had only met her this morning...and despite the notion of fate that was kicking around in his head, could her really trust her? Or any of the others? Gynan had tried very hard to train suspicion into him with only limited success. He recognized the value of it...but he just couldn't doubt Hotaru, Shizura, Kevin, Evee, or Logan. The others he wasn't sure of...but he trusted his instincts, and they said those people were good. He was sure he wasn't being fooled.

The feeling of Hotaru's hands in his broke his train of thought, pulling him back to the here and now. A sheepish smile crossed his face, before he composed himself. "Julian does have a point...we need to start moving soon if we want to get to teh bottom of this before the trail gets cold. We do have a pretty strong group, so it seems, but I wouldn't be too confident, Logan." The warrior came forward in him again as he spoke, his face becoming serious. "If we dismiss them out of hand, they become ten times as dangerous. Not that I think you were...but it's something to remember when dealing with weak creatures like goblins. No matter how weak they are, they can still kill, and worse. There's still the matter of them working together and in daylight." His eyes scanned the town, looking for a sign of Shizura or any of the others. "There is something else going on...I think this is going to be trickier than rooting out a bunch of trolls."

Not wanting to darken the mood, he smiled at the two of them. "I'm sure we can handle it though, we've all been in tough spots before, right?" He squeezed Hotaru's hands gently, marveling at how warn and soft they were. "Let's just hope they get here soon...sad as it to say it, I'm already eager to get back to the wild. All these houses and people...guess I'm just not used to it."

 

[Sky Jade]

Evee closed her eyes as she felt the cool cloth being placed against her forehead. She sighed softly for a moment as she enjoyed the coolness on her forehead and neck.

"I am not sure I could do another spell for a little bit. That last one was packed with more power than I planned on."

She openned her eyes once more, the world no longer spinning. There was a little pain in her head, but a large portion had had gone away.

She looked up at Lav and then Zarl.

"I am sorry I made you guys hunt for me. At least that bad man didn't get me."

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

Zarl stretched, sitting down next to where the woman lay, and gave her a quick look over before grinning at Lavastine. He wondered if she really thought so. Of course, the thought of two women was strange, but, the Fae did odder things than that. "Yeah, Lavastine, I think she's good, too. As long as she gets a little rest, she should be okay."

He looked at her, and smiled. "Hi there. I'm Zarl, of the Macrai-Itoche. And, since you seem to be a part of our jolly party, might I inquire as to your identity?"

 

[vbabe2001]

:: Hotaru took in a gentle breath and nodded ::

"I know what you mean Taren, I kinda miss home too... "

Julian: "Now Hotaru, we must never feel sorry for ourselves... "

:: Hotaru glanced at Julian and nodded ::

"I know, but human nature can't help to feel pity once and awhile... "

Julian: "Human kind is a curse"

:: Hotaru blinked ::

"But your human too..aren't you?"

:: Julian laughed nervously ::

Julian: "Of course.. I am."

::Something glint in his eyes, and Hotaru looked at Logan::

"What about you Logan, your a shapeshifter as well.. do you think human kind is cursed?"

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan

He looked to Hotaru at her question, his amber gaze meeting her violet one. He smiled then briefly as he seemed to get lost in those violet pools.

"I may be a shapeshifter, but I am still human. I don't think that human kind is cursed or a curse for that matter. I think they still have a lot to learn, but not cursed."

He then glanced to Julian, "Julian you need to be a little less pessimistic." He wanted to ask Julian more about who Hotaru's second guardian was, he was now really curious about it, and his statement of looking into her eyes if he wanted to know just clouded the issue.

He looked back to Hotaru and smiled softly, "It's ok to be a little homesick Hotaru. For those of us who it is their first time away from home and loved ones it can be a little hard."

 

[Sky Jade]

Eeve sat up slowly as she felt she could at least do that for the moment. She smiled back to Zarl for a moment.

"Oh, my name is Evee. I am a priestess of the Golden Dragon and daughter of the High Priestess at the main temple. I believe that temple is about six months travel by foot north of here..I think though I could be wrong. May I ask who you two are?"

She noticed her staff was nearby and grabbed it, laying across her legs as she looked between Zarl and Lavastine.

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine ~

Layed stretching across the grass and crossing one leg over the other when Evee sat up, glad that she was ok. Now that things were calm, I was able to enjoy the sun, it seemed to refresh me somehow.

"Well we didn't really go hunting for you per say..... I just happened to notice the fire that it seems you woke, went to check it and there you were."

Looked up to her a moment;

"So what did happen out there? That fire was pretty big, even took me afew moments to calm it down.... From looking at your state, you were not in dragon form..."

"As for names..... well you can call me Lavastine. Where I come from isn't all that important, I'm pretty much a cross between a rogue and sorceress of flame."

That was all she needed to know, all anyone needed to know. I hated the place that raised me, dispised my father.. So it was never worth mentioning. I am a daughter of the lord of my lands, but I wasn't raised as such, so I really just consider myself as just plain and simple with a complicated history.

 

[Armphid]

Taren

Taren glared at the ferret's dire pronouncement, feeling there was more seriousness to it than the little creature had meant to reveal. Then he raised his eys to Hotary, encouraging and comforting. "More than that, Hotaru, your homesickness means you have a beginning to come from. I don't have a place to feel that way about, no family that I know about, no land to call my own, I don't even know where I was raised before my master came for me. You should treasure your connections, even if they make you sad sometimes. It's worse to not have them, believe me."

"As for what Julain said..." He tossed his head to one side, the dark green hair falling away from his not human, not elven ears. "I'm not completely human..,and I grew up among elves for my first 10 years, so I may have an...outside view." He disliked drawing attention to his sinister birth...but he needed to make a point or two here.

"Humanity has incredible power...they've done so much in so little time. Human nature is the source of that power...and while it's different from that of the Midfolk or the Elves, it has something in common with them too." The warrior reached into his pouch, pulling out a bizarre dagger-like weapon. The blade was single edged, and about two inches from the hilt, went to a forty-five degree angle, the edge on the inside of the blade. "Take my kukri, Cutter, and think of it as human nature. It has a wicked edge, it's strong and enduring but flexible. It can be used effectively in many different situations, and is often unusual enough to get surprising results. But the wounds it makes are terrible, and it bites in as it cuts, vicious and greedy." He turned the weapon over in the sunlight, then held it out for examination.

"But really, it isn't good or bad. It is. It can do good, and it can do evil, depending on who wields it. What the person who has this weapon, or tha nature, does with it determines whether it is a curse or a blessing." Taren twirled the odd blade through his fingers before returning it to the pouch. "Everyone chooses between the two, several times on a daily basis. Some always choose good, a few always choose evil, most are in between. The point is that, humankind are only cursed if they let themselves be, if they choose to be. A lot of folks like to think they don't have a choice, but they're just fooling themselves because it's easier that way. Being human doesn't make anyone or anything good or bad, it's the actions a person chooses that makes all the difference."

Taren took a deep breath, smiling a bit ruefully. "Sorry, I didn't mean to lecture...but I think it needed said."

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan

"And it was well said Taren. I think our little ferret freind here just needs a better outlook on things."

He looked to Julian, "If you are her guardian as you say, then you should be teaching her that it is good to have these feelings and concerns and not that they are bad for her to have."

Jullian's response to Hotau's asking him if he was human mixed with his comments earlier about him not being from this world or the guardian world bothered him. His distrust of the ferret was growing, but he would watch him closely.

He looked about the square to see if the others were returning.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

"And I, of course, am Zarl, of the Macrai-Itoche. I come from the jungles far to the southeast. It's really a beautiful place, but I don't suggest you go there. Pretty women like the two of you would never be allowed to leave."

He didn't laugh, but looked off into the forest. He sighed, and shook his head. "Actually, that was the old days. Nowadays it's probably very safe, although I doubt if you'd like what you saw there. Many things have changed since the Bond was broken,...."

He turned, and gave a small smile to the two of them, and clapped his hands together. "But that's a long story, and those are best told around dinner. So, Eeve, you feel okay? You want to go see if the others are ready to move out, or rest here a while? I'm sure they won't mind."

 

[Armphid]

Taren

Taren smiled. "Glad you approve, Logan." He re-took Hotaru's hands, surprised as much as his own boldness as by her threading her fingers through his. Feeling that he would drown in the depths of her violet eyes if he looked at them, the half-elf swept his leaf green orbs over the town. "...They're late..."

In truth it worried Taren, not that something dire could ahve happened but that thier prey might be escaping. Or gathering strength. Still...Earth was his power, and his Essence...he should be more patient. "Let's give them a little longer...though it does give our enemies more time, I don't want to leave anyone behind."

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine ~

Couldn't keep my eyes off either one of them, she was so beautiful and Zarl.. Well, he goes without saying. It took all my fighting urges to not crawl to Zarl and just tease him some more. With the possible thought of Evee join in, lust in me was going wild.

"Well it might be better if she went, its tricky for me to go. And those wings of yours don't like to be trapped within a shirt."

Smiled towards Zarl, stretching full length on the grass.

"I do have to wonder what is taking them so long. Humans have no time concept, and when they do, its in the most inconveniet of times."

 

[Sky Jade]

Evee smiled softly to both of them.

"Well it's a pleasure meeting you both."

Using her staff, she eased up from the ground straightening up. She caught the blanket in her hand before it landed on the ground and held it out to Lavastine.

"Thank you for helping me out."

She nodded for a moment.

"I think we need to go see what's taking them so long."

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

"Excuse me? 'We'? In case you haven't noticed, Lavastine and I aren't exactly Fae. I guess if you want her clinging to you you can take her along, but I just got comfortable again, and I don't feel like doing all that work."

He looked her over, and stood up. He gave a little bow to her, and smiled as he straightened. "And it was a pleasure to meet you, too. And if you're ever looking for more pleasure, I'll be happy to supply it for you. ...Speaking of which, we could just stay here and give each other pleasure while we wait for the others."

He grinned broadly, licking his lips as his eyes roved over her body. "What do you think, Eeve? Sound fun?"