Pleasure Kingdoms: Second Attempt

[katalynn]

Has the bugbear stood up shaking its head while trying to gain composure. Now! Now was the time to strike, at the same time Lavastine threw both daggers right into its chest. Mixing fire with poison it didn't take long at all for the creature to stumble back down the path a few feet then fall to its death.

Lavastine was right behind it making sure that it was dead before pulling her daggers out, wiping the blood off the blades against the creatures clothes.

Noticing how the others were injured, Lavastine couldn't help but be happy that she was caster and rarely had to get into the actual combats. It concern her that both Logan and Zar were limping and it was then she noticed Dreant struggling up the path. Went towards Dreant to help him if needed seeing the shape he was in.

 

[roleplaylifer]

Ritsuko disentangled her blade from the young gnoll's ribcage, its canine form having finally gurgled out its last breath moments before.

Having finally rallied enough courage to attack the supposedly blind samurai once more, the inexperienced realized entirely too late the true scope of his opponent as Ritsuko half turned, sensing the sudden motion almost before it had begun. The gnoll's lunge met with a solid parry, the steel of the katana skirling around the shaft of the spear for just a moment, before the point was slammed downward hard towards the earth.

Its defenses now left wide open, the gnoll just stared stupidly at her as death flashed outward, a crimson splash blossoming on its chest as the keen edge pierced its mangy hide to throttle any pained howl the creature might have made.

The strength of her comrades mixed with the faltering auras of the dying. The dark and fiery sentience of Lavastine still stood firm, while the battle spirit of both Zarl and Logan had diminished somewhat, as well as another....less known swirl of heated emotions. That would be the newcomer she had sensed. It took her a moment to recognize the confused jumble that usually marked Dreant's passing, a frown slightly marring her face as she took note that his aura too, was distorted by pain. This had been a costly battle.

Moving to rejoin the others, Ritsuko paused only briefly to slam her still drawn blade into the back of a still twitching bugbear, ending the feeble hold it may have yet had on life with a grim and impassive twist of the weapon. A sick cracking of bone nearly turned her stomach.

As she drew nearer to Logan and Lavastine, Ritsuko could almost taste the pain of the unicorn. A palpaple wave of misery pulsing from its injured foreleg.

She frowned grimly as she approched the companions as she nodded blindly in Logan's direction.

"You've seen better days. I would imagine that you can't heal yourself with your impressive powers."

The samurai reached out to stroke Logan's mane soothingly.

"Not to worry, I'm sure Evee will make short work of that."

Turning to Lavastine, the light skinned elf flashed a genuine smile at the darker one.

"I think this is the first time I've gotten close enough to....see....you fight. I would apologize for not getting here in time to aid you in defending Logan, but you quite obviously didn't need my help. Nicely done."

With a sigh of regret, she took a fold of her own kimono, carefully wiping her blade clean before returning it to its lacquered sheath. Her eyes closed as they were, they never noticed as the mysterious cloth slowly purged itself of the stain, the taint of the slain slipping slowly from the garment as if it had never really achieved a hold to begin with.

As her sapphire eyes opened once more, she turned to survey the battlefield, just as she had always done after a fight.

Nodding to herself, a hint of a smile teased her face as she noticed that while a few of them may have been injured, once more all of her companions would be rejoining her around the night's campfire.

She couldn't have hoped for much more than that.

 

[Enosch Di'en]

Enosch shouldered his bow and limped over where the others were gathering by the fire, which was hardly a fire now that Lavastine's magic had gone from it. Apparently, the extra heat had nearly consumed what little fuel was there to begin with, leaving the campfire little more than burning embers. Enosch sat down heavily, wincing as he suddenly noticed a sharp pain in his chest. Damn, must've cracked a rib or two. Well, looks like the gnoll is a bit worse for wear than I am. Hmph. Whoever that samurai chick is, she is damn good. Poor beast never stood a chance.

He laid his bow on the ground beside him and began unbuckling the straps that held his quiver and dagger sheaths to him. Laying these on the ground beside his bow, he noticed that his quiver was rather low on arrows. I'll have to make some new ones before we leave. He had a good supply of various heads and the bindings that held them to the shaft. And it wouldn't be too difficult to find decent crow's feathers here. Of course, he would probably be able to salvage quite a few from the battle scene.

He lay back on the ground, feeling very stiff and wincing at every movement. Perhaps he sprained his ankle when the raven dropped him. He was too tired to care. He closed his eyes, thinking how he had gotten himself into this. Yeah, this group seems to lead a very interesting existence. This should be fun. he thought, grinning to himself. He opened his eyes looking up at the night sky, as clouds rolled across the darkness. For the first time what seemed like forever, he felt truly alive.

 

[Sky Jade]

Dragon-evee sat on the large tree branch as she watched the battle continue for a few moments longer. She snorted at the stench of blood filling the air around her, the tree shedding leaves as she shifted from foot to foot.

After the battle died down and everyone began gathering around the campfire once more, she dropped down from the shelter of the tree. She strecthed her wings out for a moemnt and walked the last feet to the group, pausing as she caught sight of the ranger. She approached him cautiously and leaned her head forward, sniffing at him. The scent of the forest was think on him, and now sweat and blood. She snorted for a moemnt before pulling back.

Her dragon eyes gleamed softly in the remaining firelight for a few moments. Her eyes closed as the familiar white light engulfed her body for a few moments and then was gone, leaving her in her human form. She grasped her staff lightly as she looked around at the others, her robe shifting silently as she moved.

"Is anyone hurt?"

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan looked about as the battle died down and the others gathered around to take note of who was or wasn't hurt. He looked to Eeve as she asked who was injured.

He could tell he was not the only one. The others needed tended to as well. Zarl and Dreant it seemed were in need of healing. He moved towards the two. "I can heal your wounds." Then he turned his amber gaze upon Eeve, "But I will need your help with mine. I have never been able to use my magic on myself."

 

[Armphid]

Taren, his bare chest red with gore (only some of which was his own), emerged from the woods. In his hands, the curved blades of Overture and Finale were coated with the thick congealing blood of the monsters that had come upon them. "There was a scout group that tried to break off...maybe to summon others." "They've been dealt with."

The muscular half-elf had felt a bitter disappointment at Ritsuko's abrupt halting of thier intimacy. He understood it, of course. They had to find out who this new person was. Once he'd heard the song though, he regretted it. An elven song...one he'd heard growing up with Manora. And now as he surveyed his companions he spotted the stranger. Strong but slender, fair as all elves were...apparently a skilled warrior...and his heart sank. A true elf. He could never compare to one of The People. Not a half-breed like him. Ritsuko...she would realize that the elf was a better match...and he would lose her. He could see it, almost as though it had already happened.

He kneeled down, hiding the pained expression he knew was on his face. Goddess...why could his heart hurt so much? He was injured, but his wounds gave not nearly as much pain as the thought of what was to come. He wiped his blades off, then slid them into the magic pouch on his belt. "I'm glad to see you all safe...if a little worse for wear." He looked at Ritsuko, and smiled with relief. She wasn't hurt. That was a blessing, at least. Turning to Evee, he gestured to Logan, "I have a few injuries, but nothing dangerous." "Use your magic on the others, I will be fine." "Earth endures," he thought. "No matter the strain...or the hurt."

Taren approached the elven bowman, and bowed, holding his hands palm up as he had been taught long ago. The flowing syllables of the elvish language rolled off his tongue. "Hail and well met, Man of The People." "Thank you for your aid to my friends." He straightened up, looking down at the smaller man. "My name is Taren Orlandau."

 

[Enosch Di'en]

Enosch stood to his feet as the newcomer approached him. Enosch could only stare, puzzled, as the larger man knelt before him, his wounds still bleeding. The words he spoke were undoubtedly Elvish, though they seemed as alien to his Elven ears as the common tongue that the others spoke. The words seemed to echo in his mind, bouncing back with the memories of his village, so long ago.

Hail and well met, Man of The People. Thank you for your aid to my friends. My name is Taren Orlandau.

Enosch did not understand why this Taren had knelt before him. He guessed that it had something to do with his heritage, as he appeared to be mix between elf and human. Perhaps his people had raised him to respect pure-blooded elves. It didn't matter to Enosch. He was no more a part of his race than Taren was. He was a solitary hunter, that was all. He bowed slightly to the taller man, then held out his hand and smiled. His reply was also in Elvish, though he spoke it a bit roughly. "Well met, Taren Orlandau. I am Enosch Di'en. Please forgive my misuse of the Ancient Tongue, as it has been many years since I have even heard it spoken, much less have I used it."

Enosch let his mind flow toward Taren, feeling out his emotions. He was a very open person, his heart containing little that his eyes did not. Enosch could feel the purity and strength of spirit in him, though a deep pain seemed present as well. Enosch could feel the kinship with Taren, as if he too had weathered many hardships in his time on this earth. Their difference lie in the way their hardships had affected them. Where Taren was pure and open, Enosch found himself reserved and hardened. He envied the taller man somewhat, though he couldn't possibly hold it against him. Perhaps Taren would be a good ally to have. And if the amount of monster blood covering him was any indication, he would carry well more than his own weight in any battle.

Enosch held out his hand to the taller man, a light smile crossing his face.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itcohe (Flesh-Colored)

Zarl looked at the monsters, and picked himself up, limping to the others. "I really don't like my other otions, so yes, can I get healed?"

He looked around at everyone, and made his way to Eeve. He looked down at the nasty bites on his leg, and then sighed. "I swear to the Destroyer, I don't know how you Fae manage to keep your clothes in one piece."

 

[roleplaylifer]

Striding forward to camp, Ritsuko made no move to introduce herself to the newcomer, instead giving him a wary eye as she picked her way back to the campfire. The sight of Taren, bloodied and torn did little to calm her discomfort, nor did the looming caverns before her. All too soon it seemed, she would begin to regret ending the delightful tryst she had been engaged in with her new suitor.

Her eyes widened slightly as she continued to watch Taren as he approached. Where had he gotten that messy in such a short time?

"There was a scout group that tried to break off...maybe to summon others. They've been dealt with."

Nodding as she absorbed the news in her usual stoic silence, the samurai turned from the fire to attend her lover. More disturbing still was the reluctance to meet her eyes, a look she had already seen far too often while travelling with Taren.

Not at all surprised by the stubborn half-elf's casual brushing off of Evee's offer of healing, she felt a sharp stab of worry as he knelt for a moment, muttering something under his breath that not even her sharp hearing could pick up.

Frowning now at his renewed stubbornness, Ritsuko moved quickly in the direction of the two elves, even as they moved toward each other.

"Hail and well met, Man of The People.Thank you for your aid to my friends."

Ritsuko glided in smoothly behind Taren, remaining silent as she ran an appraising eye over Enosch, not missing the name as he introduced himself. The elven archer's inquisitive glance was met by a polite nod, the samurai not yet ready to break her silence.

Placing a firm hand on the less injured of Taren's shoulders, Ritsuko gave Evee a brief but reassuring nod. She'd tend the warriors wounds herself this eve if she had to.

Acting on insight, Ritsuko took a deep breath to calm herself, not really caring if any around her heard. Her eyes slowly drifting shut, the samurai relied on her ken to tell her more of this newcomer's character.

Moments later, as the elven maiden's eyes fluttered open once more, she met and held his gaze for just a moment. Tilting her head to one side in an appraising look, Ritsuko merely nodded, never leaving her stance behind Taren.

"Ritsuko Hitari, the last scion of Clan Hitari. Well met, Enosch Di'en."

 

[Sky Jade]

Evee was just a little more than ticked at being ignored by the newcomer, but she did her best not to show it. After all, how could one not notice a dragon coming at them and sniffing them? Needless to say, Enosch was off on the wrong foot with Evee. She turned her attention to Logan as he answered her.

"Alright, you heal help the others and I'll heal you."

She moved over to him and placed her hands against his side for a moment. She began chanting softly as her hands began glowing a soft white. Logan could feel a soothing warmth enter his body as his wounds began to heal slowly. After a few moments she pulled her hands away as she finished healing him. She looked down at her bloody hands and giggled looking towards Zarl.

"Well, that's because we know how to fight without getting our clothes dirty. Can I have something to wipe my hands off?"

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan felt the warmth spread through him and the pain in his ankle dissipate. He looked to Eeve, "Thank you my friend. Now to see who else is in need of healing."

He looked to Lavastine, "Thank you for your help with that creature Lavastine. He just about had the better of me."

He turned his amber gaze upon the others. "Who else is in need of healing." He felt his telepathic abilities growing stronger with each use, having the talisman about his neck helped that along as well.

 

[Enosch Di'en]

Enosch looked up as the elven samurai made her way silently over to where he and Taren were standing. She gave him a slight nod, though he face did not give any indication of her view of him. He shifted slightly on his feet, trying to get some weight off of his bad ankle. The peircing pain in his ribs hurt incredibly, but no telltale grimace appeared on his face. He watched the woman as she placed a gentle hand on Taren's shoulder. Enosch remembered these two from the pool earlier tonight, and he blushed a little at the thought.

The elven girl took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Enosch was puzzled for a moment at what she was doing, then he felt a slight pressure against his mind. No, it was more like a presence, observing him. Enosch looked at the woman, wondering if she were able to feel others as he did? Enosch replied, letting his mind go out to the her. He released feelings of friendship and courtesy, unsure of how to react to this situation. Whereas most first impressions are merely based on outward appearance and speaking ability, this was an impression of his inward nature. He felt somewhat naked, and wondered if anyone else felt the same when he looked into their mind. Enosch let his mind go silent, waiting for a response.

The elven samurai just opened her eyes and looked straight at him. Perhaps she had never encountered anyone with his abilities either. Their eyes held for only a moment, then it was gone. She looked him over, perhaps judging his appearance as any normal meeting would go. Then she nodded slightly, which drew a short exhale from Enosch. He didn't know why he was worried about what she thought of him. It was a very strange feeling, but she seemed to be someone that he needed to impress. Finally, she spoke, her voice like a simple melody in the air.

Ritsuko Hitari, the last scion of Clan Hitari. Well met, Enosch Di'en.

He looked at her, wondering what he should say. "Thanks for the help with the gnoll. Of course, you could have done the whole crazy blind sword thing sooner. Might've avoided a little pain on my part," he said, holding up his thumb and forefinger to exagerate the pain he was feeling, smirking a bit to let her know it was a joke.

Who else is in need of healing? he heard Logan say, in the unicorn's usual method of telepathy. Enosch raised his hand slowly, grimacing at the small movement. "I could use a quick once-over, thanks. Studded leather doesn't seem to do much against a gnoll fist, heh. I think I broke a few ribs there."

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan stepped closer to Ritsuko, Taren and Enosch. He lowered his head, aiming his horn directly at Enosch. "I have to touch you.

He didn't wait for a response before touching Enosch with his horn. He concentrated on pushing his healing power out to Enocsh, the warmth flowed through him and out through his horn and into Enosch, slowly healing bruised and broken bones, cuts and scrapes disappeard as the magic moved through the elf's body.

After several moments he stepped back and moved towards Zarl, knowing his friend was also in need of healing.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Flesh-colored)

"Well, I'd give you these rags, but you Fae have such odd ideas about clothes. And I don't really want to get beaten around any more tonight. But these are ruined anyway, so..."

Zarl reached down and ripped off the pants leg below the angry bite wounds. He pulled it off, and turned it inside out, showing the clean side and offering it to Eeve.

"Well, good thing we've run across all these monsters, I can trade the crystals in for some pants."

He looked at Eeve, cleaning her hands, and reached over, grabbing Logans horn as he approached. "How about you? You gonna heal me instead of making small talk? I don't want to sound rude, you know, but this hurts a lot. And I kind of need all that blood seeping out..."

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan looked to Zarl.. "I'll do it.. " He began to focus once more letting his healing powers gron and flow into Zarl. He knew it wouldn't take much to heal him, but he could feel the draining as Zarl's wounds healed.

Something close was making the use of his powers harder to do. He knew they all needed rest before they entered the caves in the morning which was growing steadily closer. He knew he would be fine if he healed Zarl then got some rest.

He went to step back as soon as he felt Zarl's wounds heal, but was held still as Zarl held onto his horn. "Um.. Zarl if you would so kindly let me go.. I think you should feel much better now."

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Flesh-Colored)

Zarl let go of Logan's horn, and poked at the new flesh. He grunted, and looked around at everyone else. He moved back to his spot by the fire, stretching his arms and wings. He lay down, yawning.

"Well, wake me if anything else happens. I'm gonna try for some rest before moving into the stupid caves."

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan looked to the others as Zarl moved away to lay back down. NOw that the fighting and healing was done, he felt his own energy slipping. He had not really rested yet this night and now after the fighting, the healing and his encounter with Lavastine, he definitely needed rest.

"Zarl is right we all need rest. I think between me and my light sleep and Enosch's panther friend we can keep an eye and ear out for trouble. Everyone needs to get soem sleep morning is not that far away and the caves await."

He knew the others were as wary of entering those caves as he was, but it was going to have to be done and more than likely sooner than later. He moved to the egde of the campsite where he had found the few patches of plush grasses and began to graze once more. He knew it would help him recover faster and he liked the idea that he could essentailly graze and doze at the same time.

He listened as the others began to prepare to settle for the night. He hoped there would be no more interruptions to the group's resting.

 

[Armphid]

Taren watched the archer, a bit confused as to his reaction to Taren's words, not to mention his stilted Elvish. Had he been in the wild so long? Of course...it could have been centuries on his own. But why had he spoken with such...courtesy. He was an elf, and Taren a half-blood abomination. It was tradition that he respond with the ritual scorn due the half-elf's tainted blood.

Ritsuko did not feel him tainted...and neither did this elf. Was it...was it only those who sheltered him who held such dire beliefs about his mixed race?

At Ritsuko's soft touch, he felt the worry and pain in his heart ease. She cared for him still. Thank the Goddess. He reached up to lay one hand over hers, a smile on his face. The other clasped Enosch's offered hand. "There is nothing to forgive, Enosch Di'en." "Well met, indeed."

A mystery for another day perhaps. He stood slowly, wincing a bit at the few injuries he had. They were minor...nothing that wouldn't heal in a day or so without magic. Given what they were going into...the healers would need to be well rested. "My wounds are minor...a few small cuts and bruises." "I came upon my foes from above, and took them by surprise." "Save your strength, Logan, Evee." "We'll need it on the morrow when we go into the dungeon after Wain."

Turning fully to Ritsuko, he inclined his head, speaking once more in Elvish. "I am not a healer, only a warrior." "I would be both honored and pleased if you would dress my wounds, as I have not the skill...and...and wish to be in the hands of no other."

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine watched as the others got healed and began to settle down once more. Shook her with a smirk when Zarl grabbed Logans' horn,

"He's going to have one hell of headache in the morning."

It was then she moved to where Zarl rested once more and layed down next to him.

 

[roleplaylifer]

"I would be both honored and pleased if you would dress my wounds, as I have not the skill...and...and wish to be in the hands of no other."

For the first time since having detached herself from the evening's battlefield, Ritsuko's thin lips drew back into a warm smile as she nodded curtly to her lover, gently looping a slender arm around his. Gently drawing him towards the campfire, nimble fingers found and expertly undid the buckles of the stern warrior's armor.

"I'm getting practiced at this."

While her voice was hushed, a soft chuckle couldn't be restrained as Taren's worn leathers began to fall away, revealing the scattered reminders of the battle just fought.

Fingertips teased the smooth surface of Taren's skin, as she sought out anything he may have hidden from her. Prodding gently for anything broken, her sigh of relief was undeniably loud to her own ears as everything was found to be as it should.

"If I were home, my mother would have herbs already dried and prepared for poultices...."

Mindful of his discomfort, Ritsuko refused to let the usual pain that her past caused to surface in her voice, instead keeping her tone light hearted and cheerful.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with you that won't heal with a few days rest."

Smiling, she poured the warmth of her own heart into the words, leaning forward just enough to tease his lips with her own.

"The trick will be making sure you don't aggravate the injuries you've sustained. And that means that you'll need someone watching out for you."

 

[Armphid]

Taren smiled, in spite of himself, at her playful words. "That's true...I always get myself into trouble." "Can't hold back either, I want to be in the roughest part of the fight." He spoke quietly, keeping that tantalizing nearness between thier lips. "Though I am finding it difficult to hold back at other times as well..."

He managed to keep himself from wincing as she checked him over once more, barely keeping back a contented sigh at the sensation of her fingertips gliding over his chest. Reaching into his pouch, he produced a clean white linen sheet, "No herbs, but this will make fine dressings for the cuts."

"I do need someone to watch out for me." He kept his voice serious, though there was a twinkle in his leaf green eyes. "Someone highly skilled, unusually perceptive, and interested in my welfare..." The serious tone vanished as he quirked an eyebrow, "do you know anyone like that?"

 

[roleplaylifer]

Her smile widened as Ritsuko let the question slide by her, unanswered. Their lips met briefly, shadowed by the dancing flames of the dying campfire, the same light catching and drawing out the glimmer in both pairs of eyes.

Pulling away quickly before Taren could enfold her in his arms, a quick snatch of a hand secured the offered linen. Moments later, the diminutive elf was parting the fabric into neat little strips, the keen edge of her blade slicing easily through the cloth.

Seeking out the first of the many minor injuries Taren had suffered, Ritsuko leaned in close to loop the first layer of bandage around one arm, close enough for the heat of the elf's breath to remind the warrior before her of the chill that crept into the caves with the coming of night.

Tightening the bandage sufficiently, Ritsuko nodded proudly as Taren remained silent despite obvious discomfort. Slowly, one by one, each laceration and bruise was tended to, the samurai genuinely wishing she could drive his pains away with skill alone.

Even more annoying to her was the fact that her poorly done kimono kept shifting past the point of modesty, causing the samurai to blush violently from time to time. Taren's eyes didn't bother her overly much, but there were others about now....

Rising from her crouched position, one hand fluttered nervously to her disobedient robes, shutting them tightly even as she nodded to Taren.

A half-smile gracing its way almost coquettishly across her face had to leave little to worry about if he thought he was the center of her concern.

Bowing politely to her half-elven suitor, Ritsuko reached for his hand, pulling him close to her once more...his presence slightly comforting in the midst of the oppressive foothills surrounding them.

"I trust you feel somewhat better?"

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan shifted uneasily as he napped, he could hear the others moving about, not quite having settled down yet. Even though he dozed he was able to stay alert for any threating sounds or approaching footfalls.

After a short while he moved to stand, finding it always more comfortable than laying down. He just moved to the edge of the clearing where ther was a decent amount of grass growing, lowered his head to graze, and continued to nap and watch over his friends.

 

[Armphid]

Taren nodded, a small smile on his face. "Much better, thank you, Ritsuko." The smile became something of a smirk, a merry twinkle in his eye, "Your dressings are excellent, and the sights of this place are...wonderous, to say the least."

He shifted to stand so that his bulk was blocking her from the sight of the few compainions not now dozing or outright wrapped in slumber. "Perhaps you would like to take a moment to...ah.." his eyes darted to the askew kimono, "...take them in?" "It might make you more comfortable." He knew she was nervous about the others catching a glimpse of her since the silken garment was not properly secured. Acting as a privacy screen, he could give her a few moments to get the wonderous robe properly tied.

Taren closed his eyes, giving her that further privacy, "Even the sounds of the night are pleasant." "After all my wanderings, I'm still amazed by them."

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl, of the Macrai-Itoche (Flesh)

Sleep crept into the camp and settled like a deep fog. It was the rool of thunder that began to wake Zarl. It was close to dawn, an hour at most, a quarter of that at the least. He felt a fat drop of rain smack against his body. He yawned even as he got to his feet, stretching his wings and arms wide, and turning them as he threw back his head, catching the rain as it began to fall.

In a quiet voice that rumbled forth from deep within himself like the rolling thunder, he began to chant in time with the storm. Asking for power and protection for the Deverlota-Itoche, the Keeper of Thunder, Master of Storms.

Had he not had things to do today, he would have begun the Ritual of Thunder, which would call the Lightning to him. But such dancing with the storms would leave him battered and weak, and such was not a state to be in.

He glanced around, noticing everyone was still asleep. Or at least, they appeared so. He thanked his totem for the awakening, and decided to see what he could get away with while the womenfolk slept.

He started creeping towards where he assumed Ritsuko would be. She and the other elf had been rather close lately, and the Fae had such odd concepts about sex, this might be his only chance for a little fondling.

And although he knew she would dislike him, the Macrai-Itoche's view of honor and ethics would allow him a little groping, if nothing else. That is, if they were still asleep and remained so. So dangerous, so many chances for something to go wrong...

A wonderful way to start a day in which he might die.