Grayell had led Kiko to the river via the hot springs, something of a tour along this neck of the woods. The trail to the spot where he had trained with Serenity was very obscure, making it quite ideal in that people rarely ventured here. The fishing spot was a ways down from the camp though, the water pooling and somewhat calmer here.
The trees opened up then onto the river, the bank lined with pebbles and well worn, smooth rocks. He smiled as he stepped into the sun, it was a warm day and the water looked inviting.
Kiko was keeping an eye on the river. She'd followed him easily enough, she was unfamiliar with the area; not the environment. In fact, the longer they had walked the better she felt; memories did not haunt her here.
She was looking for a specific spot right where the bank hung just a little farther over the edge than any other. She didn't answer him when he spoke, not at first, she was still studying the water. She had slipped into it silently and went down on one knee a few yards upstream. The back of her hand slid along the shallow sand and rocks beneath the small ledge she had found.
Kiko wiggled her fingers searching for the belly of the fish whose shadow she had seen. The tail was right there and within only a couple of minutes of rubbing its belly she had thrown the entranced fish up on the bank in his direction.
Grayell looked at her with something of a wise ass demeanour and shrugged off his shirt. He loosed his sword, set it with his armour and in no time was out of everything but his trousers.
Well. You won't be needing my help then.
With a chuckle he walked and then leaped into the water, under it for the length of his dive and then breaking the surface to swim in easy strokes to the other side. He clambered from the water and onto the bank by a thicket of bamboo and produced his knife.
He gave her a quick look as he battoned through one long but thin stem. His work began, he was confident he'd catch her lead. This was his preferred fishing method at any rate. The knife whittled and then cut, his thumb now inserting a plug he'd fashioned from the end.
Kiko let him go without a retort. Okay, maybe she watched him remove the shirt and armor, too. She was angry at herself for the distraction before long, so quickly returned to watching the shadowy flicker of fish beneath the ledge. She’d tossed two more up on the bank without fanfare while he climbed out of the water, whether they had darted underneath there during the undressing or dive she had no idea.
No trout appeared after them for the next several minutes and she decided to head just a little farther upstream. Kiko climbed out of the river, gathered up the three fish; stabbing all of them on a bamboo shaft and walked along the bank.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell was done crafting his gig and had just got done collecting a rather odd plant, it's broad leaves and red stems somewhat exotic. He paced along the opposite bank and found a suitable spot where the river had broken off to a swirling pool.
He looked at her with a smile as he crouched where the water spilled over the rocks and into this fish trap and then proceeded to mash the plant he'd collected with a rock. A milky white substance ran from it and within a minute of grinding it into the water, had turned the water a hazy color.
Grayell then stood, almost laughing... and started to pluck the drugged fish from the water with his spear. He'd need to sell some of these of course. Fish in the proverbial barrel.
Kiko reentered the river several yards ahead of Grayell. She was smiling faintly. The water here was a lot faster than many of the sluggish streams back East, but it was clearer. She had no trouble seeing the bottom or the quick darting schools of small fish beneath the surface. Still, she had only managed to add one large trout to her stick after several minutes.
As the morning sun got higher it encouraged her to take the time to wash off her face, hands, legs and feet. She was already standing in the water bits of soapstone were easily identified in a clump of trees and rocks sticking out over the edge. Kiko sighed, tilting her head to the sun. She doubted there would be any more fish so easily charmed.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell had managed to land a few.... but had looked up to see what she was up to... and found her wet. The sunlight blessed her skin and danced off the rippling water around her, causing a magical hue to break from her in contrast to her surroundings.
The fish on his spear fell from it as his grip loosened, him standing in the water entirely stopped. Speechless.
Kiko let the sun bake her face. She was oblivious to anything but the rays. It felt *good*. She felt good. She knelt to scoop up water in her hands and sluicing it over the top of her head and through her hair. She had not bothered to braid it, or wrap it in a tail, and the blue-black length of it waved around her hips drawn outward by the river.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
The spear dropped. She was beyond beautiful to him, such a simple motion cast her in an incredible light and his heart stopped. Time froze around Grayell as he witnessed Kiko in her natural splendour, to him she was a goddess. His eyes fluttered closed and he drew a needed breath, shook his head. He wanted to watch her but his arms ached to see her like this, his body yearned to feel her. His mind swam in thoughts of her touch...
Ignoring the fish now he dived into the water and crossed the river to her side. Breaking from the water's grasp he strode through the shallows toward her, no thought for silence or subtlety. Something lurked in his eyes, something that had taken command. Inside he was grinning, but narrow eyes were locked on her like a rabbit before the hungry wolf.
Kiko's head tilted just enough to allow the water to fall on one side of her neck and shoulders. Her lips were twitching, though he couldn't know that from where he was at, and she knew where he was at, he wasn't making any attempt at hiding.
She came upright feet poised on the steadier river bottom. Hopefully, he had not noticed.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell marched forward, striding through the water before he stopped but inches behind her. His eyes were still burning with the predatory intensity, his jaw set, his arms loose at his side but his hands stretching out tension. He was dragging breath through his nose, holding back a growl.
He wanted to pounce on her, every single muscle in his body ached with the desire. He couldn't ignore it entirely.
I want to ravish you here and now.
He smiled then instead, and slowly lowered himself to the water at his knees. His right hand scooped through it and lifted what he could carry.
He looked upon her, eyes warm and full of bliss and his hand gently lifted over her head. He tilted it, trickled water onto her hair, then carried his hand with it as it ran, down the side of her face, over her neck and to her chest. He then stepped into her and pulled her to him, his arms winding about her waist to close on the small of her back. This close, he only marvelled at her beauty, eyes as always drifting from her eyes to her lips, wandering over the landscape of her delicately featured face.
He took one long breath, his chest rising and falling against her. He licked his lips, they were dry again.... but he could not stop smiling.
She blinked at him with twinkling eyes. The need to growl was banished with the words. Kiko didn't say it, she didn't know how to say it, he was more adroit with things like that than she.
She should say *something* in return. But, the trail of water and hand was keeping her lips shut, and she didn't want to break the sudden charm of his attention. She was entirely happy to remain inside his arms for however long it lasted. Her mind kicked back in when he spoke.
Does that mean you have no fish for the meal? Should I share mine?
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
He licked his lips slowly and a hint of a grin crept into the corners of his mouth.
My appetite has changed entirely.
He held her a little closer, his attention was quite clearly stated with that closer contact. But he chewed his lip and looked aside. He sighed, an wanting expression of breath.
But yes. Let's eat eh? No need to waste our catch.