Kiko shuddered and took a breath from the cool morning breeze. From the Garou to here she had gone through dozens of changes in a short amount of time. She was adaptable, that was not an issue, but in this Kiko saw the turning of her world.
She flipped the lid of the trunk open, going to one knee beside it.
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 blade of course was the most prominent item in what amounted to be a personal armory. He had considered her talents as a warrior, he had considered long and hard what she could utilize and what she might need. There was little here that did not smack of adventure, it was quite the load-out. He looked at her sheepishly.
Look, I know it's not ideal. It's a start though. And... I'd feel better knowing you're prepared. I hope it's ok.
The contents. Your character sheet will be updated momentarily
The Windswept Grass. - An eastern sword, it's balance is impeccable. - 1 or 2 hand melee. - When striking from a drawn position, this blade is very fast and hard to detect. - The target can overcome this with lvl 5 Survival. Each point less reduces their reaction time to the initial strike. - Windswept grass has incredible cutting power and will sustain less damage when used against hard objects. - $275.
Silver Dagger. - A functional dagger, useful in combat. - One handed melee. - Inflicts slight bonus damage to undead and were creatures. - $50.
Bloodletter. - This dagger excels at opening letters. Oh and arteries. - Thrown Weapon. - Any target hit by this weapon will bleed significantly. This will not pose an immediate threat, but such a target will leave a very visible trail in the event they flee. - This excess bleeding can also lead to easier blood magic manipulation. - $125.
Darkness' Embrace. - This cloak swims in shadows and puts off quite an eery aura... - Additional Item. - The user may spend one round performing no action but announcing their intent to cloak. - On the next round, the user will be entirely covered in shadow and will not be recognized as anything but a lump of shadow. - Doing this in an obvious place might not work so well. - $100.
Hawkeyes Helm. - The Hawkeyes Helm has been used by rampart guards to great success in the past. - Light helm. - Allows the user to double their range of eyesight for one round. - The helmet emits a long traveling shriek, similar to a hawk when used in this fashion. This sound travels as far as the user's vision. - Usable 3 times per day. - $75.
Bracers of Communication - A pair of Bracers which were once worn by a great wizard and his significant other. - Medium Gloves. - These bracers permit communication between two separate characters in one adventure. - The wearer may loan one bracer to another character. That character must equip that bracer. - $125.
Rogue Boots. - Simple boots designed for carrying an extra blade or two. - Regular clothing, no defensive value. - The user can carry two extra throwing knives - one in each boot. - $40.
Utility Belt. - Allows separate storage of 3 one slot items. - Only one belt can be used at a time. - 50 Gp.
She had expected him to offer new weaponry, of course. But, she had no idea what to think about the rest of the items in the trunk. Beyond the sudden desire to put them all on.
Kiko was not a woman much given to those desires, either. Oh, sure, she enjoyed the tactile sensations of different material as much as anyone, maybe even more, but her life had instilled some harsh lessons. There had been no time for extensive equipment like she found here.
Her fingertip traced the length of the katana laying on top of it all.
... with interest, Wolf?
She was smiling at him.
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 chewed his lip for a moment... then couldn't look at her. He looked to the deck instead, drew in a breath... which only wandered off elsewhere. He looked past his shoulder at the water, those words were still haunting him. Too soon. He couldn't be sure. But he knew full well he was smitten, mesmerized by her in every way.
Instinct was a powerful thing. But for now it had to be ignored.
Kiko stood up. She left the open trunk and crossed the deck silently. Her arms came around him from behind and landed at his hip while her mouth was pressed to his nape. She whispered at him.
Thank you. I oftentimes do not speak about how I feel. The bond between us gave you my memories and I yours. It oddly, was easier than finding words.
She shook her head and tightened her hands around him lips still lingering on his skin.
My heart is no longer heavy, Anata. You have taken those pains from me.
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.”
A chill, a veritable rush of energy slid over his shoulders and down his spine, his eyes closing and his breath exhaling through his nose, skin coming alive and his whole self swimming in her words. Inside he fell back, sunk in an endless pool for a moment, a sensation that ended when he looked again. His hands rested on hers... squeezed them for a moment and then trailed his fingers over hers like petals brushing in the evening breeze. He moistened his lips, he steadied what shallow breath he had.
My heart.... it is filled wit you Yukiko. It knows nothing else. Not any more.
Kiko stood up on her toes to press her face to his neck and skin. She filled her senses with the white silk of his hair for several moments. As bad as her past had been, his was a hundred times worse. Grayell's memories, even forced as they had been, had given her a desire to sooth, to mend, and to offer a haven for his weary soul.
She thought she could, but that was when she had no real knowledge of his pains. She was more confident about now, especially now, when his breath sighed out and his body came to rest against her.
Sunrise. It showered the lake in a burst of light that rose to hang above them.
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.”
This moment lasted, lingered in the morning sun. A perfect moment, one of many of late and a complete affirmation of their bond. He said nothing but instead let it be, drank it in and felt peace from the body that held him so perfectly. She was his everything, all that mattered. He knew this, he knew there were other things he had to do... but none of it mattered. Not now. Not with her.
Finally he turned. He leaned back on the rail, held her close against his chest and as the small boat rocked to and fro, he only stared into her, found her there and was home. His forehead rested to hers in the simplest expression of their affection and again, this lasted to savor the moment, to honor what was undeniably a new love.
He smiled wide as he looked up then, his hands let her loose and he walked to the bow, losing his shirt and dropping it on the deck unceremoniously. He threw off his belt, his boots... and then wandered out onto the net that hung between the two bows. It bounced with him on it, water washing away under him, him suspended on what was much like a massive hammock. He lifted a hand, waved her to him.
Kiko was quietly content to remain in his space. No. In their space. The wolf inside her skin had not made its presence known this morning, not until right now. The animal woke up with a possessive snarl in her mind when he rested his temple against her.
She was not going to let anyone take the peace they had found away from him. Woe betide anyone that attempted to try. Her eyes gleamed with the thought, then buried it with the others that she'd explored recently. He was pack. Her pack. Her mate.
She watched him walk to the bow, strip down, and stretch out in the hammock. The image of him as the wolf ran through her head and she was hard pressed not to growl. But, she managed to keep that sound only in her head. She joined him in the hammock instead, eyes half closed against the sun.
No one is steering the yacht, Wolf.
Her voice had turned from soft to lazy, as had her fingers, which were running over his jaw.
He laid back and smiled, offered his arm and his chest for her to rest upon. His free arm, his legs were draped lazily across the next, an occasional kiss from water beneath teasing his skin. The sun warmed him, but her presence warmed him moreso and with her at his side, in his embrace... well he didn't care.
A boat without a destination needs no captain. We have time.
He lifted his hand then and kissed his fingertips before pressing them to her lips. They remained there a moment, him looking down his chest to where her head lay and of course, without thought or concern; he smiled.
Kiko curled into his chest and it was easy. What ever reserve she still had was not focused on him. She enjoyed touching him, she enjoyed how it made her feel. Her fingers came away from his skin briefly to unknot the braid of her hair. She brushed it free, letting it spread out across the width of his chest.
The faint sound of the water lapping at the boat was soothing, rhythmic, and all too tempting to close her eyes. She fell asleep like that, one hand tucked over his hip.
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.”
Kiko awoke with no knowledge of how much time had passed. She pulled her head up off the Wolf's chest, a breeze tugging hair away from her face and sending it over her shoulders. The dock and woods beyond it were a hazy collection of colors on the horizon behind them with no definable shape.
She glanced up at the sun. It had reached it's zenith while she slept, now dropping down on the other side of the sky. Kiko settled in against Grayell. The impetus to do anything was highly lacking. The yacht rocked gently in the water.
At first, it was the water she heard changing. The lapping waves along the hull were gaining speed. The snap of the sails was the next sound as the air billowed it out off the mast. Then the creaking shout of the rope when it strained to match the swelling wind.
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 writhed under her then, his body stretching and twisting as he awoke, a growling whine in his throat with a smile, pulling tension out of his body. His hands found her side before he even opened his eyes and held her against him, him then kissing her head.
Hmmm. I feel fantastic.
He sat up then, looked to the sky, then to land and then to the sail. They were on the move and that sun would bake them if they lay under it much longer, so he pulled himself from the net like a prowling cat and shuffled onto the deck. He stretched again, looked at her with contentment and then pointed.
That island. I haven't set foot on it, but I wager it's a grand spot for some lunch. Get in some swimming. You relax and I will have us there in no time.
And he did. They'd gotten their gear sorted and he'd brought the catamaran in close to shore before dropping anchor. He jumped into the shallow water and turned to her with a wink, his arms wide.
Kiko had taken the chance to use the near gear. She wasn't sure she would feel comfortable without the Wolf sword, but she was wrong. The new katana swung by her hip lightly. It might have even weighed less, it certainly seemed to move with a quickness she would have to get used to. The dagger on the other hand set higher on her hip than the tanto. That would take a bit of time to adjust.
Kiko stared at Grayell.
You will? What, you think I couldn't?
She was smiling at him.
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.”