Walking up the long, winding path to the hot springs, Kiga took note of the overgrowth that crowded the trail. It seemed the location had been largely kept a secret, no doubt due to it's proximity to Grayell's patch.
It had been an eventful night. Marlena looked like she could be of some use to the Vanguard and Grayell had explained their need for more public faces to move goods and fund their organization. She'd also be quite useful in the field no doubt.
He thought over the events of the evening with some satisfaction as he disrobed, hanging his clothing and gear on a low tree branch, then slipped into one of the many steaming spring pools. It was immediately relaxing and in short time, his head had found a comfortable rock to rest against, his eyes closed.
Ely [M:164:1653:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=394&page=1#14814][b]A soul on fire...[/b][0:Snuffed][1:Flame On!]
Ely made the trip to the Springs quickly. She met nobody on the way, in fact she had met no one when visiting the Springs since she had returned to Wistvale. That was rather remarkably really, all things considered. The place was a wonderful way to relax after a long day, and the water carried more than just a soothing quality.
This place had been packed with young adults during her first sojourn into Wistvale. Now? It was a ghost town... err spring? Ely ducked her head under the profusion of overgrown bushes and fruit trees. The sun had made its last bid for glory, lighting up the sky. Ely got undressed quickly and folded up her clothing.
She was halfway into the water too before realizing someone else was already there.
Kiga was not facing her, instead he was leaning against the rocks with his back turned. He'd heard someone approaching and wasn't worried, the springs hadn't ever played the stage to any conflict in Wistvale.
He turned his head but a little and nodded, smiled in a polite enough manner.
Oh, no worries. Plenty of room for everyone and I won't peek. Just got in myself.
Ely rubbed the sun out of her eyes he was just a dark silhouette in front of her.
"Oh. No worries. When I was here last these springs were literally crawling with people."
Ely gave an audible sigh when the warm water enveloped her arms and shoulders. She leaned back against one of the smoother rocks that had served as benches then.
Kiga was only listening, respecting the lady's privacy of course but thought some polite conversation seemed harmless enough.
Oh? It looks like it's been deserted for some time really. It's been... well. Seven or so years since I was last by this way. And yeah, I recall plenty of people using them back then. Got a little crowded at times.
Ely [M:164:1653:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=394&page=1#14814][b]A soul on fire...[/b][0:Snuffed][1:Flame On!]
A little wrinkle appeared in between Ely's fiery eyebrows. Seven years was right about the time she had found Wistvale; after an incident in a rather upscale bar in a distant city. Well, the whole city was upscale really. They still weren't all that happy with her these days, either.
"Yeah. I remember."
She was studying him, too or what she could see of him. The sun had slipped beyond the horizon, and while there was no longer a glare from the sun, well, there was no sun...
Catgirl Extraordinaire
“Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.”
Kiga opened his eyes then, curious as to who this stranger might be. He knew everyone in town, he HAD to know everyone in town. Surely he must know this person... but they might not know him.
And given his being back in the Vanguard - not that he'd ever really left - he still had to practice a modicum of caution. He didn't have the mask on and well, Bruce Wayne flaunted his public personality well enough and that was generally the case with the Vanguard members.
But Kiga was different. He preferred to be a shadow - mostly.
Something struck him as familiar though, something in that voice perhaps. He laughed inside, thought little more upon it and decided he'd just continue to be friendly.
You remember? Yeah. Good times. The name is Kigasaki by the way.
Ely [M:164:1653:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=394&page=1#14814][b]A soul on fire...[/b][0:Snuffed][1:Flame On!]
Ely's mouth dropped open and whatever she might have said in response to his words was lost. She stuttered out a sharp little breath, something that was just as quickly dragged back in.
Kiga.
All of a sudden her mind's eye was flooded with memories of a crazy trek through the old streets of Wistvale trying to escort a stumbling, rambling, and quite appealing fellow home. Hell, she even remembered the name of the drink.
Dragon's Breath. Oh. And that blue woman with the cigar. Laughter bubbled up all around the corners of these images, too. She was hard pressed to keep it there as well.
Her voice was none to steady when she spoke.
"Kiga?"
Catgirl Extraordinaire
“Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.”
Kiga looked surprised when there was recognition in her voice, heck she even used his nick-name. He turned around the rock, looking to see who it might be...
.... and those ears shone in the moonlight, propped up from long red tresses, incredibly emerald eyes staring at him.
The inquisitive, casual look was suddenly replaced by a pale, shocked expression and his mouth fell open.
... Ely?
Ely [M:164:1653:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=394&page=1#14814][b]A soul on fire...[/b][0:Snuffed][1:Flame On!]
Ely shook her head. Her ears went back against her skull and then returned to the upright position peeking through her hair. He was one of the reasons she had come back here. And several times she had asked herself why. But, in the end she had hoped to see him, eventually.
"I... well. I umm... You look... well."
Oh god. She felt like a teenager again. She hadn't felt like a teenager when she was a teenager. Most discomforting. Ely rubbed a hand across the front of her face and tried to get her thoughts in some sort of normal order. Oh. Maybe that was the problem. She was not normal. Well, not people normal.
Ahh! Shut up. Shut up. Oh, and if you could please tell me how to stop my heartbeat from tearing up my chest and throat that would be wonderful. Great. Now she was talking to herself.
Catgirl Extraordinaire
“Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.”
Kiga suddenly smiled very wide. His eyes lit up the sky, his expression was one of sheer rapture when he saw her and in an instant, he broke through the water toward her, laughing and his arms outstretched.
And then, inevitably and perhaps luckily before he reached her; he realized they were both very naked. He very quickly deposited himself on his rear in the water, blushing some and covering his eyes with his hand.
Ely blinked at that. Actually, she might have blinked several times. It was that or she had something in her eyes. Yes. The second one. There was something in her eyes. That was certainly the reason she did not think to tear her gaze away from him.
She promised herself never to drink Dragon's Breath again seven years ago. Ever. Now she was wishing she had a whole flask of it. If only to get him to come closer, or lean on her, or drop his face to her chest.
Hell, Ely get your thoughts out of the gutter. (Oh, hey? Are there gutters in Wistvale?)
"Thank you?"
She sounded more confused than appreciative.
Catgirl Extraordinaire
“Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.”
Kiga did something odd then. Being that it had been some time, he'd grown and had changed a great deal, as much as any person would.... well he relaxed. He turned, moved carefully and none to forwardly and then settled against the rocks perhaps within her arm's reach. He lifted an arm onto the rocks and turned to face her, smiling and looking at her for a time, smiling.
"I mean it. Wow. You look... healthy. It's quite a shock to see you again Ely."
Ely tried not to think too hard about his comment on her health or looks. And really, either of those topics did not hold the allure he commanded just by being here. She was not a shy person, or even very circumspect, but she did not carry her heart on her sleeve either.
Ely lived her life, mostly, in a very brash manner. Like her magic she was easily roused and somewhat harder to snuff. She needed but a spark to set her ideas and thoughts to flame. Kiga had been a brief moment of fire in her life. One she dearly wished had lasted for much longer.
"I could say the same."
She was shocked.
Catgirl Extraordinaire
“Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.”
Kiga looked down, as if inspecting himself and then looked up with a sheepish grin, running a hand through his hair. He laughed, then shrugged, far more comfortable in his skin than their prior meeting.
"Oh. Well thanks! I... yeah. I thought about you, you know. Whilst I was away. I didn't think you'd grow to be so pretty though..."
Was that a compliment? He wasn't so sure about now, but he did think she was gorgeous. That almost made him nervous but it was far more likely his mouth would lead to awkwardness than her looks. He was trying his damndest not to look too low though, that water didn't conceal quite everything.