Kiga understood the sentiment in Dom's words. He wasn't experienced in matters of love, only lust; but what the bard said seemed insightful enough. That eased some tension... til the last comment. That was about enough. He wasn't prepared to let Ely be insulted, or spoke to or about in such a manner. And as much as he wasn't keen to let her stay here with this man, he wasn't about to threaten him and see her upset.
Nope. He couldn't do anything about it really, but he wasn't about to sit here and let it continue.
"How about she calls me Kiga and just calls you a jackass."
And with that, Kiga turned his back on them both (if only to preserve some modesty in front of Ely) and got up out of the water.
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144][b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Dom laughed long and mirthful, absolutely delighted by the response of the man. Stick up for yourself, for your girl, attaboy. He holds up a hand. "I thoroughly deserved that young man, I'm just playin'. A jealous old lech, that's me." He stood up too, shambling toward the youth and clapping on the shoulder as he went by, naked as the day he was born, putting just enough urging into it to try and make him sit back down.
"I'll leave you two lovebirds...well...lovebird and cat...to your alone time. My bruises feel better and my funny bone's been tickled enough." He didn't wait for a reply, shuffling over to his clothing and slipping it on with almost mechanically practiced motions, retrieving his staff and hat. As he departed he called over his shoulder.
"Take my advice though. Don't waste it and don't be afraid." before shifting away, launching into a bawdy ballad about lusty wenches and nimble fingered gentlemen, the song echoing through the air as he retreated.
(OOC: I'm leaving the thread, have fun guys!)
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
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 voice came down a few notches due to embarrassment, worry, maybe even fear. At this point, she could not make up her mind her head was in a whirl.
"... don't want you to go."
All of a sudden the Hot Springs was no longer the comforting warmth of water and steam she had looked forward too.
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 was standing by the branch that held his few clothes, naked as a babe, one hand on the cloth. But he stopped when she spoke, his head low and looking at the ground. When he talked, he wasn't wracked with nerves, but something closer to concern.
"Ely. You don't think... that I just want to... well THAT. I mean we never did. And I don't think you're that type of woman. I know you're not.
I'm glad to see you again Ely. I missed you."
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 blinked and dropped back against the rocks while simultaneously trying not to stare at Kiga's naked backside. He did not think she was that type of women? What the world did that mean?
"Um... no... I guess... I mean. I know you are not."
Oh hell, Ely, get a hold of yourself. You've seen naked men before.
Naked cat men!
Her brain screamed out defiance at the last thought. She rubbed a hand over her face and forced her eyes shut.
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 over his shoulder and saw her hiding her face... and in a jiffy, decided to slip back into the water before she could catch and eye-full. He moved through the water in silence, sneaking was his trade after all... and then came up behind her, putting his arms about her shoulders and leaning in to hug her, his eyes closed.
"Are you staying?"
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 jerked in surprise. Kiga was sneaky, definitely. But she would have surely heard him moving in the water. Right? But, no. She was concentrating on memorizing every line she'd just seen.
Then he hugged her and Ely's heart melted.
Oh please. Don't move. That was the first thought. What if she spooked him again? What if other people showed up? What if the moon fell out of the sky and clobbered her to death? She was rambling. Ely throttled her frantic mind.
Her voice was hushed when she replied.
"No. I am not leaving."
Right. Easy. Just repeat what he said and stop thinking about him naked!
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 didn't move either. Nope, he'd pushed himself to do this without falling apart and now, the nerves didn't matter. She was in his arms, she was warm, he could smell her hair. He kept his eyes closed mind you, he needed to to keep himself from shaking like an autumn leaf... and he simply nodded.
"Good."
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 had gone from rambling panic to complete stillness; at least in her mind. Kiga had not left. He was folded around her shoulders and her tail twitched once before curling up at the very tip. Not that anyone could see that, as it was underwater and dark besides. But, it was the surest indicator of how she was feeling other than her ears.
Finally she managed to get her racing nerves under control enough to think of something to say.
"Kiga? You are not leaving are you?"
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 shook his head slowly, his arms unwavering in their hold upon her. He still couldn't look at her, it was becoming very apparent that he had a naked Ely pressed to his front. So he focused on her voice, or at least tried to; and didn't dare move.
"No. I am home now. Besides. I have to make sure you stay out of trouble, huh?"
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 laughed at that. The tense lines of her neck and spine faded away, and whether that came from Kiga's words, embrace, or the quiet space she could not say. Maybe it was just the sentiment expressed.
She was home.
"Oh yes. I need someone to keep me out of trouble. I don't have nine lives you know. Just the one..."
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 laughed softly and opened his eyes... then placed the softest kiss on her cheek. His arms loosed and he slipped back and sat down, scratching the back of his head in that comical fashion, a nervous smile plastered on his mug.
"Ummm so. Yeah. It's kind of.... nice... in here..."
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!]
And that was the truth as far as Ely was concerned. Ely liked being sociable. People were endlessly entertaining and endlessly fascinating; for the most part. But, she was not prepared for the lurch of pleasure in her chest from Kiga's presence. She was just getting a handle on it, too, when Dom appeared.
And now? With the sensation of the hug still warming her spine?
Yes. Nice.
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 only blushed at her response and then looked about for something, anything to talk about, some THING that would distract him from the fact that now, like before; they were naked in a hot spring and terribly alone.
Why did she always have this affect on him? He thought himself fine around her now, til she flirted just the tiniest amount and he was instantly converted back into a gibbering, quivering mess.
Talk about something she is interested in Kiga.
"Ah... so books. Those are.... fun."
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 looked at him water was beading up on his shoulders from the steam. Her brain short circuited... err right. No electricity and no circuits... moving on. Kiga had just spoken of books like someone would when finding strawberries where they wanted blueberries for breakfast. And after the day she had with them she sort of agreed.
"Yes. Fun. When you don't have a house full of them that need sorted."
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.”