OOM All Skate Skellig Dream Magic Weirdness -Part Five

[brave_kreyu]

In the morning, after they've both bathed, eaten, and they are finally dressed, she's explaining her plans for the morning to Skellig.

"I'm going to be doing two things at once," she explains. "A very overbooked artist has graciously squeezed me in for some henna work, so I'll be gone for a few hours. I'd bring you along, but she's not comfortable around men." Kreyu has her SUSPICIONS as to why, but she doesn't know.

"And since chatting is very much a part of the process, I'll be seeing what I can find out about any recent pirate attacks."

Comments

[27_53]

"Death by fire is not on my list of preferred methods," he replies bluntly, though there is a hint of humor in his tone. "Regardless of the speed at which it occurs."

Feathers burn quickly, but the flesh beneath them...not so much.

"And I am...glad, of that. The sex not being a problem," Skellig adds, clarifying. "Though I would ask, as I am sure at some point after he has been told, I would meet him eventually...would you have any tips, for how to best prepare?"

[brave_kreyu]

"Have your wings where he can see them," Elihu says after a moment of thought. "My brother is old enough to remember a time before there were such creatures as humans and is prone, when angry, to think of them as little more than animals."

"Her being your wife will be the sticking point, for him. He would never accept a human as worthy of being the equal of ANY of our kind, even such a vile creature as Heka. I do not know if he is capable of accepting someone as an equal who is not our kind but not human either."

[27_53]

"Having been the only one of my kind...I am used to scorn," Skellig says. "It does not make it any less painful, but for Kreyu, I would bear it from him if it would be required. And I will make note, of having my wings visible."

He would try desperately to convince her brother that he was worthy of being called her husband, that he was worthy of acceptance...

At the mention of Heka, his mood shifts, and he lifts his eyes from his beer back to Elihu.

"On the way to Amikaya, we traveled to the Lost City," he says. "With the news of Heka's death, Kreyu wished to...visit, see what we might find among his hoard."

[brave_kreyu]

"It is my hope that the scorn will pass, in time. He can be reasonable...eventually."

"Hah!" Elihu's grin is fierce, predatory. "I hope the two of you robbed him blind. Did you find anything of interest?"

[27_53]

Skellig's expression shifts into a similar grin, better matching Elihu's.

"Blind and deaf," he quips. "Kreyu knew better what to look for. She did find a rather fine strand of pearls that she said held a great deal of Karma, as well as a few other things."

Skellig does not feel as if he needs to hide from Elihu the fact of Kreyu finding Karma items - surely her brother would not work to steal them from his broodsister - but he does not go into great detail. Nor does he mention the several rounds of ecstasy they traded back and forth, to rework the energy in the room to better the echoes.

[brave_kreyu]

"Good, she needs to build her hoard up more," her brother replies. "She's young, hasn't had the time to acquire as many items rich in Karma as Revenin and I have."

[27_53]

Skellig lightly touches the thinner armband that he wears around his right bicep, the one with the blue lapis lazuli feather inlay which she gave to him before they had set off on their trip the Lost City and onwards to Amikaya.

"I have told her I am happy to carry whatever she would wish to take, when there is treasure to be had," he says. "I would help her build her hoard gladly, to ensure her Karma stays well-sustained."

[brave_kreyu]

Skellig might hear Kreyu's heartbeat approaching, nearing the door to this place.

"An extra set of hands is always useful when there is treasure to be carried off," Elihu agrees.

[27_53]

Her heartbeat growing closer is noticed (he wonders briefly just how she has managed to find him, but at the same time, she is a dragon and he is her mate - these things just work) and he signals to a nearby runner that they will need another mug and a fresh pitcher of beer.

"As is my ability to make things lighter," Skellig says. "For Kreyu is quite a fan of gold, and it is not at all light."

The fresh pitcher arrives quickly, along with a clean mug - Skellig offers over a gold coin as a 'thanks', before using his foot to slightly push out the chair beside him at their table. His attention shifts to the doorway, but his eyes cut to Elihu.

"I don't think she knows you are with me," he says. There might be a slight smirk lingering on his features. "I am certain she will be most surprised to see us together."

[brave_kreyu]

"Could have used you when we trying to get that statue into the lair a century or so ago," Elihu muses. "Big thing, awkwardly shaped and heavy granite. But she looked so dejected when we said we didn't think we could take it with us."

"I had wondered at the extra mug," he replies. "She'll be quite surprised," he agrees.

Kreyu comes through the door, elaborate floral designs in henna on her hands and feet that trail up onto her forearms and lower legs. She's pleased to see Skellig, but QUITE surprised to see Elihu.

She scowls at her brother and STOMPS toward him, hands on hips. She is NOT pleased. "You might have TOLD me you were in town BEFORE you absconded with my husband," she growls. She's clearly expecting Elihu to object to her calling Skellig her husband, there's a protective energy in her anger toward her brother.

[27_53]

When Kreyu enters the door, Skellig brightens - as while he can easily hear her heartbeat, it still is a boost to see her - and then he notices the way her expression switches to a scowl when she sees them together.

"Perhaps surprised was not the only mood I should have chosen," he mutters under his breath to Elihu, tone a hint wry.

Once she nears their table, he stands from his chair (and notices how every other male in the room is watching her walk through it, it is not often that such a woman - who is not 'working' - comes into a dockside establishment such as this) and reaches his hand for her to join him.

"Before you growl further at him, let me first dissuade any thoughts these other men may be having in regards to their prospects with you this evening," he says quietly, leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek. "You look lovely."

[brave_kreyu]

If Kreyu HAD feathers right now they would be a bit less puffed up after what Skellig does. "Thank you, love," she says quietly. "They ought to have known better when I said you were my husband, but some of them might be hard of hearing."

She takes the other chair and sits gracefully.

Elihu smiles at his little sister. "I wanted to have a look about before I called upon you, and then I happened upon Skellig near here," he explains, tone serene.

The anger is fading into irritation at her brother.

[27_53]

"They ought to have, but now there is no doubt."

Skellig sits after she does, pours her a mug of beer from the pitcher, and tops off both his and Elihu's mugs in the meantime before settling back into his chair.

"I assure you I joined your brother of my own free will, once he introduced himself to me," he adds. And then drinks, because he has a feeling he might need it.

[brave_kreyu]

The irritation is, almost, gone when Skellig assures her he joined Elihu of his own free will. Her left hand rests on Skellig's. The henna patterns on her arm were designed in such a way as to complement the tattoo, rather than detract from it.

She makes a huffing sound. "Good. Or Elihu and I would be having more than words." She glances at her brother. "Pumping him for information, were you?"

"Of course," he replies, sipping his beer. "How could I not, given your connection to one another?"

[27_53]

Briefly allowing his focus to drift along her hand and forearm, he allows his eyes to begin to follow the henna patterns on her skin - it will require much more detailed exploration later, so he shifts his attention back after only a moment, upturning his hand to allow her palm to rest against his.

"We had some discussion," Skellig agrees. "But there is no need for you to resort to more than words, I promise."

At the mention of given your connection Skellig hesitates ever-so-slightly as he considers just how in-depth he wishes to tell Kreyu of his talk with her brother, in this public space. He decides on 'not very', for now.

"We spoke of marriage," he says. "And of the fact that you were smart to suggest I meet Elihu first, rather than your brother."

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu relaxes at that, the irritation fading.

"I'm glad," she tells Skellig. "Will you break the news to Revenin?" she asks her brother.

Elihu sips his drink. "I can, but you'll need to guard the Lair for a while, he's getting restless."

"In need of big prey and a fight?" she drawls.

Elihu grunts in agreement. "I'll let him get the worst of his restlessness out of his system first, then lead him to a few...suitable places for discussion."

[27_53]

"Your help is appreciated," Skellig reiterates - and he truly does mean that as he's certain Elihu knows. If only because Skellig has no desire to experience death by fire, nor would Kreyu be happy if that were the result of the news being broken.

Kreyu had spoke to him of the likelihood of them having to guard the Lair in the absence of her brothers, so that is something to look forward to - another adventure.

"I would ask you if you heard any news about the happenings upon the sea," he adds, directed at Kreyu. "But I do not know if this is perhaps the best setting to discuss it?"

Unless she were to ward the table to ensure their privacy, perhaps.

[brave_kreyu]

"I have a potential location," she tells him. "On the way to the Lair, as luck would have it. Will need to finish up a few things in the city for a day or so, but then we could head on our way to give Revenin some relief."

There are certain purchases she is NOT going to mention in front of her brother, thank you.

[27_53]

Those purchases - even if Skellig is unaware of exactly what they are yet - would likely cause him to flush a color of red that would rival that of his skin after being in the sun for so long on his first day. It is a good thing they will not be mentioned in front of her brother.

"That is excellent news to hear," he says. "And it seems the Fates would align to make things easier for us, with it on the way to the Lair."

Because obviously, he's coming along on this trip. She will not be fighting pirates and monsters or whatever she's discovered without him at her side. That much should be automatic knowledge.

[brave_kreyu]

She does like making him flush from time to time, but that's definitely something to be enjoyed in private.

"It does make things simpler, though I think the staff of the House of Blue Lotuses will be a bit sad to see us go." They pay well and they're quite polite!

It never even crossed Kreyu's mind that Skellig wouldn't be coming along.

Elihu raises an eyebrow at the mention of the House, amused. "I've a bit of shopping to do, while I'm here. Then I'll be scouting locations."

"Thank you, Elihu," she says, voice soft. "I know he will be difficult." Gratitude is clear in her voice.

Elihu smiles softly. "He's been difficult from the moment I first met him," Elihu drawls. "I'm quite used to it by now."

[27_53]

"There is an advantage to that experience," Skellig agrees. Even if a large part of it came from them fighting (and killing each other) repeatedly, which Skellig hopes will not occur with the revelation that Revenin's baby sister has run off and bonded her soul with another creature completely unlike their kind.

He glances at Kreyu, allowing their fingers to intertwine briefly.

"If you two would wish to speak in private, I take no offense. I do not mind to head back to the House," he adds. "I could fetch dinner for us, along my route?"

[brave_kreyu]

"For a little while," she tells him. She leans in to give him a kiss. "Dinner would be lovely, if you wouldn't mind."

"Would be for just the two of us." She wants some time alone with her husband, thank you.

[27_53]

"Of course." Skellig returns the kiss, not lingering, before he finishes what is left of his beer and stands to move from the table. His focus turns to her brother, and he offers his forearm again as the other man stands as well.

"I am grateful again for your help today," he says. He knows Elihu will probably be able to guess exactly 'what' help Skellig is speaking of. "And as I swore to her, I would do the same to you now. No harm shall come to her."

[brave_kreyu]

Elihu clasps his forearm. "I am glad to have another soul guarding my little sister."

Kreyu rolls her eyes, but she's not REALLY annoyed by his words.

"She needs it, with as much trouble as she tends to find," he teases, glancing sideways at his sister.

She huffs dramatically and pokes him with her foot under the table. "Says you," she mock grumbles.

[27_53]

Skellig smirks at their interaction, and nods. "I will not be able to keep her from finding trouble, of that I am certain," he teases, ignoring the hint of a glare he's sure Kreyu gives him. "But at the least I will be by her side throughout it."

He looks at Kreyu. "I will fetch dinner," he says, to signal he is taking his leave. "And leave you two to talk."

Once he has taken his leave, Skellig makes his way back to the House of Blue Lotuses, stopping at several places along his path to gather some things that he has felt inspired to fetch along with dinner. The floral design of the henna she has painted along her limbs has given him an idea that requires ducking into the stall of a merchant selling all sort of exotic flowers; a large amount of them are purchased and sent on ahead via an assistant to their lodgings.

Dinner is a relatively straightforward affair - that favorite stall of hers nearer the House is selling the skewers of spiced meats as well as breads of all types; he gathers an assortment packaged to keep warm until whenever she may return.

By the time she does return, Skellig will have fully rearranged their room into a place worthy of worship of a goddess such as herself. Dinner is kept warm in a box on the table with heated bricks (he will unpack it once she arrives) and there is a jug of beer. There is a bountiful stack of carefully wrapped gifts atop the table as well - each one containing one of the treasures he has chosen over his days of shopping to surprise her with, which he intends to do so this evening. There are candles and oil lamps lit throughout the room, adding to the ambiance of the space.

And then there are the flowers.

Remembering the way she reacted to the flowers he picked for her on the island, plus the design of her henna he noticed while in the tavern, he has spread flowers throughout the room. Some of them he does not even know what they are, but they are arranged throughout - some in bunches in vases and other vessels he had brought up with help from the staff at the House of Blue Lotuses, others simply strewn across the bed, rose petals and orchids and all other sorts awaiting her return.

By the time he 'hears' that she is on her way back to the House, he has taken up 'residence' and chosen to relax on a low couch in the room, still dressed (but having changed into a clean kilt after stopping by the baths for a quick rinse to get rid of the sweat from the day) with an assortment of the jewelry she has chosen for him on his body - minus his amulet to shield his wings, as he knows it is just her that is coming.

Glancing around the room, he is satisfied with his efforts - pleased with his offerings for his most beautiful and precious dragon, his mate, his wife - and he allows himself to lounge with a beer mug in hand as he awaits her return