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

[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

[brave_kreyu]

The staff of the House is DELIGHTED to be roped into Skellig's nest decorating efforts. The two of them are just ADORABLE, according to the gossip Skellig overhears between the workers. (He also tips well, VERY WELL, which has won him quite a lot of favor.)

Kreyu enters the room without knocking, knowing Skellig will hear her heartbeat long before she comes through the door. It's a good thing the door shuts on its own, because she stops shortly after she comes through it to stare in surprised delight.

She flushes. "You didn't need to do all of this for me," she tells him. "But I like it very much." Her fingers carefully trace the petals of some of the flowers as she turns to lock the door. "Gifts worthy of a queen, or a goddess."

She laughs, low. "I ought to object to you spoiling me so," she tells him, grinning. "But I am a dragon, and we are greedy creatures."

If her hips sway a little more than they usually do as she walks toward his couch, it is because the gifts she can offer him in this moment are less physical in nature.

[27_53]

"You can object all you wish," Skellig tells her. "But it will not stop me from spoiling you as much as I am able."

He makes no effort to hide the fact that he is watching her (closely) walk over towards his couch, nor does he think she will mind in the slightest.

"I know there will be times when we will not have such luxuries at our disposal," he adds, with a hint of a shrug as he pushes himself up to more of a 'sitting' position on the couch, making room for her to join him at his side. Motioning around the room with one hand, he smiles. "So I will take advantage of these times when we do have them."

His smile shifts a little, to one that is more...knowing.

"Plus you are a dragon, and I know you like it."

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu does not mind him watching at all. She sits on the couch next to him, her body touching his, kisses his cheek.

"My wise husband knows me well," she tells him. She brushes some of his hair out of his face, and he can see that there are intricate patterns even on her palms. "Henna like this is supposed to be lucky for a bride, the artist told me. Supposed to be BEFORE the wedding, but you and I will enjoy them anyway, hm?"

[27_53]

"I have no doubt of that."

Skellig shifts to turn his body so he is better facing her, which allows him to lean in and press his forehead against hers.

"I will admit I got quite a thrill, seeing you walk into the tavern with it adorning your body in such a way. Even more so when those who were staring at you were disappointed to know that you were not 'up for grabs'." He smirks. "One of many reasons I kissed you."

[brave_kreyu]

She chuckles. "Hm. I'm glad I could give you a thrill." Her eyes sparkle with mischief. "Most of the henna work I had done was meant to be seen by all, but I had a few pieces done just for you and I."

She'll let his imagination work on what they might be and where for a while. "Shall we start with dinner, or did you have other plans?"

[27_53]

"Dinner was first on my list," he says honestly. "I had some flatbreads for lunch, before I met with your brother, but that was several hours ago."

His eyes wander the rest of her body - she is clothed still, of course, so he is forced to imagine just what might be hiding beneath the folds of linen which she is wearing. (Forced. Such a travesty.) He offers her his hand, stands.

"I stopped at that stall you took me to, got some of those meats that you like. As well as some other things to go with it." Some vegetables, some fruits, more breads. And the beer. "Would my wife join me for dinner?"

She will notice when they reach the table that there are several various sized boxes and bags, wrapped up neatly and piled in a semi-neat stack.

[brave_kreyu]

She seems a little concerned that he had flatbreads a few hours ago and nothing since. It's probably for the best that she doesn't realize just HOW hungry Skellig has been in the past.

She's pleased when his eyes wander the rest of her body, she can practically HEAR him wondering. The delay now will only make his discoveries later all the sweeter for the both of them. "I would love to join you for dinner," she tells him, smiling.

He can feel the surge in her curiosity when she notices the packages, but she doesn't ask about them just yet. "Such a lovely feast you've gathered for us." She has the BEST husband.

[27_53]

"I figured after such a long afternoon, it would be best if both of us were well-prepared for this evening."

His tone is innocent, although his mind is most definitely not. He works to unpack the box, dishing up two plates of food between them, and there will definitely be leftovers if they are still hungry after the first round. Once they have settled in and both have mugs of beer, he looks at her.

"How was the rest of your conversation with Elihu? If you wish to speak of it. If it is private, I would not pry."

[brave_kreyu]

"Always better to be prepared," she replies, her tone equally innocent. But the look in her eyes suggest her thoughts are most definitely not.

"It went well. Mostly catching up on news about our humans, things that have happened around the lair. I told him about my apprenticeship with Taweret, what it was like in the village."

She laughs. "He didn't SAY anything, but I could tell he was quite baffled by my choosing such a life, even for a short time."

[27_53]

"Even though I only spoke to him a few hours, I could see how he might find that choice of yours a bit...odd, for a dragon."

Skellig tears off another bit of meat from a skewer, stuffs it into a flatbread with some vegetables.

"He asked of how we came to meet," he says. "I told him the story of you finding me upon the road, though I left out some of the more...vivid details of our first afternoon together."

[brave_kreyu]

"He wouldn't come out and say it was beneath me, but I could tell."

She flushes, remembering that first afternoon. "That's probably for the best. I expect our actions would seem....hasty, from the outside."

She can't explain why she felt so powerfully so soon, doesn't really CARE. Kreyu works on her own flatbread, thinking. "But I'm sure they were the right actions, since they have lead to THIS."