OOM All Skate Skellig Dream Magic Weirdness -Part 12

[brave_kreyu]

They wind up staying two full cycles of the Moon with Tyr's tribe.

Time enough to learn the various dances, share recipes, race through the Teeth, make friends, share stories, BELONG.

It might even be enough time for Skellig to sort out how he feels about being among other people with wings!

Tyr clasps Skellig's forearm in farewell. "I would call you my brother, if you would permit it?" he says, voice soft.

Comments

[27_53]

Knowing what he does of Koschei - and even though it is not much, he was clearly able to sense the care and concern that the other dragon has for his 'mate', and he suspects that means whatever surprise that is in store for Ajax is one he will likely greatly enjoy.

"We all deserve to be fussed over on occasion," Skellig says, clasping Ajax's forearm gently. "Enjoy your surprise. And thank you for your conversation this evening," he adds with a faint smile - once that Ajax will understand the meaning of. "I look forward to continuing it later."

Once they have said their farewells for the evening and made it back to their suite safely, Skellig begins to work on shedding his chiton to change into something more comfortable. He waits until he can sense that she has 'set' the wards before he removes the amulet, shaking his wings out to stretch them once they are free.

[brave_kreyu]

"The advantage of my delay is that the moly had plenty of time to brew," she explains as she removes the pins from her hair. "The strength is right, but I suspect it is slightly older than what my temple prefers."

"The flowers are lovely, when they bloom. It only happens every few years, all across the islands at once. Delicate white flowers will cover the mountain, and they glow faintly in the dark."

[27_53]

"That sounds lovely. I look forward to getting to see it, someday."

Moving to stand behind her, he automatically reaches for one of the pins that is closer to the back of her head, to help unwind her hair from it. (Does she need his help? Not really. Is that going to stop him from finding an excuse to be close to her and have his fingers in her hair? Absolutely not.) "Koschei would really not tell you what the surprise he has planned is?"

[brave_kreyu]

"They should bloom next year, would be easy enough to take a quick vacation from the village to see them."

She likes him being close, likes his help. The pins are textured, easy to grasp in his fingers. She sighs in pleasure as he starts to remove the pins. "He would not, but I have my suspicions." She grins, knowing he will feel it in her energy even if he can't see it. "Earth dragons are not the fastest or most agile in the air, but they CAN fly."

[27_53]

Skellig's energy brightens at that. "Oh, he will be thrilled if that is the case," he says. "We spoke at length about his work with sketches, and he showed me some of the pieces he has worked on since having Koschei at his side. He is grateful for an honest opinion on them, one that does not come from a man who would simply kneel before his title before all else."

He collects the pins methodically from her hair, taking a moment to lightly massage any spots where they were placed particularly tight to help things stay in place.

"His studies of birds are quite detailed," he continues. "We discussed a bit how that stems from his desire for freedom...which now he feels he has, with Koschei. His Light is much better, than it was before," he adds. "Less tainted by Dark."

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu brightens at the news that Ajax's Light is much better. "I had hoped that was the case, but I was not sure. There was so much pain in him, when we first met, locked deep inside."

The last of the pins comes free in his hands, her hair flowing over his fingers.

[27_53]

Setting the pins aside on an end table, Skellig then allows his fingers to lightly comb through her hair, working out any tangles or knots (there are not many, and nothing serious) before he moves in for a more serious scalp massage.

"There is still hurt, which is to be expected. But it will heal in time, and he has Koschei now to protect him and soothe some of the aches in his heart...it has improved."

He kisses the top of her head. "While we were speaking, he told me of how grateful he was to us for sending Koschei to him. Told me that whatever we wished that it was in his power to grant, all we had to do was ask. I accepted, but did not name anything in particular."

(After all - there is so very little they truly need that they could not simply find on their own. But there may be something, someday...)

[brave_kreyu]

His touch feels so good that she's making small noises of pleasure. "That is wonderful news."

"A great gift, particularly from a prince who I am certain was trained from childhood not to make so open ended a promise." A promise holds a great deal of power in this age, politically and otherwise.

"It may yet be needed once you are known as my husband, smooth over a diplomatic tangle that might emerge."

[27_53]

"Good fortune then, in many ways."

His hands 'finish' with her scalp and then he moves down to her neck and upper shoulders.

"I saw that you brought two cups," he says idly, glancing towards the basket that he knows contained the brewed moly. "Am I right to assume they are not both for you?"

[brave_kreyu]

"I had thought to have you try it, see what effect it has on you," she murmurs. "I know my Wise drink it, when they attend me in the temple. They may even drink it the night before."

[27_53]

"Smart," he says. "My body may respond differently to it, and it would be good to know that beforehand."

Skellig, however, is in no rush to shift from what he's currently doing - though he does gently guide her over to one of the couches, an invitation to sit with him.

"Do you want out of that dress before we relax a bit?" He asks, casually.

[brave_kreyu]

"Yes. I should have thought of it earlier, but moly is quite hard to find outside the Ring Islands."

"That would probably be a good idea," she murmurs. "Less likely to wrinkle or get stained that way." And it's warm enough that she should be quite comfortable cuddling with her husband even naked.

[27_53]

"While in the herbalists shop, I heard the discussion about the effects it tends to offer the user," he says. "Would you tell me more about it?"

Removing her dress is quite easy enough (after all, he's had plenty of practice in undressing her, in situations that have been much more hasty than this) and he folds it gently, setting it aside before he sits and pulls her to his body - along with a blanket, should she want to cover up a bit.

Now, his hands can resume that shoulder massage!

[brave_kreyu]

She does pull the blanket up a bit as she relaxes into him. "You'll spoil me," she teases.

"It was sacred to them before they came to us," she explains. "A means of communing with their gods, especially their Great Goddess, in relative safety. If one believed already that the gods could come to one in dreams, was expecting to sate the desires of one's goddess..." She flushes a bit. (She understands NOW what they might have expected a fertility goddess's desires to be in regards to a male priest!)

"Moly's making dreams vivid, increasing the recovery of one's mind and body, would be quite desirable as a sacrament."

[27_53]

"You deserve to be spoiled on occasion," he counters gently, humming under his breath as he finds a tight spot with his fingertips and works (both with his touch and his energy) to rid her of it, listening as she describes the effects.

A smirk pulls at the corner of his mouth, and she'll be able to hear the amusement in his voice.

"But what...what if one already has vivid dreams in regards to...sating the desires of one's goddess?"

[brave_kreyu]

Oh, that feels good. This intimacy, sharing space and touch, is a pleasure for body, mind, and soul.

She laughs, low, at his last statement. "I don't know, I suppose we might find out tonight." She settles back into him a little more. "Not a stimulant, or an aphrodisiac, so far as I can tell. It's never had an effect on me that I've noticed, but I've never been...exerting myself when I've had it."

[27_53]

"Makes sense."

He shifts his hands over her shoulders to work his fingers over her collarbones, just barely teasing the tops of her breasts with hints of touch - there is no sense in getting too riled up before they try the drug, after all.

"Is it best taken on a relatively empty stomach? Is there any sort of ritual that is...required? I assume there is one that is used by your Wise, but I know some of that may just be due to the way that the rites have been practiced in the past..."

He closes his eyes briefly, listening to the space around them. "Most of the effects of the herbs from earlier have worn off, as well as that of the wine...I am still relaxed, but not...altered...as I was earlier."

[brave_kreyu]

"It can be taken on a relatively empty stomach or with a meal," she replies. "I have seen my Wise do both without issue. I do not think there is a ritual with the moly itself, or if there is it is one that is strictly internal, within one's own mind."

Her heart speeds up, just a little, at his hints of touch. "That is good, better to test with fewer competing factors." Business at the House is picking up, but nothing that should disturb them tonight.

[27_53]

It is logical that business is increasing, as even with the drama of fighting and death still hanging over the city, there are certain aspects that continue regardless of external influence.

With his eyes still closed, he sighs gently.

"Picturing the Procession in my mind...I am still slightly stunned as I revisit the images. It is a wonder that I never imagined, even from your descriptions. I am glad you and Koschei were able to make it safer."

[brave_kreyu]

The drama of fighting and death might even coax a few more patrons to their doors, eager to celebrate still being ALIVE in various ways.

"My imagination paled before the reality," she agrees. "And I am glad we got there in time and that Koschei dealt with Gorgon so quickly and decisively." She sighs. "I do not think it will ever be completely safe, but others should be able to see it, once things have settled here."

"If it was open to the sky, I would be sorely tempted to nest in it for a while," she muses. "Find a place in the branches that would suit us, bring some bedding, then curl up with my mate and discover its wonders from our nest, watch the world below and above go by."

[27_53]

Skellig hums. "That is a thought," he says. "Perhaps in the early stages of renovation of the tower, if they were to do that, we might have the option..."

(A very large stretch of a consideration, yes, but it is one to hold in the back of their mind.)

He refocuses his attention away from the Procession and shifts back to the treasure he has right here in his lap - his beautiful mate! "But no matter where we choose to nest, the greatest wonder is the one I hold right here in my arms," he says quietly. "My dragon, my heart."

[brave_kreyu]

She flushes at his words, pleased. "You flatter me, my love. But I feel the same about you. You are the greatest wonder in the world, although the Procession as a setting for you would work quite well."

Her eyes go the basket. "Shall we drink, then rest in one another's arms for a time?"

[27_53]

"I think so," he agrees, his gaze following hers. "Would you like to get it from the basket, or should I?"

Logistically...it makes the most sense for her to move, as she is the one on top of him. But he could also technically probably manage to slither his way out from behind her, so that she does not have to move...

[brave_kreyu]

"I will fetch it," she says, smiling. The blanket slips from her body, letting the moonlight taste her skin as she walks to the basket, bends to fetch the moly brew and pour cups for them both. The cups are quite small, very much on purpose.

"It is slightly bitter, but not in an unpleasant way, when it is brewed with honey and salt." A bit like strong, black, coffee in taste. She offers him one of the cups as she resumes her position.

[27_53]

Skellig takes the cup from her hand as she offers it over to him, but it is obvious from his gaze that he was only partially listening to her as she spoke - his attentions were definitely elsewhere.

"Bitter...bitter is not necessarily awful, in moderation," he stammers softly, blinking a few times to refocus his mind as she curls back up against him. He brings the cup to his nose and sniffs gently - yes, definitely a bit 'harsh' to his senses, but not entirely awful.