![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[ She brings some of those missing scents with her as she stops in the doorway, fresh off a boat herself, even if it's from Cumberland and not Antiva. It's a short trip, and she let him know when the ship sailed, and there's the ferry as a giveaway, but it doesn't stop her looking surprised that he's gotten the timing just right. Surprised, and then impressed, a wide smile spreading slow across her face. ]
Is it really?
[ She steps out of her boots, and carries them as she carefully skirts the blanket on the floor, stepping around it and bending down to press a quick kiss to his cheek. ]
Give me just a minute to clean up.
[ It's more like five, but she emerges scrubbed and changed to join him in front of the fire, immediately taking his chin and drawing him into a longer kiss. ]
I was going to argue with you, [ she says when she's drawn back ] But the one Satinalia I remember was really a month late, wasn't it. I was going to be there, but a job ran long.
Is it really?
[ She steps out of her boots, and carries them as she carefully skirts the blanket on the floor, stepping around it and bending down to press a quick kiss to his cheek. ]
Give me just a minute to clean up.
[ It's more like five, but she emerges scrubbed and changed to join him in front of the fire, immediately taking his chin and drawing him into a longer kiss. ]
I was going to argue with you, [ she says when she's drawn back ] But the one Satinalia I remember was really a month late, wasn't it. I was going to be there, but a job ran long.
And I waited up all night, with a picnic--
[Darras grins up at her, as he traps her fingers in his. With a gentle tug, he pulls her down to the blanket with him.]
No, I didn't. This is our first Satinalia picnic as well. Honestly I didn't mind so much when our previous attempt at the holiday was a month delayed. It was very warm that year. I remember you walking about the cottage without a lot on.
[He lifts her hand so he can kiss the back of it--knuckles, first, then the back of her hand, then up toward her wrist--all before she can pull free. If she would want to pull free.]
You could try that again.
[Darras grins up at her, as he traps her fingers in his. With a gentle tug, he pulls her down to the blanket with him.]
No, I didn't. This is our first Satinalia picnic as well. Honestly I didn't mind so much when our previous attempt at the holiday was a month delayed. It was very warm that year. I remember you walking about the cottage without a lot on.
[He lifts her hand so he can kiss the back of it--knuckles, first, then the back of her hand, then up toward her wrist--all before she can pull free. If she would want to pull free.]
You could try that again.
[ She needs no urging to join him, settling down to lounge on her side, propped up on a cushion, near enough to set her head on his knee if she liked. It puts her hand in easy reach, and she makes no attempt to steal it back. ]
I could, [ she agrees, twisted back to look at him and fingering the first done-up button on her blouse. It's well-worn blue cotton, faded and softened by time. Like her skirt, loose and light, it's something she'd wear at the cottage in the warmer weather he's stoked the fire to imitate. When she flicks the button out of its hole, a few more inches of freckled skin appear, the last of a late summer tan fading down her breastbone. ] But I thought this year I'd go without much on underneath, instead. [ She drags a fingertip down his jaw. ] Will that do?
I could, [ she agrees, twisted back to look at him and fingering the first done-up button on her blouse. It's well-worn blue cotton, faded and softened by time. Like her skirt, loose and light, it's something she'd wear at the cottage in the warmer weather he's stoked the fire to imitate. When she flicks the button out of its hole, a few more inches of freckled skin appear, the last of a late summer tan fading down her breastbone. ] But I thought this year I'd go without much on underneath, instead. [ She drags a fingertip down his jaw. ] Will that do?
[Already having followed Yseult's hand with great interest, and then the slight motion of her fingers with greater interest, Darras' gaze is perfectly placed to catch that extra flash of skin. He looks up at Yseult, meets her eyes with a smile as her fingertip traces along his jawline.]
I think I can manage with that, yeah.
[And swiftly he shifts so he can lean in to her, where she's propped up, and kiss her properly, on the mouth. Once, and then once more for good measure, before he leans back.]
But I'll want you to have some wine first, I think, 'cos I went to a great deal of trouble. Unless you want to convince me otherwise, right now.
I think I can manage with that, yeah.
[And swiftly he shifts so he can lean in to her, where she's propped up, and kiss her properly, on the mouth. Once, and then once more for good measure, before he leans back.]
But I'll want you to have some wine first, I think, 'cos I went to a great deal of trouble. Unless you want to convince me otherwise, right now.
[ She has fingers hooked in the neck of his shirt as he leans back, and her arm unfolds to go with him for a moment. She remains tilted back and twisted to look up at him, long and languorous. ]
Tempting. [ She lets her fingertips brush his chest as her hand drops, and then she pushes herself more upright, propping up on an elbow and brushing hair back out of her face. ] But we can spend a moment on wine, if you went to so much trouble. What do you have?
Tempting. [ She lets her fingertips brush his chest as her hand drops, and then she pushes herself more upright, propping up on an elbow and brushing hair back out of her face. ] But we can spend a moment on wine, if you went to so much trouble. What do you have?
[His sigh tinted with regret, Darras sits back.]
Curse me for a fool, and for you taking me seriously. The wine, when you're just here.
[Fool. He twists about to grab for the bottle he'd uncorked just as she'd entered, and holds it up to the light to peer at its color through the glass of the bottle.]
This is that Antivan red, the one with the spices in it you like so well. Imported right from Antiva, just for you. It's the only way this will feel like a real Satinalia.
Curse me for a fool, and for you taking me seriously. The wine, when you're just here.
[Fool. He twists about to grab for the bottle he'd uncorked just as she'd entered, and holds it up to the light to peer at its color through the glass of the bottle.]
This is that Antivan red, the one with the spices in it you like so well. Imported right from Antiva, just for you. It's the only way this will feel like a real Satinalia.
I'm not going anywhere. [ The reassurance is warm to match the joke in his tone, and she shifts nearer, hooking an elbow over his leg to prop her head up and look at the bottle, the glimmer of candlelight filtered red through the stem. ]
The weather's finally turned cool enough for it, [ she agrees, smiling. ] I couldn't find it here last winter. Thank you.
[ She sits up enough to look around for glasses, and shakes her head a little when she realizes he's neglected them, probably on purpose. She settles back down instead, propped up against him, and reaches up to take the bottle for a drink. ]
Your gifts are hidden around our rooms [ she tells him, ] Do you want to hunt for them, or should I collect them for you?
The weather's finally turned cool enough for it, [ she agrees, smiling. ] I couldn't find it here last winter. Thank you.
[ She sits up enough to look around for glasses, and shakes her head a little when she realizes he's neglected them, probably on purpose. She settles back down instead, propped up against him, and reaches up to take the bottle for a drink. ]
Your gifts are hidden around our rooms [ she tells him, ] Do you want to hunt for them, or should I collect them for you?
Hunt. Obviously. Is that even a question?
[He grins at her as he hands the bottle over. It's absolutely purposeful to not have a stock of glasses for them to use. Who brings glasses to a picnic? Better to drink straight from the bottle. And she will, of course, without hesitation.]
But you've got to give hints. And I've got to be allowed at least five guesses without having to shift myself. Too comfortable just as I am.
[He grins at her as he hands the bottle over. It's absolutely purposeful to not have a stock of glasses for them to use. Who brings glasses to a picnic? Better to drink straight from the bottle. And she will, of course, without hesitation.]
But you've got to give hints. And I've got to be allowed at least five guesses without having to shift myself. Too comfortable just as I am.
Good.
[ Her smile flashes bright, at his agreement and at his disinclination to move; she's rather comfortable herself. She hands the bottle back up and reaches instead for a slice of apple before settling once more against him with, a careless crunch of teeth. ]
You have to guess before you get a good hint. But I will say that two are in this room, and two in the others.
[ Her smile flashes bright, at his agreement and at his disinclination to move; she's rather comfortable herself. She hands the bottle back up and reaches instead for a slice of apple before settling once more against him with, a careless crunch of teeth. ]
You have to guess before you get a good hint. But I will say that two are in this room, and two in the others.
Oh, now we're setting restrictions? Lucky for me I'm good at guessing.
[He takes a sip from the bottle before settling in for a proper look around the room, sussing out the possibilities.]
I did say I don't want to get up, yeah? So having two in the other rooms seems unfair as well. But I s'ppose you couldn't have known that I wouldn't want to get up... only you could've guessed it. As you're here. Beguiling.
[Beguiling, as a verb. Darras glances down at her with a quick grin.]
Drawer. My first guess.
[He takes a sip from the bottle before settling in for a proper look around the room, sussing out the possibilities.]
I did say I don't want to get up, yeah? So having two in the other rooms seems unfair as well. But I s'ppose you couldn't have known that I wouldn't want to get up... only you could've guessed it. As you're here. Beguiling.
[Beguiling, as a verb. Darras glances down at her with a quick grin.]
Drawer. My first guess.
I couldn't have guessed you'd hold a picnic in my office.
[ But she tips her chin up, head back, neck long and hair spilling over his knee. Beguiling. Her smile is quick and wide, and then she's rolling her eyes, face all a-scoff at his guess. She reaches out to catch fingertips around the edge of a platter and drag it slowly nearer. ]
Which drawer?
[ But she tips her chin up, head back, neck long and hair spilling over his knee. Beguiling. Her smile is quick and wide, and then she's rolling her eyes, face all a-scoff at his guess. She reaches out to catch fingertips around the edge of a platter and drag it slowly nearer. ]
Which drawer?
Couldn't tell you, [Darras says, looking down at her, a little dazed. He manages a grin. Only Yseult could make an eyeroll beautiful, languorous, almost elegant. And she's right here, right in front of him, and he reaches out to pull the plate closer with her, and so he can get his hand over hers. Pluck it off of the plate and pull it nearer to him, so he can kiss the hollow-back part of her wrist. It's a kiss that lingers.]
Don't even know what a drawer is any longer. You've put everything out of my head. There's no way I'll win this game, I give up.
Don't even know what a drawer is any longer. You've put everything out of my head. There's no way I'll win this game, I give up.
[ Her hand curves to fit his jaw, and she starts to press fingers in behind it, behind his ear to draw him down--but stops, and gives his face a little shove instead. ]
You give up? [ She exaggerates her scoff, head twisting back away from him as if disgusted. ] I can't believe I married a quitter. How disappointing.
You give up? [ She exaggerates her scoff, head twisting back away from him as if disgusted. ] I can't believe I married a quitter. How disappointing.
[Darras laughs, all surprise and amusement. He takes the shove easily; grabs for her hand to keep it close so he can pull it in, press another kiss to it.]
Now, what you married, is someone so in love with you he can't concentrate on a bloody hunt. When the best gift of all is what's sat right under his nose, pretending like she's going to kiss him and then refusing him-- c'mere--
[It's with a little growl that he leans down, trying to get at her to plant a kiss on her mouth.]
Now, what you married, is someone so in love with you he can't concentrate on a bloody hunt. When the best gift of all is what's sat right under his nose, pretending like she's going to kiss him and then refusing him-- c'mere--
[It's with a little growl that he leans down, trying to get at her to plant a kiss on her mouth.]
[ More of the scoffing same from Yseult, minus any genuine attempt to escape him. ]
A quitter, [ she repeats, just before his lips land. ] And a sap! [ she accuses a moment or two later with a disapproving shake of her head. Not that it stops her kissing him again, a hand in his collar keeping him close. ]
A quitter, [ she repeats, just before his lips land. ] And a sap! [ she accuses a moment or two later with a disapproving shake of her head. Not that it stops her kissing him again, a hand in his collar keeping him close. ]
A sap, [he repeats, once they've kissed. He stays close enough so the word brushes his mouth against hers, and so does his grin, when it follows.] You're cruel. Cut me to my core. And I love you anyways. Can't help it.
You kiss me again, and that'll be all the encouragement I need to go and mount a real search for this present of mine. Make it a good kiss. I need it.
You kiss me again, and that'll be all the encouragement I need to go and mount a real search for this present of mine. Make it a good kiss. I need it.
Proving me right, [ she replies when he complains. She's not inclined to let him keep talking, nose bumping his, nipping teasingly at his lower lip.
When he makes his offer she laughs, head tilting as if she needs to consider the matter. ]
And what if I don't want you to go search? What do I do then?
When he makes his offer she laughs, head tilting as if she needs to consider the matter. ]
And what if I don't want you to go search? What do I do then?
Edited 2019-12-11 03:31 (UTC)
Mmm.
[A noise of thoughtful consideration before he settles on his answer:]
Three kisses. And the third'll keep me here. It's the unevenness of it, I'll have to stay until I get the fourth. But then you could give me a fifth, and that'd keep me here again.
[A noise of thoughtful consideration before he settles on his answer:]
Three kisses. And the third'll keep me here. It's the unevenness of it, I'll have to stay until I get the fourth. But then you could give me a fifth, and that'd keep me here again.
Ridiculous.
[ She pronounces it, and him, with a little shake of her head. Her hair is loose, messy from the effects of sea breezes and tight braids, and it brushes his cheek as she moves. ]
I try to seduce you and you're thinking about number patterns. Have we been together too long?
[ She pronounces it, and him, with a little shake of her head. Her hair is loose, messy from the effects of sea breezes and tight braids, and it brushes his cheek as she moves. ]
I try to seduce you and you're thinking about number patterns. Have we been together too long?
Well, now, you can't have it all ways. Seducing me, trying to get me to look about for my presents, teasing me that I'm too in love with you, teasing me that I'm uninterested in you...
[He leans back a little, as much as he can, as if he might be able to flatten himself into the stone. It isn't much; it doesn't do much to avoid the tickle of her hair.]
Which way d'you want it? Tell me plain and I'll do it. 'Cos as I said, I'm madly in love with you. Do anything for you.
[He leans back a little, as much as he can, as if he might be able to flatten himself into the stone. It isn't much; it doesn't do much to avoid the tickle of her hair.]
Which way d'you want it? Tell me plain and I'll do it. 'Cos as I said, I'm madly in love with you. Do anything for you.
Anyone with eyes could see I'm madly in love with you. How's that for showing.
[Saying that reminds him of having her on the Fancy, that time. Stupid risk that he'd say he'd avoid now, if someone were to asked, but he couldn't have then, and he couldn't now. Because he is in love with her, completely, and nothing can stop it, so he leans in and kisses her back, good and firm--one hand on her cheek at first and then sliding it back to her hair, the curve of her ear like a shell under his thumb. Teeth, and tongue, and passion, this kiss, angling into her so he can try to push her back. If she's going to make him, he's going to follow through. The floor isn't the strangest place for it, not by their standards.]
[Saying that reminds him of having her on the Fancy, that time. Stupid risk that he'd say he'd avoid now, if someone were to asked, but he couldn't have then, and he couldn't now. Because he is in love with her, completely, and nothing can stop it, so he leans in and kisses her back, good and firm--one hand on her cheek at first and then sliding it back to her hair, the curve of her ear like a shell under his thumb. Teeth, and tongue, and passion, this kiss, angling into her so he can try to push her back. If she's going to make him, he's going to follow through. The floor isn't the strangest place for it, not by their standards.]
[ There's a rug and everything, heavy-piled blues and greys, and Yseult doesn't have the slightest objection to being borne back onto it; that's what she's been angling for, after all. She wraps an arm around his back, scrunching up his shirt, and they lay her down together. ]
I'm just going to have to tell you, [ she laughs a little while later, doing up a couple buttons on her shirt before stretching to collect the wine. She drinks, deeper than before, and then passes it over. The back of a finger is wiped delicately across her lips and then extended toward a bookshelf opposite. ] There's one behind that horizontal stack on the top shelf, and another is behind the couch.
I'm just going to have to tell you, [ she laughs a little while later, doing up a couple buttons on her shirt before stretching to collect the wine. She drinks, deeper than before, and then passes it over. The back of a finger is wiped delicately across her lips and then extended toward a bookshelf opposite. ] There's one behind that horizontal stack on the top shelf, and another is behind the couch.
[It's warm in her tower room, especially with the fire lit. The heat of her hasn't quite left him anyways. Darras shrugs his shirt back on but leaves it undone, and reaches to take the wine from her when she offers it. He's watching her instead of following where she gestures, taking in the sight of her. Can't help himself. He's even watching her when he takes a sip of the wine.]
Behind the couch was going to be my guess.
[It's a lie. He says it anyways, absolutely straight-faced, and then reaches for her, leans forward to put his hand on the back of her head and pull her in again, close. Her mouth will taste as much like wine as his does. Maybe more.]
Bookshelf would've been a little tougher. Don't much think of 'em. C'mere. I'm not done with you.
Behind the couch was going to be my guess.
[It's a lie. He says it anyways, absolutely straight-faced, and then reaches for her, leans forward to put his hand on the back of her head and pull her in again, close. Her mouth will taste as much like wine as his does. Maybe more.]
Bookshelf would've been a little tougher. Don't much think of 'em. C'mere. I'm not done with you.
Page 24 of 55