There was a slight drizzle in the air. Clouds had darkened the sky, and soon the air would rage with water, wind, and perhaps lightning. For the moment the gentle caress of the rain cooled the skin, and the evening was humid and warm despite the oncoming chill of the impending storm. An electricity filled the air, bringing a rush of adrenaline at the sense of danger. Calmly and stoically there stood a bridge that served as the link between roads that crossed over the Ofriyu Mar. The wood was already starting to rot and weaken from the constant onslaught of the river. During heavy rains like the one that was approaching, the river raged against it's planks. Every spring the humans had to build a new bridge.
Coinneach had been floating serenely upstream despite the forceful current when he had observed the familiar bridge shimmering above the water. There was always someone on it, except for today. The people must have sensed the coming rain and avoided a journey until it was over.
This was as close as Coinneach ever got to the city, and despite the close proximity to it the bridge was a frequent visit. Today he had headed for it without meaning to, so busy was he with brooding. That had become a habit within the last few days. He kept coming back here, his subconscious mind filled with the slight idle hope that he might see Aislinn here, within sight of her destination. But of course he wouldn't; she was probably deep inside that abominable city. She was impossible to shake from his thoughts because his situation was bound inextricibly with her; he was desperate for answers and she seemed to know some of them. If only the damned townspeople wouldmove on with their lives. They just wouldn't leave him alone, setting up searching parties for him every day. He was forced to stay within the safety of the water, watching them, appearing to their mortal eyes only as golden sunlight glinting in the water.
His world had suddenly become claustrophobically small and it was wearing on him. Above all was the question: why did they care about Margretta, that dumb bimbo who had fallen so easily into his deadly seduction?
Because of this melancholy that had settled over his life, he had the strange urge to be in his human form, watching his beloved river below. Why he had this urge was of no importance, though he suspected it has something to do with the fact that Aislinn would more easily recognize him. Or perhaps it was because he could express the human-like emotions overwhelming him. His legs dangled as he sat on the railing, beckoning for the raging river below to rise and touch his toes. It heeded his call and with each flick of his foot a spray of water shot up. It was just idle play that he hardly noticed as he sat, goldenrod eyes fixed downward. His golden, wet hair trailed down his face and body, partially covering his nudity, but his pale skin shone like a beacon in the faint darkness if one but looked his way, which no one did.
Coin was suddenly quite aware of the buildings yards and yards away to his right. There were only a few people moving about in the drizzle. Even from this distance he could smell the stench of people and rotting butchered meat, could imagine the water pooling in cracks and gutters. It would just...sit there...until it eventually evaporated. He shivered involuntarily at the thought. That was gross. Water was supposed to move. It was filthy if it didn't. The thought of all those puddles forming was enough to make him jump back into the river, but he resisted the impulse.
He turned his attention to the trees on his left instead. The view from here was beautiful and as he observed it he thought again of his predicament. He had been in the Marn/Shim area for so long, it hardly occurred to him to leave. Perhaps that was for the best, however...
A Darkened Sky
The drizzle touched and bounced off Mali'Ara's face as she stared up at the darkening sky, regarding it passively. She made no move to pull her hood over her head, the light rain dampening her raven locks. Rain drops gave too pleasant a feeling to block away, she mused lightly.
She'd been walking for hours, perhaps even days, weariness not yet taking over. The last boosts of energy she had received had been bountiful and she was pleased she didn't have to partake in that for a while. It would just hinder her as she explored and there was so much to explore, she assumed.
That's all she really could do: assume. The world had always seemed like a small place from the window of her mother's small room in the brothel. Her mother fearfully kept her away from any of the men that knew anything of that place outside those doors. It was irritating, honestly.
Her mother didn't know where she was and Mali'Ara had no intentions of returning to her anytime soon. The woman had doted upon her, treated her kindly, yes. But any whore in that establishment knew how ashamed she was of Mali'Ara's existence. She didn't look normal, after all.
And she wasn't, sired by some promiscuous incubus who she'd probably never meet nor have she any desire to. It would only complicate things and make her truly accept what she really was.
Shivering involuntarily, whether by her thoughts or by her wet clothing, she wasn't certain, she gazed around to see where she was now.
She froze a little, her eyes falling on a bridge over the river she'd been following. A man sat there...or what she assumed was a man. From the distance she maintained, he appeared to have long golden hair and his skin even glowed. She swallowed, intrigued, but not getting any closer, observing him without hiding. She could see him closer this way...and if she didn't know any better...
Was he naked?
Seemingly covered by his long hair, she had to wonder if that was common practice around whatever area this was. Could be interesting...she snorted delicately, the sound feminine as she wandered a little closer. If there was any angered question, she was passing by, that was all.
His melancholy rolled off him in waves, or perhaps it was just her heightened senses. It went against her ways, but she admired his beauty. Such sadness on something handsome was strange in her opinion. Provoked to ask him, she stopped and sighed. No, no time to socialize. She must be heading on...
She'd been walking for hours, perhaps even days, weariness not yet taking over. The last boosts of energy she had received had been bountiful and she was pleased she didn't have to partake in that for a while. It would just hinder her as she explored and there was so much to explore, she assumed.
That's all she really could do: assume. The world had always seemed like a small place from the window of her mother's small room in the brothel. Her mother fearfully kept her away from any of the men that knew anything of that place outside those doors. It was irritating, honestly.
Her mother didn't know where she was and Mali'Ara had no intentions of returning to her anytime soon. The woman had doted upon her, treated her kindly, yes. But any whore in that establishment knew how ashamed she was of Mali'Ara's existence. She didn't look normal, after all.
And she wasn't, sired by some promiscuous incubus who she'd probably never meet nor have she any desire to. It would only complicate things and make her truly accept what she really was.
Shivering involuntarily, whether by her thoughts or by her wet clothing, she wasn't certain, she gazed around to see where she was now.
She froze a little, her eyes falling on a bridge over the river she'd been following. A man sat there...or what she assumed was a man. From the distance she maintained, he appeared to have long golden hair and his skin even glowed. She swallowed, intrigued, but not getting any closer, observing him without hiding. She could see him closer this way...and if she didn't know any better...
Was he naked?
Seemingly covered by his long hair, she had to wonder if that was common practice around whatever area this was. Could be interesting...she snorted delicately, the sound feminine as she wandered a little closer. If there was any angered question, she was passing by, that was all.
His melancholy rolled off him in waves, or perhaps it was just her heightened senses. It went against her ways, but she admired his beauty. Such sadness on something handsome was strange in her opinion. Provoked to ask him, she stopped and sighed. No, no time to socialize. She must be heading on...
There was suddenly the sound of a very audible sigh right behind him. He moved reactively, poised immediately to jump off the bridge. It wasn't until now that he realized he had heard the light tapping of shoes on the wood, coming closer. He cast a wary eye at who was behind him and paused immediately. Instead of the perceived threat there was but a woman watching him intently. She had damp black hair and bangs swept over part of her face, held there with a clip. Raindrops had settled dreamily on the eyelashes framing one lustrous eye. A large cloak hid her form but his eyes studied it anyway, imagining the wholesome, curvy body that must lie underneath. With her hair flattened from the weight of water, her elf ears stuck out more prominently than normal, telling of her heritage. An alluring smell wafted to him on the breeze, enchanting him immediately. He looked back into her only visible eye and it hardly registered that they were red. Well, there were many possible explanations for that... though none of them were good...
She was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
His body relaxed and he leaned away from the edge, settling himself once again comfortably on the railing. "Ah, my lovely lady, have you come to join me basking in the rain on this wonderful evening?" His rich voice was filled with more power than his frame seemed to offer, and the masculinity in it dissuaded one from taking his feminine features too seriously. Coinneach fixed her with his trademark smile, one that made every—or, thinking of Aislinn, almost every—woman swoon and trust his friendly features completely.
His brooding mood had not evaporated yet, but it would not stop him from being friendly. It didn't concern him that she was from the city, and that sigh had spoken volumes about why she was here. She was not a threat. And more than anything he thought he might appreciate her company, however strange that was to him.
She was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
His body relaxed and he leaned away from the edge, settling himself once again comfortably on the railing. "Ah, my lovely lady, have you come to join me basking in the rain on this wonderful evening?" His rich voice was filled with more power than his frame seemed to offer, and the masculinity in it dissuaded one from taking his feminine features too seriously. Coinneach fixed her with his trademark smile, one that made every—or, thinking of Aislinn, almost every—woman swoon and trust his friendly features completely.
His brooding mood had not evaporated yet, but it would not stop him from being friendly. It didn't concern him that she was from the city, and that sigh had spoken volumes about why she was here. She was not a threat. And more than anything he thought he might appreciate her company, however strange that was to him.
She hadn't meant to be caught by the male but alas, he saw her and at first, seemed ready to jump off into the water below. That thought briefly alarmed her. She meant no harm and there was no reason to run away.
But he stopped, eyeing her warily. She stood perfectly still, suddenly becoming aware that even if she wasn't a threat he very well might be. Swallowing, she watched him in the same careful manner, preparing for anything.
She slowly relaxed when she saw he had relaxed his cautious pose as well. His feminine face was a calm, an almost bewitching smile crossing upon it as he said in a rich voice that didn't match his form.
"Ah, my lovely lady, have you come to join me basking in the rain on this wonderful evening?"
She blinked rapidly, staring into his face, cocking a brow before giving her own version of a smile, seductive and taunting. She read it easily in his demeanor that he was debonair and alluring to many a woman, a charmer, even. And if she was any regular woman, she would have easily fallen for him. But alas, he was playing her game. And she played it well.
"Actually I was just exploring this path a little. Not from this part of town...the rain makes it ever more pleasant but I find myself a little lost...a nice warm bed would be pleasant" she mused, biting her finger teasingly.
But he stopped, eyeing her warily. She stood perfectly still, suddenly becoming aware that even if she wasn't a threat he very well might be. Swallowing, she watched him in the same careful manner, preparing for anything.
She slowly relaxed when she saw he had relaxed his cautious pose as well. His feminine face was a calm, an almost bewitching smile crossing upon it as he said in a rich voice that didn't match his form.
"Ah, my lovely lady, have you come to join me basking in the rain on this wonderful evening?"
She blinked rapidly, staring into his face, cocking a brow before giving her own version of a smile, seductive and taunting. She read it easily in his demeanor that he was debonair and alluring to many a woman, a charmer, even. And if she was any regular woman, she would have easily fallen for him. But alas, he was playing her game. And she played it well.
"Actually I was just exploring this path a little. Not from this part of town...the rain makes it ever more pleasant but I find myself a little lost...a nice warm bed would be pleasant" she mused, biting her finger teasingly.
As the smile was returned, matching his flirtatiousness, he felt a surge of something. Some sort of elation or arousal, something that consistently eluded him once it began. Then the melancholy settled in again. This was not some bimbo that could be won over with a smile and a few pretty words. Perhaps this was someone who could not be won over... but won over you. The thought pleased him. Someone who could match him in power, perhaps not physical power—and in that he was sure he could overcome her—but in the subtle seduction and manipulation of the will. To beat her into submission with fists would be such a waste of the power play that was sure to come. His smile changed to a low burn, less seduction and more humor.
Smoothly he retorted back, "You wouldn't want to continue much further in your exploration, miss. The woods, over there," he pointed with a thumb, "is a dangerous place. I would know." He shrugged casually. "I'm a traveler," he added, as an afterthought. The lie came easily off his lips.
He swung his legs over the railing and lightly jumped off, landing quietly on the slick boards of the bridge. Being naked was not an uncomfortable state for him and he wore it much as humans wore clothing. He hadn't even spared any thoughts to how it was indecent to others, much less cared about it. Unfortunately now his hair could not cover the rest of him, though it continued to cling as if it was more of a jacket than his hair.
Coinneach gestured with one arm; it resembled the shrug, adding emphasis to the idea that what he said was to be taken in good humor. "Unfortunately there aren't any warm beds where I come from."
As he faced her, his eyes did not hold the same fancifully happy quality of his smile. They were still large with long eyelashes, and had not changed shape in any way. However, they somehow held a more calculating, predatory look as he regarded her.
With that look, the dance with death began.
Smoothly he retorted back, "You wouldn't want to continue much further in your exploration, miss. The woods, over there," he pointed with a thumb, "is a dangerous place. I would know." He shrugged casually. "I'm a traveler," he added, as an afterthought. The lie came easily off his lips.
He swung his legs over the railing and lightly jumped off, landing quietly on the slick boards of the bridge. Being naked was not an uncomfortable state for him and he wore it much as humans wore clothing. He hadn't even spared any thoughts to how it was indecent to others, much less cared about it. Unfortunately now his hair could not cover the rest of him, though it continued to cling as if it was more of a jacket than his hair.
Coinneach gestured with one arm; it resembled the shrug, adding emphasis to the idea that what he said was to be taken in good humor. "Unfortunately there aren't any warm beds where I come from."
As he faced her, his eyes did not hold the same fancifully happy quality of his smile. They were still large with long eyelashes, and had not changed shape in any way. However, they somehow held a more calculating, predatory look as he regarded her.
With that look, the dance with death began.
Mali'Ara's defenses went up again when his whole demeanor changed within moments of her reply. The look he had was almost unsettling and should have sent off many an alarm in her head if she didn't know better but alas, she just continued to watch him, waiting for him to respond in turn.
"You wouldn't want to continue much further in your exploration, miss. The woods, over there," he pointed with a thumb, "is a dangerous place. I would know. I'm a traveler."
Hmm, but wasn't it all dangerous to begin with? The outside world seemed like a place where a threat could lurk in even the most unexpected places. She gazed at him suspiciously. And she was forced to even question this fellow. She had not seen a traveler that brought absolutely nothing.
As he leapt down onto the bridge, she also believed she'd never seen a traveler who walked around completely unclothed either. Something was a little off...
Her own nature made her overly notice that he was naked and she really didn't want to notice that much. Had she not seen such things in the brothel, she most likely would have been a lot more squeamish. She wondered if he noticed that such things were usually considered inappropriate in society. However, she didn't mind...it'd just be his own fault if she jumped on him.
He suddenly gestured with his arm, a shrug perhaps, and commented, "Unfortunately there aren't any warm beds where I come from."
His eyes were darker in a metaphorical sense and she just had to wonder what she'd gotten herself into. He seemed to have something in mind and she wondered if they were still playing the same game as before. Either way, it didn't matter. A game was a game and she thoroughly enjoyed each one she found herself playing.
Especially when she won.
Her seductive smile never died as seduction was a part of her. Flattering her eyebrows, she sighed and played with her cloak teasingly.
"You don't say...? That is unfortunate indeed. Where do you come from so I can avoid it?" she questioned jokingly, her voice rich and husky.
"You wouldn't want to continue much further in your exploration, miss. The woods, over there," he pointed with a thumb, "is a dangerous place. I would know. I'm a traveler."
Hmm, but wasn't it all dangerous to begin with? The outside world seemed like a place where a threat could lurk in even the most unexpected places. She gazed at him suspiciously. And she was forced to even question this fellow. She had not seen a traveler that brought absolutely nothing.
As he leapt down onto the bridge, she also believed she'd never seen a traveler who walked around completely unclothed either. Something was a little off...
Her own nature made her overly notice that he was naked and she really didn't want to notice that much. Had she not seen such things in the brothel, she most likely would have been a lot more squeamish. She wondered if he noticed that such things were usually considered inappropriate in society. However, she didn't mind...it'd just be his own fault if she jumped on him.
He suddenly gestured with his arm, a shrug perhaps, and commented, "Unfortunately there aren't any warm beds where I come from."
His eyes were darker in a metaphorical sense and she just had to wonder what she'd gotten herself into. He seemed to have something in mind and she wondered if they were still playing the same game as before. Either way, it didn't matter. A game was a game and she thoroughly enjoyed each one she found herself playing.
Especially when she won.
Her seductive smile never died as seduction was a part of her. Flattering her eyebrows, she sighed and played with her cloak teasingly.
"You don't say...? That is unfortunate indeed. Where do you come from so I can avoid it?" she questioned jokingly, her voice rich and husky.
There was a tremendous roar and the sky began dumping water on the pair in earnest. The river swirled faster. That and the rain was deafening, drowning out the sounds of the city in the distance. With the water sluicing off his body he stepped closer, not in a threatening manner, but slow and sultry. It was heated not with anger but with obvious desire. That desire was bound to be misunderstood: it was not a carnal way that he wanted her body. But only a true mind-reader would know the difference.
Closer to her now, he said in a whispery voice that was hard to hear over the rain, "Do you want to see it? I may not have a warm bed, but I have so much more." His low voice beckoned her closer merely because she would have to get closer to hear him.
While he was doing this he was highly cognizant of the fact that she would not know his true intentions... until it was too late. But only if she accepted. It pleased him.
Coinneach allowed his eagerness to shine through to tempt her. In a way he wanted her to refuse, continue the hunt. It would be so much more satisfying that way. It would be a long, slow struggle underwater and he would have plenty of time to enjoy it, then. If she did accept, however, he would take the chance, in the hope that the excitement would banish his melancholy.
It escaped his mind that drowning someone was the reason, if indirectly, for his melancholy.
Closer to her now, he said in a whispery voice that was hard to hear over the rain, "Do you want to see it? I may not have a warm bed, but I have so much more." His low voice beckoned her closer merely because she would have to get closer to hear him.
While he was doing this he was highly cognizant of the fact that she would not know his true intentions... until it was too late. But only if she accepted. It pleased him.
Coinneach allowed his eagerness to shine through to tempt her. In a way he wanted her to refuse, continue the hunt. It would be so much more satisfying that way. It would be a long, slow struggle underwater and he would have plenty of time to enjoy it, then. If she did accept, however, he would take the chance, in the hope that the excitement would banish his melancholy.
It escaped his mind that drowning someone was the reason, if indirectly, for his melancholy.
Mali' Ara cocked a brow at his suggestion, only because she read something more sinister underneath. Now that simply wouldn't do if he was going to be bad. She snorted. Made her think of the reasons why she hadn't been allowed out until now. Really now, she wasn't that ignorant.
While she thought about her answer, she glanced over him another time. He may have been attractive, but it wasn't human attractive. That skintone was almost more unnatural than hers... and he was walking around, naked. Charming, yes...but something wasn't quite right.
'Do you want to see it? I may not have a warm bed, but I have so much more'. Her eyes narrowed, recalling the words that just passed his lips. There was no way in hell. This man wasn't to be trusted...but alas, she'd still play the game. But she'd be damned if she played into his hands. Or lost, for that matter.
Turning away from him totally, something akin to the cold shoulder, she replied coyly, "I'm sure you do, sir, but I think I'll have to pass... seeing as I just met you on the street."
She glanced, noticing the water of the river acting more strangely than before. Her lids became heavy and she sent a rather wicked smile back at him, "My, the water is acting so strangely...I wonder why?"
(I dunno @_@)
While she thought about her answer, she glanced over him another time. He may have been attractive, but it wasn't human attractive. That skintone was almost more unnatural than hers... and he was walking around, naked. Charming, yes...but something wasn't quite right.
'Do you want to see it? I may not have a warm bed, but I have so much more'. Her eyes narrowed, recalling the words that just passed his lips. There was no way in hell. This man wasn't to be trusted...but alas, she'd still play the game. But she'd be damned if she played into his hands. Or lost, for that matter.
Turning away from him totally, something akin to the cold shoulder, she replied coyly, "I'm sure you do, sir, but I think I'll have to pass... seeing as I just met you on the street."
She glanced, noticing the water of the river acting more strangely than before. Her lids became heavy and she sent a rather wicked smile back at him, "My, the water is acting so strangely...I wonder why?"
(I dunno @_@)
The only sign that he was disappointed by her refusal was his lessening smile. Otherwise he continued as if nothing had happened. Coinneach stepped up behind her when she turned her back and put his hand on her hair, pulling it back off her shoulder so she would hear him over the rain. He leaned close enough for his voice to carry despite the roaring storm. "Perhaps something evil is thrashing in there. See the waves, how they rage against the wind and rain? It's the Ofriyu Mar Monster. He doesn't like the lightning." He chuckled. "People and their folklore. The river just does that this time of the year."
A flash of light was followed by thunder very close by. The excitement in the air made him shiver, but he was not cold. Being in freezing water was normal for him. But even under her cloak he could tell she was shivering; her frail body could not take the chill for long. "Perhaps you would like to seek shelter? The closest place is the woods. You would be safe with me." True enough. The beasties in there did not mess with him. Or his chosen prey, for that matter.
A flash of light was followed by thunder very close by. The excitement in the air made him shiver, but he was not cold. Being in freezing water was normal for him. But even under her cloak he could tell she was shivering; her frail body could not take the chill for long. "Perhaps you would like to seek shelter? The closest place is the woods. You would be safe with me." True enough. The beasties in there did not mess with him. Or his chosen prey, for that matter.
He might've been saddened, she didn't know, nor did she care. But Mali' Ara stopped as he pushed her hair away from her face from behind. She trembled at his touch, telling herself he probably didn't know any better. His breath against her ear made her shiver and she was provoked to push him back, to keep herself from doing something she'd regret. But his voice rippled through her thoughts.
"Perhaps something evil is thrashing in there. See the waves, how they rage against the wind and rain? It's the Ofriyu Mar Monster. He doesn't like the lightning." He then chuckled, "People and their folklore. The river just does that this time of the year."
She crossed her arms under her cloak, more as an action than reaction. He was odd...she was odd, as well, but something about his strangeness rubbed her the wrong way. But again, she was not one to talk, was she?
"Perhaps you would like to seek shelter? The closest place is the woods. You would be safe with me."
Really now? How safe?, she thought sarcastically. Sighing, she decided just to relent. Whatever plans he had going in his pretty little head would just not be happening as far as she was concerned so with a toss of her hand, she shrugged.
"If you say so..." she paused and cocked a trimmed brow, "What ever was your name?"
"Perhaps something evil is thrashing in there. See the waves, how they rage against the wind and rain? It's the Ofriyu Mar Monster. He doesn't like the lightning." He then chuckled, "People and their folklore. The river just does that this time of the year."
She crossed her arms under her cloak, more as an action than reaction. He was odd...she was odd, as well, but something about his strangeness rubbed her the wrong way. But again, she was not one to talk, was she?
"Perhaps you would like to seek shelter? The closest place is the woods. You would be safe with me."
Really now? How safe?, she thought sarcastically. Sighing, she decided just to relent. Whatever plans he had going in his pretty little head would just not be happening as far as she was concerned so with a toss of her hand, she shrugged.
"If you say so..." she paused and cocked a trimmed brow, "What ever was your name?"
"What ever was your name?"
Coinneach mused over this a moment as he stood close behind her. She had accepted his touch, a good sign. He almost felt like he could wrap his arms around her and squeeze hard and without a struggle. Blinking, he pushed his thoughts from those fantasies of death and stepped around her, sprightly jumping in a playful manner and tossing his head. The dominating stances and gestures he used that so resembled a stallion's behavior came comfortably around her now, as if revealing that side of him to her would deepen their companionship. Not that he knew this consciously; however, it was all part of the game with death.
"Coinneach, at your service, dear lady," the kelpie said, announcing it as if he was a privilege to know. He at once took her gesturing hand, bowed, and brushed his lips against her knuckles in a courtly greeting. Their surroundings were anything but courtly and the stark contrast appeared hilarious, but he was not embarrassed in the slightest.
He rose again, looking deep into the eye he could see, and used the continued physical connection to begin to lead her gently across the bridge away from town, away from watching eyes that could report the abduction. He felt like the stranger that led the innocent child away, never to be seen again.
Coinneach mused over this a moment as he stood close behind her. She had accepted his touch, a good sign. He almost felt like he could wrap his arms around her and squeeze hard and without a struggle. Blinking, he pushed his thoughts from those fantasies of death and stepped around her, sprightly jumping in a playful manner and tossing his head. The dominating stances and gestures he used that so resembled a stallion's behavior came comfortably around her now, as if revealing that side of him to her would deepen their companionship. Not that he knew this consciously; however, it was all part of the game with death.
"Coinneach, at your service, dear lady," the kelpie said, announcing it as if he was a privilege to know. He at once took her gesturing hand, bowed, and brushed his lips against her knuckles in a courtly greeting. Their surroundings were anything but courtly and the stark contrast appeared hilarious, but he was not embarrassed in the slightest.
He rose again, looking deep into the eye he could see, and used the continued physical connection to begin to lead her gently across the bridge away from town, away from watching eyes that could report the abduction. He felt like the stranger that led the innocent child away, never to be seen again.
Coinneach...his gestures made her curious. It was strange, really, as they seemed rather animalistic. But perhaps that was the answer to why he was so peculiar in appearance.
He kissed her hand, something she could say no other man had ever done. Alas, perhaps that was for the best because men were just something to feed on... a lack of bonding made it easy to get what she needed out of them. She clucked to herself. Not to say that she wouldn't lose any sleep over 'feasting' on him anyway.
Mali'Ara pondered momentarily if she wanted to play his game or get a quick fix... thing was, she was easily able to lure men in, baiting them and quickly tricking them into an alley...or preferably, hotel. They lusted after her, that's why. However, she didn't get that from this fellow. Strange, really.
It didn't go unnoticed that he was, in a subtle manner, leading her somewhere. She didn't really care, though, allowing him to what he wanted. He apparently had his plans and she had her's. She may play along for a little while but really, she never gave anyone the upper hand.
And maybe, if she played her cards right, she could have a little fun too...
He kissed her hand, something she could say no other man had ever done. Alas, perhaps that was for the best because men were just something to feed on... a lack of bonding made it easy to get what she needed out of them. She clucked to herself. Not to say that she wouldn't lose any sleep over 'feasting' on him anyway.
Mali'Ara pondered momentarily if she wanted to play his game or get a quick fix... thing was, she was easily able to lure men in, baiting them and quickly tricking them into an alley...or preferably, hotel. They lusted after her, that's why. However, she didn't get that from this fellow. Strange, really.
It didn't go unnoticed that he was, in a subtle manner, leading her somewhere. She didn't really care, though, allowing him to what he wanted. He apparently had his plans and she had her's. She may play along for a little while but really, she never gave anyone the upper hand.
And maybe, if she played her cards right, she could have a little fun too...
Reassured she was following, if with a cynical expression, he turned so he could see where he was heading and they walked over the bridge. The rain roared down in drenches, soaking through everything, making the short clearing before the woods hung over the path muddy. Ruts from wagon wheels were miniature moats to each side of where they walked. The water that hit Coinneach, instead of bouncing off or dripping, flowed over him, tracing his body intimately and slowly. It was as if it was attracted to him and didn’t want to let go. Gravity forced it down, so he left water trailing behind him. It was only a slightly noticeable phenomenon because the rain drenched everything just as equally, though not as intimately. An astute observer would be puzzled, however.
It was pitch black in among the trees. His eyes adjusted quickly and he picked his way carefully. Here, there were less small puddles, and the water collected in the roots of the trees. The leaves caught most of the water, leaving heavy drops to land on their heads.
Disgust and dread mingled in Coinnech’s stomach as he eyed the ruts filled with water to each side. Now that they had entered the trees water no longer pounded into them, splashing them around. They were still but for a few drops landing in them. Too unanimated for Coin, who reviled any water that didn’t move. His pace picked up, pulling Mali’Ara along. A large stone in the path of the rut, with very shallow rut markings to the side, was placed to the left. Quickly Coinneach led them over that.
Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, however, there were the containers of roots holding water. These he avoided in a wide berth, often going out of his way to avoid getting too close to them. He zigzagged confusedly through the woods, seemingly with no pattern or clear direction. However, he did know where he was and where he was going.
It took a few minutes of trekking through the muddy leaf- and stick-strewn forest floor to reach his destination: the bank of the Ofriyu Mar where the woods came within feet of its raging waters. There was a steep bank where a few reeds grew, but mostly there was not enough solid space. He stopped at the tree line and let go of her hand. The kelpie put a casual hand on a tree and leaned into it, looking out at the watery landscape. This part of the river turned so that only a withering corner of the city could be seen. Mostly what could be seen was the woods and the far-reaching, forlorn landscape of the land that made up most of Thar Shaddin. He was silent, letting Mali’Ara take it all in. He still didn’t know her name, but that wasn’t important to him.
It was pitch black in among the trees. His eyes adjusted quickly and he picked his way carefully. Here, there were less small puddles, and the water collected in the roots of the trees. The leaves caught most of the water, leaving heavy drops to land on their heads.
Disgust and dread mingled in Coinnech’s stomach as he eyed the ruts filled with water to each side. Now that they had entered the trees water no longer pounded into them, splashing them around. They were still but for a few drops landing in them. Too unanimated for Coin, who reviled any water that didn’t move. His pace picked up, pulling Mali’Ara along. A large stone in the path of the rut, with very shallow rut markings to the side, was placed to the left. Quickly Coinneach led them over that.
Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, however, there were the containers of roots holding water. These he avoided in a wide berth, often going out of his way to avoid getting too close to them. He zigzagged confusedly through the woods, seemingly with no pattern or clear direction. However, he did know where he was and where he was going.
It took a few minutes of trekking through the muddy leaf- and stick-strewn forest floor to reach his destination: the bank of the Ofriyu Mar where the woods came within feet of its raging waters. There was a steep bank where a few reeds grew, but mostly there was not enough solid space. He stopped at the tree line and let go of her hand. The kelpie put a casual hand on a tree and leaned into it, looking out at the watery landscape. This part of the river turned so that only a withering corner of the city could be seen. Mostly what could be seen was the woods and the far-reaching, forlorn landscape of the land that made up most of Thar Shaddin. He was silent, letting Mali’Ara take it all in. He still didn’t know her name, but that wasn’t important to him.