[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/1Is4BIi.png[/img][/center] [center][h3][color=e93b1c][b]Location: Floran's tent at the Craenak camps[/b] [/color][color=e93b1c]||[/color][color=e93b1c] [b] A fateful reunion [/b] [/color][color=e93b1c]||[/color][color=e93b1c] [b]Mood: Passionate, then conflicted, then happy[/b][/color][/h3] [i]Collaboration with: [/i] Azira[@RedXCross][/center] The meeting with Alexis had left the slightest of sore tastes in his mouth. He wasn't sure why, but something told him that whatever she was doing was going to be trouble. He knew her as a kind girl, and would hate to see her hurt. However, he couldn't simply drag her out of that situation. She had her own choices to make, but Floran did not have to like the consequences they would bring. Maybe he could convince her later tonight. He looked up at the clouded sky, his eyes weary, and sighed. Something was going to go horribly wrong. He could feel it in his ageing bones. He just wasn't sure what. Would it be the whole situation with the Abaneki? Maybe Alexis? Or was trouble brewing from the cursed clans? Or maybe he was simply wrong on all accounts. This last option maybe frightened him the most. One did well to fear the unknown. With an irritated groan he discarded the thoughts. He'd look out the Craenak ally he had made this evening, but first he felt the need for a short respite. Floran's test embodied his modesty and practicality. It was all function over form, but by no means shabby-looking. It was definitely on the smaller side, but that wasn't much of a problem with just him alone. But he couldn't help but notice that the tent didn't really seem like he had left it. Was there someone with a bad habit of rummaging through the tents of another? Well, he'd soon find out. Her plan had been to leave behind the memento and then sneak away, but she found herself reminiscing as she moved into the tent. The first time they'd met and she'd had a chance to smile without worry of hurting her delicate persona or her dropping her false mask. It smelled like him, if she was being honest. Her olfactory senses dragging up memories of that tough, travelling warrior. One of the first people she'd met that hadn't tried to take advantage of her, but even then there was something about him that was significantly disarming. Even now, the sparsity of the space reminded her of his ability to travel the world without the fear of others. Her only hope of surviving this lethal wilderness was aligning herself with a position of power. Power really was the only secret to survival. For a moment, she believed that she'd overstayed her welcome, when she glanced down at the mask on the floor and realized that more time had passed than she had predicted originally. But it was exactly at that moment that she heard movement from outside the tent. [i] Damn it. [/i] she thought. She dove for her mask and threw it back on her face, even if it left her sitting on the ground in a rather compromising position. As Floran closed in on his tent, he could definitely hear the noise of someone's presence inside his humble abode. Well, whoever it was, the only way out of there was to go through him now. He rushed in rather quickly, hoping to catch whoever had invaded the little privacy his tent offered off-guard. Yet, it took but a second of two for his usually determined and composed expression to show clear surprise. That mask wasn't an image he had forgotten, and he probably wouldn't until the day he died. [color=e93b1c]"You found me?"[/color] He muttered, his voice soft and somewhat shocked, but with a delicate touch of happiness. Her heart raced, petrified that she may be caught by some other member of the clan, but then he burst through the front. She was half-prepared to retaliate with the knife strapped to her side when her eyes met his from under the mask. She left out a breath of relief. [color=18A0B3] "Lords, Floran... your presence is more daunting than ever..."[/color] Slowly, she pulled the mask from her face, revealling the soft smile underneath. It took her a couple moments to try and retain the strange eye-to-eye connection they had, and only a few moments more to realize that she'd barely tried to move away from her position on the ground. [color=18A0B3] "Yes, it took a little bit of asking, but when the clans gather, it is quite easy to find who you're looking for if you know how to ask the right questions."[/color] she responded quietly. Her smile remembered how difficult it had been initially to see her small lips move upward even the slightest before. Something in him fluttered slightly simply seeing her react as such to his mere entrance. [color=e93b1c]"I guess I'm not the most common person around, indeed.[/color] He said with a bit of a grin. Mercenaries with his ethic and longetivity both were rare these days, especially in combination. But he discarded the topic the mere instant after. What wasn't important was how she had found him, it was that she had. He still wasn't exactly sure what it was that had brought the two of them together. The woman was positively stunning. And while he considered himself not the ugliest duckling, he never saw himself as especially handsome. Sure, he had developed the body you expected from nearly a decade of work, but that wasn't what retained a jewel like her, surely. She had something enticing to her, something that wasn't just a pretty face. She had a sense of mystery, a part of herself that was normally well-hidden. But he had seen it, and he was certain of the beauty in that part of her that made her physically pale in comparison. She soaked in the moment. Looked up and down the rugged man, glanced at his sturdy muscles and his handsome face. The righteous sense of wisdom that seemed to resonate off of him just made the entire persona she'd created for herself crack. She was holding onto that moment as long as possible, for the next level of conversation could bring them closer together, and send everything crashing to the ground. But being here with him, in this moment... and realizing the whole world meant little to the strength that would come from this pair of experienced people. Maybe that would be stronger than this role she had crafted for herself. [color=18A0B3] "I'm growing tired of these Clan affairs, Floran,"[/color] she said, starting with an earnest statement felt like the best way to lead into this, [color=18A0B3] "And seeing you again... has been the most rejuvenating experience I've had in a while." [/color] Floran smiled a little as he started closing the distance between them little by little. Not that there was much to begin with, this tent would definitely be too large for three people to be comfortable. But since it was Azira, he felt more comfortable the less space they shared. [color=e93b1c]"You're not the only one. You'd think being a traveler would free you from that. But I can only find truth in the contrary."[/color] He said as his arms envelopped themselves around her. [color=e93b1c]"Luckily, my place is completely neutral ground"[/color] Her smile grew into a devilish smirk as her hand reached up and brushed against his battle-hardened face, and she pushed the mask far out of the way in some direction, she wasn't sure. That smell came to her again. The strong, rugged scent of the dust-beaten traveller seemed almost hypnotic in a sense. [color=18A0B3]"Neutral ground, you say? Alas, I can't take one step without bumping into the people with whom I've survived. Gods, how I'd love to share that position of neutrality."[/color] she said with a melancholy laugh at the edge of her voice. Her other hand moved to his other cheek, and her fingers pulled themselves around the sides of his face, pulling him closer ever-so-slightly. Floran looked at her wonderingly. [color=e93b1c]"I'm not sure what you mean."[/color] He admitted. The truth was that he knew preciously little about her life, much as she hardly knew the details about his. [color=e93b1c]"But there's none of that here, and as the king of this country, you're permitted to enjoy your stay for as long as you wish."[/color] He said, smiling genuinely in an attempt to bring her the happiness that he couldn't hear in her voice right now. As she pulled him closer, he gave her a soft peck against her lips, a simple gesture of the affection for her that still lingered within him. Her smile grew wider. Perhaps this conversation would have to wait for another day [color=18A0B3]"Well then, 'Your Majesty',"[/color] She giggled, almost ashamed of herself for sounding so naive once more, [color=18A0B3]"Nothing would make me happier than this moment."[/color] She returned the favour. Another kiss, this time longer, lingering as she let her thoughts fizzle away in the bloody passion that threatened to leap out of her body. She questioned whether she was thinking straight. She wondered if shue could simply see herself leaving with this man, after all that she'd done. But she realized now that, for once in her life, there was a decision that could truly be [i]hers[/i]. But the question was whether or not she could get Floran to see it the same way. He chuckled slightly in response. [color=e93b1c]"Then the lady gets her moment."[/color] He quickly uttered before he could speak no more. His mouth was too occupied and his mind wiped from any further thought. He wondered what went through her head. What exactly did she want from him? The two of them had barely gotten to know each other. Heck, this was actually even their second meeting. Yet he couldn't help feeling enticed by the presence before him. Their previous meeting had simply been a taste that he wanted more of, that he wanted to know more off especially. He wanted to get to know her, beyond simply the basics of a nice smile and sweet words. He wanted her thoughts, to know them. How did she think about him, about them? What did she want from him? His blanked mind was now filling with so much questions. He prayed to the gods that these were answered today. However, the more he thought, the more his body was taking away control from his mind. He hardly realised it that during their kiss he had already pushed her onto her back. Whereas his mind definitely wanted to know more, another part of him was just simply asking for more, simple as that. She felt it happening, too. Her back pressed against cloth on dirt, her eyes scrunching up as she felt him moving forward. She swore she could sense a switch going off, like man becoming a passionate beast as she let her eyes remain shut, and wondered how long it had been for this man. Suddenly, a sense of shame overwhelmed her. No... this was not fair... but Gods did she want it to happen. Her fabricated self, the dangerous slave master desperately wanted to keep her mouth shut, but somewhere in that chaos she sensed one reason why she was so enamoured with him. Wasn't she trying to escape this other version of herself? [color=18A0B3]"Floran..."[/color] she gasped, pulling away for a second, [color=18A0B3]"Please... wait..."[/color] Her hands moved around his arms, and she gently tried to ease them away. Her delicacy was almost akin to the delicacy of dismantling a trap, or weaving her way into diplomacy, or the many other ways that she'd evaded, dodged, and crafted in order to survive... With risk, and pain... it was time for her to take a chance on revealling herself. Something that hadn't happened to anyone yet, at this moment in time. The mask had to come off. Tears pricked her eyes, but she would power through. Floran in her presence was definitely passionate, but he was not driven by instict alone. Her mere voice woke him from the trance he had momentarily been put into by courtesy of his own spirit. Stopped in his movements he looked down at her, just to read her expression. What he saw wasn't relunctance or fear of his touch. No, of course that couldn't be it now. But he could see the subtle uncertainty that was accompanied by the onset of slightly reddening eyes. Worry, a whole lot of it. Maybe his mind was getting its wish today. He gently moved away, then offered his hand to help her upward. The air changed slightly, the warmth of his body still so close even as he pulled away. Her hand met his as she was pulled into an upright position. The white mask taunted her from the corner of the tent as she willed herself to make eye contact with this passionate man. She took a moment, caught her breath, closed her eyes for only a few seconds as she tried to put it all together. This was a time for honest words, true, but the way they were said could make all the difference. [color=18A0B3]"My father had only two wishes for me when he was alive,"[/color] she began. These were stories she would have killed people for overhearing, but this was different. [color=18A0B3]"One: He wished that I would live a long, fulfilling life, doing whatever it took to make it through one day after another... and secondly, that I would find a way to turn that into happiness. Unfortunately, as I'm sure you know. Happiness and Survival don't often come hand-in-hand."[/color] Softly, her voice gaining momentum, she turned to Floran with a simple, quiet smile, [color=18A0B3]"Do you know which clan I hail from, Floran?"[/color] she asked Floran softly shook his head. The topic had never truly come up in the limited conversation they had enjoyed before. To him, her heritage was something that mattered little. He looked at her as the person she presented herself as, not the past that she didn't tell him. But he wasn't going to refuse hearing out the words weighing on the heart that seemed troubled simply uttering these words to him. Her smile didn't change. Sadness and stoicism mixed together on her face, and she hadn't really ever stopped to process how sad her life had been until the words began to tumble from her lips: [color=18A0B3]"Well, usually I tell strangers that my presence is from the Longears, an easy assumption to make because of their common... physicality. In reality, I was born to two Rumasran parents in the southern marshes, though our travels and hardships... have led me to take refuge with those of the Karill."[/color] She paused. Trying to gauge the man's reaction. The name of the clan alone was usually enough to sour the reactions of many. Even with that wedding happening soon, she knew that they weren't looked upon too kindly. Floran's expression visibly cringed slightly at the mention of the name. It wasn't enough for a change in expression, but the name did clearly stir up something of an emotion. [color=e93b1c]"I admit, my relations with the Karill are...poor."[/color] He sighed a little. [color=e93b1c]"I'm not going to reject you for that. One person is not responsible for their clan's actions."[/color] He shook his head a little, matching his expressions with his words.But what he was saying was rather basic. Honestly, he felt it was a meager revelation for something that brought distress to a face of a woman as emotionally sound as she was. Something in him told him that he had met the mouse, he was about to meet its tail. [color=18A0B3]"I suppose that was the easy part..."[/color] she sighed. A smile remained on her face, though it was clear that it was meant more to stifle her pain than anything else. Even at this intensity, she refused to cry. That was something that they would not see until she knew for sure that this was real. Because no man or woman would be forgiven for seeing her tears. [color=18A0B3]"I will say that the connection to the Karill may not have been... honest,"[/color] she muttered softly. [color=18A0B3]"It is very difficult for a woman, especially a woman performer, to have independence within the Karill tribe. It has to be... earned. Which is very different from the Rumasra I'm told..."[/color] Though she was clearly avoiding saying the words directly, Floran had a bit of a hunch where she was going with this. If there was one thing particular about the Karill, it had to be that. [color=e93b1c]"I guess you're telling me you aren't simply a very skilled jeweler or silkweaver that worked her way onto the ladder."[/color] His expression displayed a clear unease, an uncertainty, but he wanted to hear her say it directly. His eyes did not stray from hers from a second, showing a mix of their usual empathy with a clear, somewhat unprecendented dissapointment or sadness, maybe a bit of both. She stared back at him. Warmth was beginning to drain from the room as she felt her own identity like stone against her features. Each next word was imperative, but also likely a judge of the man's character. Was he a man of forgiveness? For surely she was not. The wild made her hard, she realized. Ruthless and aggressive. So, to demonstrate the point, she reached to both sides, and pulled out a pair of sharp, blindingly silver knives. Reminders of her fathers, and of her heritage. The were cleaner than a knife had a right to be, but she imagined that she could still see them stained with the men that had tried to wrong her. In one hand, she started to twist the blade around delicately, sending in small spirals around her fingers over and over again, while with the other she flicked with extreme precision, so much so that it wedged itself into her white mask on the floor in the corner. [color=18A0B3]"They are useful for jewelery, yes,"[/color] she said coldly, like she was balancing on an arrow point, [color=18A0B3]"But they have saved my life from many a disgraceful fate... and ruined the lives of others. I'll say this now, because I know it's what your looking for... my fate in Karill was assured once I arrived with the blood of my ex-captors on my knives and a number of people in shackles behind me. Because my other option was night after night of people using me for their own pleasure, denying me what my father wished for me, probably ending my life several years before we would have even had the chance to meet!"[/color] At some point the words had become brutal, and honest. Sharper than the knives she held. No one knew the power of words better than she, because she had to use them as a weapon for the majority of her short life. Though a realization in tone brought her voice down again. Quiet, shrivelled. [color=18A0B3]"And every day after I would pray to the deities, that perhaps Aurea could forgive me, or even that, dare I say it, Sigma may take that darkness away from me... I'm unsure of whether they answered, or would answer..."[/color] Floran was silenced for a few seconds after she had finished, clearly overthinking his words very carefully. He closed his eyes for a little, Something within him was passing some kind of judgement, and he was trying to feel exactly what this judgement was telling me. He could feel it in his heartbeat, the sound of someone telling him to do what was right. The sound that was always there, yet usually quietly snuck into his every thought that was so. And surely it did the same this time again, but it did so bombastically. Could a heartbeat truly tell someone what was the option of the right? Well, apparently his could. [color=e93b1c]"Surviving is not a sin, just like the predator must kill prey."[/color] Floran started for a second. [color=e93b1c]"Or how a prey kills predator to defend. Even if that prey must do it over and over. I have killed many beast and men for deplorable actions. I'll tell you honestly, whereas other people get... unfeeling to it, I always find a distaste in ending lives. Tell me. Your killings, your shackling, did you enjoy any of it?"[/color] Floran's fierce eyes did not lie, he wanted her most genuine response. - She paused for a moment. Did she enjoy it? She could remember the man's face as he came down to lay with her after felling her father, and how wide his eyes went when her knife smashed through his chest, or the way that those slaves stared at her, like she was dangerous, like she was not to be trifled with... but did she enjoy it? She had to admit that she had a certain lust for power, that it enticed her and drew her towards it like a horse to its rider, but for her, that wasn't joy. There was no joy in taking power away from someone who had none, or who resorted to petty ideas or fell to lust. They had nothing she wanted. Her largest source of joy in the past few years came from examining the leader of the Karill, seeking any form of weakness, any sort of failing that would make his power hers, but even in that she was beginning to realize that each time she tried to rise to power, it just felt emptier than before. No, true joy came from her watching the slaves of the Karill, interacting with those that had the same spark. Those that wanted to take power as their own and hold onto it in earnest. But it all came back to the very beginning. She wanted the power to choose. She wanted, for once in her life, to make a decision out of something other than a fear of mortality. [color=18A0B3]"I suppose I am like a predator,"[/color] she mused, [color=18A0B3]"I only killed to survive, and did whatever was necessary to stay alive. The only joy I have comes from hopefully having the chance to make a decision one day because it would please me, not because I was afraid of the alternative."[/color] Floran's expression turned tranquill with surprising speed as he took the answer to heart, quite literally. As the words reached it, he listened to it again. What thought did his heartbeat approve of this time? Yes, the answer aligned with his own quite magnificently. [color=e93b1c]"Given no other option in sight, I can not blame you for your actions."[/color] He smiled a little as he moved himself closer to her, then drew her in. He pressed her back firmly against his abdomen as his arms went around her waist. [color=e93b1c]"Living is not a crime. And wishing for the power to live how you want to is neither."[/color] Floran paused for a second. [color=e93b1c]"Do you think I could give you that? The ability to iive without a need for those actions at least? It may be too early to say this, but I would like for you to enjoy your life. I would be lying if I said I didn't find a wish to enjoy it with you."[/color] He said, somewhat unsure whether this was the right time and place. [color=e93b1c]"I am but a man, I can't offer you the world, but I can offer you a decision, should you please."[/color] Tension shattered like glass, the whole place seemed to accept air once more as Azira was suddenly pulled away from her whole realm of secrets behind her. Finally, someone with whom she could share her true face. The knife found its way back to her side as her entire expression lit up. [color=18A0B3]"You have no idea how happy that would make me."[/color] She smiled wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace, [color=18A0B3]"It... It will have to wait until this dreaded Gathering is over, I suppose, and I can't promise that it will be easy for us... but time is short. We're both approaching an older age, so I say there's no time like the present."[/color] She glanced at him... now had she said too much? She wasn't even sure how she was supposed to act anymore... there was no mask hiding her from this man in front of him. [color=18A0B3]"I... I, ah, I fear maybe... I've said too much?"[/color] [color=e93b1c]"I know many people from many places."[/color] Floran told her. [color=e93b1c]"Wolfrahg, Rumsara, Longear, Roamwyn. Wherever we'd want, I'm sure I can arrange a place for us to settle in. Retiring after eight years is nothing but long overdue for a mercenary. Heck, we can even live out in the wilderness if you want. We could start something together, the two of us..."[/color] He definitely was going further here than she was, but he was getting the feeling that she wouldnt mind him saying it. Whatever other difficulties she might be thinking of were not even a consideration for him. [color=18A0B3]"It sounds like a dream come true."[/color] she smiled brightly as she was overcome with joy, as she felt the touch of his lips gently on her neck. [center][hider=Floran's skills] [list][*][color=e93b1c]Perceptive[/color] Floran’s insight is impeccable. He is great at reading people’s emotions and changes in them. He is also very good at catching lies. [*][color=gold]Athletics[/color] Floran has very refined physical abilities. He is a fast runner, and pretty good at hard jumps and swimming. [*][color=e93b1c]Bows[/color]Floran is a good shot[/list] [list] [*][color=gold]Tracking[/color] Floran knows how to track down beast and man. [*][color=e93b1c]Swordsmanship[/color]Floran is exceptionally skilled in using swords and their maintenance[*] [color=gold]Physical aptitude[/color] Floran is very physically capable, though he doesn’t excel in any area particularly. This allows for a balanced display of both strength and agility.[/list][/hider] [/center] [center][hider=Azira's Skills][list] [*] [color=136E7B]Performance - [/color][color=33B85F] Azira is proficient in flattery, and usually faces no issue in using this to get what she wants, particularly when it comes to the opposite gender or those sexually attracted to them. One of their greatest skills is the mask they wear to convince others of their usefulness.[/color] [*] [color=18A0B3]Perception - [/color] [color=33B85F]Azira is quite skilled at reading people. She's become proficient in acknowledging the body language and behaviour of people and she can usually tell what someone is "actually" trying to say.[/color] [*] [color=136E7B]Nimble Hands - [/color] [color=33B85F]Usually finding something to barter with, Azira became pretty good at making small things out of the dirt or the nature around them and selling it on the road. This could be beneficial in the way of lockpicking or pickpocketing as well. Untying knots? No problem![/color][/list] [list] [*] [color=18A0B3]Scavenger - [/color][color=33B85F] While Azira was usually exempt from hunting (or she would find someone to do it for her), she became great at looking through places, finding plants and fruits and small rodents that were edible with her own hands and finding what she needed to keep going.[/color] [*] [color=136E7B]Brute Strength - [/color] [color=33B85F]Hiding behind her delicate persona is a woman of dangerous strength. She can overpower most woman and men her size and she isn't above strangling someone or using her hands to kill. When on the road, sometimes you'd have to break the sturdy bones of your kill. [/color][*] [color=18A0B3]Daggers - [/color] [color=33B85F]Almost a Rumasra staple, Azira is great at using daggers both in direct combat and stealth. She's smart enough to know that going for the kill is the best way to make it out alive. [/color] [/list][/hider] [/center]