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 Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 4:45 pm
 Takis wakes before dawn and quietly dresses and leaves the apartment, giving his mate a soft kiss before leaving. He had a lot to do today, and hopefully Vanya would sleep until well after sunrise.
First thing's first. To the top of Laisidhiel. It was meant to be a physical exertion, as well as a spiritual journey, but as the Treeshaper, he has no difficulty climbing to the heights of the tree. And so he takes the long way. He winds through the branches of the Great Tree, thinking of Vanya. The first time they'd met, how he'd held her after she'd given up her worldly sight, the feeling of her body against his, tucked into his chest and legs, night after night.
He chuckles to himself as he remembers when they'd showed each other their powers. They'd been so young, mere children, it felt like. She had always seemed so worldly and exotic, compared to him. Although, as a teenager, probably any girl would have seemed exotic to him. Vanya was the adventurer, Takis the homebody. He was her safe base, the dependable mate she could return to after a long day. She could give him her worries and her frustrations. And in return, she brought him such joy...he remembers the first night they spent together. He wanted to stay up all night, counting her spots. She made him laugh, and every time he sees her his heart swells to bursting.
He'd made it to the top of Laisidhiel. The air is cold and clear up here, and tinged with the scent of flowers. He smiles. He'd only been up here once before, to secure everything he could during the storm. Then the flowers had been closed into tight buds against the wind. But today they're all open and inviting, swaying slightly in the soft breeze. He looks around, wondering how he'd know which one to pick. They're all clustered together, except...except the one on the furthest branch. Carefully stepping around the flowers, Takis climbs out to the edge of the branch. Suddenly he's terribly grateful for his connection to the Tree, since it's a long way down from here, and hooves did not ordinarily have such a grip. He plucks the delicate flower from the branch, and begins his climb back down.
He checks on Vanya briefly. Still sleeping peacefully. He pauses to brush a lock of hair from her face, then is gone again. He knew how he wanted today to look, but he needed a favor from his father first. Kieran wouldn't appreciate being woken at this hour, but he'd have to deal with it. Takis makes his way to the apartment his parents share as the morning light begins to break through the little windows in the trunk of Laisidhiel.
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Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 3:38 pm
 The barest rays of sunlight crept over the horizon and through the window to shine on the dark fur of the sleeping Fauness. She stirred slightly, but did not wake; rolling over with a sleepy murmur to face the light, its warmth soothing and reassuring, lulling her back to a deep sleep. The sun had risen above the horizon before Vanya stirred again.
The Seer had many things weighing on her mind as of late, but it seems the spirits had some mercy afterall. She'd had a calm, quiet night, free from her worries to enjoy a rare deep, rejuvenating rest. Still, waking came slowly, and somewhere at the back of her mind she mused that she rarely had a morning to allow herself to sleep in; it was a wonder she'd woken already at all. Though, perhaps the thought of sleeping until mid-day might be a bit silly. Afterall, she'd miss morning tea.
Smiling to herself, she let out a final yawn and stretched, noting now that she was alone this morning. Disappointing, but not unusual. Their duties kept them busy enough, but it seemed to have been more so as of late. So were the lives of Council members, she supposed. She opened vacant eyes towards the window, pleasantly taking in the warmth of the light shining through on her dark fur. Before too much longer, the sun would rise and be blocked by Laisidhiel's massive boughs, but for now, the sensation was too nice not to savor.
She wondered passively what Takis might be doing this morning. Fortunately, most of the new arrivals seemed to have found appropriate living quarters by now, and those that hadn't, Takis had aided by creating new spaces for them. Of course, there was always more to do, creating tools and bowls, and all of the everyday items needed by the Faun supplied from Laisidhiel's wood. Perhaps, if he wasn't too busy, she might find him and see if they could at least share a midday meal.
Realizing she'd been idly twisting the covers between her fingers as her mind wandered, she chuckled and moved to sit up. "Can't just laze about in bed all day," she chided herself. There were always things to be done, and she had a few things she'd like to follow up on, given the chance. Fingers brushing lightly over surfaces out of habit more than necessity, she rose and began to move about their quarters, combing out her hair and calmly going about the process of readying herself for the day.
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Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 4:13 pm
Shortly after Vanya had woken up, Takis returns to their apartment. Everything was ready for the day. "Good morning," he says softly, cheerfully to Vanya, who would have noticed his presence already. Still, it was his custom to announce himself even so. He gives her a soft kiss and puts the picnic basket he'd brought with him on the bed.
"I was hoping we might take the day for ourselves," he says, taking her hand. "I was fairly sure you didn't have any pressing duties today, and since I don't either..." he shrugs a little. "I thought we could have a picnic." He pats the basket with his other hand. "It's been so long since we had a whole day together." He smiles hopefully and begins to tug on her hand, as if to lead her away from their apartment.
Strangely, he doesn't feel at all nervous. Which is fortunate, since surely she'd know, and then ask him, and then he'd have to lie, which she'd also be able to see through...and it'd just be awkward. No, it was much better this way, even if he feels as if he should feel nervous. But in a way it made sense. He'd made up his mind, and he's sure of Vanya's answer will be, so really, there was no reason to be nervous. It's a beautiful day today, and he's mostly just looking forward to spending some time with his mate. It really had been a long time, what with the new arrivals. Takis had been so busy making bowls and apartments for everyone, and every once in a while someone needed something in their existing living spaces, and then there was always the normal, everyday maintenance of the Tree. He has his rounds he made every day, finding and healing weaknesses in Laisidhiel's trunk and branches. And that was to say nothing of all the work Vanya had had lately.
"So what do you say, love?" he asks.
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Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:23 pm
The familiar presence was enough to bring a smile to her face, but the greeting kiss didn't hurt either. A day, all for themselves? The possibility was staggering, considering the activity level as of late. And yet, if there was no pressing business...why not? They deserved some time to themselves as well as any other Faun! Her mind had started to turn with the possibilities of what they could do with their day...
...or that, that sounded nice.
Chuckling softly, she squeezed her mate's hand in reply. "I think that sounds wonderful, love." Even as long as it been, and as easy as the words came now, they still sent pleasant shivers down her spine. Shivers, yet warm and comforting. Odd, but nice.
"I take it you have someplace in mind already?" she asked. He had to have a plan of some sort already, since it had been his suggestion. She squeezed his hand once more before letting go to retrieve her staff from its usual resting place by the door.
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Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:30 pm
"Of course I do," answers Takis with a smile, taking up the picnic basket again while Vanya retrieves her staff. He carries it in the crook of his elbow, while taking her hand again with his free one.
"It'll be nice and quiet, and private, away from all of the activity from the Tree," he assures her as he leads her down the ramp spiralling around Laisidhiel's trunk, and out toward the forest. "But it's a bit of a walk," he warns.
After a bit of walking, Takis invites Vanya to open up a little. She'd always been a little on the private side, but lately it's just been that they hadn't had time to talk about all but the most important of events. "How have you been lately?" he asks earnestly. "I feel so out-of-tune from your life..."
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Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 7:59 pm
Vanya chuckled softly, taking her mate's hand in hers. "It's okay, I can walk," she teased, falling into step easily, her staff on her opposite side. The weather was pleasant, if a bit warm, but no complaints. "And somewhere quiet sounds like just the thing."
The Seer was content to walk in silence for a while, her mate's presence was comforting, and as they increased their distance from the Tree, became the only other thing she could 'See'. She chuckled, thinking of what she had heard of young people in love and how they described sometimes only seeing their love and ignoring the rest of the world. It was a bit more literal in her sense. Lost in her thoughts, she thought nothing of the silence until Takis asked her a question.
Startled, she realized that while she'd been growing more in-tune with those around her in general, there were times when one had to pull back and focus on a much smaller area. Like right here. Frowning, Vanya squeezed Takis' hand reassuringly in response. "Oh, dear...I'm so sorry. Everyone's been so busy, and so many need help that..." she paused, realizing that was no excuse. "I didn't mean for you to feel ignored." She shook her head, leaves rustling softly. After a moment, she said quietly. "I'm glad we took today for us. I think we need it. Let's just...forget everything else, and focus on each other...okay?"
She moved a bit closer to Takis as they walked, so that their arms touched, and brushed her thumb over the back of his hand. "I helped one of those little Fauny girls find her mommy the other day. She gave me a flower in thanks," she smiled at the memory.
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Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 10:46 pm
Takis chuckles. "Did you? That's wonderful! I'm so glad to hear that parts of your duties do not always involve dire prophecies and rumors of dissension..." He squeezes her hand lightly.
"But you're right. Let's focus on us today. And I think that we should make a commitment, from now on, to spend more time talking with each other." He nods softly. "Even if it's only ten minutes over tea or before bed." He leans over and kisses Vanya's cheek. "Do we think we can manage that?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 11:00 pm
Vanya chuckled, flushing a bit. "Yes, well, there are some crises I don't mind handling." Even now, his kiss could make her heart flutter in her chest. She wasn't sure it would ever stop doing that at this rate. She wasn't sure she wanted it to either.
"I think we can manage that," she answered quietly, leaning her cheek on his shoulder briefly. "If not during the day, then before bed each night. It's a date," she smiled, her earlier distress at leaving her mate feeling neglected eased with the implementation of their new agreement.
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 8:51 pm
"Wonderful," says Takis with a wide smile. He's looking forward to this new arrangement. Even if his work is often not terribly interesting (he wishes he had a little gem for every bowl he'd made in the last month...he could make an entire garment of them for Vanya), he knows that his mate would always listen to him.
On and on they walk, until they come to a clearing in the forest. It's just a small clearing, the ground covered with tough grass and fallen leaves. Takis glances at a tree at the far edge of the clearing with a sudden smile. "Here we are," says Takis. "If you'll give me a moment I'll get the blanket spread out." He takes the basket from his arm and sets it on the ground. He pulls the blanket out of it and snaps it a few times to unfold it, then lays it on the ground. "There," he says. He takes Vanya's hands and pulls her forward onto it. "Watch your step...and there you go," he says. He sits down and grabs the basket once more, putting it on the corner of the blanket. The sun is high, but the treetops would keep the midday heat from beating down on them. Just little sunbeams peeking through the leaves, casting the area with a green-gold light.
"There, isn't this nice?" asks Takis, smiling. He wonders how long it would take Vanya to recognize this place without her sight. He flushes suddenly. Maybe she wouldn't recognize it. But of course she would. He knows that her Sight remembers emotions attached to places, sometimes. But then again, she hadn't been here since she lost her sight.... He smiles nervously at Vanya.
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Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 11:33 pm
Her mate had been telling the truth, it had been quite a walk to get here. Still, she wasn't complaining about the exercise, nor the time spent alone with her mate, so Vanya still wore a smile even as they finally reached their destination. Normally, she could read Pae well enough, now that she'd had practice, but it wasn't often she got a reading from inanimate objects or places. Laisidhiel was an exception, of course, even if it was more a feeling in general than specifics. Hence why she still needed her staff to help find her way around less familiar places in the Tree.
But the closer they'd come to their destination, the more an odd feeling had been growing at the edge of her senses. She frowned a bit in concentration, even as Takis led her forward onto the blanket.
Only then did she also read the sudden fluctuation in Takis' emotions as well. "Yes, it is nice," she answered his question, turning a curious look towards her mate. "Also...familiar. Takis? Where are we?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:57 am
Takis' heart gives a little leap in his chest. She does recognize it! Sort of. He smiles. "I'm glad it's familiar. It's the little forest clearing where we met the first time," he says, watching her face for a reaction.
It'd taken him a while to find it again. He hadn't been there for a long time, not since he and Vanya had moved into Laisidhiel. But he'd gotten this idea in his head, and he'd take early mornings or a free hour or two in the afternoon when he wasn't working to explore the forest for it. He'd known the general area, near-ish to the Tree, but the forest had many such clearings. He knew he had to find the one specific tree, and that would let him know he'd found the right one. The tree he'd regrown the bark on to show off for Vanya. He looks at his hands briefly. Hard to believe he'd made an entire occupation out of that talent.
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 2:29 pm
Vanya's response was a sharp intake of breath. She hadn't realized...and he went to the trouble to find it again? Her hand reached for his, giving it a quick squeeze as she focused on the area around her again. Maybe it wouldn't seem like anything special to anyone else, but...there was a comfortable familiarity, like a blanket, laid over the area. It was calming, soothing to her nerves...not quite like the feeling of 'home' the simple quarters they shared together now, but something like it.
"Oh, Takis," she murmured, reaching for her mate to loop her arms around his neck and bury her head against his chest. "I can't believe you remembered." She wasn't sure if she'd have been able to find this place again herself. Well, definitely not now, since she wouldn't have had any idea previously even how to search for it or how to know it if she found it. Yet, he'd done so, pointedly making this their picnic spot for today. And--
She noticed something now with her proximity that first prompted curiosity, then vague amusement. She started to smile, sliding one hand down to his chest near where her ear rested.
"Your heart seems to be beating a little quickly, honey." A somewhat cheeky smile had replaced her earlier one.
Okay, sometimes she liked to show off a little.
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Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 8:24 pm
Takis breaks out into a wide smile as he folds her into his arms and lifts her sort of sideways into his lap. He'd gotten so much stronger than he'd noticed, he realizes now. All that climbing about and carving all day...his forearms and biceps are like thick branches now. He kisses her head, burying his nose in her hair. It's soft like down and smells sweet and feminine. It's his favorite smell.
And then there was that other thing. "Oh?" he inquires innocently. "With a beautiful and perceptive woman all tucked up against me like this, I should think it would be!" He gives her a little squeeze and chuckles.
"Maybe....after lunch....we could engage in a little....dessert?" he asks, a playful note lilting in his voice. His eyes twinkle boyishly.
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 2:36 pm
Vanya flushed as a result of the compliments...and the implications of other things. "Takis!" she exclaimed in faux shock, stifling a giggle as she hid her face against his neck. Oh, how far they'd come. Once, blushing and awkward from the simple touch of a hand, and now...?
"Tsk tsk, dear. Out here before the Earth and everyone? Shameless," she teased back, still making no move to escape from his hold. He picked her up as easily as if she were a child, she noted. While he'd always been slightly larger than her, naturally, being male, this was the first time she started really taking notice of the changes that come over them both as a result of their jobs as Council members. Particularly the changes in her mate.
"Shame on you, teasing a poor girl," she continued, pouting a bit playfully. "Temping her with talks of dessert when we haven't even had a proper lunch yet."
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Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 6:07 pm
"In that case," says Takis with a chuckle, "I'll unpack our lunch." He opens the basket and takes out its contents. "I'm afraid it's no banquet, but it should be cool and refreshing for the warm day. I brought spinach leaves with strawberries and walnuts, with raspberry-poppyseed sauce to go on top. I also brought corn flour crisps with black bean paste, and I did bring dessert." He gives a wry smile. "For dessert we have mangoes and papayas with sweet cream." He pulls a pair of bottles from the basket. "To drink we have our choice of clear water, or sweet lemon and lime juice."
He rather thinks the Earth would know if they had an intimate moment whether or not they did so out here in this secluded forest, but of course he'd let her take the lead on that part. He'd be just as content saving it for their apartment back in Laisidhiel. But somehow he thinks an intimate moment will be happening, especially after this afternoon's planned events. Takis gives a playful nibble to her ear. "So, what would you like first?" he asks.
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