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 Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 9:28 pm
 It had been a rough day for Takis. It always is, when Vanya's away. How he wished he could have come! Even just to observe, it would have soothed his anxieties. He'd kept reminding himself, all day long, that they had no reason to expect foul play from the Naiads, but it didn't stop him from worrying. It seems like he worries a lot, lately. It came with the territory, he supposed, of being the Seer's mate. Bonded to someone so important and so indispensable to Rais and the Circle, it was his duty to stay behind and be a safe base, someone comfortable to come home to. Still, he sometimes lives in fear that she won't come home, knowing what he knows of the Fauns' past lives.
But if it had been a rough day for him, it had to have been even rougher for her. And so he does what he does best--prepares.
Having completed his own tasks for the day, Takis returns to the apartment he shares with his beloved. He changes the bedding on their bed, and sprinkles some lavender under the sheet before putting it on. Its scent would help them both relax. He fluffs their pillows and drapes their heavy blanket over the bed--it had been unseasonably cold lately, sending a chill even through Laisidhiel.
After tidying their room and finishing with the bed, Takis climbs into the heights of the Tree, hoping to catch a glimpse of the party returning. He can see the meeting-place from here, and it had been so tempting to neglect his work during the day and just keep vigil over his mate and his brethren. But there were things that needed doing--he's only just recently catching up with the sudden influx of new Fauns to the Tree, each of whom needed an apartment and belongings and a sacred bowl to partake in the binding ritual--and he couldn't just leave his work behind to spy on things that weren't his to see. He trusts in the wisdom of the Chief and the rest of the Circle, and he'd been comforted in knowing that Vanya herself was no helpless maiden. The thought makes him smile as he watches the party return, walking toward the Great Tree once more. Good, he had some time, then.
His heart buoyed in knowing that she'd be home soon, Takis returns to their apartment and continues his preparations. He sets out a clean robe for Vanya, and lights a stick of incense. As its smoky fragrance fills the air, he draws a bath in the bathing room he'd added to their apartment not long ago. He sprinkles more of the lavender onto the water's steaming surface. It would be just the right temperature once she arrived. Then he goes for hot water for tea. Tea would be just the thing after an exhausting day. And--while he's out--he fills a small container with scented oil. He imagines giving a tender massage with a cheeky little smile. I'm a better housewife than most housewives I know.
When Vanya returned, he'd he waiting for her.
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Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 1:18 pm
 As the returning Faun neared the Tree, the Seer said a polite, but quiet farewell to Earthmother and the Circle before excusing herself for the night. She seemed subdued, but if anything, she was just exhausted and weary from the day's events, so perhaps they understood. She crossed through the great archway door to Laisidhiel, offering a simple smile towards the guards on duty as her staff tapped lightly on the Great Tree's floor.
She could have been thinking of the new alliance between the two Ancient races, united once more. Or perhaps of what they had learned of the treachery of the past. Or the new secrets brought to light of the former heroes of the past. Or of what the future might hold.
Or she could have just been thinking what a relief it would be to not think about anything except curling up in her apartment and sleeping, with the hope of a peaceful night with only pleasant dreams if any at all.
She could hope, right?
She wasn't expecting nor even hoping for anything else in particular as she neared the apartment she shared with her mate. Shedding her duties as Seer of the Faun, at least for a few hours, would be nice though.
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Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 1:36 pm
Takis' face brightens as Vanya finally arrives home, but then falls a little bit when he sees just how visibly exhausted she is. "Welcome back," he says softly. He'd been sitting on the edge of the bed, reading while he waited. He'd shed his apron and kerchief from the workday and was wearing just his breeches. It seemed a little silly, since she wouldn't be able to tell either way, but it made him feel a little more soft and welcoming, and a little less careworn from his own day. He's comforted in knowing that the sight would have made her smile.
He stands and goes to her, lightly touching her waist as he gives her a kiss. "I have a surprise for you," he says softly, but with an excited, boyish smile hidden in his tone. Since Vanya became the Seer, Takis had taken great joy in surprising her when he could. She'd lost her earthly sight, true, but she'd gained knowledge beyond his comprehension. She still saw things others didn't, even without her sight, not to mention what she heard or sensed in other ways. And so he'd always felt like she already knew everything, thus he loved to surprise her.
He wouldn't ask her about her day. She'd tell him what she wanted to, and if she didn't want to talk about it, then he'd only wear her out more by asking. Sometimes he feels as if her life revolves around her position as the Seer, so he does what he can to exist outside that sphere, to carve out this piece of their lives that's just the two of them together, outside of visions, and the past, and hundreds of ceremonial bowls. Here in their home they didn't have to be Seer and Tree Shaper, but just Vanya and Takis. He leans his forehead on hers affectionately. "Want to know what it is?" he asks, the same almost-giggle in his voice.
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Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:02 pm
Vanya was so tired, she had even been letting her normal usage of her Sight slip. She hadn't even registered Takis' presence in their home before she heard his voice; it was a safe place after all, she was allowed to let her guard slip at some point. Yet, the sound brought an immediate warmth to her expression, as well as a touch of relief in her tone. "Takis..."
She dropped her staff by the door, no longer needing it here, and returned his kiss with a smile. "A surprise?" She was puzzled, wondering what sort of surprise he could have in mind. Yes, she was tired...but just the sound of the youthful enthusiasm in her mate's voice had given her a boost. Perhaps she could stay awake for a while longer. The curiosity might kill her otherwise.
"What sort of surprise?" she finally asked, a teasing impatience creeping into her tone when it seemed as if he weren't going to continue until she asked. She lifted an eyebrow as their foreheads touched first, then their noses. Then, she leaned back just enough to reach up and gently 'boop' his nose with a smirk. "Yes, darn it, I want to know. What are you up to?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:27 pm
Takis chuckles and kisses her nose in return. "Very well..." He takes her hands and begins to walk backward toward their bathing room. He shuffles his hooves on the floor until they reach the threshold. "And--oop!" he says, stopping abruptly. "Forgot a step."
He lets go of her hands and moves his own hands to the back of her neck. "If I may," he says, beginning to unfasten her top. None of what she was wearing would be ruined if it got wet, he didn't think, but wet clothes were still obnoxious. And he wanted this to be perfect.
"You won't need any of this in here," he says. By now the scent of the lavender on the hot water had filled the room with its soothing fragrance.
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Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 8:22 am
Following along obediently, Vanya had to stifle a giggle at the soft clunk when Takis' hoof made contact with the step. "Careful, dear," she teased, squeezing his hand lightly. She was one to warn of missteps, right?
By now, the scent of lavender had surrounded them, and Vanya could feel the subtle difference in heat and humidity in the room. When her mate released her hands and she felt him shift his attention upwards, she tilted her head away so that he could reach more easily. "You may," she answered with a smile. As he worked on that, she reached down to unfasten the sun token from her hip and set it safely aside. Before long, she was wriggling free of her Seer vestments, and the burdens that went with them, casting it all aside for the evening.
The return to the natural was completed as she let her hair down, shaking out the various braids and ornate designs, letting her hair fall in a series of loose, tangled waves. Turning back towards Takis, she draped her arms around his neck and smiled sweetly. "Now what?" She had a pretty good idea, of course, but it was still fun to play innocent and let her mate take the lead.
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Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:21 pm
Takis can't control a grin that sneaks onto his face when she lets her hair down. "Your hair is so pretty like this," he says, pausing to tangle his hands in it, admiring it as it fell in blue waves over her shoulders.
"Now," he continues, resuming his carefully-thought out plan, "we go this way!" In one swift motion, he moves one hand to her shoulders and the other to behind her knees, and picks her up, cradling her to his chest. "Let me take care of you tonight, love," he says softly, and gives her a kiss.
Stepping carefully and deliberately, he makes the last few steps over to the tub, transferring his weight (and hers) to each leg in turn. Truthfully, while his hands did most of his work, it's his legs that have gained the most muscle since he'd begun the work of the Tree-Shaper. Climbing into the boughs of the Great Tree, his calloused and toughened hands much of the work, but it was his legs that supported his weight.
"In you go," he says with a sort of teasing tone, before lowering her into the tub. The water should still be hot, hot enough to feel cleansing, but not hot enough to scald.
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Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 9:12 am
Vanya tilted her head back with a sigh, it being no secret that she enjoyed letting her mate play with her hair. Even better when she found herself in his arms shortly afterwards. Giggling like a little girl, she leaned in and nuzzled his neck. "I have no complaints. Carry me away, darling."
The water was hot, but not too hot. Just enough that she inhaled sharply when lowered into the waiting water, but then relaxed with a slow sigh once mostly submerged.
There were some definite perks to being engaged to the Tree's Shaper. Their home may have had...a few luxuries added that most alcoves did not contain. Like their own personal bathing tub...and an outside collection trough, much like those that fed the internal fountains at the base of the Tree...only this one was their own.
The waters seemed to seep in through her fur to her skin, the heat already working to dissolve the tension from her muscles. She laid her head back with a sigh, closing her eyes. Vanya reached one hand upwards for her mate's with a chuckle, adding, "The water's wonderful. How about you join me?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 1:34 pm
"I can do that..." muses Takis. "Just one second..." He looks around the room to make sure everything would be within reach. Soap, softer soap for their hair, and the scented oil he'd procured earlier. Good enough. "If you lean forward a little I can get in behind you," he says as he doffs the rest of the day's clothing. He kicks it to the side so it wouldn't be in their way when they got out. Slippery hooves made for poor traction on the hard floor--he hadn't gotten around to getting a rug for beside the bathing tub yet--so they'd have to be careful not to slip or trip on anything when they got out.
Obliging his lady's request, he lowers himself into the bath behind her, one leg on either side. This is even better than he'd planned--now she'd have him, soft and warm and comforting, to lean against. The water begins to dissolve the tension in his muscles from his day of work, and he folds Vanya into his arms, kissing her head. "We should do this every night," he murmurs into her hair with a giggle. He closes his eyes and relaxes with a contented sigh.
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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:46 am
After obliging to help her mate get seated behind her, Vanya shifted slightly to one side in order to recline, supported by Takis and resting her head at his shoulder. Warm water and the scent of lavender heavy in the air, it would have taken effort not to feel relaxed when wrapped in the embrace of her love. Any remaining worries about the meeting or what was to follow seemed to melt away.
"Your proposition is most tempting, dear," she answered with a smile, eyes closed peacefully. "Though, I'd hate for you to have to go to this much effort every night." Still smiling, she reached up and back, stroking his cheek. "Not that I don't appreciate it greatly. You're so thoughtful." Wiggling slightly, she leaned up and kissed his neck lightly, then pulled away giggling.
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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 6:53 pm
Takis smiles and sneaks a quick kiss on her lips before she tucked herself back against him, out of his reach. Well, only part of her was out of reach. The rest of her was reclined against him, a beautiful landscape of soft fur and curves as far as the eye could see.
His thoughts quickly take a turn for the amorous.
"Here, let me wash your hair," he says, reaching for the soft, almost liquid soap they used for their hair to keep it shiny. He needs to do something with his hands or else they'd start exploring...
Takis cups some water into his hands and pours it over Vanya's hair, careful not to get any in her face. He pours some of the soap into his hands and rubs them together, then starts to work it into her hair, lovingly massaging her scalp as he does. He knows how those pins poke at her head, and how her ceremonial hairdo weighed on her.
He doesn't ask about her day, since the details of the meeting were certainly confidential, nor does he talk about his, since the details of his day were mainly drudgery. Carving bowls, forming apartments, healing little cracks the storm had left...no, he wouldn't bore her with the tedium of his work. For now the silence between them is relaxing, easing away their cares like the warm water and lavender.
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 9:11 am
With a chuckle, Vanya wiggled forwards, wrapping her arms around her knees and leaning her head back to revel in the attention she was receiving. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had the luxury of having her hair washed for her. Too long ago, clearly.
Eyes closed in bliss, she had let go of all the worries that she had carried back home with her today, pushing business aside for the evening. It wasn't as if she wouldn't share some details with her mate; she just needed a break from the events of the day before revisiting them again. Of course, she'd share the important events, those that everyone at the meeting had seen and discussed...the history discussed, the Naiad past life connections and what had happened to them as a result, what was learned (well, most of it), and the treaty being signed to form an alliance between their peoples.
Perhaps not all of the details needed shared. Vanya was still not sure what to make of certain details of the Queen's vision...nor her reaction following her revival...
But, perhaps that aside, she could share the rest of the details with her mate soon. Just...not tonight. Tonight was for them. When her hair had been washed, her scalp massaged, she reached up and collected some of the soapy suds on one finger and reached back to brush her fingertip against her mate's cheek with a giggle.
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Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 2:36 pm
"Hey now!" exclaims Takis, laughing. "You best be careful," he threatens teasingly, wagging an ineffective finger at her. "Quit playing around, or you won't get to the other surprises I have planned," he says with mock seriousness.
Her hair washed, Takis squeezes the excess water out and drapes it over her shoulders. "Lean forward and I'll do your back," he says, nudging her a little and grabbing the soap. He puts some in his hands and rubs them together, then runs his hands over her back. As he works the soap into her soft fur, he amuses himself by counting her spots. One day he'd know exactly how many she had on her body. And he'd plant kisses on all of them, one by one, covering her in love. Smiling at this, he can't resist leaning forward and kissing the back of her neck. He wraps his arms around her, his hands settling...well, where they'd wanted to settle since they got into the bath together.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 4:37 pm
"More surprises?" she teased back, shifting forward and running her fingers through her now-clean hair to gently work out a couple tangles. "My my, you do spoil me, dear. And here I thought you were just going to wash my hair for me."
This was all very nice and all, but after the initial pampering, the Seer was wondering if it was relaxation or tension that was building instead with every touch from her mate's strong, yet gentle hands. As his arms wrapped around her, she squirmed a bit awkwardly...but not enough so not to try...and wriggled in his hold to turn around with a cheeky grin. She looped her arms around his neck and nuzzled her nose close to his ear.
"Before we get all clean...maybe something else to help with relaxation?"
*****
Properly 'relaxed' and once more clean, Vanya retreated to the bedroom. She had dried all but her hair, and seated herself gingerly at the edge of their bed, turning and reclining in such a way that her wet hair hung over the edge to dry. She moved through their quarters as naturally as any other Faun of the Tree, not needing her staff to navigate here. Raising her arm, she beckoned to where her mate followed, inviting him to join her. The bath was very nice, but the bed remained a more comfortable place for cuddles afterward. When he neared, she smiled and cooed, "Thank you, my love."
Menelie ((Eep, this is an old one. I know we had a convo we were leading up to though, so don't want it to just die. I'll do my best to keep playing Vanya in character for this time frame.))
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 2:14 pm
Takis dried himself with a towel, leaving his fur in a general state of fluffy disarray. A mild scowl crossed his face and he tried to smooth the hairs down. He'd look like a child if he slept like this, like bedhead but for his whole body. But as his mate beckoned he abandoned this vain effort and slipped in beside her, warm under their quilt.
He curled an arm around her and pulled her into him. "You're welcome, love," he said, and kissed her head. There was something he was hoping to bring up, but he wasn't sure how to approach it. So for now he just laid in her company, breathing the smell of her hair. As he started to get lost in thought, though, he started to gently run his fingers over her hip.
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