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 Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 10:28 am
'Midnight tomorrow' ended up posing more of a problem than Skadravi realized. Did it mean, in several hours when the clock had technically ticked to the next day? Or did it mean midnight - more than twenty-four hours from now? This was Dravi's dilemma, and he found himself lingering near Khalel's fountain far longer than he should have. Or that was deemed appropriate. Passerby probably thought it was suspicious to see such a low-life hybrid sitting stationary for so long, but since he wasn't actively causing any trouble, there wasn't much to be done about it.
Fortunately, he wasn't alone during the wait. His bushi companion, Ruindego sat nearby, head and body lowered and looking the absolute picture of boredom, despite being slow-going creature, himself. Dravi expected he was more relaxing than being terribly bored, and he was probably hungry, which likely didn't help. "I know," the hybrid cooed as he pet the bushi's knobby head. "You don't like the crowded city. Especially not two nights in a row." As it turned out, 'midnight tomorrow' truly meant tomorrow, much to Skadravi's earlier disappointment. He was left with a nagging anticipation throughout the wait, that seemed to only worsen the closer the time came.
Ruindego at least had some calming tendencies. "But I can't leave you alone on the outskirts for so long. You could get lost, get into trouble, someone could take you... It's better this way, for both of us." He pressed his cheek to the bushi's, and Ruindego let out a low hum of what was hopefully acceptance. "Besides," Dravi commented, turning his gaze skyward. "Look at the stars. This deserves to be shared, don't you think?"
Ruindego was not amused.
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 11:34 am
Getting out of her home was no longer difficult. In the past, she had to sneak out through a special escape route she had made for herself. Such paths were no longer necessary, really; she could just walk out the front door. But then there were evenings like this one, evenings where she needed her family and staff to think she was at home, when actuality she was out and about. And thus, there was a reason for her secret getaway yet again.
One of the tall landscaped bushes hid it perfectly. No one could see her behind it, though Khalel was always careful to head over there when there was no one around. A section of the wall was crumbling away behind it, and in her youth, she had managed to dig away an access pass to get out. She had also, through a lot of hours and dedication, managed to make a makeshift set of stairs out of the dirt as well. In the end, she had achieved the goal necessary to get out, and the escape route was in just the right spot: the other side, too, was hidden by another landscaped bush, and she would use that cover to slip out without being seen. As she had done many nights in the past, Khalel had used her exit route, though this time she wore a darkened robe.
The darkness of the city would provide cover, but she didn't want to take any chances. With the hood of her robe up and over her head, she headed to her destination with not much else other than a bag she had slung over her shoulder. Hopefully, Skadravi would be there by the time she got there, and hopefully she hadn't kept him waiting too long. That wouldn't be a good impression to make upon him at all.
"You have a bushi," she said upon her arrival, taken back by the sight of the large mount. A Matori familiar -- how fitting! Ruindego, although unamused at the moment, was an impressive sight to behold. It wasn't often she saw Matori animals around Sulburi, least of all a bushi, so this was a pleasant surprise. "Unfortunately, he can't come with where we're going. He won't fit." A pause followed, and it was clear from Khalel's silence that she was weighing her options. "If you like, when I go, he can come back with me to my house. I can take care of him for you and make sure he has food." Another pause, though this one was to let him take in the offer. "We have a stable where he'd fit, and he could also stay by my personal home. I have some familiars he could spend time with, one of which is a zanteer."
All of her talking was wasting precious time, unfortunately. Khalel offered no more words, and instead got to work. She walked over to the hidden door of the Haven of Pearls, and lifted the large, square brick that revealed the entrance. She then beamed a smile his way, and motioned for the other hybrid to come closer. The ladder, which she would point out when he got close, would lead the pair of them to her destination. They'd just have to descend downward in the darkness to get there first.
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:47 am
Dravi’s gaze swiveled toward the sound of the approaching voice in an instant. For all that he hadn’t heard much of it, he seemed positively delighted to hear it once more, if the dopey spread of a grin across his face wasn’t enough of an indication. She was as beautiful in the dark as she was in the light, an extra dose of mysteriousness added to her figure by the dark, swaying cloak and the hood that cast shadows across her face. His heart thrummed, and he lurched to his feet to greet her after only a second of hesitation.
But a stray stream of dampened excitement cut him off, and Skadravi’s yellowed gaze flicked briefly back to his riding companion. "Oh, I… didn’t realize we were going anywhere," he admitted apologetically, extending a hand to settle atop the bushi’s head.It paid him little mind and didn’t seem particularly fazed about much of anything that was going on. Dravi was less unengaged. His bottom lip disappeared between his teeth as his eyes cast between his bushi and the girl.He really didn’t want to leave poor Ruindego out here by himself. Obans weren’t exactly fond of the Matori, even now. And Dravi, for all his careless abandon didn’t doubt that they could take it out on a Matori familiar.
But Khalel was here, and he’d made a show of wanting to know her.
He leaned as close to his bushi’s nostrils as he could, tapping his own nose affectionately against his companion’s. "Stay right here," he commanded firmly, but softly. "I’ll be back before you know it." Giving the creature one final pat, he trotted off at the beckoning of the other hybrid.
For now, he decided not to comment on her offer to house Ruindego. The creature was practically his only consistent friend, and not having him about would be a real struggle. On the other hand, Dego deserved to eat more and with increasing frequency than what Dravi could offer him. "I’ll… have to think about it," he murmured offhandedly. Instead of lending it thought now, though, he peered down into the darkness. A tug at the back of his mind had him wondering what Khalel could possibly know about anything that was down there. And if she did know of it, why? And how?
He quirked her a grin and a soft, teasing scoff. "I do hope the lady isn’t up to any mischief in her spare time, hm?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:06 am
"Define mischief?"
Skadravi did not seem to like the idea of leaving his beloved bushi behind. She could understand his concerns, as she would probably feel hesitant to leave Shaza out on her own. Then again, Shaza was more than capable of taking care of herself. Janarim were quite vicious compared to bushi, ferocious and ready to lash out at anyone who wasn't their master. Thinking about familiars for a moment, Khalel got an idea in her head. She then beamed and turned to Dravi, but also looked to Ruindego as well.
"Actually -- him staying here works out. He can hide the entrance once we're down there by sitting over it and covering it up. That way, no one sees it, and it's just a bushi lounging by the fountain."
Oh, she loved coming up with ideas like that on the spot. Such things didn't pop into her mind often, so when they did, she felt proud of herself. Even if she wasn't as street smart as some individuals out there, there were times when the young hybrid liked to think that she was quick on her feet. The idea with Ruindego proved that. The only real question was: what would Dravi think of the idea? And if even if he did like it, would his bushi actually listen to his command to hide the entrance? She couldn't say for sure.
Khalel met his scoff with a smirk, followed by a scoff of her own. If Dravi wanted to think she was up to mischief, then let him think that. Yet her actions, in her mind, were never of the mischievous sort. More than anything, Khalel had a curious mind, and if that curiosity wasn't sated, it would eventually eat away at her. Finding places like the Haven of Pearls often appeased that curiosity, for a time, until she longed to move on to something else. [Though for the time being, the secret Matori getaway would be more than enough for the prentice. She had only just found it recently, after all.
"Follow me," she told Dravi, only to descend down the ladder into the darkness. Once she had reached the bottom, Khalel used a flint and steel to light the sconces on the wall. With Dravi in tow, it was better to light them this time, she felt, rather than just carrying a single torch by herself. It would provide them with more light this way, and he would be able to see what the hideaway had to offer in its entirety.
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 7:43 pm
Dravi mumbled something unintelligible about how giving Ruindego a purpose did not make him any less likely to get into trouble. The bushi could sit and stay as much as he liked, but that wouldn't prevent passerby from being cruel to him. And Dego was a dear friend. He didn't deserve any type of punishment. Still, Skadravi was excited just to be in Khalel's presence again. And talk of his amphibious companion was quickly putting a dampener on him. "He'll stay," the hybrid boy decided softly, even as a pitious nagging began in the back of his mind. It almost sounded like... guilt? Guilt for putting a girl before a trusted friend.
But a beautiful and mischievous girl who most certainly deserved his attention. Dego... would just have to be fine without him. The bushi had a poisonous bite to protect himself until Dravi's return, and surely they wouldn't be long. It was underground, after all, so what could they really accomplish down there?
A though occurred to him, and he swallowed thickly. And what couldn't they accomplish down there?
If that didn't seal the deal, then probably nothing would. After taking a heave of a breath as he stared down into the looming abyss, he took hold of the ladder, and descended toward the ground. Before he made it more than a few rungs, he beckoned his bushi to sidle over and take up a protective post near the entrance. Ruindego likely wouldn't wander. It wasn't as if he had many places to be or ant great deal of urgency.
"Khalel?" he questioned as his feet continued through the same pattern for longer than he expected. "I dunno what you're up to, but it certainly seems like more than I bargained for." But even as he said it, his bare foot touched solid ground and a flicker of light from where his female companion was lighting candles in sconces across the wall. "What... even is this place...?" he questioned on a low murmur.
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 6:10 am
For an aspiring thief, he certainly was a lot more hesitant than she was. Thieves were daring and unafraid to do what they needed to do to get the job done. With some slight of hand and fluid movements, they could probably snag anything and keep on going, much like how he took the bracelet off her very hand. Well, even if he was a thief, Khalel was clear of one thing. Skadravi certainly wouldn't make a good treasure hunter. She knew that for a fact. Mostly, she just wish he didn't worry so much.
"You'll see when we get there."
More and more cryptic responses. Such replies were probably driving her companion up the wall, given how he was talking. The Haven of Pearls was worth waiting for, though, in her mind. She didn't want to ruin the surprise by telling him before the two of them got there. That would have taken all of the fun out of the adventure. With the scones in the corridor leading to the main chamber now lit, Khalel turned to her fellow hybrid and gave him a reassuring smile.
"You'll love it; I promise."
Now all that was left to do was to take him to the main chamber. Extending a hand out, the girl grabbed a candle from the wall, and walked in to the expansive room that was their destination. In the middle of the room sat an unlit brazier, which Khalel had managed to restock with wood before bringing Skadravi. She lit this with her candle and then stepped back to get a better look of the place. The brazier provided the most light in the room and illuminated almost everything inside, save for more corridors that exited the chamber in opposite directions. There were other entrances to the Haven? Khalel hadn't noticed that before, but she would most certainly check them out later, she noted to herself.
Just what the room was came into view now that it was lit up. All of the Matori cultural items, colors and regalia came into view. A map of the islands was hung on the wall, a fine piece of work that was even framed so as to remain protected from the elements. Pearls and shells dotted the place in bowls and cups that sat on tables or chairs. There was also a multitude of chests throughout the room, tucked into this corner and that. Then there were all the pillows and blankets that had been laid out to provide comfortable places to sit, welcoming anyone who had experienced too long of a day. This was the Haven of Pearls that Khalel had read about over and over again, a sanctuary for the first of their people to have been brought to Oba. Skadravi was the first person, aside from her, to experience such a place.
"This is the Haven of Pearls," she told him, her voice a soft whisper as if she was worried someone else might overhear. "A refuge for the first Matori slaves brought here 200 years ago, to get away and rest from their masters when they needed it. It's a place they came to help preserve their culture."
Her words drifted off into silence after that. What more needed to be said? The room and the feel of the room spoke for itself. Now Dravi just needed to figure out for himself what he thought.
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 9:32 am
Despite her assurances that he would 'love it,' Skadravi wasn't entirely sure what there was to appreciate about a dark hole in the ground, save for that it wasn't, by nature, populated. But he shrugged it off and followed her lead, collecting a candle from its bracket on the wall and following Khalel down the narrow hallway. The sound of his footsteps echoing down the corridor panned out as they approached a broader, more open room.
Curiously, Dravi extended his arm, letting the candle light more of the area in front of him as his companion moved off toward the center of the room. He could just barely make out her dainty fingers lighting the wood to bring a more open source of light to the room. And while she busied herself with that, he moved off toward the side, flicking the flames of his candle this way and that to obtain a more thorough visual. The room itself was stone, as his fingers meeting the wall informed him. And if he skimmed his light-source down the sides, he spotted drapery in greens, pale blues, and yellows; Matori colors.
He whistled, the sound low and long and appreciative. Because on a thin tabletop pressed to the wall were other trinkets. Cords of pearls and shell bracelets draped across the wooden tables like shining accessories. Just as the encompassing light from Khalel's efforts spread out to him, Dravi's fingers knocked against a glass cup holding more of the loose trinkets. The glass toppled over on the table, even as the hybrid boy scrambled to save it. Even though the cup remained intact, its contents spilled out, rolling across the table, falling to the floor and disappearing beneath chairs or into the holds of pillows strewn across the floor.
He rumbled out a quick apology, then plucked one of the pearls up to his eye-view. All of these couldn't possibly be real. It seemed almost pointless to him, to have such things stashed away when they could've been better used to buy freedom, or to simply escape out of Oba with the treasure and start a new life out in the depths of Tendaji. If they could get away at all, why not leave?
But... "It is beautiful," he admitted to Khalel after a moment.
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2015 3:19 pm
"It really is.
If Khalel didn't have a home to go back to, she probably would have stayed there in the Haven. It was perfect, honestly. Hidden away so that no one could find it. Private so not many people would come bothering or knocking if they wanted to be alone. That wasn't even to mention all the precious items that could be found within the chamber. Anyone who called it a home would be pretty much set for life, if they really wanted to. Who needed gold when you could trade shells or pearls for things like food or other luxuries? Then there was the fact that the place just...felt like a place one could relax and stay in for a good long while. There was an aura about it all, and it made Khalel feel at home.
"You're the only person I've told. It seemed fitting, really, since we're both hybrids."
The Matori heritage that the two of them shared -- such lineage was a double-edged sword, really. While it was nice to be a part of such a rich and unique culture, while the two of them were in the desert nation, was it really all that advantageous? It hurt the pair of them, more than anything. Although people would never say it to her openly, the Matori side of her background was a blemish upon the young woman. Obans had been thinking such things for centuries, and even with the war over, such views wouldn't change so quickly. They treated her with respect only because they had to; because her father was an Oban noble. If he had been anything else, she probably would have been met with the same amount of scorn and distaste that Dravi was used to.
Then there was the whole notion of being raised in Oba. Due to her upbringing, Zaleem hadn't really placed much of an emphasis on teaching his daughter about the Matori side of herself. What she learned, she had to study on her own, most of the information she got from books. Well, that would change, eventually. She was going to go to the Matori islands to learn more about not only herself, but the other culture she was a part of. Maybe she would even find her mother there. That would make things even better. And maybe in Matori she would actually feel welcome, like she really had a place she could call home, though only time would tell for that.
"I plan on going there soon. To Matori. I want to learn all about the country and the people. And then maybe I'll find my mother, too..."
Khalel's voice had an air of whimsy to it, and she couldn't help but smile faintly to her friend. She then grew quiet and sat down on the blankets, leaning up against plush cushions for support and comfort. Ahh, yes; she couldn't have picked a better spot to relax and spend time with Skadravi. It was a nice place to get to know people, and she was looking forward to speaking with him more. It was their own little secret rendezvous spot.
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 7:38 am
Dravi blinked in surprise, his golden gaze spinning out to meet hers in only an instant. "No one else knows about this place?" he questioned in shock, voice filled with a sudden burst of curiosity that hadn't been present before. If no one else knew, then... He could spend time here by himself, too. Or with her, which was even better, and no one would be the wiser. She could say she didn't want him to stay, of course, and he'd probably have to respect her wishes, but she'd brought him here already, so... It hopefully seemed unlikely that she would request such a thing, maybe?
With a soft hum, he flipped the pearl up into the air, catching it in his palm and pocketing it before turning to see his companion settling down against the pillows. It was all he could do to beam from ear-to-ear as he sidled over to her, taking up a perch close at hand to her nest and leaning in. "You want to travel, huh?" he asked, voice light and airy. He'd considered moving on from Oba, himself, for a time. But he'd been quick to remember that there was really very little for him out there. That and the fact that he got lost more easily than anyone else he'd ever known... Still. Matori would be nice to see. And he could learn so much and see so much, and think of all the things there could be to do there! What had Oba ever done for him, anyway? "It would be nice to see it," he agreed on a murmur, leaning in and just barely dusting their shoulders together. But he didn't expect he would anytime soon.
"And... you don't know your mother...?" Which might very well have been the saddest thing he'd ever heard. Skadravi loved his mother desperately. And she loved him with all the passion one would expect of a mother to have toward someone of her own blood. "Mothers are the best," he continued, turning bright irises on her. "No one should not have a mother. That's just abuse."
So... What was he really trying to get at? "So, if... you were going to go... I mean, I certainly would never go alone, though I imagine someone like you is perfectly capable, but... I'm free. Just saying. I'm all kinds of free. And I... am interested-" Or something like that, anyway, "In my heritage too, so... We could... go... together, one day. If it turns out you don't mind my company, I mean."
Which she might, so... No reason to go and get his hopes up straight away, in any case. Still. He wouldn't mind spending time with her, and it wasn't as if he had anywhere to be. But that seemed far off in fantasy realm: Matori. They were here now, sitting in this little alcove together, which seemed much more important at this point.
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 8:33 am
No one else knew. Unless there were other treasure hunter hopefuls looking to find Matori cultural items that were centuries old, she figured that it would be fine. Obans didn't share a particular interest in their former slaves, and they held a disdain for them more than anything else. The last thing they wanted, she imagined, was to be reminded of them, so the knowledge and location of the refuge was safe. No one would come, and it would be intact for a long time, if they played their cards right. Khalel could only imagine what the Obans would do if they did find out about its location, however. They'd destroy it without hesitation, probably, and that was something she'd rather not think about.
"No one else," the girl reiterated.
Mothers were the best, huh? He was probably right, she was aware, but for the time being she couldn't believe him. Her mother had never been around, and her father never explained why he left; just that she was gone. Then there was the fact that the woman never came back to look for her. There were no attempts to see her -- nothing. As a young girl, there was nothing Khalel hoped for more than for her mother to suddenly show up at their doorstep, asking to see her. But it never happened. She probably had her reasons, she understood, but...still. It hurt, though the hybrid didn't say that out loud.
To make matters worse, her own father didn't visit her very much, either. Two times a week, and sometimes only one if there was some important matter to attend to or event going on. For the most part, she was left to her own devices, which was fine, ultimately. She just couldn't help but that her father was more present in her life. Or that he was more of an affectionate man. He never really said he loved her. Visiting her was more of a formality than anything else, a personal duty that he had taken on. Khalel mentioned none of this, either, and at the mention of abuse a quiet, distracted murmur escaped her, "...Yeah." Her thoughts were clearly elsewhere, as she thought about both her parents and how she had been treated.
The talk of Matori was enough to snap her back to reality, thankfully. Her distracted inner musings gave way to an exuberant smile and twinkling golden eyes. "I'd love for you to come with me," she exclaimed. There was no hesitation in her words, no second guessing. Having him along would be wonderful, she knew. They could keep each other company, get to know each other more, and go on grand adventures in the meanwhile. The two of them together probably made quite the pair, but there was no one else she would rather go to Matori with than him.
"I enjoy your company a lot. More than anyone else I've never met, really. Funny how that works..."
Khalel's words trailed off into silence after she said this. Huh. It was kind of funny, though, considering they had only just met and all. It was funny how the world worked.
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 9:07 am
Skadravi's eyes widened just a fraction. They'd really only been together for a few hours, if that, so it was strange to think that the hybrid woman already enjoyed his company. Yes, he was exuberant and devilishly handsome and sly, and fun, of course, so who wouldn't enjoy his companionship? Except... most people didn't. At all. And probably just because of the way he looked or the fact that he became too excited over small things, but that didn't matter. As a rule of thumb, Dravi had taken up the notion that he didn't like them, either. So that was all well and fine.
But Khalal enjoyed his company on some level. So much so that she even felt comfortable journeying to far-away lands with him. Or at least, that was the thought for now, anyway. Dravi's cheeks heated, turning a dashing shade of dull pink against the blue grey of his skin. And it seemed fitting, anyway. A hybrid scum and a hybrid not-so-scum journeying from the land of their upbringing to the land of their heritage. Maybe one day it really would be in the cards for them. But for now, Dravi leaned nearer to his companion- his friend, fingers bunching in the soft blankets beneath his hands.
"I... enjoy your company too," he admitted, just in case it hadn't been obvious from the way he followed her into a dark suspicious hole. "For all that you're a lady, I mean." Which was weird. he hadn't expected to get along with anyone of noble birth, ever. To be frank, he certainly didn't have a great track record with them, if his half-sister and step-father were any indication. His gaze flicked to the candles still lighting the room, glinting off of each pearl and shining like miniature stars.
It really was a beautiful room. It suited Khalel, a beautiful woman. With a soft hum, he leaned forward, pressing his lips to her cheek in what he hoped came off as some form of gratitude, and didn't inspire a sensation of being touched by a creeper. Raising his hand, he dusted his fingertips across her opposite cheek, turning on the most dazzling toothy smile he could manage. "Thank you," he chirped. "It really is the perfect place, y'know."
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 9:26 am
It was good to know that the feeling was mutual and that he enjoyed her company, too. Growing up, she hadn't had many friends, so it was nice to finally have someone that she could consider as such. The fact that he was a hybrid as well was an added bonus. Never in her life had she expected to find another hybrid like she was, and yet there he was, sitting next to her, smiling handsomely and blushing. He was blushing? Oh, that was cute. Khalel couldn't help but smile at that.
Just as she was about to start talking to him more, Dravi leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Fingers delicately ran across her opposite one, and Khalel could feel a few goosebumps creeping up her back. It was not just a simple gesture, but a sweet one at that. The hybrid woman didn't feel uncomfortable in the slightest, for if she did, then she wouldn't have a blush the shade of his to match. A flush of pink spread across her cheeks, heating them up and causing the prentice to look away demurely.
Since when did guys make her blush? They never made her blush -- not really. She made them blush. Khalel had always been rather flirty by nature, so it was no surprise that this was the case. But to have someone make her blush so easily? It was quite unexpected, and she found herself at a loss for words. Eventually, she finally found some, and her golden eyes met his directly.
"I'm glad you like it; feel free to stay, if you like. I won't tell. It'll be our secret."
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 9:56 am
And so, by some miracle, Khalel didn't mind him remaining in her spot. Dravi didn't know how to explain this sudden kinship or why the gods had chosen to bless him with it, but a swell of appreciativeness bubbled up in his chest none the less. His gaze lingered around the room, taking in the sight of drapes, cushions, pearls, shells, and landing on the map framed against the wall. It wasn't as if he had somewhere else to be. And if he was particularly desperate, surely Khalel wouldn't notice a few of the old Matori trinkets going missing. Of course, that would be a last resort. Taking them and selling or trading them off almost seemed like it would defile the room somehow. Just the thought left a bitter taste in his mouth, like he was betraying her trust.
But all in all, her offer was still one worth considering. The only real flaw he could think of was, of course- "Ruindego, though..." Skadravi grumbled, casting his gaze up toward the ceiling as if his bushi companion may be directly above him. "If he can't even come in, I don't think this would be that great a place for me to stay." Even though Dravi did like the seclusion and secret-ness of it all.
There was always Khalel's offer to house the poisonous amphibian of course, but even that left the hybrid boy feeling uneasy. He really only had the one trusted side-kick in this whole country. It wouldn't do to let Khalel see him more than Dravi. But the haven could still be a nice relaxing spot. It was enjoyable and during the day, it would likely even be cooler than outside. "But... I could almost definitely be convinced to linger if you came around pretty often," he cooed in Khalel's direction, giving her blushing cheek a gentle tap with his finger. "I could see the upside in that."
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 10:14 am
Staying in the Haven would be good for Skadravi. It would provide him with shelter from the elements: burning sun, sweltering heat, and any annoying sandstorms that had been known to push through Sulburi from time to time. On top of that, it offered seclusion as well, so he would be free to do as he pleased, which was something he was probably glad for. The topic had brought up the subject of his bushi yet again, and it was then that Khalel knew that her friend might be on the fence about such an arrangement. The poisonous turtle did seem to be his closest friend, after all, so she couldn't doubt him for that.
"How about this..." she began to say, putting her hands together so she could steeple her fingers in thought. "I take Ruindego home with me, and he stays there at night. During the day, I take him back out again, and we could meet up with you in the city." A simple enough suggestion, and it made sense in the young woman's mind. She always went out of her house at least once a day, anyway, so it wouldn't be any trouble to have the large turtle tag along with her. Plus, taking Ruindego back to see Skadravi gave her a reason to meet with him on a regular basis; a win-win situation, as far as she was concerned.
A quiet giggle escaped her when he tapped on her cheek. Shifting, the young woman sat up and tapped a finger playfully on Dravi's nose. "And then," she continued on, leaning in closer to her companion, "After spending the day in the city, we can come back here to unwind." There was a sultry tone to her voice, and as Khalel said this, she leaned back against the pillows once more and gave Skadravi a wink. "You'd have me to yourself for most of the day. How does that sound?"
Hopefully, it was a plan that was to his liking. Though she didn't see why it wouldn't be. Any man would love a reason to spend time with a pretty lady, just as she enjoyed having a reason to be with intriguing man.
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 11:06 am
Dravi tipped his head to the side, clucking softly as he thought about her suggestions. Having Dego stay the night at her place might not be so bad. Khalel was a noble, so she surely had the space for him, if nothing else. He expected that if she brought him home and someone complained, she could probably even get her way just from the fact that she was a lady. He'd only just met her, but Dravi supposed Khalel could be trusted with that much. Especially as long as he still had the promise of seeing his companion in the morning. "And... you'll keep him happy?" Dravi prompted seriously, his hands going to his hips, despite his position on the floor. "Food and water and attention if he wants it?" He doubted the amphibian would be much trouble to maintain, but still. If he couldn't be in familiar company, Ruindego could at least be properly cared for.
But overall, the plan actually sounded... pretty good. And not because he was selfishly hogging several hours of Khalel's time to himself in secrecy (though he'd be lying if he said it wasn't a huge bonus). He did like the way she said it, though, the deepened purring tone to her voice as she moved to settle back against the pillows. He was half-inclined to just... experimentally touch her. Because... she was a pretty young thing, and if he was reading properly, she didn't seem completely adverse to him. His fingers slid across the blanket, landing an inch from her thigh before he stilled himself.
But perhaps another time. He didn't want to be distracted now and didn't want to do anything that would push her away. Instead, his gaze roved from his crumpled fingers and back up to her face. "I do have one condition," he admitted. "You... have to show me where you'll be keeping him. I mean, not- that I'll want to get close or anything. You don't have to invite me inside, but I'd still like to know the general area he'd be in. Just in case I need him, for anything."
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