|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2020 6:58 pm
Uzumati beamed at Padma's response to the little spring. When she squatted down by the water's edge he followed suite, mimicking her movements as he waited to see what she would do next. Was she truly happy with it? Was it acceptable enough for what she wanted to do? Uzumati tilted his head thoughtfully before darting back up to his feet at her exclamation. The man almost vibrated with pride, his movements slowing as he was stunned by that gorgeous smile from the leaf woman. It was so strange how one simple movement made his heart thud in his chest. Was he just not that accustomed to other earthlings? Uzumati found his cheeks flushing before he moved a step away, his own lips curving upwards into a smile as he listened to her giggling. He wasn't the best at socializing but as a predator he recognized nervousness in prey and it was similar in the way that she spoke the last words.
His gaze softened as he glanced about the clearing once more. It seemed safe enough, there wasn't anything to indicate that any dangerous beasts were nearby and so Uzumati started to remove his own furs that were wrapped around his waist. Eventually he just had the worn leggings around his hips and it was then that he took one final glance towards Padma before lowering his hands away from the last article of clothing. He wasn't bathing after all...just helping with laundry. Uzumati nodded to himself before slowly taking a step into the cooler waters, a slight shiver chilling his body before he slipped into the clear pool. Wading closer towards Padma, Uzumati held out his hands as he waited patiently for her to give him something to help with. Of course there was only one bar of soap but maybe he could rinse out the clothing? Honestly he didn't have much of a plan since he wasn't really for laundry...whatever that meant...himself but he did recognize the action of getting the blood from the clothing with the soap at least.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2020 7:14 pm
[9/10]
Padma made herself focus on cleaning their nearly ruined clothes, but hadn't looked away fast enough to miss the smile that lit up his face. When he wasn't furrowing his brows into a stoic face, he looked so sweet - and handsome. She blushed and rubbed a bit more soap into the clothes and pelts, more to distract herself.
Which - was difficult, when moments later she heard him slip into the pool, and looked up to see him holding out his arms to help her. ...True- he had removed a bit of clothing, namely his gauntlets and other accessories, but his chest had always been on full display, if not-- as wet and... er. Distracting.
She blushed again, but ultimately passed the well soaped clothes to him with a shy look and smile.
Together they rinsed everything off - and, once done, he passed them back to her and she squeezed out as much water as she could, leaving the clothes in the grass to, hopefully, dry.
As it was, she wasn't wearing anything that could be spared, so she slipped into the water with him, dipping under the water and coming back up with a relieved sigh, scrubbing the dirt and sweat from her face and arms. She hadn't realized how caked in mud from the storm she'd been, until now!
Once she was done, she was reluctant to leave the water - especially since she knew their clothes still needed to dry. So, instead, she waded the short distance to look at the waterfall, a peaceful feeling sweeping through her.
"... Is it ... moments like this that make you want to stay out here?" She wondered, out loud. Was it foolish of her to want to stay here with him? She should go home, or... continue on her trip... but the thought of pulling herself from this young man a second time felt strangely painful.
"Are you happier on your own?" She asked, suddenly self conscious. She'd sort of... just decided to stay, but - was that harder on him? Was he counting the moments until the flood waters receded and she was able to get out of his .. er. home?
|
|
|
|
|
|
scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2020 7:46 pm
[9/10]
It felt strangely soothing to be working on the clothing with the flower. Uzumati thought that it would be strange to be with another earthling but for some reason he was completely comfortable with the other leafling. Perhaps it was because of what they had survived together and the kindness that she always showed him? Either way Uzumati was thankful for her presence and even happier whenever she slipped into the water with him. At least his soap had come in handy, something that he was still proud of while he started rinsing off the grime from the previous night. His arm still ached and he was careful not to touch the wound while he rubbed off the rest of the dirt from his body. It was also helpful to focus on himself instead of allowing his gaze to wander towards the figure of the woman next to him. A flush decorated his cheeks again and Uzumati found himself darting beneath the water, staying for a good long moment before emerging again with a shake of his head. His damp strands of hair flopped into his face and he found himself reaching up so that he could pull the strands from his eyes. At least he felt a lot cleaner even if he was a bit disheveled still because of things like his wild mane of hair that refused to be completely tamed even when damp.
After coming back to the surface of the water, Uzumati found himself slowly wading after Padma. Her words had him blinking in confusion before he followed her gaze towards the waterfall. Did she like this? Strangely the thought brought warmth to his chest. It was touching that she was enjoying the place that he had always adored. Even Uzumati could find peace in this little glade and he was happy to share it with another. Her question caught him by even more surprise and the man hesitated. his brow furrowed thoughtfully Well...it wasn't as if he enjoyed the company of others but he did like her company! So how did he answer such a thing? Uzumati finally took a deep breath and took a few steps closer towards Padma. Swallowing nervously, Uzumati raised a hand to his chest as he studied the leafling woman. "Happier...with you." He pressed the hand against his chest as if forcing the gruff words out, his cheeks flushed as he managed the three simple yet very hard to speak words.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2020 8:28 pm
[10/10]
This entire situation was... ridiculous. She still wasn't even sure what his name was, and ... well. She hadn't introduced herself to him either, had she? Neither time they'd met. But - she felt drawn to him, somehow - and now that they'd met again, she felt like it was... fate. He didn't seem like he was used to meeting people, especially out in the forest, and yet somehow THEY had met twice. If that wasn't a sign from the spirits, she didn't know what was.
And he'd kissed her cheek. T-though- that really shouldn't be something she was focusing on right now!
Shaking herself, Padma turned to look at him as he walked closer, his expression drawn in thought. Her eyes were drawn, immediately, to his hand as it rested over his heart - and somehow, that gesture just... made it feel like his words, halting but strained as if with emotion and not just difficulty, felt all the more honest.
She exhaled shakily, but couldn't dismiss the relief and careful joy she felt burning in her chest. "Really?" She asked, very softly, her cheeks almost as pink as the crystals scattered over her face.
After a moment, Padma turned to face him, fully, then smiled. "Then I'll stay here with you - until you get sick of me. And-- and I don't think I ever said but - my name is Padma. A-although-- you... can call me anything you like--" Flower, is what he'd called her before, and that was easily the most charming thing she'd ever been called.
|
|
|
|
|
|
scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2020 9:28 pm
[10/10]
"Mmm." Uzumati nodded slowly, his heart beating in his ears. For some reason the simple words that left his lips had him feeling more anticipation than any hunt and he didn't fully understand why that was. Something about this moment just felt important almost as if a bridge had been formed and he was finally taking the first step across to something new. He hadn't tried forming a connection with anyone since losing his uncle and it was intimidating to reach out to someone new. The fear of losing another important person haunted him and kept him away from most but there was something about the flower that he simply couldn't resist. He didn't want to run away from this connection, he wanted to embrace and protect it with all of his might.
Uzumati couldn't help the breath of relief that left his own lips at her smile. "Padma." He repeated softly and almost shyly. He had gotten so accustomed to thinking of her as a flower that having a name felt strange on his lips...but not unpleasant. After a moment of hesitation he tapped his chest again before speaking a name that he hadn't personally heard in months. "Uzu....mati." He tapped his chest once more with a smile to indicate that it was his name and not some random word he had just uttered. And with that exchange it was truly his first step onto that rickety bridge of uncertainty and fear. But it was something that he was willing to face so that he could be one step closer to Padma.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
