Welcome to Gaia! ::

Through narrowed eyes, she shot him a look, one that suggested that she might think he had somehow peeked into a redacted file full of secrets he shouldn’t know about.

The glass was lifted to her lips but instead of taking another drink Laven smiled and set it back down. “No, I have never been arrested, sorry.”

“I’ll admit, I might be a teensy bit surprised you haven’t been though.” She had a vague idea of his past and knew that he enjoyed killing as he said so himself that learning he’d never been arrested meant that he was just damn good at what he did to not get caught. “For as much as a tough guy, or bad boy, that you make yourself out to be I’m a little disappointed that your record is so clean.”

“Never have I ever been written up for insubordination.”

Zinkenite, one of the Sovereigns she had read about in her tablet after being scolded for not being well informed despite being given the resources by her Captain.

“That’s quite the broad statement,” Be it vague or specific, neither of them set boundaries on what could be stated so for all intents and purposes it was fair game.

Laven took another drink and her reaction was much the same, “Yes, I’ve fantasized about stealing something once. I got as far as the door and could see the personal submarine hanging off the back of the research yacht through the window.”

“I was only an intern at the time and I think my boss really knew I wanted to ride inside it. Not like there was anywhere I could go, didn’t even know how to drive the thing, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t want to. So yes I fantasized about taking it for a joy ride, dive deeper than I could ever swim, stay under for longer than a tank could hold. What can I say?”

She brought her hand up and touched her cheek with the back of her fingers and could tell that her face was starting to get a little bit warm.

“My turn,” Laven chewed on her lower lip in contemplation and for a second had to consciously force herself to think of something else when her mind went to statements about his potential recent conquests. Yes, she may be curious but she didn’t want her inquiries to be taken as an invitation to try such things when they got home. Unfortunately, she wasn’t ready to take that step in their relationship quite yet, however, the thought of it caused a blush to sweep across her cheeks which fortunately could be blamed on the alcohol if he decided to point it out.

After clearing her throat she continued, “Never have I wished I could be someone else.” Laven took a drink after her own statement then looked at him expectantly.

“Yes, a submarine. I preferred fieldwork over being stuck in a lab looking through a telescope. My joy came from exploring and gathering samples needed for their research.” She shrugged as if it was no big deal. “What can I say? I craved adventure.”

“And yes, there was plenty of people I would have rather have been,” That was until she met him and he changed her perspective on things and how she viewed herself.

When he posed the next statement she blinked in mild surprise. There it was, that tactful mind; he knew she’d never physically slept with anyone but wanting to know if she at least thought about it well she wasn’t about to divulge that so freely.

“Ha!” The little outburst was a bit louder than she meant it to be but given the volume of the crowd, nobody thought to turn around. “No way in hell you’re just taking one drink.” Laven leaned forward, elbows on the table she ran her middle finger around the rim of her own glass. “You owe me at least three more before I answer that one. Either that or you can tell me who.”

“Aww, pity.” She leaned back in her chair with a bit of a pout.

Fortunately for him, he spoke in the past tense so she really couldn’t get jealous or angry because of his statement. But that wasn’t really enough to stop her from wanting others to know he was taken without outright saying 'back the ******** off he’s mine’.

“Maybe I just wanted to know their names that way if I ever did run into one them I could make sure they know you’re off-limits and should keep their distance.” She shamelessly admitted.

Apparently it only took a drink and a half for the filter between her selfish thoughts and ability to keep those thoughts private to dissolve. Despite being aware that this relationship between them was just a trial, Laven’s expression seemed oddly proud of that plan. “At least until New Years.”

“What can I say?” Laven all but purred as she leaned forward again, “I’m not fond of sharing you, even in your dreams.”

It took a fair amount of effort to keep herself from reaching across the table hooking a finger under his chin and stealing from him a kiss of her own, just as he took one from her without warning in the pumpkin patch parking lot just a few weeks ago. Instead, she picked up her drink and tapped it against his now empty drink in cheers. “Just know, if you don’t want to tell me that’s fine but don’t expect me to tell you either.”

With that, she lifted the glass to her lips and finished off the rest of her drink as he had. Definitely not a wise choice to make but hindsight was 20-20 and the deed was already done.

“Keep playing or do you want to dance with me for a bit?”

“Really?” Laven looked at him genuinely surprised. “Fair enough,” she agreed as she took his hand and walked with him to the back edge of the dance floor. Far enough so it wouldn’t render him completely deaf by the end of the song but close enough so they were part of the crowd.

It wasn’t all that long ago when they had accidentally fallen asleep before removing her cuff from his ear. The result ended up being a shared dream that was both vivid and surreal yet oddly inviting, like a secret clubhouse of their own making and design.With that in mind, the thought of slipping the cuff on his ear while he was sleeping did strike her as oddly amusing if it allowed her to beat up on some of these nameless faces without there being any actual repercussions.

Lights flashed overhead painting his purple hair with brilliant colored highlights which were almost mesmerizing in a way. “You know,” her voice was a bit louder than it was when they were just sitting at the table now that they were closer to the speakers. “I actually expected you to turn me down.” Rather she hoped he would have that way she didn’t have to look like an idiot or admit she didn’t have a damn clue what she was doing.

“At least you can rest easy knowing we’ll look like fools together,” Her eyes were alight with humor. Just because she was an expert diver didn’t mean she could dance worth beans.

It was unfortunate that the chance of there being a slow song was slim to none because it would be nice to be held close, swaying in tandem to the melody with his arms encircling her almost protectively. Laven hummed at the thought of it, enjoyit it for what it was but realizing that it was just a fantisful dream brought on by too many romance novels.

Laven couldn’t help but laugh, raising her arms she rested them on his shoulders and laced her fingers behind his head. Her hips swayed in tandem to the music that played, a song she honestly didn’t recognize but caused her heart to beat in sync with the rhythm of the base.

Despite the frozen color of her eyes was there was nothing but warmth in her gaze when she made the already close distance between them even smaller.

“I’d hope so.” Laven stated as-a-matter-of-factly. “You’re the one that picked it out.”

Scales to skin, she nuzzled her cheek against his. “Then again,” she purred, “you could have picked out something hideous and I’d have been fine with that because you’d still have to walk beside me.” Laven turned her head and gave him a kiss on his temple.

Being as close as they were it was easy enough to tell that the soft pink hue that swept across her cheeks and tinted the normal blue a shade of light lavender was not from the lights flashing overhead.

Laven hummed, her pupils fluctuating in curious wonder at the idea of wearing something risque and though she didn’t want to admit it out loud she did kind of hope he’d find an opportunity for such an occasion.

Her thoughts, however, were abruptly halted when he pressed his cheek against hers as she had done to him. It was a show of affection of a different kind because it was an action that appeased her youma nature in a more intimate way as kissing, for now, satisfied her more human needs.

Perhaps it was because of the alcohol but she felt more sensitive to the warmth of his breath against her neck as he spoke, warming her scales and sending a wave of goosebumps to race down her arms. But then, where Wolframite had once nipped her scoldingly months ago, he now kissed her softly.

The tight knot of nerves that had kept her in check until now unfurled sending a rush of excitement up her spine and from it, like wildfire, it spread to her toes and fingertips. Her breath hitched causing her heart to skip several beats and in that same moment, Laven buried her face against his shoulder to keep him from seeing how that simple kiss had kind of turned her on.

“Tell me,” her voice was quiet, perhaps a bit shy or embarrassed to ask. “What else do you like… or wish I would do?” Her fingers extended behind his head, sharp claws careful scratched the back of his scalp just above where his hair had been pulled back. While the music was thumping she kind of hoped he could at least feel her purring with how close they were.

All things considered, she felt incredibly happy right now.

While out and about Laven didn’t much care for public displays of affection aside from perhaps holding hands or looping her arm through his and holding him close. And although she would have been content going on like that for a while, Wolframite had been quick to pick up on her uneasiness while at the pumpkin patch and had and over the last few weeks, he had been slowly tearing down those walls brick by brick, stone by stone.

It was true, what he said that Nobody else matters so why care what they think. but it was hard to keep herself from glancing around to see who all, if anyone, was watching.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, or even the dazzling lights flashing around them leaving spots of fluorescent color dotting her vision. Maybe it was just that the air in on the dance floor was getting too warm, or more than likely it could just simply be his nearness rather than the people around them that was making her feel hot if not a little bit light-headed. Regardless o the reason, Laven could feel her inhibition slipping as she considered his desires carefully.

He wanted her to be rough and so she dug her claws in a little harder but not so much as to make him bleed but enough to remind him that unlike normal humans she did not have some dull rounded mortals nails but sharp claws that while smaller than his they could rend flesh just as easily. One thing she did miss was a good back scratch or head massage, but with her scales, it just wasn’t something she could enjoy anymore but that didn’t mean she couldn’t give them to him instead.

But then he asked what she wanted and Laven faltered in her ministrations as her mind went completely blank. Much like a person sprinting down a one-way street only to turn their head when someone calls their name and in that moment of distraction they run facefirst into an immoveable brick wall and land flat on their a** in a tangled mess of limbs and not a clue how to pick themselves up.

I...don’t know… She lifted her head and looked up at him with an almost owlish gaze.

How could she know what she wanted if she had never experienced it before? As things were he already offered her sweet affection soft kisses and gentle touches. True to his word he had honestly been taking her feelings into account and not pushing her to a point where she felt uncomfortable.

Although that might be where the problem was, she was content where things were at but didn’t look beyond to what could, or should, come next. That thrill of excitement that washed over her when he kissed her someplace other than her lips or brow was startling at first but in the wake of the rush, she was left wanting to feel that sensation again.

Laven’s gaze traveled from his eye downward.

I want your lips… your touch… her mind nearly begged her to say but no word were spoken. I want your possessive arms wrapped around me protectively, selfishly holding me close, to feel safe and wanted, cocooned in his aura, curled into what warmth he had to offer. But how could she put to words what it was she wanted when just the thought of admitting those desires made her stomach flip in nervous anxiousness? Fantastical wishes best suited for stories or books.

She hesitated but eventually leaned in, capturing his lips with her own in a shy kiss that at least she initiated this time. Laven’s eyes flitted shut and after a few seconds, her lips parted just enough to lightly n** his lower up before pulling away. There was no hidden meaning in that action only an acknowledgment that she understood his wishes and would try to come out of her shell enough to meet his needs and desire as he did her own.

As for marking him, that was not something she was willing to do now or any time in the near future as an act like that held a different meaning to her and her youma nature than it did to his. Perhaps after New Years, if things were still going well between them, then maybe… just maybe she might consider approaching the topic. But until then these little love bites would have to do.