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[+] Kursha Vidari

Kursha walked along the boardwalk, enjoying the cool breeze that swept off the shore. He was relaxed and in a good mood, a far cry from his difficult attitude when Luxara had first hauled him into the photobooth. Hostile and suspicious, he had been determined to find her out and win whatever game it was that she was playing. Somehow though, Luxara had managed to make him forget that. She had coaxed him into having a little bit of fun, and what had begun as a childish squabble deteriorated into laughter and teasing. He had the film strip to prove it.

Afterwards they had explored the festival together, Kursha arguing that Forera could stand to man Trigger Happy by herself for a little bit longer and that there was no point in going to Bloodfest if Luxara was just going to sit behind a booth all night. Showing her around to some of the games he had seen (though he was careful to avoid both the Queen's booth and Vremea's booth), Kursha and Luxara spent most their time playing and generally being as competitive with one another as possible. At first, Kursha experienced a relapse. He was so focussed on winning that he reverted back to his immature pettiness. With some well-placed jibes from Luxara however, he settled down and began to enjoy himself again. Everything was going well.

So... how had they ended up here?

Kursha turned his gaze back from the ocean to Luxara. “... so, that's basically the gist of it. The initiative is just down to a handful of trolls, but I'm not worried. Akko's like... some kind of genius and I'm sure she'll figure something out. Besides, quality over quantity, right?” he joked. No matter how good they were, they stood no chance against the queen's entire army.

He shrugged, then put his hands behind his head. To fill the quiet, he had elected to regale Luxara with an outline his time back at the Phoenix Initiative. Of course he skimped on many of the details, and played off the ordeal as less of an issue that it was. After all, he did not want her to feel like she had missed out on anything too crazy. “Anyway, that's been the latest for me. How about for you? Any new wild adventures in the life of the Four Fronds hermit?”

[+] Kursha Vidari

Kursha scoffed at Luxara's remark. While he had high standards, he was not so difficult to impress that he was pretentious. Luxara simply needed less shitty hobbies. And friends. Especially friends.* But Kursha let the comment go. He was in too good a mood to start another fight.

“Sure thing,” he said, when Luxara asked if he would vouch for her. “I'm betting they're desperate to increase their numbers, so...” He grinned. That was a little mean, but he could not help himself. A good mood did not mean he had to play nice all the time. Besides, he knew Luxara could handle it. If not, she was not worth his time.

As Luxara went on to talk about Forera, Kursha started to tune out. As much as he wanted to pay attention, just the thought of the tealblood filled him with aggravation. It had been sweeps since he had spoken with her, yet something about her annoying voice stuck in his thinkpan. Some day he really needed to get back at her. For being annoying.

Straying from the boardwalk, Kursha stepped onto the beach. The sand was more compact here and easy for walking. It crunched pleasantly under his sandals. Stopping, he stooped to investigate a shell. As he lifted it out of the mud, he realised it was a sand dollar... or at least one third of one. The rest of it was no where in sight. He tossed it away.

“Never?” Kursha repeated, rising. “And you're wasting your time running a booth? Come on, Xara! Get with the program!” He flashed her a friendly smile.

*The irony was lost on him.

[+] Kursha Vidari

“Pft.” Kursha stifled a laugh at the idea. Regardless of Luxara's claims, manning a booth sounded miserable. Before he could retort however, Luxara continued.

Nodding along as she spoke, Kursha watched as the tide receded. Despite the death lurking in their depths, there was something calming about listen to the crashing waves. The steady rhythm of their rise and fall gave a sense of peace. Suddenly, Kursha's eyes narrowed. He smelled a trap in Luxara's words. Without looking back at her, he shrugged.

“Nah, not really.” He stooped down to pick up a small, round stone. Rising, he drew back his arm and chucked it into the ocean. He held a hand over his eyes. It disappeared into the ocean, behind some waves. Feigning disinterest in the conversation topic, Kursha clicked his tongue against his teeth. “Damn. Lost it. Why, what were you thinking?”

[+] Kursha Vidari

Luxara dodged the question. Inclining his head, Kursha glanced at the greenblood out of the corner of his eye. She was wearing her characteristic grin, but that was hardly a reliable indicator of her mood. She was always smiling, so he had to monitor her for other signals: her tone of voice, the spacing between her words, the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers played with the fringe of her coat... There was a whole host of body language to read from, and at the moment, it was reading anxious.

Then she hid her face behind her arms.

Grinning, Kursha turned in full to face her. “Ehhhh?” he drawled. Crossing the space between them, he stooped down so that he perched on the back of his feet. “Of course you're more than that,” he said and reached out to take hold of her wrist. Pulling her arm away from her face, he peered into her eyes. Or eye. He could only see one at the moment.

“Come on, Xara. You don't take all the s**t I give you seriously, do you?” He arched an eyebrow.

[+] Kursha Vidari

For a moment, Kursha's smile faltered. His eyes widened, and his expression became unfathomable. Then, with a little laugh, he rolled his eyes and rose. Standing over Luxara, he offered a hand.

“I've told you already,” he said. His tone was impatient, but he was smiling again. Clasping her wrist, Kursha pulled her to her feet. A waterfall of sand cascaded down the back of her coat. “You're special. What more do you need?” He paused, looking amused. Then without warning, he leaned in so that they were eye to eye and suddenly very close. “For me to spell it out?”

Kursha held her gaze, smirking. After a couple of seconds, he pulled away and released her hand. “Sure, I'd say you're pretty. Pretty short, that is,” His grin widened. It was hard not to laugh. “But if we're talking seriously,” he continued. “Then I'd say you're more of the cute type.”

[+] Kursha Vidari

Kursha felt Luxara's hands clasp his. Watching her expression, he was intrigued. He had expected her to give up, to limply go along with his games, but she showed more spine than he thought she possessed. All those times he had written her off... perhaps there was something more there.

Keeping his feelings carefully disguised behind the grin he wore, Kursha did not move as Luxara slipped her hand out of his. His skin tingled however, when her fingers brushed the back of his neck underneath his hair. There was something electric in her touch. They had been close before, but this was different. It was like that time back at her hive. He had been weak then—needing—but now he had no such vulnerabilities. Now Luxara was the victim.

The realisation came with a peculiar rush. She had left herself open and exposed. That meant... he could do anything. Anything he did, she was putty in his hands. No matter what he chose, he had complete control. He could shatter her pump biscuit into a thousand pieces if he wanted. It would not even be difficult. She had laid her emotions out before him and they were essentially his plaything. It was thrilling.

Ever so slightly, Kursha increased his grip on Luxara's hand. She thought she was winning this. She thought she held the advantage. But no one bested Kursha Vidari. Especially not Luxara.

Sliding his free hand around the back of her waist, Kursha pulled Luxara in. He half-considered making one last snide remark, something to ruffle her feathers. Nothing good came to mind though. Besides, he was answering her words with his actions. Tilting his head down, Kursha leaned in so that their noses were touching. He stared directly into her eyes, unflinching.

Then he pressed his lips against hers.

He liked Luxara. So what.