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 Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 9:08 pm
Painted Moose There XD giving Callum a chance to have an intro post or come out and see nim orrr
There was work, as always - and the raising of a small raptrix pup, which he'd adopted from a Matori woman traveling through a nearby village. Maybe, some day, she would be a beast he could ride - or fasten packs to, for travel - but for now the pup was rambunctious and in need of training.
Spending the better part of the day searching caves with Morrigan by his side, seeking out any hibernating weywa, Nim returned to town in the early afternoon, headed towards home - when Morrigan shot ahead, yipping at the appearance of one of his ice earthling neighbors - a younger man whom Nimueh had grown up with, Gawan. Tongue lolling as the man scratched her ears, Morrigan happily trotted back to Nimueh's side, sitting and looking up at the two, ears askance. "Nim, you sly devil, where'd you pick up a fella like that?" Gawan teased, elbowing the guard. Nim smiled back, but quirked his brow, confused. "What, lately? You're joking." He murmured quietly, laughing under his breath. Since coming home from his trip, he hadn't had much chance, between work and training himself to fight, to go for a pull - but Gawan didn't seem deterred. Instead he clicked his tongue, scolding Nim, and gesturing with a gloved hand back towards the tavern.
"There's a western bloke asking about for you. Says he knows you - I told him he was daft, that you were a homebody, didn't get out much. Ca'something." Of course, Gawan didn't forget Callum's name - he watched Nimueh closely as he spoke, raising his eyebrows and grinning roguishly.
And how could Nimueh react otherwise? After splitting up from Callum, and taking their seperate ways, Nimueh had puzzled over how on earth to find his friend again - it had never occurred to him that Callum would come here. Would even WANT to come here, asking for Nimueh... the thought itself was ridiculous, and yet sent his heart skittering. Leaning around Gawan, Nimueh peered down towards the tavern with renewed interest, then groaned quietly at his friend's pleased look of discovery. "You do know him, you rascal. Playing all coy, are you trying to make me jealous??"
"Wait, no-- what??" Distracted, Nim finally looked back at his friend once more, frowning impatiently. Just down the street, Callum was sitting in a tavern - and the earthling was picking now, of all times, to get weird.
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 9:49 am
Flying into Zena might have been a mistake.
Neither Callum nor Faulina were prepared for frigid winds that cut through skin and feathers. The newly grown kinfa was less than able to guide them through the white out, and as such they had both landed with a tumble in a snow bank some time ago. When Callum had found himself able to rise up from the snow the scenery had taken his breath away. Mountains of grey and blue dominated his vision, casting an almost other worldly aura over the frozen landscape.
For their first night the pair had slept huddled against one another in a shallow cave. The area was as beautiful as it was treacherous, and Callum had known they wouldn't survive long enough to find Nimueh if they didn't find a village soon. Neither had gotten much sleep, however; the howling wind, and ever present shivering kept them awake. For a time Callum feared drifting off. What if he never woke up again? Would a Zenian drag his frozen corpse out into the snow, and would that be the way they were reunited?
At some point he had fallen asleep, only to be woken up by Faulina when the sun crested over the mountains. Without waiting for him she had taken off into the warm sunlight, regardless of the chill in the wind. Callum hadn't found it in himself to blame her; the sunlight had been a welcome blessing after such a horrible night.
The only draw back to her flying away was the sheer fact that nearly all of his supplies were strapped to her back.
With no other choice, Callum had set about trying to find a settlement. At that point he hadn't been so much concerned about finding Nimueh as he had been about simply surviving long enough to look. How much better would this trip have started if he'd bothered to stop at the border to buy a thicker coat? Or anything with a fur lining?
Callum had been nearly ready to fall over when a few hunters had spotted him. They'd brought him in and set him up at an inn of some sort. From the smell of the place it had doubled as a tavern, which suited Callum just fine. More information passed through loose lips than it did anywhere else. A few warm meals, and a good night's sleep later Callum found himself ready to resume his search.
He trotted down into the main hall, where a gaggle of Zenian's crowded around long tables to get a warm bite. A roaring fire crackled in the hearth, and although he was nearly across the room from it, Callum could still feel it's touch.
"You'll freeze for good this time if you go out dressed in that." Turning to his right he spotted the inn keep; a portly man with a ruddy glow to his cheeks. At first he hadn't been too keen to have a western hybrid in his establishment, but coin was coin. He tossed a thick cloak to Callum. "It's an old thing, but I'll be charging for it, just the same."
"...Thank you." Callum was at a loss for a moment before wrapping the cloak around his nearly form fitting garb. He gave the man his coins, and received a grunt of acceptance for his troubles.
Today was going to be the day; Callum could feel it. He'd asked as many of the villagers as he could about his friend, though few had been willing to share any information with him. All he'd managed to obtain was that he was close, and that was enough to give him some much needed hope. He walked outside only to instantly duck with a hiss, bringing a ruckus of laughter form the men at his back. Callum steeled himself, and pushed on, if only to put some distance between him and the others.
At least the cloak kept him warm. It reeked of spilled mead, among other things, but the hood kept his little ears toasty. After nearly slipping on a patch of ice for the third time Callum decided that Nimueh had been right; he did dislike this place. If only because he'd been ill prepared, and had yet to manage a few hours without putting himself in danger.
As he neared the end of the street Callum spotted a younger man that he'd spoken with already standing next to -
"Gods help me."
His jaw slackened, dipping down against the top edge of his scarf. It only made since that Nimueh would have grown since their departure, but this...this was enough to stop a man dead in his tracks.
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 6:34 pm
Although a figure appeared further down the way, coming closer with each moment, Nimueh took little notice. Morrigan, however, did - the young raptrix lifted her nose to the air, and peeked around Gawan's leg, ears at alert. This Zenan town was a home to traders of many kinds, but she was still young enough that a new smell of any sort drew her attention. Wings tucked against her sides, Morrigan squeezed past Gawan, rumbling inquiringly in her throat. Nimueh ignored her, and instead huffed and shrugged his shoulders, setting his hands on his hips and broadening his stance somewhat unconsciously. "You know, at times I almost take you seriously, with all this teasing." Nimueh pointed out, glowering at the shorter man moodily. Gawan snorted, then tossed his head in a laugh, reaching up to grip the Alkidike by the shoulder, giving him a bit of a shake, "It's so worth it. You get so upset each time, it's too good to pass up."
The grin fell after a moment, and he sighed, looking Nimueh up and down. "I knew you were leaving - but ever since you came back we haven't seen much of one another. I sorta thought we'd get a chance to spend time together, again, before you left..." His tone was mournful, and his voice loud - it was sure to carry down the way, and the suggestion of his words wasn't hard to guess. Nimueh flushed, embarassed, but didn't rush to correct him.
As the two spoke, Morrigan, who had been sitting and watching Callum as he grew closer, grew intrigued as he stopped. There were a myriad of strange scents on the stranger - and a young raptrix, only half trained and still petulantly disobedient of Nimueh's direction, finally fell to the urge to investigate. She began at a leisurely enough pace, but as she grew closer to the stranger though (who took little interest in moving out of her way), she grew more playful - bounding towards him and jumping up to greet him, paws hitting him full in the chest, licking at his face with loud, happy whines.
This, of course, finally caught Nimueh's attention - the Alkidike jumped, then rushed past Gawan towards his raptrix, calling her name. He didn't look at the man at first - too intent on tugging Morrigan off of him, but once he had Nim looked up, an apology midway on his lips. "Goddess, I'm sorry - she is -- is..." And quickly it skittered to a stop. From afar, wrapped in a Zenan coat, even with his telltale silver hair, Callum looked different - but up close he was the same handsome face Nimueh remembered. He looked pink and flushed from the cold air, lips overly red in the cold, but his hair - which had been long, thick, and plaited was now cut short, curling around his cheeks and ears in a beautiful set of waves. "Callum..." Nimueh finished, eyes wide, absently petting Morrigan's head as he stood straight again, to his full height.
Hearing he might be hear was one thing, but seeing him -- Nimueh found it difficult to process the many feelings churning through him. And so, he couldn't feel overly guilty when Gawan, who had followed him at first, finally caught the hint. Standing at Nim's elbow, he looked somewhat brazenly over Callum, in the somewhat over analytical way many outsiders were used to, then sighed and leaned up to kiss Nim on the cheek. "Just be careful out there, alright?"
"Hmm? Yes- yes of course." Nimueh finally responded, tugging his eyes from Callum finally, completely unsurprised by the kiss. Instead, he broke away from his reunion just briefly enough to grip Gawan's arm, before the earthling turned and headed back to his home, climbing inside and out of the assault of the storm.
Once gone, Nimueh looked back at Callum, smiling brightly. "I can't believe you're here - you look - cold. Aren't you cold? Do you have somewhere to stay yet? I can- I could- I mean, /we/ could go back home. To my home, I meant."
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 8:17 pm
So focused was he on the hybrid across the way that Callum barely noticed the little raptrix. Nim looked so different dressed in furs, though it wasn't the clothing choice that caught Callum's eye. The broadened width of his shoulders, the cut of his jaw; strange, enchanting new features painted with the same markings he'd always known. He took a half step forward, hesitating in the snow. Who was the man he was talking to? Callum had just assumed a friend, but his words bothered the swordsman. It stirred up a new feeling within his chest, one that caused his shoulders to straighten in a defensive posture.
And the words just kept coming. This was it, then. Callum's heart shuddered to a stop within his thin chest. Why did it hurt so much to hear that mournful tone? He wanted nothing more than to push the man away, to take Nim away and never look back. The entire way to Zena Callum had known that a possibility existed where he was too late. That his realization to attempt something stable had come with a heavy price. He had already prepared himself for it, and yet...
Yet he wished he'd never come.
The jumping raptrix caught him by surprise. Callum took a half step back with a yelp, struggling to find his balance with the pup happily lapping away at his face. It brought out a laugh, one that barely made it around the friendly raptrix's kissed. He reached up to place one hand above it's shoulder, and the other rubbed enthusiastically in the thick fur around it's neck. For a moment he was able to forget what he'd seen, and focus on something more pleasant.
But that moment was short lived.
"It's alright, Nimueh. She's the warmest welcome I've had in Zena thus far, and certainly the sweetest." Callum brushed snow from his chest, giving a quick smile to the pup before turning his hoary gaze back to her owner.
His smile faded, however, when the younger male joined the group. His brazen look might have been written off, had he been any other Zenian. Callum found it hard not to keep his churning emotions from showing, and instead focused on his half-hearted attempt to be social. The kiss, however...it was as if someone had taken an arrow head and popped what hope he'd had. You wanted him happy and maybe...maybe this is it. Be a supportive friend, like you said you would be. Supportive, but not happy. Not in the least.
"I just thought if I was ever going to see snow this was the time." Callum faked a bright smile, mirror Nim's as best he could. He had never wanted to hit someone so badly in his life, and yet, that man didn't deserve his scorn. But he kissed- "I don't know how you aren't cold. I haven't stopped shivering since we landed." He chuckled and shook his head, shortened curls bouncing this way and that. "I...I've been staying at the inn. It's probably best that I stay there, so things don't get iffy with you and your...friend. Who...who was he, by the way? He seemed nice."
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 8:54 pm
Once yanked off, Morrigan grumbled unhappily and shuffled on the ground impatiently, paws tearing up snow. However, with her master present, she didn't dare jump up again - and instead took out her unhappiness on Nimueh by hitting him in the back of the leg with one wing. Gently shushing her impatience, Nimueh finally turned his full attention to Callum. The blonde had seemed pleased only moments ago, and yet now he seemed quiet, his face a bit more terse and stoic than Nim remembered. He instantly disliked the sight of Callum so unhappy, and even the smile he cast seemed off. But Nim didn't question it, more than the slightest quirk of his eyebrow.
His bumbling of a moment before, nearly falling over his words in his eagerness to talk to Callum and invite him elsewhere, was embarassing, but he also was far too pleased to see his friend to care. While the plan had been to go out into the world, and seek Callum along the way, there had always been the horrible shard of fear stuck in his heart that he would never luck into crossing paths again - that Callum would be lost to him, where Nimueh couldn't find him. Now, his presence was like the sun - welcome on a cloudy day, but still overwhelming and bright. He almost felt like he'd been lulled into a dream - perhaps a nap curled up with Morrigan, exhausted from work and training?
Laughing softly at the joke, Nim rubbed the back of his neck. "I've gotten as used to it as you can get - and a good set of furred clothes helps too."
Nim nodded his head, lips quirked up into a subdued, but happy smile - until Callum denied the invitation. It was... honestly unexpected. At this point, he'd sort of ... assumed... well, Callum had come all the way to Zena; had been asking about him, he'd thought... but the polite refusal made Nimueh realize his presumptiousness. Callum traveled, quite frequently too, and he'd suggested that he might broaden his scope outside of Sauti. Maybe he was seeing the sights, as he'd just said? To think he'd come to Zena to see Nim - now he felt full of himself, cocky and arrogant, and the realization made him feel embarassed and stupid for his assumption. He couldn't quite contain the flash of hurt and surprise that flickered over his features, but he was somehow able to settle on disappointment instead, nodding his head and taking the smallest of steps back, realizing his closeness might be unseemly.
Foolish-- he'd had his answer from Callum before. It was more likely that Callum was traveling through Zena, exploring, and thought he would ask about his friend while in the area.
Amazing how quickly such thoughts could fly through one's head - he almost didn't hear Callum as he continued. And when what he said finally registered, Nimueh blinked, confused. It was ridiculous to think Callum would be jealous, but then what did Gawan have to do with anything? The only other possibility that Nimueh could think of was... "Gawan? He lives next door, so it's not really his say." Nim laughed, then looked down, unable to keep eye contact with his friend, as he spoke the next words slowly and evenly so as not to betray his conflicted feelings. "Callum, if my... feelings... make you feel uncomfortable to stay, I won't push you to. It's just good to see you."
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 9:48 pm
I shouldn't have come here.
At least if there had been some distance between them then in a few years, once these feelings had dissipated, Callum could have truly been happy for his friend. After everything Nimueh had lost, and been forced to endure from such a tender age he deserved someone to care for him. He turned his gaze to the side, shoulders stiff with tension. His entire stance was rigid and hard; the complete opposite of his usually carefree demeanor. And in that moment Callum realized a chilling truth.
He could never be Nimueh's friend again.
Not after this. He'd dreamt, pondered, and mused about how this meeting might go. Visions of his various displays of affection fluttered through his mind before disappearing like embers from a dying flame. Callum had been prepared for the harsh truth of rejection, but it hurt, never the less.
He couldn't even keep up his fake smile as Nimueh stepped back from him. Callum exhaled softly, and found himself cold again despite the warmth from his cloak. It was an inner chill, one that seeped around his heart. The soul that screamed and raged, the one that wanted to fight against what his eyes knew to be true. But he could never do that. To jeopardize Nim's happiness would be too selfish. And yet...Callum just couldn't let it go. A next door neighbor? Was that all he was? What sort of neighbor acted so...so...touchy? He felt like a fool to hold onto that shred of hope that maybe it was a one sided thing, at best, but he knew better. How many times did he have to be pushed aside before he learned?
"No, no, it's alright. You haven't done anything wrong." He stepped closer to the taller hybrid. "You shouldn't worry about me. I'll be fine." He always was, after all. "Having feelings for someone else is normal, and I...I wish you both the best."
And if that mud licker so much as raised his voice to Nimueh then Callum would cut him down.
"I should go...Faulina's around here somewhere and she has my supplies." It was a lame excuse, but a viable one. Anything to get him away. Instead of closing the gap between them, the young swordsman walked past Nimueh and drew his hood up around him.
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 11:28 pm
Painted Moose saw this and had to post back before sleep. i will never apologize for the cliche cheese post
At first thought, perhaps that was the truth of it - the blonde traveled with plenty of others in his time, why should Nimueh be different? And yet the shock that had painted his features when they met again told Nim this wasn't the case. He wasn't callous - he was the sort to make memories of the faces he met - it wasn't like him to be so cold. Callum's behavior grew stranger still - stiff, disinterested. His eyes tore away, and he couldn't seem to get away from Nimueh fast enough, despite what his words might suggest. Callum took one step closer, and for that moment Nimueh held his breath, eyes turning back towards Callum's greedily, unable to pull away from him when he was so close. One moment of bravery and he'd have the smaller man hidden away in his arms - but the next moment Callum wished him good luck, and brushed past him.
Nimueh was a hairsbreadth away from shattering in dismay - and for a sickening moment, it felt like he had been hit in the gut, heart sinking like a stone. Callum was shrugging him off with utter finality, and as miraculous as meeting again was, now he would disappear into the snow, and this time Nimueh really might not see him again. Respecting Callum's feelings was important, and yet ... in a moment of selfish weakness, Nimueh couldn't stomach the thought of letting him walk away, not yet. So he rounded on his heel, and with long-legged steps he caught up to the retreating figure. Long arms wrapped around Callum's middle and tugged him, bodily, backwards against Nimueh's chest - and there he held him, tightly. As much as he wanted to hide his face against Callum's shoulder, their height disparity wouldn't allow it - and the best he could do was lean his temple against the back of Callum's head, face turned away, his eyes tightly closed.
For a brief moment, his hands bunched tightly in the thick fur cloak, possessive and wanting Callum to remain still - but a shred of his mind returned to him, and Nimueh knew just how disrespectful and threatening such a gesture could be perceived as - grabbing Callum and holding him here, possibly unwillingly. As he stood, trembling with emotion and clinging to him, the lingering meaning of Callum's farewell words finally trickled through his mind. And it was so ridiculous, he let out a sound that was meant as a laugh, but came out more as a choked sob.
"Gawan and I - we aren't a couple. We've been, ah... intimate, yes, but what relationship we had wasn't 'romantic'." For a moment Nimueh tried to loosen his grip, but his arms instead clasped a bit tighter, uncooperative. "My heart is yours - whether you take it or not - but please, all I ask is just a little more time. I'm not... I'm not ready for you to go yet. Please." He'd gather up the courage, in a moment, but if this was the last time he was lucky enough to cross paths with Callum, then he wanted to have no regrets.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 1:48 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle That was me with my last post lol. And never apologize for cheesy; it's beautiful, yo homes
He clenched his eyes closed, fighting against tears as they threatened to erupt from him. Callum was a hairsbreadth away from hyperventilating when strong arms pulled him against a broad chest. The unexpected reaction forced him to gasp, breath ending on a jagged exhale as his tears flowed without inhibition. He had never been held so tightly in his life, and he couldn't quite process why it made him choke back a sob.
There was only one person in the mortal world that might envelop so. The feel of another pressed against the back of his head confirmed his suspicion. Callum raised his arms to grasp Nim's, and for a moment it might have seemed as if he intended to wrench himself out of the hold. However, it was quite the opposite. Callum held onto those arms as if they were his only life line, and his near death grip hold shook. He couldn't tell where his shaking began and Nim's ended, but to him it seemed that for a moment they were in sync.
Gawan...wasn't involved. Callum couldn't judge the other for his intimacies, not when his own excursions had given him a colorful background, but the knowledge that they weren't romantic lifted something inside of him. If Nimueh hadn't been holding onto him so tightly Callum's legs would surely have given out. "You..." He took a breath that was supposed to steady him, but it only ended in a broken sob. "Y-you've had my heart since l-long before the lake..." Callum closed his eyes, willing his breathing to steady and cooperate with him. "...I don't care if I'm abandoned again. It doesn't matter if you leave me when you grow bored of me, and when....when it happens I'll let you go, but right now...I can't. I'm terrified, but I want to chance it if you'll let me."
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:35 pm
Indeed, for a long moment Nimueh expected him to wrench away from him - to struggle, to try and escape. Only moments ago, he'd rushed to get away, and now? Now, Callum's fingers tangled against his sleeves, and he realized that he wasn't the only one who was trembling. As he spoke, Callum remained tensed in his arms, shoulders stiff and back straight - but something finally seemed to relax inside him, he sank against Nim's arms, allowing the Alkidike to tug him just the slightest bit closer.
When Callum finally spoke, the pain that his voice carried broke Nimueh's heart, the choked sound of his sob working as a vice grip around his own throat, a grip that refused to let go until tearful words met his ears. And yet, a confession of this nature was the last thing that he had ever expected, and in that moment Nimueh nearly faltered as well, his stance wavering briefly before collecting himself once again. Only minutes ago, they were meeting again for the first time in months... then the moment of heartbreak, and now? Jubilation and happiness so strong that he felt lightheaded from it, and only the bittersweet words; dedication mixed with doubt and anxiety, kept Nimueh centered. "Yes. Yes, Callum, thank you - thank you..." He responded, voice low and heartfelt. He ducked his face and pressed a hasty kiss against Callum's jaw, an awkward bump of cold lips and the tip of his nose against a cheek.
It was with great reluctance that Nimueh pulled back so he could step around Callum, coming face to face once more, all without releasing his grip fully. One arm dropped to circle Callum's waist as he moved, offering that silent support, and once he stood in front of him once again, Nimueh dropped his face and gently kissed one of Callum's tear-wet eyelids, closing his eyes in pure rapture. "I won't let that happen." He responded at length, pulling back so he could look down at him once more, his face setting into determination at Callum's expression of misery.
They weren't finished talking, not by a long shot - and so after such an emotional ride, Nimueh's features softened, and he offered a small, hopeful smile. "Let me take you home - out of the cold, now. Please?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 9:38 pm
Callum gave a sort of breathless laugh. Being thanked for something like this felt sort of wrong. In many ways he was trapping Nimueh in a mire of his own issues, though the Alkidike seemed more than willing to wade through them. His voice carried so much sincerity that he found it hard not to crack the slightest smile, especially after being kissed. It was an awkward, chaste little thing, but that made it all the more precious to Callum.
He relaxed his grip, albeit unwillingly, so that Nimueh could step to his front. Callum used the opportunity to wipe off his face as best he could with the back of a stiff hand. His pale skin was flushed a lovely shade of orchid, and if his nose hadn't already been slightly runny from the cold then it truly was a mess now. He closed his eyes once more, still unsure and frightened to look Nimueh in the eye. However, it didn't seem to matter, not when Nimueh seemed to want to coat him in a layer of kisses. It was hard to keep his eyes closed after that, and so, he opened them to look at him.
"I don't think you have control over that, Nim." It was sweet, truly it was, but at this point Callum couldn't believe in it. He wanted to give the relationship a try, but his mindset had yet to change. Time would have to be a factor in that; not an emotionally fueled confession.
"Lead the way." Callum wipe at his face once more, though this time when his hand came away he was visibly more relaxed. He stepped in close, keeping that strong around around his waist, until he stood at Nim's side. In turn he wrapped his own arm about the taller hybrid's waist, and leaned his head against Nim's clothed torso. "Do you...do you still live with your family? They won't mind me being there, will they? "
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 10:16 pm
It was true - Nimueh had little experience in... whatever it was they were doing. Gently scolded, he ducked his head, but maintained a sheepish smile, humming softly in answer. Now that the emotions were cooling, he could truly look Callum over - noting the flush of his skin, the redness of his ears and nose, and the almost purple-blue of his lips. Thankfully, he didn't seem expected to break away, and instead Callum returned the grip, leaning against him for a brief momentary embrace. Slowly, so as not to break their grip on one another, Nim turned them in the direction of his home, motioning for Morrigan to follow as they made their way across to the line of wooden homes. The raptrix, cowed by the flux of emotions, still held herself warily, tail tucked between her legs as she stepped after them, but Nimueh knew she would perk up once they were inside, and had recovered from the ordeal.
"Mother is on a trip, and Mama stays with Grandfather, while she is away. They won't mind." He assured. Soon enough they reached his home - a wooden cabin, and Nimueh ushered Callum up the steps and past the heavy wood door. Inside it was still cold, but warmer now that they were out of the wind, and inside a densely packed and insulated home. The home was still small, but it had a number of rooms, and was much different than the residences in Sauti, or even Jauhar. It was more akin to Oban, with a foundation and built up walls. Callum was brought into a sitting room, where a series of polished wooden furniture, covered in feather-stuffed cushions, formed a comfortable semi-circle around a stone-encased fireplace.
"Let me just get it started." Nimueh interjected, apologetic as he reluctantly dropped his arm from around Callum. He wanted to remain, arm in arm, forever - but the purple of Callum's lips, and the pervasive cold convinced him that warming themselves up should take priority, for the moment at least. He stepped away from the other hybrid, lifting blocks of wood and kindling from a woodpile into the empty fireplace. With quick, certain movements he had a fire started - though it would take a while yet to heat up as he would like it to.
"I still... really can't believe you're here. Or that you want to..." He trailed off, flushing somewhat as he turned to peek at Callum again, smiling goofily but also ducking his head shyly.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 10:28 am
The mixture of anxiety and comfort made a heady concoction in his blood. For once Callum didn't think of running, and watching the young raptrix keep up with them brought out a softer emotion. He hadn't exactly made the best impression on her, but with time, time that they now had, that would hopefully change.
"Good. I'd hate to flub up anymore first impressions." The last thing he wanted to do was make things harder for Nimueh, so when the time came he would have to look his best. As it stood he was a shivering mess, though now the majority was temperature driven. The sight of a cabin hadn't shocked him so much as the inner contents. Of course he'd seen the structures of Oba, mostly those of the elite, and he'd had a taste of Zena construction when he'd stayed at the tavern. To stand inside a home, a real home, was more than a little breath taking. Even his grandmother's home in Jauhar wasn't as finely built as this one. It had the basics; four walls, individual rooms, but little in the way of comforts.
Inside this dwelling Callum could only barely hear the wind outside, and only if he strained. He padded into a sitting room, openly gawking over the furniture that seemed to congregate around an inviting fireplace. Even with the fire currently out the space already seemed warm. He could easily envision a family sitting on these very cushions, chatting and discussing their daily activities. Callum reached out to touch the back of a polished chair, fingers gliding over the surface before testing out one of the cushions.
So enthralled was he by the furniture that Callum barely paid attention to the lack of Nim on his arm. With both hands now free the young swordsman stepped to the front of the chair and pressed his palms into the seating cushion. It reminded him of the bed he'd shared in Oba with a few Nobles. The feel of nothing, but plush fibers encasing him, enveloping his aching muscles in pure comfort. Of course Callum wouldn't have noticed how wide he was grinning, or how bright his gaze had become. How could it feel to sit...?
"Hmm?" Callum looked up sharply, caught somewhere between embarrassment and an obvious reluctance to step away from the cushioned chair. Catching Nim's goofy grin just brought a new level of excited lunacy to his own. "I can't believe it either, honestly. I thought it would take longer to find you, and then...well, I expected to leave in the morning."
Callum pulled away from the chair to come closer to Nim, and subsequently, the fire. His intention had been something far more physical, but the fires allure had ensnared him. He gave out a purely pleasureful groan, venturing to put himself as close as possible to the warmth. There was a pain in his frost nipped extremities, but the sensation didn't deter him in the least.
"How long have you had Morrigan? She's cute."
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 6:51 pm
Once the fire was lit, Nimueh turned to peer at Callum, lips sliding into a crooked smile at the sight of him here, in the middle of a room where where Nim had grown up. It was strange, and yet warmed him inexplicably... that, and it was adorable to watch Callum fawning over the cushions. He may not be able to see his expression, but the Alkidike could see the energy and curiosity in Callum's expressive hands.
His next words surprised Nimueh, after the downturn of self degrading thoughts of before. Straightening up, Nimueh turned towards an iron drying rack, by the fire, and stripped off the damp, thick furs of his cloak and parka, leaving on the trousers and long, thick-cloth top underneath, but despite his activity he kept sneaking peeks at Callum. "I was planning to leave town soon. To... travel." He felt proud to admit it, and hopeful too, because with this realization he hoped that Callum would allow him to accompany him once again. Even if that meant they got the hell out of Zena. "From there, I didn't know where or how to find you. I didn't even think..." He hadn't considered that Callum might come here.
It wasn't until Callum had stood and shuffled towards the fire, raising his hands to soak in the heat and exposing his arms from beneath his 'new' cloak, that the Zenan hybrid paused, eyes traveling down to those pale arms with realization. His breath hitched, and without realizing how unseemly it might be, he stepped closer and tugged Callum's cloak open, exposing Callum's clothing, hugely inappropriate as it was for travel in Zena. He was aware that it was a change of conversation, ignoring the polite questions about Morrigan, who had scuttled thankfully inside and curled up, panting happily in a small copse by the fireplace, but for now Callum's health was more important to him. "Callum- how are you not freezing, you're wearing practically nothing!" Well, as far as Zena-style clothing went.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 8:12 pm
Unlike Nimueh, Callum preferred to keep his cloak on as long as possible regardless of how damp it was. His clothing had been thick for Sauti, but certainly not solid enough to make it suitable for Zena. He peeled the thin gloves from his hands, however, and laid them up to dry. Aches spread through his joints as Callum flexed his fingers, but the warmth was helping to lessen the discomfort. Callum cast a sidelong glance to Nim, quirking his smile into a sort of speechless 'o'. "You...were going to find me?" He furrowed his brows as if it were a concept too absurd to process. His mouth scrunched up before opening once and closing for a second time. It was flattering, but...what if he'd gotten hurt? Or lost? "...I'm glad I found you first." Callum nodded his head in an effort to comfort his own mind.
He was going to find you. Nimueh couldn't have had a clue where to start since Callum didn't exactly call any specific area 'home', where as he'd at least had an area to start. And yet, he had still planned on searching. It was worrying, but oddly very charming.
He was just beginning to get the feeling back in his arms when Nimueh exposed him. Instinctively Callum hissed, though not because of a sudden need for modesty. Even with a fire to warm him the slightest pufff of air threatened to take it all away. His reaction time was sluggish at best now that the emotional adrenaline had seeped out of him. It was just like that night in the cave, when he'd known he had to move but could't find a damn reason why.
"I had gloves-" He stated, though not without a childish pout. "-and a cloak. Besides, I was moving too much to freeze." That's how it worked in Sauti. If you were cold, you moved and the activity would ebb off the chill. However, that also left him oblivious to the signs of pre hypothermia. "I'm fine, Nim, really." Of course he was trying to downplay the shakes that had come over him once his body had actually begun to process the temperature change.
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 7:16 pm
Callum's words received a brief glance from Nimueh, his lips pressing together with quiet disapproval. "Zena isn't like Jauhar, or Sauti." He began, voice quiet. He broke away from Callum, padding across the room and tugged open a cupboard, removing an armful of assorted blankets. "In Zena, you have to keep warm with fire and layers of clothing. 'A cloak and gloves' isn't nearly enough." Returning to Callum's side, Nimueh set the blankets down, then moved to tug the thick, heavy wooden loveseat closer to the fire. Draping a blanket over the couch, he continued speaking. "You need to take off anything that's wet - just drop it on the floor."
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