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 Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:47 am
Wolfs Heart Auric had finished enough work for the day that he felt comfortable leaving a little bit early. It was not as early as he liked, especially since he stopped by one of the fruit patches to pick a small basket of fruit and then he needed to get bathed off after that. By the time all was done he felt like it was much too late in the day to try and stop by the archives, but after the talk he had with Tirzah he felt like he had already waited too long so he was at least going to try and cross his fingers she was there since he didn't exactly know her work schedule. When Auric poked his head into the archives he looked down at the basket of summer fruit he had brought with him as a gift. He wondered if he was even allowed to bring food in, but it wasn't like he had planned on eating it in here. Auric didn't see anyone at the entrance. Where did they go to record stories? He didn't know, so he walked around, looking for the pale colored faun. Menelie Kyrie had decided to stay a little late after her shift for some personal reading. She figured she would read for a while in one of the cozy chairs and then head directly to dinner when it was time. There was a scroll she'd been interested in for a long time, a love story written in an older form of their script. She unrolled it and settled in to read.
After a time she thought she heard hoofsteps. "Hello?" She called. She set down her scroll and stood up, walking toward the entrance area. "Can I help you?" She called, still not finding anyone. She didn't normally find the archives spooky, but she was sure she had heard something. Wolfs Heart Auric's ears shifted as he heard a voice call out. It was possible the voice was even Kyrie, but he wasn't completely certain. His head lifted in hope. "Uhm... Hi." He called out as he quickly made his way toward the entrance, the way the voice called out made him wonder if he should even be here right now, or maybe that was the normal way to greet someone in the archives though. "Oh, Kyrie!" He was relieved that he had caught her, but seeing her made any thing else he had imagined saying fly right out the door. Menelie Kyrie couldn't contain the delight in her voice as she put her hand on her chest. "Auric!" she exclaimed. "Goodness, for a minute there I thought I was hearing a ghost." She giggled. "What brings you all the way up here?" she asked. It was past the archives' typical hours, though of course pae'il were free to come and go as they pleased. Kyrie couldn't help but hope he was here to see her, although she couldn't assume that until he said otherwise. He was probably here for another scroll. "Is there something I can help you find?" Wolfs Heart "A ghost, huh?" Auric lifted up his hands, to inspect them and make sure there wasn't anything ghosty about them. "Well, I don't think so but you never know with these summer days heating up." He joked, his own joke made him feel more at ease. "I'm sorry to have scared you though." Is there something she could help him find, the professionalism that made him feel insure about whether this was a one-sided thing or not. He could say he was here for more garden scrolls and then work on that... But Auric knew he really would never get anywhere if he continued to let those insecurities drive him. "Actually," he lifted the basket of fruit he carried, tilting it to show her the contents. "I came here looking for you, I remembered you said you liked summer fruit... And these should probably be eaten soon, they won't last very long, but they taste much better than the stuff that gets pulled early to last longer. " Menelie Kyrie couldn't help but blush. He had come looking for her! She'd been hoping, these last days, that she'd see him again. She didn't precisely know where to find him, so it wasn't as if she could have gone looking for him, but she just had to trust that he'd be back. And with those fruits...
Her imagination took over as she envisioned an afternoon picnic, the two of them lounging on a blanket together, feeding each other strawberries....
She cleared her throat, trying to clear her mind before she embarrassed herself. Her ears were turning pink as it was. "I can't believe it; they look amazing. And you came to share them with me?" She came forward a few steps to better see what treats were in the basket.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:49 am
Wolfs Heart Sometimes she looked so distant, like she was off in a dream, it was part of what made Kyrie so mezmorising but it might have just been the color of her eyes that gave him that impression. He did notice the color of her ears change, if these strawberries weren't so red and ripe they might match her ears. He was thankful that his own tone was more concealing. "I, uh." Well, he had come to give them to her as a gift but sharing them with her... Well, that was a good lead in to a date. "Yeah, I thought we could go find someplace quiet to share them... If you wanted to. You can still have them if you don't want to share." He didn't want her to feel like she /had/ to go. Oh, there went his insecurities talking on his behalf again. Menelie "I'd love to share them with you," she said breathlessly, almost cutting him off, then blushed again. She started to come closer then paused with a start, as if she had remembered something suddenly. "My scroll! Uh, wait here and I'll get my things!" she said, and scurried off. She returned to the easy chair where she'd been sitting with a mug of tea and her scroll, which she rolled up and tucked into her satchel. She threw her satchel over her shoulder and picked up her mug of tea, draining its contents and returning to the front. She sat the mug on her desk and approached Auric once more. "I was just, er, doing some after-hours reading," she explained, "and I didn't want to leave the scroll out next to my mug full of tea!" She straighened herself and took a deep breath. "Ready to go now. Where did you want to go?" He'd said 'someplace quiet'. Kyrie wondered what he'd had in mind, and flushed pink again. Wolfs Heart Auric felt relief that he hadn't completely fumbled everything. But it wasn't just that, her response, the way she had come closer... Auric couldn't possibly explain that as Kyrie just being nice or professional. He was surprised when she suddenly burst out about her scroll, "oh right, I understand if you need to finish what you're doing first..." But she was gone in a hurry. While she was gone, Auric allowed himself a moment to grin, his mind shifting to the tune of possibilities. The grin quickly turned into a soft smile when she came back. "Oh, I understand, I wouldn't want you getting in trouble with your supervisor." Auric hadn't thought that far ahead to /where/ they should go, perhaps he should have thought about that while she had gathered her things instead of thinking 'she'd love to' over and over again. Thankfully since he preferred to stay away from the eyes of others, he had a few places he could quickly think of. As it was evening now, it was starting to get cooler, but it was still pretty warm. "What do you think of the grounds at the base of the tree? There should be a nice breeze coming off the water." Menelie "How romantic," she breathed before she could stop herself. She blushed beet-red and put her fingers over her lips with a nervous titter. "I mean...it sounds lovely, and much cooler than up here." The windows in the archives brought in a decent cross-breeze, as it wasn't good for scrolls to get too hot or cold, but at midday it was still distinctly warm. She'd be glad to go below, especially now that the sun was going down and it was cooling off. She drew closer once more, motioning for him to lead. "I'll follow you," she said.
This was the most exciting thing that had happened to her all week! Wolfs Heart There was no room for Auric to have any doubts now. She thought it was romantic, and she wasn't running away, and he was pretty sure she was into it. Maybe he should push the romance a little more then, if he could figure out what sort of things she would think are romantic. He started to feel a little light headed and realized he had been holding his breath. Auric took a deep breath, trying not to sound too much like a fish gasping for air. "It should be pretty to watch the sun go down over the water." He added, and maybe the pinkish color of the sky was kind of romantic too. Auric led the way out of the archives and started the decent walk down the trunk of the tree. "I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to the archives," he really hadn't meant for it to be so long, but days flew by, especially when you had a good excuse every time there was a good opportunity to visit the archives. "I did stop by once... But you weren't there," And he had been far too embarrassed to ask the other archivist when Kyrie would be around so he acted like he had made a wrong turn and left. Menelie Kyrie's heart leapt in her chest. He'd come looking for her? She bit her lip, almost unable to contain her delight. "I'm sorry I missed you," she said earnestly. "But I'm glad you tried again." She made a mental note to jot down her schedule for him, should he feel like dropping by again.
It felt so good and right to be walking side-by-side with him, and being tucked against his side like this as they walked felt like the most natural thing in the world. She almost wanted to rest her head on his arm, but thought that might make it awkward to walk. Perhaps when they got settled, if she were feeling brave. "I haven't done much exploring of the grounds," she admitted. "I'm a bit of a homebody, I'm afraid."
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:53 am
Wolfs Heart At first, Auric was incredibly conscience of everyone they passed as they walked together. He was certain they were being judged and stared at when it was quite possible that nobody was paying them any mind. Slowly the other faun faded and he was only aware of how close Kyrie was to him. . "I can get that way too sometimes." He admitted although he was sure it was for different reasons. As often as he stayed home, it wasn't necessarily because he enjoyed being at home and doing homey things. Which is why he had a few 'quiet' locations outside of home he frequented although this was the first time he was taking someone else with him. "Is this okay with you?" He asked, since she was more of a homebody. Although it was a little late for him to be asking as he found a nook in one of the roots that overlooked the water. Menelie Kyrie nodded. What a beautiful place for a little picnic! "Mhm," she agreed. "It's not that I don't like going out, it's just...." She blushed a little. It sounded so silly when she said it out loud. "It's just easier, I guess. Go to work, go home, read some scrolls, drink some tea, go to bed." She shrugged. "Earth Spirits, I must sound terribly boring." And she was. Terribly boring. Maybe that's why she liked stories so much. It was fun to live vicariously through those stories and imagine she was a daring heroine, or a damsel in distress, or a clever detective. Wolfs Heart Auric sat down and set the basket of fruit between them. "No, you don't sound boring to me at all." He responded. "Working up at the top, most days I just want to go home and rest." This was pretty unusual for him to do anything after work, but the talk with Tirzah had inspired him so he pushed through the dull ache of his body. "Here, help yourself. The strawberries are really at peak right now, this is the best they will be until next year." Menelie Kyrie settled down next to him, leaning most of her weight on one hip. She took her bag off and set it on the ground next to her. Eagerly she peered into the basket and selected a sweet looking berry. She leaned back against the tree trunk and nibbled on the treat. It was so very sweet! Auric had been right, this is the best she had ever tasted them. "Mm.." she couldn't help herself. "I love that strawberries are sort of shaped like little hearts," she said. She wished they had some wine or something to go with them. Perhaps another time. She sighed contentedly. "It really is wonderful to get some fresh air like this," she observed. She could get used to this. Tucked into this nook like this as well...it almost made it impossible not to cuddle up to him. But she didn't want to come across as too forward, so she shifted her weight a little and sat up straighter, tucking her hooves underneath herself. She reached for another berry, accidentally brushing against him as she did. She blushed gently. Wolfs Heart Auric smiled at her observation, grabbing a berry for himself, "yeah, you are right." He agreed as he twisted the berry in his fingers, looking at the heart shape. He ate the berry, his eyes resting on Kyrie. "This feels really good," he responded about the fresh air, but it wasn't just the air that felt good, sitting next to Kyrie felt good too, he felt at ease. More so than last time. When he reached for more fruit and their hands brushed, Auric also flushed, "here, let me help" he reacted as he held out a piece of fruit for her. Menelie The briefest daydream crossed her mind about taking the offered berry with her mouth. Kyrie gave a nervous giggle and took it with the hand she'd brushed him with, still blushing. "Thank you," she said softly.
Wondering how much she could get away with, Kyrie shifted her weight a little and "accidentally" ended up tucked against him a little bit. She wasn't one to come out and say her wishes, but she wanted him to get the message, as it were.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:55 am
Wolfs Heart Auric stopped breathing. He couldn't tell if she had leaned against him on purpose or on accident, but he hoped it was on purpose. Eventually he had to breathe again and after he had taken a deep breath, he relaxed and let himself sink into her as well. He didn't have any words to say, he was simply enjoying the moment, however long it lasted. He had never touched another faun like this and the little tingle of electricity he felt at her touch was spreading through him like the best sort of warmth. Should he say something, he wondered, but it seemed like simply being together filled the silence, at least for him. Menelie Kyrie, too, was content to sit in silence with him. Every once in a while she took another berry from the basket and ate it. Love is sweet like honey, she remembered from an old poem she'd read. She sighed contentedly and relaxed a little more. It seemed the more she relaxed, the more they touched, and the more they touched, the more she relaxed.
After a while, she broke the silence with a quiet, "I like this." Wolfs Heart Auric had stopped eating the fruit, it was almost like he felt like it he interrupted the moment to eat or even say something, it might not happen again. By the time Kyrie had gotten around to saying something a certain amount of comfort had grown. "Me too." He allowed his muscles, tense from the day's work to relax and looked out at their view of the distant water. "I really like being with you, I'm not usually so comfortable around other faun, but you make me feel different." And by different, he meant that she didn't make him feel different at all. It was a moment of vulnerability, and he didn't quite understand why she had this effect on him. He quickly grabbed a plum to chew on after making such a confession though. Menelie Kyrie broke into a wide grin. Her heart fluttered. "I'm glad you feel that way," she said softly. "You make me feel..." She pondered the right word. "Exciting," she settled on at last. "Like I'm interesting to be around. I don't normally feel that way." She reached for and took an apricot from the basket. She really wanted a peach, but she always got to be a sticky mess when she ate one. The apricot at least would be manageable. She shifted her weight again so she wasn't leaning on one hand, then ate her apricot with one hand and slowly, softly took his hand with the other.
Wolfs Heart Auric took a pause from eating his plum."I can see how it would feel that way when you record everyone else's stories, but it doesn't take away from you." As she took his hand, Auric was surprised, and then he instantly wished that he had grabbed her hand first, thinking that maybe he was moving too slow. He thought back to what Tirzah had said about giving it 3 dates and he wasn't sure he should wait that long. He made her feel exciting, but Auric wondered if he waited until a third date to kiss her if she would think he was boring! He wasn't willing to push his luck yet though. Handholding was one thing, kissing was a completely different thing. Auric squeezed her hand, letting the conversation continue to drift deeper than it had the last time. "You don't mind that I have these giant wings?" He asked her. Auric already felt like she didn't mind, but he wanted to be certain. Menelie Kyrie blushed at his compliments, not fully believing it, but it was nice to hear it from him. For now, she was content to hold his hand. She rubbed her thumb affectionately back and forth, almost absent-minded.
His next question, though, threw her for a loop. "Mind?" She repeated. Whyever would she mind? "Of course not!" She asserted, shaking her head with a wide smile. "I think they're beautiful. So striking." She actually had lots of questions about them but she sensed that now was not the time.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:57 am
Wolfs Heart Auric hadn't been fishing for complements on his wings, but hearing her complement them... She had even sounded confused by his question! All of it brought a huge weight off his chest. It felt like something he had been avoiding bringing up, and he had wondered if maybe she had been avoiding it too. Now, it felt like he had everything he needed. If she liked his wings, it didn't matter what any other faun might think. The moment of confidence surged through him and propelled him to lean towards her just enough to put a quick kiss on her cheek. Auric then pulled away to check her and be sure he hadn't horribly offended her. Menelie On the contrary, Kyrie looked delighted. Although, she had turned pink from the tips of her ears to her collarbones. For once in her life her mind was fixed on the present; no little daydreams sprung up all she could think about was that quick peck. Kyrie bit her bottom lip and a fluttering giggle escaped. Somewhere, distantly, she recognized that her enthusiasm about his wings must have meant a lot to him. Later she'd think on that (and probably overthink it).
The quick display of affection, however, had emboldened her just enough that, slowly, slowly, she scooted toward him, lifting the hand she was holding up and around her body, until they were truly cuddled close together, her tucked against his side, and his arm around her shoulders. She wanted to be close, so close, but moved slowly so he could pause, or stop altogether, if he wanted. Wolfs Heart Auric smiled, well that didn't seem completely one-sided at all. He was surprised when she moved his arm around her, not that it was anymore surprising than that quick kiss. Just in how clearly she seemed to be communicating with him. Auric helped her tuck in, his eyes landing heavily on her freckled face. He took a moment to soak all of it in and then looked away at the sun touching the water in the distance. "Beautiful." he whispered breathily, talking about the sunset, and Kyrie, and being so close to her in this moment. But he was mostly talking about Kyrie. Menelie Kyrie caught his gaze as well, losing herself for a moment in his deep turquoise eyes. When they finally broke away she sighed contentedly and leaned her head against him. "Mhm," she agreed. She couldn't believe how comfortable she already felt around him. This was only, what, their second meeting? She still had so much she wanted to ask him, so many stories she wanted to hear, so many little details she wanted to find out, to know him more completely. Those things must take time. But if they were already doing this together? How far behind could that emotional intimacy be?
And now the daydreams were back. She fantasized about their next meeting--were these dates?--, and how they could get to know each other better. Perhaps another private location--would it be too forward to suggest one of their alcoves?--where they could have a cup of tea together and chat. A questions game, going back and forth asking questions to get to know one another. And then, perhaps, a goodnight kiss?
They stayed together until the sun was just a sliver on the water. Kyrie was afraid to move, lest she break whatever spell currently had hold of them, but eventually she did eat most of the rest of the basket of fruits.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2022 12:01 pm
Wolfs Heart Auric left the fruit basket alone for the rest of the evening. He didn't want to move from his spot holding Kyrie and have to figure out how to get it back again. The basket of fruit had been a gift for her anyways, he didn't need it. With the sun disappearing it was beginning to get quite dark, minus the occasional lit light on the grounds and the light provided by the moon and stars. He knew it was time to return her to the tree, and, well, return himself to recover from the day. Now, how to close this night with her. "I had a great time with you," even when it was quiet between the both of them she felt like the perfect company to have. "It's almost too dark to see your face though." Almost. The way her eyes glinted in what little light remained was just... He almost couldn't continue the thought of leaving this spot. "I have to return to the treetop at daybreak tomorrow, so it's probably a good time for me to head back into the tree." Auric stood up, "can I take you back with me?" He offered her a hand. Realizing he had sounded more forward than he meant, he added more, "I mean should we walk back together?" Menelie Kyrie also stood up and brushed herself off. He was right, it was getting late. She giggled and nodded. "You can walk me home," she agreed, understanding what he'd meant, but also very amused that he'd slipped on his words in that way. Perhaps next time~
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