GoldenCat/SilverLineMelody57

• - Back to Fifth Movement
• - Back to A Dance of Angels

Pillow and Flowers

Sandara: Devotion

This is what the woman with a skin colored like the darkest night feels as she kneels, the dress of green flame on a clothes hanger nearby. She would not hide it. It made her feel... more comfortable. It was a beautiful dress, and almost a religious icon. Dressed as a shrine maiden of the East, in pure white and rose, she kneels, and utters soft words in a long-forgotten dialect...

Waiting.

For something, anything...

Waiting for an answer, for a purpose.

Ryshassa: Ryshassa moves across the hallway outside, clad in her silver-white kimono of butterflies fluttering above chrysanthemums, cinched with an obi of deep gold matching the underside of the robe-like garment. She wears her hair pinned up now, a simple knot pierced with butterfly-tipped hairsticks.

The thought has occured to her for some time to have a chat with Sandara. And Gennadi seemed oddly absent, so it seemed about the best time to do so. Why could be many reasons, but mostly out of worry (for Gennadi seemed to upset her sensibilities at times) and curiosity (a neomah! A... demon! As a shrine-maiden!)

So she reaches the door of her room and... seeing it shut, knocks softly upon it. "Hello, are you in Sandara?"

Sandara: She sighed. Why should they always interrupt her devotions? She finished her devotions, however - with the sigh breaking its flawless cadence, but what could she do - and turned to Ryshassa, smiling. At least, she was not alone. "Yes, I am. And you are... Ryshassa, right?"

Ryshassa: "Yes, that is correct. Ryshassa Krauser, healer of Gethamane." She would never use the other name again. If she could help it.

The healer bows graciously, then offers a gentle smile as she moves into the room. Her eyes note both the dress of flames and Sandara's now-maidenly attire. The girl seems... more in her element now, somehow.

"I hope I have not interrupted anything important. I just would like to make a point to introduce myself properly to all of the people that I will no doubt be traveling with."

Sandara: She finally opens her eyes. The clear, clear green of absynthe, clashing so strongly with her midnight skin. At night, they would be all one would see.... them and her strawberry blonde hair, of course. She begun to get up, slowly, still part of a ceremony... "Actually, my devotions, but I was about to finish anyway. If you will forgive me for taking so long to reply and being such a horrible host, I can forgive you for interrupting!" She smiles again, then takes the cloth she knelt on, and carefully folded it...

"A healer? That is a useful talent to have... you are a chosen of the sun, right? In what manners do your magic helps you do it...?"

Ryshassa: Ryshassa laughs good-naturedly at Sandara's offer of forgiveness -- "Oh, certainly, Sandara. You were not expecting me, after all. And I do not expect much."

She watches with interest at Sandara's movements, ceremonial and fluid as the neomah folds up the cloth. "Your devotions? To whom do you pray?" Ryshassa asks curiously, before nodding at the inquiry of her Chosen-ness.

"Indeed I am Chosen... I am what one might call an empathic healer. I heal by embracing a patient's wounds and afflictions as my own. Wound transfer, to be exact." This she says somewhat shyly, as healing is both her passion and a decidedly masochistic act.

Though Ryshassa would be more likely to say "self-sacrificing" before "masochistic".

Sandara: "To the protector, to the shield of brass and fire, the artificer of flames, the bearer of excellence." She recites the titles with joy, and each of them make the air seem to... shiver a little. "To Malfeas, of course."

She blinks, sitting down on her bed, looking at Ryshassa... "So, you take their wounds into yourself? That is... a great calling, Ryshassa. No way to understand another's pain as feeling it yourself!"

Ryshassa: "Mmmm..." Ryshassa says non-committally at the mention of Malfeas. It made sense, of course. She thought she ought to be more shocked or disturbed by it, but Sandara seemed so utterly blissful in her worship it was hard to think it might be a terrible thing. "Your worship must... bring you solace, then, as you have been brought here to Creation. Does it displease you?"

She blushes visibly at what she perceives as a compliment from Sandara. "Yes, healing is my most precious calling," she murmurs, a pleasant, almost... dreamy smile forming upon her lips. "It is something I feel I was born for. Perhaps you know the feeling. When you are in the act of performing duties most sacred to you, it feels... peerlessly divine. As if everything has fallen into its right place, and your existence is justified by it."

Sandara: She looks around... out of the window... and a strange mien creeps over her face. "Yes. Yes, it does. Everything here seems to... have forgotten its purpose, its beauty. I was wrong about the music, though. At least for Chosen, the music is still as beautiful as for the Yozi, or so you all showed me last night!"

"But... in general... the beauty seems... lost. Like the cultists who do those devotions without beauty, without giving, in an ugly way, just to disturb my siblings and cousins to come to the world for raw, mindless power." She sighs. "It is kind of sad. And strange. The Unconquered is not pleasant. The night is not as dark. It is all strange."

She hears Ryshassa's words, smiling more and more...

"But you make up for it. All of you. Even Gennadi..."

"And yes. For you, to heal is like the crafting of flesh is for me. It... gives us purpose, meaning."

"In it, it is the explanation of our world, right?"

Ryshassa: "I must admit that it is rarer to find such beauty in Creation. "Simply... those who wish to emulate it." Ryshassa paces slowly back and forth as she speaks, her hands folded at her waist, each step pensive, even processional.

"But I will not be so bold to say I am capable of expressing it truly. My music is simply my emotions given breath. Emotion and imagery in the medium of sound." She pauses in her steps, gazing up at Sandara as her arms splay fluidly, sending the pendulous sleeves of her kimono rippling with the motion.

"But you must have seen, experienced beautiful and terrible things beyond imagining, where you are from. Such beauty that is living, breathing, organic and alive. Embodied, rather than merely constructed or harnessed. How lovely it must be. How frightening." The look she gives Sandara now is part wonder, part curiosity and part... intrigued.

"I am glad you could find something to enjoy about the party, though. I worried you might feel... out of place. Gennadi does not make you uncomfortable?"

Sandara: She giggles. "More than anything. Gennadi is... strange. I still feel like malleting him half the time. But, but... I just cannot dislike him, you see? It is just hard - nearly impossible - to... he just... ah, it is hard to describe." She gets up, walking to Ryshy, looking on her eyes.. as if wishing to drown Ryshy's soul in the absynthe sea in hers'.

"To see the Ebon Dragon overhead, and feeling yourself drown in the shadows, so many of them, hearing their whispers, finding one thousand frivolous secrets of Creation. To feel one's voice in a cloth, and converse with it. To dance with silver flames, to the tune of a music that shows your true self, while beautiful wasps flap sunlight and sing poems in voices of beauty and honey." She is close to Ryshassa then, but her eyes close.

"It is all that... and so, so much more."

Ryshassa: "Alluring..." is what Ryshassa breathes, as Sandara draws close, as the compelling green of her gaze envelops her, penetrates into her. She wants to step back, and almost does, but wills herself not to, holding that gaze. Indeed, there were few words to express her awe for the things Sandara speaks of.

Or of Sandara herself...

"I was born in the Realm, myself," Ryshassa admits softly. "There is much beauty in the decadent island of the Princes of Earth. But it is skin deep. It is stagnant. I was... a tool of their pleasures, once. But there was no enjoyment in it, for me." Was there? She did not want to think too deeply on such possibilities now.

"I can understand what you mean about Gennadi, though," she admits, her stance relaxing somewhat now as she chuckles. "I find him amusing, and intriguing. On the other hand, I believe it is exactly what he wants -- he wants people to like him. For it is to his advantage if they do."

"He has already called on a favor from me, after all... and we have just barely met. I suppose I am gullible," Ryshassa muses with a rueful grin.

Sandara: Her hand touches Ryshassa's face, feeling her skin... and it was as if she felt so much more. What it was made of, what Ryshassa was made of. Her hand moved down, and Ryshassa could feel as if she was being... watched, intently... by her touch. "Someday, I will take you there, then.... someday, you will see the crystal worlds rotate, dance with the glymines, humble the angyanka with your lyre."

"Someday..."

"Everyone is a tool, Ryshassa... I am a tool to craft flesh The Chosen are tools for the Incarna. Finding your place in life in finding what you are a tool for. I must say... I know I am a tool for lust as well... I feel it... even now, craving... but I am afraid of it. I do not want it."

"You, however, are a tool for healing, are you not?"

Ryshassa: A tool... Ryshassa recalled her conversation with Cael not long before, and what they had spoken of. That she did not believe she was a pawn. That she did not believe Alexsei would use her.

Sandara's wording... disturbs her, somehow. And the neomah's touch only heightens that feeling, bringing about a shiver like an icy finger had traced down her spine.

"I... I suppose that is one way of looking at it." Ryshassa's voice comes out more breathlessly than she might have expected. "But I believe I still have the choice of how I may use my talents. You do not think it is different to offer one's services, rather than be coerced to do them? Simply because I enjoy to heal does not mean I wish to be forced into it."

"The same as for lust," she adds more quietly, keenly aware of the proximity of their bodies. "What is it about that aspect of yourself you fear?"

Sandara: "The aspect Gennadi called me for. The desire to rut. You know what my instincts tell me now, Ryshassa?" Her eyes run over Ryshassa's form... lewdly. Like her mistresses had before. Eyes that strip her naked, that appear to bound her already before any ropes come in. Eyes so intense that they bring the feeling of the ropes by themselves...

And then she steps away, and her eyes water as she closes them. "... can you guess?"

"And I am afraid of it. I do not want it. I want to be pure... I want to be pure... I do not want to be perverted.."

Ryshassa: Ryshassa finds herself caught completely off-guard by the sheer, burning lust in those eyes. Not that it would have been the first time. Not that she had never been bound so. As a girl so eager yet ashamed to please, to give her pitiful existence meaning.

But Alexsei had taken her away from all that. And replaced it with something both more pleasurable and more meaningful. For the consummation of their desire for one another lacked all the insinuations which made her feel so... used.

"There can be lust without shame," Ryshassa says gently, soothingly, as the grip of Sandara's gaze releases her from its oppressive, undeniable aura of need. "I know it -- I experience it, with the man I have married and given my heart to. It does not have to be so callous and crude. You can still... give into those urges, and not compromise your self-respect."

"It is simply a matter of consent. There is no shame if you and your partner both desire it, and respect one another's limits."

Sandara: "Consent..."

"You say you are not a tool, right? What if someone asked you to heal them? Would you refuse?"

Ryshassa: I know what you're getting at. And I'm not sure I like it.

Even if it is true.

"There are very rare cases I would refuse," Ryshassa replies cautiously, a guarded look spreading across her pale features now. "But I cannot... I would not easily turn away from one who is genuinely suffering."

Sandara: "Which cases?"

"Because, Ryshy... I recognize I am a tool... that this is what I am for..."

"And yet, I could say no to Gennadi."

Ryshassa: "If I was to heal every injured individual I come across it would be difficult for me to participate in war, would you not think?" Ryshassa tilts her head at Sandara, crossing her arms in thought.

"The reasons why they have been hurt in the first place come into play. I would not as likely raise my hand to help one whose wickedness and disrespect for others has led him to be hurt by those who would stop him. Or her."

"If you could refuse Gennadi, then what is it you fear? Your own need? I..." Reminiscence seems to cast a wistful pall over Ryshassa's expression. "I know there are times that suffering triggers undeniable urges in me as well. There are times I simply cannot refuse to help no matter what my rationale might say. But it tends to be with innocents. Those who are hurt for no reason they are deserving of."

Sandara: "Who do you think has a reason to be hurt, then? Who are you to judge? Who are any of us?"

She takes a step towards Ryshassa again... "My urges.. and him. Because in the end, I am on his hands..."

"Do you truly know, what it is like to fight yourself so much?"

Ryshassa: "Sometimes... I do," Ryshassa says truthfully. She does not move aside as Sandara comes closer again. But nor does she show any more than a friendly warmth. "But I doubt it is the same as what you feel now."

"You were summoned by him. And thus you owe him service. A year and a day, correct?"

Sandara: "Yes. He did not bound me, however. But I will not be able to remain after the time is past..."

"In Malfeas... they will expect me to do what I am a tool for..."

Ryshassa: "Gennadi is ... at least to my limited knowledge of him... not driven purely by lusts. He is better at teasing -- adept, even -- but not so much at taking what he teases for. On the other hand if he has a use for you he will likely ensure you both do it and want to."

"Perhaps it is simply because he does not want to deal with those he culls favor from becoming his enemies later. But I suspect he... shock of all shocks!... has a heart, as well." The last Ryshassa says with a twinkle of mirth forming in her almond-shaped eyes.

"On the other hand, if he genuinely rapes you I would like to know." The mirth disappears into a much sterner, even protective expression. "But I cannot do or say anything for how you will be used in Malfeas. You ...have not already been used in this way there?"

Sandara: "Never..." She listens and nods to all she has to say about Gennadi, deep in thought...

"I do not recall. I am pure, all I ever got to do was to craft flesh..." She looks at Ryshassa, as if having an idea... "Oh, and if you wish my help, with your husband...!"

Ryshassa: "I believe both you and I are more than what we are intended for. There would be no need for us to have emotions or even thought besides those related to our purpose, otherwise."

Ryshassa's eyes widen just a bit at Sandara's offer, though. She blinks at her in genuine surprise. "Help? What sort of help could I possibly need? I... if you are implying I want anything about him changed, I love him just fine the way he is!" she is quick to reassure her, not quite blurting out the words.

Sandara: She giggles. "Oh, I do not mean that. I mean, if you wish a child... I could make it!"

She caresses Ryshassa's face again... "You would be a wonderful mother..."

Ryshassa: Now this suggestion... makes Ryshassa blush bright red. Her cheek burns hotly underneath Sandara's ebon fingertips.

"A... a mother? Me? I... always wanted to. But we have not spoken of such things so seriously yet and it is too dangerous a time for children and I... I..."

The words come out in a rush. "...wouldratherweconceivenaturally."

She takes a few deep breaths, allowing the sudden flush to die down some. "But I have always worried of one thing in particular. That if Alexsei and I did have children, we would likely outlive them. By quite a bit. Could you... lessen the possibility of such a fate? With what you can do?"

Sandara: "Oh, if you wish..." She looks down, and Ryshassa almost sees her ears dropping. "Well, if I was to make them, I could make them live longer... be perfect in health... but even this health would fade after a few centuries... and the baby would have to be conceived by me..."

"It would still be out of you, though. You would still be the mother!"

Ryshassa: "Thank you for the offer, though, Sandara," Ryshassa says gently, not wanting her to be too disappointed. "But honestly, it would be something Alexsei and I would have to talk about together."

"What else can you do, though, with your fleshcrafting? What sort of creations are you known for?"

Sandara: "Oh! I can join men and beasts, I can change the shape of your body... small changes, if you want a long her or suchlike... I could make you a pet, if you wish!" She says, eager to please... "I just wish I could be useful, somehow, honestly."

Ryshassa: Ryshy's train of thought is something like: Man-beasts, no. Cosmetic changes, probably not. Oooh, pets!

But aloud she says, "I cannot say I've never entertained the thought of acqiuring a familiar. Though I wonder what sort of pets you mean..."

"And you will be useful! One way or another... I am sure there are others among us who would, ah, better appreciate your kind of expertise."

Sandara: "Well, I wonder, I can combine anything! A cat and a bird, a snake and a mice... you know, I can create a spawn of any beasts, and craft it to be nice and aesthetically and sexually pleasing!"

She nods, "Would be an excellent familiar, I hope!"

Ryshassa: A sudden alarming thought crosses Ryshassa's mind. "It doesn't... hurt them to do that, does it? I mean, the animals?"

"I wonder if you could work with plants, though. Flowers are greatly pleasing to me. And soothing as well. I lived in Gethamane for several years... not the ideal climate for a garden," she points out ruefully.

Sandara: She jumps on the bed, resting a bit, patting for her to come. "I would make a child out of two animals, Ryshy! Of course it wouldn't hurt. Someone would need to collect the seed and menstrual fluid, but I am sure we can get people who might enjoy that!" She brings a finger to her lips... "Plants? I could! I have never tried, but I bet I could make quite an original...!"

"One that could live in the cold just fine!"

Ryshassa: Ryshassa's countenance brightens visibly at the thought of a plant that survives in the cold. She comes and sits on the bed with her, enthusiasm apparent in her voice. "That would be fantastic, Sandara! To make a garden grow in this utter cold... It would be breathtaking! Flowers glimmering like jewels amid the ice, so vibrant, so alive..."

Her expression of near bliss gives her face a girlish cast. Less the self-sacrificing healer who has shouldered the suffering of many, more a girl gossiping with a friend during sleepover night.

"I would have to think on the familiar idea, though. I wonder, what sort of animals would you think suits me? I am sure you have an impeccable eye for aesthetics, being as you are."

Sandara: "You?" She looks at Ryshassa... up and down... "I would say... butterfly! But what else to combine it with, now..." She thinks, more... "Well, I think we would need to talk more to know..."

Calisara: Then, out of the blue, she is there. Materialized, moving with the silver tatoos ever-shifting over her body... she sits on the bed with them, playfully! "Hey, Sandy, Ryshy! What are you all talking about?"

Ryshassa: Ryshassa laughs, evidently in a delightful mood, shifting over a bit to give Calisara some room. "Oh -- just gardens blooming in winter! And butterflies crossed with... something!" She shrugs, spreading out her hands palm up.

"I am uncertain what sort of creature would suit me. I find cranes elegant, but more wings would be redundant... and a horse would be too large..." Smiling as she muses, she kicks off her sandals and crosses her legs on the bed.

Calisara: "Oh, I see..." She says, face blank for a moment... as if she hadn't heard at all... as she picks a pillow...

... and slams it on Ryshassa's face!

"pillow fight!"

Ryshassa: Ryshassa gets a faceful of pillow, and nearly falls over laughing in astonishment. She dives for another pillow, ducking down to protect her head before retaliating with an upward swing, sending down feathers flying in the process!

"Don't underestimate the healer, now!" she teases.

Calisara: Sandara picks her own, just as Calisara is hit, "Hey, you were supposed to be all meeeek!" She calls, but then Sandy is on her, to hit her... but then she flows out of the way, hitting Sandara's face with the pillow, filling the air with feathers! "Two one for the hooommee tteaaammm!"

Ryshassa: "Meek? Me?" Ryshassa laughs, a surprisingly willful, throaty laugh. "There are times it suits me well and times when not. Just ask my husband," she says, smiling devilishly, her pillow already rearing back for another opportune strike.

Alexsei: Still carrying the white blossoms he had deposited earlier on the graves of the departed - the proper conclusion to the ritual he was performing when interrupted by the sudden attack of Arioch - Alexsei strolls along the corridor of the Quicksilver Zephyr, following the directions Ryshassa had left as a note in their room.

He had not seen mush of Sandara himself, and with Gennadi absent he realized that the neomah might be grateful to have someone to talk to... Therefore, since the day was still young, he decided to go look for Ryshassa and, why not, meet Sandara himself at the same occasion.

He brings up a hand to knock on the door... And suddenly holds his movement, alerted by the playful noises coming from within. Clearing his throat noisily on purpose, he waits a moment, then decides to knock again...

Still no answer.

He raises an eyebrow, then, taking the risk to slowly turn the handle and push the door open, his mouth hanging open...

Only to be immediately covered in white feathers, and realizing his position has made him an easy target in the middle of a pillow warzone.

Now what in the Maidens' name have I step into?!?!

Calisara: As Alexsei comes in, Calisara strikes Ryshassa, falling over her, and Sandara is about to hit both as death from aaabbooovvveee.....! When Cal turns around, inches of Ryshassa's face... "Oh, hi, Al!"

Sandara: Sandara stops, then... looking down... looking up... looking down... looking up...

... and hitting Alexsei's face with the pillow.

Ryshassa: "Beloved!" Ryshassa manages to gasp, pinned on the bed below Calisara, her hands holding her pillow above her head. It didn't really strike her to think of it as inappropriate, as she trusted Alexsei trusted her, and she had never shown an interest in girls before...!

"Finished the ceremonies, then?" she says cheerfully, before batting Calisara again on the side of the head with her pillow, trying to wriggle her way out from under her. Ryshy's lovely kimono was already shifted out of place after the hectic melee, and one of her hairsticks lost somewhere in the feathers, allowing most of her dark hair to spill free haphazardly.

Alexsei: And before anything else can save him, he is doomed. Struck in the head by the feathery weapon.

He quickly sidesteps out of the way, however, unwanting to draw too many of the hits on his unarmed self.

"Well... yes." He continues, trying his best to dodge Sandara's assaults. "I managed to get all I wanted done, and then I cam back looking for you..."

He ducks low, dashing to one side as he takes shelter behind a bed table, taking a few moments to adjusts his spectacles and regain his bearings.

"But I never thought I would find... this." He says, cuckling heartily at the very surreal of the scene, The Exalt, Goddess and Neomah battling in the room filled with feathers... And him as the barehanded civilian in the middle of the Cushioned Onslaught.

Ryshassa: "And what do you mean by this?" Ryshassa quips, still wriggling -- she wasn't strong, really, just very very determined. "Three girls having fun? Oh no, now we have a male invader. Let's get him!" And soon after that she tosses another nearby pillow Alexsei's way, too.

"Either that or we can force him into a makeover. I wonder what sort of eyeshadow goes without that complexion?" Ryshassa cackles.

Calisara: "Oh yes! An invader in our bonding moment! Have at him!" And she throws her pillow too, the air on the way to him becoming filled with the feathers as well...!

Sandara: "Heeeey! I like! Come on, come on! We could all do a sleepover, and then have Gennadi as our plaything!" She giggles.

Alexsei: His eyes narrow at Ryshassa, a wicked grin on his face as he catches Ryshassa's thrown pillow. His cheeks color somewhat, but he finds himself caught in the moment, reacting on instinct rather than reason." A challenge, then?" he asks, raising an eyebrow, adjusting his spectacles in a comfortable position.

Sliding his feet on the floor to shift his stance, he keeps the blossoms he is carrying behind his back, determined to not let them become spoils of war.

Now the lone enemy facing female solidarity, he stands his ground determined to parry their attacks while keeping the precious white lillies intact.

Calisara: The door closes behind him.

Calisara makes a devilish grin to end all devilish grins.

Ryshassa: "Ooooh, Sandara, now you're talking. Gennadi the victim? I bet people would pay for that show. Except it'd be for our eyes only," Ryshassa adds, her tone deceptively sweet. The but she's a pacifist! She would never torment anyone... sort of sweet.

Alexsei's defensive stance makes her burst into giggles anew. "No fair, beloved, you taught me how to defend myself. Then again--this IS three against one, after all. What do you have behind your baaa~aack?"

Sandara: "Yes! We can... rope him to the bed! And then... see how he looks like in our dresses!"

Ryshassa: That gives Ryshassa pause. I wonder if Gennadi actually likes being tied up. That could put Sandara in a very compromising position.

Of course, she could extend that further and wonder whether Gennadi likes wearing dresses, too. Everyone has their secret fetish...

She doesn't say any of that aloud, though. Just giggles to herself that perhaps the fact Gennadi would be tied up with three girls NOT having sex with him might be the worst torture of all.

Alexsei: He peers at his wife, tilting his head to the side. "Ah, you are the one who issued the challenge, beloved. Secrets are not easily won! If you want to know the answer, you will have to find out yourself." He utters, smiling at her.

He flashes a grin at Sandara, lifting an eyebrow. "But, my lady, look at yours truly. In Sijan and Gethamane, these priestly robes have been called 'dress' by ignorant men on more than one occasion... Surely this qualifies as part of what you seek?"

And he lowers himself, awaiting the oncoming assault.

Sandara: Calisara and Sandara look at him... up and down... then at each other... then back at him, matched devilish smiles.

"No!" They reply, as both lunge like lionesses towards their prey, intent on knocking him to the ground!

Ryshassa: "Hmmm? Oh does that mean I need to get physical now?" Ryshassa leaps off the bed, barefoot, the neck of her kimono dipping low, showing just enough more shoulder than it ought to. And more, if one was angled to stare at it just so.

But before she can leap at Alexsei herself, the other two girls are already at it. Ryshassa waves her arms in mock indignance. "Hey! He's mine!" she cries, before using the opportunity to slip around behind him, and take a big fat grab at whatever it is he's hiding there.

And if nothing, she can at least sneak a nice, well-timed grab at his ass.

Alexsei: And so he does what he does best...

He observes, and once they are all close to him... He dodges. He rools on the ground away from Sandara's grip, and hurries to his feet to meet his wife's attack. He keeps his precious burden away from Ryshassa's grabbing hands, exposing himself to some bottom-grabbing before turning and slithering his away away from their attacks.

Once behind them, Alexsei baits them, dancing across the room as he does his best to evade the blows and lunges. He uses his pillow to parry a few stray hits, still concealing the blossoms safely behind his back.

Dashing for the center of the bedroom, the Chosen makes his stand, an idea suddenly sparks into his mind. He waits for their attacks, and as soon as one of the strikes, he counters, a lighting quick movement that strike each of their free hands. He expertly plants a few blossoms into each of their off-hands, leaving each of them with a white bouquet oin their once-empty hands.

He dashes back away from them, showing his own left hand and the small bouquet remaining in it. He bows to them, deeply and with a flourish, violet eyes sparkling at the three of them.

Sandara: Sandara looks at Alexsei... admired with his grace, admired with him... loving the scent of the blossom... "T... thank you...!"

You are so lucky, Ryshassa...

Calisara: Calisara stops to look at it... taking in its scent, and smiling. "Ooh, how cute Alex!" She reaches to him, pinching his cheek. "Those are lovely! "

Ryshassa: It is over before Ryshassa can really figure out what just... really... happened there. Though she DID get to grab Alexsei's ass. That was a good thing. At least, she was pretty certain that was his -- her muscle memory was near infallible, after all! She was a lyre player, and a damn good one at that.

She also seemed to have flowers in her hands. Ryshassa blinks down at them... and smiles. "Did you bring these for me? Or for all of us?" she asks teasingly, sauntering up to her husband now. Her hands meet with his, forming a larger bouquet with the flowers still remaining in his grasp. "I think I'll take the rest of my due now, just because I'm greedy."

And she kisses him, warmly, on the lips, wrapping her arms around him.

Calisara: Calisara looks at Sandara.

Sandara looks at Calisara.

And sometimes, you can speak without words.
Now?
Now!
As one, they place their flowers on the nearest tables... and grab hold of Alexsei's arms!

Ryshassa: Ryshassa doesn't linger too long, though. It would be terribly rude of her!

But the moment is broken, nonetheless, when Calisara and Sandara grab hold of her husband's arms. For what reason, she cannot comprehend, but that look that passed between them can't be good--can it?

"Wh..what are you two doing?" she stammers bewilderedly. Then she decides to dump propriety out the window altogether and tackles Calisara head on!

Calisara: ... and Calisara falls to the ground, the two rolling, and rolling...

"Hey, what are you doing? Weren't we going to play with him?"

Ryshassa: "Whaa~aat? In the middle of my tender moment?" Ryshassa sits up gingerly, the tumbling about having loosened her other hairstick and rumpled her kimono terribly. Inwardly she winced at the ironing job that would entail, but outwardly she just crosses her arms underneath her breasts and pouts theatrically.

"I wasn't kissing him just to leave you two an opening, you know." She does feel like a bit of a party pooper, at least, but sometimes that wifely possessiveness just had to rear its head.

Calisara: "Why can't you do both" She asks, incredulous, hoping Sandara is mantaining a firm grip on Alexsei...

Ryshassa: At Calisara's comment Ryshassa just... gawks. There is a loooong moment of silence as if she is rewinding the last few words in her head trying to figure out if Calisara really insinuated what she thought she did.

"I.. I'm sorry? Did you say do both?" Ryshassa looks flustered and just a little bit angry, but most of all it's the possessiveness that pushes through, and her tone gains a distinctive edge. "I'm sorry, but I'm not sharing him with anyone! And that is final. Absolutely. Final." She waggles her flowers at Calisara first, then Sandara.

Calisara: Calisara looks blankly at Ryshassa... totally confused... shocked...

And then she begins to laugh. She brings her hand to her mouth, giggling madly....

"I meant kissing and holding him down, you dirty-minded-pervert! " She keeps giggling, her voice echoing in the air around them all.... "pervert, pervert, Ryshassa is a per-vert! "

Alexsei: And he watches the scene unfold, quick and improbable, as Ryshassa tackles Calisara to the ground in a sudden surge of movement. For a time he stares, wide-eyed, as his usually pritine dressed wife runs the Goddess through, freeing him from her grip.

He feels decidedly warmer at her words however. To hear how much he means to her, and how strongly she feels about him. Part of him is somewhat embearassed to actually like to hear these things... But part of him cannot help but be heartwarmed by it.

He peers ad Sandara, still holding his arm, and the at Calisara in turn, still on the ground. "Are you sure you want to oppose the Lady Healer, my ladies? She is quite something, that much I can tell you." He looks back at his wife, and a smile forms on his lips as he wathches her waggle the flowers in her hands.

She's a lot stronger than most people would account her for, that is for sure.

Ryshassa: Ryshassa looks bewildered a moment and then blushes slightly at the taunting. "A-am not!" Not while any of the rest of you are watching, anyway!

Still crossing her arms, she sticks out her tongue at Calisara, feigning a look of high-and-mighty disdain. Then she lunges towards her again, this time aiming to tickle!

Sandara: "We never wished to take you! Well, just a bit... just wanted to use you for dresses and makeup!" She says, giggling, watching as Calisara falls with Ryshy, giggling, as Sandara looks at them... back at Alexsei...

"Heeey! Good idea!" And then, the light fingers of a Neomah fleshcrafter wiggle over Alexsei's most sensitive spots...!

Alexsei: A laugh escapes his lips as he tries to break free in one swift motion.

"And I would beg to differ," he finally utters between a fit of laughter and attempts to parry Sadara's wiggling fingers. "Really, I would only ruin the splendor of your magnificient garments if you were to put them on myself - I am unfit to wear such pieces of art. This should be reserved to the fairer sex, my ladies."

Or for men who are into such things I suppose. There is no accounting for taste...

Ryshassa: Ryshassa giggles triumphantly, having subdued Calisara with her tickle attack -- though her attention is pushed aside a moment as Sandara subjects Alexsei to just the same. Indeed those were fleshcrafter fingers -- and she had already felt how the neomah's touch seemed to.. penetrate right through her, read into the very nuances of her flesh.

"H-hey! Don't touch him like that!" she cries, overly paranoid perhaps, overly possessive. Then to Alexsei she says, more gently, "I'm sorry, beloved, the dress-up was my suggestion..." I hope you aren't feeling bad about being teased like that, adds her somewhat guiltily toned mind-voice through their rings.

"Sandara," Ryshassa says more sedately now, though her hands still remain poised, ready to playfully swat away any of Calisara's attempt at tickle retaliation. "Why don't we just sit and talk some more? My husband did want to meet you, too. Properly! And we can always talk fashion together, later. And maybe ice cream... or painting each other's toenails..."

Ryshassa giggles wistfully. There were some good times during her youth... not many... but some.

Sandara: She lets go of Alexsei - noticing on that moment that her hand was touching something... less than proper. She blushes, then walks meekly to the bed. "Alright..."

Calisara: She pouts for a moment, stopping on the air before she can lunge at Ryshassa for the tickling. "Well, alright! I suppose I can go get the ice cream! Wait a moment, here...!"

Ryshassa: "Oooh~ we get ice cream!" Ryshassa enthuses, still wistfully girl-like. Then she stands, smooths... well, as many of the rumples in her silver-white kimono as she can, and picks up the flowers she had lost from the tumbling and tickling. She looks a bit crestfallen at the damage, but it was her own fault for being so reckless!

The flowers are cradled safely in one arm when she reaches for Alexsei, taking his hand, asserting her possessiveness of him once more. Drawing him towards her, she then urges him towards the bed -- to sit upon, of course, between Sandara and herself.

A thought crosses her mind as she rearranges her kimono once more above her folded legs. "Hmm... where is Gennadi right now, anyway?"

Sandara: She picks her flower, brings to her chest, and thinks... "He is... gone! He said something about being called by Venus... was all he said before he vanished. Well, or answering Venus' call... something like that. He was joking too, so take it with a grain of salt."

Alexsei: He blushes at the location of the Neomah's fingers upon his body, but as she pulls back shyly, he decides to say nothing, unwilling to embarass her further...

Regaining his composure, he smiles and chuckles heartily at Ryshassa's response, amused at her eagerness. He gladly accepts he hand and sits next to her, smoothing her kimono as he slowly shakes his head.

"And, now that the flurry of feathers and fingers are passed, it is a pleasure to meet you Sadara." He finally says, smiling at her.

Calisara: Calisara turns back at the door, and winks to Ryshassa, "If you are this possessive of the men, Ryshassa, I bet master would not mind to share you..."

Sandara: She holds the flower against her bosom, the white such a contrast against her midnight skin... a warm smile at Alexsei.

"Pleasure to meet you, Alexsei. You are wonderful. Ryshassa is very, very lucky."

Ryshassa: She means Cael, and... oh dear. Ryshassa says nothing to Calisara's comment, only looks suddenly DEEPLY interested in her hands folded over her lap. It wasn't as if Cael hadn't already professed his interest in such an arrangement...

Alexsei: "Ah, I am merely an uninteresting scholar, Sandara, believe me." He says, blushing slightly. "It is a compliment, of course, but I am not sure I would describe myself as 'wonderful'... I am a boring lecturer most of the time." He adds with a wave of his hand and a playful wink.

He hears Calisara's insinuation before she leaves, and the notion colors his cheeks a bit, before finding the courage to speak, in a soft, yet deeply passionate, voice.

"Just as Ryshassa is possessive of me, I am of her. I can understand how she turns heads, however." He looks at her fondly, rubbing her back. "But I found her first, after all, and I do not intend to share, either."

He blushes again, as Ryshassa knows he is not usually the type to express such feelings in public, usually. But he nods again, as if to confirm the thought.

"She is the one I have chosen."

Ryshassa: Ryshassa laughs now, delighted at the blush coloring Alexsei's cheeks. "He's so cute when he's shy, isn't he?" She attaches to him, arm around his waist, kissing him fondly on the cheek before resting her head on his shoulder.

"I did not think you would like to share me, either, beloved. Though Cael seems to hope otherwise," she says, hinting blatantly at the conversation she had with the Windwraith that morning. "So you can't say I'm the only one who turns heads."

She flashes her husband a saucy grin, nibbling at his ear.

"But anyway, before you came in... and before the feathers flying... we were talking. About children," Ryshassa specifies, her voice turning somewhat bashful as well as she strokes Alexsei's arm lightly."It was related to fleshcraft, but... still..."

"Mmm -- but Sandara was talking about crafting flowers that do not wither in the cold, too! Oh, a winter garden. Wouldn't it be wonderful?" she asks of him, beaming.

Sandara: "You are much more than that, Alexsei. What you did earlier was wonderful... and I never got to say, did I? Thank you, for the flower... thank you." He looks at Ryshassa, and giggles. "Yes, he is. Very cute. Like I said, you are lucky..."

Alexsei: "Does he, now." Alexsei mentions, shaking his head, his cheeks still colored. "The Windwraith is bold and forward, yes. But no matter who or what, I am a man for a single woman - and the spot has already been taken." He adds, with a short chuckle.

He smiles softly at the mention of children, somewhat bashful himself. "Ah... Well, it is always an interesting, if somewhat delicate topic, is it?" He smiles at his wife, then turns out to Sandara. "We... Me and Ryshassa had talked of this before. But the current situaiton brings us concern... As long as the war rages, the tought of endangering an infant by allowing it to be born in the very center of the Warzone is..." He shakes his head softly. "Suffice to say the time and the place are not really appropriate, right now."

He smiles deeply at the idea of flowers in the snow, of plants surviving the harshness of winter. "Ah, it would indeed be wonderful to witness... A garden striving among the coldness and ice, striving despite the harshness of their environment..." And the parallel with the people fighting for the North at this very moment is unavoidable, also.

"It makes me reconfirm the thought I had once I decided to reside once again in Creation - one does not need to be in Heaven to witness wonders."

As the ladies conspire against him, however, he crosses his arms theatrically on his chest. "Oh, you can team up against me all you want, but I will never agree with you!" He adds, in a teasing tone.

Sandara: "There will always be wars. What if you die? Will you not leave the proof that you existed in this world? Will you not leave your seed for the future?" She says, calmly, as if reciting passages from a poem... "And yes, I would love to make such flowers for Ryshassa! Any particular colors?"

Ryshassa: "What? Agree that you're cute? Now now, I may be possessive, but I don't mind individuals of impeccable taste agreeing with me on your adorableness." Ryshassa nuzzles her husband happily, indulging in her mood of randomness and affection just a bit longer.

Bringing up the war, of course, inspires just enough of a tinge of worry to Ryshassa's mind that a more solemn look descends upon her pale features. "I wonder... the party and the relaxation has been wonderful, but this lull cannot last very long. It would seem... too good to be true, don't you think? Perhaps we should meet with Valencia tomorrow, on what shall be done next."

A dreamy expression re-emerges upon her face, though, despite the undeniable possibility of the war resuming. "Hm~mmm. If I had a daughter, I would name her Estrella. Our little star... didn't you have a name for a boy, beloved?"

On the subject of colors, Ryshassa cuts in almost immediately. "Oohh -- definitely purples, beautiful twilight purples. At least that would be my first choice. I love white too... so pure and pristine... gold, for the warm, stable radiance of the Sun... and silver, for its enigmatic, ever-changing counterpart." Does a glimmer seem to form on her brow as she recites her preferences? Perhaps it is simply a trick of the light.

Alexsei: "Yes, there will always be wars... But the truth of the matter is that, we have obligations to Lady La Silverstar with the current campaign. With those obligations in mind, I think it would be unfair to have a child when we could not give it the attentions he or she would need..." He furrows his brow slightly, nodding to Ryshassa. "And yes, we should meet with the lady to discuss what to do next."

His expression softens somewhat then, at the mention of names... "Estrella it is then. And for a boy... I was thinking Nicholas, perhaps. My mother used to say she almost gave me that name... "

He smiles wistfully, watching Ryshassa speak of colors with such delight. Seeing her this happy was always a treat, after all...

Sandara: "Estrella.... you two have great taste!"

She looks at him, and still needs to say something... "Well, think of it like optimism. Do you really think a war will last a year? Or more? This one war...?" Her eyes sparkle at the mention of purple, and starts thinking of the ways to join two plants' styles to come up with nice purples and violets...

Alexsei: He smiles at the Neomah, benevolently. "You are in high spirits, and this is a very nice trait Sandara. You also seem to be very eager to help us, and I must also thank you for this. Me and Ryshassa will have toi think more on the matter, in any case. But no matter what we come to decide, know that the offer is greatly appreciated."

I have been in a war that lasted for more than a year, unfortunately - although I hope you are right about this one, dear young one.

He smiles at the sparkling of her eyes, and he leans back slightly, letting the two women speak of the Garden they could create together...

Ryshassa: Ryshassa laughs gently. "I would rather not be carrying the child during the war, either. Even in my womb she would still be a life within me, dependent upon me..."

Sandara's enthusiasm for the flowers is pleasing to her. "Do you like purples too? The green you wore for the party was quite suited for you as well," she adds, gesturing to the gown still hanging at the wall. "With your eyes, it is a natural choice."

Sandara: That makes her smile, "I do! There is beauty in purple... but, like you said, I am more for green. It makes me remember my mother..." She looks into the distance, as if reminiscing, thinking of things that were or would be... then sighs. "Well, whatever you two wish... just happy I will be of some help. Did you talk about the Familiar, Ryshy?"

Calisara: "He~llo!" The voice echoes... and there is Calisara, in her maid outfit, balancing a plate with all sorts of ice cream on it... "Now, here they are!" She says, arching in the way to give the best view of her, and showing the ice cream pots - the favorites of each and every one, the same way she always guesses...

Ryshassa: "Oh, wonderful, Calisara!" Ryshassa beams at the pots of ice cream, and one in particular. "Chocolate! And a cute outfit, at that. I wonder if I ought to ask her to let me borrow one for you to see me in," she says to Alexsei, then clears her throat deliberately, as if she had meant to send that mentally instead of aloud.

Needless to say, Ryshy does not waste much time in serving herself some of that creamy, chocolatey goodness.

"And no, not yet, Sandara. Mmmm, this is good." She takes a generous gooey mouthful, then nudges Alexsei gently. "Mmmm... beloved, what sort of animals do you think suit me best? Sandara suggested a butterfly..."

Calisara: "Aaaaallll yours, dearie!" She says, sitting down contently with them, and picking her own pot - "Hmmm, butterflies suit you alright!"

Alexsei: "Oh, for me also?" He asks, grabbing the pot handed to him. "Raspberry... Ah, you know me well, Calisara."

He grins to Ryshassa, his cheeks coloring slightly - again! - but not saying anytyhing the the remark, letting his beloved wife read through him - after all, she knows him taht well.

"A slo agree that butterfiles suit you greatly. They speak of grace and poise - as well as a healthy does of color coordination." He adds in a playful tone.

He tilts his head slightly, taking a scoop of ice cream before continuing in a softer, more serious tone... "And also, just like you did, they eventually emerge from their chrysalids, beautiful and gracious, and ready to show all their beauty to the world."

Ryshassa: "Well then, that's decided!" Ryshassa says cheerfully. That potent combination of chocolate and sugar sure perked her up. Mmm-mmm. Her near orgasmic joy from the pleasure of chocolate consumption registers clear as day through her ring to Alexsei.

"But since it's Sandara's craftwork, what sort of animal would /compliment/ a butterfly? And make a pleasing combination? Unless you could cross it with a flower, perhaps? I wonder how useful that would be, though. Pretty, but...!"

Alexsei: He tilts his head to the side, pondering for a moment. "Perhaps a Butterfly with Great Belladonna wings? If it was combined with such a plant, surely it could defend itself..."

Sandara: "Combine a plant with an animal? My... that is a challenge, Alexsei?"

Ryshassa: "Defend itself, beloved? Perhaps with poison wings... Hmm, a giant butterfly able to generate plant poison? With grasping vines?" Ryshassa lets her imagination wander, pleased at least at the aesthetics of such a creature.

"That would be an unusual combination, would it not? Could you do that, Sandara? Not that I am at all doubting your skill!"

Alexsei: He nods, smiling to his wife. "Yes, that is pretty much what I had in mind. I admit that a hybrid of animal and plant would be a very impressive sight to behold..."

He smiles to Sandara also, pushing his spectacles up the bridge of his nose. "I am certain is would be a challenge, Sandara. But I am also certain you could make such a combination, if you so desired - and, of course, if you and Ryshassa agree. I have never seen your talents at work, but I trust in them."

Sandara: She thinks... she thinks... "Ryshassa, I can try. That might require a long, long while... but I can try..." Her eyes sparkle. "That is a challenge worthy of the greatest fleshcrafters.... thank you. I will try to live up to it!"

Ryshassa: Ryshassa smiles, both grateful and intrigued by what process might go into the creation of such a being. "I hope I will be able to find a way to repay you for your efforts," she tells Sandara sincerely, "both for the familiar and the lovely garden. Let us talk about it more sometime!"

"Remember, I am both a healer and... well, I would like to believe I can be a counselor of sorts. If you have troubles, please feel free to talk to me. Especially if they involve that silly Gennadi taking advantage of you!"

There is a small pause as Ryshassa happily hums to herself, finishing off the last of her pot of ice cream. The humming takes shape into a song she recalls, or perhaps improvises as she sits there, leaning against her husband, pondering flowers and wars and healing and the creation of new life.

"Release the pain you hold within
With the veins that rope my hands
Take the flower's secret stamen
To create regeneration
We will leave behind bone chambers
We'll escape our blood-stained visions
Cross the deserts of destruction
Till we reach our destination"

"Soon spring will bloom," Ryshassa murmurs, a whispered conclusion, though outside the winter -- and the war -- still rages on...

---

• - Back to Fifth Movement
• - Back to A Dance of Angels