Private A Royal Encounter

[Iwata Kin]

As the two women moved slowly, rhythmically, Iwata studied the Princess. She could see the lovely jedi was thinking on things. How curious it would be to know the things a princess pondered upon. Even so close, Iwata had a hard time finding any flaw in the woman's moonlit porcelain features. It was sheer pleasure to enjoy the dance with Junko, the feel of her slight but graceful form as they glided along the duracrete parapet.

"I am not sure how much time you have spent on the back of a longma, your Highness, but they are incredibly surefooted. It may not be as comfortable as a palanquin though. The right sort of droid may handle the terrain." The young soldier offered. One would think it rather unusual, and brave, for a princess to accompany such an expedition. But Junko Ike was also a Jedi Master, more than able to take care of herself, in spite of the array of guards, and Xifang, that surrounded her.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Kin

Was making this a great time and well she was rather glad to have come out for this.. she doubted the twins would want to come on the trip they were fine with well this. Visiting the wall or some of the outposts but the mountains and forests were a different story.. though depending on how things went inside they might stay at the wall to help out a little longer. The soldiers they had been dancing with were rather nice looking and could spark their interest to want to hang around. JUnko was certainly enjoying it and spoke with a smile. "Well maybe I will have someone.. I don't know how show me how to ride one better." SHe raised an eyebrow though with her grin. "If only there was a talented rider like that."

 

[Iwata Kin]

"Well, your Highness, you are in luck." Iwata smiled, playing along. "There would be few who could teach you as well as a sergeant of the Jade Riders." her dark eyes twinkled. "I know one who happens to be half Unamashi, the masters of mounted beasts." She giggled a bit. "It would be my greatest pleasure to help you brush up on your longma riding skills." Iwata would jump at any excuse to spend more precious time with the captivating royal woman.

A light breeze kissed the dancing woman, lifting the exotic fragrances that clung to Junko's skin and garments. Iwata inhaled, finding herself nearly intoxicated by the Princess, enamored by the beautiful, powerful woman.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Kin

Junko raised her eyebrows and she would ahve to think about it.. well not really but giving the impression of it was important it was a thing... maybe or she was making it up to seem super classy... with a look though she enjoyed herself and leaned a little closer as she spoke with a smile on her face. "I think this is the part where you are supposed to try and give me a kiss with some overly cheesy line like oh my princess would that I drink of your lips so deeply." Junko looked at her with a grin on her face and more then enough humor in her eyes for the joke as she had the best cheesecake lines for situations like this.

 

[Iwata Kin]

Iwata watched as delicate, manicured eyebrows lifted in consideration of the Jade Screamer's words. The song ended but transitions smoothly into the next, one with a more sensual beat. With the new rhythm, the sway of Iwata's hips increased a bit, though the two women still moved in unison gracefully. The soldier could not deny her attraction to Princess Ike, it was always there, but being in the intimate dance with the famed royal only deepened that attraction to a desire she dared not display. This was, after all Junko Ike , the glorious darling of Atrisia, and Iwata a mere soldier.

With such thoughts, Iwata was greatly surprised with Junko leaned closer. A thrill rippled through the warrior, and the butterflies her her belly began to flutter again. The words the Princess spoke were quite unexpected, and those butterflies in Iwata's belly fluttered even stronger. There was soft humor, a playfulness, in the eyes of the Princess. Yes, this is what Iwata dreamed of, and never could have imagined it happening.

She returned the Princess' smile, and leaned in to meet the beautiful royal. Iwata's plush lips met the plump tiers of Junko's in a gentle press, allowing the kiss to linger. How sweet and exciting it was, how wonderful was the soft press of the kiss, igniting that desire that Iwata tried to tame.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Kin

THe kiss was perfect in many ways.. the softness was there but there was a firmness this wasn't chaste after all.. there was Junko rising a little on her toes to get the right angle and her hand sliding up to lightly touch Iwata's shoulder. She pressed a little closer molding her body to hers so that she could kiss and opened her mouth just enough to suck in a little lip to feel it between her teeth and lightly with her tongue make a small circle. Her finger dancing and trying for a tickling sensation along the hair and back of the neck. Xifang was looking at the two of them and seemed resigned to just shrug as the music was still going and JUnko moved them a little to go with it.

 

[Iwata Kin]

The Princess responded to the kiss in ways that made Iwata nearly melt. The press of the fit feminine figure against her own, the light touches, the sensual capture of her lip between the woman's teeth. The warm touch of Junko's tongue elicited a soft hum of pleasure from the soldier. As Junko's hand played at the back of Iwata's neck, the Jade Screamer tilted her head a bit more, her mane of dark hair shifting as her mouth parted to welcome Junko's deeper kiss. Her hand slid to rest gently against the ivory angle of the Princess's cheek, while her other hand slipped around the woman's waist to rest at the small of her back, light but firm. She could not believe what was happening as the world around her blurred and she felt the intoxication of the beautiful, sensual woman in her arms.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Kin

Junko stayed there and enjoyed the moment... letting herself slowly pull away and go down to stand there with a look on her face as she licked her lips quickly. THroat a little dry but she had the smile still on her face. "LOvely." There was a small look and her hands came away as she stood there. "Well that wasn't totally expected but this is nothing to be disappointed in. I am glad I made this trip." She spoke softly but backed up a little mostly to look at Iwata fully. "But I think if I asked you to come back to my chambers with me you'd follow and maybe regret it in the morning... so I am going to head there but I will look forward to riding with you in the morning."

 

[Iwata Kin]

There was a soft exhale of reluctance as Iwata felt the Princess pull back from the kiss. The Jade Screamer wasn't sure if Junko was pleased or regretted the kiss. She looked the Princess up and down as the beautiful Jedi did the same. There was some consolation in that the Princess had considered inviting Iwata to her room, perhaps Junko did like the kiss after all. But there was also a little disappointment that the Princess found it wiser not to continue the evening. She was probably right, Iwata knew. The prospect of spending the evening with the Princess was very exciting. But such sudden and rash actions often lead to regret. Iwata didn't want to regret meeting Princess Ike, and more so, she didn't wat the Princess to ever regret the moments spent with Iwata.

They would both be on the expedition, so Iwata would be able to be near the Princess in the coming days. If the Jade Screamer could ever be more loyal to the Princess, she was doubly so now. "As you wish, your Highness. Thank you for the dance...and the kiss. I shall never forget them." Iwata offered with a kind smile and a bow. "Goodnight, sleep well, your Highness."

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Kin

Junko nodded and bowed as she walked and Xifang followed stopping for a moment to look at Iwata and pace for a moment making a wall of fur and flesh. There was a look from her as she was going and back to the airship while several from the party were heading out. It was mostly over and the other princesses were going back to the chambers they were given. Since they were not leaving they would get to have a moment. She went to sleep and the large tiger lounged at the foot of the bed between her and the doorway. Come morning she had a few ideas of what to do and there was always morning breakfast with the screamers on the wall.. more so others would be here and those who wanted to come.

The next morning

Junko woke up and stretched herself out in the bed... the covers a little colder then she might have liked but rolling over she felt her feet were warm as the fur and body heat was there. She got out of the bed and one of the handmaidens brought her a furred kimono as she slid it on rolling her shoulders and the popping sound was there. Small scars on her back and legs but nothing visible unless she was nude. Eventually she was heading out as several screamers were signing up to go with them and getting equipment packs to take with them.. she was beelining it towards the hall again where they were serving food.

 

[Iwata Kin]

Iwata watched the Princess and her tiger guardian leave. Only then did she return to the barracks. Most of her fellow Screamers were there, the festivities cut short, as the military personnel still had duties to perform early. And then there was the preparation for the expeditions. Iwata was assaulted with a barrage of questions from Sun. Others drew close to hear. "Where did you go with the Princess? What happened?"

Iwata tried to dampen her smile. She had had a wonderful dance, and kiss, with the most amazing woman on Atrisia, but she didn't want to draw attention to herself, or betray Junko's confidence. "The Princess wanted an escort to take her on a tour of the wall at night." Was all she offered. She hastily stowed her uniform armor and hit her bunk. Frustrated at the lack of information, her comrades too readied themselves for bed.

The next morning.

Iwata was up early. She alway got up before her squad, but that morning she wanted to get up early enough to be one of the first to sign up for the expedition. She dressed and reported for the assignment, then followed instructions on the gear that was to be packed. Sun also signed up, along with other Jade Screamers from other squads. Only after her gear was readied did Iwata and Sun go to the dining hall to get breakfast. She haltedin her tracks when she saw the Princess. Another smile crept across her face as she and her friend got in like to get food.

"You sure did smile a lot when you saw her." Sun said. "Don't we all? She is a national treasure, and a beautiful woman." Iwata said, shrugging her shoulders and trying to play off her excitement at the sight of Junko.

Junko Ike

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Kin

Junko was enjoying the food as she had it on a plate and was eating. Seeing the others file in and she saw Iwata with a grin on her face as the twins were there and spoke. "We know that look, you had a fun time." SOmetimes their double speak could be annoying but Junko wasn't going to be angry.. cause they were not wrong.. they were stating a fact. PLus well she could only raise her eyebrows suggestively... "And what about you two and those soldiers... since you are staying here I guess they are going to get to be your personal guards for the duration?" She smiled saying it as one hand tossed a small chunk of the bread up and Xifang ate it with a massive mouth open. THe tiger was more then happy to be around all of them and Junko was eating in prep for the trip... no telling what they would find even with scouts for a place to settle down and eat say a lunch or a campsite.

 

[Iwata Kin]

The breakfast that morning was even finer than usual, most likely because of the Princesses, and to give those going on expedition a feast before they resorted to rations and quick meals prepared on the mission. While there were several units stationed at Longkao, The Jade Screamers had seemed to be the ones to earn the attention of the royal visitors, given Iwata's squad's night of dancing with the Twins, and the sergeant's private dance with Junko Ike . The soldiers chattered and went on about how fun the evening had been, and what a privilege it had been to dance with the two beautiful young princesses.

Iwata spoke little of her time with Princess Ike. She held it as a private matter, both to honor Junkos' privacy, and to avoid drawing undue attention to herself. She just smiled, and glanced to the head table where the princesses sat and ate.

"Gear all packed?" Iwata said to Sun, who sat next to her. The corporal would also be joining the expedition, the squad temporarily moved under another sergeant in Iwata's absence.

"Yes ma'am." She answered with a nod and a mouth full of eggs. "Going to be more exciting than patrol, I would think." The petite horse-soldier added.

"Interesting indeed." Iwata answered, but her eyes weren't on Corporal Sun, they were on the Princess.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Kin

THe food was good and there was more here.. Junko looked up and towards Iwata for a moment mostly to get the brief glance but then continued looking back around the room.. there was a sense of decorum one must maintain in these situations and making moon eyes towards each other would only serve for there to be rumors or things.. she was fine with that... she often started some about herself just to see what crazy there might be from the retelling but not everyone wanted their private business announced. Without some sort of permission she wasn't going to do that to Iwata though she did offer a smile as her interface chimed that all of herr stuff was loaded and ready.

THey had several longma and jun-la.. which were more like pack beasts, two skiffs for cargo and uplinks that would allow them to stay in contact as well as several mobile living modules with the compartments. Compression and in their belts with more food beyond rations as there was a cook and droids with more food. She smiled though and those who were coming with them had plenty of space to get their things as the food finished and more so they had the first part of the course set.. they could leave quickly enough for the mountains as the city gleamed in the interior and the mountainswere a ways off. With the great walls between them.

 

[Iwata Kin]

Other than a few stolen glances met with Junko, there was no interaction with the Princess. There were, afterall, bigger matters at hand. After the sumptuous breakfast, Iwata returned to the barracks to gather her gear and meet up where the expedition was being staged. She had her Kirano Interface re-calibrated to insure accuracy, and made sure Sun had one of the visual interfaces upgraded for the mission. She had donned her armor, and hung the Kunoichi Blades around her neck. Her gear was packed in a saddle bag configuration designed for longma, and included an Asagao Ultralight Scout she had requisitioned to take, just in case.

With her Crescent Blade and Kyūdō class lightbow, she was about ready to depart. Her Makie-Class Droid drifted behind her as two fellows from their squad helped Sun and Iwata to the staging area. It was quite a scene, with the the mounts, pack animals and repulsor vehicles being loaded. The Stablemaster had assured Iwata's longma, Tzun-oh, had been well fed and rested after the patrol. Sun's mount was also brought forward, and the two Jade Screamers loaded their gear onto their mounts. There was even a mounting place for the Makie droid.

With all the activity going on, Iwata looked around, impressed as always at Atrisia's new military efficiency and power. If that stronghold was out there, they would find it.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Kin

Junko loloked at more of it and she brushed off a few of her handmaidens and the soldiers as she had asked for one thing... riding lessons so why not start here where it was relatively secure and they could head out. Getting closer to the mountains would be important and they had plenty of time to make it to what might be the first campsite. She moved as Xifang walked behind her and with her equipment pack she looked at Iwata offering a smile. "Permission to come up?" SHe said it and the Longma were well.. there were massive with eight legs, large bodies and heads with their masive tongues... they were animals that few could match... well maybe the matanga that were around but those were the size of AT-AT's and walking tanks.

 

[Iwata Kin]

Iwata had not forgotten the promise to teach the Princess how to ride. But she imagined that Junko was quite busy, and wouldn't have time for such things. Still, the sergeant kept an eye out in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Princess, wondering what she had decided regarding her transport.
She soon saw the Jedi Princess approaching with faithful Xifang behind. To Iwata's delight, and renewed butterflies in her belly, Junko Ike walked right up to Iwata's longma.

The beast was well trained and calm, recognizing Iwata on his back. The lovely princess made a polite request to join Iwata on her mount. Trying to restrain a big smile, she met Junko's gaze and replied. "Permission granted, your Highness, come on up." The Jade Screamer leaned down stretching her arm out to clasp the Princess's arm to help her pull her up into the saddle.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Kin

Junko looked up and she grasped the hand offered as she was getting herself up onto the large creature. A smile on her face and she adjusted her kimono so that she could sit and was looking around from the higher height. "Well this looks like quite a sight to behold." She said it and pointed towards where they were heading. Scouts were riding on ahead and the gates were open for them to start heading out as the front moved with one of the supply transports. The other would be staggered. "There is the pass in the mountains we will follow that goes next to the river for the first main campsite. From there we start to move ahead deeper into the mountains where the snoww is and access points to the underground river."

 

[Iwata Kin]

Iwata was ecstatic to have the privilege of sharing a longma with the Princess, and was moved that Junko remembered about the riding lession. The slender but strong Jade Screamer helped pull the Princess gracefully into the back of the longma. "Yes, you get a good vantage point from up here." Iwata replied, as both women observed the impressive expedition convoy. The far gates were opening and the vanguard began to move ahead, ready to scout the terrain ahead of the main expedition force. As the rest of the vehicles and members began to slow surge forward, @JUnk Ike offered her escort a brief overview of the plan for the first day or so.

Iwata nodded, awaiting their turn to begin moving. Corporal Sun rode next to them, both Jade Screamers feeling the added responsibility, and honor, of protecting the Princess. "There is a rhythmic motion to the gait of a longma. If you keep your body stiff, it will be an unpleasant, hard ride. But, if you keep yourself loose, you can find the rhythm of the longma, then you can move with her movements, and you become one. You are an excellent dancer, your Highness, you will find that rhythm easily." Iwata explained, offering the beautiful jedi princess a smile. The vehicles ahead of them began to move, and the longmas were urged forward to follow.

 

[Junko Ike]

Iwata Kin

Junko had a grin suppressed on her face as it was explained and leaned a little closer to be 'secure' but also follow and match the rhythm of Iwata with the longma... it was a better way to do it as her arms went to the waist and she looked forward sensing the rest around them. They were moving out and several had come to see them off as her handmaidens were moving with their bodyguards.. the yovshin in their gleaming armor that looked more prismatic compared to others. The stretch to the outer gates would be long enough as it was farmland with pathways... tended by farmers and small villagers that lived within the protection of the walls to benefit from the protection but also the advanced waterways they had carved and improved upon.

The time between gates though was shorter lived as they were opened and ready. Screamers but also several of the heavy soldiers in sanzang armor stood at the ready to defend and protect with the thick beskar plates in front of their armors. A few armored tanks in a line for support but mostly to give a display that this was important and small contingent of fighter craft that were more atmospheric and under the new mandates that had gone in the only fighters on the planet. Airships were cleaner and naval fighters were in the ships in orbit or the bases specifically. It allowed them to monitor who came and went yes but also protect from offworlders who were coming to cause trouble on the world. "Have you been beyond the walls often or does your unit mostly patrol the inner villages and area?"