Now is the Vinter of Our Discontent [Mikhail Shorn]

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Mikhail Shorn"]​

​

Midvinter​

The Lake of Mists and Mountains​

​

She had reached the clearing at the base of the mountain range that set the back drop to the Lake of Mists. The melting ice that feeds the lake trickling in a constant babble and the source of the mist that blankets the forests and village each night. The icy breeze rolling around her continues to whisper the message of an impending danger to come. Something her visions had not yet made clear, nor to her sister, but they both have felt the event to come. And so in preparation, Aerin had haste to the clearing to train, for this much she did know, she would soon be in battle for Midvinter.

Aerin removed her outer grey fur pelt that protected her against the cold .. her long sword now in hand she began to warm up for the exercise. Soft brown leather trousers and bodice to match the only protection against the harsh elements but that was no mind as soon she would be warm and her race tolerant against such things. Moving around the clearing in a fluid motion, her sword thrust and parried against an invisible foe. Her long red hair pulled back away from her face and formed a plait to rid her of any distractions.

All two meters of her, lean and strong held the sword with ease, a Shieldmaiden of great skill and strength and with a mind to match. Soon she felt the warmth of the exercise the blood pumping around her body, giving heat to the limbs and fueling the enegy. Her mind focused on the technique ..defense and attack. But still she feels it. Something is coming.

​

​

 

[Lord Ghoul]

The sun's malevolent rays did not pierce the blanket of mist, nor the canopy of the forest. From beneath the arbor shadows egressed a figure clad in a black tunic and casual pants. He watched her, the tall woman with the locks of fiery hair, as she moved with lithe grace and power. The Watcher did not appear affected by Midvinter's biting chill. With pale skin, raven hair, and eyes the color of glaciers, he seemed suited to this climate.

The man emerged from the woods ringing the clearing, boots pressing softly into the green grass. The casual, nonchalant gait seemed at odd with the martial bearing of the woman. He appeared more amused than afraid. He brought his hands together, clapping slowly. The sound broke the still silence of this place.

"Cute knife," he said, voice a sly, but pleasant drawl, "You wouldn't happen to have seen a scary guy in a big black cloak, with a red lightsaber walk through here, would you?"

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Mikhail Shorn"]​

​

The sound of clapping hands broke her concentration. Her body turned as well as her sword to face whoever had come, the point of the sword pointing in his direction. Her eyes met his, an offworlder and one different to those she had recently met. Aerin's eyes darted around the clearing searching for others, these offworlder seem to travel in packs and she wondered where his companions might be. She could hear nothing no sign of movement or indication of anyone, he is alone. A small breeze threaded it way along the ground as if pulled in from the mountain tops and swirled around his feet local to the spot in which his feet are grounded. Aerin is unaware it is she that produces this event, from time to time, it just ... happens.

Her heart began to slow from the sudden surprise of his appears, and she sheathed her sword into it's scabbard and she stood regarding the man for a moment. Much different from the Mandalorians she recently met, not a 'solid' build as they, but he held a grace in his motion and countenance, one of refined movement slow and deliberate .. that of a hunter.

"I have seen no man pass", she began in a lyrical accent, as she wondered on what a lightsaber is. "Who addresses me ..? I shall have your name Sir. I am Aerin Firebrand of Sabina Clan and Shieldmaiden of Midvinter". She said moving closer to the man in case he wished to present his hand for her to hold, just as the Mandalorians had done. She noted the unusual dress of the man, black a good colour for the hunt and he seemed unperturbed with the cold. Her eyes lifted to the skies, soon night would come and the mists, even she would need to find shelter soon.

 

[Lord Ghoul]

"Hmm," the raven-haired man sighed disappointedly, a bored expression flitting about his features. So much for the Sith he'd been trying to hunt down. The guy seemed to have disappeared into thin air. Another pretender to the title of "Dark Lord." Ever since Rodia the Heralds' luck in hunting down Sith who... irritated them seemed to have been deteriorating.

Oh well.

He was never one to let... whatever this might be slip away. Opportunistic with an impulsive streak, the kind of man people tended to label unpredictable. They didn't know him well enough. He was entirely predictable. You just had to know where to look.

"Oh?" A sudden, faux looking of surprise. "Who? Me?" He pointed at himself, then smirked. "Mikhail. Nice to meet you... Aerin."

The redhead came closer. Mikhail followed suit, narrowing the distance until their foggy breaths mingled together in the frigid air.

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Mikhail Shorn"]

[SIZE=12pt]Aerin watched the writing on the man’s face and his thoughts visualised there, a sense of disappointment as he had seemed to have lost sight of his prey .. at least for the moment. Completely unware of why he hunter a man, Aerin hoped to put his mind at ease. Now, however, the raven haired man stood but inches away from her, strange these Offworlder are indeed! He had not offered his hand to be led around like to others but seemed to have another form of greeting which alluded her for the moment. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“If this man you hunt does not find shelter before the Mists arrive you will be hunting for a body on the morrow, that is of course if the forest creatures leave you something to find .. what wrong has this man done to you?”. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Her eyes left his for the moment and studied the surroundings, “And if we do not do the same Mikhail, our bodies will be as cold as the graves in kind … my home is humble but warm you would be welcome to shelter for the night there”. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She turned back to him now and looked into his eyes and held a fixed position. She had stood her ground not wishing to offend however she saw more in those unique eyes then he might be aware of. Much truth can be found in jest and although she could not at this stage pin point his reason, it would only be a matter of time. In a few short moments, he is cocky, confident and wanted to intimidate to gain the upper hand or advantage form the start, but she could not fathom why. After all they only just met. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aerin said nothing only stood looking at him her eyes wandering from his eyes to his features, a firm jaw wrapped in pale skin only to be emphasised by the blackness of his hair, the shape of his face spoke of a solid character and eyes that sparkled like the surrounding snow. It is the eyes that held her gaze … she had the feeling that they could penetrate the very soul of anyone he looked upon, they held the ability to tell the truth and lie in the very next moment, look to one with kindness then set the soul to fear in a heartbeat. Fascinating![/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Come”,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] she said again as she turned away to gather her equipment and pelt. “We must make haste”. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She began for the village and the warmth of her hearth.[/SIZE]

 

[Lord Ghoul]

Cold. This planet was very cold. Certain unnatural abilities Mikhail possessed kept the frigid air at bay, but he could not stave off winter forever. Nature was a cruel mistress when the snows came. She would have her way. Those who attempted to stop her often found that they had underestimated her power. When Aerin told him that they needed to get to someplace warm, her home no less, Mikhail simply smiled and shrugged. She did not seem to perceive the mischief in his eyes, nor his voice. Or if she did she simply mistook it for a carefree, lighthearted personality, which Mikhail was... in a way. Lighthearted with death.

"Lead the way."

His boots crunched in the frost-laden grass as he followed the woman back toward her village. She seemed so formal. Probably just part of her culture. Her formality amused Mikhail. He remembered his days as a youth in the Tapani courts. So many idiots there. He'd enjoyed making fun of them too. This was different. Her dialect was odd, but the words were straightforward, unlike the Tapani lords whose sentences would slither about like malign eels waiting to strangle you.

Soon they were beneath the overshadowing boughs again. Pine needles crunched beneath his feet now instead of frost, though this planet never seemed devoid of cold. Mikhail didn't let it show and kept up a cheery appearance. The woman was quite welcoming for someone who knew absolutely nothing about him. Hadn't her daddy ever warned her not to speak to strange men in the forest?

Naturally, Mikhail found the silence boring, so he began to talk, except the questions beneath his queries searched out of more than just boredom.

"So," he began, "What's the daughter of a big chieftain doing out in the middle of the woods, all by herself?"

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Mikhail Shorn"]

The fragrance of the pines soon gave way to the smells of the village. A lingering aroma of roasting meats rode on a cutting winds coming off the surrounding mountains coupled with the Mist now creeping over the ground and along the small streets to her home. The burning fires of the homes set the windows to glow with a welcoming yellow flickering their invitation to approach and partake of the warmth. Aerin moved to the right and along a small track which would lead them to her home, by degrees the path elevated until they arrived at the wooden walk way.

"My father is dead, I am no longer the daughter of a Chieftain", she began. "The woods and I are no strangers to one another, I have spent many days in it's company and fear it not". The clipping of her heals are dulled by the heavy atmosphere but still heralded her arrival home, most of the neighbours unconcerned by the approach save for a few that would look to see who had arrived .. some would remain in their windows to view the stranger .. others would turn away shaking their heads wondering what the 'witch' had dragged to their village this time. Aerin used to this did not turn to look but quickly lead Mikhail to the door.

The latch lifted and the door creaked open to reveal a large common room. Aerin immediately walked inside and straight to the dying fire. Two logs placed and stoked with erupted with the burn flames soon had the fire alive again. The warmth of the hearth still held it's life giving essence. "A stranger you may be Mikhail ... but I will not leave another to the elements of the deadly night to perish. Not when I can offer respite and food", she peeled off her pelt and placed it on a chair nearby removed her weapons and rested the sword by the wall. Then turning to face the man again she began to unwind her binding from her wrist, a long piece of cloth to lend support to her wrists. "Besides ... ", the corner of her mouth turned up, "If you were to try something .. foolish .. I would soon have you gutted like a fish". She turned away still smiling and placed her bindings in a draw.

"Welcome Mikhail, come warm your body by the fire, I will soon have some food prepared for us".

 

[Lord Ghoul]

"Oh," Shorn paused and glanced down, as if embarrassed, though no such emotions rippled through him in the Force save a piqued interest, "I'm sorry." He smiled slightly, though it appeared more of a wince, attempting to keep his tone light despite the somber atmosphere that seemed to have crept into their conversation much like the white mist creeping through the woods.

Attuned senses picked up on the sets of eyes that stared on the pair as they entered the village. "Huh," Mikhail muttered, "People don't seem to get out much."

Mikhail scratched the back of his tingling neck, then followed Aerin into her home. The place was a bit primitive by modern standards, though comparing it to a Coruscanti apartment hardly seemed fair. Mikhail's eyes wandered over to the fireplace that gave off a welcome heat. The smell of wood, crackling as it burned, seemed to fill the whole place. Mikhail blinked, then smiled slowly. Yes, this was really quite nice.

A dark brow arched at the woman's words of warning. "I guess we'll just have to figure out what you consider foolish, then." He winked lazily, entirely at ease despite the warning and the sword resting by the wall.

Stretching out with his senses, Mikhail gave a little frown that had nothing to do with the woman or her amusing threats. Something.... oh. Well, well, well. This little village was full of surprises. He wondered if he should tell - but where would the fun be in that?

The woman turned around. When she glanced back, Mikhail stood very near her holding a gleaming knife from her kitchen. He smiled.

"Here, I'll help you cook. I've got a few ingredients in mind."

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Mikhail Shorn"]

[SIZE=12pt]Only a neutral expression remained on her face, as she considered what she would thought to be foolish behaviour, but knew it all too well, however, as she turned to prepare the hearth for the roasting, her mouth turned up a smile at the thought but she would not allow him the privilege to see it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Placing the iron spit over the fire and stoking the embers more for heat, she was happy enough that the hearth would soon be ready. Aerin began to busy herself with placing pelts on the floor for more insulation from the cold, standing up satisfied she looked back toward Mikhail as he spoke.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Both her eyebrows raised as she saw him with knife in hand and offering to cook with her. “You .. Cook?”, she asked in genuine surprise and her face showed it. The men of Midvinter did not cook, nor did they wish to learn, at least that is what they would tell to a woman. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Sure .. do you .. do you prefer red meat or fowl this night?”,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] she asked as she walked toward the pantry. “I do have a very nice pheasant ready if that is to your liking?, what other ingredients do you have in mind?”. She yelled back from the small room off the kitchen.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aerin peeled off her outer jacket to be more comfortable for cooking, revealing her undergarment shirt, white soft linen, embroidered on the cuff depicting the mountain flowers of the region. Two hands reached out to take up the large tankard of mead chilling on one of the shelves, soon she had it placed on the table in the center of the common room. Taken the first of the tumblers, she filled it with mead to the brim .. the creamy froth forming on the head the second mirrored the first and she turned to offer one of the tumblers to Mikhail with a broad smile.[/SIZE]

 

[Lord Ghoul]

"Oh, I always prefer red," Mikhail replied lightly, "but I'll eat anything."

The smirk that settled onto his features faded as soon as Aerin came back into view, replaced with a mysteriously intense stare. Her layers of clothing seemed to be burning away faster than the morning mist beneath the rising sun. The piercing gaze saw through the coquettish divertissement, dissembling the woman who cast out her lure into depths she did not truly fathom. The smile returned, eerily cheery.

Mikhail accepted the tankard of mead. "Cheers," he drawled, winking, before taking a big swig. He licked the creamy froth from the corners of his mouth. "Did you make this yourself? Delicious. I can't wait to taste the meat."

He set the tankard down, "This is a lot of mead. Trying to get me drunk?" He looked at her slyly.

@Aerin Firebrand

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Mikhail Shorn"]

[SIZE=12pt]“I shall be able to find us a leg of venison”,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] she replied although her eyes looked to his with a slight sense of wonder. His intense stare not lost on her, however she is at a loss as to why he viewed her now in this way. Aerin the innocent, it is true she may not know of the ways of the galaxy or of him for that matter, but she is no fool and woe be tide any that think her this. Although she has known no man, Aerin has experienced this look before .. she matched it, her eyes meeting his for a moment. He is handsome there is no denying that and his body fit and lean the thought of exploring it is not a horrible one, however she is not of the ilk of most woman. Not the woman to offer up her ‘delights’ over a single meeting.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Half the tumbler was emptied before she replaced hers back on the table. A half grin moved her lips, “No not trying to get you drunk, just assumed you had the same appetite as most Valkyri men. However, if you wish to indulge more in this mead, do not fear I shall be able to carry you to bed. I am not the artesian of this mead although I can brew”, she left to get the venison. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]In front of the fire, Aerin pierced the venison with the skewer and place in over the fire on the spit, the fire hot enough to immediately begin to cook the meat, the sizzle of the fat and the dripping singed in the flames. She stood again and watched him, her gaze more searching as she now had time and comfort to consider him. A depth to him, most of which hidden that much was clear to her as he never gave away anything in his words. But still he is intriguing. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“What do you do?, I mean to live .. what is your trade? “, [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]she asked now wanting to know more of him. Aerin moved closer to him and watched his hands. “You do not have hard hands, no sign of hard work I see in them like taking up the plough or hammer, but they are strong .. I see that”. [/SIZE]

 

[Lord Ghoul]

"I'm a hedonist."

He held up his hands for her to examine. The skin of his palms and fingers was smooth and unblemished. The type of pure white one would expect to see from a noble born, but his clothes were simple and his hair tousled and slightly unkempt. He didn't carry himself like an aristocrat either, save for the massive amount of confidence, straight back, and laconic gaze. He certainly didn't talk like a lord, entirely too casual in his chatty, yet mysterious way.

"Strong enough to carry you to bed," blue eyes never waved from her stare, seeming to suck her into the depthless, icy oceans fraught with mischief and danger and adventure. A confident, relaxed smirk sat beneath those eyes. He seemed entirely at ease in her home, never once appearing frightened or nervous. A persistent sly cast pervaded his posture, as if he knew something she did not and enjoyed keeping her in the dark.

The fire crackled, illuminating the both of them with a warm glow. The smell of roasting venison filled the room. Mikhail's mouth watered, though for a different reason.

Suddenly, he took her hands in his and turned them palms up. His fingers traced along the callouses. "And you.... strong wrists, callouses. You like to play with swords."

He stood very close to her, hands holding hers. He could feel the tickle of her breath, the smell of her hair. Mikhail wondered what it would be like to run his fingers through those red locks. No doubt she wondered the same as him. He blinked slowly, lazily, as he stared into her pools of blue.

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Mikhail Shorn"]

“Let thy desire flourish, in order to let thy heart forget the beatifications for thee. Follow thy desire, as long as thou shalt live. Put Myrrh upon thy head and clothing of fine linen upon thee. Being anointed with genuine marvels of the god’s property. Set an increase to thy good things; let not thy heart flag. Follow thy desire and thy good, fulfil thy needs upon the ground, after the command of thy heart, until there come for thee that day of mourning”. Her eyes locked to his as she whispered the words and felt the warmth of his hands resting in hers.

“Do you pause to look Mikhail? All this pursuit of pleasure .. of beauty do you look past the façade into the substance? What would you see? Indulging in pleasures only to move on to the next and again, until you grow old and weary and your beauty depleted and no longer sort. It is only then would you pause to see and note it’s hollowness, void of love. For what if life without love”.

Aerin now felt his closeness the warmth of his body against hers and it is wonderful. She leaned closer to him, her face brushed his cheek as she whispered, “You are a creature of beauty Mikhail one blessed with features that turn the eye of not only women and I am no different. I am a red blooded woman that longs for the touch of a man but I am also one of virtue that one day I will give my virtue, my soul, my heart to a man I love, it will be that beauty that will surpass anything known to me”.

She raised one of his hands her fingers lightly touch the tips of his in a caress of tenderness. She watched as she did so, taking in his pale skin and softness. Her purpose was not to lure or seduce but through her touch he would sense her caring and a questioning touch of something of wonder at the sight of him. However, she let her hand leave only to rise and with the tips of her fingers she explored his face tracing around his jaw to his lips barely able to touch them in fear of the vision before her vanishing.

Suddenly she realised her actions and pulled away, there is much in the air tonight a stirring of dangers and mystery and not only with him. To cut her tension of the situation, Aerin moved back to the fire and turned the meat before it burned. The skin of the meat bubbling with the intense heat, blood oozing and basting before dripping into the fire only to be consumed. For a moment she remained looking into the glowing embers …

Have I moved to close to the flame?

 

[Lord Ghoul]

Long-lashed eyes narrowed slightly. What was it that she quoted? Sounded stuffy enough to be the scripture of her belief, but the words didn't seem condemning him. Interesting. Why quote- ah. Her whispers tickled against his ear, warm and a bit breathless. Mikhail blinked slowly. A hand gently traced his face, tips of her fingers feather-light and soft. Mikhail imagined where they would feel elsewhere, but his stare remained unwavering until she turned away. He could hear the quickening of her heartbeat, smell the sense of trepidation that rose from her unnerved body.

Mikhail knew he would not grow old for a very, very long time, if ever. The Dark Side decay could destroy his body, but as long as his innate biology continued to regenerate he would live in this state, maybe not forever, but long enough to watch generations disappear and kingdoms rise and fall. No one should live long enough to see all his friends wither and die before his eyes, while he still remained young and strong. Mikhail knew the tidal waves of regret that would wash over him. The only way to keep his head above water was to live in the moment. He'd lived a life without love. He knew the pain, the ache. But he would rather rush in on impulse than wait forever. Damn, she really was going to draw him into a philosophical discussion wasn't she? The corner of his mouth quirked up a bit.

"I pause to look," Mikhail began slowly, moving behind her and running fingers lightly through her fiery hair, "and to touch, to feel." He moved closer, whispering in her ear. "I see a woman standing against a blizzard. Everyone else abandoned her. She's facing life alone, waiting for someone to come. But what's worse? Living life and growing old filled with memories of adventure, or waiting for the perfect love that never comes and in old age regretting those leaps you never took?"

He poured the Force into his words, not having any particular skill with large scale illusions or mentalists feats, but having enough raw power and ability to gently nudge the mind of a woman who barely knew of her own sensitivity to the Force. The persuasion dripping from his words did not oppressively assault her mind. It was the subtle, light touch of an urban pickpocket - unnoticeable to those not skilled in the way of the Force. Mikhail took the emotions already present, the same emotions that had made her reach up to touch his face, and tugged softly on them, enticing them to become stronger and fill her up.

Blue eyes staring at her contracted, dilating, as the Force flowed into his words and gave them far more magnetism and allure than they would otherwise have.

"I think you want excitement, a love that consumes you. Don't wait for it to come to you." His nose touched her ear and rubbed gently along the rim. "Take the leap."

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Mikhail Shorn"]

[SIZE=12pt]“All adventures amount to nought when at the end of your days there was no one to have shared them with, no one around to remember you or that those that are .. simply do not care”,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] she said in return. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aerin could feel him, his fingers through her hair and her soul began to burn, even before he uttered any words further. Her resolve faltering with every touch. She tried.. in vein .. to tell him to stop, but deep down she did not wish him to. His words pouring from his moist soft lips like daggers to the heart, and she knew him to be right. And in that moment she hated him for it. It was as if he was reading her like a book. It is a hatred born from fear, not of him, but of the truth and she was losing control, something she prides herself on, a strength within her crumbling and if the truth be told he need not any trick of the force to succeed.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]But she also knew she was right, her words equally valid. The battle raging within her continued, her mind fighting her body for victory, her will of mind held for the moment but her body screamed for him a wanting she had never felt before and called her liar. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She closed her eyes as he moved closer and touch her on the ear, his body close to her pressed against her, in that moment her body and soul ignited and burned with the fire of passion and desire .. and she trembled.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Aerin took in a deep breath and opened her eyes again and turned to face him. Her body pressed to his, he would feel her shudder throughout her entirely but she held her ground. Her eyes set to his piercing his with no outward emotion. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“What are you afraid of Mikhail?”,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] she whispered just enough her him to hear, “What has you running to hide as you do .. I see things, I see things most do not”, she moved to him her lips parted and she kissed him. A kiss as soft as the freshly fallen snow. No drive of lust behind it, but one full of the longing for excitement and love moments ago he spoke of. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“If I take the leap, then you leap with me”,[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] she kissed him harder, a full kiss, a searching kiss, with no pretence only the emotion of which she now felt for him. Her hands searched for his and found them, her fingers lacing with his and she held them firm. [/SIZE]

 

[Lord Ghoul]

Soft, full lips pressed against his, their taste sweeter than nectar and more intoxicating than any tankard of mead could ever be. Their fingers intertwined in a skein of clutching skin, longing to hold more. Mikhail closed his eyes, drowning beneath the desperate affection of a woman searching for love in the wrong place. He knew the whole thing was entirely improprietous, he just didn't care. Scandal excited him. So did her lips on his.

Mikhail broke their ardor to kiss across her cheek and along her jaw, feeling the hardness beneath supple skin. His lips whispered against her ear and he breathed, almost inaudibly,

"I'm not hiding, I'm right here with you, jumping into the unknown," he tugged softly at her ear with his teeth, "Do you feel it? Do you feel alive?"

His left hand untwined itself from her fingers and ran across her side, down her hip and beyond, then up and around to her back, feeling the flesh beneath the offending clothes. He himself did not truly understand what exactly was happening, but he enjoyed it, living in the moment. For the time which their hearts would beat as one all those horrid nightmares which haunted him, memories of the people he'd killed, dispersed. The consuming flames of love and lust left no room for other emotions. Regret and sorrow had no place here.

Pulling insistently, he wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged the both of them onto the fur rug near the fireplace. He kissed across her throat, along her collarbone, tugging at the shirt to expose her shoulder. Breathless, thrilled, and full of dark mischief, Mikhail whispered,

"Are you going to jump, or do I have to push you?" Teasing, unspoken laughter suffused his words.

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Mikhail Shorn"]

His words touched her mind as gently as his kisses, the flames of her soul ignited and burning strong. “It is like I have only just began to live”, she could barely utter the words in response. Her head turned toward him as if to search for him, her lips aching for his once more but he denied her them.

Aerin felt the firm pull around her waist and let out a small gasp and he moved them both to the fur. His touch electric on her skin, his hands and lips warm and moist caressed her neck and shoulder, she wanted more. Her breath removed faltering to take in air .. her hands rubbed gently on his lower back pulling at his shirt until they found what they seek. She could feel the muscles moving under his skin lean, fit and strong.

She did not answer his last question with words but action. A woman of Midvinter, uncommonly strong, she pushed against him upward and around until he was on his back. For a moment she remain still, as she looked into his eyes, her own would tell him to the story of her thoughts, yes she wanted him all of him but more was to be found in her sky blue eyes, something much deeper and more powerful.

Aerin pushed herself off and moved to his feet removing his boots, a deliberate slow action with the intent to take care. She moved his foot ware aside before reaching for his trousers and undoing them, removing them entirely. Her eyes falling across his body. Aerin stood and kicked off her boots and undid her trousers peeling them over her hips and letting them fall to the floor.

She lowered to the fur again next to him, her hands lifting to unbutton his shirt and pushed it away from his chest. Aerin looked over his body drinking it in, as if looking upon a precious jewel but one with flaws .. two small scars on his stomach and what appeared to be burn marks on this shoulders she wonder how he got them. Her fingers soon followed her eyes, as she began to make love to him, fingers moving in a snaking motion over this skin, her lips followed next as she leaned and kissed his stomach. She closed her eyes taking in the smell of him, a smell that will remain with her forever. She kissed him more moving upward to this chest, then stopped and sat back.

A smile crossed her face, her eyes searched his before she laid down next to him the warmth of his body radiant against hers.

 

[Lord Ghoul]

Smiling deviously, Shorn rolled over on top of her, hands sliding along bare torso before arriving at her face. Mikhail kissed her deeply, running a hand through her silken, red hair as he did and winding those strands around his fingers until he had a fistful of her hair. He pulled away briefly, blue eyes suddenly contracting oddly.

"Remember when I told you I'd eat anything?" his lips split open in a murderous smile, revealing canines far too long for any human. "I wasn't joking."

Without further warning, he pulled on the fistful of hair to jerk her head to one side and leaned down, plunging his fangs into the side of her neck. The soft, ivory flesh broke easily beneath his teeth. He didn't bite into any arteries. He didn't want to kill her, but the eternal thirst begged to be sated. Mikhail drank greedily from her neck, blood pouring into his mouth. The Sith whom he hunted was somewhere in this village, though he'd neglected to tell her when he'd felt the presence nearby. Shorn would kill him, eventually, but right now he needed a drink. Gotta stay hydrated, or... you know, sanguinated.

Shorn lapped up the scarlet ichor, attempting to subdue any struggle with caresses from his hands. They were still in the middle of something else, after all, but he could multitask. The rich, coppery liquid sent a surge of heady energy through him. Sound, sight and feelings became crisp and sharp. Emotions heightened to unbelievable levels.

Amidst it all, Mikhail sent soothing waves to her mind in the Force, using his persuasion trick to lull her into complacency, if he could.

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Mikhail Shorn"]

The sharp jerk of her head took her by surprise, then came the pain. Her body pushed upward against him as his long teeth buried into her flesh. Her eyes widen with a lack of understanding at what she had just seen, his wide smile bearing his teeth. She could not move, fear gripped her as the cool blood issued from his puncture wounds, a small riverlet of her dark rich blood, a blood that would be strangely cold to his taste as is the way of the Valkyri, trickled across her neck and down into the remainder of her hair. Aerin fought for breath.

An arm moved, her hand reached out for anything to use as a weapon, a small table nearby on which there are some trinkets, had nothing to offer save for a small dagger she used to work on her arrows, she grappled for it and took it in hand. However .. she did not use it.

Her fingers uncurled from the handle of the dagger and it dropped to the floor, a peak of pleasure rippled through her body causing her to taken in a sharp deep breath. Her mind calmed and set at ease, but her hand kept moving toward him and found the back of his head. Aerin’s fingers ran through his raven hair, caressing, reassuring until she held his head firm in place, not wanting him to move.

Aerin felt a strange pull on her mind not harsh but soothing, and somehow she knew it came from him, it is a strange thing this as it has happened before, a connection she does not understand. However, rather than fight it, she gave into it and so doing opened up a pathway to him, unwittingly. It would be now he would feel all her emotions, everything she is experiencing, fear, excitement, desire and all her bodily pleasure now his too.

This duplicitous situation weakened her as the blood left her body, although Aerin is tall and laden with ample life fluids even she will feel the effects of sudden blood loss. However, as the night continued with their physical union, she never felt so full of life.

It is intoxicating.

 

[Lord Ghoul]

(AFTER THE NOT-SO IMPLIED LOVEDOVEY STUFF)

In sweaty languor, sleep took both. When Aerin awoke in the morning she would find a burnt hunk of venison over the fire. In the ardor, it had been forgotten. If she ventured to her doorstep she would find a body there wrapped in dark robes. The corpse had been exsanguinated. Pale, with a large, bald pate, a thick jaw, large lips, and small, deep-set eyes. Black, Sith tattoos ran across his face. In life, he would have caused trembles.

A sticky note was attached to the dead vic. It read in a scrawled hand, "Thanks for the meat. xoxoxo. -Mikhail."

[member="Ærin Firebrand"]