The Art of Discovery

[Zeke Tune]

As she stirred to wake, Zeke pulled her body close to his, and cuddled into her. However, it took several more minutes for his blue eyes open and look at the teen girl in his arms. “So, the woman of my dreams didn't just stay there. Good.” Finger tips brushed her cheek in a lazy, sleepy way. It was almost clumsy in its nature, compared to last night, as he struggled to wake up. The man did NOT want to let go of this angelic being that he had stumbled across. She was soft and warm, and beautiful and warm. More warmth was a good thing.

Hands caressed down her arms, as he traced them as well. However, he kept his touch chaste, even in this sleepy, tired state, and never touched her in any place beyond her arms, back, and face. “Mmm, you sound hungry, lovely.” The man's words slurred just a little, as he blinked repeatedly, and tried to get the sleep out of his eyes. “Ahhh. Morning already. I had such a good dream too. Strange when I woke up. Because reality was even better.” The man rolled closer to her, and kissed her lips. So sweet.

“Mmm, alright, I'm up. I promise. Really. Unless you literally want to just curl back up in my arms, and we can pass out again, because, that was paradise if I ever knew it. I slept like a rock.” The man smooshed her for a bit, against the bed, as he rolled into her. “No, no, tummy growling. Food time for Lori dearest. Oh I hate mornings. I really do. I love them, they are beautiful. But I have the hardest time really waking up before my morning caf.” Finally, Zeke lets her go, and sits up, quite reluctantly. Finally he rubbed his eyes, and made the sleep go away. “Okay. Okay, I got this. Feet, work, for once in your lives, don't fail me and make me look like a goof in front of my angel. I will do that enough, I don't need you helping.”

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori smiled as [member="Zeke Tune"] complimented her. Hopefully she'd always be the woman of his dreams instead of his nightmares. She closed her eyes to his touch, glad that the warmth of his body and the blankets kept her from being cold as goosebumps appeared on her arms where he had touched them. And then came the kiss...soft and sweet.

"Yes, time for breakfast..." Lori was about to get up, but then Zeke smooshed her. She laughed a little and started to try to tickle him to get him up. "Come on...I'll get the caf going. Then we can get breakfast started. The smell of the caf should help. We've got a whole fun-filled day ahead of us. Gotta make sure that we have enough energy."

Finally he got up and so Lori did too. She had a bit more energy than he did though. She grinned and left her quarters, almost hopping down the steps two steps at a time. "Race ya!"

 

[Zeke Tune]

Zeke grumbled, and kissed the woman's face. “Mmm, but you are soft, and comfortable, and warm. And just, not a dream at all.” He hugged Lori tightly to him, and gazed into her eyes with his sleepy blue ones. “Okay...Okay. Food and Caf is good.” Then those lovely hands began to tickle him, and he gave off an unceremonious yelp and began to laugh and squirm. “OH! BY ALL THAT IS ANYTHING! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Zeke fell off her, twitching and laughing all the more as she tickled him. “NOOOOOO! BACK! BACK I SAY! It was all a trap!”

Finally she lets up, and he sits up soon calming down from the laughter fit. He gave Lori this teasing, adorable little mock glare. “Harumph I say, Harumph!” However, that mock glare soon turned into a good natured grin. She was an energetic one, and he found that rather attractive in this case. He was one who enjoyed to sleep in, to laze around in bed. However, he didn't want to get left behind by her. As she raced out, he followed. He was much slower than her, as he attempted to hop down the stairs too, hot on her tail.

“I'm going to get you, gorgeous!” Zeke felt like the kid he had never been allowed to be. This girl made him feel so alive. So happy.

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

It didn't take long for Lori to reach the kitchen. Plus, she knew the Jaster's Sparrow like the back of her hand, so of course she beat [member="Zeke Tune"] to it.

She quickly snatched up a wooden spoon and turned on her heel to face him while holding it up defensively. Then she snatched another wooden spoon with her free hand and tossed it to him. A mischievious grin appeared. "Shall we have a duel? Loser makes the caf? Or..." She took a step closer, her eyes never leaving his as she kept her spoon up between them. "...do you yield before me?" She was going to say 'to the Princess of Commenor', but that would be giving her secret away, and she didn't want to do that. Still, she was practicing at exerting her authority. Being the youngest in her family, authority wasn't something that she held over others very often. It was rare, actually.

Lori didn't have much by the way of sword practice either. So it wasn't as though she had a clear advantage.

 

[Zeke Tune]

As they ran through the ship, Zeke tried to keep up. But his groggy nature, her head start, and the fact she knew the ship so much better ensured her victory. However, it had been a fun game. As she tossed the spoon at him, he caught it, and looked down at it. He had been taught knife fighting his entire life. It was his preferred way to kill. But, once more, he felt like that had to be put behind him. He just needed to have fun today. “My lady, you wound my pride.” He twirled the spoon in his fingers. Zeke was nothing if not good with his hands.

With a flourish, he held the spoon like. “I would always submit on the important things. However, over who makes the caf? Ohohohoh. I think not. You will bow before ME this day, my lady. Have at thee!” He held the spoon in his left hand, and placed his right behind his back. Then with a playful lunge, he attempted to close the distance, to knock his spoon against hers. “Hah! Yah!” The clack of the wooden spoons reverberated on the metal walls.

The man's eyes sparkled with mirth and mischief, as he began to battle with this lady. Zeke hadn't had this much childish fun in a very long time. A very long time indeed. “I will never capitulate. You must earn my fealty by force!”

[member="Loreena Arenais"]

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

At first Lori thought that [member="Zeke Tune"] was going to refuse and bow down to her. But then he chose NOT too! Oh the duel was ON!!

He lunged at her and she then batted his spoon away with her own, then went into his side with her free hand to tickle his ribs. She then quickly stepped back out of reach, moving backwards out of the small kitchen space. The cargo bay would offer more room for them.

As his eyes twinkled, so did hers. It had felt like forever since she was last in a spar. Now she had to see what skills he had. He'd need them if he was going to look out for her.