[F23-PP-PT] Decisions

[Eruda 0]

Sitting on the window seal downstairs in her own head. What Freya did a couple days ago was sweet, taking them out to a bar of all things for their belated birthday. What her twin did not know was that it wasn't quite their 21st yet. Eruda didn't want to ruin the day by saying anything, she had been keeping a journal of the days passing in Aincrad thinking that maybe it could be useful somehow someday. Its been exactly 5 years 2 months and 3 days since they had arrived and today marks their special day. 

Raidou had been gone for three days, it had been since they picked flowers with Nisahime. She really couldn't blame him for not being here today of all days, she couldn't even remember if she told him or not. Maybe he had been here and she just missed him in passing. All she knew is there had been no messages from him, no note to let her know where he'd be. She was starting to get worried, but in truth she knew that he could take care of himself.

On the soft white kitchen table lays a wine bottle with two glasses. Eruda had gotten that from Gaius after a bit of convincing. She wanted to taste it with the man she loved on this special day. That and she wanted to see what all the fuss was about, people were going crazy over it, it had to be good right? In the middle sat a circle of lit candles that smelled like a cherry blossoms. Knowing that she couldn't cook that well she had Freya prepare a meal for her. There was all sorts of dishes laying on the kitchen counter like curry, rice, sweet n' sour chicken and much more. She had been dreaming about this day for months, she just hoped that Raidou would remember something that she may have mentioned years ago...

<<Assist System Engaged>>
Level: 34
Paragon: 59
Tier: 4
True Tier: 10

Final EXP reward: +0%
GUILD RANK 5 (+5% col, +5% EXP)

---

Eruda | HP: 940/940 | EN: 106/106 | DMG: 8 | MIT:184 | TAUNT | F-SPIRIT | BRN-IM  | FL.AURA: 16 | FL.THORNS: 8/16 | THORNS:72 | BH:52 | REC: 8 | BRN: 56 | LD:4

Spoiler

Eruda, Unbridalled Fury
True Tier: 10
Level: 34
Paragon Level: 53
HP: 940/940
EN: 106/106

Stats:
Damage: 8
Mitigation: 184
Battle Healing: 52
Loot Die: 4
Stealth Rating: -5
TAUNT
BRN-IM
FL.AURA: 16
FL.THORNS: 8/16
REC: 8
BRN: 56

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket:
  - Consuming Pyre - Surt T4: (Burn 2, Taunt)
Armor/Trinket:
  - Reinforced Plate - Lily T4 Demonic: Flame Aura 2, Flameproof, Recovery 1
Shield/Armor/Trinket:
  - Stalwart Defender T4 Demonic: Thorns 2, Recovery 1, Flame Thorns 1

Combat Mastery:
  - Combat Mastery: Mitigation R3

Combat Shift:
  - AOE Shift

Familiar Skill:
  -

Custom Skill:
  - Supernatural Fury

Skills:
  - Battle Healing R5
  - Curved Sword R5
  - Fighting Spirit
  - Heavy Armor R5
  - Howl
  - Searching R4

Extra Skills:
  - Block R5
  - Concentration
  - Survival

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:
  - Focus
  - Iron Skin
  - Stamina

Mods:
  - Night Vision
  - Shield Bash
  - Tracking

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
  - Anthem of Finality - Destruction x1
  - Anthem of Finality - Destruction x3
  - Anthem of Finality - Destruction x5
  - Anthem of Finality - Destruction x5
  - Teleport Crystal x2

Housing Buffs:
  - Dining Hall: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed. Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread.

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:
 - Tailoring[exp] R1
Gathering Profession:

 

[Raidou 1]

The streets of Aradennia seemed rather tame, a dim dusk offering only a faint orange glow peppered in window panes across only a few of the many buildings that made up the sun elf capital. The city was holding its breathe, in a constant silence as it slumbered under a crescent moon. Stars scattered piecemeal in tiny sparks on a blackened sky. The ivory spires and bridges loomed in greyed intricacy, as waters purred in a soft endless whisper. His footsteps carried with them a rhythmic drone on repeat, a shattering of the silence that echoed in its absence. The door opens, allowing light to ooze out and cause the white stone to glow in white. That same gaudy building, to which the extravagant appearance would offer him little in the way of comfort.

Breaching the threshold, the smell of all manner of culture would assault the senses with pleasantry. To his shoulders he'd clasp at his robe, sliding it off and moving it onto the coat rack just left of the door. Across the room the woman had not gone unnoticed, and deeper still her attire told a story that his suspicions were more then correct. A hand reaches for the bridge of his nose, pinching the glasses that rested there and slowly he'd fold them up. At the base of the stairs, he'd seek out the set of drawers setting them down atop it. Fishing into his pocket, out comes a long strand of fabric in a vibrant red. One of crimson that matched his robe. A scrap older then most articles of clothing, something easily forgotten from the past.

The nomad leans low, opening the bottom right drawer and sliding out a thicker square shaped box. Good thing Eruda wasn't the sort to snoop around. Tucking it under his arm, he'd slide out the round bottle of champagne collected from a quant little store in Urbus. Rubbing the label, it hadn't lasted nearly as well as the glass. Faded beyond compare, but he knew what it used to say. Setting on the top as he'd raise to the flat of his feet, a flash of light would see a smaller little container in his hand that was cold to the touch. The man inhales nervously for although he could easily stave off any wound, understand any battle.

Matters of the heart were a road he had hardly traveled.

"It's late." The man comments off the cuff looking out the window and drinking in the picturesque scene that was moonlight washing through that back window, taking care to set the bottle of alcohol near a very expensive bottle of wine. It would seem that Elda had plans of her own. The wanderer would stare with an amber colored intensity toward her. "I was wondering of you could try this on, to make sure it fits." Extending the larger box to the blonde, trying to keep his embarrassment in check.

---

<<Assist System Engaged>>
Level: 34
Paragon: 59
Tier: 4
True Tier: 16

Final EXP reward: +5% Final EXP

GUILD RANK 5 (+5% col, +5% EXP)
Mega Slime Farm: +10% Final EXP

---

Raidou | HP: 900/900 | EN: 128/128 | DMG: 24 | MIT:92 | ACC:2 | AA | F-SPIRIT | EVA:4 | BH:50 | VAMP-D: 99 | REC: 8 | LD:6

Spoiler

Name: Raidou, The Truth
True Tier: 16
Level: 34
Paragon Level: 59
HP: 900/900
EN: 128/128

Stats:
Damage: 24
Mitigation: 92
Accuracy: 2
Evasion: 4
Battle Healing: 50
Loot Die: 6
AA
VAMP-D: 99
REC: 8

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - Auric Sunlight - Finality of Faith [T4/Demonic/2HSS] +3 Damage, AA
Armor/Trinket: 
  - Red Wanderer's Resolve - Sympathy [T1/Demonic/Cloth] 2 Evasion, 2 Vampiric Defensive
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - Vision of Wisdom - Whisper [T4/Demonic/Trinket] Evasion 1, Recovery 2, Accuracy 1

Combat Mastery:
  - Combat Mastery: Mitigation R3

Combat Shift:
  - TECH Shift

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - Ill Omen in Red

Skills:
  - Battle Healing R5
  - Charge
  - Cloth Armor R5
  - Energist
  - Fighting Spirit
  - Howl
  - Quick Change
  - Searching R5
  - Straight Sword R5

Extra Skills:
  - Survival
  - Parry
  - Forgotten King's Authority
  - Concentration
  - 
  - 
  - 

Inactive Extra Skills:
- Photosynthesize
- Brawler
- Frozen Hide

Addons:
  - Ferocity
  - Focused Howl
  - Nimble
  - Precision
  - Reveal
  - Stamina

Mods:
  - Athletics
  - Detect
  - Justified Riposte
  - Tracking
  - Vengeful Riposte

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
  - Crippling Composition - Lullaby [Tierless/Rare/Debuff/Instant] Hypnosis 2 | [224055] x1
  - Ebon Star - Vanguard Revenant [T4/Demonic/Straight Sword]: V.O 2, Taunt, Blight 1 x1
  - Teleport Crystal x1
  - Vocal Augmentation - Resonation [Tierless/Perfect/Support/Instant] +15% HP [160898][161641][161642][162018][162529] x5

Housing Buffs:
  - Basic Kitchen: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30.
  - Storage Closet: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
  - Living Room: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
  - Attic (Storage): +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
  - Basement: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
  - Guest Room: Players can have one «Amenity» in a «Guest Room» and the «Amenity» cannot be recovered. Players are allowed to change which «Amenity» is in the «Guest Room». Multiple instances of the same «Amenity» do not stack. This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.
  - Master Bedroom: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
  - Master Bathroom: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
  - Extended Workshop: +2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
  - Greenhouse: +2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.
  - Dining Hall: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed. Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread.
  - Mega Slime Farm: +10% EXP to a thread. Limit one use per month. Must be used on a player's first post in a thread. Cooldown begins counting down when used in a post.

Guild Hall Buffs:
  - Trading Hall: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters and Rank 4 merchants/performers receive +1 crafting/identification attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters and Rank 5 merchants/performers receive +2 crafting/identification attempts per day.
  - Treasury: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Scents of the Wild Totem:
  - Kumatetsu
Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:

Gathering Profession:

 

 

[Eruda 0]

Sitting, staring at the front door, it opens and her heart skips a beat. Seeing him walk in the door with normal entire on. At first she thought maybe he did forget. There was so many questions she wanted to ask but nothing was coming out. Seeing the man hang his robe then walk to the dresser, setting the frames down. That dresser was something that Raidou had placed in the house. To Eruda it was his property so she never felt comfortable opening it. Seeing him pull out a medium sized box, it made her confused. When did he... thinking as he pulls out an old rustic looking bottle. Still the room laid silent, all that she could hear was the pounding of her own chest and crickets in the night sitting dormant outside. He was making so much careful movements, seeing him pull another smaller box. 

The man says very little, setting the bottle he had next to hers. Outstretching that larger container toward her, looking up to meet those ember eyes that seemed almost pleading. Biting her bottom lip as he asks her to try it on. Setting the lily's she was holding on the window seal next to her, "Sure," was all she could muster out before hesitantly taking the box. Standing up after taking off her shoes, for a split second she was thinking about changing here but there was to many windows for that. It was also the fact that he hadn't seen her like that before. Her cheeks start to turn red at the thought as she quickly runs up the stairs into the bathroom. 

Setting the box on the counter, looking in the mirror. It was clear that Raidou did not forget, it was also to note that he had plans already. There was no hi, no hey how are you. He had been gone for three days and he come in and just... Trying for another breath trying to calm down. She felt stupid for even trying to prepare...Turning on the water, splashing her face and taking a slow deep breath. Right about now she was freaking out. Glancing to the box, she takes the lid off. It was clothing. Another inhale, she dries her hands and raises the gown. A stunning blue dress, it looked nothing like her designs in the other room down the hall. Slouching her shoulders, head slightly back with a "uggg." Looking to her reflection again, "I have to fix my hair, what do I do with it though..."

After about 20 minutes her feet step slowly down the cold marble staircase. Glancing down at the kitchen counter from her height, looking back to the man. "I'm sorry about... I wouldn't of if..." What the heck was going on. Where was that brave person she'd became, it was like words couldn't come out the right way. She was so nervous beyond belief and had no clue why. Stepping the rest on the way down, flustered. Right hand rubs her left arm, hoping that at the very least she looked okay.

[Raidou 1]

As Elda whisked away up the stairs, the man watches on as she scampers off. As pretty as the dress from before was, it likely just cause her to trip over it. This one was tailored under recommendation, the color hand picked out by quite a few different people. That cobalt was decided given it matched her fathers armor, something very noble about it. He'd move to the kitchen and find a vase, filling it with water and putting a couple of the lilies into it. In the center of the table, it slides into place making for a good centerpiece. A hand to his pocket, out comes a small prism that he slinks onto a side shelf and tapping it gently with a finger to cause it to glow in an incandescent warmth of different colors. Music starts to fill the room, a gentle tone held with class.

♫

The wanderer would slide away, allowing himself a free hand and he'd lift it. *snap* his fingers ring out in an echo, <<Quick Change>> firing off and causing his clothes to swap on a dime. A pure white tailored suite blinks into existence, and his shoes clicking on the large ballroom floor. The guy does his best to start moving things around. Elda had no idea what to expect, but he'd thought about this very moment for the last 9 months, 27 days, 10 hours, 27 minutes and 3.... 4 seconds. The man would slide to one of the side halls, raising the sleeves on his new attire. Rolling in a white piano, another strange gift for the girl that he'd procured from floor 29 Ronbaru and had one hell of a time getting it down. Sliding his hands on his sleeves, he'd usher to the small box flicking open the lid sees a little cold frost escape. A small little vibrant flower in greens and pinks, from the forest of beginnings popped into his front jacket pocket.

---

He sat toying in a somber match of the music with the keys of the piano, as Elda would come wandering down. "It looks...perfect." He'd slide out and approach the foot of the stairs, holding out his right hand for her to take it during her descent.

[Eruda 0]

Hearing a piano stop playing but the music continued as Raidou came around with a hand held out toward her. Where did he learn to play? A complement given as she meets his eyes. Taking his hand, stepping down the last few steps. Suddenly he twirls her, closing the gap between them. Holding her in his arms, her face so close. "Stunning," soft clearing of her throat, "You look stunning." A smile with not much to say, this was all just so breathtaking. Before she could say anything else, they begin to move. His left hand on her side, Eruda's left hand on his right shoulder with their free hands interlinked with one another. Not knowing when that even happened, she followed his lead the best she could with no shoes. Their eyes locked, she couldn't turn away, and she didn't want to. 

It was like time had just stopped, she felt like she was burning up but not in a bad way. She could feel electricity from Raidou palms coursing through every inch of he body, it might of just been the butterflies in her stomach talking. For her it made her feel like she was still alive and not dreaming. She felt like she could melt at any moment as Raidou twirls her around on the dance floor. It was so fluent, graceful, she could swear he'd gotten better since the last time. All that fear she was gone. Feeling like she could be here, doing this forever, like nothing else mattered. That gaze never frayed or faltered, as Raidou pulls her closer and dips her.

Pulling her up slowly, his arm around her as his palm moves to her lower back. Dancing began once more, panic set in she was having trouble keeping up with his feet. It was then she remembered what he told her what seemed such a long time ago, don't think. That is when she focused on Raidou's ember eyes, listening to the music. They start prowling around with purpose, letting the man fully guide each step taken. At this moment she realized this was the movements that were similar to the way he fought. The side steps to the left or right was his pivots to dodge. Moving back then instantly forward was the parries. These lifts that would come from almost nowhere were him raising that blade. Those swirls when he held her so close were the round about side slashes he does. It was all calculated...

She was sure that maybe it wasn't that simple but this is what she saw with every swift step he made. "You dance like your fighting style," it was more of an observation than a question. This is when the music stopped, Raidou holding her close, taking a deep breath just to make sure she was still breathing. "I didn't think you'd remembered, I thought..." placing her left hand on his face. There was so much she wanted to say, but instead she just wraps her arms around his neck, "I missed you." She was blushing and she really couldn't help that. Being this close to him did that.

[Raidou 1]

The man moved the floor with a trained grace. Practice of ages and a simple recurring body memory made this all the more easier. He'd trace the path with Eruda, keeping a look of stoic concentration. An epitome of composition despite the bundle of nerves he was. Entirely different then Haine and Simmone, the man was struggling to maintain that composure. Yet the façade would hold through desperation as his heart threatened to rip out of his ribcage. His mind raced to the static between them, locked on the pureness of her skin. It held his attentions so easily, a man so composed found himself swept up in her and using the music as his only focus. The scent of lily, the warmth of her hand in his. Every breath, every heartbeat through her palm. Eventually the song would come to a close and yet despite the fact, he'd not let her go.

The man would release her side and look to his other still clutching hers. "Come with me." he'd offer with a low murmur. He had to be the guide here, as if some piece of himself was urging him to keep control. To the table, he'd move the chairs closer together. The man takes her hands in his again, "I would never forget, Elda. I was lost without you." Raidou offered the truth, cupping her left hand in his. Interlocking his fingers through hers, he'd fish out that bit of cloth that looked aged beyond compare. A small strand of red fabric, unassuming in stark crimson. He'd pinch the end and allow it to unravel toward the floor. Lifting up his hand and hers, he'd drape it over his wrist.

"In a time when I was lost, I found you." He slid a bit over her wrist. "When I didn't know who I was, I found you." Raidou moves the strand back to his own, his gaze carefully focused on it as to not miss the mark. "And whenever I roam, looking for who I'm supposed to be. I find you." Back to hers, he'd fold it across and pull it tight. "I have been accused of wearing my heart on my sleeve." Making sure the bind around their hands held nice and strong. "But its your heart, the one you made for me. There is nothing to miss." He leads her to take a seat, two hands bound together by an ancient scrap of robe that defines him. "I'll always find you."

[Eruda 0]

Leading her to the table, he has never gone anywhere without that robe. It was the first masterpiece that she had ever made. That crimson fabric took her forever to find, yet he manages to have a strand of it. His robe didn't look damage in any way, shape or form. Unless he found where she was stashing the remainder fabric cut from the same cloth. As they link hands and he drapes one side over her wrist, Eruda's eyes widen. Was he doing what she thought he was doing... -oh my god-.

In a time when I was lost, I found you.

He folds it against her wrist, her heart was beating a million mile a second. Her mind flashed back to the cave with his hand against her heart.

When I didn't know who I was, I found you.

A flip over his own, she could feel her hand begin the lightly shake beneath his warmth. Another flash back, a hand against his face as red mist flows around them.

And whenever I roam, looking for who I'm supposed to be. I find you.

Another twist over hers and a fold across with a tight tug. Her eyes began to fill with tears, yet she couldn't take that smile off her face. Racing back to the world that never was when he finally was ready to share his world with her.

Soulmates...

Its what the red string meant when it was intertwined with two people. She thought the day he asked her to marry him was the best day of her life, but this... This takes the cake. What does she even say to this, or do. Should she do something...Inhaling for a moment trying to take it in. "I..." trying to gather words in her mind, anything that would make sense. Looking down at the bond as a tear drips down her cheek. Bringing her eyes back up to meet his gaze, "No matter where you are, through time and space, a different universe..." she pauses placing her free hand on his cheek, "I will always find you, I don't care how long it takes..." She gets up slightly to sit on his lap, their arms are placed on her legs as she wraps her other arm around his neck placing her palm on the opposite back side of his shoulder blade. Closing her eyes as she presses her lips against his. She was so ungodly nervous right now, but right in this moment, the way she was feeling, being here with him, it felt right. For the first time in her life she knew what true love felt like. 

After a few minutes Eruda would find her seat again. That red fabric was still attached, to be honest she didn't want to take it off. Her chest was still pounding, it was all so knew. She didn't know how to respond to something that was so heart felt. Really not wanted to say something stupid or rather do something dumb to ruin this time. It seemed like every time they were this close, she would make it crash and burn. This time was going to be different, she takes the bottle or champagne he brought in her grasp. Looking at it for a moment she couldn't read what it said. Maybe this would help with the silence. Raidou would pop the cork as she held it. Pouring the glasses half full, not sure how much she could handle. "So I made plans cause I didn't know if you made any, which was stupid to think," those nerves were setting in again... Taking one of the cups, she takes a small drink. She would cough after swallowing, it was really potent. "So whats next, I would hate for anything you thought up to go to waste." She squeezes his hand tighter that was wrapped together for only a split second. "Also where the heck did you learn piano?" A smile on her face with a brow raised. She was getting to know the man tiny bits at a time, he really didn't look the type to play and instrument but she could say that about dancing too. She would take another drink trying to calm herself.

 

[Raidou 1]

Raidou would offer his own free hand to help the girl open the bottle of champagne, allowing for it to be popped open. The thing hisses as some of the really old bubbles escape sending a bit of dribble out. Turning the bottle around with a quick pivot, he'd run the entry under his nose and take a whiff. Notes of honey, of berry race through his senses. A twist of the bottle sees it upturned as he'd drink straight from it. Normally, in this situation they would get close and begin to talk. Eventually they'd spend a lot of time talking and end up talking themselves out of any real progress. In his recent stints he'd more then become aware of the fact, looking at Elda and the way her eyes glimmered beneath the soft white glow of the room. The scent of her hair: lillies like the ones from floor 4, the warmth of her hand burned hot. His emotions fueled and discharged in the air on a visible spectrum of red, normally rage and anger but in this moment? Nervousness and desires.

The man would turn, sliding his free arm under her legs and lifting her into his lap. It was abrupt, it wasn't graceful and frankly was a bit outside of his normal composure. "That dress really is perfect." He'd look to her with a staggering gaze, one fueled by intention and lust. Allowing the animal within agency, the smoke thickens as for once he was allowing his emotions free. He'd slide toward her ear. "Stop talking so much, I can tell your nervous. So am I... No more talking." He'd murmur and running a finger toward a dangling bang on a beet red face behind her ear, reaching up and slowly pulling out her ribbon allowing it to fall loosely.

[Eruda 0]

That look, she knew that look, red mist illuminates around them, that was new. When he pulls her back to his lap she would stop breathing for only a second. So close, those ember eyes reflected off her blue. It was so sudden, so aggressive. The sweet scent of honey on his breath, she could practically taste his lips. So close, oh so very close feeling the pulse of electricity against her skin. Trying to even her breath, it really wasn't working. He compliments her dress, she closes her eyes. Her heart was pounding faster then before as she feels a sudden warmth against her ear with an almost whisper. This territory was very new for them, heat rose on her cheeks as he would tuck a strand of hair around her ear. Her impulses were raging out of control, last time they were this close they stopped, was that going to happen again... Feeling her ribbon loosen and feeling her hair fall against her shoulders. An exhale of breath, it was shaky.

Opening her eyes pressing her lips softly against his neck. Getting up slightly to readjust a leg to the other side of the chair, she was facing him now.  Pulling his tie lose and over his head, setting it on the table. Thunder crashes abruptly in the sky above them, she jumps a little as Raidou pulls her closer. Moving her free hand to his chest, she would unbutton a few. Tracing her hand down and back up slowly to grasp the side of his neck. Eye locked to his the entire time, emotions of all variety pierce through that gaze. Nervousness, lust, passion, love, fear of it ending before it began. The red smoke was so thick that she couldn't see anything else, but she really didn't want to. Long ago she decided that it was going to be Rai's choice to go further. He knew already that she wanted it, but he would need to make that leap forward. Pressing her lips against his, closing her eyes. There was a bit of aggression in her movement as she moves as close as she could.

[Raidou 1]

Hands trace with a level of precision that would elude to the mans capability. Practiced, the soft whisper of a zipper as it slides easily with no snags. The girls dress would become lax, allowing room to move. Rain began to pour down outside, as the storm overhead loomed in a scattering of flashing cries. Raising his left hand, it would find security near the back of her neck, her own following suit as its tethered to his. The man would raise her carefully, as her dress would slowly be hiked up and fold in on itself. "Slow..." the only words the man speaks, against the audible white outcry of the heavy rainfall just outside that taps angrily on the windowpane as if giving a beat to which their heart were urged to follow. A newfound warmth and release of desire. A gentle sway of their embrace in a kind yet static melding of emotion and love. The sounds of their breathing, the warmth drawn across his face would mirror hers. The man curated the moment, a level of immaturity but mastery through meticulous concern and politeness.

Exchanged breaths, that sent charged sensations down his spine as their hearts bled into one another. A tired veteran and a girl that was his light, a flawless softness and melting of being. Minds move to blank, as all resistance falls out of the room of thought. An ever white void that allowed nothing but compassion and communion to thrive. He'd twist and push his lips against hers, his shirt losing another button that clatters to the floor and begins to roll away. The lingering red film traced through the air like satin, dancing and weaving. The table bounces as the man leans forward and gives her more stability. The glass on it falls off the wayside, shattering on the floor to another boom of thunder. But he didn't care. All that mattered. "I love you Elda." The man mutters as his only thought remained.

****

A rather rough night, the food sat ever cold on the kitchen counter. Forgotten. Strands of clothing hung limply and strewn across chairs. Raidou the first to always be up, sat shirtless and barefoot plucking the keys of the piano.

[Eruda 0]

Eyes were still closed but her mind was awake, feeling the slight coldness of the marble upon her bare skin. Images flashing into her mind, it was almost like a slide show. It all felt like almost a dream, her body felt sore but in a good way. Hearing someone playing the keys of the piano, the whole thing was to good to be true. Fluttering her lashes open, glancing down seeing that crimson robe laying across her body. Shifting a bit seeing him with no shirt, her chest starts to pound faster... It wasn't a dream, peering at the chairs that she remembers him moving together. Clothing laid dormant across them, feeling that silk fabric underneath her frame. Bringing the robe up over her head as heat plastered against her cheeks, realizing that she had nothing but his white button up shirt on from last night. Breathing was uneven, it was almost panicked. Closing her eyes, trying to calm herself, thinking about the warmth and comfort that last night brought. That alone made her chill just a bit. Pulling the robe off her head slowly to glance back at him. she takes a deep breath and starts to get up.

Standing there, the shirt was only half buttoned. Turning to the wine, thinking maybe it would help but it could also make it harder to think so it was going to be a hard pass for now. Patting down her hair, pulling it over her right shoulder as she combed through it with her hands. Picking up his robe, she would fold it over the chair. She grabs the crimson fabric of the floor for it had sentimental value, more so after last night. Finding herself staring at Raidou, unable to walk forward. Why... what was stopping her. Maybe the thought of regret, but if he was thinking that why would he still be here. Eruda shakes her head, truth is she didn't know how to approach him after such a wonderful night. Her heart pounds against her chest as she start walking slowly toward him. -Stop thinking, just do- was repeating in her head over and over as she got closer. It was like he was down a long hallway moving further away as she made the strides forward. 

Eventually she gets to him, she puts a leg on the other side of the bench and sits facing him. Those ember's meet her blue and she could feel herself burning up, like she could melt with just a single touch. She though this would go away, this feeling when they, but it only made it stronger. Taking a deep breath as she leans against his shoulder, one hand lays upon his leg and the other on his lower back. Sometimes actions were more than words, her finger tips slowly rub up and down his back. "You can have your shirt back anytime but that would leave me with nothing," saying with a smile painted across her lips as her cheeks held that red color. She would listen to him play, it was relaxing.

[Raidou 1]

♫

A powerful and constant thrumming of the keys, a practiced expert from years of experience. The rust fell away quickly as his emotion pulsed out through every stroke against the gentle rainfall. Scraps of clothes draped over the corner of that white piano. Elda at his back covered in his heart as a blanket. The mans eyes shut as he'd let his emotion bleed through his fingers. It rung in an ambient reverberation through the room as thin streaks of white pierced in from that large window pane, glimmering on the broken glass littering the floor causing it to shine. A clap of bare feet on the marble floor. The bench folds a bit as weight is added to the other side, alerting the man as he'd continue to play. 

Opening his eyes he'd look into hers, that rich stroke of orange in a serene comfort. "You can keep it, but I may take you up on the offer soon." He'd press his forehead into hers. "Good morning Elda." He'd pick her lips even brushing his shoulder against her as he'd play. "I think we have some gardening to do. I ordered some bread from town, I figured we'd spend the day together. Don't even have to get changed." The man spoke with a fluidity and a grin, a looseness to his tone not normally present. The doorbell rings, and he'd look over. "Its open." Raidou offers in a louder tone, seeing the little red head elven girl peak her head in and squeak before turning a bright shade of red as she'd notice the two half naked players.

"Set it by the door, Ryllae, I'm a little busy. Thanks." Offering her a chipper response.

Frazzled, she scrambles and sets it down on the shelf before bowing and steps back out as quick as she could.

[Eruda 0]

Breathing became uneven again as he spoke. A small chuckle as she snuggles against his bare skin, it kinda smelled like her, go figure. "Right the flowers, I set them in the pots near the back door." Looking up toward the green house to make sure the wolf didn't get into it, they looked to be safe. Eyes meeting those soft embers, he ordered the Elvin bread. "Oh I hope it the one with the strawberry blend, it's my favorite." He could see the excitement as she perks up. It was probably for the best, that sort of food never tasted very good reheated. She would not be mentioning that she wasted food to Freya, although if she knew the reason the raging emotion wouldn't be so bad. On second thought keeping them guessing would be funner. Him saying the last few things as a grin forms on his lips, she bites her bottom lip with a playful expression on hers. That is when the door bell rings, she instantly burrows her face in his inner shoulder blade. Hearing some quick rustling and what sounded like a wicker basket fall on a shelf, Eruda couldn't help but chuckle, face beet red.

The door closes, she slowly raised her head up. "Hmm," thinking very carefully about her next actions. "All day, alone..." A soft exhale of breath, standing slightly with the bench between her legs. She softly presses her lips against his cheek with a swift movement back, a simple taste. He looks in her direction as she unbuttons the remaining of the shirt allowing it the hang loosely. Repaying the grin back to the man, she lifts her foot over the seat and walks to the food. -Click- the sound of a dead bolt as she picks up the basket. Placing it on the table, tearing a small piece of bread off. Into her mouth it goes, "Mmm," a small sound as she closing her eyes enjoying the soft cream taste of strawberry that melted on her taste buds. Heading into the kitchen, opening a drawer and grabbing a rag out. To the side of the fridge, a hand sweeper and tray. Tossing the towel on the liquid, leaning over as she cleans the glass and liquid up. "Are you gonna come help?" Asking in a small voice, cleaning didn't have to be boring. Her heart was racing against her chest, still flustered, it never faded.

[Raidou 1]

The man would swallow hard as Elda took to unbuttoning the shirt she was wearing, knowing that his inference might have given the wrong impression. Yet for obvious reasons he was entirely ok with the notion, a level of attraction bubbling to the surface. Raidou stands and walks around the stool but hears the lock fire. With more innocent assumptions, moving to the basket and tearing off a piece of their simple breakfast. The gentle euphemism from the blonde would cause him to jerk awake, almost shocked at how inviting that invitation was. A mix of curiosity and desire as she'd wander into the kitchen, her feet clapping on the hard floors more feverish then his would be.

Off to the races as Raidou took it a lot more at face value, grabbing a rag of his own and wandering through the threshold.

"Are you gonna come help?"

The man looks up to make a reply, but his tongue is grabbed in abruptly. The culprit, a front and center view of Eruda's rear end on full display. Raidou, the man of strategy, the battlefield tactician that was nearly unmatched in how elaborate his planning was. In his moment the thoughts turned to a million and one ideas, and none of them were a battle plan. "Yes." he'd remark limply, leaving the softest plume of red vapor as he starts to move.

[Eruda 0]

Setting the wet cloth in the sink, pouring the glass in the garbage. She rinses the rag under hot water, it is warm upon her hands, glancing to Raidou with his back turned. Ringing the fabric out, hanging it on the fridge handle. Taking a soft inhale with a shaky exhale. It was one thing to think about the motions but it was something entirely different when showing off. Grabbing a tiny silk linen off the floor, she would put at least those on. Plus she wasn't sure going outside without them was a good idea. They were cleaning in silence, the heat between them were rising. A slight lock of vision between the two every time they walked past one another. It got to the point where she craved his touch, this part of there relationship was so new and all she wanted was to explore. Trying to control her raging emotions, she grabs the open bottle of champagne, hoping to god it didn't make the intense feeling worse. Taking a swig, a sharp swallow before turning to Rai. Who seemed to be trying not to look at her now, either that or he was just great at taking peaks. Groaning maybe a bit to loudly she takes another swig from the bottle and sets it down.

Gathering the clothing around the room, somehow a shirt ended up on the stairs. It was a bit confusing, placing the linen over the banister as she looks to Rai again. Blushing, she would pass him and touch his chest lightly, before forcing it away feeling the static jolting through her arm. That feeling, the touch, it was addicting. All the food seemed to be off the counter, there was a lot of it and he cleaned it so quickly. With the house spotless again she makes her way to the green house entrance taking a deep breath, chest pounding a million times a second, turning to face Raidou who was in the kitchen still. Standing in this doorway, she could feel the temperature different. Hearing light drops against the glass above. A variety of floral smells hit her nose but somehow it was not overwhelming. "I want..." a pause, what she wanted was different from what they were about to do so she would rephrase, "Can you show me how to plant these properly..." her voice was shaky, heat was rising again. Was it the way they were dressed acting as a distraction. All she wanted to do was run to him but that couldn't be all they did today, right? Little beams of light would shine past her across the marble floor. Leaning against the door frame, head tilted against the glass pane edge. "Unless you have other plans," cheeks still flushed, biting her bottom lip just staring in Raidou direction. She found it hard to look away...

[Raidou 1]

The light contact as they would continue to clean would start to send his senses into a frenzy. His desire on the rise, the girl was really turning a fresh taste into something that he found himself hungering for more and more. Gentle brushes and looks, that he'd catch every so often out of the corner of his eye. It was clear she was looking for satisfactions. Food dismissed, clothing cleaned up, and glass removed. It blazed past as the wanderer's blood boiled with every second, building tensions and urges to relieve them on every passing one. He'd caught her own attempts to quell it with alcohol but all it would do is release her inhibitions like brakes on a train. What she needed was relief. A cure.

"I want..."

The man would press himself against her, gently pinning her against the doorframe. "I know." he mutters as if answering the call. He'd lock lips with her running his hands across her arms and seeking out her waist. The skin on skin was electrifying, as the gentle rainfall would blend their senses to nothing more then a carnal void of pleasures. The polite firmness, rough yet patient in his offering to sate her appetite. Heat exchanged in another dance of melding souls, mixed into one another in a way that left them both complete. The girl would be turned, allowed to find purchase and stability on that doorway, with careful hands. They'd blend into nothing more then happiness as their baser desire was finally resolved in an shared belated breath. The flowers would remain where they stood, as the salt and sweat would prove a much more ripe fruit. Raidou found himself lost in the scent, her hair, her skin. A burning desire released in an endless static that would last so long it bordered on uncomfortable.

[Eruda 0]

A gasp as she was pinned, his lips so soft against hers yet aggressive. Closing her eyes, allowing herself to enjoy the ever longing ecstasy. That burning sensation from every touch, her hand finds his arm. With a twist her fingers search to find purchase, anything possible, the door, the frame something, it was like grasping for straws with no connection. Feeling his warm breath against her neck, she would move her hair quick. Feeling soft jolted lips to her heated skin, it makes her shutter. Those hands of his acting as a balancing act so that neither would fall to soon. The world around them would go unnoticed, her eyes would shut tighter. Turning to face him again she hops up and folds her legs, they stumble backward. The planters fall over as a foot drags across, thick harden clay to the concrete. Small rumbles of thunder as water drips down the panes one by one. Laying against soft soil, her fingers pawing and curling with each intensified feeling. Lips connect, breathing was heavy, as red and white petals fall down around them.

*** 2 hours later ***

Eruda is sitting on Rai's lap with nothing but his crimson red robe on. On her it was like wearing a long dress that she could easily trip over. Rai managed to find pants but the other clothing was no where to be found. Flower pots shattered in the door way of the garden. Gavel looks like it went through a tornado as it was everywhere, including a small amount leading into the house. Both sitting on a single chair with a chess board on the table. Eruda moves a pawn, "So if I move this here then your knight can get it..." glancing to Rai, with a small chuckle she pulls a leaf out of his hair. She knew that hers didn't look much better but she really didn't care right now. Her cheeks were flustered but this time it wasn't from embarrassment...

[Raidou 1]

PH