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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 19, 2010 18:22:50 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 19, 2010 18:22:50 GMT -5
"Hardly," Kvothe responded with a snort. "I was going to kill him, you know. It was a spur of the moment thing." Green and silver played in his eyes when he looked to Alindra with a wry smile. "Well, maybe I was feeling competitive. Couldn't just let them know about just you, now, could I?" He laughed a warm laugh and let the subject go, so that they could continue on back to the Masada in quiet.
Thankfully, the rest of the trip back to the city was filled with blessed peace. Alindra was flying smoothly, the wind was too low to be of any concern, and they didn't get attacked again. That would've made Kvothe's day in and of itself. It was good to have a few minutes to rest as well, after being flooded with adrenaline from their fight in the sky.
They arrived at the city in short order. Kvothe could spot one of Ruusan's three moons in the sky as the last light from the evening started to fade away. "It's no problem," he said in response to Alindra. "It's not like I have anything else to do. What do you have planned, though, if I may ask?"
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May 20, 2010 12:02:59 GMT -5
Post by Nightender on May 20, 2010 12:02:59 GMT -5
"If I told you what I had planned, it wouldn't be a surprise."
They found a tanner and dropped off the Kell dragon hide. "I need a set of leather armor made out of this, plus whatever my friend needs." Alindra casually glanced at Kvothe when she mentioned him.
"Is the armor for one of you?" the clerk asked.
"It's for me," Alindra said.
"I'll need to make some measurements. You want to do that now or when the leather's ready to be worked?"
"I'll go ahead and do it now."
Moving through several poses, they took Alindra's measurements. She was confident that her armor would fit her shape exactly. It eased her mind to know that she wouldn't have to adjust her movements dramatically to compensate for the protective layer.
After waiting for Kvothe to take care of his own arrangements, Alindra made a down payment and stepped outside, waiting for Kvothe to follow. "Give me... two and a half hours, then meet me at my hotel. We'll talk more then." She made a point to stand close to Kvothe when she spoke, wondering just how things were actually going to continue.
When she walked away, she felt very satisfied with herself. Then, remembering where she was going next, Alindra turned back. "Kvothe!" Alindra put a big smile on her face. "Dress nice." And she walked away.
The business she'd wanted to take care of alone had been at a dress shop she'd seen. Alindra needed something different and, even if she hadn't met up with Kvothe, she would have made it to the shop before she left. There was a simple dress she had her eye on, something very different than what she usually wore. Just looking at it, she knew how it would fit, which saved her time. Adding to it a matching bag, shoes, and a little something extra, Alindra checked out, taking her new purchases back to her hotel.
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 20, 2010 20:04:39 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 20, 2010 20:04:39 GMT -5
"Ah, you tease me!" Kvothe grinned and stood up when the Masada touched down once more. "Alright then. I look forward to whatever it might be that you've got planned." Amusement flashed in his eyes in the form of streaks of silver. "As long as I get to keep all of my teeth, anyway." He laughed and went down to the main level of the ship to prepare to depart.
A few minutes later, he was out in the city with Alindra. For once, he decided to leave his staff and sword on the ship, in favor of being able to travel just a little more lightly. Any trouble they might have the chance of running into could be handled with the Mythos and his fists anyway, if such trouble arose.
The two made their way to a tanner, with Fas trailing behind them. Kvothe sat off alone with his thoughts and his flickercat while Alindra went through the process of getting measured for her armor. Now that he was, more or less, back to a good mood after the attack by the two Exchange ships, he felt certain feelings rising up again within him. And as he waited, stealing glances at Alindra as the tanner went about measuring her, he knew they were the ones that rose up to the surface in the crystal cave. But how do I deal with this? I don't have any ex-
"Sir, I'm told that I something is to be made for you as well?"
Kvothe jumped a bit and looked up to see that the clerk was the one speaking. "Oh! Right... Um..." He stood to his feet once more, pondering what he could have made. "Perhaps a gauntlet. For my left hand, or both if you have enough hide left over after her armor's done." A thought struck him as he held out his hands to be measured; a thought for a gift that a certain someone back on Aiaru might appreciate when he returned. "And, if it's not too much to ask, if you could take a scale from the hide and perhaps run a leather cord through it or something, it'd be very appreciated. I have a friend at home that might like it."
That wrapped up business in the tannery for the moment, and so he headed back outside to meet up with Alindra. She was waiting outside, and turned to speak to him. The nearness of her was not lost on him. She was near enough that Kvothe could smell the scent of her, carried by the gentle currents of the evening breeze. And when she stopped to say one last thing when she was walking away, he smiled without knowing it.
Two and a half hours, she gave him. Then he'd meet her. For the time being, he just strolled aimlessly through the city's streets. "What do you think she meant by 'dress nice', Fas?" Kvothe looked down at his companion, and though Fas returned his gaze, no answer was given. Kvothe sighed and kept going. He wasn't entirely sure if Alindra had been serious or if she was just playing with him. He could afford to buy another set of clothes, though, being so used to robes and armor left his sense of what was fashionable quite diminished. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to try, though...
He arrived at the hotel Alindra was staying at two and a half hours later, in an attire that was markedly different than what he was normally in. He'd seen it in a store window as he was walking about. It looked nice enough, (certainly nicer than his robes) and was priced decently enough that he didn't mind putting out money for it. He felt weird in it, though. You only live once, right? But he'd decided to go ahead, and after dropping his robes off on the Masada, made his way out to meet Alindra at her hotel.
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May 21, 2010 2:10:14 GMT -5
Post by Nightender on May 21, 2010 2:10:14 GMT -5
Alindra had only a single goal, to feel good about herself. It had been denied to her long enough, she decided she deserved to feel good.
Her first task, once she got into her room, was to get cleaned up. Being dirty, having tangled hair, and having the glimpse of blood in her mouth wasn't doing her any favors. It took her a little while to feel and smell clean again, but when she got there, her mood improved.
She dabbed on a little perfume, painted her lips a gentle shade of white. Slipping into her new dress, a strapless narrow gown that ran to her ankles, Alindra started to debate what to do with her hair. Most times she kept it down, even though it might be a distraction if she got into a fight. This time, she made it go up, letting sections of it fall around her in curls. Pins marked with white blossoms kept her hair where she wanted it. Slipping her lightsaber into her new bag, Alindra went downstairs.
At the front desk, she stopped to tell the clerk, "A friend of mine is going to come by here in a little while. Would you mind telling him that I'm waiting over here." Alindra pointed to the lounge area where a few people were already talking and laughing. She purposefully found a seat where she could turn away from the front desk at a moment's notice. Surprises were still a good thing.
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 22, 2010 0:47:46 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 22, 2010 0:47:46 GMT -5
The clerk at the front desk looked up at Kvothe when he entered the hotel, and he thought that, for the briefest instant, he saw surprise streak across her face. Probably from how stupid I must look in the clothes. He was in a suit of sorts, with a dark grey pants and a vest of the same shade over a white dress shirt. The woman in the clothes shop told him he looked rather striking in it, but he was doubtful. At least it would only be for this evening. Then he could get back into his robes.
"Hello, I'm looking for Alindra. Alindra..." What was her last name? He wasn't sure if he knew it; if he did, he must have forgotten. "She's a few inches shorter than me. Blonde hair, green eyes." Pretty, he thought, rather than saying it aloud.
"Miss Vordrinn? She's waiting over there." The sentence ended with a gesture toward the lounge, where a few people were already gathered about. She smiled softly at Kvothe before she looked back down to whatever work it was she'd been doing. "Enjoy your evening."
He muttered his thanks and moved off toward the lounge. As his eyes scanned the crowd, that strange feeling of being completely unprepared for whatever might be coming returned. Now, not only was he without his armor, but he was weaponless. Fas got left behind on the Masada, as Kvothe wasn't sure that an animal would be allowed into the hotel. He was alone. Alone with feelings he had nearly no experience with. He'd make due, though. Hopefully.
It took a bit of looking to find Alindra. In fact, he looked right past her at first, since he still expected her hair to be down. But after he went by her and turned around, he saw her, sitting with her back to the entrance. "Hello Alindra," he said with a smile as he walked toward her. Green flooded into his eyes as they took in her presence. He sat down next to her and looked about, taking in the other people all around them before returning his gaze to her. "You look nice tonight."
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May 22, 2010 1:22:34 GMT -5
Post by Nightender on May 22, 2010 1:22:34 GMT -5
Sitting to herself, it amused Alindra greatly when she saw Kvothe walk by. He hadn't seen her, just as she'd planned. The simplicity of Kvothe's dark grey on white appealed to Alindra. For a few minutes, she was content to wait, her legs carefully crossed, two of her fingers wrapping around one of her curls.
Finally, Kvothe saw Alindra. He greeted her and smiled. As she watched Kvothe sit down, Alindra wondered if he had any plan to go about things. This had been Alindra's plan, even though she was largely playing it by ear. All Kvothe managed to say was, "You look nice tonight."
"It's a start," Alindra said, smirking. "I like you're outfit too. Very nice, very casual. It's a good fit."
Alindra's fingers finally came away from her hair. Her fingernails traced along her chest before gliding to her side. Leaning forward, her eyes watched Kvothe with hunger. "It all falls to you now," Alindra said. She felt confident, sure that she could draw something out of Kvothe. What, she didn't know, but she wanted to see what would happen. "You're sitting at a table with an attractive young woman and the city is your oyster. What will you do?"
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 22, 2010 21:15:14 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 22, 2010 21:15:14 GMT -5
Kvothe's smile deepened a bit when Alindra complemented him on his choice of an outfit. At least she likes it, then. He still felt weird in it. But if Alindra liked it, then he'd gladly wear it.
Words were on the verge of leaving his mouth when Alindra's hand went down. It went down, lingering near her chest and then to her side. Kvothe's eyes followed, sending whatever he'd been on the edge of saying into some void where they were forgotten. Of course, he realized this was happening after he'd already started staring at her, and he looked away for a moment as color flooded into his cheeks and his eyes became a deep maroon. Smooth, Kvothe. Ogle her some more, why don't you? There was nothing to do but keep going, though.
"Well," he started, chuckling softly in an attempt to play off the fact that he was blushing, "that is an interesting question. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure." Kvothe was not lying when he said that; he hadn't a clue what he was going to do, but for now, he'd extemporize. In doing so, he might as well push things along and see what came of it so that he could stop being fidgety. "Maybe I could start by trying to woo said attractive woman?" Kvothe's confidence was starting to grow as he moved on; a change that was reflected in his voice, as it grew stronger and calmer. The maroon in his eyes had been replaced by green, with thin threads of silver running through it.
"Perhaps I could tell her of the battles I've won, and the men I've defeated?" He looked at Alindra hopefully, but then his eyebrows furrowed and he shook his head. "No, that wouldn't work, because I'd find out that this particular attractive woman slew a dragon! Well, perhaps I could tell her that I've drawn the attention of a crime syndicate that's known and feared throughout the Galaxy, then?" A confident smile grew on his face and he leaned back as though he was certain that was what he was looking for. Again, though, his expression shifted to one of disappointment. "'Join the club,' she'd say, ' we have jackets.' Well, she's not making this easy for me, now is she? What will I do?"
A thought struck then--one that Kvothe didn't hesitate to follow. After all, he'd not expected to be saying the sort of things he was saying (well, not yet anyway) but his mouth moved of its own accord now, and the things that were coming out sounded alright, so he was content to just settle in for the ride.
His attention shifted for a heartbeat, to a vase of flowers on a table behind Alindra. "Maybe it would be best to start off simply." As he spoke, he made a small gesture with his hand, sending tendrils of the Force out toward the vase. At one flower in particular. It was a rose, blooming as fully as any Kvothe had ever seen, with petals that were nearly the deep red of blood. The rose came up from the glass vase, and drifted over to Kvothe.
"Yes, simple sounds good. Maybe I could give her something? A flower perhaps." The rose arrived in his hand then, and he bit back a swear when he took it. He didn't need to look down to know the blasted thorns were still on the thing, though he did anyway. There was, however to his surprise, as mall speck of blood swelling up from the spot where he'd been pricked. He paid it little mind, though. "I think," Kvothe started, extending the rose to her, "that it fits this particular attractive young woman."
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May 23, 2010 1:05:34 GMT -5
Post by Nightender on May 23, 2010 1:05:34 GMT -5
"You're right," Alindra said, staring at the outstretched rose. "The jackets are a deep jade and have gold logos that look like shooting targets. Big bright targets the Exchange is sure to miss."
She shifted a little, looking at the rose, admiring the deep red shade of its petals. "Of course, this dragonslayer would be impolite if she didn't admit that she had more than a little help. Help from a man who was kind and intelligent and that interesting kind of mysterious."
Finally, Alindra reached forward and took the rose. She held the flower in her delicate hands, bringing the petals close to her nose so she might take in their scent. "Lovely," she said to herself. Before she thought about speaking again, Alindra took in another breath laced with the tiniest bit of rose petal.
She lowered the flower so she might be able to look directly at Kvothe. Her heart felt stronger in her chest as she watched her companion. "I'll say this much, Kvothe. You've got my attention." Cruel tease that Alindra could be, she said nothing else to prod Kvothe, something of a test to see what he would do or say next.
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 23, 2010 20:58:30 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 23, 2010 20:58:30 GMT -5
Kvothe's heart soared at the last thing Alindra said. Perhaps that meant there was some sort of reflection with her of the longing that he felt. Maybe. Whatever it meant, it meant that he was getting off on the right foot. It seemed winging it was the way to go, at least for the time being.
"Well, that's a good start, I think," he said. But where to go from here? Well, he could keep moving things along to see what would happen. Or he could see if Alindra would say anything else, though if she hadn't yet... But what would Kvothe say? Part of him just wanted to admit his feelings straight out--rather than hinting at them--but he didn't want to run the risk of seeming awkward.
An idea struck then. Perhaps it wasn't the best way to go about things, but he'd long since abandoned trying to think these things through. "Your attention is good, and probably more than I deserve, but I think I'm feeling ambitious." Kvothe glanced off to either side and then leaned in. He lowered his voice to nearly a whisper, as though he were going to speak of something of the utmost secrecy. "Tell me, how might I get your heart?"
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May 25, 2010 1:34:02 GMT -5
Post by Nightender on May 25, 2010 1:34:02 GMT -5
"Getting my heart?" Alindra lightly turned her head back and forth in a negative motion. The edge of her mouth flexed up, amused. "That would be telling, Kvothe. Wouldn't you rather find out for yourself?"
It was quiet for a moment. Just a few seconds for Alindra to play hard to get. She really didn't want to, it was just part of her charm. At least that's what she thought she had to do, but Kvothe was already charmed. For once, it wasn't a con what she was feeling. It was a real sensation and she didn't have the slightest idea how she could nurture it.
"Truthfully, I like simple things. Like my rose." She held the rose close, but with a delicate grasp, not wanting to crush it. "You know I've never had things simple. Everything always had to be perfect, never easy or simple. There's probably a simple key to my heart. Find it, and my heart will be yours."
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 25, 2010 22:22:45 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 25, 2010 22:22:45 GMT -5
"Ah, well you can't blame a guy for trying, eh? But it appears I'm going to have to do a bit of work to find this key." One of the edges of Kvothe's lips moved up in a wry smirk. "After all, nothing worth having comes easy, right?"
With that he leaned back in his seat and studied Alindra in silence. Simple. Something simple. Well, at least she preferred things that were simple. Kvothe already felt lost enough as thing stood; he couldn't even begin to fathom what he might do if Alindra asked for something... well, complex. Still, simple wasn't as simple as Kvothe might have wished it to be.
What could he give her? What did he have to give her? Nothing, really. Perhaps he could go acquire jewelry or something of the sort, but that didn't sit right with him. There was no doubt in his mind that it would be nice, but he didn't know if it would be genuine. But what would be genuine? He didn't really know much of anything she wanted. Well, there was the one thing she'd told him, but that was far beyond his ability to give.
"I remember you telling me," he said softly , "that you wished to rule one day, as a Queen, or a Duchess." His green eyes flashed with amusement as he shook his head sadly. "If I had the ability to do, I'd give that to you, but it's beyond me. Not that that would really be simple, anyway." Kvothe chuckled warmly, though he still didn't have a clue what he was going to do. What could he do?
Vorian would kn- The thought was crushed before it could be completed. While Kvothe might not have put much into relationships while growing up, he'd have to be blind not to see the way some of the women in the Tower were drawn to his brother. While he went more or less unnoticed. That in and of itself didn't really bother him, but the nagging feeling that Vorian was the reason he was often looked over did. It didn't really make much difference though. Most of Vorian's stints with women ended up being one-night stands, anyway.
So do anything Vorian wouldn't do. Well, that should be simple. It gave him another thought to try, if nothing else. "I don't have much in the way of material things to give you, to be honest," said Kvothe with a sigh. "Would that I could pluck a star from the sky and place it in a crown for you, but I'm merely a man, and such things are out of my reach. But I do have one thing I can give you. It's not been touched by anyone else up to this point." Green and purple mixed in his eyes, playing against each other as emotions within Kvothe swirled. "I can give you my own heart."
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May 26, 2010 3:35:44 GMT -5
Post by Nightender on May 26, 2010 3:35:44 GMT -5
Alindra thought about Kvothe's offer. She wasn't sure he would be willing to do something that drastic, especially so fast. It put a warm satisfaction in the air around them, knowing what was in store.
He wanted to offer to Alindra all her ambitions, possibly even the ambitions she hadn't mentioned. It was true, she still wanted to become a Queen or a Duchess, something like that was possible, especially if she could find a world to conquer or convert in the name of all things Sith. Did it matter that she had no formal training in being a ruler or that she wasn't descended from noble blood? Not in Alindra's eyes.
Her heart was beating faster. The notion of wearing a crown adorned with a star plucked from the sky sounded wonderful. Alindra started to crave more. She felt flush and ready to accept what Kvothe had to offer. Truthfully, she was getting ready to offer him a great deal as well.
It would be tricky when the time came. Kvothe would not want to turn away from the Mythics, especially when it was his duty to dispatch traitors to their Order. Alindra would have to tempt him, entice him with new ideas, making him want to inspire the Mythics to become a group built around pursuing passions and valuing strength in all its forms. She would have to turn him before he realized what she was doing.
But that was an idea for another time. For this moment, she had him going, at least in her mind. She smiled, enjoying the softness of her white lips. Alindra extended a single hand and brought it to the side of Kvothe's face, touching it with the backs of her fingers. As she let her hand rest against Kvothe, she looked into his eyes, locking green and purple with her own sea green.
Keeping things going, Alindra had another question, playing along with Kvothe's current string of ideas. "Tell me something, oh noble knight of mine. Alindra is the name of a mere slave girl, a dancer, a woman in the wild. But if you really want to give your heart to me, to make me your Queen, tell me, by what name would you call me?"
It was risky, and a bit of a trap, but Alindra had led him to it. Most me would weigh their options, thinking Alindra the only choice possible. Others would try to find the most poetic or proper title to use, seeing the statement about Alindra's name as purely a trap. Alindra wondered just what would Kvothe say.
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 26, 2010 23:37:09 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 26, 2010 23:37:09 GMT -5
His breath caught in his throat when he felt her fingers brush against his skin. They were so soft, so light, but they were warm and familiar, in way that Kvothe couldn't explain. Were it possible, he might have wished that time could stop there, with Alindra's fingers brushing his cheek as she looked into his eyes. That couldn't be, though, and so she posed him another question. He smiled a little bit when she called him her knight, though it faded away when he heard the question.
Silence fell as Kvothe's jaw worked as he searched for an answer to Alindra's question. She'd posed a difficult one, or in the least, a tricky one. Was it a test? Would everything be ruined if he answered incorrectly? Those were questions he couldn't answer, but he decided it would be best to step carefully.
He set about unbuttoning his sleeves and rolling them up to his elbows in turn, more as a way of wasting time than anything else. "That's a good question" He flashed a smile at her and went on with rolling up one of the sleeves. "Names are important things. Beautiful things. Dangerous things. In fact, my people, the Rilan, believe that there's a great deal of power to be had in knowing someone's name." That, of course was why almost no one knew Kvothe's real name, save his brother and the priestess that gave it to him. Of course, as much as he liked Alindra, he didn't mention it to her.
"But you ask me to name you? That's quite the task. A monumental one, I dare say." When he finished rolling his second sleeve up to the elbow, he put both arms on the table and studied Alindra over her his fingers, which were laced together. "Well, let's see what kind of qualities we're working with, shall we? Beautiful goes without saying, I should think. There's some deception in that, though, as I find myself thinking most would think you weak and soft because of it." Kvothe shook his head with a sly grin. "I know better than that, though. There's steel in you. Whether it came from the events of your past or if it was always there, I don't know, but it's there none the less. I think it's safe to say that you're driven, and I can't call your goals anything less than ambitious.
"So, were I to give a name for all of those, what would it be?" He spread his hands apart in a sort of shrugging gesture before clapping them back together. "I can't say. The histories of Aiaru tell of a woman who ruled one of the provinces. Her name was Sirona. She lived and died long before I was born, so I cannot speak from personal knowledge, but what from I've read of her, and what I know of you, you're both remarkably similar to each other. It's said she was beautiful, short of stature and slight of build, with an appearance that lead many men to fall to their more... lustful desires. Of course, none of them succeeded, as she was, reportedly, extremely fond of using a knife, especially on those that sought to take advantage of a short, beautiful woman. And, from what else I know, she was ruthless, in a way. She was good to her people and her allies, but a nightmare to the few who were foolish enough to make an enemy of her." Again, he shrugged, though he smiled lightly at Alindra. "Perhaps I would call you Sirona, after her.
"But would I need to forsake calling you Alindra? Perhaps Alindra was, at one point a slave girl and a dancer, but now she's more than that." Kvothe put his hands down onto the table, tilting his head just a bit at her. "The Alindra I know is all of those things I said, and the dragonslayer and Exchange fighter, to boot. So did Alindra die when the slave girl was no more, or did she grow, and change into something greater?" Kvothe looked into her eyes again, and felt for a moment that he might get lost in the green depths. "Honestly, I think I'd prefer Alindra, rather than calling you someone else's name. But what about you?"
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May 27, 2010 2:55:28 GMT -5
Post by Nightender on May 27, 2010 2:55:28 GMT -5
Hearing Kvothe answer, Alindra found herself having a greater respect for the man. Not only because he spoke smooth and true, but because Kvothe was something most men weren't: honest. She found herself drawn to his stories, to his thoughts. He spoke of Sirona, a small, beautiful woman, capable of luring men, even to their deaths. It was a magnificent answer, one Alindra had to remember.
But Kvothe was not finished there. He made careful effort to say that he would prefer to say the name Alindra, to call to her. Dragon slayer and Exchange fighter. Alindra liked these thoughts, felt warmed by them, her reflection through Kvothe's heart.
"Putting it the way you just did..." Alindra tilted her head. A curl fell loose, bouncing from her temple. "I think I haven't been very fair. You've given me such lovely gifts and I haven't given you anything."
She put the rose aside, caring for it even more than when she held it. Moving her hands, she placed her fingertips on the edges of Kvothe's face. "I mean to correct that."
Alindra's eyes closed just as her lips moved in. In the crystal cave, she'd already given herself over to it. There hadn't been a reason for her to open do what she wanted. Waiting was over and she was ready to see what was going to happen. Wet and warm, Alindra's lips found their way to Kvothe's making them meet in a new way.
Backing away, Alindra dared herself to breathe. Her eyes slowly opened. New kinds of battle opened in her thoughts, as well as anticipating familiar fights once more. She was excited and left herself to that.
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
6,347 posts
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May 27, 2010 23:42:00 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 27, 2010 23:42:00 GMT -5
Kvothe wondered what it was Alindra meant when she said she'd not been fair to him; what did she have in mind to give him? The answer came soon though, when she reached out and took his face in her hands. Before his mind could catch up with what was going on, her lips were against his in a kiss. Surprise initially filled his mind, but that quickly gave way to a sense of enjoyment, of satisfaction, as he gave himself over to what was happening.
As his eyes slid closed, like, hers, he found himself wanting little more than to take her in his arms in an embrace; to feel the warmth of her, the very essence of her. But there was a table in the way, among other things.
There was a soft pang of disappointment when she pulled away, but outwardly, Kvothe smiled. There wasn't much else he could think of to do convey how he felt, other than to give her that smile. "So then, did I find that key?"
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last online Apr 10, 2014 12:08:08 GMT -5
Knight
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May 28, 2010 3:14:57 GMT -5
Post by Nightender on May 28, 2010 3:14:57 GMT -5
"Possibly." Alindra pulled back only a short distance, letting herself breathe a little smoother. Licking her lips, she savored the lingering taste of Kvothe waiting there. She spoke in her playful tone, but warmed it, made it kinder and a touch more intimate.
"I only wonder what you're going to do to keep me from pulling that key away from you at a moment's notice." She let the weight of her limbs carry her hands down to meet Kvothe's, touching them as lightly as possible. "That is the rule isn't it? That you have to keep impressing me until I stay impressed?"
Before Kvothe could answer, Alindra leaned forward and pressed her lips against his once again.
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
6,347 posts
1,102 likes
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last online Jan 12, 2024 11:24:20 GMT -5
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May 28, 2010 11:03:50 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 28, 2010 11:03:50 GMT -5
Kvothe was about to answer when Alindra leaned forward again, and her lips were on his own once more. His hands shifted, so that he took hers in his own in a gentle hold. This kiss went on a bit longer, not that he would at all complain about that. With Alindra so close to him, he could smell the perfume she'd put on, with the faintest hint of her own scent running underneath it.
They separated once more, though Kvothe kept his hands gently engaged with Alindra's. His heart was beating harder, faster, and his breathing was deeper, from the excitement that was filling his soul. "Of course I plan to keep impressing you," he said slyly after letting a few moments pass in silence. "I have to show you I'm something worth keeping, right? " One of his hands left Alindra's, and this time it was he who touched her, running a finger along the side of her face near one of her loose curls. "I have to show you that I'm a man that's worth your time."
Kvothe's eyes went to look around him, to the lobby that he'd nearly forgotten they were sitting in. An amused chuckle came from him when he noticed the way a few people were looking at them, with the short, discreet glances that tried to hide obvious interest.
"Perhaps it might be better if we moved somewhere more away from prying eyes." He let his hand fall and returned it to the table. "I recall seeing a balcony lounge up on one of the higher levels when I was walking here. There might be fewer people there, or it might be empty." Kvothe smiled at her. "I'd imagine the view of the city at night is breathtaking." He didn't make a motion to move, but rather waited for her response. It was a suggestion, an invitation.
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last online Apr 10, 2014 12:08:08 GMT -5
Knight
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May 31, 2010 0:55:07 GMT -5
Post by Nightender on May 31, 2010 0:55:07 GMT -5
Alindra glanced over her shoulder, looking around the shape of the lobby. She wasn't sure if any of the people lingering around were listening in, but Kvothe's proposal of finding a more private venue seemed more than appealing.
Nodding, she said, "You're right." She stood up, straightening the fine edges of the soft layer of white hugging her body. Her left hand rached out and collected her bag and the rose Kvothe had given her. Then she held her right hand out for Kvothe. "I'd be most honored if you would show me the way."
Her smile came to rest, simple, timid. She was ready to find more out of life, something she couldn't find on her own. "Should we get something to drink and pair of glasses? If only to lighten the mood." Alindra continued to smile, sure that she would be able to charm Kvothe even more now.
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
6,347 posts
1,102 likes
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last online Jan 12, 2024 11:24:20 GMT -5
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May 31, 2010 21:08:26 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 31, 2010 21:08:26 GMT -5
"Of course, my Lady," said Kvothe with a playful bow of his head when he took Alindra's hand. The corners of his mouth turned up in amusement and he turned on his heel to lead her to one of the lifts that would take them up to the top of the building. "I think a drink would be nice," he mused while waiting for the lift to come down. "Perhaps a wine..." Not that he'd be able to drink much. Being a Rilan had some advantages over being a baseline Human, but it had its drawbacks as well; getting alcohol poisoning from only a few drinks certainly wasn't an advantage. "We'll have to see what they have."
The lift arrived, and they rode it up, up to the top level of the hotel's tower, where they exited to find a dimly lit lounge that hung out over the side of the hotel in a large semicircle. The place's lighting was moody, and the walls and ceiling were all made of darkened transparisteel; there were a few doors around the edges of the lounge that lead to the balcony, which, like the interior, had a few chairs and tables scattered about.
"Nice place." Kvothe moved further in, to a small booth near the massive windows that stretched around the lounge, and made a motion for Alindra to take a seat. From here, even over the balcony outside, he could see the city stretching out below in a dazzling maze of lights that were nearly every color he could imagine.
"It's beautiful," he said, softly, still looking out. With that, his eyes returned to Alindra and his smile grew. "You know, when you become a ruler, you should build yourself a tower. The view you can get from them is often nothing short of spectacular." Kvothe would be one to know, having grown up in a tower.
A waiter came by and left a list of drinks for them. Kvothe looked at it, though he didn't really know what was good and what wasn't, since he wasn't much of a drinker. "I can't make heads or tails of this," he said with a laugh. "What do you want?" He was sure that he'd be fine with whatever she chose.
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last online Apr 10, 2014 12:08:08 GMT -5
Knight
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Jun 1, 2010 5:18:07 GMT -5
Post by Nightender on Jun 1, 2010 5:18:07 GMT -5
Looking out at the city made Alindra feel better than she had in seconds. The sight of everything from so high above was dazzling, like the sky and the ground had both put on their finest jewelry in an effort to impress each other. A light coolness to the night air touched Alindra's hair and skin, sending her closer to needing warmth. It wasn't a feeling she easily gave in to. After all, she had lived in the wild for a long time, a little cold wasn't going to bother her.
But as Kvothe mentioned that, when she became a ruler, Alindra should have a tower. Thinking of having a place where only she could look out over her dominion inspired Alindra. She knew there was a lot for her to do. She would have to find people who would bend to her will then fight to make others do the same. It was a hard road ahead of her, one she would have difficulty traveling if she had a significant other at her side.
Kvothe laughed at a bit of difficulty he was having with the wine list. He couldn't decide what to order, so Alindra snatched the list away from him, passing it back to the waiter. "We need a light sparkling wine, a pair of glasses, and your preference of proper fruit to enhance the flavor." Alindra had remembered several times when she was a servant and guests at a party would ask for this or that kind of berry to bring out the flavor of their wine.
"As for you," Alindra said, pulling Kvothe closer to the edge. "You've got about two minutes to impress me before the waiter comes back."
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