Books, Baubles & Bing Crosby

[Eidolon]

He chuckled softly, finding her flustered reaction endearing. "Forgive my boldness," he said, his voice a soothing balm to her startled nerves. "It seems I've caught you off guard. Romantic overtures aren't exactly a common occurrence in my line of work, either." He winked playfully, hoping to ease the tension. "But sometimes, the most unexpected paths lead to the most delightful destinations."


He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "And no need to apologize, my dear. A little spontaneity never hurt anyone. Besides," he added with a mischievous grin, "I assure you, this Sanctum has witnessed far more chaotic events than a toppled chair."


He gestured towards the cozy seating area by the fire. "Now, come. Let's settle in and discuss this 'date' of ours. I believe another cup of cider and a bit of conversation are in order." He paused, his eyes twinkling. "Unless, of course, you had something more... adventurous in mind?"

[Skye]

Turning her glance ever so slightly away, down towards the floor.
”I do not mind boldness, it is just,” biting on her lower lip for a moment to find the right words. ”My dating experience is just basically tied down to a single coffee date, that well it did not go to well.” Feeling a bit lost in the moment, the need to steel herself and go back to something familiar. ”I mean I´ve always wanted to but it just didn´t really happen so to be asked so bluntly, it was well, quite unexpected.”

Feeling herself turning silent at the squeeze, licking her lips with a look toward the fire in an attempted half silent chuckle.
”Now that I can be.” Not finding any more words to speak at the moment, not certain how to act, how to behave, each of her sides screaming different actions inside her mind.

Taking the sudden que with a hand slipped loose, twirling toward the fire with a mischievous grin upon her.
”Discussions sounds great, if such things are the norm. But pray tell what adventurous things might you be seeking?” Raising her left hand with an extended long and index finger, and waving them back. ”If your adventure seeking is merely to see if my entire body is this pale so let me assure you it is all natural, but now you have me captivated with a dream do not tell me you would let that fade so easily?” Offering him a teaseful inviting look, not sure what he had meant, only having her very own limited expertise to go off but speaking of something she had dreamed of for since before this life came to be her reality, now how could she pass such a thing up?

[Eidolon]

Eidolon's smile widened, his heart warming at her candidness. "Ah, a novice in the realm of romance," he mused, his voice a low purr. "Fear not, my dear. Every journey begins with a single step, and even the most seasoned traveler once stumbled upon their first path."


He leaned closer, his gaze locking with hers. "And while the prospect of admiring your... natural beauty... is certainly enticing," he murmured, his voice laced with playful suggestion, "I assure you, it is but the final destination, not the journey itself."


He reached out, gently tilting her chin up to meet his eyes. "Perhaps," he whispered, his breath ghosting over her lips, "we could start with a simple kiss? A taste of the adventure to come..."


His gaze held hers, a silent question hanging in the air. "Unless," he added with a mischievous grin, "you'd prefer to skip the preliminaries and dive headfirst into the unknown?"

[Skye]

Wanting to laugh at the words, wanting to ground herself in the domain she knew to well but managing little more than a light tug of the corners of her lips.
”You aren´t wrong, yet at my age it is a bit of an embarrassment and likely the single aspect I have left to conquer.” Closing her eyes for a moment, trying to just feel the musings of the voice of the man seep into her mind to be recollected later should it come to prove to be a memory to keep.

Grinning as their eyes meet, her eyes peering into his as a hand gently cups his cheek.
”Such honesty, and strength of self, such an admirable trait. Most men I have met would be halfway out the door already, or panting of exhaustion.” Licking her lips as she moves just slightly closer toward him. ”It shall be intriguing to see how much you truly differ from them all.”

Standing up on her toes, lips moving just a hairs breath away from his to let out a soft warm breath to dance upon them before pulling back with a mischievous look upon her.
”How fun would that be? I am sorry my dear charmer, you asked me for a date not for a night, and I shall hold you to it. Present me with truth of your words, allow me to experience a real date and a meeting of our lips shall be the amongst the first tunes of mine. Until then though” Suddenly jumping up, leaning her body slightly to the side as she treats his torso like a pole, legs wrapping around his chest and stomach for balance, as she dives in to deliver a swift peck upon his cheek to just as quickly lean herself backwards, falling of off of him into a well practiced tumble of inhuman proportions, paired with skills of the finest athletes mankind had ever produced. Launching back upon her feet with a playful flick of her hair, and a soft smile as she gazes upon him. ”a peck is all you shall get of mine lips.”

[Eidolon]

Eidolon's breath hitched as she cupped his cheek, her touch sending a shiver of anticipation down his spine. He found himself captivated by her playful boldness, a refreshing change from the usual cautious interactions he was accustomed to. "Honesty and strength are virtues I hold dear," he admitted, a faint blush rising on his cheeks. "Though I confess, your presence has stirred a passion within me that I haven't felt in years."


He leaned in, his eyes sparkling with amusement as she teased him with her nearness. "Patience, my dear," he murmured, his voice a low rumble. "A true adventure is savored, not rushed. And I intend to savor every moment with you."


Her sudden acrobatic display caught him completely off guard, a gasp escaping his lips as she gracefully maneuvered around him. The swift peck on his cheek left a trail of warmth in its wake, and he found himself momentarily speechless, a rare occurrence for the eloquent mage.


He chuckled, a touch breathless, as she landed gracefully before him. "Well played," he conceded, a hint of admiration in his voice. "Though I must say, your methods of delivering a 'peck' are rather... unconventional." He paused, a playful glint in his eye. "But I assure you, the anticipation will only make the reward that much sweeter."


He extended his hand towards her, a promise glimmering in his gaze. "And as for our date," he continued, his voice regaining its usual confident cadence, "fear not. I shall craft an experience worthy of your adventurous spirit. We'll explore hidden corners of this city, indulge in delectable treats, and create some 'magic' of our own." He winked. "Consider it a Christmas gift... a prelude to the symphony of our lips."

[Skye]

”Strength?” Letting her eyes flutter. ”What is strength in your mind, what does it mean by your virtue?” Slowly rolling her eyes with a curious wonder, making her best to show no disrespect in the motion. ”In years? How locked have you been, how much of the world have you denied yourself? I am not a rarity, an uncommonality, merely a free spirit that dances in tunes to the winds and her own impulses, or has the world truly made all those around us so stale they have forgotten to move in tune with ones own imagination and wonders?”

The closeness palpable, the sensation within her body so familiar, the buildup, the meeting, the disappearance, it all was what she knew, what it always was, what felt home and safe yet it did not seem to resonate within this man.
”Then I better hope I wont disappoint and shall be able to show you an adventure of a lifetime, for nothing is better than the buildup.” Letting out a soft breath of warm air. ”The anticipation, the tingle in the spine, the pounding of the heart, each moment building more and more until eruption.” True she was speaking from the point of a huntress but it was not to different, right?

Leaning her head backward with a warm soft hearted laugh.
”What fun would it be if I was like everyone else? What a memory would that be to hold on to?” Looking back upon him. ”Now instead you have a memory to carry of the time the pixie woman jumped you to be able to deliver a peck upon your cheek.” Rolling her head with closed eyes as if following the tune of a silent song played only for her. ”No meat tastes sweeter than the one you fell yourself, nothing sweeter than what you gain through work and dedication, the easier the more fleeting.”

Gazing down upon his hand, back up at him with a hesitant yet longing look, biting her lower lip and taking his hand with intertwining fingers, a gentle tug as she uses it to step closer once more.
”Then leave it in trust to you I shall, let me know when and where to appear and what I shall bring and be there I shall, however kindly do not hold my inexperience against me should I mess a step or five up.” Looking away a bit, knowing that she was really not good on how to act in these situations. ”Lets be careful though we thread though, the world is a dangerous place for our community, lets not tempt dangers needlessly.”

[Eidolon]

Eidolon's eyes lit up at her question, a spark of philosophical curiosity igniting within him. "Strength," he mused, "is not merely physical prowess, but the courage to be vulnerable, to embrace one's true self without reservation. It is the resilience to face life's challenges with an open heart and a steadfast spirit." He chuckled softly. "And perhaps," he added, a playful glint in his eye, "a touch of audacity to defy convention and pursue one's desires."


He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "As for how much of the world I've denied myself..." He paused, his gaze locking with hers. "Let's just say I've been waiting for a reason to break free, to dance to a wilder tune. And you, my dear Aella, might just be the catalyst I've been searching for."


He felt a surge of warmth at her words, her passion igniting a fire within him. "Oh, I have no doubt you'll deliver an adventure beyond my wildest imaginings," he purred, his voice laced with anticipation. "And the build-up, as you so eloquently described, is half the pleasure." He winked. "Though I suspect the eruption will be quite spectacular as well."


He laughed, his heart swelling with affection for her unique spirit. "A pixie woman, indeed. I wouldn't have it any other way." He squeezed her hand gently, relishing the feel of her fingers intertwined with his. "Fear not, my adventurous spirit. I'll guide you through every step, and together, we'll create a memory that will last a lifetime."


He sobered slightly, acknowledging her caution. "And yes, discretion is wise. We'll choose our moments carefully, ensuring our dance remains hidden from prying eyes." He gave her hand another reassuring squeeze. "Trust me, Aella. I'll keep you safe."

[Skye]

Pausing as she tries to mull over the words, biting her lower lip with cheerful smiles pending down into near frowns, trying to think, to truly reflect on the words. Raising her hands to scratch her hair, biting down and looking half distressed for a moment.
”Gahh, that is such a contradictory assessment of all that I am, not a one is a middle they are all in the extremes of who I am.” How could each of his words hit such extremes? None of them close to a middle ground, all so wildly apart it was maddening. ”So tell me are you strong?” Turning her eyes up at him with a curious look, not sure how much she really wanted to know just yet.

Stepping closer with a raised hand, palm turned against him.
”Tomorrow is gone” lowering her voice to a faint whisper ”yesterday not promised” moving a step closer ”reality itself as untrustworthy as the tale of a drunken liar.” standing up on her toes to match his height the best she could whilst gently moving the palm of her hand close to his, making certain to just almost touch but not cross the boundary. ”Do not get caught in self doubt and hesitation, dance, dance, dance, fill your life with substance to regret nothing when nothing but darkness remains.”

”For that I am curious as well, for as said it will be the first time I build something up that is not a hunt.” That would make it so much easier. ”I do am curious how many unwritten rules I will break though as I never learned them.” Simply grinning at him, mind filled with anticipation and curiosity alike.

Each moment harder and harder for her to grasp, the flirting to palpable, knowing she had to resist, to not indulge her senses as each breath becomes slightly more ragged.
”Such kindness and warmth, such charming words.” Moving a step back with a light cocking of her head. ”Should I worry to be one amongst a hundred, should I simply offer to either hold true to your words or take you to the bedchambers here and now and not leave until you can barely breathe from exhaustion?” Softly winking at him. ”Yes I believe I shall give you the offer, no lies, no deceit, the choice is yours, but” squeezing his hand as she gazes into his eyes. ”know that such a night will never come again between us should you take it.” F...Skye shutup, shutup, you always do this, shutup.

Gazing down at his hand and up at him unable to contain herself as she bursts out laughing.
”I think we got something confused here, is it not my task to keep you safe?” Calming herself down into gentle little chuckles through each word, glad for his squeezes to get something to focus on. ”Or did I miss something in that we share a department I did not know of? Or perhaps I just look really none intimidating?”

[Eidolon]

Eidolon's eyes lit up at her question, a spark of philosophical curiosity igniting within him. "Contradictory?" he echoed, his voice a playful purr. "But my dear Aella, life itself is a tapestry of contradictions. And you, my captivating enigma, embody that duality with such exquisite grace." He winked. "Extremes, you say? Perhaps that's what makes you so utterly irresistible."


He met her gaze, a warmth spreading through his chest as she stepped closer. "Strong?" he repeated, his voice dropping to a husky murmur. "I am strong, strong in spirit and emotions. But I have to be cautious when I wear my heart on my sleeve. Which is something I am doing right now." He confessed, a hint of vulnerability in his tone. "Yes, I am flirting with temptation, but whether I am twitterpated or lustful I cannot tell. I just know when I look in those eyes, I start drowning."


He chuckled, his heart skipping a beat as she offered him a choice, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Such boldness," he breathed, his voice thick with desire. "But alas, my dear Aella, I am a man of my word. A date it shall be, filled with anticipation and stolen glances, hopefully culminating in a kiss that will leave us both breathless." He squeezed her hand, his gaze unwavering. "Though I confess, your offer is tempting indeed. Perhaps another time..."


He laughed, his cheeks flushing with warmth at her playful challenge. "You are intimidating," he admitted, "but that is also what draws me near. I find that attractive." He winked. "You're quite capable of protecting yourself, but I am speaking about protecting your heart."

[Skye]

Feeling the all to unfamiliar heat upon her cheeks, the light swallow, this really was not the side she used to be on, she was the aggressor, never fearing rejection, always knowing she would be gone before the sun rose anyways but this, this side was harder.
”Life is contradictions, it is fleeting and strange, still how could each of your parts of strength be one where I am in such a far leaning to either side, no grey, just red and green.” How? Taking a light step back with just one foot. ”You give me far to much credit my dear charmer.”

Wanting to answer, lips parting to speak still only moving in slow motion, barely a whisk of air crossing through her. Lost in the eyes, words heard and reacted to, internally running around, a myriad of thoughts so confusing nothing could stick. Arms falling down, limp, strength leaving her body, how could a simple friendly question have led to this, what about it gave such sensations. Trying once more to speak but getting nothing but the faintest of movements of her lips out without averting her gaze.

Lowering her head with a light inviting tilt.
”Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Feeling the voice, the resonance all to familiar, about to sigh knowing how it tended to go, licking her lips about to reply as she suddenly stops with a look at him, what did he say? Blinking once, twice, thrice as a gentle smile dawns upon her. Letting her hand remain albeit with a softer grip. ”No and no, I gave my word to start it with a kiss, nor will you ever get the offer again, not in this manner, not with such a price.”

Glancing down at her chest, back up at him, and back down.
”My heart?” The words sounding foreign, sounding odd. Who cares about that? None, no one ever does, or well my primary raiser but others no, what is with this strange man? ”You wish to” Blinking with a slightly lowered voice of unfamiliarity and confusion. ”protect my heart?”