#r'zevi | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

serararku · 4 years ago

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Dancing in the Sand Pt 3

The sun had ducked beneath the horizon by the time Zevi made it to the designated area at the edge of the territory. Just like Era described, the half-sundered boulder concealed a crevice only a young kitten could run through. Between the dry shrubs clinging to life rested the path he was instructed to follow, but he couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched. He half-expected an animal had made its home in the widened opening halfway through this secret passage, but what he found was far more intriguing.

A small clay pot filled with hastily made arrows sat along what looked to be an old campsite; half of them were of terrible quality, with the others not even finished. A pile of rocks cut and sharpened sat in the corner of this little hovel. But the paintings are what held his attention the longest. There were two Miqo'te standing side by side with the sun shining over their heads; one was short with black hair and blue eyes, and the other was disproportionately tall, with long white hair and an over emphasis on its bright orange eyes. There was no doubting it- this was Era’s doing when she first left her tribe to search for S'tage. This place was cut off from the elements, meaning these paintings would last for decades… perhaps even much longer. She had to be down here for a few days in hiding to make these drawings, as well as all the projects she started but never finished.

"Would she do this for me?" A thought crept along the back of his neck to whisper doubt into his ear. "If I were captured… would she devote this much energy to save my life? If he returned from beyond the grave… would she run off with him?" R'zevi couldn't decide if it was the dropping temperature of the desert night or his waning confidence that was responsible for the chill running up his spine, but he could no longer ignore this dreadful cold. But he wasn't here to sit in this cave to witness the obsessive adoration his lover once had for another man. With nothing else left to look at, he promptly turned to leave this place behind.

As soon as he stepped out of the narrow passage and into a wide clearing between the crags the hair's on the back of his neck stood up; immediately he stopped and looked upward, locking eyes with a band of tribal women wearing beige leathers for camouflage, and armed to the teeth with stained bone spears and longbows. They stood along the edge of the cliff, their eyes glowing dimly against the backdrop of the starless sky. Was he caught? Was this a search party he was supposed to avoid? Zevi’s mind was abuzz with questions with limited ways to find answers. They knew this area far better than he did, so running was probably not a good idea. On the other hand, Era would likely never forgive him if he fought them, especially if he managed to wound, maim, or even kill any of them. Against his better judgement he remained perfectly still, his pale blue eyes glimmering right back at them. This silent staring contest would have to continue until one of them made a move.

“It’s alright. This is the one she promised.” A voice called out in that familiar huntspeak, provoking Zevi to turn his head. A tribal woman stood beside a bed of flowering cacti, armed with only her flowing brown hair and glowing green eyes. It was like looking through time to stare face to face at Era twenty summers into the future. He knew they would look alike, sure, but he expected her to have some features from her father; the resemblance was almost uncanny. She looked up at the women and nodded, sending the hunting party away to give them some privacy. “Come closer… we have much to discuss.”

Zevi’s ears flattened for a moment as he warily watched the hunting party move away. Gradually his ears lifted as it seemed that the party had no intention of doubling back. Satisfied that he wasn’t about to take an arrow -- or worse, to the back, he turned his attention to the woman before him, taking a few cautious steps in her direction. “S’yuun?”

“Yuun is fine. You must be Zevi, yes?” She calmly smiled, seemingly relaxing once she heard his voice.

“Yes, my name is Zevi.”

“Wonderful.” Once she was close enough to touch, she began to circle him, poking at his chest and stomach inspectantly, before running her fingers along the scars and muscles on his arms; she seemed to be grading him. “So you’re the one who convinced my daughter to abandon her duty for so long, hm?”

He watched as she sized him up, his brow furrowing for a moment while she touched his form; he’d expected an inspection of some kind, but this wasn’t quite what he had in mind. “Convinced?” He repeated, indignantly. “I was concerned for her when she decided to return, to visit the tribe, but I never tried to convince her not to go. Era’s will is her own and I’ve known that from the beginning.” His gaze continued to follow the older Miqo’te, cautious -- but trying not to be overly guarded.

Just as Era warned, her mother had a poor grasp of personal space. She reached up to run a hand through his hair, traced his jawline with a finger, and pressed her palm against his chest in several places. Zevi struggled to resist pushing her hands away; she was making him feel more like a prized pig or a slab of meat than an actual person. Even worse, she either didn’t notice or didn’t care how uncomfortable she was making him. “That’s not entirely true. Era is governed by her emotions. Just like her father.” At last her inspection ended when she wrapped her arms around her waist, and he could breathe easy- for now.

“She...can be a bit emotional at times, yes...” He admitted.

Yuun didn’t seem to hear him while she practically undressed him with her eyes. “Plenty of scars and muscles. And not bulky, ugly muscles. Lean. Practical. A real body befitting a real man… unlike our Nunh.” She then motioned for him to follow her, but she didn’t walk far. Just a few paces away she unfolded a fur blanket and draped it along the ground. She sat crossed-legged before patting the blanket beside her. “Have you… come to kill him?”

Zevi waited for her to sit before easing down onto the blanket, with an eyebrow perking at the comparison. His ears tilted back as his brow furrowed - he’d had these talks before. “It’s not my intent, no. Era doesn’t seem too keen on sharing, and when I left my tribe I made the decision to live in the Free Cities, rather than attempt to become a Nunh -- I hear the life expectancy is a bit better for Tias there.”

“How peculiar…” Yuun’s smile was soft but fleeting. “I have three sons. One is still with us, too young to yet survive on his own, and two sons out there training to become Nunhs. A part of me hopes they succeed… but the chances of that are… very slim. They were frail kittens when they were born, and…” She trailed off to wring her hands together. “I wish they had the courage to leave this life behind. Maybe… they’re in your tribeless cities with lovers of their own?” Her voice was more hopeful than factual, as if she was trying to convince herself of what she was saying.

“Maybe they did make the decision to give the Free Cities a go - there are many Tias out there, quite a few of them with families of their own. So it is a possibility…” He trailed off, swallowing roughly and lacing his hands together, unable to stop the frown that formed as she spoke of the choice he knew was inevitably going to come.

Not eager to dwell on the idea of her dead sons any longer, she cleared her throat and promptly changed the subject. “Well… if you’re not here to kill Vahli, then there’s only one way this ordeal will play out. My daughter will be found out eventually, and she’ll have to make a choice. Her family… or you.”

His gaze dropped to his hands, his hair long enough to cover his eyes. “I know that. I’ve always known that there would be a choice. First with Tage, and now with her family. I’ve never hid my wishes...for her to stay with me, have a family with me...but as I said, Era’s will is her own. Whatever she decides I’ll stand by - even if that means watching her leave.” He exhaled sharply before looking up once more.

Yuun couldn’t hide her laughter, or perhaps she didn’t even try. “Hahahah! If you think Era wouldn’t choose you over us, you haven’t been paying attention! This is bigger than a fawning obsession for a man she’s never mated with. What you two have is real, is it not? You have given her what no Nunh ever could. Happiness… happiness and the freedom to pursue it.”

Zevi blinked slowly. “I...yes, it’s very real. I just want her to be happy - whatever that means. I’d very much like for it to be with me...I enjoy our time together and she makes me happier than I can remember being. But I also know she loathes the idea of losing you. We’ve...briefly talked of the future before, of children...and the one damper on the conversation was the thought that you wouldn’t be able to see them.”

Yuun turned to watch the flashes of lightning far off in the distance, falling silent for a few long breaths. “I would love to be there when she gives birth to her first kitten. To hold my granddaughter in my arms… or grandson.” Her gaze flicked to Zevi for an instant as a smile danced along her lips again. “But I know she would never be happy as a tribewife. The bloodlust of her father courses through her veins. She’s a warrior, through and through.” Yuun eventually turned her body to face Zevi directly. “I want you to do something for me.”

He watched her for a moment, before letting his gaze get pulled away by the distant lighting - a small smile gracing his features as he recalled another impactful thunderstorm not all that long ago. His attention was pulled back as she spoke of ‘tribewives’ and he tilted his head as she turned to face him. “What’s that?”

"Protect my little kitten. Be her voice of reason when next she does something reckless." Her stare was piercing. "And I want grandkittens. Lots of them. I may never see or hold them myself, but… knowing she is happy will always be more important."

Zevi nodded as she spoke, turning to focus on Yuun once more - rather than watching the distant lightning. “I’ll do my best...in all regards. And maybe...one day...you will get to see and hold your grandchildren. I mentioned we talked about children - but we did note it might not be for a little while…”

Yuun didn't seem to mind, simply shrugging and turning back to the storm. The wind was beginning to pick up, tossing her auburn hair aloft before she reached up with both hands to tame it. "When she left us to chase after that dead man, I was convinced my oldest daughter would never return, or worse- get herself killed out there. Many nights I had nightmares of her laying in a pool of her own making, calling out for me as she faded away. I don't expect you to understand the loss of a child, but… it was all I could think about for moons on end. And just when I thought I had grown numb to the pain, I turned around and she's standing there smiling like she never left." She gave Zevi a side glance before continuing with, "Knowing she's alive and happy is good enough for me. Take her far away from this place when the time comes, Zevi of the Raptor Tribe. She deserves a peaceful life… you both do."

He reached up and ran a hand through his hair - a nervous habit. “I’ll take care of her, Yuun. I never felt at home with my tribe. I didn’t feel at home in the Free Cities. I didn’t know what home was until I met Era.” He paused, before his ears folded back a bit. “I...didn’t mention my tribe. How did you know?”

She gave him a playful smile before reaching over to trace her fingers along his chin to wipe away any comfort he had built up since sitting down alongside her. "Your markings gave it away. It's difficult to tell at a distance… but up close it's obvious." Yuun licked her lips before continuing. "More than a few Tia from your tribe have come to challenge our Nunh." She leaned over and took his hand to trace the markings on her own face. "See? Every woman from the Zu Tribe has the same markings. We check those to ensure a bought tribewife or upcoming Tia isn't from another sect… to prevent inbreeding."

“That...doesn’t surprise me. The fact that there have been more than a few Tias from my tribe. There were quite a few Nunhs when I was growing up who didn’t last very long. My father was one of them.” His brow furrowed and he hummed thoughtfully, as he lowered his hand. “I never paid any attention to the markings, but then again - I didn’t have any intention of remaining with the tribe, so I suppose I didn’t need to.” He reached up to rub the back of his neck before glancing out towards the storm in the distance once again. Yuun must have noticed the tonal shift when he mentioned his father; and she had just the thing to distract him.

"The love for my children is boundless. However the intimacy between two kindred spirits is something I will never know firsthand…" The woman casually untied her fur wrappings, letting what little clothes she wore slide down her figure. She then turned to gaze at him with a familiar hunger in her eyes, as naked as the day she was born; and when she reached out for him, she draped a leg over his lap to straddle him.

It took a moment for Zevi to process what was happening. His eyes widened as she settled herself onto him, the action effectively knocking him from his shock induced stupor. He’d known there might be an attempt - he’d been acutely aware of just how close the older woman was as he’d sat down on the blanket. "Lay with me like you do with my daughter.” Her voice was soft and eager now, but it sounded more like a command than a request. She could feel his heart pounding against his chest, and it only made her devious grin grow. “I want to taste true love for myself. These desert nights are so cold… won't you warm yourself inside me?" Yuun didn't even wait for his reply before she pressed her breasts against him when she leaned forward, her hands slipping between them to undo his belt.

He blinked hard several times and swallowed roughly, but he reached down to still her hands before the belt could be removed. “Yuun...no.” He looked up with a face flushed red, his gaze locking with hers. “I love your daughter, and I made a promise to her. I won’t break that promise.”

She paused from undressing him, but didn’t make a move to get off him. "You know what she had to do in order for our Nunh to listen to her, yes? Was that not fair to you? Why should you keep a promise when she did not?" She slowly brushed her nose against his, and brought her alluring voice down to a whisper. "Tell me you don’t want this..."

“I know...what she did with the Nunh, yes. She told me the day she returned.” He gave a shaky exhale as he paused to gather his thoughts. “I was...angry, hurt - on some level I still am-...but I knew it was a possibility when she left.” His ears flattened against his head. “I almost expected it, to be honest. She wanted to see her family again, and there was going to be a price to pay. But that...that was Era’s choice. When I give my word, Yuun, I do my best to see it through. I gave Era my word - I won’t betray that trust, even if she betrayed mine.”

A warm smile lit up her face as she stared into his eyes, eventually pulling her hands away from his waist to caress his chin. "My, my… you are a strange one." She then looked hungrily at his lips, silently contemplating whether or not she would push him onto his back and sleep with him anyway; instead she leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek, before lifting her leg and to slide out of his lap. "I won’t tempt you any further." Yuun assured, running her hands through her hair one last time before she began reaching for her furs. "But I should warn you about that other Tia. He had no such restraint to reveal how he felt about my daughter." Her bright green eyes flashed in his direction again once she pulled her clothes over her head. "He loves her, I think. A different kind than you two share, but just as passionate. Safe travels… and thank you for humoring me."

Zevi relaxed as she slid off of his lap and dressed before his gaze narrowed in her direction. “...What other Tia? K’thalen??”

Yuun simply shrugged, visibly disappointed that her night would end with far less excitement than she had planned. "I didn't catch his name, but he's certainly of the Hipparion Tribe. Dark skin and yellow eyes… does that sound familiar?"

He nodded as he focused on fixing his belt. Era had the same air of disappointment when he told her no; yet another personality quirk she inherited from her mother... “K’thalen. She was living with him when we met and was intimate with him for a time.”

"People don't change so easily. Passion doesn't burn out at the snap of one’s fingers." With a gentle sigh and a subtle frown, Yuun reluctantly rose to her feet to begin preparing her trip back to the heart of her territory. "Era may be obsessed with you, but that doesn't mean her previous lovers have let go of their desires. Just some food for thought."

He stood, casting one more glance out at the horizon and the distant storm. Appropriate. “We’ve discussed Thalen. Part of the reason she moved into my apartment was because of the...of my discomfort with her living with him.” He frowned as he reached up to rub the back of his neck. Yuun on the other hand simply pretended she knew what an ‘apartment’ was. “...I wouldn’t expect other’s passions to fade overnight. Maybe it’s naive - but I trust her, Era - to be honest with me about what she wants...even when it’s painful to hear. If she wanted to be with K’thalen, she would be.”

Yuun silently stalked Zevi while he was distracted by the distant lightning, before running her hand down his arm and across his stomach to feel his muscles again; if she wasn’t attracted to his body, she certainly would have fooled him. "My daughter isn't the one you should be worried about. Men are driven by their desires… and even the best of them can succumb to their cravings. This Thalen seems harmless and kind enough, but the desire for her remains."

Zevi gave a long, slow exhale - focusing on what she was saying rather than the trail of her fingers. “The warning is duly noted. I can’t stop Thalen from wanting her, but I can do my damnedest to make sure that Era’s needs and desires are met...that she doesn’t have the need to look elsewhere to be satisfied…”

She turned away to pull the blanket off the ground before casually suggesting, "You could always challenge him for Era's affection. If you think you can take him, it would make him think twice about pursuing her when you're not around… or you could eliminate all doubt entirely and kill him."

He frowned as he glanced back over his shoulder at her. “I will do what I have to in order to protect Era, but she is also able to choose and take care of herself. Thalen can pursue - but that doesn’t mean she has to give in to his requests or desires. Ultimately, it’s Era’s choice to make.”

“It is her choice.” Yuun repeated, smiling briefly. Her sharp whistle carried far over the Thanalan wastes, as if she was calling something… or someone. Out of the darkness a lone woman came running, armed with a scimitar and small round shield. “Unfortunately this is where we have to part ways, unless you’ve changed your mind?” She gave Zevi a playful wink, but she didn’t wait to listen to his refusal again. “Chaje, I am ready to leave.” The stranger undressed Zevi with her gaze as well- he was beginning to notice a trend around here. She gently took the woman by the arm to usher her back to her territory. Yuun glanced over her shoulder one last time and waved, choosing to depart without muttering another word.

Zevi watched them leave, his form finally relaxing. He had played this scenario over and over in his head for the full week before tonight, and he was still woefully unprepared for what actually happened. Yuun was, in an uncomfortable number of ways, just like her daughter; she knew what buttons to press to get a reaction out of him. A fully developed woman straddling him while completely naked was not something he was prepared for as well; still his heart was pounding against his chest and his face remained vibrant red. That was perhaps the biggest difference between mother and daughter. Yuun was bold and definitely not lacking any confidence.

He could stand there like an idiot all night trying to process what just happened. A part of him-- a throbbing part, couldn’t help but wonder what would be happening right now if only he had taken Yuun up on her offer; but he had officially worn out his welcome, and he needed to leave. A sigh slipped from his lips before he turned to make his way back, following the same route that he’d used to arrive at his destination.

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Collaborated with @rzevi-tia-ffxiv

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rzevi-tia-ffxiv · 10 months ago

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Crossings and Double-Crossings

The occasional jarring motion of the transport. The air as it moved past the cabin. The sound of the various fabrics others around him were wearing, or even the materials the transport was made of - during meditation he often allowed himself to focus on any of those sounds to stay present…especially before a mission. Few actions allowed him to focus quite as well.

Or normally would, if a monotone voice wasn’t there to interrupt and draw his attention away from his focus.

“...and the last known location of the relic we’re after is within the innermost chambers of the ruins. You’ve been given the most updated map, but that doesn’t mean that there haven’t been changes to the locale since this map was produced…are you listening, mister Tia?”

Back straight, shoulders stiff, eyes closed - R’zevi could have passed for a statue rather than a living breathing being sitting across from the grouchy-looking midlander who had been droning on for no less than an hour about the location, the relic, the requirements of the state of the relic when it was returned and all the other details of the assignment he had been given. And he’d been attentively listening to every word, as he always did.

It wasn’t his first go-round.

An easy exhale left him, as did the tension in his shoulders as he opened his eyes, one corner of his mouth quirking up into an easy half grin. “I was - quite mindfully. And since I’ve reviewed the map several times, like you asked me to do, I’m pretty well informed about what the ruins are supposed to look like. But as you mentioned about eleven different times during your little presentation - you have no guarantee that they’re actually going to still look like that.”

“I didn’t mention-”

“You did.” He rolled his shoulders, his ears flattening against his head as he stood, taking a moment to roll his shoulders as he gathered his supplies and stepped off of the transport, glancing out into the Thavnairian wilderness. “Now, I’ll expect that you’ll have my payment and transport prepared as agreed upon once I find this relic for your employer.”

“If. We’ll be back here in twelve hours - good luck, mister Tia.” With a wave of the man’s hand, the transport started up again and was on its way, leaving the Miqo’te man to his own devices - and that didn’t stop him from rolling his eyes as he shifted his bag on his shoulder.

“Jackass.”

With a shake of his head pulled the map from his back and turned his attention to the task at hand. He had twelve hours to find whatever it was that was inside these ‘hidden’ ruins that had magically been found in the last year, and if he wanted to get paid…and he wanted to get paid…then that meant he needed to get to it. Especially since things seemed a little too out in the open to be hidden and unless he was completely off base…he knelt tracing what appeared to be the outline of a shoe…it didn’t seem like he was the only one out here.

He slipped the map back into his bag, checking to make sure he had his weapons moving forward – cautious, but steady, his steps slowing as he was ever mindful of his surroundings especially as the entrance to the ruins came into view.

There could have been a plethora of things this far out from a variety of animals and fiends to even hunters or worse, poachers. The locales knew the area far better than most as this far into the terrain, he could have run into just about anyone.

What was more, what if the tracks were left intentionally?

There was little else to give way that a presence had been within the area or at about what time. Many of the pathways split off or even looked untouched just a few feet outside of the entrance to this old hole in the wall. At first, it looked to be a bit of a worn shaft, perhaps a place for coring out parts of the earth for mining. The scope of the inside walls had not been without rouch carvings and markings, some in Eorzean, some to be an entirely different language that might not have been easily discerned save for a few scratches here and there – likely codes or names of the few halls that stretched inward through the dark covering of the ruins.

Not too far in from the main path, particles of light danced their way through the thick darkness within – easy enough for one to get lost without a torch or any source of proper light. Upon following the illumination, it would eventually bring R’zevi out into the sunlight once more. Ivy and moss scattered the various parts of the circular-like structure, what would have been the cave ceiling and canopy of the ruins had long since crumbled away and there was a gaping mouth that seemed to stretch high, reaching for the clouds above.

An impossible feat to try and scale this size of a mountain or rock without proper climbing gear. Much of the flora and fauna within blossomed and fortified much of the walls and the pillars within the space that remained standing save for the couple that had chips and pieces missing due to some of the collapse.

Overgrown, the sound of the birds outside trickled in and it was easy to sense that for some living creatures, this had become a haven, a little hidden ecosystem all on its own, even with the small swampy water in a ditch nearby that had already seen its fair share of immaculate growth with the way tadpoles and frogs chirped nearby. A system shielded from the outside world.

A place one could easily get lost in, wrapped up into, and perhaps find some safety and solace.

In the center of the room nestled right in the middle of the large, ivy-covered pillars was a stone dias, and upon that was a pedestal. Dusty, partly corroded though perhaps the very thing R’zevi had come all this way for.

Suspicion teased the edges of R’zevi’s consciousness; why would his employer be paying him as much as they were for a relic that was this easy to obtain? His eyes narrowed as his gaze scanned the idyllic setting, ears turning towards the sounds of the birds and then towards the chirping frogs - they didn’t seem bothered by his presence or all that on edge, maybe he was being hypervigilant.

In another time, another mindset, he would’ve loved to simply explore, to spend a day, to meditate and see what such a locale had to offer - but now was not the time for that and so he pressed onward, one careful step after another, his training as a hunter in the desert taking precedent as he eased forward towards the center platform, that item that was his ticket out of playing errand boy to an yet another entitled noble.

He let his guard drop for the briefest of moments as he reached the center of the room, believing himself to be safe, head tilting as he assessed what lay in the middle of the platform. “…let’s see what all the fuss was about, hm?”

And safe he was, nothing seemed amiss save for the empty reliquary that sat along the open mouth of the long, rectangular pedestal before R’zevi when he happened upon it. Latch open and whatever device that had been used to seal it closed had been broken – the fragmented runes that were now splintered along the dias below him were symbolic of someone’s mastercraft. Someone had been here before him and that someone certainly had taken their precious time cracking the runic code placed upon the entrapment.

With how untouched most of the location looked, it begged the question of what might have happened had the breaking of the rune failed.

A keen lavender gaze spied from beyond a thicket of overgrown ivy, hair dark as coal and soundless as the Keeper stepped forward. She had laid in wait, surely he had made it within the center room sooner than she anticipated but she had the upper hand at current standing at the pillar’s edge an effortless position in comparison to the Seeker below, iron tip ready to snipe through the air within a hair of a second.

Her pack that was slung over her shoulder held heavy at the small of her back as deeply and safely nestled within was her prize, “Look at the rabbit I caught.” she smirked, voice cool toned but there was a sliver of mirth within the lilt, “I wouldn’t turn around – you might get yer eye poked out. Would be a shame – or your brains painting the ground. Yanno! Whichever way the wind blows in here.”

Fuck. “Not blowing much of any direction, is it?”

Not even the frogs had given the slightest hint that someone was there, the little bastards. So much for being able to rely on nature.

R’zevi’s ears flattened against his head, his eyes scanning the area as he quickly tried to determine a safe spot he could realistically access and pinpoint the location of the source of the voice. He wouldn’t be able to find or grab whatever they’d nabbed if he was dead.

“And that’d be a shame, really - I’ve been told they’re very pretty eyes. Got me booted out of my tribe because the others were jealous of ‘em. Could come down and have a look for yourself instead of threatening to poke ‘em out. Promise I don’t bite - unless you’re into that sort of thing…”

“Don't give a shit.” the woman responded swiftly, “For someone being a cunt hair from death, you run your mouth a lot.”

“Don’t I just –…we talkin’ a straight cunt hair or the curly type?” he trailed off, his response half-hearted as his ice blue eyes scanned the vicinity. He needed to keep the voice talking so he could get a better idea of where to move to though his follow-up comment elicited nothing but silence for the time being. He was at a disadvantage and that was painfully obvious, but it wasn’t insurmountable, he just had to get his damn footing.

She certainly wasn't in front of him or at his peripherals, that much was clear but it might have taken him far longer than expected to track that nugget of information.

“The note there, inside.” She spoke again, “ – pick it up and read it.” the belts at her hip jostled and she felt the tug of the piece jingle at her frame.

His ears perked up at the sound of the jingle thinking that might be enough to help him get a decent idea of where the owner of this mystery voice was…before he paused in more than mild irritation. Now she was giving him orders?

Fine. He could comply. Maliciously.

“Alright, mystery woman.” He took several steps up towards the note inside, as she’d indicated, looking for any reflective surface on the way in - anything that might give him a chance to catch a glimpse of his ‘opponent’ before stopping in front of the aforementioned letter.

He took his time, tail lazily swinging from side to side behind him as he hummed to himself, fingers tapping the edge of the paper as he appeared to be engrossed in the contents of what was written…but neglected to share it out loud.

Hook, line, and sinker.

It was long enough of a distraction for the woman to lift her elbow and jostle the leathers behind her and up she went from the harness tied to her – likely not alone and in the process of being hoisted up from the pillar and through the opening crags of the cave above, she chuckled, “Have fun with your companion! You have about 10 seconds! Have some fun for me while you’re at it.”

A hand reached down into the pit where Delain took it all too eagerly with a chuckle and she had been helped out into the beating sun overhead. The stone beneath her feet and even R’zevi’s came to a rumble – something was waking up.

His head snapped up, barely catching a glimpse of the mystery woman as she was pulled from the chamber.

“Gods damn it.” He would have had to be completely oblivious to miss the rumble or to miss the fact that he was alone now in the chamber outside of whatever it was that was causing the ground to shake, and he wasn’t about to wait around to find out exactly what that was. No…he was far more interested in catching up with whoever it was who had the item he was here to find - and who had so far made him out to be a damn fool, which meant getting the hell out of this room and navigating to the top of the ruins unscathed.

“Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!” He pulled one of the firearms from its holster as he scrambled down from the platform - the speed he’d developed during all those years training as a monk had to come in handy at some point, right? - and over towards the nearest corridor that looked like it led up and out of the chamber just as the rumbling reached a fever pitch. He did not want to be in the room when it stopped, besides - he had a Keeper to catch and he’d be damned if he’d let her get away.

Perhaps a bit too easy in the grand scheme of things. The ground came to life and earth and bedrock split open as an amalgamation of stone, moss, and ragged particles rose in the form of a golem, the heavy pounding fists hammering down along the path R’zevi had made for, the thunderous crash of stone on stone collided with one another as the cave started to collapse and crumble around them. The heavy maw of the creature roared and the sound echoed throughout the structure as the vibrations only added to the weight of what was transpiring through the ruins.

He stumbled, the ground shuddering and trying to give way under his feet -- the only thing keeping him upright being the balance he’d spent so many years working towards, perfecting.

‘At least it had proven to be good for something, damn it! ‘

He turned, firing a pair of shots towards the mass of rock lumbering towards him in an attempt to distract it, slow it…anything but there was no avail as bullets from a pistol did very little against solid rock that was bulldozing it’s way towards him. Muttering another curse under his breath, he holstered the weapon and turned focusing on picking up his sprint.

One fist after another the pounds caught up to the Miqo’te, the golem lumbered down the pathways after him, and what doorways it could not fit through it merely blasted its way through with a massive swing from its rock-laden fists. Debris and shattered bits of earth and rock soared towards the Miqo’te who had been fleeing for his life, likely no bullets would have stopped the mass.

‘Shit!’

He ducked, barely managing to dodge as a particularly large rock went soaring past his head before skidding, gripping the edge of a nearby wall and all but slinging himself around a corner as he shifted directions, yelling skyward. “You know, if you wanted to play there sure as hell were other ways to fucking do that! Swear to fuck when I catch your ass…if I make it out of here..! Damn it!”

A second and third rock soared in his direction – each one he rolled out of the way of just in time before clamoring up a nearby wall, hopping back and forth between two, narrowly avoiding projectiles along the way, cursing under his breath the whole time. It was as he was doing this that he thought he spotted a way out…maybe, and started in that direction – a rock grazing his shoulder in the process.

“Mother fucker! Cut that shit out, will you?! I don’t have the thing you were watching!!”

Watching? It didn’t have eyes though surprisingly it didn’t have any issue finding out R’zevi’s location. Whether it was instinct, movement, sound, or the surrounding rock around the Miqo’te it was as good of a guess as anyone’s in the moment though there had been far more cursing and yelling than problem-solving or thinking.

The rope snapped and the brunette was pushed off from the side of the hill as the rumbles had continued below the pair. Red hair, tall and striking green eyes – the fellow Miqo’te she had been with that pulled her from the hole below lofted the heavy pouch within his grasp as he loomed over her.

Delain winced, hand at her ribcage where she had taken a blow from the rocks below. No way this guy just two-timed her! “Jax, stop fucking around. This isn’t fucking funny.”

“Perhaps not for you, this was too much of a cash-in to pass up. Fine by me if you die out here, I’ll take my claim the moment I get back.” he hopped twice from his perch, found her bow, and shouldered it along with the leather pouch that contained the relic within, “Fun tricks you play and it favors me in the end. See you around kid, or not, whichever.”

“You can’t leave me here to fucking die JAX WE’VE DONE THIS FOR YEARS TOGETHER! We were partners!”

“I have something worth millions of gil in my pocket that says otherwise, sweetheart. You’ve been a huge help.” a boyish grin, handsome even as he placed his hands together and bowed in her direction before turning to run off.

The ground below her rumbled again which only exacerbated the pain in her side. Finally, she hoisted herself along her elbow and palm trying to readjust her weight and find some footing. Still, it was far too much to hope for when the ground beneath her shifted violently and in a cloud of dust and debris the ruins and cave in which everything had been interconnected began to collapse and the Keeper woman had been swallowed whole by the Thavnarian particles.

R’zevi paused in his frantic scrambling to get away from the golem that had been in constant pursuit, feeling the ground shift yet again.

What now??

Anything that could go wrong had, and the Seeker at the very least had the good sense to find some sense of shelter, curling up and bracing, hearing the stomping of the golem as it passed by for only a moment as everything collapsed around him.

Curled up as he had been, he managed to negate a majority of the collapse, sputtering as he pulling himself up out of the water he’d splashed down into. He blinked, eyes adjusting as he wiped water away from his face, and dragged himself up to the bank, trying to figure out just where the fuck he was.

The shaking had stopped, and he didn’t hear the golem…so that was something, but his belongings were soaked, which meant his map was useless.

“…come on Zevi, think…” he took a moment, shaking off his clothes as his eyes narrowed towards a form not terribly far off in the distance, apparently also swallowed by the collapse.

A cacophony of coughs rang out and the sound of slow-falling rocks tumbled forth as the female Miqo’te hauled herself out of the gunk and rubble. The tumble of pebbles and shards piercing into palms and knees as she cried out and dragged herself from the mess that pinned her.

In hindsight, it was her own damn fault for the shit she and Jax pulled but how was she to know that she would have been two-timed?

“Useless shite…” Delain hissed and she wobbled to her feet, patting herself down to check for her daggers. At least she had those despite Jax thinking he left her entirely unarmed. What was more? – she was wounded.

She hadn’t forgotten about the sharp pain in her ribs – oh no – every breath was keen to remind her quickly just how much she was paying for her misdeeds now. A day's walk, maybe two would have gotten her easily to the next small settlement, surely they’d have necessities there to tide her over.

The small water skin to her side is what she searched for only to find part of it hanging from her belt, the bottom half likely ripped apart in the collapse. Muttering something under her breath in huntspeak she yanked the piece from her waist and tossed it to the dirt.

To hells with this place already.

“Looked like a nasty tumble. Take it that friend of yours didn’t hang around to help you out, huh?”

R’zevi slowly moved in the direction of the ‘mystery woman’, ears turned in her direction as his gaze critically assessed her - she’d already gotten the jump on him once today, he’d prefer not to let it happen again if he could help it.

“So since we’re both stuck here, you got a name, or would you prefer to continue to go by ‘mystery woman’? I’m R’zevi, for the sake of a fair exchange.”

He didn’t reach for his weapon yet, simply approaching slowly and cautiously, keeping a careful eye on her - he pulled an extra waterskin from his bag and tossed it over towards her as he noticed her torn one being tossed aside.

The moment he approached the dagger at her side within the fastest reach had been pulled and the blade was side-pointed in his direction, Delain’s lavender gaze pinned to him in caution. There was danger within her circle, that much was obvious.

She was silent for a long few moments as she ticked her gaze to the waterskin briefly, ‘How convenient.” she huffed and she made no attempt to give her name nor to reach for the waterskin. There was no time to stop and chat, not that she cared to. There were bigger things to worry about.

Like getting to a settlement, any settlement and to get patched up and be on her way. To find her relic, the very same she had worked hard to guide herself and Jax towards.

That little shit wouldn’t have had a chance if she had not been with him – lucky him for using her trust in him against her.

Delain rolled her eyes and the dagger dropped to her side, this R’zevi talked far too much for her to think of anything else other than a medic for the time being. Her boots scuffed and she began to walk away, the dry dust of the ruin remains and arid ground kicking up lightly in her wake.

An irritated chuckle left him as he gathered up the ignored waterskin, slipping it back into his bag once more before turning to jog up ahead of her, hold his hands out to try and pause her progress and get her attention for a moment.

It wasn’t that he was concerned - the woman had just sent him scampering for his life with nary a care in the fucking world about it - but he didn’t feel right about just letting her wander off injured as she was.

“Look, mystery woman. You don’t like me, I don’t like you. But since we’re in the middle of fucking nowhere with each other would it not be beneficial to wander together until we get somewhere to find transit and then we can go our separate ways? I pull any tricks, you stab me. You pull any tricks, I shoot you. Win-win, no? Or would you prefer to take on whatever you find out there on your own after that tumble you took?”

Delain stopped walking as this man was oddly persistent – still talking a lot. She simply stared at him as he spoke and there was an exacerbated sigh that left her, “I’ve been in worse situations before, I’d take my chances alone. Before long something is going to come along and snatch you up.” She paused again briefly and loomed forward, “Because you talk too damn much.”

R’zevi’s eyes narrowed. He wasn’t the one wandering around injured, but sure - he was the one who was going to be snatched up.

Feeling charitable wasn’t something within her wheelhouse but having the extra body wouldn’t have gone amiss. She sighed again and motioned for the semi-covered path, “Fuckin’ come on then.” she muttered. He needed her more than she needed him it seemed, by the sounds of it the lad had absolutely no idea where they were, whereas Delain….well, she had a pretty good idea having been in the general area before.

One ear flattened against the top of his head, his tail giving an agitated flick as he stepped to the side and motioned forward as if to say ‘after you’ falling in step beside her. His gaze rested on her for a brief moment before shifting to their surroundings. How the hell was one supposed to communicate with a stranger if one didn’t talk - but if she didn’t want him to talk, then that was fine. He wouldn’t talk - he’d just focus on taking in the details of the area and being mindful of their surroundings…just in case he ever had to return to the gods-forsaken area.

Collab writing with @lavender-fields-xiv

#stories #r'zevi #delain #collaborative writing

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serararku · 4 years ago

Note

₪ - For a kink. (For S'era!)

S'era tapped her chin for a long moment. "Mmmmn... I really like it when R'zevi pulls on my tail. Sometimes I have to coax him to do it, like he forgets or something. Maybe it's not memorable? Anyway, it feels amazing. Tight grip right on the base of my tail and ooOOOOOHH!" She clapped her hands together and laughed nervously. "Heeheehee... u-um... I also like it when he whispers in my ear. Nothing filthy, mind you... I just like the feel of his breath on my neck. I suppose that's not really a kink now that I think about it. Oh, what about roleplay? Last time we played the 'Tribewife and the Tia Scoundrel', it was amazing. We need to do that more of...ten..."

S'era blinked as her face turned bright red. "R-right... it was just one... woopsies."

---

Mentions: @rzevi-tia-ffxiv

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serararku · 4 years ago

Text

Duet: Under the Storm’s Chorus

<Theme>

Buscarron’s Alehouse was remarkably busy for a Tuesday. The sound of plates clacking together, laughter, idle conversation, and footfalls created an almost deafening white noise that filled the building up to the brim. The two alehouse wenches scurried from corner to corner, refilling drinks and swapping out dirty plates with fresh food as quickly but as carefully as they could manage. Wall to wall the alehouse was stuffed with patrons, overflowing out to the outside pavilion; every chair at every table was occupied, except for the lone Miqo’te resting after a long day’s work in the back-corner of the establishment.

R’zevi had spent all morning and the better half of the afternoon patrolling up and down the South Shroud, fending off wild animals and roaming bandits alike from preying on Lalafellin merchant caravans. The pay was decent, but hardly worth all that effort, and now that he was sore from the neck down all that was left to do today was stare at the bottom of his tankard before turning in for the night. Yet unbeknownst to R’zevi, the alehouse wenches were giving him more than the standard attention issued to the other patrons once word got around that he was a surprisingly generous tipper; by the time he realized his table was gradually covered in untouched tankards of ale, it was too late to stop them. After all, he wouldn’t tell these women off for going the extra mile, and the last thing he wanted was trouble from the Roegadyn bouncer wandering around the alehouse.

"Excuse me…" A strangely familiar voice whispered beneath the discordant noise of the alehouse. He looked up to see a woman weaving in and out of view while she made her way to the bar, dressed in a black dress normally seen during a party or celebration. R'zevi swore he knew her from somewhere, and the bandages on her forearm was giving him the worst case of déjà vu in recent memory. The Miqo'te woman walked a little awkwardly in her high heels while she squeezed between two drunken patrons to get her drink; it wasn't until she turned around to search for a place to sit did he recognize her.

“S’era! Over here!” R’zevi called out over the commotion and waved to get her attention; she gave him a quizzical look at first, clearly not knowing who he was or how he knew her name- but no sooner did he recognize her did she recognize him, and a bright smile flashed over her face before she began making her way to his table.

“Good evening!” She sighed, brushing off her backside with her good hand before settling in the chair beside him. “You’re one of Lord Isenhart’s Ashen Wolves, right?”

“Yes, I am.” He paused only long enough to push some of the cups away to give her some space. “My name is R’zevi. How are you doing?” His gaze flashed to her outfit, but he successfully resisted the urge to glance down at her bare thighs through the slit in her dress. “What’s the uhh… occasion?”

She looked down at her getup while her cheeks flushed a vibrant red. “Oh… I was supposed to go on a date with someone, but um… they never showed up. I waited for them in Quarrymill for maybe an hour or so? Then I gave up and came here to get a stiff drink.”

“A date?” R’zevi gave her a puzzled look. “I thought… you were training to rescue someone? Your Nunh, right?”

“Oh I still plan on it, yes.” S’era paused to take a quick sip of her mug. “This was supposed to be practice. Nothing serious, just… something to help me get an edge on being his favored wife once he’s returned.”

It still didn’t make sense to him. “Practice? Do the women in your tribe take the Nunh out on dates often?”

S’era gave him a blank stare for a long moment. “No, the other kind of practice. The stuff that usually happens after the date.”

“Oh.” Now it was R’zevi’s turn to blush. “Right… that makes a lot more sense.”

“My sisters are pleasing the false Nunh of my tribe. If I’m to keep up with their experience, I need experience of my own.” S’era glanced over her shoulder at one of the bar wenches walking past the table before continuing. “Training with Lord Isenhart will only get me so far… if I don’t practice on pleasing a Nunh, then… I’ll be at a sore disadvantage once I finally rescue him.”

“You know…” R’zevi set his mug down to ruminate a bit, deciding to choose his words carefully. “You seem to be sacrificing a lot for the sake of your tribe. And, I know this doesn’t hold much water coming from a Tia who isn’t trying to become a Nunh, but, maybe you should reconsider your priorities for your own sake.”

S’era gave him a gentle smile- something he wasn’t expecting. “I know what it looks like… some naive foolish girl chasing a man she hardly knows. But I have to do this. My tribe is… everything to me, and… I want to do my best to make sure it remains strong."

“As long as you’re happy.” R’zevi didn’t want to press the matter further; this woman was clearly set in her ways and determined to see this through. Instead of trying to argue, he decided to change the subject. “What are your plans for the rest of the night?”

She pursed her lips and fell silent for a moment before answering with, “Probably get tipsy, and watch the sunset before I return to my apartment to go to sleep.” A defeated shrug raised her shoulders. “Not nearly as exciting as I was hoping, but it is what it is.” No sooner did she mention watching the sunset did thunder roll across the sky above. S’era leaned all the way in her chair to peek out of the open door, and her ears flattened against her head at the sight of the large black clouds choking out the warm but fading sunlight. “A-ahh… or I can just sit here and wait for this storm to pass…”

R’zevi raised a brow and asked, “Not a fan of storms, huh?” Another roll of thunder caused the hairs on the back of her neck to bristle, and her tail grew bushy.

“Mmmn… a bad childhood experience with lightning…” She nervously fidgetted. “We don’t get many storms out in Thanalan near the Sagolii Desert… usually the worst is a heavy shower or two once or twice a year. But sometimes my tribe would travel all the way up to the outskirts of the Black Shroud, where lightning likes to strike. Gods, I can’t imagine why…” R’zevi opened his mouth to explain the nature of a certain primal the local Sylph have been known to summon, but refrained from interrupting her story. “A-anyway, I was climbing a tree in search of bird eggs, and a really big bolt struck the tree nearby. It was so… so loud… and it shattered the tree into blazing pieces. I fell maybe three stories, struck my head against a branch, and did a front flip into a bush. If it weren’t for my mother sending out a search party for me, I… I would have probably burned to death in that forest fire.” She let out a sharp sigh before chugging the rest of her tankard down. “I just freeze up when I hear thunder now… at least in Thanalan I had caves I could scurry down into…”

R’zevi ruminated on his thoughts again as he watched her become twitchy. Seeing her so jumpy at even the slightest movements around her was a tragedy indeed, especially over a little rain and the occasional thunder. “Hmm…” He hummed lightly, getting her attention. “Come with me, I want to show you something.” S’era gave him a quizzical look while he rose to his feet and headed to the door, but she reluctantly followed.

Outside it was pouring. The raging thunderheads above made quick work of any remaining clear sky, and most of the outside patrons had either retreated back inside or left for other shelters. S’era slowly opened the door and saw R’zevi standing out there between abandoned tables, already soaked from head to toe. “Come on out and join me.” He called, gesturing for her.

“Are you crazy?!” S’era called back, wearily glancing up at the sky as if the lightning was hiding just above the roof. “Come back inside! You’ll get sick out there!”

“It’s just a little water.” He raised his face to the rain and closed his eyes, basking in the bounty of the storm. “I want to show you that you don’t have to be terrified any longer. You won’t be struck by lightning out here.”

“You don’t know that…!” She shrunk away from the rain like it was acid. “Please come back inside! I don’t want to see you die!”

R’zevi opened his eyes and smiled warmly at her, despite standing in a growing puddle with soggy and soaked clothes. “Lightning only hits the tallest point in the forest, or anything wearing a lot of metal.” He touched his chest before gesturing to hers. “We’re both wearing leather and linen. We’re completely safe, I assure you. Come join me… it feels amazing.”

“I’m wearing silk, actually…” S’era didn’t like this idea one bit. “Gods, you really are crazy…” Much to R’zevi’s shock, she took off her heels before scampering out from under the roof. The woman squeaked when the rain splashed against her head and shoulders, causing her eyeliner and lipstick to run down her face; it was only after she was soaked did R’zevi realize he probably just persuaded her into ruining that dress. He would have to make a mental note to repay her for that. “Alright…” She mumbled, standing a few inches away from him. “Now what?!”

“Just listen.” He gently took her by the hands and held them together. “To the storm’s chorus. To the applause of rain surrounding us. To the harmless bark of thunder.”

“Harmless…? Hardly.” S’era glanced up at the sky again, but flinching every time raindrops struck her eyes dissuaded her from continuing that for much longer. Instead she looked down as she felt the cold mud squishing between her toes, and against her better judgment, she also braced herself for the rolling thunder overhead.

Booooooom…

R’zevi heard her squeak and nearly leap into him, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist as she buried her face in his chest. Slowly he patted the top of her head before gently whispering, “It’s alright… it’s just thunder. It’s not going to hurt you.” He hesitantly ran a hand through her soaked hair. “You’re safe.”

He could feel her heavy breathing. Her heart pounded against his stomach, and her vice grip around his waist remained steadfast; she didn’t dare look up, fearing the flash of lightning would be the last thing she saw before joining her ancestors. Thunder bellowed again- louder this time- but she didn’t flinch as hard as she did before. “I’m safe…” She repeated, taking slow and steady breaths. “I’m safe… I’m safe… I’m safe…”

“I can hardly believe what I’m seeing.” R’zevi cooed, grinning madly. “A woman who traveled the four corners of Eorzea and shoved her hand into a fireplace for him is terrified of a little noise?”

“Mmmn… quiet you…!” She pulled her face away from his chest to pout at him. “This isn’t so bad… with you being much taller, I can at least survive the first strike, huh?”

“All you need is some time.” R’zevi pulled a few strands of hair away from her face. “Exposure is the best way to overcome your phobias. Just take a little bit at a time, just enough for you to handle… and eventually you won’t give these rainstorms a second tho-”

BOOOOM!

Forked lightning streaked across the sky and lit up Buscarron’s Druthers. Her grip around his body suddenly tightened, and S’era almost leapt right out of her skin. R’zevi wrapped his arms around her and looked around, somewhat relieved no one was around to witness two strange Miqo’te hugging in the downpour. “Shhh… it’s alright. It can’t reach you down here…”

"Alehouse is taller… trees are taller… R'zevi is taller…" S'era mumbled to herself, squinting from the rain as she looked up into the sky. "It can't reach me… I'm safe… I'm- huh?" Almost instantly the rain completely stopped, as if someone had turned off a giant faucet high above.

"I knew it wouldn't last long when it started so suddenly and angrily." He smiled, reaching up to wipe his wet brow. "... I still figured it would last longer than it did."

"Thank you anyway." S'era beamed up at him awkwardly before she hesitantly let him go. "It really means a lot… and… you didn't have to do this."

"Defeating childhood trauma can't happen overnight." R'zevi gave her another warm grin. "A good memory in a storm to fight a bad one. That's one for one for now, S'era."

She chuckled nervously as she ran her hand through her soaked hair. “You can call me Era… if you like…”

“Era it is.” R’zevi blushed a vibrant red once he realized her ruined silk dress was now clinging to and highlighting her figure, and his gaze snapped back to her eyes to avoid ogling at the outline of her smallclothes keeping everything in place. Quickly he cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you need an escort back to your apartment complex? I doubt you’d run into any trouble, but I really don’t mind accompanying you…”

A sly smirk spread across her face before she said, “Hasty, are we? I’d like to know you more before I take you back to my apartment.”

“O-oh! No, no no no, I didn’t-! That was not what I was implying!” R’zevi sputtered, his face as bright and red as a tomato. S’era let him ramble on for a few more seconds before she couldn’t take it anymore; she was gripped by a giggle-fit that only got more uncontrollable every time she looked at his face, but he was determined to explain himself. “Era-! I uhh…! I’m sorry if-!”

Once her laughter was reigned in, she quickly placed a finger on his lips. “I was just messing with you, Zevi. I can call you Zevi, yes?”

“Of course you can.” His voice was heavy with relief, which only forced her to stifle another fit of laughter. She wiggled her index finger at him to gesture him closer, saying nothing. R’zevi half-expected her to mock him right to his face, but when he bent over to meet her at eye-level, she gently wrapped her arms over his shoulders and embraced him in the most uncomfortably wet hug he’s ever had.

“You’re really cute when you’re flustered.” She softly whispered in his ear, before pressing her lips together and planting a wet kiss on his cheek. "Until next time, okay?"

Without thinking R'zevi reached around her waist just as she began to release him and pull away, pressing a hand against the small of her back, an ilm or two above her tail. He drew her back into his arms until their soaked bodies were firmly smooshed together again. As S'era gazed invitingly into his eyes, the fear of rejection fled into the night, and he did the only thing that felt natural. They both closed their eyes when their lips met. With their hearts pounding against each other's chests the two Miqo'te stood in silence, lip-locked and dazed. Eventually S'era tilted her head and parted her lips, while her leg lifted off the ground to give him something warm to hold on to. It wasn't until they were at the zenith of their deep kiss did they snap out of their lustful trance.

"You two'll catch yer death in the cold, pluckin' and cluckin' like that." An elderly Roegadyn groundskeeper grumbled, shambling by with a mop and broom in his grasp. “Damn kids, no restraint… back in my day you would get walloped and your girl snatched right out from under ya if you mmmn hrgmm mergmmm…” He was still rambling to himself when he turned around the corner and vanished.

S’era and R’zevi were left standing there awkwardly, the mood killed and the magic gone. “Um- Era, you’re um…” He gestured to her dress, which was now turned slightly to the side and riding up her thighs.

“Mmmn… you should look down…” She quietly retorted, motioning to the bulge in his pants. They both adjusted themselves, too uncomfortable and embarrassed to look each other in the eyes. "So…" She started again, now that she was wearing her dress correctly. "You should take me on a date soon…"

"I will!" He did a poor job concealing the excitement in his voice, especially when he tried to play it off by clearing his throat immediately after. "Where would you like to go?" She gave him a wide grin as she slowly walked back toward the alehouse, shrugging halfheartedly at him; despite being genuinely invested in the answer to the question, R'zevi couldn't shake the notion that where the date started didn't actually matter- but where it ended.

"Surprise me." S'era finally spoke, winking slyly at him. She ducked back through the doors and vanished, leaving him out in the night… cold, wet, and antsy.

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Mentions: @rzevi-tia-ffxiv

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