gm: She can find him readily enough among the other students in the dining hall.

Jess: She hesitates as she approaches, a wave of emotions filling her. (if she catches his eye, she will give him a weak/anxious smile... very slight)

gm: He nods, head tilted, makes his apologies to those around him, and comes towards her, his mug of ale in hand. "What is it?" he asks quietly.

Jess: Her words come quietly, and with a hitch, "I just need to..." she sighs, "I, ah... it's good to your face," is all she can muster.

She glances around; it is clear she is trying to avoid a scene... and after last night, she is uncertain what anyone remembers. She fidgets where she stands, not unlike someone seeking comforting affection.

gm: He tips his head towards the exit, and leads her that way. Outside he takes her by the elbows and steers her to one of the benches. Sitting her down, he sits by her and wraps his arm around her for a time. He does not ask again until she signals she is okay.

Jess: She leans into him, sighing heavily periodically and fidgetting with the lapel of his coat. After awhile, she collects herself enough to sit up. She smiles weakly, "Thank you." she forces out, her eyes glistening slightly.

gm: "What is going on? When you were not at class, several people noticed we could not read you. Read me well enough," he nudges her as he says with humor, perhaps trying to lighten her mood.

Jess: She draws a deep breath, and releases it slowly, "I needed to share my vision..." she starts. She smiles shyly, a color coming to her cheeks at his words. Then, I shouldn't be so constricted with my affections toward you in public?"

gm: "Now, now!" He tilts back, mock-shocked. "My lady, we have responsibilities."

Jess: She chuckles at that, clearly needing the tension-break.

gm: (liaisons are not prohibited, nor even really frowned upon. Exclusive affairs that produce isolation for the couple and possible jealousy among the students are discouraged.)

Jess: She looks to the Sun, blinking away the moisture in her eyes, before continuing. "I went to find Niall, to tell him about my dream," she confessed. "He could hear me no better than you could this morning."

gm: Verhain frowns.

Jess: She sighs, "And told me that it is because of my impulsiveness that I remember while none do, and why I'm cursed to never utter my tale to another."

gm: "Surely you remembering will be important?"

Jess: She shrugs slowly, "That has yet to be determined." She gives him a sad smile. "He also saw you in my bed..." she confesses, "and asked if we were lovers..." At this, her smile transforms to one of fondness.

gm: "Not everything is so dark and mysterious then. I'm glad."

Jess: She sighs, "Then our words turned ugly toward one another... and I had to leave.
"And I was upset and frightened and angry and confused and all I could think of was your beautiful Amber eyes and your easy smile and and and and..." She turns her eyes away, embarassed by her utter lack of control,

"...And, So, I had to find you."

gm: "I have never known Niall to be angry." He says it not to contradict her, but in puzzlement.

Jess: She hesitates. "I seem to bring it out in him."

gm: "I hope you never see fit to turn that talent upon me, then." He grins at her fondly.

Jess: She shakes her head, "That makes two of us. Apparently, it is something I can do without conscious control... at least with Niall. I think I frustrate him much like he frustrates others."

gm: Verhain laughs. "That seems fair."

Jess: "I don't think he's terribly patient."

gm: "So, you came to me for comfort. Perhaps in these few minutes before classes resume, I should find some way to comfort you better. Unless of course you are already completely at your ease."

Jess: "I would find greater comfort with your breath upon my skin... but, I can understand how that is inconvenient." She forces her eyes to meet his, "Thank you, for leaving your meal to listen to me." It is a genuine, almost innocent statement.

gm: "Here, turn towards me a little," he suggests, mischief on his face. He turns to straddle the bench facing her.

Jess: She does as he requests... intrigued.

gm: He scoots in close to her so that he can put his arm around her back and pull her shoulder against his chest. With the slight shield of his coat and their two backs facing the dining hall, he puts his other hand on her ankle and starts lifting the edge of her skirts.

Quickly his hand is to her knee, and he pauses.

Jess: She shifts slightly, allowing him greater movement, she looks up at him to read his face.

gm: As his hand begins to explore higher, to the cleft between her legs, he asks cheerfully, "So, Muirne, tell me about your reading this morning." He punctuates her name by penetrating her deeply with two fingers.

Jess: She gasps slightly, her moisture flows quickly. "It was very intense..." she begins. A smile appears at her lips... In a moment, Verhain can feel her fingers crawling up his inner thigh.

gm: "I saw you, deeply involved in your book upon the hill." The two fingers are joined by a third, and his thumb roves, seeking that point of intense pleasure just at the opening of her lips.

Jess: She continues behind the cover of their bodies toward him... brushing her fingers against the laces, and finding their cinch.

gm: "Ah, now, my dear. There is trouble there. That chapter is for reading later."

Jess: "I became so entralled with the fantasy of it all, I fear I read through classes."

gm: "I was somewhat absorbed in a fantasy myself."

Jess: With his hands busy in her, she pulls at the laces, "But, let me share with you a hint of the tale..." Her voice is husky.

gm: He begins pulling his fingers in and out of her, while keeping a steady teasing rhythm with his thumb.

Looking at her with some sternness, he says, "I think you must listen to how mine ends first. Since you have missed your meal, you will just have to have your desert." He leans a little to block her hand somewhat with his elbow.

Jess: She pouts slightly, but relents to just resting her hand in his lap against him. "Then tell me of yours, first..."she says through shortened breaths. She rested her head against him and closed her eyes.

gm: "It starts like this..." He continues, his lips near her ear, the words full of his memory of her wild with orgasm. The fingers inside her not only draw in and out, but move within her and against her as his thumb goes on, relentless.

There is heat under her hand, and she can feel through the fabric and laces as he rises in spite of himself.

He whispers, "And then it goes on that way, and will not stop until she is done."

She can half-hear the doors from the hall, opening a little ways away, but his voice and breath in her ear block the sound from touching upon what she is feeling.

Jess: She finds herself struggling to honor his wishes to keep her hands free, tightening her fingers against the firmness in his pants with each stroke he delivers to her. Quiet moans come quickly as he brings her to her end. Her head nuzzles into his neck.

gm: He leaves his hand there a moment as the pulses pass, then slowly withdraws it.

Jess: She quivers slightly, riding the wave of pleasure.

gm: He kisses her hair and breathes into it.

Jess: Her breathing slowly returns to normal, her body relaxed and contented. She lifts her head slightly, searching his face.

gm: His nostrils are flaring, his eyes half-lidded. There is a smile half of mischief and half of desperate desire, held in check.

Jess: "Tell me why I shouldn't steal you away for the rest of the afternoon?" she asks, chewing her bottom lip. "And bring to you pleasures you've never known?"

gm: Just as she understands his expression fully, and speaks, she hears a light clapping sound. Neassa walks by breezily. Under her breath as she passes, she says, "Very well done. I believe the others are distracted momentarily." A small smile is on her lips as she goes past.

Jess: She looks to Verhain, and begins to giggle slightly, burying her head into his chest.

gm: "I think I have to go back to my cottage and ponder the meaning of this morning's lesson, Neassa, if you'd pass the message," Verhain brings himself to say. His voice is full of sex.

Jess: Muirne manages to choke back her giggles, but, is unable to think of anything polite to add to the moment.

gm: "Don't tempt me with that voice, boy," Neassa responds, her smile changing to a grin. "Or I'll not pass your message."

Jess: "Maybe you can share with me what I missed in the morning's lessons as you ponder?" she asks with an angelic expression.

gm: As she's walking away, Neassa calls back, "If the satyr is busy, I can always help you with that, Muirne."

Jess: Muirne breathes deeply, calming herself of the moment. "Thank you, Neassa, I'll keep that in mind..."

gm: "You two will have us all tumbling like mayflies in the hay..." she leaves the courtyard.

Jess: Muirne watches Neassa pass, then turns toward Verhain with an arched brow, "So, tell me Satyr, what is your pleasure?"

gm: "Ah, my pleasure. You are my pleasure."

Jess: She smoothes her skirt, then slides her arms inside his coat. Her eyes flicker between his lips and his eyes.

gm: "You make an animal of me."

Jess: "And I hunger for you... it seems that we are well suited for one another." She smiles, lips hungry for his.

gm: "We should probably head back to class you know." He believes it but doesn't mean it.

Jess: "It would be the proper thing to do..." she agrees hollowly.

gm: "They... we are all wondering why we couldn't reach you earlier."

Jess: She frowns slightly, "Were you... they concerned?"

gm: He nods slightly. "But given your mood this morning, I assumed you were simply somewhat... closed."

Jess: "I'm sorry I caused a problem..." she concedes. "That wasn't my intent to make others worry.
"Things were confusing, I just wanted..." she frets for a word, "... clarity."

gm: He glances down. "I'm afraid I'm spoiling the mood, and I meant instead just to joke," he says apologetically.

Jess: She smiles, "Well you can make it up to me when I come to you this evening," she grinned playfully. "That is, assuming, we go to afternoon classes... which, personally, I'm not sold on.

"And it seems Neassa has laid a challenge at our feet... I'd almost hate to disappoint her." Her delivery is relaxed and playful, pushing away the troubles of the night before and her conflict with Niall.

gm: "Unless we plan to invite her, I think she will be a little disappointed nonetheless.

Jess: She laughed. "You're going to be responsible and force me to dream about you in class, aren't you?"

gm: "I don't believe you're the one who will have to sit sideways the next many hours."

Jess: "You will have my scent to distract you..." She blinks up at him innocently, pointing out the obvious. Slowly, she untangles herself from his side, rising from the bench, "Come, lead and I will follow you." Her words come heavy with meaning... lust and adoration.

gm: "I was not so weak four days ago." He looks up at her helplessly.

Jess: She tsks playfully, "It is not weak to be with what you desire...

"Many never ever figure out what it is the want... what they need... that takes strength," she encourages, holding her hands out for him.

gm: He stands and puts his arm around her waist. "I want to take you in every wood on every world. I want to sing your name.

"Follow me?"

Jess: She steps in to him, eyes lidded, and nods. "To whereever your path will take me."

gm: He gives a last look in the direction of the auditorium, and pulls her with him off the path towards the woods by the wall.

Jess: She follows him quietly...

gm: He leads her to an afternoon in which he seems cut loose. Not just what she would expect of him, pent up as he was from the afternoon.

Jess: She will encourage him to expend all his energies with abandon.

gm: It is as though he has detached from other things that were important to him, as though he was nothing else but sex.

Jess: (sex for sex or sex because of their bonding? mindless or directed)

gm: (the former _mostly_, mindless _mostly_, like he must expend a great deal of energy to remember her and himself.)

Jess: (primal?)

gm: (yes, or nearly)

He manages three, four erections, one following almost immediately after the other, as though just the scent of having been with her spurs him back again.

It has been hours. On this winter day, evening is coming early.

Jess: At a moment of pause (as it seems that is all that there is), Muirne rises, slick and exhausted and regards Verhain...

gm: He regards her back.

Jess: She runs hand through his hair, "You are insatiable this day..." She kisses his lips. "But, the night draws, and with the winter's chill, I'd prefer to be skyclad wrestling in the comfort of my mattress."

Jess: (is he dropping his seed with each erection? or simply can't complete the transaction)

gm: (as far as she can tell, full ejaculations. whether fertile, who knows?)

He is looking off in another direction, and answers her almost as an afterthought. "Will that... bring us together again?"

Jess: "Will what bring us together again?" She cocks her head slightly, "Are you troubled, Verhain?"

gm: "You want your bed. I want you." She feels that what he wants to say is 'yes.'

Jess: "You have me, Sweet Verhain... never question." her eyes flicker between him and the direction of his immediate attention.

Muirne will push power/open herself up to try to get a sense of what is troubling him.

gm: He looks towards the Tower.

Jess: She smiles down on him, "That didn't bring us together... our fates were intertwined without the tower."

gm: What she senses is that something that once bound him binds him no longer, but that slipping those bonds is not his wish, not within his understanding.

Jess: (can she tell what kinds of bonds?)

gm: (vague, but tremendous, enormous. Like the way he is made created them.)

"Let's go back," he says quietly.

Jess: She nods, concern in her eyes. She kneels before him, "Will you really sing my name?" she asks quietly.

gm: "I don't..." He looks at her closely. "I don't know."

Jess: She nods, eyes cast away. "Words can be silly things, especially when charged as such," she smiles lightly and rises from the ground.

gm: He looks down at himself. His trousers must be two ruttings back, his knees are scraped. Marks from her fingernails mark his sides.

gm: 'Did I hurt ... you?" He asks, troubled.

Jess: She shakes her head, "You're loving was vigorous, and full of fire today. But, I am unscathed." Her body show markings of their rough play, scrapes on her shoulders and knees

gm: He quivers slightly. His body is cold.

"Let's go back," he repeats.

Jess: She holds her hands out to him, nodding. "Verhain, what's wrong? You're frightening me..." she confesses, searching his eyes.

gm: "I'm tired."

Jess: "Please, let me bring you comfort... aid you in your troubles..."

gm: "I don't know if I can manage, but I want to make love to you because you are you and I, me. Not..." he looks again towards the Tower.

Jess: "Why does the Tower entrance you so?

"Not, what? Verhain, please, tell me..."

gm: "Not because I must."

Jess: She leans over him, kissing his lips tenderly and with great affection, "Then come back to the cottage with me... and we will warm our bodies, and fall asleep in each others arms."

gm: He nods and begins to walk with her. "It is said my father's father was a satyr truly." He tries to look at her sidelong, joking, but it comes out a little desperate. "What think you, vixen?"

Jess: "I think, Satyr, that many worlds could spin out of control, and lifetimes would pass... and I'd not miss a moment of it were I with you." She reponded with a cheek, but in her words ther was a hint of truth.

gm: A fearsome truth, perhaps. Their power was not a kind one.

Verhain follows her back, skirting around the outside of the circle of cottages to slip into Muirne's.

Jess: She lets them into the cottage. Once the door is closed, "You shiver so, let me pour you a bath?"

gm: He just nods, standing naked in the center of the room.

(she runs the bath for him... and herself - poor girl?)

Jess: (she will bathe him, and care for him... not in a sexual way. She's concerned for him... legitimately. He's acting out of sorts, and she wants to help him find peace)

gm: She washes him in warm water, and he lets her like a child.

Jess: She hums something quietly, soothing, as she washes his wounds

gm: The wounds aren't deep at all. Scratches and scrapes mostly, a few slightly deeper, like where it appears he kneeled on a stick.

Jess: She cleanses him gingerly, washing his hair... When there is nothing left to wash off, she will guide him from the tub, and wrap him in a towel. She will lead him to the bed and (for all intents and purposes) tuck him in. She places a kiss on his brow, "I will return when I am fresh and free of pine sap." she comforts.

Muirne returns to the bathroom, pouring a fresh bath and returns to his side, fresh and clean.

She sits on the bed's edge, next to his form, gazing upon him.

gm: He is spread out as though trying to stay cool, rather than get warm.

Jess: She rests her hand upon his chest, "Your skin is still chilled, are you not well?"

gm: "I need to know your name again." He looks at her, frowning. "Come teach me your name."

Jess: She looks at him, confused and saddened, "As you wish..." and she utters her name with power into his ear.

gm: He shakes his head. "Teach me." He puts her hand in the hair on his stomach. He seems confused and sad. He says, "I want you. I want to know you." He is not ready for much of anything, from what she can see.

Jess: "My love," she addressed him sweetly, daring to refer to him as such, "I will cosset and please you in mind, body and soul... let me do that in my way."

gm: He nods.

Jess: She slides into the bed with him, intertwining her body with his. She presses her lips to his chest, humming a soothing lullaby. "There are words I utter to you that I don't share with another, Verhain." she whispers between hums.

gm: He starts to rouse, though not quickly. "Why?" he whispers. "Why to me?"

Jess: "Because you gave me strength when I needed it most... because you trusted me to be safe on my own when you wanted to shield me from danger. Because it is mine to give, and I choose to give it to you." she finishes.

gm: He nods again.

Jess: she continues to hum to his chest, resting her head on his heart, letting her hands stroke his sides.

gm: He shivers under her touch.

gm: He lets himself be tended by her, comforted, until the comfort turn slowly to lovemaking.

Jess: (yeah, not going for the feverish... uncontrolled lovemaking... she's trying to bring his focus to _Her_, _the moment_, and _their union_)

gm: (yes, seems best for him)

Jess: (everything that is done, is done with the expressed purpose for him)

(she will shower him with affectionate kisses and snuggles, she will take him tenderly into her, she will whisper words filled with adoration and connection in his ear)

gm: the connection seems most important

Jess: (that's what she's going for 200%)

Jess: (a true union kind of thing... not driven by lust, but by love and compassion)

gm: Finally he seems able to move himself, and he rolls over on top of her, slowly and gently moving between her legs.

Jess: (gentle's good...) She stares into his eyes as he climbs atop her, searching for recognition and understanding.

gm: His eyes focus again, fully. He kisses the edge of her jaw, her cheeks, her lips.

Jess: She smiles relieved... returning his affection tenderly.

gm: His erection, barely functional, begins to firm inside her.

Jess: (but, it's _his_ not whatever demon possessed him earlier?!? that whole seeing him in his eyes thing...)
gm: She thinks so.

Jess: Her hands smoothe the muscles in his back and sides, encouraging him to be with her.

gm: He moves, he moves. He gets closer.

Jess: She rocks slowly with him, continuing to work with his movement in controlled, steady pace. Her lips find his neck, and move toward his ear, "Sweet Verhain..." she calls to him lovingly.

gm: "Muirne," he breathes. There is power in that word, connection.

gm: Then from outside, from someplace in the center of the world, there is a deep, resonant toll.

gm: Verhain looks up from her.

Jess: "Cliodhna is dead." She hugs him tightly to her, tears burning her eyes.

gm: He nods, slowly, and falls beside her, holding her.

Jess: She sobs, in his arms, part for the loss of the Keeper, and part for the knowing it was to be. "Tell me that you know me..." she utters from his chest.

gm: He sighs. "I know you."

Jess: "Say my name." she commands quietly.

gm: He blinks a few times against her neck. "Muirne," he finally says.

Jess: (does it have that melty affect?)

gm: (lightly, like when he said it when they first met and did not know each other well, but he hoped to.)

Jess: She sighs, turning him over and looking into his eyes. Her cheeks are still moist, tears still refusing to cease to fall.

gm: He looks back at her, exhausted, and strokes her face.

Jess: "It matters not that I say this," she choked slightly, "but, you should know that I could love you."

gm: He smiles sadly, achingly sweet. "I remember that I could love you. That can return."

Jess: She nods, "But only you can decide if you want it to return." There is sadness in her words, and she curses Niall for his meddling... she didn't need to know this beforehand.

"I can lay with you a thousand times, and bring to you ectasies none have ever experienced...."

"And I can give you my heart and soul freely, but you have to accept them as such."

gm: "For there to be death so close at hand... It stills me. I can accept when my heart is quiet enough to hear."

Jess: She looks solemn. "There will be much death before long, I fear." Her hand goes unconsciously to her stomach, and a heavy sigh follows. She chuckles, "It's too late, I've given you all I have... if you will find room for me in your heart to comfort yours..." She lets her words trail.

gm: "Wait for me?" he asks.

Jess: "Is that something that you really want? A love-struck girl waiting in the wings for you?"

gm: "You are love-struck? Strong, brave Muirne?"

Jess: "I am only as brave as I am foolish," she returns, "Do you find me brave? Strong? And would it be anoffense if I were love-struck?" she asks in a whisper. "I can only be what I am," she utters, closing her eyes.

gm: He adjusts his head in the pillow to see her more clearly. "You are brave, you are foolish..." She can feel him opening himself to see her. Is it love, then?" He says after a long time.

Jess: "Would it matter?"

gm: "Not yesterday." He leaves unsaid that perhaps, then, there is some distinction.

Jess: "I don't utter the words lightly..." she breathes, opening her eyes to meet his, "I will never ask more of you than you are willing to give." And then, as if to answer his question, a quiet "yes" escapes her.

gm: "I See." He smiles. "I can learn this love. I think, I want to learn it."

Jess: Her lower lips quivers slightly at this. She nods, "That is all I can ask of you."

gm: He kisses her a long time.

The toll peals three more times. They can feel it rolling past them into all the lands of the Alfari.