Re: The Silver Scream [Attn: Nykkolaia Sedai]
Posted: December 14th, 2015, 5:52 am
It was always intriguing how aware Valadin was of Nykk’s presence. In everything else he had difficulty finding clarity, but whenever the flaxen haired woman was near he was certain of exactly where she was and what he wanted from her.
A small thrill raced through him at her touch. Her question inspired a burst of thoughts, feelings, sensations that didn’t necessarily mesh well together. How many nights had he fantasized that the invulnerable woman who’d endured torture for days to open herself to him? To…want him?
His eyes closed to calm the storm of passion raging inside himself, but didn’t dally for long. They stood upon a precipice and the time to act was now.
Their fingers brushed lightly when he pressed the hand on his arm into his skin. “Yes,” he answered turning toward her now. “I think there’s a quiet place where we can be…together.”
The words were accompanied with an unassuming curve of his lip, but the moonlight illuminated the mischief in his murky brown eyes. Before either could reconsider their bold decision they were moving. A blur of buildings, some empty and others held the muted glow of candlelight, went by though none were places for them. For some reason returning to the Ivory Fox seemed inadequate for what they planned to do; at least to Valadin.
Finally they come upon a small establishment sequestered away from the larger city. A modest garden adorned the entry grounds leading to the door making it appear on the surface to be a nobleman’s estate. Valadin knew better. The signs were there for someone who knew to look for them. Giving Nykk’s hand a small squeeze he took them to the door where they waited an indeterminable amount of time after knocking. It was strange to think that only hours before he’d been on his way to another drunken slumber with nothing to look forward to. Anticipation sharpened his senses and when the door opened Valadin was keenly aware of everything all at once.
The feel of Nykk’s scars in his hand, the warmth escaping from the building, the heavy perfume worn by the elder woman who appraised them with knowing look; it all came to him at once.
“Greetings, I…we, have need of a quiet place fer the evenin’. Would ya know the way?” Valadin asked. A question from another lifetime. Mistakes that he’d thought cursed him, but now proved useful as a dream was being realized.
An uncomfortable moment passed where it seemed something had gone wrong. The woman studied Valadin and then Nykk before looking over the general state of them. Oh no, perhaps I said somethin’ wrong? Finally the hard scowl softened into a smile, “I would, young man. Welcome to your home for the evening. Please make yourselves comfortable.”
As expected the inside was an extravagant and exaggerated affair. The heavy smell of incense in the air made breathing difficult and the brightly colored murals on the walls were painful to look at for too long. Upon entering the cold of the night was left at the door. Two young men dressed in identical livery approached, one setting a robe in Valadin’s arm. The softness of the material was finer than anything Valadin had experienced even in the Tower. The other young man placed a see-through shift in Nykkolaia’s hand before both bowed in tandem and departed from sight.
“If you would, kindly take the stairs to the left. You will not be bothered. Anything you need will be attended to by the servant by your door,” the woman instructed. This close it was easy to see the layers of thick maquillage applied to her face in an effort to mask the ravages of time. Valadin knew all too well the life she must have endured. Somewhere in his heart he might have pitied her.
As he turned, keeping a reassuring arm across Nykk’s shoulder, the woman called to them, “No one will ask you questions, but in return we ask that you do not make mention of being here once you’ve left.”
“Of course. Thank ya,” Valadin replied and headed to the room that would be where Nykk and he gave the ultimate gift to one another.
What the Ivory Fox’s room lacked, this room made up for and more. The bed was a monstrosity that served as a centerpiece to the general outlay of the accommodation. Thankfully the smell of incense was faint here. “I…” Val began to say, but embarrassment overcame him.
Instead he placed the robe aside and went to the bed. The sheets were soft and the bed itself seemed comprised of cloud-fluff. There was a side-door that upon opening led them to another room, this one hosting a large basin inset into the stone flooring. A steaming bath big enough for an entire class of Soldiers had already been set for them with towels folded neatly off to the side where it could be easily reached.
“Care fer a bath before bed?” Valadin asked, winking playfully to hide his uncertainty.
A small thrill raced through him at her touch. Her question inspired a burst of thoughts, feelings, sensations that didn’t necessarily mesh well together. How many nights had he fantasized that the invulnerable woman who’d endured torture for days to open herself to him? To…want him?
His eyes closed to calm the storm of passion raging inside himself, but didn’t dally for long. They stood upon a precipice and the time to act was now.
Their fingers brushed lightly when he pressed the hand on his arm into his skin. “Yes,” he answered turning toward her now. “I think there’s a quiet place where we can be…together.”
The words were accompanied with an unassuming curve of his lip, but the moonlight illuminated the mischief in his murky brown eyes. Before either could reconsider their bold decision they were moving. A blur of buildings, some empty and others held the muted glow of candlelight, went by though none were places for them. For some reason returning to the Ivory Fox seemed inadequate for what they planned to do; at least to Valadin.
Finally they come upon a small establishment sequestered away from the larger city. A modest garden adorned the entry grounds leading to the door making it appear on the surface to be a nobleman’s estate. Valadin knew better. The signs were there for someone who knew to look for them. Giving Nykk’s hand a small squeeze he took them to the door where they waited an indeterminable amount of time after knocking. It was strange to think that only hours before he’d been on his way to another drunken slumber with nothing to look forward to. Anticipation sharpened his senses and when the door opened Valadin was keenly aware of everything all at once.
The feel of Nykk’s scars in his hand, the warmth escaping from the building, the heavy perfume worn by the elder woman who appraised them with knowing look; it all came to him at once.
“Greetings, I…we, have need of a quiet place fer the evenin’. Would ya know the way?” Valadin asked. A question from another lifetime. Mistakes that he’d thought cursed him, but now proved useful as a dream was being realized.
An uncomfortable moment passed where it seemed something had gone wrong. The woman studied Valadin and then Nykk before looking over the general state of them. Oh no, perhaps I said somethin’ wrong? Finally the hard scowl softened into a smile, “I would, young man. Welcome to your home for the evening. Please make yourselves comfortable.”
As expected the inside was an extravagant and exaggerated affair. The heavy smell of incense in the air made breathing difficult and the brightly colored murals on the walls were painful to look at for too long. Upon entering the cold of the night was left at the door. Two young men dressed in identical livery approached, one setting a robe in Valadin’s arm. The softness of the material was finer than anything Valadin had experienced even in the Tower. The other young man placed a see-through shift in Nykkolaia’s hand before both bowed in tandem and departed from sight.
“If you would, kindly take the stairs to the left. You will not be bothered. Anything you need will be attended to by the servant by your door,” the woman instructed. This close it was easy to see the layers of thick maquillage applied to her face in an effort to mask the ravages of time. Valadin knew all too well the life she must have endured. Somewhere in his heart he might have pitied her.
As he turned, keeping a reassuring arm across Nykk’s shoulder, the woman called to them, “No one will ask you questions, but in return we ask that you do not make mention of being here once you’ve left.”
“Of course. Thank ya,” Valadin replied and headed to the room that would be where Nykk and he gave the ultimate gift to one another.
What the Ivory Fox’s room lacked, this room made up for and more. The bed was a monstrosity that served as a centerpiece to the general outlay of the accommodation. Thankfully the smell of incense was faint here. “I…” Val began to say, but embarrassment overcame him.
Instead he placed the robe aside and went to the bed. The sheets were soft and the bed itself seemed comprised of cloud-fluff. There was a side-door that upon opening led them to another room, this one hosting a large basin inset into the stone flooring. A steaming bath big enough for an entire class of Soldiers had already been set for them with towels folded neatly off to the side where it could be easily reached.
“Care fer a bath before bed?” Valadin asked, winking playfully to hide his uncertainty.