lordoftheozarks (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lordoftheozarks) wrote2023-06-13 08:20 pm
lordoftheozarks) wrote2023-06-13 08:20 pm
IC Inbox
River laughs aloud in amazement while she cooks. "We really do just keep reminding each other that we're disturbing threats to one another's health and sanity, huh? Maybe I should have guessed though, you've always said you're a well-traveled man." She shakes her head fondly, and sighs. "That works for me. Not like I can't vouch if something goes wrong, and...today's your day, love. The price of admission sucked, but I honestly can't wait."
He never tires of people calling him that in such pleasant teasing tones--not above having his ego stroked and he won't even pretend to be.
As she undresses, his unblinking gaze never wavers away. This is far better than any strip tease because it's real. It's her allowing him to see behind the curtain. What a pleasant discovery to find that she is speckled from head to toe in those fetching freckles. Those are more interesting to him than the scars are. Scars he's seen plenty of.
"You don't have to remove that if you don't wish to," he tells her as he steps closer, reaching with his delicate fingers out to trace the constellation of spots across her shoulder. He keeps tracing them down until he comes to that vivisection scar. He traces that now, too, with the same gentle attention.
"You look queenly just like this, My Lady."
As she undresses, his unblinking gaze never wavers away. This is far better than any strip tease because it's real. It's her allowing him to see behind the curtain. What a pleasant discovery to find that she is speckled from head to toe in those fetching freckles. Those are more interesting to him than the scars are. Scars he's seen plenty of.
"You don't have to remove that if you don't wish to," he tells her as he steps closer, reaching with his delicate fingers out to trace the constellation of spots across her shoulder. He keeps tracing them down until he comes to that vivisection scar. He traces that now, too, with the same gentle attention.
"You look queenly just like this, My Lady."
Still using her accent: It's a good thing we love one another.
After that, he drops back into the accent she's familiar with. Learning to sound local has always served me well. I speak a wide range of languages. But... This isn't my natural accent, either. It's simply the newest one I've acquired.
After all this, maybe it's time he let her hear what his voice sounded like before. The accent changes again, becoming guttural with rolling rs and dragging syllables. I am truly sorry for how this happened, but I've been longing to try this ever since you offered. I would say you don't know what it means to me, but I think you very much do."
After that, he drops back into the accent she's familiar with. Learning to sound local has always served me well. I speak a wide range of languages. But... This isn't my natural accent, either. It's simply the newest one I've acquired.
After all this, maybe it's time he let her hear what his voice sounded like before. The accent changes again, becoming guttural with rolling rs and dragging syllables. I am truly sorry for how this happened, but I've been longing to try this ever since you offered. I would say you don't know what it means to me, but I think you very much do."
Oh wow. Erik gets the front row seat to the wave of adoring fascination that River feels hearing his original accent; she has to shake it off or the eggs will burn, which feels unfair to her. Still...
Soon enough, though, breakfast and coffee are ready. River gets the plate and cup on the table, briefly murmurs a prayer, and then retreats to give Erik control.
This will be good.
Soon enough, though, breakfast and coffee are ready. River gets the plate and cup on the table, briefly murmurs a prayer, and then retreats to give Erik control.
This will be good.
Of course I was.
[He's trying to sound haughty to disguise how caught off his guard he is at what Cesar's just said of Magne.]
It pains me to know something so ordinary could be that novel to her. But it brings me greater joy to hear she is doing so well--that you both are.
[He's trying to sound haughty to disguise how caught off his guard he is at what Cesar's just said of Magne.]
It pains me to know something so ordinary could be that novel to her. But it brings me greater joy to hear she is doing so well--that you both are.
[Sounds fake, Erik. But César will let it be.]
I can't even begin to describe the joy I get from even just sitting back and marveling as she goes about her day. Magne belongs in the sunshine, amongst people.
And she's a natural entrepreneur! When I found out she was opening her own place, she already had a whole plan.
I can't even begin to describe the joy I get from even just sitting back and marveling as she goes about her day. Magne belongs in the sunshine, amongst people.
And she's a natural entrepreneur! When I found out she was opening her own place, she already had a whole plan.
There's really nothing like having his ego stroked by her adoration from the inside. He'll have to make a point of whispering naughty things to her in this voice from now on. For the time being, however, he'll return to his customary Midwest accent. It's easier to stick to just this one after all the training he put himself through to cultivate it. But, just before he does switch, he lets her hear a long rippling chuckle in his native accent, because it's worth burning the eggs just to see her reaction to it.
"Do you pray before every meal?" he asks her as he settles at the table. He's the picture of prim and proper with his elbows up off the table to slice into her eggs.
The first pass with the knife barely does more than pop the yolks. He laughs at himself, and then speaks up to let her in on the joke. "I'm sorry. I'm not laughing at your cooking. I'm so very used to using only the barest amount of my own strength lest I break the plate in half. I'm still adjusting."
But, here now comes the moment of truth. He takes a bite and... moans so obscenely one might wonder if River has a caller over after all. "Dear God, I forgot how different the taste of food really is."
"Do you pray before every meal?" he asks her as he settles at the table. He's the picture of prim and proper with his elbows up off the table to slice into her eggs.
The first pass with the knife barely does more than pop the yolks. He laughs at himself, and then speaks up to let her in on the joke. "I'm sorry. I'm not laughing at your cooking. I'm so very used to using only the barest amount of my own strength lest I break the plate in half. I'm still adjusting."
But, here now comes the moment of truth. He takes a bite and... moans so obscenely one might wonder if River has a caller over after all. "Dear God, I forgot how different the taste of food really is."
Do you pray before every meal. The question gets a sort of chagrin in response, the kind a person feels when caught mispronouncing a word they've only read, and never heard aloud. Soldiering habit, she explains. Sort of. When times are dire, that's a good time to beseech Red Troth for a path to victory or the Quell for a merciful judgement, but otherwise? A meal might be the only blessing in a day's march, so you don't go bothering the gods with a warrior's inevitable bitching and moaning and carrying on.
This will be the only coherent thought for a minute, because Erik's reaction to breakfast gets gales of lilting laughter.
This will be the only coherent thought for a minute, because Erik's reaction to breakfast gets gales of lilting laughter.
[Shhh.]
I must say, she really does have that entrepreneur spirit. She impressed me, as well. It pleases me that I can refer any clients that won't be compatible with me to her instead. A little healthy competition is a good thing.
She's very lucky to have your full support. I know she knows that already. Frankly, I find it refreshing that people like us are granted an equal level of respect and commercial space as any other in this town. This never would have been possible in my home territory.
I must say, she really does have that entrepreneur spirit. She impressed me, as well. It pleases me that I can refer any clients that won't be compatible with me to her instead. A little healthy competition is a good thing.
She's very lucky to have your full support. I know she knows that already. Frankly, I find it refreshing that people like us are granted an equal level of respect and commercial space as any other in this town. This never would have been possible in my home territory.
[César chuckles warmly.]
She does! Mmm, I find the acceptance refreshing, too, even I've had to come to terms with it myself. But I have it a bit easier, with Magne acting as protection. We really only have eyes for each other.
That being said... I helped her with the business, design, and security portions. And I'll continue to do so whenever she needs me. No one's safety and livelihoods will be an afterthought under her roof.
[So he's all in, just in a different way.]
She does! Mmm, I find the acceptance refreshing, too, even I've had to come to terms with it myself. But I have it a bit easier, with Magne acting as protection. We really only have eyes for each other.
That being said... I helped her with the business, design, and security portions. And I'll continue to do so whenever she needs me. No one's safety and livelihoods will be an afterthought under her roof.
[So he's all in, just in a different way.]
"No matter how many times you speak of them, I'm always struck by how different your people's relationships to Gods are compared to my world." How different things could have been...
Her laughter draws his attention away from such philosophical musings. It ripples inside his mind, filling his blood with heat like a rising fever. Oh. It really is. He can feel his body flushing warm with a new kind of hunger. Well, if it was ever a secret to begin with it won't be now. River's laughter is sexy as hell for him.
"You have such an effect on me," he says in mild embarrassment. "Keep that up and I'm never going to make it outside."
Her laughter draws his attention away from such philosophical musings. It ripples inside his mind, filling his blood with heat like a rising fever. Oh. It really is. He can feel his body flushing warm with a new kind of hunger. Well, if it was ever a secret to begin with it won't be now. River's laughter is sexy as hell for him.
"You have such an effect on me," he says in mild embarrassment. "Keep that up and I'm never going to make it outside."
Trust me, it's very obvious.
[A man without eyes could still see how in love they are.]
It's only right that you would support one another's ventures. I find what you've both done for updating and innovating within this profession admirable. As a vampire, I do not often have to fear for my safety in the same ways but that doesn't mean I ignore the need for it. You both should be proud.
[A man without eyes could still see how in love they are.]
It's only right that you would support one another's ventures. I find what you've both done for updating and innovating within this profession admirable. As a vampire, I do not often have to fear for my safety in the same ways but that doesn't mean I ignore the need for it. You both should be proud.
[A man without eyes can still hear it in their voices, after all.]
... Thank you. [It takes a moment to process it.] I'll pass that on to Magne. I'm hoping that our work here will set the tone for the industry in general, especially after we reconnect to the mainland. Modern business practices give us a competitive advantage that's at least decades ahead of everyone else. Not that we won't happily share information for others to use.
And this concept can be applied to other industries. Shared space leads to innovation. It certainly did between my parents and I!
... Thank you. [It takes a moment to process it.] I'll pass that on to Magne. I'm hoping that our work here will set the tone for the industry in general, especially after we reconnect to the mainland. Modern business practices give us a competitive advantage that's at least decades ahead of everyone else. Not that we won't happily share information for others to use.
And this concept can be applied to other industries. Shared space leads to innovation. It certainly did between my parents and I!
His touch is gentle, and there's the slightest tremble in her nerves of anticipation, a soft little inhale of breath. His touch on the scar is sensitive in a different way, one that's both there and not there at all. Never ceases to be interesting, that detail about herself, but she's glad he's not being overly cautious about it. There's a spark in her gaze at the title, he gives her - something about it is charming, even with her declaration that she'd make a shoddy noble. Or maybe it's just the way he says it.
"I can be queen just as well without a crown."
Taking the circlet off, she gently tosses it aside, moving in to press herself close and kiss him again. More's in it than earlier, but still restrained, pulling herself to heel even with her hands on his waist, moving to run up his front. Slow, luxurious. They have all this time, and she wants to use it well, to find what places respond well to a touch, a kiss. Perfect for Fever to turn her head and murmur her request in his ear.
"Will you let me see you in return? I'll even say please."
She could do it for him, she knows. Might have tried, in another situation, but she's keeping Erik's words about his back in mind. Better to ask than risk killing the mood. Let him keep the pace that they've set, intimate and close.
"I can be queen just as well without a crown."
Taking the circlet off, she gently tosses it aside, moving in to press herself close and kiss him again. More's in it than earlier, but still restrained, pulling herself to heel even with her hands on his waist, moving to run up his front. Slow, luxurious. They have all this time, and she wants to use it well, to find what places respond well to a touch, a kiss. Perfect for Fever to turn her head and murmur her request in his ear.
"Will you let me see you in return? I'll even say please."
She could do it for him, she knows. Might have tried, in another situation, but she's keeping Erik's words about his back in mind. Better to ask than risk killing the mood. Let him keep the pace that they've set, intimate and close.
You would be doing this world a very large favor indeed. I genuinely hope you succeed at it.
[That would be beneficial for him too. He's decided to stay in this world, and, being immortal as he is, measures like these might ensure his career path is secure for centuries to come.]
It's very easy for me to see why the gods called you here. You've got the right attitude.
[That would be beneficial for him too. He's decided to stay in this world, and, being immortal as he is, measures like these might ensure his career path is secure for centuries to come.]
It's very easy for me to see why the gods called you here. You've got the right attitude.
As do I. This industry will always exist. Let's make sure people are safe.
[That takes a moment to sink in, and César breathes in.]
I'm grateful they did. I have my purpose in life again. I have people who love me. And... I'll be ready to be Rex's brother properly when I get back home. He's even going to have an incredible sister-in-law.
[That takes a moment to sink in, and César breathes in.]
I'm grateful they did. I have my purpose in life again. I have people who love me. And... I'll be ready to be Rex's brother properly when I get back home. He's even going to have an incredible sister-in-law.
It starts with a call, as it might. Casually inviting herself over, as if it's just a normal time, and not one she'd contemplated while being laid up with the flu. They need to talk about this, or she's going to feel the resentment and irritation boil over to a place where she's going to be ripping out his intestines while he breathes.
For Max's sake, and her promise. Just talking.
When she's let in to Erik's home, she's all smiles, not a hint of anything underneath, and waits for the spirit that he lives with to approach. Chuckling, as if his antics are but amusing.
"Maxly, you act like this every time I see you. I haven't forgotten you, you know."
Taking a seat on the couch, she invites the spirit to come closer, hand out to offer a touch if he wants.
For Max's sake, and her promise. Just talking.
When she's let in to Erik's home, she's all smiles, not a hint of anything underneath, and waits for the spirit that he lives with to approach. Chuckling, as if his antics are but amusing.
"Maxly, you act like this every time I see you. I haven't forgotten you, you know."
Taking a seat on the couch, she invites the spirit to come closer, hand out to offer a touch if he wants.
"Spoken like a true queen," he purrs. A satisfied smirk lights up his eyes as he drinks in her reactions. He shall have to think of a dozen more pet names to call her if she's going to look like that every time.
As she kisses him, he can't help but give in to the urge to tease her restraint. His fangs graze her bottom lip, not enough to break skin but the promise is there. At the same time, her fingers running across his pecks draw a deep and honest shiver out of him. He's noticeably leaning into her grip on his hips.
"Yes, My Lady."
He steps back from her grasp so she can have a better view as he pops open the buttons of his shirt, one by one, with practiced grace. Each move he makes, from the way he jerks his tie away, to the snap of his belt coming out of the loops has a sense of precise theatricality--like a stage magician redirecting his audiences' attention to exactly where he wants it. But there's nothing cynical about the performance. By the time he's stepping out of his trousers, there's a triumphant glint in his eyes.
He's down to just his undershorts and undershirt. The former are stripped down first. His manhood might not be the impressive girth of Max's, but Erik is a respectable average with the foreskin intact. He's also very nicely trimmed and groomed, as one might expect when that's part of his profession. The real show, however, is in the fact that, after a brief moment of hesitation, he reaches to draw his undershirt up and all the way over his head. Few get that privilege, but after the understanding she's shown, she's worthy of it.
After the shirt comes off, his eyes raise to meet hers, and in them is a look more vulnerable than any he's shown her yet. She's laid him bare in more ways than one, to his own surprise.
As she kisses him, he can't help but give in to the urge to tease her restraint. His fangs graze her bottom lip, not enough to break skin but the promise is there. At the same time, her fingers running across his pecks draw a deep and honest shiver out of him. He's noticeably leaning into her grip on his hips.
"Yes, My Lady."
He steps back from her grasp so she can have a better view as he pops open the buttons of his shirt, one by one, with practiced grace. Each move he makes, from the way he jerks his tie away, to the snap of his belt coming out of the loops has a sense of precise theatricality--like a stage magician redirecting his audiences' attention to exactly where he wants it. But there's nothing cynical about the performance. By the time he's stepping out of his trousers, there's a triumphant glint in his eyes.
He's down to just his undershorts and undershirt. The former are stripped down first. His manhood might not be the impressive girth of Max's, but Erik is a respectable average with the foreskin intact. He's also very nicely trimmed and groomed, as one might expect when that's part of his profession. The real show, however, is in the fact that, after a brief moment of hesitation, he reaches to draw his undershirt up and all the way over his head. Few get that privilege, but after the understanding she's shown, she's worthy of it.
After the shirt comes off, his eyes raise to meet hers, and in them is a look more vulnerable than any he's shown her yet. She's laid him bare in more ways than one, to his own surprise.
The love of a sibling is a precious thing. I wish only the best outcome for the three of you. And, I had better be invited to the wedding.
Erik suspects nothing is amiss as he welcomes her in. Maxly, of course, zooms to meet her like he always does. Erik would say she must be one of Maxly's favorite people but the ghost just does that with almost everyone. He's really living up to his namesake.
"He always acts as if he's starved for attention," Erik mutters. "I assure you, he's not being neglected."
Maxly puffs up and blows a big wet raspberry at Erik before settling his ghostly self down right in Fever's lap.
Erik rolls his eyes at that but comes to sit next to them both on that same couch. "It's always a pleasure to see you, Fever. Was there anything in particular that brought you to my door today?"
"He always acts as if he's starved for attention," Erik mutters. "I assure you, he's not being neglected."
Maxly puffs up and blows a big wet raspberry at Erik before settling his ghostly self down right in Fever's lap.
Erik rolls his eyes at that but comes to sit next to them both on that same couch. "It's always a pleasure to see you, Fever. Was there anything in particular that brought you to my door today?"
She pats the creature, smiling gently as she does.
"Not much. I've been missing company that wasn't my own. Being ill recently was quite dull, and it gave me time to think. And now that I'm well up to the standards of a doctor, I can pay as many visits as I like."
The jaws of her trap are silent. Ensnaring with courtesy, with care.
"Actually, I have a question. Why did you name him Maxly? I've never had a pet, so I don't know a thing about how you decide on names, or any of that."
"Not much. I've been missing company that wasn't my own. Being ill recently was quite dull, and it gave me time to think. And now that I'm well up to the standards of a doctor, I can pay as many visits as I like."
The jaws of her trap are silent. Ensnaring with courtesy, with care.
"Actually, I have a question. Why did you name him Maxly? I've never had a pet, so I don't know a thing about how you decide on names, or any of that."
It really is. I think knowing Magne will help Rex bond with me, too. She's able to translate me into 'normal'.
You will be! There's no way we'd leave off the list.
You will be! There's no way we'd leave off the list.
It all has its desired effect - her eyes watch him, intent and focused, viewing the show with all the appreciation and hunger one could desire from an audience. There are several comments she could make, but the words hardly matter when instead she's feeling her own resistance ebb. Gods, but it's hard to be slow when she wants to pounce on him instead, but she did promise. Still keeping herself in check, while a dozen filthy imaginings flit through her head, the trail of her eyes making absolutely no secret of it.
But when she steps close again, none of them gain a voice. Instead, she fits her hand to his cheek and exhales slow. As good at reading people as he is, he'll know the coiling tension in her, how she's keeping it in check. Steady, steady. No need to rush with this. It's exceptionally difficult. It's maddening. It's a fun challenge.
"...You're beautiful, Erik."
For all that she is, when she voices words like that, she means them. Not a trace of deceit or hesitation, only appreciation. There is no comparison to her other partners - why should there be? Every person is different, with different qualities. And right now, her thoughts are focused on him, on giving him the experience he's asked for. Even if she's only keeping her mouth close enough to tease, her entire self just away enough to not touch, save for her hand.
But when she steps close again, none of them gain a voice. Instead, she fits her hand to his cheek and exhales slow. As good at reading people as he is, he'll know the coiling tension in her, how she's keeping it in check. Steady, steady. No need to rush with this. It's exceptionally difficult. It's maddening. It's a fun challenge.
"...You're beautiful, Erik."
For all that she is, when she voices words like that, she means them. Not a trace of deceit or hesitation, only appreciation. There is no comparison to her other partners - why should there be? Every person is different, with different qualities. And right now, her thoughts are focused on him, on giving him the experience he's asked for. Even if she's only keeping her mouth close enough to tease, her entire self just away enough to not touch, save for her hand.
Ha. Well, she'll be able to bridge the gap in the short term, at least.
I'm very happy for you both.
[But please don't call him after every time you have sex, LOL]
I'm very happy for you both.
[But please don't call him after every time you have sex, LOL]
Short term, because I'm not that hard to understand.
Thank you. Anyways, I'll let you go. Just wanted to tell you the good news!
[Oh boy that would be a lot. Don't worry, he's allergic to that many phone conversations.]
Thank you. Anyways, I'll let you go. Just wanted to tell you the good news!
[Oh boy that would be a lot. Don't worry, he's allergic to that many phone conversations.]
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