Rekindling Fires (attn: Yrean)

[Matalina]

It hadn't been long since she'd arrived back at the Ranch when Nathan set her packing yet again. This time she was to go to Illian, but she'd made prior plans to meet Yrean out in Mykal's little town for some catching up. Nathan wouldn't know the difference if she was just slow in making the mark or if she was quick about it. Either way she didn't care, she was going to see Yrean and Mykal for a few tattoos. The pain would bring on other more sensual things for Yrean anyway. *You really shouldn't play with him like that, he's a good man.* Falling in love? *No I'm just saying, he's not into your type of pleasure, don't force it on him.* Cari only smiled, Yrean had agreed it wasn't like she forced him to do anything. She still had a few healing wounds from that encounter, mostly from the battle with the Shadow before hand but still they were there.

 

The town had changed little since Cari was there nearly 9 years ago, buand that really didn't matter Mykal was still working his art and she stopped in to make two appoitments with him showing him what she wanted done. Cari wasn't even sure if Yrean would come, she'd give him the alloted amount of time, then she had to go, there was only so much time she would wait for any man. She was actually surprised to be waiting for him at all, other than the fact she wanted to add to her already scarred and tattoo'd body.

 

The appointments were made and Cari finally made it back to the inn. She took a decent sized room and readied for a bath, traveling was always hard, and she enjoyed being clean.

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

As Yrean approached the village he pulled up the hood of his cloak, covering his long black dreadlocks, hiding most of his face. There really was no need, other than for some reason Yrean felt like he was entering enemy territory and did not want people to get a good look at him. The village appeared perfectly normal, well cared for homes and various places of business. Riding past one shop, with a huge floral display outside, Yrean idly wondered what Cari would say if he turned up with a large bouquet of flowers for her. It be more likely to be confirming that I be some light blasted fool. It be worth it to be seeing the expression on her face. That thought almost swayed Yrean, but Cari had warned him against drawing too much attention to himself here. Ever the secretive type, Cari had not explained why, just re-emphasised her warning. Yrean clicked his teeth and his horse continued to walk along the street, with Yrean deep in thought about Cari. For as long as he had known her she had always been one to need control of some description, whether it was obeying orders or giving them, if there was one thing that he could say for her, she would do as she was ordered to, even unto death. Yrean could partly understand that, but there was something that he sensed in Cari that she would recklessly go to her death, not something Yrean planned on doing for anyone.Be Cari on that list?

 

Now that was a question that Yrean had considered for the last month, apart from his duties in the Yards, he only had the shop to occupy his mind and that had allowed a lot of introspection. Eventually Yrean had come to the conclusion that Cari would give her life for his, but only if she had nothing else to do that day. That realisation had really caused Yrean some pain for a few days, he knew he had fallen for her badly, had done a long time before the events of the last month, but had only recently admitted it to himself. He never would be comfortable with the strangeness of her pleasures, but he had decided that he had to go where she lead if there was to be any meaning to their relationship, if it could even be called that. With all of these thoughts going through his mind, it took a moment for Yrean to realise where he was. When he did he jumped down from his horse and led him around to the stables, which were at the rear of the building. Taking his saddlebags off his horse, Yrean handed the reins to one of the stable boys and made his way to the front of the Inn.

 

Once inside, Yrean walked over to the bar, and enquired if Cari had arrived, using the name she had written in her note. The man behind the bar turned out to be the owner and said he would send a boy to let Cari know there was someone here for her. Yrean decided to order a drink while he waited and once he had his tankard, not of Dark much to his displeasure, Yrean made his way to a vacant corner table. Setting his saddlebags down, Yrean sat down with his back to the wall, and took another sip of the most disgusting ale it had been his misfortune to taste. We be needing to be finding an Inn that be knowing what ale be. With that thought, Yrean settled back on the bench, taking small sips of his ale, hoping that sooner rather than later, his taste buds would be anaesthetised.

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard on vacation

[Matalina]

As Cari was getting ready for her bath a knock came, she wondered if it was Yrean and answered the door with out thinking it could be someone else. The boys jaw dropped at seeing a mostly naked woman standing in the door. Cari smiled and lifted the boys chin, "It's not nice to gawk."

 

He pried his eyes up to Cari' and stammered. "There's a man here for you."

 

Cari smiled. "Thank you, can you send him up here?" The boy nodded and quickly left. He ran into a wall as he walked in a strange daze, Cari hoped he'd be okay.

 

She closed the door behind her and finished undressing. She laid a towel and her belt pouch on the bed as she took care of her traveling clothes. They would be washed later, but the dust and grim wasn't needed so she sat waiting for Yrean to come. She hoped he'd either join her in the bath, or perhaps something less public for him. *I think you are going to scare him away.* Cari smiled Maybe that's what she wants. "No, that's not what I want." Then why push his buttons. Cari only smiled as another knock came to her door. Cari put down the clothes she'd been dusting off and grabbed the towel and turned her back to the door as she readied for her bath yet again, calling "Come in, Doors unlocked." She hoped it was Yrean and not the boy again.

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

The same boy who had disappeared upstairs now approached Yrean, a strange red mark on his face. “The Lady told me to tell you to go up.” the words came out hesitantly, and Yrean wondered if the boy had a speech impediment as he gathered up his saddle bags and draining the last of the truly awful ale, made his way to the second floor and the room Cari occupied. Steeling himself, for who knows what, Yrean took a deep breath and knocked on the door, after last time he thought this the prudent approach and waited for her answer.

 

Opening the door, Yrean was greeted by a sight he could not have hoped for, a near naked Cari with a mischievous smile on her face. He hoped that meant what he thought it did and was not some precursor to something else. Dropping the saddle bags just inside the door, Yrean resisted the impulse to go over to her and kiss her until she begged him to stop, not that that was likely from Cari. Instead Yrean just looked, letting his gaze roam over her near naked body, finally coming to rest on her face and then her eyes. “It be good to see all of you Cari.” Smiling at her, Yrean finally entered the room and closed the door behind him. Removing his cloak, Yrean brushed dust from his leathers, noticing that two of the seams needed redoing. “I be thinking you be no wanting me near you till I be smelling of something other than horse?” Wrinkling up her nose, Cari indicated that he was right and told him the bath was down the hall. Yrean started to remove his clothes, kept his gaze on Cari’s as he did, noticing the way her eyes roamed over his body, which was nowhere near as scarred as hers. Finally Yrean stood naked in front of her, a situation he soon remedied by grabbing the towel from her hands and as she turned away, as if to hide herself from him, Yrean flicked her cheek with the towel, making her jump slightly.

 

“So, be you joining me then, or be you there to scrub my back?”

 

Yrean ducked as he said that as a scrubbing brush flew his way, and Cari assured him he was there to scrub her back, and not to be gentle. Yrean wrapped the towel around him and turned to Cari. “You be going like that?

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard on vacation

[Matalina]

Men. Rather Yrean was aweful playful since their last encounter, it didnt' bother her but she smiled at his last comment. She had no issues with showing herself off to the world. Cari was not modest and didn't care who she walked in on or who walked in on her. There had only been one time that it had bothered her and that was innocence breaking. Cari had no such misgivings anymore and took the door knob in her hand and turned it. A cool breeze from the open window in the hall stirred across Cari's skin and she bit back any sounds she'd make as she walked down the hall towards the baths.

 

Snap! and Cari felt a sting on her rear. She turned to see Yrean weilding his belt and pushing his naked girl to the bath. She smiled at him and kept walking but when the second one hit other desires started to rise. Cari stopped and turned swiftly pushing Yrean up against the wall then pinned him there with her body. Cari tossed her hair to the side and looked up at Yrean seductively. "Unless you want a repeat of the last time, I don't suggest trying that again." Cari tip toed and kissed Yrean feircly on the lips, pushing her body against him as far as two bodies could be together. Cari pulled away enough to speak and whispered, "I'd much rather induldge other pleasure than that." Cari leaned in the very small distance she pulled away and kissed him passionately, she was more than eager to share in their desires again.

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

There she be going, catching me off guard when I be thinking I be finally working her out.

 

Yrean at first felt a bit awkward with Cara’s bold advance, especially as it had the obvious effect on him, and his towel was not that big. All Yrean could do with Cara stuck to him like this was shuffle slowly towards the bathroom, and Cari did not make it easy for him, obviously hell bent on trying to distract him, if what her hands were doing was anything to go on. Eventually they got to the bathroom and Yrean was able to open the door and they disappeared inside it, Yrean managing to kick it shut, despite Cari’s efforts to trip him up.

 

Finally, after she had disentangled herself from Yrean, they made their way over to the bath, which had just been filled with steaming hot water. Climbing into the bath, Yrean went to sit at the opposite end to Cari, who just looked at him and shook her head. “Sit here Yrean, otherwise how will I be able to scrub your back.” Grinning Cari lay back in the water and waited for Yrean to get in. Settling back in the water, Yrean’s dreads floated out on the water, looking like tendrils were sinking into his head. Cari’s hands on his shoulders startled him slightly, but he soon settled back and let her hands work the stresses out of his shoulders, then gasped as one hand slithered down to one of his nipples and gave it a tweak. Her other hand turned his head towards her and her lips eagerly sort out his, while her hand continued on it’s journey down his body.

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard on vacation

[Matalina]

Cari didn't care whether or not they cleaned up first or afterwards, but he body wanted Yrean and she let herself go with what it wanted rather than what it needed. Pleasure was not something to keep yourself from when it was so close at hand.

 

To say that their bath was a clean one would have been a lie and the water was nearly ice cold by the time they were finished with all that needed doing.

 

Cari smiled at Yrean as they clambored out of the cold bath to dry off. Yrean smacked her again with the edge of the towel and Cari gave him a look that said he was asking for more than he bargained for but she kept the desires in check, she wasn't that needy that she couldn't control herself when it mattered.

 

Mostly dried off with a tower wrapped around her head and torso Cari sat on Yrean's lap as he tried to dry off on the near by bench. "Tell me Yrean, what are your plans when we get back to our room." It was in her name but she emphasised our like it meant something more. *Don't play with him.* Cari smiled up at Yrean, but the smile was meant for May. Cari squirmed on his lap. "Dinner perhaps, a quiet one? I think I can find us a suitably romantic place." *Cari don't play with him.* Cari was playing, she knew Yrean was falling fast, why else come all this way, just for a good time, she doubted it highly. *Don't hurt him, he's done nothing but be your friend.* Falling for Yrean, the light loving man in our life who is willing to do anything for us? May didn't respond, her thoughts were going over what Cari had said to her. She was after all a light fool in the body of a darkfriend with a tainted soul.

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

“Plans? Be you not telling me what we be doing, the be the right of it so far I be thinking.”

 

Yrean was a little confused, Cari had changed tactics on him again and he did not know why, so far she had not responded as he had thought she would, and now she was acting more like someone unsure of themselves not at all assertive as she usually was. I be thinking she be falling for me, she be no admitting it, but why be she setting this up if she be not caring?

 

The obvious answer to that followed quickly on its heels. She be telling you, she be no caring who you be seeing she be seeing others as well. This either be a test, or it be nothing to her, I be needing to work out which.

 

“My first plan be wondering if we be making it back to our room with only one towel between us, I be supposing the correct thing would be to be letting you use it. But you seem to be so comfortable being nude, I be keeping it.” Grinning, as if he had won something, though he knew he had not, Yrean wrapped the towel round his waist and opened the door for Cari. Cari smiled at Yrean as she moved closer to him and the door, then just as she was about to pass through she grabbed hold of the towel and whipped it away from Yrean then fled to their room, giggling as she did.

 

Standing in the doorway, Yrean could only glance down and sigh with resignation. How many times had he told himself to keep his guard up around her, and what happens, he totally and utterly goes and forgets that and lets her get another one past him.

 

Stepping, boldly, out into the corridor, Yrean made his way along towards their room, suddenly becoming aware that the stairs at the end were creaking under the pressure of someone using them. Yrean quickened his pace and was just able to get to the door and started to turn the knob, but found it locked.

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard on vacation

[Matalina]

It was taking Yrean a while to get back to the room so Cari opened the door and saw him standing naked a room away. Cari giggled slightly to get his attention then slipped into the room.

 

Yrean quickly followed her in and shut the door behind him. Cari moved closer to him and draped her arms around Yrean's neck and pressed her naked body close to his. "So lover, what is it you'd like to do?"

 

She wasn't tired, but she didn't think he'd be up for another round so soon, besides at that very moment Yrean's stomach growled and hers echoed it. They were both hungry it seemed. "Seems our stomachs have decided for us." Cari kissed Yrean feircly on the lips and squirmed against his newly cleaned body before removing herself from his embrace.

 

Cari pulled a long emerald green dress from her bags and proceeded to get dressed. Aki had made the dress for Cari and she was rather fond of it. The dress covered everything but hid nothing at all. Cari slipped the dress over her naked body. Anything else would show lines and that wasn't the affect she wanted. She also liked Yrean knowing that there was nothing else underneath that dress but her skin.

 

The sleeves were flared from the elbow down to allow for her daggers to sit comfortably in place and still be able to draw them if the need ever arose. To enable movement there were dual slits on the side that went half way up her thigh. Cari was glad that her body was in good form and shape to pull the dress off, and she hoped that Yrean was eating it all up. *Stop playing with him.* Oh do be quiet.

 

Cari then moved to the mirror and brushed her hair and applied makeup. She wondered if Yrean was watching the whole thing or readying himself, but she continued about her business of making herself womanly for the man sharing her bed tonight.

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

His embarrassment over the confusion about the room did not last long, and Yrean dressed himself quickly, dark woollen trousers and a forest green shirt, again made from wool. As he was pulling on his boots, Yrean considered whether or not he needed to wear his sword? A scimitar was not the best weapon to be carrying in a crowded environment, and also a distraction when trying to sit down. Looking up, Yrean realised that Cara was wearing address, or more like something that appeared to be a dress, covering all, yet hiding nothing. The dress though had been made to give Cari full access to her usual number of daggers. Realising this, Yrean went over to his saddlebags and removed two throwing knives. These went in the tops of his boots and he also decided to wear his sword belt, but not his sword. He carried a large dagger as well as his scimitar, and this would be almost the perfect weapon if the need raised.

 

Yrean spun back to face Cari, fastening his belt as he did so, and then stopped dead. He had not seen Cari looking this way before, it was a complete change in appearance for her, not only the dress, but the make up as well, all of it combined to remind Yrean that this was a real woman he was tangled up with, and not some female playing at being male. “You be starting fights if you be not careful.” Yrean’s smile was genuine; she really did look that good, and he was beginning to feel that she was falling for him. His reasoning was flawed though, he thought the dress, the make up, and this tryst, was proof, even though the voice in the back of his mind kept on telling him to not be so stupid, For now though he did not want to listen to reason, for now he wanted to forget everything and just enjoy the time they had together.

 

The Inn had a separate dining room, and it was here the Innkeeper led them when they enquired about food. Surprisingly the dining room had separate booths, as well as tables in the open. Cari left the choice up to Yrean, who led them to one of the booths, the one furthest from the door, and that offered the most privacy. Once they were seated, after Yrean had held Cari’s chair for her, a serving girl appeared and explained what was on offer tonight. Quickly they made their choices and ordered something to drink, Yrean remembered how bad the ale was, so he ordered a bottle of Lentrian Red. He was not a fan of wines, but had found this one to be the least offensive to his palate. The conversation turned to events in their lives while they had been apart, Yrean telling Cari about the shop and the trainee he had who had developed a drinking habit. “I be no knowing what to be doing with him. He be no listening to me, be turning up late, no being capable of the lessons. Then he be late on duty when the Commander be there.”

 

The Guard Commander had not been at all amused by this tardiness on the part of Faerthines, even more so when it was discovered that Faerthines was drunk. Yrean had felt bad about that considering Faerthines was his to train. Thankfully the Commander had not blamed Yrean. “Things be routine, Cari, and you be knowing what that be like as much as I be.”

 

Once their food arrived conversation stopped for a while, the pair of them more interested in the food than in talking and letting it go cold. But s the meal went on, so the conversation between them returned. Yrean could not but help find it strange after their last meeting in Tar Valon. It was hard to reconcile the vision in front of him, with the blood stained screaming harpy he had had to fight to a stand still. The differences were almost too great for him to comprehend, but they did lead him into another train of thought, one that he had forgotten about. “Cari, you be telling me about these personalities you be sharing that body with, why be I not meeting them again? Be they gone? Be they no liking me? You be showing them me before, but why be you not doing so now?”

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard on vacation

[Matalina]

Cari wasn't sure why Yrean wanted to know about the others. They were after all annoying mental problems and no one in their right mind would want to come in contact with half of them, her own self included. Kayla was too innocent and too niave for anyone's comfort and the weakest of them. May was a light fool who wanted just to live a normal life. Nothing wrong with that except they weren't normal at all. Marosa had gone from pure seductress and darkfriend to a cruel and evil woman who thought nothing of others only what they could give her. The Shadow as another story all together, the darkest secrets, the darkest passions all embodied in one personality. But not really a personality, it was the strongest, even stronger than Cari herself at times. Yrean surely didn't want to encounter it again.

 

Cari put her hand on Yrean's on top of the table. "They aren't exactly what they were before when you met them. They were gone until recently and now have reemerged." Cari really didn't want to think about the fog that tore Achet and Seira to shreds. It was an aweful sight and even more painful on her soul. If it hadn't been for Demus she wasn't sure she'd be here now in the same state.

 

Cari really didn't want to talk about the others so she changed the topic. Cari grabbed Yrean's hand and stood up. "Dance with me."

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

Yrean felt himself being dragged onto the dance floor in front of the small stage the musicians played from. Thankfully they were not the only couple dancing, mind you Yrean doubted very much if Cari would have been bothered if they were, certainly not after her earlier display. At the memory of her walking, naked in front of him, down the hall, he could not but help smile, it had been a grand sight and one he would remember for a long time. Cari leaned her head closure to his, placing her mouth next to his ear. “What are you grinning for Yrean, you look like some light blinded fool.”

 

Yrean did not respond immediately, he was doing his best to not step on Cari’s feet as they danced, or rather as she danced and he stumbled along behind her. “I be thinking about earlier.” What about earlier he would not say, for now that was his secret, although he had no doubt she would be trying to guess what it was that made him smile so, maybe she could wheedle it out of him later when they were alone. The musicians continued to play, and fortunately for Yrean, they choose a song he knew well and soon he started to enjoy himself as well. As always with something enjoyable, the time seemed to flyby and before they realised it, the evening was over and the musicians were packing away their instruments.

 

Standing in the middle of the dance hall, Yrean and Cari were lost in a kiss, still moving to music only they heard. After a while they peeled their lips apart and glancing around at the deserted dance floor starting laughing and made their way towards the stairs. They were too narrow for two people to walk up side by side, so Yrean made a bow towards Cari to indicate she should go first, Cari gave him a wink of thanks as she started up the stairs, with Yrean close behind her. “If you’re not careful you will step on the hem of my dress, and tear it off.” Car had an amused expression on her face as she said this, and there was a glint of mischief in her eyes. “How be you knowing that is not what I be wanting?” The conversation stayed light between them until they stepped into their room. Once in the room Yrean spin Cari around to face him, his arms encircling her waist, as her arms encircled his. The kiss was slow and long, building in intensity the longer it went on.

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard on vacation

[Matalina]

Cari was enjoying the kiss far too much but she had one thing to do before they made it to the bed. Cari pulled away slightly and whispered. "I've a proposal for you." That was enough for Yrean to back off a little and Cari smiled. "Nothing like that, more of a request for your presensce a little longer. I've to find a man in Illian, and since you grew up there I figure you can help me track him down. I need to leave in two days. I've two appointments over those two days and cannot leave before then. Will you join me?" Cari pushed her body against his as incentive. She would truly enjoy having a warm body to wake up to for a while, even on the long journey to Illian.

 

As she waited for the answer Cari kissed Yrean's neck and nuzzled against him, breathing softly on his skin, her hands rubbing whatever she could touch. She wanted him to think on it, but she also wanted him to hurry, she wanted much more than his company right now. *Is that all you ever want!* Is that wrong? She's attracted to your man in some way, isn't that good. *But what if he wants more than just sex, he may want to talk and all she does is use her body against him. What man can resist that temptation?* Marosa smiled at May, That's the point. Do you want to take control? And Cari pushed May forward and refused to take control back, all of them including the darkness of the Shadow wanted May to stop her whining and treat Yrean as they would.

 

May was in a bind she couldn't just stop the process so she moved to kiss him softly before he answer and then her body away from his and looked up at him. They were still in an embrace but far less intimate as she waited to hear the answer to Cari's question.

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

Just as he was beginning to relax and enjoy himself, Cari asked a question that caused Yrean to think tonight was going to be like their last encounter, but Cari soon disabused him of that idea. Yrean was slightly caught off balance by her question; he loved, and hated, the city of his birth, but had not been back there for a number of years now. He well remembered his last day in the city before leaving to be come a mercenary, the smell of the Perfumed Quarter was as lively as always and not something that he would have thought he would miss, nor had he. There were many7 other things that he had, especially the friendship he had enjoyed with the Stavrosi gang.

 

Obviously Cari was getting impatient for his answer and she indicated this by grabbing his chin and shaking his head, not violently, more in play than anything. “Well, what do you think?”

 

“It be good, I be knowing places that be useful, it be difficult for strangers in Illian, it be easy to be getting lost in the maze of streets.”

 

“You still haven’t said yes.” Cari moved her body against his, moulding hers to his. But this time Yrean had been distracted by her mention of Illian and asking him to go there, instead of the expected reaction from him, Yrean pushed Cari away and walked over to the bed, sitting down on it and pulling his boots off. Slowly Cari followed, uncertainty showing on her face. “You be still not trusting me Cari.”

 

Silence followed for a moment before she replied. “What do you mean?”

 

“I be knowing what you be doing. I may be not as experienced as you be in this, but I be knowing when someone be trying to distract me. What be in Illian that be so important to you?”

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard on vacation

[Matalina]

May was about to tell Yrean that she was going to kill someone when Cari pulled her away. Yrean did not need to know the truth. Cari sat on the bed then moved to her hands and knees and crawled across the bed and sat behind him wrapping her arms around him molding her body to the back. The dress was not made for this position and it moved up her body so that just a little movement would reveal that there was nothing underneath, but they were alone and it didn't really matter.

 

Cari kissed Yrean's neck and spoke softly in his ear. "I told you, I have to find a man." Cari wasn't about to tell him the full truth but she would induldge him a little. "Nathan, the owner of the Ranch I work on, sent me to find him and collect what is due to him." That wasn't the full story, Cari had been sent to kill him for trying to expose darkfriends. He knew too much and now he would die for it. "I'm just doing my job." Cari kissed Yrean on the neck again, trying to get him to forget it and just answer, but she doubted he'd be swayed so easily.

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

“Stop it Cari.” Yrean pushed her hands away and got up from the bed. “You be no understanding be you? Be you knowing what a friend is Cari, be you?”

 

Yrean was not angry, not with her, just annoyed that she thought she had to offer herself in this way to get him to accompany her. She never had before, but before there had been others, others who had to be persuaded and Cari only knew two ways, and one of them would not have worked on Yrean, or would have resulted ina death, and that was not what she needed. “I be going or not be going if I be wanting to, you be not needing to be doing anything. I be telling you I be there when you be needing me, so why be you playing me? You be seeing me as a mark?”

 

Yrean was more disappointed than anything else, he had hoped there was some sort of progress having been made between them, but it was beginning to seem like some strange dance, two steps forward, three steps back.

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard on vacation

[Matalina]

Cari was slightly angry and to hide it she grasped the void, it had been a long time since she'd done that just to not show anyone how she felt, but with Yrean old habits were hard to break, it really was a feat for her to not assume it in his presence at all.

 

She stood up and straightened her dress. "If you were a mark Yrean, you would be dead." It was obvious now she was in the void, there was no emotion, just the cold harshness the void left behind.

 

Cari walked over to her bags and started sorting through them to give her something else to do than look at Yrean. "I'm not playing you either. I want to get on to other things and trying to hasten your decision. Perhaps asking you was not a good idea, and if I could rewind time I would not have asked you. It's not a matter of trust so don't be turning that around on me yet again."

 

The void kept the anger away, but it would not be something Yrean would want to deal with later, the longer it boiled outside the void, the stronger the shadow would be when the void was released. It didn't seem like they'd be sharing a bed anytime soon.

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

“It do be trust, you be no trusting me to be going with you without being persuaded. Friends do no need persuading. Friends be helping friends for no reward.”

 

Yrean has instantly noticed the change in her; the voice was the most notable change, the complete lack of emotion, the sudden change from warm and inviting, to nothing. If Cari was not in the Void, then Yrean was not from Illian. The sudden change made him reassess their position, thinking there was an outside threat. But he could detect nothing and so got up from the bed and moved towards Cari. “It be no the asking, it be the assuming I be not going without you be trying to persuade me.”

 

Her demeanour did not change, she just stood, motionless, looking down into her bag, for so long did she remain still that Yrean thought she might have gone to sleep, but when eventually she turned to face him, sleep was the last thing on his or her mind. The dagger in hand had that effect on Yrean. “Be I wanting to know what you be thinking, and intending?”

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard on vacation

[Matalina]

Cari couldn't hold the shadow back, his words only drew it out stronger, he presumed too much. The shadow was tearing at the void wanting out and she pulled her dagger to keep her mind on something else.

 

"I wasn't using sex to persuade you to come with me Yrean." Cari moved in towards Yrean the dagger held in front of her, but not in a threatening stance, it was a safety net right then, something to hold on to that wasn't going to rip his throat out. "I wanted you to hurry up and make a decision so we could finish what you'd started over by the door." She took the final step towards Yrean, barely a foot between them and she stared at his chest, she didn't want to look up at him, she could almost feel his pulse and the shadow tore at her. "Now there are other things on my mind and sex is the farthest from it." Cari raised her left arm and let the sleeve drop to her elbow. She watched the pulse at the bend in her elbow with desire. "Now we have bigger problems to deal with. Blood is the only way out Yrean, yours or mine. I bring it to you as you once told me to. But I will not go the other way. It's the easy way out tonight Yrean. My blood or yours?"

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

Now was the moment of truth, Yrean had told her that, in what seemed like a totally different life, but now the price had to be paid, and there was no backing out of this if he was to prove to her that he was what he claimed to be. Without a word, Yrean pulled off his shirt and flung it across the room. The first cut of the knife caught him by surprise; there had been no warning from Cari, no discernable flicker, just action, almost too fast for the eye to register on it. It was not a deep cut, that was not the purpose, but the blood did flow freely from it, and soon it’s sickly persuasive smell started to fill their nostrils.

 

How long it went on for Yrean could not say, the pain had been almost unbearable, not the pain of the wounds, although they were bad enough, but the pain of not reacting, of not trying to stop someone from injuring him, the pain of helplessness, that is was the hardest for him to bear. Then he felt a finger tracing a line in the still flowing blood, moving upwards, and as he looked down, the finger moved towards Cari’s lips and her tongue came out, flickering like a vipers, to lick the blood on her finger, all the time her eyes were on his, watching, waiting, to see his reaction.

 

Yrean knew this however and did not show any reaction, he was not going to balk at this now, not after what they went through the last time. Moving her hand up to his face, he felt her fingers grip the side of his face, gently but firmly, and when she was satisfied that he was watching, leant in and let her tongue trail through one of the large trails of blood. Seeing no reaction from him, Cari placed her lips, tenderly, over one of his wounds. Yrean feeling this, pulled free of her grasp and lifted her face to his, ignoring the blood on her lips, Yrean bore down on her, letting her gaze take him away from this.

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard on vacation

[Matalina]

The shadow weakened at the sight of the blood and fled when Cari tasted it, it was satisfied enough, it would have its due later, and it knew it. It was better to go now and save the onslaught that awaited in Illian. It would be patient. Cari moaned softly as Yrean made her look up at him. She mouthed "thank you" and hoped he understood what it was for.

 

Cari stood on her tip toes and pushed her blood covered lips to his. He didn't back away at the taste of the coppery liquid and Cari enjoyed the flavors of his mouth and the blood. The blood lust was gone, and she was eager to bring him to her bed again. He trusted her not to kill him, that was more than she could say about him. He was a light loving fool and she was the minion of the Great Lord. She served loyally and would kill Yrean if it was ordered, she'd kill anyone if the right person ordered her. But she'd not kill him for profit, it wasn't worth the heart ache, but to keep her secret or others safe she would slight his throat as she'd dreamt of doing to Alex.

 

The shadow stirred at the memory but it stayed away, there were other activities going on that it would rather not take part in. Cari dropped back into her mind and kept Marosa from trying to take over. Yours if you want it. You are never so nice to me. May slowly slipped into the embrace of consciousness and tried not to be concerned with the blood taste lingering still in their kiss.

 

May let Yrean lead and they ended up in bed, satisfying the desires in the most gentilist of ways possible. There was no violence, nothing but the passions of two people in love. May was in love and it dawned on her how much as Yrean brought her to the finish and they lay in each others arms breathing in the sacred sent of love. She whispered, "I love you." And Cari cringed inside, she wasn't prepared for the three little words, not when Demus held so many confusing emotions for her.

 

You all can love someone different. Words of wisdom from the seductress, how ironic.

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

The expression on Yrean’s face would have been comical if Cari was not so mortified by May’s words. Obviously the words had had an effect on Yrean, but it was doubtful that it was the one that May had wanted, and certainly not the one Cari would have hoped for.

 

“You be no loving me Cari, I be knowing that.”

 

As he said these words Yrean was thinking furiously, there was something else going on here and he was beginning to think that this was reminiscent of the time back in the Slash ‘N; Bash when he had first met some of the personalities occupying Mat’s mind. It was the sudden change in Cari that had been his first clue, that though he had put down to her being satiated with the bloodletting, but now there was something else. Their lovemaking had almost verged on the tender, something else that had given Yrean pause. Now this, he knew perfectly well that Cari would never utter those words, not unless there was a clear advantage in doing so. He had already told her that he would accompany her, and help when they got to Illian, so she had no need to offer further inducements to him. So why she telling me this?

 

The only logical answer was that this was not Cari, but one of the other personalities within her, possibly May, possibly one of the others, maybe Morosa. Yrean had always had a hard time keeping track of all these personalities and was still not totally sure who was who. Something else that was troubling him, earlier when he had mentioned her personalities, she had given him the impression he should not pursue that line, so he had not. Now though it seemed that at least one of them had taken over and that was the one who had said they loved him.

 

“Who be I talking to?”

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard on vacation

[Matalina]

It was not something they had planned on but his words hurt May more than they hurt Cari. May rolled over and tried to hide the tears that would flow almost immediately. She tried to grab the void but the untrained mind couldn't do it. So her reply was bidden with saddness of the hurt he'd caused one of the personalities. "I'm May."

 

Cari was going to hate dealing with this but May dug the hole she now had to get out of it on her own. *You wouldn't do this to Kayla.* Kayla is ll years old, she may feel older but her personality is far from an adults. You can take care of yourself. *Please don't leave me alone.* Cari smiled in her mind. You will never be alone, but I'm not saving you this time. You said it, now you deal with it. I do not love him. I care for him but I do not love him. And I probably won't love anyone again. Heart felt memories flooded their mind and May's tears increased, she had cared for Alex, all of them had, and it was a loss they all shared.

 

Cari

[WhiteWolf]

Yrean was truly confused now; May’s voice had changed from lust laden, to sadness in the blink of an eye. “I be sorry May, I be no knowing it was you.” Yrean, gently, lifted her tear-streaked face and using the edge of the sheet, wiped away the tears. “You be needing a wash May, those tears be not you.” Taking his life in his hands, he slowly picked May up from the bed and made his way over to the washbasin and started to clean her face with a small washcloth. All the time he was doing this, she remained docile and allowed him to clean her up. Once he had finished Yrean returned to the bed and set her down, kneeling in front of her he gently stroked her hand, speaking in a reassuring voice, trying to explain to her that he had not realised she was the one who had spoken, and that his words were for Cari, not her. “I be no seeing you in a long time May, have you been well?”

 

Yrean continued to stroke her hand, trying to maintain physical contact with her to not startle her, much as he would have done with an unbroken horse, using the physical contact to keep them calm.

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

We are grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Tower Guard on vacation

[Matalina]

May let Yrean take care of her while listening to the grating noises coming from Marosa and Cari's absolute silence, she really was in this alone, even Kayla didn't offer any support. *How nice of you all.* No one responded.

 

"I've been fine, falling in love with someone." She glared at Yrean still hurt by his words. May probably said it a bit too sharply than she had intended but her feelings had been hurt and she was not accustom to being the main focus of the body. *Is this going to something regular.* If you take care not to make mistakes like this again. *But I do love him.* But we don't and yet you tell him so. *Cari does it all the time.* -No we all loved Alex in one way or another so don't go there May.- *You love Demus.* -I didn't tell him, I'm not even allowed out when he's around.- *Cause you are a child.* Knock it off or I won't let any of you out.

 

May turned head away from Yrean completly unsure of what to do, she just wanted to go to bed now. She didn't want to deal with Yrean or her feelings by herself. She didn't want to be the focus.

 

Cari