Never Trust Appearances

[Kaleb Morrington]

They were headed down the now empty streets, hand in hand. Fyra had a little wine-induced blush across her cheeks. She leaned into him, and he took the effort to remove his hand from her to slide it around her waist, keeping her close to keep her warm, and to feel her soft body meld against his. He led her slowly to the clearing, just outside of town, that was by the water. He listened to it rush by for a moment before moving to a tree he spotted.

Once there he shrugs off his cloak and spreads it on the ground, crouching to sit, gesturing for Fyra to do the same. Once both were on the ground, Kaleb leaned back against the tree with a sigh, pulling his little pole-cat closer, against his chest, before humming a small tune, his eyes soft. Amyrea settled on one of the branches over their heads and enjoyed the view, her own grin soft.

"You didn't do too bad for your first date, my love! She'll be so happy!" Amyrea grinned down at Kaleb, her voice almost to the point of gushing. "I wish I'd been that lucky!." Kaleb rolled his eyes up at her before craning his neck to look at Fyra. "So how was that for wining and and dining?" Kaleb murmured, his rough street accent back.

[Fyra]

She felt giggly. It was no longer just the giddy happiness that she had felt in her stomach earlier. A part of her knew that she probably should have refrained on drinking as much wine as she had, but mulled wine was so delicious. She happily followed his lead on their walk, tucked against his side, feeling protected. As they came to the river, the sound of the water made her smile.

She wasn't completely sure how she got there a few moments later, but she ended up curled against Kaleb's chest. His murmur echoed through his chest, and she smiled as she heard, not smooth rich-boy, but his rough, street-voice once again. A giggle escaped her and she raised her head to look at him, meeting eyes that seemed brighter than jewels. Her lips were curved in a contented smile, and without thinking, her hand raised to stroke his cheek, fingers brushing against his rough cut hair as well. Her eyes flickered to his lips for a moment, and she shifted so that she could press a kiss to his lips swiftly before falling back with giggling.

"I think the girl wined a little too well." She said, and then burst into giggles all over again.

[Kaleb Morrington]

Kaleb chuckled before pulling the girl up for another, longer, deeper kiss before letting her slip down slightly. "Drunk are we? Oh dear... suppose I can't get too upset at you, means you trust me on some level at least." He chuckled, pulling her up again to kiss her sweetly, hitching her up close and higher up his body, but trying to remain decent about it. "Relax, just want to cuddle." He murmured against her lips before kissing her soundly, pulling back before it could get too heated.

He buried his nose in her hair, breathing deeply, running his hands gently over her torso, being sure to keep his hands in "safe zones". Changers she smelled amazing... "You're so beautiful..." he murmured out loud without thinking. He pressed his lips to the top of her head before hugging her close, Amyrea watching overhead happily. She may not be the woman in his arms, but she was happy that he was happy.

[Fyra]

She was giggling softly between his kisses, returning them and quickly picking up skill. As he held her close, running his hands up and down her back and sides. She curled a little closer to him, hooking her leg over his to press against him. His murmur made her smile. Fyra knew that the wine had seriously dropped her inhibitions, but even with that knowledge, it wasn't stopping her. The prim voice had gone off to the side, and had been drowned out by the part of her that craved the physical contact she'd had so little of in the last year.

So she pressed closer against him, one hand searching for the neck of his shirt, and slipping inside to feel the warm skin. Her head tilted, until her nose was pressing into the crook where his jaw slid into his neck. She breathed deeply. "You smell nice..." It was a low, slurred murmur, before her lips kissed under his jaw, near his ear. She began to trail soft kisses down along the side of his neck, eyelashes fluttering as she came to realize that she could feel his pulse against her lips.

[Kaleb Morrington]

He shook as she placed those innocent kisses along his neck, her hand under his shirt, her little frame pressed against his. He felt those lashes kiss his skin with her lips, could smell the alcohol, her scent threatening to overwhelm him. Oh Changers... if this wasn't her begging for him to- no, no, she'd made it clear she hadn't wanted that. But now? He looked up to Amyrea for help but she wasn't there anymore. Guess the kissing was too much for her... He looked back down to the lass who was getting a little frisky. Perhaps it was time to take her home and let her sleep this off...

"Alright love, let's go home, get you to sleep, let ya sleep this off." Kaleb murmured as he lifted her with a grunt, moving to stand himself. He rested her on his knee a moment so he could grab his cloak, which he draped over her like a blanket as he carried her bridal-style. Hefting her in his arms he made his way home, determined to keep things slow and at her sober pace.

[Fyra]

She didn't speak as he spoke of going home, she only giggled as he picked her up with ease and started the walk back to the house. Her arms slid around his neck, and she twisted her frame in what way she could to press against him. Her head was resting on his shoulder for a moment, and then she found the scent of his neck, and it was simply too irresistible. Fyra pressed her lips against his pulse again, and then smiled as she rubbed her face against his neck and then against his cheek slightly, his hair tickling her face.

Her fingers played in his hair, combing through it as he walked, and she found herself smiling, eyes distance as she cuddled against him. By the time they had reached the house, she was half asleep, but still obviously fully drunk. She had played with his hair and continued to pay attention to his neck the entire walk home, oblivious to its affects upon the man.

As he set her on the bed, Fyra mumbled, "Dun' wanna go to sleep.." She reached out to snag his shirt, tugging herself to her feet unsteadily and pushing against him, tilting her head to look at him with dilated eyes. She was too short to kiss him easily, and that made her frown. So, she rubbed her face against his chest instead, her hands seeking the hem of his shirt and slipping under it, searching for warm skin again.

[Kaleb Morrington]

She was playing with his hair. He could handle that. She was kissing his neck. He could handle that. She was warm, light, beautiful, inviting... she was also drunk and likely had no idea what she was doing. Kaleb forced himself to keep walking, each wall begging him to come and push her against it, fuck her against it. He kept making his legs move, despite his trousers being a taaad too tight. He moved into the house, up the stairs, fighting the urge to just drop her and take her on the floor. Bed, safety, there it was! Thank the Changers! Doooown she goes.

"Dun' wanna go to sleep.." Shit.... shit shit shit, NO! She was nuzzling his chest, slim, cool little hands against his skin, breath fluttering across his chest, her lower torso pressed against- STOP! He screamed at himself mentally. She's drunk. Very drunk. Doesn't know what she's doing. But oh Changers... did she know what what she was doing!

His mouth found her before he could think and stop himself, craving her, before he pulled back with a low, animalistic groan. "No, no, no... it's bedtime Safyra. You are going to go to sleep, and I am going to go to sleep on the couch, and then I'm going to look after you in the morning when you feel like you're going to die." His voice was husky, almost cracking with the effort to keep calm, in control. He would NOT take advantage of her, especially not while she was drunk, no matter how willing she was now. But oh Changers... if she kept this up... hey, he was just a man, and every man had his breaking point... and he was reaching his.

[Fyra]

Fyra felt swept away as he kissed her, and then he stopped. She grumbled, even as he spoke of it being bedtime, and how she was going to go to sleep, and something about him taking care of her in the morning. Stubbornly, she wrapped her arms around him for a moment, continuing to nuzzle his chest for a moment longer before she sighed. Fine.. sleep... but I don't want sleep... and what was it he said about the couch? She sat down and tugged her boots off with a little difficulty. "Fine." She seemed to forget he was there, undoing the bodice that wrapped around her torso and kicking off her breeches before climbing into the bed and under the blankets in nothing but her shirt and undergarments.

However, she was asleep in mere seconds.

It was a very solid sleep. When Fyra woke up, it was because the sun was shining onto her, and blinding her behind her eyelids, and because of the splitting headache that she could feel. Grunting with annoyance, she stuffed her head back under the pillow with a continuing groan of pain.

[Kaleb Morrington]

She was in bed... Thank the fucking Changers. And he left her there, making a trip to the bathroom first to get rid of his... tightness. That done and all cleaned up, Kaleb went downstairs to crash on the couch, his dreams filled of sexual fantasies and Fyra screaming his name.

He woke shortly afterwards, groaning as he sat up. It seemed as though Adrian had long since left, and with a bit of coin and food. Kaleb didn't really care, the lad had taught the girl all he knew, and it leaved the couch open for Kaleb to fall asleep on. He rose and stretched before moving into the kitchen, knowing his little polecat would need his help shortly.

So he brewed her a cup of coffee, toasted her up some toast with a little bit of jam on the side and got some soup prepped just in case she was hungry. If not, Kaleb could happily eat it. Up the stairs he went, just gently sweeping the door open as he heard her groan of pain. Kaleb grinned and ghosted through the room, grabbing a pail on the way and making sure to keep quiet.

"Hey..." He murmured, gently placing the tray on a side table. "Thought you might want something to get rid of the pain." He sat beside her carefully, rubbing her back gently. "How do you feel?"

[Fyra]

Fyra knew he was walking near silently, but every movement was too loud. She groaned in response to his voice. "Like I've an ax in my head. Why did you let me drink so much?" It was a rhetorical question, as she raised bloodshot eyes to look at him, her hair a tousled mess atop her head, her lips parted as she breathed more through her mouth than her nose. She had ended up on her stomach while sleeping. Her dark eyes glared at him.

Her eyes found the tray though, and she moved to sit up, twisting her body around. "You said something about something for the pain?" She leaned over her lap, head in her hands. "That'd be nice... thanks." Despite her hangover, she was still trying to be not too grumpy.

[Kaleb Morrington]

Kaleb's eyes glittered, amused, but he didn't laugh. "I couldn't stop you from drinking even if I wanted to. Though next time love, please, for the love of the Changers, don't kiss my neck. Rather distracting and its bound to drive a man mad." He got up, still trying to remain silent. "The tea'll help a bit, the toast will settle your stomach. I'm going to take a nap on the couch, but wake me up if you want something to eat." Kaleb murmured before kissing her fore-head. "Bucket's by the bed if you need it love." And off he went, ghosting out the door and down the steps - right to the couch which he flopped on. Grabbing a pillow he snuggled it to his face, and dozed off with a sigh.

[Fyra]

He left the room, after speaking, Next time? And don't kiss his- What?! She stared after him with wide eyed surprise, only vaguely remembering the night before. She had curled up comfortably next to him by the river, but after that everything was very hazy. She remembered thinking that he smelled nice, and that his eyes were like jewels. She could vaguely remember the street stretching out past her as he carried her home, and she certainly remembered objecting to bed. But she had given in without too much trouble.

It was that moment that she shot straight up. She was only wearing her shirt! Her head pounded, and she leaned over again, groaning. Did I? Please tell me I didn't throw myself upon him... She doubted it, since he had slept upon the couch, but had no real way to tell. With a sigh she reached for both tea and toast and sipped at the brew. It wasn't too noxious, and within moments she felt her headache improving.

She laid about in the bed for probably a good half of the day before she even tried to get up. When she did, her head spun only the slightest bit, and she stayed seated on the bed for a good amount of time before going to the bathroom and staring at herself in the mirror there. Her hair was a mess, her eyes bloodshot, and it was plain that she had drank far too much. But she was ready to be up and about. She did not want to be sleeping alone anymore.

Fyra combed through her hair with her fingers, splashed water upon her face and rinsed her mouth out. She sat for a moment longer, splashing her face again and again as she stood in front of the sink . Before long, she made her way back to bedroom, pulling on her breeches before making her way to where Kaleb was downstairs. What's he been doing? She saw him on the couch and smiled as she moved to sit next to him.

[Kaleb Morrington]

The dream, whatever it had been, must've been pleasant, because when he felt the couch dip, his automatic response was to reach out and drag whoever it was that was there, down to cuddle with him. He didn't even open his eyes, just grabbed and dragged, holding her close as he could, smelling the familiar scent of Fyra.

"Morn'n luv... shleep well...?" He mumbled, his brain awake enough to register she had been hungover, though still not enough so that he could possibly make her condition worse.

[Fyra]

Fyra grunted as his arms wrapped around her and tugged her down with him, pushing her against his body. His mumble was barely able to be understood, but it made her smile nonetheless, and she pushed a bit closer so that she didn't feel like it was his arm alone that held her on the couch. "Slept fine, especially once my headache left." She sighed happily, realizing what she had missed the night before.

It was ridiculously easy to get used to having another body next to you at night, she decided. She had slept fine, but she would have slept even better if he had stayed with her. But I suppose it might be better that he didn't, if I was being so... ridiculous and inappropriate. I should be grateful he didn't take advantage of it. Her voice was a little quiet as her cheeks warmed. "I didn't do anything horribly improper last night, did I?"

[Kaleb Morrington]

***Joint post... again***

Kaleb hummed at Fyra's question, amusement drifting in through his sleepiness. "Depends what you mean by 'inappropriate' love." Kaleb husked, drawing her closer.

The girl frowned, arching her body so that she could get a clear view of Kaleb's face. "You should know at least somewhat what I mean by inappropriate." She blushed lightly, and looked away, her hair hiding her face slightly.

"well..." Kaleb mused after a moment. "Ye seemed awfully keen on getting my shirt off. You liked kissing my neck as well. Didn't want to go to bed alone." He looked down and noticed her blush, even though it felt like it was miles away. "You didn't grab my family jewels or such like love, so no worries there."

Her blush only deepened though, and she sought to hide against his body, no longer able to look at him. From his chest came a barely audible mumble 'Theogios... I'm never drinking wine again. Never..."

Kaleb looked down, surprised. "Love that's not all that bad. I've had women who've done much much worse. Besides," He winked, "I rather liked how forward you were, even if I didn't take you up on the offer." He took to rubbing her back sleepily, though he was waking up slowly, trying to ignore his morning...issue.

Fyra dared to peek up at him through hair that fell in strands across her face. His wink did not help her feel any less embarrassed. Never again she reassured herself. Her eyes were wide as she fully registered his words and understood what he meant. "Oh, never again. No. Not ever. If I was so improper last night... who knows what I'll try next?" She blinked quickly and shook her head.

Kaleb chuckled and hugged her tight. "You know there's nothing wrong with having a little fun, right my little polecat?" Kaleb's eyes glittered. "I don't mind if you touch, but I won't return the favor unless you ask." He said it so simply, even winked at the end, but honestly he just hoped to give her enough room she felt she could experiment.

Her eyes widened, if possible, at his first statement. Her cheek certainly turned an interesting color of red. Her voice was a little firm. "Fun is going out to a dance or sneaking out at night for a walk, holding hands... maybe a stolen kiss... what I did last night isn't fun its...it's..." She made a strangled sound unable to figure out the word she wanted.

Kaleb chortled and pulled her up, kissing her soundly as he did. "Fun." He said once they'd broken apart. "Not the sort of fun you're used to, mind you, as you've never done... that..." Kaleb blushed slightly. Why was it so damn awkward talking about sex to a virgin?

Her heart fluttered as he kissed her, and she melted slightly, her body conforming to his with ease. She was smiling slightly as they broke apart, but by the time he'd trailed off, she was brighter than he was, and ducking her head down to hide her face again. "S'not proper." She mumbled

Kaleb snorted before laughing. "I thought we've had this conversation, love." He grinned down at her. "Come on, bet you 5 bishani if you felt my chest under my shirt you wouldn't be all "S'not proper."." Kaleb's eyes were glittering with amusement and with the dare.

She glared at him slightly hands clenching against him. "Just because I like something doesn't mean it's proper..." She shifted, flashing back to how he had said she'd been intent on getting his shirt off the night before.

Kaleb's eyes actually saddened slightly. "And when do you plan on letting yourself enjoy yourself a little? When will you realize that "proper" really doesn't matter when you're on the streets? Or doesn't really mean anything to me, to be honest." He kissed the top of her head, hand rubbing the small of her back. "Let loose and have some fun love, you only live once... fuck I should know." Kaleb laughed outright. "I can't even tell you how many ghosts have given me hell for being careful of how I live."

She seemed to think for a moment, her eyebrows pulling down a little. Her voice was a little quiet, insecurity showing through. "I suppose..." She'd been living on the streets, but she'd survived because she'd lived like a mouse, cautious and careful and double checking and running at everything. "But I just... seems like it keeps people from... being less than animals." Her voice shook a little as though she wasn't fully sure what she was saying or what she meant. She sighed, pursing her lips. "I never did ask why propriety was so important... I doubt my parents would have told me if I had."

Kaleb looked down, calm and patient. "Then wouldn't that be your answer?" He smiled softly. "If someone can't give you an answer, then there really isn't an answer. That's not a bad thing, by any means, just means you can learn your own answer to the question. So tell me, Safyra, why is being proper so important to you?"

She drew in a deep breath and let it out all at once. Her gaze focused off to one side as she replied. "Seems that the idea of what's proper is what kept me from using my body as coinage this last year..."

That startled Kaleb slightly before he sighed and pulled her in closer, unable to stop the small chuckle. "No love, that's called your moral compass. It means that you WOULDN'T even if you had to. Stealing's improper as well, but you did that." Kaleb look down, eyes amused at the woman on his chest. "Try again love."

Another huffed sigh escaped her. She stared up at his brilliantly green eyes, and almost began to not care to figure out an answer. After a long moment, she looked away. "Well, this last year, I suppose it really hasn't mattered much. I wasn't in situations in where "proper" mattered... survival mattered." She started to push away. "But it mattered...before."

He gripped her slightly harder. "Nuh-uh, you're not running from this." Green eyes darkened and narrowed. "What's changed love? You're still technically on the streets, I certainly don't give a damn on what's 'proper', and you've clearly become someone new." Sighing he released her gently, he wasn't about to make his point by forcing her to stay. "Sorry. I just don't see the point in going backwards, it's forwards you wanna go."

Fyra blinked at him. "Sure, i'm still technically on the streets..." Her voice was a mumble, words slurred. "But I'm not alone anymore. I'm not spending every minute thinking about where I'm getting y next meal or if somebody will be charitable and allow me floorspace for a night..." She shifted a little until she could lay on chest comfortably. "and... well, proper helps me keep from being hurt."

What was he supposed to say to that? Kaleb sighed and scooped her closer to him, cradling her now. Life on the streets was tricky with just one, but now two? It'd be pretty tricky, but Kaleb had some extra bishani from those jewels, he could manage to keep their lifestyle like this for at least a little bit longer. Finally he spoke. "At the risk of sounding like a corny little fucker, I wouldn't intentionally hurt ya love, thought I've made this much clear. If I haven't, I'll keep at it." He buried his nose in her hair, breathing in her scent deeply and knowing, deep down, he hadn't said a truer word in his life.

She curled up in his arms, feeling safe for the first time in a long time. His words made a small chuckle come from her, and she felt him push his face against her head. She felt comforted like that. I'm really not cut out for this life... he chose it.. at a young age, at that. I... I was forced into it. I would have been married to some nice boy..maybe even Derek... She shift until she could kiss him on her own initiative. Her lips pressed against his with a slight bit of desperation. She wanted to forget. That life she couldn't go back to anymore. Make me want this. Her tiny frame melded to his.

She kissed him, kissed him in a sense he recognized - desperation. Why desperate? Maybe, just maybe, she was tired of looking backwards. Testing his luck, he kissed her back, carefully sliding his tongue along her bottom lip even as he slid his hands down her sides to rest at her hips, moving under her, just barely, as if to ask a question.

I never would have known him except maybe as some man who passed me on the street... Her eyelashes brushed against her cheeks, eyes closed as she cautiously caught his lip with her teeth, scraping them along it gently before sliding back to the kiss. Her heart started racing. Is he right? Does proper matter out here? It's not like I'm saving myself for anybody now... She pulled back, looking at him, her right hand coming up to brush against his jaw.

He shuddered underneath her when she caught his lip, his hands clenching slightly and involuntarily. She pulled back, and he felt her hand on his cheek. He managed to work his eyes open, mouth open as he panted slightly, before he saw the doubt. He wouldn't let her look back now, not now, not ever if he could bloody well help it. He shifted and sat up catching her face gently between his hands before kissing her soundly, pulling her back down with him.

Is it really- Her thought was interrupted as his hands, warm and callused, caught her face and pulled her back into his kisses. She made a small sound, heat starting to curl in her belly as he chased thought from her brain with an ease she hadn't thought possible.

Gotcha... he thought to himself, flipping them over on the couch so he rested on top of her gently, making sure to never break the kiss for long. He wasn't going to go too far - that would be stupid. He didn't want to lose her, this much was clear. So he settled for gliding his hands across her frame, just grazing her chest, but skirting away at the last second. He broke away long enough to kiss her neck, his steady breath tickling skin and hair.