Pulse of the Imperium

Chaperoned by Thra U and Yar An, Hadrian and Laila could still wander about the village as they liked as long as they weren't violent or too nagging. There was a communication barrier, no doubt, but the local Muadh still tried to be friendly, making gestures and vocalising fauna-approximating sounds, but they wouldn't impose and go about their lives, as busy or as free as one could expect from settled hunter-gatherers.

Their escort wasn't particularly obtrusive. Actually, once both proved to behave, they extended the distance so that both outsiders could have a measure of freedom. This led them to the lanes leading behind the waterfalls, revealing a rather complex system of ledges and small volcanic cavities, some going deeper and some not. Part of them were used for habitation, part for storage as the temperature there was lower, but they also looked a lot like emergency shelters or secret escape routes.

The hum of the waterfalls was muting most sounds except the closest of conversations.

All according to plan.

The sinister, multilayered plot that was Laila's Bridger's secret life was coming to fruition.

She cocked her head, listening to the roar of the waterfall, and glanced sidelong at Hadrian.

"Alone... ish at last, and not in a forest full of god knows what... just a village full of nice people we can't understand."

She paused. Stretched.

"I think there's a waterfall scene in Six Blades For Talit if memory serves... you ever read that one?"

"Ahh geez," he rolled his eyes, "can't reenact that one without a whole day of blade training. Which might well offend our chaperones."

He snapped his fingers and measured the dullness with a smirk.

"Still... there's noise cover at the cave mouth, plenty of crates to hide behind, and the rock mutes noise. If I didn't know any better, I'd say the fates have grown tired of the 'will they-won't they'."

"I don't know about the fates, Hadrian, but I'm in the 'they will' camp, myself. And not just because it doesn't seem like either of us is exactly critical to this part of the job."

She started unfastening her body armor.

"Last night it would have been a horrible idea. Night before, well, things happened."

Dropping the armor to the ground, she turned to face him and started backing away toward a shadowy corner, keeping her eyes on him.

"Tomorrow we probably get to yomp back to the crash site and see if everyone else is still alive. Back to shields and guns and slogging around looking for a stray heir and the absolute bastards who won't leave these people alone."

She bit her lip, her entire attitude one of what might be described as predatory vulnerability.

"But maybe for a little bit here, we can just be humans. Who knows when we'll get another chance?"

He eyed her ravenously. She is every bit in his system as he is in hers, but that old pervasive thought wouldn't leave well enough alone.

"Humans in my experience take what they want when left unchecked. Giving at most a charitable after thought but little else. And I've been yours for the taking since the knoll." He took measured steps towards her. "It's an equal exchange. I want you, and you want me. But after we've exercised our humanity what will remain? And should we escape circumstances unscathed what then?"

He's unable to ebb the course they're on. Once there's only an inch between them his hands follow the current. Aiding her in their fashion.

"You said you have nothing. But what if you had me? What if I gave you more than a moment in time? Would you accept it? Would you want it?" At this juncture one hand had found her cheek, while the other caressed her chin. His lips were mere inches from hers. In his mind this should be the final tributary before the rapids. But he wanted to know.

In their peripheral vision they could notice that Yar An and Thra U were at it. Perhaps inspired, perhaps taking advantage of their own design. Headpieces had already been removed alongside some other cumbersome accessories and they put themselves in difficult yet undoubtedly gratifying position of standing together in a water streak. Sounds were not reaching them, but the way they were tangled suggested making out was already advanced and nothing pointed at them holding back from there.

Her voice cracked a bit.

"I think that's all I do want."

He swept her up with a kiss. His affection apparent and their course charted. Guiding her down into a place removed of light where only they existed. And he was fine with that.

/Fade to black?

Thra U and Yar An weren't far behind. They were quite ahead.

/GM FtB

[FTB]

[And then back in some time later!]

Laila lay snuggled up to Hadrian, by most appearances sleeping off some recent exertion... except that her eyes were open.

It had hardly been her first time, and certainly wasn't the strangest place she'd ended up doing anything of the sort, but it had been... different. Unique.

As if the physical coupling (and had she enjoyed that part? Oh yes, oh yes indeed) were merely a pleasant side effect of something more seismic.

For the first time in years, she no longer felt expendable.

Articulating it to herself like that, even silently, gave her a bit of a shock. But now she wasn't alone with it, and Laila Bridger let herself drift off to a restful sleep.

[/Laila's conscious role here- but it felt like it needed saying ]

The Muadh's coupling seemed less intense, but also longer, as they were still riding the momentum well after Laila had dozed off. Calling the spirits was a time-consuming ritual, it seemed.

[Laila and Hadrian get 5 XP for this meaningful personal development.]