Lux
32
Noncommittal player
Survivalist
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Inigo Westwood on Jun 5, 2020 18:37:07 GMT -5
"Greedy?" Again he pretended to be offended, his hand going to his chest. "If you think five is greedy, then you're not going to like my goal." He shook his head, making a tsk sound. "And here I thought you were open-minded." He wiggled his finger at her jokingly.
When she spoke of being a witch, he erupted into laughter. "A witch, eh? So you cast some spell on me, is that it?" He asked her, putting his fists against his hips and pouting. "That's just not fair." He shook his head. When she asked if he'd had any children with his 'four wives,' he looked at her from the corner of his eye, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Absolutely not. If I give one too much attention, the other three get very jealous and it turns into this whole ordeal." He answered dramatically, waving his hand around. "Besides, if I had any, you might eat them!" He exclaimed just as dramatically, leaning away from her as he joked.
He could see that she was only somewhat genuinely curious, so he returned to a slightly less joking attitude, giving her a warm smile. "No, the only family I have left are my brothers." He said before looking at her with a mischievous look. "Besides my four wives, of course." He winked playfully.
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Post by Grace Harper on Jun 5, 2020 18:51:47 GMT -5
His comment about a spell made her laugh again. "Who said anything about playing fair? You certainly didn't, what with the winking and telling me I'm prettier than the view." She stuck out her tongue, but was soon smiling again as he told her he couldn't have children with just one wife because the others needed him too. "Not at all, I only eat my own very special potions, with eyes of newts, and puppy-dog tails, and plenty of poison apple pies. Children are too stringy. And-- don't tell anyone I said this--but I think they're kind of cute."
Brothers, hm? That was nice! She wondered how old they were, and if she were allowed to ask, but his comments about his four wives again gave her an idea she couldn't resist. She crossed her arms and tapped her chin.
"The brothers can stay, but the wives are just too many, I think," she said slowly as if she were deep in thought. "I can be very understanding, but I happen to like having your attention. Four other women might be a little upsetting, and any more than that...well, perhaps I'd have to work some of my magic on them instead. I'm sure they'd make lovely toads." She grinned and wiggled her fingers like she was casting a spell right then. "Or would that be too upsetting, to have to give your attention to just little old me?"
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Lux
32
Noncommittal player
Survivalist
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Inigo Westwood on Jun 7, 2020 0:19:58 GMT -5
Inigo erupted into laughter, catching his breath before he could speak again. "Hey, I was being honest! How is that not playing fair?" He asked, still laughing lightly as she stuck her tongue out at him. He gave her a teasing look at her next words and pretended to act surprised. "You eat puppy tails?! Are they not just as cute as the children?" He asked her, as he wiped tears from his eyes. His sides were already beginning to hurt and he was certain that his abs were getting their workout for the week just by sitting here and joking with Grace. Who knew he'd stumble across a woman that would be so much fun to just sit and talk with like this?
He gave her a lopsided grin when she'd said that his four wives may have been too many and chuckled lightly, putting his hand behind his ear dramatically. "What's that I hear? A little jealousy, hmm?" He asked teasingly before giving her a mischievous look. "Are you saying that if I were to wed you, I'd have to do away with my four wives?" He was creating a mock argument now, clicking his tongue. "And here I thought I could have it all." He said, stretching his arms out and pretending to be defeated. "But I suppose if it means having you, I'll give up.." He paused, pressing a finger to his chin as if thinking seriously. "Two of my wives. Deal?" He asked her with a cheeky grin. "I wouldn't be upset giving you all of my attention, though the two wives I get rid of might not be so happy. Nor would the two I keep." He shrugged. "Guess you'll have to work you way up the food chain." He laughed with a wink.
This was nice. If he knew she didn't have to return to the clan at some point, he might have been just as happy to sit here with her forever and just talk and laugh. After all, it seemed that she made him forget all of his worries and problems, though he couldn't say how long that blessing would last. A gentle worry nudged him, whispering at the back of his mind that something bad was going to happen. He just couldn't put his finger on it. Until then, he'd try not to let it bother him, and certainly try to not let her see it.
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Post by Grace Harper on Jun 7, 2020 0:35:58 GMT -5
"A puppy can do quite well without its tail, it just wags its whole chubby little body." She explained with a giggle.
Then he began to barter, and she crossed her arms again to give him a stern look. Two wives was still too many! She knew it was all a joke, but she couldn't help feeling a bit put out. Maybe she really was jealous of those imaginary wives, even though she didn't have any right to be.
"I don't think that's going to do the trick." She told him and shook her head. "The more I think about it, the more sure I am. Call me jealous all you like, but I'm going to need your smiles all to myself if we're going to make this work. You're simply too good to share." Feeling bold, she leaned in to press a quick kiss to his cheek. When she pulled back, the view caught her eye again, and she turned out to look, a slightly more wistful look falling over her.
"I like it just like this, the two of us. I know it's selfish, but..." she shrugged when she ran out of words. She meant it--she'd had more fun with Inigo today than she had in ages. She felt...different. More like herself, almost. She hadn't had a chance to just be in such a long time. She didn't want to give it up, and she didn't want to share. She turned back to Inigo with a slight frown. "We can do this again, can't we? You're not a figment of my imagination that's going to vanish when I wake up?"
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Lux
32
Noncommittal player
Survivalist
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Inigo Westwood on Jun 8, 2020 21:52:23 GMT -5
"You just have an answer for everything, don't you?" Inigo asked, a genuine smile coming to his lips. "Or are those more of your witchy powers?!" He gasped dramatically, inching away from her while wiggling his fingers at her. It was safe to say that he was having more fun than he'd intended or expected.
When she spoke up again, planting a kiss to his cheek before her brown eyes landed upon their view again, Inigo moved closer again, leaning his head against her shoulder. "Fine, fine. I suppose if that's what it takes, I'll give up my other wives as well." He said, looking up at her with puppy eyes. "So needy." He joked, giving her a flirtatious wink. He sat back up just as she looked at him with a frown, which he playfully mocked. "Well, if I'm a figment of your imagination, then I think that means you've gone insane." He said nonchalantly, though his tone was still light-hearted. "Maybe you mixed one of your witchy potions wrong and it's getting to your head." He lightly pressed a finger to her forehead as he chuckled before giving her a gentle look, some seriousness returning to his tone. "Of course we can do this again, Grace. And I can assure you I'm real." He said with a laugh. "Or at least, I think I'm real." He began joking again. "Maybe you should kiss me again to be sure." The cockiness was back now as he looked at her with those bright, blue-gray eyes.
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Post by Grace Harper on Jun 8, 2020 22:28:35 GMT -5
Grace beamed when he agreed that he could give up the other--fake, she had to remind herself, they were fake--wives and leaned his head on her shoulder. It was nice, such a gentle way of showing affection. She'd be perfectly happy with him staying that close to her, but as quickly as she thought it, he was sitting back up again.
She was grateful for his reassurance that she would see him again, though; she obviously knew he wasn't just a dream, but she still had a little lingering fear in the back of her mind that this kind of thing wasn't meant for her. People didn't look at her like that, didn't tell her she was beautiful... It seemed a little surreal.
"Maybe you should kiss me again to be sure," he teased, looking so sure of himself like he thought she would be flustered. Her cheeks surely did turn red, and she pursed her lips for just a second beforehand as she considered whether or not to give him what he was asking for, but she took his face in both hands and kissed him firmly on the lips anyway. When she pulled back she gave him a triumphant smile.
Hm, I'm feeling pretty convinced, but I might need to be reassured every once in a while."
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Lux
32
Noncommittal player
Survivalist
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Inigo Westwood on Jun 9, 2020 22:32:44 GMT -5
She'd hesitated for only a moment before planting a firm kiss upon his lips, which he was more than happy to return with the same fervor, placing his hands on either side of her so that he could lean more into her kiss. When she pulled away and spoke, he smiled at her with a charming grin. "I think that can definitely be arranged." He said, giving her another soft, quick kiss. "Besides, if this is what your version of reassurance looks like, I'm more than happy to oblige." His eyes were still closed as he spoke the word against her lips before he pulled away to look at her. "Well, guess I'll be getting four divorces when we end our little adventure." He joked with a chuckle.
Truly, Grace stirred something within him that he'd never really felt before. It was as if everything he hated about himself was washed away, even if for just a moment. It almost made him worry about what would happen when they parted ways. Would he feel emptiness with such a strength he'd never felt before? Or would there be a calmness? Could this one girl really quell the inner turmoil he so often faced? Honestly, it frightened him. Somehow, he managed to convince himself that without all of the anger and sadness, without the trauma eating away at him each and every day, he was not himself. How could he possibly be him without everything that had made him, him?
He pulled himself from his thoughts, giving Grace a reassuring look as he wasn't quite sure how long they'd say in silence. "One of these days, you'll have to show me your favorite place." He said with a sly grin. "After all, I showed you mine." He'd purposefully spoken the entendre aloud, being cheekily playful as to keep his mind from wandering into its dark place. He wanted to feel light and happy, much like he did right now, even if only for the moment.
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Post by Grace Harper on Jun 10, 2020 18:56:00 GMT -5
Grace giggled softly as he kissed her again, and winked when he mentioned his four divorces. She was totally fine with that. He must not like his four fake wives that much if he had four of them--and even less if he was going to give them up for her. They could find a different man to share kisses and laughter with.
She watched with curiosity as he seemed to turn inward, considering something far more serious than his four fictional divorces. She wished, not for the first time, that she knew what was happening behind those blue eyes. She didn't mind the quiet, though; she took the time to trail her fingers lightly up and down his arm as she enjoyed his company. She was happy just having him nearby. She relaxed slowly, her breath slowing and her eyes starting to drift closed as the sun warmed her cheeks. "One of these days," he began, and she opened her eyes to give him her attention again.
She shook her head at his innuendo, but there was no point in even pretending to be anything other than happy. She didn't mind her mental image as much anymore, of the two of them behind the waterfall...even if it would be revealing...maybe because it would be. Her cheeks reddened, but she didn't let it stop her.
"Hmm...I suppose I could do that..." she said slowly, leaning into his chest, "But I think you'll have to make me a deal. If I take you, while we're there, we both have to answer any question the other person asks. No matter how embarrassing, or sad, or weird. I'll do it too, so it's fair." She looked up at him with those big eyes pleading like a puppy dog's. What do you think?"
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Lux
32
Noncommittal player
Survivalist
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Inigo Westwood on Jun 12, 2020 21:49:53 GMT -5
He liked it when she blushed. Somehow, it made him feel accomplished. It was a genuine thing to see her cheeks turn red rather than be met with a coy smile like other women. Although, the reddening of her cheeks seemed to be related to something other than their interaction and it made him wonder what had crossed her mind exactly. Something naughty, perhaps? Inigo almost frowned at himself as he pushed the thoughts away. He didn't want to think about her like that. Well, he did, but not yet.
When she agreed to showing him her favorite place, leaning into his chest, he put his arms around her shoulders, smiling as he held her against him with a gentle grasp. He chuckled then, at the thought of her little deal and smirked, placing his chin on the top of her head. "I think that's fair. But my questions might get very personal." He warned her teasingly with a wink. After hearing what her favorite place was often visited for, he felt himself getting warm inside, anticipating and imagining it with Grace before he again forced the thoughts from his mind. "But, as long as you answer all of mine, I will happily answer all of yours." He said, a hint of promise in his tone. "Are you sure you can handle it?" He teased, squeezing her shoulders lightly.
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Post by Grace Harper on Jun 13, 2020 12:23:12 GMT -5
Grace didn't even hesitate before she nodded. "Mhm, I'm sure," she answered, snuggling a little closer. "I trust you."
Was she being silly? Maybe. But even so, she really did trust him. There were a lot of ways this chance encounter could have gone. He could easily have told her to get lost when she first climbed into that tree. He could have even attacked her. Even with all those possibilities, she'd never expected to wind up this tangled in Inigo, both literally and figuratively. She couldn't explain why she felt this way; if she tried to put it into words all she wound up with was "I just do." She liked his smile, and his sense of adventure, and how excited he'd gotten about showing her this place, like a child with a new toy. She liked his sense of humor and the way he saw her as someone brave, even if she didn't feel it. Something about all this...it seemed like it was fate. Her brother would have laughed in her face if she said something like that out loud, but she'd always believed that some things were meant to happen. Humans could change paths, but every choice had its consequences, and some things were unavoidable.
Besides that, she was excited. She'd never taken anyone with her to the waterfall, or even talked to Malcolm about the fact that she went there. Whenever she went, it was a secret, stolen time to be just Grace, before her family woke up and work began. Hm, maybe that was one of the things she liked about spending time with Inigo today--she felt more like herself than she had in ages.
"It's starting to get warmer, lately, so we probably won't have to wait long before we go--as long as you don't mind the water being a little chilly." Well, that and one other thing... She bit her lip and looked at his shoulder rather than his face because she could already imagine the sly grin she was going to earn with this one, and if she saw it she was going to wind up hiding her whole face with her hands. "And, um, I guess, be prepared to go swimming. I usually, um, leave my dress on the shore..."
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Lux
32
Noncommittal player
Survivalist
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Inigo Westwood on Jun 15, 2020 19:45:32 GMT -5
"I trust you." Those words should have brought him comfort, should have put him at ease. She trusted him? How naive. He couldn't be trusted, shouldn't be trusted. That was why the words made his gut twist. He was happy that she couldn't see the scowl across his face as she looked towards his shoulder to speak again, changing the subject quickly from trust, which served to please Inigo. He didn't want to talk about trust. He was too messed up on the inside for trust to settle in a build a home.
He nodded in agreement about the weather getting warmer. He was thankful for it. Surviving during the winter on the island of Aldsage was difficult enough for the clans it seemed, much less a lone rogue like himself. Of course, the warmer months also meant more activity from the clans, though he'd take that over a harsh winter any day. At least he wouldn't need to worry about freezing to death and the chances of being killed by a clan member.
"I don't think the cold water will bother me much, though I'm worried your little bitty self might not be able to handle it." He said to her, half-joking. Then she brought forth another point, about where she often left her dress when she chose to swim, a wolfish grin creeping across Inigo's face as his lips moved close to her ear. "Is that so?" He asked her, the words rumbling from deep within his chest as he spoke them. "Then I think I shall be fully prepared for a swim." He said, his voice low and filled with cockiness as he spoke before he planted a soft kiss to her neck.
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Post by Grace Harper on Jun 17, 2020 21:58:04 GMT -5
"Hey! she protested, "I can handle a whole lot of things, you know. I'm still a wolf, after all."
Oops, she'd glanced up, and that grin froze her in place as he leaned down to speak right into her ear. His voice sent a thrill down her spine that turned into a full-blown shiver as he kissed her neck and his beard brushed against her skin. Kissing him had been one thing (a very nice thing) but this was different, and it made her nervous how her whole body had reacted. It definitely wasn't bad, but... She honestly wasn't sure why it scared her. Maybe because it made her feel like she wasn't in control of herself? Or because it seemed off balance?
She squealed slightly and pushed at his shoulders. "Oooh, I think that's cheating," she squeaked, trying to worm her way out of his arms. "There's no way anything I'm gonna do can make you feel like that."
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Lux
32
Noncommittal player
Survivalist
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Inigo Westwood on Jun 20, 2020 19:29:51 GMT -5
Inigo chuckled at the way she protested, shaking his head. "Well then, little Miss Grace, you'll just have to prove it to me." He said flirtatiously, poking her side gently. Then she was squealing, wiggling her way free of his embrace. He released his hold, giving her a lopsided grin as he leaned back on his palms, a dark spark dancing in his blue-green eyes as he watched her carefully. What she said caused him to erupt into laughter that echoed in the space around them, tears springing to his eyes at the force of it.
It took him a few moments to catch his breath, his sides beginning to ache as he used his left hand to wipe away the tears. He gave her a grin, showing his pearly whites as he leaned back onto his hands again, swinging his legs over the ledge like a small child. "Try me." He said to her, his tone almost seductive as he spoke. "I can almost guarantee than anything you do will cause butterflies to erupt in my stomach, make me weak at the knees.." His voice trailed off as he all but whispered the words, leaning ever so slightly closer to her as each syllable crossed his lips, never breaking eye contact with her. His hand reached to touch her knee then, giving it a gentle squeeze. "But if you do try something so brazen, I can't promise to control myself.." His eyes flickered down to her lips before trailing down her body, almost like a predator sizing up its prey, even though the look of gentle desire never left his expression.
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Post by Grace Harper on Jun 21, 2020 14:27:07 GMT -5
Grace crossed her arms over her chest as she watched Inigo laugh, part frustration, and part self-defense. Her expression, if she could have seen it, would have been a perfect mirror of her littlest nephew when she told him that he wasn't old enough to go hunting yet. "It's not that funny..." she mumbled as her cheeks flared red. She didn't think she was being unreasonable at all; she just wasn't...she couldn't think of a word that covered Inigo's appeal. Sexy seemed too crass, and flirty didn't quite cover it. It made her feel almost stupid, that she didn't know how to handle herself.
She sulked until he was finished laughing, and even his sparkling grin didn't quite soften her. As he spoke and leaned closer, her eyebrows did start to rise from where they'd been tightly furrowed, but she still squinted at him suspiciously. Butterflies and weak at the knees? Him? She doubted it. And especially not from her of all people. Still, when he looked at her like that, she started to question herself. Was he really seeing something she didn't?
"But if you do try something so brazen, I can't promise to control myself.."
She could practically feel his eyes on her as he looked down her body, and she bit her lip, trying to contain the impulse to hide. She failed and brought both hands up to cover her face with a groan. She didn't think she wanted him to stop, exactly, but she was so overwhelmed she couldn't quite handle it. "I wouldn't even know where to start," she complained, letting herself fall backward so that she was laying on the rock with her feet still hanging over the edge. She sighed and let her hands fall away from her face to rest on either side of her head so she could look over at him. Her dark curls shone like polished wood in the sun, falling in a haphazard halo around her head. "Does someone teach people this stuff, or do you just make it up as you go? Because I feel like...like a child. I don't know anything."
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Lux
32
Noncommittal player
Survivalist
Tier 1 Character
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Post by Inigo Westwood on Jul 13, 2020 13:07:17 GMT -5
On the contrary, Inigo had found it quite funny. "Has anyone ever told you that you're cute when you're mad?" He asked her, booping her nose gentle as he grinned that wolfish grin. "And anyway, you should have a little more confidence in yourself. You're a dime a dozen, love." He said softly, looking out at the view as he spoke.
When she brought her hands to her face, effectively covering her expression and groaning aloud, Inigo chuckled again as he watched her plop backwards before she let her hands fall away from her face. He listened for a moment and was quiet as he thought of the best way to answer her question and respond to her statement. "Well, to be truthful, I don't believe I was ever taught. It all just sort of.. happened." He said with a shrug before turning his body to face her. He'd pulled his legs up so that his forearms rested on his knees, one hand holding the opposite wrist as he looked down at her with a soft smile. He reached down then, taking a strand of her hair and twirling it around his finger absentmindedly before flicking it into her face playfully. "You end up lost in the moment," He began. "You don't really plan it, and sometimes you don't expect it. There is no strategy or single way of engaging with someone in such a manner." He told her, moving to lay down next to her, hands behind his head as he stared up at the sky. "Usually, it's spontaneous. Sure, you could look at someone and imagine it, know that you want them in that sense." He shrugged. "But for the most part, it just.. happens. You don't really think about it, you just.. do. He said, turning his head to look at her.
Perhaps that wasn't the best way to explain it, but it was the only way Inigo knew how. Each time he reached over to touch her, when he'd kissed her, it hadn't really been planned. He'd just done whatever felt right in the moment. It wasn't something that could be taught, it just.. was. It made him wonder why she'd asked such a thing anyway. Was she simply thinking about it too much? Or was she letting the weight of her inexperience cause her to overthink it? Inigo sighed then, reaching a hand out to touch her cheek. "Any time I touch you, reach to kiss you, it's not something I think about. I just do it." He said to her then. "The same applies to other romantic relations. The more you think about it, the more nervous you're likely to be. Instead, you let go of your inhibitions and you go with the flow." He shrugged again. "I guess a cliche way of explaining it would be it's sort of like.. an improvised dance or something." He laughed at how dumb that sounded. "Does that make sense?" He asked her.
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