Naveen

Rina:

“Mm.” Was all I said. I took another drink of water then handed it to him as I stood up. I was quiet when we started to walk again, thinking the events of the night over in my head.

I let her dwell within her thoughts, letting my own wander to the future and what our adventure would bring. I figured that she knew more than she was telling, the letter giving such a strong reaction was my cue. But I wasn't about to ask her.

Rina:

I I didn't say anything for nearly half an hour. My mind was working out a plan on how the handle everything. At last I decided to address the only thing I could at the moment. “Well...” I said breaking the silence. “Last night was… enjoyable...”

I looked at her in surprise, not expecting that to be our first words after so long. "It really was...." I agreed softly with a small smile.

Rina:

It was hard to voice the next bit and I didn't quite know how to get my idea across. “What if… We continued to do that…?” I asked, looking at the ground as we walked.

I stared at her for a long moment then looked away for a second. "I don't know...is that something you would want? A physical relationship?"

Rina:

“Well,” I took breath then listed my reasons. “We are both attracted to each other. We, ah, mesh well… We are not promised to anyone. And frankly, I am not looking for someone to spend my life with, but I do enjoy having a physical relationship, as you say.” My face was very warm as I spoke.

I considered silently before nodding. "I suppose that would work. Though, Rina. I am looking for someone. Not actively but I have my people's future to look after. So some day I might have to move on. Will that be alright?"

Rina:

“Of course. I understand. Should anything change we wont be obligated to each other, that includes any situation. All I ask, is that while we are together, there will be no one else. Should someone come along that either of us wish to pursue, then we can end it.” I stopped walking and looked up at him finally.

I stopped after she did turning to look down at her. Amusement colored my tone as I nodded slowly. "Any other rules we need to establish now? Things we don't want to do, be seen doing, or such?"

Rina:

“Ah, well, I would like this to be private. This is purely physical. All other times we are simply friends…” I woulds have mentioned that I had an image to hold up, but I thought that might seem arrogant, and to an extent, it was. I was a woman in an army of men. I was far more skilled than most of them, but if it appeared that I was getting soft, or as they might see it, falling in love, I would loose respect, and therefore power.

"I can agree to that then. It might take me some time to learn...some things. But it's a deal." I replied after another moments deliberation. We were Mutually exclusive, no one else for either of us until we found someone to pursue. We would keep the physical relationship private, and be 'friends' at other times.

Rina:

A smile quirked my lips and I released a breath. “Good.” I said softly then stepped up close to him, putting my arms around his neck and kissing him, as if to seal the deal.

I'd been about to ask if we had a way to seal the deal between us, but her lips meeting mine answered the question readily enough. I closed my eyes into the kiss, pulling her close as I returned her kiss readily.

Rina:

I kissed him deeply for a moment but then pulled back, now was not the time to get carried away. I smiled, very pleased with our arrangement. “We should make it back to the Moroe's before sunset if we keep up with pace.” I said starting on the walk again.

I nodded slowly, unable to help myself from glancing over her form before I took long strides to catch up. I could still feel the ghost of her lips against mine, and while the arrangement wasn't exactly everything it could have been. I'd be lying to myself if it didn't appeal to me.

Rina:

We walked in silence again, but not for as long as the first time. “Do you know why they wanted my blood?” I asked him after thinking about it. I asked it like I didn't know, but at this point I had worked it out. I wanted to know what he had thought of the whole situation.

"To check for your identity perhaps. They can tell a lot from blood, I wouldn't put it past them to be able to tell who you are from a taste. It may also just be for power, a status thing." I ventured carefully.

Rina:

I looked at him sideways, trying to judge his words for honesty. “I can trust you, right?” I asked. “We haven't known each other more than a few months… But I feel like I can trust you more than anyone else. I'm not wrong to believe that, am I?”

"I mean you and your cause no harm. I came with you on this venture to keep you safe and protect you. If you have a secret I wont tell anyone. You can trust me Rina." I turned my attention to her with a gentle smile.

Rina:

I nodded and swallowed. It was out there already, what did it matter if I told one person? “How much do you know about human affairs?” I asked.

"Little of the current. Go back twenty years and I knew a fair bit...why do you ask?". I kept my attention on her as we walked.

Rina:

I decided it would be easier to tell my story from the beginning and have him guess who I was, than flat out say it. “I was raised by my father,” I started, not answering his question. “My name is Renee, not Rina, that's a nickname. After the war with the kingdom of Lavic my father was wounded, disfigured, he could no longer lead an army. He took me to the country to keep me safe from the marauders. I'm sure you remember those times, when the laws were past against those of your kind, all non-humans.” I sighed. “My father brought me up, he taught me to be a warrior. He made me who I am today. He is the reason I fight for what I do…” I trailed off. I didn't know what more to say.

King Paren had been assumed killed during the last battle against Lavic forces. The princess was thought to have been kidnapped, or assassinated. Princess Renee.

Talon:

I listened to her tale, confused as to why she simply didn't just tell me what she meant to say. But as I pondered over her words it became clear to me. I was brought back to a memory of my childhood, and a conversation I'd had with my brother. We'd been talking about brides, and I'd jokingly told him that one day I was going to be with a princess. That I'd sleep with her and make her mine.

The idea made me laugh, and I had to stop to double over, clutching at my stomach as laughter just poured out of me.

Rina:

I turned back, thin lipped and glared at him. “I don't see what about this is so hilarious.” I said cooly, with crossed arms.