[ Closed ] If you like, I will tell you a tale.

[afflatusexarch]

Who: G'raha + You!
Status: Closed Threads - hit me up and I will do a thing
Where: Various
What: MANTA quests or whatever
Warnings: TBA for now?

Comments

🐺🐈🧵

[afflatusexarch]

[ It had all started with a quick message to Zack. An inquiry about this "property" that is being protected by Paladins... That's when G'raha realizes that this "property" is a person. It upsets him, actually, that a person should be thought of as such. At that point, it is G'raha that is making a strange request:

Allow him to accompany Zack on the ship to ensure that this lady is kept safe. So that she can have the freedom that she seeks. He promises that he will explain this all later, considering he's quite adamant about it.

Thus do they appear on the ship escorting the seamstress Cloud is there too in his log but meh. Naturally, they are going to run into trouble. A Corsair ship cozies up next to the one they are currently on, hooks and the like digging into the wood like barbs. That's when Corsairs themselves are invading the deck and the both of them are called into action.

G'raha's back slams against Zack's at one point, his staff out and magicks at the ready. ]

If you can keep them off of me for but a moment, I can stun them. I can provide Regen and a barrier, of sorts, for you.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack had signed up for this mission from the very start. He didn't know the background of why the woman needed a paladin escort so badly but it only took a few messages from a frantic G'raha to realize there's more to this than meets the eye.

Here they are on the ship desk and Zack has his weapon out. The corsairs are closing in fast and Zack is not going to let them get close to the lower deck if he can help it.

He quickly steadies G'raha's shoulder with a hand.]

Can do. Whatever you have planned, do it as quick as you can.

[Zack is a bulldozer but there are a lot of corsairs flinging themselves onto the ship deck right now. Without another complaint Zack lunges forward and slams into them, working his way to push them back.]

[afflatusexarch]

Do not look up.

[ G'raha provides both to Zack, a barrier and regen both. Then simply trusts him to keep the Corsairs away from G'raha as he begins a longer cast. Holy is useful in this situation, surely. The only downside is that it takes a little longer to start and G'raha cannot be interrupted.

Should Zack be successful in keeping Corsairs away from the Miqo'te, his staff spins and a little ball of light is tossed into the air. It explodes, showering the immediate area with its light. Stunning everyone caught within its radius. ]

[activatingcombatmode]

[He'll trust that G'raha knows what he's doing. Meanwhile, Zack will do his part of the job and aggro all of the corsairs that are trying to ambush the ship. Several of them try and lunge at Zack but some of them lunge at G'raha too. In those cases, he shoulder-checks one and hits another with the pommel of his greatsword.

The flash of blinding holy magic does get into Zack's eyes briefly but the searing explosion has Zack holding his arm up and several of the corsairs go down. Hot damn. Literally.

The ship rumbles. And in the rush of activity, another corsair appears and tries to slash his dagger through Zack's side. He just narrowly misses and Zack slams him back with a kick too.]

[afflatusexarch]

[ They will be stunned for a few seconds. Enough time for G'raha to switch from white magicks to the black. Swirls of purple surround G'raha as he casts fire spells - targeting the Corsairs.

Then rounding it off with a Flare to discourage further trespassing upon the ship. ]

[activatingcombatmode]

[Boom!! It's an explosion before the silence and Zack stares with an impressed grin on his face.]

Damn, Raha. You're explosive.

[He looks over his shoulder at the cat man and winks. All the while many of the ambushers are trying to retreat to the enemy ship.]

That should stop them for now. But we probably don't have much time. If the reward to kidnap this lady is as big as you said, I'm guessing these assholes won't give up that easily.

[afflatusexarch]

[ Augh that line would be so bad! ...If it were anyone else other than Raha that Zack had said it to. Instead his tail wiggles and there's a smile returned. Then his focus goes back to the Corsairs fleeing. Raha's ears fold back, just like a displeased feline as he joins Zack's side. ]

I very well should be. Were it simply the fabrics they were after, that would be one thing. Seeking to claim a person is entirely another matter.

Though, just to be sure...

[ G'raha puts his staff at his back. Seeks out something on the ship and makes a small sound of "this will do" when he finds it. A bow and a couple of arrows. He dips three into a lit flame and knocks them back - displaying perfect form.

Then he fires. Right at the Corsair ship's sail. All so that it will catch fire. ]

Now that should keep them busy.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Wow it was cheesy for a reason! Just look how much damage G'raha did in a couple of explosions?! And now look what he's doing to the corsair flag with those arrows that are on fire?! Consider Zack deeply impressed.]

Damn, what I wouldn't do to see you shoot an arrow at this man's ass too.

[Who would think anyone is property of all things. People don't belong to people. It's no wonder this poor lady wants to get the hell out of Nogard.]

You better check to make sure she's safe below deck. I'll get us back on track towards Eltrut.

[Zack will do some ship steering. They need to move fast.]

[afflatusexarch]

When I return to the leviathan, I may yet do just that.

[ He's saying that he, definitely, is upset over this one. Raha dislikes the deception that had been at work here. The seamstress shouldn't be brought back to Nogard under any circumstances. Raha won't stand for it. Even if she were, he'd probably go out of his way to attempt to free her. ]

Right. Her safety is priority... Do you know how to sail?

🌙🐈🗳️

[afflatusexarch]

[ Voting is going to be taking place. G'raha knows this and has found his way to Elah just to see if the rumor is true. There are actually quite a few Corsairs creating quite the fuss. Demanding blood for blood, so to speak. They would see this Paladin, heinous as he is, suffer brutally before dying some kind of gruesome death. The Paladins themselves are divided on the issue as well.

G'raha is standing at the edge of the people that are circling the area, some that are lining up and others that are getting ready to place votes in. While he knows that some Corsairs are wanting to vote, they are not permitted to. Openly that is This is also creating more hostilities, more tension.

There is some nervous energy about the Miqo'te. His ears are pinned back and his tail is still, save for the nervous twitching at the tip. This is a complicated issue and he has quite the mixed emotions regarding this matter. He had been someone directly involved in this, after all. ]

[yuezun]

[Daqiang intended to get his vote in. He needed the crowd to be a bit thinner to slip through invisibly and, since his invisibility only lasted a few minutes because of the seal on his power, he would not be able to wait it out unseen. Since there was a crowd already and it was fairly tense, he made his way around the outskirts of it, looking for a place to stand for however long it would take for the crowd to disburse. As he did so, he spotted the familiar ears and red hair of G'raha. Who was looking very upset and ill at ease.

He pushed his way between people to come stand at G'raha's side and announced his presence by saying:]

Did you know? They gave this venerable one a medal for his help in destroying the corrupt paladin's improper prison and court.

[afflatusexarch]

[ G'raha almost startles when he feels someone else appear at his side. Upon seeing who it is, G'raha relaxes and hums. He's still not feeling very great about all of this but - ]

I was not aware, no. If that is the case, then I should extend my thanks and gratitude towards you.

[ He looks up at Daqiang. Attempts a frail smile before his gaze returns to the voting box. ]

Were it not for some Paladins I have become acquainted with, I might not have escaped this Paladin's designs.

[yuezun]

You were captured?

[Even more reason to see the paladin executed.]

Who rescued you?

[afflatusexarch]

Aye, though I assure you that I truly wasn't doing anything that would merit such a thing. It came as a surprise, hence why I didn't fight back.

[ G'raha can't think of a reason why execution is on the table, Daqiang! ]

Dion and Xenk.

[yuezun]

This venerable one is aware that those who were victims of the paladin were not necessarily guilty of any crimes that warranted such punishment.

[The guy was looking to play judge, jury, and executioner and likely had already, before this specific incident. Seeing as how he was so bold as to do so much, so openly. More over, doing so at all violated the oath the man had made to his armada. He betrayed them. Betrayal was the worst crime one could commit in Canyanhai.

And now, he had also sought to harm one of Dongfang Qingcang's people. Even if he had agreed to Xenk's plea that the paladins should handle the judgement of one of their own, he was still going to get his own vote in.]

It is why his own should be as equally as harsh as that which he intended to bring upon those who were innocent.

[afflatusexarch]

I may slip into the archives now and then, under an invisibility spell. Though yes. The Paladin was very adamant about punishing Corsairs simply because they were Corsairs. Little reason needed at all. Guilty by association, perhaps.

[ People have their reasons for doing things, G'raha believes. Not that it makes it excusable, in some cases. However, if there is reason? Reason can be argued with. Logic might able to be applied. Radical fanaticism, on the other hand? Not so much. So which is it in this case... ]

Hardly surprising that this would be your approach. Execution means that this person will not ever be able to see the error of their ways. Death, at times, is no deterrent or punishment at all.

[yuezun]

He is already unable to see the error of his ways. Death provides not a lesson for the one killed, but satisfaction and the knowledge that the one who targeted them is no longer capable of doing so be it now, or in the future, to those who were his victims.

There are those who were not so lucky as to be rescued unscathed.

mish is bullying me

[afflatusexarch]

[ The hot springs are delightful, no one can say otherwise. The temperature is good. Heat sinks into muscle and bone, creating quite the atmosphere. It's no wonder that it's easy for things to continue to get just the slightest bit heated. Raha is playful when he wants to be and sometimes meeting things head on instead of taking a moment to stop and think about what he is doing or saying. The Miqo'te is just that earnest.

That is why he is in the other man's lap. It is why hands are on the other's chest as Raha continues to kiss Zack. Even his tail is now swinging back and forth in the water - slowly, but it still is.

Of course he is also a little more than excited and Zack might be able to tell that sooner or later. Maybe it is a little but of a surprise, but Raha had expressed that he is willing. He knows what Zack wants and, quite frankly, the Miqo'te is quite certain that this desire is mutual. And now that some things have been gotten out of the way? Well...

Maybe it is getting steamier than intended. But Zack is right there. ]

here's my permit to do what i want

[activatingcombatmode]

[But G'raha is right there. How can he keep his hands to himself when he's got a willing catboy in his lap, wiggling and kissing and touching his chest? Zack is already feeling himself get hotter, the arousal and desire rushing through him like water breaking through a damn. He won't deny it, he's been wanting G'raha for a while now.

The setting is nice, though. They don't have to do anything too crazy. But the touch, the quiet rush of heat, the steam... It's all very nice. He wants to touch G'raha. As a treat.

He hums appreciatively as G'raha explores his chest again. He very gratefully tastes G'raha's mouth with a lick at his lips. And Zack's hands wander down from G'raha's hips to slide over the taut muscles of his thighs. G'raha is slim, lean, lithe... But he's not skinny either. The smooth skin and muscles feel nice under his fingertips. And the heat and swish of the hot spring water just makes it that much easier.]

do you think you can get away with it just because you are cute?

[afflatusexarch]

[ Now Raha wouldn't say that he is wiggling around. Touching and kissing though? Yes. Very much so. Really it is hard to not continue to do so, knowing that Zack is feeling rather appreciative. Now it is difficult to tell how much, exactly, their body temperature is rising. Is it the water? Is it each other?

This is quite the set up all the same. A good atmosphere as Raha continues to explore the contours that he's only ever looked at here and there. He has been curious what those muscles must feel like, especially now that fabric isn't in the way. Time to discover what areas have a little more give than others. What areas are sensitive...

Honestly this is pretty amazing for G'raha too, just the touching. Feeling hands roam his hips down to his thighs. To be able to take in the sensations... G'raha's ears twitch and there's a shudder, sinking further into the other man. His tongue meets Zack's, encouraging but also wanting. A treat indeed. ]

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack will continue to take his time kissing G'raha. Slow and deliberate, exploring his mouth with a soft slide and the occasional sigh. There's something about the hot steamy heat and water that makes him feel almost lazy about it. But it makes this slow and easy. He can take his time.

Even if this is painfully hot. He can't help but flex a pectoral muscle or a bicep here and there when G'raha touches. Because he wants to show off just a little bit to G'raha. Be just as attractive to the redhead as Zack is attracted to him right now. The bite mark on his nipple may be healed by now but it might be slightly sensitive to the touch. And he'll like it when G'raha racks those nails over his skin too if he ends up doing that.

All the while Zack's hands continue to roam down G'raha's thighs. He takes the time to squeeze them, feeling the deft muscles under his hands. Hell, if he could squeeze G'raha's hips in his hands and the part his ass and... Whoa. Slow down. Slowly. He inches his hands back up G'raha's thighs.]

[afflatusexarch]

[ Time, yes. They have time, here. Plenty of time. There is no need to rush anything, even if the build up has been there, electric charges between them, for quite some time. The warmth of the water really seems to only encourage it, yes. Raha doesn't mind the languid, slow way that Zack seems to move, with far more purpose than Raha knows what to do with. It's insanely attractive, and something of a turn on to Raha, to have Zack quite literally mapping out his mouth. At the moment, the Miqo'te yields to the way that Zack seems to seek out every nook and cranny. Raha feels light headed and giddy, at some points providing token resistance, just to be a brat, with his own tongue to make it more difficult for Zack to get exactly what he wants.

The twitching of muscles do draw his attention - or his hands. If he learns later that this had been deliberate, he will be laughing. To think that Zack would feel the need to show off - there's no need. Raha is already almost stupidly attracted to this man in both body and spirit, really. And knowing how sensitive that mark is? Of course Raha is going to keep going back to it, tracing the pattern with nails that he has been neglecting to trim for some time. Though the touch begins to wander lower. Ribs. Sides. Waist and lower back. Raha seems to be quite attached to Zack's physique, thank you kindly.

Of course Zack's own roaming hands has Raha's breath catching. Ears wiggling and his fur standing on end. With Zack's exploration and squeezing, the Miqo'te can only squeeze Zack with them in response.

Augh. How can he POSSIBLY be expected to BEHAVE himself!? ]

[activatingcombatmode]

[G'raha is such a brat sometimes. Zack will chase his lips when he doesn't let Zack kiss him breathlessly. He'll try to tug him back in again if he tries to not let Zack have what he wants exactly. It'll leave them with short chuckles and puffs of laughter between them, his lungs feeling airy because of it. Zack's lips quirk into another smile as they kiss.

But then when he feels the sharpish nail against his skin he will feel a shudder go through him. It makes him shudder, arousal making him twitch. He can tell G'raha is enjoying the exploration and that's enough to turn him on even more. Listen, he likes it when his body can give a good show to his partner, alright!!

He'll take G'raha's squeeze as a sign to keep going, at least. He'll slide one hand up and he'll very carefully take G'raha's arousal in hand. Giving in a test stroke up and down in the hot water to see if that's allowed. He'll give G'raha a chance to say no thanks, of course. But... Jerking the other off in a hot spring is hot.]

[afflatusexarch]

[ Well no one should ever believe that G'raha is capable of being timid for overly long. It's just not in him to be that way. Oops? Well whatever. Zack doesn't seem to be less interested in the Miqo'te for it and that is all that matters. Raha will instead murmur little taunts against Zack's lips, all impish grins of delight. Shared chuckles before lips find lips again with a prolonged sigh, as though he is willing his entire body to sink into Zack.

Maybe they can just agree that they are aroused by one another. That seems to be quite easy to admit at this point. Feeling Zack shudder and groan feels good. And Raha focuses in on it, like a cat that has found its prey, dragging nails up Zack's lower to mid back. Then forward across ribs upwards along Zack's chest.

Raha seems to be enjoying the reactions, the effect that he has on the other man. And then he feels Zack's hand wrap around him. It comes with a startled sound, Raha's kiss stopping as he just closes his eyes and leans against Zack. Exhale a shaky, stuttering thing.

He's not going to say no. It just takes him by surprise. ]

[activatingcombatmode]

[It's amazing just how quickly G'raha riles Zack up too. All the little taunts and playful impish grins and scratches have Zack grinning wider. It honestly makes Zack want to grip his hips and take him right then and there. A pleasant heat washes over him as they lavish each other with bits of affection. G'raha really drives him crazy. This cat is really wrapping Zack around his finger.

That's why he has to do at least a little something to be a tad more dominate. The way Zack's lips part and he opens his eyes to watch G'raha react to him touching him. He watches with a heat in his eyes, enjoying how G'raha leans against him and stutters.]

Feels good, doesn't it. With the hot water and all. [Zack chirps happily, his lips coming to brush G'raha's brow.] Hold on to me. Let me touch you.

[He'll slowly pump G'raha dick up and down...]