Cornaith Iliven

They were playing a dangerous game. A game he was more than willing to lose just to let her have a taste of the sort of win she’d seem to desire. As her touch slipped from his jaw to his collarbone entrancing him to tilt his skull all the more further, pushing his shoulders back and lilting his chin slightly more outward. He’d be left utterly shaking in restraint by this dangerously feline predator. She spoke nothing of truth regarding this game, he’d make sure to win her heart by any means necessary. He’s flicked an aud at the sound of his nickname spilling from her sensual lips, intrigue peeking his mask, as he’d begin biting his lip. At the touch of her lips against his ear he’d emit a hiss and guttural growl once more.

Oh Gods, she was pushing him. Perhaps, testing how well he could restrain himself from immediately picking her up and whisking her off, if only for a moment to show her truly how deeply he had managed to keep his true feelings for her hidden. She was a living flame burning him from the inside out. He’d likely begun almost panting beside her were he not as well aware of himself. She was his undoing and he’d undo all of himself if only to claim her solely as his. It was then that he came to the realization that perhaps she was inviting him to do such a thing. Everyone was likely to be so busy gossiping about the event that had just occurred no one would notice Naith whisk some female off into the night. His body had ensured no one would be able to decipher who had preoccupied him at this time so why not. If extravagant is what she desired, an extravagant and galiant male is who he’d become for her.

Upon her sultry touch bringing herself closer to him, an arm hooking onto his shoulder. Was she truly asking to be whisked away. He had made note of where Cyrus had wandered off to and trusted Koa enough not to assume the worst if he’d managed to lurk nearby, Elariel had likely been preoccupied with Althea that none from their elite circle should truly care if he stole their lieutenant, if only for a moment. That is, if any of them had taken note of where she was. He’d bury his face within her neck and press a soft kiss upon it, ever so gently scrolling his own tongue up towards her ear, pausing.

“Why wait.” He’d hum, smirking as smug as a cat.

He would begin to move with great speed, wrapping his right arm around her waist and sliding the left just beneath her knees. He would slide his strong hips from the rock he sat on in front of the table and pull the damsel close to his chest. Gazing down at her for a brief moment endearingly, he’d supply a smirk, before sprinting off into the forest.

Everyone knew of the natural spring and falls that remained close to camp. He would hope his bold and hasty maneuver would not be taken as one with ill intentions. While he was more excited than usual, he could contain it, so as not to resort to more barbaric mannerisms of the tribe's immensely distant past. He wanted to take her to the falls. Away from her responsibilities for just the slightest moment. She likely hadn’t been able to even leave camp having been placed as the stand-in chief. He could only imagine how suffocating it would feel to merely direct orders as opposed to being able to direct them and pursue them for yourself as she had done as lieutenant.

Upon their arrival at the falls, he’d begin to briskly walk closer to the freshwaters, the moonlight’s shine reflecting against it. His heart had only hastened slightly at the exercise and his breath only the slightest bit winded from the run. He would stop at its very edge, careful to set the female down ever so gently. He’d extend a hand, bowing at the waist before her, offering her to join him and claim a seat.

"Now, I hope you did not anticipate me to do anything without your consent this evening, as I am not that type of male," he'd begin, body still bowed in respect, "I presumed that perhaps it had been a while since you were last able to leave the grounds and I figured why not just take this moment to do just that. The tribe is safe, having fun. I would like to give you this moment to reflect on how great of a leader you have been for the tribe, given the circumstances of everything that's happened." He'd finish, firmly, setting all flattery aside.

Catori Thirle | Stand-In Chief | Mentions:

Cornaith (Dir.) Elders, Koa, Elariel, Apprentices (Indir.)

Catori’s eyes watched his ear twitch at the contact, a small smirk pulling itself onto her lips in satisfaction. Although she had not been one to closely watch Cornaith in his amorous adventures, she could not particularly recall an instance where he had allowed his partner to take such control of their interaction. Perhaps he did it often behind closed doors, he may still be toying with her like a cat with a mouse, gleaning that instead of his usual treatment he would need to twist his words differently to appease her. Her trust in her clan mates batted away the thought, she would not be one to assume such things if they were not explicitly said to her.

Her breathing stopped abruptly at the feeling of his lips on her neck, shoulders tensing before she would allow them to relax once more. Releasing a long breath from her nose as the cold air met the wet trail left behind by Cornaith’s tongue. Enamoured, Catori’s body only leaned closer to his, briefly forgetting her game plan. Perhaps one night would not cause problems, but she knew the warmth in her blood was not only from Cornaith but from the wine. Could she trust her actions to be wholly her own at this moment? She had not consumed much, but enough to skew her judgement.

Two simple words that flowed into her ear made her eyes open properly, flicking to steal a glance in his direction. Barely managing to see his smirk before he had lifted her against his chest in a swift movement. Instinctively, her hands tightened their hold, the one near his neck shifting to grip around the back of his neck. Her eyes wide as she caught a vision of the clearing before he turned them away from the bright fires. For a second, her heart lurched in panic. What if their companions saw them? Oh Gods, what would they say when they returned or even tomorrow? Would she get an earful from the Elders? Worry etched into her sharp features as she tried to justify each question. Even as the light of the clearing dulled, Cornaith’s body pressed tightly against hers, Catori couldn’t help but wonder if those nearby had noted their disappearance. Particularly Koa, as she had not exactly dismissed him before she took a seat beside Cornaith.

As Cornaith slowed, the woman fought off her worrisome thoughts and tried to clear her face of any evidence. Now that they were away from the fires, the air was cooler and the tantalising warmth of the man holding her was all the more inviting. She carefully placed her feet onto the floor, balancing on the balls of her feet first before she turned to look at Cornaith watching his torso bend at the waist. With a cocked eyebrow she listened to his voice, the fiery desire quelled and replaced by respectful admiration.

Catori’s face switched from vague amusement to a flicker of something else, her eyebrows pushed together ever so slightly. If she had not schooled herself in the emotional department, then she may have bleated out a small sad sound. Instead, she placed her hand gently into his before guiding them both to the edge of the water. Momentarily looking down into the softly rippling clear liquid, seeing herself in the reflection. She bit the inside of her cheek, a small falter in her confidence.

Settling on the water’s edge, she let her bare feet dip into the crisp cold, parting her lips in a pleased sigh. She cast a glance towards Cornaith as he took up post beside her, a friendly smile on her lips.

“Thank you, sometimes I think the Elders made a mistake in not appointing someone else to my position after the loss of our leaders. Elariel should have been chosen.” Catori confessed, a little surprised at how easily the words had slipped from her lips. Her voice quiet, subdued. A very rare tone for her to use, a stark contract to the bubbly teasing or authorative one she usually commanded. Her eyes returned to the water, determined to not dash all authority she possessed.

“The older warriors are correct, I’m a child in comparison to their experience.” She shook her head and lifted a hand to push her hair back out of her face, letting it fall loosely beside her temples. Her face contorted into exhaustion, letting her guard down for the few moments it took for her to reveal her thoughts to the man beside her.

“Enough whining from me. I am privileged to be in my position. Thank you for your loyalty towards me, Cornaith.” Catori tilted her head to look up at him, he looked different in the cool light. Arguably, better looking as the blue light from the moon complimented his pale features beautifully. The light from behind him creating a soft angelic ring around his form.

In typical Catori fashion, she did not want to dwell on her unfortunate circumstances. Not that of her exhaustion, nor her misfortune with familial death, and especially not her raging imposter syndrome. She let her smile advance to something sharper, clearly concocting a teasing thought behind her eyes that luminesced in the moonlight.

"It is bold of you to pronounce me a Goddess on tonight of all nights, when our ancestors and Gods look down upon us. You are asking for trouble." Catori purred out the last word, allowing every meaning of the word possible to be implied. Encouraging not only herself, but Cornaith to drift past her earlier confession, hoping that it would be forgotten in the morning.

Akith’ki Terosh | Apprentice | Mentions:

Sarolta (Dir.) Kethryll’ia, Elders (Indir.)

Purple eyes blinked suddenly as a cup was shoved into his hand, almost dropping the thing immediately as his form was tugged down roughly into a chair beside the female. His face winced as he tried to keep the liquid in the cup, mostly succeeding. Obediently, he raised the cup to his lips and drew in a large gulp of the ale. Not his taste, but he would drink it if he needed. Akith’ki was focused on downing the beverage, so that when her voice flowed into his ears, he choked a little. Dipping the cup from his mouth to raise his hand, coughing quietly to recover.

His head turned to look down at her, eyes slightly wide as they always were when he looked directly at Sarolta. Her words were sweet but those eyes portrayed the cunning creature behind them, still he couldn’t help the small flicker of warmth it brought to his chest. She was amused by his dancing failure, the mere fact that she had seen him stumble around like a newly born fawn drew an embarrassed pink to the tips of his ears.

“It is not like I could have said no.” His voice heavy with gravel, eyes drifting away from her briefly to look back towards where Kethryll’ia stood, eyebrows scrunching the smallest amount. “To deny the heir a dance he requested would simply be rude.” His attempt at justification was in stark contrast to the flurry of emotions he had actually felt, the closeness that brought his skin to simmer with heat. A soft swallow as he continued, eyes dipping to see her hand graze him. Sparking a tingling sensation where she had grazed his skin so carefully, nonchalantly, but she knew what she did to him. The smallest of sounds came from his throat, something like a growl but drowned out quickly.

“Perhaps he only wanted a companion for the night. Many do at these events.” Akith’ki provided what he thought to be a convincing answer, dragging his purple-yellow eyes back to Sarolta, catching the glint of irritation. Had he done something to upset her? Gods, he hoped not. The man quickly drew his cup to his lips and gulped down another mouthful, he needed the liquid confidence to get through this interaction.

Her gaze was electrifying, buzzing through his body, a mixture of anticipation and awe towards her mingling with his ale was sure to be a mind blurring experience. Akith saw the twitch of her ears as she flicked a hand out towards the Elders, her distaste clear in that single movement alone.

“I think that they understand more about the dreams than they are telling us.” He kept his words analytical, but his muscles were tensed in preparation to leap to whatever the woman requested from him. “Besides,” A long drag of ale. “Imminent death in the trials is not anything new. It only means that the probability of our deaths is increased, however I believe that you and I along with some others will remain alive. As for some others…” Akith’ki trailed off as he realised what he was about to say, the taste of the words in his mouth disgusting him a little. He wanted to make it sound better than what he had meant. “O-Others may have a harder time.” It wasn’t a great correction, but it was an improvement on the fact he thought certain apprentices would die quickly.

Akith’ki’s nose scrunched up a little, still upset about his own words. The cup was raised once more to his lips and he swallowed down the remaining liquid sharply, lowering the cup to his lap.

“You think it’s just bravado, don’t you?” For a moment, he held her gaze strongly, a glimmer of confidence in his assumption. “It is all for show, a dramatic attempt to renew faith in the Elders and their mystical abilities.” Akith’ki’s lips split in a drawn out sigh, letting his attention drift towards where the Elders stood, a thoughtful look to his expression. In truth, he did not know what the Elders were aiming to achieve by their announcement, it could be as blatantly obvious as they wanted to share the news. Then again, it could be a small act of manipulation to keep their authoritative hold on the tribe – something he suspected Sarolta was growling about.

Cornaith Iliven

At the sound of her short laugh, the male would smile. Whether or not she actually believed his comment regarding being portrayed as a womanizer didn’t truly matter to him. He’d make a promise to himself to change the minds of others, how successful it would be, only time would tell.

“I think I will be seeking you out after tonight to take you up on that offer.”

“Very well. I will make sure to linger close by then.” He would purr.

At the sound of her soft gasp at his touch, the excitement coursing through him truly pained a certain member of his. He’d emit a soft growl in response smirking as smug as a cat. She’d been patient allowing the small feathering movement at her neck to please whatever appetite she’d developed for him as well. What he hadn’t entirely anticipated was for her to take charge once more. Upon her cool face meeting the warmth of his he’d nearly graze his own lips against hers as she soon wrapped her legs against his hips pinning him beneath her. He’d offer a grated laugh, bringing himself to melt into her tender embrace at his neck. He’d supply a gentle grunt of pleasure allowing his gaze to now peer up at her perched above him. At the touch of her palm against his chest he’d allow the chill that’d begun to grace his spine to run its course through him.

“I like the way my name sounds on your lips, Naith.”

At the sound of his name purred from her delectable lips, he’d permit a louder growl to escape him, smirk staining his face. She was driving him utterly insane. He was a burning flame before her. As she’d begun arching her back so that her own torso met with his, he’d draw a powerful arm to luxuriously glide along her curved spine from the base of her neck to the area that had arched for him ever so tastefully drawing little circles with a single finger.

"I hope to hear it play on your lips often."

As the female before him withdrew her hand from his chest branding it with his paint, to now stroke it upon his lower lip ever so slowly. He’d allow the female to do whatever she wished with him, if she were to have shoved that pretty thumb of her into his mouth he would allow it. He was utterly at her will. He’d shudder, soon melting into her grasp.

“Anything you desire, Catori, I shall supply it tenfold.” He’d purr, once more.

He male had been bold all evening with the lieutenant which seemed to pay off. What was one more bold move.

He’d allow himself to study the vixen before him taking in such a magnificent sight. If only, she could see herself atop of him, towering above him, as such a mighty and fierce woman would all that doubt she’d expressed earlier be proven wholly wrong.

He would allow the tantalizing circles he’d been tracing along her lower back to seize. Instead, he would firmly wrap it along her waist, bringing his other hand that held him upright, to curl itself at the back of her skull taking in a handful of hair, soon flipping the female onto her back so that he may now hover overtop. He’d hesitated to perform the maneuver earlier but as she’d claimed him beneath her, he’d finally deemed it acceptable, perhaps precisely what she wanted. He would slip his grasp from her waist, bringing his hand to stroke its side teasingly. He’d ever so gently release his grasp of her skull as well, aiming to rest his elbows beside her shoulders, planking atop of her for a moment before bringing his own knees to rest beside her hips. His face was mere a breath away from hers, though he had brought it slightly lower so as to bring his burning gaze to peer up toward her. He’d bring himself to tilt his skull scrolling his tongue against her neck once more, returning his face to meet hers.

“Tell me Catori, what would you like me to do now.” He’d state, deep vocals rumbling like thunder within his throat and chest.

He would bring his own thumb to now trace her bottom lip. Gaze slipping from her lips to her eyes once more.

Catori Thirle | Stand-In Chief | Mentions:

Cornaith (Dir.)

The flash of surprise that washed over Cornaith’s lovely features were enough encouragement for Catori to continue her current bravery further. With the absence of the tribe surrounding her, finally not every thought was about them. What they would think, or other things she was supposed to be doing. Catori was simply a young female in the moonlit clearing, enjoying the effect she held over a male.

She had most certainly not missed the ghosting of his lips towards her own as soon as she had changed their position. There was a thin veil of control left over him, whether or not she was going to break it would be up to fate she supposed. Laughter that followed his brief surprise pleased her ears very much, only encouraging the smile on her lips to remain roguish.

At the fleeting touch he brought to her spine, she barely resisted the urge to close her eyes and arch into the sensation. Instead she made a point to hold his gaze, offering the smallest dip of her torso towards his.

Cornaith’s promise to raise her tenfold drew a rumble from her throat. She could understand why females flocked to him, vying for his attention. Yet, she never understood why they simply did not approach themselves, instead of waiting or rather forcing Cornaith’s hand. Clearly, boldness was his thing. Catori’s attention had been drawn to the delicate swirling movements at the small of her back, the tiny shift in his expression as he decided his next move went unseen. As his arm burned against her skin, holding her tightly, her eyes would widen as she put the pieces together. By the time his hand was at the back of her head, fingers curling into the red hair, the female had no option other than to let herself be flipped onto her back.

A breezing of breath escaped her as the cool blades of grass brushed up against her shoulders, she felt the smallest protest from her knee and quickly ignored it, not an uncommon occurrence. Her eyes had closed momentarily in the transition and when she opened them, his strikingly beautiful face hovered a hair-length from her own. A lick of shock flashed across her before a deep satisfaction flooded her form, another rumble dragged from her throat as he dipped his head to slide his tongue along her neck again. Had he sunk his teeth into the flesh, she would have melted into the earth below her.

It was his words that drew her focus away from fantasy, clouded eyes flicking to study his own as his pale ones remained lowered. The pad of his thumb drew across her lip, pulling it downwards slightly. The second his eyes met hers once more, she parted her lips and secured his thumb gently between her teeth. Careful not to catch him with her sharp canines, she held him there for a long second before smoothly letting him free. Curiosity fluttered in her gaze, weighing up all the things in the world she could ask him to do.

As she decided, her hands drew back up to meet his warmth, the idea that his body paint was only continuing to smear against her as evidence of their interactions a far away thought. One hand curled gently around his bicep that had situated itself right beside her head, pushing slightly against the fibres of strong muscle. The other lifted up, a feathery touch at his neck before she held the base with such lightness, it was barely making contact with the softer flesh. She had little to ask of him, he had already supplied her with what she had desired. Perhaps there was a deeper meaning behind her actions, but at the moment she refused to acknowledge them.

“Distract me, Cornaith.” Her ears angled back slightly as she spoke, peering up at him from her now vulnerable position. Knowing for well, that she had no chance of slipping out from his grasp now, of course he would allow her to if she truly wanted, ever the gentleman. “I only want to think of you.” There was a hint of breathlessness to her words as her ribcage rose and lowered with a minutely increased pace. Her voice saccharine, dripping with the same fervour Cornaith had let taint his voice.

She knew she must return to formalities and duties soon, but this brief stint of freedom made something within her purr with pleasure. Why should she give up fun? Other’s did not. Perhaps it was the wine, or the spices supposedly sprinkled into it talking, but whatever it was, Catori would oblige its burning desires.

Cyrus Terosh | Warrior | Mentions:

Ravae (Dir.) Catori, Elders (Indir.)

The cold water stung the cut, lingering pain that still hummed through his nerves after he had finished cleaning the cut. He lifted it to his eyes to see the damage properly, some of the fresh blood was blending with the water, diluting along the small streams of water down his arm and dripping to the ground.

Cyrus’s shoulders tensed as he heard footsteps approaching him, ears flicking back to get a better listen of the weight behind them. Light, likely not a warrior…then again it could be Catori trailing him to scold him for his outburst. The man did not turn around, instead he used his opposite hand to press together the seams of his wound. It was superficial and would heal overnight, scabbing would only take an hour or so. Using a washcloth that hung from one of the pots, he patted dry the area before returning to applying the pressure to resolve the seeping blood.

The cough to call his attention made his left ear snap down briefly, a sharp sound in the quiet. Did this person think him deaf? Cyrus twisted his neck to look over his well-muscled shoulder, seeing the image of a woman. Stammering as she tried to converse with him. Cyrus’s eyes were cold and narrowed, a stoic expression slapped onto his features as he turned his body to face her.

“I do not need anything.” His voice was sharp and quick. “My mate taught me enough to not require an inadequate healer’s help.” Cyrus refused to accept that the woman before him were to be the one to replace his wife, the very idea of it was insulting to her memory.

He had known of Ravae from murmuring of conversation, that she would space out and miss whole conversations she was originally participating in. After hearing the talk, Cyrus had watched her whenever they were in proximity and only had the rumours confirmed. The idea that Ravae would be the one to replace his beautifully intelligent wife was a cruel joke from the Gods, a punishment. His lip began to curl at the thought, ears still pinned backwards despite turning around to face Ravae.

“How do you plan to replace my wife? You have not trained under a shaman, you do not pay attention when others talk, you stammer like a confused child.” Cyrus’s tone divulged into a harsher growl towards his last words. The annoyance blazed in his amber eyes as they bore down on the female, waiting for her justification. She must have requested it. The Elders were desperate to fill in the role, Ravae must have asked for it. She wanted the status, to climb up from being an unknown gatherer.