This story is going to shift focus from Falchion and Tianna regularly, focusing on other character just as much as on them… This chapter is going to center around Katlabar and what shenanigans he gets himself into when his natural curiosity gets to him… Enjoy, everybody!
Chapter 3: Unaligned Decisions; Unforeseen Consequences. Begin.
As the others all found a place to pass the time, Katlabar was not having quite as much luck; his curiosity proved too great to allow him to find a place to satiate his wonder and he instead just walked about the city, gazing at its sights and shops, people and locations, and its attractions and wares. He was so overwhelmed by his own desire to learn that he didn't realize that he was being pickpocketed by a young elven girl. After some time, as the girl grew too greedy for her own good, Katlabar realized that his coin purse was growing lighter; however, to the dismay of the unsuspecting girl, he did not turn around. He instead jumped up into the air and landed directly behind her, grabbing her by the arms and smacking her on the back of the head to knock her unconscious. He picked her up and carried her away in his arms. "Citizens, there is nothing to worry about! My friend here just fainted from the heat, I will see to it that she gets the best medical treatment possible!" he said in as much of a flamboyant manner as possible as to avert suspicions; it worked and he was allowed to leave the sight of the public without any incidents. He carried her off into an alleyway and began to inspect her things and removed her facemask to inspect her face better. She was beautiful beyond description and her body seemed more curvaceous than a usual Elf's would, she wore a long, flowing robe that fit her form very loosely. As he searched her things, he found the money that she'd stole and replaced it in his coin purse, faceting the purse to the inside of his armor as to prevent similar happenings. As he rifled through her things, he discovered a small plant that was perfectly preserved with a spell and placed within what could have been described as a snow globe. It was a single, sickly tree sprout that was preserved at the last moments of life. Katlabar felt an immense sorrow overtake him as he just observed the small plant and occasionally looked back to the girl. He soon refocused on the plant and felt warm tears fill his eyes at the sight of the suspended piece of nature; rapidly losing focus on the girl in the corner of his eye as she spurred to consciousness. She panicked and grabbed the plant from his hands and began to cradle it in her arms. She rocked back and forth as she held it close to her, tears streaming down her face and onto the globe, causing the plant to glow slightly. Katlabar noticed this and almost fell to the ground in tears as well at the realization that he'd determined; this girl was no Elf - she was a Nymph, and the plant in her arms was the last piece of her forest sanctuary that survived. Without either of them realizing it fully, Katlabar had pulled the Nymph girl into his arms and began holding her softly as she cried. Moments passed as they slowly came to the realization that they were holding each other tightly but the desire to escape each other's arms never manifested into actions as they just locked eyes and their tears melted away. The girl now got a better look at the man that had captured her and realized that he was a Fey as well, a feeling that soothed her slightly; and Katlabar saw the small comfort in her eyes and decided to gently release her from his grasp. The two separated from their somewhat accidental embrace and now just stared at one another, thinking to themselves. 'I can't just leave her here… A plant that close to death cannot survive forever, even if it is preserved…' Katlabar thought to himself as he stared into her large, glowing eyes. 'Who is this man and why is he being so strange towards my after I stole all his money?' The girl thought, her eyes meeting his.
"I apologize for not saying this sooner, but I am Katlabar. I am a Killoran and I would like to help you to take care of that plant you have there…" he said in a soft voice, holding his hand out to her. The girl took his presented hand and nodded, beginning to speak in turn.
"I-I'm… Nesati…" she replied, her eyes glowing a soft orange in the light that now reflected from them.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Nesati… I look forward to working with you… By the way… Do you have any money of your own?" Katlabar asked, his forest green eyes locking to hers. She shook her head gingerly, her eyes growing sad. "Well here…" he continued, handing her a platinum bar. Her eyes grew wide with amazement as she slowly reached out for the piece of metal, expecting him to lurch it out of her reach just as she tried to grasp at it. Her hands slid to it and pulled it from his hands softly; she then ripped it away when it was out of his hands and put it away greedily.
"Th-thank you…" she said with a blush, her eyes escaping his as she began to focus on the plant in her arms.
"Come with me… Let's go find someone to treat that plant for you…" Katlabar said in an even softer voice, calling her attention to his hand as he gestured it to her to take and lift herself up with. She accepted and allowed him to pull her to her feet, almost falling to the ground again out of weakness. "Oh! A-Are you hungry? Or is that because of the tree?" he asked, catching her as she stumbled into his arms. Nesati nodded and her stomach growled loudly, causing her blush to intensify greatly. "Well… Don't you worry… We're going to swing by the Mage's Guild and get that plant fixed up and then get you some nice, hot stew…" he said with a happy voice, smiling down at her. She grinned softly and allowed him to lead her through the streets to the Mage's Guild Building.
It took several minutes of walking, but they both arrived without raising suspicions or even attracting attention of any kind, no one was particularly interested in either of them. They opened the door to the large, palace-like structure and walked in, ignoring the menacingly tall and powerful looking stone gargoyles and motionless constructs. They walked up to the clerk and began to try to get his attention.
"Excuse me, sir?" Katlabar asked in his most polite voice. The old man behind the desk looked up from his work and noticed them immediately, smiling softly at the girl and slowly turning his gaze to Katlabar.
"Yes? How may I help you?" the old man's shrill voice resounded, echoing through the halls with its potent squeak. Katlabar looked to Nesati and gestured for her to show the man the preserved plant.
"My friend here is looking to make this plant healthy again… Can you do that? And please be careful with this plant… If it dies… so will she…"
"Ah! A nymph! It's been ages since the last time I'd seen one of you and been able to see afterward… You must be very weak to not be able to blind others with your beauty… And I can assure the both of you; no harm will come to the sprout while it is in my care… Now, young lady, please come with me…" he said in a kind voice, reaching out to the plant slowly. Nesati followed him wearily, holding onto Katlabar's hand gingerly as they were led through the guild hall and into the man's study. He led them into the center of the room and positioned Nesati in a large circle that was adorned with flowers and candles with incents burning in them. She began to feel faint and kneeled down on the floor, putting down the plant and closing her eyes before drifting off to sleep.
"Now that the young fey girl is asleep, please retrieve the plant for me…" the man said in a patient voice. Katlabar did as the man asked, reaching into the circle and grabbing the plant gently and handing it to him. The mage placed his hands on the ball of magic that encased the sprout, causing it to decay away; Nesati began to moan in pain as the plant began to wilt. This was short lived, however, as the mage began to chant and the plant started to glow and become green again. Without removing his left hand from the threatened plant, he reached down and wiped up one of the girl's tears that had slipped from her eye and dripped it onto the plant. The glow faded away and the plant grew a solid inch and all of its leaves grew back and it stood straight up; it was now completely healthy.
"This restoration will only cost 400 gold… If you would like me to make this plant unable to be killed, that will cost 50,000 gold, but the effects will be permanent…" the mage said softly. Katlabar nodded and pulled out 25 platinum bars and 40 platinum pieces, handing them all to the mage. The man said nothing but began to hum softly, touching the plant once again; the plant began to glow a soft green that didn't fade away when the man's hands left the plant's stalk. He then put the plant in Nesati's hands and stepped away. She began to emit a bright blue and orange mist that trailed around the green aura of the plant and engulfed her. She writhed about the floor for several moments before settling back down and opening her eyes weakly, looking around. She set her eyes on Katlabar and smiled at him as she reached out to him with her hand. He gently grasped it and she closed her eyes again, returning to sleep.
"Please, Killoran… Follow me to the foyer and allow her to rest for a while… she needs to readjust to the new power of the plant…" the old mage said in a quiet voice, leading him out of the room. "I believe that you will be pleased to know that she is now immortal… As long as that plant remains, she cannot die… The only thing that could kill her now would be a Wish…" he said with a grin, leading him into the new room. Katlabar grinned and shed a tear. "I am aware of your connection to nature, but do you care for this girl?"
Katlabar was surprised by his question; almost as surprised as he was when he could not find an answer to said question. He sat quietly, contemplating his answer for several moments but none came.
"I can tell that there are the seeds of love within you…" the old man said quietly. Katlabar just looked at him and blinked several times when a loud voice echoed from behind the door that led to the study.
"Kaaaat!" Nesati shouted like a small child, her voice impatient and full of innocence.
Katlabar smirked and felt a small amount of impatience well up within him at the way the young Nymph called out to him as though he were a trained dog.
"Excuse me a moment…" he said with a strained voice. He then got up from his reclined position against the wall and walked to the door, closing it behind him. "Shut! Up! You're! Supposed! To! Be! Sleeping!" his voice echoed from behind the door.
Several murmurs could be heard from the room as Nesati began to reason with him to calm him down. He and Nesati then walked out of the room, Nesati holding to his shoulder as he led her out.
"Have a good evening, you two!" the mage hollered to them as they took their leave. The pair then exited the doors and the doors closed behind them on their own.
"Hey, K… Can we go get something to eat now?" Nesati asked with innocent, pouting eyes. Katlabar smiled gently at her and nodded, leading her to a nice restaurant for dinner. The two sat down and were served rather quickly as many were intrigued by Nesati's enchanting beauty. She inhaled her meal ravenously and in less than five minutes was asking if Katlabar would pay for her to have seconds.
"You just eat until you're full…" he replied in a kind voce, she smiled at him and called for their waitress to return.
"I would like some of the Vegetable Stew! With extra potatoes!" she said enthusiastically, her voice growing very melodic and happy. She was served in less than five minutes and she scarfed down the thick, tasty stew in even less time. She let out a contented sigh and leaned back in her seat, rubbing her stomach and closing her eyes. With that, Katlabar asked the waitress back to the table and asked for something for the road and for the bill. He paid her and tipped her as well, leaving the restaurant. Nesati held softly to Katlabar's arm as they walked through the nearly baron streets of late afternoon.
"I'm going find an inn for the night… You're welcome to join me in an adjoining room if you'd like…" he said in a soft voice. She looked up at him and smiled, her almond shaped eye shimmering in the last moments of sunlight. He nodded and walked with her to a nice inn and got the two of them a set of adjoining rooms for the night. He showed her to her room and took his; beginning his ritual of getting ready for bed. He turned out the lights and settled into his bed for the night.
Two hours later…
A creaking almost awakened Katlabar but he thought nothing of it at the time, his eyes closing again after opening only several seconds to a haze of darkness that even he could not see through. Warmth settled along the length of his body and soothed him almost completely back to sleep when he was startled by slight motions into looking around in confusion. There was enough light for him to see clearly with the use of his low-light vision. Lying next to him in his bed was Nesati, her body pressed close to his and her face dangerously close as well. Her eyes were open and gleaming with an enticing desire. She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips deeply, her natural pheromones working at Katlabar's resolve as he tried to resist but quickly gave in and reciprocated the movements of her lips and tongue.
"Mph-bu-wha?" he panicked, pulling out of the kiss and lifting himself up onto his elbows to stare at the Nymph in his bed. She leaned forward to close the distance between them and whispered into his ear.
"I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me…" she said and then began to nip at his ear, sliding her tongue about the leafy texture of his flesh. He made several grunts before he pushed her away, his breathing growing heavier.
"Nesati… Listen… We can't do this… Not after only knowing each other for about three hours… I'm not that kind of guy…" he Katlabar said softly, his hands on her shoulders.
"But why can't we? It's just sex… there doesn't have to be anything between us if you don't want there to be… We can just have some fun… Or are you the kind of man who can't have fun with a girl unless you love them?" she asked him, her hands on her hips as she leaned in again.
"Uh… I am… I can't… make love to a woman unless I actually love them… I'm sorry…"
"Well… we're both Fey… We are both Nature… and we both love nature on a level that no one else but another fey can understand… So… Why don't we just… Express that love through each other? Why don't we MAKE love between us through nature…" she said in a seductive voice, placing each of her hands on each of his shoulders, pressing her lips to his chin line.
"Nesati? …Wha-what are you s-saying?! Di… Did you just ask me if you… could… be… my…" he slowed down due to the fact that she was now sliding her hands up to the collar of her robe and pulling it up, displaying her perfect body.
"Shhh… Stop talking… You gave me a new existence that cannot expire… And I want it to be yours… Forever…" she said interrupting him as he sputtered at the sight of her shapely legs as her robe was lifted higher and higher. Hearing those words, Katlabar's resolve melted away and he lurched forward into a kiss with her, his hands finding the small of her back and pulling her into a tight embrace along with the kiss. She was caught off guard by his actions and her body tensed slightly before she gave in to the sudden burning in her body, allowing him to have her. Several muffled sighs left her throat as she was eased onto the bed before the leaf-skinned man.
Her robe began to dissolve into a puddle of water that flowed down her body and onto the floor of the room, revealing her entire form to him; nothing was left to imagination. His eyes widened momentarily and she slid a soft hand to the side of his cheek.
"I'm a Nymph… I've never liked clothing… The fact that I've even taken to wearing that is a lot…" she said bluntly.
"Th-then… If-f you still have those principals… We should not do this inside… Something as natural as this should not be done anywhere else than in nature… Please… As much as I would love to have you now… We cannot do this indoors… it's like spitting in the face of nature itself…" Katlabar said shakily, his voice full of desire and his hands struggling to shy away from the perfect creature before him.
Nesati was so moved by his words that she pulled him into a tight hug, her body pressed firmly to his and his head resting on her shoulder, smelling her scent; she smelled of fresh, blooming flowers and the open air of a live, growing forest. He was comforted by her scent and all sexual energy that he'd previously been feeling faded away and he relaxed in her arms as his arms came around her slender frame as well. She began to cry tears of joy as the water that pooled around her and on the floor reformed into her robe back on her body.
"I'm so happy that I found you… You actually understand me! You love me!" she sobbed, her heart beating against her and his chest.
"And I'm happy that you've chosen me to bond with…" Katlabar replied, pulling her away from his chest to stare into her large eyes. Her eyes then filled with playfulness as she leaned forward again and whispered into his ear softly.
"I hope you're patient… Because this was your only free ride… You're going to have to wait for when I pick out a nice spot for us…"
"Sweetheart, I will MAKE a nice spot for us!" Katlabar replied, claiming her lips as his own and pushing her down onto the bed, resting her head against the pillow next to his. She became confused by his lack of perseverance when she made a startling realization; she'd met a man who could tease just as well as a Nymph could, so whoever lasted the longest was anyone's guess…
She leaned over and nipped his ear again and whispered; "I accept you challenge… Lover" she then kissed him and the both of them fell asleep at each other's side, being comforted by the fact that they'd found something worthwhile while they were in the city.
Six Hours Later…
Katlabar awoke with an invigorated start and looked down to the lovely girl at his side… She was still curled up against him with her head nestled in his shoulder and neck, her skin slightly moistened as her clothing had dissolved in the night. Katlabar quickly looked away with a blush as his eyes came to rest on her body. He had gotten just enough of a glimpse of her body to have realized that with the exception of her head and eyebrows, her entire body was hairless. He tried to ignore her haunting beauty but such a task was nearly impossible as the feeling of having her soft curves pressed against his body and the thought of her being his played tricks on his mind. He knew that he needed to leave fast or he would become unbearably likely to do something that they both would regret. He began to slink away from her as to get up and get dressed but every inch that he would move, so would she; like she were drawn to him in her dreams. He then decided that his best course of action was to force her off through the use of stimulus; however, he did not want to hurt her… He then got a glimpse of her plant out of the corner of his eye. He leaned over and grabbed the glowing, healthy plant and began to stroke the leaves on the sides of the sprout's stalk. Nesati began to sigh as she was feeling his caresses on her own flesh as though he had been touching her, not merely a plant. He then grew ambitious and stroked the underside of each leaf, causing her breathing to hitch and her body to lurch slightly. He continued his assault on her senses with several long, rubbing gestures that started at the base of the plant and ended at the very tips of the undersides of the leaves. She released a heavy sigh and a breathless grunt at the tender touch, her body heat beginning to rise. She rolled off of Katlabar and onto her back but she soon arched her back and started to moan. This only encouraged the Killoran to continue his kind stimulations, rubbing other places on the plant with his leaf-like fingers. He discovered a nodule of curled roots that seemed slightly hidden and poked it gently to see where on her person it represented. She released a moan and her legs crossed tightly over her now glistening opening. A mischievous smirk played on his features as he began to focus on that small node of soft roots and stimulated the corresponding flesh on his lover. Her moans grew louder and more strained as her back arched higher from the bed and her arms gripped the sheets. A torrent of fluids were dripping freely from her body and creating a small pool that mixed with that of her water, (formerly her robes) quickly changing to form even more water. He then stopped as to test her reaction, to see if he should continue. Her voice echoed into his mind and he looked over at her to see if she truly was awake; she was and was now staring at him with lust-filled eyes.
"Why… did… you… stop?" she panted, weakly looking at her lover and torturer. He simply stood there with his eyes wide.
"I stopped because… this isn't right… It's not fair to you…" Katlabar replied with guilt heavy on his mind as he sat down at the far side of the bed. Nesati slithered sensually up to hold to his back, rubbing his neck gently.
"I was never asleep… I wanted to see how far you would go… And you passed with flying colors… You really are a good boy… I may be able to make you the perfect man yet…" Nesati teased, rubbing her face against his chin and pressing her now solid nipples against his back.
"Come on, you tease… You need to meet my friends… They will be happy to meet you as well…" he said softly, standing up and beginning to put his armor back on. Nesati simply sat back and the water from the bed resettled on her frame and coalesced into her robes.
"Okay then… Let's go meet those friends of yours…" She replied in a dismissive sigh, lifting from the bed and helping him to fasten his armor quicker. The two then left the inn room and made their way out of the inn and toward the other inn where Falchion and Tianna had settled in last afternoon and hadn't been seen since.
End Chapter 3: Unaligned Decisions; Unforeseen Consequences.
So I hope you all liked this chapter… It was shorter than chapter two but that doesn't seem to be that big of an issue…
