Waking up to the sounds of battle had at first sent Nirael's heart racing worrying that a fight was breaking out, that the demon and its minions were already there, but the first impression calmed down when he thought on it and realized it was not that. He had too dark thoughts at times, he was willing to admit, but at the same time he found himself happy to be able to relax beholding the two beautiful women rather than some dangerous fiendish beings hell-bent on destruction. It didn't hurt that their attire would capture his eye quickly either, nor that the figures so hidden were ones definitely worth watching.<br/><br/><strong>"Your man huh? Perhaps I need to start thinking about getting a collar with your names proudly declared upon it?"</strong>He smiled jokingly, but wondered how the elves here would react to such. If it was a voluntary sign of being in their care, they might not think too badly of it. Yet if they took it as a means of suggesting ownership beyond the casual bit of play it might seem offensive. He'd have to ask around on such at a later time perhaps. Nonetheless, he did chuckle a moment while stepping closer.<strong>"I was just relieved to see it was you two practicing rather than an attack on this beautiful community, keeping up your skills is a good thing and definitely fun to watch. Though I figure I wouldn't last long up close and personal against either of you. Then again, I cheat with magic."</strong>He smirked jokingly at this.<br/><br/>The news about having another watching over him at the time was met with a nod and a hum as he thought about it, smiling to the two once more then.<strong>"As much as I enjoy the time together with you two I admit I am pleased by the turn of events. I do feel I should try and get to know the people around here after all and I have been ignoring her so far, having been busy trying to take in all that goes on around here and unlocking some secrets from the pages before me."</strong>He chuckled a moment but nodded his head to Lunari then at the time.<br/><br/><hr/><hr/><br/>Admittably his time with Anju had not gone quite as well as he had planned, but he could not expect everyone to be eager to chat with him at all times, and she had things to consider beyond a stranger visiting their settlement. Still, he felt he had learned a bit about her at least, although he figured he'd need to take time to spend with her later if he was serious about learning more about her and trying to make friends. He felt a bit embarrassed at the time as he wondered if he was being a hound-dog chasing every female within reach, but he reminded himself it did not need to lead to bedroom play if he wanted to know someone and be on friendly terms.<br/><br/>Bedroom play was definitely on the schedule though, after the talk with Sirana trying to explain things he had actually felt pretty glad to take up Mara's willingness to demonstrate to another what his magic might bring out, to display the passion born from play, the pleasures teased out by a little spellcasting and firm hand alike occupying most of his mind at hte time. Mara's eagerness made him recall how long he had kept her waiting, and feel a little bit of guilt about her having to confront him about it. Thus he had put an effort into trying to make it up to her, and outdo himself in some of the things that took place, although he wasn't sure if part of the reason wasn't also the fact he got an audience. He quietly wondered if Mara wasn't actually a bit of an exhibitionist, but in all honesty he was simply seeking to bring a joyful cry out of her form and make up for what time had passed without his attention.<br/><br/>Of course, he did take a bit of pride in seeing that Sirana did not seem entirely... unaffected... by the bit of display. Kissing on Mara's cheek tenderly, he chuckled while suggesting quietly that perhaps they'd make it a point of teaching by example if she was willing to help out like that. He was happy to try and come up with new ways to tease her body a bit more when he had the opportunity after all.<br/><br/>The studies that followed were a bit more draining. He knew he had to find answers, he was feeling the pressure on his back. The threat was looming in the horizon and drawing closer and closer as the time passed. Focusing on reading the material was proving a touch difficult when he let his mind play out various troubling scenarios though. He did focus, and press ahead to learn as much as he could, but he also knew he'd have to take some time out of the studies soon to try and see about the worship once more. It might soothe his mind and relax him somewhat. Besides, he liked spending time around the elves here.<br/><br/>Finding Anju had prepared a meal and was willing to at least indulge him in a little conversation came as a very pleasant surprise. He found her to be a touch wary but he couldn't fault her for it, not everyone was kind and pleasant person despite how they might try and portray themselves as such. He imagined she'd make her own judgment about him later on when she'd got to know him. Whether that would mark him a fool or someone worth chatting with would be up to her. He hoped she'd not mind indulging in some conversations at least, there was after all a curiosity present in him about her, though he'd keep it leashed.<br/><br/>Joining the worship again was an experience he felt would ease him and his worries, but what awaited was beyond what he had come to expect. Not that being called out front wasn't a bit humbling, being asked to partake before all these people. He wasn't that shy but he wasn't much of a dancer, yet something beneath the surface seemed to guide him. He surrendered to it, and it felt like the inspiration guided him through the dance in a manner he would have enjoyed watching himself, if he had not been taking part in it. Gazing upon his companion to the dance, he wondered about her but kept focused to the dance, letting the motions flow to one another, to simply delight in the dance.<br/><br/>The questions that came after had him blushing, to actually be asked if he was staying felt a bit humbling, a scoundrel being accepted to stay was unusual for him when his nature was at least partly in the open, with them having seen his change. Yet the suggestion to stud had him chuckle alongside a blush. Different people and different customs, he smiled at that question before humming and simply remarking back to the audience he was still learning about all of them. Nevertheless, he was feeling refreshed and many of the old concerns washed away from his mind after the experience.<br/><br/>To join Nilari and Lunari in the evening's last light to come to rest the night, Nirael couldn't help but feel it was a lifestyle he was fast becoming fond of, but yet aware that the threat lingered. Until it was dealt with he shouldn't leave it entirely out of his mind. Yet the two of them definitely had a manner to brush a man's mind blank for a while when they teamed up, and it was doubtful he'd be even able to walk away from things anymore if he had wanted to, so quickly he had become attached to the people and this place. He would roam again later, but he would roam with the intent to return here definitely. The place was too beautiful and the people too pleasant to leave this place behind for good, it had its problems on top of the artifact piece but with people like Nilari and Lunari there, he wanted to help take care of the matters worrying the locals. He wanted to make sure it would remain a haven to be visited from time to time.<br/><br/>Perhaps eventually he'd set down roots there himself, he knew his wanderlust could not last forever, though he felt the call of adventures strong in his blood, and the artifact made him wonder what options would become open after the threat of the fiend would be dealt with. He worried about it, but thanks to the two beautiful women and the divine inspiration he felt in those moments a strong hope that there would be a future for all of them even after Marda.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc Planning</div><div class="spoiler_body"><strong><span class="bbc_u">Day 3, Scheduling</span></strong><br/>* Going to Simplify a bit. 6 - 22 time awake, of which the first 6-7 hour spent preparing his magic for the day, leaving him with the rest of the day's hours to schedule, 15 hours total to divide then.<br/>* 2 hours, Studying Alher's Spellbook<br/>* 1 hour, Studying Alher's Magical Notebook<br/>* 2 Hours, Studying the Artifact Half<br/>* at Noon, Spend 1 Hour teaching Sirana (Theory and possible suggestion of helping out with the 'demonstration' later, to see if she can feel a touch of the primal energy in doing so, without getting too involved...)<br/>* 1 Hour, with Sirana &amp; Mara, with Mara's help "demonstrating" more of the magic, but trying to involve Sirana to a degree (e.g, 'Force Toys' providing her with something to explore...)<br/>* 2 Hours, get to know the Matriarch Nameer. Hope to understand the elves better through talking with her.<br/>* 2 Hours, Visit the Elven Common Areas, appearing as male, and guarded.<br/>* 1 Hour, Attend Worship<br/>* 2 Hours, Spend time with Lunari &amp; Nilari (Meal, chatting, trying to learn more about the two) (Mention considering going out for a walk)<br/>* 1 Hour, Wander Alone, without guards, in male form. (Unless the others insist it not being safe, Nirael will take a bit of time having a look about this way, even if it risks being lost for a bit)<br/><br/>On that note, Nirael planned to mention to Sirana he'd spend the day after this one likely more involved in his own studies to hope for a break-through, and might not be present to teach her but would continue later if she was inclined to learn. <br/></div></div>