Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Nimmy on 20-09-2010, 04:59:32</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>20-09-2010, 04:59:32</strong>
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				It was just before dawn and already the camp was beginning to stir. The mercenaries who had been put on watch the previous night were beginning to come in from their posts around the perimeter to warm up by the fires, while other early risers were beginning to look to starting breakfast for their comrades. The sooner things got taken care of, the sooner they could get on the road, and the leader of the merchant caravan, as well as the captain of the mercenary band, wanted to get underway as soon as possible. The more ground they covered early on, the sooner they could get through the particularly dangerous territory. And the less time it took to get through that meant there were fewer possibilities that the mercenaries would have to defend a panicked caravan.<br><br>The Captain, Malan - Mal for short, if he particularly liked you - had run this route many times before, and knew what to expect as a result. The men and women who had been with him for the longest, a core group of ten individuals, knew the difficulties as well. They were prepared for it, and were normally among the first up, working around the camp and waking the other mercenaries so they could get moving faster.<br><br>Among those first up was one of the core group, although the "newest" of them. Vance had been with the group for about five years, but he was still the "rookie" of the core group, many of whom had been with Malan for a decade or more. Yes, many of them were older, but they knew how to act and what to expect, and there was very little that surprised any of them anymore.<br><br>Vance groaned as he carefully crawled out of his tent and stood to stretch. He was perhaps 26, but even as young as he was, sleeping on the hard ground with little but a bedroll under him never went well with him. It might have been because he was a bit taller than his bedroll was long, leading him to curl up in somewhat uncomfortable positions in order to stay warm most nights. At one point, he had had a bedroll that was made to fit his height, but it disappeared with one of the drifting mercenaries that made up the majority of the mercenary band under Captain Malan.<br><br>After hearing the young man complain about it for several hours, Vance was put in charge of one of the mercenary supply wagons, the one that carried the mercenaries' packs and the medical supplies, as well as extra blankets and bedding, and some dry food goods. The rest of the food goods were in two other wagons, one driven by Captain Mal himself and the other by the core group's healer and her husband, their best hunter. Under Vance's watch, personal belongings stopped disappearing unexpectedly, leading to a slight boost in morale. He had been placed as the driver of the wagon since, unless he was sent off to scout or to act as a sort of "brute squad" during tougher negotiations along the way.<br><br>It was the husband-wife pair that he joined by one of the fires, hunkering down and stretching his hands towards the warmth. Normally Mal would be sitting with them already, but the Captain was conspicuous in his absence this morning. Vance glanced around.<br><br>"Where's Mal?" he asked, not seeing the man in question wandering the camp as he normally did on their departure days.<br><br>"You didn't hear?" the healer said, looking at him and grinning a bit. Vance wasn't sure he liked that look, the "I know something you don't" look. Because it was quite obvious that she did know something he didn't, and he hated when that happened.<br><br>"Apparently I haven't," Vance replied, accepting a bowl of oatmeal from the healer's husband.<br><br>"You're getting a 'partner,' apparently," the healer's husband replied. "For when Mal sends you off on those scouting missions he's so fond of putting on your shoulders. An extra pair of eyes certainly wouldn't hurt, and this means that you can take shifts driving the wagon, anyways."<br><br>Vance shook his head, sighed, and turned his attention to breakfast. Of course it would have to be something like getting paired up with a new merc for him not to be informed about. That probably meant there were interesting circumstances surrounding this one, or he wasn't going to like the new merc personally. Neither option particularly pleased him, but he really didn't have much say. If Mal thought he needed someone to watch his back, he was going to have someone watch his back.<br><br>"Any idea when he's going to be back?" Vance asks, more to fill the space than out of true concern. It's a departure day - Mal will be back within the hour, in plenty of time to cover a reasonable amount of ground during the day.<br><br>"He left about an hour ago, so he should be back soon."<br><br>Vance nods and finishes his breakfast, stretching his hands back towards the fire to warm them back up. It's cold this morning, unseasonably so, and he wouldn't be surprised if this was an extended cold snap. They happened once in a while, and while they weren't pleasant in themselves, if it meant sharing a tent with someone who didn't really mind wandering hands, he could deal with it.<br><br>Once he was sufficiently warmed, Vance got to his feet and brushed his blond hair from his face. He wandered towards where he had left the horses the night before and made sure each of his pair of draft horses had been fed and watered properly and were looking healthy this morning. They were, and he led them over to hitch to the wagon.<br><br>As he was checking the harnesses, he noticed Mal coming across the camp towards him... with another person in tow. He tightened the girth on one of the horses and stood waiting for Mal to close the distance and introduce him to his new "partner."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>20-09-2010, 07:23:38</strong>
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				It hadn't been easy for Leo to get out of his city; large as it was, he was well-wanted, and it was hard to find a place to hide. He'd oiled the right palms with some cash and managed to pay off enough angry people that while his life wasn't in complete jeopardy at each corner he turned, he'd still needed to get away. There are been rival gangs fighting over the area he'd lived in for much of his formative life, where he'd spent many of his childhood years, and he'd hated to watch the people around him suffering at their hands. Paired with a pseudo-sadistic streak that ran through him, he'd made easy work of some of the leaders, slipping poisons to both sides, deposing quite a few of the more sadistic men that had been torturing the residents of his little slum. <br><br>Not that it was his slum anymore; like so many places he'd lived, he'd left it behind when he packed up and left.<br><br>He didn't come with much, and as he walked up to the camp with Malan, he merely had a dark pack slung over a slender shoulder that had a bedroll tied beneath, some basic food rations, and enough clothes to last cold winters and warmer summers. A small leather roll had his basic toiletries held neatly, trussled up carefully, and tied in place so no one could steal them. <br><br>There were glass bottles wrapped in expensive furs, simple little concoctions he'd made that would fell a man with a single sip, or even a drop. <br><br>He was dangerous, and Malan well knew it, though he'd taken him on because there was no one else who would take Leo and Malan knew he was good at what he did.<br><br>The young man walking up to Vance couldn't have been older than his early twenties, and looked a bit younger, with a clear, milky complexion and almond-shaped eyes that hinted at an Oriental background but were a startling, frozen shade of green, the color of a crust of old ice on a river. They were fringed with long, dark lashes, and his oval face with the full, sensuous mouth set in a hint of a smile, was all framed by silky, dark hair, tied back by a simple leather tie. <br><br>He wore dark pants and a plain white linen shirt, both cut to fit his slim frame. He wasn't particularly tall, but each movement was almost predatory, each step holding what was clearly agility and a certain power. He was dangerous, and those perfectly symmetrical features had been the last view of quite a few men.<br><br>All the same, there was an aura of something about him, a hint of some innocence that had been trampled and torn and twisted into something a bit more bitter. He looked different from the other men, and when he spoke, his voice was carefully devoid of any accent but the words were the well-rounded words of someone well educated. He had a few books in his pack, though nothing too heavy, nothing that would weigh him down unnecessarily.<br><br>Malan brought him over, asked him if he'd like breakfast, to which Leo nodded a quiet assent.<br><br>"This is Leo," Malan had informed Vance briefly, "Your partner."<br><br>There was no hint of a last name, and Malan left them to get acquainted. Leo set down his pack, rolled his shoulders, stretched his head back to glance up at the sky for a moment. The pale column of his throat bobbed as he took in a breath and then he looked at Vance, "Leo," he murmured, stretching out a long-fingered hand to shake Vance's. He glanced at the food, clearly hungry, having travelled for quite a few days to meet up with them. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>20-09-2010, 18:33:52</strong>
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				Vance gave the young man with Mal a quick once over before he got close enough to notice the wandering eyes. It was his habit to play the part of a simple-minded man, because it got people to let their guards down around him. It was what made him a good spy - he could only move unnoticed if he really concentrated on it, but Mal would frequently send him into inns to scope out competition and recruits to see if they had ulterior motives, and he could just sit there enjoying a pint of ale and listen. People talked when he was around, because they didn't think he understood anything they were saying. While Vance didn't have a formal education, could only read and write just enough to get by most times, he had a good memory, could parrot back words that were said and quickly interpret them to get at the meaning, and had a very good sense of direction. He was far smarter than he actually looked.<br><br>At first Mal had hated him "degrading" himself that way, making himself out to be far more stupid then he actually was, but it didn't take the Captain long to realize that it was an excellent skill for one of his core group to have.<br><br>Vance wanted to test his new partner out, see how he acted around the larger man, because he was short. Shorter than Mal, but that probably wasn't a good comparison - most people were shorter than Mal, who was just over average height. Vance just happened to stand about half a foot taller than that, putting him head and shoulders above just about everyone else.<br><br>The newcomer wasn't the normal type of person the Captain would recruit, but then again, neither was Vance. Still, he looked fragile, like Vance could snap him in half if he applied enough pressure. He would keep those thoughts to himself, because Mal wouldn't have brought him in if he didn't have useful skills.<br><br>Even with the way he looked fragile, there was something about him that struck Vance - the way he walked. A predatory swagger, almost - the young man reminded Vance of a large cat he had once seen pacing in a cage. He couldn't be controlled, not easily, and that fact sent a slight chill up Vance's spine. And at the same time, that particular attribute made the larger man want to dominate him, just instinctively, just to see if he could.<br><br>The same way Mal had tried - and failed - to assert his sexual dominance over Vance back when he first joined with the Captain. Sure, he had bent over for Mal once, and had enjoyed the experience, but there was only one man he had ever submitted to on a level that was more than out of respect for someone's age and wisdom and position of power. And that man was dead.<br><br>"Aye, Cap'n," Vance said slowly, and with a drawl in his voice as he spoke. It was part of his character - the slower he spoke, and the more accent he used, the quicker people assumed that he was an idiot. He wouldn't take it to the extreme with this one, since he was sure that this one would catch on very easily. He just had that feel about him.<br><br>"Vance," he replied, shaking the offered hand with a firm grip. Just because the hand he was shaking was delicate-looking didn't mean he was going to try to adjust his grip too much. He just didn't squeeze like he did sometimes when he was working on throwing people off balance. "Lemme grab yer pack 'n stick it in the wagon. There's some brekkist over there if yer hungry." He nodded over towards the healer and her husband at the fire, and reached for the pack. It looked like it was more than just clothes in there, and while Vance wouldn't pry to the point of rifling through things, just the weight could give him a hint of what else was in there besides clothes.<br><br>Looked almost like books, actually.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>20-09-2010, 23:48:35</strong>
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				"Pleasure to meet you," Leo murmured in his clipped voice, shaking the other man's hand. His grip had a surprising strength and firmness to it, and it was clear the young man knew how to fight, to use leverage in favour of power in order to overpower someone larger than him. Most people were, so he'd had to get used to it, and accept it. <br><br>His partner wasn't just taller than him, though, he was notably larger than him. He felt small by comparison and handed over his pack with a faintly raised eyebrow and a little quirk of his lips that was closer to a non-expression than a smile or a frown. He didn't go to get breakfast until he was certain the man wasn't rifling through his things, though, and he never really let his pack out of his sight.<br><br>He had a knife slipped in against his waistband, the handle hidden by the white shirt, a few vials carefully balanced in his rolled shirt-cuffs and pants. His skin, as he reached for a piece of warm bread, was utterly smooth except for faint, spider-mark lines across his fingertips. It looked as though his fingertips had been cut many, many times, and healed over many times. They were mostly smooth, the prints mostly obscured and certainly obscured enough to stop any city advanced enough to use the technology of fingerprinting from catching him. The thin lacerations were mostly even, but some were a bit jagged. Whether he'd done it himself or it had been the chemicals he worked with wasn't clear.<br><br>He took a large bite of the bread, wolfing the food down, yet he ate with the grace of someone who had been brought up with a silver spoon nearby, if not in his mouth. Even when gulping down food he ate with restraint. He shook some hair out of his eyes, slowly.<br><br>He glanced up at Vance, then stood, brushing his fingertips off on his pants.<br><br>"So, are we scouting today?" <br><br>There was a chain around the young man's neck, a single pendant hanging off of it. It was a small, smooth rectangle, hard and tempered glass on one side, heavily carved on the other, though tarnished enough to hide whatever crest had once been on it. He kept the glass side hidden against his skin, so no one would see the glittering of the glass. It worked as a signal - he could let a partner know where he was by little flashes of the glass, or he could keep it face-down against his skin like it was now.<br><br>His high cheekbones gave his face a cold look, eyes sheltered under those long lashes, face unreadable. He had noted how powerful Vance's body, though, and he couldn't deny that a slightly darker part of him had lifted it's head.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>21-09-2010, 00:34:05</strong>
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				"Likewise," Vance replied. He had learned a bit about the young man from just the handshake, and that was that he was probably strong. Stronger than he looked, at least, which was good. It meant that Vance wouldn't feel obligated to go around looking after the other young man, because if he had to do that, his facade of "idiot" would eventually wear thin and break before he wanted it to.<br><br>The fact that this Leo didn't want to let his pack out of his sight made Vance conclude there was something particularly valuable in it. Not that he would go looking through someone else's belongings - he'd hate it if someone did that to his - but it was good to note. He'd see if he couldn't glean any information from the young man by babbling along the way to their camp that night. Probably not, though - he seemed fairly tight-lipped.<br><br>He settled the pack behind the driver's seat carefully, then went to take down his tent and pack that up as well. Many of the other mercs were beginning to do the same thing, as well as packing up their belongings and beginning to bring them over to Vance's wagon to pack it up and hit the road. The tall mercenary took a quick glance under the seat, assuring himself that his crossbow was still where he had left it, and helped load the wagon up, keeping a bit of an eye on his new partner just to make sure he hadn't wandered off somewhere or gotten himself in trouble. Already. A lot of the newer mercenaries had a tendency to do that, and for the life of him, Vance couldn't understand it. He'd never been that bad when he was first starting out.<br><br>Although that could have been because he had Griz - a nickname, partially because he was fierce and partially because people didn't have anything else to call him - looking after him.<br><br>Once the wagon was sufficiently packed up and Vance decided that the last of the mercenaries could stow their own things, he joined Leo by the fire, making sure he was done eating before kicking sand over the flames and putting them out.<br><br>"Nah," Vance replied to the new recruit's question. "We know the first part o' th' trail well 'nuff. 'S when we git out inta the wastes that we need ta look around." It had been far too long since he had needed to use the accent, and he was sure that his mouth and vocal chords would be protesting the exaggerated sounds he needed to make in order to throw people off.<br><br>He looked over at Mal's whistle, as did the rest of the mercenaries, and then nodded to the wagon. "Cap'n wants ta get movin' soon. We should git inta th' wagon." He caught the bundled tent that their healer tossed at him, and resisted the urge to roll his eyes back at her, heading for the wagon. He tossed it in with the rest of the tents and secured the back of the wagon before climbing up into the seat. He waited for Leo to join him, then clucked to the horses to get them into their position in the train.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>23-09-2010, 06:18:49</strong>
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				Leo watched the camp, taking in how it worked, who seemed to hold the power there. He slowly chewed his bread, and he heard the whispers that he had known would start with his arrival, the whispers that he was <em>different</em> from them. There was the exotic curves of his features to be reckoned with, the strange paleness of those green eyes, the almost too pretty features he had. He was a beauty, that was certain, and people of a delicate composure rarely lasted on trips like these. These caravans had their share of danger - marauders, namely, as well as beasts - and men were already taking bets on how quickly he'd break and turn tail and run. Or else how long he'd last, and what price it would bring them, for surely no seemingly delicate and educated young man would join a protection caravan unless he had something to run from.<br><br>Ignoring the rumors with the practiced stiffness of spine he'd learned, he climbed up onto the cart, tilting his head to Vance to listen. He wondered at the accent, but there was something off about it, as though the heavy rolling sounds were foreign to Vance's tongue and had only been picked up with his arrival after a period of disuse.<br><br>He wouldn't ask about it.<br><br>He'd sit and listen and gather information until he knew that he was right, so he relaxed against the bumping bags at their back, leaning onto the wooden bench that allowed them to sit right behind the horses.<br><br>They were strong animals, not easily taken to fright as so many rich men's mounts were, he could tell. They had the steady gait of well-practiced warriors. He felt comfortable with animals and many a time people had said that it was unnatural how he could call to them.<br><br>He ran his fingers back through his hair, unintentionally freeing a few errant strands, sagging back and taking a slow sip of tea he had in a flask tied tightly to his side.<br><br>"How long will we travel today?"<br><br>He would take his turn guiding the horses if Vance gave him the opportunity or needed to be relieved, but for the meantime took in the scenery, watching and rocks and trees that bordered gloomy forests slowly moved past them. <br><br>He had to press close to Vance in order to stay seated on the narrow bench - their thighs were flush against each other, and occasionally Leo's hand would brush Vance's arm as the cart jolted and he grabbed a pack so as not to tumble down beneath the wheels. His fingertips were cool, always cool, as was most of the skin on his body.<br><br>The faint scars on his fingertips were all the more noticeable in the weakly shining sun, the half-light catching the silvery lines as they drummed against his thighs faintly, mind seemingly far away in thought no matter where they were. His face held the exquisite composure of a mask, and it would only relax when he found someone capable of stripping that control away from him, of dominating him completely.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>23-09-2010, 16:44:54</strong>
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				Well, the newcomer seemed confident, sure of himself, and perfectly capable of holding his own. He didn't seem too put off by the fact that people were starting to take bets on how long he'd last. The core group just watched the proceedings with some amusement as they packed up, having learned a long time ago that betting on things lost them money, and honestly wasn't worth it.<br><br>For the most part, at least. They did occasionally bet on things, just to provide some competition and teach the drifters that they should always trust in their Captain. It seemed like today was one of those days of teaching. Their healer, whose name was Lisbet, jumped down off their wagon and headed over to the betting, jingling her pouch of coins the same way she always did to get attention. Sad how money always got peoples' attention.<br><br>"20 gold that he outlasts you," she said, singling out one of the young men making bets. The young man laughed at her and agreed to it, shaking on it. Lisbet, satisfied, returned to the wagon and hopped up just before her husband flicked the reins, getting the horses moving. They were, as usual, just behind Mal's wagon, and Vance waited for both the other wagons to pass before nudging his behind it. He glanced over his shoulder as the merchant wagons fell into place behind them, and the mercenaries ranged themselves around the goods. The remaining members of the core group waited for the caravan to pass before forming up in a rear guard, as was their normal purpose.<br><br>Vance was extremely glad that his horses were as well-trained and well-behaved as they were. They knew enough to follow the wagons in front of them, and it was very difficult to spook them. Even less so since Vance had taken over their reins - he had desensitized them to some of the things that used to spook them, and with the exception of Mal's team, his were the most well-behaved of the bunch.<br><br>This allowed him to sit back and let the horses do what they wished, for the most parts, with only very minor adjustments to their course, and infrequently. This gave him a chance to relax and "rest his eyes" - in reality, he spent much of the ride looking around from under mostly closed lids.<br><br>"Mmm.... bout twelve miles," Vance replied to the new recruit's question, settling down into the seat as comfortably as he could. He stretched his legs out a little bit, resting one foot on the hitch for the horses while keeping the other one mostly bent. It was a pose that spoke of laziness, but Vance was aware of all that was going on.<br><br>Particularly aware of the smaller body pressed against his side. He let himself study the other man out of the corner of his eye, the occasional flicks of the reins the only indication he wasn't sleeping.<br><br>"So, where ya from?" Vance asked after a while of silence, getting bored of listening to his own thoughts and the creak of the wagons and the soft conversations of the mercenaries around him. "'n how come ya decided ta join up with mercenaries? Gotta be somethin more interesting fer you ta do where ya come from, ain't there?"<br><br>The young man was so closed off, Vance was having trouble figuring him out.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>23-09-2010, 20:42:47</strong>
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				There it was. The inevitable question. Where was he from? He smiled faintly, still perfectly pleased that the healer had betted that he'd outlast the young man (which he was sure he would), giving a Gallic shrug. "I was born far from here," was all he said, tilting his eyes up to meet the other man's. His look wasn't unfriendly, but neither was it open, welcoming. He wasn't going to go giving away information that he didn't need to be. That was how fools got themselves into trouble when they didn't need to, or so he'd always been told. He felt like there was a good chance he could trust Vance, but until he was certain, he absolutely wasn't going to risk it. <br><br>"I got in a bit of trouble where I came from. Decided that I could use a bit of fresh air, out on the road." He smirked faintly, reaching behind him almost instinctively to make sure his pack was in place, to make sure the little vials of deadly poisons weren't being crushed beneath the weight of the other bags. Satisfied that they were safe, he turned back to Vance, glancing up at him through a fringe of dark lashes.<br><br>"And you? Where are you from?"<br><br>He glanced around the carefully-arranged troupe as they travelled down the road slowly, the sun quavering overhead, beginning it's slow descent down the horizon as they travelled the miles. "And why did you end up joining this troupe?"<br><br>A hint of an accent snuck out and was swallowed up almost immediately - it was almost as though English wasn't his first tongue, but he had worked hard to make it seem like it was. Something exotic lingered in the shadows in his voice - French, perhaps, or Japanese, or something else entirely. His words went back to being completely toneless once again, in terms of accents, almost immediately.<br><br>He wrapped his cloak tighter about him. It was chilly out, and he was glad he'd brought it. The fabric was a simple wool, but the lining was of good quality. He had one sumptuous fur in his pack, all rolled up, and it was the one indulgence other than his books that he allowed himself to travel with.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>23-09-2010, 21:13:34</strong>
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				"Come from down 'round the coast, somewhere down that-a-way," Vance replied, pointing vaguely off to the south-west. "Ran away when I was a kid, became a shitty pickpocket." The last wasn't entirely true - he had been reasonably successful, but had had his share of slip-ups. "Got caught by this guy - he was a merc - an' traveled with him fer a while, he died, I met up with the Cap'n an' they kinda took care a me fer a while. Decided ta stay here - guaranteed meals, ya know?" He shifted his weight slightly in the seat. "'s better than huntin fer my food, cuz I don't really gotta do too much hard stuff here. 's nice."<br><br>And yes, he really could be that lazy. But really - compared to picking pockets and any other way of earning his living he could think of, he knew he wouldn't be good at it. Now that he was grown, he was too conspicuous to steal, and he had never had a formal education so it was unlikely that he'd find work in a city, and there was only so much one could do living out in the smaller country villages. Really, this was the best place for him - the pay was good, the people (at least the core group) were good to him, and he wasn't expected to do too much strenuous work. Sure, he pulled his own weight with the wagons, or acted as Mal's back-up in tough situations, or a scout, or a bodyguard if they were escorting particularly important people, but that definitely earned him his pay.<br><br>"The Cap'n likes me well enuff, sos I guess that's part a the reason I'm here," he said after a moment's consideration. He shrugged and settled back again, reaching behind the seat to adjust a few of the packs that were beginning to bump around more than he liked. The load settled quietly, allowing Vance to reach under his seat and grab the crossbow before it slid out and fell, damaging it.<br><br>There had been a hint of accent in the young man's voice that he was curious about, but he'd have to earn this one's trust before presenting him with more questions about his personal life.<br><br>He snatched his cloak from the back, putting his crossbow on top of the load since he was unlikely to need it right now, but it was still in easy reach if he did happen to need it, then handed the reins to the newcomer.<br><br>"Take 'em for a minute, will ya?" he asked, before draping his cloak about his shoulders to keep warmer.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>23-09-2010, 21:23:49</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo listened quietly, head down, eyes grazing the horses backs and then the treelines. He was looking, always looking, and his spine was tight as a bowstring even as he seemed to relax. He'd become accustomed to fighting, that much was clear, at least from the way he moved. "Hm. You seem a bit too conspicuous to make a good pickpocket, now." He smiled faintly, clearly teasing a little bit, noting the man's muscular frame. No, Leo was still small, and he would never grow to be easily-spotted in a crowd. He could fit in the smallest of spaces, and his body had an unnatural flexibility that had squeezed him into urns and trunks more than once, to the death of other men before he squeezed his way back out some tiny crack in their walls.<br><br>"This seems like a nice place. I'll stay for a while, I think." <br><br>He glanced out along the treeline, once more. He was still a bit nervous, a bit twitchy, anxious that someone who recognized him would capture him and drag him back to face the men he'd made angry. They were the only ones, and he knew that each town he'd lived in had someone who hated him, though there were also numbers of people who loved him. <br><br>He swallowed and laced his fingers together. <br><br>He raised his arms to take the reins, cloak slipping back a bit, revealing a dagger at his waist. It was onyx, pure onyx by the looks of it, flashed through with chasings of gold on the handle. The black was stuck into the edge of his pants, and seemed to be made from fine steel, and it looked to be an antique. A serpent wrapped sinuously around the hilt.<br><br>He held the reins loosely, letting the horses walk comfortably, for they followed in contentment the wagong ahead of them. <br><br>Dark was falling, slowly, and with it the temperature. He could hear their clients complaining, and he glanced back towards them with a smirk. Weaklings, he thought, as they shivered away and whined about how it was cold outside and how they'd freeze before they ever reached their locations. No, they didn't know what cold was. It would get much colder, firstly, but even then in this region it was nowhere near as cold as the wastes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>23-09-2010, 21:53:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, that's what I said when the Cap'n gave me the choice ta head back ta the cities," Vance said with a chuckle. Seemed like this Leo had a bit of a sense of humor - faint, but there. Vance liked that a bit, actually - it felt like it was a good balance for him, and that was good, considering they were going to start working together a little more closely once they hit the wastes.<br><br>Leo was a good size to be a scout or a spy, and he knew it, too. The way he carried himself indicated that he knew he had an advantage over others, that he could disappear pretty much before their eyes if he wanted to. Vance added that to his mental list of characteristics of this young man, liking him more the more he picked up about him.<br><br>The dagger caught his eye for a moment when the young man took the reins and his cloak shifted. The young man had come from some money, that was for sure, and he figured the money may have had some little reason to do with why he was here instead of living a cushy life like it looked like he had been before. What, exactly, it had to do with that he hadn't figured out yet, and was unlikely to guess at for some time, at least until he had gleaned a little more from the young man. Again, that was part of the whole trust thing, and Vance was going to work at it. He had to.<br><br>The wagon train rumbled into a large, flat area just before dusk, and Mal hopped out of his wagon to instruct the merchant caravans to circle up and make the camp more defensible. The animals were unhitched and led into the circle, corralled at the far end while the merchants and the mercenaries began to set up camp. Vance climbed down and began to help sort out tents and bedding. Once everyone had gotten their things, he grabbed the last tent and set it down on a patch of earth.<br><br>"Can ya set up the tent? Gonna go take care a the horses," he said to Leo as he went around to unhitch the pair.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>23-09-2010, 22:20:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo's faint smile hung on his lips until they rumbled into the flat opening where they'd set up camp, looking around and realizing that anyone that tried to attack them would be visible from miles away. He picked up the tent that he was given and unfolded it on their patch of earth; he had no idea how to set it up. He stared at the fabric, as though willing it to give up its secrets, or to burst into flame. Finally he looked up, and, copying the men around him, he managed to get the whole thing set up. He hammed the stakes into the ground, wincing each time he did, the force required to do so not exactly his forte. Stamping the stakes in a bit farther, he made sure the tent was secure, and was pleased to see that it withstood a sudden strong gust of wind that ripped up quite a few others.<br><br>He rolled out both of their bedding. His own was a simple mat, but it had a quilted layer sewn atop it, the stitches neat and clinical looking. He flopped atop it, stifling a yawn, rolling about like a great cat as he stretched himself out. <br><br>Dark hair tumbled down as it came free, swinging loose, and he sighed as he sat up.<br><br>He had his pack carefully set near his bed, their bedrolls pressed together to make more room for walking in the tiny tent, and he unrolled the cuffs of his sleeves. He placed two glittering black vials - clear, really, but filled with some noxious liquid - carefully in the top of his bag. The bag was cracked open, and the vials caught the light where they lay like dark little gems.<br><br>They were dangerous, tightly capped, sealed with tar that was thinly coated - a good wrench would take the cap off the glass. <br><br>They were a few of many in his bag, enough to kill the whole camp ten times over, but all he wanted right then was some food. He picked up two sizable portions; one for him, one for Vance, carrying them back into the tent. It was warmer in there than it was by the fire, because the cold wind couldn't whip away their heat in the tent.<br><br>He sat down, setting Vance's plate next to his bedroll, but waited to eat until Vance returned. He didn't even think about it - he had been trained that at a table in polite society, you waited until the people around you were seated before you began eating.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>23-09-2010, 22:55:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Well, Leo certainly adapted quickly, Vance was pleased to note as he watched the young man from across the camp where he was watering the horses and getting them feed. He had stared at the tent for a little while before looking around and beginning to copy what everyone else was doing. From his vantage point behind one of the draft horses, giving it a quick brushing and speaking quietly to it, it looked sturdy enough, but he'd just double check the stakes before he went to bed that night.<br><br>He looked over as Mal led his own pair over to the rest of the animals, admiring the way the horses moved for a minute before turning his attention to the Captain.<br><br>"You seem to be getting on well with Leo," Mal said casually as he let his horses drink.<br><br>"Ya could say that," Vance replied, keeping the accent in order not to slip up in front of the younger man just yet. "Why'd ya pick him? Can't quite figger him out. He's from money, but he's travelin with the likes of us. That don't add up, Mal."<br><br>"I can't tell you anything, Vance. I promised I'd keep his background secret until he was ready to talk about it himself." The captain shrugged and fed the horses. "I know you aren't happy about that, but I promised. I keep my word."<br><br>"Alright, fine," Vance said, shaking his head in disgust and finishing up with the horses. "See ya in the morning, then, Cap'n." That said, he made his way across camp towards his tent, ignoring anyone who tried to speak to him. Right now, he was far more interested in his bedroll and food than chatting, especially since he wouldn't gain any information from it. How frustrating.<br><br>He crawled into the tent and was surprised - and pleased - to find that there was food. Leo had a plate in front of himself as well, but he hadn't touched any of it.<br><br>"Ya didn't hafta wait fer me," Vance said, sprawling sideways on his bedroll after pulling his feet inside the tent. He really needed to invest in some equipment that was better suited for his size, but he wouldn't be able to do that until they reached their destination. He sighed and picked up a piece of the toasted bread on his plate and began to eat, glad that it was the end of the day and he could just relax from here out.<br><br>The food cheered him a bit, and it wasn't too long before he had forgotten that he was upset with Mal, for the most part.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>24-09-2010, 00:17:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo looked up when the other man came into the tent, waiting until he sat to pick up his own bread, taking a bite and chewing slowly. He swallowed, careful never to speak with food in his mouth, leaning back onto his bedroll. "That bedroll seems to fit you just right," he said, a smile playing on the edges of his lips as he looked at the way the other man's legs dangled off the length of padding he slept on. He was far too large for it. It shouldn't be a matter of too much work to attach another stuffed length at the end to make it a bit more comfort, but he'd wait on making that effort to see it was worth it, if Vance was worth spending any time on.<br><br>He had a feeling that he would be.<br><br>He wasn't sure that that was a good thing. <br><br>He finished off the food quickly. He'd been half-starved, and he felt much better once he ate, flopping onto his back on the bedroll and staring up at the fabric for a moment. Idly, he undid his cloak and the first ties at the neck of his shirt, feeling much better now that he was a bit more free, cheeks taking on a flush from the newfound heat and food. <br><br>"How long have you been working with Captain Malan?"<br><br>He propped his head on a slim hand, tilting to the side, serpentine body moving sinuously. There was a luxurious sexuality to each of his movements, one that he was entirely unaware of even possessing. <br><br>He licked a bit of gravy off the tip of a finger, set the plate aside, and relaxed a bit further into his bedroll. <br><br>He wondered about the relations at the camp. He knew the healer was with someone - Vance, maybe? She'd seemed friendly enough when she tossed him the bedroll. He'd always been taught that his attraction to men was wrong at best and sinful at worst, not that he really believed any of that, so he did his best not to wear it on his sleeve.<br><br>"Do you have a girl that you're saving up money for, sending back home to her?" It was a common enough question. Many men had a sweetheart that was far away, a woman they wished they could be with but never could.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>24-09-2010, 00:36:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Eh. I useta have one that fit me better but some prick ran off with it not too long after I joined," Vance replied with a shrug. "Didn't bother gettin a new one cuz I thought someone would steal that one from me, but think I'm gonna buy one when we hit the end a the route. This one's gettin a little wore out, anyways." It wasn't really starting to show yet, but it was getting a little bit thread-bare in a few places, mostly the areas where Vance had to curl his body up to fit into it. It definitely was about time to invest in a new one... in fact, far past time. Of course, it had been about a year and a half since they had run this particular route, and the person who had made him his original bedding lived in their destination city.<br><br>"Workin with the Cap'n?" Vance asked, eying the young man as he flopped onto his bedroll and undid his cloak and picked at the first few ties of his shirt. Mm... looked like the skin under the shirt was about as pale as the rest of him. He wanted to touch it and see just how soft it was... or if it was tough and could take a bit of a beating.<br><br>He really needed to get his more violent urges under control. The young man with him probably wasn't too interested in sleeping with men, or at least he wasn't giving off that vibe.<br><br>Then again, Vance's reckoning on this one could be far off. He was a tough one to read and seemed pretty full of contradictions.<br><br>"Five, six years now, I think." He shrugged and ran a hand through his hair. Ugh. He really needed to wash up sometime soon. His hair was starting to feel grimy, and he really just needed to find a stream somewhere and scrub the dirt out of it. There was only a certain point of grimy he could get to before he felt a compulsion to scrub it all off, and on the road, that was a bit difficult to do, especially once one got into the wastes.<br><br>Then you have to find a watering hole and bathe in groups or risk getting attacked.<br><br>"A girl?" Vance asked, blinking in surprise and looking at the younger man. "Ya think I got time fer a girl off in some city somewheres? I don't got the patience ta be away from her all the time, 'n she'd probably want me ta be faithful ta her." He wrinkled his nose at that. "I'm what you'd call a free lover, I guess. Whoever strikes my fancy, I go after. There's only really been one person who held my heart longer'n a coupla weeks."<br><br>And he'd held more than just that, too.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>24-09-2010, 03:11:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He raised his brows - he'd have to watch his pack. He couldn't have someone going and walking off with his things. There were too many valuable things, things he'd held onto for far too long to lose now, not to mention the fact that they would easily implicate him in quite a few nasty little crimes. He wanted to keep that past as far from his future as he possibly could. <br><br>He watched as the other man ran his fingers back through his hair - idly he wondered where they'd be able to watch. Probably cold streams, which they managed to find through their scouting, but it wasn't exactly a problem. He didn't mind the cold. <br><br>He'd grown up around it, anyways, and playing in cold water and on ice was a secret pleasure of his that he hadn't been able to indulge lately.<br><br>He smirked as the other man said that he was a 'free lover', and that no one had managed to hold his heart for quite some time. That was good, at least. It meant that if they ended up rolling about together atop their bedrolls, neither of them would get attached. It would make leaving easier when he inevitably had to run from his past. That was, if Vance was even interested in men, to start. <br><br>He wondered what had happened to that other person, but he didn't know Vance well enough to ask yet. Maybe another time. They'd grow close quickly, he figured, or hate each other quickly. They'd be spending all their time together. He looked up just in time to see the lights around them flickering out as people settled down, a few faint lights glimmering in tents, otherwise dousing them in complete darkness. <br><br>Leo let his eyes adjust, and there was a metallic rasp, the rasp of him unsheathing his dagger and placing it under the side of his bedroll, within easy reach. Even in camp, he didn't trust anyone. <br><br>He relaxed onto the bedroom, and there was the rustle of the pack as he dug through it by feel alone, pulling out a cloak. In the darkness, he moved a bit closer to the other man to steal a bit of warmth, but not touching him ever. He tugged his shirt off to make himself more comfortable, draping a cloak from inside his pack over him. It was luxurious, large, a black velvet cloak with a thick sable trim, easily enough to cover the two of them. It was worth a small fortune. "Here, we can share this." He tossed half over the other man, as they were already pressed so close, and the warmth of the cloak easily cut through the cold. <br><br>He sank down onto the bedding, "Guess it's just as well that you don't have a girl. It would be too hard, with all the traveling," he murmured, but his voice held the hint of a yawn. He'd been riding since before dawn to meet up with them, and he seemed to be fading fast.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>24-09-2010, 04:17:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance noticed the young man's glance at his pack, and shrugged. He could tell Leo that his pack would be safe, they hadn't had any trouble with things disappearing since he'd been put in charge of the wagon and Mal had started watching it more closely, but that would mean he'd have to admit he was more observant than he was portraying himself as.<br><br>Made him wonder what was in the pack, however, even more. He resolved not to snoop around, not that he'd be able to with Leo in his company nearly all the time.<br><br>The large man cracked his neck instead of saying anything out loud, and groped for his blankets. If last night was any indication, tonight would be cold as well. At least this time, he had a little more freedom to stretch out and still stay warm, assuming Leo agreed to allowing the larger man to invade his personal space a little on his bedroll. Well, he wouldn't know unless he asked.<br><br>"Mind if I kinda stretch out a bit on yer bedroll? I mean, mine ain't quite big enuff fer me... and since yer kinda..." Vance gave up, since apparently personal space wasn't an issue with the young man in his company. Leo had pressed against him after taking off his shirt, and Vance wrinkled his nose again in the darkness. Gods knew how badly he smelled right now, but there wasn't any helping it. For the sake of keeping warm, he'd just deal with it.<br><br>He stripped off his own shirt, shivering in the cold, his nipples hardening before he slithered quickly under his blankets. He shifted around so he could curl part of his upper body over onto the other man's bedroll enough so he didn't feel so cramped in his own, and pulled his own pack - mostly clothing - over to act as a pillow.<br><br>"Mm," Vance said as he felt an extra layer of warm cover him. He yawned and cracked his neck again before settling down under his blankets and the cloak, pleased that there was a warm body - well, warmer than it was outside, as Leo's skin temperature was on the cool side - to keep his torso warm for the night.<br><br>"Git some sleep," Vance said, speaking through a yawn. "Got 'nother ten miles ta cover tomorrow. Startin early."<br><br>As he descended into sleep himself, he wondered, absently, if Leo liked men or women better, or both. And if he did like men, in any way, if Vance even had a chance with someone like him - maybe he was intimidated by larger men while having sex, even if he wasn't anywhere else in his life. Considering they had just met up that morning, now wasn't a good time to discuss sexual preference, especially if Vance wanted to keep sharing the luxurious velvet and sable cloak draped across him. The fact that it was so luxurious, however, made the larger man wonder just where Leo had gotten the money for it...<br><br>Well, maybe the truth about that would come out later on in their relationship. Right now, Vance had far more important things on his mind. Like sleep.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>24-09-2010, 05:01:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"No, feel free to stretch out," Leo interjected as soon as the other man tried to point out that he wasn't particularly large. He liked to ignore that fact as best he could but it did make him smile faintly. He didn't particularly mind how the other man smelled as they lay underneath the cloak together, not quite touching, but warm and close enough to share body heat. He smelled masculine, like a man who had been outdoors, a bit like sun and sweat and dust. It was not altogether unpleasant, and as Vance told him to settle down to sleep, he did so quietly. <br><br>His breathing didn't slow down and become even for about an hour.<br><br>Finally he fell ast asleep, and the wind rocked the tent, making it even colder. Even under the cloak it was chilly, and he curled up a bit closer, and then a bit closer still, until he was lying on his side with his back pressed to Vance's front. He curled into the hollow of Vance's body on the bedrolls.<br><br>He let out a slow breath, shifted a bit, then moved closer in his sleep so their skin was pressed against each other.<br><br>His fingers twitched with the dreams he was engrossed in, and though he slept deeply, he remained aware enough of his surroundings to tell that he was comfortably molded to a strong body. The thought made him all the more comfortable. It felt like having his back finally protected.<br><br>He twitched a bit, then fell into a dreamless state, lovely face relaxed as the sun rose.<br><br>He'd ridden hard the day before and was still asleep, a hand curled in the fur of the cloak, the other tossed out in front of him. He'd moved so that Vance was wrapped around him, his body curled in protectively, as though even in his sleep he was protecting his heart and body as best he could. His slim fingers seemed to dance in his sleep; was he dreaming of playing some instrument long left behind? <br><br>He'd tangled one long leg between Vance's, their ankles touching, and seemed perfectly comfortable where he'd settled himself.<br><br>His pack had been shifted in the night; a thin black vial had rolled out and lay glittering ominously next to the black canvas bag, half-hidden by the cover. The liquid inside was turgid, moving sluggishly even without any motion of the bottle, as though it was restless and even the slight rotations of the earth could be felt by whatever sensitive liquid was inside.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>24-09-2010, 20:06:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance's back was pleased with the fact that he was only bending at the waist, rather than trying to bend each joint that would allow him to fit into his bedroll. Hopefully, this would mean that he wouldn't wake up with a kink in his neck in the morning, which would make his day just that much more pleasant as a whole.<br><br>Vance hadn't slept deeply in years, but woke rested most of the time. Sleeping deeply, as a mercenary, meant that you wouldn't be prepared for the stealth attack in the middle of the night, or the mercenaries sneaking into your tent to either rob you or kill you, depending on their mood. It also meant, at least with this particular group, that you'd likely to wake up and find that you had been pranked in one way or another - an experience that wasn't exactly pleasant, considering Lisbet's sense of humor.<br><br>So he was aware when Leo curled his smaller body into the hollow formed by Vance's own. It didn't wake him up, since it wasn't perceived as a threat, and instead, he draped one arm around the younger man's waist, pulling him just a little closer. It was cold, after all, and being skin-to-skin helped alleviate that. The large cloak draped over them both was helping, but not enough that he didn't shiver a little bit when the wind picked up and buffeted the tent walls. It certainly was warmer in here than it was outside, and had he been awake, he would have pitied the men put on watch tonight.<br><br>The larger mercenary woke before dawn, as had become his habit, and realized that the younger man was tangled up with him. He looked around, trying to figure out the easiest way to extract himself without waking Leo, and as he was trying to figure that out, his eyes fell on the tipped pack, or more specifically, what had rolled out of the pack.<br><br>A vial. A black vial. Well, the vial itself wasn't black, the liquid inside was. He reached for it, careful not to jostle Leo awake so the young man would catch him in the act of doing a little snooping, and picked up the glass between two fingers, careful.<br><br>He didn't know what it was, and wasn't going to risk killing himself by being an idiot.<br><br>After a moment's study, Vance came to a conclusion about the ominous liquid in the glass. It had to be some kind of poison - there really wasn't much other explanation for it. He replaced the vial where he had found it, and frowned at Leo. The kid was running from something, undoubtedly, but the question now became, just what was it that he was running from. And did that mean trouble for the caravan as a whole?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>25-09-2010, 18:58:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo had been rather peacefully asleep, even as Vance looked at the vial, examined the contents. He didn't notice that it had fallen out, and it wasn't until after Vance had put it down that he sat up slowly, yawning, untangling himself from the other man. He rolled away, buried his head under the cloak, then poked it up. He looked a bit like a kitten, warm and sated and still sleepy, hair ruffled. As he woke and smoothed his hair back with a hand, though, that coldness and hardness settled around him like a cloak, sweeping his things back into the pack. He put the little vial away carefully, but with a flick of the hand, so that it was there one moment and gone the next. He didn't say anything about it.<br><br>He wasn't sure if the other man had noticed, but if he hadn't, he certainly wasn't going to bring it up.<br><br>He tugged his shirt on, shivering a bit in the cold light, the sun doing nothing to warm them. He put away his expensive cloak. In the faint light of morning, a heavily embroidered pattern of dancing maidens and elk stitched around the black hem in black thread. Only someone close enough to it might see it. <br><br>He rolled it up, put it away carefully in his bag, shifting some things so that they wouldn't break.<br><br>He stretched, shouldered his pack, and helped Vance disassemble the tent. Breakfast was quick - they needed to be on their way. He checked the cart with Vance, making sure everything was in place, before climbing up top to the bench on the wagon. "D'you want to take the reins or would you like to?" He settled back comfortably, letting Vance decide.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>25-09-2010, 19:27:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance had crawled out of the tent, dressed, before Leo had woken up, finally having managed to untangle his legs from the younger man's without waking him. He shivered as he exited, careful to close the flap again behind him to keep his sleeping partner warm, then pulled the cloak tight around himself, breath steaming in the air. Once he had stretched, he set out to find Mal's tent, ducking inside without rapping on the flap.<br><br>"I'm going to assume you know what the kid does," Vance said by way of explanation, crouching next to the Captain. "And since you know what he does, why didn't you tell me? You know I hate it when you keep things from me."<br><br>"I promised Leo that I wouldn't tell anyone of his prior profession," Mal replied, unruffled by the appearance of Vance in his tent. "Not until he was ready or you figured out what it was he was probably running from. Does this change your desire to be partnered with him?"<br><br>"... no." Vance sighed and shook his head. "I wish you would have told me."<br><br>"While you're here, I have something for you." Mal reached for his pack and pulled his clothing and a few books out of it, finally pulling a wrapped bundle. He unwrapped it and handed Vance a cloak lined with fur. "Griz asked me to give you once a few years had passed since his death. Wolf pelts, but don't ask me where or how he got them. In any case, it's warmer than what you have now."<br><br>The mercenary nodded and exchanged his cloaks quickly, surprised at the warmth of the "new" one. He ducked back out of Mal's tent and headed for the fire near his own, crouching down in front of it just in time for Leo to join him and not notice that he hadn't been there all along. They ate and packed up quickly, nice now that Vance had an extra pair of hands, and climbed up into the wagon seat.<br><br>"I'll take 'em," Vance replied. "Least fer the first coupla miles."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>25-09-2010, 19:50:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo nodded and handed the reins to the other man, relaxing back into the bumping packs at his back. They were pressed up close again. The cold wind was whipping around them, making Leo's cheeks glow pink, fingertips cold. He buried his fingers in the plain woolen cloak he was wearing, letting the bumping of the carriage lull him into complacency. <br><br>"When we get the people we're guarding to where they're going, do we go farther, or do we come back and pick up people from here, again?" He would prefer to keep going even further. <br><br>They could edge up onto exotic locations.<br><br>It had been so long since he'd been down these paths - he'd travelled North with his mother at a young age and stayed there, though he'd been raised between two great homes, one in the Northern Orient and one in the Southern Orient, both of which were rich areas for trade.<br><br>He wondered if they'd pick up a merchant there and escort him back to trade his wares.<br><br>He stifled a yawn behind his hand, then looked at Vance, fingering the edge of his cloak, "Is this new?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>25-09-2010, 20:16:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"New fer me," Vance replied, clicking his tongue at the horses and flicking the reins as the caravan set out again. "From an old friend a mine. He wanted th' Cap'n ta hold onta it fer me until a few years'd passed since he died. Least, that's what the Cap'n said."<br><br>He stretched his legs out in front of him as much as he could again, pulling his "new" cloak a bit tighter around him against the wind. It wasn't so bad since they were on a path in the trees, but it was still a bit unpleasant. Probably worse for Leo since he had a plain wool one on. Vance could understand not wanting to get his more luxurious one get ruined, or attract unwanted attention, but really. If he was this cold, he might want to invest in something heavier.<br><br>"Ya can have my ole cloak if ya want," Vance offered after a few minutes of silence. "Might keep ya warmer." He nodded to his pack in the back of the wagon, and kept his eyes on the horses. "As fer what we're gonna do when we get ta our location, I dunno. Might pick up 'nother caravan ta take it somewheres else, might head back ta where we jus left. Depends on if th' Cap'n can find us a job or if he jus wants ta let us have a bit a time off. Also depends on if we git some of th' drifters jumpin ship and goin off elsewheres. Then we're gonna need ta replace 'em."<br><br>After about five miles and a lunch break, Vance handed the reins over to Leo. "Gonna go catch up ta th' Cap'n an' see if he wants us ta go scoutin startin tomorrow. Be back quick." Once the horses were securely in Leo's grip, the tall mercenary stood up and hopped down from the wagon, then jogged up towards Mal's wagon, hopping up onto the seat once he got there. He didn't get comfortable. "When do you want the kid and I to start scouting ahead?" he asked, keeping his voice pitched low although he knew Leo probably wouldn't be able to hear him.<br><br>"Break off around mid-morning. We should be just hitting the wastes about then.," Mal replied with a shrug. "I've already told Lisbet that she's in charge of your wagon tomorrow. We're probably going to camp around Devil's Anvil tomorrow, so scout up to there, mark us a campsite, and if you still have daylight, head a few more miles out."<br><br>"Got it." Vance hopped down from the wagon and strode back towards his own, climbing back up into the seat with Leo. "We're gonna start tomorrow. Prolly 'round mid-mornin, or if we hit th' wastes earlier, then when we git there."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>25-09-2010, 21:33:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo didn't ask about the man who had died until the other man was back from Mal's wagon. While Vance was out of the wagon he kept the horses steady, letting them plod along, listening to the rhythmic clop-clop of their feet onto the ground. He smiled faintly and ran his fingers back through his hair, re-securing it with the leather tie so it didn't get too loose, not wanting it to blind him. <br><br>"Thank you," he said, gratefully. He accepted the cloak with a bit of a bow from the waist, an automatic gesture that he didn't even think about doing. He straightened up uncomfortably, wondering if the other man had noticed the odd little bob, a usual occurence with Oriental families and those of money in the other capital cities. <br><br>He reached back, taking out the other man's cloak, swapping his own out.<br><br>Maybe he'd use his cloak to make an extension for the other man's bedroll, now that he had this one, wrapping it tightly around him. <br><br>He nodded when Vance got back up, "Are we going to be scouting on foot, or horseback?" He didn't mind either way, but preferred horseback. There was almost nothing better than galloping freely across the wastes. He reached back into a bag, pulling out a crust of bread to munch on, chewing contemplatively. He picked up his flask from his side, tipping it back and taking a deep sip of the water. "I'm looking forward to the scouting. Out of curiosity, though...what are the rules, for this caravan? Pre-emptive killing of bandits, or do we only kill them if they try to attack us?" It didn't seem to matter either way to him. From the look on his face, he was clearly apathetic about the entire thing.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>25-09-2010, 22:35:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"By foot, but we're gonna take one a the horses jus in case we need ta get back here fast," Vance said, settling back into the wagon seat, but letting Leo keep the reins, for now. The younger man was pretty comfortable guiding the large draft horses, not that they really needed much guidance. They just followed the wagon in front of them, more often than not, and were easy to handle in any case. If they spooked, which was unlikely, Vance would just grab the reins and deal with it.<br><br>"As fer th' rules in terms of th' bandits, leave 'em be unless they look like they're gonna make a move 'gainst the caravan." The taller man leaned back, letting one hand hang over the back of the seat, resting the other on his knee. "Not likely ta run inta bandits this early on, but once we git past Devil's Anvil, we might have trouble." He shrugged.<br><br>He had noticed the partial bow, somewhat cut off by the fact that he was sitting, and also it seemed he had caught himself doing it. The kid definitely came from money, maybe power, but he couldn't be sure unless he was told. And it probably wouldn't come up in conversation.<br><br>Well, Vance had done his good deed for the day, giving Leo his somewhat warmer cloak. If push came to shove, the younger man could always layer the two cloaks, since Vance's was larger and would easily go over the other one. It was also a little longer, which could possibly be a bit of a problem, but nothing a little work with a needle and thread wouldn't fix quickly.<br><br>The rest of the day went relatively smoothly, and Vance went to take care of the horses again while he left Leo to set up the tent again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>26-09-2010, 00:02:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo absorbed the rules, tightening the reins a bit so the horses didn't bump the carriage in front of them, handing them over only when they came to a stop. He tugged the new cloak a bit closer around him, pleased with Vance's scent still clinging to the fabric, leaning into the pleasure that came from having it wrapped so tightly around his body.<br><br>He hopped down, grabbing the tent, setting it up as he had before.<br><br>It wouldn't take long to do; he hammered the stakes into the ground, letting them sink in heavily, jumping atop a particularly stubborn one. He gathered both of them dinner as the sun sank below the horizon as he had the night before, lay out their bedrolls, but once again waited to eat until Vance came back from tending to the horses. <br><br>He took a slow swallow of water, searching his pack, counting each bottle with the notches to indicate what they held. Well satisfied that they were all where they were supposed to be, he covered them again, and then sat back to wait for Vance.<br><br>Perhaps tonight he'd ask about the man whose cloak Vance was now wearing. That was, if Vance would tell him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>26-09-2010, 02:22:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The horses seemed particularly impatient with Vance as he unhitched them, snorting and tossing their heads as he unhitched them. He sighed and led them over to the makeshift corral, getting them fed and watered. They settled relatively happily when they were finally fed and watered, and Vance rolled his eyes as he returned to where he had left Leo.<br><br>Like the previous night, Leo had arranged their bedrolls and gotten them both dinner before he had returned, and was waiting again. An odd custom, but one that he had likely been raised to follow. No real matter, he supposed, but it would take some getting used to.<br><br>He didn't say anything about the younger man waiting for him before eating tonight, since the comment would likely be ignored again, simply stretched out on his side on his bedroll and ate. The food was normal fare for the road - simple, but hearty and filling, in the way that would keep most people content. Of course, some of the drifters were already complaining about it, but it wouldn't be too long before the members of the rear guard would start getting a little nasty about the complaints.<br><br>After all, they had to eat dust all day. The drifters had it relatively nice, at least in comparison.<br><br>"So," Vance said as soon as he had finished his meal, taking off his cloak and draping it over his body. "Ya look like ya got summin on yer mind. Wanna ask whatever question's eatin ya?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>26-09-2010, 02:43:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo dug that expensive cloak out of his pack again, draping it over himself, letting the sable caress his fingertips as he wrapped it over his legs. Vance's cloak stayed around him, doubling up on warmth. He'd set them over both of them when they slept. <br><br>He took a few bites of food and relaxed a bit, looking at the other man, raising a brow.<br><br>"If you don't mind me asking," he murmured politely. "You said that the cloak was from someone a few years ago. Who was it?" <br><br>He popped the last crust of bread into his mouth after soaking up the bit of gravy he had left, smiling as it dissolved on his tongue, clearly fine with the simpler fare that they had on the trip. He didn't mind the food. So long as there was food, he'd eat it, even if it wasn't a delicacy.<br><br>He untied his hair, letting it slide down around his face, caressing his cheeks and letting out the faint scent of jasmine. The oil he'd used on his hair three days ago still lingered, the scent soft, pleasing. He hadn't reapplied it, since he wasn't in a fine household anymore, and it hardly seemed necessary to live up to their standards anymore.<br><br>The wind buffeted the tent again, and he realized that it would be even colder out in the wastes. Sighing, he tugged his shirt off, settling under the cloaks again, tossing the fine furred cloak over both of them once again. It would have been cumbersome to wear - it had the same voluminous, unnecessary length that many noble's cloaks had, made more for show than for practicality. It would have trailed on the ground, spreading out like a black wave behind him, the hood deep enough to hide his face if he so chose to, easily.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>26-09-2010, 04:03:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"When ya asked me about girls last night an' I said there weren't nobody that held my fancy fer more'n a few weeks?" Vance said after a moment of silence. "We called 'im Griz. He was the one that caught me trying to pick his pocket one day, and took me under his wing." He hadn't realized it yet, but the accent he had been using as a cover was starting to slip away. "Not entirely willingly, but he gave me the option of staying with him or going to the authorities. I took the punishment that seemed to be the less difficult one."<br><br>He blinked when he realized he had lost the accent, but pressed on anyways. There wasn't much else he could do. Going back to it would just be more conspicuous.<br><br>"He was a mercenary, so I became a mercenary. Soon as I turned 16, he started expressing interest in me in a more than just a platonic way. He was a very dominant guy, and since I was only a teenager and wasn't full-grown at the time, I let him dominate me. It taught me a lot about myself in the process."<br><br>He sighed. "We met up with Mal's group about 5 years ago, and we only made one trip with him before Griz got sick. Some sort of blood disease, nothing Lisbet could do about it. Apparently he gave the cloak to Mal for safe keeping and told him to give it to me after time had passed."<br><br>He pulled his shirt off and draped his "new" cloak over both of them, just before Leo draped his sable one over them as well. It would keep them just a bit warmer for the night. "And that's about it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>26-09-2010, 07:18:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo shivered a bit with his shirt off, moving a bit closer to the other man, trying to soak up his body heat. The top of his head just barely poked out from under the cloaks, and his breath was warm against the other man's chest. He was almost touching him but not quite, not wanting to encroach on his personal space, curling up under the second cloak that was draped over the two of them. <br><br>"I'm sorry to hear about him dying. That must have been hard. I guess you managed to find a place here for yourself, though. They must be like a family to you, now."<br><br>Leo turned a bit, trying to get comfortable, almost completely hidden by the cloaks, trying to soak up the other man's warmth, curling up so that his body was only a hairsbreadth away from him. <br><br>"So, I'm assuming that you're actually a bit brighter than you let on, then," he added with a hint of laughter clear in his voice, "Since you don't seem to have your accent anymore."<br><br>He turned so that his back was to the other man, but so that he was just short of curling up against his body, wishing that he was brave enough to wedge himself into the other man's arms but too shy and proper to think of doing so while he was awake. "It's hard losing someone you care about that much. The first man I was ever with died by poisoning." He didn't say anything more, but his voice went a bit cooler, more neutral. It was hard for him to talk about that. No wonder the other man had lost his accent - bringing up something that was so dear to one's heart, even if they'd accepted it and moved on, was hard to discuss.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>26-09-2010, 15:42:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, just a bit smarter than most people think I am," Vance replied with a quiet chuckle. "Mal uses me as a pair of ears a lot of times. If we're in towns, he sends me into bars to sit and listen, but since I'm big, I need to draw attention away from myself. That's where sounding stupid comes in. People are apt to talk more freely about their plans if they don't think anyone can hear or understand them."<br><br>He stretched and toed off his boots, nudging them towards the opening to the tent before drawing his feet back up under the blankets. He adjusted his position so he was lying partially on Leo's bedroll, then slid a little further under the blankets.<br><br>"They are kind of like family, in a kind of demented sort of way. It's like they're all my older siblings and they constantly pick on me because I'm 5 years younger than the closest one in age. That, and I'm still the newbie."<br><br>Vance sighed quietly, tugging his pack over to act as a pillow. "It's gotten easier to think about Griz now that I have some distance. It was particularly hard because I was basically a dumb kid when he died, and was hopelessly in love with him. For about a year afterward, Mal and the others didn't talk about him at all - I'd bite their heads off or go into hysterics, depending on the topic of conversation. Mal tried to fill in for Griz after a while, and I let him have his way with me for a night. Thought maybe I'd let it go for longer, but the second he tried to spit out an order at me the day after, I punched him in the face."<br><br>He gave a wry smile. "He'll tell you a different story about how his nose got broken, but that was my doing."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>27-09-2010, 14:14:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo laughed softly as the other man told him the story about how he had broken Mal's nose. "Poor Mal. He probably didn't even know what was coming," he murmured with another little chuckle, yawning, tucking himself up and soaking up the other man's warmth as best he could. It was a pity that the other man had lost Griz, though. He could tell that he cared about him, and he knew how hard it was to lose someone that you loved. <br><br>He buried a yawn in the fur cloak draped over them, nuzzling into the long cloak that had been given by Griz, turning a bit so that his body was almost shadowed along Vance's. <br><br>He didn't quite touch him, but his body was echoing the curve of Vance's, just how they had been last night. <br><br>"I wonder if they'll ever pick on me?" He yawned again, pushing some dark hair out of his eyes, "I doubt it, though...they seem to be a bit afraid of me." He'd heard everyone in the camp whispering about him. <br><br>He couldn't blame them, to be honest. He knew that they knew there was something off about him, something that was just the tiniest bit concerning. Afterall, it wasn't normal for someone like him to be in a caravan, and he had to be running from something. They were worried that Leo's troubles were going to come and find them and it wasn't going to be pretty. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>27-09-2010, 17:19:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"If you plan to stay with Mal for the long run, you'll probably get picked on as soon as everyone else grows used to you being here. If not, then they'll leave you alone. Most of the drifting mercenaries don't like to form attachments with people, because it makes it that much harder to pack up and leave at the end of a run," Vance replied with a shrug. "Until I met Mal and the others, Griz was the only one I bothered getting close to, because we didn't stay with any group for a particularly long time."<br><br>As Leo curled closer to him, not quite touching, Vance gently pulled the cloaks and blankets a little more towards him, just to cover his back. He was glad for the furs that were insulating them tonight, since it was already a little chilly, and would only get worse.<br><br>That was just how things went in the autumn, and on the wastes.<br><br>"As for Mal, I didn't know what was coming, so there's no way he would have been able to predict what I was going to do." Vance smiled a little. "After all, I had been perfectly fine with doing what he told me the previous night, so why should he have suspected otherwise?" He shrugged and yawned. "Guess I realized I was tired of submitting to other people and wanted to do my own thing from there out. So that's what I went and did."<br><br>He allowed himself a wider yawn this time. "We're scouting as soon as we hit the wastes tomorrow, so we should get some sleep."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>28-09-2010, 04:44:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Loe listened, and then when told they should sleep, nodded. He waited an appropriate amount of time - about fifteen minutes - before curling a bit closer. His fingertips brushed the other man's chest, eyes glittering like silver coins, just barely open, as though he was trying to force himself to stay awake and failing. His fingertips were cool, a bit rough from their scars, just barely touching the other man's skin. <br><br>His eyes drifted shut then, as though he was calmed by the physical contact, and within a few minutes he had fallen asleep. His hair blew in front of his face, and he restlessly turned, tossing it out of his face, curling up into a tiny pile. <br><br>He moved into the hollow of the other man's arms, so much more comfortable in them, much happier when he was wrapped up in another man's arms.<br><br>He was shivering slightly, even under the cloaks, bare arm curling up and pressing tight to the front of his own chest, as though holding in warmth. He didn't seem to warm easily; his skin remained unnaturally cool, even when the blankets settled in on them. <br><br>He slept peacefully through the night, or peacefully as he could, pressing up against the other man. His breathing was even and deep, and he didn't stir when the sun came up, instead sleeping quite happily, snuggling into the other man's body as though robbing his warmth from him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>28-09-2010, 04:55:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance woke up, feeling a little stiff and chillier than he was expecting to. Looking around to try to discover the source of his mild discomfort, he realized that Leo was pressed against him. The younger man's body was cooler than most of the other men he had slept with, which would explain why his stomach felt particularly chilly. Well, that was probably something he was going to have to get used to, considering that Leo seemed to like curling against him in his sleep, for whatever reason.<br><br>Rubbing his neck, the larger man reached for his shirt after shifting Leo away from him so he could slide into it, then reached over to wake the young man up.<br><br>It wouldn't do to have the column waiting on their pair of scouts, not that they likely would since merchants always tended to like their "beauty rest," a term that made Vance - and most of the other mercenaries he worked with - roll their eyes and scoff at the soft men and their pricey clothing.<br><br>Brats and cowards, the lot of them.<br><br>"Leo, wake up," he said, not so loud that he'd startle the other man awake, but loud enough that he would probably be heard through Leo's sleep. "It's morning, we should pack up and decide what we want to bring with us before we leave."<br><br>They would be returning to sleep with the caravan, of course, but it was always a good idea to have some sort of emergency supplies in case you got bogged down somewhere. He had learned that early on after getting stuck in a rainstorm on the opposite side of a swollen river from the caravan, with no food or shelter. After suffering from a miserable cold for about a week and a half, he had started bringing supplies with him to ensure that things such as that never happened again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>29-09-2010, 03:08:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo let out a soft moan as he was woken, stirring slightly, tilting his head to the side. He rolled onto his back and then wiggled a tiny bit, opening his eyes, sitting up quickly. He began dressing, tugging his top over him, then his cloak, rolling their bedding up and securing it. He made sure that their tent was properly collapsed, that all of their things were safely wrapped up in their bags, and that all of his glass vials were safe.<br><br>"Alright. Since we're only taking once horse..." he looked at the packs. They could take both bedrolls and a tent, but it would slow them down. His own bedroll wasn't exactly wide enough for two comfortably, not without squeezing tightly, so he looked at the pack and then shrugged.<br><br>"Go ahead and pack up what you think we should bring. You've been scouting longer than me; you know what's best to bring with you."<br><br>He rooted in his bag, palming a small leather sac into the lining of his cloak, where there was apparently a hidden seam that he'd stitched in. He had modified just slightly - it had only taken a few stitches to the other man's old cloak - and now he could keep his most precious vials on him. He left his expensive cloak in his pack, trusting that the caravan would guard it.<br><br>Out of his bag he drew a slim, long bow. It was a rather ingenious contraption; it hinged backwards on itself so it could fold in half, but with a tight enough hand and with great care in opening it up, one could string it and make a handy bow quite quickly. A few arrows were hanging from the end, looped carefully around the tip. <br><br>It was a longbow, one almost three quarters of the young man's height. It wasn't meant for fighting at close range - it was meant for killing, from far away, with lethal accuracy that years of idle training could give. The tips of the arrows had thin layers of gauze over them - the gauze, ripped off, revealed a sticky black sap that, upon touching the blood the arrow would open, would kill the wounded party within hours if the blow from the arrow did not. <br><br>Sadly, hand-to-hand combat wasn't his forte. He could shoot, but despite some skill with a dagger, fighting was not his specialty.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>29-09-2010, 03:57:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Leo woke, dressed, and started taking care of their belongings - it was really nice not to have to rush around in the mornings anymore - Vance went and took care of his pair of draft horses before hitching them to the wagon. He nodded to Lisbet as she came over to oversee the loading of the wagon, then returned to Leo and their pile of things.<br><br>With a sigh, he surveyed their luggage, then picked up Leo's pack to see if there was any more space in it.<br><br>"Get out a change of warm clothes and anything else you think you're going to need," he instructed, handing the pack back to the younger man. "We'll take one pack, one bedroll, and the tent, just in case. Do you mind if I stow some of my stuff in your bag? I don't think we'll get things mixed up."<br><br>As he waited for a reply, he finished off his breakfast quickly and checked the bindings of the tent bundle, as well as his bedroll. His was a little wider than Leo's, which made it the better choice if they were going to need it - there would be more room for the two of them to share.<br><br>If Leo said no, he'd just ask Lisbet and her husband Tarl to make some room in their packs for his overflow. They understood his desire to pack light, especially when traveling with someone else.<br><br>"Vance," came Malan's voice from behind him, causing the younger man to drop his head back to look up at his Captain, who was holding the reins of a large black horse. "Take Cyclone. He's fast, so if you get in a pinch, he can get you out."<br><br>"Cyclone." Vance sighed and shook his head. "Can't, Mal. He's yours."<br><br>"Take him. I can live without him if it means I get you two back safe." The Captain handed the reins over. "Get packed up and ready to go. We're moving out soon and I want you ahead of the train as soon as we break tree cover."<br><br>"Yes, sir," Vance said, moving over to gather up the tent, strapping it to the saddle so neither he nor Leo would have to carry it. He quickly collected the crossbow from beneath his wagon's seat and slid his broadsword into its normal place, strapped to his back.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>29-09-2010, 06:53:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo took out some warmer clothes, but he didn't have much in the way of warm supplies, other than his expensive cloak. He fingered it, but decided not to bring it, judging how much it weighed with the full-interior coating of sable fur. He settled instead for Vance's old cloak and swapped their things around so that it all fit in one pack. He got the tent and stakes bundled up, helped attach the bedrolls, and handed the pack back to Vance once they'd arranged everything together. <br><br>Leo was surprised at the Captain's offer of his own horse; Cyclone was sturdy and far more powerful than the others, and he was surprised to have him offered up for their use. <br><br>He watched as Vance got his weapons, making sure his own was stored carefully across his back, the sturdy metal tip pointing towards the sky, so that when swung around, he could snap that to the ground, string it, and fire within the beat of a few seconds. <br><br>"We're walking first, right?" Leo asked as he leant down, adjusting the lacing on his simple black boots, making sure that they were tied together securely. He wanted to bathe, he realized; a fine layer of greyish dust from their travels had landed on his hair, softening it, lending him a slightly less exotic look and making him look a bit more like he fit in.<br><br>He had a smudge of dirt across his cheekbone, and he rubbed at it idly, catching sight of it beneath long lashes, but just barely. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>29-09-2010, 17:06:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, Cyclone's just for emergencies," Vance said, rubbing the large horse's nose gently. "Mal only rides him if he wants to look official-like. Cyclone makes a bit of an impression, and not just how he looks. Mal can get him to walk in a gait that seems to be only common with his breed, and it makes him look pretty good." He shrugged. "He's fast and he's well-behaved and pretty sure-footed for his size, so he's probably the best horse for our purposes."<br><br>He waited for Leo to finish repacking their gear before picking up the pack and pulling it over his shoulders, making sure he could easily get at his sword if he needed to, then double-checked to make sure he had a handful of crossbow bolts in case he needed them. He was all set, so he looked to make sure that Leo was all ready to go as well.<br><br>"If we make good time and find a good campsite, we might have a chance to wash up this afternoon," he said, noticing that the younger man had started to become a little dust-coated. It didn't look bad on him, just a little bit different - he looked almost softer, although he didn't seem entirely happy about the change.<br><br>Probably because he figured it made him look weak, and he probably didn't want to come across that way.<br><br>"We have about a mile before we hit the wastes, so we can head up and walk by Mal's wagon for the time being," he suggested, shifting his load around a bit and getting a good grip on Cyclone's reins. "Let's go."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>29-09-2010, 20:06:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo walked quietly beside the other man, "I'd like that," he murmured in response to the promise of potentially being able to wash up that afternoon. He felt like he'd sat down in a dustbowl and rolled about in it, coating himself. It wasn't entirely pleasant, he had to say. He didn't want the others thinking of him as someone easily bullied because he looked a bit less sharp with the greyish coating of dust. <br><br>"Alright." <br><br>He walked quietly alongside Vance. The mile wouldn't take them long to cross, and he kept his pace up to Vance's as best he could, though he was notably shorter. <br><br>He hummed softly to himself for a moment, a snatch of a surprisingly cheery little lullaby, before closing the sound off as quickly as he realized he'd been doing it. <br><br>When it became time to separate from the rest of the caravan, he let the other man lead the way, let him push their way out along the wastes. Leo's eyes were carefully trained on everything around them; he wasn't going to let anything get by them, if he could help it. Plus, he was secretly looking forwards to the opportunity to test out his longbow on a real, moving target.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>29-09-2010, 20:27:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The plodding pace of the wagon train was easy to keep up with, and then very easy to pass as they came to the wastes. Vance gave Mal a quick salute as he and Leo picked up their pace, heading out into the open land.<br><br>It wasn't actually flat, like most people believed. It just looked that way if you were unaware of the small dips and valleys that crossed the land. Vance quickly descended into one of them, knowing it was the easiest way to keep out of sight. Most people wouldn't pay attention to things moving along very low on the ground, so it gave them the perfect cover, especially considering Cyclone was a relatively tall horse. Also, this way they could keep an eye out for any suspicious activity and keep an eye on the location of the caravan.<br><br>The first day passed relatively quickly. Vance left signs behind him for Mal to find and steer the wagon around a few small hazards. A small bit of ground had sunken in since Vance's last trip through, and water had collected in it, so he laid signs to indicate that Mal should avoid it, just in case it was deeper than it seemed or there was quicksand under the water.<br><br>They found a suitable campsite beneath the rock formation called Devil's Anvil a few hours before sunset, and Vance stopped to look around and stretch.<br><br>"Mal said we could go further if we want, but right now I'm a bit more interested in washing up," he admitted with a shrug, lowering his load. "There's a river over that way which we usually follow from here out, so what do you say for scouting up to the river and then taking a bath? This way we can water Cyclone and let him rest as well."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>29-09-2010, 22:48:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo didn't break the silence as they walked, merely kept his pace steady and kept up with Vance, though by the end of the day he was bone-tired. He helped set up their campsite and didn't really look up until the other man mentioned that they could bathe in a river that was nearby, nodding gratefully. "That sounds perfect, actually. I could use a wash..." <br><br>He thought wistfully, for just a moment, of the scented baths he'd taken back home, with servants to hold a linen shift over him once he was done, to wrap him up warm in large, absorbent blankets until he was warm and dry. <br><br>Well, a cold river would do just as well, and it wasn't like he'd never done that before either.<br><br>He slipped the things they didn't need to carry right up against their campsite, well-hidden, looking around once more before he began walking towards the river with the other man. He let Vance lead Cyclone, but he occasionally stroked the strong neck of the nickering horse, smiling faintly at the little noises that it made. <br><br>His own horses vocal cords had been cut, so that it would travel silently, never able to make noise. He found it a cruel practice but he'd had no say in it, though he'd loved his horse even though it couldn't beckon him with soft sounds. <br><br>When they reached the river, he undid his boots almost immediately, letting out a soft moan as he stretched his ankles. He undid his cloak, folding it neatly, looking at the water. He hoped it wasn't too deep - Leo was many things, but a strong swimmer wasn't one of them. Clambering all over Vance, naked, panicked and attempting to reach land, was also not something he terribly wanted to do.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>30-09-2010, 00:28:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I could too," Vance said with a slight grin. It would feel good to wash up, despite the fact that the water would likely be freezing. Still, it was worth it if he could get the grime off of his skin and to wash away the smell. He dug in his pack and produced a bar of soap and a wash cloth, two of the "essentials" that he carried with him in the off chance he had the opportunity to clean up.<br><br>He did prefer hot springs to cold water, but he'd take what he could get.<br><br>Cyclone tossed his head as soon as the bundles were removed from his back, seeming to approve. He bumped his head into Vance's shoulder with a soft grunt, wanting some attention. The large man chuckled and strokes the horse's forelock, then collected his reins again and headed for the river.<br><br>The horse pranced a bit as Vance removed the bridle and let him wander, dashing off to stretch his legs. Vance rolled his eyes and headed for a sheltered area of the riverbank, where he stripped off his cloak and shirt before kicking off his boots and skimming his pants off as well. He shivered a bit and quickly stepped into the water, dunking under the surface to get the goosebumps to go down. It took a minute, but soon he wasn't as cold.<br><br>"I'd tell you the water was fine," Vance said with a grin, "but then you'd think I was lying."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>30-09-2010, 03:44:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'm fairly certain you are lying," Leo said dryly, "I can practically see bits of ice floating in the water." <br><br>Nonetheless, he stripped out of his clothes, setting them in a pile just far enough away from the water that they wouldn't fall in. He had his body turned slightly a bit shyly, as he undressed and untied his hair. He walked into the water quickly to get it over with, pale arms flashing under the water as he ducked his head under as well, head coming up as he gasped at the cold.<br><br>He took in a quick, shaky breath, letting his body get used to it. <br><br>Soon enough, he was warmed enough to move about comfortably, though he refused to go in the deeper water just before him. He skirted the edges of the shallows, just above waist height, his hair falling back from his brow, sleek, utterly inky. It only took a few dips to get the dust out of his hair, shaking it out underwater, sitting up. With his hair slicked back from his face, his serpentine features were more noticeable, more unusual.<br><br>He was clearly of a mixed race, which was uncommon enough, but it was made so much more obvious by the high cheekbones and plush lips, moving about comfortably in the water. <br><br>"Can I borrow that soap from you, when you're done?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>30-09-2010, 04:04:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"There is no ice in the water right now," Vance said, rolling his eyes. "Spring melt has already come and gone and the ice that would have been flowing through here is gone past with it."<br><br>He dunked under the water, raking his fingers through his hair roughly in order to get the worst of the grime out of it. He stayed under long enough for Leo to get in, since the younger man seemed a tad shy, then came up for air. He waded a bit into the water, so he could dunk under easier (as he was taller, there was more of him to lower into the water) and therefore wash up easier.<br><br>He scrubbed himself vigorously with the wash cloth, enough to turn his skin pink from the constant agitation, and then worked some lather between his hands before passing over the cloth - wrung out of the grime it had accumulated from Vance's body - and the soap to the younger man so he could wash up as well. He went at his hair with the soap, quickly and efficiently, and soon the strands didn't feel nearly as oily and disgusting. Perhaps it would get some of its natural waves back now that it was clean.<br><br>Vance wasn't really a vain man, but there were certain features - such as that natural wave in his hair that he admired in the few women he was attracted to and the men as well - that he particularly liked.<br><br>Once he was satisfied, the larger man quickly waded out of the water and dried off with the cloth that he typically used as a towel. As he strode from the river, however, a large series of scars on his hip, looking to be almost in the shape of a bear paw, gave a twinge, protesting the cold (it was a particularly sensitive area, truthfully, even fully healed) and causing Vance to rub his hand over them ruefully.<br><br>Looking down, he sighed and shook his head, almost forgetting the younger man in the river behind him. Griz had certainly been right - they were a constant reminder of who he had belonged to.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>30-09-2010, 16:16:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo took the soap and cloth gratefully, scrubbing equally as vigorously as Vance, letting his eyes drift shut. He relaxed in the water, cold as it was, paddling about a bit before dipping his head under. When he had raised his head to look at the other man, a faint flush came to his cheeks, noting that the other man was still naked and was drying off.<br><br>He politely turned his eyes away and then dipped his head back, slowly letting the water run through his hair, before splashing his face a few more times and then getting out. <br><br>"What's this from?"<br><br>Leo's fingertips gently touched the series of scars, just for a second, before he dried himself off and started dressing himself. He kept his body turned away from Vance, still somewhat shy about being naked around him because he didn't know him. <br><br>He squeezed some excess water out of his hair, letting it start to dry, taking on a less limp shape now that it was clean. He brushed some water off of his cheeks with the edge of his cloak and upon deciding that he was suitably clean, fastened his pants around slim hips.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>30-09-2010, 16:36:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance started a bit as Leo's fingers brushed across the scars on his hip, but then he relaxed once he realized that it was only Leo, and not someone else sneaking up on him.&nbsp; He quickly finished drying himself off and dressed, pulling the wolf-skin cloak around his body and pulling the hood - lined with rabbit fur since it was softer, he noted - over his head to keep his hair from possibly freezing, or at least picking up more dirt when it was still wet.<br><br>"I let Griz carve those into me a long time ago," Vance admitted quietly. It wasn't something he was particularly proud about anymore, but unless he wanted to mutilate his skin more just to get rid of it, they were going to stay where they were, as they were.<br><br>"Anyways," he said, changing the subject and whistling, "we should probably return and set up our camp and wait for the caravan to arrive."<br><br>At the whistle, Cyclone, who was a bit upriver from them, lifted his head and came dancing back towards them. He nosed at Vance's tunic, almost like he was looking for something, and Vance chuckled quietly. He reached into his cloak and retrieved a carrot, offering it to the gelding, who happily took the treat from the large man's hand and munched on it.<br><br>"I doubt they're too far behind us."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>30-09-2010, 16:54:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo shrugged on Vance's old cloak, wrapping it tightly around him, doing his best to dry his hair off. He pulled his own hood up for the same reasons, tucking his hair back inside tightly, doing his best to keep the wind from hitting it. He glanced once more at the scars, nodding slightly, not entirely sure what to say but glad that the other man had told him. <br><br>He laughed softly as Cyclone came up, nosing at the other man's tunic, reaching out to pat the gelding's strong neck. He clearly liked animals, and stroked Cyclone's neck gently, before he began walking back up towards the camp. <br><br>"I'll get a fire started," he said, immediately clearing out a bit of a pit upon arriving.<br><br>It would be nice to have for the others, and also to help dry off what bits of them they couldn't dry at the river. He found some brush to use as tinder, and then a few thick bits of tree, ones that would lend themselves to a fire well enough without chopping. <br><br>He set everything up, and set about to lighting the tinder with a spark from the flint, picking up the flaming stalk of dry grass that had caught and blowing it gently to get it going even more, lighting the rest of the tinder. Within fifteen minutes, he had a crackling fire set up, and looked rather pleased with himself. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>30-09-2010, 22:06:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After getting his carrot, Cyclone trotted after Leo back to the camp site, giving Vance a moment to rub his face and push the memories of the scars down again. It wasn't like they were painful anymore... more just awkward. Especially considering the company he was in. Especially considering he was attracted to Leo and wanted to try to be with him.... and just him.<br><br>Vance nodded and set about setting up their tent and rolling out the bedroll. He'd get the other one when the caravan arrived again, which wouldn't be too long. He hoped.<br><br>"I'm going to pop up the rocks to see if I can spot the caravan," Vance said as soon as he crawled out of the tent and brushed himself off. "Or anything else, for that matter. The good thing about this place is the view."<br><br>That said, he headed for the faint trail leading up the side of the rock formation, heading for the top. It was a short, quiet climb, for the most part, and once he reached the top, he spotted the caravan. It was easy to see, based on the slight dust cloud it was kicking up, and it looked to be perhaps 3 miles off. He nodded and headed back down to Vance.<br><br>"They're not that far," he said upon his return down the face. "We have some food, but it's not exactly good, so unless you're hungry, we can wait for the caravan before getting food."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>30-09-2010, 23:09:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo set about making sure their tent's stakes were in the ground steadily, and their things were arranged as best they could be. He arranged Vance's bedroll neatly, waiting for his own to arrive on the caravan. He was still slightly nervous that someone had gone ruffling through his bags while he was away from it, but there wasn't much that he could do about that in that moment. He'd just have to deal with it and hope no one had found anything dangerous.<br><br>He watched Vance as he climbed, leaning back to do so, smirking faintly. He was attractive, quite a handsome man, with an impressive, powerful body. He wondered if Vance would ever be attracted to him. <br><br>He ducked back into the tent, using a comb he'd had to brush some tangles out of his hair, leaving it hanging sleek and dark against the smooth column of his throat. <br><br>"I'm fine waiting for food," he said, rubbing his hair a bit more with the cloth they'd used. It was nearly dry, now, and he looked much more the rich merchant's child than traveller with his glossy black hair drying in sleek panels about his face, those brilliant eyes peering up through those exotic lashes. He wanted to ask more about the scars. He'd actually let Griz cut them into him? But he didn't say anything; he merely adjusted his cloak and flipped the hood up to protect against the wind.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>30-09-2010, 23:39:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Alright. Shouldn't take them too long to get here anyways," Vance said. He whistled for Cyclone, and the large black horse trotted back over to him, allowing the large man to lead him to a clearing that was almost a natural corral, surrounded on three sides by rock face with the fourth closed off by a gate that had been set up by the travelers who frequently used this spot as a way-stop on their journey. Cyclone made his way into the open area, and Vance shut the "gate" behind him.<br><br>That chore taken care of, he moved back to the fire and sat next to it, extending his hands towards the warmth to get some of the stiffness out of his fingers. That was the problem with bathing in cold water, at least for him - his hands stiffened up a little, enough so that it took him a little while to get them back to being warm.<br><br>Sticking them next to warm skin would certainly help, but Vance didn't particularly want to get involved with Leo while there was the risk of the caravan arriving any minute... But at the same time, there was a bit of draw to having sex with that risk.<br><br>With a slight grin, the larger man shifted his position until he was closer to Leo. The younger man was likely interested in him, he just had to find out for sure... and he knew how to do that. He'd just have to avoid any poison-tipped daggers or anything else in the process. That was easy enough... Pulling Leo against him, he grabbed the smaller man's wrists in one hand to keep him immobile.<br><br>"You like men, don't you?" he asked quietly, directly into Leo's ear.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 00:29:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo had had his pale, long-fingered hands extended out comfortably in front of him, letting the crackling fire warm his chilly skin. The caravan would be here soon, but not too soon, and he let his mind wander as the other man moved a bit closer to him. He didn't think about it, merely tilting his palms upwards, letting the fire warm the scarred tips of his fingers, not thinking about the fact that the other man was moving closer. He figured he was just getting more comfortable, sharing warmth, as usual.<br><br>His wrists were suddenly pulled into one large hand, his body pressed flush against Vance's. His lips parted in a snarl, and it was a good thing he hadn't seen it coming, or else shock might have given way to him seriously seeking to harm the other man. Hearing the words whispered in his ear, though, made him pause momentarily.<br><br>"Vance, I...."<br><br>The caravan was coming. This was stupid, they shouldn't be doing this. Vance didn't know who he was or how much danger was following him about. All of the excuses ran through his mind, but instead of saying any of them, his mind made itself up and spoke for him. "Yes, I like men." <br><br>He glanced up at Vance, hands caught in the other man's grip, slim frame not easily able to fight its way out of the other man's grasp.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 00:50:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Thought so," Vance said with a slight chuckle, nipping at the younger man's ear. Now that they were alone and not surrounded by people sleeping only a few feet away, they could have a little fun. It had felt very nice to have Leo's body pressed up against him at night, even if it was just to share body heat and keep both of them warm. It had just been a little bit of a challenge for him to keep himself under control, considering the nice warm body against his own.<br><br>The larger man got up, still holding onto Leo's wrists and forcing the smaller man to stand with him, then headed for the tent. It would be a lot warmer in there, out of the wind, and it would also be nice to get away from the risk of prying eyes. Now that he had confirmation of where Leo's attractions lay, he was going to try to have a little fun.<br><br>"What say you to killing a little time?" he suggested, releasing Leo's wrists and lifting the tent flap for him to enter. He wasn't going to rape the younger man, so if he wanted to stop this, now would be a good time to retreat or say something.<br><br>If not, Vance was going to have some fun with Leo. Mal wouldn't mind, as long as they were discreet. He didn't really mind much of anything, anyways.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 01:15:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo got up, not that he had much of a choice in the matter with the other man pulling him up by his wrists, trotting along behind him to the tent. He was surprised at Vance's initiative, more than a bit pleased by it, unable not to grin as he was led into the tent and under the flap. He walked in ahead of Vance, spine still straight, as though in his more intimate moments he became almost more proper before the deed. That wasn't to say that he didn't become completely wanton when he was spread out before a man, though. He was looking forwards to letting Vance bring him to that state.<br><br>"Sounds quite agreeable to me," Leo said with a hint of a smile, walking into the tent, slowly untying the clasp on his cloak. He let it slither to the ground behind him, turning to look at Vance, though he had to stoop a bit in the tent. He found it easier to sit on the bedroll because of the low-hanging fabric, removing his boots quickly, before glancing back up at the other man.<br><br>A hint of a smile was playing on his plush lips.<br><br>He was excited, unable not to be. He'd been attracted to Vance but he'd doubted that the other man would feel the same way about him. It would be...wonderful, really, to have someone who he could be with. Even if it was just to have a bit of fun. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 01:33:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance smiled as Leo stepped into the tent, then ducked in behind him, tying the flap closed against the wind. It wouldn't do for either of them to get cold, since that would ruin whatever fun they would likely be having. He watched as the cloak fell to the ground behind the younger man and shed his own as well. It was a little chilly in the tent, but that would soon change. Well, the weather wouldn't, but his attention to it soon would, as it would likely be held by something far more interesting.<br><br>He knelt over Leo as the younger man sat to remove his boots and followed suit, setting his carefully to the side so he wouldn't accidentally kick them around. The younger man looked excited, the same way Vance probably did, and no wonder. Vance hadn't gotten laid in some time, and was looking forward to it - craving it, actually.<br><br>"How do you like things?" he asked quietly, hands sliding to the bottom of Leo's shirt and pulling it slowly up and off him. The younger man's body was very attractive, and he didn't mind taking his time uncovering it. The wait just made him hornier, and for him, that made everything that much better. He did the same thing with Leo's trousers, carefully undoing them and drawing them down the younger man's body.<br><br>"Nice and slow, or hard and fast?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 01:40:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Oh, God, it had been too long. Too long since he'd had a man get him this excited. He was already hard as the other man tugged his trousers off of him, his shirt off, revealing every inch of pale, soft skin. He'd been cared for all of his life and his skin showed it - barely any marks to be had except for his scarred fingertips - and he parted his legs eagerly as the other man knelt over him.<br><br>"Hard and fast," he murmured, leaning forwards to unbutton the other man's shirt, lips grazing along his jawline. "I want to be fucked hard and fast." He hoped the other man could give it to him.<br><br>He wanted the other man to make him scream.<br><br>Eagerly, he tugged Vance's shirt off, letting out a soft moan as he saw the other man's muscles. He was certainly strong, and he'd certainly be able to bring him a fair amount of pleasure, he wagered. He was eagerly looking forwards to it. <br><br>He ran his fingers down Vance's broad chest, grinning at the muscles he found there, looking up at him. "I want you to fuck me so hard I can't walk straight."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 01:56:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"How about I fuck you hard enough that you won't be walking tonight?" Vance asked with a slight smile. "We still have to scout tomorrow and I don't think you'd want to stay and ride in the caravan...." He winked a bit. It would probably hurt more to sit tomorrow than it would to stand and walk, but he couldn't be sure - it had been a long while since he'd let someone take him, so he couldn't quite remember the feeling of it. Not as vividly as Leo would likely feel it at the end of the night.<br><br>The large man grinned a bit as his smaller companion gasped upon seeing his musculature. He wasn't really vain (except about his hair), but hearing someone respond to his physique in a favorable way made his ego inflate just a little bit.<br><br>He stripped his pants off quickly and reached into his pack, rooting around for some oil. He double checked to make sure had pulled out what he had gone looking for, then uncorked the top and spread some of it on his fingers to prepare the younger man. He didn't want to hurt Leo by just sliding into him with no preparation...<br><br>Vance pushed Leo to lie on his back on the bedroll and spread his legs, bringing his oiled fingers to tease the younger man's opening.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 02:03:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo couldn't help but whimper in anticipation of what was to come. He wanted nothing more than to be fucked, and he had nothing on his mind other than being fucked, other than being forced to submit. He wanted that more than anything. <br><br>He fell back onto his back, legs spread, fingers fisting in the bedroll. <br><br>He felt the other man's fingers teasing at his opening, his pale eyes blazing beneath their thick fringe of lashes, groaning, "God, don't tease me," he gasped, "I need you in me..." <br><br>And he did. It had been far too long since he'd had someone take him the way he needed to be taken. <br><br>"Vance," he gasped, wiggling his hips slightly, inviting the other man to do much more than just prepare him. He was eager to be fucked, eager for Vance to be the one dominating him. He had a feeling that Vance was going to be able to live up to his expectations.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 02:13:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Quite the eager little slut, aren't you?" Vance asked with a grin, pressing one finger into the younger man slowly. He didn't want to hurt him or tear him, as that would ruin tonight and any future fun they might consider. He took a moment to move his finger in the smaller man's body, before adding a second, beginning to stretch him.<br><br>Leo liked things rough - that was perfectly fine by Vance. He liked things rough as well, but not so rough that he caused pain unintentionally. Causing pain intentionally, for the sake of pleasure (he personally had enjoyed the spankings he frequently received from Griz for being an idiot), was an entirely different and acceptable idea.<br><br>Vance added a third finger before too long, stretching Leo even further and making sure that he was loose enough to take Vance's cock with relative ease, then removed his fingers and spread oil on his cock. He took another moment to align himself with Leo's entrance, then slid inside him with one movement.<br><br>He gave the younger man (and himself) a minute to adjust to the sensation, then started to move, building the speed and force of his thrusts until he was literally pounding the young man into the bedroll.<br><br>It had been far too long.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 02:21:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo's cheeks had taken on a flush, and he was squirming, writhing atop the other man's fingers as he worked them into his body and then added a third. he let out a soft cry, letting his eyes drift shut, hips jerking slightly as Vance's fingers bumped against a sweet spot he wasn't entirely aware that he had. Leo wasn't a virgin by any means, but he hadn't been with many men, by the same token. <br><br>He cried out when the other man suddenly slid into his body.<br><br>His legs tightened around Vance's waist, quivering slightly, taking a minute to adjust to the sensation of something quite so large in him. He arched up, pressing his lips to Vance's, demanding a deep, heady kiss.<br><br>He cried out again, trying to stifle his noises but unable to, the other man literally fucking him into the ground. He let his teeth clamp onto Vance's shoulder, drawing up a mark there, quieting a cry against the other man's skin. <br><br>"Harder," he gasped, "Please, fuck me harder, Vance...!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 02:35:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Well, the younger man certainly wasn't a virgin, but wasn't very experienced, either. He had jerked in surprise when Vance's fingers found that sweet spot in him, almost as if he didn't know that it was there. Well, Leo's previous "lovers" hadn't know how to treat another man right. Either that, or they just didn't care. Vance wasn't like other men in that regard - he got more pleasure when his lover got pleasure as well.<br><br>Vance paused in his thrusts for a moment, grasping hold of Leo's ankles and shifting his legs so they settled more comfortably around his waist, rather than pressing into his hips, which were relatively bony. Not pleasant for grasping tight. Then he began to thrust again, harder now that Leo had asked for it.<br><br>He groaned quietly when Leo arched up to kiss him, responding to the kiss just as deeply and demanding. To a certain extent, he liked his lovers to take some initiative, but he did like to dominate all contact when given the opportunity.<br><br>When Leo's teeth sunk into his shoulder, not hard enough to draw blood but certainly hard enough to leave a bruise, Vance hissed through bared teeth and started slamming into Leo even harder. The younger man liked it rough. Well, Vance would give him rough... and he knew he'd like it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 03:03:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo repositioned his legs tightly around his waist - he seemingly was quite flexible - his legs tightening around the other man's waist. His body was surprisingly warm now that he had blood coursing through it, clearly excited, achingly hard between their two bodies. He let their tongues tangle, moaning against his lover's lips, before he moved his lips down to bite at the other man's shoulder.<br><br>The response he got, though, had him screaming Vance's name.<br><br>Vance began rocking into him even harder than he had before, and he thought he was going to lose himself, arching back, nails digging hard enough into Vance's shoulders to draw up faint red crescents. <br><br>Vance hit that sweet spot within his body once more and his legs tightened around Vance's waist, quivering, all of his muscles clenching around him. "Vance," he gasped, "Vance, more, please..." he didn't even know what he wanted more of, his whole mind was so twisted with the pleasure. Sex had never been like this before - he'd gotten off, and it had been alright, but it had never felt quite so <em>good</em>.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 03:14:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Good. Leo was flexible and hadn't complained about the repositioning of his legs. It made Vance able to thrust in deeper and hit that spot in the younger man's body that made him tense up and quiver a bit more often, giving Leo more pleasure.<br><br>He started in surprise when Leo yelled out his name, and quickly clamped a hand down over his mouth. He didn't want the younger man's sounds to draw unwanted attention to them, considering they were in a very compromising position and if any bandits were in their vicinity, there could be a major problem. Especially if they decided attacking two men would be easy, and got their hands on Leo's poisons.<br><br>"Shh!" he hissed sharply. "Keep your voice down, or I'll gag you." And he would, too, in order to keep one hand free, as the one that wasn't clamped around the younger man's mouth was holding him up.<br><br>Once he was sure that his message had gotten across, he released Leo's mouth and slid that hand down his pale skin, twisting one of his nipples, hard, before finally grasping Leo's erection and stroking him with his calloused hand. He stroked hard and fast, timing his strokes with his thrusts into Leo's body, wanting to cum but wishing that the moment wouldn't end so soon. He was really beginning to enjoy himself.<br><br>Maybe if he was lucky, he'd get more of this in the future.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 03:30:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He panted when told to be quiet, breath warm on the palm of the other man's hand clamped so tightly against his mouth. He whimpered softly, sinking teeth into his bottom lip, drawing up a ruby bead of blood where his teeth clenched down. He let out a little sound when warned that he might be gagged, though he didn't look particularly averse to the idea, as though he might actually enjoy it. <br><br>"Ah..." he gasped, shutting his eyes tightly and clenching his fingers in the bedroll.<br><br>"Vance..." he whispered, letting out a tiny sound when the other man suddenly twisted his nipple, making his hips jerk, all his muscles tightening around the other man immediately. <br><br>He was so close, and as he felt that calloused hand clench around him, stroking in time with the thrusts he knew that he wasn't going to last long. <br><br>"Ah..." he gasped, eyes clenching shut, pressing his lips to the other man's, moaning into the kiss. He cried out, losing himself between them, body trembling as pleasure washed over him in waves. He hadn't felt something like this in so long. He'd certainly never had an orgasm this strong, and his mind was reeling, body trembling and clenching impossibly tight around the other man.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 17:09:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo didn't seem to be turned off by the idea of being gagged, so if things continued between them for the duration of this trip, Vance would definitely have to try restraining the younger man somehow. He just couldn't help it - Leo would probably look very good tied and pinned down, and judging by how he was reacting to being pounded now, he'd probably enjoy it.<br><br>He made note of the reaction he had gotten to twisting the smaller man's nipple, and filed it away for later use, if he ever felt like tormenting Leo in the future.<br><br>He probably would - the younger man, now that Vance had an idea of how he reacted when it came to sex, was irresistible to him.<br><br>Leo came a short while after he started stroking in time with his thrusts, hard. The smaller body began to tremble beneath him, and Vance felt the muscles of the younger man's ass clamping around him as he came. He managed a few more thrusts, hissing at the near-pain the tightness of the passage holding him caused, then came inside Leo, biting down on the younger man's shoulder to muffle it.<br><br>That would definitely be bruised in the morning.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 18:08:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo didn't know what the other man was thinking about; he didn't know about the thought of binding and gagging him but if he did, he would have been so excited that he would have hardly been able to breathe. He trembled beneath the other man as he thrust into him, crying out in pleasure as the other man thrust into his willing body. <br><br>"Vance," he whispered, arching when he felt teeth digging into his shoulder. There was certainly going to be a mark left behind the next day.<br><br>He was quivering beneath the other man, trembling, unable to quite catch his breath. "That was..." he gasped, shutting his eyes tightly. He'd never had sex like that, never been fucked that hard before. He didn't know sex could be that good.<br><br>He lay beneath the other man, his pale legs parted around the other man's waist, panting and attempting to catch his breath. <br><br>He truly wasn't going to be walking that night. He felt that ache deep within his hips, deep within his body, taking in a shaky little breath. It felt incredible.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 18:25:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance groaned and panted as he tried to catch his breath. He was holding himself up, hovering over Leo, with one arm. He didn't want to crush Leo beneath him, because that would mean that they probably wouldn't have sex for a while. The smaller man probably wouldn't want to risk getting crushed for a second time. Once was enough.<br><br>"Good," Vance said quietly, finally catching his breath and getting enough strength back into his arms to push himself up fully so he could pull out of Leo.<br><br>"That was good." He stroked Leo's hip before grasping them to pull himself out, groaning a bit as he did so. Leo was so tight, so nice... Vance didn't want to leave the tight heat of his body. He knew that he'd have an opportunity to do this again, assuming the younger man was willing (he had no doubt of that, after what had just happened) in the future.<br><br>He carefully lowered Leo's legs back to the bedroll and pulled the blankets up over him. "I'm going to go wait for the caravan outside," he explained, reaching for his pants. "You stay in here and get some rest so you can actually walk in the morning."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 20:01:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo let out a soft cry when the other man pulled out of him, legs quivering, fingers clutching at the bedroll as though that was the last thing he wanted. He didn't want the other man pulling out of his body. He flopped back onto the bedroll, bare from head to toe, still struggling to breathe past the pleasure that was still coursing through his body. <br><br>He nodded when told the other man would wait for the caravan outside, relaxing into the bedroll, tugging the blankets a bit higher up over him and turning, curling under them. <br><br>He groaned slightly as he turned onto his side.<br><br>His hips ached. He'd truly been fucked into the ground - and he couldn't have been more pleased. It had been incredible. <br><br>"Can you grab dinner, when it's ready?" He wasn't terribly hungry, but he knew that he needed to eat in order to keep his strength up. His cheeks were flushed, bringing some color to his pale face, already thinking of the next times they'd be able to lie together again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 20:08:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Sure," Vance said, quickly slithering into his pants as best he could given the tight quarters. He pulled his tunic over his head and debated putting on his cloak. He eventually took it and wrapped it around his shoulders, since it was too cold outside to go without a cloak. He did take an extra minute to drape Leo's cloak over the blankets and tuck him in carefully - wouldn't do to have the kid get sick this early in the game.<br><br>"Holler if you need anything else," Vance said as he untied the tent flap and stepped out, retying it so the wind wouldn't whip inside and cause Leo to catch a chill.<br><br>The caravan rumbled into the camp area about half an hour later, and Vance nodded at Mal in greeting. He went to fetch the rest of their belongings and deposited them in the tent, then went to help take care of the horses and get food started. He reported to Mal as the food cooked.<br><br>"We're heading out at dawn tomorrow," Vance said when he entered the tent with food for them both. "You and I, I mean. So eat up." He set the plate within easy reach and rolled out the second bedroll quickly, forming a bigger area for them to sleep on that night.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 20:21:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo eagerly sat up when he smelled food, running his fingers back through his hair, reaching for a piece of the warm bread that was ready. He broke the bread in half and then scooped up the sauce, popping the meat into his mouth. It tasted delicious, perhaps because he was so exhausted, because the sex had tired him out so much. <br><br>He finished off the food and flopped back onto the bedroll, still naked from head to toe, looking up at the other man.<br><br>"You really wore me out," he said, a faint grin playing on the edges of his lips. It was warm under the blanket and cloaks draped over him, though it would be even warmer when Vance curled around him. He was glad that he'd decided to have sex with Vance, that he'd taken that step. He just hoped that he wouldn't come to regret it, or that the troubles he'd left behind would come and find him.<br><br>He ran his fingers through his hair slowly, stifling a yawn, ducking a bit closer to the blankets.<br><br>His hair was cold, still a bit damp, but he wasn't focusing on that; he noticed the wave that had come out in Vance's hair and smirked. He looked like one of those actors whose pictures were splattered on posters all over the cities.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 20:39:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance grinned when Leo told him that he had worn him out. That had partially been the plan. He, personally, was feeling lazily sated and quite happy with how events had turned out. As Leo dug into his food, he followed suit and polished off his plate quickly. For some reason, food always tasted better after good sex, and was more filling.<br><br>When he was done, he went into Leo's pack and pulled out the sable cloak, spreading it over the younger man before taking off his boots, tunic and cloak again. He slid under the blankets next to Leo and adjusted the fur over them, keeping their body heat trapped under them.<br><br>Vance pulled the younger man closer to him, hands roaming on his skin just a little bit, teasing him enough to arouse him the slightest bit, but not so much as to cause him to grow hard. There would be enough time to have more fun tomorrow, or the day after, which would probably be a better idea, considering Leo would likely be sore from tonight.<br><br>"You're laughing at me," Vance observed when he noticed Leo smirking at him. "What's so funny that you have to tease me?"<br><br>Waiting for an answer, he propped himself up on his elbow to look down at the smaller man, liking the color on his face and the way his hair was disheveled. He looked very well-fucked at the moment, and Vance couldn't help but admire the sight.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 20:52:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo grinned when the other man asked what was so funny that he had to tease him. "That wave in your hair," he said, turning a bit, moaning quietly when the other man's hand wandered down over his body. It felt wonderful to have the other man touching him, and even though it wasn't quite enough to get him hard again, it felt wonderful.<br><br>He smiled faintly, curling into the other man's side, nuzzling into his body. <br><br>He liked being close to someone. It had bene a long time since he'd been able to curl up in someone's arms. <br><br>"It makes you look like a star that I saw on a poster, in my town. He was quite famous." He smiled faintly, letting his body mold to Vance's, giving him ample opportunity to feel every curve and plane of his body. <br><br>He relaxed his body comfortably against him, tangling his bare legs in the other man's. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 21:19:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance wrapped his arms around Leo's body when the smaller man snuggled close. Apparently he was a bit more of a snuggle-bug - a term Lisbet was fond of calling her husband when he was feeling particularly affectionate - than he seemed, not that the larger man particularly minded. It was very nice to have someone to wrap his arms around. He hadn't had too many lovers in recent years.<br><br>"The wave in my hair?" Vance asked, quirking an eyebrow at the younger man. He smiled a bit - seemed that washing it and letting it dry in the air had brought the natural waves back into it. He was glad that he could have it look nice for at least a little while.<br><br>Apparently it reminded Leo of an actor. That was a little flattering, and he was pleased by the compliment.<br><br>"How long ago did you see these posters?" he asked, curious. He wouldn't pry too much about Leo's past, but he was curious. It was hard for him to keep his curiosity in check sometimes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 21:30:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo moved a bit so that he was mostly obscured beneath the cloak and covers within the other man's arms, trying to think back, "I went to the play about a year and a half ago, I suppose. Maybe two or three years ago, even. Things were so different back then..." he murmured quietly, pressing his cheek to Vance's chest. <br><br>"That was back before things got bad. I haven't seen many plays since then. I used to enjoy them so much." Time had an ethereal quality for him. He didn't keep track of it so much, and it was hard to tell the difference between one year and three. It wasn't until things became bad that he become entirely conscious of every day he remained alive.<br><br>He did miss his old lifestyle, but he didn't regret what he'd done.<br><br>He ran his fingers back through his hair, trying to get it out of his eyes, blinking slowly and then letting his eyes shut. He opened them just long enough to glance up at the other man, smiling faintly, not really thinking about the fact that he'd probably revealed more about his past than he'd wanted to even with just a general timeline.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 21:57:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"What happened?" Vance asked before he could stop himself. He frowned as soon as the words left his mouth, berating himself mentally for letting his curiosity get the better of him. Leo probably didn't want to talk about what had happened to him, whatever it was, and probably not to Vance. not just yet, if ever.<br><br>"Forget that question," he amended quickly, shaking his head and stroking Leo's hair gently for a moment. "You'll tell me when and if you're ready to do so." Vance was patient - it had taken him almost a year to get Riel (one of the women in the rear-guard) to trust him enough to tell him what she had done. He could wait that long for Leo if the young man decided to stick around.<br><br>"You're safe with us," Vance said after a moment of silence. "If you want to join us, I mean. We keep our own safe."<br><br>He paused for a moment, then smiled a little. "That is, unless you try to kill us first. Then we might not be so happy to keep you around. I don't think you're the kind to kill the people who are helping you move around the land, but I thought I would offer the warning."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>01-10-2010, 22:47:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo was silent, still, as the other man stroked his hair. He did smile faintly when told that he would be kept safe. He did laugh, though, quietly, when told that he shouldn't kill those around him. "No, you're right. I wouldn't kill people who were helping me. I appreciate the offer of safety, though." His voice was cool, measured as it always was when he wasn't in the throes of passion. <br><br>"No one's managed to do it yet, though." He sighed, "Keep me safe, I mean. I prefer to keep myself safe." <br><br>He curled a bit closer, wrapping Vance's arms around him, drowsily relaxing against the other man. <br><br>He wanted to tell Vance about what had happened, what he had done, but he couldn't. Years of self-imposed silence made it hard for him to say what had happened, and, unbidden, various memories flashed across the blackness of his closed eyes. <br><br>Whirling, colored silk at a dance, women's tiny feet tucked into exquisite slippers. His mother's perfume - jasmine - clinging to the clothes she had been buried in. His father's sable, which he always wore, which he required his children to wear. He had said that Leo looked beautiful in black, just like his mother, as though death became him just as it did her.<br><br>"I've done too much to tell in one night, anyways." He murmured, pressing a kiss to Vance's wrist, letting out a slow breath. "Many people have died at my hand." <br><br>He didn't say anything more, merely rolled a bit, repositioning himself to get comfortable.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>02-10-2010, 18:55:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It wouldn't hurt to have a little help around," Vance said with a slight smile, continuing to stroke Leo's hair for a few more minutes. "I wasn't suggesting you let your guard down entirely - none of us do that - but it might be nice to trust in someone else to at least not kill you. None of the core group will, and we do tend to keep any eye out for any of the drifters that look as if they might try."<br><br>He yawned and shifted his body around so he was lying comfortably on the bedrolls, with the blankets and cloaks draped around him to keep them warm. Tonight he didn't have to tug them around to stay warm - they had just kind of settled nicely.<br><br>"If you ever decide you're ready to talk about what happened to you and what you did, I will listen," Vance said quietly, squeezing Leo's thigh - where his hand had happened to come to rest - gently. "I'm not the sort to judge harshly."<br><br>That was mostly true - he didn't judge on first appearances, considering he was something of a master of deception himself.<br><br>There was also the fact that it just really wasn't in his nature to judge anyone harshly, unless they particularly deserved it. He didn't think that whatever had happened to Leo deserved harsh judgment, considering the fact that Malan had let the young man join their caravan for the time being. Mal wasn't the sort who brought people he considered as a danger to his companions into the group. He never had.<br><br>With another yawn, Vance settled down for the night, quietly, and drifted off to sleep relatively quickly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>02-10-2010, 19:38:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo sagged into the bedding they had laid out, falling fast asleep, surprisingly comfortable with the other man's promises of potential safety. He relaxed into the other man's body, curled up tightly against him, letting a faint smile trail over his lips as he moved so that his body was molded, each and every line of it, to Vance's. It was comfortable and warm and comforting. <br><br>He woke in the morning, just about dawn, stirring. He nudged Vance gently, wanting to see if he was awake and if not to wake him up, sitting up slowly. He shivered, immediately reaching for his shirt, tugging it on. Even though he was able to walk, he certainly was sore.<br><br>Walking would help him stretch himself out a bit.<br><br>He could feel all of his muscles protesting his vigorous 'workout' the day before, curling slightly and then standing up, tugging his pants on to ward off the cold. He wondered if he'd ever really tell Vance the things he'd done.<br><br>He wondered if the man would be able to hear and not ate him.<br><br>The men had desreved to die, certainly. They'd been evil men. All the same, though, he'd taken a certain joy in killing them that he knew he shouldn't have.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>02-10-2010, 20:07:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The next morning, Vance felt someone nudging him, apparently wanting him to wake up. He groaned quietly and stirred, opening an eye and seeing Leo getting dressed. He yawned and stretched a little bit, feeling a little groggy - he hated pre-dawn departures mainly for the fact that he would have already walked a mile by the time the sun was fully over the horizon, if not more.<br><br>"I'm up, I'm up," he said quietly, reaching for his shirt and pulling it on. Once he was clothed and had his cloak wrapped around himself, he started packing up their things into their respective bags.<br><br>"Go grab us some breakfast, okay?" he said once he was done packing their gear up. He crawled out of the tent with one of the packs and put it in the back of the wagon before returning to the tent and beginning to take it down. He bundled it up carefully and set it with the rest of their things. He'd get Cyclone in a minute - first, he wanted to get some warm food into himself before moving any further.<br><br>The only people that were stirring right now were a few of the core group, and those people who had been put on watch the previous night. The camp was quiet. It was the perfect time to slip out before people started bustling around.<br><br>Vance ate quickly when Leo returned with food, then got up and went to get Cyclone, who was not happy about the early morning either, but seemed pleased enough to see Leo, going carefully over him and nosing him in the shoulder in greeting. Vance chuckled and quickly loaded up the gear he'd be carrying.<br><br>"I think we're all ready."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>02-10-2010, 20:37:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo nodded and slipped out of the tent to get food, heaping two plates with generous servings, knowing that they'd both be quite hungry. They'd be walking for a while, so he figured that it made sense to give them both generous portions, so they wouldn't get hungry when they were walking. He brought the food back and they both ate quickly, smiling faintly as Cyclone came over.<br><br>He gently rubbed the horse's forelock, gently scratching at it, letting the jaw of the horse bump against his shoulder, "Hi, there," he whispered to the large, friendly animal.<br><br>He nodded when Vance said that they were ready.<br><br>He stretched a bit, laced his boots up, and got ready to start walking.<br><br>The sun wasn't up yet; it was still hovering far below the horizon, and he stretched slightly as they began their walk. He smirked slightly, knowing the other man could tell that he was sore from their fun the night before. He shook his hair out a bit, walking along in the darkness. <br><br>It didn't take long for them to get away from the camp, and soon enough it was just the two of them. <br><br>The wind whipped around them, and he tugged the cloak Vance had given him much closer around him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>02-10-2010, 21:25:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance checked to make sure his boots were tied securely to his feet, then worked a kink out of his neck - they always managed to develop in his sleep, no matter how he tried to get comfortable. The generous breakfast he had this morning was settling quite nicely in his stomach, giving him a bit of a warm feeling in his gut. That wouldn't last long, but it would hopefully get them through the dreary predawn trek.<br><br>"Feel free to use Cyclone as a wind block," he suggested as the wind picked up, dropping back to walk alongside the horse, using his neck for just that purpose. "He's got his winter coat in, so he seems to be at least relatively comfortable right now."<br><br>Cyclone at least didn't seem to be in any major discomfort, although his ears were flicking around trying to avoid the irritation of the wind-borne dust.<br><br>Vance patted the gelding's neck gently, giving him a little attention as they walked. Wouldn't do for the horse to feel like he was being neglected, particularly when it was cold.<br><br>About midday on their trek, Vance began to notice signs of human presence. They were faint and a few days old at least, clearly of a smaller band, but in any case, they made him a little nervous. He pointed them out to Leo.<br><br>"Someone's been this way in the past week or so," he said quietly. "Keep an eye out."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>02-10-2010, 22:02:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo walked on the other side of cyclone, hand on the warm neck, occasionally stroking the gelding's neck. It was warm, comfortable, and he relaxed into the feel of the lovely creature's comfort as he walked. He wished he could be so confident.<br><br>It wasn't until he saw the tracks that he bent down a bit, looking at the hoofprints, checking for something.<br><br>He glanced at it, ran his fingers through his hair, frowning slightly.<br><br>He scratched at the dust, smiled faintly when he saw that the prints were missing something he was looking for, and straightened up. He let his hand stray to his belt, though, where his dagger hung.<br><br>His longbow bumped comfortingly at his back and he toyed with the tip for a moment before moving forwards.<br><br>"Hopefully it won't be any trouble," he said, wondering where the band had gone. The eddies of dust, blown by the wind, obscured the tracks here and there so that it was impossible to tell where the band traveling before them had gone. "Probably just bandits."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>03-10-2010, 03:21:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance watched quietly as Leo inspected the tracks, apparently looking for something. He guided Cyclone out of the way so the horse wouldn't mess up the prints, then returned to look them over himself, just to make sure he hadn't missed anything. Once satisfied, he quickly made a sign to Mal that there wasn't any immediate danger, but that he should still be cautious.<br><br>"It looks like they headed off in an easterly directly," Vance said, straightening up and moving over to take hold of Cyclone's reins again. "That's the fastest way out of here, so with luck they are heading for civilization instead of deeper into the wastes to try to cut caravans off to harass them."<br><br>Regardless, he reached up and pulled his broadsword an inch from its scabbard, making it just slightly easier to draw. He also checked his crossbow and made sure it was in working order.<br><br>Wouldn't do to be caught completely unawares, although they likely wouldn't be. Leo was checking his weapons, and he'd likely have a faster reaction than Vance would, since the larger man had to get Cyclone out of the way so he wouldn't hinder them.<br><br>They ran into no more tracks that afternoon, and found a suitable campsite about an hour before sunset. Vance relieved Cyclone of the burden of the tent, and set about getting it set up. He handed a picket stake to Leo.<br><br>"Since there's no corral at this site, we have to picket the horses. There's good grazing land over there, so could you go take care of Cyclone while I get the tent set up?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>03-10-2010, 05:59:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo followed Vance silently for the rest of the day, trailing after him quietly, leaning back into the horse as the wind roared around them. He took the picket stake quietly and went up to the grazing land, tethering the horse to it after driving it deep into the ground, making sure it wouldn't pull free, making certain that Cyclone had enough lead to allow him room to graze and get a good meal. <br><br>He sighed slightly, running his fingers back through his hair, shaking it out. He undid the thong that tied it, slipping it into a voluminous pocket of his cloak, walking back to the camp site.<br><br>He watched the sun sinking behind the horizon, standing atop a hill, looking out.<br><br>He could swear he heard a horse nickering in the far woods; he swore he could hear drunken laughter. He wasn't certain, though, and trailed back to the campsite with his eyes narrowed suspiciously.<br><br>He wasn't in the best of moods, less worried about bandits than about his own pursuers, trailing into the tent and dumping his cloak on the ground. He unrolled the bedrolls and flopped back onto one to rest until their food came up from behind, looking up at Vance, the stress showing from the faint pinch to his lips.<br><br>"How far have you travelled? I mean, what's the furthest you've gone?" He was curious, and asked it to distract himself, wondering. He'd come, himself, from lands traders only dreamed of far in the East with spices and silks overflowing crowded stalls.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>03-10-2010, 16:19:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance watched as Leo returned from standing on a hill, looking around a little suspiciously. Vance's eyes narrowed as well and he stood up, heading for where Leo had been standing, wondering what was bothering him. He stood for a minute, gazing out, and the wind carried sounds of other people towards him. There were a few horses with them, making him believe that they were hunters rather than bandits.<br><br>The caravan rumbled into the campsite a few moments later, cutting off attempts for Vance to head out and investigate. Since it was getting dark, sending anyone out would be a bad idea, but he reported his and Leo's "findings" to Mal, who gave orders to up the guard for the night.<br><br>Vance collected two generous plates of food, crawling into the tent along with Leo and tying the flap shut against the wind. He handed one of the plates over and then settled down to eat his own.<br><br>"Farthest I've traveled..." Vance said, musing over the question and consulting his mental map. "Took a trip with a caravan way up north to the edge of the Ice Sea to drop off some supplies to a mining camp up there. Took us a good four, five months to get up there, and that was making good time."<br><br>He leaned back on an elbow, still consulting his mental map. "Been to one of those southern cities... Al-something or other. Can't pronounce it. Not as far as the Ice Sea, but still a long trip."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>04-10-2010, 07:17:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo began to eat eagerly, and within a few minutes his plate was clean, setting it aside with a visible pleasure. He relaxed into the bed rolls, looking at the other man, listening quietly. <br><br>"The Ice Sea? I've never seen it." He'd gone south to come back, to come to his home, once his mother had died. The trip had been fairly pleasant, all along coastal cities, still overflowing with various wares.<br><br>The cold North scared him somewhat.<br><br>He'd grown up north, of course, but not north like that. He'd grown up in the north of the South, and really, the North of the South of the East, which was a rather rich area, despite the heavy snows that they got. The ports made trade possible no matter what time of year it was. <br><br>He thought of how far the Ice Sea was, rather amazed, then glanced up at the other man. "Have you ever killed someone?" He immediately regretted asking it. It was far too personal, and he'd had no precursor to it. He'd hardly warned the other man that he was about to ask it. "Just ignore that question, actually. I'm sorry. It's none of my business."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>04-10-2010, 20:10:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It's freezing up there, but that's kind of implied from the name," Vance said with a grin. He finished off the food that was on his plate with relish, then set his plate aside as well. "Other than that, the landscape is pretty incredible. A little frightening, yes, to see those huge chunks of ice floating around, and even scarier to be in the middle of them as they move around you."<br><br>A slight shudder ran through him at that memory. It had been terrifying, but at the same time, exhilarating. He wasn't sure he'd go up there again and do the same run ever again (probably not, since he had settled in Mal's company very comfortably), but he knew that he wouldn't be nearly so excited about crossing the sea the next time.<br><br>Age tended to do that to you, tended to make you realize your own mortality.<br><br>"Have I ever killed anyone?" Vance asked to clarify when Leo asked him the question. He blinked at the younger man, a little confused and maybe slightly concerned, but wouldn't avoid the question, even if Leo had told him to ignore it.<br><br>"Yes. I have," he replied quietly. "Mostly bandits who were trying to kill me, except I beat them to it. Probably only two, but those were the ones who wouldn't go down otherwise. There was one other... an accident. I had gotten in a fight with a companion on a run I was doing with Griz once... we were both young, both stupid, both drunk... it was over something stupid. I don't remember how it happened, but I do remember that I didn't intend to do it. I think maybe I had picked up a sword and he had run into it without realizing that I had something lethal in my hands." He shook his head at the memory. What an idiot.<br><br>"Griz and I took our leave after that, without pay. Griz didn't speak to me for a week, and after that, he tanned my ass so hard I couldn't sit for another week."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>05-10-2010, 07:28:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo relaxed on the bedroll, pillowing his head on an outstretched arm, hand flung comfortably out against the pillow of his pack. He turned a bit and pulled the cloaks over them once more. He relaxed into the bedding and felt it start to warm up around their bodies, smiling faintly, tugging his shirt off and relaxing before scooting a bit closer to Vance and continuing to listen to him.<br><br>He liked to soak up Vance's warmth, and while his eyes were half-closed, giving him a sleepy expression, he seemed comfortable enough.<br><br>And, in truth, he was alert and listening to every word the other man said.<br><br>He couldn't help but let a ghost of a smile play on his lips when he heard that the other man's previous lover had tanned him so hard he hadn't been able to sit for a week. "That doesn't sound like the worst sort of punishment," he murmured, thinking of how he might himself enjoy that sort of thing. "Whenever my lover did that to me, I hardly thought of it as a punishment."<br><br>He relaxed into the bedding further, until his obsidian hair blended with his cloak, and only his snowy skin and jewel-bright eyes bore testament to the fact that he wasn't actually sinking into the blackness. "I never really got into bar fights," he murmured, voice barely audible over the wind. The guards he and his lover had had had always taken over that role in their place. "...As you can probably tell, I killed by poisons. There are so many of them." He hesitated briefly, then spoke, voice catching only in the tiniest way. "The first time was a mistake. My teacher, if you could call him that, had been showing me how to mix poisons. I think he wanted to die - he told me to mix a sleeping draught, knowing that I wasn't skilled enough to do it, and refused to listen to me when I told him so. I put enough in it that he died within a few hours. It was peaceful, though."<br><br>There had been others, others who had died at his hand, but he didn't raise that issue just then. He pressed his head to Vance's shoulder and sighed softly, shutting his eyes, "I still regret that death. I know he wanted me to do it, but still, it seemed so..." he paused and then shook his head. "Hardly good pillow-talk. I've never been any good at it."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>05-10-2010, 15:28:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It was particularly bad with the group we left because the man I killed was the Captain's son... that really gave us good relations after that," Vance said wryly. "Griz had to cut off contact with him after that. Killing your employer's son is usually a very good way to get on someone's bad side, after all."<br><br>He pulled his shirt off and pulled the cloaks up higher so his torso was covered and he wasn't feeling the cold.<br><br>Leo looked comfortable, he decided as he adjusted his position. Alert, yes, but comfortable. He was glad to see it, since it was a good sign that Leo was perhaps beginning to like him more. In truth, it could have been because of the sex last night, but he doubted that was the whole reason.<br><br>"In terms of the spanking I got, no, it wasn't enjoyable. Enjoyment kind of slips out of the equation when you're completely naked, strung up to a tree in the cold, and spanked that way. I think he employed his belt towards the end." He cringed and ruefully rubbed his ass. "It wasn't so bad when he took me across his lap. I did enjoy that."<br><br>That spanking had been an odd punishment. Griz had been so pissed off that he hadn't really thought about how stringing Vance up to a tree would give him more room to dance away from the blows. Not an oversight he normally made.<br><br>Vance listened quietly as Leo talked about the man he killed "accidentally." He pulled his companion closer to him, trying to comfort him and probably not doing a very good job. But he was trying, at least, and he figured that was what would count.<br><br>"I'm sorry," he said simply, knowing that there weren't many other things he could say. "And I wasn't actually looking for pillow talk tonight. That comes after sex." He was trying to tease, trying to make Leo feel a little bit better, and he hoped it was working. Likely not. It was hard to crack jokes where a very heavy topic of conversation in the air, but he made the most of it, the same way he made the most of every other situation.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>05-10-2010, 16:53:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo looked up, "Yes, that would sour relations between you and someone else," he said with a faint smile. He watched him, admiring his body a bit as he pulled his shirt off, not able to not enjoy the sight. Afterall, the other man was quite good looking - he certainly couldn't complain about what he was getting to see. <br><br>He winced slightly, hearing that he was strung up in a tree and spanked, and even with a belt. Even then, though, Leo couldn't help but think of having his hands drawn up about his head, legs around Vance's waist, being fucked as hard as the man possibly could give him. He flushed and looked away, curling under his arm as Vance pulled him closer. <br><br>He did smile at the joke, and made sure that their bodies were flush up against each other once more. "No need to be sorry." <br><br>He nuzzled the other man, pressed a slow kiss to his shoulder, and shrugged. He still regretted it but the other man had had asked him to do it. The guilt still stuck with him but it was lessened by the fact that if he hadn't done it, he knew the other man would have done it himself. <br><br>He yawned, turned so his back was molded to Vance's front, their bodies curled up together perfectly. He was looking forwards to scouting tomorrow. Maybe if they made good time, they coud even have a bit of fun before the caravan rolled up.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>05-10-2010, 20:06:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance nodded and tried to fight back a yawn, doing a very poor job of it. He was tired, and they had to get up in the morning to leave before the caravan did, so now would be a good time to think about going to sleep. Well, it was a good time to actually go to sleep, more appropriately.<br><br>Mal woke them up the next morning, rising earlier than he normally did in order to do so. He was probably concerned about the signs of people they had picked up the previous day, and was probably getting reports in from the sentries. He was thorough like that, which made him a good leader, in the eyes of many people.<br><br>Vance crawled out of the bedrolls and grabbed his shirt when he heard the tap at the tent flap, taunt enough against the wind that such a sound was possible. He opened the flap and crawled out once he was dressed, looking at the Captain.<br><br>"I want you to scout over near where you heard noises last night," Mal said quietly. "Just to make sure everything's fine and that we shouldn't expect any threats from that quarter."<br><br>"Sure thing, Mal," Vance replied. "We'll set out in a little while. Let me grab some breakfast and then we'll be on our way."<br><br>"Thanks Vance." The Captain moved off to start breakfast for his group, while Vance quickly got together some hot breakfast for himself and Leo from one of the fires that was already going, returning to the tent and gently shaking Leo.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>07-10-2010, 04:56:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo hadn't moved through the night; he'd stayed curled underneath Vance's arm, his eyes shut. He slept deeply, still feeling a bit of an ache in his hips where he'd been fucked so hard before. He moaned softly when he heard the tent flap go, but didn't get up, merely relaxing further into the bedroll. It was warm and felt surprisingly comfortable despite the hard-packed dirt beneath him.<br><br>He didn't even miss the days of featherbeds he'd behind him. <br><br>He sat up when the other man got some breakfast for them, sitting up and rubbing at his eyes, accepting the plate of food gratefully. He dug in and took a few hesitant bites, then swallowed down the rest of what was on the plate, picking up his dagger, getting dressed, slipping it into his belt loops and against his skin. <br><br>"So we're scouting out where we saw the tracks?"<br><br>God forbid it be someone he knew.<br><br>He'd have to kill them before they opened their mouths and told Vance about the swath of bodies he'd left behind; what had started out well-intentioned had ended up being dangerous, and, well...bad. But their hoofmarks hadn't had the distinctive notched mark in the center. He looked for them, and didn't see that small gap in the half-circle of the hoof-print, the one that made it look like the devil himself had come cantering merrily through the area.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>07-10-2010, 16:25:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance was almost reluctant to wake Leo, since the younger man looked so peaceful in his sleep. There had been... something... in the younger man's eyes last night. He wasn't sure if it was sadness or another emotion, but it had been there. He wouldn't push, of course, since that was generally a bad idea, but if Leo ever wanted to talk about it... he'd listen. He was good at that.<br><br>"We're going to start out there to see if they're just a band of travelers or if we have to deal with bandits," Vance replied, eating his breakfast relatively quickly and then packing the smaller things away into the packs.<br><br>"You go get Cyclone, I'll take care of the tent and the packs today," he said as he began to roll the two bedrolls up so they could be easily transported. "You're the one who knows exactly where you picketed him, and I'd rather not trip over any of the horses on my way to find him." He smiled a little bit, then went back to tying the two bundles up securely.<br><br>With the two of them moving at a good pace, it was before most of the camp started to stir that the two scouts were out on their journey, looking for the tracks in the half-light of dawn and following them. Leo seemed to be paying particular attention to the hoof-prints, and Vance wondered why. He'd ask later, but the curiosity was just eating at him.<br><br>Once they reached the wooded area the tracks led into, Vance tethered Cyclone to a tree at the edge of the wooded area and let him graze if still wanted to. He attached the baggage they were carrying to the horse, then he and Leo went in to check out the camp.<br><br>Luckily, it seemed like it was just a group of traveling bards and a pair of warriors to keep them safe, so he gave a few hand motions to Leo and headed back for Cyclone. They were no threat, so it was best to not make themselves seem like a threat.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>07-10-2010, 17:04:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo went and got Cyclone, bringing him over just as the other man had the packs rolled up, the two of them working in perfect tandem. He was still a bit sleepy but shook it off as they followed the tracks, tethering Cyclone nearby, creeping over the leaf loam and into the forest to see what was going on. He wondered if it was bandits or just travellers, and hoped it was the latter, because he didn't want to start the day with a fight. <br><br>It was just some bards, though, so he withdrew quietly with the other man.<br><br>He didn't want to wake them, didn't want to start a fight. It wasn't worth it, even if he was confident in their abilities. <br><br>He looked out over the plains giving way to cold, heavy, dark forests. Fields stretched out for miles, with the wastes flanking them, and he shivered slightly. He knew these lands. He'd spent so much time near these lands that it was eery to be back in them.<br><br>He hadn't realized how close they were going to pass to this area. He hadn't recognized it yesterday, but the gloom of the forest was unmistakable, and he turned away to walk back towards Vance. He probably wouldn't see anyone he knew, he told himself. No reason to be so worried.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>07-10-2010, 22:30:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance headed for a spot he was sure the caravan would stop and left a sign for Mal telling him all was safe. He then fetched Cyclone again and led the black gelding on. He was glad that they hadn't had to use the gelding as an escape route, because even though he was a strong horse, carrying two riders at any point would be an issue.<br><br>Still, the horse seemed to be content with the extra exercise he was getting, even if the tall mercenary hadn't allowed him to run free yet. Cyclone, for his part, hadn't gotten restless yet, and seemed to be enjoying the pace faster than the caravan, but not so fast he tired.<br><br>"You seem tense," Vance commented to Leo as mid-day came. They had stopped for a quick lunch, and Vance fished out a pair of apples and some flatbread for their meal. He handed half of the bread and one of the apples to Leo, then started eating. Cyclone contented himself with grazing.<br><br>"Expecting bandits, or something worse?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>08-10-2010, 01:26:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo accepted the bread and apple and sat down, breaking off a small piece and whistling, tossing it in the air for Cyclone to nip out with his teeth. He smiled faintly, taking a little bite of what was left, "Looking for something worse," he finally said quietly. <br><br>He lay back, flopping onto the grass, extended along the dark green softness, pale fingers digging in and then releasing.<br><br>"My, uh...my old friends have a lot of land around here. I'm worried that they'll come out riding this way. They're not exactly...it wouldn't be so good if I saw them. THings weren't so good when I left." <br><br>He shivered slightly, "My friends weren't good people. They sortof enforce their own law around here." <br><br>He looked at Vance, then, shrugging slightly. "You can tell when they come through. They notch the front of their horses' hooves. It makes it look like a massive goat-print; like the devil. I used to have a horse like that. When the horses are little, they slit their vocal cords so they can't make noise. It's horrible, really. These big, black, mean horses that are silent and faster than anything you've ever seen."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>08-10-2010, 03:38:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You haven't seen Cyclone run yet, then," Vance said with a reassuring smile, sitting next to Leo. "He's called that for a good reason. With two riders, he's good for short spurts, probably long enough to get us back to the caravan where it's safe in numbers. We'll be fine with him around."<br><br>Cyclone was a mix of several breeds of horse, and had good qualities from each of them - strength, speed, and that fancy gait that Mal liked to use to impress other people. As the stories went, he'd gotten Mal out of a few tight spots in the past few years, so for Vance, that was good enough.<br><br>"I will keep an eye out for giant goat-prints, though," he assured the younger man, crunching into his apple. "I know there's people with lands out here but we're riding in the no-man's land between, so we don't have to deal with trespassing issues. Mal doesn't like dealing with angry land-owners so we avoid making them angry."<br><br>Cyclone grazed near them, grunting softly in pleasure as he did so. Vance was glad that the horse could make sounds - silent horses would freak him out. He rubbed the gelding's nose as he came into reach, then let him go back to his food.<br><br>The larger man took his time finishing his food, watching the clouds pass and taking a look at the various horizons to see if there was any bad weather moving in that would cause them to seek out camp early. So far, at least, things looked good, but he'd keep an eye on a few darker clouds forming off in the distance. Better to be safe than sorry and lose lives, animals, or goods.<br><br>"Let's get moving again. I want to make at least another four miles today, but I'm not sure about those clouds," he said, getting to his feet and brushing himself off. He pointed out the clouds and took the pack from Cyclone, then took up the black gelding's reins again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>09-10-2010, 06:42:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo smiled faintly and nodded, looking up at Cyclone, "He's a good horse. Good breeding - you can tell just by looking at him." He leaned back against the grass behind him and took another satisfying, crunchy bite of his apple, letting it squirt it's juice across his tongue and then licking his lips in satisfaction. He saved the corner and a few choice little bites on the end and handed it over to Cyclone.<br><br>The horse nuzzled the bit from his palm, carefully munching at it, clearly cautious about biting the hand that fed him. <br><br>"It's not so much their lands; we always liked to ride in the no-man's land. Seemed more dangerous." <br><br>That was their little rebellion. Riding around in a no-man's land. A place where bandits might snatch them up and hurt them.<br><br>He sat up and looked at the clouds, "They'll probably overtake us later. Let's get those miles in, then." He murmured his words quietly but continued looking around. "Plus," he added with a hint of a smile, "If we pitch camp early, we might be able to have a bit of fun before the others get here."<br><br>This he said with a little smirk towards Vance as he started to walk again, letting the miles run off under their feet, the faint sunlight illuminating their way.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>09-10-2010, 17:16:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I know a campsite that's a little over four miles that way that will give us a bit of privacy," Vance said with a grin. "It's near a small copse of trees that we use as a landmark. There's a small clearing in the middle of it, but you have to press through the trees a certain way to get to it without getting scratched to bits by the underbrush. Should offer us some privacy."<br><br>The large man got up and went to dig in the bags on Cyclone's back for another treat for the horse. Cyclone would eat just about anything, but for whatever reason, he particularly enjoyed carrots. Vance always made sure to keep a supply on hand whenever he took the horse out, or had to work in close quarters with the gelding.<br><br>He presented the treat to the large horse, whose ears pricked forward in interest and he took a few steps so he could pick the treat up from the large man's hand.<br><br>The miles to the next campsite passed relatively quickly, with only a few stops to water Cyclone at a few small streams, and to check out some game tracks. There were no more signs of human habitation, but Vance was still alert for any other signs of bandits. They were now far enough away from civilization that bandits would feel more comfortable in striking a caravan, and he wasn't going to let that happen on his watch.<br><br>He was sure Mal was cautioning his men to keep a sharper eye out as well.<br><br>The reached the campsite about mid-afternoon, mostly because Vance had urged a slightly faster pace in order to get there and set up their camp so they could have a little fun, and also be established by the time the caravan rolled in in a few hours. He glanced up at the gathering storm clouds and decided that they'd probably roll in some time after dark, which would give the caravan enough time to get in and settled.<br><br>He got the tent and the bedroll off of Cyclone, leaving them for Leo to set up, while he led Cyclone out to good grazing round and drove the picket stake into the ground with a good radius to graze. The gelding would get his grain as soon as the caravan rolled in, and would now have to content himself with grass.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>12-10-2010, 16:17:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo and Vance both seemed happy to pick up the pace a little bit; they would have two or three hours before the caravan arrived. It would give them a comfortable amount of time - he wondered if Vance would spank him, tie him up. He shivered slightly at the thought and blushed, unable not to deny the heat pooling in his hips when he thought of it, picking up the tents.<br><br>At the campsite, he set up their tent, making sure it was well-staked into the ground. He was careful to let the flaps hang closed, setting out their bedrolls, making a comfortable space on the floor.<br><br>He set their packs to the side, giving them just enough room, then took off his cloak.<br><br>They'd get food when the caravan came in. <br><br>For now, they got to have a little bit of fun. Leo couldn't help but be excited - Vance was powerful, with a strong body, certainly strong enough to fuck his slim frame into the ground like he had the day before. He couldn't help but be excited at the thought of being tied up and at Vance's mercy.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>12-10-2010, 16:32:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As he picketed Cyclone on good land for grazing, near a small stream, Vance considered his options. He wanted to have some more fun with Leo, more than just sex, but it wasn't exactly warm enough to spend too long outside and he wasn't sure Leo would want to, either. Still, it wouldn't hurt to ask...<br><br>He patted Cyclone's rump as the horse started to graze, then headed back for where Leo had finished pitching the tent, poking his head in to find that the younger man had shed his cloak and had set up the inside of the tent. There still wasn't as much room as he wanted there to be in order to have the fun that he wanted to have, but there was still the issue of the cold.<br><br>"You've been acting like you really want something from me," Vance said, quirking an eyebrow at the younger man. "Ever since I brought up spanking yesterday... I'm going to take a stab and say that you want me to spank you. am I right?"<br><br>He hoped so. He wanted to see just how tough Leo was when it came to sex - if he could handle a solid spanking from time to time or not. Vance guessed that he'd probably be able to, but it wouldn't hurt to ask and see if he wanted it.<br><br>And if that was the case, the privacy of the small clearing in the middle of the copse of trees they had set up camps by would probably be better than the tent. Besides, it would give him more opportunities to restrain the younger man and not allow him too much freedom to squirm around and evade his slaps.<br><br>It was enough to make Vance reach into his pack and search around for the length of strong, soft rope he had stored in there for emergencies (or for tying other people up). Once he found it, he pulled it out and sat back.<br><br>"If you want a spanking, you'd be best off putting your cloak back on and coming with me."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>12-10-2010, 17:00:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo smirked slightly, nodding, "I wouldn't be opposed to the idea." He stood up, leaving his cloak behind, following him. There was a tight feeling in his throat at the sight of that rope, coiled slightly, hanging from the other man's hands. He couldn't put into words how excited he was. He wanted it. He wanted the other man to spank him, to fuck him to...dominate him, really.<br><br>He trailed towards the copse of woods, looking around, slightly nervous.<br><br>It was a bit different from what he'd done with other lovers, but he couldn't deny that he was excited, or that he wanted this. He certainly did. He was already starting to get hard, almost aching for it.<br><br>Vance had that effect on him, apparently, though it confused him slightly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>12-10-2010, 17:10:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo didn't bother putting his cloak back on, but then again, Vance supposed he wouldn't really be needing clothes with what he was about to do to the younger man. It didn't matter much, although it probably would when Vance made him walk back to the tent without any clothes on. That was the best way to admire his handiwork, of course...<br><br>He led the way through the dense trees to where the clearing opened up. It was small, but the ground was at least covered in soft grass, still green mostly because it didn't get blasted by the wind and the dirt and the merciless sun - it got enough sun to grow into a thick carpet, but not so much as to dry it out completely.<br><br>"Strip," he commanded once they were in the clearing, looking around for a suitable tree to tie his "victim" to... and this one looked like it was the right choice. It had a branch that wasn't too far off the ground, and looked particularly sturdy. He uncoiled the rope and doubled it over so it was stronger, then turned to watch Leo. "Come over here when you're done."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>13-10-2010, 06:57:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo shivered slightly as they walked, blaming it on the cold, though he knew it was truthfully from the case of nerves he was having. He took in a slow breath, looking at the dense clearing, already hardening as he realized that they would be in full view of anyone who walked by. He doubted anyone would, of course, but the thought was secretly thrilling. <br><br>He dropped his clothes as though it made no difference one way or another to him; he let them slide from his body and left himself utterly naked. He almost looked as though he weren't nervous but that was just a facade.<br><br>He came forwards slowly and eyed the rope in the other man's hands.<br><br>He felt very naked and very vulnerable, particularly with the other man fully clothed, standing there just before him and fully ready to dominate him. He shivered in delight, as well, wanting nothing more than the other man to do that.<br><br>He came over and pressed his body against the other man's, letting some of his shyness creep out, clearly a bit anxious. <br><br>His excitement, though, was more than obvious as he pressed against the other man's clothed body.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>13-10-2010, 18:06:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance smiled when Leo began to realize that they were in a relatively exposed area for him. Not that anyone would probably come by, but it was the whole idea of it, in any case. Leo, however, didn't seem to entirely mind, because he was naked in no time and didn't seem too nervous.<br><br>Probably was a little bit, though. Vance didn't think the younger man was entirely calm in any situation he was in.<br><br>He wrapped an arm around Leo when the younger man pressed close, squeezing one buttock for a minute before stepping away and turning Leo so his back was facing him. He gently pulled the younger man's wrists together behind him and tied them quickly and effectively before walking him over to the tree he had selected to tie the younger man to.<br><br>Gently, he urged Leo to bend over and looped the remainder of the rope over the branch, pulling it a little so Leo's hands were pulled up in the air, but not enough to cause him any discomfort. This position laid his ass bare for Vance's swats, and was also a good position to fuck someone in (carefully, of course), so he took a moment to run his hand gently across the pale skin before smacking it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>14-10-2010, 02:21:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He was already hard. He'd never had another lover get him so hard, so fast, and it excited him to think that this man might be something different than what he'd had before. He shivered slightly, leaning back and allowing the other man to tie his hands, leaving himself bare and bent over far enough that more of him was revealed than he usually would have shown. <br><br>He smirked slightly but let out a soft moan as the other man ran his hand carefully across his skin, feeling the pale and supple skin that was effectively unmarked, except for those odd whorls of burns from earlier on his fingertips.<br><br>He jumped a bit as the first smack landed on his skin.<br><br>He wanted it hard. He knew that he shouldn't ask for it, that one should never admit wanting something like that, something that hard. He shivered slightly and bent over a bit farther, inviting more.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>14-10-2010, 04:57:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo seemed to like it rough, because when Vance had laid the first smack to his buttocks, he had jumped a little in surprise, but then had bent over further, offering his pale ass more to Vance. That, honestly, was all the invitation the larger man needed, and he began to spank the younger man in earnest.<br><br>He never let his slaps grow hard enough to do more than sting and turn Leo's buttocks a nice pink color, but that was certainly enough to give the younger man what he wanted. Soon, Vance's hand was stinging a bit itself, and he decided that now would be a good time to stop, before his hand really started to hurt and he had to explain to Mal why he was having a little trouble holding things.<br><br>"You like that, hm?" Vance asked, voice husky from the fact that he was so turned on by the way Leo looked right now, reddened ass in the air. "Think you'll like this a little more..."<br><br>That said, he wasted no time in unfastening his pants and freeing his cock. He quickly grabbed the oil he had brought with him and spent a little time lubing Leo's ass enough so that he wouldn't seriously hurt him, then slid home quickly and began to thrust into the willing body before him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>14-10-2010, 05:09:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo's whole body had tightened up like a bow-string, but he was squirming in pleasure, achingly hard and burning hot despite the cold air whipping around them. His body jumped with each smack to his backside, turning his pale and milky skin a glowing pink, letting out soft little whimpers of pleasure and pain, bending over until he was practically offering himself up to the other man. <br><br>"Yes, I like that..." he gasped, wincing slightly, eyes shut in ecstasy. <br><br>He looked back over his shoulder, eyes gleaming, waiting to see what the other man thought he'd like even more.<br><br>He practically lost himself seeing the other man pulling his hard cock out and oiling it up, letting out a sharp but quiet cry when the other man suddenly thrust hard into him.<br><br>He was so tight, still, clenching around the other man as he began to thrust into his body. He was bent over, rocking back to meet the thrusts, and a breathless gasp escaped him. "Harder," he whispered, "Punish me." He wanted to feel Vance punishing him with each hard thrust against his stinging backside, muscles clenching in one hot, tight, burning slide against the other man's rigid cock as he thrust into his body again and again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>14-10-2010, 05:22:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo was turning into a little masochist, and Vance found that he didn't mind at all. After all, the red ass in the air was sexy, and it just begged to be fucked. Of course, so was Leo, so who was Vance to stay no? He wasn't the type to deny pleasure unless it brought more pleasure to the person being denied and now... well, he was sure that once they were finished here, Leo would be happy to curl up in their bedroll and catch a little sleep until the caravan arrived and with it, dinner.<br><br>The young man was tight, Vance would admit as he began to thrust into him. He was also willing, which was a big turn-on for Vance. It was very rare that he got a partner that was as turned on by a little pain as Leo was turning out to be, and he was glad that he had decided to approach him about sex earlier.<br><br>The way Leo's ass was gripping him as he thrust made Vance realize that he wouldn't likely last long. This was just too good... He was holding onto Leo's hips in order to keep Leo from pulling his shoulders and hurting himself that way, but still, Leo was moving in response.<br><br>"Fuck... Leo..." Vance growled.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>14-10-2010, 16:09:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Vance," Leo gasped, breath coming in short, sharp bursts as the other man rocked into him. His ass stung, and as the other man thrust in hard, he felt him strike that sweet spot deep within his body, making his whole slender frame tremble and allowing white spots to explode in front of his eyes. <br><br>"Fuck, Vance!" <br><br>He cried out, shutting his eyes, careful to keep his noise levels down lest someone hear them and decide to investigate and see him strung up and bent over from a tree.<br><br>"I'm so close, please..." he gasped, practically begging for it. "Please let me...I'm so close...harder," he gasped, rocking back to meet a thrust and letting all of his muscles clench down hard against the other man.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>14-10-2010, 16:29:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance couldn't help but groan out a little louder than he had intended when he felt Leo's body clench down around his cock when the younger man rocked back into one of his thrusts. Clearly, the smaller man wanted to be allowed to cum soon, but Vance wasn't about to help him along much more than just by thrusting into him.<br><br>He wanted to see if Leo was sensitive enough to come without direct stimulation to his cock, if a spanking and a nice, hard fucking were good enough for him.<br><br>In any case, he knew he'd need to start thrusting harder into Leo's body, so he grasped the younger man around the waist and started pounding into him. It felt so nice to finally find a partner entirely willing to let someone else pound into them, to find a partner who actually <em>wanted</em> it as rough as Vance could give them. They were relatively rare, especially considering that Vance could get very rough based on Griz's influence from his younger days.<br><br>He pounded into Leo's ass, hitting his prostate several times in succession, wanting the younger man to cum before he did, because he wanted to feel those muscles clenching down around him in response to pleasure...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>14-10-2010, 16:55:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				There was no way Leo would last at this pace; not with the other man slamming into him so fast and so hard that he could barely catch his breath. The other man slammed into his sweet spot, deep in his body, making him let out a sharp cry and bend over a bit farther so that the other man had complete and total access to his body to do whatever he wanted with.<br><br>His hands clenched in the ropes, shoulders straining, and he felt the man suddenly pick up his pace.<br><br>He couldn't hold himself back and Vance's brutal thrusts brought him over the edge, making his whole body clench up so tight that Vance could barely move, cumming harder than he ever had before and struggling to catch his breath.<br><br>He took in a shaky little breath, trembling sightly, hanging from the ropes and letting out a soft moan.<br><br>"Vance, that was..." he gasped, "Incredible..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>14-10-2010, 21:37:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo was quite willing right now, and it was turning Vance on a lot. Leo was so tight it was almost hard to move right now. It wasn't painful for him in the least, and he hoped that it wasn't for Leo, since he hadn't set out to do the other man serious injury. It was just... incredible was really the only way to describe it.<br><br>The younger man's hands clenched around the rope when Vance picked up, and Vance moved one hand from Leo's hip to the rope to help steady him a little more.<br><br>And then he came, clenching down hard around Vance and making the taller man hiss at the sudden tightening and discomfort that it caused. It was still good, still intense, just... unexpected, and the sensitive parts of his body that were affected gave a protest.<br><br>He came hard himself, the hand on Leo's hip clenching hard enough to probably leave a bruise, and he groaned as he spilled deep inside Leo.<br><br>For a moment, he was silent and still, catching his breath and reveling in the aftermath, coming down off his pleasure high.<br><br>"Mmmmhm," Vance agreed, easing up his grip on Leo's hip just slightly. "Definitely was..." He pulled out and quickly did his pants up, rubbing Leo's reddened ass for a moment before reaching up and beginning to undo the ropes holding his arms to the tree.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>21-10-2010, 07:24:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo let out a gasp when he felt the other man slam into him once more, spilling deep in his body, making his whole frame tremble lightly. He was hanging heavily from the ropes, attempting to catch his breath. He let out a soft moan as the other man rubbed his reddened backside, sagging slightly and then finally getting his feet up underneath him. <br><br>When the ropes were undone, he stumbled into Vance's chest, taking a moment to get his feet under him. It was hard to walk, particularly because he was so worked, his muscles aching. <br><br>He let out a soft moan.<br><br>He slowly stood up, stretching slightly, running his fingers back through his hair. "Vance," he said, almost slightly scolding but still smiling ever so slightly, "You clearly have a goal of preventing me from walking..." <br><br>He was still utterly naked, fully bare, ass red. He flushed a bit, realizing how vulnerable he still was.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>21-10-2010, 16:49:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Perhaps I am," Vance replied with a wicked grin to Leo's accusations. "If you can't walk, I can slide a toy into you and have you ride Cyclone and be aware of it all day." That would be appealing, being able to watch the younger man's face change expressions all day and to watch him inevitably grow hard in his pants.<br><br>But that was a thought for another time, when they were in safer areas of the wastes where they didn't have to keep as sharp an eye out for bandits.<br><br>Once he was certain Leo was steady on his feet, he went and collected the younger man's clothing, handing it to him so he could dress. The caravan would likely take a while longer to arrive, but it was best to be safe rather than sorry when it came to being prepared for their arrival. The clearing was a bit exposed, and as much as Mal didn't care what Vance did, he might have some objections to his attachment to Leo.<br><br>The larger man always did get attached to the "helpless" ones, and the Captain often scolded him for getting distracted by looking after them and thinking with the wrong head. It didn't stop him from doing it, it just taught him to be more subtle about them.<br><br>And besides, it wasn't like Leo needed looking after - he was quite capable of dealing with his own problems. He had done so for this long, and he certainly didn't need Vance to snoop around. It wouldn't stop Vance from doing it, but it would make him worry less.<br><br>"Let's get back to camp and get you warmed up before you catch a cold or something from staying out too long."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>22-10-2010, 04:15:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo let out a soft sound and grinned wickedly, "In that case, I may not be walking tomorrow. That scenario just sounds too delicious to pass up..." <br><br>He grinned and then straightened up a bit with Vance's help, wincing slightly, pulling his clothing on piece by piece. It wasn't easy, sore as he was, but he also felt incredible. He began to walk back towards the campsite with Vance, stretching a bit as he did so, knowing that it would help him to work it off a little bit. Nothing better than working off a good fucking with some stretching...<br><br>...Or more fucking, but that could always wait until the next day.<br><br>It was like Vance was some sort of exotic drug; he wanted him, and he couldn't help it. He knew that he shouldn't, but he couldn't stop himself - he just wanted him. Vance did things to him that no one else had and, he had to admit, the feeling was fairly addicting.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>23-10-2010, 16:11:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Not tomorrow," Vance replied with a shake of his head. "I'd rather not have you distracted like that until we're out of bandit territory. I'd feel a lot better if I knew I had your eyes watching me for the next two weeks, just so I don't get killed or something equally as stupid."<br><br>As they headed back towards the tent, Vance pulled Leo closer and draped part of his cloak over the younger man's shoulders, keeping him a little warmer. He'd be better of with his own cloak, but that wouldn't particularly matter when they got into the tent. Then they could crawl into the bedroll and share the blankets and cloaks better.<br><br>Of course, he wanted to double-check to see if the tent was secure if it started raining and the wind started blowing heavily.<br><br>Then, he wouldn't feel so bad for wanting to have another go with Leo. The younger man was so responsive, it was amazing - it wasn't very often he got a responsive lover like this. And besides, it would certainly pass the time they had to kill before the caravan rolled in that evening with their food, assuming the weather didn't move in faster and Mal didn't order camp to be made where they were to protect the animals and people under his command.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>02-11-2010, 05:26:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo laughed softly, curling up under the other man's arms, shutting his eyes for a second. He stumbled into their tent and practically collapsed atop the bedding with a soft sound, stretching his legs out, feeling the delicious ache between his legs where his lover had taken him. <br><br>He waited for the other man to fix up the tent once more.<br><br>He wasn't terribly hungry; not for food at the very least. All he wanted was Vance. It was like having an addiction to the other man; he hoped that it wasn't going to be something he'd end up regretting.<br><br>All he would focus on was the fact that for right now at least, he could be fucked by Vance, and maybe, just maybe, start something a bit heavier with him. He didn't want to drag the other man into all the things following him, though, and those thoughts swirled around his head as he lay back and let out a soft sigh.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>03-11-2010, 04:41:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance took a few minutes to check to make sure the tent was secure enough. It wasn't that he didn't trust Leo... it was just that he'd feel a lot better knowing that he had checked the tent with his own hands and knew that it would hold if bad weather came up on them. Then, he and Leo would stay warm and dry, and they could avoid having their dignity damaged by their tent blowing down in the middle of the night.<br><br>In any case, Leo was a quick study. Kicking at one of the stakes to check it, Vance was pleased to find it had been driven deep into the ground. Good. They'd be all set for the night.<br><br>"I'm going to go double check on Cyclone," Vance said, poking his head through the tent flap. "Just to make sure he's all set for tonight. I might bring him a little closer to camp for when it starts raining later, just so he can be close to the rest of the animals." He straightened up and tied the flap closed, heading for where the black gelding was picketed.<br><br>As promised, he moved the large horse back towards camp, for which the gentle beast seemed pleased with. He seemed a little agitated, probably due to the weather, and the large man couldn't say he blamed him. He gave the horse a reassuring pat on the neck and a carrot before crawling back into the tent with Leo.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>04-11-2010, 23:19:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo nodded slightly and lay back, curled up luxuriously under the sable furs, head pillowed on Vance's pack. His hips ached in the most delicious way and the fabric of their bedrolls felt delightfully tender against his red skin. He wondered what he was getting himself into; if he was taking on something that he shouldn't be when it came to the relationship with Vance. <br><br>He mostly didn't want Vance to end up getting hurt because of him.<br><br>Oh well. No time to think about that right then.<br><br>It was more time to focus on the present; the fact that the other man could fuck him into the ground. He'd never been dominated before properly; not the way that Vance did it. It was thrilling to think of what the other man could do to him; how he could give himself up.<br><br>Of course, there were always the thieves and bandits to worry about. And the people chasing him. But those were worries he'd focus on on another day.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>06-11-2010, 04:06:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance wondered at himself a little bit as he took care of Cyclone. It was very unusual for him to be as... aggressive with a partner before knowing what they liked and didn't like as he had been with Leo. Granted, Leo had asked for it, and had responded very well to the treatment, but at the same time, the larger man wondered if this would be normal for them.<br><br>He hoped not. It would be too easy for him to push too far and lose control of himself and hurt Leo, and he didn't want to do that.<br><br>He liked the younger man too much to do that. Respected him, too, even though he was secretive about himself.<br><br>With a quiet sigh and a final stroke to the large black horse's nose, Vance left Cyclone for the night and tied the tent flap shut once he was inside. Leo was already sprawled luxuriously under his sable fur, and Vance took a minute to shed his boots before joining the younger man under it to stay warm.<br><br>"I would imagine it'll be an hour at least before Mal and the caravan rolls in, but sadly I can't think of anything to do until then," Vance said. "Anything that wouldn't make it sou you wouldn't be able to walk tomorrow, that is."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>12-11-2010, 05:44:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo stretched out slowly, wondering what it was about the other man that allowed him to be so open with him. He had never been so open so quickly with another partner, certainly not the way he was with Vance. He had never let someone dominate him this quickly, and never in his life this thoroughly. He sighed softly and ran his fingers back through his hair, taking in a deep breath, curling under the sable. <br><br>He did smile when the other man joined him under the furs, and he tapped his lip in mock serious thought when the other man said he couldn't think of anything to pass the hour that would make it so he couldn't walk.<br><br>"Well," he murmured with a hint of a smile, "I suppose I can."<br><br>With that, he began the slow slithering down the other man's body, tongue tracing his way into the dip of Vance's chest, a grin playing on his lips. "Shall I, then?" His tongue gently traced the edge of Vance's hip before he bit down, gently.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>13-11-2010, 16:19:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance chuckled as Leo seemed to consider what they could do&nbsp; for the next hour, until the rest of the caravan pulled in, or until they didn't pull in, which would lead them to having to probably scramble a little to get some food and some warmth, although he wasn't sure that a fire would serve them tonight. With the rain, it likely wouldn't stay lit for long enough to keep them warmer than they could keep under their blankets.<br><br>"You suppose you can think of something, hm?"&nbsp; Vance replied with a chuckle. "Just what might that something be, Leo?" He had ideas, of course, but considering that his mind was on sex at the moment, he wasn't sure if he was right and if that was actually what Leo wanted.<br><br>As it turned out, he wasn't too far off in his ideas, or at least he was beginning to think that he wasn't. Well, if this was what Leo wanted, he supposed there was really no point in complaining about it. Might as well see what Leo could do if he wanted to, so he spread his legs a little bit for both of their comfort and settled back.<br><br>"You can if you want," Vance replied, moaning softly as Leo bit down.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>07-12-2010, 00:26:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo was warm and comfortable between the other man's legs, those gleaming eyes peering up out of the darkness, like a predator lurking beneath the sheets. It was a bit disconcerting, but Leo took away any of those worries with a slow lap of his tongue, as though Vance's member was candy. <br><br>He slowly swirled the tip of his tongue around the head of Vance's member, then let his tongue snake along the length of his member once more, teasing him into full hardness. He wanted to drive the man mad with lust. <br><br>He didn't give Vance any warning, then, and he suddenly let his cheeks cave and he slid all the way down to Vance's base, bobbing his head. <br><br>The suction was tight, wet, and warm and it wasn't until a few moments later that he slowly withdrew. He was hard, himself, and he looked at the other man. "I want you to fuck me," he whispered, voice raspy in the darkness. "I want you to tie me up..." <br><br>He had never actually asked for something like that before, but he, for some reason, wanted to be put at Vance's mercy. Tied up, gagged, and fucked as hard as he could be. He'd be fine walking the next day - a bit of stretching would loosen him up, he reasoned.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>07-12-2010, 17:09:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance would personally liken Leo to a feline as he peered up from under the blankets. It didn't concern him - in fact, since Leo had been such a good "kitty" all day, Vance was going to consider this a bit of a treat for the younger man. Leo might have thought that he was being some sort of predator in a cave, but considering Vance could easily overpower him... he wasn't worried.<br><br>Had he been sure there was any sort of poisoning involved here, he would have been, but he hadn't seen anything unusual lying out when he had crawled in. He figured he was safe for now.<br><br>The large man groaned when Leo began to suck as he bobbed his head up and down on his shaft, allowing his own head to drop back, exposing quite a bit of his throat. It was an unintentional gesture of submission, although with Leo busy as he was, there would be little risk of having that moment of "weakness" exploited against him. He'd notice if Leo stopped what he was doing.<br><br>Vance groaned when he felt Leo withdrawing, and the words he spoke did little to appease the frustration of being denied release into that delightful mouth. He growled slightly and raised his head to look at Leo.<br><br>"Weather and time permitting tomorrow, you will get what you want then," he said. "I don't feel like digging the ropes out again tonight and I don't have anything to tie you down to. So finish what you started..." Vance didn't give Leo much choice in the matter, manhandling him so they were 69ing, the smaller man on top of him. Vance could take care of the "problem" between the smaller man's legs now.<br><br>He was pleasantly surprised to find that Leo was reasonably well endowed for his small stature, something he had failed to notice before. Eagerly, he wrapped his lips around the smaller man's length and began to suck, skillfully bringing him to the edge of orgasm again and again but always backing off at the last minute. It had been a while since he had had any sort of practice with giving head, and he was glad for the opportunity. He hadn't lost any of his skills.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>16-12-2010, 16:15:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo let out a soft sound as he was turned around, legs parting, whimpering against the other man's member as his mouth went back to its task. He was eager, letting his tongue caress the underside of the man's member, turning and letting his head bob all the way back down to the base again. He wanted to make the other man moan for him.<br><br>It was hard to concentrate, with the other man working on him, but he kept his head bobbing and his fingers toying with the other man's balls. <br><br>He whimpered around his mouthful as the other man found a particularly sensitive spot, carefully dragging his teeth up the other man's member, a gentle scraping up against the skin. He was teasing Vance, toying with him. <br><br>He couldn't believe that he'd started up a relationship like this. He couldn't believe that he was tossing himself into some sort of relationship when he was running away from so many things; at the same time his mind was going pleasantly blank from the pleasure. He couldn't even think.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>17-12-2010, 21:28:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance couldn't help but moan a little as Leo whimpered against him, parting his legs and letting the larger man get to work on him, much the same way that he was working on Vance. This he could get used to. But then again, if he was honest, he could get used to everything that had to do with sex and Leo. The younger man was addicting, in a way that nobody else he had ever slept with had been.<br><br>He still couldn't believe that Leo was interested in him this way. It just didn't seem likely that he would have enjoyed having sex with someone who could so easily overpower him, but he supposed that could very well be the draw to this sort of thing. In any case, Vance wasn't going to let this opportunity go to waste, and he let his fingers join in with teasing Leo, since the younger man was playing with his balls as he sucked.<br><br>With no real warning, he let his fingers slide up to play with Leo's opening, then slide into him and start moving. He liked the vibrations he got when Leo made sounds around him - it felt very nice, and he wanted the younger man to keep making those sounds.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>28-12-2010, 08:08:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leo still sported the bruise on his shoulder from their first encounter, a perfect print of Vance's teeth, shoulders moving as he adjusted himself more comfortably. His head bobbed up and down, working the other man, rapidly nearing completion himself. He cried out against the other man's member when he felt those fingers sneak into his entrance and then curl, toying with him, almost bringing him there.<br><br>He was so close, on that edge, especially as the other man's fingers curled within his body.<br><br>His head tipped forwards, taking the other man down to the base, throat working around him. He let out another sharp cry, the sound vibrating against the other man's member, his tongue working rapidly against him. He let his fingers squeeze gently.<br><br>He wanted to bring the other man to the edge, to feel him finish in his mouth, to let them both fall over that edge.<br><br>He let out a soft sound, voice vibrating against Vance's shaft, head working up and down to let him finish.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dangerous Game (Nimmy and Sho)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nimmy</strong> on <strong>30-12-2010, 03:34:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Vance took his time teasing Leo with the fingers of one hand, the other hand holding the younger man's hips steady so he didn't try to choke the larger man, accidentally. The sounds the younger man was making against him were exquisite, and it caused the hand on Leo's hip to clench a little bit as he groaned quietly around Leo's length in return. He wasn't going to last much longer.<br><br>Leo was very good at what he was doing right now, so it wasn't just the vibrations.<br><br>It was nice to know that Leo was so responsive and so interested in reciprocating... it was a rare trait to find in his lovers, at least the ones he had come into contact with so far. He was going to savor this and enjoy it, particularly considering that Leo was very skilled in this aspect of their relationship.<br><br>Vance could feel Leo beginning to work harder on him, and he set his attention back to bringing Leo off at the same time or slightly after he got off, since he knew he would likely be the first one to reach orgasm.<br><br>"Shit... Leo...." Vance groaned, pulling his mouth off of Leo as he felt himself reaching the edge. He fell over the edge and came into Leo's welcoming mouth.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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