In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Kaiva on 15-06-2009, 02:32:58</h2>
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				Title: <strong>In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kaiva</strong> on <strong>15-06-2009, 02:32:58</strong>
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				Nao Ares shivered as she slipped off her horse cold despite her fur trimmed cloak and overtunic. Looking up at the slightly obscured sun the tall woman wondered how it was possible for the sun to be out, and the weather to still be so chilled. For the millionth time Nao thanked the gritty old Quartermaster who insisted she bring the rarely used red cloak and the forest green tunic which were the only things between the wind, and her chain mail and silk undershirt. <br><br>But there was more than cold in the air, there was tension. She would be the first Ni'an to walk on palace grounds for as long as either country could remember, and quite a few Cains didn't want that to change. Not that they would try and challenge her, they were first of all terrified of the Cain propaganda stating all Ni'ans were magic using demons, and second of all, not about to attack anyone as armed and armored as she was. Escorted by the few Cain guards that met her at the border where her own Ni'an soldiers turned back, Nao walked through the gates of the capital, going into the heart of the town, and soon the gates of the palace itself. There the guards switched to a new group and she was escorted to what she assumed was the audience room. <br><br>Nao scowled as she realized the room was empty and the King was making her cool her heels before he arrived. Tapping her foot Nao's scowl deepened into the stern expression that for the past 5 years had been a permanent fixture to her face. When a serving boy scurried over to her and asked for her to hand over her sword Nao simply lifted one arched brow before fixing the boy with her frosty blue eyes. Just as she expected the boy turned tail and ran, but also, just as she expected one of the leather clad guards approached her, asking the same thing.&nbsp; He was not so easily intimidated, but still her answer was the same.<br><br>"I will not hand over my sword," Nao icily said, but before she could continue, she was interrupted by the doors on the opposite side of the room opening. Finally it seemed the King decided to show his face. With a little huff Nao ignored the guard at her side and looked at the approaching King. He was resplendent in a bright blue and gold tunic and plush black breeches. His blue cloak looked like it had some sort of design stitched into it, and his crown looked newly polished and was a well taken care of bejeweled gold. The man himself was rather handsome with dark black brown hair neatly cut, and a well trimmed beard. He also seemed rather fit, filling out his clothes nicely. Kashi was quite surprised as she expected the man to be much more prone to indulging.<br><br>"You certainly can keep your sword," the King said an indulgent smile on his face. The expression was meant to come across as pleasant, but to Nao it simply rubbed her the wrong way, it was as if he was saying there was no way she could hurt him. Of course she didn't wish to attempt it, but it was the thought that mattered. <br><br>"Thank you my Lord," Nao said bowing, keeping her dislike to herself. For the few minutes they talked the soldier kept her face carefully schooled blank, not wanting to start problems within the first few minutes of her assignment. And thankfully the introduction was short, it seemed the King had business to attend to, but he left with some puzzling parting words. <br><br>"I hope we can come to a speedy resolution for both our countries, and I have a gift for you waiting in your rooms as a first step towards that end result."<br><br>Nao bowed once more as the King swept out, exiting through the door he had entered through, but her mind was firmly on the King's last words. A gift? Perhaps it was a bath, the soldier thought momentarily letting her discomfort from her travels color her thoughts, but after a second Nao's thoughts turned more on track and considered the possibility the 'gift' was not so pleasant. She knew that if possible the King would have no qualms about simply getting rid of her, and starting a war. It was odd, though Ni'al was considered the more 'war-like' country, Cain seemed more desperate and eager for war.&nbsp; <br><br>Following the serving boy she previously intimidated Nao was led to her rooms in the Guest's quarter. She turned to ask information about dinner and a bath from the boy but he simply nodded his head in the negative and scampered away without saying a word after he opened the door. 'What a strange servant', Nao thought, 'completely useless and spineless.' Nao let out a small growl from low in her throat when she realized after settling in her room and making sure her belongings had made it there, she would then have to go in search of a servant. Stepping inside the room Nao was startled out of her thoughts by another presence in the room, and she froze as she looked at the other occupant in puzzlement. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Katina Tarask</strong> on <strong>16-06-2009, 03:14:33</strong>
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				Another day for the great Lady Masa Esna... no, just Celia, now.&nbsp; Time for more adventures in floor-sweeping and pot-scrubbing.&nbsp; Looking back over these last few years, it almost seems like her life before was a dream, but... she sneaks a glance from one side to the other, making sure the other servants aren't looking, then she pinches a small rip in her blanket, and when she removes her fingers, it's gone.&nbsp; The magic's still there, so it mustn't be a dream.&nbsp; Or at least, that part isn't.<br><br>She washes herself up and dons her uniform, a rather unnoteworthy dress that is, at least, presentable.&nbsp; More than once while getting dressed, her hand brushes against that obnoxious collar, the single most annoying part of the ensemble.&nbsp; "I shouldn't complain," Celia mumbles to herself.&nbsp; Being a lowly house slave was certainly a lot worse than being a lowly royal slave.<br><br>And then, Gladys, the head of the "serving staff," shows up.&nbsp; A queen among slaves, that one.&nbsp; Collar and all.&nbsp; An imperious, iron-haired woman with an almost noble air, despite her station.&nbsp; She doesn't even bother with a prelude, or to so much as ensure she even has Celia's attention.&nbsp; "You're dismissed."&nbsp; &nbsp; The former noble practically leaps at the announcement, horrified at what it might mean.&nbsp; "Or should I say, reassigned.&nbsp; His Majesty has decided to give a gift to one of our guests.&nbsp; That gift is you.&nbsp; Feel honored.&nbsp; You are to report to the east wing.&nbsp; Diplomatic quarters.&nbsp; Guest room three.&nbsp; Understood?"<br><br>The question has no meaning.&nbsp; Only obedience matters.&nbsp; But... to be demoted back to personal slave... this is not good.&nbsp; Probably.&nbsp; Despite her misgivings, all Celia can do is nod.&nbsp; "Can you read, girl?" the elder woman asks.&nbsp; A rather insulting question, but Celia simply nods resignedly.&nbsp; With that, Gladys simply hands her a piece of paper and sends her off.<br><br>With a sigh, Celia takes to the palace hallways, examining the piece of paper.&nbsp; It's just a speech of introduction for her new mistress.&nbsp; Mistress... at least she doesn't have to worry about some nobleman deciding her looks should have unwanted consequences.&nbsp; Then again, some noblewoman may do the same.&nbsp; Her mind wanders back, beyond her present concerns, to the woman she'd been thinking about every day of her enslavement.&nbsp; She tries to speak her name, yet to no avail.&nbsp; It won't leave her lips.<br><br>She goes to the guest quarters, to wait.&nbsp; And wait.&nbsp; And wait.&nbsp; For nearly two hours, but at this point, such lengths of time mean little.&nbsp; Then, at long last, the door opens.&nbsp; Celia bows humbly.&nbsp; "I greet you as a gift from the great kingdom of Cain.&nbsp; I am called Celia, and I am yours to command my mis...tress?"&nbsp; With both introduction and bow completed, she begins to rise only to see a face from her past.&nbsp; She freezes, unable to move, unable to speak.&nbsp; A thousand questions try to come out, but her uncle's damnable curse cuts them off before they can leave her mind.&nbsp; She wants to leap into her arms, but her legs won't listen, and Nao won't recognize "Celia" anyways.&nbsp; And so, she just stands there, utterly overwhelmed, staring, mouth agape.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kaiva</strong> on <strong>16-06-2009, 04:36:46</strong>
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				Nao blinked as she was greeted with a bow and a speech by the woman in her room, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword ready to draw, just in case. But it seemed such actions were not necessary as Celia explained her presence. <br><br>"A slave?" Nao said, the words slipping out in distaste and confusion before she could catch them. Upon realizing her uncontrolled utterance the female knight tightened her lips into a terse line, her expression stern yet revealing nothing of her distaste over slavery. After a moment her cool blue eyes noticed Celia's shocked face and frowned more; Nao interpreted it as the common dislike of Ni'ans, and also the common Cain misogyny over her being a female knight. <br><br>A few warning bells rang in Nao's head, but she brushed them aside, thinking them merely from the surprise of seeing Celia in her chambers without warning. There was not one hint of recognition in her mind over Celia, and she also had not an inkling the woman before her had a bit of the Gift. Leaving her hand on the hilt of her sword meaningfully Nao stepped fully in the room, closing the door behind her and fixing Celia with a disturbingly focused gaze as if she was trying to read her soul. Nao was actually not trying to read her soul, but she was trying to read her in a sense. After many encounters with spies Nao had learned they were often nervous during first encounters and she could use her senses of the elements to detect nervousness through things like body heat. A guilty or nervous person exuded more body heat than an innocent one. <br><br>Nao's forehead wrinkled a little in consternation as she realized Celia was indeed warmer than an innocent person, but only barely. It seemed she was only shocked and nervous upon Nao's presence, not being guilty in waiting for a while as a spy would. Satisfied with that examination Nao deemed Celia no threat at the moment and let her hand slide off her hilt. <br><br>"I am the Ni'an Distaff Commander Nao Ares, here as an Ambassador," Nao said, her voice not boasting like others who held titles did when announcing them, but quieter, with a slight hint of distaste, as if saying it was not something she relished. "And I don't need a slave," she added bluntly. <br><br>With introductions and the usual examination out of the way Nao allowed herself to examine Celia in a more visible way. Taking in her long brown hair and beautiful sculpted features, Nao was surprised to note the woman was actually quite stunning beneath the rags of her station. And the rags were not as bad as she thought they'd be or as how Ni'an tutors described the atrocities of slavery. Celia didn't seem dirty, or have any bruises, or seemed overly mistreated, not that Nao was trivializing the situation. She was simply surprised to note it was exaggerated, much as Cain opinions of Ni'an devilry was exaggerated. <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Katina Tarask</strong> on <strong>18-06-2009, 02:59:01</strong>
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				Celia lowers her head at Nao's judgment, uncomfortable.&nbsp; The warrior's words hang in her mind like some sort of foreign intrusion.&nbsp; To hear Nao address her like this after so long is painful, to say the least, but hearing her dismissal is like a knife to the heart.&nbsp; <em>No... not again.&nbsp; I'm not leaving you again.</em><br><br>Once more, a thousand things rush to her mind to say.&nbsp; 'Not again.'&nbsp; 'I love you.'&nbsp; 'I need you.'&nbsp; Yes in the end, only one isn't blocked by her curse.&nbsp; "Please don't dismiss me."&nbsp; It takes her a moment to decide what to say next, as she was unsure what, exactly, she would be able to say at all.<br><br>"If you dismiss me, I shall return to the castle staff a failure and I may be dismissed from the castle altogether, and return to being a lowly house slave.&nbsp; Please, if you have no need for me as a slave, then accept me as an aid, an attendant, or at least as a guide for so long as you stay here.&nbsp; I am yours to command, but please don't tell me to leave."<br><br>She stands there, eyes averted like a good slave, trying not to cry as she awaits her prospective mistress' response.&nbsp; If she cannot reveal herself to Nao, then she stay close to her in any way she can, even if it means becoming her slave.&nbsp; If Lady Esna is truly dead, then it's the best she can ask for as Celia.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kaiva</strong> on <strong>18-06-2009, 03:39:20</strong>
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				Nao felt her stern face waver as she heard the emotion in Celia's voice. The first words she said, the first plea, felt heavier than it should. As if more than fear of being dismissed was behind them, and it was impossible for her to dismiss. Something also tugged at her mind again, quite a bit like the warning bells from earlier. Letting out a small sigh Nao heard her own mind arguing Celia's case, and she let the voice win. Besides, it looked like she was about to cry, and Nao hated it when women cried; it was a personal weakness that got her in more than a few traps, yet she couldn't break the habit. <br><br>"If it will be detrimental to you for me to dismiss you, then I won't," Nao said softening her features the slightest bit. She didn't really need a slave, but she also wasn't about to toss one out to the wolves. "I dislike slavery, but an aid and guide would be helpful as long as you are willing. But please also note, if you get in the way of my duties, if you are a spy or you betray me, there are dire consequences," the soldier added her expression darkening once more, "I detest betrayers." <br><br>Nao saw a face flash in her mind as she uttered the word 'betrayer,' a face she tried to leave behind. Though her face stayed stern her eyes belied that, turning a darker shade as they filled with lingering hurt. Nao's hatred of betrayers came with experience, a particular one at that. A woman who promised to stay with her, but instead vanished, leaving Nao still not recovered and alone with her guilt. Trying to push the memory, and especially the face, away Nao focused on Celia, on the here and now.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Katina Tarask</strong> on <strong>20-06-2009, 18:22:33</strong>
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				Celia looks at Nao oddly, as if seeing her for the first time.&nbsp; <em>I've been away far too long.</em>&nbsp; With the talk of betrayers, she wonders if her uncle has faced justice yet, or if Nao is talking about someone else.&nbsp; As she looks at her new mistress, she suffers mixed emotions.&nbsp; The day she was sold into slavery, she'd vowed that she only truly belonged to Nao, but now that it's true in a rather literal sense, it seems... surreal.&nbsp; Even more than her curse, an unspoken fear taints her joy at being reunited.<br><br>"I give you my word, I shall not betray you.&nbsp; You are my mistress now, and I shall obey.&nbsp; And I do believe I am too obvious for the task of a spy.&nbsp; Most likely, I am little more than a political statement."&nbsp; <em>What's happened to you, Nao?</em><br><br>Nervously, she steps aside, as is a servant's place, to await her first orders and to stay out of the way until then, a state ground into every slave of every station, the ability to pretend not to exist, to go unnoticed until needed and be on hand the instant they are needed.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kaiva</strong> on <strong>21-06-2009, 03:23:22</strong>
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				Nao raised an eyebrow at Celiea's declaration, disbelief written all over her face. At one time Nao would have never asked for such loyalty, assuming it would be given, and at one time she would have just laughed off Celia's swear, saying it was unnecessary. But such reactions had been long buried, replaced with a philosophy of distrust, a philosophy she found kept her out of trouble.&nbsp; <br><br>Moving to the table across the room Nao unbuckled her sword from her belt, but before she put it down, she turned to Celia, the sheathed sword held loosely in her hands, pointing mainly at the floor. "See that you do, I'd hate to spill blood," the soldier said lightly, her voice contrasting with her piercing stare. She didn't dislike Celia and therefore was threatening her, but she wanted to impress the fact that she would carry out her threat if necessary, in hopes of deterring any unfavorable behavior. Setting the weapon down, Nao then proceeded to remove her other instruments of war, amassing a small little pile on the table next to her sword.<br><br>"A bath," she muttered to herself absently as she finished, feeling significantly lighter with only her dagger in her boot. As a child and even through growing up Nao always had the habit of thinking out loud, and it was one of the few things that didn't change about her. "After traveling all day, I think I'd like a bath," Nao repeated not realizing she had already alluded to that request. "Is it possible you could arrange that?" the soldier asked turning to face Celia who was doing her best to fade into the woodwork of the floors. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Katina Tarask</strong> on <strong>28-06-2009, 03:12:19</strong>
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				After her new mistress' threat, Celia can't help but gulp, and the tension grows thick before Nao speaks again.&nbsp; Seeing that familiar, childlike voice Nao takes when speaking to herself once more after so long, she can't help but giggle, though she cuts herself short as swiftly as she can.&nbsp; The last few minutes had seemed so surreal, with the woman who owned her now seeming to shift between Nao and some stranger who looks like Nao, but that little display drives the point home.&nbsp; <em>It really is her.</em><br><br>With a bow and a smile, Celia complies.&nbsp; "Yes, mam, right away, mam."&nbsp; She heads to the adjoining room cheerfully; a top-of-the-line Cain washroom, one of the highest statements of wealth and power in the nation and an expression of what could be achieved without magic.&nbsp; Pipeways run all throughout the palace, all attached to the boiler room beneath.&nbsp; The smoke from the boiler is piped out for miles, lest it mar the perfect image the palace seeks to project.&nbsp; Thousands of meters of pipes and dozens of servants can pump clean water, both hot and cold, anywhere in the palace on request.&nbsp; The nobility speaks little of the system, as a show of the kingdom's abilities.&nbsp; Every time Celia ponders the system, she decides it would be extremely impressive if she didn't know the sheer amount of backbreaking labor that went into it.<br><br>She connects the bathtub to the room's main water feed, then takes a wooden tag from the cabinet and drops it down a chute, letting the boiler room know to send bathwater before getting out an array of soaps and oils.&nbsp; <em>How long has it been since I've been able to take a real, hot bath?</em>&nbsp; Celia thinks back, having only been able to wash herself from cold buckets and basins for years.&nbsp; The last time... was back home, only days before her uncle's treachery... with Nao.&nbsp; It was the day before she was to return to the battlefield, and ended up being her last goodbye.&nbsp; A sobering memory, and one that fills her with longing for days that will never return.&nbsp; Rather than dwell on the past, she returns to Nao, forcing a smile back on her face.&nbsp; It's a skill she was never particularly adept at, faking smiles, but she would always try, not wanting to force her burdens on anyone else.&nbsp; Though today, she would give anything to share this burden, if only she could.<br><br>"The water should be here any moment, mistress."&nbsp; As if on cue, hot water begins to pour out of a faucet and into the tub.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kaiva</strong> on <strong>29-06-2009, 23:07:13</strong>
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				Nao followed Celia into the adjoining room with a slight blush on the back of her neck. She heard the slight giggle and immediately knew one of her old habits had come back to haunt her. She had yet to say anything that would be compromising to her mission, but it was one of her fears so the soldier resolved to try and keep her mumbling in her head. Not only to avoid saying what she shouldn't, but to avoid the embarrassment as well. <br><br>Nao raised an eyebrow as Celia said the water would soon be on its way. She didn't see Celia send for anyone to carry it, so how could it be soon coming? The soldier assumed that the water would be hand delivered as it was in most towns and villages, since Cain had no magic. So Nao started a bit as water rushed down from the pipes into the large tub. Despite her wanting to retain her cool image she was unnerved by the scientific feat. Since magic was so abundant science was not something that Ni'ans needed, and the soldier was completely unfamiliar with the possibilities technology unlocked. With raised brows Nao sent her magical senses outward, trying to figure out how exactly the water was being transported and heated, but she discovered nothing. With a slight hum Nao mumbled her surprise, talking to herself once more. <br><br>'No magic, how strange, I wonder what else they are capable of...'<br><br>Almost immediately the soldier felt the flush on the back of her neck flare up again as she realized she had once more spoken out loud. Clearing her throat Nao awkwardly raised a hand to her hair ruffling it in an attempt to keep her hands from fidgeting, another childhood habit.<br><br>"Ah, perhaps you could help me with my armor then?" Nao said addressing Celia finally, slight embarrassment coloring her attitude. For the first time her old self seemed to be in charge and her newer calculating personality took a back seat. Her stance was relaxed, her weight on one foot with her other cocked out, and a bashful look on her face. She looked quite a bit younger, not that she looked old before, but younger in the more innocent way. It was the Nao that used to be happy with Masa Esna.<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Katina Tarask</strong> on <strong>03-07-2009, 02:33:17</strong>
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				"If given infinite resources and labor?&nbsp; They're capable of a lot.&nbsp; For a few."&nbsp; And thus concludes Celia's complete summation of all of Cain in a single breath.<br><br>With scarcely a "Yes'm," she walks behind Nao and studies her armor, much the same as she remembers.&nbsp; Once upon a time, this had become a ritual between the two, though following that ritual precisely right now would be rather more intimate than would be wise... no matter how tempting it may be.&nbsp; Her face goes flush as she deftly undoes the straps and clasps that hold her breastplate in place, beginning to feel hot as her hands brush the soft fabric beneath.&nbsp; And beneath that fabric, the flesh and the woman she dreamed of every night for these long, long years.&nbsp; Her hands begin to tremble as she removes the plate, trying to set it aside, but it slips from her hands, clattering across the floor.<br><br>"Oh!&nbsp; I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!"&nbsp; She immediately clambers over to retrieve the piece of armor, inspecting it for any signs of damage.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kaiva</strong> on <strong>06-07-2009, 23:44:43</strong>
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				Nao was unaware of Celia's discomfort, her mind busy processing all she had learned that day from the layout of the castle to the technology of the baths. She was jolted out of those thoughts though when Celia dropped her armor with a loud clatter. Automatically her temper flared, and she let out a low growl. If there was one thing she hated, it was her equipment getting damaged, especially as Cains didn't use metal armor and had no blacksmiths. If her armor was damaged, she would have to fix it herself, or have it fixed back home, and inconvenience and a vulnerability. <br><br>Nao snarled out a curse in Ni'an her countenance once again changing, but her temper cooled as she took in the sight of Celia shaking slightly, grasping the dropped item and looking it over. She just looked so fragile and nervous that Nao would have to be a beast to yell or punish. Taking a step forward Nao was inexplicably saddened by Celia's automatic step back. Letting out a sigh like breath Nao tried to expel all of the anger out of her face. Catching Celia's gaze Nao tried to apologize for the scare with her eyes. <br><br>"No harm done," Nao said softly, a note of apology in her voice. With a bit of hesitation the soldier added more, "I didn't always have a temper..."<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Katina Tarask</strong> on <strong>17-07-2009, 04:15:16</strong>
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				Celia remembers how dilligent Nao was in caring for her equipment, and knew the magnitude of her mistake before the knight could react, but seeing the fire flare up in Nao's eyes is as frightening as it is a relief when she calms down.<br><br>Nervously, she steps forward and reaches out, wanting to stroke Nao's cheek, to hold her close, to comfort her for all the pains she must have gone through while they were apart and to be comforted for the same, but she cuts that instinct short, or perhaps the curse does.&nbsp; It's hard to tell sometimes.&nbsp; Instead, she takes the armor, gently, steadily, and presses it against her chest, clearly not about to drop it again.<br><br>"What... what happened?" she manages to ask, wondering what could have changed her so.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kaiva</strong> on <strong>21-07-2009, 23:28:39</strong>
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				Nao felt slightly ashamed of herself as she saw the fear flash in Celia's eyes. Being a slave in Cain probably gave the woman much to fear in life, but Nao didn't want to add more the the list - she certainly didn't want to add herself. Trying to banish the shame in her head Nao kept her fingers moving. She started by unlacing and unbuckling her wrist and arm guards, placing them to the side carefully as she tried to explain her thoughts, not sure if she should, but wanting to anyways. <br><br>"A long time ago, I was hurt, and someone was taking care of me," Nao said fidgeting with the laces of her chain mail, "she kept me alive, and I trusted her, but one day, she just left." Nao tried to keep her voice even, but it wavered the slightest bit. Nao was shocked she was saying this, especially to a stranger, she never mentioned it to anyone before, though many knew that Lady Ensa had disappeared. But perhaps it was because it was a stranger that she could mention it. <br><br>"She always said she loved how easy going I was," Nao said, her voice bitter; she had given up on masking her emotions. Her face was somewhat twisted with her feelings, but it wasn't expressing emotions that would scare anyone - it was more haunted than anything. "But maybe if I wasn't so easy going she wouldn't have left. I suppose that's where I picked up my temper. She chose to leave when I couldn't follow."<br><br>Shaking her head Nao tried to push back the flood of emotions at her mind's door. She was a soldier of Ni'al, she couldn't have emotions. Taking a deep breath she succeeded, but almost frighteningly so. Her face became absolutely blank, almost inhuman in its coldness. "She also used to joke I'd never amount to anything, but here I am..."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Katina Tarask</strong> on <strong>25-07-2009, 17:31:52</strong>
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				It takes one long, surreal moment for Celia to realize, Nao is talking about her, and the moment the revelation strikes, a thousand words spring to her lips, only to be forcibly beaten down.&nbsp; Her mouth flaps vacantly for the better part of a minute as she tries desperately to explain herself, or simply say, 'I'm here,' but nothing comes out.&nbsp; At the verge of tears for what seems like the thousandth time today, she turns and leaves the room, just as the water cuts off, making for a tub filled with nice, hot water.<br><br>In the next room, old conflicts Celia thought she'd long-since set aside start raging.&nbsp; <em>I did this to her?&nbsp; No... it was my uncle.&nbsp; He caused all this, there was nothing I could do... but maybe if I was stronger, if I'd paid better attention, if I'd protected myself... I never looked after myself like I should have.&nbsp; I always thought if something happened to me, I'd be the only one getting hurt.&nbsp; I should have thought about Nao more...</em><br><br>As the tumultuous thoughts fill her mind, she takes deep breaths and tries to calm herself, praying Nao would just take her bath and leave her be, just for a little while, just long enough to calm herself, so she wouldn't have to be seen like this.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kaiva</strong> on <strong>09-12-2009, 05:03:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Nao's blank face finally filled with emotion, particularly shock, when she saw how Celia responded to her story. She expected maybe some curiosity, maybe pity, but not the gut wrenching flood of emotions that Celia displayed. It was almost as if Celia herself was involved in the situation, but Nao knew that to be untrue. After all, the only people that were involved were herself, and the Lady Masa Ensa. The reaction definitely did not match the situation<br><br>Because of Nao's shock, she barely twitched when Celia fled the room, but found herself staring at the door the woman exited seconds later. Her mind fought with herself as she debated her next course of action. Should she follow, or just stay and take the bath she had been waiting for all day? Looking down at her still partially armored clad self, Nao's brain finally started working normally; waking up from its emotionally triggered stupor. On one hand there was a very tempting hot bath waiting for her, but on the other hand, just through the door was a puzzle waiting to be sorted out. However, as interesting as the puzzle was, Nao doubted the emotional woman wanted to be faced with questions. If there was one thing Nao understood it was secrets, and the want of privacy. <br><br>Plus the bath was just impossible to ignore. Dust from the road was plastered to her body, getting, as dust tended to do, under her armor to annoy her throughout the whole day. Grumbling about mysterious woman and the mysterious properties of dust Nao tugged at the rest of the straps holding her various plates of armor on and began the tedious, made more tedious by her lack of help, process of removing everything. With a bit of a clank and clatter as she shifted around she finally divested everything, including cloth, on a heap on the floor. She then sank gratefully into the bath, delighted to note that she could submerge herself completely under water. But of course that left her completely unable to hear...<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Katina Tarask</strong> on <strong>14-12-2009, 02:11:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Celia retreats into the main room and crouches down in a corner, trembling, buried in memories.&nbsp; <em>Follow me...&nbsp; Comfort me...&nbsp; Hold me...&nbsp; Save me...&nbsp; Say my name... Please, your Masa's here.</em>&nbsp; Every fiber of her being cries out for her long lost love, and then she hears a splash.&nbsp; <em>Nao doesn't know.&nbsp; She isn't coming.&nbsp; She can't see it... of course she can't...</em><br><br>For a time, she stays curled up in the corner, feeling more alone that she ever has before, trying to figure out what to do, until she finally comes to a decision.&nbsp; <em>Nao... my Nao.&nbsp; She's still my Nao, even if she doesn't know it.&nbsp; I... I must do what I have for so long.&nbsp; All I can do is serve.&nbsp; And if it's Nao I serve... I cannot ask for more.</em><br><br>With that, she rises and dusts herself off.&nbsp; <em>If I cannot be Nao's Masa anymore, then I will be Nao's Celia.</em>&nbsp; Now, with some fragile visage of resolve, she returns to the bathroom and stands as the side of the room, awaiting orders, and maybe deriving some secret pleasure from watching her Nao after so long.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kaiva</strong> on <strong>24-12-2009, 04:46:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After a few moments submerged underwater, scrubbing her body, Nao felt the press in her lungs indicating her lack of air and reluctantly pulled her head above the water. Taking in a deep breath of air Nao tried to force the stress of the pasts days, weeks even, to shed from her mind, as the dirt did from her body. This entire assignment was nothing but one stress upon another. To many it seemed like an honor that she was sent as an ambassador, but Nao knew the real truth. She was simply expendable. To send a true politician, a general as well, not simply a commander like her, would be to risk loosing that figure. Cain was not well known for its hospitality towards those of her country. And as her country did not come by worthy Generals often, it was not going to send one away to possible death. Her on the other hand...there was always another worthy commander. <br><br>To her superiors, this mission was one which return was unlikely. If her country fought Cain into submission, she'd surely die. If her country lost, she'd surely die. Even if peace was negotiated, it was likely over her dead, not living, body. Understanding that truth made Nao realize from the moment she received the assignment that nothing had changed since Masa had left. She was expendable to her lady, and expendable to her country. It led her mind down morbid paths.<br><br>"I wonder who would mourn if I died in this place," Nao murmured sitting up slightly in the bath, then surging up to stand. The cold air immediately attacked her bare skin and the warrior felt a light shiver race through her body. She wasn't so sure if the shiver was the cold on her body, or her thoughts, or something else, but either way it urged her to finish her bath, and leave. It was standing in the bath, water dripping and freezing down her bare form did she finally realize Celia's presence. Perhaps it was a gasp she heard, or just a breath, or just a slight shuffle, but something drew her attention to the corner where Celia stood, and Nao Ares, great warrior, froze like a startled animal, staring into the eyes of the other woman. Normally her instincts would have led her to grab a weapon, defend herself, but instead of those normal things, it made her blush.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Katina Tarask</strong> on <strong>26-12-2009, 04:25:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				'I would,' the slave tries to shout to her mistress' morbid question, but again, her words are stolen from her.&nbsp; And when Nao stands, her breath is stolen as that strong, perfect body she'd lost long ago appears before her.&nbsp; At the sight, she can hardly resist the urge to cast off her clothes and leap forth into her arms, to sample that flesh, those lips, that body so long denied her.<br><br>But she doesn't.&nbsp; If she tried, the seal would probably stop her anyways, like it stops everything.&nbsp; And then, Nao turns around, and Celia realizes she's staring, and her blush becomes just as intense as her owner's.&nbsp; She averts her eyes, but scarcely hides that she's still peeking.&nbsp; She just can't tear her gaze away from her Nao.&nbsp; After a time, she manages to speak.&nbsp; "Please don't say such things, mistress."<br><br>Odd.&nbsp; The taste of that word, 'mistress,' it's different now than it ever was before.&nbsp; In this already steamy room, before her Nao, to say that word makes her feel... so hot.&nbsp; She lifts her gaze, without even noticing, her eyes drawn by Nao's own as an entire world appears before her in that bare, glorious form.&nbsp; <em>Take me,</em> she thinks.&nbsp; <em>I'm yours, command me, use me however you please, just take me, hold me, touch me.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kaiva</strong> on <strong>27-12-2009, 07:52:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It took a few seconds for Celia's words to hit Nao's ears, but when they did they had an odd effect on her. Or at least, Nao considered the effect odd. It made the shiver worse, but her temperature rise. Just like the words themselves, the sensation was off putting, no, unbalancing, but it served to wake Nao from her trance. Stepping out of the tub Nao payed no mind to the water she was dripping everywhere and simply raked her blond hair back when it got in her eyes. Without any reason or plan Nao continued moving and found herself walking towards the young slave. Within a second she was crowding the brunette against the wall, not quite threatening, but not quite easingly either. <br><br>"Why would you care, woman of the enemy?" Nao found herself asking, not quite sure what she was doing. All the soldier knew was that within a hair of a second something had changed, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. There was a spark of something in the air, in that woman, and she was drawn to it. Again, her better sense tried to talk her out of her course of action, but it was fruitless, because she didn't really know what her course of action was. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Katina Tarask</strong> on <strong>27-12-2009, 20:36:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It's all Celia can do to stand in awe of this creature coming towards her, both familiar and strange, terrifying and glorious.&nbsp; And then, she is trapped, surrounded my Nao's bare, beautiful form.&nbsp; She can feel the intense heat radiating from her body, fresh from that hot bath.&nbsp; The aura is oppressive, exciting, as the warmth from outside meets the heat building from within.<br><br>A thousand words come to her mouth at once, only to be taken away.&nbsp; Each blocked word begins to mist her eyes a little more, until finally, a sentence manages to escape while she looks up, barely managing to meet Nao's intense eyes.&nbsp; "No one deserves to die alone."&nbsp; That's all she manages to say, before trailing off.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kaiva</strong> on <strong>29-12-2009, 02:47:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Nao stared hard into Celia's eyes when they finally met hers. She instantly noticed the trapped emotion within them, and felt her own blue eyes soften slightly. She was intrigued, unsure of where Celia was coming from, though, in all honesty she was confused as to where she herself was coming from. She should be moving away, getting dressed...that thought almost made the blush come back. And it also made other thoughts come to the forefront of her mind, erasing her other musings for the moment. Thoughts like how the woman before her was incredibly attractive, how her thin garment did little to hide her figure. And thoughts like how Nao felt the urge to crowd her even more until they breached that small remaining space and were pressed together. Finally she acted on her urge and did just that, pressing even closer and placing a hand against the wall behind Celia; a dominating gesture. From her new position she could feel the heat of the other woman rising out of her body and into her bare one. She could also feel all of the curves of the slighter woman under her and felt a groan build within the pit of her stomach. <br><br>Nao knew once again, she was letting her body interfere with her mind, because she was, once again, ignoring the paranoid warnings in her head. The warning said things like the slave was a spy, an assassin, always some kind of enemy, but it was no good.&nbsp; Finally breaking eye contact, Nao moved her head so her lips grazed the other woman's ear, breathing lightly into it and giving it a barely there lick before softly responding. <br><br>"I suppose I should thank you then, for caring." The wry tone crept back into the soldier's voice, but it stayed lighthearted. After so many years of sarcasm it was impossible for it to be absent for too long. "So how should I do that?" Nao felt the adrenaline that usually came during battle well up in her. There was some primal urge to take that was building up, and she was seeing less and less reason why she should ignore it. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In Enemy Territory [Katina Tarask and Kaiva]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Katina Tarask</strong> on <strong>04-01-2010, 15:39:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Nao's gaze holds Celia hostage.&nbsp; Those eyes.&nbsp; Nao's eyes.&nbsp; Those predatory eyes.&nbsp; <em>And I'm the prey,</em> she thinks, a thrill mixing itself with her faint fear.&nbsp; She can't move.&nbsp; She can't resist.&nbsp; Nao's presence is too overwhelming.&nbsp; And when she places her hand against the wall, Celia knows she's caught.&nbsp; She's surrounded.&nbsp; Engulfed in Nao, completely at her mercy.&nbsp; She feels her body against her.&nbsp; Hot.&nbsp; Wet.&nbsp; Two words that describe her right about now.&nbsp; And then, those lips meet her ear and she very nearly melts.<br><br>Her hands act on their own, rising, clutching Nao's back, feasting on her warm, sweet skin.&nbsp; At last, memories of Masa Esna fade from Celia's mind.&nbsp; She has something better.&nbsp; She has <em>now</em>.&nbsp; She drifts closer and closer, lips quivering, but she can't close that last inch.&nbsp; That has to be Nao's inch.&nbsp; Slowly, nervously, she whispers.&nbsp; "However pleases my mistress," she says, as she savors the taste of Nao's breath from those lips, so close.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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