midnightstar | Shionne and Alphen in Menancia

They've all come a long way since Calaglia, both in terms of distance and... other things. Things Shionne was forcing herself not to acknowledge. Because what would the point be to acknowledge those thoughts when she couldn't act on them - when at the end of this journey, she had no future? Ah... but that was something she hadn't - couldn't - tell the others, who she's begun thinking of as more than just 'tools'.

Particularly Alphen.

It was the hardest to think of him when she knew how much she was keeping from him. Much to her frustration, however, the group had decided to take a break for a little while since Shionne's pace had been pushing the others quite a lot - and they did just gain two new companions. Shionne was avoiding them as much as possible, deciding to go for a walk through the city almost...baffled by how accepting the Dahnans and Renans were.

It was ... nice. But it felt so alien to her, at the same time.

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It was evil, she couldn't help but let out a soft little sigh of pleasure that escapes - despite her attempt to stifle it. "Mmf." She cleared her throat slightly, trying not to think too hard on how close he was - and how good it felt to be in his arms. Was it warmer in there or was it just her? "R-risky -- I think.. you know exactly how.." Not wanting him to stop, for one thing. And one thing might lead to another! Heck, she won't be able to keep from making that... sound again.

Oh but he had every intent to make it warmer and not let her stop from sounding like that. He smirked softly against her neck before burying himself more firmly against her smooth neck as he replied.

"How could I possibly know. There's still parts of my memory I still haven't quite recalled. And everything after losing them was my days as a slave~" Could he sound any more disingenous while phrasing it in a convincing way? His memories. IT was true that they had played a part in why he'd stuck with Shionne so stubbornly. That sense of familiarity and comfort. But he had never seen her as a replacement for the ancestor that set him free. Shionne was Shionne and she was the woman he'd come to love wholeheartedly.

... WAS HE REALLY PLAYING THE AMNESIA CARD, THE DEVIOUS MONSTER. She made a vague huffing noise, feeling him so close against her neck, desperately trying to stifle that soft whimper that almost slipped out.

She might have genuinely... worried he might just see her as her ancestor, but that was a concern pushed far back with her doubts. It was very clear that he was with her and not her ancestor. "This.... this has nothing to do with that, though.." She stammered, her fingers absently drifting into his hair, and stroking through it unconsciously. "Do... do you really have no idea...?" He's ...well he's never been in a relationship either, maybe he was telling the truth? Or he was bigfibbing.

He absolutely was playing that card and would continue to do so. Because it was enjoyable and maybe just maybe he'd trick Shionne into deciding to teach him then.

"I don't. The only thing I know is that everything I do, is because I want to and because it feels right. I don't think of the intricacies behind the surface of each move~" That was a dangerous kind of lie to use. A half lie since there was absolutely truth mixed in.

"I-is that so?" BECAUSE HE WAS SO CLOSE, and it was one thing when they were just being cuddly, but now she was even more aware of just how close and cuddly they'd gotten and aagh. She suspected he wouldn't let her get any space either... though to be completely honest there was a part of her that wasnted to stay right where she was and just relax and be cozy. If she could just bear with the embarrassment of feeling him nuzzled against her neck like that. "Is... that why you're so close?" Okay she was equally guilty of being close, but let's not point that out ...

The fact that he just acted on instinct and feelings.. she could certainly believe that part. It tracked with everything else he's done thus far, but... SURELY some of that must give him an idea of the intricacies...even a LITTLE...?

"It is. Because being here with you like this...is where I belong. And where you belong too of course." Alphen chuckled softly before hammering in that nail a little harder.

"It's not like knowing more is going to change any of my feelings for you."

Oh. Oh that was pure evil. Shionne's breath caught in her throat for a moment, before she fidgeted a little to pull back enough to see his face, "Alphen..." Saying something like that is ALSO why it's Risky! Because this time it was her turn to lean in and sneak a kiss, though one for much longer. If she didn't need air she wouldn't let go of him at all, but she's breathless when she forces herself to break the kiss. Probably one of their longest, "That's... that's why it's risky.." Saying something so ... so sweet and loving and ... well, making her want to kiss him like -that- and then some...

Probably not the most horrible thing, actually..

"So...it's risky because you would kiss me more? I don't really see the risk there." Alphen tilted his head curiously before his lips curled as he suddenly claimed another kiss in retaliation.

"Because I want to kiss you all the time anyway."

"It.s..." Ack, retaliation kisses! That's cheating! Probably! She let out another faint noise that was half moan and half sigh, "It's... it's stopping that's.. the hard part..." Slips out before she can catch herself. God how was he such a good kisser when neither of them had never been in a relationship before? He was a natural? That was ..even more dangerous to add to his natural charm.

"I'm still not hearing anything bad." ALphen replied simply as he nuzzled his nose against her cheek for good measure. She was not making much sense with her worries. Why would they need to hesitate when they both knew how much they needed and loved each other to the point of even considering outright marriage sooner than later.

She had to admit she couldn't - and didn't want to - think of any kind of argument that would help get any distance here. "Well...M..maybe it's not ...bad.." No it definitely wasn't -bad- per se. And she'd be lying if she said she didn't imagine being with him much more intimately than just a few touches and kisses here and there. There was a faint sigh that followed the nuzzling, as she uttered a helpless little, "That...feels so good.." It's worse than an addiction~!

Hearing those words was all Alphen needed to keep going and maybe slowly get a little bolder as the nuzzling slowly transitioned into light kisses along her neck, testing the waters if that was going too far too quickly though he certainly did not think it was too soon. Not after everything they'd been through.

She wasn't sure..at what point those faint sighs turned into soft moans, but when she became aware of the noise -- and realized it was coming from /her/ -- she couldn't help but feel flustered about it. Not enough to stop really though, "Al..alphen.." That.. was definitely a different way to say his name, her hands starting to wander a bit more..idly. And in a sense, a bit more daring to her touches without even thinking about it - thinking is their enemy. Logic was their enemy and Shionne was having a hard time handling that and the pleasant feeling of those kisses and his closeness.

That was absolutely a new sound to hear from her lips but Alphen instantly concluded that he liked it. A lot. So much so he wanted to hear more. So his kisses went a little lower along her neck while the rest of his body smoothly tucked in against hers while his hands played over her back and sides before caressing over one leg as he almost prompted her to hook a leg around him in return.

It was fascinating the way she fit against him like a missing puzzle piece.. pressing herself into him with a muffled moan. One thing for sure was she really wasn't wanting him to stop. Her leg twitched slightly feeling his hand smoothly gliding over it, pressing closer against his body as her hand wandered into his hair, another soft moan of his name slipping out as she tried to curl into him more.

He honestly was just doing whatever felt right and so far this had not led him astray if Shionne's voice and reactions were anything to go by. So he kept going, pulling her closer, pushing closer. Anything just to touch and feel Shionne more while his lips explored her neck and collar.

"I could get used to this. Having you so close. The way you sound."

She nuzzled closer to him, her lips against his shoulder, her fingers starting to move deeper into his hair though only caressing lightly, 'It's.. embarrassing.." she murmured sheepishly. Only embarrassing in the sense that she COULD sound like that - but she was also pleased to hear that from him. "I can't ... help it when you're ...touching me so...so..." Mmm... intimately? Yeah that was ..very accurate, as another soft moan slipped out as if to emphasize her words.

"It's beautiful to me~" Alphen smiled against her neck and resumed his kisses and exploration of her body, keenly aware of every curve pressing up against him and his mind slowly sinking into a haze that felt so right that he didn't even think of resisting it a little.

"Feels like I'll never be able to make up for all the lost time we couldn't touch. That's how much, how hard I fell for you."

"Beautiful.." She could feel that smile, and it only made her blush more. He was..so comfortable, and it was embarrassing to know she wanted to feel..more. "We have all the time in the world now.." She reminded him, shifting against him to feel closer to him; enough that her leg tentative slid over his, "When we're not traveling.." Though speaking of touching, her other hand was certainly getting bolder, wandering along his side and slipping under his shirt, "We can ..touch each other..feel each other as much as we want now." Wording, Shionne. Wording.

"Not beautiful. THE most beautiful" He corrected himself and her while he eagerly welcomed her body getting more comfortable with his as well as that bolder touch that seemed to make his skin feel more sensitive and alive than ever as it thrummed for her touch as far as he could feel it.

"I love the sound of that. Especially if we're the only ones traveling. We can take time exploring together by the campfire or in the tent~"

In the tent or in an occasional inn when they were near one, or if the weather was bad. Her hand lightly moved against his skin, feeling the warmth and...oh.. oh goodness was his body firm..and very, very toned and she probably shouldn't explore JUST how defined his body was like this. "Mmhmmm... as ..much as I enjoy the company of the others.. I want to be alone with you more." ... UH, "A-and.. I think they have other plans besides.."

Alphen welcomed that exploration so she would have a hard time prying her hand away as he pressed back into those touches as if to say to touch as much as she wanted.

"They have their own lives and we have ours." Ours was spoken in a very' together ' way since Shionne was exactly where ALphen wanted. Right there in step by his side.

Well it was definitely difficult to resist exploring when he was so cooperative. Even when she started to move her hand back, whenever she felt him press into a touch she couldn't help but want to see how else she could make him react. Feeling her hand explore and touch where she could must have been new for him too.

But that word...Ours. The way that was said, even the implication. It left a shiver of nervous excitement up her spin at the thought of spending the rest of her life with him, the way they'd casually talked about before. Only before she never really thought it would be a reality like it was now. "Ours.." she murmured softly, a smile coming to her lips. "I ..really like the sound of that.." Their life together - that was such a dream come true.

Alphen felt his heart skip a beat again when he saw that smile and he pulled up for another kiss this time dragging it out for much much longer as he slowly moved his body against hers not relenting until he could feel her getting short of breath because dammit all he wanted so much more of Shionne it was almost ridiculous.

She met him in the kiss when she saw him lean up to her, unconsciously shifting more on top of him as she let herself relax and get more comfortable with him. Even getting swept up into the flow of emotions she'd kept at bay for so long, a soft hum of pleasure and pure joy murmured against his lips as her fingers tangled loosely in his hair. She could even feel the way he moved slightly, instinctively pressing her body against his to feel even closer to him - unconsciously wanting more though unsure how to express that in words. When even she started to need air though, she started to pull back, her hand so tangled in his hair it tugged it slightly when she tried to get that breather. "Alphen..." What are words, really?