Author: Ash, Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 9:23 AM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

With Aisling time flew by him. It wasn’t enough to just throw her clothes aside, he studied her completely and paid her body the attention he thought it deserved. He wouldn’t stop until he was dead tired and even then when they were done, he pulled her into his arms in the most protective hug he had. His lips kissed the top of her head and his hands rested gently against her hips.

He swallowed down anything in his mouth as if nervous now, as if she could be snatched away from him at anymore. His hug got tighter about her, but not enough to hurt her. His eyes closed and he found himself in bliss. He could live with this, he knew it.

Lumia would be upset at him but he had told her the rules. He had never wanted to actually be with someone the way he wanted to be with Aisling. Lumia was just who he had gone to so he could avoid real life. He had never touched her or did anything with her. If anything he had just laid in her arms but the woman was possessive over him. It was a bridge to cross when the time came, that much was for certain.

Aisling would win against her. A smile crossed his lips. He could feel how strong his Aisling was. “We could lay here all night, or we could go back to the inn and lay in my bed…” He chuckled with her. “The spirits here make me a tad uneasy at night.”

Author: Melianme, Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 8:22 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Her heart skipped a beat when he actually used her name. He said it so fondly and with such conviction that she couldn't bring herself to say the things she had on her mind. They had barely known each other a couple of days, but she knew as well as anyone else that sometimes love could be an instantaneous thing, however fleeting it could be. She felt a general preference towards him, in fact she liked him more than any other crushes she had in the past, and he seemed so devoted to the idea of being with her that he was willing to travel the world with her. 


But would he be willing to travel to hell and back… as may be the case?

His hands on her hips made the thought scurry away, and it was replaced by the thought that the only way to know was to cross that bridge when it came. 

"I won't stop you then… in fact, I more than welcome the company," she said softly, her lips teasing his. They kissed again, deeply and passionately. She felt the weight of his body upon her as they rolled over each other on the blanket, the energy between them building until articles of clothing began to be discarded.

Author: Ash, Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 8:21 AM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Ash gave her a loving look and laughed. “Holly is a good person but I swear she has it out for me, but if my Flower says she is not  worried than I do believe it to be true.” He swooped in to kiss her forehead and sighed in a very relaxed way. It pleased him to know that Aisling would be with him.

“I know plenty of women who have said the same thing Flower, you’ll just have to believe me on that. My mother is one of them though and she is doing just fine. I’ll just think you are like her.” It was weird but his mother was one person he didn’t see dying anytime soon, though if it did happen he would sad beyond belief. 

The man loosened his arms and looked up at her as she spun to him. “I’ll stay because of you not Holly. I do not really fear Holly so much as I fear the thought of losing you to life itself. That would break my heart Aisling.” He said her name so fondly and filled with energy as he reached up and gently kissed her. His hands settled on her hips and he managed a bit. “I would travel to the end of the world with you.”

Author: Melianme, Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2016 10:48 AM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

"I am not that corruptible," Aisling smiled. "I don't think there is anything she could say, or you could do that would make me turn away from you," she added. Short of him betraying her, she was pretty sure this statement was true. Ash had proven to be one of the truest young men she had ever met, and she had only known him a very short time. 

She looked at him, her eyes filled with empathy as he spoke of the ones he had lost to one thing or another, and gently pressed her hand over his as he brushed her hair from her face. She gave him a wry smile and cuddled back up with him. 
"Don't fear too much for me. I am a lot more resilient than I look…" she told him softly, trying to reassure him, but still cuddled close. She let him caress her, his hands moving over her arms, shoulders, sides and hips, and he never ventured where he was not welcomed. As they lay there, Aisling rolled over to face him. He had said such nice and sweet things, and held her so fondly. 

"So… you'll really stay with us then? You'll travel the roads with three females just for the sake of making sure Holly doesn't turn me against you?" she asked him softly. 

Author: Ash, Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:47 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Ash laughed a bit and kissed her once more. “I can’t leave you with Holly, she might turn you against me. I guess you both are stuck with me.” He teased her knowing that Holly liked the idea of the two of them just as much as they liked each other. Once more they were enthralled by each other as they rolled about the blanket.

He held her by her waist as she sat up. “Friends. A lot of friends. Women that maybe I would have liked to know like I seem to know you. Dead. Gone. War, evil, illness, it’s all the same in the eyes of life and death.” He pushed his waist up enough so he could pushed her blonde hair back once more. “I’m protective of you Aisling because I don’t want what has claimed them to claim you.”

He fell back to the ground as they cuddled and he just sighed heavily. “Just like this.” Maybe there was a piece of him that wanted more as his hands moved about her body. He learned her the best he could at this stage, he never wanted to lose her. “Holly would never forgive me if something happened to you. I couldn’t forgive myself either.”

Author: Melianme, Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:51 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Aisling wasn't so sure what it was about Ash that drew her in so much. He was kind, and gentle and rather romantic, and while she had always been on the look out for that one special person, she had struck out a couple of different times. She was a hopeless romantic though, and she found herself wondering if things between herself and this handsome paladin could really work out. She sighed softly as they kissed, and slipped her hands up around Ash's shoulders. He seemed to be enjoying the embrace, and the only thing that made them separate was the inevitable need for oxygen. 

Aisling giggled softly as Ash nuzzled her forehead. "I'm full of surprises Ash. I guess you'll just have to stick around to see what I have up my sleeve," she replied playfully. She gasped slightly as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in again into a deeper kiss. She felt him lower her to the ground and they rolled once or twice during the duration of the kiss before it ended with her lying on top of him with her head resting on his chest, an ear to his heart. She looked up at him and sat up slightly as he said that all he wanted was her, and peace. 

"You've suffered a lot of loss, haven't you, Ash?" she asked him softly. "I can see it, you know, in your eyes, and I can feel it in how you've been holding me. How can I help bring you relief?" she inquired as she cuddled up to him. 

Author: Ash, Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:16 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Ash smiled as he watched her keep his hand on her face. It wasn’t a hold but it was enough for it to stick to her face. He had never seen her act so shy as she did in that moment. His green eyes almost looked guilty as she looked sheepish. He returned the grip and nodded with her.

“I just know how I feel, Holly is the real mastermind. I know a bit about wordsmithing but not as much as she does.” He joked softly with her. He leaned his head down and let her play with his hair. It felt good to be close to someone, to let someone in. “Oh?” He was about to ask what she met when she kissed him this time.

It was pleasant and much needed to soothe his wounded mind. He kept the kiss going as long as he thought he could go without breathing before realizing he actually did need to breathe. He chuckled as he nuzzled his forehead against hers. “What am I going to do with you Flower? You always seem to surprise me.” He took her by the waist and kissed her again, pulling her down to the soft ground. He had made sure to push the wine and food away just enough so they didn’t knocked it over.

When he was done kissing her, he held her in such a way that she had her head on his chest. He was looking up at the bamboo trees. “This is all I want. This right here.” He gripped her a bit protectively and closed his eyes. “My Flower and peace.”

Author: Melianme, Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 8:40 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Aisling watched him intently as he sat up and slipped his hand about her and lightly played with her flaxen hair for a moment before he leaned in and slightly pulled her into a light and gentle kiss. It was soft, and Aisling could still taste the wine upon his lips, and she found herself disappointed that it was so fleeting. She did, however, smile and lifted her hand and placed it over the one of his that lingered to caress her face. 

She couldn't help but look down almost shyly as Ash told her he meant what he said. She shook his hand and gripped it gently, and meaningfully. 

"You know, you have more talent for wordsmithing than you give yourself credit for," she told him gently. "And I don't hold it against you if you seek the help of those who know the craft better. That's how you learn," she added as she lightly reached up to play with his salt and peppered hair. "But sometimes words are not needed," she said as she leaned in and pressed her lips to his, kissing him a little longer and a little deeper than he had her. 

Author: Ash, Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 7:38 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

“I meant you sang with Holly. I want to hear you solo.” He chuckled at her. He filled the glasses for them and sipped on the wine.  He frowned a bit and reached out to brushed her hair back. “Shame, someone should have said more like that to you and meant it.”

He lounged on the blanket and brought the wine up to his lips one more time. Her song reached his ears and he relaxed to it. It took him back to when his mother use to sing lullabies at the foot of their bed. She may have been a busy person but she never missed that opportunity. His eyes watched hers and he shook his head. “You could never disappoint me Flower.”

He pulled himself up and looped his hand behind her head. His fingers played with her blonde locks as he pulled himself forward to give her a quick kiss. It was nothing too overpowering and as gentle as he could make it. He didn’t want it to seem forced on her. His hand tracked around her face as his thumb gently caressed her skin.

“I’m not too great with poetry or singing but I mean everything that I said. I may need Holly’s help in that department but I made sure she took note of everything I feel and how I see you.” He smiled sheepishly at her. "She just helped me craft the words even if they didn't come out that great." He blushed a bit.

Author: Melianme, Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 7:10 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Aisling sat down upon the blanket, and giggled at his comments. "Silly, you have heard me sing. You've heard me sing the last two nights at the very least. Or did you mean, have yet to here me sing solo?" she asked him as he lifted the glasses and the bottle of wine from the basket he had been carrying. She smiled again, and took the glass so he could pour the wine, and was struck again by the way he had with words. This time, the poem was not sappy, though it still had an unfinished feeling to it. Her heart fluttered beneath her breast and as yet another blush painted her cheeks. 

"I don't think anyone has ever said such sweet things to me," she said softly. "Not without meaning them as you do, at least," she added as she lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip of the wine he had poured. It was sweet, with a rather floral aroma, and she could taste notes of cherry and plum within the red liquid. She scooted a bit closer to him and set the glass down upon a flat stone that was nearby before she pulled out her harp-lute, or her dital lute, and situated it on her lap. 

Lightly, her fingers found their place on the struts of the lute as her other hand plucked at the strings fluidly, with great skill. Her voice was soft, and rich as her notes began to float about them and out onto the surface of the lake. She was a reflection, a visage of those around her, but she knew the truth; would he be able to see beneath the disguise? She would reflect all and the spaces in between, though it was just a dream. But she reminded him that they had to believe in something, in anything. 

She looked up at him as she strummed the strings.
"Do you love me just the way I am?
Do you need me? Will you take a chance?
Do you see me for all that I can be?
Do you believe, believe in me?"

More verses she went through, about getting lost to be found, and freeing those you might wish to have return. About how it was said that true love was blind, and that it was a mental state, and if it was not being sought, one would risk being left behind. Thrice more she repeated her chorus, always looking up into Ash's eyes as she sang. Finally her fingers left the strings and the notes tapered off into the air, lingering over the lake. 

"I hope I did not disappoint you," she said with a soft smile. 



((OOC: if interested in hearing the actual song she sang here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK3peWKNFII ))

Author: Ash, Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 6:03 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Ash blushed a bit in return and laughed. “A bard deserves everything she loves. Even if I may not be a master of poetry I know you will like the effort.” He bopped her softly on her nose as she pushed his hair back. He was about to answer that Holly helped him when Aisling decided not to hear it. It made him laugh as they walked.

A smile tugged at his face as he stood there watching her reaction. “This is one of the most beautiful lakes in all of Revaliir. My second favorite, only Arri’s beats it.” pulled a blanket out of the basket and laid it out for them to sit on. “I brought us food and a place to sit, but I figured you my dear could sing us a few songs. I’ve yet to hear that voice of yours.”

He sat down on the blanket and took a moment before laughing, “I was suppose to say ‘You sure are”. He was trying to show he wasn’t completely sappy as he pulled out the wine. “This isn’t my mother’s but it was a good price which means it can only be good.” He got them glasses and paused for a moment or two.

“She is my flower
Her radiant petals fill me with hope
Her eyes dazzle me when I see them
Her smile fills me with light
Her voice is akin to the trumpets of the heavens
Without her, my skies are grey
Without her I feel weak and lost
My flower, I keep close to my heart
I dare not to lose her, I dare not to drop her.”

He gave another smiled as he patted the spot besides him. “Everything I say to you is true.”

Author: Melianme, Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 9:32 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Aisling was all smiles as she and Ash delved into the misty land of the bamboo forest, and the going was much better now that she could see properly. The cool shade and mist made for a nice trek through the tall straight forest that reached for the sky. The deeper they delved the more the bamboo seemed to spread out, revealing a moss covered scene that was almost surreal. They walked in mostly silence for a time, on occasion making comments of the landscape, but Aisling found herself more in awe of all that surrounded her. Eventually their conversation returned and Ash took a pause, asking that she not laugh at him for what he was about to do. 

She looked at him quizzically as he took her hand and got down on one knee, and the briefest thought entered her mind though he was quick to dispel it. Instead he was reciting a poem, albeit it seemed a partially created poem, but it made her blush and giggle. He kissed her hand again, and then stood, and told her his plans. 

"You have a silvered tongue sometimes, and as silly as those lines were, I can tell you put some real thought into them. Thank you, you are incredibly sweet," she said with a smile as she lightly went to tuck his hair back behind his ears. She smiled coyly as he winked at her and took her arm in his again. 

"So, did you come up with the idea for this outing, or did Holly help you with this as well?" Aisling asked him, in an almost teasing manner. "You don't have to answer that," she added quickly. "We'll just say that this was all your idea," she giggled. 

Soon the forest opened up, and they were standing at the edge of one of the most beautiful lakes Aisling had ever seen. 

"Ash, this is positively beautiful…" she said in awe.

Author: Ash, Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 9:06 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

“My dear, it is sneaky paladin. If I were the devil you would have been mine last night.” He teased her softly as he guided her to Menomori. “I would never let you break an ankle. Even if you did break an ankle I would take care of you until you were healed. I would wait on you day in and day out and got you whatever your heart desired until you were better. Believe me, I do not tell a lie.” He chuckled a bit at her.

Finally when he revealed the forest to her he braced himself for the excitement that Aisling had. “None.” He took her arm and walked into the bamboo forest with her. Stopping her once they were part way to the lake he smiled at her. “Do not laugh at me, I had Holly help me.”

He got down on one knee and held her hand. “No I’m not proposing just listen Flower.” He cleared his throat. 

“Never had I expected, in all my days of travel, 
to happen upon an angel fair, who made my heart unravel. 
Her hair a cascade of liquid gold, a halo around her shines. 
Her eyes like storms upon the sea, or burnished silver from deep mines. “

Gently he kissed her hand after he got done speaking and stood back up. “A picnic at the lake. I thought that would be a good place for us to talk and for you two maybe write a song or two.” He looped his arm with hers and winked in her direction. "I have a present for you as well if you'll take it, but that's not until later. For now we can enjoy the forest and each other's company."

Author: Melianme, Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:49 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Aisling proceeded to spend the next few minutes guessing where Ash was taking her. She asked about the tea shops, the square they had danced in the first day they had arrived, down to the pier, out to the rocks along the coast, and other places. She even asked if he was planning on taking her to the palace, and still he denied all of her guesses, and was even amused by them. Finally she was all but ready to give up when he paused and pulled a scrap of cloth from the basket and draped it over her eyes.

"Ash!" she giggled as he kissed her cheek. "You sneaky devil," she said as he took her hands and carefully guided her out of the city and into the fields. She felt the ground becoming more difficult to traverse while blindfolded. 

"Honestly, Ash, I am going to break an ankle if you keep this up much longer," she laughed as she tripped lightly over a rock. When they finally arrived, Ash squared her in her spot and pulled the blindfold from her eyes. She blinked a couple of times and gasped slightly as she realized where they were standing. In front of her, like a thick green wall, was the bamboo forest of Menomori. She turned back to Ash. 

"I've been wanting to visit this place! I've heard so much about it!" she enthused. She turned back to the wall. "We are going in right? I know that if you go in with ill intent you will never find your way out, but clearly neither of us mean any ill," she smiled. 

Author: Ash, Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:25 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Ash took a moment to look her entire body over. “The blue suits you like the night sky meeting the morning.” He took her hand and kissed it gently. The look on Holly’s face entertained him. “You can rest assured that I have already asked all the important questions so that I could have you to myself today.” He waved to his sister before taking Aisling’s arm in his.

“I am not telling you.” The look he gave her was even more sly than the look Holly had moments before. “You can guess though. If you get it right I shall reward you.” While they walked he took her guesses in stride. Even if she got it right he played it off as if she did not, only to keep the surprise and intensity going.

Once they got far enough into the city the sly man took a scrap of cloth and covered her eyes. “It is a surprise, I wouldn’t have told you even if you guessed right.” He kissed her cheek and kept her in tow. Once they got in front of Menomori Ash undid the blindfold and smiled at her. “Holly said as a bard you would like this, so I thought to myself what a good place for a song to be written by the beautiful Aisling.”

Author: Melianme, Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:19 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Aisling had just finished dressing for the day and was finishing her trademark blonde twisted braid when Ash came knocking at the door. The pretty half-elf looked at Holly in surprise as Ash asked for her, but giggled and quickly got up from the vanity and moved to the door. She was wearing her pale blue dress, which brought out the grey in her eyes, and made her glow like she was part of the radiant sun. 

"You are up early, this is a pleasant surprise," she said as he held up the basket and asked if she had any plans for the day. She looked back at Holly. "We don't have any performances planned today, correct?" she asked her friend. The confirmation came that there was nothing scheduled, and she noted Holly's sly look as she said it, but turned back to Ash with a smile. 

"It looks like I am yours for the day, good sir," she said as she grabbed her satchel and harnessed her harp across her back. She waved a happy good-bye to Holly and closed the door behind her as she joined Ash in the hall. 

"So, are you going to keep our little outing a secret, or are you going to tell me what you have planned?" she asked the paladin as they began their walk out into the sunlight. 

Author: Ash, Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:54 PM, Post Subject: Now or Never [P/R]

Ash found himself jolly and not in a way that he had known for a long time. “Just take her to Menomori, I know myself and I am a bard and Menomori would be the place I would want to be taken.” Holly was throwing suggestions out. “Just don’t scare her off. I like Aisling.”

“I’ve already gotten her flowers… Should I get chocolates or.. wine?” Ash looked helplessly at his sister as he tried to decide just what to do for the half elf.

“I would do both. Maybe give her a gift and not be creepy.”

“I am not creepy Holly.” Ash laughed a bit as he jogged out of the inn to find the perfect sweets and wine for the trip. “I will take her tomorrow.” He kept telling himself as he willed his courage forward. Aisling had a soul he had to know and not only that he found himself fiercely protective of the halfling. Once he had spent nearly all of his silver on gifts he came back to the inn and planned out the rest of the trip.

In the morning he didn’t hide the wine or chocolate, he merely found himself at her room and banged on the door. “Flower, may I pry you away from your companions for a few hours?” Ash was nervous but he really did favor the girl and Holly was insistent on him at least trying. Once she opened the door, he gave her a smile and held up the wine and sweets. “I got a day planned for us if you have time for me.”