"An Attempted Distraction" 6/9/1997 Cast: Winnowill, Demell Event: Caught in the act of sneaking food to Ktai, Demell attempts to sidetrack Winnowill by offering her a bath. His attempts to further sidetrack her by seduction fail miserably, and he is left slightly unsettled by the failure. Demell glides out of the western hall carrying a small tray with a glass and a slice of something that smells pretty darn good next to it. For some reason, he doesn't notice Winnowill...as if he's expecting her to be elsewhere. ** Demell. ** Demell halts and turns slowly. ** Yes, my lord? ** he sends quietly. He's gotten used to her cool, quiet summoning since he's become her...what is he...advisor...friend? what? She smiles thinly. ** What food have you there? ** ** Nothing much, my lord. Just some cake and wine...a snack before bed. ** Slowly, he glides forward and you can see a very tasty-looking peice of honey cake and a goblet of wine, a skin hanging from Demell's belt. ** There is enough for two if you wish to try some. ** Winnowill waves her hand at the cake, but nods to the wine. ** Some wine, perhaps? ** ** Of course, lord. ** he says, gliding to her side and offering the goblet to her. Winnowill accepts the wine with a nod of thanks. ** How fare you? ** [Demell gently settles down on the steps at Winnowill's feet. ** Quite well, my lord. ** he says, reaching under his cloak and pulling out a small glass and filling it with some of the dark red liquid. ** I have been keeping myself busy with Banyl, my music, and Aeika. ** Demell sends openly ** And you, my lord? How have you been? ** Winnowill nods as she sips at the wine. ** I am well. ** Demell never thought he'd be drinking with Lord Winnowill. Demell sips his wine slowly, and re-fills Winnowill's empty glass. Winnowill again nods thanks. ** How fares Aeika these times? She does not visit Me for care. ** Demell retakes his seat. ** She and I have talked often, lord. She is doing quite well, even considering that the child is carrying a child. I worry for her a bit...she doesn't seem to care for the child...at all. ** Winnowill's send is dry. ** As hers did not care for her. ** Demell nods. ** she has told me that her parents did not care for her... ** he echoes. ** Still... I still worry for her. ** he chuckles a bit, then sips his wine. ** I commented to her that I act like her older brother....high ones know why I do. ** Winnowill chuckles. ** She is a glider. You should do no less. ** Demell smiles and nods a bit. ** She said she did not mind...so it is good. ** Demell takes a bit of his cake and eats it in between sips of wine. An intoxicatingly sweet scent of fresh honeycake drifts up to caress Lord Winnowill's nose.... Demell sends openly ** More wine, Lord? ** Winnowill sends openly ** No... I believe my thirst has been sated ** Demell takes the goblet and sets it on the tray. Winnowill nods her thanks Demell sends openly ** would you care for a bath, my lord? ** Demell Stands slowly, his tray in one hand, his other outstretched. ** My lord? ** he sends again. ** Would you care for a bath and a massage? ** Winnowill sends openly ** That... would be... nice. ** Demell nods and offers his hand to her. ** This way then, my lord? ** Winnowill rises, nodding They go to the Underground Spring.... Demell sets his tray down on a ledge and slowly begins to undress Winnowill, folding her collar and wrap neatly to prevent wrinkles. Winnowill remains quiet and still as he works. Demell removes his garments quickly and quietly as well, setting them in a neat pile next to hers. After a moment, Demell gently takes her hand. ** Your bath awaits, my lord... ** he sends softly. Winnowill nods, moving towards the water. Demell helps her down carefully into the water, her long black hair spreading across the water like a dark, soft wave... Demell sends openly ** The bath first? Or the Massage? ** Winnowill ponders as she sinks into the water. ** Bath, I believe. ** Demell nods and gently combs out her hair with deft and knowing fingers. As she sinks into the steaming waters of the pool, he paddles over to the edge where he keeps Winnowill's bathing items; a comb, some of the softest soap of the mountain, and a light cloth for scrubbing. Taking these items, he swims back over to her and sends ** Lean forward, Lord? ** as he begins to wet the cloth and soap it. Winnowill leans forward, her gaze elsewhere. Demell hums softly and pushes some of her hair off of her shoulders as he begins to scrub her back with practiced strokes. He'll talk to her in a moment...let her relax... Winnowill soothes some, her eyes half-lidding. Demell scrubs her back and shoulders, his fingers also pressing lightly into the smooth skin of her back...testing the tense muscles. His soft humming song continues as he moves to her right arm. Winnowill listens to the humming as she looks thoughtfully within the waters, ** you look pensive, my lord....what concerns you? ** he asks, moving from her upper arm to her forearm and hand. Winnowill sends openly ** The Mountain concerns me, Demell. ** Demell chuckles softly, moving back across her back to her left arm. ** Of course, Lord... ** Winnowill is silent again. Demell moves to the center of her back, still scrubbing lightly. ** Perhaps I could help you, Lord? ** he asks innocently. Winnowill sends openly ** How would you propose to do that? ** He never thought of that. ** I...I do not know, lord. ** he admits. ** But there must be something I could assist you with. ** Winnowill simply watches the water. Demell remains silent, and continues washing. The cloth is forgotten now, and strong fingers press into her back, kneading away tenseness and soreness, leaving only loose, relaxed muscles behind. Her back eases, but not her mood. Can anything relax her mood? Demell continues to rub her back, the cloth long forgotten. his fingertips press lightly into the tense flesh of her back. Winnowill sighs softly, still watching the water... or is she watching the hidden cave below? ** Watching for Rhyssia, My Lord? ** he asks, still massaging gently. Winnowill looks up for a moment, not turning her head to regard Demell. Instead, she uses the reflection on the water to view him. ** Perhaps. Then again, perhaps not. ** ** Enigmatic as always, Lord... ** he sends with a chuckle, his fingers moving in tight circles right over her shoulder blades. Winnowill chuckles dryly in response, looking back into the water. Demell traces a line down the center of her spine with his fingertips, pressing gently against each vertibrae... Winnowill idly watches the water surface now, trailing a finger along the underside of it. Demell tries to think of something to talk of, but can't, so he just keeps massaging. Softly, he begins to hum again...a simple, relaxing song. Winnowill locksends ** What is it like to glide? ** The send jolts him a bit. Winnowill regards the figure in the reflection. You locksend ** To glide, my lord? Very... It's like swimming...you float without weight in the middle of nowhere, but are able to breathe... ** to Winnowill. Winnowill locksends ** Fascinating. ** You locksend ** I could show you if you liked, my lord...my gliding is strong. I could glide you easily... ** to Winnowill. Winnowill locksends ** Perhaps later. ** You locksend ** Very well, Lord. ** to Winnowill. Demell massages Winnowill's lower back beneath the water, still humming softly. You locksend ** My lord? ** to Winnowill. Winnowill locksends ** Yes? ** You locksend ** Could you tell me of your childhood? I have always been curious to know of your past... ** to Winnowill. Winnowill locksends ** I prefer not to. ** You locksend ** Very well, Lord. ** to Winnowill. Demell Takes up the cloth again and begins to scrub Winnowill's shoulders. Winnowill returns to watch the water surface. Demell sends openly ** Lean back, my lord... ** Winnowill leans back, hazel eyes turning to the ceiling. Demell holds her head carefully and gently lowers her head into the water, keeping the eggshell-white face just above the surface. Slowly, he lifts her back to somewhat of a sitting position and begins to wash the mountains of hair, combing. Demell chuckles a bit at a question he was thinking to ask Winnowill. Winnowill raises an eyebrow, glancing to Demell. ** Oh...it is nothing, my lord. Only a question that I thought better of asking. ** Demell Starts at the end of Winnowill's hair and slowly works his way up. You locksend ** Am I pleasing you, Lord? ** to Winnowill. Demell is referring to Winnowill as Lord now...perhaps one day, long from now, he may call her Winnowill. Demell does not disturb her...he just keeps washing her hair. this must be the closest she's ever been to actually relaxing... Winnowill remains silent, watching the ceiling thoughtfully. Wash Wash Wash...hey, that's Rhyssia's line! He slowly moves toward her head. After a time, he begins to give a scalp massage, her hair soapy. Winnowill closes her eyes, easing somewhat. Demell eases her back into the water again, rinsing her hair in the steaming water. He leaves her there for a moment, face breaking the surface. ** Close your eyes, Lord. I don't want to get soap in your eyes... ** ** They are. ** Demell eases her back into the water again, rinsing her hair in the steaming water. He leaves her there for a moment, face breaking the surface. Then, lightly, you feel a soapy cloth slowly brush across your face. Winnowill readjusts her breathing. Demell washes her face carefully, then fills his palm with water and pours it over her face, rinsing it off. he leaves her there for a time, just floating carefully in the center of the pool, eyes closed, buoyed by his gliding a bit. Winnowill seems at total peace by her expression. Demell just takes a seat by the edge of the pool, still submerged, and sips at a cup of wine. He remains slient. Disturbing the lord at rest...something he's implored her to do for a long time, is not advisable. Winnowill remains perfectly still and silent Demell just watches her...this can go on for a while. Since her eyes are closed, he looks at all the places he normally doesn't look. This goes on for a long time... Soon, you feel the cloth gently caressing your stomach. Winnowill finally opens her eyes at that. They aren't quite focused. Demell "shhhs..." softly. "close your eyes, Winnowill.." he whispers, slowly washing her stomach. The slightest of frowns forms. Demell Stops instantly..."I mean, my Lord." Demell keeps washing though... Demell moves to her feet and washes them, massaging them gently. "Close your eyes, my lord...relax, again..." he intones softly, massaging her feet and calves, washing them. Again, her eyes close. Demell smiles and nods, soaping her legs gently, rinsing them quickly, then soothing the tenseness away with a gentle touch. Winnowill doesn't move at all. It's like she's asleep... Perhaps she is. Demell moves to her waist. Again, he soaps, rinses, and massages...and no, not there. he would not dare unless she initiated it. The cloth moves swiftly over her body, cleansing expertly. Winnowill remains as still as she has been for some time now. Demell cleanses the flat plane of her stomach, slowly, accedentally tickling...or not so accidentally. Perhaps he was trying to make her smile. Winnowill doesn't twitch. Demell moves to her breasts, soaping and rinsing with the cloth. Winnowill simply floats in the water, void of sound or send. Demell lets his fingers linger slightly, then moves on... Upper chest and shoulders are exposed to the same treatment…then he stops and floats away in the water to watch her more, taking his accustomed seat in the water nearby. Still, he floats her in the center of the pool... After some time, she opens her eyes, righting herself in the water. Demell watches her. ** Enjoy yourself, my lord? ** he asks softly. Winnowill nods silently. ** Thank you. ** Demell nods. ** It was my pleasure, Lord. Is seemed that you were...relaxing. ** Winnowill nods absently, rising from the water, stepping out of the water and taking up her cloak. Demell follows her, drying her with an available towel and dressing her slowly. Carefully, would be abetter term for it... Demell dresses himself as well, a bit more quickly. [End log.]