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| Details |
| Author: | Disknight |
| Summary: | Celaven comes to visit Velrin in Felwood after returning from his assignment in Silverpine. The two catch up on how they've been doing and both get a little more experience communicating what they want from their relationship. |
| Rating: | M for Mature 17+ |
Celaven knocks lightly at the doorpost as he enters, but he seems to assume he's welcome here.
Velrin hops up onto her feet and rushes Ven for a hug, "Ven! You're home!"
Celaven 's expression lifts in happiness as he folds Velrin into an embrace, holding her tight.
[Celaven]: Yes, love, finally. *He rests his cheek against her hair and sighs.* I've missed you.
Velrin squeezes him tighter than necessary like she always does, "I missed you too. Do you want to sit down? I can make tea. A-and I think I have some dumplings I can steam for you if you're hungry."
[Celaven]: Tea and dumplings would be wonderful. *Celaven smiles. There might be a hint of the smell of pine mixed in with his usual scent.* I hope things have been well for you here?
Velrin shoots up on her tippy-toes to steal a kiss and then makes to prepare Ven his food, "It's been fine. Things are improving here, if much slower than they are in the Plaguelands." She says a bit disappointedly, "Nylarria has been a great help, though. It's like we don't even have to tell one another our next step."
[Celaven]: Oh? *Celaven moves over to sit on the cushions while Velrin prepares the food and drink. For once, there isn't a flash of pain at the mention of her bond with Nylarria.* I'm pleased she could be here with you. I did speak with her, not so long ago.
Velrin 's ears wiggle, "That's good." She says in an uncannily knowing way, "Did you have fun?"
[Celaven]: Well… I'm not sure she really knew what to make of me. I get the feeling she expected my entire personality was some kind of cruel facade.
[Celaven]: In my experience, though, time is the best remedy. Eventually, she will realize no one could keep up an act for so long.
[Velrin]: Cruelty is all she's known for so long… She barely trusts me sometimes even as we are, but I think she's getting better.
[Celaven]: Time, there, will prove as well. Words can only tell a person so much, but persistence makes a difference.
[Celaven]: It is the same with my new unit, I believe.
Velrin turns for a moment to smile at Ven, "I do hope you'll keep trying, though. I think she'll really like you once she sees that you're as wonderful as you look." She ends with a wink.
[Velrin]: What happened with your unit?
Celaven smiles. "And I hope she sees the same of you." Then he shakes his head slightly. "Nothing happened now, it is just that they've had problems with healers in the past. There is a certain wariness there, as well, in some of them."
[Celaven]: An important aspect of being a healer is feeling compassion for the one you heal. I take it they have had some attempt to fill the role with… limits to their compassion.
Velrin finishes with the food and gathers it on a tray to bring to Ven, "What do you mean? You're the most compassionate person I know." She gently sets the tray down in Ven's lap and kisses his forehead.
[Celaven]: I have rarely found my limits *Celven says, accepting the tray and turning up his head to welcome another kiss* But there is a difference between my saying I will serve, and actually serving. It will take time.
[Velrin]: Mmmm… I suppose… *she kisses him again* You have lots of proving yourself to do lately it seems like. *she teases*
[Celaven]: It does seem that way, *Celaven tilts his head* But at least I leave my unit whole, to come to visit you. We lost no one on our last mission."
[Velrin]: I'm glad to hear it, darling. I've been meaning to ask you about how things have been going with the 7th Legion.
Celaven enjoys a dumpling before answering, and then he says, "I think it is going well. It's a good team, they work well together. The Captain can be quite terrifying when he wants to be, which is a benefit against our foes." Celaven takes a sip of tea.
[Velrin]: That's good to hear. Are you… getting along alright with them? *Velrin fidgets. She's often had very poor luck in this regard in her own teams.*
[Celaven]: Oh, yes. There's this draenei, a fellow named Saion… *Celaven chuckles briefly* I can't imagine who would not get along with him. And the others are varying degrees of wary, but it is dropping, little by little. Our siege engineer, I think, is kinder than she pretends."
[Velrin]: That's good to hear. *Vel relaxes a bit and leans to rest on Ven's side* I don't want you to feel lonely while you're away.
Celaven curls one hand around Velrin's side, pulling her a little closer. "And I don't want you to feel lonely, either. But I know your work is here, for now."
[Velrin]: Yeah… *Vel nestles closer and rubs her cheek against him* That's part of something I wanted to talk about too, though… Have you… met anyone you like in your new unit?
[Celaven]: You mean… romantically? *Celaven's ears twitch slightly.* I like you.
[Velrin]: M-maybe. *Velrin says a bit embarrassed* I just… I've been really lonely without you here and I'm afraid you're lonely too. Having Nylarria helps, but… *she trails off into a mumble*
[Celaven]: But? *Celaven turns his attention to her fully.* I appreciate your concern, but I can handle a little loneliness now and again. And I do intend to count my unit among my friends. Is there… a problem between you and Nylarria?
[Velrin]: N-no. Not at all. Things have been going really well, I just… I don't know… I want… I… I'm sorry. I'm being selfish aren't I… *she tears up*
[Celaven]: I… honestly couldn't say… *Celaven abandons the tea and dumplings entirely* I'm not sure I understand what you're saying? But if you're being selfish, that's fine, too. You've told me enough times to ask for what I want.
[Velrin]: I-I-I know… I shouldn't have assumed…
[Celaven]: Is there something you want to ask for, from me? Or… for me?
[Velrin]: I-I don't know (she does). I just… I thought you might be lonely too… I want to always be surrounded by family and people who love me, and… I don't know, you seemed a little… left out I guess when Nylarria and I formed our bond.
[Velrin]: A-and I want you to find more people to be happy with too if you want.
[Celaven]: I don't want to begrudge you that bond, love, *Celaven reaches over to tuck her hair behind her long ear* I admit I feared what it meant for us, but… I still love you. And I think you still love me.
[Celaven]: Are you… hoping I find my shalan? That's not a thing I can do intentionally. Some people never do.
[Velrin]: Of course I still love you. *she turns her head to press her cheek into his palm* And I… want you to follow your heart wherever it leads you. I… I know we can't be with eachother all the time so…
Something seems to click in Celaven's mind. "Is this about… physical love?"
Velrin nods.
[Velrin]: I mean of course I hope you find your shalan too, but…
[Celaven]: And you want to be with Nylarria that way. *Celaven says carefully, watching for her expression.* But you worry that I… or am I misreading this?
[Velrin]: Not like that, no. I… we're close but it's not love in a physical sense, just a spiritual one. *she blushes a little* It's a strange feeling. Connected as we are, the thought of you and her together has become a very scintillating one…
Celaven blinks. "You want me to be with her that way. Or… the three of us?"
Velrin 's eyes sparkle, "Oh! Will you!?!" she pipes down and clears her throat, "I mean, um, well yes, but ummm perhaps others besides. But umm, not all together… necessarily…"
Celaven chuckles warmly at Velrin's excitement. "I'm not sure she would want to, and that is of course a critical point. But I think I'm starting to understand… you would like for us not to be physically exclusive?"
[Velrin]: Unless you'd rather have me all to yourself. *Velrin purrs, stroking his chest with a finger and nibbling on his ear.*
Celaven shivers, and says, "Tonight, yes. All for myself. But…" he turns to look at her. "It wouldn't bother you, knowing I might find comfort with someone else?"
Velrin considers for a moment, "As long as they make you happy and you promise to come back home." Velrin holds his face and looks him in the eyes, "I want my family to be as big as we have love to spare."
[Celaven]: I don't think love is something I'm likely to run out of, *Celaven says, resting his own hands over hers as he smiles.*
Velrin giggles, "Well don't be shy then. I'd love to meet anyone you come to be with." Velrin winks and adds, "Especially any handsome, virile males."
Celaven grins. "I will keep that in mind." Then his expression grows more serious.
[Velrin]: What is it, darling?
[Celaven]: I am not sure how I feel about the idea of you with someone else. I have had relationships with others that were open, and we… *Celaven shakes his head* …they ended, but that was not the reason why. I think we should be clear on our expectations for one another.
[Velrin]: O-oh? What do you mean?
[Celaven]: I would like us to be honest with one another. No hiding lovers. *Celaven looks Velrin in the eyes* Do you agree?
[Velrin]: Of course. I want us all to be happy together. I think we should all meet.
Celaven lets out a breath and nods, some tension in his shoulders loosening. "And what will we do if we don't like someone the other has chosen? I don't want to simply say we can veto one another's lovers, because that is not fair to the other person, I think."
[Celaven]: Not fair to the lover, I mean. These lovers are hypothetical right now, but they're people too.
[Velrin]: Oh… I didn't even think about that… *Velrin needs a moment to think* Well… it does sound unfair, but I hope it won't come to that.
[Celaven]: I think… we will just need to agree not to hide any feelings, even if they are negative. And if there is a conflict we can talk it out.
[Velrin]: I think that sounds like a good rule… Unless maybe we want to both agree together before bringing someone into our little family maybe?
Celaven considers that. "I suppose those are two different things. Comfort for one night, or bringing someone into the family. If we allow the former, then I think that would be without prior approval."
[Velrin]: For me at least I don't think I want comfort for just one night. I'd want them to be with me forever too.
[Celaven]: Then our idea is no casual lovers. Only serious ones. And for that, we should both be on board, even if we aren't both intimate with them.
[Velrin]: O-ok. *Vel blushes and smiles* Goddess, look at me. I've never even thought about this before. All I ever knew growing up was my mama and papa and living with humans I hardly ever saw this kind of thing.
[Velrin]: It's kind of exciting, don't you think?
Celaven smiles. "Yes, in a way. I do understand this sort of thing is far less common with humans than it is among our people." Celaven considers. "What of children? I know the having of children is rare enough as it is. Perhaps we leave that in Elune's hands?"
[Velrin]: Mmmmm, I think perhaps that's the best policy. I… I do hope that my first child is yours, though… Should I maybe be more careful with any others?
[Celaven]: If we want to be certain, then I think so. *Celaven nods* I would love any child in our family. But let us make that an agreement between us?
[Celaven]: And if any of this… if you start to feel jealous, or if I do… we'll talk about it, yes? We won't let things move so far that we cannot find our way back to one another.
Velrin looks down and purses her lips, "But would that maybe be unfair to any others? I-I'm not sure… I think I want to wait, but… Maybe Elune will allow it anyway?"
[Velrin]: O-oh, yes! We should be honest with eachother. I hope that since we let them into our family together that won't be an issue, but… yes. That's a good idea.
Celaven considers the fairness question. "I think decisions like that, we can make for ourselves now. As of now, it is still the two of us, after all. And Nylarria."
Velrin nods slowly, "Is it ok if I need a little time to think about it?"
[Celaven]: Of course. We may not be immortal anymore, but there is still no need to rush.
[Velrin]: T-true… I hope this isn't upsetting to you… I desperately want to bear children with you, I just… maybe I enjoy giving the goddess as many chances to bless me as I can, I guess. *she scrunches up and bites Ven on the arm playfully*
Celaven laughs. "I hope we both have many blessings." He sets aside the remainder of the tea and dumplings, and moves as if to pick up Velrin from where she sits on the ground. "Why don't we give her a chance now?"
[Velrin]: I thought you'd never ask. *she purrs in his arms tugging at her belts and letting her weapons clatter to the floor.*