Sunset Meeting (Azula) (M)

The evening sky was orange and the clouds added extra depth with vast swirls of purple and pink as the sun slowly set beyond the horizon. The clouds were much closer than usual in this location. Given that Valen was in a training ground upon the floating city of the 'Heavenly Emporium'. The altitude the city had caused the clouds above to almost be close enough to touch but the sight had long since lost its luster after the months since his initial arrival to the city. The festival to celebrate Okane's birthday was still going strong and not for the first time did Valen wonder if the man intended the party to last until his next birthday. The special jounin of Kirigakure was at the training ground moving through kenjutsu kata with the Hai no Ha. Or rather, the Blade of Ashes. The masterfully crafted katana was his personal weapon and it augmented his capabilities with his fire release exponentially. The weapon had long since become an extension of himself and he moved with the blade as if it was an old and comfortable friend.

Normally Valen wore a black silk kimono with black satin finish and the Kirigakure symbol embroidered into the back in the same black satin to proudly proclaim his affiliation with the village. It was suitably festive given the Emporium's setting however it, and the red sash he generally wore with it, as well as the sheathe for his sword were near a tree. Specifically the kimono and sash were hung on a branch while the sheathe leaned against the tree itself. He was the only one training in the grounds so far as he was aware. The last individual that had been using it alongside him having left a while ago. However to be perfectly frank he was paying especially close to attention for potential onlookers.

As it stood he was naked from the waist up, wearing only his black shinobi pants for the sake of modesty. Which he honestly did not care too much about. However other people tended to react poorly when people went about completely naked. Although given how he had seen some individuals looking at various women he had a certain suspicion that the poor reaction was only in regards to certain individuals. His multitude of brands were visible simply due to the lack of shirt and the dozens of them that were spread across his back were easily noticeable as he moved and swayed through various swings of his katana. Moving and twisting his body with it as if the two were in a sort of dance. A sheen of sweat covered him as he worked and his chest heaved with effort from hours of training with his favorite weapon and soon he would need a break. He had quite a few bottles of water with him, by the tree actually and a few more boxed lunches to consume should he get hungry. They were simple, store bought fare but more than good enough for the former slave. Some water bottles, and empty boxes, lay neatly collected nearby the others for him to retrieve so he could throw them away when he left. He was clearly lost in his own world at the moment, moving through a dizzying flurry of sets.

A land that lived amongst the clouds…. And floated. It was something very new, as well as something that she just had to take the opportunity when it was offered. After all it wasn’t common for entire civilizations to float in the air. The biggest question that there was to have was a simple one the young woman believed most would have wondered…. Were birds used as livestock like some use cows and chick, or some with schools of fish? This was the biggest question to clearly wonder about.

Yet no one seemed to be talking about it. How odd. Almost as odd as the looks she received from those who realized she was not a performer as she walked on her hands around. Her back faced towards the direction she was headed to make it easier to look forward and not keep her head upside down the whole time. She had learned pretty quickly that the other method tended to lead to blood rushing to her head as well as passing out. It was far more comfortable then the current position, but far less effective in the long run.

Either way a young woman walking around on her hands was once again a totally new site to totally new people. Which of course led others to stare at her just as much as she stared at them while she watched people all day. It was quite humorous to lock eyes with them at times without blinking, then allow her eyes to grow dull, and almost lifeless looking before smiling with dead eyes at them all. Their reactions were always hilarious to the young woman; who would always let out silent giggles at all of their reactions. By now it was the late afternoon. The Clouds just barely close enough to nearly touch, and the activity of the area was finally dying down. However; much like all other cities, there was one location that always would be likely to hold people. The training grounds.

A man moved with grace with his sword in hand. His Kimono was detailed with the symbol of Kirigakure, and his blade? Pointy. The said Kimono, and sword’s sheath seemed to be placed by a tree right next to a very pretty red sash. One that was a bit more vibrant than her own. She made her way over towards the tree deciding to position herself there to watch the man train. She lowered herself down to cross her arms with her legs still up above her now with one crossed over the other as if she sat in a fancy chair, and not craneing and arching her back to permit her legs to hover inches from the top of her head.

Her eyes looked from the man’s things to look back over towards the man who trained on. His back littered with interesting brands all across it. She wondered about the stories behind each one. As well as wha it must have felt like to receive each one. She slowly tilted her head to one side as her magenta eyes stared curiously and calmly at them as if they were fine art in a museum. Her focus shifted back to the man himself and his moves. It was like a dance. She loved it when one could fight and look like they were in dance. It wasn’t too common from what she had noticed, but the times it did come up, she adored watching it.

It was heartwarming in a way to realize how close violence always was to different forms of art. Blood like painting. Cuts like structures. Attacks like dance moves, and the sounds of the attacks like a symphony. Each one its own form of art. Each one spelt the story of someone’s like and being benign changed in one way or another. Making battle an overarching story to be told and read. How had violence shaped this man? And who had he been before the pen hit the paper of his life? She smiled contently at the thought. Her eyes never turned away from the man.

If he came to meet her eyes she would raise one hand to wiggle her fingers in the form of a wave to him before returning back down. If not she would just continue to calmly watch him with her content smile and look on her face.


OOC:

Post 1

50 / 50 Chakra Points

As he moved through the kata, the sun slowly continued it's descent until finally it settled past the horizon line and the sky turned a purple shade over him and the stars began to become more visible. He would stop after a time, his breath heavy and decide that it was time for a break. He still needed to be faster with the weapon. Needed to be better in order to be where he wanted to be. He always needed to be progressing in some way or he wasn't working hard enough. Still though, breaks for rest between training sessions were important and it was clear to him now that he needed one. So with that he would turn toward his stuff, and find none other than a woman, with blonde hair, magenta eyes, and at least one visible scar that he could see, standing on her hands near his stuff watching him. Valen was prepared to deal with a lot of stuff that could come up, but thinking he was alone and turning toward somewhere to find someone standing on their hands and staring at him made him want to question what was in the water here. Still though, he would take it in stride and move over. Besides, she was next to his water bottles and he needed one.

Arriving, he would meet her eyes and when she gave him a small wave, putting her weight on one arm to do it, he would return it with a nod before sitting down next to her and grabbing a water bottle and a towel. He would wipe the sweat off of him before setting it aside and unscrewing the water bottle and taking a swig. As he did he would pick up a second one without looking and proffer it toward the blonde haired woman. He looked toward her as he did and studied her. She had strong arms and a solid, lean, core. Her legs however were surprisingly lacking in muscle and he got the impression she spent a great deal of time on her hands walking around on them. Given she was wearing gloves, presumably to protect them he felt this guess was somewhat close to the mark. As odd as it was though he had certainly seen odder. So he spoke quietly, and his voice was as polite as it always was. "Good evening, my name is Valen Minamoto, of Kirigakure." He would say, giving her the opportunity to respond before continuing. "I intend to watch the stars here in a bit. Would you like to join me? I have enough food and water for the both of us I think." He would say, flashing a quick grin at the last as he looked at the boxed lunches and bottled water he had brought with him.

[2]

Azula was pleased to find a return to her gesture with the man's own via his head nod.she watched him silently as he grabbed himself a water bottle next to her before joining her on the ground. She was rather happy to know she had chosen to observe someone who seemed to be able to deal with her odd aspects. Or at least do so easier than most usually did. She took the bottle happily when it was offered to her. With another moment she set it down next to her to shift back up to her hands where she gracefully ley her legs lower to the ground and stood back up right again only to spin and sit back down normally next to the man.

It would be a bit easier to communicate to him this way as well as easier to drink some water. She criss crossed her legs while cracking open the water bottle so she could casually drink from it. When she noticed him studying her she proceeded to strike a goofy pose. Would this hinder his view of her? Probably. Was it very humorous to her? Definitely. She relaxed as he introduced himself and nodded to him before holding up a finger to signal him to follow it with his eyes. She then traced oit her name on the ground before them. After she then looked back to him and held up her ninja headband that dangled from her neck that showed her to be a ninja from Kumo.

She offered a hand to him to shake as an introcuction pleasentry. Not only was he barely phased of her oddness, or at least from her perspective was, but he also was kind enough to offer to share his food with her as well as his time. He was certainly kind. She smiled a bit more as she held a hand over her heart eith a closed eyed not to infer that she would love to. She opened her eyes and lowered her hand before she bowed her head to him in thanks. She did enjoy the sight of stars just as much as she currently was happy about the idea of getting some food. She was getting pretty hungry after all.

She then set the waterbottle down after she capped it to mime out some fencing like motions. She then followed it up with touching her head band, then motioning to him. She was hoping to infer the question of if he had been training for ninja purposes. Most people these days seemed to only train combative skills for ghier desire to either become a ninja, or better thier positioning as a ninja. She didn't judge such drives or anything of course. Afterall she was no diffrent. She just noticed the trend in others, and simply wished to confirm her suspicion.



OOC:

Post 2

50 / 50  Chakra Points

She took the bottle from him and then seemingly unfolded herself from the complicated resting position she had seemed to be sitting in. He watched the movement and was honestly impressed with the flexibility. It seemed to take a great deal of core power for her to do so and once she was unfolded from it she spun into a normal sitting position next to him. As she saw him studying him she struck a goofy pose and he raised an eyebrow at her in mild confusion. How odd, but that didn't really bother him. There were a great many odd people in the shinobi forces of the various villages. Blitz from his own village came to mind immediately as a prime example.

When he introduced himself she did the oddest thing yet though in his opinion. She held up a finger and slowly traced out a name with it in the ground. He blinked once or twice before catching up mentally and thinking to what she had spelled. He wasn't the most confident with his reading and writing abilities to begin with so for this to be metaphorically thrown at him took him for a bit of a loop. However he managed to get it together and think back to what she had traced on the ground "Azula Tonoclo?..." He would ask, wanting confirmation. Seeing her motioning for her headband and nodding once more. "Of Kumogakure of course." He would add before she set her hand out for a shake. He had never shaken hands before but he knew of the concept. Reaching out he took the hand of the girl and giving it a shake. At his offer to watch the stars and each together she closed her eyes and held a hand over her heart.

He thought about it for a moment, the heart stood for love in a lot of symbols right? "You would love to join me?" He would ask, again wanting confirmation so as not to get anything wrong. When she closed her eyes and bowed her head in thanks he shook his when she looked at him once more. "No need to thank me, it's always more fun with company." He would say before she set her water bottle down and began to make motions of swinging an imaginary weapon, pointing to her headband and then to him. "You want to spar?" He would ask, getting slightly excited at the prospect. He loved a good spar and he flexed his hands a bit in thought. Should she decline this and correct him he would open his mouth in an 'oh' and nod toward her. "Yeah, sorry, I'm training to progress as a shinobi. I've recently been promoted to Special Jounin and I want to progress more now." He would say before taking another swig of his water.

"So you can't talk I assume? I hope you don't mind me asking for clarification a lot from you then. I can read expressions fairly well and body language fairly well. However I have limits." He would say, looking at her apologetically at that. He didn't want communication to be a problem. But he would do the best he could and that was all he could really do. At that point his stomach growled and he reached over toward the boxed lunches. There were four total untouched and that meant two for each of them. For shinobi who trained like shinobi this would be a standard meal really given the sheer amount of calories they tended to blow through with their training. He would pass two of them over to her with a small smile as he kept the other two. "Let's eat, then go lay in the field and watch the stars. Or if you want, we can go to a private hot spring I know and watch them from there. It's really relaxing, just tell me which you would prefer." He would say, opening his box and snapping apart the chopsticks that came prepackaged and beginning to eat.

[3]

Azula let out a silent giggle when she saw his brow arch in confusion due to her pose. Yep as expected, hilarious. It took him a moment but luckily he managed to catch onto what she was doing and her name. She clapped her hands happily before giving him a thumbs up of confirmation when he said her name out loud. She gripped his hand happily shaking a no doubt over drawn out hand shake on her end before letting it go. When he restated what he thought she said about the stars she gave a warm smile with a nod to confirm that's what she was trying to get across. Man she was lucky to run into someone who seemed copedent enough to understand her and looked past her oddness.

He even was polite about her thanking him for his offer. Then he took his next guess at her question which only made her silently giggle again. Can't win 'em all right? She shook her head in reply. Yes she wouldn't have minded a spar but that wasn't what she was trying to ask so she didn't want to confuse him further by throwing in a 'maybe later' seeing his excitement though made her smile warmly to him before she gently bopped his nose. She gave a supportive smile and thumbs up at the information of what he was training for. So he must be at least a jonin or chunin right now wouldn't he? That was pretty impressive.

At his return question she held up a hand horizontally to wiggle it back and forth to infer that he was soeta right. She could physically talk. She just… didn't. She then smiled jokingly waving him off at his concern of her possibly minding him asking for confirmation. She never minded when people actually tried to verify what she was trying tonday. Clarity was key afterall. When he gave an apologetic look she simply chose to reassure him by patting his head gently. She happily watched him as he grabbed the box lunches after his stomach's protests. She gently took the two he passed to her and set them down in front of her to eat.

She gave him a nod, seeming pretty excited about laying down to watch the stars only to place her hands together in a near pleading manner. She then held up one finger on one hand then 2 on the other . She brought her hands together next to each other before once again placing them in a pleading manner again to ask if they could just do both. Both seemed very relaxing and enjoyable. It had been a long time since she had some relaxing time with someone else. She right after snatched up her own chopsticks to break apart. She then happily started to eat while she bobbed back and forth happily.



OOC:

Post 3

50 / 50  Chakra Points

It would appear his hope for a spar was short lived but that was alright. So while this woman didn’t seem to talk at all she was expressive, if not more so, than most people he spoke with. She was a tad more touchy than he liked most people to be though, what with the hand shakes and the patting his head, and the bopping his nose. However when it came to his invitation to watch the stars her answer seemed rather odd. He watched her do a pleading motion before holding up one finger on one hand and two on another before bringing the three digits next to each other before pleading again. He took a moment to consider what she might be asking.

“Both?” He guess randomly, it seemed like the only viable option, option one, option two, together, into option three. Should she confirm his guess he would shrug. “Sure, we can do both, my hotel room comes with a private hot spring on top of the building with a grassy area set aside for relaxation. If you want to come with me there after we eat we can sit on the grass and enjoy the stars for a while before moving to the hot springs and enjoying the heat and the warmth.” He would say, before taking more of his food into his mouth, chewing and swallowing. Idly he stared at her magenta eyes for a bit before flashing her a quick grin. “I’ve never seen eyes that color, they’re pretty. But let's start watching now while we eat eh? I know all the constellations, so I can teach you if you want.” He would offer, his tone becoming slightly excited again.

He had learned of the different constellations growing up on various ships and he loved watching the stars and seeing them. Like countless tiny pinheads in the night sky all brilliantly lit up and forming various symbols in the sky. He knew the signs and the overall lore of them to a degree. Although it was pretty simple once one had it taught to them.

[4]

Azula nodded happily at his correct guess of what she was asking. Followed by a bright smile at his agreement to the offer. His new plan was very favorable. Time to stare at the stars to relax as well as enjoy the hot springs. Azula then went back to her food happily bobbing once more only to pause when she noticed him staring at her eyes. She pursed her lips a bit in surprise at his kind complaint only for him to suddenly change the subject.

She widened her mouth into a straight line for a moment before deciding to leave it be to look up to the stars. She then gave a nod. She did find stars fascinating to a degree so learning more about them wouldn’t be something she would be opposed to. Besides, he seemed super excited about something again so she definitely wasn’t going to reject him. Valen seemed like a pretty sweet person.

She could see how some could find the man intimidating, but his kindness mixed with his excitement about the things he was passionate about made him feel rather adorable to her. This time with him certainly was going to be good. She just knew it. She supposed that coming up to this city was a great idea after all. She happily chomped down on another bite of her food with happily closed eyes before looking back up to the stars.



OOC:

Post 4

50 / 50  Chakra Points

They continued to happily munch on food together and as they did he would begin to search the sky for stars. The initial orientation was always a tad off due to the every changing location of the Emporium and so it took him a moment to find a constellation. Not only that but given the early hour of the night the sky was still fairly spartan with stars at the moment. So many of the constellations weren't visible now. Still he managed to find a few. He pointed up to one, hopefully drawing her attention to a set of stars that when connected had the image of a mighty warrior wielding a massive axe. "The Warrior." He would say to begin as he took in another bite of food. "To begin, there's thirteen constellations or 'star signs' and four that stand out from the other nine. 'The Warrior' is one of those four, it's set aside from others because it's the main constellation in it's sector of the sky and there will be three other constellations, smaller ones, that are in it's sector too. The Warrior stand for strength and hardiness. Those who are born under it's light are generally more martially focused. At least that's what's said anyway. Personally I don't know if I believe that kinda stuff. But it's fun to learn about." He would say, explaining the first sign he had managed to pick out of the sky.

Once he had finished speaking he would move through the box of food in his lap with quickness before setting it aside and opening the other. He would take a drink of water before looking back toward her. "Ready for me to continue with another one? Or do you have any questions?" He would ask, his eyebrow raised in curiosity as his red eyes hopefully met hers. He would do his best to figure out what she would be trying to say if she did have any questions so far.

[5]

Azula noticed him pointing so she directed her eyes up at the constellation he pointed out. She stared on with curious eyes munching on another bite while she listened in on his information about the gathering of stars. As he explained she mimed out some karate moves with purchased lips and jokingly puffed out cheeks. Sher took in quick succession two more bites with a nod before moving onto her own second box. She then looked at him with chipmunk cheeks filled with rice then shook her head as if she had any questions.

She then chewed her food a bit more before chugging down some water. Okay a bit too much rice intake at once there. But at least the joke was good in her eyes! Said eyes then noticed his own. Red. Such a beautiful and prevalent color in her life it seemed. Red sashes, red blood, red salmon. Munch munch. Red was a good color. She took some more bites of her food with a pleased smile looking back up to the sky patiently waiting to hear more about the stars they sat under to watch.



OOC:

Post 5

50 / 50  Chakra Points

Valen's raised eyebrow and small smirk would be the only response he would give to her antics. They were amusing to be sure but he would be more focused on the stars at that precise moment. Still, when she shook her head about having no questions he would nod his head in understanding as he took couple of bites of the food from his second box. His red eyes would scan the sky for more stars becoming visible, looking for another of the three main signs. They generally showed up first in the night and if the warrior was already out then the next one should be..There, his arm would point up into the night sky once more, pointing out the next sign. "There, The Thief. That particular sign is another of the four separate ones. It's also the main one in it's region of the sky with three more signs in it's area. Those born underneath the thief are said to be much better at dexterous based things. As well as being all around quiet and sneaky." He would say before stopping for a few minutes to finish his second box and take a long drink of water.

A cold wind began to move through the training field, unsurprising given the city was floating toward the northern part of the world where things tended to be colder. Valen himself wasn't affected overly much by the cold given his higher than average body temperature. He tended to be fairly warm despite not wearing anything above the waist. Still his companion might be cold and so he turned to her, a raised eyebrow marking his question. "Are you cold?" He would ask, his red eyes scanning the sky for the next sign, he knew the region it would be in now due to process of elimination and so it would be simple enough when enough of the stars came out to be seen easier.

[6]

Azula smirked back at noticing his enjoyment of her antics. Good. She was starting to worry that she lost her touch after all these years. So many people just stared at her jokes back home. She supposed she just needed an audience that wasn’t bogged down with the downer of her preteens to late teens history. She stared up at the next one Valen pointed out while she ate. It was pretty interesting.

She wondered if her parents were that star sign. They were pretty dextrous with knives, and sneaky… or at least were. Her leg twitched a little at the memory while a wide smile grew further on her face. She ate some more as she felt the cold breeze dance along her skin, while enticing strands of her hair to dance with them out of her face a bit. She held little reaction to it. A gentle breeze wasn’t too noteworthy after freezing nights in the shed.

She slowly and silently started to laugh at his question. He had no way of knowing her past, but it was still so funny to be asked that question over a slight temperature drop. She finished up her box as she shook her head gently bumping him with her side and shoulder slightly leaning into him for a moment to do so. She then looked up to the stars until she found a cluster that could be something. She pointed up towards it before looking over with a curious smile to ask if that was one of them or just a random cluster of stars all while her side stayed gently pressed against his.



OOC:

Post 6

50 / 50  Chakra Points

Her silent laughter would cause him to tilt his head to the side in mild confusion. Although it would become less prevalent as she finished her meal and shook her head in response to his question. Then however she would lean into him, pressing her side and shoulder into him. This would cause Valen to blink in surprise. The reason for his question had been to do something similar and he moved to place a hand upon her waist, pulling her gently against him and into his body heat. Which would hopefully make it clear why he had asked in the first place. Lean muscle, pale skin, and more importantly, the touch of another person would make the moment much more intimate in his opinion but that wasn’t something he had a problem with. Her magenta eyes looked to the sky, scanning the darkness for something before pointing at a cluster of stars in the sector he was looking in. Her curious smile told him all he needed to know and he would nod his head in affirmation, a smile of his own on his features.

“Yup, that’s the third of the special four, The Mage. Individuals born under it are said to be intelligent, and capable of working through complex problems quickly. Suffice it to say if it’s true I don’t think I was born under that one.” He would say with a chuckle before turning to look at her. “I think we’re done eating then? The roof of my hotel has a hot spring and a nice grassy area for us to lay in if you want.” He would ask, his red eyes scanning her expression. Normally inviting someone to ones hotel was code for something a bit more amorous and while Valen himself was open to that outcome he wasn’t sure she would be and he didn’t actually want to make Azula not wish to associate with him. If she said yes though, it would probably knock him quite a bit closer toward asking her if she was interested. First though, she had to answer.

[7]

She gently motioned her hand as if to wave him off to say it wasn’t important when he showed a questioning look to her laughter. She smiled softly though blinked when she was pulled closer by her waist. She raised her brows with a bit of a smile. She wasn’t expecting such intimacy, but she wasn’t opposed to it. She shifted a bit to get comfy since he seemed to be trying to make a move on her so to speak and would probably like it if she stuck around longer. So comfort was key in doing so.

Even though it was more just the man trying to keep her warm no doubt she assumed otherwise due to the placement of his hand. The man was pretty warm after all so there were two reasons as to why she didn’t mind his closeness. She smiled a bit more, spotting his own smile form upon his face. She had guessed correctly on the cluster of stars. She gave a small pump of her fist in celebration before returning it to her lap to focus on the start formation.

She thought about it when he said he may have been born under the mage she after a moment gave a nod. He seemed quick witted enough to figure out how to talk to her effectively and quickly from what she’s seen. She turned to look at him as he proposed a change in location. She gave a nod and thumbs up to say she was down for the idea. She gently patted his hand on her waist if it was still there to tell him that she needed him to let go. She could walk there up right but that would take a long time, as well as could cause her severe pain if he stayed somewhere a good bit away. She shifted and moved from her seated position up into her hand stand to wait for when he was ready to leave.



OOC:

Post 7

50 / 50  Chakra Points

She got comfortable against him and they sat for a bit before he asked his question. His explanation of the constellation would be answered with a fist pump before she returned the hand to her lap. He was honestly a bit surprised at her willingness to get closer so easily like this but it wasn't something he was about to question. When he asked her about heading back to his hotel she would nod and give him a thumbs up. He would flash her a grin and get up, letting go of her in the process of course. Then while she waited for him he would move around gathering trash into a small pile before burning it to ash with a quick fire technique. It definitely made for faster clean up when everything was trash. Then he would belt on his kimono, covering his brand scar covered back and belt his katana to his waist before turning toward her. Looking down toward her head he would raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Odd way to walk, but alright. It isn't very far to the hotel." He would say, moving toward the exit to the ground and toward the road. Once there, provided she was still with him, he would turn and walk up the road about a quarter mile before stopping at tall hotel. It was the last building before the training grounds began and the building was tall. At the foot of it a small cafe with a live musician played music that filled the night sky but Valen moved toward the door and opened it, allowing Azula to precede him. Should she do so he would enter in and nod toward the stairs and elevator. "Stairs or elevator? I prefer stairs personally but you're my guest so it's up to you." He would say, his red eyes looking down toward her as he waited for her response.

[8]

She watched him dispose of the trash with fire giving a silent impressed nod to his use of the technique. She smiled up at him when he looked down at her before shrugging a bit. She'd elaborate but it was hard to mime out stuff while she was upside down. She followed him then as he led the way to the hotel all the while humming in her head some old songs from her childhood that gave a pep to her metaphorical step.

She followed him to the hotel peering up at its towering figure. It was impressive to say the least. There was even a cafe with some nice music playing as well as close to the training grounds. She could definitely see why Valen chose to stay here of all places. She walked in when he opened the door for her. At the options she thought for a moment of the hotel's sheer height alone.

Today was not a training day. That and she had been walking all day soooo. She lowered her legs then into a split then pointed her leg that was pointed in front of her towards the elevator. She looked up to Valen to see if he understood. If he did she would follow him over. If the elevator had a fair amount of room she would sway her legs when she got close so she could do a tumble roll into it where she stopped in a sitting position facing towards the entrance of the elevator. She then sat there in wait while combing out her hair with her fingers all the while she left her legs sprawled out in front of her to relax.



OOC:

Post 8

50 / 50  Chakra Points

Her answer to his question would prompt a nod from him and he would lead the way toward the elevator, fishing in his pocket for a card as they moved. When he reached the door he would depress a button next to it and begin the wait. Atop the doorway a light would come on, illuminating a number seven and the light would begin to travel downward. Azula would wait next to him, in a position comfortable to her as she idly combed her blonde locks with a free hand. It would not take long for the elevator doors to open and Valen would move in first, needing to ensure he was next to the panel.

Once he was in she performed a roll and came back up facing the door he would chuckle good naturedly at her movements. “You’ll have to tell me why you move around like that. I’m curious.” He would say as he inserted his card into the waiting slot on the elevator panel and pressed the button for the top floor. The button wouldn’t unlock without the card, however with it inserted the doors would close and the metal box would begin its upward climb. With that done he would pocket the card once more before turning to his companion. “I don’t usually stay in such places. However I was sharing a room before due to a double booking and when this one came free I had the money to pay for it. So I chose to take it for privacy's sake. When we get in we’ll head out to the balcony, there’s a staircase out there that leads to the roof with the hot tub and a large grassy area we can relax in.” He would say, meeting her eyes as he spoke if she looked toward him.

Soon the elevator would stop and he would reinsert the card. Prompting the doors to open. Then he would move into the room and head directly toward the balcony. Around them was all kinds of expensive furniture. The place less resembled a hotel room than a luxurious apartment. An open door off to the side led to the bedroom where a king sized bed sat with another door that led to a massive bathroom with a deep tub and a separate shower. The balcony had an amazing view of the various nightlife and Valen moved toward the door to it, opening it and holding it open for his companion should she follow. With that done he would move up the stairs to the roof. Honestly, there was enough space between his own lodgings ceiling and the roof to have a whole separate floor, if not two. However the hot tub was inset into the roof, making it easy to cover in inclimate weather. Steam rose from the water and the entire area was made warm because of its presence. However Valen would move toward a separate grassy area the surrounded the tub. The intent of it was to ensure the area around the pool wasn’t overly slick. Lest a fall go horribly wrong. Of course the railing around the roof would help with that, but why take chances? The grass was soft and warm and there was plenty of space for a cookout upon it if one wished.

The swordsman would sprawl out upon it, unbelting his sword and setting it aside and laying with his arms behind his head. Azula could sit or lay wherever she wished but he would give her the chance to get comfortable before he started talking about more constellations. His red eyes would follow her movements though, ensuring he knew where to look for her gestures that she used to try to communicate.

[9]

Seeing his continuous curiosity about why she missed the way she did she let out a silent giggle. She’d have to elaborate when they got to their new location. For now she held up one figure to say one moment. For the time being she curiously listened to his explanation of the room on their way there happily locking eyes with him the whole way there. She looked forward as the room was revealed. It was sups dancing oh my. She blinked a bit before she rolled forward to get up to her hands with the momentum. She does so in one fluid motion.

She then followed him out the door and up the stairs to the roof. It was pretty stunning up here. She slowed her pace on the warm grass before doing a small tumble into a laying position. She gently ran her hand over the grass with a soft smile. It felt so nice and well kept. She supposed it was time to show him why she walked the way she did. So she slowly sat up before pulling off her leggings that did well to hire the chunks of missing skin. Deep cut grooves of scars, and other sorts all along her leg with many slashes around nearing the ankles.

They were all in different stages of age but all fairly old. She then got up to her feet. She took in a deep breath before she started to dance a ballet -like dance. Each move was strained and very slow with mild pain like reactions on her face as she moved. The moves were ones clearly only to be done by someone who knew how to perform them, but with a bit of rust to say how long it had been since they had performed such moves. She slowly came to a stop with a few pants. Thankfully she hadn’t used her legs much today so the pain wasn’t that bad but she would be sore the next day from this dance alone.

She took a few steps back to her starting position with the speed and struggle that an eldarly person would need to do. Landing on your feet to swap to your hands wasn’t that bad nor hard but moving solely with her legs alone was and showed. When she was back at her starting position she cartwheeled back onto her hands where she began the dance again but doing the exact moves with her arms instead of her legs she even ended this one with a front flip that landed on her arms once. More. This dance was far faster with amazing and seamless grace. Per expected after all her years of using said dance as practice for getting in the habit of moving with her arms over legs.

She didn’t know how he’d feel about this information, but he did ask afterall. She made her way back over to him where she rolled into a laying position next to him. She then placed hands to her legs then tapped where her hips met her thighs. Her short gloved hand, wrapped bicep, and her entire other arm. She then pointed to the exposed ones on both of her ribs sliding her fingers to her back leading them upward along her spine then back forward under her bust till they touched. Then finally she slid her hair out of the way of her neck with one hand, then with the other lowered her choker a bit to show the scar along the base of her neck; then back up into place.

She had only hid her scars due to being annoyed at people paying more attention to them than her when they talked. Though perhaps he would be different. If not… well at least the grass was cofty and there was a hot tub she could jump into before she’d choose to leave due to the annoyance of being ignored. She gave a shrug before stretching her arms a bit before relaxing on the grass. She allowed her now bare legs to relax and feel the touch of the grass on them. She had missed that feeling.



OOC:

Post 9

50 / 50  Chakra Points

Valen watched her intently as she removed her leggings and revealed the horrible scarring upon her legs. His eyebrows lifted in surprise, he had seen few people with scarring as bad as his own and hers were worse by far. Not only because of the severity but the location. As she danced he nodded his head in understanding. The damage done to her must have been down into the muscles, causing immense pain when she put weight on them for too long. Doing a dance routine like this showcased that. As he could clearly see that she knew the movements she was trying to do. The smooth, flowing grace she had was obvious although her movements were slow and pained. Then she changed to her arms, resetting the dance routine and doing essentially the same one only with her arms instead.

The speed and grace she moved through this routine with was clear and he had his answer from her. She walked around like she did because her legs would hurt too much if she did not. His eyes trailed up her form. Her bare feet, smooth and neat from lack of use, had scarring around the ankles. Along the calves one could see where chunks of muscle were missing and the scarring up and down the legs alone were deep and vicious. It would take a very long time to put up the ability to work with those legs normally again. It was no wonder she used her arms. Eventually she came back to him, laying next to him and pointed to where she was covered, seemingly indicating that she was scarred in those places too.

His red eyes looked at each location, at each scar intently. The ones upon her ribs, along her spine and around under her bust, her neck too. His eyes would then look to hers, his crimson irises meeting hers of magenta. A different look was in his eyes now though, it wasn’t one of respect. He treated everyone around him with that usually simply because he didn’t know most people. It was a look of desire, not for her scars. He didn’t want more of his own, however her showing of the grievous injuries she had received in the past. How she dealt with them and her carefree attitude. All of those things, combined with her own natural appeal, made him want her. With that in mind he would shift his position, although he would never take his eyes off of hers as he did. She herself, not her scars, had his full attention although he would move near her legs. Without a word he would move to a scar that was about midway up her thigh from her knee. A deep, lateral slice, and without taking his eyes off of hers he would move to give the scar a gentle kiss, his warm hand, resting lightly upon another.

It was a silent way of saying that they added to her strength, added to her appeal in his eyes. Because each one was something she had overcome. Something she had learned to deal with and accept. To him it seemed she had accepted every single one of them and that told him of a level of internal strength that he wanted dearly to acknowledge in any way he could. Should his gentle kiss be successful he would move back up to lay next to her. His eyes still on hers as he lay upon the grass. “You’ve seen all of my own scars, yeah?” He would ask, turning his back toward her. “They aren’t as bad as yours, they don’t debilitate me. They’re from when I was enslaved. Each one is the brand of a different owner. All of them captains of ships in some way or another.” He would say, explaining his own scars to her before turning back toward her. “So, answer a question for me.” He would begin, his voice quiet. The music from below drifted up and the stars were all out in force now. The area was stunningly beautiful and the grass was soft and warm. “Do you want to continue learning more about the constellations now? Or would you be interested in you and I taking part in each other?” He would ask, his red eyes intent upon her. Then he realized she couldn’t actually give him an easy answer and he shook his head at himself stupidly. “Sorry, point up if you want me to go back to explaining constellations. Kiss me if you’d rather do the other thing. Know that if you decide the latter, it doesn’t mean I won’t explain the constellations later on.” He would say, giving her a quick grin at the last.

[10]

Azula looked to him as his eyes slowly came off her scars to meet her eyes. His beautiful blood-like eyes. They had a look of desire in them. A look that slowly made her smile lessen a bit, and her brows shift to one more of confusion. No one had ever looked at her with that of desire before. She didn’t dislike it. It just… confused her. Especially after showing the man something that usually seemed to repulse others or send them into a field of negative emotions. Her own gaze softened a bit as he, knowingly or not spoke to her without speaking a single word.

His eyes never leave her. Not her scars but her. He wanted her. She honestly didn't know why. No one had ever desired her before. Then again he seemed far different than others she had ever met before. And he actually seemed interested in her and her odd self. She had met others in this city who hadn’t known her past, but never any who looked at her like a person before him. All others had just seen her as more of a side show. Which granite was better than the tragedy her home land had seen her as.

He had treated her in a way she had always loved being treated like back in her youth… the truly happy part of her youth. And now? He stared at her in a way she had never thought possible, nor had ever thought about ever happening. He looked at her with desire. And it made her feel; beautiful. Her lips parted a bit as she felt his hand on one of her scars. Then a flutter in her heart as he once again surprised her with another first. He kissed her scar.

She slowly gathered what he was trying to say. He didn’t see them as tragedies. Her lips slowly slid back into a warm smile. He saw them as something more. Something she had always seen them as. Stories of things she had laughed at and overcome when others had thought she never could do so. She even silently giggled a little at the memories of the old team leaders of her friends suggesting she retire from her ninja life, and their faces when she relearned how to do everything she could do before, and more.

She watched him come back to join her as she laid there in the grass. Her eyes trailing back to him. She nodded to his question thinking back to them. She had wanted to know their stories before. She still did to a degree, but now seeing how he saw hers; as well as how he had displayed his. She knew the only thing that truly mattered about them was how he had no doubt grown from his since the time he had received them. However, hearing it was from a time of enslavement… she couldn’t help but think at how similar their pasts must have been.

Both at one point chained up for another's benefit at the cost of their own freedom. Hers had been in a single spot hidden away from the world. While he was on ships traveling it. However both are just as trapped as the other. The music drifted up from below in the silence between him stating he had a question, the gentle breeze benign the only thing that came between their bodies. Then the question came. She of course knew what he meant. Though for obvious reasons she had never done something like that before.

Though instead of being filled with fear. She smiled brightly in excitement at the idea of trying something new. She then silently laughed as he realized his issue with her answering given she was mute. Honestly she found it rather cute in a way. A thought that she happily showed on her face as she tilted her head to one side smiling at him as if he was just being silly. To her it was a bit silly. He had said so much to her moments prior without a word, but a question about activities regarding the action of the physical bodies was something he thought would be hard for her to reply to.

She gave a playful roll of her eyes with a partly open mouthed smile. She then untied her sash moving it off to the side all while locking eyes with him, along with a look on her face that looked as though she was proving a point. What was the point? That there were more than one or two ways to tell someone you wanted to dance with them. She then untied her hip skirt. Then untucked the corner of her wraps. After she then smirked unwrapping the first two rows of wrap at her hips to reveal more of her skin.

Her eyes almost daring him to look away from them towards where she was unwrapping. She paused for just a moment to gently touch his bicep, gliding her hand down it to his forearm, then to his hand that she guided to face upward to reveal his palm. If he held out his hand to her she would gently place the unraveled part of her wraps into his palm as an invitation to continue while her other hand craned a finger to call him closer. Every part of her eyes and lips invited him in a rather playful way. All without the need of kissing him. While all out right asking to dance together under the stars.



OOC:

Post 10

50 / 50  Chakra Points

Their eyes never broke contact as she untied her sash and set it aside. The look upon her face told him she was going to give her answer in her way. Not by the simplistic rules he had set down with his options and he felt a grin cross his features at her actions. Once her sash was to the side she would untie her hip skirt and untuck the ends of her wraps. Her hips and upper thighs were wrapped up in a set of bandages that protected modesty better than any simple pair of undergarments that might slip and fall. She smirked up to him as she unraveled the first two rows, her hips rising to give her the clearance. The rising motion caused her chest to rise and fall attractively as well and he felt his own desire mount ever higher as it always did in such situations. Slowly, like a gift being unwrapped, more and more skin would appear.

All the while his eyes never left hers, she paused in her unraveling to touch his bicep and run her hand down to his forearm and then to his hand. He held his hand for her and she placed the unraveled ends of her wraps into his hand as she used her other one to crook a finger at him. Telling him to come closer. Her slight smile and smoldering eyes driving him mad with want. He slowly unraveled her wraps, each rotation showing more and more skin. It was a tedious process, but it added to the moment rather than take away from it. He felt his heart rate increasing rapidly and as he unraveled them he moved closer to her, bringing his lips close to hers. Should she allow it he would capture hers into a kiss with his and the contact would draw a sharp intake of breath from him.

He wouldn’t let the kiss last too long though, he wanted to taste her lips, but he wanted to taste much more than that. So as he continued unwrapping her he would make to leave her lips and kiss down her neck, moving down her collarbone. Her top was still on so he couldn’t give her bosom the attention it deserved but her continued past it regardless, his aiming for her scars where he found them, kissing them with a soft and sensual intent. As he reached her waist he would unravel the last bit of her wraps and toss them aside. His red eyes would meet hers once more as she was exposed to him and unless she stopped him he would proceed to give her nether lips a soft kiss before using his tongue to target the bundle of nerves just above the entrance, stimulating it with a few tentative motions with his tongue.

[11]

Azula let him take charge of the unwrapping as her eye held steady to his, and her grin growing wider and wider with each pass. Her wraps acting like a countdown to the flag waving before the start of a race. Her heart happily banging against her ribs with each near touch he made with her skin. It wanted more. As did she. Her eyelids slightly lowered to a near drowsy level of lowered as he moved to near her lips.

She felt herself move enclosure towards him as his lips met hers. Her hand moved to the side of his head gripping his hair loosely as she let her body’s desires guide her actions since they seemed to know far more than her on how to handle the current situation. As he pulled away she gently bit his bottom lip. Not enough to pierce, just to hold it for just a moment more before letting it slide from her teeth’s grip to move back into its rightful place it usually sat when unused.

It was her first kiss, but certainly didn’t seem like it would be her last. She wanted to keep him close to her up there but almost like a knowledgeable guide her body almost told her to lay in wait for now to see where he would go. So she released his hair to let him move where he pleased; now biting her own bottom lip as she watched him. She leaned into every kiss as shivers rolled along her skin in delight. She watched him slowly travel lower and lower while her heart fluttered when he paid special attention to her scars. Each one felt like a compliment form him to her. A reminder to her to feel pride in herself and where she was today.

A reminder that he wanted her.

She could feel her breathing growing heavier by the moment. Like her body itself was slowing down its movements as it was benign weighed down in anticipation of what would come next. She locked her eyes with his as he looked back up to her finally again after tossing her wrapps to the side. She felt her body instinctively feel the need to move at the touch of his lips to hers. Her heavy breaths turned to that of a sudden sharp one as she felt his tongue next.

Her back finally got its own way and arced in surprise while her legs moved a bit on their own. But it was enough to tell her what to do next as she spread her legs out for him so he could get better between them. This was definitely a different dance than she was used to. But she was sure as hell more than willing to let him lead at least this time around until she figured out how things went.



OOC:

Post 11

50 / 50  Chakra Points

The moment she felt his tongue she took in a sudden sharp inhalation of breath and her back arched up. Her legs moved aside, giving him more access and he used it. He used his tongue to stimulate her as his hands worked his own shinobi pants, pulling them down and off before tossing them aside. Then she would have his full attention once more and as his tongue worked to bring her pleasure through the bundle of nerves he would bring a hand up to her entrance and slide a single finger inside. Should this be successful he would use that to progress her stimulation as he licked and kissed the nerve bundle.

The goal was to drive her to release, she would probably need to reach that a few times before he entered her himself and that simply added up to more of an entertaining time for the two of them. His free hand moved up her body as he worked, trailing up her skin before reaching her top and tapping it lightly. An attempt to signal for her to take it off, she had her hands and head free after all and he wanted to enjoy every part of his dance partner. Once he had done that though the hand he used to do so would move to hold her steady as he applied more pressure with his tongue, seeking to ramp up her enjoyment.

[12]

She let off what could only be described as silent moans, ones that were hard to keep totally silent as he worked. The tensing of her muscles though were plenty to signal her pleasure if the arcing of her back didn’t give it away on its own. She could only let out a staggered exhale of breath as she felt his finger enter. She let herself get lost in the pleasure only to be brought back down a bit when she felt the tapping on her top. She nodded, getting the memo as she attempted to focus her breathing to avoid forgetting to do so all together.

It was something she learned how to do under great sensitivity overload long ago. A lesson she was grateful especially now. She slipped her top off to reveal her breast, and the rest of the scarring under her bust. She shifted when she noticed him trying to steady her a bit more. She wanted to make sure he had all the range he needed to handle her body. Though at the sudden pressure increase she clenched her teeth a bit before letting out a slightly audible exhale of a heavy breath.

It was one that was barely able to be made out as even the slightest sound, but could give the faintest tell of what her voice may have sounded like if she had ever spoken. Her eyes grew wide at the sound that came with her release. She had managed to avoid any verbal sounds for so long. She wasn’t expecting to hear one now. Though with the surprise at the forefront of her mind knowing it was possible there was little chance of it happening again. She panted as her release slowly ended. She caught her breath but seemed more than willing to keep going despite how fast she had reached the point she had.



OOC:

Post 12

50 / 50  Chakra Points

The arch of her back and the tensing of her muscles told Valen all he needed to do of his work as he continued. When he tapped her top she nodded and slipped the top off, tossing it aside and his red eyes looked up at her with ever growing hunger. She shifted as he steadied her and when he ramped up the pressure he heard something from her for the first time. A slightly audible exhalation of breath. It came as she reached her release for the first time. He heard it and saw her eyes widen in surprise and as he slowed down his work he would see her chest rising and falling in rhythmic time as she panted.

He took that moment to stop using his mouth and tongue upon her womanhood and began to kiss his way up her form once more. As he did this he would move to slip a second finger inside of her alongside the first. Compensating for the lack of his lips and tongue upon her with additional penetration, even if it was just from his fingers. As he kissed his way up her form he would come to her now released breasts and pay special attention to those, kissing each of them carefully, so as not to cause undue pain. Meanwhile down at the entrance to her core the curvature of his fingers would ensure that the nerve bundle above the entrance was still stimulated as he worked his fingers.

When he was done with her breasts he continued up and would attempt to capture her lips once more in a deep kiss. The feeling of his desire coming through the intimate contact should it be successful.

[13]