Sins of the First: To Be an Artificer

[CautionCat]

"Mmmn, so you are saying we should only get... intimate in the pillow nest." She snickered, and reached over with the bar of soap in one hand, her other hand cupping the back of his head, and started to lather it into his hair.

"I do not know if it is too early to talk about intimacy. How do you feel about it? You do not seem the sort to like public displays of affection..." She worked the bar around his messy locks, slicked down from the water, and once she was satisfied with enough lather, she would place the bar to the side, and come back to his scalp with both hands, kneading and flexing her fingers into his hair.

"How do you feel, in general? I am pacing myself. I am... too used to getting things quickly. I think that leaves more to be desired. Like you said, eating a whole cake to myself without sharing."

[opius]

"bu--aauuuhh..." No sooner did she start massaging his scalp did Alastair forget how to make words. He was listening to her, to be sure, but the attention to his head, scalp, the way she palmed the back of his head... It was an off switch. After some time of her digging through his thick, coppery hair, he let out a murmur.

"Mwuh... This isn't intimate enough?" He shifted and turned so that his back was toward her. Gradually he scooted back more, not quite realizing he was practically in her lap. "Gosh that feels nice..."

With eyes shut from the dripping suds, he was somewhat at her mercy - though she could tell he didn't mind. He didn't hold himself as it he was guarded. In fact he was as loose as a goose, it seemed.

"I'm getting used to public affection, I suppose... I can't really say I'm giving this thing a fair shake if I'm not. The, uh, kissing - I do like that a fair bit. A lot, even... But the way we've kissed, the things you've introduced me to, could be a, uh, bit... that might be more suited for a private place."

He shifted. "... I'm afraid I don't have much of a spark for kindling. But I like this- it's nice to be touched, really. I like the way you feel, I think? You're, ah, good. With your hands, I mean. And you know things- things I didn't know about myself- so those experiences you've had have definitely paid off even if you regret eating too much cake." He laughed, a slight warble in his voice.

"... I'm afraid I'm not certain when or even if." He responded a bit more quietly. "... I'm not adverse to, uh... I mean if you're really, really curious I could try and..." She could see he was red, and see his body tense slightly. He huffed. "Beating around the bush as always Fields- If it's important to you, I can hang up that hang-up for a moment to experiment. I'm a man of science- it only makes sense -to- experiment right?"

[CautionCat]

Konane giggled at his sudden lax state while she massaged his scalp, getting her nails down to the skin to get the oil and dirt out with the soap. She was slow about it, caring, which seemed to make him make silly noises as she did. "Well, yes... This is intimate. I am enjoying it, and you are letting your guard down... Vulnerable. We both are."

He continued on, and she felt him get tense, and ears grow redder. She felt her own cheeks get quite hot, and her voice... Had a slight nervousness to it when she spoke.

"I... See. Well, that was not the answer I was expecting." She chuckled, and just enjoyed washing his hair.

"Not that it is a bad answer. It is not. We will take our time... I do not want to spoil your experience if you are not ready."

[opius]

Alastair promptly pulled away to dunk his head, and stayed under for a few moments to scrub the soap free from his hair and scalp. When he returned to the surface, he was sufficiently red. Whether it was from the the conversation or the water was anyone's guess. He still averted his eyes, but there was a kind of resolution in his face and brows- a sort of faux confidence that wasn't hard to see through.

"Well yes, I fully intend to take my time. But I realize that different people have different needs- I'm not about to ask you to put on a habit and take any oath of celibacy just because I don't... 'Run hot.' So... Do what you've got to do, and I'll see how I feel as we move forward. Maybe the stars will align and it'll click."

He shifted and looked back over his shoulder at her. "Just... Y'know, try not to be disappointed if I'm not... Y'know. Feeling it. It's not you."

[CautionCat]

He turned and saw that her face was quite red as well. Her heart pounded, and the idea of being closer to him in that way filled her mind and made her feel fluttery. "Well, the next time I am in heat, I will let you know..."

She grabbed the cloth for the soap, and dunked it. He had more grime, after all. "I am always kind of... running hot, but it will get stronger sometimes." She started to suds the cloth with the soap, getting it nice and lathered for him.

Her body language and tone changed. She got more quiet, more shy. She was so flirty and forward before... he made her feel like a school girl with a crush. She lifted the cloth, and went to give it to him. "I appreciate you being willing to... try things. To be honest, I was kind of... scared to bring it up."

[opius]

He paused at seeing her shift in mood and tone- clearly this was a Big Deal for her. It was... Ironic? In a way. When she had been joking about scrubbing him below the water line she was all giggles and confidence. Now that they were actually talking about it...

He took the cloth and began scrubbing behind his ears. "You uh. You..." He pursed his lips. "Don't be afraid to bring things up. The more communication the better. What's the worst that could happen? You can bite harder, I reckon."

From his ears to his P's, T's, and A's, alastair fully covered himself in suds before sinking neck deep into the water. "... Besides, if you're serious about Artifice, you're going to need to ask lots of questions and prepare to be wrong a lot. Misunderstandings can lead to loss of limb or worse."

[CautionCat]

Konane blinked some. The conversation flowed and she tilted her head, and rubbed her cheeks. "Ah, you are right. I just... it is funny... I have been so forward with who I want to sleep with, and yet so... so bashful with you." She lightly chuckled, and dropped her arms back into the water.

"I have no answer for why, other than you... just make me feel things. But yes, no lost limbs. I do not want to be making myself a new arm because I made a bad mistake!" She nodded, smiling. "I will be more open with you with what is on my mind, and I will be attentive while learning from you."

[opius]

He smiled and nodded. The water wasn't deep enough to tread water, but he was short and could half-lay on his back as he soaked and rinsed. "That's all I can really ask for. Well, that and patience. It's my first time doing this- and I'll be as patient as I can with... Whatever I can teach."

[CautionCat]

"We will be teachers to one another, with different subjects." She chuckled, and sighed, taking the bar of soap for herself this time.

"I am very thankful that you have an open mind, Alastair. It helps with... feeling comfortable with you."

[opius]

He laughed. "I have to have an open mind. I'd have broken by now, otherwise." With a smile he tossed the wash towel back to her.

"I'm glad you feel that way. You're pretty nice to be around too."

[CautionCat]

"I am happy you think that." She smiled wide, catching the wash cloth and started to suds her own hair. There was a lot of that... she pulled up her long locks, scrubbing as she went and piled it on top of her head, starting from the roots down.

"After this, we can have a cozy sleep, and tomorrow... we can maybe learn from each other..."