Just Around the Riverbend - Vices

[CautionCat]

"...Yes? Is that offensive?" He chuckled, and rested his hand off her cheek to her knee. "I am rationalizing. But I am also saying.... even though you've got cursed blood, what you're doing is your nature. I can't stop that, and I don't think I would want to. Especially with what the consequences are."

"I'll... let you know when I am good and ready to help... I.. ah... I do like the idea of helping. Just to... keep you from turning."

He glanced away, flushed all the way to his long ears. "R-right. Anyway. Will this help you from becoming a bit too... scary when you use magic?"

[Ancelas]

"I certainly hope so," she said, smiling. She then leaned forward to pull Verdi into a tight hug. "Thank you, Verdi. For understanding. I know it's a lot, and I hope I can repay your kindness one day.

"And should you ever feel the desire to explore... well, I have ways of keeping things interesting." She drew back, flushed by smiling, and then leaned in to kiss Verdi's cheek.

[CautionCat]

His tail coiled in on itself, finding his heart skipping beats as she hugged him, and mentioned exploring.

"Ah... Well!" And she kissed his cheek- she could feel how feverish his skin had become on her lips. "Let's... keep things simple for now." He chuckled, and hugged her back.

"Just be careful, okay? I know you're... capable of defending yourself, for sure. You just never know what folks might do or... carry..." He snorted some, laughing.

[Ancelas]

Vanya snorted and shifted so that she was seated beside him again, leaning against him with her head on his shoulder. "Mm, I like that you're worried about me. But... I'll be okay. That's the least of my worries, really. I'm more concerned with how to keep such things quiet..."

[CautionCat]

"Ah... Well... I don't think it would be smart to try at the camp. There's just so many people here. Do you think you could... hold out until we reach Newhaven..? There's some uh... Flaming Fist mercenaries that are waiting for the caravan to arrive, to get back to Nyanzaru. They're sure to... umn... well. I am sure they're itching. They're always the sort to just... flirt and sleep with whoever..."

This was such a weird conversation to have. And yet, he felt... comfortable? Enough? To talk about it? It was like being an ear for Monte all over again, before they dated, except this was... his girlfriend, who had hags blood and needed to fool around to keep herself from completely turning into a monster.

What a wild scenario. He blinked a few times, thinking to himself for a moment. "But, if you can't, well... I suppose doing it once might help? I am.... clueless on how you even would go about doing... that."

[Ancelas]

"I stand by what I said before," Vanya said firmly. "I'm not going to put you into an uncomfortable position. And I'm sure I'll think of something. It wouldn't be the first time I've leveraged a 'supernatural' encounter to my benefit," she mused.

With a sigh, she rested one hand on Verdi's thigh. "We don't need to discuss this fight now if it's awkward. I mean... it is awkward... but you're being so calm about it. We can talk about something else, if you'd like."

[CautionCat]

"Oh... umn... Yeah we probably should." He frowned, glancing away. He really wanted to be helpful, but also felt a bit helpless. He wasn't ready for that... and Vanya wasn't either. This wasn't about sex, this was about doing the minimal amount of something to keep herself... her.

"I'm sorry." He chuckled, nervous, but getting better. "Right. Right... Ah... well. Camp Vengeance tomorrow. You're really taking a shine to adventuring, huh?"

[Ancelas]

Vanya smiled. She could sense Verdi's unease, but had a feeling it had more to do with their own inability to help than it was an issue with her. That was... refreshing.

"Mm...a little bit, I suppose. Being able to test my limits is... exhilarating. And terrifying," she confessed. "I had never imagined just how deep the jungle was, and what kind of creatures could be found in its depths. It... reminds me of the forests of Gilneas, to be honest, albeit hotter and more humid."

[CautionCat]

Verdi nodded, and smiled. "It is quite big. And it goes even further south. Further down than New Haven. It's quite a large island, and not all of it has been explored- well... anyone who's survived, anyway. Most people who go too far, seem to never come back." He looked to his map, studying it some.

"A lot of explorers who wanted to find Omu, wanted to claim fame and fortune."

[Ancelas]

Vanya nodded, looking across the map. "What kind of notes are you writing down now?"

[CautionCat]

"Mostly just going over what has been written down, making some other notes of observations... points of interest... We're not too far off from New Haven, but we still have a few things to do before we get there..."

[Ancelas]

Vanya leaned forward, over Verdi's map, and ran her hand along the river, noting their current location and that of Camp Vengeance. "The caravan will need to pass near Camp Vengeance... do you think we will be sent ahead to investigate before they come close?"

[CautionCat]

"Well, Rorr's boat is quite quick. We will be there in a short time, and the caravan can continue it's way down and cross the river, there." He pointed the spot on the map where the caravan was heading, and then crossed his finger over the river.

"With our current track record, it might take us a day or so. Being there, that is. Who knows what's going on in that camp."

[Ancelas]

Vanya nodded. "I've noticed that we have a tendency to be pulled deeper into the jungle whenever we set out to explore a particular place. Usually to our benefit... but also usually into danger of some sort."

Vanya sighed and bit the corner of her lip. "I can't condemn the chance to practice my magic, though. I only wish I could find more valuable materials to work into my studies... some of Edith's spells are quite esoteric."

[CautionCat]

"Well, you're in luck. This camp has a mine, maybe we can find some supplies left behind from the dwarves. Surely they're not going to be coming back for it..."