In the darkness, Evan felt a dim line of warmth, soothing what small worry he might have had about surrendering himself to this place. He drifted with the flow of a river, more sensation than light this time. It took him through dim, echoed memories of his day back at camp, his experience of them a blissful sort of nostalgia for the most part, though a small worry started to pull his attention above water. He realized there was light all around him, briefly blushing red but then returning to white, and Evan let relief pulsate from him as the memory of Xavier faded into the distance. Not that he'd minded revisiting it, except for the small, subtle ways that it had tugged him away from the goddess, eliciting some small desire to raise a barrier between them that Evan absolutely did not want to do. So, he was grateful that the desire abated quickly, and instead he felt a tug back towards the goddess, his attention shifting to finding her amidst this bright, endlessly flowing light.
At first, he was a little confused. This seemed different from before. He mentally reached for some awareness of his body, but then pulled back from it, because it seemed to be in the opposite direction from the goddess herself. He didn't fully understand the direction she was in, but he leaned into it as best he could, and where he found the first inklings of the sensation that she was enveloping him, he gladly sent his attention there, sinking deep into her and marveling at feeling truly and fully held.
The light blushed again, and Evan let a hint of curiosity bloom, but it faded--to white, and then grey, and then into a glittering sky reflected in a river, and Evan rested blissfully on its glowing green banks, enjoying the weight of himself on the ground and the water--the light? Whatever it was, caressing past him.
Lavender flickered into his vision, and he felt the goddess beckoning for his hand, which he gladly reached up to offer to her. She pulled him to his feet, her eyes utterly gleaming. He felt happy, and the warmth of that only grew when the goddess laughed--a gleeful, delighted sort of laugh that prompted Evan to look at the landscape around them with wonder. He realized he could hear the river now, and could make out a waterfall in the distance. Just where were they?
"Come," the goddess said, and excitement bubbled within him. "Come with me."
She touched his cheek and urged him forward, and for a moment Evan was deeply torn. He thought maybe what he wanted was to cling to the goddess' body, to try to feel her completely and keep her close. But a curiosity beckoned about the world they were in, and Evan felt a flare of affection and awe for it not unlike the swell of reverence he had felt when Idel had asked him whether the goddess was worthy of worship. Maybe this place was, too.
Evan by no means wanted to exclude the goddess from his attention, but he didn't want to limit his attention, either, and he hoped she would understand. Maybe that was even what she wanted. He let some of his attention linger disproportionately on her a moment, just to ensure he grasped how she seemed to feel about his curiosity, and then, barring some strong pull back to her, he let his curiosity bloom and expand and explore the landscape before him, alighting on textures and colors and sounds and shapes, eager to take in all that he could.
Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
Moderator: On Dreams And Desire
Re: Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
The goddess faltered momentarily as Evan's gaze lingered on her. She felt flickering flames of Evan's desire toward returning to a more purely physical experience of their bliss, but ultimately, that did not deter her.
Feeling more stability in this space than she ever had when she had made it to this river, the goddess turned with Evan toward the landscape, holding little else but an understanding that their time here would, by necessity, be limited.
The river reflected a thousand lights from a clear sky, the galaxies awash in pink and purple glows. A swift wind blew intermittently around them, casually threatening to pick up at any moment. The twilight-darkened grass sparkled with splashes of water from the river rapids that quickly took shape amongst the shining white of the river.
If Dehaljadrun didn't know better, she could have mistaken it for her own pocket of reality. And yet, it was not perpetual twilight here.
In fact, dawn was already fast approaching, the massive brilliance of the sky dulling slightly to a pale peach mirage of splendor.
Massive trees, dense brush, and heavy blooms emerged as they watched, the multicolored flowers opening and closing in a slow response to the weight of observation.
The goddess smiled again, hiding nothing, and looked at Evan. What must he think of this place if she was in awe of it?
While Evan didn't respond, they didn't have time to waste. Entwining her fingers through his, she opened her mind to him, letting him experience her own awe while she experienced his.
Leading him to a relatively shallow point in the river, the goddess kept held of Evan's hand and lead him through, the light of the river coming up to her ankles at first and then rising to her knees. It was an effort then to not get washed under and away once more, back to where Evan's cock throbbed delightfully within her, but she managed to make it to the other bank, gently pulling Evan along with her.
With a casual toss of her long wavy black hair, the goddess looked at him curiously before continuing on toward the sound of the waterfall.
It was immense. The water fell from several hundred feet above them from a deep but narrow stream over cliffs that shimmered with what appeared to be gold and silver.
The goddess felt a pang in her chest at the sight, and the light around them flickered with a garish chartreuse before returning to its original brilliance.
She was not allowed beyond that point.
But that didn't stop her from approaching the waterfall.
Leading Evan by the hand, she reached the place where the water dissolved into clouds and, letting Evan's hand go, waded in until everything up to her stomach was wet. Only then did she turn around, the lavender of her skin deepening and darkening as she gained substance and gravity, dark night-filled droplets of light glistening across her chest and shoulders.
It's safe to follow, the goddess said with confidence, the words only in their shared mind space, the sound of the rushing, crashing water overwhelming any other words they might speak.
That communicated, the goddess turned toward the waterfall, gazed up at the sky above it momentarily with her palms open facing the heavens, and dove underneath its depths.
((OOC: The process of going under the waterfall is going to make it extremely difficult for Evan to ignore their physical bodies back in the goddess' realm, but the worst thing that could happen is that he wakes up and she doesn't... For a while. We don't feel like there's much risk of enthrallment at this point unless he stopped swimming through the river altogether. If he does make it to the other side of the waterfall, he will emerge in a dark, glittering cave with the goddess approaching the shore but still in the water, her own physical ache and desire for him palpable even on this level.))
Feeling more stability in this space than she ever had when she had made it to this river, the goddess turned with Evan toward the landscape, holding little else but an understanding that their time here would, by necessity, be limited.
The river reflected a thousand lights from a clear sky, the galaxies awash in pink and purple glows. A swift wind blew intermittently around them, casually threatening to pick up at any moment. The twilight-darkened grass sparkled with splashes of water from the river rapids that quickly took shape amongst the shining white of the river.
If Dehaljadrun didn't know better, she could have mistaken it for her own pocket of reality. And yet, it was not perpetual twilight here.
In fact, dawn was already fast approaching, the massive brilliance of the sky dulling slightly to a pale peach mirage of splendor.
Massive trees, dense brush, and heavy blooms emerged as they watched, the multicolored flowers opening and closing in a slow response to the weight of observation.
The goddess smiled again, hiding nothing, and looked at Evan. What must he think of this place if she was in awe of it?
While Evan didn't respond, they didn't have time to waste. Entwining her fingers through his, she opened her mind to him, letting him experience her own awe while she experienced his.
Leading him to a relatively shallow point in the river, the goddess kept held of Evan's hand and lead him through, the light of the river coming up to her ankles at first and then rising to her knees. It was an effort then to not get washed under and away once more, back to where Evan's cock throbbed delightfully within her, but she managed to make it to the other bank, gently pulling Evan along with her.
With a casual toss of her long wavy black hair, the goddess looked at him curiously before continuing on toward the sound of the waterfall.
It was immense. The water fell from several hundred feet above them from a deep but narrow stream over cliffs that shimmered with what appeared to be gold and silver.
The goddess felt a pang in her chest at the sight, and the light around them flickered with a garish chartreuse before returning to its original brilliance.
She was not allowed beyond that point.
But that didn't stop her from approaching the waterfall.
Leading Evan by the hand, she reached the place where the water dissolved into clouds and, letting Evan's hand go, waded in until everything up to her stomach was wet. Only then did she turn around, the lavender of her skin deepening and darkening as she gained substance and gravity, dark night-filled droplets of light glistening across her chest and shoulders.
It's safe to follow, the goddess said with confidence, the words only in their shared mind space, the sound of the rushing, crashing water overwhelming any other words they might speak.
That communicated, the goddess turned toward the waterfall, gazed up at the sky above it momentarily with her palms open facing the heavens, and dove underneath its depths.
((OOC: The process of going under the waterfall is going to make it extremely difficult for Evan to ignore their physical bodies back in the goddess' realm, but the worst thing that could happen is that he wakes up and she doesn't... For a while. We don't feel like there's much risk of enthrallment at this point unless he stopped swimming through the river altogether. If he does make it to the other side of the waterfall, he will emerge in a dark, glittering cave with the goddess approaching the shore but still in the water, her own physical ache and desire for him palpable even on this level.))
Re: Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
Evan let his attention dance and flicker across the landscape--the stars reflected in the river and glowing in the sky; the droplets of water that splashed on the grass; the trees and brush and blooms that emerged and acknowledged him, unfurling and shrinking back as though to play with the ebbs and flows of his attention. He felt utterly joyous, like he was both seen and welcomed here, no part of him shunned or ignored nor making anything else feel the need to hide.
He felt the goddess look to him, and then her fingers entwine with his, and with them came the glowing sensations of the goddess' own awe of this place. He looked at her, his smile wide and bright and purely happy. For once in his life, he didn't feel a care in the world.
The goddess led him closer to the river, and he followed, ever letting his attention continue to bound and leap and play with the landscape around him. Once they stepped into it, though, the water--the light--the sensation of it flooded through him, and palpably reminded him of just how blissful his physical body must feel right now. He felt a strong pang to go back to it--could swear he did for a flash, the warm throb of his satisfaction echoing through his awareness--but he grasped more tightly to the goddess' hand here and tried to refocus on the landscape. A small jolt of fear traveled through him; he didn't want to be separated from her, and for a brief moment, he almost had.
It was easier once they were across the river, Evan's awareness more readily refocusing then on the grass and trees and stars, and the sound of the waterfall beckoning. He couldn't help paying extra attention to the goddess for a moment, worry radiating that she might have been disappointed by how much the river had affected him, even at that shallow crossing. She seemed content, though, perhaps curious, but not displeased. Evan willed the tightness he felt to relax, his awareness to expand again back into this world and their traversal through it.
He beheld the waterfall with awe as they approached, though a flicker of chartreuse in the air--the sky?--startled him. He looked quizzically to the goddess, but didn't quite catch what that was about before she let go of his hand and started to wade into the water. Evan started to feel tight and scared again, confused about the sudden conflict between wanting to cling to the land to confidently stay here, but also wanting to follow the goddess wherever she went. He watched her slowly sink deeper as she walked, her body becoming more palpable in this place, and he felt his heart start thumping. Some part of him did want to go back--to where his head lay on her chest, listening to her heart thump--but that seemed so childish in the face of the beauty before him, and he started to feel angry with himself for the desire.
It's safe to follow, the goddess assured him, only facing him long enough to convey her confidence in her expression as well as tone, before she turned back towards the waterfall, and Evan understood that his decision point was fast approaching.
Mustering his determination, Evan all but lunged forward into the water, bracing himself for the rush of warmth and touch and satisfaction that beckoned for his return. He focused in on the sight of the goddess diving through the waterfall, and tried to shut everything else out, though it pained him to do so. What if you never experience that bliss again? the question surfaced in him in alarm, but he replied firmly, What if I never see this place again? He pushed himself to the waterfall, and, with one final gather of all his resolve, he dove through.
There was a flurry of momentum back towards his body, and not enough awareness of the world he was actually in to grab onto. Evan flailed for the image of the goddess diving through the waterfall before him, over and over and over again, replaying the moment like a prayer to see him through to where he could find her on the other side.
He gasped deeply when he caught sight of a glimmer, and he reached for it, the sparkle dimly lighting a cave. The waterfall rumbled behind him, beckoning him back, but he pushed himself forward. The goddess was just up ahead, still wading through the water and all the desire that flowed with it. He reached out to her with his mind, wanting to assure her that he'd made it through, that he was coming, that he wanted them both to keep going. Clearly, this place was special--sacred--even moreso than the realm that lay downstream, and Evan yearned to know it, to help her know it, and to be here with her. He waded through the water as fast as he could, though the current was thick and persistent. He still felt flashes of the other realm calling to him, but it grew easier to focus his attention on the cave as he moved, and a growing excitement buzzed in him to find out more about where the goddess was taking him.
He felt the goddess look to him, and then her fingers entwine with his, and with them came the glowing sensations of the goddess' own awe of this place. He looked at her, his smile wide and bright and purely happy. For once in his life, he didn't feel a care in the world.
The goddess led him closer to the river, and he followed, ever letting his attention continue to bound and leap and play with the landscape around him. Once they stepped into it, though, the water--the light--the sensation of it flooded through him, and palpably reminded him of just how blissful his physical body must feel right now. He felt a strong pang to go back to it--could swear he did for a flash, the warm throb of his satisfaction echoing through his awareness--but he grasped more tightly to the goddess' hand here and tried to refocus on the landscape. A small jolt of fear traveled through him; he didn't want to be separated from her, and for a brief moment, he almost had.
It was easier once they were across the river, Evan's awareness more readily refocusing then on the grass and trees and stars, and the sound of the waterfall beckoning. He couldn't help paying extra attention to the goddess for a moment, worry radiating that she might have been disappointed by how much the river had affected him, even at that shallow crossing. She seemed content, though, perhaps curious, but not displeased. Evan willed the tightness he felt to relax, his awareness to expand again back into this world and their traversal through it.
He beheld the waterfall with awe as they approached, though a flicker of chartreuse in the air--the sky?--startled him. He looked quizzically to the goddess, but didn't quite catch what that was about before she let go of his hand and started to wade into the water. Evan started to feel tight and scared again, confused about the sudden conflict between wanting to cling to the land to confidently stay here, but also wanting to follow the goddess wherever she went. He watched her slowly sink deeper as she walked, her body becoming more palpable in this place, and he felt his heart start thumping. Some part of him did want to go back--to where his head lay on her chest, listening to her heart thump--but that seemed so childish in the face of the beauty before him, and he started to feel angry with himself for the desire.
It's safe to follow, the goddess assured him, only facing him long enough to convey her confidence in her expression as well as tone, before she turned back towards the waterfall, and Evan understood that his decision point was fast approaching.
Mustering his determination, Evan all but lunged forward into the water, bracing himself for the rush of warmth and touch and satisfaction that beckoned for his return. He focused in on the sight of the goddess diving through the waterfall, and tried to shut everything else out, though it pained him to do so. What if you never experience that bliss again? the question surfaced in him in alarm, but he replied firmly, What if I never see this place again? He pushed himself to the waterfall, and, with one final gather of all his resolve, he dove through.
There was a flurry of momentum back towards his body, and not enough awareness of the world he was actually in to grab onto. Evan flailed for the image of the goddess diving through the waterfall before him, over and over and over again, replaying the moment like a prayer to see him through to where he could find her on the other side.
He gasped deeply when he caught sight of a glimmer, and he reached for it, the sparkle dimly lighting a cave. The waterfall rumbled behind him, beckoning him back, but he pushed himself forward. The goddess was just up ahead, still wading through the water and all the desire that flowed with it. He reached out to her with his mind, wanting to assure her that he'd made it through, that he was coming, that he wanted them both to keep going. Clearly, this place was special--sacred--even moreso than the realm that lay downstream, and Evan yearned to know it, to help her know it, and to be here with her. He waded through the water as fast as he could, though the current was thick and persistent. He still felt flashes of the other realm calling to him, but it grew easier to focus his attention on the cave as he moved, and a growing excitement buzzed in him to find out more about where the goddess was taking him.
Re: Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
The goddess felt the weight of the waterfall the moment it hit her square on the back of her shoulders. She was thrown back into the sensation of her body with Evan, the way he lay within her, and she squeezed around him there, and the cave rumbled as she did so. The sound of that helped her focus, though, and she allowed the light of the water to caress her and force her further down into it's depths. Here, the water was deeper than the goddess' own tall frame, and she felt herself held and full and seen.
Up from under the waterfall and breathing the air again, Dehaljadrun looked around at the glimmering cave and smiled. They had made it here, and that really was something. Here, it was difficult to doubt Evan's ability to succeed in his mission for her. He would soon have seen both the gates to the Underworld and the gates to the upper realms in a span of days, and he was still here, eager for more. She looked back for him then, keeping apprised of his mental state as he urged himself forward.
He was going to make it through. She could feel it, and her chest lit up with happiness.
Turning back to face the cave wall ahead of her, she ached for what lay beyond it. She didn't remember much of it, but it was familiar all the same. With a profound sadness, the goddess decided not to get all the way out of the water. But, they could still wait out the rest of their bliss here, she consoled herself.
When Evan emerged, the goddess looked for his eyes, and with a heavy sigh, she moved toward him and grasped his shoulders where they stood in the waist-deep water. Her fingers caressed his neck and then reached back to tangle in his wet hair. She could not help but think about their earlier moments in the hot pools back at her realm, the way her hunger had put him at risk, how she had pulled away to protect him.
She didn't need to protect him here. Not now.
Reaching around his back with one hand to grasp the uppermost part of his naked thigh, she pulled him to her form in this place, echoing the sensations they felt in their bodies back on the lounge. Her mouth grew hungry for him again, and she trailed a line of kisses up the side of his neck, up around his ear, and through his hair. Then, pulling away to look squarely at him and grin, she pushed him backward into the water and dove to get on top of him, quickly pressing his shoulders to the rock bottom of the river cave's floor. She slipped her legs around him then and squeezed, holding tight with her arms also before she began thrashing her body--hips pushing one way while her shoulders pushed the other--to create something of a horizontal whirlwind of water around them with the two of them at the center. Water washed through, around, and between their bodies, filling and caressing any area they couldn't manage to touch themselves, all the while the potent call of their more physical bodies beckoned them back, back, back.
((OOC: She'll be head out of here and back into her body soon.))
Up from under the waterfall and breathing the air again, Dehaljadrun looked around at the glimmering cave and smiled. They had made it here, and that really was something. Here, it was difficult to doubt Evan's ability to succeed in his mission for her. He would soon have seen both the gates to the Underworld and the gates to the upper realms in a span of days, and he was still here, eager for more. She looked back for him then, keeping apprised of his mental state as he urged himself forward.
He was going to make it through. She could feel it, and her chest lit up with happiness.
Turning back to face the cave wall ahead of her, she ached for what lay beyond it. She didn't remember much of it, but it was familiar all the same. With a profound sadness, the goddess decided not to get all the way out of the water. But, they could still wait out the rest of their bliss here, she consoled herself.
When Evan emerged, the goddess looked for his eyes, and with a heavy sigh, she moved toward him and grasped his shoulders where they stood in the waist-deep water. Her fingers caressed his neck and then reached back to tangle in his wet hair. She could not help but think about their earlier moments in the hot pools back at her realm, the way her hunger had put him at risk, how she had pulled away to protect him.
She didn't need to protect him here. Not now.
Reaching around his back with one hand to grasp the uppermost part of his naked thigh, she pulled him to her form in this place, echoing the sensations they felt in their bodies back on the lounge. Her mouth grew hungry for him again, and she trailed a line of kisses up the side of his neck, up around his ear, and through his hair. Then, pulling away to look squarely at him and grin, she pushed him backward into the water and dove to get on top of him, quickly pressing his shoulders to the rock bottom of the river cave's floor. She slipped her legs around him then and squeezed, holding tight with her arms also before she began thrashing her body--hips pushing one way while her shoulders pushed the other--to create something of a horizontal whirlwind of water around them with the two of them at the center. Water washed through, around, and between their bodies, filling and caressing any area they couldn't manage to touch themselves, all the while the potent call of their more physical bodies beckoned them back, back, back.
((OOC: She'll be head out of here and back into her body soon.))
Re: Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
Evan was surprised when the goddess turned back towards him before they were even out of the water. What was this cave? Was there more to explore here? What if the current pulled them downstream? But nonetheless, elation washed through him as her fingers moved over his shoulders and his neck and into his hair, sending sparkling chills down his scalp and pulling forth echoes of her fingers pressing against his back in the other realm and the bliss that still radiated through him.
Then her hand graced down to his thigh and pull him even closer, and Evan gasped, suddenly feeling excitement spark in him again along with a wonderous albeit a little bit terrified curiosity--what would happen if they did the same thing again here? Could they? She kissed his neck and he let out a soft moan, rolling his head to allow her access as his own hands pressed against her hips and caressed over her back, his curiosity sparking wildly with each small movement.
But then all too soon, the goddess pulled away from him with a grin, and Evan only had a moment to wonder how worried he should be before the goddess pushed him off his feet and dove on top of him, shoving his shoulders down on the cave floor beneath the water. The memory of his dream echoed through his awareness, the way he'd sunk below water and breathed. That wasn't quite what was going on here, though, or at least, he couldn't bring himself to actually draw in a breath, not with the sensation of water so palpable; though there was a resonance, this place was quite a bit more vibrant than a dream.
So, instead, he flailed, however much the goddess' grasp would allow him. He didn't feel scared--certainly not as he had in the hot pool--but he did feel challenged. The call back to his body was powerful, only growing each moment he held his breath below the water, but he was determined to fight it. The goddess thrashed and moved them, dizzying his sense of direction altogether. He wasn't even sure if he was fighting for the cave air or its floor--towards deeper in or back towards the waterfall--but it didn't much matter. Really, he was simply fighting just to stay here for as long as he could, and he fought earnestly, though joy and exhilaration were at the center of his experience.
Finally, it was entirely too tempting to draw in a breath, and with it came the awareness of his body and the goddess' together on her lounge, their skin warm and nearly glowing everywhere they touched. He relished the feeling of the goddess' fingers on his back, faint tingles sparkling over skin to remind him of everything he'd just experienced. A pulse of awareness highlighted that he was still inside the goddess, and a soft elated gasp fell from his lips.
"Fuck," he whispered softly, almost just as a test--could he even speak? He could, but movement felt beyond him, so he simply marveled at the glimpse of her chest and her shoulder he could see. "What was that place?"
Then her hand graced down to his thigh and pull him even closer, and Evan gasped, suddenly feeling excitement spark in him again along with a wonderous albeit a little bit terrified curiosity--what would happen if they did the same thing again here? Could they? She kissed his neck and he let out a soft moan, rolling his head to allow her access as his own hands pressed against her hips and caressed over her back, his curiosity sparking wildly with each small movement.
But then all too soon, the goddess pulled away from him with a grin, and Evan only had a moment to wonder how worried he should be before the goddess pushed him off his feet and dove on top of him, shoving his shoulders down on the cave floor beneath the water. The memory of his dream echoed through his awareness, the way he'd sunk below water and breathed. That wasn't quite what was going on here, though, or at least, he couldn't bring himself to actually draw in a breath, not with the sensation of water so palpable; though there was a resonance, this place was quite a bit more vibrant than a dream.
So, instead, he flailed, however much the goddess' grasp would allow him. He didn't feel scared--certainly not as he had in the hot pool--but he did feel challenged. The call back to his body was powerful, only growing each moment he held his breath below the water, but he was determined to fight it. The goddess thrashed and moved them, dizzying his sense of direction altogether. He wasn't even sure if he was fighting for the cave air or its floor--towards deeper in or back towards the waterfall--but it didn't much matter. Really, he was simply fighting just to stay here for as long as he could, and he fought earnestly, though joy and exhilaration were at the center of his experience.
Finally, it was entirely too tempting to draw in a breath, and with it came the awareness of his body and the goddess' together on her lounge, their skin warm and nearly glowing everywhere they touched. He relished the feeling of the goddess' fingers on his back, faint tingles sparkling over skin to remind him of everything he'd just experienced. A pulse of awareness highlighted that he was still inside the goddess, and a soft elated gasp fell from his lips.
"Fuck," he whispered softly, almost just as a test--could he even speak? He could, but movement felt beyond him, so he simply marveled at the glimpse of her chest and her shoulder he could see. "What was that place?"
Re: Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
Glee shot through the goddess' chest at Evan's reaction. He was simultaneously as joyful as she was and determined to struggle. She kept spinning their bodies in the water, pulling him closer and closer as she did so, moving them faster and faster. She ached to press the full length of herself against him but clung to him as tightly as she could, happy beyond belief.
Soon, she felt Evan's lungs aching for air, and she knew they would both return to her realm before long. Finally, the goddess eased her thrashing and simply allowed the return to happen.
Fluidly, dizzingly, she slid back into her body back inside the palace, feeling the cushion of the lounge beneath her and the weight of Evan's body on top of her. She uncurled her fingers from his skin and drew her arms around him, appreciating the ways his head pressed into her shoulder and chest.
She squeezed his cock within her again, and though it was perhaps less rigid than it had been when they had begun, the sensation of it sending a fresh wave of delight through the whole of her.
"Evan..." She whispered quietly, the sound of his name like a prayer on her lips.
And then, she felt him stir. He was returning as well, and this both saddened and pleased her. She wished they could stay forever in that place, free from the bonds of her own sickly realm or the gravity of the human existence. But, neither of them could exist outside of context.
Fuck... he said finally, What was that place?
The goddess did not want to answer. She did not want to be candid with Evan about why she could not go further than the edge of that place. And yet, with Evan's naked body cradled on top of hers, she didn't want to keep anything from him.
"The entrance to the upper realms," the goddess said quietly, lovingly toward Evan's ear, her fingers caressing up and down his back. "When I told you they broke away... that wasn't altogether true. I was removed. And I presently have no idea how to return. I'm not allowed beyond the gates."
She hoped that would satisfy his curiosity. She didn't want to say more about what had occurred back then. It hurt to remember.
As an afterthought, with hints of heavy melancholy and a bitter laugh, the goddess said, "I'm an exile from all places except this one."
She continued stroking his back, closing her eyes to enjoy that, whatever else was true, what she had done with Evan had fully refreshed her magic. She was, for the moment, satisfied.
"Now do you understand why I would want others here with me?" she said rhetorically, her hands reaching once again around Evan's shoulders, pressing him further into her body, too full of bliss for the disembodied, piecemeal sob building in her chest to solidify.
Soon, she felt Evan's lungs aching for air, and she knew they would both return to her realm before long. Finally, the goddess eased her thrashing and simply allowed the return to happen.
Fluidly, dizzingly, she slid back into her body back inside the palace, feeling the cushion of the lounge beneath her and the weight of Evan's body on top of her. She uncurled her fingers from his skin and drew her arms around him, appreciating the ways his head pressed into her shoulder and chest.
She squeezed his cock within her again, and though it was perhaps less rigid than it had been when they had begun, the sensation of it sending a fresh wave of delight through the whole of her.
"Evan..." She whispered quietly, the sound of his name like a prayer on her lips.
And then, she felt him stir. He was returning as well, and this both saddened and pleased her. She wished they could stay forever in that place, free from the bonds of her own sickly realm or the gravity of the human existence. But, neither of them could exist outside of context.
Fuck... he said finally, What was that place?
The goddess did not want to answer. She did not want to be candid with Evan about why she could not go further than the edge of that place. And yet, with Evan's naked body cradled on top of hers, she didn't want to keep anything from him.
"The entrance to the upper realms," the goddess said quietly, lovingly toward Evan's ear, her fingers caressing up and down his back. "When I told you they broke away... that wasn't altogether true. I was removed. And I presently have no idea how to return. I'm not allowed beyond the gates."
She hoped that would satisfy his curiosity. She didn't want to say more about what had occurred back then. It hurt to remember.
As an afterthought, with hints of heavy melancholy and a bitter laugh, the goddess said, "I'm an exile from all places except this one."
She continued stroking his back, closing her eyes to enjoy that, whatever else was true, what she had done with Evan had fully refreshed her magic. She was, for the moment, satisfied.
"Now do you understand why I would want others here with me?" she said rhetorically, her hands reaching once again around Evan's shoulders, pressing him further into her body, too full of bliss for the disembodied, piecemeal sob building in her chest to solidify.
Re: Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
"The entrance to the upper realms."
The goddess' voice somehow sparkled in the air. Evan was simultaneously struck by the absurdity of the claim and absolute certainty in his core that it was true. He was too blissful to make any outwards responses to either sensation. The goddess' fingers caressed his back, reminding him of the caress of the river. Maybe he still was in that place, just the tiniest bit. He could swear he could see the glittering stars in the air, feel the water-light on his skin. He listened to her explain a little bit more about the upper realms--how she'd been exiled from them. A sadness settled in him, making him feel heavy. It wasn't altogether bad, though; mostly, it brought his attention more into the places his skin touched hers, the weight of his body against hers, the warmth of her still enveloping him. He wanted to sink into her, like somehow, that could fix everything.
"Now do you understand why I would want others here with me?"
A glimmer of confusion danced across Evan's awareness, somehow failing to recall the context he needed to make sense of the goddess' question. Maybe some part of him didn't want to think about the others that would soon be with her. A brief flash of jealousy did pulse through him as he found the context he'd briefly missed, but it had the pleasant effect of helping him find the strength to shift his weight on top of her, somehow managing to pull their bodies even closer together, finding even more skin to touch together. Still, a grumpiness was starting to diminish the blissful feeling of the river and the glimmer in the air. The more context came back to him, the harder it was to hold on to that lightness. Gods, there was still a fucking war to be won.
Evan felt the temptation to say something cruel, but he didn't let the words formulate. He didn't want this embrace to end that way. He did allow himself a soft groan, hinting at his rising displeasure, but by the time he spoke, he was able to do so with earnest curiosity.
"You can't get there with the men you take in their sleep?"
It was a guess, but one that Evan felt fairly confident in. He wasn't sure at all how he felt about the notion that she might do that with the volunteers, and so he buried that particular curiosity in his stomach. Of course he knew it was ridiculous to want a goddess all to himself--selfish, to want to keep such a breathtakingly magical experience as his own little secret--but he couldn't help the impulse.
The goddess' voice somehow sparkled in the air. Evan was simultaneously struck by the absurdity of the claim and absolute certainty in his core that it was true. He was too blissful to make any outwards responses to either sensation. The goddess' fingers caressed his back, reminding him of the caress of the river. Maybe he still was in that place, just the tiniest bit. He could swear he could see the glittering stars in the air, feel the water-light on his skin. He listened to her explain a little bit more about the upper realms--how she'd been exiled from them. A sadness settled in him, making him feel heavy. It wasn't altogether bad, though; mostly, it brought his attention more into the places his skin touched hers, the weight of his body against hers, the warmth of her still enveloping him. He wanted to sink into her, like somehow, that could fix everything.
"Now do you understand why I would want others here with me?"
A glimmer of confusion danced across Evan's awareness, somehow failing to recall the context he needed to make sense of the goddess' question. Maybe some part of him didn't want to think about the others that would soon be with her. A brief flash of jealousy did pulse through him as he found the context he'd briefly missed, but it had the pleasant effect of helping him find the strength to shift his weight on top of her, somehow managing to pull their bodies even closer together, finding even more skin to touch together. Still, a grumpiness was starting to diminish the blissful feeling of the river and the glimmer in the air. The more context came back to him, the harder it was to hold on to that lightness. Gods, there was still a fucking war to be won.
Evan felt the temptation to say something cruel, but he didn't let the words formulate. He didn't want this embrace to end that way. He did allow himself a soft groan, hinting at his rising displeasure, but by the time he spoke, he was able to do so with earnest curiosity.
"You can't get there with the men you take in their sleep?"
It was a guess, but one that Evan felt fairly confident in. He wasn't sure at all how he felt about the notion that she might do that with the volunteers, and so he buried that particular curiosity in his stomach. Of course he knew it was ridiculous to want a goddess all to himself--selfish, to want to keep such a breathtakingly magical experience as his own little secret--but he couldn't help the impulse.
Re: Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
The intertwining the two of them shared in the bliss of the waterfall was fading, evidenced by the flashes of jealousy that erected brief walls between the goddess' consciousness and Evan's such that she was painfully aware that they were, in fact, utterly distinct entities again. She couldn't blame him, and really, she was grateful that he hadn't pressed her in other, more painful ways. She didn't want to talk about the exile.
He did, however, shift and press more firmly into her body, the glory of his gravity made itself known all across her skin as though to claim her and every experience she could give him for his own. She couldn't say she minded the sensation.
Hearing Evan's groan so close to her ear pulled a mirth above the sadness in her chest. Yes, this was very much still the man who had summoned her, complete with the gall she admired so much. She was grateful he could not see her face as it broke into an unhindered smile.
The question he asked--you can't get there with the men you take in their sleep?--laced though it was with subtle barbs, made her sympathetic to Evan. He had so little context for what he meant to her--what anyone meant to her--and wouldn't she want some reassurance in his place.
"No, I can't," the goddess said simply, reaching one leg up around Evan's thigh, curling her toes under his other leg to maintain a hold on him and push him in deeper. "I can't get even remotely close." She wrapped her other leg around Evan and again pulled him closer once it was in position. Finally, she had mercy on him. "It was rare, what we just did, if not utterly exceptional."
The goddess stopped idly stroking Evan's back and used both arms to pull Evan closer to her, squeezing with all her limbs at once.
"If you survive me, this place, and the Underworld," the goddess began, pressing her hips up against Evan's with the leverage her legs gave her as she trailed kisses down the side of his face, "then I should very much like to keep you... in whatever capacity you should want me."
She thrusted once more for good measure, pulling him as close as her physical form would allow, before releasing him completely, limp for a moment before using all her weight to roll him off her, sitting on the edge of the lounge as she did so. The emptiness was painful, and some part of her was tempted to cry out, but it was preferable to dwelling on her own admissions. She comforted herself, knowing that there were a tremendous number of 'ifs' in her statement. And then, her eyes caught the toy horse she had placed on the shelf above them. How much of all that had Ponderance overheard, she wondered.
"For now," the goddess said without looking back toward Evan and shaking off thoughts of her son, "we have a cloak to make."
He did, however, shift and press more firmly into her body, the glory of his gravity made itself known all across her skin as though to claim her and every experience she could give him for his own. She couldn't say she minded the sensation.
Hearing Evan's groan so close to her ear pulled a mirth above the sadness in her chest. Yes, this was very much still the man who had summoned her, complete with the gall she admired so much. She was grateful he could not see her face as it broke into an unhindered smile.
The question he asked--you can't get there with the men you take in their sleep?--laced though it was with subtle barbs, made her sympathetic to Evan. He had so little context for what he meant to her--what anyone meant to her--and wouldn't she want some reassurance in his place.
"No, I can't," the goddess said simply, reaching one leg up around Evan's thigh, curling her toes under his other leg to maintain a hold on him and push him in deeper. "I can't get even remotely close." She wrapped her other leg around Evan and again pulled him closer once it was in position. Finally, she had mercy on him. "It was rare, what we just did, if not utterly exceptional."
The goddess stopped idly stroking Evan's back and used both arms to pull Evan closer to her, squeezing with all her limbs at once.
"If you survive me, this place, and the Underworld," the goddess began, pressing her hips up against Evan's with the leverage her legs gave her as she trailed kisses down the side of his face, "then I should very much like to keep you... in whatever capacity you should want me."
She thrusted once more for good measure, pulling him as close as her physical form would allow, before releasing him completely, limp for a moment before using all her weight to roll him off her, sitting on the edge of the lounge as she did so. The emptiness was painful, and some part of her was tempted to cry out, but it was preferable to dwelling on her own admissions. She comforted herself, knowing that there were a tremendous number of 'ifs' in her statement. And then, her eyes caught the toy horse she had placed on the shelf above them. How much of all that had Ponderance overheard, she wondered.
"For now," the goddess said without looking back toward Evan and shaking off thoughts of her son, "we have a cloak to make."
Re: Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
Evan felt the goddess’ leg wrap around his own and he couldn’t help tensing his hamstring in response, instinctively aware that the goddess’ motion might serve to trap him, however sensually. Not that he was particularly motivated to fight that right this moment, though; the way she squeezed his leg pushed their hips closer together—drew his length deeper into her, and his awareness back towards the flow of that river.
"No, I can't," she said, soothing his grumpiness somewhat with the simplicity of it. "I can't get even remotely close."
Evan closed his eyes as he felt her wrap her other leg around him too, a soft moan rolling languidly from his throat as he let himself be enveloped, sinking into her and letting himself melt into the sensation, even if some small prickle of fear danced down his back. So what if she had him pinned here? Where in the fuck else would he rather be?
"It was rare, what we just did, if not utterly exceptional."
An exhale escaped him, rather more close to a soft sob than he cared for. Embarrassment bloomed in him as he realized she really was soothing him, but he couldn’t deny that he was grateful, even if a slimy sense of being selfish or even pathetic was starting to coat the bottom of his stomach. It didn’t have time to settle, though; the goddess squeezed him entirely, her whole body wrapped around and dare he say cherishing him, and then she surprised him with a trail of kisses down his face, bringing back the sensation of shimmers across his skin and in the air around him. It lightened his mood again, and he wondered with awe whether he'd be able to hold onto these phantom glimmers even once they separated, though the mere thought of separation tore at his chest.
He realized the goddess had spoken again, but before he could parse her words she thrust her hips against him, and he moaned again as he gladly sank into the sensation, eager to leave the thought of separation behind. So, naturally, no sooner had he released it than the goddess did separate from him, embarrassingly easily rolling him over on the chaise and then pulling away from him, drawing another soft exhale of a sob from his lips as he sat up, absently-mindedly reaching towards her before he caught himself and balled his fists on his knees, embarrassment blooming again in the wake of his gesture. Along with it was some fluttery feeling in his stomach, rising to his chest now that he sat upright, and drawing his attention back to the goddess’ words.
"If you survive me, this place, and the Underworld," she’d said as she’d kissed him, "then I should very much like to keep you... in whatever capacity you should want me."
Evan’s face was hot with blush, his body heavy with the lonesomeness of touching only the chaise below him, his skin starting to remember the slight chill of the air around them. He looked to the goddess nervously, his chest now buzzing with excitement and uncertainty as he contemplated her words. He was unspeakably thrilled—relieved, really—that she wouldn’t necessarily be done with him once their deal was complete. But what in the world would it mean to be ‘kept’ by a god? Surely she didn’t just mean as a volunteer like the rest?
"For now, we have a cloak to make."
Right. Evan’s lungs pushed out a breathy laugh, his expression banishing his embarrassment and collecting together a cocky grin. It was time to get to business again. His chest still felt unsteady, but he tensed himself around it as he started to stand up. He very nearly made a quip about whether the goddess had any dry clothes he could wear, when he remembered creating his new sword the previous night. Granted, the thought came with some fluster and irritation—it was Raccoon’s fault that Evan hadn’t brought it with him tonight—but he set that aside as best he could, and focused on whether he thought he could do something similar with a new outfit to wear. He knew the goddess had been in him last time, and maybe he’d need her to do it, but… surely it wouldn’t hurt to try?
To wit, maybe it hadn’t just been the goddess, but the river. And wasn’t the air around him still shimmering, if he looked at it the right way? Maybe it was all in his head, but maybe a lot of this was.
With a serene sigh, Evan closed his eyes and pictured his outfit—figured he may as well go with something familiar to make it easy—but, obviously, dry, and clean and in that stage where he’d worn it just enough to start feeling genuinely comfortable. His shirt hadn’t collected any tears yet; the seams of his pants were still tight and solid; and his boots had shaped to his feet, but the surface of the leather was still crisp and strong, the soles even and ready for action. He beckoned—practically begged—the river he remembered flowing around him to flow in that direction, to bring the threads he bid and clothe him, to dampen the chill on his skin and prepare his body to face whatever was next. He couldn’t help a flicker of an exited smirk as he wondered what the goddess would think if he succeeded, but tried to keep his ego in check before he actually got any results.
((OOC: I suspect this attempt would only last a few moments, but long enough for Dehaljadrun to likely get up to something before he decides whether it seems like it’s working or not. Obvs we are unattached to whether or not he succeeds.))
"No, I can't," she said, soothing his grumpiness somewhat with the simplicity of it. "I can't get even remotely close."
Evan closed his eyes as he felt her wrap her other leg around him too, a soft moan rolling languidly from his throat as he let himself be enveloped, sinking into her and letting himself melt into the sensation, even if some small prickle of fear danced down his back. So what if she had him pinned here? Where in the fuck else would he rather be?
"It was rare, what we just did, if not utterly exceptional."
An exhale escaped him, rather more close to a soft sob than he cared for. Embarrassment bloomed in him as he realized she really was soothing him, but he couldn’t deny that he was grateful, even if a slimy sense of being selfish or even pathetic was starting to coat the bottom of his stomach. It didn’t have time to settle, though; the goddess squeezed him entirely, her whole body wrapped around and dare he say cherishing him, and then she surprised him with a trail of kisses down his face, bringing back the sensation of shimmers across his skin and in the air around him. It lightened his mood again, and he wondered with awe whether he'd be able to hold onto these phantom glimmers even once they separated, though the mere thought of separation tore at his chest.
He realized the goddess had spoken again, but before he could parse her words she thrust her hips against him, and he moaned again as he gladly sank into the sensation, eager to leave the thought of separation behind. So, naturally, no sooner had he released it than the goddess did separate from him, embarrassingly easily rolling him over on the chaise and then pulling away from him, drawing another soft exhale of a sob from his lips as he sat up, absently-mindedly reaching towards her before he caught himself and balled his fists on his knees, embarrassment blooming again in the wake of his gesture. Along with it was some fluttery feeling in his stomach, rising to his chest now that he sat upright, and drawing his attention back to the goddess’ words.
"If you survive me, this place, and the Underworld," she’d said as she’d kissed him, "then I should very much like to keep you... in whatever capacity you should want me."
Evan’s face was hot with blush, his body heavy with the lonesomeness of touching only the chaise below him, his skin starting to remember the slight chill of the air around them. He looked to the goddess nervously, his chest now buzzing with excitement and uncertainty as he contemplated her words. He was unspeakably thrilled—relieved, really—that she wouldn’t necessarily be done with him once their deal was complete. But what in the world would it mean to be ‘kept’ by a god? Surely she didn’t just mean as a volunteer like the rest?
"For now, we have a cloak to make."
Right. Evan’s lungs pushed out a breathy laugh, his expression banishing his embarrassment and collecting together a cocky grin. It was time to get to business again. His chest still felt unsteady, but he tensed himself around it as he started to stand up. He very nearly made a quip about whether the goddess had any dry clothes he could wear, when he remembered creating his new sword the previous night. Granted, the thought came with some fluster and irritation—it was Raccoon’s fault that Evan hadn’t brought it with him tonight—but he set that aside as best he could, and focused on whether he thought he could do something similar with a new outfit to wear. He knew the goddess had been in him last time, and maybe he’d need her to do it, but… surely it wouldn’t hurt to try?
To wit, maybe it hadn’t just been the goddess, but the river. And wasn’t the air around him still shimmering, if he looked at it the right way? Maybe it was all in his head, but maybe a lot of this was.
With a serene sigh, Evan closed his eyes and pictured his outfit—figured he may as well go with something familiar to make it easy—but, obviously, dry, and clean and in that stage where he’d worn it just enough to start feeling genuinely comfortable. His shirt hadn’t collected any tears yet; the seams of his pants were still tight and solid; and his boots had shaped to his feet, but the surface of the leather was still crisp and strong, the soles even and ready for action. He beckoned—practically begged—the river he remembered flowing around him to flow in that direction, to bring the threads he bid and clothe him, to dampen the chill on his skin and prepare his body to face whatever was next. He couldn’t help a flicker of an exited smirk as he wondered what the goddess would think if he succeeded, but tried to keep his ego in check before he actually got any results.
((OOC: I suspect this attempt would only last a few moments, but long enough for Dehaljadrun to likely get up to something before he decides whether it seems like it’s working or not. Obvs we are unattached to whether or not he succeeds.))
Re: Part 1 (Start Reading Here)
The goddess stood shortly after speaking, the chill of the room starting to seep back into her body. She resisted the urge to pull her arms around herself--she wanted Evan's warmth again. But, getting tangled up with him again so immediately wouldn't help either of them. The goddess gently shook out her hair as it fell with its loose waves back into place, and she was just about to decide on something to wear when she caught a glimpse in the back of her mental awareness of a pull on her magic. While there was an ever-present but distant thrum of magic used by fae and djinn that Dehaljadrun had grown accustomed to, this pull on her magic--on the magic of the realm--was more immediate. In fact, it felt as though it were right in the room with her.
Snapping back around, the goddess looked at Evan and saw shadows of his army-issue clothing--granted in better condition than she had ever seen it--appearing over his exposed muscular body. At first, she relaxed into a smirk, satisfied both that he remembered the sensation of manifestation so well as to try it himself and that he had the confidence to give it a go without help or suggestion. It was impressive and unexpected. But, the goddess also didn't want it to go to his head and so forced a disinterested frown onto her face.
Waving her hand and with a tiny mental release, she allowed the clothing to finish manifesting on his body. "You couldn't manage something more interesting?" Despite her goading, she didn't want him to get carried away with using her magic this way--it was bad enough to share it with the other creatures of her realm--but she liked the idea of Evan having at least some capacity to surprise her. It had been a long time since anyone had managed that.
She couldn't keep the disappointment on her face, though. Their entwining in the river was too recent for that. A smile broke across her features, and she nearly stepped forward to embrace him, but given her own nakedness and his now clothed form, the thought was less appealing. Instead, to make a point, the goddess closed her eyes for a moment and imagined an elaborately patterned traveling suit. It shimmered up one leg, sheer behind sparse shimmering purple and burgundy brocades that grew more dense and complicated as they wound up toward her hips and up nearly to her breasts. After cinching around her waist, she created a billowing burgundy shirt with long sleeves that tucked neatly into the pants. At the wide neckline of the shirt, her unrestricted breasts threatened to spill out. Nothing about the garments restricted her movement, and the colors would camouflage perfectly into the greater landscape. Lastly, flexibly sturdy sandals laced themselves to her feet.
The goddess opened her eyes and raised an eyebrow at Evan. In all honesty, she was impressed herself with the roguishness of the outfit she had come up with. She couldn't deny that whomever she was with impacted what she even wanted to manifest, but this style was certainly a novelty. Some girlish part of her wondered if Evan would like it, but it was obvious that he would. It had come, at least indirectly, from his own imagination.
Dehaljadrun shook her head softly and slowly then, the waves of her hair falling across the front of her shoulders. "After going to all that trouble to replenish me..." She decided not to finish the sentence. Evan would understand the weapon she had given him or he wouldn't. She didn't need to spell it out for him. After a moment, she walked over and grasped the amulet she had emptied to protect Evan and put it on. She was grateful that Samael's magic was almost completely gone from it. Regardless, it would prove useful later.
Snapping back around, the goddess looked at Evan and saw shadows of his army-issue clothing--granted in better condition than she had ever seen it--appearing over his exposed muscular body. At first, she relaxed into a smirk, satisfied both that he remembered the sensation of manifestation so well as to try it himself and that he had the confidence to give it a go without help or suggestion. It was impressive and unexpected. But, the goddess also didn't want it to go to his head and so forced a disinterested frown onto her face.
Waving her hand and with a tiny mental release, she allowed the clothing to finish manifesting on his body. "You couldn't manage something more interesting?" Despite her goading, she didn't want him to get carried away with using her magic this way--it was bad enough to share it with the other creatures of her realm--but she liked the idea of Evan having at least some capacity to surprise her. It had been a long time since anyone had managed that.
She couldn't keep the disappointment on her face, though. Their entwining in the river was too recent for that. A smile broke across her features, and she nearly stepped forward to embrace him, but given her own nakedness and his now clothed form, the thought was less appealing. Instead, to make a point, the goddess closed her eyes for a moment and imagined an elaborately patterned traveling suit. It shimmered up one leg, sheer behind sparse shimmering purple and burgundy brocades that grew more dense and complicated as they wound up toward her hips and up nearly to her breasts. After cinching around her waist, she created a billowing burgundy shirt with long sleeves that tucked neatly into the pants. At the wide neckline of the shirt, her unrestricted breasts threatened to spill out. Nothing about the garments restricted her movement, and the colors would camouflage perfectly into the greater landscape. Lastly, flexibly sturdy sandals laced themselves to her feet.
The goddess opened her eyes and raised an eyebrow at Evan. In all honesty, she was impressed herself with the roguishness of the outfit she had come up with. She couldn't deny that whomever she was with impacted what she even wanted to manifest, but this style was certainly a novelty. Some girlish part of her wondered if Evan would like it, but it was obvious that he would. It had come, at least indirectly, from his own imagination.
Dehaljadrun shook her head softly and slowly then, the waves of her hair falling across the front of her shoulders. "After going to all that trouble to replenish me..." She decided not to finish the sentence. Evan would understand the weapon she had given him or he wouldn't. She didn't need to spell it out for him. After a moment, she walked over and grasped the amulet she had emptied to protect Evan and put it on. She was grateful that Samael's magic was almost completely gone from it. Regardless, it would prove useful later.