Even as he stepped forward toward the enormous tree hollow before him, catching glimpses of innately dyed tapestries and fountains of steaming water, Novelty could not help but glance once more at the goddess, at her tendrils wrapping and squeezing around Evan, at the magnetic pull she seemed to have over the volunteers who had remained in her proximity. Did Novelty want to be there? And, if he genuinely did want to walk away, would the others be all right?
Somehow, Novelty didn't think Evan would give up without more of a fight, and though Novelty was under no assumptions that they would be safe here, exactly, he didn't get the impression the goddess intended to hurt them. What she did by accident, however, was another matter.
Novelty was grateful when Philip stepped forward to join him in the exploration, bolstering his own resolve as he turned again to face the absolute wonder in front of him.
The whorls on the outer wood of the tree--or maybe multiple trees joined together--took Novelty's breath away just by themselves. As he approached and placed a gentle hand against the dark wood, unlike any kind of wood he had encountered before, the smooth surface was warm to the touch, almost as if glowing with some dark light Novelty could not see. He gently ran his fingers down one side of the entrance's archway, looking back at Philip with awe.
Inside, steaming pools of water flowed down from oversized tree limbs into yet more pools on other levels--the sound of gently trickling waterfalls was music in its own right, though it did not completely drown out the sound of moans and exclamations from whatever was going on outside.
In the center, there were giant flowering succulents, dark and twisted like the wood of the palace but with their own kind of temptation, their bright pink centers glowing and almost reaching toward the palace's guests. And, above them, grass tapestries depicting ornate scenes--a circle of beings with the goddess in the center, some kind of animal's eye, two bodies intertwined in a river, a dragon holding a small human.
Some of the people depicted looked surprisingly like Evan, but Novelty thought that couldn't possibly be correct. Hadn't the goddess only just met Rutliff? Why would she have tapestries of him? No, these had to have been from long ago, he thought. Perhaps the goddess simply had a type.
Turning back to Philip, Novelty asked softly, gently so as to not disturb the man, "Is this... is this where you were before?"
Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
It was staggeringly difficult to leave the goddess--to walk away from the opportunity to touch her again, to be touched by her, to lose himself in her--but it also felt monumentally important that he did. His wounds were still fresh, made all the more tender by the tendril she had ensared him with. Had ensnared them all with. She was still the same goddess, after all. Still hungered for the same things. He worried for the soldiers who remained behind, perhaps most especially Chris*--had he truly fully gotten a choice in that?--but he could not take on their burdens on top of his own. Finch* and Trevor* and Holloway all certainly made their own choices there, and Rutliff--well, Philip hadn't the stamina to look at that for too long.
In any case, Novelty was honestly enchanting in the way that he beheld the palace before him, caressed his fingers over the wood of the tree. In truth, Philip felt a little unmoored by the palace--nagged by some sense of incomprehension as to why the goddess had made such a drastic change--but it helped to see it through fresh eyes, take in the wonder free from the lens of what had been before. Novelty looked back toward Philip with awe, and it filled him with warmth. Was it too terribly selfish, to be so grateful that this other soldier was here with him? To take so much comfort in the presence of someone he really only barely knew?
Well, there was Chloe*, also, exploring in some similar ways, with Nick* somewhat following her lead, by the look of it. Philip had very mixed feelings that she was here. They had taken comfort in each other's presence in the past, certainly, but it was always in a context that made no sense to him, here. It was difficult not to feel shame when he looked at her, and confusion about just why she had come. All at once, her attention shifted from the streams of water back toward the clearing behind them, some sound or another having caught her attention. She looked curious, but with an undeniable tension of consternation in her features. Philip could not bring himself to look back to see what she was seeing. Instead, he brought his attention back to Novelty.
He was beholding the tapestries, which filled Philip with new layers of discomfort. He didn't like being depicted, but he liked Rutliff being depicted even less. At least she had not depicted what had happened among the three of them.
"Is this..." Novelty spoke softly to Philip, "is this where you were before?"
Philip furrowed his brow a little, unsure how to immediately answer.
"It's as though she rebuilt the whole palace since I was here," he said after a moment. "It was quite different before, though I'm sure we are in the same place."
((OOC: I thiiiink Philip would use last names for * people, but I can't bring myself to remember/look them up lol. Buuut, I'm torn on Nathan and Chloe actually. Maybe especially Chloe? idk. For now using first/last names with little rhyme or reason because I can't figure out the rhyme/reason right this moment lol.))
In any case, Novelty was honestly enchanting in the way that he beheld the palace before him, caressed his fingers over the wood of the tree. In truth, Philip felt a little unmoored by the palace--nagged by some sense of incomprehension as to why the goddess had made such a drastic change--but it helped to see it through fresh eyes, take in the wonder free from the lens of what had been before. Novelty looked back toward Philip with awe, and it filled him with warmth. Was it too terribly selfish, to be so grateful that this other soldier was here with him? To take so much comfort in the presence of someone he really only barely knew?
Well, there was Chloe*, also, exploring in some similar ways, with Nick* somewhat following her lead, by the look of it. Philip had very mixed feelings that she was here. They had taken comfort in each other's presence in the past, certainly, but it was always in a context that made no sense to him, here. It was difficult not to feel shame when he looked at her, and confusion about just why she had come. All at once, her attention shifted from the streams of water back toward the clearing behind them, some sound or another having caught her attention. She looked curious, but with an undeniable tension of consternation in her features. Philip could not bring himself to look back to see what she was seeing. Instead, he brought his attention back to Novelty.
He was beholding the tapestries, which filled Philip with new layers of discomfort. He didn't like being depicted, but he liked Rutliff being depicted even less. At least she had not depicted what had happened among the three of them.
"Is this..." Novelty spoke softly to Philip, "is this where you were before?"
Philip furrowed his brow a little, unsure how to immediately answer.
"It's as though she rebuilt the whole palace since I was here," he said after a moment. "It was quite different before, though I'm sure we are in the same place."
((OOC: I thiiiink Philip would use last names for * people, but I can't bring myself to remember/look them up lol. Buuut, I'm torn on Nathan and Chloe actually. Maybe especially Chloe? idk. For now using first/last names with little rhyme or reason because I can't figure out the rhyme/reason right this moment lol.))
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
It took Philip a moment but finally said, "It's as though she rebuilt the whole palace since I was here. It was quite different before, though I'm sure we are in the same place."
Novelty nodded and turned back to look up at the tapestries. If the goddess had remade the palace, then perhaps it was Rutliff up there in a stained glass sort of way. What had he done in the past few days to so earn the goddess' favor? It was a wonder to Novelty, one he decided he would ask Evan about.
If palaces were so easy to make and remake, was this a dream? No, this was real. He could feel the pull of the fabric against his hips--that was undeniable.
There were many rooms behind the grand staircases, and Novelty looked at his company before he went off toward the right and ducked his head into one. It was glowing with a gentle light from the inside of the tree itself and held several more large, dark plants with enormous leaves as well as a large bed piled with what looked like soft blankets. Novelty laughed a little to himself, the bed alone proving to be a dramatic temptation given all the times Novelty had slept on his bedroll in a dorm tent.
Was it a trick? A trap to steal his soul forever? But, no, surely the goddess intended them to sleep somewhere. She knew humans needed to sleep, right? Of course she did--she was the goddess of dreams.
Novelty looked at Philip, aware of the implications he might gently be making, but moved on to the next room. It was similar, though with different plants and other ornate fabrics. The next room was much the same. The room at the back of the tree, however, was much, much larger, and the bed was at least three times as large as any of the others. Red, orange, and purple tapestries draped over the bed in sultry patterns, criss-crossing each other and rousing the blood in Novelty's body. He realized he wasn't prepared to go in there just yet--he had only narrowly avoided the goddess earlier, and he still wanted to hold onto his own resolve, at least for now.
Coming back into the main area, Novelty admired the water and the way it was diverted underneath the tree, curious about where it might go afterward and deciding he might follow it in the coming days. When he put his hand tentatively into the water, it was delightfully warm, and if Novelty hadn't recently been washed and oiled, he might have taken off the cloth still pulling attention toward his hips and gotten in. For now, he looked to his companions, curious about what had captured their attention.
Novelty nodded and turned back to look up at the tapestries. If the goddess had remade the palace, then perhaps it was Rutliff up there in a stained glass sort of way. What had he done in the past few days to so earn the goddess' favor? It was a wonder to Novelty, one he decided he would ask Evan about.
If palaces were so easy to make and remake, was this a dream? No, this was real. He could feel the pull of the fabric against his hips--that was undeniable.
There were many rooms behind the grand staircases, and Novelty looked at his company before he went off toward the right and ducked his head into one. It was glowing with a gentle light from the inside of the tree itself and held several more large, dark plants with enormous leaves as well as a large bed piled with what looked like soft blankets. Novelty laughed a little to himself, the bed alone proving to be a dramatic temptation given all the times Novelty had slept on his bedroll in a dorm tent.
Was it a trick? A trap to steal his soul forever? But, no, surely the goddess intended them to sleep somewhere. She knew humans needed to sleep, right? Of course she did--she was the goddess of dreams.
Novelty looked at Philip, aware of the implications he might gently be making, but moved on to the next room. It was similar, though with different plants and other ornate fabrics. The next room was much the same. The room at the back of the tree, however, was much, much larger, and the bed was at least three times as large as any of the others. Red, orange, and purple tapestries draped over the bed in sultry patterns, criss-crossing each other and rousing the blood in Novelty's body. He realized he wasn't prepared to go in there just yet--he had only narrowly avoided the goddess earlier, and he still wanted to hold onto his own resolve, at least for now.
Coming back into the main area, Novelty admired the water and the way it was diverted underneath the tree, curious about where it might go afterward and deciding he might follow it in the coming days. When he put his hand tentatively into the water, it was delightfully warm, and if Novelty hadn't recently been washed and oiled, he might have taken off the cloth still pulling attention toward his hips and gotten in. For now, he looked to his companions, curious about what had captured their attention.
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Chloe was not entirely taking in the sights around her, not at first. She was awash with such strange intense feelings, the deep contrast of the wonder and magic of the goddess' welcome with the confusion and despair that the goddess' tendril had pulled through her before they parted ways. She felt out of place, alien, not entirely in her body. But, that was an absurd state to be in here, wasn't it? Slowly, Chloe paid more and more attention to the beauty of the palace around her, and began to ponder the relationship between these majestic trees and the flower that the goddess had grown, and serenity and curiosity at last began to suffuse her again.
As she took in more of her surroundings, she noticed Novelty and Lieutenant Pemberley heading toward some back rooms. Briefly, she wondered about following, but then a whim struck her to look back toward the group who had remained with the goddess, her curiosity at last prepared to assess what was actually happening there--and not actually prepared to leave whatever that experience was entirely.
The interactions of the goddess and the volunteers who had remained with her were intriguing and strange to her. It wasn't just sexual--in fact, at first glance, she wasn't even entirely sure that it was sexual at all. But it was passionate, she supposed. Visceral, primal--there seemed to be a lot of biting involved, and she did feel a strange sense of curiosity in her jaw, a small yearning to bite into something just to see what it felt like, in this context that she had never put it in before.
Nick was nearby, following perhaps a similar trajectory to Chloe. It was oddly comforting not being the only audience member, so to speak. Chloe wondered if Nick also felt a little out of place, but there was no sense of urgency to know. It was just one mystery among a million others that she would be exploring here, and she was feeling more grounded and steady in that as more time passed by. Chloe did not understand at all what the tendrils had been about, though it seemed like Captain Rutliff had understood. Maybe Lieutenant Pemberley even did, although he seemed to feel very differently about it - closer to how Chloe had felt.
The scene out in the meadow had shifted to something that looked more straightforwardly sexual, the goddess straddling Lieutenant Holloway's hips while the others gathered around in various ways. There was a small tug of envy, or maybe just melancholy; a sadness that Chloe just wasn't sure she would ever fully understand this thing that seemed to hold such power for so many others.
And then, there was a light. It pulsed through the meadow, filling the encircling trees with fresh life. Chloe herself felt a jolt of warmth and excitement, some spark of oh, THAT. Whatever that was.... Chloe might be able to understand. It filled her with a gentle hope. It even almost called her back in, her curiosity growing to try to participate, to understand, but she knew she was not ready. But, she was more enraptured with watching now, having something to look for. And in that, she could start to make out patterns of flow in their movements, in the places they touched one another, and how it rippled into their surroundings. Eventually, she realized she could even feel the ripples in herself, perhaps as though she were one of the trees around the meadow, and she closed her eyes, basking in the vivacity that began to tingle at her skin and warm her blood. Life.
And then, all at once, Chloe felt a bright burst of light on her skin, and a shuddering rush of aliveness flow through her. She hugged herself, caressed her shoulders and upper arms, and swayed her body to feel her spine in motion and the braids of her clothing gently shifting over her skin. Silent tears wet her cheeks, relief and wonder spreading through her, and it was almost hard to believe that she had felt so strange and alone not long before. Hadn’t a great many people helped her with her offering? Hadn’t she and Nick already exchanged sweet sensations with each other in his offering? Hadn’t the goddess already shown her wondrous magical things to explore?
Chloe allowed soft sobs to begin bubbling up from her, bringing even more of her muscles to life deep within her. She could hear Nick making similar sounds near her, although, with a brief laugh mixed in, she wondered if he had ever really stopped crying since they arrived.
((OOC: I guess, I don’t have a solid grasp on the timing of Novelty’s explorations compared to the story arc out in the meadow. Philip might eventually come hug Chloe after she starts crying, I think, but up until then I think he’s mostly following Novelty around, appreciating piggy-backing on his lens of exploration.))
As she took in more of her surroundings, she noticed Novelty and Lieutenant Pemberley heading toward some back rooms. Briefly, she wondered about following, but then a whim struck her to look back toward the group who had remained with the goddess, her curiosity at last prepared to assess what was actually happening there--and not actually prepared to leave whatever that experience was entirely.
The interactions of the goddess and the volunteers who had remained with her were intriguing and strange to her. It wasn't just sexual--in fact, at first glance, she wasn't even entirely sure that it was sexual at all. But it was passionate, she supposed. Visceral, primal--there seemed to be a lot of biting involved, and she did feel a strange sense of curiosity in her jaw, a small yearning to bite into something just to see what it felt like, in this context that she had never put it in before.
Nick was nearby, following perhaps a similar trajectory to Chloe. It was oddly comforting not being the only audience member, so to speak. Chloe wondered if Nick also felt a little out of place, but there was no sense of urgency to know. It was just one mystery among a million others that she would be exploring here, and she was feeling more grounded and steady in that as more time passed by. Chloe did not understand at all what the tendrils had been about, though it seemed like Captain Rutliff had understood. Maybe Lieutenant Pemberley even did, although he seemed to feel very differently about it - closer to how Chloe had felt.
The scene out in the meadow had shifted to something that looked more straightforwardly sexual, the goddess straddling Lieutenant Holloway's hips while the others gathered around in various ways. There was a small tug of envy, or maybe just melancholy; a sadness that Chloe just wasn't sure she would ever fully understand this thing that seemed to hold such power for so many others.
And then, there was a light. It pulsed through the meadow, filling the encircling trees with fresh life. Chloe herself felt a jolt of warmth and excitement, some spark of oh, THAT. Whatever that was.... Chloe might be able to understand. It filled her with a gentle hope. It even almost called her back in, her curiosity growing to try to participate, to understand, but she knew she was not ready. But, she was more enraptured with watching now, having something to look for. And in that, she could start to make out patterns of flow in their movements, in the places they touched one another, and how it rippled into their surroundings. Eventually, she realized she could even feel the ripples in herself, perhaps as though she were one of the trees around the meadow, and she closed her eyes, basking in the vivacity that began to tingle at her skin and warm her blood. Life.
And then, all at once, Chloe felt a bright burst of light on her skin, and a shuddering rush of aliveness flow through her. She hugged herself, caressed her shoulders and upper arms, and swayed her body to feel her spine in motion and the braids of her clothing gently shifting over her skin. Silent tears wet her cheeks, relief and wonder spreading through her, and it was almost hard to believe that she had felt so strange and alone not long before. Hadn’t a great many people helped her with her offering? Hadn’t she and Nick already exchanged sweet sensations with each other in his offering? Hadn’t the goddess already shown her wondrous magical things to explore?
Chloe allowed soft sobs to begin bubbling up from her, bringing even more of her muscles to life deep within her. She could hear Nick making similar sounds near her, although, with a brief laugh mixed in, she wondered if he had ever really stopped crying since they arrived.
((OOC: I guess, I don’t have a solid grasp on the timing of Novelty’s explorations compared to the story arc out in the meadow. Philip might eventually come hug Chloe after she starts crying, I think, but up until then I think he’s mostly following Novelty around, appreciating piggy-backing on his lens of exploration.))
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Philip was quick in step behind Novelty as he explored the various rooms and the stream, which kicked Novelty's heartbeat up each time he caught Philip out of the corner of his eye. He didn't want that to hasten his exploration, however, and Philip didn't seem particularly eager toward having a private reenactment of whatever was going on outside. Glancing back toward the palace entrance, it was clear that Chloe and Nick had not fully left that unfolding scene, their eyes fixed on whatever the six of them were doing in witness. Novelty could imagine it to some degree, though thoughts of Evan's speech about the ways the goddess would redefine pleasure did echo in his mind. Did he really know what he was missing out on there?
But, surely, there would be time, and Novelty was loathe to leave Philip alone. Soon, Novelty suspected, the two of them would need to be more self-reliant, but they had only just arrived--they were still learning the ins and outs of this place. Exploring up the staircase, Novelty appreciated the many pools and was curious about the mechanisms by which the water got up here in the first place. It appeared to be coming out of the tree in two places. Gravity, perhaps? Would that be enough? Turning to go back down the stairs, Novelty caught, out of the corner of his eye, a nook where Raccoon was securely curled up and sleeping. Not one of the beds? Novelty thought, amused. But perhaps Raccoon did not want to worry about being disturbed. Who knew what all had happened in the day since Raccoon had stepped through his portal. Had they already had their fill of the goddess, all on their own?
That thought quickened Novelty's breath as he looked at Philip and back down the stairs. Having the goddess to himself, understand and explore her--that was really the reason that Novelty wanted to step away. He didn't want to rush into that moment either.
As they began walking back down the stairs, a pulse of whitish purple light ran the length of the meadow outside, and Novelty looked up to see the trees responding to it--growing, even taller, if Novelty had to guess. The light had certainly come from the direction of the noises in the meadow, and Novelty wondered if that was its origin. A longing pulled itself from his chest, and Novelty looked at Philip again, wanting comfort or contact or... something. But what would the man be comfortable with? And would he be comfortable doing it with the potentiality of an audience?
He signed up for this just as much as you did, a voice said in Novelty's mind, but that didn't mean that Novelty needed to be the one to spring something onto Philip. They could also take their time.
But, by the time they got to the bottom of the stairs, Novelty realized he was trembling. Perhaps it was just the chill in the air, but his mind also supplied images of the people he had left behind, and he wondered briefly if he had made the right decision. Of course he had, he reasoned, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to experience grief.
"Would you be willing to..." Novelty said before he was quite sure what he was about to ask, "...put your arms around me, just for a moment?"
But, surely, there would be time, and Novelty was loathe to leave Philip alone. Soon, Novelty suspected, the two of them would need to be more self-reliant, but they had only just arrived--they were still learning the ins and outs of this place. Exploring up the staircase, Novelty appreciated the many pools and was curious about the mechanisms by which the water got up here in the first place. It appeared to be coming out of the tree in two places. Gravity, perhaps? Would that be enough? Turning to go back down the stairs, Novelty caught, out of the corner of his eye, a nook where Raccoon was securely curled up and sleeping. Not one of the beds? Novelty thought, amused. But perhaps Raccoon did not want to worry about being disturbed. Who knew what all had happened in the day since Raccoon had stepped through his portal. Had they already had their fill of the goddess, all on their own?
That thought quickened Novelty's breath as he looked at Philip and back down the stairs. Having the goddess to himself, understand and explore her--that was really the reason that Novelty wanted to step away. He didn't want to rush into that moment either.
As they began walking back down the stairs, a pulse of whitish purple light ran the length of the meadow outside, and Novelty looked up to see the trees responding to it--growing, even taller, if Novelty had to guess. The light had certainly come from the direction of the noises in the meadow, and Novelty wondered if that was its origin. A longing pulled itself from his chest, and Novelty looked at Philip again, wanting comfort or contact or... something. But what would the man be comfortable with? And would he be comfortable doing it with the potentiality of an audience?
He signed up for this just as much as you did, a voice said in Novelty's mind, but that didn't mean that Novelty needed to be the one to spring something onto Philip. They could also take their time.
But, by the time they got to the bottom of the stairs, Novelty realized he was trembling. Perhaps it was just the chill in the air, but his mind also supplied images of the people he had left behind, and he wondered briefly if he had made the right decision. Of course he had, he reasoned, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to experience grief.
"Would you be willing to..." Novelty said before he was quite sure what he was about to ask, "...put your arms around me, just for a moment?"
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Philip took comfort in continuing to follow Novelty's explorations, getting his bearings in this new palace with company that soothed him. Novelty took them up the stairs, marveling at the pools of water that made their way down to the ground, and Philip at last began to appreciate the sights for himself to some degree. He could not deny that he liked the gently glistening water, and the welcoming wood of the trees. In many ways, once he got past the newness of it, he actually found this palace to be more pleasing to him than the first, though it was difficult to say how much that was thanks to being able to behold this one with his own eyes, his own body, his own sense of agency as he moved throughout.
In fact, there came a moment when he realized that he was not quite following Novelty's lead anymore, when he felt Novelty's gaze on him and realized the soldier was already at the top of the stairs to go back down. Philip was not far behind, but had simply dawdled near one of the pools, getting lost in his ponderings as he'd gazed at it. Novelty was easy to shift his attention to, however; there was an alluring quality to his gaze--not beckoning, but feeling, something, and allowing Philip to see it plainly, even if Philip could not exactly identify what it was. Philip only knew that he wanted to step closer to Novelty again to bask in it.
As Novelty began to lead the way down the stairs, a pulse of whitish purple light lit the meadow outside, and Philip shuddered. He couldn't help the tug of envy and longing he felt, memories rippling through him of sensations he had felt with her before that he could only describe as light, and he couldn't deny that he missed them. This light seemed different, though, he realized, though he couldn't quite explain it. There was a sense of awe that it seemed to carry, sparking some small, timid, genuine curiosity about just what exactly the group out in the meadow was getting up to.
Novelty easily captured his attention with another gaze, though, this time with even more gravity than the last. This time, Philip felt a tug of longing from Novelty, filling him with warmth. But, Novelty continued down the stairs before acting, and Philip respectfully followed suit. And yet, Philip watched as the man before him subtly began to tremble in his movements, and finally Novelty asked him, "Would you be willing to... put your arms around me, just for a moment?"
Something about Novelty's tone, or perhaps just the sweetness of the question, or perhaps the million other things that Philip was feeling distantly about being back in this place and the goings-on in the meadow, brought a sheen of tears to Philip's eyes, and he nodded, slowly stepping toward Novelty in a gentle approach. He wanted to give the man time to change his mind, but while keeping a steady approach so that Novelty did not doubt his desire to follow through. Sensing no waver in Novelty's interest, Philip did indeed close the gap between their bodies, wrapping his arms with a gentle firmness around the man to hold him close. He wasn't sure exactly what it was that Novelty was experiencing, but he felt a great deal of hopefulness that he could offer comfort by fulfilling this request, and that was something he was elated for the chance to indulge in.
In fact, there came a moment when he realized that he was not quite following Novelty's lead anymore, when he felt Novelty's gaze on him and realized the soldier was already at the top of the stairs to go back down. Philip was not far behind, but had simply dawdled near one of the pools, getting lost in his ponderings as he'd gazed at it. Novelty was easy to shift his attention to, however; there was an alluring quality to his gaze--not beckoning, but feeling, something, and allowing Philip to see it plainly, even if Philip could not exactly identify what it was. Philip only knew that he wanted to step closer to Novelty again to bask in it.
As Novelty began to lead the way down the stairs, a pulse of whitish purple light lit the meadow outside, and Philip shuddered. He couldn't help the tug of envy and longing he felt, memories rippling through him of sensations he had felt with her before that he could only describe as light, and he couldn't deny that he missed them. This light seemed different, though, he realized, though he couldn't quite explain it. There was a sense of awe that it seemed to carry, sparking some small, timid, genuine curiosity about just what exactly the group out in the meadow was getting up to.
Novelty easily captured his attention with another gaze, though, this time with even more gravity than the last. This time, Philip felt a tug of longing from Novelty, filling him with warmth. But, Novelty continued down the stairs before acting, and Philip respectfully followed suit. And yet, Philip watched as the man before him subtly began to tremble in his movements, and finally Novelty asked him, "Would you be willing to... put your arms around me, just for a moment?"
Something about Novelty's tone, or perhaps just the sweetness of the question, or perhaps the million other things that Philip was feeling distantly about being back in this place and the goings-on in the meadow, brought a sheen of tears to Philip's eyes, and he nodded, slowly stepping toward Novelty in a gentle approach. He wanted to give the man time to change his mind, but while keeping a steady approach so that Novelty did not doubt his desire to follow through. Sensing no waver in Novelty's interest, Philip did indeed close the gap between their bodies, wrapping his arms with a gentle firmness around the man to hold him close. He wasn't sure exactly what it was that Novelty was experiencing, but he felt a great deal of hopefulness that he could offer comfort by fulfilling this request, and that was something he was elated for the chance to indulge in.
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Philip blinked, his body utterly still since Novelty had turned around to look at him. After Novelty spoke, Philip's eyes filled with water, though it didn't fall. The man nodded, taking slow steps toward Novelty to close the distance. Seeing Philip hesitate several times, raising an eyebrow slightly to give Novelty the chance to change his mind, only strengthened Novelty's resolve. He absolutely wanted this.
He wouldn't have felt comfortable doing this in the middle of the army camp, in front of Philip's soldiers. But they genuinely weren't soldiers anymore, not here, not any of them. Philip was leaning easily into that. Or perhaps, since he had returned from Dehaljadrun's realm the first time, Philip had never really been one.
That thought made Novelty shiver as Philip pulled Novelty close, their bare chests making contact. It also reminded Novelty of the thousand tingling sensations below his belt, his excitement swelling without thought.
Tears sprang to Novelty's eyes easily, his relief undeniable. Gods, had he really wanted comfort so badly?
A lot has happened, he thought.
And he allowed himself to think of yesterday when they had looked for the flowers together, the flowers that were now tattooed to Novelty's skin. He would never, ever forget that memory for as long as he lived. Or the way Serio had decorated him. Or the goddess he now served.
Gods, yes.
He wouldn't have felt comfortable doing this in the middle of the army camp, in front of Philip's soldiers. But they genuinely weren't soldiers anymore, not here, not any of them. Philip was leaning easily into that. Or perhaps, since he had returned from Dehaljadrun's realm the first time, Philip had never really been one.
That thought made Novelty shiver as Philip pulled Novelty close, their bare chests making contact. It also reminded Novelty of the thousand tingling sensations below his belt, his excitement swelling without thought.
Tears sprang to Novelty's eyes easily, his relief undeniable. Gods, had he really wanted comfort so badly?
A lot has happened, he thought.
And he allowed himself to think of yesterday when they had looked for the flowers together, the flowers that were now tattooed to Novelty's skin. He would never, ever forget that memory for as long as he lived. Or the way Serio had decorated him. Or the goddess he now served.
Gods, yes.
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Philip felt a subtle shiver pass through Novelty--or maybe through himself--as their bare chests came to rest against one another, Philip's arms applying a gestle pressure across Novelty's back. There was a brief moment in which he felt absolutely blissful, beyond happy to be offering this simple comfort to someone who had been a great comfort to him. Guilt started to creep in, though, and cloud the sensation. It wasn't the all-consuming cloud it would have been the day prior, however. He grieved that he was not--that he could not be--the man he felt his fiancee deserved, but he had already broken from that path. If he was to be reunited with her in some distant future, it would be through this maze of trial and indulgence he'd entered since the goddess had come into his dreams. And if he was not to be... well, then there was no use resisting this path that fate had set him on.
With a soft sigh, Philip relaxed, sinking a little more deeply into the embrace that he and Novelty shared. He wasn't just providing comfort now, but receiving it. Feeling the man breathe against him, gently shifting his fingers to knead very lightly at Novelty's skin. Opening himself to the experience, he was surprised by a lightness--a miraculousness, almost--that they could have this moment, here amidst the uncertainty of just arriving, the chaotic energy of whatever was happening out in the meadow, the great unknowns that lay before them. This moment of peace was not something that Philip had expected to experience, certainly not so soon after the turmoil that had plagued him in the preceeding days. He was grateful beyond words to Novelty for helping him find his way to this feeling, this openness, this acceptance. He hoped, silently, that his fingers gently massaging Novelty's skin might somehow convey the sentiment.
With a soft sigh, Philip relaxed, sinking a little more deeply into the embrace that he and Novelty shared. He wasn't just providing comfort now, but receiving it. Feeling the man breathe against him, gently shifting his fingers to knead very lightly at Novelty's skin. Opening himself to the experience, he was surprised by a lightness--a miraculousness, almost--that they could have this moment, here amidst the uncertainty of just arriving, the chaotic energy of whatever was happening out in the meadow, the great unknowns that lay before them. This moment of peace was not something that Philip had expected to experience, certainly not so soon after the turmoil that had plagued him in the preceeding days. He was grateful beyond words to Novelty for helping him find his way to this feeling, this openness, this acceptance. He hoped, silently, that his fingers gently massaging Novelty's skin might somehow convey the sentiment.
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
The gentle pressure of Philip's arms against his back soothed him, and Novelty's eyes continued their silent waterfall, his gratitude pouring out of him. He didn't want to feel alone, here of all places, and it was good to have at least one touchpoint to fall back on in the rush of all this newness. He felt Philip stiffen, though, and Novelty wondered if he had done something to make the man uncomfortable--his tears, maybe? Or perhaps it was the swelling below the belt he couldn't quite help from being noticeable between them. Just as Novelty was tempted to shift the hug somehow, whether to reposition his legs or pull out of it entirely, Philip sighed and softened again, his muscles less tense even than in their initial contact.
The change only made Novelty cry more, his gratitude profuse and seemingly unending. Despite all his lovers and dalliances in the army and the towns they had visited, Novelty hadn't made time for this kind of comfort, and somehow the need for it was pouring out of him all at once. Maybe because that phase of his life, of well and truly being a spy and a soldier, had finally come to an end. He wouldn't go back the same person, if he went back at all. There was grief, and there was relief, and there was profound excitement about what was to come.
His loins swelled again as Philip's hands began to knead at the backs of his shoulders, inviting the hug to last longer than it might have otherwise. Novelty pressed his fingertips into Philip's back as well, not moving but grasping deeply without using his nails. He was clinging to Philip now, at least for this moment. Novelty would have a new identity to discover here--a new life entirely--but Philip felt sure. Philip felt certain. He wasn't going anywhere. Neither of them were.
Novelty's right hand reached up closer to the back of Philip's neck, holding there with a gentle intimacy that Novelty hoped conveyed the depth of his interest in Philip. For Novelty at the very least, this was surpassing dalliance. Maybe that's what they had been yesterday, but something new was emerging between them, and Novelty could barely wait to make out the shape of it.
The change only made Novelty cry more, his gratitude profuse and seemingly unending. Despite all his lovers and dalliances in the army and the towns they had visited, Novelty hadn't made time for this kind of comfort, and somehow the need for it was pouring out of him all at once. Maybe because that phase of his life, of well and truly being a spy and a soldier, had finally come to an end. He wouldn't go back the same person, if he went back at all. There was grief, and there was relief, and there was profound excitement about what was to come.
His loins swelled again as Philip's hands began to knead at the backs of his shoulders, inviting the hug to last longer than it might have otherwise. Novelty pressed his fingertips into Philip's back as well, not moving but grasping deeply without using his nails. He was clinging to Philip now, at least for this moment. Novelty would have a new identity to discover here--a new life entirely--but Philip felt sure. Philip felt certain. He wasn't going anywhere. Neither of them were.
Novelty's right hand reached up closer to the back of Philip's neck, holding there with a gentle intimacy that Novelty hoped conveyed the depth of his interest in Philip. For Novelty at the very least, this was surpassing dalliance. Maybe that's what they had been yesterday, but something new was emerging between them, and Novelty could barely wait to make out the shape of it.
Re: Novelty, Philip, Chloe, and Nick Explore the Goddess' Palace
Novelty's fingers gently pressed into Philip's own skin, and the sensation beckoned tears to finally fall from Philip's eyes in small, serene trickles upon his cheeks. There was a growing awareness of the cloth the goddess had draped over his hips--the sensation never fully abated, of course, but a gentle pulsing backdrop to what he'd been exploring. There was an additional pressure there now, though--from Novelty, Philip realized. His breath grew subtly heavier, recalling the moment he had beheld Novelty's length erect in the moonlight the previous night.
One of Novelty's hands moved up to Philip's neck, and a small shiver passed through Philip's body--ripples of emotion and arousal mixing together within him. There was a temptation toward the arousal--pulling back to kiss Novelty, maybe; perhaps even reaching down to touch the growing buldge beneath the goddess' cloth. He breathed through it, though, wanting to hold on to something different. There would be plenty of opportunity for that sort of indulgence in this place, and this seemed a precious space to focus elsewhere. So, Philip moved his own hand up to Novelty's neck, gently mirroring the man's gesture. And then, still yearning for something more, he placed a warm kiss in Novelty's hair. A small flicker of embarassment did briefly tighten Philip's chest--was that too sentimental a gesture for how little he really knew this man?--but he let it pass, resolving to trust that it would convey what was true and present in this moment, and nothing more.
One of Novelty's hands moved up to Philip's neck, and a small shiver passed through Philip's body--ripples of emotion and arousal mixing together within him. There was a temptation toward the arousal--pulling back to kiss Novelty, maybe; perhaps even reaching down to touch the growing buldge beneath the goddess' cloth. He breathed through it, though, wanting to hold on to something different. There would be plenty of opportunity for that sort of indulgence in this place, and this seemed a precious space to focus elsewhere. So, Philip moved his own hand up to Novelty's neck, gently mirroring the man's gesture. And then, still yearning for something more, he placed a warm kiss in Novelty's hair. A small flicker of embarassment did briefly tighten Philip's chest--was that too sentimental a gesture for how little he really knew this man?--but he let it pass, resolving to trust that it would convey what was true and present in this moment, and nothing more.