middaeg | (closed)

[ this. was a risk and probably no one in their right mind would be willing enough to try it without nerves grating and stomachs in a twist. kaede had come across perhaps the worst person to settle a question in practice, but the best when it came to getting to a point and making sure she was safe right in a sea of danger. eren was willing to become that danger as his neck snakes, swallows back any underlying unease as the scaling down his throat ignites underneath his hide like magma cracking out of ashen earth— it rises high until his maw bares heat that would melt even unready metals.

his jaws open wide, and immediately from it is an eruption of fire, hurling to consume the chimera standing there. ride or die, right? ]

[Of the ideas Kaede had, this was...probably not the best. Actually definitely not the best. But testing herself piecemeal only to find the enchantments failed when called to real action and her hands scorched when she needed it most--that was worse.

It was awfully hard to stay focused on that when she felt heat prickle her face, the roiling fireball rushing at her. She had quieted the Bond, as she had when she'd gotten these tattoos--that spike of animal fear from the Monsters in her head would have been impossible to ignore otherwise. The Chimera raised her arm to shield her eyes, rooting her claws into the ground to stop her instinct to dash away--and the flames rolled over her.

It was hot, as far as her senses could perceive it before it began bleeding over into pain. But it curiously never did, jaggedly butting up against some resistance. Kaede didn't dare open her eyes, but couldn't smell the scent of soot or burning--just fire and heated air, breathed shallowly into the lungs.

What the wards didn't protect against was oxygen deprivation, though. Her head felt fuzzy and too light after a moment that seemed to last for an age in the stream of fire. Kaede's mouth opened to tell Eren so, but no words followed.

She staggered out of the flames, wheezing for fresh air--but unburnt, save for a few smoldering threads of the coarse hem and a dulling of some of her tail feathers. Both aegishjalmr were alight, glowing flame-red--and a full third of their points had gone dark, their energy extinguished. Dragonfire had a bit more punch than what they were intended to ward against.]

[ at least— it worked? by the time eren’s jaws tie down and the flames die with it, nothing terribly alarming was in the air in terms of scent. she gasped for it, but as eren picks up the pace to meet her, the sound would likely stabilize and her lungs would be full. smoke would be a given, and carbonized earth anywhere behind her . . . some obstacles were no longer in sight, only black and smaller licks of flame in the place of destruction. the small pile of his own ash was distinct, and nothing burned with the aroma of another body being crisped. maybe the beginning of a few feathers taken out of harms way in time. as embers dissipate and fly off with the breezes into nothing, eren settles his skull in proximity with her body. he was still hot, but not profusely, and his snout bumps into her belly to feel her heart and her chest expanding properly. ]

Looks like it could even take more. [ the enchantment worked for the most part. still bright, depleted for a second round, but— at least they know. relief swells in the dragon’s chest, as does the confidence of knowing it would work (believing, rather, and running the risk of not). ] Not a burn on you.

[Considering the two options were "nothing" and "fire and noisy immediate death," this had gone astonishingly well. Her skin was still flushed pink, some feathers still dulling and fraying at the ends, but Kaede was unharmed, if dreadfully inconvenienced. For now.

She felt something press into her stomach, felt Eren's breath puff against her--it felt like a cooling breeze, after all that. She rested a hand on the Dragon's muzzle, steadying herself more than she liked as the world came back into focus and the bitter taste of adrenaline dwindled away. The Chimera was still gulping in big gasps of fresh air and her pulse was understandably drumming faster than usual.

But she was definitely still alive. She checked.

Kaede's thoughts caught up eventually (what the hell did I just do?!), and she glanced at the circles still glowing on her arms. They had been quite visibly drained, but still had some magic glow to them.

She still shuddered at the thought of doing this again, her feathers rousing all at once before lying flat. Almost flat.]

No-- [a fit of coughs. The heat left her throat so dry and crackly any word she said came out as a croak.] --thank you.

[That's maxed her entire quota of bad decisions for the week.]

[ he could laugh at that if he were mean enough. instead, his tongue flickers against her belly indiscriminately; it didn’t take away the base scent of honeysuckle on her, the enchantment had very well kept all of her from evaporating— feather dust was a little stronger, given the heat.

he doesn’t seem to care that such a massive blue tongue is tickling her a second time. ]

Let’s get you inside, [ he’ll decide, lowering further if she could manage to crawl onto his crystal horns. he’s made it easier to. ] and get those off.

[ the clothes. they could take a sand bath . . . ]

[As the giddy rush of adrenaline faded, the crazed butterfly dance in her stomach dissipating and the shivers going out of her limbs, Kaede felt far more like herself. She wasn't tired, and it felt unfair to just leave after such a brief session. Eren hadn't really gotten to do much, and she hadn't actually sparred with him.

But it was...a successful mission, relatively. Kaede wasn't dead, Eren wasn't Distressed, and Inkchanted had another credential to add to its tattoo catalogue. She had extreme doubts the enchantment would work for any longer than this--but in case of accidents, and for protecting her hands from her own burning claws, it was more than sufficient.

The Chimera cast a glance behind her, at the scorched-black scar on the ground, the charred husks where training dummies used to be, and muttered, quietly, "fuck."

And was doubly, triply glad Ursula didn't know what she was doing out here on the training grounds.

She saw a flicker of blue in her peripheral vision, but didn't glance away yet. The second time his tongue flicked against her she wriggled, a little bit. That tickled and it was hard to keep her focus on other things that weren't the damp smear Eren's tongue left behind on her shirt.

She shook her head to clear out its cobwebs, shook out her feathers one more time to clear away the dust and ashes, and turned back to face the dragon properly.]

Yeah. That's a better idea.

[Kaede quelled the shivers in her hands, and pulled herself up, over Eren's horns, to seat herself more comfortably between them all. Perhaps an odd sort of chair, but not too bad as long as she didn't sit on any spiny frills.]

[She is going to protest being naked in sand though.]

[ sparring now could lead to more burning, and the enchantment wearing off at a bad time. maybe some, inside? maybe, when he’s less of a giant. would they have gotten scolded by their bonds? more likely, but eren would care just a little less for it, now. what’s done is done, and with success, no less. he just needed to get, ah— his things. poncho, pants, belonging bag. the dragon curls his things into the digits closer to his thumb, and carries them off this way, as he dragged himself on all limbs.

with her right between his horns, where his spines are the most flexible and flattened, eren carries them both off to the inside of the coven. luckily, the doors and ceilings are high, while the halls were large— it could fit him as well as some of the larger turnskins at full shift.

(though he will argue sand and dust over water, at least once.) ]

You’ve ever taken dust baths before?

[Kaede swayed a little as Eren shifted, her tail curling one way and then another to keep her balance. Her grip on his horns relaxed as she settled into the pattern of his paces; it was like a nice little throne up here.

The Dragon's presence caused a little bit of a stir, but Kaede took little notice of the people leaning in from hallways or classrooms to get a glimpse. As long as they didn't linger too long--Kaede glared at them if they did.

Her response to Eren was much less abrasive.]

Uh. No, not really.

[Was that another thing she should be doing? She'd...considered it, after watching birds do it. It seemed like a handy way to clean all her feathers at once, instead of picking over them one at a time. But it also seemed rather silly, and Kaede was far too paranoid about witnesses noticing her doing the silly thing.]

Edited 2020-02-26 18:25 (UTC)

[ perhaps he was either used to the stares by now, or so focused on what he did that he doesn’t particularly give them his attention, by any means. if there were people he’d been familiar with (alissa moore, for example, and her puca bonded who’s name escapes me), his tongue would flick and find them, he offers a nod that looks more like a dip in his entire neck, a quick glance given to them at most before continuing on his way.

staring upwards, at the chimera settled between his horns like she’d found a large, comfy chair to watch their surroundings from. there’s one particular set of doors that swing of pressed into— all eren needs to do is push his snout through to make way for the bathing halls. every kind of monster bath you can think of, and usually made for two in each room. ]

You could give it a try after water. [ or maybe before, and, considering her feathers, ] You might not want anything else.

[ of course she could still wash up, but eren could dream. ]

[The Chimera's ears twitched back when a Puca was one person who confronted them (she had one bad time with them and now they were everywhere, why this). Or, well, greeted. Kaede said nothing until they were away, with the bathhouse walls between them and further interference or prying eyes.

She hadn't forgotten the other thing Eren had asked. There was a bit of a rumble edging her voice as she relaxed as she reclined on the crown of horns.]

I don't know about that. Could be messy.

[She tapped her claws against one of the crystalline structures, like audible punctuation.]

Dust first, then shower.

[ that wasn’t a no, which was the most important answer to take note of. eren dips his head into a bow once his talons click on soap stones made to soak up moisture from dripping bodies. there’s a dust box in the room, as there was an open bath already filled with water and warm to the touch.

it’s steamy here, but a pleasant kind that manages to warm the lungs and keep the inclosure stuffy-free. the slant is a gesture for her to slide off, when ready. ]

I’ll take that. [ and, setting his things away, dropping them close to the rack of towels, soaps and oils: ] I’m going to need some room.

[ to, you know. peel himself like an orange. ]

Edited (dreamwidth why?!) 2020-03-01 01:52 (UTC)

[She's just thinking of how to get the least amount of unpleasant gritty things near sensitive areas! Dust liked to stick to wet things.

This was nice, though. The heat and sweat from the adrenaline had long since dried, leaving her surprisingly cold again. Kaede's feathers relaxed halfway into a contented puff, and she slid off of the Dragon's head without complaint. It was difficult not to climb in the bath immediately, but--she should wash herself first. There was a guest and Kaede wasn't a complete gremlin. Most of the time.

The Chimera scooted closer to the wall where he had put his things, fiddling with the vest's fastenings. The flames seemed to have gotten them a bit stuck, and prying them open took a bit of effort. But not so much that she had to look away from this process.]

That enough?

[ kaede will regret having manners in less than two minutes. with a slow bob of his head, eren steps backwards only until where his tail had to curve into the wall behind him. lifting himself up to his hind legs made him even more massive than he was, easily reaching the ceiling and needing his neck to snake lower to fit. all he needed was . . . the intent, and when such things came to mind, the muscle that made him whole began to feel like it slacked. he felt too large for himself, and it felt too hot in this husk.

that was where he knew he could begin; eren’s talons dig into his belly, and subsequently do his jaws. hide shreds and flesh follows in chunks, strips and more. some larger than others, splattering and being thrown onto the floor only to immediately steam as his titan body would have. pieces after piece, muscle after muscle gets forcibly removed from his skeleton, where the dragon occasionally grunts and whines where nerves still connected. a smaller frame appears beneath it all eventually, from boney masks and meaty structures until what remains is his usual height, size and shape— only profusely wet, from his own fluids, of some blood and fae too much heat.

the rest would evaporate, only leaving behind large, heat resistant plates that were adult cousins to the scales that dawn him now. a little weak in the legs, but, ]

Th, [ a breath ] There.

[ and he throws himself, more like a rag doll, into one of the baths. all gross. he should’ve washed himself off too. ]

[Jesus Christ, Eren.]

[Kaede had finally picked free the stuck fastening, and was halfway to opening the second vest button before her focus completely derailed. It was...fascinating, and disgusting, and she started more than a few times at the whimpers of pain she heard. At first she thought he was eating himself, like a snake going after its own tail.

Now she felt bad asking him to do all that twice.

Before she could get close enough to see if Eren needed help, the last bit of flesh and scale came away, and Eren hurtled himself right over the side into the dust bin.

After the first plume of sand settled, Kaede leaned over the side of the sand tub with a concerned noise.]

...are you okay?

[ there will be dust sticking to wet places they shouldn’t. oh, he’s caked. absolutely caked and a little slimy (plenty slimy), with a cloud of dust bursting up and simmering down in little particles. whatever floats down, sticks. ]

Just wet. [ at least the dust soaks it up like a sponge, but it’s still honestly . . . an ugly mess to clean up after. steam begins to build from the evaporating flesh until all seems like thick, hot mist, the room’s filter perhaps too small to rid them of everything at once. and since laying on his back is almost like doing bridges, he’s going to flip himself over, like a burger. booty up, face flat, and muffled against a pressed cheek he adds: ] Too many layers.

[ a wet cough barrels here; was he talking about himself or how long it took kaede to undress? ]

[She's gonna dump a bucket of water on him later. Don't be gross, Eren.

Seeing the muscles of his back was...distracting. But Eren spoke up before she got too sidetracked.

Kaede huffed.]

I'm getting there.

[She took the "clothes were the problem" approach. Buttons undone! Skirt off! She barely felt the change in temperature as she folded them away.

Finally, the Chimera steps into the sand. It was much...smoother than she thought, powder soft. She still wasn't a fan of getting it near anywhere sensitive, but it felt like passing her fingers through silk. The Chimera laid her tail on the surface next, swished it about--the sand had no problems sinking into the feathers. Water took a few more seconds than that.

Encouraged, perhaps too much, Kaede gets...a little carried away, ruffling all her feathers in the sand at once and getting it everywhere.

She only remembered Eren was there when she turned to look over her shoulder--and froze, mortified there was a witness.]

...don't laugh.

Edited 2020-03-12 18:13 (UTC)

[ he’s watching from the corner of his eye, lucid membranes sliding across it to keep up with her stripping. something to detract him from choosing to move and laying there, instead, slow, fuller blinks coming to follow her decent to the satin bed beneath them. if anything had changed in eren’s observations, it’s staring harder, with wide eyes. eyes, now. he’s turned his head further, and rought his arm to secure it in place enough like a cushion. yes, he saw everything, and there are no regrets. once it was stated: it is illegal to be that cute. ]

I wouldn’t. [ why would he laugh! why would he laugh when his body trembles, his muscles flex and contract rapidly until he’s sinking. there is only a head left, with horns, and a spinous tail weaving in and out of the sandy spa. ] Would you?

[ YOU WERE SAYING ]

[The Chimera still huffed, sulking close to the surface of the sand with her feathers all bristled out like she could stop him from seeing anything that way. Being naked around him wasn't the problem, it was, just. Ugh. He saw her being embarrassing. This was terrible.]

I would--n't...? [her voice drags out the word] How did you do that?

[...he just. Vanished?? Wings and back and all, though his head and tail were still plainly visible. Against her better judgement, the Chimera rose to crouch on four feet, and put a hand over the sand Eren had buried himself in. It felt warm, but not as warm as the Dragon's skin. How far down did he go?? Her own paws, still feathered for walking over the winter's snow, didn't sink very far unless she started wiggling her toes. Her other hand sank up to the wrist, but the powder compacted down after that.

While Kaede was touching where Eren had been a few seconds ago, even her bristled up feathers didn't hide the third tattoo of hers; a length of chain, pointedly snapped and broken inscribed onto her side. There was enchantment there, but it was dormant right now.]

[ she asks the difficult questions. how did he do that? his body just— wiggled. wiggled fast. like it knew what to do to cover himself and he simply allowed himself to go on autopilot for .5 seconds. ]

—I don’t know. [ mysterious— although he wasn’t so unused to feelings and knowledge being passed down from person to person. he wonders if dragons, monsters, they’re all the same way or if the simple answer is just instinct.

the sand slopes where his shoulders should be as she tried herself, grains beginning to cascade of his scales as he rose, not above trying it again— though the ink on her frame catches his eye, and his talon whisks just above the skin there. ]

What’s this one?

[There was still bare skin where his claw stroked, and that over Kaede's ribcage was sensitive and ticklish. She shivered a little, her answer briefly delayed and distracted.]

It has a chain breaking enchantment in it. So those spells old Dorchacht used won't work.

[Mostly. She hasn't stress tested that yet. But it was a fairly hefty enchantment, to counter her Chimeraic weaknesses.]

[ now, that’s interesting. interesting and smart. eren gives it one more look of approval before resting on his elbow, turning to her,

I hope it works. [ not wanting to be pessimistic unless it was already tested , but unless it was, he’d have a step behind on trusting fully in magic. ] Chains don’t suit anyone, much less you.

[ in fact, with that one dream in mind— he never wants to see it again, and settles sideways against the sand with a lower lean to kaede, all sticking to his scales but easily brushed off when his tail slithers over his legs and drapes off. ]

Hm. [Kaede hummed, an amused noise with a deeper rumble underneath.] Do you say that to everyone?

[She was making light of it--but she never wanted to experience that wretchedness again.

But, there were more pleasant things to think about. Like someone she'd invited into her space being so close to her. The Chimera's tail brushed over Eren's, in line with the spines so none of her feathers snagged.]

[ this felt like a trick question you see people ask their casual lovers, one causes eren’s lips to split into just a small crack. just enough. ]

I’m not so kind.

[ said just as lightly, but with grim depth to his meaning, one that could be left out, today, when his smile fades and even with the momentary drift of thoughts, to what would happen to those who deny him his own freedom (sure death), eren’s attention returns in a blink of his eye’s membranes when tail sifts to tail.

he had stopped for a moment, seeming to drift across the sand to close up the little space they had to simply lay close to her, his back up and his body basking and rippling in the velveteen sand. his talons card for her feathers, giving them effortless, lazy seeming ruffles. just dusting her up, giving her the equivalent of a rub down with a bar of soap, all while his tail does some experimenting. it does not wrap for anything, but slithers instead for her to whisk and tickle between his thorns.

it makes him catch his breath, hold it, and attempt to continue as normal. ]

[The Chimera's rumbles grew louder, the vibrations echoing through the compacted sand beneath her as much as the space between them. The very small space. Kaede only had to extend a clawed hand just a little to brush her fingers along his collarbone--and she did, tracing the smooth side of it over the seam.]

I must be special, then.

[She closed her eyes against the fall of sand, though her ear still twitched after the sounds. The powder-soft sand felt like a gentle caress on bare skin and fur and feather alike, and Kaede arched her back appreciatively under Eren's touch. This wasn't so uncomfortable after all.

She also heard that little hitch in his breathing, and one of her eyes lazily peeked open. What made that happen, she wondered. The Chimera's tailtip flicked and curled again, still weaving between Eren's spines. Some of the larger feathers caught on one occasionally, but the sharp points only passed harmlessly through the vanes like a coarse comb.]

[ mm, he hums, but a hum that cracks. there’s prickly protection surrounding it for a reason, it seems, and not just to look baneful. the sides to his tail are thickly plated, and along with the thorns were strong weapons when used together. the thin line on the top that created a track along any dorsal scales were perceptive of touch if anyone had the patience and guts to try it. kaede has both, and means to sidestep any natural blockades when feathers cleanse the spots that may even seem soft. acute to the right sort of handling, the muscle slowly ripples along his tail and slinks into a slow delving coil— not without additional reactions.

he relaxes rather than tenses, his shoulders roll as he goes from simple carding to an almost sensual massage underneath her fur and down. perhaps to the scalp now, behind her ears, talons careful but fingerpads far from really holding back on pressure. his breathing had changed, the way he sighs is different, and the way his scales begin to fix to bright hues was a hint. this was a little more than touching. she’s the first, and he’ll allow the exploration with guiding words. ]

Try— lower.

[ like that, was already. wow, but where did it feel better? he never touched his own tail this way to find out. ]

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