Well, that isn't a good sign

[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn froze, violet eyes narrowing as she took in the caves and tunnels around her. She was at the center of a crossing, different tunnels leading out of the circular room, looking much like the center of a wheel. She was not far from the mines but far enough that no one wanted to come with her while she explored the disturbance she felt in the air down here. It was a sensation that no one who spent much time on the surface would be sensitive to and it was something that as a Drowess, hailing from the Underdark, she would have been the most privy too.

She assumed the rest of the reason the crew hadn’t come with her was because they preferred being in the open seas and the tunnels and caves were a feeling of claustrophobia. Despite their needing supplies for the ship, they remained at the entrance of the mines, instead letting the drowess go off by herself to investigate. The air never moved, it was hot and stuffy and there was a constant feeling of being slowly suffocated while dozens of pairs of eyes looked on, waiting for someone to make a foolish move.

Closing her eyes, she waited for the slight shift to tell her which way to go and the minute she felt it, she knew something was wrong.

Horribly wrong.

Her eyes snapped open, the infrared spectrum taking over and making them glow red while she summoned several spells to her side, sending them out in other directions down all the tunnels. She was alone and that had been foolish, she knew that much but it was much more of a folly to attack a female drow, much less a priestess. She spun in a circle, trying to discern from her magick what was happening when it came flying back at her, lifting her in the air and slamming her into the wall behind her forcefully.

The high priestess crumpled to the floor, coughing as she shook her head and tried to figure out what was going on. She couldn’t see anything in the infrared spectrum and when she lifted her head, switching back to the normal spectrum, there was nothing there, except blackness. It was a horrible blackness that there was a feeling of watching and waiting that even she had never felt before in all of her years spent in the Underdark. And for the first time, she was afraid for her life in the tunnels.

She barely managed to conjure a defensive spell when something hit her, sending her tumbling across the floor and into a rock, a sharp ‘crack’ and instantaneous pain following as she realized she had broken a few ribs. Pushing herself into a standing position, she muttered under her breath a spell that would hopefully get her out of here.

Before she could even finish, she was hit, hard enough to make her lose concentration and draw blood. She still had no idea what was attacking her and her last moments before she was hit again she had a sense that this being was far more evil than even anything the drow would conjure.

She wavered on her feet, fighting to keep standing and refusing to go down when the world swam in front of her and she crumpled, falling to the floor in a dead faint. That was what she got for going alone, no matter how confident she was in her abilities. At least she wasn’t in the Underdark where she would be dead before anyone had any hope of finding her. In the mined tunnels, creatures rarely came up because it was too busy, the air moved too much, it was too light.

Azazealyn lay on the floor, barely conscious and fighting to keep it that way as she tried to force her body up. Whatever had attacked her was gone, loosing interest rapidly once she fell and once she provided no more of a resistance, no matter how futile it was. She forced her body up slowly, wincing with the pain as her breathing became shallow, trying not to inflict too much more pain on herself.

Her vision swam with white stars as she wiped away some of the blood that had spilled from her mouth with the hit, feeling another cut higher on her forehead that was also bleeding. She blinked once, her vision reaching into the infrared spectrum as she looked around the cavern she was in, deciding that it was best she left for the time being and did not look into it any further. Leaning heavily on the wall, she wrapped an arm around her ribs, holding them as she managed to make her way back up the tunnel she had come from.

She made reasonable distance before she had to sit, her vision swimming so much that keeping going would be folly. She knew that she had to get back, her survival instincts warning her that falling here was not an option but her body could go no farther. It was a battle that many a drow had warred against herself and lost, often never coming back from a scout party.

Azazealyn tilted her head back, resting it against the cool stone wall behind her, closing her eyes against the pain as she waited for either someone to find her or for the strength to make it back up.

[fade]

Beazl turned to look at Felshen who, lay leaning back against the wall just inside the Cavern.

"She's been gone a long time Felshen," Beazl said quietly.

Felshen didn't respond. He was stricken deep with worry. The use of words right now were pointless. He didn't like the fact that he had to stay with the crew to keep them out of trouble. Even though obedient, they still had a tendency to get into bar brawls if he was absent for too long. Some times the delightfully round first mate just didn't cut it when it came to controlling the troops.

A couple of fur trees swayed into the cool mountain air and he thought he heard a scream. He tried to convince himself it was just the wind. Tried, and failed. He was far to worried for his Drow Priestess. Over the months he had truly grown fond of her, despite her mood swings and cold demeanor he found himself slipping deeper and deeper into a warm place he hadn't felt since...

He let that thought drift off into nothingness. He didn't want to go back into that dark place again.

Felshen stood and drew his blade, the useless charm dangling against his wrist, he wrapped it around his arm. He still liked it, none the less. Even though it truly didn't do anything for him.

"Captain?" Beazl inquired.

Felshen didn't respond and walked off into the mines, he knew his eyes wouldn't be able to see down here. But they were much more attuned to it than his human crew. Despite the chill he felt he really couldn't see the walls all that well, so he just imagined he were on the open sea on a moonless night. It made the enclosed space more tolerable.

His boots rang emptily through the stone caverns. The mines were practically empty and he found himself walking faster and faster away from the outside light. Where was she? If he didn't find her soon he would start to panic. And that wouldn't have been a pretty sight, he swore to himself then, that he would tear the mountain apart in the most literal sense untill he found her. He knew he could.

By now the light behind him was gone and his eyes were becoming attuned to the darkness. He knew calling out would allow him to find her sooner. If she was still responsive... He stopped the thought: he was already thinking the worst. He couldn't have that.
Of course she was still responsive, that woman was as tough as nails.

He began thinking about memories he had with her, such as when he first kissed her. Without even realizing he had really done so, it had been instinctive.

Onward he walked, until he tripped over something and fell flat on his face. He turned around quickly and reached out, "Az?" He touched stone. He brushed himself off, and stood up sheathing his sword, he had nearly stabbed himself falling. He was in too much of a rush.

He felt he needed to find her, every second in this caves was maddening to him, and the fact that the person he cared about most on his ship could be hurt didn't help matters. With her around he some times forgot he was even on the Heron anymore.

He slowed his pace as he took off again, he couldn't help Azazealyn if he hurt himself before he could find her. Suddenly a weak flicker of violet and red caught his attention. He would know those eyes anywhere.

"Az..." Felshen let out the breath he had been holding and slid across the stone floor to her side. She had been beaten badly, some thing had played with her like a doll. Felshen gently slid her head away from the wall and cradled it protectively against his chest.

"And whatever it was," He thought, "is still in here,"

The cave felt wrong.

"Don't talk, tell me what happened after were out of this forsaken tunnel," He whispered and scoped her up tenderly as to not damage anything that was already broken.

[Azazealyn]

Azazealyn bit her lip, drawing a sharp breath when he picked her up. Her arms automatically wrapped around her ribs, trying to protect them. Fighting the blackness that pulled at her, she refused to be dragged under while they were in the tunnels because if it had played with her like a child’s toy, then Felshen certainly had no chance against it. Her primary instincts were to push away from him, to not be seen as weak in front of him much less the crew but she soon realized it was pointless. He was the only thing preventing her from coming to her death in the tunnels.

She had enough energy that she had managed to pull back out of the infrared spectrum and face the blackness in front of her. While she could see much better than Felshen when she was not suffering injury, here spots swam in her vision, taking up whole areas until it felt as if she were being blindfolded. With every step, no matter how careful he was being, her injuries were jostled. It was a combination of having her own magick thrown right back at her and having something else toss her around like a leaf in a storm.

When they hit light, she instinctively turned her head, tucking it into his chest as it burned her sensitive eyes, letting out an almost inaudible whimper at the pain. It was once they were here, in the light, she could no longer keep hold of her consciousness for very long. Her eyes fluttered as she faded in and out of consciousness for periods of time, never remembering what was happening to her.

[fade]

Felshen knew he had a limited amount of skill in healing magics, his skill didn't lie in the areas of life essence. More in the area of matter manipulation. He could heal her to a degree, but she would be out of commission for some time.

He looked down at her, seeing the Drow in pain was almost too much for him to contain.

When he exited into the sunlight he saw Beazl standing in the street, looking confused.

"Beazl! Quickly, she needs a..." he thought he heard something and felt her shift against him. The light, the light was hurting her, "Gather up those pine branches, Hurry! lay them in a pile and cover them with needles, it will have to do,"

Beazl didn't say anything, he leaped directly into action. Gathering up fur needles and several boughs he quickly designed a make shift nest for her.

"What now captain?" Beazl asked, desperately searching for some thing to do to assist. He had grown fond of Azazealyn as well.

Walking slowly over to Beazl he handed Azazealyn off to him being extra careful not to jostle her. Beazl held her easily and as though she was made of porcelain.

Approaching the makeshift nest he whipped off his coat and lined the nest with it.

"Lay her here, Beazl,"

The bearded man nodded and walked over to the nest where he deposited her gently upon his coat within the boughs. Tearing a thick piece of cloth off from his shirt Felshen tied the cloth firmly around Azazealyns eyes. Anything to make her feel better, anything to see her out of pain.

Laying her head down gently he laid his head against her chest, listening to her pained breathing he decided her ribs were broken.

"Beazl, I want you to run into town, and see if you can find a healer. I will contend with her for now. Find her a Healer. I beg of you my friend. Go now!"

"Aye, sir!" Beazl took off running in the direction of the town. He was a competent, reliable man. He would be back soon with the assistance Felshen required.

Turning back to Azazealyn, he gently peeled her shirt up and probed along her ribs gently, feeling for the broken or cracked ones. He had handled broken ribs before. And his magic was acceptable at handling that, but it would not be pleasant for her in the least.

Gently he laid his hands on the right side of her torso. Closing his eyes he felt the earth beneath his feet, and the air swirling around him. The world was pulsing with life, and he was the conduit. He let that blessed energy pour in through him. As it passed through him his eyes rolled back and the energy passed through him into her side. He heard a pop as the Ribs realigned themselves and his magic crudely mended them, he repeated the process with the other side as well, where several resounding pops made him wince.

[Azazealyn]

The sound may have made Felshen wince but it certainly drew her out of her state of unconsciousness. She grabbed his wrist in one of her tiny hands, as if to push him away when her ribs realigned. Azazealyn immediately let go of his wrist, instead trying to twist her entire body away from him, a fight or flight response that all creatures had. She was injured and wanted just to be left alone to nurse or heal them at the moment, everything just hurt and she didn’t want anyone around.

The drowess let out a strangled gasp when he moved to the other side, the pain being too much for her to keep quiet as she had been trained to do. She couldn’t see; the cloth was covering her eyes, making her panic in a way she had never done before. She was too weak to put up much of a fight, but that didn’t stop her from trying to push away whoever was next to her, despite how much they may be helping.

Azazealyn was too weak to call on her own magick, too panicked to think and try to sort out what was going on. She was scared of whatever had attacked her in the mines and now pain was happening again. She instantly associated pain with bad and you had to fight against it or it was just going to keep hurting. It didn’t matter if it was someone she actually cared about or was attached to, all that matter was that she had to get away, make the pain stop, something.

She could feel that she was out of the mines but not far, not far enough for her. It was an unusual situation, for her to be so terrified that she didn’t listen to her own magick which was trying to tell her she was among allies and they were trying to help, she could only feel what was directed into her. Voices, voices, she recognized them, knew they were trying to help her but it wasn’t helping things. Where was the familiarity of an aura?

She heard a rapid clicking in her ear, stilling as she listened. She knew this one, it was familiar and trying to tell her something, trying to tell her to be still. But why should she be still? Stillness allowed your enemies to hurt you in anyway they pleased. Her mind warred with her instincts, still trying to escape, to go back where she knew best. Instinct drove her to want the comfort of the tunnels, the closeness of the walls, the stuffy heat of air that never moved. Her mind raged against that, pointing out that it was where she had been hurt, where death certainly awaited her if she went back.

It was a long moment she was still, her breathing shallow but steady, the only sign of her previous panic. Her mind had won out over her body, forcing her to be still and accept the help, to listen to the sounds around her. She finally recognized the clicks, the spider companion. He was panicked as well, he didn’t like seeing her like this and told her that it was help, she was among allies again. Azazealyn was still finally, her body to exhausted to fight against her mind again as she had no choice but to listen.

For once, she was immensely grateful she had actually been kind to the spider, he was her only true friend when she was in the Underdark, he was the one she could trust, even when her body wanted to fight. It was a testament to how lonely life had been in the Underdark for her that her only companion and the only one she had trusted was a spider. Now, things had changed, she knew that. She had come to trust the crew of the ship she was on as well as the Captain. That was what was familiar, he was here. She recognized his voice as well as the other one, Beazl. Although she hadn’t felt Beazl’s aura around her any longer, she recognized Felshen was there now, that was what was going on. He was trying to help her while she had been panicking.

He was the one who had come after her, she recognized, now that her mind was in control of her body again, and the one who had taken her out. She didn’t quite know how to best respond to that, her body was too weak for her to do much of anything, even ask Lloth to heal her. It worried the priestess, she hardly remembered her actions and could only hope she hadn’t inadvertently hurt anyone.

[fade]

When Azazealyn grasped onto Felshens wrist he was singed. He winced in pain but kept the energy flowing through him and into her. The energy washing away the burn almost instantly, but leaving a hand print scar about his wrist.

As she thrashed beneath his hands he did what he could to keep her from hurting herself or him, more than once he had to duck beneath a primal blast of energy she cast off in her feverish defense.

As the crude healing came to a close he was thoroughly exhausted, he just wasn't made to heal. He was panting and sweat slicked his features, he collapsed next to her breathing heavily. He reached out and touched her hand, tentatively stroking it he whispered repeatedly comforting words. He couldn't manage much more than a whisper, the healing took too much out of him. Manipulating the earth energy was one thing, but controlling it and weaving it like a tapestry between his fingers was another.

The Drow next to him was in truly bad shape still, and what worried him was that he lacked the strength to defend her if the need arose. But Beazl should be back soon, the man was indeed trustworthy and diligent.

Felshen looked at her shoulders where her spider sat clicking into her ear. And smiled, that was one special spider.

"Someday Azazealyn, you'll trust me just as much as you trust him. And when you do, I'll be here to see it. I'd walk right into pit full of ravenous ancient vampires for you, my Priestess, and someday you'll understand that," Felshen stopped whispering, it took too much energy.

it seemed like hours passed, the sun moved only a little towards the horizon. And slowly but surely Felshen was regaining his strength. The energy that had seeped out of him during the healing was finally finding its way back into him again. Like a prodigal son he welcomed it back with open arms.

The Drow next to him though still looked beaten to a pulp, her ribs were turning a dark shade of black and he could do little about anything. He actually prayed to Lloth to help her, to keep her from having any internal injuries too complex for his healing. Laying next to her, he nearly began crying when Beazl ran up with a Daemon priest in his wake.

The Daemon priest was garbed in a simple robe and he knelt down beside Felshen and began reaching out his hands.

"No not me, the girl, now. Hurry, help the Drow."

The Daemon assessed the Drow and quickly sat beside her, light seemed to illuminate her, and her bruises began to fade. All visible signs of trauma were being stricken from her, one by one. He could only assume any other injuries he couldn't see were having the same done for them. Then tears of relief did fall.

Minutes passed and the Daemon turned to him. Felshen shook his head.

"I'm just tired,"

The Daemon smiled, "I can tell, you attempted to heal her didn't you?"

"Attempted, yes. Healing isn't my specialty," Felshen said propping himself up onto his elbows, "It takes a lot out of me,"

The Daemon pushed him back down and said "Stay, you're attempts are what saved this Drow's life. She had internal bleeding from an artery she had punctured with a rib. You channeled enough residual energy in to her that you stopped the bleeding. Give her time and she should be as good as new,"

The Daemon stood and walked down the road into the city.

Watching the Daemon go Felshen turned to Beazl, "Thank you my friend, an extra flagon for you when we get back to the ship,"

And with that over, Felshen's energy completely deserted him and his eye closed as he drifted into a dreamless sleep.

[Azazealyn]

It was strange energy that flowed through her, energy that wasn’t her own or someone she knew. However, she sensed the benevolence with it and the injuries she had began to heal. Soon, she was fully healed, the only other problem was her magick and the exhaustion that kept pulling at her but she had to get up, had to see what was going on.

One hand tentatively reached up to the blindfold that had been put across her eyes and she pushed it off, blinking rapidly in the adjustment to the light. The sun was setting and she looked around, noting where she was and who was still there. Poor Beazl looked down right frantic until he saw her sit up, relief washed over his features as he came over to her, sitting down heavily on her other side.

Azazealyn frowned slightly when she looked at him, not at all liking the look on his face when she finally looked down and saw she was lying on Felshen’s coat. The frown deepened when she looked to her other side and saw him there, passed out. She realized that he had been the one trying to heal her when she panicked and her eyes moved over his prone form, instantly disliking the fact that she had exhausted him and made him worry so much.

She looked over him carefully, to survey for any damage when her eyes saw the handprint scar on her wrist that she knew was immediately from her. Turning back to Beazl, she bit her lip, thinking before she spoke. “I did that?” she asked as she watched him, violet eyes neutral.

The first mate nodded his head rapidly, almost looking like he was about to cry. “I..I..I don’t know what happened exactly. Felshen, he..he sent me into town to get a healer. He was the one that went after you, Azazealyn. He was worried, almost in a panic when you didn’t come back and when he came out holding you,” here Beazl stopped and shook his head before continuing.

“He wasn’t worried about his own safety, he was worried about you. He can’t heal all that well, but he tried for you, Azazealyn, he tried. And I guess you started to fight against him or somethin’ and hurt him. But he’s okay, the healer checked him over, he’s just exhausted,” Beazl finished as he watched the young drow look away and up, looking at the branches above their heads.

The first mate was far more in tune with Azazealyn’s changing emotions and had often had a few long talks with her, explaining some of the more mundane things of human nature she didn’t understand. He was patient with her and as a result, she never got angry with him or cross with him, instead he was often the one who was able to diffuse her anger if the Captain wasn’t around.

And he was the one who was picking up that maybe, just maybe, the drowess was caring for the Captain more and more. He knew that Felshen was fond of her, but the drowess played everything so close to her, it was hard to read but this unexpected turn of events had given him the glimpse he needed to confirm his suspicions.

Azazealyn, however, felt horrible that she had inflicted that much pain on Felshen and it showed if one could read her as Beazl could. Violet eyes unconsciously flicked to her unconscious Captain and she shook her head, as if trying to shake her thoughts away. “Then we need to get back, I am too weak to fight against anything magickal and I highly doubt that Felshen would appreciate being left in the open,” she said softly as her eyes flickered back to the sleeping elf next to her.

Beazl nodded before standing and helping Azazealyn standing, making sure that she could stand and walk without assistance before he turned and began issuing orders to the crew which they obeyed hastily and without question. Beazl effortlessly picked up Felshen, slinging him over his shoulder in a slightly rougher manner than he had held Azazealyn.

It was a rapid descent and back to the ship they were, quickly as if whatever had gone after the drowess would come after them and they were only safe on the ship that had brought them here. Beazl issued orders that they would weigh anchor and sail out to just outside the harbor, close enough to take the longboats but far enough there was no possibility of land attack.

Once on board, Azazealyn retreated to her cabin, exhaustion claiming her for the rest of the day as she slept, a feeling of guilt washing over her and invading her dreams that she had both hurt Felshen and made him worry about her.

It was sometime after night had fallen when a knock on her door roused her. The pattern of the raps let her know exactly who it was, Beazl. She sighed and stood, running a hand through her hair as she fixed her shirt. She had changed into one of her normal shirts that left her stomach bare, and didn't really think much of it as she went to answer the door.

"Yes?" she asked, still obviously tired but with more energy than she'd previously had. Azazealyn looked at the First Mate, her features giving away nothing.

Beazl in the meanwhile, managed to look a bit embarrassed that he had knocked on her door. "If you have the energy, Azazealyn, can you go check on Felshen? We haven't heard a peep from him since we came on board and we just want to know that he's alright and since you're a healer and all..." he trailed off, looking towards the Captain's quarters.

Azazealyn sighed, pushing her loose hair off her shoulders. "Alright," she said as she stepped out, barefoot into the corridor of the ship, shutting her door behind her as Beazl led the way down to Felshen's cabin.

[bayle]

Walking beside the shapely Drow Beazl guided her to Felshens cabin. The two were obviously meant for eachother, even he managed to pick up on it. He knew little about the Drow culture, but from what he did know (which he picked up on from his long talks with Azazealyn) The Drow didn't have a word describing the concept of love. He could only imagine the torment the Drow was going through, being assaulted by a sensation she couldn't name. This was for her own good.

Standing at the door, he cracked it open and peered inside : It was pitch black inside the cabin, and what little light the door allowed to seep in did little to lighten the interior.

Turning to Azazealyn, "Well, here you be," He guided her in and slipped out whispering, "This do be for ye own good, Azazealyn," as he slid the door shut and the thick iron bolts he installed on the outside of the captains cabin into the their slots.

He smiled, "Now, all there be to do is wait,"

[Azazealyn]

Eyes narrowed and flared red as she switched into the infrared spectrum, her temper immediately flaring at Beazl's actions as she silently cursed him in the Drow hand language. It wasn't that she actually needed the infrared to see, she could see just fine, it was a secondary reaction that she had.

Blinking and shaking her head, she switched out of the infrared spectrum and slid down the wall, sitting on the floor as she let her thoughts entertain her. It wasn't like she was going to blast the door off, she still didn't have enough energy for that, nor was she going to attempt to wake Felshen up by accident or on purpose. She would have to wait until Beazl decided to open the door again.

And she did have patience, far more than the First Mate would understand. Although he had undoubtedly thought this out, she realized, if he had managed to put the bolts in place without Felshen noticing. Although the captain spend most of his time perpetually drunk or tipsy, so he would hardly notice. She let out a dry laugh at that, keeping it low.

Azazealyn sighed, pulling her hair over her shoulder as she ran her fingers through it, waiting. To her, it seemed to just be a contest of stubbornness and waiting. Continuing in her seemingly patient quest to get all the knots she could out of her chair, she sat on the floor, leaning against the wall of the cabin.

[fade]

Felshen woke as the door clicked shut. Confused, he was unsure of where he was, and he couldn't remember how he got there or what had happened. His wrist was throbbing, he slid his hand down his forearm and brushed up against slightly raised flesh. He remembered now, he remembered everything. Azazealyn was nearly killed, he had ran into the cave and took her out. He had saved her, and now he had this burn to remind him of her. Not that he could really forget either.

He nearly screamed when he opened his eyes and found a pair of glowing red ones floating in the darkness. His heart pounding in his chest he remained motionless as his still partially dreaming mind slipped back into reality. There was only one person with eyes like that, Azazealyn. But she should still be resting, he had barely managed to heal her, then he remembered the Daemon priest who had come, and finished the job.

He watched as the eyes disappeared, unmoving he waited as he heard Azazealyn slide down the cabin wall and sit on the floor. He couldn't see well, and he felt weak, very weak. The humming pulse of the earth lay just outside his grasp, but he knew he wouldn't be able to use it even to lift a pebble. He felt as though he were completely burnt out.

Why was Azazealyn here? He was far from upset, just confused. He must still be dreaming, but out on the deck he heard the faint laughter of his crew and the jolly whistling of Mr. Beazl. This was far too real to be a dream.

He wasn't sure if he should say anything, all he wanted to do was walk over to her and hold her. To make sure she was real and still alive. He dreamed of her, she had been there smiling, happily. She never smiled like that unless she was torturing some unlucky crew member. It was beautiful to him, he would give himself to her to torture if that meant he could see her smile.

"But then again, I would enjoy that too much," Felshen thought to himself.

He had saved her, he knew he loved her. And he knew had he needed to give his life to save hers, he would... Probably shove Karpuk in the way so that he could save her and make his escape.

Felshen smiled at the thought and sat up. Slowly, he stood up on wobbly legs. He grinned at his frailty, he felt so weak yet. But that was to be expected, if he had channeled anymore of that endless river of magic he would have burnt himself from the inside out. In fact, he very nearly did.

Slowly he walked on unsure feet over to where Azazealyn sat upon the wall. If anything had happened to her, if she had not made it he would have burnt himself out trying to save her. He very nearly started sobbing at the thought of her being gone. He wasn't afraid to say it, except to her. He loved her, the love he felt for this Drow made the raging inferno of passion he had for Sunesslya look like a cinder. He wanted her to know it, he wanted to beat her until she couldn't walk for scaring him so badly. He wanted to.. Standing in front of her.

"Azazealyn..." Felshen reached down and helped pull her to her feet. He felt her standing not a foot away, he could almost feel an aura surrounding her. He wanted to be closer, she felt so far away; and today she had nearly run as far away from him as she could. No, never again, he would not let another woman he loved slip through his fingers. He would not let another moment pass where he might live in regret without her knowing.

He could feel her eyes upon him in the darkness and he slowly snaked his arms around her middle back and stepped to her, holding her firmly against him he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her. Not the energy filled kiss he first laid upon her lips, but a soft one that would define the feeling that he felt for her. A kiss that would give her the meaning of a word that did not exist in her society.

No, never again would he risk the chance of her not knowing. It ended tonight, no matter how he felt for him. If she rejected or returned the kiss she would know how he felt. He would not let her have the chance to die without her knowing, that he loved her.

He kissed..

[Azazealyn]

The drow priestess had turned when she heard him rise, her eyes able to see clearly in the dark and she saw how weak he was in comparison to his normal state. She frowned, clearly not liking it as her thought were diverted from ways to torture the plump first mate and the rest of the crew she could hear laughing above deck. She remained silent, though, watching and waiting with patience that would have driven others mad.

When he pulled her to her feet, she began forming a protest but before she could utter a word of it, he kissed her. This was not at all like the kiss he had given her when she had told him she’d found his wife, there was something entirely different about it, something alien to her, but it also held a sense of familiarity as well. It was a feeling that Azazealyn knew but had no word for.

Her hands had risen to rest on his chest, as if to make sense of her duties and tell him to go back to bed when she found herself unable to do so, almost frozen to the spot as her mind kicked into overdrive and finally shut down, allowing her emotions to rule instead of the cool logic that had presided over her entire life. And in that moment, she found herself kissing him back.

It surprised her at first, but down in her mind she knew that it was the right thing to do, this was supposed to happen and she was okay with that. The priestess may even dare to go so far as to say she was happy, standing there in the dark with her Captain’s arms around her and kissing him. She was hesitant at first, taken off guard by his actions, but she highly suspected that it had something to do with why he had come after her and not left her, as so many others would have done.

A heartbeat passed and the drowess found herself kissing him back more securely, trying to convey the emotion in her that she had no name for to him silently. She slowly drew back, a slightly puzzled look on her features before she breathed his name.

“Felshen?” it was a question, almost as if asking if he knew what he was doing and with whom.

[fade]

Felshen's heart was pounding in his chest, the small Drow priestess pressed against him was more than enough to get his blood boiling. She had kissed him, he had expected to be pushed away but wasn't.

His lips turned up in the way of a smile, at her inquiry. She didn't believe him to be in his right mind. She couldn't be more wrong. He brought a hand up and brushed the hair that had fallen into her face behind her ear. He wanted to give it words.

"Azazealyn," He stammered her name a little and gave a deep breath. He didn't want to scare her off.

Caressing her cheek slightly his hand slipped around her again and traveled down her back, he pulled her closer to him and embraced her. She was softer than he had expected. His lips touched her neck, he didn't kiss he let them linger there.

"Azazealyn," He said pulling back to look at her, he shook his head, "I'm not sorry this time,"

And then he kissed her.

[Azazealyn]

To say the drowess was surprised would have been an understatement. She was certainly shocked that he knew what he was doing and much less that he knew it was her, rather than still pining for his long gone wife. Or ex-wife as the case may be.

She shook her thoughts away for the moment when his actions continued. She was used to being in control, not feeling lost like she did right now, uncertain of what the next course of action would be for either of them.

When he kissed her again, Azazealyn found herself responding once more, even her mind telling her that this was alright. Although one thought kept niggling in the back of her mind. She'd have to find a way to get back at the first mate and she already had several ideas that were making their way to the forefront of her mind.

Deciding that would have to wait until later, until she had enough energy to either blast the door open or to summon something in to frighten the first mate, she pushed all thoughts of that away except what was happening at the moment. Focusing on the present.