An upper-class guy with a rather rambunctious attitude sets out on a cross-country trip on his motorcycle, to spite his parents. To his surprise - and dismay - his parents have arranged for a certain journalist to come along on the trip, as if to keep an eye on him... Charlie: @Joel | joeldritch Rhiannon: @Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)

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Alvilda (Tav: Helaena+)

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Bee (Tav: Delton)

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It's eleven o'clock on a sunny day in the city of Waterdeep. Charlie has only been awake for an hour, but he's had his bags packed for days already. A whole week's worth of clothing changes - since you never know when you'll be able to do laundry on the road - as well as a tent, and a sleeping bag. He tucks all of it into the saddle bags of his white Harley Davidson, locks up his apartment, and heads out. If he'd have it his own way, he'd be going straight for the River Gate, but due to a certain little hiccup called *his parents*, he's stopping by the Singed Bolt tavern first. The gate is up front, and he could just go straight for it without stopping, but even if his parents would beg to differ, he is not an asshole. So, he pulls up outside the tavern and puts down the kickstand of the motorcycle. No one is around. A part of him starts to wonder whether he's gotten the time wrong after all, and he fishes the folded up piece of paper out of his pocket.

I'm late! I'm fucking late. Mystra's tits, I'm fucking late, Gods! Rhiannon Edain, budding investigative journalist, is here on assignment from *The Baldur's Mouth*. In Waterdeep. The City of Splendours. Her mouth hit the floor the moment they asked her to do this fluff piece (in her opinion.) She's on a tight budget and she's going to rough it with this motorcyclist, but its nothing she hasn't done before with her previous stint in the Flaming Fists artificer initiates and paladin training. Plus, it gets her away from that flaming wreckage of political intrigue gone mad in the wake of Enver Gortash's descent into madness. Evil exes, right? So here she is, running down the stairs at The Singed Bolt at 11:05am to meet Charlie Maldroth. His wiztagram and twatter accounts are filled with amazing aesthetic shots of his white bike. She is curious what he'll think of hers.

Charlie posts the image on his social media with the caption: leaving in a bit. stay tuned x He seems satisfied, even if there is another, far smaller motorcycle in the back. Once he's finished posting the image, he can't help but go over and have a closer look at it, where it stands parked next to his. It looks far more modern than his old Harley, but as someone who appreciates the old classics, he isn't really sure what to think. At least his ride is in pristine condition, despite being old. This one has a very interesting looking frame, as if it was built haphazardly in someone's own garage. He can't see how anyone can ride it for long distances, but figures that perhaps it was made only for riding around the city. When he hears the tavern door open, Charlie stands up straight and looks over towards it in anticipation.

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Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)

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Rhiannon bursts through the doors and skips down the step in her boots, bag on her back. And then she sees the large white-haired biker standing next to her baby. "Hey! You must be Charlie Maldroth! I'm Rhiannon Edain, your adventuring partner for the next few weeks!" She sticks out her hand to shake and gives her best, award-winning smile.

He quirks an eyebrow when he sees her. She looks nothing like Charlie had expected - but then again, he didn't really know what to expect. All he knows is that his mother usually isn't one to hire beautiful young ladies to look after him, so he is genuinely surprised. "Ah- I was wondering when you'd show up," he meets her halfway down the stairs, reaching up to shake her hand, while flashing her a grin. Seeing that she's wearing proper clothes for biking, as well as a helmet on her arm, he looks back towards the motorcycle he'd just been inspecting, "Is... is that one yours?" He does his best to not sound too demeaning. There's nothing wrong with it, per se.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He quirks an eyebrow when he sees her. She looks nothing like Charlie had expected - but then again, he didn't really know wha... She hears the hesitation in his question and for a moment wonders if he thought she was going to drive behind him or ride with him...and her eyebrow twitches. Keep it together, girl. He might just be unsure. She shakes his hand and replies, "Yep! That's my baby, the B91 Rabbit. Started building her when I was in the Flaming Fists down at the Gate." She looks at his polished vintage Harley and smiles politely. She would expect nothing less for the spoiled rich kid. "And my apologies about being late, I had to square up a fee issue with the front desk." Rhiannon does her checks on the bike and latches a few items under the seat of her bike. She throws her leg over the seat and latches her white helmet in place. Then she raises her phone and takes a quick snapshot of Charlie with his bike.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She hears the hesitation in his question and for a moment wonders if he thought she was going to drive behind him or ride with h... Charlie raises his eyebrows, while he goes over to his own bike. Flaming Fists. So, this girl is not only a journalist for a Baldur's Gate newspaper, but she apparently also used to work with the city guard? He makes a mental note to not take any risks with her, especially about the bike. He tries to hide the amused grin on his face at the way she's had to improvise getting her baggage onto the motorcycle. It was clearly not made for any long-distance travel, but he can't really blame her. "That's alright. I was hoping we'd make it down to Soubar before sundown, but..." Charlie says, eyeing her as she puts her helmet on, before he grabs his own to do the same, "I guess it all depends on how well you keep up, Ms. Edain." With that, he fastens the helmet - white, with black flames hand-painted on it - and once he's settled on the motorcycle, starts up the engine. He revs it a few times, before kicking off, backing out of the parking spot he'd chosen. Then, with one look at Rhiannon, he accelerates, heading down River Street, straight for the gate.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Charlie raises his eyebrows, while he goes over to his own bike. Flaming Fists. So, this girl is not only a journalist for a Ba... She grins and flicks the visor down. She had backed into her spot, so she turns her engine on and listens to its quiet purr for a moment. She checks her gauges and shoots off after him. She'll wait to see if she can outrun him once they get out onto the open road. Keep up, hmm~ This assignment might be more interesting than she thought. She follows Charlie to the gate and out of the city.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She grins and flicks the visor down. She had backed into her spot, so she turns her engine on and listens to its quiet purr for ... The second they're past the gate, Charlie picks up speed, glancing over his shoulder at Rhiannon as he takes the turn to merge onto the freeway. His plan is to take the smaller roads, mostly to avoid traffic, but also because the scenery is much nicer. They will have to take the highway for the first bit, however, and Charlie is eager to enjoy proper roads to the fullest. Since it's the middle of the week, traffic isn't crazy at this time of day, and they have the passing lane to himself. Charlie is eager to see just how experienced of a driver Rhiannon is, so he looks over at her before he accelerates once more, as a silent invitation for her to join him in a little race.

@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias) :game_die: Result: 1d20 (19) Total: 19

She has a general idea of where they are headed so she feels comfortable showing off a bit and not missing any important exits. She follows him as he moves into the passing late and easily speeds up. And then she waits, following along patiently until the vehicle takes their exit and they are alone on the highway. Then she speeds up and weaves around him into the other lane, leaning forward before shooting ahead. She continues to speed up, her ponytail whipping in the air behind her.

@Joel | joeldritch :game_die: Result: 1d20 (8) Total: 8

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Joel | joeldritch

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Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)

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Charlie quickly realizes that he's definitely making a fool out of himself when Rhiannon shoots right past him on the highway. He sets off after her, but having an older and much bigger bike, with both him and his baggage being far larger than hers, it's impossible to keep up. Perhaps that haphazard frame of her bike was hiding some good horsepower after all. Is he going to admit defeat? Definitely not. Instead, Charlie slows down remarkably, pretending to be enjoying a slower speed for a while.

She slows down a bit and sees him lazily relaxing back behind her in her side mirror. She laughs and slows down a bit to at least keep pace with him but still far ahead. She weaves side to side, just sort of keeping herself occupied.

Charlie watches her, able to keep his eyes on her even if she's definitely staying some way ahead of him. He had his doubts since reading his mother's letter, but judging by the way she weaves back and forth, obviously enjoying herself, makes him feel like she might not be that bad after all. They continue driving, with Rhiannon in front of him for the most part, but he doesn't mind. She seems to be keeping an eye on him in her side mirror the whole time, and now that she's keeping pace with him, it's easy for him to speed up to her side once they pass by the first signs pointing towards Daggerford. Unable to speak to her at these speeds, he simply points towards the next sign for the exit towards Daggerford. It's a good first stop for a late lunch - or early dinner, depending on how long they'll be driving for after it - and he speeds ahead of her when the exit comes up, as if to lead the way. Daggerford is a rather small town, which is apparent by the condition of the road they merge onto. The asphalt is in a very rugged state, with several bumps and potholes on the way, and it takes some skill to avoid them on a motorcycle. Charlie has been driving on the dirt roads up north for some time now, so maneuvering his bike on a road like this is nothing, but he does keep an eye on Rhiannon the whole time, just to see how she's doing. When a sign for a gas station comes up, he points to it, letting her know that this'll be their first stop.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Charlie watches her, able to keep his eyes on her even if she's definitely staying some way ahead of him. He had his doubts sinc... She has no intention of leading the way so when Charlie takes the lead, she let's him and follows him into Daggerford, moving agilely around the potholes and dips. Lower City Baldur's Gate has nothing on these small road hazards. They pull into the gas station and she takes her helmet off, setting it on the front of her bike. She sets up the tank to gas up and just observes Charlie move about his bike, making notes on her phone.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She has no intention of leading the way so when Charlie takes the lead, she let's him and follows him into Daggerford, moving ag... Charlie pulls up at the pump station opposite of the one Rhiannon chooses, pulling his own helmet off and shaking his hair free, before hanging it on the handlebar. Once he's gotten to filling his own tank up, he looks over at Rhiannon and smiles playfully, "Always working, huh? Is this what it's going to be like?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > *Charlie pulls up at the pump station opposite of the one Rhiannon chooses, pulling his own helmet off and shaking his hair fre... "Wellll, that depends on you, Mr. Maldroth. I would never want to be informal with my companion and interview subject. I'm here to accompany you, not make you uncomfortable." Its very hard not to admire the way the afternoon sun reflects off his scales. He is unfairly attractive.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Wellll, that depends on you, Mr. Maldroth. I would never want to be informal with my companion and interview subject. I'm here ... He can't help but grimace a little. "Please, for the love of all that is holy, call me Charlie." When his tank is full, he reaches over to remove the fuel pump, before smiling over at her again, "Well, since you've spoken to my always so disgustingly formal mother, I presume you might think I'm like her. If you really want to make sure I'm comfortable, you should consider being a little more *informal*." With that, he hops onto the motorcycle and rolls it off towards the entrance to the gas station.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He can't help but grimace a little. "Please, for the love of all that is holy, call me Charlie." When his tank is full, he re... Her smile waivers for a moment and she finishes her tank filling as well, rolling her bike over to the entrance next to his. "Charlie, then. And I can do informal." She hops off her bike and waits, already thinking about a ton of different questions.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Her smile waivers for a moment and she finishes her tank filling as well, rolling her bike over to the entrance next to his. "C... "Good. Sandwich?" He's already walking towards the door, pointing to it and smiling at her.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > "Good. Sandwich?" He's already walking towards the door, pointing to it and smiling at her. She smiles in return. "I was just about to ask what your favorite gas station snack might be. Is this place good for a sandwich?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She smiles in return. "I was just about to ask what your favorite gas station snack might be. Is this place good for a sandwich... Charlie chuckles at that, holding the door open for her. "No idea, I haven't had much reason to come down here, but I'm prepared to eat at the sloppiest restaurants in all of Faerûn if I have to."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Charlie chuckles at that, holding the door open for her. "No idea, I haven't had much reason to come down here, but I'm prepar... She snort-laughs, unprepared for that answer. "Oh? The sloppiest, huh? Well I've barely been away from The Gate, so this will all be new to me too. I wonder if the headline will read 'How Faerun's Most Eligible Bachelor Gave Me Food Poisoning'," she teases. "Alright, let's see your sandwich order."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She snort-laughs, unprepared for that answer. "Oh? The sloppiest, huh? Well I've barely been away from The Gate, so this will a... He raises his eyebrows, "'Faerûn's Most Eligible Bachelor'? You've got to be kidding me." With a shake of his head, he heads for the counter, where a very bored gas station worker is manning the register. It's apparent - mainly by the lack of other customers, as well as the fact that the worker is standing there scrolling through her phone - that not many bypassers actually shop inside at this station. There is, however, a little sandwich menu available. Not many options, but Charlie set out on this trip knowing that he'll be living on gas station foods for the coming few weeks. He orders a ham and cheese sandwich, and grabs a couple of small bags of chips, as well as a soda to go. He then turns to Rhiannon, "What'll you be having?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He raises his eyebrows, "'Faerûn's Most Eligible Bachelor'? You've got to be kidding me." With a shake of his head, he heads f... She does a quick calculation in her head and figures she can probably afford most of their meals if this is the budget they keep. “I’ll have the same please but add mustard please.” She opts for a water and a bag of salt and vinegar chips.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She does a quick calculation in her head and figures she can probably afford most of their meals if this is the budget they keep... "I can get yours as well," he offers, fishing his wallet out of his jacket's inner pocket, "if I may?" The cashier just stares at them both, seemingly no less bored by the appearance of two customers who haven't decided whether they're paying separate or not prior to ordering.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > "I can get yours as well," he offers, fishing his wallet out of his jacket's inner pocket, "if I may?" The cashier just stares... She blanches. “W-why? I can pay. Or is this some sort of flex?” She gives him a challenging, sort of wary glance. It’s probably rude of her to be quick to judgment but she’s worked her ass off to get to where she is. Does she have the cash to drive all around Faerun without the budget they gave her? Well, no. But it was a decent enough salary to rent out the small house behind Jaheira’s and finish her dream bike.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She blanches. “W-why? I can pay. Or is this some sort of flex?” She gives him a challenging, sort of wary glance. It’s probabl... He knows that look. Usually, girls jump at the chance to have a rich guy pay for all kinds of stuff, but there's a difference between someone getting him drunk enough to agree to buying them a car (yes, it has happened, and it resulted in a six-month long legal battle), and paying for the sandwich of the unfortunate soul who has agreed to come with him on his roadtrip. Still, he's not going to push it, so he just raises his hands in defeat. "Alright, alright. Just wanted to be nice. Separate, then. But I'll also be having this candy, please." He grabs the small package of sweets, chucking them onto the counter to the disinterested cashier, who simply informs him of what he owes her, and he pays with his credit card. Then, he steps aside to let Rhiannon pay, offering her a smile in reconciliation, before heading over towards one of the tables by the window, to wait for his sandwich.

She smiles and pays for her meal, grabbing her water. She sits across from him as they wait for their sandwiches and observes him. "What kind of candy is that?" she asks, trying to reopen the dialogue.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She smiles and pays for her meal, grabbing her water. She sits across from him as they wait for their sandwiches and observes h... He looks at her, eyebrows raised, but smiling. Surely, no one in Baldur's Gate can be interested in what kind of candy Charlie Maldroth prefers? Then again, 'Baldur's Mouth' sounds like the name of a gossip magazine... His mother will be horrified if she finds out she hired a gossip journalist to accompany him, and that makes him smile that much more. "Cherry licorice," he replies, holding up the bag, "Want some?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He looks at her, eyebrows raised, but smiling. Surely, no one in Baldur's Gate can be interested in what kind of candy Charlie ... "Interesting...and no thank you. I'm not a licorice fan. Toffee and caramel things are my jam." She's not writing any of this down, she was just curious. "So...what made you want to make this continent-wide trek?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Interesting...and no thank you. I'm not a licorice fan. Toffee and caramel things are my jam." She's not writing any of this d... "Noted," he says, grabbing a few pieces of licorice, just to kill time while waiting. At Rhiannon's question, Charlie just shrugs. "I don't know. Boredom, I guess. Wanting to see something, apart from snobby guys in suits, on their way to their nine-to-fives."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > "Noted," he says, grabbing a few pieces of licorice, just to kill time while waiting. At Rhiannon's question, Charlie just shr... She smiles up at the attendant who walks their sandwiches over while smacking their gum. She takes her sandwich and opens the paper and then her chips. Then she puts some of the chips between the meat and the bread. "Ah, the corporate environment not very appealing?" she asks before taking a crunchy bite of her sandwich.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She smiles up at the attendant who walks their sandwiches over while smacking their gum. She takes her sandwich and opens the pa... Charlie thanks the attendant when they stop by to drop off their sandwiches, before watching Rhiannon as she puts some of her chips in the sandwich. He can't help but smile a little, but he says nothing. "Nope," he replies, taking a bite out of his own sandwich, before continuing, with his mouth full of food, "Not really my scene. Never has been." He swallows, "What about you? What got you into... journalism or whatever?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Charlie thanks the attendant when they stop by to drop off their sandwiches, before watching Rhiannon as she puts some of her c... She almost chokes on her own food watching him talk with a mouth full of food. It shoudn't be endearing but it kind of is? What is up with this guy? She'd planned on posh pretentiousness and sipping water and snacking on appetizers to make it through this trip. Now she's stuffing her face with a ham and cheese across from him while he ignores table manners completely. She however swallows her food first. "Well, I grew up wanting to do something to defend the defenseless, so after failing at my druid initiation, I went back to the Gate and became a paladin. Did a short stint in the Flaming Fists with a friend of mine—she was infantry and patrol, I was an artificer apprentice. And then..." she trails off.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "And then things got complicated and we both got expelled from the Fists. We went to the media with an appeal about the whole th... He listens to her while quietly chewing on his own sandwich. He's almost halfway already by the time she finishes speaking, and he will admit, she isn't quite at all what he was expecting from someone hired by his mother. In fact, it sounds like she's lived quite the exciting life. The same cannot be said for him. Hells, he has a feeling that his mother would lose her marbles if she found out what kind of 'journalist' she has managed to hire, especially now that Charlie is starting to like her more and more with each passing second. "Investigative journalist, huh? Well, you do sound like you have the guts for it, at least, with a background like that," he chuckles as he cracks open his can of soda, having a sip before he continues, "And now my mom's paying you to work your investigative magic on me. A last, futile attempt to turn me into the son of her dreams that she has always wanted!" Charlie pauses for a moment, eyeing her up and down. "Alright," he then says, "Let's say I let you know every little dirty detail about me. I want you to write an article so honest it'll shock my mom to her very core. She thinks she knows me, thinks there is some part of me that would be willing to- to change, and that you, as an expert within the field, is the right person to somehow unravel that part of me."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He listens to her while quietly chewing on his own sandwich. He's almost halfway already by the time she finishes speaking, and... His mom made an appeal to the paper and is paying the paper for the positive press coverage but she's not about to tell him that. Surely he knows how employment works anyways. "Well, I'm not necessarily an expert but I am pretty curious. I have a good eye for detail. But sure, if that's how you want to play it, I guess? I mean...I needed a sabbatical and they needed someone with adventuring experience to follow you along for your trip. It sounded like a fluff piece from the start but it was also a paid vacation in my eyes." She throws a few crisps in her mouth and chews.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > His mom made an appeal to the paper and is paying the paper for the positive press coverage but she's not about to tell him ... He actually laughs at that. Not at *her*, but at the fact that his mother managed to hire someone who is treating his mother's big plans like a paid vacation. It's the most delicious 'fuck you' to his mother that he can imagine. Hells, he could kiss her out of gratitude already. And because she's really pretty. "I'm glad we're on the same page then," Charlie grins, before he goes to finish his sandwich, "I say, please do treat this like a vacation. We're just having fun."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He actually laughs at that. Not at *her*, but at the fact that his mother managed to hire someone who is treating his mother's ... She beams at him and finds his laugh warming her cheeks a little. Stay professional, girl. "I could go for a little bit of fun. Life's been a drag the last decade." So much for keeping it professional.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She beams at him and finds his laugh warming her cheeks a little. Stay professional, girl. "I could go for a little bit of fun... He finishes his sandwich, drinks a few gulps of soda, and actually swallows before he speaks again. "Well, I'll have you know that I have made it my entire life's purpose to just have *fun*." Then, wiping his mouth on his sleeve - very classy - Charlie stands up. "You ready to keep going, Ms. Edain? It'll be all small roads from here on, so no speeding ahead."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He finishes his sandwich, drinks a few gulps of soda, and actually swallows before he speaks again. "Well, I'll have you know ... She laughs and tips the bag back into her mouth. She gathers her trash and pitches it in the bin, carrying her bottle of water. "It's Rhi, please. And I'm excited to follow your lead."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She laughs and tips the bag back into her mouth. She gathers her trash and pitches it in the bin, carrying her bottle of water. ... There is something Charlie finds very attractive about the way she empties the last bits of crumbs from her bag of chips into her mouth. It might be the way she reveals her pale neck when she does, or just the fact that she's not as prim as most other girls he's been around. "Alright, Rhi it is, then," he says as he follows her, gathering up his own trash to take it to the bin. He leads the way towards the door, once more holding it open for her, "Nice necklace, by the way. Does it mean something?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > There is something Charlie finds very attractive about the way she empties the last bits of crumbs from her bag of chips into h... "Oh this? It's just a rabbit. I go by 'whiterabbit' online," she replies as she slips outside. "Always running late for a very important date and all that." She rolls her eyes. She is NOT always late. She's always running though, can't argue with that. Running toward something or away from something. Always in motion, always running. She's pretty fucking tired actually.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Oh this? It's just a rabbit. I go by 'whiterabbit' online," she replies as she slips outside. "Always running late for a very i... He doesn't even try to hide the fact that he fishes his phone out of his pocket and starts typing her username into the search bar of Twatter. Of course he's going to follow her. "Cute, and also accurate," he says teasingly, referring to her being a few minutes late for their first meeting. He slips his phone back into his pocket once he's given her a follow, and heads over to their bikes. Grabbing his helmet to put it back on, he looks at her again, "Maybe you'll learn to take it easy, yet. No dates to be late for, we have all the time in the world once we get out there."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He doesn't even try to hide the fact that he fishes his phone out of his pocket and starts typing her username into the search ... She throws her leg over the saddle and puts her own helmet back on, visor up. Oh, so he's a flirt. She's going to have to think about whether she wants to match that energy or not...and thankfully has plenty of open road to do so. "We shall see, Charlie. How about you give the camera an official hello." She pulls her phone out and steadies it to take his picture outside this first gas station of many in the middle of nowhere.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She throws her leg over the saddle and puts her own helmet back on, visor up. Oh, so he's a flirt. She's going to have to think ... He's never been the paparazzi-pleaser, and even if Rhi is nowhere near as intrusive or disrespectful as them, he doesn't pose. Instead, he puts his helmet on, and promptly gives her phone the middle finger. "How's that for a hello?" he says, his tone playful as he sits back and starts up the engine on his motorcycle. Then he laughs, kicking off towards the road once more.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He's never been the paparazzi-pleaser, and even if Rhi is nowhere near as intrusive or disrespectful as them, he doesn't pose. ... She rolls her eyes and files it into the right album for her article. Then she pockets her phone, re-shoulders her pack, flicks her visor down, and follows Charlie out of the parking lot. Back onto the road.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She rolls her eyes and files it into the right album for her article. Then she pockets her phone, re-shoulders her pack, flicks ... Despite having promised they wouldn't go to fast - simply because it's difficult on roads in such bad condition - Charlie can't help but speed ahead of Rhi a little, once they get past the worst potholes. They have at least another two hour ride until they reach Dragonspear Castle, and another two for Soubar, which Charlie was planning on being their first place to stay the night. He looks over his shoulder, waiting for her to catch up, before speeding ahead again. Just to tease her a little, he does this a few times, before he eventually grows tired of it. For most of the ride, they actually stay side by side, with him even being able to point towards the edge of the forest on their left at one point, when he spots a herd of red deer. The animals seem unfazed by them, and with the road completely empty save for the two of them, Charlie actually slows down, and pulls over at the side of the road. "I gotta get a picture!" he grins once Rhi comes to a stop next to him, and he pulls his phone out and points it towards the animals.

She takes out her phone and jots down some notes about his interest in the red deer. “I used love running through the forest with the deer when I was a Druid initiate. What were you like as a child?”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She takes out her phone and jots down some notes about his interest in the red deer. “I used love running through the forest ... He turns back towards her once he's snapped a few pictures, and he completely ignores her question. Yeah, he might be making her job hard for her. "You ran through the forest with deer? You're shitting me, aren't you?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > *He turns back towards her once he's snapped a few pictures, and he completely ignores her question. Yeah, he might be making h... “Scout’s honor. I ran with my fellow druid initiates. Some of them could already shift. It was wonderful.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Scout’s honor. I ran with my fellow druid initiates. Some of them could already shift. It was wonderful.” He can't help but laugh a little, shaking his head, still in a bit of a disbelief. Rhi just keeps surprising him, and to think that she's here because of his *mother*. "So you just ran there, as yourself, while your friends turned into deer? Don't they run like... twice as fast as us?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He can't help but laugh a little, shaking his head, still in a bit of a disbelief. Rhi just keeps surprising him, and to think ... “Some of them, yeah. But some of them were like newborn foals. That was hilarious~”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Some of them, yeah. But some of them were like newborn foals. That was hilarious~” He might look at her for a little too long when she reminisces about her past, hearing the smile in her voice, even if her mouth is mostly covered by her helmet. She sounds cute when she smiles. "I bet," he chuckles, eventually catching himself, and hoping she didn't notice, "Ready to keep going?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He might look at her for a little too long when she reminisces about her past, hearing the smile in her voice, even if her mout... “You didn’t answer my question but I guesssss,” she replies.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “You didn’t answer my question but I guesssss,” she replies. Charlie rolls his eyes dramatically, before leaning his arms onto the handlebar of his bike. "What question? About my childhood?" he says, before snorting and shaking his head. "Nothing exciting. Exactly what the gossip magazines have said. Only kid, spoiled rotten, home-schooled, pulled my pants down and mooned a TV camera at the High Sun Games when I was five... you know, regular rich kid stuff."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Charlie rolls his eyes dramatically, before leaning his arms onto the handlebar of his bike. "What question? About my childhoo... “Interesting. So do you still have that mole on your ass?” she asks with a snicker.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Interesting. So do you still have that mole on your ass?” she asks with a snicker. He almost gasps at that, but instead just grins at her. "Well, only one way to find out, isn't there?" With that, he kicks off, speeding on ahead of her onto the road once more.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He almost gasps at that, but instead just grins at her. "Well, only one way to find out, isn't there?" With that, he kicks ... She cackles and chases after him.

They continue driving, with their sights set on Soubar, like Charlie had planned. With well over three hours more to drive, he doesn't play around much anymore, but once she's caught up to him, they drive side by side for a while. Sure, every now and then he glances over at her and revs his engine a little in an attempt to tease her, but other than that, their drive is fairly uneventful. They pass by Dragonspear Castle - or at least what remains of it - with no intention of stopping. The old ruins don't offer much anymore, with the café and gift shop having closed a couple of years back, and with the sun already starting to set, Charlie doesn't even suggest slowing down. Soubar is another two hours away, but with the High Moor on their left the whole time, the scenery is anything but boring. Every now and then, they come across warning signs for all kinds of monsters, and in the distance, out on the moor, Charlie swears he sees some kind of creatures turning to try and chase them. Luckily motorcycles can outrun just about any monster on foot these days. Finally, ahead of them, cast in the bright orange light of the sun setting, stands the massive stone statue of Cyric, the god of lies and trickery, with his back turned towards them. Boareskyr Bridge, the last, massive landmark before Soubar. "Cyric!" Charlie yells over the sound of the engines while they ride, and then he points towards the statue across from it, on the other side of the bridge, "And Bhaal!" It's almost an eerie feeling, crossing the bridge between the god of lies and the god of murder, with the last rays of the sun barely making their way over the horizon. Charlie might just be a little relieved that he doesn't have to be on this journey alone. Finally, they're across the bridge, with less than than half an hour to Soubar, and it's as if Charlie dares to breathe properly again. It's a surprisingly small village, probably due to the rumors saying that the Boareskyr Bridge brings all kinds o

She shivered a bit when they passed under Bhaal and Cyric, but Charlie wasn't kidding. The scenery was magnificent. But the tattoo on her back warms with approval and she knows she is safe. Bhaal's cultists are scarce now in the Gate and...well, Gortash is dead now. The entire trip feels surreal and its only been a day. She feels like she's running from her past but its dead and buried now anyways so maybe she's just shaking off the dust of it all. Either way, she's so glad Rion made her take the assignment. When she sees the sign for where they are bedding down for the night, she snorts. Rhi will never tire of seeing the funny puns and jokes that roadside taverns and inns come up with. She removes her helmet and shakes her hair out. "Ugh. I don't know about carnal but I'm gonna probably pass out immediately. Are we not camping?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She shivered a bit when they passed under Bhaal and Cyric, but Charlie wasn't kidding. The scenery was magnificent. But the ... "I might only be twenty-six years old, but I swear, my back has aged ten times faster than the rest of my body, and I really need a bed." He hops off of the motorcycle, and moves over to remove the two saddlebags from it. "Besides, this place apparently serves a mean pancake breakfast. It had five stars on Welp, only thanks to the breakfast." Once Charlie has his stuff (he's taking no risks by leaving it on his bike) he leads the way towards the front entrance of the motel. The first thing that hits him when he enters is the smell of cigarettes. He smokes himself, but never indoors, since that's just disgusting, and he can't help but grimace a little. No one seems to be manning the front desk, save for a half-smoked cigarette in an ashtray, which might very well be the reason for the smell. He looks towards Rhi, giving her a clueless shrug, before he walks over to see if there's a bell somewhere.

Someone clears their throat behind the front desk, revealing themselves to be a goblin woman, too short to see unless one stands right in front of the counter. "'Ow can I 'elp ye? Or are ye just gonna stand 'ere?"

Charlie blinks, peeking over the counter, and he actually has to hold back a laugh. "Uh- hey. We're- uh, we're looking for a room for the night. Just one night."

The goblin pulls herself up by the edge of the counter, barely getting her nose past it, giving Charlie a look, then Rhiannon, before she squints. "Aight, ye've come ta the right place, kids!" she says, followed by a cackle as she climbs into the chair and grabs the cigarette from the ashtray, "We've got one room left fer the night! Perfect fer a fine couple like ye!"

"Um- we're not a couple. Separate beds, please." He glances back towards Rhiannon apologetically. None of the five star reviews said a crazy goblin lady runs the place.

The goblin squints her eyes at both of them. "Well, ol' Gribbo here ain't go' no otha' rooms ta offer fer the night. Either ye bring ye own chainsaw ta *saw the bed in half*- HAHAHAHA! ... Or ye get yer smellin' dragon scales outta me establishment!"

"Alright! Alright, we'll take it!" He holds his hands up in a calming gesture, which seems to satisfy the goblin. The last thing he needs is someone starting a fuss about the dragon thing... again.

"Very good, Mr. Maldroth, yes?" the goblin grins, having obviously recognized him, "Ye pay up front down 'ere, so cash or card?"

He digs his wallet out of his pocket, sighing. "Card." When he hands it over for the goblin to run it through the terminal, he swears he sees a gossip magazine behind the counter. And there's a disgusting paparazzi picture of him in the corner of the cover.

She was using the restroom of course so when she emerges and the goblin is giving Charlie shit about being a dragon, she's immediately pushing into this conversation with a frown. "Hey, there's no need for throwing rude language around."

"Pleasure doin' biz-ness with a celebrity! Me sister's gonna be so jelly!" the goblin says once she's handed him the card back. She looks over at Rhiannon when she cuts in, but merely rolls her beady little eyes at her. Then, she slides over a room key, grinning widely up at Charlie, "Room number 48. Pancakes'll be served in the dining hall at eight o'clock." She looks to Rhiannon with a scowl, Sharp. Good night!"

Charlie grabs the key, saying his goodbyes with a simple wave of his hand. "Let's go, then," he tells Rhi, leading the way outside before he continues, "Can't wait to see if the room is as charming as the receptionist."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Charlie grabs the key, saying his goodbyes with a simple wave of his hand. "Let's go, then," he tells Rhi, leading the way outs... She scowls at the rude idiot of a desk manager and follows Charlie out. "Does that...happen a lot? People giving you shit for being dragonborn?" She wears her emotions on her face most of the time so right now she's incensed and concerned. That's such a fucked up way to be towards anyone, rich and famous or poor and unknown or anywhere inbetween.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She scowls at the rude idiot of a desk manager and follows Charlie out. "Does that...happen a lot? People giving you shit for b... He just gives her a shrug. It's not the first time he's been mistreated for being famous, but he's a little surprised about the dragon comment. Then again, that's always been the gossip magazines' favorite subject. "Not really. I think some people just know how much my parents try to hide it, and think it's a weak spot for me, too." He sees the concern on Rhi's face, and can't help but playfully bump his elbow into hers, "Hey, it's *fine*. This isn't the worst I've heard, you know."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He just gives her a shrug. It's not the first time he's been mistreated for being famous, but he's a little surprised about the... “You may be surprised to learn that does not make me feel better.” She had read numerous articles-both gossip and reputable- about Charlemir Maldroth and the Maldroth family. Some were unkind, of course. But those had been gossip rags that seemed as though riling people up was their main objective. People online ranged from drooling over the man to a few racist comments that had her reporting them for their vitriol. She had screencapped them first like a good journalist.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “You may be surprised to learn that does not make me feel better.” She had read numerous articles-both gossip and reputable- ab... He sighs. Not in annoyance, but perhaps in defeat, somewhat. Rhi seems like the stubborn kind, who isn't going to sit there and watch him being mistreated - even if many would argue he deserves it. Yet another trait about her that his mother definitely couldn't see coming. "Well, there's a reason for why I want to try sticking to the roads less traveled, and visit the places where people perhaps aren't as... well-versed in the comings and goings of the upper crust of Waterdeep. There's bound to be a few gossipmongers here and there, but I'm prepared for that." Room number 48. They almost walk right past it before Charlie notices it and stops. "Alright, here we are." He unlocks the door and pushes it open. The room is dark, so he fumbles to find a light switch near the door, and once he does, he flicks it on, to reveal a fairly modest room. There is, as promised, one large bed in the middle of the room, one dresser, as well as an old couch that looks to be barely standing. In the back is the open door to what Charlie presumes to be the bathroom, with a bit of a suspicious odor coming from it. "Well, I sadly don't think complaining is going to get us another room - and honestly, I think they're all in the same condition - but..." he says as he drops his things onto the floor, "I can sleep on the couch."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He sighs. Not in annoyance, but perhaps in defeat, somewhat. Rhi seems like the stubborn kind, who isn't going to sit there and... She blinks. “Only one bed. I must have missed that…” Azuth’s kneecaps. She’s thinking of taking the couch or camping on the floor when- “No!” She blurts out. “I mean to say that…you paid for this room, you should obviously have the bed.” She drops her things and plops down on the couch. There is no way she’s letting him take the couch.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She blinks. “Only one bed. I must have missed that…” Azuth’s kneecaps. She’s thinking of taking the couch or camping on the flo... His eyes go wide. Never before has he met a girl who isn't jumping at the opportunity to have a queen size bed to herself. "Hey- what? You're the one who's here on the account of my mother, of course you should get to have the more comfortable option!"

She squares him with a look that clearly says she is not going to just do as she is told. Is she a brat? Sometimes, but she would argue she is persistent to a fault. "I am indeed here because your mother asked us to do a feature on you, but I didn't have to take the job. You paid for the room, so you should get the bed. Also, who ever heard of a journalist making their subject sleep on the freaking couch?" She snorts, "Couldn't be me." She pulls her pack over and pulls out a pair of star-filled pajama bottoms, waffle knit for warmth, and an oversized tee that has a logo for some band called Arsene.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She squares him with a look that clearly says she is not going to just do as she is told. Is she a brat? Sometimes, but she woul... He just stands there for a moment, staring at her as she starts unpacking the things she needs for sleep. "Well, it's not very gentleman-like of me to make you sleep on the couch." He goes over to the couch and promptly sits himself down in the middle of it, and sinks much deeper into it than he expects to, "*Oof*- I'd rather not have you write about what a dick I am for making you sleep on this piece of crap on the first night of our trip."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He just stands there for a moment, staring at her as she starts unpacking the things she needs for sleep. "Well, it's not very... "What if I did sleep on this piece of crap?" She crosses her arms. "I'm sure there will be plenty of pieces of crap along the way. Besides, you. paid." Rhiannon Edain is a stubborn bitch sometimes.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "What if I did sleep on this piece of crap?" She crosses her arms. "I'm sure there will be plenty of pieces of crap along t... Charlie considers himself fairly good-mannered, despite what his parents say. He knows not to treat other people like shit, and he'd rather kill with kindness than malice, but Rhi is proving to be quite a difficult one to crack. "I can't believe you'd rather sleep on this when an offer for an entire bed is on the table, what does it matter that I paid? Fuck me for wanting to prove to you that I'm a nice guy!"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Charlie considers himself fairly good-mannered, despite what his parents say. He knows not to treat other people like shit, and... She bites back the retort of 'Sure, I'll fuck you, I guess???' because its stupid and that is definitely not professional. Instead, she groans and lets her head fall to the back of the couch. She is tired. He is tired. This is tiresome. "Fuck. Okay. OKAY. This is stupid! We're adults. So let's just be adults and...share the bed?" She raises her head up and looks at him, exasperated and proving to be just as stubborn as she is. "It's a queen sized bed. So we'll both fit with room to spare probably. And for the record, you don't have to prove anything. I'm just here to get to know you and so far, you do seem like a nice guy."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She bites back the retort of 'Sure, I'll fuck you, I guess???' because its stupid and that is definitely not professional... He stares at her. Is she really suggesting that they'd *share the bed*? But then it makes sense. It is a sizeable bed, and it's not like they're going to have to spoon or anything. Oh, great, now he's thinking about spooning her, too? "Fine," he sighs, pushing himself up off the couch (he swears he hears something crack and give way underneath it when he does) to go and rummage through his own bag for a change of clothes, "You can have the shower first."

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> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He stares at her. Is she really suggesting that they'd *share the bed*? But then it makes sense. It is a sizeable bed, and i... She is tempted to argue but she gives in because well he conceded. "See, there's that nice guy. I won't be long, promise." She grabs her clothing, clean underwear, and a pair of socks that feature slices of pizza. She also grabs a small bathroom kit and locks herself in the bathroom. At least it'll smell nicer when she's done in there. She does the usual things: jewelry off, clothing stripped and put aside to pack in a separate bag, and lets the shower heat up. She washes efficiently and thoroughly with her favorite soap. She washes her hair and combs it out in the shower with a decent conditioner. The towels are threadbare, but they at least do the job. She towels off, squeezes water from her hair, and takes a few more minutes to air dry while brushing her teeth and doing a minimal skin care routine.

He makes a point of not looking at her while she gathers her things. He's not a creep or anything. Even if she is pretty. While she heads off to take her shower, Charlie goes to try the bed. It's fairly soft, and in much better condition than the couch, but he doesn't want to think about the possible lack of proper linen care in this establishment. The pillows are at least comfortable. He lifts his feet up and pulls out his phone to check his social media. Quite a few new likes and reposts, as well as a lot of inappropriate comments, which he filters out as mostly being bots, judging by the big-titted ladies in the profile pictures. Then he thinks of Rhi. Not because of the big tits, or anything, but he hears the shower turn on. What was her social media again? Whiterabbit? He finds her Twatter-account. A very businesslike account, with most posts being about news involving Baldur's Gate, as well as many reposts from the Baldur's Mouth-Twatter. With that, he starts looking up her articles in particular. A lot of them have to do with the corrupted law enforcement and authority of Baldur's Gate, as well as a few coverages on some 'interesting' people Charlie doesn't recognize in any way. And then there's an article on the BDSM scene in Baldur's Gate. Out of all possible things, BDSM? At first, he can't believe his eyes, but then he's *intrigued*. He has to read it. There are pictures and everything - artistic nudity, beautiful bodies, both men and women - and it takes him but a couple of minutes to open up a new browser tab to search for the name of the studio featured in the article. More pictures. He shouldn't be getting turned on, but there's this one really specific picture of a female body that he finds himself going back to, over and over again as he scrolls around the site, and he can't help himself. It's artistic nudity he tells himself, but he still has to press a hand to the bulge forming in his pants when he spends a little too long starin

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He makes a point of not looking at her while she gathers her things. He's not a creep or anything. Even if she is pretty. Whil... Dressed and the bathroom cleared out, hair spiders and all, she brings her towel with her when she pads out. She puts her things down on the bed to repack them and puts her jewelry back on: the only pair of earrings she has from her dad's side of the family given to her mother, her contraceptive helix earring, a few rings from friends or purchased over the years meant to represent milestones, and her choker necklace with the rabbit emblem. It usually rests in the hollow of her throat and she only takes it off for special occasions these days. "Ok, all yours." She repacks her items and starts to work her hair into a loose braid for sleep.

The door opening is what cuts off his thoughts, and he instinctively shoots up, tugging his shirt down over his crotch in an attempt to hide the now very obvious boner he's sporting. He fumbles to lock his phone, but realizes that Rhi isn't even looking at him. Thank fuck. "Cool," he says, pushing himself up off the bed and heading straight for the bathroom while she starts going through her things. He closes the door and leans his back against it for a moment, taking a deep breath, before he picks his phone up again. The same picture greets him again, royal blue rope on pale, creamy skin, and the angel wing tattoo. It's inappropriate, but fuck if he cares. He puts his phone onto the sink, before he pulls his shirt over his head and pushes his pants down, wrapping his hand around his cock without a second thought. He turns the shower on. It's already warm after Rhi having showered, so he steps underneath the spray of water immediately. His mind goes back to the picture, and he starts stroking himself at a hurried pace. With his mind set on the right thing (a quite tasteful picture, at that, who would've known?) it doesn't take him long to come. He tightens his fingers around the base of his cock, watching as he paints the wall with his come, before the water washes it off a moment later. "What the fuck," he mumbles, mostly to himself, squeezing out one more blurt, before he lets go, in favor of actually washing himself. He makes quick work of it, realizing he forgot to bring his shower gel with him, or anything else, for that matter. Thankfully the motel offers towels, and there are still a couple of clean ones hanging neatly on the towel rack by the door. After a thorough rinse to get most of the sweat and gunk from the day off of himself, Charlie steps out to dry himself off with the towel. He then wraps it around his waist, since there is no way he's going to put his dirty clothes back on after having rubbed himself through his pants for a good few

Charlie walks out in a towel and Rhi’s jaw almost hits the floor. He’s lean muscle and warm brown skin and absolute eye candy. No wonder people fall over themselves to get his attention. She says nothing, typing away on her phone and making notes from the day in her side of the bed.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Charlie walks out in a towel and Rhi’s jaw almost hits the floor. He’s lean muscle and warm brown skin and absolute eye candy. N... He pulls out a pair of grey plaid boxer shorts, as well as a blank tank top, swiftly pulling them on without removing the towel, until he's dressed. Then, he chucks it onto the floor, not bothering to put it anywhere to dry. "So..." he says, looking at Rhi as he slowly makes his way to the other side of the bed, as if unsure whether it actually is okay for them to share it - surely small-talk will help - "Got enough material for the start of your article?"

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > He pulls out a pair of grey plaid boxer shorts, as well as a blank tank top, swiftly pulling them on without removing the towel... "Well," she replies without looking up, "I don't actually write like that. I make notes, outlines, write bits of information that make sense to me or snippets that could be used later on in the full piece." She puts her phone down and looks up at him. "In truth, its only been one day."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Well," she replies without looking up, "I don't actually write like that. I make notes, outlines, write bits of information tha... He climbs into the bed on his side very slowly, as if ready to get right out if she suddenly tells him no. "As in... you don't have much information to go off of?" They haven't really had time to talk much, with most of the day spent on their bikes, at speeds in which it's impossible to have a conversation over the sound of the engines. He doesn't know much about the process of writing an article, but he does know that it requires a lot more interviewing than this. "You're free to ask whatever. At any time. Even in the middle of the night," he smiles, adjusting the pillows at his side of the bed - leaving almost two whole feet of space between them.

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > He climbs into the bed on his side very slowly, as if ready to get right out if she suddenly tells him no. "As in... you don't... “That is partially it but also what kind of journalist writes the entire article on the first day?” she laughs, good-naturedly. “In the middle of the night? Do you talk in your sleep?” she asks, scooting down and lying down to face him.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “That is partially it but also what kind of journalist writes the entire article on the first day?” she laughs, good-naturedly. ... He shrugs playfully, but he knows she's right. It takes a lot of effort to write an article, and what good is it that she's along for the entire ride if she just writes an article based off of the first day? "I hope not," he says as he leans back against the pillows, slightly propped up against the headboard, "I haven't been told I do, but if I do, I'd hope I don't keep you up with it. Do you talk in your sleep?"

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > He shrugs playfully, but he knows she's right. It takes a lot of effort to write an article, and what good is it that she's alo... The more he tells her about himself the more she realizes that he doesn’t know very much about himself…and that he might have lived a lonely childhood so far. She grins, trying to stay positive. “I actually do sometimes. Ok…hmmm…let’s go for the stuff they never write about you. Favorite food?”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > The more he tells her about himself the more she realizes that he doesn’t know very much about himself…and that he might have li... He looks at her for a moment when she tells him she does talk in her sleep sometimes, wondering how she knows. Does she have a partner? Before he can ask her, she's already on her next question, like a true journalist. The question does, however, make him roll his eyes, "The stuff they 'never write about me'? That's like... the number one thing they write about me, but for some reason, it's different in every magazine. Sometimes they just make shit up."

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > He looks at her for a moment when she tells him she does talk in her sleep sometimes, wondering how she knows. Does she have a ... She squints. "Do you actually read what they write about you?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She squints. "Do you actually read what they write about you?" "They don't write that much anymore. I'm sort of old news these days," he chuckles a bit, "But in my teens, when I was on every teen girl magazine cover, that was their big opener - 'Charlie Maldroth absolutely loves LASAGNA!' - which I, for the record, do not."

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > "They don't write that much anymore. I'm sort of old news these days," he chuckles a bit, "But in my teens, when I was on every... “Ok first of all, you still didn’t answer my first and second question.” She ticks off her fingers as she mentions them. “And second, does that mean you are lactose intolerant?”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Ok first of all, you still didn’t answer my first and second question.” She ticks off her fingers as she mentions them. “An... He rolls onto his side to face her, for a moment forgetting about the space he'd created between them. "I did answer your first question. I said I don't know if I talk in my sleep. As for your second question... I guess I like pizza - which should be proof that I am not lactose intolerant. Is this how journalists manage to twist what you say? I swear that thing about me loving lasagna was just me saying that I'd had lasagna for lunch and it was pretty good."

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > He rolls onto his side to face her, for a moment forgetting about the space he'd created between them. "I did answer your fi... “No,” she laughs again. “I’m not trying to twist you up. Ok favorite food is pizza, got it. It seems like you do vaguely read the pieces they write about you, so that was my second. Third…not lactose intolerant. Got it. Sorry,” she offers with a kind smile. “How about you ask me a question then. If you want.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “No,” she laughs again. “I’m not trying to twist you up. Ok favorite food is pizza, got it. It seems like you do vaguely read th... "These are all obviously very important things to know about me, huh?" he teases, before humming a little at her offer for him to ask a question. It's probably not the most appropriate question to ask, but he's *curious*. And she offered. "Do you have a partner?"

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > "These are all obviously very important things to know about me, huh?" he teases, before humming a little at her offer for hi... She blinks and assesses his expression for a moment. All she can see in his motive for this question is honesty. “I do not. I have not…been involved with anyone since…my last arrangement.” She hates talking about that piece of shit. There are so many feelings bottled up into that can of worms.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She blinks and assesses his expression for a moment. All she can see in his motive for this question is honesty. “I do not. I ... He will never in a hundred years admit to anyone - even to himself - that he feels... relief when she says no. Relief about what? That it's okay that he's been checking her out every now and then, throughout the entire day? He needs to get a grip. The word 'arrangement' does pique his curiosity once more, but judging by the look on her face, and her tone when she says it, it's better that he doesn't ask about it. Yet, at least. "Cool," is all he says. Until he realizes that sounds weird, "Or, you know. Okay. I don't either."

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > He will never in a hundred years admit to anyone - even to himself - that he feels... relief when she says no. Relief about w... “Good to know. Still Faerun’s most eligible bachelor.” “Hmmm…what games do you have on your phone? Do you have any honest to Gods hobbies aside from motorcycles?”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Good to know. Still Faerun’s most eligible bachelor.” “Hmmm…what games do you have on your phone? Do you have any honest to Go... That actually makes him snort. His parents used to absolutely loathe when the magazines wrote that about him. Sure, it got him quite popular with the ladies, but he's never really had any long-term relationships with anyone. The question about games on his phone actually makes him laugh, and he shakes his head at her, "Are these all really essential questions for your article?" "Well... I don't know why you have to say it like *that*. There's plenty of time to be spent on motorcycles... but I like playing games. Just not on my phone. And I go clubbing sometimes."

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > That actually makes him snort. His parents used to absolutely loathe when the magazines wrote that about him. Sure, it got ... “I’m an investigative journalist. Everything is important if it’s about you. Helps me paint a clearer picture.” “Clubbing. I’ve never seen the appeal in it but perhaps I wasn’t with the right people. What do you like about it?”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “I’m an investigative journalist. Everything is important if it’s about you. Helps me paint a clearer picture.” “Clubbing. I’... "Ah, yes," he grins, "The deep, dark things you can find out through my possible *phone games*!" Then, Charlie shrugs, "If I got to choose between clubbing and staying home... I'd probably stay home... but when I'm in the mood... Free drinks. Hot people. Loud music. Dancing is fun when you're drunk enough."

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > "Ah, yes," he grins, "The deep, dark things you can find out through my possible *phone games*!" Then, Charlie shrugs, "If I g... She rolls her eyes and pulls up her phone games folder to show him the scrabble word games she does in her spare time. Then she puts her phone away again. “What kind of music do you prefer? I always found some of the clubs to have absurd music. And sometimes I have to wear my sound dampeners because-“ she twitches an ear “elven hearing.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She rolls her eyes and pulls up her phone games folder to show him the scrabble word games she does in her spare time. Then she ... He looks at her phone screen when she shows him, his lips curling into the smallest of smiles, still teasing her, "Cute. A little cliché, for a journalist, but cute." At the mention of music, he shrugs. Come to think of it, he doesn't care much for the music in clubs, but it's loud and deafening, easy to dance to... disgusting lyrics... "Usually literally anything that is not played in clubs. Punk rock, metal... some pop can be good. You don't like loud music?"

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > He looks at her phone screen when she shows him, his lips curling into the smallest of smiles, still teasing her, "Cute. A litt... “I like it when I have control over it and can manage it. But let’s say a song comes on with police sirens and I’m already being overwhelmed with the environment…makes it hard for me to pay attention. It makes my adrenaline spike in a bad way. Alcohol of course helps but I don’t drink unless I trust the people I’m with. But I like punk and rock too.” Her shirt is a punk queer band, so of course.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “I like it when I have control over it and can manage it. But let’s say a song comes on with police sirens and I’m already being... That actually makes Charlie feel a little bad for her. Since it's his birthday the next day, he's eager to celebrate somehow, but perhaps a smaller, calmer place is more in order. Not that he knows whether there even are any clubs on their trip. "Well, do you trust me?"

“Mmmm…mostly. I’d be a fool to immediately say a 100% yes. Are you trying to get me drunk, Charlie? That’s not very professional of me.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Mmmm…mostly. I’d be a fool to immediately say a 100% yes. Are you trying to get me drunk, Charlie? That’s not very professional... "Mostly?" he chuckles, tilting his head into his pillow a little, "I'm not going to try to get you drunk, but... going straight to bed at a new motel each night can be pretty boring if it's all we do for the rest of the trip, don't you think?"

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > "Mostly?" he chuckles, tilting his head into his pillow a little, "I'm not going to try to get you drunk, but... going straig... "Oh I hadn't—" *she is interrupted by a yawn that she covers with the blankets so she's not breathing in his face. "I hadn't planned on not drinking at all, but heavy drinking is something that requires trust. Besides, I am lying in bed next to you. So I must trust you enough to do that." "Ok next question, why this route? Anything special about where we're headed?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Oh I hadn't—" *she is interrupted by a yawn that she covers with the blankets so she's not breathing in his face. "I hadn't pla... He watches her, and mentally slaps himself for even letting his mind go to the place where he finds her yawning cute. "Well, likewise," he teases, before turning onto his back again, staring up at the ceiling as he thinks about her next question. "Well... the jungles of Chult are said to be the most dangerous area of all of Faerûn, for adventurers. I'm curious to see if the same applies for motorcyclists. And because I want to scare the shit out of my parents."

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > He watches her, and mentally slaps himself for even letting his mind go to the place where he finds her yawning cute. "Well, l... "What d'ya wanna do that for?" she mumbles, eyelids heavy. A frown creases her brow as she tries to understand why Charlie wants to risk something dangerous.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "What d'ya wanna do that for?" she mumbles, eyelids heavy. A frown creases her brow as she tries to understand why Charlie wants... He can tell she's starting to get tired - which also shouldn't be as cute as he seems to find it to be. "Because I'm not scared. I don't think it's so much that they're scared that something will happen to me, but scared of the things I'll do on the way."

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > He can tell she's starting to get tired - which also shouldn't be as cute as he seems to find it to be. "Because I'm not scare... "So, iz it just to prove what you think they think about you...?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "So, iz it just to prove what you think they think about you...?" He shrugs again. In all honesty, he doesn't know what he wants to prove. "I guess..." Or then he's just running. Away from his responsibilities and the reality that he can't live on his parents' tab for the rest of his life.

It seems the half-elf woman has fallen asleep, her face slackened with the ease of slumber. She is not a snorer, so her sleepy breaths come out in little puffs against the blanket pulled up and over her shoulders and ears, just her face visible.

Feeling like a total creep, Charlie watches her sleep for a moment. He can't help but wonder how tired she must be, especially if she's been in a bit of a 'work mode' all day. Him? He's just been chilling. Still, it doesn't take him long before sleep takes him as well. And he might snore, or perhaps it is a low, comfortable rumble, somewhere deep in his chest?

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Perhaps Charlie is more tired than he expects to be, because his sleep throughout the night is very deep and comfortable, dreamless and restful. In the morning, he comes to when the morning sun shines in through a gap in the blinds, right in his eyes. Not feeling like waking up yet, he nuzzles further into his warm pillow, which he is very comfortably wrapped around. Mornings rarely feel this comfortable, and he can't help but slowly grind forward into his pillow, wondering if he should just deal with his morning wood by lazily getting himself off like this. He rolls his hips forward once, and then once more, a deep, pleasured sigh escaping him... until he realizes that he isn't hugging his pillow. He's hugging Rhi! His eyes shoot open and he jolts backwards, so fast he almost falls right off the bed, but manages to catch the headboard with one hand. Oh, *gods*, did he really just rub his dick against her while half-asleep?! And she's still asleep! ... At least he hopes she's asleep. He blinks, raising his head a little to check.

The journalist sighs and mumbles softly something about wheels and rainbow sprinkles.

He lets out a sigh of relief. If she'd woken up by him rubbing up against her like that, he might as well ride right back home to Waterdeep and let his parents put him in charge of all of his father's stocks, so that he can drive them straight to bankruptcy. She luckily seem to be a deep sleeper, and she's dreaming about... rainbow sprinkles? He can't help but smile a little, watching her for a moment, with her slightly parted lips and a few strands of her hair in her face. His fingers itch to reach out and tuck those loose strands behind her ear, maybe lean in to test if her lips are as soft as they seem... That morning wood of his makes itself known once more, and he slides his hand down to squeeze it through his boxers. He should be slapping himself for even letting his mind go there, but if he just managed to stay quiet, maybe he could...?

You observe that the half-elf woman eyes move rapidly under her eyelids. She is in deep REM sleep. You suspect you could potentially get away with your lascivious idea.

She's out stone cold. His sick, twisted mind suddenly starts thinking - would she have woken up at all if he'd just gotten himself off by rubbing up against her? His dick twitches hard at the thought. *Nice*, he thinks, how absolutely fucking perfect that I'm getting even more turned on by thinking about rubbing myself against her. Then again, he spent most of the day yesterday staring at her side profile, and she seems like she has the softest thighs ever. Not to mention her ass... *Hells*, it was probably her ass he was rubbing up against just now. It's no use fighting it anymore. His boxers are down to his knees in a split second, and his hand is on his dick, stroking himself into oblivion. If he's quick, quiet, and as clean about it as possible, she won't know. If she doesn't find out, if she just keeps sleeping as deeply as she is now, it's fine. He's just taking care of his morning wood! But then he glances over at her, at first to just make sure that she isn't waking up to the movement of his hand underneath the covers, but then his gaze falls on her slightly parted lips. He has to bite back a moan when his mind instantly goes to the thought of pressing the tip of his dick against them. She's single, and she hasn't been with anyone in a while... but he bets she gives really good blowjobs anyway. How could she not, with lips like that? He huffs out a heavy breath. He's getting precome all over the covers, and he's getting a little too hot. If only he could just throw the covers off... but then she'd probably definitely wake up. But what if she did wake up? What if she woke up, saw him, his leaking dick in hand, and what if she... wanted to help? Would she just watch? Or would she offer to jerk him off - or even better, suck him off? What if she let him touch her? Kiss her? See her boobs? Oh, *gods*, her boobs must look *perfect*... "A-ah!" His orgasm surprises him to the point where he gasps out loud, both hands flying down to cover

The rainbow sprinkles pop like balloons and then she's awake, eyes feeling a bit crunchy and the air feels cold. She turns her head away and toward the light. Judging by how the light is behind her eyelids, it is time to get up. But she decides she doesn't care. She twists and turns pulling the comforter above her head and over to her side, off of Charlie. She hums and dozes a bit more, letting her ears do the waking up.

She's awake. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. Then she turns around, and pulls the fucking covers off of him! His eyes go wide, clasping his sticky hands over his softening cock, while he pulls his feet closer to himself, in an attempt to hide the fact that his boxers are still around his knees. But she isn't turning around. Thank fuck, she isn't turning around. For a split second, Charlie just looks towards her, now hidden underneath the covers, then towards the bathroom door, then down at his messy hands... It's worth the risk. He pushes himself up off the bed, tugging his boxers up halfway, before he stumbles over towards the bathroom and closes the door. Hells, he can't even look back to see if she might've woken up and seen half of his ass on the way. Oh, gods, what if she was awake the whole time? He mentally smacks himself as he goes over to the sink to wash his shameful spend off of his fingers. Watching it disappear down the drain makes him feel a little disgusted. Then, he washes his face with ice cold water, and stares at himself in the mirror. His stupid face, with the white dragon scales on his cheek, that he still can't hide from his magical visage. In an attempt to restore some of his self-worth, Charlie takes his time to clean himself up a little, go to the bathroom, and eventually take one more long look at himself in the mirror. Then, he walks out, half-expecting Rhi to sit there, ready to ask him why he just jerked off to the thought of her - while she was next to him. But she isn't sitting there. She is still wrapped up in a comforter burrito, and just to tease her - and to get his mind off of her in that way - he reaches over to grab the covers and yank them off of her. "Rise and shine, Miss Edain!"

She is snug as bug in a rug. And then she's not. She hisses and curls in on herself for a moment. Then she groans and rubs her face. "Fineeeeee..." she whines. She stretches like a lazy cat, arms abve her head and legs uncurling, knees popping. Her shirt rides up and she's probably flashing underboob but she doesn't fucking care. Everyone sees boobs. They're just boobs. She blinks her eyes open and sits up, checking her messages and pulling her braid free. Then she looks around. "Did we miss the pancake business?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She is snug as bug in a rug. And then she's not. She hisses and curls in on herself for a moment. Then she groans and rubs her... So much for trying to get his inappropriate mind off of her. He should just look away from her, but nope, he stares right down at her when she stretches, and he sees way more skin than he expects to. He quickly looks away, dropping the covers onto the floor as he heads over to his bags to start looking for clothes - while telling himself that he is not about to get hard all over again about a little peek at an underboob. "Dunno," he replies, glancing around the room - there is a clock on the wall, but he's not sure if it even works, "Uh- is it really 8:30? Then we might still make it. Surely, they do service for longer than half an hour, right?"

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > So much for trying to get his inappropriate mind off of her. He should just look away from her, but nope, he stares right down ... She notices something on her phone. An alert she put in specifically for this day. She files that away for later. "We could find a Waffle Hut? Are you a pancakes or waffles guy?" She makes quick work of changing while his back is turned, throwing deodorant on and finger combing her hair into a low ponytail. She sits and makes quick work of the laces on her boots.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She notices something on her phone. An alert she put in specifically for this day. She files that away for later. "We could fin... "I think it's for the better, yeah. Even if the pancakes here are supposedly great, I'm not sure I want to suffer that goblin lady's 'hospitality' any more." He eventually settles on just changing his t-shirt for today, but putting on the same pants as yesterday. It doesn't take him long to get dressed, seeing that Rhi is also making quick work of getting her boots on. Damn, he thought all girls take forever to get ready. "Waffles are cool," he says as he finds his phone, pulling up his Maps-application to look for a nearby Waffle Hut, "There's one a few miles down the road to Triel. Sound good?"

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > "I think it's for the better, yeah. Even if the pancakes here are supposedly great, I'm not sure I want to suffer that goblin la... She pops open her small makeup kit and lines her eyes like a pro. Then she uses her finger to smudge a bit of shadow over her lids and snaps it shut, shoving it in her pack. "Oh you know what, I know that one! We're going to pass by the grove where I grew up half my childhood. Waffles it is!"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She pops open her small makeup kit and lines her eyes like a pro. Then she uses her finger to smudge a bit of shadow over her li... "Oh, really? Why didn't you say so earlier?" he grins at her, as he pockets his phone to start gathering up the rest of his stuff. Surprisingly, Rhi is as quick as him to get her own stuff together (which does amaze him, considering most girls he's gotten ready to go out with have taken well over two hours to do their hair and make-up). "So," he says as he opens the door for her, his own bags slung over his shoulder, "Wanna stop by your old grove?"

> Reply to: @Charlie🍰 (@Joel | joeldritch) > "Oh, really? Why didn't you say so earlier?" he grins at her, as he pockets his phone to start gathering up the rest of his stu... “I…suppose we could. And I honestly didn’t think about it. I knew the destination and the start but you’re the one with the map. I was ready to just follow and investigate.” She shrugs. “I hope you like kids. The last time I heard from y cousin over there, they were overrun with them from Elturiel’s fall into Avernus,” she comments as she sneaks past him with her own bag.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “I…suppose we could. And I honestly didn’t think about it. I knew the destination and the start but you’re the one with the map.... "Well, I'm open for changes to the itinerary, so if there's some place you want to visit for purely selfish reasons, I don't see why not," he smiles at her as he pulls the door shut behind them. At the mention of kids, he furrows his brows a little. The only experience he really has with kids is... when he was a kid himself. He supposes they're alright. "Oh, shit, yeah... it's been many years, and we're gonna have to make quite the detour around the... remains of Elturel, to get south from here. But if your old grove is on the way, we should totally swing by." They walk over to their bikes, waiting right where they'd left them the night before. He fastens his saddlebags to the sides of his Harley once more, before he holds up the motel room key. "Gonna go and return this, then we'll be off. For waffles. I'm *starving*."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > "Well, I'm open for changes to the itinerary, so if there's some place you want to visit for purely selfish reasons, I don't se... "Ok! I'll be here." She bends over to secure her bag to under the seat, same as before. Then she does some checks on her bike, rubbing road dust off the rabbit painted on the hull before hiking a leg over the saddle and checking her helmet, whistling Down by the River.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Ok! I'll be here." She bends over to secure her bag to under the seat, same as before. Then she does some checks on her bike, ... He glances over his shoulder one more time when he walks, and might look a second too long while she bends over. When he almost walks into the lamppost near the front entrance, he catches himself, clears his throat and heads in. Once again, no one is at the reception. Having paid in advance, all Charlie does is leaves the key on the front desk, before he heads back out. He might be jogging a little, just in case. "Alright," he says when he returns to Rhi and the bikes, "Let's get going, before that goblin lady shows up again." He grabs his own helmet, fastening it as he climbs onto his Harley. One quick check before he starts the engine, and rolls out of the parking lot. Just a couple of miles until waffles!

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He glances over his shoulder one more time when he walks, and might look a second too long while she bends over. When he almos... She grins when he returns, pockets her phone, and throws her helmet on while starting up her bike. She follows him out of the parking lot thinking of ways to surprise the birthday boy.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She grins when he returns, pockets her phone, and throws her helmet on while starting up her bike. She follows him out of the pa... The drive is surprisingly short, with the road being straight all the way, and no one else but the two of them occupying it at this time of day. It's a strange sight, a single Waffle Hut, basically in the middle of nowhere, next to a massive sign pointing towards Triel, being another half hour away. The strangest part, however, is that it seems fairly crowded as they pull into the parking lot. Charlie takes his helmet off once they've both come to a stop, looking over at Rhi, "Seems like we weren't the only ones to prefer waffles over pancakes." Once they have their parked, he leads the way to the entrance of the fairly small building, holding the door open for Rhi to enter first. There are about twelve booths, as well as six regular tables in the whole restaurant, with all kinds of people occupying them. Most seem to be travelers, like the two of them, but there are a few tables that seem to be occupied by people who have perhaps driven here from one of the nearby smaller villages. He finds them a free booth by the window facing the parking lot, where they have a view over the motorcycles, leading Rhi over before he slides in and grabs himself a menu. "Let me guess," he says, looking up at her, "You're not going to let me pay this time either, are you?"

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Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)

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> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > The drive is surprisingly short, with the road being straight all the way, and no one else but the two of them occupying it at ... She knows she's on a budget, but she thinks that maybe, just maybe she can swing a few pricer meals and pick up the tab a few times on her own personal dime. "No, *birthday boy*, you will not be paying. He will not be paying for his meal," she tells the waitstaff that comes to greet them. "I'll have the stack with a side of eggs, overeasy, with a coffee, please."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She knows she's on a budget, but she thinks that maybe, just maybe she can swing a few pricer meals and pick up the tab a few ti... Charlie actually gasps. He had no idea Rhi even knew - or remembered - that today is his birthday. She didn't even wish him a happy birthday this morning, but waited until *now*. "Hey, it's- you don't really-" he tried to protest, but then the waitstaff is already waiting on his order, "Uh- I'll have the double stack, with bacon and eggs... and a coffee, please." When they're left alone, he gives Rhi a pointed look. "I appreciate you remembering my birthday, and wanting to pay for my meal, but I assure you, I can pay for my own things just *fine*. Besides, I don't need a birthday gift. This roadtrip is my birthday gift to myself anyway." Sure, his mother tried to ruin it by making a journalist come with him, but so far, his mother's plan doesn't seem to be working. It does feel like a good gift to himself, since Rhi is nice.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Charlie actually gasps. He had no idea Rhi even knew - or remembered - that today is his birthday. She didn't even wish him a h... "Mmhmm, mmhmm," she nods along, hands folded in front of her diplomatically. "Well, Charlie. Namedays are special. And I'm going to treat you to waffles and then show you a nice spot to relax in at the Grove for your birthday. And if you're good, I might not even tell the waitstaff about it..." She wiggles her eyebrows with a coy smile. Not everyone knows this, but sometimes the waitstaff as certain restaurants will all gather and wish you happy birthday with a song and a treat.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Mmhmm, mmhmm," she nods along, hands folded in front of her diplomatically. "Well, Charlie. Namedays are special. And I'm goin... It comes a surprise to no one that his parents are not the type to bring their kid to a restaurant where they will sing for him on his birthday. *Too much attention*, his mother would say, and Charlie would have to sit there and watch while some other kid gets a huge sundae and a song - on his birthday - but he'd get nothing. Now, though? He's an *adult*. Now it just sound embarrassing. Surely Rhi wouldn't do this to him. "I swear to the gods, if they show up with my fucking waffles *singing*, I am walking straight out."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > It comes a surprise to no one that his parents are not the type to bring their kid to a restaurant where they will sing for him... He snickers. “Guess I’m paying then.” When their coffees arrive she adds 3 sugars to hers and cream.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > He snickers. “Guess I’m paying then.” When their coffees arrive she adds 3 sugars to hers and cream. He grumbles a little, but nevertheless continues smiling at her. Girls aren't usually like this - willing to pay for his things, or even split - and he doesn't really know what to make out of her. As for his own coffee, he drinks it black, smiling over the brim of his cup when she adds sugar and cream to hers. "So, what's this nice place at your old grove that you mentioned?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He grumbles a little, but nevertheless continues smiling at her. Girls aren't usually like this - willing to pay for his thin... “How do you feel about surprises, Charlie?” She drinks the whole cup in one go before leaving the cup out for a refill.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “How do you feel about surprises, Charlie?” She drinks the whole cup in one go before leaving the cup out for a refill. He squints his eyes at her. What is she planning? He's not used to surprises, and the few he's ever had arranged to him, by someone other than his parents, have always involved partying, and him paying for it. "I don't know.... depends..."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He squints his eyes at her. What is she planning? He's not used to surprises, and the few he's ever had arranged to him, by so... She holds her hands up. “I only ask because of that reaction. Some folks don’t like surprises. It sets them on edge. I’ll tell you if you really would prefer to know.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She holds her hands up. “I only ask because of that reaction. Some folks don’t like surprises. It sets them on edge. I’ll tell y... "I like them if they don't involve me making a fool out of myself," he says, smiling as he raises his cup back up to his lips for another sip, "Are you going to make a fool out of me in front all of these people?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > "I like them if they don't involve me making a fool out of myself," he says, smiling as he raises his cup back up to his lips f... She blanches. “Not intentionally…unless you fight me to pay the tab,” she finishes with a squint. “And the surprise is at the grove. That’s what I mean. I can tell you about that if you would prefer to know.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She blanches. “Not intentionally…unless you fight me to pay the tab,” she finishes with a squint. “And the surprise is at the ... He's relieved to hear that the surprise isn't going to be in this Waffle Hut full of people who could potentially know him, though he can only hope the same doesn't have to be said about Rhi's old grove. "You said something about a nice spot to relax... is that it?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He's relieved to hear that the surprise isn't going to be in this Waffle Hut full of people who could potentially know him, tho... "Yes. I swear it won't take away from the surprise if you want me to tell you about it." She smiles fondly at him as her coffee is refilled. She adds more sugar and cream. Its hard not to think of Charlie as handsome; she can understand all those teen gossip magazines and the teenagers who bought them. Especially when the morning sun glints off those scales...

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Yes. I swear it won't take away from the surprise if you want me to tell you about it." She smiles fondly at him as her coffe... He just gives her an amused look in between drinking his coffee. "No, I'll indulge you," he smiles, "I don't think I've ever had a positive surprise, so you have a lot to live up to... but it does sound nice."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He just gives her an amused look in between drinking his coffee. "No, I'll indulge you," he smiles, "I don't think I've ever h... "I like challenges." She looks around and notices a few glances. She rolls her eyes. Celebrities are just people, get a grip, folks. "So since we're in public, I'll keep questions to a minimum. But you are more than welcome to ask whatever you want."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "I like challenges." She looks around and notices a few glances. She rolls her eyes. Celebrities are just people, get a grip, f... He doesn't even notice people staring anymore. It doesn't bother him anyway, it's the people who purposely follow him around, take pictures of him, and simply... spy on him, without even coming up to talk to him. "Well... since we are going to that grove of yours... Why'd you leave? At least you didn't mention anything about being a druid yourself, so what's up with that?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He doesn't even notice people staring anymore. It doesn't bother him anyway, it's the people who purposely follow him around, t... She's had this conversation enough times now for it to no longer sting but she does still wish it had been different. A little bit. "My story is a bit of a sob story, so don't think you have to feel bad for me. I've moved past it mostly I think, but buckle in." Their orders arrive and she is lenient on the syrup but makes sure to add salt to her eggs. After she eats at least one of them, she begins. "Mom meets dad, dad leaves because of some crazy circumstance, mom is pregnant with me. Well, my mom was a tavernkeep so she didn't exactly have the time, patience, or coin to keep a child around most of the time. But thankfully, my dad left her with a few clues about himself and when my cousin came to visit, he picked up on that. We'll meet him in the grove." "The grove is...a druid sanctuary like most groves. So mom dumps me off on my cousin and he takes me back to the grove. I trained with the other druid initiates and children, but...I could never master the magic or channel the right thing. I felt the need to protect and defend. I would settle petty squabbles and fights a lot as a kid. My cousin watched and waited. When I hit puberty, he sat me down to talk about a different path and that's how I ended up going back to the Gate to become a paladin instead." She eats her other egg while he digests that information and his food.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She's had this conversation enough times now for it to no longer sting but she does still wish it had been different. A little b... When she tells him it's a bit of a sob story, he actually feels bad for asking. It seems like no one is actively trying to listen in on their conversation, but there's always a risk when speaking openly in his company. Still, with his serving of waffles, eggs and bacon, he listens to her telling him - surprisingly openly - about her past. He didn't expect her to talk about herself this extensively, but then again, she's done nothing but surprised him with how different from other girls she is, so far. He just nods slowly at first. It makes sense that she is different from other girls, having had an upbringing like that, but he's starting to feel like this is exactly why he likes her. It's not the question he wants to ask, but he feels like it's better to leave it for later, for a more private location, "Are you gonna let your cousin know we're coming?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > When she tells him it's a bit of a sob story, he actually feels bad for asking. It seems like no one is actively trying to *lis... "Nah. He's not a technology person anyway, so I'd have to write a traditional letter or something wild. Get ahold of a sending spell. He'll be happy to see me no matter what. How do you feel about bears?" she asks between bites, doing her little happy for food dance.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Nah. He's not a technology person anyway, so I'd have to write a traditional letter or something wild. Get ahold of a sending s... He stops mid-bite, getting a little distracted by the way she seems to enjoy her own food. Gods, she is cute. He needs to stop staring. "Um- bears? Like the gay men kind of bears? They're cool, I guess."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He stops mid-bite, getting a little distracted by the way she seems to enjoy her own food. Gods, she is cute. He needs to stop ... She snorts, chewing her food. Once she’s finished, she replies, “Yeah…I guess he’d fall into that category.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She snorts, chewing her food. Once she’s finished, she replies, “Yeah…I guess he’d fall into that category.” He might be a little confused about it, quirking an eyebrow at her in between bites of waffle. "Oh- your cousin? Is this your scheme to pair me up with him or something?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He might be a little confused about it, quirking an eyebrow at her in between bites of waffle. "Oh- your cousin? Is this your s... She outright laughs at that, almost spilling her coffee. “No, no. He is very old. I’m not sure he’s your type but who knows.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She outright laughs at that, almost spilling her coffee. “No, no. He is very old. I’m not sure he’s your type but who knows.” The corners of his lips turn upwards when she laughs. Her laugh is pretty cute. He needs to stop thinking she's cute. "Yet another scandal for my parents to cry about, then. If he's nice, he might be my type. Who knows, after all?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > The corners of his lips turn upwards when she laughs. Her laugh is pretty cute. He needs to stop thinking she's cute. "Yet ... Her face almost breaks with the effort it takes not to cry laugh. She saves face by faking a cough spell.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Her face almost breaks with the effort it takes not to cry laugh. She saves face by faking a cough spell. He can tell she's holding back her laugh this time, but he still feels a little self-satisfied at being able to amuse her like that. They finish their waffles over some more small talk about the grove, mostly about how to get there, and Charlie is happy to let her take the lead once they're finished eating. He doesn't even make a fuss about her paying when the waitstaff arrives to take it. When finished, they head out, Charlie holding the door open for her once again, before they walk back over to the motorcycles. "So, you think you know the way from here, then?" he asks as he puts his own helmet on and fastens it, before climbing onto his bike.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He can tell she's holding back her laugh this time, but he still feels a little self-satisfied at being able to amuse her like ... She climbs back on her bike and puts her helmet on. "I sure do!" she replies and then flicks her visor down.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She climbs back on her bike and puts her helmet on. "I sure do!" she replies and then flicks her visor down. He gives her a nod, starting up his engine, before waiting for her to do the same. Then, he lets her take the lead for the following portion of the trip, feeling both excited and nervous about going to see her old grove. Oh, gods, what if her cousin thinks he's her boyfriend?

They drive for a while before approaching Triel. Then she has them take an off-road, lesser traveled road toward The Reaching Woods. As they approach over the high road, she sees and remembers the old path they would travel back and forth to The Gate. She slows down enough to take her helmet off, letting her face and hair blow in the breeze. -# DON'T DO THIS KIDS, EVER. DON'T TAKE YOUR HELMET OFF.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > They drive for a while before approaching Triel. Then she has them take an off-road, lesser traveled road toward The Reaching Wo... The drive down to Triel is about as exciting as one would consider the road to a village that size would be. They come across a few other vehicles on the road, but before they get any closer to any more urban-like area, Rhi is already leading the way onto a much smaller road towards the wilderness. It makes sense - druid groves are rarely in cities. He follows her, the road growing more and more unkempt, and the foliage around it seems to have started to grow much closer to it. No car has traveled this road in many years, he can tell. Then, she takes her helmet off, and what kind of guy would he be if he didn't do the same? They're going much slower now anyway, and he loosens the strap of his helmet and just lets it hang off his neck. "Getting close, huh?" he calls out over the roar of their engines.

She just grins and lets the wind carry her scent.

Up ahead a loud roar and a giant cave bear barrels through the foliage and into the road behind them. Then it takes off running toward them.

At first, Charlie doesn't quite make out the roar of the bear, but thinks Rhi is just revving her engine. That is, until he feels a presence behind them. He turns around, his eyes going wide. A fucking bear?! Bears can run really fast, Charlie knows this, and this one seems to be keeping up fairly well. "F-fuck! Rhi, a bear! Go, go, go!" he yells, speeding on ahead.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > At first, Charlie doesn't quite make out the roar of the bear, but thinks Rhi is just revving her engine. That is, until he feel... She bellows and turns her bike. She throws the kickstand down and throws her helmet on the handlebars as she jumps off. Then she's running pell mell toward the bear.

The bear is snuffling and about halfway slides to a stop and stand on its hind legs. The journalist continues to sprint towards the bear.

Charlie turns his head, realizing that Rhi isn't following. No, she's even turned her fucking bike around, and stopped! "What the fuck are you doing?!" He skids his bike to a stop, turning it right around and revving up a whole dust storm behind him. Never before has he let his instincts overtake him like this, which is why instead of driving straight for the bear (the bike is pretty heavy, after all), like a normal person would do, he jumps off his bike mid-journey, tackling Rhi to the ground. His bike rolls off into the brush, before it hits a tree or something - he doesn't even care in that moment.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Charlie turns his head, realizing that Rhi isn't following. No, she's even turned her fucking bike around, and stopped! "What... She is giggling like an idiot as she pulls faces at the bear standing on its back legs. She feels something heavy tackle her to the ground and her blood runs cold. She turns with half a snarl on her lips, shoving at the arms holding onto her before she realizes who it is. "CHARLIE?! WHAT ARE YOU—"

The bear makes a disgruntled noise and falls back to his front paws, running forward. When he reaches the wrestling bikers, he snuffles at Charlie and Rhi's heads before licking a broad stripe across her forehead.

He moves in a split second as the bear reaches them, snarling as he lets go of Rhi in favor of shoving his- claws? In the hassle of it all, he must've let go of his magical visage a little too much. In his hands' stead are now white claws, and his usually differently colored eyes are now both an icy blue, his pupils narrow slits. Where it's usually only his cheek that has some white scales on it, they're now all over his face. Then he realizes the bear isn't actively attacking them. He rolls off of Rhi, pushing himself back along the dirt for a moment, as he wills his magical disguise back. Fuck, he's never done that before. And what's up with that bear?! When he's no longer looking half-dragon (or well, as half-dragon), he just stares at Rhi and the bear. Wait... bear. Is that...?

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He moves in a split second as the bear reaches them, snarling as he lets go of Rhi in favor of shoving his- claws? In the has... She can't stop giggling as the bear licks her face and blows raspberries on her cheek, then he is picking her up in his bear claws and swinging her about as she shrieks with laughter. "HALSINNNNNN!"

The bear swinging the half-elf about as if she weighs nothing turns golden and his bear-like appearance falls off him like mud to the ground. In its place, a very large wood elf man with a tattoo and a huge scar across his face belly laughs.

"Hellllo, little rabbit!"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She can't stop giggling as the bear licks her face and blows raspberries on her cheek, then he is picking her up in his bear cla... He stares in absolute horror. This girl is fucking insane, coming down here and hugging a fucking bear?! Fuck, he should just get up, grab his bike from that bush over there and- Wait, the bear just turned into... into an elf? A very big elf.

"HALSIN-WAIT CHARLIE?! Is Charlie ok?! Oh fuck, fuck fuck—" She pinches something that has him wincing and grunting, dropping her to the ground. She hits the dirt as if she's done this a million times and runs to Charlie's side. "Charlie, are you ok?!" Her hands fly over his face, pushing his hair out of the way.

halsin: "The thanks I get for making sure you friend's motorized contraption from going over the cliff is a nipple pinch. That's no way to show appreciation," he chuckles. He raises his hand and vines lift the white Harley up and over to sit next to Rhiannon's.

Charlie just sits there, his eyes wide. For a moment, he doesn't even react to Rhi coming over to him. Then he realizes her hands are on his cheeks, and she's brushing his hair out of his eyes, and his heart makes another backflip in his chest. Still, he can't bring himself to pull away. "A-a-ah- I'm fine!" he gasps, looking at her, "W-what- is- what the fuck is going on?!"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Charlie just sits there, his eyes wide. For a moment, he doesn't even react to Rhi coming over to him. Then he realizes her han... Her ears and cheeks go pink and she sits back on her heels, rubbing the back of her neck. "I'm sorry, I should have explained. Halsin is my cousin. And a bear. He's a retired archdruid and cave bear is like his second nature. So we have this thing we do where I try to wrestle him as a bear. It's kind of silly. I'm sorry I scared you."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Her ears and cheeks go pink and she sits back on her heels, rubbing the back of her neck. "I'm sorry, I should have explained. ... He listens to her, and while it does explain... well, everything, he still can't stop staring at her with wide eyes. At her, and then the bear-turned-elf, who is apparently in the process of lifting his bike away from the shrubs it crashed into. Hells, he can't even bring himself to go and have a look - but from afar it luckily seems unscathed. "W-wh- This isn't really what I expected when you asked me how I feel about bears!"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He listens to her, and while it does explain... well, everything, he still can't stop staring at her with wide eyes. At her, an... She cringes. Fucking up already, Rhi. Great job, A plus. Star pupil.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He listens to her, and while it does explain... well, everything, he still can't stop staring at her with wide eyes. At her, an... He ambles over, towering and huge. He grabs Charlie by the back of his jacket and pulls him up to standing. Then he sticks out his hand for a handshake. "Well met, I'm Halsin Silverbough of the Emerald Grove. Nice to see Rhi out making friends!"

> Reply to: @Halsin (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > He ambles over, towering and huge. He grabs Charlie by the back of his jacket and pulls him up to standing. Then he sticks out ... He bites back the string of curse words that want to escape his mouth out of pure shock at the strength of Rhi's cousin as he comes over and quite literally lifts him up onto his feet. "Ha-Ha-Halsin-" he stutters, taking the outstretched hand, only to be shaken quite vigorously, "A-ah- I'm- I'm Charlie, we were... uh- we were just passing by, and figured we'd pay you a visit, since Rhi said she grew up here."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He bites back the string of curse words that want to escape his mouth out of pure shock at the strength of Rhi's cousin as he c... "Halsin! Don't rip his arm off, for Silvanis's sake. Uh, but yes. Charlie and I are on a road trip. I wanted to show him the grove."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He bites back the string of curse words that want to escape his mouth out of pure shock at the strength of Rhi's cousin as he c... He laughs cheerfully, the epitome of jolliness minus a big belly. "All are welcome in the grove as long as I live and breathe. Ah! I know those scales. A draconic sorcerer! My it has been quite a while since we had one around these parts. I think Rosalind moved to Scornubel, right?" Rhiannon nods at him and he claps his hand on Charlie's back. "Well, you're welcome in. Rhi knows the way from here; its just up ahead. I'll let them know to expect you and your grumbling machines." He pulls Rhi's ponytail as he passes by and earns shout and a finger before he's back to being a bear and charging off up ahead of them.

> Reply to: @Halsin (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > He laughs cheerfully, the epitome of jolliness minus a big belly. "All are welcome in the grove as long as I live and breathe. ... Halsin seems very friendly, but he talks *a lot*. He thinks he's a draconic sorcerer? Good, that's always a good excuse for the scales. Charlie doesn't even have time to say anything before the former archdruid gives him a friendly smack in the back (it stings a little), and is a bear once more. He looks towards Rhi as Halsin runs off. "This is apparently all... perfectly normal?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Halsin seems very friendly, but he talks *a lot*. He thinks he's a draconic sorcerer? Good, that's always a good excuse for the... “I mean…it is for me?” She feels bad and looks like she means it, sheepish. “Charlie I really am sorry. I promise your surprise isn’t terrifying or anything like that. Opposite really, very relaxing. Unless you hate water or something.” She’s rambling and she really should just shut up.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “I mean…it is for me?” She feels bad and looks like she means it, sheepish. “Charlie I really am sorry. I promise your surpris... She hasn't really shown this side of herself yet. This... self-deprecating side. It actually makes him feel pretty bad. "Hey..." he says, his voice soft as he walks over to her, reaching over to put a hand on her shoulder, while doing his best to ignore the way it makes his fingertips tingle a little with the desire to... he doesn't even know, "It's *fine*, really. I was just... surprised, that's all."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > She hasn't really shown this side of herself yet. This... self-deprecating side. It actually makes him feel pretty bad. "Hey..... “OK. Okay. If you’re sure?”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “OK. Okay. If you’re sure?” He nods reassuringly at her, and then, he gives in to the desire to squeeze her shoulder. It makes his heart jump a little again. "Yeah," he says, pulling his hand away when he feels like he's squeezing her for a little too long, "Let's go, yeah? Let's not keep them waiting, if they've all missed you as much as Halsin has."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He nods reassuringly at her, and then, he gives in to the desire to squeeze her shoulder. It makes his heart jump a little agai... His quiet reassuring voice makes her cheeks and ears even pinker. They walk over to his bike which appears to be fine. Looks like it had a failsafe or something to stop the engine. “Ugh you almost wrecked your motorcycle. That would be have been horrible.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > His quiet reassuring voice makes her cheeks and ears even pinker. They walk over to his bike which appears to be fine. Looks lik... That, he actually feels a little embarrassed about. He reacted very strongly to seeing a bear charging at Rhi. Still, he's pretty sure she didn't notice anything about his visage changing - luckily. "Yeah... I wasn't going too fast, though, so if something had happened to it, it would've probably been easy to fix," he says, but nevertheless checks the bike before he gets back on it and starts it up. It starts normally, and he smiles over at her. "Well, then, Homecoming Queen. After you."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > That, he actually feels a little embarrassed about. He reacted very strongly to seeing a bear charging at Rhi. Still, he's pr... She leads Charlie to the entrance of the grove and there are shouts and waves from folks on patrol. They ride in and she has him pull over to the side opposite the cliff overlooking the sacred circle. “Here it is! Welcome to the Emerald Grove.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She leads Charlie to the entrance of the grove and there are shouts and waves from folks on patrol. They ride in and she has h... It's almost like arriving with his Harley outside any of the clubs in Waterdeep. People shouting, waving, seeming very excited... except none of them are actually excited about seeing *him*, it seems - and the fact that this is very much a natural camp built in between the cliffs. Strangely, it feels good not to be the center of attention, and Rhi seems very happy to be here as well. He lets her lead the way to their parking spots, and he looks out over the sacred circle below, while Rhi introduces him to the place. The Emerald Grove. To think that she grew up here... Almost instantly, they're overrun by a whole horde of kids, with the ones in their teens seemingly happiest to see her. A few come over to look at their bikes, as if they've never seen a motorcycle before. At first, Charlie is a little worried about having a bunch of kids with sticky fingers touching his bike, but then again... they seem to be very gentle, so he just lets them.

The kids shout and ask a bunch of question: Rhi, how is Jay-here-a? Rhi Rhi Rhi, did you see the ocean?! Rhi, who is this man? Is he your BOYYFRREIIEEENNNDDD? Rhi, I maded dis for youuu. The littlest one with pink hair and red scales holds up a little folded paper rabbit.

She scoops up the littlest one and blows a raspberry on her cheek. “Thank you, Ximena.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She scoops up the littlest one and blows a raspberry on her cheek. “Thank you, Ximena.” He watches Rhi as she interacts with the excited children, before he's distracted by a tiefling boy asking him about the painted dragon on his motorcycle. "No, no, I didn't paint it myself. I just like dragons, they're really cool." The boy seems to agree, pushing and pulling at his half-elf friend next to him, and yelling about how 'yeah, dragon's breathe fire!' "Wanna try sitting on it?" he offers to them both, and they both gasp, eyes wide, before they eagerly bounce, waiting for him to help them. So, he does, lifting them up onto the motorcycle, one at a time, "Alright, be careful with it, though. It's got some real horsepowers."

The kids dissolve into laughter and one of them turns into a young fowl, whinnying and neighing, grinning with huge horse teeth.

Charlie's eyes go wide. It's his first time being around this many kids at once, and while it's a very new thing to him, he's pretty sure kids don't normally turn into horses all of a sudden. The kids on his bike eventually get tired of sitting on it, and instead run off, pretending to be riding their own bikes. A few join them, and most of the kids scatter off. He looks to Rhi and chuckles a little, "Were you like this too? Except the turning into a horse part."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Charlie's eyes go wide. It's his first time being around this many kids at once, and while it's a very new thing to him, he's pr... “Yeah pretty much. I’d have been leading the charge probably or up there,” she points to a tree overlooking the circle where a few kids play like they aren’t dangling 40 feet in the air, “with a book.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “What were you like as a kid? And no, I don’t trust the write ups. No kid acts how they really are in public.” They walk down ... He looks up towards the tree for a moment, smiling. Then, when she starts leading the way down into the caves, in which apparently most of the camp seems to be built. It's surprisingly big, and for a moment, Charlie is a little taken aback by the fact that people can just build this stuff. "Huh? Oh... nothing like you, or these kids. Didn't really get to go out much, living in the city and all. My mom used to tell me there are creeps around every corner, just waiting to kidnap a white-haired little boy... but my dad used to take me to the park. Though when I was six, I tricked four kids into licking the metal of the monkey bars after I'd frozen it, and they had to wait for a whole hour for it to thaw, my dad told me I'm unfit to play with other kids... so he never took me again."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He looks up towards the tree for a moment, smiling. Then, when she starts leading the way down into the caves, in which apparen... She giggle-snorts and shakes her head. “That’s a shame. Sounds like normal kid stuff to me.” She leads him down to the sacred circle where a pillar stands with an idol of Silvanis atop it. She shows him the underground area where the Druid leaders convene and sleep. She introduces him to the Chionthar and the harpy cliffs. And then she leads him to a waterfall. “Seems a rope bridge has been put in since last time so that’s good.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She giggle-snorts and shakes her head. “That’s a shame. Sounds like normal kid stuff to me.” She leads him down to the sacred c... "Well, even in Waterdeep, with its many talented magic-users, it's not normal for six-year-olds to cast high level frost spells. I didn't know I could either, so there's that," he says, following along as Rhi walks him around the entire area. It's not too big of a camp, but the kids sure liven up the place with how they're running about, and he can't help but find the thought of little Rhi running around here incredibly cute. They greet several of the adult druids that are around the grove, all of who seem very happy to see Rhi again. There are several instances where someone asks her if Charlie is her boyfriend, and they're equally quick to say no. Still, they all seem to be giving Charlie knowing glances. Then, finally, Rhi starts leading him down a path towards a waterfall. "Where are we going now? Some of your old hiding places?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > "Well, even in Waterdeep, with its many talented magic-users, it's not normal for six-year-olds to cast high level frost spells... “Something like that.” It is still chilly despite being just after lunch, but she leads him past the waterfall and over to the ledge behind it. She slips behind the waterfall. He follows her, hesitant but likely because of earlier with Halsin. They walk into a cave behind the waterfall but nothing is there. She winks and runs her hands along a crack in the wall until she hears a click. She pushes against the wall and a portion of it swung open. Then she slipped inside.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Something like that.” It is still chilly despite being just after lunch, but she leads him past the waterfall and over to the ... He squints his eyes a little in suspicion, but her secretive tone intrigues him, so he keeps following her without any objection. If he wasn't so thoroughly homeschooled on any matter of topics, he'd have his mind blown at the fact that there's a cave behind the waterfall. He's never experienced one in real life, so it is very impressive to see it. When he's done taking in the - surprisingly uneventful - cave, he looks to Rhi, who's apparently just waiting for him to look at her. Then, she winks, and he feels just a little jolt in his chest where his heart skips a beat. And suddenly, there's a hidden door in the cave wall. His jaw falls open with a gasp. "No fucking way!" He follows her, eager to see what hides behind it... until he realizes that this must be his surprise.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He squints his eyes a little in suspicion, but her secretive tone intrigues him, so he keeps following her without any objectio... “Tah-dah!” Before them is a shining, glowing pool. Steam rises from it and bubbles float up lazily. She leaves a crack in the wall and walks over to sit on a short rock, unlacing her boots.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Tah-dah!” Before them is a shining, glowing pool. Steam rises from it and bubbles float up lazily. She leaves a crack in th... Behind the hidden door, a warm pool of water reveals itself. His eyes stay wide as he approaches it, curious to get a better look. It seems to be warm, judging by the steam, as well as the clearly warmer air in the space. "This is *amazing*," he says, turning towards Rhi and- She's taking her boots off. "Oh- we're... we're getting in?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Behind the hidden door, a warm pool of water reveals itself. His eyes stay wide as he approaches it, curious to get a better lo... She stops midway through her other boot. “Oh uh. It’s a hot spring? Getting in was the general idea? We don’t have to though. We could do something else or just get back on the bikes if you’d prefer.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She stops midway through her other boot. “Oh uh. It’s a hot spring? Getting in was the general idea? We don’t have to though.... He blinks. They're getting in... together. "Yeah- *no*, it sounds really good!" he says quickly, before clearing his throat and behind down to start unlacing his own boots.

She grins and finishes unlacing her boots. Then she steps out of pants and folds them. Same with her jacket and shirt. Rhi, clothed in only a plain blue bra and panty set, turns and steps up to the side and slowly starts to step in. Her tattoo is on full display.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She grins and finishes unlacing her boots. Then she steps out of pants and folds them. Same with her jacket and shirt. Rhi, cl... He stares down at the ground as he slowly undoes both of his boots and takes them off, doing his best not to look at her when he senses her undressing all the way down to her underwear. Then, when she turns around to step into the pool of water, he allows himself to look. The first thing his eyes fall onto is the tattoo. And it's a familiar tattoo. Angel wings. His brain short-circuits for a moment, and Rhi is already in the water when he finally catches himself, standing back up to kick his boots off. He shrugs his jacket off, and pulls his shirt over his head, leaving them in a messy pile on the ground. Then, he turns his back towards her - just in case - and pushes his pants down. When he finally feels normal enough to turn around, he does, slowly climbing into the pool after her, while trying to think of literally anything else but that one image he kept going back to all the time the night before.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He stares down at the ground as he slowly undoes both of his boots and takes them off, doing his best not to look at her when h... “When I was a kid I would come sit and enjoy the quiet in the little cave out there. And sometimes I would trace the edges of the cracks. One day, Halsin found me after I came here upset and showed me the hidden door,” she says while slipping into the water. Then she ducks underneath, squatting to be full submerged. She continues once she stands back up. “This became a place I could go to when I needed to relax the adrenaline in my my tense muscles. So anyways,” she sits against the inset edge that functions as a seat and runs the perimeter of the hot spring. “Surprise! Hot springs are so fucking cool,” she finishes by slipping under like a lazy boneless heap, only her head appearing over the surface as it bubbles.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “When I was a kid I would come sit and enjoy the quiet in the little cave out there. And sometimes I would trace the edges of th... Almost half of what Rhi says goes right over his head. He's too busy trying to drown out the thoughts of her being into BDSM!! So much for trying to keep his mind off of it. He clears his throat, smiling at her when she 'reveals' her surprise, and he takes that as his cue to enter the pool. The water is pleasantly warm, so it's easy for him to slide right into it, lowering himself enough to make sure she can't catch him being half-hard in his boxers. It's just a tattoo. "It's... it's nice," he smiles at her, "So this was sort of your own little secret, then?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Almost half of what Rhi says goes right over his head. He's too busy trying to drown out the thoughts of her *being into BDSM!!... She smiles a lazy one, eyes closed as she just drifts. “If was actually a well known secret for the adults mostly. But the tieflings run hot so they weren’t interested. And most of the other druids could just splash and play in the water as fish or birds. Only a few of us really ever use it. We would also bring anyone here who needed private healing or solitude. But nope, usually just me and a few others. Halsin prefer snoozing in the woods. He runs a bit warm.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She smiles a lazy one, eyes closed as she just drifts. “If was actually a well known secret for the adults mostly. But the tief... He nods, smiling a little at the way she seems to visibly relax in here. "So, you're saying we should be looking out for fish or birds in here?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He nods, smiling a little at the way she seems to visibly relax in here. "So, you're saying we should be looking out for fish ... She chuckles and splashes his direction without opening her eyes. “No, silly man. They do that out in the wild open. Down on the riverbank usually. Along the edges and whatnot. If you go further south a little bit, an alien ship crashed out there. It was wild for a bit.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She chuckles and splashes his direction without opening her eyes. “No, silly man. They do that out in the wild open. Down on t... "Hey!" he exclaims when she splashes water at him, trying to cover his eyes. She still isn't opening her own eyes... maybe he could... "An alien ship? Now you're just making shit up." He lowers himself further down into the water, and starts slowly sneaking his way closer to her.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > "Hey!" he exclaims when she splashes water at him, trying to cover his eyes. She still isn't opening her own eyes... maybe he c... She chuckles and drifts lazily. This was always her little happy and she’s thrilled she can finally show someone this. “You seem umimpressed. Not your cup of tea?”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She chuckles and drifts lazily. This was always her little happy and she’s thrilled she can finally show someone this. “You se... He doesn't say anything. Mostly because he's moved up quite close to her, and he's trying to be sneaky. Then, he reaches behind her neck underneath the water, and gives her ponytail a playful tug. "Boo!" he yells, before splashing her in the face.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He doesn't say anything. Mostly because he's moved up quite close to her, and he's trying to be sneaky. Then, he reaches behin... Rhiannon is not an idiot. She has had plenty of kids pull this maneuver so she lets him. Because she has a sneaking suspicious that no one let Charlie just be a kid. She plays up being pulled hard enough to go underwater, flailing a little but she knows it’s clear enough he can see her form and know she’s fine. Instead she flips over and pinches his sides before kicking off to move to the other side of the pool, flinging more water in his face. She surfaces and sticks a tongue out at him.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Rhiannon is not an idiot. She has had plenty of kids pull this maneuver so she lets him. Because she has a sneaking suspicious t... He's a little surprised at her submerging when he pulls at her ponytail - he didn't mean to pull that hard - but he quickly realizes she's just messing with him. Especially when she moves over to pinch his sides. "Ow- hey!" he yelps, scrambling away towards the opposite side of the pool, while trying to dodge the water she tries to splash in his direction when she does the same. Nevertheless, he grins at her when she sticks a tongue out at him. "Is this your idea of 'relaxing'?" he teases, fully aware that he definitely started it.

She calls him on it. “You started it, *Charles*.” She slides underwater with a middle finger spinning.

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Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)

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Joel | joeldritch

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> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She calls him on it. “You started it, *Charles*.” She slides underwater with a middle finger spinning. "Hey- my name's not Charles!" His lips curl into an even wider grin, and he bounds off towards her without a second thought. He dives underneath the water, aiming for getting his arms around her waist.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > "Hey- my name's not Charles!" His lips curl into an even wider grin, and he bounds off towards her without a second thought.... She squeaks because her mouth is full of air as he grabs her around the waist — *holy shit his shoulders are fucking wide *— and she tries tickling his ribs as he stands up with her over his shoulder. Then the light reflects off a patch of scales peeking above his boxers. She strokes over them delicately without thinking.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She squeaks because her mouth is full of air as he grabs her around the waist — *holy shit his shoulders are fucking wide *— and... He easily hoists her over his shoulder, the water leaving her light enough for him to do so, even with his limited strength. "Hey- stop!" he laughs when he feels her trying to tickle him, and he's just about to put her back down when he feels her fingers sliding down his lower back. He blinks a little, pausing, with her still hoisted up, "... What are you doing?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He easily hoists her over his shoulder, the water leaving her light enough for him to do so, even with his limited strength. "... Her ponytail flops wetly and the water is dripping off them. She snatches her hand away like she's been burned. "I-I was looking at your scales. I should've asked first before touching. They just caught my attention." Her cheeks and ears are flushed again but one could also chalk it up to the heat of the hot spring.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Her ponytail flops wetly and the water is dripping off them. She snatches her hand away like she's been burned. "I-I was lookin... He pauses for a moment, feeling his own cheeks heat up a little. She wanted to look at his scales... the ones on his lower back? Sure, the ones on his face wouldn't be any less awkward to touch, but... it doesn't really feel awkward. "Yeah, well... you probably know the rumors," he says, slowly letting her down again, simply because it's weird to have a serious discussion with someone in this position. Then, he turns around as if to show her again, from this perspective, "And you had to touch them to see if they feel real, huh?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He pauses for a moment, feeling his own cheeks heat up a little. She wanted to look at his scales... the ones on his lower ba... She looks at him, appalled, and absolutely does not touch them again. "No, no! I ...they were just right there in my face and looked shiny that's all. Rumors are just rumors. I wasn't thinking about that at all." She searches his face which is half over his shoulder. "Do they bother you? The scales?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She looks at him, appalled, and absolutely does not touch them again. "No, no! I ...they were just right there in my face and lo... He snorts a little. Seeing something shiny and not being able to resist touching it? How familiar that sounds. Then, when she doesn't seem eager to touch them again, he turns back around and instead lowers himself back into the water to get comfortable once more. "No," he lies, but unless she's one of those girls who have decided that the rumors are true, it's not a bad lie, "Draconic sorcerers tend to have scales in certain spots."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He snorts a little. Seeing something shiny and not being able to resist touching it? How familiar that sounds. Then, when she ... She puts her hands on her hips and fixes him with a dubious look. "Mmmhmmm," is all she says.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She puts her hands on her hips and fixes him with a dubious look. "Mmmhmmm," is all she says. He swears he does his best to get comfortable, but when she stands in front of him like that, with her hands on her hips, and her breasts with that horribly offensive sopping wet bra covering them... who can blame him for staring? Whatever he managed to do to get rid of his hard-on just now was to no avail. He's rock hard within seconds, and he quickly runs a wet hand through his hair in an attempt to cool himself down. Oh, and he also looks away. After trying to make out the outline of her nipples in her bra, for a few seconds too long. "W-well, it's true!" he says, hoping his voice squeaks less than he feels like it does.

rbike: She just rolls her eyes and splashes him in the face before falling backward into the pool and floating away. "Well, anyway," she announces to the ceiling, "I hope you liked your surprise. I might have another one."

> Reply to: @Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias) > She just rolls her eyes and splashes him in the face before falling backward into the pool and floating away. "Well, anyway," ... He actually chuckles a little at that, despite himself. "Another surprise? What's that?" It's probably his dick talking when he finds himself hoping she'll take her bra off as her next surprise. That would be a surprise alright.

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Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)

toffeenuttardis

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Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)

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> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He actually chuckles a little at that, despite himself. "Another surprise? What's that?" It's probably his dick talking when ... "I told Halsin it was your birthday."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "I told Halsin it was your birthday." At that, he just blinks. "Why... is that a surprise?"

"Little rabbit! Are you and your friend ready for the celebration?"

The bellow of the bear is loud enough to squeeze through the crack in the wall as the journalist hops up on the ledge of the spring and starts to squeeze the water from her hair, a smirk on her face.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > At that, he just blinks. "Why... is that a surprise?" "Drying off now!" she shouts back, the cavern projecting her voice through the crack. "I told Halsin that if he wanted me to stick around for a celebratory feast for my visit, he'd have to have plenty of alcohol and pizza for the birthday boy."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Drying off now!" she shouts back, the cavern projecting her voice through the crack. "I told Halsin that if he wanted me t... He actually jumps a little when Halsin's voice can suddenly be heard from outside of the cavern. "W-wh- Alcohol and pizza?" he says, looking up at her - and the tattoo - when she gets out of the pool, "You really told him that?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He actually jumps a little when Halsin's voice can suddenly be heard from outside of the cavern. "W-wh- Alcohol and pizza?" he... The end of her lips quirk up in a quizzical smile. "Yesss? I mean its not Patron or Grey Goose. It'll mostly be moonshine, mead, some cider, and maybe some wine. But they love flavor so there will probably lots of bitters and extracts and stuff to make plenty of cocktails with. Goodberry juice and all that. The pizzas are homemade. Lots of stone-fired stuff and homemade cheese. They do get outside deliveries from the Gate, but its usually stuff that is ordered through mail carrier." "...is that ok? Would you rather go clubbing in Scornubel?" She waives a hand over her front and her undergarments are dried off. She slips into her pants and sits down to look over at him as she pulls on her silly pizza socks.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > The end of her lips quirk up in a quizzical smile. "Yesss? I mean its not Patron or Grey Goose. It'll mostly be moonshine, mead... He listens to her, while quite literally staring at her body the whole time. It's only when she dries herself off with a quick spell in a split second that he realizes he's staring. "I can't believe you're tricking your cousin into throwing a birthday party for me," he chuckles, smiling teasingly at her as he begins to climb out of the pool as well, "but it sounds nice. I suppose we can just hop on the bikes and head over to Scornubel if it's no fun." Honestly, getting to party here - with free alcohol and pizza - where no one seems to recognize him (or at least haven't acted weird about it if they do) sounds about a billion times better than going to Scornubel. Being a larger city, the excitement about a celebrity appearance is bound to be massive. Doing his best to move in a way that hides the fact that he's still half-hard, (*She's getting dressed now, there's no reason to be turned on!*) he grabs his own pants and waves a quick prestidigitation-cantrip over himself to dry off, before he begins getting dressed as well. "So, are they big on partying?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He listens to her, while quite literally staring at her body the whole time. It's only when she dries herself off with a quick ... She scoffs, chuckling under her breath as she pulls her long sleeve shirt on before her jacket. She doesn't notice anything off about Charlie because years and years of casual nudity in the grove taught her to keep her eyes to herself during certain moments, like dressing in close proximity. "OH yeah. A lot of the refugees who live her now, and some in Reithwin, went through a LOT in the last 5 years. Their city being pulled into Avernus, the crazy cult that was running around out here. That alien ship crashing that you don't believe me about. A lot of them died. So they celebrate out here pretty often."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She scoffs, chuckling under her breath as she pulls her long sleeve shirt on before her jacket. She doesn't notice anything off ... He finishes getting dressed while Rhi speaks, and while some weird story about an alien ship sounds unbelievable, he does know that this region did suffer quite a few losses during the catastrophe in Elturel. "Well, those seem very valid reasons for wanting to throw sick parties," he grins at her as he rakes his fingers through his wet hair a few times, making sure it doesn't stand right on end before they head out, "Ready?"

She zips up her moto jacket and gives him a thumbs up, "Yep." They make their way back to the main path and she can already hear the bards playing. It's old fashioned style music, but its lively and fun. The sun is setting over the mountains on either side in the little cliffside grove enclosure and as they enter the cave structure, there are braziers filled with fires everywhere hitting them with a wave of heat immediately. And yes, some of the tieflings have crafted stone-fired ovens in the walls of the caves. Laughter bounces off the walls and into the evening air. The smell of tomato sauce and spices floats through the enclosed space easily. The kids are all congregated in one small area, munching on pizza and similar foods.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He finishes getting dressed while Rhi speaks, and while some weird story about an alien ship sounds unbelievable, he does know ... "There you two are! Happy nameday, Charlie. We're happy you're here and we have yet another reason to celebrate. If you find it tiresome, you are both welcome to depart at your leisure. And don't mind the little ones, they'll be sleeping in the council chambers tonight.

> Reply to: @Halsin (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "There you two are! Happy nameday, Charlie. We're happy you're here and we have yet another reason to celebrate. If you find it ... He follows Rhi out of the cavern, to find the camp way into party preparations. One could even say the party has definitely started already, with how cheery the atmosphere seems to be. It brings a smile to his face, probably mostly because no one is making a big deal out of him. When Halsin comes over, he simply smiles at him. "Thank you. I had no idea you guys were even planning something like this," he says, before looking to Rhi, "Any more surprises, or shall I enjoy this one to the fullest?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He follows Rhi out of the cavern, to find the camp way into party preparations. One could even say the party has definitely sta... She looks over at Halsin and he gives a wink. “Mmm maybe a small one but nothing to write home about. No singing or anything involved,” she says with a shrug.

He playfully squints his eyes at her. So far, none of Rhi's surprises have been bad or embarrassing, but he likes teasing her. And he is a little taken aback by just how many surprises she's willing to arrange for him to have a good birthday. Hells, he's having a great birthday already by not having to spend it in Waterdeep. With the pizza making already well on its way, it appears the celebrations start picking up. There are tables - or well, large, flat rocks that serve as makeshift tables - set out with drinks and pizzas, free to grab what one would like, and come back for seconds, of course. The pizza is unlike any Charlie has ever had before. It's homemade, and baked in ovens hotter than any of the ones in pizzerias around Waterdeep. He has one made just how he likes it, and is a very happy birthday boy indeed. At some point during the evening, his phone buzzes, with a notification from his bank and finance app. His father has transferred a great deal of money to him, with the message: Happy Nameday, Charlemir. Do not spend it all at once. No emojis. Not even a heart. He sees his mother's words in the message. She's definitely called his father, and told him to transfer money to Charlie in her stead. Well, at least they didn't bother calling. It's not like he would've picked up anyway. Once the sun has fully set, the youngest are taken into the council chambers - a cave near the ritual circle - and some of the more held back members of the group dare to start drinking and celebrating a little louder. Charlie has been sipping on some wine for most of the evening, but spurred on by the others, he's eager to try whatever drinks he's offered. Being his own charismatic self - without having to rely on his celebrity status - is a freeing exprience. Most people tell him about themselves, and the genuine curiosity about him is refreshing. He's happy to share a bottle of moonshine with two tiefling men who tell him about how they've only started practicing

She has had a lovely time arm wrestling tiefling children, dancing with charming younglings, and singing with the bards while enjoying her favorite pizza and a jar of a caramel cider moonshine concoction that has her pleasantly mellow. She stumbles over and grabs his hand, yanking him with her in the direction of their tent setup. “C’mon. The elders set us up on the cliffside.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She has had a lovely time arm wrestling tiefling children, dancing with charming younglings, and singing with the bards while en... He grins stupidly at her when she comes over, with the intent to grab the hand of his that was waving at her. "Oh- the cliffside?" he asks, stumbling a little once he's up on his feet. Yeah, his head is spinning a little, but he does his best to catch up. "I was about to ask if you wanted to dance."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He grins stupidly at her when she comes over, with the intent to grab the hand of his that was waving at her. "Oh- the cliffsi... That stops her short. Most people her age like Charlie do ask people like her to dance. But Charlie is different and she likes him. He’s funny and kind, even if he doesn’t think he is. She whips around quick enough that her ponytail, now filled with braids and flowers, hits him in the face. She giggles and pets apologetically at his face. “Sorry, but ya! Let’s dance!”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > That stops her short. Most people her age like Charlie do ask people like her to dance. But Charlie is different and she likes h... He receives a well-aimed smack of Rhi's pony tail, flowers and all, straight into his face, making him wince and splutter a bit. Then her hands are on his face, and his face feels like it's burning up - or are her hands just warm? And her giggle. He's heard her laugh, sure, but her *giggle*. He leans into her hands, his own coming up to rest on her sides, and he almost stumbles over her while doing so, making himself laugh as well. "Oh- oops- fuck, sorry-" he snickers a little, "Two guys just... kept refilling my glass with moonshine, I just- I thought I'd walk it off, or dance it off, or something."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He receives a well-aimed smack of Rhi's pony tail, flowers and all, straight into his face, making him wince and splutter a bit... She snickers and points to own jar, almost empty. “Well I had a whole pint mixed with caramel cider so I get it. What kinda dance dya wanna do?” Whoa his face is really soft and close. And his eyes are like really pretty.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She snickers and points to own jar, almost empty. “Well I had a whole pint mixed with caramel cider so I get it. What kinda da... His eyes dart to the jar in her hand, but then right back to her face when it feels difficult to focus on anything but her eyes. "Hmmm- sounds good, though," he chuckles, sliding one of his hands to her back as he pulls her a little closer, "I don't know... I kinda... I think this is nice..." They're just standing there, swaying a little mostly due to not being able to just stand still, but the music is probably not fit for a slow dance. Still, it's a little further away from where they are, so who says they have to dance to that music in particular?

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > His eyes dart to the jar in her hand, but then right back to her face when it feels difficult to focus on anything but her eyes... “Why do you have two different colored eyes?” She blurts out like a fucking idiot. Sober her is going to be slapping herself silly tomorrow.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Why do you have two different colored eyes?” She blurts out like a fucking idiot. Sober her is going to be slapping herself s... For a moment he just looks at her. Her eyes, her nose, her lips... Her lips look so soft. He wonders what they might taste like. "Uh-" he gets out, eyes flickering up towards hers again, while he gently digs his fingers into her lower back as he closes the distance between their lower bodies, "I don't know... my mom has blue eyes... and my dad has brown... It's like... like the universe wasn't able to decide which one to take after, so they just mixed them up..." When did their faces get so close to each other? He can definitely feel the heat radiating off of her cheeks.

“Rhi! Charlie! Ah there you are! I thought you two might be trying to wander off. I wanted to make sure I gave you this.” He pulls Rhi aside and pushes a paper box into her hands the size of a dinner plate. “Stay out of trouble, you two.” And the. He kisses her forehead and then ambles off.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > For a moment he just looks at her. Her eyes, her nose, her lips... Her lips look so soft. He wonders what they might taste lik... She is disoriented at first but then he presses the box hold the thing she asked for into her hands and wishing them a good night. She whips around to Charlie and grabs his hand again. “Charlie, come with me. We have to do this before I forget because I’m so buzzed, holy shit.” Then she’s pulling him along up to the cliffside she showed him earlier. The elders of course setup only one of the grove’s tents but there is bedding laid down for them both individually. A warming spell has been put on the structure. She plops down on one side, the stars and moon above them and music floating up from below. “Sit sit! I have your last surprise!”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She is disoriented at first but then he presses the box hold the thing she asked for into her hands and wishing them a good nigh... He lets go of her and pulls away for a bit when Halsin's voice suddenly interrupts them. For some reason, his chest twists a little when her cousin pulls her aside to give her something. Were they even dancing just now? He has no idea. Then, Halsin is off, and Rhi grabs Charlie's hand once more. And she has a box in her other hand. "What- what's-" He doesn't even get the sentence out, but grins widely as he follows her up to the cliffside she wanted to show him earlier. It's a very nice spot, surprisingly private and secluded despite being so near the rest of the camp, and there's bedding and everything made ready for them. "Oh, wow..." he mumbles as he looks around, before Rhi asks him to sit, so he slowly does, nd only almost falls over, "Alright... you've had so many surprises and- it's past midnight, it's not even my birthday anymore!"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He lets go of her and pulls away for a bit when Halsin's voice suddenly interrupts them. For some reason, his chest twists a li... “Ehhhhh time is soup. Anyways!” She flips open the lid facing her and then folds it and the side away, turns it to reveal a birthday cake. It’s not very big, just a 2 layer deal that’s smaller than the pizzas they had tonight. She pulls a little candle that was sliding around in the box and sticks it on top where it has silver and blue sugar sprinkled on top around top edge. She flicks her thumb like she has an imaginary lighter and a small flame appears on it. “Ok! Happy nameday, Charlie. Make a wish. “

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Ehhhhh time is soup. Anyways!” She flips open the lid facing her and then folds it and the side away, turns it to reveal a bir... He stares at the cake with raised eyebrows. It's probably been over fifteen years since he last had a birthday cake for his birthday - especially a homemade one. "What the hell," he chuckles a little, shaking his head at her. Not making a wish means bad luck, though, and he might be just the tiniest bit superstitious... but what should he wish for? He hums, glancing around himself as he tries to think of something. His mind feels fuzzy from all the alcohol, though, and after spending way over a minute in silence, his eyes land on Rhi again. His mind goes back to the sight of her in that hot spring, wearing nothing but her wet bra... He wishes he could see her boobs sometime. Then, he leans in and blows out the candle, obviously not revealing his wish out loud.

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Alvilda (Tav: Helaena+)

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Does she take a drunken photo of Charlie blowing out a candle on his birthday cake? Look she’s drunk, not stupid, so yes. Thank the tech gods for camera stabilization. She flings her phone off to the side. “So what did you wish for~?” she asks, pulling out a mess kit. She gives Charlie a fork and pulls out a spoon.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Does she take a drunken photo of Charlie blowing out a candle on his birthday cake? Look she’s drunk, not stupid, so yes. Thank ... He takes the fork when she hands it to him, but shakes his head at her. "Nuh uh, don't you dare," he says, reaching forward to start digging into the cake, "If I tell, it won't come true."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He takes the fork when she hands it to him, but shakes his head at her. "Nuh uh, don't you dare," he says, reaching forward to... “Awwww come onnnnnn, I won’t write about it. Promise. Scout’s honor. It might come true, you never know~” She’s being a bit of a brat right now. She knows you don’t tell people what you wished for when you blow your candles out. But she’s drunk and Charlie is fun.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Awwww come onnnnnn, I won’t write about it. Promise. Scout’s honor. It might come true, you never know~” She’s being a bit of ... He gets some cake onto his fork, furrowing his brows a little at the way she whines at him. Why does she have to be so goddamn cute? He lifts his forkful of cake up to point at her, causing the forkful of cake to fall to the ground between them, "Fuck...!" "Well- It won't. That's the whole deal. Plus, you'll laugh at me, and then it definitely won't come true!"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He gets some cake onto his fork, furrowing his brows a little at the way she whines at him. Why does she have to be so goddamn... She doesn’t laugh when he drops his cake but she does get really somber when he says she’ll laugh at him. She scoops a bit of the cake onto her spoon and holds it out to him. “I’m not ever gonna laugh at you, Charlie. Just with you. Hopefully.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She doesn’t laugh when he drops his cake but she does get really somber when he says she’ll laugh at him. She scoops a bit of ... He looks at the spoonful of cake, then at her, then at the cake again, before he squints his eyes a little. Still, he leans in, closing his lips around the spoon, and slowly eating the cake. He looks at her the whole time, before his eyes dart down to his chest. "Okay..." he says as he pulls back a little, smacking his lips. The cake is really good, even if it's simple. "You know, I was thinking earlier today... in that hot spring... that..." he says, trailing off a little because why can't he just say it?! He clears his throat, "Uh. My wish was that you'd let me see your boobs."

Her mouth falls open and she stares at him in disbelief. Then she takes a few fingers of cake and reaches over and smears it on his nose. “Charlie, are you 14?! My tits?!”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Her mouth falls open and she stares at him in disbelief. Then she takes a few fingers of cake and reaches over and smears it on... He sees the shock on her face, and he instantly regrets saying it out loud. Fuck, he should've just shut up, and insisted on keeping it a secret. Then she smears cake on his nose, leaving him with his mouth open in shock. "W-wh- you're the one who asked! And you have great boobs!"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He sees the shock on her face, and he instantly regrets saying it out loud. Fuck, he should've just shut up, and insisted on ke... “Ok but also you saw was me in my bra but you’re not wrong I do have great boobs.” She actually looks down into her own shirt -having forgone her jacket earlier- and looks at her own tits like the drunk girl she is. “All the tits in the world and you want to see mine?! Even Halsin has bigger boobs to I do, babe.” She doesn’t even realize she said it, your honor. Her ass is toasted.

1

Alvilda (Tav: Helaena+)

alvilda_

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> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Ok but also you saw was me in my bra but you’re not wrong I do have great boobs.” She actually looks down into her own shirt -... He watches when Rhi peeks inside her shirt. It must be great being a girl, since you can just do that, and get to see boobs... At her words, he just shrugs, and reaches down to grab a forkful of cake for himself. "Well, even if he does, I didn't wish to see his boobs, because I don't think they're as good as yours. They seem soft, round, and like the kind that fits perfectly into your hand!" He has no idea when this turned into a boob appreciation conversation, but the alcohol in his system is hitting his common sense a little too hard, he doesn't even realize.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He watches when Rhi peeks inside her shirt. It must be great being a girl, since you can just do that, and get to see boobs... ... She cups her own breasts, cake smearing on her shirt from her finger where she smeared it on his nose. "Yeah they do kinda fit." She snorts. "Boobs." Then she notices she has cake on her fingers and puts them in her mouth, sucking off the remnants. Then she picks up her spoon and grabs a spoonful of cake to put in her mouth.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She cups her own breasts, cake smearing on her shirt from her finger where she smeared it on his nose. "Yeah they do kinda fit.... His brain may or may not short-circuit at the sight. He stares, at her hands, on her boobs, and the little bit of cake she gets on her shirt. He almost offers to clean it up, with his mouth. But then she sucks her fingers clean herself and he swears he's about to come in his pants at the sight. "What the fuck-" he mumbles, a hiccup cutting himself off as he watches her eat some more cake. Then, at a loss for words, he points to her breasts - or well, the bit of cake on them. "Uh... you got a little cake..."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > His brain may or may not short-circuit at the sight. He stares, at her hands, on her boobs, and the little bit of cake she gets... She looks down and laughs, mouth a little full of cake. And then she sticks her finger in the icing and smears a but more on his cheek this time. "You have some on your face," she replies, with a smirk. "And I'll have you know my cake is back here." She points to her rear end, of which she is currently sitting on.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She looks down and laughs, mouth a little full of cake. And then she sticks her finger in the icing and smears a but more on his... He gasps again when she reaches forward to smear some more icing onto his cheek. At her words about her cake he just rolls his eyes, and reaches for the cake - the actual cake, not her rear end - and grabs a handful of frosting (fully aware of how unhygienic it is). "You sure about that? I could swear you have some, *right*-" he reaches forward and gets a large slab of icing over her entire cheek, "here!"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He gasps again when she reaches forward to smear some more icing onto his cheek. At her words about her cake he just rolls his ... She gasps and her eyes flash with mischief. She scoops up a bit with her spoon and treats it like a catapult, flinging it at his forehead with a splat. She giggles and cleans the spoon off with her mouth.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She gasps and her eyes flash with mischief. She scoops up a bit with her spoon and treats it like a catapult, flinging it at his... One wouldn't expect someone to be that precise with flinging cake off with a spoon, but Rhi manages to hit him square in the forehead with it. "Hey!" he exclaims, albeit through a wide grin. Then, he grabs more cake with his hand, his own fork somewhere forgotten, before he reaches for her wrists, trying to grab them and restrain her with one hand, so that she can't fight him as he tries to shove more cake into her face with the other.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > One wouldn't expect someone to be that precise with flinging cake off with a spoon, but Rhi manages to hit him square in the fo... She squawks, dropping the spoon and toppling them both over away from the cake as they play fight and he ends up holding both of her wrists in one of his large hands. He smears cake on her face and she reacts by sputtering and licking his hand, laughing the whole time.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She squawks, dropping the spoon and toppling them both over away from the cake as they play fight and he ends up holding both of... She's surprisingly strong, and he has to wrestle her for a little bit, but she is laughing the whole time, so he honestly cannot help but do the same. When she licks his hand, he grimaces and yanks it away, pausing as he looks at her for a moment. Then, his lips curl into a menacing grin, and he reaches forward to start smearing cake onto her other cheek, and her forehead instead, "Look, you got some here! And here, and here! And here!" When she struggles a little in his grip, he has to grab her wrists with both hands so that she can't break free, and with nothing else to keep smearing cake into her face with, he leans in and starts rubbing his own face against hers, "Oh- you have it everywhere!"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > She's surprisingly strong, and he has to wrestle her for a little bit, but she is laughing the whole time, so he honestly canno... She shrieks and cannot stop laughing now, thinking of how maybe her legs would be good leverage when rubs his lips over hers in his efforts to rub more cake on her face with his own. She gasps and almost kisses him on purpose, but she's already done so much without permission and the earlier shame of touching his scales stops her from making the first move. She does stop struggling and watches him for a moment. Waiting.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She shrieks and cannot stop laughing now, thinking of how maybe her legs would be good leverage when rubs his lips over hers in ... He's not sure what it is that tears his mind off of just playing around with her. Perhaps it's the way her laughing is making her breathless, the way she gasps when their lips brush against each other briefly, in a mess of cake and frosting, or just the fact that she's so close and her lips are just *there*. And then she just stops, all of a sudden, and looks at him. He pauses as well, his eyes wide, chest heaving a little from his heavy breathing after all the laughing. It's impossible to resist. She's impossible to resist, even with her entire face smeared with cake and frosting. So, he leans in, crashing their lips together. It's off-center, a little sloppy, and there's cake *everywhere*, but once he gets past the taste of vanilla frosting, her lips are there, and they're soft and warm, and his tongue is slipping past them and inside her mouth within seconds.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He's not sure what it is that tears his mind off of just playing around with her. Perhaps it's the way her laughing is making h... But it turns out, she doesn't have to. He makes the move they obviously both were waiting for. She meets him with the same force, moaning a little as his hands clench around her wrists. She sucks on his bottom lip and licks into his mouth. He kisses her like a man possessed and sober Rhi will ruminate for a while on why that would be when women and men would both gladly fall on their knees before him. But right now, all she can think about is, is how he tastes like vanilla frosting and pizza sauce and moonshine. Heat simmers in her core and her brain goes blank as they makeout.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > But it turns out, she doesn't have to. He makes the move they obviously both were waiting for. She meets him with the same forc... If his mind wasn't hazy with the amount of alcohol he's had over the past couple of hours, he would definitely be wondering why kissing her makes it feel like something inside him snaps. Like he's been having to hold himself back from doing this the whole time they've been together. He's kissed plenty of girls before. Sometimes, even many in one night, and sometimes it's been bad, and sometimes it's been good - but somehow, never like this. When she moans, he crowds her even more, their hands trapped in between them as he licks into her mouth again, imitating her moan with a very needy one escaping his own throat. She's kissing him back, which only - of course - encourages him even more, sucking and biting down briefly on her lower lip, before slipping his tongue in once more, and swirling it around hers. He's not sure for how long they kiss, but by the time he finally pulls back, he's going light-headed from the lack of oxygen, panting heavily as he stares down at her lips. They're wet with what he is pretty certain is mostly his saliva, and the cake is positively smeared all over her face. While the sight would be hilarious at any other time, now all he can do is curse his lungs for needing to breathe, because he wants to kiss her again. Badly.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > If his mind wasn't hazy with the amount of alcohol he's had over the past couple of hours, he would definitely be wondering why... Her head swims with both the need to breath and alcohol. He looks like he's conflicted as they pant into each other's mouths but she's still wondering why he's not still kissing her. But then she feels his cock hard against her thigh and once she's got her breath back, she pulls her hands free and they dart into his hair, leaning up to capture his mouth once more as she tugs his head down to her. She wraps a leg around his hip and whines as he slides against the vee of her thigh and groin. She licks the side of his face to grab more cake and frosting and goes back to kissing him. That's one way to eat some cake.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Her head swims with both the need to breath and alcohol. He looks like he's conflicted as they pant into each other's mouths but... This time, he releases her hands willingly, perhaps because some part of him is worried that she wants to pull back altogether, until she proves him wrong. When her hands sink into his hair, he immediately obliges, leaning into resume kissing her. He hasn't even paid attention to the fact that he's hard, mostly because he's probably been hard this whole time, but the way she wraps her leg around his hip and pulls him close, has their bodies slotting together in a way where he just can't ignore it anymore. With a deep moan into her mouth, he rolls his hips forward, while his hands come to rest on either side of her face. When she licks his face, he can't help but chuckle a little, before swirling his tongue around hers when she leans back in towards his mouth, as if to steal some of the cake she managed to get off of his face. This is the best way ever to eat cake. It's sticky, it's sloppy, but most of all it's *fun*. In between kisses, their mouths trail off towards each other's faces, sharing cake and frosting in a way that makes both of them laugh, before they drift back into moaning into each other's mouths again.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > This time, he releases her hands willingly, perhaps because some part of him is worried that she wants to pull back altogether,... She can feel herself growing wet and maybe its the cake absorbing some of the liquor in her system, but she remembers that Charlie is her subject for work. And this might not be the best outcome. Her heart yells back at her that maybe this is the best outcome. She struggles to remember the ethics they taught her at the shibari classes about consent as she wraps her other leg around his waist, full on frotting against each other now.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She can feel herself growing wet and maybe its the cake absorbing some of the liquor in her system, but she remembers that Charl... The moan he lets out when Rhi wraps her other leg around his waist as well is almost embarrassing. He practically thrusts his hips forward, full-on dry humping her at this point. She just feels so absolutely *incredible*, and when he pulls back to breathe again, he can't even pull his mouth away from her, but starts licking and kissing at her jaw, panting heavily against her frosting-sticky skin.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > The moan he lets out when Rhi wraps her other leg around his waist as well is almost embarrassing. He practically thrusts his h... "Charlie, fuck, we-we should probably stop, right?" she pants, not stopping her wandering hands or pulling away. Lightning shoots up her spine every time their hips connect. Alarm bells are starting to go off a little bit.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Charlie, fuck, we-we should probably stop, right?" she pants, not stopping her wandering hands or pulling away. Lightning shoot... At Rhi's words, his reaction is instant. At least partly. He immediately slows down, but with her hands still playing with his hair and the back of his neck, and her legs still wrapped tightly around his waist, he can't bring himself to a full stop. For a moment, he just breathes against her cheek, before he eventually pulls his face back a little, hands still cupping hers, "H-huh? You wanna stop?" He doesn't sound upset or disappointed. Not even surprised, really, because some part of him is having the same thought. It isn't appropriate for them to be making out and dry-humping like this. But it's so much fun! "We can... we can stop..." he breathes, nodding at her, but his hips never quite stop rocking against hers.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > At Rhi's words, his reaction is instant. At least partly. He immediately slows down, but with her hands still playing with his ... "Fuck, why are you so hot?! Yes, we're-*fuck*-we're really drunk. We drank a lot. Consent and all that." She reluctantly withdraws her legs from around him and leans up to kiss his sticky cheek.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Fuck, why are you so hot?! Yes, we're-*fuck*-we're really drunk. We drank a lot. Consent and all that." She reluctantly withdr... As much as he hates to admit it, especially knowing he'd feel the same about it while sober, he knows Rhi is right. They are really drunk, and even if they're both still in fairly good control of their fine motor skills, going any further than this is better done sober. So, when she releases the death grip her legs have on his waist, he finally stills the movement of his hips. It doesn't change the fact that he's still painfully hard, and pressed up against her - this is actually pretty comfortable - so he just stays there, smiling a little when she kisses his cheek. "Well, I-" he says, trying to catch his breath a little, but her soft lips makes him chuckle a little, "I think that was a lot of fun... we're just having fun!" Then he pauses for a moment, looking down at her as she pauses kissing him. "Plus, you're really hot, too."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > As much as he hates to admit it, especially knowing he'd feel the same about it while sober, he knows Rhi is right. They are ... She pushes him to sit back on his haunches and she leans up. She is just as redfaced and breathless as he is. "It was fun," she concedes with a warm smile. Then she pulls her shirt and bra up to flash him and then grabs a handful of cake to smear on his face before rolling away with a cackle.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She pushes him to sit back on his haunches and she leans up. She is just as redfaced and breathless as he is. "It was fun," she... He obliges and sits back when she pushes him, a little disappointed at the lack of friction, and maybe even a little embarrassed at the very prominent bulge in his pants. Still, he smiles when she agrees out loud with him. Only for his jaw to drop when she flashes him her boobs, granting him his stupid birthday wish, before he suddenly receives another faceful of cake. *"Agh*- what the fuck!" he exclaims, wiping it out of his face to not get it into his eyes, "You!" He lunges at her, ready to wrestle her once again.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He obliges and sits back when she pushes him, a little disappointed at the lack of friction, and maybe even a little embarrasse... The two wrestle a bit more, cake flying and some shouting. Eventually, they're both out of breath and the journalist is struggling to keep her eyes open. She stands and calls a truce, after which they clean up the cake around the tent and in their hair with a combination of shape water, prestidigitation, and the like. The furs from the grove are nice and soft, so the pair find themselves bundled up in their skivvies in their separate bedrolls, looking at the stars and laughing about stuff they had seen around the grove. The half-elf wishes the young dragon a soft happy birthday as she drifts off to sleep. The dragon falls asleep with a smile on his face for his birthday for once.

Despite only having some furs and the bedroll for comfort, the sleep on the ground is probably one of the most comfortable Charlie has had in a while. Still, he wakes uncharacteristically early, because of the sun rising on this exact side of the cliff. The headache that hits him isn't a normal one, and he quickly realizes he's probably a little hungover, and so not ready to start his day yet. He squeezes his eyes shut, much like any other morning, trying to force himself to go back to sleep. When he shifts a little in his bedroll, though, he realizes he's not alone. There is an arm draped over his waist, and another bedroll pressed up right against his back. Even in separate bedrolls, a few feet apart when they fell asleep, Rhi has managed to somehow roll over towards him and is now cuddling him in her sleep?! He barely even dares to glance over his shoulder, but he feels her soft breath on his ear, and all at once, flashes of what happened last night come to his mind. They kissed. No, even worse - better? - they made out, and it was really fucking hot. His body gives a little, excited shudder at the memory, and for a moment, he just leans into Rhi's embrace, even if she's doing it subconsciously. She's just so comfortably *warm*.

@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias) :game_die: d20: 1 Total: 1

She is zonked out. She burrows further into the warm thing lying next to her.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She is zonked out. She burrows further into the warm thing lying next to her. He always thought journalists were morning people, always eager to be awake and present as early as possible, so as not to miss out on anything news-worthy. Rhi? She sleeps like a fucking log, even with that offensive sun shining right in her face. Now, with the knowledge of her being cuddled up to him like this, there's no way he can sleep anymore. So, instead, he slowly turns around inside his bedroll, trying not to wake her, so that he can look at her. Why does he want to look at her? He has no idea. Other than that she's very pretty, once again, in the morning sun. And the fact that looking at her might make him realize that his hazy memories from the night before were probably not real. There, however, while he watches her, the memories just feel more and more real. Her lips look as soft as he remembers, and finds himself wondering if they still taste as sweet, or whether it was the cake. She's sleeping, but what if he just... leans in? So he does, pressing his lips to hers in the most gentle way anyone has ever kissed another humanoid.

@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias) :game_die: Result: 1d20 (16) Total: 16

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He always thought journalists were morning people, always eager to be awake and present as early as possible, so as not to miss... Sleeping Beauty doesn't remember what she was dreaming about, but something tickles her face and rouses her gently. Her ears twitch and she scrunches her nose at the light suddenly registering and aggravating her hangover. She also registers that her arm is thrown over someone, someone she thinks is Charlie but she's unwilling to open her eyes to confirm. She whines and casts a lesser restoration on herself. Then she wiggles an arm up to poke Charlie in the cheek, another lesser restoration—like minty air combined with lemon balm and green magic tinged with yellow. "There's that's better," she mumbles.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Sleeping Beauty doesn't remember what she was dreaming about, but something tickles her face and rouses her gently. Her ears t... The second she moves, he pulls back. He's not about to risk her thinking he's a creep. (Who's he kidding? He is a bit of a creep...) She luckily doesn't seem to acknowledge the fact that their lips were definitely just touching, and instead seems to go straight for casting a quick spell on herself, and then on him as well. He instantly starts feeling better. Hells, he even feels *fresher*, somehow. "Thank you. And good morning to you too," he says, leaning back a little, even daring as much as smile at her, "Ready to head onto the road again?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > The second she moves, he pulls back. He's not about to risk her thinking he's a creep. (Who's he kidding? He is a bit of a cree... She peeks open one eye, squinting in the sunlight at his mismatched ones which are quickly becoming her favorite thing to look at. "Yeah, we probably should. Now you know why I don't visit off. They move slow around here, enjoy just being alive," she comments while stretching her arms out of the covers. "It's a bit addictive sometimes." She sits up and the fur falls off her torso to reveal her bra in the front and tattoo in the back as her spine cracks and she reaches for her shirt.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She peeks open one eye, squinting in the sunlight at his mismatched ones which are quickly becoming her favorite thing to look a... Gods, she is cute when she just peeks at him like that, and he has to look away to not reveal that he's smiling like an idiot because of it. "Yeah, I can understand why," he says, laying back as she slowly starts sitting up, and *yes*, he is watching her again. Her skin literally looks so soft. He finds himself wondering not only how kissing her all over would feel like, but what she would taste like. All he can think of is vanilla cake. His eyes land on the tattoo when she turns away from him, and he once again remembers that picture he saw. Maybe tonight, once they've stopped somewhere, he can pull it up and look at it, to make sure whether it actually is her in the picture. She did have those BDSM articles under her name. "So," he brings himself to speak once the tattoo and all of that skin is hidden underneath her shirt, "Just because I think you should have a say in where we're going as well... would you rather we drove around the Reaching Woods, or through the ruins of Elturel, to get south?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Gods, she is cute when she just peeks at him like that, and he has to look away to not reveal that he's smiling like an idiot b... "Well I'm partial to seeing the ruins. I haven't seen them since they were yanked downward. But it is your trip. Oh that reminds me, I need to check in with my editor and reassure her you aren't a mass murderer that has chopped me into bits," she snickers, looking over her shoulder.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Well I'm partial to seeing the ruins. I haven't seen them since they were yanked downward. But it is your trip. Oh that reminds... "Elturel it is, then," he says with a nod, "Or well, back to Triel, and then Elturel. I think we can skip Scornubel altogether." He eventually drags himself out of his own bedroll, and starts collecting his clothes. At her next words, he playfully quirks an eyebrow at her, "Took you two whole days to be convinced?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > "Elturel it is, then," he says with a nod, "Or well, back to Triel, and then Elturel. I think we can skip Scornubel altogether.... "Oh, I don't mean that. There's still a possibility you become a Bhaalspawn and eat me in my sleep. But she insists I check in daily or she'll send her mother after me." She pulls her boots on and laces them up again.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Oh, I don't mean that. There's still a possibility you become a Bhaalspawn and eat me in my sleep. But she insists I check in d... He smiles, starting to dress himself while they continue chatting. "Well, I don't plan on eating you in your sleep, Bhaalspawn or not," he teases a little, before starting to pack the rest of his things back up into the saddlebags he'd taken off of his bike, "Plus, I don't even know if you taste good." Once Rhi has her things gathered as well, they head down from the cliffside their little camp had been set up at, finding most of the grove already awake and about their business for this morning. Their bikes are waiting in the spot where they left them, and Charlie heads straight on over to start fastening his saddlebags to his Harley once more. He figures Rhi will want to say her proper goodbyes, and lets her do so.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He smiles, starting to dress himself while they continue chatting. "Well, I don't plan on eating you in your sleep, Bhaalspawn... A big paw of a hand comes down on his shoulder. "Good morning, Charlemir," the archdruid says quietly.

> Reply to: @Halsin (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > A big paw of a hand comes down on his shoulder. "Good morning, Charlemir," the archdruid says quietly. He quite literally jumps at the sudden touch to his shoulder. "Holy sh- Halsin! You scared me!" he says, slowly standing up straight from where he'd been kneeling, "Also- uh, please, it's Charlie."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He quite literally jumps at the sudden touch to his shoulder. "Holy sh- Halsin! You scared me!" he says, slowly standing up st... "Ah, yes. I know. Listen, here in the grove, we do not meddle in the affairs of others unless it is necessary. But as Rhi's only family, I find myself a bit protective sometimes. She's a grown elf, but work or otherwise, she's in need of someone who will let her fall apart sometimes. She has explained that this is just a work trip and yes, I do know who you are. However, if you find yourself in need of help, we do actually have a cellular device here in the grove. Here is the number." He hands Charlie a slip of paper with a normal phone number written on it. "By the way, that was an impressive shift. Seems you're well on your way to dragon maturity," she says under his breath.

> Reply to: @Halsin (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Ah, yes. I know. Listen, here in the grove, we do not meddle in the affairs of others unless it is necessary. But as Rhi's only... He listens to what Halsin says, and for a moment he just stares at him. She needs 'someone who will let her fall apart'? What the Hells is that supposed to mean? He doesn't even dare to ask. Halsin seems like the kind of man who would tell him, and he's not sure he's ready to hear it, if it's anything like what he imagines it is. Then Halsin hands him the phone number, and he then stares at the paper slip in his hand. He can't imagine what 'help' they could need from Halsin or any of the other grove residents, but then again, perhaps it's good to have someone to contact just in case something were to happen to Rhi. "Thank you, I- yeah. Thanks," he says, smiling at Halsin before he tucks the slip of paper inside the pocket of his jacket. What Halsin says next, he couldn't have seen coming in a billion years. "What?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He listens to what Halsin says, and for a moment he just stares at him. She needs 'someone who will let her fall apart'? What t... He just smiles warmly, a similar thing to the understanding, knowing smile Rhi gives people. “You are well on your way. You just need practice.”

> Reply to: @Halsin (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > He just smiles warmly, a similar thing to the understanding, knowing smile Rhi gives people. “You are well on your way. You ju... He just squints a little, but he can't bring himself to be rude towards Halsin, when he's obviously just trying to be nice. Besides, Halsin knowing about his family's secret is just another good reason to fuck with his parents. "Uh... thanks," he says, very much recognizing the look on his face - from Rhi, nonetheless, "I'm... doing my best, I suppose? And if it's what you want to hear, as Rhi's cousin... I'm not like... trying anything with her." He just wishes he was.

"Oh hey, there you are! See you soon, you old bear," she says, hugging him around the waist.

"You are always missed, Rhiannon. Stay safe on your contraption. You both are always welcome here," he says with a sincere smile directed at Charlie.

"Yeah, yeah," she throws her leg over the saddle of her bike and waves at the birds and squirrels up on trees. They start chittering and tweeting louder. "Those are the druid children," she says, nudging Charlie. "Ready to go?" she asks as she puts her helmet on.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Yeah, yeah," she throws her leg over the saddle of her bike and waves at the birds and squirrels up on trees. They start chitte... He's relieved when Rhi arrives to ease the little awkwardness threatening to bubble up between him and Halsin. While she says her goodbyes, he finishes fastening his saddlebags to the Harley, and climbs onto it. Then, when she points to the birds and squirrels in the trees above, he chuckles a little. Of course the kids would be able to shapeshift that way already, growing up here. He hopes they all really did sleep in that council chamber last night. "Oh- yeah, let's go." Once he's fastened his own helmet, he starts up his motorcycle, glancing upwards into the trees as he revs the engine a little. It's difficult to read animals, but he thinks he sees a few of the squirrels jump around a little more excitedly. Then, with a wave towards Halsin and some of the other residents who come to see them off, they speed off down the path where they came the day before.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He's relieved when Rhi arrives to ease the little awkwardness threatening to bubble up between him and Halsin. While she says ... The day sees them off bright, if not chilly, and they quickly make their way to Scornubel, grab a bagel with smear and a coffee, and admire the port city. Eventually they make it to Elturel and the aura of the place brings the mood down considerably. Elvenfolk and humans seem to look with distaste toward the riders, their prejudice clear on their faces. Elturel once housed a large populace of tieflings and other races, but the descent into Avernus caused many to resent and displace their concerns about the event on undeserving peoples.

Driving along the Chiontar is one of those must-do things on a roadtrip down the Sword Coast, and even if it's only for the one-hour drive from Scornubel to Elturel, the sight is gorgeous. Their plan was never to stay in Elturel, but only drive through it. The people still living among the outskirts of it are, understandably, not very eager to see tourists. With most of the central parts of the city gone to the Hells (literally...) there isn't much to really *see*. Eventually, they pull in at a small rest stop with a gas station. They need gas to make the drive down towards the Greenfields, since it's a long one, on fairly small roads. "Do you think anyone actually works in there?" he asks Rhi as they pull up at the tanking stations, "I could do with a snack before we continue."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Driving along the Chiontar is one of those must-do things on a roadtrip down the Sword Coast, and even if it's only for the one-... She squints. "Maybe? I don't see why not? It's the middle of the day. Someone has to tend to the pumps at least right?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She squints. "Maybe? I don't see why not? It's the middle of the day. Someone has to tend to the pumps at least right?" He nods at her as he goes to fill up the gas tank of his Harley. Once he's finished, he moves it over towards the entrance of the store. "You want anything?" he asks as he goes to the door, ready to hold it open for her, should she want to. Inside is a very modest little store, selling mostly little snacks and quick-to-grab foods and drinks. Behind the counter is a tiefling man, who seems very surprised to hear the bell above the door ring. While the person who worked the register at the last gas station they stopped at seemed thoroughly bored about their presence, this tiefling seems almost... offended?

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He nods at her as he goes to fill up the gas tank of his Harley. Once he's finished, he moves it over towards the entrance of t... She finishes her gas refill and jogs to catch up with him. "Probably just a water for me." She gives the tiefling a small wave of greeting.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She finishes her gas refill and jogs to catch up with him. "Probably just a water for me." She gives the tiefling a small wave... The tiefling nods at her in response, though his eyes fall onto Charlie, recognition visible in his gaze.

Charlie grabs both of them a bottle of water each, as well as a couple of small bags of chips. "It's on me," he tells her with a pointed look, "As a thank you for yesterday." He heads over to the counter, where the tiefling is now squinting at him. "Hey," he says carefully, placing the waters and the chips on the counter, while giving the tiefling the nicest smile he can manage, "Slow day, huh?"

She rolls her eyes at him and grumbles. Then she observes the tiefling, her face turning a little guarded and giving the guy behind the counter a warning look.

The tiefling doesn't seem convinced even by Charlie's smile. When he looks to Rhiannon, however, his face softens into the fakest customer service smile one has ever seen. "Yes, sir," he says as he scans the products into the register, "Not much business to be had when all the rich folk decided there is nothing worth saving in this city, hm?"

Charlie blinks a little, definitely catching the stress the tiefling puts on certain words. Of course, he thinks, of course people in Elturel would recognize him. Celebrities showed up to 'help' during the first couple of months after Elturel's demise, and while it was a great immediate help to the people suffering from it, the clout to be had from helping was short-lived, and the people were left to their own devices. "Um... sorry to hear it," is all Charlie can think of saying, handing him several gold coins extra, "Keep the change." With that, he grabs the bottles of water and the chips, turning right on his heel and gently nudging Rhi with his elbow. "Come on, let's go," he whispers.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Charlie blinks a little, definitely catching the stress the tiefling puts on certain words. Of course, he thinks, of course p... Normally, she would stay and insist there is something better to be had than glowering at people with more money than you. But her assignment at the moment is Charlie and the article. She does file this away as a lead for a future article feature however. She follows Charlie from the convenience store.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Normally, she would stay and insist there is something better to be had than glowering at people with more money than you. But h... He holds the door open for her, before letting it fall shut behind her. Then, he hands her her own bottle of water, as well as a bag of salt and vinegar chips. "I think it's for the best that we don't stay any longer," he says as he heads over to their bikes again, "As interesting as it would be to have a look around... people seem a little... tense."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He holds the door open for her, before letting it fall shut behind her. Then, he hands her her own bottle of water, as well as ... She frowns and nods. She stashes her chips and water bottle, helmet on and following Charlie out of the parking lot.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She frowns and nods. She stashes her chips and water bottle, helmet on and following Charlie out of the parking lot. Without further due, they're back on their motorcycles, and heading southwards with their gas tanks full. He can't help but feel a little bad, since Rhi was so excited about getting to see Elturel, but he has a feeling his motorcycle is catching everyone's attention - in a bad way. They find a calm spot on a hill south of the city (or what's left of it), which gives quite a stunning view of the destruction caused by the city's descent into the Hells. It's like a massive pit in the middle of it, with most buildings near the edge of it in complete ruin. There, Charlie pulls over, motioning for Rhi to do the same, and once he's stopped, he puts the kickstand down so that they can take a little break. "Just since I feel like I owe you more than just a drive-by," he smiles at her as he grabs his water bottle for a drink.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Without further due, they're back on their motorcycles, and heading southwards with their gas tanks full. He can't help but fee... She smiles, butterflies threatening to overtake her stomach...which is weird. That's weird, right? What the hell, Rhiannon. Falling for the next rich boy to distract you with their machinery just like last time, huh? She mentally smites that voice far, far away and sits down on the side of the hill to look at the ruins of someone else's past instead of her own. She pulls out her chips and munches away, thinking of what to say. She's only traveled with Charlie for 3 days and enjoying herself. Time to tit up and start asking the hard questions, Rhi. "So...do you get that odd response, the guy at the gas station I mean, a lot?

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She smiles, butterflies threatening to overtake her stomach...which is weird. *That's weird, right? What the hell, Rhiannon. F... He climbs off of motorcycle and goes over to sit next to Rhi, his own bottle of water and chips in hand. At her question, he shrugs a little. "Yeah, it's actually surprisingly common. People know you have money, and suddenly you also have the obligation to share it with *everyone*, even strangers."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He climbs off of motorcycle and goes over to sit next to Rhi, his own bottle of water and chips in hand. At her question, he s... Ah. Well. That's...an answer. "Hmmm. The fellow at the gas station seemed more hung up on something specific. He wasn't just some chick at a bar looking for drinks."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Ah. Well. That's...an answer. "Hmmm. The fellow at the gas station seemed more hung up on something specific. He wasn't just s... He shrugs. Elturel's descent into Avernus was several years ago, and he can't say he was involved in any of the charity. He was too busy partying. "Girls looking for drinks are very different. That, I can actually do," he says, looking out over the remnants of the city below, "To save thirty thousand people from the greatest catastrophe the Sword Coast has seen in a hundred years? I don't have that money. I'm not even sure my parents have that money."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He shrugs. Elturel's descent into Avernus was several years ago, and he can't say he was involved in any of the charity. He was... She chews her chips thoughtfully. "Do you pay much attention to what your parents spend their money on?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She chews her chips thoughtfully. "Do you pay much attention to what your parents spend their money on?" At some point, he'd almost managed to forget why Rhi really is with him on this journey. Her next question, however, reminds him. She's only here to dig up whatever dirt she can find on him, and his family. Sure, his mom has hired her to write some more or less bullshit of a piece about what a great son and heir Charlie is, but surely a journalist would want to uncover all kinds of dirty details. Lucky for her, he has nothing to hide. At least almost nothing. "Not really. I don't live with them anymore, so I wouldn't know... apart from the fact that they send me money." He looks at her for a moment, trying to push away the thought of how soft her cheeks look when she chews. "You know, back at the grove I realized we come from very different backgrounds... why'd you pick up this job anyway? I can't imagine how much it must suck to hear about... this kind of life, when you come from... from something as modest as the grove."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > At some point, he'd almost managed to forget why Rhi really is with him on this journey. Her next question, however, reminds ... She knew once she started probing deeper, she'd start to get some push back. It stings a little since she has started to grow fond of him in such a short time. Nothing good is comes easy. "Well. I didn't pick up this job. It was an assignment that came through the department. I am the lead investigative reporter for the Baldur's Mouth. My friend, the one who wanted to make sure you hadn't chopped me up and disposed of me, is the Lead Editor. I decided to take this assignment instead of giving it to another journalist for the very question you just asked. Because I have experience in handling big shots with lots of money who move fast and break things and hearts. " She takes a sip of her water and doesn't look back to see the effect of her words. He asked so she's gonna tell him. "I grew up far more modest than the grove. I was essentially an orphan at the age of 5. I had nothing, except Halsin. I had even less than the Grove." "There is no point in me lecturing you about the immorality and sins of financial wealth. Resources are resources; it is all a pawn in statecraft. And for a kid who grew up modestly I never wanted for things you can buy. Most of the citizens of Elturel, and the refugees in the grove, never wanted for things that you can buy. They were looking for connection and support in the devastation of a political maneuverings. Cash can grease palms and ease woes, but its just another resource in the end." "But you already knew all that or you wouldn't have given that guy some extra gold. So why are you trying to hurt my feelings, Charlie? What about being a rich kid bothers you so much?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She knew once she started probing deeper, she'd start to get some push back. It stings a little since she has started to grow fo... He looks at her for a moment, wanting to ask her what kind of experience she's referring to, but when he doesn't seize the opportunity to do so, she speaks again. And he listens, feeling more and more ashamed with each word, because of course he *knows*. He knows it was a low blow to ask her that, even if Rhi isn't the kind of person who gets hurt easily - or at least she's very good at pretending she doesn't - and he wonders why he had to take the conversation there in the first place. What did he want to hear anyway? That she's there because she's interested in him? Nope, to her, he's just another stuck-up rich kid. He sighs, leaning back a little as he looks out over the city ruins once more. "I don't know," he says, sighing as he looks up towards the sky, where the sun, about to start setting, is painting the clouds in a bright yellow color. "Maybe... maybe it's that the whole world's eyes have been on me. Since the day I was born. Not because of me, or who I am meant to be, but because of my parents. Because of my mom - because of the rumors that 'Oh, the headmistress of Strixhaven Academy is totally a dragon! And now she had a kid! He must also be a dragon!'" He pauses, before he leans back altogether, lying down against the gravelly ground and closing his eyes. "I know it's not comparable to any of the things you or the people down there have had to endure. I know I should just shut up, swallow it, keep pretending and- I don't know, grant my parents' wishes of me following in my father's footsteps."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He looks at her for a moment, wanting to ask her what kind of experience she's referring to, but when he doesn't seize the oppo... "I don't think you should pretend. Life's pretty short, why pretend? What does it matter if you are or aren't a dragon?" She lies back on the gravel road next to him, staring at the clouds passing over head. "Hard is hard, Charlie. There doesn't have to be harder or hardest. Everyone's hard is different. It's not the oppression olympics. And for what it's worth, if I thought you should 'just shut up', I wouldn't be asking you the questions that no one else is asking."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "I don't think you should pretend. Life's pretty short, why pretend? What does it matter if you are or aren't a dragon?" She li... He listens to her, opening his eyes to look up at the sky as well. Being proven wrong has always been a difficult thing for him, and while he at first frowns a little, he finds himself being unable to be upset with her. She's not doing it out of spite, or to be mean to him, or even to teach him a lesson. She's just telling the truth, which is not something he can say for many people in his life. "I suppose you were right when you said you know how to handle us big shots..." he says, turning his head to look at her, while smiling, "Though I'm doing my best not to actually break anything. I think this place has suffered enough."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He listens to her, opening his eyes to look up at the sky as well. Being proven wrong has always been a difficult thing for him... "No. Other than the grumpy comments, I'm not sure you've broken anything either. I'm hoping you keep that record clean. There's enough broken out there already," she says, gesturing vaguely at the area around them. "Charlie, what even DOES your dad actually do?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "No. Other than the grumpy comments, I'm not sure you've broken anything either. I'm hoping you keep that record clean. There's ... He nods slowly, once again finding her to be right. Still, most of all he finds himself wanting to keep his record clean for her sake. At her next question, he finally tears his gaze away from her and looks up at the sky. "You know how some people have parents with jobs you just... can't wrap your head around? My dad is sort of the same... All I know is that he's a stock investor and most of his days are spent on the phone, buying, selling, or whatever it is they do." Obviously, the reason Charlie doesn't know is that he hasn't been interested in asking much beyond that. "He's offered to teach me, but... he's also told me it takes a lot of business wit. I'm not sure I have what it takes."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He nods slowly, once again finding her to be right. Still, most of all he finds himself wanting to keep his record clean for *h... "Ah. Did he ever tell you why he chose that profession? Most people don't just wake up and decide, you know, I think I'd like to be a shrewd businessman.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Ah. Did he ever tell you why he chose that profession? Most people don't just wake up and decide, you know, I think I'd like to... "I've never really bothered asking, but I know my grandparents on his side were quite wealthy as well. Maybe they were in the same business, and maybe he took over their work, the way he wants me to take over his." He looks at her for a moment, finding himself enjoying how weirdly close they are, even if they're obviously keeping a respectable distance. The same could not be said for last night, he remembers suddenly, and he clears his throat a little. "Uh... about last night..."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > "I've never really bothered asking, but I know my grandparents on his side were quite wealthy as well. Maybe they were in the s... Last night was so fucking nice and made her realize how touch-starved she really is. His large frame hovering over her and wrestling with her didn't hurt either. Most men want to either be a gentleman, expecting her to be a fragile little thing. She is not little and rarely can trust them to handle her fragility. He seems to be struggling with last night which is not something she would expect from a pretty rich boy who obviously works out. So he let's him sweat about it. "Hmm? What about it?" she replies, watching the clouds make funny shapes.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Last night was so fucking nice and made her realize how touch-starved she really is. His large frame hovering over her and wrest... He was opening she'd have something to say about it. Her tone makes his heartrate speed up, and he swallows thickly as he looks back up at the sky. How is she so chill about it?! "I was... pretty drunk. I hope you don't think I'm like... a creep or something."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He was opening she'd have something to say about it. Her tone makes his heartrate speed up, and he swallows thickly as he looks... She turns her head and looks at him, mischief written on her face. "Charlie, I was also drunk. I do not think you were a creep. I think we were rather civil and rational about the whole thing. Do you feel like I was a creep? I apologize for turning your cake into a food fight."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She turns her head and looks at him, mischief written on her face. "Charlie, I was also drunk. I do not think you were a creep... He meets her gaze, unable to hide the surprise on his own face when he realizes she's not about to chew him out or anything. "You were definitely not a creep!" he quickly says, eyes wide, "I- I don't think I thanked you properly for all the surprises you had for me... you really didn't have to do all that, and then... indulge me the way you did. Thank you."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He meets her gaze, unable to hide the surprise on his own face when he realizes she's not about to chew him out or anything. "... "Oh? Was it an indulgence? I'm sure you've had your pick of the litter for several years now. I'm nothing special." She's partially teasing and being partially honest. "And you are most welcome. You took to the modest surroundings in the grove quite well, no snubs or anything. It was nice to share that with someone."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Oh? Was it an indulgence? I'm sure you've had your pick of the litter for several years now. I'm nothing special." She's parti... He rolls his eyes a little, mostly because he can hear the slight teasing in her voice, and because he thinks she's wrong. "I try not to live up to the reputation I have. Just because I have the reputation of a snobby asshole who only accepts the *best of the best*, I hope I'll be able to prove you otherwise. To your article, must even more so, to *you*."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He rolls his eyes a little, mostly because he can hear the slight teasing in her voice, and because he thinks she's wrong. "I ... Oh? Oh. "Is that a challenge, Mr. Maldroth? I like friendly competition if it doesn't end in broken egos and hearts. Trying to impress little ol' me? I'm flattered." She turns to look at the sky and snorts after a moment. "First you tried to hurt my feelings and now you're saying you're trying to impress me. It sounds like the competition already started." -# Author note: it will definitely end in broken hearts and egos. 🗺️

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Oh? Oh. "Is that a challenge, Mr. Maldroth? I like friendly competition if it doesn't end in broken egos and hearts. Trying to... He chuckles a little at her words, rolling onto his stomach next to her, and just... looking at her for a moment. Yeah, he wants to impress her. Of course he wants to. "Well, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings... That must've just been my reputation catching up to me."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He chuckles a little at her words, rolling onto his stomach next to her, and just... looking at her for a moment. *Yeah, he wa... "Ok, fair. But what about this friendly *competition*? I never asked if you have someone waiting for you, actually. I certainly hope not, now that we've made out and dry humped like teenagers." She can feel his eyes on her face and she just lets herself enjoy being looked at. It's a nice change of pace since she's usually the one doing the looking.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Ok, fair. But what about this friendly *competition*? I never asked if you have someone waiting for you, actually. I certainly ... His gaze never leaves her, mostly because he wants to be ready for any sign of discomfort in her face, but also because he might be a little mesmerized by her eyelashes when she looks up at the sky. For a moment, he hesitates, wondering if teasing her is worth the risk, but then again... he doesn't have anyone waiting for him, so in the end it shouldn't matter... right? "What, are you telling me it *meant something*?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > His gaze never leaves her, mostly because he wants to be ready for any sign of discomfort in her face, but also because he migh... She gives nothing away. It’s too early to know that anyways, right? Plus, something something professionalism. She turns her head again and faces him dead on. “Should it have? I thought we were just having fun. And if you DO have someone waiting for you, our fun would have to stay platonic. I’m not trying to hurt anyone.”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She gives nothing away. It’s too early to know that anyways, right? Plus, something something professionalism. She turns her h... He holds her gaze, despite the way his chest twists up tight at her words. Should it have meant something? "I'm joking." The words escape him on a little too harsh exhale, and he pauses for a moment before can think of what else to say. "I don't have anyone waiting for me. We can have all the fun in the world... with or without meaning." He rolls onto his back again, settling a little closer to her, his shoulder almost touching hers this time. "... If you want to?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He holds her gaze, despite the way his chest twists up tight at her words. Should it have meant something? "I'm joking." T... “Fun sounds nice.” She caves and scooches over to touch shoulders, going back to staring at the clouds. This is dangerous. She knows that. It was “just fun” with Gortash and look where that got her. There is no such thing as “just fun” for demisexual and panromantic Rhiannon Edain. But if she at least walks away from the wreckage with a friend, it will have been worth it, she thinks. It already hurts a little to consider not pursuing this. Last night, it didn’t mean anything. But today, this morning. It means something now. Goddamn it, Rhi. She has to say it out loud or she’ll be hemming and hawing about it until it’s crystal clear unlike whatever else the fuck is happening here. “We’re talking about fucking, right?”

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > “Fun sounds nice.” She caves and scooches over to touch shoulders, going back to staring at the clouds. This is dangerous. She... He blinks. Did she just say what he thinks she said? He doesn't dare to ask her to repeat it, so for a moment he just lies there and stares at the edge of a particularly large cloud as it comes into his periphery. "Um... yeah?" It's more of a question than an answer. Because maybe that will soften the blow if she laughs in his face about it.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He blinks. Did she just say what he thinks she said? He doesn't dare to ask her to repeat it, so for a moment he just lies the... "Um yeah we're both talking about carnal relations or um yeah you have no idea? Sorry, I just want to be clear, no politics or pretense, you know." She wants to reassure him, but honestly? She's the nervous one right now. Playing chicken with your feelings is always a fucking losing game.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Um yeah we're both talking about carnal relations or um yeah you have no idea? Sorry, I just want to be clear, no politics or p... His heart is suddenly beating very fast. What happened to 'just having fun'? It was just fun! It could be just fun! But why does it make him nervous? "I- yeah, that's... we're talking about... about carnal relations." He clears his throat, not daring to even look at her. Now is the time she says no, gets on her bike and rides straight home. Baldur's Gate isn't far away, after all.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > His heart is suddenly beating very fast. What happened to 'just having fun'? It was just fun! It could be just fun! But why do... "Sounds like we're on the same page. Navigate things as we go? Limits and whatnot?" she says casually as if her stomach isn't doing backflips.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Sounds like we're on the same page. Navigate things as we go? Limits and whatnot?" she says casually as if her stomach isn't do... He waits for her to scoff at him, or tell him he's an asshole, but for some reason she doesn't. Finally, he allows himself to look at her, and- oh, she's much closer than he thought. "Yeah?" he says, clearing his throat when he realizes just how high-pitched his voice is, "Um- anything specific I should know about, right now?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He waits for her to scoff at him, or tell him he's an asshole, but for some reason she doesn't. Finally, he allows himself to ... She looks to the side, his face literal inches away, with a soft, curious smile. "Charlie...why are you nervous?"

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She looks to the side, his face literal inches away, with a soft, curious smile. "Charlie...why are you nervous?" Her smile makes him feel warm all over, and he actually has to look away - especially when she asks him that. "I'm not!" he lies, squeezing his eyes shut in an attempt to not have to look at her when her face makes his entire body feel like it's on fire, "I just didn't think you'd be interested."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > Her smile makes him feel warm all over, and he actually has to look away - especially when she asks him that. "I'm not!" he ... She chokes out a laugh. "Charlie have you seen yourself? You look like some sort of Elysian god or deva. Mielikki's horn, you are far too handsome. Plus, its nice," she says looking back at the sky which is starting to look a bit like rain is in the forecast. "It's nice to be with someone curious and playful that doesn't treat me like porcelain or steel. Everyone is always so serious and the world is so...vast. Amazing. Beautiful." She always been easily impressed or amused. Some folks think its part of her charm. Others have told her its juvenile and silly. Either way, its who she is.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She chokes out a laugh. "Charlie have you seen yourself? You look like some sort of Elysian god or deva. Mielikki's horn, you ar... At her words, he turns to look at her once more, even if the praise doesn't do much to still his beating heart. He's been praised like that before, by many others, usually in the hopes of him buying them a drink, but Rhi, like this? What could she possibly want from him, other than tell him the truth? "Well... you're different from most other girls I've met," he says, pausing to admire her face for a moment. "At first I thought it's because you have a job to do, and you're not interested because I'm just a... work subject to you." Again, he pauses, before he turns onto his side so that he's pretty much half-hovering above her. Momentarily bold, he just looks at her, inches away from her face. Gods, he wants to kiss her. While sober, this time, and with less cake in between their lips. Despite his own thoughts, he exhales, "Should we keep going? We might be able to outrun the rain."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > At her words, he turns to look at her once more, even if the praise doesn't do much to still his beating heart. He's been prai... "Shut up." She reaches up and grabs a fistful of his hair to smash their lips together. It's electric in the best way, licking along the seam of his mouth and pulling him down over her.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Shut up." She reaches up and grabs a fistful of his hair to smash their lips together. It's electric in the best way, licking... He opens his mouth, confused at first, but then her hands are in his hair and suddenly she's *everywhere*. A surprised moan escapes him, granting her tongue entrance. He slides his own tongue along hers, eyes rolling into the back of his skull. So this is what she tastes like. A hint of vinegar, and perhaps some salt, at first, but then there's a sweet minty taste that has him licking deeper into her mouth. The first rain drops start falling around them, but he can't even hear them over the blood rushing in his ears. He just reaches his free hand to cup the back of her neck, kissing her properly this time.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He opens his mouth, confused at first, but then her hands are in his hair and suddenly she's *everywhere*. A surprised moan es... Is it raining? Who knows. All she knows is that he's exploring her mouth after that lovely moan and she chases his tongue, sweeping it along his teeth and enjoying the different texture she finds there. Must be the sorcery thing, she thinks idly, while sucking his bottom lip into her mouth to nip at it. His hair is silky and soft under fingers...that are growing wet?

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > Is it raining? Who knows. All she knows is that he's exploring her mouth after that lovely moan and she chases his tongue, sweep... He smiles at the way she sucks on his bottom lip, and he kisses her over and over again, brushing their noses together the whole time. Gods, he doesn't want to stop. He wants to let her kiss and nip at his lips to her heart's content, with their heavy breaths mingling in between their tongues, just inhaling each other in every possible way. The rain eventually penetrates into their own little world, hitting the back of his jacket with heavy patters, and he realizes there are small puddles forming around them in the dirt. He dives in for one more round, both hands now cupping her face as he moans into her mouth along with his tongue slipping past her lips. She's way too addicting. He doesn't want to pull back – his biking gear is waterproof, even – but the rain is only increasing by the minute. When he finally manages to will himself to pull away, he gasps, staring at her for a moment, before his lips curl into a wide smile, and he leans his forehead against hers. Only then does he realize that her face is soaked with rain. "Gods... I- I know you told me to shut up, but..." he breathes, giving into the temptation of briefly pressing his lips to hers in between his words, "but we probably should go..."

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He smiles at the way she sucks on his bottom lip, and he kisses her over and over again, brushing their noses together the whol... She has a witty quip ready as she pants, trying to catch her breath, but then a raindrop hits her dead in the eye. “Gah! Yes ok, let’s pack it up before we drown like turkeys.”

He chuckles a little, though not out of malice, pressing his lips to hers one last time - and then once more - gods, he can't stop! "Berdusk is a little over two hours away," he says as he finally wills himself to pull back, "I say we drive as fast as we can, and maybe we can get ahead of this rain." His hand leaves her only briefly as he moves to get up, and then he reaches for hers, to help her stand up as well. The temptation to just pull her in for another deep kiss is almost too much to bear, but he consoles himself with the thought of them getting to check in at a nice hotel in just a couple of hours. He feels like this time neither of them will mind there only being one bed. With that, they're quickly back on the road again, now driving a little faster as they chase the edge of the rain clouds above. After about an hour, the rain subsides, with the cloud behind them, and the road ahead is nice and dry, allowing for them to actually speed up properly. When they make it to the T-intersection towards either Greenest or Berdusk, they're met with an almost blackened sky above the Greenfields ahead. Charlie gives Rhi a look, but they still take the turn to the left, towards Berdusk. Not unexpectedly, the rain begins anew only a few minutes into their drive towards Berdusk, and it doesn't take long for it to increase to the point where they can barely see the road ahead. He waits for the only landmark he knows to expect - the bridge over the Chiontar - but it never comes. Instead, the road ahead quite literally disappears all of a sudden. They're lucky they're driving slow, and Charlie pulls his bike to a stop, realizing once they've both shut off their engines that ahead of them the river roars, flooded, with the bridge lost to the stream of it. He looks towards Rhi, who seems to be suffering about as much as he is from the ice cold rain. Not even waterproof gear is enough to keep them warm at this weather. "I'm not so keen on swimming across that..

She has fought in rain like this. She has wished for rain like this to stop the burning from a building explosion. But she usually avoids riding in rain like this so Rhi extremely glad she is not alone. Then road is flooded and her brain kicks into problem-solver mode. “So is mine if we need somewhere to put the bikes or stuff out of the weather,” she shouts over the rain. She can’t help the shakes she’s developed so far because of chill. The two of them ride the local backroads a bit before finding a secure outcropping that is far above from the where the pouring rain is flooding everything. She suspects it is because they are getting close to a more desert-like area and the rain has nowhere to go. The trees are sparse but provide enough wind buffer that tent setups isn’t difficult.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She has fought in rain like this. She has wished for rain like this to stop the burning from a building explosion. But she usual... With no guarantee of being able to get to Berdusk in the morning, they settle on setting up camp for the night. So, after eventually settling on a spot - it's not perfect but it'll work just fine for them now - they park the bikes and start pulling out their tents. It's a hassle setting them up in the rain, but they help each other out, and manage to set up Charlie's tent, and Rhi's tent next to it, to park the bikes in the other. With a rainproof tarp fastened above both tents, they roll the motorcycles into the shelter of Charlie's slightly larger tent, before grabbing their things to go into Rhi's tent themselves. "Hells, it's freezing!" he gasps as he zips the entrance of the tent shut behind Rhi, before dropping his bag onto the ground next to it. He unzips his jacket, before he looks to her, allowing his mind to go back to their kiss outside of Elturel. "Um... wanna huddle for warmth?"

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > With no guarantee of being able to get to Berdusk in the morning, they settle on setting up camp for the night. So, after even... -# WRONG TUPPER, FUCK. "Th-t-hat se-seems w-wise," she replies, teeth chattering. Charlie seems less affected by the cold than she is, but he is quite a bit larger. Which then leads her to think of how soft his pecs probably are. She mentally slaps herself and strips off her moto leathers, hanging them to drip dry as she starts to violently shake standing there in her underwear. She drops them a few times and finally get them hung up. "Fu-fuck its fr-fre-eezing."

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain, TA (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > "Th-t-hat se-seems w-wise," she replies, teeth chattering. Charlie seems less affected by the cold than she is, but he is quite ... He's never been sensitive to cold, and despite his shirt being soaked at the front where the rain has penetrated through the zipper of his jacket, he feels Rhi is way worse off than he is. "I'd try to get us a fire going, but I'm afraid I'll blow up the entire tent if I try right now," he says as he pulls out his sleeping bag from his pack, before he continues stripping off the rest of his clothes. Down to his underwear, he hesitates only a few seconds before he dares to step closer to her. He holds his hand out, inviting her into his embrace - realizing that hey haven't even really hugged yet.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He's never been sensitive to cold, and despite his shirt being soaked at the front where the rain has penetrated through the zi... She immediately snuggles into him, grabbing one of the fleece blankets off the floor. She casts Prestidigitation on her hair and then his and then Eldritch Legerdemain on the blanket before wrapping it around them both. This ring of tricks was such a good idea.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She immediately snuggles into him, grabbing one of the fleece blankets off the floor. She casts Prestidigitation on her hair and... Much to his surprise, it appears Rhi has come better prepared than he has, with spells to help the immediate cold. Still, he slides his arms around her, fully enveloping her and pulling her close. Her skin is cold as their bodies meet, making him shudder just a little, and for a moment all he can do is rub his hands up and down her back, in an attempt to warm her up. "Wanna get into the sleeping bag?" he asks, as a last resort for helping her get warm. The blanket helps, of course, but maybe if he got his whole body around hers...

She nods frantically. "I th-think w-we can z-ip them-m tog-ether-r." She pulls away to find and setup a little fold up bowl from her pack. She casts the Legerdermain again into the bowl, making sure the spell includes smokeless at part of the fire. She watches as Charlie puts their sleeping bags together.

> Reply to: @Rhiannon Edain (@Toffee (Rhiannon/Mathias)) > She nods frantically. "I th-think w-we can z-ip them-m tog-ether-r." She pulls away to find and setup a little fold up bowl f... He slowly detaches himself from her, his hand lingering on her hip for a moment, before he goes to zip their sleeping bags together. His own hands tremble much less than seemingly all of Rhi, but it still takes him a few tries to get the zippers to align. Finally, once finished, he gets down on his knees to crawl into the now one large, combined sleeping bag. "Come here." He holds his hand out for her once more, anxious to get his arm around her waist as soon as she's next to him, crowding in on her before she's even managed to get into the sleeping bag properly. Oh, how he wishes he ran hotter, the way some dragons do.

> Reply to: @Charlie (@Joel | joeldritch) > He slowly detaches himself from her, his hand lingering on her hip for a moment, before he goes to zip their sleeping bags toge... His command makes the goosebumps raise on her flesh more than the shivering had and goes pliant, allowing herself to be pulled into his embrace. She traps her arms in the circle of his after bringing the heated blanket with her and throwing it over them both. Then she sighs and melts a bit.