The Written Tapestry

They finally make it back to the hovel, the fire still roaring as Richter tosses the carcass aside. He reaches for his silver dagger and unsheathes the blade. Though not specifically for skinning, the edge was serrated enough to slice through the hide. As he flayed the animal he continued his conversation with Jade. "I prefer you in your humanoid form, yes...although should we venture into a town or city I would it would be best you return to your fae form. I wear my cowl fairly often, so you can hide in there." He looked over at her, his arms and hands bloody from the skinning. "You're much easier to kiss as well." He chuckles and puts the dagger away.

Once back within the cave, Jade splayed out next to the fire, resting back against her hands. Staring down at her bloodied knees, she wrinkled her nose and quickly turned her attention away from them to look back at Richter. "Understood. Though I'm unsure why I cannot show myself in a town. Still...I'll not question you." She gave him a serene smile, seeming unphased by the amount of blood he was now soaked in. "You wish to kiss me, then? I thought perhaps after you had marked me, the affections would end."

Richter chuckled at her seemingly naive questions. "My little gem...you're nearly nude. Should we venture into civilization, their culture would find it somewhat offensive. Even still, there would be some who would make advances towards one with your grace. And while I'm not above slicing their throat, the less attention we attract to ourselves...the better. I'm not exactly a welcomed guest." He pulled a large stone off of the cave wall and crushed it against the ground with tremendous force, it turning into a fine powder. He rubbed the powder onto the meat to help preserve it. He arched a brow at her second question. "I may not have a heartbeat...but that doesn't mean I do not feel affection. You're a fetching lass, Jade...and I'd be foolish to not pursue you as my mate." He pauses quickly and sighed. "Well...as much of a mate as I can have in this state."

Jade tilted her head, her gaze immediately turning downward toward her breasts. "So I am. Still, my wings do not make themselves known in this form, and should I don the garb of a human...who could tell the difference?" She wiggled her nose at him playfully. "Still, I will do as you ask to avoid bringing on any unnecessary inconviences." She tensed when the large stone he tugged from the wall was crushed against the ground, a small sound of surprise echoing within the cave momentarily. When the tension had dispersed, she frowned at his response to her question. Utterly taken aback, she was speechless for the very first time since they had met.

Richter looked at her, his reddened slits showing signs of softeness not seen in ages. "Did I say something wrong, my precious gem? I meant no offense I assure you." He paused for a moment to walk over to her and sit down next to the fire. "Back when I was living, I was a scoundrel...a con artist. I would not only manipulate others into giving me their possessions, but I also did the same to the hearts of many a fair maiden." He chuckled as his eyes locked onto the flames. "I'd get them to fall for me, become enamoured enough to give themselves to me...and then leave without so much as a whisper the following morning." He glanced over to Jade. "If anything, I deserve this fate. To wander alone forever, without the comfort of a warm bed and the soft touch of a woman." He layed back on the cold stone floor and looked up at the crystalline formations. "You are the first who has not run in fear or tried to stake me. You let me in...you let me...mark you. As unconventional as this is...I can't help but feel connected to you."

Her gaze followed him as he moved to sit near her beside the fire, her expression turning from surprise to interest when he began speaking of his former life. Scooting in closer to him, a hint of concern sparked in her eyes, and she carefully wrapped her arms around one of his. "The past holds sway on those affected by time. I had forgotten that those of your kind were once human." Reaching up with one hand, she cupped his cheek. "Humans are dual sided creatures. Both weak and strong, both good and rotten. You lived as a human, you died as a human. What happened in that life was human folly, and it is long behind you. You deserve whatever this new form of life brings you. And I am here, am I not? Does that not mean you deserve what has been offered?" Her face reddened, and she lowered her head, resting her cheek against his shoulder. "What is convention? You have marked me, I am your's. It is as simple as that."

Richter let his cheek fall into her soft hand as she spoke, smiling ever so slightly. "Human folly or no, the memories still haunt me. Though you have helped stem the tide, my little Jade." He looked at her with an alluring gaze. "If it were that simple, my love, there would be a small army of women who would "belong" to me. Either that or they would try to make me take care of whatever spawn they birth." He shutters at the thought. "Though I'm sure given the circumstance, I won't have to worry about children anymore." He turned his eyes towards the fire once more. "But I do feel a love towards you, Jade. Perhaps it is because I have been lonely for so long...I cannot say, but it is there."

Jade caressed his cheek affectionately as he leaned into her touch, his smile recieving one in return. She scooted in closer still, her entire body pressed in next to his. "Then I will be the barrier between the memories and your mind." Her brows knit together into another frown as he went on, her head lowering again. "It...means something to me. No other has marked me, nor will I ever allow one to try. But...if it has not the same meaning for you, I understand." Her body seemed to tense and relax with each new rain of words he spoke, a somewhat flustered and confused expression on her face. "...you speak of love for me but have not the same ideals of marking as I? I...am confused."

Richter removed her hand from his cheek and looked into her eyes. He could sense her confusion their conversation has brought on. He opted to make it simple for her, leaning in to kiss her. Softly at first, but slowly turning more passionate as time went on. Shortly thereafter, he pulled away from her and went to grasp her hand in his. "Let me make it easy for you, Jade." He paused. "I love you...and I want you. I marked you because of those intense feelings. Whatever difference in our cultures there are..." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it gently, eyes still locked on hers. "...they mean nothing. You are my mate for life...which in this situation...is a very, very long time." He smiled and ran his fingers through her hair.

Her gaze followed his hand at he pulled her fingertips from his cheek, finally looking right back into the eyes that stared into her. Again, she was surprised when his lips found her's. Reaching up, she wrapped an arm around his neck to hold him there, her lips swelling against his as the passion took hold of her momentarily. When he pulled away, he'd find his fae breathless and...sweating. Squeezing his hand as he grasped her's, she shook slightly as she listened to him. "...you...loved me then? I..." She fell silent as he went on, her eyes fluttering shut as his fingers slid through her long dark locks. "...I love my Richter for life...my beloved mate..."

Richter smiled and moved in to kiss Jade once more, his lips left wanting more of her taste. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and though they were already close...he pulled her closer still.

Jade grinned when he moved back toward her, stifling a small laugh before his lips found her's again. Squeezing him tightly, her lips parted to nibble tenderly at his. As his arms wrapped about her waist, she tensed momentarily then relaxed, simply letting him pull her in as closely and as tightly as he wanted.

Richter chuckled slightly as Jade began nibbling his lips. He leaned himself back onto his hands, depriving her of their kiss and giving her a rather devilish smirk. "Who said you're allowed to do the biting, hmm?"

Her eyes shot open the instant he pulled away from her, confusion and worry in the emerald pools. A small smile replaced the somber look at his question, and again she lowered her head to hide the heat that had risen into her cheeks. "I thought it...only fair. After all..." She leaned off to one side, pulling her hair back over her shoulder to reveal the marks and heavy bruising he had left on her neck the night before.

Richter eyed the marks and bruises with a half concerned and half prideful look, another sign of her belonging to him. "Oh sure...it's fair. All things considered..." He stared alluringly at Jade before he spoke again, this time in a more sultry tone. "You know, my little gem, there -is- something you can do for me this night." He looked away with a rather coy expression. "Of course...if you've no wish to please your Master..." He couldn't hide a slight smirk forming on his lips.

Jade gazed back at him, her lips parted in a soundless shuddered breath as he shot that look at her. Her hand raised as he spoke, hesitant and shakey, reaching for him without touching him. "...what does my Master wish of me? I am your's to command, you need not make requests." Even as the smirk formed on his lips and caused a small jolt of electricity to shoot through her, her expression remained serious, questioning and concerned.

Richter still was not quite used to a woman, any woman, being so compliant. He began unlatching his belt, removing any excess items he had on his person and tossing them aside. Without hesitation, he removed his leggings and tossed them aside as well...his entire self laying bare on the stone floor. He shot her another look and spoke once more. "There is something that I have not felt in ages...something that you may, or may not be familiar with. But you will learn quickly, I assure you." He outstretched his hand towards her and gestured her to come closer to him.

That emerald gaze followed his every movement in the long quiet moments it took him to undress. Like one lover caressing another, her eyes took in every inch of his form as he exposed himself to the warm air within the cave. Perhaps it was the flicker of the fire that caused her eyes to shimmer as they did. A simple nod was given in response to his words as she reached out for his hand, her jaw set stubbornly as she crawled toward him on bloodied knees. "I will learn quickly and well the best way to serve my Master."

Richter smiled at her and nodded. "Very well then..." Their kissing and touching had already left him aroused, his own self twitching ever so slightly as his lover came closer to him. The man stopped her as she came upon his waist and placed his hand behind her head, still gently stroking her hair. "I want you to trust me, my precious gem." He slowly pushed her head down towards his arousal, stopping just at the tip to watch her reaction.

Jade settled onto her knees next to him, her gaze shifting between his eyes and his arousal. Nibbling at her lip, she looked at him curiously as he placed his hand behind her head. Another nod was given to him at his words, her eyes speaking volumes of the trust she had for him. And as he pushed her down toward his length, a spark of understanding lit up in her mind. She stared down at his twitching member for a moment before making eye contact again. Never once breaking away from his gaze, she slid her tongue from between her lips to caress along the base of his helmet.