Post by tovaana on Oct 10, 2021 20:24:12 GMT -5
Chai
She struck the ground in front of her with the walking stick, making a small indent in the ground and ultimately a trail of dots behind her as they trekked to the top of one of the smaller mountains nearby. They were going to start with this one, working their way to larger mountains during the coming seven-days. They were almost to the top, she could sense it- the way the air was getting lighter, the way her lungs burned and her legs moved by command alone – adrenalin the main component to the way she moved. This was the feeling she loved, the way she could tell they were cresting to the top of the mountainous hill, and trees became more scarce, but not so high that animals ceased their noises. She could also hear her companion’s breathing behind her, but he did not complain – his own pride bending to let Chai choose the pace, though he liked to savor hikes more than she did. The blonde did let herself stop and enjoy the views, but there was nothing more delicious than feeling the burn of pushing her body to its limits.
“You keeping up back there?” She asked breathily, smiling and feeling her lungs burn at the frivolous use of air.
She heard the snort. “I could pass you, but I’m enjoying the view from back here.”
She grinned, her back still to him – she thought about offering to switch so she could have the same pleasure, but she also didn’t like the idea of someone blocking her view to outside, or feeling like someone was in her way. No, she preferred being in the front, let him appreciate her from behind. Not that she imagined he really saw too much, not with their larger packs on their back, tools that allowed them to live holdless for at least a seven-day, as well as tools that helped them maneuver rocks, ice and other difficult terrain if they came upon it. They’d done this hill countless times, it was an easy first hill that took less than a day – but had a hot spring at the top that made for a fun and relaxing first day. They’d spend the night under the stars, as long as there were stars – unfortunately it seemed like there was a 50/50 chance they’d see the stars tonight.
Chai twisted as best she could to look over her shoulder and toss him a wink, a slightly delayed reaction – but conversations while hiking usually had lulls in it when the lungs were busy keeping the body breathing and less interested in exhausting itself with talk. But Chai loved talking, she loved having company – it was why she kept Seldoco around. He was handsome to boot, in his own rugged way, even if his nose was on the larger side, it seemed to fit him rather than stick out awkwardly. He was always open to her adventures, and the sex wasn’t bad either. She had noticed that other men had eventually sort of distanced themselves from her – and suddenly it was just him and her, but it didn’t stop her flirting with others, and she’d rather not think of the implications of them being paired such in other’s minds.
Her hand without the walking stick reached out and brushed against the smooth bark of a white trunked tree – unique and beautiful in the mountains, its leaves shuddered delightfully in the breeze, creating a unique sound that made her insides swell with pleasure. Her walking stick started to drag as they made the last stretch and the ground started to level. It wasn’t like she thought the walking stick was of any use, but it gave her a sense of marking the distance in the journey, the length of ground she conquered.
Her stride quickened and she heard Sel sigh and quicken as well. They were so close! She almost felt giddy, definitely light headed from the almost non-stop trek up the hill. The stick fell from her hand and she shrugged off her pack, feeling almost invincible as the weight fell away – almost like she could fly! She almost ran, except that her legs seemed to wobble as she hopped on large rocks that jutted out from the mountain top. She felt Seldoco’s presence behind her, holding her as she nearly slipped from a rock, and she only giggled – and her giggles seemed like they couldn’t stop, the giddiness taking over. Her hands lifted as if she could touch the sky and let out a loud, “Wooooo!!!” Seldoco laughed and let his own shout of triumph join with hers.
“Come on down now, I think your legs are going to give out – and this rock isn’t likely to catch you.”
She laughed and pushed his intentions to help her to safety off, even if they sounded slightly teasing. “I’m fine, please don’t sound like my brother. I don’t bring you to keep me safe.” She said, glancing back at him with a slight glare and took a few steps away from him and closer to the edge that made her heart skip in the thrill. That was another thing she’d noticed. Over the time they had spent together, he seemed to be more and more protective, and she didn’t understand it. She’d liked him better when he’d been as reckless as her, taking chances like she did and now… it was as if age was making him more responsible and boring. Still, he followed her, and wasn’t as overbearing as Zel was.
He rolled his eyes, but he was grinning. “Fine, I was just thinking we could go swimming.” He said, an old familiar mischief in his eyes that she liked much more than the growing protectiveness.
She hummed, her eyebrows lifting in anticipation of the hot springs on her sore body… and just being with Seldoco. It was another thing she enjoyed – being able to enjoy Sel without him worrying about what others thought about how they acted. Chaizaela could also be herself in every sense of herself, in just being herself – and in intimacy. “Very tempting, but I think you’ll have to try harder. I was thinking I’d rather fly.” Her arms lifted like a birds and she went on her tiptoes, and she pretended like she hadn’t heard Sel’s sharp intake of breath.
He came up behind her and she could feel his warmth that contrasted with the winter breeze that tugged on her sweat damp shirt. His face came close to the side of hers and her heart started to accelerate the way it did when he was close to her. Then suddenly he scooped her up and she squeaked in protest, but he was practically bounding off the rocks, laughing between kisses to try and subdue her as he took her to the hot spring. Chai did not like being contained in any sense, and Seldoco knew how she hated to be picked up, even if she was smaller than he was.
It wasn’t long that she gave in, as they took each other’s clothes off- wading and splashing in the warm spring – and ultimately enjoying one another with no thought of the world around them.