abraxaslogs | If I think too hard about what we're doing I'll feel really bad about it (Open/Closed)

"Fair," she says with a soft huff of a laugh. She appreciates the repetition of the letters, which she tries to imitate as Bay goes through them slower this time. "Is it rude and presumptuous if I think I might like you to teach me more of this?" Because there is something to be said about having conversations in utter silence, especially in her line of work. Not the job at Portam Hall, of course. Her real job, with Kaz and her other boys.

"I don't know near enough about Solvunn as I'd like, but they're very religious," which she can appreciate to an extent, but there is such a wide berth of difference between their Gods and her Saints. "a farming community, mostly. And the Cities rely pretty heavily on their military."

She grins a little at that bit, "If you're an artist, you would love Libertas, it's kind of the art hub of the Cities." Shame it would be such a hassle for her to go see it, especially since it's recovered quite well from Thorne's attack almost a year ago. She can't believe it's been that long.

Bay has been thinking about teaching more people to sign, the problem in her head is one of language barriers. It would be easy to teach it how she learned it, how she really learned it not this alternate version of her did. Slowly, sign by sign in little conversations. But a cornerstone of the language is cultural, which is the problem. "I can try, it'll be harder if you don't know English. The other language from my home. Since the fingerspelling is based on that. And my brain hasn't connected Abraxan quite that way."

Bay being perpetually aware the spoken language isn't anyone's native tongue. But what they learned in their arrival here, a huge advantage to getting everyone to work together, and a massive attack on everyone's individual identities. Solvunn is an Abraxan word, but Free Cities was spelled in English. Those little distinctions.

"I wish there wasn't so much animosity that I can't just day trip across the border." Even with all the tricks of magic to make travel easier. How to get to Nochwich they just bypass days of sea travel or crossing the Feywilds, using a portal. But can't do the same to get to a local university, or travel to a hostile power's art town. "I'd love it if you showed me around, if you could."

Bay don't bat your eyelashes after that it wasn't a good date idea.

She shouldn't have to apologize. She's entitled to every last one of her raw, messy emotions. It does leave Wilhelm wondering what to say for a moment. He's on the verge of reassuring Abby that she's cute and funny, and you never know — but then he considers that sometimes you're not really looking for solutions. Sometimes you just need to dump out all your problems, like a little kid upending a bucket of shells and rocks on the beach once it gets too heavy to carry around.

"It's really nice," he finally says, head sagging against the back of the chair, "when someone sees the best in you, even after you've given them every reason to see the worst instead."

The way he says it, he's not trying to persuade her of anything. He's just floating some thoughts up to the fake sky. Distance and time have eroded his love for Simon and dulled the ache of losing him, but just because you've gotten over someone doesn't mean you're not allowed to look back and miss what you had.

"It's almost worse, like, finding the right person and feeling everything just—" In his lap, his fingers slot together. "—fall into place, but then losing them. I'm going crazy trying to get that feeling back."

"Well I admit, I'm something of a traditional lad..."

Mat just watches a moment, quite enjoying the view. Who is he to spoil it? But he isn't here just to look. Leaning forward, he puts one hand on the wall, angling himself towards her. Light, she is pretty.

And feisty. He's always liked feisty.

"I find a bit of kissing is usually a very good starting point."

One hand still on the wall beside her, his other comes up to cup the side of her face. There's callouses on his fingers from instrument strings but his skin is soft, well cared for. Despite looking as though he has only a passing acquaintance with the concept of a comb, he's a vain man. He has as many oils and softening waxes for his hair and skin as he does his theorbo.

"If the lady's not opposed?"

Abby wanted to say something smart, something that fed the illusion of control, that she had any idea what she was doing or how to do it in a cool manner.

"I'd like that."

There was too much chewing on her lip. Too much of her skin on fire for more contact, different contact. Although she pressed her face into his hand easily, not concerned much over how soft or calloused it was, more that it was there, and that's what mattered. All that came together so she couldn't really manage 'cool.' She was, at best, cute and needy.

She shifted her weight enough to move from the heel to the toes so she could decrease the height difference as much as she could on her end. Her hand on the collar of his shirt, not tugging him close. But definitely suggesting he doesn't get to leave right now.

(OOC: Anyone who would have reason to go there is free to use this prompt.)

Abby making herself at home was not new, she’s been under Julie’s tutelage for long enough, and Nadine kept snacks for her. So clearly she was meant to be here when she had reason.

So Abby put on a pot of water, added her favorite blend of leaves and petals to it. Waited. Contemplated accessing braintwitter. Waited. Was not bored enough for that shit. Waited. Ate a few cookies. Waited.

Then finally there was tea. She poured herself a cup. Picked a nice spot in the room to curl up and waited more. Now for someone, anyone really, to come home. She didn’t pick any furniture to curl up on, opting instead for a small space leaning into the corner of the room, sitting on the ceiling. Cup in hand. The tea in the cup didn’t fall to the floor like it should, held rightsideup but by an upsidedown girl.

She sat there, and waited.

And when someone comes in. “Sup?”

Monsters attacking kind of put a hold on the rest of Bay's life for- you know, a while. There were a bunch of things she wanted to do, wanted to talk about, but couldn't. So her social life somewhat became 'draw monsters and collect information.' And now the world has gone back to normal.

Returning to her crisis already in motion, able to focus on a thing she couldn't get out of her head. Because it'd come up twice and she needed to deal with that. She didn't have the person she wanted to talk to, but she had made a friend she felt capable being open with. Bay was curled up on her bed, with a book of Thorne's history, about two centuries old.

And she was naked.

Don't bother knocking, just come in.

"Was it here, or back home?"

He has, unlike her, found love. That's pretty clear, the fact that he's still looking. Because finding it and losing it is a lot different than having never found it at all. Which, to Abby, makes her want to find it less, not more. She thinks that 'loved and lost' crap is just that- crap. She can't miss what she's never had.

The thing is, how you lost it changes the game, significantly. See, if he lost it here, that's a little easier. Summoned do just- go. It sucks, but there's not much you can do about an angry reality shattering hole in the universe. Sometimes it cockblocks you. If it was at home that's... complicated. Because home is complicated. Loves run hard and shatter, the run hot and freeze. If he lost his love there, well.

It'll just be pain, won't it?

"Back home."

Despite the fact that they're already wading knee-deep in emotions, it takes him a moment to work up to an explanation. Even now, talking about Simon feels like prodding at a wound. It's no longer the raw, gaping thing it used to be, but he's surprised to find that it remains tender.

"We broke up before I got here. It was...really complicated. He didn't want to have to keep the relationship a secret, but I wasn't ready to be out."

That was the simplified version, because he doesn't want to get into how he was outed by a viral sex tape and how he crammed himself back into the closet with a statement curated by his mom to deny his involvement in the video. Or how he promised Simon he'd stand by his side only to abandon him to shoulder the aftermath alone.

"This all happened over a year ago. I've moved on. But I don't know — I think if I ever saw him again, I'd feel the same way I did back then."

He would fall in love all over again. His heart would already know the path.

Edited 2023-09-04 22:25 (UTC)

That's all Mat needs.

At Abby's urging, he dips his head down to catch her mouth with his own. He's teasing at first, brief brushes of lips on lips and then pulling away with a little grin. It's a lovely whatever-time-of-day it is here, he's in no rush.

Her mouth tastes like the drink they'd had and the heat off of her body is intoxicating. As is the hand in his shirt, gripping him like that. He always like a lass with a commanding hand and a good tight grip.

His own hand begins to wander, trailing down her neck, fingers brushing against her skin. He's always been a tactile person, and his body angles into hers. There's that particular little excitement that always come from the first encounter with someone new. It's all a discovery, an adventure into the unknown. Where does she most like being touched? What sort of little noises does she make when pleased? Does she use nails and teeth, or does she have a softer touch?

Mat thinks not. He thinks she's likely a teeth and nails sort of girl.

Teasing kisses are a bit of a surprise. That's not what Norah or Max was about, and Jesper. So she did try to hold the kiss with him immediately pulling back. She's not going to claim she wasn't afraid this was some trick, the thought was there. Thankfully a second kiss filled that space.

Having both enjoyed the same drink limits the level of where one of them ends and the other begins. Which isn't something she'd considered but very much makes this more enjoyable.

Abby's noises are subtle, shifts in her breathing, little gasps as his hand moves over skin she's not used to being explored. Hands on the back of her shoulder cause the most reaction, but that's just of what he's explored. To make this easier Abby's hand not keeping Mat from leaving undo a few more buttons, but not all. Then helpfully slips her shirt off one shoulder.

She lets go, long enough for her shirt to hang around her waist not doing much covering, only for her hand to return higher, not on his collar anymore. Holding his neck and jaw, thumb brushing just under his ear. Still a move of keeping him close, but guised in some other language.

"I think the problem is that the world broke you up, rather than you chose to. Meaning you're still in love with him, but can't be with him." It was the easiest way to phrase it. The simplest way to put it together. Abby's never dated, so she can't break-up. The closest she has is Max and Norah excommunicating her for a month. If Wilhelm's mystery boy cheated, or fell for someone else, or turned out to be a girl in elaborate and excellent drag, it'd be Wilhelm's choice to end it. He'd sever that link and it'd suck.

Choice isn't in this equation.

"If he was here, with us, in a world that doesn't have our bullshit, what would you honestly do?" Abby's got an answer in her head. She's made it clear what she feels the answer is. But Wilhelm made his answer clear too in how he spoke about this. The question was would he confirm or deny, and would Abby believe it.

Mat's been recovering from the monsters himself. He'd avoided any serious injury, but it had taken a toll just the same. The way he'd felt when he'd come up against the Dark One's hounds...it was too much like how he'd felt under the dagger's influence.

And he'd just been starting to get a handle on that particular trauma. Ah well.

But he's more than happy to answer the summons Bay sends. He quite likes the lass. And light knows he could do with some company, moping about never does him any good.

Realizing it would indeed be pointless, he doesn't bother to knock, only sends a mental message that he's coming in. Just in case she isn't looking that way when he comes in. He does, however, quickly shut the door behind him when he realizes she's starkers.

"You should have told me it was nude social time, I wouldn't have worn so many layers!"

"It's easier to wash paint off of skin than cloth." Said as if that thought is perfectly normal. There's a painting drying in the corner. She had hoped that a commissioned piece of the New York Skyline would, if not get her mind off it's current track, at least calm her down a bit. Which it did more than it didn't, but the idea was still crawling around in the back of her mind for her to deal with.

This was honestly the worst topic to ask about while naked, but also perfectly poetic as she felt very vulnerable asking about it. And she wasn't going to rush to get dressed if it was just Mat coming over.

She slips a bit of scrap paper into her book and closes it properly. Sitting up and swinging her legs off the bed to better watch Mat move, she doesn't care if he gts undressed since- well, she was. And if she let a little thing like that distract her from her question, well... she'd never ask. "You're dating a guy from one of the factions, right? And you've definitely hit on me."

"How'd you know, that both were options for you?"

It would feel very odd indeed to be fully clothed while Bay is not. So Mat does begin undressing, but pauses halfway through at her question. His waistcoat and shirt have been divested, but he's still in his trousers.

"Oh. I...don't really know."

Frowning thoughtfully, he considers it. How did he know? Had there ever been some moment where it became clear? Not that he can recall. He just...always liked what he liked.

"Guess when I started to be about the age that you start noticing people that way, I just always noticed lasses and fellows." He shrugs, realizing that answer is probably unhelpful to her. If she's asking, there's a reason. And it doesn't take a brilliant mind to assume what that reason is.

"To be honest I've never really given it much thought. Just always been how I've felt, that I haven't any preference. I liked the look of both, gave both a try, that was that."

It's an honest answer, but it doesn't help her. She wasn't sure what answer she was hoping for, but this wasn't it. She slipped off the bed and went for her bookcase of sketchbooks. "I've only really gone for guys, I guess. My world that's just easier. But this body seems to react pretty well to either choice."

This body suggesting that something changed between who she was and who she is, which doesn't make sense. That's not how this works, right? Of course, she knew it wasn't that simple as 'born this way.' Plenty of folks repressed because of what happens to them. But did something happen to her?

Did something different happen to this version of her?

She sits back down on her bed with sketchbook in her lap. It doesn't really do anything for modesty she just needs it for later, "I had one friend, at the time I would have done anything for her but I was maybe eleven? A little young for it to mean this right?"

Mat finishes shucking off his trousers and whatnot and settles in to join her, giving it all some serious thought. Of course he's going to undress, there's something very uncomfortable about being dressed when she isn't. Feels better to be on the same level. He purses his lips thoughtfully and it's clear he's giving this all some proper consideration.

He's aware there are worlds that actually give a damn about who one sleeps with. It's odd to him, coming from a society where it didn't matter. That has to make it harder, he thinks, to figure it all out.

"Well...I can say this much. I've known plenty of folks who had a clear preference, and they never asked this question. If you've got reason to wonder what you might like, then there's something to wonder about."

Again, this seems logical to him.

Bay finds it curious how different nudity feels when it's reciprocal. She's not had to deal with the concept too much in the past, just in school which was same gender, or with a boyfriend, and the nudity was always going somewhere in particular.

Especially when one of them lived with his mother and a very adamant 'no overnight guests' rule, and the other was on a military base so lingering wasn't exactly acceptable.

So she din't feel Mat had an advantage, clothed when she wasn't, but she certainly found it respectful that he'd be sure they were on the same playing field, as it were.

Bay had had these questions following two interactions lately. She did not feel comfortable diving into one of them, while Adora was someone Mat had certainly seen. She-Ra was another matter, and Bay did not know exactly how much Adora's taller, stronger, much stronger, those thighs. Getting distracted, the point is She-Ra might not be common knowledge.

So Bay just, flipped through the sketchbook she had pulled out to a two page spread where Bay had just- drawn Inej Ghafa a half-dozen times. Handing the sketchbook, open to that page, to Mat. An answer to why she's been having these questions.

Mat takes advantage of every new bit of bare skin. His hand trails down her arm as he deepens the kiss, the tip of his tongue flicking against her lips. Her undershirt is not particularly substantial and he can feel the heat of her through it like a brand. Deliberately, the back of his hand brushes against her breast. There's very little fabric between them.

Her grip on his neck is tantalizing and he needs no urging to keep himself close to her. His blood's stirring and he'd have to be pulled away at this point. Light, what a delightful turn of events! He certainly hadn't expected to be slipping off to a secluded spot for a bit of sporting, but he's quite happy to be here.

Still, he lets her set the pace and follows her lead. Mat's never been a man of sternly set preferences and is generally always happy to let his partner take the lead.

So, thankfully Mat was not the first person to get Abby into this situation, otherwise they would be at this forever not really going further. Because Abby talks a big game, but she's terrified of all manner of intimacy. Even if the situation meant she'd likely keep her pants over her thighs at least.

A small measure of mercy, that.

Still, kissing and being explored are hardly bad things, so she lets that continue for a bit. Not wanting to break the spell by being too needy, instead she guides his hand that had teased her breast to a more specific purchase on her waist, while she carefully hikes her undershirt up so it quickly is lead to skin. Which hopefully says more than she needs words for as to where it should be.

"Ah."

Mat nods as he looks at the sketchbook. He looks back up before he says anything more, a small smile on his lips. Yes, he can certainly understand. While he has no interest in pursuing the young lady - her connection with Jesper is too intimate for it to feel right - she is very striking.

"Miss Inej is lovely indeed. Any other lasses catch your attention? There's no shortage of'em around here."

And one should really have a decent sample pool for determining this sort of thing. Finding one lady appealing doesn't mean finding all of them appealing.

"She also quickly asked to learn how to sign, and was curious about my language and-" Bay stopped herself from going too far down that giddy feeling you get when gushing about someone new. Someone new who is very interesting and kind and- anyway. She needs to focus on the matter at hand, and if it means something.

"Two others, but I can't really talk about either. It isn't my place." The two arrivals near them in age had both caught Bay's eye in one way or another. Different ways, and neither felt as... personal, as with Inej. Catra in her first visit to the horizon, seemed charmingly adventurous and delightful. And She-Ra was basically a Grecian Statue given life. But in both cases Bay's thoughts for them fell a little short. Catra the street cat and Adora the lost hero were just- in need of some friendship, and baked goods. Nothing that ran around in her mind.

"Of course most of the summoned are nice to look at, I don't really get flustered too often. Just Inej and Rhy have really caused that from me." Maybe she shouldn't have admitted to that. The second one, she was there to talk about the first one. "I don't exactly fall all over every pretty guy I meet either."

She says, to the handsome naked man sitting on her bed with her. Who she's not really interested in sleeping with. Unless it was really cold and then body heat is great.

Abby had been here before, not... just to the Andromeda Bay beaches, but the ones marred and ruined by the writhing mass of B.O. and anime porn known as the Morbol. So she felt a little like she should help fix it, however she could.

Didn't change that little echo of fear, the one that bubbled up from her when she saw Julie on the ground. Which is where she stood for longer than she probably should have. Stupid buddy system meaning working with someone else. Until then she could focus on the job at hand, or just dwell in that moment of fear.

She was dressed to work in the water... sorta. Inej had helpfully braided and pinned her hair into something out of the way for the water. No fanning hair out of Disney for her. From the waist down she was wearing a wetsuit, something skintight and meant for the water. Goggles hanging from her hip. Waist up was a bikini top because in spite of everything, this was a beach and she was going to look cute.

Mat is easily led, and his hand goes where Abby directs it. His palm presses into the bare skin of her side, fingers curled around her back to tease her there. His fingertips dance patterns against her, quick and light as though he were playing a simple melody. The intro to a more complex piece, a prelude just setting the stage.

Slowly he slides his hand upwards, following the line of her body. He slips up beneath her undershirt, nips at her bottom lip gently.

His other hand joins in, carding through her hair. She's got gorgeous hair. The color of it's rich and strong, like polished red wood. And it's soft. A fellow could lose himself in hair like that.

Given his hand in her hair, and the other past her last article of clothing above the waist, she felt comfortable he wasn't going anyway, moving her hand from his head down to his shoulder. Still keeping him close, but more exploring and less trapping going on.

Her other hand, meanwhile, right on his ass. With a gentle squeeze. Being bold, so far, has paid off and moved things further along.

After a few moments more in the kiss she does need to come up for air, or at least move her lips to his neck. Letting soft sighs and tiny shallow breaths in the process. Enjoying but nothing as dedicated as a moan. Yet.

If I think too hard about what we're doing I'll feel really bad about it (Open/Closed)

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September - Julie & Nadine's house

September - Mat (CW: Nudity)

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Mildly NSFW

More NSFW

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Dean

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