Nadine Cross (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nadine_he_loves) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2021-12-09 12:33 pm
nadine_he_loves) wrote in abraxaslogs2021-12-09 12:33 pm
Open December Catchall
WHO: Nadine and OPEN
WHAT: Horizon and Nott catchall for the month
WHEN: December
WHERE: Nott and The Horizon
WARNINGS: Will add as needed!
Nott
When not working - and with the weather turning, she's working more hours - Nadine can be found in the common room of the inn with a warm drink and a book, or at the lake's edge with a basket and heavy boots and cloak, gathering ingredients for the herbalist she works for, or behind the inn practicing with her fire magic. And of course she can be found at Nan Maeda's Tonics and Tinctures, the herbalist healer's shop where she's found employment. She mostly collects and prepares ingredients for her elderly employer, but she's learning and that's as important as the money.
Horizon
With the coming of the cold months, Nadine's domain reflects the season. Gone are the autumn leaves and the blue skies, snow covering the little slice of New England town that she's created for herself. The sky is overcast and white string lights and garlands have begun appearing. There's a towering Christmas tree in the square in front of the white wooden church, and the shop windows have old fashioned holiday displays in them. It bears a striking resemblance to something Norman Rockwell would have painted.
Nadine herself is often in the square, at the gazebo by the skeletal carousel, or in her own little cottage at the edge of 'town'. Easily identified as hers, as it's the only home with a shoveled walk and puffs of smoke coming out of the chimney. Sometimes the smell of baking or sound of music wafts out...
(Specific starters in comments, hit me up if you'd like one!)
WHAT: Horizon and Nott catchall for the month
WHEN: December
WHERE: Nott and The Horizon
WARNINGS: Will add as needed!
Nott
When not working - and with the weather turning, she's working more hours - Nadine can be found in the common room of the inn with a warm drink and a book, or at the lake's edge with a basket and heavy boots and cloak, gathering ingredients for the herbalist she works for, or behind the inn practicing with her fire magic. And of course she can be found at Nan Maeda's Tonics and Tinctures, the herbalist healer's shop where she's found employment. She mostly collects and prepares ingredients for her elderly employer, but she's learning and that's as important as the money.
Horizon
With the coming of the cold months, Nadine's domain reflects the season. Gone are the autumn leaves and the blue skies, snow covering the little slice of New England town that she's created for herself. The sky is overcast and white string lights and garlands have begun appearing. There's a towering Christmas tree in the square in front of the white wooden church, and the shop windows have old fashioned holiday displays in them. It bears a striking resemblance to something Norman Rockwell would have painted.
Nadine herself is often in the square, at the gazebo by the skeletal carousel, or in her own little cottage at the edge of 'town'. Easily identified as hers, as it's the only home with a shoveled walk and puffs of smoke coming out of the chimney. Sometimes the smell of baking or sound of music wafts out...
(Specific starters in comments, hit me up if you'd like one!)
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[Which is why it is of the utmost importance that two people remain close and find warmth together. Cold noses, perhaps, and ears, but mouths always remained unmistakably warm. He's about to test that theory again, leaning down towards her, when she has an even better idea.
He smiles, then kisses her forehead.]
You know what? You are absolutely right. [It is a bit relieving, he must admit, that she is the first to bring it up. It's quite true that there has not been another repeat of that night. In fact, he was rather sure she wanted to avoid him and talk of it for a bit.
It can give a man, even Jaskier, a bit of a complex. A worry. He moves off of the barn door, taking one of her hands in his own to give her a squeeze. Unfortunately, the door's a bit big for him to one-hand this whole effort.] I am very easy man to keep quiet.
[Usually it involves a gag, but. He nearly hides the suggestive tilt of his eyebrows by opening the door for her.]
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[It's a bit of a fudge of the truth, but Nadine maintains that Harold doesn't count. And there'd been precious little kissing involved, anyway. That's not something to think about now. Harold is long gone, and Jaskier is right here and clearly very willing.
She'd assumed he would be.]
And I didn't say you had to be quiet.
[The words may not have a flirtatious tone, but the implication is clear. She can be bold, when she wants to be. She doesn't entirely know what her intentions are, in the long run, but she knows it would be very nice right now to be held and kissed and complimented. Jaskier is, if her memory serves, very good at all of those things. And he wants her. Enough to ignore all her warnings and initial rebuffs, and there have been so very, very few men who've persisted beyond that barrier she keeps up. Maybe it's some trait inherent to musicians.
She slips into the barn, the inside as picturesque as the outside. It's warmer in here, and spotlessly clean. The hay in the loft looks impossibly fluffy and soft, born entirely of imagination rather than reality.]
I don't really get many drop ins around here, and even when I do...nobody comes out here. It's just us and some phantasmal cows wandering around outside.
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[He's not shaming her, not a chance. But gods, there's some days he's kissed more men than that in twenty-four hours. If it really comes down to her husband, she certainly respects the sanctity of marriage more than most people he's ever met. The number of people he's slept with with rings still on their fingers is... reasonably high.]
Well. The world is your oyster, as they say.
[And is he ever happy to provide new experiences. He follows her inside, sliding the door back into place to cut off the gust of cold. When he turns to look around, his brows raise.
It's the cleanest, least stinking barn he's ever been in. Ah. The joys of fantasies.
With a laugh, he takes her hand.]
Phantasmal cows are rather polite neighbors, I imagine. [He appreciates her dedication to ensuring him they won't be interrupted, as if that's stopped him before.] May I take your coat, my lady?
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[Nadine shakes her head as the door closes behind them. It's not like she regrets waiting, not entirely. And she's trying new experiences now. Besides, she's hardly innocent.]
And you may.
[She unties the belt of her coat but stands still and leaves the rest to Jaskier, as he's offered. It's nice, to feel taken care of in a sense. It's hard for her to put the thoughts into words, but there's something very appealing about the attention he pays to her.
She briefly considers a bar for the door, but dismisses it. He may not be concerned about being stumbled onto, but she is. This sort of thing is private. The idea of being caught, being seen in an intimate moment...no, she'd very much rather not. But it should be fine. No one ever comes out here, why in the world would they? They're alone, the only two people in this little corner of a world.
And there's something exciting about that idea.]
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Right, he gets it. She may actually respect marriage. They all have their quirks.
Permission granted, he helps her out of her coat. One arm, then the other, and looks about for a polite place to hang it. Of course none of this is real, but there's no need to be disrespectful. He finds a hoe hook suitable, hanging his right beside hers. It leaves him only in a pale gold chemise, the ends embroidered with rays of The Sun.
And then, with a single pull, it's off over his head and throw onto the same hook.] You know, it's a rather good thing this barn's already so warm. [He returns to her with a tease of a smile, catching her wrists, then moving gently up her arms.] I'd hate for you to see me when I'm cold. Nipples you could cut a steak with, I swear.
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But she's making up for lost time now, she supposes. It's still a slow thing, coming to terms with the fact that she even can. But Nadine isn't aided by substances to help quell her normal hesitations this time. There's nothing here but her own choice to enjoy herself a little. At least with Jaskier there is a foundation already. The circumstances may be vastly different, but they've slept together already. There's a certain familiarity present. It helps.
And he seems the type to be understanding of her rather unique situation. It's fine. They can take it slow and easy, she doesn't think he'll mind.
After her coat is taken care of she turns....and oh. He is already taking off his shirt.]
Oh! Um. Hi. Wow.
[She hadn't been expecting that. Not that it's an unpleasant sight, Jaskier is very well defined. That hadn't been some exaggeration of memory, he's built like an underwear model. It's just a surprise, one that catches her off guard and brings a startled little laugh and flush from her.]
You are not wasting any time, huh?
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[That's often not a good response. Well, it could be a good response, but this is a little more winded, a little less, "wow, Jaskier, master of all bards and the Continent itself, that really is quite the pair of nipples you have." Not that he's expecting that sort of pointed praise from Nadine.]
Perhaps I was reading the room incorrectly. [The way he says it may indicate he doesn't really believe so, but! He's patient. And smiling. Honestly, the pink in her cheeks is enough for him.] Shall I put it back on, then? I would hate to be untoward in the face of such precious company.
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[Nadine shakes her head, another little nervous laugh following.]
I just...wasn't expecting jumping directly to undressing. I'm...I don't do this kind of thing, you know that.
[She's never been coy about her experience, or how little she's engaged in physical intimacy. Or in what limited capacity. And she doesn't push him away, or evade his touch.]
I...I do want to be here with you, you're just going to have to be a little patient with me, Jaskier. I'm still getting used to the fact that I can do this without anything terrible happening to anybody.
[And even then, there's that part of her that rejects the idea completely. How can she possibly do this? She doesn't even love this man, they've only known each other for at most a couple of months. It's overridden by everything else, but that voice persists.]
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That is very ominous, so I elect to not question what it means. [He offers her his hands, first on hers, then on her wrists, moving to her elbows simply to hold onto her. Not demanding, simply a tactile touch.]
My apologies, then. I'm not intending to rush you nor unnerve you. [It is only fair it's her choice what they should do -- it's her experiences which give her pause, and he is only a guest in her world.
He would be lying if he said he'd hoped a bit of intimacy wasn't in the cards, though, when he came. It was mostly about thanking her, though. Perhaps with a few kisses, if he was lucky.
Though he's sort of circling back to that terrible happenings thing. Like, similar to a cucked butcher running into his wife's bedroom with a knife? Or more like a tiny rock of a man demanding to see his ass at a royal banquet? Not that, ah, that's ever happened to him before.]
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[Nadine would never sleep with another man without Flagg's explicit permission if he were still around. Some rules she knows she could skirt or ignore, but not that one.
She's grateful that Jaskier doesn't seem at all offended. Assumedly, a man with as much experience as she's inferred he has would be more sensitive to quirks and boundaries in the bedroom. Or barn, as it happens.]
And thank you. I...it probably sounds a little silly, but I'm clear headed this time. I want to really experience whatever happens between us right now. I wasn't really in the mindset to fully appreciate the experience of being with someone new the last time. There's...never been a 'someone new' before.
[It isn't as though she doesn't remember their first night, but so much of the memory is feeling and sensation and little abstract bits that all blend together. His scent, how he'd made her feel. And there's that dreamlike quality to it. Far different than now, and the very clear and solid feel of Jaskier's hands on her arms.]
Is that okay?
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[It's much more difficult to be swept into a certain mood. Not without the half-naked dancers, or the pounding music, or the overblown lights. Without herbs scorching their way through his veins and leaving every touch as powerful as the orgasm itself.
And to her credit, there are parts of that night he doesn't entirely remember, either. The memories are shaded by... well, fuck, whatever Julie had given him.
Not that he's against trying them again.
He moves a hand to her cheek, stroking it gently with a thumb.] Of course it's all right. I am ever as eager to give you an enjoyable night -- er, day? A bit hard to tell here sometimes. There is, in fact, nothing you can do wrong right now. I promise.
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[The honesty is clear in Nadine's tone. She knows she comes with a lot of baggage, the kind most guys wouldn't want to deal with for what amounts to just a bit of fun. There's a lot. More than even Jaskier knows at this point. But his patience and acceptance is going a long way.
She turns her face into his touch, just enjoying it. It isn't often she's touched softly like this.]
I...I just have one request.
[How to phrase this? Some things are hard to put into words. Especially with Jaskier lacking some important context, but it's context she has no desire to offer. For both their sakes.]
Is it alright if I...take the lead? It has nothing to do with you, I swear, I just think I need to feel like I have some control.
{Actual control, not the illusion of it she'd had with Harold. She'd never been able to say 'no' or tell him she didn't like something, she just had to grin and bear it. And she'd never even consider saying 'no' to Flagg, in regards to anything.]
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He doesn't drop his hand quite yet, running the tips through her hair, around the shell of her ear. Easing her into it, as it were.
Her request only brings a glow to his eye. If she wants control over her lover, she's come to the right place. Never has there been a man more who enjoyed being stepped on. He was made for this.] Nadine, you hardly need to ask. Yes, yes! Of course. It's only fair that, in your space, you make the decisions. [Her domain, he means, but also in this... well, whatever is between them. He's simply an enthusiastic participant.] Please. Take control.
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[The assurances goes a long way to helping Nadine feel more comfortable. Knowing it's what she says goes takes that nervous edge off. It helps, too, that overall Jaskier has been a gentleman. He didn't push her the last time, accepted that (at the time) she wasn't interested. It's fostered a sort of trust. If she feels the need to slam on the breaks, she trusts him to not push now.
Not that she anticipates that happening, but...
She reaches up to catch his hand in her own, twining her fingers through his.]
Let's go up to the loft. There's blankets and lanterns up there and the view is amazing.
[And it'll be a lot more comfortable than the floor of the barn. Besides, it's probably a common fantasy. An empty hayloft, a storm outside, lantern light...cliche, but so what? She's allowed a cliche or two.]
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[He takes her word for it. It's certainly not his first time in a barn, and while it's not one of his all time favorite places for such rendezvous, he's hardly the sort to complain. And with the winter around them, snow falling once more, it could be a lovely view.
He allows her to take to the ladder first, climbing up after to what is, actually, quite comfortable. There's no dark corners or wisps of dust through the air, nor the vague smell of rotting hay and mice. It's clean, with a large window facing out into the winter, the snow-capped trees, yet not a bit of cold leeches through it.
Blankets, as she promised, lush and with deep, thick furs (that one might be his influence. Oops. One cannot make love without furs, in his opinion.)] You're right. It's beautiful up here. Possibly the cleanest barn I've ever seen in my life. And no phantasmal cows! Yet.
Heading Into NSFW Territory
[Nadine sets herself to preparing a place for them.
The loft itself is another product entirely of fantasy. She knows what actual barns are like, and she doesn't want any of that here. Manure and flies aren't the least bit romantic. Instead it smells of sweet hay and freshly oiled wood, and when the lanterns are lit it's filled with a rich warm light that casts striking shadows against the wall.]
If they do come in it doesn't matter, cows can't climb ladders.
[She spreads out the blankets...that she could have sworn were flannel, but this is better, and sits to take off her snow boots. Here they are. She's really doing this, no urging or additives at play whatsoever. But it is a bit exciting, and she can feel that pleasant little flutter in her lower abdomen when she looks up at Jaskier. He is attractive, and very appealing as he is, bare-chested and backed by the clouds and snow out the window. And that smile...
Physical desires are beginning to stir.]
Now get over here and join me, I'm starting to feel like I'm a little overdressed.
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No. That's far too ludicrous. He wipes it out of his mind before it can set him into some sort of laughing fit and ruin the mood. Though he is very happy to see Nadine clear-headed, making her decision to bed him without the fluttering of herbs in their heads, he almost wishes he had it once again. Simply... to take the edge off. The dark reminder that curls at the edge of his head.
So he looks outside to set it away, charmed by the snow that has begun to fall again. Perfect timing, of course.]
Well, I did hesitate after the whole shirt-removal business. [He turns to her again with a smile, and it comes easy. Why shouldn't it? For all of Nadine's warnings and what he's learned of her, he still finds her company easy. Especially that it feels all the more real when she is so upfront about everything.
He kicks off his boots before joining her, as commanded, his hands rolling over her hips to remember the frame of the body underneath these clothes. The glow of her horns, the way her neck stretched when her head was thrown back...] Shall I begin undressing you anew?
[Questions are good. If she's to be in control, he would love to be given orders. It's lucky that he's a few centuries too early to be calling her "queen" ironically.]
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Nadine reminds herself of this as Jaskier joins her, setting her shoulders and trying to project an air of someone in control. He's given it to her freely, it isn't as though she's going to abuse it, there's no reason to feel guilty or shy away from it.]
I think that would be a good idea. And you don't get any help this time, there's only one zipper and it's in front.
[Her sweater is lacking buttons or zips of any sort, and she can't imagine him having any issue with the fastenings of her jeans. A pity she hadn't thought to bother with nice underthings today, but none of this was planned. No silks and lace this time, just plain white cotton in a modest cut and a simple white bra. Of course she could easily adjust that right now, but...it feels like cheating.
Besides, he's from some medieval world where women's underwear is probably three different layers, even a plain bra and panties set is likely new and exciting for him. And it likely won't stay on for long anyway. There hadn't been much time to just look at each other fully bared and explore one another's bodies, the last time.
Hell, the last time he hadn't even had his actual legs.]
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[Ah, he'll manage. He's had practice! Sort of. He still does not exactly understand how a zipper works, but he knows it's as simple as pulling. Sweaters are far easier: nothing but buttons, occasionally, and they are most easily removed by simply lifting over the head, which he does for her. He tosses it aside and yet it so naturally catches on a convenient hook near the window, hanging neatly for her.
Underneath is his first tease of skin, so thoroughly covered up as she'd been. His hands slide over her waist, following the unfamiliar texture at the waist of her pants.]
I was mistaken. We get getting somewhere. [He leans down to kiss her shoulder first, starting small. Nothing too overwhelming, and plenty of space for her to stop him. Only giving what he's allowed, as his ringed fingers move next to her hips, towards the front, where he finds -- ah. The hidden zipper.]
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She doesn't stop him, tipping her head with a little 'hmm' to encourage him to keep doing what he's doing. Her own hands stay at her sides for now, just enjoying the attention in the prelude. She doesn't intend to still her hands for long. But this is new, this attention lavished on her. At least in this particular way. What harm is there in passively enjoying it?]
I promise you're going to get somewhere. Help or no help.
[Her hips lift slightly when Jaskier's questing fingers find the fastening of her jeans. They feel too heavy, too constricting all of a sudden. Like they're smothering her skin.]
But I might have to reprimand you if you take too long.
[The words are meant mostly in jest...but there's a flirty little tinge to them.]
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Though he's tempted to see what her idea of a reprimand is.
Later, perhaps. He wants more skin as it is. His lips slide down as he bends lower, dragging the zipper down. The noise is, er, strange, but the job is done. And buttons. He knows buttons, so that one is popped easily enough. Then her pants loosen enough he can snake his fingertips over her bare hips, kissing the top of her breast once he's low enough.
She's not wrong. Women's undergarments are sexy, in a way, because they give him more to remove. Here there is so... little. Layers no longer take up time. So much time.] Tell me which you'd like me to take off first.
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She looks the same, devested of her outer layer. Even the letters on her inner thigh are still there. It's just easiest, to be honest here. To leave herself as she is in reality, rather than try and alter little things for whatever reason.
A little sigh escapes her at the attention of Jaskier's mouth, skin warming in a flush where his lips make contact. She lets him kiss the swell of her breast above her bra cups and then she raises one hand from where it rests behind her.]
Mmmm. Actually....
[Her hand goes to his chest to gently, playfully push him back. An idea's come into her mind - she wants to exercise the control he's so graciously given her. Just a little.]
I think it's your turn. I want to see you. The real you. I didn't get to, last time. Show me.
[Beyond that...it's just a small way of taking control, having him undress fully while she's still somewhat covered. She won't stay that way for long, after all. And she does want to see him as he is, properly human in the leg department.]
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[He already loves the sound of that actually. He takes a step back, wraps a hand around her wrist gently, sliding his fingertips across the back of her hand.]
Ah, yes. The goat legs certainly change things a bit, don't they? [He does not miss the dichotomy of him being undressed when his lover is not, or the flare of heat it pools in him. Only once he's kissed her hand does he sink his toes into the furs with another step back. As much as he loved the strangeness of those legs, and he could have them now -- could change himself however he wanted -- Jaskier's never been entirely interested in doing so. Even the scar of his arm is represented. Much like her own.]
Let me make a show of it, then.
[Romantic or not, it's still Jaskier. He can't not show off. So he lays back on the furs, the blankets, as if it's as good as a stage. Since his shirt is already gone, he begins at the front of his trousers instead: a neatly tied lace in a bow. One pull of it and the bow comes undone. He lifts his hips, elbows sinking into fur as he slides himself out of his trousers. Unlike her, he doesn't bother with undergarments. Not here.
He sits up only to get them off his feet, pushing them off to the side. He spreads his legs.] The real me. As promised.
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And he does make a show of it. Her bottom lip catches between her teeth as she watches, that giddy excitement only growing, eyes roaming openly over his body. He really is good looking. Strong, lean legs. Washboard abdomen...and of course what lay between.
Watching him, a thought occurs to her. Nadine pushes herself up to her knees and crawls towards him, hair falling over her shoulders.]
It's a very nice sight. And you put on a very nice show.
[Pausing at his feet, she rakes her eyes purposefully over to him before meeting his eyes.]
Let's play a little game.
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The opposite of some people he knows, all pale skin and black leather. This is soft edges where he was all sharp corners.
He sits up, leaning back on his hands. His body, of course, is all hers to take in as she wishes.] A game? [Now that is how one keeps Jaskier's full attentions, despite the tease of breasts and belly.] I do love games. Am I to even know what game it is, first?
[Asked as if he hasn't already basically agreed.]
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