RP:Festive Feuding And Flirting

Summary: Lanara attempts to seduce Tiber over breakfast, in hopes that the male will take her hunting for a Yule tree, though her plans backfire. After yet another argument where tensions flare, the two avoid each other for a few hours, and the lycan returns home with a poinsettia plant as a peace offering. After a brief discussion, the two share their first kiss, and decide to dine out and take a walk on the beach. The witch convinces Tiber to rejoin the Adventurer's Guild and they retire for the night, after sharing stories about the constellations.

It’s about an hour past dawn when the witch awakens for the third time, and she decides to officially begin her day. She had tossed and turned all night, as sleep continued to elude her, and when she finally gained some shut eye, a bad dream surfaced. Had she cried out and woken Tiber? She seriously hopes that’s not the case, but the fact that she’s tangled up in a blanket on the floor, isn’t a good sign. Lanara can’t recall the nightmare, but they happened to frequently that they all seemed to be one and the same, and it’s likely because she was forced to sleep alone. Without her animal companions or someone keeping watch, she never was able to sleep soundly. Salem, as adorable as he is, had taken quite a fondness for bopping her on the head! After it happened half a dozen times, Lana had scooted him off of the bed, but that seemed to anger the feisty feline! The cat had leapt onto the bed and –somehow- his paw became tangled in her long hair, and she had to spend at least ten minutes unwinding each strand, so as not to harm Salem’s toes, or scalp herself in the process. She had never been much of a morning person, but she’s making an attempt to be chipper, for Tiber’s sake. Last night was overkill on both of their emotions, and it had taken a lot out of the lycan to be so honest with his feelings. The witch is excited to make him breakfast and tell him all about Yule, and how they would spend the day decorating and getting into the spirit of the holidays! A quick glance in the mirror has her running her fingers through her tousled hair, and applying a dab of gloss to her lips. “I so need coffee…” Clad in a pair of knee-high socks she found in a drawer, a flannel shirt that rides dangerously high on her thighs, and undergarments, Lanara and Salem exit the guest room and head into the kitchen.

Tiberius was in a hefty sleep, so hefty that snoring could be heard from the whole apartment. Rare, but well, yesterday was a long day. Although in a thick sleep, the lycan did, in fact, hear a cry from Lanara’s room. Amber eyes snap open and he rises from underneath the pillow he was buried under. His hair is tousled in different directions, he is shirtless to reveal slashed scar marks across his chest, and he rocks some green cotton pants that gather at his ankles, almost like joggers. He scrambles through the sheets before landing on his feet and moving out of the door to go check on the witch. “Lanara are you o—“ he cuts off as the door to the guest room opens and there she is. Was she wearing gloss? He blinks that thought away to observe her. She appeared alive. “You and me both,” he responds to her coffee comment. The man then slowly steps away from her before moving towards the kitchen. He beats her there and reaches in one of the cupboards for a tin full of coffee grounds. “You… sleep okay?” He asks curiously since he did hear her cry out from her dream, but he does not bring it up.

Lanara wasn’t expecting Tiber to be standing before the door as she was about to exit, so naturally, she’s ogling his bare chest and blushing. It was too early for their chemistry to be spiking to such extremes, so she drops her gaze to her bright pink painted toenails, and stammers out a greeting, “Morning…” Hopefully the lycan would blame her awkwardness on the fact that she was reeling from a nightmare, and not pinpoint that it was because they were both half-naked, and had nearly collided in the hallway. Lanara waits a few moments before following after Tiber, and as he works on making the coffee, she eyes the contents of the ice box and cupboards, “Ooh! I can make us some blueberry pancakes. Are you hungry? I don’t want to make breakfast just for myself…” She gives him a sidelong glance as he asks about how she slept, “Great. I slept fine. How did you sleep? Also… What are your plans for today? Are you working? Or…” Lana knows she has to choose her next words carefully, or he’s sure to shoot her down, so she lifts her hands to put her hair in a ponytail. When in doubt, use good lucks and charm to your advantage! The hem of the shirt inches up a bit, teasingly cupping her derriere, as she pretends to be interested in the contents of the fridge, “I was thinking I could whisk up a glamour potion… Obviously, I don’t have the good stuff with me for a lasting effect, but I can buy us a couple of hours.” Bending at the waist, she lifts the carton of eggs, as she peers over her shoulder to make sure she has his –full- attention, “We could go and pick up some things for your apartment… Make it more festive! We can cut down a tree, bake some cookies, snuggle up with cocoa, that sort of thing.”

Tiberius turns the stove on in order to start boiling water. The man then tilts his head as she says she slept fine and instead of pressing on her, he drops the thought of her cry out. Perhaps she stubbed her toe before he stood outside her door. “Uhh, pancakes, sure. I’ll eat,” he kind of coughs. She was going to make them breakfast? He seems a little overwhelmed by her dominance in his kitchen. “I slept fine,” the water begins to boil and he takes the pot off the burner. The man finishes brewing the coffee. “I do have to drop something off to someone, but besides that… nothing. Why….?” He grabs two mugs. One navy blue and one white with designs. He pours the brew in the cups before turning to hand one to her, though her clothes are teasing to him. The man does not know what to do whether to look away or not, so he moves to the counter and sets her mug to the side. “Coffee is ready when you want it,” he then moves to a barstool to watch the show. He was caving in because she was beautiful. “Uh, I can pick up some things with you—“ he then cuts off. “Wait, did you say a tree? I am not cutting down a tree. You know how much work those things are? You’re joking. Can’t you just go somewhere and look at the Yule tree in a bar or something. You can feel festive there,” he says almost flatly. He then sips on his coffee. The thought of festivities is sounding overly couply, and well, we all knew how Tiber gets.

Lanara figured she’d have to resort to Plan B, because Tiber was more of a Grinch than a Santa Claus, and so she sighs and flat out ignores his comments. The mug of coffee is also ignored, as she proceeds to make the blueberry pancakes, humming softly to herself as they are flipped. He would surely cave after being fed some yummy breakfast, right? Lana dreads the thought of being pawed at by some lumberjack while she’s trying to find the perfect wood for the apartment. Did Tiber expect her to actually go to a bar and gaze at some dinky tree for hours? Was he regretting their conversation last night? Did he change his mind and not want to date? The witch is pouting, but she refuses to become fully discouraged, as he would see reason. Adding a thin layer of butter to the pancake, along with some maple syrup, she snags a fork from the drawer and slowly saunters over towards the bar stool. This could be a challenge. Why couldn’t he sit in a chair like a normal person?! It’s a good thing she was a dance professor before the abduction, because she’d really need good balance for Plan B to take off without a hitch. Wordlessly, Lana fixes Tiber with a smoldering look and gently places his mug of coffee to the table. Next, the witch slides onto the lycan’s lap, and while facing him she ever so slowly brings a forkful of blueberry pancake towards his mouth. She’s light enough that the stool won’t tip over, and she carefully places her foot on one of the small bars, to ensure their combined weight wouldn’t end in disaster. Hopefully, the man wouldn’t throw her to the kitchen floor in a fit of anger. One never knew what to expect with Tiberius Lowell. “I was –really- hoping to go look at trees, Tiber. Are you sure I can’t convince you? We could stop at the market and I could pick up some things to make a nice dinner.” She leans in as a drop of syrup falls onto his lip, her eyes darkening with desire as she hungrily eyes the amber liquid, but she pauses as her lips are a mere inch from his mouth. If the lycan replies favorably, she will flick out her tongue and clean the syrup from his lower lip. “What will it be, Tiber?”

The lycan’s heart did not want to grow two more sizes that day, so he remains in his stoic state as he sips his coffee. He is amused by her pouting as she stabs the pancakes over the stove. He keeps his straight face easily. He won, or so he thought. As the woman wanders over with the breakfast and slides into his lap, he almost chokes on his coffee. She places his mug on the counter. His breath falters as she sits on his lap in her dainty sleepwear. He inches forward and bites down on the forkful of his breakfast and plays her game that she starts to play. He chews slowly as he stares at her with those amber eyes. His eyes were sly. “Well, you can go looking at trees all you want. They’re everywhere. Free for the eyes,” he is playing smart and as the syrup lands on his lips. He does not answer favorably and now, he is sticking out his own tongue to seductively lick his lower lip. Tiberius Lowell knows exactly what game she is playing with him. He then leans into her ear and whispers. “Thanks for the pancakes,” his sweet breath would run over her ear and he would bite on her lobe gingerly. He would then pull back and gently try to pat her off playfully after grabbing the fork from her to stick another bite within his mouth. “But I do have to go out and drop something off. In the meantime, maybe you can go look at trees and perhaps on the day of Yule, the big hefty Yule man will come and place one on your doorstep,” he mocks her teasingly. What a buzzkill. He was, in fact, the Grinch of Yule.

Neither plan had worked and the witch is left feeling like a complete fool as the lycan beats her at her own game and even ups the ante! She watches as he seductively licks his lower lip and then has the audacity to nip her on the earlobe, the tenderest of all places for an elf! Lanara is left speechless, red faced, and groaning with a combination of desire and frustration. The Grinch had won this round, and she slowly slides from his lap, the air of confidence she once held having vanished from sight. Taking her mug from the counter she slowly drinks her coffee, unable to meet his eyes, as she chooses to stare at the floor. Tiber didn’t want to get a tree and he was apparently immune to any advances she sent his way. “Enjoy your day… Maybe you can bring me back a paper? If the coast is clear, I can probably leave before nightfall… Maybe the jerk didn’t die and the guards aren’t looking for me anymore.” She would be out of his hair and his apartment, and things could go back to normal. Lana’s tone is softer than she intends, but maybe this all was too much too soon. She had read into things last night, and she was crowding his space. Salem hisses at them both, as if he already had enough of their back and forth love-hate relationship. “I’m going to go and get dressed and figure stuff out… I’ll catch you later.” Taking the last sip of her coffee, she places the mug in the sink, and heads back to Nadine’s room.

Tiberius squints as her confidence fades away from his rude retaliation. The Grinch, dumbo, did not understand her emotions. As she walks away, the man stands up. “Hey,” he calls after her and now she is slipping back into Nadine’s old room. Before she could close the door, he brushes his body to open the door wider. “Why are you so upset? You’re in –my- house and you’re pouting over a silly tree?” His tone was not harsh, but only confused by her mixed emotions. Plus, was she not the one to seduce him first? Perhaps he got the wrong memo. Were they not playing a game? His mind crosses her manipulation towards him prior to her pout. “You talk to me when you’re ready, I guess. I’ll give you your space. I’ll see you in a bit—don’t leave, Lanara.” He then disappears out the doorframe and goes into his room to change before standing outside of her door. “I’m leaving. I won’t be long. I promise. Like I said, don’t go. Please.” The man then moves to the front door of the apartment to go venture to do his skeptical deed for the day.

Lanara didn’t expect Tiber to follow her to Nadine’s quarters, and were she anywhere else; the fact that he had her cornered wouldn’t go over so well. The witch was prone to lashing out if she felt the least bit threatened, and the fact that he had the audacity to remind her that she was a guest in –his- home has her dark hues throwing daggers his way. It stung, more than he could imagine, because Lanara never had an actual place that she could call home. Having been sent to the Academy as a toddler because of her advanced magical abilities, she had been confined to a silenced cell until she was no longer deemed a threat to society. Since coming to Lithrydel, she had only resided at places of work, with friends, or with ex-lovers. She was –always- a guest, and her face literally crumbles when she turns to face the wall as he goes to change. Lanara had enjoyed their flirting over breakfast, but she had also mistaken his dismissal of her as lack of interest. Was she a ‘throw away’ girl in his eyes, too? Maybe he was into men? Had she imagined their entire conversation yesterday? Tiberius claimed he wanted another chance, so she encouraged they ‘date’ and get to know each other better. What better way than celebrating an upcoming holiday together? Was he only referring to friendship? It’s true, maybe she was a bit too giddy at the aspect of them becoming a couple in the future, which is likely why she’s so moody now. With no one else to confide in, she begins chatting up the cat, “Tiber doesn’t know about my past regarding the holidays, or being a witch, or just ‘me’ in general! Goddess forbid if he lets me know anything about him, either! I’m really trying here… I got it all so very wrong, I think… I’ll just apologize when he gets back and head to the homeless shelter in Gualon. I only need to bide my time for a few days, until my assets are unfrozen. I don’t think I’ll get killed by any orcs in that short of a time, right? It should be safe enough… Don’t worry, Salem… I’ll come by every few months to bring you treats and say hello.” Salem rubs up against her leg and purrs, in an effort to comfort the woman that had saved his life a year ago. Lanara was never very good at relationships, and this likely is Tiber’s –first- since he seems completely out of the loop in how to deal with women’s emotions. As Tiber is off on another of his sketchy dealings, Lanara changes into her only remaining outfit; a snakeskin romper with flowing sleeves that ends at the middle of her thighs, and a pair of black stilettos. It was the perfect attire for an evening at the club, which was where she was headed last night, before she bumped into the lycan. She’s entirely overdressed in the apartment, but she couldn’t be choosy, since the guards were on the lookout for a petite brunette with a wicked throat punch. There’s literally nothing else for her to do until he gets back with an update, so she decides to do her hair and makeup. She wasn’t going to be drinking and dancing, she would be heading to the swamps, but it gives her something to focus on, aside from a certain someone with amber eyes.

Tiber was, not at all, good with relationships. He was a typical, oblivious boy. Not a mind reader. He could not absorb his own emotions, let alone another. The man gets dressed in a business casual outfit. A pair of grey slacks with a black sweater with a nice button-up underneath the sweater. He wears a fancy watch on his wrist. The lycan then moves out the door. The Catalian goes to take care of his business as he meets a strange elven man who is older, more wrinkled than he. The man had a payment to deliver, and as sketchy as he may had sounded to the witch, the ‘business’ was paying rent for the month. Tiberius gives the elderly man his innocent small talk. “No, I’m not doing much for the holidays…” The older man talks the lycan’s ear off with multiple questions about his personal life. “The lady wants to bring in a tree, I said nay and somehow she is mad when I only started talking to her after a day.” The older man cants his head. “Well, you don’t have to give her the world, but you can at least show some kindness, yeah? She adores you.” The Catalian gives the elder a strange look, but the payment is given before he wanders off back to the apartment. Walking the cobbled roads, his brows are furrowed in the deep concentration of the puzzle that was the witch. Women were impossible. Though, at least he could try to do something to turn the pout away from the girl who lingered in his home. The man takes a sharp turn off to a quick floral market off the street of Beloy. Going home was the next step and as he enters the apartment again where the bitter woman waits. Wherever she relies, he is going to search for her, turning around corners, or wandering in the kitchen, he would try to meet her. Standing there in his hands is a potted plant of poinsettias that brought as a small festive gift for the woman in distress. “I know you are mad, but I was hoping to make it up. It’s no tree, but… back in Catal, my family always decorated with these on our table. Brought a bit of life during Yule.” He inches towards the woman with the pot in his hands. A peace offering. Hopefully.

The witch is found standing before the small kitchen window, the black cat in her arms, as her thoughts seem to be a mile away. She hadn’t meant to overreact about celebrating Yule in Tiber’s apartment, but they agreed to at least try to see where things would go, and so far they had failed miserably. If only she had stayed hidden away in Corlonia, evaded the trial, and lived out a life of peace in a foreign land. If only she hadn’t waltzed back into Tiberius’ life and ruined their morning, while stirring up feelings in her gut that she swore would never kick up again. Butterflies. That’s what the lycan was giving her, but naturally, she chose to squash them with her stilettos rather than embrace the emotions. The door is opened and she hears the Catalian searching in Nadine’s room and the living room, before he finds her in the kitchen, and she turns to face him with an apology on her lips, and sincerity in her eyes. “Tiber, I-“ The crimson flowers give her pause, and she lowers Salem to the floor, and gathers her thoughts. They both had calmed down quite a bit in the past few hours, and Lanara feels foolish. Only this oblivious wolf boy could bring out the worst in her, it seemed, but the poinsettias bring a sweet smile to her face. “They are perfect… Thank you.” It means a lot to her, and it’s obvious with the way she gingerly accepts the pot and carefully places it atop the table. “Can we talk? I think I overreacted earlier, and I just want to explain a few things…” If he consents, the witch takes Tiber by the hand and leads him into the living room, where she sits at his side on the couch. “First and foremost, I’m sorry that I made a move on you during breakfast. It was wrong of me to try to seduce you into celebrating a holiday with me, and I guess I thought I had a little bit of power? Or that you were attracted to me? I was clearly wrong, because you played my game a little too well, and I had to surrender. I… Are… Do…” Lana’s cheeks flame and she shakes her head, choosing not to ask Tiber if he found her attractive. “I’m losing focus, here… You –always- do that to me… Um… So… It hurt when you said that this is –your- house, which it is, of course! But… I just… I never had a home, Tiber. I was removed from my family house at three years old, because I turned my grandfather into a squirrel and because my empathic abilities were too strong and untamed. I had to live at the Academy… And they treated me as a pariah. I could only watch others decorating a tree, from my silenced cell… After I learned to control my powers, I was allowed to go back home, but it was destroyed and my family was murdered. I followed Taly here, and yes, I stayed with my sister off and on. I stayed with Ansel, Desparrow, Emilia, Largakh’s grandparents, Eli, Eirik, Scandal, at the sanctuary, in many taverns, and at the University of Schezerade, along with countless other friends over the years. But… I never had my own place, so I never was able to decorate for a holiday. I think it’s why I host such grand events… So I feel like I’m a part of something, somewhere, even if only for a few hours. I feel like I belong.” Lanara sighs and lowers her gaze, “It was wrong of me to assume that you would want to spend Yule together, or even decorate your place. And… I’m not used to feeling rejected or so blatantly unwanted somewhere. I just don’t react like you’d expect sometimes, because when I sacrificed my empathy to save Taly? I can’t feel the emotions of others anymore, so I have to rely on my own, and they sort of go haywire from time to time.” The only empathic powers that remained were concerning animals, though people were another story, entirely. “I can go to Gualon, there is this homeless shelter, it’s only for a few days… Once I can access my bank account I can find a place to stay… I don’t want to impose on you anymore than I already have, Tiber…” Lana had been open in the past with him, about her twisted father and the years of abuse, but she had never spoken to him about how she had been ostracized from all she knew in her youth. This was possibly the most vulnerable she had ever been in his presence, and she’s squeezing his hand and telling him that it’s okay to cast her aside. It was an all too familiar feeling. “I can go, Tiber… I’ll be okay. Really. Did you… Did you hear anything about last night? Is it safe for me to leave now, or should I wait until nightfall?”

The lycan eases when the smile reaches to face. Her smile lightens up the atmosphere between them. As she asks to talk, he would nod and actually keep his mouth completely shut this time. The man would linger back and lean two hands behind him to lean against the counter. Amber eyes stare at her as she spills out her feelings. All this communication. Tiber had a hard time with the deeper crevices of conversation, though when she begins to confess about the roots of her past, he keeps that stoic expression. The man is taking silent note from afar. She felt insecure around him. No home. Deceased parents. Outcast. Gualon? Scratch the record, please. He takes his time, and the man straightens his posture. Slowly, the man is inching towards her with a soft and eager look in his eye. His face would move in close to her own, if she would not pull away. “If you think I am not attracted to you, you’re insane,” if she did not tug away from him, he would lean in and graze his lips on hers. The kiss would be passionate and brief before he pulled away. “My condolences to your past, Lanara. You’re always welcome here, but you have to understand… I haven’t celebrated Yule since my parents died in Catal. I don’t look forward to the holiday. I’ve lived in an orphanage for years playing stupid games with people who did not give a rip and just wanted to say that they were in the orphanage for the holidays for bragging rights. They didn’t care about us, or they would have claimed us as their own.” He paused with a small furrow in his brow, but this was not out of anger, only confusion. “You’re silly, Lanara to think I’m not into you, but I am also slower than most men at… this,” he points to her and himself indicating the relationship that they tied themselves in. “The last thing I want you to feel is rejection. Not wanted.” He then rests a hand on her cheek. "You have always been beautiful. Inside and out. Any man is stupid to not see that." Why did he always say the right thing after screwing up? “I want to do something for you this holiday, and I feel like you will… reject me because of it. I don’t celebrate Yule… or I haven’t in a long time. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t want you to. This is odd, I know… but—“ he takes a moment to sigh. “I have a lot of money, and I don’t want to flash it—ever, though, I want you to have a place you call home. Let me help you put down a deposit. Help you with rent until you are on your feet. Help you have a place that is yours, Lanara—that you can call home—for now. You shouldn’t have to live in a homeless shelter, and although you’re always welcome here, I’m not ready for… us –actually- living together. I care for you, Lana, but I also want to know you at our own pace, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay with me until we do find you a place. I enjoy you, but obviously we do not understand each other’s boundaries and history yet, but I want to.” He searches into her eyes and he is still very close to her.

Lanara’s lips part, as she’s about to say she doesn’t expect his pity, and that this wasn’t an effort to make him feel bad, when Tiber leans in closer. Time stands still for a moment, and those butterflies are wreaking all sorts of havoc on the little witch, as the lycan presses his lips to hers in a tender kiss. It’s been long overdue, and although Lanara would happily spend the rest of the day just kissing this handsome man, he breaks from the kiss all too soon. She’s left wanting more, as always, but she’s to hide the glee from her expression. Tiberius Lowell kissed Lanara Banks. There wasn’t a bet in place, nor was this one of their flirtatious games to bribe the other for a favor. It was a man and a woman, finally seeing each other beneath the surface. Two souls taking a leap of faith into the unknown, and silently agreeing to pace themselves with the idiosyncrasies of a relationship. “Finally…” Lanara breaths out the word against his palm as he caresses her cheek, lifting her hues to stare into his eyes, as she hears his words loud and clear. “You don’t have to help me financially, Tiber… I could never ask that of you, but since it’s a gift… I won’t reject the help, in this instance. But… I do think it would be so wonderful to have my own place. I could decorate! And my fur babies would have a place to roam around! I have a puppy and a tikifhlee kitten now.” The witch is –thrilled- by this turn of events, and to show her appreciation she wraps her arms tightly around Tiber’s middle, “You are amazing. I want to do something special for you, too… I will think of something and it won’t be covered in fur. At least not this time.” She grins against his chest, but she pulls back a moment later and he can see the gentleness in her gaze, “We have quite a bit in common… I think that’s why we bump heads, sometimes… I’m sorry that you had a rough time growing up in the orphanage, and I wish I could have hugged little Tiberius and told him it would be okay…” Lana tries to recall his words, and uses them now, “I –do- care for you, and anything that we do for the holiday? Whether it’s sharing a piece of pie or avoiding the seasonal affairs, altogether? I want you to know that my heart is in it, and that I’m not playing any sort of game. I want this to work between us, and I hope that one day I can claim you as my own.” She’s petite, so Lana stands on her toes and leans in, “I’m totally stealing another kiss before we go and bicker again…” Pressing her lush lips against his, she kisses him softly at first, as though testing the waters. If he doesn’t pull away, she presses her form against his and runs her fingers through his tousled locks, their lips dancing to a passionate rhythm of desire and despair. Lanara didn’t kiss, she conquered, and if Tiber didn’t protest, she’d continue to kiss him for several minutes, with a combination of tender kisses, little nips, and a gentle suck on his lower lip, before pulling back with a wink. The desire in her eyes is unmistakable, and she has to force herself to take a step back, as she didn’t want to rush –that- either! “I’m starving! Can we go out or should we make something here? You never did answer me about my throat punching mishap!”

Tiberius gives her a crooked smile at her reaction of him finally kissing her. He wants to laugh, but he holds this reaction in as he gives her that coyness. Tiberius Lowell, in fact, did kiss Lanara Banks. Willingly! “I think it would be perfect for you and your… fur balls…” he mutters. Those would have to grow on him still. He was still iffy about animals. “Consider you being back in my life enough for me,” a sincere comment, but nonchalant toned. He tries not to show as much emotion. He was too timid and needed to grow more with ease before he would let her in to his darkened world. “Rough is an understatement, but it was something else indeed. Either way,” he continues forth with their conversation. “I want you to know that… I am here. Present. I want to try.” As she admits to wanting to claim him as her own, his cheeks flush in actual embarrassment. He did not know what that felt like. Being owned. What was that? Was that what he thought it was? Sick couple things, but also kind of… nice? Either way, he brushes this off and before he knew it, she was kissing him again and he would not fight from letting this happen. Instead, he would lean in more and move with the rhythm of her lips game. Her lips were soft and tender and he smiled all the same as she nipped at his lips. His stomach and cheeks warmed. She was bringing him slowly to life again. One inch forward to what was more humane. The lycan then leans in to her ear and lowers his voice to a lower tone of playfulness. “We are going out. Dinner on me. No fights, no bars, just… us.” His warm breath blows in her ear before he pulls back. “There’s a perfect food vendor on Merchant Street. I’m thinking we grab a bite and take a walk. Anywhere you want to go. My treat."

Lanara feels as though she’s melting when he states that her being in his life was the perfect Yule present, and she’s practically swooning when he assures her that he wants to give this an honest attempt. Had they moved from pre-dating to actual dating? The witch could care less about any titles, she wants to explore life with Tiber, and when love enters the picture they could discuss things at that time. It felt nice not to jump blindly into a relationship with someone she hardly knew, and for the first time in her life, Lana doesn’t feel rushed to get to know someone. They both had their share of demons in the past, and certain walls wouldn’t collapse for quite some time. Still, they are determined to persevere. “Pfft! They aren’t balls of fur! I will have you know that my shadow cat is a beast! And Ranger?! Oh my gosh! He’s so freaking cute with those stubby paws and his long ears!” She’s gushing now, but it’s a good thing he cuts her off with talk about dinner, because if she mentioned the newly acquired behemoth, Tiber just may have gone berserk. Was Lanara always such a handful?! “I am super excited for a night of good food and zero drama!” Grinning, she takes his hand and tugs him towards the door, “I totally think we should walk on the beach and look at the stars… I even know a few stories about some of the constellations! And there’s this adorable cave not too far off the path, we can explore in there, too!” Ever the adventurous one, the witch squeezes Tiber’s hand, and lets him lead them towards their first destination.

Tiber cants his head at the sound of Ranger. Was he a pup? Tiber might be able to handle a dog. “Ranger? Maybe… you’ll have to bring him over…” He ponders before moving on the next subject. Lanara bringing a behemoth would, in fact, give Tiberius a case of the berserks. That was another chapter of their lives. “Thank the Gods,” he breathes out before she begins to pull him towards the door already. Already? Eager, sheesh. Thank goodness he was all mental about these thoughts. “I was going to say absolutely pathetic and cheesy, but you said you knew stories about the constellations, so you saved yourself,” he shrugs before moving with her. Time passes and they move about the streets of Cenril. The evening is casting and purple sky covers above the two as they drift their way to the streets of the merchants. There is a small vendor. A woman and man—a married couple—are cooking up kabobs with grilled vegetables and fruits. The couple are magically lighting up a flame on rocks where an iron platform sits with the meat and produce on the stick. “I swear to Sven that this is literally the cheapest, yet best food in Cenril… as casual as it is.” He looks at Lanara. “You won’t be disappointed, I promise.” The two near the vending spot and the lycan leans in. “Two chicken kabobs for me… pineapple and broccoli on mine and whatever the lady wants?” There was a choice. The chicken kabobs with pineapple and broccoli or a different meat (salmon, squirrel, red meat) with whatever produce she wants. Wow, he is being reasonable.

Lanara blinks, thinking she misheard, “Yes…Ranger! He’s so cute! He’s about four months old now, and he’s so smart! I miss him… Right now he’s in Enchantment. After the trial, seeing as I had nowhere to go, the courts took my cat and dog into custody. They’re staying at the animal shelter there, until I can reclaim them and have an actual home.” Would they hate their owner for abandoning them at such a young age? Were they having nightmares, too? They walk along and pause at the vendor, Lana’s eyes widening as she sees the magic that’s being put to work, and she smiles. After Tiber orders, she leans in and greets the woman, “Hi! Can I please have a chicken kabob with orange, lime, and broccoli?” As their food is prepared the married couple makes small talk about how lovely the weather is, and how the ‘sweethearts’ should take a nice stroll on the beach. Hearing this, Lana gently elbows Tiber, “What were you saying about pathetic and cheesy?” Thankfully, the couple doesn’t hear her teasing whisper, as they hand over the food and several napkins. The sounds and sights of the bustling city fade away as they take a seat on a bench just before the beach, in order to eat in peace. “I picked you for more of a steak eater… Like, a real meat and potatoes sort of guy? What are some of your favorite things to eat?” Taking a bite of her kebob, Lana’s eyes light up, “Whoa. This is sinfully delicious.” Another bite is taken as she waits for Tiber to answer, and she adds in, “I’m not a vegetarian, but everyone thinks I am, considering my love for animals. In the past I used to only eat meat on high holidays, or for special occasions, but the body needs nutrients to remain healthy. And, I appreciate the sacrifice of the animal that was made, and I think we honor their life by enjoying their remains.” It’s a strange way to look at things, but Lanara wasn’t a typical woman, by any means. Dabbing at her lips with a napkin, she shyly sneaks a few glances Tiber’s way every now and then, totally checking out her date. This was their first –actual- date, right?! The thought has her heart flipping and flopping in her chest, so she quickly thinks of another question to ask, “Do you like living in Cenril? Do you visit the beach often?” Again, she had misjudged and assumed he’d be more of a forest dweller. Lanara would keep firing questions at him, likely, unless he planted another kiss on her and she actually shut up. The witch was a chatterbox. At least they weren’t fighting for a change, and were learning about each other!

“I was thinking that it was still pathetic and cheesy,” he elbows back playfully and quietly. The two take their food and they sit on a bench. “Chicken is lean. Got to keep the endurance, you know? Steak is sort of a special night for me,” he smiles. The man leans back and takes a bite into his kabob. “Favorite is probably fresh crab, some good butter, and I am definitely a potatoes sort of guy with that,” he grins as he turns his amber gaze to her own chocolate one. He was growing into her. The man would not fight tonight, for now. Unless something sparked, but mostly the conversation was light and easy. He listens how she is not a vegetarian. “You know, I get that… I had a friend back in the day who raised a friend. He raised them with love. Gave them a fulfilling life before he knew that slaughter would come. He treated them like family, but you know, he honored them before they became the benefit of health for others. It’s hard because he became really attached, you know? But… in the end, he knew that he was keeping his family alive and healthy and he did not treat them poorly, by any means.” The man leans back casually in this unusual state that is foreign as he eats his kabob. Instead of shutting her up for once, he continues to play into her small talk, “Cenril is nice, but it’s trouble. I always see myself as a city guy, but the beach was unexpected. I guess that’s a perk. I –do- prefer the woods because it’s open—considering the circumstances of being who I am.” he had meant the wolf within him. “But at the same time, you don’t get the city life within that. I like the busyness that keeps me, so I don’t know if I’d move somewhere else. Work keeps me busy—fulfilled. The business keeps swarming. Besides, the orphanage was always… entrapped.” The man then finishes his first kabob before moving to his second. He moves his hand casually to her own before continuing on. They were getting to know each other for a change. “What about you? What’s your ideal place? Especially because you’re getting your own place shortly,” he smirks. “Wanna make sure the beauty is getting her dream until her next big move, yeah?”

Tiberius speaks openly and answers her questions in depth, which is a welcome change, given that he rarely offered any information in the past. Perhaps, they truly could work out, so long as they carefully chipped at each other’s walls and remained conscious of each other’s feelings. Lanara is silent as he speaks, dividing her attention between the tasty kabob and those captivating amber eyes. “I could never do what your friend did, as I would get way too attached! I admire how he put his family first and how he took the proper care of his friend, until that final moment. I think it takes a strong person to be able to carry on in that situation.” As the lycan reaches out a hand to grasp her own, as though it were the most natural thing in the universe, she cannot help but smile. It warms her heart that he’s not ashamed to be seen in public, with a well-known witch on his arm. Others would view him as a witch sympathizer, and it could place him in danger, but Tiber is more than able to handle himself. She saw him in action on a few occasions, and in both forms, so she gives his appendage a gentle squeeze and listens to his ideal residence. “I can see why you like Cenril… It’s beautiful, easy to blend into a crowd, and excellent for business.” As the question is turned on her, Lana finishes off her kabob and dabs at her lips, thinking on it for a moment. “Well… No one has ever asked me that before, but the first place that comes to mind would be either Kelay or Sage Forest… It’s near enough to Enchantment and Cenril, and those are the two places that I visit most often. I love the wildlife of a forest, the comfort of nature surrounding me, and the freedom and solitude that goes along with it.” She smirks and catches his gaze, “Plus… It would be walking distance to where you are… In case you ever want to visit me or vice versa.” Of course she’s teasing, as she fully intends on continuing to see Tiber regardless of where she resides. “I don’t care where I end up, as long as I have a little fenced in area for my pets and a big bathtub. I love bubble baths!” As Tiber finishes the remainder of his second kabob, Lana slides a little closer to him and places their joined hands on her lap. “What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream? We totally should get some for dessert.”

Tiberius is oblivious towards Lanara’s reaction as he holds her hand. He continues eating the kabob like the monster he is. The man listens to her and occasionally looks in different directions as he listens with a full bite in his cheek. “It’s where I make the money, honey,” he says with his full mouth and then he swallows. He was not polite by any means. Amber eyes then look at her as he finishes his stick of food. “Sage is nice. Quiet for the most part. I go there to practice shooting from time to time,” the lycan releases a small sigh from the food in his belly. “Kelay-Sage it is. We will start hunting tomorrow probably, or well, soon.” The man then watches as their hands move to her lap and at this point he begins to become fidgety. The man does not want to be too obvious, so he slips his hand from beneath her own to scratch his head in pretend thought. Perhaps he was a little nervous about having the witch on his arm. “Flavor of ice cream? I haven’t had ice cream in a hot minute. I hate sweets, but… I can handle ice cream. I’m sort of a vanilla sort of dude.” He then rises from their seat. “Let me guess, you’re a… chocolate sort of girl. Or minty? Normally women flock to that crap,” wow, what a charm, really Lanara. He is. “Shall we?”

Lanara frowns when Tiber pulls his hand from her grasp, thinking that she made a wrong move, or perhaps he -was- ashamed to be seen with a witch in public. The man shifted from hot to cold at the flip of a coin, and its obvious from the pout she wears that she's not keen on the inconsistency in his feelings. Still, she doesn't want to dwell on this, so she vows not to make another move and just keep things light. "Yes, I'm guilty of loving mint chocolate chip ice cream! But, I totally didn't take you for a vanilla fan. I tend to enjoy anything with fruit and nuts, too." There is a lull in the conversation as people walk by and when Tiber mentions hunting, she gives a slow nod. "Tomorrow I have a few errands to run, and I will probably shop for some new clothes. I should be back in time to make dinner, if that's ok?" Lana crosses her legs and rests her head against the bench, glancing admirably at the stars above. "It's such a beautiful night." A gentle glow from the night sky is all that lights the area and the waves can be heard crashing against the shore. For now, she is content to remain silent and not fill the void with endless questions. Tiber is welcome to speak, of course, bit Lana seems to have run out of inquiries.

The man sort of tilts his head and scrunches his face at her reaction of her asking his permission on being back in time for dinner and going shopping. Why would he care? “That’s okay,” he says simply. As the woman remains on the bench, he finally reaches a hand out again to try to tug her up. “It is, but you know what else is more beautiful? A minty treat,” he smirks. “And yes, I’m more plain than people might think.” If she lets him, he would tug her up so they can walk along to find a stand that scoops ice cream. They near closer to the beach for this one. The man walks up to the window of the small shack. “A scoop of vanilla for me, mint chocolate chip for her,” the scooper would then nod with a fat smile at the couple. “You two are cute. So sweet treating the lady to ice cream. My boyfriend thinks a date while he plays basketball is the best thing,” the teenager snarls and, with a mope, scoops the dessert in a small dish. “Dishes go back in the bin next to the window. Keep close,” the teenager says. Tiber looks sheepish at the teenager’s compliments. The man would then hand the coins over and then hand Lanara a dish of ice cream. “Yeah, thanks,” he says flatly. He makes no acknowledgment to the personal life of a silly teen. The silence overcomes the two who are now lingering on the beach. It is minutes of silence. Why is she not talking? She talks like crazy. He could never get her to close her trap. The man finally manages to fill in the deafening silence. “So you going to tell me the stories of the constellations or what?" He smiles at the witch with that charming, kiddish smile.

Lanara grins at Tiber as he tugs her off the bench and they head to the ice cream stand. Chocolate hues widen considerably when the teenager assumes they are a couple, and hints for dating advice. Naturally, the lycan takes a mouthful of his ice cream and leaves the small talk to Lana. Winking, she accepts the cup and offers the girl simple advice, "Relationships are all about communication and compromise. Tell him that you would appreciate one date night a week, and you can alternate who plans the date. You may find something you both agree on, and you can grow closer! Or you can dress in a uniform and cheer for him at his next game... But he has to buy you dinner afterwards!" The teen is delighted to hear the advice of the pretty witch, so she presses an extra cherry on Lana's sundae and thanks the couple a dozen times. Making their way down the beach to a much more remote section, Lana sits on the sand and eats her sundae. "Thank you for dinner and dessert... And for rejoining the Adventurer's Guild!" Imagine her surprise when she returned to the lands and discovered he had abandoned the crew! "I'm not leading anymore... But maybe we can go on fun journeys together? Plus, they still need a translator. That's one of my errands tomorrow, actually. I'm scouting in Xalious for clues about a wolf amulet. It showed a map and some runic markings. So we are hoping to see where things lead." She continues to eat her ice cream until it’s finished, while listening to any objections from Tiber. This would be good for the man, the woman, and them as a couple, since they were slowly heading down that road. Whatever his complaints are, she turns to him with those hypnotic hues and her features soften, "It would mean a lot to me, Tiberius. " How could he deny the pretty pleading witch!? "So you want to hear some pathetic and cheesy constellation takes, after all? Hm. Okay... But first there is something I need you to answer honestly, even if it hurts my feelings." Lanara pauses, and she turns her head to hold his gaze, "If we continue down this path... Be it friendship or something much more... People will talk. It could harm your business. Put a target on your back. Isolate you from some that you think of as friends... I am a Witch. I know Cenril is mostly accepting, as are Enchantment and Frostmaw... But..." She is intelligent enough to understand the stares and read lips, and she may have connected his earlier aversion to affection in public. "Does it bother you? Who and -what- I am?" The air seems a few degrees colder as she places the empty cup on the sand and wraps her arms around herself for warmth. "Do you think it would deter you from wanting to pursue something long term? I'm sorry, I know it’s a heavy topic. But... I just need to know, or it will eat away at me all night. And... I promise to not keep poking after you answer, I will just dive right into a constellation story."

The lycan gives Lanara a lazy gaze as she gives the advice to the teenager. He looks to have no thought on the topic. As the two sit, he delves into the ice cream and scoops several spoons in his mouth before actually trying to enjoy the dairy treat. The thank yous are acknowledged with a nod or two before his amber gaze snaps her way. “Rejoining? Excuse me? I never wanted to, to begin with,” he says with a small sneer. “There is no way you joined that dumb club again where you are literally asking for danger.” His eyes are like fire for a moment before he scoops an angry bite in his mouth. He shakes his head. “Now, I have to join again because you decide to go off and find some wolf’s amulet,” although, he is intrigued by a wolf amulet. Was she with a pack? Was she running with wolves? As she begins to plead with those chocolate hues, he stares at her for a long moment until his face begins to soften and fall in sync with her own. She uses his full name. Tiberius. Why did he bow to people who used his full name? “Fine, I’ll play your adventurer’s game.” He says flatly before looking down into his vanilla ice cream again. He finishes off the cup before hunching forward while resting elbows in his lap as he stares at the sea. The man does not look at her as she asks her question. She was a witch. Were witches not burned at the stake? Would she melt if he dumped water on her? He listens carefully before leaning back straight and then amber eyes fall on her. The silence is a little eerie. “You think I care you’re a witch?” The man pauses for even longer. “Witches are sexy. Powerful.” He answers plainly in all honesty. “Though, a little dark. I’ve ran into a few of those. You think that I don’t have targets on my back already?” He looks at her and squints. Was she blind? This was Tiberius Lowell. “Honestly, a witch by my side is… hot. You’re not a burden, you’re someone to be cherished. Now shut up about me not wanting to be into you and tell me the damn constellation story,” he plays mock bitterness before his mouth forms into a childish, sly grin. The man then boldly wraps an arm around her.

Lanara is internally cheering when Tiber caves and says he will rejoin the guild and help find clues for deciphering the mystery of the wolf amulet. Of course the man is hemming and hawing about how he loathes any sort of teamwork and he dislikes that she deliberately dives into danger. Isn’t that what adventuring was all about? Was he –concerned- that Lanara would get harmed? “I have you to protect me now, so no worrying about me getting maimed, right?” She winks, unable to hide her victorious smirk, though if the tables were turned…. She would have caved, as well. Tiberius is handsome, and those amber hues would have her agreeing to just about anything he asked of her, which is even more dangerous than going on deadly adventures! They have both finished their dessert, and Lana waits in anticipation of his next words, fearing they wouldn’t be so favorable. Wait. Did Tiberius just state that have a witch girlfriend would be hot?! The weight on her mind is lifted and Lana laughs, “Okay, I was not expecting those words to leave your mouth! So you think I’m ‘sexy’ and ‘powerful’ and that I should be cherished?! Awwwww. Tiber!!! I feel the same way about lycans… They are strong, sexy, and should be adored.” It was the biggest compliment the male had ever given her, and likely –anyone- in general. How had she scored two victories in a row with the usually aloof, often in a bad mood lycan? Lana leans into Tiber’s side as he rests an arm around her, and she peers up at the stars, as though locating a particular constellation, “See that one?” She points towards a grouping of stars that resembles the form of a crab. “That is Cancer. A crab was sent to Hera to distract Heracles during a fight, and Heracles became so enraged that he kicked the crab and it flew into the sky and became a constellation!” Locating the outline of stars that appears to be a whale, she continues, “There lays Cetus, the sea monster that was sent by Poseidon to ravage the King’s land, because his wife claimed she was fairer than any other lady in the land. Vanity at its finest, right?” The witch is excited and points out several more constellations, some which bring her very close to Tiber, and others which have her pointing every which way and craning her neck for a better look. It’s obvious she enjoys storytelling. “Ah! One of my favorites, and how the name was chosen for the Adventurer’s Guild tracking dog! That’s Circinus! See? It’s a pair of compasses, showing the distance between two destinations!” After pointing out about a dozen different constellations, the witch stifles a yawn and rests her head on Tiber’s shoulder, “Oh my gosh… I’ve been babbling for the past thirty minutes about stars. Are you bored? I’m sorry; I got a little carried away!” She smiles, pleased that he remained awake through the entirety of her storytelling. “I hope I inspired you… Because you owe me a bedtime story one night this week! And it has to be a fairytale, no scary stories, I already have enough nightmares.”

Tiber rolls his eyes at her comment about him saving her. “I’m no knight in shining armor,” the Catalian spews. As she ogles over his compliment, he finds himself smirking. No lady would really find that slum charming. Perhaps it was his looks. Lanara, though, boosts his ego. As she snuggles closer to the lycan, he finds an unfamiliar feeling of odd comfort. He looks where she points and enjoys the tales of the stars. The woman had plenty of knowledge to share on the constellations and it reminds him of the comfort of home with his mother so long ago. Catal. He is invested like a bright eyed boy for once in his corrupted, grumpy state. He is silent the whole time as her voice takes over his mind. A sense of peace. Time passes quickly and she blatantly realizes she is babbling, but to him, it was almost like sweet music for once. Knowledge. History. That was something he invested himself in. “You’re surprisingly not boring me,” he sort of shifts as he realizes his arm is falling asleep. “Infatuated, really.” The man then snarls at the thought of telling her a bedtime story. “What are you, five?” Rude. Either way, he caves, yet again. “Fairytale? You want that mumbo jumbo that doesn’t exist? Fine. Story on me. One only,” he says sternly as if he is talking to a child. “Now let’s get home. You said bedtime, and I’m full and exhausted,” he was sounding like an old man. The man would then stand up and hold his hand out to her to help her up and bring her home with him.