[center] Hermes -- Xiaoli & [img]https://i.imgur.com/DLGhcA0.png[/img] [sub]The Learner, The Martial Dancer[/sub] [/center] [hr] The bedroom was dark as usual, but the atmosphere was far from somber. The dull light of the Garden shone through the paper window and streaked across the bed in a fuzzy circle, but by the wardrobe stood what could in many ways be described as a second source of light, just from all the happiness radiation. Xiaoli could barely stop herself from shaking with joy. Finally, o, finally - it was her turn to dream! So excited was she that she put on her night shirt the wrong way and turned to Hermes with a broad grin. “HERMES!” she all but shouted. “Can you believe it?! Aren’t you excited?! We get to see the Palace - together!” The river girl skipped around in circles with bubbly giggles and squeals. Hermes was splayed on her back, her eyes watching Xiaoli with a certain amusement and a soft smile, “Don’t work yourself up too much or you’ll never get to sleep.” “I know, I know! It’s just--” She took a deep breath through the nose and let out a quiet squeal as she pressed her arms against her chest and hopped up and down a few times. “I have to get it out! I have been waiting for this since the day you first told me about your dreams. I want it to be…” She slowly pushed her palms down and outwards while breathing out. “Perfect.” Then she promptly hopped onto the bed. “Well,” Hermes scooted over and closed her eyes, “I don’t want to get your hopes up but -- a dream can show you happiness in its purest form.” She smudged her face between a pillow and Xiaoli’s hair, “But you already got that, yeah?” Her voice muffled. “Yeah, that’s the soul of my excitement - oh, I cannot wait to see what the Palace is like. Will it be prettier than Jiangzhou?” She shuffled a little closer to Hermes, taking her rightful place as the little spoon. “Mm, I don’t think it’s wise to answer that,” Hermes’ ended her sentence with a slight yawn and a ‘ppbt’. Xiaoli giggled knowingly and turned her head on the side. “Yeah, better not.” She gave Hermes a grin, adjusted her posture just enough to face her and planted a peck on her forehead. “Will you be waiting for me there, my love?” Hermes opened her eyes and gave Xiaoli a swift kiss on the tip of her nose, “I will be.” She closed her eyes and buried her face, “Now, let’s sleep. The twins --” She yawned, “Drain… ing…” There was a hot burst of air as Hermes gave a sleep sigh, inching closer to sleep. Xiaoli smiled warmly at the woman. She reached down and gently caressed her protruding stomach. “Yeah… I imagine they are,” she whispered softly to herself. Then, eventually, Xiaoli closed her eyes and let out a quiet gurgle. [hr] It all swirled together. Greys and blues mixed. The void speckled with colourless whites, and a freezing warmth washed over Xiaoli. It took a matter of seconds, but each tick of the clock felt like an lifetime, until finally Xiaoli’s vision focused. Golds and whites bobbed to and fro, forming the dresses of the countless dresses in the gilded ballroom. The gurgle of melodies sharpened, and her ears were disarmed with the pleasant symphonies of the string. She stood in the middle of the ever flowing flood of dancers. Under her was a gleaming marble tile, and before her, through the pairs of dark dressed gentlemen and their sharp partners was a dias. Up the steps of this center-room dias was a massive piano, a throne beside it. At its keys the Lord of Dreams himself played, letting loose echoing notes that tugged on Xiaoli’s heart for reasons she wasn’t totally aware of. A swell of warmth spilled from her chest and curled in her throat. A cough formed, and happy tears wet her eyes, blurring her vision once more. A gentle hand came to her face and wiped her eyes clear. Her vision sharpened once more, peering directly into the smile of Hermes, her body dressed in the flowing cream-coloured dress of a dancer. Over Hermes’ shoulder Arya could be seen among the other dancers, in the very same dress she had worn at the estate, if not a little brighter and a touch more otherworldly. The rhythm of the dance controlled her very being as she weaved through the crowd, her dress like a thousand shooting stars. Xiaoli gulped and looked down at her own gown, its sky blue cotton fabrics extending a little outwards over her hips, with frills around the edges. Her arms were bare, the dress stopping at the frilly shoulder straps, and her hands wore white cotton gloves. She tapped her feet against the tiles, hearing the unfamiliar slap of hide against stone. She discreetly stuck her foot out from underneath her dress and blinked at the black leather shoes. She took a few steps and felt her legs buckle ever so slightly. “Th-this is somewhat unusual,” she mumbled as she approached Hermes with the steadiness of a toddler. Hermes snaked a hand around her waist, a chuckle on her smile, “Do you want to try a different outfit?” Xiaoli gave her a look of resolve. “N-no, this is fine! I’ll mana-WOAH!-manage.” She shuffled carefully closer to K’nell and knelt forward to kowtow. However, she realised that her dress was quite a lot roomier than usual, and the skirt did not fold properly under her knees. As she leaned forward with her torso, the skirt sprawled in all directions, making her look a little like a wilted blue flower. “Your Holiness K’nell - it is an honour to be allowed into Your palace. This servant has waited a long time for this.” Her firm, determined voice contrasted the overall silliness of her clothes combating her culture. “A pleasure to have you, my dear,” K'nell's voice swirled by her ear yet he continued to play, “I do hope you find your time enjoyable.” A warm hand pressed lightly on Xiaoli's back and Hermes scooched down, hanging her voice below the sound of the music, “Xiaoli?” Xiaoli shot a sideways look upwards. “Hermes, what have we discussed about interrupting my kowtow?” “I know,” Hermes nodded, “But let K'nell play his music, he will address us when he is done.” “It's quite alright,” K'nell stood up, his piano still playing. He took one step down from the top step of the dias and flashed a cheshire smile, “This is Xiaoli's first dream, what kind of host would I be to neglect her so immediately.” “O-oh,” Xiaoli eventually whimpered. Her forehead once again fell to the floor. “This servant apologises profusely for its insolence in interrupting Your Holiness’ musical performance!” “It's of no issue,” K'nell waved a hand, “Come, stand and enjoy the ball, I implore you.” Upon hearing the imploration, Xiaoli rocketed to her feet. “O-of course, Your Holiness. Th-thank You.” She then bowed and walked backwards for a bit until she had reached the centre of the floor. She straightened herself up, cleared her throat and blinked. “H-Hermes? Arya? Wh-what do I do now?” Hermes snagged Xiaoli's hands and pulled her close. A smile formed on her lips, “You dance, have fun and relax. The night is ours.” [color=ivory]”Lady Xiaoli!”[/color] Came Arya’s voice, distant at first but gaining until the girl was dancing around them. [color=ivory]”Oh you look amazing, Lady Xiaoli. You too Hermes! I’ve never been in a dream with others before, this is so much fun!”[/color] she said, twirling with laughter before settling her eyes back on the pair, [color=ivory]”Well? What are you waiting for! Go on and dance!”[/color] Hermes cocked a curious brow at Xiaoli, as if waiting for the stunned river-girls response. Xiaoli blinked, the memories of the many nights on the beaches alongside her love slowly returning to her mind. She placed a sheepish palm on Hermes’ shoulder and laced her other with Hermes’ hand. “C-could you lead?” she asked with an embarrassed smile. “Of course,” Hermes leaned in, pressing against her partner as they slowly melded with the melody of the piano and string. Their dance was slow at first but slowly sped up, until the momentum carried Xiaoli in many colorful swirls. Xiaoli struggled a little to keep up, her leather-soled shoes slapping against the tiles in disharmony with the rhythm. Little by little, however, she was entranced by the music, her partner’s movements and Arya spinning in orbit around them. “Hey,” Hermes suddenly whispered in Xiaoli's ear. The pair spun through a gap between two other dancers. Xiaoli broke out of her trance and blinked. “Y-yes?” she said faintly. “Want to see something amazing?” Hermes looked over Xiaoli's face with an adventurous grin. Through a snort and a giggle, Xiaoli managed to squeeze through an “okay” and gave her a wink. Hermes’ grip tightened on her hand and the woman quickly danced Xiaoli over to the large door that stood sentry over the ball room. Its massive stature was lined with intricate carvings that reflected the lights of the ballroom. A tiny wisp of a weaver floated by the two and Hermes smiled. “Door, please.” The great door cracked open, just enough for the Dreamer to slip through, tucking her dress close. She turned to Xiaoli and held her hand through the opening, “Come on.” The river girl hesitated a little and looked over her shoulder for a moment. She quickly turned back, though, took her hand and skipped through the door. Xiaoli nearly bumped into the smiling Hermes as she slipped through. The two stood in an unending hallway, studded with doors and strange art. Xiaoli could hardly describe it, but wherever she wasn't looking, things seemed to disappear, making her peripherals a tad fuzzy. She felt Hermes squeeze her hand and then there was another tug followed by an energetic laugh from the Dreamer. One of the doors opened wide and Hermes pulled Xiaoli through. Inside there was a spiral staircase cut out of a single blue stone. Its stretched further up than even the avatar could see. Circular brick encased the stairwell and Hermes’ eyes sparkled. “It's just up there,” She informed, tugging Xiaoli's hand again. “A-alright, alright!” Xiaoli said through her laughter. “Be careful with the twins, though--” As they began to run up the stairs, she let out a hum. “Can they be affected by anything in the dream, actually?” “No,” Hermes looked back at Xiaoli with a wink, “Dreams are safe.” Despite the size of the staircase, somehow the next few steps brought the pair to another large door. A weaver popped out of its keyhole. “I want to show Xiaoli the observatory,” Hermes squeezed the river girls hand. The weaver zipped back into the lock and there was a loud clang, the door swinging open. Inside a vast black onyx floor stretched. Great twisting pillars rose from all sides, coming together directly above in a dome, housing webs of crystal clear glass between them, and revealing a sight that stole Xiaoli's breath. Above was a great void that would have sucked her vision clear if not for the great alien bodies that swirled in it. Distant orbs of unimaginable scale floated, their bodies wrapped in clouds and colours. Beside them sparkled marks of even further bodies that decorated the black canvas. A great shimmering veil seemed to snake and weave between each of them, creating various sections of sky that rivaled the celestial map of Galbar itself. Xiaoli stood slack-jawed at the sight, her legs seemingly forgetting their main purpose as she took a few buckling steps forward. The blinking lights twinkled against her skin of sand and struck her watery eyes with a streaking shine not quite unlike the reflection of the Lustrous Garden upon the water holes of the tree-eater plains. She turned to Hermes, her dilated pupils nearly filling her whole irises. “H-Hermes, I… This is…” She looked back up at the skydome, struggling to produce adjectives worthy of painting the sight. “I know,” Hermes smiled and looked up, “it's almost as beautiful as you.” Xiaoli turned to Hermes in a flash of motion, her face a dumbstruck, silent ‘oh’. She then let out a snorting giggle and hid her blushing face behind her non-existent sleeves. She then inclined her head forward a little and gave Hermes a flirtatious look, her eyes staring upwards through her brow and the right edge of her lower lip trapped by a gentle bite. She took a few exaggerated slow steps towards the Dreamer, placing a soft, gloved hand on her cheek once close enough. “... And as opposed to this skydome, I am -all- yours.” She then leaned in and pressed her silky lips against hers. The moment having seized Hermes’ mind as well, she didn’t even blink, but instead closed her eyes slowly and pushed gently back. Xiaoli’s undressed arms snaked their way behind Hermes’ back, tickling her with their grainy texture. As their breaths grew ragged and their faces hot, their grips around one another grew near desperate to the point that the presence of the bump between became very apparent to them both. Xiaoli blinked and looked down with a quiet snicker. “... Oh, what are we doing, acting like this in front of the twins?” she mused and leaned down a bit, placing her hand on Hermes protruding belly. Hermes placed her chin a top Xiaoli’s shoulder and gave a mirthful sigh, “I don’t think they mind; they can’t see.” Xiaoli giggled again. “Maybe not… But I think they might feel it when our hearts beat like this,” she said with a sweet hum. She cupped Hermes’ chin in her hand and pulled her in for one final peck. “I hope Arya’s not feeling left out,” she then said. Hermes nodded, “I know, me too -- but.” She let her hands fall into Xiaoli’s, “It’s nice sometimes, when it’s just us... like before everything got busy.” Xiaoli squeezed Hermes’ hands affectionately. “I think so, too, dear… We won’t have long left now with just the two of us. Arya is, well, free to come and go if she should wish, but the twins will always be there.” She looked down at her belly again. “It’s funny, almost. When you were blessed with fertility and I with compatibility, I could not wait to have children - now in hindsight, maybe we could have spent more time as just the two of us…” There was a pause. “Oh, listen to me ramble,” Xiaoli eventually mumbled as she played with a lock of Hermes’ messy hair. “I don’t regret it,” Hermes fell into a wide, plush cherry-wood chair that neither of them had noticed before, “But I think you’re right.” She fiddled with a knot in her hair, “Then again, even if we waited, it feels like the world wouldn’t have given us the time, anyways. We even had a God come after me.” She patted the cushion beside her and Xiaoli plopped down into it. She adjusted herself to the odd sensation of a soft chair and eventually laid her head on Hermes’ shoulder and closed her eyes. She sighed softly. “If you don’t regret it, then I’m happy,” she whispered. “... I just… Hope we can keep having moments like these when nobody else looks.” She laced her fingers with those of Hermes’ nearest hand. Hermes folded her fingers around Xiaoli’s and let her cheek lean against Xiaoli’s head, “I think we will… You would have told me if this was all too much for you, right?” Hermes suddenly asked. Xiaoli’s hair rubbed back and forth against Hermes’ cheek, indicating a nod. “Of course, I would, dear, though I don’t think there’s any need to worry when it comes to that. You’re pretty easy to handle.” She looked up with a smug, playful smirk. “I’m more concerned that I’m too much sometimes.” Hermes looked at Xiaoli and softly shook her head, “No, I don’t think so. We’ve both had our moments, but I wouldn’t go so far to say that you are too much. I think you are just right… I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in life, you know.” “Oh, Hermes…” Xiaoli said with quivering lips. She took a deep breath, then another. “We-...” She paused for a third. “We should get married.” “Married?” Hermes furrowed her brow. Xiaoli blinked, sat up straight and stared at her with raised eyebrows. “You-... Don’t know what marriage is?” she asked slowly. Hermes frowned and shook her head, “I never heard of it.” Xiaoli blinked again, cleared her throat and shuffled her feet a little. “W-well, marriage is… When two people love each other very much, and decide they want to live a life together, they make sort of a-... A sacred vow, if you will: one to bind them together in the sight of gods and mortals. His Lordship intends it to be a rather important part of mortal life, once, well, mortal life comes along.” She prodded her index fingers together. “I’m just thinking, you know, since we want to stay with each other for life, we may as well swear it in the face of the Exalted Creators.” “I-” Hermes bit her finger, “I want to… but I have one question.” Xiaoli looked a little anxious for a moment, but nodded. “Yeah, go on.” “Well,” Hermes sighed, “You know how Vakk tried to kill me, and all this other stuff. I guess I’m a little worried of bringing too much attention back to our home. I love you so much and yes I want to get married, but I’m a little worried -- or anxious… I guess, about these things. I guess that wasn’t really a question.” “O-oh, that’s what you wanted to say. Oh, phew.” Xiaoli grinned. “For a moment, I was afraid it was going to be-.. Okay, it’s not that important. Either way, what’s great about a Shengshese wedding is that one can choose what gods to tell of the ceremony - well, as long as one at least includes His Lordship, as it is a [i]Shengshese[/i] wedding - so we could keep it a secret from everyone except His Lordship and His Holiness K’nell!” The Dreamer seemed to relax at this and sunk back into the chair, “Oh good. I’m not going to lie, ever since… well the incident, I’ve been a little anxious. It’s good to know I have control over something for once.” She leaned against Xiaoli, and gave a happy sigh, “Let’s get married.” Xiaoli beamed into the air and leaned her cheek against Hermes’ hair. “Yeah.” [hr] “Arya,” K’nell’s voice swirled as the last song ended, the ballroom starting to clear. The dancing had been long and vastly energetic, but now only the lingering vibrations of the string filled the halls, the piano vaporizing into nothingness, and leaving the throne dias free. Arya had danced and danced to her hearts delight, having lost herself in the rhythm long, long ago. It had just seemed like a moment ago Hermes and Xiaoli had scampered off, Arya smiling as they disappeared, and then groaning at the thought of what they were doing. This didn’t deter her however, and she let them be, doing whatever lovers do. Now when K’nell called out her name, Arya found herself practically alone on the dance floor and twirled to a stop, looking up to the gentleman. [color=ivory]”Yes K’nell?”[/color] she asked out of breath. “Have you enjoyed yourself, my dear?” The God slowly sat in his throne, a chair appearing near Arya. [color=ivory]”Yes! Though I wished I could have danced with Lady Xiaoli and Hermes.”[/color] she said sadly, sitting down in the chair and crossing her legs, chin resting on the palm of her hand as she looked up at K’nell again. “You’ll get your chance,” K’nell waved a hand, “I can only imagine how much those two needed a little… rendezvous away from it all.” He smiled and shook his head, “Ah, but I do have a question for you, my dear. It had occurred to me that I should give you yet another choice.” [color=ivory]”Oh don’t get me wrong, though I am sad, I am also happy for them. But another choice? What might that be?”[/color] she asked curiously. “Would you like me to contact your father on your behalf, and let him know that you are safe?” K’nell folded his hands, “I need not tell him where you are, or anything of the matter. I could even do it anonymously, as easy as breathing. I figured it was a choice worth knowing that you have.” Arya blinked, then shifted in the chair, looking away from K’nell to the floor. That was certainly a choice to make. She didn’t know if it was even a good idea. Would her father even care? A part of her strongly wanted to tell K’nell no, but the god had told her not to give up on her father. Perhaps, she shouldn’t be too hasty. Arya looked back up at K’nell and said in a soft voice, [color=ivory]”Okay, do it.”[/color] K’nell blinked, “You know, dear,” He started, “it wouldn’t be beyond reason to want to take some more time to think about this, but if you are absolutely sure -- a simple please and I’ll make it happen.” [color=ivory]”I know, i know.”[/color] she sighed, [color=ivory]”I’m sorry K’nell, that came out… quickly. If you would please contact my father, I would be thankful. After all, someone once told me that, I shouldn’t give up so easily. Even for the smallest of chances.”[/color] she said with a playful wink. “Very well,” K’nell smiled his unending smile, “Then perhaps you would like to wake up, good news radiates in the land of the awake.” [color=ivory]”I’d like that.”[/color] Arya mused. There was a snap, and the world awaited. [hr] [hider=summary] Xiaoli is fuckin excited to sleep bruh, and Hermes is like WOAH PATNAH you’ll never fall asleep bouncing like that. Eventually she leaps into bed and they fall asleep. In the dream they find themselves at the ball with Arya. Xiaoli is dressed in a dress. Anyways she tries her kowtow stuff while K’nell is playing music and while he doesn’t seem to mind, Hermes suggests maybe letting him finish before interrupting him. K’nell doesn’t care too much and welcomes her to the dreamscape. The two dance for a while and then sneak aaway to have some alone time. They find an observatory and makeout, they talk about life, and then decide to get married (yeah that simple). back at the ball, K’nell asks Arya if she would like him to contact her father, she agrees. the end. [/hider] [hider=Prestigio] Hermes: The Martial Artist, The Scholar, The Dancer, The Mother, The Quick, The Big Spoon (joke) 3+29=32 Arya: The Learner, The Martial Dancer +16 Prestige Starting +1 For Minor Role +1 For Jolly Collaboration = +18 Prestige Ending [hider=Skills/Abilities Learned] +6 Prestige on Fighting +6 Prestige on Dancing +6 Prestige on Martial Dancing. +1FP for flight. +2FP for ‘evil eyes’ ability. Causes nightmares to those that distress Arya. [/hider] [/hider]