show yourself

Sometimes it felt like he could never get enough. Of life, of the sights and scents he loved, of the rush of wind off the surf, of the portrait worthy sunsets, of her. In all of the magnificence around them there was nothing that truly compared to her companionship to him. Nothing and noone. Which considering the others who played such an important role in his life was noteworthy indeed. But she had given him so much over the last twenty odd years that it was hard to deny that she was every bit of who he'd become and more, so much more. She was Inala, general to their people, mother to a beautiful child and a fantastically bright beacon of brilliance at a time when he felt like he had nothing but void spiraling closer and closer around him. 

He'd asked her to meet him here, on a familiar sand and stone path that wove parallel to the shoreline towards what could only be described as a marshy cove of sorts. Perfect for what he had in mind for his lover. It wasn't overt too most but to him it was apparent something was starting to change about her, starting to spark anew. He wanted to explore it with her, wanted to discover of what she might be capable even if it was only a spark for now. 

When she approached she would find him lounging languidly against a pocked craig jutting out from an easy slope of earth. His head bent and deeply entranced with the way the wind swirled over grains of sand as he waited, the ocassional gust ruffling the mop of wayward curls sweeping over his shoulder.

However much those around her might have noticed changes, Inala remained rather oblivious. Even with the Veil going down, magic had never been within her grasp. It was for Chip, for Cara. But for her? Not even an inkling. Or so she'd believed. And would continue to believe - for now.

The request from her love to meet at one of the coves near the camp brought to mind other thoughts. She did nothing special, for every moment spent with him was special in its own right. All the years they'd been together now didn't change that in the slightest.

Meandering away from camp, she kept a languid pace in the direction of the cove. There was no sense of urgency in the moment, she wanted to take the time to mentally unwind her stresses. To focus on what mattered - her family - without the burdens of the tasks ahead of them.

Cara soon came into view and Inala smiled at him, warmth and peace over her features. Vhenan, she greeted, gliding him to him and ruffling his curls for her herself.

He felt her presence before he saw her round the bend in the path. But it didn't matter how much he anticipated her arrival, no vision or memory could compare to the real thing that came gliding toward him. For all of her prowess in battle, she moved with adept swiftness, smooth and agile as the wind. There was little stopping the wide grin that stretched from ear to ear, not that he was ever so inclined in her presence. 

Her greeting warmed him all the more as he took her into his arms in a welcoming embrace of his own. A kiss pressed first to her forehead in reverence and then to her lips with lingering ardor. He craddled her face with his hand as he pulled back, temporarily losing himself in that haze of adoration he always felt when they were pressed together. Smiling warmly in the comfortable silence that enrobed each of them in that moment, he finally dropped his hand reaching for her own at their sides. 

I want to show you something. He tugged and if she chose to follow, he would lead her to a solid patch of grass near the placid lip of water on the far end of the cove. It was a bizzare setting, with green reeds and plants growing amid the salty sea air. Cara liked it for its diverse collection of life. 

He would sit, dropping her hand and bending his knees wide so that she might sit in front, her back to him as they took in the peacefulness of the cove. He would fold against her from behind, hands tracing along shoulders, biceps, forearms until his fingers tangled with her own. A tiny spark of magic would form, dancing over his own fingers before they tangled with her own. It was only a taste of what he wanted to show her in time and what he might want her to see now, in these moments.

Inala peered back at her love quietly. Show her something? She'd seen this cove many times. In fact it was nearby to where she liked to take her occasional private swims to unwind. She followed without hesitation, though, a warmth settling throughout her body as she let him take the lead.

She knelt first, facing him, when he sat. But it soon became clear that wasn't what he had in mind. Shifting into the proper - or, at least, expected - position, Inala leaned back against his chest. A content sigh escaped her lips, eyes closing as their fingers twined together.

But then she felt something. New, different. Opening her eyes quickly, Inala's gaze immediately went to their hands. Magic? she asked, a bit stupidly. She flushed up to her ears at the foolishness of her question. Of course it was magic.

He could feel her reluctance, timid as it peeked through. Though it was quickly overshadowed by her trust in his promise. As she settled against his chest, Carasson fixed his eyes on the small flicker of power. His power, taking to her hands now as a feline would to a friendly stranger, rubbing and caressing while still tethered to his own will. He let it have its fun, as the wind joined and blew loose strands of their hair together. 

Magic, He affirmed, smiling against her ear. Interact with it. It won't hurt you. Something deep inside of him grumbled but it was easily muffled by his strongly centered will power. This interaction was benign, something that didn't particuarly excited those dangers parts of him the way other things did. 

Cara leaned back then, trailing his fingertips along her arms until they folded back to brace into the marshy earth beneath them. He allowed the magic to stay in her hands, forcing it to obey his intention. What do you feel? He was intensely curious to confirm or deny his suspicions.

I know, she murmured in response. She knew he'd never do anything that would hurt her. After so long together, imagining anything beyond that would be nigh impossible for Inala.

She allowed the magic to shift and twist along her hands. It was an odd sensation. Not something she'd ever experienced. And even before he was asking what she felt, Inala was attempting to piece that together in her mind. What did this feel like?

It wasn't until Cara asked that Inala tried to vocalize her thoughts. Strange.... no, warm? She pursed her lips slightly, brow furrowing as she tried to find words to express it. It... feels like... you, vhenan. Turning her head slightly, even as the magic danced over her hands, she offered him a hint of a smile.

It was easy to pinpoint what he felt. Pride washed over him at the sight of her. It felt right to him to see her illuminated by the blue grey power. His power that seemed so at home around her, that felt comfortable in her control. He wanted to give her more. Better yet he wanted to see her encourage the power he'd sensed in her lately. He smiled fondly at her response. The invasive thoughts it gave him to hear her speak like that to him. Distracting to say the least. But his power remained. 

Cara leaned forward again and traced back down her arms to her hands. Soon his hands were atop hers, their fingers in tandem. His chin rested on her shoulder, his cheek to her cheek. It was peaceful around him. A truly ideal setting for something like this. You look beautiful. He crooned over her shoulder. Biting down on his tongue in concentration, he moved their hands and the power grew, doubling and tripling in size around them. This was his specialty, the healing, protective force he worked hard to cultivate. Close your eyes.

An involuntary shiver rushed down Inala's spine when he began to move again. The electric feeling of his hands gliding down over her skin was similar to the magic she still felt in her hands. It grew in warmth when their fingers intertwined again. Her smile, too, grew at the sensation.

Moments like this kept her going. Staved off the stress and the worry over the clan, her daughter - everything.

The pressure of Cara's chin on her shoulder was inexplicably comforting. And soon a soft giggle bubbled up from her chest. You're hardly looking at me, are you? she asked, still a breathy laugh on her lips as she tipped her head aside to bump his gently. Because I wouldn't think the faces I've been making trying to figure this out is 'beautiful', she added, amused at herself.

The magic grew and Inala stared at it, wide-eyed. She'd not really heeded the magic of her lover - or any in the clan. Magic was their speciality. And in all their years together, she couldn't recall a time being this close with Cara's magic. At least not for this long, or outside of getting healed.

She did as instructed, closing her eyes. A smile still lingered on her lips, heavy with anticipation of what his plan was. Okay...

Agree to disagree because I've never seen you more beautiful. He spoke in a sultry tone, leaning to the side just enough to catch her eye and admire while he was at it. When she'd reigned in her mirth and closed her eyes, he tightened back against her, pulling her back closer to his chest. He could see she wanted to take this seriously, even if this hadn't at all been her idea in the first place. 

He continued to move their hands in tandem, manipulating the magic around him until it hung heavy in the air around them, charged and full of life. A metallic tang tickled his tongue as the magic coursed through his veins under his command, willing it to manifest for her. So I want you, He shifted behind her, wanting her to feel safe in his touch but also capable of exercising her own wills. To focus on that feeling and when you're ready, reach out and grasp one of those threads of magic, tell it what to do. He didn't expect her to do anything spectacular (nor did he particuarly want her to in this moment), he just wanted to see if his instincts were right in all of this. 

Should the magic continue to take to her, some of his own luminosity would leech to her and imbue a feeling unique to her throughout her body. It shouldn't feel forced. He reminded, in case she worried that this was some sort of test. It was instead a mere manifestation of his curiosity.

Mmmm, you're a good liar, she replied, the grin on her lips gave away the playful nature of her words. She'd even poked her tongue out at him when he'd made move to look at her, a light laugh escaping shortly after. But I'll let it slide.

She'd gone quiet soon enough to await further direction on this new ground they were covering together. He wanted her to... tell a thread of magic what to do. Making one of the concentrated faces she'd joked about before, she tried to focus.

But nothing seemed to happen, at least from her perspective. But then... she didn't know what to expect to happen or what was supposed to happen. What sort of thing did mages tell their magic to do? Is that really as simple as it was for them?

At the reminder of it not needing to be forced, her look of concentration shifted into a slight frown. It's not... she started, slowly opening her eyes only to see a tendril spark like a tiny explosion. A shriek escaped her lips as her eyes flew open completely and she fell back against Cara heavily.

Uhhh... Inala found herself at a complete loss for words. She wasn't scared, simply startled.

In numerous respects, he didn't deserve her. He'd known that for a long time, damn near since they started this journey together back when having her felt unattainable. She's Chip's girl, the mother of his child and he....he'd never wanted to ruin that, or intruded where he wasn't welcome. But then he became First and from there it all started to make sense. Carasson loved Inala with a fire that would burn long after he was dead, and any time he was allowed with her in any capacity, would never be enough. 

She was everything. 

Even when she was calling him a liar. 

He continued to observe in silence over her shoulder, nostrils flaring at his magic leeched from his body and sniffed curiously at the woman who now asked for its attention. He closed his eyes, willing the magic to explore its whims, to go where it felt natural. He was giving permission. 

As she leaned back against him in abject shock, he could only smile warmly, the expression reaching wide towards his ears until it hurt. His suspicions were correct and he'd never been more elated. Well go on, say hello. It's rude to snub a greeting so polite. His magic could be playful at times and if explosive surprises were it's idea of a hearty welcome, who was he to tell it otherwise. He brushed his hands along her arms, nuzzling her neck as he pressed his lips to her collar bone before speaking. I'd like to teach you more and hone some of this potential. The magic is curious about you, let it learn more. His chin rested on her shoulder. If you're open to it of course.

Inala was still reeling with what to do about what had just happened. Did she cause the spark? Or was Cara messing with her? His reaction didn't indicate he was, but she wasn't certain about how she felt about the fact that she could cause something like that.

Teach me? She echoed, trying to wrap her head around it all.

She'd settled back against him now, having rearranged herself only slightly. Just enough to sit comfortable cuddled up to him. And think. What were the repercussions of her potentially having access to magic? Had she always had this and never been told? Or was it new after the tearing of the Veil? That, alone, had changed so much in their lives it would make sense.

I... suppose it would be good to learn. She didn't want to be a danger to anyone if she didn't. If this could happen without Cara's influence and cause problems. Inala worked damn hard to keep everything in the Clan as trouble-free as she could.

Nuzzling a bit against his neck, she closed her eyes. Her mind drifting to what could be possible if she could learn to control this. After a few moments of quiet, she spoke up - though her eyes remained closed for the moment. Does Chip know about this?

He was happy to hear that she was open to the idea of learning more, even if her tone was still steeped in unease. It was healthy reaction to have. It behooved all of them to foster this newly discovered skill, especially when it came to magic. Untamed magic was a notorious threat and one this clan could not afford. That's my girl he pinched her side playfully as leaned just slightly to look at her fully, finding himself far too deprived of that ethereal countenance. 

As she nuzzled into him, Carasson reached up to smooth the hair from her forehead and temple, tucking it behind her ear. He shifted his body to find a more comfortable position for both of them. By the time he'd finally settled and his cheek was resting on the top of her head, he was deep in thought. Visions of future possibilities with her magic, what she could be, what they could be as leaders of their clan. And all it took were five words to wrench him from that revelry. 

His brow furrowed. The way she asked, her tone, the vague annoyance. He sighed, lifting his head after a moment but still pressing her prone against his shoulder. We both had the same suspicions, noticed the signs. He confirmed. But I volunteered to approach you about it first, because I'm a selfish, selfish man. He had a feeling she looked to admonish Chip for keeping a secret like this. No more secrets. He looked down at her nuzzled against him. 

I cannot wait to see you manifesting your own magic, Inala. It's all I've been able to think of lately. Because it meant a change was coming, the clan was evolving, adapting.

Inala let slip a small sigh. She didn't want Chip to know, but perhaps she shouldn't have been surprised that he did. He was a mage too, after all. A tiny scowl flashed across her features though. How long had they both known? And only just now was Cara coming to her with this information. She sunk deeper against him. She didn't want to know the answer to that question. It would only serve to frustrate her.

I'm grateful you are, she finally replied after a long pause. She knew she'd rather learn from her vhenan anyway.

Tipping her head back, Inala tried to catch a glimpse of Cara's face. A slight smile had finally taken over the previous scowl. So you've been thinking of me a lot lately, hm? She asked, playfully. Tell me your thoughts.

He could feel her tension. It leeched from her into his own body as he formed around her. She needn't have scowled for him to know their reticence annoyed her as much as it did. The dynamic between the three of them was messy, but he was determined to make something stick because losing either of them in any capacity wasn't an option for him. He clutched her tighter as she melted into him as testament of how utterly unwilling he was to let go. So am I. 

Cara could feel her looking at him then, could feel her heavy-lidded gaze branding into his temple. It spurred a wicked smile to his lips akin to her teasing tone. Hmmm, he mused, tilting his head to look at her better. that depends. He reached up to tuck some hair behind her ear. Would you like the truth or the ones I'd share in front of others? Because I can assure you, they're vastly different . He chuckled softly, deep in his throat. He loved Inala, more that he could ever express, magic or no. That was something that would never change, not as long as he remained himself. Regardless of what you decide, I will support you. He leaned in to press a kiss to the top of her cheek. I love you Inala. His other hand stayed threaded with her own, their fingers entwined intimately.