A Day on the Beach (OPEN)

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

It had been many years since Kvothe had been at a beach. The last time, he had been chased by four angry elves, and had killed them all by getting a local sherrif to bring in his posse, and cut them down as they ran. Not to say Kvothe didn't put up a good fight, he was just very busy tying his shoe under a cart. Of course.

He looked out over the horizon. It was just past daybreak. He had come here for the sole purpose of swimming, and so had nothing else with him except the loaf of bread and bottle of wine he had bought from the tavern up on the top of the hill, a bit inland. He had brought his Lute as well, and one of his swords, the short dagger, for safety's purposes.

Other then that, he had a loose brown shirt, and short swimming shorts. The sands were already warming to the sun's welcomed rays, and Kvothe was feeling a bit warm as well. He stripped off his shirt, and put down his dagger. He walked up to the water, touching it gingerly with his toe. Then he jumped in.

The cool water was a welcoming feeling, and he sat there for a moment, while the waves battered him, just feeling it all.

It was nice to be in such a place.

He swam out a bit farther, and started diving, looking at the small beds of coral, and the fish that swam about. The water was very clear, and an aqua blue. The sands were a tan color, nearing white, while just inland, there was a mass of rolling hills, and farmland. The tavern, and a small store right across from it, was within sight. It was a nice place, and he would move to there to relax once he was done.

It was nice to be in such a place.

[lucy]

Barefoot, Lucy trotted across the brown sand, leaving footprints trailing behind her. An orange sun gleamed in the distance, casting long shadows. As the tide sailed in and outward, Lucy hummed one of her favorite tunes; the song her mother used to sing to her before bed every night:

"She's like a dove. Delicate and kind.
I love her so.
If only she were mine.
Just close your eyes, its all okay.
And fall asleep.
Tomorrow's a new day."

As she completed her singing, a figure came into view. A man no doubt, considering he was topless. He was swimming out in the ocean, careless and content. Amused, Lucy placed herself in the sand, watching the man gleefully. Granted he was a good swimmer, better than Lucy that is. In fact, Lucy didn't know how to swim.

As the wind began to pick up, sprays of foamy water drifted over to Lucy, the salt water getting into her eyes. Rubbing her now stinging eyes, Lucy got to her feet. As pain began surging through her, the man continued to swim. And to Lucy's knowledge, he didn't know about her appearance so far.

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

As he was swimming, he saw a figure, watching him. She was a girl, by the looks of it, and had curly golden locks going down her figure. She was slim, and was sitting in the sand, watching him.

He waved towards her, and then turned, and swam towards her. He realized this may have been awkward or something of the sort, but really only wanted to say hello. She wasn't very far from the things he had brought with him to the beach that day.

As he came closer, and got out of the water, he sized her up again, and realized more things about her. Not only was she a bit shorter then he was, but rather attractive as well.

He was still wet when he dropped down in the sand next to her, facing towards her.

"Hello." He said, smiling. He reclined back, "What's your name, and why are you here on the beach?" He said, honestly not expecting anyone else to come here. The beach was so large, that the chances of meeting others at one were fairly slim, unless you were near a town or city.

[lucy]

Smiling, Lucy echoed the man's reclining action. She began rubbing out a bit more salt from her eye before speaking.

"I am Lucy Hartford. And the only reason I'm out here is because I just needed a break from work. It's been a slow day, and I just needed some time to wind down a bit." Lucy explained, continuing her eye rubbing. The salt was really starting to sting her pupils, the whites in her eyes going pink.

"And may I ask, who might you be?" Lucy asked, leaning forward. She placed her sleeve on her eyes, hoping for better results. Nothing. About ready to curse at the pain, Lucy groaned.

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

"The names Kvothe Ryn Valerian." He said, "I'm a mercenary, and a lute player." He said, gesturing towards the musical instrument, and the sword, over on the towel he had put on the sand, a few feet away. He got up and walked over, getting the things, and then sitting down, strumming a few notes on the lute, after drying himself off.

"You need a break from work?" He said, eyes shooting up. She didn't look like a girl that would be working very often. Her hands weren't calloused, and her skin was soft. He struck a few more notes.

"What do you work as?" He said, questioning her. He moved his sheath a bit, but made a point to keep his shirt off. It was a nice day, and the rising sun was warm enough to dry him and make him feel good, while his shorts still clung to his skin. He reclined backwards, putting his arms behind his head, and looking at her inquisitively, again.

[lucy]

"I am an Inn-keeper. It's actually not too far from here." Lucy replied. As Kvothe strummed a few notes on his lute, another tide washed in, nearly reaching the two. Scooting back, Lucy was in awe at the man's beautiful lute playing.

"You are quite a lovely lute player." Lucy complimented, sincere. Glancing over to Kvothe's other items, she realized she hadn't even noticed them. Yet, they were kind of obvious, so Lucy had no idea how she could have missed them.

Turning back to the Kvothe, Lucy grinned. She hadn't met anyone like him before, and frankly, she was somewhat attracted to him. He was quite handsome, with his shirt off and all. Laying back down, Lucy sighed.

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

"An innkeeper?" He said, a confused look on his face, until the realization dawned on him," You own the inn there?" He said, pointing up at the grassy hill. She was an interesting girl. The fact she was attractive made it all the better.

"Thank you," He said, responding to a compliment, while shifting around his knife and shirt around in the sand. It was tough trying to fish stuff out of shirts and sheaths, and it was easier just to keep them from the water or sand.

The tide came a bit closer, but only barely touched there feet, not even making Kvothe stumble in his song. He continued, adding small flourishes and such.

He stopped for a second, and asked, almost lazily, "I'm fairly thirsty. I have some wine here, but it's not very substantial. What say you, if we go up to your tavern and take a look around, maybe show me your room?" He said, face still stoic and innocent, but the words suggested another meaning.

(OOC: Aww, Lucy's so bashful :3)

[lucy]

For a moment, Lucy didn't understand what Kvothe meant. Although, after a moment or two, she understood perfectly. Laughing at the comment, she got to her feet, barely missing the tide.

"Well, let's head out and see what happens." Lucy held out her hand, offering help up. As she did so, another round of the tide tumbled forward, coming higher up than the last ones. It reached a little farther than Lucy, but sprawled all the way up to Kvothe's back.

-Sorry, belch post. I was short on time-

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

She laughed, obviously understanding his true meaning. It did take her a few seconds to understand though, which made Kvothe uneasy, thinking he had messed up. The fact she didn't slap him was also pretty nice, you didn't usually get that courtesy, especially from people who are commonly in bars.

Another tide came forward, just as Lucy was standing up, wiping sand from her legs. The water came all the way up his back, but he saw it coming, and held the lute up, above the water line. Though the rest of his body was soaked, unfortunately, just as he was fully dried.

He got up, holding the towel and drying himself off, and then quickly putting his shirt on, slinging the lute around his shoulder, and held his dagger with his left hand, his fingers curled around the sheath.

"So," He said, eyeing her up and down as they walked towards the nearby Inn,"Do you have musicians come this way often?" He said, subtly putting his hand on hers.

[lucy]

"Occasionally. Although, I've never come across a lute player." Lucy smiled faintly. Suddenly, she felt Kvothe's finger tips curl around hers. A strange, comforting warmth welled up inside of her, one that hadn't in a while. Accepting his gesture, Lucy wrapped her hand around his.

"So, what is it that you do for a living?" Lucy asked, attempting to get to know Kvothe a little more. Besides, it wouldn't hurt anyone asking such simple questions. Unless of course, there's some depressing back-story to it all that will bring up mixed emotions. Still, that wasn't very likely.

Almost no sooner than they had left, the two were already at the Inn. The two story hotel towered before them, the door already open. Lucy guided Kvothe through the entrance and into the lobby.

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

"Never across a lute player?" He said, feigning shock, and then smiling. Of course she hadn't. They were pretty damn rare, and most were found reclining there behinds in some lords dessert party. Music was for everyone, not just the rich. Unfortunately, many did not quite see the honor behind it.

He felt her fingers close around his, and felt good. Excellent. The girl was definitely pretty, and was extremely nice. And would give him free wine. She was about as good of a girl as you can possibly get.

"So, what is it that you do for a living?" She said, actually curious. He knew that just telling her about the lute might not make sense, seeing as how he had a long, obviously battle ready, dagger in his left hand.

"There's no depressing backstory to this one, " He said, automatically assuming that's what she thought. It's what everyone thought. "I'm a lute player, and occasionally, if I get hired, a mercenary. Usually to hunt bandits, or deserters. But most of my time is spent playing my lute." He said, gesturing his head back towards the stringed instrument.

The inn was a beautiful, two story tall building. It fit into the top of the hill like a piece in a puzzle, and the rising sun was framed by the buildings sharply curved roof. They walked through the front entrance, and into the lobby, which was empty, for the obvious reason that it was extremely early in the morning.

He kept following her, and slid his hand behind her back. He knew this was a private place, and tried to make her, and himself, more comfortable. He smiled a bit, and asked her, "So, what would you like to do now?" He said, wondering if she would pick Wine, or sex. Hopefully the latter. Or, even better, both.

[lucy]

Mimicking his smile, Lucy turned to face Kvothe. Their fingers still interlocking, Lucy captured his hand that was still resting on her back. She clutched it between her spare palm, both of their hands now together in one bundle.

"Whatever you prefer." Lucy said, her smile still in tact. For some reason, she just couldn't stop grinning. In fact, her cheeks were beginning to ache. Just being around Kvothe made her happy, a kind of joy she hadn't felt in years, despite the fact the two had just met. Even so, Lucy couldn't shake this feeling.

As the sun rose, light beams streamed through the windows. Horse whinny's and greetings could be heard from outside, a sign of the town's awakening. Fortunately, people didn't usually start arriving to the Inn until the afternoon, so Kvothe and Lucy could do as they pleased for several hours.

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

She was grinning, the entire time he stood with her. The lobby was empty, thankfully, so there embrace wasn't noticed by farmers and townsfolk would filter in after there work was done. They would have several hours of privacy.

"Whatever I prefer?" He said, feigning thinking hard, "Well, I have wine here, " He said, gesturing towards the wine he had set on the table, "and I hear you have some very large beds here." He said, tone completely innocent, once more.

Light was beaming in through cracks in the curtain and through the windows, and seemed to light up the room.

He led her by the hand, dropping his dagger on the counter with a small clank, and grabbing the bottle and two glasses from behind the bar, and asked, "So, could you lead me to your living quarters? Just for a glass of wine, between friends." He said, still smiling a smile that said more.

She was a very pretty girl, and a girl who had a business like this was odd. But after they had had there festivities, he was sure he could also play his lute for her. It was a mutually beneficial relationship, he thought. They both definetly got something to brighten up there day, which would've normally been so dreary. At least, for him.

[lucy]

"Of course." Lucy said. She clutched him a tad tighter by the hand and lead him up the stairs into the second floor.

A simple room stood before them, having little to offer. A stove and icebox sat in the far corner, clean and organized. Across from that perched an art easel, the one Lucy's mother had given to her long ago. She didn't use it much, yet when she did, the paintings sold instantly. Resting next to the easel, was the bed, large and welcoming. It was almost as if it were calling to the two lovebirds.

Guiding Kvothe to the bed, Lucy smiled once more, almost now by habit. She sat herself down, patting the empty space next to her.

~I'm sorry! Blech post again!

[Kvothe Ryn Valerian]

She had clutched him by the hand and led him right into her room. She was a very trusting girl, not that she was naive trusting Kvothe, but Kvothe did wonder how many men she had led up here like this...

The room was simple, just a small icebox for refreshing drinks, and a small kitchenette. It was the model of order. Everything in it's place, and clean. Not a speck of dust. He noticed the easel, of course, with a set of paints near it. She must have been very good, as he noticed she kept a small bag of receipts from Art sales in next to the paints. Clever girl.

The bed, of course, was large and very comfortable, as Kvothe stepped over to her, and sat down.

He took the bottle of wine, and poured it, making a smooth sound as it flowed into both of the cups. It was still a bit cold, as he had kept it near the water, and the wine was sweet. He had had the same at many taverns across the island, and it never got old.

He placed his cup down for a moment, and looked over at her. He started to slowly, ever so slowly, move closer to her. He took his hand from the glass he was holding, and simply set down the glass, bringing it up to her cheek, softly stroking it. He moved his head further in.

And he kissed her. It was euphoric, and blissful, all at the same time, and her lips were still red from the wine, making them seem almost succulent. It was short, and he quickly pulled back, searching her eyes for dismay, or regret.

(OOC: Don't steal my words, blech. )