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Post by strixx-variaa on Jan 31, 2016 21:17:40 GMT -6
For the last few months, there had been a sharp, unpleasant knot in Thaumas Anereus's left shoulder that refused to be worked out by good honest exercise and modified sleeping positions. It was such that if he tried to roll or stretch his shoulder, the deep click of the knotted muscle was audible to those in his general vicinity, much to the displeasure of his Guardians during long strategy planning meetings.
He couldn't stretch his neck to the right (pulling, therefore, on that left shoulder) without experiencing a very dull, gentle pain, almost like the knot was trying hard to give only the most polite reminders that it was there and it wasn't going away.
But he couldn't take it anymore.
As an active-duty Guardian, Thaumas had experienced his fair share of aches and pains, but they all seemed to resolve themselves on their own time, without his changing any of his routine. Or, at the very worst, there were always clerics and specialists available to tend to the state's protectors in need.
But he couldn't take it anymore, and so he found himself in one of Inaria's bath houses.
A good soak in steaming hot water, a visit to the in-house massage team, and the pain in his shoulder would be nothing but a memory. (Or so he hoped.)
Thaumas had been soaking now in a corner of one of the grand pools for about a quarter of an hour, and was feeling rather pleased with himself. If he'd been able to bring some sort of work to the bath house, he'd have been even more pleased, but there was no risking it with the watery atmosphere.
The heavy stallion sighed quietly and sank even deeper into the hot water, leaning against one tiled side of the pool with his naughty left shoulder in an effort to get the jump on the masseuses.
Nothing but a memory.
words: 318
tags: none!
notes: open to anyone in aquore! :D separate from the chapter. |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Feb 27, 2016 12:08:20 GMT -6
Shoulders rolled gently as the golden hippocampus greeted the bath house attendant, checking in. His neck was stiff from being bent over reports all day, and he had much been looking forward to lounging in hot water for a while. Sides rose and fell with a gentle sigh, the steam drawn deep into lungs. Rycaron could already feel himself relaxing in the tranquil atmosphere, the promise of hot water just before him. Hoofs rang gently against the tile as he parted the curtain and stepped through, ocean hued eyes sweeping over the occupants of the pools. There weren't many, and in fact, there was only one currently. Others might be in the more private, smaller pools, or with the masseuses in the back.
Lips curved gently in a friendly smile, as Rycaron moved forward at a sedate pace, slowly sliding into the pool. A gentle sigh slipped from lips as the liquid rose about his body, a gentle, soothing caress of their Wave Mother. "Greetings Thaumas," the stallion murmured, trusting to the echoing property of the tiles to take his voice farther, so he needn't speak up and disrupt the other's relaxation unnecessarily. Ry floated a moment, before stretching out, body morphing slowly, and legs turning into a long tail. He disappeared beneath the water's surface briefly to fully wet himself, before surfacing with a heart felt sigh that was only allowed in presence of the brotherly figure nearby.
The hippocampus stretched his fins, giving a lazy flick to propel himself closer to his roan counterpart, before floating on his back, the picture of bliss.
WC//265
Notes: -steals another ThaumThaum rp-
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Post by strixx-variaa on Feb 29, 2016 8:55:42 GMT -6
For half a second, the sound of his name was almost unpleasant to hear, because now here was someone else to come and shatter his illusion of solitude (because who can be truly alone in a public house like this?). But then just as fast as he heard it, Thaumas Anereus recognized the voice and turned his head, and gave a low, rolling chuckle as he greeted the speaker. "Ho, Rycaron." Truthfully, Rycaron was one of the only horses currently living in whose presence Thaumas could fully relax. He'd never had many close friends, and indeed tended to be a lone operator more often than he would like (outside of work, which required him to work in tandem with many others), but if he was asked to name his closest friend he'd name the Sage. Perhaps it was their similarly intense work ethics which lent them a better understanding of each other's motives than anyone else might be able to ascertain. A lazy, catlike grin stretched across his lips as he watched his friend. The Defender sat in his land form in the corner of the pool, still working that damned left shoulder, thinking (rather out-of-character for him, and certainly for one of the first and perhaps only times in his life) that he'd rather enjoy a cold, dark stout right about now. "You look like a damn otter," said Thaumas as Rycaron drew nearer. "They finally let you out of that office?" words: 243 tags: Dream-Lark notes: ahaha, yay! thank you so much for jumping in, dream. i'm so pumped for more ry/thaum action! :D |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Jun 22, 2016 16:37:49 GMT -6
"Better than a hunched up turtle," the orange coated equine replied amiably, quirking a brow. "Otters know how to relax," Rycaron added, words ending in a sigh as he soaked up the hot water. "I may have run away whilst my erstwhile companions had their backs turned. If they appear, be a mate and tell them I was never here," the Sage added, dropping his tone into something conspiratorial, whilst a grin appeared on white splashed muzzle.
"Truly though, if I hear one more word about Seroran trade merchants today, I might hit my head against a wall," words were nearly muttered, rueful, before sympathetic aqua eyes shifted to the Defender. Sharp gaze didn't miss much, and Ry could tell that something was bothering the typically stoic stallion. He could see the shifting muscle where the roan was rubbing his shoulder into the corner of the pool. "So how did you manage to escape? I take it heads were not bashed, since all appears relatively quiet."
Tail extended once more, into a full back stretch and a quiet sigh. It felt good to relax, and there were not many that the Sage could actually joke about with. Thuamas was one of those few, and Rycaron was in the mood to fully appreciate poking a little fun at the larger hippocampus.
WC//220
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Post by strixx-variaa on Jun 26, 2016 20:19:12 GMT -6
With as coy a smile as could possibly be worn by someone so consistently serious and humor-free, Thaumas replied to his friend, "My lord, I haven't needed to bash heads in ages." And something crawling -- some feeling like something was crawling on the back of his neck made his eyes flick up from the pools for just a moment. They were in a giant indoor room, of course, but this building had more than one floor, and from several places on the loftier levels jutted stone balconies where one could look down into the steamy baths below. It was on one of these balconies that he saw the proprietor of the baths, peering unabashedly at the two of them and looking rather luxuriously relaxed herself. "You make the people around you feel good."It was something he'd heard a woman tell a friend once, many years ago, and it was a statement Thaumas Anereus felt could apply to the black mare gazing lazily upon them from the balcony. She saw him seeing her, and winked slowly, closing only one icy blue eye without losing even an inch of her smile. With not even a trace of emotion on his face, the Defender turned his attention back to the Sage. "We're being watched," he said, his voice low in pitch and comfortable in volume. He'd be surprised if Rycaron didn't know already that Ívarra's eyes had marked both their entries into her establishment, and to be quite honest, he'd be a bit surprised if she wasn't working for him in some capacity -- feeding him information learned from steamy lips and tranquilized muscles. words: 271 tags: Dream-Lark notes: brought ívarra into it for funsies! if you prefer it without her i'll write her away, no worries. xD |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Jul 16, 2016 7:02:53 GMT -6
A low chuckle emitted from the stallion at his friend's reply, rather surprised by the expression on his features, but pleased the Defender was relaxed enough to show it. However, not a minute later, open features closed once more, becoming stoic, wary. Something had happened.
Through half lidded eyes, Rycaron watched the other pair of blue orbs flicker upwards, and suddenly, he understood. Body language didn't change at all from languid lounging, merely lifting his tail from the water and making a little splash as if nothing in the world were wrong. The Sage eventually glanced upwards himself, and caught sight of the wink Ívarra cast down to Thaumas. He resisted the urge to chuckle, seeing how she was messing with him. Oh, he knew the mare alright, and also knew she'd ignore almost everything they said within her hearing--not that they'd discuss anything that couldn't be repeated in such an unsecured place. State matters weren't meant for discussing in bath houses, even ones as nice as this. However, about other topics, she kept her silence and passed along useful information--to her benefit, of course.
"Are we?" the Sage replied, tone low and easy, shifting a for hoof in an innocent 'doesn't really matter' way, from where he continued to float easily on his back, mostly sunk into the hot water. "Truly though, our dear Ívarra sees all who come in here. She likes to keep her eyes on any potential trouble makers," Rycaron added, cutting a glance sideways at the heavy roan as if to implicate him of such things, a grin lingering upon lips.
WC//266
Note: Nuuuuu, I love her <3
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Post by strixx-variaa on Jul 21, 2016 14:12:50 GMT -6
Thaumas caught Rycaron's grin and consumed it, his return expression mirthless save for the barest wrinkle around his eyes. To the casual observer, the Defender might have looked nonplussed at best and downright grumpy at worst, but the Sage knew him well enough to see the truth of his character from only that skin around his eyes. Ha, ha, said the wrinkles. You're very funny, funny-man.Just as the big stallion closed his eyes to sink lower in the water, a soft little voice cut through the clouds of steam rising through their bath. "My lords?" Defender Anereus opened his eyes and sat up straighter -- not straight, you know, because why on earth would he want to sit up perfectly straight at a time like this with his damned shoulder like it was -- but straighter. A roly-poly little serving-girl had appeared by their bath, bearing a shimmering golden tray in her telekinetic grip. On the tray were only two items: a tall, black-dark pint of what appeared to be Thaumas's favorite stout beer, and a wide, deep chalice filled with a slightly lighter liquid than the stout. This second one was a rich, deep amber-brown -- something for Rycaron, no doubt. "My mistress sends her best regards." Thaumas's eyes flashed back to Ívarra's balcony. She watched them still, only now with a drink in her grip. It was some pale golden liquid in a tall, slender wine-glass, and as she met their eyes she raised it as if toasting their health. Dangerous, thought Thaumas. Because it was true that he preferred dark beers, though he didn't imbibe often. And it was true that only moments ago he'd wished for this exact beverage. And here it was, served to him on a golden platter. The kind of knowledge Ívarra possessed about the citizens of Inaria was dangerous. But he took the drink anyways, and looked to Rycaron with an expression of curious amusement on his face. You handle this, O Master of Spies.words: 331 tags: Dream-Lark notes: btw, you can control ívarra if you want to! i figured i might have her come downstairs before thaum goes off for his massage or something, idefk |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Jul 21, 2016 16:06:18 GMT -6
The chestnut was sinking lower in the water himself, pleased with himself the subtlety amused look that had changed Thaumas' expression just the slightest bit. He had assumed nothing more would come from the encounter, other than Ívarra letting them know she was present. Ears and fins about cheekbones twitched as a gentle voice prompted their attention, azure orbs blinking into focus. His friend had straightened quite a bit and seemed confused, non-plussed, by the newly arrived serving-girl. And most likely feeling wary and disgruntled that knowledge of his favored stout was known by the mistress of this establishment. Rycaron had been surprised too, and it really wasn't worth his time trying to ferret out how Ívarra knew all the things she did. He simply accepted it and used it most of the time--with a heap of salt, to be sure.
"Ah, what a surprise. Thank you, dear," the Sage replied smoothly, offering a small smile as he accepted the beverage, angling himself to the side of the steaming pool so after a sip he could set the fine ale upon the ledge. "Someone is feeling gracious," the stallion murmured to Thaumas, his own amusement reflected in eyes as gaze shifted toward the figure on her balcony. Of course she too, possessed her drink of choice. The hippocampus lifted his tail and waved the flowing fin gently, a polite beckons to the mare above. Perhaps he'd find out just how generous dear Ívarra was feeling today. She took her time coming down the stairs, deciding to come closer, but really, this was her establishment and who could ever be a hurry within such a relaxing bath house, anyway?
"Our thanks," Rycaron began, dipping his head to indicate the present she had granted them, head tilting slightly as he gazed up at the pretty mare. "Much nicer now that we do not have to raise our voices. I wished to inquire if Oliana was available this afternoon? My friend here appears to be having some trouble with his shoulder, and I think her touch would be the perfect remedy." Oliana, he knew, happened to be the best masseuse in the house for ferreting out the knots behind tension headaches and deep muscle aches. She was quite an attraction for Ívarra's business, and he saw the glint appear in the sweet looking, crafty equine's eyes. "Ah, and the other thing I wanted to mention. I heard a trader is arriving next week, boasting about some new oils he has found. Quite proud of them, really. I mentioned you would be interested in seeing if they were suitable for your house." Sometimes his informants were rewarded in coin, and other times it was with connections to traders that would greatly benefit their businesses. This one enjoyed having exclusive scents and oils for her masseurs to use, or to put into the baths.
WC//479 |
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Post by strixx-variaa on Jul 31, 2016 16:51:08 GMT -6
"Thank you, my lord Sage," said Ívarra, shifting her weight over her hindquarters and bending her head and neck in a low, graceful half-bow to the submerged dignitaries. "You are too kind, to remember us so." She smiled, comfortable with her role and thoroughly in her element as hostess. The smile was pure, with no particular cattishness about it, except for perhaps a bit of bashful eyelash-fluttering as she spoke which no person could likely believe if they'd met her more than once before. "Indeed, when my lord Defender arrived this afternoon, we ensured that our best would be available at any time he should have need." She looked at the Defender in question, who was glad for the heat of the water around him. It was alright to look a little less "together" when in a bath, wasn't it? He took another draught of his stout. The feel of it was beginning to worm its way into his brain now, and he was glad for that, too. Even after two decades in his current station, Thaumas Anereus was still regularly unnerved by the displays of grandeur and luxury as were common among Talorians near his rank. It didn't take much to shake his confidence in this regard, and it had been only after long months of gradually increasing chronic pain had he finally resigned himself to seeking the help of -- professionals in relaxation, if you will. He wasn't in denial about the privilege implied in the services for which he paid, but to hear her confirm that the mere status of his office automatically afforded him her best personnel on retainer was more than enough to threaten his cool façade. Opening his throat wide as only those thoroughly unafraid of liquids can do, Defender Anereus downed the remainder of his stout in one go and set the empty glass stein on the tile lip of the pool with a sharp clack. "I'll go now, then," he said, his low voice muted by the closeness in the air. The black-chestnut Ívarra called that same fat little girl to her side again with the mere flick of her head. "The Defender will see Oliana now," she told the girl as the stallion rose from the water, steam rolling from his body to mingle with the already misty air. "Escort him." And as she said it, Thaumas was vividly aware that Ívarra knew exactly how uncomfortable she could make him with the most innocent of words. Dangerous.He glanced at Rycaron as he climbed onto the tile floors. "How long will you be here?" words: 432 tags: Dream-Larknotes: hnnnng so late T_T |
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Post by Dream-Lark on Aug 14, 2016 10:21:56 GMT -6
"Ah delightful. That is why you are the best, Ívarra," the Sage praised, lifting his drink to her in a toast before taking a swallow. Truly, he was rather enjoying the discomfort of his peer, though he could also entirely sympathize. Getting used to the luxuries that came along with their rank took time, though Rycaron appeared to have adapted a bit better than Thaumas--but the Defender was one more prone to the simple things and utilitarian function that excess. Ry could imagine him no other way, and truly he was the best type of being to keep one grounded or from becoming to hedonistic. He was quite fortunate to have the big roan in his life.
"As long as it takes you to relax and return," Rycaron replied easily, with a light grin, before glancing up at Ívarra and quirking his brow. "Provided, of course, no emissaries find out I am here and bother me with messages that are not of utmost importance," the Sage added, and he knew that the black chestnut would understand his meaning.
"Of course, My Lord, I shall make sure you are not disturbed, except in cases of emergency," Ívarra replied easily, dipping her head in a bow. She would see it done.
With that reassurance the Sage took another, longer drink of the wonderful dark ale, before submerging himself up to his nose within the heated waters. Ah, that wonderful to his stiff muscles. He had not need of a massage this day, only a long, relaxing soak.
WC//255
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Post by strixx-variaa on Aug 14, 2016 18:59:11 GMT -6
As Thaumas Anereus let himself be led through the cool, dimly-lit hallways of the bath house by that same chubby little serving-girl, the burly stallion measured his breaths in an effort to force his body to relax. In, out.He'd given Rycaron a sullen nod as he and his little guide left the main bath, and had only met Ívarra's catlike gaze with stony stoicism and all the import of his station he could possibly throw behind his own teal eyes. The alchohol in her gift had begun to flood his veins, and it was happily working its way into the crannies and crevasses in his brain where worries liked to lie. He needed this -- this work done, after all; the knot in his shoulder had proven that it wouldn't leave him be without a good fight. Still, despite the feeling (even though he'd done this more than once before) that the serving girl was leading him to heresy-by-proxy, Thaumas was happy. He had a good friend in Rycaron, which was a thing he'd once thought he'd always have to go without. More often than not these days they saw each other only through their work, but serendipitous meetings like the one this afternoon served as a reminder to the Defender that he was not without all normal equine connection. The Defender had a physical body (filled with knotted muscles, at the moment), but he also had a soul. And sometimes, he needed to be reminded it was there. words: 252 tags: Dream-Lark notes: end of thread! should be a 3,333 word count total. i had so much fun in this thread! we need to do casual threads more often. xD |
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