But I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more!

[ombranera]

WHO: Zevran and any on the road!
WHAT: Walking, drinking, dancing, dirty songs and poetry while hiking to Skyhold. Perhaps a stop in a tavern or two along the way.
WHEN: The course of several days on the road.
WHERE: The Road to Skyhold, Skyhold itself
NOTES: Zev is a walking content warning coarse language, innuendo, drinking

Strange how after a solid year of hiking over hill and dale, through Imperial Highways and muddy side tracks he'd sworn to never do so again no matter the company or the cause. And yet here was Zevran yet again on foot (an elf with a horse attracted too much attention in the area) walking the long way to Skyhold with the odd thumb out for any passing caravan- provided they were not bandits. Company he did not mind. Burglary? Less so. From what little he'd heard of the events at Haven and his concern for a country that had been, for all to brief a time, a home of sorts, Zevran made his merry way along the road to this fortress rumored to be the best option for a strategic regroup. Perhaps he would meet someone familiar, perhaps he might offer his services.

The options were many. As were the songs that he would use to amuse himself, strumming a worn, well sanded lute while he walked. Now and then snatches of Antivan would curl through the air, lilting and easy and- to anyone that understood? Absolutely filthy.

"Le mie gambe sono avvolte intorno a voi collo,
Il tuo cazzo nella mia strada, spinte e agitare!
Ero a letto , ma ora sono in questo petto .
Cosa stai mi dà grande piacere!"

So on and so forth from one tavern to the next on the long trek, if coaxed and if it would see him fed or paid, he would play a few of the softer, more romantic tunes he knew. But for the most part? Smut. Quite a bit of smut. It wasn't as though anyone truly understood him all that often.

His actual arrival was a little less Merry, he had to give one thing to wandering bandits. When they coordinate well enough for a solid ambush and attack en masse? It wasn't the simplest fight to handle alone. Escaping unscathed wasn't entirely possible but he had managed to find a group of either merchants or refugees or a mix of both, he wasn't all that certain, to walk with for the last streatch. One even deigned to allow him to ride the last leg in- provided he rode on the back of the cart and entertained them. As such Zevran's arrival was marked with his voice crackling out past laughter.

"'But yes, she asks, what is the difference?' and I tell her-

'The difference is in where you put the cucumber.'"

Comments

[ombranera]

The lute was slung along his back and a few coppers left for the table- not that he truly needed to pay much any longer but it felt impolitic to take advantage of the hospitality once given for too long. She stood, he followed. "As you wish, Bella."

[serannas]

Since Ellana had been fascinated with Skyhold, she'd been exploring all the nooks and crannies she could. There was a hidden spot around the back of the tavern past a training dummy, and this was where she led him now, until they entered the shadows that torch light couldn't reach. Then she turned around and pressed her back against the stone.

"So," she started, a little unsure of what to say. 'Thanks' would have sounded silly. 'Here I am' was obvious. She tilted her head, studying him. He was confident, sure of himself. He probably never wondered what was best to say and what would sound ridiculous. Or if he did say something ridiculous, he probably owned to it proudly.

Ellana exhaled. "May I kiss you?" she asked.

[ombranera]

It was not s bad a nook- nice and private, easy avenue of escape should anything go wrong- but he intended for nothing to leave her so uncomfortable as to consider fleeing. He followed at a respectful distance, stopping just within arm's reach when they arrived. This was her play, her seduction, he would follow her lead in how she wished this to be done.

So sweetly, so simply? He had not quite expected that and the smile it brought to his face was warm and without guile.

"If I may kiss you back, of course."

[serannas]

That made Ellana chuckle and certainly helped to ease some of her nervousness.

"Yes! It would be pretty sad to not feel anything from you in return."

[ombranera]

He stepped in that much closer, offering her his hands first and foremost. He could lean, hold her jaw, hold her against the wall but- this is a sweeter seduction than that. She would lead. "You will feel as much from me as you desire, Bella."

[serannas]

She took his hands in hers, smirking at him.

"I'll bet you call everyone that. It's all right; I don't mind." With charm like his, she had to be just one of many to be called beautiful. As long as he was honest about it, she didn't care. She wasn't looking for anything long-lasting here.

Without further ado, she leaned forward, capturing his lips in a gentle kiss as she tested the waters.

[ombranera]

"Only the women. Men are Bello. At least until something else comes to me, give it time." He would find something appropriate for her- something light and sweetly yielding. He kept the press light- practically chaste as he ran his thumb against her knuckles, leaning down only after a few beats had passed and he might encourage a little more warmth.

[serannas]

It was a feeling she hadn't had in so long that she happily surged forward with deepening the kiss, letting out a pleased sound as she did so. One hand left his to wind around his shoulder and pull herself closer to him, eager for more.

[ombranera]

He couldn't help but smile against her lips, hands settling on her hips as he yields. Hers to enjoy, hers to guide, hers to take however much or little as she desired. Once he had a feel for what she wanted? He gave back, lips moving gently, hand slipping up to cradle her cheek.

[serannas]

Ellana wasn't entirely sure of just how much she wanted. Certainly not everything, but enough to leave them both happy and satisfied. She giggled against his lips before kissing him again and again, having the best time. Kissing was really one of the nicest pastimes she could think of.

[ombranera]

Lips, then the tip of her nose, the corner of her mouth, her chin. Whatever she finds agreeable he'll drop a kiss there. Something sweetly innocent in this, without the press of bodies too tight or the insistent grind of hips. Playful, almost. He's terribly charmed and all too happy to continue murmuring soft Antivan sweet nothings between each press.

[serannas]

Playful she could do, and yet somehow remain sweet as she nipped at his bottom lip. It was casual and carefree, yet at the same time, it meant so much to her. It wasn't something she felt like confiding in him, but she'd had her heart broken long ago, and coming from an isolated clan, everyone knew about it. Everyone thought she was fragile and would never love again, but that wasn't true. She would, someday. She just wasn't so naive now, and that meant now that she was away from the clan, she could have a little fun.

Pressing a firm kiss to his lips, she then pulled back for air, a smile spreading across her face. He'd stolen the breath right out of her.

"Having fun?" she asked teasingly, still trying to steady her breathing.

[ombranera]

He refrained from bringing out teeth until she had as well, and even then it was the barest drag, the lightest nip. Softer and sweeter he had to be with women, and that made them all the more worth relishing. Treasuring. Secret little moments stolen for their own comfort. "Mmmhmm."

He murmured, resting his forehead against hers. As though they were old, familiar lovers rather than two recent strangers. "Are you? I would hate to displease you."

[serannas]

"I'm having the best time," she assured him, letting her eyes close. Coming to Skyhold had been incredibly exciting, but she tried not to forget why she was here. She wanted to help bring peace to a world plunged into chaos, and everything was uncertain right now. Stealing moments for fun were important to her, as she hoped it was to him as well.

"Would you be all right with going no further than kissing, Zevran?" she asked, feeling it was best to let him know how much she wanted now, before things had the chance to grow too heated to want to stop.

[ombranera]

"Then I am pleased as well." Her joy, her enjoyment was what mattered most. He was happy to bring a little of both to her for however long she wanted him. It'd been some time since he had a tender lover, someone with whom he could be sweet and gently romantic. Longer still since he'd had a kissing friend. The request pulled a soft laugh from him, low and warm.

"Not at all. This goes as far or as short as you wish. The terms are yours and I follow happily."

[serannas]

"You're very easy to please!" she said, moving her hands to cup his face and press a soft kiss to his lips. "Then we're both happy. Good." And she was also happy to continue on for several minutes, until her lips were dry and she was left breathless again.

[ombranera]

"So I have been told." Ah, he leaned into her hands a little, relishing their softness and warmth. Now this was sweet affection, no strings, no expectations. He could get used to this. When they pulled away he combed his fingers through her hair, eyes glimmering. "Perhaps I should ask my payment for the lute lessons be kisses?"

[serannas]

"Oh, now you set a payment, hmm?" Ellana laughed at that. "Unless you mean for any future lessons, or future students, in which case, I can't see what harm it would do to ask for it. I will certainly pay you in kisses."

[ombranera]

"Future lessons of yours, of course. I will not charge just anyone in kisses." He took her hands in his, pressing his lips to her knuckles.

[serannas]

That made her feel special, for the moment, at least. She had no illusions about being someone's number one, especially in circumstances such as these.

"In that case, I think we should make plans for my next lesson, don't you? Barring anything important that comes up with the Inquisition, what do you say to tomorrow night? Same place and time?"

[ombranera]

"Waiting will be such torment- but I shall have to manage." Parting was such sweet sorrow, all that. Perhaps he should use the line? She did not seem to need it. "

[serannas]

"Oh, I think you'll survive somehow," Ellana said, moving to give him a peck on the cheek. "It's late. I should go bed down for the night."

[ombranera]

"I shall dream of your eyes and your lips tonight, Mia Bella." So bright and sweet, how could he not? The trouble would be making certain that was all he dreamt of. "I hope you sleep just as sweetly."

[serannas]

"Sweet talker," she murmured, hoping to dream of his lips as well. "Good night. I'll see you tomorrow." And with that, she slipped away out of the dark corner, trailing fingertips against his arm as she went.