[earlier days, pt. 2]

[forewarned_is]

Kali wakes to sunlight on her closed eyelids. She stretches luxuriously without opening them, taking a moment to savor the pleasant lingering ache of last night's exertions -- both the battle, and what came almost immediately after.

That was, she has to admit, pretty unexpected. But there's some satisfaction -- all right, a lot of satisfaction -- in the knowledge that it took him even more by surprise. And a lot of amusement in watching him try to pretend that it was his own idea all along.

She rolls to her side, and opens her eyes.



At the volley of astonished swearing, a flock of small, brightly colored birds takes swift and panicked flight from the trees overhanging the little tent.

Comments

[forewarned_is]

"Aren't the humans calling it the end of the world, in Europe?" Faintly amused.

[changeinasnap]

In spite of himself, there's a touch of fondness to the snort he offers in reply. "They wouldn't know the end of the world if it bit 'em in the ass."

One foot lifts, idly, and he rotates the ankle to and fro.

[forewarned_is]

Unconcerned: "Oh, they'll know when it comes."

She drapes the end of the fabric over one shoulder, and bends to pick up something else.

[changeinasnap]

"Mmm-hm." Another crooked smirk. "I'm sure you'll make very certain of that, m'dear."

She's not really one for holding back in the midst of battle.

Or anywhere else.

[forewarned_is]

"It's my job." Simply.

The necklace she picks up next has changed some over the centuries; it's made of gold and copper now, a broad flat pendant, with a subtle skull motif worked into the design and the clasp.

Again she pushes her hair out of the way as she works to fasten the chain.

[changeinasnap]

And not yours alone, he thinks.

He lowers his foot, flexing his toes against the sandy ground. Then in a smooth continuation of the movement, he stands to let the sheet fall away, walking the few steps to meet her in the corner of the tent.

Feather-light, he sneaks his fingertips across her shoulder.

[forewarned_is]

"Don't distract me, Loki," she murmurs.

The tone doesn't quite go with the words.

[changeinasnap]

"From what?"

Perfectly innocent, as another light touch joins the first: a kiss this time, to the spot where neck and shoulder meet.

[forewarned_is]

A tiny sigh, both fond and exasperated.

"Make yourself useful," she says, holding the ends of the clasp in one hand and gathering her hair in the other; a careful twist, and she trails the heavy rope of hair across his fingers.

"Hold this."

[changeinasnap]

By contrast, his sigh is a good deal more theatrical -- if no less affectionate.

"If you insist," he says, grandly, and lifts her hair up and away from her neck, keeping a path clear for the necklace chain.

[forewarned_is]

Kali fastens the clasp quickly, once her hair's out of the way.

And shifts backward in a sinuous motion, bringing her shoulders up against his bare chest.

"Now was that so hard?" she murmurs, as one hand rises to the back of his neck in turn, fingers threading lightly through his hair.

[changeinasnap]

"Mmmm."

He's probably agreeing with her. Maybe. If the noise sounded less like a purring cat, though, that might help a little.

Letting her hair cascade back over her shoulders, he slips both arms around her waist and leans his head back against her hand, eyes drifting closed.

[forewarned_is]

Her fingertips touch his head, massaging lightly; she turns her head enough to brush her lips across the line of his jaw.

And whispers in his ear: "We're not going to stay inside all day, are we?"

[changeinasnap]

"...Gotta admit right now I'm kind of thinking about it."

Still in the same low, almost-a-purr.

[forewarned_is]

"After you went to all the trouble to bring us here?"

Her other hand rests lightly on his wrist, where it crosses her waist.

"What a shame that would be."

[changeinasnap]

He lets out a long, long breath -- a remarkably steady one, all told.

Under Kali's hand, something shifts: she no longer touches bare skin, but brightly-colored fabric, the cloth spreading and twining up his arm like a quickly growing vine. Mere seconds later, he's fully clothed and eeling his way out of her grasp.

"It really would, wouldn't it," he remarks lightly. "After you?"

[forewarned_is]

A wicked sidelong smile, and she steps past him to push open the tent flap; the sunlight glows through the red silk of her sari where it drapes from her upraised arm.

(He's chosen yellow and dark blue; she notices idly; colors that complement her own.)

"Tell me, Loki," she says thoughtfully, "can you swim?"

[changeinasnap]

"Like a fish," he says, quite cheerily. "And yourself?"

[forewarned_is]

"Like a duck," she counters, and the challenge is quite clear now.

[changeinasnap]

"First one around the island?" he suggests. The smile has comfortably settled back into its usual incorrigible smirk.

Oh, I am so gonna take this one, the smirk says.

[forewarned_is]

She steps out onto the sand, and a breeze stirs her hair.

"First one around the island after we've both seen the terrain."

[changeinasnap]

"What? Aw, come on, where's the fun in that?"

A limping kitten wouldn't look this injured.

[forewarned_is]

She laughs. "I have met you, Loki."

[changeinasnap]

"...Well, yes," he allows. "But how would that make it less fun?"

It's a challenge, Kali! A challenge!

[forewarned_is]

"Well," she says judiciously, "if you really don't think you have a chance without that little extra advantage, I suppose I could give you that much..."