#startouching

[arcanaaa]

WHILE SHE COULD SAY WITH CERTAINTY THAT ATTAINED A LEVEL OF SKILL IN TRACKING PEOPLE, LOCATING A RUNAWAY HEIRESS CERTAINLY TESTED CANA'S SKILLS. That the young heiress gave Cana the slip not even an hour after their introduction was impressive and painted quite a picture for the knight that this assignment would not go as smoothly as her brethren led her to believe.

❝ What's hard about guarding a spoiled princess? Relax Alberona-- you'll do fine! ❞

Hah. Sure--easy for them to say.

If her old squad could see her now, they would have collapsed from laughter-- or from the beating she would deal upon them for their disrespectful mockery. They wouldn't understand why she took this assignment so seriously to begin with, and Cana never explained her reasons for why she took the job so quickly. From the moment Jude Heartfilia enlisted the Captain to help select his daughter's new bodyguard, Cana modeled herself as the picture-perfect knight who embodied all the qualities a man like Jude would be looking for. He didn't need to know about her background, nor did he seem to care about her past, which was just Cana's luck:

If Jude had learned that Cana was once Lucy Heartfilia's old friend from her childhood, the likelihood of her keeping the assignment would have been neigh impossible. After all, a nobleman of Jude's standing would never allow a street rat to become close to his only daughter, much less be her friend. What would the court say after all? It just wouldn't do. But ignorance was indeed bliss, and neither Lord Heartfilia, nor his daughter suspected anything damning about Cana's upbringing. The only thing that mattered was her abilities and the determination to perform her assigned duties: of which they were now currently playing an elaborate game of hide and seek.

IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE KNIGHT CAUGHT UP TO THE HEIRESS QUICKLY. Though certainly not for a lack of trying on Lucy's part, Cana always had an uncanny sense of finding people-- and with Lucy, Cana was especially attuned to her presence. The moment she spotted her Lady's blonde hair, Cana pounced-- pulling her from her hiding spot, she turned her and pressed her against the wall, pinning her with just her body weight alone. She ensured to treat Lucy gently, as was deserving of her stature; however, whatever grace Lucy would expect from Cana would be in short supply, along with her patience.

❝ @startouching-- if this was a serious attempt to run away, then I apologize for ruining your plan, but I can't allow you to remain unguarded. However, if this was your attempt to play 'hide and seek', I would like to ask that you don't. ❞

Despite her stern words, the Knights' expression grew soft.

❝ ...at least give me some warning if you're going to play these games. ❞

[tiervain]

❝And here I thought Angel’s were a myth--- but I seem to be looking at one right now.❞

[heartstime]

startouching smashed that like button!

❝You can’t hesitate--- not even for a second.❞

[arcanaaa]

❝LUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCYYYYYYYYY~!❞

@startouching​

[arcanaaa]

" Love you, too... "

x

SILENCE WAS A VOID THAT THE SEER FEARED WOULD THREATEN TO SWALLOW HER WHOLE. She wasn’t sure what would kill her first: a broken heart, or the resulting despair of the awaiting rejection that surely would come from the Summoner. It was a tense moment to be sure; to wait for an answer that would break or mend her was its own special hell that Cana was certain was a befitting punishment. For a moment, she feared that she would die from the anxiety rippling through her. If this was payback for all her lackadaisical teasing, then the lush would fall to her knees to beg her forgiveness. Just as long as she could still be by her side, even as friends– hell, even as her guildmate, Cana would do anything to take back her ill-chosen words–

Because…I love you too–

–her heart fell into a standstill.

She must have misheard. Blood pulsing in her veins, rushing toward her head roared loudly in her ears, drowning out the key holder’s response. The lush could only stand, mouth agape, eyes widened with surprise, because for many nights, she had dreamed this moment many times and many times, she would wake with her heart in her throat and tears unshed from her yearning. The proof that dispelled all of her fear, her doubt and anxiety of a love unrequited was receiving Lucy’s earnest and gentle kiss.

It was everything Cana wanted and more.

NO DREAM WOULD EVER COMPARE TO THE CAREFUL WAY THE SUMMONER CRADLED HER FACE, NOR THE DELIVERANCE OF THE SWEETEST KISS THAT SMILED FROM HERBLUSH-PINK LIPS. For many instances Cana had tricked, cheated, cajoled and stolen kisses from Lucy in a manner that was harmless, with no ill-intent meant. Yet she felt deceitful and disgraceful for every single one that was stolen. A sickening thought, fleeting, brief, passed in her mind that maybe Lucy didn’t really enjoy her kiss ( her company, her companionship, her presence, her, her, her– ) yet the thought was gone before it could burrow and take root in her mind.

There were no more doubts in her mind. Not with this. Not with how she felt about the key holder.

It would be the first time that Lucy’s kiss stole her breath and robbed her of coherent thought. But it would most certainly not be the last. Lucy’s sweet demeanor beckoned the card mage to respond in kind; a manner in that which Cana did not indulge in often, but nevertheless took great pleasure from the sedate pace. She could freely touch the woman who held her and who she held in return without restriction, caressing the softest spots of her flesh without question or fear of rejection. It was bliss to unleash the unfettered yearning in her heart and declare that her love was pure. Despite her demeanor: crude, loud, abrasive, hard and blunted edges that long since lost their softness– Cana felt loved.

Lucy loved her.

❝ I would never fucking joke about that, ❞ Was the Seer’s response, after they parted for breath, their faces close and embrace tight, as if they were afraid to let one another go. ❝ You need me to say it again? Alright. I love you. I love you so much that I’m pretty sure that the guild has bets on whether you or I would confess first. ❞ The thought was probable enough that it earned a giggle from the card mage, her expression tender and yet she delivered a chastising flick to the key holder’s forehead. ❝ Dummy, ❞she chided gently. ❝ You’re more than enough for me. Y'think there’s another woman alive that can handle you? Hah– no way. ❞

Chuckling, the lush carefully bumped her head against Lucy, their faces close that she could see the gold flecks spattered in the iris of her eyes. Perhaps she could see the deep blue depths and find comfort sinking in her adoration for the Summoner. She hoped so.

( God did she hope. )

❝ I love you, ❞ she repeated. ❝ Till the world ends, or until one of us croaks… I’ll always love you, Lucy. ❞

[arcanaaa]

There was a spring in her step, and arms cheerfully wrapped around the neck of the lush as lips connected to the others cheek to give various amounts of kisses to the soft skin.

CANA WAS NOT PREPARED NOR BRACED FOR THE INFLUX OF AFFECTION SHOWERED AGAINST HER CHEEKS. If the Seer was better prepared for it, the retaliation would have been coy, and most certainly turn such a sweet act down a salacious that. The resulting cry of protest and embarrassment would have no doubt been an amusing display, but that was not what Cana was seeking.

Instead the lush merely allowed the Summoner to sprinkle her kisses upon her, offering no resistance and became a marionette for Lucy to manipulate for her pleasure. And Cana was fine with this– she enjoyed kisses, hell, she often had to needle them from Lucy whenever she felt playful whenever something else occupied her time! But with Lucy’s scent surrounding her space and her ardor growing wilder by the second, the card mage could only maintain her composure for so long before she gave into temptation.

So when the next approached to land near the corner of her lips, Cana was compelled to act.

A QUICK TURN OF HER CHEEK CONNECTED THEIR LIPS IN A GLOSSIMER MATCH OF SWEET APPLE NECTAR AND SMOKEY HONEY BOURBON. No mead or wine, no whiskey or brandy could compare to the ambrosia taste of Lucy’s mouth. Whatever sounds the blonde made ( the jolt, followed by a shocked high-pitched squeak, before the surrender and accepting moan ) were effectively and sequentially swallowed by Cana. No guilt plagued the lush while indulging in Lucy’s kiss, yet there were no protests were extended when her tongue slipped inside her mouth.

The little noises the Summoner made set Cana’s veins ablaze with lust, enthralling her to pull Lucy closer and encircle her arm around her waist. When Cana felt her desires were sated enough ( or rather the need for air superseded all other needs ), the Seer retreated. Slowly. 

Slow enough that the skin of their lips meshed together, a harmonious union that only the need to breathe would require its separation.

❝Y’all right there Luce?❞ Cana intoned quietly, a hint of a smile coloring her express. ❝Sorry…couldn’t help m’self…you’re just so damn cute that I had to return the favor. Don’t worry–❞

❝–you’ll have plenty of chances to even the score, mm~?❞

[arcanaaa]

@startouching​ asked: “C-Cana !!” Hints of anger reached her voice, expression furrowed but cheeks covered in red like roses. She took her wrist, not caring for whatever middle occasion she was doing, taking her aside from prying eyes. A huff, a frustration like no other. “Why?? Why would you do that?? In front of everyone?? I haven’t been able to show my face I’m so embarrassed !!” She felt defeated, emotional, “there are rumors now, and people stare — what were you thinking—” a pout was given. And cheeks still rosy.  

❝ Why not? ❞

IT WAS MEANT TO BE ANSWERED AS A QUESTION, YET SHE COULDN’T HELP FEELING SUCH SADISTIC PLEASURE IN SEEING THE OTHER SO DISTRESSED. Perhaps it was cruel of her to have abruptly left her at the cathedral after their kiss and it was within Lucy’s right to extract retribution for the deed. There was guilt of course-- no doubt the spectators that saw what had transpired between them had reported the scandal to their respective teachers. Just thinking of the impassionate ‘lecture’ she had to hear from Seteth alone caused her to frown. It hardly mattered to Cana that others had seen them kiss. What was wrong with two women kissing? What harm did it cause in the act of sharing such gentle affection? There was much that Cana failed to understand in most of the teachings of Seiros, but what utterly infuriated and baffled her to no end was the inherent shame that seemed to seep within the subject or lack-there-of. Ridiculous. She should have known, given their cultural differences that those that vyed for the Goddess’s favor would harken to her gospel. And yet for all her teachings of love and acceptance, where was it written that such soft expressions of affection were deemed blasphemous? 

WHAT WAS MORE SACRED OR MORE JOYOUS THAN SUCH A FRIENDLY GREETING? Admittedly the archer knew had overstepped herself.; Cana should have taken Lucy’s feelings into consideration, as well as their surroundings perhaps. That had not been what she was thinking about at the time of course: the excitement of seeing the shock touch Lucy’s face, the blood rushed to her cheeks into a rosy blush. Like the blossom in full bloom, Lucy was the most beautiful while in full color. It had been worth the rumors and sly glances that were tossed her way. Lucy’s absence had spared her from the worst of the shitstorm she had caused-- and that was best, considering much of the flack had come down upon her head. That was well and good, but if the mage truly felt uncomfortable with the kiss given to her...her insides twisted at the thought alone. 

❝ I mean, does it really matter that people saw us Lucy? You Fodlan’s are a strange bunch huh. ❞ Her hand settled firmly against her jut hip, pose languid and carefree. ❝ ’m not tryin’ to be rude, but kissin’ you is hardly the worst thing I could have done. You should feel honored, ❞ she said with all of the casualness of a woman that bore no consequence to her action and smiled with pearled arrogance, wide and dangerous. ❝ I could have done far worse. ❞ Yet as quick as her tease came, her smile slowly fell at the distress that emanated the mage. ❝ Still, ‘m sorry you’re gettin’ shit for my actions. The rumors will go away eventually... ❞ Maybe. ❝ Hey c’mon... ❞ A touch to her cheek, Cana’s palm cupped her face tenderly, nervousness suddenly making her bring her closer to the blonde. A line she knew that had been crossed did not settle well with Cana, the need to set things right spurring her to action. A stray thought of their friendship being put in jeopardy because of her actions made her blood run cold--- and so she held fast to her with both hands as her expression grew serious. She would do anything to make things right with her, as long as she could continue to be Lucy’s friend. ❝ Was the kiss really so bad? ❞ A frown. ❝ If you didn’t like it, I’ll apologize--- it was meant to be a greeting of sorts, nothing more, but if it made you uncomfortable... ❞ A frustrated noise--- she was such a fool and words seemed to fail her when she needed them most. ❝ Forgive me, (my friend.) ❞ Almyran flowed easily with her regret, almost without her permission, yet the sentiment of her tone was true regardless of the language she spoke. This time, she took care to lean in slowly towards Lucy, keeping her grip loose in case the other wished to stop her. When there was no sign of interruption, the Almyran woman laid her lips firmly across the other’s, gentle in contrast to the abrupt kiss that was given just days prior. It as over before it began, just a brief contact spared. Cana could only hope this kiss--- and perhaps the ones in the future she would give--- would act as a balm to soothe the blonde’s ire at her.

[arcanaaa]

@startouching

The moon was not even in its zenith position and already Cana struggled to control her wolf. In the aftermath of her hunt, the fresh kill at her feet and blood covering her muzzle, she was panting from the exertion of her fight and the fight to bring her humanity back. Her four-legged form was cloaked in darkness but her eyes would have glowed as brightly as the moon herself. From bloodlust and rage, oh yes, but Cana herself felt triumphed at her kill. It meant the woman at the other side was safe and for once, the woman and wolf were in agreement. This kill was Justice, though the sweet taste of blood on her tongue left Cana feeling slightly ill.

What mattered was assessing that the other was alright-- and that meant she had to change. It was easier for Cana because of her gifts left by her mother, but it did not make the change less painful. Yet she made an effort to hide in the shadows until Cana knelt on the ground, panting and shaking before she closed her eyes to gather her magic to clothe her form. She almost didn’t want to bother-- nakedness never bothered her under normal circumstances. But the other she saved didn’t need to be traumatized further by what her wolf had done-- what she had done.

So with slow, careful steps, Cana approached the other, until her form was bathed in moonlight-- and absent of the blood of her kill-- standing just a few feet from the other. When she spoke, it was rough sounding from the stress of the Change and worry, but her voice carried softly in the silence between them.

❝...are you alright?❞