( he leans in to kiss her again, only there's a flurry of movement on the shelves. his attention grabbed, it registers that there are two kittens staring down at him.
judgmentally, he feels. he is being judged by cats. )
Er, Elizabeth--
( he says, mouth an inch from her's but eyes on the kittens. robbie and rosie, wasn't it? )
Hmmm~? [Elizabeth smiles, eyes closed, infinitely pleased with the turn her afternoon has taken. She's over the moon, pleased as punch, happy as a June bug...]
[...why aren't they kissing?]
[The ginger kittens, one on either side of Elizabeth, sit properly on the shelf watching Ivan. One of them seems to be lashing his tail in irritation.]
[Elizabeth opens her eyes and turns to follow Ivan's line of sight.] Oh-- they've taken up residence here, apparently. I call them Robbie and Rosie, after twins I knew before I came here. [She grins and leans in again, clearly not bothered that her cats are watching her kiss a boy.]
( ivan's a bit distracted by the opportunity to kiss elizabeth, which he does, gladly, but then pauses in the middle of it.
he doesn't like cats on a good day, and especially not when he feels like they're evaluating his worth and ability to kiss properly. )
Elizabeth. ( he says, not at all plaintively as he holds her close. he has to pull away from her slightly, but his lips press against her temple in a gesture of affection -- it's not her, it's the kittens. ) I don't think they like me.
( how can he tell? he doesn't know. but he just gets that feeling. )
[Elizabeth frowns and arches her eyebrow as Ivan kisses her temple and complains about her cats. Weren't they just kissing? It had been so good, they were kittens...]
Ivan, they probably think the same of you as they do of anybody else who comes in here. [She reassures him, putting her fingertips to Ivan's jaw and stretching up to kiss him again.]
( not the point, though, and her fingers against his skin serve as enough distraction for the moment -- leaning down and kiss her with matching enthusiasm. because he's thrilled, warmth curling through his limbs at kissing elizabeth. his hand on her waist slips to the small of her back, holding her closer but lose enough that she can move away if she wanted to.
this is good. just elizabeth, kissing her to the best of his ability, and no judging cats.
ivan cracks open an eye, and frowns. yeah they're... still staring at him. maybe if they moved somewhere else? )
What? No! [Elizabeth laughs like it's the most ludicrous thing ever. Who would come in and kiss her? Who else would want to? Nobody but Ivan, really.]
[Ivan pulling her closer is very welcome-- she wouldn't want to step away from his arms for anything, right now. It's exciting, she's feeling competent and Ivan isn't wincing every time he pulls away and/or offering advice. She's doing alright.]
[That only encourages her to be a little bolder. She tilts her head, presses herself all along Ivan's chest with her arms over her shoulders... and pops her foot just a little.]
[After a moment of this, she opens her eyes again and catches Ivan looking at Robbie again.]
...he's really staring at us, isn't he? [Even Elizabeth is starting to feel a little self-conscious.]
Their loss. ( he says before getting fully distracted by kissing, hand slipping further into her hair. up to a point however, and he sighs -- pulling back only a little. )
Yeah. ( this isn't happening, except where it is. he hasn't had to deal with animals watching since his first time in his great uncle's stables-- ) We could always move somewhere else, if you want?
( but he will brave the feline judgement if he has to! )
Yeah, alright... [Elizabeth isn't particularly attached to this spot in the stacks. She takes Ivan's hand and starts leading him further back into the library. Robbie and Rosie are delightful companions during bouts of late night shelving, but she does feel a little like they're displeased with her.]
[She leads Ivan back to a room packed with strange books with a squishy chair.]
This is my favorite place in the library. It's out of the way and quiet, and perfect for a nap if I need one.
I can see why you like it. ( it feels like the sort of room a woman like elizabeth would like -- especially with how many books there are. and how odd -- he's reminded of the ones he'd helped her carry onto the ship all those months ago. ) But a nap, Elizabeth? Isn't that slacking on the job?
( he grins, clearly teasing her as he sits -- a gentle tug on her hand an indication that she should make herself comfortable on his lap. if she wanted to, of course, but it'll be easier to continue kissing her like that. )
Well if I had someone to help me, maybe I wouldn't be spending every waking hour here... [She arches an eyebrow and smirks at Ivan as she slides onto his lap. This is fun, being on his lap. It's like cuddling and kissing at the same time-- perfect.]
[Elizabeth wraps her arms around Ivan's neck and leans in to resume the activity. This might just become her Nap-and-Kissing Corner in the future...]
You need some heavy lifting? That's about all I'm good for when it comes to books.
( anything else he's going to say is cut off by kissing elizabeth -- one hand settling at her waist while the other goes right blow her shoulder. ivan is, if not the brightest person around, capable of multitasking when it comes to this sort of thing, and his fingers seek out possibly knots of tension in her shoulders and working on relaxing them.
he wants to deepen the kiss more, something decidedly unchase. but he doesn't want her to run or bolt or pressure her into anything she doesn't want to. he's fine with whatever she wants -- and kissing!! she wants -- is -- kissing him. yeah, he can live with this.
Shush. [Elizabeth says with a giggle between kisses. She'd get Ivan reading steadily before he knew it, if Elizabeth DeWitt had her way. Which she's almost certain she can where Ivan is concerned.]
[She sighs into Ivan's lips as he rubs her shoulders, melting against him.] Mm, that's wonderful. I wrecked my back carrying those books from Harashan to here...
[Elizabeth whines and kisses the corner of his mouth too.] I can't turn you into my packhorse, Ivan. You might get the idea that I'm some delicate flower.
[She smirks before kissing him full on the lips again.]
( oh, he's going to continue kissing her then, because he'd be an idiot -- okay, more of one -- to not. )
Don't think there's a chance of that.
( he says, before kissing her again. this time he attempts to deepen the kiss, although if she doesn't respond positively he'll back off. look, he's capable of some restraint for her sake. )
[Elizabeth can feel the unmistakable shift in the way Ivan's meeting her lips now. It's more pliable, longer, even the way he's breathing feels more sensual. It does make her hesitate at first...]
[But damned if it doesn't feel good. She wants more of it. Sooner rather than later. Her hands drag down his chest, fingers wide, and she hums a needy, excited noise against his lips.]
( ivan almost laughs -- out of joy and relief rather than at her, and manages to change the sound into one of encouragement. oh yes, he likes this. her lack of restraint and the noises she muffles in his mouth. ivan relaxes further, hand on her waist sliding to the small of her back, pulling her closer to him.
he forgets the massage in exchange for cupping her face, running his fingers through her hair with more intent than before. oh yes, he likes this a lot. )
[Elizabeth doesn't know much about kissing, or about how much someone should kiss someone else before it gets to be too much-- but now she definitely knows she enjoys doing it with Ivan. Something about it just gets her excited, pushes her to get a little messier and intense with it.]
[She breaks away for a moment to breathe, but then she's going right back into it, her arms wrapping around Ivan's back while he holds her close. Eventually, she has to breathe again.]
This is... different from what we started out with. [She says, her voice a giddy and conspiring whisper.] Teach me what else I can do. What do you like?
Well ( ivan says, grinning up at her even as he leans in closer to her, resting his forehead against her's ) that depends on what you want.
( his breathing is heavier now, eyes darker as he presses a quick kiss to the soft skin behind her ear, at the hinge of her jaw. light, just lips and not anything that would come close to leaving a mark. he's not above necking like a teenager but he knows better than to make it obvious. ivan sighs against her neck, slightly annoyed that the uniform collar is blocking his progress. )
[Wow, wow. Feeling his lips behind her ear and on her neck is incredible-- and part of her always knew that people didn't just kiss on the lips only, but actually experiencing it is so different.]
[She realizes that Ivan is stopping at the collar of her uniform, and does the only thing she feels is sensible and unzips.]
( genuinely curious, although there's a small bit of teasing as he nuzzles the crook of her neck affectionately. oh, he's plenty distracted by the skin revealed to him -- although part of him is kicking his brain to remember not to go completely overboard and scare her off. )
What makes you think I had access to anything detailing anything like this when I was locked in a tower by a man posing as my father, hm? [Also gentle teasing as he nuzzles her neck. Elizabeth sighs happily and threads her fingers through Ivan's hair.]
...but I may have taken a peek at the romance novels we keep in the back. [That's a little extreme for right now, but probably worth mentioning, right?]
Back home we're all left to fumbling around and figuring it out by ourselves. There was this one woman, though -- Lady Donna Vorrutyer-- ( oh, donna vorrutyer. in between husbands and at least a decade older than ivan. her lessons had been mind melting, and had eventually saved his skin on eta ceta a few years later. he never did thank her for that. but maybe talking about donna right now isn't the right thing to do at this point. ) Anyway, you were saying?
( don't get your hopes up too much, ivan vorpatril. )
[Yeah, no dice Ivan, Elizabeth catches that subject change for what it is. She frowns, feeling a little twinge of annoyance and not really understanding why. And before she can figure it out she's saying:]
( awkward. ok, ivan, see if you can explain this one. )
I was twenty, she was nearing thirty and recently divorced. She saw something in me and, er, well, nabbed me. ( later on, ivan will rephrase this as i don't know what she saw in me, but not currently. something about how it would have been a crime to let someone as handsome as ivan xav vorpatril wandering around and be mediocre at sex. pity was definitely involved. 'nabbed', however, is a constant and acceptable word choice. ) The upshot of it is that I learned a lot from her.
( she taught ivan patience by locking him out of her room and making him find the key. among other things. )
What I meant by that, though, is that books are as good a start as any. Possibly better than not having a damn clue. And all the fun parts of trial and error still hold.
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( he leans in to kiss her again, only there's a flurry of movement on the shelves. his attention grabbed, it registers that there are two kittens staring down at him.
judgmentally, he feels. he is being judged by cats. )
Er, Elizabeth--
( he says, mouth an inch from her's but eyes on the kittens. robbie and rosie, wasn't it? )
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[...why aren't they kissing?]
[The ginger kittens, one on either side of Elizabeth, sit properly on the shelf watching Ivan. One of them seems to be lashing his tail in irritation.]
[Elizabeth opens her eyes and turns to follow Ivan's line of sight.] Oh-- they've taken up residence here, apparently. I call them Robbie and Rosie, after twins I knew before I came here. [She grins and leans in again, clearly not bothered that her cats are watching her kiss a boy.]
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he doesn't like cats on a good day, and especially not when he feels like they're evaluating his worth and ability to kiss properly. )
Elizabeth. ( he says, not at all plaintively as he holds her close. he has to pull away from her slightly, but his lips press against her temple in a gesture of affection -- it's not her, it's the kittens. ) I don't think they like me.
( how can he tell? he doesn't know. but he just gets that feeling. )
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Ivan, they probably think the same of you as they do of anybody else who comes in here. [She reassures him, putting her fingertips to Ivan's jaw and stretching up to kiss him again.]
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( not the point, though, and her fingers against his skin serve as enough distraction for the moment -- leaning down and kiss her with matching enthusiasm. because he's thrilled, warmth curling through his limbs at kissing elizabeth. his hand on her waist slips to the small of her back, holding her closer but lose enough that she can move away if she wanted to.
this is good. just elizabeth, kissing her to the best of his ability, and no judging cats.
ivan cracks open an eye, and frowns. yeah they're... still staring at him. maybe if they moved somewhere else? )
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[Ivan pulling her closer is very welcome-- she wouldn't want to step away from his arms for anything, right now. It's exciting, she's feeling competent and Ivan isn't wincing every time he pulls away and/or offering advice. She's doing alright.]
[That only encourages her to be a little bolder. She tilts her head, presses herself all along Ivan's chest with her arms over her shoulders... and pops her foot just a little.]
[After a moment of this, she opens her eyes again and catches Ivan looking at Robbie again.]
...he's really staring at us, isn't he? [Even Elizabeth is starting to feel a little self-conscious.]
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Yeah. ( this isn't happening, except where it is. he hasn't had to deal with animals watching since his first time in his great uncle's stables-- ) We could always move somewhere else, if you want?
( but he will brave the feline judgement if he has to! )
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[She leads Ivan back to a room packed with strange books with a squishy chair.]
This is my favorite place in the library. It's out of the way and quiet, and perfect for a nap if I need one.
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( he grins, clearly teasing her as he sits -- a gentle tug on her hand an indication that she should make herself comfortable on his lap. if she wanted to, of course, but it'll be easier to continue kissing her like that. )
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[Elizabeth wraps her arms around Ivan's neck and leans in to resume the activity. This might just become her Nap-and-Kissing Corner in the future...]
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( anything else he's going to say is cut off by kissing elizabeth -- one hand settling at her waist while the other goes right blow her shoulder. ivan is, if not the brightest person around, capable of multitasking when it comes to this sort of thing, and his fingers seek out possibly knots of tension in her shoulders and working on relaxing them.
he wants to deepen the kiss more, something decidedly unchase. but he doesn't want her to run or bolt or pressure her into anything she doesn't want to. he's fine with whatever she wants -- and kissing!! she wants -- is -- kissing him. yeah, he can live with this.
especially now that there's no cats around. )
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[She sighs into Ivan's lips as he rubs her shoulders, melting against him.] Mm, that's wonderful. I wrecked my back carrying those books from Harashan to here...
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See? There's that need for someone to do the heavy lifting.
( he grins, pressing a kiss at the corner of her mouth. this is nice, having her melt in his arms. really, really nice. )
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[She smirks before kissing him full on the lips again.]
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Don't think there's a chance of that.
( he says, before kissing her again. this time he attempts to deepen the kiss, although if she doesn't respond positively he'll back off. look, he's capable of some restraint for her sake. )
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[Oh.]
[Elizabeth can feel the unmistakable shift in the way Ivan's meeting her lips now. It's more pliable, longer, even the way he's breathing feels more sensual. It does make her hesitate at first...]
[But damned if it doesn't feel good. She wants more of it. Sooner rather than later. Her hands drag down his chest, fingers wide, and she hums a needy, excited noise against his lips.]
[Restraint? Who said anything about restraint?]
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he forgets the massage in exchange for cupping her face, running his fingers through her hair with more intent than before. oh yes, he likes this a lot. )
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[She breaks away for a moment to breathe, but then she's going right back into it, her arms wrapping around Ivan's back while he holds her close. Eventually, she has to breathe again.]
This is... different from what we started out with. [She says, her voice a giddy and conspiring whisper.] Teach me what else I can do. What do you like?
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( his breathing is heavier now, eyes darker as he presses a quick kiss to the soft skin behind her ear, at the hinge of her jaw. light, just lips and not anything that would come close to leaving a mark. he's not above necking like a teenager but he knows better than to make it obvious. ivan sighs against her neck, slightly annoyed that the uniform collar is blocking his progress. )
I'm not picky.
( one of his virtues, if you will. )
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[She realizes that Ivan is stopping at the collar of her uniform, and does the only thing she feels is sensible and unzips.]
I'm really not picky either.
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( genuinely curious, although there's a small bit of teasing as he nuzzles the crook of her neck affectionately. oh, he's plenty distracted by the skin revealed to him -- although part of him is kicking his brain to remember not to go completely overboard and scare her off. )
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...but I may have taken a peek at the romance novels we keep in the back. [That's a little extreme for right now, but probably worth mentioning, right?]
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Back home we're all left to fumbling around and figuring it out by ourselves. There was this one woman, though -- Lady Donna Vorrutyer-- ( oh, donna vorrutyer. in between husbands and at least a decade older than ivan. her lessons had been mind melting, and had eventually saved his skin on eta ceta a few years later. he never did thank her for that. but maybe talking about donna right now isn't the right thing to do at this point. ) Anyway, you were saying?
( don't get your hopes up too much, ivan vorpatril. )
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Lady Donna Vorrutyer?
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I was twenty, she was nearing thirty and recently divorced. She saw something in me and, er, well, nabbed me. ( later on, ivan will rephrase this as i don't know what she saw in me, but not currently. something about how it would have been a crime to let someone as handsome as ivan xav vorpatril wandering around and be mediocre at sex. pity was definitely involved. 'nabbed', however, is a constant and acceptable word choice. ) The upshot of it is that I learned a lot from her.
( she taught ivan patience by locking him out of her room and making him find the key. among other things. )
What I meant by that, though, is that books are as good a start as any. Possibly better than not having a damn clue. And all the fun parts of trial and error still hold.
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