Journey to the North (In Game)

[Kalnath]

Sir Alec leaned back against the barn strut with his arms folded as a lengthy silence seemed to descend on the room. All this talk of washing, and yet he wasn't surprised at all that they were suddenly reticent at the lack of privacy. Maybe they needed more of a push to get it over with.

"...If none of you steps up to volunteer, I'm pouring the bucket over one of the horses - and it doesn't matter to me which one."

 

[Autobass]

Hearing that statement Orestina fixed Sir Alec with a look that practically screamed 'don't you dare!'. "Why don't you volunteer yourself then, since you're so keen it be over and done with" she snarked with a hand on her hip.

 

[Kalnath]

The knight felt a small flicker of prideful satisfaction at Orestina’s outraged expression. There was just something amusing about seeing the girl set off like that.

(...Was "girl" the right word? Alec wasn't sure how old the half-elf was, exactly, but at his age he knew better than to ask.)

“If I felt like taking a wash, I’d just step back outside for a minute.” He sniped back, “I kind of assumed the whole point of putting a roof over our heads was to avoid getting soaked.”

 

[starelementpoke]

"I'll take it I'll take it. Figured I'd offer considering I might end up using most of it."

Taking the bucket Z'ar will slip back behind the haybales, sighing as he took a seat on a stool. It had been nothing but hard traveling for the past few days and while he was far from tired it felt good to get the weight off his feet. Stripping down he dipped a wrung out towel into the hot water and hissed as he brought it to his well built thigh, the heat sending waves of pleasure up his leg. It felt good to wash the grime off; the muddy rivulets of water trailing down to his feet and floor below. His top half was luckily free of the muck and dirt; letting streams of water trickle down his statuesque arms and torso just to warm up from the rain. All that was left was the crotch. Gingerly cupping his jewels he mused at just how... awkward the situation was. On the streets he was used to not having much privacy though this was something else entirely. At least there wasn't anyone looking to stab him in the back while he cleaned he thought, hand rubbing from base to tip as the water trickled onto his knee. He wish he had some soap to get proper clean but given everything it was best not to dally. Just a few minutes later he wiped down and slipped back into his robes, still damp but significantly more comfortable and clean before stepping back around with bucket in hand.

"Tried to not to use too much. Who's next?"

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Paul clears his throat at that, looking between you all.

''Would you mind if we took a wash too? Naturally after you're all finished I mean. Its been ages since we've had a proper scrub and while we've all gotten pretty used to the stench, it'd be nice not to smell like a privy for a change.

''Yeah, even if the water is ice cold by then we wouldn't mind!''

''Ain't that the truth? Anything to get rid of this dirt and grime!''

All three nod at that and patiently await your answer to their request.

 

[starelementpoke]

Z'ar will raise his brow in surprise at the bandits request. He had assumed that given their... occupation the dirt, grime, and smell that came with the territory would be something they would be all too comfortable with. Still slipping back into his robes he'll shrug before glancing back at the others.

"I don't see any reason to object. If nothing else it would make the rest of the trip with them more pleasant."

 

[Kalnath]

"Only if they behave themselves," said Sir Alec, talking past the captives again. "If I catch any of those three peeping, then they'll sleep outside tonight."

It wasn't a serious threat - even Alec wouldn't force someone into a thunderstorm needlessly - but they were starting to get a little too comfortable with the party. He had to draw the line again.

Besides, how were they expecting to wash with their hands tied?

 

[OmegaUmbra]

Sighing in relief that Z'ar took the first bold step among them, the Dark Elf stood quietly, biding her time while he bathed. Humming a short tune.

She might have been tempted to take a peek or two if not surrounded, with a darkening tint to her cheeks. Surely he wouldn't blame a shut-in mage for being curious! She was shy regarding her own body, but who said she was regarding someone else's-

Seeing her draconic companion return, Odrosa began the process of keeping the water warm again. Her brow rising at the bandit's query. Sir Alec has a good point, though she suspected they wouldn't act up knowing damn well what happened before. But another thought found itself wedged in her head, much more pervasive.

That more than likely she'd be the one peeping if she could get away with it.

Improper and invasive as the thought was, Odrosa had never seen another person bare before. Innocent curiosity in the pursuit of knowledge wasn't the same as being some lecher ... right?

Shaking her head of her imaginings, Odrosa didn't see why not. Considering one of them would be tied to her for the duration of their journey.

"Oh, I knew these would come in use!"

The Drow pulled various goods from her knapsack until a few, in particular, caught her gleaming gaze. Holding up her requested bars of soap with a victorious little grin. She knew it was practical!

 

[Autobass]

Finding a relatively comfortable spot to sit while Z'ar bathed, Orestina took the time to drape her cloak over a nearby crate before leaning back against it herself. Opening her mouth to reply to the bandit's request, she simply paused and quirked an eyebrow at Alec's indirect warning to the men.

Her attention turned to Odrosa at the sound of rummaging, watching with a small degree of amusement as the dark elf held the bars aloft like a personal trophy. "So is it safe to guess you're volunteering to go next or do you have other plans for that soap?" she called over casually to the party's mage.

 

[starelementpoke]

Glancing over Z'ar will look at the soap, disappointed at the fact that he didn't know about it before he washed himself down. Noticing Odrosa's expression however he'll chuckle as he nudges her good naturedly.

"Orestina's right, you might've missed out but you can always make your own if your disappointed."

 

[Kalnath]

Ah, yes. The soap. Alec still couldn't believe she had bothered with it, but if it gave the dark elf some small sense of satisfaction, then he wasn't going to belittle her for it. Not this time, anyway.

He glanced between Odrosa and Orestina. Noting the former's triumphant smile and the latter's amused inquiry, he interjected:

"If you two are about to go back and forth with the old 'no, you go first' nonsense, then I'm going to suggest you wash simultaneously."

Nothing, absolutely nothing in Sir Alec's tone, stance, or expression suggested that he had anything other than expedience on his mind, as he sat back with his arms folded. He spoke it with the pragmatic indifference of an officer, either not realizing or not caring how the elves might feel about bathing together.

 

[OmegaUmbra]

Suddenly, with all eyes on her, the 7-foot elf nearly shrank in her seat. Nervously playing with her hands. Why was she so nervous? There were mightier things out there to be anxious about, yet making firm decisions was what ailed the elf for the moment. Swallowing hard, she sucked in a breath, swallowing down her reservations.

Until she choked at Sir Alec's suggestion.

He was dead serious as King Maxim himself. Not a hint of humor on his marred face. Odrosa blinked incredulously before her face burned at the concept.

She was curious, but never considered the possibility actually presenting itself. Biting at her thumb mulling it over. Odrosa wasn't against the idea of seeing the half-elf undressed, not one bit, maybe even a little too excited at the prospect of seeing the cute ranger's entirety despite her face trying to remain neutral.

Giving a sharp cough, she took another inhale of air. Trying to remain placid and polite with a flush dark as obsidian.

"I wouldn't mind...A-As long as Miss Orestina would be welcoming to the idea. We would wash up faster t-together. Though I don't mind going about it alone now."

It wouldn't hurt her feelings if the woman said no. But Odrosa was dying to hear the opposite answer, as much as her eagerness alluded the mannerly part of her psyche.

 

[Autobass]

Orestina blinked in surprise as her mind processed Sir Alec's suggestion before her face practically erupted into an incandescent blush. "W-wha- Y-you...!" she spluttered out in her flustered state, looking like she couldn't decide whether to launch herself at the knight in retaliation or curl into herself and pretend she was literally anywhere else but the barn.

Ultimately settling on bringing her knees to her chest and burying her face in the crevice between the two, though it did little to hide the redness that had crept up to the tips of her ears. Her eyes darted to Odrosa several times in embarrassment, worried she would somehow take offense at the idea before noticing the mage's equally flustered reactions.

Hearing her traveling companion's response to the suggestion, she took a handful of quick breaths before responding, both to calm herself and try to quell some of the rampant heat still lingering in her cheeks. "I..." she began to uncertainly murmur her reply, slowly uncurling as she spoke, before with a sharp inhalation giving her response proper.

"I suppose we might as well, no point sitting around dripping wet if we don't have to" she said as she got to her feet, the feigned indifference in her tone immediately undermined by the still radiant blush on her cheeks.

 

[Kalnath]

Somehow Alec managed to keep a straight face. That brief moment of mutual shock and embarrassment had been worth it - especially seeing Orestina rendered utterly speechless.

Ye gods, he thought. Was I like that the first time I was told to disrobe in front of other men? My mentors must have been laughing their arses off.

At least they were both amenable to the idea, despite the reddening of their faces. He'd make an efficient company of them yet.

"All right, all right, no need to rationalize it any more than we already have," Alec said, waving a hand dismissively. "While you two do that, the rest of us will unpack the bedrolls and dole out the provisions."

"Isn't that right, gentlemen?" he added, somewhat accusingly, while turning his head to fix a monocular glare towards Z'ar's entourage.

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

The three bandits seemed mesmerised by the conversation, their imaginations clearly running wild at the notion of Odrosa and Orestina bathing together. To their credit, they don't leer or act disrespectful, but by the looks on their faces you can easily tell what they were thinking. Sir Alecs sharp question breaks them out of their reverie, a sheepish look passing over each of them.

''Right, lets get to it!''

''Sounds good to me, I'm starving!''

''Why am I not surprised?''

The three immediately begin to assist Z'ar and Sir Alec, obviously doing their best to distract themselves from temptation, as well as avoid drawing the ire of the dour and serious knight.

 

[starelementpoke]

With a belly laugh Z'ar will move to join the others in prepping the food, clapping Odrosa and Orestina on the should as he stepping by.

"Another time for a show then."

He'll chortle good naturedly, joining the others. Z'ar begins to clean up an area to lay out the bedrolls, using his tail to sweep an area clean while making sure to impose between the bandits and the elves to make sure they didn't given into any temptation.

 

[OmegaUmbra]

The Ranger's blush didn't evade Odrosa's vision, as she shared one of a different hue. Situating herself toward the back and out of sight, she placed the bucket down and made room for Orestina to sit beside her. Deciding not to waste more time overthinking as she always did, the Drow unceremoniously popped off the top of her corset, sick of the grime that found itself stuck to her skin. The flimsy bits of fabric falling so easily most would wonder how they managed to stick on in the first place.

Her pendulous breasts swayed hypnotically with a shiny glint, Odrosa's inverted nipples pierced with gold and bits of amber jewels. Something uncommon, except to her own people. Ritualistic markings, piercings, and carving all par for the course for Dark Elven kind and culturally significant. Closer to the visage of their gods, it was said. Even a city elf like herself couldn't deny the importance. From the markings on her forehead to the notches in her ears. Unique to every Drow you might have the fortune or, misfortune of seeing.

Dropping her skirt and kicking her legs out, the only thing that remained was the semi-sheer fabric of the mage's undergarments, too shy to disrobe entirely, closing her eyes as she undressed, ears flickering with a dark, flustered tint.

Sitting down dipping part of the towel into the warm water, Odrosa lathered it with the floral soap. Sitting back and sighing, relaxed by the sensation of something hot after being out in the freezing cold, letting it cascade down her body. Opening a single eye, she closed it once more, too nervous to meet Orestina's gaze. Seeing fit to just pat the area beside her and beckon the elf near, outstretching her palm with one of the bars to share.