theshipyard | ✨ .//. Ziva Ganajai » Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood

Giving no further indication of her true meaning, Ziva laughed and nodded at his response before summoning her own mount. As it lowered its head for her to climb up she watched Gladio study his before following suit.

He might or might not have heard a tiny snort coming from her general direction.

"Talk about what, sweetling?" She smirked, but there was no malice in her tone or expression. It said that his secret was safe with her... maybe... but that he wouldn't get out of some good natured teasing forever. It would probably be in his best interest to keep her away from alcohol for the foreseeable future.

After that she gave him a thankfully non-literal crash course on how to guide his bird in the direction he wanted, ascend, descend, bank, and land. Basics he'd need to know, and the rest was going to have to come with practice and time.

"Ready to fly?" She asked with a beaming grin.

Oh, that smirk told him everything, that he would hear about it again. The low groan told her in return that he knew it and was already suffering. The grin that followed after said it was no big deal. He could handle the ribbing he was sure to get.

Gladio paid close attention to her flying lesson, given that he had no idea how to fly this thing any more than he could make a chocobo fly (oh just said, Gladio). "Hopefully this thing is smart enough to make decisions on its own. Sure seemed intelligent when we were fighting with it." He patted the Yol's neck. "Don't want you to get hurt because of my clumsy flying."

But he took a breath and looked up to the sky (look in the direction you want the bird to go) before giving a call and a surge of himself forward as he gripped the bird's back. Suddenly, he missed a chocobo's reins. So much easier.

The Yol started running forward before crouching and leaping up into the air with a powerful downbeat of its wings, then another, heading for the open sky. Gladio let out a whoop of excitement as the land started to fall away beneath him, at the feeling of the surging muscles under him. Hells, this was his kind of mount!

He was off to a good start. Ziva had her Yol follow suit at a slight distance aside and behind, until the pair went airborne and Gladio's cheer told her that he was going to adapt just fine. Laughing, she leaned forward as well to signal her Yol to take off after his, and soon they were in pursuit, flying with the sort of daring that came with practice and time. Circling the two in a slow, wide, lazy spiral she savored the sensation of the air rushing over her ears, which she rocked back flat atop her head. The fur along the sensitive body parts quivered with every gust, sending a pleasant tingle down through her scalp as they peaked and leveled out a few wingspans away from Gladio once more.

"Looks like you're a natural!" She called over jovially, winking. "Let's see how well you keep up, now!"

Nothing wild, at least not yet, she wasn't looking to get him killed, but he was right about the birds being intelligent enough to know their limitations, and to an extent their riders' as well, thanks to their test. The blonde directed her Yol towards the spot where they would make a temporary camp and angled him down into a mild dive.

Well, mild-ish. At that speed it would only take a matter of minutes to reach the river bank and cave, and after working up a dusty sweat in Bardam's Mettle the wind would feel amazing, she knew.

Maybe Ziva could think back to the first magical moments she was able to take to the air on Haurchefant's beautifully raised black chocobo, how it had felt a thousand times more than standing on the deck of an airship. Gladio was getting his chance now and it was so visible on his face in eyes squinted against the wind and his mouth open in a laugh. It was unbeliavably exhilerating, every part of him totally alive as the wind rushed past.

At her 'challenge', he laughed again and urged his Yol to follow. Maybe not quite ready to do the barrel rolls she was doing, he did have to say that the rush of the dive was making his heart pound. He could see the river shining in the distance and he knew it would feel fantastic to dive right in there, get clean after the test at the Mettle.

When they finally land, Gladio grateful his bird knew how to do just that because he really had no idea and he nearly pitched off the damn bird in the process, but he clung and there. He was down. Whew. "THAT is a fantastic ride!" He called over, all but high on that flight.

(ooc: omg... the months of September and October can go right ahead and eff themselves. Hi, I return. layfacedownonfloor.gif)

In a small way Ziva still felt that first rush every time she took flight in a new area for the first time. Truly, nothing would compare to that first time rising over the clouds bound for Falcon's Nest, but each new land offered up its own unique sensation, something she hoped Gladio would get to experience to some extent before they managed to return him home. Judging by his response alone she could tell there was nothing like it back in his world. If he gained nothing else for the world-hopping ordeal she hoped new memories would be a positive takeaway at least.

His excitement was more than a little contagious, to the point that Ziva was sorry for how quick the descent back down was. Still, familiarly breathless and with the rush of exhilaration still coursing through her, it should serve as no surprise that she was in high spirits despite their recent trial.

Even now her voice carried a laughing trill to it as she called back in answer, swinging her leg over so that she could dismount from her own bird to land on solid ground again.

"A fair trade for the trial, ey?"

The answer, at least in her opinion, was a resounding yes. She gave her Yol a few affectionate strokes on the neck, then turned her attention back to Gladio, stretching as she approached.

"Not bad for your first flight." She smirked, arms going up over her head, satisfied by the pull along the length of her spine loosening up tense muscles. "Once things settle down again maybe there'll be time for a flight around the Steppe- part of it anyway. You really haven't seen the place until you've seen it from a birds eye view. For now, though..."

[ooc: XD *hugs* It's okay. Where you involved in Shirogane EX?]

"That was most certainly worth the trial. Besides," with a grin, "I didn't mind the trial at all. Was a damn fine trial." He loved the whole thing, though the massive stone giant and the mammoth certainly had been something. It had gotten his heart rate up, excited. It had been things he'd never seen before in his life.

But right now? There was something far, far more interesting catching his eye.

Gladio looked Ziva over calmly, then the corner of his mouth lifted. He slowly moved forward as she stretched, eyeing her appreciatively. Given their discussion earlier, and a quick glance around to make sure there was no one but their Yol, he slid an arm around her and pulled her close, up against the broadness of his chest, and smiled down to her. Their height difference was measurable and he appreciated it.

Then, slow, giving her a chance very much to pull away or turn her head, he leaned in to give her a kiss.

(ooc: I was, on Louisoux. Oh God... it was so freaking nerve wracking. My hands were shaking so badly I literally had to double down my grip on the controller. Were you?)

The glimmer of amusement in her eyes should serve as a fine tell of her thoughts on the matter, his approval of the trial, his intent stare, and the moment he started closing the distance between them. She was just coming out of her stretch when he took the last couple of steps, and after giving him a moment to be sure they were alone she reached out. With his arm going around her waist her arms slipped around his neck, giving her another point of contact and support as he drew her up into his arms.

He really did cut a solid figure, and she was very aware of it from her new position chest to chest with him. She had no intention of even THINKING about pulling away, and this time there'd be no unwitting interruptions from her stalwart companions, either.

No, instead Ziva met him halfway, leaning in to press her mouth to his. Finally.

One of her hands came up a little and her fingers tangled in a bit of his hair, fingertips teasing at the back of his neck.

[ooc: Sadly, I couldn't even get past the launcher. :( Didn't get any home, never mind the one I dreamed of. A lot of broken heart that day. I'm deeply curious what's going to happen with Yoshi P's official statement about the problem (which I've never seen him personally admit anything's up so MAYBE?) because damn it, I want a house. My goal is to start an RP LS on Hyperion and turn a medium house into a base for adventurers. A bathhouse/tea room in the basement, a bar/retainer/sitting area on the ground floor, and a library/trophy room upstairs. /HAS DREAMS

So did you actually get a place?? I hope you passed Shirogane EX. XD]

He liked a woman that could meet him halfway in all things, and the quiet sound of appreciation that leaked out of the depths of his throat showed it. His hair was like a secret weapon if one learned it, something he always enjoyed the feeling of fingers tangled in. His thumbs rubbed slowly against the strong muscles of her back, feeling, testing. Was it fur? Was it skin?

There was a decided lick of thrill when he could feel the outlines of fangs under her lips as he kissed her; he wanted to feel one under his tongue, so he dared to touch his tongue to her lips, a silent request of permission. Really, anything that happened out here, or hell anywhere, was going to be at her speed. He was in her world, and while he had no idea of the truth of just what she was to this world, that mattered less than the fact he didn't know the culture, the society... hells, really, he didn't know her speed fully, not yet. Knew enough to guess this kiss wouldn't get turned away, or maybe him bringing his hands under her arse and pulling her up.

Her armor was an unusual but not unwelcomed feeling against his bare chest, but hey who as he to complain about the feeling of leather?

The better acquainted they became without words, the more the two of them seemed to be meshing. Ziva usually prided herself a bit on being able to get along with most people and having a good sense for them, but even she was surprised by how immediately and thoroughly they seemed to be hitting each of one another's buttons. Not that long ago she'd wondered if or when she'd ever really be able to fully move on, or if she'd simply been irrevocably changed by her losses at last. This, whatever this was, wasn't really any sort of proof against the latter but it did give her reason to reconsider the former. It spoke volumes, after all, that she could enjoy his exploratory touches without an onze of guilt.

With his fingertips brushing along the skin (though should his fingers dip low enough to find the base of her tail he'd find the area rimmed by a thickening layer of fur) Ziva let loose a purring sound in response, as if to answer his sound with her own. She'd just given him the entry he sought, parting her lips teasingly and teasing at the tip of his tongue with her own when two firm hands suddenly cupped her behind and the miqo'te felt her center of gravity shift. With a breathless and delighted chuff of laughter Ziva adjusted her grip and arms, still keeping one in his hair, but using the new leverage to lean in for a slightly better angle of the kiss.

At some point she murmured against his lips, breaking only enough to do so-

"At this rate we may very well not be back until well after sunset, sweetling... Not that you'll hear me complaining about it."

Not when the scent of leather and his own natural musk was so enticingly close, or his hands so sure, or his body so rock solid against hers. She wondered if she shifted a little, how much of an effect was she having on him just yet? Or how long would it take?

[ooc: Absolutely nothing against you, it's just a topic I'm super salty about, damn it SE, and talking just sort of makes me angrier about it. SE needs to earn some forgiveness from me on the subject. >.<]

His fingers will indeed dip low enough to discover that fur and his nails shift, grazing through that fur like he might have a palace cat, but his attention there only lasted a moment or two when there was so much more, far more interesting was happening. Like the light sound of her laughter, the way he could feel the curve of her fangs as their lips pressed together, the roll of her voice as it was very clear what she was offering to him.

It was all too easy to feel just what kind of affection her actions and her words were having on Gladio because the implied offer made him groan quietly, his hips giving a roll of their own. Already he was growing thick beneath the black leather, pressing up against her given their current positions. For all that she was non-human, he was finding he didn't really care. She was beautiful, feisty, quick-witted, and had skill to match his own, and that was more than enough to attract him. His nose found the edge of her jaw and then his mouth followed, briefly tasting along it before returning to her lips.

"I'd gladly spend the time with you," he murmured, that romantic in him slipping out. "...You tell me what you want, and I'll provide. You tell me to stop, I'll stop." Letting her know that she held the reins in this. He would stop, go back to the camp washed up and nothing else could happen... or this could progress along where it seemed to be going thanks to their hormones.

Gladio's initial reward for his exploratory touch was a shiver so slight it might have been easily missed if it didn't run the entire length of her tail and spine. A moment or two was more than enough to rouse her excitement that much more.

Her eyes slipped closed then, a purr rumbling up from within her chest, only interrupted by a gasp as he rolled his hips against hers and she became very aware of the erection currently shielded only by a layer or two of clothing. It was a tease, not nearly enough friction or pressure to be satisfying, just a hint of what was potentially to come. There was no way in hell she would call it quits after that.

"Don't you dare stop. I wouldn't dream of asking you to. Right now all I want is you, out of all these layers of clothes..."

It was murmured back in answer before another kiss, a slow burning one.

The morning came for the both of them with a pleasant warmth of the dawn, laying easily together hidden in the grass on a blanket. Gladio had an arm around Ziva, holding her partly on his chest. She was likely going to be sore; he had some crimson scratches that he wasn't about to explain. He stretched out, slow and easy, before remembering where he was. Oh, yes. One very excellent night.

He shifted his weight to nose at one of those ears. "Morning." In a sleep-thick voice. A good night followed by a morning of battle. He could get behind this place quickly, if he wasn't so worried about the others. For right now though, until they could do something more?

This would definitely do.

From beside and atop of Gladio's rousing form came the first signs that Ziva was waking as well. She shifted in his arms, not enough to disrupt his hold but more than enough to indicate her coming around. His body was solid and warm beneath and beside hers, and she might've been content to lay there dozing in and out of sleep had they not things to eventually see to, had Gladio not had other ideas.

She was indeed sore, but it was the pleasant sort of soreness that she enjoyed after a long night with an eager and willing partner. She'd never been one to shy away from the rougher aspects of sex, gladly embracing it instead, enjoying the idea of being able to get so swept away by their own passions. Clearly that feeling had been mutual, and as Gladio's face brushed into her hair and she felt his nose nudging at the base and back of one of her ears she recalled the red scores she'd left in a few places along his person. Even now, hearing his voice was enough to stir her up again, just a little.

"Mmm... and a damned good one, at that."

Ziva murmured back in answer, eyes still closed, ear flicking at his attention, maybe tickling a little unintentionally even as she turned her head a bit and nipped playfully at his skin. Her arms shifted, the one that had been draped up and over him then laying across his waist lazily. When she moved she could still feel bare skin, but also the softer material beneath them. Judging by the lack of sun overhead she'd guess it wasn't terribly late in the morning yet. It was still casting a shadow by the side of the cliffs they'd made "camp" by, the sounds of the river nearby explaining the sense of peace hanging around.

"Too bad it's here so soon, though... sure as hell wouldn't mind a repeat." She grinned, finally cracking an eye open to peer up at him.

Damn, she was his kind of woman. Gladio laughed quietly at her desire for a repeat and peering down at her in kind. "Reading my thoughts, then?" Already mentally reaching back to think how early she said this nadaam would be happening and if they maybe had a chance at another round, but already knew that it was an early affair from what was spoken about. Damn.

Instead, he touched his nose to her cheek, letting his voice growl, "later." A promise. "After we win." Even more of a promise.

There was, dangling in his thoughts, the brief feeling of guilt. Here he was getting laid and excited about the prospect of a good fight when his friends, undoubtedly, were worried about him. Not that he had any other kind of lead to go on, but still. Dampener on his lusty thoughts.

He unwillingly shifted back from her enough to begin a half-stretch, flexing even his toes. Hopefully their gear wasn't soaked through with morning dew or the mist off the river, but even if it was, it had been hot enough yesterday with plenty of sun that they would dry off soon enough. "There's another kind of bout I bet we have time for, though." Some morning exercise, a little spar maybe, to warm up their muscles and blood and be prepared for this nadaam to come.

"Hmph..."

Came her reply, a smirk curling her lips. While Gladio contemplated the particulars and viability of a morning romp, Ziva was beginning to mentally prepare herself. Much as it disappointed to think they'd have to put further fun on hold they both knew that they'd be expected back. Indeed, they should have returned the night before, but more likely than not either Hien or Lyse had read the signs, or maybe even Cirina, and they hadn't been disturbed. They'd receive no shortage of questions or looks when they finally returned to the Mol- depending on whether or not people had put two and two together on their own or not.

Besides, there was another sort of pleasure waiting for them in battle. She may not specifically take joy in harming others, but the thrill of the fight was another matter entirely, one she didn't mind indulging in since she had to fight anyway. In some ways it wasn't very different from the thrill of a good hunt.

Gladio's voice interrupted her thoughts then, the brush of his nose against her cheek sending a slight vibration against her skin when he growled out his response at last. He might or might not take notice of her ears quivering in response, the fur bristling just so as they shifted with attention. She couldn't have stopped the slow smile even if she'd wanted to.

Once she felt him begin extracting himself from around her body she followed suit with equal reluctance to part, sitting up and bringing a hand up to run through her hair, shaking bits of grass loose as she did. His proposal prompted a glance towards the horizon. The colors of sunrise were just beginning to paint the sky, really, the twinkling of the stars growing faint in the coming of the sun. They only needed to be sure to meet with the group before actual dawn, so... it seemed doable.

"Ah, my second favorite kind. You're on, sweetling."

She winked, then shifted again to find their clothes and prepare, both for the day and their spar. Even with the nadaam looming closer and closer, Ziva couldn't help taking her time here and there, maybe purposely putting on a show of dressing. It was in her nature to tease, after all.

When at last she drew her shirt down over her head and moved on to pulling on her gloves, she glanced over her shoulder back at him.

"Weapons, or hand to hand?"

A woman after his own heart, saying things like that. Gladio grinned as he finished getting himself dressed with the open shirt that he preferred, showing off the glorious eagle's head spread over his pecs. When he was done, he started to crack his neck, rotating his shoulders, when she managed to catch him by surprise with her question. It had been a damn long time since he'd gone hand-to-hand with anyone, never mind a woman. Not that he thought any less of them - he knew plenty of Glaives who had been able to kick his ass up and down the training room (there came a pang of guilt-anger-sadness, realizing they very well all might be dead) - but most women didn't choose hand-to-hand.

Now she had his curiosity.

"If you're up to it, I'd go hand-to-hand." Safer, minus the bruising, but he was interested in finding out more about her - namely, dexterity and strength in that feline body. With that decided, he started stretching out properly, letting muscles work smooth against joints and bones.

"Don't think we need a winner for this one. Go for the pin?" As a way to 'reset', sort of, but mostly because most wrestling matches went for that sort of thing. Better than going for what hand-to-hand was truly going for in a fight, being a KO or a kill.

She'd grown up among huntresses and then later among pirates, and one didn't spend much time in the company of either group without learning how to tussle. She'd later had the opportunity to hone those skills by training under the pugilist guild, a stepping stone on her path to mastering the way of the shinobi blades. Once in a while it was good to touch back on those roots, to ensure she didn't get too rusty.

Once they'd settled on the bare handed style she abandoned her gloves and abandoned her jacket as well, tossing all three articles to the ground in favor of keeping her movements more loose and relaxed. It left her arms and shoulders bare, as well as an expanse of skin on her back, but she didn't mind that. The early morning, pre-dawn air felt good against her skin as she began moving into her own series of stretches while watching Gladio keenly. It wasn't JUST for the pleasure of watching skin glide over hard muscle, but to get an idea of just how limber he was. The night before had been a fair indicator, and she'd seen him with a sword even earlier than that, but a wrestling match was another matter.

Even if it DID invoke vivid flashes of their "bout", big hands pinning her down against the grass, bodies hovering close-

Focus, Ziva, focus.

Smirking, she nodded, bouncing lightly from foot to foot.

"Best two of three?"

Gladio was a man of strength. He had been taught from the ground up to be able to smash through any defense that stood between his king and a threat, to bring down the enemy, as well as to be able to be the shield his king would need against any attack. Dexterity, he had some, but there was certainly a sacrifice of it to be able have the strength he needed. So, here, as a shinobi? There was an advantage to her if she could take it. All she needed to do was keep Gladio from getting a lock on her because if he did, she would have a hard time breaking it.

"Works for me." Well now, if she was going to just strip down... he tossed his shirt off to the side, letting it all be slick muscle wrapped in black feathers, and smirked. This, he was going to enjoy. (Maybe just a brief pang of guilt about enjoying anything while his friends were still home, but-)

"On three. One, two, three."

✨ .//. Ziva Ganajai » Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood

Shall we say the "Aether currents" is a game only mechanic? Even if a cleverly integrated one.

Otherwise we're going to have to do that every single time they change zones! XD

And oh what a pain THAT would be! ... I still need to gather all mine for my healer. :D;;;

>.< Yes

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\o/ Here I am again! Thank you for backtagging! Shaking off some rust to get back in the swing.

<3

\o/! <3

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sorry this is kind of late. life got crazy this week. @_@

Hey, no worries! You've waited so patiently for me! And the tags are worth the wait IMO.

<3~