you magnificent fuck up (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
apostatised) wrote2008-07-08 02:21 am
apostatised) wrote2008-07-08 02:21 am
Entry tags:
[log] got so many reasons for not being with someone
[23:45] * Candice is sitting on the floor again, with her gun laid out next to her, jacket folded beside that.
[23:48] * Martel comes in from what will soon be his 'usual' doorway, now that he...has a home and all. He's dressed down (Elene-style, and fuck you, hose are /manly/), hair undone and evidently in a relatively good mood. "Hello."
[23:50] * Candice pulls herself up from the floor. "Hey, you." She appears to be uninjured since their last conversation! That's good, at least :D?
[23:51] * Martel is certainly pleased by it! ...and actively noticing it, yes, because he's worse than an actual mother hen. "You look well." :]?
[23:51] Candice: "So do you. How's the castle clean-up going?"
[23:52] Martel: "Progressing. The last of the men just left for the day." It's pretty late, but the days tend to end with evening drinks by a couple of the ridiculously sized fireplaces.
[23:55] Candice: "I keep being tempted to go invade and watch the progress," she grins, "But I'd hate to disrupt."
[23:58] * Martel laughs, sitting down. "It's not that interesting," he says, mildly. Which is not true at all, because put Martel and a bunch of Arum dudes in a building and it is pretty much amazing.
[00:00] Candice: "I don't believe you." She perches on the arm of the sofa/chair/whatever he's sitting on closest to him.
[00:00] Martel: "No?"
[00:02] Candice: "Nope." She bumps him lightly with her shoulder. "Besides, if it's boring, doesn't that give me incentive to liven things up?"
[00:03] Martel: "Not too lively," he laughs, low. "I've yet to explain the nexus." Hilariously, given the givens, it might not go over so crazy.
[00:05] Candice: "Point taken. Maybe it's best if I stay away 'til you do?"
[00:07] Martel: "Mmn. That's not entirely necessary." ...'cause he has no idea yet how he's going to manage it, and would like to at least get most of the work he needs them for done first.
[00:08] Candice: "Good, 'cause I don't want to." >_> :D?
[00:09] Martel: "How lucky we agree." >:3
[00:13] * Candice smirks at him for a second, and then changes subjects. Sort of. "So I get my sword in about a week. Are you going to run me through the basics?" Is she kidding? Does it matter?
[00:14] Martel: "If you like." He leans back in his seat, shifting to get comfortable. "My bruises should be all healed in preparation by then." :]
[00:16] Candice: "Bruises, you say." She raises her eyebrows at him.
[00:16] Martel: "Nothing of note."
[00:18] Candice: "Okay, out of curiosity: if I showed up with bruises, would you want to know what happened?" She leans over to sort of poke at him experimentally. Whar, what, explain.
[00:19] Martel: "/Ow/," he says, when she actually finds one on his side. "Koleika and I are discussing the possibility of my contributing to his men's training. We tested each other."
[00:20] Candice: "Oh, I'm sorry!" She puts her hand flat against where it seems like the bruise was located, frowning. "Oh, I /see/. I'll have to be gentle with you, then."
[00:21] Martel: "Thoughtful of you. A little less of the prodding, for starters, would be appreciated." He lays one hand over hers, briefly. "It was interesting, though."
[00:23] * Candice is considering shifting onto his lap, but she's not quite--forward enough, something, even though she's /done/ that before, weird woman. "Oh? How so?"
[00:24] * Martel thinks she should. Although he'll probably...you know, move her there himself sooner or later. It's like a race! "Differing styles. He was interested in some of my own -- innovations." He grins, briefly.
[00:25] Candice: "Oh really." She is also interested in these innovations, Martel. ...no, that's not innuendo. Mostly.
[00:25] Martel: "A broadsword moments away from slashing open a man's face tends to get his attention."
[00:28] Candice: "...that's something of a universal law, yeah. And awfully straightforward of you!"
[00:28] Martel: "It's effective."
[00:30] Candice: "I'll say. Will I get to learn that one?" She rests her elbow on the back of the sofa, basically ...framing him on the couch now.
[00:31] Martel: "We'll see." He's got a few ideas, actually, for what he will go teaching Candice, but right now they're quite vague.
[00:33] Candice: "I'll bet." She hopes, anyway! He'll find she's quite a diligent student. "Do you want a drink? I'm--not, right now, still hepped up from working earlier, but."
[00:34] Martel: "Mn--yes, just water, though. I've got to shift a bit of furniture when I go back." His bedroom: things are IN IT, they are not...where they should be. Except the bed, which as noted is /huge/, and required a couple other dudes to assist.
[00:35] * Candice goes to get water, then! "See, that's the real reason I don't keep a place, /that/ is too much of a hassle for me."
[00:35] * Martel watches her go. "It'll be less of a hassle once everything is sorted out." And in the meantime it keeps him occupied, and thus out of trouble. >_>
[00:37] Candice: "I'm sure. It seems like it's all happening pretty fast." When she returns with the water, FYI, she perches in his lap. "Am I allowed to be here, or are you bruised on the legs, too?" >_>
[00:38] Martel: "You're just fine where you are." Mmm water. "Some of it, yes." He's rushing through things in places, mostly to get his feet under him before he slows down. The logic there is kind of weird, but it works for him.
[00:40] * Candice gets herself comfortable, then! Unlike CERTAIN OTHER PEOPLE who like laps there is nothing intentional about this. "How many rooms are you furnishing to start?"
[00:45] Martel: "Several bedrooms--minimally, to be fair--the kitchens. A reception room. A few others." The work rooms need a little more attention before he puts furniture in them, for...reasons.
[00:46] Candice: "Not the dungeons?" Now she's teasing him, remembering what Enfys said the other day.
[00:47] * Martel laaaughs.
[00:49] Candice: "I hear they're an important part of every castle." From...where, Disney?
[00:53] Martel: "A useful part, on occasion."
[00:53] * Candice grimaces a bit. "Hopefully not any time soon."
[00:54] Martel: "I haven't got any plans for it."
[00:55] Candice: "On that note..." She taps at the side of his neck with her fingertips, lightly, as if in thought. "Do you mind where I sleep tonight?" What kind of question is that, woman.
[00:55] Martel: "I have my preferences," he says, which would be perfectly innocent if it weren't coming from MARTEL, ftlog.
[00:56] Candice: "Oh?" She leans back slightly to look at him, smiling just a little.
[00:56] Martel: "Mmm. Did you have plans?"
[00:57] Candice: "Well. At this point in time, it's a liittle impractical for me to stay sleeping where I was--for a lot of reasons, and...I do have my preferences as well. If that's all right with you."
[00:58] Martel: "Quite all right."
[00:59] Candice: "Good." She kisses his cheek. "I should probably get bedclothes, in that case."
[01:00] * Martel may or may not have just had a split second 'do /I/ have night clothes?' moment. Shh. "Probably, yes."
[01:01] Candice: "...first I have to figure out what constitutes--anyway." HAHA yes, just carry on. She does notice that little pause, FYI!
[01:02] * Martel doesn't know what pause you're talking about >_> ... Yes anyway. He's kind of laughing.
[01:03] Candice: "/What/?" She gives him a challenging sort of look.
[01:04] Martel: "Absolutely nothing."
[01:05] Candice: "I don't believe /that/ at all, it's never /nothing/." Not with him. "Don't make me get threatening, now."
[01:06] Martel: "/Threatening/?"
[01:06] Candice: "I have terrible weapons at my disposal," she says, solemnly.
[01:07] Martel: "Really now."
[01:09] Candice: "Incredibly loud rap music, assorted strange future devices..." She will tick these off on her fingers, in fact.
[01:13] Martel: "I bow to your superior knowledge of torment," he says, holding her hands together between his to prevent further ticking.
[01:13] Candice: "Oh, that's not the worst of it," she says, seriously.
[01:14] Martel: "I'll have to manage somehow. The moment's passed, I couldn't possibly elaborate."
[01:15] Candice: "Somehow," she agrees, "But as punishment--" ...biting his neck is not punishment in any universe, except ones where Candice is a vampire and we aren't ever going to talk about those, wtf Nexus. Hi, Martel.
[01:15] * Martel ... disputes Candice's definition of punishment, judging by...his existence.
[01:16] * Candice is strangely not discouraged.
[01:20] * Martel is pretty sure he's okay with that.
[01:22] * Candice rests her chin on his shoulder. "How did you like the Vale? Durnik?"
[01:24] Martel: "Well enough." Sticking to the back and forth on what Martel was actually there for probably helped. The likelihood of them getting along otherwise was slim.
[01:26] Candice: "Enfys liked it there, I think..." She trails off, frowning at something.
[01:26] * Martel tilts his head sideways. "What?"
[01:28] Candice: "She stopped wearing her wedding ring. I didn't want to ask, we had a weird...conversation about it the other day." She shrugs. "It wasn't my business; I think I pushed too hard, especially since it's something I know nothing about."
[01:29] * Martel nods, slowly. "Ah." ...well, he's kind of out of his depth there too.
[02:57] * Candice shrugs, again. "Sorry, I have this weird tendency to fuss over people." Even if they aren't there.
[02:58] Martel: "A trait I'm wholly unfamiliar with." He presses his lips to her shoulder for a moment, still. "She didn't seem disturbed." ...you know, more than 'Enfys is crazy and it's disturbing', but then, Martel'd never met her before.
[03:01] Candice: "Oh, yes, I've noticed." She smiles at him. "She's good at covering, but you're right. I don't know; I hope whatever she decided, it was right for her."
[03:02] Martel: "I'm sure if it wasn't you'll find out soon enough." Martel would offer a few guesses on her choice, based on 'lack of a wedding band', but it's not really his business.
[03:33] Candice: "Mmhmm." She stops discussing Enfys now and presses her face back into his neck. What, it's comfortable.
[03:35] * Martel rearranges slightly to accomodate this, arms around her and hands folded together.
[03:37] Candice: "I'm really looking forward to sleeping in a bed. Just so you know." ...move your face, C.
[03:41] Martel: "Unless you can sleep through wood on stone, you'll probably have to wait until I've rearranged furniture."
[03:42] * Candice squirms in place. "I'll be patient. Somehow."
[03:43] Martel: "I'm sure you'll manage."
[03:44] Candice: "Hey, if all else fails, I can steal your bed, can't I?" ...now she's teasing again. Sort of.
[03:44] Martel: "I still have to shift furniture /there/, too." >:3!
[03:46] Candice: "I notice that wasn't a 'no.'" It is entirely possible that unless she intends to actually go for that, she should stop teasing. It is also entirely possible she has no idea what she's going to do.
[03:50] Martel: "It was not. I don't know that I have anything to wear to bed, though, and I'd hate to make you blush again." One of these things is not true.
[03:51] Candice: "I don't /blush/," she returns, indignant, even though she is actually doing /just that/ this very second. "And I don't have anything, either, so..."
[03:52] Martel: "Yes, you do." LIKE NOW, he doesn't say in case she actually hits him. "By all means tell me what you'd prefer."
[03:54] Candice: "I'm thirty-five years old, I have outgrown blushing." She is well-aware it doesn't actually work that way, she's just being contrary now. "Caballero, you can't guess?"
[04:05] Martel: "I'm interested to see how you define 'slow'."
[04:07] Candice: "So am I, frankly." ...that's SO REASSURING but at least it's probably not news to him that she has nfi what she's doing. "We could just sleep, I suppose." 'Cause they're so awesome at ~*boundaries*~, right.
[04:09] * Martel 's wry look probably says exactly how likely he thinks that is. "We could."
[04:10] Candice: "What! You couldn't keep your hands to yourself?" She feigns total innocence, as if she never does anything to provoke that.
[04:12] Martel: "I wasn't a saint even when I was of holy orders," he notes, almost laughing.
[04:14] Candice: "Thank God for that, I suppose. Several of them. --on that note I still haven't switched my orisha over, anyway."
[04:14] * Martel raises his eyebrow. "Hm?"
[04:17] Candice: "I was--technically consecrated goods. Or my body was." She's nooot explaining the most of that, but she figures that explanation will make sense, if seem extremely weird. "But even my self-control only goes for so long, so..." She ducks her head. It's weird to talk about these things so frankly with anyone, because she is not Carrie Bradshaw.
[04:25] * Martel ... is not going to ask, after a moment's thought. The explanation is good enough as far as it goes and it's not really necessary to dig. "Ah, I see."
[04:26] * Candice is kind of concerned it's incredibly awkward to go 'so I'm basically changing my religious practice so we can...whatever this relationship type thing is'. Which is what she just said, anyway. "It was time for a change, anyway."
[04:40] * Martel would, if certain things had occurred to him, figure it puts them about even for him having introduced her to his mom prior to Anything Even Happening. However, he still hasn't quite got what everyone else grasped before he did, there. "I can imagine." Sup Candice, Martel has more or less no problem just kind of...standing up and taking you with him. "I really do need to get things sorted out sometime before sun up. Is there anything you need first?" :D?
[04:40] Martel: up. Is there anything you need first?" :D?
[04:41] Candice: "Mm, let me think..." Apparently kissing, before you go, Martel.
[04:41] * Martel is okay with that, although there's momentary surprise and he has to adjust his grip.
[04:42] * Candice is laughing, just a little, when she pulls away. "I think I did warn you at some point that I learn fast. Didn't I?" :D?
[04:43] Martel: "It may have been mentioned." At the last minute he did not say 'come up'. Just fyi.
[04:44] * Candice just sort of casually nips his jawline and then takes a step back. "I'll stop distracting you now."
[04:44] Martel: "I doubt that very much."
[04:45] * Candice saunters toward the exit, choosing not to comment on that. Or maybe the saunter is a response, really!
[05:03] * Martel 's door leads them directly into the reception room he mentioned earlier; there's some furniture, fires dying down, and evidence...of a bunch of dudes drinking, basically.
[05:04] * Candice observes this evidence with a smile she does not even bother to suppress. "You've been very busy, I can tell." She means that! But also lol, booze.
[05:05] * Martel rolls his eyes unrepentantly, and nudges her towards the door. "Extremely." It'll get tidied up before he goes to bed. 'Cause he's like that.
[05:07] * Candice goes! She's still a little like 'oh my Lord /castle/,' 'cause you don't get over that so easily; additionally, she's looking over the furniture curiously.
[05:12] * Martel leads her towards the potentially familiar hallways where he's shown her before. This area, at least, is much cleaner and more organized, given personal interest in his living space not being totally wrecked. The furniture's well made, wooden, very simple--and Petrana was right. There are rugs.
[05:12] * Candice ...pauses, and almost laughs, at the rugs. "Stone floors are probably annoying in the morning. Right?"
[05:13] Martel: "Too col--" he gets halfway and stops, looking at her. "/What/ did you discuss with Petra?"
[05:14] * Candice just looks back at him, really fighting not to laugh now. >_> She's innocent! Really!
[05:17] * Martel rolls his eyes again, opening the door to his own suite. Also furnished! And rug'd. And none of it in place except the totally absurd bed, which is made.
[05:18] Candice: "Priorities," she murmurs, touching the bedspread.
[05:19] * Martel smiles blandly and doesn't answer that, though he could. He closes the door, instead, and takes another look at where his chalk marks still are.
[05:21] * Candice also notes where the chalk marks are! "Can I help?"
[05:23] Martel: "--yes," he says, after a moment of considering it. There's a wardrobe, a large chest, a desk and chair, and an empty bookshelf; not much, really. Knowing Martel he'll pick things up as he goes.
[05:32] * Candice will help lift or shove whatever, then! She's wee but tough :D? Stronger than she looks, actually, though not by a whole lot.
[05:38] * Martel shoves things around; there are things in the wardrobe and the chest, the former necessitating a little more care, but he doesn't really have enough in the way of possessions to make it that much trouble.
[05:42] Candice: Once that's done, she sits on the edge of the bed, fussing with her hair. At some point she apparently lost her shoes! ...what, being barefoot is more fun. "I'd offer to do a blessing, but I don't know that it'd do much good here."
[05:44] Martel: "It might draw attention of local..." He makes a vague gesture. "I'm not quite sure I want to do that yet." He knows enough to be preeeetty sure he'll be fine (or he wouldn't be here), but it's not a bad idea to get settled before he starts drawing attention to himself.
[05:45] Candice: "Of course. It's--habit, I suppose, for people I care about, but I don't know that it'd even /work/ in another world."
[05:46] Martel: "Something to look into." He's cheerful enough--also, getting into that chest.
[05:47] * Candice leans over to try to peer at what he's doing without actually getting up.
[05:47] * Martel has it set at the end of the bed, so not too difficult if she sits a little higher to see over the lid. The chest presently contains the items of more sentimental value that he had Maria pick up.
[05:48] Candice: "Did she end up carrying all of that on her own?" Candice is remembering Maria-from-high-school and trying to visualize her carrying anything heavier than a spike heel.
[05:49] Martel: "No, no. Kalten ended up on Maria detail, and she hired a young man to carry things into Stigmata."
[05:50] Candice: "Ah. Tried and true method of moving: enlisting someone young and bored. If mercenaries aren't available, of course."
[05:50] Martel: "The concepts aren't mutually exclusive."
[05:53] Candice: "No, of course not, I was just--flashing back to college." Hahhaha yeah I'll bet.
[05:53] Martel: "Do I want to ask about that?" Potentially no.
[05:54] Candice: "Nineteen year old girls who didn't want to move their own suitcases at a college directly adjacent to a men's school." She feels this is sufficient explanation.
[05:54] * Martel ... laaaaughs.
[05:56] Candice: "It was /extremely manipulative/," she says, ruefully, "I'm a little ashamed of myself at that age."
[05:56] Martel: "I'm not telling you anything about myself at that age, in that case," he says, examining a clasp.
[05:58] Candice: "My personal standards are pretty separate from the ones I have for other people. What's that, there?"
[05:58] * Martel uncurls his hand to show her. "Cloak clasp. A prize, of sorts."
[06:00] Candice: "Oh? From what?" She touches the clasp, because we're tactile around here today, and then drops her hands to her sides.
[06:00] Martel: "Thrashing a good half of my fellow novices in a spar." ...:D
[06:02] * Candice grins at him. "Well-deserved, then."
[06:03] Martel: "My unhealthy arrogance isn't entirely unfounded."
[06:05] Candice: "You're /much/ too logical for that, I think."
[06:05] Martel: "I /am/ an Elene." Having found what he was looking for (and it wasn't the clasp), he closes the chest.
[06:07] Candice: "I'd noticed." Not that she has much concept of what being Elene means, beyond him.
[06:08] Martel: "One day I'll have to tell you more about it beyond our tendency to plod along behind logic."
[06:10] Candice: "You really should. If not right now, what are we doing instead?"
[06:10] Martel: "I'm considering lighting something other than the fire. It's very dim." He says this incredibly seriously.
[06:11] * Candice shoves at his (non-sensitive! She never forgets that) shoulder a bit. "Uh-huh."
[06:12] Martel: "Or I could tell you about being Elene," he amends, laughing.
[06:14] Candice: "You ought to, or I'll keep pushing, and we can't have that." Because she's scary, you see.
[06:15] Martel: "Ah, very true." He comes around to sit on the bed, considering.
[06:17] * Candice watches him.
[06:18] * Martel sits forward, hands clasped together. "I'm not sure where to start," he admits. "It's not something that often needed to be explained."
[06:19] Candice: "Summarizing an entire culture is pretty difficult," she agrees, "I'm not sure if I'd be able to just /explain/ being Cuban, or black, or even American."
[06:27] Martel: "Hm. No, well. Cultural atmosphere tends to be something you need to--experience to properly see, doesn't it? Whether you'll end up understanding or not." Often not.
[06:29] Candice: "Immersion is supposedly the most important thing, yeah." She is half-tempted to curl up on this here bed, because...that's what beds are for, but doesn't, because it seems weird.
[06:30] * Martel smiles, slightly. "Yes. We love Sephrenia, but none of us understand her. Perhaps Vanion." The plural was a little too easy to slip into there.
[06:34] * Candice notices, but will not bring it up. "Cultures where you're from seem much more separate than in the States. Everything blends together there, a little bit."
[06:34] Martel: "Even among the Elene countries they are," he nods, considering it.
[06:45] Candice: "It makes sense--it seems more like the older countries on my world. The United States is sort of a melting pot. But it's very unfamiliar to me."
[06:47] Martel: "We like our prejudices," he says, wryly. "There's--" wait, /no/, he checks himself and goes in a different direction, "--so many. Even trolls have them." ...trolls.
[06:48] Candice: "Trolls," she repeats, as well, wide-eyed.
[06:48] Martel: "In the Thalesian mountains. They hate ogres."
[06:49] Candice: "Of course they do. /Trolls/." She laughs a little bit. "All sorts of things there."
[06:51] Martel: "Oh, yes."
[06:54] Candice: "Demons?" She's mildly curious about this, and...maybe shouldn't be asking, but she hasn't read his canon, okay.
[06:55] Martel: "I'm sure everywhere has demons." It's not /cold/, but a little withdrawn.
[06:58] * Candice ...hesitates, and changes the subject. "Ghosts, I'm certain. They're another universal constant I can't get rid of."
[06:58] Martel: "Mm. I don't think ours are quite the same as yours, but they exist."
[07:09] Candice: "At least with me around you can be damn sure none are going to come knocking here, right?" Well...they might try, but she will take care of it. B|
[07:11] Martel: "And I do appreciate it." He leans over to kiss her -- actually brief for once.
[07:11] Candice: "Gotta earn my keep, don't I?" She smiles a little, glad he's not quite as withdrawn as he was a moment ago.
[07:12] Martel: "Mm. Of course."
[07:16] * Candice is looking him over, thoughtfully, as if assessing something. Specifically around the shoulders!
[07:16] * Martel raises his eyebrows at her. What.
[07:17] Candice: "I'm not saying it'll ever happen, but...should you ever need to do some undercover work in a more modern world like mine, you should have something. Just in case." O RLY, C.
[07:18] Martel: "...'something'?" Martel has not actually seen any modern male-intended clothes that haven't made him go '............no' yet, because why would he have seen anyone in a suit.
[07:19] Candice: "You'd look good in a suit," she says, innocently, because this particular suggestion has nothing at all to do with her own interest in seeing him in a suit. Ahem.
[07:25] * Martel eyes her. "We'll see." He'll agree faster once he knows more specifically what she means, probably.
[07:26] Candice: "It's pretty simple--black trousers, white shirt, tie, jacket." She puts her hands on his shoulders like she's mentally calculating what all he'll need.
[07:28] * Martel tolerates this, unconvinced. "For 'undercover work'." He has a feeling this has jack to do with potential work opportunities.
[07:29] Candice: "Humor me! It's not as if I ever get dressed up, I have to inflict it on someone." This is wonderful logic.
[07:31] Martel: "Very well," he agrees, PURELY to humor her. ...for now, we know what his vanity is like.
[07:32] Candice: "Thank you," she beams, leaning forward to kiss him again, "You're extremely tolerant of me."
[07:32] * Martel pulls her into his lap. "I am. It's good of me."
[07:33] Candice: "Terribly. Clearly I should do something to reward you." Like put her arms around him? Yes? Well, that's covered. She pretends not to remember they're /on his bed/.
[07:35] Martel: "Mmm." He kisses her jaw. "I'm sure you'll think of something suitable."
[07:38] * Candice tilts her head to give him better access. "There is the little matter of whether they're /appropriately/ suitable things, of course..."
[07:40] * Martel follows the line of her neck down. "That's a very, very little matter." FYI.
[07:43] * Candice makes a tiny noise, closing her eyes, and mutters something to herself in Spanish. Also FYI: she doesn't default to Spanish, so she clearly did that entirely on purpose. "I'll keep that in mind."
[07:46] Martel: "You /do/ learn fast." He bites kind of hard.
[07:49] * Candice gasps and presses against him. Now her eyes are open! And wide! And she's a little limp, post-biting. "...that--um." Martel, what have you done to this woman.
[07:49] Martel: "Mmmm?" he rumbles that out against her collarbone, helpfully.
[07:50] * Candice abruptly slides her hand through his hair and kisses him really hard. Um. WELL THEN, clearly he should bite her more often if that's what it elicits.
[07:51] * Martel is bearing that in mind for the future, you have no idea. Meanwhile he's rolling them over to respond enthusiastically! The usefulness of huge beds.
[07:53] Candice: ...ohhh dear. She knows, in the back of her mind, she should be paying more attention to where they are, but kissing him is so much more interesting! And she can integrate biting his lower lip a little! And...Candice, keep your leg away from his wais--or not. She has a lot of /instinct/, underneath the repression, apparently.
[07:57] * Martel ... has not entirely forgotten where they are, judging by abruptly leaning his forehead against her shoulder. This pause would probably help better if he...idk, moved his hands. ...no, Martel, moved them /away/.
[07:58] * Candice actually looks puzzled, a little unsure. "You don't have to stop. Unless I--well." Ahaha one wonders what exactly she thinks she could've done /wrong/ during that, it seemed to go pretty well! But self-doubt is one of her main flaws on her character sheet, alas.
[07:59] * Martel thinks it went GREAT.
[08:01] Martel: "I'm pausing. Momentarily." Kinda. Again with the be less handsy if you're stopping. "As I'd prefer if we are going to stop, we do so now." ...see, it's not that he thinks he won't be able to later, just that it'd suck more.
[08:04] * Candice touches his face, thoughtful. She has to come to a decision here, you see! "Most women aren't this difficult, I realize."
[08:07] * Martel props himself up on his hands over her. "Yes, they are," he informs her, helpfully. "Every woman is /uniquely/ maddening."
[08:07] * Candice laaaughs a little, nudging him with her legs, which...does not help the situation at all, woman. "You know what I mean."
[08:09] Martel: "And I disagree with you," he says, peaceably.
[08:10] * Candice looks at him for a second, and then arches up underneath him in an attempt at tugging him back down. "I said you don't have to stop." ...WELL THEN.
[08:11] * Martel couldn't have moved faster if he actually used magic.
[08:12] * Candice actually laughs again, in the middle of kissing him. What, she appreciates enthusiasm!
[08:14] * Martel wakes up eeeearly in the morning, which is to say it's still dark when he's rolling over going 'mmffheh' and cursing consciousness.
[08:18] * Candice stiiirs after a moment, sensing someone else is awake--she is not where she expected to be. And then she remembers! The fact that she probably has her fair share of /bite marks/ after the evening's, uh, festivities, that helps. She stretches, without thinking much of it.
[08:19] * Martel ... recalls there's someone else in his bed, and then why. And then he kind of goes BD for a second.
[08:21] * Candice is kind of having a moment of '...did I actually. Well. Then.' She opens her eyes and sort of arranges the bedcover around herself, because apparently /now/ she's concerned about flashing him. I don't even know.
[08:25] * Martel apparently has...fewer concerns there, because aside from swearing quietly at the cold stone between rugs when he slides out of bed he only appears to feel he needs the robe he's grabbing from the wardrobe after deciding to relight the fire. "Morning."
[08:27] Candice: "Morning," she murmurs, rolling onto her stomach. From this position she doesn't mind if most of her back (and therefore her tattoo there) is exposed! "Sort of. It's still dark out." Usually she gets up at the crack of dawn, anyway, but still.
[08:27] Martel: "For a while yet," he agrees, crouched down on one knee at the fireplace.
[08:28] Candice: "I am not getting out of this bed for a while yet, then," she informs him.
[08:28] Martel: "As soon as I have this lit, I'm going right back to it."
[08:29] * Martel would normally just be going right ahead and starting his day, but /Candice/ is in aforementioned bed, he's totally fine with not getting up at ass o'clock for once.
[08:30] Candice: "Good," she says, emphatically, smiling down at the pillow she's half-resting on. Giant beds are for sprawling in!
[08:33] * Martel is as good as his word, dropping the robe on the chest at the end of the bed and curling back under the covers when the fire is sufficient.
[08:35] * Candice curls closer to him, then! "It's so quiet here." This is apparently a good thing.
[08:36] Martel: "I prefer it." Although to be fair he's used to a baseline of quieter than modern cities, even so.
[08:37] * Candice rolls onto her back, glancing over at him. "Me too, so far."
[08:40] * Martel is watching the firelight, but he looks over when he notices. "Yes?"
[08:41] Candice: "It definitely beats Mississippi," she says, lightly.
[08:45] Martel: "I'll have to take your word for that."
[08:46] Candice: "You will." She rolls close enough to rest her chin on his shoulder. "What've you got planned for the rest of the day, more moving furniture around?"
[08:47] * Martel snakes an arm around her. "A lot of heavy lifting and cleaning. The occasional foray into use of tools."
[08:48] Candice: "Exciting stuff." She tilts her head back. "Am I gonna need to use make-up on these?" PROBABLY.
[08:49] * Martel traces a fingertip down the marks in question. "Surely not." >:3
[08:50] Candice: "You have absolutely no bias in that whatsoever, of course. Proud of your handiwork?" ... this is not to say she didn't return the favor a little.
[08:50] Martel: "Exceptionally."
[08:52] Candice: "Uh-huh." She leans forward to kiss just under his jaw, then withdraws slightly again.
[09:00] * Martel leans back against his pillows, moderately smug.
[09:02] * Candice rolls her eyes, and sneaks forward and bites his shoulder. So...there, apparently.
[09:04] Martel: "What was that for?" Please.
[09:04] Candice: "Oh, don't even try it." She tucks herself neatly against his side, and gets comfortable.
[23:48] * Martel comes in from what will soon be his 'usual' doorway, now that he...has a home and all. He's dressed down (Elene-style, and fuck you, hose are /manly/), hair undone and evidently in a relatively good mood. "Hello."
[23:50] * Candice pulls herself up from the floor. "Hey, you." She appears to be uninjured since their last conversation! That's good, at least :D?
[23:51] * Martel is certainly pleased by it! ...and actively noticing it, yes, because he's worse than an actual mother hen. "You look well." :]?
[23:51] Candice: "So do you. How's the castle clean-up going?"
[23:52] Martel: "Progressing. The last of the men just left for the day." It's pretty late, but the days tend to end with evening drinks by a couple of the ridiculously sized fireplaces.
[23:55] Candice: "I keep being tempted to go invade and watch the progress," she grins, "But I'd hate to disrupt."
[23:58] * Martel laughs, sitting down. "It's not that interesting," he says, mildly. Which is not true at all, because put Martel and a bunch of Arum dudes in a building and it is pretty much amazing.
[00:00] Candice: "I don't believe you." She perches on the arm of the sofa/chair/whatever he's sitting on closest to him.
[00:00] Martel: "No?"
[00:02] Candice: "Nope." She bumps him lightly with her shoulder. "Besides, if it's boring, doesn't that give me incentive to liven things up?"
[00:03] Martel: "Not too lively," he laughs, low. "I've yet to explain the nexus." Hilariously, given the givens, it might not go over so crazy.
[00:05] Candice: "Point taken. Maybe it's best if I stay away 'til you do?"
[00:07] Martel: "Mmn. That's not entirely necessary." ...'cause he has no idea yet how he's going to manage it, and would like to at least get most of the work he needs them for done first.
[00:08] Candice: "Good, 'cause I don't want to." >_> :D?
[00:09] Martel: "How lucky we agree." >:3
[00:13] * Candice smirks at him for a second, and then changes subjects. Sort of. "So I get my sword in about a week. Are you going to run me through the basics?" Is she kidding? Does it matter?
[00:14] Martel: "If you like." He leans back in his seat, shifting to get comfortable. "My bruises should be all healed in preparation by then." :]
[00:16] Candice: "Bruises, you say." She raises her eyebrows at him.
[00:16] Martel: "Nothing of note."
[00:18] Candice: "Okay, out of curiosity: if I showed up with bruises, would you want to know what happened?" She leans over to sort of poke at him experimentally. Whar, what, explain.
[00:19] Martel: "/Ow/," he says, when she actually finds one on his side. "Koleika and I are discussing the possibility of my contributing to his men's training. We tested each other."
[00:20] Candice: "Oh, I'm sorry!" She puts her hand flat against where it seems like the bruise was located, frowning. "Oh, I /see/. I'll have to be gentle with you, then."
[00:21] Martel: "Thoughtful of you. A little less of the prodding, for starters, would be appreciated." He lays one hand over hers, briefly. "It was interesting, though."
[00:23] * Candice is considering shifting onto his lap, but she's not quite--forward enough, something, even though she's /done/ that before, weird woman. "Oh? How so?"
[00:24] * Martel thinks she should. Although he'll probably...you know, move her there himself sooner or later. It's like a race! "Differing styles. He was interested in some of my own -- innovations." He grins, briefly.
[00:25] Candice: "Oh really." She is also interested in these innovations, Martel. ...no, that's not innuendo. Mostly.
[00:25] Martel: "A broadsword moments away from slashing open a man's face tends to get his attention."
[00:28] Candice: "...that's something of a universal law, yeah. And awfully straightforward of you!"
[00:28] Martel: "It's effective."
[00:30] Candice: "I'll say. Will I get to learn that one?" She rests her elbow on the back of the sofa, basically ...framing him on the couch now.
[00:31] Martel: "We'll see." He's got a few ideas, actually, for what he will go teaching Candice, but right now they're quite vague.
[00:33] Candice: "I'll bet." She hopes, anyway! He'll find she's quite a diligent student. "Do you want a drink? I'm--not, right now, still hepped up from working earlier, but."
[00:34] Martel: "Mn--yes, just water, though. I've got to shift a bit of furniture when I go back." His bedroom: things are IN IT, they are not...where they should be. Except the bed, which as noted is /huge/, and required a couple other dudes to assist.
[00:35] * Candice goes to get water, then! "See, that's the real reason I don't keep a place, /that/ is too much of a hassle for me."
[00:35] * Martel watches her go. "It'll be less of a hassle once everything is sorted out." And in the meantime it keeps him occupied, and thus out of trouble. >_>
[00:37] Candice: "I'm sure. It seems like it's all happening pretty fast." When she returns with the water, FYI, she perches in his lap. "Am I allowed to be here, or are you bruised on the legs, too?" >_>
[00:38] Martel: "You're just fine where you are." Mmm water. "Some of it, yes." He's rushing through things in places, mostly to get his feet under him before he slows down. The logic there is kind of weird, but it works for him.
[00:40] * Candice gets herself comfortable, then! Unlike CERTAIN OTHER PEOPLE who like laps there is nothing intentional about this. "How many rooms are you furnishing to start?"
[00:45] Martel: "Several bedrooms--minimally, to be fair--the kitchens. A reception room. A few others." The work rooms need a little more attention before he puts furniture in them, for...reasons.
[00:46] Candice: "Not the dungeons?" Now she's teasing him, remembering what Enfys said the other day.
[00:47] * Martel laaaughs.
[00:49] Candice: "I hear they're an important part of every castle." From...where, Disney?
[00:53] Martel: "A useful part, on occasion."
[00:53] * Candice grimaces a bit. "Hopefully not any time soon."
[00:54] Martel: "I haven't got any plans for it."
[00:55] Candice: "On that note..." She taps at the side of his neck with her fingertips, lightly, as if in thought. "Do you mind where I sleep tonight?" What kind of question is that, woman.
[00:55] Martel: "I have my preferences," he says, which would be perfectly innocent if it weren't coming from MARTEL, ftlog.
[00:56] Candice: "Oh?" She leans back slightly to look at him, smiling just a little.
[00:56] Martel: "Mmm. Did you have plans?"
[00:57] Candice: "Well. At this point in time, it's a liittle impractical for me to stay sleeping where I was--for a lot of reasons, and...I do have my preferences as well. If that's all right with you."
[00:58] Martel: "Quite all right."
[00:59] Candice: "Good." She kisses his cheek. "I should probably get bedclothes, in that case."
[01:00] * Martel may or may not have just had a split second 'do /I/ have night clothes?' moment. Shh. "Probably, yes."
[01:01] Candice: "...first I have to figure out what constitutes--anyway." HAHA yes, just carry on. She does notice that little pause, FYI!
[01:02] * Martel doesn't know what pause you're talking about >_> ... Yes anyway. He's kind of laughing.
[01:03] Candice: "/What/?" She gives him a challenging sort of look.
[01:04] Martel: "Absolutely nothing."
[01:05] Candice: "I don't believe /that/ at all, it's never /nothing/." Not with him. "Don't make me get threatening, now."
[01:06] Martel: "/Threatening/?"
[01:06] Candice: "I have terrible weapons at my disposal," she says, solemnly.
[01:07] Martel: "Really now."
[01:09] Candice: "Incredibly loud rap music, assorted strange future devices..." She will tick these off on her fingers, in fact.
[01:13] Martel: "I bow to your superior knowledge of torment," he says, holding her hands together between his to prevent further ticking.
[01:13] Candice: "Oh, that's not the worst of it," she says, seriously.
[01:14] Martel: "I'll have to manage somehow. The moment's passed, I couldn't possibly elaborate."
[01:15] Candice: "Somehow," she agrees, "But as punishment--" ...biting his neck is not punishment in any universe, except ones where Candice is a vampire and we aren't ever going to talk about those, wtf Nexus. Hi, Martel.
[01:15] * Martel ... disputes Candice's definition of punishment, judging by...his existence.
[01:16] * Candice is strangely not discouraged.
[01:20] * Martel is pretty sure he's okay with that.
[01:22] * Candice rests her chin on his shoulder. "How did you like the Vale? Durnik?"
[01:24] Martel: "Well enough." Sticking to the back and forth on what Martel was actually there for probably helped. The likelihood of them getting along otherwise was slim.
[01:26] Candice: "Enfys liked it there, I think..." She trails off, frowning at something.
[01:26] * Martel tilts his head sideways. "What?"
[01:28] Candice: "She stopped wearing her wedding ring. I didn't want to ask, we had a weird...conversation about it the other day." She shrugs. "It wasn't my business; I think I pushed too hard, especially since it's something I know nothing about."
[01:29] * Martel nods, slowly. "Ah." ...well, he's kind of out of his depth there too.
[02:57] * Candice shrugs, again. "Sorry, I have this weird tendency to fuss over people." Even if they aren't there.
[02:58] Martel: "A trait I'm wholly unfamiliar with." He presses his lips to her shoulder for a moment, still. "She didn't seem disturbed." ...you know, more than 'Enfys is crazy and it's disturbing', but then, Martel'd never met her before.
[03:01] Candice: "Oh, yes, I've noticed." She smiles at him. "She's good at covering, but you're right. I don't know; I hope whatever she decided, it was right for her."
[03:02] Martel: "I'm sure if it wasn't you'll find out soon enough." Martel would offer a few guesses on her choice, based on 'lack of a wedding band', but it's not really his business.
[03:33] Candice: "Mmhmm." She stops discussing Enfys now and presses her face back into his neck. What, it's comfortable.
[03:35] * Martel rearranges slightly to accomodate this, arms around her and hands folded together.
[03:37] Candice: "I'm really looking forward to sleeping in a bed. Just so you know." ...move your face, C.
[03:41] Martel: "Unless you can sleep through wood on stone, you'll probably have to wait until I've rearranged furniture."
[03:42] * Candice squirms in place. "I'll be patient. Somehow."
[03:43] Martel: "I'm sure you'll manage."
[03:44] Candice: "Hey, if all else fails, I can steal your bed, can't I?" ...now she's teasing again. Sort of.
[03:44] Martel: "I still have to shift furniture /there/, too." >:3!
[03:46] Candice: "I notice that wasn't a 'no.'" It is entirely possible that unless she intends to actually go for that, she should stop teasing. It is also entirely possible she has no idea what she's going to do.
[03:50] Martel: "It was not. I don't know that I have anything to wear to bed, though, and I'd hate to make you blush again." One of these things is not true.
[03:51] Candice: "I don't /blush/," she returns, indignant, even though she is actually doing /just that/ this very second. "And I don't have anything, either, so..."
[03:52] Martel: "Yes, you do." LIKE NOW, he doesn't say in case she actually hits him. "By all means tell me what you'd prefer."
[03:54] Candice: "I'm thirty-five years old, I have outgrown blushing." She is well-aware it doesn't actually work that way, she's just being contrary now. "Caballero, you can't guess?"
[04:05] Martel: "I'm interested to see how you define 'slow'."
[04:07] Candice: "So am I, frankly." ...that's SO REASSURING but at least it's probably not news to him that she has nfi what she's doing. "We could just sleep, I suppose." 'Cause they're so awesome at ~*boundaries*~, right.
[04:09] * Martel 's wry look probably says exactly how likely he thinks that is. "We could."
[04:10] Candice: "What! You couldn't keep your hands to yourself?" She feigns total innocence, as if she never does anything to provoke that.
[04:12] Martel: "I wasn't a saint even when I was of holy orders," he notes, almost laughing.
[04:14] Candice: "Thank God for that, I suppose. Several of them. --on that note I still haven't switched my orisha over, anyway."
[04:14] * Martel raises his eyebrow. "Hm?"
[04:17] Candice: "I was--technically consecrated goods. Or my body was." She's nooot explaining the most of that, but she figures that explanation will make sense, if seem extremely weird. "But even my self-control only goes for so long, so..." She ducks her head. It's weird to talk about these things so frankly with anyone, because she is not Carrie Bradshaw.
[04:25] * Martel ... is not going to ask, after a moment's thought. The explanation is good enough as far as it goes and it's not really necessary to dig. "Ah, I see."
[04:26] * Candice is kind of concerned it's incredibly awkward to go 'so I'm basically changing my religious practice so we can...whatever this relationship type thing is'. Which is what she just said, anyway. "It was time for a change, anyway."
[04:40] * Martel would, if certain things had occurred to him, figure it puts them about even for him having introduced her to his mom prior to Anything Even Happening. However, he still hasn't quite got what everyone else grasped before he did, there. "I can imagine." Sup Candice, Martel has more or less no problem just kind of...standing up and taking you with him. "I really do need to get things sorted out sometime before sun up. Is there anything you need first?" :D?
[04:40] Martel: up. Is there anything you need first?" :D?
[04:41] Candice: "Mm, let me think..." Apparently kissing, before you go, Martel.
[04:41] * Martel is okay with that, although there's momentary surprise and he has to adjust his grip.
[04:42] * Candice is laughing, just a little, when she pulls away. "I think I did warn you at some point that I learn fast. Didn't I?" :D?
[04:43] Martel: "It may have been mentioned." At the last minute he did not say 'come up'. Just fyi.
[04:44] * Candice just sort of casually nips his jawline and then takes a step back. "I'll stop distracting you now."
[04:44] Martel: "I doubt that very much."
[04:45] * Candice saunters toward the exit, choosing not to comment on that. Or maybe the saunter is a response, really!
[05:03] * Martel 's door leads them directly into the reception room he mentioned earlier; there's some furniture, fires dying down, and evidence...of a bunch of dudes drinking, basically.
[05:04] * Candice observes this evidence with a smile she does not even bother to suppress. "You've been very busy, I can tell." She means that! But also lol, booze.
[05:05] * Martel rolls his eyes unrepentantly, and nudges her towards the door. "Extremely." It'll get tidied up before he goes to bed. 'Cause he's like that.
[05:07] * Candice goes! She's still a little like 'oh my Lord /castle/,' 'cause you don't get over that so easily; additionally, she's looking over the furniture curiously.
[05:12] * Martel leads her towards the potentially familiar hallways where he's shown her before. This area, at least, is much cleaner and more organized, given personal interest in his living space not being totally wrecked. The furniture's well made, wooden, very simple--and Petrana was right. There are rugs.
[05:12] * Candice ...pauses, and almost laughs, at the rugs. "Stone floors are probably annoying in the morning. Right?"
[05:13] Martel: "Too col--" he gets halfway and stops, looking at her. "/What/ did you discuss with Petra?"
[05:14] * Candice just looks back at him, really fighting not to laugh now. >_> She's innocent! Really!
[05:17] * Martel rolls his eyes again, opening the door to his own suite. Also furnished! And rug'd. And none of it in place except the totally absurd bed, which is made.
[05:18] Candice: "Priorities," she murmurs, touching the bedspread.
[05:19] * Martel smiles blandly and doesn't answer that, though he could. He closes the door, instead, and takes another look at where his chalk marks still are.
[05:21] * Candice also notes where the chalk marks are! "Can I help?"
[05:23] Martel: "--yes," he says, after a moment of considering it. There's a wardrobe, a large chest, a desk and chair, and an empty bookshelf; not much, really. Knowing Martel he'll pick things up as he goes.
[05:32] * Candice will help lift or shove whatever, then! She's wee but tough :D? Stronger than she looks, actually, though not by a whole lot.
[05:38] * Martel shoves things around; there are things in the wardrobe and the chest, the former necessitating a little more care, but he doesn't really have enough in the way of possessions to make it that much trouble.
[05:42] Candice: Once that's done, she sits on the edge of the bed, fussing with her hair. At some point she apparently lost her shoes! ...what, being barefoot is more fun. "I'd offer to do a blessing, but I don't know that it'd do much good here."
[05:44] Martel: "It might draw attention of local..." He makes a vague gesture. "I'm not quite sure I want to do that yet." He knows enough to be preeeetty sure he'll be fine (or he wouldn't be here), but it's not a bad idea to get settled before he starts drawing attention to himself.
[05:45] Candice: "Of course. It's--habit, I suppose, for people I care about, but I don't know that it'd even /work/ in another world."
[05:46] Martel: "Something to look into." He's cheerful enough--also, getting into that chest.
[05:47] * Candice leans over to try to peer at what he's doing without actually getting up.
[05:47] * Martel has it set at the end of the bed, so not too difficult if she sits a little higher to see over the lid. The chest presently contains the items of more sentimental value that he had Maria pick up.
[05:48] Candice: "Did she end up carrying all of that on her own?" Candice is remembering Maria-from-high-school and trying to visualize her carrying anything heavier than a spike heel.
[05:49] Martel: "No, no. Kalten ended up on Maria detail, and she hired a young man to carry things into Stigmata."
[05:50] Candice: "Ah. Tried and true method of moving: enlisting someone young and bored. If mercenaries aren't available, of course."
[05:50] Martel: "The concepts aren't mutually exclusive."
[05:53] Candice: "No, of course not, I was just--flashing back to college." Hahhaha yeah I'll bet.
[05:53] Martel: "Do I want to ask about that?" Potentially no.
[05:54] Candice: "Nineteen year old girls who didn't want to move their own suitcases at a college directly adjacent to a men's school." She feels this is sufficient explanation.
[05:54] * Martel ... laaaaughs.
[05:56] Candice: "It was /extremely manipulative/," she says, ruefully, "I'm a little ashamed of myself at that age."
[05:56] Martel: "I'm not telling you anything about myself at that age, in that case," he says, examining a clasp.
[05:58] Candice: "My personal standards are pretty separate from the ones I have for other people. What's that, there?"
[05:58] * Martel uncurls his hand to show her. "Cloak clasp. A prize, of sorts."
[06:00] Candice: "Oh? From what?" She touches the clasp, because we're tactile around here today, and then drops her hands to her sides.
[06:00] Martel: "Thrashing a good half of my fellow novices in a spar." ...:D
[06:02] * Candice grins at him. "Well-deserved, then."
[06:03] Martel: "My unhealthy arrogance isn't entirely unfounded."
[06:05] Candice: "You're /much/ too logical for that, I think."
[06:05] Martel: "I /am/ an Elene." Having found what he was looking for (and it wasn't the clasp), he closes the chest.
[06:07] Candice: "I'd noticed." Not that she has much concept of what being Elene means, beyond him.
[06:08] Martel: "One day I'll have to tell you more about it beyond our tendency to plod along behind logic."
[06:10] Candice: "You really should. If not right now, what are we doing instead?"
[06:10] Martel: "I'm considering lighting something other than the fire. It's very dim." He says this incredibly seriously.
[06:11] * Candice shoves at his (non-sensitive! She never forgets that) shoulder a bit. "Uh-huh."
[06:12] Martel: "Or I could tell you about being Elene," he amends, laughing.
[06:14] Candice: "You ought to, or I'll keep pushing, and we can't have that." Because she's scary, you see.
[06:15] Martel: "Ah, very true." He comes around to sit on the bed, considering.
[06:17] * Candice watches him.
[06:18] * Martel sits forward, hands clasped together. "I'm not sure where to start," he admits. "It's not something that often needed to be explained."
[06:19] Candice: "Summarizing an entire culture is pretty difficult," she agrees, "I'm not sure if I'd be able to just /explain/ being Cuban, or black, or even American."
[06:27] Martel: "Hm. No, well. Cultural atmosphere tends to be something you need to--experience to properly see, doesn't it? Whether you'll end up understanding or not." Often not.
[06:29] Candice: "Immersion is supposedly the most important thing, yeah." She is half-tempted to curl up on this here bed, because...that's what beds are for, but doesn't, because it seems weird.
[06:30] * Martel smiles, slightly. "Yes. We love Sephrenia, but none of us understand her. Perhaps Vanion." The plural was a little too easy to slip into there.
[06:34] * Candice notices, but will not bring it up. "Cultures where you're from seem much more separate than in the States. Everything blends together there, a little bit."
[06:34] Martel: "Even among the Elene countries they are," he nods, considering it.
[06:45] Candice: "It makes sense--it seems more like the older countries on my world. The United States is sort of a melting pot. But it's very unfamiliar to me."
[06:47] Martel: "We like our prejudices," he says, wryly. "There's--" wait, /no/, he checks himself and goes in a different direction, "--so many. Even trolls have them." ...trolls.
[06:48] Candice: "Trolls," she repeats, as well, wide-eyed.
[06:48] Martel: "In the Thalesian mountains. They hate ogres."
[06:49] Candice: "Of course they do. /Trolls/." She laughs a little bit. "All sorts of things there."
[06:51] Martel: "Oh, yes."
[06:54] Candice: "Demons?" She's mildly curious about this, and...maybe shouldn't be asking, but she hasn't read his canon, okay.
[06:55] Martel: "I'm sure everywhere has demons." It's not /cold/, but a little withdrawn.
[06:58] * Candice ...hesitates, and changes the subject. "Ghosts, I'm certain. They're another universal constant I can't get rid of."
[06:58] Martel: "Mm. I don't think ours are quite the same as yours, but they exist."
[07:09] Candice: "At least with me around you can be damn sure none are going to come knocking here, right?" Well...they might try, but she will take care of it. B|
[07:11] Martel: "And I do appreciate it." He leans over to kiss her -- actually brief for once.
[07:11] Candice: "Gotta earn my keep, don't I?" She smiles a little, glad he's not quite as withdrawn as he was a moment ago.
[07:12] Martel: "Mm. Of course."
[07:16] * Candice is looking him over, thoughtfully, as if assessing something. Specifically around the shoulders!
[07:16] * Martel raises his eyebrows at her. What.
[07:17] Candice: "I'm not saying it'll ever happen, but...should you ever need to do some undercover work in a more modern world like mine, you should have something. Just in case." O RLY, C.
[07:18] Martel: "...'something'?" Martel has not actually seen any modern male-intended clothes that haven't made him go '............no' yet, because why would he have seen anyone in a suit.
[07:19] Candice: "You'd look good in a suit," she says, innocently, because this particular suggestion has nothing at all to do with her own interest in seeing him in a suit. Ahem.
[07:25] * Martel eyes her. "We'll see." He'll agree faster once he knows more specifically what she means, probably.
[07:26] Candice: "It's pretty simple--black trousers, white shirt, tie, jacket." She puts her hands on his shoulders like she's mentally calculating what all he'll need.
[07:28] * Martel tolerates this, unconvinced. "For 'undercover work'." He has a feeling this has jack to do with potential work opportunities.
[07:29] Candice: "Humor me! It's not as if I ever get dressed up, I have to inflict it on someone." This is wonderful logic.
[07:31] Martel: "Very well," he agrees, PURELY to humor her. ...for now, we know what his vanity is like.
[07:32] Candice: "Thank you," she beams, leaning forward to kiss him again, "You're extremely tolerant of me."
[07:32] * Martel pulls her into his lap. "I am. It's good of me."
[07:33] Candice: "Terribly. Clearly I should do something to reward you." Like put her arms around him? Yes? Well, that's covered. She pretends not to remember they're /on his bed/.
[07:35] Martel: "Mmm." He kisses her jaw. "I'm sure you'll think of something suitable."
[07:38] * Candice tilts her head to give him better access. "There is the little matter of whether they're /appropriately/ suitable things, of course..."
[07:40] * Martel follows the line of her neck down. "That's a very, very little matter." FYI.
[07:43] * Candice makes a tiny noise, closing her eyes, and mutters something to herself in Spanish. Also FYI: she doesn't default to Spanish, so she clearly did that entirely on purpose. "I'll keep that in mind."
[07:46] Martel: "You /do/ learn fast." He bites kind of hard.
[07:49] * Candice gasps and presses against him. Now her eyes are open! And wide! And she's a little limp, post-biting. "...that--um." Martel, what have you done to this woman.
[07:49] Martel: "Mmmm?" he rumbles that out against her collarbone, helpfully.
[07:50] * Candice abruptly slides her hand through his hair and kisses him really hard. Um. WELL THEN, clearly he should bite her more often if that's what it elicits.
[07:51] * Martel is bearing that in mind for the future, you have no idea. Meanwhile he's rolling them over to respond enthusiastically! The usefulness of huge beds.
[07:53] Candice: ...ohhh dear. She knows, in the back of her mind, she should be paying more attention to where they are, but kissing him is so much more interesting! And she can integrate biting his lower lip a little! And...Candice, keep your leg away from his wais--or not. She has a lot of /instinct/, underneath the repression, apparently.
[07:57] * Martel ... has not entirely forgotten where they are, judging by abruptly leaning his forehead against her shoulder. This pause would probably help better if he...idk, moved his hands. ...no, Martel, moved them /away/.
[07:58] * Candice actually looks puzzled, a little unsure. "You don't have to stop. Unless I--well." Ahaha one wonders what exactly she thinks she could've done /wrong/ during that, it seemed to go pretty well! But self-doubt is one of her main flaws on her character sheet, alas.
[07:59] * Martel thinks it went GREAT.
[08:01] Martel: "I'm pausing. Momentarily." Kinda. Again with the be less handsy if you're stopping. "As I'd prefer if we are going to stop, we do so now." ...see, it's not that he thinks he won't be able to later, just that it'd suck more.
[08:04] * Candice touches his face, thoughtful. She has to come to a decision here, you see! "Most women aren't this difficult, I realize."
[08:07] * Martel props himself up on his hands over her. "Yes, they are," he informs her, helpfully. "Every woman is /uniquely/ maddening."
[08:07] * Candice laaaughs a little, nudging him with her legs, which...does not help the situation at all, woman. "You know what I mean."
[08:09] Martel: "And I disagree with you," he says, peaceably.
[08:10] * Candice looks at him for a second, and then arches up underneath him in an attempt at tugging him back down. "I said you don't have to stop." ...WELL THEN.
[08:11] * Martel couldn't have moved faster if he actually used magic.
[08:12] * Candice actually laughs again, in the middle of kissing him. What, she appreciates enthusiasm!
[08:14] * Martel wakes up eeeearly in the morning, which is to say it's still dark when he's rolling over going 'mmffheh' and cursing consciousness.
[08:18] * Candice stiiirs after a moment, sensing someone else is awake--she is not where she expected to be. And then she remembers! The fact that she probably has her fair share of /bite marks/ after the evening's, uh, festivities, that helps. She stretches, without thinking much of it.
[08:19] * Martel ... recalls there's someone else in his bed, and then why. And then he kind of goes BD for a second.
[08:21] * Candice is kind of having a moment of '...did I actually. Well. Then.' She opens her eyes and sort of arranges the bedcover around herself, because apparently /now/ she's concerned about flashing him. I don't even know.
[08:25] * Martel apparently has...fewer concerns there, because aside from swearing quietly at the cold stone between rugs when he slides out of bed he only appears to feel he needs the robe he's grabbing from the wardrobe after deciding to relight the fire. "Morning."
[08:27] Candice: "Morning," she murmurs, rolling onto her stomach. From this position she doesn't mind if most of her back (and therefore her tattoo there) is exposed! "Sort of. It's still dark out." Usually she gets up at the crack of dawn, anyway, but still.
[08:27] Martel: "For a while yet," he agrees, crouched down on one knee at the fireplace.
[08:28] Candice: "I am not getting out of this bed for a while yet, then," she informs him.
[08:28] Martel: "As soon as I have this lit, I'm going right back to it."
[08:29] * Martel would normally just be going right ahead and starting his day, but /Candice/ is in aforementioned bed, he's totally fine with not getting up at ass o'clock for once.
[08:30] Candice: "Good," she says, emphatically, smiling down at the pillow she's half-resting on. Giant beds are for sprawling in!
[08:33] * Martel is as good as his word, dropping the robe on the chest at the end of the bed and curling back under the covers when the fire is sufficient.
[08:35] * Candice curls closer to him, then! "It's so quiet here." This is apparently a good thing.
[08:36] Martel: "I prefer it." Although to be fair he's used to a baseline of quieter than modern cities, even so.
[08:37] * Candice rolls onto her back, glancing over at him. "Me too, so far."
[08:40] * Martel is watching the firelight, but he looks over when he notices. "Yes?"
[08:41] Candice: "It definitely beats Mississippi," she says, lightly.
[08:45] Martel: "I'll have to take your word for that."
[08:46] Candice: "You will." She rolls close enough to rest her chin on his shoulder. "What've you got planned for the rest of the day, more moving furniture around?"
[08:47] * Martel snakes an arm around her. "A lot of heavy lifting and cleaning. The occasional foray into use of tools."
[08:48] Candice: "Exciting stuff." She tilts her head back. "Am I gonna need to use make-up on these?" PROBABLY.
[08:49] * Martel traces a fingertip down the marks in question. "Surely not." >:3
[08:50] Candice: "You have absolutely no bias in that whatsoever, of course. Proud of your handiwork?" ... this is not to say she didn't return the favor a little.
[08:50] Martel: "Exceptionally."
[08:52] Candice: "Uh-huh." She leans forward to kiss just under his jaw, then withdraws slightly again.
[09:00] * Martel leans back against his pillows, moderately smug.
[09:02] * Candice rolls her eyes, and sneaks forward and bites his shoulder. So...there, apparently.
[09:04] Martel: "What was that for?" Please.
[09:04] Candice: "Oh, don't even try it." She tucks herself neatly against his side, and gets comfortable.
[takes place before log with sephrenia.]