knightsoflegend | open ♔ valentine's day

[Rebekah takes a breath at that. It's such a simple statement, but it holds so much weight for her. She's said those same words to Elijah -- to Stefan even. Still, for her to take her own advice seems unheard of. She knows she's owed it and that she shouldn't still be so concerned with the thoughts of her brothers. Yet, it's always something that she has on her mind.]

You say it as if it's so simple.

It's the simplest thing there is. [ she says it firmly, turning to fix her with those strange serpentine slitted eyes of hers. ] You decide what you want. And cut out the rest.

[The way Lis'sa looks at her, it makes all the difficult thoughts slip away for the moment. Worrying about family, about all the time she's losing - that she's already lost. She's lived so long and she knows that the phrase about time healing doesn't truly apply to her. That all it does is make dealing with the pain a little easier. Still, in this moment she wonders if it's even worth the hurt anymore.

Her hand reaches out to cradle Lis'sa's cheek. It's tentative, not wanting to do something that the other woman isn't comfortable with. It's a far more intimate gesture than the dancing and flirtatious behavior of earlier. It's Rebekah deciding what she wants, even if it's selfish of her, even if she knows that it's against the rules.]

[ lis'sa turns her head very slightly at the touch, her hair falling softly against rebekah's fingers as her eyes droop almost closed. ]

Just like that, yes.

[It's been a while since she's felt this way. This warmth that radiates through her and makes her feel a little light headed. She exhales, a moment of relief, at the phrase that Lis'sa utters. The softness of her hair nearly begs for Rebekah to slip her fingers into it but she keeps her touch against her cheek as she leans in and kisses her. It's not tentative, or filled with nervousness, but instead it's assured of herself and what she wants.]

[ the confidence seems to be exactly what lis'sa wanted, and she lifts a hand to the side of rebekah's neck, fingers curling against the skin as she returns the kiss without hesitation. eventually, she breaks off to open her eyes and stare into the other woman's as she says: ] Our little secret. [ it's not a question, at least ]

[Her eyes close, letting herself sink into the moment. It's a good moment, but like most good moments for Rebekah it is short-lived. As the kiss breaks and she opens her eyes she sees that sharp gaze of Lis'sa and wonders what else she's seen. Those words are spoken and Rebekah understands. She knows that this isn't allowed. That all those glances that had been stolen had been precious and that this shared moment could be full of risk for Lis'sa.

She nods, licking her lips and tasting her again.]

Of course.

[ the agreement triggers the tiniest curve of her lip, and then she leans across to draw her back into a kiss, the length of her body pressed more firmly into the other woman's this time, so that she can feel every one of her small curves. ]

[Perhaps this was what she was seeking more than a place within the Knights. Something that her brother can't take away from her. Something that she can enjoy without the worry that there's judgment and warnings about protecting their family first and foremost. Here they don't have that warning hanging over their head. They barely can consider themselves a family these days. They've all drifted and with the exception of Hayley, she really wouldn't know where to find either of her brothers. (Her writer isn't even sure if Elijah was present at the time that this thread started...)

She can take this -- claim it as her own and be happy with this.

The kiss is wonderful. The press of Lis'sa against her own frame draws a smile across her lips as her arms wrap around Lis'sa to hold onto her as she keeps the kiss from straying.]

[ the cab driver clears his throat a bit, and lis'sa chuckles against rebekah's lips, before looking forward to meet his eyes in the rearview mirror ] Yes?

[Even as Lis'sa parts to respond to the driver, Rebekah remains near her. Keeping that intimate level of closeness something she can hold onto. Perhaps they should have offered him an address when they first sat down... it's a realization that she makes once a hint of clarity comes to her mind.]

I'm sure he's looking for an address. [Rebekah offers the address to her flat and pulls out some money to slip to the driver. Not that she feels he should be frustrated for having to wait through their discussion and impromptu kissing session, but she wants to ensure he's silent the remainder of the ride.]

Mm, I imagine so. [ too bad this isn't a limo and the guy doesn't have a window to roll up for privacy, because lis'sa is just gonna go back to what she was doing until they get to the flat. ]

[Rebekah is 100% okay with their prior actions resuming until they arrive at her flat. Once they arrive, she slips the driver more money for the fare and she exits the cab. Once more she offers her hand to Lis'sa, though this time it's simply because the curb is a little weird and she doesn't want her to misstep. The doorman opens the door for her and the two of them head to the elevator in order to make their way to her third floor flat.

She uses her phone to unlock the door, forever grateful that she doesn't have to carry around keys wherever she goes, and her hand feels along the wall for the first light switch to illuminate the modest flat. Rebekah hadn't cared how many square feet it had when she picked it out. It had large windows and a balcony. That was all she wanted. She was lucky to end up with exposed brick and hardwood floors on top of that. Her furnishings were in pale grays and cream colors. Minimal decorations and only a few framed photos - mostly of her niece. Pictures that Hayley had sent her over the years. She didn't have anything from home. There were no remnants of her past. No trinkets to latch onto and find memories within them. It had been freeing, in a way, to have a real reason to start fresh and not hold onto the past.

Rebekah sets her phone on the counter and turns to Lis'sa, moving toward her to reclaim that closeness they'd shared in the cab ride over.] I'm glad you came with me tonight.

[ lis'sa takes in the room slowly, her glance weighing each item, and seeming pleased with what she finds. when rebekah approaches, her attention returns to her, however the words that bring a slight smile to her face also bring up a slightly guarded look in her eyes. ] I'm not looking to be needed. I want to make that clear.

[There are two different ways that someone can be needed and Rebekah understands that the connotation here isn't about a moment of passion and uttered phrases that hold sexual weight to them. This is about where she might think Rebekah sees her in her life and while Rebekah might have needed this moment to awaken her to simply putting her family aside for herself - she doesn't need any single person to help her pursue that. There is a soft sting to the words, however, even if Rebekah can understand the meaning behind them. It could have been simple to let this build and see what could come of it, but the very fact that their kiss had been sealed with a level of secrecy - she knows she'd be foolish to think that this is the start of something grand.

Rebekah meets her gaze, trying to reassure her without ruining the evening. In all honesty, she had meant that she'd come out with her at all this evening, that she'd been able to bring her out dancing, to see a different side of her mentor. The rest... well, that was simply whatever followed.]

I'm not looking to need someone. [It is the truth, too. There's nothing guarded about the way she says it. No guilt tucked into her tone. It's a simple and honest admittance that she realizes that she has to take these steps away from her family on her own. She can't use someone else or find an excuse within the arms of another. She'd done that with Marcel all those years ago and look where that got her.]

I didn't think so, or I wouldn't be here. [ still, she is clearly pleased to hear it, to have it out of the way between them. it seems to alleviate any remaining hesitation she has, and she cups rebekah's cheek in her hand, drawing incredibly close again ] No matter how much I wanted to be.

[The soft sting touches the surface again as she hears Lis'sa's admission of wanting to be needed. It's nothing that she'd hold against the other woman, but it is something that she'll keep to herself. Another token added to the memory of this evening. It's one she'll cherish.

As Lis'sa's hand cups to her cheek, she leans into the touch. Taking that step forward and leaning in to brush her lips to Lis'sa's. It's not tentative, but it is soft and inviting. Her own hands move to the woman's hips, resting them where they'd been earlier during their dancing.]

[ lis'sa's other hand is bolder, snaking around her waist and pulling her flush against her. her lips part against rebekah's, the kiss more demanding than the one it began as. ]

[The motion sparks a heated sound from Rebekah, easily offering up whatever Lis'sa is demanding from her. Her fingertips inch up against her back, reaching for spaces where bare skin allow her to ghost her touch over her. Rebekah pulls from the kiss, briefly, taking a breath.] Do you have a preference of a bed over a couch, because I do have both.

Show me your room. [ that's a pretty straightforward answer, at least. she nods rebekah down the hall, waiting for her lead. ]

[Rebekah takes another kiss from Lis'sa before she starts to walk backwards toward the hallway. It's only a handful of steps before she turns to lead Lis'sa toward her bedroom. Similarly to the rest of the apartment, her bedroom is minimally decorated. The light she turns on is a small lamp near the bedside table. It casts the room in a yellow glow and bathes Lis'sa in warmth. Both of her hands move to cradle Lis'sa face, leaning in close once again to kiss her and lure her toward her bed.]

[ it doesn't take much luring to be honest. lis'sa's hand finds rebekah's zipper as she follows after, and backs her into the bed, urging her to sit, her knee sinking into the mattress beside her as she basically straddles her.

annnnd are you ok with a ftb so as to wrap up these old threads?

rolls:
str 11
dex 18
fort... nat 20, goddamn
wis 7
cha 4

so she's not a warm and inviting presence even in the bedroom. but what she does feels damn good (that snake tongue, tho), and she'll do it as long as beks is up for it. ]

[More than okay with that and Beks is okay with those scores, too. She didn't expect the other woman to suddenly be a cuddly teddy bear.

rolls:
str 23 - but she's not going to actually use all that... (stupid original vampire stats)
dex 14
fort nat 20 - apparently waiting over a year to get into bed made them really want to make it last
wis nat 20 - and she makes good use of that forked tongue apparently??
cha 10 - and apparently neither of them make any apologies for their attitudes

So, that was basically the best for her.]

open ♔ valentine's day

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