Out For A Stroll (Alaya/open)

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya smiled and took the rose. "A sweet gift. And a lovely addition to my collection. That would mean as it dies my memory of this place will fade along with it" Alaya said twirling the flower in her fingers. It was a harsh ting to say but Alaya really wanted to hear his comeback or if for once he was out of words to say. She knew how to get people to hate her but getting them to like her was another story.

[Titus Cortez]

"Oh, come now. You look at things too darkly with those bright eyes of yours." he said. "When it dies, take its petals and make potpourri!" he smiled at her. "Just a little rose oil is all you need to preserve its scent, and then you may enjoy it each time you observe your collection." Titus told her. A gust of wind blew past, ruffling his golden hair with it. He ran a hand through it in a sexy way, still trying to flirt with her.

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya laughed at the thought of having rose oil on a ship full of men. That would be interesting explaining to the guys. "It is easier to act as if the world is about to end. That way you live in the present and not worry about what the next day will bring" Alaya explained. It was just a way to justify her gloomy attitude. She wasn't about to tell him she was trying to see if he would give up.

[Titus Cortez]

"Hey! A smile and a laugh. I'm on a role!" he winked at her. "Well then, Miss Alaya. This is the last day of the world. And tomorrow I will die." he said, playing along with her little motto. "Will you do me the honor of accompanying me to the bay? Perhaps we may search for some more shells there together, for your collection. And if you say yes, I'll even catch you a pipe fish, either for a new friend, or to reward that bird for all the treasures he brings to you." He grinned at her again. "Please, Miss? I'm going to die tomorrow."

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya was impressed. He seemed to be catching on. She nodded and stood. "Now that is something I wouldn't mind doing" She said and had Seeker fly off. The rose was still in her hand. She placed in in the bag without really noticing what she was doing. She looked over to Titus. "Your turn. I still know nothing about you" She said.

[Titus Cortez]

"I'm a butcher at the local meat shop." he told her. "You like meat? We've got it all. I can let you try some sometime, if you like. We've got steak of all cuts, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, pheasant, goat, venison, even a little bear, on the good days." Titus laughed. He did love a girl who liked meat, but she had yet to answer him. "I also protect people's rights." he informed her. "Pirates seem to violate them, these days. Mostly its all thievery, you know. But still." he shrugged, then smiled. "So not to worry. You're safe with me."

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya almost laughed again. "So you cut meat for a living and try to help people from the pirates. Well then I am defiantly the wrong person for you" Alaya teased but she also meant it. It wasn't the who meat thing but she was a pirate, someone who stole for a living. She wasn't about to tell him that strait up or that she was a Sea Hound. If he asked she would come up with something else.

[Titus Cortez]

"Well, Ma'am, I'm gonna need some proof." Titus told her. "You just wait, I'll prove you wrong. You're just right for me." He led her through the forest, clearing her way of branches and things as they walked, making sure none of them could scratch her. The bay lie just beyond through the trees, its fresh water clean enough to drink. "Have you ever been to the Sea Horse Bay?" he asked her.

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya had been to the bay once before with her father. She preferred salt water to fresh but it was still a nice place. She wasn't about to tell Titus that, however. "No I haven't" She lied. Alaya was about to say something about her being a pirate but decided agienst it. She would see how observant he really was.

[Titus Cortez]

"Never?" he repeated. "Wow. Well, I have a feeling that you'll really like it." Titus assured her. From the forest he stepped, out onto the open sands of the shore. The sweet air met his lungs, cold and fresh. He closed his eyes for a moment, listening to the river as it rushed into the bay. It really was a beautiful sound, the quiet notes of the water splashing over the river rocks. "Close your eyes." he whispered to her quietly, as if his voice might break the perfect sound of the water. Titus placed two gentle hands over her eyes. "Listen."

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya obeyed and let her other senses take over. The sound of the water filled her body and it was as if her heart was trying to keep beat. Her breathing slowed slightly as she was overwhelmed by the peacefulness of everything around her. She hadn't felt this peaceful in so long. She stayed quite not wanting to break the silence.

[Titus Cortez]

Titus closed his eyes again, slowly taking his hands from her face. The aroma of the fresh bay and the lush forest was intoxicating. Beautiful flowers bloomed along the edge, their roots fed by the water that kept the ground damp beneath the surface soil and enriched by the minerals and nutrients of the land. Birds sang softly through the trees, a tune so delicate, it seemed as if the river itself had taught it to them. The breeze that the water gave was just as soft as the feathered-creatures tune, and as gentle as a lover's hand that caressed the faces of the two who stood without their sight. If she had never been here before, the man wondered what she thought of it now. And their adventure had just barely begun.

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya opened her eyes to take in the scenery. It hadn't changed much from when she came here as a child but for some reason it seemed different, almost magical in a sense. She looked around at the flowers and the clear water with a huge, warm smile on her face. What was next? She didn't think it could get any better.

[Titus Cortez]

He opened his eyes, and her bright smile was the first thing he saw. So Titus smiled back as her charmingly, and headed off towards the water. "Have you ever seen a pipe fish?" he asked her. Seeing as she had never been here before, probably not. There were some sal*Censored Word*er species, but the ones that lived here were gorgeous. It was like a sanctuary for them in this bay, and their colors were not marred by stress or predator scars. They lived to the full extent of their life, growing to their full size and beauty. "I'm going to catch one for you." he said, just like he promised.

So the man took off his shoes and headed out into the bay, carefully stepping through the waters, so as not to spook them. When he was out far enough, perhaps about waist-deep, he stopped. Slowly, he pulled off his shirt, always in a sexy way when in the presence of a maiden. And he did it so effortlessly, revealing the strong muscles that had been hidden beneath the cloth. The sunbeams flooded over them in a stream of gold, like ocean waves at dawn. And so proud were his muscles as those waves. They were sure to draw an eye's attention, though with Alaya, he wasn't sure. She was tougher than any girl he had ever tried to impress. So as he dipped his shirt into the water like a net, he was sure to flex a few in his arms and back so she could see his strength. He smiled to himself. He liked this challenge that she presented.

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya watched Titus wade into the water. She sighed when he tried to impress her with his strength. She saw things like that everyday just not focused toward her. She really didn't care. He was only trying to catch a pipe fish to try and impress her. She took a deep breath. She hiked up her dress and tided the excess off to the side with a ribbon.

Alaya steeped carefully into the water then waded further into the water till she was where Titus was. She noticed the pipe fish curiously trying to figure out what the shirt was. One came towards her then more and more. They were happy and felt safe. They knew that the humans weren't going to hurt them and liked to show off.