[Kella Greeran]

Using only the brief description of the grove, Kella pictured herself beautifully veiled in an azure mist, with sapphire buds opening at her feet. Meandering beneath blue shade, immersed in the gods' kinder versions of their creation.
"I will take that encouragement to visit to heart."

Kella nodded at Riconus's further recommendations, adding a wry bit of commentary.
"Ah yes, Victoria. Or icky-Vicky as she is called in my thoughts." She added guiltily, "Childish I know," before continuing, "While I wager she is far more effective than myself for many things, I would not like her as a member of my own small society."

The woman's eyes widened as she fumbled with a feeling of surprise over Riconus's suggestion that she pay him a visit when her career ended. Perhaps she would see this villa again, if she could keep herself from any potentially blasphemous behavior.
"That is a terribly tempting offer." She wrapped her arms around her knees and her voice was quiet with introspection, "I'd like that."

His story of what he had surmised in his youth was not all that different from her own domestic visions. But their whims and will had demanded a life uncommon, and those well-trammeled routes had been left behind.

"It might have been a nice future still, but a more constricting one to be certain."

Kella's attentions departed to wade through images she had drawn up in eras past. Images of what she thought her life would grow into. Then the Elf started undressing and Kella received a swift, metaphysical kick to her sternum, jettisoning her back into the present.

She was caught between the reflexive response to blush and mutter something inane about the price of turnips, and the desire to admire openly and praise the gods aloud for their blessings. This inward struggle resulted in a blink or two and an even expression. It was a little obvious she was trying to look only at his face, but the gesture to his scar ended that.

"You were there?" she asked a bit admiringly. His summation of the creature that nearly skewered his heart was answered with a quip.
"I had thought lumbering corpses would be rather cuddly. It seems I must embrace disappointment." Her mouth was off and running before she could stop it. Trying to keep herself from saying anything else, she took a sip of her wine.

Then the rest came off. This time the woman choked on her wine, and coughed daintily into her hand. But Riconus continued as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.

He asked if you wanted go for a swim, just finish your wine and recognize that it's an Elf thing, nothing to fuss over. Plus, you love the water.

"Well then, you coming? There's nothing to be shy about, and the water is perfect."

I wouldn't be shy if I looked like that, either, she mused.

Kella took a breath and smiled warmly.
"If the water is perfect, how could I resist?"

After drinking her wine in two gulps, Kella began to fumble with the ribbons and frustratingly tiny hooks to her bodice.
Trousers, gloves, bodice, shawl, they all amassed in a pile on the dry sand. Until the petite thing stood in her undergarments, not quite as bold as the Elf. A dagger was sheathed around her naked thigh, this was the last accoutrement to fall before the woman lightly stepped into the lapping water.

When the water's surface encircled her small waist, she smiled delightedly and plunged in. It was that first submersion that thrilled her best. The shock to the body, as it was baptized with new sensations.

Her fair, Vagaran skin turned luminous beneath the water, and she glided boldly under the brunt of the waves, until she passed beyond their influence. She bobbed up from the water like an otter, drawing sweet air.
Smiling at some private pleasure, she looked about for Riconus and said a mite breathlessly.
"Splendid idea."