Cooling Down Summer (Open)

[The Spider]

Father was traveling. He did not tell her so himself but she knew. His absence woke her from sleep. Sitting up in bed Spider knew the boiling heat she felt was not coming from the slivers of sunlight leaking through her heavy curtains. It was the Summer Court's influence, at full strength in merry May. To be so overwhelmed by it Spider knew her balance had been disrupted. As Jamison had become the balancing force in her life (whether she chose to accept it or not) that is how she knew he was not here.

But for what reason? To be so disrupted he had gone farther away than his lab. Matters that made him chose not to tell her he was traveling, what could those matters be? These were the considerations Spider wanted to fill her mind with. But with her Fae instincts burning suggestions through her like a brushfire instead she felt addled and tugged in directions she knew would be dangerous to go.

She had to get herself under control. Without Zalina's balancing influence, and now without Father's as well. To do this she needed to cool off. Now.

There was no time reconsider what she chose to do. Even to consider it in the first place. The idea came to mind and she acted. For the first time since she came here she left her coat behind. She did not dress more than she already was. Taken by heat, the bright red petticoat and short sleeved soft cotton shirt of the same color already felt like several layers too many for her. Spider left her room barefoot, turning to tap her right palm three times on the surface of her door. Once the protective wards were activated she went straight out of the inn.

It was fortunate that she'd explored the surrounding area for a gate to the Nevernever. Though she didn't find one it was how she knew the direction she walked now would take her to a waterfall. She had hopes the churning current at its base and the cold of the water would work together to knock her two halves back into equilibrium. Her pace was brisk. She was outdoors now and couldn't let herself get distracted. She was half Fae. There were infinite temptations.

On arrival Spider chose a place to dive in that was as close to the base of the tumbling water as she dared. The roar of the falls was music to her ears. It matched what she felt inside. Already the spray from the fall and how its cold dampened the air eased her. This was the right decision. All that was left was to submerge herself.

The clothes that she wore, they were shed. Her underthings as well. It was a rare moment that all of Spider's twenty-four markings were visible for any to see. Every one a spider web, all in varying sizes and on various locations on her body. They were not exposed for long however. Once she tossed her clothes away she made her way down the rocks and walked into the water up to her shoulders.

The long exhale of relief was overpowered by the loudly crashing waterfall.

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

Perhaps if she had came the normal way to the waterfall, she would of spotted the clothing on the shore, or maybe she would of heard the splashing of someone jumping into the water. But that was not to be. The woman had came to the waterfall from inside a small cave that was nestled behind said waterfall. Most of these places had little niches. And those niches had little caverns, and other odd tunnels, and the ones that did not, did not stop her from getting where she wanted. She loved looking out from the waterfalls, in the opposite way, instead of from the distance but from behind.

It was a rather nice day, not that the weather would change her thoughts, and her simple white gown was stepped out of. No under garments were worn, she hated the feeling of them, she only wore them when she had too. Wearing the long white gown she did not have too. A stretch of her form, before she would lift her hands to push her hair back out of her face. It took just a moment, before she moved to the edge of the waterfall, and then she dove. Right under the waterfall, hence why she heard nothing else, with a splash that may or may not be heard.

Coming up on the other side of the waterfall she blinked a moment, getting the water out of her heads, tossing her head back, hands moving to brush the wet length back from her face. She had forgotten to wear her hair back in a pony tail. It would be then that she realized that she was not alone, nor the person whom probably thought that they were alone, was not. So, what did one do? With her treading water it did for the most part stay at her shoulders, sometimes a bit lower mostly not. Part of her thought of ducking under once more, but first she needed to see if she had been seen. She could not be rude, but if the other had not seen her, to disappear and appear elsewhere was not so rude?

[The Spider]

Spider did not realize it. Not at first. Her eyes were closed. Her mind focused on her task. Trying to will the cold in through every bare pore. But water was her least practiced element. Not a surprise when the base of the Summer Court's power rested in warmth, heat and bloom. Unable to seize the element she was immersed in magically to ease her difficulty she would have to remain until the water gave her ease the old fashioned way - in its own time.

The changeling tried to help the cold falls along by ducking under water. Hooking her foot underneath a rock so she did not float immediately to the top. She held her breath as long as she was able. Pleading with the water, her mind, her body. To cool down, to balance, to be at peace.

Asking her Fae blood such things in May was laughable. But she had to try.

When she resurfaced she opened her eyes. And there right in front of the falling water. She saw Mother. Beautiful, blonde-haired, radiant like the sun itself. Spider's entire being ached for her. Her mind was consumed with one thought. Go to her. It didn't matter what Eolandesidhe had done to Zalina. Not when she was within reach. What was normally a small nagging voice in her head was now the loudest - It's May, you are Fae and she is your Mother and Queen.

Love and serve. That's how a daughter honors her Mother. That's how a subject honors her Queen.

Spider was in no position to question these notions. Besides. Even in the dead of Winter when the Summer Court influence was at its weakest Spider herself believed them. Eolande was Mother, Eolande was Queen and at the roots of her very being Carolyn LeFey was devotedly her Mother's daughter.

Which is why she was swimming to the resplendent blonde figure at the base of the fall. The quickness and strength of her swimming were eagerness. Her anticipation. She had seen Mother outside of the Nevernever only one time...

...and it appeared that today that fact would remain true. For when she was within speaking distance of the blonde Spider was faced with a painful truth. This woman was not Mother. The cavalcade of resulting emotions all wore on Spider's face like a thunderstorm about to break. She wanted to sink back under the water and weep for what had slipped through her fingers. For the cruelty of this joke that was just played on her.

But she was too proud to do that. Too British. Face to face with a stranger she had to speak. Spider cleared her throat. Ignoring its current swollenness. Moving her arms in a backstroke to put a more polite distance between her and the stranger. There was only one thing to say. "I mistook you for someone else."

Spider knew she should apologize. That apologizing would be the proper thing to do. But she couldn't bring herself to do it.

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

It was when she thought that she had not been seen that she was about to turn around. A second to late. Because soon it was obvious that the other person in the water had indeed seen her, or at least knew someone was there.

As the woman made her way closer from where she had been, she stayed in place, no need to attempt to meet the woman. She was coming full steam ahead, she actually watched to see if she might have to move off to the side or not.

Of course, emotions flicked on the woman's face, and Az would feel bad. She obviously thought that she was someone else. Which she was not. But those emotions of her's did not slip over her features. Not even a little bit. Instead the other woman would be met with a smile, not a full blown smile but one that touched just at the edges of her lips.

Now, she could of asked questions, but she did not think that now was the time. "I am sorry about that." A pause, "The water is nice today." She thought to change the subject, but she did not want to rush further into the conversation. A soft twinkle of laughter, "I do so enjoy the waterfalls. Though I dare say I have yet to bump into anyone out here." It was true, the girl did love the waterfalls and she was oft out and about in them. Or anywhere really to be one with nature.

Apologize, she had nothing to apologize for, at least not that Az knew of.

[The Spider]

She was attractive. This woman who was not Mother. But to mistake her for Mother and then immediately switch to attraction…

"It's cold." Quickly spoken by Spider. Who pursed her lips and silently chided herself for her bumbling. She had made a mistake, such mistakes happen and she needed to turn her mind to other things besides Mother. Such as. "The water. Not yet warmed by Summer." She was thankful for that fact. So very thankful. That wasn't something she would tell a stranger however.

So as she moved her arms through the water to tread the surface she made a different observation. "Most don't like water so cold. Can you not feel it?" If circumstances were different she might have laughed with joy at her own words. Her own thoughts. Her question had reason behind it. Wizardly reason. Emphasis on the Wizardly. If this woman couldn't feel cold it would stand to reason she was other than human.

That Spider's mind jumped there instead of to some fancifully calculating Fae train of thought, that meant the water was working. Truly. That Spider's honey-bright eyes were now plainly noting the smooth curve of the woman's wet, bare shoulders, that meant that her other will had worked as well.

Her mind was off Mother. Truly.

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

Yes, if those thoughts had grown words, then people might have to worry about the girl. They might think she had some sort of strange complex.

One finely arched brow would lift in a curious nature. "It's cold?" Now, she usually knew when she had to say she was cold. But really she only felt the cold when she was sick. Which did not happen often. She had chills before, but the water felt warm to her. She felt a bit of a blush. "Oh! Yes yes, the water isn't that warm yet. It's good to cool one off." Az was not on her best think quick on your feet mood. Indeed she swam in the winter until the lakes iced over, and had been known to melt the ice to allow her to the freedom to enjoy the water.

She gave a small shake of her head. "Not exactly." She let out a small laugh, "I guess I need to pay more attention to things." As it was, when one jumped into the cold water, how they might purple, she was still rosy pink. She had thought she was alone so she had not put any glimmer upon herself to fit in. It was to late to change things, not that she hid what she was, it wasn't a big secret.

She was still treading the water, legs moving under the water, arms moving out at her sides. Truthfully she could stop moving and she would not sink, but she liked to at least look as if she was doing something to stay afloat. For the most part, unless she got distracted, cause then sometimes one forgot to move parts.

Did she feel strange naked in the water with a girl she did not not know. Nope. Not in the least.

[The Spider]

Though she'd won nothing her smile said otherwise. Spider's smile was darling but almost always sly, or proud, or like now - victorious. This stranger did not know it but she was now helping Spider as much as the cold of the water. It gave Spider a puzzle to solve. This would further exercise her Wizardly brain. Level out her upset balance between her two halves.

Was kind of being was this elegant woman? The Fae of the Winter Court did not feel cold as they were made of it themselves similar to how Spider felt heat differently than most. But that was impossible. This woman was literally radiant. The Winter Fae that were pleasing to the eye shimmered like ice. They didn't shine like the sun. Spider eliminated that possibility. While she made idle conservation with this being Spider's mind shifted its angle to think instead on the element they were currently enjoying. The answer could be there.

"Yes. Cool temperatures give stillness. A peace that heat can't give." She chose her words carefully. What she said she felt applied to everyone in general. Not just herself. Except for maybe this woman? "Does the cold still do these things for you though you can't feel it?"

Treading water gave her the fortune to find a rock. It was at least two feet below the surface and the top of it was small, but it was enough to give a surface to relax. Kneeling on it with one knee she no longer had to worry about treading water. With her other leg she braced herself against the height of the rock so that the current wouldn't pull her away.

It was one of the stranger's other comments that made her venture a guess. The woman said she'd yet to bump into anyone here which suggested she could be here often? "Are you the Lady of this river? Or these falls?" She had never met one personally but who didn't know the story of the Lady of the Lake and Arthur. Through her reading Spider knew that many lakes and other bodies of water had such guardians.

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

See, and she did like to help people, when she could. One couldn't always be helpful, and one could not force said help upon another, that would not be right. But when one asked for help, or when one helped without knowledge that was the best!

The poor girl, might take her a bit longer to figure out what exactly Azlin was, as it did many others. Even with her having hints that others did not receive. Even among her own kind she was thought of being, well, different. But a puzzle was good for the mind, and she wasn't knowing for sure what the girl was angling for and so those words would not be just tossed out of her mouth. It was a good question, did the cold give peace, a stillness to her? "Tis not the temperature that gives such a calming to me. Tis the water, and being in an element it self." When she was indoors long enough she would feel the earth calling for her to come out and join it. That was probably the major reason why she kept her cave. Not that her cave did not have creature comforts, but it also had some very basic areas of nature at its best as well, including a offshoot that ended in a small lake of sorts.

She moved a bit, though not to far from where she had been, for if she went to far, to her favorite spot she would not hear a word the girl said, well, okay she probably would, and depending on the girl she might hear her. But she wasn't chancing that. She would not grow tired from the small movements that were being used to keep her afloat, they were really just for show.

At the question, a smile lit up her features, for even if it was not so, how could that not bring a smile. "Oh! One could only wish." Part of that sounded fun to her, but she would not say words to get herself stuck to the water. She did not want to have to think on how to undo such a thing. "But alas, that is not what I am." A twinkle of laughter.

[The Spider]

The fact that it was an element gave her calm. Spider asked the question immediately. "Do all the elements give you calm?" While the woman's answers did not tell all each was a small confirmation. Certainly the woman wasn't vanilla human. Most humans didn't think so deeply about the elements without being a Wizard, Wiccan or something.

This woman couldn't be a nymph. Or a mermaid. Both were Fae. Not only would Spider sense it if this woman was Fae but both kinds of water maiden were of the Winter Court which did not shine. She would have to keep studying the pieces of this puzzle.

With luck the sound of the falls would cover her scoff. Spilt from her lips when the woman said she could only wish to be the Lady of this water. Spider looked down at the churning element. Skimming the fingers of her left hand over the surface with fingers spread. She could feel the power in water. Weakly because it was the element in opposition to the one that fueled her Fae blood. But she could still feel the potential.

"I think a permanent chill does more than give a slow peace. Eventually water freezes." Honey-bright eyes looked up at the woman. Her small smile was complex. There was delight there. But there was also something else. "I don't think freezing suits you. Do you often swim in the nude with another woman?" Maybe that was a clue to the something else in Spider's smile.

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

Now that question she had to think about it, her own feelings were rather evident currently playing upon her features before she nodded. "They do." It was true, nature was her friend, a smile slipping back over her features. If Az knew what the girl was thinking she would be proud of her, for not thinking she was a vanilla human.

Azlin would hear the scoff. Would she draw attention to it? No. That was not her way, or if it was, it wasn't with people that she did not know. So either way it slipped past without comment. While the girl looked thoughtful, Az moved a bit more in the water, more to the side, not any other way.

Well she did have a point. "True." A soft laugh though, because while she had a point, Az had been thinking of other things. Like the water in general, and how nice it felt against the bare flesh, especially when there was a little movement of current. "No you are very right, freezing does not suit me." She almost said she was more of a lightening sort but those words did not tumble out, because their was another question for her to answer. "I do often find myself swimming naked. Though not often with another woman." A pause, "Does it make you uncomfortable?" She thought that the other woman might not be feeling comfortable, and she did not want to make another feel odd. She had not a single thought about her nakedness, it was natural for her, and that was probably how Gwen got the same way with the confidence in her body.

[The Spider]

If Spider knew this was the mother of Jamison's noontime companion the conversation would change significantly. She didn't. There wasn't even a resemblance that could be noticed. Maybe for the best.

Spider would answer the most beguiling of the woman's comments. For the first time she did more than smile. She grinned. Rare for her. Especially these days. To many Spider would probably seem rigid. Maybe even uptight. Or as some would say, British. They would be correct. But that was not all of Spider. It was a different part of her that grinned. There was still victory in her smile. But there was allure and sauciness too. Something…wild.

She did have Fae in her blood.

"On the contrary, it's very familiar. I prefer to do all things with women. In any state of dress or undress." Honey-bright eyes explored the parts of this woman that she could see. There was appreciation for this woman's radiance in Spider's look. "While freezing doesn't suit you, your nakedness does. I like that you bare your body so openly. Does that make you uncomfortable?" Emphasis on that. Also on you. Her grin turned into an impish purse of her lips as she turned the woman's question back on her and gave it new meaning.

This woman was not the only one baring her body openly, however. Positioned on the underwater rock more of Spider was visible than before. This meant a number of her markings were too. While her bare chest was for the most part still covered by water, the large web marking on the center of her sternum was visible (so was the spider inked on it), as were each of the sizable webs stretching over the tops of each of her shoulders, and the webs on each of her upper arms . Depending on how Spider moved those arms and if they were above the surface, there were a number of webs to be seen on them too. Two small webs on the underside of each of her wrists. One web tattooed over each of her elbows. One web stretched long over each of the tops of her forearms.

Spider also had two webs on each of her breasts, with the nipple serving as the center for each. Depending on how the current moved the tops of those two markings could sometimes be seen too. All of them were tattooed in black ink. Each of them had a different intention channeled into them. Spider had to charge the power in each of her markings regularly.

Since she already asked the woman one question she would add a second. "Which of the elements do you favor most?" The woman's answer would give her another clue.

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

It also wasn't something that Azlin threw out there, unless it came up or rather she came up, in conversation.

Now, a grin, that wasn't rare for Az to see people do. Not really. And if she had known that her water time companion was the sort that did not really grin, heck she might of felt, special.

And the reply, caused a giggle, to slip from Azlin. The woman was bold, there was that, something that it seemed even the men were lacking anymore. It was something that was noted. Did that make Azlin uncomfortable? Really? A shake of her head, the woman loved attention, and it did not matter for the most part, where said attention came from. A little grin was shot right as she spoke, "It does not bother me. There is nothing wrong with being naked. Nor is there anything wrong being naked with another being." There might be another clue that she was not just a plain run of the mill human. Was Azlin a woman lover? Not exactly. But being what she was, she wasn't always the most pickiest of the bunch.

The markings of the webs on the other womans body were rather visible and the ones under the water, ,that were near the surface could be seen randomly as well. Now, it would of said something bad about her if she had not noticed the markings, for she really was rather good at seeing and paying attention to detail, without others knowing she ever noticed things.

The next question, was rather hard for her, which did she favor most. A deep thoughtful look would cross her features. "Probably earth." Though she said it with a slightly hesitant noise in her voice. It really was the best answer to be summed up into.

[The Spider]

By now what Spider found most interesting about this stranger was not the woman's answers. It was that the woman had asked her nothing in return. In vanilla circles asking questions was a way of showing interest in a new acquaintance. Or in Britain it was. In magical circles questions were a means of gaining knowledge but they also revealed the questioner's agenda. Spider wondered if this woman was protecting her agenda by asking nothing.

"No. There is nothing wrong with any of that." Spider briefly shifted her position on the rock so it was her arse sitting upon it instead of her knee. This ducked her under the water almost entirely. She dipped her head back so that the full of her hair could be wet. Surprisingly though her balance had been so significantly upset her hair was still black. Mostly. She had pronounced roots that were a shocking holly red.

When she pulled her hair up honey-bright eyes returned to the stranger. "But many think differently, that bodies are meant to be covered. Especially in the company of others." The era in which she was young felt quite strongly on that issue. In that way in her girlhood days Spider was a misfit. In her sexual preference as well. Her gaze lingered places. The woman's lips. Her eyes. The water line, as she dreamed about what the woman's shape was under the water. "I'm glad, you're not bothered by my interests." The woman hadn't quite said that. Unless her giggle was counted. Which Spider did count.

"Earth is strong." She remarked finally. Propping herself up to her knee so that she could resume her former position. "Don't you think so?" She'd picked up on the hesitation of the woman's voice. "Stable." Added after thought. Spider was thinking of the webs on the bottom of each foot and their purpose. To connect her to the power of whatever ground she walked on. Earth had formidable power.

"Is your dwelling near here?" The falls were secluded. Surrounded by woods as many falls were. Spider had taken a long walk to get here. If this woman's dwelling was near here, that could tell her something.

Or, maybe Spider was trying to get herself invited over for tea and sweets.

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

Azlin rarely had an agenda, unless one counted the fact that she wanted to relax outdoors, and it did not bother her to have a companion. Azlin loved people in general, unless one gave her a reason not too, and she was a curious girl. But it seemed that what one could get from just being around others, and in their company and the things they gave away on their own without her prompting, would be just fine.

Of course, when Spider moved, Az's eyes were drawn. Any movement would of caused the same, she did not know if something had grabbed the woman, and once that was established back upon the rock. She would lose whatever tension she had felt. Could she of used her gifts to know what was going on? Of course, unless the object had hidden itself, but she had not.

It was the woman's words that had a laugh slip out of her mouth. "Indeed, there are many that feel that way. But tis not natural." A wrinkle of her nose. "And if people are comfortable around other naked people. There should not be such a big deal!" She shook her head. And then the other words, once one got to know Azlin, they would learn that the girl was a sucker for attention. It did not matter if said attention came from a male or a female, human or any other race. "Attention of the good sort is always welcome." Now if she had thought about the words, she might not of said that, but she wasn't one for thinking before speaking.

Of course, now Azlin had a but of hesitation because, she was saying what one was the one she felt the strongest too. And a part of that just felt strange. A small nod, "It is very." She glanced away a moment before looking to Spider. "What about you? Do you feel closer to one element over the others?" She did ask a question, because she was curious about the elements.

Her dwelling, while that sort of depended on which one. "I currently stay at the Inn." Most people knew where the Inn was, and what one by the words, but if asked she could be more specific. "What about yourself?" She did not often take people back to her cave, even if it did have all the home improvements to make one comfortably.

[The Spider]

When someone was stating their terms Spider always paid close attention. Many saw rules and terms as limiting. Spider was skilled at seeing between the words of those rules and terms. Those spaces between were sometimes near limitless. If a person knew how to navigate. Spider's question was the start of such navigation. "Any attention of the good sort is welcome?" Emphasis on any. Only the winsome, promising smile Spider gave was a clue to what she had in mind.

And there, finally. Questions. Spider liked questions because they were potential leverage. Depending on how badly the questioner wanted answers. Spider wasn't kidding herself. She knew this woman was a stranger who likely had no urgent need for Spider to answer. That what she was about to say might backfire. But the Fae in her was compelling her to try. What's the harm in bargaining? There was none. Her instincts said so.

Extending her arms out to the sides Spider moved them forward and then back over the water. Moving the cold current over her bare skin. Honey gold eyes set on the woman. On her brows. Spider never looked others in the eyes. There were consequences for looking directly into the eyes of a Wizard. Her smile of promise was still trained on the other swimmer.

"Why don't we trade? I'll answer the two questions you posed to me if you answer the biggest one of mine first: what kind of being are you?" Emphasis on are. With all the questions she'd been asking Spider didn't think this one would be a surprise. Her active pursuit of information about the radiant woman wasn't at all covert. Nor was her guess that the woman was a Lady of the Water. Spider was out of guesses and now wanted the knowledge point blank.

The Changeling waited. Hoping this stranger was in a trading mood.

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

She was growing tired of the actions, but she kept up the show for a bit longer, at least until she spilled what she was, or the woman guessed. She thought about that, "For the most part...I would say yes." Sure there were times it wasn't but she thought that overall it was a good thing.

Azlin would not try to force a eye to eye contact. Even if she looked to the woman's eyes when her eyes would move, Az's wouldn't follow. She had been taught it was proper when speaking to look at someone in the eyes. But the first time that Spiders head would move, she would turn her gaze to look at Spiders nose or her cheek.

The woman offering to bargain to get Az to answer a question had her laughing. She couldn't help it. One did not have to bargain to get Az to answer something. They just had to ask it. "Oh that is a easy one!" A grin slipped over her features. "I'm a Goddess. Daughter of Zeus and Aphrodite." She gave her a bit more information because once one said they were what she was, they wanted to know if or whom she was from, if they had heard of them, and all the normal stuff. It was just a fact to her, and she gave it.

After she answered she waited, looking to the other woman, waiting for her to answer the two questions she said she would answer.

[The Spider]

Whatever attention Spider was considering giving Azlin ran off.  Dumbfounded shock stood in its place. She wasn't slack-jawed.  She would've been if she were seventy-five or a hundred years younger.  Decades of training and experience had given her the ability to not wear her surprise on her sleeve.  "I see."  So prim.  So British.  Emphasis on neither word because both words were just filler.  To fill the time until she regained her inner composure.
 
She had never faced a deity before.  Read about them, heard tell of them, yes.  With that knowledge she'd formulated a theory long ago.  Fae Queens were the beings that kept Wizards tossing and turning in their beds with worry; deities were the ones who gave the Fae Queens a taste of that same medicine.
 
Spider's Fae blood was royal.  The title of the Summer Court's Queen That Will Be would be hers one day if she ever made the final choice between her Wizard half and her Fae half.  But she was no Fae Queen now, nor a full-fledged Fae. This meant that this daughter of Zeus and Aphrodite had infinitely more power than she did, and possibly centuries more experience using it.

Spider was instantly uncomfortable whenever she was the lesser of two powers. This weakness of her psyche was thanks to a certain American. In this very moment, swimming in the nude with a deity, how should she presume? What should she do?

Answer the questions. She was bound to by her blood, she had forged that deal herself. She no longer was moving her arms through the water. Seated on her underwater rock she was still. "Fire." Her answer was quiet but maintained its regal tone. "The power of the sun and summer. I suspect I reside at the same inn you do." Knowing now that this stranger was a deity, Spider didn't know how she felt about that reality.

So she had to ask. In the name of protecting herself. "What is your name?"

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

Now, even a blind man could of sensed the change in the air, once what Azlin was was out in the open. Oh, she didn't just go around saying what she was, and really most from meeting her, didn't quite figure it out if they did not ask. Or if they asked the correct questions they might get it. She was not like most of her kind, that lorded it over people, nor did she think like most of them either. Oh she had gotten a few good ribbings from those that thought she was to, well to much Azlin, and not enough God. Draco was always on her about that, him and a few others that she still spoke to.

If Spider or anyone else asked Azlin her age, she would reply with 22. She liked how the numbers made a heart when written the right way, and she had decided simply to keep that age. In reality, her age might be a bit higher then that, seeing her two daughters were between 18-24. But numbers were not things that Azlin got into, she found one she liked and stuck with it. Faithful to the number until she grew bored.

Nor had she tortured anyone simply because she could, well unless you count males perhaps some females ~ hazy memory, but that was a different sort of torture. And if she had actually thought about that, her smile would of been showing, a rather gratified smile at that.

It was when Spider was perched on the rock, that Azlin had decided now that it was out in the open, that her arms were growing tired, so she would float. Standing how she was, for now, later she might float upon her back, but now she kept her form under the water. The smile that was normally upon her lips did not falter.

"Fire is exciting." It was, just as much as she loved to watch the Sun set and rise, she loved flames. That would explain someone elses fascination with the fire as well. Now Azlin was the sort that little things would make her happy. She smiled, "The Tel'Ranaemyn Inn. It really is nice." A pause, "I share a room with one of my daughters." She did not speak of names or how many children she had, but she thought nothing of giving out information of the sort, she did not know the woman in the water with her that well. But she did not see any harm in it. Even if perhaps bells should of been going off.

When she asked Azlin's name, as she had no ill intentions upon the woman, for really the girl wouldn't hurt a fly. Unless said fly did something to one of her 'family' then it was all fair game. "Azlin, but most people call me Az." A smile punctuated her sentence. "And you are?" The words came out nicely, not in a weird tone or anything. But she thought it only fair, though she wondered if the woman would answer or if she would have a different question for the answer. Now she did notice how she had bartered with her for the name, but Az was not going to ask what the woman was, unless something got her curiosity up.

[The Spider]

"Azlin." As always she repeated the name. With the exact same inflection as its owner. The more of the name given, the greater the chance its owner would feel a pull of energy. Or a touch of it, like the brush of fingers across the back of the neck. Because of the power in names Spider did not often address others by nickname. "Daughter of Aphrodite?" There was something pained in her echo. The reality of her marriage was still raw and uncertain. "Do you also peddle love?" If this goddess did, Fate had a cruel sense of irony.

Spider's gaze was distant. Staring off down the river with no point of focus. If only a gate to the Nevernever was as simple as wishing hard enough. If only regaining the joy of her marriage was as simple as retrieving Zalina. If only she could drive away these thoughts to a forgotten place where she didn't have to consider them anymore. What luck that would be, but such luck had yet to arrive in her life.

"Spider." She finally replied. Turning her head in the direction of the goddess but not enough to truly fix a look. "When I'm baring skin my name has rarely been a surprise to anyone." Owing to the web markings inked into her flesh. Especially the regal one at the center of her sternum. The only with an actual spider in its web. Some questioned her right away about her name. If it was 'real'. What is real? The changeling was always secretly thankful that most people didn't know how to chose their words properly when forming questions.

"One of your daughters?" This meant there was more than one? At least two more goddesses running amok in this land Father chose for his respite? And one of them also lived at Jamison's chosen in. Did he know of this? Spider's mind raced. "It seems the inn has an allure that I don't understand." It had to if it was attracting beings of such power, like goddess and her father the Warden.

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

Even as she felt the invisible fingertips run along the back of her neck and along her spine, she would give a small nod of her head. It told her that the woman she was sharing the water with was not some basic run of the mill girl. But Az had already figured that out, as it was, the basic run of the mill sorts were normally...boring. She would nod once more when she spoke of her mother's name. "Yes." And then the next question, did she also peddle in love. Now that was a bit more tricky. "I wouldn't say I peddle love, per say." She did not know how she wished to word her words so that is what the girl got.

And that was actually depressing! Thankfully it was all in her mind, and not spoken out loud. There was something in her eyes when she gazed but Az was not going to bring that up. She did not know the woman well enough to attempt to meddle in her affairs. Even then she only meddled when it was requested and she was sure that's what someone wanted.

"Tis a pleasure to meet you Spider." Now, Az might not think her name was real or she might think it was her birth name. Either way, she was not going to ask such a question, she would think it rude. That was something that Az normally was not. Just don't catch her on the wrong day. A small smile. "I just assumed you liked spider webs." It was not that difficult. And sometimes when people liked things, they went over board. She would not ask about the markings, or if they had any special meaning. Not yet.

She nodded, "I have two daughters. One is my foster daughter the other I just found out about." Now that might sound a bit odd, but it was true, and so she spoke it. A twinkling laugh escaped from her. "Indeed! The Inn does have an odd allure. But I dare say I don't see myself going anywhere, not when my family is here." By family maybe by the way she spoke it, Spider would get that she meant more then the two daughters. "And for now, I hope that Derick stays around too, for our daughters sake." She added maybe a bit to quickly.

[The Spider]

"Good. I couldn't stand to be solicited right now." Very honest. Crisply spoken. And very personal. She didn't know why she'd confessed that. This woman - even though Spider now knew her as Azlin, goddess daughter of Zeus and Aphrodite - was otherwise a perfect stranger. What Spider said to this goddess showed her emotions about Zalina's fate more completely than anything she'd said to Father.

Despite her mood she smiled impishly. Over this century she'd heard so many things about her name. What was said evolved with the decades. Few things in this modern time topped what comments she got eons ago. "I like Spiders, to be more precise. Creatures of great order and incredible ingenuity. An emblem that serves my means well. Does your name have particular significance? Greek is a language I can only read slowly with a dictionary at hand."

She was attempting small talk with a goddess. Her life now felt surreal. Not only did she not have experience or trust in gods, she didn't have experience or trust in her ability to hold small talk either. It was a British gift she had never been able to unwrap. Yet she was trying now of all times. While she was perched on an underwater rock wading nude in the river. Staring at a female whose beauty and shape boiled desires in her that a married woman shouldn't be thinking.

The fact Azlin was a goddess was keeping Spider's urge to move closer in check.

When the topic turned to the inn Spider was direct. "I don't see its allure. Nor have I made a decision regarding my stay. It's one I'd prefer to avoid." To weigh the reasons between remaining or parting from Father seemed unbearable and excruciating. Besides. She couldn't make any move without Zalina. Quickly she continued. "I haven't met anyone with the name of Derick. But men have trouble staying in my company for long."

She looked unquestionably proud of that.

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

A simple nod of her head was given to the other woman. She was not one to push things on others. She would stay that way as well. The woman was lucky in that aspect. "I am not dressed properly for solicitation." She would use her right hand to point at herself, in a sort of sweeping gesture. "So you are in luck!" Maybe she felt a bit of a safe sort of feeling? Even if she was unsure of her because of what she was. Az had heard also that she was rather easy to talk too, even when others did not wish to disclose much.

She thought about that, and she gave a shake of her head. "I dare say that my parents liked the name." If one had asked long ago when she had a book about what names meant she could of told her. But that was so long ago. And those thoughts of what her name meant well they were long gone. So many things were in their place.

She was doing so well with the small talk as well! One would not know that she did not excel at it. Nor would they know that speaking to a goddess was causing some unease as well. Unless they could feel it vibrating off of her. She moved carefully a bit closer to the woman, without much thought as she spoke about the Inn. "So your staying until something better comes along?" That was smart in a way, if that was what she did.

She laughed, it wasn't about her not knowing Derick but about the fact that they did not stay in her company long. "They sometimes have the habit of staying in mind for to long." A twinkle of laughter lit up her baby blues. Oh the fact that Spider seemed proud of that fact was not lost on her, she thought it funny.

[The Spider]

The goddess moved closer. Was she a thought-reader? Spider knew such things were possible. She would remain alert. If the goddess' future actions or words confirmed the suspicion, Spider could tap one of her markings. That particular web helped clear the mind clear of influences. Of various sorts.

Still her smile turned saucy. There was meaning to the way she tilted her head. How she lowered her chin just so to look at Azlin through her dark lashes. Her eyes fixed on the spot just between the goddess' brows. "Where I'm from you're dressed exactly for solicitation." Emphasis on exactly. "So I am in luck." Emphasis on am. If Azlin hadn't advanced, Spider might have resisted those words. She had come to this waterfall to cool Summer's fire and succeeded.

But now a different internal fire surged. "Something better?" Spider's regal British candor had blossomed. How is hard to explain. It was like natural music. Wind through leaves. But not a cool wind. There was warm power in it. Her desire always tipped the balance in favor of her Fae instincts. She was unable to dismiss the wanton thoughts and now they merrily danced in her mind.

Spider pulled her arm up out of the water. Dripping and wet she stroked her fingertips along the soft of Azlin's cheek. Though the water was cold her touch was very warm. Being a daughter of Aphrodite, Azlin might feel something familiar in it. When Spider boiled with desire that desire leaked out through her fingertips. The result was pleasure. The degree varied. So early in this game, a tickle or tingle.

Starting at the top of the goddess' cheekbone, trailing down to her jaw. There fingers ducked under Azlin's chin, stroking from the neck forward to the tip of her chin. Once she traced that route the touch ended. Unless Azlin ended the touch sooner than that. Spider's honey-bright eyes had taken on an almond shape as she watched her own fingertips in action. "Better than what?"

She'd learned a long time ago that words like better were as innocent as bear traps.

"Who does?" Honey-bright eyes lifted once more. Spider's grin showed pride in her humor. Her attempt at a joke. The implication was that thoughts of men stayed in her mind for so short an amount of time she didn't even remember them. Few men made an impression with Spider.

But this female goddess and her bare body were a different story. The Changeling's current thoughts weren't ones she was going to want to let go of anytime soon.

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

Well, she was, but she wasn't using that right now. She had the ability she just rarely used it, as she rarely used her other gifts. Oh for sure, she liked the fact that she 'floated' in the water, but she wasn't one that just went poofing all kinds of things, she could, but she never had gotten pleasure from acting in such a way. She was many years older then she looked, a fact that was not lost on her, so maybe she had just never went through the poof everything stage. And she did not usually intrude on others personal thoughts, she found that rude, and that was something that until she was ticked off well and good, Az was not.

Oh, Az had seen that look before, had given such looks as well. Maybe she was feeling a bit impish, everyone was allowed bouts with the imp, were they not? It was the words, once more that had her laughing, a twinkling merry little sound. "Well, I promise not to attempt it." The solicitation of love that was. "Tis always a good thing to be in luck." She thought being lucky was way better then being unlucky. Perhaps it was unwise of her when she advanced closer to the other woman, yet, she was often one that listened to other things then her logic in her head.

When Spider's hand reached out towards her, she did not flinch, nor move away. So when her fingertips touched Azlin, she would feel a small tingle, another sign that this Spider was not just a human, but she had already known that. But she had not tipped her hand, so when the feel was given, Az would cast a glance to Spider, her eyes would tell Spider she felt something, and that it was something one would get not from a human. Unless the human had some sort of spell casting powers. Her head tilted just a bit while Spider's fingers moved along her. When the touch ended she would look to Spider, it seemed the game had changed a bit, there was now touching. Though that was touch number one, the girl seemed a bit skittish so there would have to be a second before Azlin would lift a hand.

She gave a quick little nod of her head. "A better place to reside? Somewhere that does not seem to attract all kinds of creatures." Because the Inn had a ton, she could sense them all, not that she would be the one to bring out what they were. Nor would she give her hand that she could sense those things. She liked living in harmony with others. Oh pish posh, the way that Az was, the Spider had nothing to fear about her words getting thrown back at her.

She laughed, she could not help it, she had caught the humor in Spider's words. It took a split second where she had started to part her lips to answer before she caught it! See she could do the little social thing! She was actually pretty good at it.

[The Spider]

To be peddled into attraction for another by Azlin as Cupid does with his arrow, Spider would have been vehemently annoyed by that. But to be solicited by the goddess in regard to her own bare body, that was where luck was if it favored Spider. "But I like promises." As true as her tone was wily. "Especially exchanging them. A promise for a promise? It can be fun." Emphasis on fun. Saying the word was a promise all by itself. How ironic that coming here to cool her off and restore her balance had only tipped her further toward her Fae blood. Those instincts were what Spider was thinking with and feeling with right now.

Spider could be skittish. She would say cautious instead. The habit was ingrained in her by Jamison and her Wizardly ancestry. It was reduced to a meager whimper when she was like this. Mostly ignored. It got in the way of fun. Besides the look Azlin gave her made her grin. A wild smile like before. The goddess felt her. "I can handle creatures. Can you?"

She didn't return her arm to the water. When the touch was complete she turned over her palm instead. Flicking her fingers small particles dusted the water. Spider watched as they were carried away quickly by the current. They were a burnt orange and glittered. The color and shine of flames. Fae dust. "You bring out the best in me, Azlin."

A little laugh. Unsure if it was a sound of mirth or caginess. She decided she would answer the look in Azlin's eyes. Shaking her head like a dog shakes off water the black coloring of Spider's hair flaked out like dark rain. The dye couldn't keep when Spider was indulging Summer's hold. Bright holly red hair remained. Her natural coloring. Her honey eyes shone like they were lit from inside. Pupils were a tunnel meant to mesmerize vanilla humans who didn't know better. "My Mother is a Summer Fae. But only my Mother."

Fae were ruled by want. Sometimes fleeting other times relentless. They could be very possessive. The more possessions the better. "Let's exchange promises. Like a game." She wanted a game very much. Burned for one. Still she knelt on her rock where her one leg braced her from being carried down the river. But Azlin had moved herself within reach. Easy reach. Spider placed her fingers on the back of the woman's shoulder. Tracing forward with a little pressure. Trying to coax her closer. The tingling strengthened to a tickle.

She knew it was a game that could turn dangerous. Azlin was a goddess of the Greek pantheon and Spider had read of what they did for a lark. But she couldn't help herself. Or she didn't want to.

Emphasis on want.

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