After Dinner Dip (Rivers/Serenity)

[Deleted]

The kiss between Rivers and Roxy went on for a long time. So long, in fact, that Séanait had completely her Rivers impression for an audience of one. It had made Serenity laugh, at least, and she thought that was good. Séanait had noticed Serenity looking away from the kiss and, unsure whether it was just the usual awkwardness people showed around a really passionate couple or if Serenity was feeling hurt by the attention Rivers was showing to Roxy - she had gotten up close to him after Séanait had put moves on her, after all - she had decided to do something about it. Serenity had been gentle with her on the topic of Claire.

Roxy's answer to Séanait's question got a laugh, and Séanait half opened her mouth to suggest that maybe Serenity should try to match River's kiss, but she stopped herself. Neither of the two would really enjoy that and, despite how much she might like to see it, Séanait felt it would be a poor way to repay their kindness so far. The drink, combined with the question on Claire and her memories of events long past, seemed to be making her somewhat melancholic. Instead, she just said lightly, "Maybe I should kiss you all and give my own rating!"

She knew that only Rivers would agree to that and, judging by how he was looking right now, he probably wasn't in a fit state to retain that suggestion. Roxy might not be either, for that matter.

Rivers reacted to Serenity's question by going in for another, equally passionate kiss, pressing himself right up into Serenity. Séanait wasn't sure if he was just being horny or if he'd noticed Serenity's mood and wanted to share the love a bit. Or, more likely, it was both. The kiss was certainly a passionate one and, Séanait couldn't help but wonder what it might be like to be on the receiving end of one of those kisses. She might have feelings for Claire, but she was hardly monogamous and it did rankle a little that she was the only one her not getting a kiss.

It was tempting, very tempting to dare Rivers to kiss her and rate her compared to the other two when he came up for air from Serenity, and Séanait was practically aching down there from everything that had been going on so far, but she remembered how Serenity had looked away when Rivers had kissed Roxy. She didn't know for sure if either of the redheads were really pursuing Rivers or whether they'd be willing to share with the other, but she had a feeling that adding another woman to the mix wouldn't make things any easier for them.

"This," She said to herself as she looked down at the ale, surprised at how philosophical she was becoming tonight, "Is some good shit."

Rivers said something about taking a short break while he got them some desserts, which sounded good to Séanait. She looked up and nodded eagerly.

"Sounds good to me. What've you got?"

Since they were taking a break, Séanait decided that there wasn't much point in asking anyone a question or daring them, so she closed her eyes and leaned back in the pool, hoping to relax out of her arousal.

[Serenity Caine]

When the two finally pulled away, it seemed as though there was a pull between them, and it became obvious neither had wanted to stop. Then, after Serenity had asked her own question, Rivers appeared before her, claiming he wanted to make it “fair”. He in some form asked her permission, but without waiting a beat, he leaned in, capturing her own lips with his. She raised her hands to his chest, originally intending to push him off of her. Joking around with all of them was one thing, but she’d seen his face before he kissed her, and she didn’t want to be apart of that, not when other people were as well. It just didn’t sit right with her. However, he had deepened the kiss before she had the chance to move him, so as soon as the thought appeared in her head, it was gone as she was pulled into the kiss. When he pulled away her eyes were not glazed over, nor was she “obviously lost in it”. She had certainly enjoyed it, but coming back to reality was easy for her, and now there was a pit in her stomach. And all that, and he couldn’t even decide, and asked for a dare.

I dare you to stop kissing me tonight. Thank you. Serenity spoke lowly, quite low, hoping only his ears would hear her, as he was still pressed quick close to her. When he did move, she plastered a regular look back on her face. So wasn’t entirely sure what was wrong with her, but whatever it was was making her stomach feel empty, and it hurt. Dessert sounded like a good idea, but she had a feeling her stomach didn’t feel that way because she was hungry.

When Séanait offered to kiss them all and give her own rating, Serenity shrugged, not having an objection. She didn’t care about kissing other people, or if another else kissed people and then herself. But there was a difference for her, going around, jokingly or playfully kissing the group as part of the game, drunk and fun. But the way Rivers and Roxy had just changed the tune, then Rivers brining it to her… She didn’t like it. It was far to intimate for her in this situation. She knew that the kiss from the beginning of the game, the one he’d given her, was intimate, but even that had been different. It was soft and sweet. Nothing at all like what had just happened.

Serenity sunk farther into the water, keeping her eyes low after what she’d said to Rivers. She hoped it wouldn’t offend, that hadn’t been her intention. She just wasn’t comfortable sharing that type of kiss with other people. Serenity finished her cider and placed the cup on the rocks above her, sinking even farther into the water until she was completely submerged. She stayed there for a moment, letting her hair float up around her, enjoying the warmth, before heading up for air. But even then, so only came up to where her nose was just above the water.

[Roxanne]

Roxanne wasn’t bothered by Rivers kissing Serenity, but rather took the opportunity to refill her cider glass, grinning when he rated her an 8 or 9. She wondered idly what he was judging by that made the difference. She noticed that his kiss with Serenity was very different than the one they’d shared, almost as different as each of their reactions to his kiss. Serenity’s reaction was confusing and the half demon’s eyes widened a bit as she heard the other red head ask Rivers not to kiss her any more that night. Roxanne had a bit of sense left to her, enough to know not to say anything but rather she focused intently on draining her cider.

She watched Serenity over the edge of her cup, judging the emotions behind her eyes and wondering what the other woman was thinking as she sunk into the pool. Maybe Rivers had crossed some kind of line Roxanne was unaware of. Either way, the mood went south despite the promise of dessert and she couldn’t help but feel partly to blame and very confused. Serenity’s actions were contradictory to Rivers’s and yet she still felt like one of them would have said something to her if they had something going on between them.

“Sorry,” she said, seemingly to no one in particular and somewhat quietly. “I’ll pass on the dessert, thanks. I’m still full from dinner and all this cider, actually,” she told Rivers. “I’m going to shower and relax in my room, if you need me for anything just let yourself in,” she offered, her voice not implying anything in particular though she hoped to ask him about this later. Turning to Seanait, she smiled and gave her a mock toast with the last bit of cider. “It was a pleasure to have your company this evening,” she said sincerely.

[Rivers]

Rivers pulls back as he hears Serenity's dare and blinks, as he does the glaze and unfocused expression in his eyes begins to dissipate and he looks at her again. "Well normally I would ask for truth instead, but I suppose I have taken this too far." He say apologetically. Then with a sweeping bow he says.

"Your wish is my command," and then he was gone, a moment later a sliced piece of apple pie fresh from the open appeared beside each of the girls, including Roxanne.

Serenity would be able to feel that Rivers had headed off to the city of Nova and was roaming around first district now.

[Deleted]

The kiss between Serenity and Rivers was much different to the one between Rivers and Roxy. Serenity looked as though she would refuse at first, but after a moment she went along with the kiss. Séanait glanced over at Roxy to see how she was taking the kiss, and it was obvious that the half-demon was more at ease with Rivers' actions than Serenity had been. That probably shouldn't have been a surprise, though. Serenity seemed to come from a more uptight place than the rest of them.

It was the ease with which Serenity came out of the trance her and whispered words to Rivers, not that Séanait heard them, that made her realise that Serenity was really bothered by Rivers' actions so far. Rivers, for his part, seemed to sense this because he bowed, said something about Serenity's wish being his command and then left. Roxy took her cue and left, saying that it had been a pleasure to have Séanait's company.

"Thank you, I'm glad I came." Séanait said with a sincere smile as she returned the toast, "I had a lot of fun."

Séanait watched her leave, not being able to help watch the red head as she left. Rivers sure knew how to pick his women. She shrugged to herself, wondering for a brief moment whether she counted as one of his women, and then picked up her piece of apple pie and started eating. It was good, Rivers was a much better cook than she was, and it didn't take long to wolf her slice down.

As she looked over to where Serenity was submerged, Séanait suddenly felt like talking with her, some honest to goodness talking not just flirting. She wasn't entirely sure why she felt this way, but figured it was probably because she thought Serenity was in a similar position as she was and wanted company in her misery.

When Serenity surfaced enough for her to hear her, Séanait smiled at her and held out the bottle of cider.

"Refill?"

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity looked at Rivers carefully, watching his face change slightly after she spoke. She felt this sinking feeling in her chest to her stomach, and when he spoke she had to blink and release a breath without realizing she’d been holding one. She tried to stop him when he’d said he’d taken things to far, but the words stopped at the tip of her tongue. It was a conversation for another time, and she knew that. She felt awful for ending their night so abruptly, but there was nothing she could do to change it now. She nodded her head as Rivers bowed to her, an upset look now clear on her face. She blinked, and he was gone, though she knew where he was. That was always a comforting feeling, knowing just in case she needed him. She glanced over at the pie left next to her and a sad smile appeared on her face.

When Roxy made her exit Serenity watched her leave, though not in the same way Shy did. See you tomorrow Miss Roxy… I’m sorry. Her apology was mumbled, not meant for her to hear, but apart of her knew that the ears of a half demon would no doubt catch it.

Serenity picked up the pie and took a small bite. Rivers really did know what he was doing, and he was so kind to her. She really had screwed up just now… She looked over at Séanait blinking. She hadn’t realized that she hadn’t left. She figured everyone would have…

Yes, please…That would be lovely. Serenity grabbed her cup from the rocks and held it towards Shy, and meek smile on her face.

[Deleted]

Serenity looked upset with how things had turned out and obviously hadn't expected things to fall apart like this. Séanait couldn't help but feel sorry for her, especially with that meek look on her face as she leaned over to have her cup refilled. She gave Serenity a sympathetic smile as she filled the cup and then refilled her own cup, leaning back against a rock. There was, she had to admit, something both arousing in Serenity's current lack of confidence and something that seemed wrong.

Séanait swirled the cider around in her cup for a few moments and then looked Serenity straight in the eye. While he could be subtle if she really tried, Séanait was too drunk to do anything but seem subtle, and so she went for honesty and earnestness instead.

"You don't want to share him, do you?"

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity lifted her cup after Shy filled it, before bringing it to her lips and taking a decent sized drink. However, the words she heard next caused her to choke a little, and once the cider was down, she coughed a few times. Pardon? She looked at Shy nervously, but sighed. She must have known it was obvious… There wasn’t much point in hiding it now.

It’s not that… Or at least I don’t think so.. I… Rivers was the first person I trusted entirely in this world… He taught me what it was like to move on, let go of the impossible thought that I could go home some day… He’s still teaching me how to live here, and everyday I change a little from the snobby bitch I used to be.. though that still lingers. Rivers… he’s kind, and caring, and I’ve never met someone like him… she looked down at her feet in the water. I don’t know quite what I feel towards him, and I can’t blame him for expressing himself, I’d be a hypocrite. But, something about watching that… it hurt for some reason. I have no claim on the man, but.. Well, I guess I have high hopes. Ones that shouldn’t exist. Roxanne has every right to flirt and do as she does with him, and he has every right to return it. But, I don’t like seeing it. I don’t know if that makes me petty, jealous, or whiny… But I’m trying to ignore it.. Serenity looked at Séanait, shrugging. Rivers was not hers, and she had a feeling he may never be, but she was drawn to him, and she thought he knew that, but even if he did, he had no obligation to her. Why did she care so much?

[Deleted]

Séanait thought about how to reply to that. It sounded like Serenity had strong feelings for Rivers, but whether they were feelings generated because she needed someone to cling to and he was one of the only men she knew well or if they were genuine Séanait didn't know. If it was the former, then Serenity was likely to get hurt and maybe both Roxy and Rivers would be as well. On the other hand, she was beginning to understand how painful it could be to be around someone you had feelings that might or might not be reciprocated.

"I think," She said slowly, "That while you don't have any right to feel jealous, you're not going to stop feeling it. I think you might be in love with him, or maybe just the idea of him, and it's going to hurt every time you see him getting passionate with Roxy. But, while you might not have any claim on his affection, that doesn't mean you can't pursue it."

Séanait took a sip of her cider and smiled slightly.

"I know this makes me something of a hypocrite, but I think you need to make your intention clear with Rivers. I mean...Don't corner him, don't force him to choose just like that," She clicked her fingers, "Just, make sure he knows you want something more solid with him than all this. Am I making sense?"

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity looked at Séanait carefully while she spoke. In love? There was no way Serenity was actually in love with Rivers, was there? She had only met him a short while ago! No, Serenity was certain that she simply had feelings, nothing as serious as love— but how could she know? She’d never even been in love! Serenity sighed. I understand what you mean, and it makes sense. Honestly, I know how odd I must sound. Getting so attached so quickly. But thats how things were in my world, you find someone, and you hope that you don’t have to look anymore. But I suppose that sounds like giving up too. Serenity sopped her cider, and shrugged.

I know it’s not “end all be all” with Rivers. He’s not that type of person. As he would say “I am like the wind, and the wind never stays in one place for to long”, or something like that. I don’t know what I’m expecting. She let out a small laugh. Silly me

[Deleted]

Séanait made a wry face and shrugged. Serenity's world sounded about the same as her own so far as periods of romance were concerned, which probably meant that other parts of the whole courtship process, namely two fathers deciding that it would be to their mutual advantage to have their children marry, were probably similar.

"Where I come from, you mostly get shown off by your father or eldest brother at one of the markets. If there's a man there who likes your sewing or your cooking or even just your looks, he might start negotiating for your hand. Mostly they'll court you for a little while, but sometimes it's just a matter of money changing hands and 'boom' you're someone's wife."

She drank some more cider and thought how to put her next observation into words. She didn't want to offend Serenity at this point.

"With you and Rivers, though, I've seen people 'fall in love', as it were, much like you while on campaign. People who've been uprooted, who don't know when their next meal might be their last or when something horrible might happen to them want a rock to cling to. Most often is someone who's been kind to them, and they latch onto that kindness. And you know what? There's nothing wrong with that.

"But," And she hesitated, "It's not always a good thing. I've seen people hurt bad, both the rocks and those clinging to them. Like you say, Rivers isn't the most solid of rocks to cling to. My advice would be to go for him if you want him, but don't rely on him as your anchor. Find something else to anchor yourself in this world. Friends, a hobby, a job, whatever. Just don't let it be him alone."

[Serenity Caine]

That would be an interesting way to live… For me, it was more my father kept me from the outside world any chance he got. He was terrified of loosing his daughter I guess would be the simple way to put it. Everyone around me was married at half my age now… Serenity shrugged, remember what little friends she’d had, marrying off far before her. She wondered if she ever would.

Serenity listened to Shy’s words carefully, watching her with a skeptical look. In all honesty, her words hit home perfectly, and Serenity wasn’t sure that was a good thing. She knew she’d clung to Kail before, for very similar reasons, but she didn’t have the mind to do it again, did she? Serenity looked away from Shy, her eyes stinging slightly. Rivers was her friend. He could always - hopefully - be her friend. Even if she risked it by letting him know what she assumed had already been obvious, she had a feeling he’d stay her friend. I don’t intend on it just being him… it just so happens that he is currently. Things with Mr. Lancaster are a bit odd right now, and I suppose I am making a friend of yourself and Miss Roxanne, but I do need to branch out… Things are just a bit difficult right now. But I know what you mean. She looked back at Shy with a slightly sad smile. It was hard making friends when you’re the outsider, but she supposed she wasn’t the only one. She may be the only one from her time and world, but she was not the only outsider in this world.

[Deleted]

Séanait was, if not shocked, then at least surprised at Serenity's comments on marriage. She didn't look older than her mid-20s, which meant women must be married off very young in her world.

"I'm surprised. Back home girls usually aren't betrothed until fifteen or sixteen, and they often don't marry for another couple of years, not unless they're already pregnant. I'm kind of glad I don't live in your world."

Maybe it was just the drink, or maybe the mixed emotions she was feeling over her crush on Claire and loneliness at being the only one Rivers hadn't tried to kiss, but Séanait felt herself moved by Serenity's sad smile. She felt a real need to comfort the woman, and reached out, put a hand her shoulder and looked straight into her eyes.

"I'd be honoured if you would count me as one of your friends."

[Serenity Caine]

Not everyone did, but a lot of the people I knew… Mind you I really didn’t know many. As I mentioned, I didn’t get out much. not until my father died— though then I was so focused on running the business he left behind… Yeah, I miss my world, but I really really don’t. Serenity let out a small laugh and sipped more of her cider. However, she was stopped short as Shy put out her hand and rested it on Serenity’s shoulder, looking into her eyes.

Well, of course. Unless you do something against me, I see no reason why I would not. You are a kind, honourable woman. Every time I’ve encountered you, you’ve been strong and amazing. Even that time in the springs, when I so rudely assumed the worst of the people that were in there, you were kind. You are a good person Séanait. Serenity gave her a genuine smile now, all thoughts of her pity party from her mind for the time being. Making friends wasn’t her strong suit, but being honest generally had been.

And as you said, I need to make friends. Counting you as one sounds like a brilliant start in my opinion. Serenity shrugged and looked over at the house, wondering what Roxy and Rivers would be doing— though she knew Rivers was in town, she had no idea if Roxy was in the house or not. It’s almost as though they’re my family now…

[Deleted]

Séanait had been called many things, few of them repeatable in polite company, but a "good person" wasn't one of them. She was a soldier, someone who had done terrible things, things sometimes not even acceptable within either of the societies she had been a part of. Kind, well, yes, she'd been kind to people. Honorable? She'd always tried to act within the bounds of honour and had gained honour over the years. But good? No, she'd never been a good person. And yet, it felt so good to be called one. It was...nice, pleasant in a way she had never expected she would want.

There was no thought to her next action, not even a sense of detachment. One moment she was just looking at Serenity with stunned astonishment on her face, and the next she was kissing her. It was a gentle kiss, softer and more gentle than any man's kiss. For a brief instant, Séanait considered pulling away and apologising, blaming the drink and then just going off in shame. Then a combination of feeling a little vulnerable from previous discussion topics, feeling left out and wanting to give Serenity something back took hold of her and she pulled away gently, putting a hand on either side of Serenity's face, their noses almost touching.

"I know I'm not Rivers, and you're not Claire, but maybe we can put off our troubles for a night."

She was whispering, a gentle longing in her face. She brought one hand down to brush the side of Serenity's face and then went in for another kiss, hoping that she wasn't about to get shut down hard.