Rydia has grown greatly since Leviathan brought her to this place. She's much taller now, stronger both physically and emotionally. The eidolons have ceased to consider her "other", and now regard her as a part of their own family - for who among them is related by mortal blood? Who among their number bears physical resemblance to one another? She too is a unique being, and a valued and trusted friend.
Many of them have become close enough to Rydia that they have offered her their strength, should she need it. Some offered it freely; with others, she asked and they obliged. For someday, she says, she must return to the surface, when she is strong enough to be of help to her human companions.
Though there has long been a fascination, and they've enjoyed one another's company oft enough now that Rydia is essentially full-grown for her species, Rydia has not yet asked Shiva, and Shiva has not offered. There is yet a distance between them, though at times no more than the layer of thick woven cloak to protect Rydia's frail skin from the chill, or the glove that permits her hands to linger longer than would otherwise be safe. Of late there is an awkwardness as well. The silences in the midst of their conversations feel hesitant.
At last it is Shiva who asks, late in the evening while the two of them are lazing in Rydia's dwelling, with the young human woman wrapped in a blanket within Shiva's arms, a warm drink in her hands. "Think not that I begrudge our time together," Shiva begins, stroking Rydia's shoulder through the blanket. "Nor that I wish for more. Yet I am curious." Rydia lifts her head from where it was settled against Shiva's shoulder, now curious as well. "All our other kin have granted you permission to summon them in the Above. All but myself, and never have you asked..."
"Perhaps." Shiva smiles in return, in what she hopes is comforting fashion; she knows that many humans find her frightening, though Rydia has ever been bold, or she would not be here, like this. "At times, you are indeed quite silly, and I find it endearing."
Rydia laughs softly, like the tinkling of bells, Shiva thinks. She does find many of Rydia's human aspects endearing. "Well, then," Rydia begins as she settles back. "I intended to ask, some time ago. I thought I would, once I knew you better. But as we grew closer, it just... never seemed like the right time. There always seemed to be something more interesting to say - or do - and I didn't want you to think that... that was why I wanted to be close to you."
"I see," Shiva muses. "You feared the appearance of coersion?"
"Yes, that's it exactly," Rydia agrees, and snuggles a little deeper into Shiva's embrace, heedless of the cold. "And eventually I stopped worrying about it. To be honest, I have all I could want from you - far more than I ever expected."
"...I believe you." It is not a strange thing to Shiva to be admired, lusted after. It is only strange when she returns it, a favor she has shown few throughout the ages, and none other among the humans; she and Rydia share a unique intimacy. And thus there is no hesitancy in the offer she now makes: "Even so - if it pleases you to have just a bit more, then you are welcome to call upon me whenever you wish."
Clearly it does please her, from the smile that widens across Rydia's face when she looks up again. Shiva recognizes the motion as her neck cranes upwards, her eyes closing, and lowers her own head for a kiss.
Perhaps this time they have lingered a bit too long, for Rydia hurriedly takes a sip of her drink when they part, and even afterward her smile seems slightly stiff, as if her lips are numb - but regardless, her happiness and gratitude for that extra step, that additional closeness above what they already share, shines through.
Rydia/Shiva, A Unique Intimacy, G
Many of them have become close enough to Rydia that they have offered her their strength, should she need it. Some offered it freely; with others, she asked and they obliged. For someday, she says, she must return to the surface, when she is strong enough to be of help to her human companions.
Though there has long been a fascination, and they've enjoyed one another's company oft enough now that Rydia is essentially full-grown for her species, Rydia has not yet asked Shiva, and Shiva has not offered. There is yet a distance between them, though at times no more than the layer of thick woven cloak to protect Rydia's frail skin from the chill, or the glove that permits her hands to linger longer than would otherwise be safe. Of late there is an awkwardness as well. The silences in the midst of their conversations feel hesitant.
At last it is Shiva who asks, late in the evening while the two of them are lazing in Rydia's dwelling, with the young human woman wrapped in a blanket within Shiva's arms, a warm drink in her hands. "Think not that I begrudge our time together," Shiva begins, stroking Rydia's shoulder through the blanket. "Nor that I wish for more. Yet I am curious." Rydia lifts her head from where it was settled against Shiva's shoulder, now curious as well. "All our other kin have granted you permission to summon them in the Above. All but myself, and never have you asked..."
"Ahh..." Rydia looks slightly sheepish, but smiles. "You'll think it's silly."
"Perhaps." Shiva smiles in return, in what she hopes is comforting fashion; she knows that many humans find her frightening, though Rydia has ever been bold, or she would not be here, like this. "At times, you are indeed quite silly, and I find it endearing."
Rydia laughs softly, like the tinkling of bells, Shiva thinks. She does find many of Rydia's human aspects endearing. "Well, then," Rydia begins as she settles back. "I intended to ask, some time ago. I thought I would, once I knew you better. But as we grew closer, it just... never seemed like the right time. There always seemed to be something more interesting to say - or do - and I didn't want you to think that... that was why I wanted to be close to you."
"I see," Shiva muses. "You feared the appearance of coersion?"
"Yes, that's it exactly," Rydia agrees, and snuggles a little deeper into Shiva's embrace, heedless of the cold. "And eventually I stopped worrying about it. To be honest, I have all I could want from you - far more than I ever expected."
"...I believe you." It is not a strange thing to Shiva to be admired, lusted after. It is only strange when she returns it, a favor she has shown few throughout the ages, and none other among the humans; she and Rydia share a unique intimacy. And thus there is no hesitancy in the offer she now makes: "Even so - if it pleases you to have just a bit more, then you are welcome to call upon me whenever you wish."
Clearly it does please her, from the smile that widens across Rydia's face when she looks up again. Shiva recognizes the motion as her neck cranes upwards, her eyes closing, and lowers her own head for a kiss.
Perhaps this time they have lingered a bit too long, for Rydia hurriedly takes a sip of her drink when they part, and even afterward her smile seems slightly stiff, as if her lips are numb - but regardless, her happiness and gratitude for that extra step, that additional closeness above what they already share, shines through.