[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand felt Satoshi's acceptance of his bond, and his heart soared. He sent an answering wave of love to Satoshi, watching as Satoshi smiled and whispered his name. Sand breathed in deeply, inhaling the scent of his lover, tasting the sweetness of his soul. Vale loved with his whole heart, open and generous. Sand loved with wild abandon, with every fiber of his soul, nothing held back. It was that wanton explosion of love that washed over the drowsing Satoshi as Sand settled to his reverie, his face filled with bliss as he curled around his lover.

The next morning Vale woke just before dawn, tangled up with a bed-hogging imp and delightfully sore. If he thought about it, his ass felt like it did after his union with Yuji, and that made Vale grin as he carefully untangled himself from Kansas, kissing his beautiful imp softly and tucking the quilts around him. Vale limped into the shower in his room, reveling in the hot water and feeling some of the aches fading away. He finished quickly, not wanting Aika to wake alone in her new nursery, and rummaged in his wardrobe for clothing. Sand had brought all his elven clothing into the room, and Vale had his clothing from Japan as well, which he had become quite accustomed to by now. He compromised, slipping into a pair of loose linen sleep pants and pulling a t-shirt over his head before hurrying in to Aika.

Aika was just stirring, and Vale leaned over and nuzzled her, chuckling as she gave him a sleepy, slightly damp kiss on his cheek. He changed her and got her dressed, and stopped by to check Ryuu on his way to the kitchen. Ryuu was still sleeping. Like Satoshi, he was not an early riser, and needed to be woken for kindergarten each day, full of sleepy protests. Vale closed the door gently and headed down to the kitchen, murmuring, "Let's let onii-san sleep, shall we? You and I will start the tea, and the rice, and I have some lovely fruit for you." Aika giggled and nestled into his shoulder.

Vale set Aika on a chair and gave her a small dish of sweet ram berries. Then he set up the rice cooker and tea maker, and found a proper cooking pot for the miso soup. He diced some tofu into chunks to add to the soup, hoping to coax Yuji into eating a bit this morning. He looked in the cold chest, and brought out a couple of eggs as well, in the hopes that Satoshi would show him again how to get that just right. Vale chuckled, and Aika looked at him curiously.

"I think tousan will be late today, my lady," Vale informed the toddler. Vale was quite sure that Satoshi and Sand would still be asleep, since Sand was no fonder of rising early than Satoshi or Ryuu. "So for right now, it's just us, my sweet girl. Who will come and see us first, do you think? Hmm?"

Aika giggled again as Vale poured himself a mug of tea and joined her at the table, nibbling on a few ram berries himself.

[tempest.]

Sand was watching Samantha as she sat up, trembling, trying to keep from sobbing. He laid a gentle hand on her back, rubbing a little to ease her tension.

"Nights must be the very Hells," Sand murmured. His voice was soft and filled with tenderness. "Come and rest beside me, and let me hold you. You have endured this alone for too long, and no one can be so strong forever, not alone."

Sand eased Samantha back down and cradled her close to him, her head on his shoulder while he placed soft kisses on her head. "If it helps to talk, I am always here to listen. There is little that would frighten me, and nothing I would not face for your sake."

He could feel Samantha beginning to relax a little, but there was something else, a feeling that they were not alone. Sand's eyes detected nothing, but every arcane ability he had was screaming. Only a fool would ignore that, and Sand was no fool. Whatever it was, it was strong, very strong indeed. If it was the demon that was within Samantha, it would be formidable, but not beyond his abilities, of that Sand was sure. What he was not sure of, and what gave him the most cause for concern, was whether or not he could lure this demon into releasing Samantha. He would not risk her life in a battle with such a creature.

[Character Backgrounds]

Use this thread for your character backgrounds, and get as detailed as you'd like.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand nipped at Satoshi's lower lip, playing with the piercings. "I think I have discovered a fascination for washing dishes myself." The feel of Satoshi's crotch rubbing up against his was far too delicious, and Sand could feel his cock hardening. He deepened the kiss, plundering Satoshi's tight mouth and teasing the ball stud with his tongue.

"My room," Sand murmured, his voice husky with desire.

Sand grabbed a bottle of wine on the way out of the basement, and he and Satoshi all but ran up the stairs to the second floor, turning into Sand's luxurious bedroom. The minute they closed the door behind them, Sand shed his outer robe, letting it fall to the floor as he grabbed Satoshi and slid his hands into his silky hair, pulling him into another passionate kiss. He hands slid down, deft fingers undoing the buttons of Satoshi's shirt rapidly, as Satoshi opened the clasp at the neck of Sand's tunic.

Sand gasped as Satoshi broke from the kiss to nip at his throat. "Ah, yes, right there," Sand moaned. "Mark me, my heart." Sand pushed Satoshi's shirt off his shoulders, letting it fall away as Satoshi worried the tender skin of Sand's throat. Sand ground himself against Satoshi happily, his fingers working on the waistband of Satoshi's pants, pushing them down the minute he got them open. He palmed Satoshi's hard cock through the fabric of his boxers, and Satoshi mewled in pleasure.

Sand stepped back a moment. and peeled his tunic off in a swift, fluid motion, the fine web of scars on his abdomen shining slightly in the soft light of the glow globe on the wall. Satoshi looked at the scars, and Sand smiled as he tugged at the laces of his breeches. Satoshi pushed Sand's hands away, wanting to slide the breeches over those slim hips himself, his shyness forgotten in the sudden need to touch that pale skin. Sand was not wearing any undergarments, and his cock sprang free, larger than Vale's and impressively hard.

"Oh, fuck," Satoshi moaned, his mouth yearning to taste Sand's cock. His hands gripped Sand's ass cheeks, squeezing them, and Sand bucked his hips to rub his cock against Satoshi's cock with a wanton moan.

Sand tugged Satoshi, guiding him to the bed, and gently pushing him backward onto the collection of silken quilts and pillows. The elf quickly dealt with Satoshi's boxers, moaning again when he stroked his lover's cock, his thumb smearing a few drops of precum over the head, and then Sand's hot mouth closed over Satoshi. His tongue danced lightly across the cleft behind the head and flattened as Sand engulfed Stoshi to the very root, his nose buried in the soft hair at the base of Satoshi's cock. Satoshi's hands fisted in Sand's hair as the elf drew back, sucking hard enough to hollow his cheeks. One slim hand reached up to fins a nipple ring, and Sand tugged it just to hear Satoshi moan again. The elf swallowed Satoshi's cock again, his throat loosening to take all of Satoshi again, and Sand purred, the vibration running up Satoshi's spine and making him mewl.

Satoshi tugged on Sand's hair, and the elf reared up, his blue eyes glowing with desire and love. "Tell me, my heart," he managed, close to being beyond speech, but Satoshi just looked at him, those beautiful eyes full of love and heat. Sand crouched back down, kissing one golden thigh, and when Satoshi moaned, Sand nipped his way to the top of that thigh and sucked hard, worrying the skin and sucking until a faintly metallic taste signaled that he had made a mark. Sand then returned to Satoshi's cock, lapping at the precum before devouring it again, one hand cupped Satoshi's sac and pressing lightly oh the tender skin behind his balls. Satoshie mewled as Sand sucked harder ad then swallowed a few times, the resulting muscular gripping making Satoshi arch his back and fill Sand's mouth with the salty, slightly bitter taste of his cum. Sand swallowed eagerly, lapping every last drop off like a cat.

Sand scooted upward, still straddling his supine lover, and he rubbed his own aching cock against the piercings of Satoshi's lower lip, writhing in bliss as the metal scraped lightly across the sensitive flesh. Sand teased Satoshi's mouth open, and he mewled a little as Sand slipped the head past his lips, feeling that ball stud swipe across the head of his cock. Sand's back arched involuntarily, driving his cock further in to Satoshi's mouth, and he opened wide to accommodate Sand. Sand moaned and bucked his hip again, and Satoshi opened his mouth as widely as he could, his hand wrapped around the rest of Sand's cock.

It had been so long since Sand had been touched, and Satoshi's mouth was so hot and tight, that Sand felt his balls draw up, and he moaned as he came, yelping with pleasure as he spilled into that tight mouth. Satoshi gave a muffled shriek and swallowed eagerly, moaning and writhing underneath Sand's thighs. Sand's back had arched and he howled as he thrust convulsively into that heat.

Sand shuddered for a moment, and then he collapsed bonelessly onto the bed, shifting to one side and flopping next to Satoshi, his breathing ragged. The elf chuckled. "That was a good start," he murmured, grabbing the bottle of wine and opening it with a deft twist. He scooted further up the bed, and found two wine glasses and a small vial of oil. He splashed wine into each glass and tossed his back, and Satoshi did the same, amazed by the lack of burn.

Sand slicked his fingers with the oil, and slid one inside Satoshi, breaching him easily and thrusting deep as Satoshi's hips bucked at the delicious intrusion. Another finger slid in and Satoshi moaned loudly as Sand curled his fingers and pressed firmly on Satoshi's prostate, igniting a burst of sparks behind his lover's eyes. Sand thrust a few times, and then added a third finger, remembering how tight Satoshi was, and then he slicked his oiled fingers over his own cock, already hard and eager.

"Please," Sand murmured. Satoshi spread his thighs and welcomed Sand as Sand's cock slid between his ass cheeks to press on the round muscle, loosened but still so tight. Sand pushed the head of his cock in, and paused a moment, watching Satoshi's face as he nibbled his own lower lip. Sand pressed forward, slow and steady, until his balls were pressed against Satoshi's ass, and then he leaned forward to bite at that delectable lip, findgers worrying the nipple rings that decorated his lover. Satoshi howled at the intrusion, but his face was flushed with desire, and his hands gripped Sand's hips tightly enough to bruise.

Sand held his position for a moment, his eyes fluttering closed as he savored the incredible tightness of Satoshi's ass. "Oh, gods, my heart, you feel so good," he murmured into Satoshi's ear, and his lover bucked his hips with a whine.

"Move, please move. Make me howl," Satoshi pleaded.

Sand pulled back and thrust forward, steady and not too fast at first, giving Satoshi a chance to adjust to him, and when he saw his lover's face relax a bit, he picked up the pace, thrusting harder into that dizzying heat, pounding Satoshi's prostate relentlessly. His belly pressed against Satoshi's cock, hard and eager between them, and when Satoshi reached up to tweak a sensitive ear, Sand howled and thrust harder, his balls tight and hot.

"Oh, gods, I can't," Sand cried, and his back arched as he filled Satoshi's ass with cum, the pressure on Satoshi's cock enough to push him into splattering them both as his ass clamped around Sand's cock. The elf moaned, his mouth fastening on Satoshi's, his tongue delving deeply as he shuddered. It took a few moments for Sand to be able to move, easing himself out of Satoshi and flopping in a boneless heap next to him.

"Wine," Sand murmured, and reached for the bottle and glasses again, pouring for them both. As he did, Satoshi got a good look at his back. There were four parallel scars that ran from his left shoulder diagonally to his right hip, thick and pale and shiny. Other fainter scars, older and faded, crisscrossed his back as well. Satoshi looked at Sand, astonished. During the vacation, the elf had looked flawless. He smiled at Satoshi and kissed him, pulling himself upright.

"An old encounter. I will tell you one day, but not tonight. I used a glamour, a spell for the vacation. Wench thought it best," Sand said, but there was only joy in his eyes as he looked at Satoshi. "So beautiful," he murmured. He leaned forward and kissed Satoshi again, chuckling when they both began to stir, cocks twitching and hardening. "Oh, what you do to me," the elf laughed, his eyes filled with love. "I cannot get enough of you."

Sand reached out and slipped two fingers into Satoshi's mouth, his eyes bright with desire. "I want to feel you in me, my heart. I want you to take me." He moaned happily as Satoshi suckled his fingers, wetting them thoroughly, and then Sand withdrew them from Satoshi's mouth and plunged them into his own ass, arching his back in wanton abandon as he stretched himself. Satoshi sat up, wrapping his arms around a slim waist and devouring one peaked nipple as Sand writhed on his own fingers, moaning at the feel of Satoshi's piercings sliding across his skin. He slipped out of Satoshi's arms and turned, his ass in the air, his silky hair framing his face as he gave Satoshi a sultry look over his shoulder.

"Take me," Sand invited, and Satoshi reached for those hips, plunging himself into the elf's ass without hesitation. He rocked back on his heels, pulling Sand upright and fucking his ass, one arm around Sand's waist while the other hand pinched and twisted his nipples. The elf cried out throatily, his head falling back onto Satoshi's shoulder and turning so that he could kiss his lover, moaning with pleasure as one slim hand wrapped around his own cock and stroked in time with Satoshi's thrusts. Sand ground himself down onto Satoshi, his movements increasingly erratic and his muscles trembling until he let out a howl of pure ecstasy, cum spattering his hand and belly, and his ass like a vise around Satoshi's cock. Satoshi bit Sand's ear sharply and spilled himself into his ass, with a scream that rivaled Sand's howls. Utterly spent, he let Sand sink forward, and he collapsed alongside him, holding the moon elf tightly against him, hot tears of joy prickling his eyes.

Sand wriggled around until he was facing Satoshi, and took his face between slim hands. "Oh, my heart, why do I feel like I have finally come home?" the elf asked, his eyes burning with love.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand looked at Vale, his expression slightly abashed. "I do so hate making all those ridiculous potions. Enhance my charms, make me stronger. I am debating not making potions at all anymore, except for reasons like this."

Vale managed to hold his indignant expression for only a moment longer before he too began to laugh. "Oh, ithilamin, I'll be very happy if you stop! It's not like you need the coin, and if I never taste another gruesome concoction..." He trailed off into peals of laughter again.

Satoshi had stopped laughing, and was looking around the basement thoughtfully. The door to Sand's study was open, as it usually was, and the sight of all the books and parchments piled everywhere, the comfortable reading chair, the desk buried under piles of scrolls and parchment gave him an idea. He was a little hesitant about voicing it, but Sand had been so warm and open, and the way he had been playful while they did the dishes made Satoshi feel like he could dare to make a suggestion.

"Sand?" Satoshi began, his cheeks flushing. "Is there room down here for another study?"

Sand looked at Satoshi, curious. "Of course. I barely use the area down here. There are several unused rooms."

"Is there one with maybe a window?" Satoshi asked. "Maybe big enough for some shelves for books, and a desk and a reading chair like you have? Willow's a writer, and she's lost without her laptop right now."

Sand's face brightened, and he whirled around and tugged Satoshi to a door, flinging it open to reveal a spacious room with two windows. "Would this do?"

Vale brightened as well. "We could get her a nice desk, and books that she might like, and parchment. Lots of parchment."

"And she could lose her desk under the parchment," Kansas giggled. "But she'd be happier and maybe less cranky."

"Let's get it fixed up and we can surprise her!" Vale hugged Satoshi and kissed him soundly. "You're brilliant!"

Sand was looking thoughtful now, and Vale suppressed a small shudder.

"What about the stairs? Are they wide enough? Are they too steep?" Sand looked at Vale, who in turn looked at Satoshi and Kansas.

"I think by the time the stairs get to be too much, she won't want to write much anyway. She'll be too busy chasing us around, getting ready for the baby," Satoshi said. He remembered vividly how Willow had fussed right before Ryuu was born. He and Yuji had been exhausted, between putting together furniture and moving it around five times a day.

Sand looked briefly wistful. "I do hope you are all still here when the baby is born. I would like very much to see him."

Vale put his arms around Sand and kissed him, his fingers sliding through the black silk of Sand's hair. Sand moved into the embrace, fitting himself against Vale with the ease of long familiarity, the love between them apparent for all to see.

"Even if we're not, I'll bring him home to see you," Vale promised. "We're a family, aren't we?"

Sand smiled, his eyes brighter, and he looked over at Satoshi. "I think we are. I hope we are."

"Good," Vale said. "Now, let's go enjoy some more of that wine, and tomorrow we can start Yuji on his potions after the healers are done."

"We should contact Wench as well, and let her know that Yuji is responding," Sand added. "Yuji's family back home in Japan will want to know, will they not? I will take care of that. Satoshi, have you ever seen a scrying mirror?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale looked at Sand and Satoshi as they walked in, Satoshi blushing furiously and Sand looking slightly pink as well. Kansas came in behind them with the last of the bowls, showing no distress, and Vale contented himself with merely raising an eyebrow at his elven husband.

"I apologize if we are late," Sand said, his smile bright with happiness. "It is just such a beautiful night. It was entirely my fault for lingering on the way." Sand watched as Vale deftly picked up a small bite of rice with a pair of sticks and fed it to Aika, who was sitting on his lap.

"Come sit and eat, before it's all cold," Vale urged. "I opened the wine, ithilamin."

The use of the affectionate nickname made Sand relax, and he and Satoshi sat down. Dinner was lively, with more joking than they had done recently, Yuji's increasing strength lifting everyone's spirits. The children were particularly lively, and Ryuu giggled his way through dinner as he watched Sand attempting to use chopsticks. By the end of the meal, though, Sand was able to manage them well enough to eat a bit, and Ryuu congratulated him soundly. Then Aika decided she needed to sit with her chichi, and Vale's heart soared when Yuji held out his arms for her, his thin face radiant and his perfect eyes brimming with love.

After dinner, Satoshi nudged Sand, and they cleared the table. There was a large stone sink in the kitchen, with taps for water and Satoshi handed Sand a cloth.

"I'll wash and you dry," Satoshi told the elf. His sweet smile made Sand's heart skip a beat, and he completely forgot about suggesting a cleaning cantrip, instead lingering over the chore and finding silly reasons to bump shoulders with Satoshi.

While the dishes were being done, Vale poured wine for Yuji and got Willow some hot tea. Then Vale and Kansas took the children upstairs to tuck them in bed, both of them sleepy from the excitement of the day and the time in the park. By the time they came downstairs, Sand and Satoshi were done with their chore, and Sand had alook on his face that Vale knew all too well.

"Anoramin, I need your help." Sand smiled brightly at Vale. "The clerics left a formulation for a potion with me, something to augment Yuji's healing. I'm not quite sure of the taste, though."

Vale paled slightly, but he nodded and went to follow Sand to the basement. Kansas started to snicker, and Vale turned around, his green eyes bright with mischief. "Hey, loves, maybe you can help me." He went over to Kansas and Satoshi, and linked his arms through theirs. "It's for Yuji. We should all taste it."

The imps exchanged a dubious glance, but Vale leaned in and muttered, "Greasy baboon's testies with a side of wasabi." Then he dragged them into Sand's basement lair.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand hurried to catch up to Satoshi, his lips tingling from the brief but tender kiss. "I may need a thousand chances, you know. I very nearly lost Vale to stubborn pride and foolishness, but I like to think I am intelligent enough to learn from my mistakes. Still, I have lived long enough to know how little I do know, and long enough to have learned that it is foolish indeed not to follow one's heart."

Sand sighed, daring to reach out and capture Satoshi's hand again. "I do not know exactly how to do this, and so I will just blurt it all out, and hope that you will hear me out. I am actually terrified myself, you know. You will think me no end of foolish." Sand chuckled a little, looking at Satoshi. "I am not even sure where to begin, in truth. I suppose the best place is to admit that I am so afraid of putting myself in between you and your spouses. I have no desire to damage your marriage or your family, and I hope that offering my heart would not do that."

Sand led Satoshi down a steep hill, Black Lake glittering with the reflected moon and stars. "I bonded with Vale shortly after we became lovers. I had known him for about a year. I did not ask him to complete the bond when I linked myself to him, because I thought we had time. It was impulsive, a thing that felt right when I did it. And then it all fell apart, and I was alone with all my pain, and all his pain, exiled to another place for a few years. It was the hope that I could fix things that kept me alive. And yet, when I returned to Neverwinter, my exile over, I could not seem to find the words I needed. He was still so hurt, and so bitter, and I stayed silent and held the pain within myself."

There was a bench, stone and elaborately carved, and Sand sat, pulling Satoshi down beside him. The elf turned his face up to the moon.

"I fell in love again, because hearts are not meant to be filled only with pain. They seek love, and she was young, and brave, and courageous, all the things I felt that I was not. She was needed to stop an evil that threatened Neverwinter, and she did, with me at her side, and her reward was to be pulled into an even greater darkness that tore her soul apart. Our love was the casualty of that rending, but I remained by her side until she faded from life. I thought that was all I would know, then, was the pain of loss, but Vale was braver and sought me out, and that time I found the courage to say what I should have said." Sand looked at Satoshi, his blue eyes dark in the night. "Vale completed our bond, and healed a large part of me. I cannot bring myself to regret much, but waiting almost a quarter of a century to feel his soul join with mine was something I regret. I would not like to make that mistake twice."

"You asked me not to speak of love to you until I truly meant it," Sand continued. "I do not know if Vale has explained how these soul bonds work, or if he even realizes it himself, but I can feel you through my bond with him. It is not as strong as if we were bound directly, but I have seen enough of your soul to know that you are beautiful beyond my poor words to describe. Everything we are, every physical scar, every emotional pain that we have endured, these shape our souls, and when a soul can endure and remain beautiful, that is no small thing."

Sand examined Satoshi's hand, still clasped in his own. He touched the rings that Satoshi wore with one slim, faintly scarred finger. "You are part of something magical, a bond between the five of you that is glorious to behold. I would not see it harmed in any way, but I would also hope that in some small way, you could find room in that wonderful soul of yours for one not so perfect elf."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand watched Satoshi leave with his guitar, his eyes a little wide from the quick kiss and one slim hand creeping up to touch his cheek. Vale caught the gesture and suppressed a smile, instead grinning at Kansas.

"Should we pack some snacks for them?" Vale asked Kansas. "We could have a little picnic in the park if they get tired."

Kansas giggled. "They don't really sit much."

Vale started to laugh. "True, but we may need the energy!"

Kansas ran up and got the baby sling while Vale packed a few snacks and a flagon of tea, and they gathered Ryuu and Aika and headed off to the park. Vale carried Aika at first, until they reached the park itself, and then he let her down once they had entered the park. Aika and Ryuu scampered ahead, giggling and shrieking happily, and other people in the park just smiled to see their exuberance. Vale reached out and took Kansas's hand, pulling him close and stealing a kiss. Kansas looked a little wide-eyed, and Vale laughed again.

"We don't have any issues with same gender marriages here. It's accepted." Vale pulled Kansas in for another kiss, and then he and his imp turned their attention back to the children. Vale had brought a ball, and that was tossed around for a good while, even Aika trying her best to throw it. Then it was piggyback races, with Aika on her onii-san amd Ryuu on his otooji. Vale and Kansas both needed a sip of tea after that, and some pocky to restore their strength, which made Ryuu giggle.

"Onii-san, otooji-san, is pocky. Not make strong." Ryuu shook his head at the foolish men. Aika just giggled and nibbled her pocky, curled up on her onii-san.

Suitably restored, Vale found some rope swings, and Aika shrieked in delight as Vale pushed her. Kansas showed Ryuu how to swing himself, and the two of them competed to see who could get higher. Vale made a flower crown for Aika, which made Kansas snicker, so Vale made one for him as well, to Aika's delight.

Back at home, Sand was pleased when the Lathanderite clerics came, and cast two more rounds of healing prayers. He noticed the subtle differences in their prayers, and to his delight, Yuji seemed even more improved, moving easily now and without pain. Willow had tears of joy in her eyes, and she gave Sand an impulsive hug, which he returned.

"He looks better already," Willow said, delighted. She hugged Yuji, pressing a fiercely loving kiss to hip lips. "Damn, it is so good to see you again!"

Yuji laughed and kissed her back. "Thought you wanted to rest, love."

Willow nuzzled close for a moment. "I'll rest now. Walk me up?"

Yuji was elated to realize he felt good enough to walk Willow upstairs, and his face was radiant as he put his arm around her to enjoy her closeness, not to support himself.

Sand watched them go, and turned to the clerics. "You mentioned something about a potion that we could use in combination with the healing prayers? Have you made progress in that?"

"We have. I have taken the liberty of writing down the formula." The cleric handed Sand a parchment, and he scanned it quickly.

"Really? This is all?" Sand looked slightly skeptical. "It seems rather simple."

"The potion is designed to work with the prayers. It is the combination that is most effective. Yuji should drink a potion immediately after we have administered the healing." The cleric bowed slightly.

Sand rolled the parchment up and tucked it in his sleeve. He looked at the remnants of the meal, shrugged and summoned an invisible servant. "Vale would probably be doing this by hand," Sand muttered to himself, heading for his basement workbench. It took him little time to set up the distillation, but Sand found himself curious as to the exact formulation, and wound up in his study, poring through tome after tome in search of information, scribbling notes in his elegant espruar script as he went. By the time he was finished and went upstairs, it was already growing dark. He frowned and closed the basement door, locking it and warding it.

Vale and Kansas came in, with two tired and slightly grubby children, Vale carrying Ryuu and Kansas with Aika in her sling.

"Baths," Vale announced cheerfully. "We all need baths!"

Aika crowed with excitement as they headed upstairs, and Sand started to laugh, delighted by the sheer exuberance of his mate as he nuzzled Ryuu, making the little boy giggle uncontrollably. He went into the kitchen and selected a couple of bottles of elven wine and brought them back out to the living room, setting them and some goblets on the table. He could hear Willow and Yuji stirring, and his smile grew wider. The sounds of the family brought a warmth to the home that had been sorely missing.

That thought made him wonder where Satoshi was, and Sand realized that it might be hard for him to find his way back in the growing dark. He scribbled a quick note and left it with the wine, and headed out to the Blacklake District. Satoshi had mentioned the Cloaktower, and Sand decided to try there first.

It was fully dark by the time Sand reached the rooftop of the Cloaktower, and the lights of Blacklake sparkled like jewels in the streets below. He was greeted by the sound of a song, an elven melody that he had heard Vale hum often, and Sand stopped to listen, his eyes bright.

Satoshi was curled up on a bench on the balcony, bent over his instrument and his fingers were dancing lightly over the strings, coaxing the melody forth. His expression was dreamy, as though he were seeing something other than Neverwinter, and Sand reached out very tentatively through the bond, feeling the solace Satoshi drew from this act of creation. Like all elves, Sand found music both powerful and entrancing, and he was rapt as he listened, a radiant smile on his face.

When the melody finally ended, Sand made a small noise to alert Satoshi to his presence, the smile still on his face. He crossed the balcony to sit beside Satoshi.

"That was beautiful," Sand said, his voice gentle. "I did not know that you also were a musician. You are very gifted."

Satoshi blushed, feeling a warmth from Sand that he both remembered and longed for. To cover his confusion, he began to put the guitar away in its case.

"I didn't realize it was this late," Satoshi said.

"It has just gone dark," Sand replied. "I was concerned that you might not know your way back in the dark. The streets do look different at night."

"You didn't need to come. I could have asked someone the way." Satoshi dared a glance at the darker elf, his braids glittering with their jeweled beads, his clothing elegant and elven. Satoshi felt awkward in his jeans and shirt, and he nibbled at his lower lip, anxious.

"I wanted to come," Sand said. He reached out a slim hand and touched Satoshi's hair. "Your hair is different than when last we met. I think this suits you more. It makes your eyes look so beautiful." Sand smiled again, that radiant smile that made him look younger and so very approachable, and Satoshi felt a tugging in his gut.

"I guess we should go back." Satoshi stood, a little nervous and yet pleased that Sand had come.

Sand reached out and took Satoshi's hand, weaving his fingers through Satoshi's fingers. He did not release the man as they made their way down through the Cloaktower, greeting some of the mages that they passed. They went out into the street, and Satoshi realized what Sand has meant.

The streets were lit by glowing globes, magical lights that cast a golden sheen on everything. The buildings looked utterly different, and Satoshi gaped for a moment.

"It is beautiful, is it not?" Sand asked, his voice warm. "I do love this city at night. It is almost as beautiful as Evereska, where I am from, and nearly as enchanting as the Anauroch desert." Sand laughed, a bright and happy laugh. "If you listen to Vale, he will say that I am overly fond of far-flung places and grubby ruins. He would be right, but I will never admit that to him."

"I can't picture you in some grubby ruin," Satoshi said, and then blushed furiously as the words slipped out.

"You would not be the first to tell me that," Sand replied cheerfully. "Truthfully, I am happy in my dank and dirty ruins. There is so much to discover, so much to learn. I would love to show you some of the places I have seen." He looked over at Satoshi. "I was an idiot on the vacation. I wanted to spend more time with you, but I was not sure you wanted anything further to do with me. I should have asked, but I am often rightfully accused of not wanting to mention the oliphaunt in the room." His fingers tightened slightly around Satoshi's, a nervous gesture that relaxed the man. "Would you have sent me away, had I sought you out?"

Satoshi was silent for a moment. Part of him wanted to blurt out the truth, and part of him insisted that this beautiful elf could not find him attractive.

Sand continued, his voice wistful. "I wonder, though, since I was not as gentle as I should have been. But you know, you were so very beautiful, and I could not resist loving you." He looked at Satoshi, his blue eyes wide and heated with desire. "Perhaps I might be able to convince you to give me another chance."

[Brainstorming the Initial Plot]

BW: how do you when do you want story hooks chars known sent? It probably should be after the characters solidify, right?

The hooks can be worked out after we solidify characters, yes. Otherwise, we'll be revising hooks to fit with character development.

As far as teamspeak, my daft bugger already has a teamspeak server. I can see about piggybacking off his, which shouldn't be a problem. I don't think we'll use it all that often, but it's nice to have a real-time option to work things out.

[Brainstorming the Initial Plot]

I'm sitting back a bit while you all hash out your characters and decide what you're looking for, but I have to say, you're all ramping up my enthusiasm as well!

I think we can definitely work with a group of elves and a lone human who, for reasons to be decided, has thrown their lot in with the underdogs. There have always been those few folk who do choose that path, so I'm all for it. And as far as throwing NPCs at me for me to play with, that's always both helpful and fun!

I'm also excited to see that the focus is more on the intrigue and moral quandaries and puzzles, with a nice dose of sheer, bowel-cleansing terror just to amuse, rather than on non-stop hack-n-slash. I think the combat needs to be less of a focus because Anesor is right. In PbP, it will bog things down. But when it's really needed to advance the plot, there will be combat, and yes, it might be a sneak attack.

I love the idea of exploring the Dales, but it might be a tough starting point, being on the other side of the Frostback Mountains. Then again, the hazards implicit in a mountain crossing could be fun, too

But really, I do think right now we need to get the party set up. I'll work on getting some basic background info posts up as well. Most of us are familiar enough with the Fereldan environment but I'll try and pull together what I can about areas outside Fereldan, from the Codex and other sources. That may help refine the setting for your jump-off point. It may take a couple of days to get that up, thanks to RL being a royal bitch, but I'll try and get posts up as fast as I can!

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand looked over at Yuji, and gave him a radiant smile. "This is your home, of course. We are a family, all of us, are we not? At least, I would like to be a part of this family." Sand looked at Yuji calmly. "I can feel the great love between Vale and all of you, and I am quite sure you can sense the love between Vale and me as well. I do believe I can love you all as much as I do anoramin, my sun. I hope once you come to know me better, you will allow me to try."

"Why don't you all go and sit down. and I'll make a light lunch? Some tea, and miso soup with noodles and rice, and Sand found some ram berries." Vale looked at Sand. "Did the children eat?"

Sand smiled a little. "They had some fruit already, but nothing very filling. They were very distracted by the sights."

Vale nodded. "Then show Willow where we have the bowls and plates, and take these chopsticks." He handed Sand a package of lacquered chopsticks and some porcelain rests. "Then you can come back and help me, ithilamin, my moon."

When Sand came back into the kitchen, Vale pulled him into a searing kiss, plundering his mouth with unaccustomed directness. "I've missed you," Vale murmured when they finally broke apart.

Sand chuckled. "So I see. It is quite mutual, by the way. I have missed you as well." There was a note of sadness in Sand's voice, and Vale looked at him sharply. "I will endeavor to make the most of your time here." Sand touched Vale's cheek gently. "When he is well, you will return with him to his world Do not protest, anoramin. I am not complaining, nor will I object. Did I not push you into going to him in the first place? I told you then, and I will say it again, in case you have forgotten. I will always be here when you are ready to return, but I do not wish to live in that world. My place is here, and I am content enough to wait."

Vale checked the miso soup, and added the noodles. "I don't deserve you."

"Of course you do. Who else would have me?" Sand chuckled. "The healers from the Morninglord's temple will be here later. They believe we may be able to distill a potion to aid in the process."

Vale managed not to shudder. "I wanted to talk to you about Satoshi and Kansas. Tell me how you feel about them."

Sand chuckled again. "I think I like you, so fierce and protective. It suits you, like that lovely hair." Sand paused for a moment. "Kansas does not seem to think ill of me, despite my hurting him however inadvertently during the vacation. He does have a generous heart. But there is more to him. He reminds me of a boy I met, a child seer."

Vale nodded. "He is, although he's never been trained. He's also attracted to you, and if Yuji is open to this, I believe he would welcome you. But you have to swear to me that you will not push him past his limits."

Sand nodded. "I was shamed by what happened that night. I do not relish causing my lovers injury, at all."

"I know that, ithilamin. I think he does, too. He's very wise, our Kansas." Vale shot Sand a look. "Satoshi is more than attracted to you. But he thinks you find him flawed or ugly. He hoped you would have come back to him during the vacation."

Sand looked aghast. "He wished that? I did not know, truly. I thought he might have been angry for the way we used him, K and I. We were not gentle, although he seemed to like that."

Vale reached out to touch Sand's arm. "He does sometimes like it rough, but not always. He uses pain to hide, and it only hurts him more. Yuji taught me this, and I've seen it myself. He asks me sometimes to hurt him, and that's when I won't. That's when he needs tenderness and love, not more pain. Talk to Yuji about him, and if Yuji agrees, then talk to Satoshi. Let him know what you truly think, and don't lie or hold back what you feel. Just remember that he won't ask for what he wants, and he especially won't ask for what he needs." Vale took the soup off the heat. "And one more thing? He won't be angry or hurt if you fail, but it will hurt him greatly if you betray him, or your promises to him."

Sand nodded. "Does this mean you approve?" Vale could hear the tension in Sand's voice.

"It's not about that. I don't own my spouses. I just won't see them hurt." Vale held Sand's eyes for a long moment. "That includes you." Vale sighed and gestured at the rice cooker. "Bring the bowls of rice while I dish out the soup. Let's eat. And if you make one remark about my cooking, you will wear your soup."

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand looked at Kansas, who stared wide-eyed in the direction of the kitchen. Satoshi headed right back up the stairs, and Vale was nowhere to be found. Kansas took Ryuu, Aika still in her carrier, and followed Satoshi as fast as he could.

Sand shrugged and walked into the kitchen, to find a furious Willow, her hands planted on shapely hips, glaring at the kitchen. It was not exactly what she was used to, and it showed little sign of ever having been used. There was dust everywhere except for one counter, which boasted several small braziers, one of which had a kettle on a tripod over it. Next to that was a canister of tea and a pot of honey. There were cooking pots, and all sorts of odd containers, but they were either empty or so dusty as to be an affront to Willow's sense of order.

"Is there a problem?" Sand asked, looking around.

"A problem? A problem?" Willow glared at the elf. "Let's see, where do I begin? First of all, is there any food at all in this house? Or do you live on tea and moonbeams?"

Sand opened his mouth to reply, but never got a chance to speak.

"This place is fucking filthy! There's dust on the dust! How the fuck am I supposed to feed the kids?" Willow gathered steam as she went on, and through the link, Sand picked up a wave of amusement from Vale, who was apparently within earshot, if not willing to make an appearance. "For that matter, what the fuck do you eat here?"

Sand realized he was still holding the parcels of food that Kansas thought would appeal most to the family, and he held the parcel out to Willow, speechless.

"And what the fuck do I do with that? I'm not putting it down anywhere in this fucking toxic wasteland of a kitchen!" Willow looked gorgeous, Sand realized, her color high and her hair glossy and thick. She was absolutely radiant with both pregnancy and outrage, and Sand found himself falling quite in love with her.

"Don't stand there staring at me like a fucking plant!" Willow snarled. "Roll up your sleeves and find some soap and hot water!"

Sand gave her a radiant smile, his blue eyes dancing, and he murmured a few words. There was a brief shimmer, and the room was immaculately clean. "Is that a bit better?" he asked, still smiling.

"If it was that fucking easy, why didn't you do it sooner?" Willow demanded. She was still glaring, but her volume had decreased a bit with the absence of the offending dirt.

"I really do not know," Sand admitted. "I rarely even come in here, unless I want tea."

"You can't live on whatever you can buy on the street! You'll make yourself sick, not eating properly," Willow said, and her outrage shifted quickly to concern.

Vale chose that moment to make an appearance, bag of holding in his hand. "I've been thinking about the kitchen."

Willow shot Vale an exasperated look. "Another elf heard from. Fine. What's your suggestion?"

"Well," Vale began, leaning in to kiss Willow sweetly, his hand straying to her belly. "I think I've figured out a way to sort out a rice cooker. I've been tinkering a bit, and I just needed an alternate power source, and I think I have it."

Vale dug into his bag of holding, and on a now-pristine counter he set up a rice cooker and a large battery, which he set in a wooden chest. He connected a power strip to the battery, and grinned. "We can use this for the tea maker and rice cooker, and the rest of it should be easy enough with this cooktop. We can grill and bake at the hearth. I'll show you, love."

Sand raised an elegant eyebrow, utterly amused by Vale's sudden domesticity. "I had no idea you even knew what a kitchen was, my sun."

"I'm not the best cook, but I can manage a meal or two," Vale replied, grinning. "Oh, and I stocked up on some things we can't get here. This chest works like a bag of holding, and preserves anything you put in it, and that chest is linked to an icy Plane, so anything in there stays cold."

Vale began unpacking the groceries he had bought, and directed Sand where to put them. Willow looked at all the various familiar foods and sniffled, and Vale looked up.

"Oh, lirimaer, don't cry," Vale begged. "What's wrong, my love? I know we need other things, but I can go to the market and get them." He hugged Willow, brushing away her tears and kissing her.

"I can't believe you thought about all this," Willow said, trying not to cry. "You even brought pocky."

Sand looked mildly alarmed as Willow gave in and began to sob into Vale's chest as he soothed her. Over her head, Vale looked at Sand and mouthed a single word. "Pregnant."

[Review Replies - AFF Prompt/Moon]

I wonder if they were going to keep Duncan originally but then while finishing plannning out the plot of the game, they took a break to play a little office Basketball and then "Hey! We should slam Duncan!"...

...yeah, I hear crickets too.

Heh. With theBioWare devs, anything's possible! These guys give new meaning to the term "batshit crazy"...

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale held Satoshi close, the love between them warmer than ever before. Satoshi's love was as much a balm for Vale, battered as he was by the emotional turmoil of Yuji's illness. But being home in Neverwinter, and seeing the first few healing prayers already having a positive effect had restored much of Vale's strength.

Vale could feel the tentative touch of Sand as well, reaching out carefully through Vale to sense Vale's spouses, wondering in that peculiarly reserved way of his if he would find a place to fit. Sand loved Vale without reservation, and Vale never doubted that, but Vale loved each of his spouses without reservation, and Sand feared disrupting their bonds. It would be exactly like the quirky moon elf to try and hide that fear, and attempt to step aside, and Vale had no intention of permitting that. Vale sent a pulse of love and welcome through his link to Sand, and felt an answering burst of love and patience. Content, Vale let himself fall into relaxation beside Satoshi for a few more minutes, enjoying the tender kisses and the warmth of their love.

Sand watched the children playing in the garden with Kansas, delighted to hear their laughter. The house had been so very quiet, and while it made Sand's work that much easier, it had been lonely without Vale bursting in from the Cloaktower, muttering about balor-buggering idiots and pompous asses who thought stacks of parchment would make up for a lack of intelligence. Sand had missed dinners at The Greymist, and long nights in front of the fire in their room, watching the light play across Vale's golden skin and reveling in the touch and taste of his beloved sun elf.

And now Vale was back, and the house was full of people, and laughter, and love, and Sand felt almost lost. It was harder for him to abandon himself to something that should not be, the way Vale had done. An elf could bond with a mate, and on rare occasions, could bond with two, but this bond that Vale had forged was utterly unique. Sand smiled to himself. It was so typically Vale to have managed the impossible, and pulled it off with such flair, and Sand knew he would be drawn into it if Vale had his way. It would be inevitable, since Sand could deny Vale nothing.

Sand looked out at the garden again, in time to see Kansas give him a shy wave before Ryuu crashed into him, and they collapsed in a giggling heap, with Aika climbing on top of them. Sand began to laugh, and he walked out into the garden to the merry tumble of bodies. Aika shrieked in glee and held small arms out to the elf with the shiny braids, and Sand scooped her up, his eyes warm as Aika seized her prize.

"I was wondering if the children were hungry," Sand said to Kansas. "I thought perhaps we might take them to the market, and find them something to eat. There are food stalls with all manner of things. I fear the kitchen is rather barren at the moment." Sand looked faintly embarrassed at that. "We could bring food back for the rest of the family."

Kansas looked at Ryuu, who nodded vigorously. Aika was quite prepared to be carried by her newest conquest, and so Kansas scrambled to his feet and helped Ryuu dust off a bit. They went back into the house, and Sand stopped at a small table near the door, where an inlaid wooden chest sat. Sand flipped open the top and dug his hand into the gold coins in the chest. Kansas's eyes went wide, and Sand hastened to explain.

"Our currency here is coin, gold and silver and copper. Vale and I always keep some coin here to grab on our way out the door, and you must feel free to take what you need as well." Sand looked at Kansas and smiled reassuringly. "I know it looks quite impressive, but really, it is just house money, and Vale will want you to use it freely. It is simple. One hundred coppers is a silver, and one hundred silvers is a gold. Now, shall we feed our hungry little ones?"

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale pulled Satoshi closer, nibbling gently on his lower lip. "Mela en' coiamin," Vale breathed, beginning a slow and languid assault on that sweet tight mouth. Satoshi whined a little, grinding against Vale, but Vale refused to let his husband rush him. He slid his fingers through the soft black hair, teasing Satoshi a little with slow swipes of his tongue across his piercings.

"Come inside, love," Vale murmured, pulling Satoshi into the bedroom with him. Vale slowly unbuttoned his husband's shirt, nibbling at his neck gently, soft sucks and licks that traveled to his shoulders.

"Please, I need to feel the pain," Satoshi pleaded.

Vale pulled off Satoshi's tank top, and eased him down on the bed so that he could strip off Satoshi's pants and boxers. "Lay there, my love. Watch. No touching, yet..." Vale let his voice trail off in a seductive purr. He bent over from the waist, making sure that Satoshi got an excellent view of his ass in his tight jeans, and he swayed a little as he slowly peeled off his socks. Then Vale teased his tank top very slowly out of the waistband of his jeans, gradually revealing his taut stomach, his skin pale gold in the sunlight.

Satoshi wriggled as he watched Vale, his eyes widening. There was a serious bulge in Vale's jeans, and the elf swayed his hips as he straightened up to emphasize his arousal.

"You see what happens when I'm near you? You drive me wild, my love," Vale said, his voice sultry. Vale slid the tank top up a little more, and Satoshi moaned as the golden rings appeared. The tank top got dropped, and Vale's green eyes were smoldering as he slowly opened the waistband of his jeans, rocking his hips a little to make his cock bulge even more.

"Do you like what you see, love? It's for you, when I'm done unwrapping it." Vale worked the jeans over his slim hips, sliding them down and stepping out of them, palming himself through his tight boxers. Then Vale slid his thumbs under the waistband of his boxers, slowing teasing them off, his cock springing free as he stepped out of those and crawled up on the bed to Satoshi. He straddled his lover, leaning forward to plunder that mouth with deliberate tenderness.

"I love you. Amin mela lle." Vale slid his thighs between Satoshi's thighs, nibbling on Satoshi's nipple rings and tugging them gently between his teeth. Satoshi was wriggling and whimpering, his cock dripping precum as Vale positioned himself carefully, slipping his fingers into Satoshi's mouth. Satoshi sucked eagerly,and Vale used his now-slick fingers to gently coax Satoshis's asshole into relaxing.

"Harder," Satoshi growled, trying to press down on Vale's fingers.

"Shh, love. Let me love you," Vale murmured. He curled his fingers, pressing on Satoshi's prostate and making his husband cry out. "You are impossibly beautiful, do you know that? Right now, you're flushed with desire, and your eyes are so brilliant, and I can't think of anyone I want in my arms, in my life, in my heart, more than you."

Vale kissed Satoshi again, feeling his husband's ball stud dancing across his tongue and shivering with desire. He locked eyes with Satoshi, letting every ounce of his love and adoration pour over Satoshi as he opened his heart and mind to let his husband see how beautiful Vale found him to be.

Satoshi's eyes grew wet as he realized how very much Vale loved him, the depth of his devotion and his pure admiration for the vastness of Satoshi's heart. Vale slicked his precum over the head of his cock, and eased himself into Satoshi, a slow and steady glide that filled his husband as sweetly as Satoshi had filled Vale's heart. Vale slid one hand between them, slowly stroking Satoshi's cock in time with his languid thrusts, loving him tenderly and feeling some of the terrible confusion that filled Satoshi start to ease. Vale felt the vein along the underside of Satoshi's cock begin to pulse, and he kissed Satoshi lovingly, stroking firmly, and when Satoshi sobbed his release in Vale's ear as he splattered then both with ropes of cum, Vale murmured again, "I love you, more than life, until time ends." Then Vale moaned as well, his balls tightening and he spilled in Satoshi's ass with a sweet whimper.

Vale cradled Satoshi in his arms when they had both stopped shuddering, and held him tightly, tears of joy spilling from his green eyes as he basked in Satoshi's love.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale pulled Satoshi into his arms, and nuzzled his face in Satoshi's soft hair. "Sand is confusing, and mercurial, and absolutely fucking sexy as hell," Vale said. "And he's got a couple of major dark places. He's seen things he won't share with me, and he's shown me some pretty bad stuff. But the one thing he is, my love, is unwilling to hurt anyone."

Vale leaned in to nibble at Satoshi's lower lip. "You like him, don't you, love?" Vale rested his forehead against Satoshi's forehead. "He likes you. Actually, more than likes. Reach out through the bond, and you can feel him. He thinks you're incredibly beautiful, you know." Vale radiated love and contentment.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand took Willow first to the nursery, which had been set up with everything the rather detail-oriented elf could think of that would please a small girl and her mother. The bed had proper guard rails, a wardrobe stood ready for her clothing, and a changing table with a supply of clean diapers and various sweet-smelling ointments waited ready. The floor had thick carpets and a basket of toys overflowed in one corner. Willow just looked at Sand in amazement.

"I do hope I have not overlooked anything. If I have, we will go and fetch it at the market." Sand smiled as he led Willow to Ryuu's room, and then to a spacious and airy master bedroom.

"I thought you might like this room. It faces the garden, so it is quieter, and there is a balcony. As I recall, your husbands smoke, and I imagine the smell would be distressing to you." Sand gestured. There were several wardrobes, and a bed large enough for several people to share, covered in silken quilts. The polished wood of the floors gleamed, and there was even a private bathroom, with a shower.

"A shower?" Willow giggled, delighted.

"Indeed," Sand replied. "I so enjoyed the shower at the vacation that I commissioned a gnome of my acquaintance to build me several."

He continued to show her around the second floor. "This is, for lack of a better word, my bedroom." This room was utterly elven in character, with a huge bed piled with silken quilts and pillows, and another pile of pillows on the floor in front of a large fireplace. There were plants everywhere, and all the wood of the furniture was elaborately carved and inlaid. It looked more like a bower in a grove than a room, and Willow told Sand that, to his delight.

The next room was dubbed Vale's room, and resembled Sand's room. The message was clear. Sand was expecting to share Vale fully, and did not assume that Vale would be spending his nights with Sand. Willow just looked at the elegant moon elf, and tried not to shake her head in confusion. Sand showed not a whit of jealousy, and yet he had kissed Vale with such consuming love.

"I thought perhaps Satoshi would like this room," Sand said as he gestured at the last bedroom. He paused, looking awkward. "I understand Kansas shares with him by preference? If I am wrong, we can make adjustments."

"It'll be fine, Sand," Willow assured him. "I'm going to find Yuji, I think."

Sand nodded. "I believe Vale has brought him to your room. Oh, and one last thing, Willow. I have my alchemical workbench in the basement. Much of what I use could be dangerous, and although I keep the door closed and warded, it would be unsafe for the children." Sand smiled, suddenly looking quite young. "They are beautiful, your children. Their laughter is such a joy-filled sound, and it lifts my heart." He bowed his head and walked away, leaving Willow to go to Yuji.

Yuji was indeed in the room Sand had said was hers, resting on the huge bed and looking a little lost in all that space despite Vale curled up beside him. Still, his color was a little better, and he looked happier than he had in the past few weeks. He held out his arms, and Willow curled up beside him as he rested a thin hand on her belly.

Sand heard something from Satoshi's room, and opened the door to check. He spotted Satoshi on the balcony, and quietly backed out and closed the door, a small smile on his face. Then he went downstairs to see how Kansas and the children were doing, and if they were perhaps in need of a meal.

Vale looked at Willow and Yuji, his heart overflowing with love. Yuji was already responding to the healing magic, and his eyes closed as he drifted into a pain-free sleep. Willow too looked tired, and Vale kissed her tenderly.

"Rest, lirimaer. I'll go keep an eye on the children, and make sure Kansas and Satoshi get settled in." Vale kissed her belly as well, making her giggle. "Let mama sleep, utinuamin."

Vale slipped off the bed and out of the room, closing the door gently behind him. As he walked past Satoshi's room, Vale could feel Satoshi inside, his emotions a jumbled and conflicted mess. Yuji's immediate minor improvement was heartening, but there was something else tugging at Satoshi, and Vale could not bear to leave him to try and sort it out alone, in a strange place. Vale opened the door and walked in, still in his own jeans and t-shirt, and he crossed to the balcony where Satoshi stood, smoking furiously.

"What is it, mela en' coiamin?" Vale asked, holding out his arms to Satoshi, his green eyes bright with love.

[Character Sheet]

Shadowknight was good enough to run up a character sheet for us, and I'm posting it here for comments or general use, since I think it works pretty well.

General

Name:

Age:

Gender:

Background:

Class:

Level:

Experience Points:

Appearance

Height:

Weight:

Distinguishing Features:

Example

Personality

Example

Combat Statistics

Health: X/Y.

Mana: X/Y.

Speed:

Defense:

Armor:

Armor Type:

Armor Penalty:

Weapon 1. Attack Roll. Damage.

Weapon 2. Attack Roll. Damage.

Weapon 3. Attack Roll. Damage.

Abilities

Communication: X (Focuses).

Constitution: X (Focuses).

Cunning: X (Focuses).

Dexterity: X (Focuses).

Magic: X (Focuses).

Perception: X (Focuses).

Strength: X (Focuses).

Willpower: X (Focuses).

Class Powers And Spells

Example.

Talents And Languages

Example.

Equipment And Money

Coin: X GP, Y SP, Z CP.

Example.

Concept, Goals And Ties

Concept:

Goals:

Ties:

Player Notes

Example.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale shot Sand a look. "When you say that everything's ready, exactly what does that mean?" Vale laid a reassuring hand on Willow's arm, not wanting his wife's temper to flare. Pregnancy had not made her serene; quite the opposite.

Sand arched an elegant eyebrow. "I mean precisely what I said. Do you remember the house adjoining ours? It is now ours, and I have had the houses combined into one." He sighed, as though Vale was a particularly dense child. "Whatever did you think I meant?"

Vale just grinned. "Never mind, my moon. I'm being anxious." He turned to Yuji. "How about you, my love? How do you feel?"

Yuji was still pale, and drawn, and far too thin, but he smiled at Vale, those perfect brown eyes so full of love that the elf shivered. "The pain is almost gone right now, and that feels good."

"Do you feel up to a short walk?" Vale asked. "Or we can wait here for a bit." He looked up at the other elf. "Nathe, we can wait, can't we?"

"Why are you asking me, Vale?" Nathe looked amused. "You're captain of the Guard and a member of the Council."

Vale made a rude noise. "I'm on indefinite leave, which I approved myself. You're in charge, and no getting out of it for you." He turned back to Yuji. "Maybe another round of healing first?"

The clerics nodded, and again murmured their prayers, letting the warm blue glow of their divine magic wash over Yuji. While Vale hovered over Yuji, Sand turned to the rest of the family.

"I have been dreadfully rude, to not greet you properly," Sand said, his blue eyes warm as he looked at Willow. "Willow, I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am to have heard the news. You look more beautiful than ever." Sand took her hand and tucked it through his arm. "This sweet girl must be Aika." He smiled as Aika reached out to touch one jeweled braid.

Sand turned to Satoshi, his eyes glittering briefly. "Satoshi, I do like your hair like that. The amethyst suits you." There was more than a hint of something more in Sand's voice.

Kansas looked away briefly, and then looked up at Sand. Sand smiled at the imp, but without the heat that had been directed toward Satoshi. If anything, Sand seemed more abashed than anything else. "Kansas, you are most welcome, and I do hope I can make amends for any misbehavior on my part during the vacation." He quickly shifted his focus to Ryuu. "You are Ryuu, I think. I am Sand." His smile for the boy was very warm.

"It is good to have you all home," Sand said. He was still standing near Willow, since Aika had a firm grip on his braid. When Willow went to loosen Aika's hand, Sand merely held out his arms for the child. Then, Aika nestled in his arms and examining the jewels happily, he crossed to Yuji and Vale.

"Yuji, I promise you, and I know Vale has as well, that you will be cured. In the meantime, come home and rest," Sand said. Through the bond, Sand was giving off nothing but pleasure and love.

Finally, Sand turned to Vale. "I love your hair like that," Sand said, running slim fingers through the pale gold and emerald locks. "I owe much to the one who convinced you." He leaned in and kissed Vale, and Vale returned the kiss sweetly while Aika giggled.

[tempest.]

Sand cried out as well, his own back arching as he spent himself within her, the slick heat of her around his shaft maddeningly perfect. Samantha's cries lingered in his ears, and he reached up to pull her forward, wanting to hold her against him as she shuddered through the last of her climax. Her heart pounded against him in perfect synchronicity with his own, their breath ragged as sweat-slick skin met, his arms around her and holding her as though he would never let her go. Samantha's face tilted up slightly, and Sand kissed her, sweet and languid.

The kiss broke when they both needed to breathe, and Sand reached up to brush a few tendrils of hair from her forehead. Samantha sighed, her eyes shining despite her tiredness, and Sand was forcibly reminded of why he was here. He felt a dark anger growing within him for T-bone and all the other superstitious idiots who would sacrifice the live of a brave and noble woman rather than help her fight this poison. Sand kissed her head, nuzzling his face against her hair until he felt her breathing finally come back to normal.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale started to laugh. "Oh, my love, don't worry about it. They've seen all sorts of things in Neverwinter, and we'll get you clothing there if you like. You'll see all manner of strange creatures, and even stranger people." He hugged Satoshi and kissed him soundly. "And then, before we go to Evermeet and Evereska, we'll get you all proper elven clothing. Sand will be thrilled. He looks for excuses to visit his tailor."

Vale helped Satoshi pick out all of his favorite things, and Kansas's as well, and those went into the bag of holding with the toys. Satoshi just shook his head.

"I can't believe how this thing doesn't get bigger." Satoshi looked at the pouch, no larger than a hardcover book, and weighing about the same. "Does Willow have one, too?"

Vale grinned. "Magic, my love. It's a beautiful thing, and yes, Willow has one for all the children's things, and her things, and Yuji's things. I've got one for my things, and all the groceries we're going to need because there's stuff we don't have there." He stopped and laughed again, his eyes bright. "I'm going to grab my things, and then I'm going to open the portal, before I really start babbling."

Vale raced to his room and grabbed his suitcase, slipping it into his bag of holding, and then he hurried downstairs. His family was waiting in the living room, Yuji leaning on Satoshi, Willow with Aika in her arms and Ryuu holding tight to Kansas. Hideko was there as well, smiling widely through the tears in her eyes. Vale hurried over to her, and caught her in a hug.

"Hideko-chan, thank you so much, for everything. We couldn't pull this off without you." Vale looked at her, so much like his beloved Yuji.

"You heal him, okay?" Hideko dashed a hand across her eyes. "You heal him and bring him home, because I need him, too."

"I will, I promise." Vale took a deep breath, willing himself not to cry.

"Vale, one thing." Satoshi tugged vale, drawing him into the kitchen, his face serious.

"What is it, love?" Vale was briefly alarmed, until he realized that Satoshi was blushing. He put his hand along Satoshi's cheek.

"I thought you might want these." Satoshi handed Vale a box.

Vale looked at it, recognizing the name as the jeweler that had sold him the rings he and Yuji had exchanged at their union. His eyes widened as he opened the box, to see three more rings nestled within, the rings he had meant to buy for Satoshis, Kansas and Willow. There was also a thin silver chain, and Vale looked at Satoshi, his eyes brimming.

"His fingers are so thin," Satoshi explained. "He can wear the rings on a chain until he's better."

Vale pulled Satoshi into a kiss, pouring out all his love for this marvelous, thoughtful man who forgot nothing when it came to looking out for his family. "Mela en' coiamin, you are so perfect, do you know that? I love you with all my heart."

They went back over to the rest of the family, and Vale and Satoshi helped Yuji put his rings on the chain. Vale gave it to Satoshi to put around Yuji's neck.

"You do it, love." Vale let all his love radiate outward, not very surprised when Hideko seemed to feel it as well.

"I'll open the portal now. It's similiar to the way we went to the bar, but my magic is a little different from Witch's. This will be more like walking through a doorway." Vale spoke a few words in a harsh and sibilant language, and a shimmering oval appeared slowly, growing in size until it was large enough for a person to walk through. Willow looked taken aback, and moved away a few steps. Vale hurried over to her.

"Lirimaer, it's alright." Vale caught Willow's face between his hands and kissed her softly. "I'm going to take Yuji through first, and then I want you to come through with Aika. I'll be right there, waiting for you. It's perfectly safe for you and for our son." He laid a slim hand on her belly, feeling the baby move, his eyes bright with wonder. "He's so busy in there!"

"I noticed," Willow said dryly, but she looked a little less nervous.

"After Willow goes through, can you bring Ryuu, Kansas? And Satoshi, my love, you follow them." Vale put his arm around Yuji's waist. "We'll be right there when you get there, my loves. No one's going anywhere without each other." Vale looked at Yuji. "Are you ready, verno'amin?"

Yuji gave Vale that look again, the one that made Vale think of that night in the bar, when he knew he would follow this man anywhere. "I'm ready, my love." Yuji's smile was so radiant that Vale could not help but return it.

Vale stepped through the portal, his arm firmly around Yuji's waist. He remembered how Yuji had been nervous when they went trough the portal to the bar, and he sent Yuji a burst of reassurance. The magic shimmered around them and then they were in a large and bright room. Vale stepped to one side, and turned to wait for the rest of his family, Willow with Aika, Kansas with Ryuu, and Satoshi. Then Vale turned around again, his face bright as Sand walked over with another elf and two humans in long robes.

"Hello, my moon," Vale said softly.

"Welcome home, my sun," Sand replied, and he looked at Yuji. "Oh, Seldarine, I wish you had come sooner. There was no need to suffer so, Yuji." He beckoned to the humans. "These are priests of Lathander, a goodly god we call the Morninglord. They will be performing the healings, starting right now."

Both men nodded, and offered brief prayers before laying their hands on Yuji. Vale knew what to expect, but he moved to stand closer to his other spouses, sending for all his love and reassurance again as a soft blue glow enveloped Yuji. A second wave of love and reassurance bathed them all, and Vale looked at Sand, who smiled and nodded, adding his own power to the bond. Some of the lines of pain smoothed out in Yuji's face, and he seemed to breathe a little easier as the glow faded.

"It's just the beginning, my loves," Vale murmured. "The healers will do this for as long as it takes, but Yuji will be cured."

"We will give him a moment to rest, and then I will take us all home," Sand added. "Everything is ready."

[tempest.]

Sand chuckled dryly. "That is very much what I say about my own scars, and I think we both will admit we brush them aside because they remind us of things we would rather not remember." He pulled her close again, kissing her with rising passion. "And yes, you were an innocent then, and I was not, and I did not wish to take advantage. But now, I think, we are on equal footing, and I find I relish this, very much."

Sand let his hands travel slowly over her, his fingers feather-light as he traced each curve, each gentle swell, his eyes very dark. He pressed himself against her, his shaft once again hard and eager, and he retraced the path his fingers had taken with lips and tongue until Samantha fisted her hands in his hair to pull him back up. This time, she pushed him onto his back and straddled him, her hair tumbling about her shoulders and spilling down her back as she looked down at him. Leaning forward, she kissed him, letting her kisses trail along his jaw and up the sweep of an elegant ear until she was nibbling on the tip, Sand's back arching in bliss at the sweet sensation.

"Oh, vanimaer," Sand sighed again. He bucked his hips, pressing his shaft against her, and Samantha rose up slightly, and then let herself settle down onto his shaft, watching his eyes flutter as he succumbed to the pleasure of being within her.

[Review Replies - AFF Prompt/Moon]

JayDee:

Whoa, nearly missed this! Thought Apollo's was the last in the thread, shows what I get for not looking closely! Missing it would have been a shame, both because the next one you did might not have made as much sense and also because it's great stuff . The sadness is very real for both of them, and then... hope, and heat, and the final sentence is beautiful.

Also wondered - was Duncan doomed by the game storyline, is it a plot point of yours?

Thank you! I'm so glad the lads are coming across so well! And, sadly, Duncan is doomed by the game storyline. I would have kept him around, if only because I've always enjoyed making him groan with my character's antics... Well, that and all my characters have wanted to sleep with him.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Vale's ass instinctively clenched as Kansas tugged on the string, the first pearl pressing on the tight muscle. Kansas's cock was sliding against his in the most deliriously erotic way as Satoshi rode them both at once, his ass impossibly tight and so gods-damned hot that Vale was not quite sure whether to scream or go quietly insane from pleasure. Every time Kansas moaned, "More," Vale hit the button that increased the vibration in the metal bullet in Kansas's ass, and the imp's whines increased in pitch as well.

And now Kansas was tugging harder, and the first damned pearl popped out, and Vale did shriek. His ass clenched and his cock jerked as his back arched, driving him that bit farther into Satoshi, who was mewling nonstop as he tugged at his own nipple rings. Vale managed enough coherence to grab one of the golden rings decorating his own nipples and gave it a tug, twisting as he did, and white light exploded behind his eyes.

Just as Vale tugged his ring, Kansas popped another pearl out of the elf's ass and demanded, "More," in a muted shriek. Vale's finger responded as he bucked upwards into Satoshi's ass. Kansas went with Vale, his own shrieks bursting out as the bullet in his ass vibrated harder.

Satoshi's back arched suddenly, and Vale could sense his impending orgasm through the bond, the three of them wide open to each other. A spurt of cum shot out of Satoshi's cock, spattering across his upper chest and even his lips, followed by more hot streams as Satoshi emptied himself, howling. He licked his lips almost unconsciously, and that was enough for Kansas as Vale hit the button a final time, ramping the bullet as high as it could go. Kansas jerked on the string, another pearl popping free, and then Kansas began to shriek as he came, his cock buried as far as it could go in Satoshi's spasming ass. The feel of Kansas's hot cum, and the convulsive tug on the string that yanked another pearl free did it for Vale, and he felt his balls squeeze as he added his cum inside Satoshi's ass.

Satoshi's eyes had rolled back in his head, and he fell backward a little, and Kansas, whimpering and shuddering, clung to Vale for a moment while he and the elf finished spending themselves in Satoshi's ass.

"Oh, gods, we killed him," Vale gasped, looking at Satoshi's limp form. Vale managed to slide his softening cock out of Satoshi's ass, and tried to control his trembling limbs well enough to lean over and check Satoshi. Kansas was whining, and the lust-fogged brain of the elf registered the remote in his hand.

"Fuck," Vale muttered, and began to press the other button repeatedly, until Kansas stopped twitching. "It hurts," Kansas whimpered, and Vale eased him onto his side and carefully removed the bullet, kissing Kansas afterward until he calmed. Then the elf tried to lean forward again, and Kansas yanked on the string, and Vale shrieked as though a balor had indeed buggered him, a last wave of pleasure making him shiver.

"Fuck, Neko," Kansas rasped, his voice nearly gone. "He passed out." Kansas crawled up to Satoshi, and between Vale and the imp, they stretched him out and curled up on either side of him, kissing him and snuggling with him.

The three men stayed like that for over half an hour before any of them could work up the energy to stir and think about showering.

[Brainstorming the Initial Plot]

Welcome!

I'm going to start a Dragon Age game in mid-February, and I figured we could get started on brainstorming the initial plot. I think it makes for a more interesting and cohesive game if we all pitch in to create an initial conflict. So, what I was thinking was that you would all be members of the same race, who have known each other for a long time (and may be friends, rivals, lovers, family, enemies). We would decide on the race first, then the area where it will all begin and finally, the initial conflict that will kick-start the game.

Firstly, tell me what you would like to get out of this. Do you want intrigue, non-stop action, visceral terror or something else entirely? What would you like to see? Is there an aspect of the Dragon Age world you would like to find in the game?

The idea of connected backgrounds is to help bring the party together in a natural way (no more strangers who meet at a tavern) and to ensure you all feel invested with the game. The Dragon Age RPG has a Ties section, in which you write the connections between your character and the others. The idea is that you write something more than "saw him a couple of times before." This would also be a good moment to start thinking about possible character concepts (once we've decided race and location) and then interweave them with the plot. And if any of you is playing a mage (and odds are at least two of you are considering it), we need to clear the Chantry/Circle hurdle as well.

Let's get started with the race, shall we? Who votes for elves?

As for what I want out of the game... I'm looking to create a campaign that's going to be challenging for you as players, as well as fun for me to write and GM. I'm hoping that there'll be a lot of thinking outside the box, and that you'll solve some of my puzzles in ways that I may not have considered, because I'll enjoy being surprised by your creativity and ingenuity as well.