[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale watches as the 12 ball sinks easily into the pocket, concentration evident in Yuji's easy stance. He debates for just a moment actually dipping in and nibbling an ear, remembering how Sand had driven Yuji wild by doing just that, but Vale decides at the last moment that his small lie about knowing the game was enough cheating for one day. He waits until Yuji straightens up to hand him the shot of sake and the beer, and only then does Vale swoop in to run his tongue along Yuji's ear, finishing with a delicate nip.

Vale laughs in delight as Yuji shivers a little, and he can see the bulge in Yuji's tight jeans grow even larger. His own erection is better disguised by his kilt, but Vale decides to toss subtlety out the window and leans back a little, arching his back so the the tenting of his kilt is more obvious.

As Vale tosses his head a little, he catches sight of the tiefling at the bar. It takes him a moment in his lust-fogged state to recall his name... Haer'Dalis. A musical name, pure poetry and suited to a bard. A frisson of excitement runs up Vale's spine when he realizes that Haer'Dalis is watching him as well. Yuji has already demonstrated a strongly possessive reaction to PW, and Vale wonders how he'll react to the delicious tiefling.

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Wench tossed a grin over her shoulder at Bishop, mischief in every line of her. "So come dance with us, ranger. Show me what you've got." She gave a lazy roll of her hips against Sand as they strolled to the back, her jeweled sandals winking slightly.

To her delight, T was singing a Bowie song, and Wench turned to Sand. "Nice and sexy, my wizard. Let's show these children how it's done."

Sand was only too happy to comply, and they began to dance...

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale shivered as Yuji licked his ear, letting his hip bump gently into Yuji's leg. The anticipation and the sheer sensuality of the man's presence was steadily undoing any concentration vale had on the pool game, but the other game was proving most enjoyable. He watched as the 2 ball sank neatly into the pocket, and as he slowly straightened up, he swayed just enough to brush against Yuji again.

"That's a marvelous technique," Vale purred, his voice slightly roughened with lust. "Let's see how well I've learned." He lined up his shot for the 3 ball, a difficult shot since he was going to have to bank off a bumper. He narrowed his green eyes in concentration, his breathing just a little ragged, and he drew the cue stick back slowly before slamming it forward. His technique was fine, but his aim was just a hair off, and the ball kissed the pocket before rolling away.

"Ah!" Vale laughed, throwing his head back as he stood up, his blond hair cascading down behind him. "So close! Your turn, my excellent teacher!" He gave Yuji a burning look as he stepped away from the table, letting a languid hand trail over the man's shoulder and down his arm.

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Wench grinned. "If you can do Crosby, I can do Bowie." She turned her dark eyes on Bishop. "You're fixating on age, are you? I'm a ways older than you as well, dear boy." She laughed again, her eyes warm. "Age is nothing that matters. What matters is how old you feel. There are days, by that measure, that I'm older than my wizard, or his sorcerer, for that matter."

Sand had been watching Anesor as she tried the tuna, and he seemed dismayed by her response. "It was a courtesy, my dear lady, and not some sort of test. It is simply the way among my people to share. If what I offer is not to your taste, I will take no offense if you refuse." He shook his head slightly. :Honestly, dear lady, I am not some sort of wicked judge."

Wench stroked his shoulder. "Elfhome ways aren't familiar to everyone, and you've been immersed in them more these days that previously. Anesor is not privy to your situation, my wizard."

Sand looked slightly abashed. "Forgive me, then. I have been awkward again. Perhaps I will withdraw for a bit."

"You'll do no such thing, my wizard. You'll dance with me." Wench stood, and smiled at the trio. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to dance off my appetizer before indulging in an entree." She slipped her arm around Sand's waist and they went in search of the dance floor.

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale's eyes widened when Yuji kissed him, and then he surrendered gladly into the heat and lust. He was panting slightly when Yuji broke the kiss. "I don't want... please don't stop..." Vale broke off, his cheeks reddening. He took a quick deep breath, and, still leaning over, he managed a breathless laugh. "I'd love for you to show me a good technique with the cue."

Vale stood, running his hands through his hair and pushing it back, letting his hips sway a little as he did so. He picked up his cue and turned his green eyes on Yuji. "Did I tell you how much I like those jeans?" He flashed Yuji a brilliant smile. "Still the 2 ball, yes? Come and show me this technique, then." His chest gleamed as though it had been oiled as his shirt gapped open when he turned to look at the pool table again.

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Wench grinned at Anesor. "I don't suppose you know any David Bowie? Oh, dear, I'm just an unrepentant old rock and roll groupie."

Sand in the meantime was laughing as Bishop goaded him. "I will tell you what, dear boy. You can parade about in a pair of swimming trunks and then come and talk to me. I imagine I looked fine. I felt silly, and that was my complaint, but Wenches do not care about silly elves." He shot an affectionate look at Wench. "But Midwinter, that's good. I feared perhaps it was a bit later, and I did have an obligation at home that I will not miss."

"Are you?" Wench asked, and she grinned when Sand nodded. "Make sure you tell me the date."

"Anesor, my dear lady, will you try a bite of this blackened tuna? I assure you, this spices are quite mild." Sand offered the plate to Anesor, and then to Casavir and Bishop. "Would anyone care for a drink?"

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale looked at Yuji as he took the pool cue. "I'd love to come and visit you in your country, and I really wish you could come and see mine. I live in a city that's mostly human, but with a sizable elven population, and we have several inns that are purely elven in decor and food. It's like being home in Evermeet, or Evereska for Sand."

Vale looked at the table carefully. "So, I need to try and hit the solid colored ball marked with a 1, yes?" He pretended to be observing his shot while he snuck a few looks at Yuji from under his lashes. Moving around the table, he bent closer to Yuji, speaking softly enough not to be overheard. "I 've been told that Mistress Pittwitch and Mistress Apollo may not be refused. My Wench was most firm on that, but I'm sorry if it offended you." He straightened a little. "I don't suppose I'm allowed to move the cue ball? No?"

Vale tossed his hair back with a laugh. He bent over the table, making sure that Yuji got the best view of his ass possible, and made his shot, sinking the 1 ball.

"Hey! You're a good teacher!" Vale leaned in and gave Yuji a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth. He really wanted to nibble on Yuji's lips, but he had overheard Apollo scolding Satoshi for offering to strip, and he was not sure if more intimate kissing was allowed.

Thus distracted by his thoughts of Yuji's lips, Vale missed the 2 ball but sank the cue. With flawless mimicry, he repeated the Japanese curse he had heard Yuji use earlier.

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale looked at PW, his green eyes very bright. "I'd be delighted to play a little pool with you, Mistress. Any way I can be of service, of course." His ass stung nicely, the cool hand over it felt even better, and her breath tickled his ear in a way that sent shivers up his spine. He shot a sidelong glance at Yuji. "It might be a bit later in the morning, or even early afternoon, though."

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

"Oh, dear," Wench laughed. "Unrepentant pagan that I am, the Hallelujah chorus isn't one I know. Let me thinK a minute."

Sand was chuckling as he passed around the various appetizers. "The swimming costume was loose enough, dear boy." He grinned at Bishop. "Of course, any sensible elf will tell you that one swims naked. That's never the issue, I fear."

"The understatement of the century, my wizard," Wench said dryly.

"As I was saying," Sand continued, stroking Wench's cheek with easy affection, "I was more concerned with being chased by a village of irate halflings intent on recovering their pilfered garments. I will admit, though, that they did look quite nice on Vale." Sand looked startled for a moment. "Could someone translate the date for me to our calendar?"

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale found Yuji's laugh delightful, sweet and silly and completely infectious. Yuji had been serious and stern when he and Sand had joined him in his room, but this side of Yuji was even more fun.

"Shellfish, oh, lovely!" Vale leaned in and nibbled the fritter that Yuji held up to his lips, his green eyes full of mischief. He managed to snake his agile tongue around Yuji's finger as he nibbled the last bit of the fritter. "Delicious," he purred, and looked over the platter. He decided on a grilled shrimp that looked plump and luscious, and he offered it to Yuji with a smile. "We eat a lot of fish, my people. We don't keep herd animals, so all our meat must be taken in hunts, but the fruits of the seas and rivers, those we enjoy. Do you know what else I like that I had here? Noodles! We don't have noodles." Vale laughed as he looked at Yuji. "So, do you want to tell me the rules of this pool game, or what?" He leaned forward, and kissed a stray crumb away from the corner of Yuji's mouth, inadvertently presenting PW with far too tempting a target.

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Wench felt a little sorry that she seemed to have flustered Anesor. "I'm sorry, bad idea, probably. I'm better at those folk-type ballads that my lower register actually works with. Maybe Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley..."

Sand came back with Wench's wine as Anesor was showing Wench Casavir's t-shirt.

"That's perfect," Wench laughed, delighted. She shot a teasing glance at Sand. "No, my dear wizard, I am not buying you a t-shirt. The swim trunks were enough trauma for either of us." Sand's naked look of relief was almost comical.

"Tell me, my friend, does your dear lady expect you to wear clothing that looks like she had raided a halfling village to obtain?" Sand's tone was light, though, and he smiled at Casavir. "My tailor would have slit his own throat rather than make something so foolish looking."

"Your tailor is still drinking after the kilt orders," Wench pointed out. "You really did not need ten kilts each for a seven day vacation, and that's not counting the formal wear."

Sand shrugged. "I did want to look nice, dear Wench." He looked up. "Are those our appetizers?"

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale grinned at Yuji, enjoying being kissed so sweetly. "Well, I did watch you a bit at the house, and I did think I could figure it out, but you've found me out. Do you want a whiskey while I'm getting the food?" He rested his cue stick against the table. "Oh, and agreed, to all your terms. I suppose elves don't wear enough to make for a decent show, eh?" Vale laughed. "But if I do lose, I'll make sure I give you a striptease you'll never forget." Vale downed his whiskey. "Seven."

With a last wink over his shoulder, Vale strolled away, his hips swinging with the raucous beat of the music. He headed to the bar to order the Calypso platter and two more whiskeys, and stopped to greet Apollo and Pittwitch.

"Mistresses, good evening. This is a wonderful idea, this party. Thank you so much for all your effort in making this happen." Vale's green eyes sparkled. "Now, I need to get this food back to my friend, and get my ass whipped at pool." He knew he sounded far too delighted at the prospect, but surely they would understand.

Vale returned to the pool table with the food and the drinks. "You're going to have to explain some of this food as well," Vale chuckled as he handed Yuji a whiskey. He pointed to the conch fritters. "What are those?"

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Wench had to laugh at Bishop's reaction to the thought of karaoke. "Not a singer, Bishop? I heard you had a fine voice." She gave him a cheeky grin. "I don't know, maybe I can be coerced into singing. What song were you thinking of, Anesor? Maybe we can do a duet."

Sand arched an eyebrow. "Should I just get a bottle of wine, or are you feeling brave all on your own, my dear Wench?"

Wench laughed again, and gave Sand a light kiss on the cheek. "Wicked wizard. But I will take more wine, dear one." Sand sauntered off, his kilt swinging around his knees.

"So tell me, did you get a chance to look at our sand castles? Some of them were just gorgeous. But I still think Kansas's castle was the sweetest." Wench looked at Casavir. "Oh, and I owe you a thank-you, don't I?"

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale was torn between trying to guess the rules of the game and watching the enticing way Yuji's shirt had ridden up to reveal the golden skin of his back above the curve of his ass. He chuckled when Yuji asked him about what he would wear at home.

"Well, that depends," Vale replied, cocking one hip lazily. "If I'm working, I wear breeches, boots and a short robe. If I'm not working, I wear more traditional elven clothing. I wear tight breeches tucked into tall boots and a long tunic with loose sleeves that clasps at the neck. Over that I wear an open robe that falls to about mid-calf, usually silk or velvet. I don't normally bother with smallclothes, what you would call underclothes, but if I did, I'd wear a silk loincovering that ties at the sides."

When the solid white ball went into the pocket, and Yuji spat out a word that Vale didn't understand but certainly could recognize as a curse, he grinned. "My turn, then." He sauntered over to the table and looked at it. Yuji had not left him too many clean shots, and Vale's green eyes narrowed slightly. He thought he had a chance at the red and white striped ball marked with an 11, and he set the cue ball on the table. He leaned over, knowing full well that his kilt was riding up to reveal a stretch of long bare thigh as he mimicked the way Yuji had used the cue stick. Unfortunately for Vale, he underestimated the force required, and while he did tap the ball, he did not sink it.

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

The choosing game was close enough to one Vale knew, and out of long habit, he called, "Rock!" He started to laugh again as Yuji put his hand over Vale's. Parchment covers rock, he remembered. "Alright, you have first shot." Vale gave another graceful half-bow, knowing it made his kilt sway perfectly and gave a quick hint of the sweet curve of his ass. "You don't dance? That's a pity. I was hoping for a preview of later..." Vale let his voice trail off into a husky little purr. He loved flirting like this, little sly hints and teases, the heated looks.

Vale watched carefully as Yuji carefully racked the balls and chalked his cue. Yuji's hair swung forward in the most distracting way as he lined up the cue ball and prepared to break, the cue stick sliding between his fingers gracefully.

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale sauntered into the bar behind Yuji, making sure the sway of his hips gave his kilt plenty of reason to sway. "I'm not so sure you have what it takes to beat me at pool, but I'm going to have fun watching you try," Vale replied, his own tone light but not enough to cover the slightly husky undertone.

His lips were tingling from the quick kiss, and the night was looking to be a success already. After all, he was at this bar, with a gorgeous man, and he was going to probably get his ass whipped at pool, since he really had no idea what the rules even were, but he did not care. In fact, although he intended to give it his best effort, the thought of losing had begun to sound good from the moment Yuji told him he had an outfit picked out for Vale to peel off.

Vale took the whiskey from Yuji and took a sip, savoring it. The music was loud and wild, and the beat was infectious, making Vale sway a little. He turned to Yuji with a grin. "Do you dance?"

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Sand gave Casavir a merry look. "I am indeed much happier, thank you." He sipped his scotch with pleasure. "I do believe my Wench will want to dance, and perhaps we will try that game called shuffleboard."

"You're not going to sing?" Wench teased. She leaned over to give Anesor a hug, and then gave Bishop and Casavir a hug as well. "Bishop, I'll split the spicy wings with you, and maybe Anesor can share something milder with Casavir? Sand?"

"The blackened tuna bites," Sand replied. "Anesor, you look radiant in that color. It suits you, my dear."

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale chuckled and tossed down his own whiskey. "Six it is." He gave a half bow and gestured to Yuji to lead the way, a delicious shiver running up his spine as he savored the way Yuji's skin had felt. The feel of those firm cheeks under his hands was intoxicating, and even the smell of Yuji, the mixture of faint cigaret smoke, whiskey, and the unique scent that was Yuji, was enough to make Vale glad he was wearing a loose kilt and not the tight breeches he favored at home. "Ready when you are."

Vale could not suppress his grin as he walked beside Yuji. This was exactly what he loved, the dance, the chase, the flirting and drinking and talking. He felt more comfortable with Yuji than he expected, and that too added to the pleasure.

"Are we heading to this bar party?" Vale asked. "I want to make sure everyone sees me beating you at pool," he teased, his eyes merry.

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Wench and Sand arrived at the bar, both looking remarkably refreshed. Wench had opted for leather pants and a silk blouse, with delicate high-heeled sandals. Her white hair was loose over her shoulders, as usual. Sand had chosen another kilt, with a loose silk shirt in creamy ivory and his favorite tall boots. His braids were beaded with pearls, and he looked around with great interest.

The bar appeared lively already, with Apollo and her kilted men there, along with Satoshi and Kansas, both apparently playing a variation of ping pong. Anesor was there with Casavir and Bishop, and Wench headed over to greet them while Sand got her a wine, and a scotch for himself.

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale's green eyes got noticeably darker as Yuji crowded into him. "One spot? We can't have that, can we?" Vale's voice was slightly husky, and his hand was trembling as he reached for the vial of unguent he had tucked in the waistband of his kilt. He dribbled a little on his fingers and put his arms around Yuji, letting his ointment coated fingers stroke the soft skin that Yuji had revealed. He kept his eyes on Yuji's as he asked, "Right there?"

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale tossed his head back and laughed. "Oh, I love a challenge, and you're on. Loser gives the winner a striptease." Vale leaned down and caught the bottle by its neck, his green eyes very bright as he followed Yuji, watching the sway in the man's hips with open admiration. "Lead the way."

There was a noticeable sway in the elf's hips, his kilt swinging around his long legs. Vale thought for a moment about how those muscles in Yuji's back would feel under his fingers, and his grin got even wider.

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale stroked the silky black hair as Yuji's head rested against his chest. "I betrayed Sand. I believed a man, a person I thought was a friend, when he told me that Sand was using me. I found out later that he had blackmailed Sand into leaving me." Vale sighed, and began to apply the unguent to the four parallel cuts on Yuji's thigh. "Sand left the city we lived in, and was gone for several years. When he returned, I never even tried to find out why he really left. I was cold, and proud, and cruel. I shoved him away. I loved him enough to have a complete breakdown when he left. I drank myself into a stupor and stayed there for a month."

Vale smiled slightly and lifted Yuji's chin. "It took a letter from a dead man to wake me up, and make me see what a balor-buggering bastard I'd been. I was lucky to get him back. I lost my appetite for the chase when I lost him. But now? We have an understanding, that when we need to find that part of ourselves that isn't so damned bound up in each other, we can. When Sand pursued Satoshi, and then Kansas, that was his chase. He likes to initiate things. He needs control. I'm not so concerned with being the one in charge. I'd rather have a few drinks, some conversation about whatever comes to mind, and lovemaking."

Vale refilled their glasses. "And when it comes to pool, I'm deadly good." He smiled again, wider this time. "Five."

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Wench looked at the shuddering elf beneath her. Sand's black hair was fanned out, sweat-damp around the temples, and his blue eyes were dark with sated passion. She released his wrists and pulled herself upright, a smile on her face.

"Well?" Wench asked.

"I am utterly repentant, thoroughly chastened, and will wear halfling garb upon demand without protest," Sand chuckled, and tugged Wench down for a searing kiss. "But if we are going to attend this inn gathering, we need to shower and dress, my darling Wench."

"At least I know we'll shower quickly," Wench retorted, and slid off the wizard, laughing.

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale coated the newly revealed bruises in unguent. "I think I can understand, having seen Satoshi with Sand and K in the hot tub." Vale's tone was dry as dust, but his eyes were kind. "He and the little one, you take care of them, though. You give them what they need, and you take what they have to release." Vale reached for the whiskey bottle, and muttered something both lilting and sibilant at the same time, and a few ice cubes appeared in Yuji's glass. He filled both tumblers.

"One question, though." The green eyes were locked on Yuji's amazingly perfect eyes, and one slim hand reached out to brush back a stray lock of silky black hair. "What do you need?" He raised his tumbler. "Four."

[Day 6: Fishbones!]

Vale chuckled dryly as he filled Yuji's glass. He had brought his own glass as well, and promptly drained it and refilled it. He watched with a carefully neutral expression as Yuji shed his hoodie, examining the the scratches on his arms, the purple bruises around his wrists, and the seeping love bites around his neck.

Vale had recognized the need to dominate in Yuji, and he had accepted that and the pain that Yuji had inflicted on him as part of the pleasure that could be found in submission. But nowhere in their lovemaking had there been such a level of damage, and judging by the purpling of his wrists, Yuji had not been an entirely willing participant. The charm should have prevented it otherwise. Still, it was too far, in Vale's opinion, although he knew he had no right to judge.

Vale unstopped the vial and poured a little of the unguent on his fingers, smoothing it on the long gouges on Yuji's neck. The unguent worked quickly, the redness fading visibly.

"I want to wash the bites around your neck." Vale took a towel and wet it from the fountain. He dabbed with exquisite care at the bites, and then smeared them with the unguent as well. The wrists were next, and then Vale gently swiped unguent on the bruises around Yuji's eye. Finally, he dabbed the unguent on Yuji's bitten ears. He wiped his fingers off on the towel, and grabbed the whiskey bottle, refilling both their glasses.

"Three," Vale said, and tossed his whiskey back. "Now, what in all the hells was this about? I didn't think you liked it this rough."