Thalassa
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.
Thal is secretly delighted to hear the implication that their initial rendezvous may just be the first with this mysterious stranger. His accompanying laugh has her smile widening. She keeps it present on her face while she watches the indecision cross his. Although she doesn't delude herself with fantasies that he legitimately cares for her, she hopes that their time together tips the scales in her favor. When his rumbling voice endorses that she "trust" him, Thal is tempted to give a snarky response, but it is cut short as he lifts her onto his shoulder. The ease with which her weight leaves the table is astounding and a strangled squeal of surprise partially escapes her lips along with a following growl of annoyance. It's not the graceful, loving gesture of newlyweds, but the rough jostling that is reserved for a sack of potatoes. Although it keeps her dry in a strangely considerate way, she crosses her arms indignantly. Their trip back through the tunnels is quick and Thal spends most of it thinking about the warmth of his arm supporting her. It blocks the cold chill of the breezy cave with no obvious effort. Her curiosity has her wanting to question him but it's hard to have a conversation with someone when you are looking at their backside - no matter how good that backside looks. As she is admiring his physique more, the sunset purples begin to brighten the stone around them.
When he deposits her on the same path they had entered from, Thal keeps her arms crossed. A small, playful sneer is on her face when he winks at her although she is quickly distracted by the glistening ripple of his muscles. His rumbled word feels more like an invitation than a warning and she steps closer. Being back on solid ground, she is reminded of his towering height over her. Looking up with her hooded blue eyes and tousled hair, she places an accusing finger on his chest. "You could have warned me." Her initial annoyance is gone, but she uses the statement as an opener. "Next time, at least let me curse your name." Lifting up on her toes, she whispers, "And you can groan mine." Thal hopes to bridge this situationship past the point of mysterious sexy strangers, laying the opportunity before him.
