Surprises

[Danger Arceneau]

​

Entering Atmosphere
Enroute to Mysterious Place~


"The last time I was blindfolded, the circumstances were entirely different." the wry comment came drifting across the lounge over to [member="Alric Kuhn"]. Granted, that was a quip to her kidnapping event, but meant in good humor. The soft length of black fabric was firmly set over Danger's eyes, shielding her sight from view. It was an indulgence on her part to the Tetan, as she wasn't normally prone to allowing the use of blindfolds on her person.

Nor were surprises usually to her taste.

However, Alric had a rather excited air about him, and that little boy smile managed to make her knees weak and well, here she was, sitting in an acceleration couch, a slight frown over her face, and her fingers lightly playing with the satin over her eyes.

If there was something that the Queen of Trade had come to learn in the past ten months, is that her boundaries were being expanded and new experiences were becoming a norm alongside Alric. Much like their excursion in the snow, Danger was slowly coming to terms that there was more to the things she held a particular distaste to. If anything, there could be some silver linings to things.

So here she was, blindfolded for a surprise. One would wonder just what Alric Kuhn had up his sleeve for such an event.

​

​

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric stood behind Danger, his hands deep inside of a closet pulling free two thick jackets. They were both wintercoats, one was heavier than the other though smaller, clearly meant for Danger. He smiled slightly as he wrenched it free from its place, wandering over towards her and gently placing his hands on her shoulders. His thumbs pressed softly into her, rotating in a half massage as he pushed her forward slightly. The jacket came to rest on her shoulders, wrapping around her to extend its warmth.

Next he moved around to the front of her, stepping carefully as the ship shook from entering the atmosphere. "Well, I can assure you that today won't end with my having to rescue you again."

The former Titan smiled and squatted down in front of Danger, watching her fuss with the blindfold. The smile he wore was a soft one, it held excitement, joy, and more than a little mischief. After all this time he found himself wearing it more often. Things with Danger were good, Rose was enjoying herself in the outer rim, and Lily was doing much better than before. His life had become better than it had been even a month ago, and it only seemed to get better.

"Probably." Alric said as he leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]


It still surprised her when he did that; kiss her without a thought, just an expression of affection. Truth be told, it twisted her on the inside as much as it felt as if butterflies were set free in her belly. Comparably speaking, things were moving slow between them than the whirlwind chaos that had occurred between years ago. Things were rather tentative, although that seemed to be more in line to Danger's comfort level, simply enjoying each other's companionship.

There were still a number of things Danger struggled with, but she also was making further strides. Slowly, but surely, Danger was learning to trust, and in that, expressing herself more and more in methods that she hadn't before. For the first time, the past is past.

The corner of her mouth would quirk up, the warmth of his lips lingering. Her hands fell from the blindfold, adjusting the heavy coat he had placed over her shoulders. An eyebrow rose, and the subtle cant of her head expressing her query. If there was a heavy coat involved...

"Just what do you have up your sleeve?" there was a subtle movement of her brow as if to suggest she'd narrow her expression to a probing study. Which was amusing considering she was using her other senses to determine where he sat. Her fingers went reaching out, searching for the Tetan. Lightly, her finger-pads found his nose, drifting down to the sides to lightly scratch his jaw, the bristle of his beard tickling her nails.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He let her feel away, being contented to stall her until the ship landed.

"I have many things up my sleeve." Alric said in response. "I also have two sleeves."

A small smirk would tug at his lips, one that she would be able to feel as her fingers pressed into his face. The ship shook slightly, dropping through heavy cross winds and heading to their destination. His hands clamped on his knees slightly, his grip shifting as he tried to keep himself steady on his feet. There was an odd shift to his body, then the Lambda quickly bucked. The hydraulics could be heard as the vessels wings began to contract, signaling that they had arrived at their destination.

The soft howl of wind would be heard, and Alric smiled again. "Ready?"

His hands would reached forward, gently grasping her wrists firsts, fingers wrapping around. He let his hands slide down her arm until their digits began to interlock, then he slowly stood and pulled Danger up and into him.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

She tightened her grasp along his, the slender digits of her fingers searching for balance as the ship shook. With only four senses available, that slight pitch and yawn of movement would prompt the sudden latch of her grip against his own. Off balance, she would buckle for a moment, before Alric's strong grip held her up on her feet. She braced her legs, landing against him with an abrupt bump.

Thankfully, she barely missed smacking him on the chin with her head. Blind, he was her anchor.

"Depends," Danger breathed out, getting her bearings. In the distance, her hearing enhanced slightly by the loss of her sight, she could hear the faint howl of wind.

"...but the heavy coat and whatever is out there has me wonderin'." she told him ruefully, stepping back a bit. It was one thing to be blindfolded. Another when it dealt with an environment that made her start to question the mischievous hint in his voice. She swore she could feel the curve of his smirk rising just by sheer presence.

His body was warm, and his hands warmer, her firm grip remaining on his. It was a silent acceptance. Perhaps that spoke volumes than any audible words could. He would be her eyes and her guide.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He smiled. "Oh relax, It's not like were going Wampa hunting."

That would likely take a tad more preparation, and also some specialized equipment that Alric would build. For a few seconds he pondered, then nodded to himself as though he had just added something to his bucket list. His hands then gently slipped from Danger's, one palm finding its way to the small of her back, the other slowly wrapping around her hand to gently guide her.

Alric pushed gently, beginning to press Danger in the right direction.

They moved slowly, and Alric took a great amount of care not to walk Danger into any walls or tables. They reached the ramp of the ship rather quickly, Alric stopping Danger and smacking the side panel in order to pop open the Lambda's doors. He waited for a moment, feeling the chill of the wind as the ramp lowered and the doors opened. He smiled, and pulled Danger closer to him to share some of his warmth.

"Careful now." Alric said quietly as they walked down in the ramp. "It might get a tad slippery."

As they stepped off the ramp they did not sink into the snow, nor was there a crunch of compression. Instead it felt as though they were standing on thousands upon thousands of crystals of ice, almost like a road. They stepped forward a few times, then Alric leaned over and kissed Danger's cheek. "Okay, you can take the blindfold off now."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

It was cold. The air brisk. Danger could even smell the ice, that lingering alpine scent that tickled the senses.

He'd brought her to a frozen world.

The chill was enough to prompt a shiver down her spine, one that warmed at the sensation of his shared body heat at her back. He had been careful with her, moving along and guiding her every step of the way, and odd game of trust that reminded her of childhood games. Her fingers were cold, and she could already feel her body attempting to regulate her temperature.

A brush of his lips on her cheek and his request for her to remove her blindfold came next, the tenor of his voice edged with growing anticipation. Danger couldn't help but smile, her lips curving upward at his reaction. She might be cold, have no clue where she was at, or at times wonder what the heck she got herself into, but sensing Alric's excitement and the enjoyment he received out of it made it worth while. Was that love? The enjoyment one gets from the pleasure of another?

"Is this another attempt at the skis?" Danger asked wryly, teasing the Tetan as her hands came up by her eyes. Her thumbs hooked under the fabric and began to slowly tug up, "Because I reckon that -- Oh!" she gave a slight gasp of shock.

Her eyes grew wide, almost bulging at the sight that beheld her. She forgot the cold. It was so surprising that she blinked a couple of times, as if the act alone would clear her vision. However, no matter how many times she did it, what beheld her would remain.

It was a vast stretch of landscape that was completely covered in ice, but ice that had been cut and carved with the most intricate of features. There were ramparts, different stories, archways whose walls and buildings would glisten under the sunlight, the ice reflecting the glow. There were ice sculptures along what could only be considered to be a frozen winter garden, where in the place of verdant flora were magnificent and almost lifelike statues decorating the road towards the courtyard.

Her mouth parted in utter surprise and her expression filled with wonder. For the first time, Danger was speechless.

In the back of her mind, she recalled the offer he made -- about making an igloo and joking about ice castles.

She just never expected him actually construct the latter.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He smiled at her reaction.

It was perhaps, the first time that Alric had ever seen Danger Arceneau speechless. For once, there was no small quip, no witty comeback, no sarcastic reply that she could offer him. She could only be silent, silent and contemplative as she looked at the massive marvel that Alric had created for her.

He really had created it.

Oh not the entire thing of course, he hadn't carved all the ice or placed all the blocks, but he had helped. The former Titan had taken it as a challenge, and he along with others had slowly built this massive fortress of ice over the course of almost a month. It had take time, and labor, but now it would be a permanent fixture upon this world, a place to gather, to see, a place that would be a marvel where there was nothing else. He had wanted it that way.

For Danger.

Staring at it now it hardly seemed possible, though by the expression on Danger's face that could be immediately proven false. "It's not quite a castle, more of a manor really."

Alric said as thought the whole thing were next to nothing.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

On the grounds of such a surprise, it was difficult to wash the enthralled expression from her face. Her hands came up to cover her mouth, her warm breath warming them but intended to express her astonishment. Turning to Alric, she gave a slight double take, catching sight of the rather pleased aura that saturated the man.

Oh that bit of arrogance would always be there, as would the edge of smugness. However, what permeated from his expression was simple, confident, enjoyment. Not just at her reaction, but at the outcome of what he had set out to do. It was a rather elaborate show of technical marvel, the engineering involved to ensure that the Ice Manor would be structurally sound and properly insulated proved that. Not to mention the artistic qualities that would give the perfect amount of decorative touch, capturing all of the facets of beauty in the cold clear ice and enhancing it. Some of the statues even had a similar quality to that of the famous lightscupltures, only that their medium was carved ice.


"How..." Danger finally began, finding her voice. She gave a slow shake of her head, still in wonder, as if she couldn't believe it.

"... reckon you can't call it an igloo." and it was true. If he could pull the resources, he would go all out and create what he could only imagine, bringing it to life.

She gave another short laugh, but it was with ebullience. Shaking her head, she reacted, her cool hands reaching up to cup his face. A quick kiss turned to one that would linger, her own liveliness transferring in the token of affection, her smile easily felt as it curved upward.

"So how about you take me on the two credit tour?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He smiled at her, then gently wrapped his arm around the small of her back.

All in all, the place wasn't massive. Vanir Technologies had certainly built bigger structures, but there was something to the manor, or really it was more of a hotel. There was an oddity to it, a charm that many other buildings would be missing. Statues lines the pathway towards it, and two huge sculpted pieces of ice sat in front of the open doorway. It was clear that emitters lined the wall, ones that when activated would create a door to keep out storms and the night air.

"What do you think?" Alric asked her, his voice half searching for approval.

The lobby was simple, though elegant in its own way. There was an odd pool of water in the corner, a waterfall flowing into it. A desk made of solid ice, though it appeared its counters were topped with Transpariplast to actually allow for work, and a woman standing behind said desk. She wore a soft smile and stood at a computer terminal, as if waiting for Danger to speak to her.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"It's a lot to take in," she admitted, ambling alongside Alric, feeling the guiding pressure of his hand at her back. Her words held the ring of truth. She was still reeling from the surprise. Well it wasn't that she wasn't used to Alric giving gifts or surprises, but normally they were small things. At least, well... in the past, things of such a grand nature were not what she expected. It was nice as much as it was... terrifying.

Maybe because she found herself enjoying it.

The attendant was wearing insulated clothing that was not bulky at all. Was that a new material? Curiosity sparked in her eyes, and it was only the gentle urging of Alric's hand that captured her attention anew. The slender digits of her right hand would move to interlock with his.

"I think you are the first to ever make me speechless." she admitted, a faint smile lingering on her lips. The approval was in her expression, in her eyes. She was proud of what he had done; created. Her cheeks were a light pink due to the cold, but it was also due to her pleasure at what he created.

It didn't dawn on her yet that this was all for her, because she had said yes to the desire to building an igloo.

"How large is this place?" she asked, wondering how many rooms and just what else was inside.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Thirty two bedrooms." Alric said quietly drawing her closer. "All with a bathroom and amenities."

He kissed her, a deep kiss. "And of course..."

His voice drifted off as he planted another soft kiss on her lips, then another, then another just to be playful. The girl at the desk seemed to giggle slightly, looking away from the two of them as though she were seeing her parents be affectionate towards one another. Alric didn't even notice, but had he the Tetan very likely would have smiled at the girl.

"There's also your room." Alric said it with a smile, a mix of mischief, joy, and absolute truth.

Of course in the end this all had been for her. The hotel, the work he had put into it, the entire thing was because of an off-handed comment made by Danger the last time they had been here. It was that which made Alric who he was, turning the small things into something grand.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

He was making her head spin. Every brush of his lips, the mischievous public affection, and his attention was just overwhelming. Over stimulating. She found herself blushing, her heart fluttering at her throat, and her belly twisting in knots. Danger had her buttons after all, and while she laughed against his lips, she couldn't help but draw him tighter against her.

She didn't care that the attendant was there, that awareness simply faded from her senses. All she could think, breathe, and feel was Alric. The scent of chocolate cherry, the warmth of his body, the pressure of his hands. Her grip would clutch at the fistfuls of his winter jacket, a slight swishing sound to it, and she rocked against him.

Her eyes half sank, and there was a rather coquettish hint to her smile and expression. Her eyes went darkening into a deeper emerald hue just as her expression twisted into another of bewilderment.

"My room?" she echoed in emphasis, drawing away from another kiss that instead managed to strike at the corner of her mouth. It tickled, the bristle of his beard making her close her eyes and give a slight shiver.

She bit her lower lip and the curtains of her eyes lifted. A few seconds ticked by, searching his eyes. Finally, the crooked smile on her lips grew wider.

"Why don't you show me?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

His hands tightened on her body, his smile didn't go, and his eyes set on hers. He was searching for something, searching her, searching himself. They had been taking things slowly, at a snails pace compared to what had once happened. Yet he knew that tone of voice, the look in her eyes. It was something he was familiar with, something that he had, truthfully, been wanting over the last few weeks. Yet there was still a hesitance to him, once born of concern for both Danger and himself.

Was she ready?

Was he?

His hands relaxed, his palms slid down to her waist, and slowly he applied pressure to one side. He turned her around, pushing her forward and pressing her towards one of the halls. There was a smile on his face, amusement playing through his tone. "This way, My lady."

Alric pushed Danger, forward, pressing her onward down the halls. They were all solid ice, all cold to the touch. A coolness hung in the hallways, and even the stairs. Alric carefully lead Danger down them, gentle nudges and small pressed at her back and hips leading her down a long and empty hallway to a single door

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]


Her fingertips went trailing against the threshold of her room. Her room. Such a strange idea. Especially one crafted all from ice. The coolness of the frozen layer would transfer through to her fingers, but it held no bite. Again, she bit the fullness of her lower lip, her blood humming in a way that kept her warm despite the chill.

Was it anticipation? Was it apprehension coated with suspense? It just twisted her in knots, confused her as much as it made her hum with energy. She had caught the look in his blue eyes, felt his smile fan over her, understood the question and hesitance within them both.

Was she letting herself get in over her head again? Was she simply reacting to what she had so desperately wanted for so long? Or was she simply so out of tune with normal relationships that she had no reference to stand on. Truth be told, this was all new for her. Her relationship with Nox had been a whirlwind of passion and anger. The one with Nareveni had been as detached as a business arrangement, but sated her baser needs. Then Alric...

Well, what had begun in the VIP room of that Expo had nothing to do with friendship nor with a business understanding. That had been something primal in nature, so much that it had terrified her. Terrified her into offering Alric Kuhn stock of ATC for his silence.

How things had changed since then...

He swung the door open, gesturing for her to enter, that smile that made her knees weak shining down at her. Danger mirrored the smile, then took a step inside. The floor was covered in ice, but there was a design etched upon it, likely in order to ensure a measure of friction to prevent any slips. If she had been impressed by the design and architecture on the outside, it was nothing compared to the inside.

The room was large, smaller than the one on Tatooine, but considering it was crafted by ice, it was remarkable none the less. Even the 'furniture' was carved out of sections of ice, with light reflecting and illuminating the entire suite. There were thick furs draped over the furniture, along with other heavy insulated fabric. It was clear that while the ice manor was a novelty, the comfort of the individual was kept in mind.

Danger came to a stop just in the middle of the room, her eyes wide with wonder. The ceiling would arch over head, again drawing a sense of wonder from the Trade Queen. She slowly spun in a slow circle.

"It's beautiful, Alric," she finally told him, breathing out in amazement. And for a moment, the years shed from Dangeruese's face, erased the guarded shadow in her eyes, and she simply was a woman, in awe and pleasure at the gift that had been given to her.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric watched her, still standing at the door.

"Some of it is Transparisteel." His voice was soft as he walked over to her. "The Bathroom for one, the bed frame and the floor around it."

He smiled as his arms slowly slipped around her. "Wouldn't want your feet to get cold."

It was true. The rooms were all designed that way. Most of them were carved of ice, but sections were transparisteel and some of that material that ATC made. This was mostly a structural thing, but also to allow some warmth and comfort to enter into the rooms while still maintaining a measure of the same clear and transparent look. It allowed one to actually take their shoes off within the room and be somewhat comfortable, as long as they wore slippers.

That was simply smart, or Alric thought so. The Bathrooms on the other hand were entirely heated, composed of transspariplast and other clear materials, designed to be insulated and warm. Jacuuzi tubs sat inside them along with many smaller amenities. They were made to be full reprieves from the cold.

The beds of course were top heated mattresses, but the frames were solid ice.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"I'm sure my feet would find that mighty grateful," she'd sigh out, finding herself leaning back into his embrace. Her back went sinking against the hard wall of his chest, and her arms came up to cross and rest on top of his own. It was cool in the room, felt almost as if they were in a walk in freezer, but it held no bite to it.

She closed her eyes, simply enjoying the moment. Danger rarely ever did such things. Always on the go, always considering the business, always from one side of the 'verse to the next. As she grew older, she came to realize she was on the go far too much. That she had sacrificed living for securing her families business. It was time she took some thought for her own self.

Her lids lifted for a moment, panning towards the right. There was the bathroom he spoke of. She imagined it would be heated; at least she hoped so. Otherwise with the cold...

A sight chuckle came out of her then.

"And my ass." the joke was said more in reference to the bathroom, but coated in humor. She may love the ingenuity and thought behind the Ice Manor, but she still had issues with the cold.

"Are the bathrooms heated?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Well." Alric said as he kissed the tip of her ear. "It's my job to keep that warm."

There was a smirk that tugged at his lips, though he quickly hid it within Danger's hair. "Yes they are."

He answered her before she could respond to him again, his eyes gazing towards the bathroom. That had probably been the smartest decision about this whole place, adding in a place where one could get away from the cold and simply be warm. Of course the rooms were pleasant, and under the blankets of the bed it was more than enough to keep one cozy, but the Bathroom was a place one could go and just be warm.

Alric supposed that Danger would enjoy that more than most.

She wasn't too fond of the cold.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

He spoke, but it had been by her ear. The token of affection ran another shiver down her neck, and her eyes slid shut, and like the bundle of nerves the human body is, hers reacted. Awareness. A quickening of breath. Not that one could ignore the presence of Alric Kuhn. So her fingers began a slow drift, idle in nature as much as it was a desire touch. They slowly began to sweep in an up and down motion over his arms that held her, her arms still crossed in front. Walking a line, they were constantly walking a line.

But where and when to cross it?

The embrace led to a slight rocking motion, the woman in Alric's arms unwilling to quite let him go yet. "How well can it fare under weather conditions?"

Her voice was low, huskier, her hands gently massaging over his arms as he held her.

"Reckon you're intending on more than indulging my curiosity over ice castles and igloos?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He gently kissed the top of her ear again. There wasn't even a second of thought, there wasn't a pause for him to think or even a wait on what he would have to say. Instead he simply shifted his lips down, beginning to whisper softly in her ear as his fingers laced onto her body and softly swept over her.

"It can be only that." Alric told her with a very gentle squeeze. "If you want it to be."

Of course that was unlikely, if nothing else Danger was a practical woman, she wouldn't keep something like this all to herself simply due to vanity. Yet it was still a serious offer, and one that Alric Kuhn made with no hesitations or second thought. He would give it to her without a second thought.