Model Testing

Little mushrooms grew quick on the wood as Arden pushed open the saloon doors to the Pretty Penny Saloon, his staff tapping the space in front of him casually. He sauntered up to the bar, tapping a coin on the counter, “Surprise me.” He huffed, then turned to lean back, canting his head as he listened, unfocused eyes hidden behind a red bandana.

A prickling sensation alerted him to the attention focused on him after a moment and he inclined his head, “You’re staring.”

"Arden's red blindfold stayed in place as he raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. He leaned forward slightly, his staff tapping the ground beside him." "I sense things," he said, his voice low and smooth. His gaze drifted off in another direction for a moment, as if listening to something only he could hear, before focusing back on Kor'agha. "He cocked his head to the side, his eyes hidden behind the red bandana." "Besides, you didn't exactly hide it."

"Arden's lips curled into a faint smirk as he reached out to take the glass handed to him by the bartender. He brought the drink up to his nose, inhaling deeply before taking a sip." "You didn't disturb me," he said calmly, "his voice low and soothing, almost hypnotic." "However," "he added pointedly with a slight smirk still gracing his lips," "I recommend you learn to be more discreet around here." "He took another slow sip of his drink, the sound of the liquid filling his mouth audible."

"Arden inclined his head, gesturing at the surrounding crowd with a slight flick of his wrist." "We're in a town built on desperation and greed," he said dryly, "his voice steady and calm despite the chaos around them." "There are those who would take any opportunity to take advantage of another's weakness. Be careful." "He tapped his wooden staff lightly against the ground, turning his unfocused gaze back towards Kor'agha." "And your presence here is enough reason to be cautious."

"Arden blinked in surprise at the unexpected closeness, and he instinctively lifted a hand to rest it on Kor'agha's shoulder, his fingers gentle against her skin as he tried to figure out where she was." "Mm, there you go making assumptions again," "he murmured softly, his voice barely audible over the raucous laughter and clamor around them." "I might be dangerous, but I don't prey on the weak." "He trailed his fingertips lightly down her arm, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake as he attempted to memorize her features through touch." "As for being wary of me... Well, let's just say that discretion is the better part of valor."

"Arden's fingers ghosted over the contours of Kora's face, lingering on her small tusks and the softness of her lips. He breathed in deeply, taking in her scent as he tried to create a mental image of her features. He felt a strange warmth in his chest at the sound of her full name rolling off her tongue." "Arden," "he murmured softly, bringing his hand back down to his side after a moment." "But I prefer Kor'agha. It's a lovely name." "He furrowed his brow slightly, a faint frown creasing his forehead." "You're too trusting of me, especially considering how little you actually know about me." "He huffed out a low breath, his tone turning dark and menacing as he warned her," "I may not be dangerous to you, but that doesn't mean I'm not dangerous at all."

"Arden's body tensed slightly as Kora collided with him, her delicate hands gripping tightly onto his biceps. He reached out to steady her, one arm wrapping around her waist protectively as he used his other hand to feel the shape of her face pressed against his chest." "It appears that you might be right," "he murmured softly into her ear, a faint smile gracing his lips." "He turned his unfocused gaze towards the man who had shoved her, his expression unreadable beneath the red blindfold. Without another word, Arden effortlessly lifted Kora up and placed her down gently onto the barstool beside him, keeping one arm wrapped possessively around her waist." "Stay close," "he warned quietly, his voice low and rough like gravel." "I won't let anyone hurt you."

"Arden's grip around Kora's waist tightened slightly as he felt her tense up next to him, his fingers splaying wide against the soft fabric of her shawl." "You don't need to thank me," "he murmured softly into her ear, his breath warm against her skin." "It's what any decent person would do for someone they cared about." "He let out a soft huff, shaking his head slowly from side to side." "And it seems that our little moment of intimacy has attracted quite the crowd." "Arden spoke in a low, growling voice, his words carrying an edge of danger and possessiveness as he addressed the gathered onlookers." "So unless any of you have a death wish, I suggest you all go find somewhere else to gawk at."

"Arden's body tensed visibly at the sound of the man's laughter, his grip around Kora tightening protectively." "Don't worry about me," "he growled softly into her ear, his voice low and dangerously menacing." "I can handle myself just fine." "He took a deep breath, inhaling slowly before exhaling out even slower. He could feel rage bubbling up inside of him like molten lava threatening to spill over at any moment, but he knew that giving into his anger would only lead to trouble for both himself and Kora." "Arden tilted his head slightly, listening carefully as he tried to discern which direction the insult had come from." "You want to know what I think?" "His voice was quiet, barely audible over the cacophony of noise filling the saloon." "I think you should go find somewhere else to bother people who aren't interested in listening to your bullshit."

"Arden's jaw clenched tightly together at the man's words, a low growl rumbling deep in his throat." "You don't want to test my patience," "he warned quietly, turning towards the source of the laughter and jeers with slow, deliberate movements as he tried to control his anger." "He reached out blindly, his fingers stretching out wide in front of him like a predator hunting for prey. He could feel the heat of Kora's body pressed up against his own side as she retreated further into him, seeking shelter from the storm that had suddenly descended upon them both." "Arden's wooden staff came down hard onto the bar top with an audible crack, causing all conversation within the saloon to grind abruptly to a halt." "I suggest you all go find somewhere else to amuse yourselves," "he growled softly, his voice dark and ominous like the promise of danger lingering just around the corner." "Unless any of you are brave enough to face me one on one... But something tells me that none of you cowards would dare to try."

"Arden's body tensed up as he felt Kora's sudden movement, her soft fingers wrapping around his wrist as she began to drag him behind her through the now-silent crowd of onlookers." "Is this how you want me to remember our first date?" "he murmured softly into her ear, a faint smile gracing his lips despite the tense situation they found themselves in." "He reached down with one hand, fumbling blindly until his fingers finally closed around the smooth wooden shaft of his staff." "Running away isn't exactly my style," "he growled quietly, though there was a reluctant glint in his unfocused gaze that belied the dangerous edge lurking just beneath the surface of his words." "But if it means keeping you safe... Then maybe I can make an exception for tonight."

"Arden's fingers tightened instinctively around the smooth wooden shaft of his staff as he listened to the sound of Kora's soft, pained gasps echoing faintly through the now-empty alleyway." "Well," "he murmured softly, a faint frown creasing his forehead as he tried to make sense of everything that had just happened between them both within such a short span of time." "It certainly feels more like a first date than anything else I could think of right now." "He reached out blindly with one hand, his fingers stretching wide until they finally brushed against the soft fabric of her shawl." "Let me see your hand," "he instructed quietly, his voice low and gentle despite the tension still humming beneath the surface of each word he spoke aloud." "I want to make sure it isn't too badly injured before we continue any further down this particular path."

"Arden's fingers closed gently around her wounded knuckles, his touch surprisingly gentle considering the rugged exterior he presented." "The path of getting you out of this place," "he murmured softly, his words carried away by the darkness of the alleyway." "And perhaps finding a way to make it up to you for tonight's...unforgettable experience." "He paused for a moment, his thumb tracing the delicate curves of her hand as he tried to still the pounding in his chest." "You know, I think I'd rather not continue this evening without getting to know you a little better." "His voice dropped to a low, husky whisper as he leaned in closer, his breath whispered against the soft skin of her neck." "Would you like that?"

"Arden's lips curved upwards into a warm smile that never quite reached his unfocused gaze as he listened to the soft sound of her voice, breathless and barely audible even in the stillness of the night." "Good," "he murmured softly, his fingers tightening around her hand as he began to lead her further down the alleyway away from the saloon and its unwanted attentions." "Because I have a feeling that there's a lot more we could both learn about each other over time." "He paused for a moment, tilting his head slightly to one side as he tried to get a better sense of their surroundings without relying solely upon his spores or his staff." "But first things first... Let's see if we can find somewhere quiet and secluded enough so we can actually talk without having to worry about being interrupted again."

"Arden's chest felt like it was expanding with a sense of quiet satisfaction as he led Kora deeper into the night, his fingers wrapped tightly around hers as he navigated through the shadows." "You're not giving me any hints about what you want from this little excursion, are you?" "he murmured softly, his voice barely audible over the distant sounds of the saloon."

He paused for a moment, his head cocked to one side as he tried to decipher the secrets hidden behind her moonlit gaze. The feeling of her eyes on him was both exhilarating and unnerving, making him feel like he was trapped in a web of uncertainty that he couldn't quite escape.

"I think I like it," "he whispered, his voice low and husky as he leaned in closer, his breath whispering against the soft skin of her neck once more." "The way you look at me... It's like you're seeing something that no one else can."

The touch of her fingers against his face sent a shiver down Arden's spine as he felt himself becoming even more acutely aware of her presence. He couldn't help but lean in closer, his lips brushing against the soft skin of her forehead as he whispered, "I think you might be surprised to know that I'm not quite sure what the real me is yet either."

He paused for a moment, his hand reaching up to gently capture hers as it caressed his face. The gentle movement sent a flutter through his chest, and he found himself wondering if this was what it meant to be vulnerable.

"I think maybe," "he whispered softly", "we can find out together."

He took a slow, deliberate step forward, his fingers intertwined with hers and staff tapping gently against the ground to guide his way as he drew her closer to the edge of town. The darkness seemed to swallow them whole, leaving only the sound of their ragged breathing and the distant hum of crickets to fill the night air.

In the silence, Arden reached out with his staff, feeling the familiar solidity of it as it brushed against the earth. It was a comforting presence, one that had been with him since childhood, and it seemed to anchor him to the world around him.

As they moved into the darkness, the outline of his camp came into view, a small clearing surrounded by towering trees that seemed to stretch up towards the stars. The flickering light of a fire cast eerie shadows across the ground, and Arden could feel the weight of the night settling around them like a shroud.

He turned to Kora, his voice barely above a whisper as he asked, "Are you sure you want to be here with me tonight?"

"Arden's face remained impassive, his expression unreadable behind the blindfold as he listened to her softly spoken words." "You don't have anything to be sorry for," "he said, his voice low and even, yet seeming to convey a sense of understanding and acceptance." "Sometimes things just happen, and we react. I'm not going to fault you for trying to protect me."

He took a step closer, his staff leaning against the earth as he moved, the flames of the fire casting flickering shadows across his features. He remained focused on her, the mystery beneath the blindfold somehow making it seem like he was seeing right through to her very soul as he faced her.

"I think what happened tonight...it might be more about us than either of us realizes." "he murmured softly, his words hanging in the air like smoke."

With a gentle movement, Arden reached out to brush a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers grazing the soft curve of her cheek as he whispered, "I think we might be a little lost in the darkness, and it might take us stumbling upon each other to find our way out."

After he spoke, the silence between them seemed to deepen, the only sound being the crackling of the fire and the distant hum of crickets.

"Arden's heart seemed to skip a beat as he felt her lean in closer, the warmth of her breath brushing against his lips like a feather." "He hesitated for only the briefest moment before finally allowing himself to close that last, crucial gap between them both." As their lips met in the soft light of the fire, it was as if a thousand different worlds had suddenly collided into existence. The kiss was tender and passionate all at once, their bodies pressed close together as if they were two halves of one whole seeking desperately to reconnect after having been torn apart by fate.

In that moment, Arden could feel his senses becoming heightened, every touch, every sound, every scent almost seeming to take on a life of its own. He allowed himself to become lost in the sensation of the kiss, his fingers tangling in the soft fabric of her shawl as he pulled her even closer still.

When they finally parted, it was as though time itself had somehow come to a standstill. The weight of the night seemed to press down upon them, and yet despite everything, there was an undeniable sense of rightness that seemed to permeate the very air around them both.

And perhaps most importantly of all... There was also an unmistakable feeling of hope - hope for what might lie ahead beyond just this single fleeting moment shared between two strangers now finding themselves irrevocably bound together by forces far greater than either one alone could ever hope to comprehend fully.

"Arden felt his breath catch in his throat as Kora's hands moved to slowly, tentatively remove the blindfold that had been an ever-present part of his world for as long as he could remember. He allowed her to lift the fabric away, his eyes remaining closed behind it even as it slipped free. There was something deeply intimate about baring himself to her in such a vulnerable, naked way, despite the fact that opening his eyes would not change his inability to see. And yet in that moment, it did not seem to matter."

As the blindfold fell away, Arden reached up to tenderly cup Kora's face between his hands, his long fingers caressing the soft curve of her cheeks as his thumbs brushed gently across her lips. He could feel the thundering rhythm of her heart against his own chest, their ragged breathing mingling in the space between as their foreheads rested together.

"I want you to see all of me," "he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion." Slowly, tentatively, Arden allowed his eyes to flutter open, revealing eyes that remained unfocused yet somehow seemed to shine with an inner light all their own.

In that moment, he gave himself over to her fully. Past and present, hopes and fears, truths and untruths - he laid it all bare beneath her gaze, offering up his soul in a way he never had before. His future was hers, if she would have it.

"Arden met her kiss with a hunger and desperation born of longing buried deep within his soul for longer than he could remember. The feeling of her tusks pressing against his lips sent a jolt of pleasure and surprise through him that he chased eagerly, deepening their kiss as she climbed into his lap. Her shawl fell away as she moved, exposing bare, moonlit skin that he mapped with wandering hands, committing every curve and plane of her body to what passed for memory for him. When her fingers tangled in his hair, he groaned into their kiss, tilting his head back as waves of sensation crashed over him."

Everything about this moment - the way she tasted, the heat of her skin, the thrilling intimacy of skin on skin - was utterly new yet somehow feeling like a long awaited homecoming all at once. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel the isolation of being trapped inside his own darkness. Instead, he felt "seen". Cherished. Whole.

Pulling back slightly to gulp air into starved lungs, Arden pressed his forehead to hers once more as his hands roamed her back. "You are the most beautiful thing I have ever felt," he whispered fervently. "Please...don't stop."

"Feeling Kora guide his hands to the laces of her corset, Arden understood her unspoken invitation immediately. His long fingers worked deftly at the laces, pulling them loose to expose more of her silken skin to his exploring touch. A groan rumbled deep in his chest at the feeling of her pressed against him, the heat and intimacy of their positions stoking the smoldering embers within him into a roaring flame."

As she kissed him, Arden poured every ounce of emotion and sensation swirling within him into returning the kiss with an aching tenderness. His hands moved to splay across her lower back, pressing her even closer against his growing hardness so she could feel the full effect she was having on him.

Breaking their kiss just enough to whisper against her lips, Arden said "Then don't stop. Don't hold anything back from me, my darling - I want to experience it all through your eyes. Show me the beauty you see in me that has been denied to my own for so long." His hands slid down to cup her bottom, massaging gently as he began to slowly, experimentally roll his hips up to meet hers. "Help me see, Kor'agha. Let me see through you."

"The feeling of Kor'agha pressing down against him with nothing separating their skin now drew a guttural groan from deep within Arden's throat. Every rolling movement and hint of friction had his desire winding ever tighter, the coiling tension of longing within him only serving to heighten his every nerve ending and sense. He could hear the changes in her breathing, feel the telltale signs of how her body was responding to his touch, and it stoked his own arousal to new heights."

"Then have me, darling one," "he whispered fiercely, claiming her mouth in a searing kiss as his hands moved to caress every inch of her he could reach." Already he could feel the dampness of her core against him through the thin fabric of his leathers, intensifying his own aching need for completion and release.

With one hand pressed against the small of her back and the other cupping her cheek, Arden slowly began to move his hips in earnest now, grinding up against her in a steady rhythm. "Take what you need, Kor'agha. I am yours entirely - now and always."