Frustration and Fruitless Efforts, Tag: Serenity

[Nikolai Eustine]

(I shall post whooshness indeed! whoot!)

Helpless was not a feeling that Nikolai had to endure often. Usually it was a fleeting thing, a moment's time of confusion and worthlessness before he regained his bearings and made things right. But now...as he laid here with this wonderfully peculiar girl in his arms...that phantom sense of complete and utter abandonment was creeping upon him once more.

"I'm sorry that I've been such a letdown...you must think I'm pathetic." he muttered to Serenity, knowing that she was already asleep. "All I can do...is protect you the only way I know how. Even if it means never leaving your side again."



Odd. The idea didn't sound so bad.

~*~ the next morning... ~*~


Nik woke feeling sore from the day before, yet oddly refreshed. It had been a relatively quiet night, with him only waking once or twice at the sound of the structure around them settling. Once he'd been sure that no one was there and that the elf in his arms was still safe, he'd gone back to sleep with little bearing down upon his mind.

Now, as he looked down to study her expressionless face, the Nord leaned in and kissed her forehead softly. 'Good morning, Serenity...' he thought to himself, smiling. 'Welcome to another day.'

[Serenity]

Serenity moaned and shifted snuggling closer to the warmth that was Nik. "Wha-" She said as her eyes fluttered open. She took a deep breath, and the mutted pain from her ribcage made her moan again. She blinked as the muted pain slowly dripped its way back into her awareness, and shifted her head to look up at Nik. "G'morning. She said softly smiling up at him. He'd stayed with her, he'd kept her safe. She took another breath and realized that the pain from yesterday had faded considerably, and yet...still was considerably painful at the same time. But Nik was here, and here was smiling at her so everything was ok. Slowly she closed her eyes again and snuggled back closer to Nik. "What're we doing today? She asked, still considerably groggy. She would be content to sleep the rest of the day, or...well...anything as long as Nik was with her she really didn't care.

[Nikolai Eustine]

The Nord's face flushed at being caught so close to Serenity when she had awoken, his stomach twisting nervously. The fact that the first thing she did was smile up at him and burrow against his chest didn't help much either...

"Um...morning." he managed out, quickly pulling away and carefully detangling himself from the elf so that he didn't bump her injuries. Sliding off to the edge of the bed, Nik pushed himself up so that he was sitting with his legs dangling over the side and ran a hand through his hair. "Today? Today. Right...well...I figure the best thing to do would be to get you cleaned up. I think I might've scared the innkeeper when I came in last night." Toeing a small indention in the floor like a little boy, the blonde shifted his weight forward a bit before adding, "I should also check on your shoulder...make sure it's healing right."

Turning his head so that he could see her out of the corner of his eye, he paused. "...And you definitely need some new clothes."

[Serenity]

Serenity grumbled and shifted curling into as much of a ball as was comfortable after Nik moved. She wanted him to come back, but she didn't think there was anyway he would do that. With a sigh she then pushed herself up as much as she could to look herself over, she was a mess. "yes, new clothes would in fact be VERY nice. These are...ruined. To say the least. Shifting closer to the end of the bed she mentaly perpaired herself to get up. "And I do need to get cleaned up. I'm covered in blood. As are you. I guess we BOTH need to get cleaned up befor going out anywhere." She said with a glance torwards nik. As a test she put her feet on the floor, and pain immeadiatly shot straight up her left leg. With a sigh she removed the pressure on her leg. "I don't think I can stand for long..." She said biting her lip. THAT would certantly be a hinderance. She felt like she had no strenght LEFT, and all she could do was hope it came back.

[Nikolai Eustine]

(Oh gosh...now it gets interesting. *giggle!* The real question, though, is...shower or washtub? *grins* I mean...hm? I didn't say anything...)


Nik glanced down at his bloodied shirt disinterestedly. He wasn't bothered by the sight of it, though the fact that it was Serenity's a was little disturbing.



...Maybe changing would be a good idea.

For now, though, his main focus needed to be the elf at his side. She'd crawled her way to the side of the bed, and as she tried to stand he could help but notice the awful wince that muddled her expression. She was going to be in pain if she tried to stand...but how else could she bathe? He certainly couldn't have anything to do with it! His face went beet red with only the thought...how would he manage to hold her up under the faucet? "You're sure you can't stand up? Even if you leaned against the wall?" he asked nervously. Serenity needed to be clean. That much was obvious. Otherwise, she was prone to all sorts of nasty infections that would hinder her recovery. "What about the washtub? Could you sit in it and still be able to rinse off?"

[Serenity]

Serenity sighed and looked at nik. "I don't know. Maybe I can stand. Let me try. She said putting her feet back on the floor she put her weight on her right foot first instead of her left. Pushing herself up with her uninjured arm she stood up, allbeit quite shakily. Taking a deep breath she put her left foot down and tried to walk. Immediatly pain shot up through her leg, and then her ribcage and her leg gave out completely. Landing on the floor with a painful thump, she sighed and lowered her head. "DAMN IT! She said banging her fist on the floor and curling up into a ball. Tears suddenly springing up she bit her lip, and refused to cry. Shaking she collapsed upon herself, and stayed put on the floor. Everything hurt. And she hated it. "I guess I could get to the wash tub I just don't know how I'll get IN it. She said softly, hating herself because she couldn't control her pain, but hating Ramiel even more for causing it.

((Mmmm yay for fun. ))

[Nikolai Eustine]

(...what IS Serenity wearing? That might be a good thing to know...

Again, another kind of short post. Nik's using my brain stem as a punching bag right now. *laughs* He doesn't like me embarrassing him.)



Nik was at her side instantly, an arm going around her waist to help hold her steady while the other gently guided her arm about his shoulders. The elf was completely helpless...she'd never make safely into the tub without aid. And, to be quite honest...Nik wasn't comfortable with the idea of leaving her in the room alone anyway. Ramiel could be waiting for his chance...to attack when Serenity was alone and weak. And not only using himself and his weapons. Strangers became enemies in his mind; inn employees were suddenly suspicious. He didn't trust anyone to help Serenity...but himself.

"...What if I helped you in?" The question stumbled from his lips like an awkward foal, just born, gets to its feet. Undoubtedly, his face was redder than the blood staining his clothes. "Could you do it...if I picked you up and set you in the tub?"

[Serenity]

Serenity bit her lip and attempted to once again stop the tears. Holding on to Nik as tight as she could, she nodded slowly. " I think so." She said slowly. Honestly she didn't really know. She was still so tired, and she never wanted to let go of Nik. Never. He was saftey, and warmth, and she felt like if she let go it would slip through her fingers like it had so many times befor.

"I'm sorry Nik, I just...I don't know. I'll try. I promise you I'll try. If only was wasn't so god damn weak still. She said softly. She hated having to have someone help her and yet it was nice at the same time. She was just so confused. Nothing was making sense. Taking a deep breath she nodded as though reassuring herself and said. "I'll try

((She's wearing...whatever you want? I don't know. Pants...and...um...What she's wearing in the pic I think...maybe))

[Nikolai Eustine]

(The bathrooms are going to be awesome...because I say so. Like the bath-house in Spirited Away! Whoot!)


"Good girl..." Nik praised quietly, patting her gently on the top of her head before looping his arm under her knees and standing. Glancing around the room for their keys, the Nord spied it sitting atop the bedside table, obviously where he had tossed it last night in his haste to get Serenity comfortable. He edged towards it, carefully grabbing them before placing the hand back upon Serenity's waist and heading out the door.

As they emerged into the hallway, Nik moved his back to the wall to allow another guest past, earning quite a variety of stares as the man glanced back at him with every few steps. Nik simply glared back; he was not in the mood to put up with anyone, especially not a curious traveler. Striding irritably down the hall, the blonde ignored the whispers of passerbys and staff as he made his way to the inn's bathing wing.

They were met by a smiling (albeit nervous) hostess; immediately, she opened the door to a small but quaint room equipped with a bath built directly into the floor. "Shall I prepare a room for both of you?" she questioned politely, her hand trembling slightly on the door handle. Nik sighed: these people REALLY had the wrong idea. "No...this will be just fine. She's the only one using it." he grumbled, sweeping by the woman without any further explanations. The hostess gave Serenity a fearful glance but said nothing as she closed the door behind them.


The Nord sighed again, looking around the room for anything that could prove to be helpful. His eyes lit up as he spied a pile of towels folded in the corner, a mineral bar lying beside them. Moving to the edge of the tub, he carefully lowered Serenity until she was seated with her legs dangling over the edge. He then set about filling the tub, pulling a cord hanging from the ceiling and causing a chute to extend from the wall. Within seconds, hot water gushed forth and began to fill the wash tub, quickly rising to Serenity's feet. "Take off your clothes." Nik instructed, his back to her and face flaming red as he grabbed one of the long towel from the pile and threw it to the elf. "When you're done, you can wrap yourself in that...and I'll lower you into the water." He kept his back turned, giving Serenity some privacy...besides, he didn't think he could handle the sight of her in the towel, let alone naked.

[Serenity]

"ok..." She said trying not to notice, mostly for Niks sake, that Nik had turned red very very fast. Serenity looked at the towel and then back at Nik. "Better get started then... She mummbled to herself trying to avoid the thought that this could turn into a very awkward situation very fast. That is if they let it. Which she hoped they wouldn't.

Serenity set about peeling off the remains of her clothing, which wasn't very hard considering there wasn't much left holding her clothes together in the first place. Gritting her teeth against the pain she felt as she moved, she quickly finished removing the remains of her clothing and wrapped the towel around her. With a frown she realized she was covered in more blood and dirt then she thought she had been. "Ick.." She said softly, wondering how she had ever gathered that much dirt in the first place.

"Nik...I-I really don't know what I'd have done without you. Thank you. For everything. You don't have to do this. You don't have to help me...if you really don't want to." She said knowing he was feeling a tad bit awkward, but also hopeing to god he wouldn't leave. She didn't want to be alone. "And...you can turn around now." She said fully securing the towel around herself.

((This ok?))

[Nikolai Eustine]

(Tis great, Ems! Gives me plenty to work with. )

Nikolai paused at first, unsure of how to respond. Part of him desperately wanted to run from the room before his face reddened any more, but...he knew that he could not. Serenity needed his help, no matter how brave a face she tried to put on, and it would be cowardly of him to leave her this way. Leaning to retrieve another towel, this one a smaller washrag, the blonde slowly pivoted on his heel until he was facing the wash tub once again. His eyes remained glued to the wood floor, and he had to fight with himself to bring them up...something he almost regretted the moment he did.

Serenity still sat at the edge of the tub, her torn and tattered clothing cast aside. Wrapped within the cloth of the towel, he could see every curve, every swell of her body beneath the thin fabric. If it were humanly possible, his face probably flushed more.

Taking a forceful gulp of air and stepping forward, Nik pulled easily on the cord once again and waited until the rushing water ceased before pushing the chute back up to the wall. The tub was nearly full now, mere inches from the rim and steaming invitingly. "...Don't be silly. You can't do this on your own...not in your condition. So just let me help you already, okay?" He moved beside her, leaning down until they were eye to eye.

"So...how should we do this? Do you want to try sitting on your own, or...do you think you'll need my help?"

[Serenity]

Serenity thought for a moment. She wasn't sure. She seemed to be sitting on her own just fine...for the moment. But she didn't know how long it would take for the sitting to turn into slumping and the slumping to turn into drowning and that would lead to bad...bad things. She didn't really feel like drowning at that moment. Or...well...ever for that matter. "I...maybe? I don't know." She said ashamed that for the first time in her life she truely didn't know the parameters of her own strength. " I may be able to manage on my own but I don't know for how long. Maybe minuets maybe...seconds. I just...I don't know...Help me?" She said biting her lip. She hated to ask for his help but...she thought she really might need it. "please nik?"

[Nikolai Eustine]

Damn it. As if things couldn't be more awkward. Did the gods disfavor him so much? Did they want all of the blood vessels in his head to explode?

With an affirming nod, Nik reached for the buttons of his shirt, undoing each one as fast as his fumbling fingers could manage. Once finished, he shrugged the bloody article from his bare shoulders, then concentrated on removing his boots before inching forward and lowering himself into the waist deep water. Immediately, his pants soaked through and clung to his lower half, and the blonde couldn't have been more thankful for the fact that the water concealed his obvious...excitement.

"All right," he began, turning back to Serenity and placing his arms around her waist. "here we go...just grab onto me if you need to." Slowly, gently, he pulled her into the water, immersing her inch by inch until she was seated chest deep within the warmth. He felt the burning of his cheeks return as the towel billowed slightly about Serenity's figure, keeping his eyes just left of her face and ignoring the softness of her body against his as he secured his place kneeling beside her. "Here...the washrag." he added helpfully, the cloth still gripped within his left hand. "Use it to clean yourself up."


Oh yes...the gods hated him.

(just fyi: there's a wide, round "seat" built into the middle of the bath...he has Serenity sitting in the middle, and he's kind of kneeling beside her so he can hold her up.)

[Serenity]

(( Do...do we need to move this???))

Serenity smiled slightly as she watched Niks face go BRIGHT red. He was cute when he was being awkward. "Thank you" She said reaching to take the wash cloth from him and wincing at the pain from the process. Looking at the water she realized that some of the grime had started to wash away from just being in the water. Taking the wash cloth she started quickly washing off the blood from her bad arm. Quickly finishing that she suddenly realized that trying to use her bad arm was going to hurt alot more then she thought. "Ouch. Shit..." She said trying to lift her bad arm and hold the was cloth with it at the same time. Realizing that that couldn't be done without great amounts of pain she bit her lip and sighed. "Well...damn it all to hell." She said sevearly frustrated. "I'm sorry Nik. I'm useless..." She said looking at him with a frown.


((Gahhh...short but...does this work??))

[Nikolai Eustine]

(yes, we should probably move this soon...like, within the next post or two. O.o Cause I have a feeling it's going to get more than a little steamy in that bath tub.)

Without a word, Nik moved a hand from Serenity's waist, shifting her in his arms until she was leaning against him again. With the now freed hand, he plucked the washcloth from her grasp and began dabbing at the dirt on her face. "At that rate, you'll never be clean..." he murmured, the half-hearted annoyance in his tone betraying his expression as he avoided her eyes. Once her face was clean, he rinsed the rag out before starting on her opposite arm, working his way down from her shoulder to her fingertips with long, even strokes.

The heat was spreading from his face...spreading into his chest and arms, all the way to his stomach...he felt dizzy, it was so powerful. His eyes wanted to wander, but his mind kept screaming for them to stop. Instead, he focused on the back of her neck, watching as a combination of the water and the steam beaded upon her skin and dripped down her spine...he felt compelled then, compelled to catch every droplet with his lips...

Oh hell.

He couldn't. He'd already taken advantage of her once...stolen precious kisses when she was so inebriated that she couldn't resist...it wouldn't be any different now, as she was unable to stop him from doing all the things that he had secretly dreamed of doing. And yet...as if some power unknown to him had taken control, Nik found his arms tightening around her as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her shoulder...and another to her neck...and another...and another... "Damn it..." he managed through gritted teeth.

He was so royally screwed.

[Serenity]

Serenity relaxed when Nik took the washcloth from her and began wiping away the remainder of the dirt and blood. Slowly serenity let herself lean into him, closing her eyes as he worked. Suddenly Serenity gasped softly as Nik suddenly pressed his lips to the back of her neck. THAT had been slightly unexpected. Unexpected yes...unwanted though? Not in the slightest.

Opening her eyes again she blinked. "Nik?" She questioned wondering if he really knew what he was doing. Moments later she decided that she didn't care. "Nik...oh nevermind..." She said shifting so she look at him. To hell with this... She thought momentairily looking at him befor pressing her lips to his. She wanted this she just hadn't known if had had as well.
Shifting herself even more she moved her good hand up over his arm and to the back of his neck, so she could play with the hair at the nape of his neck. Absently twisting it around her fingers she thought that for some reason that action seemed oddly familiar...but she couldn't for the life of her figure out why.

[Nikolai Eustine]

(For the next few posts, please see "Serendipity" in FRED. Thank you!)