Hot Chocolate and Skates=Recipe for love [[Ice]]

[Alaria]

Alaria pushed open the door to Ice's inn, glad to finally be in here again. They had just come from the cold of the forest to the warmth of his inn, ready to have a night of fun. She sat down on a small couch in front of the fireplace near by, and rubbed her hands together. That was the only cold thing on her body. Her hands were the only things that ever got cold. Her white dress was ruffled and had some wet spots on it from where they had had a snowball fight and then rolled in the snow.

Only a few people were in here. Not many came this far into the plains. But those who did always stayed here. Alaria looked up ar Ice, her light blue eyes reflecting happiness and comfort. Leaning on the arm of the soft couch thing, she sat transfixed by the fire. It was amazing. In a small pouch that she pulled from her boot, she pulled some powder and tthen crouched in front of the fire. She beckoned for some little kids to come closer and watch carefully.

Tossing the powder into the fire, it sprang to life with colors of many sorts. Reds, oranges, blues, purples. It was a rainbow in the flames. The kids squealed and reached out to touch it, but she softly pushed their arms out of the way.

No, its still fire. Do not touch it, it can still burn you. Standing, she walked back over to Ice. Wrapping her arms around his torso, she stood on tip toes to see into his eyes.

We're here, what do you want to do first?

[Ice]

Ice watched the children with interest as they reached into the flames. He stood close by and said:
"It goes to show," at the deep voice the children turned around to look at the growing man that they recognised as their leader, "that even the prettiest things can hurt you." As Ice said it, his left hand twitched, and he knew that if he still had the last two fingers on that hand, they would twitch too.

He smiled slyly as Alaria wrapped her arms around him. Ice turned around to pick up two mugs of hot chocolate next to him. He handed one to Alaria and held the other in two pale, long fingered hands, waiting for it too cool while watching Alaria with keen interest.

"What to do, what to do." He said playfully, cocking his head to the side slightly, a smile creeping back onto his normally cold face. "You know, it's not long until I can retire from my post here at the bar. Then everyone . . . " He thought for an amusing way of saying it. "Goes to bed."

[Alaria]

Alaria grinned, watching Ice hand her a cup of hot chocolate. Sipping it, she felt its warmth spread all throughout her body, making her shiver. Looking at him, she grinned, the smile reaching the corners of her face. Turning, she set the cup down and laced her hands into his, feeling the hand that had lost two fingers.

You have been so brave Ice. Is it weird? She traced the stumps with her index finger, eyes transfixed on his face. His beautifully shaped face. Her hands reached up to his face, taking it in her palms. Kissing him, she closed her eyes and placed herself into him, feeling that right spot where she always fit, and always would.

After everyone goes to bed, we could have.....some fun. Winking, she sauntered away, taking the mug in her hands. Her white dress now ruined, all she wanted to do was take it off and replace it with another one, one much much cleaner. Alaria's blonde hair swished out behind her, and she turned back to Ice, watching him.

[Ice]

Ice closed his eyes as he felt Alaria’s fingers against where his fingers used to be. Her’s seemed so smooth, so cold and so beautiful against the rough texture of the callus that had grown over the cuts. Ice breathed out, a long, low sigh as she traced her fingers around them. The ghosts of his fingers twitched, trying desperately in vain to connect with Alaria’s, reaching hopelessly for some form of warmth.

When she kissed him, he was distracted from his fingers, as he always was. Alaria was a welcome escape from everything, his realm, his fights, even himself.

Did it feel weird? Ice thought about the question for a moment. “It hurts.” He said quietly, so no one save for Alaria would hear it. “All the time.” He opened his eyes again, and found himself looking at Alaria from slightly further away. She was standing at an angle to him, and far enough away for him to take in all of her appearance. She was the Alaria Ice had always known. Tall, slender, fair of face and voice. She also, Ice noticed, had the amazing body he had fallen in love with in Elïna over a year ago. It seemed like centuries ago now, as if millennia had passed before Ice’s own eyes and he had had neither the power nor the ability to do anything about it. She was wearing a long white dress, it seemed to be all she wore, though Ice was no genius when it came to fashion, and most Ice Warriors tended to wear white or light blue. To some people’s eyes it may have seemed a filthy dress, in desperate need of attention. But Ice could see no fault in Alaria at the moment.

”It shouldn’t be too much longer now.” He said, making himself smile, thinking of what could be to come. ”Patience, Alaria. Look, many are already retiring.” Even as he said it, he would have been watching many of the people staying at the Snowheart Creek Inn, that is if he wasn’t so infatuated with Alaria. At some points in time Ice was not a High Lord, not a Noble, not a Ranger or an Ice Warrior, sometimes he was just a man, and would fall into the same holes that all men seemed to fall into. Love. And beautiful women, and at that point, Ice was in one of those holes, with just one thing on his mind.

[Alaria]

Alaria smiled as the people began to file from the room. She was just as impatient of Ice, and she could tell what he wanted. She wanted it too. Over a year it had been. Over a year since she saw in the Court Yard, over a year since she had fallen in love with him. Over a year since her heart of ice had melted.

Alaria sighed and walked back over to him. It hurt? She didn't touch his hand there again, not wanting to cause pain. But she did take the other one in hers, watching the people leave the room. Only a few more now.... She looked up at him, eyes sparkling with love for only one man.

What would she do without him? He was her world, her heart, her soul. She pressed herself into him, feeling his body mold with hers, like it always did and always would. Right now was the perfect moment, and she never wanted it to end.

"Ice, I love you." She had finally said it. Would he reply? Of course he would. Smiling, she Alaria looked around. Finally everyone was gone. Grinning, she leaned up to kiss him, feeling his face against hers. Shivering, Alaria wrapped her arms around his shoulders and neck, her fingers finding thier way into his hair, lightly running them through it. Words couldn't describe this feeling.