2020-08-15 - Beachcombing.... and Booze

It's been a busy time for Ainslie, the past couple of months. As she promised Stefhan, she returned rather swiftly to work once she was healed up from that awful nightmare. That was back in May-June. Since then, the woman kept her nose clean: working, sleeping, getting out and about with Ariana and keeping up with the Russian's very interesting world. Like a sore tooth that she just can't help but poke, the paranormal and memories of her brush with it continued to languish in Ainslie's mind... but only just.

Life is for living afterfall; not dwelling. Ainslie may have quite a few foibles but she has never been known for dwelling and torturing herself. Hence, jumping back to the present -- halfway into August -- she proposed some fun. It's Saturday and Ainslie, thanks to her gracious boss, enjoys weekends off. A text will have found it's way to Ariana the Friday night prior: 'Pack your bag and fine ass bc we're going to the beach!'

Assuming Ariana was free and bit, it will have been Ainslie and her ornery truck arriving to the Russian's apartment to pick her up and take her off to what Ainslie sees as a 'good time'.

Despite the age of the truck, it's a reliable and immaculately-kept-and-maintained steed. It's a beaut of a day for Gray Harbor: reasonably clear skies, sunshine and heat. Ainslie is at-present installed behind the wheel of the rig: long legs stretched out to man the pedals, large aviator-style shades propped atop her surprisingly-dainty nose, dark hair pulled up messily and shoved underneath a kerchief. Worn denim Daisy Dukes and a tight navy blue camisole (baring a few inches of firm midriff) complete Ainslie, 'Summer Edition'. She tans easily too, and it shows... Ainslie loves the sun.

In the cramped 'back' of the cab, there's a big plastic cooler -- one of those cavernous insulated plastic rigs with the heavy handles -- wedged, filled with ice, food and booze. Beach towels are stuffed underneath.

As she takes a turnoff toward Bay and the beach beyond, Ainslie turns to Ariana, "Thanks for comin' out.. I never thought to ask if ya like the beach?"

They're still figuring out what is what and who the other is, in whatever it is that they have! Fuckbuddies? Approaching girlfriend'dom?! Hard to tell.. they are having fun while getting there!

As if Ariana would turn down an invitation that pointed out she had a 'fine ass'; Ainslie is obviously a woman of taste.

The blonde waiting outside the apartment for the rumble of the truck. It's quite the vehicle. Sheer luxury as far as the Russian is concerned. Since beach trips aren't a common thing in Siberia, Ariana wasn't quite sure what to wear. There may be swimming, so she went out and bought a bikini - but no way is that all she is wearing in public. Even with the fine ass. So the swimwear is currently hidden under her own pair of Daisy Dukes, top button undone in the American style, and a light white shirt where the bottom has been tied up into knot to expose her own midriff - again, in the American style. A baseball cap proclaiming devotion to the 'X-Files' (probably bought from a thrift shop and she has no idea of the irony) is perched top blonde hair tied back in a ponytail with an elastic band. A pair of flip-flops on her feet, which she immediately removes after getting in the truck so she can put her feet up on the dash. Could these two non-Americans look any more redneck?

Ariana has a plastic bag with her that she puts in the back alongside the cooler. The tell-tale sound of bottles clinking means there is back-up vodka. Though there is also sunscreen and fly spray in there. And a video camera of course. Always a video camera. Ariana greets Ainslie with a deep kiss before slipping on her own cheap Pharmacist bought shades.

"I've never really been to the beach" she admits. "Not to enjoy myself at least. Sometimes strange bodies wash up on shore. Sometimes human, eaten by unknown creatures, sometimes unknown creatures." Already pepping up the party mood with work talk. "You look very pretty today." That's better.

Meanwhile Ainslie is a creature of the waves. She grew up alongside one of the most mild, beautiful beaches in Atlantic Canada. Since she had first begun to lose her baby teeth, her parents brought her to toddle along the edge of the water. Nowadays however, that puffy and sweet baby girl has been replaced with a coltish, smart-mouthed woman. Her love for the sea has not changed.

When Ariana had joined her, Ainslie indeed indulged in that unabashed kiss. Surely, too, there were words exchanged: heated, pleased exchanges on the likeness of their attire and how -- as Ainslie put it -- they were 'hot as fuck'. She had to pull back lest that truck be fated to just not move, in the first place! Breathlessly spoken, before leaving: "Let's go fluster people on the beach, eh?"

And they were off.. cooler loaded, feet up on dashes.... relaxed and ready to take on the day. Ainslie sneaks glances to her lover as the old truck speeds compentantly along. Another perk of Ainslie's: she has a great sense of direction. She knows the burghs of Gray Harbor quite well now.

The pair of unAmerican rednecks are about fifteen minutes away from the parking lot that adjoins the boardwalk and beaches beyond. "Ya look mighty fine yerself. How's that for flexibility? Bearskin coats in an arctic wasteland, then a fine ass-hugging pair of short shorts next. Yer gettin' the hang of it babe." The woman laughs outright, white teeth bared in her wide smile. She listens soberly to Ariana's words.

"Well yer gonna be here strictly for pleasure. No bodies and sketchy shit. Only things doin' the eating will be the shithawk birds trying to nip our snacks. But--" The compliment causes her to blush, "Thanks... I think we're both pretty great. I grew up on the water so stick with me, you'll love it."

Ariana will agree that 'Hot as fuck' is definitely a better phrase to describe the pair; no self-esteem issues here. "Is this a...what is it...nude beach?" the Russian asks in her deadpan way with regard to flustering other swimmers. She looks over at her lover and purses her lips in thought. "We should charge to look at us." A solemn nod at the rightness of this idea before she is looking out at the world go past. "And what are the rules on public sex?" A beat. "Asking for a friend. Everybody is half-naked on a beach anyway, it is only a small step. Unless you are on a Russian beach. But there you are more worried about radiation from a weapon test that went wrong. I wonder if they caught the aliens behind that..."

Ariana rests an elbow on the back of Ainslie's sea tso she can toy with the other woman's hair and caress her ear as they drive. "I should take these shorts back with me to Russia. But, tell me one thing, lapochka, why are they already torn? Even new ones in the shops are ripped. They show off much ass." Her fingers trail down the back of Ainslie's neck. "Not that I am complaining....just interested. At least it is better than the shorts of plumbers. They seem designed to show off hairy bike racks."

The faintest of smiles at the words of the beauteous driver. "Definitely strict pleasure today. Shithawks? Is that an Indian name? So, you are a mermaid, da? That will explain those long legs. So very long" she sighs, hand moving from neck to stroke fingernails over the nearest of Ainslie's thighs. "Tell me what it was like to grow up on the water. Besides wet."

A'yup, they're definitely not modest! Ainslie smirks a bit at their banter though the corners of her lips quirk upwards even moreso at the passive touching on Ariana's part. Ainslie sure has heck doesn't mind, and like a contented feline that leg stretches a tiny bit more to allow for easier reach. Some gooseflesh -- not the bad kind -- arises along the bronzed skin of that thigh.

"We could have different ranges.. like... fiver for a kiss, tenner for a quick titty show... but sex?" She considers, "Ain't something that's accepted, a shag in public. IT's possible but ya gotta be discreet.. which we ain't." She's not even flustered, and her words cut off into a spat of laughter, "Weapon tests?! Good God woman, the more I hear about where yer from, the scarier it sounds! This place must be fuckin' vanilla in comparison.."

One hand rests on the wheel as the sunny scenary passes them by, and the other eases down to give Ariana's exploring fingers a gentle squeeze. "Shithawks.. another name for seagulls. Big dopey white birds, sure ya seen 'em. No manners either... they'll swallow down anything without a second thought while shittin' at the same time. And--" She blinks at the mermaid bit, grins crookedly. "Mermaid..? Nah. I'd make an awful mermaid.. folklore is they lure sailors in with their song, then kill them. Me, I'd be playing the fiddle and wouldn't be for killing.. maybe start a party instead."

She turns to give Ariana a glance before turning her attention back to the road, "It was great. So much so that I couldn't hope to live anywhere else, where there ain't water in view. I'd spend hours down at the beach, just loiterin' around... when I got older we'd have beach parties. The hours I put in, playing the fiddle.... countless. I took my first drink of booze at eleven..... reckon that's nothin' compared to you Ruskies though." A bright laugh, "On the days where I didn't have t'be anywhere... I'd see the day begin at the beach, and leave it at nightfall. Was amazing." The tone of her voice... there's strong emotion there, carefully guarded. Longing. Ainslie misses her home.

"Twenty for pussy" Ariana nods along to the pricing structure. "Or should we put an ass price in there too?" Concentrating on this brilliant scheme has her half missing the next few words. But she hears enough to laugh. "No, we ain't discreet. If something is worth yelling aboutm, then yell. That's my motto...that I just came up with."

The blonde's expression back to natural sour for a moment. "Everything is scary. Most people live in the bliss of ignorance rather than conquer their fears. Then one day..." A sharp snap of her fingers with her free hand. "They don't have to worry about being scared anymore. Or alive."

A nod to the explanation about seagulls. "They are worse than pigeons." Her eyes narrow at the driver as her fingers continue to explore despite the squeeze...moving a little higher. "Were you shat on by a shithawk? I think you are talking about a personal incident that has affected your opinion of seagulls. Not liking seagulls must be difficult for a person who loves the sea."

"Sirens eat people. They are not necessarily mermaids. You will find that there are more variations of supernatural creatures than there are species of insects." A totally innocent lick of her lips as she looks Ainslie over with an intense blue-eyed gaze. "Though if you want to eat me... It's worked out alright so far."

Now that being charming is out the way, time to listen to Ainslie's childhood. There's one of those strange smiles of hers - when she has genuine emotion but isn't sure which muscles to move - as her lover drifts into such happy recollections. "Why did you leave then? Maybe you should at least live on a houseboat. Though I suppose they are expensive. Is it possible to squat on a houseboat?" Might be time to check out which boats are empty on the wharf. "It sounds like you want to go home, Ainslie."

"Was never shat on by a gull... they say it's good luck, where I'm from. Me, I say that's grounds for breaking a bird's neck with my bare hands." Ainslie snorts, both hands now on the steering wheel. She is competant enough in her driving to languish in the blonde's touch and keep it on the road. "Damnit woman, ya keen goin' higher and we may have to pull over. I wanna stake out a spot before Minivan Karen and her family of seven snag it before we do." She pokes, voice amused and husky.... regardless of Ariana's reaction, it's an empty threat. Ainslie keeps driving, and she also lets the Russian resume her marauding.

"I honestly don't mind the fuckers.. just not a fan when they hone in on my beach food. Ya mind yer grub when we get there, by the mind. They're brazen." And that's all Ainslie has to say on the matter of seagulls! The boardwalk and expanse of sea can now clearly be observed through the truck's windows. The mermaid jibes are duly noted and Ainslie actually giggles, "I'll dine on you any day of the week--" She could go on, but then talk turns to home.

"I left because of memories. I did a bad thing, even if I didn't mean to, and I didn't want the reminder. People didn't treat me badly for it, but it's a small town.. I would've seen the reminders everyday. After I graduated high school I was at a party... was when my Glimmer woke up. A fellow tried to get too handsy with me, I didn't want it, and I broke his back. Kid can only move from the chest up... one arm, the other ain't good. The rest he needs a colostomy bag. I wish it didn't come to that---" She catches herself, smiles ruefully. "So see? I fall into the rabbit hole easily... to live that everyday would just suck. Sure I'll visit and if I ever wanna go back, it'll be to another town. But for now...? Sure I can miss it, but I really really like it here too. For obvious reasons."

The truck swings smoothly into a parking lot.

"There's a brothel in Vitobsk where being shat on costs a lot of money. It must be good luck for someone" Ariana deadpans before feeling the need to add. "Not something I followed up. Either way." A smirk at the 'annoyance' her wandering has caused. She sees nothing wrong with a brief stop but the mention of the threat of 'Minivan Karen' has her withdrawing her hand and nodding in agreement. "Da, I want the best place. Somewhere private." Still, she can't resist a last minute fondle that is so far up Ainslie's leg, it isn't her leg anymore.

A furrow of her brow about the seagull food stealing. "You really think it would try with me?" Ariana must believe her tough rep extends to the animal world. A wry smile with the promise of daily eating. It was a promise. Right?

Though things are turning serious again and Ariana, with only the slightest movement required, put back on her serious face. "He should not have touched you" is her assessment. "Why are you in trouble when he was the one doing bad?' An angry shake of her head along with something muttered in Russian that is probably not flattering to mothers the world over. "This is what is wrong with the world." A beat. "One of the things wrong with the world. But one that would be easiest to fix if people actually wanted to be good to each other." She may go into grumble mode the rest of the day if not for the 'obvious reasons' comment. That has Ariana's attention.

"Because you have a good job and great sex when you wish?" the Russian deadpans. "Da, this seems a good reason to stay around." Is she going to expand on 'them'? Nope, because the truck is parking and it's time to get out. Perfect timing for the avoidance loving.

"Private eh..? Well I think we got here at the right time.." Ainslie looks around the parking lot, her lips pulled into that familiar crooked smirk-smile. Her nerves are already buzzing -- in a good way -- following the truck fondle and that's another reason as to why she wants to stake out a piece of beach... fast. Once she parks the rig Ainslie gives the cab a quick onceover to make sure there's nothing valuable in sight. That done, she wrenches open the driver's side door and slides out, her feet planting onto the gritty ground. Pulling a lever she pulls the back of her seat forth and begins wrestling out the cooler. Finally, the beach bag... Ainslie presses down the lock fob of her door, holding the handle up as she closes it. It's an older truck.

"Sure they'd try... they're as stupid as they are greedy. Even yer ice-blue glare wouldn't scare those birds off... shit you not." Ainslie explains, hefting the strap of her bag over a shoulder and indicating the cooler. "She's a heavy one.. think ya could take the handle on one side? We'll lug it together.. I think I know were we can go." Ainslie offers, though her look of amusement softens a bit at the brief thought toward her past. "Thing is.. I didn't really get in trouble... people chalked it up to him just bein' drunk and clumsy, knocking the cabinet onto himself. Only I really knew what happened and it haunted me.." She admits easily, "Foolish as it sounds. I shouldn't have let it bug me but there ya have it. I'm just a big fuckin' softie!" A bark of a laugh.

Provided Ariana collects her things, locks her door and installs herself at the other side of the cooler to help lift it (it's damned heavy!!) Ainslie will begin walking toward a pathway, the narrow sandy walkway framed by tall, soft beach grass. Ainslie laughs again, "Well yeah.. all of that. There's you, there's Stef and a handful of other friends.... and this town. It's fucked six ways to Sunday but it's... it feels right. It's a place where I can take my weird hangups and feel normal." She gives Ariana quick side-glance, seeing her reaction. The question is there though.. what are they, anyway?!

Ariana grabs her stuff from the back - much lighter than the cooler it seems - and she even follows Ainslie's example in locking up the truck. Not something she's ever bothered with in any car she's driven; they're usually rentals so what does she care. "If I see any seagulls, I will kill one as a warning to the others" she deadpans. "That works with people." And still she keeps that straight face.

Heavy coolers are no problem. Ariana happily taking the other side, her own stuff carried in her free hand. "Ah, so the only person who put you in trouble, is yourself? This is not a good way to go through life. You are sorry about what happened and that is good. Tormenting yourself for evermore, not so good. You didn't even intend to do what happened. There is such a thing as an accident. Acknowledge what happened, forgive yourself, move on. How else do you think I get through life?"

Waddling down the pathway they go. "Is there a body in here you want me to help get rid of?" It is damned heavy. "The body of an elephant? Filled with lead?" Not that she will stop helping to carry it. Even if her fingers have grooves cut into them from the handle that will last for weeks. Ariana never gives up. "Which six ways do you want to fuck until Sunday?" Get the jokes out first.

"Stefhan is your boss, da? The man who has you dress up in very tight, flattering clothing. I am sure he is a very nice man and you enjoy each other." Is that a wry smile that accidentally breaks Ariana's face? Yes, it is. It seems she is assuming that Stefhan is on the same level of 'friendship' as herself. "Who wants normal? If everything was normal, I would not have a job." She considers this for a moment. "Or I would have a boring job that actually pays. Nyet, money is not important. Living is important."

Does Ariana perceive that unasked question from the side-glance? Perhaps, perhaps not. Though the smile that is offered to the look actually seems warm and sincere until the Russian realises what she is doing. "You have a secret spot for us to go to? Where we can bury the elephant?" A little snort. "You take a lot of people here?" A wiggle of her eyebrows. "I do not mind if you..." Oh, look, an interesting bush to look at as they stagger past.

As they tread along, Ainslie barks laughter. "Let that be a lesson to all the feathered fuckers!" She chimes in response to Ariana's Very Ariana'esque solution. "People, shithawks... it sends the same message, eh. I once knew a fellow back where I'm from who would break their necks and roast the damned things over a beach fire.. said they tasted like fine pate. I think it was because he was half in-the-can day in, day out." She feels an odd pang of homesickness even at the thought of Harold the Birdeater... another colorful local from her small hometown. She turns to watch, and admire, Ariana as they follow the wending path. The meager beach grass thins out and finally, the breath of the ocean.

"Ain't no elephant.. it's a lot of food, and brews." Ainslie remarks, her shoulders twitching with another chuckle. Talk of Stefhan earns a little half-smile, "Yeah, Stef is a good guy... but hold 'er right there. He and I aren't a thing. I ain't his type and really? We're too good as friends. Ya ever get that dynamic where it has to stay a certain way? I mean with Stef... and don't get me wrong, he's hot as fuck... it'd be a fun fuck... but I feel if I were to jump his bones something would be damaged, changed. So no, we ain't doing anything. I dress sharp to make his business look good." Said with a wink.

"Ya would like the fellow.. he's eccentric as all get out but a good man." Ainslie concurs, pausing to scout out the beach. There are people, yes... but Ainslie seems to know where to go from here. She takes turn to the right and follows the line of a soft hill. Ainslie considers something too, as they walk.

Eventually the Canadian finds her goal: an undisturbed section of sand and pebbles, slightly apart from where most gather for the smoother water. Here the waves are a tiny bit more agitated but nothing dangerous. That alone keeps the families with kids away. Ainslie gestures, "Here we go.." And blessedly, they can set the cooler down. The brunette steadies and rolls her shoulders. "Nope.. it's only me that comes here. I'll have ya know that yer the only one I've been banging." Ahem. She gives Ari a quick, assessing glance before she begins unrolling a couple of beach towels.

"In the can? Oh...he was on the toilet a lot because he ate the birds. Maybe he didn't cook them properly first. It is easy to do" Ariana shrugs as they wend their way down the path. "So many parasites in wild animals." A beat. "Now I'm hungry."

A glance down at the heavy load they are carrying. "Lucky we have so much food then. Do you think I am too thin? Is that why we have so much food?" If Ainslie thinks Ariana is too thin, then she must be very gaunt indeed. "I think it is my metabolism. And all the exercise I do. Running away from monsters...as a last resort of course..." Lest Ainslie think Ariana is a coward. "...requires a lot of energy. And the sex too. Not with the monsters." English has too many meanings sometimes.

Ariana nods to the Stefhan 'dilemma'. "You're not his type? But you are so fucking hot. Is he blind? Oh...he is gay? Nothing wrong with that." She would be quite the hypocrite if she thought there was. A grin appears that is definitely rushing towards licentious. "Da, you look very good in those clothes. Even better out of them. But that is not the business you want to be in."

Other people! Ariana is about to growl at the lazy people not being at work - regardless of the day, they are inconveniencing her - but a turn into the wilds calms her down a touch. Will they be followed by bad men who want to perve on them? Only if they also want a bloody nose to go with their eyeful.

This is better. Peace, quiet, privacy, the smell of the sea, crashing waves - well, nudging waves, but it counts. "Very nice" the Russian mumbles in her deadpan way as she puts down her half of the cooler. "I think I have feeling coming back into my arm" she manages to get out before Ainslie announces her current sexual promiscuity. Ariana's eyes open wide for a moment before, after some pursed lip contemplation, she feels she should reciprocate. "You're the only one I'm banging too. I mean, I could definitely do others..." Being irresistible and all. "...like Kip's future sister-in-law, but, you know, way too busy." Surely the only reason she isn't working her way through the phone book. Couldn't possibly have anything to do with any feelings she may have for Ainslie.

"Nice towels." Ariana can change subjects as smoothly as sandpaper. "Let's see what you brought." Her own bag of goodies placed on the first towel available before it is type to rip the top off the cooler and get smashed. "Should we swim before we get drunk? Probably safer..." A shrug. "What happens happens."

As she flaps the beach towel and lays it flat, Ainslie brays laughter at Ariana's analysis of Stef. "Definitely not blind and I really don't think he's gay. Don't get me wrong, he's been kind.. compliments me lots.. but it ain't greasy. It all comes down to this.." She straightens her slender reed of a body, gestures to her sloppy (befitting) dark hair. "He loves blonde women... like, loses his fucking MIND over them. Normal to antsy as hell at the sight of one blonde lady with a cute face.... actually.." She rests her palms upon her hips.

"You." Ainslie looks at Ari's hair, back to her face. "With yer blonde hair and blue eyes. He would go CRAZY if he saw you." Said without hesitation or jealousy. Ainslie, feeling the heat upon her skin, begins peeling off some of her outer clothes to reveal a skimpy black two-piece bikini. She slides her sandals off and kneels again, begins digging for sunscreen. "Yer gonna need this... yer a lot more fair than I am. So yer gonna sit yer ass down on this towel and let me get this on you. It smells like peaches."

"That before any swimming." Ainslie lays down the law! She picks up the conversation tangent again, "Look at us bein' all exclusive. Ya know I'd be fine if ya were to sniff around other people.. but I kinda admit.. it's nice knowin' I'm the only flavor for now." Said with a cheeky grin as she shakes the bottle of SPF50 sunscreen, upends the bottle and squeezes a generous portion into her palm. The bottle makes a nasty, wet raspberry.

Ariana has her usual nonplussed expression about some stranger going nutso over how she looks. "He is only human" is her deadpan response to this. "You could always dye your hair" she suggests with a shrug. "I better not meet him then."

She unties her shirt and slips it off before the same with her already unbottoned shorts. She wears a bikini - blue to match her eyes - though she has to tug the rear of her bottoms free from her body and back over her pert buttocks. "Are they supposed to keep creeping in there?" The Russian may not know a lot about bikinis. "Worse than a Sevastopol stevedore" is grumbled to the world. True, she is very pale. And showing a lot of skin. Sunscreen would be sensible. She plonks down on the towel and awaits the 'horror' of a beautiful woman applying sunscreen.

"I don't think many people like being sniffed" Ariana observes, perhaps from experience, before there is the brief glimpse of what could be a smile of agreement with the 'only flavor' comment. It must be a trick of the light. The noise of the 'raspberry' has her quirking a brow at Ainslie. At least she refrains from asking 'Did you fart?' Oh, it was the bottle. All good. "And you can sniff around other people too if you want." Her tone all casual and unperturbed.

"He's human alright." Ainslie offers, slapping her palms together, causing the lotion to 'squelch' a bit. Stefhan is a hottie but she's looking at one who really gets her going. Dark eyes don't miss a beat as Ariana yanks some of her swimsuit bottom out of that fine ass! Whew!! Ainslie snickers as she waits for Ariana to settle, "Yeah... kinda like thongs. They just ride up, get in there all snug-like. Part of the downside of being so beautiful." An obvious compliment, dealt easily and without guilt. "Jesus Christ woman, yer already red." Says the slender brunette and without missing a moment, Ainslie presses her lotion'y palms onto Ariana's shoulders and begins to massage the sunscreen into her skin.

Of course much like Ariana's hands roved in the truck, Ainslie is taking advantage of this closeness now. You bet your bippy she is. Fingers and palms swipe dangerously close to areas where the flimsy bikini is falling short of covering. Ainslie bites her lip, grabs the tube, farts another blob into her palm. Now she's working on Ariana's mid and lower back.

No worry about Ainslie burning... her skin is given to tanning easily and completely. "It was the bottle ya fool. A lady doesn't fart. Sometimes I'm a lady." Ainslie muses, reverently rubbing. "So shit, I may as well ask... ya wanna go steady or wha?"

WTF is that in Russian-speak!?

Did that easy compliment get a smile from Ariana? Certainly did, what a shame Ainslie is behind her and unable to spot such an unusual expression on the Russian. "I could just take them off..." A casual suggestion, almost innocent. "Unless I am turning red too much. That would be dangerous, da?" The feel of Ainslie's fingers are a wonderful thing - even when applying suntan lotion. An occasional smirk as the Canadian's hands wander. It's almost like Ariana slightly adjusts her position to make them wander even further, but surely that's just an illusion. The innocent blonde would never do that.

Though the soft moans at the firm caress are perhaps a little less innocent than expected. "I fart all the time" Ariana shrugs. "Particularly after turnip borscht. Do not let me eat turnip borscht." Fair warning amid words of romance. "Nyet, not all the time. Only when I have to. I am not lady."

"Steady?" That has the Russian's brow furrow in slight confusion. "I thought I was steady. I have not had tantrum in long time. Not punched anyone...I think." A beat. "Kick does not count as punch, da?"

Ariana looks over her shoulder at the long-limbed beauty. Her expression one of 'I knew exactly what you meant and I am teasing'. An expression that now finds some wickedness in those brilliant blue eyes. "Da, I wanna go steady. Now, kiss me you beautiful cyka. (bitch)"

Every smile is noted and accounted for. Hey, don't let the gruff, prickly nature fool you: Ainslie is a softie and she is sentimental. Bred deep into her blood is that firm Celtic love of history and hearth and THAT includes appreciation for the people in her life. Ariana is a pretty Big Deal lately so that degree of observation extends to her too. So all rambling aside, Ainslie secretly takes note of the smile that her (Ainslie's) compliment fetches and she stores it away in her mind. Her fingers slide deftly, knowing just where to apply lotion to prevent nasty burns... and perhaps, with the slightest edging toward 'Places'.. stoke the lascivious Russian further.

Ainslie, too, adjusts her body so Ariana can lean into her some. She's still applying lotion, honest! She's just REALLY making sure it's rubbed in proper-like. It takes everything for her to focus on the important conversation at-hand and not be distracted by Ariana's happy sounds. c.c

Though the well-placed talk of farts brings a pleasant roil of laughter from Ainslie's chest. "Fuck, even the name borscht sounds like a bodily function. Only time I'll ever make ya eat that stuff is before we gotta be somewhere fancy." She would too... the devilish glint looks so fine in dark eyes. She waits as Ariana, at first, seems to miss her meaning... then admits to her jest with but a look.

The answer is enough to send Ainslie's heart fluttering giddily into her chest. She's had boyfriends... that was all well and good, but something about this feels right. Her lips twitch into a snarky smile, twitch again.. then it becomes a grin that fills her face. She cranes her neck and body around, catches Ariana by the chin gently, and presses her mouth happily to hers.