Fleeting Embers

The Hideaway Tavern

"Fleeting Embers"

Stand Alone Entry - 161
May 23th 508 A.E.W.

Dewsbury’s tavern buzzed with laughter and clinking glasses, the warm glow of lanterns casting flickering shadows against wooden beams. Danika Fisher sat at the bar, swirling a half-empty mug of ale, her sharp Aquariousian eyes observing the ebb and flow of the crowd. She had been in town for only a few days, yet she already felt the familiar tug of restlessness creeping in.

She never stayed anywhere too long.

“Can I buy you another?”

The voice was smooth, confident. Danika turned and found herself looking into the warm brown eyes of a human woman. She had dark auburn hair tied loosely at the nape of her neck, a strong jawline softened by an easy smile.

Danika hesitated.

She had no desire to make small talk with a stranger, yet something about this woman—her presence, her intrigue—made it hard to say no.

“Sure,” Danika said, shifting slightly in her seat.

The woman signaled the bartender and leaned against the counter. “Kendal Claypool,” she introduced herself, offering a hand.

Danika took it, her grip firm. “Danika Fisher.”

Kendal’s gaze lingered. “I’ve never seen an elf like you before.”

Danika smirked. “Most haven’t.”

Kendal tilted her head. “You don’t dress or act like any elf I’ve met. There’s something… human about you.”

Danika took a sip of her drink. “I was raised in Vapotentia.”

Kendal’s eyebrows lifted with interest. “Really? I didn't know there were elves there."

Danika sighed, "I am the only one," she said with reluctance in her voice

Kendal took a seat next to her. "I’ve never been, but its influence runs through Dewsbury like a current. Humans from there act different—think different. And you…” She paused, eyes flicking over Danika. “You carry that same fire.”

Danika wasn’t sure if it was the drinks or Kendal’s fascination with her, but for once, she didn’t mind the attention. It had been a long time since she let someone get close, even for a night.

As the hours passed, their conversation grew deeper. Kendal’s hand would occasionally brush against Danika’s arm, her fingers lingering just long enough to leave an unspoken invitation. By the time the tavern began to quiet, the tension between them had shifted from casual to electric.

“Come back with me,” Kendal murmured, her lips close to Danika’s ear.

Danika should have declined. She should have walked away.

Instead, she followed.

The door to Kendal’s home barely shut before their lips met—hungry, searching. Kendal pressed Danika against the wall, her hands exploring the curves of her body with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what she wanted. Danika shuddered under her touch, her breath hitching as Kendal’s fingers traced the bare skin of her waist, slipping beneath the fabric of her shirt.

Danika had been with women before, but this was different. There was something intoxicating about Kendal—her warmth, her persistence, the way she looked at her, like Danika was something rare and precious.

Their bodies moved through the dimly lit room, a slow dance of desire. Kendal’s fingers worked at Danika’s clothes, peeling away layers until she was bare beneath her. The cool air against her skin sent a shiver down her spine, but Kendal’s touch was fire, trailing over her with reverence.

Danika hesitated for a moment, instinctively reaching to take control, but Kendal gently pushed her back against the bed, guiding her down.

"Let me," Kendal whispered, her voice low and full of promise.

Danika’s chest rose and fell, her mind screaming to resist, to take charge as she always did. But as Kendal leaned over her, brushing stray strands of silver-blue hair from her face, something inside Danika softened.

For once, she let go.

Kendal kissed her slowly, deeply, her lips moving with purpose as her hands roamed Danika’s body. She was firm yet tender, each caress deliberate. Fingertips trailed down Danika’s stomach, grazing the curve of her hips, igniting every nerve along the way. Danika’s breath came faster, her body aching for more, but Kendal took her time, savoring the moment.

Danika had spent centuries guarding herself, keeping others at a distance, but here, under Kendal’s touch, she felt safe. She surrendered to the sensation—the softness of Kendal’s lips on her collarbone, the weight of her body pressing against her own, the warmth of their skin mingling as they moved together.

Beads of sweat formed between them, their bodies tangled in a slow, intoxicating rhythm. Danika’s hands gripped Kendal’s back, nails dragging down in desperation as waves of pleasure built within her. Kendal was relentless, coaxing Danika further into the depths of sensation, whispering words of encouragement against her ear.

When Kendal reached for something beneath the bed, Danika blinked in confusion. A moment later, she held up a leather harness, her expression amused.

“Ever seen one of these before?” Kendal asked.

Danika, flushed and breathless, shook her head.

Kendal chuckled. “It is a human invention. Made here is Dewsbury. Let me show you.”

Danika watched as Kendal secured the harness, her movements practiced and effortless. When she settled back onto the bed, Danika hesitated again, her heart pounding.

“Come here,” Kendal murmured, offering her hand.

Danika swallowed hard but obeyed, climbing onto Kendal’s lap. The feeling was strange, new—but Kendal guided her, hands firm on her hips, showing her how to move. She had never been with a man, never wanted to be—but this was different. This was Kendal. Danika moaned as pleasure shot through her, her body trembling as she adjusted to the sensation. Kendal’s grip tightened, grounding her, pulling her closer.

For once, Danika wasn’t in control. She wasn’t leading the way, wasn’t calculating her next move. She simply felt—the rise and fall of their bodies, the way Kendal’s breath mingled with her own, the way she fit so perfectly against her.

She lost herself in it, allowing the pleasure to overtake her, allowing herself to be vulnerable in a way she never had before. When her release came, it was overwhelming, shattering, leaving her gasping in Kendal’s arms.

Kendal held her close, pressing a lingering kiss to her shoulder. Their bodies remained entwined, damp with sweat, hearts pounding in sync. For the first time in a long time, Danika didn’t feel alone.

As she drifted into sleep, she dared to think—just for a moment—that maybe Kendal could be the one.

Morning came too soon.

Danika woke before the sun fully rose, the dim light casting a soft glow over Kendal’s bare shoulders. She was still sleeping, her breath slow, peaceful.

Danika sat up, rubbing her hands over her face. Her body still ached from the night before, but the warmth that had filled her chest only hours ago had been replaced by something cold, something hollow.

What was she doing?

She had let herself slip. She had let the alcohol lower the walls she had spent centuries fortifying. Kendal was kind, beautiful, and Danika liked her—but that was exactly the problem.

Because Danika knew how this would end.

She had been down this road before. Letting someone in meant opening herself to pain. To loss. Kendal was human. She would grow old. She would die. And Danika would be left to carry another name, another memory, another ghost.

Her heart ached.

For a brief moment, she considered staying—waiting for Kendal to wake, to share another morning together. But she couldn’t.

Danika had survived this long by running. And so, she did.

She dressed quickly, her movements quiet. Before leaving, she hesitated at the bedside. Kendal stirred slightly, her lips parting as if she might wake. Danika reached out but stopped herself.

This was for the best.

Slipping out of the house, she pulled her flight jacket tighter around her shoulders and made her way toward the docks. The Aqua Zephyr waited for her, its silhouette against the breaking dawn both a comfort and a curse.

As she boarded her ship, Danika felt the weight of her loneliness settle over her once more. Kendal had been a flicker of warmth in her cold, isolated world.

But flames burned out.

And Danika Fisher was not the kind to let herself get burned.

With a heavy heart, she set sail, leaving Dewsbury—and Kendal—behind.