A Mode of Transport

"We're going back to Tharros." Hood said simply. "The fast way."

"Wait, wait." Seleste held her hands up. "This is a teleportation circle?"

"She's a fast learner. I didn't know if someone from way out in Qir would know about these." Thamara laughed. Seleste shot her an angry look.

"We're not some backwoods tribal village!" She gritted her teeth. "We do have wizards, you know."

"Then you know that these runes," Hood motioned to the symbols drawn around the circle, "are only temporary. They will vanish soon and I'd rather not take the time to carefully enscribe them all again. So let's get ready, shall we?" Hood pull the hood of his cloak down, revealing his short black hair and cold grey eyes. He unclasped his cloak and let it fall to the floor.

"What....what are you doing?" Seleste asked.

"Getting naked." Hood responded, giving her a slight smirk. "I suggest you get busy doing the same."

"What?!" Seleste balked, taking a step back. "Why?"

"Tell her, Cynn." Hood commanded the naked woman.

"Teleportation magic is very risky. Getting it just right is important or you will end up inside a floor, wall, or even another person." Cynn instructed, her breasts swaying as she rocked from side to side. "The less extranious objects you have on you when you Jump, the easier it will be for me to will your body into the correct place."

"Is it absolutley neccessary?" Seleste asked meekly, crossing her arms beneath her breasts protectively. She wasn't ready to be naked in front of these strangers. her eyes carefully watched Hood unbutton his tunic.

"No, but it's preferrable." Cynn said. "If something were to disrupt my concentration, your suit may become permanently bonded with your skin, or any knives you might be carrying might end up somewhere in your colon."

"And since I'm your handler until we get you to Nightengale, what I say goes. And I say you have to get naked." Hood commanded. "Now strip."

"Yes, sir." Thamara saluted with a wink and let her own cloak fall to the ground before starting to peel off her tight leather suit. Seleste wanted to argue again, but the words died in her throat when Hood took his shirt off. His skin was paler than most, but about the same as hers. One of the side effects of living a life in the shadows, she supposed. His back was to her and she could see, contrasting against the pale skin, a large tattoo of a black bird that nearly encompassed his whole back; from the bottom of his neck to the small of his back and with the wings extending out down his arm slightly.

"Oh Gods!" Seleste whispered.

"You like it?" Thamara put an arm around Seleste's shoulders. "It's Nightengale's nightingale. Given only to the most worthy successors. That tattoo signifies that when the current Nightengale retires, Hood will take his place."

"Enough, Thamara." Hood said, giving her a look that said she revealed too much. "No more chatter. Let's get out of the clothes. NOW Seleste, or I will strip them off you myself."

Seleste went bright red, but immediatly started to remove her tight clothing. Her eyes stayed fixated on Hood's tattoo, that is until he removed his pants, revealing his manhood. Seleste's already red face flushed even deeper and she put a hand to her mouth. She had seen very few other men in the nude and none matched up to the thief in front of her. Something about Hood sent chills down her spine and seeing him naked only made them worse. She had to physically remind herself to keep breathing.

"Impressive, hmm?" Thamara whispered in her ear. Seleste whipped around to see the other girl, who was much more tanned then either her or Hood, was already naked herself. Her generous rack made Seleste feel slightly jealous; she wasn't flat-chested by any means, but next to Thamara she might as well be. "His endowment is just one of the many reasons he's Nightengale's successor."

"I...I..." Seleste stammered. She struggled to get a hold of herself. Ever since these two showed up, she's been on the defensive and acting like a kid. She took a deep breath and straightened up. She turned to face a wall so as not to see either Thamara or Hood, and quickly shed her garments. She fought the blush that was dancing across her face, but it won out regardless. "There. I am in the nude. Satisfied?" When she got no answer, she turned to face Hood, who was eyeing her up thoughtfully.

"Yes, very." He said, giving her his first genuine smile. Seleste had to keep from melting into a puddle of embarrassment. She guessed Hood and the girls teleported often, which is why they were so comfortable naked around each other. Hood finally finished checking her out and used his feet to push all the clothing and equipment into the circle, separate from one another. "Okay, Cynn. You have four humans and four piles of gear. Are you ready?"

"Just a moment." Cynn responded, closing her eyes. Her body started to take on a faint pink glow and her hair floated out from her body slightly. "Yes...I am ready."

"Into the circle." Hood demanded and the two other girls entered the teleportation circle. Seleste felt a fuzzy feeling over her body, like she was vibrating softly. The magic was coursing through her body. She had never experienced this much of it at once and the feeling was intoxicating. Hood grabbed her hand and Seleste immediately look at him.

"Your first Jump can be disjointing and scary." Hood said, not looking back at her. "Just keep hold of my hand and you'll be all right." Seleste felt very indignant, as if she was being treated like a child. But she was also thankful for Hood's generosity, as she wouldn't admit it, but she was frightened of teleporting. And another, smaller part of her, was enjoying the touch of his rough hands.

Cynn began chanting and Seleste felt her feet leave the ground as they hovered over the ground. Seleste masked a squeak of surprise, but squeezed Hood's hand instead. The magic rushing through her got greater and greater and she started to gasp. It was almost like sex...the rush of adrenaline through her as the magic filled her body. The feeling grew and grew until she felt like she could take no more. And then, there was a snap and she felt herself implode into the air.