Soggy

[Kysis]

What was a worse hell than any social gathering for merchants could ever be?  Having to see those merchants in the bath, all those thick and concealing robes cast to the side as they lounge about and talk.  Worst of all, the exemplification of anti-social, Kysis Liari, had to go "mingle" with them.  The fat, hairy bunch made his stomach churn, but that horror was over with now.  Yes, Kysis felt no cleaner after being in the same pool with that scum, but he was soggy, dressed now, and in a rather foul mood.  What better a place was there to go but a tavern?  Kysis could name none off the top of his water-logged mind.

Damp blonde locks fell neatly about his shoulders, straight and arranged with an almost strange care.  Not that he had done it.  Kysis just let the wet strands fall as they would, pushing them back every so often.  He almost looked presentable to the noble types... but Kysis would rather not risk a run in with those very merchants he had seen derobed earlier that day, steering clear of the tavern that was rumored to be more for the upper class.  The young man would not blend in there, anyway, even if there was no sword currently at his waist.  That lack of weight felt weird, but he could get over it... eventually.

It took a while to find a tavern.  Kysis should have requested a map, or an escourt of some sort.  Marcos had the money, that was for damn sure, and with the duty Kysis had to pull this day, he sure deserved it.  Yes, the young man was glad on some level that he was finally being included in to dealings with the business, but going to the bath?  With old, fat, gluttonous men?  Kysis was almost positive that his appetite would not come back for some time, though his stomach did protest.  He had coin on him, luckily, making that no problem.  Food could be bought, but not yet.  Kysis still had to sear those nightmarish images from his brain.

Taverns, at least back in Kreos, had some rather pleasant sights in them, so hopefully this place was no different?  It could be, Kysis would not mind as long as it wasn\'t them.  Anything but them.  Kysis would even denounce Talon and start worshipping Adora to just not come in contact with the merchants again this night.... but he sure did hope that no higher powers could read his thoughts.  Could they?  It had Kysis curious, and he almost steered his course to the temple... until he found a tavern that was not the Scowling Boar.  Lovely.  In fact, from the noise inside it seemed quite the merry place.  Kysis would be able to fade away like a shadow with no effort.

Or at least that was what he hoped.  Kysis had spoken of business a bit too much for his taste, and had listened to the whining of merchants far too much for it.  Did they have nothing to do but complain?  That was another matter Kysis was curious about, but he kept his thoughts bundled up to himself hidden behind the chill azure of his eyes.  So far there was only one non-familial person within Oberon that he had divulged any of his personal plights to, and that was only minorly.  In his current drained and fatigued state, he might just slip, so it was to the back corner for him.  Kysis ordered no drink, either.  Though he wanted an ale more than anything at the moment, the beverage brought a loose tongue, an unwanted side-effect.  No ale for now, just peace and sile.... peace.

[Existentially Odd]

Captain Wilson had bowed to the pressure of sharing a social drink with some of her workmates on a night off and she immediately noticed the blonde weapons merchant enter the inn from her table of rowdy guards (though they were no louder than any other groups in the place).  She was slightly distracted by watching the new citizen go to a distant table and not order a drink; apparently he was setting himself up to observe the way things ran here.

The problem with that was the tavern he\'d chosen to make his observations in.  Had he gone to the Scowling Boar, he wouldn\'t have been looked at sideways, but here at the Falcon everyone was watched carefully - and the fact that a group of obnoxious guards had chosen to spend some coin there that night in a very obvious way, only put those beady-eyed citizens on edge.  Kysis\' position, staring and lack of mug at hand was likely to draw more attention to him than if he\'d sat in the middle of the room wearing a dress.  Such was the nature of the Falcon\'s Mask.

Feeling compelled to warn the newcomer of his social faux pas, Wilson excused herself from her comrades\' company and made her way over to the blonde\'s table.  She wore loose pants in a light brown colour with a forest green jerkin belted at her waist.  Her boots were softer than her usual work ones, her warm wool-lined coat left in the care of her colleagues while she delivered her message.  The tavern\'s fire was more than sufficiently warm enough to wander about coatless, especially when added to the generous amount of body heat present.

Another difference her target was likely to notice, was that her dark red hair was not in a bun, but was left wavy and loose acros her shoulders, fringe ruffled upon her forehead and the top half of her hair combed back over the crown of her head.  It was held in a half pony\'s tail at the back with a bone clasp.  She looked younger with her hair down, and the smile she wore helped feed this illusion also.

"Good evening, Master Dinari," she bade, coming to a stop across from him, standing behind a chair.  She didn\'t wish to make things awkward by sitting immediately, but nor did she wish to appear at full attention as she spoke casually.  She compromised by leaning bare hands on the back of the seat and slouching slighty upon it.  "How dost thou fare, this eve?"

[Kysis]

"Soggy, m\'Lady."  Kysis stood, flourishing what might have seemed a sarcastic bow.  The Captain seemed awfully perky, so why not at least try mimicing?  Who was he fooling?  Kysis felt like he\'d been dumped on a muddy side-road then trod over by a squadron of donkeys trained to take a dump on whistle.  Then again, he had also wanted to gouge his eyes out for most of the day.  Luckily, no sword and short nails made that rather impossible, otherwise he would be rather blind and bloody at the moment, "And how.... fare thee?"

This whole frightfully propper thing was new.  Kysis was used to being to the point, snappy, confrontational.  This frilly lingo was like giving one of those exotic tigers a fake leather mouse to chew on.  It just wasn\'t right.  But, the young man would play along, and even let a charming (if ever something so dark could be considered as such) smile flit about his lightly hued lips.  Kysis was in his usual fare garb wise, minus all the rust tones being replaced with a deep blue, and his hair was wet, well arranged, another difference.  He was taking in the changes in the Captain though, not worrying about his own.

Of course, he was rather surprised.  Kysis had not really thought of the Captain as a woman in their last meeting.  She was the Captain, the head of the guards, not m\'Lady.  But he would admit (at least to himself) that he liked the hair down better.  Kysis actually noticed its color this time around.

[Existentially Odd]

"Fine," she chuckled, the left half of her mouth lifting in a wry smile.  "Soggy?" she continued, compelled to ask the question simply because it was so off the wall and difficult to decipher.  Yes, he looked like he\'d bathed recently, with his hair wet but... his clothes looked fine.  "How did you get soggy?"

Although she hadn\'t been invited to sit with him, she took a step closer to where he was sitting, in preparation for issuing a subtle warning.  She intended to lean down to speak closer to his ear for that, though - once he\'d satisfied her curiosity, anyway.

[Kysis]

Since the good Captian asked and all, he would relive the horrors of the day for the telling.  A sigh escaped his lips, Kysis sliding back in to his chair.  It was a subconscious habit, his hand running through his hair, pushing the slightly curling strands behind his ear.  Kysis did manage the slightest of smiles though, that faint joy that his bath duty was over for now, and for a while.  And Marcos owed him, even better.

"I.... I had to go meet the merchants today." The way he was saying it now (minus the hesitance) made it not sound quiet so bad.  Was it as terrible as Kysis had painted it as?  Yes.  Absolutely terrifying and perminantly tramatizing, "At the Bathhouse."

There was the slightest cringe, cold blue eyes finding the table and holded there.  Kysis wanted a drink.  No, he probably needed a drink.  He would wait a little first, consider what the others were sipping from and take his own course of action.  This place was further north than home, colder, bound to have different alcohols.  Kysis would step gingerly in that matter, as he did with most.  He was not even sure if he would like any of the fare offered here.

Would the Captain know?  Kysis wondered, but decided not to ask.  If anything, he might sneak the question of recommendations in with her guard fellows, who seemed to be having a jolly old time.  Yes, that sounded like quite the plan.

[Existentially Odd]

She laughed jovially, able to imagine by his expression that the experience hadn\'t been all that enjoyable for him.  She doubted being stuck in an enclosed space with posturing idiots would be pleasant for anyone, let alone a man trained in weaponry and obviously fond of physical forays involving blades... rather than soap.  "I see!  I doubt you\'ve come out of the experience any cleaner for your trouble, then."

She wasn\'t really concentrating on what she said just then, for she was intent on her next move, acutely aware that there were any number of eyes watching them from around the room - furtively and openly.  It was the nature of being her and who she was, though even if she hadn\'t be Captain of the Guard, she likely would have turned heads merely with her imposing height and bright colouring.  She\'d been cursed to stand out in life from the beginning; truly, Adora had a lot to answer for.

Instead, Lam was thinking more about how she should deliver her message, though instinct took over as soon as she was committed to leaning forward.  Her lips found the edge of his ear easily enough, in what she hoped was interpreted as a flirty gesture on her behalf - she was always talked about thus, being seen with numerous men, all over the place, another incident tonight would make no difference.  She would wear the gossip for bending obviously over him - especially when she straightened, conversed a little more and then moved away, as if her advance had been refused - easily enough.  She was willing to put herself out for him in such a manner, because he was a newcomer.

"I doubt you\'ve missed the looks that came your way the moment you walked through the door, either, but if you don\'t occupy yourself with some company or a drink - or both - soon, you\'re going to make a lot of nervous people edgy enough to find something unacceptable about you.  The types that frequent this tavern are quick to jump to conclusions and even quicker to act on instincts - even if they\'re based on false impressions - because that\'s how they survive.  You need to rethink the way you\'re sitting in the corner, blatantly looking around, lest you\'re in the mood to court silent blades on your walk home this night."

When she\'d finished issuing her warning - hissed in a fairly urgent and business-like manner - she straightened, smiling down at him with an entirely new twinkle in her eye, a relaxed hand perched atop the hip suddenly angled towards him.  She was good enough at playing the part of coquette, and she wanted anyone who was interested in watching to think that she\'d probably just said something provocative to him.  How he reacted was his business, so she didn\'t prompt by telling him what she was playing at.  He\'d either firgure it out and act accordingly, or just react to what she\'d said, either way would be fine.

[Kysis]

Kysis pulled back at first, surprise flashing across his features.  What in the bloody hell... and then the words started to filter in, and it made sense.  Kysis forced a smile, listening intently.  When she pulled back away he nodded softly, mulling over it.  The Captain was right, as usual, and Kysis had no choice but to take her advice.  Oh, how he wanted his sword strapped comfortably at his side.  Why, exactly, had he left it at home this day?

"Thanks... In that case, might I join you and your fellows, m\'Lady?"  Kysis could play at acting a little.  He had done it at the bath earlier, he could continue it just as easily.  Though he had to admit, that was a sly way of delivering a message.  To any others it might have seemed like she was flirting.  Kysis did not even consider it, especially having heard the warning.  The Captain was being tactically smart, more power to her.

He flourished a half-bow as if trying to impress, speed said decision.  Kysis had seen men do it before, acting respectful when requesting some time.  So he mimicked what he had seen to his best, despite the stoic mask of his face (smile or no, it made no difference).  Yes, Kysis was still allowing his eyes to roam a bit, see who exactly was giving glares.  Quite a few... He\'d have to keep all that in mind.

[Existentially Odd]

She made a show of laughing at him, as if he\'d said something intimate and witty, and deliberately rested a hand on his table as she responded, leaning towards him more.

"You could - though I don\'t know if you\'d be interested in listening to our boring guard talk.  Perhaps it would be better if I simpy join you?  There\'s a difference between being seen with just me - there\'ll be rumours about you and I in the morning as it is, even if this goes no further - and sharing a table with the militia.  You might also consider sending me on my way, in fact - if you don\'t wish to be known as an associate.  It all depends on what sort of reputation you\'d like.  Being new in town... you probably hadn\'t considered making this decision yet, sorry."

Her eyes twinkled as she looked at him, feeling a little mean to have hit him with such serious business when he\'d obviously come here to relax but, for the sake of his mercantile pursuits, he was better off informed.  For the sake of his health too, for that matter (considering the Falcon\'s clientele).

[Kysis]

"Ah yes, reputation.  But a keen observer might also notice my profession and your station, which would make such an incounter not in the least suggestive."  Kysis shrugged, mulling over the ideas for a few moments.  Someone must have seen them walking together the other evening, so being spotted in the same proximity to each other again?  Kysis enjoyed the company enough to not really care what rumor and chatter might sprout of it, "So join me if you wish, though you are abandoning your fellows...."

A glance was cast to the guards.  They seemed to be having a good time, perhaps had not even noticed the Captain slipping away?  Kysis figured they had, benefit of the doubt and all.  He also made no further protest about her joining him.  Perhaps he had not let her twist his arm enough, but Kysis had played enough sketchy politics for now, and underhanded subterfuge got old after a short while.  This was enjoyment time, and dammit, he planned on enjoying it.

"Celebrating something?"  Kysis was still watching the guards at the moment, curious why they would come in a group to a tavern that seemed less than classy.  Of course, they might have just wanted a good time.  That was always a possibility.  Marcos gave his guards coin for that purpose every so often, figuring it would keep the men loyal.  Did for the most part, not that Kysis approved of it.  The way Marcos did it kept him completely detatched from the men that served him, so that if one botched something in public, it could not be traced back to the man.

Definitely not the time to think on it.  Kysis was toying with the idea of ordering a drink to keep his mind off the subject.  Soon, but not at the moment.  He was still too busy soaking the atmosphere in.

[Existentially Odd]

With a wry smile, she pulled out the chair opposite him and sat, crossing her left leg primly over her right and resisting the urge to look over her shoulder at the men (for tonight, the entire group of eight she was with were all male) he referred to.  She took the time to lean her right elbow on the table and rest her chin in her hand, though - completing the illusion that she was very interested in whatever he had to say.  She didn\'t contradict his statement that there was nothing suggestive about their encounter, for the rumour mill would never see it that way; his ignorance in such a case was quite endearing, really.

"Oh, they\'ll get by without me.  Celebrating Harry\'s birthday and a night off, I believe - I was challenged to come and witness both, given my reputation for not taking nights off or socialising very often," she chuckled, hinting at exactly why she was not heartbroken to have left their table for quieter company.  "They came here to add salt to the wound, I suspect.  Some of the newer recruits like to flex their growing guard muscle, and be \'seen\' to be unafraid to come to where the most trouble is."

She rolled her eyes, glancing down at the table as her left index finger found and traced the uneven patterns made there by numerous gouges in the wood - no doubt cut in with daggers that aided intimidation, or were swiped genuinely in fits of anger.  Her smile was rather more melancholy when she looked up into Kysis\' eyes once more.

"The trouble with that is it\'s a very fine line between unafraid and arrogant.  Resentments can often cause situations to flare, the violence gets out of hand and I lose more guards than I keep, all because they wanted to piss a line in snow that covers private property.  It\'s wearisome how some things never change and that the cockiness of the young ignoring the advice of the experienced is one of them," she told him drolly.  Age was her enemey as much as it was anyone\'s, but she appreciated what wisdom it had given her and everything about her exclaimed how fed up with fighting the same fight she was.  Especially when her opponent was her own men.

The Falcon\'s Mask always had been and always would be a breeding ground of illegal activity, yet every season new guards thought somehow that their superiors had never entered the establishment with quite the same ideals or abilities as them, that they weren\'t as skilled or spry, that they were jaded when they advised the beginners to take it easy and stay away from the place unless with a partner.  Apparently, fresh guards always had and always would believe that they could change the world with their confidence alone, and without fail they were proved wrong when the reality of cunning criminals decided to teach them a lesson.

She sighed, then tried to look happier, summoning a smile.  "At least this lot tonight aren\'t too bad.  They\'re more interested in the drinking than in who\'s watching them, so they\'ll all make it back to the barracks in one piece.  How about you, can I buy you a drink?  I just finished my last when you came in so it\'s time for another for me - you have excellent timing, in that respect."

[Kysis]

Kysis was very interested in all this speech, leaning forward a bit himself, eyes intently locked on her.  This sudden difference was a bit on the surprising side, blindsiding Kysis completely, but it was not unwelcome.  In fact, Kysis was intrigued.  Their discussions the other day had been very formal, strained even at places.  This was open.  Not at all was Kysis used to this freeness, but there was something reassuring about it that made him want to trust and not be quite so guarded.

A slow nod was brought at parts of her monologue.  Kysis understood, that slightest gesture not out of respect for the speaker like many people did (even if they were not truly listening).  In fact, it brought back memories of home.  For a while Kysis had missed the chaotic place, the fast pace it threw upon all people within it, but now was not the case.  Kysis was not growing rusty as he had feared before.  He could actually practice in the peace of his own quarters perfecting his swordsmanship rather than learning on the fly and screwing up along the way.  Home had been one big pissing contest, that was for sure.  Kysis hardly missed that.

"Sounds a lot like Kreos back in Greece.  Everyone posturing the moment they spotted another person, friend and foe alike.  The guards were constantly picking fights with anyone who they felt so much as breathed wrong.  Not a pleasant place...."  Kysis closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.  Though he had gained a great deal of respect in Kreos, it was not the type one gloated over in a place like this.  Subterfuge seemed far more valuable, cunning and charm.  Kysis had a lot to learn before he could gain such respect here.

"Buy me a drink?  M\'lady, I must decline for the sake of my reputation.  Please, allow a man\'s coin to go to good use and let me buy?"  Though a tad moody before, he could make a charming smile when needed.  There was a certain air about it still that was not entirely friendly or flirtatious, but he could try?  They were in a tavern, after all, and Kysis had noticed a few eyes turned their direction.  The Captain seemed up with the game anyhow, "Have you any recommendations?  I am afraid the drink here is different from the Greek fare."

[Existentially Odd]

She found herself enamoured by his description of where he\'d come from, even as short as it was, and sorry that it had ended so quickly.  The way he closed his eyes and took a calming breath proclaimed clearly that he hadn\'t lived easily before his family moved into this region, but that didn\'t faze her; she wanted to know more anyway.  Of course, as soon as he talked about getting a drink for her, she smiled and drew herself up straighter, making an inviting gesture towards the bar with the hand that had been supporting her chin.

"As you insist then!  I could hardly insult your manhood with my forward thinking and expect to sit here calmly looking you in the eye, I suppose," she grinned, green eyes twinkling with her jest.  His gallant counteraction amused her greatly, but there was a flattering element to it, too.  She felt heartened that he would speak with her in such a manner, for it meant that he was able to see her as a woman, rather than the uniform she wore.  "I would have an apple cider and suggest you might like it if a warm tang with a slight burr of alcohol is your taste.  Otherwise, the local ale is passable - but quite bitter.  It depends how daring you\'re feeling," she grinned playfully.

[Kysis]

Azure eyes blinked a few times, the slightest tinge of pink rising to his lightly sunkissed cheeks.  Kysis just sat their staring at the words for a few moments, embarassed that he would suggest she not capible of buying her own drink and by the way she emphasized (sp?) manhood all at once.  Was she suggesting that....  Kysis soon regained his composure, wondering if it was a joke about his hair or something.  That or he was just paranoid, not a new thing at all for him.  Living with the people he did, it was a smart mind-set.

"I will return in a moment, then."

Kysis was unsure of how this whole system worked, though he assumed from the gesture that he could go to the bar, place the order, pay with his coin, then bring the drink back.  Though he got a few weird looks, Kysis was soon on his way back to the table, two drinks in hand.  Odd appearance to the liquid, but he assumed it was this cider the Captain had referred to.  Kysis had enough bitterness in his life already without the help of the ale, so a little warm tang was quite desired, in both really.  Kysis figured he was a rather boring person, just reading or training all day, no spice to his life.  He could be wrong, though.

"And here they are."  Kysis set one of the drinks before the Captain with a slight bow before sliding back in to his own seat, staring down at the liquid for a bit.  The young man had partaken in alcohol before, what variety was offered back in Kreos, but not like this.  Cider?  He was guessing some sort of fruit was added in to give the flavor so described, taking a short sip to test.  Yes, his suspicions were confirmed, "Thank you for the recommendation.  It is quite good."

Pushing the momentarily offended thoughts aside, Kysis tried thinking of some sort of conversation.  The Captain seemed much better at such a task, but he would hate for her to do all the work.  Kysis had to come out of his hole under a rock sometime.... though not quite yet.  This was still too new for him to jump in full swing.

[Existentially Odd]

"Yes," she giggled, leaning forward to take a sip of her own beverage, then sitting back to look at him, her right hand curled about the mug, left arm now draped across her lap.  "A little too good, really; this is my third already, I find they slide down rather too quickly to be safe.  Although... I was also drinking that quickly as an excuse to take my leave," she dropped Kysis a conspiratorial wink, angling her head back towards the table of guards she\'d been with.

Truthfully, she was uncomfortable having her back to the room - though she knew it was necessary, as proof that all she was interested in was her companion (and that she was confident and was lacking in threat enough to do so) - but she didn\'t shift in her seat.  Nor did she need to look to where she\'d come from to know that after a few glances in her direction (and a few whispered comments they were sure she wouldn\'t hear, about her abandoning them for a man\'s company), the guards had continued their merriment without her.  That was a relief, really.

"Too much alcohol just makes me sleepy, rather than jovial.  I tend to avoid it as much as possible," she confessed, trying to smile and hide the lines around her mouth that thinking of her father always conjured.  She avoided alcohol for other reasons, too.  For the time being, she used her awkwardness as a vehicle to turn the conversation in a direction she was much more interested in, but one which should make her feel awkward, for she knew of the blonde man\'s reluctance to discuss the topic; him.  "What sort of fare are you used to in your home country of... Kreos, was it?  In Greece, you said?"

[Kysis]

Figures.  He gives a morsel and she wants an entire meal, about him that is.  Kysis nodded, taking another sip of his drink.  What sort of fare could he remember?  The remembering was a big part of it, a few of the drinks hard enough to clear that with a small glass.  Kysis tried avoiding those ones if at all possible.  It was never safe to walk home drunk there, which was why he didn\'t, ever.

"Well, there were lots of wines, a wide variety too.  There was this honey ale, cannot remember its name but... it was usually what was brought unless requested otherwise.  I tried keeping away from the other drinks."  Kysis smiled a little, hiding it partially by taking another sip.  He would agree, that drink went down quickly and tasted good while doing it.  There were a few people back home who would love it, "If you just sat in a tavern for a few minutes, you\'d see this clear drink, small glass.  Someone could drink half of it and be roaring drunk.  Quite frighening.  Always had to wonder if there was a person who did not like you, slipped some of that in your drink."

Paranoia was good in Kreos, but here... Kysis was undecided.  He had still noticed the eyes of some of the normal folk wandering to their table every so often.  The Captain must have felt horrible with her back to them all, but Kysis as not comfortable enough to offer switching her seats.  People might recognize her and back off.  As for Kysis...  he guessed he would have no such luck, so his back would remain to the wall, thankfully.

"Not a place worth reminiscing over."  A hint, lightly given with a soft smile and somewhat sad eyes.  If he talked much longer on the subject, something about Alia might come up.  Kysis did not want to sour the moment, if the Captain was enjoying herself at all.  From the wink and all the grins it seemed she was.  So Kysis planned on keeping quiet about Kreos, or just talking very guardedly on it if there was no choice.