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Post by Kelathi on Apr 3, 2020 21:44:52 GMT
Why had he thought that this was a good idea?
After scouring the streets for the better part of an hour for an inn that wasn’t booked to the teeth, Jasper was beginning to wish he’d just minded his own business and stayed silent. If he had done so, he could still be sat in a warm tavern nursing a drink rather than the headache now fuzzing at the edges of his mind. Even so, he felt committed to this now, and so thoroughly intended to finish what he had started, determined to see the stranger safe, even if their little venture had not been as clear-cut a task as he had assumed it would be.
He had been largely silent during the short time they had spent together, Jasper clearly a man of few words and quite willing to take on just the role of bodyguard. Even as they arrived at each inn, he had been happy to take a step back and allow the woman to do the talking, aware that she was perfectly capable, especially after the tongue-lashing one of the innkeepers had received as her patience began to run thin.
Soon enough, it became clear that their search had turned up fruitless, and for a moment Jasper merely regarded the woman’s defeated countenance in the momentary silence that followed her thanks. But instead of acknowledging her gratitude and bidding her goodbye, he spoke up with a suggestion that would perhaps be surprising. “I’m staying in town with my brother.” A strange thing to pipe up about without prompting, especially after the silence that had accompanied their walk, but the reasoning of which soon became clear as he continued. “I wont turn us out, but there is room for you too, if you wish.” In all honesty, Jasper fully expected the woman to decline. Why would she trust him, a stranger? He had been true to his word so far, but he was in no disillusion as to the imposing figure that he made to those that did not know him.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Apr 3, 2020 23:35:01 GMT
Nadya’s attention had moved to the rowdy main room of the inn, arms still defensively wrapped around her, as if the cloak could shield her from that many drunken, groping hands. All it would take would be one unsolicited touch…
The misery in her expression at the whole ridiculous situation was noticeable as she looked back at the stranger, some confusion to his speaking without being heavily prompted. The more at ease she had become, the more easily she proved being able to talk, showing that quiet was less about shyness and more discomfort. Although a good third of what she said was unclear, as it was done in what was obviously her mother tongue. Evidently, she didn’t find English to have the right words for certain things.
Before she had to respond to the unexpected remark about staying with his brother, he went on, earning a furrowed brow. Turn them out? What on earth was he-
Realization hit her in a heartbeat, eyes blinking wide as surprise took over her features. A moment later, there was a look of panic - expected, perhaps, for a young woman to be frightened of the prospect of sharing a room with two strange men…
But something kept her from declining, actually dropping her gaze and shifting uncomfortably as her mind clearly raced, weighing her options. Two men she didn’t know, confined in one room… or an open town of men she didn’t know. She was biting her lip hard by the time her gaze flitted back up to the man’s gaze, as if gaging the sincerity of his offer. At least he had been true to his word in trying to help her… and it didn’t seem like he’d lie about having a brother to go back to… but it’d be in an enclosed space. And what of the brother? Would he be able to keep his hands off her?
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Post by Kelathi on May 3, 2020 23:10:17 GMT
She had reacted as he had expected her to, defensive and wary, and he had not missed the fleeting look of panic. Wanting to put her at ease (and wondering why it mattered so much to him what this stranger thought of him…) he moved casually to slip something out from the sleeve of his jacket. It turned out to be a sheathed knife, small and light-weight, like something you might use to fillet a fish. His movements were slow, clearly trying his best not to alarm her despite revealing a weapon, but then he turned it in his hands, and holding it by the sheath, offered the handle towards her. “Take it. If you don’t feel safe at any point, you can use it.” The concept was hardly something that someone who wished her harm would do…
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on May 4, 2020 5:19:09 GMT
Nadya watched as one mesmerized as he produced the knife out of thin air, and perhaps surprisingly unafraid of his actions. She stared at the offered weapon for a few moments before looking back up, her wide eyes studying him carefully, with an almost innocent uncertainty. She was obviously not used to others trying to help her to such an extent, not without wanting something from her in turn. And yet, he seemed to be doing just that.
With an edge of wonder, she finally, slowly reached out for the knife, sliding her fingertips against the handle before picking it up out of his hands. It was a good weight for her, light enough to avoid being clumsy. Once the knife was out of his hands, she gripped it gently with both of her own, still afraid to touch. Holding the little weapon to her chest, Nadya looked up again, the mix of wonder and uncertainty still lighting up her pale golden eyes.
She obviously wanted to ask why he was helping her, but if she questioned, perhaps he’d change his mind. So instead, she tried a different tact, not wanting to put herself into more danger. But she wanted to take his offer of the room, especially if he was willing to arm her. A warm, soft bed, not having to sleep with one eye open in case of someone lurking in the shadows…
“What can I give in return?”
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Post by Kelathi on May 4, 2020 23:12:25 GMT
She looked so… lost, clasping the knife to herself tightly, as if afraid she might lose it if she didn’t cradle it as such. He had been just about to step away, ready to lead her back to the inn, assuming her acceptance of the knife as agreement to follow, when she had piped up. He had paused, studying her for a moment with an unreadable expression. But when he spoke, it became clear that he had not been mulling over what he wanted from her, in fact, her question had taken him aback. “I don’t want anything from you.” He stated simply, a little perturbed that she hadn’t been able to assume this already by the way he had been. Did she think he was trying to trap her into accepting, only to name a steep price once she felt at ease? What kind of people had she been in company with?
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on May 5, 2020 0:59:00 GMT
Nadya’s reaction to the man’s perhaps not entirely unexpected reply was the most surprising thing she had done the entire evening.
To the man who had been kind enough to follow her around for an hour to get her lodgings, who had offered to share his own with her… with her eyes only hitting his mid chest, if that…
She scrunched up her face, as if suspicious about not being given anything to be suspicious about, studying him with narrowed eyes.
“You are very strange man.”
But, she slipped the knife into her belt, and waited to be led.
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Post by Kelathi on Jun 3, 2020 22:38:03 GMT
Her response seemed to take him aback, merely blinking slowly for a moment in response. Then, perhaps surprisingly, he chuckled, not an unpleasant sound, charmed by her response for some reason that was beyond even his own understanding. It was perhaps surprising to see another expression other than grimness, or stoicism on his face, and in fact it had indeed been a while since that façade had melted in such a way. He didn’t linger, however, turning away and beginning to lead, as expected. “This way.” She thought him a strange man? She had no idea how accurate that assumption was, but it was not for the reasons she might suspect.
It was not long before they came across the inn Jasper and his brother were staying at, and the journey had been silent, the man clearly quite comfortable with such lack of conversation, or perhaps just not accustomed to being around others for a long period of time. This silence was sure to change pretty soon, as his brother was quite literally his polar opposite. In fact, Jasper paused just outside the inn, and seemed to be considering his next words carefully. “My brother is…” He paused, reconsidered, and started again, locking his gaze with hers. “He’s chatty, but harmless. Don’t take anything he says too seriously.”
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jun 4, 2020 5:02:11 GMT
In sharp contrast to how she had been that evening, always seeming to think he’d have some agenda or want something from her, his chuckle earned an initial open-eyed look of innocent surprise… followed by a slight, quirked smile.
Nadya was growing sleepy by the time they made it to the other inn, a weight lifting from her shoulders at the thought of a safe bed for the night. This was evidenced as she yawned moments before Jasper paused, one hand still raised to her lips as the man spoke. At first, her expression stated quite clearly that she would have to brace herself for some visual monstrosity, perhaps some deformity that would require warning first? Her understanding gaze quickly flashed to concern, eyeing the inn’s door as if the brother was there.
“I don’t mind chatty,” she noted, tugging her cloak about her a little more, which only seemed to accentuate how frail she was. “I just don’t want touchy.” The way she stated this also answered any lingering question of her faith in the stranger. She trusted he wouldn’t try to touch her - he’d had all evening to drag her into some shady corner. And he had armed her. How little good that might do her was unknown to him, and she was just far enough for her powers to be limited without a marsh to summon from… but she didn’t fear him anymore.
Perhaps that came from having such faith in a dragon.
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Post by Kelathi on Jan 16, 2021 20:31:15 GMT
For the first time since they’d met, he suddenly looked… wary, as if something she said had caused him to rethink, or as if he were holding something back. “He won’t touch you.” He decided, after a short pause, although he seemed unsure of his own affirmation. The next, however, he said with much more confidence. “Not without your permission.” No, his brother was no leach, he would respect boundaries if she set them up. However, she may not want to do any of the sort.
In truth, his little brother had no trouble getting the attention from the fairer sex. Sam had only begun travelling with Jasper the day before, and already, the man had seen the effect he had on women. There seemed to be something magnetic about him when it came to them, he drew them in with his sunny smile, radiating safety and good humour. The complete opposite of Jasper. The latter had come to think it might even become quite handy, allowing himself to more easily melt into the background when in public, but he was unsure of Sam’s limits, or if he had any, which caused him some concern. After all, townspeople tend to get a bit touchy when strangers bed their wives…
Sam was harmless, but he was a charmer, and Jasper had no doubt he would try such charm with his charge. She was beautiful, after all, which seemed to be his only pre-requisite. Whether she took him up on such offers was up to her, and Jasper would normally turn a blind eye. However, tonight they were sharing a room, so even if she was indeed interested, he would turn them both out before they got very far.
Upon entering the tavern, it became clear that it was not at all like the place they had just left. Although full, apart from a lonely drinker in the corner, everyone else had already retired to their rooms. It was quiet, peaceful. Jasper motioned with a wave of his hand for Nadya to mount the stairs, and followed her up.
When they came to the door, Jasper paused suddenly.
There was a belt wrapped around the handle.
With a sigh, a hand running over his face briefly… he curled his hand into a fist and banged roughly on the door, making the whole frame shake. “Sam!” He called gruffly, annoyance clear in his reaction and his voice. Scrambling could be heard on the other side, and low, hushed voices. “Just a minute!” Came a high-pitched… female voice. Jasper avoided Nadya’s gaze, but his hands were crossed over his chest, and his face was like thunder. A hushed giggling, some shuffling, and the door opened slowly. A petite woman, a mess of fiery red hair and flushed cheeks, regarding them both brazenly. “Good evening.” She purred, a quick, curtsy, before flouncing down the stairs.
Sam, also with flushed cheeks, opened the door wide, then. His shirt had been haphazardly pulled on, and he was still attending to some of the buttons. “Brother! You have returned!” He announced gaily, throwing his arms around the stoic man, who remained unmoving. As he pulled away, he looked into Jasper’s eye… and laughed. “Oh cheer up old man, you were gone forever! I had to find some way to entertain myself.” With a grin, he whipped his belt off the door, threading it onto his trousers., turning his back to the door to make the bed. In all his fluster, he had not yet noticed that Jasper was not alone. With a sigh, Jasper gave the woman an apologetic look, stepping inside. “Sam, this is…” He paused, a realisation dawning on him. Had he really forgotten to ask the woman’s name? Before he could rectify the situation, Sam had turned, and for the first time realized that they weren’t alone. He looked taken aback, and most uncharacteristically, was wordless for a moment. He soon recovered, however, eyes lighting up. “My, this is Aphrodite!” He announced reverently, motioning towards her. “I can tell by her fair skin beautiful eyes! Or… Freya, perhaps?” A low, sweeping bow then, one that would make most women blush.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jan 17, 2021 2:59:41 GMT
No touchy. That was all she wanted. And, it seemed, that was something she’d have to fight for.
The stranger got a look of uncertain study as he grew wary at the thought of his own brother, her eyes running up and down him. What, was this brother even more of a hulking figure, that he’d be uncertain of defending her against? This seemed confirmed when the man emphasized that her permission would be required, as if that was all that would hold this brother back. Even so, she showed no fear with a defiant lift of her chin as she went into the tavern, even as one hand gently touched the hilt of the dagger she had been given. A fighter, even if her strength was lacking.
Nadya was braced for encounter a true brute of a man in what was to be their shared room as she led the way up the stairs, squaring up her shoulders as if that would make her look more impressive. She might have been short, with a willowy sort of grace, but she had definite curves; “ample” had been Joss’s word of choice, even though the man became a brother, never trying his luck as her lover. All the squaring of shoulders did was straighten her posture, putting herself even more prominently into view. Not that she cared about who saw what, only who touched what.
The meaning of the belt on the door handle was lost entirely upon her, and for a moment she wondered how this man had found the tavern, if he needed such a reminder to relocate his room. She was confused by his sudden anger, however, tensing as his fist pounded hard enough to make the frame shake. To her credit, she didn’t jump, but she was almost ready to run. Almost, because she was tired, dark circles lightly forming beneath her eyes and visible mainly because her own skin was so pale. She wanted that soft, warm bed for a night. The one problem with sleeping with a dragon was that the tough hide and sinewy muscle was not exactly a feather bed.
Nadya’s expression became confused as she heard the giggling and sounds of scrambling cloth and feet through the door. Not that she was fully unaware of what it meant, but why were they trying to keep it secret? Who cared? Not that she was all that inclined herself - too much risk, she knew, from sharing her powers to becoming a mother - but it wasn’t like it was anyone else’s business. A woman slipped past with a coy expression, Nadya’s own face softening into a look of… well, in a word, unimpressed. As if sleeping with someone was something so scandalous! As the woman went down the stairs, Nadya found her eyes rolling hard, finally letting her attention return to the room, with its hulking brute of a-
The look of surprise on her face was easily mistaken for being shocked at a woman coming out of the room. Instead, she was stunned to be looking at the actual man who was her guide’s brother - scrawny and short, compared to what she was expecting. This? This was the one that was cause for such concern? Really? A glance at the stranger beside her, as if silently asking him if he had been serious in his concern. By this point, the man had suddenly thrown himself around the stoic stranger, and even Nadya seemed to recognize that this might have been a bad move on his part.
“Chatty,” she muttered under her breath, her voice mocking the stranger’s earlier warning as she watched the man continue to dress himself, her gaze relaxing into one of not quite annoyance, but not quite at an eye roll either. This expression was noticeable in that the quiet stranger’s start of an introduction softened it, watching him with a quiet patience that was very unlike her, given that she was very open to talking nonstop when given a chance - as evidenced by their travel around for a room. She knew what this part was, introducing oneself, and was simply waiting to be asked.
Then the younger man interrupted, and the look of utter confusion raised her eyebrow as she looked over. Aphro-what now? What language was that? He didn’t clarify, in fact he only called her something else before bowing. If the quiet stranger had been at all curious if she would fall for the great charmer, he was about to get his answer.
A straighter back, adding half an inch of height. Arms folded, an annoyed edge to her gaze. “I am no aphro-dike-tees, nor frayed,” she shot back, her accent so thick there was no mistaking the huge misunderstanding that was occurring. “I am just traveler to this place,” she added with a growl, fixing the man with a steely glare, and by now having completely forgotten that introductions hadn’t been made.
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Post by Kelathi on Jan 17, 2021 18:33:33 GMT
Sam and Jasper exchanged looks at the surprising response from the woman, and the first was quick to try and rectify his mistake. The latter, smiled a little, but moved to hide the fact that he was a little smug at Sam’s apparent nose-dive. His back to the room, he poured himself a glass of wine that Sam had intended for himself and his woman. Only the woman might think it odd that he still had room to drink, as only she had seen how much he had consumed already. Jasper, on the other hand, did not even think about it, the move was so practiced, it felt natural to just reach for more.
“Ah, I apologise, I did not mean to offend! I merely meant to say that you are very beautiful.” Sam clarified, a lopsided grin on his face. “Please, come in!” He motioned, as she was still hovering in the doorway. “My name is Sammite, but please call me Sam.” Normally, he would have reached for her hand to kiss it, but after such a rough start, he had decided against it, perhaps thinking that she needed to be treated a little more delicately than his usual type of woman. The fact that she hadn’t thrown herself at his feet did nothing to dissuade him from his intentions to charm her. “The grumpy one is Jasper.” He added, smiling fondly at his brother, despite his words. The man in question turned then, leaning up against the desk as he waited for the woman to introduce herself in turn.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jan 20, 2021 6:17:59 GMT
Nadya remained stiff as the man quickly apologized, her eyes darting between the two men. Then, the faintest dusting appeared on her cheeks, forcing herself to relax. Oh. Well, why couldn’t he just say that instead of calling her strange things?!
With a stronger step than perhaps was necessary, Nadya stepped into the room as Sam invited her, looking to Jasper as he was introduced in turn. As she responded in kind, she untied the cloak from her shoulders and swung it across the back of a chair, letting her long hair swing free at last, trapped as it had been under the hood. “Nadezhda Tsura,” she said with a gentle look, not quite smiling but at least not glaring at the two of them.
Then the smile came, that same one she had offered Jasper in the tavern before. A confident little quirk of full lips, making her pale golden eyes sparkle. “Jasper offered me a room for the night, as there is no other available,” she went on to explain her presence with a tone of gratitude in spite of her ever slightly mischievous smile, while subtly noting that there was nothing else being offered by her presence there. If this was the brother…
Well, Jasper could certainly keep her safe from him.
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Post by Kelathi on Jan 20, 2021 20:20:18 GMT
As she offered her name, Jasper dipped his head in acknowledgement, whereas Sam performed a sweeping bow, only half serious in it’s performance. “It’s a pleasure, my lady!” He announced. As she walked into the room and swept off her cloak, Jasper turned to pour himself another drink, whereas Sam only found himself smiling wider as her full beauty was revealed. He soon pulled himself together, though, running a hand through his hair and straightening as Nadezhda explained her presence. “I see! Well this is indeed one of your better ideas, brother.” “Sam… give it a rest. It’s been a long day.” Jasper muttered then, feeling a headache coming on, and not just from the alcohol he had consumed so far.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jan 20, 2021 20:45:38 GMT
Nadya picked up on the not so subtle cues from Sam as he preened for her benefit, beginning to realize why Jasper had thought it necessary to warn her. So she did what seemed obvious.
Keep Jasper focused on her so he stayed between her and Sam.
“Indeed, has been long day. It was so generous of him to offer,” Nadya agreed after Jasper muttered, a hand emotionally going to her chest. In spite of being so fearful of touch with two men, it was unlikely that either would grab for her now, and her arms were covered - the most likely place to be attacked. So she easily walked boldly up towards Jasper once more, looking at his hands before looking towards his one visible eye.
Unlike her earlier glances at his hands, terrified of what they could do to her, she was calm as she kept up the soft little smile, grabbing the other glass. “May I beg for little as well?” she asked, fixing an innocent wide-eyed blink at the man. He liked to drink… so she’d see if she could join him in one.
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Post by Kelathi on Jan 20, 2021 22:12:13 GMT
Jasper was surprised by the woman’s approach for two reasons. One, if she was going to gravitate to either of them, he would have expected her attentions to be drawn to his brother; and two, he had thought her tastes a bit more refined than alcohol, judging by her earlier preference for tea. Her request was met with a smile, Jasper finding himself curious to see how she would take it, as he got the overwhelming impression that she did not normally drink.
As he lifted the wine bottle and poured her a modest amount, Sam threw up his hands, faking exasperation. “Great, Jasper’s got a drinking partner!” He laughed, dropping down onto the bed, leaning back with his head resting on his hands, fingers interlocked. “There’s no hope for us, that’s the rest of the evening gone… wait!” A thought seemed to have suddenly occurred to him, as he sat upright quickly. “You know what goes absolutely swimmingly with alcohol?”
Jasper looked at him quizzically, warily. Sam’s smile merely widened, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
“Betting.”
And with that, he whipped a pack of cards out from his breast pocket, and began dealing them on the bed.
“Sam, I don’t think…” “Now don’t mind him, Nadezhda, he’s just reluctant because he knows I’ll beat him. You may have been the supreme winner when we were kids, but not so, anymore! What do you think, Nadezhda?”
Both brothers looked at the woman, Sam expectant, Jasper, wary how the suggestion would be taken.
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