Where do we go from here? (Zane)

[Vesper Frostbite]

Vesper waited until the bar was well out of the way until she nudged Zane and slid off of him with a grunt. Not that I don't enjoy a lift once in a while, but ah... She looked up and behind them and blanched a little as the gelding trotted easily after them, Falchion perched easily on the saddle and watching her curiously You clever little b******. She walked up to the horse and stroked it's snout, but didn't even attempt to get in the crooked saddle, just checked her bag for her belongings, and tugged lightly on the reins, pulling the horse along As I was saying, umm, was my fooling around back there any help at all? I'm sure you could see I'm not much of a bar crawler.. She looked down, a bit ashamed of her performance, then looked back up at the well muscled Zane with a sly smirk

[Zane Felix]

Timestamp: 3rd of Spring, 510 AV
Time of Day: Noon

Zane turned to look back at her, walking backward with his hands behind his head and his eyes rather disinterested. He seemed to see through her more than he did look at her. She was interesting, that was for sure, but the fact remained she'd hurt his feelings earlier.

Despite that, the girl had done a great job. He held up the sizable amount of coin he had made, then tilted his head. She seemed much more interesting. She hadn't asked for her cut, she had asked if she had done good. She had a little con it her, too! That was a real good thing to hear, and as such, it put a smile on his face, his eyes lighting up.

You did fine. That's gonna hurt for a bit, taking a tumble like that at decent speed. That and grabbing a chair for balance when there's no chance of recovery...

He chuckled slightly, mulling over her novice mistakes. After a moment, he shrugged rather callously and handed her one third of those Mizas.

Here's what's yours. You can do whatever you like with it.

He struck up a brisk pace, as if making to leave her in the dust.

[Vesper Frostbite]

Vesper looked at the coin, perplexed, then jogged up beside Zane and made to hand it back. I just thought I'd repay the fact you got me a drink by starting a clean fight, I don't need the coin at present, so you might as well take it if this is going to be our goodbye The Inartan wondered why he was taking off so quick, then it dawned on her. Oi. Didn't mean the things I said...if that's why you're leaving in a hurry, just thought it was a good jumping off point, for the fight, you know? Sorry. Her blue eyes watched him interestedly, one hand still loose on the Glidlings reins, wondering if this was going to be the last she saw of the brawling man

[Zane Felix]

It's your money. Trust me, fights like that don't happen to often.

He pushes her hand back to her chest, smiling softly.

Hey, thanks. I'm glad you didn't mean it, and I really did mean I wanted to get to know you. Wrong place, wrong time though. Maybe in another lifetime, Vesper.

Zane turned quietly back in his direction and closed his eyes. Letting her go like that felt wrong, so much so that it made his stomach queasy. Of course, he didn't let it show. It would be easier to explain to Soren like this if he just said he got in a fight.

All sort of works out, don't it? No strings attached brawl, make money. My kinda day.

He bit down on his tongue lightly, feeling the metallic tasting liquid welling up.

[Vesper Frostbite]

Vesper wouldn't let that lay. She shook her head. Didn't do this for the coin, and in fact, would rather not look at it, though she didn't exactly know why. She imagined Skarn lifting the man up by the collar of his shirt and just standing there so Vesper could place the coin quite easily back into his pocket, and her eyes glazed over as she felt that familiar pang in her chest that came when thinking about the big eagle too hard. As it was she quickly put the coins in a small purse, handed the bag to Falchion, who held it easily in his beak, then nudged her head in the direction the man had left, even as she made an embarrassing effort to once more mount the Glidling after tightening his saddle. The little bird swooped down the narrow alleyway, gliding over Zane and letting go of the purse so that it would fall directly on his boot, then did a neat 180 spin, giving a little chirrup of goodbye before he swept back down the road to an already cursing Inartan that simply couldn't get the playful gelding into a trot.

[Zane Felix]

Zane cursed aloud as the petite bird returned the gold, and without a second thought, he turned and broke out into a run, breathing unevenly and swinging his arms like a novice runner in an attempt to catch up to the departing girl with red hair.

Oi, hell... wait! Wait, dammit!

He found himself tripping over the ground, barely maintaining his balance as he moved quickly, weaving through the crowd only by pushing them off to one side or bowling them over. He figured there would be trouble if he stopped, and right now, he didn't have time for trouble.

Zane saw her in the distance; he wasn't about to let her get away with helping him like that for nothing. He knew nothing more about her than her name, and that was just wrong. Barely catching up and winded to boot, he grabbed her leg and tugged firmly at it, indicating for her to stop, though unable to speak over his ragged breaths.

I...

Zane huffs loudly over his own words, managing little more than labored hyperventilation before finally stopping, putting his hands on top of his head and beginning to breathe, trying to force his body back to normalcy.

After he caught his breath, he spoke up and smiled at her, his brow glazed with perspiration.

It ain't right, me letting you just go without pay like that. I owe you. I ain't just gonna let you up and leave me without proper compensation. Besides, like I said, you're pretty and I want to get to know you better.

He wasn't all too bashful about it; Zane wanted to get her to stay, and though his face was blood red, he didn't let it stop him from looking dead into her eyes, determination making his own green orbs sparkle radiantly.

[Vesper Frostbite]

Vesper rode off a bit sadly, thinking she heard the faint echo of the man's voice, though she suspected it was some weird memory thing, wistfulness, was it? She rode on slowly, just letting the horse do his own thing and weave through the crowd rather than instruct him when she finally felt the hand tugging on her leg, a pull that almost made her lose balance, just when she had achieved it. She glanced down into the red face of the man and her mouth opened a little in surprise, honestly not expecting to see the man again. She tugged lightly on the reins and slid without much grace to the ground beside him as he caught his breath. She listened, blue eyes intent on his determined features, then smiled Figures, it took me paying you off to come to that realization again... Falchion, who had been watching Zane run up on high, and who was highly amused with the whole scenario, landed on the brawling man's shoulder and nibbled upon his ear, chirping delightedly. Vesper smiled at Zane, brushing back a stray red braid and held the Glidling's reins loosely in one hand I can talk for a while if that's what you want, I certainly aint aiming to go anywhere specific...

[Zane Felix]

Zane looked out of the corner of his eye at the bird, internally hoping it wasn't hungry and that his ear tasted appealing. He knew little of birds of prey, and even less of people being able to command them with such empathy. This girl was quite the anomaly in his mind.

Without much worry, he fixed his gaze on the red haired woman, intently listening and finally replying to her words with a great deal of satisfaction. She actually wanted something to do with him, which was more than Zane could say for most people.

I'd like it if you came and met my friend. We don't get close to many people, and you look so pretty I thought he might enjoy your company for a little while. I know I will... I mean, that is, if you don't mind the company of lowlifes.

It was, to say the least, an honest proposal. Though in Zane's mind, he preferred the idea of getting some alone time with Vesper. Something about her just screamed out for him, though such things happened often with Zane. He had an inexplicable affinity for empathy. He understood people with nearly no effort at all, and though he couldn't conduct himself all that well, he still managed to keep Soren around. Zane's hope was that he could keep Vesper around as well. At least for a little while.

I mean, if you really wanted to, we could just walk around for a while and talk... I don't get to do that much... especially with a pretty face...

He couldn't shut up about how good looking she was. He knew he was petching up, that she would probably get the hint he liked her, and worst case scenario, she might exploit that. Maybe worse, in his mind, she might get annoyed, creeped out, or any other number of things that would make her leave. There was no doubt in his mind that she would never go for him...

And yet, Zane was one of those people who just couldn't help but try, even in when the cause seemed lost.

[Vesper Frostbite]

Vesper watched Falchion with an interested eye. The silver winged falcon was a social butterfly indeed, but seemed to take quite well to Zane, and she smiled softly, sliding her thick leather glove out of a saddle bag and giving a light whistle. The Inartan wasn't a very good reader of people, but animals were, and Falchion's demeanor around the man said a lot about him that she wouldn't normally be able to gauge. Why don't you leave the poor fellow alone, boy, I think he's afraid you might try eatin' him The falcon shook out his plumage and hopped over to Vesper's ready arm, barely taking the time to open his glittering wings before he settled in on her hand. She brushed a thumb across his small head and smiled at the little bird before turning her gaze back to Zane as they made their way down the cobblestone streets, certainly in no rush either. Her pale skin failed to hide a bit of blushing she received at his repetition of her appearance, but she figured he did this with most women he talked to...with muscles like she had seen in the bar, what woman wouldn't want to talk to him? It was before she had walked ten paces she began to feel the saddle sores, could they be called saddle sores if she had barely been in a saddle? She groaned softly, rubbing her backside with a free hand, then smirked apologetically at the brawler. Sitting and talking sounds a bit better...if'n you don't mind, I'm not..apt at riding horses and this past week has gotten the better of me, though the talking bit sounds real nice, Falchion is a real talker, but I only know what he's sayin' half the time As if to prove this, the little falcon began to chitter complexly, glancing up at his handler, and Vesper just shrugged and smiled.

[Zane Felix]

Zane tilted his head. He hadn't heard of many people talking to birds, let alone the birds talking back. Then again, it just seemed like another day in his life; strange things happened all the time, especially to Zane.

Oh, yeah, sure, that's fine.

He noticed the way she looked at him, and even more so, the way that she blushed. But he figured it was just because he was annoying her. Something like that. Maybe this was her giving him a second chance at a first impression?

Mustering up a bit of courage, Zane put an arm around her waist and smirked. He used those muscles to his advantage, bringing her to the ground with him next to a building and sitting her down in his lap.

You must think I'm the kind of guy who seduces girls all the time. I promise I'm not, if that makes you feel any better. I just want to apologize for hitting you.