That was clever (Xadel)

[Gia]

Winter 55, 512 It was a good crowd – a great one, in fact. The tavern was packed, except for the cleared space in the middle where tables and chairs had been pushed back to make room for the performance. Normally, this wouldn’t be necessary, as the troupe of players would do their thing outside, on a street corner somewhere. But it was winter and the day before the snow had begun to fall and there was ice everywhere. So the toupe’s leader had cut a deal with the owner that if they could perform inside they would share a percentage of whatever coin they raised. The place was quite full, because of the bad weather. The owner might have seen this as a good opportunity, to sell more beer and sit back and collect money for nothing. In any case, he shook hands with their manager and the troupe had readied. Gia had played her lute and sung a solo, which seemed well enough received, and various other acts had gone on – tumbling, juggling, more singing. Then it was time for her to dance with Xadel, and she gave him a nudge in the ribs. “Come on, Mister Graceful,” she said with a roll of her hazel eyes, linking her arm through his – his good one….as the other wasn’t quite in perfect shape – not after last night… The bells on her head scarf tinkled lightly as they walked out into the center of the irregular circle. Gia gave her partner a pointed look – one that both chided him for his foolishness and also encouraged him to work past the pain he was no doubt feeling. With a gracious curtsy to the boorish onlookers who would have no real appreciation for good manners, Gia extened her hands to Xadel and laced her fingers in his, as a few of their companions struck up a lively tune.

[Xadel]

Xadel stood on the outskirts of the circle that had been created so that they would have enough room to do their performances without being crowded and so that everyone would have a decent view of the entertainment. He stood with his arms crossed over his revealed chest so that he could hide the fact that he was nursing an injury to his good arm. He didn't want anyone to know just in case there were any witnesses to the incident last night. He couldn't help the fact that one of the passerby on the street has been boisterously bragging about the rare jewelry he had won in a game of cards that night. The moron even mentioned that he had them in display in a room with balcony. It was far too tempting for him to pass up. Xadel was a man of vision, much more than could be said for a lot of people he met in Sunberth. He didn't want to spend his entire life stuck pandering for some measly Mizas jut so he could have enough to eat and maintain a roof over his head. No, he was destined for greater things. He would make it big, big enough to travel the world and finally have the luxury of relaxing. A giant villa with some land, enough that he could be left alone and fend for himself. He wasn't meant to be cooped up in some overrun cess pool. He was not without honor though. He wouldn't take from anyone that had deserved what they had. He only took from those that wouldn't miss the trinket or gold or what have you. Tokala followed the man to his place so she could show Xadel later. When he saw he could tell this one was obviously not the type used to hard labor. It was a rather large complex with a high fence and lavish exterior. It was only a matter of returning in the night and jumping the wall before climbing atop the balcony and retrieving the jewels. He knew Gia would disapprove, maybe he would get her something nice with the money he gained from fencing the product. No way she could be mad at him long then. Everything wa going smoothly until he heard the growl of a guard dog. He was forced to run and misjudged the edge of the balcony. He jumped short an caught the wall when he was coming down. He managed to roll I save his head and instead sprained his arm rather badly. He had returned empty handed and had to explain his injury to Gia. The same reason she was teasing him now after rousing him from his thoughts. He made his way to the dance floor with her and couldn't help but smile when his eyes met her. He hot back a look that said "Yeah, I know." The fact was that he truly was rather graceful, it was his specialty. He opened his mouth to retort but then the music started. He was the lead and as such he immediately pulled his partner in close, feeling her body against his and wiping away any slight annoyance or negative thoughts. Something about her clicked with him. It had immediately when the first met some years ago and still did now. She was the one that knew him beat ad he couldn't deny her the right to be mad at him. His hand went around her waist and he leaned her back as they spun. He pushed her away with a flourish and spun on his own in a few acrobatic flips and spin that got a rise from the crowd. He moved back toward the beauty that was Gia. This was their big move, she would do an acrobatic leap and he would catch her. What actually happened was that his arm gave out and suddenly the catch was not so great.

[Gia]

Mhm, her look seemed to say right back to him, her slight skepticism quite obvious in her eyes. She had already chastised him – albeit lightly – when he had returned in the middle of the night, with nothing more to show for his illicit activities than an injured arm. Of course, the injury took precedence over her continual unhappiness over his ongoing thievery, and she had quickly left off with the “I told you one day …” speech to fuss over him and do what little she could to ease his pain. That had amounted to little more than distracting his mind, and body, away from the pain, and when that…activity… was concluded, she had snuggled against him and in quiet tones asked what had happened. He had told her – Xadel was always honest with her. Why should he not be? There’d be no point to keeping secrets from one another. She knew what he got up to, and he knew she didn’t approve, and there it remained. A stalemate – and possibly the only real point of divisiveness in their friendship. It wasn’t that Gia gave two hoots about the morality of his thefts. She knew he would only target those who could afford the loss of, what was to them, a trinket or bauble. She didn’t even care about the legality of it – how could she be concerned for either ideal when she had been born and reared in Sunberth – the most lawless town in the known world? No, her concern lay in the possibility that one day, Xadel would get caught. Gia just knew it! And it scared her terribly. In a town that recognized no authority, the inhabitants definitely subscribed to the ‘might makes right’ theory of justice. If even once Xadel was caught with his pilfering, he’d be dead – and no-one would think twice about it. Those who had power, and money, and resources, never took kindly to those who tried to divest them of their possessions, did they? So, how many times over the past, oh, seven or eight years had she tried to talk, cajole, brow beat, shame, guilt, plead and bully Xadel into ceasing with these night time tricks that could carry such a high price, compared to the profits gained? Gia knew of his big dreams – she knew of his desire to have a better life, and she understood it. Of course she did – for she had lived a life of poverty and squalor herself and could wish for the same things. But still, to risk death, for some coins – oh how she wished he would not be so reckless – despite all his assurances that he knew what he was doing. In the end, Gia had bitten back her oft repeated words of concern and just let Xadel be. That morning, she had looked at his arm and opined that maybe he should see a healer. But that was risky too, and costly. So, here they were, ready to dance and not knowing how it would go. Gia had suggested they not do this particular dance as it required him to catch her and she just wasn’t sure. Xadel had been optimistic, though – when was he ever not? And with some misgivings, Gia had agreed to go ahead with it – for it was a crowd pleaser. The music began and they came together and she breathed in the clean scent of his skin and hair – perhaps an anomaly for Sunberth. She could not help but flash a smile at him – he was so lovely and always he was her truest friend and companion. Gracefully she arched backwards and he held her – with his good arm, her fingertips literally brushing the floor. Then it was a smooth and fluid pull upright again and a spin and they separated. With her arms above her head in a delicate oval, Gia pirouetted several times, then executed a lovely and precise forwards flip. Coming to her feet, she faced where she knew Xadel would be and skipped forward, then launched herself at him, offering one silent prayer that his arm would hold. Ah, but it was not to be! He was supposed to catch her in both arms and lift her to his shoulder, but his near arm was the injured one and she slipped from his grasp. For a moment, she was airborn in a way that she was not supposed to be, and then – Crash! Her side slammed into a stool, which toppled into another, upon which sat – her lute! Oh she should not have left it there! But she had thought it would be safe. Onto the floor it fell and the stool it had sat upon toppled too. The stool, however, fell over against one of the tavern patrons, who happened to be well into his cups. With a jerk, he lurched sideways in surprise, and down his big, clumsy, booted foot came – onto her lute! The boot went right into the hole over which the strings ran, splintering the wood as he stomped to get it off. His boot was stuck though, and like some farce, he twirled about with the lute firmly attached to his foot. With each step, the poor instrument cracked and splintered that much more. From where she was half sitting, half laying on the floor, Gia could only look on in horror, as her once precious instrument became matchwood.

[Xadel]

After he finished his move he took a moment to watch Gia as she performed her own geaceful move. She truly was a thing of beauty and even her worst of dances were enough to make any man drool. A sly grin crawled across his face as she looked in his direction. He gave her a slight wink and then she was coming toward him quickly. He prepared himself as always ad he was certain it would go as planned but at the last moment he felt his arm twinge. His first thought was that she had recommended they forgo the dance. His own over confidence had caused the one he cared most for in the world to go flying off into the sea of people. He cursed himself and cradled his arm. He should have listened to her, she knew his body far better than anyone else, as she should have with the amount of time she had spent intently studying it. She was the one that was always there to offer her, ministrations, when it came to injury and 'other' things. There was nothing he would do to prevent her from suffering for a single instant and now he was the cause of it. Luckily she wa able to catch herself enough that she didn't suffer any serious harm. The rest of the tavern was a different story. He watched in seemingly slow motion as she toppled a stool an then another and vertically into a rather tipsy patron. He saw and could almost feel her sorrow as her lute was stepped upon and repeatedly smashes against the ground as he attempted to extricate his foot. In his attempt he managed to fall back into another rather angry looking man and because of that received a fist to the back of his head. The drunken lute foot fell forward an flipped another table, interrupting a card game and revealing the cheat amongst them with another group of aces up his sleeve. The initial fall was merely a trigger for an explosion on a grander scale. Amongst all of this Xadel saw the form of Gia still on the ground staring the spot on the ground where her prized possession had even shattered and destroyed and he was certain her spirit had done the same. Even now he had to admire her beauty. It was alway such a shock to him that someone so sweet and innocent could have come from such a place as this, like an orchid amongst the brambles. She was in sch shock that she just remained there even though the brawl threatened to come down on her. He rushed forward, all pain in his arm forgotten in the moment. He needed to protect her from the mob. As soon as a body was about to come down on her he scooped her up in his strong arms and whirled her around out of harms way. Another patron had spotted him as another target and he was forced to deliver a strog kick to his trachea to convince him otherwise. He set her down on her feet and made sure she was okay before he was grabbed by the collar and turned toward another brute. As he stumbled forward into him his hand quickly reached forward and retrieved the sack of Miza's from his waist. All in the same motion he smiled up at the pudgy mustached face before ducking under a meaty fist and sweeping his opponent leg. He didn't waste time before running toward the door, grabbing Gia's hand just in case she didn't get the hint. He didn't stop until they were outside and a few blocks away. Finally stopping in a back alley way after checking to make sure they were clear. Only then would he return to Gia and attend to her. He looked her up and down before speaking up. "Yup! Still fine!" He announced with a smile and winking at her.

[Gia]

And things only got worse… Gia was slumped on the floor, with her eyes glued to her lute – now demolished – and the slight pain in her hip and shoulder was barely registering. She was quite used to minor tumbles such as this, and had learned long ago to roll into a fall so as to minimize injuries, if possible. This tumble would result in nothing more than a few bruises in the morning. The loss of her lute was far more traumatic – painful even – for she knew she’d be hard put to replace it. They were expensive! So perhaps that is why she sat dumbstruck, and failed to really note what was going on around her. But like a row of dominos, the falling stool and lute had set off a chain reaction of upset and combativeness amongst the tavern patrons. The drunk with her lute stuck on his foot lurched into someone who then smacked him in the back of the head, sending him sprawling forward into a table. That in turn seemed to catalyze flying fists and feet, with patrons beginning to shove and punch and kick one another. Gia sat, still a bit dazed by her loss, and then Xadel was there, grabbing her and pulling her to her feet and into his arms, just as a sweaty, smelly oaf came crashing down right where she had been a moment before. Gia’s eyes flew wide in surprise, and her mouth formed an “O” of alarm, as she finally took in what was going on. But by that time, she was safely cradled in Xadel’s arms and he was already turning for the door. Unfortunately, some of the brawlers about them had other ideas. Xadel had first to kick one blackguard in the throat and Gia marveled that he could keep his balance, though she knew that all the performing he did, and training, had given him an amazing amount of strength and agility. Letting Gia then slide down and get her feet under her, he was yanked back into the fray by yet another pugilist, but again, the Vantha was able to rather easily avoid injury and inflict a little himself at the same time. He turned back to Gia, and grabbing and keeping hold of her hand, he began to lead her to safety. With bottles and chairs – and people – flying about the room behind them, Xadel hustled out into the filthy street, the cold air hitting them like an unwelcome visitor. He ran and Gia had no problem keeping up with him. They were both very fit – and both used to having to run from time to time to avoid trouble of one sort or another. This was Sunberth after all. After going a few blocks, they slowed and Xaled pulled her into a narrow, dark alley. Panting a bit, Gia put her hand to her chest, and shot Xaled quite the look – though he might have missed it in the dark. Xaled, of course, had a cheeky look on his handsome face and gave her a wink, and a grin, and apparently found her to be in suitable condition, given the ruckus they had inadvertently started back there. Gia put her hand on her hips and gave him an exasperated look – for all of about two seconds. She shook her head and said, “You dropped me!” But her face then quickly fell and she cried, “And my poor lute!” and her hands went to cover her lower face and mouth in dismay. Then she threw her arms about Xaled’s neck and hugged him fiercely. “Are you alright?” she asked, her voice spilling over with genuine concern. She kissed his cheek passionately and pulled back to give him the once over, just as he did her. Satisfied that he didn’t seem to be sporting any black eyes or bloody noses or missing teeth, she put her hand over her mouth again as she giggled. “Did you see? she asked, rhetorically. “Did we really cause…all that?”

[Xadel]

He maintained the smile as he looked her over a little more. Her dancers garb was quite flattering and only added to her attractiveness. He knew that she would most likely see through his line and chance were he would get another scolding. He met her eyes and he could see a myriad of moods play across them. "You dropped me!" Was her first statement. He looked down a little in shame, "Yeah, I'm really sorry about that. Are you okay? I don't mean to, my arm gave out." He knew it was no excuse and would possibly only add to her anger with him for his botched mission the night prior. But that was not to be since she was reminded of the damage that had been done. "My poor lute!" "I know. I'll get you a new one! I promise! I'll make it up to you somehow." She covered her face in despair before throwing her arms around him and questioning if he was ok. The truth was that he had seen much worse before. He merely nodded an accepted the kiss on his check, feeling her soft lips against his skin. It was amazing that she was able to remain so perfect considering the way that they had to live. He hugged her tight, pulling her into him and lifting her slightly off the ground. The scent of her hair was intoxicating to him. He took a deep breath and allowed her pheromones to put him in a temporary trance. He giggled then and mentioned the havoc they had caused. He merely smiled and shook his head a little. "Nah, you know that those taverna are just waiting for an excuse to tear each other apart. We just...aided in the kindling." He said with a smile. He took her chin in his hand and locked eyes with her. "But I think that we certainly add a little...spice...to things. Just imagine the ruckus we could cause if we actually tried." He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, lingering for a moment and parting them. He wrapped his good arm down and around to the small of her back, pulling her in once more and causing their contact to last longer. He would hold her only tight enough to let her know the choice was hers if he wanted to break it. He would offer a small flick of his tongue in an attempt to entice her though and let her know his choice.

[Gia]

Xadel’s smile was infectious, and Gia gave him a conspiratorial grin back, her fingers weaving into his shaggy, dark, iridescent hair. When he gazed into her eyes, she – for the thousandth time, maybe more – was captivated by those swirling depths. Truthfully, Xadel could not hide his mood from her, for it was written clearly there for her to see – each color reflective of a high or low or neutral state. At this moment, his Vantha eyes were sparkling with the excitement and adrenalin rush of the brawl, though she saw too more than a bit of passion in the bright irises. She laughed lightly in response to his comment about how they could spice things up, and she knew already the multiple meanings it carried. So his kiss came as no surprise and eagerly she felt his lips against hers and she kissed him back but already he had pulled back. Such a tease! But he then wrapped her more firmly in his grasp and she felt his pull – both the physical one and the emotional tug he had on her heart, and quite easily she pressed herself to him, conforming her curves to his well defined muscles of chest, arms, and abdomen. This next kiss was longer and her lips parted to allow him entry – Xadel was a total flirt and loved to chase the ladies, but she had to admit, he could certainly deliver the goods when push came to shove came to falling into whatever bed or blankets might be handy. Gia returned his kiss enthusiastically and her fingers twined deeper into his hair, but then she yanked that hair a bit and pulled his head back, breaking off that delightful distraction that his tongue was creating. She looked at him with a frown, that was almost a pout. “My lute!” Her sad gaze went in the direction from which they had run from the tavern, then returned to him. “Xadel – what will I do? I don’t have the money to replace it!” Her look got a little fierce as she added, “And don’t even think about stealing me one!”

[Xadel]

Xadel was pleased to feel as Gia responded well to his advances. The times when she would completely reject him were few and far between, so if it were to happen he would know that she wa truly upset with him and that never boded well. He felt her soft lips entwine with his and smelled the intoxicating scent that was her. He closed his eyes and have himself completely to the moment. It wouldn't be completely out of line to call him a lady chaser. He likedto have fun ad he was a notorious flirt. Sometimes it led places other ones it didn't. Whatever the case was Gia was the one he would always return to and remain at her side. She knew his activities and still she accepte him, it was only a part of what made them such good friends. They didn't define what it was they had and they're never held the other back. They looke out for each other and honesty was their policy. Thats why he was not entirely surprised when she tugged on his hair and separated their play time. It was a reminder that she had not forgotten everything that happened and no matter how hard he tried to distract her the problem still existed. She chided him about the lute again and when she said not to think about it he grew a large grin and cut her off. He would use her wording to his advantage. "Fine then, I won't think about it!" He said with a giggle. He quickly put distance between them, doing a set of acrobatic backflips and ending in a handstand on a nearby awning. He needed to disappear before she could correct herself or try and stop him from leaving. "Get home! It's getting late and I don't want you to get into any trouble!" He winked at her again before taking to the rooftops and disappearing from sight, although he would remain close enough to make sure she got home safely.

[Gia]

For a split second, Gia was satisified with his response and thought he actually meant what he said – or to be accurate – that he meant what she had said. She should have known better! Of course, Xadel would turn her words around and she knew – as soon as he pulled out of her arms – that he was going to totally ignore the intent of her demand. Her fingers gripped at his shirt sleeves, trying to hold on to him, but to no avail. He was gone and up on the nearest awning in a twinkling, and all she could do was put her hands on her hips again and stamp her foot in vexation. “Xadel!” she called out, her face a mask of annoyance and worry. “Come back here this instant!” He totally blew her off, telling her with a grin and a wink to go home. Gia knew it was pointless to ask him where he was going – she knew. With a huge sigh and a sinking feeling in her stomach, she called out to his already retreating back, “Xadel! Be careful! Please?” Shaking her head, she crossed her arms over her chest. He was already lost into the dark shadows of the roofs, so there was no point in just standing here. She was finally beginning to realize that she was really getting cold out here – all she wore was her dancing costume and that was pretty minimal on top. Her cloak was back at the tavern. She had taken it off and set it carefully aside in an upstairs room when they had arrived – the owner having been generous enough to give them someplace to change into their “finery.” Their hasty departure had been such that she had completely forgotten about it. Now she would have to go back and retrieve it – unless she was fortunate enough to run into one of the other members of the troupe first, and they happened to have thought to collect it and bring it along. Well, she supposed she should check on them anyway – to see how they had fared during the impromptu free-for-all. Walking now in the direction from which they’d come, she wrapped her arms about herself and shivered. Knowing that it would be very unwise to show herself to the tavern owner or any of his staff – for fear they’d demand payment for any damages caused by the ruckus – she opted for an approach that took her by a back way to the place. Not surprisingly, then, she did not encounter any of the other players along the way. When she reached the alley onto which the back door of the tavern opened, she slowed and hid for a moment behind a pile of broken crates. Her eyes lifted to the second story and most of the grimy windows showed light – those were rooms reserved mostly for the patrons that wished to indulge in more than just a cup of ale. There were always plenty of women and girls, and a few boys as well, hanging about in the tap room to provide such entertainment. Gia bit down on her lower lip, trying to gage where the room they had occupied for such a brief time would be located, amongst the various windows. One window was dark, and she saw a drain pipe from the roof above that ran right next to it. If she could clamber up and push it open… Well, it was worth a try. In a trice, she was across the alley and nimbly climbing. She reached the open shutters and stuck a toe out and prodded experimentally. The window gave a little. She pushed harder and when it opened inward a space of a foot or so, she climbed from pipe to sill and then dropped down inside the dark room, the only sound being that of the bells on her sash tinkling faintly - though in the quiet they sounded like enormous chimes.

[Xadel]

Xadel made it to the rooftops without managing to fall and hurt himself, something he said a silent prayer of thanks for. He was well aware that he was not invincible or infallible. He could make mistakes just as easy as the next person and if he hasn't thought so before his injured arm would serve as a reminder. He still had much to learn before he could even attempt some of the crazier stunts that he had witnessed others accomplish. He imagined himself performing some great aerial feat as he vaulted over the edge of the roof. He could hear Gia calling behind him to be careful and he nodded a little to himself in response. "Oh don't worry, you know me." He said to himself with a small chuckle. "Yeah that's the problem." Was the response he filled in for her. He looked back down into the alley, not wanting to leave before he knew that she had made it home safely, the town of Sunberth was not so kind as he wished it to be. A lone girl walking at night in rather revealing garb would attract he wrong kind of attention and he wanted to make sure she was safe before he went about retrieving the replacement instrument. He would never openly admit it but there were times he would do just this sort of thing on other nights as well. She was one of the few people in his life and the only one that knew his true self. If anything were to happen to her he would never forgive himself. He was her protector and she was his. He made his way to a crease on the rooftop where he had hidden his other clothing. It was not the type that one could just leave lying around in a tavern so whenever he completed a job he usually found someplace to stash it and since last night had not gone so well he figured he would hide it near the plae thy were supposed to perform. He threw on his cloak and placed the mask he had carried with him for years now over his face again. He would need to get some oil to treat it again soon, but that was for another time. By the time he had done this and returned to the edge of the roof he noticed Gia ha moved on, but not on the direction she should have. He followed along, sticking to the shadow as much as possible. He had enough practice that moving from roof to roof was not too hard. It didn't take long for him working in his 'field' to notice that most people don't look up. "Where the hell are you going?" He asked in a hushed time as he followed her path down the back roads. As they move he soon realize that she was headed back to the tavern. He shook his head a little. It was too dangerous at this point to return already. Yet there she was clambering up an pushing through a window. He eyed up his own method if getting in behind her. He jumped down onto the crates, only stumbling a little before jumping an swinging on a sign post so he could vault through the window behind her, landing with a roll and springing back to his feet. He would stand before her, fox face and all and his eyes would meet hers. He tisked a little before speaking. "Isn't breaking and entering my thing? And the exact type of thing you advise against?" He said with a smile as he shook his head side to side.