Closed [The Rearing Stallion] Here We Go (Hadyn)

[Orion Michaels]

"Oh? Well whad'ya know?" he replied, coolly, but through a smile. "Who says that isn't my intent? Sometimes I want to test and see just how far my connection to the law will go. How much trouble could I really get in?" The table seemed sturdy enough, though the more he drank, the more she drank, the more careful they would need to be. One of them might actually be inebriated enough to go forth with a really stupid idea. His patron would be far from pleased to hear that he'd gotten busted for having too much fun in the Stallion. "Oh, I suppose there are a multitude of ways to hear of that, but I do ask that you give my regards to them next time you play."

"That's much better, Miss Skellig. A question I can answer, though I'm tempted to take another drink just to..further things along." What a loaded question this was. She had countered nicely, and that was pleasing. When she'd initially asked, there was cause for concern. It sounded too...well...he didn't like that sort of question, to be honest. This was the sort of question made for the game they played. "My dear, why do you say those as though they are mutually exclusive? There is a time and a place for both, wouldn't you agree?" He paused for a moment to pour over the question again, deciding whether or not to dive into explanation, which was never a required part of their game. "Hmm...if, for the sake of your question, I would need to pick one, I would go with the former. I'd say it's much more fun when there is action, rather than waiting for it to happen. In some cases nothing would happen, and a power struggle is much more exciting than a struggle for there to be power."

He shifted slightly in his seat, watching her finger dance on the rim of her mug. "I hope that is a satisfactory answer. I suppose it is my turn, hmm? Maybe if I ask you a boring question, I can get you to start drinking," he pondered aloud, for her benefit of course. Of course, there were more pointed questions. "Where do you see yourself this evening?" He raised his eyebrows in challenge, anticipating she would drink. Wouldn't want to show your hand entirely, would you Hadyn?

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn smiled appreciatively in response. An expected (and pleasing) answer from Orion. Indeed, she expected nothing less. After he commented on her drinking (or lack thereof) the woman smirked and took a hearty swig from the mug. It certainly was not the strongest she'd tasted. It didn't exactly burn down her throat or seethe in her insides as she'd hoped. She had a head for strong alcohol and this simply wasn't cutting it. But she swallowed the liquid without complaint with barely enough time to hear his return question. Wiping the corner of her mouth with a finger (no need to pretend she had manners), Hadyn grinned. "Well the answer to that question depends," she replied nonchalantly. "My hovel in the wall or yours? I personally don't think you're allowed to have guests in your barracks," she spoke seriously, as though this were a pressing matter. "So with respect to your question I s'ppose I see myself returning, likely petch-drunk, to my closet sized apartment with an attractive if not intriguing knight-to-be in tow wherein we shall get to know each other far better." It was a forward answer to a forward question. She made no apologies for the manner of her answer nor its content, sitting back comfortably. She rested rested one shoulder blade against the back of the chair, the attached appendage sitting on the narrow surface of the chair's top, her fingers playing with a loose lock of hair, occasionally twining between strands close to her head. She tilted her head toward her hand, as if to rest it in her palm but smiled instead. "Now then. Before this goes any farther," she held up one hand as if to stop him from approaching before dropping it. "I must inquire, are you the type to come 'round night after night with flowers and trinkets after this sort of meeting? If you are I regret to inform you I am not that type of woman. No doubt there are swarms of them to be had in this city. But if this," she indicated to the negative space between them, "happens, I'm always good for a second go but I don't wish to be wooed or romanced. A good healthy romp in the sack keeps me happy." It wasn't much of a question, so to speak. But it was also semi-serious. She felt it fair to warn him that she didn't take to men attempting to court her. He didn't seem the type but since they were on the road to spending the night together she may as well bring it up. She didn't want him fawning after her later on only to let him down. It was always astounding, the men that were really looking for more than an occasional bed mate. Her expression, though still amiable was somewhat placid. Hadyn didn't expect it to be a problem but she'd rather take care of the awkward business now than later. Picking up her mug she offered a halfassed smile. "Just for good measure," she added, "I'll take a drink since my question wasn't exactly tantalizing."

[Orion Michaels]

She was easy enough to convince, wasn't she? Orion simply continued to smile as she took a drink in reply to his suggestion. Like a champion, it seems. He was half impressed by her ability to down straight spirits like that. He kept it simple with ale most of the time, but it seemed she was a little more wild of a drinker than he.

The bane of his squire existence, and she'd pointed it out so succinctly. No guests. No guests at all. For a man used to frequently adventuring between his sheets with a lovely lady, or even ladies, it was the harshest of lessons. The punishment for being caught sneaking someone in was bad enough for the trespasser. For the squire who facilitated it, well, it wouldn't be pretty. Other than going to the quarters of his companion, or perhaps renting out a room, his options were limited. So her answer was pleasing, that was for sure. "it doesn't sound like we're quite petch-drunk yet, so we'll have to see about fixing that, no?"

She asked a good question, and honestly, he was nervous at first. Fear washed over him that she was interested in something more than a romp. Fear washed that she'd be looking for something more than what Orion had been willing to offer in a long time. Thankfully, she wasn't. At all. In fact, they seemed to have the same look on things. "Hadyn, while I appreciate why you ask that, I assure you, it isn't unnecessary. In fact, if I may be forward, as though we aren't already being..." He let his voice drop into a whisper as he leaned fully onto the table, both elbows supporting him and allowing him to be as close to the smith without leaving his seat. "I'm interested in letting you know it's more than reputation. I'm interested in making any encounters that don't involve me seem lacking. I'm interested in the same thing as you." He leaned back up, joining her in a drink, forcing the nasty fluids down his throat again. "I'm not interested in wooing. Forgive my vulgarity, but my desire is in petching an attractive, interesting, and slightly inebriated woman who just can't seem to stop playing with her hair around me."

He was feeling the drink now. Previous drinks combined with their new ones were leaving him feeling invincible and frisky. "My question might be lacking, too." He finished off his first mug and reached into his coin purse to toss payment for the drinks into the empty container. "When are we leaving?"

[Hadyn Skellig]

Relief washed over her countenance as he responded, confirming a similar intent. She hadn't expected any different from him but it was a good thing to clarify before proceeding. Hadyn mentally kicked herself when he commented upon the hair-twining habit. Way to look like a brainless twit, she reproached herself before offering him a guilty shrug. The alcohol was clearly affecting her better judgement if she was shamelessly acting like a girl half her age. Ah well. Orion best take it as a compliment. "You have enchanting qualities over me," she conceded with a smirk. At his final question the blacksmith sat up straight, downed the rest of the foul tasting grog and procured coins to the table. It took a fair amount of restraint not to pull him toward her into lusty kiss, especially considering how close he moved to her to speak. "Soon as you finish that bit," she indicated to his second drink with a nod. "And if you finish before me I'll be sure to remember it later tonight." She winked at him before picking up her second drink. The youngest of four brothers Hadyn was no stranger to a drinking challenge. And while she might normally attempt to pace herself to win - she could care less who finished their grog first. She wanted him and if slamming the last drink meant she could have him faster then she was off like a colt at the Sylrian horse races. It was downright bile to drink with haste but she glanced challengingly at him from the rim of her mug. Yes, she looked like a fool and was displaying a clear disregard for any sort of ladylike behavior. But since he didn't seem too offended by her manner, Hadyn simply carried on. She did pause however, allowing him a lead as she took a breath, brown eyes watching him with desire and amusement. Once he was finished she was quite ready to lead him from the noisy tavern.

[Orion Michaels]

"I'm fully aware," he replied. In his slightly buzzed mind, he had her chasing after him, whether it was true or not. Leaning forward, twirling her hair, rambling on and blushing. Though he doubted she was the type who'd like to be called it, she was being cute in her state. "I have been here watching you fawn over me all evening, after all." He playfully bit the tip of his tongue, challenging the brown haired woman on her demeanor.

An appreciative smile came across his lips as she skillfully downed the rest of her first drink. Her talents were far beyond his, at least when it came to this. "I trust you're fit to carry me back to your bed? I may have overestimated myself," he admitted, grinning sheepishly. "Don't you worry, though. Miss Hadyn, I assure you I make it habit of never finishing first. It's better for return business."

Slender fingers wrapped around the handle of his mug, raising it a few ticks after she had. He held no expectations of winning this little contest, but the real victory was to be held at a later time. It was disgusting. Absolutely disgusting, certainly not worth the cost in coin. He caught a glimpse of her looking at him with those deep, dark eyes over the rim of her mug, though he couldn't manage a reply. His face flushed red from both the drink and a slight sense of embarrassment, as he lost his slight advantage as he nearly choked on a particularly large gulp. He sputtered and coughed, setting the partially empty mug back on the table, looking away, and this time, he was the one blushing. "Ah...uh..looks like you win, Miss Skellig." He took a deep breath, coughing once or twice more, before standing and walking over to the beautiful smithy. "So, what exactly is it that you win?" He offered his hand to her, a full, amused grin plastered on his face.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn simply smiled, enjoying the affects of the sub-par booze on her insides. Her vision adopted that hazy sheen she was well acquainted with, making Orion all the more handsome. It took her a moment to realize he was now standing before her, hand outstretched. She paused to piece together his last sentence before accepting his hand. It was a firm grip but her fingers slid gently against his palm as she stood. There was no need to rush standing and embarrass herself. She rose with a grin, pushing her chair in with a foot. She released his hand and bit her lower lip. "I believe we are both in the business of winning tonight," she replied, surprising herself with how restrained she sounded. Well done, Haddie. You could almost pass for sober. Hadyn took the lead, moving past the patrons with a steady pace. She didn't need to rush. They had all night. Besides, it was easier to keep her bearings when she maintained a consistent stride. Reaching for the door, the blacksmith cast a glance over her shoulder to Orion. "Hope you don't have an early morning tomorrow, as I plan to keep you up several bells."

[Accolade]

Hadyn

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Socialization	+ 5 XP
Rhetoric	+ 3 XP
Observation	+ 4 XP
Seduction	+ 3 XP

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	The Rearing Stallion - location
•	Orion Michaels -friendly
•	Offering to Buy a Round

Orion

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Rhetoric	+ 3 XP
Observation	+ 4 XP
Seduction	+ 2 XP
Intimidation	+ 1 XP

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	Hadyn Skellig - friendly
•	A Girl is Buying me a Drink?
•	Am I Dead?
•	Squire to the rescue

Notes :

Hadyn, please subtract the cost of the beverages from your ledger if you haven't already

The Sylir has spoken

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.