Closed [Stone Gardens] Out of her Element

[Matthew]

25th of Summer, 513AV.
A small posting on a nearby stone wall has drawn the interest of several visitors. The posting advertises a very specific service, and also includes directions to the house of said service.

Matthew Wayne

Human | 25 | Male

______________________________________________________________________

A professional Escort seeks to provide his talents to any that may require it. While the Herald's Arms are wide open for those who seek the physical comforts, there is also a service to be provided for those who want something a little deeper than that. While a bed is certainly something that can be shared, one can also request a simple date. They can request a body to sit beside them as they fall asleep. They can request a love letter be written, to remind them of better days. There are many broken hearts and lonely widows in Syliras, and I only wish to help. A small fee is asked, and nothing more.

Any other requests shall be entertained on a case-by-case basis. A quick summary of skills are shown below.

Skill set:
-Intimacy
-Seduction
-Cuddling
-Romance
-Teasing
-Playfulness
-Dates
-Companionship
-Lovemaking
-Questionable Things

One of the Squires laughed, motioning to his friends, a few additional Squires and Unranked Knights. A few of them crowded around him, looking at the neatly-written posting on the stone wall. Some chuckled, and some scowled, a few different opinions raising up. "How dreadful. A male street whore? I didn't think real men even did that." "He isn't a whore, he is an escort, didn't you see? He's a fancy whore." "Isn't a prostitute a better term?" "Once again, do they even have male prostitutes?" The plethora of questions and comments were quickly spit out, breaking the beautiful and tranquil silence of the Stone Gardens, and drawing the attention of their nearby escorting Ranked Knight. The woman, clad in armor (unlike the rest, who had been asked to wear casual-formal clothing), stepped towards them to see what the fuss was about. They instantly hushed, knowing their place, bowing their heads to allow their superior her moment. She stepped through them, moving up to the small poster and examining it closely.

Most of the group was quiet, glancing around. Matthew watched from afar, quietly sitting on the ground in front of a row of stones, blue eyes shaded by a nearby tree. He could hear the comments on his posting, and it made his head tilt a bit. A fancy whore, was he? He couldn't help but grunt, though he covered it with a well-placed hand. No one noticed him, though if they did, he would probably pull a few stares. He was oddly well-dressed, with a button-up light blue shirt hugging his fit figure nicely, and a black tie neatly tucked in. His blue eyes were intense and bright, with his thick hair swaying gently in the wind. A pair of black dress pants hugged his hips, completing the professional and sharp look.

They did not pay him any mind though, their attentions mostly focused on their superior. There was an event coming up, with dinner and dancing, specifically designed to test skills of grace and poise. A Knight would need to know many a skill, and the most commonly forgotten skills were one of spiritual and social importance. They had been making daily trips to the Stone Gardens, to remember their lost ones.

Both their performance here and at the actual Event would weigh heavily on their progress in the next few months, no doubt. It wasn't official, but it would form an opinion about them. The opinions of superiors mattered.

"A bit disrespectful, isn't it miss? To advertise such a perverse thing in the presence of our lost ones." A brave squire broke the silence, and his superior automatically spun, her eyes filled with quiet fire. He had spoken, and he had spoken a mistake. "A perverse thing? Have you not attempted to slip your way into a woman's bed? I heard your ever-so-humble comments to your friends about how Ehati would love what a 'Weaponsmaster' you were in bed whenever you managed to sneak a peek of her with her hair down." The squire turned red, his peers struggling to hide their amusement. The superior kept right on, her eyes staring into his. "Stop for a moment and consider how many of these stones have left lonely widows and widowers. How many people there are in Syliras who have given loves away to our cause. How they must miss the simple warmth of a body beside them in bed, one that they had for so many years." The squire was now completely silent, his gaze cast downwards. All of the ones who had mocked before had now found a sudden interest in the ground.

Matthew stared, slightly surprised. It was odd to hear that some held his profession in a totally different light. How interesting.

[Ehati]

Their questions were barbed spears covered in the silk of etiquette and polite curiosity. They pried at her walls and tried to dig beneath her skin to find what made her tick. Or perhaps it was just that they didn't understand her.

"Who do you know that's died?" A favourite question, she had not responded to it immediately so as to let it sink into her skin as they wanted it to. They wondered why she didn't have friends, sometimes. "Do you even know anyone who is laying here now?"

"I don't have to know them to want to come and visit with them," she said eventually so they would stop asking. Her voice was sharper than she intended. She could see the Warden Knight glance at her with a warning in her eyes. Softening her words so as to not further irk her superior, she made up for it with her glare. Green slivered with gold, sharp, and unfriendly. "I've known many people who have died, between this city and my home city. More than you would likely ever believe."

How many had she even lost? To the passing of time and the fiery tempers of her volcanic people and between the dangers of Sylira and her wilderness, there were many names that no weren't spoken.

She glared at them for one last moment before moving on, brushing aside the long strands of red that had fallen into her face. Against the woodland of her eyes and the olive of her shirt, her hair was as vivid as blood in snow. She sought to avoid the lingering crowds of knights around a nondescript stone wall, but she heard as she passed them a comment that included her name.

She stopped and looked.

She had heard these comments more often than she appreciated and while not averse to spending time with other people in a sort of noncommital way, she disliked arrogance and ignorance.

"A weaponsmaster indeed," she said. She was not in a good mood as it was, having heard she was wordlessly expected to attend some fancy little get together to become better acquainted with her superiors, and the comment muttered, even as a reprimand, irked her anger even further. "I bet you don't even know how to handle your own sword." She let the disparaging remark settle there, before she pushed too hard and was again reprimanded herself.

She was curious, though, to see what had drawn such a crowd and such remarks. They parted to allow her through, knowing she would be just as likely to shove them aside as she would be to politely ask their pardon. She was an Inarta, not an Eypharian, and the difference in etiquette was sometimes glaringly harsh when both she and an Eypharian stood side by side.

She read the notice, as quickly as she could, and felt the snickering at her back for the interest she must have displayed.

"Afraid you might need a whore to keep you company, Ehati?" One of the women whispered. Ehati sighed, wishing she had not made it painfully clear that she did not keep permanent partners in her life. Irritatingly, her peers in the same Wing as she had latched onto her apparent disinterest in romance as though it were the most interesting thing around.

She didn't even bother to reply, just stepped aside and allowed them to crowd around the notice again. Her irritation was evident even to the Warden as she passed and found herself another stone to meditate beside that would, hopefully, keep her away from her fellow knights. She did not anticipate the upcoming party would be interesting or even good for her. She'd outgrown her desire to party like the best of the Inarta and settled for the seriousness of Syliras.

That notice had only reminded her that she was expected to bring somebody along as a consort to demonstrate that she could be like her superiors as well. She had nobody, though, and didn't like the thought of asking any of them for their accompaniment.

She'd just go alone.

[Matthew]

Matthew couldn't help but wander closer, hands slipped into the pockets of his trousers. The company of Knights had interested him now, with their varied opinions and colorful talk. He had never actually heard the Knights up close before, only having seen them on patrols. He was pretty sure he had seen one or two of them at the Herald, but he hadn't thought about it too much. It didn't matter to him who his customers were, nor did it manner to anyone else in his line of work. They either paid or they didn't pay, and that was all he needed to know. As he moved closer, a few eyes slipped to him, finally noticing the slowly-moving man. He was calm in his approach; almost graceful, like a cat. He brushed by Ehati right as the other women whispered to her, a perked eyebrow lifting a bit at the rather mean comment. He turned his head slightly, blue eyes glittering as he examined the Unranked Knight. The first thing that caught his eyes was her hair. Even up, it was a strikingly pretty color. He narrowed his eyes a bit, checking out the one who had insulted her. The woman automatically blushed, having turned to stare at Matthew herself, noticing the beautiful man nearby. Matthew was a different sort of beautiful. While he certainly wasn't attractive to all, those who did find him attractive would note that it was different. His soft and intelligent features were almost feminine.

"You think she needs a whore to keep her company?" He spoke loudly and firmly, blue eyes never leaving the offensive woman. Her eyes widened, the group of Squires and Knights turned, and Matthew suddenly became the very center of attention. "Forgive me, for I doubt a Knight needs my defense..." He addressed Ehati first, tilting his head in her direction, his sharp blue eyes still focused on the offensive one. "...and forgive me Miss, for I understand I am interrupting." His head tilted to their superior, a short bow paying her respects. She regarded him cautiously, then slowly stepped back, a small smile twitching on her face. She had heard the comment too, but always let the Knights fight their own battles. It was nice to see someone to step up every now and then. Especially someone handsome. Shallow or not, that added to the validity of what he was about to say. "But still. My business or not, I can't pretend I didn't hear it. So."

"Apparently, she could get a few of these young men if she wanted to. It says a lot about the desirability of those particular young men if she would rather spar alone, then take up their sword. And you." He growled the word at the offensive woman, eyes burning. He had stepped to Ehati's defense because he was slightly offended himself, as if the woman had insulted him directly. The more and more he said though, the more and more he felt a small bit of anger burn up inside of him. He stared at the offensive woman evenly for a moment, the Unranked Knight bright red, eyes wide, still taken completely off-guard by the random good-looking stranger who had hopped to Ehati's defense. Ehati's defense. He had no idea what he was doing. Breathing, Matthew sucked in air, realizing he had been impulsive. It didn't matter though. As long as he controlled himself, then this would benefit him. His face needed to be known.

Matthew spun, slim body graceful, intense eyes finding Ehati's and locking on. He examined them for a second, noting the colorful specks trapped inside. He bit his lower lip in thought, then spoke, boldly so.

"If you have any other occasions such as this, where you aren't held by your Knightly duties, I would like to take you out somewhere. Anywhere, really." His eyes were burning. He seemed to speak through his eyes, with the rest of his body and posture professionally and sharply held.

[Ehati]

Ehati stiffened at the voice that rang out, her green eyes narrowing as she straightened. She didn't appreciate the help. She didn't even need it. How was she going to get anywhere if men like him who were just passing by would pick up her cause like she were some sort of damsel?

She wanted to turn and give him her coldest glare, to turn her hawkish intensity on him and wither him like a fieldmouse being hunted, but she didn't. She reigned in her temper and tilted her head, her bearing turning prideful, before she inclined her head to him. Oh, how her eyes blazed, though.

Their eyes met and her seething ire dimmed - slightly. She was still Inarta, she still burned with the fire of a wrathful volcano. "How about away from here?" Her response was as sharp and direct as his question, as though despite the exchange they were agreeing to some sort of business deal between the two of them. Her eyes blazed ever brighter, the sharp intensity radiating towards him. She held out her hand to take his arm, knowing at least that bit of etiquette.

[Matthew]

"Yes, away from here would be quite nice." He held out his arm, giving the defined limb to her outstretched fingers, familiar with the simple concept. His tone was like hers, all clipped and business-like, though soft to the tone. It would be almost amusing to any onlookers how formal the two of them had just acted towards each other, if either of them looked as if they were joking. One was a silent blaze, the other a silent glacier. They didn't exactly compliment each other, but oh well. His main purpose seemed to have been accomplished, as he could feel multiple eyes upon him. He was engraved in their memory now. His steps led them away as promised, slow and graceful, now ignoring Ehati's fellow squires. His calm walk was almost mocking, designed to show them that they weren't at all in a rush to go anywhere. They weren't retreating, they weren't uncomfortable, they just wanted to be somewhere different. Appearances meant a lot, and even if Ehati didn't care about them, Matthew made sure to cover her end. All she had to do was keep that defiant fire blazing in her eyes, and they would likely feel as if they had escaped quite the dangerous show of wrath. There was an intensity radiating from her, and for the first time he noticed that some of that fire was directed at him. He met her stare, blue eyes curious, slowly examining the green pair staring back at him. Chewing his lower lip, he waited until they were out of sight before softly speaking. "Apologies for jumping in. I took slight offense to their words and acted impulsively." Sloppy. He blinked a few times at her, going back over the interaction they had just been a part of, his stare oddly focused and intense. Distantly, he felt like he was in danger. Her eyes were flickering between fire and ice. He simply waited, quiet and expressionless, walking her through a random path in the Stone Gardens.

[Ehati]

She allowed him to lead her, settling her fingers along his forearm like the uncurled talons of a bird, perhaps even like a gentle threat to not ruin her reputation, wordlessly conveyed. She didn't look back, not to them, and her eyes did continue to hold that defiant blaze, a tempest waiting to rampage.

"Your assistance is appreciated," Ehati began in a clipped tone, sharp and to the point. Her back straightened, drawing her up to her full, if not considerable, height. The smallest of smiles, a wry and twisted thing, curled her upper lip. A Knight being rescued. That was certainly something uncommon, and she was loathe to consider herself needing a rescuer. Pride and arrogance were traits dominant in her personality that could not be squashed down by the traits knights should have instead. "I could have handled it." How quick she was to make herself out as stronger than she was, even if it was blatantly apparent that she did not easily conform to the social expectations placed upon her. Syliras and Skyinarta were vastly different places, after all, and their social customs weren't similar.

"Are you the one who placed that notice?" A direct question, based from an assumption as he had apparently been hanging around the area. She spoke as they walked, continuing to follow his lead and inwardly rage at the unfair and unkind world that justified this meeting as being necessary. "Are you the consort?" That slight smirk that had faded returned, complimented by the quietly wrathful, mischevious twinkle in the gold tinted irises of her eyes. Still indignant, but curious enough to reign in her dismay.

[Matthew]

A slight wince was given at the tightness of her nails, the harlot dropping his eyes to where her fingers were digging in. He stared at the hand for a moment, trying to read between the lines, and settled for the obvious conclusion. The tension in the air wasn't just his imagination. He still had no idea what he had done though. He certainly had an idea that the others had miffed her, just as they had momentarily miffed him. He had no doubt she would eventually make him aware of the issue, though. Then, as if to shatter every assumption he had come to so far, she stated that his assistance had been appreciated. His eyes briefly narrowed as he glanced at her, not so sure what to make of it. Was it a lie? Was she just being polite? Or had he over-estimated his own social grace and completely misread her? She straightened up a bit and continued to speak, her tone very firm. He nodded slowly, brain still churning, words soft and distant. "I have no doubt you could have. You had managed to hold your temper and dis-engage from the situation, while I was the one who spoke up. I apologize." His tone was neutral, though laced with just a bit of curiosity. Her question was a bit more expected, and he confirmed her suspicions with a firm nod and a polite smile. "I am. My name is Matthew, it is a pleasure to meet you." He wasn't so sure if he should disengage from their current embrace (her fingers were very tight on his arm now) and offer a handshake, or keep walking. In the interest of his good health, he vouched to keep walking, though she would notice he had grown slightly stiff. "Can I be of service?" The offer was polite and quiet, his eyes meeting her own and holding them. The gold-tint stood out to him again, and he focused on it, tilting his head slightly. It was a very pretty color, and it was on fire with something he wasn't quite sure of yet. With a small breath he summon some of his Djed, a trickle of it buzzing through his veins like fire and burning in his eyes. Her aura sprung to life in the air around her, and he took a moment to study it. It was a swirl of colors and sharp angles, all very solid and strong, tasting almost defiant to the tongue. He let the Djed in his eyes sizzle out, not supplying it with any extra. The aura faded, and Matthew awaited her response. He hadn't understood her aura a single bit.

[Ehati]

"I am Ehati," it felt right to introduce herself properly, although she would have expected him to have caught her name from the other Knights that had been inspecting his notice. She was intrigued by him, and his apparent ease of directing himself into situations she would normally find daunting, but a tight clench of her lips kept her from chirping off every question that appealed to her to ask... and there were certainly many.

"I have no requests to make of you, Matthew," the Inarta almost scoffed out the response, mildly offended that he would ask her such a thing. It was undoubtedly an innocent question, borne from habit, but she was on edge already, and so certain there were ears lurking nearby. No, she had nothing to ask of him, but it began to occur to her that she could be exactly what she needed. However, it was a given that he would be recognised, and she was ever prideful. She did not want to be harassed further, if she wouldn't be allowed to peck at those waggling tongues that tormented her. "Do you often lurk around your own advertisements, waiting for customers to stumble upon you? And, is jumping in on behalf of a Knight something you like to do in your free time? Because, you certainly do it well." Apparently, her many tones included teasing, for that was how she spoke now, subtle as it was.

What she tried to keep masked, under the pretense of gratitude marked by wounded pride, was that she may not have actually appreciated his assistance. She felt like it would lead to more altercations such as this in the future, but that may well have just been her being suspicious. Knights were not supposed to be so petty, although she certainly could be. That was when it occurred to her to not grasp him so fiercely, and she softened her fingers' clutch at his forearm so as to not leave a mark. What sort of gratitude would that be?

[Matthew]

Ehati. Something buzzed and flickered in his mind, and the name inscribed itself into his memories. A new book placed upon the shelf, but quite a blank book. What sort of words would she fill her manuscript with, he wondered? He tilted his head at her question, sensing the tone behind the tone, but unable to fully read what it was. His blue stare flickered with confusion, perhaps hinting to the Inarta that her jest had gone way over this harlot's head. "Not usually, no. I thought it might be useful to see reactions though, so I could tailor the advertisement to cater to the people who read it." He had thought it was a good idea. He still thought it was a good idea, even if he hadn't been able to collect that much data. He had certainly noticed how horribly sloppy his handwriting was, though. He noticed it often, but it was glaringly obvious when it was proudly displayed for the world to see. He would really have to take some time and work on that. Still lightly tugging at his lush lower lip with the edges of his teeth, he quickly moved on to her next question. The sarcasm was still not at all obvious to him. "As for jumping in on your behalf, no, not usually. I usually don't get irritated very easily." An understatement. "That one girl apparently knew how to get under my skin though." His face flickered to an irritated look just briefly, and then went back to polite and composed. Thank the gods that she loosened her grip. The muscle flexed beneath her fingertips in sweet relief, Matthew's eyes briefly reflecting a moment of pleasure. Then they turned, taking yet another path in the Stone Gardens, his eyes roaming back and forth over the multitude of stones as the Inarta and Harlot strolled. "Why do they think you need a whore to keep you company? You look like you would have plenty of company." The logic behind this statement was left unspoken. Matthew took a moment to glance her over, his blue stare flickering quickly all over her form. It wasn't a horribly rude stare, though it could be perhaps taken that way. It was purely like she was just something being studied intelligently, if only for a moment. The woman had broader shoulders than most. Just barely. Her right hand had scars. He had no idea where from.

[Katelyn Marks]

Due Rewards

“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”

― Philip Pullman

 

Ehati

Skills

• Socialization 4
• Observation 3
• Rhetoric 1

Lores

• Matthew: Male Escort

Misc.
I wish I could award you more, but there wasn't much I saw.

 

Matthew

Matthew when you return please send me a message and I'll be happy to reward you for this thread.

If you have any concerns or questions about your rewards please feel free to send me a message. Also, please edit your original grade request and mark it as graded. Thank you and enjoy!