Are You Still There? (Jokor)

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jokor's look did little to clear up Jaelyn's confusion, and it seemed she would not be able to get a different explanation from him for now. Maybe once they actually reached the bathes she could pry the truth from him.

Leading the way through Stormhold they soon arrived at the courtyard of the Soothing Waters. Jaelyn gestured at the area, and the stairs that led down to the changing rooms and the baths, "Here is the Soothing Waters, where many people come to bathe and relax. The bathes are just down those stairs," she turned and gave a faint smile to Jokor, "Are you sure you will not take a bath? I cannot bring you to dinner if you do not."

Still trying to figure out why Jokor was so adament against bathing, another idea occured to Jaelyn. It didn't make much sense from what she had seen of Jokor, but it was the only thing she could think of, "If you would like, I would even be willing to pay for a private pool so you can have some privacy."

[Jokor]

Jokor sulked a bit as he followed jaelyn towards the soothing waters. Highly doubting those waters would be soothing at all. Still he had to know where the heck he would go and get those things delivered, or where he had to get a package if that was the case. So he allowed jaelyn to drag him towards the place A few bells later they stood in the courtyard of what jokor thought was the soothing waters, mostly because jaelyn wouldn't have stopped here if it wasn't. When jaelyn once again asked him if he really wouldn't take a bath jokor was about to blow her of again until she mentioned she couldn't bring him to dinner unless he was bathed. Quickly debating if a bunch of free and good food was worth getting dunked under in a pool of icecold water. Before letting out a defeated sigh as the idea of food came out on top. "Fine lets just get it done quick alright? I don't wanna freeze my toes and some other things off while I'm in it." He trudged of towards the bathouse turning around to give her a confused look when she offered to pay for a private bath. "No that won't be needed, besides its probably more costly then its worth."

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jokor's comment about freezing bits off caused Jaelyn to blink a couple times, followed by a look of understanding as she thought she had finally figured out what caused Jokor to dislike bathing. With a faint smile she walked with him down to the reception area of the Soothing Waters, "If you think this will be cold Jokor, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised."

Once the pair of them had reached the bottom of the stairs Jaelyn paid for Jokor's cost, and after a bit of thought she paid to enter herself. She didn't like the idea of Jokor seeing her naked, but it was the best way to make sure he didn't get into any trouble.

After having the rules explained to them the two went their separate ways. Jaelyn changed out of her clothing, leaving everything in an open locker, and then proceeded out to the pool with a faint smile on her face at the thought of enjoying the heated waters.

~SOME TIME LATER~

Jaelyn stood in the reception area, watching for Jokor to come out of his dressing room. Her hair was still dripping lightly, her clothes had clearly been thrown back on in a rush, and her face burned bright red in embarrassment. When Jokor finally did emerge from his changing area she fixed him with a very pointed glare, "We will never speak of this again," her words were clipped and frosty.

Without waiting for a response from Jokor she turned and made her way up the stairs to leave the reception area.

[Jokor]

Jokor just shrugged as she promised that he would be pleasantly surprised as he followed her inside. "oh sure, that was what that other guy said before dumping me in the water." He muttered under his breath as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Waiting as she paid his costs and the attendant quickly went over the rules, stressing the fact that harassment of other people was strictly forbidden before pointing jokor towards the men's lockers. Still grumbling a bit jokor walked towards the lockers and took of his clothes putting them in one of the lockers before walking of to the bath's. Some time later Jokor walked back into the reception keeping his eyes firmlly away from jaelyn's surprisingly scary glare. Nodding when she demanded to never speak of this again. "If it makes ya less angry I won't, but even then, a lot of people saw what hapened either way. So its kinda stupid to try and keep it a secret." He hurriedly went after her, though he kept enough distance to get out of her way if she decided to lunge to him.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jaelyn kept her fast pace until they were out of the courtyard of the Soothing Waters and back into the hallways of Stormhold. After going a little further she paused, taking several slow, deep breaths to try and calm herself as she prayed to Tyveth for the strength to be honorable in this situation.

After a few moments of silences she spoke over her shoulder, not turning to face Jokor, "I would appreciate your silence Jokor. I doubt there were many there who would know me, and so I think as long as we do not talk about it people will forget about it," she cleared her throat lightly, "I have heard that such things happen sometimes in the Soothing Waters... between couples."

She was hesitant to add the last part, but it was the truth. She certainly didn't think of Jokor in that regard. He was nothing like Tolby or Kendall. Unfortunately thinking of those two brought to mind images that only served to further fluster Jaelyn.

"I... We should go," she finally said after a bit of time trying to fight her blushing down, "We don't want to be late for dinner."

With that she started walking again, this time a more normal pace, leading the way towards her parent's home in the Dyres district.

[Jokor]

Jokor easily kept up with jaelyn's pace, though he kept a safe distance from the fuming woman as he tried to figure what the heck set her of. After a few chimes of thinking about it he just chalked it up to her being female, they did stuff normal males like him would never understand as far as he knew. That or it might have something to do with those social graces she lectured him about a while ago. Either way probably not that important. When jaelyn finally began to talk to him after those few chimes of walking in silence jokor just grinned at her back. “Don't worry about it, I'll keep my trap shut about that if it keeps you at ease.” he sped up a bit till he was walking right besides her. Completely ignoring her flustered face. When she quickly offered to hurry up so that they wouldn't be to late for dinner jokor nodded in agreement and kept following her, though a bit disappointed that she slowed down. He was hungry damn it! Still he didn't want to set her of again so he kept his mouth shut for the moment.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Soon enough the pair entered Dyres District, Jaelyn nodding to the Knights they passed, and Jaelyn led Jokor up the stairs to the second tier. A few twists and turns through the hallways later at the two arrived at a door where Jaelyn stopped and turned to face Jokor, "Here we are. Now Jokor, this is my Mother you will be meeting, and probably my Father as well. My Mother is a kind and caring woman, and will probably be fine if you aren't terribly polite, but my Father has dedicated his life to serving as a Knight. It would be best if you kept your opinions on the Knights to yourself for the night."

Having given her warning Jaelyn opened the door, and the two were greeted with the smell of delicious food cooking, most strongly that of meat and seasonings. Walking through the door Jaelyn motioned for Jokor to follow as she called out, "Mother, I am here. I hope you do not mind that I brought company."

The room the two entered into was comfortable looking, but not terribly decorated. A pair of chairs sat in front of a currently empty fireplace, and there was a desk and chair set against the wall. Doorways led off to the left and right, and it was through the doorway to the left that a woman emerged with a bright smile, "Jaelyn! Happy birthday dear!"

The woman resembled Jaelyn in facial features and fair skin, and she quickly rushed forward to embrace the Squire, "Of course dear, you know you're always welcome to bring anyone you want home," she turned and gave Jokor a warm and loving smile, "Welcome to our home."

Jaelyn gave a soft smile and motioned to Jokor, "Mother, this is Jokor. Jokor, this is my Mother."

"You can call me Jenni," Jenni said with a smile, "No need to be as polite as Jaelyn is."

[Jokor]

Jokor followed Jaelyn carefully taking mental notes what way they where going hoping that he didn't stick out like a sore thumb with his ragged clothes, he really didn't like having eyes on him and those knights that jaelyn passed on the way to where she lived. When jaelyn finally stopped in front of a door, Jokor was glad about it, his stomach was almost demanding food right now. After jaelyn warned him once again about his manners, or more specificly his lack of them and told him that her father was a knight for his entire life, so he rather had to keep his opinion of the knights to himself. Jokor nodded, he really didn't want a pissed knight out for his hide. “I'll keep that in mind.” Jokor muttered under his breath as he followed Her into her home. As soon as they walked inside the house the smell of cooking meat and spices assaulted his nostrils, Jokor almost began drooling at the delicious smell. Quickly snapping out of it as somebody else walked into the room and hugged jaelyn. After they both shared some pleasantries jaelyn introduced the woman to him as her mother. Giving her a rather nervous smile. “Eh.. nice to meet you to?” When jaelyn's mother just said he could call her jenni and that he didn't have to be as polite as her daughter he couldn't help to let out a laugh before giving jaelyn a grin. “See even your mom say's your to polite, so I don't suppose you can lay off about my manners don't I?”

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jaelyn turned a slight glare on Jokor at his words, but her Mother simply gave a little laugh and a shake of her head, "I didn't say she is too polite Jokor, but certainly no young man Jaelyn decides to bring home needs to call me Mother," she then turned her slightly amused smile to Jaelyn, "At least, not yet."

"Mother, what do..." Jaelyn started to question, but as her Mother gave her a wink Jaelyn's eyes widened and she blushed brightly, "No! I do NOT feel that way about Jokor!"

Jaelyn's Mother seemed genuinely surprised, and a little sad, at this denial, "Well, all the more reason for you to call me Jenni then Jokor," she said with another smile for the boy, "Come along you two," she motioned towards the doorway she had come through, "Dinner will be done soon."

"Is Father home?" Jaelyn asked as she made for the doorway, making a very concentrated effort to not look in Jokor's direction, two embarrassing situations regarding him was more than enough for her.

"No, but he should be soon," Jenni gave a smile to her daughter, "You know he wouldn't miss your birthday dear."

[Jokor]

Jokor matched Jaelyn's glare with a grin of his own, a mischievous twinkle present in his eye. That expression changed in confusion at what Jenni said and the way Jaelyn reacted towards it. Just vissibly shrugging and filing that away in the part of his mind for things that women and that he probably would never understand even if they took the time to explain it and just nodded at jenni's words to him, his stomach letting out a rather loud growl when dinner was mentioned. “Yeah dinner sounds good right now.” He said a small smile on his face as the food was mentioned, It smelled quite a bit better then the crap he usually ate. He followed, half listening to the conversation of jaelyn and her mother and completely overlooking the fact that jaelyn was doing her best not to look into his direction.