[The Rearing Stallion] A Pact Made {Dimitri}

[Lilith]

53rd Day of Spring 511 AV The night life of Syliras was bustling as patrons hurried through the doors of The Rearing Stallion, drank their fill, and stumbled home. Music filled the air as various entertainers attempted to seduce coin out of pockets, though many were more interested in food and drink rather than tipping a starving musician. The smell of food wafted and caused many hungry stomachs to growl and many mouths to water. Seeing as she was by the door to the tavern, Lilith fought the urge to wince at the hunger pains. She was in the midst of a dance and one grimace would sabotage the routine. A guitarist was strumming a fast rhythm as she dipped her hips and moved her upper body to the right, carefully handling her spine to give the illusion of a serpent. Her belly twisted and she used her thin arms to frame her body gracefully as she fell into a small back-bend, just enough to cause a few bystanders to gasp. The pace quickened and she rose, moving her hips, right leg and left leg, to the beat. She looked to the guitarist with intuitive eyes, understanding a cue. He plucked a series of strings and she moved her chest with the notes, popping to the front and every which way as her hips continued their own work below. Finally, the rhythm moved to such a fast pace, her hips quickened to a rapid shimmy, belly muscles working frantically. The final cue was a nod, to which she replied with a quick pivot on her right foot, causing a sudden spin. She stopped suddenly, breaking into a pose when the guitarist played his last chord violently. Their crowd cheered. Panting, Lilith waited patiently for the cling of money. She was not disappointed. Ten or twenty silver mizas flew into the hat before the dancer and her guitarist, which caused her to smile. A glint of gold caught her eye as well. Lucky day. Lilith had been fortunate to grab this spot. She was situated right outside of The Rearing Stallion, literally just to the left of the entryway. Drunken patrons gave her coin and invited her to their beds, crowds of men and women watched her dance with awed expressions, and hungry knights and squires gazed at her curiously. All in all, it was a good day. As the crowd dispersed, she knelt to split up the earnings between her musician and herself.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri was heading toward the Rearing Stallion for an actual tasty bite to eat outside of the Dormitory Kitchens. The kitchens were free but slop got old often. It more often served to provide nutrition for the growing squires. Taste was never the same and rarely could be considered good. As he neared the tavern, he could hear a guitar strumming. He saw a sight he'd never laid his eyes on before. There was a beautiful, stunning woman doing a strange form of dance to the music. He moved closer watching her body shake and slither to the music. His eyes were drawn to her flat stomach's strange motions, then to her shaking hips and chest. His youthful lust was definitely interested. As the dance ended, he stepped forward and dropped five gold mizas into the hat.

He stood there, "Would you like a bite to eat inside? My treat?" He seemed to forget that he still looked like a dreg, having come straight from the training yard. His white shirt was opened at the chest, showing his muscles still covered in a light layer of sweat, his shirt and arms were covered in sweat and dust. His blond hair was disheveled, his breeches and boots layered in dirt. The shield on his arm glinted in the dimming light, his sword hanging lightly from his right hip. He revealed a brilliantly white smile at the beautiful woman, and held himself in an admirable aloofness. Though not anywhere near an expert he could tell she was an amazing dancer. Her stunning looks weren't all that drew him in. "Wouldn't want me to eat alone would you? After all, I need someone with an amazing art of dance to compliment."

[Lilith]

As she knelt, she watched another five gold mizas drop down into the hat. Raising a brow, she looked up and noted the body of a striking youth, not more than her own age. She stood, collecting her bit of the money and emptying her hand into her pouch. The musician tipped his hat to her, to which she nodded her head. Her attention was better suited to the youth standing before her. He was far more attractive. Would you like a bite to eat inside? My treat?, he asked and Lilith had to fight a smile. He was much younger than her, as his temperament oozed of hormone filled lust. He was far too eager to speak with her. However, she looked him over silently, eyes falling on his sweat-licked blond hair and his damp body. The shield on his arm labeled him as a night. He knew better than to talk to unknown women that weren’t in the brothel. But, then gain, lust. Biting her lip for a second in thought, she tilted her head to the tavern, accepting his request. She gave a smile, giving him another once over. She made sure her eyes worked their way down his body slowly to imply the sexual interest she had. “Shall we, then?” she asked, turning to enter the tavern. Her hips swayed with slight exaggeration, bringing attention to her backside. Her tattoo traveled from her pelvic bone all the way to her mid-low back, beautiful script accentuating the curves of her hips. She entered the tavern and nodded to the tavern wench, who quickly gestured to a table. She bowed her head slightly and smiled, slowly making her way to the accompanying chair. Sitting, she crossed her legs and leaned back, watching him with a coy smile. “Is this how you pick up all your women?” she asked. She gestured to his appearance. “Not exactly dressed up, are you?”

[Dimitri]

Dimitri honestly hadn't expected his feeble seduction attempt to work. Dimitri's smile quickly faded into a subtle frown as the woman looked him over like a piece of meat. He wasn't seducing her, she was seducing him. His disappointment was easily read on his face as he followed her in. He examined the dancing tattoos as her hips swayed. As they entered he shook his head, he had to stop playing with women. He was now dining with some man eater, some loose morals woman. He quickly examined the tavern for any signs of unrest or danger, but found none.

She led him to a table, his disappointment slowly growing into something more. He'd never felt this way before, especially not towards a woman. He sat down roughly, his body language making it clear that he was not happy at these turns of events. He now had to sit with someone he had zero interest in. Better than alone, but not by much. He looked at her almost uncaringly, a hint of venom in his voice, "It would appear I am not the one picking people up. And as for my garb, it displays hard work and effort, not cheap charms and lures." He was clearly agitated and order two dinners, since they only served one thing here.

[Lilith]

Lilith laughed at his sudden change of attitude and shrugged, shaking her head at him as though she found him utterly silly. She tilted her head and brought both of her hands up to rest behind her head, relaxing. So he didn’t wish to be seduced, then, only to control. He expects innocent girls and women to fall at his charms, did he? Foolish child. “I wasn’t the one who offered dinner to a complete, might I add hungry, stranger, if you remember,” she tsked, gazing at him with a smile. “You’d best be more careful with your money and who you give it to, little squire. Don’t be upset when your foolishness kicks you in the ass, mm?” The wench appeared before she could reply to his second statement, so she remained quiet and waited. She gazed at the young man patiently as he ordered the only dish at the tavern. Nothing special, but it would quell her stomach for the evening. Lilith loved when men gave her a free meal and this was no exception. At least she knew she wouldn’t be serving this youth in bed. He was pouting far too much. The wench left and she brought her elbows down to the table, resting her chin on interlacing hands. Lilith brought her eyes down once more to look at his garb and resumed her smile, chiming, “Oh, don’t be so asshurt.” She looked toward the bar and raised her hand, catching the wench’s attention again. “You are old enough to drink, right? I’ll get us some ale.” Waiting for the girl, Lilith turned back to the youth. “So if you didn’t want a roll in the hay, what exactly do you want to talk about?”

[Dimitri]

Dimitri couldn't help but like some of this woman's brashness. Aside from the wanton nature and openness of such, she was much like his mother. However he did have a slight ulterior motive now that he had her attention. His master had recently suggested he start learning some things not considered very Knightly. He said it would help keep him alive, and do his job. So he suggested he find more... Interesting people. He looked up at her sheepishly.

"I apologize for being rude. It is... Not like me. However while we eat, I would like to run an idea by you. It may sound ridiculous, and outlandish, but it is sincere."

He began to slowly eat his meal as the ale arrived. He sipped at it slowly, havingnever drank before. He had zero desire to lose control of himself. "At first I merely wanted someone to chat with while I ate. A meal shared is a meal well enjoyed. However, a thought struck me. If you'd like, you could earn some more of those coins, in a fashion that differs from the norm."

He waited to gauge her reaction before continuing. "I need to learn some skills many Knights would find... Unsavory or dishonorable. I need to learn the other side of the Syliras coin. And I don't know if you would be able to assist in such a strange request, but there would be plenty of coin to be earned, and a change of scenery. Besides there's always advantages of having a friend on the proper side of the law, and a friend who skirts it."

[Lilith]

So he apologized. Fair enough. The wench dropped the ale off at the table, to which Lilith gave her a smile and a few coins. She sipped at it slowly before beginning her meal. The alcohol caused her stomach to warm and she felt her face begin to tingle as she ate a piece of bread, hoping to stop herself from becoming drunk. Bread always seemed to do the trick. The squire began to talk about earning more coin, which perked Lilith’s interest. She raised a brow at him and waved her hand for him to continue, as her mouth was full. She took a small gulp from her mug as she chewed. She shuddered at the harsh taste. When she swallowed, he had finished his invitation. Lilith looked at him thoughtfully and, once again, looked him over. He was a squire, that she knew, but it was a little strange that he would be out looking for someone to teach him less than honorable skills. Not that she was the best, mind you, he could probably be asking someone much more experienced than she... But seriously, this was weird. Lilith leaned back in her seat, holding her mug of ale in her lap. She raised a brow at him, gazing at him in his pretty little eyes. The dancer took another sip of her ale and shook her head, sighing. “First, sir, I don’t know your name. Second, where do you get off thinking I’m some kind of lawbreaker?” she smirked and held up two fingers. “You’re sending me two red flags, squire. Why should I help you? You offering me a bed and a meal every night?” Lilith leaned forward, placing her mug safely upon the table before resting her chin on interlaced fingers. “I’m not teaching you shit unless you can promise me a little bit of safety from the knights. Can you give me that sort of guarantee?”