You Again? [Closed] (Ximal, Aeryna)

[Aeryna Seaworth]

28th of spring, 512 AV Aeryna moved through the streets of Sunberth, her stride swift, her hips swaying slightly as she moved, her lean body deftly moving aside to avoid bumping into people. As he often was, Muir was draped over her shoulders, whistling happily into Aery's ear. Absently, she whistled back, reaching up to rub his head, when she caught sight of a man's face. He stood out, taller than most of the crowd by two inches or more, and his face was familiar, almost frustratingly so. She slowed her smooth lope, and stopped, angling off to the side to avoid the throng of people, watching. Where had she seen him before? She thought back over the past few weeks, thinking over anything big that had happened, and suddenly, it hit her. He was the man who'd tried to free the slaves. The one Wrenmae had accused of using Djed. Glad to see he seemed unharmed by those events, she slipped through the crowd. The warm sunlight that dappled her sable hair, lighting up the strands of gold and piercing the coloured beads in her hair, abruptly vanished as she stepped into shadow, reaching out to touch the man's arm as she'd done that day before he'd caused a scene. Subconsciously straightening her spine and arching her feet to appear even a little taller, she grinned up at Ximal as she caught his attention. "Hi," She greeted him. She wasn't sure if he remembered her. It was doubtful. But she plowed on anyway, saying, "I'm glad you're alright. I mean, I know it was awhile ago, but hey. I'd have liked to help, but I'm not getting myself killed for a stranger," She smiled somewhat sheepishly, adding wryly, "A man once told me that heroism was a fool's errand." She looked up at him with clear laughter in her vivid blue eyes, waiting for a response of sorts. Unless he had a sharp memory, he'd likely be confused as to who exactly she was. She wasn't entirely sure she'd receive the warmest welcome, either, as generally such a friendly attitude was looked upon with suspicion in Sunberth, but if she had to fight she would. She'd learned that lesson very quickly.

[Ximal]

Xi had been feeling in a half dream state all day. He slumped and hunched down because of it. It still didn't do much to disguise his height amongst the crowd. he still stood above them even if it was only by a forehead. Still he sauntered through the streets without much problem. People avoided him as usual more so since he started working at the pits and smelling more like blood and death everyday. Still he sauntered through the streets, completely oblivious to the world around him until. he felt a tug on his arm. His dark hair now longer fell across his face as she jumped in front of him. and started to speak to him, saying he may not remember her. He scanned his eyes over her as she kept speaking too him, and suddenly things became clearer. She was the one who tried to stop him at the docks. His deep black blue eyes met her bright blue ones. He smiled lightly, as liro crept upon him now he was in a difficult position. Oh i remember her, she tried to stop us from killing those slavers. Lets see how this pans out, we could have another night like we did... He stood upto his full height of six foot six. Smiling down at her from that height, he let her finish what she was saying befor espeaking himself. "It's nice to see your ok too, i was worried about that crowd, and your right heroism is the act of the stupid. That day i miscalculated my odds, and i have yet to rectify the problem."


He smiled from beneath his hood and lokked at her. She wasnt tall but tried to act it, there was something about her akin to a child still un dettered he asked politely. "Welll theres no use us chatting out here like a couple of old natters, theres a bar near by why dont we grab a seat, get a couple of drinks, and have a chat about how the last three weeks have been for you as well as me?" His tone clam and friendly. His voice light and airy, He looked as if he should be a mountain of brawn and intimidation when in actual fact he was a big softie. Still he offered to lead her to the pub.

[Aeryna Seaworth]

Surprised that the man remembered her, Aeryna couldn't help but grin when he spoke, peering up at him. She wasn't all that short for a woman, but next to him she felt almost like a rag doll, as he was practically a foot taller than her. Muir was acting up, bristling his fur and baring small, pointed fangs at Ximal, hissing, his small ears pinned back. Unsure why the sea otter was acting up, Aeryna reached a hand up to touch his fur to calm him, though her dancing blue eyes didn't leave Ximal's. At his invitation, she perked up, grinning roguishly. "Sounds like fun. I never say no to a drink," She laughed. "Lead the way," She said with a smile, falling into step beside him as he began to walk towards the tavern, having to scamper every few steps to keep up. "I'm Aeryna, by the way," She said as they walked, unfazed by sudden shouts behind them and the pounding of footsteps. They were common sounds in the city of Sunberth. It wasn't long before they were at the door of The Pig's Foot Tavern, where Aery followed Ximal inside. It was tidier than The Drunken Fish, with men and women sitting and talking in loud voices, with raucous laughter and shouts here and there. Relaxed, she followed Ximal to a somewhat secluded table, sitting across from him. Muir flowed from her shoulders down to her lap, now sitting quietly, though his ears remained pinned as she stroked the otter's fur, a faint trace of his fishy, oily smell clinging to her hair. "So, do you come here often?" She asked, jokingly, as she leaned back, her gaze sweeping around curiously before settling on the man across from her, absently pushing her tousled sable hair out of her face, the messy strands falling loosely across her bare shoulders.

[Ximal]

Xi was pleasantly surprised that she accepted his offer after all he had caused quite a commotion. As they walked towards the bar his large strides made it difficult for her to keep up with him. As she poke Xi listened to her voice lightly, it was soft and light but strong where it was needed. She said her name was aeryna, xi thought it only polite to return his name. "Well aeryna my names Ximal, but everybody who knows me calls me Xi for short." His light demeanour was some what shrouded by his hood as he let her enter the bar first, his smile showing as it was not covered by the darkness. sitting down on the table across from her in the darkness, pulling back his hood to let his dark black blue eyes shine forth. Even hidden in shadow he was still as large sight. Then she asked him if he came here often. We don't come here often but when we do we almost always end up with someone for the night eheheheh. Shaking hi head lightly to drown out liro he spoke softly calmly. "No i'm not one to come hre often though i have been here a few times. It's a nice enough place. But aorund the twentyth bell. characters get real shady here.

Leaning back into his chair, Xi sighed as he took hias cloak off for the first tiem in a few days. The shape of his body and shoulders now shown. He was no means a small man but he wasn't one to flaunt his self. He kept himself contained. And the week at the blood pits had helped him gain some muscle so he was more sparing his self. Still he thought he better make some conversion for a minute. "So aeryna what do you do around, the city ? If your still here for this long youv egot to have gotten yourself a job or something ?" Xi could feel liro creeping up into his mind as Xi let his eyes glaze over her. Womanly curves nice face and light blue eyes. Almost a piercing blue, unlike his own dark pools fo damned deep black blue depths. Then liro decided to talk. Inside Xi's head. Well look at that, i could do things to that, though she seems a little weak willed so i'll be quiet for the moment. Only strong women rouse my interest as you know. Xi sighed as he let his back relax from the tension it always had whenever ina situation like this. Sill he looked into her eyes and there was something he couldn't quite place.

[Aeryna Seaworth]

"Hmm? Oh. Well, I doubt it gets as bad as The Drunken Fish," Aery smiled wryly. To be honest, that was the tavern she frequented most often. This was her first time at the Pig's Foot. Watching him curiously as he slid off his cloak, she chuckled. "You'd think so, wouldn't you? Sad to say, I still haven't found anything to do. I didn't expect to stay this long, actually. I have been looking into things recently, though." She'd been managing fine with the coins she had and sleeping in her casinor at night, but it couldn't last that way forever. She knew she'd have to find some sort of income soon, or before she knew it she'd be out of money. Curiously, she questioned, "Would you know where I could get a job? She noticed his eyes skim over her form, and watched him do so with faint amusement. His eyes met hers, and the dark, blue-black depths seemed almost distant as he searched her own eyes. "A copper for your thoughts," She said with a grin after a small moment. She doubted she'd get an honest answer. Likely he'd brush it off and say 'nothing'. She wouldn't be at all surprised. Thoughts were something people guarded carefully, including herself. As she examined him, she wondered why he'd pulled that stunt several weeks back with the slaves. Surely he wasn't only trying to be a hero. Nobody who was alive in Sunberth was that stupid. There had to have been something else spurring his actions, some strong emotion. As was her habit, Aery asked what was on her mind. "So," She said conversationally, "Why'd you do that? With the slaves." She regarded him with vivid eyes, bright with interest, absently scratching Muir's head as he rested quietly on her lap. Likely she wouldn't get an honest answer with this, either. People stood watch over their emotions as carefully as they did their thoughts, but she was hoping Ximal would surprise her. After all, you could never tell with strangers.

[Ximal]

Dragging his hand along the table slowly, he took a deep breath to help contain liro. He listened to her speak of not thinking she'd be not here long but now she was wanting a job and didnt know where to get one. "Well the best place to check for a job is the establishment. Guy who runs it goes by the name tua, nice enough chap, toss him a gew gold and your job is guaranteed. Ass for myself i'm a pit worker. y'know the blood pits." He smiled lightly letting his eyes stil scan her as he let them re rest upon her striking blue eyes. What could they hold behind them? Give me five chimes and a bedroom i'll find out exactly what they hold. Along with exactly what she dose in her free time oh and what she thinks in regards to... Do you ever shut up ? Xi hook his head to silence liro again his eyes looking into hers to see what secrets they held then she spoke. Offering a copper for his thoughts. "Nothing much, i was just admiring your beauty and those wonderfully blue eyes. I cant help it when i'm around a pretty woman i sorta have to stare if, there isnt a more....pressing concern." That would be me love, i'm the only pressing and trying thing here. in the whole of your head my dear boy.

As he continued to let his eyes roam over her he spoke slowly. Looking mainly into her eyes now as she asked him about why he pulled that stunt with the slaves. "Well it's personal history, i used to be one, and i don't want to see anyone going through that ever again, It angers me immensely. And it often causes me untold problems." Then what do i class as ? A mild annoyance oh no. I'M TAKING CONTROL FOR THAT! XI could feel liro pulse at his chest, and the corruption begin to spread. He wanted out, bad. He always wanted out, his fierce tugging at him was gonna show lightly. His face flicked a brief glimmer of pain. He didn't want to show what happened. Last time liro got free in this place, he'd done something, Xi didn't want to contemplate to someone who didn't deserve that kind of scar. Speaking through a little pain he asked. "I couldn't help but notice you weren't in the crowd that attempted to well lynch me. SO what happened to you?

[Aeryna Seaworth]

"Really?" Interest sparked in her eyes, as Aery leaned forward somewhat, resting her elbows on the table in front of her. She'd heard of the Blood Pits, but never paid them that much mind. More and more often she'd been spending time in her Casinor with Muir, as staying on dry land for so long began to take it's toll and make her antsy. They definitely sounded interesting though. Maybe she'd have to check them out on her job hunt. At his next words, however, Aery tilted her head back somewhat and laughed, shaking her head, grinning. "A charmer, huh?" She teased, smiling. She wasn't about to complain, though. She wouldn't fish for them (usually), but she had no problem with people complimenting her. Especially men. However, her light, amused attitude quickly sobered when he mentioned that he'd been a slave. "Ah," She finally said, with a small frown. "I don't blame you. I can't imagine that, being someone's property, and not having any freedom." She looked at him with sympathy, but with no pity, knowing that wasn't what he was looking for. She shrugged and answered his question absently, "Oh, nothing. Just ran into a...friend." What an interesting thing to call Wrenmae. He certainly wasn't a friend, but she was uncertain of what to call him, so she stuck with the word, though she had to bite back a snort at it. Friend. Heh, sure. "Hey, are you alright?" She asked, suddenly, brought back to the present when she noticed the small grimace of pain that flashed across his features. Concerned, she reached over to lightly touch his hand with her own.

[Ximal]

Xi grimaced lightly at the pain now surging through his brain, liros's influence felt like talons of fire digging into his skull. she'd lent forwards in response to what he'd said about where he worked and not he could easily see, even as liro flashed up images of what the wanted to do to her across his eyes and mind. Most of them horrific some...decidedly not. And then she retorted to his comment, with him being somewhat of a charmer. "i'm no charmer i can barely hold a conversation with a beautiful woman without the stuttering r-returning. Fan-petching-tastic i mention it and it shows up. A slight rise of colour filtered into Xi's cheeks as he spoke with her. Then she want some what solemn as he mentioned he was a slave. Was it through shame? realization? Or perhaps even compassion. As he listened to her speak he formed his own retaliatory sentence. "i's not a fate i'd wish upon anyone. Especially not children. Being in that environment from tha tyoung an ange eats at you. It chips away at your sanity. " Dont it just i mean look at me Xi i'm the by-product of your abusive up bringing. A side of you that isn't afraid, isn't scared, is willing to do exactly what he must to get what he wants. Give me a bell and fifteen chimes with her i'll have her begging for mersy, and then more.... Xi wa not impressed with liro he never was. that pang of pain shot across him again as her hand slid across his gently. asking if he was alright. "Y-yeah i'm fi-fine i just have to deal with... some things." He then recalled her mention this friend of hers. Was it someone Xi knew? He just had to ask. This friend of y-yours what's he look like ? Xi could feel his world spinning as liro tried to take over. It was like descending into a pool of blackness with no escape. And now liro was digging his fingers in and would not let go...

[Aeryna Seaworth]

Aeryna laughed, smiling at him. Cute wasn't a word she'd thought to use to describe Ximal, but when his cheeks flushed with a faint tone of pink and he began to stutter, it was the word that came to mind. "Relax," She teased lightly, giving his hand a light squeeze and leaning back again. "I'm nothing special, so there's no need to stutter. I'm not going to eat you or anything, either," She joked, trying to make him feel more at ease now that he'd began to stammer. She noticed his eyes become distant for a moment, as if he was looking at images only he could see, and frowned slightly, but then he spoke up once more, and she dismissed it. As he spoke of the slavery once more, Aery nodded as she listened carefully, her vivid eyes gentling. "I can imagine," She mused, quietly. She paused, then, "When did you become a slave?" Her voice was curious as she tilted her head somewhat, watching him. He answered her question, stammering out that he was fine, and she looked at him skeptically, not believing him, but she decided to keep her mouth shut for once. He asked about her friend, and she cocked her head. "Well, he's kind of tall, lanky. Longish dark hair and some stubble," She said, in description of Wrenmae as she watched him, noticing that he still held a small grimace of pain, and wondering what was going on with him. Her gaze swept over him, trying to pinpoint any physical injuries that might be causing him pain. Did he have some sort of condition? Or was it a mental pain? Either way, something was clearly bothering him and causing him discomfort, and she was concerned, if a little wary.

[Ximal]

Xi fought back liro hard now forcing him out of control, he wanted to liro teach liro who was in charge. He could feel his control slipping as she spoke slowly softly. Xi couldn't help but let himself smile. As he looked at her and she said that wasn't going to eat him. Xi soke back with a some what playful and rather amused tone. "Yes but w-what if i told you that w-wouldn't be such a bad thing. And i c-could see the look of concern upon your face. Trust m-me it's better if i d-don't tell you what's causing the pain..." Oh of course you don't want to reveal that i'm here unless you have too. You just want it all to be a bad dream. Well guess what...It's REAL! Xi could feel the talons of liro sinking into him pulling him out fo control and spreading corruption through him. Prying apart all of his powers. All of his control over himself. The ppain was extraordinary. Xi simply closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Clearing his mind and forcing liro to present himself. With liro showing himself Xi proceeded to beat the living heck from him in his mind in an attempt to ease the pain. It was like pure meditation and utter relaxation until he heard her speak asking him when he became a slave. "I'll let you do the math. I'm twenty three and ive been a slave for sixteen years. Now i've been free of it for three years. Tell me what age i started..." Xi hated the fact he became a slave at the age of four. By far too early for anyone to start anything. Xi slumped in his chair a little. as he felt a deep regret wash over him a little. His mind was now torn between his past and his fighting with liro. then he listened to her discription of her friend. No...it couldnt be....Dose she know his name ? Xi now perked up, even liro was interested. Right i'll hold off untill we know the name of that bastard who set that mob on us. Right on this matter were unified. Hell if even liro was willing to work wwith him he must hate this guy too... Aeryna mind if i sak if he carried a long dagger on his belt, and if so would you please tell me his name...I have a feeling i may have met him before. The only thing occupying his mind right now was the thought of discovering this man's name. And learning out a few things about him. After all he'd assaulted Xi for three days solid with little to no respite. Payback was in order.