Closed [The Spinning Coin] Another Day (Sybel)

[Orion Michaels]

Orion, 16th of Fall, 512 AV Orion faced this day with some dread. The last handful have days had been nothing short of strange. A night at at the Rearing Stallion ruined by his encounter with a particularly strong willed woman only to meet that same woman by chance on the streets days after and find they were kindred spirits of sorts. Then the very next day, an old romance sought him out for help, only to disappear completely. Now Orion was with Sybel, going to the Spinning Coin for a little fun before she would leave, and they were likely to never meet again. Mizahar was too big, and that was that. To celebrate, to mourn, they would drink, and they would have coins disappear as they enjoyed a few games of chance. The Spinning Coin wasn't crowded, but wasn't close to empty. The large warehouse was filled with tables, people deeply invested in card games, dice games, anything you could think of. Several people were drowning themselves in booze at the long bar, lost to their own vices and their own stories. Gambling really wasn't something which Orion did very often. Mostly because he was no good. It was easy to lose a lot of coin in a rush if you weren't careful, and there wasn't much the physician wasn't loose with. Something about a woman who could destroy him in cards could really get him going, though. "So what do you think? This change your opinion of Syliras? I bet you want to stay her with the most spectacular man you've ever met now, am I right?" Some things would never change, it seemed. Orion was Orion. "Come, let's get a seat at the bar and you can explain too me just what is so important in Mura. It'll give you more time to fall to my irresistible charm, anyways." He gave his friend a playful nudge as he made his way over to the bar to order them both a beer. Alcohol always made these encounters more interesting.

[Sybel]

Sybel turned and gave him a dry look. ”I think this changes my opinion of the people in Syliras,” she qualified. Orion had greeted her at the door, which was as much chivalry as she could expect. The atmosphere of the place was just her speed. None of the patrons looked reputable and the interior stank like a stale keg. The ale tents of Endrykas smelled better, honestly. But the nomad had no qualms about it. The Doctor would quickly learn just why she’d earned a reputation in certain circles. The girl had a weakness for dice.

”Whatever you say, fearless leader.” It was too easy to be herself around him. Alistair had been a good friend, but he was naïve. There wasn’t anything innocent or better yet, subtle about Orion Michaels. Sybel could count on him to be as crude as he felt, and doubly if he was drunk. At least he kept his hands to himself… Most of the time. She followed the man to the bar and slid smoothly onto the seat next to him. Before the barkeep could even ask, she held up two fingers. ”Two please,” she called from beneath her lashes. Flirting helped expedite the drafting process.

”Now, about your irresistible charm…” She trailed. It was cruel, really. ”I’m off to Mura for several reasons.” She frowned. It was hard to be transparent about certain things. Sybel had the night to explain why she’d chosen Mura, but she didn’t particularly favor what came to mind. Still, it wouldn’t do to hedge. Orion wouldn’t misuse the information anyway because it simply wasn’t possible. She was probably dead.

”I have a friend that went there, a long time ago.” Being vague helped take the edge off. ”I went after her before, but she never turned up.” That was a sad fact. ”It may seem desperate, but there it's like that feeling you get, when you keep looking for lost objects in the same place. You know the one? I keep walking in circles because you might say I’ve lost a part of myself. I have no choice but to search the same places over again.” That was a little too profound for their short time together. But nonetheless true.

”Also, their pearls are incredibly valuable and vision water gives a person magical powers. So there.” She chuckled. That was more like the wanderer she knew. Their beers arrived in short order. ”Thank you kindly,” she said to the man, before taking a frothy sip.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion "But here's the real question. Does it change your opinion of me? Gods know I couldn't care less about your opinion of the other gentle folk of Syliras." It wasn't an entire falsehood. In normal circumstances, the thoughts of anyone else wouldn't matter. If he could get her to see that Syliras wasn't so bad, though, maybe he could talk Sybel into staying. Unless she truly had some grandiose reason for travelling to the island of beautiful blondes. The bartender was none too quick to provide Orion with a drink. Some unknown man coming into his place of work when there were surely common patrons who needed a drink before he. He didn't have the reputation in the Spinning Coin which he held at the Stallion. Thankfully, there was a gorgeous woman with him. It may as well have been as though Orion wasn't there. "Well, done, miss. I tell you what, that's one advantage I'll never get to enjoy. When I bat my eyelashes at them they threaten to throw me out." Orion fell silent as she began her tale. An observant man, the doctor took note of her struggles to weave this story for him. Pauses in speech, uncertainty in beginning, succulent lips twisting into a frown, something which they had no business doing. A friend long lost. She would journey thousands of miles for them. "Must mean a lot to you, huh. I'm sure you'll find her, Sybel," he said, quickly packing away any hope he could convince her otherwise. Unlike him, this woman had a goal in mind, unlikely as she was to succeed. "Besides, if you don't find her, you'll still have stories of your journey you can take into your next life." Things were getting a little too serious for Orion. What was with these two? Naturally, he had to break things up with a joke. "But here I was getting excited because I figured you liked irresistible blonde women as much as I do. It's a shame, really. I'd be want to follow a woman like that." Of course the story she would tell most would come next. Her search was under the guise of a search for treasure. He took the drink as it arrived, taking a deep drink to buy himself a pause in their conversation. He'd not intended to sorrow the conversation so soon. Perhaps the greatest pair in Syliras were doomed to such.

[Sybel]

Of course, nothing could derail Orion Michaels. She’d heard it all before. ”Since you seem about the same, I’d say my opinion is about the same.” Sybel shook her head and continued sipping at her beer. ”I must credit you with unyielding perseverance. Which is a kind way of saying that you don’t know when to quit.” Despite the bite of her words, her tone was kind. He had a way of getting under her skin and making her smile, even when she was tempted to clock him. It was a rare quality.

He remarked on her flirtation. ”I can see why,” she replied, grinning. ”I find your eyes appealing, though I would assume most men aren’t of the same opinion.” That much was true. It was dangerous to flatter him but the Doctor was a handsome fellow. They’d never quite resolved the first night they’d met, what with the tension and the absolute letdown soon after. It wasn’t something she wanted to see to its end… Not intimately, anyway. Still, Orion was a good person. He’d revealed that much the night before. Her smile was mysterious and her eyes stared deeply into the cup gripped between her hands.

His words of reassurance did little to assuage the pain, though the effort was still appreciated. ”Thanks,” she replied swiftly, eager to move the subject along. However he never failed to bring levity to even the most serious conversations. It was a quality she admired. Sybel laughed and then sighed. ”I can’t say I’m adverse to the idea of beautiful blonde women, but that’s a little known fact about me.” Sure not to reveal too much, her lips snapped neatly shut.

It wouldn’t do to leave the spotlight on herself. ”I thought the only reason you’d follow a woman would be to stare at her behind.” She shot him a playful look. ”You are notorious, after all.” There was a kernel of truth there. She was genuinely interested in what made Orion tick. Why did he treat women with such unkindness? Was he capable of growing into something more? That was entirely up to him to reveal. Sybel had no ideas of pressing the issue. She just tried to take people as they were.

”You in a hurry to get drunk tonight?” Her grin pulled sharply into a smirk as he nursed his drink. ”You’re an expensive date.”

[Orion Michaels]

Orion Persistence was a skill he'd learned over time, over rejection after rejection, and it had served him well. "That's the nicest compliment I've ever received. Well, except for claims that I'm marked by Nikali." He raised his eyebrows suggestively, though a chuckle broke the skit. "Everyone has a wall, Sybel. Given enough time, even one so mighty as you could fall. Unlucky that you're leaving, hmm?" It was half of a joke, at least. Such a shame. "My eyes certainly are brilliant, aren't they? You're just buttering me up tonight," he said, batting his eyelashes in an exaggerated manner. "You sure that's what you want to say? I've had a few male admirers, no doubt. Not a tree I'm interested in barking up though." He'd joke about anything, wouldn't he? A defense was all it was, but it's all he really knew how to do. He did raise an eyebrow at her comment. Really? This gorgeous woman would go for another one? That couldn't possibly be real. "I think I'm in love," he deadpanned. "All the good ones just aren't totally interested in the men, hmm?" The thoughts that would cross Orion's mind would get his slapped several times over, but the lecherous doctor knew better than to voice them. Even he had a line he'd stop at, though it was far past the norm for others. "Notorious? I just can't fathom what you mean." It was surprising that she'd heard about him already. Foiled at every turn with this one, it seemed. Oh the fun they could have had. "So tell me, what do they say about Doctor Orion Michaels? I'm sure it's all horrible. Objectifies women and such?" He'd been called pretty much everything under the sun by some of the women he'd wooed. Apparently they were looking out for each other now? "Well, I assume you're the type to take advantage of an innocent drunk man. If me being forward won't get it done, I'll give you a shot to be in charge." Orion was far from innocent, but what else could he do? "And a woman treating me? Never thought I'd see the day. I insist you allow me to pay. I'm sure a traveler needs every coin she can muster."

[Sybel]

”Why am I not surprised?” There had to be a reason Orion got so many women in spite of that lack of discretion. ”You’ve got to be good for something, I suppose.” The ribbing was as always, in good fun… But even she felt a flutter of remorse, somewhere in the unmolested passageways of her heart. ”Alright, sorry. You bandage people up and you’re good for a laugh. You’re a good friend. There’s a lot to admire underneath that impenetrable façade.” Of course, how long had she known him again? ”Not that we have a lengthy history together.” Oh, how their talks always came back to the subject of departure.

”When I say something, I’m sure I want to say it.” She was shockingly serious, at that. ”If nothing else, I know who I am in this world. It’s a lot more than most people have to offer.” Her self-assurance beamed outward in the line of her gaze, a smoldering sort of solidarity sculpted by time. Beneath that surface of gaiety lived countless switchbacks, all leading to dead ends. The best way to hide oneself was behind a smile. Sybel was a very complex sort of person, still being drawn into a past she had yet to acknowledge and being pushed toward a future she could not ignore. It was irritating, to say the least. Well, she thought so anyway.

”You imply I’m a ‘good one,’ first of all and second, you keep those thoughts to yourself. I let that slip because I feel honesty is the best policy.” Her hidden amusement finally broke free. ”Your problem is that you can’t settle on a girl. Maybe if you spoke with them before bedding them, you might work out the solution to this ongoing problem of yours.” With a wry snort, she sipped at her drink. The crisp bite of the ale was unspeakably refreshing.

”I certainly didn’t take advantage of you the last time I carried your drunk arse home, so you may be out of luck. Give it up, Orion.” But her eyes twinkled with mirth. ”If you think you objectify women, you may be right. I think the only opinion that matters is your own.” Sybel decided to leave it at that. She continued to nurse her beverage while otherwise scanning the room. Business was picking up, it seemed. ”Would you play me in a game of dice?” She inquired with a fey smile. ”If so, you may come to regret it.”

What man could resist a challenge?

[Orion Michaels]

"See, now I'm starting to get this feeling that you are feeling guilty about leaving. I really can't blame you. I'm sure to haunt your thoughts for at least a day or two after you depart." It wasn't true. Maybe it was just being hopeful? Or perhaps it was naive. "See. Just buttering me up, like I said. It's interesting you'd call me a good friend, Sybel..." He trailed off, thoughtful looking over to the Benshira woman, letting the topic drop if she didn't bring it up any further. "I suppose that's an admirable quality. Better than stumbling and lying through everything, huh?" He grinned, taking another slow drink. Even the booze tasted cheaper in this locale. He couldn't complain when it was free, though. Sybel was something else. Such confidence, a rapier wit, and she was sure of who she was. Gods it was attractive. But as it had gone since his misstep at the Stallion, it just wasn’t a possibility. To want what you can’t have, wasn’t that just life? He could only grin in reply. To acknowledge it would be to plead guilty to any charges she brought from him. He was painful aware of his faults, his shortcomings, and his weaknesses. What made it wicked was that he never did anything about it. Over and over again Orion committed his same sins, but never did he apologize for his transgressions. Objectifying woman was his obvious one, but in reality, it’s how he treated everyone. That was oft lost between the sheets in moments of passion, however. ”A game of dice?” He scoffed. He wasn’t one left wanting for coin, but if he’d avoided this place a little more than he had in years past, he’d be rolling in a bit more gold than he was now. A successful gambler he was not. Sometimes, he was a stupid man. ”What’s the wager? I feel like it won’t be for articles of clothing, hmm? Crossing his arms, he paused a moment to consider her challenge. It wasn’t as though he would be destitute if she left with a bit of his money, and perhaps she’d feel a bit better about him ‘paying’ in this round about way. ”Fine. You’re on.”