Completed [The Great Bazaar] Chain reaction

[Tatiam]

Tatiam was doing well ignoring the perplexed crowd still buzzing with comments. No matter what was being said on her account, the young adult felt liberated. It was like nothing could reach her anymore. Her mind was already on other matters, wondering what to do next of her day. Tatiam had already decided to postpone the purchases that she was meant to do at the Bazaar, and so she contemplated other possibilities. If I'm not gonna keep drinking... might as well go take a bath, she resolved on a whim. Plans were meant to change anyway, perhaps she would improvise on her way out. "Hey, wait up!" heard the foreigner, an impulsive smile forming on her sunkissed features. Tatiam kept walking at her usual pace, making no apparent effort to stray from the mass of customers, or to stay in sight. She was intrigued. What could that man possibly want to call her out so boldly after what happened? The artist licked her lips with anticipation, savoring the excitement. The blue-eyed stranger soon appeared by her side, uttering more nonsense which provoked a consenting laugh from her. Yep, that was her alright. It wasn't like she had expected anything more, either. She answered with a question of her own, in her usual evasive nature. "At first it was dinner, now this?!" chuckled the young woman youthfully. It was beyond puzzling, how he could come up with such things. She couldn't tell what his intentions were exactly, but it did not bother her a bit. Tatiam could play along for a while longer. "I thought that it'd make you stop and shut up but it seems like it didn't work," joked the tan woman nonchalantly, although it originally bore a trace of truth. She kept walking towards one of the exits, seeming unconcerned by whether her counterpart would follow her or not.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion She was certainly playing coy, wasn't she? For someone who'd just locked lips with a complete stranger, it was fun to play innocent. Fun to walk off like nothing had really happened. And really, as far as Orion was concerned, nothing had happened. He'd done much the same with more than he could remember. Maybe he would remember a face in passing, but a name? Never. Everything was just a moment to be forgotten the next day. But this, this moment was just beginning. "I have a feeling you're not particularly down for either option," he said, moving slightly ahead of her, turning slightly to he could watch her reactions. "Playing all uninterested. Cute." He knew he was making something out of nothing. Chance were she wanted nothing to do with the doctor. It had all been for shock factor. All that had really done was start the hunt. Yet... No reaction. Nothing at all. Just onward to the the exit. Frustrating. Orion hated giving chase. A selfish folk at times when it came to getting what he wanted. "It's a shame. You'd have been in for quite a ride," Orion said thoughtfully, picking his pace up to pass her entirely. "In more ways than one." He added the last part quickly, raising an eyebrow in challenge before looking forward to make his way out of the castle ahead of her. Whatever. I need to get cleaned up. The lovely minty almond sap he'd unintentionally coated himself with was quite the annoyance. It was a good thing he worked at the bathhouse, so he'd head there, get cleaned up, and get back to work. Hopefully. oocSo we can either wrap this up or if she's heading to the bathhouse as well we could pick it up from there. Lemme know.

[Tatiam]

Now that was too good. Tatiam observed the dark haired fool, greatly amused by his reaction. Oh she could do that all day. Playing? Yes. Uninterested? ...not exactly. She bit her lip. Let him squirm a little longer, the young woman told herself. He was insistent, trying to read her, but Tatiam wanted to see if she couldn't get something more out of him. It was taking her a lot of self-control, the man was wrapped up in the young painter's every move. She caught herself wondering why she hadn't met such a person before. Why sure, Syliras was a crowded city, but... "It's a shame. You'd have been in for quite a ride," her blue-eyed stranger said. "In more ways than one." The tan mixed-blood had pushed too far. Her eyes like sunrise glinted with delectation, watching him go past her and ahead. No doubt I would, the copper-brown haired woman thought, noticing his challenging expression. On a whim, she reached out to grab his hand, clasping thin air instead. The intriguing man was already gone. Tatiam stopped, watching him disappear into the crowd. It was tantalizing. If she could, she'd repeat the day over just to go through that encounter again. The curious woman licked her bottom lip, lost in contemplation, a devious smile spreading slowly on her visage. We're bound to meet again, she promised. Now... where to again? ...Ah, right. Bath. The young woman paced onward. oocBathhouse it is

[Orion Michaels]

Orion Orion made his way back to the Soothing Waters. Needless to say, the good doctor received some interested looks as he entered, his co-workers stiffing some chuckles as filthy man strode in. Covered from head to toe in oil and herbs, some could only imagine what kind of fun Orion had experienced during his break. There were always rumors about, and this would do little to curb them. "Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up. Jealousy is hard to hide," he retorted, chuckling all the while. Absurd. Absolutely absurd. The doctor headed towards the communal bath area, the dirtiest and cleanest place in the city. Much fun could be had here, as long as it was desired, of course. Harassment was a no no. For some reason, Orion had been reminded of that many times, despite having never done anything wrong... With his clothing dropped off for a cleaning, Orion made his way to the bath, a towel the only this separating him from full exposure. He nearly lost his balance a few times as the the oil had coated his feet as it ran down his body. "Now normally if I were covered in oil, it would mean a good time," he muttered to himself, reaching the water's edge. With a flick of his wrist, the towel fell from his waist, and he paused for a moment to admire the place, or allow himself to be admired, if anyone so chose, before stepping gingerly into the water. Hot, but not too hot. It was always perfect to relax in, especially during this brisk winter days. He would lean up against the edge, nearly submerging completely as he allowed himself to let everything going and just relax. His piercing blue eyes were hidden as his lids closed slowly. His mind began to wander, to only a bell ago. Soft lips still haunted his own. "For crying out loud.."

[Tatiam]

As the woman strolled in the streets towards the bathhouse, very slowly sobering up, she tried to remember for how long she hadn't washed herself. The winter season wasn't exactly an incentive, and Tatiam was quickly reminded of that as a cold breeze grazed her cheeks and swept under her loose shirt, chilling the small of her back. Shivers ran along her skin, compelling the painter to hurry to her destination. Well of course I wouldn't wear a coat in winter... she chided slightly her drunken omission. Once inside, the young woman headed to the changing room as she untied her headscarf, thinking once more about the blue-eyed stranger. By then, the mischievous young woman was getting better at repressing the subtle smirk that would fulminate on her lips every time she did, although it was such a fresh memory. She undressed and threw everything in a locker, reconsidering the laundry service a tad too late. With a towel wrapped around her chest and falling short of covering her thighs halfway, Tatiam arrived to the common baths with the same careless expression that she usually wore. A soap in one hand, counting with her fingers of the other, she muttered to herself. "3, 4... 5, 6 days?! No...! ...Maybe... 2, 3,... 4..." A short sigh escaped her lips, her memory failing to be of use. Warm golden eyes looked up at the pale exposed sky, taming the steaming air around her before she carefully placed her soap and towel near the edge of the pool and dipped into the hot water. The steam was thick enough that Tatiam couldn't see the other side clearly, and easily thus, her curiosity was piqued. Maybe she would see someone she knew, or better even, meet someone? It was a public place, after all. The thought made her bite her tongue, the young woman was guilty of having way too much fun today. Ambers trailed left and right, and they stumbled on a stranger... A stranger, that, strangely, she knew. That can't be him... glanced the artist with disbelief, recognizing his traits, despite the missing blue eyes. Her own ignited with a renewed liveliness. It was too much of a wonderful coincidence, but then she realized. Well... I guess... he had to come here. Get cleaned up. Did that make her the one who followed him? But she didn't know! Didn't think about it, anyway... Or... maybe he had subliminally lured her here with his proposition earlier. I had planned this already... I... think? No, whatever, she wasn't going to ruin this for the sake of her pride. Not this time anyway. Sunkissed skin glided slowly, silently in the water, stopping right behind the man. Her wet index slid from his nape and down his spine, and then she leaned closer, not minding the contact of her bosom against his back when her lips brushed his ear. Her voice was but a murmur, soft with a tinge or fake mannerism. "I hoped we'd meet again, but so soon, stranger? You're delighting me."

[Orion Michaels]

Orion Orion let out a small sigh as he felt her finger first make contact with his neck. People could be playful in the steamy waters here in the public bath, and it seemed his little show had given him a fan who just couldn't keep their hands off of him. The warmth of the woman's breath tickled his ear, but her lips upon him relaxed that feeling. Then a familiar voice rang true. How rich was that? Her body pressed against Orion's, but he took pause, waiting to show any reaction. There was no rush, and he felt sufficiently in control all of a sudden. She had kissed him, and how, she was hanging on him. There was no reason to move this quickly. After all, the anticipation could make the end experience all the more enjoyable. At the same time it could be a set up for a huge let down... "And...you are?" He turned his head slightly to let her amber eyes meet his. His words feigned ignorance, but his gaze only showed a mischievous amusement. The corners of his mouth twitched into an almost smirk as he put some space between them in the water, allowing him to turn around and face her fully. A dark scar was visible across his pale, small chest, though he took no care to hide it. "A bath assistant? Or a fan? All I know is that if I did what you did, the Knights would have had a thing to say." He closed his eyes, submerging all but his head beneath the warm waters. "But worry not. I didn't mind in the least."

[Tatiam]

After her words, the young woman withdrew, her long braids scattering in the water, which reached up to a little under her collarbones. She glanced at the pale man with a hint of curiosity, wondering if he was ignoring her in some kind of twisted pay back for what she did earlier. Ah, well, too bad. But then he spoke, and Tatiam read in his eyes, his features, a malice that they shared. He furthered his question, but it was the last part that slightly annoyed her. Although the stranger wasn't wrong, Tatiam couldn't see any harm in what she did... despite that she was fully aware of what happened. The foreigner felt compelled to ask herself if something had desensitized her to those things; Still, he had managed to introduce doubt in her. "Ah, right... the Knights again," she muttered, feeling more and more like it had all been just a bad idea crossing her mind. Tatiam cleared her throat, keeping a straight face, in fact, there was just a thin excuse for a smile left on it when the man with blue eyes finished talking. She forced a broader one despite that he wasn't looking anymore. "My apologies, It seems I mistook you for someone else," said the tan woman coldly, in a formal and measured tone. She turned around and her eyebrows revealed a frown as Tatiam headed back towards her soap and towel, tightening her fist to release some tension. When did I get so petching stupid... she deplored scathingly.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion When he opened his eyes, she was turning to leave. Upset, unhappy words spilled from her mouth, and it appeared their encounter was over. That was unexpected. For one so interested in playing games, to give up so easily? Sad...I was planning on a little more fire than that....but still.. A wicked grin spread across the doctor's lips. Despite her retreat, Orion had certainly experienced a feel and had had a chance to really get a full glimpse of this woman. He wouldn't let her get away that easily. Not after how today had gone. A little fun was deserved once in awhile, after all. He couldn't fault her, though. Persistence was a tough one to learn. He'd had problems with that seasons ago. A perceived disinterest, real or otherwise, could derail an encounter, regardless of its nature. It was simple. He'd tone down the little game he played. As the tan woman made her way from him, Orion shifted his weight back forward, propelling himself slowly at her by driving his arms through the water. Did she expect something else? This woman was a wildcard. All or nothing, right? Orion caught up with the woman as she arrived at her supplies. She seemed to have retreated into her own world, and the blue eyed man was confident she didn't see his approach. His hands floated to her waist as he brushed his lips against her neck before moving to whisper in the beauty's ear. "We don't have to stay strangers, stranger.." Bracing for a blow to the head, or a drowning, the man gave his name as a sign of genuine interaction. Well, sort of. "I'm Orion. Couldn't get the thought of me all oiled up out of your mind, could you?"

[Tatiam]

The foreigner let the steams envelop her slender frame and distract her thoughts as she went towards her solitary corner. Tatiam excelled in the arts of self-denial and voluntary oblivion. It had served her well all these years, and with reason; It was one way that she found to outcome life's harshness. Then, however, was just a capricious reflex, an attempt to lighten up for the following dull days to come. Deft fingers began to unlace her braids one by one, freeing long strands of light coppery brown hair which chose to cling to her bronzed skin, or flow in meanders under the water. As she did so, hands rested on her waist and a soft presence made itself known on the delicate skin of her neck. Tatiam almost quivered in surprise, but her body froze instead, shoulders tensed, for an instant before her breathing continued as if nothing had happened. The trace of a shiver lingered on her neck, and the soft tones of his voice teased her ear. Her head turned slightly after the man whispered to her, her pause a definite consideration for her reaction. The young woman had everything of a bomb just waiting to go off at the first sign of a spark. Was he looking for that to happen, again? Tatiam scoffed quietly. "Don't flatter yourself," she responded flatly. "I recognized you, so I thought I'd say hi." The wild woman couldn't resist her lips breaking into a roguish smile, no matter how serious she wanted to be. It did sound like a silly excuse... "Tatiam." Her head turned back, chin leaning on her shoulder as she finished unbraiding her hair, dark golden eyes staring up at Orion's. "Not that it would tell you anything about me, but I think you figured that out otherwise," her voice rang with casual irony. It wasn't in her nature to lie about herself, Tatiam didn't see the use unless it was needed for her survival. (and sometimes her pride) And in that case, for years then her name had been a pretense. Although it could have been fun... she considered the lost opportunity, taking no chance at presuming that Orion was indeed his real name. The painter turned around, her hips leaving his hands as she distanced herself slightly to face him, in a manner similar to what he did earlier. Long strands of hair covered her and danced in the water, only the top of her shoulders and her head were not bathing in the pool. "So how about you?" asked the tan woman, showing some interest. "Couldn't get that kiss out of your head, huh?" Tatiam guessed, remembering how the blue eyed man ran after her just a bell or two ago.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion Not quite the reaction he'd expected. Really, something explosive, whether for better or worse. She'd have either tried to take him right in the waters, or added to the numerous times that a slap had unceremoniously greeted the doctor's cheek. Something. Anything. Just not nothing. This caused Orion brought his hand to his chin in mock contemplation. "Just saying 'hello, huh?" His fingers ran thoughtfully through his stubble as he continued. "Tell me, are you normally such a bad liar, or is it something special for me?" He didn't know what she had in mind, and, at least inwardly, he was desperate to find out. "Tatiam. Tatiam. Tatiam." He repeated the name over and over, chewing on, digesting the foreign, exotic flavor. He couldn't place where she'd be from. Chestnut hair, lissome frame, intoxicating eyes. "The truth or not, I'm quite charmed, Miss Tatiam. How could I not be?" He tilted his head slightly as she turned and distanced herself from the doctor. "How about me, hmm?" What was he looking for in this? He figured the end game was quite obvious, but . . . "If you can think back moments ago, it was you that brought our paths back together. And as the resident kiss judge of Syliras, I'm required by law to think on it." Too cheesy, Orion. "And I must say, you have some work to do. I'll give you a pass, though. It was impulsive, and you strike me as unpredictable, and I won't lie, lots of bonus points for that."