PM to join [Soothing Waters] Watermark {Daelyn}

[Hadyn Skellig]

9th Day of Summer
Late Evening

Everything petchin' hurt.

Soreness pervaded her limbs as she closed her eyes, the warmth of the water alleviating the ache. It was late, far later than she intended. But summer was the season for weapon commissions and as such it was common for Sultros to close well into evening. Unable to bring herself to slog into the tavern and drink, Hadyn decided she was overdue for a bath. Barely making it before Soothing Waters closed to patrons, she pressed the two silver Miza into the hand of an annoyed employee, flashing him an apologetic smile.

When he handed her a towel, the woman sighed with relief. It would've been exceptionally vexing if they'd turned her away, even at this late bell. As it stood it seemed she'd have the pool to herself, which she wasn't anticipating. There appeared to be a few private pools in use but the public bath was virtually empty save for a shadowy attendant lingering with soap and hand towels. Securing her clothing and appurtenances in the locker, Hadyn made her way to the pool, towel wrapped loosely around her frame. Dropping it at the edge she slipped into the water without so much as a by-your-leave.

While nudity hardly bothered her when the place was busy the privacy of the pool tonight was something of a reprieve. Swimming silently through the warm water, the woman delighted in having her own space, the echo of the water lapping against the stone drowning the hum of the city around her. Dark hair splayed in waves as she dipped her head back, water filling her ears and muffling all sounds except her own thoughts. She floated in water languidly with all but her head submerged vertically, relishing in the warmth despite the balmy summer air and allowing her tired muscles to relax as her legs moved back and forth listlessly.

She didn't hear the sound of footsteps until they were quite close, brown eyes opening slowly to view the stars. Tilting her head up, the woman tread water with wide strokes, arms moving the liquid in ponderous waves. A pox on whomever joined her, though she knew it was a communal space. It was nice to have something to herself besides that damn hole in the wall she called a home. Ah well. All good things must end. Blinking water from her eyes she searched for the origin of the sound, turning her head to look over one shoulder at the intruder.

[Daelyn Caliban]

He only came to the baths when they were close to closing. Less people to stare at him; stare at the markings on his arm. He walked down the empty streets, most people were at the taverns, or at home with their families, until he reached Soothing Waters. He dug in his pocket for three silver mizas. He gave two to the attendant for entry, and another for not shutting him out. The man flipped the coin on his knuckles before making it disappear.

Daelyn took his towel and made his way into the depths of the pools. He pulled his clothes off and stuffed them in the locker, along with his bag and blade. He stretched his hands above his head, leaning back and cracking his spine. He caught the attendant with the soap staring at his arm and shot him a dark look. He was making his way to the pool when he noticed the woman in the water, looking over his shoulder at him.

He couldn't see well in the dim light, but what he could see was pleasant. She seemed to be in shape, with slight curves, and a pretty face. That scar though. Looked like it had been painful. Hell, it probably still hurt. He nodded at her and climbed into the water. When he got situated, he slipped under the water. Being enveloped by the warmth was petchin' wonderful. He could feel the sweat and grime of the day melting off of him. He came up with a gasp and shook his head, pushing his sopping hair out of his eyes and standing in the center of the pool.

His eyes drifted over to the woman, despite his best efforts to stop them. Ah well, might as well make the best of the opportunity. If worst came to worst, she'd slap him in the face and that'd be it.

"I'm usually not good around pretty women...but we're already naked, and that's the hardest bit done right there."

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn watched him with a guarded visage though she made no move to either leave or cover herself. This was a bath house. Anything more than nudity was strange. She observed him as he strode forward, seemingly unconcerned to share the pool. He was younger than her but not by much. His youth was alight in his face though the strong bone structure suggested three perhaps four years her junior. Altogether he was easy on the eyes. She caught a glimpse of a scar or tattoo on the inside of his wrist but the lack of proper lighting made it difficult to discern. It was none of her business anyway.

He joined her in the water without much pomp or circumstance, submerging himself before she could say anything. Not that she had much to say. One did not often converse with other swimmers, but the pool was also more crowded. With just the two of them it might become necessary to interact. She remained where she was, still some distance as he came up for air, standing and fixing his gaze on her. Though clean the water held a misted appearance, which offered a haze of modesty, though it wasn't much. His voice lilted on the warm breeze generating a simpering smile from the woman.

"Good thing too," she replied in kind, her voice quiet and measured. "As flattery tends to keep my clothes on."

She tread water slowly, watching him with a bit more interest now that he'd broken the proverbial ice. It could be that the two would go about their business and pretend the other wasn't there. Or they could continue conversing. He earned some approval with the initial statement but Hadyn offered only the smile and response. At least he was something to look at, finely built and clearly unabashed by the situation.

[Daelyn Caliban]

"I doubt I would've flattered you much. I'm more of the stammer, stare at the floor type," he said, returning her smile with a small one of his own. He dropped beneath the water again, and swam forward a few feet, emerging closer to the woman than he had before. He was close enough now to make out her features. She was prettier up close. He allowed his eyes to travel to the top of her breasts and back up to her face. Gods but he wouldn't mind seeing her out of the water.

He dropped further into the water and began to tread along with her. Ripples slowly spread across the water, and Daelyn continued to examine the woman's face. Perhaps he was being rude. Perhaps. At the same time though, she'd been studying him intently enough. Maybe she liked what she saw. Maybe she didn't want to talk. Either way, no sense bathing in silence.

"Take it you don't like company," he said. "I don't either. It's why I come so petchin' late. It's a right bastard trying to get clean during the day. Too many people. This though," he said, turning about and motioning to the empty pool. "This is serenity. No one to bother you. Bathe in peace. No lecherous looks. No looks at all..." he said, trailing off slightly. He turned back again, facing the woman, eyes catching hers.

"Daelyn. Figure if we're going to be naked, we may as well know each other's names."

[Hadyn Skellig]

He was a curious fellow, but Hadyn found she didn't mind it. In the wrong setting his advances might be annoying but here they were not only acceptable but intriguing. She remained where she was as he advanced, brushing away a damp strand of hair plastered to her forehead. Indeed on closer inspection the man was quite attractive. Well built, unassuming and seemingly well spoken. While his eyes drifted to her chest before modestly returning northward Hadyn was shameless enough to let her gaze move from his face down the length of his body, though the wavering water made any description difficult. When her eyes moved up once more she caught another glimpse of the marking on his forearm - definitely not a scar. But she made no comment. Hardly her business. A smile curved the corners of her lips as he spoke again.

"Daelyn," she repeated with a nod. "It's a pleasure." She considered extending a hand but reproached herself. They were in a bath not a pub. Her tone was congenial, a drawling accent touching her words and suggesting a lower class upbringing "Hadyn."

She fell silent, observing him with an open expression of interest. She was still guarded enough to maintain her position rather than approach him, but she didn't retreat either. Taking a quick glance to find the attendant was elsewhere, the brunette returned her dark gaze to him with another grin.

"Seems our man's gone and petched off," she nodded in the general location of the lockers. "Right when I needed soap too."

Hadyn grinned as she turned slightly in the water, raising to expose her shoulders and the swell of breasts while looking for the employee. When it was clear he was absent she settled back down and looked at her handsome companion once more.

"You know, for one who claims t'have no charms with women, you're fairin' well enough." Mirth-filled eyes watched him as they swam, tilting her head with curiosity as the dim light caught the narrow planes of her face. "Tell me, is that somethin' y'say to lasses to get their guard down?"

[Daelyn Caliban]

He watched as her eyes moved up and down his body. He tensed slightly for two reasons. One, it never hurt to have a little extra muscle definition. Especially when one was naked in a bath with a pretty woman. Two, his mark was uncovered. If it were just a little brighter in the baths it would be clearly visible. It made him feel vulnerable, like there was a target painted on the back of his skull, just waiting for an assassin's arrow.

He liked her smile. There was something mischievous about it. She had a slight accent; sounded like she'd been born and raised in the Fortress City. He may not have been a native of Syliras, but he'd lived there long enough to recognize when someone was.

"Pleasure's mine I daresay," he said, chuckling.

The two of them fell silent for a moment, going back to their examinations of one another. He thought he could make out interest in her eyes. He wondered if she saw the same in his. Hadyn. Nice name. He couldn't help but feel attracted to her when she grinned.

"Ah well. Like we need another pair of eyes. I'm sure you could filch some if you wanted it badly enough."

Daelyn watched as she raised in the water, the dim light reflecting off of the pale skin of her shoulders and the top of her breasts. He felt a stirring deep within himself, a warmth that spread throughout his body. It wasn't the water. Of that he was sure. He watched with desire in his eyes as she slid back into the water.

"Am I?" His eyes twinkled and he chuckled warmly. She tilted her head, the dim light accentuating her features. He absentmindedly ran his hand through his hair, pushing it off of his forehead for the second time. "It wasn't, but now that I know it works..." He trailed off, and shot Hadyn a wink in the darkness. He was enjoying her company more than he'd enjoyed the company of anyone in a while.

"So Hadyn, what brings you to these wonderfully warm waters?"

[Hadyn Skellig]

A simpering grin lit her face as Daelyn responded, his voice lilting on the warm breeze. The waters ripples were hypnotic, producing a lulling symphony the gentle waves that lapped against the stone. Were he not here Hadyn might tilt her head back once more and simply float complacently. But in truth she didn't mind his presence. Brown eyes narrowed as he winked at her and her expression proved amused, lips parting to reveal straight teeth in a smile.

"Respite," she answered at length, drawing her fingers across the water's surface in lazy circles. Her legs cycled slowly beneath her, keeping her stationary as dark hair floated in serpentine waves amidst her person. "The working bells are tireless and I think if they caught me in the tavern again I'd be marked with permanent D on my forehead for drunk."

Hadyn smiled again in good nature, brown eyes filled with levity. She knew she spent far too much time drowning in alcohol and it was a common side effect to a high-stress exhausting profession. There was no embarrassment or shame in her statement, the thinnest veil of truth pervading her words. She was a drunk. Just not tonight. The steam rolling off the water was heavy and momentarily burdensome between talking and treading.

"What of you, Daelyn? what god has smiled upon me that you might grace me with your presence?" she inquired before taking a slow deep inhalation to relieve the humidity.

As she pulled in the breath between parted lips, however, a dull ache followed by a splintering stitch in her lungs caused her to wince. Brows furrowed she released the breath quickly, a hand reaching for her ribs as she coughed. Her shoulders and neck sunk beneath the water as she grasped the curve of her ribs below her left breast, the other arm managing to keep her afloat. But the cough only furthered the soreness as she closed her eyes, moving away from Daelyn as a blind hand reached for the edge of the pool. A labored breath sucked air in as she grasped the stone edge to keep her head above the water. Sputtering and coughing she groaned as the burn subsided, careful breaths now as she opened her eyes, a hand still protectively resting on her torso.

"Petchin' rib," she breathed, with a grimace her eyes still narrowed as she tried to collect herself.

[Daelyn Caliban]

There was something in her grin. Something sultry and alluring. The atmosphere in the bath house couldn't have been more perfect. Dim lights, mist rising from the water. He took a deep breath, letting the steam fill his lungs. He couldn't help but return her amused look with one of her own. He hadn't had a night as good as this in a long time.

He listened as Hadyn answered his question, watching as her lithe fingers stroked the surface of the water. What would they feel like on his skin? The thought sent the slightest shiver up his back. By the Gods it had been a while since he'd felt like this.

"Well, I've been known to drink too much on occasion," he said, chuckling softly. He'd had his fair share of drunken debacles, nights passed out, and mornings consumed by throwing up and blinding headaches. The best of stories came from nights like that. He chuckled again at her next question. The air filled with a comfortable, close silence as he pondered his answer.

"Do you really want to know Hadyn? You may never see me the same way, and we've only just met. I'd hate to ruin such a wonderful night," Daelyn said, stalling a bit. He didn't have time to get an answer out. Maybe it was for the best Hadyn's face contorted in pain, her breathing became shallow and labored. He watched as her hand went to her torso, and she muttered something about her rib. Even with a grimace she was pretty.

Without a word, Daelyn made his way across the pool. As gently as he could, he moved Hadyn's hand and ran his hand across her ribs. Her skin felt wonderful, but as much as he wanted it be all about pleasure, it wasn't. Well...maybe it was a bit.

"Nothing's broken. Bath's probably the best you can do for it. How long's it been hurting?"

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn's attention was acutely focused on regaining her composure, waiting for the ache to subside in her side as the warm water lapped against her skin. She barely realized Daelyn approached her until his hand slid across hers, gently encouraging it to move, which she did inadvertently. Her eyes rose from the stone to his face, now a few inches from hers. His hand pressed gingerly against her ribs, deftly testing the flesh and muscle beneath in the manner of one with a clear understanding of physiology. Despite the soreness pulsing below the surface the heat from his body was just as soothing as the water.

Admittedly it wasn't the most chaste of touches despite his obvious concern, his hand lingering only inches from her breast. Pulling in another careful breath Hadyn raised her gaze to his azure eyes, noting distractedly his hair, darkened by the water, was an alluring golden blond. The planes of his face were softened by the dim light, strong and virile upon closer inspection and unquestionably handsome. Daelyn was truly an attractive man and she was already naked with his hands on her.

Haddie, you sly fox. Y'ought to try this ploy more often.

Realizing he was waiting for a response, a faint rosiness crept up her neck. It wasn't often she blushed but between their intimate closeness and the fact she'd been mesmerized by his body so near that she hadn't paid attention to his statement Hadyn was feeling slightly flustered. But she conceded her embarrassment with a smile, wearing it with a modicum pride. Releasing her grip on the edge of the pool she moved slightly so her back was against the stone, brown eyes observing him as she reveled in the firm touch he applied to her aching ribs.

"Hurtin' since the day it was petched up," she answered at length, voice throaty from the coughing and exertion. "A while ago, though. Caught the toe end of a boot to lungs."

She grinned nonchalantly, indicating it was not something he needed to worry about. Deciding it was high time they return the attention to him the brunette placed a hand over his and pulled it slowly from her side, releasing it into the water. Casting an appreciative, even inviting, gaze upon him the woman smiled again, tilting her chin up as she returned to treading. An eyebrow arched over keen eyes in challenge as she licked her lips before speaking again.

"I believe you were 'bout to tell me why you're here."

[Daelyn Caliban]

He smiled when their eyes met. They were so close. He could smell her in the steam, a clean...good smell. He liked it. He liked it a lot. He liked his situation even more. Here they were, alone in the baths, his hand upon her naked skin. Sure, he was checking her for injuries...but at the same time.

He watched as a blush crept up her neck. His smile widened just a bit, showing the tiniest bit of teeth. This was fun. Hadyn seemed willing enough to be close to him. Perhaps something would develop between them. He wouldn't mind that. She moved his hand from her side gently, and he watched transfixed as she licked her lips.

"Why I'm here?" He asked, chuckling. The dim light of the torches glinted off of his arm. The mark of Ivak. Would she believe that the God himself had saved his life? Could he trust her with that? He had only just met her. Well, there was no sense living a life without risk. He leaned in close, lips a hairsbreadth from her ear.

"I'm here because a God saved my life. I'm here because there's a man I need to kill...and I've got a sister to rescue," he whispered, letting the silence fill the void when he had finished.