Completed [The Herald's Arms] A Lesson In Love (Matthew & Razkar)

[Razkar]

Razkar listened with a furrowed brow as words poured from the human's mouth, erudite and confident as the man himself. He found himself wondering why a man with such intelligence was selling himself to females... though one look at him was explanation enough.

Not handsome in the classical sense, with the chiseled jaw and rugged features of the statues. Matthew had a trace of femininity in all his features, that both softened and accentuated his eyes, his lips, his cheeks...

Razkar wondered why he was noticing that, of all things, shaking his head minutely as he got back on track. The human was a a professional, and he respected that. But he had never heard of... well, sex, described and dissected like it was any other trade. But, he supposed, seduction is something different... and much more useful.

"For instance, your eyes. Black as they are, they can tell a story. Have you ever tried talking through them? Threatening someone with just a stare?"

"Well, yes, but-"

Then Matthew showed him something completely different.

It was like fingertips under his skin. The human's blue eyes seemed to shiver and Razkar's perception of reality was wrenched a few degrees out of whack. Never had he seen a human, a barbarian with such... it was primal. Just as Matthew had said but ticks before, and for all his martial prowess, Razkar felt it pin him like a stake through his chest.

But it was the reason that truly floored him. The human's lidded gaze and the two words that slid out of his mouth like honeyed poison... they were...

"Hello, Raz-kar."

Sex. Violence. The two oldest sins and simplest pleasures, and Matthew was combining them together in something that was dominating and powerful. But it was subtle. Razkar had threatened and intimidated before, but it was through sheer, physical force, nothing more, and the chilling certainty in his manner that he would make good on his threats.

Matthew was a far different animal. More layered, complex, nuanced and harder to pin down; Razkar felt a flush of jealousy as he realized it was simply beyond his purview to understand (for the moment), but the human - a mere barbarian! - still his tongue with his presence.

Then it was gone. Razkar's mouth hung open. The human said something but it took a few blinks for Razkar to remember where he was. That was... something more than just an act. It had to be... magecraft, perhaps? Either way, his mouth worked like a fish for a few times before-

"Does that help make sense? You should try it when she comes back. You two are close friends, right?"

"Um... yes. Very close." Wonderful, now he was blushing. A Myrian, of all things! "We meet while I sail on the sea to Syliras. She is... very special. Very kind. But worry she not understand how cruel world can be. How hard."

Razkar shrugged his shoulders, and with that gesture he seemed to let the cloak of uncertainty slide off his shoulders. Perhaps he was already trying to ape the cool and confident manner of Matthew. He knew he couldn't compete with that, however. The human wore it like skin, like something he owned, not learned.

"But I do not know all. I am only savage, after all, hmm?"

A wry and amused smile, so out of place on that pierced, inked and scarred face. One that went with his eyes, that time, and with one gesture Razkar let the human know he'd gone some way to chipping through the wall of hostility the Myrian erected to the world entire.

And at least his blush was gone by the time Edri returned.

"Ahh...!" A pleasurable growl escaped his throat as he licked his lips, taking the tankard with frothy brew sloshing inside. "I take back all I said about barbarian wenches...!"

That earned him a slap on the wrist that was so very, very worth it. He sipped at the ale and delighted in the bitter sting but rich, almost aromatic after-taste. It was so rich, nearly creamy... shame they couldn't get hold of Lethshine in the barbarian lands, but this was still pretty good.

"While I may not sell myself. A man is more likely to drop more Mizas on ale when he is trying to impress the beautiful barmaid."

Razkar mock-scowled over the rim of his own tankard with a grunt and a "hmph".

"Drop anything else and he will not have hand to drop anything again..."

Usually that would have provoked some barb that would have eventually ended in mutual laughter, but Edreina seemed more interested in her hair now. Razkar found himself watching the air between the Svefra and the human almost expectantly... fearfully?

Every inch of him recoiled at the suggestion. A thousand years of warriors, reavers and beserkers howled from his blood but when they ceased, the plaintive fear was still there. Because he knew Matthew was more than a pretty face (that seemed the most apt word, he realized): he was smart. He knew how to use what he had and what others possessed.

That made him dangerous.

"Sorry, I was just... thinking."

"Yeah." Razkar managed to mutter lamely, staring briefly into his ale before emptying it another inch. "Lot of that go around..."

[Matthew]

Savage. Matthew wiggled in his seat, a bit uncomfortable with the word, casting another glance up and down the big warrior. In all honesty, he had no idea what a Myrian really was, or where they came from. He had simply heard the term tossed around the one or two times he had seen them walking through Syliras. Were they really savages? He considered the word for a second, then slowly voiced his thoughts. "I suppose you are. I suppose I am, to you. Savagery is a good thing when it comes to the sheets, though. There are a variety of women who like that sort of thing. You may know this. I could use a little bit of savagery myself, but I can only muster so much when I feel a lady wishes it. It is not real, though. Perhaps you could teach me to be a savage sometime." He wasn't sure if it was something that could be teached. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know. He wondered if he sounded like the naive little Zeltivan boy that he probably was.

Edreina returned, and Matthew gave a small smile and a nod as she handed him his mug. He immediately noted the lack of ice, and paused for a brief moment. His mouth opened at first, about to inquire if there was no Reimancer on hire to provide the chilled drinks that refreshed so very well in the midst of summer. He quickly closed it, a harsh voice in the back of his reminding him he was no longer the spoiled rich child of a University Headmaster. Those days were behind him, and he had been the one to put them behind him. Instead, he lifted the water to his lips, taking a few deep gulps before sitting it back down to his lap. He listened closely to Edreina, nodding at her words, offering a few of his own back to keep the conversation going. "If you decide you wish to sell yourself, let me know. I would be happy to train you in anything you like to know. I would actually like to move my hips the way you seem to naturally do, so if you ever have any spare time where you could teach me, let me know that as well. It would come in handy both when learning to dance, and when pleasuring the customers."

He had just practically offered to teach her the ins and outs of seducing and sex, but said it quite naturally and matter-of-factly. It was almost painfully formal, though such a thing could normally not be plainly said. Apparently he had no ideas of social norms, or had defined one of his own. "I am actually looking to branch out and form my own business, you see. Something a bit more sophisticated than just the love-making. An escort service where I can be request on formal dates, to be an intelligent man to take to a noble ball, to simply lay with a woman who is missing her deceased husband and his warmth. I think there may be a calling for this, if the idea can be accepted by some." He took another sip of his water, unable to resist plugging his business a bit. He had business cards on his person, but left them in his pockets for now.

When she let her hair down, his eyes widened a bit, the blue sparkles taking in the red fire. He absentmindedly ran a hand through his own dark hair, then tried to give his head a toss, knowing instinctively that his attempts weren't going to have the same effect at all. He grumbled a tad to himself, making a mental note to take a look at his hair in a mirror sometime and see if it was up to par. Perhaps he would just have to ask Edreina about that as well. She could teach him about hair, and hip movement. He wondered what a fair payment for that sort of thing would be. It wasn't exactly advertised in shops.

Glancing between the two, noticing Razkar staring into his mug and Edreina seemingly a bit distant, he tried again. "So, Edreina, Raz-kar tells me you met each other on the sea. Do you sail? Your eyes are the color of the ocean." He smiled at her, the expression a little more than professional this time. His instincts automatically kicked in, and the smile turned out to be a little more... flirtatious, with a slight nip of his lower lip and a sparkle of his eye. It seemed he could turn on the little charms like a switch, just as easily as Razkar had seen him turn them off. Perhaps it was becoming too easy. He didn't ever want to lose himself in the science of seduction.

[Edreina]

"So, Edreina, Raz-kar tells me you met each other on the sea. Do you sail? Your eyes are the color of the ocean." At his words, Edreina cringed delicately, flicking a strand of hair over her shoulder to hide the movement. Despite her efforts, a monumental blush crept into her cheeks as she considered his words. "I sail but..." Her teeth caught her lower lip guiltily. "I'm not very good at it. Not at all really." On the trip here, she had nearly rammed Tonio's ship at least twice and gone off course a couple more times. Suddenly, she felt the need to explain herself. I mean really, who lives on a ship but can barely sail?"Growing up on the Anchorage, I didn't really get the chance to sail off on my own all that often. Most of my life has been moored with another ship." Her mounting incompetence only added to the reddening of her cheeks. Once again, blue eyes darted off elsewhere - this time to picking at the skirt laying across her legs. It registered, rather late, that he had complimented her eyes, instead of simply describing them. She seemed to be unable to remember that blue eyes were uncommon among these land-striders, considered a mark of beauty. Among her own people, they were common, utterly, boringly common. But, nonetheless, she took pride in her eyes. They were flecked with light gray instead of green or violet as was more common. But no one really got close enough to her to realize that minute detail. In an effort to reignite the line of conversation, she turned to Matthew and rested her cheek on her hand, eyeing him curiously. "How does one get into your line of work, anyway?" A furtive glance was cast at Razkar before she continued, hoping that he didn't get the wrong idea by her curiosity. Wait, why did she give a petch about what he thought of her? "I mean, how do you go from simple sex to dates and the whatnot? You would have to be a phenomenal actor for such a occupation, in my opinion." And it was true. Edreina could not personally fathom becoming a whole new person upon the whim of another. What if they did not want her to smile? Or worse! They didn't want her to ask questions... "And, well, wouldn't that end up being a bit dangerous? I know how people can get once their emotions get tied into things. How are you going to protect yourself and your employees from jaded ex-lovers or your competition?" She took another drink and then frowned when it was less filling than she had anticipated. The bottom of her mug stared up at her, begging to be filled once more. No. Not tonight. She set the mug upon the table and then settled back to listen to Matthew. At the end of his account, Edreina found her curiosity only piqued, not sated in the least. Was this whole 'escort' idea a new invention of Matthew's or did it already exist elsewhere? Only one way to find out. "Hey Raz," ask the one who had seen the dirtier side of the world, "this escort thing, have you ever encountered it before?" Oh wait. He probably never needed it. The constant, nagging reminder of his beloved Ayatah left a bitter taste in her mouth. Her eyes flashed off the the side, narrow and flinty as she attempted to expel the feeling. But, in nearly the same tick, she realized how childish she was being - Must be the ale... Petching lightweight. - and returned her attention to the two men lounging across from her. As she looked at them, she realized that a funnier sight could likely not be found in all of Mizahar. On one side, you had posh elegance embodied; on the other, rugged brutality. Speaking of brutality, why the petch was he still wearing all those weapons? "Looks uncomfortable," she muttered. It took her a moment to realize the words had been spoken aloud. Her fingers stopped their idle tracing of the faint patterns in her skirt as surprise claimed her. Since when does she mutter aloud? Let alone in Common?"I- I mean your weapons!" Edreina stammered, blue eyes wide at the looks she was being given. Wow, she was really being smooth tonight. Was it because this new fellow put her on edge in an odd sort of way? She never really knew whether he was going to flounce away, or pounce upon her. It was disconcerting how easily he flitted back from one feeling to the other. Thank goodness for Raz. She could nearly always see the progressions of emotion across his now-familiar face. "Do you... want to take them off, perhaps?" Her voice came out slower, smoother as she focused on him, "There is a closet by the door for such things. But you probably don't want to let them leave your sight." She sighed and shook her head, standing again. More ale, the thought was more a groan than anything. There was something very off about her tonight, but she could simply not place a finger upon it. After a moment's thought, she picked up Razkar's ale as well as her own to be topped off. On the short walk between tables, Edreina attempted to gather her scattered wits. As she was filling her own mug, it dawned on her. Having sex so simply displayed with Matthew took her mind back to how she felt about Raz, a jumbled mess of rope she was too afraid to untangle, and, more importantly, how her body felt about him. Sex was something simple with her, just another source of pleasure and another way to sate her never ebbing curiosity. But with Raz, it seemed to be more. His body was attached to his mind in his vow to the mysterious woman from the steamy jungle. Every day she spent with him, her curiosity only grew and grew until she was forced to sate it with fantasies whispered in the dead of the night while he slumbered only feet away. But she began to realize that the curiosity was directed to more than his physical prowess. And that scared her. Gods, why do things always have to get complicated? Turning back towards the barrel, facing away from the men across the room, she took a long, slow drink from her own mug before topping it off once again. Ale solves everything, her father used to say. When she returned to the duo, she automatically turned to Matthew, remembering something he had said earlier. Both mugs found a place upon the table as she took a step back, smiling. Her hands rested upon her hips, pressing the skirt down in such a way that her figure became blatantly obvious; though whether or not that was her intention was in doubt. "You said you wanted to learn to move your hips like mine... And... well..." A wicked smirk tugged at her lips before she captured the lower one between her teeth, not out of thoughtfullness this time but playful flirtation. He was a professional, so obviously he could deal with her pathetic attempts at being cute and flirtatious. Hell, maybe he could even teach her a thing or two. "I'm not entirely sure that such a thing can be taught, but I'm willing to try right now, if you want? We might be too busy with work to try it in the future."

[Razkar]

Once again Razkar was taken on a little trip over the waterfall, as they called it back in the jungle. His expression veered between intense concentration as Matthew laid out what sounded like sincere wisdom-

-and then the barbarian would say something that would make the Myrian's face freeze as he forced his body not to thumb his eyes out.

Case in point:

"If you decide you wish to sell yourself, let me know. I would be happy to train you in anything you like to know. I would actually like to move my hips the way you seem to naturally do, so if you ever have any spare time where you could teach me, let me know that as well. It would come in handy both when learning to dance, and when pleasuring the customers."

Edreina looked over with a frown when she heard some kind of gurgling snort from Razkar and saw foam coming out his nose. The Myrian choked and coughed almost to the point where she was going to ask if he was fine, until he put his hand up.

"I... kff... I don't... er..." He was suddenly aware that two pairs of blue eyes were on him and chose his words carefully. "I... meaning to say... Edri does not have much time in making sex... business." He leveled his gaze squarely at the Svefra. "Might be a bad thing."

Whether or not he intended it, Matthew showed some mercy and talked about a business idea he had after that, giving Razkar the chance to sink into his own thoughts and peruse the Eyktol rugs for hole to crawl into. Why was he having such an issue with this? It wasn't like he was some blushing virgin who thought a woman's vulva had teeth but... still...

Because it's her, yes? The barbarian, and even thinking of her as "barbarian" makes your skin crawl. You've spent too long around her, you who swore you would wander. You fool...

Finally he heard the word "sailing" and looked up, seeing Edreina mumbling her way through an answer with an almost shamed expression on her face. Before his mind had fully taken stock of what she'd said, he found himself jumping to her defense.

"You are good at sailing." He said, almost blurting the words out. "Just... need more time to learn. You are young, remember? Plenty of time..."

The conversation continued and Razkar shrank back into himself. All it took was the merest sliver of doubt and he was there to reassure her. And who was she? Just another barbarian... but she wasn't. He frowned into his ale, trying to puzzle out the problem while not admitting there was one.

"Hey Raz, this escort thing, have you ever encountered it before?"

Once again it took him a moment to respond, looking up sharply and shaking his head. "Ah... no. Not in jungle, anyway. In Riverfall, have heard of places, but just for whores, not escorts." He gave Matthew a slight smile. "Think there is difference, yes? But with Children of Myri, thing is simpler. Unless promised to one male or female, ah..."

He thought of a way to put it delicately and then shrugged, realizing you really couldn't.

"Sleep with who you want. Just be willing to deal with consequences..."

Then she asked him about his weapons - a little awkwardly, which confused him - and he looked down at the steel weighing him down. Well, that wasn't quite accurate... it was, but it wasn't a burden. It reassured him, knowing his had sharp steel within easy reach. The idea that it was somehow rude or uncivilized to keep wearing them in such plush surroundings... well, it had occurred to him. And he didn't care. But it was uncomfortable, and what were the odds of him being accosted here of all places?

"I... think you are right."

The two humans watched as the Myrian walked to the closet an laboriously undid the clasps and buckles that kept his weapon harness strapped to his torso. Taking off his cloak, they could see that in addition to the ax, gladius and kukri on his hip, belt and chest, there were a pair of curved daggers in sheaths across his back, beautiful and sharp.

Lakans. The sacred weapons of the Akalaks, and there were only two ways a non-Akalak would have got them. Either they were gifted to him by an especially grateful Akalak, or...

The other way. The cold, dead fingers way.

And even once they were gone, there was another weapon that Edreina's eyes were drawn to. A double-bladed dagger with a stylized "A" carved onto the hilt. The letter was hidden as his hand closed around it... waited... and then loosened.

He kept it on, even when he sat back down, shirtless and uncaring of it, scars and tattoos bared to the world. He smiled to her softly, patting the small of his back as he leaned forward to his freshened tankard.

"Feels better, having just one on me. Having none... not feel good. Not feel like Child of Myri. Must sound stupid to barbarians, but..."

There. He was smiling and feeling a little looser and then with a mouthful of ale swallowed down, Razkar was feeling a little more confident. This wasn't so bad, he mused. Just redirect the conversation a little bit, cover it up and-

"You said you wanted to learn to move your hips like mine... And... well... I'm not entirely sure that such a thing can be taught, but I'm willing to try right now, if you want? We might be too busy with work to try it in the future."

Razkar blew froth out of his nose again.

[Matthew]

Razkar's sudden and violent coughing caused Matthew to whip his head over in concern, scooting closer to the warrior, raising his hand as if to slap him on the back. "Do you need help? Are you okay? Did the ale go down the wrong hole? I have a little medical training, so if you need assistance..." Matthew held his hand high, not snapping it down to thump the Myrian on the back, secretly fearing if it would return in one piece to him. Razkar held his hand up though, and quietly became the voice of reason, reminding Edreina of her schedule. Matthew nodded wisely, returning to his seat smoothly. "Ah yes. We are all quite busy these days. I wouldn't want to add any further complications." He relaxed back to his cushions, turning to the red-haired woman, perusing all the things she had asked him.

He considered her first question, then gave a quick shrug. "I am honestly not so sure how most people get into my line of work. I just chose to. It seemed to be a fairly logical choice." There were logical choices involved in becoming a prostitute? At her very next question, he paused, brow furrowing as he mulled it over. At her mention of dating and simple sex, he had realized that he had never actually had any of those things. Not that he cared really, but he now noted that it was probably going to sound odd. He said it anyway, another slow shrug of his strong shoulders proceeding his softly spoken words. "I have never dated or had sex casually. I just went on dates in preparation for this. Slept with quite a few women as well. While there is a lot of logic involved in the workings of the human body, there is still a certain grace required in bed. It all comes eventually. It is all part of seduction, really. Acting is certainly good when someone wants you to play as something you aren't, like a dangerous warrior-" He paused, eyes slipping over to Razkar and back before continuing on. "-and I need practice with that. Roleplaying isn't a speciality of mine yet. I just stick to the basics of what I know, and adjust them to what I assume that person will need. Usually they make it clear. They purchase me for a specific want, after all."

He hooked a thumb over his shoulders, gesturing to the door of the Herald. "Like the two women I just serviced. Strong willed and strong worded, with equally strong bodies. They took delight in manhandling their toy. I picked up on that, and went with the basics of a submissive attitude. Unlike you-" He turned his thumb, pointing at Edreina next. "-who probably likes something a little more savage and primal. That can end up being either submissive, or dominant." Was he suggesting something? He didn't look at Razkar, but the corners of his lips lifted just the smallest bit. For the professional air he put on, he sure could seem to be cheeky sometimes. It was hard to tell, with the way he kept his face permanently polite. "As for Raz-kar, I am a bit unsure. I suppose I need a few nights with a Myrian woman." Yahal forbid, he silently prayed.

Nodding as she mentioned the danger of his profession, he spoke again. His words were all eager, displaying a surprising amount of passion for his job. "There is danger, and I think we all know that in this business. A lot of the women and men just depend on the Knights for protection. I would personally like to train each professional in self-defense, when I could find a teacher willing. I myself likely should learn something like this sometime or another." Appropriately, the conversation was turned to Razkar and his load of weapons. Matthew frowned, turning to watch him, not having seen that many. His jaw was quick to loosen as the Myrian unfolded and went to undress himself, pulling weapon after weapon after weapon out of various places on his person. How did one man have all that sharp steel tucked away? Why would one man even need all that? Wasn't one sharp thing enough to kill something? Once again, the savage had naturally intimidated Matthew just a tad, and he was quick to slightly shrink back when Razkar returned. He wasn't regretting his earlier decision to keep his hands to himself while Razkar had been foaming at the nose.

The harlot was blissfully unaware of all the things going on between them, thought in silence and pondered alone. Logic worked on every little problem he had, leading to his life being a very simple and straight-forward one. He preferred this, to the normal ways people dealt with their emotions. Sometimes feelings could get the best of him, but as long as he reminded himself that they were a simple working of his brain, he could usually regain control.

Edreina left and returned, a coy smile accompanying her offer to teach him. A delighted sparkle lit his eyes, the smallest of smiles betraying his excitement as he hurriedly stood up. He smoothed his ragged clothing over his bruised muscles, trying his best to look as nice as possible. Suddenly realizing how ratty he looked, he frowned down at his clothes, mind racing for a quick solution. His fingers tore open his shirt, ripping it fully down the middle along the small tears here and there. He quickly spun the shirt into something of a belt, wrapping it around his waist, hiding some of the holes in his black slacks. His body glistened, and he nodded to himself, a bit more comfortable with his appearance. He was ready to begin when he caught Razkar spewing foam once more. "Raz-kar, wait right here." He set off toward the kitchen with a graceful step, soon returning with a damp washcloth. "Here. You can use this to cool your face, and clean any further foam. If you don't wish for anyone to take a look at you, at least allow me to offer yourself some ways to help with the odd ale explosions." Matthew was obviously painfully naive, all business as he handed the man the little pink washcloth.

He turned to Edreina, chewing his lower lip as he studied her eyes and smirk. She would make an excellent pleasure-giver, but he let that idea stay an idea for now. Returning her smile with a flirtatious smirk of his own full lips, he rattled off a few ideas. "We could certainly clear a small space, and perhaps make it like a dance lesson? Or you could just walk, explain your movements, and then study my own. Do what you will with my hips, really. You seem to be the expert. We could also use a bedroom upstairs, if you want more privacy. Raz-kar, you are more than welcome to come."

[Edreina]

For the second time that night, Razkar began to choke on his ale. Hell, what was wrong with him? Edreina's eyebrow arched gracefully as she took in the situation. She was about to offer him a pat on the back or something when Matthew left and then returned with a dainty little washcloth. Watching him hand it to Razkar was... laughable to say the least. As he named off a few of his ideas, Edreina could not stop herself from admiring his figure. It lacked the bulk of Razkar or - Edreina blushingly thought back to the hulking Kisetukai - others, but it was lean and hard sinew that could quickly be brought to stand in relief as he moved. It was almost a familiar form and Edreina found herself wondering if he perhaps had some Svefra in his line. When he mentioned going to the bedroom, and taking Razkar with them no less, Edreina would have spit her ale too. Her face reddened immensely as she thought about the concept of voyeurism. No, not appealing... She enjoyed sex and was quite open about it. But, when it came down to the actual act, Edreina was a rather private person. "No no! I, uh, don't think that will be necessary... I can show you down here," in spite of it all, her eyes flicked warily to Razkar as she spoke. "Right then... I have never danced and likely never will, so I will just demonstrate and help you from there the best that I can..." She cleared her throat once, hoping it would dispel the blush as well, and set to adjusting her own clothes. The top of her skirt was shimmied just a bit lower so that her golden, freckled hips became visible. Her top was then tied off just beneath her breasts to the point that the bottom of the linen wrap that bound her chest tightly was visible. By exposing her taut, toned midsection, the sway in her hips became more defined, more dramatic; especially as the tattoo that spanned from ribs to hip seemed to ripple and dance each time she shifted her weight. Once before, she had taught someone to stand still while on a rocking boat. Now, she was teaching someone how to move with the steady rhythm of the waves while on solid ground. Hopefully, the lesson would not be so hard to translate. "Watch me," she said quietly, turning her back on Matthew so that he could see if from both angles as she walked away from and then back towards him. Slowing her walk would likely make her lose her balance, so Edreina spoke as she walked. "When you lengthen your stride, your hips have to roll naturally. When you take a step with one foot, your hip follows. It is only a matter of... well... using your stomach muscles to exaggerate the movement. " As she turned to face him once more, nearly across the Arms, she paused. Blushing somewhat as she realized how silly she must look, she raised her arms just enough that they did not obstruct the lines of her torso. It would be even sillier to simply have her arms raised, so Edreina put them into her hair ruffling it slightly. "Like this..." Her right hip raised slightly, seemingly of its own accord, and then arced outwards and back down. The motion was dramatic, but Edreina's upper body seemed to be totally unaffected. This seemingly hard-earned ability to do this came from years of standing upon swaying decks and having to hold or carry something. If one looked close enough, they would notice that she stood on the balls of her feet at all times, giving her more room to move her hips than she would were she standing flat footed. The process was repeated with her left hip and, as it fell, Edreina quickly brought up her right hip - and leg - so that they noticed how that motion went into her walking. Her arms fell to swing gently at her sides as she moved. Upon returning to Matthew, she smiled brightly, head cocking to the side. "Was that good enough to help, or do you need more? Wait, no. Why don't you practice a little bit and I can give you pointers." Her smile became playful as she sat upon the sofa with Razkar. "More ale?" The question was teasing as she referred to the fact that he had already lost so much through his nose. The air seemed to hum between them with some dark, unknown energy as she turned her attention back to Matthew. Being only halfway on the couch, ankles crossed and feet resting upon the ground, a long expanse of her sun-tanned figure was exposed to Razkar when she turned on him, her burnished hair hanging in scintillating waves that reached nearly to the small of her back.

[Razkar]

Razkar held his breath, tankard suspended halfway to his face, as Matthew's calm request echoed around the room. He studied the human's face to find some hint of sarcasm or humor... but no. Still that guiltless, guileless mask he couldn't read and instantly suspected because of that.

And taking Edri upstairs? To one of those rooms? With him?!

"Are you petching-"

"No no! I, uh, don't think that will be necessary... I can show you down here."

Edreina cut him off smoothly just as his bile started to spill over into words and the two of them shared a brief but solid glance. Blue eyes were wary, black orbs... concerned. Confused. Angry. He wished it could have been just the two of them, without this impossibly confident and beautiful male...

... what? Stealing your thunder? Stealing your female?

But she isn't, so grow some eggs and calm down.

She made it much easier for him, though, sashaying back and forth as she "demonstrated" for Matthew. Razkar kept his eyes on her and did his best to do so casually... though, really, how in all the hells could you manage that? The mighty warrior looked like some lovesick cub, sneaking glances over the rum of his tankard as she walked past, cheeking burning and... well, grateful that he was wearing breeches as well as his loincloth.

"If you need help to learn how to defend," he said to Matthew once Edreina had finished, the female sitting back down, "I am for hire. I can teach. Sorry did not say before, but, ah... was distracted..."

"More ale?"

His eyes slid over and returned her wry, mocking smile. He dearly wanted to tell her no, he had plenty more to sup up his nostrils... but then a thoughtful edge entered his gaze. The sight of her, so vibrant and at ease, almost as much as Matthew...

Shyke it all! The male does have knowledge of such things, especially with the barbarians.

"Yes, please." He said nicely enough, shrugging off her suspiciously narrowed eyes. "Well, I did waste most when I snort, yes?"

He waited for her reply, almost fidgeting in anticipation. She wouldn't be long, he was sure of that (she was good at her job, after all), but even a chime or two would be enough to pepper Matthew with a brief barrage of questions, soak up some answers...

But all for purely informational purposes. Yes. Purely informative.

Sure, sure.

[Matthew]

A bit confused by their reactions on his offer to go to the bedroom, he let his mind wander back over the words, trying to find the mistake in them. He had thought he was being polite in offering her some privacy, knowing that showing such a walk might be considered a little forward by most. He considering asking about it, but decided against it, slightly worried he might do more damage. Had he done damage in the first place, even? He made another note to work on his social skills, realizing that he rarely used them outside of the Herald. Was that a bad thing? Now that he thought about it, it sure seemed like sort of a bad thing. He frowned a bit, mulling this over before noticing Edreina was starting her lesson.

He sat, glancing at Razkar out of pure cautiousness of his proximity to the beast, then returned his attention to the girl. He looked like the perfect little student, all huddled up with his chin on his hands and his eyes a bit wide. As she walked, he took note of everything, soaking it up eagerly. Everything from the movement of her hips to the movement of the banded muscle underneath, to the way her legs worked and her feet moved. He heard her words as well, and nodded slowly, transfixed. Razkar would perhaps be reminded of a young Myrian, learning the ways of their Goddess... or perhaps the ways of the sword. For how incredibly suggestive and seemingly flirtatious he could be, Matthew was really a student of it all. A student of seduction. A studious harlot. None of the combination of words seemed to fit naturally, for they were never really uttered together.

Rising as she returned, he nodded, nibbling his lower lip in though. "You were an excellent teacher. I hadn't thought of the stomach muscles. When thrusting into a woman, it is all in the hips, or at least that is where I feel it. I was trying to use those, but they just wouldn't swivel. You have helped plenty, so I want to give it a shot. Now, I just need to modify it for a man, and then maybe..."

Lithe muscles brushed by her, and he paused, rolling down his own britches to reveal the gold belt of Yahal and the lined-hips fully. Taking a breath, he closed his eyes, remembering the way her figure and muscles had looked. He adjusted them a bit in his mind, and then moved. His back held straight and his chin held high, confidence in the stance, his chest pushed up and his shoulders held in check. He walked gracefully, even with his upper body leaking power. His walk was slow, careful and planned, further showing off the confidence in his gait. The whole entire time, his hips tried to move just a tad, but the muscle just barely shivered as he tried to get a feel for moving them. Reaching the end of his walk, he turned, face displaying a slight second of frustration before he stepped back towards Razkar and Edreina. Chewing his lower lip, he tried again, blue eyes focused on the wall beyond. After a few moments, the expression in his blue gaze changed to something a bit more relaxed and sultry... and he walked again.

His light and slow steps finally caused his hips to sway. They weren't nearly as pronounced as Edreina's, moving only slightly to the left and right. It was just barely there, slow and lazy, just enough to hint at the level of hip control the man had. He once again purposefully tried to leak confidence and ease, attempting to keep every bit of his body under calculated control. He kept that look of focus on his face the whole time, his body flexing multiple times as he walked toward the pair. Finally, he reached them, letting out a rush of air as he breathed hard. He was acting as if he had just worked out.

Flopping down across from the two, he furrowed his brow, looking back and forth. "What do you two think? Any advice?"

Turning to Razkar, his eyes lit up at the offer the barbarian gave him, nodding with a bit of eagerness. "Once I get the coin, I will have to come find you. You would be perfect. I doubt anyone would expect an Escort to be trained by someone like you. All strong and dangerous and with about eleven different weapons." He waved a hand over the man, smile slightly nervous, as if he was trying to make some sort of joke and slightly worried about the possible outcomes. He was still painfully oblivious to the reason for the tension in the air, just a bit aware of it, and concerned.

[Edreina]

OOCTyping with a foreign keyboard. xD Beware randomly placed letters. Nodding to herself, Edreina turned to retrieve Razkar's mug and stood in the same motion so that she was sort of twisting as she became erect in a motion that could have been considered dancing had it been under the influence of music. On her way to the barrel, again, she found herself considering Matthew's offer to teach her how to dance. When the mug's foam had nearly reached the top, a hoarse voice distracted Edreina. It was someone beckoning her over from across the tavern. She frowned ever so lightly and went to investigate. The man who had captured her attention was well on into his fifties with skin turned to leather by long hours in the sun and wind. A head of hair and clothes that did not smell of horse dung - Edreina had become familiar with the smell during Razkar's stay, thanks to the Myrian's ebony mount - seemed to be a luxury the man simply could not afford. When she approached, stopping a stride away out of courtesy, the man donned a grin known only to the drunk. "Since you work here," he said, voice displaying one too many years inhaling tobacco smoke, "mind giving me a refill?" It was an easy enough request from a simple enough looking man, so, donning her serving-girl-smile, Edreina took the cup and purred, "Would be my pleasure." It was true what she had said to Razkar earlier. Men bought more drinks when they thought themselves to be in the presence of a willing and able young woman. And it was, after all, her job to sell drinks. So she sighed to herself and quickly fetched the man another ale, returning his smile as she handed it over. Thinking that was that, Edreina went back to retrieve Razkar's ale from where she had left it upon the bar. But, she forgot to take into consideration the amount of courage a man could find at the bottom of each mug. Judging by the sheer number of empty mugs surrounding the man alone at his table, he could have faced down a lion. Instead, he decided to reach out and pinch the redhead's swaying rear. The other girls had warned Edreina about blokes like these, so she was prepared. Cool and calm, quick as a snake, Edreina spun and put the force of her turn into a hard, flat-palmed slap that echoed throughout the Arms. Her face showed no anger, no outrage, despite the fact it was quickly warming her chest, and that was because the girls had warned her that some men did it simply because it gave them a third-thumb-salute to see a woman defiant. Once the head-turning slap was complete, she turned without a word and retrieved Razkar's ale. The silence that had descended upon the Arms' first floor was chased away by a couple of nervous laughs and conversation that seemed to be a bit louder than before. None of it mattered to the smirking Svefra; her point had been made. From afar, she could see that Matthew were engrossed in deep conversation, perhaps over a business partnership or the like. Ah hell, had Raz seen what went on? Edreina could only be glad he had not used the one dagger he still had on his person to feminize the lecher. Why did the Myrian always seem to get so protective anyway? The question burned at her mind rather frequently but was, as most unpleasant, unanswerable things were, pushed out of her mind like one would remove a thorn. When she arrived, their conversation seemed to have died and she could not help but wonder why. The ale was set before Razkar just as she sank onto the opposite side of the couch, stretching her long torso so that it arched gracefully. When she sat up, the tendrils of fire that had obstructed her face cascaded backwards, one hesitating upon her lower lip before she brushed it away. Blue eyes scanned the two men, as if she were plotting something, when really she was just wondering what they had been talking about. Settling back against the arm of the couch, she crossed her arms beneath her breasts and cocked her head. From the looks of both men, she had obviously just missed a rather intriguing conversation. But, she could not be sure until she saw their reactions to her seemingly innocent question, "What did I miss?"

[Razkar]

Razkar did not often feel the emotion of jealousy, and when he did, it was purely in a martial aspect. Ximal? Oh, he was plenty jealous of that human: fluid and dynamic, powerful and perfectly in sync. He had bruises to attest to that. Xalet, the Akalak? Sheer physical power, eight feet tall, three feet wide and fast as a Dhani... with years of knightly training honing him into a formidable warrior.

But as his black eyes roved over the strutting - well, practicing - male in front of him, he felt a flush come to his cheeks. Matthew's body was chiseled and tones in ways that exuded sexuality, and he didn't even need to look at Edreina to know she was impressed... aroused.

The Myrian frowned and took another sip of his nearly-empty tankard. Now he was just acting like a child, seeing nightmares in mere shadows. He let his stare shift to the female, getting to her feet, and found the color slowly drain from his cheeks.

She calmed him. That told him much.

"What do you two think? Any advice?"

Razkar snorted, genuinely amused that he would be the one asked. He shrugged. "Looks good to me, but I am no judge. Edri is teacher..."

"Once I get the coin, I will have to come find you. You would be perfect. I doubt anyone would expect an Escort to be trained by someone like you. All strong and dangerous and with about eleven different weapons."

Razkar's eyes flickered to Matthews and latched onto those intense blue orbs. He smiled thinly, face neutral otherwise, as if contempalting something... and then permitted himself some small moment of bravado. Hardly what a female like Edreina would consider romantic, but...

... it's about your ego, isn't it?

"I am a Child of Myri," Razkar said, voice low and matter-of-fact, as if describing the weather, but undercut with that growling timbre of his race, "I am a weapon."

Something flickered briefly behind the barbarian's eyes and Razkar's smile widened a touch at the sight of it, like a predator scenting blood. But bravado was one thing; bullying was another. So he shrugged off his intimidation and a warmth crept into the quirk of his lips.

"I would be happy to teach in arms. Gladius, ax... large for escorts. Cannot see barbarian carry in purse or while escort female, hmm? But know knife, too. Know dagger. Know how to use feet and hands and head and teeth and everything else. This would help, I think-"

There was a crack like a rock tossed into a wall from across the bar and Razkar's hand was grasping the hilt of his dagger before his head had even finished snapping around to it. He knew the sound of bone on flesh well, enough and saw-

Something that made him smile.

Edreina was already walking away from a man rubbing his cheek and staring in hurt surprise at the receding female, sobering up quite quickly now, fresh ale or not. A glimmer of drunken anger entered his features and Razkar tipped his head a little low, accentuating his stare, wishing, willing...

From across the bar, the drunk swept his futile glower across the patrons, daring them to make a crack-

-until he saw the Myrian throwing his look right back at him, with interest, and swallowed.

Razkar didn't show him his blade. He didn't need to, for the very reason he had explained to Matthew. He merely held the eye contact... and shook his head, twice, very slowly.

The drunk studied his ale like a scholar over a lost tome, and did not look back up again.

"... but..." Razkar said finally, breaking the tension as he turned back to Matthew, brow still knotted, searching for barbarian words as carefully as he could. "Not so savage to think that skill with steel is all thing. Words important, too. Words, ah... with women."

Matthew cocked his head a little. First time he'd heard some real hesitation from the Myrian's voice, and he saw the savage staring into nothing, thinking deep and trying to put sound to the mind's desires.

"Knowing way to act for female, too," Razkar said, voice a little more sure as he followed Edreina walking back towards them, heart beating faster without his consent as her hips swayed in that oh-so-seductive manner. "Not just because of female. Or to female-" a lightning-fast blush "-but things to make female feel... like have value. Like is special, and... cared for."

Razkar flicked a glance at Matthew and wet dry lips, the glowering warrior of mere ticks ago replaced by something much more awkward. He took a deep breath and leaned closer, words more urgent and this whispered, almost guiltily.

Guilty. If the barbarian but knew how apt that was...

"Like make good day for red-head friend. Like, ah... make meal. Or hunt. Kill enemy for her."

Razkar winced as if struck, mentally clubbing himself. Oh, yes, and that's what barbarian females love! A nice severed head for their collection! He shook his own and sighed.

"Perhaps, ah... you know ways to do things for woman, make them happy."

There was a pleading, questioning quality to his tone Matthew was not expecting, and the look Razkar gave the human matched it.

"So... you have ideas?"

Edreina was fast approaching but still far enough away for him to absorb any wisdom Matthew had to offer. He just hoped the barbarian was not looking to sabotage him... and talked fast.