Unexpected, Yet Deserved

by **Orion Michaels** on August 16th, 2013, 6:23 am

”Dinah, wait!” Orion broke into a jog, giving chase. Their game of back and forth, angry and happy, it never seemed like it was going to end. Orion’s feet met the ground again and again as he pumped his arms in chase. Rounding a corner, the former doctor was quite surprised to see Dinah waiting for him, a stern expression only tainted by wet streaks running down her cheeks. ”Dinah..?

”Squire Orion Michaels!” She raised her voice, and it attracted looks from the passerby; It wasn’t as though she cared about making a scene at this point. ”You will not address me in that manner again. I am your patron knight. You are my squire.” Orion opened his mouth to protest, but Dinah continued to turn the tables, stepping forward and this time grabbing his chin. ”No. Be quiet. Anything that’s happened has happened. It can’t be undone. Have I been overbearing? Yes. What am I supposed to do when someone with your history is placed in my care? What am I supposed to do? Should I have expected that you’d suddenly change your ways? It’s not that I didn’t believe in you…It’s that…that..”

Orion stared down into Dinah’s eyes, confused. His anger was washed away, his emotions muddled.

”You made..you made me question myself, Orion. You made me unsure of what I was capable of. You’re only a couple of years younger than I am, and I was supposed to take the womanizing doctor of Syliras and make him worthy to join our order?” She sighed gently, releasing Orion from her grasp. ”It seemed impossible. When they told me to look into you and assess your potential, I expected nothing. No offense, but you don’t exactly have the pedigree of a gallant knight.” A wry smile touched her lips, a look Orion couldn’t help but reciprocate. ”I felt like I had to shield you from you vices. Maybe I was a bit harsh, but I thought I would fail if I didn’t. It might surprise you to realize that it was kind of a big deal that I took an adult squire. To have that failure, well, it wouldn’t be good.

”I..I don’t know what to say. The …I…umm.” Orion turned his head away, cheeks slightly flushed. It was at that point that Orion realized just how many people had gathered around them. ”Can..can we discuss this someplace more private, Dinah? There’s an awful large crowd..”

Dinah nodded in agreement. It was for the better they not air all their grievances in this environment. ”We’ll head to my quarters.”

by **Orion Michaels** on August 16th, 2013, 8:59 pm

Orion found himself following behind Dinah, quiet and introspective in his mannerism. He hadn't expected her to say what she'd said. His past haunted her? His shortcomings created weakness in her? For something like that to be his fault? How could be responsible for her actions? He'd barely claim responsibility for his own, after all.

She did say she pushed too far, though.

More pressing to Orion, however, was their destination. It came as more than a surprise that she'd offered up her home to him. In the time he'd been under her tutelage, she'd never once showed him the place she lived. He could only being to imagine the quality of life which came with being someone of her standing. It wasn't as though Orion didn't live a lavish lifestyle before he became a squire. Quite the contrary. The knights owned everything, though, and it was hardly a secret that they took care of their own.

Dinah looked back occasionally, a faint smile touching her lips. She'd say nothing, but her eyes spoke volumes on uncertainty but also sparkled with hope. Perhaps they had hit rock bottom together. Time would tell where things would go from here. Maybe the conversation would spell out the answers to the questions they had.

"I was sure you were..I was sure you were hiding feelings me," Orion blurted suddenly. For a man who knew just how to drive women crazy, he was indelicate at times.

Dinah's pale skin transformed into red in an instant. No longer did she glance back. Had he hit a nerve? "Dinah?

"L-let's just keep going," she replied meekly.Maybe he wasn't that far off in his observation. "So it did have something to do with things," he muttered, feeling somewhat vindicated. The things he could say now were seemingly endless, but everything which came to mind he felt could shatter their strained bond.

"What do you think, Orion?" Her voice had some bite to it, her embarrassment and frustration shining through. Orion was so difficult to deal with. He could be so serious, so goofy, so happy, so sad, so kind, and so cruel. "What makes it so hard to deal with you, to do anything with you, is that I never know what I'm going to get. It's..It's like you're afraid to ever do anything that you feel. I never know if you're going to snap at me, Orion, or if you're going to give it your all and keep great spirits the entire time. When you're motivated, well, I can see why you earned your reputation."

Orion's heart skipped a beat. Then it beat out of control. He felt nervous, uncomfortable, and most concerning to him, he felt suddenly scared. It may have only been a half year, but the amount of time they spent together combined with all she knew about him before they even met face to face, well, it seemed that was enough time and armament to blast past the defenses he tried so hard to put up.

Orion licked his lips anxiously, unsure of what to say, what to admit, what to share. They weren't even at her quarters yet; he didn't even know where they were. All he knew is that Dinah Lorene had tormented him since the moment they met. Despite any worries she'd had, she had brought out more in Orion than anyone had in a long time. Lost in the moment and lost in feelings, he opened his mouth, certain something stupid would come out. It wouldn't be the first time.

"Dinah, I-"

"Sera Lorene!"

Squire and knight turned to see another knight approaching, a pensive look on the stranger's face. "Sera Lorene! I've been looking all over for you. We've got a little issue. Your squire." The man paused, looking at Orion as though he noticed him for the first time. "Well perfect. We can deal with this nonsense. There's been a woman giving us problems all day demanding to see 'that shykehead, Orion Michaels.' Rosa..Roxy..Roxa! Roxa Lawrence. She said he would know the name."

Orion's very nearly threw up. [b]"R-R-Roxy!"

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

Not now.

Not her.

Why now!?

If she's looking for me, that could only mean..

"Orion?" The fear on Orion's face was more than obvious. Dinah offered a concerned look to her squire, but he was oblivious to everything going on.

"Squire Michaels, this woman claims that's she's fallen too ill to continue on with your agreement."

"Orion, what agreement?"

"So, please, either accept or refute her claims so we can send this hysterical woman on her way. And more importantly, get this thing that won't let go of my leg off of me." The man reached around behind him to forcefully push someone forward.

Shoulder length blonde hair, puffy pink lips, and those all too familiar piercing blue eyes.

This can't be happening. This can't be happening. This can't be happening.

"You the shyke-eater that left my mommy alone?

The knight shook his head. "Can you believe the mouth on this child? She's been spouting off these vulgarities all day! It's quite unbecoming of a young girl."

"Oh .petch..this..shyke." Like father, like daughter.

Orion's world went black.

by **Radiant** on September 12th, 2013, 5:57 am

Orion :

Notes :

My radiance is not bright enough?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, beam me a PM and we can work it out.

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	+2 XP
Socialization	+2 XP
Philosophy	+2 XP
Rhetoric	+2 XP
Intimidation	+3 XP
Weapon: Longsword	+3 XP
Weapon: Shield	+3 XP
Acrobatics	+1 XP
Running	+1 XP

Completed Unexpected, Yet Deserved