[Bittern District] Crossing Paths (Crystiin)

by **Orion Michaels** on December 1st, 2013, 7:44 am

It was during the moments that he backed up and left her shocked that he knew he was in control, at least of their situation. Someone could have been robbing an old woman blind a few feet away, and all he could focus on was the line of her jaw that he’d so desperately wanted to kiss and the deep blue eyes he could spend the rest of the evening being lost in.

There was silence between them, but it was far from awkward. No, it was full uncertainty and cautious steps. They were engaged in a tango of words, looks, and desire. Orion’s favorite kind of dance, of course.

He watched her shuffled about in her thoughts, impressed when she found her out. Anything would be better than sitting there, writhing under his gaze, though the squire couldn’t help but wish she’d stood there a moment more.

He made no move to block her, no protest when it seemed that she made the decision to remove herself from his presence. He couldn’t blame her, it was unbearable to be around him at times, well most of the time really. Leaving without your cloak on? What a silly woman..

Orion opened his mouth to speak, but fell silent at the sound of a piercing whistle. So that was her plan. Just move back to the owl, pretend like nothing happened. It was a shame to watch her shiver so much, and an even bigger shame that she was unsuccessful in getting her owl to return. When it seemed that all was lost for the time being and she made her way past him down the hall, a second low whistle came forth, but it didn’t seem to be from her.

The squire recoiled as a mass of feathers streaked past him and towards Crystiin. The bird seemed massive, and barely had enough room to move about corridor before landing gracefully on Crystiin’s leather glove. Orion raised an eyebrow as he watched the bird and the woman almost converse. It was a unique relationship, one he couldn’t even begin to fathom. He’d never spent time with animals, especially birds, but they seemed to have an understanding with one another. He couldn’t help but smile at her, and it wasn’t a surprise when he received a giggle in reply.

”Glad to see you’ve found your owl, Crystiin. I suppose I’ll set about finishing up my patrol. You two care to join me?”

CrystiinPermission to mod given by player accepted Orion’s invitation, her and Flannigan coming along for the remainder of his patrol. It was only a short while, less than half a bell until he was free from his duties. He was thankful for their company, though he was certain the owl was judging him the entire time. If he’d tried anything with Crystiin in that hallway, would the owl have attacked him when it found its way back to the falconer? He was glad he didn’t have to find out.

With his last round completed, Orion turned his attention to his companion, offering a gentle smile and a nod of thanks. ”I appreciate you keeping me company, Crystiin. This was awful weather for all three of us, and it was kind of you to suffer on my account. Let me walk you home as thanks?” Orion removed his cloak and offered to it Crystiin. "It's no less soaked than yours, but I think you've shivered enough for one night on account of a wandering squire. Let's get you someplace warm."

by **Crystiin Aithne** on December 1st, 2013, 1:51 pm

By the time Orion was finished his patrol, it was mid-morning. Far beyond the clouds, the sun had risen, casting the world into a morbid-looking gray tone. The misty rain continued to fall, coating everything in water droplets, running down eaves, and pooling in the streets.

A flutter went up in Crystiin's stomach when Orion asked to escort her home. He's done. He's off-duty... She had to fight the desire to ask to be kissed right then and there, partly because of their godawful environment and partly because Flannigan didn't take too kindly to close physical contact with people he didn't know. He wasn't even comfortable with Crys' brother or father yet.

She accepted the squire's cloak, feeling as though her lips must be blue though hidden under the gray light cast over their city with the dismal weather. When taking it from his hand, she let hers linger a moment longer than necessary, pressing her cool fingers to his. Flinging it over her head in ease with one hand, she brought it around her shoulders and secured it quickly. There was a certain amount of warmth it offered, but Crys also found herself enveloped in the scent of Orion. Strong, musky. It made her shiver. "Thanks, I appreciate it."

Another moment and she allowed herself to look up into those taunting eyes. She wasn't sure yet what he wanted, if he wanted her, but she attempted to convey some want in her own gaze. She searched those haunting blue eyes before looking away with another giggle.

"Right. Home." Crystiin turned a slow circle to get her bearings. Flannigan hooted scoldingly when he nearly slipped from her arm. She crooned and ran a finger down his stomach, gazing around at the stone walls. Finding Orion's eyes again, she gestured down one way with her free hand. "Its down that way." She allowed a smile to grace her lips as she winked up at him and started off, attempting to add a small sashay to her walk. That only made her giggle again. No one could sashay successfully with an enormous owl on one arm and two cloaks on.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As they neared her apartment, Crys grew tired of the stifling silence between them. She knew that she would ramble, whatever she attempt to say, she was that cold. But perhaps she could get away with it... "I go out every morning, you know. To bring Flannigan home. And I go out every night to let him go. I don't always release him in the same place though. Sometimes we go out to the Gates. He really likes the Stone Gardens. And sometimes I go all the way out to the Docks. As long as I remember where I released him, that's where I retrieve him again."

Nope. She was just rambling. And now she was blushing. She was hopeless!

When they came upon her door, Crys made an about face, almost bumping into the squire again. "I promise I'm not attempting to make a habit of this." Pulling out the key to her little room, she gave him a sideways glance. "Or am I? I don't mind."

The door came open and Crystiin paused. Biting her lip again, she gave Orion a look over, allowing her gaze to wash over his armored anatomy. He had to be cold, even just a little bit. Sure, walking under the Castle's cover was welcomed, but his hair was still wet.

"Orion?... Would you care to come inside? I can make tea, get a fire going..." Her voice trailed off as she thought once again of his lips against her ear.

"I... Please?"

by **Orion Michaels** on December 1st, 2013, 10:05 pm

With Crystiin adequately covered from the rain, they were able to set about on their way. Not much was said, though Orion couldn’t stop himself from cracking a smile as she tried to sashay with an owl on her arm. It was quite the scene, and one she was likely happy should couldn’t see herself. He wondered if she was always like this, if it was just a morning thing, or if it had something to do with him. Without another word, Orion followed close behind Crystiin and her owl, trying to decipher just what she had in mind.

She was all over the place; unable to decide where she belonged on the line of seducer versus seduced. Spontaneous ranting, uncontrollable outbursts of giggles, and then a sudden sultry glance, a look of desire. Naturally, it was followed by a look of embarrassment. The girl had some charm, she just had no idea how to wield it against someone who was a bit of a charmer himself. ”Is that so?” Orion replied plainly to her aimless story on her daily routine, flashing a grin down at her as her cheeks turned rosy once more. She was one of the most animated women he’d ever met in his life. They were usually fun, but they were usually trouble, too.

Orion took a step back to keep himself stable when the flustered lady spun around and ran into him, claiming innocence in her actions. No one would believe that. Orion certainly did not. ”It isn’t a bother at all, Crystiin. Purposeful or otherwise, you shan’t hear a complaint from me.” With his good deed completed, Orion wasn’t about to press the issue further. He didn’t have to after all. Almost as if on cue, there was the cautious invite to her quarters. It wasn’t as though Orion came out of the goodness of his heart.

”I thank you for your kind offer. A cup of tea sounds simply lovely. Perhaps the rain will let up before I depart, depending on the length of my stay, of course.” Orion tilted his head to the side slightly, the tip of his tongue peeking out from between his teeth before slowly retreating back into his mouth. ”I’m a bit chilly. I hope you don’t mind if I part with my armor for a while. The metal does little to help with the temperature. I trust I’ll find plenty of warmth inside?” Orion stepped up and held the door open for Crystiin and Flannigan, allow them to pass under his arm. ”After you.”

by **Crystiin Aithne** on December 1st, 2013, 10:45 pm

She didn't stand a chance. Crystiin homed in on his lips, watching them as they spun their spell on her. There was a pause, and the very tip of his tongue emerged from between the shadows of his teeth. Like a master leads a puppet, Crys reacted to him pulling it back into his mouth. Her gaze emptied, her mouth opened. She even attempted to lean closer to Orion, but Flannigan would have none of it. He hooted impatiently, wishing to be on his perch to that he could dry himself sufficiently and get some sleep.

Crys looked from Orion to Flannigan and back again.

She didn't stand a chance.

"I’m a bit chilly. I hope you don’t mind if I part with my armor for a while. The metal does little to help with the temperature. I trust I’ll find plenty of warmth inside?"

Crystiin nodded, and giggled as she walked into her little room from beneath Orion's arm. It was dark, of course. She wasn't wealthy enough to live in any sort of well-off fashion, especially since she didn't have a job at the moment. She made her way in using her memory and her feet to guide her, toeing the darkness to make sure she didn't fall over anything. "Just a moment Orion..." she said from the gloom. Finding the table in the middle of the room, she had Flannigan step off of her arm and perch upon the back of one of the wooden chairs. She stripped off the falconing glove, her nose wrinkling slightly at the scent of its wet leather, and threw the cloaks over the back of another chair.

She hummed lightly, nervous and excited, as she made her was to her apartment's little hearth. It was her main source of light and heat here in the depths of the Castle where she lived. Her firestarter was... here. Just atop the mantle. She struck the flint and steel together, producing a miniscule spark. Crystiin bent over, putting her hands into the mouth of the fire place, and struck the rock to the metal again. It took her a couple of tries, always did, but the kindle caught and began to glow, building slowly but promising a good long burn.

Crys sat back on her haunches and watched the tiny tongues of fire lick their ways along the wood for a moment. They made her dream of what she wanted to do to that squire once he got his armor off. Her heart gave a little skip again and she stood. "That's better, hmm?" Crys hung the cloaks up on pegs along the wall and drug the chair closer to the hearth. "Take your armor off, make yourself comfortable. Let me tend to my bird, then I'll get a pot of tea on."

Those eyes... She didn't have a chance.

She met Orion's gaze, letting a girlish smile and a clear blush illuminate her face before looking away.

Flannigan was taking in the whole situation with his judging amber eyes. The look he was giving her now said something like Just what do you think you're doing, girl? Crystiin pulled the falconer's glove on and picked the owl up again.

"Why don't you just let me have my fun, hmm?" She stroked his back and led him to his cage. The huge contraption stood in the corner of her room, made when she moved out on her own by her father. Crys sprung the latch and the wooden door covered in metal mesh swung open with a short squeak. Inside stood a perch, upon which she placed Flannigan. He stepped around for a bit, shifting his weight about, before settling in comfortably. From a small bag near the cage, Crys produced a strip of meat that she fed to the owl. He swallowed it promptly and scratched his head with one of his talons.

"Have a good sleep, little brother." She closed the door and took a deep breath before turning about to face Orion, with his haunting eyes and his seductive lips.

"Right. Tea."

by **Orion Michaels** on December 6th, 2013, 8:36 pm

Orion waited patiently at the entrance to the little apartment, listening to her sweet giggle echo throughout her living quarters. It must have been interesting to live in such a place with a bird like Flannigan. An interesting musk covered the space, though it wasn't exactly bad. The wet feathers and their own wet clothing wouldn't do much to help the situation, but the warmth of the fire would hopefully do something to help with that.

”Thank you for your hospitality,” he replied, offering her a quick bow of his head before entering the dimly lit room. The place was fairly quaint, someplace suited to someone who lived alone, or in this case, with an owl. Minimal niceties, it gave Orion the impression that rare it was that Miss Crystiin entertained guests.

Orion helped himself to a seat the foot of her bed, starting to work at the water stained armor plates. One piece at a time he worked through the equipment; it was a rather tedious process, undoing belts and buckles, precisely placed to offer the most absolute of protection. He paid little mind to Crystiin as she worked at taking care of Flannigan. Whatever she was going to do, she was going to do. That decision was surely made at the same time she invited him in.

The squire worked on removing the various pieces, setting them carefully at his feet as he worked up his body on part at a time. When he was finally done, a stack of graves, breastplate, pauldrons and more lay neatly at his feet. A sweat and rain drenched tunic clung to his flesh, the crème colored shirt distorted by the liquid. Black pants were soaked as well, though the moist fabric didn’t appear so in the dim light. Orion stretched his hands over his head, letting out a slow, long yawn as he awaited the promised tea. The cool weather had chilled him to the core. A warm drink and a hot fire were just what was needed.

”I’m surprised I haven’t noticed you around before, Crystiin. A beautiful young woman and her owl? Are you new to the city? Or have you just avoided the prying eyes of the public?” Orion flashed a grin Crystiin way, flattering words and a full smile coming her way as she worked.

by **Crystiin Aithne** on December 7th, 2013, 4:15 pm

Crystiin contemplated what the squire said for a moment. Him calling her beautiful didn't escape her notice, and another smile touched her lips. She placed the kettle full of water on a stiff iron hook above the flickering flames. Dipping into a small cup that smelled of earth, she took a small handful of shriveled green leaves. She poured them softly into the warming water, listening to the satisfying bubbling as the tea blended with the liquid. Standing up straight again, she clapped her hands together to rid them of excess tea.

"I guess I like to stay out of the public light as often as I can. I stay out of trouble, out of the way. My father sort of raised me that way, get in no one's way and be content with where I was. There are people here that work all their lives to attain happiness when I have it now. Flannigan and I, we're just going with the flow. Although," she chuckled, "I'm going to have to get a job later this season. Flannigan doesn't come cheap."

Crys pulled another chair up beside the fire as she began to shiver with the dampness that clung to her skin. As the two began to dry off, the odor of their clothes began to fill her little apartment. She tried not to think about it too much, embarrassed as it made her. She sat for a click, listening to the soft rustling of her owl's feathers and to the crackling of the fire. When the sound of boiling water reached her ears, she slipped the kettle from its perch by covering her hands with a fold of her dress. Two cups stood on the table, and she filled each. The warm brown liquid held a sweet scent of earth and herbs. It seeped into the room and pushed back the oppressiveness of the damp clothing.

She picked up one cup and brought it to her guest. Here we go again... Crystiin bit her lip and handed the cup to the squire, letting her fingers hesitate when he went to take it.

She'd warm up a lot faster if she found her way into Orion's arms.

by **Orion Michaels** on December 9th, 2013, 2:05 am

Daddy's girl? Those were always fun. It had been some time since the squire had encountered one, and it was surprised to have her just fall into his lap like this. He had to look like shit after standing out in the rain for as long as he had, but here she was, encouraging him to warm up, offering him tea, and most of all, shooting him hundreds of lingering glances. Every metaphor in the world could apply to this interaction, and honestly, it didn’t feel fair. Was there genuine guilt about something that hadn’t even occurred? Orion wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do here.

Orion nodded as she spoke, letting the silence over take him as he took in her words. She was uncomfortable, but not in a bad way. He would betray her no sign of whether he shared her emotion. Control of his feelings was his area of expertise, after all. At least in a situation such as this. Under the facade Orion was a barely controlled mess with his head stuck in the sand. Within this act, however, he was powerful and completely under control. Maybe for however long the two interacted that was which would be needed.

"It is quite a shame," he remarked softly. "Syliras has been missing out as a result of that. I'm pleased to hear your happy, but keeping a pretty face like that hidden within this apartment is almost criminal, Crystiin." He made sure to lay his hands over hers as he finished speaking. His dangerous gaze tarried on her face while index finger running slowly along hers. Orion’s once smooth fingers were now calloused and tough from the seasons of training in mount, bow, and sword. Despite this, they hadn’t forgotten a thing about how to move or how to appreciate another’s warmth.

Then, just like that, he broke his eye contact with her and took the tea fully into his grasp. The heated drink was most welcome against his frozen flesh. Orion brought the tea to his lips, sipping lightly of the warm bitter fluid. The liquid’s rejuvenating warmth spread throughout his body, a soft, satisfied sigh escaping his lips as he brought the drink down and looked over to Crystiin.

”Something is on your mind,” he challenged. ”It’ll eat you alive if you leave it inside. Grab your tea, and have a seat by me. I insist.” Orion motioned to the tea, smiling softly. His voice dropped to a low whisper suddenly, his head tilting ever so slightly to the side as he spoke. ”Tell me what’s on your mind, Crystiin. I won’t bite, unless that’s your fancy, of course.” Without another word or acknowledgement, Orion turend his attention back to the drink before him, acting as though the suggestive words he'd spoken had never been uttered and that he wasn't an absolutely ridiculous man.

by **Vanari** on February 11th, 2014, 1:24 am

Orion

Socialization	+2 XP
Flirting	+5 XP
Seduction	+2 XP
Acting	+1 XP

Lores :

Crystiin

Observation	+4 XP
Rhetoric	+1 XP
Flirting	+1 XP
Seduction	+1 XP
Socialization	+2 XP
Falconry	+1 XP

Lores :

Notes :