Closed [Fighters Pit] Rough Around the Edges

[Billie]

Skylar too her hand and responded to her offer with a lighthearted joke, which she was glad about. Billie was in a pretty good mood, and she found herself feeling a lot more comfortable than usual. Anyone who knew her could see the difference: She smiled, and made jokes, rather than just being friendly enough to be considered well mannered. It was how she dealt with people before she got to know them. It wasn’t shyness, but caution; maybe it was a kind of defense as well. From what, she hadn’t quite figured out yet.

When she saw Skylar’s face contort with a flash of some sort of emotion she hadn’t had time to catch, she wondered if she’d struck a nerve. The way she stuttered made her think there was some story to why she left Sunberth. Billie didn’t really miss Sunberth. She didn’t really get attached to places, more than that the people who lived in them. So she missed Sadie, but not the city.

“Ah, well. I’m here by myself too. Don’t have any siblings.” She said shrugging. Billie glanced at Vald wondering if he’d learnt anything by watching. Hopefully he’d paid attention and could practice by himself now because she was worn out and hungry after that brawl. As if to highlight this her stomach growled loudly, forcing her to remember that she’d forgotten to eat breakfast this morning, nor had she eaten lunch. “So, I think I might head to The Rearing Stallion and get something to eat, if you wanted to continue this conversation I suggest you come along. And as the loser you can buy me dinner!” She said jokingly smirking at her.

[Skylar Draykin]

Skye had a suprising feeling in her stomach. She was glad. Glad to hear that Billie was alone. It sounded mean in her head but it would be nice to see Billie again. She became even happier when Billie asked her to come with to the tavern. She chuckled when she told her loser had to pay. "Hmm..I might have enough. Ill even get drinks. But you'll have to pay me back for those." She said with a smirk. What was this? Skylar was suprising herself. Was she fllirting a little bit? Skye started thinking about getting into dating again in general. Was it too soon? Would Klove want that? Skylar began to question herself in her head as they left for the tavern. It was the first time she actually allowed herself to think about Klove. What would Klove want her to do? She wasnt particularly talking about Billie. Hell, she wasn't even sure Billie swung that way. But even though Skye didn't like people in general, she didn't know if the single life suited her. Skye shook her head clear. How did dinner make her start on this thought process? Well, soon they'd be drinkig and eating and (hopefullh) just having a good old time. She looked over at the man who was supppsed to have been learning. What did he learn? Did he even pay attention or did his male gene get the better of him. She laughed and waved at him She didn't have time to ask any questions. Billie seemed very eager to get her meal. Now that Skye thought about it, she was pretty starving.

[Billie]

Catching the flirty undertones in Skylar’s words, Billie smirked to herself. “Huh, what sort of payment method were you thinking?” She replied immediately returning the flirt. She more comfortable with flirting than she was romance. Things such as one-night-stands, to Billie, were shallow and unemotional, so they didn’t require getting to know the person, in fact, not knowing the person made them easier. Although Billie figured that Skylar was the sort of person who’d never experienced something like that, or preferred long term relationships. Billie preferred them as well, but she didn’t know anyone well enough for that, and she’d only met Skylar today.

There was no point in thinking any further ahead. All she knew was that an attractive young woman was flirting with her, and that felt pretty good after being stagnant in the department for so long. It had also felt pretty good to beat her. Today was definitely a good day for Billie.

The sun was just beginning to go down overhead and the sky was painted with streaks of orange, red and pink. Billie stopped when she saw the familiar sign advertising the Rearing Stallion and stepped inside. Now that it was getting dark, the tavern was overflowing with people eating, drinking and laughing merrily. This pub was extremely tame compared to any and all places back in her home city, no one making trouble for others, or staring brawls. Billie felt like drinking tonight, she felt like drinking a lot.

She located a table and pulled out Skylar’s chair for her “Milady.” She said with a smirk, before sitting down herself and felt her stomach growl again. She looked around for the waiter. The tavern was bursting so they were probably very busy. “What’s your poison? Ale, Whisky, beer?” She asked while she waited for service. The atmosphere in here could be described as hearty. It was a good place to drink or eat with company.

[Skylar Draykin]

Skye chuckled, hearing Bille fire back in the same tone. "We'll see how dinner goes, then we'll discuss payment." Skye said, a small smile crossong her face. It was definitely nice to have met Billie, even if she did just give her a good beat down. To know someone who came from the same Sunberthian background as Skye was such a relief. And what was more? Billie even suggested sparring with her again, so that they could teach eachother. Skye walked alongside Billie till they cane to the Tavern. When they entered, Skylar could almost feel the laid back atmosphere. Everyone was eating and drinking and having a great time. Bille found an empty table and pulled out a chair for Skye. Skye laughed at Billies remark as she sat down, watching the young woman sit down as well. When asked the question, Skye replied, "I prefer ale. I like the sweetness of it." Skye didn't really care for the burn of alcohol that eas more prominent in other drinks, either. But after brawling with Billie, she didn't want her to think of Skye as a sissy. "So, while we wait for a waiter, lemme ask you. What are you doing in Syliras?" She asked, continuously looking around fir a waiter. Sure they were packed, but they couldn't even send people around to.get drinks? She looked back at Billie waiting for an answer.

[Billie]

“I like sweet drinks better too, I don’t drink often, but it’s better with interesting company” She agreed with a wink. She was peering at Skylar curiously. She wondered about her. She’d gather some observations and assumptions about her already from their brawl. She was way too impulsive, but probably passionate. Still, she barely knew anything about her. Maybe her lips would be looser as more drink was consumed. She’d have to see as the night went on.

What was she doing in Syliras. She wasn’t sure how to answer that question. She knew why she’d come to Syliras in the first place, it was because it was a safe place to recover after the shock that was losing her girlfriend to sickness. The question was, what was she STILL doing here?

She paused a moment longer and then shrugged “Nothing specific, I guess.” She said “It’s a safe place to live while I figure out where to go next. ” That was probably pretty vague, in fact it sounded like she wasn’t telling the whole story, but there really much more too it than that. Syliras was comfortable and safe. A place that reminded her nothing of the lawless city of Sunberth where she was born, of Sadie or of Lacey. This was somewhere she could just exist for a little while without threat to her life or wellbeing.

A woman eventually made it to their table. Billie ordered two of whatever the house meal was that night and two mugs of Ale for each of them. They were brought to the table fairly promptly and Billie took a sip of her drink while she tried to think about what she wanted to say next. She decided to keep it lighthearted “So, you got a job? Or maybe a hobby? You know, something other than getting your ass beat in combat.” Billie asked her with a light chuckle.

[Skylar Draykin]

Skye smirked at the 'interesting company' remark. She never really considered herself good company, let alone interesting. It was one of the many things that held her back on making the first move with Klove. So to hear someone else call her 'interesting' was...well..interesting. Skye saw Billie give her an odd look, and wondered what she was thinking. Was it bad? Was it good? Was she poking fun at Skye in her head? Skye was never good at reading people. Billie took some time to think about the question, which was odd to Skye. She finally answered, but from the sounds of it, there was more to the story. Was she running away from the problem, like Skye? Did have to do with Sunberth? Questions always ran through Skylars head, but she never felt the urge to ask them, no matter what they were. She was the type of person who never asked and didn't feel the need to tell. That's why family was special to her. Her family, especially her brothers, had been the only people she could run to for the longest time. It was hard to trust in Sunberth, everyone knew that. That's why family was so impprtant, to anyone. She had a feeling the same went for Bille. Skye laughed at Billie and mocked a hurt expression before answering. "I do, actually. I just got a job as a metalsmith. My oldest brother owns a small smith back in Sunberth so I picked up a few skills." She said, picking up some meat an eating it off the bone. She raised her glass and gave a good gulp. The stuff was tasty! "How about you? You got a job or something? Or do you pride yourself on picking on people smaller than you?" She said, grinning behind her mug.

[Billie]

oocHope you didn’t give up on me! Sorry about the wait. I’ve just been so tired lately, lots of study, and work. Anytime I wasn’t doing those things I was eating or sleeping hahaha. I’ll pick it up from now on side I’ve knocked off a few assignments!
Billie noticed how Skylar didn’t ask her for more of an explanation. She let the subject drop, quickly moving on to answer her question about her occupation. Her answer gave her insight into why her opponent had packed such a punch. Metalsmith needed a lot of strength. She wouldn’t like to fight this woman if she acquired some technique as well as her obvious brute strength. If Skylar adopted the cautious way Billie fought, coupled with the force of her attack, she’d be pretty damn unbeatable. She didn’t point this out, though she had to figure out how she was going to deal with such an outcome before she sped up its progress.

She smiled at Skylars remark, “Don’t make excuses for losing, loser.” She retorted, then proceeded to answer the question after taking a much smaller bite of her food. She had the feeling Skylar hadn’t been away from home that long. She wonder what the young woman thought about her city. Billie was fairly indifferent to Sunberth. She wasn’t attached to the place, nor did she hate it. She took about swig, and then answered.

“No, I don’t have a job. My skills are more suited to my hometown.” She replied “I’m still looking for something that interests me, though it’s about time I pick one up, for the sake of not becoming a beggar.". She paused and then asked her own question “So, is Syliras your first stop after leaving Sunberth?” She asked “It was mine, though I left when I was 16, so about 8 years ago.” She finished off her ale, already feeling its happy warmth, and called for another one as a woman passed their table.

Tonight wasn’t the time to go in depth about her teenage years however. She wanted the mood to be kept light. Getting further drunk would help her with that. When intoxicated, she became the complete opposite of her calm and quiet self. There were plenty of jovil stories about her life she could tell without reveling what no one needed to hear from a stranger. 8 years worth of travel carried many stories with them as well. Discounting everything with Lacey. That was for her own private thoughts. Because even talking about her in the past tense still hurt her.

But everyone in this world had sad stories. No one was safe from misfortune, and sadness. Billie wasn’t anything special, and she could still enjoy the parts of life that were sweet, because she was lucky, to be free, to be healthy and to be alive. So she took a good hearty swig of her second mug of ale and she smiled letting her eyes smile as well to show she meant it. She wanted to enjoy herself.

[Skylar Draykin]

OOCHakuna Matata. XD I understand. Skylar grinned at Billie. This was definitely something she didnt do often. Sitting down, having a meal, sharing a drink, joking around, and just having a decent time with the person who, a little over a bell before, had put her in the dirt. Furthermore, Skye didn't do it for any specific motive. In Sunberth, she was either trying to earn coin, showing off for Klove, or defending her or her family's name. Here, she was just sparring and doing what she loved. Yes, it would be nice to make a name in Syliras among the tougher crowds that roamed the city. But for once, she didn't HAVE to. For once, Skye felt relaxed. Well, as relaxed as her instincts would let her. It was also nice to meet new people. She hadn't done that in a long time, so she knew she might say the wrong thing. But at that moment, she almost didn't care. But that could have been the ale talking. Skylar knew she was a light weight. She had never gotten drunk; only tipsy. It was one of the things her brothers would laugh at. At the first sign of a buzz, Skylar would stop drinking. She never really liked what she could possibly do so she avoided the situation all together. But Skye began to think that maybe she would let loose for once. It couldn't hurt to kick back, right? Skye laughed at Billies comment as she ate. She took another gulp, emptying the mug. She wasn't sure if she should order another one, but while she was still debating, the waitress who had brought Billie a second mug brought one for Skye as well. Skye eyed the mug as if it would bite her if she touched it, but finally gave in and took a small sip. She listened to the woman speak about potentially getting a job soon. Skye hated beggars. She herself would rather become a thief before a beggar, which she could have been if helping out some gangs raid houses for coin was under that description. At least thieves earned their gold. Whether it was right in the eyes of some or not. They still risked loss and invested in something that could go down hill. Another flash of pain crossed Skye eyes before she quickly subdued it. To her, thee loss was so fresh, even if it had been last season. Coupled with the fact that she couldnt control her emotions well, it would take a fair amount of time. Skylar didn't deal with loss very well. When her dog died, one she had had since it wad a pup, she was upset for a good week or so, and even gave Seth a black eye when he tried to joke with her. When her mother died, even though she wasn't close with her, sent Skye into a smallv depression. It wasn't until Klove came around that she started enjoying life again. And now, with her rock gone, Skye could only hide the pain. Which she was finding not so hard to do sitting with Billie. "Yeah, this was my first stop. More opportunities in the big city, ya know?" she said, giving a small laugh. Skye saw as Billie smiled, and that made Skye push the pain even farther back. Who was she to ruin a good night? Maybe this would do her some good. Maybe fighting Billie and losing was a divine send, to help cope with something Skye thought would never happen. "My familys still back there. I'm hoping to visit them soon, though. I think my oldest brother might come up." She took another swig, becoming more brave with her alcohol consumption. She leaned back in her chair with her mug. "Now that I think about it, you and James would get along pretty well, fighting wise. Hes always on my ass about strategy. But my brain doesn't comprehend logic very well." she said with a smirk. She was definitely starting to feel the fuzzy warmth that she never allowed herself to get to. She wasn't drunk yet but she was pasy her usual lightly tipsy state. A different server brought another mug and set it down in front of her. At this point, Skye didn't touch it at first, slightly wary if the uknown.

[Billie]

oocThanks for understanding

“Plenty of opportunities yeah. There’s knighthood…” She shook her head “Well, I don’t know if I’m cut out for that.” She listened to Skye talk about her brothers again with a smile “Logic is important! You should listen to him!” She chuckled again, feeling warm, and lively. “I sometimes wish I had siblings. But I’m an only child. No one left to visit in Sunberth anymore” She let out “I would like to meet this James though. He might be a better match in the ring”

She said chuckling “My teacher and mother taught me to defend before she taught me to attack.” She said “If I let my guard down she’d make sure I’d regret it.” Billie said this while her eyes glassed over a little. She did this when she was remembering someone fondly. She snapped out of it and turned her attention back to Skylar.

There was definitely something behind the jovial attitude Skylar was putting on. She kept noticing flashes of some other emotion in her faciel expression before she’d quickly and carefully patched up the crack in her mask again. Billie only saw it because, when the pain was fresh, she had used the same tactics. The second thing she noticed was how slowly Skylar was drinking now. Billie had downed her second mug of ale and was watching Skylar stare at her second. Eventually she took a tentative sip and finally polished it off as well. The third mug sat completely untouched for the longest time.

Billie stared at it as well then smirked at the young woman “It’s not been poisoned, ya know” She said with a snort of amusement “I’m guessing you’re not an experienced drinker, Skylar?” She said with a smirk as she pointedly took a swig from her third mug, not completely finishing it, but near to it. She could manipulate Skylar to drink if she wanted to. All she had to do was imply that she was a pansy, and in an act of defiance to that accusation, Skylar would keep drinking.

Or maybe she was overestimating her pride based on her fighting. She didn’t know yet. It was all starting to seem less important to her anyway. Billie could handle her alcohol quite well, but she could feel her judgment and her inhibitions slipping a little. So, in light of this the words flowed out of her mouth before she could think about them “So, Milady, how will I pay you back for these drinks? Have you decided yet?” She asked with a wink and no small amount of charm in her voice while she leant forward in her chair and resting her head on her hands as she finished off her third mug. She felt almost on top of the world right now, though some part of her knew that going any further would send her hurtling past that.

[Skylar Draykin]

Knighthood. The word itself was like a rock dropped into Skyes stomach. It was a conflicting term. Skye had been raised to not care too much for authority, unless it was earned. To her, it was a title handed out like mizas at a gambling table to those who are able to hold a sword straight. On the other hand, the last conversation she had with her love was how she wanted Skye to look into the job. She had called her a protector. What she had left out was that Skye only protected what she felt deserved her protection. A knight was supposed to be noble and honest. Skye didn't see that in herself. Skylar made a face at Billie. But she was probably right. Skye tried herr hardest to pack a punch, but she had never beat James in a spar. She always ended up with a bloody nose or a fat lip. She never showed her physical pain though, as James always said showing the pain would tell your opponent that you have a tolerance limit and that you were close to it. "He'll be happy to know he has fresh meat waiting for him. Of course, I tenderized it a little." Skye said laughing. She caught what Billie had said about nobody left in Sunberth for her. Skye wondered what she meant exactly. Did shr have any family at all, then? She saw Billies eyes glass over slightly as she spoke of her mother. Was that rememberence or admiration? Skye was horrible at reading people. She could see things but she could never understand the meaning. "You're mother sounds like a smart woman." Skylar said. She took another bite of food to avoid having ti drink. But she was quickly running out of food to distract herself. She heard Billies comment and looked away from the glass as Billie took a huge swig from her own mug. She gave a crooked smile and replied, "No, not really. My brothers are, but I take after my mother. I don't like to lose control. And call me Skye." Skye usually reserved the nickname for only those close to her. But she was already drinking with the woman. What could it really hurt? Finally, Skye grabbed the mug and took a sip. She the alcohol was still building up from the last.mug, so she was feeling more and more numb in the head. It was a really.light feeling, as if all the problems she was running from was temporarily covered up. She could still remember them but it was harder to feel upset. So this was why her father drank so much the night after her mother died. Skye still wasn't sure she liked it but soon her hand was moving and she was taking another sip, this time a little bigger. "Hmm. Well," she said with a long pause. She looked at Billie, hearing a sweetness she hadn't heard in a while, catching a small wink as she looked into her eyes. If Billie didnt fancy girls, which it was pretty obvious she did, Skyes answer would have probably been completely out of the blue. Although, for Skye, she suprised herself. "since I'm paying for dinner, that's out of thhe question. How good are you at kissing?" The last part came out in a fast jumble and Skyes cheeks became rosey, though it could have been the ale. To cover up her burst, Skye took a swig, though in hindsight, wasn't very smart. Skye didn't consider herself to be able to be easily tripped up. But between the ale and Billies flirting, Skye was becoming more vulnerable to other emotions than just anger and irritation.