Warm Water and Setting Sun (Markus)

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Season of Spring, Day 62 (Evening), 511 AV

After leaving Windmount Stables, leaving the horses behind, Jaelyn walked with Markus the relatively short distance to the Nettle district, and the entrance to the Soothing Waters.

"To be honest," Jaelyn said by way of conversation as they walked towards the third tier entrance of Soothing Waters, "You should most likely be considered the victor of our competition. My last strike was not strong enough to really be useful in combat, due to my shoulder. I am sure your shots were better."

Jaelyn was a bit upset with herself for her performance. Not because she had not achieved victory over Markus, but because she should have been able to perform better without injuring herself. She had a very long way to go until she was ready for her Quest, and even more if she hoped to ever reach the skill and prowess of Sera Aquila Brock.

[Markus Andres]

"Don't sell yourself short. If that last strike had hit a mage while he was casting, you would have disrupted his spell. Saving someone from getting a face full of fire." Markus said with a smirk and a clap on the younger squires armored back. Still feeling his pride soar with her admission his shots were better. "And don't think you can squirm out of training with me tomorrow, a deal is a deal.." - He said with a little firmness in the edge of the voice. "So, miss Baroth," He said with a wink in her direction. "How did you up with the knights?" He asked, just to have something to talk about as they walked to the soothing waters. It was going to be good to get a warm bath after a relative taxing practice.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jaelyn gave Markus a pleasant smile at his encouraging words, though it was tinged with a slight tightening of her jaw at the pain in her shoulder when he clapped her on the back, "You are very kind Markus, and I would not dream of trying to get out of training. A deal is a deal, and as I said I am looking forward to trying the exercise again."

Jaelyn blinked in a bit of confusion as Markus referred to her as Miss Baroth with a wink. Still, his question was enough to bring a happy smile to her lips, "My Father is Ser Atriso Baroth, Captain Knight of the 2nd Regiment, Gold Quadron, and he instructed me in the way of the sword from a young age so that I might be able to defend myself. I grew up hearing of my Father's heroic deeds, both past and present, and I wanted to not only make him proud, but be like him. So when I was old enough I became a page, and have been training since then."

Passing through the door into the courtyard above the Soothing Waters Jaelyn turned her grayish eyes to Markus and asked, "What about you? You said you came from Zeltiva, right? What is it like there?"

[Markus Andres]

"Really? Captain Knight, that is impressive and I bet you make him proud every day." Markus said as they passed through the door. He realized his words were perhaps a bit too sugar sweet. But perhaps that was a side effect of the years of mental disciplining he had put himself through. He looked into her grayish eyes with his own dark green eyes. If she had a good observation, she might notice the bronze border between the iris and black center. The eye contact would be brief as Markus would turn to walk down the stairs to the reception. "I was ten when I left the city, so my memory of it aren't so good, and the city may have changed a lot over the years. But I remember the summers fondly" Markus thought back to the summer he had met Kendall, spurred by the question Jaelyn had asked earlier about Kendall. "And the winters were bad. Food was often scarce in our family during winter." Markus said with a bitter voice. He had some images of starving people in his mind, images he would be better off without. "Anyways. My father had had enough of my ... Well." Markus blushed. He had told some people about this, but never before to a fellow squire. - "I did some bad stuff back then. Let's just keep it at that. - So he found a way to get rid of me and give me some much needed discipline... Ah, here I go again. Rambling on about myself. I hope I didn't bore you." Markus said with a grin, hiding the painful memories of that day deep down. "Ah, ladies first." Markus said, motioned for Jaelyn to approach the reception.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jaelyn's faded slightly at Markus comment of her Father being proud. She know her Father was proud of her, but not proud enough for Jaelyn. Only when he was proud enough that the sorrow was gone from his face would she be satisfied.

"No, I was not bored at all," Jaelyn replied to Markus' grin with a renewed smile of her own, "It sounds like it was a very hard life, but in the end it led you to a good future. I hope you do not regret your past too much, for whatever might have happened then you are a fine Squire now, and will most likely make a fine Knight as well."

Stepping forward at Markus' insistence Jaelyn smiled politely at the receptionist for the Soothing Waters and paid her coin for admittance. After a moment she pulled out two more silver Mizas and placed them on the counter, "For my friend's admittance as well," she said with a motion indicating Markus.

As Ivis accepted the coins Jaelyn turned to make her way to the women's changing room, giving Markus another soft smile as she explained, "I still consider you the victor in our competition, so consider me paying as part of your reward. See you on the other side?"

[Markus Andres]

"Thank you." Markus replied with smile. Jaelyn might not know how much those words meant to him. He had been running from his childish actions and unruly behavior in Zeltiva for most of his life. Having someone acknowledge that he had changed. Meant the world to him. "Very kind of you" Markus said when she also paid for him. "Yes. See you." Markus walked into the area designated for the men and started getting out of his armor. Feeling his body get roughly fifty pounds lighter. It felt like he was floating because of the sudden lack of weight. His fists flashed out and struck the air with a vicious right left combo. He always enjoyed feeling lighter than air. Markus continued to undress until he was standing butt-naked. He looked down at his body and couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. - He found space for his armor in the locker and closed the door. He left the dressing area and stepped into the common area and looked around for Jaelyn. It would probably be easier for her to find him, as he did stand out with his 6'2'' height. Should she find him, which he hoped, since he would hate to have been stood up. She would find that Markus was quite big. Weighing 205 pounds, Markus' muscles were very well developed and defined. With his back held straight as he scouted the pool area for Jaelyn's much smaller frame.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Passing into the women's changing room Jaelyn carefully, with some wincing at the work she was putting her shoulder through, removed and stowed her armor and clothes in a locker before moving out into the public bathing area. Normally she would go right into the water, but this time she paused to see if she could spot Markus first.

It didn't take incredibly long for her to notice Markus' tall and impressive figure, but instead of moving towards him or calling out she found herself watching him silently for a few moments. Despite her occasional daydream of Kendall or Tolby, or her experience with Jokor, Markus' naked form was very different all together. His muscles and obvious strength was almost the exact opposite of the light and soft frame of Kendall, but they were comforting in the fact that she knew he could defend himself.

She was quite a bit different by comparison. Shorter at 5' 8" and only 150 pounds, her body was much softer and smoother, her muscles lightly defined against her fair and farmer's tanned skin. Her cheeks flushing faintly at the comparisons her mind was bringing up she approached her fellow Squire with a wave of her hand, "Hello Markus, shall we go in?"

[Markus Andres]

Markus turned when he saw a wave in his direction and he smiled warmly to the female squire walking in his direction. For a moment, Markus had forgotten the location and had in the same moment forgotten the dress code, or rather, lack thereof, and that Jaelyn would be stark naked when she came out. He was soon reminded of this when he saw the splendor of her body. Her words brought him back up north again and he blinked and his smile grew a tad wider and sheepish as his cheeks went flustered. "Yes, let us." Markus turned to the large pool and touched the heated water with his right foot and then stepped all the way in. He always liked the first moments as he stepped into the water. All of his body was engulfed in the water. As his entire body reacted to the warmer water. He found the sensation pleasing and as such it always made it easier for him to smile and laugh. Something that was not hard to do already. He swam in the water. Grinning as he did so. He would soon turn back and swim to Jaelyn again. A grin still present on his boyish face as he splashed water in his fellow squires face. Perhaps a bit childish action, but it had been a while since Markus had had the time and desire to play around.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jaelyn was trying to think of the situation as just being between two Squires, as she normally did, but the flustered look of Markus' cheeks as he smiled at her was making it difficult. Thinking back on their conversation at Windmount Stables she couldn't help but wonder about Markus' feelings for her. It was starting to seem more like he was interested in her romantically, and thinking back reminded her of the questions she had wanted to ask. Well, once they were in the water it would be a good time to talk.

Occupied by such thoughts she followed Markus into the pool, but before she could start talking to him he swam off. She smiled softly as she watched him, admiring the way he moved through the water. The way his muscles flexed and glistened as they moved... she gave a small shake of her head to clear away those thoughts. She had to stay focused.

As Markus came swimming back towards her Jaelyn smiled softly and started to speak, "Marku, I," but she was cut off by a mouthful of water as Markus splashed her in the face.

Caught off guard she gasped, inhaling some of the water, and then started to cough to try and get the water out of her throat. Turning her head away she covered her mouth and worked on recovering her breathing. After a little longer, and a couple more coughs, she turned an apologetic smile to Markus, "Sorry, you caught me off guard."

For a moment she thought of continuing her planned conversation, but something about Markus' smile was just infectious. With a hint of a grin she gave a sweep of her left arm through the water to splash a small wave back at him in return. The serious talk could come later.

[Markus Andres]

Markus felt horrible when Jaelyn started to cough. Perhaps he shouldn't have been so playful. He splashed through the water to get to her aid. But before he could get all the way there, she had recovered herself and apologized. That apology was a bit off, it was Markus who ought to have apologized. It was him who had almost drowned the poor squire. "No no, I ap-" Markus got a face full of water and he just closed his eyes and grinned. "I'll get you for that." He immediately sent a wave in her direction. He would continue to throw wave after wave of water in her direction for half a chime before he would stop by throwing both hands in the air as if he was surrendering. "Truce... Truce!" Markus said with a grin as he moved closer to Jaelyn. "Let me take a look at your arm." He requested. Perhaps with an ulterior motive. Holding out his arms so he could hold her injured limb. Markus kept his eyes on either her shoulder or her eyes. Not wanting her to think he was constantly trying to gawk below the water line.