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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Mar 25, 2010 1:06:32 GMT -5
"Yes, but it's the thought that counts," I insisted as he continued to be horribly ungrateful. I was beginning to get irritated with him. He laughed then, which made me shake my head and grin, my own black mood evaporating.
I rolled my eyes at his response to my touch, but I let him pull away without a fight. "What people?" I said, gesturing to the empty street we were walking down. I suppose I should have been insulted, but the truth was that I did not see Sin as anything more than a friend either, which was probably the reason we were friends.
When he covered my face with his hand, I laughed and stuck my tongue out, liberally licking his palm.
"I wasn't really thinking about it," I said, laughing as he pushed me away. "I should have just run up behind him and kicked him in the testes, but you know, the heat of the moment and all that."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Mar 25, 2010 12:54:34 GMT -5
"Ugh. I don't care about 'what people' it's just a disgusting thought to be associated with you like that." I said it upfront without hesitation, because I knew Naia felt the same way. Us? A couple? Stab me in the foot while you're at it, why don't you? I recoiled my hand when she licked my palm and scowled, instinctively thinking of Gabriel. He had done the exact same thing and I couldn't help but frown from the thought of him.
"Yeah, that would have been ten times more useful. I may have actually THANKED you if you had," I said with a slight smirk as I pinched her on the arm. "But no, you decided to get choked. Mayhaps you need a visit to Mandrake for that masochistic tendency you are developing." As we neared Valerian I gave her a glance. "Don't make a scene, okay?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Mar 28, 2010 1:15:40 GMT -5
"Me? Make a scene? I'm not the one starting bar fights with crazy strangers," I said, laughing as we made it to Valerian. I studiously said nothing about his suggestion to visit Mandrake, though I'm sure I colored slightly. I had never told Sin about my time there, and probably never would, or that his name was my signale, though I did wonder what he would say about it.
"At least I'll blend right in here," I said, wondering if I would see any other of my kin in passing. "Just think, it's almost like an assignation." I smirked, knowing he would find the idea as well, awkward as I would.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Mar 29, 2010 12:05:47 GMT -5
"Hey, I didn't start that fight he started it with me. He, for Elua's sake, came straight up to me and tried to punch me in the face. Gods, I'm just glad I know that look in his eye so well," I said with a roll of my eyes. Or certainly I would have much more than a bruised cheek and a wounded shoulder. When we reached the door and she mentioned blending right in, having it be like an assignation, I almost smacked myself on the head for my stupidity. Was I that relaxed with Naia to not even THINK about that?
"This is NOT an assignation," I snapped, "and don't even mention anything REMOTELY close to that or I will change my mind and leave you looking like a strangled dog." I tugged her away from the main entrance towards the back where we sometimes took patrons who wanted as much discretion as Valerian could offer. I opened the door and peeked in before grabbing her by the wrist to tug her inside. "C'mon," I said quickly, speed walking and twisting her down our hallways until we reached my room. I opened it and shut it behind us with a sigh of relief as I began to fish through my supplies.
My room was relatively plain, almost the same as when I had first come here. The only additions were a few wrapped candies on the drawer on top of a dirty novel. I looked up at her, "Look, I'm still MAD at you for being an idiot. You cause me so much problems, you ever think of that? Gods... it's so stupid for me to spend any time with you," I grumbled under my breath. "Not like I get anything useful from it."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Mar 29, 2010 20:53:03 GMT -5
I snickered as Sin fairly dragged me down the hall, hoping no doubt that no one would see us together. I was hoping otherwise, just for the amusement of it, but no such luck - Sin seemed to know the least populated route to his room.
I flopped down on his bed, then rolled onto my stomach, my chin in my palms and my legs bent at the knee, feet crossed. "Oh all right, look, Sin, I'm sorry. I was trying to help, honestly. I couldn't very well sit there and place bets while that man was trying to hit you, could I?"
"Useful? You get my company, what could be better?" I rolled my eyes at him as he poked around through his things. "An ally for all of your mischief, a shoulder to cry on, a stalwart companion, I mean really, you're very lucky."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Mar 30, 2010 2:14:38 GMT -5
She certainly made herself at home within a few moments and I rolled my eyes a little, letting out a noise of irritation. "Well... I guess I'm slightly grateful even if you're a complete and utter idiot," I grumbled under my breath. I would never tell her that I had gone to such a seedy bar looking for her and it seemed that I had been correct in my assumptions. It was just the kind of place she'd visit on a boring night.
"When have I EVER cried on your shoulder? And stalwart companion my arse," I said with a roll of my eyes. The only part I would agree with was an ally for my mischief. She certainly was indeed. "Really lucky? I hadn't gotten hit the entire night until someone decided to jump in and I got stabbed AND punched in the face." My jaw was still sore. The man could certainly land a hard punch. I finally found the salve and put a layer of it on my hand as I began to massage her neck. "This will help with the pain and the bruising," I said, rolling her over onto her back so I could get her in an easier to reach position.
"Idiot."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Mar 31, 2010 16:04:03 GMT -5
I rolled my eyes at his tirade as I let him roll me onto my back and then slather some sort of lotion over my neck. "What is this stuff?" I asked, wrinkling my nose. It didn't smell horrible, but I grimaced in principle - medicine was supposed to smell bad.
I liked to imagine that he said the word "idiot" fondly, so I grinned up at him, laughing softly but trying not to, as he had his hands around my throat and I'd been throttled enough for one evening. I reached up and touched his jaw lightly, trailing my fingertips across it gently.
"I am sorry I interfered," I said, serious now. "I didn't want to see you get hurt, and here I've gone and caused it."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Apr 1, 2010 2:43:27 GMT -5
"Some sort of salve, how would I know? I just know what it does," I said as I began to massage her neck just right so I could knead the ointment into her skin and allow it to seep in. "My Dowayne gets it from the head of Balm in loads so it must work well." As I worked, I gave her just enough pressure. When she laughed at me, I merely rolled my eyes but said nothing until she apologized. My nose wrinkled a little.
"I'm fine. I'm hardy. I'm a Valerian." Once I had worked it in well, I moved away from her and stripped off my slightly bleeding shirt and cursed a little when I was finally able to see the blood. The shirt had tugged on the glass and I could feel shards stuck within it. Though I could easily go to my House's medics and get it tended, this would likely reach the ears of my Dowayne. "Look, I need your help pulling out some glass from my shoulder. Can you try and not be stupid for a little bit?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Apr 3, 2010 12:35:09 GMT -5
"I guess being a Valerian would make one hardy," I agreed, closing my eyes and letting him finish rubbing the salve in. I had to admit, it was already working wonders.
When he was done, I sat up while he took his shirt off. It occurred to me that this was the first time I had been in the room with a half-naked man that I wasn't about to have sex with. The thought made me giggle to myself, but I sobered when Sinclair asked for my help.
"Sure, let me see," I leaned in closer and grimaced at the glass protruding from his skin. Reaching out, I tentatively pulled out a larger piece, not being as gentle as I could have been. "That one's for calling me stupid," I said, and then continued, depositing the glass fragments into the open palm of my free hand. The rest of these I did with a gentle touch - I wasn't completely heartless after all.
"There," I said, when I had gotten out the last piece and had a glittering array of bloody glass in my palm. "That's the last one. Do you have something else for this type of wound, or would the same salve work?"
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Apr 5, 2010 15:54:38 GMT -5
I didn't really care who was behind him, or why they left. I didn't even bother counting them in all good honesty; the only thing on my mind was either puking, drinking or maiming that little girl-faced chit who dared call himself a man, but he left near immediately. The girl, Gadleons apparent cousin, left with him, both of them high tailing it out and I scowled after them. "Some family you have," I snorted as I turned with Gad to sit down. The queasiness in my stomach had abated, and without the idiot in the room with me, my anger was already beginning to quell... some. It never fully went away, always leaving a black, gaping hole in my chest.
I caught the barkeep looking sidelong at me and I glared at him, baring my teeth in a mockery of a smile. "I'll take my whiskey again." Not a request, more a simple statement, an order as if he were my own servant and thus expected to give me what I wanted when I wanted it. Part of me wanted to glance at Gadleon, part of me didn't; it still hurt, just seeing him again. It was easy enough to imagine Julie coming out of no where, plopping into a seat next to him and demanding her own whiskey irregardless of whether she could handle it or not.
Abruptly I was aware of my fists tightening, and I made myself stop; it was either that or punch something.. or someone. "She did the same gods be damned thing Julie would have done, you know," I said, humorless, as I finally looked at him.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Apr 6, 2010 9:22:13 GMT -5
I settled in beside him at the bar and hooked my heels into the stool. The bar keep filled me a glass of brandy without being told or asked. It was kind of amusing how everyone was now acting as if Kendrick was some sort of wild animal and I was his keeper. At last I turned my attention to my companion “I had not really thought about it but you do have a point. They behave in horribly similar ways.” I offered the last in very quiet tones as the fellow was clearly hurting. I had moved on but then again I was always a jaded asshole I thought rather bitterly.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Apr 7, 2010 2:40:27 GMT -5
"Why of course. I have to be the toughest man out there," I said flexing my good arm at her as I winked. I was being a tad playful as Naia settled to help me remove the glass from my shoulder. I didn't so much as wince, even though the first one did hurt, I merely shot her a glare. "Don't be a bitch or I'll throttle your neck again," I grunted, settling into the pain mixed with slight pleasure as her hands worked over my skin. My lips parted slightly as I let out a sigh of relief as the waves prickled over my skin.
"No of course not the same thing. That salve isn't for wounds, just for bruises and lesions." I held my shoulder and took another bottle out as well as a thin roll of gauze. "Just apply this lightly and roll this over my shoulder. I'd do it but I'm not good with my left arm." And it'd be hard, regardless with only one hand. I could hide this easily if Naia did it well and it would likely heal in no time. I had to admit, even if only mentally, that once it was said and done, tonight had been a relatively amusing night.
"So how have you been, hm, you crazy bitch?"
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Apr 7, 2010 11:30:15 GMT -5
I grunted a response, something close to agreeable, but I wasn't sure if he'd really take it like that. My shoulders were still tense and bound, my muscles knotted, but then they almost always were. Silently a rag was passed to me, and I scowled at it and the hand it belonged to before I realized it was for the blood on my face. Who gave two shits? It wasn't affecting my damned vision.
Picking up my glass, I swallowed over half of it before clunking it down upon the table once more, then brushed the towel across my face once. It came back bloodier than I'd expected, and whatever flesh had been torn stung enough with its passage that I very nearly winces. My face grew darker instead, and I dropped the cloth to the countertop, a red-stained white flag.. I hoped that wasn't an omen.
"You seem to be doing rather well," I commented as I leaned back, casting a slight sneer in his direction. I was still drunk enough that my head didn't hurt yet, and my neck was all but forgotten.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2010 12:48:47 GMT -5
I watched Kedrick closely and nodded my head a bit but I suspect he did not see it. I was not going o tell him to take care of himself and all of the other tired old saws either since he was obviously struggling a bit with matters. “I am doing alright. It is one of the advantages of being one of the more independent members of the family. I tend to keep my own counsel so if things go badly I have no one to blame but myself.” I smiled a bit “and do not worry. I realize you are grown man so you shall not be receiving any lectures from me like those I am sure you have received from less than welcome quarters.”
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2010 18:44:29 GMT -5
I laughed, even as I was following his directions at binding his wounds. I could tell that his anger had dissipated and all was well between us once more. It annoyed me a little bit how much I cared, but I ignored that and focused on answering his question without getting him angry all over again.
"Oh, I've been all right ... " I began, being extra gentle to make up for what I was about to ask him. "I've been meaning to come see you, actually." I was finished, so I stepped back and surveyed my handiwork. "How is that?" I asked, fishing around in my pocket for the candies I had brought him. If nothing else, bribery couldn't hurt!
"I need a favor," I began, watching his reaction to see if I should even bother to continue.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Apr 8, 2010 14:21:22 GMT -5
I grunted a little, but that was the only acknowledgment I gave for the pain. When she was done, I rubbed it and tested out the bind, "Not bad for a complete klutz," I said with a smirk and stood, slipping my shirt back on which I buttoned up. One could barely see the padding but it helped a lot for the pain. Meaning to come see me? Well I supposed... "I had been looking for you too, actually. Where else but a seedy little bar?" I chuckled a little, "And it seems I was right." I shrugged my shoulders as I sat on the bed and paused when I saw the candy and she asked for a favor.
I took the candy extremely cautiously, my eyes narrowing at her. "What kind of favor?" She was buttering me up, I could tell and I could only wonder for what.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Apr 8, 2010 15:07:23 GMT -5
"All right, but let me finish before you just say no." I began, ignoring his comments about looking for me in a seedy bar - especially because he was right. "So, my natal is coming up and Azriel and I were talking about having a little get together, just some close friends and family. The thing is," I felt my cheeks redden as I struggled to get this request out without sounding too pathetic. "I don't actually have any friends beside you. I really want you to come, please." I didn't bat my eyes or attempt to cajole him ... I simply let the request stand.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Apr 8, 2010 15:23:23 GMT -5
I scowled but allowed Naia to say her piece. Go to her house? A Shahrizai party? Family. That meant Shahrizai family. I rubbed my forehead in frustration, but I had to stop when I saw her stop a little, her cheeks reddening, begging me without any sort of... attempt to sway me other than her plea. "I..." I started, rubbing my neck. That was like walking into a pack of wolves. "Naia..." I said, basically saying 'Why would you ask something like this of me?' I sighed and looked her over again. "I don't think Trinette would allow it," I said quickly, though I knew if I truly wanted to, I could just sneak out of here for the evening and go and see her.
"Besides... Naia..." I sighed again. She was putting me in a difficult position. "Look..." Her only friend? Sometimes that was how I felt around her. "Just... a few family members? Like who?" I asked, just to ensure myself that Gabriel would not be one of them.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Apr 8, 2010 15:31:01 GMT -5
"Oh, I would pay to contract you ... but just to come with me, not for anything else," I added hurriedly, knowing that even the word "contract" coming out of my mouth would alarm him.
I sensed that he was relenting, and I pressed my advantage by making a dismissive gesture and saying, "Oh, only a few people ... Azriel of course, his niece Lilliane Prevost ... he'll probably invite my sister." I deliberately left out the fact that I would be inviting every Shahrizai in the City, for fear that that alone would earn me a resounding NO.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Apr 8, 2010 15:40:39 GMT -5
That... didn't sound too bad. Two Shahrizai and a niece of one. I rubbed my arm and looked over at her, trying not to strangle her just at the mention of 'contract'. "You swear... swear it to me that if you contract me it will JUST be to go to your party as your friend," I said, frowning a little. "Swear it to me on your blood," I said, drawing a letter opener that was sharp enough to pierce her skin. I cut open a slight cut into my palm and handed it over to her, "Swear it." I said this seriously. She was my friend but still... I would never stick my neck out for her for idiocy.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Apr 8, 2010 18:28:24 GMT -5
I looked at the letter opener with mild alarm, but what could I do? I wanted to have him at the party, so there was no help for it. I took the instrument from him gingerly, then swiped it across my palm without looking down. The sight of his blood didn't bother me, but that much of my own made me a tiny bit queasy.
"I swear, Sinclair." I grasped his hand in mine, pressing my palm to his tightly. "I promise, it will be fun. Thank you!"
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Apr 8, 2010 22:27:17 GMT -5
I really wasn't sure about this even as she pressed her hand to mine. For what I was worth, I held honor despite everything. I did not know if that meant anything to Naia, however, who grasped my hand with such fervor and even when she told me it would be fun, I glanced at her skeptically. It was hard to believe that she would pay all that money to have a FRIEND attend her party and nothing more.
"Just as friends, that's it?" I asked again, trying to gather truth behind her words before I released my hand from hers and stood. "Naia if this is a trick, I swear to the gods above that I will find a way to get back at you."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Apr 8, 2010 22:32:17 GMT -5
"It's not a trick!" I said, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at him. "Look is it so hard to believe that I don't want to be surrounded by people who either don't know me or don't like me? And if Sarielle does come, I'll definitely need a friend. Like it or not, you're it."
I felt a little bit ridiculous saying it out loud, though I was sure that he knew it. Still, it sounded more embarrassing out in the open like this.
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Apr 8, 2010 22:43:36 GMT -5
I scowled a little, but my features could not help but soften. A one and only friend. I knew what that was like. It did get lonely sometimes, even I had to admit. I sighed and rubbed my forehead, helping her to her feet. "You should get back home... wherever that is." I would probably know where soon enough. "Look, but if anyone touches me at this place besides you, I'm raising all hell. It better say that in the damned contract," I said and shook my head, unable to believe I was agreeing to this "I'll see you at your birthday."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Apr 8, 2010 22:58:12 GMT -5
"Thanks Sinclair," I said, reaching up to hug him impulsively, but quickly. I stepped away and gave him another smile. "It will definitely be in the contract. Maybe the Dowayne will see it as a birthday present and give me a good price!" I grinned at him and headed for the door, pausing to turn and give him one last look. "I mean it, thank you."
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Post by Sinclair nó Valerian on Apr 9, 2010 14:04:19 GMT -5
When she hugged me, my first reaction was to push her away, but she stepped back before I could even react, which was just as well. There I was, standing there like an idiot with a candy in my hand. "Gah, yeah, whatever... happy birthday," I grumbled and as she left I flopped on the bed. What was I getting myself into?
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Apr 10, 2010 22:35:37 GMT -5
I wasn't interested in going home - especially considering that home at this point was still Gadleon's place and I had a feeling I would be getting an earful from him if I saw him tonight. Instead I wandered Night's Doorstep, looking for something else that seemed interesting.
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Apr 11, 2010 21:45:05 GMT -5
I was silent for another long moment at that, caught off guard and not really sure what to say. Eluas balls, but whatever it was that Gadleon held on me I didn't know, and I wasn't sure I liked it. I wasn't sure I liked anything, but Gad and I had never gotten along before. Not since the day he came into the house and I thought he was breaking in. We'd barely begun to fight when Julie sliced her hand, passing out in an overly dramatic fashion...
The memory blurred, and I sighed as I looked at the glass in my hand that had somehow gone dry. Was there a hole in the bottom? I didn't drink it...
"I'm doing fine regardless. There's not much to worry about; you distance yourself from your family, and I have none. We're alike in that, in a strange fashion." Strange and not - he had what I wanted, and he willingly pushed it away. Mayhap if I wasn't drunk I'd understand, but not in this fashion; he was selfish. I growled low in my chest before pushing the glass away from me heavily, not really caring if it hit the floor on the other side of the bar. "I think mayhap I should go," I said as I turned, facing him head-on for the first time. The drink held strong, but Eluas balls there was an ache in my head that was already starting, and I snatched up the towel, brushing at the blood again before reaching over the bar and plucking out the bottle of whiskey despite the shout of the barkeep. He, at least, would be happy to see me gone.The thought brought a dark chuckle from somewhere deep within, and I poured the drink on the towel before pressing it to my head, hissing at the burning and stinging. The blood wiped away easier now, and I grimaced before dousing the towel again, then putting the bottle down once more. Digging out a handful of coins, I let them rattle on the counter; that should pay for everything, I wagered, though on impulse I dug out a few more, not quite looking at Gadleon the entire while.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Apr 11, 2010 22:28:37 GMT -5
I watch as he tended his cut and pondered offering to see him home but I figured he would not care for that so I kept it to myself. I then simply nodded. "Alright, it was good to see you. And take care of yourself. I have few people I relate very well to and it would be a pity to loose one."
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Post by Kendrick Deveroix on Apr 12, 2010 8:40:57 GMT -5
Again his word made me pause, and I looked at him for a long moment, unsure how to respond. "If you relate to me," I said quietly, the hardness in my eyes flashing to something.. else, something more filled with pain and less anger, "then that is what you should pity."
I turned and made my way from him, eager to leave this place and his haunting face behind. I didn't know where I was going to go, whether it was home, another tavern, a gutter somewhere... all I knew is I had to leave here now, to escape things my mind couldn't begin to comprehend in this moment. I left, and didn't look back.
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