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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 19, 2011 20:26:50 GMT -5
I cringed and winced. I couldn't help it. But slowly I nodded. "I'll do that Layne, but you're my friend all the time. That's the definition of a friend."
I continued to eat and then I asked, "I'd like to see you some more, Layne. Outside the bath house. As your friend. Would that be alright?" I had no intention of telling her I'd likely not visit her at the bath-house. I didn't think I could.
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jun 19, 2011 21:51:04 GMT -5
I shrugged and smiled, popped another chip into my mouth playfully. “Sure! Isn't that what we're doing right now?” I wasn't sure why he wanted to check – I'd accepted the offer for a meal, we were eating it together.
One Aragonian john had once told me that shared food was the sign of friendship, and I didn't mind using that definition, just then. On the contrary.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 20, 2011 14:32:56 GMT -5
I laughed. "I suppose so. I like spending time with you. I don't have to worry about putting on airs, or speaking a certain way. I'll meet you whenever you like, here."
I continued to eat, and was soon done.
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jun 20, 2011 22:20:50 GMT -5
“That sounds good,” I replied after I'd chewed my chip off. “Wouldn't know where to send you a note, though,” I added after some thought. “But it'd be nice. And you can cuss and swear around me all you like, I don't mind.”
I chuckled a little. “Really, it's the uppity stuff I'm uncomfortable with. I don't know what to do with it.”
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 21, 2011 9:25:45 GMT -5
"Oh! I have a small house in the East Borough. You know my name. Feel free to call upon me any time. I wouldn't mind in the least." I sat back and drained my mug, having eaten more than half the stew and bread, but still not all of it. Alayne had just stuck to the chips, which suited me fine.
I smiled as she gave me permission to cuss and swear, then nodded with a grin in agreement to her last statement. "Fuck yeah. Me either sometimes. And you can cuss around me too. Skaldi women do. I think it is sexy as hell." I winked.
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jun 21, 2011 10:15:28 GMT -5
After Hal's behavior with the shop clerk, I was willing to believe that he didn't care if anyone saw a common whore visiting. I couldn't help but wonder what his house was like, and I resolved to visit on my next day off.
“Hey, thanks,” I replied, and chuckled, “I had no idea that my lack of manners was a plus. Remind me to cuss more when fishing out for johns.”
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 21, 2011 10:33:00 GMT -5
"I'm sure some johns would appreciate it. Besides, most people I know fuck with their mouths too, so why not? They're just words. The mouth is very versatile." I winked again and poured the last of the pitcher into my mug. I sat back again and watched her a moment. Just watched. I found her beyond interesting.
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jun 21, 2011 11:12:29 GMT -5
“Mouth and every other possible hole,” I replied with a wry chuckle. “Pays well, you know. And besides, it's fun.” Pause, then, remembering the black eye on my face. “Well... most of the time, anyway.”
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Post by Random Event on Jun 21, 2011 12:39:53 GMT -5
Random Event: A fight erupts at a nearby table.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 22, 2011 10:12:28 GMT -5
With a chuckle I nod and answer, "Even nostrils, ears and belly buttons?! You ARE awfully talented!" I winked and laughed, taking another drink.
It was then that a scuffle broke out, soon turning into a fight. I couldn't tell what it was over, or if it was just due to drunkeness. Regardless, I shrugged at Layne and tried my best to ignore it...
Until they bumped our table. I growled and watched them, my eyes narrowed. They were dangerously close...
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jun 23, 2011 10:54:22 GMT -5
I was laughing at Hal's jest when we were interrupted by (yet again) another brawl. I supposed it was a usual thing, and shrugged it off, ignoring the situation in favor of finishing my drink.
They were getting closer and closer, though, and one of the brawlers, mid-punch, caught my eye, and I tried to duck a little more. It didn't work, though.
“You!” He roared, and finishing to punch his fighting partner, he started towards us – instinctively, I went behind Hal, he did make me feel safe.
“Oh merciful Kushiel,” I breathed, to my new friend. “I thought he'd gotten more than just kicked out.”
It seemed Hal would get a chance to avenge my black eye, after all.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 23, 2011 11:38:19 GMT -5
I had watched the fight as it had closed with us. I had some concern for their proximity, but it was none of my business. Until one of the men seemed to recognize Layne. I frowned as he roared at her, broke from the fight, and stalked in our direction. She had ducked behind me, and as he neared I stood up. My hand brushed backwards, making sure she was out of the way, touching one curvy hip softly. "Sorry." I muttered to her, not able to offer much in the way of true apology as the man came at me.
He was large, perhaps close to my own weight, but I was taller, and packed less around my middle. He was certainly older than myself as well, but there was no doubt that in his younger days he'd have been a bull. He was no slouch now either, but I was sure I could handle things. I put my hands up, palms open towards him. "Look, sir, I don't have any..." And then the swing came.
I didn't dodge it, or even try to block it. I was not going to be cowed by a man such as him, and the way his eyes burned when he saw Layne told me just who he was. A man who liked to hit women. To take what he wanted by force. His fist impacted my jaw, and my head rocked back. I was sure it'd be swollen in the morning. Coppery and metallic in my mouth, I knew there was some blood. I spit it on the floor and grinned. I was only just now starting to feel warm. "Not bad. My turn."
My hand snapped out and caught him by the front of his shirt. My arm flexed as I dragged him closer and pulled him up, his toes barely touching the ground. I growled, teeth clenched and bared. My other fist pistoned outward, catching his nose flush. The familiar crunch of bone and the splattering of blood told me I had broken it. The way both his eyes darkened, confirmed it.
Hi arms came at me, but I pulled back, my knuckles white as I gripped his shirt tightly. My longer reach afforded me some room, and I lit into him again, striking his eye. I could feel the orbital bone give way, and his eye filled with blood. He was done.
I tossed him down and spat, the reddish spittle splattering on his chest. He laid there, moaning.
I turned to Layne, my body flushed, but at least able to keep my wits about me. "You want your own payback? You take it at your leisure Layne. He'll not touch you."
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Alayne Lombard
Citizen
Employee at the Bath House
Lost child of the Deveroix household.
Posts: 329
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Post by Alayne Lombard on Jun 23, 2011 17:00:15 GMT -5
I'd watched with wide eyes as Hal and my john traded courtesies of their own making, hidden behind a chair, ready to bolt, but Hal had the win of it, predictably.
When it was all said and done and the john was moaning and bleeding on the floor, I ducked out of my corner and came to sidle beside Hal, looking at the pitiful form that was nigh whimpering in fear.
“I think I'm done,” I said softly. I didn't have enough hatred in me to do more, and instinctively, I pressed myself to my friend. “-- can we leave, please?”
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 23, 2011 19:25:11 GMT -5
I nodded and glared one last time at the man. Instinctively my arm went about Layne as she pressed to me. More to comfort and protect her than anything. Though I supposed it could be seen as possessive as well. I said not a word and headed towards the door.
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